Question: The Church’s Position on Nonviolence

As always I’m a little behind in my blogging. I have a question for  you readers. What should our position as Christians be on the issue of nonviolence and war? I realize there are very few war-mongers out there, and many christians take up the position of a just war theory. However many Christians believe it is the churches position to resist war and take a position of nonviolence. I am wondering that you all think here. Where do we draw lines? And how many of you consider yourselves “passive resisters”?

A Thought From Perry:

 

Seven Questions Leadership Teams Should Wrestle With

Perry Noble

#1 – Has everyone in the room kept short accounts…or is there any unresolved personal tension that needs to be dealt with?

#2 – Is there anything that we are doing as a church that we would not be excited about if we were not on staff?

#3 – Would we even attend this church if we were not on staff?

#4 – Is our goal to really focus on what needs to be done…or to get the meeting over with as soon as possible so we can get on with our individual agenda?

#5 – Are we resisting anything that God is leading us towards because it puts us in a very uncomfortable place?

#6 – Are we moving towards complexity or simplicity?

#7 – Is there anything that is obvious to everyone else but we are choosing to deny it because dealing with it would force us to change things up?I’m 

I’m not one to take stuff from other people’s blogs, but I thought this might be a good little tidbit for you readers from Perry Noble. 

Seven Questions Leadership Teams Should Wrestle With:

#1 – Has everyone in the room kept short accounts…or is there any unresolved personal tension that needs to be dealt with?

#2 – Is there anything that we are doing as a church that we would not be excited about if we were not on staff?

#3 – Would we even attend this church if we were not on staff?

#4 – Is our goal to really focus on what needs to be done…or to get the meeting over with as soon as possible so we can get on with our individual agenda?

#5 – Are we resisting anything that God is leading us towards because it puts us in a very uncomfortable place?

#6 – Are we moving towards complexity or simplicity?

#7 – Is there anything that is obvious to everyone else but we are choosing to deny it because dealing with it would force us to change things up?

Movie Review: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen

Last night I braved the lines at our local movie theater to see the new Transformers film. I was pretty excited; the previews looked promising, the last film was great, and I was excited for an advance in the Transformers story line. I was nervous at the same time; reviews were not so great, could this be a huge let down? 

It was… 

Don’t get me wrong, there was tons of great action that lived up to, even exceeded the previous film. Great transformer battles, they even introduced some new characters. However, I was very disappointed with the story line. Frankly it was like watching the first movie all over again, it followed the first movie’s plot sequence perfectly (even used some of the same, or similar lines), that was straight up boring.  I am willing to cut some slack on the fact that this is an action figure/cartoon remake and the story is a bit cartoonish and unrealistic, however, they tried to incorporate a real world concepts that just made me cringe. I can’t blame the director entirely, the screen writers need to take a class in literature. 

The lack of originality wasn’t the only disappointment. The language used by all characters (expletives included) made me feel like I was hanging out in a Jr. High locker room. Not to mention the sensuality, it was completely uncalled for (not that it ever is really), and… well … immature. They were trying to stick as much cleavage and short shorts as they could, and it was annoying. 

I realize they made this movie for teenagers, I mean I was sitting among high school and Jr. high kids for the most part, but I think it was an insult on their intelligence. It hurts when I see the culture asking teenagers to live up to the expectations laid out for them. Bummer. 

I guess I will leave this movie for guys who like to stare at coed girls and giggle over reefer jokes.  For the rest of us sci-fi geeks I think we should demand a little more intelligence next time… if there is one.

See something new? I support democracy, justice and peace!

Myface…err…Spacebook…Oh yeah, Facebook…

Ok, so I think my readers deserve some kind of explanation why I don’t have a Facebook page (even if you don’t want one, you get one anyway). It has nothing to do with believing social networking is evil or anything like that, in fact I had a facebook at one point. I deleted it… why? Because I’m a weird person really. I think there are better ways of spending my time. Sure I twitter, but that is a simple text message. I also blog, which I think is an expression of myself more than anything. In regards to student ministry, frankly I guess I’m old school and I don’t really think it is that effective in reaching out to youth. I understand it, and I know why it is attractive to our students, but I don’t think that we really have to have a facebook in order to be relevant. I may change my mind someday, but for now I am not really interested.

A story: When I was in youth group every youth pastor I knew played and loved basketball. I thought that was a requirement to being in youth ministry… seriously. I know those guys were able to reach the “jock” students effectively, I saw that, and frankly I was discouraged. You see, I can’t stand basketball. I can’t play, and I don’t enjoy watching it. But since I was under the impression that I had to play basketball to be a youth pastor and I felt called in that direction, it became a real struggle for me. Over time I realized that not every student plays basketball (imagine that), and I even though I didn’t play I still could build relationships with students who did play (cutting edge I know).  

Moral of the story: I don’t think you have to have a facebook or a myspace to be an effective youth worker (SHOCK). 

Like I said there may be a day that I decide it’s time (don’t judge me for that you change your mind to). But for now I think I’m ok without one.

Sanctuary City

 

Ok, I think I may be opening up a big can of trouble here, but that’s what blogs are for right? (read disclaimer too) 

 

On June 8th the city council opened a discussion of the proposal for Bellingham, Washington to become a sanctuary city for GI troops who go AWOL, particularly whose soldiers who refuse to fight an illegal war. Basically this would allow an AWOL solider to live here without being arrested and turned into the FBI. 

  According to the supporters website desertion has gone up 80% since 2003 (interesting), and many GI’s are committing suicide as a result to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For them this is a good argument for a sanctuary city, allowing soldiers to have a place where they feel supported.  

My wife and I recently watched the recorded meeting which lasted 2 1/2 hours. Both supporter and opposer were represented, some very well, others… not so much. . Many veterans got up and shared how dishonored they felt that Bellingham would even consider such an ordinance, rightly so. They have every right to share that and I don’t think it’s right to tell them that they are being honored when they don’t think they are. The opposing side brought up that the law is the law, and the city would be breaking the law if we housed AWOL soldiers (good point). 

As one person after the other got up to speak I was overwhelmed by the anger of the opposing side. I was embarrassed that many christians tend to side with this particular party that shout obscenities at people with different views. The words “coward”, “disgusting”, “stupid”, “evil” and many others were used by the opposing side, while words like “peace”, “justice”, “love”, and “care” were used by supporters. I found that interesting.

I don’t know what the city counsel is going to do with that discussion, but I don’t think that out of the 2 and 1/2 hours people talked much was accomplished. Nether side was really there to hear others and people walked out on the last person speaking (who was a supporter). I frankly was disappointed and a bit hurt. I have so many questions, I don’t know what to do with them all. 

Why is it always about party and not about people? 

 

Why do political agendas trump humanity?

 

The biggest question I have is: why are christians supporting political parties anyway? 

 

I was impacted by this forum because I realized that I don’t think it is our cities job to be a sanctuary, I think this responsibility belongs to the church. In the Old Testament God established sanctuary cities for people who “accidently” killed someone these were cared for by the priests. David, running from Saul took refuge in the city that housed the tabernacle. The priest never felt obligated to turn him in even though he was running from the king. Ok so I could be spinning these stories a certain way. But when are we as a church obligated to follow the governments ruling when we are suppose to be following the decrees of the Kingdom of God? Perhaps we should be housing deserters. Maybe our churches should be the sanctuary and refuge for soldiers who are tired of killing people. However siding with a political party keeps us from performing compassionate acts for our neighbors; the homeless, the deserters, the foreigners. The ones, according to Jesus our neighbors are the people our society hates (parable of the good Samaritan). So even though “the law is the law”, as christians we must question the law sometimes and even be prepared to go against it to follow the laws of the Kingdom of God. He has shown you, O man. What is good and what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” Micah 6:8

 Thoughts? 

 

petition site

 

article in Harpers Magazine

Quote of the Day

 

 

 

 

 

“I am not called to be successful. I am called to be faithful.”

- Mother Teresa

New Music: Great Lake Swimmers

I found these guys the other day while browsing the “bargin bin” on itunes, and I have to share them with you. I usually don’t give music reviews, but I will try my best. 

Band: Great Lake Swimmers 

Album: Lost Channels

Review:  This is Great Lake Swimmers fourth full length album, and just hearing clips of older albums they have reached a maturity with their sound. Todd Dekker has a haunting and smooth vocal that doesn’t seem to leave you even after you stop listening. The music its self has a folk base with almost a highland/irish sound to it. The first band that came to my mind to liken them to is Five O’ Clock People (one of my favorite bands of all time).

3.99 was a steal for these guys… Enjoy a good summer listen!

By the way my buddy Jake does a great job with music reviews he is HERE.

~grace and peace~

A Year With WordPress

I didn’t even notice that it has been over a year since  Raising Ebenezer made the switch over to a wordpress blog. I have been so busy with raising our support, traveling, and a baby that the important things like a blogging anniversary didn’t cross my radar (Now I’m just looking for something to write about).

Anyway, I appreciate you faithful few who read my blog, and maybe get something out of it. Even if you don’t I’m having fun keeping it up (It’s a results driven hobby). 

Thanks

~grace and peace~

Setting Boundaries

I was recently at a 2 day staff meeting with the staff of Youth Dynamics. It was a great time of encouragement and vision casting. In one of our meetings the president of YD spoke on resting in the midst of a busy season. Out of this conversation came a point of setting boundaries. I thought I would share a list that he gave us. I think these are good for anyone, not just those in ministry. Here they are: 

1 ) Put people over tasks. 

2 ) Spend the most time within your circle of influence. 

3 ) ALWAYS answer phone calls from you family. 

4 ) Take a Sabbath rest (every week). 

5 ) Ask someone you respect to invest into your life. 

6 ) Chose hobbies that are results oriented.

7 ) Be intentional about relationships.

8 ) Don’t take yourself so seriously. 

 ~grace and peace~