This made me think, and so I prayed

Blogger Mike Morrell contacted John Crowder to engage him in dialogue about what he's doing and the post-charismatic response in blogdom (which I find pretty similar to the reaction to Todd Bentley, and the events in Lakeland).

I found Crowder's communique to be quite insightful on several points. I look forward to further interaction and future posts on Mike's blog concerning this discussion that Mike generously initiated. I think that both Mike and John have some important things they are bringing to the table and I am learning from it all.

As for myself, I have remained generally quiet on these topics because I have neither been to Lakeland, nor to a John Crowder gathering. Nor have I talked with anyone who has been healed in Lakeland, or anyone who would report to have met God in a Crowder meeting. I can honestly say that while I may have difficulty with certain packaging, I am not as ready and willing to totally disregard all of this, and confidently assert that none of it is of God, as some (not all) post-charismatics seem willing to do (people that I really respect, by the way).

But I'm willing to disagree with people that I respect. I don't want to get stuck in offense (especially offenses of the past), just as I don't want to get stuck in old wineskins. You know what I mean? It seems there are so many opportunities to get stuck, and I just can't. I am on a quest.

And the supernatural kingdom of God is a big part of the equation for me. A bigger part of that equation than my own culture, or post-culture. It's bigger than I am, it's bigger than my understanding of it. It's more important to me than my comfort zone. I cannot criticize healing ministries when I am not personally seeing people healed on a daily basis (I'm not saying that people are beyond scrutiny as a result of miracles - I'm just saying that when I see miracles happen through others, I am more critical of my own lack in this area than I am in the imperfections I might find in others who are 'doing the stuff' as John Wimber used to say.)

Curiosity and hunger are my first reactions. God is bigger than my current experience of Him. That's the one thing I am confident of. And that confidence keeps me asking Him, where are You? What are You doing? Is this You? I want Him, and quite honestly, I don't care who He chooses as a vehicle (even someone in an old wineskin platform ministry), or how He decides to come. That doesn't mean that I accept everything without checking it through Him-within-me, but I'm not willing to shut out things I don't yet know much about. So I am praying about these things, and just listening for now.

There goes my 'cool blogger' reputation. Just kidding, I don't have one - only 36 people subscribe to this tiny corner of the blogosphere! :P (Plus, posting videos of Heidi Baker, herself a fruit of the Toronto Blessing, probably already did me in. But you know, they have seen 60 people raised from the dead - one of which was a pastor who was beaten to death outside their gate. I haven't raised any, you?)

A Post-colonial Era

Becky Garrison's book, Rising from the Ashes: Rethinking Church contains an interview posted by Brother Maynard that I just had to copy here:

An excerpt from one of these interviews stuck out for me (p.50-53) as he talks about empire-building and postcolonialism.

Speaking of contemporary situations, let’s talk about the challenges you see as the church moves from modernity to postmodernity.

BM: There is so much argument about the word postmodern that the first thing I say is that people should be careful about reducing a very complex subject to a one dimensional kind of binary opposition where you throw everything into a blue modern bin or a green postmodern bin. I’ve always said that life is much more complex than that. Besides, in the last couple years, I have become more convinced that a better word than postmodern is postcolonial.

How come?

BM: As soon as you start talking about postmodernism, people want to argue about theories of knowledge and certainty, a field called epistemology. You end up with layers and layers of thinking about thinking about thinking about thinking. That’s not unimportant, but it’s certainly not the whole story. The other side of the coin is to talk about the ways claims about knowledge and certainty are used to fight or perpetuate injustice. And that’s the postcolonial discussion: looking back on five hundred years of colonization by so-called “Christian” nations and asking, “What were we thinking? How did we justify the terrible things that were done? How can we be sure we don’t do that sort of thing again in the future?”

The real issue, in my mind, is not simply an argument about truth; it’s the need for repentance about the abuse of power—especially by white Christians who used the Bible to justify some pretty horrific things, whether we’re talking about the genocide of native peoples, the African slave trade, the Holocaust, apartheid, or whatever. While we claim a high level of certainty in regards to matters of truth, we have shown ourselves to be relatively clueless about matters of justice. I’m not advocating uncertainty at all; I’m all for having a proper confidence, but I also want us to think about how we can be more gentle and humane in the way they treat other people, especially people whom we feel don’t see the truth as we do.

…[discussion of emerging church]…

Why is the emergent church going gangbusters in the UK and this British invasion is just starting to hit the US shores?

BM: I can think of two main reasons. First, the UK is one of the premier postcolonial nations in the world, while the United States is just getting its colonial testosterone running in its system. So, the United States is trying to build an empire, but the UK is living in the aftermath of what it means to have an empire. That makes Christians in the US a lot less reflective, a lot more prone to say “Let’s just keep doing what we’re doing, but doing it more and louder and harder and faster.” In places like the UK and across Western and Eastern Europe, they’re way beyond that. Second, in the UK, they’re generally up to their neck in postmodern philosophy—what you might call a post-Christian culture. I’ve heard it said that more people go to Ikea in London on a weekend than to church. They’re in a different missional situation. Our churches in the US still think they’re strong, even though they’re stagnant in terms of growth. We don’t realize how naked the emperor is yet because we have a lot of money, and political power, and a larger percentage of regular attenders at our services.

Oh, by the way. BM stands for Brian McLaren, if you hadn't already guessed. On this particular issue, he's bang on.

And this is why I believe that emerging/organic types in America are somewhat like Noah. They are creating a container (for lack of another word) for a future time, whether they are aware of it or not. Maybe 'creating space' or 'making room' would be a better way to articulate it.

James Choung draws the Big Picture

James Choung describes the gospel in a way that doesn't center on self. Way to go, James! And he also authored a book called True Story: a Christianity Worth Believing In. Haven't read it, but I like this guy already.

HT: NextReformation

Resources for Serving

Careers for Good Samaritans and Other Humanitarian Types is a great resource for anyone (living in the US) wishing to find ways to serve their communities, counties, cities, states or nation (and even some int'l opportunities). It's not just for those looking for a full time career, either. There is an entire chapter on volunteering, and how to discover what the possibilities are in your own locality.

My husband brought it home from the library the other day, and I was inspired by the possibilities and examples I found in its pages. It also includes some short history behind groups such as the YWCA and Goodwill Industries of America. The common thread of those stories is that individuals and groups of people just saw a need and decided to take action.

The book includes a wide variety of possibilities; everything from teaching basic sanitation to mothers in poor countries to career development programs for youth in America. I thought I would post it since I think it's a great resource for finding opportunities to serve others.

How do I pick a favorite?

Jeff tagged me for a meme going around in which we share our favorite book of the Bible and why. This is impossible for me since my favorite tends to change, depending on the (spiritual) season.

In one season, it was definitely Kings - the trials and misadventures of David as God prepared Him for His purpose, even under the corrupt rule of Saul. And Joseph's similar preparatory misadventures in Genesis.

And lately, it's Luke - especially the beginning which focuses on the birth of a paradigm-shifting move of God, birthed by a barren old lady and an unwed teenage mother (Elizabeth and Mary, respectively). Currently, my favorite passage in this portion of scripture is when the angel shows up and talks to Zacharias. And he says, "your petition has been heard." (I've heard it preached that the word 'petition' there means things you have prayed for but have since given up on.) And "your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son." The end of barrenness. New, reproductive life. The mothering (and fathering) of a generation that engenders great change... I am really returning to the message that Jesus (and John) preached: the message of the spiritual reality of the supernatural kingdom of God, and that it's near, directed toward, and in constant interaction with this world.

And Hebrews - especially Hebrews 11 with the list of the cloud of witnesses and what they overcame by faith, looking for "a city whose architect and builder is God." And how crazy their radical obedience appeared to others - especially Abraham and Noah. Abraham left not knowing where He was going. And Noah built something for a future time that didn't make sense in the current context, but was a vehicle/container for what was to come. These all had a sense of reality that was more anchored in the kingdom of God than in anything else; "the conviction of things not seen."

So, ya... I guess that's an unconventional answer. But, those are my favorite portions of the Bible right now. It's bound to change with the seasons...

Mark on whether 'God as Judge' is PC

I have just discovered the brilliant blog of an Aussie, Mark Sayers. His post "The Political Incorrectness of a Non-Judgmental God" is spot on. I've summarized using the quotes below, but I really recommend reading Mark's entire post.

"Hell sure ain’t cool these days. The idea of a post-death judgment of our actions here on earth is repugnant to the western 21st century citizen...Partly this is because we who live our lives within the Western comfort bubble have become distanced from evil...

...But then I am taken away from my cafe table overlooking the world, and I find myself standing and perceiving humanity from a different viewing platform. My mind’s eye is now far from home in a different place where the wind blows with a cosmic coldness. Here no one can afford to be clever or have the luxury to pontificate at a distance. This place goes by many names, Darfur, Treblinka, The Killing Fields of Cambodia, The Democratic Republic of The Congo, Srebrenica, Rwanda, Ra’s al-Ain, Kolyma. Some of these names are familiar to us, some foreign; but we know all too well the images, burned into our minds from high school texts books - mounds of bones, cavernous faces and jutting cheekbones, sallow rotting flesh, zombie-guards, lonely barb wire fences, 12 years olds with AK-47 assault rifles, old women sobbing into shallow graves, dead eyes, and that black smoke that you can almost smell from the pictures...

...Standing here a God of Justice, who does not let the victim’s cries be ignored, but who holds those who chose the path of evil to account, strangley seems not just a God of judgement but simultaneously a God of love. As I stand here to suggest that there is no judgement after death seems a callous and horribly politically incorrect position to hold."

I guess my only question for Mark would be: How politically correct or offensive is the forgiveness of the cross for those perpetrators who receive it? And on the flip side, how politically correct or offensive is judgment for those who have denied the cross, but have not perpetrated such overtly horrendous crimes against humanity?

Ultimately, God is the judge of each person's heart - not me. So I can't say who's in and who's out, because that isn't my job description. But I still think these are worthwhile questions as we behold both the mercy and the severity of God. I really appreciate that Mark articulates God's judgment as a completely JUST action that is born from His love, and I would say His righteousness as well (not that He needs our approval to be who He is and judge how He wishes - He's God, not us). Righteousness and Justice are the foundations of His throne (Ps 97:2). When I think of righteousness and justice, I think of undefiled purity - everything set right (Mal 4).

Interview with Abraham

Mainline Denomination News Magazine decided to conduct an interview with Abraham, the father of the faith. What follows is a short excerpt:

MDN: So our readers are all wondering, where are you going with this? I mean to leave behind an established life, an established way of doing things, your home and your relatives, the place where you belong… You must have a pretty well-defined vision to make such a bold move!

A: Well, no. God spoke. I obeyed. I don’t really know where it’s headed and where the destination is. Not yet, anyway. God just told me I couldn’t stay where I was. He said He was calling me out – to a land that He would show me. I don’t really know what it will be like.

MDN: A lot of people would say that God doesn't do that. God doesn’t call people out of something with no clear vision of where He’s taking them or what it is He wants them to build for Him. That your journey out is unto nothing and nothing will come of it. What do you say to those people?

A: I don’t really have an answer for them. This is what God has done with me. What else can I say? I suppose I really can't answer them because they already have all their answers figured out. So my experience of God may not fit into their grid... But the short answer is that I'm not really interested in trying to build something for Him. He created the universe; what could I build for Him?

MDN: Hmmm. Interesting. So what are you going to do when you arrive at your destination?

A: I may not see the complete fulfillment of all God has promised me, or "the destination," in my lifetime. But, I believe Him. So I will keep moving forward and move with God as He leads me one step at a time. It's quite a simple plan, really.

(HT: Genesis 12:1-4)

It's 30 AD All Over Again

This is a fantastic video of Reggie McNeal sharing testimonies of the amazing harvest that is taking place around the world, and giving a timely message to the western church. It can happen for us too!

Dreaming of London

My husband's grandmother was British, giving us the opportunity to apply for a five- year "UK ancestry visa." We are looking into the possibility of emigrating since London offers many job possibilities in global social justice and peacebuilding issues (and we have kingdom friends of the same heart in the area). Just a possibility at this point...

I can't even think of an appropriate title...

Ok, here's what I'll blog about:

This is the living standard for the majority of the inhabitants of Kampala:



And this is the UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) building in Kampala:


My husband informs me the floor inside the building is marble. Personally, that makes my stomach turn. How did we ever let this world get this sick? I am not interested in bashing the UN. Rather, I am interested in confronting the attitude of self-congratulatory 'help' for the poor among the int'l community when they spend their resources funding themselves, their own luxurious structures and their own staff (whose salaries are unheard of in places like Kampala). All those resources coming in from the first world member nations, and so little of it actually reaching the focus of their mission: the children of Uganda. This is something I have a very difficult time tolerating. There is something inherently so injust in these two photos side by side. God, forgive us.

My Baby and I

Blogging ebbs and flows for me. I'm in an ebb. So here's a nice picture for you to look at. :)

Redefining the Church

Alan is one of my favorite bloggers, and "Redefining the Chruch" is a concise, yet poignant entry on his blog (bold added by me):

"This is not an article about the scriptural definition of the church. Instead, it is about how our terminology and use of words has worked in such a way as to re-define our understanding of church. I mean "re-define" in the sense of defining church in a manner that is not consistent with the description of the church that we see in Scripture.

What kinds of terms and words am I talking about? Well, there are many. And, I'll list a few later. But for now, when you read about the church, when you watch television programs that discuss the church, when you see churches arguing and fighting to the point of splitting, when you see Christians talking about important aspects of the church, what terms and phrases are used? What concepts concerning "church" are important to believers today as demonstrated by their conversations and writings?

I would suggest that many times you will see believers talking about these things in relation to the church: church buildings, church covenants, church constitutions, Bible study programs, discipleship programs, children's programs, youth programs, church budgets, leadership strategies, church vision, church mission statements, hiring and firing staff, music styles, use of instruments, use of technology, pews or chairs, expository vs. topical vs. thematic preaching, accountability groups, invitations, education, church membership, local church, senior pastors, associate pastors, ...

The list could go on and on... These are the things that are important to many believers today when it comes to church. But, all of these items have one thing in common: Scripture does not mention these items in association with the church.

What we (in general) consider important to the church, Scripture does not indicate is important to the church. (At least, if it is important, we must ask why we do not find it in Scripture.)

Could it be that we are struggling to understand what it means to be the church because we are focusing on issues that are not important to being the church? Could it be that we are spending so much time searching Scripture for the implications of our priorities that we miss God's priorities which are explicit in Scripture?"

Good point, Alan. And thanks for another convicting post. I think about the events in Myanmar, the quake in China... I think about the orphans Shane met in Uganda, and I ponder injustice, racism, oppression, and all the vast amount of NEED I see all around us. And I wonder to myself, "Why have I spent so much energy on re-imagining, debating and exploring forms of church? Is form really God's priority?" I've gone back and forth on "the allowable will of God" vs. "God's best" and spent countless hours pondering what God is doing in the western church. I think we are in a reformational season as His people, but somehow I don't think liturgy and method are really on God's list of priorities in this reformation. (And somehow, all that pondering still seems inward focused. I'm not sure whether that's good or bad, but I am trying to break free of inward focusedness in general).

In scripture, God says that he cares more about how we treat the orphan, the widow, the foreigner in our land, and the poor than He cares about our liturgy, assemblings and offerings (Is 1, for example). Do we really believe that?

UPDATE: Here's a great addition to the picture from a post called "missional post-Newbigin" at NextReformation:

"This is revealing when discussing whether “mission-shaped church” is an adequate alternative for “missional” as an Anglican who contributed to the initial work on the report. I believe it is flawed - it tends to focus on what the Church should be doing (in a rather earnest way) which is a relatively small part of the picture rather than focusing on what God is doing and joining him, individually and as a Church [a people]. Mission-shaped church is already proving to inhibit our missional thinking here so I would hope that others will not adopt it....

.. the Eastern monasteries organized to protest and escape from the materialism of the Roman world and the corruption of the Church; the Celtic monasteries organized to penetrate the pagan world and to extend the Church. The eastern monks often withdrew from the world into monasteries to save and cultivate their own souls; Celtic leaders often organized monastic communities to save other people’s souls. The leaders of the Eastern monasteries located their monasteries in isolated locations, off the beaten track; the Celtic Christians built their monastic communities in locations accessible to the traffic of the time, like proximity to settlements, or on hilltops, or on islands near the established sea lanes.

When we begin with ecclesiology we end up rearranging deck chairs. When we begin with the story of a sending God who enters our world and who then sends us into the world, we learn to partner with God in his mission. This results in a reworking of all our paradigms, from leadership to formation. Future ecclesial leaders will be formed in mission and for mission, helping to evolve creative partnerships that look outward more than inward."

Worth 1,000 Words

My husband took many photos of his trip to Uganda. This one impacted me the most. These are a couple of orphans from northern Uganda (where there has been conflict with the LRA for the past 20 years). Their parents murdered, their villages burned, these children now live in a small orphanage called Jesus Village where they receive good care and education. Upon my husband's arrival, they ran to their room to proudly display this banner that they had produced to represent themselves. It speaks for itself... (you can click on the image to enlarge it).

Trucker Frank, Can You Give us a Ride?

I just discovered these videos of Tony Jones (whom I'd never heard of before, but is apparently an "emerging" type. Or is he an "emergent" type? I forget) and the very cool cucumber Trucker Frank. Here's episodes 1 through 3, each are around 9 minutes long. Their conversations are interesting and lead me to ask, "What are we (the church) so afraid of? Afraid of controversy? Afraid to be questioned? Afraid to ask hard questions? Or in Maria's case (episode 2), afraid of people's sin or struggles? Why are the people of God so afraid?" Well, maybe when we (relationally) get to know God, we aren't afraid anymore. We are free.








HT: Glenn

Is New Apostolic Reformation a misnomer?

A fantastic discussion regarding "taking our cities for Christ" and the apostolic movement (of the American and Australian flavors) is circulating in post-charismatic blogdom. I think this is a really important discussion. And it relates to my thoughts in the previous post on Power vs. Authority.

I believe the New Apostolic Reformation is a misnomer since it is based upon and embraces old wineskin culture, institutional hierarchy and other worldly perceptions of power (even if the intention is to utilize power to tranform localities in a positive way). I personally never attended a charismatic church that preached "taking our cities for Christ" but I assume this tagline is from Ted Haggard's book title back in the mid 90's. Having gone through a detox process not just from charismatic culture, but also from a lot of ungodly aspects of American culture (which is probably ongoing), I think I prefer "releasing the kingdom of heaven on earth" to "taking our cities for Christ".

The true church (a people) is completely submitted to the rulership and kingdom of the King of Kings. Therefore, they are not in a position to "take" anything, but rather to be agents that release the kingdom, which brings peace, reconciliation and healing. Without this full submission to the King (and the death to ourselves and our own kingdoms that it requires), we only perpetuate our cultural (and Constantinian) understanding of the church's relationship and expression of power. With this paradigm, we desire political leaders to come to us, we desire that our little church fiefdoms would expand to include the entire city, all in the name of "apostolic" leadership. Sigh. I think this is an expression of the colonial mindset in America and Australia. There is a foundation of colonialism which is deeply ingrained both on the psyche and culture of these nations.

Anyway, I do believe there is an authentic reformation underway. And I do believe that it includes a recognition of the functions of apostolic leadership. I personally feel that the missional movement in the UK, Australia and now here in America is coming into some of that. (And many other places as well, but since I only speak English, my exposure is limited). "Apostle" just means 'sent one' and it always has an external, expansional, and missional focus. The missional movement has rightly reminded us to take responsibility for the spiritual health of our neighborhoods and cities. This relationally-based movement calls us to stewardship of our communities. And rightly so. This outward, 'sent' focus makes this movement inherently apostolic. It also has born much reproach from the mainstream religious system - another mark of the apostolic (despised, without honor, slandered, scum of the earth, foolish, weak, etc 1 Cor 4:7-13). The missional movement (with its apostolic tendencies) seeks to undergird our communities, to serve them, to go lower so that we can push others up in love. That's the difference between the real apostolic and the false (IMHO). The false apostolic sees its function in terms of rulership and being an authority on everything, true apostolically-minded people see themselves as releasers and empowerers of others into their God-given gifts and functions (as servants ensuring the church reaches her potential).

I don't want to "take" my city for Christ. I want to be an agent that releases the kingdom of God in my locality and see HIS rulership expand, rather than man's (even if they are fellow believers who believe themselves to be apostles).

Six Word Memoir

Heather tagged me to participate in the Six Word Memoir Meme:

So here's mine:

Peculiar Woman in Search of God

It lacks the sophistication for a memoir title and sounds more like one of those human interest newstory headlines, but whatever. :)

The fine print:
1. Write the title to your own memoir using 6 words.
2. Post it on your blog.
3. Link to the person that tagged you.
4. Tag five more blogs.

I tag:
Shaun
Kansas Bob
Barb
Bek
Rachel

An Inspiring Financial Report/Budget

Ken pastors "church for those who live outside" in the Portland area called HOME PDX. They meet outside. He and his crew distribute little necessities like socks and sweatshirts. They acknowledge these 'invisibles' and befriend them, encourage them and help them (however they can) to change their lives.

This is a recent financial report from Ken sent out to supporters of HOME PDX:
You gave more than twenty five hundred dollars and I went on a spending spree..Here's our operational plan: get money and then spend it as fast as we can on our friends without houses. We're really (I mean really) good at the spending part; the getting is a little more problematic, but you folks came through this time with flying colors.

A partial rundown:

$700 for our friends who were burned out of their squat. Backpacks,shoes, pants, gear

$1,300 (and counting) for our young friend in a tight spot with lung cancer. Transportation, medical supplies, chewing tobacco (come on, it's better than having him smoke), food, living expenses, etc.

$180 for a young man new in town. Sleeping bag, back pack, cell phone. (He's indoors and has a job now.)

$280 for tools and cell phone for a carpenter with hepatitus B. He's indoors, is healing up. He's also connected with the carpenter's union now.

$89 for a bus ticket to Boise for a young friend who had a job waiting there for him.

$60 to a friend in prison for toiletries (you have to buy your own soap,washcloths, shaving stuff, etc. in there)

$350 for other cell phones. It is nearly impossible to get a job or housing without one.

Somebody recently asked me, "How do you make sure that the "homeless people" you give to are worthy to be trusted? Or are you just a cowboy who shoots from the hip?" I'm a cowboy, I guess. I give to friends in need and in some kind of magical way my trust in them makes them trustworthy. We help our friends without houses move up and out at about 10 percent of the cost of the government and other non-profits. Why/how?

{Because we believe in them.}

HT: Pam Hogeweide

Power vs. Authority

From "power, weakness, and the hope of transformation" at Next Reformation:

"Authority is different. If you obey because me you must, I have power. If you obey me because you want to, I have authority. Jesus, unlike Pilate or Herod, did not speak with power, but as “one having authority.” Max Weber says that all authority comes from love and sacrifice. The more sacrifice, the more authority."

I've been pondering the difference between power and authority lately. I think this is something we have been confused about in North American Christianity and have often sought after power (legal power, political power, cultural power, or power within our ecclessia relations with one another) rather than seeking after authority. It seems to me that power is not a kingdom value, but authority is. When I look at Jesus and His explanation of His authority, He points to His willingness to lay down His life.

John 10:17-18:
"For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."

Not only that he chose to sacrifice for love, but that this sacrifice was initiated by His Father. And reflects the nature of the Father, since Jesus said if we've seen Him, we've seen the Father.

My take: I will only have spiritual authority in the things the Father has initiated. My own initiation (no matter how well-intentioned, no matter how "good") will go absolutely nowhere. And I only have spiritual authority to the degree that I love, and am willing to lay aside my own interests for the interests of the other. All authority is based on consent. We choose who we allow to influence us, and we do so wisely if we only do so with those who demonstrate love and self-sacrifice toward us (and vice-versa, we can only expect to influence through spiritual authority those whom we love selflessly).

But this also applies on a larger scale:

Here's an example from my charismatic background: Some people go into a city or nation or region to pray with power. They are well-intentioned, but believe that their purpose is to bind and rebuke the ruling forces of darkness and displace them.

Other people go into a city or nation or region only on Father's initiative to discover how they can be an agent of healing, reconciliation and restoration. They seek to see the kingdom of God expand in that area simply because they have tasted God's love for it and His love for its inhabitants, and agree with that love. Their prayers may include rebuking darkness, but that's not their primary focus.

The first group has a paradigm of power, the second has a paradigm of authority. One approach does little to transform, the other is a catalyst wherein God brings reconciliation, repentence, restoration and healing to the land and the people. I've seen it happen. God is still in the business of calling nations and ethnos to Himself (we see it throughout scripture).

It grieves and troubles me that there has been so much misuse of power in the charismatic stream, that we would reject and deny even godly conceptions of spiritual authority since we're so disgusted by the counterfeit version and the mixture.

Any thoughts? Anyone?

Glenn's May Synchroblog

Glenn at Re-dreaming the Dream is hosting a synchroblog that I decided to participate in. (Maybe this will help cure a bit of blogger's block).

These are Glenn's questions for the synchroblog:

How are you doing?

I'm doing pretty well. I seem to have finally embraced an "at rest-ness" and feel much more at peace than I have ever been in the past. At peace, despite knowing a life-transition is just ahead, and yet not seeing where that will lead. At peace, despite living on less and consuming less than I ever have previously (in terms of consumer goods, still getting plenty of food and shelter and other necessities) :). At peace, despite all the imperfections of life and relationships in my immediate sphere. At peace, despite all the brokenness and suffering of so many, including those outside my immediate sphere. I am more at rest in general, and hope this is just the beginning of a trend in my life that continues to deepen.

What are you doing?

Right now I'm visiting my family in NW Montana. Beautiful country. Majestic mountains, placid lakes, and clean air with the smell of pine trees and the onset of spring. I've been staying part of the time with my parents, and part of the time with my sister and two nieces. I think I scored huge auntie points having talked my sister into letting me put hi-lights in my niece's hair. And all my family members scored big points with me by spending lots of time playing with my busy 18 month old daughter, giving me a bit of a break! (But I miss my husband, who is still in Uganda! Just one more week apart!)

What are you learning?

I'm learning to lengthen the measure of grace that I'm willing to extend. I'm learning to fully accept people, just exactly as they are. I'm learning that I'll get as much grace as I give, and that love transforms the atmosphere. And I'm learning to become a better listener.

What are you dreaming about?

This one feels the most vulnerable to write about because it's such a deeply personal question, and I'm going to try to answer as honestly as I can without sounding... I don't know...

I'm dreaming about helping those who could really, really use it. Battered women trying to find a safe place to raise their children free from domestic violence, or trafficked women and children that are bought and sold as slaves, or orphaned children without educational opportunities, or street kids like the ones I saw in Russia - turned out because of poverty and/or alcoholism. There's so much need, I dream and fantasize about meeting some of those needs. I dream about resourcing people, especially really wounded and battered people. The ones who've been treated as 'throw-aways'.

Here's the other participants:
Alan Knox
Jane
Jeff
Mike
Erin
Lyn
Former Leader
Kathy Escobar
Heidi
Jeromy

Everyone Can Play

Here's a mock music video I found on Youtube. Apparently, this guy is now a huge internet star. Although, I have to say that 2 Chinese Boys do it better (I'm a big fan of theirs).

(Bunny trail alert!) Although I haven't been able to afford this little luxury, WIRED magazine is one of my favorites since it's all about how technology affects society and vice-versa. So, I haven't been up to speed in that cultural discussion for a while, but I was thinking about some of the new technologies and how they have levelled the playing field. Now anyone can play. Anyone who wishes to speak up can have a voice. We are no longer dependent on huge corporate machines to determine our entertainment for us. We the "Volk" (or 'folk' in English) are now entertaining ourselves and each other. Blogging is much the same, anyone can play. (I also see paralells within the kingdom of God and His church, but I'm trying to have fun here and not be so heavy and serious all the time!) So, with no further ado, Here's Gary Brolsma and his amusing little video! Enjoy!