For my class with Dr. Augsberger, entitled; Grief, Loss, Death, and Dying, we had to design some type of creative project to present to our small groups within the class. I have always been fond of writing poetry, but I thought that in order to present my thoughts and feelings about the subject of Suffering clearly, a rap would be appropriate. So here is my rap about our claims of Suffering, which so easily become part of our language in relation to our walk with Christ. Tell me what you think?
You speak of suffrin'
It ain't suffrin' that you speakin'
Wounds heal too quickly
Cuz the gash is deep and ugly
One, two, three/ ain't it pretty that I'm bleedin'
Oh; so, so, sorry, did I step on what you preachin'
Oops, my life meant somethin'
To the great God in Heaven
What about the violence that causes all this suffrin'
Just for the sake, of whose Corporation?
Where is the vision, reflectin' God's creation?
Creation includes the children, who are runnin', fallin', playin'
Why is our freedom 'bout hoardin' and consumin'
Causes all this suffrin', we say, "Not in our nation"
Christian nation, really? it ain't seen in what you speakin'
Speakin', preachin', livin' walkin', dyin', oh yes, risin'
Where is the one who was sweaty, grimy, speakin'?
Speakin' 'bout a kingdom,
Not big houses, foolish livin'
It is askin' for a lot in this new way of livin'
Risin' from the dead?
You've gotta be kiddin'
Life, death, cross; simply way to resurrection?
Spiritualized, glorified, all has been completed
Heaven, the after life, is all that is needed
The Cross, the shame, the life of suffrin'
Tell me what I want to hear, I ain't goin' for any other
You speak of suffrin'
Yet have everythin' provided
Yet this anxiety, still has not subsided
The way which is spoken
Is spoken through the pain
The pain has brought life,
Not another human gain.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
To New or Not to be New, That is the question?
Hey all, I have not posted in a while.
Today I was asked the question, "What is God doing in your life?" This person then told me that he believed God is always doing "new" things, which I believe, but in my opinion they are not really "new", they are the same sort that God has always done, "renewed" in different ways for different times, for different people.
The question is a reasonable question, but very difficult for me to answer, because I realized that there is no simple answer for that question, unless I want to give a rehearsed response, which benefits no one. So I proceeded to give a rehearsed response.
What I want to say though is, "I have no idea!" but I of course come up with an answer. It is not that I don't know what God is doing, but answering a question like that is the same as asking, "What is life all about?" When I determine to know what God is about, I lose the mystery, and therefore will become complacent. The only culture's that would ask those questions are culture's that want answers, not a completely whole new way of living. I should say, "That will take me about five to six days of eight hour a day conversations to tell you, so I'll meet you tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., sound good?"
I believe in order to know what God is doing we have to be involved with the people to whom we are asking the questions. Asking the question in the first place already means that we do not know that person. I can see clear ways that God is involved in the lives of my friends and can name distinctly over the past year ways that God has enabled them to impact the world in amazing ways.
I sometimes want to ask the question, "What is community all about?" In Christianity, doesn't there have to come a choosing of those things which no one else would have chosen. We have a strong "merit" based system where "hard work" pays off, but throughout history, God has chosen those things which would never appear to be the best. It of course does not mean that they aren't, but they specifically do not fit into our paradigm, so we write them off.
Today I was asked the question, "What is God doing in your life?" This person then told me that he believed God is always doing "new" things, which I believe, but in my opinion they are not really "new", they are the same sort that God has always done, "renewed" in different ways for different times, for different people.
The question is a reasonable question, but very difficult for me to answer, because I realized that there is no simple answer for that question, unless I want to give a rehearsed response, which benefits no one. So I proceeded to give a rehearsed response.
What I want to say though is, "I have no idea!" but I of course come up with an answer. It is not that I don't know what God is doing, but answering a question like that is the same as asking, "What is life all about?" When I determine to know what God is about, I lose the mystery, and therefore will become complacent. The only culture's that would ask those questions are culture's that want answers, not a completely whole new way of living. I should say, "That will take me about five to six days of eight hour a day conversations to tell you, so I'll meet you tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., sound good?"
I believe in order to know what God is doing we have to be involved with the people to whom we are asking the questions. Asking the question in the first place already means that we do not know that person. I can see clear ways that God is involved in the lives of my friends and can name distinctly over the past year ways that God has enabled them to impact the world in amazing ways.
I sometimes want to ask the question, "What is community all about?" In Christianity, doesn't there have to come a choosing of those things which no one else would have chosen. We have a strong "merit" based system where "hard work" pays off, but throughout history, God has chosen those things which would never appear to be the best. It of course does not mean that they aren't, but they specifically do not fit into our paradigm, so we write them off.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Rock and a Hard Place! Ouch!
So, here it is. We, meaning Kelly, me, and a few other Fuller students in our community went to a Community Action Meeting, which involves people that live on our street, as well as the surrounding area. For those of you that don't live in The Pas, (pronounced 'pass') I made that name up for Pasadena, this city is bifurcated into two regions, divided by the 210 Freeway into North Pasadena and South Pasadena. North Pasadena is low income, poorer, and has projects, a lot more crime, basically somewhere that God loves. South Pasadena is rich, upper class, clean, with nice houses, basically somewhere God loves also and wants to see it provide for the needs of the community. (in case you thought I was going to say something else.)
The first time we went to a Community Meeting, three members of the Pasadena Police Department were in attendance in uniform. They spoke at length about how we were such "good" tax paying people, and used the word 'exterminate' in referencing the poorer, homeless, population, who only contributed to drugs, drug dealing, guns, gangs, and crime. I, thought that it was a little harsh summary of the homeless. They backed it up with stories about such incidents, which are true and false at the same time. They are true because they do happen, they are false because we have something greater than ourselves working to annihilate the 'good creation', which God intended. The Powers work to subvert, twist, and destroy humans from the midst of community, which God intended for us to live, to know him and his love, as well as to know and love our neighbors. This is coming from an ex-cop who only focused on narcotic arrests.
We thought that these Meetings were something which we wanted to continually attend and there was another meeting last Saturday. While we want to know our neighbors, I disagreed with some things that were stated and spoke in disagreement, mainly with the Police Departments' stance towards certain situations, i.e. 'the constitutionality of certain practices'.
I want all the people at the meeting to know that we as the Christian community care deeply for them, but we care just as deeply for those whom they term to be the 'bad people' in our society.
The first time we went to a Community Meeting, three members of the Pasadena Police Department were in attendance in uniform. They spoke at length about how we were such "good" tax paying people, and used the word 'exterminate' in referencing the poorer, homeless, population, who only contributed to drugs, drug dealing, guns, gangs, and crime. I, thought that it was a little harsh summary of the homeless. They backed it up with stories about such incidents, which are true and false at the same time. They are true because they do happen, they are false because we have something greater than ourselves working to annihilate the 'good creation', which God intended. The Powers work to subvert, twist, and destroy humans from the midst of community, which God intended for us to live, to know him and his love, as well as to know and love our neighbors. This is coming from an ex-cop who only focused on narcotic arrests.
We thought that these Meetings were something which we wanted to continually attend and there was another meeting last Saturday. While we want to know our neighbors, I disagreed with some things that were stated and spoke in disagreement, mainly with the Police Departments' stance towards certain situations, i.e. 'the constitutionality of certain practices'.
I want all the people at the meeting to know that we as the Christian community care deeply for them, but we care just as deeply for those whom they term to be the 'bad people' in our society.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
It's only money.
Does anyone know anything about fundraising? I have now begun the difficult task of attempting to raise funds so that Kelly and I may be able to travel to Oahu this summer to work at a church in transition. This church currently does not have a pastor, of which, "WILL NOT BE MY POSITION", but I am attempting to do an internship with this church if we can raise the funds.
The question that people have asked me is, "Why can't you do an internship in Pasadena or LA?" Well, I could, but this opportunity arose and will be slightly different in the fact that we will live in a parsonage right next to the church, work with the Youth, and I will be able to do some teaching, preaching, and the heart of the church is to be missionally involved with the community. The person whom I am in contact with wanted to know if I am into sports? I, of course said, "No!", I don't believe in sports. I think sports are a horrible way to make connections with people. :) :) Although sometimes I will yell at someone to stop calling "Cheap fouls." (Something I need to work on, please pray for me about that)-Thanks for the prayer Corey.
There seem to be a good amount of opportunities within this church to be committed, involved, working with a team, establishing friendships, and being able to see firsthand the day to day operations of a church.
One thing that my contact for this church said was, "We want to see this church make connections in the community, network with other people, and he said they are already involved with this endeavor." I am extremely excited for this church, which is called Sunset Beach Christian. (see link on blog page)
It will be difficult though because I am coming from the "outside", so there needs to be sensitivity on our part to the customs, traditions, and culture of this community. We in no way want to go with an attitude of changing anything, but we want to facilitate with the already established community to help them in any way that they need. Thanks, Peace.
The question that people have asked me is, "Why can't you do an internship in Pasadena or LA?" Well, I could, but this opportunity arose and will be slightly different in the fact that we will live in a parsonage right next to the church, work with the Youth, and I will be able to do some teaching, preaching, and the heart of the church is to be missionally involved with the community. The person whom I am in contact with wanted to know if I am into sports? I, of course said, "No!", I don't believe in sports. I think sports are a horrible way to make connections with people. :) :) Although sometimes I will yell at someone to stop calling "Cheap fouls." (Something I need to work on, please pray for me about that)-Thanks for the prayer Corey.
There seem to be a good amount of opportunities within this church to be committed, involved, working with a team, establishing friendships, and being able to see firsthand the day to day operations of a church.
One thing that my contact for this church said was, "We want to see this church make connections in the community, network with other people, and he said they are already involved with this endeavor." I am extremely excited for this church, which is called Sunset Beach Christian. (see link on blog page)
It will be difficult though because I am coming from the "outside", so there needs to be sensitivity on our part to the customs, traditions, and culture of this community. We in no way want to go with an attitude of changing anything, but we want to facilitate with the already established community to help them in any way that they need. Thanks, Peace.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Blood Diamond's anyone?
Kelly and I were watching Blood Diamond on Friday with Leonardo DiCaprio. We weren't actually watching it with Leonardo, but he was in the movie. :) For anyone that has not seen the movie, it is about mining for diamonds in Africa, in which a European Diamond Corporation, illegally provides weapons for an African militia to mine the diamonds and in turn creates a horrendous environment of child soldiers, greed, and much bloodshed. The European company actually puts a lot of the diamonds in vaults to increase the "worth" of diamonds, allowing the demand to increase, which enables the mining to continue, as does the cycle of violence. It is eye opening, very similar in scope to Lord of War with Nicholas Cage.
There was one statement made by Leonardo DiCaprio which made me think deeply. He was talking about God and was looking at his life in Africa, where his own mother and father had been killed by violence when he was 9. He said, "God left Africa a long time ago." Why would one not think that God was not in that area, with all the bloodshed and violence. Elie Wiesel the author of Night when asked, "Where was God?", in the Holocaust, said, "He was right there in the gas chambers."
I see everyday ways that I could affect change or redeem situations which I believe are oppressive. I believe as Christians that God places us in the midst of suffering, so that we suffer with people, which brings the salvation of Christ to others. I do not believe Christian masochism, because I know that God wants humans to live in peace so that they have opportunity to fully live life, but it seems from watching these movies that only out of suffering will we find life. Let me know if this seems like an idealistic American talking or there is some truth to it?
There was one statement made by Leonardo DiCaprio which made me think deeply. He was talking about God and was looking at his life in Africa, where his own mother and father had been killed by violence when he was 9. He said, "God left Africa a long time ago." Why would one not think that God was not in that area, with all the bloodshed and violence. Elie Wiesel the author of Night when asked, "Where was God?", in the Holocaust, said, "He was right there in the gas chambers."
I see everyday ways that I could affect change or redeem situations which I believe are oppressive. I believe as Christians that God places us in the midst of suffering, so that we suffer with people, which brings the salvation of Christ to others. I do not believe Christian masochism, because I know that God wants humans to live in peace so that they have opportunity to fully live life, but it seems from watching these movies that only out of suffering will we find life. Let me know if this seems like an idealistic American talking or there is some truth to it?
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Jesus Loves Fuller Sports
I was having a conversation today with some friends about being the Sports Coordinator for Fuller for the 2007/2008 school year. We were passing around some idea's about the Intramural Sports Program at Fuller. Some of the suggestions which we came up with are:
-Mandatory/Random Drug testing-we do not want any 'Roid Rage incidents
-Mandatory team penalty for anyone who says, "It's just Intramural sports at Fuller", then acts as if they just lost the Super Bowl.
-If a player is running with the football and alludes a flag pull, close-lining said player will be illegal.
-Ref's in all sports will know the rules of the sports they ref. :)
These are just quips in which I am attempting to have a sense of humor. Sometimes my humor works, others times it does not. I am open to other suggestions for the Sports year.
Tim's post today got me thinking about what the incarnation of the gospel message should look like in our culture. I was reading John's gospel this morning and Jesus was confronting the religious leaders, as usual. He was basically yelling at them, because they kept saying that Jesus had a demon. He then stated that they do not know God and they dishonor Jesus himself.
I was struck by how confrontational Jesus' message was. I then started to think about music, because in my life the music that most influenced me was music with a message. Some Christian music that I would disagree with theologically has the most profound effect upon me when I listen to it, probably because through the lyrics a story is told. I think that many people today do not identify closely with Christian music, because it does not tell stories which are important, but paints everything with "rosy cheeks", but is not true to life's story, which is wrought with pain and suffering, and liberation is found somewhere in the midst of those stories.
-Mandatory/Random Drug testing-we do not want any 'Roid Rage incidents
-Mandatory team penalty for anyone who says, "It's just Intramural sports at Fuller", then acts as if they just lost the Super Bowl.
-If a player is running with the football and alludes a flag pull, close-lining said player will be illegal.
-Ref's in all sports will know the rules of the sports they ref. :)
These are just quips in which I am attempting to have a sense of humor. Sometimes my humor works, others times it does not. I am open to other suggestions for the Sports year.
Tim's post today got me thinking about what the incarnation of the gospel message should look like in our culture. I was reading John's gospel this morning and Jesus was confronting the religious leaders, as usual. He was basically yelling at them, because they kept saying that Jesus had a demon. He then stated that they do not know God and they dishonor Jesus himself.
I was struck by how confrontational Jesus' message was. I then started to think about music, because in my life the music that most influenced me was music with a message. Some Christian music that I would disagree with theologically has the most profound effect upon me when I listen to it, probably because through the lyrics a story is told. I think that many people today do not identify closely with Christian music, because it does not tell stories which are important, but paints everything with "rosy cheeks", but is not true to life's story, which is wrought with pain and suffering, and liberation is found somewhere in the midst of those stories.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
MVP vs. Culture of Church
No response for the Steve Nash interview? Come on this is 'history in the making'. The soon-to-be three time MVP. Just amazing.
So I was thinking. I know some are saying, "Really Paul, you have another thought or opinion?" Kelly and I are thinking of traveling overseas this summer to work with the Youth in a church. Every time I travel to different areas I find the same issues in and outside of the building of the church, which have to do with our American ideals, or our American culture. We sometimes skip over the fact that almost everyday for twelve straight years, I stood up and saluted a flag, in which I "pledged" allegiance to. Is this important to discuss or not? I have really been studying the human makeup lately, and I am starting to realize that we become whatever it is that we follow.
The contribution of the social justice movement is incredible, but I also think that it needs to move beyond simply social justice, primarily in how we relate to one another. Are we still doing social justice from an individualistic perspective? I am not separating the physical implications of social justice from the spiritual implications as many have done, but I want to integrate them, since "I am a spiritual, physical, intellectual being."
For example, scripture talks about the love between spouses in a marriage, and the apostle Paul uses this illustration in regards to Christ and the church. What does that mean? Does that mean that the allegiance that I have towards my wife is the same as Christ to the church? Or does he actually mean that we should be relating to one another the same way that Christ related to us, and he uses the illustration of marriage to do that? Meaning should the starting point be 'the church', and marriage is the illustration, not the other way around.
Maybe I am too idealistic, but when books such as, Theology for the Community of God by Stanley Grenz say that we can not be truly human outside of community, because, 'it is within community I come to know myself as an individual, through identity formation, by the telling of personal narratives.' I love those statements because of their truth.
So I was thinking. I know some are saying, "Really Paul, you have another thought or opinion?" Kelly and I are thinking of traveling overseas this summer to work with the Youth in a church. Every time I travel to different areas I find the same issues in and outside of the building of the church, which have to do with our American ideals, or our American culture. We sometimes skip over the fact that almost everyday for twelve straight years, I stood up and saluted a flag, in which I "pledged" allegiance to. Is this important to discuss or not? I have really been studying the human makeup lately, and I am starting to realize that we become whatever it is that we follow.
The contribution of the social justice movement is incredible, but I also think that it needs to move beyond simply social justice, primarily in how we relate to one another. Are we still doing social justice from an individualistic perspective? I am not separating the physical implications of social justice from the spiritual implications as many have done, but I want to integrate them, since "I am a spiritual, physical, intellectual being."
For example, scripture talks about the love between spouses in a marriage, and the apostle Paul uses this illustration in regards to Christ and the church. What does that mean? Does that mean that the allegiance that I have towards my wife is the same as Christ to the church? Or does he actually mean that we should be relating to one another the same way that Christ related to us, and he uses the illustration of marriage to do that? Meaning should the starting point be 'the church', and marriage is the illustration, not the other way around.
Maybe I am too idealistic, but when books such as, Theology for the Community of God by Stanley Grenz say that we can not be truly human outside of community, because, 'it is within community I come to know myself as an individual, through identity formation, by the telling of personal narratives.' I love those statements because of their truth.
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