Viral Faith

“People vote their identity, not issues.” – Cecile Andrews in Living Room Revolution "People with conventional views must repress a gag reflex when considering the mayor-elect of New York — a white man married to a black woman and with two biracial children. (Should I mention that Bill de Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray, used to be a lesbian?) This family represents the cultural changes that have enveloped parts — but not all — of America. To cultural conservatives, this doesn’t look like their country at all." --Richard Cohen, Washington Post Columnist, 11/12/13 This morning, my twitter feed was buzzing about the comments that Washington Post Columnist said in defense of claims that the Republican Party is racist.  His statements, on behalf of those whom he considers culturally conservative, was full of racist assumptions and perspective.  I choose to believe that his comments, do not represent the beliefs of most Americans who identify themselves as culturally and politicall...

“ Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12 NLT) "Why is it so much easier to identify and name racial and religious hatred than misogyny?" Kristina Lucelle-Peterson in Liberating Tradition Every year, we take time to honor Motherhood and the people who have mothered us through the celebration of Mother's Day. Of all of the traditional secular (and I am hesitant to use that description as Motherhood is truly sacred!) holidays, I believe that Mother's Day is the holiday in which is most needed and most desecrated.  The holiday is currently a consumer bonanza, both in the retail industry, and the church (People are more likely to attend church services on Mother's Day, along with Easter and Christmas).  We buy flowers, candies, expensive dinners, have BBQ's, pamper our mothers with spa treatments, or maybe even travel with them to an exotic locale.  All of those things are wonder...

" Maybe the deepest tragedy of the Rwandan genocide is that Christianity didn't seem to make any difference" "It's too easy for Christianity to have no consequence in our world."  ~Emmanuel Katongole and Jonathan Hartgrove-Wilson in Mirror to the Church When the foundations are being destroyed,cwhat can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3 I have been reflecting on the dynamic between God and evil.  Specifically, the extension of God into this world: The Church and the manifestation of evil called suffering.  The question that continually comes into my mind in multiple different varieties is "Does the Authentic Church have redemptive influence on the world and its evil?".  Or sometimes I ask "just how much light is required to dispel darkness?" I have struggled with these thoughts for many years as I thought about the Civil rights movement of the United States and although it had a wide variety of self-identified Christians as its adh...

If I be worthy, I live for my God to teach the heathen, even though they may despise me St. Patrick Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."  Luke 5:5 St. Patrick's day is an interesting phenomena.  It began as a sincere way to honor a medieval Christian Priest who helped to introduce Christianity to Ireland.  It was slowly reframed to be a opportunity to celebrate Irish nationalism and the influence of Irish heirs all over the world.  It is now devoid of its Christian roots and nearly desolate of its nationalistic impulses (unless you count making everything green and wearing shamrocks as expressions of Irish nationalism). This is not an isolated process where something meant to increase our devotion to God is transformed into a self-centered celebration. This is the process of secularization that saw our primary life-motivation move from the promotion of God (na...

Discipline without desire causes drudgery Anonymous  "Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!"? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires. Colossians 2:21-23 Lenten season begins today and is the 6 week period of time celebrated on the traditional Christian calendar prior to Easter.  The purpose of the season is further consecration and dedication towards Jesus Christ.  In order to do that, there was often a temporary cessation of certain pre-selected activities that were understood to interfere with the consecration process.  In the medieval world, this was most often fasting from meat as meat was seen as a luxury and it was felt that luxurious indulgences interfered with the soul's ability to connect with God. Fast forward ...

" God's gifts aim to make us into generous givers, not just fortunate receivers" Miroslav Volf in Free of Charge Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.  Matthew 10:8 Today, I read an article about a pastor who left the following message for his or her waiter: This pastor refused the 18% gratuity that was added to his or her large party and instead left 10% (assuming it was cash as there is no tip on the receipt) based upon the pastor's concept that to give more would be to give more to the waiter than to God. This is a great example of terrible theology, and even more incredulous, a terrible, terrible witness to character of Jesus and his people.   Throughout scripture, God is described as a generous God.  He instructs his people to be "open handed" (Dt 15:8) and to be generous to others as we have been blessed, not because of our worthiness, but because o...

"I refuse to believe the "isness" of humanity can not reach up to the "oughtness" that forever confronts him" Martin Luther King, Jr, 1964 in his Nobel Prize reception  He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new! Revelations 21:5 Today, the United States celebrates the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  There are so many things that could be said about him, that a blog entry can not even begin to skim the surface in describing his impact.  So, I want to share five ways that his life, his legacy, and his death have impacted me: 1. King demonstrated that faith was at the core of changing a society.  Rev. King never backed away from the moral outrage prompted by his faith while advocating for changes in a secular society.  In his writings from "A time for Freedom" in 1961, he quotes an elderly woman who walked several hours to work in sweltering heat instead of taking the bus durin...

"You don't get to a place where you're never going to be tempted again." Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International “God created sexuality.  People create sexual identity” Dr. Jenel Williams Paris in The End Of Sexual Identity "Whatever you marginalize, you radicalize" Rick Warren (@RickWarren 1/15/13) So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.  (Colossians 2:10 NLT) Two things happened yesterday that colluded to produce this blog entry.  First, I participate in a wonderful email discussion with pastors and leaders that covers a variety of topics regarding life and faith.  Over the past several days, there has been significant discussion on the church's treatment of homosexuality in light of Pastor Lou Gigglio's removal from praying during the presidential inauguration due perceived anti-gay comments.  Secondly, a church member scheduled a meeting with me ...