A few weeks back, I mentioned in a post that I would soon invite a friend to be a guest writer on my blog. I’ve asked Ian to chime in from time to time, because I know he has many thoughtful and fun things to write about. He’s a gifted writer and a great friend!
This is a great post on what it means to be “green”. Enjoy, and as always…feel free to share your thoughts.
I don’t think Kermit the Frog would have ever imagined that his words on the dilemma of amphibian life could double as the new mantra of the 21st century energy movement. In a world that is going “greener” by the minute it has been fascinating to see the wildfire spread of conservation minded products, services and jargon into the mainstream. I’ve never been a great conservationist. I feel that I’m more eco-minded than most but many of my daily habits would perhaps place me in the eco-hypocrite category. I drive a V6 sedan that uses too much gasoline and sometimes I print to many copies on the copy machine because I’m lazy. That being said, its been pretty cool to see the growing eco-consciousness among the American minions. For a while it seemed to me that all of those Captain Planet cartoons were finally taking root as the public held their collective rings of power aloft and joined forces against the wasteful corporate entities and greedy powermongers. The honeymoon of my enthusiasm was recently tempered by the cold reality of just how trendy this whole green movement has gotten. Sure, buying organic milk and driving an electric SUV makes you sleep better at night, but you’d better be prepared to work late hours to afford them.
An interesting collision at the crossroads of going green and the practicality of everyday life occurred this weekend in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. It’s worth a quick read.
My favorite quote from the article is the lead in, “I think it promotes awareness of whatever we’re promoting awareness of,” said resident Thomas Hubbard. We Americans have mastered one thing…the fad. From the same nation that brought you one minute of fame comes one minute of thoughtful living. What are the ends to this mean game of commercializing “less is more”. And when less costs so much more…how can the “least of these” keep up. Will green become an exercise in elitism or will we make it truly accessible to those who need it most? We have a fresh batch of questions in this new age of eco-consciousness, like how do we help the poor save gas money and give them access to healthier foods.
So what does “going green” mean exactly? For some it means a stratification of the bourgeouis, the Hummer vs. the Electric Lexus. For others it will be a drain on the pocketbook as they reach for products that make them feel less guilty. As we’ve seen in the exercise on Capitol Hill, it may mean the excuse to misuse municipal authority (and beyond) in the name of a cause that is too popular to fight. Americans need to take ownership of this concept before it’s used against them.
What does “green” mean to you? For me, it’s being thoughtful about a lot of things I’ve never given second thought to (including my eco-hypocrisy). It means looking at the world with an eye for the less fortunate and actually thinking about the place I’m leaving for today’s children and future generations. My reasons have nothing to do with global warming or the fact that whole grains are better for me than Wonderbread. It’s about being a thinking member of our global community rather than a mindless consumer-drone.
Kermit was right. Being “green” isn’t going to be easy. Living thoughtfully never is. But if we can take ownership of this concept as more than a trend and responsibly fuse it into our cultural dna we stand to leave a better world for those who are blessed to live in it.
I saw this picture (China quake victim) when reading the NY Times a few days ago and haven’t been able to get it out of my mind.
Imagine his pain, and then wonder at his ability to make “fishy lips”…it’s beautiful and amazing! I don’t have enough words to express how this boy makes me feel!
Makes me realize how much I take for granted and how much Joy I may be missing out on…
In my last post, I pondered election issues and asked what main concerns / issues we have with this presidential election. In the one and only response I’ve received so far (one is always better than none ) Mariano makes mention of his concern for the grandstanding that is taking place over the issue of abortion. I thought that this was a very insightful concern!
Abortion is something I simply refuse to argue anymore. I am pro-life. But not in the ultra right-wing sort of way. I am pro-life in any and every situation! For the baby AND the mother…for the immigrant…for the gay man and lesbian woman… and for the homeless. In other words, I believe that while not every life-style is the right choice or even God-ordained…every human has the right to life. The same life that I am given the freedom to enjoy…
The word grandstanding simply means “one who tries to impress or put on a show for a crowd“. Taking this idea of grandstanding into consideration, how do we see this taking form in the political scene as well as in our churches?
A couple weeks ago I posted about a Florida evangelist named Todd Bentley. I have some strong opinions about his approach to ministry and mis-use of scripture, but I have deleted the post as I felt convicted of my approach to the story of his ministry. I was judging someone I’ve never met and wrote with way too much attitude!
News this week has come out that Todd Bentley has been dismissed from his ministry for having an “emotional affair with another woman”. I’m saddened for everyone involved in this…especially those who put their money and faith in this man. I have been reminded that “grandstanding” is prevalent in the American church today and ALL pastors (including myself) are tempted by it.
I’d like to hear from you as to whether or not you feel our presidential candidates are just grandstanding, or are they genuine? Also…have you sensed grandstading in the church? In what ways can it take form?
This morning I had coffee with a friend as we discussed some of the major issues taking place in the national election. We compared some of our thoughts of war, economic justice, immigration, and climate change and then asked…what does scripture have to say about these things? Part of the discussion was wrapped around my own thought process, but part of it was to hear another voice as I prepare for an October series at Redwood Hills church we’re calling, God’s Platform. Should be interesting…
Yesterday the DNC began it’s convention in Denver. I did not watch as I was in the middle of something very serious. My live ESPN fantasy football draft!
I hear Michelle Obama was excellent, and I do plan to catch more as the week goes on.
I have been wondering today…what it is that you the reader are most concerned about when it comes to America. What issues seem to be on your mind the most? Do you see government as the answer to those issues?
Feel free to comment about this. I’m not looking for your thoughts on WHO (Obama vs. McCain) would be the answer…but rather, what issues you seem the most passionate / concerned about. Also, if you don’t really feel all that concerned about any particular issue, I’d like to know why as well. What brought you to this choice? What have you learned from it?
The conversation will center around the role of gender and what it means to be men and women “in Christ”. Their guest teacher will be Lauren Winner. Lauren is someone I’ve met and have immense respect for on this particular subject. This is going to be such an important couple of days for pastors, Christ-followers, and anyone in general who believes we have a long way to go in the dialogue of gender and faith.
I have been very frustrated as a pastor to not see more and more women affirmed in the church as leaders and ministers. My own mother has been a pastor for many years and I’ve seen first hand just how hurtful the church can be towards them. It really can be disgusting!
I’ve also found myself frustrated with the fact that the church I co-pastor (Redwood Hills), has been unable to involve more women in our leadership. Other than a Trustee, and kid’s director, we have a major absence of women being an active voice in our teaching, and mission. I will not be attending this conference hoping to find that one female looking for a job in a church…rather, I will be there to listen and learn from women.
If you’re close to the Seattle area, I want to encourage you to sign up for this opportunity to learn and grow in your faith by entering a very important conversation.
There are some very poignant and emotional moments in the film and I would encourage you to watch it. Better yet…watch it with your friends (preferrably non-christian) and have some honest dialouge about the message of the film.
Here is a video desc]ribing the background and inspiration of the film:
If you’ve seen the film, what are your thoughts? How do you feel about the role of church in America today? Who is Jesus to you?
The past few days, I have been a little more tired than usual. Work has been very busy, but I don’t think that’s the reason. The kids have been very active, but I can’t see that as the reason for my tiredness. Oh yeah…it’s because I’ve been staying up well past midnight watching the Olympics!
Like so many Americans, I got caught up in all the Phelps hype, only to miss his 8th gold medal race because while on vacation I couldn’t get to a TV in time. The “Redeem Team” has been fun to watch…Shawn Johnson is the future face of US gymnastics…and I don’t believe China is being rewarded unfairly.
News came out recently that the Olympic Committee has decided that women’s softball will no longer be a sport. Now, if you don’t happen to follow Olympic softball…here’s what you need to know.
The three U.S. pitchers — Osterman, Finch and Monica Abbott — have a 0.00 combined ERA in 39 innings pitched. The U.S. has outscored its opponents 53-1 in its seven games, with the only run allowed being an unearned tally by Canada last week. They are currently riding a 21 game win streak!
Many are saying the reason for their decision is simply because of the lopsidedness of the sport. My question is…since when was dominance in sport a bad thing? Especially in the Olympics!
The frustrating part of this is that while softball is out…trampoline is now an official Olympic competition! Seriously? Trampoline? Now I know this isn’t the back yard trampoline we’ve all enjoyed from time to time, but come on…
My question today is…if you had the opportunity to change what sports are being competed, what would you want to take out or add to the Olympics? Be creative…
In today’s world where good news via the media is rare, today’s Seattle Times article (Read Here) about an Iraqi boy brings me great joy and hope.
At the age of 3, Hamoody was shot in the face by insurgents. Today, he is receiving asylum in America.
Here’s a brief exerpt from the article…you really should read more of his story.
“I’m an American now! I’m an American now! Now I get to stay with my mother and father and my sisters,” Julie Smith recalled him saying. “And then he started naming all the pets he gets to stay with.
“I didn’t realize how worried he was about this asylum thing,” she said.
Immediately after a July 11 interview with an Immigration and Customers Enforcement officer who came up from San Francisco to interview Hamoody, he was visibly upset and clingy, fearful about being forced to return to a country and family he no longer remembers, Robinett Smith said.
She said he’d often ask, “Will you always take care of me? Will you love me forever?”
It’s stories like Hamoody’s that confirm my faith in a just God. His restoration comes not because of America and our freedoms, but because God is good. He is just. He is creating things anew through the blood of his son.
I think of David Ruis’ words in his song, “Blood”…“There’s a blood that’s stronger than the blood that soaks Iraqi soil today”. May it be so…
Recently, I’ve found myself living in some real tensions. The tension of leading people without trying to change them. The tension of my own theology…particularly about the issues of war and justice. The tension of working/living to ensure some financial security later in life, and surrendering to a life of generosity as I see Jesus calling his followers to.
I could go on and on…
For the most part I find that it’s good to live in these tensions. It forces me to be thoughtfulabout things (especially politics) and see them as not “either / or” …but “both / and”. But the tensions can be burdensome, and they often lead me into a search for God’s peace.
One of my favorite books is “The Book of Prayers” by Angela Ashwin. It’s an exhaustive collection of hundreds of ancient prayers and Psalms, and this morning I found myself reading through some of it. I found this prayer to be one that spoke to my heart and its struggle. I thought I would share it today in hope that those who search for peace may begin living it.
Lord, teach me the silence of love, the silence of wisdom, the silence of humility, the silence of faith, the silence that speaks without words. O Savior, teach me to silence my heart that I may listen to the gentle movement of the Holy Spirit within me, and sense the depths which are God today and always. -Frankfurt (16th century)
For a while now I’ve been posting about one of my best friends who is suffering from a rare blood disorder. You can read up on his story here.
After his bone marrow transplant, he’s been enduring many tests and chemo treatments. His body is beat!
Yesterday, I spoke with Daniel and he continues to amaze me with his faith. He’s suffering so much and his sickness is bringing so much pain, depression, and loneliness. Yet, he loves life and believs God is working through all this.
After our conversation, I began to think about the role of suffering in a Christians life. We don’t talk about it much in church, because it’s not joyful, or happy, or positive. But it’s real and it’s very important to our journey of faith. It’s important because without suffering we would simply take the grace, goodness, and compassion of God for granted.
Without knowing how to endure suffering, we can never really be the expression of God’s grace and goodness in this world. If Christians can’t endure suffering, how in the world could anyone else? We simply have to accept that it’s not only part of life, but essential to our faith.
I love the words of Edgar Allan Poe…”Never to suffer would never to have been blessed.”
Easier said than done…
Please pray for my friend Daniel. Please go to the Caring Bridge site and see what the chemo is doing to his body. Please read their journal entries and see how God is doing some very miraculous things.
Everything Must Change,
Missional Leadership,
Out of Poverty,
Cross-Cultural Servanthood,
O2...Breathing New Life into Faith,
The Mission of God,
The End of Poverty,
How {Not} to Speak of God
) Mariano makes mention of his concern for the grandstanding that is taking place over the issue of abortion. I thought that this was a very insightful concern! 
