3 P's woo-hoo! Anyway, this Wednesday night we're meeting at the Rich Parsons "Project" (no relation to Alan, that I'm aware of) for a night of swimming, grilling, games, and conversation. Anyone is invited as always. We'll get rolling at 7. We'll provide the burgers and hot dogs. You bring your own drink and a side to share (chips, pasta salad, something along those lines). Good deal. Bring any games as well. We'll likely have washers and wiffle ball along with the swim front. Directions to the Parsons abode can be found below.
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Sunday, July 20, 2008
Anymore
"When I told you I was yours,
I was yours.
In this life you're the one place I call home
In this life you're the feeling I belong
In this life you're the flower and the thorn
You're everything that's fair in love and war"
-Switchfoot "Head Over Heels (In This Life)"
"Captain: Out there is our home. Home AUTO, and it's in trouble. I can't just sit here and do nothing. That's all I've ever done! That's all anyone has ever done on this blasted ship.
AUTO: In space we will survive.
Captain: I don't want to survive, I want to live!"
-from the movie "WALL-E" (which is phenomenal incidentally)
"Where the Spirit of God is there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces are being transformed."
-Paul to the Corinthians
"The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, "Look, here it is!' or "There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you."
-Jesus to the religious leaders of the day
It's a fascinating paradox really. I've had so many conversations with people and read so many things that describe the level of frustration with the church institution(s). On the other hand, I've experienced so many people who are asking deeply spiritual questions and believing in God and the message of Jesus. The fact that "The Shack" is #1 New York Times bestseller tells the story there. So many people are sensing something more.
I've come to believe that every person on the planet was created to know they're loved...they're accepted...and they're valuable. Intrinsically loved. Completely accepted. Uniquely valuable. The majority of the population of planet Earth tries to pursue and acquire those things....often from each other...at the expense of others often. A belittling remark. A shaming stare. An unforgiving heart. An explosion of anger. That's why I think the message and heart of Jesus is central to the way life's supposed to be. The way he interacted with people. He openly welcomed the social outcasts. The people the religious system of the day shamed and excluded. He openly chided those religious leaders who were giving God a bad name. I'm coming to believe that the heart of the message of Jesus was and is "You don't have to hide anymore." You're loved. You're accepted. You've valuable...as you are. You don't have to play the game.
The truth is that there aren't many safe places around. There aren't many places where you can be honest...experience love...experience acceptance..understand value. Unfortunately, the top unsafe place on most people's list would likely be the church. Rightfully so, in many cases.
There was a case of a pastor and well-known evangelical leader a few years back that was confronted with news from a gay prostitute that the pastor, despite all of his bashing the lifestyle throught the years, was actually "hooking up" with the prostitute periodically and doing cocaine. After multiple denials, the pastor admitted that everything the prostitute had said was true. He was asked to step out of his position at a prominent church in Colorado and pursued healing. The unfortunate reality for him and for so many in various avenues isn't that those "hook ups" happened, although it does cost a lot of pain, it's that he had created a culture that would not be safe for the shame and pain of his life.
We need more safe places. I happen to believe that's the way things should be. Safe people create safe places. Safe simply means a place where every persons' story is valued. Our arms open wide to others to the degree that we believe God's arms are open wide to us...in the depths of us...do we believe that?
'"The darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets,' Jesus explained. 'The truth is they are more shadow than reality, so they seem bigger in the dark. When the light shines into the places they live inside you, you start to see them for what they are.'
'But why do we keep all that crap inside?' Mack asked.
'Because we believe it's safer there. And, sometimes, when you're a kid trying to survive, it really is safer there. When you grow up on the outside, but on the inside you're still that kid in the dark cave surrounded by monsters, and out of habit you keep adding to your collection. We all collect things we value, you know?'
This made Mack smile. He knew Jesus was referring to something Sarayu had sadi about collecting tears. 'So, how does that change, you know, for somebody who's lost in the dark like me?'
'Most often, pretty slowly,' Jesus answered. 'Remember, you can't do it alone. Some folks try with all kinds of coping mechanisms and mental games. But the monsters are still there, just waiting for the chance to come out.'
'So what do I do now?'
'What you're already doing, Mack, learning to live loved. It's not an easy concept for humans.'"
-taken from "The Shack" by William P. Young
"In this life I'm stubborn to the core
In this life I've been burning after more
We both know what these open arms are for
You're everything that's fair."
-Switchfoot "Head Over Heels (In This Life)"
You don't have to hide anymore.
I was yours.
In this life you're the one place I call home
In this life you're the feeling I belong
In this life you're the flower and the thorn
You're everything that's fair in love and war"
-Switchfoot "Head Over Heels (In This Life)"
"Captain: Out there is our home. Home AUTO, and it's in trouble. I can't just sit here and do nothing. That's all I've ever done! That's all anyone has ever done on this blasted ship.
AUTO: In space we will survive.
Captain: I don't want to survive, I want to live!"
-from the movie "WALL-E" (which is phenomenal incidentally)
"Where the Spirit of God is there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces are being transformed."
-Paul to the Corinthians
"The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, "Look, here it is!' or "There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you."
-Jesus to the religious leaders of the day
It's a fascinating paradox really. I've had so many conversations with people and read so many things that describe the level of frustration with the church institution(s). On the other hand, I've experienced so many people who are asking deeply spiritual questions and believing in God and the message of Jesus. The fact that "The Shack" is #1 New York Times bestseller tells the story there. So many people are sensing something more.
I've come to believe that every person on the planet was created to know they're loved...they're accepted...and they're valuable. Intrinsically loved. Completely accepted. Uniquely valuable. The majority of the population of planet Earth tries to pursue and acquire those things....often from each other...at the expense of others often. A belittling remark. A shaming stare. An unforgiving heart. An explosion of anger. That's why I think the message and heart of Jesus is central to the way life's supposed to be. The way he interacted with people. He openly welcomed the social outcasts. The people the religious system of the day shamed and excluded. He openly chided those religious leaders who were giving God a bad name. I'm coming to believe that the heart of the message of Jesus was and is "You don't have to hide anymore." You're loved. You're accepted. You've valuable...as you are. You don't have to play the game.
The truth is that there aren't many safe places around. There aren't many places where you can be honest...experience love...experience acceptance..understand value. Unfortunately, the top unsafe place on most people's list would likely be the church. Rightfully so, in many cases.
There was a case of a pastor and well-known evangelical leader a few years back that was confronted with news from a gay prostitute that the pastor, despite all of his bashing the lifestyle throught the years, was actually "hooking up" with the prostitute periodically and doing cocaine. After multiple denials, the pastor admitted that everything the prostitute had said was true. He was asked to step out of his position at a prominent church in Colorado and pursued healing. The unfortunate reality for him and for so many in various avenues isn't that those "hook ups" happened, although it does cost a lot of pain, it's that he had created a culture that would not be safe for the shame and pain of his life.
We need more safe places. I happen to believe that's the way things should be. Safe people create safe places. Safe simply means a place where every persons' story is valued. Our arms open wide to others to the degree that we believe God's arms are open wide to us...in the depths of us...do we believe that?
'"The darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets,' Jesus explained. 'The truth is they are more shadow than reality, so they seem bigger in the dark. When the light shines into the places they live inside you, you start to see them for what they are.'
'But why do we keep all that crap inside?' Mack asked.
'Because we believe it's safer there. And, sometimes, when you're a kid trying to survive, it really is safer there. When you grow up on the outside, but on the inside you're still that kid in the dark cave surrounded by monsters, and out of habit you keep adding to your collection. We all collect things we value, you know?'
This made Mack smile. He knew Jesus was referring to something Sarayu had sadi about collecting tears. 'So, how does that change, you know, for somebody who's lost in the dark like me?'
'Most often, pretty slowly,' Jesus answered. 'Remember, you can't do it alone. Some folks try with all kinds of coping mechanisms and mental games. But the monsters are still there, just waiting for the chance to come out.'
'So what do I do now?'
'What you're already doing, Mack, learning to live loved. It's not an easy concept for humans.'"
-taken from "The Shack" by William P. Young
"In this life I'm stubborn to the core
In this life I've been burning after more
We both know what these open arms are for
You're everything that's fair."
-Switchfoot "Head Over Heels (In This Life)"
You don't have to hide anymore.
"The Shack" Interview
William Paul Young wrote the best book I've ever read. I quoted it numerous times on this blog and at DC. Many of you have read it and found immense value in it. I'm not typically a viewer of the 700 Club but this interview was pretty good. Really great stuff on dealing with shame and "how we run to rebellion or religion when we don't understand how much we're loved". Check out William Paul Young's blog at www.windrumors.com.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Agape Communities
It's been a bit since I've posted on here...my apologies. Lots of stuff to talk about. As many of you know, I'm starting a new conversation/group of communities that I'm calling "agape communities". At the end of the day it's safe environments and outlets for people to process and pursue the reality of "God is Love". This will look like many evolving creative fronts. We've been having and will continue to have DC on Wednesday nights in Olathe (likely the name will be changed to AC at some point). We are pointing towards starting an AC in Oklahoma City in September. More details on that in the near future. There are also rumors of other environments in the creative process around the Olathe area. A blogsite will be up that will have my thoughts as well as thoughts from others in the community at large and links to ideas and musings. We're working on t-shirts as well that will reflect what we believe is the heart of the message of God in Christ. Also will be working on a litany of ideas and tools to help awaken to the "God is Love" front or help guide interested people to AC's where community is there in that capacity. It will also be an umbrella for creative outlets and ideas with like-hearted people. Lots more on this later. I'm looking at a meeting in late August to chat more, unveil more, and engage interested hearts in pursuing and creating. If you have q's or would like to grab coffee, partake of a Boulevard Wheat, or dance with a Cohiba Red Dot over conversation throw me a line at pbhl@yahoo.com. Exciting times.
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