Waving or Drowning?

What Do You See?

2009-11-12T09:00:22-08:00

Erin pointed me to this yesterday, from John Isaacs. Seems like an appropriate follow-up to my previous post.

Africa Revisited - Mercy & Bill

2009-11-11T18:38:49-08:00

(Where I share some of my African experiences with you from my two trips/five weeks/South Africa, Burundi and Kenya visits this past year.)

The air is thick and musty, and I think I might cry.

This holy moment starts as Daniel, Pete, Edward and I walk from our guest house to the outskirts of Kibera, in Nairobi, Kenya. As we pass through the local market my senses are overloaded with the sights, sounds and smells. Colourful fruits and vegetables are everywhere. Clothing of every description and quality. Spices. Muzungos (white people) are not common here, so the three of us get a lot of looks. Mostly smiles, but a few frowns. One enterprising brother does his best to sell me some Marlboros.

Just like our own Downtown Eastside here in Vancouver, the simple act of crossing a street marks our entry into Kibera. A huge crowd is gathered on on the field that passes for a soccer pitch, watching a dj and dancers up on an elaborate stage. Edward tells us that it's Nestle, here flogging their instant hot chocolate, or instant coffee, or some other damn crap they've produced to sell to the world's poor. (I don't like Nestle.)

Somehow Edward spots Bill in the crowd and he greets us, polite but reserved. Bill and his wife Mercy attend Edward's church, but Mercy has been very sick for some time. Bill has met us here to walk us in for a visit. Edward knows Kibera very well, and even he doesn't trust his ability to find their home in this maze of humanity. Approximately a million and a half people living within a couple of square kilometers.

We walk quickly, plotting our course through the dirt and mud, stepping or jumping over the little streams of putrid liquid that cross our path at regular intervals. We're passing through a "commercial" section of Kibera, and most of the shacks we pass are small businesses. Food, clothing, shoes and services. Need something welded? You can get it done here. Edward estimates that perhaps half of the residents are employed elsewhere in the city, so they leave to work, but everything else happens right here.

The children become animated when they see us. Muzungos are not often seen this deep into Kibera, and Daniel's blond hair is causing quite a stir. Two greetings from the kids are standard: First, the relatively common "Muzungo", usually accompanied by pointing and laughing, and the phrase, "How are you", with a particular rolling of the "r". It's delivered as a statement, not a question. It's just what you say to muzungos. (I learned early in my Africa experience not to tell them how I was, but instead to respond, "How are you" back, which often reduces the kids to fits of laughter.)

We continue to follow Bill, turning corners and passing through gates until I am convinced that I would never find my way out of here. I smile at Edward and I sense he knows exactly what I'm thinking. "This is why I had Bill meet us," and he laughs.

Finally, one last little "yard" with a few stalks of maize growing out of dirt that is more garbage than soil, one last gate, and we are at Bill's door. He welcomes us to his home and we stoop to walk through the door.

The structure is made of mud bricks, which create a dark environment. Two or three clear light bulbs hang from wires and fight to bring light to the space. The room is divided by sheets hung from the tin ceiling, and there are photos and prints hanging on the walls. This is their home, and despite the sparseness we can tell there is a lot of love here. A couple of younger children and three teenage girls, one carrying a baby, come out from behind the sheets and greet us as Bill invites us to sit on two small couches. The girls align themselves on a bench against one of the walls. Bill disappears for a moment then reappears again, helping Mercy into an arm chair.

She looks very sick. Her eyes are watery, and she is coughing a lot. I take her extended hand as she welcomes us into her home, and I feel like I could crush her frail hand if I'm not careful.

Edward asks Mercy about her health, and she responds at length in Swahili. As she answers I hear two English words clearly and repeatedly: Malaria, and typhoid. As she talks I can see what little energy she has literally drain from her face. When she stops talking she stares off at nothing.

Edward translates for us. Six months ago Mercy contracted malaria, which is a frequent occurrence for our friends here. When she didn't respond to the usual treatment they worried that she had typhoid, and had her tested.

Tuberculosis.

For a brief instant, to my shame, I think about the handshake. And the coughing. And a million others things. Then, as I gaze around the room and then look into Mercy's eyes, I feel incredible peace. This moment isn't about me, and I have the strange sense that even if I leave with a TB bug lodged in a lung somewhere, it will be a small price to pay for the privilege of sitting in this place, with these people, at this moment.

I'm not romanticizing poverty, trust me. No doubt Bill and Mercy would jump at the chance to raise their children in a better environment, and I want the same for them. It is just such a sacred moment for reasons that I know I will never understand.

Mercy is spent from our visit, and as we prepare to leave Edward asks me to pray. I've been praying and "saying a word" all over Nairobi so I'm not surprised, but this is different. Even as I stumble through some words, I know that what I say doesn't really matter. I pray for this family, for this home, and for health. Mostly I just hold this precious family in the light. God knows what they need better than I do, and my praying is simply an act of agreement with God's desires for them. As I finish, Mercy looks me in the eye and squeezes my hand, silently thanking me.

It's time to go. Back through the maze, back to our guesthouse, ultimately back home.

I think about Mercy and Bill often. As I write this I'm sitting by the gas fireplace in my local Starbucks, sipping on a tea misto (with vanilla), scribbling in my Moleskine journal, earbuds in place. Mercy and Bill live in the real world, while I am back in the Matrix. I hope to see Bill and Mercy again in 2010, to be present with friends once again, and to die a little more to myself, God willing.

Fireflies - Owl City

2009-11-10T20:24:47-08:00

We've been under a bit of stress here at Delta House for a while now, and we've discovered that jigsaw puzzles are great therapy. Minimum 1000 pieces, of course. Stress in your community? Call a meeting, and bring a puzzle.

Anyway, we usually do our puzzling to tunes, and this little ditty has become a favorite here. Introduced to us by Sarah, it's now unanimous. We love it. I can't explain it folks, I just report it.

The embedding has been disabled on YouTube, but no bother, you can watch a higher res version at Last FM anyway. Click on the image below and get to humming.

Metanoia

2009-11-10T07:13:06-08:00

The Greek word metanoia, usually translated “repent,” quite literally means to “change your mind,” to turn around and operate differently. Given that, it is rather amazing that Christian history has largely become a protection of the status quo—through its complicity with war, the upper classes in most of its history, and with people who do not like change at all. You would have thought Jesus had said “stay the same” instead of “change”!

(Fr. Richard Rohr, Fall 2009)

Advent Conspiracy 2.0

2009-11-09T20:40:25-08:00

The good people at Advent Conspiracy, which I talked briefly about here, have got a new video out:

Non-Violence and The Middle East

2009-11-06T08:57:50-08:00

In January I'll be spending some time in Israel and Palestine, so a couple of items in the latest Sojourners email caught my eye as I finally got around to reading it this morning.

First was the header quote:

Nonviolence is our most powerful weapon. If they cannot accuse us of terrorism, they cannot stop us. The world will support us.
- Mohammed Khatib, secretary of the Bilin, West Bank, village council, referred to as "a modern-day Gandhi" whose nonviolent resistance, in cooperation with Israeli peace activists, has earned him arrests, beatings, and death threats by Israeli forces -- as well as modest legal victories, which have yet to be enforced, to change the Israeli separation barrier's route through his village's lands. (Source: Los Angeles Times)

And then there was this story:

Video: Jon Stewart Interviews Jewish American and Palestinian Nonviolence Advocates
by Brian McLaren 10-30-2009

Jon Stewart courageously hosted an American Jewish woman (Anna Baltzer) and a Palestinian political leader (Mustafa Barghouti) who are working across lines of conflict for peace, through nonviolent means. There’s a “Joe Wilson” moment when a heckler shouts out … Here’s the extended/uncut version in two parts.

Canadians are relegated to what looks like the edited version of the interview here.

I'm looking forward to educating myself more on the subject prior to my trip in a couple months.

Jesus' Love Commands Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

2009-11-05T09:59:53-08:00

In my last couple of talks I've been working through some thoughts on love, so I figured I'd throw them out here and benefit from your thoughts on the subject.

First there's the obvious.

Jesus said the two commands "love God and love your neighbour" tied together everything the Jews had been living for and under for thousands of years. (Matthew 22:34-40, etc.) He then raised the ante. Love your neighbours? Ha! I'm telling you that you should love your enemies! (Matthew 5:43,44, etc.)

It seems to me there's a location, or a positioning element to this:

Love your neighbour --- Love those closest to you.
Love your enemies --- Love those furthest from you.

I don't think it's a stretch to tie these two together, and arrive at the conclusion that we are simply to love everybody. That certainly makes it simple--in theory--and relieves us of the awesome task of figuring out who we should love and who we shouldn't. Love everybody.

[Obviously we could stop right there and spend time contemplating how so many 'Bible-believing Christians' could be pro-war, pro-violence, etc., when that very same Bible records the words of Jesus, who admonishes us to bless those who persecute us, but I digress...]

Next, lets build on this idea of love and look at what must be one of the most commonly ignored teachings of Jesus. He said the greatest demonstration of this love is to give your life for another. (John 15:13) Of course, we know this intuitively. Aren't we moved by the hero on the big screen who takes a bullet for his buddy? It turns out this is biblical.

That verse is heavy enough, but it's actually sandwiched between two others that make it impossible for us to rationalize it away.

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.' (15:12)

Commandment. Not suggestion, but commandment. In other words, this is what is expected of us. Then, we must ask the question, "How did Jesus love us?" That one is easy. He loved us to death. This wasn't just loose talk from Jesus, he practiced what he preached and walked the walk all the way to the cross.

'You are my friends if you do what I command you.' (15:14)

Well that's fairly clear. This is what it means to follow Jesus. Those of us from the evangelical side of the street tend to avoid these if/then kinds of statements, even when they come from Jesus, as they tend to conflict with our sense of entitlement vis-a-vis unmerited grace.

Another thought strikes me as I think about this passage. Sure, love everybody, but there's no need to get carried away, right Jesus? How much love is good enough? I mean, when is enough, enough?

Apparently the answer to that question is, "When you die trying. That's enough."

To Jesus, love is potentially life-threatening.

Potentially life-threatening love. That's a phrase I'm going to use a lot.

Of course, I'm listening to the Black Eyed Peas lament Where Is The Love? as I write this.

People killing, people dying
Children hurt and you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questioning
Where is the love?

Thoughts, friends?

Entertainment vs. Worship

2009-11-04T19:21:43-08:00

More outstanding Stanley Hauerwas goodness from The Work Of The People. Travis and Steve just keep putting out fantastic material.

Advent Conspiracy

2009-11-03T11:39:13-08:00

Here's the brief review I just put up on Amazon for Advent Conspiracy: Can Christmas Still Change the World? In short, it's an outstanding book.

You must admit, it’s a pretty interesting way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. God chose to enter the world through the poor, to be poor, and we mark this earth-shattering event by spending billions on stuff that we generally don’t need.

The good people at Advent Conspiracy ask the question, “Are you tired of how consumerism has stolen the soul of Christmas?” I am. I’m also tired of how it steals the soul of God’s Church, and how it threatens to steal my own soul. Joining the Advent Conspiracy is a good way to fight back. In simple but piercing and powerful language this book looks at the need to Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All. One could be forgiven for thinking that perhaps this is not just about Christmas, but about the Gospel of Jesus itself. But, let’s start with Christmas.

Starting with a brief history of how the Advent Conspiracy started, and excellent real-life examples of how others are living this out, this book will change your life if you let it.

Here's the fantastic video promo:

If I could buy a case of these, I would, and it just might turn out to be the only gift I give this Christmas.

Link to the Advent Conspiracy site.

Is Christianity Too Political: Postscript

2009-11-03T09:58:53-08:00

A few folks who obviously have too much time on their hands have asked me about my talk from a few weeks back, Is Christianity Too Political? It's based, very loosely, on the chapter Too Political? from unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters.

If you're curious as to how I deal with the question, you can find the video of the talk here. As always, feedback appreciated.

(Thanks again to Santosh for letting me mess with his community.)

In The Beginning...

2009-11-03T09:37:26-08:00

(Vaguely related tangents found below)

This one arrived by email the other day, and I thought it was funny. One of the reasons I thought it was funny was the fact that it arrived on the same day as I heard a commercial on Christian radio advertising a "creation conference", where one of the main speakers was going to posit that most of the dinosaurs died out in the great flood.

Tangent 1.0: Creationism vs. Darwinism vs. However-You-Think-It-All-Startedism is a non-argument for me. As a follower of Jesus I have no problems with evolution. Big bang? Who do you think pushed the button?!

Tangent 1.1: You can infer from Tangent 1.0 that I do not hold to a literal seven day creation. Metaphor, poetry, mythology? It doesn't matter to me.

Tangent 1.2: I do not believe that my faith suffers as a result of Tangents 1.0 and 1.1

Tangent 2.0: Yes, I said Christian radio. I only listen in the car, and only for short periods of time. Frequently I find that I have to change stations with extreme prejudice, often, but not only, when they start talking.

Within The Frame

2009-11-03T09:22:42-08:00

Speaking of community, props go out to our friend David duChemin, aka @pixelatedimage, as his book Within The Frame was chosen by Amazon.com as one of the best books of 2009 in Arts & Photography.

Dude is on fire, and if you're into photography you should be reading his blog, his books, and his ebooks. (He's been busy!)

We Need Each Other

2009-11-03T08:57:51-08:00

Each community needs to be in contact with others. They stimulate and encourage, give support, call forth and affirm each other…. A community that isolates itself will wither and die; a community in communion with others will receive and give life.
(Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, via Inward/Outward)

Two Performances I Would Have Done Anything to See... (UPDATED)

2009-10-31T11:39:17-07:00

...At The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Gig Last Night

Annie Lennox joins Aretha Franklin for "Chain of Fools"

U2 segue from "Mysterious Ways" into "Where Is the Love" with special guests the Black Eyed Peas

Coincidentally we had Sister Aretha cranked here at Delta House last night. And you just know I would have loved to have been there for the U2/BEP performance.

Check out the fantastic Rolling Stone slide show from what must have been an incredible evening.

UPDATE: The NYT has images as well.

Avatar

2009-10-31T08:44:44-07:00

We went to see Amelia last night (excellent movie, btw) and saw this trailer. It looks like it could be good, and James Cameron's direction makes it a must see.

Where Is The Love? A Reflection on Last Night

2009-10-29T10:41:26-07:00

I promise you not a moment will be lost as long as I have heart & voice to speak & we will walk again together with a thousand others & a thousand more & on & on until there is no one among us who does not know the truth: there is no future without love.
(@BrianAndreas, via this morning's Story of the Day... perfect timing)

As promised via Twitter last night, here are some quick, sore throat-, ringing ears-, lack of sleep-induced thoughts on the big night last night.

This will no doubt shock some, but I'll say very little about U2. Last night was the final gig on this leg of the tour, and what can I possibly add that hasn't already been said? I may say more later, and I may not not. (The Vancouver Sun reviews the concert here.) Suffice to say the night was everything I hoped for, and more. It was a slice of Heaven. (I kept thinking about parties... this was definitely a whosoever party. If Jesus was around today he's be throwing parties, and the three Indian brothers two rows ahead of us smoking weed all night long and dancing like it was Woodstock would probably be there.)

The part of the evening that surprised me was the Black Eyed Peas. This wasn't some wannabe opening act with a couple of guitars, a snare drum and an amp... this crew came tricked out and ready to bring it. They have a ton of talent, something that is in short supply in the music biz these days. Nevertheless I can't say that I've been a big fan, but I Gotta Feeling has become a favorite. Don't laugh, but it's the best praise song I have heard in a long, long time. (The link takes you to the video, which doesn't do a lot for me, but listen to the lyrics.) BEP finished their set with this one, and it was indeed a good night. The joint was jumping, and I'm sure folks could feel the vibrations all the way to Chilliwack. Four years ago the Peas were in town only a few blocks away, as they opened the Cambie Street Best Buy Store, and here they were, back in town playing to 50,000 at BC Place.

I've already said I think I Gotta Feeling is a praise song. The one that really blew me away though was Where Is The Love? Old Testament meets hip hop meets rap. A modern-day lamentation with a prophetic beat. What a question. Are we listening? They've made believers out of me.

(Click on the link above to open the video in another window, then follow the lyrics below.)

Where Is The Love?
Black Eyed Peas

What's wrong with the world, mama
People living like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here living
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all

People killing, people dying
Children hurt and you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questioning
Where is the love

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, all ways have changed
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations dropping bombs
Chemical gasses filling lungs of little ones
With ongoing suffering as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the loving really gone
So I could ask myself really what is going wrong
In this world that we living in people keep on giving in
Making wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respecting each other, denying thy brother
A war is going on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killing, people dying
Children hurt and you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questioning
Where is the love

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm getting older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money making
Selfishness got us following the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feeling under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself

Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questioning
Where is the love?

Sing with me y'all:
One world, one world (We only got)
One world, one world (That's all we got)
One world, one world
And something's wrong with it (Yeah)
Something's wrong with it (Yeah)
Something's wrong with the world, yeah
We only got
One world, one world
That's all we got
One world, one world

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
(Jesus Christ)

Some Random Thoughts on The Rich Young Guy...

2009-10-28T10:23:29-07:00

...Inspired by Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation

More thoughts on the Rich Young Guy. Man, we get a lot of mileage out of this dude, don't we? I think you could make a career out of studying Jesus' interactions with folks in the Gospels. They're like onions; you just keep peeling.

Think about the implications of what Jesus was asking our friend to do.

It's about change, movement. It's about location. It's about solidarity. It's about conversion. It's physical, because if it's not, it's just a mental exercise with no outcome, no consequences.

What was Jesus asking of this guy? "Go sell what you own give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow me."

If a rich man sold all he had and gave the proceeds to the poor, he would, to state the obvious, no longer be rich. He would be poor. He would have moved economically.

And because he would longer have his property and possessions, he would have no expensive home to return to. He would presumably need to find a place with the poor. So physically he had moved too.

As a result of these fundamental moves, the people who our friend would now be associating with would be different. Comfort and familiarity - gone. Long standing relationships - gone. Respect based on position and possessions - gone.

When we are in the centre of power, when all roads lead to us, and all others around us look and sound like us, well, there's our treasure. Enjoy it now 'cause this is as good as it gets. Bask in your glory. But when we instead remove ourselves from the centre, when we release the reins of power and acceptability--in other words when we die to that old self--then we will have treasure where it counts.

But living in that reality requires big vision, big imagination, and outrageous obedience.

Thoughts?

A New Kind of Christianity

2009-10-27T11:03:21-07:00

I just pre-ordered my copy of Brian McLaren's forthcoming A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith, due out on Feb. 9. Earlier this year at the Amahoro Gathering in South Africa Brian gave us a sneak preview. Based on what I saw and heard, I'd say this will be Brian's most provocative, challenging, and enriching book yet.

You can pre-order on Amazon here, and learn more about the book here. This is going to be a good one.

I am Anti-Olympics

2009-10-27T10:24:21-07:00

(Image from the Vancouver Media Coop)

I watched military helicopters fly in formation over the house again this morning, in training for the ludicrously expensive security measures for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics.

6 years ago when Vancouver won the bid, I cheered along with most people. Today I am staunchly against the games. I haven't spent much time here talking about that position: If you're interested there is all kinds of information on the Streams of Justice blog, particularly under the Olympics heading on the sidebar. In the meantime, this column from Gary Mason at the Globe and Mail touches on some of the various issues surrounding the games. Mason has written columns on homelessness that I have disagreed strongly with, so I was pleasantly surprised to see him give some column space the subject.

Obviously you don't have to be a Christian to share my disdain for the games, particularly from a justice point of view. If you are a believer though, read through the column from a "love your neighbour", Kingdom perspective and see if you can catch a glimpse of why, as a Follower of Jesus, I am not in favour of the games. If you want to talk about it, leave a comment and I'll respond.

We Must Move

2009-10-26T18:17:07-07:00

Preach it Father:

"We must move from a belief-based religion to a practice-based religion, or little will change. We will merely continue to argue about what we are supposed to believe and who the unbelievers are."
(Richard Rohr, The Naked Truth, p. 108)