Step Up to Life

Glen Campbel Documentary: Ticket Sales Begin January 1st.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 02:55:00 +0000

Post by Step Up Enterprises.

TJ Addington - Leading From the Sandbox : The cancer of mistrust

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 01:12:00 +0000

TJ Addington - Leading From the Sandbox : The cancer of mistrust

"I am not my father"

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 18:04:00 +0000

Why Malala Matters So Much

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 17:09:00 +0000

Malala is a 17-year-old Pakistani Muslim.
       Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last week.
       Contradiction in terms? Paradox? Coicidence?
       Many of us are quick to point out and condemn the militant fringe of Islam. There are graphic reminders in the media of horrific acts done in the name of Islam. We write articles and blogs, show photos of hostages wearing orange gowns and kneeling before being killed.
       These same observers (many of us "Christian") are mute when it comes to a young Muslim girl who is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Why are we silent about this remarkable news event?
   Perhaps Malala challenges our understanding and perceptions about Muslims and we would prefer to live with the illusion that all Muslims are bad people.
   Perhaps Malala challenges our assumptions about Islam and Islamic theology around the concepts of peace and jihad.
   Perhaps we just prefer to think in black and white categories rather than in shades of grey because we fear becoming relativistic.
   Perhaps Malala's values and passion for a cause (education of girls) challenges our luke warm commitment to anything worth fighting and dying for. Could it be that Malala is acting more "Christian" than many Christians?

”It feels like this life is not my life. It’s a second life. People have prayed to God to spare me and I was spared for a reason — to use my life for helping people.” ~ Malala, interview with ABC News in 2013

Jewish Worldview 101: Living with Paradox

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 15:56:00 +0000

A New Way to Support Us

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:56:00 +0000

The Isaac-Ishmael Initiative is now partnering with Colorado Gives to receive all of our online donations. Colorado Gives is underwritten by a foundation and only charges 2% for processing donations and credit card fees.
Below is the direct link to give to Isaac-Ishmael.

A Vision for Isaac and Ishmael

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 21:14:00 +0000

A Dream for Isaac and Ishmael from Brian Newman on Vimeo.

"Take the Plank

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 18:50:00 +0000

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" - Matthew 7:3-4

Here are two perspectives -one by a Palestinian and another by an Israeli - that you are unlikely to hear in the mainstream media, whether it be in the Middle East or in the West.

Article at Christianity Today

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:34:00 +0000

I wrote an article for Christianity Today which was published online today. HERE it is.

Remembering Don White

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:36:00 +0000

I got to know Don White at a “beautiful train wreck” where he served me a cool cup of water.

The train wreck was a church split and we were both part of that church. We both stayed in the church with the remnant.

Each Wednesday evening the church had a wonderfully delicious “homemade” dinner for every soul who showed up. It was the highlight of my week, and I tried to get there just about every week.

One evening I sat down next to Don and his wife, Ethel. I knew them only in passing from our Sunday services. Don and I found ourselves next to each other and we began to talk. And talk. And talk.

We were both from New York (although he was born in Quincy, Massachusetts), so we immediately spoke each other’s language. He lived in New Hampshire for a time and served in the State House of Representative.

As a Republican!

Being a Democrat from New York I quickly found Don to be a great political sparring partner. I so appreciated his wit and humor in the midst of differing views.

He had a distinctive New England/New York accent (“why don’t people use their blinkas in Colorado?” Don asked me that evening). My Long Island accent came back every time we were together. It was uncanny!

On that first evening that we sat together something quietly amazing happened. In the middle of the meal as the 30 or 40 people were sitting at round tables, Don got up and took a pitcher of water from the kitchen along with a stack of small plastic cups.

He proceeded to go to each and every person and offer them a cup of water. He started with me. It was an inconspicuous gesture on his part, but for me it was a cup of cool water from an older gentleman offered with grace.

And at that moment — in the midst of the beautiful train wreck that was a struggling church community — a cup of cool water from Don White meant the world to me.

Don and I had a weekly ritual of catching up at the Wednesday evening meal for a number of months after that.

He would kid me about being a liberal Democrat (“how can you do that to yourself,” he once said). I would tease him about being one of only about a dozen Republicans in the entire state of New Hampshire. He would respond, “well at least there are a dozen of us with enough brains to govern the state!” And we would laugh hard at it all.

We both loved baseball, and loved the New York Yankees on top of that. Don rightly boasted that when he grew up kids were able to get into Yankee Stadium for free with their parents. He could recite the rosters of Yankees from 50, 60, and 70 years ago without giving it much thought.

Growing up in the shadow of Yankee Stadium does something to a person, Don once told me. Yes it does.

I started to umpire baseball during those months of Wednesday meals. I remember Don kidding me that I had gone over to the enemy’s side! And that he wanted to come out of the ball park some day when I was umpiring just to heckle me. He and I would have loved that.

What I appreciated so much about Don at those meals was his genuineness. What you saw is what you got with Don White. He was a Northeast guy through and through, and he loved to remind people of that (you could also figure it out quickly from his accent).

I saw Don a couple of times in the weeks before he passed. His body was failing, and it was difficult to understand what he was saying exactly. But he was sharp and present in his unique way.

I imagine that when it is time for me to pass from this world to the next Don White will be there offering me a cool cup of water. And I will most gladly take it from my friend.

Rest in peace, Don White.

Heschel on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000

“I would say about individuals, A Individual dies when they cease to to be surprised. I am surprised every morning when I see the sunshine again. When I see an act of evil I don't accommodate, I don't accommodate myself to the violence that goes on everywhere. I am still so surprised! That is why I am against it. We must learn to be surprised.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel

The Significance of a Vatican Peace Summit

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:48:00 +0000

Leaders from Israel and the Palestinian Authority met at the Vatican for a Peace Summit yesterday. It was a significant moment, although one would be quite naive to believe it will change things overnight.
       Nonetheless, the time of prayer initiated by Pope Francis was far better than the alternative - violence and hatred.
       So what matters in all of this? Several things:
       First, an Israeli leader showed up! My friends who care deeply for the Palestinians critiqued the Israelis for their muted response when the Pope first extended the invitation to both sides. The Palestinians quickly accepted the invitation, the Israelis initially said nothing. But yesterday President Shimon Peres was there. Let's give the Israelis some credit, folks.
       Second, the Palestinian leader Mr. Abbas chose not to talk about the "occupation," at least he did not use the word. If nothing else this is wise politics and he showed restraint. He also did not mention anything about the new alliance between Fatah and Hamas - another smart move.

       Third, the Pope invited the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew to the Prayer Summit. No big deal? In the Christian world this is a HUGE deal. The Catholics and Orthodox have a split (called a schism) that's about a thousand years old. They have been fighting for a long time! Francis and Bartholomew found it important enough to put aside their differences because peace is more important.
       I wonder what Mr. Peres and Mr. Abbas thought about the heads of two feuding Christian sects coming together to pray for the Israelis and Palestinians? What I do know is that whatever we want to happen we must model in our own lives. Francis and Bartholomew did just that.
       Fourth, then there is Pope Francis. My friend Ellen uses the hashtag #popecrush when she tweets about him. I wish I had come up with that first! (although I might start a controversy because people might think I am gay) While I might not agree with everything the Pope has done, Francis exhibits two qualities that trump everything else: INTEGRITY and HUMILITY. He has demonstrated both over and over again. This is the sign of a great leader.
       I believe that the Pope called this Prayer Summit because he believes that the God he prays to actually changes things. He believes that his God does miracles even today. And when peace (Shalom/Saleem) comes to the Israelis and Palestinians it will be nothing less than a tremendous miracle.

Heschel on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000

“Remember that there is meaning beyond absurdity. Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel

Heschel on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000

“A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel

I Refuse

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Wed, 28 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000

I Refuse from Brian Newman on Vimeo.

I Desire

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Tue, 27 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000

I Desire from Brian Newman on Vimeo.

Heschel on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 26 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000

“People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active state, an act of expressing reverence or appreciation. To be entertained is a passive state--it is to receive pleasure afforded by an amusing act or a spectacle.... Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one's actions."
Source: The Wisdom of Heschel”

A Dream for Isaac and Ishmael

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Sat, 24 May 2014 05:21:00 +0000

A few years ago we started the Isaac-Ishmael Initiative because of a God-sized dream. This is it.

A Dream for Isaac and Ishmael from Brian Newman on Vimeo.

Symbols Speak Volumes

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Thu, 22 May 2014 04:41:00 +0000

Today I did a social experiment and wore a yarmulke (kipper) and prayer undershirt worn by some Jewish men. I wanted to see how people related to me based on these symbols of the "religious life."
       Most people tried to ignore my dress, although just about everyone did a double-take to check out the tassels hanging from the prayer shawl.
       I spent a couple of hours at a hip cafe in Denver (Stella's) where a variety of people hang out. I was not the only person who stood out in one way or another, so a lot of people just took me for another person who was uniquely expressing himself. I appreciate that about Denver.
       There were some other responses from a few people as well:
* One person clearly walked the other way when they saw me and my dress. They seemed frightened or something;
* One person asked if I was an orthodox Jew or some other kind. I assume from this that she thinks I am "religious" in some way;
* Another person wondered if I have been wearing my yarmulke for a long time, or if it was a new thing for me.

       I had the impression that many people looked at me and thought I was religious, and perhaps that I have "faith." Most seemed very respectful.
   I wish that we could redeem some religious "artifacts" such as prayer shawls and yarmulkes. Several times during the day I had a glimpse of the very good and positive that these can bring.
   For one thing, the yarmulke reminded me that I am always under God's providence, always under "his wing" in a sense.
   The prayer undershirt reminded me to be prayerful toward people around me - while standing in line for coffee at Stella's I overheard a gal telling her friend that she had just broken up with her boyfriend that day. I prayed for both of them quietly.
I am thinking that some time I should wear the North African head dress that I got a couple of years ago. I'll see how people respond to that artifact!

Heschel on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 19 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000

“Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. ....get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel

Heschel on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 12 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000

“This is one of the goals of the Jewish way of living: to experience commonplace deeds as spiritual adventures, to feel the hidden love and wisdom in all things.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel, God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism

Heschel on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 05 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000

“Wonder or radical amazement is the chief characteristic of the religious man's attitude toward history and nature.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel, God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism

Susy's Pottery Introduction

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:47:00 +0000

Susy_Introduces_Pottery from Brian Newman on Vimeo.

Susy shared at a retreat in France recently on the image and theme of the potter and clay. Check out the expressions on the kids' and adults' faces.

Heschel on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 12:00:00 +0000

“There is a passion and drive for cruel deeds which only the awe and fear of God can soothe; there is a suffocating selfishness in man which only holiness can ventilate.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel, God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism

Heschel on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Newman) — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 12:00:00 +0000

“The meaning of awe is to realize that life takes place under wide horizons, horizons that range beyond the span of an individual life or even the life of a nation, a generation, or an era. Awe enables us to perceive in the world intimations of the divine, to sense in small things the beginning of infinite significance, to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple; to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal.” ― Abraham Joshua Heschel, God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism