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Thoughts on Pete

Did anyone else catch the program last night on PBS featuring the story and music of Pete Seeger? I grew up singing the Hammer Song at Y Camp in the 1970s but I didn't know much about Pete's story until last night. I was intrigued by the saying he scratched on the head of his banjo. It says,

"This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender."

(photo here; not sure about copyright and so I won't post it. Seriously, does anyone know what the rules are? A similar picture can be found on Flickr as well...is that legal? Should I call the cops?).

It made me think about the power of worship and music (and the banjo, which is not typically thought of as a fearsome instrument). Mark Labberton observes, "Faithful worship recontextualizes where we live and therefore how we live. The hope we are offered and are meant to offer others is that the gospel of Jesus Christ fundamentally alters the context in which we live. As we allow worship to do its transformative work in our lives, we can stay where we are and yet move into the place where the heart of God dwells.” (The Dangerous Act of Worship, 39-40) Pete Seeger might speak of this process as the surrendering of hate to the power of love and music. In any event, I know that it's the kind of transformation I need in my life even as it is much needed in the world.

"Ohh, if I had a hammer...!"

Spread the Good News

Tom Wright was on Nightline last night. You can catch the video here by clicking the frame "What Happens When You Die?" Tom is speaking about the issues he raises in his new book, Surprised by Hope. I finished the book last weekend but it will take a few more readings to fully digest it all. Great stuff. It's good news for those who long to make a difference this world.

Along those same lines, I was challenged by a question I came acorss yesterday in the book, The Dangerous Act of Worship. Mark Labberton asks, "Are we ready to live life in God in [this part of South Orange County], or do we still insist on living in [this part of South Orange County] and trying to fit God in?" The option we choose determines so many issues in our lives.

And finally, if you missed the Annual Meeting on Sunday, you can download the report here. Let me know if you have any questions.

Clouds over Ladera Ranch

A Learning Adventure

Brian McLaren is coming to San Diego at the end of March and I was wondering if anyone might want to take a trip with me to hear him on Friday night and Saturday. The cost of the event is $109 (I think) and I'll personally guarantee that this event will not only stretch your thinking but it will also give you hope for the future. This weekend I almost finished Wright's new book, Surprised by Hope. It's an incredible book, though not easy reading. He also speaks of the outward, engaging nature of our faith in Christ. It's a hope filled word in the midst of a sometimes confused church and a hurting world.

If you want to attend the Brian McLaren event, it takes place on Friday evening, March 28th and Saturday March 29th in San Diego. I would be glad to fill my van to capacity. You can find conference information here, registration information here and then send me an email to secure transportation and lodging (at my in-laws house...this is going to be a pilgrimage adventure of sorts).

Good Use

One team's loss has resulted in a gain for many children. I'm not sure exactly what I feel about this story. Perhaps this represents a step in the right direction. It would have been a great waste to destroy wearable clothing. And since I can't remember the Super Bowl winners from year to year, does it really matter what the shirt says?

Water Again!

Having water piped into your home is a wonderful luxury! I doubt that you've thought about that much in recent days but I have. The reason is this: the water main to our home broke on Thursday morning. We spent about 36 hours without water. Argh! I had to carry three gallon containers of water up the stairs just to flush a toilet. I rinsed my contacts with a bottle of water and I automatically reached for the tap with each lens. Laundry, dishes, showers, everything had to wait!

Things took a positive turn at 1 o'clock this afternoon. I'm smiling because (with the help of my step-father, Ian) we successfully fixed the pipe.

This I Believe

In a recent interview with Time magazine Tom Wright dared to address the great distortion many Christians have in relation to heaven. This distortion has resulted in a church that is largely unengaged in relation to the important issues of our day. Here's an excerpt from the interview, “If people think ‘my physical body doesn't matter very much,’ then who cares what I do with it? And if people think that our world, our cosmos, doesn't matter much, who cares what we do with that? Much of ‘traditional’ Christianity gives the impression that God has these rather arbitrary rules about how you have to behave, and if you disobey them you go to hell, rather than to heaven. What the New Testament really says is God wants you to be a renewed human being helping him to renew his creation, and his resurrection was the opening bell.”

Preach it, Tom! What we need today is a church shaped and guided by the Scriptures and not the “Left Behind” series or by Precious Moments figurines. The comments of Bishop Tom will likely stir things up for some people but I hope the end result will be the discovery of a more meaningful faith. You can read the entire interview here. I highly recommend it. So too, I'm now adding another book to my reading list.

HT: tallskinnykiwi

Bailey and Bailey

A few years ago Dr. Kenneth Bailey spoke at the Pastor's Retreat for the Presbytery of Los Ranchos. Dr. Bailey was the former chair of the Biblical Department at the Near East School of Theology, Beirut. He is a fascinating man with a unique insight into the context of the New Testament world. This week I've been working through parts of his book Through Peasant Eyes, where he offers insight into many of the parables found in Luke. Since we're looking at a very small parable found in Luke 7, it's been my pleasure to spend time with Dr. Bailey this week.

I've also been spending time with another Bailey this week, Dr. Bailey's son, David. David is a singer/songwriter (what a great combination of words). Two songs in particular have caught my attention this week: Message of Hope (in relation to the way we live in the world) and Let It Go (much needed advice in relation to parenting). You can get his music at affordable prices here on Amazon.com. I recommend "Rusty Brick Road" (because I would love for you to hear these two songs).

Expanding Service

Cesar Uribe, the Director of Miracle Ranch Children's Home in Tecate, Mexico, was recently appointed to chair a commission of community leaders and government officials in Baja, Mexico who are charged with the task of overseeing more than 1,000 non-profit service organizations. This is a big deal because they are actively seeking to engage the development issues that will bring health, life and peace to the people of Baja. They are focusing on preventative measures as well as on relief efforts. This same commission is also responsible for distributing more than $400,000 to organizations that are really making a difference. As you can see, it's a tremendous opportunity.

I was able to spend some time with Cesar yesterday and he appears ready for the challenge. Others on the commission include the Governor and the Secretary of State of Baja. This is an exciting opportunity because I am often asked the question, "What does the government of Mexico do for its own people?" This appears to be a step in the right direction.

Please keep Cesar and the children of Miracle Ranch in your prayers.

The Need for Order

Today is Ash Wednesday. Unfortunately, we’re not hosting a service here in Ladera Ranch and it doesn’t appear that I’ll be able to catch a service elsewhere. Bummer. I think it helps to be reminded that I am dust and to dust I shall return. This morning at Starbucks I noticed a good number of people with ash-smudged foreheads. If only our faith was as evident all the other days of the year. I felt the need for ashes of my own but it didn’t seem like Starbucks was the place to get them.

And so today marks the beginning of the season of Lent. People often give up junk food or sweets in this season. Some even dare to take on new disciplines in preparation for Easter. My Lenten track record isn’t outstanding but this year I feel the need to do some re-ordering in my life. On Monday I reordered my sock drawer. It doesn’t really have socks, it’s more like my personal-effects junk-drawer. In it you’ll find the same coin cup my Dad used when I was a kid. It’s filled with stuff that dates back to the 1970s. Kinda weird, I know. But somehow I get comfort from hanging on to a tie-tack and small scraps of paper. I need some kind of order in life.

So it got me thinking. What else do I need to order in this season?

My blog: I need to think it through what I write about and create some categories. I would like to transfer to a different format so I don’t have to continue paying Typepad prices. Not sure if I really need to let people know what I’m listening to or what I’m reading.

My prayer life: this is one that requires constant attention. I have found much freedom in the writings of Richard Rohr, who speaks of prayer and the contemplative life in this way: Everything Belongs. But I also know that there’s benefit to some structure in the life of prayer. I need to get rid of the notion that the structure itself is prayer and so see prayer as something that involves the whole of me.

And so in this season I want to add order to my prayer life by setting aside time in the early morning for intentional prayer. I’m using a resource by David Adam called The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer. It has prayers for each morning, midday, evening and night (you can find it here on Amazon.com). Not sure that I’ll pray all of them every day but I hope a few will help in the ordering of my day. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Any one want to do some re-ordering with me? It always helps to have a few companions along the way.