In spite of how I might come across from this blog, I'm actually quite goofy. I recently started working with the 2 year olds at my church on Sundays...so, goofiness comes in quite handy. Yet, as I am being quickly reminded, 2-year old kids do exactly what you do. Goofy is not yet something on their radar. They are just parrots, little monkies who see and do. Goofy requires the ability to see an activity, register it, compare it against normal behavior and recognize a difference. 2-year olds don't have "norms" yet. I think the word here is impressionable.

While running this morning this idea struck me while reflecting on a recent incident. A fellow Christian made a comment in passing that some non-Christians took offense to and secretly criticized. It occurred to me that non-Christians are, spiritually speaking, in many ways, like 2-year olds...or perhaps even more like unborn children. They do not have the ability to hear a Christian's comments, filter them and put it into context. Rather, they take it for what it is and, more often than not, it negatively reflects upon the person making the comments.

Applying this notion to how I approach others in my walk, I have to keep in mind that those who are not already grounded in the same ideas, beliefs and hopes I am will not get my incomplete thoughts. By incomplete thoughts, I mean partial expressions of hope and faith. When I make an off-handed comment, it's usually around people I think I can trust who will not hold it against me if I don't perfectly package my inner dialog when it comes out in the form of words. But, since non-Christians won't necessarily have the same frame of reference for my thoughts, it's unfair to hold them to this standard, to the notion that they will pardon my small misdeeds. They do not know they are misdeeds or moments of weakness. Instead, they see it and think, "Oh, he really is just like everyone else even though he tries to be different." We are told to hold our tongues since we will be accountable for every word that crosses our lips. I may only teach 2-year olds on Sunday, but, I feel I am surrounded by them 24-7. Better remember, "Be careful little ears what you hear...". Non-Christians, who are much more impressionable, cannot separate who Christ is from who we portray him to be because they don't know Him. It is up to us to show the world who He is through who we are.

Bluebird

I remember watching K Pax, a movie from a few years back with Kevin Spacey, and enjoying the animated scene with the bluebird. It cracked me up because I know things like that happen, just not quite as often as they used to. Well, our church has a book club that is studying a book called the Blue Parakeet. I never heard of it and saw it in last week's bulletin. The name seemed to be one of those titles that is meant to grab your attention and make you want to look...akin to Who moved my cheese?, etc. Not having time, energy or money to devote I just dismissed it.

God apparently wanted me to pay a little more attention. I had gone for a workout yesterday morning running randomly up and down a few streets in north Plano. As I started into one of my faster sections I saw on the ground a weird looking bird. Sure enough, a blue parakeet. Now, if I were to go by statistics, I'd have to say that the chances of a blue bird native to Australia sitting on the same sidewalk of a north Texas town I happened to be running though...well, the numbers would be small. So, I immediately got the memo. Yes, Lord, I will read The Blue Parakeet. Sometimes he actually has to use signs, even small ones, to get the point across when I ignore the initial message. (Thanks for being persistent God.)

The fear of the Lord...

...is the beginning of wisdom. This is a widely used verse. I only began to see what it was pointing at when I reflected on it a little more. While the word commonly used as fear can loosely be translated as respect, it is frequently documented that the English translation does little justice to the original Hebrew word. That being said, I sensed that something basic underlies this verse. When Solomon asked for wisdom he feared God. He knew that the task set before him, to rule God's people well, would be difficult. Implied in that realization was the understanding that a good job would be rewarded by God and a poor job would not be rewarded and more likely lead to punishment. In other words, Solomon feared what God would do if he did not rule well. This fear, this motivation, was literally the starting place for wisdom. Solomon knew that only by respecting God first (not man or laws or anything else) would allow him to make wise decisions because: 1) he had a basis from which to gauge his decisions and 2) he was aware of how accountable he was for his actions. People who have not standards for judgment and who do not have a real, personal sense of responsibility are not meaningfully bound to the outcome of their decisions. So, people who make decisions based on intelligence alone can be wrong, but, if the consequences of their mistake impact them in no direct way, what harm or loss is done? Keeping in mind God and his ways, will and plans allows one to make wise decisions because it provides a sound frame of reference and prevents us from lying to ourselves and/or others. If we know there is no escape from our decisions, we take our choices much more seriously.

Control

Looking into the nature of control has been an interest of late. There are a few reasons it jumps out at me. One article I stumbled on that has a ton of intriguing notes (mainly about human nature) is: RECOGNIZING MANIPULATION AND INTIMIDATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DOMINATION (CONTROL) - Control by false authority, manipulation, intimidation. Just reading through it are a ton of ways to recognize and deal with manipulation and intimidation. As I studied the article I realized how widespread these tactics are. People, as folks like to call it at work, are always trying to build their little empires. Part of the reason politics draws people is because it allows them to wield authority and with it experience power. I have nothing against power as it is necessary and good when used correctly. However, many people, due to poor character, are unable to handle it well and, from this all-too-common case, abuse things which have been entrusted to them.

What does all this have to do with control? Control is, in its purist form, boils down to, using Webster, "to exercise restraining or directing influence over". It is the possession of power. To me, this is not a natural thing, rather, it is a spiritual thing. People want to have power. I believe this stems from the original sin, pride, but, only as a side effect. Yet, I sense they are very, very closely related. Nonetheless, when people are obsessed with control (and power) just for the sake of being in control meekness cannot possibly follow. Power for the sake of possessing power is about the person, not the responsibility which entitled them to have the power. Being able to restrain and/or influence others is a great responsibility and something not to be used lightly. To me, it ranks with the kind of responsibility mentioned of teachers in Scripture. To be able to form souls, to cause them to make certain decisions (or not)...these are serious things.

An earlier usage of the word - "exert authority," from M.L. contrarotulus - touches a little more closely than that of the 15th century Old English. It is the experience of exerting authority, of using power, when what God-given (or God-permitted) authority is allowed to flow that people get a larger-than-life sense. It is, in reality, the force of God released through an individual to grant them power over another (or a thing) in order to change its natural course of action. Yielding the power of God temporarily takes one out of the natural and aligns them with the spiritual, for better or worse, and gives people a taste of God's might. Now, I am not saying being in control makes one God. I am saying that control can bring with it a supernatural experience that allows us to more deeply understand who God is and His nature. I think all too often people get lost in the experience and forget to be humbled by their being used as an instrument of God, and, see, rather, this event as making them somehow special. From this sense of uniqueness, I think people draw the beginning steps of incorrectly desiring validation (and the high) from the experience of control rather than the understanding that they are merely an object of the Lord.

After reflecting on the dualistic nature of life verses I had another notion come to mind: character flaws might be (or stem from) spiritual gifts used in the flesh. Some of the practical examples that came to mind were these:

Gift Character flaw
Mercy/Compassionate Permissive, pushover
Prophetic Verbally oppressive
Apostolic Overbearing
Charismatic Charming
Evangelistic Smooth-talking

I have not dwelt on this at length, but, I really sense there is something to this. How it might help is, when I see someone clearly walking in the flesh, identify what character flaw is being displayed and track back to the spiritual gift they have. Then, once the gift is identified, pray and speak to the gift (in the spiritual) and not the flaw (in the natural). Many times when you focus on the natural, you will get drawn into the natural and respond soulishly as well. Instead, remember to draw to the spiritual level and lift the person with you instead of being pulled (or letting yourself be drawn) down to the level of the flesh and fall to them.

Exactly when and where I heard this escapes me at the moment, but, I have it stuck in my head that Dr. Pepper is so acidic that a person has to drink approximately 48 ounces of water to restore proper Ph levels for every 1 ounce of Dr. Pepper ingested. I've never actually investigated the numbers because I am not familiar with the chemistry behind Ph levels, but, if I recall correctly, it has to do with powers of 10 for each point below 7. In other words, if my Ph level is at 6, I have to drink 1 ounce of water to get it back to 7. If it's at 5, I have to drink 10 ounces. I could be totally wrong, but, I never claimed to be a chemistry buff.

I searched around and found this link:

http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/diet_soda.htm

In it I found some disturbing facts. Based on the list below (from the link) Dr. Pepper is not far above battery acid.

Substance Ph Sugar (grams)
Dr. Pepper 2.92 9.5
BATTERY ACID 1.00 0.0

In essence, Dr. Pepper, though not the worst of the bunch, is more like drinking battery acid than water. Scary indeed. Now, if only I can convince myself that this is serious enough to put off the caffeine to fight off the mid-afternoon energy slump.

Rights and morality

As I continue to reflect on the notion of rights, I considered the danger of using law alone as the standard for determining rights. In a legal system based solely on law, that is to say, not based on morality or spirituality, rights are the product of the most powerful and/or skillful lawyers. As is evidenced by our own age, removing the consideration of what is good from the legal equation simply creates a power struggle. In that scenario, people will not stop at the boundaries of what is good. Rather, they will only stop when they win, regardless of how good (or evil) their victory is. By ignoring the moral and/or spiritual boundaries necessary for a just legal system cultures will have rights determined by the strongest, not the best, people. And, as is well known, power alone does not typically breed justice, but, rather, tyrannical societies. I see this implying that a legal system without morality at the center creates a flawed scope of rights dependent on the interests of those waging legal wars.

Unbecoming...

I have spent my whole life waiting for this thing that I feel, know, hope, sense, want to become...only to be disappointed at every turn when the greatness I long to experience never materializes. Now, I am a sinful, selfish, un-Christlike man almost all of the time. It makes sense that nothing (no-thing) will make me sense the power I truly long to possess: God's love. As I have watched time pass and my greatness fail to materialize, I continue to lose hope and become bitter and cynical myself. What was it I hoped in? That question alone has made a more pointed focus: I hoped in Christ, but, wanted his power. I spoke of God, but, wanted his glory. I thought of purpose, but, wanted my plans.

No more, God says. Be honest with yourself. You know every time you sin. You know every time you take a wrong step. You give up over and over and over and you don't even feel the pain. Stop waiting for pain to stop you. God doesn't want to speak to us in those terms. I believe that is a part of why the first steps of sin and disobedience are the hardest and the easiest. When we realize there are no chains holding us to God, we slip away easily. But, we feel his power slip off of us as well. It is that shuddering of his departure that feels so "good". Yet, it rips our spirits apart, tears us in half and wounds us deeply.

God doesn't ask us to do this. He asks us to honor, obey and love him. It is just difficult when we have alienated ourselves and forgotten how to hear, see and love him. I sense that we must learn to give up what we think, want and hear for what God says. My "greatness" has been my undoing. And, to return to God, I sense he wants me to become nothing. He has not set before me a road of high rewards and accolades, but, obscurity and suffering. I am beginning to realize that God placed in me a sense of greatness to know him so I may do difficult things the world can never recognize as being worthwhile, valuable and meaningful. God has asked me to give up my greatness for his. He has asked me to be nothing, so, he can be everything. I speak for myself, but, I envision myself asking you, if we ever talk, "Are you willing to give it all up? Are you willing to be nothing if God asked?" This means, no ministry, no fame, no recognition. Being no one so he doesn't have to compete with my personal kingship to share his royal love with those I meet. I want to believe I am strong enough to say, "Yes". I want to proclaim I am willing to truly lay down my life. I believe becoming "nothing" could have always been God's greatest call on my life. For, in my weakness, He is strong.

Christ - without the power

It occurred to me that most people today who do not believe in Christ fall into some pretty common categories. One of the more common groups puts forward this argument: Jesus was a great teacher, but, nothing more. While reflecting on what our church lacks today I constantly want to be able to just whip out a miracle, raise someone from the dead, just smack it to people spiritually speaking, to really get their attention. I read the prophets and I see people so much like today's world it's scary. Cynicism, doubt, anger, spite, condescension, pride, arrogance. Little has changed, except today, we use Christ's words but preach without his authority. That's what the difference was then.

Now, I am not saying it should be all power and woo-woo gifts. By all means no. What I am saying is that the church cannot impact the world the way Christ did because it's only got half the package. Without Christ's power, the power that raised him from the dead, all we have are teachings. Without the power of love to overcome hatred, violence and evil, all we have are words. Without the power of grace to be supernatural in the most natural of circumstances, we cannot be anything different from everyone else. We have to have Christ's power to be Christians, otherwise, the world is right, Christ was just a great teacher, his power has been lost in spite of how amazing his teachings are.

I pray that the church would stand up by bowing down. Become great by becoming the least. Forsake your sins, the smallest and the unseen. Turn away from the things you know God hates. Make your life truly sanctified and show the world love, not just in your words, but, in your actions. Purify your spirits and praise God with every breath, even the ones that you have to heave from your chest beneath a weight of shame, condemnation, persecution, anger and attack. Those are the moments when people do see the true difference.

Robbed - moment by moment

When Jesus talked about the strongman, I always envisioned someone breaking into my home in the middle of the night. A huge, frightening, overpowering figure whose presence would be nearly impossible to contend with. But, I sense another kind of strong man in my midst. I spend many of my days wrapped and bound by frustration, fatigue, anxiety, confusion and desperation. The attack is small, grinding, unending and subtle. It's not the kind of strongman who attacks once and leaves. No, it is the kind of attack that comes without ceasing. It wearies you, slowly, imperceptibly. First, a small compromise here. Then, a slight weakness and sin there. Minute by minute, choice by choice, this strongman robs us of our power, of our strength. It is a much more dangerous foe, for it is one we are so familiar with we rarely even think to notice it. This war is one that requires the utmost control and sacrifice. Remembering not to yell at my kids, remembering to rise above the situation and love my wife, even though I may not want to, to do the right thing at work instead of playing on the internet for a couple of minutes to "take a break", to be diligent and do what I know is right. I really like the definition of sin as "not doing what we know to be right". It is so convicting and real. It is so easy to let the right thing slip out of character flaw, weakness, sin, selfishness, indifference. The list is long, but, the end result is the same: every little mistake ties us down a little more.

Life verses

A couple of weeks ago the Wednesday morning Bible study I've been attending had a guest teacher because the main leader had to be out of town. As he began telling us about the topic he said, in the five years he had been teaching, he had never had what happened occur before. Normally, he had to shuffle through notes, find some topic to rehash and prep for it again. This time, he knew exactly what he was going to teach and really did very little prep. In the back of my mind, I was thinking, "Okay, that's cool", knowing this is not really that unusual, yet, glad he was able to experience a totally "God thing".

Just a few days earlier I had completed my Accelerating Life's Purpose class. The two naturally dove-tailed for me in the nature of their message to me personally. Nonetheless, when he began talking about life verses and their importance I was intrigued. One fellow next to me used the analogy of a light house and a sailor's home port. In a way, no other verse has the comforting appeal of any other than your life verse. I added that to me, it both comforts and challenges, trying to communicate that it has a double-nature. The man that had just spoken and the leader both noted that "challenged" was the word that jumped out at them. People recognized what I said, but, I didn't feel I got the point across. I let it lie nonetheless.

The leader then went into the lesson itself. For him, he relayed two verses of importance in his life: 1) a comforting verse and 2) a guidance verse. The comforting verse helps one with the 'Why' questions in life. When difficult circumstances arise, we are often naturally drawn to try and understand 'Why?'. Our comforting verse helps with that. The guidance verse points to a truth that God wants to use to help us make good decisions throughout our lives. I sensed that there was something I still had to say, but, wasn't sure what it was yet.

After he had made his point the teacher went through some verses he felt were his. In the process he talked about how, when walking in the spirit (being spiritual), his verses drew him to God, while, when in the flesh (being soulish), his verses angered him. I thought this to be an interesting idea, nothing I novel, but, interesting in the context. The first gentleman threw out the word "magnetic" and I had a little collection of words and ideas gel rather instantly.

I then pointed out that life verses seemed to be like magnets. When we are in a good place with God (in the spirit) the verses draw and attract us, while, when we are being sinful (in the flesh) they repel us. Likewise, one of the key physical properties of magnets is their ability to repel/attract other magnets. The first gentleman went on to add that similarly, two magnets, when placed in proper alignment can create greater magnetic force or repel each other when misaligned. Also, there is a flow to the magnetic field in this case, just like there is a flow to out lives when we are aligned with God's word rightly.

Another idea that came to mind was the notion that people have different life verses for a reason. At first, when one comes into contact with the idea of a life verse, it is easy to naturally assume that a "life verse" will last one's whole life. My neighbor, Matt, mentioned in passing that some people have several life verses. I said that that would make sense because people go through different seasons, and, if God speaks a word over them to comfort/guide them through that season, it will be different from period to period as each season's fundamental truth changes from season to season. In short, people who have many life verses have many insights into the Word to share with others, since, after all, we are given our experiences to help edify and strengthen the church.

It got me thinking about one of my personal verses. When Liam was being dedicated last year one of the pastors gave him this verse based on his name, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10-11 Since he and I have the same name, it kind of follows his verse is also my verse. In one book I was reading, The Name Book, they gave another verse I never really thought made much sense. This one, however, is a verse (a chapter really) I have come back to a thousand times. I guess this is much like my home port. At any rate, I now have to integrate what I saw (the magnet notion and how my spiritual condition is evidenced by my reaction to this verse) into my walk. God's encouraging me to be in His Strngth. In my weakness (sin) I will be one bound to weakness, fear and the inability to stand the enemy's schemes.

So, I guess seeing that a life verse is important, I should note how I stumbled onto mine. There are a few sections of scripture that I have returned to over and over and over again. I read lots of different parts, but, Ephesians 6 is one I am always drawn to. The fact that I constantly want to return to that one was a good indicator. It never lost its appeal. So, there was something I still have to draw from it, some life I have not gained from gazing and holding on those verse.

Lots of thoughts...so little time

Moses and the Egyptians

Though I am not sure why this came to me it occurred to me that Moses probably knew Pharaoh. If he didn't know Pharaoh personally, he probably knew his parents. Moses was raised for 40 years in the palace of Pharaoh, as a son basically. We don't know how many daughters Pharaoh had, but, Moses certainly would have been privy to many things. Especially over a 40 year period, prior to his exile, Moses must have seen and gotten to know the entire royal family. So, presuming that royal lineage was passed down within the family, the person he confronted 40 years after his departure from Egypt probably had more than just a random face. It was probably a cousin, a relative, someone who recognized Moses and was enraged at his demands. Imagine an adopted relative living a life of luxury in the royal family. They kill a fellow countryman and disappear. Then, forty years later they reappear demanding that your entire slave population be released. This overtone to the Book of Exodus has never been pointed out to me and holds some interesting characteristics to consider next time I look at that book.

Rights - Godly or not?

You know, I frequently get into mental debates with people. I guess I am trying to prepare myself so, if I do ever get into an argument with this person, I will be prepared for the battle. Typically, when these imaginary conversations do take place, they never go as expected (or hoped). At any rate, one such thread of mental fights revolves around the notion of rights. "People deserve this right and that right..." Lots and lots of arguments about what people should be able to do and shouldn't be able to do. But, I have to stop and wonder, are rights even Biblical? When a person argues that they have a God-given right, is there any basis for this at all?

Underneath this set of questions lies the fundamental curiosity (and potentially new way of thinking): if rights are not something we are justified in proclaiming, declaring, defending, etc, then, every rights-based argument is just a lie regardless of how "self-evident" it might be. According to this site the NLV only mentions rights 18 times.

Exd 21:9
Exd 21:10
Deu 21:16
1Ch 5:1
1Ch 5:2
Job 36:6
Psa 82:3
Pro 31:5
Pro 31:8
Pro 31:9
Ecc 5:8
Isa 10:2
Jer 5:28
Lam 3:35
1Cr 9:15
1Cr 9:18
Gal 4:5
Hbr 12:16

Most of these are in the context of the Old Testament. Furthermore, most of these carry with them the implicit context of the law. In essence, rights are only mentioned when the law is being discussed.

To me, this is very interesting. If we, as Christians, are no longer subject to the law then, what does that mean for rights? Are we still capable of invoking our rights? Without getting too far off base, I like this as a starting point for reflecting on what rights are, at least from a worldly point of view.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights

Then, in contrast, I throw out this idea: 1 Corinthians 9:18

What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

In this context, rights is the Greek word, exousia. Power. This word has come up for me many times, but, in a different context, that of apostolic/prophetic ministry.

I am not trying to get off on another tangent, yet, I have begun to wonder, these arguments in our world today, are they about freedoms, or, are they disguised power plays? A wolf-in-sheep's-clothing, if you will, where people speak of fairness and liberty to dis-empower our God-stated call to "...tear down arguments." (2 Corinthians 10:1-4) Speech and rhetoric of rights has been abused and I don't see many (any really) logical, loving, Christian arguments against this attack. It has been going on for years now and we have not to show for it.

Lord, I ask that you would reveal the root of this deception. Make the rights-based arguments transparent. Unmask the spirit and tactics of this ruse and help your followers tear down this argument. Pour forth truth and logic rooted in You. May love flow from this discovery and may those who have perpetuated this deception be shown powerless and deceived by their own designs. May your Truth shine Lord and may Jesus' fulfillment overpower any such non-sense. Release this new wave of refutation.

I think a basic starting point is here: Rights have to do with "conforming with or conformable to justice, law, or morality". So, the question, if you are trying to define it, naturally rests on notions of justice, law and morality. Well, these are age old arguments and no universal answer has been accepted. Yet, as a Christian, I look and see, the Bible has clearly defined what is Just. The Law is a special issue, complex and deep beyond the scope of a single post, but, clearly within the context of this thought stream. And, morality, well, that is apparent and obvious in the context of Scripture. So, rights and Scripture have a lot to relate to each other and dig into.

The practical question for me, trying to not get intellectual, is how does a Biblical framework of Rights help me to "tear down arguments"? I don't want to beat people with better arguments. That's just a matter of the soul. I want to show people God's love and truth through the idea of true justice, the law as God sees it and morality through His eyes. Rights are things people are passionate about, but, how can that passion be used to draw people closer to God, into relationship with Christ and out of the mindset that rights, in and of themselves, are worth living and dying for?

Repent of your politics

I think this article has some interesting points and implies a few actions I feel are relevant.

http://biblicalawakening.blogspot.com/2009/05/politics-power-pride-how-american.html

We read about the Old Testament nation of Israel missing the Messiah because they were looking to their politics/religion for a national savior. Are we, today, any different? Jesus has come, we (theoretically) do his work, and, yet, many American Christians still get more excited about politics than their spiritual lives. Of course, we are not looking for the Messiah as president. But, the amount of energy and attention we devote to being "politically aware" seems largely misdirected.

My gut feel is that we are dissatisfied with our country and the powers that be. So, we start focusing on how power is used in our civic lives (politics) and get sidetracked trying to understand (and hopefully restore) a sense of just rulership. If that's the case, it is a flawed approach from the start. No government will ever create a just society. Am I advocating we ignore our social responsibilities. Absolutely not. I am saying that we have mistaken God's work for that of our leaders.

Lastly, I think many people want things to change, but, they want someone else (or something else) to do it for them. Social activism is the parable of the good Samaritan. That man gave of himself to help another in need. He didn't rely on the police to find this person, EMS to retrieve him, a public health policy to heal him and taxes (i.e., everyone/no one) to pay for it. He took it upon himself. I wonder, more as a challenge than as a question, how focused would the church be on politics if it took its own actions (as did the good Samaritan) and didn't wait for government to do it.

Materialism

I have started going to an early morning Bible study with my neighbor Matt. For a while now it has been hard to get together with anyone, so, riding with the neighbor seems like a natural reason to take advantage of some good time and conversation. About two weeks ago the group leader brought up a topic that began with materialism. We never completely finished the lesson, but, got through the first few points. He took a pretty standard definition of materialism and began with that point. It made sense, though his transition to the points he really wanted to make didn't quite flow. Nonetheless, it got me thinking.

The think that stands out about materialism to me is the notion that people get wrapped up in having and getting more things. Where I part ways with most folks, when it comes to trying to understand why, is at the root cause. People tend to point out human nature, hedonism, stoicism, and a laundry list of ideologies to give a framework for this kind of behavior. I can't recall if it was something I read or a conversation I once had, but, the idea of materialism boils down to this: people need things to have the fullest set of experiences a person can have.

Typically, it starts out with kids. Give a kid a TV and they are mesmerized by it. A loud car. Bright toys. These things are over-stimulating. Because this over-stimulation gets repeated over and over and over kids begin to expect that as being normal. With this idea of "normal" it is very easy to think that certain things, and only those things, can bring happiness. Kids may witness adults devoting their whole lives to getting specific things and never understand why. Yet, they themselves will grow older and do the same exact thing because they have never had another example to follow.

In the end, people will sacrifice great portions of life to try and gain experiences and means to have these experiences. In reality, the majority of their lives is spent in the pursuit of hyper-stimulating experience and empty power, not happiness and satisfaction. Ask ten people. See how many of them can tell you they are satisfied. See how many of them even know what would bring them satisfaction. The problem is not materialism, but, the obsessive lifestyle that comes as a result of trying to be able to create a sense of transcendence at will. It seems to be a weird type of self-oblivion mixed with instant gratification that is the real goal.

Looking at the recorded definition, I see a few different strains of thought:

1 a: a theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter

This first one is borne out of the traditional philosophical arguments in the 18th century...and along with it all the implied, technical underlying themes.

b: a doctrine that the only or the highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress

This second one comes closer to the Roman epicurian philosophy than anything else.

c: a doctrine that economic or social change is materially caused — compare historical materialism

This is pretty clearly tied directly to the Marxist realm of politics and cultural criticism.

2: a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things

This last definition comes closest to what I think the group leader was intending to discuss although he seemed to start thinking about the epicurian perspective as well. That all being said, hope was his ultimate message. Without hope, we cannot exist. He was going down the road of pointing out the fact that materialism can never provide a lasting hope. The conditions that are required to be happy, according to materialistic standards, are almost impossible for most people to meet. Beyond that, they do not meaningfully take into consideration the Christian message. In a sense, they are diametrically opposed, although materialists would try to downplay that fact.

Going back to the first point I made, spending most of one's life intentionally sacrificing time, energy and life to gain things so that you can then have the experiences those things allow you to have seems backwards. It really is the epitome of the notion that "the things you own really own you". Your whole life is devoted to a hope that after you have sacrificed yourself to possess it, it will then allow you joy. Yet, too often, people realize, only after they possess it they still do not know how to have joy. Unless you regularly experience joy the obtainment of a specific thing will not mysteriously enable you to have something you never had to begin with. It's as it the thing is has magical powers. It's as if what is pursued is more than just a thing or an experience. That deception is what I think is the underlying cause of this deadly movement.

In addition to this is the dangerous situation of technological advancement. (I keep coming back to the dangers of technology don't I?) As people struggle to gain more and more power over nature their ability to understand, interact with and find value in the spiritual realm decreases. This is not a new concept. Contrast, for a moment, the west, with all its material wealth, and the east, with its abject poverty and largely destitute conditions. It is well-known that the east is ripe with spiritual power the west longs to possess. Ironically, the west presumes the east desires its material wealth. So far, it doesn't seem to be true.

Although I am only thinking of this as I write, I imagine there is a thread worth pursuing in the arena of considering how the "status" of a culture as a first, second, third--or less--world power relates to its spiritual status. I noted that the degree to which a culture can "control" the effects of nature on it roughly correlate to its status in the ranks of world leaders. Adding the spiritual dimension to that consideration might simply highlight the dangers (and both inherent and implicit warning) that naturally come from forsaking a reverence of God and attempting to possess the authority only He deserves.

As I write, I keep sensing overtones of the Tower of Babel (with the destruction that came as a result of mankind's hubris) and the prayer we as first-world cultures who do not live lives with Agur's prayer in our hearts (Proverbs 30:8-9). The mindset I have been reflecting on is one, I suspect, that stems from having strayed from the prayer to be neither rich nor poor. The process of loss would seem to go like this:

1) receive blessing
2) feel God's restraint urge one to not trust it
3) experience conflict and confusion not knowing how to handle this blessing (riches)
4) turn to God (or to self); in this case, to self
5) hear God less and less because we ignore what He said
6) having become numb to true counsel and guidance (God's word) turn to experiences that comfort and satisfy us temporarily
7) at this point, we repeat the process over and over and this is how people become stuck in the slavish pursuit of experience

Laying down one's life for experiences and forsaking God. Choosing self (wealth, pleasure and self-satisfaction) puts you at the whim and mercy of your things. Through this you no longer can respond to God because you choose, over and over again, to see happiness only where you are over-stimulated. God speaks not in the thunder or the storm (through obvious, powerful means) but in the still, quiet voice. We often do not hear the voice because we are mistaken about what it is we expect to hear. In the end, it is what you knew to be right all along, but, pushed far, far away. I believe this is one of the reasons it is quiet...because we have forsaken Him. We have tried to bury Him in the sounds, the rush, the thrill, the wow. Hoping that the bliss will erase Him from our memory, only to come down from the sensory high, empty and aching for something real inside. Again, we hype ourselves up, create another false hope, a better one, and shoot for the moon again. Each time, the high has to be better. It's very much like a drug addict, only the drug is life itself and the high something bigger than life...only exactly what that is never really seems to be clear. Just, something. Or, I should say, some thing.

It's late, so, I haven't the energy, motivation or time to work this out at length, but, I had a notion that seemed to be a fairly good use of resources. My struggle with a lack of clear direction and purpose has been around for a while. To have clearly identified a career path by now seems like it should have been a piece of cake. Not really. As frequently as I wrestle with the "What am I doing with my life?" type questions it only recently occurred to me there is a brilliant opportunity for our country to blend the military resources and educational system. An old employer of mine once considered enlisting in the military. They ran a battery of tests to help identify potential areas of expertise and ability. The accuracy was surprising. This was a few decades ago. I can only imagine what they do today.

Since our educational system aims to empower our youth and invest in the development of tomorrow's leaders, why would we not utilize these diagnostic tests on our high school students (or early college). This would be a marvelous application of an existing system (the testing) that would greatly benefit the current and future country. Now, I can already imagine the immediate uproar: you're potentially forming a militaristic state by interloping in the lives of impressionable men and women. Yes. That's precisely the point. By giving them knowledge to guide and direct their lives in meaningful ways. Absolutely. I'm sure some folks would only see a power-hungry militaristic state intruding in the pure, unhindered world of the free-minded academics. But, in reality, there are so few who go down this road. The rest of us, all 99.5% of the educated American population, go through school, do our time, and come out on the other side saying, "Ok, what now?" Why should we not benefit from the insight we have paid to develop?

Our age sees itself as superior to those of the past not because of its superior wisdom, but, because of the power it exerts over nature. This power is not just the immediate events, such as the ability to provide comfort in harsh environments, such as rain, wind, cold, heat and raw physical elements. But, a larger perspective. The understanding of seasons, of periods of time. Of meteorites. Of solar flares. Of large scale events that affect entire parts of the globe. The ability to control these things and allow people to do what they want when they want is a key element of what makes one able to belong to a first-world country. Exactly how much of this power a given culture possesses ranks it. If you look at “third-world” countries, they would be identical to what Columbus encountered. Slightly below subsistence level are the uncultured communities who have no grasp or control over nature. To them, nature is still a raw power to be appeased and awed. To us, those of the “civilized” world, these powers are merely natural phenomenon. To them, God is still alive, everywhere. When we begin presuming the power of God, he is not longer present. It is when we begin to see the power of nature as something we possess that we move up in the order of world powers. I contend it’s not anything special that makes higher-order powers unique, but, what portions of nature they have control over. Whether it is in understanding naturalistic phenomenon and being able to adapt or plan accordingly or whether it is the actual ability to predict, prevent and “control” natural events.

I need to look into the etymology and history of control.

Sometimes I just wonder.
...how sad Facebook makes Jesus. All the time I could be spending getting to know my neighbors and telling them about the amazing things Christ has done for me.
...what it is really like to be a prophet, not just some person who gets fancy thoughts and calls it revelation.
...what is my reason for being here.
...why it is so easy to know what Christ was like, but, so, hard to live what Christ was did. And I don't mean the miracles and messiahship. I mean love and care for others.
...what the other side of the mountain is like. Valleys get deep you know.
...what it's like to stop being confused about the truth and just know, in your bones, what God has said and what he hasn't said.
...what it must have been like to be a cyclops.
...how it feels to finally grow up.
...what it feels like to be holy.
...what it feels like to really be the best at something, anything.

Not a fan of modern economics

As with politics, I am not much of a student with money. The few insights I have are typically random observations that come to me throughout the day. Today, while listening to the sermon, an old notion came back to me. As I reflected on it this afternoon, a new aspect of it came under consideration.

In recent times the concept of a "fixed price" market has become a significant--if not predominant--force in western (and more recently global) economics. The idea that something must be sold for a specific price and only that price removed an entire dimension to commerce. The fact that corporations (not individuals) are the producers it is quite interesting that the personal dimension of business has vanished. As a result of corporations, that is to say, of non-personal groups selling items there really is no person with whom one can discuss price. Think about it, if you go to Walmart, who are you going to talk to about the price of milk being too high? The manager, even if it did matter, cannot talk to a person. And, even if they found a person, who would they talk to? True, you could eventually find a person who makes the determination of what something costs, but, doing so would be completely impractical and, in the end, have no real influence whatsoever. What things cost is what things cost. The implication is that we, as individuals, have no influence (or power) to change the market. This truism, while self-evident and seemingly unquestionable in today's world, was not always the case.

It is as this point I see a larger problem. When Newtonian mechanics provided a mathematical framework for creating a deterministic philosophy several centuries ago people went wild with the idea. Never did people think, I sense, that commerce would become like a machine. Today, people buy things at fixed prices based on their needs. Prices, the theory goes, are determined by the demand for an item based on how scarce it is. Very simple idea, or, at least, very obvious. At any rate, people whose needs are fixed (you need food, housing, clothes, etc) are simply part of a complex, powerful financial system. I prefer to think of this system as a machine in all candor. Being aware, first, that things can be different, and, second, the world is not one large machine, I see a real need to redefine some of our economics. Not in theory, but, in practice.

When we work within the economic system where corporations set prices, produce goods and we, the consumers, simply are part of the equation, the objectification of man is nearly complete. I remember vividly the first time I read Revelation 18:11 where it talks about the trade of human souls. Although I think the Bible is not saying what I am writing about here, I will boldly emphasize the fact that this is my opinion, not something I am trying to imply the Bible meant. At any rate, I see the list at the beginning of verse 11 as those things least important to God and ending with those things most important to God. Here are the items in order as written in the verse:

gold
silver
precious stones
pearls
fine linen
purple cloth
silk
scarlet cloth
all sorts of things made of citron wood
all sorts of objects made of ivory
all sorts of things made of expensive wood, bronze, iron and marble
cinnamon
spice
incense
perfumed ointment
frankincense
wine
olive oil and costly flour
wheat
cattle and sheep
horses and four-wheeled carriages
slaves and human lives

These items could be categorized, but, getting sidetracked with Revelation is not my point here. My point is to say that I see a long-standing tradition where sinful cultures have perverted life by thinking of it as a thing to be bought and sold. The only thing that's new with our age is the language and the application of math as a means to justify it.

The mathematics used by economists today is something completely different from the mathematics the Greeks used. At one time, mathematics used to possess an almost religious or spiritual dimension. When things were discussed mathematically, it was not just a financial calculation. Furthermore, Greek thinkers would never have treated people and their needs as objects, things for reckoning. But, times have changed. Now, numbers are used as tools to create new industries, to scheme new ways to convert life and real value into artificial systems, financial translations, you could say. The monetization of life has made it a dangerous age in which to live. Though I am not a fan of the platonic or pythagorean relgions, I at least recognize the ethical manner in which they considered mathematical truths in relation to human life. Sadly, as Simone Weil touched on in the last part of the Need for Roots, the specialists are now in charge and their nouveau riche subcultures. No longer is the world community ruled by politics, but, by the science of wealth and the mental machinery (both ideological, socio-political and propogandist) that cultivates a world in which this mentality can thrive.

I know this post rambles, but, I had to get it out. Perhaps I can clean it up and make some sense soon enough. I, sadly, sense my point is, to some degree, related to Chomsky's criticisms in Manufacturing Consent. This ties into some of my ideas on marketing and propoganda, but, that is another story.

I saw this on a facebook post and thought it rather interesting.

The difference between life and school is this: In school you are taught a lesson and then you get a test. In life you get a test and then you learn a lesson.

Completely true, probably not. Profound, potentially. Worth considering, definitely.

I am reluctant to write about this because I fear it may not make sense and folks will take it the wrong way. Just to be clear, I am not making a point about race or nationality, but, just a thought about some things that could happen. Kerri said I should write it for her, so, here you go honey.

With the recent increase in hostilities between rival drug cartels in Mexico the United States is beginning to see, for the first time, some of the violence spill over into the southern state's mainstream consciousness. In other words, people are started to get worried. Until now, drug running was something that happened, but, not to anyone you knew or anywhere you went. (Yes, I am showing my background.) But, I think the Mexican and central American countries are having both socioeconomic/political problems and population issues. In short, people are running out of places to live, money with which to live and patience/strength to tolerate the conditions any longer.

It has been a common practice for drug runners to push product into the American market through the southern borders for a while. Recently, however, the hispanic population in these southern states has grown rapidly. Again, to be clear, I am not saying hispanics are drug runners. I believe the large majority of non-American hispanics in America are looking for the same thing I am, a better life. Nonetheless, there are some Americans and non-Americans who really couldn't care for the law any less if they tried. For them, I think nationality and race are meaningless or, at best, trivial. At any rate, as the north-south interstates increase in drug-traffic volumes and the central and southern corridors of the United States see an overwhelming hispanic population explosion a division is being formed.

The idea I am trying to get across is a picture of events happening over decades, perhaps even a century, so, this is not a series of events that would occur quickly, but, over the course of a couple of generations. What I have seen is a situation that could stem from this influx (from the American point of view) or outpouring (from the Mexican point of view) of people. As people flee Mexico into the United States they will have to go somewhere. The people who were where the Mexicans are now moving must go somewhere too. Since racial and social tensions tend to persist from generation to generation, people will typically move in waves. These are population trends and patterns that may emerge based on the events of the past decade.

The best analogy I can think of comes from thinking of a volcano. When a volcano explodes, the cloud of ash and smoke shoots up and divides the sky above the peak in two. Envision the mountain top being just south of Texas. Now, transpose this image of an erupting volcano onto a map of the United States. The cloud is the population explosion and the sky is the current population in the United States. The exodus of Mexican people trying to escape the violence they are surrounded with just want to be safe. But, as they move north and west, so does the violence. This makes them want to move farther north and farther west/east. Likewise, a cloud expands to cool off and restore the balance that has been lost.

Translating this image into practical terms: I see the possibility that the current instability and violence swirling within the center of the central American and Mexican countries as a great source of potential danger. People today are not thinking of a United States divided by a foreign population. If they are, it is not from the same continent and it cannot easily happen. But, that is precisely the idea I see and am compelled to consider. If the drug culture currently warring within Mexico explodes past the southern United States border into Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, California and New Mexico it is very possible that civil order will disappear in the areas where the drug running corridors exist. The center of the United States could easily be invaded by disorganized, guerrilla bands with superior arms and resources. This is not a political or military struggle, not in the traditional sense. Rather, the politics would not be one of nation against nation, but, power against power. This would be like returning to the days of tribal dominance where the strongest group has control over a small area.

If it does, we would have two countries, a western United States and an eastern United States. This type of idea is way past dramatically different from anything I could imagine. But, it is a thought that has come to mind and doesn't seem to go away. So, being a planner, I ask myself, if this comes to past, where will you (meaning me and my family) go? I don't want to live near political and social instability. What will it be like? How will life be different? What would an America no longer primarily divided by the repercussions of slavery and the civil war look like? What would we be if our new great concern was for our very land and nation?

Below are some links that suggest the natural progression of population increase in Texas alone.

http://www.dallasfed.org/research/pubs/fotexas/fotexas_petersen.html

The Pauline presidency

As I was praying this morning, it occurred to me that our president is the perfect man for the job. Many Americans feel he is too far to the "left". Many are not only dissatisfied with where he is going, but, also, with what they expect him do based on his history and present path. I think there are some amazing things that could come from where he is. Imagine if one were to meet Paul before his conversion. As a Christian, he would be the last thing you would want to run into. Yet, God turned a powerful agent against good into a powerful man for Christ. Please hear me clearly. I am not saying our president is evil. I think he is young and has ideas that make it hard for him to see God's spirit. But, I see a man whose heart is for healing and change. Imagine if Paul's crusade, conversion and transformed ministry were played out on the world stage! Billions could be saved by such an awesome act of God.

I hope people will begin to see what can be instead of what they think is. Lord, let people have a vision of our situation inspired by the possibilities you want to become reality. And, let the prayers of those who see this vision be filled with your power. I pray that God will turn this man's heart the way he turned Paul's. Lord, let Barack Obama SCREAM the name of JESUS CHRIST AS LORD to the world, glorifying You, Father, to the world. May he be a surprise attack from heaven oh God. Surprise the world with this man more so than has already been done. Surprise this man with your Holy Spirit. Let what people see as danger become a great light through your transformational power and glory oh God. Take his radical point of view and use it to guide this nation back into a place of righteousness and holiness in radical ways. Begin to hold the pen he uses to demonstrate authority in pause before he approves wicked plans with his signature. Cause him to take pause. Blind him on his current mission and make him stop, wait to hear you. Speak to him every time he acts. Take him away from the glory and prestige of the moment to a place where he and You speak. Pour your heart into his and make him realize in countless small moments the directions he is redirecting our country, our world every single time he acts. Give him a greater perspective, a supernatural understanding of who he is and who You are oh Lord. Bring him to the point where he stops in a public way, chooses not to approve something previously thought to be a given as a sign of his faltering as a man. Begin the work to make him an agent of the kingdom of heaven, of eternity, not of a four year reign. Let him be a man who makes mistakes as a leader AND accepts responsibility for these mistakes. Place on him the crown jewel of wisdom that comes from gracefully admitting one is wrong; from recognizing the power of humiliation. Lord, let this man repeal his approval of abortion and publicly declare his mistake. We as a people can use such leadership. Let him cry from his heart at the mistakes he makes. Fan what is good in his heart Lord and make it grow from a small flame to an explosive fire. Fill Him with the Holy Spirit. Let him prophesy truth over our nation, over our age, over the spirit of this country. Create in him a pure heart oh God. Pour onto him supernatural wisdom and rewrite the history books with his life Yahweh. Glorify the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit with your lips, your heart, your soul, your spirit and your leadership Mr. President.

Time banking

A while back the idea of time banking got in my head. I can't recall how or where, but, it stuck. After mentioning something to Kerri about it today I took a moment to see if anyone else had started a similar initiative. As it turns out, the term time banking was coined by Edgar Cahn. (Here is their website.) It has been around since the 80's and seems to be fairly well established in communities where social justice movements and liberal ideals have taken root and succeeded. This also explains why it hasn't gotten much exposure in my homes to date: Baton Rouge, Memphis and Dallas. At any rate, the concept is simple; one hour of my time gets me one hour of someone else's time.

My first response, before I found the website, was to try and figure out an algorithm for translating one person's work effort to another. I was originally envisioning a system identical to the existing economic structure we use in everyday life without exchanging money. When I read their website, however, the hour for an hour makes perfect sense. At first I was a little insulted. Doesn't an hour of my time mean more than an hour of a gardener's. Of course, I immediately realized there was another lesson in that (stemming from our church's sermon on pride). So, God was mentioning that everyone has the same time and we truly have been given equal opportunity to help others. In other words, this social construct we use to navigate our everyday lives based on wealth, worth and value is horribly corrupted because it inherently causes people to determine the value (or perceived value) of themselves and others. In short, everything becomes a competition.

From the website, it looks like there is software, organization, message boards...things to make money for this foundation. Well, that fine and dandy, but, the idea alone seems to have enough power in and of itself. So, I am going to try and create one of these banks here in Frisco and see if it takes. In our economic climate, people are looking for ways to save money and still meet their needs. The notion that money is not the only way to survive (and more importantly thrive) seems to be rudimentary to this group. They have more in mind, like social reform, community building and the kind of grassroots effort that America as a nation lacks these days. Yet, it is exactly what we need. We need to return to community. We need to regain control over what we value and stop letting our things (and those who make them) dictate what our time and lives are worth.

They say 150 is the ideal size for a time bank. So, the Frisco time bank currently has a count of 2...if you count myself and Kerri. We'll see how well it goes. To me it is a little different from the Christian churches did back in the day where folks freely gave to those in need (a la Acts). Nonetheless, the notion that people do not have to operate by the rules of society as society dictates seems like a powerful place to let God speak. And, in our times, it seems like an even more powerful opportunity to minister. People are looking for ways to save money. They would be more interested in reaching out, more likely to try something different. And, therefore, more open to hearing God in unexpected places.

If anyone is interested, email me and we'll see what we can come up with. I'll probably be starting a blog here shortly to the effect of what I'm talking about here.