The Counterpoint

Remaining Competitve

2009-01-29T06:19:00.000-08:00

My pursuit for employment becomes harder with each passing day. I am searching for a job in a climate where employers big and small are only laying off. While job cuts continue to pile up, many companies explain their layoffs in terms of “remaining competitive.” This week Target CEO, Gregg Steinhafel, announced the closing of a distribution center saying, “We are clearly operating in an unprecedented economic environment that requires us to make some extremely difficult decisions to ensure Target remains competitive over the long-term.”

This term has always bothered me for being so subjective. What exactly do companies seeking to remain competitive hope to achieve in the contest against other companies? Is it a contest between companies to provide their employees with better healthcare, better wages, or better benefits? Or is it a contest between companies to see who can reach the summit of maximum profit?

Perhaps this current economic crisis leaves companies like Target with no choice except to layoff some employees in order to keep other employees in their jobs. However, I feel that US corporations have possessed an intense fixation on achieving greater and greater heights of profits long before this economic crisis developed. Obviously a company wanting to endure must generate a considerable profit to avoid the danger of barely meeting its budget. I guess the question I am asking is, “how much profit is enough?”

Back in February 2008, the New York Times reported that Exxon Mobil cleared a net income (after expenses) of $40,600,000,000 billion dollars. When you deduce their net income by sequences of time, Exxon Mobil earned more than $1,287 of profit for every second of 2007. What if this corporation only cleared 20,000,000,000? My concern is that executives would perceive it as a sign of failure, which would persuade them to cut jobs and benefits so they could return or exceed the 40 billion dollar plateau. Maybe the problem is not amount of profit a corporation seeks to achieve, but with corporations vigorously determined to exceed rather than maintain a certain profit level.

While speaking at the United Nations in September 1963, President Kennedy encouraged the world ambassadors to participate in a more ethical contest saying, “The contest will continue--the contest between those who see a monolithic world and those who believe in diversity--but it should be a contest in leadership and responsibility instead of destruction, a contest in achievement instead of intimidation. Speaking for the United States of America, I welcome such a contest. For we believe that truth is stronger than error--and that freedom is more enduring than coercion. And in the contest for a better life, all the world can be a winner.”

CJE

Lie To Me

2009-01-24T06:56:00.001-08:00

I became unemployed back in December 2008 after being laid off from the hotel and after I submitted grades for the one history course I taught at Northern Kentucky University. I would have loved to teach enough classes to sustain a life, but I am unable to teach full-time at the university without a Ph.D. Nor am I able to teach at public schools since I lack my certification. Unfortunately, history is not in as much demand as science or math where one could hope to obtain an emergency certification.

I have always despised looking for a job and now I hate it more than ever. I detest job interviews for making me feel like I have to pretend to be somebody else while someone I have met for the first time is judging me. Subsequently, the employer drags out the agony while he or she takes two weeks to make up their mind. What is even more depressing is that now I cannot even obtain an interview. Now every hotel, bookstore, and coffee shop gives me the same cold response, “We’re not hiring right now.”

What I want is for them to at least recognize my effort by allowing me to fill out an application. Even if they’re not hiring, I would prefer they lie to me and allow me to pretend there is a chance a job may open up. Yet for them to instantly obliterate my hopes gets harder with each rejection. I have had some phone interviews with some charter schools, but those positions are months off and I needed a job yesterday. For now, I am doing my best to sustain my faith in the truth that, “whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

CJE

Reconciliation: Our Inevitable Destination

2009-01-22T08:28:00.000-08:00

Keeping in mind the limitations of human institutions, today the country of my birth eradicated one of many enduring obstacles that aim to block the path towards our inevitable destination of reconciliation. Like rain in the desert, today quenched an eight-year thirst for those of us eager for truth and integrity. President Obama spoke powerfully the truth of integrity saying, “…As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals…” He understands correctly that we endanger our safety when we forsake our humanitarian ideals for the barbaric instruments of torture.

Yet more important than my eight-year thirst for change, today African-American citizens old and young witnessed a great harvest of seeds planted more than forty years ago. Non-violent civil rights activists planted those seeds by enduring the brutality of nightsticks and jail cells so they might cultivate the soil of their citizenship with the tools of the 1960s civil rights legislation. While researching my thesis I had the opportunity to meet one of those courageous seed planters, the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. Here was a man who survived the bombing of his home, the sting of bike chains and brass knuckles, while never allowing himself to succumb to hate.

Where do we go from here? For those who claim Christ, we must continue to temper our reliance on a fallen government. Though I believe this new administration will seek to implement Godly principles, it will not give itself fully to the will of God. Therefore, we cannot depend on Obama to bring us to our journey’s end, but rely on Christ alone. For it is Christ who makes possible the ministry of reconciliation that eliminates the barriers not only between God and man, but also tears down the walls between each other.

CJE

I'm Ready

2008-02-28T01:05:00.000-08:00

Promoting an odd platform

"If you're ready for change, we can start reinvesting in America, in the cities. We are spending $9 billion a month in Iraq, $9 billion. We can invest that money in rebuilding roads and bridges and hospitals right here in Houston, building schools, laying broadband lines, putting people back to work, employing young men and young women in our inner cities, in our rural communities. That is possible if you're ready for change.

We can create the kind of foreign policy that will make us safe and will lead to renewed respect of America around the world.

You know, as your commander-in-chief, my job will be to keep you safe.

My job will be to keep you safe. And I will not hesitate to strike against any who would do us harm. I will do whatever is required.

"But part of keeping you safe is maintaining the finest military in the world, and that means providing our troops with the proper equipment and the proper training and the proper rotations.

And it means caring for our troops when they come home, not forgetting about our troops. No more homeless veterans; no more begging for disability payments; no more waiting in line for the V.A. We have a solemn obligation to honor those who have served on our behalf.

But part of keeping you safe is also deploying our military wisely. And the war in Iraq was unwise.

It distracted us from the fight that needed to be fought in Afghanistan against Al Qaida. They're the ones who killed 3,000 Americans. It fanned the flames of anti-American sentiment. It has cost us dearly in blood and in treasure.

I opposed this war in 2002. I will bring this war to an end in 2009. It is time to bring our troops home.

But I don't want to just end the war; I want to end the mindset that got us into war.

I want to end a politics based on fear that uses 9/11 as a way to scare up votes instead of a way to bring the country together against a common enemy. I want to rediscover the power of our diplomacy... because I remember what John F. Kennedy said. He said we should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate. Strong countries and strong presidents talk to their adversaries, and tell them where America stands, and try to resolve differences without resort to war.

And when we do that, I believe the world is waiting. I want to go before the world community and say, "America's back, and we are ready to lead."

We are going to lead by example, by maintaining the highest standards of civil liberties and human rights, which is why I will close Guantanamo and restore habeas corpus and say no to torture.

Because if you are ready for change, then you can elect a president who has taught the Constitution, and believes in the Constitution, and will obey the Constitution of the United States of America.

All these things are possible, if you are ready for change."

- Barack Obama 02/19/08

I recently attended a Obama rally along with 13,000 others at the University of Cincinnati's Fifth Third Bank Area. It was an incredible and inspiring forty-five minutes listening to someone speak a language we have not heard in more than 40 years. That being the language of diplomacy, negotiation and justice. After the past seven years, listening him to propose a unique vision was like rain falling on the desert. For all my hope for the future I kept asking myself, "Is it really possible?" Well I do believe it's possible and I'm ready for change. Are you?

CJE

Faith In The Future

2007-03-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

Promoting an odd platform

"I run to seek new policies - policies to end the bloodshed in Vietnam and in our cities, policies to close the gaps that now exist between black and white, between rich and poor, between young and old, in this country and around the rest of the world.

I run for the presidency because I want the Democratic Party and the United States of America to stand for hope instead of despair, for reconciliation of men instead of the growing risk of world war.

I run because it is now unmistakably clear that we can change these disastrous, divisive policies only by changing the men who are now making them."
- Robert Kennedy announcing his candidacy for president on March 16, 1968

Amidst the early bickering between Clinton and Obama, I thought it might be good for us hear from a past presidential candidate that represented a complete contrast from his fellow opponents and those already holding office. For all of Clinton's and Obama's talk about the need for the change in America's foreign and domestic policies, no candidate today is calling for an end the Iraq war. They merely say they could manage the war better than Bush. In truth, Clinton, Obama and other presidential candidates all keep themselves within arms reach of Bush.

I'd be the first in line to vote for a candidate that spoke like RFK. These dangerous times call for a candidate that seeks to lessen the tension rather than increasing it. We need a candidate that seeks corporation with the rest of the world instead of demanding its submission. Politicians and news media would have us believe that this is the best world we can hope for, but it is most certainly not. The best world is a world free from fearing the present and full of faith in the future.

CJE

A Time To Break Silence

2007-03-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

Speaking a strange language

The following is a speech by MLK Jr. delivered at Riverside Church in NYC on April 4th, 1967 (exactly one year before his murder). It will be 40 years in April since MLK made his first explicit protest against Vietnam War. It's chilling how relevant this speech remains in 2007. If you have a hard time understanding this speech, don't worry b/c you're not alone since it contains language that is foreign to our ears. There is not a single elected official today who employs this kind of language in our highly volatile world. Not even O'bama is taking the opportunity to demonstrate the immorality of the Iraq. He, like other presidential hopefuls, merely says he could do a better job managing the war. Instead, we need someone like MLK who will call the Iraq war for what it really represents, which is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the 21st century. So please read the speech and may we as Christians help begin to break the silence.

CJE

April 4, 1967

I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I join you in this meeting because I am in deepest agreement with the aims and work of the organization which has brought us together: Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam. The recent statements of your executive committee are the sentiments of my own heart, and I found myself in full accord when I read its opening lines: "A time comes when silence is betrayal." And that time has come for us in relation to Vietnam.

The truth of these words is beyond doubt, but the mission to which they call us is a most difficult one. Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world. Moreover, when the issues at hand seem as perplexed as they often do in the case of this dreadful conflict, we are always on the verge of being mesmerized by uncertainty; but we must move on.

And some of us who have already begun to break the silence of the night have found that the calling to speak is often a vocation of agony, but we must speak. We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak. And we must rejoice as well, for surely this is the first time in our nation's history that a significant number of its religious leaders have chosen to move beyond the prophesying of smooth patriotism to the high grounds of a firm dissent based upon the mandates of conscience and the reading of history. Perhaps a new spirit is rising among us. If it is, let us trace its movements and pray that our own inner being may be sensitive to its guidance, for we are deeply in need of a new way beyond the darkness that seems so close around us.

Over the past two years, as I have moved to break the betrayal of my own silences and to speak from the burnings of my own heart, as I have called for radical departures from the destruction of Vietnam, many persons have questioned me about the wisdom of my path. At the heart of their concerns this query has often loomed large and loud: "Why are you speaking about the war, Dr. King?" "Why are you joining the voices of dissent?" "Peace and civil rights don't mix," they say. "Aren't you hurting the cause of your people," they ask? And when I hear them, though I often understand the source of their concern, I am nevertheless greatly saddened, for such questions mean that the inquirers have not really known me, my commitment or my calling. Indeed, their questions suggest that they do not know the world in which they live.

In the light of such tragic misunderstanding, I deem it of signal importance to try to state clearly, and I trust concisely, why I believe that the path from Dexter Avenue Baptist Church -- the church in Montgomery, Alabama, where I began my pastorate -- leads clearly to this sanctuary tonight.

I come to this platform tonight to make a passionate plea to my beloved nation. This speech is not addressed to Hanoi or to the National Liberation Front. It is not addressed to China or to Russia. Nor is it an attempt to overlook the ambiguity of the total situation and the need for a collective solution to the tragedy of Vietnam. Neither is it an attempt to make North Vietnam or the National Liberation Front paragons of virtue, nor to overlook the role they must play in the successful resolution of the problem. While they both may have justifiable reasons to be suspicious of the good faith of the United States, life and history give eloquent testimony to the fact that conflicts are never resolved without trustful give and take on both sides.

Tonight, however, I wish not to speak with Hanoi and the National Liberation Front, but rather to my fellowed [sic] Americans, *who, with me, bear the greatest responsibility in ending a conflict that has exacted a heavy price on both continents.

Since I am a preacher by trade, I suppose it is not surprising that I have seven major reasons for bringing Vietnam into the field of my moral vision.* There is at the outset a very obvious and almost facile connection between the war in Vietnam and the struggle I, and others, have been waging in America. A few years ago there was a shining moment in that struggle. It seemed as if there was a real promise of hope for the poor -- both black and white -- through the poverty program. There were experiments, hopes, new beginnings. Then came the buildup in Vietnam, and I watched this program broken and eviscerated, as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war, and I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube. So, I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such.

Perhaps the more tragic recognition of reality took place when it became clear to me that the war was doing far more than devastating the hopes of the poor at home. It was sending their sons and their brothers and their husbands to fight and to die in extraordinarily high proportions relative to the rest of the population. We were taking the black young men who had been crippled by our society and sending them eight thousand miles away to guarantee liberties in Southeast Asia which they had not found in southwest Georgia and East Harlem. And so we have been repeatedly faced with the cruel irony of watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools. And so we watch them in brutal solidarity burning the huts of a poor village, but we realize that they would hardly live on the same block in Chicago. I could not be silent in the face of such cruel manipulation of the poor.

My third reason moves to an even deeper level of awareness, for it grows out of my experience in the ghettoes of the North over the last three years -- especially the last three summers. As I have walked among the desperate, rejected, and angry young men, I have told them that Molotov cocktails and rifles would not solve their problems. I have tried to offer them my deepest compassion while maintaining my conviction that social change comes most meaningfully through nonviolent action. But they ask -- and rightly so -- what about Vietnam? They ask if our own nation wasn't using massive doses of violence to solve its problems, to bring about the changes it wanted. Their questions hit home, and I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today -- my own government. For the sake of those boys, for the sake of this government, for the sake of the hundreds of thousands trembling under our violence, I cannot be silent.

For those who ask the question, "Aren't you a civil rights leader?" and thereby mean to exclude me from the movement for peace, I have this further answer. In 1957 when a group of us formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, we chose as our motto: "To save the soul of America." We were convinced that we could not limit our vision to certain rights for black people, but instead affirmed the conviction that America would never be free or saved from itself until the descendants of its slaves were loosed completely from the shackles they still wear. In a way we were agreeing with Langston Hughes, that black bard of Harlem, who had written earlier:

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath --
America will be!

Now, it should be incandescently clear that no one who has any concern for the integrity and life of America today can ignore the present war. If America's soul becomes totally poisoned, part of the autopsy must read: Vietnam. It can never be saved so long as it destroys the deepest hopes of men the world over. So it is that those of us who are yet determined that America will be are led down the path of protest and dissent, working for the health of our land.

As if the weight of such a commitment to the life and health of America were not enough, another burden of responsibility was placed upon me in 1954** [sic]; and I cannot forget that the Nobel Prize for Peace was also a commission -- a commission to work harder than I had ever worked before for "the brotherhood of man." This is a calling that takes me beyond national allegiances, but even if it were not present I would yet have to live with the meaning of my commitment to the ministry of Jesus Christ. To me the relationship of this ministry to the making of peace is so obvious that I sometimes marvel at those who ask me why I'm speaking against the war. Could it be that they do not know that the good news was meant for all men -- for Communist and capitalist, for their children and ours, for black and for white, for revolutionary and conservative? Have they forgotten that my ministry is in obedience to the One who loved his enemies so fully that he died for them? What then can I say to the Vietcong or to Castro or to Mao as a faithful minister of this One? Can I threaten them with death or must I not share with them my life?

And finally, as I try to explain for you and for myself the road that leads from Montgomery to this place I would have offered all that was most valid if I simply said that I must be true to my conviction that I share with all men the calling to be a son of the living God. Beyond the calling of race or nation or creed is this vocation of sonship and brotherhood, and because I believe that the Father is deeply concerned especially for his suffering and helpless and outcast children, I come tonight to speak for them.

This I believe to be the privilege and the burden of all of us who deem ourselves bound by allegiances and loyalties which are broader and deeper than nationalism and which go beyond our nation's self-defined goals and positions. We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation and for those it calls "enemy," for no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers.

And as I ponder the madness of Vietnam and search within myself for ways to understand and respond in compassion, my mind goes constantly to the people of that peninsula. I speak now not of the soldiers of each side, not of the ideologies of the Liberation Front, not of the junta in Saigon, but simply of the people who have been living under the curse of war for almost three continuous decades now. I think of them, too, because it is clear to me that there will be no meaningful solution there until some attempt is made to know them and hear their broken cries.

They must see Americans as strange liberators. The Vietnamese people proclaimed their own independence *in 1954* -- in 1945 *rather* -- after a combined French and Japanese occupation and before the communist revolution in China. They were led by Ho Chi Minh. Even though they quoted the American Declaration of Independence in their own document of freedom, we refused to recognize them. Instead, we decided to support France in its reconquest of her former colony. Our government felt then that the Vietnamese people were not ready for independence, and we again fell victim to the deadly Western arrogance that has poisoned the international atmosphere for so long. With that tragic decision we rejected a revolutionary government seeking self-determination and a government that had been established not by China -- for whom the Vietnamese have no great love -- but by clearly indigenous forces that included some communists. For the peasants this new government meant real land reform, one of the most important needs in their lives.

For nine years following 1945 we denied the people of Vietnam the right of independence. For nine years we vigorously supported the French in their abortive effort to recolonize Vietnam. Before the end of the war we were meeting eighty percent of the French war costs. Even before the French were defeated at Dien Bien Phu, they began to despair of their reckless action, but we did not. We encouraged them with our huge financial and military supplies to continue the war even after they had lost the will. Soon we would be paying almost the full costs of this tragic attempt at recolonization.

After the French were defeated, it looked as if independence and land reform would come again through the Geneva Agreement. But instead there came the United States, determined that Ho should not unify the temporarily divided nation, and the peasants watched again as we supported one of the most vicious modern dictators, our chosen man, Premier Diem. The peasants watched and cringed as Diem ruthlessly rooted out all opposition, supported their extortionist landlords, and refused even to discuss reunification with the North. The peasants watched as all this was presided over by United States' influence and then by increasing numbers of United States troops who came to help quell the insurgency that Diem's methods had aroused. When Diem was overthrown they may have been happy, but the long line of military dictators seemed to offer no real change, especially in terms of their need for land and peace.

The only change came from America, as we increased our troop commitments in support of governments which were singularly corrupt, inept, and without popular support. All the while the people read our leaflets and received the regular promises of peace and democracy and land reform. Now they languish under our bombs and consider us, not their fellow Vietnamese, the real enemy. They move sadly and apathetically as we herd them off the land of their fathers into concentration camps where minimal social needs are rarely met. They know they must move on or be destroyed by our bombs.

So they go, primarily women and children and the aged. They watch as we poison their water, as we kill a million acres of their crops. They must weep as the bulldozers roar through their areas preparing to destroy the precious trees. They wander into the hospitals with at least twenty casualties from American firepower for one Vietcong-inflicted injury. So far we may have killed a million of them, mostly children. They wander into the towns and see thousands of the children, homeless, without clothes, running in packs on the streets like animals. They see the children degraded by our soldiers as they beg for food. They see the children selling their sisters to our soldiers, soliciting for their mothers.

What do the peasants think as we ally ourselves with the landlords and as we refuse to put any action into our many words concerning land reform? What do they think as we test out our latest weapons on them, just as the Germans tested out new medicine and new tortures in the concentration camps of Europe? Where are the roots of the independent Vietnam we claim to be building? Is it among these voiceless ones?

We have destroyed their two most cherished institutions: the family and the village. We have destroyed their land and their crops. We have cooperated in the crushing of the nation's only noncommunist revolutionary political force, the unified Buddhist Church. We have supported the enemies of the peasants of Saigon. We have corrupted their women and children and killed their men.

Now there is little left to build on, save bitterness. *Soon the only solid physical foundations remaining will be found at our military bases and in the concrete of the concentration camps we call "fortified hamlets." The peasants may well wonder if we plan to build our new Vietnam on such grounds as these. Could we blame them for such thoughts? We must speak for them and raise the questions they cannot raise. These, too, are our brothers.

Perhaps a more difficult but no less necessary task is to speak for those who have been designated as our enemies.* What of the National Liberation Front, that strangely anonymous group we call "VC" or "communists"? What must they think of the United States of America when they realize that we permitted the repression and cruelty of Diem, which helped to bring them into being as a resistance group in the South? What do they think of our condoning the violence which led to their own taking up of arms? How can they believe in our integrity when now we speak of "aggression from the North" as if there were nothing more essential to the war? How can they trust us when now we charge them with violence after the murderous reign of Diem and charge them with violence while we pour every new weapon of death into their land? Surely we must understand their feelings, even if we do not condone their actions. Surely we must see that the men we supported pressed them to their violence. Surely we must see that our own computerized plans of destruction simply dwarf their greatest acts.

How do they judge us when our officials know that their membership is less than twenty-five percent communist, and yet insist on giving them the blanket name? What must they be thinking when they know that we are aware of their control of major sections of Vietnam, and yet we appear ready to allow national elections in which this highly organized political parallel government will not have a part? They ask how we can speak of free elections when the Saigon press is censored and controlled by the military junta. And they are surely right to wonder what kind of new government we plan to help form without them, the only party in real touch with the peasants. They question our political goals and they deny the reality of a peace settlement from which they will be excluded. Their questions are frighteningly relevant. Is our nation planning to build on political myth again, and then shore it up upon the power of new violence?

Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy's point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.

So, too, with Hanoi. In the North, where our bombs now pummel the land, and our mines endanger the waterways, we are met by a deep but understandable mistrust. To speak for them is to explain this lack of confidence in Western words, and especially their distrust of American intentions now. In Hanoi are the men who led the nation to independence against the Japanese and the French, the men who sought membership in the French Commonwealth and were betrayed by the weakness of Paris and the willfulness of the colonial armies. It was they who led a second struggle against French domination at tremendous costs, and then were persuaded to give up the land they controlled between the thirteenth and seventeenth parallel as a temporary measure at Geneva. After 1954 they watched us conspire with Diem to prevent elections which could have surely brought Ho Chi Minh to power over a united Vietnam, and they realized they had been betrayed again. When we ask why they do not leap to negotiate, these things must be remembered.

Also, it must be clear that the leaders of Hanoi considered the presence of American troops in support of the Diem regime to have been the initial military breach of the Geneva Agreement concerning foreign troops. They remind us that they did not begin to send troops in large numbers and even supplies into the South until American forces had moved into the tens of thousands.

Hanoi remembers how our leaders refused to tell us the truth about the earlier North Vietnamese overtures for peace, how the president claimed that none existed when they had clearly been made. Ho Chi Minh has watched as America has spoken of peace and built up its forces, and now he has surely heard the increasing international rumors of American plans for an invasion of the North. He knows the bombing and shelling and mining we are doing are part of traditional pre-invasion strategy. Perhaps only his sense of humor and of irony can save him when he hears the most powerful nation of the world speaking of aggression as it drops thousands of bombs on a poor, weak nation more than *eight hundred, or rather,* eight thousand miles away from its shores.

At this point I should make it clear that while I have tried in these last few minutes to give a voice to the voiceless in Vietnam and to understand the arguments of those who are called "enemy," I am as deeply concerned about our own troops there as anything else. For it occurs to me that what we are submitting them to in Vietnam is not simply the brutalizing process that goes on in any war where armies face each other and seek to destroy. We are adding cynicism to the process of death, for they must know after a short period there that none of the things we claim to be fighting for are really involved. Before long they must know that their government has sent them into a struggle among Vietnamese, and the more sophisticated surely realize that we are on the side of the wealthy, and the secure, while we create a hell for the poor.

Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam. I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted. I speak for the poor of America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home, and death and corruption in Vietnam. I speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. I speak as one who loves America, to the leaders of our own nation: The great initiative in this war is ours; the initiative to stop it must be ours.

This is the message of the great Buddhist leaders of Vietnam. Recently one of them wrote these words, and I quote:

Each day the war goes on the hatred increases in the heart of the Vietnamese and in the hearts of those of humanitarian instinct. The Americans are forcing even their friends into becoming their enemies. It is curious that the Americans, who calculate so carefully on the possibilities of military victory, do not realize that in the process they are incurring deep psychological and political defeat. The image of America will never again be the image of revolution, freedom, and democracy, but the image of violence and militarism (unquote).

If we continue, there will be no doubt in my mind and in the mind of the world that we have no honorable intentions in Vietnam. If we do not stop our war against the people of Vietnam immediately, the world will be left with no other alternative than to see this as some horrible, clumsy, and deadly game we have decided to play. The world now demands a maturity of America that we may not be able to achieve. It demands that we admit that we have been wrong from the beginning of our adventure in Vietnam, that we have been detrimental to the life of the Vietnamese people. The situation is one in which we must be ready to turn sharply from our present ways. In order to atone for our sins and errors in Vietnam, we should take the initiative in bringing a halt to this tragic war.

*I would like to suggest five concrete things that our government should do immediately to begin the long and difficult process of extricating ourselves from this nightmarish conflict:

Number one: End all bombing in North and South Vietnam.

Number two: Declare a unilateral cease-fire in the hope that such action will create the atmosphere for negotiation.

Three: Take immediate steps to prevent other battlegrounds in Southeast Asia by curtailing our military buildup in Thailand and our interference in Laos.

Four: Realistically accept the fact that the National Liberation Front has substantial support in South Vietnam and must thereby play a role in any meaningful negotiations and any future Vietnam government.

Five: *Set a date that we will remove all foreign troops from Vietnam in accordance with the 1954 Geneva Agreement.

Part of our ongoing...part of our ongoing commitment might well express itself in an offer to grant asylum to any Vietnamese who fears for his life under a new regime which included the Liberation Front. Then we must make what reparations we can for the damage we have done. We must provide the medical aid that is badly needed, making it available in this country, if necessary. Meanwhile... meanwhile, we in the churches and synagogues have a continuing task while we urge our government to disengage itself from a disgraceful commitment. We must continue to raise our voices and our lives if our nation persists in its perverse ways in Vietnam. We must be prepared to match actions with words by seeking out every creative method of protest possible.

*As we counsel young men concerning military service, we must clarify for them our nation's role in Vietnam and challenge them with the alternative of conscientious objection. I am pleased to say that this is a path now chosen by more than seventy students at my own alma mater, Morehouse College, and I recommend it to all who find the American course in Vietnam a dishonorable and unjust one. Moreover, I would encourage all ministers of draft age to give up their ministerial exemptions and seek status as conscientious objectors.* These are the times for real choices and not false ones. We are at the moment when our lives must be placed on the line if our nation is to survive its own folly. Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest.

Now there is something seductively tempting about stopping there and sending us all off on what in some circles has become a popular crusade against the war in Vietnam. I say we must enter that struggle, but I wish to go on now to say something even more disturbing.

The war in Vietnam is but a symptom of a far deeper malady within the American spirit, and if we ignore this sobering reality...and if we ignore this sobering reality, we will find ourselves organizing "clergy and laymen concerned" committees for the next generation. They will be concerned about Guatemala and Peru. They will be concerned about Thailand and Cambodia. They will be concerned about Mozambique and South Africa. We will be marching for these and a dozen other names and attending rallies without end, unless there is a significant and profound change in American life and policy.

And so, such thoughts take us beyond Vietnam, but not beyond our calling as sons of the living God.

In 1957, a sensitive American official overseas said that it seemed to him that our nation was on the wrong side of a world revolution. During the past ten years, we have seen emerge a pattern of suppression which has now justified the presence of U.S. military advisors in Venezuela. This need to maintain social stability for our investments accounts for the counterrevolutionary action of American forces in Guatemala. It tells why American helicopters are being used against guerrillas in Cambodia and why American napalm and Green Beret forces have already been active against rebels in Peru.

It is with such activity in mind that the words of the late John F. Kennedy come back to haunt us. Five years ago he said, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." Increasingly, by choice or by accident, this is the role our nation has taken, the role of those who make peaceful revolution impossible by refusing to give up the privileges and the pleasures that come from the immense profits of overseas investments. I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin...we must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.

A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. On the one hand, we are called to play the Good Samaritan on life's roadside, but that will be only an initial act. One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho Road must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life's highway. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.

A true revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth. With righteous indignation, it will look across the seas and see individual capitalists of the West investing huge sums of money in Asia, Africa, and South America, only to take the profits out with no concern for the social betterment of the countries, and say, "This is not just." It will look at our alliance with the landed gentry of South America and say, "This is not just." The Western arrogance of feeling that it has everything to teach others and nothing to learn from them is not just.

A true revolution of values will lay hand on the world order and say of war, "This way of settling differences is not just." This business of burning human beings with napalm, of filling our nation's homes with orphans and widows, of injecting poisonous drugs of hate into the veins of peoples normally humane, of sending men home from dark and bloody battlefields physically handicapped and psychologically deranged, cannot be reconciled with wisdom, justice, and love. A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.

America, the richest and most powerful nation in the world, can well lead the way in this revolution of values. There is nothing except a tragic death wish to prevent us from reordering our priorities so that the pursuit of peace will take precedence over the pursuit of war. There is nothing to keep us from molding a recalcitrant status quo with bruised hands until we have fashioned it into a brotherhood.

*This kind of positive revolution of values is our best defense against communism. War is not the answer. Communism will never be defeated by the use of atomic bombs or nuclear weapons. Let us not join those who shout war and, through their misguided passions, urge the United States to relinquish its participation in the United Nations.* These are days which demand wise restraint and calm reasonableness. *We must not engage in a negative anticommunism, but rather in a positive thrust for democracy, realizing that our greatest defense against communism is to take offensive action in behalf of justice. We must with positive action seek to remove those conditions of poverty, insecurity, and injustice, which are the fertile soil in which the seed of communism grows and develops.*

These are revolutionary times. All over the globe men are revolting against old systems of exploitation and oppression, and out of the wounds of a frail world, new systems of justice and equality are being born. The shirtless and barefoot people of the land are rising up as never before. The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. We in the West must support these revolutions.

It is a sad fact that because of comfort, complacency, a morbid fear of communism, and our proneness to adjust to injustice, the Western nations that initiated so much of the revolutionary spirit of the modern world have now become the arch antirevolutionaries. This has driven many to feel that only Marxism has a revolutionary spirit. Therefore, communism is a judgment against our failure to make democracy real and follow through on the revolutions that we initiated. Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go out into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism. With this powerful commitment we shall boldly challenge the status quo and unjust mores, and thereby speed the day when "every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain."

A genuine revolution of values means in the final analysis that our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Every nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole in order to preserve the best in their individual societies.

This call for a worldwide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond one's tribe, race, class, and nation is in reality a call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all mankind. This oft misunderstood, this oft misinterpreted concept, so readily dismissed by the Nietzsches of the world as a weak and cowardly force, has now become an absolute necessity for the survival of man. When I speak of love I am not speaking of some sentimental and weak response. I am not speaking of that force which is just emotional bosh. I am speaking of that force which all of the great religions have seen as the supreme unifying principle of life. Love is somehow the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality. This Hindu-Muslim-Christian-Jewish-Buddhist belief about ultimate reality is beautifully summed up in the first epistle of Saint John: "Let us love one another, for love is God. And every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love." "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us." Let us hope that this spirit will become the order of the day.

We can no longer afford to worship the god of hate or bow before the altar of retaliation. The oceans of history are made turbulent by the ever-rising tides of hate. And history is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued this self-defeating path of hate. As Arnold Toynbee says: "Love is the ultimate force that makes for the saving choice of life and good against the damning choice of death and evil. Therefore the first hope in our inventory must be the hope that love is going to have the last word" (unquote).

We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The tide in the affairs of men does not remain at flood -- it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, "Too late." There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect. Omar Khayyam is right: "The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on."

We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent coannihilation. We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace in Vietnam and justice throughout the developing world, a world that borders on our doors. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.

Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world. This is the calling of the sons of God, and our brothers wait eagerly for our response. Shall we say the odds are too great? Shall we tell them the struggle is too hard? Will our message be that the forces of American life militate against their arrival as full men, and we send our deepest regrets? Or will there be another message -- of longing, of hope, of solidarity with their yearnings, of commitment to their cause, whatever the cost? The choice is ours, and though we might prefer it otherwise, we must choose in this crucial moment of human history.

As that noble bard of yesterday, James Russell Lowell, eloquently stated:

Once to every man and nation comes a moment to decide,

In the strife of Truth and Falsehood, for the good or evil side;

Some great cause, God's new Messiah offering each the bloom or blight,

And the choice goes by forever 'twixt that darkness and that light.

Though the cause of evil prosper, yet 'tis truth alone is strong

Though her portions be the scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong

Yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown

Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own.

And if we will only make the right choice, we will be able to transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of peace.

If we will make the right choice, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our world into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.

If we will but make the right choice, we will be able to speed up the day, all over America and all over the world, when justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

The World Is Left Naked

2007-02-21T11:57:00.000-08:00

Is my security worth another's life

"...There was a time when the church was very powerful -- in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators." But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey Gad rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests.

Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch defender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent -- and often even vocal -- sanction of things as they are. But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century..." - MLK Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

In January 2007, the United Nations reported 34,000 Iraqi civilian "violent deaths" in 2006 alone (click on article link). The Defense department has confirmed 3,138 total U.S. soldiers killed since March 2003. Saddam Hussein expired beneath the hangman's noose, yet the Iraq war continues to consume the lives of Iraqis and US soldiers. The above passage comes from MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail, which addressed the criticism of white clergyman that thought civil rights protests were "unwise and untimely." The above passage is a searing critique that the 21st century church must heed in midst of such dangerous times. King invokes the power of the early church that didn't simply observe public opinion, but sought to transform it. He mourned the contempory church's silence as African-Americans endured the police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham. Where has the sacrificial spirit of the church gone? Is today's church content with the status quo? Is today's church still consoling the power structure by keeping silent about the obliteration of life in Iraq?

The tendency to compartmentalize the value of one's life represents the biggest crisis infecting churches in America today. One's human nature compels him to place the life of a fellow citizen over the life of an alien stranger, but one's Christian calling allows him or her to deny such impulses. The Christian cannot draw the line between those who should live and those who should die since Christ made no such divisions and died for all men and women regardless of place and time. Any divisions between human beings that exist are human constructs as all God-made divisions were removed in the death and resurrection of Christ. When one claims Christ as Lord, then he or she can no longer justify the killing of alien civilians or combatants so that we preserve American security and prosperity.

More than ever, I am convinced that my security and well-being here in America is not worth the lives of 34,000 Iraqi civilians and over 3,000 fellow countrymen. I would rather Iraqi civilians and myself face the evils of terrorism together than have Iraqi civilians and US soldiers solely take on the yoke of suffering as I sleep pain free in a warm bed. The notion of "just-war" simply does not exist under the lordship of Christ. The only actions permitted under the lordship of Christ are just-love, just-compassion, just-forgiveness, just-peace, and just-suffering. Even these actions become justified only when they are reciprocal. Like the war in Iraq, these actions become unjust when Christians in America remain content to cloth themselves with these actions while the rest of the world is left naked.

CJE

A Handicapped Jesus?

2007-02-18T19:53:00.000-08:00

Is Jesus's power handicapped by my lack of faith?

"...4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith..." - Mark 6:4-6

Yes, I am still alive and well and blogging. This semester i am consumed with writing and research for my thesis, which is due in July. I have little time for blogging until my thesis is complete, but i just finished a thought provoking young adult discussion about the building and weakning of faith. In the course of the discussion the above scripture gave everyone pause to consider the meaning and its consequences. All of us were puzzled by the idea that Jesus could not perform miracles in his home town. Jesus not only could not perform miracles there, but the scripture seems to imply the people's lack of faith as the cause of Jesus's momentary handicapp. So how does this verse hit you? It seems that Jesus's momentary handicapp is not the absence of desire or compassion, but the void of ability to perform miracles.

Are there things Jesus can't do? Does Jesus's power have its limits? Is the lack of miracles then and today the product of our poor faith? Would miracles rain down upon those who need it most if they would just believe more? These are some of the questions that this scripture produces. I'm not looking for a debate of who is right or wrong. I'm simply looking for a dialogue of thoughts and feelings about these scriptures. Don't bother with references or endnotes, no one is asking to prove your opinions. I simply want to know, how do you process the notion of a handicapped Jesus?

CJE

Resurrected Together

2006-11-28T06:35:00.000-08:00

Time slipping through my fingers

Is it November 28th already? Has another year come and gone? Am I really 26? Will I actually be 30 when the college freshman from my church back home graduate? To my disbelief the answer to all of these questions is yes. The world looks pretty different than the one into which I was born. In 1980, the Internet simply did not exist. In 1980, giant cell phones were just beginning the test phase. In 1980, vinyl and cassette tapes represented the only music media. In 1980, cable TV consisted of no more than 30 channels. I often wonder how even more intimidating 2006 must be for people like my parents who were born in 1955 in a world of "party-line" telephones and manual typewriters.

25 was a great year. I was able to meet many famous historical actors. I met James Armstrong Sr. who filed suit for his sons to integrate Birmingham public schools. I met his son, Dwight Armstrong, who actually integrated Graymont Elementary in September 1963 at the age of 11. I also met Dr. Ceric who is the grand Muslim mufti of Bosnia. Over the summer I met Marjorie Nelson who was held captive during the Vietnam War and Fred Shuttlesworth who inspired and led the civil rights movement in Alabama. Then just last week I met some of the actual Freedom Riders who tried to integrate interstate travel, but one of the buses was bombed in Aniston, Alabama. 25 also witnessed the wedding of my brother, Marcus and my new sister-in-law, Adrienne. I also returned to Shiloh as counselor for my 7th straight teen session.

What does the future hold for 26? I plan to have completed my M.A. in History. I hope to have moved back to Cincinnati temporarily or back to NYC for good. I plan to teach high school via a fellowship that will pay for my certification, which it might mean I stay with hotel work for a year until application deadlines come back around. I'm fairly confident that I will not be married nor engaged over the next year. Whatever comes in the next year I am tired of living in the comfort of the ivory tower. Now at 26, I feel a sense of urgency now more than ever. At 26, I realize that years are only being subtracted from my life. Like sand slipping through my fingers, I begin to feel the years escape my grasp. I'm ready to confront the hate, fear, and violence that threatens to penetrate the hearts of the children who live on Brook Ave. I'm ready for the children of Brook Ave. to experience the full power of nonviolent unconditional love, which is more powerful than death itself. One cannot expect to bind the wounded from the suburbs, but must reside amongst the wounded if he or she is to apply the bandages themselves. This means that my destiny is intertwined with the fate of the children of Brook Ave. No matter what comes, we will live together, laugh together, dream together, and cry together. If for some reason we should die together, then thanks be to God that we will be resurrected together.

CJE

Die In Order To Live

2006-11-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

Are these the only two choices?

It is election time is upon us once again and once again I will not be participating in the sacred ritual of the American civic religion we call voting. This shouldn't be a shock to my friends who have previously discussed the utility of voting. In fact, it was an email discussion amongst friends about voting that inspired the creation of this blog to provide an easier forum to express sound and ridiculous opinions. My perceptions of voting are not absolute as they once were as I continue to listen to others' views that impact my beliefs. One with no allegiances finds voting to be a rather easy and painless act of democratic participation. The one who claims Christ as Lord, however, quickly understands that voting entails an endorsement of men and women who mostly act in complete contradiction to the will of God. What is the Christian to do? I can't speak for others; I can only speak for myself.

Why do I choose not to vote? In recent years I've to come to see voting as increasingly futile in advancing the Christian's vocation to pursue the will of God. The unfolding of the will of God is not contingent on the existence of democratically elected governments. Earthly governments and its representatives can neither advance nor impede the will of God. The will of God will continue to march on despite the attempts of governments and rulers to lag behind. What is the only institution that has the ability to advance the will of God? Simple, the Church. The Church is not a reflection of earthly governments, but a glimpse of the kingdom before it comes in its fullness. Christ, not presidents or dictators, is head of the Church and we are its representatives. As representatives of the Church we are called embody Christ's presence, which compels us to give, forgive, and love unconditionally. Government representatives consumed with power most often seek to steal, avenge, and love only those who vote them into office. Furthermore, the gulf between the will of the nation and the will of God is so vast that it can never be bridged.

But isn't the Civil Rights Movement (which you love so much) an example of the positive power of voting? First, the civil rights movement did not begin by seeking the right to vote. In postwar America, African-Americans initially organized to obtain the rights of home ownership, which was denied them by discriminatory federal housing loans and racist real estate agents. The second battle of the movement was school desegregation, which was being prevented by elected government officials like George Wallace. Voting represented the final important battle of the civil rights movement. The issue of voting in the movement does give me pause and compels me to recognize the need for voting. The movement leads to me to the possibility of voting for issues like school levys that directly impact the community rather than voting for corrupt individuals who only listen to powerful lobbyists. But Chris, isn't it the corrupt individuals that propose the issues and taxes? Yes, but the voting for issues gives me the ability to check their corrupt nature.

I do, however, also see the civil rights movement as a powerful example of a group of people that for most of their American existence had been denied the rights of citizenship, yet it didn't inhibit their capacity to pursue the will of God for their lives. The Bill of Rights is an amazing document that grants privileges that are unknown to many in the world, but these rights are not essential to the Christian life or sustaining the will of God. As I've said before, the one freedom you will not find in the Bill of Rights is the freedom from death, which is only provided in the amendment of Christ. The choice for the Christian is not as stark as P Diddy (above) would have us believe. Life in Christ is dependent not on the ballot box, but on the cross and empty tomb. In confessing Christ as Lord the Christian had decided not whether to vote or die, but instead chosen to die in order to live.

CJE

We Are One

2006-10-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

Women elders, is it possible?

"11A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15But women[a] will be saved[b] through childbearingÂif they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety."
- 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Today I did something I had never done before. I voted. Not for corrupt politicians of course, but for elder nominees at the church of christ I attend in Birmingham. Elders at this church are elected by popular vote needing a 2/3 majority and serve their post for six years, upon which they can be reconfirmed by popular vote for another term. The two nominees on the ballot are both women. Many Churches of Christ in recent years have slowly come to make their services gender inclusive by allowing women to pray, read or even speak from the pulpit. The eldership, however, continues to be exclusively male.

The verse above is the primary scripture used to argue for the exclusion of women from any leadership role including the eldership. Many take this verse to say that woman are subordinate to men because not only were they created second, but they were responsible for bringing sin into the world. From here the debate evolves into what scriptures apply and which verses have no relevance. For instance, scriptures regarding dress are considered by most to be specifically meant for those churches Paul was addressing, yet scriptures pertaining to gender authority apply regardless of time and place. The debate further intensifies when one reads Paul saying the complete opposite as he speaks to the Galatians as he said...

"28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
- Galatians 3:28-29

One also finds evidence of authority residing in females through prophetesses in both in the Old and New Testaments. For example,

"Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading [a] Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided."
Judges 4:4-5

"36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."
Luke 2:36-38

Adam and Eve ushered sin into world by their selfish curiosity. Sin consequently separated God and from his creation, which shattered the covenant relationship he made with his creation. Yet by God's grace, he chose to rescue his creation from isolation andbrokennesss by sacrificing a piece of himself through his only son, Jesus. Whatever barriers Adam and Eve created in eating the fruit, Jesus Christ removed them by dying on the cross. Whatever relationships Adam and Eve broke in hiding in the garden, Jesus Christ mended them by rising from the dead. The war between God and man, God and woman or man and woman is over as Jesus negotiated the peace through his own blood and resurrection.

Furthermore, if the church is to be a glimpse of the kingdom before it comes in its fullness, then gender barriers must be removed. Are we really to believe that women will be given gender specific roles when the kingdom comes in its fullness? Will women truly have assigned seats at the eternal banquet table? Will women ultimately not be permitted to address their creator when they are finally reunited? I think not. I've come to believe women will not only assume an equal role in the kingdom when it is fully revealed, but will be free to sit as close as they can to Jesus while they are uninhibited to speak to the Father as long as they wish.

It is important to recognize, as a current elder did this morning, that women should not be made elders simply because they are women, but because they are qualified. Qualified not by gender nor perfection, but qualified by time and experiences in which they pursued the will of God for their lives in both times of despair and moments of joy. No matter where you fall in the debate, all of us need to recognize what men and women are in sin and what men and women are in Christ. In sin, men and women are despised. In sin, men and women are guilty. In sin, men and women are divided. Yet together in Christ, we are loved. In Christ, we are forgiven. In Christ, we are one.

CJE

Strangers In Passing

2006-10-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

How can dear friends become strangers?

Most times I write to offer opinions and suggestions on how to we can be better imitators of Christ in a violently broken world. Today, however, I am seeking suggestions on to engage the problem of when great friends turn into complete strangers. This is an problem that has consumed my heart and mind for over a month now. Briefly summarized, almost two months ago now I took the opportunity to be vulnerably honest with a dear friend. I was not rude, offensive, nor demeaning. Just completely genuine. I expected my honesty to evoke a number of responses, yet at this moment silence has been the only consequence.

I've tried repeatedly to get in contact with this friend since my moment of truth, but again without success. I'm trying to contact this person to let them know that I am not avoiding them. My question is simply this, does there come a point when one stops contacting a friend who is avoiding you and accept that you've become strangers? Or does one continue to make an occasional attempt to reach your friend in the of hope resurrecting the friendship?

I wish I knew the reason for my friend's silence since it seems really out of their character. The reason I don't know is because this person wont respond. With each passing day I lose a memory of our friendship. What happens when all the memories are gone? Lost will be the friend I once laughed with. Forgotten will be the friend that taught me so much. All there will be left to remember is that the next time we meet it could be as strangers in passing.

CJE

What Does That Mean?

2006-09-19T10:04:00.000-07:00

"What does that mean, “outrages upon human dignity”? That’s a statement that is wide open to interpretation."
-President of the United States, George W. Bush

It's official. Our president is certifiably insane. One cannot express how dangerous of such a statement. Senator Lindsey Graham presents a fantastic explanation of what it means to engage in outrages against human diginity. Do anyone else feel the institution of self-government slipping away? Anyone who addresses the serious flaws in the logic and practice in the war on terror is immediately labled "unAmerican" or "Traitor". Does one really have to apologize for recognizing the humanity in
God's creation? By questioning the intent of "outrages upon human dignity", our president is inherently asking what does it mean to be human. When is someone a human being and when are they just an animal? A human being is a perfect creation made in the image of its creator that brought about its own destruction through selfish curiosity. Yet the creator rescued his creation by sacrificing a piece of himself in his only son so that all of his creation could be spared the torture of death.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.(Jn 13:34)"- Now, what does that mean?

CJE

Standing Next To History

2006-08-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Standing next to history

Most of us learn our history from a textbook. Textbooks are necessary because most events happened hundreds of years ago. Rarely do people get the opportunity to shake hands with history. On August 16th, 2006, I was blessed to have such an opportunity. On top is a picture of me and Fred Shuttlesworth. Below is a picture of Shuttlesworth standing next to MLK Jr. and Ralph Abernathy. Fred Shuttlesworth was a primary figure in the Civil Rights movement. He basically started the movement in Alabama by creating the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights since the state of Alabama had made the NAACP an illegal organiztion in 1956.

On Christmas night 1956, Klansmen bombed his house with sticks of dynamite while he and his family were in the house. By the grace of God no one was hurt. The following year in September 1957, Shuttleswoth took his children to Phillips High School in an attempt to integrate the school. Shuttlesworth, however, was greeted at the school by an angry white mob that proceeded to beat him with brass knuckles, bike chains, and bats as the police looked on. Me and my brother brought Mr. Shuttlesworth to come speak at our Wednesday night last class about living in community. The questioned we posed to Shuttlesworth was, how do I live with someone who hates me?

Shuttlesworth's enitre life in Alabama was spent living with those who hated him. The great irony was they hated him for doing what was right not only in the eyes of the Constitution, but in the eyes of God. He told us how he did not expect to see 40 living in Alabama, yet here he was at 84 continuing to stress non-violence and compassion. He has lived long enough to see God bring about great change. The evening with Shuttlesworth left me to ponder, are we ready for change in 2006? I believe all of us are ready for change, but we don't know how to bring change about. Shuttlesworth reminded us of MLK's insistence on not using evil means to bring about good ends because the two are bonded together like a seed is to a tree. Bringing about change through good-nonviolent means forces us to ask, do we believe God is all that he said he was? Well Mr. Shuttlesworth is convinced he is and so am I.

CJE

Coming Soon: Pledging Allegiance to Christ

Conflicted Existence

2006-07-29T16:59:00.000-07:00

How can I be profoundly Christian in a corrupt world?

I am part flesh, part spirit. Part American citizen, part disciple of Christ. The kingdom of God is here, yet I wait to see it in its fullness as I continue to live in this broken world. I am obligated to obey the law of the land, yet I am also called to obey Jesus's commands. These two parts of my existence come into conflict daily. In recent times it has become increasingly difficult to remain faithful to the lordship of Christ in a country that continually acts in contrast to his commands. The Christian is left to ask himself or herself, can I be a loyal American citizen while remaining true to the lordship of Christ? Do I excuse government policies since we live in a broken world and it's all going to burn anyway or do I speak out against ungodly practices? do I conform to American traditions or do I live my life as a stark contrast to socially accepted norms? Over the next few weeks we will discuss topics that become problematic for an American trying to remain faithful to Christ. Among the topics will be the pledge of allegiance, voting, war, taxes, capital punishment, prisons, and many others.

A great friend of mine once preached a sermon from the book of Daniel about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who refused to bow down to worship the image of gold. The key part of the text is found in Daniel 3:4-7 and it reads, "4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up."

My friend asked his audience the same question I present to us now, do we today fall down at the sound of the horn? Anytime the Christian hears the pledge of allegiance or the drums of war, should he or she simply fall down like everyone else or like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego should he or she dare to stand in opposition to those who deny the lordship of Christ by their actions? So this week I encourage you to prepare your own thoughts as together we begin to better understand our conflicted existence.

CJE

Coming Soon: Pledging Allegiance To Christ

Losing Each Other

2006-07-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

People don't get replaced

Bruce Springsteen is an essential caretaker of the American sound. The characters in his songs reflect the hope, despair and anxiety one feels living the American experience. Springsteen recently performed on VH1 Storytellers where he played old favorites and songs from his album, "Devils and Dust". The performance was so incredible that I had to buy the dvd. The most moving song was from Devils and Dust entitled, "Jesus Was An Only Son." He proceeded to explain the lyrics after first playing the song with only a piano and a harmonica. Towards the end of the song is line, "...there's lost that can never be replaced, a destination that can never be reached. Light you'll never find in another's face, a sea who distance cannot be breached." Springsteen explains this line by saying, "...We lose each other and people don't get replaced."

In recent months many of my friends have family members who are seriously sick with cancer and other diseases. That line, "People don't get replaced," is a harsh truth that my friends will soon have to deal with. It's so hard to know what to pray for. Healing? Mercy? Acceptance? Faith? I believe there is power in prayer, but I also believe no amount of prayer can prevent the death that awaits all of us. Why has death come for my friend's family? Why does cancer leave some and return to others? I have no answers for such questions. But I do know, as Springsteen reminds me, that my friend's loss can never be replaced. Despite time and space, the loss of their family member will always remain. Nothing or nobody will be able to fill the void created by death.

Some say we'll me again in heaven, but sometimes I wonder if that's true. Lately I've come to believe that the coming resurrection will wipe away any piece of this life. I think the new bodies we'll receive will look nothing like our current body. I believe I will not remember my past life. Not even the disciples recognized Jesus after the resurrection. Some might be sad at such an idea, but will it really matter in the eternal presence of God. This belief has me even more grateful of the health of my family and to enjoy every minute I have now because I'm no sure I'll have an opportunity when the kingdom comes in its fullness. This week I encourage you to hold your family closer before there is nobody to hold, sit down to dinner together more often before there is nobody to eat with, and learn to forgive faster before there is nobody to angry with. Make sure to enjoy you the family you've gained before the time comes when we lose each other.

CJE

Coming Soon: Conflicted Existence

Seven Years

2006-06-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

Discovering purpose at 19 years old

Yes, I'm still alive. I apologize for the lack of posts, but it's a busy summer so far. First, my brother's wedding was a week of madness and excitement. It was a incredible event that made him and his wife, Adrienne, feel really special. Second, Me and my brother are teaching a Wednesday night class at church where we bring in guest speakers from different faiths to suggest some ways we might be able to build community instead of ignoring each other. Third, lately I found bloging to be a futile waste of time. You'd be amazed at how much living you miss when you spend alot of time behind a computer. Bloging talks about life experiences, but as you blog who knows how many untold experiences you might be missing.

A week from tomorrow I am traveling to Shiloh to begin my 7th consecutive summer as a counselor at teen session. I will be at Shiloh for teen session only which is a new experience to spend the rest of summer at home for the first time since 1999. At 25, I am a dinosaur in the eyes of the rest of the counselors. A prehistoric fossil who was given two tiny cookies and a cup of juice at his first snack time. An ancient relic from a different age when counselors were made to sleep outside in the dirt with no tent to protect them. Despite my age I wouldn't have it any other way. The opportunity to engage and challenge teens whom I've known since they were small kids is a priceless gift I don't deserve nor could ever purchase.

Returning to Shiloh is not a matter of just going to camp, it's the chance to go home. It's the chance to speak softly to child instead screaming at them. It's the opportunity to love a child unconditionally as I wipe the spit from my face. It's the occasion to put a child's needs before my own. It's the hardest work I've ever done, but the decision to return has been the easiest choice these past seven years.

CJE

Two Down, Two to Go

2006-04-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

Networking with Dr. Ceric, the Muslim Grand Mufti of Bosina.

Well I am officially home for the summer. The semester is finally over after a 25pg paper, 20pg paper and 24pg paper. Overall it was a very interesting year living and working in Birmingham. Some of the highlights were....

1. Hearing and meeting Dr.Ceric, the Muslim Grand Mufti of Bosnia, speak at Jewish synagogue,

2. Meeting James Armstrong Sr., the father who was the first to successfully have his sons integrate white Alabama elementary schools.

3. Meeting Dwight Armstrong, one of James Sr.'s sons who actually attended the first integrated elementary school classes in Alabama.

4. Discovering the Blues while listening to Rev. Slick and the Mississippi Soul Brothers play an amazing free set outside UAB arena.

5. Attending an interfaith dinner where I saw religion actually become a bridge instead of a barrier.

6. Attending a church that is willing to provide whatever its community needs.

7. Meeting Katrina victims and hearing their stories.

Those are just some of interesting experiences I've had in Birmingham over the past year. What does next year hold? I'm not sure right now. Right now I'm glad to be home and ready for a break. As of right now, it's two down and two to go.

CJE

Coming next week: Seven Years

Living History

2006-03-09T15:52:00.000-08:00

Mr. James Armstrong. 80yrs old and still self employed

Today I had the privilege to meet and talk with Mr. James Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong has been a self-employed barber for decades. Mr. Armstrong is the father to first successfully integrate Birmingham Public Schools. He first filed his petition in 1957, but it was not until September, 10, 1963 when his sons Dwight and Floyd entered Graymont Elementary. We talked in his barbershop for over an hour about that day and events that followed. Among the comments that stood out was when he said that numerous people and all his siblings had encouraged him to leave Birmingham, but of those people he was the only one still alive. It was an amazing experience if not life changing. It's not everyday you get the chance to talk with living history.

CJE

War Before Education Pt.2

2006-02-20T09:52:00.000-08:00

The crosses of Columbine

This time last year I wrote a post about the dangerous conquences of the inequality between the Department of Defense budget and the Department of Education budget. Well the proposed 2007 Federal Budget was released two weeks ago and here is the break from the White House itself.

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2007/budget.html)

2007 Federal Budget

Department of Defense-----> 439.3 billion
Department of Education---> 64 billion
Department of State-------> 33.9 billion
Department of Justice-----> 19.5 billion

Again, does anyone see a problem??

As in 2005, I will repeat this warning that America needs to reconcile the gulf between Defense and Education. Yes, the Department of Defense is necessary for this country. Yes, their budget will always be larger than most. Yes, money is not the cure-all for education. But it is a factor. All I'm asking is that the numbers to be somewhat close. As it stands right now these two budgets are worlds apart. Paul issues a similar warning in Galatians 6, "7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

If we continue to put war before education, then this country will reap a whirlwind of destruction and decay. If we continue to put war before education, then our children will degenerate into violent militants who believe violence is the only means of achieving progress. The crosses of Columbine are a prophetic reminder of the violence that will descend upon our children if this country continues to make war its first priority. War may be good for business, but it is fatal to education.

So again this week ask yourself what is most important. Our defense should not rely on bullets, bombs, or F-16 Tomcats. Education is our best defense. Only education can defend us against the true enemies who are ignorance, hate and fear. The only way our enemies will succeed is if we continue to put war before education.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Greatest Christian Inspiration

The Birmingham Void

2006-02-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

democratic America?

This semester I am dedicating a 30pg research paper to the creation of anti-lynching legislation in Alabama. Who was in favor? Who was opposed to anti-lynching legislation? Was anyone prosecuted for lynching? How did lynching occur in democratic America? These are the questions I hope to answer.

I choke just saying the word "lynching". One cannot find a more savage act in 20th century America. This was not Russia under Stalin or Germany under Hitler. This was America under the Bill of Rights. Yet all avenues of justice were cut off to satisfy animalistic desires of supremacy and calm irrational fears of danger. What it is even more disturbing is the notion that those who performed lynchings had the audacity to praise God the next Sunday with blood stained hands. What are the social and psychological consequences of lynching? How deep are the mental and emotional wounds left by lynchings?

W.E.B. DuBois spoke of a veil between the races in The Soul of Black Folks. In 2006 I see the veil being transformed into a void. There is a void in Birmingham today that has created a gulf between those who don't look alike. I see it everywhere as I walk the streets of downtown. While people of different shades pass in silence, yet strangers of similar pigment great each other like close relatives. I don't mean to say Birmingham is alone in creating the void. The void is being created in most cities across America and sadly in many churches. The void prevents fellow human beings from communicating with each other. The lack of communication allows people to mistake irrational assumptions for truth. If we mistake assumption for truth, then we consequently mistake murder for justice. When we mistake murder for justice, then inevitably we will lynch.

How do we bridge the gulf the act of lynching has helped to create? How do we fill the void? Again the answer can be found in the unconditional love of Jesus Christ who was himself the victim of a Roman lynch mob. If fear, vengeance and hate created the void, then we have to fill it with trust, forgiveness and love. Is it possible to fill the void? Absolutely. If the unconditional love of Jesus Christ can fill the void between us and God, then it is through the same unconditional love that we may one day soon fill the Birmingham void.

CJE

Coming Next Week: War Before Education Pt. 2

The History of Christ

2006-01-31T19:29:00.000-08:00

The history of Christ

"The reason I cannot be a pacifist is because of my long-time study of history and especially German history. I saw what the likes of Hitler, Himmler, and Heydrich and others did when gentle souls "turned the other cheek." Instead of modifying their behavior, they took such actions as signs of weakness and increased the level of their atrocities. Nevertheless, I admire the Quakers greatly and I see a firm place for them in this turbulent world."
- Dr. Tent

It's hard to believe it's been over a month since my last post. My post on Ira has taken on extreme importance for me in light of Ira's return to the hospital. I felt obligated to keep Ira's story front and center so people wouldn't forget. I hope to post more often, but to be honest my thoughts and hope are with Ira's slow and intense recovery.

Today's post is inspired by the quote above by my graduate professor last semester. The quote comes from the end of his critique of my oral presentation on the pacifist Quaker organization, AFSC, which provided relief aid in wartime. On the surface the quote makes a legitimate defense for just-war theory, but the Christian cannot take this quote at face value. While the history of Germany has to be considered, the Christian also has to take into account the history of Christ. The history of Germany teaches us about the awful consequences of blind nationalism,intense racism and extreme violence, but what does the history of Christ have to teach the world?

The history of Christ begins not in a palace, but in a manger. It ends not with a state funeral, but on the cross.He was not surrounded by servants his entire life, but came to serve his entire life. The history of Christ teaches us that there is strength in weakness, power in humility. In Christ's history we learn that his kingdom is not of this world and stands in complete contradiction to the empires of this world. In Christ's history the poor are rich, the fools are wise, the dead are alive.

Most importantly, the history of Christ teaches us how to communicate with our enemies. In Christ's history he taught us not to overcome evil with evil, but overcome evil with good. In Christ's history he instructs the hungry enemy to be fed. Finally, in Christ's history he did not overcome his enemy with brute force, but laid himself low so that even his enemies maybe lifted up and forgiven.

If Jesus Christ wasn't born, then one could accept the lessons of German history and the notion of just-war. BUT Jesus Christ was born. If Jesus Christ didn't die for his enemies, then we could embrace the destruction of other human beings. BUT Jesus Christ did die for all mankind. If Jesus Christ wasn't raised from the dead, then one could discount the power of pacifism. BUT Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.

One cannot ignore the lessons of German history, but neither can one disregard the history of Christ. The history of Germany reveals the destructive potential of man. The history of Christ reveals the powerful unconditional love of God. The history of Christ teaches us that there has always been more power to be found in the unconditional love of God than in a thousand cruel dictators. The unconditional love of God is still the most powerful force on earth, more powerful than death itself. One can see the power of revenge from the history of Germany, but one can also learn about the power of forgiveness from the history of Christ.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Birmingham Void

Person of the Year: Ira Hays

2005-12-12T10:40:00.000-08:00

2005 Person of the Year

Every December Time magazine reveals their selection for Person of the Year. Time's criteria for its selection is as follows, " TIME's Person of the Year is the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill, and embodied what was important about the year..." It seems a little egotistical for one magazine to pick one person out of six billion. Some years Time has gotten it right, but for the majority Time gets it wrong. This year is no different. Below is a list of names that are on Time's radar for 2005 Person of the Year:

Steve Jobs, Pope Benedict XVI, Bill and Melinda Gates, The Google Guys, J.K. Rowling, Rick Warren, Condoleezza Rice, Valerie Plame, Bono, Mother Nature,George W. Bush, Lance Armstrong (http://www.time.com/time/personoftheyear/2005/walkup/)

No matter what their decision, I believe Time will once again get it wrong. This morning I would like to make my own nomination for 2005 Person of the Year. Upon some deliberation I would like to nominate Ira Hays for Person of the Year. Who is Ira Hays? I regret to say that in the midst of my other ramblings this is first time I have mentioned Ira on this blog. Ira's remarkable story began a year ago this past Friday and for not mentioning him sooner I apologize. So what makes Ira so special as to be Person of the Year? Great question.

I've actually never met Ira, but I hope to shake his hand one day. During my year in NYC I had the pleasure to know Ira's parents, Joe and Laura Hays. They were extremely gracious towards me even when I didn't want to dogsit for them because I felt picking up dog poop was beneath me. They tolerated me still even after my ridiculous rants such as trying to argue for the special bond between father and son playing catch. Today I realize I probably deserved a quick jab to the stomach from them for the sake of their daughter Sophia, but like I said before Joe and Laura are two of the most gracious people I've ever met.

I left NYC in September 2004. In December, Joe and Laura went to have their first sonogram for their 2nd pregnancy. Joe describes their visit, "...We just returned home from our mid-wife appointment and our first sonogram. The mid-wife appointment went good. Things looked good and sounded good. We went down the hall to a separate office for the sono. After waiting for some time, we were finally called in. The sonographer did all the usual measurements and then said, "I'm going to go call a doctor." The doctor came in and did some checking around. He finally told us what he was seeing: our baby's stomach is not where it should be. It's up in the chest cavity where the left lung should be developing. "Left" is important because it is not as severe as if this were occurring on the right side. The problem is called Congential Diaphragmatic Hernia.

This is not good news. At best the baby will only need surgery after the baby is born. The long-term effects are all across the board. At worst, there is more associated with this Hernia such as Downs or other kind of retardation that could mean immediate loss of life upon birth..."

- from Joe's blog at http://www.brooklynchurchplant.blogspot.com)

Well Ira did survive after numerous evasive surgeries and being put on numerous medications. He spent a total of 6 months in the NICU to regain his strength. Ira is now at home, but his struggle continues. Many factors went into Ira's survival ranging from his amazing doctors, incredible parents and a gracious God.

But the factor I keep coming back to is Ira's will to live. A grown man or woman might have surrendered under such pain and distress. Personally, I can see myself saying thanks, but no thanks in the face of such painful obstacles. Ira, however, has decided to meet these challenges head on. Even when others wanted to give up, Ira kept fighting for his life. Despite the hurdles, Ira's will cannot be denied. Many might wonder what is the source of Ira's will to preserver, but after knowing Joe and Laura it seems to be genetic.

I keep asking myself, why does Ira continue to fight and not give up? Does he not know how broken this world is? Why does he want to live in a world already filled with sorrow and suffering? I've come to believe that Ira sees something in this world that my adult eyes can't see. Though only an infant, I believe Ira has faith in the future. I think Ira fights to live because he believes someday he can help change the world for the better. Why else would he endure the pains and struggles if not for a belief of something better on the horizon? If Ira hasn't given up on the world, how can I? It's Ira's will and faith that inspires me to stay the course in my work with Shiloh. It's Ira's will and faith that can mend the broken. It's Ira's will and faith that can transform the world into something better than we were before. It's because of his will and faith that I nominate Ira Hays for 2005 Person of Year.

All else in favor of Ira for Person of the Year, say I !

CJE

Coming Next Week: The History of Christ

One Down, Three To Go

2005-12-07T19:46:00.000-08:00

One semester down

Well I am finally back in Cincinnati, KY for the Christmas break. The first semester is officially in the books. The semester was long and alot of hard work. The experience of being completely by myself was also hard and by the end of the semester almost unbearable. But in all it was a good semester. I found a great job at a hotel 3 blocks from my dorm. I found a amazing church that felt like home from the first time I went. I found myself becoming a much better writer than before. I have sent some a copy of my 27 pg research paper on a Quaker relief organization that provided aid during WWI, WWII, and Vietnam. For those who haven't received a copy and would like one just let me know in the comments or by email. It's probably the best paper I have written so far. What was most interesting about the Quaker paper was that it gave me the opportunity to inject the teachings of Christ to an audience at UAB who don't feel the need to apply their religion to their everyday life. This was not your typical Lipscomb audience who already have a vast knowledge of the gospel, but an audience who hold Jesus no higher than you or me. My experience this semester with the Birmingham homeless has also helped me grow as a disciple trying to remain faithful. For now I am home for a month of relaxation and fellowship. For now it's time to recharge for the next semester. For now it's one down, three to go.

CJE

Coming Next Week: Person of the Year

November 28, 1980

2005-11-28T07:26:00.000-08:00

My greatest accomplishment

Twenty five years ago to the day my mom went had her first contractions in the canned food aisle in the supermarket. Shortly after arriving at the hospital I came into the world. Twenty fives years. Wow, when you say it out loud it's kind of hard to believe. This feels bigger than 18 or 21 for some reason. I feel the need to take an inventory of the past twenty five years. I know it's not as much as those born before color TV. This past weekend I kept asking myself, what have I accomplished in 25 years? Have I made any difference in 25 years?

I realized that I've done and seen many things in just 25 years. I saw the Bengals lose a heartbreaking Super Bowl to the 49ers. I watched Peter Jennings narrate the coming down of the Berlin Wall. I've been to the White House and to a session of the Senate. I watched in awe as the Reds swept the A's to win the 1990 World Series. I've been to Disney World. I traveled the West. From the Grand Canyon to the hills of Yellowstone down to the falls of Yosemite. I traveled to Europe. I've walked the streets of Madrid and ascended to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Finally, I watched the end of the world trade center in September 2001.

What is my greatest accomplishment in 25 years? That's an easy one. My greatest accomplish by far are the six consecutive summers I spent in service to Shiloh. Above are two pictures that represent my accomplishment. The first was taken during my first summer at Shiloh in June 2000. The second was taken five years later in the summer of 2004. One is immediately struck by how much this camper had grown in just five years. The first time I met her I had to bend down to talk to her and five years later she was almost as tall as me. I keep these two pictures in a frame and two words come to mind every time I look at it. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. My love for this camper exists not because she is perfect or always makes the right decisions. My love for this camper exists not because she is incredibly wealthy or famous. In the same way her kindness towards me is not out of a sense of obligation. Her love for me is not because I am wealthy or well known. Her love for me is not because I have all the answers. Her love for me is most certainly not because of my perfect smile. These two pictures represent unconditional love in its most simple form. It is an unconditional love formed out of promises made and promises kept.

But what of the next 25 years? What do I expect to see when I am 50? Very soon I hope to be working year around with Shiloh in the South Bronx. When I am 50, I believe the South Bronx will be completely transformed. One will not recognize the South Bronx in 25 years. It will be the envy of all of New York City. At 50, I and others working with Shiloh will witness every child of the South Bronx graduate high school. Impossible? Then you will be even more shocked in 25 years when you see every child of the South Bronx graduate college. A fool's hope? Of anything these past 25 years have taught me, then it is that nothing is impossible. It is not silly to believe a child can transcend their surroundings to achieve greater goals because through Shiloh I have seen it. It is not ridiculous to think a child can overcome their emotional suffering to attain a brighter future because through Shiloh I have held it. Anything is possible. I consider myself not an idealistic dreamer, but a realistic believer. A realistic believer who is confident in the future. A future that will see me, former campers, and others working with children of Shiloh yet to be born. The road ahead is long. This is the journey I am on, a journey that began on November 28, 1980.

CJE

Coming Next Monday: One Down, Three To Go

Book Review

2005-11-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

1. Ordinary Resurrections: By Jonathan Kozol

This book has a special importance because of my work of Shiloh. As with his other book Amazing Grace, this book is an examination of the South Bronx in New York City. This book is much brighter and hopeful than Amazing Grace. While Amazing Grace introduces to the harsh realities and vicious cycles of the South Bronx, Ordinary Resurrections reminds us that cycles can be broken and that it is not foolishness to believe the children of the South Bronx can transform themselves and their neighborhood. A must read for anyone discouraged by current events.

2. Plan of Attack: By Bob Woodward

Find yourself pretty clueless about the Iraq war and the motivations behind it, then I suggest Woodward's Plan of Attack. It is a well-written account of the events leading up to the Iraq war. He gives great insight and asks tough questions. There are hints of bias, but nothing close to bias contained in a Michael Moore book. It is also well researched since Woodward is getting first-person interviews with everybody from Powell to Bush himself. But if you could care less about Iraq and its implications for the future, then might want to just stick with Harry Potter.

3. Mere Discipleship: By Lee Camp

I had the privilege of having Camp for two bible classes while at Lipscomb and would consider him a personal friend. Unlike most Christian writers, Camp isn't afraid to speak his mind even if it offends you. He's not writing to please anyone, but to make people aware of the Lordship of Christ and the commitment to which he calls everyone. Again if you don't like to think, if you don't like to learn something new, then maybe this book isn't for you.

4. World on Fire: By Amy Chua

A fascinating book about the dangers of economic globalism and its ability to breed ethnic hatred. For those who think Capitalism is the best thing since sliced bread, this book will make you reconsider. In World on Fire we come to realize free markets can do more harm than good. Globalism will not only take our wallets, but in many countries it can take our lives. Eye opening and thought provoking, a must read.

Coming Monday: November 28th, 1980.

Music Review

2005-11-16T19:52:00.000-08:00

Well since final papers are coming due I decided to spend the next couple weeks offering reviews of the media I have on my sidebar. It's quick and simple which all i can really afford to do until the semester is over in early December. So this week I offer a review of current music I can't stop listening to.

1. Hootie & the Blowfish: Looking For Lucky

Go ahead and laugh, it wouldn't be the first time someone has laughed at my support for Hootie. I've been a fan since day one. They've got two less-than stellar cds, but the majority has been solid gold. Looking For Lucky is no exception and probably their best yet. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to hear original music in a time of pre-packaged pop. Every track is gold. If you have I-Tunes capabilities, then I suggest starter tracks like: "Another Year's Gone By" or "State Your Peace" or "Hey Sister Pretty". The song "Another Year's Gone By" is probably my favorite and is really uplifting in these troubled times.

2. Van Morrison: Magic Time

I first came to Van Morrison on the featured tracks on the airplane radio. At first I thought Van Morrison was some old grandpa from my parents era. Well I found out he was old because he is the same Van Morrison of "Brown Eyed Girl". Starting sometime in the 90s he delved into his own form of R&B. Magic Time, released in May 2005, is an amazing cd that transports one back to simpler times. The title track "Magic Time" is my favorite and one I often daydream to. This can also be found on I-Tunes.

3. John Legend: Get Lifted

I found John Legend by accident, but I have not been disappointed. The track "It Don't Have To Change" is probably the best song I've heard in the past five years. It's another song that transports and inspires. I get the feeling John Legend's contribution to music is going to be as important as Marvin Gaye. If your music collection has grown bland, then I encourge you to infuse it with some soul from Legend.

4. Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head

I tried to resist Coldplay because I felt they were copying U2 and thought they were better than them. But with the new cd and listening to A Rush of Blood to the Head, I've stopped resisting and seen the talent of the band. Though I'm a novice fan of Coldplay, I think A Rush of Blood to the Head is their best cd. It's hard to beat "Clocks", "Amsterdam", "The Scientist" and "A Rush of Blood to the Head". It's a cd that helps one to calm down and reflect on life. Though still U2's apprentice, Coldplay does have a voice worth your attention.

Coming Next Week: Book Review

Losing The Love of Your Life

2005-11-11T09:27:00.000-08:00

What do I do now?

I presently work three days a week at a Courtyard Marriott Hotel across the street from UAB Hospital. Over half our daily guests are patients of the hospital or have family members in ICU. Some days you hear great news of family members recovering who get to go home, but then are days when you see family members broken and hear that their family member didn't make it out of ICU. By far the worst experience for me to witness occurred about three weeks ago, but I remember like it was yesterday.

It was another typical morning for me at the front desk. People made their usual trip past my desk to check out or to head over to the hospital. Around 9am one gentleman in his mid-60s came up to me and said, "It is possible for me to extend my room for another night? You see, my wife is over in the ICU and depending how she does will depend on whether I will need the room or not." I went ahead to extend his stay and just told him to keep us informed when he could about his situation. The gentleman left for the ICU and my day continued as usual. It was now 2pm and I was preparing my paperwork for the day's transactions when the gentleman returned from the hospital. He walked slowly and quietly to the front desk. As he came closer I noticed his face was flushed and his eyes seemed to be glazed over with recent tears. In a low voice all he said to me was, "I'm not going to need the room tonight". He proceeded up to his room to collect his things and then left the hotel with a look of confusion because he did not seem sure of what to do next.

You see his wife wasn't able to make it out of ICU and died sometime that afternoon. He didn't tell me this outright, but with the look and tone of his short phrase "I will not need the room". What else can one say after losing the love of their life? What does one do after losing a love that has lasted 40yrs? This man had few words and few answers. I'm not married and even I can't imagine going to sleep with my wife next to me every night for 40yrs and then the next night going to bed alone. Do young married couples ever think about it? Or do they think that such an event is a long way off? Spouses, old or young, please listen to me. If your spouse makes through the day without hearing "I love you", then shame on you. Whether you're on a business trip or taking the kids to soccer practice, PICK UP THE PHONE AND TELL THEM "I love you". With each passing moment is another passing chance to you let your spouse know how you feel.

So this week I encourage all spouses to realize the fragility of life. Old or young, death makes no exceptions. Also spouses, be thinking about of you will handle losing the other. I'm not saying there is a correct way, but you must find a way for the sake of family and friends who love you. Because whether or not you believe it, there is coming a day when you go to bed together, but wake up alone. There is coming a day when you go to the hospital together, but leave alone. Maybe by thinking about it we will not end up like the gentleman at the hospital who was lost with no idea of what to do next. Then again, it maybe the gentleman is teaching us the reality of losing the love of your life.

CJE

Coming Next Week: Music Review

Can You Spare Some Grace?

2005-10-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

A child of God

For the past two years now I have lived or worked in the city. From the fall of 2003 til the summer of 2004 I lived and worked in New York City. From the fall of 2004 til the summer of 2005 I worked in downtown Cincinnati. Now in the fall of 2005 I work and live in downtown Birmingham. There is a common thread with each of these cities where I have spent consider time living and working. What links each of these urban cities is the huge number of homeless people that dwell on the streets and sidewalks. So today's post is an education for those who live and work in the suburbs that have no idea what I am talking about. The only times residents of the wealthy subdivision see homeless people are in the movies, but to those who live downtown the interaction with the homeless is a daily experience. Sadly, the most callous treatment of the homeless comes from surbanite Christians who think the homeless are just faking it or just lazy addicts. Again, today's post is an education.

I currently live on the campus of UAB located in the Five Points South area of downtown Birmingham. I encounter the homeless every time I venture to Starbucks for a cup of coffee or to Jim-N-Nick's for the best grilled catfish. It has been growing experience for me. At first I had to fight the urge taught to me by society of just ignoring their pleas for change, but after giving change the first couple times it felt good to give these people whatever I had on me. Most times it's a dollar or two, but sometimes I have a $5. It's tempting to break the $5 up at the restaurant and then give him or her the dollar, but I now hand over the $5 without much thought. I even had the bizarre opportunity to pay for a homeless man's Subway footlong. Though he ordered the sub before he asked me to pay, but whatever.

Why do we as Christians hesitate to give change to the homeless who ask us? Am I the only one to have struggled with this feeling? First, the individual must stop looking at the big picture of homelessness. It may seem like my giving of change are futile efforts that do nothing to solve the problems that cause homelessness. True, but as an individual I am not responsible for coming up with grand solutions to end homelessness. It is the responsibility of the Church as a unified whole to develop productive programs that help bring an end to homelessness. The homeless themselves are not looking for well constructed programs to help them out of poverty. The homeless are just trying to make it to the next day. So if my little amount of change can get them a small bite or drink that helps them make it to next day, then I feel my futile efforts have purpose.

Second, we must deny the temptation to wonder what they might do with our change. Most people deny the homeless their change because they fear it might be used to buy drugs or alcohol. The idea that the change would go to drugs it pretty silly because most hard drugs are pretty expensive and not within the homeless man's budget. The worry it might go to alcohol is more reasonable. Right or wrong, my brother had an interesting observation to my change possibly going to alcohol, "when you have to sleep on the cold concrete, it's nice have a drink to keep you warm." Regardless of my worries it's really none of my business what the homeless do with the money. Once the hotel gives me my paycheck it's no longer their money and it is none of their business how I spend my paycheck. The same is true with the money I give to the homeless. Once the money leaves my hand it becomes their money and none of my business. I hope they choose a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger over a bottle of Jack Daniels, but I can't make the choices for them. I can only try to help them get to the next day.

Third, we worry too much that we might get taken advantage of. What if they are faking it? What if they are lying to me? What if they are trying to trick me? All I have to say to such questions is, So What? If a homeless person lies or takes advantage of you, then so what? Let me ask you a question now. Either regrettably or shamefully, how many times have you taken advantage of the grace of Christ? How many times have you given into your selfish desires thinking you could use the grace of Christ clean up any mess left behind? How many times a day do you abuse the grace of Christ for the sake of your pride or lust? If Christ were merely human, then he would cut off the supply to grace a long time ago. But thankfully he is also divine and embodies the divine unconditional love of God. Thankfully we are made in the image of God and also posses the ability to express the divine unconditional love we do not deserve.

So this coming week I encourage those who live in the city to change their ideas about the giving of change to the homeless. Think of it not as giving change, but as giving grace. If God grants us more grace than we deserve, then how can we deny the homeless who are the most void of grace. For those living in the suburbs I encourage to visit the downtown and have your stereotypes completely blown away. Some might label downtown as nothing more than a wretched jungle, but the homeless call it home. Some might think of the homeless as lazy animals, but I tend to think of the homeless as children of God. As children of God I find both of us asking Christ, can you spare some grace?

CJE

Coming Next Week: Losing The Love Of Your Life

The Hypocrisy of War Crimes

2005-10-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

The only war criminal?

Well Saddam is finally having his day in court...almost. In watching Saddam now stand trail for his crimes against humanity I begin to see how war crimes are very subjective. Who determines what a war crime is? Who prosecutes war criminals? It is always the victor who determines the definition of a war crime. The victor always prosecutes the war criminal. Never is the victor accused of war crimes. It's true that Saddam is a war criminal, but is he the only guilty one? Is America capable of committing war crimes? Has America already committed war crimes? Or because we are always the victors does the idea of American war crimes seem impossible?

From the genocide of the Indians to Abu Grab prison, there are plenty of American war crimes to choose from. For the sake of time I have chosen to mention just one. Those who lived and fought in WW II have become known as "the greatest generation". The liberation of Europe and the Jews are noble accomplishments, but it is the end of the war in Japan that taints the greatest generation. Some of the greatest generation helped to produce the greatest war crime in the dropping of two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

My intention is not to be offensive, but in regards to Hiroshima and Nagasaki it is time to call a spade a spade. First, the whole idea that the atomic bomb spared 1 million U.S. troops from dying in an invasion of Japan is pure fiction. As a history major I've come to learn about the fire bombing campaign that preceded Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The fire bombing of Tokyo killed over 100,000 people in one night. Japan was not a supreme force in August of 1945, but a nation engulfed in flames. Japan's back was already broken before Hiroshima and Nagasaki were subjected to the intense nuclear heat of the atomic bomb.

Second, what was the purpose of the atomic bomb? It was used to bring about the unconditional surrender of Japan. Few realize that not even this goal was accomplished. Yes, Japan did surrender to the U.S. shortly after the bombs were dropped, but only on the condition that they could keep their emperor in power. The U.S. agreed thus negating the whole concept of unconditional surrender. If the bombs didn't achieve unconditional surrender, then why use them in the first place?

Third, where were the bombs dropped? Yes, Hiroshima and Nagasaki did have military installations, but the majority of the cities were made up of civilians. The bombs were not dropped on some airport runway, but right in the heart of the metropolitan area. Imagine mothers taking their kids to and from school. Fathers going to and from work. Children outside playing. Then in an instant whole families are not only killed, but vaporized. Does the cost of civilian life in Hiroshima and Nagasaki really seem worth the price of using the atomic bomb?

Fourth, what does an atomic bomb do? For those who are interested I suggest taking a refresher course in physics. The atomic bomb is able to split atoms that result in a release of extreme heat. It is basically releasing the surface of the sun on its intended target. People aren't just killed by an atomic bomb, they are vaporized. I am still haunted by seeing pictures of a person's silhouette being burned into the concrete. The atomic bomb also releases intense radiation which can lead to all kinds of cancer. This is not a weapon of war, but a weapon the worst kind of evil.

Fifth, if one atomic bomb does horrific damage, then why use two? Did one bomb not cause enough damage? The worst part of the end of WWII is that we dropped two atomic bombs on a nation already on fire. Was the second bomb just for good measure? A just-in- case bomb? Even if you believe that one atomic bomb isn't a war crime, then the U.S. is convicted on the account of the second bomb. If the defeat of Hitler is our greatest moment, the second atomic bomb is our worst.

Sorry for the downer post, but it is time for America to look in the mirror when it prosecutes guilty war criminals like Saddam. Also, we can expect nations like Iran to give up nuclear weapons if we hold on to our nukes. We can't change the past so I'm not suggesting we prosecute war criminals for a crime that is 60yrs old, but an apology would be nice. An asking for forgiveness would help. An end to production of nuclear weapons would be a step in the right direction. Again, the purpose of this post was not to offend. The purpose was to show the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a war crime. The purpose was to make people realize the only reason why Americans weren't prosecuted as war criminals against Japan was because America won the war. In the end the purpose of this post was to make people realize the hypocrisy of war crimes.

CJE

Coming Next Week: Can You Spare Some Change?

Planning Your Future In Clay

2005-09-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

Planning your future in concrete?

"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." -Isaiah 64:8

Today we ask, how we will plan our future and who will shape it? The temptation in all of us is that it be ourselves who shape the future, but it is not enough to be masters of our destinies. Our insecurities lead us to desire a secure future. If we are to have a secure future, then our future must contain unmovable goals that lead us to "concrete" destinations. It is in unmovable goals and "concrete" destinations that we hope our future can withstand the struggles and crises of life. Why do we resist God from shaping our future? Why do we feel this need to plan our future in concrete?

This temptation to be master planners of our futures in most common in recent college graduates (like me). We sit in our seats at graduation planning it all out. If not already, I'm going to get married. We are going to move back to our hometown where it is safe and familiar. We are going to have 2 kids, a girl and a boy for balance. We will have two dogs. We will buy two fuel-efficient Honda Accords which we will pay off in two years. We will take out a 30yr mortgage at low interest. I will work so my wife can be with the kids. We will attend their high school graduation. Then in their freshman year we will help them move into the dorm. They will meet their spouse and we will pay for a modest wedding. By then we have retired and nothing to do but spoil the grandchildren. Finally, if it all goes to plan we will die together peacefully in our sleep.

Can you feel the concrete start to dry?

The future I just described is not a bad future nor would it be unChristian to live such a future. It's a great plan filled with tons of joy that many get to experience. But reality tells us that life rarely goes according to plan. How many parents don't get to see their children graduate high school or college? How many parents don't get to see their children get married? How many parents divorce? How many widows have to attend their spouse's funeral?

Not only does life not go according to plan, but what if God desires a different plan for us? Planning my future in concrete is a constant struggle for me. It's no secret that I plan on moving to NYC after grad school to work with Shiloh year around. It's a good plan and one I am excited about, but I am trying to be careful not to plan in concrete. I believe God wants me to work with Shiloh, but at the same time I want to be flexible and moldable to God's call. What if God calls me elsewhere? Do I refuse since it doesn't fit my plan? But God keeps calling me to Shiloh. I am trying to let God shape the "How" and "When" of my work with Shiloh.

My plea to you and myself, stop planning your future in concrete. Stop resisting God's call to shape your future. Yes, living among friends and relatives is familiar and safe. Yes, staying in the church building is safe. Many times God's call doesn't make sense, but there is always purpose in God's call. I believe God is calling us to the unknown. God is calling us to get out of the boat and unto the water. God wants us to put our future and security in him rather than ourselves.

The problem with concrete is that you can't shape it once it dries. Instead of planning our future in concrete, let us plan our future in clay. Clay in its original form is always able to be shaped and molded into the potter's desired image. Only when we plan our future in clay can God shape it according to his call. Only when we plan our future in clay can we be flexible enough to receive the flood of blessings God has stored for us. Will you let go of your tight grip on the future? Like Isaiah, will you put your future in the hands of the potter? May God be with all of us this coming week as we seek to become soft clay in the hands of our creator instead of rigid concrete. God be with all of us as we stop planning a "concrete" future and begin planning our future in clay.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Hypocrisy of War Crimes

The Lens of Perception

2005-09-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

The lens changes everything

This morning we grapple with the notion of perception. Until college I assumed the way I saw the world was the same view as the people around me. If we are both looking at the same thing or experience, then I thought our perception of it would have to be the same. But through events in my college experience like Shiloh and 9/11 my belief in some objective perspective and experience fell to pieces. At 24, I see more than ever that each of us see and judge the world through a unique set of lenses. Our lenses are most shaped by past and present experiences. Like no two people have the same fingerprints, so no two people share the same set of lenses. A better understanding of our lenses helps to bring focus to another's experience that we often don't understand. What has shaped Chris's lenses? Good Question.

1. Gender=Male. As a male I obviously lack serious understanding of the female experience. I have no idea how hard it was to achieve the right to vote. I have no idea how hard it might be for women to compete in a workplace dominated by the prejudices of males. Can I come close to understanding the frustration of a woman who is paid less for doing the same job? Instead of brushing off issues of gender in the workplace or in the church, all males need to take time to sincerely listen to women voice their concerns because for most of history it has been a voice that has been ignored.

2. Race= White. As a white male I lack the understanding of always being second guessed which is a part of everyday life for minorities in America. I am never randomly selected for search at the airport. I am never followed around in the GAP. Rarely do people ask for my ID. Cops always address me by my last name when they give me the ticket. What do I know of being made to feel like a criminal? What do I know of people doubting my intentions? What do I know of being arrested for walking in the wrong subdivision? Nothing. As such I need to surround myself more with people who don't look like me and deny the assumptions of Cable news that would have you believe that crime is an occupation of the minority.

3. Martial Status=Single. As a single white male I don't have a clue as to the simple and complex workings of a marriage. I struggle enough with committing to a favorite cereal let alone another human being for the rest of my life. Have I made any really tough decisions? Not really. But married couples make them everyday with bills and schedules. The single and the married really are two different worlds. Do I know the kinds of sacrifice it takes to keep a marriage going for 60 years? So when I can't understand when my married friends can't go out, maybe there's reason (and a good one).

4. Kids=None. If marriage is a different world, then having kids is a different universe. I love little babies just as much as anyone, but they don't go home with me and I'm glad. All I see is no sleep, diapers, and whiny 2yr old tantrums. But parents see something different all together. It's something I can never see until it happens to me. My only guess is that it is something that redefines grace has you see unconditional love take shape in human form.

5. Religion=Christian. Of the five I believe this to be the greatest influence of anyone's lenses. The confession of Christ as Lord is a bold claim and one many despise. In fact many have been killed for such a confession. The pagan sees the world as a creative accident where our actions have very little consequence. The Christian sees the world as a beautiful creation made with a purpose where our actions have eternal consequences. The pagan sees the need for vengeance and greed. The Christian sees the need for mercy and charity. The pagan sees the need for war. The Christian sees the need for peace. Many disagree with the Christian lens calling it everything from exclusive to idealistic. The Christian need not be offended when people accuse them of seeing the world wrong, but instead take time to understand why one feels the need for vengeance, greed and war.

So there you have five of the many factors that go into shaping the lenses through which I see the world. Right or wrong, it's me. What do your lenses look like? This week take time for better understanding of those around you. If you are surrounded by only those who look, talk, and act like you, then maybe it's time to broaden your experience. It seems awkward at first, but I’m guessing so is the first year of marriage, or your first child, or the first time you stand up for Christ. Maybe it's time for all of us to broaden our lenses of perception.

CJE

Coming Next Week: Setting Your Future In Clay

Share In The Suffering

2005-09-16T17:22:00.000-07:00

Suffering together, a novel concept?

"17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." - Romans 8:17

Today we discuss the idea of suffering. Those born only yesterday are excused from the discussion since you do not yet know the suffering that abounds in this world. For the rest of us, we must engage this discussion because it is essential to the calling and purpose of those who claim Christ as Lord. Christ was called to suffer. Christ's purpose was to suffer. If we are to embody Christ as the example for our lives, what then does the idea of suffering mean for us here in the 21st century? Suffering has been with the world since the beginning and has only increased over the centuries. We have reached a breaking point in the 21st century. Physical and spiritual levees are breaking all over the world unable to contain the immense suffering which has flooded the land and the soul with a suffering that seems never ending. What is the Church to do in the face of such suffering? Do we avoid it? Or do we share it?

What does it mean to suffer? Most people typically think suffering comes in two parts. First, we are surrounded by those whose suffering is physical. Some suffer from broken bones, but the majority suffers from terrible diseases that seem like an unstoppable force that can't be contained. I can't tell you how many people I know personally who have some form of cancer. Diabetes is rampant here in America and becoming more common in children. I haven't even mention the AIDS crisis in Africa which is blazing through Africa with no end in sight. Second, we are in the midst of people whose suffering is emotional. Most often we suffer emotionally for some one else who suffers physically. Funerals of course are the most ripe with emotional suffering. The loss of homes and jobs, like in the Gulf Coast, also bring on intense emotional suffering.

How does the Church respond? We embrace Romans 8:17 and we start to embrace suffering around us. It is human nature to avoid suffering. If you had to choose between relaxing and suffering, which one would you choose? Me too. Our desire to avoid suffering naturally increases when you have a family to keep safe. Parents, obviously, try their hardest to keep suffering as far away from their children as possible. The problem is how to embrace suffering and still keep our families safe. The answer might come in a new understanding of suffering. We need to extend our concept of suffering beyond the realms of the physical and emotional. Maybe we ought to let suffering touch the financial and spiritual areas of our lives. Instead of taking expensive two week vacations to Disney World, maybe our families choose to pay the electric bill of a single parent family who can't afford it. Instead of time shares on the beach, maybe our families share time with the widows that fill our assemblies. Instead of waiting for some one to ask for your forgiveness, maybe our families were the first to apologize for misunderstandings that are always mutual. Instead of clinging to our pride, maybe our families made themselves vulnerable to humility.

Extending the realm of suffering serves two purposes. First, it allows us to still protect our families from physical harm. What physical danger is spending time with a widow? What physical risk is there in paying for all the textbooks of a single parent family? Second, it teaches our families how to be more like Christ. Imagine the lessons our children can learn from spending time with those who are totally alone. Imagine the growth of our children when they are able to provide for a family that has nothing? Our families don't have to become martyrs to understand Christ better. If we allow our bank account and pride to suffer instead, then our families will be safe and taught life changing lessons they will never forget.

Remember, we do not suffer needlessly. Whether it be physical, emotional, financial or spiritual; there is a purpose to our suffering. Purpose still exists no matter how hard it may hide itself amid the hellish circumstances. What is the purpose to our suffering? It is Romans 8:17. We share in the suffering so that we may share in the glory. There is no Exodus without Egypt. There is no resurrection without the cross. Though we suffer now, I am convinced one day it will be redeemed.

So this week I encourage all of us to become aware of the suffering around us. This Sunday, especially, when the suffering most likely will be sitting right next to us. Like sandbags absorb the flood water, may we as disciples of Christ start to absorb the suffering around us. Our confession of Christ as Lord requires us to become more like Christ everyday. We must, as Christ did, begin to share in the suffering.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Lenses of Perception

Who Speaks For You?

2005-09-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

We must speak for ourselves

It's been a little more than two weeks since Pat Robertson made known his desire for the United States government to kill the Venezuelan president. Thankfully most sane Christians are in complete disagreement with this Christian conservative who has clearly broken with reality. I have noticed a common phrase going around the sane Christian community since Robertson's comments. It goes something like this, "Pat Robertson doesn't speak for me." This phrase leads me to ask many questions. If Pat Robertson doesn't speak for you, then who does speak for you? If the extreme militant Christian right doesn't represent you, then who does represent you?

After giving some thought I have come with my personal list of people I would let speak for me any day of the week (not an exhaustive list and not in specific order except for Jesus)

1. Jesus. As a disciple of Christ he is the obvious first choice for one to speak on my behalf. The problem, however, with the words of Jesus is that they lead to places you don't want to go.

" 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another.

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay,says the Lord. 20On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

2. Mother Teresa. Here is a woman that gave her body and soul to the work of Christ. Like Christ, she owned nothing and gave all of herself to the poorest and forgotten of the world.

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."

Sidenote: I remember when her and lady Diana died on the same day. I remember the world being consumed with Diana's death with her funeral televised all over the world. Mother Teresa's death was a blip on the radar with no televised funeral. Mother Teresa was truly a citizen of the upside down kingdom.

3. MLK. I still get goose bumps listening to his speeches (which are on itunes). Though not a perfect man, MLK spoke the perfect truth of God unlike any since.

"The dawn will come. Disappointment, sorrow, and despair are born at midnight, but morning follows. "Weeping may endure for a night," says the Psalmist, "but joy cometh in the morning." This faith adjourns the assemblies of hopelessness and brings new light into the dark chambers of pessimism."

4. Thomas Merton. A Trappist Monk who lived in of all places, Bardstown, KY. His writings are so deep and profound that people are still digging to find their meaning.

"We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God"

5. Oscar Romero. The Archbishop of El Salvador who was killed for protesting the violence that consumed his country. If his words don't convict, please check your pulse.

"i am glad, brothers and sisters, that our church is persecuted precisely for its preferential option for the poor and for trying to become incarnate in the interest of the poor and for saying to all the people, to rulers, to the rich and powerful: unless you become poor, unless you have a concern for the poverty of our people as though they were your own family, you will not be able to save society."

These are but of the few that i would allow to speak and represent me. The problem with all these amazing words is that all who spoke them are dead now. This leaves with us with only one option. We must speak for ourselves. You must speak for you and act out what you believe is true. I must speak and perform outloud my deepest convictions. We, as Christians, must stop waiting for the Max Lucados and Brian McClareans of the world to speak out against injustice and idolatry. There is something in all of us that gives us the strength to speak out with our neighbor who has suffered unjustly. There is something in all of us that allows us to act on our words by taking on the suffering and injustice of others. It is something that comes with being created in the image of God. It is time to stop living in denial and embrace this something.

May God bless you and your loved ones this coming week as you begin to speak and act for yourself. It wont all be sunshine, but at least it will come from you. Who speaks for you? It is a important question. What will your answer be? I leave with you with the encouragement to prepare yourself for those moments when people around will ask, who speaks for you?

CJE

Coming Next WeeK: Sharing In The Suffering

The Exodus of Public Education

2005-08-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

Is abandonment the answer?

There I was sitting in my first graduate seminar ready to begin my journey towards becoming a college professor. We went around the room introducing ourselves and expressed our desires/intentions in pursuing graduate studies. Of the 15 people in the class, three or four indicated they were teaching at the high school level. These teachers, however, went on to say the reason they were in grad school was to attain the degrees necessary so they could leave their high school positions and teach at the college level. They continued their harmonious tone of discontent by saying they had lost their patience and desire to teach high school which in their mind had become a broken system with no signs of healing.

I began to wonder, how many other teachers feel this way? More importantly, if all these teachers are leaving, then who is staying? Here I thought I had it all figured out. I'll get my MA in two years and then proceed to get a Phd which will take four years. Once that is done I can teach at some college in NYC and live happily ever after. But I became conflicted after hearing these teachers declare their exodus from public education. I am began to feel this need to throw my plan in garbage and start from scratch.

I want nothing more than to teach at the college level. But that is what I want. I keep asking myself, what do the children of public education want? what do the children of public education need? What they want is for some one, quite frankly, to give a damn. What they need is an alliance of parent and teacher who work together to assist and encourage the educational development of the child. What they want is the feeling that they matter. What they need is for a nation to stop just looking across the ocean for crises to solve and start looking down the street. So do I look the need of the children of public education in face and then walk on to pursue my desire to teach college? Or do I deny myself my desire and try to help the children of public education?

To those teachers still in public education, please don't leave. Yes, you are vastly underpaid. Yes, you are understaffed. Yes, you are taken advantage of. Yes, the grass is greener on the other side. But stop and ask yourself, is abandonment the solution? Are the problems of public education solved by you leaving them behind? The only way to heal the brokenness of public education is to have brave teachers like you to stay and face the problems head on. You are making a difference in the midst of the madness. You are not alone because I feel more and more that i will be joining you in the struggle to give the children of public education what they need.

There is no doubt that these are dark times for public education. But as MLK said, "Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars." MLK did not deny the dark times in which he lived. He referred to such times as "midnight". It was "midnight" in the struggle for civil rights as he saw his people being lynched and attacked by dogs. Though he acknowledged the "midnight" of the hour, MLK knew that "dawn" would come. Well it is "midnight" in the public schools of America, but fear not because the "dawn" is coming. No matter how much the dark night wants to hold on, it can't stop the rising of the sun. So it is with public education. Though there are many children now in public schools who can't read or do math, there will soon come a time when all children in public schools will read Shakespeare or master the Pythagorean Theorem. Though public schools now are the laughing stock of education, they will soon be the envy of all private institutions. So let us join together, you and I, and deny ourselves what we desire and fulfill the needs of the children of public education. In doing so we will not only see the "dawn" we hope for, but we will also end the exodus of public education.

CJE

Coming Next Week: Who Speaks For You?

The Son Of A Carpenter

2005-08-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

An occupation of humbleness

It was another great summer at camp. Today's post comes from a lesson taught to me by a camper at Shiloh. We were in bible class talking about the story of David and Bathsheba. At the end of every class me and my co-teacher, Bree, always ask the kids to tell us one thing they learned from the story. This particular morning a child had learned and I quote, "Power can change you."

It was a statement so profound that at first it went right over my head. I ask the child if he could better help me understand his comment. He went on to explain how becoming a powerful king had changed David. The child remembered the beginning of David's story when he was just a simple shepherd taking care of the sheep and seeking to do what God wanted and then made the connection that neither me or Bree ever realized. The child saw that it was when David became a powerful king that he committed his terrible sins. It was when David became king that he took Bathsheba and committed adultery. It was when David became king that he tried to cover his sin by getting Uriah drunk. It was when David became king that he had Uriah and other soldiers sent to the front lines to be murdered. The lesson the child taught me is one I will never forget. From a humble shepherd to a corrupt king, power does indeed change you.

In the days that followed that class I began to see that lesson in the life of Jesus. Where would expect the Son of God to be born? The common expectation was most likely some great palace filled with servants and a throne of gold. But as God tends to do, God did the complete opposite of what the people expected. The King of kings, the Lord of lords was not to be born in the grand palace, but in a dirty barn and placed in a filthy feeding box. Jesus was not sent to the live the privileged life of royalty, but sent to live a life of poverty. Jesus was not sent to be served, but to serve. Jesus was not sent to be the son of a corrupt earthly king, but to the son of a humble carpenter.

What if the life of Jesus went the same as David's life? What if Jesus started out a a humble carpenter and then ascended to the ranks of royalty? Would Jesus have been changed by the power that corrupted David? I happen to think so. By the grace of God, Jesus chose to forsake any claim to secular rule. He chose to deny himself the privilege of the palace. Jesus did not want to merely sympathize with the poor from on high, but to empathize with them down low. Because when you are the son of a carpenter you don't get three meals a day. In fact, when you are the son of carpenter you have to work to eat what little you can afford. I believe there were nights when Jesus was a child that he went to bed hungry. When you are the son of a carpenter your family has a hard time paying all the bills. There are very few luxuries to being the son of a carpenter.

When will we learn the lesson the child of Shiloh has already learned? When will we stop trying to climb the ladder of upward mobility? When will we stop grabbing at the reins of power? When will we turn our concern for the poor from sympathy to empathy?

Was the birth and life of Jesus an accident? I think not. It was a purposeful proclamation to the world that the kingdom of God was the kingdom not of the wealthy. The birth and life of Jesus was for all to see and know that the kingdom of God belongs to the poor in spirit. The kingdom belongs not the C.E.O.s of the world, it belongs to the single mothers of the world who decide everyday whether to pay the electric bill or feed the children. The kingdom belongs not to those in corrupt political offices, it belongs to those who work a minimum wage job and then go to the grocery to have their bread and milk taxed. The kingdom does not belong to prep school, ivy-league bound high school student who has only known privilege and success, it belongs to the at-risk student who has only known struggle and failure. The kingdom does not belong to the son of Caeser, it belongs to the son of a carpenter.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Exodus of Public Education

Welcome Back !

2005-08-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hello from Birmingham.

It's hard to believe camp is over and I am here in Alabama ready to begin grad school. The more time I spend here in Birmingham the more better I feel about the decision I made to come here. I am currently taking six hours and hope to pick up one more class to bring it to nine hours. It might not seem like a lot, but with just those three classes I will have a total of 27 books to read over the semester. My dorm room was a little shady at first, but after a little help from my parents it is ready to go. Everything is ready to go and I sit down for my first class on Monday.

Despite the intense heat I am growing more and more comfortable here. There is one experience, however, that I have never had before. The experience of being totally alone. I know absolutely no one in Birmingham. Before, going to Lipscomb or even moving to NYC or going to camp; I always knew at least one person. This time around I know not a single soul. It's exciting one minute and lonely the next, but I will have plenty of school work to keep me company.

With my return from camp to civilization comes the return of the Counterpoint. For those who still cling to their national pride and earthly existence, I must warn you that you are going to be challenged this coming year. Come ready to be confronted about the assumptions you have made about the world and your place in it. We still live in a time of war. We still live in a time of obscene wealth in the midst of obscene poverty. We still live in a time when some believe the means of Christ are impractical and at the same time label the means of Bush as productive. The time for holding back is over. It is time to step on some toes. I hope to see you back over the next year as together we strive to look less like the world and more like Christ. Because in a time of conformity, some one needs to be the counterpoint.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Son of A Carpetener

And Chris Wept

2005-07-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

There is pleanty to weep for

I know I said I wasn't going to post till September, but I am enjoying a weekend break from camp and feel the need to post. The shortest verse in the bible is one of the most powerful. It is John 11:35, "And Jesus wept." Up and until a few days ago I had never experienced the act of weeping. Yes I have cried many times before, yet I had never wept for anything before. But something happen to me on July 13th 2005 that literally brought me to my knees weeping uncontrollably.

In order to understand my emotional state on July 13th I need to tell this story from the beginning. It was the summer of 2000 and my first summer as a counselor at Camp Shiloh. Through the course of the summer I met many amazing children who opened my eyes. There was one kid in particular that stood out among the rest. For the purpose of this public blog I will call him James (so that I might protect his privacy and dignity). James was an extremely sensitive boy. Some sensitive kids clam up when they feel pressure. Some kids lash out in a violent rage. James was one of the latter. Like a spark near two-cycle gasoline, James would explode at the drop of a hat. He would fight or curse anyone he felt was trying to control his surroundings. It didn't matter if you were a camper or a counselor, James would fight you for ever inch of control.

Well I've returned to camp every summer since 2000. James also came back summer after summer. Each summer he grew and matured as he got taller and taller. This summer he came back to teen session taller than me. Though James had matured physically since I first met him at age 9, he was still consumed with a violent rage. It had lessened since 2000, but it was clear when teen session began that his rage was still brewing beneath the surface.

It was almost the weekend when James earned his first of three discipline strikes. After three strikes a child must be sent home. He earned his first strike because he refused to walk back to the cabin in a light rain. It sounds ridiculous, but you have to understand is that when James is pressured his shield of rage goes up and he is no longer capable of making a rational decision. On Saturday James earned his second strike in similar fashion of refusing to go somewhere with the cabin. I honestly thought he would be sent home by Monday, but he actually made it to Wednesday. It was Wednesday morning when he earned his third and final strike.

Wednesday was the last full day of camp. Like always we began the day with breakfast. Our cabin was quietly eating breakfast when James and another boy in the cabin began to trade insults. The other boy wasn't even able to get out a second insult before James exploded from table cursing and challenging the other kid to fight him there in the rec hall. I managed to direct James towards the door where my brother and a volunteer had to hold him as rage grew. After he cooled down he was informed of this third strike. My brother packed his bags and placed them in the car. He then came to me and told me it was time to say good-bye.

James was already sobbing by time he reached the car. I teared up at first when I was holding him trying to tell him that everything was going to be ok. Then I let him go and he started for the car. It was at that moment when my tears turned into a weeping flood. So much weeping that I had to be held by another staff member for a good five minutes.

After 6yrs of watching James hurt and struggle with his rage my heart had been completely torn in two. My heart was torn because there was nothing I could do to take away the rage. My heart was torn because I knew that Shiloh was the only light in James's world which is still filled with darkness. My heart was torn because James was not going to leave camp angry, but leave camp knowing he will always be loved by me and the rest of Shiloh.

This experience has led me to a greater love for John 11:35. A reason I believe Jesus began to weep was because his heart, like mine, was torn in two. There he was in the midst of his creation and they were all suffering. I've only watched James suffer for 6 years. Now just imagine Jesus having the witness the suffering of his creation since the beginning. I am fully aware that me and Jesus are not one in the same. But he was just as human as I am now. Like letting go of James was my breaking point, so letting go of Lazarus a breaking point for Jesus.

My question to you is, What will it take for you to weep? Have you grown so callous to the suffering around you? Has your heart grown so hard that you no longer feel anything for the broken people of this world? There is war, AIDS, and cancer plaguing this world. Suffering is in the inner city. Suffering is in the suburbs. What will you do in the midst of such suffering? Will you continue to walk on by? Or will you take time to do as Jesus did and weep? Because I can only speak for Chris (myself) as to what happened when he came into contact with such suffering. What did Chris do? Chris wept.

CJE

Seize The Day

2005-06-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

KEATING
"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may."
The Latin term for that sentiment
is Carpe Diem. Now who knows
what that means?

Meeks immediately puts his hand up.

MEEKS
Carpe Diem. That's "seize the day."

KEATING
Very good, Mr.-

MEEKS
Meeks.

KEATING
Meeks. Another unusual name. Seize the
day. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
Why does the writer use these lines?

CHARLIE
Because he's in a hurry.

KEATING
No, ding!

Keating slams his hand down on an imaginary buzzer.

KEATING
Thank you for playing anyway. Because we
are food for worms lads. Because, believe
it or not, each and every one of us in
this room is one day going to stop
breathing, turn cold, and die.

Keating turns towards the trophy cases, filled with trophies, footballs,
and team pictures.

KEATING
Now I would like you to step forward over
here and peruse some of the faces from
the past. You've walked past them many
times. I don't think you've really looked
at them.

The students slowly gather round the cases and Keating moves behind them.

KEATING
They're not that different from you, are
they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones,
just like you. Invincible, just like you
feel. The world is their oyster. They
believe they're destined for great things,
just like many of you. Their eyes are full
of hope, just like you. Did they wait until
it was too late to make from their lives
even one iota of what they were capable?

Because you see gentlmen, these boys are
now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen
real close, you can hear them whisper their
legacy to you. Go on, lean in.

The boys lean in and Keating hovers over Cameron's shoulder.

KEATING (whispering in a gruff voice)
Carpe.

Cameron looks over his shoulder with an aggravated expression on his face.

KEATING
Hear it?

(whispering again) Carpe. Carpe Diem.

Seize the day boys,
make your lives extraordinary.

- from the movie, Dead Poets Society

I apologize for the long dialogue, but it is the foundation of today's post. It comes from one of my top-ten movies called Dead Poets Society. It is a deeply moving story that centers around one high school scholar who has to battle his overbearing father who controls every aspect of his life and his love of the art of poetry and drama. It is a must-see for anyone looking to be inspired and challenged at the same time. As seen in the dialogue above there is a theme of "Carpe Diem" that runs through out the film. How many of us have grown content with life's routines? How many of us complain about the dullness of life and do nothing to change it? How many of us need to wake up and seize the day?

First, everyday is unique. When we wake in the morning we need to rid ourselves of the notion that somehow today is going to be no different than yesterday. Each new morning is a new creation from God that the world has never seen before and a morning that will never be seen again. What a honor it is to witness the Creator in the midst of the creating process. In school we learn that "matter cannot be created nor destroyed", but how awesome it is to watch God break the laws of physics by creating something from nothing. So when you say, "Today was nothing special", you are selling short the Creator and his creation.

Second, everyday is a chance to start anew. Not only is everyday unique, but each new day gives us a chance to start over. How crucial are new mornings to our families? Whether the argument was between spouses, parent and child or brother and sister, each new day is an opportunity to start over with the ones we love. Whatever harmful words were said, whatever regrets we have; all of it is left in yesterday. Each new day is chance for the ungodly sinner to repent and change things for the better. All of us who fall short need to seize every day of forgiveness that God offers. There are some who like to throw the sins of yesterday in our face, but thanks to be God that the blood of Jesus Christ wipes away the sins of yesterday and allows to start anew today.

It is time this summer make the most of each new day God is going to bless you with. Don't grow content with the routine, but seek out new possibility hidden within your routine. It is time to stop complaining about dullness of life and do something about it. It is time to make the most of every opportunity. It is time to wake up and SEIZE THE DAY

CJE

Coming Next Week: Unfortunately this was my last post until September since I am leaving for Shiloh next week. I will try to repost old pieces, but there will be nothing new until the fall. So for the two people who read this blog I do apologize, but I hope you come back in September.

Ohio Distortion Project

2005-06-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

We have reached critical mass

In glancing through Larry James's blog about the Texas Restoration Project I found that Ohio is already ahead of the game. The Ohio Restoration Project already has a website called the Ohio Restoration Project.

This is the height of American Christianity at its worst. American Christianity has so diluted Christiany from it's original practice in the N.T. that it has ceased to relevant. The suffering servant Jesus or the cross can no longer be found in American Christianity. It is no longer Christianity, but what I call "Americanity".

Never have I seen the gospel so distorted for one's political and financial gain. It is ok to love America, but never ever should that love supercede your love for Christ. So anyway check the site and be prepared to be appalled by the gross idolatry.

CJE

Still Coming This Week: Seize The Day

The Essential Church

2005-06-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

Would Your Church Be Missed?

Some time back in April I attended a youth retreat with the church youth group. It was called "40 hours of Passion" and its speaker was powerful. Every session was complete gold and out of the many lessons I took from the weekend there was one that stood out among the rest. The speaker posed a very interesting question. What if for some reason the church you attend had to close its doors? Whether it be for financial reasons or a spiritual split, what if the next sunday you came to find your church all boarded up? Then came the question that blew my mind, "If your church did close, would it be missed?

Would the community surrounding your church even notice you left the neighborhood? Would the neighbors just walk on by as if the church was just another closed down building? More importantly, could the community survive if your church left the neighborhood or would it be business as usual? Is your church essential or is it replaceable?

What does the essential church look like? First, the essential church does not waste its energy on futile crusades that distract it from making the kingdom a real and tangible place here on earth. One such crusade is the conservative church's useless attempt to defend "the sanctity of marriage". Does the conservative church honestly believe that no gay marriage really solves anything? Just because a state recongnizes the marriage doesn't mean that God has to uphold it. Even if you ban it, you still have people living in sin. How many churches are fighting this losing battle? How may more people could the church serve? How many more widows could the church comfort?

Second, the essential church embodies Gal 3:26-28. The essential church is a reflection of the community that surrounds it. The community is made up of all different kinds of cultures, traditions, genders and colors. If a church is to be essential, then it cannot pretend that the white male is only one allowed to speak or sing aloud in its worship to God. Those who discourage women and minorities from being a part of the worship is denying the truth. They are denying Christ's sacrifice and resurrection that has destroyed such barriers.

Third, the essential church must look and act in complete contradiction to the ways of this world. People are looking for something different. They are looking for change. In an age of zealous patriotism it hard to distinguish the Church from the White House. The essential church is a part of a kingdom that is not of this world. If the church is just going to be a mouth piece for the government, then people don't want to be a part of it because they see no difference between the two. The means and ends of the kingdom are vastly different from the ways and ends of the government and the world. The community would have no choice, but be attracted to a church that loved its enemies and put others before itself.

Is your church essential to the community? If not, then why not? I want to encourage all of us to strive to make our churches essential. To make our churches absolutely necessary to the community's existence. To make our churches so vital that a gaping hole would be left if it were to leave. To make our churches so important that people would notice the boarded up windows and just not walk by. It's not too late. There still time to turn it around. It may not happen tomorrow, but I hope and pray that all of us will live to see the day when all of becomes members of an essential church.

CJE

Coming Next Week: Seize The Day

The Art Of Disagreement

2005-05-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

You're Wrong, I'm Right

I think it's pretty evident that many people don't agree with me. But when you think about it, how many of us agree 100% with everything our friends and family believe? Parents and children often disagree on a wide range of issues. Even though a husband and wife are madly in love I would guess that they too do not see eye to eye on everything. Some of the biggest disagreements, sadly, occur between the brothers and sisters that make up the Church. These disagreements can be so vicious and bitter that it can physically and spiritually split a church in two. Since I find myself in constant disagreeements I would like to offer some suggestions on how to better disagree with those at home and in the Church.

First, Be sure to keep the tone/volume of your voice in check. Too many times we let a simple difference of opinion turn into shouting matches. This happens because people assume incorrectly that in order for my opinion to win out I must talk over another's voice. The result is that you have a never ending escalation of volume. Each person trying to talk louder than the person before. Before you know it people are no longer upset about a person's opinion, but are upset from the lack of respect you feel when some shouts at you. Keep your tone calm and low so you can make the person feel comfortable and they will actually listen to what you have to say. It is when people feel uncomfortable or threaten that they tune out.

Second, You must be willing to concede the unknown. In case you haven't realized, YOU ARE NOT GOD. You are not omniscient or omnipresent. You are not the Alpha and Omega. You did not set the world's foundation. So that means your deepest convictions may be false or wrong. We're not on some debate team where you never yield to your opponent. We are simple finite creatures who have a limited understanding of the world around us. I believe deeply in christian pacifism, but I do not believe I am 100% right and that my belief in christian pacifism is infallible. If a disargeement is to meaningful, then you must concede that your position does have weaknesses and in the end may be wrong. You must be willing to admit you don't have all the answers. Both sides must be willing to concede to the unknown that all of us as humans cannot reach.

Third, Don't take it personal. A bitter disagreement inevitably turns personal. At some point the person will make it personal with a "What would YOU do if?". They put their opponent in all of these silly "what if" situations and ask them how they would respond in the hope of proving their point. The opponent typically out of spite will respond contrary to what he or she wanted to hear. Then moral accusations start flying and people start getting really angry. If a disagreement is to be productive, then do not put the other person is no-win situations in a vain hope to glorify yourself. Even if the other person wants to make it personal, then don't sink to their level. Take the high ground and people will listen to you.

So when you are in the heat of a disagreement this week please remember this advice. Also remember that the best thing about a democracy is the voice of dissent. If you are not willing to allow for the voice of dissent, then Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence are meaningless. Unity can exist is the midst of disagreement. It sounds strange, but we can find our unity in the understanding all of us disagree with each other on some level or another. Just because we disagree does not mean we cannot love one another. My prayer is that God will be with all of us as we try to loving perfect the art of disargreement.

CJE

Coming next week: The Essential Church

U2: Masters of Their Craft

2005-05-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

In the presence of greatness

Well the U2 concert has come and gone. The reason why I haven't wrote about it sooner was because I need to process what I experienced at the Continental Airlines Arena this past Wednesday. The concert was amazing, loud and incredible. It was awesome to watch true masters of their craft playing right in front of us. As I've told some, I liken the concert to being able to watch Leonardo paint the Mona Lisa or watch Beethoven compose the No.9 Symphony. Not only is U2 made of great artists, but even better performers. Their ability to play show after show all year long is awesome to watch. Bono has been singing for 20+yrs and Wednesday night he sounded like just sung his first verse. His ability to keep his voice intact is unbelievable. One quote I took with me from the many that night was when Bono said, "Jew, Christian, Muslim.....we are all sons of Abraham." Think about that one for awhile because I still am.

CJE

Here's the Set List:
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Stories for Boys - Pump It Up
Elevation
Gloria
The Ocean
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky - When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Running to Stand Still
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):
Zoo Station
The Fly
Mysterious Ways
All Because Of You
Yahweh
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Bad
40

No Time For Marriage

2005-05-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

Putting On The Chains

Finally, what you all have been waiting for. A 24 year old single guy who lives with parents is going to set the record straight and give you his view of marriage. At this point of my life I have taken a different view to marriage. To me at 24, I see marriage as a hindrance. I see it as a obstacle course full of barriers that block me from what I want to do and where I want to go. I don't know, maybe it's because I went to a Church of Christ college where many people determined another's worth by their marital status. So today I am going to take a stand for the single guy or girl who is tired of feeling like a second citizen just because he or she is not handcuffed by the chains of marriage.

First, Marriage binds you to the "double-check". An estimated 90% of my friends are either married or engaged(including my younger brother). Any time I ask one of the guys if they want to go to a movie or a ballgame I always get the same response, "Hey man that sounds great, just let me double-check with the wife". More times than not after completing the double-check I hear, "Hey man sorry, but my wife just reminded me we'd already planned to spend the evening with her third cousin on her mother's side." You see when you are single you are your own double-check. There is nobody to check with. More importantly, there is no one making commitments for you. You alone decide where you are going to and who you are going to hang out with. Sometimes getting my married friends to do stuff feels like I'm putting in a vacation request at work crossing my fingers that the boss will approve.

Second, The roots of Marriage makes the world smaller. Right now I see marriage as making one's world smaller and by that I mean it makes his or her circle of influence smaller. In marriage, roots start to grow and soon take hold which inables the person from moving freely as he or she once did. A once big open world full of possiblity suddenly turns into a world of limitations. Married people can't just take off somewhere unknown at the drop of a hat. There's plannning and considerations that have to be made. Sure married couples take the occassional exotic trip to Europe or Central America, but only after months and months of planning. The single person is free to go wherever at moment's notice. There are no roots holding the single person to the ground keeping him or her in the same small place. The single person is free to roam what Tom Petty calls The Great Wide Open.

Third, Marriage is one big compromise. Married couples are forever making compromises for each other which is to average person is a beautiful thing. I, however, cannot afford to compromise at this point in my life. As you know my one desire right now is to live in NYC and work with Shiloh. This desire is so strong I am not willing to compromise it for anything. Some might call that selfish, but how is the desire to serve at-risk youth selfish? If there is even a slight possiblity that marriage could compromise my desire, then marriage is not for me right now.

Some people look at me strange when I tell them I don't want to get married. As if there is something worng with me. They are forever asking me, "Why don't you?". Forever asking for reasons when in fact the only reason I need is that I don't want to. I am not preparing for marriage as some have suggested to me. I am preparing for NYC and the work of Shiloh. If you are happily married, then God bless you and I wish you nothing but the best. All I am saying is that not everyone in the world wants or needs to get married. All I am asking for is a little respect for the single guy as I continue to respect those who are deeply in love and happliy married.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Art of Disagreement

Shiloh: Year 6

2005-05-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Former campers and myself: Tina, Raven, Jeanette, Sam, Jason, Ashleigh

It really is amazing how the little moments in our lives can completely change the course our lives will take. One such little moment for me occurred in early May 2000. My freshman year was just wrapping up and I went to a college devo at local church in Nashville, TN. At the end of the devo my roommate's older brother, Todd and his wife Ashley, spoke about this summer camp called Shiloh and how they were in need of some guy counselors. It sounded interesting, but to completely honest it went in one ear and out the other. As I was saying good-bye to friends I went up front to say good-bye to Todd. Just to say good-bye. With no intention of asking more about Shiloh. But all Todd could talk about was Shiloh. "So what are you doing this summer? You should come to Shiloh. Why Not? You have nothing else to do." He was so persistent that at the end of the conversation I found myself saying, "I'll think about it." I went home to think and talk with my parents to get their approval. By the next night I was committed to go to place I had never been before or even seen in a picture. I was going to Shiloh.

***************

It is now May 2005. It has been six years since that providential moment in that Nashville church. It's incredible how much can change in six years. How much the camp has changed. How much the kids have changed. How much I have changed. The picture above is just one example of the changes that have taken place. Six years ago they were small and immature kids who loved receiving the love and concern from the counselors. Today they are full grown mature adults who are now full time staff members and they have the staff shirts to prove it.

*****************

Blessing, Gift, Honor, Privilege. All of these words are not sufficient to describe what it is when you see these former campers give back to present children of Shiloh. I can't explain what it is to see them give the same love to the campers that they had received as a child. The seeds that were planted in these campers more than six years ago have now come to harvest. To see former seeds watering seeds of their own is an experience that cannot be defined. I can't explain it because it is not my doing. It is completely God at work in the lives of men and women.
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So this week I encourage you not to ignore the little moments of life. For me that little moment in that Nashville church turned out to have huge impact on my life. It changed the course of my life which naturally changed the destination of my life. What is your course? What is your destination? These are questions we need to think about. As for me, my course is set and my destination confirmed. I believe my course is to do God's will for my life and I believe that will lead me to my destination which still is and always will be Shiloh.

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CJE

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Coming Next Week: No Time For Marriage

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P.S. - After thinking long and hard. I have decided not to pursue Hunter College, and to choose to attend UAB in the fall. To be back in NYC right away, but my passion for study is the Civil Rights Movement. So I will get to NYC eventually, but for now it's Alabama.

War Before Education

2005-05-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

I use to hesitate speaking to others about my belief and conviction in Christian pacifism. I didn't want to upset anyone and was worried I might offend someone I love. Over the past year, however, I have gone from closed mouth to someone who can't shut up about the legitimacy of Christian pacifism. This new found boldness came from the realization that the majority of Christians and non-Christians are only taught one side. Whether from the pulpit or in the classroom, all a person hears is the reasons for participating in war. At best they are taught "just war" theory and at worst they are taught "kill or be killed". So if someone is going to continue to give reasons for participation in war, then I am going to be a voice of dissent and challenge their assumptions which in reality have no substance. There are many dimensions that make up my conviction for Christian pacifism. Besides the obvious spiritual dimension in which war conflicts with the commandments of Jesus, there is also an economic dimension which makes war an impractical and insane practice.

In Feburary 2005, the Washington Post analyzed the President's proposed budget for 2006 and their findings were astounding.

Proposed 2006 Department Budgets:

Department of Housing and Urban Development--> 28.5 billion
Department of State--> 38.1 billion
Department of Education--> 56 billion

Department of Defense--> 419.3 billion (78 billion on weapons systems)

Does anyone else see a serious problem?

A good friend of mine told me a good way to see what is important to someone is to see where they spend 1) Their time 2) Their energy 3) Their money

First, Where does the nation spends its time? While the nation spends its time with all kinds of matters, defense is definitely given top priority. Think of all that goes into forming attack plans and bombing strikes and counter offensives. The time that goes into finding the most effective way to defeat the enemy. The odd thing is that for all their time planning it seems that more innocent civilians than combatants are killed in warfare. Imagine what could happen to our education system if we spent just as time thinking of better ways to educate our children. Thinking and developing new and sharper curriculum to enhance the learning process. Thinking of better ways to use the various kinds of media we have in the 21st century. Thinking of better ways to discipline children that would build up and strengthen rather than what tears down and destroys a child. But this kind of thinking isn't even on the radar of the national conscious. We seem more concerned about Al-Qaeda and the war on terror.

Second, Where does the nation spend its energy? According to the Washington Post article, 78 billion of the 419 billion goes to weapon systems alone. 78 billion dollars given over to develop more efficient means to kill people. 78 billion dollars to develop more efficient means to torture people. Many people make an entire career on delveloping new means of technology that serve one end: to destroy other human beings. Imagine if we spent just as much time developing the young minds of today. If we spent as much time giving our children a well rounded education. A education that not only taught the basic math and reading, but allowed our students to express themselves in art and music. Sadly, many art and music programs have become expendable in order to meet the ever growing defense budget.

Third, Where does the nation spend its money? If the numbers were some what close, then there would be little reason for discussion. The department of education was budgeted 56 billion dollars while the department of defense gets 419 billion dollars. As you can see the numbers are not even close. I know 56 billion is nothing to frown at, but how much stronger could education be with just half of the defense budget. NYC public schools has a budget of almost 2 billion and that's just one city, but somehow the department of education is suppose to provide for nation's children with 56 billion dollars. I can't explain the reason for the canyon of difference, but it seems to me that we would rather find news ways to destroy our fellow human being, than teaching him or her to read and write.

I know money is not the cure-all, but it is absolutely a part of the solution. As it stands right now some teachers can earn more picking up trash for the city and could probably get better health insurance. By providing better salaries and better insurance schools could choose from the cream of the crop rather than dragging from the bottom of the barrel. My brother, a social worker, has told me story after story of kids in middle school who can't read and can't do math because they can't read word problems. Vital programs are being cut from our schools while more and more money is going into the bottomless pit called Iraq which is only leading to more insurgent attacks.

So this week ask yourself what is most important. Is it to have a supreme weapons system capable of destroying thousands of people? Or is it to make sure our children are given the best education possible? Our defense should not rely on bullets, bombs, or F-16 Tomcats. Education is our best defense. Only education can defend us against the true enemies who are ignorance, hate and fear. The only way our enemies will succeed is if we continue to put war before education.

CJE

Coming Next Week: Shiloh: Year 6!

The Troops Aren't Coming Home

2005-04-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

As times passes and more soldiers are killed the voice of dissent grows louder and the desire to bring the troops home becomes stronger. Those who believe the troops will come home eventually need to face a sad truth. The truth that the troops are never coming home.

Think on this for a moment. We still have have a military base in Okinawa, Japan. There is Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. WW II was over 60 years ago and we still have troops on the ground. We still have troops in South Korea. Of course, we still have troops in Cuba and the Cuban Missile Crisis was over 40 years ago. When the US gets it foot in the door, it is there to stay. There will always be troops in Iraq.

It's time to stop being navie and get real about the world we are living in. It's time to stop sitting back and trust that those who hunger for power will do what is best. It is time to nonviolently confront those who would deny the will of God for their own selfish gain. It is time to stop conforming to the pattern of this world. It is time to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Quite simply.... It is time.

CJE

Coming next week: War Before Education

What To Do?

2005-04-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well first let me apologize for the lack of posts lately. I just haven't felt it lately. This is a rare post for this blog, an actual update on my life.

1) I have been accepted to grad school at UAB (Birmmingham) and SMSU. I am still waiting to hear back from Hunter College in NYC.

There is a dilema in which school to choose. UAB is the best place to work in civil rights history, but I still have a strong desire to be in NYC and with Shiloh.

Right now, I think Hunter would be a better choice because I could really make strong connections with the college and other CUNY schools that might give me a head start in finding a teaching position after i'm done which would give me the financial security I need. There is also pleanty of history in NYC that I can research.

2) I am going back to Shiloh for a 6th summer. In the eyes of many this may seem like a crazy or even stupid decision. But I am just trying to live out the will of God the best I can. For me, I find the will of God in the upside down kingdom in the Gospel. If I want to be rich, I need to become poor. If I want to live, I need to die to myself. If I want to be wise, I will look like a fool to the world.

Besides, I've crossed the point of no return with Shiloh. I've seen too much and experienced too much to go on living as I did before and pretend like it never happened. Shiloh isn't a job or a vacation; it is a part of me. I believe there are many pieces to the puzzle that make up the purpose for my life, but Shiloh is a huge piece of that puzzle.

A wife? Having kids? A nice 401K plan? These are all great pieces to the puzzle, but these are not certain for me. What is certain is that I will be directly involved with Shiloh for years to come. What is certain is that through God in Shiloh we transform the children which will then transform their parents which will then lead to the biggest chain reaction the world have ever seen.

Anyway that's an update on my life. I would greatly appreciate any comments on thoughts on choosing a school or Shiloh.

As for more thought provoking posts. Stay tuned.

CJE

The Sins Of Segregation

2005-04-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

A familiar sign in the Bible Belt

This week's post, a week late I apologize, is another critique on the unique and bizarre culture that is the Bible Belt. Last week I went to visit my brother in Nashville, TN where he attends school at Lipscomb University. Everytime I visit the city I am reminded of how much Nashville is unlike any place in the world. Driving throught the metro area you see these huge million dollar homes with these huge plantaion-like yards. Even more crazy is to see people putting on room additions that houses that already too big. Another stark reminder when I visit Nashville is the vast racial divide that still exists in the Bible Belt. My visit to Lipscomb sparked an interest to learn about the desegregation of Church of Christ schools like ACU, Harding and Lipscomb.

The landmark decision of Brown vs. Board of Education came in 1954. ACU was the first of the three CoC schools to desegregate, but it didn't happen until 1965 which was more than ten years after the Brown decision. Let me say that again....10 years later. Not 10 days, not 10 weeks, but 10 years later. Sadly, Lipscomb was one of the last schools to intergrate in 1967 (13 years after Brown). Some will say that since CoC schools are private institutions, then they were not obligated to comply right away with the court's ruling. Segregation is not a matter of private or public, but of right and wrong.

What is even more amazing that it wasn't until 1999 that ACU president Royce Money issued a public apology for its practice of segregation. 1999!! Not 1000 B.C. or 1000 A.D., but at the verge of the 21st century in 1999 A.D. It took two thousand years for a group of Christians to realize that segregation was a sinful and evil practice. A group that seemed to disregard passages like Gal 3:26-28, "26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." How much clearer can it be? Are we that dense?

Sadly not much has changed in the Bible belt. Segregation in the Bible Belt is no longer enforced, but chosen. Both sides of the divide now choose to segregate from each other and the consequences will be felt by generations to come. The end result will lead one into the ignorance of thinking that everybody looks like, thinks like and acts like themselves. It is time to realize that race, not culture, is a fictional construct created by society which is no more real than Santa Claus. One can't escape their culture, but one can transcend their race. No? Well then ask yourself if one has ever been discriminated because of their eye color? Absolutely not and it's because eye color doesn't make anyone more skilled or special than the next person. The same is true for skin color. It is time to deny the lie that there are many different races and acknowledge the truth that there is only one race and that is the human race.

CJE

Coming next week: My Concept of Marriage

April 4th, 1968

2005-04-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

"One More In The Name Of Love"

"And so I’m not worried about tomorrow. I get weary every now and then. The future looks difficult and dim, but I’m not worried about it ultimately because I have faith in God. Centuries ago Jeremiah raised a question, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" He raised it because he saw the good people suffering so often and the evil people prospering. (Yes, sir) Centuries later our slave foreparents came along. (Yes, sir) And they too saw the injustices of life, and had nothing to look forward to morning after morning but the rawhide whip of the overseer, long rows of cotton in the sizzling heat. But they did an amazing thing. They looked back across the centuries and they took Jeremiah’s question mark and straightened it into an exclamation point. And they could sing, "There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. (Yes) There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul." And there is another stanza that I like so well: "Sometimes (Yeah) I feel discouraged." (Yes)

And I don’t mind telling you this morning that sometimes I feel discouraged. (All right) I felt discouraged in Chicago. As I move through Mississippi and Georgia and Alabama, I feel discouraged. (Yes, sir) Living every day under the threat of death, I feel discouraged sometimes. Living every day under extensive criticisms, even from Negroes, I feel discouraged sometimes. [applause] Yes, sometimes I feel discouraged and feel my work’s in vain. But then the holy spirit (Yes) revives my soul again. "There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul." God bless you. [applause]"---Why Jesus Called A Man A Fool

"The first question that the Levite asked was, ‘’If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" (That’s right) But the good Samaritan came by and he reversed the question. Not "What will happen to me if I stop to help this man?" but "What will happen to this man if I do not stop to help him?" This was why that man was good and great. He was great because he was willing to take a risk for humanity; he was willing to ask, "What will happen to this man?" not "What will happen to me?" (All right)"----The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life

"The dawn will come. Disappointment, sorrow, and despair are born at midnight, but morning follows. "Weeping may endure for a night," says the Psalmist, "but joy cometh in the morning." This faith adjourns the assemblies of hopelessness and brings new light into the dark chambers of pessimism."---A Knock at Midnight

"The Greek language comes out with another word for love. It is the word agape. And agape is more than eros; agape is more than philia; agape is something of the understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill for all men. It is a love that seeks nothing in return. It is an overflowing love; it’s what theologians would call the love of God working in the lives of men. And when you rise to love on this level, you begin to love men, not because they are likeable, but because God loves them. You look at every man, and you love him because you know God loves him. And he might be the worst person you’ve ever seen."----Loving Your Enemies

"And those of us who call the name of Jesus Christ find something of an event in our Christian faith that tells us this. There is something in our faith that says to us, "Never despair; never give up; never feel that the cause of righteousness and justice is doomed." There is something in our Christian faith, at the center of it, which says to us that Good Friday may occupy the throne for a day, but ultimately it must give way to the triumphant beat of the drums of Easter. (That's right) There is something in our faith that says evil may so shape events, that Caesar will occupy the palace and Christ the cross (That's right), but one day that same Christ will rise up and split history into a.d. and b.c. (Yes), so that even the life of Caesar must be dated by his name. (Yes) There is something in this universe (Yes, Yes) which justifies Carlyle in saying: "No lie can live forever." (All right) There is something in this universe which justifies William Cullen Bryant in saying: "Truth crushed to earth will rise again." (Yes."----Give Us the Ballot

"And if you will let me be a preacher just a little bit. (Speak) One day [applause], one night, a juror came to Jesus (Yes sir) and he wanted to know what he could do to be saved. (Yeah) Jesus didn't get bogged down on the kind of isolated approach of what you shouldn't do. Jesus didn't say, "Now Nicodemus, you must stop lying." (Oh yeah) He didn't say, "Nicodemus, now you must not commit adultery." He didn't say, "Now Nicodemus, you must stop cheating if you are doing that." He didn't say, "Nicodemus, you must stop drinking liquor if you are doing that excessively." He said something altogether different, because Jesus realized something basic (Yes): that if a man will lie, he will steal. (Yes) And if a man will steal, he will kill. (Yes) So instead of just getting bogged down on one thing, Jesus looked at him and said, "Nicodemus, you must be born again." [applause]

In other words, "Your whole structure (Yes) must be changed." [applause] A nation that will keep people in slavery for 244 years will "thingify" them and make them things. (Speak) And therefore, they will exploit them and poor people generally economically. (Yes) And a nation that will exploit economically will have to have foreign investments and everything else, and it will have to use its military might to protect them. All of these problems are tied together. (Yes) [applause]
What I'm saying today is that we must go from this convention and say, "America, you must be born again!" [applause] (Oh yes)And so, I conclude by saying today that we have a task, and let us go out with a divine dissatisfaction. (Yes)

Let us be dissatisfied until America will no longer have a high blood pressure of creeds and an anemia of deeds. (All right) Let us be dissatisfied (Yes) until the tragic walls that separate the outer city of wealth and comfort from the inner city of poverty and despair shall be crushed by the battering rams of the forces of justice. (Yes sir)

Let us be dissatisfied (Yes) until those who live on the outskirts of hope are brought into the metropolis of daily security. Let us be dissatisfied (Yes) until slums are cast into the junk heaps of history (Yes), and every family will live in a decent, sanitary home.

Let us be dissatisfied (Yes) until the dark yesterdays of segregated schools will be transformed into bright tomorrows of quality integrated education. Let us be dissatisfied until integration is not seen as a problem but as an opportunity to participate in the beauty of diversity.

Let us be dissatisfied (All right) until men and women, however black they may be, will be judged on the basis of the content of their character, not on the basis of the color of their skin. (Yeah) Let us be dissatisfied. [applause] Let us be dissatisfied (Well) until every state capitol (Yes) will be housed by a governor who will do justly, who will love mercy, and who will walk humbly with his God.

Let us be dissatisfied [applause] until from every city hall, justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. (Yes) Let us be dissatisfied (Yes) until that day when the lion and the lamb shall lie down together (Yes), and every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid.

Let us be dissatisfied (Yes), and men will recognize that out of one blood (Yes) God made all men to dwell upon the face of the earth. (Speak sir)Let us be dissatisfied until that day when nobody will shout, "White Power!" when nobody will shout, "Black Power!" but everybody will talk about God's power and human power. [applause]"----Where Do We Go From Here

I would contribute my thoughts about MLK, but I thinks his words speak for themselves. April 4th, 1968, what a day of great loss.- CJE

Coming Friday: The Sin Of Segregation

Spiritual Adultery

2005-04-01T06:16:00.000-08:00

You have forsaken your first love

" 1To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. "
- Revelations 2:1-4

Adultery in marriage might possibly be the worst betrayal one can experience. Sure we've had friends betray us before, but to have your husband or wife betray you with another takes it to another level. Since I am not married I can only speculate as to emotions such betrayal might bring about. The emotions one feels when their husband or wife has thrown away their committed love like it was a piece of scrap paper. The act of adultery is not merely physical, but it can be spiritual as well. For those are still happily married and deeply in love the act of adultery has no appeal at all and praise God for that. Spiritually, however, if we are honest with ourselves, then we might realize that all of us have committed spiritual adultery at one time or another.

First, what does spiritual adultery look like? It takes many forms, but the common theme is when we decide to give our spiritual love and our spiritual allegiance to something or someone other than to Christ himself. Quite simply it is when we forsake our first love. Some betray their marriage in Christ with money. Some betray with drugs or alcohol. Some betray with the movies they watch or with the language they use. Some betray by putting their all hope faith in a fallen government. As you can see no one is innocent of spiritual adultery for all have sinned and fallen short.

Second, how might we stop committing spiritual adultery? One way to end spiritual adultery is when we finally see our marriages to our spouses and our marriage in Christ as one in the same. When we treat Christ like we would our spouse. For those who are married, are you free to come and go as you please? Can you still date other people? Can you give your unwavering love and affection to anyone you please? I think not. The same is true for those who were married to Christ in baptism. We have committed our lives to Christ and pledged to put nothing else before our first love. Not a big bank account, a big house, a big car or even a big government. If Christ is truly Lord, then he is before all and that includes our spouses we love so much.

So this week let us reconcile with our first love that we have betrayed by giving our allegiance to things and people who are but a footstool for Christ. We mock Esau, but how many of us have given away our inheritance in Christ for a bowl of soup? We demean Judas, but how many of us have forsaken our marriage in Christ for 30 pieces of silver? Repentance is hard at first, but there is joy on the other side. Like the lost son, it is time to leave behind our spiritually adulterous ways and return to the Father who is now and forever our first love.

CJE

Coming Monday: MLK assignation remembrance

Christian Music: Irrelevant

2005-03-31T12:00:00.000-08:00

There are many who have been going to church since birth. I, however, didn't begin to grow and attend church until I was a freshman in high school. It was in the church youth group where I was first exposed to Christian music. Over time I found that I could only listen to a few Christian artists, but the majority of Christian music was just too cheesy and out of touch with the world in which I lived. Today very little has changed in the world of Christian music. I still find that 99% of Christian music is irrelevant to the struggles and suffering we experience here on Earth. So why is Christian music so irrelevant in the 21st century? Why can't Christian music critique or lament about the struggles of everyday life?

First, Christian music has to be perfect. Some years ago there was a popular Christian artist named Michael English. He was topping the Christian charts and nominated for lots of Dove awards. But his career suddenly came to an end when it was discovered he had committed adultery. What is it with this notion that if you don't live a "perfect" life, then you can't perform Christian music. What if Michael W. Smith smoked or chewed tabacco or even used foul language in times of frustration? What if Casting Crowns went to the casinos for a birthday party? What if Third Day had a couple of glasses of alochol at dinner? Their album sales would plumet to nothing. They would be cast out of the Christian music business forever. Christian music can finally be relevant when it admits it's just as sinful as the rest of us.

Two, Christian music is about money. If you listen to Christian artists on the radio or at concerts, then you often hear them say that they are performing for God and not the money. Bull! The Christian music business is a milion dollar business. If this is their only job, then it is all about the money. At least secular artists admit they're in it to make money. If we could only have more Christian artists like Rich Mullins who gave all his earnings away, but artists like Mullins are so rare in Christian music today. Though Christian artists don't earn as much as secular artists, it is still more money than most of us will ever see. Glory may go to God, but the checks go to them.

Third, We live in an imperfect world. There's war, aids, cancer, and terrorism filling the world with suffering. Christian music pretends as if everything is all sunshine and roses. Yes it is ok to sing about the mansion over the hilltop, but we can't ignore the starving single mother here on Earth. We may feast on milk and honey one day, but there are some who need bread and water here and now. Christian music needs to be addressing these issues and stop pretending that everything is ok. If you think you can relevant by ignoring the plight of those around you, then you are kidding yourself.

There are some Christian artists worth listening to. Audio Adreniline(old stuff), Third Day (old stuff), Cademon's Call, and Sara Groves. But for a band that is profoundly Christian and relevant I would suggest of course, U2. A band that critiques and loves at the same time. A band that sings of hope and yet despair too. My hope is that more Christian artists would follow U2's lead because U2 is a band that is real. U2 is a band that is relevant.

CJE

Coming Tomorrow: Spiritual Adultery

Once And For All

2005-03-25T09:45:00.000-08:00

"11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."
- Hebrews 10:11-14

Today we come to Good Friday. The darkest day of the year. The day when hope is crushed. The day when truth is destroyed. The day when Christ is crucified.

The world changes in the wake of catastrophic events. Many believed that the world changed as a result of events like Hiroshima or 9/11. Though these events are horrific, they do not compare to the way the world was changed with the sacrifice of Christ on Good Friday. It is through Good Friday that we are redeemed once and for all. If Christ's sacrifice was once and for all, then how does it effect our lives today as disciples?

First, is the blood of Christ sufficient? Absolutely. We are no longer like the priests of the old covenant who sacrifice daily the lambs and bulls, but never have their sins taken away. We have a new high priest who became the lamb himself for all time. One reason I hold to pacifism is because of the ONE sacrifice of Christ. There is no need for war or violence because enough blood has already been shed. The blood shed once on Good Friday is all the blood that needs to be shed. Any more blood shed on the battlefield or at home is completely unnecessary and insult to Christ himself. The whole reason Christ died on Good Friday was so that the world could be spared a violent death. Like the great song goes, "he could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free, but he did alone for you and me." Despite what comes, the only blood that will ever be on my hands is the blood of Christ.

Second, who did Christ die for? For all. At the center of campus of Lipscomb University there sits a statue of the bison mascot. Social clubs have made a tradition of spraypainting the bison with various colors and messeges. On 9/11, some "Christian" spraypainted on the bison "Bin Laden: Dead or Alive". In response, me and friend designed a shirt with the messege of Hebrews 10 that basically said that if Jeus died for all, then Jesus died for Bin Laden. Bin Laden is not out of reach of God's grace and forgivness. If he would just ask for it with a sincere heart, then God because of Christ's sacrifice for all would forgive Bin Laden. The simple truth is that if Christ didn't die for Bin Laden, then he didn't die for me.

So this Good Friday I ask us to realize what we have been saved from and how much we have been forgiven. Such a realization can only result in one offering the same grace to those at home and around the world. How void is the world of such grace? It is easy to lose hope in the face of Good Friday, but Sunday is coming. MLK said death may occupy the throne for day, but soon it must make way for the drums of Easter. Today hope is crushed and truth is destroyed, but it is not lost. Our hope is in the truth that the kingdom is coming in its fullness. When the kingdom comes in its fullness there will be no more Fridays, but everyday will be Sunday.

CJE

Coming next week: Spiritual Adultery

The Definition Of Democracy

2005-03-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

Main Entry: de·moc·ra·cy
Pronunciation: di-'mä-kr&-sE
Etymology: Middle French democratie, from Late Latin democratia, from Greek dEmokratia, from dEmos + -kratia -cracy1
a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority
b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections
2 : a political unit that has a democratic government
3 capitalized : the principles and policies of the Democratic party in the U.S.
4 : the common people especially when constituting the source of political authority
5 : the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges

Lately the Bush administration has been obsessed with one word, Democracy. Bush believes the cure to terrorism is democracy. He believes the cure for the Iraqi people is democracy. It's almost as if the Bush administration has a copyright on the word. All this talk about democracy got me curious to look up the acutal definition of democracy as defined by the Webster dictionary. Many in America believe that this nation is the greatest democracy ever to exist. But a closer look at the definition of democracy raises many doubts to whether we are even living in a democracy in 21 century America. More Importantly, should a Christian want to live in a democracy?

First, are we living in a democracy in 21st century America? Definition #5 is the most convicting of the definitions of democracy. It says democracy is, "the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges". In a time of obscene and sinful wealth, can anyone honestly say that we live in a democracy that is free of hereditary distinction or class privilege? If you come from a family with the last name Kennedy, Rockefeller or Bush, then you will automatically be born with a head start. The only reason we know of George W. Bush is because he was born into the wealth of Texas oil and not in the South Bronx. Can anyone deny the unfair role of privilege in 21st century America? Maybe Webster's Definition #1 needs to be clarified when it says, "government by the people." A definition for 21st century American democracy should read, "government by the (rich) people."

Second, so if we are not living in a democracy, then what are we living in? A better term to describe 21 century American government is the word called Plutocracy. Webster's defines Plutocracy as...

Main Entry: plu·toc·ra·cy
Pronunciation: plü-'tä-kr&-sE
Function: nounInflected
Form(s): plural -cies
Etymology: Greek ploutokratia, from ploutos wealth; akin to Greek plein to sail, float -- more at FLOW
1 : government by the wealthy
2 : a controlling class of the wealthy- plu·to·crat /'plü-t&-"krat/ noun- plu·to·crat·ic /"plü-t&-'kra-tik/ adjective- plu·to·crat·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Plutocracy fits nicely with Bush's tax cut for the upper crust, but cut education programs out of his budget. I would like to believe every vote is of equal value, but in a time of million dollar special interest groups the idea that every vote counts is fantasy. If a energy corporation donates millions to your campaign and i have no money to donate, who are you going to listen to more? Some will say that in life you have to play the cards you are dealt. In American plutocracy, however, it is hard to succeed when the deck is sacked against you.

Third, should a Christian even want to live in a democracy? Another common definition for democracy is, "a government ruled by the will of the people." Does a Christian want to live a life dictated by the will of the people? Shouldn't a Christian's life be dictated by the will of God? Let the pagans and ungodly live by the will of the people. We as disciples of Christ, however, are called to live according to the will of God. The will of the people and the will of God are so polar opposite from each other. Christianity is the furthest thing from a democracy. Though we make the choice to follow him, we lose our will once we decide to put on Christ as Lord. He or she is no longer free to live as he or she chooses. A Christian dies to themselves and surrenders their will to God. The Christian was bought at a price and it was paid by the blood of Christ.

So this coming week all I ask is that you reconcile 21st century American plutocracy and the definition of democracy. The definition of democracy claims, "the supreme power is vested in the people." As disciples of Christ we must not vest our power in the people. We must vest our supreme power in the supreme God. We are simple and finite creatures who are but a mist in the span of time. Let us finally give all power and authority to the infinite and supreme God who transcends time and space. Where does the power for the Christian reside? It does not reside in the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill or in the White House. The power for the Christian resides in weakness. It resides in Christ crucified.

CJE

Coming Next Week: Once and For All

I Apologize

2005-03-11T06:14:00.000-08:00

“I Apologize”, probably the hardest two words in the English language to say together. How many friendships and marriages end because someone refuses to say these two words? Why is it so hard? Is it our false sense that we can achieve perfection? Is it our prideful ego? Maybe we believe our sin is not as grievous as those who live as pagans. It becomes ever more difficult when you realize that in order to apologize; you must also be able to forgive.

First, when is an apology most effective? An apology is most effective when it is offered by the one who committed the error or wrong. In recent times universities in the South have issued apologies for its practice of segregation. Many times the government has apologized for its practice of slavery. These apologies are all well and good, but with the passing of time they have lost their ability to heal. They would have been so much more powerful if the apologies would have come straight from the slave owners or university presidents at the time. My desire to apologize for someone else’s actions is well intentioned, but in the end there is little value. The most valuable apology I can offer is to those I have wronged or offended.

Second, when is an apology called for? So many times we feel no need to apologize because either we believe it’s not our fault or believe we did nothing wrong. Children have the hardest time apologizing because they are still learning how to behave and most times are unaware that their wrong actions have caused harm or hurt. But for those of us who are grown adults, we are fully aware of when our actions cause harm or hurt. We need to apologize when we put our pride before our family and friends. We need to apologize when neglect those strangers at church or work for the sake of our comfort zone. We need to apologize when we try to be funny at somebody else’s expense. We need to apologize when we so easily gossip about those we supposedly call our “friend”. As you can see there is always a time to apologize. Waiting for an apology is like waiting for rain in the desert. Let us always be the first to apologize.

Third, is forgiveness essential? Absolutely. The whole point of apologizing is the hope that we can be forgiven and reconciliation can take place. If we don’t forgive others, how can we expect to be forgiven? We must always remember the warning of the gospel in that the measure you use will be measured back to you. The spirit of an apology is nothing without the spirit of forgiveness. If we are the first to apologize, then let us also be the first to forgive. It is much easier to apologize and forgive when you realize what you have been saved from when Christ offered an apology to God on your behalf.

So this week I encourage you to put your pride aside so that you may be able to be the first to apologize and the first to forgive. Ask yourself; is there any friendship or marriage worth losing so that your ego can stay intact? The answer may seem like an obvious NO, but a 50% divorce rate tells me many people are answering YES. At times I too have answered YES and for that I apologize.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Definition of Democracy

Whatever It Takes

2005-03-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

"I'll do whatever it takes — and I know you'll join me in doing whatever it takes — to prevent the enemy from attacking America again like they did and causing thousands to suffer and to mourn and to grieve," he vowed. "We will use the might of America to protect the American people."- George W. Bush, May 2002

Today's post is a closer look at the consequences of a "whatever it takes" policy which the current administration has practiced both here at home and abroad. It might be easy for an atheist or pagan to adopt a "whatever it takes" ethic, but what about the Christian? Can he or she do whatever it takes and still be a true disciple under the lordship of Christ? Where does the Christian draw the line with a "whatever it takes" mentality? Most importantly, is there a line at all?

First, what does it mean to do "whatever it takes"? It means that one will commit any action if it produces the desired result. There are no limits imposed on such a person because he or she is willing to do whatever it takes. A person will spend as much, lie as much or kill as much as is needed to bring about their end goal. There is no law a person is bound to because many times the law can get in the way of doing whatever it takes. A person who does whatever it takes believes it is sometimes necessary to break the law if it brings about the greater good. How scary it is to live in a land where no limits are set and no laws to protect.

Second, what does it look like to do "whatever it takes"? The "whatever it takes" ethic can justify any action. It can justify genocide of Native Americans. It can justify dropping two nuclear bombs on the human beings of Japan which killed close to 200,000 from either the extreme heat or radiation. It can justify the napalm bombardment of Vietnam. It can justify the torture and humiliation of Iraqi prisoners. It can justify detaining "enemy combatants" in Cuba with no access to a lawyer or family. In their time, all of these actions were justified as doing whatever it took to bring about the greater good.

The "whatever it takes" mentality is synonymous with "the end justifies the means" thinking. MLK had a profound illustration to disprove such thinking. MLK, rightly so, saw the means and the ends to be interrelated. He believed the means to be the seeds and the ends to be the trees. If you plant seeds of war, then you will get a tree of war. If you plant seeds of peace, you produce a tree of peace. The same is true of our everyday desire to become more like Christ. If to be like Christ is our end, then we must use the means of Christ to achieve this end. We cannot do whatever it takes to become like Christ. Our ends are Christ's ends.

So this coming week ask yourself, how far are you willing to go to protect your comforts and pleasures? Will you do whatever it takes or will you do as Christ did? And what did Christ do? He left the throne to be born in a manger. A king who became a servant. Loved the enemy to the point of death. For a short time a corpse, but forever the risen Lord. All of us struggle to live a life worthy of Christ's calling. Let us not struggle alone, but struggle together as brothers and sisters. I pray that our actions will have one end and may that end be Christ.

CJE

Coming next week: I Apologize

The Economic Consequences Of Jubilee

2005-02-25T07:42:00.000-08:00

The Year of Jubilee

8 " 'Count off seven sabbaths of years-seven times seven years-so that the seven sabbaths of years amount to a period of forty-nine years. 9 Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. 10 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan. 11 The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields.

13 " 'In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to his own property.
14 " 'If you sell land to one of your countrymen or buy any from him, do not take advantage of each other. 15 You are to buy from your countryman on the basis of the number of years since the Jubilee. And he is to sell to you on the basis of the number of years left for harvesting crops. 16 When the years are many, you are to increase the price, and when the years are few, you are to decrease the price, because what he is really selling you is the number of crops. 17 Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the LORD your God.

18 " 'Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land. 19 Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety. 20 You may ask, "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?" 21 I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. 22 While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in.

23 " 'The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. 24 Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land.

25 " 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold. 26 If, however, a man has no one to redeem it for him but he himself prospers and acquires sufficient means to redeem it, 27 he is to determine the value for the years since he sold it and refund the balance to the man to whom he sold it; he can then go back to his own property. 28 But if he does not acquire the means to repay him, what he sold will remain in the possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. It will be returned in the Jubilee, and he can then go back to his property.

29 " 'If a man sells a house in a walled city, he retains the right of redemption a full year after its sale. During that time he may redeem it. 30 If it is not redeemed before a full year has passed, the house in the walled city shall belong permanently to the buyer and his descendants. It is not to be returned in the Jubilee. 31 But houses in villages without walls around them are to be considered as open country. They can be redeemed, and they are to be returned in the Jubilee.

32 " 'The Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the Levitical towns, which they possess. 33 So the property of the Levites is redeemable-that is, a house sold in any town they hold-and is to be returned in the Jubilee, because the houses in the towns of the Levites are their property among the Israelites. 34 But the pastureland belonging to their towns must not be sold; it is their permanent possession.

35 " 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. 36 Do not take interest of any kind [a] from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. 37 You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit. 38 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

39 " 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave. 40 He is to be treated as a hired worker or a temporary resident among you; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. 41 Then he and his children are to be released, and he will go back to his own clan and to the property of his forefathers. 42 Because the Israelites are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt, they must not be sold as slaves. 43 Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.

44 " 'Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. 45 You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. 46 You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly.

47 " 'If an alien or a temporary resident among you becomes rich and one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells himself to the alien living among you or to a member of the alien's clan, 48 he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his relatives may redeem him: 49 An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself. 50 He and his buyer are to count the time from the year he sold himself up to the Year of Jubilee. The price for his release is to be based on the rate paid to a hired man for that number of years. 51 If many years remain, he must pay for his redemption a larger share of the price paid for him. 52 If only a few years remain until the Year of Jubilee, he is to compute that and pay for his redemption accordingly. 53 He is to be treated as a man hired from year to year; you must see to it that his owner does not rule over him ruthlessly.

54 " 'Even if he is not redeemed in any of these ways, he and his children are to be released in the Year of Jubilee, 55 for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 25:8-54

For those still with me after that long passage of scripture, I thank you for your patience. Today's post is inspired by a past discussion that took place on another friend's blog. The discussion revolved around how should our Christian ethic relate to our consumer and business ethic. In my comments I said, "Capitalism is unChristian...,". I stand by my belief that Capitalism is a evil practice, but I also don't believe in the practice of athesitic Communism with its naive belief that people of equal talent and skill. So what's the alternative? Is there really only two choices when it comes to how one conducts business or consumes products? I would like to propose a third option. Since the economics of Capitalism and Communism come into conflict with our Christian ethic, then from the scripture above let us put into practice the economics of Jubilee. What are the economic consequences of Jubilee? The economic consequences of Jubilee are sharing, sacrifice and blessing.

What would the world look like if Jubilee became the new means by which the world conducted business?

First, It would compeltely change the definition of ownership of property. What is property? Can someone own property outright? If we practice Jubliee, then private property would not exist. In verse 13 it says, " In this year of Jubilee everyone is to return to his own propery." It seems somehow a person is given property, but the person understands it comes from God and not for his selfish private use. The Lord reminds us that we are not to own property outright in verse 23 when he says, " The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants." In the light of Jubilee it makes it harder to justify acts like the genocide of the Indians for the sake of greedy land taking that wasn't ours to begin with.

Second, the practice of Jubilee would change how we treat and deal with the poorest among us. The meat of how we are to treat the poor is found in verses 35 through 38. The Lord commands his people to help those in need. Even more convicting is the notion that God's people should not charge interest to his or her fellow man. He reminds his people the reason for all of this is because he is the God who brought them out of Egypt. It is that grace we are to show others free of charge and without interest.

After looking at Lev 25 and the practice of Jubilee I believe that Jubilee is one of the only means a Christian can ethically conduct business or consume. It does not provide all the answers, but it is a incredible place to start. Putting Jubilee into practice will probably result in us becoming less affluent than the lives we have now in Capitalism. We probably will not be able to afford expensive cars, expensive houses or expensive vacations. But somewhere I read, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?". Though we deny ourselves the pleasures and comforts of this world we will still be blessed. We will not only be blessed, but blessed beyond what we can imagine as it says in verse 21, "I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years."

The economic consequences of Jubilee are sharing, sacrifice, and blessing. Are you content to live in the excess of Capitalism while others around you continue to suffer? Am I willing to sacrifice my comforts and pleasures to make sure my fellow brothers and sisters are taken care of? Together let us embrace the practice of Jubliee and together we shall recieve a blessing far greater than any stock dividend or real estate deal could ever give us.

CJE

Coming Next Week: Whatever It Takes

The Romans 13 Charade...Again

2005-02-17T09:30:00.000-08:00

“1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1

A Christian’s relationship to the government is a source of heated debate. Should a Christian participate in the affairs of government or does he or she abstain from it? The affairs of government can range from enlisting in the military which entails participating in war to participating in public office. This debate did not exist for the first century church. The persecuted church had to meet in secret to avoid capture and death from the government. Christianity became a legal religion under Constantine and was later made the official religion under Theodcides (probably misspelled), and thus the debate was born. As you can see that in a relatively short time span Christianity went from being a small secret religion under the radar of the Empire to point where everyone, adult and infant, is being baptized into the Roman church and deemed to be “Christian”. So if we can agree Christianity is not just a title, but a lifestyle that is the essence of who we are; then could a Christian or should a Christian participate in a government that typically behaves in contradiction to the will of God?

Romans 13 is a common defense for those who believe it is legitimate for Christians to participate in military/war and public office. A closer look at Romans 13, however, reveals many holes which make it a weak and invalid defense. First, Who are the governing authorities Paul is speaking of? Since Paul is not specific in naming a government, like Rome, the term “governing authorities” would have to be applied to all governments that have come before and those still to come. You cannot pick and choose which governments are established by God and those that are not. This general term would apply to the best and the worst the world has seen. This “governing authorities” would include not only America, but also the governments of Nazi Germany and Saddam Hussein himself. If all governments have been established by God, then America shouldn’t exist since the English government was a governing authority established by God.

Second, how does the Romans 13 defense stand up in the light of the preceding chapter of Romans 12?

It says, “ 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

How does one overcome evil with good in war? If you feed the enemy, it is considered an act of treason. How can one cling to what is good in midst of the greed and corruption that governments feed on? How can one leave room for God’s wrath when too often we take revenge for ourselves? It seems that in the face of Romans 12, one can not so easily swallow Romans 13.

Third, where is Paul writing Romans 13? In JAIL. Good, upstanding citizens don't get thrown into jail. Only one who stands in opposition to the Empire and refuses to participate in its pursuit for power is thrown in jail. Paul does not submit to the unjust and unGodly law of the governing authority, but he rather submits to the consequences that come with being a disciple of Christ. If it is illegal to proclaim Christ as Lord, Paul does not run away from his captors or allude the government. He instead comes to the government and submits his hands to be chained.

Fourth, sometime over Christmas I was discussing with a friend the history of the Church of Christ. He made a profound observation of how in matters of doctrine and faith the Church of Christ almost always goes first to the letters of Paul before going to the gospel of Jesus. Whether it be women’s roles, homosexuality, musical instruments or communion; the Church of Christ tends to give Paul the authority. It seems as though the gospel is just as scandalous today as it was when Jesus as preaching it. We still wonder if Jesus actually meant for us to love our enemies and eat with sinners. We avoid looking to the gospel with our questions because we are scared to death of the answers we might find. I find it interesting that we would rather give authority to a man who is lord of nothing than Christ who is lord of everything.

All I ask is that we think critically about the Romans 13 defense. For myself, I am always seeking to make a solid defense for my beliefs with solid evidence. There are just too many holes and contradictions for me to accept the Romans 13 defense as a valid argument for the Christian participating government. If you genuinely believe it is legitimate for a Christian to participate in government, then I ask you to provide a better defense than Romans 13 which has more holes than a block of swiss cheese. The Romans 13 defense is a merely a charade we sometimes substitute for the authentic call of the gospel that all of us, myself included, are afraid to answer.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Economic Consequences of Jubilee

"No Nukes For You!" Next!

2005-02-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

Well I don't know what happened, but I had The Romans 13 Charade ready to go. It was a beautfiul piece full of great stuff. I go to post it this morning and due to some web error it was deleted so i need to re-type it. I don't have the time right now, so it will come next week. But this does give me the opportunity to discuss something that been in the news the past couple of days.

Yesterday North Korea pulled out of nuclear talks with six other countries. North Korea went a step further and stated that not only was it going to continue its development program, but that they already have nuclear weapons. One the same day Iran stated that it was not going to stop its program in the face of illegitimate threats. The Bush administration remains firm in its stance that both Iran and North Korea must stop their nuclear delvelopment programs. My question is, Why is America the only nation allowed to have nuclear weapons? Why do we become the Soup Nazi and tell other nations, "No Nukes For You!"?

The first question we need to ask is, why do these other nations want nuclear weapons? Is it not to counter the threat imposed by the United States. Is it not possible their pursuit of nuclear weapons is a act of self-defense against a potential aggressor? Maybe the reason we want to deny other nations nuclear weapons is we want to keep our dominance as the sole superpower. As long as we deny other nations the ability to respond in kind with nuclear weapons, then we can continue to dictate how best the world can serve our interests. Imagine if Iraq had nuclear weapons (oh in case you red states didn't hear, they didn't have any), but lets pretend as the administration did. Could we have so easily "kicked in the door" if Iraq actually had nuclear weapons? I think not. Hasty action is never taken against a nation with a nuclear capability. You can't just march in and tell them what to do. This what any administration fears, the possiblity that America will actually have to talk, listen and compromise with other nations.

A second question we need to ask is, what qualifications does a nation need to possess nuclear weapons? Many justify America's sole claim to nuclear weapons becuase you can't have nukes in the hands of a madman like Saddam or a small terrorist group. The problem, however, is we must then ask, Who is the only nation to ever use nuclear weapons against both combatants and its civilians? AMERICA. Not once, but twice against Japan. Maybe now we can understand a little better why Iran and North Korea want nuclear weapons. It comes from a rationale fear that America might choose them to be the next example of US power.

The bottomline is that no nation, America or any other, should have nuclear weapons. You only get one mistake with nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons are the worst invention of the 20th century. Under no cirumstance can one justify a nuclear respose. A nuclear bomb isn't like a pipe bomb going off. A nuclear bomb is basically exposing people to the radiation and heat of the sun. People at the epicenter of Hiroshima didn't get cuts and broken bones, they were vaporized into thin air. People's shadows were burnt into the cement. This was 60 yrs ago and today nuclear weapons are hundreds of times more powerful. It time for America to look in the mirror when it comes to nuclear disarmament. It cannot hold on to its stockpile and expect the rest of the world to give up its weapons. All nations together need to deny themselves nuclear weapons. We can no longer ignore the past and the consequences of Hiroshima. In a nuclear world; if you ignore the past, you will not see the future.

CJE

Coming next week: The Romans 13 Charade...Again

Deceiving The Youth

2005-02-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

Many children start going to Sunday school at a very early age. Sunday school teachers, rightly so, try to teach the children Godly values and encourage them to live Godly lives. The best way most children learn is through repetition and one of the most repeated themes of Sunday school is, “Be like Jesus”. Sadly, however, this theme of “Be like Jesus” is abandoned once our children reach college. In college, as I have experienced, to be like Jesus is thought to be idealistic and impractical.

There is nothing wrong with telling our children to be like Jesus. In fact to be taught to be like Jesus is probably the best teaching any child could receive. If we can teach them as children to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute us as Jesus did, then why can’t we teach them as adults to continue to love their enemies? Does meaning of Jesus’s words somehow change once the child receives his or her high school diploma? More importantly, does the meaning of Jesus’s life change when the child sits down in the college lecture hall? Quite simply, the life and words of Jesus are the fullest universal and unchanging expressions of what it means to be a holy creation of God. The relevance of the ethic of Jesus is not dependent on the age of the disciple. Both man and child are to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Both man and child are to overcome evil with good. Both man and child must heed the warning of Jesus, “Those who live by the sword, will die by the sword”.

We cannot continue to speak out of both sides of our mouth. Our children are being pulled in two different directions and eventually something is going to give. We must decide whether to teach our children either to be like Jesus or just admire Jesus. So which is it? Is Jesus the Son of God who is Lord or is he just a nice guy? Is Jesus the Christ who loved to the point of death or he is just a great guy? Is Jesus alive and real or he just idealistic and impractical? It is time to stop deceiving the youth, more importantly it is time to stop deceiving ourselves.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Romans 13 Charade

Love It or Leave It

2005-01-28T07:01:00.000-08:00

I have never been known to shy be about critiquing American domestic/foreign policies and their consequences. There have been many times when people have responded to my critiques with the wise redneck sayings that goes something like this, "Hey man, you don't like America? Why don't you just leave then?". It is as if trying to hold political leaders to civilized standards is somehow an act of treason. What is so wrong with trying to hold America and its leaders accountable for its actions? Is America somehow not of this world and therefore cannot be held to account? Do the people with this "Love it or Leave it" mentality actually believe that America is incapable of wrong doing and does what is best in every situation?

You might agree with the "Love it or Leave it" club, but you need to be made aware of a few things before you place membership. The "Love it or Leave it" crowd is content to let injustice roam free for the sake of its own comfort and leisure. If one is to question the status quo, then they fear it might cost them their upper-middle class fairytale. This mode of thought is first step towards a totalitarian state where no one dares question the actions of the government or its leaders. Those who believe in the "Love it or Leave it" myth will be the first in line when they start to pass out the armbands because they have been made to believe everything the government does is for their own good.

I've been called naive numerous times for my passion for non-violence. But who is more naive, me or those who believe that government cannot tell a lie or do wrong? Me or those who believe that government does everything in the best interest of its citizens? America has inflicted vast amounts of suffering here at home and around the world, but I am not leaving any time soon. Those who are power hungry would like nothing more than to see those who disagree leave so that they could have their way unopposed.

It may sound strange, but I do believe America is full of great potential to good things. I critique America and its policies because I desire to see America live up to its potential it has shown in the past. One example was after WII when America decided to rebuild Europe with the Marshall Plan. This is the America I want to live in. Those who proclaim "Love it or Leave it" are unknowingly letting the good America slip away. We must critique America not to tear down, but to build up. In the end it is not a matter of "Love it or Leave it", but "Critique it or Loose it".

CJE

Coming Next Week: Deceiving The Youth

Tapping Into The Goodness

2005-01-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

"The LORD , the LORD , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:6-7

When people are confronted with their sin a typical excuse is, "Hey I'm only human". This excuse is not suprising since most people connect human nature with sinful nature. It is a notion that human beings are born naturally evil and sinful. There are so many sins attributed to our human nature. I have heard so many times, "It's human nature to be selfish, to be jealous, or to be greedy". I do believe that one side of human nature is sinful and evil, but there is a flip side to that coin and it is the image of God.

We seem to never discuss what it means to be created in the image of God. Being created in the image of God is a complex and beautiful process which most of it we can't comprehend. But what is certain is that if one is created in the image of God, then he or she is created to reflect God's nature and qualities. The scripture above gives us a great description of God's nature and qualities. Being made in the image of God it is impossible for a new born baby to be born with a "blank-slate" because he or she is born with the qualities of compassion, grace, love and forgiveness. It maybe in our nature to be sinful, but it is also in our nature to be holy.

How many times have we delved into our sinful desires and neglected to tap into the goodness found in the image of God? Humans beings are capable of doing the worst evil and at the same time are capable of doing the greatest good. We choose to let our sinful nature hide the image of God in us, but just because it is hidden doesn't mean it has been removed. The image of God has been with us from the beginning. Not even Adam and Eve's fall could remove the image of God inside us. Jesus is fullest expression of what it means to be the image of God. Though we don't have Jesus's supernatural ability to raise the dead or heal the sick, we do possess his physical ability to love and forgive our enemies, to love and take care of the widow and orphan, to wash feet.

Let us stop degrading God's creation as a sinful beast and begin to see the image of God that is inside all men and women. Since there is no limit to God's goodness the same must hold true for man's potential for goodness. God has already chosen to show his goodness to us. What will our decision be? Will we finally put aside our sinful desires and put on the image of God? When we deny our sinful desire we allow the image of God to be revealed. So my plea this week is for all us to empty oursevles of our sinful desire and tap into the goodness.

CJE

Coming next week: Love it or Leave it

Wanting Back In The Garden

2005-01-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

"10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin [f] and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. [g] 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates." Genesis 2:10-14

For those who are unaware, the Tigris river and the Euphrates river are located in the country presently known as Iraq. I find it interesting that this region of the world has been in turmoil ever since Adam and Eve first ate the forbidden fruit. America is not the only empire to wage war and shed blood in the birthplace of civilization. Long before America began its war campaign there was the Assyrian Empire, Alexander the Great, the Persian Empire, the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire. I have no evidence, but my guess is that more blood has been shed in Iraq than any other place in the world.

It seems as that all people, from Assyria to America, have this subconscious desire to return to the garden. As evidenced by history, we have this deep yearning to return to the paradise from which we were caste out. The craving for the paradise of the garden is so intense that people have been willing to do whatever necessary to take back what was lost in our sinful rebellion from God. This pursuit, however, is futile because paradise was lost forever when we choose to become gods ourselves.

Sadly we have not learned much since Adam and Eve's blunder. In Iraq today the bullets and the blood continue to saturate the land. It appears that one piece of fruit wasn't enough. After all this time we still want to be gods unto ourselves. Do we think becoming a god make will us pure and just? When will we realize that the consequences of our actions will affect generations to come. Adam and Eve may have thought their sin only affected them, but it forever changed God's relationship to his creation. The same is true of our actions in the Iraq crisis. The means we use to resolve this crisis will affect my future grandchildren and beyond.

There is hope amidst the sadness. Though we were banned from the garden, it is by the grace of God that we may still enter the kingdom. So may the floodgates open to let the grace of God rain down and replenish a land left desolate and scorched by mankind's desire to ascend to a place he or she does not belong.

Coming next week: Tapping Into The Goodness; also, if you're wondering what i'm up to or want a good laugh, then you can visit cjewing.blogspot.com

This Ain't The Daily Show

2005-01-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

I know it's not Friday, but after a conversation I had yesterday I feel the need clarify the purpose of my blog page. As my friend and I were discussing our blogs he said that my blog didn't have to be so serious all the time. But this is the same friend who challenged me to "come strong, or don't come at all". So before Friday's post let me correct any misunderstanding one might have when they visit my blog.

This ain't The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Yes it is good sometimes to laugh and make fun of the politicians and celebrities that are in the news. I love making jokes just as much as the next guy or girl and in fact I am actually quite skilled at crafting jokes, but my blog is not a time to do so. My blog is also not a personal diary where I keep people updated on my life, that's why I have a cell phone.

The purpose of my blog is to ask hard questions which lead to even more difficult answers. I do not want to follow in tradition of today's stand-up preacher who has substituted deep biblical truths for cheesy punchlines. I desire to follow in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets and Jesus himself. I am not a prophet nor Jesus, but i do wish to follow the example they left behind for us to follow. The prophets, like Amos and Isaiah, knew that proclaiming God's vision was not time to joke around. Jesus had no time to try out new "one-liners" as he gave the Sermon on The Mount.

Yes there are times to laugh and those times are essential to bring us out of the moments of despair. But we are, however, living in serious times that requires critical thinking about world actions and world consequences. I want to you to take this journey with me since both of us are sinners who need to continually transform ourselves into likeness of Christ. So when we return to my blog Friday let us be challenged and inspired to live a life worthy of the kingdom.

War Is To Be Mourned

2005-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

The end of WW II came into two parts; V-E Day which ended the war in Europe and V-J Day that ended the war in Japan. During each occasion the streets of America were filled with intense celebration. The footage is familiar to all of us. There was confetti raining down on couples kissing and hugging, holding up newspapers proclaiming "Victory". My question is, should the victory of war be celebrated? Absolutely not. We must not celebrate the victory of war like the millions of Americans at the end of WWII, but instead the victory of war is to be mourned.

What were these people in the streets celebrating? Victory? There is no victory in war. No one wins a war, both side suffer great loses that cannot be replaced. War never gives, it only takes. The War of Mexico didn't give us the Southwest, we took it and didn't feel one bit of remorse for it. War takes whatever is in its path. It consumes land, buildings and loved ones. There is nothing worth celebrating when one claims victory in war. In war nothing is gained. War only leaves us with empty chairs where our sons and daughters use to sit. Shouldn't have this crowd been weeping with all the families that lost their children to the monster of war?

Were they celebrating their preserved freedom? My response is, what freedom? Is it really freedom when it depends on a successful war campaign? We are not truly free if we are a slave to war. A slave to war is dependent on war for its survival. A slave is denied their freedom when he or she is put in chains. They are under the control of their master. Why are we celebrating freedom we don't posses? Shouldn't we be mourning the fact that we have chosen to lock ourselves in bondage to our master of war?

Hundreds of thousands of US soldiers were killed in WWII. Approximately 200,000 Japanese were killed as a result of the TWO atomic bombs dropped. Over 600,000 US citizens were killed in the Civil War. What is there to celebrate? Please tell me because all I see is the death and suffering which is to be mourned.

What is to be celebrated? The day when we finally free ourselves from the chains of war. We celebrate the day we when no longer acknowledge war as master. We celebrate the day when we are truly free. We celebrate with Amos on the day when we finally let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Coming next week: Wanting Back In The Garden

Isaiah's Eve

2004-12-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Tis Christmas Eve. A day of many different meanings. For the retailer, it is one last attempt to sell the customer items most of them don't need and most of them can't afford. For the customer, it is the final day to purchase gifts to show they care about their friends and family. As if somehow the amount of money I spend indicates the amount I care about a person. For the Christian, it is the day before God becomes flesh in the birth of Jesus (even if it is historically inaccurate since most scholars believe Jesus was born in the spring). Since we are on the verge or on the "eve" on Christ's coming to earth, I must ask what else are we on the eve of?

Have we approached the eve of seeing racism come to an end? Are we on the eve of seeing Israeli and Palestinian joining hands around Jerusalem? Have we approached the eve of ending Iraqi suffering? Are we on the eve of ending the torture of detainees? Are we on the eve of seeing abortion and the death penalty as the same murderous act of ending life? Are we on the eve of all nations denying themselves nuclear weapons? Are we on the eve of forgiving those who hurt us and reconciling with those we have selfishly forsaken for our desire of revenge?
Are we are on the eve of building a bridge over the canyon that separates the rich and poor?

If you answer to the following questions is No, then I ask you to defend your answer. You might use a quick answer of it is too idealistic to believe such things will come. Or maybe that the world's present course shows no signs of approaching such a vision. Exactly, we must change course.

If you answer Yes, then this Christmas season let you and I also celebrate Isaiah's Eve because we both believe that we are on the eve of witessing Isaiah's vision become reality.

Isaiah 11
The Branch From Jesse 1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -
3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD .

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling [a] together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.

It is naive to celebrate Isaiah's vision? If so, then Isaiah and the shoot of Jesse (Jesus) are also naive to believe such things will come to past. But I believe in the passion of Isaiah's vision and see it as the only way the world can exist if it wishes to survive. We must all play a part if the vision is to be fulfilled. It is time to stop brushing off the visions of the prophets like Isaiah and the teachings of Jesus as too idealistic and not applicable to today's world. Isaiah's Eve is upon us and soon after will come Isaiah's Day. A day when peace and unconditional love will flood the earth. Will it happen tomorrow? Probably not. But we must begin seeking it today.

The Nashville Gospel

2004-12-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

I've decided to post weekly instead of daily. New posts will be posted each Friday so to give you something to chew on over the weekend.

Today's post is inspired by my college experience in Nashville, TN. Among its many titles, Nashville is known as the "buckle of the Bible belt". It is city with a church of Christ on every corner. Yet there somehow remains a terrible gap between wealth and poverty. Only in New York City is there a greater disparity between the wealthy and those in poverty. New York City, however, doesn't claim to support any one religion, but Nashville claims to be the buckle of the bible belt.

I'm not talking about a creek of disparity, I'm talking about a canyon of difference between Nashville's wealthiest and poorest. Now it might be an obvious conclusion that a church in the bible belt would preach about the gap between rich and poor. You also expect that church to be convicted and go a step further to find ways to bridge that gap. But somehow some Christians who attend the likes of Woodmount, Brentwood Hills and Otter Creek seem to pretend that this gap does not exist. They seem content to spend the excess of God's fruits on large houses, large SUVs and large credit card bills.

I'm positive the lots of Christians in Nashville give lots of money to missions abroad. But as they fund missions overseas, they neglect the single mother down the street who has to choose between feeding the kids and paying the utility bills. The sad reality is that most Christians in Nashville have enough to assist both the foreign mission and the single mother struggling to provide for her family.

This practice of giving out of the excess of one's fruits is an attribute of what I call the Nashville Gospel. The Nashville Gospel is a guilt-free approach to living the ethic of Jesus. The Nashville Gospel allows one to give some of their excess to those in need and at the same time doesn't require one to deny themselves their expensive possessions. You can have your cake and eat it too with the Nashville Gospel. The Nashville Gospel believes the "last shall be first" to be foolish thinking.

Fortunately the Nashville Gospel is not the gospel of the New Testament. The gospel of the New Testament is about a king born in a barn who owned nothing and gave everything.

Letting Go Of Death Row

2004-12-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

Scott Peterson's fate between life and death will soon decided.

Can man legitimately destroy man? Can a created being destroy his or her fellow man? Even in the most haneous of acts, should a criminal recieve capital punishment as an answer to his or her crime?

The question is not, does a man like scott petterson deserve death? Because the answer is always yes. It is not what does Scott deserve, it is what should he recieve?

In the eyes of God, all have fallen short and therefore all are guitly. Our human instinct is to classify sins into categories of big and small. The reality, however, is that sin is sin. God measures no difference between a simple lie i tell or scott's killing his family.

Every human being who sins deserves to be put to death. It our sins that nail Christ to the cross. With everyday that passes is another day i nail Christ on the cross. What do i deserve? I deserve for God to strike me dead where i stand. But what do i recieve? Grace which i can't repay.

I close with a verse from a powerful hymn, " He could of called ten thousand angels to detroy the world and set him free. But he died alone for you and me."

My Vision of The Good Society: If Anyone Cares?

2004-12-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

Through out its history America has been given numerous opportunities to start over and establish the Good Society. Many administrations have tried to establish their vision of the Good Society, and many administrations have failed to make their vision a reality. The common fallacy in their visions is in the notion that the Good Society must be enforced to be successful. The Good Society, however, cannot be enforced. The true Good Society will become a permanent reality only when a society freely chooses to be earnest seekers and non-violent defenders of peace, justice and equality.

One of the core elements of the Good Society is peace. The Good Society does not have an imperialistic mindset, which America had during the late 19th Century. America is not the only nation to have the desire to rule the world. Some nations have been on the brink of making their desire a reality. The Good Society understands that the imperialistic desire to rule the world will eventually bring even the greatest of nations to ruin. The Good Society does not massacre an entire race of people, as America decimated the Native Americans, to obtain fresh farmland. The Good Society does not force the survivors of those massacres unto tiny reservations in order to expand its borders. The Good Society is content with its borders and at peace with its neighbors. It has no desire to be a global power. It realizes that imperialistic gain is always at the expense of another nation’s lost. The Good Society is not like past nations who sought to build on the ashes of those nations they destroyed. The Good Society instead seeks to unite the world by building bridges of peace.

The Good Society does not use violence to achieve peace. Through out history America has thought the only way to achieve peace is by destroying the enemy. It is one of the greatest paradoxes when a nation tries to achieve peace through war. Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. could see better than anyone the fallacy in a war policy that seeks peace. He believed all of life to be interrelated. In an interrelated world King believed it was impossible to separate the means a society uses and the end it seeks. He saw the means as the seeds and the ends as the trees. You cannot plant seeds of war and expect a tree of peace to spring forth. The Good Society believes, as King did, that peace is not just some distant goal we seek, but it is also the means by which we seek our goal. The Good Society cannot exist in a society where vengeance and hate abound. The Good Society can only survive when its means are a peace that produce compromise and reconciliation.

In the Good society intense nationalism is a threat to the peace that is essential. War World II serves as a prime example of what the Good Society is not to embody. The war was painted as a battle between the good Allied forces against the evil Axis forces. The Good Society does not partake in the myth that in war one nation is ultimately good and their adversary is ultimately evil. The Good Society holds to the belief that all nations who engage in war are evil in some form. It does matter to the Good Society the quantity of evil actions because one ounce of evil is too much. Vietnam serves as another example of war painted in the moralistic terms of good and evil. The Good Society makes no distinction between the evil actions of Viet Cong soldiers and the evil consequences of napalm bombing. If the Good Society is to be true to itself, it can only overcome evil with good. It must be careful not to fall into the naive trap, as America did in WW II and Vietnam, that it is somehow so good that it is incapable of evil. In the end the Good Society must abstain from the necessary evil of war and always seek the necessary good of peace.

Another core element to the Good Society is justice. In the Good Society true justice is color blind. A criminal in the Good Society is judged on the seriousness of the crime, not the color of his or her skin. American courts have always struggled to separate to color of the suspect and the alleged crime committed. For most of American history it was the African American who was convicted in spite of evidence that proved his or her innocence. In recent times it is Arab Americana whose conviction has everything to do with skin color and nothing to do with the fact they may actually be innoence. The Good Society, however, offers justice to anyone who seeks is. It does not deny anyone access to legal representation and does not detain anyone who has not been charged with a crime. The Good Society determines guilt with evidence, not with assumptions. The Good Society does not intend to be a perfect society, but in order to be a Good Society it must provide colorblind justice.

True justice must also provide economic justice. Many in corporate America during the Gilded Age adopted the economic philosophy of “Social Darwinism”. Corporate America took Darwin’s biological theory of “Survival of the Fittest” and put it into practice in their everyday business transactions. It was longer considered immoral to muscle out your competitor because it was seen as a natural consequence of the economic order. Greed was not only good during the Gilded Age, it was encouraged.

The Good Society does not practice greed in any form. It does not participate in the injustices that greed produces. There is no canyon between rich and poor like there was between Carnegie and the rest of America. In the Good Society 1% of the total population does not own the majority of wealth as is the case in America today. The Good Society holds a company like Enron to account for its actions against their employees and customers. The business of the Good Society is not to make a profit by any means necessary. The business of the Good Society is to provide economic justice for those who are so easily trampled underneath by the Industrial machine. True justice is not for sale in the Good Society. True justice does need to be color blind, but it is not enough. The Good Society knows that if justice can be bought, then the color of your skin will matter less than the color of your money.

The Good Society does not preserve true justice through war, but through law. History is filled with nations who believed that war was an effective way to preserve justice. They assume if an unjust nation is not confronted with force, then the injustice will spread. The Good Society must learn from the mistakes of past nations. War is an action taken a political entity. Law enforcement, however, does not presume all to be guilty, but justly holds individuals to account for their actions. War is always imprecise and the violence it creates is always general. There are no distinctions made in war for both civilian and militant are killed in war. Law enforcement is a direct action taken against specific individuals. War is less concerned with procedure than results. Law enforcement must stick to procedure to be effective. The Good Society does not engage in terrorist-like methods to preserve justice. War has its own momentum which few can stop. Law enforcement has its momentum controlled by a system of checks and balances. Through law the Good Society preserves true justice not only for the individual, but for the entire community as well. The Good Society realizes war does not end injustice, buy only promotes it by destroying everything in its path. The Good Society will find true justice in the law as those who engage in war continue to search for it.

The final core element of the Good Society is equality. The Good Society desires to give everyone an equal opportunity. In the Good Society everyone is provided with the best possible education to ensure an equal starting point. The Good Society will also provide an equal opportunity to work which allows one to provide for his or her family. The Good Society is not a communist state with the naïve belief that everyone is equal in every aspect of life. Though people have unequal abilities, they must still be given an equal opportunity to learn and discover their abilities. A person’s ability may be greater, but his or her opportunity will remain equal.

American history is full of great contradictions. In the Declaration of Independence the founding fathers state, “all are created equal”. These words were suppose to apply to all men and women, but the oppressive institution of slavery was allowed to continue for almost a hundred years after these words were written. Women could own property, but were not allowed to vote on property taxes. This nauseating double speak of American government is best described by Martin Luther King Jr. when he says, “ These men so often have a high blood pressure of words and an anemia of deeds”. The Good Society is tired of these contradictions and will seek to embody the words of the founding fathers. No one in the Good Society is 3/5 a person as the African American was in Colonial America. The Good Society will equally respect every human life in all circumstances. Whether it be man or woman, black or white, rich or poor, friend or foe; every life in the Good Society has dignity and worth. The Good Society will not speak in contradictions that a man can be both equal and a slave. The Good Society will speak in truth the reality that all men are created equal.

The three core elements of the Good Society are deeply interrelated. You cannot have peace unless you embrace justice. You cannot have justice unless you uphold equality. The core elements of the Good Society set the foundation upon which the community will be built. The key to survival for the Good Society is not to protect a false sense of “national security”. It will only endure by adopting a policy of peace. The Good Society cannot expect to last if it justifies the use of torture as a means to protect its citizens. It can only protect its citizens by embracing justice. The Good Society cannot continue with the economic mindset of “Survival of the Fittest”. It can only remain by upholding the equality of all men and women.

Even with these core elements, the Good Society is still dependent on something else. It is dependent on whether the society will choose to seek and defend peace, justice and equality. The government of both Reconstruction and the Civil Rights movement believed that they had to create to laws to enforce the ideals of the Good Society. The problem, however, is that a law which desegregates schools does not remove the hate from a person’s heart. You can’t force some one to live in the Good Society. A person’s free will negates to the notion of an involuntary acceptance of the Good Society. If people are forced against their will to choose something, then it isn’t real. Many empires of the past believed in the myth that in order to become a great society one must practice war, discrimination and unfairness. The reality of the Good Society, however, is that if a society is to exist at all, then it must observe peace, justice, and equality.

For Fallujah Family, a Daring Escape

2004-11-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

Casual Discipleship

2004-11-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

Pe 3:15 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always beprepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reasonfor the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

In my attempt to sincerely express my belief in abstaining fromthe political process and all it entails I must begin with the most important question. What does Peter mean when he says, " set apart Christ as Lord"? At baptism all of us confessed Jesus is the Son of Godand Lord of our lives. Is confessing Jesus as Lord a casual expression?Does it entail a casual relationship? Does it necessitate a casual discipleship?

What is wrong with voting and participation in politics? In my view I see political elections as contests to see who is the greatest. It is a contest to see who has the greater credentials, the greater platform and the greater person. Political candidates seek to grab at the mantle of power. One can never have enough power in politics. They seek power no matter what the consequences. Many people see voting as power. We don't need to help decide who is greatest because Jesus already has an answer for us. We don't need to seek after power because the upside down kingdom of the suffering servant belongs to the poor in spirit.

What does the upside down kingdom looks like? It stands incomplete contrast to the fallen world in which we live. Those who want to live must die to themselves. Those who want to become rich must become poor. Those who want to be wise will look foolish to the world. Jesus says in Jn 18:36, "36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." We are called to first seek this kingdom as it says in Mt 6:33, "33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."In baptism I became a citizen of this kingdom. The waters of baptism were the voting booth and The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit became my elected officials.

For those of you who are married, is your marriage a casual relationship where you are free to come and go as you please. Absolutely not, those of you who are married are the most committed husbands I know and fully appreciate the gift God has given you. The commitment to our relationship with God is the same. The disciple belongs to the Lord as Paul says in Ro 14:8, "8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die,we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."A disciple may succumb to many gods or idols, but he or she can onlyserve the One God as found in 1 Co8:6 "6yet for us there is but one God,the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." The disciple cannot sit at two tables as Paul says in 1Co10:21, " 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons." Paul calls disciples us not to conform to this pagan world, but to be transformed in Romans 12:2, "2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good,pleasing and perfect will." Many see voting as always choosing the lesser of two evils. No candidate is perfect so some values must be sacrificed for the greater good. The disciple, however, does not lookfor the necessary evil that will sustain him or her, but is always searching for the necessary good which can transform them. In closing I would like to answer Jeremy's question. If I am so disinterested in voting and politics, then why do I open my mouth? It is because I desire to bring light to the darkness. It is a tradition that dates back to the prophets of the Old Testament. Amos especially was not afraid to critique Israel and its sin. Jesus himself was not involved in the political process and still confronted the Pharisees and the RomanEmpire. Paul is another great example of one who was disinterested, but still held the Empire accountable. Many misuse Romans 13 to justify all kinds of government action. But we forget that Paul is writing his letters from jail as he writes in Eph 4:1, "1As a prisoner for the Lord,then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Good, upstanding citizens don't get thrown into jail. Only one who stands in opposition to the Empire and refuses to participate in its pursuit for power is thrown in jail.

Gal 6:17, "17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus". Are we prepared to bear the marks of Christ? He is not talking about a birth mark, but the scars from the whippings, the bruises from the punches and the scabs from the bleeding.The marks of Christ are the cost of committed discipleship. I believe voting and trusting political officials to be true to the kingdom allows many Christians to become casual disciples. I don't want to come across as being the 100% committed disciple. Though I believe I have made Jesus my Lord in regards to voting and political participation. I still have many areas in my life where Jesus is not Lord, the way I waste money and my language just to name a few. I apologize to for the lengthy explanation, but I am so grateful we can peacefully communicate our beliefs without name calling and still remain brothers. God be with all of us as we seek to transform from casual disciples to committed disciples who take seriously our confession that Jesus Christ is Lord.