Righteous Indignation, Ch. 9 (p 67-75)

Righteous Indignation, Ch. 9 (p 67-75)
Wonder and Restraint: A Rabbinical Call to Environmental Action -- COEJL

(1) Within the Jewish tradition reside rich teachings about the unity of creation, about boundaries and limits, about deeds and consequences, about poverty and wealth, about individual and communal responsibility, which together form a comprehensive environmental vision and provide practical guidance for environmental balance and restoration" (p 68).

What examples stand out to you that demonstrate the unity of creation? What boundaries or limits do you are most in need of respect? How do poverty and wealth fit in the conversation on enviro stewardship?

(2) "The awakening we seek begins with wonder" (p 68).

Why wonder? What is the significance of wonder? Why do you think the authors want us to begin here?

(3) We are called to consistency on page 69. How consistent are my words and deeds? Do I thank God for the bounty of my meals while supporting agriculture that "despoils the waterways"? Do I give tzedakah and think little of the effects of my investments? Do I talk a big game and yet still leave a large chemical and carbon footprint?

(4) It is said on pages 70 and 71 that there are two covenantal responsibilities--restraint and speaking out. "First, we must understand "...restraint: to practice restraint in our individual and communal lives" (p 70). Examples include Shabbat, dietary consciousness, destruction in warfare, care for animals, generosity and self-care.

"...we must transform ourselves from nature's children to nature's guardians by learning to say 'dai,' 'enough,' to ourselves" (p 71).

In what areas do I need to exercise some restraint--shopping, traveling, watching TV, working, blogging, worrying, controlling? How could restraint in these areas bless the Earth?

(5) "...the second convenantal obligation that our Earth and our faith require is that we speak out, and speak truth, to the world's leaders" (p 71).

Of the six general obligations listed on page 71, which are you already doing? Which pose the biggest challenge for you? Why? Who can hear your voice today?

(6) "Let us rejoice that we, as children of God, have been endowed with the intelligence, reverence, scientific capacity, and faith to serve as the caretakers for such an extraordinary world! And when God declares to us--'Look at My works! See how beautiful they are--how excellent! For your sake I created them all. See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world, for if you do, there will be no one else to repair it' (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13)--let us respond, with unified voice: 'We will do and we will hearken' (Exodus 24:7)" (p 75).

May we each respond with love, reflection and action.

Righteous Indignation, Ch. 5 (p 38-44)

Righteous Indignation, Ch. 5 (p 38-44)
The Legacy of Abraham Joshua Heschel: Jewish Spirituality and Political Transformation -- Rabbi Michael Lerner, PhD

My chapter is all marked up. How can I choose only a few selections for comment?!

(1) The first two paragraphs give an overview of the life, thoughts and works of Abraham Heschel.

What do I want people to say about me after the dirt covers my casket? What am I doing today that will lead them to those desired conclusions?

(2) "...one of Judaism's central contributions to humanity was precisely its integration of spirituality and the struggle for equality and justice" (p 39).

In your understanding, what is the relationship between spirituality and the struggle for justice (for the oppressed and the advocate)? What does this look like as lived in your life?

(3) Let me just give a shout-out to Tikkun magazine (p 40).

What other magazines encourage you in the work of spiritual and social transformation?

(4) Heschel "understood that the fundamental alienation in our society is not only about the deprivation of material goods and political rights. Without for a moment abandoning the struggle for rights and inclusion, Heschel tried to focus our attention on the deeper spiritual crisis that comes from being alienated from the spiritual core of our being..." (p 42).

In Walking with the Poor, Bryant Myers discusses how spirituality (when distorted or lacking) can be a cause of poverty. But in this chapter we are reminded of the crisis of spiritual poverty itself. What does it take to overcome this alienation? How could this question be better phrased? How can we help others grow in their own spirituality?

(5) "...lasting social change can only be won with building a politics that speaks not only to peace, environmental sanctity, rights, and inclusion but also to the hunger for meaning" (p 43).

If this is true, can the secular government be relied on for "lasting social change"? To me this points out the unique role of the spiritual leader. Or am I jumping to the synagogue/church/mosque too quickly? How can governments work to respect or build citizens' "hunger for meaning"?

(6) "The most urgent task is to destroy the myth that accumulation of wealth and the achievement of comfort are the chief vocations of man" (p 43).

Why are these pursuits problematic? How can these myths be done-away-with? What should our "chief vocations" be?

(7) The Global Marshall Plan goes well beyond the .7% of GDP that I normally hear activists and development professionals discuss (See The End of Poverty, Jeffrey Sachs). Very bold.

Would you support a national tax equal to 1-2% of GDP? What would it take to convince a majority of your country's citizen's to back such a proposal? Until this becomes a reality, are you personally sharing directly with those in need or through something like the Relational Tithe or your local faith organization? Is the Global Marshall Plan an approach you can embrace?

Righteous Indignation, Ch. 1 (p 3-14)

Righteous Indignation, Ch. 1 (p 3-14)
Can Social Justice Save the American Jewish Soul? -- Rabbi Sidney Schwarz, PhD

(1) I appreciated the two-part answer to the purpose of Judaism on pages 4 and 5.

1. "Extend the boundaries of righteousness and justice in the world" (p 4; Genesis 18:19).
2. To be a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (p 4; Exodux 19:6). The concept of "holy" includes being separate or apart.

"Judaism is a religion based on a paradox: Jews are expected to maintain a holy apartness as God's chosen people and, at the same time, are expected to be totally engaged with the world around them" (p 4).

Regardless of your faith orientation, do you feel this tension? Which do you find easier to maintain--holiness or engagement? Which do you value more at this point? Why? What do these words mean to you--righteousness, justice, holiness? What are potential problems of ignoring either personal transformation (holiness) or social transformation (justice/engagement)? Or do you disagree with the premise of this question?

(2) "Sinai consciousness is at the root of the Jewish understanding that to live true to the covenant that God established with the Jewish people at Sinai is to live a life of social responsibility" (p 5).

To our Jewish readers: Is it an improper gesture to co-opt this terminology for those not a part of the Jewish community? That is, can we say non-Jews are living with Sinai consciousness when they value and work for peace and justice?

It's my understanding that Rob Bell's new book addresses some of these issues--Exodus and Sinai consciousness. I believe it's based on 2 sermon series that I really appreciated--The New Exodus and Jesus Wants to Save Christians.

(3) "It is critical to recognize how central social justice is to Jewish consciousness. The concern for the stranger, the pursuit of justice and peace, the empathy for the poor, and the commitment to truth and fairness is buried deep in the soul of every Jew" (p 9).

That is a strong statement. Are these elements deep in my soul? In what ways are they manifested in my life? Is there anything I can do to help these values grow and thrive in my soul?

(4) I just want to highlight the lives of Michael Schwerner and Andy Goodman (p 10) who were killed along with James Chaney while working for racial reconciliation and civil rights in the South.

(5) The story of the $2 million synagogue project and the $1.5 million homeless shelter reminds me of Shane Claiborne discussing his similar frustration. What priorities does my local faith community demonstrate in its budget?

(6) As described on page 13, is your faith community more of a camp (defensive) or a congregation (nurtured by love)?

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 13 (p 341-358)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 13 (p 341-358)
Crazy But Not Alone

(a) "In a world of smart bombs and military intelligence, we need more fools, holy fools who insist that the folly of the cross is wiser than any human power" (p 343).

That reminds me of Michael Card's old song, "God's Own Fool" (watch the simple revolutionary who goes before us + bonus).

Seems I've imagined Him all of my life
As the wisest of all of mankind.
But if God's Holy wisdom is foolish to men
He must have seemed out of His mind.
For even His family said He was mad
And the priests said a demon's to blame.
But God in the form of this angry young man
Could not have seemed perfectly sane.

God, keep us a little crazy. Don't let us settle back into the normal that you are delivering us from.

(b) Community of Communities (p 348): www.communityofcommunities.us. Even if you're not in an intentional community housing situation, what is your community like? What kind of support group of fools have you put together?

(c) "Because it is small like the old mustard seed, it is possible to miss the little revolution spreading across our land, cross-pollinated by an ongoing web of relationships and a common vision--of alternatives to existing worldly structures, of bartering economies, of money collectives for emergencies (instead of insurance), of prophetic interruptions to war and theft, of sustainable urban gardening and eco-energy alternatives, of using trash and wreckage of the consumptive world to create things that bring life and beauty" (p 348-349).

That is one long and beautiful sentence. For those who want to pursue this in other venues, check these out: Papa Festival, A Sustainable Faith, School(s) for Conversion, CCDA Institute, Word and World, Geez Magazine, Sojourners, SC Faith in Action and Fight with Tools.

(d) "So to the young 'uns: we have to remind ourselves to stay anchored in the church, for we need roots and wisdom" (p 353).

Charissa reminds me of St. Augustine's quote from time to time: "The church is a whore, but she's my mother" (p 354). I found that quote again today in an article by Tony Campolo--Why the Church is Important (Christianity Today, 1 May '07). It's a good article to go along with this chapter.

Why is the church (i.e., the body of Christ, the community of disciples) still important to you, even if you have a bent away from institutional religion?

(e) "We believe poverty can end even though it is all around us. We believe in peace even though we hear only rumors of war. And since we are people of expectation, we are so convinced that another world is coming that we start living as if it were already here" (p 355).

Increase our faith! (Luke 17:5)

: : :

Thanks for sharing the adventure of processing this book together.

Grace and Peace,
Jeff

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 12 (p 317-340)

By Travis, O.R. Conspirator Extraordinaire

(a) "We can easily become so driven by our vision for church growth, community, or social justice that we forget the little things, like caring for those around us. An older charismatic woman told me, 'If the devil can't steal your soul, he'll just keep you busy doing meaningless church work.'"

This quote hit me like a ton of bricks. As did a few others that I'll share in a few minutes. This chapter was very hard for me to swallow. I think mostly because I am now employed by the church and it is a constant battle to try to figure out what thing is "more good" to do than the other. It reminds me of the new NOOMA DVD by Rob Bell called "Shells". You can drown in a sea of goodness. Sometimes we have to say no to a lot of good things in order to say yes to the ONE thing that God has called us too. The rub, however, is finding that ONE thing.

Or at least it is for me. I'm the music director at my church and I constantly see other areas where I could serve but I have to say no because I'm paid (and feel led for now) to lead my church in worship. But sometimes (and I've had to learn to sense this) I have to stop and help others in very special moments. Whenever they are in pain or lonely. And it gets hard sometimes. Especially when other people (other staff, my volunteers, etc.) are depending on me.

Is the devil keeping me busy with good things? What do I need to say "no" to so that I can say "yes" to the one or two things God has laid on my heart to do?

(b) "The early prophets would say that a church that spends millions of dollars on buildings while her children are starving is guilty of murder."

(c) "Giving to the poor should not make its way into the budget; it is the budget."

Whewww. Another hard one to swallow. Being on staff sometimes confuses things. Last week we were talking about hiring a new person to clean the church. An important thing to consider. However, after doing a little math, I wasn't as happy as everyone else around the table about the bid because we were getting ready to pay the janitor more than me. And more than the property manager (who was in charge of researching the bids and organizing the potential janitors!!!).

Money is a difficult thing to handle within the church. It is a blessing but it is also a burden to realize that my salary is paid for by church members. Some of them struggling to get by. Additionally, it is true that "giving to the poor" does get tossed in right beside the music ministry budget, the youth budget, the utilities budget and everything else. Or the congregation is asked to give to the church and then give additionally to the poor. Times are getting harder. We're entering a resession. Which is more important?

Am I really giving to the poor? Am I putting the needs of others before my own? Does a big building, big screen, drums, stained glass, pews, chairs, sound system, lights, make a church? Is there any hope to change the modern church? Is the modern church wrong? Or just misguided?

Side note: I thought it was really interesting to read about Shane's work and dealings with Willow Creek. That is were I first experienced worship, where I've learned about leadership, and bought into the idea that the local church is the hope of the world. I had a problem with the idea of them building a new building as well but couldn't put my finger on it. I guess I thought the first building was big enough. But, I had never thought about it from the perspective that many lives could have been blessed with those dollars. But who knows how many have been changed since the new building and growth that has happened at Willow since?

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 7a (p 191-204)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 7a (p 191-204)
Pledging Allegiance when Kingdoms Collide

(a) "They had lost all faith in the empire and had become faithful to God alone as the one who could preserve peace and prosperity" (p 196).

What do I believe, really believe, brings peace and prosperity? Democracy? Communism? Free markets? State-controlled economies? Democrats? Republicans? Theocracy? Anarchism? Cooperation? Competition? Military? Diplomacy? More education? More laws? More dichotomies? Meditation? Activism? The President? Jesus? (not listed in any particular order)

And whose peace and prosperity am I concerned about? Mine? My neighbors'? My blood relatives'? My country's? Westerners'? Humanity's?

About the role of government, we read:

Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:2-4)

So government has a role that God has instituted. Yet we do look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of this promise, understanding that in some mystical way the kingdom of God is now, is inside of us now:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

And the rub, the point of this chapter, is when they're opposed. Then we read:

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!" (Acts 5:29)

Nazi soldiers should have disobeyed their unjust commands. All soldiers must disobey unjust commands. As citizens of heaven before citizens of a given country on earth, we must disobey laws and commands that contradict the laws of our true kingdom. No one can stand in the judgment and say, "But I was following orders." The response will be, "You weren't following MY orders. You belong to the king you claim, not Me." Am I committed to obeying God? How much time am I spending in the Bible each day to learn what it is He's calling me to?

Let me take this opportunity to shout out Centurion's Purse.

(b) "A people longing for a savior placed their faith in the fragile hand of human logic and military strength, which have always let us down. They have always fallen short of the glory of God" (p 199).

This takes me back to high school when I listened to a certain heavy metal band (You take a mortal man and put him in control...). Though Megadeth probably also falls short of the glory of God. This quote also makes me think of War Made Easy.

(c) "Jesus offers a new vision of family" (p 200).

If my mother, father or sister were starving, I'd find a way to help them. I wouldn't stop until their needs were met. If it was only about money, I sure wouldn't buy a nicer ride while they were suffering. But then I realize I lie, because they are.

Do I care as much for each citizen who dies in Iraq (30,000, 50,000, 90,000, 151,000, 655,000???) as I do for those who died in the towers on September 11, 2001 (2,974)?

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
(Matthew 6:9-10)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 6b (p 169-180)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 6b (p 169-180)
Economics of Rebirth

(a) “…God did not mess up and make too many people and not enough stuff. Poverty was created not by God but by you and me, because we have not learned to love our neighbors as ourselves” (p 169-170).

Am I willing to take some responsibility for the poverty in the world, or do I just blame corrupt business men, politicians and the systems they create? Could it be that my apathy has been one cause? Could my voting, spending and eating habits be perpetuating and intensifying poverty for some people in some places? How long am I willing to sit still and contemplate the ramifications for my decisions and lifestyle before I start justifying and excusing and explaining?

(b) “The Jubilee… aimed to dismantle structures of social-economic inequality by releasing each community member from debt…, returning encumbered or forfeited land to its original owners…, and freeing slaves…” (p 171).

Who could use a Jubilee from their credit cards? We had always kept our cards paid off until I got hurt two years ago. It’s amazing how fast things can change. "But if people could get out of debt like that, how could industrialists get rich?" Yes, good question. Maybe God has other priorities.

(c) “It is miraculous how the abundance of God and the gifts of the children of God are able to provide mystically for people’s needs” (p 179).

When have others provided for you? How have you shared your abundance with others recently?

One of the biggest gifts I’ve received from a community member was a home. An elderly lady had to leave her home and enter an assisted living center. Her daughter allowed us to live in the vacant home with very low rent for a year while she prepared to sell the house. I’m sure I’ll never be able to repay them for the gift that meant so much while we were in the middle of a rough stretch.

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 6a (p 155-169)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 6a (p 155-169)

Economics of Rebirth

I've been on the road for the past 5 weekends plus a number of days in between, so please be patient with my problem of tardiness. I should have asked Travis to write again. But here I am now.

(a) "Faith-based nonprofits.... can too easily merely facilitate the exchange of goods and services, putting plenty of professionals in the middle to guarantee that the rich do not have to face the poor and that power does not shift." The reign of God "did not spread through organizational establishments or structural systems. It spread like disease--through touch, through breath, through life. It spreads through people infected by love" (p 159).

This totally reminds me of a quote by another revolutionary a few years ago, Ellen White. In The Ministry of Healing, she said:

"Everywhere there is a tendency to substitute the work of organizations for individual effort. Human wisdom tends to consolidation, to centralization, to the building up of great churches and institutions. Multitudes leave to institutions and organizations the work of benevolence; they excuse themselves from contact with the world, and their hearts grow cold. They become self-absorbed and unimpressible. Love for God and man dies out of the soul.

"Christ commits to His followers an individual work--a work that cannot be done by proxy. Ministry to the sick and the poor, the giving of the gospel to the lost, is not to be left to committees or organized charities. Individual responsibility, individual effort, personal sacrifice, is the requirement of the gospel.

"'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in,' is Christ's command, 'that my house may be filled' (Luke 14:23). He brings men into touch with those whom they seek to benefit. 'Bring the poor that are cast out to thy house,' He says. 'When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him' (Isa. 58:7). 'They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover' (Mark 16:18). Through direct contact, through personal ministry, the blessings of the gospel are to be communicated" (p 146-148).

How have I been relying on organizations? What can I do personally today? When might collective efforts (i.e., organizations) be able to deal with issues that individuals cannot?

(b) "The poor will always be among you" (p 16).

A pastor friend of mine even used this verse with me. "Jeff, don't waste all your energy fighting poverty. It will never be eradicated. Jesus said there will always be poor people."

But this conclusion is the opposite of Jesus' teaching. He said we would always have the opportunity to help the poor, so it was acceptable for this lady in this instance to do something generous personally for him. He wasn't saying, "You'll never overcome this entirely, so don't even try." The empire, bad decisions and bad luck will always make people poor, and we get to lend a hand, to demonstrate God's love for them.

Being poor is a fairly normal stage in life. We help people in need, and someone helps us when we have needs, and they help someone else when they get on their feet and have extra to share. And the more interdependent we become, the more often we can meet each other's needs.

Are there poor people in your faith community? Do they have truly equal status with those with bank accounts?

(c) "Simplicity is meaningful only inasmuch as it is grounded in love, authentic relationships, and interdependence" (p 163).

I friend helped us move recently, and he called me out. "You talk big about living simply, but you have boxes full of books, CDs and clothes." I'm blessed to share an authentic relationship with him.

(d) "True generosity is measured not by how much we give away but by how much we have left, especially when we look at the needs of our neighbors" (p 164). And to me, this is why the widow's might was a more amazing gift than all the others. Do I need to pray for more love so I can freely share with my neighbors?

And that quote about murdering the hungry child... Hraugh! (good luck pronouncing that)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 5c (p 136-146)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 5b (p 136-146)

Another Way of Doing Life
By Travis, O.R. Conspirator Extraordinaire

(1) "We've been very careful at the Simple Way never to claim that we have the corner on the market for "radical Christianity." Nor have we even tried to spread a brand or model." (p 137) (italics & bold mine).

I'm so glad that I don't see "IR" mouse pads or coffee cups. I'm sorry to offend anyone but give me a break. Just go to Amazon.com come and search Purpose Driven Life or Your Best Life Now and see what comes up. Do we need calendars and planners promoting this stuff? Daily devotions? I tried to find a link to the mouse pads. I know I've seen the Purpose Driven Life mouse pads but I could not find them online. I know that the intentions are good but when someone without a christian background sees this stuff, what does it communicate? Personally it turns me off and makes me feel like I'm being sold another product. Another brand. Another model.

What do I buy into? In a highly consumer driven society how do I determine what is needed and what is junk? How do I vote with my dollars?

(2) "And the incredible thing is that the stories of ordinary radicals are all over the place, stories of everyday people doing small things with great love, with their lives, gifts, and careers." (p 137)

What am I doing? How am I doing small things with great love?
Last week after church myself and some friends went to the hospital to visit an older woman from our congregation. The idea was birthed out of the sermon topic. We have been doing a series about how God interacts with us through our 5 senses and how we use those senses to interact with the world. We wanted to sing songs to this woman (who loves praise and worship time) and be a sweet fragrance in a dying world (we studied the sense of smell at church). She ended up ministering to us and touching us (I think) more profoundly than our ministry to her.

(3) "Some may leave their jobs. Others will redefine them." (p 140) "So not everyone responds in the same way, but we must respond." (p 142) (italics & bold mine)

How are you responding? I love how he gives many examples all throughout the book about people ministering in many different and unique ways. Amazing. Beautiful. Freeing. Inspiring.

I'm constantly reviewing this one. Right now I'm considering taking a job at the church. Is this what God wants? Is this the best use of my talents? Is this where I need to focus? Am I doing it for a paycheck?

(4) Jesus was not simply a missionary to the poor. He was poor -- born a baby refugee from the badlands of Nazareth, wandered the world a homeless rabbi, died the rotten death of insurrectionists and bandits on the cross, executed by an oppressive empire, buried in a borrowed tomb. Jesus was crucified not for helping the poor people but for joining them. That is the Jesus we follow." (p 144) (italics his)

Do you follow this Jesus? Does it make you uncomfortable?

These facts really disturb me. They rail against the Jesus I learned about at church in my little bible class growing up. It's not pretty. It's not clean. It's too real.

But I'm learning more about, and my heart is being moved to follow this Jesus. To see this Jesus. It's hard. It's uncomfortable. It's exciting.

(5) "What the world really needs is not more churches but a Church" (p 146)

I love how he talks about this concept. That we are all the embodiment of Christ on earth. It reminds me of the story about someone asking C.S. Lewis (I think) which church they should attend and he says that you should go to the one closest to your house! Interesting. How many of us drive out of our community in order to be in another community? Just a question. Questions are good.

I still pose the question: What would it look like if a church impacted the community within its mile radius? Imagine every church on every corner.

That's all for me......until next time. Peace be with you.

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 5b (p 126-136)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 5b (p 126-136)
Another Way of Doing Life

(1) "...the only way I know to invite people into Christian faith is to come and see. After all, I'm not just trying to get someone to sign a doctrinal statement, but to come to know love, grace, and peace in the incarnation of Jesus, and now in the incarnation of the body, Christ's church" (p 126).

If someone knew nothing about "Christianity," what would they think is important to God based on your local faith community? What does your part of "the incarnation of the body" show the world? Originally, I wrote these questions about the individual, but then I changed them to include the entire faith community. Which question is more useful or telling, the one focusing on the individual or on the community?

(2) "We are trying to shout the gospel with our lives" (p 127). --Sister Margaret

(3) "It is a beautiful thing when folks in poverty are no longer just a missions project but become genuine friends and family with whom we laugh, cry, dream, and struggle" (p 128).

I just deleted my thoughts on this section of the book. It was just too hypocritical. Shane's quote stands.

(4) "People do not get crucified for charity. People are crucified for living out a love that disrupts the social order, that calls forth a new world" (p 129).

This reminds me of a t-shirt I saw today at Herbivore Clothing--"All My Heroes Have FBI Files." The shirt references a serious and thought provoking case.

(5) "Today the church is tempted by the spectacular, to do big, miraculous things so people might believe, but Jesus has called us to littleness and compares our revolution to the little mustard seed, to yeast making its way through dough, slowly infecting this dark world with love" (p 132).

We'll be getting back to this theme in a later chapter. This past weekend I read Jim and Casper Go to Church; my boss wanted me to read it. I was intrigued by Casper's reaction to the big shows, the "spectacular" shows, the churches put on--lights, fog machines, huge screens. He basically asked, "Is this how Jesus told you to do church?"

(6) "...wealthy countries like ours have the highest rates of depression, suicide, and loneliness. We are the richest and most miserable people in the world" (p 133).

It was hard for us moving back to the U.S. from South Korea because suddenly all our co-workers and church members lived so far away. We were used to having our community in one neighborhood, and suddenly, they were spread over three cities. We felt disconnected, disoriented. Eventually, we moved into a big home on a golf course (family friends let us stay there for next-to-nothing until they were ready to sell it), but it didn't compare to having friends close by, a community.

We just recently moved again, so we're working on building a new community. What can you do this week to welcome someone who's new to your neighborhood, business or church? What has someone done to make you a part of a group, to build you into their community? "Community is what we are created for" (p 134). "But that doesn't mean community is easy" (p 135).

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 4b (p 103-114)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 4b (p 103-114)
When Comfort Becomes Uncomfortable

(1) "Rather than accumulating stuff for oneself, followers of Jesus abandon everything, trusting in God alone for providence" (p 104).

Do we? Do I? How closely am I following my rabbi? "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt 6:19-20).

(2) "...Jesus warns people of the cost of discipleship, that it will cost them everything they have ever hoped for and believed in--their biological families, their possessions, even their very lives. He warns them to count the cost before putting their hand to the plow. And Jesus allows people to walk away" (p 106).

There's this line, "Jesus doesn't call us to the easy thing, just the best thing." Carrying our cross isn't easy, it's just the best. Because there's a reason for the cross, it helps our brothers and sisters. "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). What problem can I shoulder for someone today? How can I make someone's walk easier? Someone at work? Someone in my family? Someone in my community? Someone in Sudan?

(3) "God comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable" (p 107). Classic. May we ponder this over the week.

(4) "I was convinced that what we do is not nearly as important as who we are. The question is not whether you will be a doctor or a lawyer but what kind of doctor or lawyer you will be" (p 108). I love this line. What kind of event planner am I? What kind of husband am I? What kind of friend am I? What kind of disciple am I?

(5) "Somehow I had missed the fact that singleness was a beautiful means of discipleship..." (p 111). "We can live without sex, but we cannot live without love, and God is love" (p 111). This for singles and wed to meditate on.

(6) "We can admire and worship Jesus without doing what he did.... I had come to see that
the great tragedy in the church is not that rich Christians do not care about the poor but that rich Christians do not know the poor" (p113).

When I came back from Korea with my neck injury, I was sitting outside my motel room waiting for a friend to pick me up so I could stay with her while I was in treatment. A cleaning lady noticed I was reading Walking with the Poor, and commented as she walked by, "Nice book."

I didn't know how to respond, and then she was gone. I leaned against my one suitcase and said, "I'm not walking with the poor; I am the poor. One suitcase. No car. No home. No job. No hope of having a job soon because of medical problems. Only a little cash left over from my last paycheck that has to last."

But I had two things that truly financially poor people don't have--rich friends and rich family members. I knew I'd be okay. I had a huge safety net.

Bottom line: People without financial support are my family. Are they my friends? How good am I doing at being their safety net?

I love the last line of the chapter. But I've already quoted too much.

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 2 (p 53-67)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 2 (p 53-67)
Resurrecting Church

Here are five quotes that stood out to me. What caught your attention, moved you, or connected with you?

(1) “They reminded us that we all need each other and assured us that if we all shared with one another, there would be enough for everyone” (p 57).

This is something Charissa and I are trying to live. It’s easy to lend some things; for me it’s books and documentaries. Other items, the Vitamix for example, reveal a streak of selfishness. We could live with so much less by learning to share. How many lawn mowers does one neighborhood or one church community really need? Or cars?

(2) “My second instinct was to cry because of how far the church had become removed from the poor” (p 63).

When we came to this new church, we joined a study class that does try to serve. They’ve built a Habitat for Humanity house. They get names of pregnant women with financial problems and donate dressers to them full of baby supplies and clothes. Plus they regularly help people in the community with dollars and cents. It’s really beautiful, and now we’re leaving again. What are you doing along with your local faith community? What’s your story?

(3) “At that moment, we decided to stop complaining about the church we saw, and we set our hearts on becoming the church we dreamed of” (p 64). What is your dream for your faith community?

(4) “Over and over, when I ask God why all of these injustices are allowed to exist in the world, I can feel the Spirit whisper to me, “You tell me why we allow this to happen. You are my body, my hands, my feet” (p 65).

I had an experience just like this a few years ago. It went something like this, “God, why don’t you do something about this.” “Jeff, why don’t you?” You can read about it in a talk I gave in South Korea—I don’t know why. It was eerie to read this story.

(5) “We do indeed have a God of resurrection, a God who can create beauty from the messes we make of our world” (p 67). What “beauty from the messes” have you seen? What have you been a part of?

As always, feel free to address these questions and quotes or anything else that you'd like. Consider the general questions.

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 1 (p 35-51)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 1 (p 35-51)
When Christianity Was Still Safe

Chapter 1 is an autobiographical look at growing up Christian deep in the Bible Belt that addresses “spiritual bulimia,” the good life, and Jesus in his distressing disguise.

(1) “I came to realize that preachers were telling me to lay my life at the foot of the cross and weren’t giving me anything to pick up” (p 38). I can relate to this. I grew up knowing not to do x, y, and z. The few things to “do” for Jesus were giving Bible studies, passing out flyers for prophecy seminars, and attending Bible Camp. Looking back, I see other people did more (e.g., mission trips to Mexico), but my view was pretty limited.

I’m barely catching on that there is a whole spectrum of actions that are of God, actions that make a more just, loving and sustainable world. There are limitless ways to make it a better place, to bring goodness to people’s lives. Those are the “good works” of Ephesians 2:8-10. Any stories of your adventures?

(2) “In the poor we meet Jesus in his most distressing disguises” (Mother Teresa, p 51). Michael Card wrote a great song on this theme—Distressing Disguise.

In His distressing disguise
He hopes that we'll realize
That when we take care of the poorest of them
We've really done it to Him

On Friday we were thrift store hopping, looking for a bed frame. As we left one shop, a lady was slowly walking away carrying a backpack and several bags. I knew I should offer her a ride, but my first reaction was to think of all the reasons why we should keep on driving. We talked about it quickly, drove past her, talked more, turned around, and offered a ride. She declined, and I saw how quick I am to “pass by on the other side.” Realizing she is Jesus in disguise, a first reaction of love instead of excuses would seemingly be the impulse.

Where have you seen Jesus lately? What happened?