Creative Synchroblog
The topic of the February 2011 synchroblog is “Creativity and Christianity.” It is set for February 9, 2011.
During a synchroblog, bloggers from around the world publish posts on the same topic (this time the topic is “Creativity and Christianity”). Typically, the bloggers will also include links to the other posts that are part of the synchroblog. This allows the bloggers and their readers access to other writers who they may not normally read.
While the synchroblog is open to any posts on the topic of “Creativity and Christianity,” here are some questions included on the post above to get the brain waves flowing:
Is there a connection between art/creativity and Christianity? Is creativity spiritual in nature? Is there such a thing as “Christian Art� Does creativity have anything to do with spiritual formation? What is needed for art to qualify as Christian? Is our theology shaped or influenced by creativity/art? Is creativity/art vital to our faith? How does creativity/art impact Christian thought and/or Christian praxis? Is there a particular form of art that has impacted your spiritual journey? Should there be a distinction between sacred and secular art? Is Christianity experiencing a “creative crisis� Is creativity and our knowledge of God connected?
I started taking part in the monthly synchroblog 3 1/2 years ago with my post “Here I am to worship.” I’ve always enjoyed writing, reading, and interacting on synchroblog posts. I’ve met many wonderful people through the synchroblog. Many of these people have different backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures than I do. It has been very beneficial to participate in the synchroblogs with them.
So, if you’ve never participating in a synchroblog (and if you have a blog), why not participate this time? You have almost 2 weeks to write your post. It will stretch you, but you will learn something about yourself, others, and God in the process.
A Day I Saw Jesus
This post is part of the January 2011 synchroblog on the topic “The Manifestation of God.” Now, when I first read about this synchroblog – and the fact that it would fall around the celebration of the Ephiphany – I again thought about not participating.
As most of my readers know, I did not grow up in a liturgical tradition. I mean, obviously, we had our “liturgy,” but it didn’t follow the traditional Christian calendar.
Then, I thought more about the description of this synchroblog topic:
This month’s synchroblog’s theme is inspired by the season of Epiphany which begins on January 6 and ends the day before Ash Wednesday. The word “epiphany” is rich in meaning. Epiphany is derived from the Greek epiphaneia and means manifestation, shining forth, revelation, or appearance. In a religious context, the term describes the appearance of an invisible divine being in a visible form. It can also indicate a sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something. An “epiphany” might refer to those times in life when something becomes manifest, a deep realization, a sudden recognition that changes one’s view of themselves or their social condition and often sparks a reversal or change of heart. In the spirit of Epiphany we invite you to share stories, experiences and/or thoughts about “The Manifestation of God.”
I realized that while I did not celebrate “the season of Ephiphany” annually, the idea of epiphany is central to my understanding of who I am in Jesus Christ.
In fact, it all goes back to Jesus’ statement to Peter upon Peter’s confession that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17 ESV)
I believe that all who are God’s children have such an “epiphany” – that is, such a revelation from God that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that we have salvation, a place in God’s kingdom, and a restored relationship with God through him.
So, I began to ask myself, when have I seen Jesus Christ revealed? Immediately, so many examples popped into my mind. But one episode stood out clearest. So, I decided to share about this one particular day that I saw Jesus revealed.
Rhonna was a friend of ours. We had met her several months before in “the Neighborhood” – a government assisted housing project in our city. She was a single mother with four children who was both working and going to school to try to make a better life for herself and her family. Over those months, Rhonna had begun to share part of her story with my wife, Margaret. She had had a rough past.
Once, when we were out of town, Rhonna called us. She had gotten into some legal trouble when she tried to break up a fight. Now, because of the legal trouble, she was being kicked out of her duplex.
After several weeks of trying to get the decision reversed, the government organization gave Rhonna and her family an eviction notice. She had to move out; there was not further recourse available.
We told some of our friends about Rhonna and her situation. She had to move out of her duplex, and she had to move right away. Could anyone help?
Several of our friends showed up at Rhonna’s duplex with a couple of trucks and willing hearts. Together, we loaded the family’s belongings into the trucks and a few cars and made several trips to a local storage facility. Rhonna had decided to store her belongings and move in with her mother in a nearby city.
That night, I saw Jesus several times. I saw Jesus in the humility of a single mother who was willing to ask for and accept help – even from strangers. I saw Jesus when Rhonna began to weep and share with my wife about her struggles and her past experiences with domestic abuse. I saw Jesus in the faces of my friends who were willing to give up their evening for a complete stranger who could never repay their kindness.
I saw Jesus that night so many times and in so many ways. As our lives intertwined with his, I knew that our Father in heaven was revealing something special to us. That night, the kingdom of heaven was close.
You see, it’s very possible for God to reveal himself to us in the form of dreams or visions. But, God is present with his children every moment of every day. We should look for and expect to see “revelations” from God when his children are following him.
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Here is a list of other posts that are part of the January 2011 synchroblog “The Manifestation of God“:
Beth Patterson – A Robust Universe Includes The Botched and Bungled
Jeff Goins – The Manifestation Of God
Jeremy Myers – Pagan Prophecies Of Christ
Mark Smith – Manifestation Of God
Ellen Haroutunian – Stories of Epiphany
Liz Dyer – God Breaking Through Moments
Josh Morgan – The Manifestation Of God
Steve Hayes – Theophany: the manifestation of God
Sarah Bessey – In which Annie opens the door of her heart
Christine Sine – Eve of Epiphany – We Have Come, We Have Seen, Now We Must Follow
Tammy Carter – Paralysis In His Presence
Peter Walker – Epiphany Outside Theophany (Outside Christianity)
Join Wednesday’s Synchroblog: The Manifestation of God
I’m taking part in the January 2011 synchroblog on the topic “The Manifestation of God.” If you want to take part, leave your name and link on the synchroblog website (above) and publish a post on the topic (see more information below).
So, what does the topic “The Manifestation of God” mean? This is the description of the topic on the synchroblog site:
This month’s synchroblog’s theme is inspired by the season of Epiphany which begins on January 6 and ends the day before Ash Wednesday. The word “epiphany†is rich in meaning. Epiphany is derived from the Greek epiphaneia and means manifestation, shining forth, revelation or appearance. In a religious context, the term describes the appearance of an invisible divine being in a visible form. It can also indicate a sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something. An “epiphany†might refer to those times in life when something becomes manifest, a deep realization, a sudden recognition that changes one’s view of themselves or their social condition and often sparks a reversal or change of heart. In the spirit of Epiphany we invite you to share stories, experiences and/or thoughts about “The Manifestation of God.â€
If you decide to take part, please let me know.
[UPDATE: I originally wrote that this synchroblog was for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 11. However, it is actually scheduled for Wednesday, January 12.]
Walking through Advent Today
I had decided that I was not going to write about Advent this year. But, the monthly synchroblog decided to make their topic “Journey through Advent.” I thought about this for a while, considered a few conversations that I’ve had with some friends, and decided to change my mind and write about Advent after all.
For those who may not be aware (and I wasn’t for a long time), “Advent” is a season observed by many Western churches during the month of December, and marked by the four Sundays of December. The themes of Advent tend to be waiting, anticipation, and hope surrounding the first and second incarnations of Jesus Christ.
Thus, during Advent, and especially on the four Sundays of Advent, the church focuses on the first coming of Christ in anticipation of the second coming of Christ. To be honest, Advent (as a season of the church calendar) has not been a big part of my life in Christ. I can remember one Christmas when our family lit a candle and read from a slip of paper, but I don’t remember which candle we lit or what we read.
Recently, as I mentioned previously, I was talking with some friends about Advent (or the Christmas season for those of us who are less liturgical). As important as remembering the birth of Christ is, and as important as looking forward to the second coming of Christ is, if we stop there we’re missing a powerful aspect of the “Advent” of Jesus Christ.
The past (Jesus came) and future/eschatological (Jesus is coming / heaven) aspects of Advent are very important. But, we are living in the present. And, the present aspect of the Advent is often missing from our celebrations and remembrances and meditations. Jesus is here!
It is the present aspect of the Advent (Jesus is here!) that kept the original 120 disciples going, and then kept the 3000+ going, and then kept Paul going. While they celebrated the past physical life of Christ and they looked forward to the future coming of Christ, it was the very present presence of Christ that gave them power and courage and hope in the day.
Today, in my “Journey through Advent,” I hope to live in the present reality of the coming of Christ without forgetting either the past or the future realities. It is the present Advent that focuses me on God and others. It is the present coming of Christ that reminds me to make disciples, to love others, to encourage my brothers and sisters, to give food and drink and clothing to the needy, to serve and help and care.
In fact, while there is great benefit to remembering that Christ came and looking forward to his future coming, my relationship with God as his child is confirmed by the presence of Christ (Romans 8:16). As we walk through Advent this season, let’s remember the past Advent and look forward to the future Advent, but don’t live in those alone.
Let’s never forget that Jesus Christ is here. He has promised to never leave us. He has promised to always be with us. Christ in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). This is the Advent to live for and walk in today.
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Here is a list of other bloggers taking the “Journey through Advent“:
- John C. O’Keefe – The Season of Adventure
- George at The Love Revolution – The Weak Ghosts of Advent
- Peter at Emerging Christian – Expanding Our Experience of the Advent Journey
- Beth at Beth Stedman.com – Experiencing Advent With A Toddler
- Alan at The Assembling Of The Church – Walking Through Advent Today
- Steve at Emergent Kiwi – Am I Traveling Well?
- Wendy at View From The Bridge – Yearning For a Lived Theology
- Annie at Marginal Theology – Limping Along
- Christen at Greener Grass – Advent – Expecting and Un-Expecting
- Jeff at My Adventures – Journeys and Destinations
- kathy at carnival in my head – making room for the unexpected
- Sonja at Calacirian – Road To Nowhere
- Steve at Khanya – Advent Synchroblog
- Beth at The Virtual Teahouse – Clear-Eyed Gaze of a Stranger
- Phil at Square No More – O Antiphon #1 – This is the first of nine antiphones. Please check Phil’s blog Square No More regularly for additional updates with the additional 8 antiphones.
- Peggy at Abisomeone – Wandering With The Waiting Abbess
- Cathryn at Love Fiercely – An Advent Prayer
- HeySonnie at A Piece of My Mind – Christmas WILL Happen
- Liz at Grace Rules – Advent – A Journey of Awakening
Advent Synchroblog
I’ve decided to take part in the December synchroblog on the topic “Journey through Advent.”
A synchroblog is a group of bloggers all writing about the same topic on the same day. In this case, we’ll all be publishing our posts on December 7. You can join this synchroblog by jumping to the web site post “Journey through Advent” or by checking the Facebook page here. You’ll also find more information about the topic there.
I’ve enjoyed synchroblogs in the past, and I’m glad that I started taking part again last month. It’s a great way to read different perspectives, and to think about different subjects.
I hope you decide to join us.
Naming the Marginalized
This post is part of a synchroblog on the subject “Seeing Through the Eyes of the Marginalized.” It’s been a long time since I’ve taken part in a synchroblog, but I’m excited to get back to it, especially given this topic.
First, what does it mean to be marginalized? Here are a couple of definitions to get started:
1) Marginalization is the social process of becoming or being made marginal (to relegate or confine to a lower social standing or outer limit or edge, as of social standing).
2) Marginalization – often used in an economic or political sense to refer to the rendering of an individual, an ethnic or national group, or a nation-state powerless by a more powerful individual, ethnic or national group, or nation-state.
We all know the groups that are marginalized. Sometimes, the groups change from region to region, and from culture to culture. But, in my area, there are many different groups of people who are marginalized by society.
So, I began to ask myself, “How can I see through the eyes of the marginalized?” I realized right away that it was impossible for two reasons. 1) As long as I am not marginalized myself, I will never truly see through their eyes. And 2) “the marginalized” is a nameless, faceless, amorphous group that does not have eyes.
If I want to begin to see through their eyes – to begin to understand the marginalized – then I muse begin by getting to know them, by getting to know their names, and by listening to their stories. Once individuals replace the label “the marginalized,” I can begin to understand them.
You see, it’s one thing to care for “the sick,” but it’s something completely different to care for Tina. It’s one thing to care for “the homeless,” but it’s something completely different to care for Charvin. It’s one thing to care for “the widows,” but it’s something completely different to care for Peggy. It’s one thing to care for “single mothers,” but it’s something completely different to care for Shonna.
We can say that we care for “the marginalized,” but never get to the point where we actually no someone who is marginalized. We can even give money to help “the marginalized,” but in fact, we’re actually paying someone else to care for individuals for us. And, unfortunately, from experience, I know that often that money does not actually help individuals, because they are often treated as a group. (Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that we should give money to help groups. I’m saying that we shouldn’t stop there.)
It is only when we get to know the person, to hear their story, to learn about their struggles and pain and hopes and fears… it is only at that point that we will know who to love them and serve them. We love and serve people when we are no longer caring for “the marginalized,” but we are caring for Benny, Belle, May, Creston, Cathy, and Jimmy.
If you want to begin to see through the eyes of the marginalized – to truly understand their life and their plight – then begin by getting to know their individual names, and listening to their individual stories.
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There are other bloggers posting on the subject of “seeing through the eyes of the marginalized.” Links to their posts are below. I’ll add more as they come in:
- George at the Love Revolution – The Hierarchy of Dirt
- Arthur Stewart – The Bank
- Sonnie Swenston – Seeing through the Eyes of the Marginalized
- Wendy McCaig – An Empty Chair at the Debate
- Ellen Haroutunian – Reading the Bible from the Margins
- Christine Sine – Seeing through the Eyes of the Marginalized
- Alan Knox – Naming the Marginalized
- Margaret Boehlman – Just Out of Sight
- Liz Dyer – Step Away from the Keyhole
- John O’Keefe – Viewing the World in Different Ways
- Steve Hayes – Ministry to Refugees–Synchroblog on Marginalised People
- Kathy Escobar – sitting at the rickety-card-table-in-the-family room at thanksgiving dinner
International Women’s Day
Today is International Women’s Day. Originally, I had planned to write a post concerning women and spiritual gifts and the church, but that didn’t work out.
Instead, I want to take this opportunity to thank the women who have allowed God to use them in my life. Certainly, this starts with my wife and my daughter. But there are many, many women that God has used to teach, encourage, comfort, admonish, and grow me toward Christ-likeness.
When I think about these women, I recognize that they are not perfect. But, that’s okay. I am reminded of women like Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, Rachel, Tamar, Abigail, Bathsheba, Naomi, Ruth, Mary, and many, many other women in Scripture. They were not perfect. They often made very serious mistakes – very serious sins – but by God’s grace and their trust in him, God used them.
Think about the only three women who Matthew names in Jesus’ genealogy: Tamar, Ruth, and Mary. One seduced her father-in-law and became pregnant. One was a foreigner and was not (legally) allowed to be part of Israel. One was almost sent away because she became pregnant while engaged.
This was a motley bunch… a messy bunch… People looked down on them, but God showered them with grace and used them.
That’s the kind of women that we all need in our lives – motley, messy, despised, but grace-filled women. I thank God for this kind of women in my life.
So, while I didn’t write a post for International Women’s Day, I hope this little reminder helps make you thankful for the women that God has used in your life. Perhaps you might even tell them how much you appreciate them.
Here are some real posts for International Women’s Day:
Julie Clawson on the God who sees
Steve Hayes on St. Theodora the Iconodule
Sonja Andrews on Aunt Jemima
Sensuous Wife on a single mom in the Bible
Minnowspeaks on celebrating women
Michelle Van Loon on the persistant widow
Lyn Hallewell on women who walked with God
Heather on the strength of biblical women
Shawna Atteberry on the Daughter of Mary Magdalene
Christine Sine on women who impacted her life
Susan Barnes on Tamar, Ruth, and Mary
Kathy Escobar on standing up for nameless and voiceless women
Ellen Haroutunian on out from under the veil
Liz Dyer on Mary and Martha
Bethany Stedman on Shiphrah and Puah
Dan Brennan on Mary Magdalene
Jessica Schafer on Bathsheba
Eugene Cho on Lydia
Laura sorts through what she knows about women in the Bible
Miz Melly preached on the woman at the well
AJ Schwanz on women’s work
Pam Hogeweide on teenage girls changing the world
Teresa on the women Paul didn’t hate
Helen on Esther
Happy on Abigail
Mark Baker-Wright on telling stories
Robin M. on Eve
Alan Knox is thankful for the women who served God
Lainie Petersen on the unnamed concubine
Mike Clawson on cultural norms in the early church
Krista on serving God
Bob Carlton on Barbie as Icon
Jan Edmiston preached on the unnamed concubine
Deb on her namesake – Deborah
Makeesha on empowering women
Submission is given not taken
This post is part of a monthly synchroblog. The topic for November is “leadership”. At the bottom of this post you’ll find links to other posts about leadership.
Today is election day in the USA, and many Americans are thinking about leadership. In the church, Christians often think about leadership as well. In fact, as Hans Kung has stated, leadership defines the church to such an extent that, for many, ecclesiology is simply an exercise in hierarchiology.
Whenever we discuss church leadership, the question of submission arises. Who is supposed to submit to whom? How do those “above” get those “under” to submit to their decisions? I suggest that these questions demonstrate a flawed understanding of the leadership that Scriptures teaches the church.
Starting with Jesus, he said:
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:25-28 ESV)
Thus, according to Jesus, leadership among Christians is to be radically different – not front and center – but among and under. Leaders who follow Jesus’ example are not in front of a group directing them, but among and under a group serving them. Jesus was not talking about “servant-leadership”, but “servants”.
However, the more important point for this post revolves around the idea of “submission”. According to Hebrews 13:17, we are to “Trust our leaders, and submit to them.” This passage, and others like it, are often used by leaders to force, encourage, persuade, even cajole people into acquiescing to the decisions made by the leaders. This practice demonstrates a misunderstanding of submissions.
Leaders cannot force people to submit to them. This is not submission, but subservience. Instead, submission can only be given.
We often take instructions given to others and apply them for ourselves. For example, husbands often feel it is there responsibility to force their wives (or at least remind them strongly) to submit. Yet, the instruction is for wives to submit, not for husbands to force their submission (which is not submission but subservience or enslavement). Instead, husbands are instructed to love their wives. What does a husband do if his wife does not submit? He loves her.
The same can be said of leaders. We are told to follow or submit to those who are leading us. In reality, our submission demonstrates who our leaders are. Leaders are never told to force or even try to persuade others to submit to them. What are leaders to do if others do not submit? Keep living as an example of a disciple of Jesus Christ. We cannot choose whether or not people submit; we can only choose to obey for ourselves.
To look at it another way, is someone a leader if no one is submitting? If someone chooses not to submit (or follow) then I am not their leader – it doesn’t matter what “position” I hold, or what they say about me being a leader.
When Jesus began to teach about leaders among Christians, he pointed his followers to the “Gentiles” and said, “It shall not be so among you.” Today, most leaders in the church model themselves after the prevailing Gentile cultures and norms. But, this is NOT the type of leadership that Jesus taught.
Its time for believers to start following servants, not those who place themselves in the front of the group because of position or education or knowledge. And, its time for leaders to stop trying to force people to submit (which is not submission), and instead simply live their lives as examples of Jesus Christ. We persuade people to follow Christ, not our decisions and our leadership and our vision.
Submission is something that can only be given; submission cannot be taken.
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Below is a list of other bloggers who are taking part in the synchroblog on “Leadership”:
Jonathan Brink – Letter To The President
Adam Gonnerman – Aspiring to the Episcopate
Kai – Leadership – Is Servant Leadership a Broken Model?
Sally Coleman – In the world but not of it- servant leadership for the 21st Century Church
Alan Knox – Submission is given not taken
Joe Miller – Elders Lead a Healthy Family: The Future
Cobus van Wyngaard – Empowering leadership
Steve Hayes – Servant leadership
Geoff Matheson – Leadership
John Smulo – Australian Leadership Lessons
Helen Mildenhall – Leadership
Tyler Savage – Moral Leadership – Is it what we need?
Bryan Riley – Leading is to Listen and Obey
Susan Barnes – Give someone else a turn!
Liz Dyer – A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Polls…
Lionel Woods – Why Diverse Leadership is Good for America
Julie Clawson – Leadership Expectations
Ellen Haroutunian – A New Kind Of Leadership
Matt Stone – Converting Leadership
Steve Bradley – Lording or Leading?
Adam Myers – Two types of Leadership
Bethany Stedman – A Leadership Mosaic
Kathy Escobar – I’m Pretty Sure This Book Won’t Make It On The Bestseller List
Fuzzy Orthodoxy – Self Leadership
Synchroblog on Leadership
The November Synchroblog topic will be “Leadership”. The Synchroblog will take place on November 4 – election day in the US. I’ve written about leadership a few times in the past, and I have been working on another blog post about the relationship between leadership and submission. I’ve decided to finish that blog post for the leadership synchroblog. I look forward to interacting with you about that topic, and reading and interacting with the other bloggers on other topics related to leadership.
By the way, the leadership topics do not have to be about politics. As you can probably tell, my topic will not be concerned with politics. If you would like to take part in this synchroblog, or to sign up to receive emails about future synchroblogs, go to this web site and submit the form.
Maturity again…
I really enjoyed the synchroblog yesterday on the topic of maturity (see “Maturity and Education“). I thought I would share some of my favorite quotes from some of the authors:
“i think if i was summing spiritual maturity i’d say it’s “moving toward a more and more undivided life.†that what’s on the inside is on the outside. it’s giving up comfort & control. it’s living in the tension of Jesus ways & ours ways & asking help to tilt more toward his.” – Kathy Escobar
“It doesn’t mean that we don’t still disagree; it means it doesn’t matter that we disagree, it doesn’t change that we are family.” – Erin Word
When my Grandma Verna who lived to be 103 and was a true elder, turned 99, I asked her the question that I’d asked her every year on her birthday for as long as I’d been an adult: ‘Gram, what did you learn this year?’ She said, without hesitation, ‘I had to re-think my theology again this year. I always thought that it was my job to worry and pray and try to keep all of you (her extended family) on the straight and narrow path to heaven. Now I know that all I have to do is love you. That’s all I have to do!’ – Beth Patterson
“If someone still spends more time complaining about their circumstances than being thankful, edifying and joy-filled in their speech, then there’s good evidence that an infantile faith remains. It demonstrates that we have forgotten (or fail to believe fully) that God is loving us, blessing us, and taking care of us.” – Bryan Riley
“In stark contrast to the typical haphazard lifestyle most people embrace, maturity is taking pleasure in each sphere of relationship while making intentional choices for the betterment of each.” – Joe Miller
“And when I surrendered to being loved, I realized a startling truth. Love would change me from the inside. And the more I received His love the more I could reflect that love to the world around me. And the cool thing was there was no law against love.” – Jonathan Brink
There were other great blog posts. Take the time to read them all. Also, think about joining the synchroblog next month. Read Phil’s post “What is a synchroblog?” for more information and for a link to the page where you can join the synchroblog.
So, what is maturity?