the cradle of christian faith

The truth of Christianity is not like the universal truths of reason.  The cradle of Christian faith is a story rather than a system.  Though the Bible includes many literary genres, what holds it together is a narrative unity: the story of what God is doing in the world through Israel, through Jesus Christ, through the church.

–Kevin Vanhoozer, “Pilgrim’s Digress:Christian Thinking on and about the Post/Modern Way” from Christianity and the Postmodern Turn

we might call this lived-hyperbole

Robyn Okrant is living Oprah.  (Wow.)

how cool is this place?

Browsing through some old trip pics; loving Venice all over again …

props to rustin (who gave props to brad) …

Who introduced me to The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard (who — let’s face it — probably deserves some props of her own).

It’s been three days since I first watched the thing … and.  Well, I still want it (also) on my blog.

I want to think more about it as well.  Maybe you do too.  Here’s our chance:

it seems she’s onto something …

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

–Margaret Mead, (explored further in Continuities in Cultural Evolution) 

in celebration of life …

I saw clouds (differently) for three days after I watched Bella.   

                                     

Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father’s will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to your will and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, my Lord and my God.  Amen.

–Book of Common Prayer, 1979

 

“maybe”

It’s a hopeful word; apt for my day.

Switchfoot teased out the concept a little more poetically: “maybe redemption has stories to tell; maybe forgiveness is right where you fell.”

After nearly 6 hours with a handful of what must be KC’s brightest and best urban workers, I’ve come away toying afresh with the concept. (And still pinching myself into believing that heroes are actually on the ground in such respective posts: a city mission, a church … a preschool.)

Up against a host of inexcusable or undesirable circumstances (and beside many, many others only barely surviving the mess), there are these few making strides at the good life. And maybe … just might be pulling it off. (Already there are stories to tell.)

Such courageous living (shall we call it redemption?) makes me eager to flirt with the concept: maybe, just maybe …

surrogate-motherhood, artificial insemination … and the incarnation?

Nothing like Oprah to deliver a little perspective.  Call me crazy, call me naive … (call me single and childless at 31); I had no idea the lengths that men and women (friends and, yes even, strangers) go to in attempting “success” at conception.  Having now been introduced to such extreme measures (think: daily dr.-appts, $350,000/year, international travel), I am struck by the last-ditch efforts of so many.  Makes me ponder the incarnation and what seems, on one-hand, to be the blessed ease of divine-conception, yet (on the other) the invasive extremes of God finding life in human flesh (about as miraculous and invasive as it gets, I guess). 

Hopping planes to “rent a womb” … daily injections to stimulate egg-production?  Think we may have sold-short the incarnation?

outta control … (but pretending still?)

Tonite, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Os Guinness discuss the effects of globalization (unprecedented technological speed, scale, and simulteneaty).  He mentioned 5:

1. Globalization is out of our control.  Globalization is not something we’re for or against: it is.  (First called “universalism” …  the language was changed when some decided it connoted too much human-control.)  We did universalism; globalization does us.
2. Globalization is unsustainable.  Here, Os described the effect of technology upon developing countries up against the finite resources of our earth.  (Wish I would’ve written down stats.  It was something like, “If everyone on earth were to live like Americans, the world could exist for another 5000 years.”  Um.  Whoa.)  This, big for jt, who longs (inappropriately so?) for the grace of technology to ease the lives of millions in need.
3. Globalization tempts “global elites” to less reflection and independent thought.  (That is, leaders begin to utilize systems [like google] and personnel structures [like specialists] to excel instead of thinking for themselves.)  Os sited top government and corporate execs who rely only and always on the advice of their aids–neglecting a framework that insists upon wisdom and (the time for) good, independent thought. 
4. Globalization tempts us toward a loss of responsibility.  Because of the technological speed, scale, and simultaneity inherent in globalization, we are not inclined to (or, in some cases, capable of) thorough evaluation on the ”front end.”  Ours is an age of unknown aftermath … or “tsunami-like dimensions,” to use Os’ language.  When my interests are not (immediately or apparently) threatened, I don’t care who else suffers or how.  (Wonder what Isaiah might have to say?)  
5. Globalization sets forward conditions for a perfect storm of evil.  With (a.) technological freedom (i.e., travel, internet), (b.) socialogical dysfunction (i.e., fragmentation, isolation/independence), and (c.) global profit motive (i.e., expanding with each developing country), pressure is building toward a storm that could result in unprecedented dislocation, oppression, poverty, and trouble for many.

May we reach outside of ourselves for the grace to discern, assess, and engage with issues so clearly out of our control. 

“it’s nice to have a relationship with a butcher …”

 

 (She said in a conversational tone.)  And I do believe those were the words verbatim.

What (do we ask?!) has advertising come to?  I mean, it’s not just that this is a bad idea for the local grocer’s ad-campaign.  (I’ve tried it in every context.)  It simply doesn’t work.  Ever.  (Isn’t this what “they” teach at University?!)  Frankly, I’m more spooked than ever to go for the 1/2 lb. of thinly sliced turkey at Price Chopper’s deli.

Does the PC Butcher expect ”relationship”?!  (Cordial conversation or else?!)  I suppose it’s the (implicit threat of) the knife that gets me most.  I mean relationship–maybe–with the flourist, the baker, the manager.  Okay, maybe even the 16 year old misunderstood bag boy.  But geesh!  It just doesn’t seem all that complicated to get this one right …