Wednesday, April 22, 2009

What does Social Justice Mean to you? Part 2 or Dude Where's My Kingdom?

A 6th century mosaic of :en:Jesus at Church Sa...Image via Wikipedia


If Jesus had a catchphrase it might be "The Kingdom of Heaven is near." He seam to be saying it all over the Gospels. When Jesus heals people, the Kingdom of God seams to be near. When someone shows great faith, the Kingdom of God is near. Why is this?

As human beings there seams to be something that is dividing us separating us from experiencing God, his Kingdom. Something that we were made for. Perhaps it's Chaos creeping back into our lives. Traditional Christian teaching would say that it's sin that separates us. I usually make it a habit not to contradict 2,000 years of thought but I might add a little something to this...... Perhaps it's not so much the bad things that we're doing (sin), but it's the good things that we are not doing that is what is keeping us from experiencing Gods Kingdom. What would happen if we followed Jesus example of loving others selflessly. When we stand up alongside those who are being oppressed and help them to overcome, would the Kingdom of God be nearer to us? I think it would.

When a retiree helps a little kid learn to read, the Kingdom of God is there. When someone is healed from a debilitating disease, the Kingdom of God has been experienced. When a homeless man gets a warm meal and a change of clothes from a stranger, the Kingdom of God has manifested. It's as if Chaos has been pushed back a little bit further and we can experience the Kingdom of God when we love other people.

The funny thing about this kingdom is that it's not based on rules. There is no secret password at the door. There is no way of keeping people out. There might not be any doors, walls or borderlines at all. Instead this kingdom is based on what we do. The common actions that we perform together. That we are loving our neighbors. That we are feeding the hungry and clothing the poor. People can be experiencing the Kingdom of God and not even know it.

Come join us in the Kingdom of God.

Parable of the sheep and goats: Matt 25:31-46

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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What Does Social Justice Mean to You? Part 1 or Plant a Garden


A couple of years ago the question, "What does Social Justice mean to you?", was asked in a group of friends. We all gave our own quick 5 minute synopsis and moved on. But this question has always stuck with me. So I have deiced to turn it into a series of blog posts. As a note; I am not theologian, I have never been to seminary or bible college. I like theology but get tired of it quickly when it's all fine sounding arguments and no action. That being said please read on.....

When I think about Social Justice, I don't think about Jesus or the Prophets of the Bible. Instead I think back to Genius. There is something about that first story that intrigues me. What was here before we were? One interpretation of Genius would suggest chaos was here first. Nothingness swirling around in a cosmic void with no order, pattern, or purpose.

In the first few versus, God simply speaks and things start happening. There is light. There is water and land, ect. As he creates these things he also fills them. The light comes from the sun. The water is filled with fish. The land is inhabited with animals. And after creating the first people he gives them jobs. They are to tend to the garden, seemingly to keep chaos from creeping back into Gods creation.

A group of my neighbors are planting vegetable gardens this spring. To me, there is something Justice related about this action. Taming a wild and abandoned section of the city. Where there once was chaos there will soon be a harvest. Where there was there once was neglect will be now be sustenance.

This sounds a bit like Justice to me.

I am the God who brings life to the dead and calls things that aren't as thought they were. Romans 4:17b

Photo Credit: Robertg6n1 (Click)

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Monday, April 20, 2009

This I Use to Believe

As I have previously mentioned on the Blog I am a fan of the radio show This American Life. This week they has a great program called "This I Use to Believe" A take on This I believe, a different NPR program.

In the second segment of the show there is a great dialog between a former believer and a Texas high school football coach. It offers some great insights into the missed conversations between believers and non-believers.

If you have a free moment you should check it out. (Click)

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Improving on Perfection

There are few things in this world that embody beauty and perfection. The Sistine Chapel, the grand canyon, and bacon come to mind. But how could you ever improve on these things.

This for lunch today I visited Scup's in the Harbor. I decided to have the grilled cheese with sweet and spicy bacon. It was like heaven in my mouth.

I'm not exactly sure what they did to the beacon, but I think they added brown sugar and pepper. Perfection improved upon.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Lent 2009



These pictures are from my Lent project this year. They were taken around my neighborhood i an attempt to understand my neighborhood better. You can view more photos at my flickr account.

Friday, April 10, 2009

The Servernt Savior


Colossians 4:12
Originally uploaded by sgs_1019
Today is Good Friday, the day Christians set aside to observe the death of Jesus. The day they rejoice and morn over as Gods plan to redeem mankind's sinfulness. Jesus death on the cross is viewed as the pinnacle of history and Gods ultimate gift to mankind. Historically this has been called Christus Victor (Click)

Modern Evangelicalism has been built upon this theology. It is the lens through all things are viewed, effecting the way we see all things and how we treat all people. Christus Victor is the driving force behind evangelism, giving christians the passion to preach the gospel at all costs to see as many people as possible saved. But what if this wasn't the only way to observe Good Friday.

What if we viewed Good Friday as an act of a servitude? What if Jesus came to earth to show us Gods love. What is Jesus came to show us how to serve, to give all of yourself to others, to give our very lives. Could servitude be Gods plan to usher in his kingdom?

What if we practiced servanthood instead of preaching man's sinfulness.

What if we loved and cared for the poor so deeply that it upset the status quo?

Would people want to join our churches and communities?

Would we have more of an impact on those around us?

Would people see Jesus in us?

Monday, April 6, 2009

Spring

At lunch today, during in a break in the rain, I went for a short walk around the North End. I began to think about the end of Lent. For the first time I got excited about Lent and not just that it's ending, and I can end my fast. I reflected on rebirth, the renewing of a life and the hope in something new. I think I may have stumbled on to the Easter Spirit.