Saved for what?

Several years ago, I remember sitting around with a group of socially minded Christians, thinking about how we could change the world, when one person asked if personal salvation the point of the Gospel. There was an awkward pause as we all looked at each other. Finally someone broke the silence. No?

With a collective sigh of relief we all voices our frustrations with the gospel as it is preached in American Evangelical churches. A gospel that is laser focused on a personal salvation. A gospel that answers the question "What can God do for me?" Not that this isn't an important question. It speak to our very human condition, our brokenness and need for a savior.

But, the focus on personal salvation prevalent in evangelicalism comes at a cost. It puts blinders on us and makes us unable to see the larger picture of what God is doing throughout history and how we can play a part in it. We are saved by God, saved to play a part in his plan for the redemption of the whole world not just ourselves.

How we should speak of God

Let me be honest here, although I love theology I sometime hate talking about it.......

To often we talk about what we know about God and we forget about what we do not know. We forget that our theology needs to leave room for mystery.

I also have a firm belief that all theology is flawed. Paul says that, We only know in part. (1 Cor 13:12) We have only a portion of what we will know of God in heaven. We should speak humbly about what we are so firmly convinced of.

This is not to say that we shouldn't vigorously defend our theological positions, but we should do it with respect for others. Remembering that we could be just as wrong as they are. 

Work and Identity

It's never good when your wife tells you from across the table, "So now you know how I have felt for the past several months.".........

Sense moving to San Francisco my life has been different, in more ways than just 60 degree weather in February and a lot more mexican food. After working 13 years at a salary position where I worked a consistent 40 hours a week with a steady paycheck, I am now working contract. Which among other things means that my hours can vary wildly and my income can too. My wife, who works as a flight attendant has to commute back to Boston for work, so she has been forced reduced her work hours as well.  

This has caused me to question my identity a bit. If I'm not working 40 hours a week, maximizing my income potential, what am I doing with my life?  I have always said that my work didn't define me, but when faced with not working I find this space that want's to be filled. A part of me that needs to be defined. 

I really shouldn't be surprised by what I am feeling. American's are known for working to hard and taking little time off as compared to our European counterparts. The only people in America that aren't working full time are kids, the elderly, the disabled and the uber rich. I don't fit into any of those categories so it's no wonder that I feel out of place when I'm sitting at a table sipping a cocktail with my wife on a weekday afternoon instead of working at my desk.

Eds story

My intention in blogging for Lent was not to do it every day, but I saw this video this morning and I couldn't resist.

This is a beautiful story that speaks to so many things. What is our purpose on the earth, What is the role of the church, how do we treat the elderly and those with disabilities in our society, and how do we follow Jesus.

Enjoy.

Lent 2012

Growing up I didn't know what Lent was. It wasn't until I moved to Boston, a heavily catholic city, that I first encountered it. One seemingly random day a guy from the accounting department walked by my desk with a black smug on his forehead. In my concerned for him let him know that he might want to take care of that. Then he explained to me what Ash Wednesday was.

Sense then I have always been intrigued with Lent. I actually look forward to it each year. It gives me the chance to be disciplined and actually do something. To practice dependence on God in little ways in hopes that it will permeate the bigger things in my live.  This year I am doing three things for Lent; fasting from TV, eating better, and of course blogging.

Even before Lent started I was facing temptation. When I told my wife I was giving up TV she said that would cause a problem. Who would she have to watch The Bachelor with on Monday nights? Yes, I hate to admit it in a public forum, but we do watch The Bachelor. Mostly to comment on how silly the girls act. It's the little things that can make a marriage solid. I thought about using the get behind me Satan bit, but I know that wouldn't go over well. So I guess I will have to watch the final three episodes with her, but after that no tv!

Don Miller's new book!

What story are you telling? from Rhetorik Creative on Vimeo.

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Tour De Farms

This past weekend I took part in the Tour De Farms bike ride put on by Urban Adventours. It was a wonderful 35 mile bike ride through greater boston visiting community gardens and farms along the way.

There is a lot of talk about certified organic. We were informed at one of the farms that they were "uncertified organic", meaning that they follow all the rules of organic farming, but have decided not to pay the $15,000 fee that would label them as certified.

The most surprising fact that I learned was that a 1.5 acre farm cansupply vegetables for approximately 120-150 families. 1.5 acers is about the area a typical grocery store would take. It brings into perspective how we could get our food.