Remember Remember the 5th of November.

The words of a British rhyme about the 5th of November when a conspiracy to blow up British parliament. It’s history not pretty, is traditionally held as the remembrance of the saving of the King and royalty. Recently, the character of Guy Fawkes was revived in the film V for Vendetta, the films hero uses the image of Guy Fawkes to remove a powerful modern fictitious new world order. Today in the real world, the 5th of November will be the day after the US presidential election. The day after probably one of the most interesting presidential election, and especially the election that’s primary focus has been centered on change.

Change. It is evident that the American people, want change. This is why I would ask for people to remember the 5th of November. The 5th of November is the day after the votes have been counted and the results are in. It is the day when the world will find out who will take the office of one of the most powerful figures on the planet earth. For some the 5th of November will be celebratory, for others, disappointing. For me I believe it is a day, like any other day, to vote.

Yes to vote.

The day after the election.

Everyday we have the power to vote. I find it somewhat humorous that our votes hold the image of elected Presidents.

Everyday you vote with your dollar. Where the money goes, how much, to whom and on what, are all things that elevate the importance of its recipient. Economy and Oil are the tops of everyone’s issues lists this year, the reason why is the dollar vote.

So how is this an opportunity?

To be quite frank, its the opportunity for the church, (i.e. body of Christ, believers, disciples, followers of Christ, other, etc.) to make what is important to the heart of God important to the lobbyists, representatives, members of Congress, city officials, Wall Street advisors, investors, presidents, rulers and others.

How does this work one may ask?

It works by where you vote. Buy from the companies that have non-exploitive and fair working condition policies for the goods manufactured. Write letters to people who will hold companies accountable. Write letters to your favorite companies and express your desire for them to change or support for their products may be stopped. Buy local. Shop fair trade. Consume wisely. These are economic changes any American, any human being can use to help create a better culture centered on the common good. Remember remember to Vote this 5th of November. And the 6th, and 7th, and 8th and so on.

When Worlds Collide

Lately I’ve felt like the worlds inside my life have been colliding. Colliding for priority of time and attention. One world is my occupation and all the things of busyness. The other world the things that matter to me the most; serving those with less, community, reading, reflecting, conversations, various things that feed my soul.

One world is tangible, material, outward focused, sometimes in a good way, and others in more of a selfish way. The other world is more spiritual, more not tangible. With the increase of work, hurricanes, and other matters, my capacity to do more has become very limited. I feel tired, weary, burnt out, high centered, spinning my wheels, not gaining ground, running around in circles, tractionally challenged––the list of descriptors could go on.

What am I doing wrong? Why can’t I ever feel like I’m in the zone, living out my passions, unburdened by the load my life has created. How can I have the moments that feed my soul and still have capacity to do the tangible things that matter greatly to me and that many times are things that I feel like matter to the heart of God?

Movement.

Specifically a shift.

A movement to Christ as the center. A movement from serving two masters to only serving one. Henri Nouwen once wrote, that before we can become hospitable, we must first become broken and empty our hearts to make room for others. In a moment of fleeting reflection on a Houston Metro Bus, I began to realize that I had let my heart become too full. Full of stuff that, despite it being important, limited the space for Christ in my life. Thus impacting the space I have for others. The fall out is nasty.

So where do we start?

Honesty is a good place to start. Maybe an honest look at what things are taking up our time. Maybe cutting back on work or studies is not the answer, but what about the TV? Internet surfing more recreational than intentional? Sleeping in? Staying up? For me, it used to be the X-Box and gaming. I really can’t spend ample time listing areas in my life I may need to reduce or have reduced to calm my daily to-do’s in hopes of regaining some of my life. What I can say is that I am learning that spending time praying, reflecting, feeding the soul, and centering my life around Christ is important enough that other areas are having to take a much lower priority. This is not fun nor easy, surrendering things is not easy, especially when they are not necessarily bad things.

We’ve started a series of talks this week we’re calling Divine Conversations. I believe a conversation with Jesus is also good place to start. Maybe we need to ask Jesus what He would like for us to lay at His feet. Maybe its a big dream or goal. Maybe it’s something as easy as a 30 minute reality show.

Jesus have mercy on me. On us.

Conversation at the FOM

we've created a new point of contact for all of us FoMers. conversation@thefom.com , what we are utilizing this email for is basically an opportunity, whether it be anonymous or not, for you to ask questions, start conversations on things that maybe going on in your world or the world around you. Many of these conversations will be carried on the FoM blog, not to worry names won't be posted and confidentiality is priority. drop us a line, ask some questions and lets see what conversations get started.

- asher