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.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
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
- asher
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
The Space Between
The space between what's wrong and right Is where you'll find me hiding waiting for you.
- Dave Matthews Band, The Space Between
We've just finished a new conversation at the FOM this week on Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll. I'm looking forward to the conversations that this will hopefully start, and to where these conversations will lead us in our journey together as a community. Many times I seem to find myself entering into a very self-centered conversation on how I live my life, or how a life should be lived, and in this I find myself afraid. I'm afraid of the freedom that conversations like this may bring, and yet, I'm not sure if "freeing" myself is the ultimate end of this conversation, but maybe creating space for others.
For years sex, drugs, and rock & roll, have been walls that the church has used to separate itself from others; the rejection leaving hurt and scars.
Scars that I believe need healing.
When you look at the life of Christ, you see a friend to sinners. You see that He was about the marginalized and those on the fringes of society. My prayer that as we continue in Him, we continue to find space for those around us. Peace!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Authenticity: Keeping it Real.
There times in life that certain buzz-words are what I am all about. Words like 'Green' or 'Missional' or 'Relevant'. Recently a favorite buzz-word of mine became a bit more real to me and acted more as a 'buzz-kill' in showing me where I really don't know what it means to be, well, to be authentic.
For some time authenticity has held this 'keep it real' mentality, where cynicism and telling 'people how it is' has taken a front seat. Don't misunderstand, I believe honesty and candor, and speaking one's mind is important, within the context of love and caring, and having empathy for those around us. But this is not the point. It is difficult to express what thoughts are running around my head, so maybe it would be best if I share with you an experience I had recently that showed me what it means to be authentic.
This past Sunday night we had a slightly different worship service. Recently our church sent a missions team to Moldova (in Eastern Europe) to work with a missionary we had commissioned to go there a year ago. We sang a few songs, then Brandon, our lead pastor, greeted everyone in normal fashion, acknowledging our value of be real and having authentic community and worship with others. He then turned the service over to Nate Sloan (the missionary). Nate began by telling us other stories, and then opened the floor up to the others that went on the trip.
Thus begins the shift.
The first team member to share told of meeting the kids and various other activities, and then began to talk about what God had done in their life, and how when they where telling the story of their life with God, they told it in the most honest way that they ever had. I remember thinking on this through out the service. How it resonates with my own life and story. A story that sometimes seems to change with the telling, making sure I get all the words right so maybe it doesn't sound too bad or it sound cooler or something. Reflecting back on this moment I realize this was the set up, and an even deeper turn was to occur. One of the elders of the church that went shared their experience on the trip. After a few images and stories, they made a comment about our culture confusing excellence for execution, and then they played a video clip. And here is where I was introduced to the real authenticity.
The clip was one of the worship services they participated in. A service in a dark basement, a small table and one light, and a song. A song that was being sung by one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. It was truly a humbling experience. What was humbling was the genuine-ness of their worship, the honesty of their worship. This song flowing from a real life love for Jesus. Watching this video clip, I was convinced beyond a doubt, that these people love Jesus, they really do.
This has left me is broken.
It's difficult for me to express what exactly I am feeling. I feel like I have replaced a life of sitting on the lap of Jesus, resting my head to His chest, feeling His heartbeat with cheap satisfactions when unimportant conditions are correct. I've struggled to fill that void with experiences of "thank God they're playing my favorite worship song" and achieving proper execution of service, only left to the frustrations of not filing the whole.
In my broken-ness, by His grace, would Jesus help me keep my life with Him real, genuine, and authentic, and that He would take away those imitation things that I try to put in its place.
For some time authenticity has held this 'keep it real' mentality, where cynicism and telling 'people how it is' has taken a front seat. Don't misunderstand, I believe honesty and candor, and speaking one's mind is important, within the context of love and caring, and having empathy for those around us. But this is not the point. It is difficult to express what thoughts are running around my head, so maybe it would be best if I share with you an experience I had recently that showed me what it means to be authentic.
This past Sunday night we had a slightly different worship service. Recently our church sent a missions team to Moldova (in Eastern Europe) to work with a missionary we had commissioned to go there a year ago. We sang a few songs, then Brandon, our lead pastor, greeted everyone in normal fashion, acknowledging our value of be real and having authentic community and worship with others. He then turned the service over to Nate Sloan (the missionary). Nate began by telling us other stories, and then opened the floor up to the others that went on the trip.
Thus begins the shift.
The first team member to share told of meeting the kids and various other activities, and then began to talk about what God had done in their life, and how when they where telling the story of their life with God, they told it in the most honest way that they ever had. I remember thinking on this through out the service. How it resonates with my own life and story. A story that sometimes seems to change with the telling, making sure I get all the words right so maybe it doesn't sound too bad or it sound cooler or something. Reflecting back on this moment I realize this was the set up, and an even deeper turn was to occur. One of the elders of the church that went shared their experience on the trip. After a few images and stories, they made a comment about our culture confusing excellence for execution, and then they played a video clip. And here is where I was introduced to the real authenticity.
The clip was one of the worship services they participated in. A service in a dark basement, a small table and one light, and a song. A song that was being sung by one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. It was truly a humbling experience. What was humbling was the genuine-ness of their worship, the honesty of their worship. This song flowing from a real life love for Jesus. Watching this video clip, I was convinced beyond a doubt, that these people love Jesus, they really do.
This has left me is broken.
It's difficult for me to express what exactly I am feeling. I feel like I have replaced a life of sitting on the lap of Jesus, resting my head to His chest, feeling His heartbeat with cheap satisfactions when unimportant conditions are correct. I've struggled to fill that void with experiences of "thank God they're playing my favorite worship song" and achieving proper execution of service, only left to the frustrations of not filing the whole.
In my broken-ness, by His grace, would Jesus help me keep my life with Him real, genuine, and authentic, and that He would take away those imitation things that I try to put in its place.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Why We Gather
I spent most of my life growing up in a non-denominational Evangelical church. Most of my life has been spent in church services, usually 3-4 times a week I was in church. After graduating high school, I became involved in youth ministry leading small groups, working at a church camp, as well as various other ministries in our church, most of which centered around a church service. Over time this became very laborious, very routine. I had spent countless hours at conferences or meetings, researching and trying to learn how to have a good church service, each one usually the same, centered around a gimmick, or some current pop culture. Eventually that was all that I thought about church services, was how to do them.
To be honest, until I got out of going to church regularly for a while I realized I needed to know why.
Since being introduced to the post modern and emerging church about 2+ years ago, I've been amazed at how church gatherings are happening, organically and obscure; from theaters to coffee shops to night clubs and cigar bars. Amazing. But not entirely the point.
Let me be specific and a bit candid.
I think small groups, meeting in homes breaking bread is amazing. I think meeting at local establishments to have coffee or a pint and great conversation is excellent and necessary.
Building community. Sharing life with each other, but there's this other piece. This other time of gathering. What is it about?
It's about the center.
The moments we gather to sing songs, and pray, the moments when we all come together is wrapped around the center of it all. Christ.
It's a moment when we come to worship Him for what He has done, for what He said He will do. It's sharing the joy with each other of living a life with Jesus, the God became man. Its a re-centering, a moment of reflection.
To be honest, even as I type these words it is hard to believe. It's an area I struggle with. This last sunday I visited a church in Houston, and found myself distracted and somewhat restless, fighting my mind from wandering. Thinking about the service on the bus ride home, I felt like I had ruined myself and could no longer just "attend" a church service. After a few moments, with my mind quieted, and my heart open, I began to realize that it wasn't about the church service anyway. It's about the condition of my heart. It's amazing really, I spend most of the bus ride home from church thinking about how to go to church, and not about how to grow closer and fall more in love with the One who church is all about.
I've forgotten my first love, ironically it's not for the love of another its for the quality of the date.
To be honest, until I got out of going to church regularly for a while I realized I needed to know why.
Since being introduced to the post modern and emerging church about 2+ years ago, I've been amazed at how church gatherings are happening, organically and obscure; from theaters to coffee shops to night clubs and cigar bars. Amazing. But not entirely the point.
Let me be specific and a bit candid.
I think small groups, meeting in homes breaking bread is amazing. I think meeting at local establishments to have coffee or a pint and great conversation is excellent and necessary.
Building community. Sharing life with each other, but there's this other piece. This other time of gathering. What is it about?
It's about the center.
The moments we gather to sing songs, and pray, the moments when we all come together is wrapped around the center of it all. Christ.
It's a moment when we come to worship Him for what He has done, for what He said He will do. It's sharing the joy with each other of living a life with Jesus, the God became man. Its a re-centering, a moment of reflection.
To be honest, even as I type these words it is hard to believe. It's an area I struggle with. This last sunday I visited a church in Houston, and found myself distracted and somewhat restless, fighting my mind from wandering. Thinking about the service on the bus ride home, I felt like I had ruined myself and could no longer just "attend" a church service. After a few moments, with my mind quieted, and my heart open, I began to realize that it wasn't about the church service anyway. It's about the condition of my heart. It's amazing really, I spend most of the bus ride home from church thinking about how to go to church, and not about how to grow closer and fall more in love with the One who church is all about.
I've forgotten my first love, ironically it's not for the love of another its for the quality of the date.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Living the Dream
This past weekend I went to the Texas hill country for Independence Day, and then to Lufkin, Texas, and then Houston. During the going to and fro, I saw a lot of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd's. and that had me thinking about MLK, his dream and a very common phrase I seem to hear a lot. Whether it's a Facebook status, a bumper sticker, or some form of communication, I have been told by several people that they're "Living the Dream."
I've been even told by other people that because of my (at the time) nice apartment, gaming console, flat screen TV, and being single, I was in fact, "Living the Dream."
To be honest, I've been wrestling with this thought that living a life of self-indulgence is a dream? Not just a dream, but the dream.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for having a good time. A little R&R is pretty good for one's soul. But when I think about MLK's dream, a dream that he gave his life to, and quite frankly, a dream that 50 inches of HD Halo until your eyes melt can't compare.
I guess my question is not what is "Living the Dream", but what is the dream worth living, or rather what is the dream worth giving life for?
I think dreams like these are hard to find. I think the reason they are hard to find is because they are found in the place where intimacy and surrender with God is found. We can call it our calling, or purpose driven whatever, or even our preferred future. Many times we call it our dreams, today I'd like to maybe refer to it as our journey.
This journey, this life with God. Breathtaking and immense are these moments in which we interact and live life with the living God. TE Lawrence once said, “All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
They act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. They act out their journey with open eyes to make it possible. Wow. Incredible. To live life interacting with God, walking out our dreams in the path that He has set for us. Simply amazing.
Millions are spent finding a life of purpose, a life with a dream worth giving life to. Millions are spent trying to find this thing that can only be found in one place. Intimacy with the Father.
To be honest, thinking about the dream God has for me brings more questions and frustrations then answers, but what I do know is that compared to the life I have lived before, I think now I can say, "Yeah, I'm living the dream."
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