The recent trampling of a Long Island, NY Wal Mart worker on the morning of Black Friday has elicited a lot of commentary about our economic mess, consumerism, and why we ought to Buy Nothing (Day). While I’m deeply saddened, probably the only fresh perspective I can offer would be as a former Long Islander looking in and my misgivings about the whole “Buy Nothing Day” idea. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s with a heavy heart that I announce this Sunday will be the last service for missioDei. Just shutting down the website now almost made me tear up, and convos w/folks have made me somewhat more heavier this week. There were some tears at the past few services and folks have been sad but supportive. I’m making the rounds now to make sure those committed few will continue to grow and get plugged in somewhere. What really bites is knowing that some great people invested deeply in us and if you know me you know that one of the things I hate the most is disappointing people. I wish I coulda done y’all proud but things just didn’t go our way. So here I am eulogizing the past 2 years with missio: Read the rest of this entry »
This holiday season there’s been a lot of buzz about nothing.
Specifically, buying nothing. Can’t help but wonder if somewhere subconciously it’s easier for us to advocate this concept now that the economy is stalling and we’re celebrating buy nothing day everyday anyway, but that’s a question I have for u economics types. Isn’t a “buy nothing” day a bad thing for the economy? Or is a buy nothing day exactly what we need since it was the over-consumerism that got us into trouble in the first place?
Thoughts galvanized by David Park re: Rev. Jeremiah Wright
Granted, the need for liberation amongst Asian-Americans is not really a pressing concern - after all, what do we need liberating from? But I think David is spot-on with his assessment of the future of Asian-American religion. Do we remain the strong, silent, passive types or do we have it in us to be aggressively assertive when it comes to relevance in American society today? I quote: Read the rest of this entry »
“stumbling block= lady putting belt & boots back on after security check”
That was a recent twitter from someone in the ministry who travels alot. It really jumped out at me for some reason; maybe its honesty and vividness. Those must’ve been some boots. So it got me to thinking about the occupational hazards of ministry, whether it’s travelling alone frequently, or the “car porn” which Eugene Cho alludes to, or the addiction to success and power which I’ve witnessed deteriorate ministries and personalities. So how do we protect ourselves from on-the-job stumbling blocks that are simply unavoidable? And on the flip-side, how do we keep ourselves fresh, whole, healed, strong, and dare I sound like a prude - holy?
My trip to the east coast has elicited much reflection & conversation about pastoring and starting new churches. I met with no less than 3 church planters while there and heard the glories and the “crap times” as one put it. I’m no church planting hotshot but i’ve got invaluable experience on several things that make it or break it for “church entrepreneurs”. Read the following at your own discretion; it will either discourage you or embolden you greatly. Read the rest of this entry »
I was listening to some radio preacher here in VA and thinking “preaching is so different out here compared to the west coast”. It was refreshing, until I realized it was John MacArthur. Isn’t he from LA?
At any rate, whenever I return to the Big Apple I see the pointed differences between East and West sides. A decade has changed me. People dress differently, even to church, think differently, work differently (you can’t get by on a single-income in metro NY). Music tastes are different. I won’t go into the nuances but one of the things I’ve noticed is even the theology - it would seem people on the east coast are more grounded, erudite, and historically educated on things theological, whether Arminian or Reformed, but especially the latter. Any West coasters beg to differ?
Grenz is waxing eloquent on the ecclesiological practice of baptism.
I’m understanding more not only the theological and sacramental significance of the act, but more so the sociological significance of it. Being a Protestant of the “Reformed” strain, I don’t place heavy emphasis on the sacramental side as if the act itself were the mediator of the intrinsic grace; rather I see it as a symbol of heavenly realities. But still more I am discovering the deep sociological implications of the act of baptism. It is an act of belonging and identification, precisely that which a fragmented, over-individualized society yearns for today. In this sense baptism is an exciting, celebratory symbol of being part of something. Isn’t that what culture at large is looking for today? So, how do u do it? Are you into dunking, sprinkling, or pouring?
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Currently Listening Third Eye Blind By Third Eye Blind Motorcycle Drive-by see related |
Back in NY for a few weeks.
Been feeling the nostalgia of the day I left home back in 2000. The above song was all I listened to at the time. Looking back, leaving was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. Like I related in sermon last Sunday, when faith came back to me after the confusing years, it came in force attached w/ an “irrational pull westward”. I looked as far as China, ended up landing in Seattle. And then Bellingham. But back home in NY reminds me of the things that I miss most as well as the reasons why I left in the first place. To this day it remains in the top 2 or 3 hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. How about you? Have you “left” home? How difficult was it? Were you the prodigal, or the sojourner, or the exile?
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. - Romans 13:1
I nary hear a Democrat cite this verse. It was always a Republican voice calling for support of a Republican president / platform. The question is, now that the tables are turned, will u still give a Democratic president your support? At any rate, it’s bad Biblical interpretation / exegesis.
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