Eucatastrophe

When God's Will Makes No Sense At All

Kyle Lake published a book on understanding God's will.  I guess I need to read that book today, because this 33 year old emerging pastor and father of three was electrocuted in front of his 800 member church Sunday during a baptism service.  I met Kyle less than a month ago, and he was vibrant with Truth. Soon I am going to write something brilliant about how he died at 33 years of age just like Jesus, and how Jesus changed the whole world.  But now, I am meditating on his wife and three little kids and big stunned congregation, and I am recalling that no matter what, God is Good.  I know that, but today, I have to tell myself that and trust the goodness of God when I absolutely do not understand His will.

Daddyo, sad

FBI Director Louis Freeh: “I’m just a dumb cop from Jersey City…”

ABQ: Former director of the FBI under the Clinton administration, Louis Freeh, said he was the second choice for the job. When the position came open Clinton had intended to put one of his best buddies in the position, but suddenly the “travel-gate” scandal broke. Clinton’s advisers, to his great aggravation, insisted that he bring a stranger into the position of top cop for the nation. Clinton could not have picked anyone stranger than Louis Freeh. Freeh at first turned down the opportunity saying he was “not up to the job.” He relented, and despite philosophical differences with Clinton, Freeh jumped into the frying pan. Two months after he came in “while I was still in boxes” an aide sat down and briefed him on what would become the Whitewater scandal. Freeh felt compassion for Clinton because the constant distraction of scandal pulled the president away from more important matters. Freeh insisted, “the investigations were not personal; the President didn’t, still doesn’t, understand that.”

Freeh assured us he was bipartisan. Freeh arrived nearly an hour late for the group interview at Bookworks in the North Valley of Albuquerque. He had spent the day meeting local FBI agents. Agents are still his heroes; he wanted to be one as early as twelve years old. With the release of “My FBI” less than two weeks earlier, the book tour was still new to him. He assured us this was the first time he had spoken in a bookstore. During the wait Federal Judge Conway and an FBI agent entertained us with homespun stories about the legendary man. Freeh supports a group that trains Labrador Retrievers to be guide dogs and has a golden lab that was fired for being too friendly to be a service dog. Freeh is finishing raising six sons who he later assured us “all get their news from The Daily Show.”

Much of Freeh’s tenure was spent trying to fight Al Queda with antiquated resources. Over a four period he begged congress for $400 million to install a computer system “at least as good as the average twelve year boy’s,” but he got only $4 million. He begged for 1900 new agents to focus on terrorism; he got 74. He stated, ”the 9/11 commission report, I did not agree with…where the country was before 9/11, nobody would have seriously called it a ‘war.’” Later in discussing the bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, the bombing of US Soldiers in Beirut and the suicide bombing of the USS Cole, he expressed, “we have a long history of not responding to terrorism…basically our response was nothing.” He was dismayed that during the election the USS Cole bombing was off the headlines within 48 hours. “No one seemed to realize Al Queda was fighting a war against the United States of America.”

“What kind of messages were we sending to the terrorists prior to 9/11?...it was like the United States was walking around with a big sign on its back which said ‘kick me.”

We closed the interview with a question given to me by my eldest son, “would you rather have been at the helm on 9/11, or are you glad you weren’t?” The folks gathered gasped and chuckled at the question, but Louis looked grim, “I would have rathered to have been there, lots of agents showed up at their old offices wanting to help; yeah, I’d rathered been there…” Louis Freeh retired two months before the attack on the World Trade Center, having waited until Clinton left office.

Louis Freeh fought Al Queda back before it was the popular thing to do, and he stood with tenacity as he, over and over, investigated the man who appointed him. Louis Freeh is an enigma, a man of courage, and a great American hero.

Daddyo, reporting live from the North Valley, why? Because I can… Photo and Story Copyright 2005

Not the Post I Planned

I know it is absurd that I feel so thwarted.   In some crazy manner I think I am actually a journalist/theologian with a duty to provide fresh meat to all forty of you that check in every day.  So I was actually excited about my meeting Tuesday night with Louis Freeh, the FBI director under the Clinton Administration, but he was delayed until Wednesday night.  So then I got chewed out by someone I love who feels that blogging is not a good use of my time.  Touche'.   I did not even try to explain, wouldn't have helped...      So instead of some political scoop on Louis Freeh's thoughts regarding his personally getting DNA from Bill so they could test the semen on Monica's blue dress or his thoughts on 9/11 or on his pal W Bush (who lead the CIA at the time), I bring you plan B:   

The Duke City Derby

(You gotta click 'em to blow them up)

Many redneck little boys grow up loving wrestling, but watching sweaty monsters throw chairs at each other never appealed to me.  My heart belonged to the catty tawdry women of Roller Derby.   It was on at 5 a.m. Saturday mornings, so the clock would clatter as I bolted into the den in my jammies, pop tarts in one hand, milk in the other, and cackle at the beefy cheesecake elbowing each other in the gut.  Round and round they spun with tumbles and splayed limbs from unladylike body blocks and strikes and trips that inspired the likes of Tanya Harding.  These girls would growl as the bleeped epithets kept the time of the action.  It was heady porn for an inquisitive nine year old.

Thirty-five years later I finally get to see it live.   In campy madness, the Big House Brawlers and Dead Man's Curves tornado the rink, a burlesque on wheels.  The huge crowd of goths and dads, punkers and boys (look there's me at nine) hoop and howl every mad jab and bad breath spew of the ladies in torn hose.   In the end, well honestly I did not notice who won, it didn't matter.   The victory lap was an anti-climax for the boy/man who crawled somehow into the Zenith TV of his youth.

Thursday, Louis Freeh, I hope,

Daddyo in Transition

Here's a lil' lovin' from the boys in the band

What is the opposite of Evangelism?

Sometimes the best way to learn how to do it right is to study how others did it wrong...

I was coming out of my class on making movies at UNM Friday night when a team of teens came up to me and said, "would you like free ticket?"  I wondered what it was to, a movie? a play? a lecture?   It was a "ticket to heaven."  Some of the teens were carrying signs like this one:  "Jesus loves you, but not your sin."  I began to talk to some of these kids from a local youth group.  They were sweet and believed in their mission, but they had no clue how to share the Good News of Christ.  It appeared to me the extent of their training was on how to hand out the tracts that littered the ground in front of Popejoy Hall.

The kids I talked to had good intentions, and they were doing all they knew to do, but frankly this was the opposite of evangelism.  The first thing they did was offer a "free ticket" which wasn't ticket at all, it was a religious tract.   So they began their spiel with deception.  Then they carried the signs about how Jesus "hates your sin."  Non-believers generally do not see a distinction between their identity and their lifestyle.  So even if the target audience has a clue about what these kids consider "sin,"  the non-believer only sees if Jesus hates what I am then He hates me---which is definitely not the Good News of the Gospel.   Finally these well meaning kids gave no evidence of knowing how to share Christ effectively.

If the goal of these kids, and the pastor who brought them, was to picket---to express their disgust and condemnation of lifestyles they disapprove, well then, that's their right in America, but, if their goal was evangelism, not only was this a dismal and complete failure, but it did much harm to the Kingdom of God.

At the risk of cliche, what would Jesus do?   I'll bet all of these kids could quote John 3:16, but I doubt any of them knows John 3:17:  "I did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save it."  Jesus did come down hard on a particular group of folks:  religious bigots and hypocrites and those who used the guise of faith for profit, but Jesus consistently sought after and forgave and loved into the Truth those who the religious folks considered "sinners."

Here's another shot I took inside the building the teens were picketing (click it to blow it up).   So what would Jesus do to convey the Gospel to this young man?  Jesus would have asked him to have dinner with Him at the Frontier Restaurant (See Mathew 9:10-13 and 11:19), and if the teen evangelists started mocking the guy, Jesus would have said, "whichever of you has never sinned, speak first..." (See John 8:11)

I realize that it is my mission from God to convey the true heart and love of Christ to those who have been, or feel they have been, rejected by the traditional church.  Maybe this is not your mission; I'm cool with that.    But for God's sake if these folks are going to do "evangelism," I pray they would do it in love, not condemnation. 

I really do love you,  Daddyo in Transition

Weird Wild Weekend

Frankly, I always have the most spectacular weekends of anyone I know, but this one will be over the top even for me.   Tonight I'm attending a seminar by Lloyd Kaufman, the owner of Troma Films, and director of over 14 major films ranging from Rocky and Saturday Night Fever to The Toxic Avenger and Tromeo and Juliet.   He will be speaking on "How to Make Your own Damn Movie" based on his book by the same title.  Later tonight I am anxious to see the Eric McFadden trio.  Eric (best known for his work with George Clinton and the P-funk Allstars) will be here from San Francisco playing the upright bass fiddle with his wild mix of acoustic psychedelic metal---probably the best $7 dollar concert of the year...

Tomorrow morning Pat Lindsey (left) and I will be teaching a three hour seminar on "Thinking Outside the Box, Sharing the Love of Christ through Clowning, Face Painting, and Balloon Twisting."   So far we have around fifty folks signed up to come although Pat thinks there will be more than that.  It's been twenty years since I was a professional clown/magician, but I have brushed up on the topic this week, and the seminar should be a hoot.

Saturday afternoon I've got to see the Duke City Rollers (flyer above):  women's roller derby is back!  When I was a boy, watching these women scowl and elbow each other around the track was one of my favorite things in the world.   It's like women's professional wrestling on wheels.  Should be tons of fun.  Saturday night I've got counter culture church, and then I still have not picked which of several late night concerts to hit---or I might be whupped and call it a night.

Sunday, its early church, then I'm off to the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center for "Full Hearts Filling Empty Bowls" which we did last year and had a ball.  For $15 donated to local food banks, you get to pick from 2000 hand made bowls and then eat soups from all the best restaurants in town.   There will be lots of entertainment.   Mid-day my buddie and I are off to Santa Fe to see the Andy Warhol Exhibit at the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, meander through galleries and the Plaza, and use a buy one get one coupon at our favorite restaurant. 

You just don't know how much I wish you were here, we'd rent a bus, and I'd show you the best weekend of your life....    Daddyo in transition

Hope and More Hope

First of all, to my emergent friends who have been kind enough to stop by:  hola from New Mexico!  and a special thanks to Fredrik who is sending lots of folks my way.   My initial gathering reflections are below.

So for starters, rain in the desert is always special.  When I lived in Alabama rain was generally a nuisance, but here you know how crucial the moisture is to the beauty and survival of all.   I emerged from a magic shop (more about that in a sec) to find that it was raining cats and dogs, and yet, the sun was shining so bright I truly "had to wear shades," and as a gift there was this spectacular double rainbow.   (click the pic to make it big) So I looked to the east, where I had come from, and saw the source of rain (and life) as well as God's painted sky shouting: I give you hope and yet even more hope.   And to the west, where I was headed, I saw this (second photo) stunning clearing sky and sunshine dancing off every raindrop.

God told me two things: first, get your camera, boy, this is important, second, He said, even though you are still in the midst of rain, and you are uncomfortable, behind you and hovering over you is my promise upon promise to sustain you, and before you are brighter days, if you will follow the path I have set.

I know there are people who are questioning my choices (my emergent friends understand I am deconstructing).  Heck, I question my path every day, but I know that I know God has my back, and God has ordained glorious days to come.

I love you, oh, and the magic shop was donating materials for me to use in a clowning workshop I am doing this weekend at my church---thanks Magic Man!  Daddyo in Transition

Emergent Gathering 2005: Church is Relationship

Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there I AM with them...

The Emergent Conversation is not a denomination.  While it is likely the hottest new buzz concept in Christiandom, it is not (yet) a movement.   It is all about relationships.   That's why the gathering had no celebrities, no set agenda, no sermons.  There was no prayer or hymns, old or new, when we gathered as a group.  Frankly, this did strike me as odd.  Everyone there would have agreed there is a time for corporate worship, corporate prayer, and corporate music, but more than anything else we were seeking unity.  And not unity in some esoteric conceptual facade, but unity through intimacy: to recognize our interconnectedness, and to understand that the God in us flows in and through each of us and into each other.   I sought to overcome my shyness and prejudices and feel the magnetism of heart pulling on heart---of Christ's ebb and flow from soul to soul.

I have been thinking much about the role of the church.  Now when I said that your mind immediately saw church as a building.  Hopefully your image of church included people with hearts hungry for God.   But I am thinking of church outside the box;  Church more in keeping with the first century than the organized system of places and hierarchy that has evolved over the centuries.   As much as the protestant reformation sought to distance itself from the Catholic dynasty, it did in fact keep the concept of church as a place with defined roles and persons in leadership.   I am not pronouncing this structured system as inherently wrong, but I do feel it is not an adequate reflection of the Kingdom of God. 

Acts 2:42>  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.

This verse offers a microcosm of the first century church (not a complete one, but a good start).  Because Jesus did not give many specifics on the format of what we recognize as church today we can look to the initial church as a good demonstration of the purest expression of Christ's intent.   There are four seemingly equal parts noted in this verse.   The Apostle's teaching is indeed analogous to modern day gatherings for preaching and teaching.   The fellowship would link to today's moments before church starts and when it ends as well as, I guess, the two minutes or so in the service where we are instructed to shake hands and/or hug those near us in the pew (aka the sharing of the peace).   The breaking of the bread is demonstrated weekly, monthly or annually in the form of the Lord's Supper/Communion.  "and to prayers" doesn't really tell us whether this was corporate or private, but I suspect it was both.  This still occurs, but I don't see many who are devoted to prayers. 

I believe the emphasis today on teaching/preaching is out of balance.   It is definitely not wrong, and if anything the twenty or thirty minutes on Wednesday and again on Sunday is nothing compared to the amount of teaching likely received by the first century believers.   But preaching/teaching has largely become the focus of our common Christian gatherings, particularly in the denominational church.   I do not believe that focus reflects the heart of God.   Fellowship seems to be given equal relevance in Acts' list here.   Again, this does not necessarily mean equal time, but there is tremendous value placed on the brothers and sisters gathering, conversing, and loving one another.  They will know we are Christians by our love... (1 Peter 1:7)   Is that really demonstrated today?  Ask a non-believer if he/she thinks Christians are known by their love.   The answer will likely not be pretty.

Breaking of Bread.   Is that communion only or gatherings for meals?  I think both.   I have often felt more like I was in "church" when we all had a meal together, than in the service itself.   There is a miraculous interconnection that occurs as we eat and converse and laugh and weep that simply does not happen much in the formal service.   How often do we believers eat together?  Not nearly enough.

Devoted to prayer...I don't feel like tackling this one now, but suffice it to say, we need to indeed, both individually, in small groups, and communally, DEVOTE ourselves to prayer.

So what is the church model for the Kingdom of God rising within us?  It is RELATIONSHIP.  It is INTIMACY.  Not just with God, but with each other.   It is understanding that time spent with each other just laughing and talking and praying and eating is every bit as important as corporate worship and corporate teaching/preaching.   As the Kingdom rises within us the bright line distinction between church and our every day life will and must fade.   The Kingdom is unity, the Kingdom is now, and the Kingdom is all day long...

I love you, don't be afraid to tell me I am full of crap, talk to me,  Daddyo

Pictured above is tall skinny Kiwi, from Australia, by way of Scotland, and a friend meandering down Canyon Rd. in Santa Fe.

Emergent Gathering 2005: First Thoughts

I am likely the first one back home from this year's Emergent Conference.  I am still digesting the whirlwind, but wanted to toss up some preliminary thoughts.  So here, in no particular order, are my first set of top ten observations from the cutting edge of the Kingdom:

1.  The format was flawless.  There was no format.  There was no set agenda.  There were no advertised speakers or seminars.   When we arrived various folks suggested topics of conversations.  Three times a day there were five or so different "conversations" you could join.   The only problem was choosing which of several awesome topics to attend.

2.  There were no celebrities.  Yes, the heroes of the "movement,"   the authors whose books have changed my life, and the web writers who are changing the world, were all there.  They stayed in the same dorms as the rest of us and their name tags carried only their first names.  This was radical Christianity for America---we were all equally relevant to the gathering.

3.  I had breakfast with my favorite author in the world.  He asked me questions and actually got excited about what I had to say.  It was all I could do not to weep or gush, but I stayed cool.  On the outside.

4.  Mark and Holly (pictured above) are the two coolest people I have met in a long long time. 

5.  Friends for life.   I met so many awesome people!  I was particularly impressed with a handful of folks that I kind of misjudged.  It would be like someone handing you a key to Volkswagen and said the car was yours---but when you went out to see it, it was actually a hot rod Porsche.   Those relationships took time to blossom, but it was worth the wait.

6.  Speaking of misjudging.   I met a lady that had spooked me a little.  Frankly, her thoughts crossed a theological line that I thought went too far.  But I got to know her.  I still think she crosses the line, but I love her, and she has a heart of David.  The emerging church (just like your church) has some colorful folks, but they are awesome if one takes the time to know them.

7.  Folks came from all over.   I hung out with a guy from Scotland, a guy from Croatia, a guy from Montreal, and a guy from Finland.   Probably every state in America was represented.  As far as I could tell there were nearly as many female pastors/ministers as male.   There were lots more people I wanted to get to know, but there just wasn't enough time.

8.  We got a scoop from Brian McLaren.  One of the sessions was where he read us a piece he was working on and got our feedback.  Folks were slinging theology like mashed potatoes in a high school food fight.  This was an article that will make a paradigm shift in the movement when it is published,  and it's Brian's news to tell, not mine.

9.  There were kids.   I was a bit startled to see several folks brought their kids.  The family atmosphere really added to the gathering, and I mourned for my family.  Andrew Jones brought his wife and FIVE kids from Scotland to be here.

10.  The emergent dialog is like eating fish.  You pull off the meat and toss what doesn't chew.  But my how fine the meat was!   

Details coming soon...love you, Daddyo in Messico

Returning to the womb of childhood

Hello from the transient Bible thumpers of downtown 'Burque.  This blue eyed prophet was pacing back and forth reading aloud and flipping a Bible big enough to be a weapon.   His eyes danced with fear and wonder like a lioness watching you pet its cub.   He is beautiful (please clic the pic to make it big).  I pressed a Susan B. into his palm precisely because he did not ask for it.   May he sleep in peace tonight knowing he has fulfilled his mission of warning us all and moving by the spoken word the things of the heavenly realm into the earthly realm...

I hit nearly a dozen galleries this weekend.   The Duke City Fix had hyped a show at a new gallery called Bivouac.  I do everything the Fix tells me to do, so me and the hundred dollar Caddy sauntered to Barelas---that retro hip diamond in the rough on the south end of fourth.   At the gallery (across from the Barelas coffee shop and next door to the Donkey Gallery) I became a child again.   I came into what I thought was the smallest gallery on earth, glanced at the paper pieces pinned to the wall and started to politely excuse myself.   Artists danielle ferreira and alexa wheeler stopped me and said, "aren't you going to see the show?"   I laughed and they pointed to a small hole at the bottom of the back wall.   Danielle said, "you have to go through there, but first take off your shoes..."   I am game for nearly any adventure, so, like Moses at the art bush, I slipped off my slip ons, went down on my knees, and squeezed my ample hips through the hole in the wall.   I was unborn.  I want desperately to tell you what was in there, but if I do you won't go.  Suffice it to say it is a rare commodity to experience art for art's sake---with no eye to commerce---just to move the viewer into another reality because good art makes us better people.   This art happening was brilliant, charming and haunting.  It took me to a place I have not thought of in years; a place where I was more at peace with the world.  Danielle and Alexa, thank you.  The show called "Hooked to Boat Song Stitches"  will be open weekend afternoons through Oct 30.  They took the "art crawl" literally, and it's worth taking off your shoes.

I also saw over a dozen mini concerts thanks to the benefits for Katrina and for Breast Cancer Friday and Saturday.   I thought the show at the Kiva, Chickory and Chili was awesome.  I had never seen Jenny Bird before, and she was amazing.  The cajun music was a hoot and appropriate as was the fine but short blues set.   I was particularly moved by Iraqi composer, Rahim AlHaj.    As our hearts went out for those devastated here in America, it was appropriate, I thought, to also consider those devastated by the turmoil in Iraq.  The whole time he played my conservative and my liberal sides tussled back and forth---as I watched this brilliant handsome man I thought, this is who we saved, and then I would think this is who we killed.  It was important to put a face on the "enemy."  My poet buddy was not as impressed with the show as I was, and I realized I am so hungry for art my standards likely offer too much grace, but it was a fine show. 

Saturday night featured the Breast Cancer Benefit show at the El Ray, Golden West, and the Wind Chime gallery.   I've rambled too long posting to a weekend readership that does not exist, but suffice it to say the Handsome Family was worth waiting until midnight to see.   This quirky alt country group has been reviewed with kindness by Rolling Stone and Spin.  It was a treat to see them live.   I am not a fan of most country music, but I loved this. 

Peace, Love, and I'm off to Billy and Tara's wedding...Daddyo in Messico

Would you want to your son to go to war based on W's ability to hear from God?

First, here's an interesting piece on W's talks with Palastinian ministers:

Nabil Shaath says: "President Bush said to all of us: 'I'm driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, "George, go and fight those terrorists in Afghanistan." And I did, and then God would tell me, "George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq …" And I did. And now, again, I feel God's words coming to me, "Go get the Palestinians their state and get the Israelis their security, and get peace in the Middle East." And by God I'm gonna do it.'"

Abu Mazen was at the same meeting and recounts how President Bush told him: "I have a moral and religious obligation. So I will get you a Palestinian state."

W has told the Palestinians that he is on a mission from God to take land from Israel and give them a state. If that can be done peacefully great, but as my conservative brother in Christ Ken notes "taking land from God's chosen people is tantamount to cursing your own people..." I do not think it is liberal of me to question W's ability to hear from God and whether tens of thousands of our boys and girls should put their life on the line on the basis of W's ability to hear from God. Note too that CNN is reporting today that war in the middle east is costing all of us $350 billion. If W was really hearing from God that much money would have been enough to fulfill the great commission! I have great respect for W, and give him much grace; I am just concerned with his "God told me to go to war" comments. By those statements he is setting a scenario for a religious war in the middle east----would that not be perceived as the battle of Armageddon?

UPDATE:  The White House is now denying W made these statements; however, the BBC will be broadcasting the interviews with these comments beginning Monday nights; we will see...

Love ya!  Daddyo in Messico