bigger eyes, wider embrace, longer stride

a grudge match and a glory march (reflection on readings for Proper 10)

You can read the lessons for July 12th, Proper 10, here.

In the readings for this Sunday, we see a series of grudge matches and glory marches. 

First, it is David leading 30,000 men of Israel with a dance, accompanied by shouting and trumpets.  All for God's glory, present in the Ark of the Covenant.  But Mikhal holds a grudge.  She's embarassed, ashamed, disgusted by this undignified display.  David's dance-of-the-Ark has always fascinated me.  It's a striking story.  And as a worshiper and worship-leader, it is a text that I've considered in connection to the role of physical action in worship.  But despite those who would hold a grudge against him (Saul's cohort and his disgusted wife, Mikhal), David dances for God's glory.

Second, in the Psalm for the day, we see that those who worship idols and swear falsely don't come near the glory of God's presence.  Instead, they are blinded, cut off by their own preference for the parasites of idolatry and lies.

Finally, in a shocking Gospel story, John the Baptist, living recklessly for the glory of God, for the kingdom coming, comes under the grudge-induced knife of the king.  Herodius had a grudge against him and was looking for a way to kill him.  She found it when an erotic dance so pleases the king that he makes promises that he wishes he didn't have to keep.  John is beheaded because of a grudge.  But Jesus says later of John that no one greater has lived.

It seems that much of our human (and inhuman) activity is driven by grudges.  But if we reverse that and instead live (and dance) for God's glory, we will see the King of Glory come in! 

Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

hope for Africa

I don't believe that hope is a pipe dream.  I don't believe that hope is inconsequential, insubstantial.  I believe that hope has shape, inertia, it even has smells and sounds.  On two trips to Africa, to Ghana in 2006 and Uganda in 2008, I have stood at the intersection of hope and despair on this beautiful continent.  I've never encountered a more colorful and hospitable people.  And I've never seen such challenges among the living - disease, despair, division, displacement.  Much of the continent is in ruins; yet the people keep smiling.  And such beautiful smiles they have. 

I was in Ghana when President Bush made his visit.  I actually was on the campus of Trinity Theological Seminary, in Legon, outside of the capital city of Accra.  My classmates and I saw his jet fly overhead.  Obama is in Ghana now, calling for peace and opportunity, and challenging African leadership to find strength in their diversity.  He is also committing to contribute to the wars - not between tribes and faiths - but against HIV/AIDS, tropical diseases, and childhood illnesses. 

These are some of the initiatives for which doma international exists.  The nonprofit that Julie and I started last year is leading two trips to Uganda this Fall.  Email me at daniel@domaconnection.org to find out how you can be a part of this.

I'll never forget my trip to Ghana.  I stayed in a village called Sokode Etoi for a week.  What a time!  By the end of the week, my local name was Togbi Yevu Yau, meaning Chief White Thursday.  That's a story for another time.  Until then, look for hope.  Be shaped by it.

friday listening party: Elbow and Athlete

As is my custom, I blog about music on Fridays.  And as is my custom, most of the music I listen to originates from the British Isles.  I've come across two bands lately, both from the UK.  If you like Coldplay, Doves, David Gray, Keane, Snow Patrol, and bands like these.  Check out Elbow and Athlete.

stand up for those being stomped on

The Uyghur people are a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority in western China.  The Chinese government has been oppressing them since the late 1950s - for as long as they have occupied Tibet.  A friend of mine, whom I deeply respect, is the General Secretary for the Uyghur American Association.  His family has experienced this grief at the hands of the Chinese government.  Check out what's going on there now.

chosen, gathered, marked

Listen to my sermon from Sunday on Ephesians 1:1-14 here.

the first steps into an orphanage

I've been talking to some friends about joining Julie and I as doma takes its first trip to Ukraine in October.  One person responded with the following concerns.  They are real, legitimate, reasonable.  If you've asked these same questions, share with us your perspectives on the challenges of mission.  She said that the things causing her concern were...

• The Cost
• The Pain of what i might see and experience
• The fact that I know its going to change my life forever and from that point forward I will be held responsible for what I have seen & know.
• And, how to return to normal life after knowing and seeing

I just know ... for a fact ... it will change me. And, that is scary.

a longer stride and a larger embrace (reflection on readings for Proper 9)

You can read the lessons for July 5th, Proper 9, here.

I turned 30 recently.  This is not a crisis moment for me, but we do have opportunities at times like this to pause and consider where we've come from, where we are, and where we're going.  David was 30 years old when he began to reign.  While I haven't assumed a royal position, I am thankful for the opportunities and experiences I've had, and I hope that I've made valuable contributions to my family, my friends, the church, and the world.

I will tell you this, though, the week I turned 30 I hurt my foot running and I woke up with a stiff neck for a week.  Is this what getting old feels like?

In the readings for today from Ezekiel and 2 Corinthians, both the Apostle Paul and the Prophet Ezekiel have interesting experiences - their bodies don't do what they want them to do.  Ezekiel is told to stand up and listen.  He can't do it on his own.  Instead, a spirit entered into him and set him on his feet.  Paul begs to have the 'thorn in his flesh' taken away.  But instead, he lives with his weakness and learns more about grace because of it.

I'm sure that David was a strong man when he began to rule.  Perhaps he didn't have these physical problems that slowed Ezekiel and Paul.  But he aged like anyone does.  And as he did, he became greater and greater.  2 Samuel 5:10 says in the Message that David had a larger embrace and a longer stride.  And it's not because he was a fit and self-sufficient ruler.  It's because the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.

For Ezekiel, for Paul, and for David - and for us - we can't forget that we are inhabited by, inspired by a God of grace.  My foot is feeling better now.  I think I've identified the problem thanks to a birthday subscription to Runner's World.  But I'm remembering more and more that it's the gracious Spirit of God that, though I am weak, sets me on my feet.

freedom for the captives

Summer is in full swing, and today, July 4th, we celebrate our freedom.  We celebrate our great nation's liberty and independence; our opportunity to worship in freedom.  This is also a month for rest and recreation.  School’s out; vacations are in.

As I think about our freedom and opporturnity to rest, I’m thankful for it.  But I can’t forget those who don’t experience this same opportunity.  Orphaned children are captives.  They are caught in cycles of poverty and disease, abuse and addiction.  These chains of neglect and violence, hunger and despair are so heavy for them.  This is not something they are meant to bear.  In Jesus’ first sermon, he said that he came to proclaim freedom for captives.  And later he says, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’

Join us at doma in offering freedom to orphaned children.  When we turn toward them, extending our resources, embracing with our relationships, God’s hope and practical help start to break these chains.  You can be a part of this effort among those caught in forced prostitution in Columbus, Ohio, in baby houses Ukraine, or in poor villages and among vulnerable pregnant women in Uganda.  As we celebrate our freedom, don't forget those living in captivity.

friday listening party: Black Eyed Peas and Jason Mraz

I recently polled some tweens and teens on their favorite songs, artists, and why.  Below is a brief run-down on the 2 songs that emerged as clear favorites.  You'll also find 2 themes of pop music and theology that I identified in this little exercise.

Two Popular Songs

Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas.  This song from the southern California genre-blending supergroup fronted by Will.I.Am and Fergie is actually about... music.  The message is one of superiority in their sound, their group: "they try to copy my swagger," "I'm on that HD flat," "harder, faster, better, stronger," "I be rockin' them beats," and "Here we go, here we go, sattelite radio."  These lyrics exemplify the message of the song.  The video is futuristic and sexy.  It is a huge summer hit from a group that aims to turn out fun and sexy songs while at times tackling issues of justice and reconciliation.  In fact, the group is composed of 2 African-American men, 1 Native-American man, and 1 Euro-American woman.  Diversity is then unavoidably a message of each of their songs.

I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.  This song is especially interesting when set against Boom Boom Pow.  The message of the song is simply that all people have a right to be loved, and by that, the writer is speaking of romantic love.  This sentiment is summarized in the lyrics of the second verse:

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love
Listen to the music of the moment people
We're just one big family
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved loved loved

The song is not undergirded by a strong and danceable beat.  It's laidback and winsome.  Its strength is in its frolicking rhythm and clever lyrics.

Two Important Themes

The artifact and the artist.  It's interesting that in only one of the surveys was there an overlap between the favorite songs and favorite artists of young people.  Most young people choose songs to like and artists to like for apparently different reasons.  Songs are important because of the way they make you feel, the beat, or a clever lyrical hook or emotional sentiment.  Artists are important because of their persona, their larger-than-life, airbrushed media personality.  Francis Schaeffer admonishes Christians to judge an artist by his or her entire body of work, not just a single artifact.  This disconnection between artist and artifact in popular music is something to note.

The pen is mightier.  Many young people clearly stated that the words were not important to them in choosing favorite songs or artists.  While the two favorite songs I am referring to here, Boom Boom Pow and I'm Yours, are not overtly violent or promiscuous, there are hints of a worldview different than a classic Judeo-Christian one.  Again, not explicity, but Blcak Eyed Peas send the message that Old is bad: "I'm so 3008, you so 2000 and late."  Jason Mraz sees that God forsakes, not gives.  These are not necessarily reasons to discard the contribution of these strong songs and strong artists, but it reveals how important it is to teach young people that words matter.

Everything is a message.  The personalities, rhythms, arrangements, and lyrics of pop music are vehicles of messages.  Some are thoguhtful; others impotent.  Some are hostile; others constructive.  The first step toward incarnational and transformational creation and consumption of popular culture is the simple awareness that messaging moves the world and moves us.  It is important to receive the millions of messages that bombard us each day with eyes wide open to the source and goal of the artists and artifacts, as well as the source and goal of the Creator.

let's go to Ukraine

My wife and I are planning to go to Ukraine in October.  Doma is beginning to establish connections with baby houses and orphanages in Kiev and Donetsk with the goal of long-term relationships.  Our goal is to intervene early in the lives of vulnerable children to prevent the cycle of tragedy and crisis that most certainly awaits them, but rather to prepare them for a hopeful and full life - a good education, a good job, a healthy family, and the opportunity to know the God of grace who loves them even when society tells them they are worthless.

I'm looking for people to join us.  Do you share our heart to reach people in need on the fringes of society?  Do you need to see and experience life outside of the States?  Are you involved in a church, school, business, or community group that wants to really make a difference around the world?  Do you want to give hope and help and see your life changed in the process?

Email me at daniel@domaconnection.org and let's talk about traveling together this Fall.