Currently, I'm teaching a class on "The Good and Beautiful Life" at Campus View. One, of the things Smith hammers home is the idea of narratives. Now, I've written about this before on this blog. And, so now I'm looking back on the different narratives for my life.

One of the most painful times in my life was during elementary, middle, and early high school. I didn't live in the right place, my family didn't go to the right church, I wasn't interested in the right things. In essence, I was an outsider. So, I acted like an outsider. I began seeking those things that the mainstream disliked. I still do this today. It's hard for me to like anything that the majority of my surrounding culture likes. So, I've descended into tribalism. My tribe is the indie-cyclist-Christians. (There's not that many of us, but I did marry one.)

What is amazing is how my narrative of being an outsider influenced my thoughts on my faith with profound impacts. I read this article this morning on Scott McKnight's blog, which reminded me of my past. You see, when I was younger, Rubel Shelley was kind of a traitor. Terrible things were said about him and some didn't call him a Christian anymore. This is a sad thing. I grew up in a right of middle church of Christ. I was taught that we were the only faithful Christians. I don't think anyone came outright and said the Baptists and Methodists and Presbyterians were going to hell, but the outlook did bode well for them. Here's the thing, I felt really comfortable with this. Why? It fit in great with my narrative of being an outsider. It felt like the whole world was against me and it felt like all of Christendom was against my church.

Here's where it gets mucky. My personal narrative fortified a false narrative. My feelings of church exclusiveness began to decline through the last part of high school and throughout college. I don't think we can solely credit my increase in Biblical knowledge, although it helped. I changed. My narrative altered. I was becoming accepted by my peers. The outsiders found each other and became friends. We were all different, and it seemed no one shared the same interest. But, we all shared a narrative, outsider. In college, where there are more people, I became popular for the first time since kindergarten because there were more outsiders.

I think there are many lessons we can draw from this.

1. Don't turn people into outsiders (it can affect there faith)

2. Our personal narratives can override Jesus' Narratives (they're that strong)

3. Narratives can change, not because we change them, but because we live and grow through them.

4. Our environments of learning are crucial.

Are there any personal narratives that have shaped your faith?

DIOS le bendiga

Today's Lepers

(Backstory)

So, those of you who are long time followers of this blog (and let's face it if you still read this that most likely means you), probably read my post on homosexuality two-years ago and it's ensuing barn-fire. I would like to say I'm a different person that I was then. Of course I am! It's been two years. Two years filled with eight season, trials, victories, and defeat. I didn't delete that post, even though it is a bit embarrassing, because it was truthful. It was written in the wake of a the first wound I'd received from a friend in ministry. It dealt with a subject that I hadn't fully explored and therefore didn't understand completely. I still stand by the original point of the post that belief in God will not take a back seat to preserve a friendship, however, I can couch my beliefs about God to preserve community. And, for those of you who wonder, our friendship, though damaged, is preserved. And, I think stronger than before because now when we meet we talk about serious matters that shape our views.

(Main Body)

Despite where I, or you, or they stand on the morality of homosexuality, the fact of the matter is the LGBT community is made up of individual people. Each bearing unique personalities and the imago Dei. To which I say, those of us who call ourselves Christian have shown an ample amount of disgust, prejudice, and sheer hatred toward. As much as the Jews showed the Samaritans. And, a segment of this community has been afflicted with a mysterious disease that has no known cure and whose sufferers are ostracized to watch their friends die around them with little support from those outside the community. I want to compare leprosy and HIV-AIDS, and the church's un-Christian response to it. This is article that fired me up. It tells of a lonely old man who watched his partner die and is now waiting to die himself. Say what you will, he loved his partner. He has no children nor grandchildren to comfort him, and it is that loneliness, that lack of community that breaks my heart.

In the ancient world, disease was seen as judgement of sin from God. Leprosy was one of the most feared diseases, it was mysteriously and dangerously contagious. It caused deformity. Lepers where put out of the camp to keep the community from being infected. This quarantine was from the Law of God. It's purpose was not to shame the sufferer. Indeed, it was done to protect the whole, but the intention was not to make a mockery of suffering as it became. Lepers were cut off from worship and community so it makes sense that they would form colonies resentful of the larger community, yet so yearning to be apart of it again. In Luke 5:12-14 (see also Luke 17: 11-19) we see Jesus encountering a leper. His response is startling. He touches him. Jesus, Son of the Most High God, makes himself unclean to restore community to one broken, lonely man. In the case of HIV-AIDS, which disproportionately is found among gay men, the disease is viewed as a judgement of sin from God. Some Christians view it as Jews would leprosy on a Samaritan. A deserving punishment for an unclean life.

Do you see the problem?!

Do you see where we put ourselves in this postion!?

"Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean."

Oh church, let us stretch out our hands and touch the lives of those afflicted with HIV-AIDS. When the blind man was brought to Jesus, He was asked, "Who sinned, he or his parents?" Jesus responds, "Neither, this was done that the works of He who sent Me might be displayed in him." (paraphrase John 9) Likewise, we must view HIV-AIDS not as means to further reject people, but as a way to display the works of the One who sent us among the rejected. This is Christ's clarion call to start His ministry. I once heard it said that the reason a cure for HIV-AIDS has not been found is that the world is waiting for the church to join.

The world is full of broken, lonely people. The kind of people Jesus walked among and calls us to do the same. We, as the church, are not here to create a social club, but to declare "freedom to the captives."

We must do something

namaste

DIOS le bendiga

Pandora's Box

So I'm listening to Pandora Radio, and it's just not right. I mean, I've seeded the stations with my favorite artists: The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, Justin Townes Earl, etc. I've liked and disliked songs to direct the bots to choose relevant songs but it's still not right. And then, I found out the reasoning for picking songs. There's a formula to predict what you like. Listen to a description of one of the songs,

"Based on what you have told us so far, we're playing this track because it features mellow rock instrumentation, acoustic sonority, acoustic rhythm piano, extensive vamping, and major key tonality."

What's missing?

Content

Soul

When something as emotional as music is reduced to science, it loses its luster. Experiencing art triggers the same part of the brain as falling in love. And, Pandora is picking songs based on the background not on the content. Granted the background colors the foreground. Even in a play such as "Our Town" where there is intentionally a spartan set, the audience is invited to imagine the houses. But, the background enhances the message of the play: that life is quick.

Back to the music, why do I like the Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons? Well, lets start with the background, you throw in a banjo, mandolin, or horn section and you have my attention. But what separates those bands from Old Crow Medicine Show and JTE (other bands I like but not at the level of favorite)? Simple, its the content. It's what makes me listen to Brandi Carlisle instead of Taylor Swift. The lyrics have a deeper meaning than just, I love you. The lyrics cry out of the soul of the singer to the point where the voice remains barely within control. Its the same reason why I like the Christian artist that I do (Gungor, Jon Foreman, Jars of Clay). Their songs come from somewhere else. Some plain where I never been but feels like home. Maybe that's just my taste in music, but I don't think one can quantify or measure that parameter. And, not every song by any of the above artists hits me that way. The mix could include K' Naan's "Wave Your Flag," or maybe one of Common's rap poems, and "Lazy Eye" by the Silver Sun Pickups.

Then we wind up with a mix that even Pandora couldn't compute.

DIOS le bendiga

Michael Moore and the Kingdom of God

I just read Michael Moore's speech from Madison, WI concerning the union-busting crisis, and it struck a chord with me. Now, before anyone loses their head about it, just know that this is really about that (Rob Bell reference).

First let me get something off my chest about unions. Do you like working a 40-hour, 5-day week? Thank a union. Do you like having safe working conditions? Thank a union. Do you like having confident teachers in the classroom, able to discipline their students? Thank a union. Do you like having a living-wage? Thank a union. Do you like having the first Monday in September off? Thank the unions. Do you like being called a redneck? Thank a coal-workers union.

Ok now that I'm finished with that.

While Michael Moore isn't that eloquent, I think he hits on a major point without realizing it. The more we dehumanize and strip rights away from people accustomed to rights, the more dangerous they become. When someone has nothing to lose, you don't know what they'll do. Kind of like that adage about a cornered, wounded animal.

Now this isn't a plea for our leaders to placate us with second-rate solutions to keep the status quo.

Rather I ask for everyone to consider what would happen if you treated everyone with love. Not fairly, but lovingly. What if Jesus really meant it when He told us to love are enemies, hating is murder, love our neighbor? What would happen to this nation, this world? Many will tell you, that would be nice, but... There always seems to be a but, an excuse for not doing right. ... but, what if everyone did this?

The question being asked there is, "What if no one did this but me?" What if I'm the only one who sacrifices to make things better? Who will take care of me? Who will protect me? The politicians won't do it. My neighbors won't do it.

My... church... won't do it?

That's where I think we've gone wrong in church. We've become to concerned with whether there's a piano up front or what songs we sing or what color the walls are or how do we attract more teens with programs. We're trying to save the saved. We also have become so concerned about saving souls that we have forgotten to save the body as well.

Some of you may want to push back at that last one, but I ask you to consider the Gnostics found in the New Testament epistles. Though you baptize a thousand, what will happen to their bodies and consequentially there souls without care?

They become beaten down, defeated, out of options, and dangerous. Danger isn't a bad thing. We need more risk takers, more Christians to speak out against the status quo. We need people who say, "This isn't right!," and then work to make it right. Yes, this is a "kingdom" mission. It is an effort to pull the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth. Where God will dwell with His people.

Yeah, Michael Moore said this, because this is really about that.

namaste

DIOS le bendiga

The Poor

I know why the poor seem so greedy. You would be too if you saw a windfall coming your way that could keep you afloat, fill your sails for a month, a week, a day, an hour... Ethics has nothing to do with it. The poor understands, "You do not have because you do not ask," and when the Gentile woman begs for the crumbs of children for the dogs. Yes, you can turn your heart cold and blame drugs, alcohol, abuse, insanity, ignorance, neglect... In the past couple of years, some of us have gone to that line, some of us below that line, but I doubt we stay and live under that line. We were not conquered. We did not let ourselves be defeated because we knew what victory tasted like. The poor are defeated, broken, hopeless, oppressed... Some how, we have created systems to keep them in place by destroying schools, denying funds, leaving it to the government and then crying for tax breaks, moving to the suburbs, turning our eyes... We no longer invest in life, we hide from death.

I know why the poor seem so greedy...

They learn from the rich.

vaya con DIOS

Three-in-one

Yesterday, I joined the teeming millions of Americans who were returning Christmas gifts that did not fit, or weren't the right color, or were just the wrong thing. Similarly, I'm now catching up on this blog. The Christmas season was going to be fun. I had a series planned dealing with the Christmas season. But instead, like those after-Christmas sales, you ramblers get a three-for-one deal.

December 25th, Christmas Day

One thing I am always struck by is the amount of charity at Christmas-time. At what other point in the year is it not weird for a person to stand outside Wal-Mart, bell ringing to implore you to give to a worthy cause? At what other point in the year do Marines stop and collect toys to give to needy children? When else, do we look back at the past, let family pull our heart-strings, sing corny songs, throw parties, buy gifts?!

None other time comes close.

"For unto us this day, in the city of David, a child is born..." "And He will be called Emmanuel, 'God with us.'"

Yeah, I know the church picked this time of year to coincide with Mirtha and Saturnalia. But, whom do we celebrate? This isn't a "reason for the season" post. In fact, that's an honest question. Did you know? Black Friday is called such, because it is the day when most retail goes "in the black" for the fiscal year. Maybe we celebrate us. Our buying power. Our consumer culture. Where social standing is defined by possession. Parents put themselves in debt to satisfy their children. A pseudo-religion. The indebtedness is a near perfect analogy for the self-flagellation and sacrifice required by ancient religions. The consumer gods are satisfied by our self-inflicted wounds.

It makes me think, is the reason we are so charitable, because we feel so guilty. We empty some of our pocket change into red kettles. We buy a cheap toy so that every child can open something on Christmas morning. At Christmas, does our consumerism become so apparent, does the disparity between the haves and the have-nots become so clear, that we cannot help but be guilted into charity?

Is there hope from this cycle? Yes, because the promised gift of Christmas is freedom from the rat-race. Jesus begs us to stop shepherding, stop looking at stars, and visit a small child who will change the world.

December 26th, Feast of Stephen

You may want to listen to this during this post. Growing up, my brother and I always made fun of the day after Christmas. The calendar called it 'Boxing Day,' and it was for Canadians. I mean what are they doing hitting each other? Bwaahahahahah!

Well actually, it's the day that the poor would put out boxes and and collect alms. It is the feast day of Stephen. Stephen was one of the first deacons, charged with feeding the poor of Jerusalem. It is the day we honor his memory as martyr by continuing his work. Stephen engaged in his work so thoroughly he caught the attention of the Sanhedrin. When asked for a defense, he began with Abraham and preached the gospel to them, indicting them for working against God. He was then stoned.

When you work for peace, you will always be persecuted by someone. But in His last Beatitude, Jesus called those blessed and promised them the kingdom of Heaven. And, as Stephen's life was extinguished, Jesus stood from His throne and welcomed him.

December 28th, Feast of the Holy Innocents

The Twelve Days of Christmas is more than a silly song with a bunch of useless gifts. It's a collection of feast days of the church leading up to Epiphany on January 5th (or 6th depending on your tradition). On this day, we remember that Jesus' birth was marked by Herod killing a generation of boys. Boys whose crime was being born at the wrong time. Today, we still feel the effects of this massacre. Not necessarily Herod's, but there is a massacre of children today. Where their innocence is stolen by for them into the sex trade, or fighting wars, or gang violence.

But we can help. We can fight back. We can comfort Rachel's weeping.

"There is hope for your future, declares the LORD,

and your children shall come back to their own country."

Jeremiah 31:17

namaste

DIOS le bendiga

Morton Square

Today I found out that I have a cracked and bruised tibula, bruised femur, radially torn meniscus, partially torn MCL, and a fully torn ACL. This reminds me of an old saying...

"When it rains, it pours."

It's this idea, that if one bad thing happens, a bunch of bad things happen. You know like, you never feel one raindrop. So here it is my rainstorm...

I have pretty crappy insurance, because I'm young and healthy. It pays for when I have a cough or something, not major things. It's a $3000 deductible. An MRI to tell you what's wrong with your knee cost $580 (it's not covered by my insurance). I'm going to have a brace made for my leg, and surgery to repair my ACL. I don't know how much that will cost yet.

"When it rains, it pours."

I have to wait for the bone to heal before I can have surgery. Because of the type of fracture, I'm non-weight bearing for six weeks. Otherwise, I'll crush the bone and develop arthritis. The earliest I can have the surgery is the first of February, which should get me off crutches to walk down the aisle with my bride. But, will kill any hope of the day hikes we wanted to do on our honeymoon.

"When it rains, it pours."

My Jeep has a broken oil pressure sensor, bent radiator, faulty windows, the passenger door lock is only manual, and has three blown speakers. And, its the only transportation I have, since I won't be able to ride a bike 'til June or so.

"When it rains, it pours."

This year for Christmas, I will/have received a pair of bike shoes and pedals for my mountain bike. I ordered a helmet two and a half months ago that arrived last week. I was given a nice CamelBak to ride with by a friend. And, I was finally feeling like I wasn't dying when finishing the trail that I hoped to race on it May. All of that stuff is useless now.

"When it rains, it pours."

This year, at the GCSC Halloween party, Abbie dressed as the Morton Salt girl. You know, the cute girl in a yellow slicker with an umbrella carrying an upside-down box of salt. The slogan for the Morton Salt company is, "When it rains, it pours." You see, when salt is exposed to moisture, it cakes. It forms lumps and you can't shake it on your food or pour it out of the box into the measuring spoon. Morton Salt solved this by adding an anti-clumping agent to their salt. Now whenever it rains, Morton Salt will still pour. It takes a phrase that smacks of pessimism and gives you hope. The Bible is full of salt metaphors, Elisha salting the water, salt of the earth, and so on. Maybe this is my salt, when it rains, the salt still pours.

I have a loving and supportive fiancee.

When it rains, it pours.

I have a loving and supportive family.

When it rains, it pours.

I have a loving and supportive church.

When it rains, it pours.

My future in-laws are concerned and caring.

When it rains, it pours.

I received a $500 check in the mail that will cover my MRI.

When it rains, it pours.

I received a free liturgical prayer book to boost my prayer life.

When it rains, it pours.

My fiancee has finished her degree, is looking to set up a studio for herself, and will be marrying me April 2nd.

When it rains, it pours.

I serve a risen Savior. Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below, praise Him above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

When it rains, He still pours out His blessings and my cup over flows...

with salt.

namaste

DIOS le bendiga