three videos
When we were in Dallas for the Everything Must Change tour, we met Larry James and Gerald Britt and other wonderful people from Central Dallas Ministries. Our friend Greg Leftwich, one of our hosts in Dallas, sent a link to this new video that will give you a feel for ways CDM is serving homeless people there ...
Another friend, Ed Chinn, just sent a link to this beautiful dance ... It speaks for itself. Along with the dancers, be sure to notice the reaction of the audience.
And Shane Claiborne sent this link to some holy mischief that took place here in DC recently ...
... Just fyi.
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Great quote from Jim Wallis
Jim has a way of capturing important insights in a few well-chosen words. He's done it again here regarding the Jeremiah Wright controversy:
I've said before that the constant replaying of the tapes has become a metaphor for the continual replaying of our old racial tapes in this country. Black anger and frustration because of real grievances, provoking white indignation revealing the lack of white understanding, causing more black frustration and alienation etc; it just goes on and on.
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Islam and Post-Pentecostalism
One of the great things about writing (books, blogs, music, whatever) is that it helps people find out they're not the only ones feeling and thinking about certain things. I always am grateful to hear from readers who come across my work and feel a connection in this regard. Sometimes they come from unexpected places and backgrounds.
For example, I recently heard from Sam Lee in the Netherlands. Sam is grappling with how we can improve Christian-Muslim-Jewish relations - a mission I'm deeply committed to and increasingly engaged in. Sam addresses the subject from a very personal vantage point, as you'll see in his article ... called "My Thoughts About Islam."
I also vlogged about this subject from Davos in January ... available here.
Also be sure to check out what Sam is saying about Post-Pentecostalism.
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Another wonderful weekend
We've officially passed the half-way point in our Everything Must Change tour ... we had a rich and meaningful time together in San Diego, hosted by the good people at Missiongathering.
Along with Southern Californians, we had people from the Central Coast, Bay Area, and Northern California, plus others from Colorado and Arizona.
At our 7:29 a.m. Saturday breakfast with the local emergent cohorts, we had a fascinating discussion about the size of the gatherings. (We've had between about 150 and 325 in each city so far,) Some participants were amazed that this many were coming, and others were a little disappointed that there weren't thousands present. The discussion has stayed in my mind since Saturday, so for what it's worth, I'll share a few thoughts on the subject ...
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A Franciscan Benediction
We've been using this version of a Franciscan benediction at our Everything Must Change gatherings around the country, and a lot of people have asked for a copy.
A Franciscan Benediction
May God bless us with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that we may live from deep within our hearts.
May God bless us with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of God's creations
So that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless us with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless us with just enough foolishness
To believe that we can make a difference in the world,
So that we can do what others claim cannot be done:
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and all our neighbors who are poor.
Amen.
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