I just found out about a local organization called Orphan’s Hope that works with orphans in the Ukraine and parts of Asia (including Myanmar/Burma, site of the recent cyclone).
Also, in case you’re not familiar with it, there is another great local organization called Africa Unveiled that works with homeless children and community-building in Kenya.
So we’ve been talking a lot lately about justice and restoration and what God is doing both in us and in the world. One thing you’ve heard both Phil and I talk about are these breaks in relationship that have been caused by our rebellion. In talking about how we are images of God, I’ve talked about how those images have now been cracked…and how God is working to repair and restore those cracks. Phil talks about how God is working to repair and restore those relationships (with God, with each other, with creation around us) so that there is wholeness and fullness. The Bible calls this shalom, and it’s what God’s intended dream and purpose is for creation.
The other night I started putting together an image that sort of symbolized this restoration project and the different parts of it:
I posted this because I thought it might help some of you think about these things, and more specifically, the unique way you can be apart of it. We all have certain skills and abilities and personalities that maybe draw us more toward one thing than another. So, thinking about all of this, what aspects do you find more interesting than others? Which relationship do you feel compelled to partner with God to begin healing? And once you realize that perhaps you’re drawn more to one than the others, you can begin thinking about specific things you can begin doing within that area of relationship and cracked-ness (and if you have trouble, I’m always up for talking about it and offering ideas).
Obviously it’s not completely cut and dry and black and white: we don’t focus on one to the exclusion of the others–they all interact and intermingle with each other (how we view and treat our relationships with others may depend on our relationship with God; how we treat and interact with each other as nations and countries may influence how some are forced to interact with and utilize the creation and resources around them). But we have to start somewhere, and hopefully this will help with that first step in thinking about what’s going on out there and how we, empowered by the Spirit that is constantly refreshing and renewing us into this new humanity of a new creation and kingdom, can help make it be even more.
A couple months ago some of you expressed the thought that the church should use its property for the good of all the community, not just the congregation or for occasional church events. Since then we have talked about changes that could be made to the current yard that would make it more inviting and beneficial for different types of people in the community.
Below is a list of what has been suggested so far
Some of the issues to think about:
1. What is the best way to provide areas for as many different people and families in the area as possible…but still make it easy to maintain and take care of?
2. How can the space be divided and used in the best possible way so various activites in some parts of the yard don’t interfere with others (e.g. gardens and athletic areas, etc.).
So far I think the things that have been suggested are good: you provide athletic space for people who enjoy sports and similar activities. Space has been left open for church picnics and summer movie nights. Picnic tables would cater to families or maybe moms and kids during the week. A community vegetable garden could appeal to families as something they do together or anyone else who enjoys gardening but perhaps can’t plant one in their yard, etc. A walking/sitting area (park) would appeal to all sorts of people–from teenagers to seniors–as a place to walk, talk, sit, etc.
Below is a clickable image of the church yard. I’ve marked where the basketball court, volleyball net, and backstop currently are. The areas marked with question marks are spaces that aren’t really used, and could be possible spots for picnic tables, gardens, etc.
As you think of ideas, suggestions, or problems, post them on here and we can continue brainstorming and begin to put together a plan that could be presented to the board. As we do this, it might be good to think about:
- what projects can most easily be accomplished?
- what projects might take more time/planning?
- what aspects are you most interested in, and how can you use your abilities and personal interest to help make it a reality?
A week or so ago I started a new reference page called “roots” (see the black menu bar above). My thoughts when starting it was that I would list a few things that would be good guiding principles or directions for us as we embark on this journey in the Plain valley and surrounding areas.
The thought is this: as we walk and talk together, as we swim and hike and sit on couches or around a campfire or in a car or engage the people and environment that surround us…what would be good to keep in mind? Why are we doing what we’re doing…and what things might help us figure out what to do?
Basically, what is it you guys want to be about? If you were to make a list of those things in life that you think are important, what would be on it?
Anyway, rather than just put up a bunch of my own thoughts, I thought it would be good to hear from you and get some input as to what you think are important directions we should be keeping in mind or focusing on, that will guide and direct us into further authentic thought and action.
As usual, post them here or drop me an e-mail…and as I receive them I’ll compile them and begin to list them on the [roots] page.
This past Sunday I mentioned the various metaphors and examples Jesus used to describe this kingdom and reality of God birthing its way into this one. Another example I used was of a strangler vine. These plants emerge and begin to slowly wrap their branches and stems around and over the tree. Over time, their branches begin to flatten out against the surface of the tree and interlocking and interconnecting with each other. Eventually, the host tree can no longer survive and dies and rots away…leaving only the vine, which by that point has turned into a tree of it’s own (complete with branches and leaves). From the old one a new one was birthed.
That is what’s happening here and now. From the rebellion and decay and violence and death of this present world, a new one of life and healing and reconcilation and hope is winding its arms and branches around and throughout.
Life is swallowing up death.
And as people who follow God and are being transformed within as everything around us is being changed, we are called to be apart of that. To make it even more. To tend and work and cultivate hope and peace and healing and newness and goodness. So here’s what I’m asking of you:
Think about how you (individually) and we (as a youth group) can be apart of this thing. How can we tend and cultivate and help in bringing all this about? We’ve spent some time looking at who we are individually–what makes you, you. Your personal interests and passions and insights will draw you to focus on certain areas to restore. We’ve also spent a bit of time talking about needs you see in the area and community around us. So let’s take all of that and begin to move forward with it. Be thinking about specific projects and hopes and purposes we can begin to help make a reality.
This takes a lot of brainstorming, and thinking both quietly within and ”out loud” with others. Let’s begin throwing thoughts and ideas out there (either post them on here, e-mail me, or bring them with you to Thursday Nights) and start putting hands and feet to these things.
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You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again.
(Isaiah 58:12)
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I thought I would post something that some of you might want to try and may find beneficial.
Back in the 15th century there was this guy named Ignatius, and he would go through a process he called examen. Basically, the whole point was to help hear the voice of God within himself, but also to better understand and see what God was doing around him, sort of having ”eyes to see and ears to hear” as Jesus said.
There were two parts to this thing he did, and he called them consolation and desolation. Consolation is a term used to identify moments when we’re more open to God, ourselves, and others. These are moments of connection, moments when we feel more alive, more transparent to God and more livong toward other people. It’s those moments when we feel something blooming inside of us. Desolation is about the complete opposite experience, those times you felt empty, closed-off, disconnected, alienated. It’s that sense of being blocked or frustrated to the presence of God or others or yourself.
In response to this past Monday Night, after our family finishes this last economy bag o’coffee from Costco, it will be our last. We will then officially begin buying and consuming coffee in a more just and sustainable way.
In finding a new alternative, though, I have three criteria that need to be met: it needs to be shade-grown, organic, and Fair Trade certified. I think each of these covers most of the negative situations in the global coffee world, so hopefully the money we use to purchase the coffee will help alleviate some of the problems and encourage the more positive aspects of the trade.
“For me, if everything I am saying isn’t lived out, if I’m not in the endless process of learning to live this out with my wife and my kids and my neighbors and my friends, then I have no business going out and spouting off about all of this.”
- Rob Bell
Thanks for the nudge.
