Screaming barefoot kids sprint through a mini-town of soft buildings, ambulances and police cars. Malls now must have playlands (thank you McDonald's). So, I sat at the mall watching my son play, while the girls shop. This is what Dad's do.
There were Asians, Caucasians, Hispanics, Africans, Arabic. . . American children running like wild. I did not content myself to watch the fun without thinking. I began to wondering, "What do people want?" What do they believe they want or need? In this common place, what need or value would unite the diverse people gathered here.
I gave up thinking and began reading the New York Times on my PDA. A fellow Dad, Caucasian with Asian children, asked me if I liked my Dell Axim. We talked about his Treo, which did not work. The conversation was casual and friendly. But I could not let go of my inner question. I now wish that I had flat out asked him.
So, I am asking you "What would people claim to want?" What are our core values?
Happy Children, technology that works, careers that succeed . . . what?
Monday, May 09, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
When I Grow Up
What do I want to be when I grow up?
Or is it Who do I want to be when I grow up?
This question gets posed. You and I have both asked it. We have been asked it. This question becomes an opening line in a speech, a question to a student or filler in conversation.
The answers to this question are diverse. A Joke. An excuse. A reason for perpetual youth. A Career.
Maybe someone’'s answer to this question is not the primary part. Maybe it is the question itself that contains some meaning. Are we becoming people or things. "Who”" or "“What”?" That is the question.
If we are becoming ‘things’ like pants, iPods, purses or Jaguars, then I do not like becoming ‘things.”
You are a person –-- a who. The person into whom you are growing develops by the things you do (consume, pursue, think) -- – the what’s. Maybe today we need some new things to pursue. New things to show off. Brand new things to talk about.
Are you ready? Here goes . . . (read slowly, pause, take your time)
seek Faith, show Love and speak Hope
Real WHOs –are characterized by these THINGs: Faith, Hope and Love.
Or is it Who do I want to be when I grow up?
This question gets posed. You and I have both asked it. We have been asked it. This question becomes an opening line in a speech, a question to a student or filler in conversation.
The answers to this question are diverse. A Joke. An excuse. A reason for perpetual youth. A Career.
Maybe someone’'s answer to this question is not the primary part. Maybe it is the question itself that contains some meaning. Are we becoming people or things. "Who”" or "“What”?" That is the question.
If we are becoming ‘things’ like pants, iPods, purses or Jaguars, then I do not like becoming ‘things.”
You are a person –-- a who. The person into whom you are growing develops by the things you do (consume, pursue, think) -- – the what’s. Maybe today we need some new things to pursue. New things to show off. Brand new things to talk about.
Are you ready? Here goes . . . (read slowly, pause, take your time)
May wein other wordsTrack God in Faith through our doubts
Reveal Love as our trademark in a market of hate
Voice Hope of good news clearly in the static of despair
seek Faith, show Love and speak Hope
Real WHOs –are characterized by these THINGs: Faith, Hope and Love.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Follow Me
Today I am so thankful for you. Thanks for your emails. I thank you for prayers and encouraging words. Thank you for stopping by to read.
Is it possible to have a virtual following? I am wondering if maybe the internet is the perfect place to have virtual followers. This is not for aggrandizement or self-promotion. Quite the contrary. This is a location for community. Your presence makes this a community. My entire life has been expended toward relationship with God. However, I long to share time with you. If you want to spend some time with me, then I would be honored for us to travel and talk here in this place of words “lost and found.”
Consider this your invitation on a virtual journey. There is no need to leave your husband, wife, children, job – physically. However, following Jesus means you must act as if you have quit your job, left your family and sold your home. If you are willing to leave these things behind, then I would like you to come on a journey with me. Lets follow Jesus together. It will not be easy. Even though this is ‘virtual,’ this in no way is pretend or imaginary. In fact, this journey may be the hardest thing you or I have ever done. Your life will change. It simply has to change. When you follow Jesus, your life has a new focus and people and work and things look differently.
Long ago Paul took a virtual journey. Jesus had long since died. He had risen from the grave and had even returned to the right hand of God. However, Paul met Jesus and his life was never the same. It took him many years before he could do or say anything. After all, he was a Jew. Jesus (also a Jew) asked Paul to stop terrorizing him and instead follow. He spent some time in the desert to come to grips with this. This virtual journey with Jesus, changed Paul and the world.
Today I ask you to pray the three charities: Faith, Hope & Love. The foundation of communities of Jesus is Love. That is because God IS Love. God is not like love. God IS Love. God is not inclined toward love. God IS Love. Our Love begins with Hope. Hope finds its way into the reality of our life and is expressed by our Faith.
Paul wrote a letter toColossae , Greece
Is it possible to have a virtual following? I am wondering if maybe the internet is the perfect place to have virtual followers. This is not for aggrandizement or self-promotion. Quite the contrary. This is a location for community. Your presence makes this a community. My entire life has been expended toward relationship with God. However, I long to share time with you. If you want to spend some time with me, then I would be honored for us to travel and talk here in this place of words “lost and found.”
Consider this your invitation on a virtual journey. There is no need to leave your husband, wife, children, job – physically. However, following Jesus means you must act as if you have quit your job, left your family and sold your home. If you are willing to leave these things behind, then I would like you to come on a journey with me. Lets follow Jesus together. It will not be easy. Even though this is ‘virtual,’ this in no way is pretend or imaginary. In fact, this journey may be the hardest thing you or I have ever done. Your life will change. It simply has to change. When you follow Jesus, your life has a new focus and people and work and things look differently.
Long ago Paul took a virtual journey. Jesus had long since died. He had risen from the grave and had even returned to the right hand of God. However, Paul met Jesus and his life was never the same. It took him many years before he could do or say anything. After all, he was a Jew. Jesus (also a Jew) asked Paul to stop terrorizing him and instead follow. He spent some time in the desert to come to grips with this. This virtual journey with Jesus, changed Paul and the world.
Today I ask you to pray the three charities: Faith, Hope & Love. The foundation of communities of Jesus is Love. That is because God IS Love. God is not like love. God IS Love. God is not inclined toward love. God IS Love. Our Love begins with Hope. Hope finds its way into the reality of our life and is expressed by our Faith.
Paul wrote a letter to
Pray to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that his Spirit may plant in your heart – Faith in Jesus as King, Hope in life changing gospel and Love that is the trademark of God (1:3-6).
Like Paul, I invite you to follow me as I follow Jesus. Follow me not because I am anything special, but follow me as I am one who is following Jesus.
Feel free to post a thought. Thanks for being you. Thanks for coming.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Prayer Enfleshed
Joy filled our hearts as air entered her lungs.
The air penetrated by her scream let us know that love was alive.
Praise God for His faithfulness in making hope a reality.
The last day of March 2005 at 11:30 in the morning, the Bryce's welcomed Lizze into our arms. Mom and Dad are pleased now to hold in our arms this girl whom we long ago held in our hearts. Mommy, baby, big brother and Daddy are each doing well. Thanks to each of for your faithfulness in prayer, expressions of love and persistent hope.
Love from Brady, Donna and Nathan.
Donna and I picked this name out long before Nathan was born. We love the stories of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1 and Elizabeth from Luke 2. During the labor, I read these passages to Donna. She said it calmed her down. Of course, I have always been able to put her to sleep when I read to her. Can you imagine what happens when I speak to her?
Elizabeth is Hebrew for "dedicated to God" or "oath to God." Hannah is also Hebrew meaning "grace." Elizabeth was my great-grandmother's name (my Dad's mother's side). She went by the name "Lizzie."
If you wish to write her well-wishes and blessings feel free to post a comment to this entry. We will save them in her baby book.
The air penetrated by her scream let us know that love was alive.
Praise God for His faithfulness in making hope a reality.
The last day of March 2005 at 11:30 in the morning, the Bryce's welcomed Lizze into our arms. Mom and Dad are pleased now to hold in our arms this girl whom we long ago held in our hearts. Mommy, baby, big brother and Daddy are each doing well. Thanks to each of for your faithfulness in prayer, expressions of love and persistent hope.
Love from Brady, Donna and Nathan.
Elizabeth Hannah Bryce
31 March 2005
11:30 a.m.
Seven pounds Two ounces
Nineteen and one half inches
31 March 2005
11:30 a.m.
Seven pounds Two ounces
Nineteen and one half inches
Donna and I picked this name out long before Nathan was born. We love the stories of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1 and Elizabeth from Luke 2. During the labor, I read these passages to Donna. She said it calmed her down. Of course, I have always been able to put her to sleep when I read to her. Can you imagine what happens when I speak to her?
Elizabeth is Hebrew for "dedicated to God" or "oath to God." Hannah is also Hebrew meaning "grace." Elizabeth was my great-grandmother's name (my Dad's mother's side). She went by the name "Lizzie."
If you wish to write her well-wishes and blessings feel free to post a comment to this entry. We will save them in her baby book.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Love Alive
Early this month, I spent two days and six or seven hours in a workshop with Kathleen Norris. She is one of my favorite authors. Her non-fiction work contains reflections on religious themes. One of the many assignments Norris gave the class was to take a religious word and explain it using an experience of our life. In essence we were to take the "churchy" elements out and make our word definitions autobiographical story.
I chose two words. I used Baptism and Resurrection. With the birth of our second child immanent, I suppose my thoughts were reflecting on the birth of our son. Here is what I wrote.
I chose two words. I used Baptism and Resurrection. With the birth of our second child immanent, I suppose my thoughts were reflecting on the birth of our son. Here is what I wrote.
Baptism & Resurrection
He was alive but not yet born. Alive because with technology we could see that he was a he. Baptism is the birth of a life already inspired – a breathless conception. Baptism is a form of birth or re-birth. Life conceived becomes life alive. I suppose that resurrection is also a form of re-immersion. Baptism births resurrection into a new life not bottled by death.
To see my son born was a moment of joy that made visible the consummation of my joy.Blood.
Skin.
Fluid.
Love alive.
Love visible.
Love brand new.
Some day this baby boy will be baptized – a form of resurrecting his birth. Life becomes Death becomes Life. Some day his body will be raised. Resurrection is the glorified completion of his birth and re-birth. It is the full completion of his recreation – a divine glorification.
How's Your World?
"There are Christians who have hysterical reactions,
as if the world would have slipped out of God's hands.
They act violenty as if they were risking everything.
But we believe in history;
the world is not a roll of the dice going toward chaos.
A new world has begun to happen since Christ has risen. . .
Jesus Christ, we rejoice in your definitive triumph . . .
with our bodies still in the breach
and our souls in tension,
we cry out our first "Hurrah!"
till eternity unfolds itself.
Your sorrow now has passed.
Your enemies have failed.
You are a definitive smile for humankind.
What matter the wait now for us?
We accept the struggle and the death;
because you, our love, will not die!
We march behind you,
on the road to the future.
You are with us
and you are our immortality!
Take away the sadness from our faces.
We are not in a game of chance . . .
You have the last word!
Beyond the crushing of our bones,
now has begun the eternal "alleluia!"
From the thousand openings of our wounded bodies
and souls there arises now a triumphal song!
So, teach us to give voice to your new life
throughout all the world.
Because you dry the tears from the eyes
of the oppressed forever . . .
and death will disappear. . ."
Jesuit Father Luis Espinal was assassinated March 22, 1980 in La Paz, Bolivia by paramilitary forces. He wrote this meditation shortly before his death. (from pages 332-333 of "A Guide to Prayer" by Upper Room, 1983)
as if the world would have slipped out of God's hands.
They act violenty as if they were risking everything.
But we believe in history;
the world is not a roll of the dice going toward chaos.
A new world has begun to happen since Christ has risen. . .
Jesus Christ, we rejoice in your definitive triumph . . .
with our bodies still in the breach
and our souls in tension,
we cry out our first "Hurrah!"
till eternity unfolds itself.
Your sorrow now has passed.
Your enemies have failed.
You are a definitive smile for humankind.
What matter the wait now for us?
We accept the struggle and the death;
because you, our love, will not die!
We march behind you,
on the road to the future.
You are with us
and you are our immortality!
Take away the sadness from our faces.
We are not in a game of chance . . .
You have the last word!
Beyond the crushing of our bones,
now has begun the eternal "alleluia!"
From the thousand openings of our wounded bodies
and souls there arises now a triumphal song!
So, teach us to give voice to your new life
throughout all the world.
Because you dry the tears from the eyes
of the oppressed forever . . .
and death will disappear. . ."
Jesuit Father Luis Espinal was assassinated March 22, 1980 in La Paz, Bolivia by paramilitary forces. He wrote this meditation shortly before his death. (from pages 332-333 of "A Guide to Prayer" by Upper Room, 1983)
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Distractions
I know nothing about this man, but his name. I read this excerpt from the Christian Century magazine dated January 25, 2005. It resonates with me. Maybe it connected with me because I sometimes am distracted in prayer and I have often heard other's complaints about being distracted in prayer.
Herbert McCabe on prayer (from God, Christ & Us)
"People often complain of distractions during prayer. Their mind goes wandering off on to other things. This is nearly always due to praying for something you do not really much want; you just think it would be proper and respectable and “religious” to want it. So you pray high-mindedly for big but distant things like peace in Northern Ireland or you pray that your aunt will get better from the flu—when in fact you do not much care about these things; perhaps you ought to, but you don’t. And so your prayer is rapidly invaded by distractions arising from what you really do want—promotion at work, let us say. Distractions are nearly always your real wants breaking in on your prayer for edifying but bogus wants. If you are distracted, trace your distraction back to the real desires it comes from and pray about these. When you are praying for what you really want you will not be distracted. People on sinking ships do not complain of distractions during their prayer."
Monday, January 31, 2005
Fog on Monday Fire Later
Every Monday morning we have a staff meeting. It is routine. It is necessary. It is not always exciting to deal with business, but our staff has fun.
The only way I can begin a staff meeting is listening to the ancient words of The Book. Today I read from Exodus 24:12-18. Yahweh comes to Moses with this request "come up to me on the mountain and wait there."
Come and wait. An invitation from Yahweh. An invitation of delight and terror. Moses takes his assistant, but finally gets to the top of the mountain alone. The cloud or a fog of Yahweh covers the mountain.
Moses sits and waits. He waits some more. He waits for six days in the cloud. Six days alone in a cloud waiting for Yahweh. What went through his mind? How many times did he check his sundial? How many thoughts filled his consciousness?
He waited until he saw the devouring fire of Yahweh. He stayed with Yahweh 40 days.
How long can you sit and wait for Yahweh? Six days. Six hours. Six minutes. Sixty-seconds.
Yahweh calls, but we do not hear and we certainly do not have time to wait.
The only way I can begin a staff meeting is listening to the ancient words of The Book. Today I read from Exodus 24:12-18. Yahweh comes to Moses with this request "come up to me on the mountain and wait there."
Come and wait. An invitation from Yahweh. An invitation of delight and terror. Moses takes his assistant, but finally gets to the top of the mountain alone. The cloud or a fog of Yahweh covers the mountain.
Moses sits and waits. He waits some more. He waits for six days in the cloud. Six days alone in a cloud waiting for Yahweh. What went through his mind? How many times did he check his sundial? How many thoughts filled his consciousness?
He waited until he saw the devouring fire of Yahweh. He stayed with Yahweh 40 days.
How long can you sit and wait for Yahweh? Six days. Six hours. Six minutes. Sixty-seconds.
Yahweh calls, but we do not hear and we certainly do not have time to wait.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Busyness
Busy is a word. Business is a word. I feel busyness should be a word. I experience busyness. Its weight is as real as the wind or the sunshine or the rain.
Busy is a word that designates being occupied with activity like a CEO. Busy is when you are engaged in much work or cluttered with distracting detail like a garage filled with spare parts. It even refers to annoying meddlesome activity of the prying eyes of a detective.
Business is a word that legitimizes our work. It is a place of occupation, activity and detail. Business is where a CEO, a mechanic and a detective get paid for their activity.
Busyness is real. Busyness muscles into our day and occupies it. Busyness showers papers and emails and reports and parts into our lives and demands our attention. Busyness blows out commands as if its possesses authority to do so.
Busyness is not a relationship. A calm, casual cup of coffee with your friend is not busyness. A pickup game of basketball and a friendly phone call to say "hello" do not qualify as busyness. Time spent cooking dinner with a friend in a quiet apartment surrounded by conversation is not the busyness of "grabbing lunch" and talking through music.
Who controls you? What commands you? Busyness is as real as any idol can be . . . Imaginary, but oh so powerful.
Busy is a word that designates being occupied with activity like a CEO. Busy is when you are engaged in much work or cluttered with distracting detail like a garage filled with spare parts. It even refers to annoying meddlesome activity of the prying eyes of a detective.
Business is a word that legitimizes our work. It is a place of occupation, activity and detail. Business is where a CEO, a mechanic and a detective get paid for their activity.
Busyness is real. Busyness muscles into our day and occupies it. Busyness showers papers and emails and reports and parts into our lives and demands our attention. Busyness blows out commands as if its possesses authority to do so.
Busyness is not a relationship. A calm, casual cup of coffee with your friend is not busyness. A pickup game of basketball and a friendly phone call to say "hello" do not qualify as busyness. Time spent cooking dinner with a friend in a quiet apartment surrounded by conversation is not the busyness of "grabbing lunch" and talking through music.
Who controls you? What commands you? Busyness is as real as any idol can be . . . Imaginary, but oh so powerful.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Silence
Breaking the silence seems impossible on a website . . . nothing is spoken. However, I have hesitated to break this silence. What can be said after meaningful silence in a conversation, a relationship or after secret words are shared? Words are inadequate and powerful expressions.
I also do not like breaking New Year's resolutions . . . So I have not officially made too many.
Breaking promises . . . I hope not.
Breaking the spine of books, the heart of a child, the spirit of a friend, the hard work of a co-worker . . . May God open my eyes to know when to speak and when to be silent.
Silence may best be broken with encouragement and praise. Maybe we all need to break some silent separations from those dearest and most endeared to us.
I also do not like breaking New Year's resolutions . . . So I have not officially made too many.
Breaking promises . . . I hope not.
Breaking the spine of books, the heart of a child, the spirit of a friend, the hard work of a co-worker . . . May God open my eyes to know when to speak and when to be silent.
Silence may best be broken with encouragement and praise. Maybe we all need to break some silent separations from those dearest and most endeared to us.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Fruit Harvest
My absence has been lengthy, making it easier for you to loose my thoughts than to find them. My neglect of sharing thoughts with you ends today. Hopefully you will share your thoughts with me.
Many people have asked me to post my thoughts about 'produce.' Gladly (see below). In our world of consumption, we need reflection on the produce of our life. When business and commercials and governments train us to consume, people are forced daily to produce. However, in the world of the Spirit, production happens differenlty. We open our hearts as soil for the seed of God. Inviting the eternal God to be present in us, God produces fruit in our lives. It is not our earning, but God's presence that produces spiritual life. The fruit of God's Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. No one can pass a company law against these. The presence of God's spirit means we begin to inherit the kingdom of God in the present.
Today I found an ancient text that pictures Gentleness. This story captures the balance between weakness and meekness, softness and strength. As you read this story, notice the rabbi's extreme love to a young man. The rabbi's love does not hold back on giving him an almost impossible challenge.
This is the story of a wealthy young man. You can imagine the type. He lives off a trust fund his parents established for him (a trusty-baby, as they are sometimes called). He has nothing better to do that hang out at coffee shops, philosophize about life and go to school. This wealthy young boy approaches a young, respected Rabbi and asks a meaning of life type question. "What can I do to have the good life forever?” asked the young man. He did not mean necessarily this life, but life that lasts beyond this life. The Rabbi from Nazareth told the man to keep the ten laws. For example, do not murder, steal, sleep with another man's wife, lie or cheat and take care of your parents.
The young man says through a coffee stain white smile, I have kept these laws. The rabbi looks at him and loves him. Catch that, the rabbi loves him! "You only need to do one thing," says the rabbi. "Go sell every last thing you own. Hand over the proceeds to the poor. Then, come and follow me." Utter Shock crosses the young man's eyes. The youth left shaking his head and grieving because he had much to sell.
The rabbi eyed the crowds and explained that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. The crowd was impressed with this young man blessed by God with talent and riches. Someone of the crowed asked who could actually enter the kingdom of God if this young man could not.
The Rabbi said plainly, "it is next to impossible for humans but for God anything can happen." (The Gospel of Mark chapter 10)
May you enter the kingdom of God today. Let go of your wealth, dreams and religion and let God rule your life. Allow God to produce fruit in you by His Spirit. Each day carry the name of one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit on your heart and in your pocket. Allow God to produce that aspect in your words, travels, projects, relationships, phone conversations, emails and driving.
The singular fruit of God's Holy Spirit (with my words of definition)
Love - central trait of God
Joy - celebratory living in God's presence
Peace - calm of life in God's presence
Patience - steady strength under restraint
Kindness - unrestrained acts of grace
Goodness - moral excellence in line with God
Faithfulness - belief that moves with God
Gentleness - courtesy that carries love
Self-control - discipline that reveals God-control
Many people have asked me to post my thoughts about 'produce.' Gladly (see below). In our world of consumption, we need reflection on the produce of our life. When business and commercials and governments train us to consume, people are forced daily to produce. However, in the world of the Spirit, production happens differenlty. We open our hearts as soil for the seed of God. Inviting the eternal God to be present in us, God produces fruit in our lives. It is not our earning, but God's presence that produces spiritual life. The fruit of God's Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. No one can pass a company law against these. The presence of God's spirit means we begin to inherit the kingdom of God in the present.
Today I found an ancient text that pictures Gentleness. This story captures the balance between weakness and meekness, softness and strength. As you read this story, notice the rabbi's extreme love to a young man. The rabbi's love does not hold back on giving him an almost impossible challenge.
This is the story of a wealthy young man. You can imagine the type. He lives off a trust fund his parents established for him (a trusty-baby, as they are sometimes called). He has nothing better to do that hang out at coffee shops, philosophize about life and go to school. This wealthy young boy approaches a young, respected Rabbi and asks a meaning of life type question. "What can I do to have the good life forever?” asked the young man. He did not mean necessarily this life, but life that lasts beyond this life. The Rabbi from Nazareth told the man to keep the ten laws. For example, do not murder, steal, sleep with another man's wife, lie or cheat and take care of your parents.
The young man says through a coffee stain white smile, I have kept these laws. The rabbi looks at him and loves him. Catch that, the rabbi loves him! "You only need to do one thing," says the rabbi. "Go sell every last thing you own. Hand over the proceeds to the poor. Then, come and follow me." Utter Shock crosses the young man's eyes. The youth left shaking his head and grieving because he had much to sell.
The rabbi eyed the crowds and explained that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. The crowd was impressed with this young man blessed by God with talent and riches. Someone of the crowed asked who could actually enter the kingdom of God if this young man could not.
The Rabbi said plainly, "it is next to impossible for humans but for God anything can happen." (The Gospel of Mark chapter 10)
May you enter the kingdom of God today. Let go of your wealth, dreams and religion and let God rule your life. Allow God to produce fruit in you by His Spirit. Each day carry the name of one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit on your heart and in your pocket. Allow God to produce that aspect in your words, travels, projects, relationships, phone conversations, emails and driving.
The singular fruit of God's Holy Spirit (with my words of definition)
Love - central trait of God
Joy - celebratory living in God's presence
Peace - calm of life in God's presence
Patience - steady strength under restraint
Kindness - unrestrained acts of grace
Goodness - moral excellence in line with God
Faithfulness - belief that moves with God
Gentleness - courtesy that carries love
Self-control - discipline that reveals God-control
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Beginning of the End
Tomorrow my class ends. It is hard to believe that two weeks can seem so long and at the same time so short. The students were all pastors and ministers from all over the world (Hong Kong, Canada, Scotland and coast to coast in the USA). The experience of being with a diverse group of ministers highlights the ways we are different. However, more often than not, this time of community emphasizes our sameness of mission, desire for the lost and similar experience.
Donna, Nathan and I have been blessed to spend time with several West Coast friends. Last night we had dinner with a couple working on their Ph.D.s here at Fuller, Jeff & Beth Phillips. Earlier in the week, I had lunch with Andy Wall, who is a preaching minister here in L.A. Catching up with friends in the Kingdom of God revitalization me. People need opportunities to share their different experiences of life. God is at work through others, through us and always in spite of us.
Donna, Nathan and I have been blessed to spend time with several West Coast friends. Last night we had dinner with a couple working on their Ph.D.s here at Fuller, Jeff & Beth Phillips. Earlier in the week, I had lunch with Andy Wall, who is a preaching minister here in L.A. Catching up with friends in the Kingdom of God revitalization me. People need opportunities to share their different experiences of life. God is at work through others, through us and always in spite of us.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Urban Mosaic
Life is full of “firsts.” When you stand less than three feet high and two-weeks shy of your third birthday, life is primarily composed of “firsts.” Sunday afternoon, Donna and I took Nathan to the Santa Monica Beach. There is nothing quite like a beach. The water roars in waves. Birds call and soar and stroll up the sand. The water moves to surround your body in crashing wetness. It is a sensory experience.
Nathan had heard of the ocean and the beach. He read books and saw movies of the waters, but he had never experienced the sounds and spray and movement of the water. His first contact with the waves was shear laughter. Nathan’s squeals of joy came with each rushing wave. The disappearance of the water down into the sand and backward into the ocean brought him to exuberant laughter as his own feet sunk into the wet sand.
Real knowing is a combination of seeing, hearing, reading, smelling, touching and . . . experiencing. Nathan now knows something of beaches and oceans. While ill-prepared as an expert, he has experienced something.
Later Sunday evening, I drove into the heart of downtown L.A. to experience something different. When I am away from my routine, I enjoy experiencing something new. So, I went to Mosaic. Located in a night club called the Mayan, Mosaic is a six-year old church begun by Erwin McManus. Now, church and night club rarely find room for one another in the same sentence, but Mosaic is a “multi-site, inter-racial, metropolitan” church with members having an average age of 24. You can read about Mosaic in this article from Saturday’s Los Angeles Times.
Mosaic’s mission statement is cued by one of my favorite lines from Paul “faith, hope and love” the three charities mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 (and throughout Paul’s writings). Here is their mission statement “to live by faith, to be known by love and to be a voice of hope.”
After entering through a small foyer area, I passed through a crowd of people sitting at tables and chairs, drinking coffee and bottled water. The Mayan Club was focused toward a stage with rows of folding chairs closest to the stage. I saw no where to sit and finally found an unoccupied stool in a row of stools.
The worship time was twenty-five minutes of praise that was generated by a loud Christian rock band that filled the club with music. Erwin appeared and spoke to the group for an extended period of time from Romans 12. He focused on part three of their mission statement “Connection” that “structure must always submit to Spirit.” The sermon connected well with me. God used McManus to remind me that my gifts are to be used to develop others. God has given us uniqueness to serve, not just ourselves, but to serve others in reaching their fullness in God’s purpose. I needed to hear that message from God.
This new experience reminded me of my other Generation X worship experiences. Each is similar and unique. It is like going to different beaches. I always find water, sun and sand, yet every one has a different view of the ocean. Church is best experienced with people. It is so much more exciting when shared with someone who squeals with delight in a new experience with God. McManus made an off-handed comment that the most important people for the leadership and development of Mosaic are not even Christians at this moment. Ah, how true. Ah, how easily denied and ignored. May God continue to bring us people who come to know and experience Jesus for the very first time.
Nathan had heard of the ocean and the beach. He read books and saw movies of the waters, but he had never experienced the sounds and spray and movement of the water. His first contact with the waves was shear laughter. Nathan’s squeals of joy came with each rushing wave. The disappearance of the water down into the sand and backward into the ocean brought him to exuberant laughter as his own feet sunk into the wet sand.
Real knowing is a combination of seeing, hearing, reading, smelling, touching and . . . experiencing. Nathan now knows something of beaches and oceans. While ill-prepared as an expert, he has experienced something.
Later Sunday evening, I drove into the heart of downtown L.A. to experience something different. When I am away from my routine, I enjoy experiencing something new. So, I went to Mosaic. Located in a night club called the Mayan, Mosaic is a six-year old church begun by Erwin McManus. Now, church and night club rarely find room for one another in the same sentence, but Mosaic is a “multi-site, inter-racial, metropolitan” church with members having an average age of 24. You can read about Mosaic in this article from Saturday’s Los Angeles Times.
Mosaic’s mission statement is cued by one of my favorite lines from Paul “faith, hope and love” the three charities mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 (and throughout Paul’s writings). Here is their mission statement “to live by faith, to be known by love and to be a voice of hope.”
After entering through a small foyer area, I passed through a crowd of people sitting at tables and chairs, drinking coffee and bottled water. The Mayan Club was focused toward a stage with rows of folding chairs closest to the stage. I saw no where to sit and finally found an unoccupied stool in a row of stools.
The worship time was twenty-five minutes of praise that was generated by a loud Christian rock band that filled the club with music. Erwin appeared and spoke to the group for an extended period of time from Romans 12. He focused on part three of their mission statement “Connection” that “structure must always submit to Spirit.” The sermon connected well with me. God used McManus to remind me that my gifts are to be used to develop others. God has given us uniqueness to serve, not just ourselves, but to serve others in reaching their fullness in God’s purpose. I needed to hear that message from God.
This new experience reminded me of my other Generation X worship experiences. Each is similar and unique. It is like going to different beaches. I always find water, sun and sand, yet every one has a different view of the ocean. Church is best experienced with people. It is so much more exciting when shared with someone who squeals with delight in a new experience with God. McManus made an off-handed comment that the most important people for the leadership and development of Mosaic are not even Christians at this moment. Ah, how true. Ah, how easily denied and ignored. May God continue to bring us people who come to know and experience Jesus for the very first time.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Real Learning
Being away and in an environment that I sit and I learn is very important. I feel it is vital for those who talk a lot to spend a great deal of time listening. I am thankful to all those who allow me this opportunity to listen and be quit.
This week Dr. Peace has begun discussion about transformative Bible study. He says that there is a difference between teaching and learning. It is one thing to teach something and another thing entirely to learn. Many teachers are too preoccupied with teaching and not learning.
Peace believes that adults are, without exception, creative individuals. The tricky task of teaching is bringing out their creativity. I really resonate with his thinking. He feels that the task of teachers and preachers is to create multiple places were people can encounter scripture in a transformative way.
So, here is my thought, or my question: are Christians and churches more focused on teaching people or on helping them learn?
This week Dr. Peace has begun discussion about transformative Bible study. He says that there is a difference between teaching and learning. It is one thing to teach something and another thing entirely to learn. Many teachers are too preoccupied with teaching and not learning.
Peace believes that adults are, without exception, creative individuals. The tricky task of teaching is bringing out their creativity. I really resonate with his thinking. He feels that the task of teachers and preachers is to create multiple places were people can encounter scripture in a transformative way.
So, here is my thought, or my question: are Christians and churches more focused on teaching people or on helping them learn?
Monday, October 04, 2004
Success
This week I am in class with Richard Peace who is teaching “Discipleship and Spirituality in a Postmodern Age.” Today he opened with an interesting comment, “in North America there is a superficial appearance of success and progress.” He tweaked my attention by challenging the success that many growing churches may not be transforming their people.
What makes a successful community of believers? Numerical growth often gets an affirming nod. Spiritual growth also is appreciated. Practical life-change is also affirmed. But, think further. What makes a church valuable to you? I am wondering what is success means for you.
What makes a successful community of believers? Numerical growth often gets an affirming nod. Spiritual growth also is appreciated. Practical life-change is also affirmed. But, think further. What makes a church valuable to you? I am wondering what is success means for you.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
The Day That Crumbled
The day that crumbled
no market,
no travel,
no info,
no hope,
no calls,
no enemy.
And where is Yahweh?
Allah?
Jesus?
This is not the Spirit.
I see oppression
practiced under the sun.
Look at oppressed tears
with no one to comfort them!
On the side of oppressors
There is power
yet nothing comforts oppressed.
I say that the dead,
who have already died
are more fortunate than the living,
who are still alive only to themselves.
The clear sky is calm,
yet memory holds the ash of holocaust death.
Burn fire,
Wind blow,
Purify rain.
People equate rays of burning lights,
that illumine our understanding
with the Light
that keeps away darkness.
It takes someone else’s crash to see
I'm blind to the crashed car
all around my seat.
-Brady Bryce (the Fall 2001)
no market,
no travel,
no info,
no hope,
no calls,
no enemy.
And where is Yahweh?
Allah?
Jesus?
This is not the Spirit.
I see oppression
practiced under the sun.
Look at oppressed tears
with no one to comfort them!
On the side of oppressors
There is power
yet nothing comforts oppressed.
I say that the dead,
who have already died
are more fortunate than the living,
who are still alive only to themselves.
The clear sky is calm,
yet memory holds the ash of holocaust death.
Burn fire,
Wind blow,
Purify rain.
People equate rays of burning lights,
that illumine our understanding
with the Light
that keeps away darkness.
It takes someone else’s crash to see
I'm blind to the crashed car
all around my seat.
-Brady Bryce (the Fall 2001)
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Sex & Spirituality
Spirituality means many different things to different people. It is quickly becoming a thread-bare word without consistent meaning. In my mind, spirituality cannot be limited to an individual pursuit. Sure individuals must find their own way through life. But if we journey only under our own power and rely solely upon our own resources then we will fail. An individual who is unwilling to be part of community will not find meaningful spirituality. It might as well be self-worship.
I got this email on Monday about discipleship. It contains a great on-liner about discipleship.
for your teaching. I am always encouraged by the way
you connect God's word to our lives.
Jed --
Thanks for your words. I absolutely love your connection of loving relationship with discipleship. When applied to discipleship to Jesus that is a powerful statement. How many people/Christians treasure relationship with Jesus? I am afraid that most of the time we all seek relationship with Jesus only when it will be helpful NOW. Few are those who seek relationship trusting that it WILL be helpful. I believe that my chore is to help people fall in love with Jesus AND commit themselves to loving God when it is easy and when it is tough. Marriage and discipleship also share many similarities. Life shared over decades. Time is invested. Sadly, most Americans like their spirituality as they like their sexuality -- passion to please the self and without commitment to another.
What we love (outside of ourselves) will change us. If the pursuit of our lives is personal happiness and fulfillment, then we will remain unchanged and empty. If we seek relationship with a transcendent God and community with others, then we will be reborn and find meaning beyond our limited view.
Thanks again,
Brady
<'///><
I got this email on Monday about discipleship. It contains a great on-liner about discipleship.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jed
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2004 6:12 PM
To: Brady
B,
Just wanted to share a follow-up thought to our last
email interaction around discipleship. I went to a
funeral at 1st Presbyterian this past Saturday and
heard an interesting comment. One of the pastors
shared a line from a prayer he had received from a
woman several years ago that she had written at the
time of her father's death. The line read "What we
love becomes a part of us and who we love becomes a
part of us." What a great synopsis of discipleship!
Perhaps just a more contemporary way of saying "Where
your treasure is..."
for your teaching. I am always encouraged by the way
you connect God's word to our lives.
-Jed
Jed --
Thanks for your words. I absolutely love your connection of loving relationship with discipleship. When applied to discipleship to Jesus that is a powerful statement. How many people/Christians treasure relationship with Jesus? I am afraid that most of the time we all seek relationship with Jesus only when it will be helpful NOW. Few are those who seek relationship trusting that it WILL be helpful. I believe that my chore is to help people fall in love with Jesus AND commit themselves to loving God when it is easy and when it is tough. Marriage and discipleship also share many similarities. Life shared over decades. Time is invested. Sadly, most Americans like their spirituality as they like their sexuality -- passion to please the self and without commitment to another.
What we love (outside of ourselves) will change us. If the pursuit of our lives is personal happiness and fulfillment, then we will remain unchanged and empty. If we seek relationship with a transcendent God and community with others, then we will be reborn and find meaning beyond our limited view.
Thanks again,
Brady
<'///><
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