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I used to practice spiritual disciplines.  Now, I just allow myself to indulge in the means of grace.  When I need encouragement that God’s plan for me is wise and loving even when I don’t like my circumstances I read the Bible.  If I’m really struggling I may meditate on select verses or even memorize a pertinent chapter.  I know God will comfort my anxious thoughts and calm my racing thoughts.  So, when I need to, I indulge myself.

When I feel certain compulsions to self-destructive and/or demeaning behaviors, I may treat myself to a day of fasting or some intense physical exercise.  Once again, God accepts my invitation to minister to me by calming my body.  Or, when I feel tired or alone, I go to church and let my pastor spoon feed me some life-nourishing truth and let the worship team draw me into their fellowship of praise.  I may even be treated to an invitation to celebrate communion with God and saints throughout history through receiving the Eucharist.  I feel the passions to love and care for others poured into me through these means of grace.  I unapologetically indulge myself.

Back when I used to think of myself primarily as “a Believer” I practiced spiritual disciplines in hopes of discovering the right things to believe.  When I thought of myself primarily as “a Disciple” I practiced spiritual disciplines in order to be obedient to the principles of God.  But, now-a-days, I think of myself as first and foremost as a child of God, adopted into the family of God.  I rejoice in my forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice on my behalf.  I depend upon the Holy Spirit to continue the works of sanctification that has been begun within me.  I cast all my cares on Him, and put away those “spiritual disciplines”.  I’m just a child.  I can’t be expected to be smart enough, strong enough, caring enough, and stable enough to accomplish those disciplines.  Instead, I will indulge myself in the means of grace.

ALBUMS OF THE DECADE
The 2000’s came to a close, so I decided to make a “Media Decade in Review List.” We will start out with music albums from the last decade. My criteria for making this albums list came down to what albums have a significant meaning to me, what have I listened to the most, and which albums will stand the test of time. I find it hard to put anything from 2009 on my decade in review list because who knows if it will stand the test of time. Five years from now, will I still like Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective? Not sure. I am too close to it right now to be able to tell. I have obviously thought about this a little bit too much. Here is the list (in reverse order for dramatic effect).

Honorable Mention
Coldplay, Parachutes (2000)
Wilco, A Ghost Is Born (2001)
Interpol, Turn On The Bright Lights (2002)
Death Cab For Cutie, Transatlantism (2003)
David Crowder Band, A Collision (2005)
The Decemberists, The Crane Wife (2006)
Feist, The Reminder (2007)
Radiohead, In Rainbows (2007)
Kings Of Leon, Only By The Night (2008)

10–Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)
9–Swell Season, Once Soundtrack (2007)
8–Travis, The Man Who (2000)
7–Pete Yorn, Music For The Morning After (2002)
6–Arcade Fire, Neon Bible (2007)
5–Postal Service, Give Up (2004)
4–Sigur Ros, Takk (2005)
3–Coldplay, A Rush Of Blood To The Head (2002)
2–Sufjan Stevens, Illinois (2005)
1–Arcade Fire, Funeral (2004)

Chris here.  Seems like everything I write on the blog is serious.  Friday is our “current” day, and while we want our writers to make connections and create discussion about people’s role in making the world a better place, today I’m just going to point you to a youtube clip.  Nathan McKinney is writing great stuff every other Friday, and Dan McIntosh is also contributing material to “current”, which will involve discussions about current stuff- music, books, art, movies….things that are thought provoking, and because they are artistic, they make the world a better place.

Well, there’s no analogy, no theological perspective (that I’m going to offer, this time) on this post.  Its just a clip from my favorite movie of the year, The Fantastic Mr. Fox.  I say we give this a shot- the world needs more good games for us to play- especially with burning pine cones.

Have a great Superbowl weekend, and remember, its just a game…..that just about everyone watches at the same time all over the world.

ck

Now that I have run the word motivation into the ground, I thought I would come back and talk about the very root that “should” motivate us. In fact, watching “The Grammy’s” the other night they mentioned this word a lot. It flashed on the screen above the singers more than a dozen times, and each person talking about Haiti mentioned it in their speeches. Although, I don’t know if the word really stuck or if their definition was correct. As most of you probably have guessed this word is “LOVE”.

Love is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but I am not sure we understand the implications it holds. When I was a young stud wooing the ladies (kidding of course), I threw this word out quite a bit. You know the awkward times of getting off the phone and the words “I Love You” usually spew out when you are not thinking, or you get caught in a trap by her spewing the same words first. Merely listening to the radio or musical artists we see love used excessively. “Love Will Build a Bridge,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” and my all time favorite by DC Talk, “Luv (notice spelling) is a Verb”. You know DC Talk may have gotten it right more than we think. Listen to these words: “Because love is a word that requires some action.” So what is love without action?

Of course, when speaking of love my mind automatically goes to I Corinthians 13. Most of you might be familiar with what it says in I Corinthians 13:4-8. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” Man, what a great passage right? I believe this gives us a great look at love, and we can even compare ourselves to it as sort of a measurement. Am I patient? Do I insist on my way? And so on. The part we often over look is captured by Paul in verses 1-3. Paul gives us an idea of what this motivator is all about. “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

If it is not eloquent words, knowledge (which we put so much stock into now days), or faith and not even ultimate surrender than what is love? Share some stories that you have seen that describe this ultimate motivator, and give some ideas of what you think love truly is. And if that is what you believe then do you posses that kind of love?

I just recently watched “The Book of Eli” which was a wonderful thing considering the first few movies I watched in this short while into 2010 have not been so good.  This movie was very good.  I’m a sucker for stories, and the story line of this film was so intriguing and spiritual, and not what I was expecting.  The plot of the film (which I will no go into acute detail for the sake of not spoiling the movie for those of you who have not seen it yet) is set in post apocalyptic Earth and the story follows a man (Denzel Washington) that feels he is called to take the last Bible in existence West where there is talk of a civilized society that is trying to restore humanity.  It shows his struggles of making his way westward, without actually having any clue where to go and the trials and tribulations that are in his way, such as people trying to steal from him and kill him for the book.  The movie is highly violent but riddled with spiritual Under and Overtones and for the sake of ruining the story I will end the plot description here.

What I took away from this movie is something that most probably should have.  The main point to me was to follow God’s lead blindly.  Without question, without complaint, we are called to follow Him, even if we don’t understand.  It kind of put that back into perspective to me for sometimes we forget that we are not the ones who should question the Lord, which we all do daily.  God uses people in so many ways even when we don’t understand.  Such as why did God chose two men (Allen and Albert Hughes) to direct “The Book of Eli” that have no real belief or faith in their lives currently, and it’s a movie based on believing in faith and spiritual guidance?  I think it’s because God knew they were best fit for it.  Either way it’s not for us to question.  If you were to be put in a position where you were supposed to blindly go somewhere without knowing where you would end, would you have the courage to do so without complaint, questioning or complete understanding for Gods will?  What feelings would have if you were told to go west and keep moving until you find what it is you are looking for?

When I was working full-time as a psychotherapist, I spent a good chunk of my work days helping clients that were struggling with chemical dependency.  The topic of pain was very relevant to the people I interacted with in counseling, both as folks still active in addiction and also as new travelers on the road to recovery.  Pain in this life is unavoidable, and I would frequently challenge people to see pain as one of the most underutilized resources on the planet.  Sound a bit odd?

I am currently on staff at an Evangelical Covenant Church (www.covchurch.org) and recently attended our annual Midwinter Conference (www.covchurch.org/midwinter) and Connection (www.covchurch.org/connection) in Denver, CO.  The theme of the Connection this year was “The Beautiful Struggle,” and there were a variety of great speakers and teachers that spoke in different ways on this notion of pursuing Jesus with our lives as being a beautiful struggle.  Sunil Sardar was one of the general session speakers that I was privileged enough to hear.

“Pain is a privilege.  Pain is a gift from God.”

These are the words of Sardar, an incredible man of God that founded TruthSeekers International (www.truthseekersinternational.org) as a vehicle to share the life-changing power of Jesus with seven hundred million lower caste people in India, a people that are set up from birth by the caste system more to exist rather than truly live.  He has been physically and verbally assaulted because of the work he is doing, and yet, he experiences pain of all types as an honor.  He also made a point to say that we do not have to seek pain for it will find us.  However, Sardar did mention the concept of “borrowing pain” from others.  Does this sound like someone else?

We are called to join in joy as our brothers and sisters celebrate a victory, and on the other end of the scale, there is this equally important call to join with those that are experiencing deep struggle and pain.

What does that look like for you?  It may be incredibly personal today, as in the pain may be inside you or someone that is very close and dear to you.

Look back in your story.  Is it possible today for you to see a struggle as something that is connected to real beauty?

We often claim to be people that desire growth, but if we are honest, we seldom are willing to do what it takes to go in that direction.  Just like farmers utilize manure to assist in the growth of fresh produce, we are invited to utilize pain, the “crap” of our lives, to assist in spiritual growth.

Last week’s sermon at our church began with a Winston Churchill quote:  “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”  It’s a great quote, and I’ve been thinking that this doesn’t just apply to buildings.  For instance, we shape (choose) our food; then it shapes us.  We shape our days; then they shape us.  The long and short of it is, we make our choices, and then they make us.

Our choices not only reflect who we are, they actually impact who we become in the future.

What brought this to mind is the realization that my current work has pushed me toward a prayer life.  I’ve always wanted more of a prayer life, and more of a prayerful posture toward life.  And suddenly I realize that I pray more than I used to.   Not because I consciously made a decision to really develop a prayer life right now, but because the nature of my work drives me to prayer.

I made a vocational choice toward what felt like both a calling and a longing, and that choice has begun to form me in ways I hadn’t expected.  I knew I wanted to develop and use some of my best and deepest gifts in a more intentional way.  What I did not know was that in doing so, I would be pushed toward fulfilling another longing — a longing for a more prayerful approach to my life.  It was a wonderful realization.

What are some of the choices before you right now?  How do they reflect who you are?  And how might they impact who you become tomorrow?

I get a one line email last night.  It asks me:  “What do you mean by “two years of not being challenged?”  I have not met the author (to my knowledge.)

Oh boy.  You know when someone asks you a simple question,  and you automatically realize that you may have messed up something up?  Is it just me?  I figured as much…

I go to re-read my email sent out a couple of days ago for contributors, partners, friends, which is aimed to thank folks and inform them about the new stuff going on at CQ Missional.  I’m getting the feeling that something I wrote could be taken the wrong way, and I’m thinking, “man, when you write up something quickly and shoot it out there- people who don’t know you read it, and you’ve got to do a better job of communicating your heart.”  I’m also reminded that when you shoot from the hip- you usually hit your foot first.  In the email,  I started some communication about a new “gap year” program we’re starting next year for community college students, and other high school grads.

Here’s what I read that I had written just one day before:  “Students are not usually thrilled about it, parents however, like the great value of it. “It” is going to Tulsa Community College for your entry into college life. The Tulsa Achieves program is free for qualifying students and a great choice financially. However, many students who stay in Tulsa for community college have 2 years of not being challenged, wishing they were somewhere else, and playing it safe and not engaging the promise of this time of life. Instead of really exploring a life calling and preparing to enter vocational training with confidence, they do a lot of hanging out.”

Hum…  Its that true?  Well, I am sure it is for some people.  In fact,  I know it is for some people.  However, my statement can be read as a judgment on the quality of what TCC offers.  That was not what I was after, especially because the Achieves program is exactly the kind of thing that excites us about living in Tulsa.  Its great.  It provides choice for those who haven’t had it before.  It gives opportunity.  Its city wide.

The notion that students don’t grow or develop during community college really says more about the student than about the college.  Our growth is always our own responsibility.  You know, like we were taught in grad school, that our outcomes are always a marriage of an experience plus our belief about the experience.  Attitude is everything, and people mine beauty from any place every day, and folks also blow it and fail to capitalize on something beautiful right in front of them, every day.

TCC has done a beautiful thing in the Achieves program and as I have commented on numerous occasions, what is a good thing will just keep getting better and better because of this injection of life into the community.  Here is the “to the point” explanation and purpose for the TCC Achieves program from their website:

What Is Tulsa Achieves?
TCC helps eliminate the financial burden of attending college by providing additional funding to fill the “gap” between financial aid and the cost of attending college.

For eligible students, Tulsa Achieves pays up to 100% of tuition and fees for a maximum of 63 college credit hours. As a gap-funding program, Tulsa Achieves pays any remaining balance after all state, federal and private aid and grant funding have been applied. There is no cost to the student!

Why did TCC start the Tulsa Achieves Program?
The answer is simple – Students in Tulsa County should have the opportunity to attend college based on an ability to achieve, not an ability to pay.

It’s all about giving back to, and improving, our community. By increasing the number of Tulsa County residents with higher education degrees, we can increase the number of skilled professionals available in the Tulsa job market. We hope to encourage students to graduate high school and engage their community through service learning/volunteer service. With Tulsa Achieves, TCC is helping to ensure that Tulsa continues to grow, just as Tulsa has ensured the growth of TCC.

This deal is SO what we want to promote in Tulsa, and any words that imply that they aren’t doing a great thing here- are just misplaced, and not what we want to communicate.

Can community college be the best possible choice for people trying to move towards their life calling?  Absolutely.  Even without “us?”  Um….yep.

Is it possible that students who stay in Tulsa to engage an education at a place like TCC might need what we offer to help them move forward in life, to pursue their unique role in making the world a better place?  I am convinced the answer to that one is yes also. We help people take responsibility for their potential on a personal level, and engage the adventure of what is right in front of their face- such as their potential contribution to this community.  Many people just need a personal challenge and relationship that helps them go to this place.

So, maybe a better way to have written that paragraph would have been:

“Some students may not be thrilled about it, parents however, like the great value of it. “It” is going to Tulsa Community College for your entry into college life. The Tulsa Achieves program is free for qualifying students and a great choice, giving tons of students the opportunity for free tuition to TCC’s growing academic  programs. The TCC experience also can offer a seamless academic transition to 4 year state Universities.  While having TCC and the Achieves program here is such a great resource to our city, many students who stay in Tulsa do not use their time to develop their unique role in the world.  Many don’t seek out the challenge that leads to growth during these years and play it safe instead- living in a holding pattern until they go on to a 4 year university, choose a major, and live on “their own.”   Instead of really exploring a life calling and preparing to enter vocational training with confidence, many students hang out, do their work, and wait.  We believe we can come along side of  students during this time, and help them engage the foundational questions of who they will be.  The result will be a student ready to engage more specific vocational and life training with courage and confidence- knowing who they are, and ready to dive into that adventure.”

The lesson for me?  James tells us: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…”  I’m reminded that my perspective is limited, and I quickly forget that others have the ability to broaden my little window.   My quick words don’t give the whole story, and as I have experienced more times than I would like to admit, the crow doesn’t taste like chicken. I’ll eat it though (salsa  might help).

We look forward to serving people as they discover their unique role in making the world a better place.  Thanks to folks like TCC and the Achieves program who are doing that same work.  Our program to help students with their unique role in this world, called “GPS” will take off this August.

ck

For several years, I claimed the song “Elias” by former indie jam band, Dispatch, to be my favorite song of all time. While the song may have lost a bit of its luster to me over the years, it is still way up there on my list of greatest songs of all time. And one of the main reasons it has remained up there is the story that literally surrounds it. The story the leads up to the writing of this great tune, and the story that has continued because of it, is truly remarkable.

It all started back in 1994 when Chad Urmston, former Dispatch member and current State Radio frontman, went on a trip to Zimbabwe where he met and befriended a simple, but wise, gardener named Elias. As Chad watched Elias work hard and struggle to provide for his wife and two sons, he was amazed at his ability to love despite his circumstances. He grew to care deeply about Elias and from there, one of the band’s most beloved songs was birthed. For those who have never heard it, it is a beautifully written song, that starts off with a prayer in Elias’ native tongue Shona.

But the most exciting part of the story, is what has taken place after the writing of this great song. First there was the fundraiser, started by two friends of band, which accumulated to $13,000, guaranteeing Elias’ boys an education. Then came the grassroots organization, the Elias Fund, which works with local initiatives to empower Zimbabwean through strategic partnership and resource allocation. The song has also inspired the band to start the Dispatch Foundation which has a similar mission to build and support community growth in Zimbabwe. And there have been multiple benefit concerts all because of of this one song.

The obvious conclusion is to look at this story and to recognize the impact that this song has had on Elias and the rest of his community over in Zimbabwe. As great as it is, the song isn’t what I want to focus on. Very few of you who are reading this are actually song writers, and those of you who are can’t just go out and say “I’m gonna write a song to inspire change in an impoverished country”, and then make it happen. And Chad didn’t do anything significant when he wrote this song. He was just doing what he was created to do, what he had done before and is continuing to do today as he writes songs for State Radio. What was significant was his choice to go to Zimbabwe, and not just to visit and take pity on them, but he chose to engage in relationship with the people there. It was the relationship that he developed with Elias. That is what was significant.

So I encourage you. Wherever you are, whatever you do. Take the time and put forth the effort to engage in relationships and then keep doing whatever it is God created you to do. Change will happen.

Being a father of two incredibly cool kids I am overwhelmed daily with a few quotes, “Hey dad!” “Dad, look at me.” “Dad, come see what I built.” “Dad, look at this, it is cool.” “Dad, watch me.” If I am being quite honest I get tired of hearing the word “Dad” sometimes. However,  I know what my kids are yearning for: Acceptance, Applause, an Encouraging Word, a little bit of Dad’s time and love…

I am also a big fan of the show “American Idol”. Now before you judge me on watching very shallow TV, hang-on. I love the stories. Last week they featured a girl who grew up in a very strict home. This girl basically seemed to live in the shadow of her parents, and at every waking moment she did her best to please them but it never seemed enough. Well, the girl broke free and was now sitting in New York City plastered on the TV waves. She sang and she made it. Tears of joy streamed down her face. American Idol proceeded to tape as she called her dad. The dad said, “Hello” and the first words after “Dad, I made it to Hollywood” where, “DAD, ARE YOU PROUD OF ME?” Now I am not much of a crier but the tears flowed. All the girl wanted was to know that her dad was proud of her.

I have friend that is an incredible athlete. In fact, this kid has more talent in his big toe than most have in their whole body. He was all-conference, all-state, and more in football and ended up playing at the collegiate level for a couple of years. Unfortunately, some bad choices ended it all. While he was struggling with this loss I began asking him tough questions. Who are you? Where you going? Why can’t you move on?  The bottom line was he missed the roar of the crowd. He missed the pat on the back when a fumble was recovered or a pass intercepted. He lived for the applause now it was gone.

As I sit back and watch person after person give to the tragedy in Haiti, I hear their silent, “Look at Me!” pleas for acceptance. Now I am not judging their heart or intentions because I think they do want to help, but if we are honest, we are crying out for the attention, the applause, the moment always. Just like my kids saying, “Dad look at me!” or the girl on American Idol saying, “Dad, are you proud of me?” or my friend missing the roar of the crowd when a job was done well. So the question becomes when the world, crowd, mom or dad don’t give you your acceptance, where do you go? We all want it. We all need it. But where you get it is very important, and it could mean life or death. Lastly, going back to motivation, are you only motivated to serve, clothe, feed, love during tragic events or big sponsored events so you can get the attention or  praise, or can you do it all for no applause, no pat on the back, no acceptance and feel secure in who you are made to be? I can’t  help but think that it is those who never get noticed in the world that make the most impact. What do you think?