what does life look like

This video, from England, is won a competion sponsored by Alpha. Let me know what you think.

In the news

Baylor-Gallup report on religious involvement

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on fasting

It’s interesting. People talk to me about praying and say, “it doesn’t work. God never listens.” As a result, they blame God for not listening.

But what if they never thought about how God wants to be talked with? We spend lots of time trying to understand how to talk with our spouses, our clients, our offspring, our bosses. Sometimes we even ask them, “so, what’s the best way to get hold of you?” We say, “It there something I said that offended you?”

There were some people who looked at the rules for talking with God and saw “fasting” on the list. They decided that fasting, giving up food for a period of time, would be a great way to get God’s attention. So they fasted. And nothing happened, or at least nothing that they wanted.

So they got upset. “God,” they said. “We’re fasting and you aren’t listening. we are humbling ourselves and you aren’t responding.” (Never mind that the point of humbling yourself is to be humble, not to point at it with pride.)

And God said, “That’s not the kind of fasting that gets My attention, the self-centered, short-term giving up food.” He also pointed out that on their fast days they ended up doing whatever they wanted and yelling at their workers and setting into fights.

If Isaiah had been a graphic novelist, this would be great cartoons. But he wasn’t. He was a prophet repeating God’s words.

So what kind of fasting does God want? Loosing chains, breaking yokes, sharing food, giving clothing, paying attention to your own family. These word pictures are big, even when the fasts of justice start out very small.

And the result? “Then your light will break forth like the dawn.” Again, if Isaiah could draw….

That’s what our ministries are about. The kind of fasting that God desired.

May your light shine this week. (thanks to Isaiah 58).

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a justice champion

At Taylor University today, I heard from John Perkins again. I first saw him 26 years ago when he was receiving an honorary doctorate when I was graduating with a less than honorary bachelor’s degree.

Several thoughts for us:

• we know the problem
• we have a solution
• we need your help

“I want to be known as a person in history who did that [Christian community development]“

“We have to recognize the inherent dignity of the people who have the problems. They have to be part of the solution.”

“Our preaching has to be not just inspirational but applicational”

“God can do more than take care of me.”

“A leader should be known by the people he embraces”

“The vision needs to have room for people to make it their own.”

“Character is invisible but seen.”

****

I was reminded today that there is a need for thinkers and for doers, for people who can take on the hard task of thinking and talking through theology and life, and for people who will go live the theology. At times we end up being neither. I think we all need to be at least one of the two.

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Promo for next meeting

Watch this video by clicking on the arrow in the middle.

Hunger Walk – September 30

Associated Churches, Salvation Army, Franciscan Center and Miss Virginia’s House are sponsoring the Hunger Walk again (this is number 4). See details here.

The impact of retired volunteers

While driving home from a trip on Monday, I heard this NPR story twice. It talks about the Purpose Prize being given to persons 60 and over who are involved in community action of one sort or another. The story gives a great word and sound picture of Ruth, a person who is being helped in the same way that many of our LID ministries are helping people.

So, who are your Purpose Prize nominees? Who are the people that you see making a difference in their post-retirement “occupations?”

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Crucial conversations, part one

This month, we’ll be talking about tough times to talk. In our resource book, Crucial Conversations, the authors define a crucial conversation as “a discussion between two or more people where (1) stakes are high, (2) opinions vary, and (3) emotions run strong.”

So, does that ring any bells? Are you ever part of those kinds of conversations? What about those times that a volunteer is doing exactly what they were instructed not to do? What about the time that one of your clients is accusing the organization of discrimination? What about that time last week that you and your spouse/child/parent were so frustrated with each other that…

At the ED breakfast on September 19, we’ll spend some time considering how to handle these conversations successfully.

Here’s the secret for today. If you have found this post and comment on it by suggesting a difficult conversation you know of (or just send an email to sue saying “I read it”), I’ll have a reward for you at the breakfast.

Jon

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Strides of Hope

A Hope Center will have their Strides of Hope fundraiser on Sept 16. This includes a 5K run and a Walkathon. There will be a pancake and sausage breakfast following. This event is all at Foster park. Call A Hope Center at 422-3544.

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Listen to this

Nonprofit ministries are not small businesses. Except for when they are.

Becky McCray has started a new audio magazine (also known as a podcast) called the “The Great Big Small Business Show“. This program which you can listen to on your computer has several ideas which can be valuable for any small organization trying to build relationships with others. If a customer is “anyone whose actions affect your results”, then all of our ministries have customers.

Check out this show.