Nas is going up against Fox News racist smears with a petition. Can anybody say "If I ruled the world"? A big shout to Nas for standing on the side of justice and a big shout to fellow Fuller student C. Wess Daniels at Gathering in Light for getting the word out first. For more of the story you can check out the hilarious and downright sarcastic Stephen Colbert Reports If you wnat to be involved you can sign the petition here

Lakeland Revival, Todd Bentley, and either/or thinking

So I have been watching this whole Lakeland Revival thing from afar. It seems to me that every couple of years or so there is some new "prophet" or "move of God" that captures our attention and I wonder is it just the result of our American consumerism and desire for more? Is it the natural outcome of a warped spirituality that always needs hype and glam to satisfy it's perverted longings. One thing that I have noticed is critics or proponents of these moves of God usually are at one extreme of the spectrum or another. I mean either Todd Bentley is an angel from heaven or satan's number one agent in the church. What if God was doing something? Personally I don't agree with the doctrine and teaching but is correct doctrine a requirement for God to move through physical healing or miracles? Isn't that what a teacher is for? If someone is off in the non essentials of Christian doctrine does this hinder the Spirit of God from moving? I mean after all there are discoveries of past doctrinal errors from many great heroes of the faith. Does that discredit the rest of their teaching? Certainly not. All that aside what do you think about the Lakeland Revival? Counterfeit or God's authentic move in America?

Some heavy light reading

I used to avoid reading novels and other sorts of fiction. I felt like if I'm going to read a book then it has to further my success in life-a very pragmatic approach. The one thing that I have learned is that through fiction we are immersed in reality. We get to taste the sins, mistakes, joys, and triumphs of ourselves and others. This has been really helpful as a pastor. Reading through the Cider House Rules or any one of Tolkien's works has brought me to a greater understanding of myself and those around me.

What are your favorite pieces of fiction? If you don't have any here is a list from Off the Agenda a blog about building church leaders. Some very good selections although there are alot of them that directly reference God or Christianity. Not that it's a bad thing but I think it's the more subtle themes in the non christian world that really illuminate the human existence.

The similarity btw moving in and a flight to Ethiopia

It can be summed up in one word: waiting

I hate plane flights in general not because I'm scared or there are terrorists on the loose out there but because you are cooped up in that box in the sky. You can't get off. So you wait. I have problems with transition and being on a plane is just a big transition. You have left your place of residence but you have not arrived at the destination. That is how I feel about moving into Fuller Housing and not starting class. There is plenty to do: new job, unpacking, closing up ministry commitments but it is not what I want to do. Just like on a plane you can watch a movie, read a book, walk around, talk to somebody (if u really like that sort of thing :) but what you really want to do; the reason why you are on the plane is because you wanted to get somewhere; a specific somewhere. So I am waiting to get to my specific somewhere: classes at Fuller. Oh Lord let September come-wait a minute-Let your kingdom come;
Let your will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven

Amen