The book is mine (see next blog) and already I'm fired up, I'm inspired, and I'm ready to explode.
I agree wholeheartedly, and even more than that with Kurt Vonnegut when he says ... "I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center." (p19)
Kevin Roberts says ... "I believe 'edge cultures' will have even higher value in this millenium. Great ideas can come from anywhere, but most of them turn up on the edge. The places that are restless and resourceful. The place that don't understand 'can't be done.'" (p.18)
I wrote this only yesterday when emailing a friend ... "Somehow I think it is both/and not either/or. I think the traditional forms of church done well and can provide the resources and support to spin off innovative groups that will push the boundaries. The new groups need to be given free reign along with resources if that is to happen. A lot of it comes down to whether people/churches are willing to resource things that might not work and to keep their hands off it as it experiments."
This is reinforced by one more quote ... "When species change, it almost always occurs first at the fringes. Here the population is most sparse and the orthodoxies of the centre are weakest. Here you can flourish isolated from formula and rules, free from the corrosive belief that everything great has already been done." (p.19)
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
lovemarks
The following quote is from an interview of Kevin Roberts about his book "Lovemarks" which I'm going out to buy this afternoon.
"So what are you seeing? You're seeing people hungry for relationships, hungry for intimacy. They've lost trust in all our institutions. Does anybody trust the Church anymore? You gotta be kidding me, right? Does anybody trust government? You sure as hell don't trust the company you work for, right? Because that's going to be Enron, or they're going to lay you off anyway next week and outsource you, etc., etc. So there's no trust. You can't trust the family unit because you probably haven't seen your father. People are looking for relationships, they're looking for intimacy, they're looking for bonding. They're not interested in transactions.
They're frightened s**tless by the fact that we're at war, by terrorism and brutality, and who knows what's going to happen next. They are looking for a relationship, whether that's with an author, an idea, a brand, a product. If you don't give them that, you're certainly never going to be able to charge a premium. You've got to remember, brands are only invented to charge a premium. That was the purpose of a brand; it didn't have any other. "Recognize me, desire me, have faith in me, trust me, pay more for me."
You would think he's talking about something important, but he's only talking about business transactions. Come on followers of Jesus, we need to think about this stuff and how it impacts on the truly important issues in life.
"So what are you seeing? You're seeing people hungry for relationships, hungry for intimacy. They've lost trust in all our institutions. Does anybody trust the Church anymore? You gotta be kidding me, right? Does anybody trust government? You sure as hell don't trust the company you work for, right? Because that's going to be Enron, or they're going to lay you off anyway next week and outsource you, etc., etc. So there's no trust. You can't trust the family unit because you probably haven't seen your father. People are looking for relationships, they're looking for intimacy, they're looking for bonding. They're not interested in transactions.
They're frightened s**tless by the fact that we're at war, by terrorism and brutality, and who knows what's going to happen next. They are looking for a relationship, whether that's with an author, an idea, a brand, a product. If you don't give them that, you're certainly never going to be able to charge a premium. You've got to remember, brands are only invented to charge a premium. That was the purpose of a brand; it didn't have any other. "Recognize me, desire me, have faith in me, trust me, pay more for me."
You would think he's talking about something important, but he's only talking about business transactions. Come on followers of Jesus, we need to think about this stuff and how it impacts on the truly important issues in life.
conspiracy of kindness
"Conspiracy of Kindness" by Steve Sjogren is a book that will get under your skin. It is a challenge to do acts of love for people simply because God loves them more than we ever can.
"An outbreak of kindness is about the only thing that can make the gospel credible in a world that thinks it has already heard it. Let's show the world, frozen with fear and resentment, what First Corinthians 13 love can accomplish. Real kindness is a supernatural reality of the cross and the resurrection. It breaks the grip of evil wherever it goes."
I've given away about 20 copies of this book and am planning to buy more to give away. This book has the potential to help us get up and truly love others.
"An outbreak of kindness is about the only thing that can make the gospel credible in a world that thinks it has already heard it. Let's show the world, frozen with fear and resentment, what First Corinthians 13 love can accomplish. Real kindness is a supernatural reality of the cross and the resurrection. It breaks the grip of evil wherever it goes."
I've given away about 20 copies of this book and am planning to buy more to give away. This book has the potential to help us get up and truly love others.
how unequal is our world?
While you read this page, around 400 babies will take their first breaths. And every proud parent will wish the same thing for them – that they get a decent chance at being healthy and happy. But where these babies are born will dramatically affect how their lives will unfold.
The chances of today’s newborns surviving the birth or even childhood will vary widely. In fact, 90 percent of children due to be born today in Ethiopia will not be delivered by anyone with any medical training.
If they are born in one of ten countries including Australia, they can expect to live for more than eighty years. If they are born elsewhere, their life may be as short as only 34 years. Over ten million children every year – a staggering 30,000 children a day – will die of causes that are either preventable or can be easily cured.
The chances of the new arrivals being born into a family who can adequately provide for them will be slim for most, whilst others will have more wealth than they need. Two thirds will be born to parents who have less than A$3 a day to live on.But those born to parents with the income of an average Australian family, will be in the richest 6 percent of the world.
To find out more go to the link and read on.
The chances of today’s newborns surviving the birth or even childhood will vary widely. In fact, 90 percent of children due to be born today in Ethiopia will not be delivered by anyone with any medical training.
If they are born in one of ten countries including Australia, they can expect to live for more than eighty years. If they are born elsewhere, their life may be as short as only 34 years. Over ten million children every year – a staggering 30,000 children a day – will die of causes that are either preventable or can be easily cured.
The chances of the new arrivals being born into a family who can adequately provide for them will be slim for most, whilst others will have more wealth than they need. Two thirds will be born to parents who have less than A$3 a day to live on.But those born to parents with the income of an average Australian family, will be in the richest 6 percent of the world.
To find out more go to the link and read on.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
books that change your life
I'm wondering what books have been most powerful in my life? What about yours? This is something I will ponder and get back to you about.
Oh well here is one to start off with. Newsell by Dr Michael Hewitt-Glesson. It totally changed my view in regard to sales. Check out his website for a his School of Thinking which is free. (You can register at the home page.)
Some of his thinking is pretty scary at times, but what's the point of only reading what you agree with, might as well just get out a video and blob on the couch.
Oh well here is one to start off with. Newsell by Dr Michael Hewitt-Glesson. It totally changed my view in regard to sales. Check out his website for a his School of Thinking which is free. (You can register at the home page.)
Some of his thinking is pretty scary at times, but what's the point of only reading what you agree with, might as well just get out a video and blob on the couch.
learn to dance the soul salsa
The introduction of "Soul Salsa" by Leonard Sweet begins like this ...
"Faith in God is dangerous thinking. Even more, faith in God is dangerous living."
The challenge for me is whether or not my faith journey is in any way 'dangerous living?'
Leonard continues ...
"This book enrolls you in a lifestyle seminary where you can get a life degree in artful, soulful living. Soulsalsa hopes to make you an artist in being."
Cool! Get the book and begin to dance the salsa of life.
"Faith in God is dangerous thinking. Even more, faith in God is dangerous living."
The challenge for me is whether or not my faith journey is in any way 'dangerous living?'
Leonard continues ...
"This book enrolls you in a lifestyle seminary where you can get a life degree in artful, soulful living. Soulsalsa hopes to make you an artist in being."
Cool! Get the book and begin to dance the salsa of life.
truth
"If God held all truth in the right hand, and in the left hand held the lifelong pursuit of it, God would choose the left hand." - Soren Kierkegaard
Monday, September 27, 2004
e.p.i.c.
Leonard Sweet one of my favourite author suggests that if we who follow Jesus want to help people connect into the journey of walking with Jesus then we need to do things that are E.P.I.C. That is does it allow someone to EXPERIENCE something, PARTICIPATE in, communicate via IMAGES, and CONNECT people into community?
Frankly we in the church are pretty hopeless at this. We have the greatest product the world has ever known and yet we market it as though it were trash. Now that is something worth getting upset about.
Frankly we in the church are pretty hopeless at this. We have the greatest product the world has ever known and yet we market it as though it were trash. Now that is something worth getting upset about.
poverty
I read this interesting quote this morning.
"It should have become clear that the right response to the good news is not merely about giving money to the poor. The theology of wealth is about true discipleship - one that embraces the poor like Jesus. It is about identifying with those in humber circumstances by giving up one's own priviledges, power and status."
As I read the article I realised that though I give to the poor, what I give is the easy part, money. It's so so much hard to 'identify' to 'give up one's own priviledges'.
As part of the white middle class it is really easy to help from a distance because getting involved is time consuming, is costly, is painful.
The quote is from an article in Grid (see http://www.worldvision.com.au/getinvolved/churchpartnerships/).
"It should have become clear that the right response to the good news is not merely about giving money to the poor. The theology of wealth is about true discipleship - one that embraces the poor like Jesus. It is about identifying with those in humber circumstances by giving up one's own priviledges, power and status."
As I read the article I realised that though I give to the poor, what I give is the easy part, money. It's so so much hard to 'identify' to 'give up one's own priviledges'.
As part of the white middle class it is really easy to help from a distance because getting involved is time consuming, is costly, is painful.
The quote is from an article in Grid (see http://www.worldvision.com.au/getinvolved/churchpartnerships/).
Friday, September 24, 2004
should I cry or should I dance
A few weeks ago I was privileged to meet one of those people that you know right away is gifted and Godly ... (Click on the link for more of the article.)
Thursday, September 23, 2004
psalm 2
To read Psalm 2 click on the link
Prayer: "Lord why do we keep on trying to go our own way? Help me today to walk hand in hand with you."
Prayer: "Lord why do we keep on trying to go our own way? Help me today to walk hand in hand with you."
the challenge
One of the most challenging statements I've ever heard is found in the words "And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that." (Luke 6:33)
Oh how easy it is to be kind and generous and patient and kind to those whom I like and love. But to be kind to the person who continues to treat me rudely. To give to the person who receives without appreciation. To listen with compassion to the person who never listens to me. These things are hard, but it is precisely these things that show that God is truly alive in me.
I have found that when I do act in this way, not as often as I would like, that it is because I have been aware of the fact that "God loved me while I was still an enemy of God", that is God's love for me begins with his grace, and so my love for others must do the same.
This living of faith is so much harder than being orthodox, but it is the journey Jesus calls us to walk when he said "take up your cross and follow me".
Often I yearn for an easier path, but I'm glad God continually provokes me to walk the narrow path that leads to him.
Prayer: "God it is really hard to love people who do not love me. Grant me your strength to show love despite my feelings, to be your hands and your feet to those who need it most, those unable to reciprocate and therefore of most need of your touch of grace."
Oh how easy it is to be kind and generous and patient and kind to those whom I like and love. But to be kind to the person who continues to treat me rudely. To give to the person who receives without appreciation. To listen with compassion to the person who never listens to me. These things are hard, but it is precisely these things that show that God is truly alive in me.
I have found that when I do act in this way, not as often as I would like, that it is because I have been aware of the fact that "God loved me while I was still an enemy of God", that is God's love for me begins with his grace, and so my love for others must do the same.
This living of faith is so much harder than being orthodox, but it is the journey Jesus calls us to walk when he said "take up your cross and follow me".
Often I yearn for an easier path, but I'm glad God continually provokes me to walk the narrow path that leads to him.
Prayer: "God it is really hard to love people who do not love me. Grant me your strength to show love despite my feelings, to be your hands and your feet to those who need it most, those unable to reciprocate and therefore of most need of your touch of grace."
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
am I a closest sexist?
I went to a presentation last week and was surprised when a young women (around 25 or so) got up to lead the presentation. For some bizarre reason I was expecting an older male. My reaction really surprised me. It made me realise how much I have to learn.
"Lord forgive me for viewing people through the lens of male superiority."
"Lord forgive me for viewing people through the lens of male superiority."
my second confession of the week
Okay here's another confession. I'm a control freak. But the redeeming fact is that I'm slowly discovering the bizarre truth that the more control you exercise the less you actually have.
One of the reasons the economies of the West have done better than the controlling economies of communism is that control has been released. (Yes that's simplistic.)
At the moment I'm involved in a very uncontrolled discussion about faith issues called the 'post alpha discussion group', and I'm discovering (slowly) that when you release people to explore issues then you don't have to be so concerned about controlling the outcome.
The secret I think is to make less dogmatic statements and ask more exploring questions.
I'm still learning but this is my prayer.
"Lord help me become a master question asker."
One of the reasons the economies of the West have done better than the controlling economies of communism is that control has been released. (Yes that's simplistic.)
At the moment I'm involved in a very uncontrolled discussion about faith issues called the 'post alpha discussion group', and I'm discovering (slowly) that when you release people to explore issues then you don't have to be so concerned about controlling the outcome.
The secret I think is to make less dogmatic statements and ask more exploring questions.
I'm still learning but this is my prayer.
"Lord help me become a master question asker."
moral obligation
Lately I keep on hearing the term 'moral obligation'. For example "James Hardie has a moral obligation to pay asbestos victims."
My question is this. What is the basis for talking about a moral obligation?
Does it mean 'the majority'? In that case moral obligation changes depending on the feeling and knowledge of the electorate.
Does it mean 'feeling'? That is I feel they have an obligation.
Or is it based on something more substantial?
One of the reasons I am a follower of Jesus is precisely because I then have a rationale for life decisions. Respect others because God created them and loves them, not because I have a 'moral obligation'.
Francis Schaeffer once said something like this. (I paraphase in my words.) "All we need to do is to push people to the logical conclusion of their belief system and they will discover either despair or embark on a seeking journey towards God."
My question is this. What is the basis for talking about a moral obligation?
Does it mean 'the majority'? In that case moral obligation changes depending on the feeling and knowledge of the electorate.
Does it mean 'feeling'? That is I feel they have an obligation.
Or is it based on something more substantial?
One of the reasons I am a follower of Jesus is precisely because I then have a rationale for life decisions. Respect others because God created them and loves them, not because I have a 'moral obligation'.
Francis Schaeffer once said something like this. (I paraphase in my words.) "All we need to do is to push people to the logical conclusion of their belief system and they will discover either despair or embark on a seeking journey towards God."
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
an interview with Ravi
My favourite communicator is the apologist Ravi Zacharius. An interview with him can be found by going to the link. He shakes me from my lazy thinking so that I begin to really think. Boy does that hurt!
His website is http://www.rzim.org/
My second favourite communicator is Barry, he can be found at http://www.crossroadschurch.com/media/
His website is http://www.rzim.org/
My second favourite communicator is Barry, he can be found at http://www.crossroadschurch.com/media/
psalm 1
Go to link to read Psalm 1
One of my favourite Psalms is Psalm 1. Why not spend some time in quiet reflection and contemplate how God might be wanting to communicate with you today through this marvelous Psalm.
Lord, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Ps 119:18)
One of my favourite Psalms is Psalm 1. Why not spend some time in quiet reflection and contemplate how God might be wanting to communicate with you today through this marvelous Psalm.
Lord, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Ps 119:18)
self-reflection
David, in Psalms, prays "Lord search me and see if there be any wicked way in me". Self-reflection is a key to growth so I thought this would be a good starting point. [From Aish.com] This Jewish approach examines where our sins may lurk.....add to it the wonder of the cross and one has a powerful combination.
"A prime feature of the Yom Kippur service is recitation of the 44 mistakes known as "Al Chet." That's a long list. What does it all really mean?"
(Stolen from www.philbaker.net)
"A prime feature of the Yom Kippur service is recitation of the 44 mistakes known as "Al Chet." That's a long list. What does it all really mean?"
(Stolen from www.philbaker.net)
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