Spirituality and Play

As you all know, I am reading a book on the disciplines by Dallas Willard. The first part of the book has been mostly about the importance of the role of the body in redemption. If you know me, you know how I feel about the disconnect placed upon the "spirit" and the "body". I don't make such a division, because I prefer to think of the human person as a whole being incapable of being "divided" into parts and still exist as a human person. This, I fear, is a result of the Platonic image imprinted on our worldviews in Western civilization. It has caused much harm in Christian circles, including the "I'm a spirit that has a soul that lives in a body" concept thats just irritating. This is not to mention the "immortality of the soul" idea that many western Christians have accepted. This even frustrates me in the wonderful music of U2... in Yahweh, Bono sings "take this soul, stranded in some skin and bones..." that frustrates me. Anyway, thats not the point of this post... I wander down a rabbit trail.
In the book, Willard is talking about the importance of play. He gives an analogy of the sexually frustrated pastor who runs off with the church organist because for a few days what he really wanted to do was forget about God and go play golf. Willard notes how this "shadow" aspect of the human person is holy in God's sight, even necessary to live balanced and whole. Then, Willard quotes a passage from Ecclesiastes 7.16, which I find amazingly relevant to the current discussions taking place in the comments sections of my post, "Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?"

Just some food for thought.

Roofing Business Update

Things are going well with the roofing business in Gulfport. Actually, we are considering expanding and moving into New Orleans, which means alot more business. I've made my first few sales and I actually have jobs that are finished. They look good and the homeowners are really satisfied with the work that we've done. Its a completely different kind of ministry altogether. We keep our prices at fair market value and we offer to handle the insurance claim for our customers. Essentially, all they have to do is sign and we take care of the rest. I can't tell you how many homeowners have thanked us for making this hassle-free, especially after the storm. I wanted to share how this business, especially the side associated with home life, actually functions. It was recommended in a recent comment that the profits that I see in the roofing business should be opened to my community as we share all things in common. Well, to be honest, that is what happens. Hope and I currently live in an environment with 7 other people. We all buy and cook food, do our part in cleaning, and basically live life together. When you start working as an estimator, it takes a few weeks until you start seeing money flow into your wallet. It was tough and there were times that I didn't know how we would eat. Yet, it wasn't a big deal. Those in the house who have share with those don't. We all eat around 7:00 or 7:30... one large meal together. Different people cook and clean, usually. It is understood that when you can buy food, you will. If you can't, don't ask to eat my food because you already know that you don't need to ask. So... it does work. However, there are situations where it doesn't. It doesn't work when someone tries to abuse the fellowship. We had a situation where an 8th tried to abuse the community. He left... on his own. Anyway, thats about it. Hopefully the business will continue to blossom and I will get more leads and contacts, especially as we make the move into New Orleans. I've heard that it can be really dangerous there, especially if you are there after dark.

Construction, Deconstruction and beyond ...

In my recent post, I offered a rant of deconstruction that some found frustrating while others seemed to more or less agree with the deconstructing rant. It was suggested that I offer some sort of constructive comments on what can/could/should/will be done about the issues that I raised. I have certain "out there" ideas that I may post in the near future. However, I would rather talk about the nature of deconstruction, and what (if anything) comes after. It seems to me that there are three phases, perhaps they cycle, perhaps not... Anyway, these three phases are construction, deconstruction and whatever lies beyond. Beginning with modernity (I know, this is not where I SHOULD begin, sorry)... beginning with modernity, we see construction. This is, in sorts, the heart of modernity. Its a very similar feel as the Tower of Babel... how can humanity construct things in order to reach/transcend God/Higher Power/disease/limitations/....? We also constucted ideas and theories about how things worked... the universe, the body, God, etc. Then, postmodernity begin questioning these constructions.... in other words, deconstruction. Nothing is left sacred, nothing is left constructed. *LARGE PARENTHETICAL COMMENT This is my fear with those of us who are trying to revision church, of which a major componennt is deconstruction. My fear is that we will stop short of total deconstruction. If you've read my thesis, this is essentially what I say the Emerging movement fails at. They, along with many others often times including ourselves... myself, hault deconstruction because the chaos and uncertainty found in the Spirit of Deconstruction is too much. We begin constructing too soon because we get uncomfortable with the deconstruction.... its hard to exist while the sands of life are slipping through your fingers... *END PARENTHETICAL COMMENT What happens next? Does anything happen next? I think so, but I don't know when or how whatever happens happens. This is only my idea... It seems to me that if you begin constructing again... like all other constructions, they will ultimately fall down and fail miserably. (Not that what I am about to propose will fair any better) However, it seems that constructions, by and large, are totally human efforts. Humans build things. What I see taking place after deconstruction is not more construction, but re-creation. Only God has the power to create, which He shares with us on ocassion. Think about our hearts. We come to God with hearts of stone, constructed as we will. We ask God to remove our hearts (deconstruct them) until nothing remains and to place in us a heart of flesh (a re-created heart). This is a promise! Yet, if we leave slivers and slices of the stone heart in place, can we even receive a heart of flesh? In other words, to join the two conversations together, if we leave some of our old visions of church and community life constructed... never allowing them to be deconstructed by the Spirit that hovered over the chaos and darkness in the beginning, how then can we fully received the re-created visions of what life/church could be?

Cool-Kidz Church

I want to introduce this entry with an apology. I am about to rant. At times, it may seem incoherent, without even a complete thought. Sorry!

Can I just say that I'm tired of the Cool-Kidz church! Let me first explain what a cool-kidz church is. Really, what we are talking about here are posers. I read Brandon's entry on the Exiled Wilderness blog and it stirred my mind to thinking. Then, I went on a search for something different.... something that one could dream about.... an authentic expression of creative Christianity in the context of the denomination that I find myself most often affiliated. This is what I have discovered. Those who claim to be on the cutting edge and doing really creative things are really just taking off the JC Penny suits and replacing them with cool Express and Gap clothes, with the ocassional Old Navy item. It's not really different. You're just allowed to wear "younger-looking" clothes without feeling underdressed. Now, don't even try to pull that junk that you are dressed casual so you can connect with a wider audience. Thats bull-malarchy. Someone is going to try to say that their $150 threads from Express is going to connect with folk who have to shop at the 'Five and Dime.' Its like we've given church a makeover. Yeah, thats it exactly, almost. We've dressed our programs, music, buildings, selves in a younger garb to attract a younger audience, yet we experience the same problems. We still propagate a consumeristic christianity that seeks only what is best for "I". It is evident in contemporary Christian advertising. Its all about the uplifting messages and wonderful children's programs.... yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah. Don't even get me started on what we are doing to our kids. Anybody else concerned that (given the fact that we typically only have one large worship gathering with supplemental small groups through the week, which parents often find baby-sitters for)... anyone concerned that our children rarely, if ever, worship with their parents? If a child only worships with other children, never seeing their parents, wouldn't they naturally think that church/worship/relationship with God is for kids. Then, when they are older and not wanting to look childish, they abandon and leave. Anyway, I said don't even get me started. Back to the Express Church... its true! They are all the same. Gone are the days of poofy hair and gray suits, hello to spikey hair, director pants and poplin shirts. By the way, don't forget your belt and matching shoes.... anyway, thats all, I gotta go measure a house.

Spirit of the Disciplines

I am currently reading this fine book from Dallas Willard. I don't really know much about Dallas Willard. Basically, the reason I have this book is because it was required for a Discipleship in the Local Church class I took about a year ago. I never really got around to reading it. Basically, I just skimmed through it so that I could make general comments in class and include some quotes for the paper that I wrote. I know, thats the sign of a really good student. In all fairness, I was in the middle of writing my thesis and simply did not have time to read another book. So... I've gone back to read it because... well, just because. It's really good. I'm only two chapters into it, though. I think the next chapter is "Salvation is a Life." That might make a good blog entry, or at least a fancy-shmancy title. If anyone has read this book... what did you think? Is the rest of it worth reading or should I just stop and move on to something else, because I have to have some bathroom reading material.

University of Kentucky Basketball

I'm not ready to say the season is a bust. It's still early and there's a lot of basketball season to play still. But.... I must admit I'm getting nervous. I know, I know. It's probably going to be okay. Yet... let me just share a few stats. Those of you who share my affinity for UK basketball know where my frustration lies, as evident from these stats.

2005-06 Men's Basketball Roster Stats (per game)
NO PLAYER POS HT WT YR GP MIN PTS REB AST
4 Rajon Rondo G 6-1 171 So. 7 32.0 14.7 10.0 5.6
22 Patrick Sparks G 6-0 180 Sr. 7 27.1 10.7 1.4 2.7
42 Rekalin Sims F 6-8 200 Jr. 7 24.4 9.7 5.3 1.4
2 Ravi Moss G 6-2 190 Sr. 7 21.7 8.3 3.9 0.7
13 Bobby Perry F 6-6 219 Jr. 7 20.9 8.3 3.7 1.0
3 Ramel Bradley G 6-1 179 So. 7 18.1 8.0 1.9 1.6
32 Joe Crawford G 6-4 210 So. 4 16.8 5.0 2.5 1.3
23 Sheray Thomas F 6-7 230 Jr. 7 20.9 4.4 4.0 1.1
1 Brandon StocktonG 5-9 167 Sr. 3 8.7 3.7 0.0 1.3
10 Lukasz Obrzut C 7-0 270 Jr. 6 8.5 2.7 1.3 0.5
25 Adam Williams G 6-4 190 Fr. 2 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0
43 Jared Carter C 7-2 240 Fr. 6 7.0 1.5 1.7 0.0
21 Shagari Alleyne C 7-3 271 Jr. 5 8.2 1.4 2.2 0.2
12 Preston LeMaster G 6-2 188 Sr. 2 5.5 0.0 0.5
This is what I see. Our #1 rebounder is a guard, A 6'1" GUARD!!!! What does this mean???? WE HAVE NO BIG MEN AGAIN!!!! Someone, please tell me why Kentucky, one of the premier basketball schools in the nation, cannot freaking recruit quality big men to play underneath. I know, the game is changing, and has in fact changed. However, you still gotta have the big man in the middle, or, as we've seen in the last couple of seasons, it will kill you. It has been our achille's heel. That's just frustrating.

Disclaimer

I started out typing a harsh response to a previous comment concerning the type of language I have chosen to use on my blog. I deleted it. I decided that to do so would be, in fact, vulgar. It would come from an attitude of revenge and anger. It would not be edifying nor uplifting of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. It would be foul language, more so than any four letter word could imagine. Therefore, if I offended you, I apologize. I will continue to speak/write what I want and ask that if it offends you, simply please refrain from visiting my blog and pray that God will continue to disciple and strengthen us both.

Holy Spirit Baptism

On the way back from Tennessee (after Thanksgiving) I was thinking and driving at the same time, which, ya know, is illegal and I could have been arrested. Reflecting upon an earlier conversation from the previous weekend, I started thinking about Holy Spirit baptism and a postmodern, emerging context and culture. It does seem to me that the way many in previous generations have talked about this is in very modernistic terms. Phrases like 'initial evidence' seem to denote a scientific worldview. It is an observable phenomenon which the observed does not actually have to be engaged in relationship with the subject to determine the results. In fact, the observer does not even need to know the subject in any real way in order to determine whether or not he/she has been baptized. This manner of thought seems to fly in the face of an experiential, subjective culture. One cannot know anything without being in relationship. In other words, one cannot know whether or not someone has been baptized unless they are in relationship with that person. Would it be a move towards looking and focusing more upon the fruits of the Spirit as a whole? (But wouldn't this, even, be something "observable" to label someone) Even then, the pomo culture begs the question, why do you want to know in the first place? Is it a matter of being able to establish some sort of number for stripes on a belt to show how good the preacher was or how much God was present in a meeting? Was the presence of God more manifest in a gathering where 27 people were baptized as opposed to one where only 2 (or perhaps even 0) were baptized? In other words, do we need to know to assure ourselves that God was present?

Could we (should we/can we) even think of Spirit Baptism in more communal terms, i.e. the community is baptized in the Spirit? In this manner, our thinking and speaking would become less individualistic and less focused on the individual and more communal. Just a thought.

Rules are Rules

So, the Wal-Mart here in Gulfport is open and apperently everyone thinks that the rules no longer apply. Let me explain. I'm in the quick check-out, express, 10 ITEMS OR LESS line at WallyWorld trying to buy a birthday present for this 3 yr. old daughter of a guy here. Total, I have 10 items in the cart, the maximum allowed number of items for the designated lane. I feel proud about this, knowing that I have followed the rules for this line. I look in front of me (at this point I am beside the candy aisle, you fellow Wal-Martians know what I'm talking about) and there are about 5 or 6 carts that have exceeded the 10 items limit. Now, I don't really mind if someone has 11 or 12, or even 15 items while in this line, but that isn't the case here. These folks have full carts. When the lady in front of me began to ring her stuff up, I counted how many items she had. Yeah, thats right... I counted. THIRTY-THREE!!!!!!! This lady thinks it's okay to have 33 items in the 10 items or less line. What is this? Do these folk think that just because they experienced the worst natural disaster in U.S. history that anarchy has now begun? We are neart 3 months removed from the storm. I think we can restore some sort of order now. Thats just ridiculous!

Roofing Business

Gulfport, MS, is an interesting town. I had the opportunity to visit the coast the other day, and I was extremely overwhelmed. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. It looks like somebody dropped a bomb on the place. Literally, nothing is standing for about a quarter to half mile inland. It is all just ruble and foundations. I had seen the coverage on the news channels, but it just doesn't convey the level of destruction that has taken place.

I found out yesterday that the average roofer is a high school dropout, which was encouraging as I know nothing at all about roofing. I am learning quickly, so I should have it all down in a week. Seriously, it isn't that hard. It comes down mainly to being able to sale someone on the company and its product. This week has been pretty slow, which I am told is not normal. We are doing soem major advertising starting next week, so they expect things to pick up quiet a bit and get real crazy. I'm looking forward to it.... the crazier it gets means the more money that will make it to my wallet!

I'm also glad to hear that some of you are enjoying my thesis. It is not in the library, yet, as I need to correct some spacing errors which were actually Staples error. I told them to use the pdf file, but apparently they printed off from the Word file, so they spacing got all screwed up. I still agree, mostly, with what I put in there; however, as I have continued reading emergent material, I have come across some things that challenge my critiques, which is encouraging. I have my own issues now with church and how it is structured, which I may share on here on another post sometime. Life in the Gulf Coast is hectic and I don't know when I can get to internet access. We are living in a single-wide trailer with another family and a single female who is getting married in December. Privacy and convenience is not always abundant. We just started thinking about possibly finding a small, one bedroom apartment to rent while we are here. We'll see how that goes.

Paradox and Irony

From what I can gather, I am supposed to start this blasted thing with a post about this being my first post. Well, here it is. This is my first blog entry, though I have posted elsewhere. I am officially in the blog-community since I now have my own site. I decided to begin this now, as I am also beginning a new chapter in my life, and hopefully I can make sense of it all... or at least be able to have a record of it. We just left the Outer Banks (North Carolina) to pursue opportunities in Gulfport, MS. We (being my wife and I) were in OBX to plant an "innovative, postmodern church" with some friends of ours. Without going into too much detail, it didn't work out as we had anticipated. In a nutshell, after sharing some "out there" ideas, I was told that I couldn't find a church anywhere that did it that way, which I thought was the point of "innovative," so my 'dictator-implying' ideas were shut down faster than Virginia Tech's offense last Saturday night. So, it turned out I was wrong about the meaning of innovative. Apparently, it means doing the same things while wearing jeans and cool glasses. Once we were presented with the option of going to Miss. to join some friends in the roofing business, the decision to go wasn't very difficult. This is not to imply the 'wrongness' of anyone, simply that their vision and our vision of the church were not the same. Anyway, thats where I'm at... as close to being 'out' of the ministry as I have ever been and as sure that I am hearing God's voice as ever. How's that for paradox and irony?