If you watch the video in my last post, you probably had the song ringing through your head. I did like the song a lot and so I watched more than once, but I was equally impressed by the students knowledge and enthusiasm about politics. I get excited about examples of good schools. So I did the obvious and googled the Ron Clark Academy.
As I checked out the site a bit, I was impressed with what I saw. Innovative teaching. Engaged students. Exciting learning environment. Quality across the board.
We need more schools like this where the teachers go to great lengths to help their students learn. I believe that all children can be inspired for greatness.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
You can vote however you like
I know some believe differently, but I think that you can be a Christian and vote right or left.
What really bothers me is how angry, passionate, even hateful that people get about politics. I am especially disappointed when Christians become so judgemental and extreme. Groups like Focus on the Family have gone way over the top in my mind.
That being said, I enjoyed this video. Kids reminding us that talking politics can be intellectually engaging, but also fun and relational, not mean spirited and hateful.
When it comes down to it, you can vote for whoever you see fit as the best leader. I can still respect you. I can still be your friend. We can still go to church together. God is on the throne today and He will still be on the throne on November 5th. I hope that you are not so tense about this thing that you cannot enjoy this fun, non-partisan song.
Anyone else tired of all the hate in politics?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
History of Planned Parenthood
The history of Planned Parenthood and its targetting of the poor and often black community in America has always been a huge issue of justice for me. Barack Obama's lack of any type of real conviction on this issue is one of the most disapointing aspects of his presidental platform to me. Not that McCain is a wiz on these issues either.
Have you been disappointed with Barack's stances and opinions about abortion?
Concern for the poor
I just returned from the CCDA annual conference. The CCDA spends a lot of time and attention seeking to bring the love of Christ to the “poor”. I have heard other Christians say that there is no mandate to care for the poor.
Do you think that Christians have a responsibility to care for the poor in society?
What Biblical evidence to you have?
Do you think that Christians have a responsibility to care for the poor in society?
What Biblical evidence to you have?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A man who loves his family
I saw this first on my friend Chris Brook's blog. Of all the things that I would like to be, I hope that people know me as a man who loves his family.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Leadership
"If you are going to lead the orchestra, then you are going to have to turn your back on the crowd".
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A theology of celebration vs. suffering
Earlier this year, I heard Soong Chan Rah speak and was so challenged and intrigued that I decided to attend his workshop. He talked about a theology of celebration and a theology of suffering and how they look very different. It is fascinating. It is eye opening. It is convicting.
One thing that I have realized is that white evangelical Christians (of which I am one) do not like to be told that our theology is wrong or in this case incomplete. We feel defensive and want to argue the point.
Dr. Rah talked about a theology that does not understand suffering is incomplete. He challenged us that we need to learn from each other and realize that if we do not than we are left with bad theology. So the racial divide that often exists within the church is not only a problem by itself, but it also creates an incomplete (wrong) theology. So we must know and engage each other across racial and economic because we have so much to learn from each other.
Most minorities in America are OK with the fact that they have things that they must learn from white Christians. A large majority of white Christians in our country have no thought that they have something to learn from Christians outside there race. Often they don’t seek out those relationships, because they feel they get all that they need spiritually within there own race.
I understand that I am painting with a broad brush here without being able to flesh it all out, but it is long past time that the “white church” in America begins to learn from the “Latino”, “Asian”, or “Black” church.
I know that I personally have been so blessed by the instruction that I have received and the relationships that I have built outside my ethnic heritage. It has enriched my theology and sometimes even changed it. It has given me a different perspective on the world. It has humbled me. It has reminded me that I have so much to learn.
Have you ever been around people who think very different than you and realized that some of what you had thought was wrong?
One thing that I have realized is that white evangelical Christians (of which I am one) do not like to be told that our theology is wrong or in this case incomplete. We feel defensive and want to argue the point.
Dr. Rah talked about a theology that does not understand suffering is incomplete. He challenged us that we need to learn from each other and realize that if we do not than we are left with bad theology. So the racial divide that often exists within the church is not only a problem by itself, but it also creates an incomplete (wrong) theology. So we must know and engage each other across racial and economic because we have so much to learn from each other.
Most minorities in America are OK with the fact that they have things that they must learn from white Christians. A large majority of white Christians in our country have no thought that they have something to learn from Christians outside there race. Often they don’t seek out those relationships, because they feel they get all that they need spiritually within there own race.
I understand that I am painting with a broad brush here without being able to flesh it all out, but it is long past time that the “white church” in America begins to learn from the “Latino”, “Asian”, or “Black” church.
I know that I personally have been so blessed by the instruction that I have received and the relationships that I have built outside my ethnic heritage. It has enriched my theology and sometimes even changed it. It has given me a different perspective on the world. It has humbled me. It has reminded me that I have so much to learn.
Have you ever been around people who think very different than you and realized that some of what you had thought was wrong?
A challenge to keep Christ central
Coach Wayne Gordon spoke this morning at the conference. He started out as his usually energetic self, but then became very serious and said that he wanted to share what was heavy on his heart about CCDA. He said that he wanted to warn us as an association about some things that could become detrimental to the work. There were three things that he talked about:
• Charisma without character is catastrophic.
• Bigger is not necessarily better.
• Success without spiritual depth is superficial.
The first one was a reminder that just having good leadership and energy is not enough. The character of the individual is vitally more important than anything else.
The second one was a warning about not believing that because something is big it is the best way. The opposite of that is that just because something is small does not mean that God is not at work and doing amazing things.
The last one was a key. He challenged us personally to be people of great spiritual depth. To not be doers, doers, doers who were not really close to God personally. This is such an important warning for the busy urban minister who has a million “urgent” needs always in front of them. It was a reminder to not build “kingdoms” or “ministries” that look for successful, but lack real spiritual depth. He challenged everyone to spend at least sixty minutes every day alone with God. He talked about spending at least five minutes of that in silence. I know that I struggle to take this time alone with God.
We were warned not to put Christ on the “margins of the page”, but to put him at the top of the page. It was a clear reminder that all that we do should be centered around Christ. We were reminded that we should not spend all of our time talking about our programs and never talk about the significance of Christ in what we are doing.
I appreciated the emphasis that he gave today and hope that all who were present have ears to hear.
Have you seen charisma take people far while they obviously lacked character?
Do you find yourself believing the lie that bigger is better?
Is God using you to be “successful” in serving Him, but without a real spiritual depth to that work?
• Charisma without character is catastrophic.
• Bigger is not necessarily better.
• Success without spiritual depth is superficial.
The first one was a reminder that just having good leadership and energy is not enough. The character of the individual is vitally more important than anything else.
The second one was a warning about not believing that because something is big it is the best way. The opposite of that is that just because something is small does not mean that God is not at work and doing amazing things.
The last one was a key. He challenged us personally to be people of great spiritual depth. To not be doers, doers, doers who were not really close to God personally. This is such an important warning for the busy urban minister who has a million “urgent” needs always in front of them. It was a reminder to not build “kingdoms” or “ministries” that look for successful, but lack real spiritual depth. He challenged everyone to spend at least sixty minutes every day alone with God. He talked about spending at least five minutes of that in silence. I know that I struggle to take this time alone with God.
We were warned not to put Christ on the “margins of the page”, but to put him at the top of the page. It was a clear reminder that all that we do should be centered around Christ. We were reminded that we should not spend all of our time talking about our programs and never talk about the significance of Christ in what we are doing.
I appreciated the emphasis that he gave today and hope that all who were present have ears to hear.
Have you seen charisma take people far while they obviously lacked character?
Do you find yourself believing the lie that bigger is better?
Is God using you to be “successful” in serving Him, but without a real spiritual depth to that work?
CCDA Conference
I’m excited to be in Miami, FL for the annual Christian Community Development Association conference. It is a bit disappointing that I have been here more than twenty-four hours and have still not seen sunshine. It is raining right now. But the conference is full of encouragement, seeing old friends, meeting new friends, and challenging instruction. I look forward to all the ways that God will stretch me and renew me while I am here.
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