Richard J. Foster: Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey into Meditative Prayer This is a very nice introduction to the way of meditative prayer. Foster grounds this practice in the teaching of Scripture and illustrates and unfolds it from the spectrum of church history and the spiritual classics. From Quakers to Reformers to Pietists to Contemplatives... they all encourage us in the way of meditative prayer. This is a very accessible (short, well written, encouraging) book.
R. Paul Stevens: Taking Your Soul to Work: Overcoming the Nine Deadly Sins of the Workplace This was pretty good... I liked how they handled the seven deadly sins and the corresponding virtues of the fruit of the Spirit. 17 short chapters. gems in each one. after awhile it seemed a bit of a retread... it is really meant to be done in a reflective way, where you assess your self on each sin and virtue.
Charles H. Spurgeon: Lectures to My Students Volume 1 The delightful, witty and passionate Mr. Spurgeon, giving his homespun wisdom on ministry to a group of students. The chapter on prayer was beautiful. Good words on calling and how to know you are called.
Handley Carr Glyn Moule: Charles Simeon An old biography of the great Charles Simeon. This edition is a reprint and the footnoting was strange. The text and the footnotes constantly interrupted each other and made for difficult reading. There were gems throughout the book. Simeon is extraordinary. This book on him is okay.
Michael Mangis: Signature Sins: Taming Our Wayward Hearts Very nice book on vice and virtue... a very helpful summary of the seven deadly sins with careful nuancing of how we experience them... insights on race, gender, biology, family and more on how our "signature" or "besetting" sins develop... and one of the best explanation on how we must put on the "antidote virtue" if we are to overcome our sins.
Scot McKnight: The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited This was a pretty short read. The thesis is simple. Many (perhaps most) evangelicals have reduced the wider gospel of Christ the king to a "soterian" gospel. Justification by grace through faith is only part of the gospel, and when it is removed from the larger gospel - we have all kinds of problems, not the least is that there are so many who claim to be justified, but there is almost no sign of the sanctification and transformation.
Peter Rollins: Insurrection: To Believe Is Human To Doubt, Divine Postmodern deconstructionist Peter Rollins (whose work also needs to be deconstructed) is a provocative author. I generally find myself disputing much of what he says, but his is an important voice. I do get a little tired of some of these postmodern authors being billed as the new prophets and if you disagree with them, then you are just part of the outdated system they are critiquing. I find that people like N.T. Wright and Scot McKnight write more compelling and useful critiques and ways forward.
Miroslav Volf: Exclusion & Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation I should have read this a long time ago. I skimmed through it when it first came out... I read a few passages, but just didn't have the time to read it. Now, with the encouragement of a good friend (who says this book is core to understanding his own ministry of reconciliation of Christians, Muslims and Jews) I am giving it a thorough read and reflection.
Henri J. M. Nouwen: Jesus: A Gospel This is a testimony of the life, power and wisdom of Christ as it touched the life of Henri Nouwen. What made this book special was the use of the art of Rembrandt that was set alongside Nouwen's reflections.
May you have wonderful times this evening with your friends and family and may the New Year be full of God surprises for you.
I have uploaded the New Quotes file on the Quotes Page. Here are a few of my favorites for this time:
ENEMIES:Pay attention to your enemies because they are the first to discover your mistakes.Antisthenes
JESUITS:We study like students. We clean like housewives. And we still have to find the time to pray like monks. Aside from that, we kind of get on each other’s nerves.
JOURNEY:With what end in view do you again and again walk along difficult and laborious paths?Augustine
KNOWLEDGE:I shall need to have been dead several years before I shall thoroughly understand the meaning of creation and the omnipotence of God.Martin Luther
PERSPECTIVE, LIMITED.Because we cannot see the paths we have not taken, we become, by default, advocates for the path our life is on.Ethan Watters, Urban Tribes
STORY:We tell ourselves stories in order to live.Joan Didion
In addition, I have listed some new blog and websites for you to check out. There are so many good ones out there. But these are some that I have been reading this past month.
It seems as if lately I've heard a number of comments about leadership that all seem to be describing the same reality. A pattern is emerging. I've heard or read about the "cost of leadership", the difficulty of leadership, the challenge of leadership, the "trauma" of leadership, the struggles of leadership . . .
It seems that it is adding up to this: Leadership is hard work. Sometimes it is such hard work that I wonder - who in her/his right mind would ever want to be a leader. It seems as if it takes a powerful vision or a deep pathology; a loving heart or a needy ego.
By definintion, leaders are those who have to do what is uncomfortable.
Moses didn't want to be a leader, nor did he want to be a public speaker. God made Moses both of those things. It got more than a little uncomfortable for Moses as he dealt with unruly, disgruntled, "let's go back to Egypt" followers.
Gideon had to fight a vast army with just a few men. I sort of think he had some uncomfortable conversations as he made the decisions to send much of his army away.
Esther had to stand before a king and make a dangerous request. She is way past the uncomfortable stage.
The three Hebrews defined another mad king and endured a fiery furnace. Uncomfortable moments right before they knew for certain that God was sparing their lives.
Daniel held a prayer vigil in a lion's den. Contrary to popular opinion, stress is not a 20th century phenonenon.
On and on it went through the pages of the Bible until Jesus does the most uncomfortable leadership act ever - crucified on a cross.
I don't like being uncomfortable. On my dark days, I am much more interested in the perks and the benefits of leadership. Then reality intrudes (as it always does) and I realize that I have to do the uncomfortable work of leading once again.
It is a new year. God wants to use us to make a difference. It means we will have to do some uncomfortable things in this new year. It is just part of the leadership terrain. "Good hiking."
The World Economic Forum is having the Davos Debates on the issues affecting our world. They have created a "viral" form for gathering information and being a part of the discussion. Check out this site to learn more and check out the video for a summary of what the event is all about.
Showing Up Is Not Enough . . . It's Just the Start!
Woody Allen said, "90% of life is just showing up." This is one of those times when the angst-ridden, philosophical minded film producer is just wrong.
Yes we need to show up, but that's just for starters. Once we show up, we then make the most with the time, the situation, the relationship, and the need of the moment. We do something worthwhile when we show up.
There have been times where I've just shown up and that was about it. I was there, but not engaged. I've done it in conversaions, at meetings, in seminars, reading the Bible, in times of prayer, at services . . .
There but not connected, not jumping in with both feet, not committed, not enthusiastic, not expectant, not contributing.
Here's a little exercise to think about. Who are the top five (or pick any number that is more useful) people who NEED you to regularly show up and then make a significant contribution once you are there? How did you do with those relationships in 2008? What do you need to do differently in 2009?
As a coach and leadership trainer, Miriam shares practical suggestions from her experience on dealing with leaders who are sometimes described as - "feelers."
Thank you, Miriam, for passing on these relational insights about leadership.
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Michael has to say no to a colleague who really needs his expertise—so that he is able to focus on new developments in his own ministry.Anna has to tell an applicant that someone else got the job.Natasha is scheduled to tell a team member that the project will go on as planned in spite of his objections.
These are people I know and conversations I’ve been a part of in the last few weeks.Because Michael is a “feeler”, he has the emotional intelligence to build bridges to this colleague in a way that continues the peer mentor aspect of their friendship.Because Anna is a “feeler”, she is able to help the applicant feel genuinely supported in seeking another kind of position.Because Natasha is a “feeler”, she is able to rely on the years of trust she has built up with this team member to keep inspiring his contribution, even when he disagrees about the approach.
Some people who are effective leaders are also people who are strongly emotionally affected by the impact of their leadership on the people around them. Although a feeler isn’t automatically emotionally intelligent, there seems to be a correlation to the potential for it.But the responsibility of leading can cost a feeler a great deal, and the stronger the level of feeling, the more it seems to cost.As a feeling leader initiates change, there is grief to processing the losses entailed as that change become evident.As what is best for the good of the whole is acted on, he needs to deal with the stress of caring about potential painful effects on the lives of individuals without hindering moving toward shared goals.
On Christmas Eve, the day we become very aware of how blessed we are, I find John Hilliard's reflections about blessings, to be especially powerful.
Brian
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I was recently discussing the concept of blessings with some friends and a number of interesting observations came out.To some, blessings are directly tied to wealth, power, a feeling of well being, having a good job, a nice house, clothes, etc. etc. To others, it may represent relationships that are satisfying, or having good health, or a sense of peace and refuge.Unger’s Bible Dictionary refers to the fact ‘that God blesses nature, mankind, the Sabbath, nations, classes of men and individuals.To bless God, we should adore Him and worship Him and praise Him’.Webster’s dictionary defines among others at ‘bringing comfort or joy, as well as to favor or endow, to make happy or prosperous.’
I am sensing that God has something much greater in store.Those things that we typically look to as blessings may, in fact, be blessings. It also might be that profound disappointments, struggles and challenges may fit in the category of blessing as well.My wife Joanne had heard that blessings could be defined as a place where God interrupts your day.I like that concept.
It was the pain that Job endured through his trial that brought him to the place where he could say in Job 42:2 ‘I was talking about things I knew nothing about and did not understand, things far too wonderful for me!’.I can’t compare myself to Job but I have recently experienced some significant personal disappointments and although painful I can look to them as blessings.Not because they ended up well but because God was in the midst of them and that He has become even more real to me, transforming my response to these types of disappointments.For a leader to be ‘level 5’ it might be good to reflect and possibly redefine what a blessing really is.May He interrupt your day today….
Here is an article that was sent to me from my friend Lanny Kilgore, pastor of New Covenent Community Church. Lanny thinks a lot about leadership and has instituted quarterly leadership training seminars for his leadership team at NCCC. Check out Lanny and NCCC here.
The article is on the theme of character and leadership in an age of image. It is written by General Sir Richard Dannatt who is the chief of the General Staff and head of the British Army.
It is quite good. It is an eight page printed version of a speech he gave to the Rhodes and Marshall Scholars at a gathering hosted by the Trinity Forum Europe in Oxford, on Saturday, 8 November 2008.
Wow! It's Christmas week. This week is going to fly by. Counting today, in eleven days we have a New Year. A brand new year with a clean slate and a fresh start to become a new kind of leader.
In December of every year, I spend time mapping out my personal learning plan for the upcoming year. I review what I did in the current year in terms of learning and growth. I look ahead, reflect, pray and strategize about what 2009 should involve.
This month is moving by quickly and I feel a little behind in doing this. I never feel pressure to have everything fully in place by January 1st. There have been some years when I was still doing a lot of thinking about this near the end of January. But I like to be pretty much ready to launch a new year of growth and learning when the new year begins.
If you are a frequent visitor to the Leadership ConneXtions International blogsite, then you know life long learning is a core value and a regularly discussed topic. I remain fully convinced, both by personal experience and through the observation of many leaders - that the best leaders are life long learners.
In his book Axioms, one of his final reflections was on reading. Bill Hybels had this to say:
"Read all you can."
"Leaders have a responsibility before God to constantly get better."
"I have little patience with leaders who get themselves into leadership binds and they confess they haven't read a leadership book in years. If you're a serious minded leader, you will read. You will read all you can."
A new year of leadership responsibility is upon us. And in light of our uncertain, economically challenging times, leadership in 2009 is going to be even more difficult and riskier. Our organizations, our teams, our ministries, our churches, and our people need us to be at the Top of our Game.
That means continuous improvement, a commitment to personal growth and a love of learning and the transformation it brings.
I am putting together an essay on life long learning that also serves as a plan you can use, tweak, morph in whatever ways you like to launch and sustain your growth throughout 2009. It will be posted by the end of the year.
But for now, get out your journal or some paper and start reflecting.
FACEBOOK has a fun feature. You can become a "fan" of someone or something. Become a fan of a person, a place, a thing, a cause, an event, an idea . . . you name it and you can become a fan of it.
Of course the best fans are RAVING FANS. Not Raven Fans, although this year Raven Fans are becoming Raving Fans. (Like the guy to the right who touches the toe of Johnny Unitas in Unitas Plaza, before every game.) Detroit Lions fans are becoming extinct. Raving Fans of the Yankees are just deluded Fanatics who should be penalized for spending obscene amounts of money to buy a world series championship. But I digress . . .
Raving Fans love whatever it is they are a fan of. Think very high levels of energy, enthusiasm, commitment, faith, perseverance and then spreading the good news about whatever it is you are a fan of.
Casual fans don't do this. Lukewarm fans don't do this. Fair-weather fans don't do this. Bi-polar fans don't do this. But Raving Fans . . .
The really good leaders are Raving Fans of certain core things and they relentlessly promote those things. The truly great leaders are those who are able to turn Lukewarm Fans into more Raving Fans.
Do this and you have a movement. Fail to do it and maybe you have a club.
And this point is tricky . . . you can only be a Raving Fan about a few things. It is not possible to be a Raving Fan Flavor of the Month kind of leader.
What are you a Raving Fan about? Why are you a Raving Fan? And the litmus test - how quickly do others identify you as a Raving Fan?
Take a minute and write down the TOP THREE THINGS of which you are a Raving Fan.
Let me go one step further and ask: Is anyone a Raving Fan about you and what you are doing?
Henri Nouwen was one of my favorite writers on spirituality. It was not because he was the most insightful, or brilliant in his understanding. Others were much more so than Nouwen.
It was because Nouwen was at his very best when he "hung the fruit low for all of us to pick." He knew how to make things simple and say them simply.
I came across another example of Nouwen doing this in Sabbath by Muller where he provides this illustration. Nouwen said (paraphrased) . . .
Our lives have become absurd. In Latin surdus means deaf. To be absurd is to be deaf to what we must hear. To be absurd is to be unable to hear or unwilling to listen.
The word obedient comes from the Latin word audiere which means to hear or to listen.
So, in a simple way, the spiritual journey with Christ is moving from deafness to hearing. It is gaining the ability to listen to Jesus. it is the journey from absurdity to obedience.
To say it bluntly. When I don't listen, I am absurd. (Even though they are fake, wouldn't it be nice to be able to have spiritual ears like this?)
How have you been these past few days? Absurd or obedient? Listening to friends, to Scripture, to God, to love . . . or not listening? Absurd/deaf or hearing/obedient.
"Let him who has ears to hear, hear." (Mark 4:9 and five other places as well.)
Brian Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
I wonder if this is what we look like when we don't listen? Kind of absurd looking - isn't it?
the vital knowledge of the old times, handed down,
for it is rising off the earth, fraying away
in the wind and the coming day.
As the machines come and the people go
the old names rise, chattering, and depart
That old man speaking you have heard
since your boyhood, since his prime, his voice
speaking in his own, by winter fires, in fields and woods,
in barns while rain beat on the roofs
and wind shook the girders. Stay and listen
until he dies or you die, for death
is in this, and grief is in it. Live here
as one who knows these things. Stay, if you live,
listen and answer. Listen to the next one
like him, if there is to be one. Be
the next one like him, if you must,
stay and wait. Tell your children. Tell them
to tell their children. As you depart
toward the coming light, turn back
and speak . . .
This poem "The Record" (and there is more to it) by Wendell Berry set me to thinking and feeling something within . . . for I know of that panic also. The panic of wanting to save the wisdom of the old times.
The forgotten ways. The ancient that may not become the future. The ones who speak of those things. Loving them. Preserving them. Guarding them. Passing them on. It seems very hard, so very hard.
The panic I feel is the panic of obscurity, the panic of becoming a relic, a remnant of belief in a dying way, and for now living as a spiritual exile, perhaps even a fool for that which is fading, rejected, scorned.
So I must stay, listen, answer if I can, speak if I may and even in the departing, turn back and speak. Even if they would have none of it.
Well it is all over the news. The New York Yankees are paying Sabathia $131,000,000 over seven years to be their star pitcher! (Yes the green color is intentional.)
The average family in the United States makes about $50,000 a year!
Starting teachers for K-12 earn less than $34,000 a year!
Starting social workers earn less than$30,000!
An EMT starting salary is under $11.00 per hour!
YES the color red (symbolizing being broke) - is intentional!
Saving lives, helping the disadvantaged, teaching our children . . . We pay these professions pathetically low salaries. In doing so, we make pronouncements on how much we value what they do.
But celebrities who entertain us - now that's a different matter. Whether they are athletes, musicians, movie stars, TV actors . . . we pay top dollar to be entertained!
Sabathia is supposedly a really nice guy. This post is not about him! It is about our culture and what we value. I don't blame a celebrity for taking an outrageously high salary. I blame those who offer such salaries and the culture that approves it.
My rant and rave is this - we value the wrong things. We put our treasure in the wrong places. And we are less of a peope because of it.
And don't even get me started on ridiculously over-priced celebrity salaries when they are terrible role models as well!
I had a very interesting "juxtaposition" of ideas a few days ago. I am doing quite a bit of study and reflection on/about the Bible. Part of this is in preparation for some of the sessions I'll be teaching when the Ancient-Future Faith community starts back up in January. And I am doing this reflection launched out of 2 Timothy 3:10-17.
Something intriguing in that passage is the connection between the "teacher" and the Scriptures that are taught. Not only does Paul speak very highly about the Bible, but he makes it clear that the one who "teaches the Bible" is part of the "package."
So in verses 10-11 Paul describes himself, the teacher of the Scripture, and basically reminds Timothy why Paul is trustworthy as a teacher of the Scriptures. If you have your Bible close by, take a minute to read those two verses. Pretty powerful words.
In verse 13 he goes on to remind Timothy that there is such a thing as bad teaching and bad teachers. And the essence of bad teaching is that it is deceptive and the ones giving it are deceivers. (You can find a lot more by Paul on false teachers throughout First and Second Timothy.)
Okay, I won't say anything else about that, but I began to think about the one who teaches Scripture. And I was doing some self-assessment in this.
Here is a question for you. It's a little exercise that you can take a few minutes to do right now.
What do you look for in a teacher of the Scriptures? If you are going to listen to a teacher of the Bible, what do you expect, need, require in that teacher? What "profile" of a Scripture teacher do you have?
Now, here is the juxtaposition. I am working through a little devotional on Advent and it uses thoughts of G.K. Chesterton every day. The introduction had this delightful description of Chesterton. I read it several times. Chesterton was described as:
energetic,
a contagious laughter
full of wit and repartee
possessing a childlike innocence,
having a wonderful love of life,
humility,
joyous humor,
a towering intellect,
a Christian cultural critic,
a "man of letters" (in other words, widely learned, a Renaissance kind of individual),
a genius with an open mind (I love that description),
a grateful person with a deep devotion to God,
and a gracious person who contended for Christian truth but never arrogantly.
Then it hit me. That is a pretty accurate description of what I am looking for in a teacher of Scripture. And if I could become "ballpark" close to that kind of person, then I might turn out to be a teacher of Scripture worth listening to.
For those of you who have responsibilities that involve teaching the Scriptures, take some time and come up with a profile that describes the kind of teacher you would like to be.
I met the other day with my friend, Randy Turner, who is doing some really good work (which I won't go into in this post). Randy shared a very interesting quote with me:
Our children are living messages we send to a time we will not see.
This quote really hit me and I thought about it for a bit. I believe those of us who teach and train and coach and mentor can say something similar about the people with whom we work. They become living messages, imprinted with our own influence and they go to times and places and people we will never see.
It is a moving thought for me. I hope it is for you. May the living message we imprint today on others, be a worthy one.
Tim Adour offers a reflection that is especially relevant to this time of our year. As I read it, it brought to my mind the words of James 1:17.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
May Tim's longing be our longing as well.
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It is no secret I love getting gifts.I am well aware of the fact Jesus said, it is more blessed to give than to receive, but I still love getting gifts.I know, I know; I need to be more spiritual and allow a greater work of the Spirit in my life. Ok fine...but don’t forget I still love getting gifts.So do you, you just want to be seen as more spiritual so you won’t admit it.
I’ve been on an interesting journey.It has been a journey of self examination; which has brought some, good and not so good things to light.On the one hand, I have noticed growth for which I am grateful. However, there are some bad things that really annoy me because they are issues I have been struggling with for years.As I said, it’s been interesting.
After several months of frustration I have finally come to a conclusion-God has everything I need to change and grow into the man He wants me to be. I suppose someone could say, “Da, you should have figured that out a long time ago”.But, you know, it never occurred to me the way it has recently.
Here is what I’ve started doing and I am amazed at the results.I have asked God to give me gifts.I have identified specific areas of weakness and continual struggle and I have asked God to help me change thought processes and give me whatever I need to overcome.At the same time, I have identified specific “good” areas that need to increase and have asked God to help me prosper even further.
I guess what I’ve done is combine II Peter 1:3 and John 16:24. Peter tells us “…that God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness”, and John tells us to “ask and we will receive”.You know, praying scripture works.God delights in fulfilling His word for His people.It’s just a matter of His people taking Him at His word.I have a long way to go, but I love the gifts God has given so far.
I love getting gifts and I intend on continuing to ask God to bestow on me all the gifts He wants, so that I will become all He wants me to be.
Some years ago, a very smart person informed me that I was really not essential to the running of God's universe. It was really doing quite fine without me and it would continue on without even a mis-step if I were not around.
So, I was encouraged to take time outs . . . bench yourself from the game . . . take a break (a long one), do retreats that have no ministry or leadership work involved. Even try this thing called rest and Sabbath.
Of course I didn't believe them. I didn't want to believe them.
They obviously didn't know who I was. I was essential. My input was crucial. My work was vital. I was/am a player. I'm somebody important. I am needed.
But I'm not essential to the running of God's universe, or His kingdom, or His church. Heck, for that matter, I'm not even essential for the running of my ministry area. If a heart attack or a drunk driver takes me out of the game tomorrow, it goes on without me. Maybe sadder for a few days, but that's about it.
I'm not essential . . . and neither are you. (Okay, if you are LeBron, you're essential . . .)
However, the higher we move "up" in leadership responsibility -- the more indispensable we believe we are. Irreplaceable. Necessary. We are Atlas holding up the world (organization, team, ministry, department, etc.) on our shoulders. We have to finish the project, meet the deadline, complete the task, fill the order, make the decision . . .
Doesn't that just get old after awhile?
What if you JUST STOPPED RIGHT NOW?
Yes, go ahead and stop right now. Stop before you are finished. Set it (whatever it may be) aside. Allow it to remain incomplete and unfinished. Life will go on. Set it aside and come back later.
Take a time out. Listen to music. Read a "not" necessary book. Go on a walk. Hang out with a friend (and have fun). Go get a cup of coffee at your favorite place, read a fun magazine and watch people. And, even better -- take a nap. A long one at that.
Your willingness to stop what you are doing is a sign of faith and trust, a symbol of your dependence and surrender. It is you acknowledging - I have limits and I will honor them.
God rested on the 7th Day. He didn't rest because He was tired and worn out from six hectic days. No. God rested because that was part of the created order. God created - REST. And when we rest, when we take a time out, when we stop acting like we are indispensable - we honor God's mandate for rest and we acknowledge our dependency on God.
Go ahead. You can do it. (Apparently, if you are tired enough, any resting place will do!)
This is a very important book and it also happens to be a very good book, in that it is well written. A special thank you to Michael Wittmer who is a professor of systematic and historical theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (i.e. he is really smart) for writing such a thoughtful and accessible book with doses of wry humor interspersed throughout it.
I had a good chuckle thinking about the Holy Spirit complaining He doesn't get noticed and saying, "Thank-God for the Pentecostals. Without them I'd get no attention" (pp. 51). It is little nuggets like that sprinkled throughout the book that are great.
Wittmer is gracious but clear as he describes certain tendencies among "some" emergent authors which amounts to a serious minimizing of Christian belief. He understands where these authors are coming from and why they are reacting to harmful excesses that have been found among "some" conservative Christians.
But the answer to wrongly held and rigidly defended belief is not to ignore belief nor to say that belief is unimportant,although he shows why it is a natural tendency for many postmoderns to "believe" that belief is no longer important.
Wittmer points out that the two main options have been conservative Christian belief and theologically liberal belief. Some emergent authors like to say they are charting a "third way" or a "middle way." Yet, when I read those authors, if on point after point the answers are much more like theological liberals and very little like conservative thinking, it is not really a third way. I appreciate Wittmer just saying, that this third way is not a third way.
In a very accessible yet substantial way, Wittmer looks at the issues of:
What is the core of the Gospel necessary for salvation?
Are people good or bad (the question of sin)?
The question of homosexuality and homophobia.
Is substitutionary atonement really divine/cosmic child abuse?
What is the Kingdom of God and who is a part of it?
What about hell?
How do we know anything?
Is the Bible God's true word?
And more stuff like this. (The Nicene Creed is pictured above.)
By the way, for a really nice image of the Nicene Creed, click on the file:
There is some theology and biblical study in this book. There is some philosophical discussion in this book. There is reference to a lot of postmodern authors in this book. Yet, it is all accessible.
I love church history and Wittmer drops delightful examples, illustrations and insights from that history throughout the pages of the book.
It is a very worthwhile contribution to the ongoing conversation about postmodern faith. What is exciting is that postmodern faith is just in its very early stages and this kind of conversation is helpful in shaping what it may look like in years to come.
Get in on the discussion and the conversation. This book is a good stepping stone to do that.
Typepad has upgraded the way you can make comments.
Now, it should be easier for you to make comments on a post. And, you can not only reply to the post, but once someone comments, you could reply directly to that individual.
Would several of you do me a favor in the upcoming days and post some comments and try to make some comments on what other say.
I am intrigued by the connection between these two words.
If something is generative, it means it is producing of something new.
Generosity is the quality of giving to others what you possess.
It has recently hit me that Generosity is the way to Generativity.
If I want to produce newness, then I am going to have to give away.
Jesus is the essence and the ultimate in generativity. Jesus creates newness, produces life, establishes, builds, launches, starts, provides, initiates and add all the words you can think of.
Jesus Generates.
And he does so because he is generous.
Generous with everything he had. Generous with his life. The ultimate act of selfless giving was on the cross and therefore, the cross became the ultimate means of generativity.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds (John 12:23-24).
Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies (the act of generosity) it will not be able to produce more life (generativity).
So our challenge today as leaders is to generate life and to do so by generosity. I know I need to be a lot more generous, much more of a giver.
Figure out how to do that today and you'll have a pretty good day (not just an okay one!).
Figure out how to motivate and empower others to a life of generosity and you'll have a really good day.
It's the end of the work day. You and I are sitting down with a few minutes to connect and we exchange the usual pleasantries.
"How was your day?"
I say, "Okay."
And I ask - "How about yours?"
To which you say, "Mine too."
"Wow . . . that sounds like a day to remember! Okay . . . ditto on that . . . "
In other words - not memorable! Unremarkable (i.e not worth making remarks about)! Not significant! Not noteworthy!
How many days do you want to have like that?
How many days can you have like that and still end up with a life well spent and a legacy worth leaving?
Think about this "just okay" accumulating over the course of a lifetime and then becoming your epitaph. Think about your family and friends sharing their descriptions of your life.
Bill was an unremarkable man.
Jill lead a very insignificant life.
There is nothing really noteworthy to mention in Dan's obituary.
Susan made no waves going through life.
John never really did anything worth remembering.
Tonya . . . hmm, no, nothing really comes to my mind about her.
Perhaps we are saying our day is "just okay" because we are humble and don't want to call attention to ourselves.
Perhaps we are saying our days are "just okay" because we don't recognize how good and glorious they really are.
Perhaps there are burning bushes all around and angels in every tree, but our eyes don't see them.
Perhaps . . .
Or perhaps we have grown accustomed to living a "just okay" life that really is pretty insignificant.
Well, you and I are made for so much more. Our hearts long for that so much more. The world is our opportunity to give so much more. And by God's enabling grace, we can both enjoy and offer so much more.
Do you think all this sounds too much like worldly leadership stuff? Then think about this:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24
If you ever ask me - "How was your day?" and I answer, "okay" please give me a kick in the posterior. And I'll be glad to do the same.
I haven't had a good rant and rave in some time, so here goes.
A recent article in the Associated Press (by David Crary) was about the current class of students. Crary called them the Class of Dishonesty.
Here are the stats. In the past year,
30% of high school students have stolen from a store.
64% have cheated on a test.
38% cheated two or more times.
36% say they used the Internet to plagiarize an assignment.
20% admitted they stole something from a friend.
23% said they stole something from a family member.
All these statistics are several percentage points (3-4) worse than last year. Project that out a few years and see what numbers you come up with.
And . . . here is the rub . . .
93% of the students said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character!!!
77% believed that when it comes to doing what is right, they are BETTER than their peers!!!
Here is what I see when I read articles like this. Without any doubt, we live in a world where:
The ends justify the means.
I deserve what I want.
If I can get away with it I will.
If I am caught I'll probably protest.
I can spin about myself with the best of them.
Everyone else is doing it.
Self-deception is a wonderful skill for today.
If you read down to about two days ago, check out the post on Autonomous Individualism and Narcissistic Hedonism. This is just an example.
Now, put these people with this ethics in Wall Street, in senior management in Fortune 500 Companies, in governmental positions and any place else where leadership is required. And think about the results.
Well, just look at the mess we are in today and think a little bit how we got here.
Should anyone be surprised at the consequences?
Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. (Hosea 8:7)
Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows . . . Let us not become weary in doing good . . . (Galatians 6:7-9)
We certainly need a new kind of leader. Are there any takers . . . ?
I recently heard about a college professor that tried an experiment with a college group of students. For one week of time, the students had to completely unplug, disconnect, power down and let go of all their technology.
This meant, NO:
cell phones,
computer,
Internet,
TV,
radio,
iPod,
iPhone,
video games,
etc.
NO ONE COULD DO IT! In fact, most were distressed at the thought and wouldn't even try it.
Our lives / my life is in constant motion from the time the eyes open in the morning. We plunge into the world at full throttle. We plug in, get wired, and upload giga-bytes of stimulation almost 24/7/365. We think nothing of multi-tasking having a variety of stimulations assaulting our senses. (And lots of good coffee helps.)
Busy, noisy, distracted, in a hurry, feeling behind, pushed, pulled, prodded, buzzed, beeped, emailed, text-ed . . . It never stops. (I need to go drink some more coffee... be right back.)
It will take a major and sustained effort to (even partially) unplug, disconnect, power down and let go. For we are deeply addicted to these stimulations.
Leaders - we know how low our tanks get. Spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical depletion is a constant. And it is a bit ironic that all of the above stimulations, instead of filling and renewing us, often are draining the soul.
Burnout, for some of us, is only a few short weeks away.
Crash, explode, implode . . . closer than we think.
Back to the Sabbath, back to rest, back to renewal, back to delight, back to slowing down, back to silence. Back to all these very un-American things.
Brian Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
I decided to leave my laptop at work one night. The next morning, when i couldn't get on line until I went to work . . .
'll cover two more features of modernity in this post: Autonomous Individualism and Narcissistic Hedonism.
Autonomous Individualism. The individual is supreme. It is all about me. It is my way that counts. Who are you to challenge me? Who are you to contradict me? Who are you to bother me? Who are you to need anything from me?
Perhaps the theme song of this feature is the old Simon and Garfunkel tune, I Am a Rock:
I am a rock
I am an island
And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries
Take a moment and listen to this video of the song.
In the twilight of modernity, our autonomous individualism has left us self-sufficient, independent, isolated, bereft of friends, incapable of participating in meaningful community, the arbiter of our own destiny, the (supposed) Master of Our Own Universe . . . and very lonely and very lost.
It is a general Axiom among Postmodern Christians that post modernity is a radical reversal of this feature of modernity and that in post modernity, community is a high value. Mark Sayers, in The Trouble With Paris differs and believes that in our condition of hyper-reality, individualism is more extreme than ever.
Autonomous Individualism by itself is one thing, but it is naturally joined together with Narcissistic Hedonism.
Hedonism is the way of life that believes pleasure is supremely important. Now, pleasure may be defined however the autonomous individual chooses to define it. It often takes on the form of some variety of sensualism and/or materialism. The pursuit of material comforts and the enjoyment of sexual desires are strong driving forces in our culture.
I typed in hedonism in my Google Search to look for an image to use. I have the safe filter settings on and it is still striking the pictures/images that come up for website. Almost everything is associated with sexuality. You can go on Hedonistic Vacations if you want! (I decided not to put any images on this post.)
Narcissus was the figure from Greek mythology who looked into a pool of water and fell in love with himself. The narcissist is the person who loves them self inordinately and fails to love others appropriately. The narcissist as hedonist believes that she or he deserves pleasure of the desired kind.
NOTE: One website said that 75% of narcissists are men! That sounds like it could be a book. Narcissists and the Women Who Love Them
Of course, money is no object in the pursuit of this kind of lifestyle and so we spend and live far beyond our means so we may have what we think we deserve.
If the 21st Century Man and Women were described by archaeologists from 1000 years from now, perhaps they would describe us as:
homo consumerus shoppus livingindebtus
You can easily see how autonomous individualism and narcissistic hedonism mutually reinforce one another and how such a person will eventually be very lost and very lonely. For they are incapable of selfless, generous love and sacrifice on behalf of others.
The current generation of Superstar Athletes is just one example of these qualities carried to extravagant excess.
Our culture's fascination with the Celebrity is in part a fascination with those who live the life of narcissism, hedonism and heroic individualism.
I would also come back and ask - is Post Modernity really that different on this issue? Is the emerging generation really that much different in this than their modern predecessors? Again, some authors would have you think post-moderns are significantly different. And again, Mark Sayers believes that Post Modernity is just the hyper-experience of this quality.
This is the world/culture in which we are called to live, lead, model the life of Christ (who is the anti-thesis) of both autonomous individualism and narcissistic hedonism, and offer a subversive alternative to the prevailing norms of our culture.
Danny Jones: Finding My Way A new artist for me. Seriously, he ranks up there with the creativity and sheer talent of a Joe Satriani... although the Silver Surfer guitarist is still in my top three faves. But Danny Jones deserves a wide listen by all the rock/metal fans.
Gungor: Ghosts Upon the Earth Their newest. I've listened to it a few times. I like Beautiful Things more, but this one is growing on me and several of the songs are outstanding.
Yo-Yo Ma: The Goat Rodeo Sessions Buy this album just because of the great title. No, really buy it because of the four string virtuosos and the magic they conjure up as their instruments flow together.
Josh Wilson: See You Pretty good album by Christian activist, singer, guitarist.
Downhere: Wide-Eyed & Mystified My new favorite band. Canadian Christians, great music, outstanding (TRULY) vocals. And profound lyrics. They leave most Christian artists in the dust of banal pop Christianity.
Downhere: How Many Kings I got this album just a few days before Christmas. It became my favorite Christmas CD in many years.
Neil Zaza: One Silent Night, Vol. 1 I selected this to represent about 20 instrumental rock, metal Christmas guitar albums currently in the iPod and just waiting to be cranked up at my December workouts at the gym.
Solas: Words That Remain One of the first albums from this Irish-American folk band. My friend Gordon told me about it. I created a Solas station on Pandora. Liked what I heard and got this one.
Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto I broke down and got it... haven't listened to it yet... this week.
Brad Paisley: Time Well Wasted I am becoming a huge favorite of this country star who writes great songs, has a great voice and cooks on guitar. I want Brad and Keith Urban to do a guitar album together.
