One for the road...

Re-conections (or making camping sound profound)...

 

We went away camping last week to one of my fave parts of the country - the new forest.  One of the catch phrases of the week, frequently trotted out during rain, gales, overcast and the occassional sunny but cool moments was "i can't believe this is august!" 

Of course the UK weather is always a gamble and it was funny exploring our childhood holiday memories that always seemed so sunny on the surface to often find that the weather was not always as we nostalgically remembered - Debs for instance recounted camping in Northumbrian gales and her feet going numb with cold whilst paddling in the north sea - now that's hard core!

One of the things it reminded me being outdoors so much was how isolated I am from the weather/nature/environment/God...

...being in our tent when the wind blows so strong that the whole thang is shaking I am busy praying about tent pegs cheerfully half banged in when it was calm outside and praying like mad that the tent won't blow away!

... taking Nathan down to the toilet block at 3am and us stopping in sheer wonder at all the stars on display and issuing a collective wow!  It felt like the beauty of the universe was on display for us to revel in!

...sitting outside as it gets dark, watching the light fade and that magical moment when the wind always seems to drop down and it gets marginally less cold.

...lying in the secure, warm, womb of my sleeping bag and listening to the rain beating down, inside so safe and secure,  outside so stormy...

In my insulated, climate controlled life there is a connection that is missing that actually being outdoors for a week restores/reminds me of - I am not seperated from the climate around me, it is beautiful, terrible, miserable, awe inspiring at times.  So whilst we planned for a sunnier more controllable climate for our next holiday, it was good to be reconnected to our environment and the God who's evolving creation we are part of together...

the beatitudes...for people who care about our planet

 

HT to Carlsafina

The Beatitudes for Ecologists/Environmentalists

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who know how little they know and are therefore willing to listen to the world to see what it says about itself. Theirs is the path that leads to whatever wonder there is to be found.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are those who understand that all is not well. Blessed are those unwilling to drink the Kool-Aid of false hope that says otherwise.  Blessed are those who know we are in the process of losing something. They are the ones with any real of hope of changing things.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who understand that the earth is a gift of inestimable worth. In the end, they are the only ones in a position to receive it.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are those whose souls ache with a sharp craving for things to be better, for the wrongs we are inflicting to be righted, for the course we’re on to be corrected. Those who have such hunger are the first in line for its filling.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are those who long to use their power to give what is endangered a chance.   Blessed are those inclined to cut what is standing in the path of our greed some slack. They’ll be given the slack they need to survive when the time comes.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are those willing to refuse illusion. They are the ones with a vision ruthless enough to perceive God

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

Blessed are those willing to do what needs to be done with those who are needed to do it. Blessed are those who are eager to make of their adversaries, allies. Blessed are those who are willing to call it creation if it will help to save it. They will be called cooperators with the divine.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those whose concern for the forests earns them the “tree-hugger” title. Blessed are those whose love for the planet puts them in the “wacko” category. They are the ones who love heaven enough to want to bring it back to earth.

Christians and the environment...

HT to Asbo Jesus

God is green... but am I?

A lot of talk on the back of last nights channel 4 TV programme 'God is Green'.  If you want to find out some views on the programme, Rupert, Duncan and Marc all have good reflective pieces [Marc has even managed to snag this short interview with the presenter, major HT!].

My observations were:

• the compelling elements in all of the world's religions to care for the planet [and some of the more fatalistic responses  - from end of the world/2nd coming for christians to Karma for Hindus];
• the way that many evengelical christians in the USA are now waking up and beginning to actively campaign - so the decline of dominion theology [that we own the planet] and a replacement of stewardship theology [that we are charged to serve/care for it] - if you're interested in how this falls out of Genesis 1 & 2 check out this earlier post on two key hebrew words 'shamar' and 'abad'
• the ethical case for action which is not so much looking at the lead in someone elses  eye but the lump of carbon in mine - or to put it another way what happens when I believe something as a result of my faith and then start to act on it.

After watching 'An Inconvenient Truth' I went out and brought energy efficient lightbulbs for the house and started turning off my powerpacks for phone and laptop.  After last night I was reminded about what else I have decided to do - switch power provider, continue to walk more rather than drive [good for my fitness too] and look to offset any carbon from flying by schemes like this one from climate care.  We're also looking at replacing our boiler with a more energy efficient one as part of updating our bathroom...

what more?

I'm sure there is much more I could do so please inspire me:

• if you saw the show what are you planning doing as a response?
• what else are you doing regardless to help us a planet wean off our carbon consumption loving/protect the environment etc?

Becoming wornagain...

After a couple of years of hard service my blackspot environmentally/socially/economically friendly shoes are fast approaching the end of their life [i know this as it rained today and my feet got wet!]...

It is part of me making a conscious decision that as a christian i should look to support ethical, environment, social supporting manufacturers who are trying to promote justice as well as make money - it hasn't cost me more than buying a pair of designer trainers other than to buy something that is less trying to get a cool image by proxy and more about helping others...

So I have decided to continue to invest in eco-sound footwear and have ordered this pair of wornagain trainers [sneakers for my cros atlantic cousins] which are 99% recycled and also made to high economic/social standards.

I'll let you know if they are anywhere near as good as my blackspots have been - hopefully in a couple of yrs time!

The Light...The Action...and God the Father or starting to take the nowness of the kingdom of God seriously...

You are now entering the Kingdom of God...population too many to count. Please praise safely!

One of the great things that I love about the wider community of faith that I am in (the Vineyard) is the emphasis on the Kingdom of God - this in-breaking into the world of the will/wish of God and being a people that have a relationship with the King to be his representatives/workers/servants in embodying his kingdom - at it's best it is that we are here not to be rulers and lord it over the world but to be those who get their hands dirty and souls achy in caring, tending, longing, blessing, praying, healing, embracing, restoring, renewing all in the name of Jesus in/through/with the Holy Spirit...

It is not just a personal mission, or a personally empowered one, but one we undertake as part of a community - the missio Dei (the mission of God) is one that is inherently communal, God existing within his own community of three and inviting us to join with him and to extend that invitational embrace... or to put it another way being a people of God who are connected to each other and God who embody the good news narrative...

The now but not yet of the kingdom of God

One of the key teachings of kingdom theology that I have come across is that the kingdom of God is about the now - Jesus saying the kingdom was of the atmosphere, here, material, touchably at hand - but also of the not yet - in other words it is not fulfilled, is it not complete, not everyone who is is sick gets healed when we pray, we still do stupid sinful wrong things etc.  It is to me a dynamic tension and  one that I often am uncomfortable with - in fact I confess one that I often put off as doing things as well 'not yet...'

Yes it's great to talk about helping the least, the lost....but not yet.

Yes fantastic to talk about changing the status quo, about empowering those who are powerless, about giving up rights to wealth, health and a high quality of life just cos I am born within an economic/social power structure...but not yet...

fantastic to talk about equality, about dreaming about peace, harmony, social/political/economic justice which is not skewed only in my favour... but not yet.

of course it is an high calling to tend and care for creation, to look after this planet and its scarce resources but I need to consume a bit more, get a few more things a bit cheaper, make my life a little more comfortable first... so not yet.

yes I love the idea about having a faith that is about talking about taking action, about the right way to engage and the wrongs ways to get involved (how I am not like those who are getting it so wrong and how i am so glad that I am like those whose who know the right ways of phrasing these matters), about the right phrases and structures and influences... but taking action well not yet.

I love these missional phrases of my faith, the thought of all being contextual and relevant but if that means I might have to live counter-culturally, if I have to go against the flow not to be deliberately perverse but because i have chosen a revolutionary way to live which embodies laying down my rights, throwing up my doors, dismantling my 6 ft fences, applying judgement to myself, confessing, being honest, giving up private bubble for a wider community and serving those who it will cost me to serve - well not yet.

One day God I will, one day it will all come to pass as you say -  but right now I'm too busy being rich, powerful, white, western, male, consumer...so not yet!

Why now is not a good time but then there is no good time...

I mean I want too but why should I start, why should I bother going first in loving someone? in being generous? in laying aside my rights when they aren't going to change and lay down theirs, especially when their right of being right involves them telling me how right they are and how wrong I am?  This whole servant gigg sounds glam to begin with but it quickly fades, especially when people start treating me like a servant, taking advantage of me, exploiting me  - being a door mat for God is so not happening ever, the meek can keep the earth thank you very much...

But I am feeling challenged by the now of the kingdom of God... of actually being, or starting, or trying to be... of wondering if Jesus words about faith and the impossible were to help me when I look at the mountain of all the reasons I should wait, of all the reasons of saying heh not yet and doing nothing... what if faith can move that mountain?  what if the impossible of the kingdom happening now can start? what if it is like small  seeds germinating and growing into huge trees, or little yeast spreading through the bread making it rise and grow?

Was Jesus really serious when he said...

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. "

If he was, and I have a growing feeling that he is and that this is just one example of the NOW of the kingdom of God then these are be-attitudes, something to try and do now, not just see as happening at the end of the not yet...

Now to start...but where?

My Q is the how?  Anyone else doing this and can let me know?  Anyone want to start doing this and want to explore doing/being/acting like  the kingdom of God is now?

Creation - another take

Ricky Gervais takes a  look at Genesis 1-3 (bit more swearing than your average church sermon but then again slightly more intersting :) - amazing what you can do in the dark!

God, the ultimate recycler

I seem to have been thinking a lot about the environment and the work of God in us to transform not only my personal environment but that of society and  nature as well.  God working in us and through us to be more loving and generous, to take a stand against injustice and oppression and to care for this whole planet on which we live.  The work of God is partly captured by U2's homage to grace...

What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things

Personally I have so many hurts and scars that God is making beautiful.  God is the ultimate recycler, the ultimate transformer, there is nothing he cannot touch and change so that it becomes a blessing rather than a curse - especially in honesty, in weakness, in the midst of me modelling imperfection I find God's grace at work. 

But God is about more than just me - I read something like Paul's description of Jesus as the...

Global warming - a female perspective

      

so what do I know... :)

Nature and nurture - environment and faith...

My last post touched on something important, what should my Christian response be to issues of the environment? I think as a Christian, as part of me exercising my faith, that it is right and proper to be interested in creation, in issues of the environment, aware of issues around global warming etc. After all God, in my view, is the king of all creation (rather than part of it), and I think his plan is not to scrap it but to bring it to fulfilment, to bring out its beauty even more so than it already is. We humans are part of God’s kingdom but so to are the birds, the animals, the mountains, the seas…

A couple of Hebrew words have helped me understand what this all means to me as a Christian, were highlighted by Brian McLaren in talk that inspired me:

The first is shamar, it means to tend, to keep, to protect, and to care for. We use this Hebrew word whenever we use this great blessing from the OT:

“May the Lord bless you and shamar you…we usually translate shamar here as ‘keep you’ but it means more than that, care for you, protect you, tend you.

The second word is abad, which means serve.It’s a word used in the famous statement by the Joshua:

“As for me and my house we will abad the LORD… i.e. we will serve the Lord.

Those words shamar and abad come up in another interesting place, in the beginning of the bible in Gen 2; most bibles translate it like this:

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to keep it.”

But Brian suggests what this passage really says… ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to abad it and shamar it.’psalm 145…

"Everything God does is right—the trademark on all his works is love..."

One of the deepest subjects in philosophy is the tension between the one and the many, for example Plato emphasised the one whilst Aristotle emphasised the many. In very broad terms, eastern philosophy emphasises the one whilst western philosophy emphasises the many. Middle Eastern philosophy, which includes Judaism, integrates the one and the many. Psalm 145 is one of integration that paints a picuture which says if I want to understand the entire universe as one unit, as one entity, if I want to see the harmony and inherence and coherence in everything of all the universe then I need to see it as the Kingdom of God, because the one kingdom includes the king and everything the King has made. If I want to understand the universe I need to see it in these terms creatures and Creator unified into a relationship that Christians call the Kingdom of God. It’s a beautiful harmonising term and 3,000 years after the psalm was written I think we need a harmonising understanding of our world…

We live in a world where there is so much tension coming out of the division and disunity, different classes, genders, races and political views… I agree with the suggestion by Brian in his talk that there is there is a need for people who have a vision of integration, harmony, unity in this beautiful thing called the Kingdom of God. David takes a psalm which in Hebrew is an acrostic (each line starting with the next letter of the alphabet) and shows that you can take each different letter and integrate them to say one same thing...

"My mouth is filled with God's praise. Let everything living bless him, bless his holy name from now to eternity!"

God’s kingdom has wide open boarders and the open invitation to me to walk in, to not only to be cared for but to join with the creator in caring and serving all of his creation…