Yup, that's right folks! It's the busiest time of year for church employees, I have a ton of stuff going on at work, including Easter stuff, a week-long camp, weekly program, and a Spring retreat; but I needed a break!
My car broke down yesterday, but I wasn't letting that stop me! My little brother came and picked me up last night at 9:30 and I hit the road with him and my parents today. We are in Yakima right now, heading to Bend, Oregon tomorrow, and then have no idea where we're going after that. My dad's chemotherapy makes him very cold all the time, so we're basically looking for sun and warmth... So that probably means South. I'll let you know more when I know. But either way, I'm just glad to be on the road. It feels nice to be away and let go of a lot of the stuff that was pulling me down. Hallelujah for all things vacation!
Peace,
Matt
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Son Volt!
Last night I saw Son Volt perform in downtown Bellingham. The fact that they would choose to begin their tour in the 'ham was, in my opinion, pretty stinkin' cool. They played for over two hours and it was a blast to watch! The only problem now, unfortunately, is trying to work after a long night. My ears are ringing, my eyes are bloodshot, my mind is numb, and my back is all outta-whack from standing for 3 and 1/2 hours. I just can't do the rock shows like I used to...
Peace,
Matt
Peace,
Matt
Monday, March 26, 2007
Pluralism and Cross-Cultural Missions
Yesterday I had a conversation with a friend who had recently done some short-term mission work in countries that were predominately Buddhist and/or Muslim. I was glad to hear his stories and see some pictures, but there was something in all of it that left me sitting up in bed later, wondering what didn't sit right with me. And I think I now know partly what bothered me.
What disturbed me was his lack of knowledge about cultural and religious customs. There were pictures of Buddhists doing different actions that appeared to be ritualistic, but he had no idea what they were doing or why. He didn't know what kind of Buddhism they were practicing or if there was any significance to the different shrines and temples of which he had taken pictures. He didn't know what branch of Islam was being practiced, or how well the two different faiths got along there. He just didn't know, and from the way he talked, I got the impression that he didn't care.
This bothered me on a personal level, but also as someone who does want the Gospel to be birthed in this foreign place. I felt let down by the missions organization he had gone through, which had done a great job teaching him the Bible, but had obviously done a disservice to him when it came to teaching how to do cross-cultural missions and bring the gospel into a new context. To be honest, I think they probably came presenting the gospel of the West as much as they came bringing the gospel of Jesus. But I was equally saddenned that this friend didn't even realize that this was a problem.
My question is, Do short-term missionaries, going to a place where they don't know the language, history, theologies or cultural make-up, really have a right to go into foreign countries? As a youth pastor, I wonder about my seniors, who could really grow from an experience that a group such as YWAM could provide. This is good for them, but what about the places they go to? Or what if it's just a group that is going to do building projects? They can go to a new place outside of their comfort zone, be challenged spiritually and physically, and do good for others in the process. Or they can send the money they would have raised and pay poor people from the same part of the world to build the building themselves, providing the same structure, but honest work and pay for the people as well.
I'm totally messed-up on all of this right now. I have certain leanings that have become apparent to me just in writing this, but I still have more questions than answers. Any helpful thoughts?
Peace,
Matt
What disturbed me was his lack of knowledge about cultural and religious customs. There were pictures of Buddhists doing different actions that appeared to be ritualistic, but he had no idea what they were doing or why. He didn't know what kind of Buddhism they were practicing or if there was any significance to the different shrines and temples of which he had taken pictures. He didn't know what branch of Islam was being practiced, or how well the two different faiths got along there. He just didn't know, and from the way he talked, I got the impression that he didn't care.
This bothered me on a personal level, but also as someone who does want the Gospel to be birthed in this foreign place. I felt let down by the missions organization he had gone through, which had done a great job teaching him the Bible, but had obviously done a disservice to him when it came to teaching how to do cross-cultural missions and bring the gospel into a new context. To be honest, I think they probably came presenting the gospel of the West as much as they came bringing the gospel of Jesus. But I was equally saddenned that this friend didn't even realize that this was a problem.
My question is, Do short-term missionaries, going to a place where they don't know the language, history, theologies or cultural make-up, really have a right to go into foreign countries? As a youth pastor, I wonder about my seniors, who could really grow from an experience that a group such as YWAM could provide. This is good for them, but what about the places they go to? Or what if it's just a group that is going to do building projects? They can go to a new place outside of their comfort zone, be challenged spiritually and physically, and do good for others in the process. Or they can send the money they would have raised and pay poor people from the same part of the world to build the building themselves, providing the same structure, but honest work and pay for the people as well.
I'm totally messed-up on all of this right now. I have certain leanings that have become apparent to me just in writing this, but I still have more questions than answers. Any helpful thoughts?
Peace,
Matt
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The Wisdom of Douglas Coupland
For the one or two people who read this blog, I'm sorry it's been so long since I wrote, well, anything. Spring is the busy season working at a church, where a personal life becomes something you vaguely remember but don't really experience. Anyways, here's some cool stuff:
I've been on a bit of a Douglas Coupland kick recently, reading Generation X, Life After God and Shampoo Planet. I think Coupland is brilliant, having the ability to tap into cultural trends and put faces to it in a way nobody else that I've read can. Here's a few quotes from his work that go well with the themes in this blog...
From Generation X:
"ME-ISM: A search by an individual, in the absence of training in traditional religious tenets, to formulate a personally tailored religion by himself. Most frequently a mishmash of reincarnation, personal dialogue with a nebulously defined god figure, naturalism, and karmic eye-for-eye attitudes."
From Life After God:
"Life was charmed but without politics or religion. It was the life of children of the children of the pioneers - life after God - a life of earthly salvation on the edge of heaven. Perhaps this is the finest thing to which we may aspire, the life of peace, the blurring between dream life and real life - and yet I find myself speaking these words with a sense of doubt.
I think there was a trade-off somewhere along the line. I think the price we paid for our golden life was an inability to fully believe in love; instead we gained an irony that scorched everything it touched. And I wonder if this irony is the price we paid for the loss of God."
Then, at the end of the book, he writes:
"Now - here is my secret:
I tell it to you with an openness of heart that I doubt I shall ever achieve again, so I pray that you are in a quiet room as you hear these words. My secret is that I need God - that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem to be capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love."
Peace,
Matt
I've been on a bit of a Douglas Coupland kick recently, reading Generation X, Life After God and Shampoo Planet. I think Coupland is brilliant, having the ability to tap into cultural trends and put faces to it in a way nobody else that I've read can. Here's a few quotes from his work that go well with the themes in this blog...
From Generation X:
"ME-ISM: A search by an individual, in the absence of training in traditional religious tenets, to formulate a personally tailored religion by himself. Most frequently a mishmash of reincarnation, personal dialogue with a nebulously defined god figure, naturalism, and karmic eye-for-eye attitudes."
From Life After God:
"Life was charmed but without politics or religion. It was the life of children of the children of the pioneers - life after God - a life of earthly salvation on the edge of heaven. Perhaps this is the finest thing to which we may aspire, the life of peace, the blurring between dream life and real life - and yet I find myself speaking these words with a sense of doubt.
I think there was a trade-off somewhere along the line. I think the price we paid for our golden life was an inability to fully believe in love; instead we gained an irony that scorched everything it touched. And I wonder if this irony is the price we paid for the loss of God."
Then, at the end of the book, he writes:
"Now - here is my secret:
I tell it to you with an openness of heart that I doubt I shall ever achieve again, so I pray that you are in a quiet room as you hear these words. My secret is that I need God - that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem to be capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love."
Peace,
Matt
Friday, March 09, 2007
Decemberists Video
I am no good with computers. Which is why, first of all I had never seen this video on YouTube. And secondly, that is why I have to link it rather than just insert the video into my page. That being said you should watch
this
amazing video from the Decemberists. It is amazing!
Peace,
Matt
this
amazing video from the Decemberists. It is amazing!
Peace,
Matt
Monday, March 05, 2007
Von Rad on Prophets
Read this great line about prophets in Von Rad's O.T. Theology book this morning and thought I'd share it:
"Prophets [are people] who change the gears of history with a word of God." (p 342)
Thought that was pretty stinkin' cool.
Peace,
Matt
"Prophets [are people] who change the gears of history with a word of God." (p 342)
Thought that was pretty stinkin' cool.
Peace,
Matt
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