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March 31, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
This week's SGCs (and there are a few) are (in no particular order):
The Evolution of Faith at Danutz
Subversive Syntax by Tony Jones at Church and Postmodern Culture
John Smulo on Capital Punishment and the Bible
Brian T Murphy- March 25
Ryan Bolger on 'Continuing Jesus' Mission Into the World (Part Two)'
How Might Scripture Read Us? by Prodigal Kiwi
Hope you enjoy this week's seriously good conversations! I know i did!
Posted by joshuacase at 08:23 AM | Comments (1)
March 30, 2007
Something is going on...
This afternoon, my friend Todd and Lammert decided we would get out for a little fresh air before I head off to Kosovo. It was a mild day, so we thought, and we would easily be able to meet late afternoon and hit a few balls around the course.
As we teed off on the first hole, we saw a few clouds in the distance. Within 20 minutes, the thunder was on top of us...yes, thunder in geneva. That is rare...very rare. So, we headed back inside to wait it out. Thirty minutes later...no good, still raining.
It has been a couple of hours since that first mild thunderstorm came through, and now...now....it is snowing!! What in the heck is going on? It is snowing!
In the immortal words of my friend Eric, 'I don't know much about all the science of global warming, but something is going on...and its wrong!'
I'd have to agree, something wrong is going on here!
Posted by joshuacase at 06:15 PM | Comments (3)
March 29, 2007
Missing Video Blog...and preparation for Kosova
Well, I missed a video blog yesterday (Wednesday)...ahhhhhhhhh.
Yeah, yeah I know i heard it from here. But things have been slammed lately. With our preparations for Kosova well under way, and our departure date a mere three days away...time has been in rather short supply.
And while i am not really feeling antsy about the trip, these things do build up. Think about it: 50+ young people, on a bus, for 28+ hours, en route to Kosova...yeah if you are not a youth worker..you are probably at this point thinking..what the he+)(*&&()_ are you thinking.
Well, we're thinking it matters and it will change things. Time will tell how much, but these trips always change things: leaders, students, the place where we go, their leaders, their students. Yep, change happens.
Make sure to subscribe to the rss feed for the SP07 blog. I'll be keeping it updated once we depart with videos, photos, and stories from each day!
Thanks for tuning in here...and do tune in there!
This is a little Ben Harper..and the theme song if you will for SP07.
Posted by joshuacase at 06:17 PM
March 27, 2007
Tuesday is for Thomas
Merton from Thoughts In Solitude:
If you want to have a spiritual life you must unify your life. A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all. No man can serve two masters. Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire.
To unify your life unify your desires. To spiritualize your life, spiritualize your desires. To spiritualize your desires, desire to be without desire.
Posted by joshuacase at 10:13 AM | Comments (1)
March 26, 2007
On freedom of speech (or was that Identity)
I have been thinking a little bit lately about the freedom of identity (and/or speech) in our world today. I think there remains the need for people to have the capacity to say what they think. Recognizing that often, there is the ongoing struggle with making sure that people do not overstep their bounds in terms of their occupational responsibilities and personal beliefs.
Nicholas Fiedler has been dealing with this some here. Then yesterday, i heard this story about a man in Largo who wished to remain City manager (a post he had held for sometime) but was removed because he requested to continue in the role as a woman. He was being open, honest. Despite having many people testify on his/her behalf, the board voted 5-2 in favor of his removal. It was a six hour meeting. Jeez.
Then, in this week's Economist, there is an article about a student (a few years back) who had carried a sign during a school parade which simply read "Bong Hits for Jesus". The student was suspended orginally for five days (and inevitably for ten) when he quoted Thomas Jefferson back to his teacher. This case has made it to the Supreme Court of USA. However, the young man is currently teaching in English in China....yeah, so much for free speech of students or, so much for the authority of teachers over young people. This is the dilemma of the courts.
What do all these things have in common? Why do they matter? Well, for me, they represent the dilemma in which we find ourselves in a world that personally cherishes authenticity/vulnerability, but really doesn't want to know what we really think/feel/desire. Increasingly, we have moved beyond freedom of speech towards freedom of identity. Now, it almost feels as though we've entered into a post-authentic soceity. Sure, some people want to know you, but the last thing your boss or coworkers really want to know is what you really think...what you really feel. Who you really are. Paradox if we live in society that 'personally cherishes authenticity/vulnerability', yes. We hear all the time, 'be honest, be real, know thyself'. But do they mean it?
What does this mean? How will this shape us? Will those of us who have normal jobs and who have blogs be forced to decided who we want to be and where we want to be that person? Should employers be able to tell their employees what they can not do with their free time? What they may and/or may not post on blogs? Can they moderate content even if it goes against their code/conduct/belief/speech/identity?
The blogosphere has gifted us with the liability of authenticity. In all likelihood, if you blog, you stand the risk of losing your job, not get one later, or...being known for who you really are. Is there another way around it? Not sure...maybe, don't blog about what/who you really are...or make sure you only blog about the things that everyone agrees on...or at least those that have power in your life..
What do you think?
Posted by joshuacase at 10:49 AM | Comments (2)
March 25, 2007
V for Vendetta
Last night, Laura and I watched this movie again. Again for me, first time for her.
There is a whole lot in this movie that is good. Some stuff that is great, and very little that is...well bad. I highly recommend watching it. It will inspire you. It will make you question things. It might even make you want to change the world. If it does any, then it has been a good experience. If you have seen it, watch it again. If you haven't seen it, go buy it.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 04:09 PM | Comments (1)
March 24, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
This week's SGCs are:
Phyllis Tickle on "The Future of the Emerging Church"
"Ethical Good News" on Jason Clark's blog (shhh I am biased..but it is a good conversation;))
Peter Rollins on Faith Communities and Transformance Art Just admit it..the guy is genius!
And as far as videos go...I have to repost this:
Posted by joshuacase at 08:02 AM | Comments (2)
March 23, 2007
Shema, Sudan, and Spiritual disciplines
The last few months we have been looking at a couple of very challenging series in Shema. For both Lammert and myself, we have found that these series have really given us (as individuals) and Shema (as a community) an opportunity to really explore what is forming our habits and living theologically.
This Saturday, we will be having an opportunity for those in the broader Shema network to hear stories from Conny Vrieling about her recent trip to the Sudan. There will be a program for children and one for adults.
Also, today, Todd Dallanegra is starting a group for people who want to explore spiritual disciplines. The will be meeting for the next several weeks over lunch in Geneva. To learn more, email Todd.
Posted by joshuacase at 11:15 AM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2007
Collision Course Theologians?- A Video Blog
Please feel free to respond with video blogs and/or written ones. Looking forward to hearing from all!
Also, sorry if it is a bit jumpy at times. You can close your eyes if the out of time nature messes with you;)
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 02:37 PM | Comments (6)
March 20, 2007
Obama...enough said...
ht: andrew ries
Posted by joshuacase at 05:58 PM | Comments (0)
Tuesday is for Thomas
Merton wrote in his book Life and Holiness:
The priority of charity in the Christian moral life gives us the key to all the obligations of a Christian. The Church must certainly have external laws and regulations. She must by all means make use of her organizational discipline, ritual, a teaching authority. She must have a hierarchy. But when we forget the purpose of all these things, when we overlook their orientation to union in charity, we get a very distorted idea of Church and of her life.
Posted by joshuacase at 08:04 AM
March 19, 2007
Children See and Do
Recently I had a mother from Geneva send me this video under the title- 'Very True'. At first, i thought, 'ok- maybe I'll watch it but it probably another silly video'. Now, I am glad i watched as it is...very true!
There is another interesting conversation happening at Jason's Clark's blog based on a post by Dean around the question of whether youth are 'emerging' as well. In my first response you can see my thoughts; however, i think this video says some of the same things!
What do you think?
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 01:54 PM | Comments (2)
The Conversation Over There..
As you may have seen, or not, I have been a part of discussion over at Jason Clark's blog on "Ethical Good News'. It has been a good conversation with several different voices involved. I would highly recommend you take the time to read through some of the things being said there..and respond when/if you are able.
In a similar vein I wanted to take the time to highlight a story i came across via a friend. It is an article about some churches in Sydney that posted the below sign outside. It turns out, it has caused quite a conflict among some of the press and parishioners of the area.
My friend, Ian, when telling me about this article made a comment to the effect, that this upheaval was just further evidence of how the message of Jesus isn't always the messsage Christians want to hear. For years it has been..for years the itching ears were given what they wanted to hear...but not so much any longer.
I know it sounds scary to some people, but i think this is great news!! Jesus really was about upseting the privileged, the religious...the normal!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
March 18, 2007
Zen for Christians!?
This is a book I will hopefully get the chance to read soon. With so much going going going in the world today, I hope this book will give a bit of a different insight into Christian spirituality in the world today. And while i recognize that this topic is nothing new for many, I guess I am finally coming to recognize a real need for exploration in this way.
The Nuts / A Progressive Christian Blog has highlighted this book entitled Zen for Christians (by Kim Boykin). It sounds interesting.
My friend Morgan would say to me often in years past that if we could figure out how to allow Zen to truly influence the Way of Jesus, it would be like getting a sports car for our road of faith as opposed to what many settle for in riding the tricycle we're all given as kids. Who knows, maybe he was right afterall ;)
Looking forward to the read. Any thoughts on this out there?
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 09:30 AM
March 17, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
Here are my 'SGCs' for this week:
Carl Rasche on 'The Difference That Faith Makes' at the Church and Postmodern Culture
Jason Clark's 'Blue Print Church'
Nicholas Fiedler's 'As a man writes in his blog, So is He; The Grand Blog-o-sphere Experiment'
Posted by joshuacase at 07:45 PM | Comments (1)
March 16, 2007
Helping young people participate in change
As many of you will well know, aside from these processings here on issues of mission, leadership, politics, theology, and philosophy, I am also the Executive director for a youth work organization in Geneva Switzerland. Today, while doing a radio interview about our upcoming project to Kosovo, I had a re-epiphany: I do believe that through empowering youth, we can see the world become a better and more diffferent place for the future.
In my interview, I discussed how at the heart, our objectives as an organization was enable young people to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, the world around them, and to begin to think practically how who they are could make a transforming difference in the world.
Leaving the interview (which if I can get a copy of I will post here), i really felt even more conviction to work hard at helping teens to make it through the adolescent years by forming healthy and sustainable habits for life in the ages to come. For some, these include all matters of habits (social, physical, mental and spiritual), for others, it will mean just being a healthier more responsible person.
If you know of anyone interested in partnering with us as Interyouth, YFC Geneva, Altitude, or Link please let me know by emailing here.
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
And I can clean up the earth
Oh- with my own two hands
And I can reach out to you
Oh- with my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
Oh- with my own
Oh- with my own two hands
Ben Harper
Posted by joshuacase at 01:13 PM
Brian McLaren on Joseph, Noah, and Pre-emptive Preservation
As first posted on Sojourners:
Monday, March 12, 2007
Brian McLaren
I've been thinking about the recent controversy regarding James Dobson and other conservative religious leaders who wrote a letter criticizing Richard Cizik and the National Association of Evangelicals for taking the threat of global warming seriously. They described global warming as a distraction from the top moral issues of the day. Their perspective made many of us from an evangelical heritage feel that we are living on another planet from these religious leaders.
I don't know why I never thought of the comparison before, but this evening the biblical story of Joseph came to mind. He issued a warning - with no real scientific evidence - of a coming drought. The leadership of Egypt heeded his warning and began stockpiling food so that their people wouldn't starve if and when the drought materialized.
As scientists go beyond identifying the threat of climate change to predicting its impact on global civilization, I wonder what it might look like for our nation and the nations of the world to take joint ameliorative action regarding greenhouse gases, and to take precautionary action regarding water and food. I wonder what it might be like for people of faith, like Joseph, to take a catalytic role in these efforts. And I wonder what mischief we might be legitimately distracted from if we came together around a cause like this.
The biblical story of Noah comes to mind too, because so many species have already been pushed to the brink of extinction and beyond, and with rapid climate change, this tragic trend is likely to skyrocket. What would it be like for people of faith to follow Noah's example in preserving species wherever possible - by preserving natural habitat, and in other cases, creating "arks" to preserve species whose natural habitats are destroyed by flood or drought or melting ice or rising sea levels. People of God, both the Joseph and Noah stories suggest, are keenly interested in the common good - the good of all human beings and the good of all living creatures.
Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and others have complained recently about the ways that religious people use sacred texts for violent and cruel purposes. Perhaps stories like these can fund our imaginations in more constructive ways.
Posted by joshuacase at 07:34 AM
March 15, 2007
A Video Blog debut..
This evening I have had the opportunity to serve as a guest blogger over at Jason Clark's blog. I have had the privilege of getting to know Jason over the last couple years. He is great guy and truly seeking to humbly understand what it means to be the church in culture. A definate RSS subscription! You will not not want to miss all that happnes there!
It is a real honor to be a guest blogger there along with several other guest bloggers. Cheers to Paul as well for his work in making it possible. Check it out and leave your comments there. Would love to see some video or audio responses.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:42 PM
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq
I recently came across this event via both Sojourners and the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence initiative. It is on tomorrow. If you can support it in any way, try!
Here also is a video which reflects on the realness of war and the ultimate value of life. When put together in this brief clip from the movie 'Children of Men', one really has to ask, "if life is so precious, how can war be an option?" You can see my other thoughts on this movie here. NOTE: this is real, there is blood, and language..
'heaven on earth, we need it now. i'm tired of all of this...' u2
Posted by joshuacase at 08:27 AM
March 14, 2007
Video Blog Wednesdays
Posted by joshuacase at 09:02 PM
Tuesday was for Thomas (yesterday for Lusmarina)
No, I did not miss 'Tuesday is for Thomas'. Instead, I had an encounter with Lusmarina Campos-Garcia. As the pastor of the English-speaking Evangelical Lutheran Church of Geneva...she knows her stuff.
Pastor Lusmarina is an expert in worship and movement, and she is considered one of the most creative people in that field. She has worked all over the world with many different ecumenical institutions and events. She produced a ballet called "Peace to the City" as a contribution to the Decade to Overcome Violence with the World Council of Churches.
She visited our team yesterday at YFC and gave us a real treat of conversation. It all started with the statement, "In Latin America, we do not do theology without embracing". From there, it was all, as one intern for YFC said, "englightening".
Lusmarina was a treat! So here are a few thoughts from this lawyer turned Lutheran Pastor and liberation theologian from Brazil. Enjoy!
" When we are comfortable in our faith...we are done!"
"All theology must be born out of a specific context of faith"
"Every church ought to be a copassionate community willing to accept or take in whoever comes along because God's love is big enough to encompass it all!"
"The most fundamental fact of life is not that you (or anyone else) is a sinner, but that we all have a compassionate, loving God"
Wish you could have all been there! If you are ever in Geneva, she is person to meet!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 08:10 AM
March 12, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
Well, Josh Brown did it. He very much responded to my last 'sgc' blog with the above header. Thanks Josh.
Here is my list of conversations from the last week:
Mike Clawson's What's Most important to us?
Lammert Vrieling's Modern day prophet? Lammert was the first, from my view of the blogosphere, to get this video out there (execept for whoever uploaded it to youtube). Now it is even making the rounds at the tallskinny.
Paul Mayer's Shift Happens (which links to Fernando and Cynthia)
Posted by joshuacase at 08:20 AM | Comments (417)
March 11, 2007
In Brussels..sorry to have been away...
Friends-
Sorry for the delay. I have been away to Brussels durin gthe last few days. Had not expected to not have access to the internet while there!
But alas, I am back! Thankfully so!
More blogs are to come today...this week!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 08:00 AM
March 06, 2007
Tuesday is for Thomas
Thomas pondered on March 6, 1949
Every book that comes out under my name is a new problem. To begin with, every one brings with it an immense examination of conscience.
Every book I write is a mirror of my own character and conscience. I always open the final printed job with a faint hope of finding myself agreeable, and never do I.
The passion and precious Blood of Christ are too little in this new book(Seeds of Contemplation)-only hinted at here and there. Therefore the book is cold and cerebral. WHat is the good of trying to teach people to love God without preaching through Christ's wounds? The reason I do not so is beacuse I am still selfish. I find myself thinking about what we ought to get for dinner in Lent; about how to distribute signed complimentary copies of delu edition of this book. I should never have gone into such a thing as boxed special editions. I must be nuts.
Posted by joshuacase at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2007
Shema Community and Bono...
Shema last night went great. We had a great start to our series on 'The Open Secret'. YOu can see some of what we explored here on the Shema blog. We'll be updating it much more frequently in the coming weeks with thoughts and some reflections on Bible readings.
You'll also see a link to this video. Its a bit long....but dang...its good!
Preach!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:26 PM
March 03, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
I wanted to take a blog as i do often, and highlight a couple of what I am going to start labeling (as if it is necessary) 'seriously good conversations'. They may not seem like conversations that everyone wants to be involved with; however, to me, they are really important conversations which seem to be authentic, redemptive in approach, or/and fresh in their expression.
Today, I want to highlight three:
Paul Mayers' An exclusive inclusive Christ, and subsequently, Restoring my humanity: personal experiences of Jesus as way/truth/life...
Nicholas Fiedler's (A)gnosticism, Part I- Is it even worth thinking about & (A)gnosticism: Part II- What is in a name?
Josh Brown's Reimagining Capitalism Series. I wish had the funds to hire Josh to do headers for all the series i think up...But hey, you can't have everything. But maybe he can do a "seriously good conversations" header for me;)
Read. Listen. Engage.
Posted by joshuacase at 11:00 AM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2007
A little inspiration...for Shema this Sunday!
Here is a video that has become highly recommended to use for the Shema gathering on Sunday evening. If it is any real indication of how things were when Jesus gave his "Sermon on the Mount", I wish i had been there!
enjoy...and laugh...I did!
Posted by joshuacase at 03:37 PM | Comments (8)
The Tomb of Jesus' clan..and body?
Soon, there will be a new documentary for people to scream about, laugh at, call into question, and say all kinds of nasty things about. It will be the Da Vinci code on history. The bones and tombs put to film like the Titanic. History brought to life or fictiomentary of epic proportions. It will be, I believe, a further opportunity for people who have often wondered about Christianity to ask, can i follow this Jesus?
There is a pretty good conversation on Jesus Creed going on (or was) and there is also a good article in this week's Newsweek magazine.
There is this article on the BBC, this one on CNN, and this feed from Trailrank to help with finding other articles.
Whether or not these are in fact the bones of Jesus or the tomb of Jesus' 'clan' as is being called is interesting to think about. It doesn't for me effect my choice to try to do life in the Way or community of Jesus. For others it might.
For years and years Christianity has sought to stand by its claims and evidence (that demands a verdict) of not finding the tomb of Jesus (or bones) that he had in fact resurrected (reductionistic, i know). The challenge for Christian community today is as real as ever when it comes to the things that science, archeological findings, and new information can give to us; namely, the challenge is: is the way of Jesus still the Way worth following, still a means to new life, and still worth giving yourself (and family) to no matter what comes to new light. Is that Jesus who communities of faith have followed and that gave shape to what Rodney Stark calls, "The Victory of Reason" still the rabbi worth following?
I pray for those whose fear makes them want to justify their beliefs with facts and exact science of all kinds. Whether these are merely religious or merely scientific beliefs. As Ken Wilber, points out in his book "A Brief History of Everything" (a paraphrase) the real challenge in the world today is to infuse the practice of science with a deep practice of religion, to infuse the practice of religion with a deep practice/appreciation of science.
At some point, we must get beyond the merely literalistic approach to 'word' and allow the Spirit of the Word to be more mysterious and even more worthy of following than we ever imagined. After all, even if..it turns out to be false, is it still worth following?
The comment feature will return this weekend..so plan out your reply, check back this Sunday!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:08 AM | Comments (0)
March 01, 2007
The shows we watch...
I am not one who generally blogs about things like 'the shows i watch'; however, I am finding it somewhat inescapeable at this time. Why you ask?
Well, let's start with Seinfeld. My affair with the crew began many many years ago. To this day i have still yet to find a show to match its artistic vision and comedic genius. While i am currently missing the new hit called 'The Office' (US version not UK) i am sure it barely rivals.
Second to Seinfeld was a Northern Exposure. I was first introduced by my original mentor and great friend Morgan Morrow. Morrow has always preserved a great depth of influence in my life. While i did not really understand the show to begin with, he stuck with me. And I stuck with the show. And now...it still amazes me.
Then, after Northern Exposure, came my first married series....Dah dah dah....enter Alias. Yep Jennifer Garner was a 'hot greek chick' (as my friend Olli says) and Laura loved her right away. Her James Bond-like moves and 5'000 USD wigs really captured our hearts. It was only in the last two weeks that we completed the series...yep we finished it...and its over...ahhhh. Good for you Ben...good for you.
And now....Grey's Anatomy. Yeah...its got us. Not like Alias or Seinfeld...but its got us. Gently and warmly with a weird humor and a sense of depth...it has us. We're through season one and almost finished with two. Season three is currently playing....we'll have to wait for the dvds cause we don't get it here en Suisse. But George..what a guy! What a guy!
Maybe our lives were never meant to be so wrapped up in artificial drama. But it seems with us, drama is all around. I often wonder if our lives and actions were recorded if they'd make it to the mainstream media. Probably not...but i guess that's good. But wait...aren't these stories real...you mean...wait...they are not real stories....not real people...not real...
Posted by joshuacase at 02:03 PM