Joshua Case

Atlanta, Emergent, and Historic Civil Rights Moments

Last night I visited my first Atlanta emergent cohort meeting. It was a pretty good time and we had a pretty lively discussion on Joe Myers book 'Organic Community'. As one who has spent more time with Myers' other book, 'The Search to Belong', I found this conversation as somewhat of an evolution on may of those terms and thoughts.

As Adam Walker Cleveland outlined:
Myers moves through a variety of changes in language that he thinks we should be making as we think about creating community in our churches and other places. Here are a few of his language moves that I particularly enjoyed.

PATTERNS | Spatial Observation: Moving from Prescriptive to Descriptive
Myers discusses the ways in which we begin to form patterns in our churches as we move forward with projects, and in a more general sense, discusses the power of descriptive language over prescriptive language for the church. Prescriptive patterns and ideas leave less room for change, for adaptation and for new ideas, than more descriptive ways of doing things.

MEASUREMENT | Recalculating Matters: Moving from Bottom Line to Story
Another issue he really goes after is that of measurement in churches - how do we measure success? Are we following the ways of corporations, or do we have a better, more Spirit-led way of determining whether or not we’re being “successful” in the church. And is that even a question we should be asking? He says that instead of a bottom-line form of measurement that includes numeric, linear and statistical evaluations (one that far too many churches most likely follow), we should be more interested in narrative measurement: “Stories not only inform how things are going, they connect with the stories of those who are leading and generate wise insights for the future. Stories enable leaders to form a better picture of the health of community than numbers alone ever could.” 2

POWER | Authority: Moving from Positional to Revolving
In this section, Myers looks at a different understanding of leadership, one that goes against the traditional idea of a hierarchical, positional understanding of power. He advocates for a more revolving understanding of power, one that lives by the motto, “the project holds the power.” The goal or project is what holds the power, and certain people are called upon to be stewards of that power from time to time - but those people will change. It creates a more dynamic power structure, than one that is static and leaves the same person in “control.”

COORDINATION | Harmonized Energy: Moving from Cooperation to Collaboration
This section may have been the most interesting to me, in that it really made me think about my understanding of the word “cooperation.” I’ve often thought of cooperation as a good thing - the idea of everyone working toward the same goal. Myers puts a different spin on it - he creates the image of a teacher in a schoolroom instructing her students, “Cooperate with me children. Cooperate!” 3 He writes about cooperation, “The trouble with this is that the spirit of cooperation is a rigid spirit, one that stifles creativity and discovery. It is more concerned with sequence than rhythm. It squashes the human spirit. The master plan becomes the master.” 4 Some would say that’s putting a very specific spin on the concept of cooperation, but I think it can often be like that. Someone calls a group together, presents a goal, and says, “Alright everyone - I’d love your cooperation with this.” Basically they’re saying, “Do this my way and we won’t have any problems.” However, the idea of collaboration is much different - it’s saying “Let’s actually work together, create together, come up with something new that really works together!”

By the time the meeting ended, I had a new feel for the group and its diversity. It is a very different group than I have experienced before, and I am very excited to see how I can participate in it in the months to come. I am so thankful to Troy for inviting my participation.

Also the last couple of days, I have been going through the orientation hoops at Candler. I am very excited to get started, and I think next week should be quite the experience. Tomorrow I get to meet the staff at the Genesis shelter and the other students who will be experiencing this placement with me.

And finally, I can not end the post without noting the historic nature of today in America's history. Today, Barack Obama got the necessary votes at the convention to become the first non-white to receive the backing of a major party in American politics. Tomorrow night, he accepts the nomination on the anniversary of MLK's speech entitled, I have a dream. Incidentally, Dr. King had planned this speech on the anniversary of the death of Emmet Till. If you don't know this very historic and tragic story in American history, this video and song by Bob Dylan about the killing of Till will shock you. But it is part of this story. Part the American civil rights story. And part of the historic nature of tomorrow night.

So yeah, Atlanta is good but we are here in America for some real historic moments. For this we are very excited. Watch tomorrow night if you can, where ever you are! As Spike Lee said tonight on CNN, "The great world athlete's always perform best on the biggest stages under the most pressure. Tomorrow night," he said, "Obama will pull a Michael Jordan."

wait for it....
jc

Detox over..DNC Begins

Laura and I have finished our detox. I have to be honest, the details of it are not much different than the other days I posted about. While at times I wondered, is this really doing anything, I am sure it was. I could feel it not only in my body as the days would pass, but in my mind. Tonight we ended our fast with a home-cooked lasagna.

Tonight, however, we are celebrating more than just the end of a detox, we are also watching with anxious eyes the beginning of the DNC. Why? for many important reasons which I will put out over the course of the next few days.

Here are just a few:
1. The historic nature of this DNC and the synchronicity of it- Not only will Barack Obama except the nomination of the democratic party to be President (a first as an African American), but this is both the anniversary of the 19th amendment to the American constitution (giving women the right to vote) but also of the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I have a dream speech'. On the day of this speech, Obama will give his acceptance speech. AMAZING!! As I have done a couple of times before, at the end of this post, you can watch the I have a dream speech in full.

2. Ted Kennedy- As many know, Kennedy has been sick with brain cancer. However, in this historic election, some years since his brother's death, his appearance is pretty special. It may be his last. Not to mention, Barack will be the first to accept the nomination and give a speech in a stadium since Kennedy. Another of those crazy synchronistic moments of history in this election year.

At then end of the day, as most of the people say, the biggest part of this convention will be whether or not the democrats can come out of this unified after a long primary season. We can only wait and see.

Until then, watch this speech again, and listen up on Thursday night to Barack.

yes we can!
jc

Time for some campaignin'

I've posted a few other JibJab funny videos before, but this one is funny no matter who you are for in the US election. Honestly, I was thinking hard about not putting on here, but then I took the below screen shot while watching the video and realized it was more true than I thought.

And speaking of funny, how about the ad that rolled up on the cnn site when i was reading about the guy getting arrested for threatening to kill Obama. Ironic where the Obama ad is? But seriously, people are talking about this stuff.

Hope you laugh too..or cry when it comes to the assassination stuff!
jc

New Conspirators Podcast is Here

(US Cover Art)

The other week, I posted the below about my interview with Tom Sine of The New Conspirators. Well, the podcast is now available on itunes for anyone looking for it. Hurray to Nicholas for getting it up while on his adventures with Michael Holmes! Yeah, I blogged about him before too;)

I hope you enjoy it.
jc

(UK Cover Art)

Today I did a podcast interview for an upcoming release on the Nick & Josh Podcast. I am continuing my duties with the fellas even as the transition continues. And to be honest, I love the gig as much as anything!

Today I had the privilege of talking to Tom Sine of Mustard Seed Associates and The New Conspirators (US-web). Over the course of about 3 hours, Tom and I got to talk several times while both trying to connect with the other. Just when it seemed as though all hope was lost, hope prevailed and the interview happened. No Barack Obama didn't jump in a save the planet, but it sure felt like it;) Tom really is a great guy.

I just wanted to put out the info that this podcast is coming soon. As much as anything, I urge you like Andrew Jones, 'If you cant make the conference, at least buy the book.'

Kester also has pretty impressive plug on the book. He writes, 'When the great book of life is opened, some would see it that it’ll be the stellar Christians like McLaren, Baker, Rollins and Wallis who should get all the plaudits. I wouldn’t want to take anything away from any of them, but quietly, ‘one mustard seed at a time’ Tom has been actually inspiring people to do the stuff. It’s a quiet, background role, perhaps, but I think if you could trace the significance of his words and actions through all the things that have happened because of them, you’d have quite an amazing list. Vaux certainly owes him its existence in many ways.'

So yeah, it was an honor to speak to Tom. And watch out, there will be another postcast after this one on life in community during major economic recession...with Tom. Yeah, the man has some great ideas for emerging, missional, mosaic, and monastic community in the global era.

Wait for interview...but check out the book!
joshua c

Recycled Thursday Thoughts

Back in November I posted these thoughts that came together for me by Greg Boyd and Thomas Merton. Since I am trying to figure out how to update my blog to a new one, I am going through old posts trying to see if there is stuff I don't mind losing in the process. It is a slow process, but in the end, I do like finding old posts like this one.

I hope you enjoy this recycled series of reflections:

Greg Boyd has been getting loads of feedback apparently about his entry entitled, "Washing Osama's Feet". Here is a link to his most recent entry, which is a follow up entry, entitled, "The Worst Heresy Imaginable".

On Tuesday I didn't manage to get up a Tuesday is for Thomas, but maybe, that wasn't so bad. The question of 'who is my neighbor' and 'who is my enemy' is one that Jesus continually wants us to ask. In fact, from generation to generation, the answer to this question changes quite often. The portrait and conversation that Greg is having is quite a tough one in light of the person that Osama represents; however, we must ask the question, who is my enemy and how would Jesus ask me to treat them?

Thomas Merton, in 1961, was facing quite a different enemy. In fact, in his journal entry of 12 November of that year, he begins to wrestle with the way the enemy is illicting response from people within America..where he is living as an monk in Kentucky. He writes:

"I must pray more and more for courage, as I certainly have neither the courage nor the strength to follow the path that is certainly my duty.

With the fears and rages that possess so many confused people, if I say things that seem to threaten their interests or conflict with obsessions, then I will surely get it.

It is shocking that so many are convinced that Communists are about to invade or destroy America: "Christians" who think the only remedy is to destroy them first. Who thinks seriously of disarming? For whom it is more a pious wish, beyond the bounds of practicality?

I need patience to listen, to learn, to try to understand, and courage to take all the consequences and be really faithful. This alone is a full-time job. I dread it, but it must be done, and I don't quite know how. To save my soul by trying to be one of those who spoke and worked for peace, not for madness and destruction."

Indeed, knowing how to love as Christ would in this age of madness will be confuddled at best. People who choose to follow Christ's call to love extravagantly will be persecuted for their sense of passionately offering grace as Jesus modeled. People who work to provide humanitarian kindness as Christians might be misunderstood as trying to replace the gospel with works. Neighbors will become enemies, enemies are already our friends, and maybe most confusing of all, which religion or nationality one possesses won't mean squat.

As we move increasing towards the advent season, I hope that we will rediscover a ancient way of active longing. A longing that is described in Isaiah 2 as 'for the last days'. A longing that led Jesus Christ to live in a particular way; a way which is a way of goodness, and mercy, and justice for all. A way of living which leads others to that discover that deep longing for the time when,

"The mountain of the LORD's temple
will be established
as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.

Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore."

Indeed, may we reflect this season how Christ's humble coming and practical demonstration has prepared us to live differently for our age. And how this living will call out to others, 'there is another way,' 'we can achieve peace for our time.' May we who can, do. May we who pray, seek. May we who love, love extravagantly.

may peace and grace be yours today as you seek to love all, and to serve all...
joshua c

Detox Day Three

Yep, we are moving right along. In more ways than one I might add.

Today was good with very little discomfort. It was a rough night of sleep, but the waking up to the promise of Kheir, a rice based breakfast pudding with cashews, raisins, cinnamon, and cardoman was a delight. After a little more hydro-therapy and what the book calls "mind work" it turned out to be a heck of day.

Tonight, Laura and I shared a baked sweet potato, falafel, and lemon water. Yeah, I know, pretty basic. But hey, that is the point. Oh, and did I mention I make great Hummus?

Onwards to tomorrow, where nothing really ought to change, except for a return of more energy with the digestive process. Sounds like fun, eh? Right...

detoxingly...
jc

Detox Day Two

Day two has been interesting. Still mostly just water, with a bit more lemon to aid with the liver cleaning. Yeah, who knew?

Also interesting from today, was the hydro therapy. Yeah, sounds fancy? But on the whole it involved getting in the shower and repeating the following process:
3 minutes hot shower
1 minute as cold as it can get shower
3 minutes hot shower
1 minutes as cold as it can get shower.

If you have never tried this before, go for it. After the shower you feel like you've been to a spa, or to hot baths, and it aids with circulation and the release of toxins. But if you try it, make sure to drink plenty of water to flush the toxins.

Tomorrow, more hydro therapy and finally some food. We went shopping today. The good news is that pappadums count.

Stay tuned for more from the 7 day detox.

peace..
jc

An End of Summer Detox- Day One

Over the last several months Laura and I have had our fair share of stress, transitions, and new beginnings. It continues to be quite a trip!

Yeah, yeah, we've managed things, and have even managed to have some time off and away with family. You may remember blogs from the last few months about our trip on the Camino de Santiago, our final days in Geneva, and most recently, our Family Tour 2008. All of these are sort the markers along the way from the last few months of the change that has been going on in our world, and the world around us. Well, as we enter into the newest and next stage of life here in the US, the part when things get more regular and more routine, we are venturing into a 7 Day Detox.

I am guessing it was about two years ago when Laura got the book and started reading up on it. No, it didn't take her that long to read the book, but it did take us that long to come to a place where we thought, now is the time to do this. We've done several other shorter fasts and detox cleanings, but this will by far be the longest and most rigorous! Kind of exciting, and kind of daunting.

Day One- Simple: Drink Water and Eat Nothing
Today has been pretty simple aside from the fact that I drove back from Tuscaloosa to Atlanta this morning and sadly, could feel that my body was lingering in wait for the coffee to hit the system. But, no coffee came. After about two hours, normal-you-are-now-awake body stuff kicked in and all was well. Its amazing how much my body has depended on the caffeine and otherwise to get rolling.

From a mental and emotional stand point I've found today pretty interesting in regards to the fast. Yes, I woke up knowing that I wasn't going to get anything but water today (or tomorrow), did this set in motion my body's response to things already? Was my body thinking as I slept "conserve energy" or something of the sort? It'll be interesting to experience again that clear mindedness that comes from the distance in chemical stimuli. I've done other fasts before, but a good cleaning every once and while I find helpful.

The interesting thing about the book we are using is that it also brings up the notions of mental and emotional health as a result of the fast. It doesn't speak in terms of the spiritual implications for fasts, but it certainly leaves the door open for those who are leaning that way. The interesting thing is, that Laura and I had each done respective fasts affiliated with religious holidays or festivals long before thinking about or considering fasts for mostly health reasons. Now it seems we are getting back to our bodies which, is incidentally, very much about our souls. Its an exciting synchronicity to experience.

I'll post more the next few days about the Detox experience. There are a few things I am excited about, like: lots of fresh fruit and vegetables (starting day three). And there are a few things I am curious about, like: taking charcol tablets to absorb the free radical toxins being released. Yeah, Charcol!

peace...
joshua c

Kite Surfing..whoops!#@!

Many of you will have already seen this video of a man on the beach kite surfing as tropical storm Fay came upon shore. I found it somewhat funny that when one of his friends were interviewed, he said, 'we were having a great time, and then this wind just came out of no where!'

Tropical storm? Hurricane? Wind anyone?

Oh, and in case you wondered, there are some crazy people out there in this sport. Here is a bonus video!

What?!?!@#$
jc

Back to blogging...for real!

So, it begins. I am officially back on a schedule for blogging and writing. I love it!

I am also very much looking forward to beginning to blog about the people and opportunities coming to life here in Atlanta. These are of course, but not limited to: studies at Candler, Atlanta Emergent Cohort (and friendship with Troy), the Nick and Josh Podcast, The Genesis Shelter (my placement for contextual education for the next year) and of course the soon arrival of Little Bit Brown. I am also pretty excited about being able to be practiced on by Laura and others at the Atlanta School of Massage! YES!

Also, it is so good to have wifi at home again. And this time, its quick! Good news, good news!!

Be back soon...
jc

By the way, I hate to say it, but Michael Phelps is a machine! Tonight it happens again!

A Responsive Benediction

After my conversation with Tom Sine the other day, I searched out his Mustard Seed Associates newsletter The Seed Sampler. Not only was it a good read with several really good articles (which I'll be posting here over the next several weeks) but it also provided this responsive benediction. I hope you enjoy it as the day unfolds. I did.

Liturgy: Responsive Benediction
by Joel Underwood, Bread for the World

UNISON: The Lord is with the poor and oppressed. Let us rejoice!

LEADER: There is no one like the Lord our God, who lives in the heights above, but bends down to
see the heavens and the earth. God raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from their misery (Psalm 113:5-7).

ADULTS: Yes, it is God who raises the humble and gives joy to all who mourn. The Lord saves the poor
from death and the needy from oppression (Job 5:11,15).

CHILDREN: The Lord is with the poor and oppressed. Let us rejoice!

LEADER: The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a place of safety in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9).

ADULTS: Sing praises to the Lord who rules in Zion! Tell every nation what the Lord has done!

CHILDREN: The Lord is with the poor and oppressed. Let us rejoice!

LEADER: God remembers those who suffer; God does not forget their cry, and punishes those who
wrong them (Psalm 9:11-12).

ADULTS: The needy will not always be neglected. The hope of the poor will not be crushed forever
(Psalm 9:18).

CHILDREN: The Lord is with the poor and oppressed. Let us rejoice!

ADULTS: Let us go from this place in peace, knowing that our creating, redeeming, sustaining Lord
goes with us!

UNISON: Amen!

Originally printed in Feed My People: The Christian’s Responsibility
to the World’s Poor (A Six-Week Study for the Family), (Wheaton, Ill.: World Relief, 1992), 38.

Have a great day...
joshua c

About Barack Obama

So I noticed it had been a while since I wrote anything really about Barack, so I thought I would put out a few comments from others about the Senator that I've come across.

Here you go:
"He walks into a room and you want to follow him somewhere, anywhere." - George Clooney (who by the way is going to speaking at a dinner in Geneva in support of Obama in just a few weeks)

"I'll do whatever he says to do…I'll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear." - Halle Berry

"Everything's going to be affected by this seismic change in the universe.” - Spike Lee

"This is not a campaign for president of the United States, this is a movement to change the world." - Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD)

“I have thrown myself into a new world—one in which fluffy chatter and frivolous praise are replaced by a get-to-the-point directness and disciple-like devotion…Then, in a moment of divine intervention, he saw me…grabbed my hand, and gave that brilliant smile of his. I literally said out loud to the woman next to me who witnessed my good fate, ‘I’ll never wash this hand again’." - Samantha Fennell, who left her pretty hefty job at Elle Magazine to work for the campaign!

“Politics doesn't even begin to describe it. A visit to an Obama rally is a pilgrimage.” - David Wright, ABC News

“…followers willing to wait for hours on end to hear him speak have been crowding out huge concert halls and sports arenas to get a glimpse of their new progressive avatar and drive long distances to obtain the Obama darshan or to simply be in his presence…Many even see in Obama a messiah-like figure, a great soul, and some affectionately call him Mahatma Obama. - Dinesh Sharma, Harvard PhD

“Many spiritually advanced people I know identify Obama as a Lightworker, that rare kind of attuned being who has the ability to lead us not merely to new foreign policies or health care plans or whatnot, but who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet, of relating and connecting and engaging with this bizarre earthly experiment. These kinds of people actually help us evolve.” - Mark Mortford, San Francisco Chronicle

Yeah, I know, almost makes me want to tear up all over again. But no, not yet. The road is long, and far from over!

Hopeful...
joshuacase for Obama

So glad Bush is in Beijing!!!

If you are not laughing, you should be! Maybe horrified is the real emotion. See the story here.

All joking aside, I was a bit sad to see this story about John Edwards. I guess that really takes him out of contention for places in Barack's cabinet!

I am however even more concerned about the Chinese rights activist Zeng Jinyan who has disappeared in the wake of the Olympic games! There are several places out there with facts and theories about Zeng Jinyan, so if you are interested you can check them out. But tragic story directly links to my concerns posted on the opening day of ceremonies!

Enjoy the Olympics, but remember those who have been (are being) silenced!
joshua

The Olympics begin...so what now?

Before coming to the USA, I was around much more talk about the Olympics. Only the talk was mostly around who was boycotting and who wasn't. While much of the talk around here is about how the US will dominate various sports (see 'redeem team' basketball and swimming), and many of advertisements have the voices of the greats (aka Morgan Freeman), I am still confused about the humanitarian and ethical issues surrounding the Olympics in Bejing! Much of this was highlighted by Bush being booed at the opening ceremonies.

Here are a few of my concerns:
1. Olympic Lawmaking: The Beijing municipal authority has declared that more than 70 local laws and decrees would be made before the 2008 Summer Olympics which would banish local people who don't have hukou (residency permits) of Beijing. It would also banish vagrants, beggars, and people with mental
illness from the city. The Geneva-based group, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions has claimed that 1.5 million Beijing residents will be displaced from their homes for the Olympics event. Beijing's
Olympic organizing committee and China's Foreign Ministry have put the number at 6,037.

2. Tibetan Independence: Groups, such as Students for a Free Tibet, have initiated a campaign to protest the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. Hollywood actor Richard Gere, in his position as the chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet, called for the boycott of the games to put pressure on China to make Tibet independent. There has also been plans by Tibetans to organise their own version of the Olympics in May at the headquarters of Tibetan government-in-exile, because Tibet doesn't get representation.

3.Violence in Darfur: Activists working to address the ongoing violence in Darfur, Sudan, have called for pressure to be exerted on China because of their financial and diplomatic support for Omar al-Bashir, who is responsible for the Sudanese government's proxy militias. Some have begun to refer to the Beijing Olympics as the "Genocide Olympics" as noted in The China Post as a way of connecting Beijing's close political and economic ties to the Sudanese regime. The Chinese government, in turn, has criticised
the activists for "politicising" the Olympics and outlined its plans to help the Sudanese economy.

4. Environmental concerns: Concern has been raised over the air quality of Beijing and its potential effect on the athletes. Although the Beijing Municipal Government, in its bid file in 2001, committed to lowering air pollution, increasing environmental protection, and introducing environmental technology, research data shows that even if the city were to dramatically cut down its emissions, pollution would still drift over the neighboring provinces,[ At current levels, air pollution is at least 2 to 3 times higher than levels
deemed safe by the World Health Organization.] Some countries have set up offshore training camps in Japan or South Korea to avoid the pollution.

5. Discrimination: The new toilet facilities built in the Beijing stadiums can no longer be used by regular Chinese citizens living or working in the area. Concerns have been raised by Communist party officials that the hygiene issues of local citizens would affect the Beijing Olympic image. There is now a penalty of 100 to 500 Yuan imposed on any Chinese locals caught using the bathrooms.

All in all, Laura and I don't have cable so we are not supporting the Olympics with our watching, but I will check up on stuff online. If we get cable before its over, we will probably watch as it is the national committee who is penalized by lack of national support, not the Chinese government. I do not believe, as some, that this is the Olympics the West has longed for. While I do know of people traveling there on "missions trips" and of people hoping for the financial partnerships the Olympics will bring, I myself am less than hopeful that the real answer is that America, or any of the nations in the West, will really benefit from this venture in sporting history.

Thanks for hanging out this long if you have! Are you boycotting?

The New Conspirators & Tom Sine

I just wanted to put out the info that this podcast is coming soon. As much as anything, I urge you like Andrew Jones, 'If you cant make the conference, at least buy the book.'

Wait for interview...but check out the book!
joshua c