Archive | September, 2009

A Peacemaking Kingdom

by on September 16, 2009

“We are called not to be a peaceable kingdom but a peacemaking kingdom”- Moltmann (in response to what he thinks of Stanley Hauerwas)

For the past few years I’ve been thinking through the relationship between church and nation/state/political powers. It’s a tricky affair. Truthfully, I haven’t figured out how to navigate those worlds together without feeling I’m rejecting one or the other. One trend that bothers me is what I think Moltmann meant by the peaceable kingdom. It is peaceable, but it is also removed. All of us agree it would be easier to pull away from society and live in our own little communities of justice. But then we would cease to be a peacemaking kingdom where it’s needed most. So the question is- without leaving our very complicated ties to political realities in favor of an isolated community, how do we live as people who seek God’s reconciliation?

If there’s one conviction I have, it’s that much of our action has more to do with our presence than anything else. I don’t mean just showing up- I mean the WAY in which we show up, the way we interact with others, the way we speak our words. Part of my frustration I shared yesterday is that we’ve seemingly lost the ability to be present in ways that aren’t selfish, egotistical and even violent toward others. As God’s people, we need to be incredibly thoughtful and intentional about how we seek change. They will know we are Christians by our love, no?

While “peaceable” describes a state of being, “peacemaking” implies movement and action. It’s the far more complicated of the two- but it also happens to be the one that God commands of us. Anybody have good examples or stories of how we can do this? Any tips?

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Civility is Dead

by on September 15, 2009

Okay, I believe I’ve just about had enough. Of what, you ask?

1. Kanye West ridiculousness
2. Rep. Joe Wilson ridiculousness
3. Serena Williams ridiculousness
4. The ridiculousness of everybody who made/carried a sign saying “Bury Obamacare with Kennedy.” (See story here.)

I do not care what the people listed above think about Taylor Swift, President Obama, Kim Clijsters/inept line judge, or Ted Kennedy. In each of these instances, they were inexcusably rude.

Inexcusably. Rude.

Good Lord, we are going to need to step it up in the civility department. Where are the mature adults who know how to disagree with someone without lapsing into totalitarian regimes of rudeness? Exactly when did we lose the art of civil discourse?

I just feel the need to bang this drum yet again- JUST BECAUSE you disagree with someone (even vehemently) DOES NOT MEAN you need to berate them as sub-human fecal matter. Mmmk?

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Top 5 Reasons I Love Moltmann- post-conference

by on September 14, 2009

Danielle and Moltmann
What a fantastic few days! I enjoyed every minute of this year’s Emergent Village Theological Conversation, and a number of blog reflections are rolling in describing why. Though the content was worth every bit of our proper reflection, perhaps the greatest gift he offered us was simply his presence. The most compelling aspect of his theology is that he not only believes it, but lives it. There is no distance between what he says and what you see- he says what he says about God from a place of deep personal faith. It was really wonderful to hear many of my Emergent Village friends (some of whom were familiar with him and others for whom he was virtually unknown) tell me how much they appreciated the grace and love that naturally flowed forth from him. So, with that in mind, I offer you a second top five list of why I love Moltmann.

1. When someone asks him a question, he fully listens to them- and takes the time to think about it before responding. In doing so, he has a way of honoring not only the question but also the person asking it.

2. He has a gift not only for writing poetically, but for speaking poetically as well. (Just check out the list of Moltmann money quotes that came in over Twitter.)

3. He seems completely unaffected by the fact that he’s the theology world’s biggest deal. (One of many examples- my theology professor friend Scott gave Moltmann a copy of his latest book on Moltmann’s work, and Moltmann asked HIM if he could autograph it.)

4. He loves to laugh at himself and at his own jokes. He has a great sense of humor.

5. He is truly an example of what embodied theology looks like- a seamless interweaving of story and thought, intellect and heart, wisdom and humility.

So thank you, Professor, for sharing your theology with us- but more importantly, thanks for sharing your life with us.

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It’s almost Moltmann time…

by on September 8, 2009

I’m heading to Chicago tomorrow to spend three days talking shop with the world’s most renown living theologian (and my favorite theologian of any time period, hands down) so it will be all quiet on the blogging front. I’m going to focus all my attention on being present and soaking up every minute…but I’ll no doubt have lots to say when I return next week. I may, however, send out a Twitter of my favorite Moltmann money quote of the day/afternoon/session/whatever. You can follow me by clicking on the link on the right. Also, be sure to follow the Moltmann Conversation Twubs.

See you next week!

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No Impact Project

by on September 4, 2009

We’ve been back to school for two weeks, and I’m tired! It’s always difficult ramping back into the routine, even when a return to routine is desirable. As I usually do this time of year, I start to wonder about how I can simplify, streamline, de-clutter my life/our lives. It gets so busy so quickly, and sometimes you run, run, run for a month and then wonder, “Why am I doing all of this again?”

This is probably why I found it great timing for No Impact Man Colin Beavan’s book to come out. He helps me remember that simplifying where you can is always a good thing. If you didn’t know, Colin and his wife and daughter live in NYC and they decided to go totally green for an entire year- hence “no impact.” They didn’t use cars, electricity, didn’t buy anything new except locally grown food. I know- it sounds both insane and horrible- especially in New York City. Not only did he prove it was doable, but that it was actually enjoyable. (He does admit, however, that he does not want to go without a washing machine again, so I also appreciate his honesty. With the massive loads around my house, no way I’m giving that up!)

I admire them because they had about every excuse available to them- they are busy, they live in New York, they have a child, they are not gazillionaires, etc. Still, they made it work.

As I feel the tug of busyness this fall, I could use a reminder that I can still choose to reduce my impact, to simplify my life, and to spend my best energies on the most important things and not the unnecessary ones.

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On the lighter side- Tea!

by on September 3, 2009

sweet leaf

It’s been a little serious around here lately, so I thought I’d take the time to declare my undying love for Sweet Leaf teas, specifically their mint and honey green tea. I should tell you that I ADORE tea. I don’t drink coffee or sodas so aside from water, tea is the only thing I drink…which means I have tasted just about every kind of tea out there. And it’s true- bottled tea usually tastes horribly inferior to freshly brewed tea, which is what makes Sweet Leaf so unique. The owner wanted to make bottled tea just as good as his grandma’s home-brewed version, and I dare say he’s done it.

I have a particular affinity for mint in teas, because it reminds me of my Lebanese grandmother. She has always grown mint in her backyard and when she serves up tea, it usually has some fresh sprigs of mint in it. So I wasn’t at all surprised (though delighted) to learn that the Sweet Tea guys came up with the idea after a bicycling trip around the Middle East and northern Africa and being served a zillion cups of tea topped with mint sprigs. (As an aside, when I give my kids tea for dinner and put mint in it, you’d think they had won the lottery. Let’s just face it- mint leaves floating in your tea is fun.)

Sweet Leaf is a Texas-based company that strives to be eco-responsible and gives a percentage of profits to organizations like breast cancer research and Big Brothers Big Sisters. An ethical company that brews great bottled tea?! Bestill my heart.

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Star Wars and the Sermon on the Mount

by on September 2, 2009

lego-star-wars-the-game
“Mom?” My daughter called to me from bed. “I need to talk to you about something.” I moseyed up the stairs and sat down beside her. “I’ve been thinking about Star Wars,” she said. (I begin thinking this will be a long conversation, as these often are.) She continued, “I don’t know what to think about Star Wars, because Jesus says that we should love our enemies, and THEY ARE NOT.” She looked up at me with big soulful brown eyes filled with worry. “They are NOT, Mom. They are KILLING their enemies, and Jesus says we should love them.”

I did not try to talk her out of this, justify this, or tell her she doesn’t know the complexities involved. Because she’s right.

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