Urban Idealist

Timelessly Radical

Published on May 14, 2010 in Head to Fingers. 3 Comments

I was reading this morning about Jesus’ parables. About how they were spoken (and recorded) thousands of years ago, but have reminded timeless, pertinent, and meaningful for each generation that has passed. (Which would be approx 26 generations if the average lifespan was 75) I think of how much has changed in just my generation alone and it is remarkable that Jesus has remained relevant throughout 26+ generations.

Timelessness is something that people seem to be searching for a lot right now. To stay young, to stay relevant. But even the best products and people still grow old. The most slick and futuristic gadgets become irrelevant given a short amount of time…and getting even shorter month by month.

But these teachings of Jesus have stayed young…even reading them over and over again, as I have throughout my life, they still hit me in different ways with nearly each reading. Jesus created a worldview that wasn’t just radical for the Jews who first heard him when he was just 30 years old…this worldview is radical for me, a 30 year-old American-born, nomad living in Europe.

Well, at least they should be radical…and urge me on to being radical.

I like the phrase that an author used: Ordinary Radical (Shane Claiborne). I like this because the there is a truth hidden in it. That followers of Jesus should be radical. I ‘ve been using the word ‘rad’ for a long time…well used to use it (and still love the 80′s BMX Movie) But I hadn’t really looked up what it means. My computer’s definition of radical is: relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something.

I like that…affecting the fundamental nature of something. Jesus affected not only the fundamental aspects of Judaism, but also the very nature of being human. Truly radical.

I was watching a documentary about early Christianity the other night and it was saying that over 1/3rd of the earth’s population is Christian (including Catholics) and something didn’t add up. If 1/3rd of the world is following Jesus who was and still is a radical then why does the world not seem like it is constantly radically changing towards being good?

But I started down this rabbit trail because of something closer to home. I was talking with a friend yesterday and he was asking about what we’re doing and his words were, “you’re a radical man…” I didn’t feel like I deserved the title. And this morning I my reading about Jesus’ parables has kind of haunted me. I’ve been in survival mode the past number of months, but now I’m at a place of real inventory. I’m really processing this question: “What does it look like to be a follower of the radical Jesus?”

I think that it looks like generosity
I think that it looks like grace
I think that it looks like gratitude
I think that it looks like being willing to embrace hardship and suffering
I think it means choosing humility
I think that it means these things and a whole lot more…now that I am thinking about it.

I mean, as followers of Jesus our very role is to change the way the world around us to look the way God intended it…our role is to be radicals. Do we deserve the title?

Turn the Amps Up to 11…for Jesus of Course

Published on April 15, 2010 in Head to Fingers, Missional Church and Posts That Even Make Me Mad. 10 Comments

I just posted this on Twitter and had a hard time articulating what I really want to say in 140 characters:

If I had to choose: I would take one simple act of service to a person in need over singing 100 songs at a Christian rock/’worship event’

Let me expound…

I’ve been living in a place where I’m very removed from the Christian sub-culture of my past. I don’t often hear of the newest and ‘greatest’ trends ins Churchianity. And when I do get wind of these trends I’m often left feeling like Christianity is running on a newer, more clever, more ‘excellent’ treadmill that we’ve been running on for generations. While we get better and better at ‘doing Church’ we don’t make any real progress in being the ambassadors of Jesus that we’re beckoned/supposed/called/asked/left to be.

I was watching a video on youTube of a Christian rock concert that we now call a worship event. Worship leaders are the new Christian rock stars. I wonder how many ‘worship’ albums have been produced and sold in the past 5 years? The funny thing is that I’m having a hard time calling this a worship movement. It’s a movement, but of the consumeristic kind: consuming experience, consuming more musical gear, consuming more CD’s, consuming the latest trends…But I can’t call this a movement of true worship of God. Yes, it’s singing song to and about God, and this is a part of worship, but it’s not the full thing. It’s like a reading a restaurant menu out-loud and ordering the food, but not eating.

So here is what I’m not saying: I’m not saying that I don’t like singing as worship. I’m not saying that it’s not worship. I’m not saying that it is not beneficial. I’m not saying I don’t buy Christian worship albums that I like. I’m not saying that I don’t appreciate Christians who lead worship or make a living by leading worship.

I am saying that I have a growing concern that worship is a new form of consumerism that feels like the ‘right kind of spirituality’ for a demographic of people that prefer to ‘feel Jesus’ as opposed to living for and like Him. If our expressions of worship only move us into wanting newer/better/more exciting singing and music, then I don’t believe it’s really worship. True encounter with God draws us into being more like him: sent into the world to be messengers of promise, grace, love, hope, and forgiveness. If my singing and music were becoming idols in my life over-and-above following Jesus into the world then I would never pick up a guitar again. I’m not saying that as hyperbole. Better is one day fixating on the right things of God, than thousands elsewhere….

You may call me judgmental or whatever. I know that post like this runs that risk…critiquing worship. But if you feel defensive about this (as I do a little bit even myself) then I think there might be something to look at.

After all, we learn in scripture (Micah 6:8) what God requires of us: To do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly. I fail to see anything in there that says, “Let’s turn the amps up to 11 and rock out for Jesus.” But maybe that’s just me…

It’s not easy

Published on April 11, 2010 in Life. 2 Comments

The title of this post could apply to a lot of things in my life right now. Speaking spanish, playing futbol, finding rhythm in life…but right now it’s about how it’s not easy leading my family at the moment.

I want to be a good husband, father, and leader for my family. But this season of life is kicking my butt. We’ve had no rhythm in our lives, lots of illness, more change, and the two kid thing really changes things. I’m continually pulled out of the house by futbol, meeting with people, trying to get ‘work’ stuff done, doing errands and I feel like my family suffers with how much I’m doing out of the house, while I feel like I could be doing more to move forward with our work here.

Tonight we had a pretty intense conversation over sushi…it was not a fun conversation. The kind where I think I said little to help and maybe didn’t make a lot of sense. I need to lead my family out of the spot we’re in and into something different. We’re making progress, but it’s slow going when we’re sick. Change just takes time…and takes making small choices every day that take us further into being who God wants us to be. As for now, I’m ready for bed and ready to wake up tomorrow and enjoy a new day…

Maybe you’re in the same spot as me…maybe you’re trying to turn a corner in life that seems to be coming slower than you’d like. Join me in remembering that each step of the way has it’s lessons to absorb and it’s challenges that make us ready for what’s around the corner. Maybe you just feel stuck…stopping and looking around isn’t a bad thing either. Our culture tells us that progress is moving forward…but moving forward in the wrong direction isn’t really progress. If you’re stuck like I feel some days, take some time to look at the big picture, look at where you are, and seek out the lessons you could be learning being stuck we’re your at.

Ok…that was a bit coachy…I’m tired…good night!

Thoughts on LeBron as a Leader

Published on March 29, 2010 in Leadership and Missional Church. 0 Comments

I think we’re seeing the new archetype of leader in LeBron James.

I remember watching Michael Jordan, or even Kobe a while ago, interact with his team. They were scared of him. If they weren’t playing well, he’d snap. Pointing fingers in faces. Shaking his head in disgust. It was pretty shaming to do that to other professional basketball players. But it got results and people still loved Mike. And some still love Kobe too.

Now we have LeBron James. I was watching highlight of a Cavs game on espn.com and at the end of the game after LeBron hits a bit shot, all the guys on the bench are going nuts. Making faces. Putting each other in headlocks. Waving their hands all over the place. Making fools of themselves pretty much…they didn’t just hit the shot! They’re riding the coat tails of the greatest basketball player alive right now. LeBron could yell at his team, he’s good enough to. He could shame guys, nobody is going to step to him. He pretty much is the Cleveland Cavaliers team. But yet, he clowns around before games. His teammates seem to genuinely enjoy being around him. He laughs on the bench (more than the one time that MJ was caught smiling and used in almost every thing where they needed him to see like-able!). He let’s teammates be themselves and have fun. When they are winning…

But even when they are losing he doesn’t get in their faces and bring shame. He goes on the court and gets it done. He doesn’t seem to care to lord over the other players that he’s the best guy in the world, that he’s the man, that he’s the franchise. He does care to win and he’ll take anyone willing (or anyone the Cavs can afford) with him.

This is the new picture of leadership. The day of the CEO as lord is over. It’s about leading by example and from within, not from above. In the upcoming generations, people will (and already do) resent overbearing, heavy thumbed leaders. People will honor and follow those who bring life in others and lead the way with passion and excellence.

That is the kind of leader that I want to be. I want to be a clown. I want to make faces and not be the guy that has to punk people to get them to shape up. I want to laugh. I want people to join in where I’m going because it’s good for them too, not just because they have to…because we’re having fun doing what we love doing together. I want to be passionate about life and excellent in what we are doing. At the end of the day, I’d rather play with LeBron than Kobe…maybe even MJ too (only history will prove me a fool to say that).

Values

Published on February 21, 2010 in Head to Fingers. 2 Comments

I was thinking the other night…Values aren’t really values until they are lived out. Until lived, they remain only aspirations. We (myself and Jen) have values that we want to live by throughout our lives (Service, Hospitality, Authenticity, Gratitude), but if we’re they are not being fleshed out in our lives, then we really can’t say they are values. Honestly, I think we’re doing ok with these…I’d say that we’re at 70% values, 30% aspirations…

But if all that we say value isn’t practiced it means that there is room for something else in our lives…our real values. If someone were to look at my life, I wonder what they would say are my real values? I think I need to take some time to reflect on what my life is communicating that my values are and compare them to what I want them to be…maybe for another post…when I post next decade some time!

On the Train Tonight

Published on January 15, 2010 in From Out of Nowhere, Missional Church and Movements. 5 Comments

Tonight I had ‘futbol’ practice…it was the first time I’ve been able to go since Matias was born…To get to the practice facility I take a train that’s a bit bigger than the metro and goes way out of the city.

Tonight is the story of two train rides that have a sobering similarity.

On my way out to practice it was rush hour. There were hundreds of people out and the train was packed. There was no chance of finding of seat so I stood with backpack squeezed in between my ankles, certainly too cramped for me to wear the backpack! I had to hold the bar up above my head to keep my balance. This reminded me of my days in Paris when I’d ride the metro there at around 5:30pm! I love riding trains like this, unless it’s all four of us and we have a stroller and two kids that are getting smushed! The diversity of the people here is remarkable. Each person with a past, a story, a place they are coming from, the experiences of their day. Who knows where they are going…what their home is like. Most people are riding by themselves and sharing nothing other than a seat with the person sitting next to them. All that to say, the metro was packed with people from everywhere…and when you stop to really look at other people, you can’t help but be touched by their humanity and really wonder who they are…at least for me.

My ride home from training was much different. When I walked down to the track there was only one other person waiting for a train. I walked down the platform to the back of the train because I knew that the exit where I would get off was down there. I had my headphones on so I couldn’t really hear anything, but in that particular station there is always the smell of oily railroad ties…I kind of like that smell. I sat there smelling the smell, hearing my music, and looking for the train with virtually no other sign of life in the station. It would have made for a cool photo shoot spot. When the train came into the station I walked up to the door that stopped in front of me. I pushed the green button to open the door and I got on the train. This time, instead of ‘standing room only’ I had the pick of every seat in my car. I was alone. It was almost creepy…especially with my headphones on not being able to tell if anyone else really was on there with me. I looked over my shoulder a few time (as I often do in my neighborhood) to see if anyone was there because in situations like that, I don’t like surprises (not saying that the trains are dangerous at all in Barcelona…just saying I like to know if someone is behind me!) As we pulled into the Arc de Triumph station I stood up and looked around at all the empty chairs and realized something.

“Statistically speaking, there are probably just as many people on this empty train that follow Jesus as the crowded train that I rode on the way to practice early tonight: one…me”

I’ve probably said this 50 times at gatherings in the US…the reality in Europe is that when I ride the bus or the metro there is a high chance that I am the only Jesus follower on that bus or metro. It’s really a huge contrast to the places that I’ve lived before.

But tonight it was different for me to experience that reality like this. Being alone physically really heightened the truth that I am often very alone spiritually.

I guess there are two points to me processing this: one is to remind myself of the vacuum that exists here. I really believe that following Jesus is the hope for this life and the next…and it kills me that so many go through life never knowing the God who is Love…the love that brings grace, redemption, wholeness, peace…

The second thought that comes to mind is the story Paul when he was in Corinth and felt very alone. God reminded him that He had ‘many people’ in that city and that God himself was with Paul (Acts 18). I know that there are two kinds of people that God has here: one being other people that follow Jesus already (we’re trying to meet and connect with these people now), but the other being people that are seeking God…that God has already begun working in their lives and they just need someone to walk with them on the road. This is why we’ve come here…to trust God that we’ll be lead to these people and that they will with experience Jesus through us…and even better, taste and see for themselves that Jesus is who he claimed to be and that becoming ‘a learner’ of Jesus does bring the Life that Jesus said it would.

The beauty of living in the middle of a city (and sometimes difficulty) is that I just can’t escape human contact. I am constantly reminded of my smallness, my weakness, while swimming in this sea of life. I’m grateful for how this teaches me humility. I am also humbled by the work we have chosen to embrace…living out the Kingdom of God in a place like this seems small…like a mustard seed, or a bit of yeast, or something…but we look with anticipation to what is to come. I’m loving this lesson that I learned on the train…

Ten of the Most Significant Experiences in My Life This Decade

Published on January 1, 2010 in Head to Fingers. 3 Comments

I’ve had a super introspective day reflecting on the past 10 years of my life. From 20 to 30 there have been huge life events happen for me…I decided that it would be cool to write out a list of the 10 most significant experiences of the decade. And just for fun…I’ve found some pictures of me over the decade to go along with them. If it seems a bit narcissistic to put so many pictures of myself on my blog…forgive me. They helped me remember these seasons and I wish that I could have posted all of the pictures that I saw while looking for these!

1. Got Married in 2001

2. Birth of my daughter in 2006

3. Birth of my son in 2009

4. Began authentic personal development towards Christ-likeness in 2001

I could write more about this, but I don’t have any pictures for it!

5. Identity reformed and challenged in 2006

6. Crisis of Calling in 2007-2008

7. Sold nearly everything and moved to Europe in 2005

(day we arrived in Paris on March 1, 2005)

8. Began Life in Ministry in 2001

(This picture isn’t from 2001, but is the only picture I could find from when I worked at the Gathering)

9. Moved to Barcelona in 2009

10. Began to lean into my ownership of my role as a man/husband/father in 2008

I know I’m not saying that quite like I’d want to, but towards the end of our season in the US I felt God bring a change in my attitude towards how I viewed my role in our family….and I began the journey of what it truly meant to put my wife and kids before my own desires. Now that I write it out I’m wondering if it should be higher up the list!

Ok…so there’s the great stuff of the decade for me. I can’t believe how differently I’m starting this decade than I did the last. I can’t imagine having us much life-change in the next ten years as I have these past ten! My hope for the next 10 years is that I’ll continue to have a life that tells a story worth sharing. The plan is to live in such a way that I’ll easily be able to pick 10 things to share about in 2020! And maybe if I go to the Hair Club For Men or The Bosley Institute I’ll have as much hair in 2020 as I did in 2000!