Here are some photos Dylan's mom emailed me recently. I am so very proud of my little cousin. I pray continually for his physical, mental and emotional protection. He has always had a beautiful smile and it's so nice to see it once again, even though he is thousands of miles away in an occupied land.
This photograph of Rev. Wright and Bill Clinton emerges. Little Mrs. Clinton is such a hypocrite and will use anything to become president. i am so sick of her and her dirty tactics. She is wearing me out. I am a CNN and MSNBC news junkie, but have hardly looked at either the past few weeks as I am so tired of the dirty games of Clinton being played for the sake of winning at any and all costs. She does not care about the Democratic party or the people of the USA. All she cares about is her power-hungry quest to become president. Michael Moore is sick of her too. He finally came out today and endorsed Barack Obama. Here is the email i just received from Michael Moore (i find it very powerful and thought-provoking and i agree with what he says!):
My Vote's for Obama (if I could vote) ...by Michael Moore
April 21st, 2008
Friends,
I don't get to vote for President this primary season. I live in Michigan. The party leaders (both here and in D.C.) couldn't get their act together, and thus our votes will not be counted.
So, if you live in Pennsylvania, can you do me a favor? Will you please cast my vote -- and yours -- on Tuesday for Senator Barack Obama?
I haven't spoken publicly 'til now as to who I would vote for, primarily for two reasons: 1) Who cares?; and 2) I (and most people I know) don't give a rat's ass whose name is on the ballot in November, as long as there's a picture of JFK and FDR riding a donkey at the top of the ballot, and the word "Democratic" next to the candidate's name.
Seriously, I know so many people who don't care if the name under the Big "D" is Dancer, Prancer, Clinton or Blitzen. It can be Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Barry Obama or the Dalai Lama.
Well, that sounded good last year, but over the past two months, the actions and words of Hillary Clinton have gone from being merely disappointing to downright disgusting. I guess the debate last week was the final straw. I've watched Senator Clinton and her husband play this game of appealing to the worst side of white people, but last Wednesday, when she hurled the name "Farrakhan" out of nowhere, well that's when the silly season came to an early end for me. She said the "F" word to scare white people, pure and simple. Of course, Obama has no connection to Farrakhan. But, according to Senator Clinton, Obama's pastor does -- AND the "church bulletin" once included a Los Angeles Times op-ed from some guy with Hamas! No, not the church bulletin!
This sleazy attempt to smear Obama was brilliantly explained the following night by Stephen Colbert. He pointed out that if Obama is supported by Ted Kennedy, who is Catholic, and the Catholic Church is led by a Pope who was in the Hitler Youth, that can mean only one thing: OBAMA LOVES HITLER!
Yes, Senator Clinton, that's how you sounded. Like you were nuts. Like you were a bigot stoking the fires of stupidity. How sad that I would ever have to write those words about you. You have devoted your life to good causes and good deeds. And now to throw it all away for an office you can't win unless you smear the black man so much that the superdelegates cry "Uncle (Tom)" and give it all to you.
But that can't happen. You cast your die when you voted to start this bloody war. When you did that you were like Moses who lost it for a moment and, because of that, was prohibited from entering the Promised Land.
How sad for a country that wanted to see the first woman elected to the White House. That day will come -- but it won't be you. We'll have to wait for the current Democratic governor of Kansas to run in 2016 (you read it here first!).
There are those who say Obama isn't ready, or he's voted wrong on this or that. But that's looking at the trees and not the forest. What we are witnessing is not just a candidate but a profound, massive public movement for change. My endorsement is more for Obama The Movement than it is for Obama the candidate.
That is not to take anything away from this exceptional man. But what's going on is bigger than him at this point, and that's a good thing for the country. Because, when he wins in November, that Obama Movement is going to have to stay alert and active. Corporate America is not going to give up their hold on our government just because we say so. President Obama is going to need a nation of millions to stand behind him.
I know some of you will say, 'Mike, what have the Democrats done to deserve our vote?' That's a damn good question. In November of '06, the country loudly sent a message that we wanted the war to end. Yet the Democrats have done nothing. So why should we be so eager to line up happily behind them?
I'll tell you why. Because I can't stand one more friggin' minute of this administration and the permanent, irreversible damage it has done to our people and to this world. I'm almost at the point where I don't care if the Democrats don't have a backbone or a kneebone or a thought in their dizzy little heads. Just as long as their name ain't "Bush" and the word "Republican" is not beside theirs on the ballot, then that's good enough for me.
I, like the majority of Americans, have been pummeled senseless for 8 long years. That's why I will join millions of citizens and stagger into the voting booth come November, like a boxer in the 12th round, all bloodied and bruised with one eye swollen shut, looking for the only thing that matters -- that big "D" on the ballot.
Don't get me wrong. I lost my rose-colored glasses a long time ago.
It's foolish to see the Democrats as anything but a nicer version of a party that exists to do the bidding of the corporate elite in this country. Any endorsement of a Democrat must be done with this acknowledgement and a hope that one day we will have a party that'll represent the people first, and laws that allow that party an equal voice.
Finally, I want to say a word about the basic decency I have seen in Mr. Obama. Mrs. Clinton continues to throw the Rev. Wright up in his face as part of her mission to keep stoking the fears of White America. Every time she does this I shout at the TV, "Say it, Obama! Say that when she and her husband were having marital difficulties regarding Monica Lewinsky, who did she and Bill bring to the White House for 'spiritual counseling?' THE REVEREND JEREMIAH WRIGHT! "
But no, Obama won't throw that at her. It wouldn't be right. It wouldn't be decent. She's been through enough hurt. And so he remains silent and takes the mud she throws in his face.
That's why the crowds who come to see him are so large. That's why he'll take us down a more decent path. That's why I would vote for him if Michigan were allowed to have an election.
But the question I keep hearing is... 'can he win? Can he win in November?' In the distance we hear the siren of the death train called the Straight Talk Express. We know it's possible to hear the words "President McCain" on January 20th. We know there are still many Americans who will never vote for a black man. Hillary knows it, too. She's counting on it.
Pennsylvania, the state that gave birth to this great country, has a chance to set things right. It has not had a moment to shine like this since 1787 when our Constitution was written there. In that Constitution, they wrote that a black man or woman was only "three fifths" human. On Tuesday, the good people of Pennsylvania have a chance for redemption.
Yours,
Michael Moore
MichaelMoore.com
MMFlint@aol.com
This is a picture of Jarrett with our Tibetan Spaniel, Mushu, at my Christmas party a couple years ago. She really got attached to Jarrett as he scooped her up and rescued her from some over-excited children! This was the only time i got to meet Jarrett but i felt a special connection with him. Jarrett, his sister, Alicia, and i sat up in my bedroom on my bed and chatted for quite a while. He was a cool young man. i may have only met him once, but he has certainly made quite an impact on me.
Jarrett, i am so sad you were taken away at such a young age and in such a tragic way. i am so sorry for the pain and anguish your family is going through continually everyday. Now that it has been one year since you left this earth at VA TECH, i want you and the world to know we will NEVER, EVER FORGET YOU! THANK YOU, JARRETT, for the small amount of time i had to spend with you on this earth. It was a very enriching but too short a time. May GOD comfort your family through all their suffering and pain.
We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness.... We will prevail....
Friend, teacher and writer Len Sweet has a new book just released called "11: Indispensable Relationships You Can't Be Without"
Amazon Reviewer, N. Hooker "Nevan" from Louisville, KY has this to say about the book:
"Relationships are like investments...it's important that you diversify. Sweet highlights 11 key relationships that we all need, and the best part is that they're all rooted in Biblical stories and teachings. "
AND also states this REALLY COOL QUOTE from LEN SWEET:
"...the older I get the more complex my theology becomes...but the older I get the more simple my faith becomes."
This is certainly true for me for the most part! Simple yet very deep is how I find Len Sweet's writings.
This Wednesday, April 16, 2008, will be the one year anniversary of the VA TECH shootings. My friend,
Alicia, lost her brother, Jarrett, on that cold and snowy day. She is still reeling with sadness, as they were really close. My heart goes out to her and her family as they gather together to remember this horrible day that stole their precious family member away from them.
From Alicia's husband, Daniel:
"This week we’ll be heading down to Narrows to be with Alicia’s family. The anniversary of the shootings is Wednesday and they are dedicating a bridge to Jarrett on Thursday. If you are the praying type we would appreciate them. If not, then we also welcome positive thoughts."
HT to my good friend, Pete Rollins, for this captivating and haunting photo exhibit.
Here is what the exhibit is about:
"This sombre series of portraits taken of people before and after they
had died is a challenging and poignant study. The work by German
photographer Walter Schels and his partner Beate Lakotta, who recorded
interviews with the subjects in their final days, reveals much about
dying - and living.
Life Before Death is at the Wellcome Collection from April 9-May 18"
Once you have read the excerpt on the right hand side of the photo click on the picture. The exhibit can be viewed here.
i found it sad, for many of them were still young. The photos left me feeling scared about my own mortality in light of my own health issues. Also of late, i have been wondering about the seemingly randomness events of life. Where is GOD and is GOD impotent? As noted above, many of the people in this exhibit were mid-life when they expired, so where is this ALL POWERFUL BEING at in the lives of these creatures? Why didn't this BEING intervene with prevention or healing. Sometimes i question the very existence of a Divine Being. i know all the pat answers: "We live in a fallen world. We have free will. GOD'S ways are higher. GOD has a bigger plan/purpose. Yada, yada, yada ...and so forth." These answers just don't cut it for me anymore. Maybe during my fundamentalist Christian interlude they may have assuaged my questions somewhat, as certainty in GOD, the Bible and all other things related to Christianity were to be adhered to lest we go to hell. i think CERTAINTY worship took the place of GOD Worship and FEAR was the motivation rather than LOVE. Yet, it was this interlude that kept me from fully embracing my questions and doubts. i do believe in a Divine Being/GOD but i do appreciate the times i am allowed to question, doubt, and wrestle with anxiety, as all this causes me to grow rather than remain stagnant. The little pat Christian answers of my fundamentalist interlude are now just a cacophony of religious babble and death for my soul. The easy answers smell of rotted flesh.
The Richmond Emergent Cohort is FINALLY getting off the ground with a Meet and Greet at 6 p.m. on April 26, 2008 at Richmond's New Social Oasis, The Camel. My new friend and fellow cohort will be co-leading this venture with me. In the words of Joey, "I can't wait for the opportunity to meet others not like me." As our networks are beginning to mesh, it looks like we could have a nice turnout.
So all you emergent, postmodern, outside the box thinkers, revolutionaries, and heretics, COME ON OUT and have a great evening!
I read today the Prologue and Introduction of Pete Rollins' forthcoming book, "The Fidelity of Betrayal: Towards a Church Beyond Belief" and had my appetite whetted to read the remaining pre-published copy he sent me. Here are some excerpts that struck me in profound ways and will hopefully entice you into reading his book:
PROLOGUE:
Pete tells a parable about a small town of believers faced with a very difficult situation, one which would challenge their obedience to the voice of GOD over a rebel visitor. The situation eventually presents itself where GOD asks one of the men to defy GOD's word.
This is the man's response to GOD:
"The caretaker, a man of deep faith, looked up to heaven and replied, 'If you want me to remain faithful to you, my God, then I can do nothing but refuse your advice. For you have already demanded that I look after this man. You have written that I must protect him at all costs. Your words of love have been spelled out by the lines of this man's face, your text is found in the texture of his flesh. And so, my God, I defy you precisely so as to remain faithful to you.' "
"With this God smiled and quietly withdrew, confident that the matter had finally been settled." (p. 3)
This parable brings to my mind the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac. Why didn't Abraham question GOD about killing his own son and take a stand to question and defy GOD speaking double-talk?
INTRODUCTION:
Here Pete explains where his title was inspired: the "What Would Jesus Do" phenomenon that the abbreviated form, "WWJD" that was, "...etched onto countless bracelets as a way of reminding the bearer that they held Jesus as the ultimate authority in moral, political, and religious matters." (p. 5) I never got into this "CRAZE" of the CONSUMERISM OF CHRISTIANITY!!! Although, i have, in the long past, my own encounters with Christian Cosumerism. Ickkkkk!!!!
Then Pete came up with the question, "What Would JUDAS Do?" as a way of asking what would Jesus do if confronted with Christianity today. "Rather, by asking whether Jesus would betray Christianity as Judas betrayed Christ, I am asking if Jesus would plot the downfall of Christianity in every form that it takes. Or rather, to be more precise, I am asking whether Christianity, in its most sublime and revolutionary state, always demands an act of betrayal from the Faithful. In short, is Christianity, at its most radical, always marked by a kiss, forever forsaking itself, eternally at war with its own manifestation." (p.6)
The crux of the book is broken up into three parts:
Part 1 explores what we mean by the idea of the Word of God.
Part 2 interrogates the Being of God.
Part 3 introduces the reader to the centrality of the Event of God.
"As this structure is gradually revealed, I argue that the consequences are twofold: First, we are led to embrace the idea of Christianity as a religion without religion, that is, as a tradition that is always prepared to wrestle with itself, disagree with itself, and betray itself. Second, this requires a way of structuring religious collectives that operate at a deeper level than the mere affirmation of shared doctrines, creeds, and convictions. It involves the formation of dynamic, life-affirming collectives that operate, quite literally, beyond belief." (p. 7)
THANK YOU, Pete, for what looks like another incredible, insightful, soul-stirring, and challenging book. ALL THE BEST with its success!
Here's a note from my good friend, Pete Rollins, about his forthcoming and second book, "The Fidelity of Betrayal: Towards a Church Beyond Belief" published by Paraclete Press:
In this work I make the claim that, in order to remain faithful to Christianity, we must be courageous enough to betray the bible (section 1), God (section 2) and the church (section 3). Why? Do I think that we must abandon them as redundant relics of a by-gone era? Do I think that they have served their purpose? Or do I feel that they prevent the world coming of age? By no means! Here I argue for a betrayal that remains faithful to these very words by helping us to re- discover the truly untamed, white-hot, life-transforming reality that they house.
This book was not easy to write and it will no doubt be difficult to read, but I hope that you find it to be a provocative and worthy dialogue partner as you continue to reflect upon what it means to follow Christ today.
Cheers,
Pete Rollins
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