acceptable snobbery

it's struck me recently that we've become a society of like or dislike. now, facebook really has nothing to do with it - but the opportunity to casually boast about that which we like or dislike has become second nature to many.

so, I've made a decision - I'm going to like more things. no, I'm not going to click 'like' more often.

what I am going to do is this: cherish more.

my life, my family, my friends, my experiences...but more than that.

instead of necessarily categorizing the items in life to like or dislike automatically - I want to like more/ cherish more. things that may not be in my scope of natural-likeness.

it's become acceptable snobbery to align ourselves with this genre of music or that, this type of movie or that, this book or that, etc.

we shut out the things we don't like. closed-minded souls we are.

but I want to appreciate more. see the hidden qualities. grasp the texture of an unknown tapestry.

so, you listen to your country music, watching Twilight and reading it as well - and I'll be standing there silently applauding your horrible choice in entertainment but appreciating it anew all the same.

the stories we live

so, I'm reading this book by Donald Miller called, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It's actually the book I was helping to promote in a past blog post.

following that post, I had to do far more apologizing than I thought I would - apparently people (few as they may be) gave me far more credit than I'm due. a few actually took me at my word and believed I had co-authored a book with Donald Miller, which I still feel horrible about to this day, though I laugh quietly about it as well.

enough about that.

as I'm reading this new book, the concept of 'story' has been slapping me in the face - mostly because that is what the book is about.

here is a snippet:

"The ambitions we have will become the stories we live. If you want to know what a person's story is about, just ask them what they want. If we don't want anything, we are living boring stories, and if we want a Roomba vaccum cleaner, we are living stupid stories. If it won't work in a story, it won't work in life."

thoughts? reactions?

ignorant or enlightened?

possibly somewhere in between.

I am on a journey. I am attempting to be honest with myself.

admittedly, there are many things I do not know about which I would care to know more about.

thus, this post.

I am asking for recommendations of books, articles, blogs, etc. What would you suggest?

What are the things that changed you, formed you, stretched you to become who you are now?

sheepy sheep

get this, God is happier about a wanderer returning than countless others continuing.

the question is, are you?

dear youth pastor - are you too busy coddling your churchy teens to even notice the one that needs love?
I know, I know - it's the churchy teens' parents that give so that you can have a job (they probably remind you with subtle hints)

dear big-house pastor - are you too busy patting legalistic rumps to even notice those who need grace?
I know, I know - it's those rumps that fill the pews or stackable rows of chairs and 'let' you keep patting them.

dear well-intentioned(?) critic - are you too busy whining and complaining about the faults in the Church to even notice those that need forgiveness?
I know, I know - it's all those faults that give you something to blog about and feel self-righteous about.

dear God - are we too self-indulgent to notice those who need Jesus?

I'm sorry.

"Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn't he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn't want to lose even one of these simple believers. "

I'm dying

Gravestone Generator

now, before you think this is a shameless way to get you to read my blog (well, maybe you're right) stick with me.

it's true: I'm dying.

but so are you.

maybe I'm a realist, maybe I'm morbid - so be it.

every day that we are alive we are one day closer to dying - like it or not, it's reality.

I've heard it asked: "how would you live today if you knew you were going to die tomorrow?"
- what decisions would you make?
- what conversations would you have?
- which people would you be with?
- what would you eat?

and I've found myself desiring to live as if I'm going to die soonish.
- love more
- dance more
- sing more
- create more

BUT - I cannot.

the mundanity of life overwhelms.
- eat
- sleep
- work

my question: is there a balance to be found here? somewhere between responsible planning and carpe diem?

how can I live fully today and still go on to live fully tomorrow? the thought itself is fatiguing.

but what am I passing on today to salvage energy for tomorrow, only to pass on then?

...

I'm dying and so are you.

today, let us grab someone we love, declare our love for them, as we dance and sing and create something beautiful.

or not -I'm too tired.

I'm not mad...I'm just disappointed

this simple phrase damages me more than I care to admit.

have you heard it before?

have you said it before?

maybe I'm soft, maybe I'm weak - but I loathe this phrase. I hate disappointing people, especially those close to me.

so, when I hear that I'm a disappointment, it stings.

now, you can psycho-analyze my desire to please people or my father-issues all you want - trust me, I've already been there.

what is it about us (yes, I'm including you in this as well) that desires to please?

I'd honestly rather someone just be mad - it'd be far easier to digest.

I cannot be all things to all people. I can be Tyson.

...and when God looks at me, he sees Jesus - and I try my best to remember that.

death to the orator

is oration dead?

maybe I'll back up a step - oration is, simply a public speech.

so, are public speeches dead?

I've heard it said that "with these new generations coming up with little to no attention span, the use of public speaking over 5 minutes in length will cease."

thoughts, new generations? are you really, as generations as ADD/ADHD as you are treated or pandered to?

or is oration just a dead or dying means of communication?

as much as I enjoy communication through more technological means, I still hold a special place in my heart for someone who is able to grasp the imagination and attention of an audience publicly.

the modulation, the inflection....the pause....the body language, the facial expression, the moment.

teachers, politicians, preachers, activists, among others know the importance of oration, the ability to inspire - but are they just fighting a losing battle?

thoughts?

a vague memory

what is your earliest memory?

what is the first thing that comes to mind as you read that question? is it a memory of happiness? of joy? or sorrow?

or is it less concrete than that? more a collection of vague nuances and happenstance.

does anyone else find it strange that most can't remember the first couple years of our lives? memories are strange indeed. fleeting at times and yet vivid at others.

do you trust your memories? or have they changed over time? growing more and more exaggerated.

have your precious memories become more precious? have your painful memories become more painful?

or have they grown more mundane?

...

I have sat with people as they've died. tragic and beautiful.

and in those last days and moments, memories come.

they remind of a life once passed. regret. success. ambition. ambivalence.

relationships.

experiences.

circumstances.

...

we each have memories. which ones have defined you? which ones are you creating now that will define who you will be? which have you passed on, knowing these memories die with you?

today, stop and remember.

cherish. relive. ache. and start again.

speak Jesus

it's easy to talk about church, yet never mention Jesus.

it's ironic that you can talk about being a Christian, yet never mention Jesus.

does this sadden anyone else?

churchy-types: when was the last time you talked about Jesus?

- actually talking about the Jesus you love, not just in a churchy-way

Christians: when was the last time you talked about Jesus?

- actually talking about the Jesus you follow, not just in a christiany-way

now, I'm not saying to get up on your soap-box.

what I am saying is to stop being such a wimp and actually speak Jesus (you know, the one you say you love and follow)

if not for Jesus, there would be no church.

if not for Jesus, there would be no Christians.

so stop speaking church. stop speaking christian.

and speak Jesus.

(re)innocence

I want to see life through my son's eyes.

I want (re)innocence.

the years have left me seemingly jaded and skewed.

I want to see life through my son's eyes - trusting.

this is nothing new and nothing I haven't grappled with before.

as my eyes are opened more and more to 'reality' I can't help but think that 'reality' was closer at hand before.

I feign at maturity, I motion toward wisdom when all the while it's all simpler than I've made it out.

I want to see life through my son's eyes - ecstatic.

the drab and dark have left me numb. the conversations have left me wanting. the relationships have left me alone.

but this is not what I wanted. this is not what I started out to be(come).

I want to see life through my son's eyes - pure, unadulterated joy (yes, joy)

God, don't let me mess him up too bad.

I want to hold a starfish for the first time.

why church?

attention, attention (said in French, obviously) churchy-types,

so, why church?

really, why are you a part of a Christian community?

I'm interested to know - mostly because I wonder about the reasons people would give.

my pessimism wonders:

- guilt?

- obligation?

- habit?

man, I hope it's something deeper than that. man, I want to be bombarded with stories of hope and love, forgiveness and care, compassion and faith.

so, what is it for you? why church?

I don't care...enough

I wish I did. I wish I could.

really, believe me.

but I don't and can't care enough.

...

and yet, that is a major part of my vocation. that is a vital part of my life.

you see my dilemma?

most everyone's in some form of crisis - but I can't care enough.

I want to fix it. I want to change it. not out of pity, but out of friendship and togetherness. and love.

but I can't.

I don't want the cliche. I don't want the pat answer.

I want it to be different, somehow.

this is who I created myself as

a quote from a dear friend: "this is who I created myself as" continues to spin in my head after 3 months have passed.

on an existential level, it smacks of things deep and hidden.

my friend explained to me the impetus behind such splendor:

- we have made choices, for better or worse - but our choices nonetheless

- these choices have defined us

- these choices have changed us

- these choices have created us as we are

like it or not, "this is who I created myself as" - this is who you created yourself as

what choices are you making today that will create who you are to be?

- these choices may be direct or indirect, but choices allthesame

who is the person deep inside you desire to be?

who is the person deep inside you were created to be?

are you enabling these changes or inhibiting them?

as you peer into the mirror tonight before you drift off to sleep - ask yourself honestly - am I satisfied with who I created myself as?

stress

stress is an interesting thing. real or perceived - it's there.

it has intriguing physiological and psychological effects.

case in point:
- mind goes foggy
- ambition goes flat
- face goes slack

I'm not enjoying this at all.

I attempt to be one who encourages others to be completely present in the moment, but alas, I feel very distant in my own moment.

goodbye

just starting into another book (far too many on the go - but hey..) called essential church by Rainer & Rainer.

the premise is this: many people no longer view Church as essential to their lives, why is this?

they listed off the top 10 reasons why people said they 'walked':

1) simply wanted a break from church

2) church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical

3) moved to college and stopped attending church

4) work responsibilities prevented me from attending

5) moved too far away from the church to continue attending

6) became too busy though still wanted to attend

7) didn't feel connected to the people in my church

8) disagreed with the church's stance on political or social issues

9) chose to spend more time with friends outside the church

10) was only going to church to please others

as a Pastor, none of these surprise me - actually most I've heard from dear friends.

many of my peers have walked, citing any number of reasons - few have stayed.

I am saddened at the lack of my generation's presence.

why did you leave? when are you coming back?

be the change you desire to see.

I know you think I'm daft. I know you think I'm lame - but I would guess that you and I agree more than we disagree.

either way, I hope you're living life to its fullest. I hope you're loving Jesus. I hope you're loving people.

what is wrong with your life?

one aspect of this blog (read: life) that I've always struggled with is the degree of vulnerability to have just out there in the open for anyone with an internet connection to read. (just writing that is more vulnerable than I care to be)

with that in mind, let me share something that I typically reserve for those in my inner-circle.

I think running is crazy!

there, I said it.

I'm talking running for running's sake.

now, before you lecture me about the all the benefits of running, let me say - I have many friends and family who willingly choose to subject themselves to this form of self-punishment.

with the Queen City Marathon coming up in a few days, I've been seeing an inordinate amount of people jogging (they call it running - but it's not). but this is something typically bubbling under the surface of my mind often.

and now I think it's the time to get this off my chest:

...

Dear runners (but you and I both know you're joggers),

What is wrong with your life that makes you subject yourself to this?

Who are you running from?

What are you running from?

Why do you loathe yourself so much?

stop sweating and huffing and puffing long enough to sit down and talk to me about this, shall we?

Love, a non-jogger.

...

I see 3 groups in regards to jogging:

- crazy people who jog

- people who wished they were crazy enough to jog

- Tyson

before I alienate the sliver of readership I do have even further, let me say that I have the utmost respect for those of you who run-jog, the thing is - I just don't get it and would really like an explanation.

but more importantly, I was thinking about motivation.

today, I don't feel all that motivated and it got me to thinking: what motivates people?

and that got me to thinking: who are highly motivated people?

and that got me to thinking: joggers seem highly motivated, what motivates them?

so, you crazy/ self-driven people - what is it that motivates you?

schmolitics

"The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of the Conservatives is to prevent the mistakes from being corrected." - C K Chesterton

at the risk of entering in a forum I rarely go, let me lightly dip my toes into this. I found this quote amusing.

can there be a more moderate approach to politics?
does everything have to be entirely polarizing?
do parties really agree more than they disagree?
why can't we all just get along?
what is your ideal approach to politics?

I had an nearly unitelligible conversation with a friend yesterday to this end - unitelligible because of my lacking, not his - though I use that word more for dramatic effect.

But it got me thinking.

do you?

hope against hope

so, this weekend I will be teaching at my church (call it preaching if you will)

as I have mentioned before, this is extremely humbling (don't read as: Tyson thinks he's humble - read as: Tyson thinks he has little to no business doing this) and entirely sobering.

I plan on talking about hope.

I need hope.

I think there's probably 3 groups of people (let me pigeon-hole you - haha) in regards to hope:

1) those who see no need for hope, thinking life is what it is

2) those who have no hope, thinking life is sterile and bleak at best

3) those who have hope, thinking life is abundant and full at least

which one are you? or are you in another pigeon-hole altogether?

my friends and possibly enemies, there is hope and I need it.

I'm sorry (not out of pity) for those who have no hope. I'm sorry for those who see no need for hope.

I choose to (despite opposition) find my hope in Jesus. it's a choice I've made and continue to make.

call me crazy, call me pious, call me what you will.

this is not an easy choice - as “hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all.” - GK Chesterton.

now, don't get my wrong - many times I feel as though I bounce from one pigeon-hole to the next. yet, the person I desire and strive to be is one that finds hope.

today I choose to find hope.

savvy saskatchewan

over the past few months of blogging, I've enjoyed readership from a broad spectrum of places.

but today, I'd like to pay special tribute to my fellow saskatchewanians (?)

let's hear it for:

Regina
Saskatoon
Silton

Moose Jaw
Weyburn
Prince Albert
Carlyle
Yorkton
Oxbow
Leader

*keep it savvy, Saskatchewan - don't let your dial-up get you down

audacious

rant:

what gives you the right to speak for God?

it seems to me (and maybe it's just me) that some people take liberties when speaking on behalf of God - they claim: "this is the will of God." and who am I to disagree?

I hear things like:

- it's God's will that we get married.

- it's God's will that I take this job.

- it's God's will that I go to this church or that.

how far do you take God's will? how specific is this will?

- is it God's will what clothes you put on today?

- is it God's will which restaurant you ate at?

- is it God's will which deodorant you use?

now, these may seem laughable, but is there a difference? how far does this go?

some, in the name of God's will have killed.

some, in the name of God's will have raped.

some, in the name of God's will have done absolutely atrocious things.

what gives you the right to speak for God?

how do you know what God's will is?

be careful when you're using God as your excuse for those decisions you make.

I think God is more concerned with our hearts (cheezy - but I believe to be true allthesame) and attitudes. these leads to our actions and our decisions.

- be joyful, regardless of circumstance

- pray, regardless of circumstance

- be thankful, regardless of circumstance

but you and I both know you don't have to listen to me. afterall, who am I to speak for God?

echoes

there are echoes.

echoes of what once was and what should have been.

I hear it in their voices, I see it in their eyes.

things were different, things were better.

do you hear it too?

we are all alone. separated. fragmented.

but there are echoes of what once was and what should have been.

this loneliness is indicative of these echoes.

maybe you hear it too.

...

I'm not content with just living in the echoes. I'm not content with living a fragmented life.

listen to the echoes, they may be deep within, supressed through years of numbness.

let us again become who we were meant to be - together.

mundane

it's not always the worst case scenario
- truly
there are those who'd like to convince you otherwise.

it's not always the best case scenario
- truly
and there are those who'd like to convince you otherwise.

there are highs and lows - but most often it's in the mundane that life is lived.
- it's in that routine we find ourselves.

- is there life in your mundane?
- is there life in your routine?

tips for living

when you stub your toe - blame God

when you lose your job - blame God

when your girlfriend breaks up with you - blame God

when you're all alone - blame God

when your best friend gets raped - blame God

when your grandma dies - blame God

when millions are starving - blame God

when it rains on the day you were planning on camping - blame God

when your sports team loses - blame God

when countless contract aids - blame God

when the parking lot is full - blame God

when you hate yourself - blame God

when you fail that test - blame God

when you're hungover - blame God

when there's war - blame God

...but...

when you don't stub your toe - praise yourself

when you get a job - praise yourself

when you get a girlfriend - praise yourself

when you're surrounded by friends - praise yourself

when you're best friend does not get raped - praise yourself

when you're grandma's alive - praise yourself

when millions have food - praise yourself

when it's sunny on the day you were planning on camping - praise yourself

when your sports team wins - praise yourself

when countless have not contracted aids - praise yourself

when the parking lot is empty - praise yourself

when you're content with yourself - praise yourself

when you pass that test - praise yourself

when you're sober - praise yourself

when there's peace - praise yourself

blog ideas?

As I sat with my laptop one night, reading a friend's blog with a black background and white text, I found when I looked away my retinas were burning and there were lines floating in the air around me. "This is not conducive to enjoyable blog reading" - I thought to myself, crying a small tear of blurred vision.

This led me to change the background colour and text on this delightful blog which you are currently reading. I hope you can appreciate the change.

With that in mind - I'm looking for suggestions, ideas, concepts, etc to improve Ineloquent Anthem. I would be honoured if you were to take the time to offer anything you might have. If someone savvy enough would even be willing to develop a template for me - that'd be swell.

I also enjoy reading other blogs and am looking for suggestions in that realm as well. What are you reading that you would suggest?

Thanks muchly for your readership - I look forward to continuing this journey with you.

everything is not as it seems

you may think it is - but it's not.

sorry.

not that it's better or worse per se - just different.

there are many things hidden. many things strange. many things secret.

your view is but one. limited. subjective. skewed.

humbling, no?

...
sometimes I even think the sky is blue.
...

are you so confident that what you know is true? could it be possible that there are things beyond your realm of comprehension?

when were you last dumbfounded? why has it been so long?

why have you become so numb?

embrace your pain. own it.

...
sometimes I even think the sky is blue.

you're boring

I'm in a strange mood (might be the v-neck)...

having just returned from speaking at camp for the week, my outlook seems different. not earth-shattering epiphane-type stuff. just a tweak here and a tweak there.

Christians overall are pretty boring. but not for the reasons you might initially think. not because of legalism. not because of morals (well, maybe a weird misinterpretation). but because they're just plain boring.

where's the life? where's the love? where's the flavour?

the Jesus I know had life, had love and had flavour. having just walked through the sermon on the mount, something that comes to mind is Jesus' call for his followers to be salt.

yaddi, yadda - old news for you?

salt brings flava (flavour)

you follow Jesus? stop being so boring. live a full life. live a life full of love. and at least try to have a little flavour and add a little to this world while you're at it.

belligerent obscurity

do you care enough to leave your comfort? enough to entertain interruptions? enough to give something of yourself - your time, your life, your resources?

I don't care who you are. I don't care if you subscribe to Jesus, buddha, atheism, agnosticism, or a melange. If what you follow does not include the compassionate care of others, you are missing an integral aspect to life.

If your hatred or ambivalence towards God spills over to your fellow human being - you're lacking.
If your passion or fervour towards God does not spill over to your fellow human being - you're lacking.

Regardless of where you stand with God - if your life does not include care for others, my friend - you are truly lacking.

Show me how your self-indulgent narcissism has added value to another. Show me how your ego-centric thinking has improved another.

Or possibly, you pay lip-service to caring. You feign at sacrifice. You robotically appease your conscience.

do you care enough?

ps - just chalk this up as another unfounded guilt-trip, relegated to belligerent obscurity

(im)moral

why do you do what you do?

where does your sense of morality come from?

is it an innate set of morals that you follow? born to do 'good' things and not do 'bad' things?

were you taught morals by those who raised you and so adopted them for your own?

or were you taught morals and so rejected them as your own?

do you follow what you believe God is telling you to do?

in an interesting post on morality, The Unwelcome Guest, asks: "Which is more moral, helping people purely out of concern for their suffering, or helping them because you think God wants you to do it?"

morality is an interesting thing. who truly determines what is right and wrong? are they ambiguous? what may be right for you may not be right for me? what may be right in this culture may not be right in another?

are there levels of morality? someone is more moral than another? can someone actually be immoral?

are there overarching morals that speak to all people, in all times, in all places?

why do you do what you do?

is it out of guilt? out of habit? out of conviction? out of dedication? out of a blind following of the norm?

or maybe you just do and let the chips fall where they may...?

you are loved.

even with everything you've done.
you are loved.

even with everything that's been done to you.
you are loved.

even if you want to be or not.
you are loved.


...but you don't really believe that, do you? always skeptical. always cynical. jaded because you 'know better.' calloused because you've seen different.

regardless of your opinion, demeanour, or attitude - you are loved.
regardless of your acceptance of that love - you are loved, nonetheless.

enjoy it, revel in it, embrace it.
and having been loved - give it.

you are loved.
...but you don't really believe that, do you?

the furious longing of God

just digging into the furious longing of God, by brennan manning.

...and if you could join me, sipping iced americanos, listening to Bon Iver, oh the conversations we would have...

enjoy a couple excerpts:

"the shattering truth of the transcendent God seeking intimacy with us is not well served by gauzy sentimentality, schmaltz, or a naked appeal to emotion, but rather in the boiling bouillabaisse of shock bordering on disbelief, wonder akin to incredulity, and affectionate awe tinged with doubt."

"the seldom-stated truth is that many of us have a longing for God and an aversion to God. Some of us seek Him and flee Him at the same time."

I resonate with manning on a disarmingly honest level.

maybe you as well.

faith is easy.

A fellow blogger that I appreciate reading, graciously responded to an inquiry I had for him. When asked why he would even bother attending church, he responded this way: http://theunwelcomeguest.blogspot.com/2009/07/but-for-my-people-to-pursue.html. Please take the opportunity to read his post.

Now, my thoughts.

do you struggle?

or is faith easy for you?

does something in you desire to believe?

or is it merely out of obligation or good intention?

It seems as though The Unwelcome Guest wrestles more deeply than the majority of people warming pews or stackable chairs or couches. But that's just my take.

What do you think?

an urban parable

One fine Tuesday evening,

a man went walking through an urban park. It was picturesque. The water was placid, the breeze delicate and light. People were about. There was an unusual ambience of elation. Unknown to the man, they were waiting for him, lurking in the dark. He didn't know what was to come. As he came around a quiet bend in the cobblestone path, he was grabbed, thrown to the ground, glasses awkwardly hanging off one ear. He could barely see, crying out for help, they beat him, took anything of value and stripped him down to nothing. The drubbing continued. They laughed as they pummeled his back and disfigured his face. The man thought of his daughter. He thought of how he would miss her innocent smile and that goofy way she played with her eyebrow.

darkness falls...

One fine Wednesday morning,

a Pastor went briskly walking through an urban park. He was known for his passionate sermons. His face would redden with fervour as he exhorted the people. As he went walking he came across a mangled body thrown into the bushes, the movement of breathing nearly imperceptible. Thinking to himself: "That person may have aids for all I know and I have so much to do today" he turned around and walked the other way mutterring about how crime has been worsening as of late.

This same Wednesday,

a man went walking angrily through an urban park. He was known in the church as the wise elder, the one people would come to for advice. Having just fought with his wife, he stomped along and came across a mangled body thrown into the bushes, the movement of breathing nearly imperceptible. Thinking to himself: "Well, he's probably a drug dealer and deserves what he got" he sped up his pace, walking as far away as possible muttering about his wife's ignorance.

Later on that Wednesday,

a man went walking introspectively through an urban park. He was known as the unwanted import, having recently immigrated from a country most wanted their leaders to destroy. As he went walking, questioning why he ever left everything he knows to come to this seemingly Godforsaken country he came across a mangled body thrown into the bushes, the movement of breathing nearly imperceptible. Moving immediately to the body, he called out for help. Realizing no help was coming, he heaved the man's body onto his shoulders and proceeded to carry him to the street to his car. Gently laying the man down, he took him to the hospital. But recovery would be long and the costs of care would be high. Barely able to keep himself fed, he paid for all the costs of the stranger until he fully recovered.

spirituality & politics

for interest's sake, I've come up with a poll about the affect of spirituality on people's political views. please take 10 seconds and weigh-in.

forgive

have you forgiven yourself?

you know, for that thing that keeps haunting you? you know what I'm talking about...

forgive yourself, please.

stop dragging yourself through the mire. stop wallowing in unforgiveness. stop abusing yourself. stop mutilating yourself.

please don't HATE yourself. allow yourself to love yourself.

forgive yourself, please.

I hear a lot of people talk a lot about forgiveness. They talk about how we should forgive others (far easier said than done). They talk about how they have received forgiveness. But these same people neglect a crucial aspect - themselves. They have not forgiven themselves.

Is that you? Even as you read these words - images, memories, regrets bubble up to the surface. My intent is not to evoke pain, it is to evoke forgiveness.

forgive yourself, please.

...now you're thinking "yeah, yeah, ok."

but stop...and forgive yourself truly.

What's done has been done. That cannot be changed. Seek forgiveness in the places you need to and start again - new and fresh. Stop dwelling on the past.

You may think I'm daft. You may think I'm naive. You may think I don't understand what you've been through, what you've done, or what's been done to you. You're probably right. I may not.

But does my lack of understanding have any bearing on your need of forgiveness? Don't use me as your excuse to withhold forgiveness.

Where do you need to seek forgiveness? family? friend? God? yourself?

this bitterness and resentment so many of us carry around in our lives is infecting our minds and our hearts, permeating the very fabric of our existence. get rid of it.

maybe there's someone you need to forgive...release it and live freely.

The Jesus I follow is, among so many things, one of mercy, love, and forgiveness. For those of you who say you also follow this Jesus - maybe now's the time to back up your talk and forgive.

if you're reading this with any glimpse of honesty - forgive yourself, please and let's together live freely and fully.

thoughts on women in ministry?

*this is less of a post and more of a opinion poll.

Honestly, it's easy for me to be a pastor - I'm male.

Now, many people have extremely differing views of what females in leadership look like. Some have inevitably swung (not unlike a pendulum) to balance views that have come before them.

What do you think? What is your view of women in ministry?

I've heard many passionate, educated people argue on many sides of this, believing whole-heartedly that they have the definitively correct stance on the issue.

Please indulge me/ educate me and tell me what you think and why....

social (in)action

There is a pendulum. It swings back and forth. From one generation to the next, attempting to right the 'wrongs' of the past, attempting to bring balance.

The pendulum has swung. It has swung back away from the overly personalized Christian faith. Many have become increasingly aware of the lack of social action complementing Christianity. Simply attending a church has left many wanting - desiring their faith to 'be'.

It has swung back to the question: "what does it look like to be a Christian?" We've swung to the point where social action defines our faith. Many people I know are looking for ways to 'live out' their faith.

I agree, there has been a lack of this component to Christianity. I would even go so far as to say that our following Jesus is dependant on our servanthood. We must be about what is Jesus is about: the poor, the needy, the marginalized, the oppressed. The pendulum needed to be swung. And swung it has.

But...

my question is: has this just become the new lip-service?

"We need to feed the hungry."
"We need to give to the needy."
"We need to care for the orphans."
"We need to bring justice."
...and the list goes on.

We rattle these off without batting an eye and yet, rarely do I see the actions to actually back this up. People will sit across the table from me, eyes glistening with passion and fervor - telling me of the lack of social action within the Church, sharing with me the needs that have gone unmet. Saying "something must be done"...and then walking away feeling proud and doing NOTHING about it.

Don't tell me about these needs if you are not willing to 'do' anything yourself.
Don't point out to me the problem and not attempt at a solution.
Don't sit across from me, look me in the eye and lie to me.
Don't delude yourself.

What's worse than doing nothing?
Knowing something needs to be done, telling people about it and then doing nothing.

What I see is social (in)action.


I know the temptation will be to ask: "well, what are you doing, Tyson?"

Touchè

I'm writing this because I have observed this lack in my life and I'm betting there may be a lack in yours.

If, however, you are perfect at this - then all power to you.

If not...join the club, and let's together no longer accept this new lip-service, shall we?

restoration & reconciliation

good day...it's Friday, it's sunny, it's warm and the week's winding down. I should be kicking back and enjoying...but I've got a bone to pick. it's in response to some comments I received about another post: http://ineloquentanthem.blogspot.com/2009/04/jesus-wife-beaters.html

after some lengthy, challenging and inspiring conversations with friends regarding this post - it was brought to my attention that I did not come across with much grace or understanding. I agree - that may have been how I came across.

here's my heart (which probably was not obvious in the wife-beater post):

- it absolutely decimates my heart to think of the pain that people have received at the hands of the Church. there are countless stories of friends who have been greatly wronged by seemingly well-intentioned people.

I am sorry.

I am sorry that happened to you. I am sorry that people who say they love Jesus wronged you in such a way.

I am truly sorry.

but that is not the bone I pick - it's with those who have handed out the hurt that brings us to this point.

For many people who happen to regularly attend institutions called churches, they believe it is their God-given right to allocate punishment to anyone as they see fit - attempting to pick the proverbial speck out of others' eyes. typically, this has not been done in love (yes, I keep coming back to that).

here's my submission: if our intention when pointing out specks is not done with restoration & reconciliation in mind as the ultimate-goal, then it's best left undone. I'm not even going to play the 'plank-card' on this one - that should be common sense enough.

let me explain.

- if you are not willing to do everything in your power to help your brother or sister be restored and reconciled, then shut up.

- if you are not willing to humbly walk down those awkward, painful roads with your brother or sister in love, then take your well-intentioned (or are they?) motives and shove 'em (in your pocket).

- and mostly, if you are not willing to be honest with yourself, your brother or sister, and with God about your own lacking and need to be reconciled and restored, then...enough said.

...may we be people who humbly extend to all those in need the restoration and reconciliation that is freely offered in Jesus and be willing to walk with them...because, after all - we need this as much or more than they do.

One of the Branches plug

Another beloved friend, Dallas has begun a blog, called One of the Branches.

check it out at: http://oneofthebranches.blogspot.com/

blog plug for the cloverleaf press

My buddy, Ryan started a blog. Thought I'd give him some love by letting you know about it.

Check it out at:
http://cloverleafpress.blogspot.com/

this is...

I'm trying to simplify my life. It's got out of whack.

I'm trying to simplify my thinking. It too has got out of whack.

I have the humbling responsibility to teach hundreds of people regularly. This is a grave duty that has been entrusted to me and I do not take it lightly.

I'm beginning to see more and more of the beautiful complexity in the elegant simplicity.

When trying to communicate so many concepts far beyond my understanding and scope, I'm brought to a humble position of simplicity. How do I communicate Jesus? How do I tell about Jesus? I think it might look like a simple introduction:

this is...Jesus

he loves you.

the rest of God

Don't worry, I'm not going to fill you in on every book I happen to be reading, but I would like to tell you about one of them. It's called, The Rest of God, by Mark Buchanan. Unlike this blog, Buchanan is lavishly eloquent, making him enjoyable to read.

How's your sabbath life?

If your response is one of the following you should read this book:

- what is sabbath?

- I don't have time for sabbath.

- I go to church on Sundays.

- I don't care about sabbath.

- I long to honor the Sabbath.

- I'm not quite sure how sabbath fits into my life now.

and mostly - I'm tired!

may you find rest

Co-authoring with Donald Miller

Finally releasing my collaboration with Donald Miller:

http://topsellingauthors.com/world/top_stories/1383/2415/tyson_liske/share

rejoicing & mourning

life is simple...

albeit extremely complex - yet simple.

I'm not saying it's easy, but it is simple (there is a difference)...more simple than I had once thought.

- we rejoice/ we mourn

Admittedly, sometimes our natural inclination is to:

- be secretly jealous when something good happens to someone else: "how come nothing good ever happens to me?"

- be secretly happy when something bad happens to someone else: "well, I'm glad that didn't happen to me."

How selfish, no? How love-lacking it is to respond in those ways...

We walk through this life, seemingly stumbling at times, groping our way in the dark. Things happen - good things, wonderfully joyous things; and bad things, horribly mournful things. These things have happened to you. These things will continue to happen to you.

Just to let you in on a little something: these things have happened and will continue to happen to the people you co-habitate this earth with. You know this...

When these things happen to those around you (and they will), what will you choose? Secret jealousy and/or happiness.

Or will you choose the higher/ harder road?

Rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn.

Life may be more simple than you thought. Rejoice and mourn and forget about yourself for a moment.

...and as you do, you may even find yourself loving. I pray you do.

champion something

ok, this is nothing new...just something that's been on my mind lately.

everyone's got an opinion. subjective, fleeting, morphing, inconsistent, but an opinion nonetheless. and many feel the need to share these subjective, fleeting, morphing, inconsistent little 'gems' with the rest of us (oh, don't worry, I am identifying that in myself even as I am writing this - so back off, haha)

now, opinions are not inherently wrong or useless. actually, they are usually inevitable - if you think about something, you will form an opinion, as uneducated as it may be.

tweaking this a bit...think about your opinions - you know, those deep-seated 'feelings' about those things you enjoy/ appreciate/ and celebrate or loathe/ disagree with/ and attack. you talk about them over coffee. you write about them on your facebook or twitter.

politics...

religion...

sexuality...

morality...

art...

truth...


here's the question: what are you for?

which are the things that encapsulate your life? what do you identify with? what are your defining details? when people see you, what do they see?

- are they the things that you are for? or the things that you are against?

I know plenty of people, who could talk all day about what they are against. Their identity seems wrapped up in the 'anti-something'. Do you know these people? Lists and lists of things that they are not. "I hate this, I hate that..." And, there was a time that many "Christians" defined themselves by what they were not. "I don't do this, I don't do that, I'm not like him, I'm not like her."

How negative. How backward. How lacking.

What are you for? What do you celebrate? What do you define yourself by?

How different life would be if we identified ourselves by what we are for, rather than what we are against. Now, I know that it is exponentially easier to complain and pick on things that I'm not for, but it's a much higher calling to champion those things that I am for.

so, what are you for?

approach cautiously

Firstly, you must know something if you are to continue reading. I make no attempts in this blog to be deep or eloquent (I'm sure you've figured that out by now.) I'm simply asking questions honestly. Thanks for reading...





As I'm finishing up The Blue Parakeet (yes, it's taken me a little while,) I have many questions floating around in my soupy brain. Scot McKnight's take on 'how' we read the Bible has been challenging to say the least. I would really like to not be the only one to have read this book, so if you have read it, please let me know (I have many questions for you.)



McKnight offers 3 approaches to reading the Bible:

1)reading to retrieve - returning to the times of the Bible in order to retrieve biblical ideas and practices for today

2)reading through tradition - giving tradition the finally authority on interpretation

3) reading with tradition - acknowledging tradition respectfully



"So, how can we read the Bible that is both a "return and retrieval" reading as well as being respectful of the Great Tradition? I suggest we learn to read the Bible with the Great Tradition. We dare not ignore what God has said to the church through the ages (as we return and retrieval folks often do), nor dare we fossilize past interpretations into traditionalism. Instead, we need to go back to the Bible so we can move forward through the church and speak God's Word in our days in our ways. We need to go back without getting stuck (the return problem), and we need to move forward without fossilizing our ideas (traditionalism). We want to walk between these two approaches. It's not easy, but I content that the best of the evangelical approaches to the Bible and the best way of living the Bible today is to walk between these approaches. It is a third way."

(page 34)



Now my questions...



- how do you read the Bible?



- maybe my first question should be: do you read the Bible? we'll start there...not as a guilt trip, but as an honest question. Do you actually read the Bible? Or is it more a little snippet here, a little snippet there...or so rarely and randomly that you can't really remember the last time you sat down to just read it? maybe you just let the Pastors read it for you...



- and when/if you do, how do you read it? straight up/ no context? lightly/ with little contemplation (dare I say prayer)? attempting to live out every single word (have fun with that - dude, AJ Jacobs tried)? or so bunged up with tradition that it skews the Word?



- now, before you think of ways to make me painfully aware of your disagreement - take a moment, step back from the computer monitor and think to yourself: what is the most God-honouring approach to reading his Word? know that I'm doing the same....



thoughts?

twitter

http://twitter.com/tysonliske

Jesus'-Wife Beaters

I had the opportunity to take in Catalyst West Conference in Irvine, California. So many things to share from there, but something that's been on my mind that Perry Noble brought up: people who say they love Jesus, but hate the church.

I call these people Jesus'-Wife Beaters. Now, stick with me...there are plenty of people that I know who say they love Jesus, but have this deep-seeded angst with the (His) church. They love to sit and critque. They complain. They vent. They disrespect. They dishonor.

I have a beautiful wife, Brett (yes, she's a girl.) There's no way I deserve to be with her, but obviously I have her fooled. Fortunately my son looks more like her than me! I love Brett exponentially more than any other person.

Now, let's say you're hanging out with me, we're drinking some americanos, shooting the breeze and you feel the need to start trashing Brett - what you dislike about her, what bugs you about her, that you think she's ugly...well, I'm not just going to sit there and let you critique, vent about, disrespect, and dishonor my wife. I'M GOING TO PUNCH YOU IN THE THROAT! (at least that's what I'd want to do)

You catching this?

The Church is Jesus' wife, his bride...you dig? So when you sit back all smug, arms-crossed and start trashing Jesus' wife - how do you think he feels about this? Does he think: "boy, I'm so glad you felt the need to share these things with me - but how do you really feel?" hmmmm.

If you say you love Jesus, it follows that you should love the things he loves...one of those being his wife, his Church.

Now, I know there are faults in the Church, things that have gotten skewed. But that does not diminish the fact that I am called to love it - dang, I am it; we are it. It's a heart thing.

I know how easy it is to find these faults, some of them are glaringly apparent. But, what are you doing to improve them? What are you doing to be the Church we are called to be? You think you're so smart because you have pointed out all the major flaws in the church? Wow, congratulations! You deserve a prize, or at least a punch in the throat (figuratively of course.)

I believe there can be constructive criticism - but that has to be done in love. And if you're not willing to own up to your role in these flaws and be willing to have a role in the solution - SHUT UP! If you don't humble yourself in this - that's not love, don't delude yourself. Any moron can complain, that means nothing. But, who's willing to stand up and take ownership?

Does it grieve you how the Church has gone off-course in some areas? I believe it grieves Jesus too. Is this grief because you know how much more we could be? Or is it out of pride?

I'm sick of hearing it if you don't want to have anything to do with fixing it in love. So, let's together take an honest look at the Church and bring it back to Jesus.

...or you can continue to beat Jesus' Wife...

the Blue Parakeet

Just started into this book, the Blue Parakeet, by Scot McKnight. he's asking some great questions...I had the opportunity to hear him speak this past weekend - quite intriguing. I'll report back when I'm through it, but would enjoy the chance to dialogue with someone else about this book, Scot McKnight, or why we pick and choose what we follow in the Bible.

ps - can someone explain to me how I'm supposed to use twitter? I have it, I twitter - but I'm still not entirely sure I know what it's for. Is it just to hear witty tweets from Bono?

attention so-called Christians

so, you call yourself a Christian? why?

because you go to church? congrats!

because you pray before you eat, or before a test, or when you get a flat-tire? wow

because you own a Bible? so does every hotel room

because you have a fish-decal on your car or some 'witty' sticker? you still drive like a moron

because you don't swear? just under your breath or with words like frick or crap

because you don't have sex before marriage? not that you'd admit anyways, but...

because you judge those who aren't like you? but you wouldn't call it judging - you would call it lovingly concerned

because...we could go on, couldn't we?

or...is it because you:

feed the hungry?

give drink to the thirsty?

welcome strangers?

clothe the naked?

care for the sick?

visit the prisoners?

- let's do this is Jesus' name.

catalyst

I'm heading to California with a good friend of mine, Brad Moffatt and I can't wait. We're checking out the Catalyst West Conference

yawnishly contemplative

I need a rest...anyone else?
enough of this busyness, running about, accomplishing nothing - I need a rest.
let's slow down - agree?
I'm not saying, "ooh, I'm so busy, poor poor me"
I'm saying, "slow it down, take it in"

who's with me? hands up, way up

scrapping bottom...

I'm so sorry it's come to this. how many years have we walked this road together? how many victories? how many defeats? but, why has it come to this? nearing the bottom, last resorts, last ditch efforts, incapable of seeing any way out...I'm sorry.

but know it doesn't have to be like this - there is hope. there are consequences, there always are...I'd be lying if I said there wouldn't be - but it can be better. there is hope.

I'm here and willing to walk with you. I can't fix it all, I would if I could. but I am here and there is hope. please don't give up, even if everything in you wants to. I'm never giving up on you. there's more than this. there's better than this. and you know it, don't you?

opposition...

...it comes from the least likely sources. those who 'should' be advocates, are actually conniving, planning, waiting to catch you. is this what your life has become? a witch-hunt? a perputual pursuit of wrong? where is your joy? where is your contentment? where is your peace? where is your....love? you feign at all these - lipservice, not even convinving to you (or is it? - that may be the scariest part, you actually believe the words that come out of your mouth)

now before you go and say, what about you? let me publicly flog myself for you...I have been guilty of this. I pass judgment quickly. I assume my position is correct. I actually believe the words that come out of my mouth.

...but - I don't want to anymore. may I not be found proud. may I not be found assuming I'm right. but may I be found humble - acknowledging my short-comings and seeking the truth.

so, for your sake - give it up. please.

dark was the night

...just purchased a new album on itunes, Dark Was the Night. http://www.myspace.com/darkwasthenight , check it out...

- right up my musical alley (if there is such a thing)

I Sold My Soul on eBay

A friend recommended I should read the book, I Sold My Soul on eBay - so graciously, I did. Don't let the title put you off. This was an intriguing read to say the least. Mehta (author) raises some interesting questions. Whereas the Bill Mahers of this world seem to be looking for a fight, the Hemant Mehtas seem to be looking for the truth - though he hasn't found it yet.

If you have read it, or do read it - I would enjoy discussing your thoughts. It may even change your views of atheists.

- ineloquently


Mehta's blog can be found at:

http://friendlyatheist.com/

religulous

I am currently watching the mockumentary, religulous.

I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on this work>