Racism misrepresents who God is and so who we are as humans. It dis-integrates one of the most basic symbols of God diversity in unity—His Oneness (the Shema).

 The whole idea of the Trinity is that God is diverse and social, even within Himself, apart from us. You see this from Genesis on, where God is hovering, considering, conversing even before He creates people. He is relational. People it turns out reflect who He is—a God of diversity, and a relational social God.

In Genesis, God is hovering in social relationship within Himself–The Spirit and Christ and Father are collaborating together. Then when they create humans, they make them social–creatures in relationship. This relational quality to being human is part of how become ourselves. We relate, therefore we become who we are. We are social by nature.

Death divides, Life unites. Let’s move in the ways of Life. Let’s be those who usher in unity with the beauty of diversity. Be part of symbolizing that. Let’s participate in the symbol of who God actually is. “A symbol is something which participates in the Reality to which it points.” As Paul Tillich put it. This is but one reason why symbols matter.

 Arguing against racism from symbols may seem odd to some. But everything we do has a symbolic dimension which communicates. Reality is replete with a symbolic dimension which is always talking, as one art critique put it.

  Racism symbolizes disintegration. Rather than growing in relation, we react to other in fear, and lose that mutual blessing of formation which can only come by loving relation with others who are not like you.

 Loving relationship with other is the way we are given to grow up, mature. When we reject an entire race, we lose out on knowing a huge part of who God is.

  God reflects Himself in racial diversity. So to throw out a whole people group is to lose relationship with that part of God’s reflection. We are the poorer because of it.

 Humans are meant to become in relationship with one another. We are social becomers, as Dallas Willard put it. When we throw out an entire people group, it cripples our own souls.

 Social relationship with others who are not like us, is how things are set up for us to become more fully human and alive. There is a mutual life flow which happens when with others unlike ourselves. There is a mutual edification and becoming, which is only possible in that relational way.

The opposite of racism is proactively loving those who are not like yourself, and receiving that mutual becoming which is only possible in diversity.

We are able to become ourselves to the degree we are in depth and loving relationships with one another. We become by loving one another.

But God is One integrated, diverse yet unified relational social God.

Finding the good soil in one another to plant the seeds of life we carry daily. Where is the cloud or fire in one another, where is the Spirit hovering in today’s conversation with others.

 In conversation we seek to find where the Spirit is, and how to amplify the conversation in that area. Once you sense where God is in the conversation, go there and listen well, and expand it. Give the Voice room.

 When you see a light a spark, pull out a spotlight and shine it there, then the conversation will have meaning and healing in it. We must find the good soil in one another in order to not waste our blessings. As the parable teaches—some areas of each of us are stoney or rocky, other parts have weeds, other parts accessible to the dark birds which steal; but each of us also has good soil where what is planted reproduces and gives life to others around us. Find that soil in one another daily, and you will have the pleasure of the spiritual farmer.

This requires us to pray and listen first, to discern where that good soil is. This is a counselor’s wisdom. But just as in good art, we follow where the Spirit hovers, and join in there in one another. That’s produces fruit which outlast us. We are sort of co-dj’s with the Holy Spirit. Even in our daily conversations, I ask, ok God what part of this conversation are you talking about? Which part are you dialoguing with? I want to collaborate with Your Spirit. It’s not just what you carry, it is the wisdom to plant it well. It is learning how to find the good soil.

Our part in building the ancient spiritual house. What is your generation’s part of the overall structure God is building to wear His Own name through the generations of His Purposes? He is writing a grand novel about Himself through all the generations; what is your generation’s chapter to add?

My own generation are namers, interpreters and authenticators. So…

Why authenticators now? Why have a generation of those who are manifesting and walking with Christ in a truly authentic manner. Why would He emphasize that now, in the overall building of His Church or expression on earth. Why authenticate Christianity now?

I often feel the generations of His Purposes, and try to seek out what He is emphasizing each generation. What is He highlighting about Himself through your generation?

Through mine, it is authenticity. We are transparent and real about who we are, and who He is. There is no religious interruption, or ideological one.

I feel the chapters of His Story, and how we are uniquely included in the grand narrative. At times, i can step outside my own generational role and just enjoy the overall story. We each have our part to play, but the story is much bigger than us. May we build well on the foundation which is already laid.

 St Paul warned us to build our part well in the long spiritual saga, and to recall the foundations and be thankful that others built well before us. We test our building on whether we an see the foundation which is Christ, and then we move out with the Father and consider the whole structure, then we add our particular part, we are privileged to build with Him.

 But we are judged based on how well and what we built with, and whether we are in and with Him as we build. We need wisdom to see what materials to use for our story of the building. We have to catch a glimpse of the whole structure to know what’s wise to build with for our part. So if we build with authenticity, if ours is the authentic room in the house, then we do that well, but we also consider how it fits into the whole building.

 I think it’s wise to consider why you are spiritually building with the materials you have. Father is the master builder, and we can ask Him—hey why are you using me now? Why put in authenticity into the story at this point?

 Well the church needs to be real and clear as the best option. Jesus needs to walk in skin and bones now, as He did in real life. But this needs to be emphasized in our season. The Real Jesus—not just religion. But people who are really in Him, and being themselves. That is one of His methods of revealing Himself in this season, and there is a reason for that!

Knowing why your generation now, helps keep us motivated to build and be well. To stand into His purposes for your own generation with passion and integrity.

 There is also a prophetic reason He would emphasize authentic spirituality in my own generation. People need to see un-phony Christians, those who realize and admit their own brokenness and partialness, but that Jesus is still perfect and One worth following. To reveal the trajectory of spiritual growth. The Perfect having come into the imperfect form of our real lives. That we still struggle with our false selves, but our true selves are being formed actively in living relationship with Jesus.

 When you look at the generation of His Purposes over my own generation, you see He is emphasizing authenticity. New authentic forms of being friends of Jesus is His method for this chapter of His Story. For His deeper incarnation in His People, requires us to be real about who we are, where we have come this far in terms of His Formation of His Life in us, and an authentic expression of our passion and struggles to know and be with Him more.

 It is an act of Mercy to offer examples of people who are really open about their own struggles, but also clearly overtly tangibly moving in His Spirit.

Reading and teaching from Isaiah 41 (and 63) this week as a lens for now: here’s what I’m getting in a nutshell: Don’t fear, instead rejoice, and tell God stories…

  The great and most erudite of the prophets Isaiah has this great chapter set at the end of the world. There are three characters in this passage: God, His friends, and those who are building idols of one sort of another.

  God’s friends are asked to do three things in times of shaking and idol building: not to be afraid, to actually rejoice instead, and to tell the stories of God’s kindnesses.

  Nothing has changed in terms of the correct response to turbulent times. Practice actively (whatever practices help you not move in fear) not moving in the ways of fear, actually rejoice as a sign that God is still here, and tell stories (in whatever medium you choose), past and present of all God’s kindnesses.

  God stories make room for God to be here. Or as Madeleine L’Engle wrote: “Jesus was not a theologian. He was a God who told stories.”

 Raw notes from my little homily today: why not share it here also, as this is like the outer courts of the temple where the people gather to discuss what’s up. And Jeremiah always hung out in that space. And I like that guy! Anyway…if you don’t believe in Jesus, or if you like Jesus but don’t like religion, just skip to the parts about Love versus fear!

Today i watched a father show his son a bullet hole in a wall. The son grew afraid and the father already was.

 I was on the way to talk to a small group of people on Henri Nouwen’s idea of moving from the house of fear to the house of love, and living from that place where we hear the tone of Love in our hearts as a necessary spiritual practice in our times of fear and shaking externally. I had felt impressed to meditate on Isaiah 41 today, and was going to teach from that passage which is set in the end times.

  I was thinking, that we as friends of the Prince of Peace, if we take that friendship seriously, not just religiously, are meant to according to Isaiah, move in the opposite spirit than fear if we are His Friends, and not just religious acquaintences.

  For ideology (or even our best ideas) want make us safe or a safe place, “the shelter of the Presence of the Most High” and friendship or close proximity with Him, will. We have to actually walk around as friends of God.

 That in Him, we are safe havens of love and kindness, His presence is Peace, and we are carriers of that Presence; especially as darkness increases, and true light of His Presence (not just ideologies) must come in higher contrast, as we tell the stories past and present of His kindnesses to us.

 Isaiah is the most erudite and articulate of the prophets, expressing most of his content in fluid symbols which tap into the Reality of his message.

 So you see three directives in this chapter towards God’s friends, which is set in “end times”: don’t fear, rejoice, tell stories of God’s kindnesses so people can know Him, and see the high contrast with the shaking turbulences around them. We get to be living signs in the story.

 There are three characters in this passage: those busy building idols, the friends of God, and God Himself. The setting is the end of the world! Pretty grand narrative here. Similar to chapter 63.

 That’s the opportunity now, in our times. So, we discipline ourselves to not live in fear. We hold fear captive in our hearts, so to the degree it doesn’t rule over us, we can bring that fearlessness to others. That’s the practice of daily overcoming fear. For perfect Love, which is God, cast out fear. So our job is to be in and near God—friends.

 I see increasing fear, anxiety, and confusion everywhere these days. But we are called to do three things: don’t live in fear, instead rejoice, and tell stories of His kindnesses to us. Telling the stories, also keeps us in Peace as we remember His faithfulness across the years of our own narratives.

 So, we are to be clinging to His command to not be afraid (Isaiah 41), to actively, hourly find the Voice of Love, to listen for that tone of His Presence, as Nouwen would put it. Not to fear, instead to actually rejoice, resonate in, and tell His Stories of life through ours! Express well, His “kindnesses” to you—past and present.

 That ushers in healing and the safest place on earth-His Presence. It brings a space of love and safety for others around us, and for ourselves for that matter.

  There’s lots more in this passage and how it relates to chapter 63 as well. Like the type unity (being unified around a common fear is not true or higher unity) that evil has in building idols, how that type of unity is meant to intimidate and distract us from true unity in Love; and the contrasting unity His people have in love. But to hear that part you would have to come to the group.

 Henri Nouwen wrote: “When we begin to understand at a deep, spiritual level that we live surrounded by love and in communion with God no matter what the external circumstances, we can let go of the fear that lurks on the outskirts of our minds. We can move from the house of fear to the house of Love where the Voice and Presence of God is.”

  So, don’t fear, instead rejoice and find His Presence, and tell stories about it, through whatever creative mediums you tell stories. That was my sermon in a nutshell.

 Interesting always how “real life” brings scriptures to life. Turns out they still apply. I promise i compressed this into seven minutes at the gathering! Not easy to do when preaching from da prophets!

 Hope I get to see that man and his son again to tell them they don’t have to live in fear. In the meantime, i’ll say it here.

So let me just suggest, here is what the true church, at least should be doing now: practicing not being in any sort of fear (whatever spiritual practices keep you out of the ways of fear), being actively in His Joy (re-joicing–ie re-bounding and re-sounding His Joy), and telling every story you can think of from the past and present of God’s kindness to you personally. This will make a way on earth for others to encounter Him directly. And it is our mandate now. We are meant to be signs in these times.

The seasons of life…why marry another?

Each aspect and season of life is sensual and beautiful in its on way, a marriage or collaboration into being and becoming—can we live that out fully? Not just the lover metaphor or  initial stages (the attraction to the carnival of life), but the being in constant communion through all the season of life-the dying for one another when it is tougher and not as lovely.

Some seasons of life are sheer work together. The blazing of sharpening the inner heart’s furnace of faith. Others are ridiculously pleasurable. Either way. We must chose to continue as one…that’s the bond of becoming…

The Song of Solomon is meant to lead us towards the incarnation of Revelations, and laboring with, into, as one, the fullnesses of one another–the symphony of selves only possible in wedding.

 The Lover stage is easy. Attraction is simple. Sacrifice is harder.  The daily deaths necessary to become. The Laboring with, through seasons of life, stages and levels of sacrifice—more like Jesus; more like the One who originally attracted you. Why not go on into the fullness of His Glory…to become older together is the best art. The best wines have passed through many seasons of life.

Why do we stop at lover? Why not press on to partners in a garden which never ends?! Are we that timid before becoming? The maturation of our own souls and spirits. That intimidated by His calling to become the sons and daughters, the husbands and wives of His Own wedding banquet….

Today i watched a father show his son a bullet hole in a wall. The son grew afraid and the father already was.

 I thought how we, as friends of the Prince of Peace, if we take than friendship seriously, not just religiously, are meant to according to Isaiah, move in the opposite spirit than fear if we are His Friends.

 That in Him we are safe havens of love and kindness, His presence is Peace, and we are carriers of that Presence; especially as darkness increases, and true light (not just ideologies) must come in higher contrast, as we tell the stories past and present of His kindnesses to us. (Isaiah 41).

 Isaiah is the most erudite and articulate of the prophets, expressing most of his content in fluid symbols which tap into the Reality of his message.

 So you see three directives in this chapter towards God’s friends, which is set in “end times”: don’t fear, rejoice, tell stories of God’s kindnesses so people can know Him, and see the high contrast with the shaking turbulences around them. We get to be living signs.

 There are three characters in this passage: those busy building idols, the friends of God, and God Himself. The setting is the end of the world! Pretty grand narrative here. Similar to chapter 63.

 That’s the opportunity now, in our times. So, we discipline ourselves to not live in fear. We hold fear captive in our hearts, so to the degree it doesn’t rule over us, we can bring that fearlessness to others. That’s the practice of daily overcoming fear.

I see increasing fear everywhere these days. But I’m clinging to His command to not be afraid (Isaiah 41), instead to actually rejoice and tell His Stories of life!  Isaiah taught us that His friends are the safe places on earth. Where His friends are, there is peace and true story telling. So, I won’t give into fear. Instead I will rejoice for the Lord is with me. And so I can be a place of Peace and Safety for others, and bring them into His Haven—the shelter of The Most High’s long story. Perfect love, cast out fear.

My job then will be to not be in fear, rejoice and tell the stories of God in my life. That’s my conviction for the rest of my life. That’s what God teaches us to do in the end times through Isaiah the prophet. And that’s what I want to do. Tell the stories, not live in fear and rejoice in God openly, overtly as a sign to others.

Art giving!

   My dear friend sent this sketch of me this week of my lamenting cowboy self, as an art response to my little video.  Nice to have someone observe you in this medium. And to respond by making art, and share it as a gift.

 Something happens when responding to one another through art. Can’t recall having someone sketch me before, other than when I worked at the art school in San  Fran. Thanks friend! That blessed my day. Kindness and art exchanged between friends is like oil on one’s cowboy hat.

 Art given between friends may be my love language. Give da gift of art to one another! Takes it out of da market and into da Love!

  If we all just started making art, or giving our gifts (gifts of beholding and creating in response to one another’s lives), things might get better.

  I have so many artist friends globally. I would love to do a whole show of art gifts others have given me over the years. And art responses from me. I love how art as gift giving, just keeps giving deep to deep, symbol to symbol, heart to heart and helps heal us in unseen ways. Art in dialogue has a unique power.

 That was the essence of my art therapy training at Lesley college years back in Cambridge, Mass. Art–responding to one another’s lives through art, is mutually healing, on a level that sometimes even words can’t touch. The gift of beholding one another through art, and then giving it as a gift of sight, can’t be underestimated in the healing journey.

 Thinking lots recently about ways to bring unity in many types of communities—making art in encounter with one another, would be a simple way.

 Make up a song for someone today (or your city or nation), or whatever way you choose to play, whatever medium catches your fancy today, and giving it to them as a gift. I guarantee it will bless them! This one, did me.

 The other thing it does, if you are an artist, or one who highlights the creative process, is redirect your gift from just self success or expression, and marketing your own gifts (whether in ministry, counseling or art, for that matter) to actually blessing others.

 Something to be said about the humility factor involved—how it turns navel gazing and the pressures of success towards loving one another.

 Just some art thoughts today, having received this little treasure. And how to give from the gifts we are given!

 Anyway, this little sketch made me think of that today. And blessed me. Thanks friend for reminding me of things that matter in this short creative, and still beautiful life!

His burden is light. We can only bear the amount of light given to each of us. That is our range of constellation or what St Paul calls our radiance. We are responsible for developing that radiance however. Spirituality is not passive in that way. And He will not give us more than we can bear—that amount meant to form us properly if we let those trials become His Victories in us. Thinking about the bearable light. That amount of light we are meant to collaborate with God in. That level of understanding, insight and ability to live well. That’s our part of the garden to tend. The pleasant lines of our inheritance. As we get older we start to sense the parameters of our labor. The circumference of our domains. We stop trying to move in other’s fields, but tend our own in order to bless others. It is part of knowing the pleasant lines of our particular domains in life. What part of the situation we are meant to bless, and when to defer to others. So we don’s “soul” effort it into place. When young, we are searching for our fields. We are learning to possess them, to become them; then, we move on into seasons of cultivation so the fruits of our lives can bless others. Each of us have unique paths in this sense, which are somehow mysteriously networked in God. Life is beautiful in that way, and His burden is Light!

The nighttime sky-scape has been moving me this week….

  The barefoot risk of seeing the  moon this week, was worth it! It’s been a pleasure just watching the drama in the skies above us all this season, in the midst of the turbulence of the days. Enjoy watching the skies wherever you are friends! The skies continue to contextualize us. Thankful for the little big things this week—the domes of glory we are encapsulated in.