Darwinian theology of Church

Here's an ironic twist.
Evangelical christians by and large would reject the teaching of Darwin as anti-biblical, but in my opinion for all the wrong reasons. We reject Darwinism because, as is promoted, it removes God from the origin of life equation. Yeah, that's a bad thing. However, the irony is we support the theory of natural selection ie. the strong will survive. In this age of pop-christianity evangelicalism the church rejects, by our actions and behaviour, the gospel which stands in contradiction to this teaching. Are you confused yet? Let me help clarify...

Darwin taught that species would survive because the strongest of said species would survive thereby carrying on the characteristics and traits which are strongest. The weakest of the species would die off along with their undesirable and weak traits. In fact accordint to natural selection the weakest are meant to die off so their traits are not propogated among the species.

The church by and large, outside of a new groundswell of post-modern young adults, has not done well in looking after the weakest of society. We promote asthetics, power and ability as those things which are desirable in leaders, in 'healthy' churches, in congregations etc. If you've been in a church for a long time you know that as a teen there was a church "in-crowd" and then the stage crew...Church mirroring society...

The strength of a community is not measured by the strength of it's people or it's economy. The kingdom of God measures it by the strength of God's economy of grace and the extent to which the weakest are the recipients of said grace. So it is not the survival of the fittest, but rather, supernatural selection, the survival of the weakest.

peace,
rZ

Boxing Day Lust

Need: Food, Shelter, Human interaction
Want: TV, Cable, car, Swiss Chalet, Timex
Desire: Recordable DVD, SUV, Bulova, The Mandarin, HD Camcorder, Toni Braxton
Lust: 50" HD Plasma TV, Mustang, Tag Hauer, Pamela Anderson

This boxing day...Where did you find yourself? Were you enjoying the company of community in the comfort of your home or shoe-horned into BestBuy and Future Shop with a marauding band of sweaty shoppers with drool falling from their lips, and lust in their eyes?

rZ

I Can't...We Are Having Church

I met Mitchell outside my apartment a while back (which is on the property of The Salvation Army "Emergency" Shelters.) His truck was stolen, along with everything in it. He needed a bed for the night but we, I (the Army) couldn't give him one because he didn't have identification. Remember it was stolen with his truck.

I had to drop him off at a local park where others who can not get into shelters for the night sleep on park benches only to be kicked out a few hours later by the local police.

This is the best I had to offer. A free ride to the local park and all because he doesn't have identification.

He told me that he went to one shelter and they told him that he couldn't have a bed. So he asked for cup of water. They told him, "We can't. We are having church right now."

I was mad but now I wonder if that is any worse than what I did by dropping him off at the park to sleep outside? Just a question that I am continuing to ask.

Cory

Holy Incarnation!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hoidays, HOLY INCARNATION!

Last night I was playing cards with my family and Jonathan, my husband, got conversation going by posing the question:

"What's your favourite part of the Incarnation?"

Now I'm not one to come up with a clearly stated and thought provoking answer to most questions, however, the scripture that came to my mind immediately was:

Hebrews 4:14-16
"So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

The thing about this scripture that sticks out for me now is the promise in God incarnate of grace when we need it. I need grace a lot. Grace today and most likely grace tomorrow. Jesus, in His mercy, gives me what I don't deserve, and I believe part of that is His work in me; making me more like Him.

Last night at a candlelight service someone offered up a prayer that had a line something like... "Today, make us less like the inn, noisy and crowded, and more like the stable, peaceful and with room for Jesus." I pray this Christmas that time spent with the Lord will make us more a reflection of our 'Holy Incarnation.'

Amen

Chew your way to annointed blessing

So I did a bad thing…I sent my name and address to Peter Popoff, self proclaimed prophet of God. So far I’ve received a plastic pouch of PP’s miracle spring water. I was supposed to drink it, sleep for a night, then send PP $47. This guy is the devil. I’m sure of it.

Anyway, second letter – Peter sent me a cloth hand outline, which he personally laid his Holy Spirit Prophet Annointed hand on for me, and also a vile of PP’s Holy Land Miracle Annointing Oil. I just have to drink the oil and give PP a “big financial blessing” so I’ll get a big blessing. God can’t bless me if I only give a small blessing.

And on it’s way…3 sticks of PP Holy Spirit Resurrection Anointed Power chewing gum. Seriously. I’ve gotta chew gum to release the Holy Spirit’s power in my life.

So, to recap…Drink the water, eat the oil and chew the gum. How about smoke some dope, drink alcohol and break out the checkbook. That seems to make a whole lot more sense to me…

And do we still shake our heads and wonder why so many people hate Christians and evangelists? I'm not even sure some days how I feel about them, and I’m one of them. God help us.

Peace,
rZ

Who are "They"?

This past Saturday we had a Christmas party. It took a lot of planning and a lot of effort to make it happen, but the end result was soooo rewarding. We had a great bunch of people there, and it wasn't just kids, but Moms and Dads and Grammas and Aunties.

Since we don't have a building that can fit that many people, we tag-teamed with a local corps that has a Boys and Girls Club attached to it. We had games in the gym to start things off, and one my personal highlights was the parents vs. kids basketball game.
One of the parents that was there had spent time at that B & G Club when he was a kid, it was his neigbourhood, his club. Now, as an adult, he gets to play there with his kids. He's not high (anymore) he's not in jail (anymore) and he's not absent (anymore). To me, that's redemptive, and that's miraculous.

One of the things with the whole '614' ministry model, is that it's not about me, it's about them. See, we just show up and love Jesus and follow Holy Spirit around, and He fulfills Isaiah 61:1-3:

...to bring good news to the poor...to comfort the brokenhearted...to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed...to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies...to give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair...

As all these divine transformations occur - instantly and over time - then they, those brokenhearted ones, the captives, the prisoners, those caught in grief and despair, then they will rise up and rebuild and restore cities, neigbourhoods and families that have been devastated for generations.

Amen. Do it Lord Jesus. We believe on You Lord for miracles, for salvation and lifelong, full-on commitment to You and to building Your Kingdom. Refine us as ministers, and carve away every bit of preaching that we've made up and added on ourselves. Let the pure water of Your Word proceed from our mouths and wash over a dry and weary land, bringing refreshment and promise. Please. Amen.

Fruit

Have you ever stopped to think ...that one bite of a piece of fruit condemned all of creation?
Romans 8:1 speaks to the renewal of creation for creation itself feels the pressure of the present evil age, the flesh (us humans).
Have you ever stopped to think...the scope of redemption is bigger than what you and I have ever thought or imagined?
Rev 21 & 22 - this earth we walk will be made right (rectified). The Jerusalem above has invaded the present, Mount Zion has come to earth.
In the same way as believers in Christ Jesus, although we may physically live in the present we are commanded to "live by the Spirit" (Gal 5:16) with the understanding that Christ is alive and the future has invaded the present. To "walk, keep in step, become slaves, love your neighbor as yourself, live sacrificially..." takes intentional work on our part, it is deliberate, and this is what it means to walk in accord with the gospel. When we deliberately walk with the Spirit God produces fruit - the fruit is a community of faith that looks like God's kingdom - full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Gal 5:22,23). Have you ever tried to be 'more' patient? Have you felt the unnecessary guilt that you lack joy or peace. Maybe you beat yourself up because you don't have enough faith. Let the gospel liberate you...it is NOT your fruit to produce, it is the product of the Spirit's work. And it is the Spirit working in a community to produce all the fruit that will proclaim the gospel in a world that feels and experiences the pressure of the present age. The hope? " For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm. " (Gal 5:1)
Deana

"We must really hate our children"

A large part of our economic health in North America is based on consumer spending. Retail buying translates into consumer confidence and ultimately into strength of economy. So, it's no wonder that retailers spend so much money to push their propoganda down our throats at every turn. One of my favourite, and more disturbing commercials is the "Best Buy" commercial where the clerk helps people through the store identifying products, not by their name or type, but by the reactions you'll get when you bring them home for your family this Christmas. Translation: They will know how much you love them by how much you spend. Here are a few of the descriptions:

42" HD flat panel TV - Oh my God, you are amazing
XBox 360 - You're the best dad ever
Personal DVD player - This family rocks
MP3 bluetooth with Internet capability Cellphone - Wake me up I'm dreaming

Here's some of the gifts we're giving, and when filtered through BestBuy criteria, the anticipated reactions:

Toaster - keep it close to the bed 'cause it's gonna be a cold winter my dear
Sweater - clothes, you shouldn't have
Book - Why don't you just hold me down and kick me in the groin?
Socks/underwear - You are one pathetic loser
A goat for World Vision - whose parents are you?

Conclusion: We must really hate our children

Ephesians 2:8 - "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God."

The advent of Christ is upon us and still some will say, "nice, a baby. Where do we plug it in?" As you celebrate remember to declare by your actions and words, "YOU ARE THE GREATEST DAD IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!"

Peace,
rZ

Slow Down

Be still and know that He is God.
Be still O restless soul of mine,
Be Speechless!

As Christmas comes and those of us in the Salvation Army start pulling more and more of our hair out by the roots...we need to take time and remember that no matter how many kettle shifts are unmanned or toys have to be given out (wrapped no less) that we need to take a moment and be still. Jesus didn't come to the earth to give out toys and hampers. Make no mistake in thinking that these things are not important because they are. Feeding the person is instrumental in being able to feed their soul but that should not come first. Take a moment and be speechless. See the wonder in the season that celebrates a virgin birth of a baby that was fully a Majestic God and yet fully human.

Instead of spending our time worrying about what we have to do next, let's spend our kettle shifts talking to God about our day...let's spend the time that we are packing boxes filled with toys by listening to what He wants to speak to us.

Be still.

I shall call this post: O, the life of a Missionary... or, Heather, be ruthless with your time

*authour's disclaimer - this is likely far more information than you ever wanted/needed to know about my life and it is rather long, but if it helps prompts anyone to break their addiction or at least seriously look at their time management issues, then to me, it's worth it. Plus, it's pretty funny, eh? Go on then, have a little laugh...and insert tongue in cheek, please.

I have a pile of dishes that has begun to emit an unpleasant odor in my kitchen (which is inevitable, even with the best of intentions and no matter how neatly you stack those crusty plates). What's worse, is that I have this tendency to fool myself into thinking that I'm going to wash them, by filling the sink with hot sudsy water and immersing the first load of glasses in there, promising myself I'll be back in 5 minutes, once I finish up the email I'm working on only to find myself plunging my hand down into the cold wet water to pull out the drain hours later. Dishes forgotten. Tall stack of still-crusty plates silently mocking me.
There are naked Christmas presents strewn freely on the couch, just waiting to be wrapped.
There are teaching plans, class outlines and assignments to review, all half-done (but organized very nicely into piles with little yellow sticky notes labelling them)just waiting for me on my office desk.
I have 5 books in various state of read-ing-ness scattered about the house, and a stack of notes that I conscientiously took while in my first year @ The War College in Vancouver(2003) that I plan to review any day now - just so it stays fresh - when I get a spare hour or two.

There are neighbours at the door asking to use the phone...then, ding-dong the ladies down the street need a food hamper...ding-dong, one of the kids grammas needs a ride to the store for groceries for dinner...oh, and ding-dong, someone is looking for the painting supplies...ding-dong someone else looking for Rob...
and somewhere in the night, some cowboy is firing off a gun.

and that is merely the external stimuli...don't get me started on the random thoughts that occupy space in my mind!

Is it any small wonder, that amidst all the traffic of the ways, I find myself enveloped, absorbed, swept up for hours in the faraway world of 'online'?
Shock! Horror! Dismay!

I admit it. I am easily sucked into the world that exists through my laptop.

Email. Blogs. The Weather Network...I just can't seem to help myself. I flip from one open window to the next, constantly refreshing the page, eagerly anticipating a new email sent from a friend, colleague or new acquaintance.
I think that if Jesus were on Lotus Notes or GMAIL, He'd hear from me way more often.

So the bottom-line question. Is my busy, mis-managed, overwhelming, barely gettin' stuff done life due to the fact that I'm a woman who has a husband, is ministering to an entire community, as well as training up warriors to win the world for Jesus?

Or do I just spend to much time online?

?

How about you?

p.s. Time spent online composing this blog: 68 minutes

A Christmas Story With Muscle

Maybe it is just me. Perhaps I have just been showing a couple too many Jesus movies lately at our Cafe'. Or maybe I have even listened to a few too many Christmas sermons as we approach that time of the year where we celebrate the birth of Jesus. But I am getting really board with the same-o, lame presentation of the mother of Jesus as this disgraced, ashamed, timid, passive young women, devastated by the news that she is pregnant in a most unusual way.

So if you would indulge a bit of a Christmas story as we have recently learned it at 614 Chattanooga.

It is around the year zero and the whole Jewish world is in a bit of despair. I don't have time to explore why but it has to do with this guy, Caesar Augustus who is claiming to be God and this other guy named Herod who is oppressing the small minority of working class peasant Jews in this far off corner of Caesars world.

(By the way, he is oppressing them by creating a country in which 10% of the people, living in Jerusalem, are controlling and hording all 0f resources while the other 90% starve and are forced to sell off their family land [perhaps this is why Joseph is traveling back to his home town for a census rather than living there.] and live on nothing in a massive state of poverty.)

Luke tells us that an angel comes to visit Mary and tells her that she is going to give birth to a son and she is to name him Yeshua and that he and his kingdom will rule forever. You know the story, right?

What is interesting to me is how the conversation ends. There is one interpretation of the Bible that says, "Here I am, the Lord's servant. Let's get on with it."

So Mary gets the news that she is pregnant in a very odd way and this is her response; "Let's get on with it."

Then she immediately burst into this song. It is not this timid, calm, scared, kind of song. It is a song filled with revolutionary thoughts.

Luke 1:46-48--"My soul magnifies Adonai; and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, who has taken notice of his servant-girl in her humble position. Did you notice the savior part? For Mary, God is not this detached, living way off in heaven, sort of God, floating around on a cloud with harp and flowing robe. For her, God is coming and is going to take care of Caesar and Herod.

Luke 1:49-52--For--imagine it!--from now on, all generations will call me blessed! The Mighty One has done great things for me! Indeed, his name is holy and in every generation he has mercy on those who fear him. He has performed mighty deeds with his army, routed the secretly proud, brought down rulers from their thrones, raised up the humble. These are revolutionary thoughts about bringing down the kingdom of Caesar and Herod.

Luke 1:52-53--filled the hungry with good things, but sent the rich away empty. Here is her condemnation not of wealth but of those who exploit, manipulate, and control others so they can have more while others can have less. She says this kind of greed and manipulation, God will not put up with.

Historian, Thomas Cahill, calls this poem of Mary, "the most muscular poem of all time." He says, "find me a poem that has more muscles in it."

Mary's story and the Christmas story for that matter are the story of minority, oppressed people who have been stepped on long enough and God has been watching. God has been watching the humble and has not deserted or forgotten them. God is going to fight for those who got the short end of the stick. The Christmas story is one of history. It is a story of those who have been oppressed and those who oppress and God is saying it will not go on forever.

Cahill goes on to say, "Mary's humility in this poem is hardly meek and unassuming. This is a larger than life song of triumph thanking God for righting the wrong by making a definitive choice for the powerless over the powerful.

No one knows it yet but the poor, the hungry and the humiliated have won and this is their unknown representative.

This is the Christmas story from Mary’s perspective. It is her saying, I know Caesar is ruling the world and Herod is ruling the kingdom but in my womb, I got me a baby.

I am the Lord’s servant, let’s get on with it.

So you can talk to me about power and you can talk about militarises and you can talk about oppression but I got me a baby in my womb. And his kingdom will go on forever and ever and ever.

Oh and let me add that Herod’s kingdom now is nothing but a pile of rocks. Caesars legacy is a bunch of men in togas and we are still today celebrate Jesus’ kingdom. So she must have been on to something.

It is a different kind of kingdom and different way to live.

It is not about accumulation it is about generosity.
It is not about trying to control people it is about loving them.
It is not about trying to be your own god but submitting to the God who made everything.
It is not about you running from your past and your failures it is about allowing God to clean you and give you new life.

She says I am the Lord’s servant, let’s get on with it.

Until you get this you have not understood the Christmas story.

Isn't it ironic?

All across the country the Army is collecting funds to help needy people. We have a friend from one of our cells who works in a fairly large sized office. He told us last week that the company announced that they will be donating money to The Salvation Army this Christmas season. And how are they raising the funds you ask? They're having a raffle and the prize is liquor!

Now this may not sound so funny to someone unfamiliar with the Army's values but it's quite ironic since as a movement/church/whatever you want to call us, we abstain from gambling and alcohol. I would bet that this would ruffle many a feather. It makes me think, however, of something I once heard quoted of our founder, William Booth - that he would take money from the devil himself and wash it in the blood of the lamb if it meant furthering God's kingdom.

Elf Yourself

Okay, have a picture of yourself ready and go elfyourself at the above link. Here's mine and it is hysterical, and fun for the whole family. Rick the elf...

Link

We'll have a gay 'ole time

Here we are again with the same-sex marriage debate on the agenda of the religious right. I've been reading websites of those who want to defend traditional Christian values to prevent the erosion of societal values and norms. In other words, the sky is falling, the sky is falling. For crying out loud, they were having a "gay 'ole time" in bedrock and it hasn't destroyed our society yet.

It's not that I'm against a definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. It's just that I think before we start spending all of our limited time and resources on fighting this we ought to look at the bigger fish we need to fry. Here's some stats from statscan and recent newspaper headlines and reports. First, from statscan...Only 44% of families in Canada are married (number includes common-law and traditional marriage). Of those, half will divorce within 3 years. Same-sex couples represent .5% of our country of those who are married. Give it 3 years and that number will actually be about .25% or 1/4 of 1% of married couples in our country who are same-sex.

I don't think this is a hugely influential group who's actions or desires to tie the knot will tear down the moral fabric of Canada, but we're quick to jump on the gay bashing bandwagon. Here's a bigger fish. Tackle those who are divorcing in our congregations. There's a significant number, but I'm leaving that alone.

Here's bigger stats we could focus on:
17.7% of children in Canada live in poverty. Have you heard an evangelical outcry on this number? Have we signed petitions and lobbied our government to do something about this? 49% of children who immigrated to Canada between 1996-2001 live in poverty. How about this number...Approximately 2% of our population is Native, but our prison is pushing close to 18% native representation. When we were living in BC a local paper used to print mugshots on Friday to protect our citizens. The problem was, 100% of the faces were native. Didn't we have any white criminals? Now, does the fact that someone doesn't show up to court for a shoplifting charge, and subsequently has their face in the paper really keep me safe. Who gives a rip? I knew of a local business owner who had been picked up 3 times in less than 6 months for drinking and driving, and I never even heard it in the paper. His lilly white faced never graced the pages either. That I needed to know so I could steer clear of his truck on a Friday night. A final number for our first nations brothers and sisters...40% of first nations children live in poverty.

NOW we're talking about numbers the church can sink it's teeth into, but we still choose to hammer homosexuals, all the time chanting "hate the sin...love the sinner". I'm sorry, but we need to take on the bigger issues of society before we go after this one. Once we've solved some of these issues then let's talk about same-sex marriage.

Solve child poverty and I'll be the first to yell Yabba Dabba Doo.

peace out,
rZ

Christmas and Miracles

Today was a really blissful day! I couldn't help but notice all the miracles around me. I was starting to get really stressed with everything in my schedule running behind...I was waiting for a big delivery to arrive to our Christmas Distribution place and it was VERY late. Just as I was about to phone and see if it was on it's way, it started to snow outside! I LOVE snow so I paused to look at it and at that very same moment up pulls the truck making the delivery! This made me so excited that I yelled out "Look everyone a Christmas miracle!" One man looked at me and said "you see miracles in small things obviously".

That statement really got me thinking. Do I really see all the miracles that God shows me everyday. I think sometimes I forget to stop and see those miracles. They are all around us. Please take the time this week to look for all the miracles that are there every single day...and thank God for those miracles! I know I will be!

Are you toe-ing the edge and about to fall?

Psalm 118:13

"I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song"

I don't like being pushed back. Either a slow shove or a violent push - that place where you are pretty sure you're about to fall backwards and can't avoid it. Both physically and spiritually, that place stinks.

The NASB puts it this way:

"You [my adversary] pushed me violently so that I was falling,But the LORD helped me."

Man. A violent push from the enemy of my soul.

But the LORD has been my help. (Strong's #05826) Also, my Ally. He has supported me (very important when you are about to fall) and succoured me (succour = relief; aid; assistance).

It's a verb y'know, not just a name he's called by.

He's in the business of doing not just being a very present and well-proved help in trouble...

The New Blog Lineup

So here's your new 614network lineup for this blog:
Monday - Carla Evans from Vancouver, BC
Tuesday - Cory Harrison from Chattanooga, TN
Wednesday - Heather Dolby from Charlotte, NC
Thursday - Heather Power from Toronto, ON
Friday - Rick Zelinsky from Winnipeg, MB
Weekends - This writer will join us in the new year...stay tuned

As for me and my blog? I'll start up in the New Year, but keep reading this and I'll update you for those looking to keep up with Dee and I.

We look forward to the interaction on this, and I'm sure you'll find it an eclectic bunch who will probably have some electric blogs.

cheers,
rZ

Blessing and Obedience

I recently had the opportunity and privilege to spend some time with an old friend. We haven't spoken much over the past year, nor have we had much contact via email etc. While she was at my place I knew the Lord wanted me to wash her feet to honour her. I pondered it for a few minutes, knowing that if I didn't do it I'd really regret it later. I wanted to be obedient and bless her, so I interrupted an evening of (MUCH) laughing and conversation with others to ask her if I could do that.

And so, I washed her feet and prayed for her. For me it was a moment in time to show a woman who I love and respect that I value her deeply. That was a blessing. She prayed for me too... for exactly the things concerning me these days. How did she know? She has this intimacy going on with the Lord. She was able to speak a very timely word to me that encouraged me deeply.

I knew I would be blessed in my obedience. I didn't expect that blessing to be so immediate but it was there and it was huge. This experience was another reminder to me of God's desire to use relationships to bring the Kingdom to earth; our relationship with Him pours out into our relationships with others. Praise Him!

So this makes me examine my own life. Have I been drawing close enough to the Lord these days to allow Him to work more fully in my life in this way? How about you?

test post

Just testing this out.

614 Network

You will notice a change in the blog over the next couple of weeks as I try to organize an eclectic group of writers to support this blog. So far, Heather Power from 614 Toronto is on board and we look forward to others. As for a personal blog for me? I may get up and running in January, but will continue to write on this blog on Fridays. I hope you like the new format. Please make comments to help us keep this fresh and interesting.
Peace,
rZ

All Night Of Prayer

I'm at the 614 Toronto All Night of Prayer night tonight. No better time to test the blog out! I am on a break between prayer activities...so just making sure that this post will work for me!

HP