November is when Christmas starts. So, think about how you want to celebrate the birth of Christ this year:

There's a great post over at On Movements that I'll post here. It begs us to look critically at the benefits and pitfalls of social networks (like Facebook) and to question whether we're addressing church and mission in the same manner.

1. Homophily: People like to hang out with others who are similar to themselves. This homophily is a source of connection because it allows you to find people with whom to work and socialize. But it can be also a source of stagnation if it means you don’t expose your thinking and your work to different opinions and perspectives and information.

2. Clustering: Homophily leads to clusters of people who know each other. Within a cluster, information and ideas are shared and in many case opinions become aligned to a certain way of thinking. Also, if you know one person in a cluster, you are very likely to know or to be able to be introduced to someone else in that cluster. Again, like homophily, the principle of clustering is good in providing shared frameworks of thoughts, ideas, and methods but bad when it keeps you from seeing other ways of thinking that might bring more success and progress.

3. Multi-dimensional Identities: Fortunately, this principle of multi-dimensional identities implies that people can be part of many clusters at once. Networks flourish as members willingly connect to other clusters by tapping into the other dimensions of their identity (hobbies, professions, religious practice, political beliefs, professional work, etc.).

4. Small worlds: Big worlds are made small by multi-dimensional people joining with clusters along their many dimensions. As people join into different clusters based on their multi-dimensional identity, they increase connections within the network and make the world smaller and more collaborative. Diffusion of innovation and the practice of collaboration happens as we create short paths between different people in a small-world network.

5. Innovation Thru Cross-Pollination: When ideas or patterns are translated across clusters, cross-pollination occurs. This leads to creativity and innovation. Networks work best when clusters interact regularly and align thinking and ideas with each other while at the same time allowing new ideas and patterns to be transferred from one cluster to another.

6. Stagnation: Networks can become stagnated when they are too highly connected–particularly at the cluster level. Even “hubs” with high numbers of connections can stagnate because with so many connections, each connection means very little to the hub. Thus, new ideas are never given a chance. Hubs must consciously seek connections to clusters from other communities that aren’t over-connected and closed.

7. Dilution: On the other hand, networks can suffer a dearth of connectivity, leaving too few relationships for ideas and information and support to move. Networks must seek clusters with enough connectivity to introduce fresh ideas.

8. Weak ties: Networks take advantage of weak ties between people–the casual acquaintanceships and friend of friend relationships. Strong ties imply membership in the same clusters; weak ties lead to more connections across clusters. Networks must activate these weak ties to find new opportunities, stretch thinking, and exchange support.

So what do we take from these ideas?

First, many of us love to hang out with "people we like" which isn't a bad thing in itself. However, many of us choose to form our identity out of those with whom we hang meaning if I think someone's artsy and I want to be more artsy I try to hang with only the artsy. Or maybe you want to be desired by the opposite sex so you hang with those who are getting the attention. This can translate into Facebook friends as well. The problem with placing our identity in relationships with others is that it makes us shallow people. Not only do we begin to think like they do, act like they do thus narrowing our perspective but we also fail to acknowledge the goodness of God's creation in others that don't seem to help us create our identity. If our identity is in Christ, however, everything changes. We suddenly become drawn to those people who aren't like us as much as those that are. What's more, we find we're free. You're free from the need to be artsy or to be desired sexually or to be good at sports or have the most friends or the coolest friends or the weirdest friends, etc. It's tough to do, especially when we feel fragile, but we need to seriously ask the question, do my friends define me? To choose to follow Christ is to break free from homophily and clustering as identity issues.

Secondly, I hope you see this as a call to get out of your own universe, to explore relationships with people who see the world differently than you do. To share ideas, laugh and mingle with those you'd normally stray from. Your faith will benefit from it as will your character.

If you know me and you read this blog with any regularity you know I like The Colbert Report. Below is an excellent example of why. Colbert pokes tongue-in-cheek at those who place faith in the economic systems that sustain us. The recent financial turmoil in the States is a reminder that our faith is not (or at least SHOULD NOT be) in the systems of the world but in the God who created the world. Watch the video, have a laugh and take a moment to ask where your faith lays.

Christians are called to be mercy where there is no mercy, love where there is no love, and grace where there is no grace. In doing so we associate the name of Christ who is the embodiment of all these divine attributes with a cause that desires to see an end to extreme poverty - something that should be close to our hearts, because it's close to God's. Consider posting a video.

Here is a video of a guy who just helps people. What if we had more people like this on our streets?


Watch CBS Videos Online

Have you ever been embarrassed by Christian subculture? Perhaps someone passed you a testamint, or you were forced to watch McGee & Me or Bible Man or perhaps you bumped into someone wearing one of those "Jesus Christ" t-shirts in the Coke-a-Cola script with the tag line "eternally refreshing." There is plenty of cringe-factor to be found in the Christian subculture. And let's not kid ourselves, there is a Christian subculture at play here. So much so, that when Disney promotes their Narnia movies it hypes them in the Christian market and when political figures want to obtain office they try to please the Christian vote. Dominant US marketing culture has recognized Christians as a culture to be targeted.

But don't think a subculture doesn't exist just because you're in Eastern Europe or Western Europe. As I've travelled around I've discovered that each country's contingent of believers has their own subcultures.

However, these subcultures are not what God has calls us to at all. Christians, if they are following Christ, cannot be a subculture, they must be a counterculture. A subculture buys into the values and ethos of the culture around it but simply adds their own style and view on its own things. A counterculture challenges dominant values not just by singing about a different way of life or by passing out mints with crosses on them but by living out the life Jesus lived.

If we don't, we might end up repeating something like this...



or even worse, this...

OK, time for another installment of Agree:Disagree. Here's how it works: I post a statement below and in the comments you state whether you agree or disagree with it. If you want extra cool-points you can even state why you agree or disagree. OK, here we go...

"God's Kingdom needs some Christians to engage in necessary evils (i.e. wars, lies, stealing, etc.)."

So, what do you think? Do you agree with that statement? Do you disagree with it?......

I'd like to begin a monthly segment on this blog based off our conference and camp discussions. I'll post a statement and in the comments I'd love for you to state whether you agree or disagree with it. If you want extra cool-points you can even state why you agree or disagree. Hopefully we'll get a conversation going.

Agree:Disagree

"You are not truly following Jesus unless you've led someone to Christ."

I love "We Are Winning" by Flobots, a band committed to seeing societal change. You shouldn't just consume music though because I (or your friends) like it. Question it. What is good about this song - musically, stylistically and in its message? What is negative? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

At Conference I used a word we don't often speak in daily conversation: Shalom (remember all those red arrows?). I tried to convey the idea that our personal missions are like windows into the reality of Shalom in this world.

But what is Shalom? We used the word "peace" a lot and Nina at one point defined it as, "the way things are supposed to be." I think both of those are great definitions but if Shalom is so central to the Christian life, we'd better be able to explain it a bit better. So, here are some additional thoughts:

Shalom is Non-Violent:
"And Joshua made peace with them, guaranteeing their lives by a treaty; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them." (Joshua 9:15, NRSV)

Shalom is Right Relationship:
"Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, "Do you come peaceably?" He said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice."" (1 Samuel 16:4-5, NRSV)

Shalom is Prosperity
"And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them; they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it." (Jeremiah 33:9, NRSV)

Shalom is Justice
"These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace, do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, says the LORD." (Zechariah 8:16-17, NRSV)

Shalom is Central to God's Story in this World:
Numbers 6:24-26 (NRSV)
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.


Isaiah 9:6-7 (NRSV)
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.


Ezekiel 37:24-28 (NRSV)
My servant David shall be king over them; and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and be careful to observe my statutes. They shall live in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, in which your ancestors lived; they and their children and their children's children shall live there forever; and my servant David shall be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will bless them and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary among them forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations shall know that I the LORD sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is among them forevermore.


So, as we saw at Conference, Shalom describes life at the beginning of all things (Gen. 2) and at the end of all things (remember the two trees?). Shalom thus makes its way into all aspects of our life, from how we shop to how we see shopping malls. It changes how we relate to one another and how we relate to ourselves. It calls into question how we treat the planet and how we treat its Creator.

There is much more to say. In many ways defining Shalom helps us see the world anew. I'd love to hear more descriptions from you.

As followers of the Way of Jesus Christians need to be communities who not only demand change in this world but communities who become the change for this world. If you're sitting there wondering what needs to change and how you can change begin by reading this article entitled, "50 Facts That Should Change the Way We Live." Embrace change, no, demand it.

How often do you find yourself arguing your faith with your friends? Maybe you do it a lot, maybe not at all. Often we Christians can be so consumed with being right or feeling we have to defend God (as though he can't take care of himself) that we forget to love those who disagree with us, those who might even hate what we love. There is a new documentary coming out that I think will be worth our time. It is called Purple State of Mind and it tells the story of two lifelong friends, one a follower of Christ, the other an atheist and the conversations they've had. Check out the trailer:

It's nice to see the world come together around dancing:



About the video:

Matt is a 31-year-old deadbeat from Connecticut who used to think that all he ever wanted to do in life was make and play videogames. Matt achieved this goal pretty early and enjoyed it for a while, but eventually realized there might be other stuff he was missing out on. In February of 2003, he quit his job in Brisbane, Australia and used the money he'd saved to wander around Asia until it ran out. He made this site so he could keep his family and friends updated about where he is.

A few months into his trip, a travel buddy gave Matt an idea. They were standing around taking pictures in Hanoi, and his friend said "Hey, why don't you stand over there and do that dance. I'll record it." He was referring to a particular dance Matt does. It's actually the only dance Matt does. He does it badly. Anyway, this turned out to be a very good idea.

A couple years later, someone found the video online and passed it to someone else, who passed it to someone else, and so on. Now Matt is quasi-famous as "That guy who dances on the internet. No, not that guy. The other one. No, not him either. I'll send you the link. It's funny."

The response to the first video brought Matt to the attention of the nice people at Stride gum. They asked Matt if he'd be interested in taking another trip around the world to make a new video. Matt asked if they'd be paying for it. They said yes. Matt thought this sounded like another very good idea.

In 2006, Matt took a 6 month trip through 39 countries on all 7 continents. In that time, he danced a great deal.

The second video made Matt even more quasi-famous. In fact, for a brief period in July, he was semi-famous.

Things settled down again, and then in 2007 Matt went back to Stride with another idea. He realized his bad dancing wasn't actually all that interesting, and that other people were much better at being bad at it. He showed them his inbox, which, as a result of his semi-famousness, was overflowing with emails from all over the planet. He told them he wanted to travel around the world one more time and invite the people who'd written him to come out and dance too.

The Stride people thought that sounded like yet another very good idea, so they let him do it. And he did. And now it's done. And he hopes you like it.

Matt lives in Seattle, Washington with his girlfriend, Melissa, and dog, Sydney. He hasn't had a real job since Stride called him up. Matt doesn't mind working, but he doesn't much care for having to show up at the same place every day.

Matt is not rich. Matt also doesn't have some magical secret for traveling cheaply. He does it pretty much the same way everybody else does.

Matt thinks Americans need to travel abroad more.

For more info click here.

Not sure if any of you are Colbert Report fans but I sure am. The Anglican Bishop and theologian NT Wright recently stopped by the show to promote his new book, Surprised by Hope which asserts that Heaven isn't the end but merely a stopping point before the New Heavens and New Earth are created. I've been talking about this idea for a while ever since my theology classes with Dr. Ockholm in Wheaton and so was happy to see him give quite a succinct treatise on the idea while keeping his sense of humor. Check out the clip below and let me know what you think of his ideas.

Did I miss something?

Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, recently had author Philip Zimbardo, a Stanford Professor, on his show to share about his upcoming book, The Lucifer Effect. Colbert is known for his sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek humor but on this show he broke character for a few seconds when Philip Zimbardo said, "Lucifer was right, and God was wrong," Colbert, who teaches sunday school, responded, "Evil exists because of the disobedience of Satan. God gave Satan, the angels and man free will. Satan used his free will and abused it by not obeying authority. Hell was created by Satan's disobedience to God , and his purposeful removal from God's love, which is what hell is: removing yourself from God's love. You send yourself to hell; God does not send you there."

What does it mean to stand up for your faith?

You can see the interview here:

Look down. How much did your shoes cost? They probably cost a lot. Check out this provocative video by Radiohead and MTV:

Often how we look at our lives can result in what we see God doing (or not doing). These photo collections are prime examples of how perspective plays a part in what we see...

Li Wei shoots photos without any digital enhancement. He uses props, mirrors and perspective to achieve these amazing photographs:



Check Out Li Wei's Photos.

Or check out some sweet souvenir shots.

We know that the poor will always be with us but do we know who the poor are or why they are poor? I remember a few years back when Eoin was an infant Hailey and I were walking through Ventura, CA when a homeless man approached us asking for money. In a gut reaction I remember wanting to protect Eoin from any germs this man might have so we walked on. When I got home that night I felt ashamed and remember talking to my brother about it on Skype. I said, "Should I have given the man some money or let him touch Eoin?" My brother responded, "Before you give him some money or let him touch Eoin you should probably be willing to shake his hand." That story has always stuck with me.

So I have a question for you: "What is Poverty?"

Think through the answer to that for a few minutes and then,

WATCH THIS VIDEO

Do you agree with this man's definition? Why/why not?

I just finished watching the DVD "Dispatch Zimbabwe: Live at Madison Square Garden." Have you ever heard of Dispatch? Maybe you have. I hadn't. They are a reggae-influenced band with no record deal but a great networked following. So networked, in fact, that they managed to sell out Madison Square Garden three nights in a row and give all the proceeds to helping the nation of Zimbabwe. Quite a challenge to those of us who think we have nothing to give, who think we don't have what it takes to join God in his mission of world reconciliation. Reminds me of a boy with fish and bread. But these guys put their offering out there and were blown away by the results.

We dropped Hailey off at the DART yesterday leaving me with the kids for the afternoon. I asked the kids what they wanted to do - go to Grandma's house, play in the park, get a bite to eat... Eoin pipped up, "Lets go to the toy shop!" Now I love the toy shop as much as the next guy but the kids had just received a ton of presents from their Grandma and felt they didn't need more toys in their lives just now. I explained this reasoning with the kids to which Eoin responded with little reflection, "I need lots of toys!" Read More...

I recently finished watching Frontline: Growing Up Online. It is a compelling look at how teens engage with the internet in the US. It looks at the effects of social network sites (like Facebook & MySpace) on youth culture and suggests that just as we learn social interaction skills so do we need to learn online skills. One of the biggest insights I felt was the distinction between how adults and teens interact with the web. For adults it is a place we go for additional services, be it shopping, emailing, or gathering information. For teens the internet is just a natural progression of their daily interaction with friends. To not have it is to be isolated. The 45 minute documentary is well worth your time and is available to view online for free or can be purchased from iTunes for $1.99.

As Christians do we know what we're for? Do we know what we're all about or are we just trying to be on the right side? If Christianity becomes simply about not doing things then we miss the point entirely. Read More...

Is Jesus cool? Can you be cool and a Christian too? Perhaps these questions miss the point. Read More...

GEM-Ks fly a lot. Often we feel comfortable on planes. I'm not convinced that's just because we've flown so much. Read More...