emergence.

Many small things make up something larger that can't be measured just by measuring the small things. 

You are not your nose. A tree is not a leaf. The universe is not a rock. 

But...

Your nose is part of you. A leaf is part of a tree. A rock is part of the universe. 

It gets way more complicated, both biologically, philosophically, and even artistically. Too complicated. But, the general idea is that everything is made up of smaller pieces. 

Which leads some to ask what the human emergence is. In other words, what do all of us make up? 

Some answer god. Which would lead to... You are not god. We are god. Interesting. 

We could go farther and ask what everything in the universe makes up, or creates? The universe, of course. But, we could also answer god. 

The rock is not god. The rock is part of god. The tree is. The rabbit is. We are. Everything is god. Literally. All of it. 

Also interesting. 

I'm not sure you can find much about God in the Bible, or Christian history, that would not agree with the idea that God is the universe. Of course not in that kind of language, but in that kind of thinking. 

Interesting to think about. 

contradictory.

After labeling a country a terrorist sponsor, the United States just sold them 5 fighter jets. 

The Southern Baptist Convention had an easy time condemning gambling and Planned Parenthood but struggled to condemn the alt-right movement. 

I was speaking to a friend who can tell me all the reasons gay marriage is wrong but none of the reasons marrying a divorced woman (mentioned specifically by Jesus as adultery) is okay. 

It's everywhere. In politics, religion, and life: the contradictions. It's on every side, in every faith, and with us all. But it's the contradictions that drive us crazy because a contradiction is a lack of ownership of the true motivations, the actual drive, and lived beliefs. 

Own the fact, that we'll sell weapons to anyone who will give us money. Because we, as a nation, worship money. 

Own the fact that you are racist religious group who believes that laws and rules will change the world. 

Own the fact that you read the Bible a certain way that makes you personally feel better. 

Once we start owning the facts, we can actually start having productive disagreements instead of frustration at so many continued inconsistencies. And don't get upset the next time someone points out your inconsistencies - just thank them. 

weird or boring.

My daughter just asked, would you rather be weird or boring? It's a great question, because at the end of the day, they are our only options. There is no normal. 

So?
Weird or boring? 

The weird...
don't do what we expect
are rare
stand out
create change
challenge stereotypes
resist labels
invite criticism

The boring...
do exactly what we expect
are common
fade into the background
resist change
mold into stereotypes
capitulate to labels
are afraid of any kind of criticism

The weird are uncomfortable. That's why we made a word to describe them and make ourselves feel better at the same time. 

The boring are comfortable. That's why we like them and sometimes want to be them. But, seriously, they are so boring. 

You choose. 

recruiting.

"Because they all like getting recruited, but that’s completely different than playing football."

What a great line from a very successful college football coach about finding the right players. 

You can't be recruited without playing football (or whatever sport it is) but it's interesting how easy it can be to mix up the point and start thinking that recruitment is the goal, instead of more football. 

We all like money.
We all like fame.
We all like being up front.
We all like a good review. 
We all like the applause. 
We all like the article. 

But that's completely different than

Running a business.
Writing a book. 
Recording a song. 
Helping the poor. 
Growing the vegetables. 
Cooking the meal. 

Some football players would play just as hard if there was no such thing as recruitment. Some wouldn't. Some forget that recruiting success only means more football, more recruiting, more football, more fame, more work... 

Which one are you? 
 

they have a nice building.

I was recently at our local mechanic (who is one of our favorites) and asking him what he charged for a certain service on one of our cars. His price was half of that of the dealer.

I said "Do you know the dealer charges twice that?" to which he responded "Well... they have a nice building. Gotta pay for it somehow." 

What am I paying for? 

are you winning?

What's the game? 

Who is keeping score? 

What are the rules? 

Does your opponent think they are winning? 

Is it fun?

Is there a better game? 

more than acceleration.

Life is not just accelerating - although, arguably, that's the most fun. The wind in your hair, the momentum pinning you to the back of the seat. 

Then you have to cruise at the same speed. Or slow down. Or turn. And eventually stop. And eventually refill the car. 

To actually arrive anywhere, you can't just accelerate. 

So slow down. Enjoy the turn. The cruise. Even the stopping. 

It's the only way to arrive. 

cleaning church toilets.

About a year ago, I posted a bloog (blog/book) of 87 posts/thoughts on church, faith, god, hell, heaven, community, and all kinds of other things, including toxic religion after being a pastor for 7 years. It was called Cleaning Church Toilets.

Well that was the blog. Now for the book!  

Paperback and Kindle versions are now available on Amazon. Enjoy! Spread the word and I always appreciate reviews on any book if you read the book or even if you just read the blog posts! 

surplus.

A belt broke on my riding mower the other day so I had to use my push mower. 
And then, using my push mower, the wheel broke off. So, I had to use it with 3 wheels.
Until my father-in-law offered me his push mower and then my neighbor let me use his to finish mowing. 

So get this. 

First, I have a lawn, which was invented to prove you are wealthy enough to not need to use land for crops because you have so much extra. 

Second, I have two mowers. That propel themselves. One lets me sit on it. 

Third, when both of my mowers happen to be broken, in five minutes I have two people who instantly let me borrow another mower. 

Imagine, if instead of being incredibly grateful, I started to complain and bitch and moan about my bad luck, about the state of mowers today, and how mad I am that you can't even find a decent mower. 

It would look pretty bad. 

So, I would never do that. I assume you wouldn't either. Most people wouldn't. 

Not about a literal lawnmower.

But, about jobs, about culture, about economy, about safety in this country? 

they're louder.

It might just be me, but I've always wondered why flight attendants come across so loudly and clearly over the airplane's sound system and the pilots don't. 

Is that intentional? 
Does it speak to who is more important or vital? 

But, it does speak to a bigger issue. Why do we often hand the microphone to someone other than the one actually taking us where we want to go? 

There are some decent reasons, I suppose, but I'm more eager to hear from the woman flying the plane, than the man telling me how to buckle my seatbelt. 

a fraud.

Being a fraud.

I think it's one of, if not the, greatest fear we carry. 

We are not who we 

pretend we are
think we are
want to be
want others to think we are
are convinced we are

I don't know one person on the planet who would find it complimentary to be called a fraud. 

Funny enough, I don't think we carry this fear with the people closest to us, the ones we truly trust, the ones we know, know us and are okay with who we are. 

Find them. 

Ignore the rest. 

Be you. 

this finally makes sense.

It's been said for months that it was the working class poor whom elected Trump. While making sense on one level, it really didn't on another. 

And today, the Washington Post busts the myth. Most Trump supporters were not the working class. "In the general election, like the primary, about two thirds of Trump supporters came from the better-off half of the economy."

In fact, about a 1/3 earn more than $100,000 a year. 

So, once again we learn to:

Be careful of media representations. 
Be careful of anecdotes. 
Be careful of stereotypes, especially blaming stereotypes. 

And, of course, be careful of what a desire for more money will always do. 

the default.

The good about default

 is that it

takes very little thought 

takes very little effort

& requires very little risk. 

The bad about default

is that it

provokes very little emotion

produces very little evolution

& contains very little value. 

Some worship the default. 
Some worship the anti-default. 

Both have their value. 
We just have to figure out what we're trying to do. 

the good is everywhere...

I don't know where each of you stand, especially with your faith, with your politics, with your views on culture and its current trajectory. 

For me, I just watched most of the One Love Manchester concert that was put on in response to the terrorist attack In Manchester. 

After crying at my computer, I'm more convinced than ever that there is a lot of good and it's in a lot of places including at a concert with Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Coldplay and many others. 

When thousands of people are singing or chanting or listening to and cheering... 

don't look back in anger
tears stream down your face when you lose something you cannot replace
love, love, love, love, love,
let's not be afraid, together we will stand
The most important responsibility we have on this entire planet is to take care of one another
they come to build a wall between us but they know they won't win

Well, you are, of course, free to think what you will. 

But, me, I'm convinced there is good everywhere and it's seeping into all the cracks and shadows and it's beautiful and divine and it's moving and growing and if you don't want to jump on board, well you can find plenty of people cowering in fear and misery, bemoaning the loss of morality in the world to sit with. 

But IT is what is changing the world for the better more than any ban, any bomb, or any call for vengeance in the name of all those holy books. 

free and brave.

Think about it. Land of the free and home of the brave. 

What does it mean to be free? 

What does it mean to be brave? 

I love both words. I think they are incredibly powerful and I think a nation filled with individuals who live both, is a nation I want to live in. 

But, if I'm honest, I see a lot more people who are imprisoned by money and the chase of it and in fear of everything under the sun than they are free or brave. 

It's time to remember what we're about. 

just like coffee.

To make a good coffee, you need quite  a few things but you at least need some good beans, a good grinder, a good roaster, and some hot water. 

If beans are knowledge, I've met a lot of people with a lot of beans. They get it. They understand. They've read good books, and heard good speeches. They can talk with the best of them. 

The problem with beans is that you then need to roast them - which is not comfortable - grind them - which is not comfortable - and pour hot water over them - which is not comfortable. 

The roasting, the grinding, the hot water - that's what makes the beans actually matter to anyone. That's what takes those good beans and converts them into something that we want. 

There are fewer people who put their knowledge through a roasting, a grinding, and into some hot water to see what they are left with. They are afraid. What if all their beans vanish? What if it doesn't taste good? 

So, they just hold on to the beans. 

Honestly, pretty worthless beans. 

If you're young (often literally, always figuratively), you're more tempted to hold on to your beans, or think your beans are really valuable as they are. And they are valuable.

But only if you let life grind, roast, and burn them. Then that knowledge will matter more to us all. 

We might even want to have a taste. 

my jesus press conference.

Jesus: Good morning to you all. It's the year 24 and I'm here to answer a few questions. 

Hands raise. 

Jesus: Yes, Jim. 

Jim: Hi Jesus. Jim from ABC. Can you tell me whether or not you believe in a "America First" or "Make America Great Again" policy? 

Jesus: Excuse me. 

Jim: Yes, can you tell me...

Jesus: Yeah, I heard the question. America? 

Jim: Oh yes, sorry, it's a country that will exist in about 1,800 years. 

Jesus: Okay. 

Jim: So, do you support an "America First" policy? 

Jesus: Not sure, why you're not asking if I support an "Israel First" policy because if I supported any country first, it'd be that one, assuming it's still around but... I generally go with a Kingdom of God first policy. You know, that whole seek first the kingdom of God thing? 

Jim: Thank you. 

Jesus: Yes, Nancy. 

Nancy: Hi Jesus. A follow-up question. Do you support an Israel first policy? I mean they are the chosen people of God? Right? 

Jesus: Well Nancy if you read the Torah, you'd see that they were chosen to bless the world. So, again, I support a Kingdom of God policy... which is generally a bless the world policy. So, yes, you are first in order to be last in blessing others. 

Nancy. Thank you. 

Jesus: Mark? 

Mark: Hey Jesus. Thanks, a follow-up on that Kingdom of God thing. What is it? 

Jesus: I've already answered that. Multiple times. 

Mark: But, it seems the answers are always different. 

Jesus: They make a point. 

Mark: What is that point? 

Jesus: That you're asking all the wrong questions. 

bye bye paris...

I'm sad. 

I care about the planet immensely. I care about the people on the planet - or at least I try to.  I don't know if humans are causing climate change - although I tend to trust the majority of scientists when they agree on things and on this they do. So I trust them. Could they change their mind? Sure. But they haven't. Still, I wouldn't argue with anyone about climate change and human's contribution. 

I also care about pollution. I care about creating less of it. I would argue with anyone on that. I don't want more pollution - I want less. For myself, for my kids, for those who live in poorer countries more affected by it, for all that makes sense in the world - when I don't think too hard about it. Less pollution seems like a generally good thing and I don't need to read any articles or opinions to think that. 

I don't like smoke or trash or chemicals in my yard.  

So, when my country joins Nicaragua and Syria as the only two nations to leave an agreement between 195 countries including Iraq, Sweden, Russia, China and everyone in-between, that was about producing less pollution, well... I'm sad.

I'm more sad because I listened to our president's reasons. They involve things like: 

"demand fair and reciprocal trade that gives Americans a level playing field against other nations" 

"The Paris climate accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States"

"The rest of the world applauded when we signed the Paris Agreement. They went wild. They were so happy. For the simple reason that it put our country, the United States of America, which we all love, at a very, very big economic disadvantage."

I happen to live in the richest country to ever exist in the history of humanity. If more economic advantage is a reason to have more pollution, well, again, I'm sad. 

And then I read this from the leaders of Germany, France, and Italy in response to my country. 

We will step up Efforts to support developing countries, in Particular the poorest and most vulnerable...

I understand it's all complicated. I don't claim to know everything. But on the surface, this sure looks really bad, even on a pure marketing level. We care more about not being economically disadvantaged than producing less pollution for our planet. 

“It is time to put Youngstown, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan.; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania … ahead of Paris, France,

Personally, I think it's time to put all of humanity above our own economic advantage (which is already pretty large). And we just made a big publicity move (at the least) to do the opposite. 

So count me sad and disappointed today. 

is it possible (part two)?

Is it possible to truly love your neighbor as yourself
and bomb them? 
execute them?
not give them free health care? 

Since Jesus was pretty clear that our neighbor is also our enemy

is it possible to truly love your enemy as yourself
and bomb them?
execute them?
not give them free health care?

Of course, I understand, they have done something to deserve their predicament. 

I know. I know. 

What if there is a 10% chance of bombing a wedding of our neighbors instead of our enemy?
What if there is a 10% chance of executing an innocent neighbor instead of a guilty one? 
What if there is a 10% chance of you becoming the one without healthcare next year? 

At what point is it no longer possible to call that loving your neighbor and enemy? 

andrew sullivan

Andrew Sullivan has been, and is, one of my favorite writers. He is a gay Catholic conservative, which I only say because it gives background to why I trust him. That, and the fact that I've read countless articles and words from the man. 

Regardless, he recently published an article called "The Pope and the Pagan" concering Donald Trump's trip abroad. I suggest you read it. You may oppose every word, you may support every word, but I still suggest you read it because it's smart, it's well informed, and it's thoughtful and it's better to agree or disagree with smart, well informed, thoughtful writing than most of what is out there today.