Culture Thief

This is something I have thought about and pondered for quite some time, the item of Christian mission stealing ethnic culture. Although this has been put on the table even more in my recent Cross Cultural Studies class, I'd like to look at it in a more localized light as well.

Having grown up going to Church "functions" and services I have seen the church communities successes and failures to be relevant (if I may use such a use thrashed word). Living in what I will call the "buckle of the bible belt" (Audio Adrenaline coined that one) (and in a secluded Bible college setting no less) has made the failures and attempts to "relevancy" (lets call it relatability- I think that works better) quite bold.

Think about your city, Do you appreciate it for its diversity? Do you enjoy its spectra of talent, ability, creativity and ingenuity- even its open-mindness?

Now think about if your whole city were to become converted Christians in the manner that the institutionalized church appears to generally intend. That is, to bring them all to church, integrate them into church culture and then let them out again.
Maybe you yourself are getting a little bored of "church" as you know it- not because theres no truth and community there but because otherwise it is very unrelatable.
(I don't want to sound complacent, but try to spur envisioning and thoughts for a crazier tomorrow. )

I don't want to go knocking on my local church body either, because I think they rock! However, trying to find a place for open and constructive and thought provoking criticism I say this: If your city was to become all like the general "church-goers" how much of the culture and soul of your city would be left?
I am not saying that "church goers" are not inwardly diverse, but they often outwardly seem quite similar, general, limited and open to stereotypes.

That leads to another question, and on this one I am still working in my own life.
Could it be that a lie has been planted in our life that we should be less than we have been created to be because a sort of cultural theology that constantly restricts our potential?

I don't know. It's a hard question to ask.

Adrenaline Days

Possibly one of the most influential movies on my life (although I suppose there has been many) is "Dead Poets Society". If you have ever seen the movie, you know that it can be summed up in three English words or two Latin words. Carpe Diem: Seize the Day.
Some will say to look before you leap. Others will say that he who hesitates is lost. Where is the balance of foolishness and recklessness when it comes to risks? I don't know. But I hear that when old people were surveyed (for those who believe surveys), one of the biggest things they regretted not doing more in their lives was taking risks.

What might taking risks do for me?
- it might quench a stale and boring lifestyle
- it would probably break me outside of my comfort zone into realms of new possibilities
- It might help me make mistakes that I learn more from than I would have anyways otherwise.
- It could help me recognize the vitality and realness that life can be as I push limits.
- It might result in a Bill Gates Maneuver some day. Ha Ha, Caching!

How does this fit with God's intent for my life?
- will I shy from taking risks for fear that they are not in God's will?
- or will I embrace them, knowing that God is my strength in everything and, like a father to child, will pick me up if I fall down while trying to learn how to walk.

Again, I think there is a balance.. But I can say that I'd love to live a little more on the edge? I'd like to have a more child-like trust sometimes and perhaps even incorporate an adrenaline rush moment into each day. These are just thoughts right now but just for fun, what if my calendar looked like the following:

Mon: Jump off something so high it scares me
Tues: Call up an old friend who I haven't talked to in at least two years
Wed: Take my skateboard down the hill that no-one has ever not bailed on.
Thurs: Tell someone how much I appreciate them
Fri: Burn out in a parking lot and/or go skydiving- you only live once.
Sat: Vent my problems on a good friend
Sun: Just ask her out already (hypothetical)
Mon: Jump off something higher than last week

to "Get it!"

You know those times when you just "Get it"?

A decline to a half baked lifestyle can happen so subtly. I might call it "a removal to religion".
I think this has happened to me quite a bit over the last year- which I suppose is somewhat easy when one is in an environment that can appear so subsurface that you can forget that the big stuff is underneath the skin.

I guess I just want to say "GET IT!"
There's a big picture- I've got to grasp for it. Theres a lot I don't understand- I've want to admit it and grow through it. There is a life that is beyond - I've got to live it.
I'm not about throwing fundamental truths and wisdom out the window. I believe, however, that the big picture of What God is all about is so beyond our common idea of Religion.
I seem to have embarked on another adventure that is beyond what I can do. It is therefore rooted so much more in reliance, trust and love than in me trying to do something independently. It is an intense 2-way relationship and I love it!

So that's where I'm at. It's cool.
Where' you at?