You’ve probably been hearing this language quite often recently. It’s made its way into the political arena of late and was again repeated by Michelle Obama this evening at the Democratic National Convention.

But let me make this clear: this is “lifted” language.

Whether you want to believe it or not, the fact is that this Gospel of the “way it is and the way it should be” is not new language. I heard this language in church long before it came in vogue as a slick, smarmy slogan in the political circle and, frankly, it is much more compelling in the biblical context. So while the Obamas are setting up our American hopes for a coming Savior, the good news is it’s not Barack Obama…but neither is it John McCain.

I believe the world is broken and yes, there is a way that can be or should be, but trusting that to come in in a political figure or system will always leave you wanting.

“Life is just what happens to you,
While you’re busy making other plans.”

-John Lennon, from “Beautiful Boy”

Jeanette introduced me today to Globalfingerprints, an orphan sponsorship program of the Evangelical Free Church. I encourage you to watch the video below, but thought you’d be interested to know a little bit more about this program.

GlobalFingerprints is a sponsorship program specifically for orphans in Congo who have been left behind by AIDS, malnutrition, civil war, and poor health care. Through GlobalFingerprints, these orphans will be able to attend school and receive medical care as necessary. Fifteen percent of the children in Congo are orphans, mostly due to AIDS. Children are cared for in the homes of extended families or concerned Christians from a Congolese Evangelical Free Church. The awesome thing about this sponsorship, in my opinion, is the way in which the church is so central to its mission. I know there are many worthy sponsorship programs, such as WorldVision and Compassion International, which we can participate in and support, but thought this one should be put on your radar as well.

Hold the phones, folks. It seems someone thinks the Chinese Gymnasts broke the rules and put underage gymnasts in the 2008 Olympics…I mean, besides me. Could you imagine??

The International Olympics Committee has asked the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate the matter putting several medals under question. Recently, more information has come to light that online records and media reports suggest three Chinese gymnasts — He, Jiang Yuyuan and Yang Yilin — may be as young as 14.

For more information, read the Associated Press article here.

I spent a part of my morning today looking for new music (it’s a discipline…) and I’m finding myself a little uninspired. I have to believe there are songs for congregational worship yet untapped that are theologically rich and melodically and musically engaging. Here’s my struggle in looking for quality new songs: Most of the material being “put out there” is being written and released for modern rock bands - you know, crank it up, let it loose, sing it high and sing it loud. And where that works for arenas, nightclubs, and intense, emotional camp/conference settings, there’s a little translation needed for the rest of the world. The responsibility of that translation, however, is not up to the record producers and touring bands who saturate K-LOVE with their new, high-energy single. The responsibility of translation is in the hands of real life, week to week practitioners who have to burrow through the pile to find the nugget that can actually relate to real world application. And frankly, that can be tiresome.

Not that I want you to do my work for me, but I am inquiring for my edification. So…here’s the challenge: based on the above criteria, send me a list of newer songs you think I need to consider. Now, there are a couple limitations. You cannot send me any songs by David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, or Hillsong United…I love them all, but we all know about those. So, bring it on. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Seriously...missing baby teeth?

If you are as disgusted as I am about the lack of rule enforcement at the Olympics, you need to follow this link.

Let me explain.  I think the Chinese gymnasts are phenomenally talented, but they are working from a remarkably distinct advantage by fielding underage gymnasts. E.M. Swift, senior writer at Sports Illustrated, had this to say recently regarding the advantages of younger gymnasts:

“…there is a physical advantage to being smaller, more flexible and quicker. We see this in figure skating, which has the same rule. The hips, when they have not developed, spin quicker. That enables the competitors to do more complicated routines. In gymnastics, it’s flips. If you are smaller, you can flip more. Some people also think the younger athlete does not feel as much pressure, so it has an advantage in that respect, too.”

Consider for a moment if the rules were switched around a little bit…say, regarding an age limit. If your son was participating in a football league, for instance, that had an age limit of 13 years old and you found out that the opposing team was fielding 18 year-olds, you would be fraught with the sense of injustice. Not only would the opposing team have distinct advantages because of maturity and physical development, but you’d be crying “foul” the second you set eyes on the imposing presence of the team on the other side of the ball.

Likewise, based on a better comprehension of the distinct advantages of younger and smaller gymnasts, when you consider that the rest of the women of the world are competing against children weighing 30 lbs. less and 3-4 inches shorter, you begin to understand why this is such an egregious offense to those who understand the sport and the disadvantage it presents. These age rules exist not only to protect the younger athletes, but also to keep a fair and level playing field for all participants. Women’s Artistic Gymnastics is meant to be a competition between young women (thus the name WOMEN’S Artistic Gymnastics) and this outright defiant violation completely destroys the integrity of the competition rendering its results profoundly tainted and outrageously irreconcilable. It’s sad. Because there are some incredibly talented women competing at these Olympics…they just aren’t Chinese women.

A Franciscan Benediction
May God bless us with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that we may live from deep within our hearts.

May God bless us with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of God’s creations
So that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless us with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless us with just enough foolishness
To believe that we can make a difference in the world,
So that we can do what others claim cannot be done:
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and all our neighbors who are poor.

Amen.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

-Edmund Burke

“Most days, the weight of triumphant evil and violence in our world feels utterly crushing. I think many Christians would avail themselves of the courage God offers if they thought there was a chance that it would actually do any good. But given the dark headlines that assault us day after day, defeating injustice doesn’t seem very plausible. In fact, it feels rather naive or immodest to imagine that we could actually make a difference in the face of massive, aggressive evil and violence in the world…

…such notions of hopelessness say to God: You are a God who calls your people to ministry without providing any power to actually do it. If that’s what we honestly believe, we should just clearly say so. Though the Bible doesn’t say this about God’s character, it’s okay for us to say it. Acknowledging that we are struggling with what the Bible teaches about the character of God is often the first, best step to authentic faith. Indeed, as Dallas Willard points out in Renovation of the Heart, we don’t believe something by merely saying we believe it, or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true.”

-excerpt from Just Courage by Gary A. Haugen

Saw this today and enjoyed immensely. I actually really like Joe Cocker, but this made me laugh.