Month: February 2014

Surrounding Voices

spadinaandqueen

 

I like public transit. Really. Sure, there’s something about getting in a car and going where you want when you want. But, in addition to environmental concerns, there is something I really like about public transit.

I thought of this once again while having coffee on the upper level of a McDonald’s at Queen and Spadina in Toronto, looking out at the corner (phone photo above), with streetcar after streetcar going through the intersection. In a car you are insulated from the world (yes I know, that can be the appeal). In public transit, you notice more around you, or at least have the opportunity to do so.

It’s not always pleasant, but it does help connect you to some degree with the lives and condition of some part of humanity you might not otherwise encounter. And that’s a good thing, especially for those of us who presume to bring Good News to that humanity, and even more if we are prepared to acknowledge how much we have in common.

Be the Story

The Lego Movie is continuing to draw big crowds. It is reported that, based on such success, Lego is planning a whole new multimedia strategy, and that they have a head start in this in that kids are drawn to the brand, eager to see what’s next.

Intriguing. Something kids (of all ages) can use to build stuff and create a story of their own in the process, are drawn to media that tells its own story, like in a movie. Maybe part of the appeal in all this is that we are the building blocks, particioants, and mind-full partners in telling a story: one that God has had in mind for all eternity, and is working out in us. It is so sas that some people demean themselves by not realizing the importance of the story, the adventure, that is their life.

Talent Search

It has been noted that Google has acquired not only a vast number of companies, but also a great variety of types of acquisitions. The answer, it has been proposed, is that what Google is primarily interested in acquiring is talent, thus explaining the seeming lack of sense or pattern to their acquisitions.

Google is recognizing what the church has known all along. Or maybe I should say it is something some churches need to re-learn. It is great to have vision and goals and develop programs accordingly, but many churches go full tilt into such things without really taking stock of who they have and what they have to offer. The advantage of doing this is to (a) launch into things you are actually suited for, and (b) to discern a depth of talent and personal resources you may not have known you have. Can’t claim expertise in this, but it seems to be what vibrant, faithful churches do.

The Dangerous Mind

The co-editors of the book The Syria Dilemma have written in a New York Times opinion piece that there is an abundance of food just a few miles away from the blockaded areas where thousands upon thousands of Syrians are starving. Danny Postel and Nader Hashemi note that, according to the United Nations, about 800,000 Syrians are currently under siege. This sad state of affairs bears out the truth of a pattern of human behaviour described symbolically in the Book of Revelation, chapter 6. Conquest (white horse) brings conflict (red horse), leading to scarcity (black horse) and death (pale green horse).

We will all decry this situation as cruel and tragic, but we need to recognize that, on a personal level, our own mindset can also be cruel and tragic, when our mindset is controlling and manipulative. Let’s be honest; there’s some control freak in all of us. But some people actually know this about themselves and think it is well and good because, just like some leaders on the world stage, they have convinced themselves that their contolling behaviour is for the greater good, without realizing or caring what kind of damage they do, inevitably in the process. The controlling mind is a dangerous mind.

A Clear Goal

I think I have figured out (not that there’s anything wrong with just enjoying it) one reason why the Olympic events ha. ve such appeal. It occurred to me right when I had switched back to Olympics coverage after hearing about the latest fudging and wavering from politicians (in this case, over a previously touted tax-sharing plan). Athletes have clear goals and do not waver from them. That’s refreshing. It’s also instructive, as well as inspiring for the rest of us. It also resonates with Biblical teaching in at least a couple of ways.

Paul the Apostle used athletic imagery in speaking of the Christian life. He spoke of pressing on toward the goal, and winning the prize (Philippians 3:12-14). There is hard work involved, but the essence of the enterprise is grace. In both spiritual and athletic life, it is a matter of making full use of what is received. Both also necessarily and happily involve teamwork. There is a team behind even individual events. And every Christian (and leaders especially need to acknowledge this actively) is part of a team (See, for example and especially, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31).