Off The Map LIVE: Coming Soon...

People Are Talking
“Off The Map Live is like a refuge and a shelter. I found there a group of Jesus-followers who understand, listen, accept, and still love me with true kindness.”

“There was warmth, casualness and an acceptance that touched me deeply. I found plenty of room for me to be me and to expand on my ideas and doubts”

“As a college student I found the challenging nature of the conference the most exciting. Next year, I intend to bring ten more young women who are passionate about making church and the Christian experience relevant”

You Want to Know
Schedule
Nov 1-3 / Thursday 7:30-9:30 PM / Friday 8:30-5:00 PM / Saturday 8:30 -12:00 PM

Location
Seattle Area- Eastside Foursquare Church

Tickets
student and group prices available
Blog read interviews/leave thoughts

please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com/

Loss and Dignity...

We lost my grandfather on Sunday. It was so strange - everyone thought he was going to recover just fine after surgery on Tuesday to remove part of his stomach. Cancer.

He had been walking around, talking. But a cohort of complications snowballed and he went down fast. His parents lived to 92 and 94 but he was only 77. We never expected it.

My grandmother said, "It feels like a nightmare and I can't wake up."

Both my parents, but my father in particular, sobbed like I've never seen. My father is fiercely afraid of hell for his atheist mother and father, which made the whole process so much darker for him.

But a funny thing: when my mother kissed his head as they took him off life support, she whispered, "We'll see you again someday, sweetheart."

My friend Jim Henderson says most Christians have "secret beliefs," things "we know we know" but won't admit to in public because they may not fit our particular theologies. The issue of hell is a common one. People who have lost loved ones who lived lives of love, hope and... were perhaps weak in faith... know that the Lord is good and trust to his mercy, apart from judgment and damnation.

Usually I'm an emotional mess, but I found myself tougher than usual for my parents - something I needed to see in myself.

As I watched my grandfather's body heave up and down from the respirator, I thought of how unnatural the motions looked. I visualized him held under water, trying to float to the surface, but kept down so that only his nostrils reached the air above. A torturous, ongoing grab at life.

I never comprehended the phrase "death with dignity" till that moment. I understand the desire to avoid long, ongoing life support when it was time for a life to go, but the "dignity" aspect never resonated because I'd never seen the horrific, unearthly visual of a real man held, not in stasis, but in violent, crude, even offensive half-life-limbo.

We let him go. My grandmother had them pull the plugs. She didn't even go to see him in those final hours. She had said goodbye and would not cloud her memories with ghoulish images of the machine-bound man who was ready to go. I'm glad.


Now, to have a chat with my father about hell... I guess I'll start by having him read McLaren's The Last Word... And the Word After That.


please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com/

Quietness...

There is a time when all of the wisdom, relevance and captivating imagery in the world has to lay down and die in patient waiting - in faith that the Holy Spirit speaks.

There are friends I can speak to again and again, months passing to years, but mine is not the voice of the Lord.

Last week I lost a friend and co-worker in a senseless car wreck. Her funeral was led by her church and family: harsh, didactic and fear driven. Her pastor and parents shared shifts, calling for converts.

"How many of you know where you'd spend eternity if you died on the freeway tonight?"

Now raise your hand and repent before the god of fear and self-preservation.

Oh that we knew how to keep our mouths shut and trust in the Lord.



please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://www.emergingchristianity.blogspot.com/

Billy Graham & Oprah...

Some of you may have already gotten a rather cheesy e-mail forwarded to you about Billy Graham's appearances on Oprah and 20/20. I find most e-mail forwards unconscionable, obnoxious and usually-maddening.

Still, I missed Graham's appearances on the shows, and was inspired by a few things he said and did. While I may not line up with all of Graham's theology, he has always seemed so humble and gracious, more willing to err on the side of love and forgiveness than firm judgment or blind certainty. Frankly, I prefer goodness to "correctness," so I guess I'm a pretty big fan of Mr. Graham.

Here's the account (slightly edited to minimize the silly commentary)...

Last year, evangelist Billy Graham was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. Oprah told him that in her childhood home, she used to watch him preach on a little black & white TV while sitting on a linoleum floor. She went on to the tell viewers that in his lifetime Billy has preached to twenty-million people around the world, not to mention the countless numbers who have heard him whenever his crusades are broadcast.

When she asked if he got nervous before facing a crowd, Billy replied humbly, "No, I don't get nervous before crowds, but I did today before I was going to meet with you."

Oprah's show is broadcast to twenty-million people every day. She is comfortable with famous stars & celebrities but seemed in awe of Dr. Graham. When the interview ended, she told the audience, "You don't often see this on my show,
but we're going to pray." Then she asked Billy to close in prayer. The camera panned the studio audience as they bowed their heads & closed their eyes just like in one of his crusades. Oprah sang the first line from his favorite hymn, "Just as I am, without a plea…" misreading the line & singing off key, but her voice was full of emotion & almost cracked.

When Billy stood up after the show, instead of hugging her guest, Oprah's usual custom, she went over & nestled against him. Billy wrapped his arm around her & she stood in his fatherly embrace with a look of contentment.

Billy Graham was not the least bit condemning, distant, nor hesitant to embrace a public personality who doesn’t fit the typical evangelical mold.

In an interview with Hugh Downs on ABC’s 20/20 show, the subject turned to homosexuality. Hugh looked directly at Billy Graham & said, "If you had a homosexual child, would you love him?" Billy didn't miss a beat. He replied with sincerity & gentleness, "Why, I would love that one even more."

The title of Billy's autobiography, "Just As I Am," says it all.

Billy complimented Oprah when asked what he was most thankful for; he said, "Salvation given to us in Jesus Christ" then added, "& the way you have made people all over this country aware of the power of being grateful."

What if we took the things that set us apart, that made us different, which caused us to disagree, & make them an occasion to compliment each other & be thankful for each other? What if we were big enough to be smaller than our neighbor, spouse, friends, & strangers?

please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://www.emergingchristianity.blogspot.com/...

The Suicide Machine

I've got my 10-year high school reunion tonight. Strange how fast these things come up.

I ran into an old classmate yesterday when I stopped in to see my parents. Marjorie was in town from D.C. for the reunion.

I was driving my wife's "humble" '98 Cavalier and I saw her waiving at me as she walked down the street of our old neighborhood with her father. For a moment I was excited to see her, and then an instinct popped into my mind that sent me into a little panic: "She can't think this is the car I drive! What if she doesn't think I'm successful."

Success. The idea made me feel a little nauseous and self-conscious all at once. Quite glamorously [sounding] she is "just visiting from D.C." and here I am, living fifteen minutes from the city we grew up in.

Driving a '98 Cavalier.

I guiltily pushed the feelings aside. I care about the kingdom, not cars and prestige, I said to myself (knowing it was barely half-true). Marj hugged me eagerly and asked what I was up to.

The "American-Dreamon" (I just thought of that. Too cutesy? Offensive?) reared its head in me again and I answered, "I'm the branch manager at a credit union here in town." Not, "Oh, I work in finance." I had to throw a cheap title at her. I'll bet it looked pathetic.

What is this need to impress - to prove worldly success? To say, "I made it"?

The Kingdom of God shrinks us so that others might grow and be blessed. But our own nature is so backward. I want to talk about the Kingdom of God and Beatitude Life (peacemakers, meek, hungry and thirsty...) but I sure would love to be driving an Audi while I do - in case people wonder if I chose this life, or if I settled.

But when I fight to prove myself by worldly standards, I AM settling. Settling for the world's economy: what Len Sweet calls a "Suicide Machine."

please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com/