WeFeelFine.org - An Exploration of Human Emotion

We Feel Fine
www.wefeelfine.org

If you've never heard of, We Feel Fine you are in for a captivating treat. It is website that gathers data from various blog entries around the world that attach itself to the phrase, "I am feeling..." or "I feel." We Feel Fine is an artistic, yet creative way to connect to a world longing for connection. Sometimes the feeling may be a spark of joy or the pain of regret. Check out all 6 movements that it works in (Madness, Murmurs, Montage, Mobs, Metrics, and Mounds).

"I feel like lifes been mundance as of late"
11 Minutes ago - from someone ins Singapore

"I feel like we are getting somewhere back to reality"
26 Minutes ago - from someone

"I feel at peace regardless of any situation because I know God is with us."
40 minutes ago - from someone

Check it out: www.wefeelfine.org

Could You Imagine?

This past Sunday I went to Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.

First of all, it was one of the most beautiful churches I have ever walked into.
Second of all, it is literally on top of Lookout Mountain and overlooks the city of Chattanooga.
Third of all, the pastor there is one of the most profound communicators I have heard preach the Gospel. If you like John Piper, you will love Joe Novenson.


Imagine stepping into this sanctuary on a Sunday morning:


And walking out of church and seeing this:


Yea...Pretty much "Love God - Love Others" staring at you in the face.
Next time I'm definitely bringing my iPod and jamming out to "God of this City" on the new Passion CD after the service.

Talk about being inspired.

Infiltrating the City - A Reflection on Tim Keller

Most of you know at the beginning of April I had the opportunity to go travel to New York City to be apart of a conference called, Q (www.fermiproject.com/q). One of my favorite speakers was one I was most challenged by. Tim Keller is the Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. He recently came out with a book called, The Reason for God which I have heard amazing things about I just haven't had the chance yet to add it to the pile of books I am "trying" to get through right now. Below is a reflection on Dr. Keller's thoughts on Christianity and how to influence society. Here are some of my notes and adopted notes from other note-takers at Q.

How do we, as Christians, influence culture?

Argument: Culture-Makers live in the city.

1) The Grace of the City

The city was the best place for a for a human to flourish.

(Psalm 107, 1st Peter 1:1, and James 1:1)

*The Biblical trend throughout Scripture is that the cities became Christian first and then its influence spread outward to the countryside.*

In Jeremiah 29 - God tells the Children of Israel to move into the city, settle down, and plant gardens. For if the city prospers the people will prosper.

In Acts, Paul's strategy in ministering the Gospel is urban in nature - As the city goes, so goes culture, and region.

In Revelation, the new Heavens and earth that God brings about are portrayed through a future city.

2) The Grace in the City

What is a city?

A city is mixed use of walkable human settlement with density and diversity. A human settlement has four orders. These orders are economic, cultural, residential, political/legal. In the city, all of these orders may be in walking distance. They be a few blocks away from each other. They may be neighbors.

The city is not about population -- It is about structure.

In the suburbs all four orders are there but they are separated from one another. In the city, you have all the ingredients (everything is together). In the suburbs, there is more of a segregated line that is more noticeable through race, income, social sector, etc. This is why cities have always produced culture. Culture almost always connects people - and when people connect - more culture is created.

3) Grace for the City

If you want to come to city you will need 2 types of grace: Grace of Love and Grace of Care.

It is difficult to live in the city because there is so much competition, expense, diversity, hostility, and the people who do not like you are in your face all the time. To be thrown out of the city is liberation for the average person - However, in Biblical times it signified Jesus being cut off from all community.

"Because we're citizens of the city to come - It makes us the best citizens of the city now."

"The grace of the city is a gift from God. If you come bringing the special grace of Jesus with you, almost anything is possible."

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I attended a Presbyterian church yesterday on the top of Lookout Mountain. It was one of the most beautiful churches I have ever walked into. The pastor used an illustration that Dr. Keller used in a recent sermon he had listened to. I was reminded of this talk - of its challenge and inspiration.

Re-Living a Kodak Moment

I take pictures for granted.

The memories.
The laughs.
The moments caught on a little, thin strip of paper called a negative.

My mom's favorite quote recently is, "We don't remember days, we remember moments."

Pictures catch the best moments of our lives.

I am re-experiencing a few moments in my life today through a picture.
You should too.

Here are a few of mine:

The picture is one of my favorites -- for obvious reasons.

Me, My Babe -- and two of our closest friends who just got engaged.
Congrats to them. They are two of the most amazing people and one of the coolest couples you could ever meet. This pic was taken two years ago in Chattanooga.

Time flies when you're having fun.

Me in Mexico playing with the kids.

We rode. We splashed. We got wet. Mom fell out. A great time.

Simply, some of the most amazing people you could ever come in contact with.

Objective (Biblical) and Subjective (Cultural) Views of Faith -- An Exploration

I am talking an online class throughout May. The class is centered upon Spiritual development and discipleship. This is a response I gave towards a discussion question that talked about the development of faith when compared to Biblical assumption and cultural influence.

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Culture defines everything you and I are. Our backgrounds shape us. You and I can both be Christians but believe and act upon those beliefs differently. Our faith and denominational backgrounds shape us who we are. The leaders we look up to influence our thinking. Even though you and I may have some fundamental agreements in our faith doesn’t mean you and I will agree on everything when it comes to how we believe. Throughout the Bible there is constant theme with this same issue – the issue of Biblical faith or the law and the truth that culture makes us who we are.

It is interesting to compare and contrast the faith represented throughout the Bible and what I see today in mainstream churches. Growing up in middle class society I know my understanding of suffering is extremely limited. I have always had a roof and a bed to sleep on. I haven’t gone without food for a long time (if at all). I know this has affected my faith because everything is so easily accessible here in the United States (see previous blog post that was written by Jeff Shinabarger - It is great stuff). However, I am learning to test my faith. I am learning that I must carry an intentional faith because everything is so easily given here in the United States. Essentially, faith is journey.

I recently heard an interview where a pastor said that fifty years ago if you were to go into a place and say, “The Bible says…” majority of everyone listening would have listened. Nowadays, if you go anywhere and say, “The Bible says…” people are like, “So what?” The pastor later argued and stated that question that, “If there is no authority (the Bible) how can authority be established?” As our society increasingly becomes more postmodern it is important that Christians understand our responsibility that we are called to influence culture. Faith and culture go hand in hand. I believe there needs to be a strong balance in being objective and being subjective. As Starbucks and Barnes and Noble continue to appeal to the conversationalists it is important to understand that everyone has a story. Our faith is a story – or for some maybe a better example would be a rollercoaster. The Bible continually displays this story of faith and culture.

I had the recent opportunity to hear Francis Collins speak. He is a scientist who has devoted his life to understanding the compilation/language of the human bodies DNA. He came out with book this past year called, “The Language of God.” His talk was centered titled, “Science: Conflict or Concordance?” Ever since the Enlightenment human beings have argued for the sake of reason. Collins continually pointed out throughout his talk that science will always lead to truth. He says, “Almighty God, who is not limited in space or time, created the universe with its parameters precisely tuned to allow the development of complexity over long periods of time.” He later goes on to say, “Truth cannot contradict truth.” Personally, the sciences have never been struggle for me in the way I handle my faith. However, I completely understand how it can be continual battle for some…Especially when faith is the evidence of things unseen. I am seeing more and more that reason and faith also go hand in hand. Faith and reason hold an interesting, yet compatible relationship. It simply makes sense even in the consequences of living in a fallen world. For the Christian faith recognizes that we are broken and scarred - it understands that there will be suffering and pain. However, reason takes hold of our faith in the response to suffering and pain. This relationship of faith and reason causes us to act on behalf of others for betterment of humanity and our world. Again, it simply makes sense.

I hope we can see subjective faith as necessary in order to minister effectively in the 21^st century, as well as, holding to the truths that Christ teaches and the Word continues to emphasize.

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I will post part 2 of my response to another question tomorrow.

What do you think about objective and subjective faith?

What should their relationship be?

An Honest Truth

I read this post today --

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HAVE I SUFFERED ENOUGH?

May 6th, 2008

I have come to the realization that I have never suffered. There have been times in my life that I have been disciplined or even hurt, but I have not had experiences that have made me suffer. You could call it white privilege or you could even say I have lived the ‘American Dream’, but the reality is that I have lived a life absent of extreme pain, poverty, injustice, penalty, and death. I grew up in a middle class family and lived in beautiful homes. I have always eaten three meals a day (unless I chose to eat more or less), had access to transportation and clean water and clothing. I have a college education, my parents are both alive (and happily married) and I have even had controlled air in my house since I was born. I have never suffered.

I don’t write all this to share how great my life is in comparison to the rest of the world. On the contrary, I say all this because I think it is important to share with friends that my scope for compassion is limited because of my current life experience. I think my faith is small because of a lack of reliance on a spiritual presence to rescue me from bondage and suffering. Without suffering there is no need for rescue. What is suffering? I can’t define it because I haven’t experienced it. I think my capacity for compassion and genuine love for others that are poor, oppressed, downtrodden, sick, orphans, and widows is directly influenced by my lack of personal experience, knowledge and understanding of suffering.

Never would I wish suffering on others, but I am realizing that suffering does something in a person that nothing else can do. It challenges me to grow beyond myself. It connects me with others in a way nothing else can. Never will I truly love those that suffer, unless I have personally been influenced by suffering. My love is unfortunately limited because of the privilege I have been given of safety and security. So, I must begin embarking on acts of suffering to care for others that suffer. To discipline myself by stepping away from safety and security to gain a heart less filled with pride and replaced with care.

When will I have suffered enough to really love those that are suffering? To hurt with their hurt. To mourn with those who mourn. To know hunger with those who are hungry. To experience the pain of those in bondage. What would I do and who could I be, when I too have suffered?

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For more posts from this guy, check out: www.jeffshinabarger.com

Enough said.