04/15/08 08:27 - 33ºF - ID#44014

Didn't sleep much last night

It's rare that I can say that. My mind was filled with thoughts. This book, "Jesus for President" is beating me up and I am not sure yet how to respond to it.

joshua writes at 11:50:44 04/17/08 - Comment #34003: I wanted to go there but didn't say it... I agree that if more people lived as Jesus did (and really this doesn't necessarily connote Christianity in my view - Jesus was a great guy regardless of faith) our country would be inherently more compassionate.

drew writes at 11:28:14 04/17/08 - Comment #34002: Look forward to your post.

I think it is a betrayal of the message that more Christians don't live like Shane, since he behaves a lot like Jesus did.

But I can't criticize them too much, because I am one of them.

If everyone lived faithfully, things would not need to be "Evened out," by the government, or anybody else. Shane would say that the governemnt, more often than not, makes things more uneven, or at least maintains inequality.

Anyway, I just finished the book today. The first half is almost all Biblical history/theology. The second half is application of it. I think I could spend a lot of time talking about the book, so if you get done and want to have a beer, I'm game.

joshua writes at 11:06:53 04/17/08 - Comment #34000: Yeah, I was taken aback slightly at his seemingly radical approach... and by "radical" I'm not suggesting any negative connotations. I've just never seen a Christian take this approach before, and in many ways this guy is breaking the mold for how Christians typically think, look, act and live.

Thats his name! I watched the video you posted of him a bit ago and I was sucked in... I had to know where this guy was coming from so I went to his website and read sections of his book.

Personally I don't think government is unjust... even the suggestion of it begs me to ask what exactly someone would mean by that, or if its entirely appropriate for government to serve the function as someone like Shane would like to see it. I'm not of the opinion that government should be the vehicle for "evening things out" as it were, but you know what? Guys like Shane are right when they say that many so-called Christians do not live their spiritual life the way Jesus did. Evangelicals in the Falwell mold are not compassionate people in my view, and betray the message that Jesus gave his disciples and all Christians throughout history. Not that this is a new phenomenon, as we know. I admire what Shane does for his community. He is fighting the good fight and that is all I care about. Bottom line!

I'm about to post a somewhat personal (in my family anyway) spiritual story that you may find incredible, and maybe even inspiring!

drew writes at 10:08:32 04/17/08 - Comment #33998: Yeah. It is a theological book (and a radical one at that) rather than a political one.

Shane Clairborne is the author. He founded and lives at the simple way in Philly :::link:::

He's more interested in setting up alternative communities that more or less work outside the systems of government (or even against them, in love). Wallis, is more interested in helping governments be just, and Clairborne things that government is inherently and systematically unjust.

joshua writes at 09:58:52 04/17/08 - Comment #33997: I've read part of it. Personally I think Jim Wallis' "God's Politics" is more suited towards people who aren't necessarily interested in theological discussion, and at least what I read from the book seemed to lean heavily on discussion of scripture to make his points.

I'm sorry that I can't remember the name of the author, but he seems like an interesting guy. Isn't he the one that lives in a commune in Philly?

james writes at 12:05:44 04/15/08 - Comment #33918: If he can do for third world debt relief what he did for those scant few loves and fishes he has my vote.

Sorry, I don't know anything about this book to make an intelligent comment... not that this stopped me.

Permalink: Didn_t_sleep_much_last_night.html
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Location: Buffalo, NY

04/12/08 11:42 - 38ºF - ID#43994

Pet sitting

We need a person to watch a dog and two cats, starting Friday evening until Sunday am next weekend.

Money, beer, cookies, trade: we will compensate you one way or another if you want to take care of our old dog, our fat cat, and our bad cat.

Permalink: Pet_sitting.html
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Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: politics

04/10/08 11:47 - 46ºF - ID#43980

No way Clinton wins

Permalink: No_way_Clinton_wins.html
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Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: eva

04/09/08 08:54 - 42ºF - ID#43967

I'm in.

They invited me to apply, and then I applied. They interviewed me and voted on me, and I am now a board member of the Elmwood Village Association. After one meeting, I am glad to be giving them my time. Good people, doing good stuff, and wanting the best for the neighborhood (even if Paul does hate the name).

Permalink: I_m_in_.html
Words: 59
Location: Buffalo, NY

04/06/08 04:20 - 61ºF - ID#43923

Front porch.

That is where I will be while the sun is out. If you want to drink beer, play cards, or talk on the porch, stop by my place. My cell number is in the chatter box, if you want to call first.

Permalink: Front_porch_.html
Words: 42
Location: Buffalo, NY

04/04/08 02:34 - 42ºF - ID#43901

I ain't too proud.

I don't care if this is a fake 23,000th post, I still got it.

Permalink: I_ain_t_too_proud_.html
Words: 14
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: religion

04/01/08 09:05 - 60ºF - ID#43855

Can your church musician do this?

Ours can.

Permalink: Can_your_church_musician_do_this_.html
Words: 9
Location: Buffalo, NY

03/31/08 04:18 - 54ºF - ID#43848

To lazy for a real post.

So i will cross-post from Elmwoodjesus.org. This is what I put there (which was also a lazy post, I know):

For the record, I have started to put most of my sermons there. It's not because I don't like you all, but just because that's where people tend to go look for sermons. So if you want theological content, go to elmwoodjesus.org/news

Oops. Can't copy and paste the links. So if you want to see the post, you have to go here.

I promise to be a better (e:strip)per soon.

This is also on the other site. Shane Clairborne talking about "Jesus for President":

Ok. Time to go home. My wonderful wife is making a good dinner tonight.