“Somehow, when we tell Bible stories to kids, they turn out to be little morality tales, but they’re not! You read the Old Testament, and people, they’re more than flawed. They do some terrible things to each other, and there are no happy endings. There are no resolutions,” Ramis says. “I also noticed that everyone’s on a journey.”

-Harold Ramis (director of “Groundhog Day” and the upcoming movie “Year One”)

I think he’s got a point here.  We often forget that these were real, flawed people (like us) journeying and stumbling after the Lord. 

How often do we [when talking particularly to children or youth] boil Bible stories down to morality tales? And if we do that, how does this alter one’s perceive of God and our faith?

If we, as Christians, are to be like Christ. Then, why do our churches not attract the same people that Christ attracted?

This has been rattling in my mind for quite a while and it all kind of poured out of me during Catalyst in my journal. This is an idea. A catalyst. Some primal desire for change, but nothing we do should be outside the scope of community. So, my friends, readers, critics… I need your help. I want input and ideas. Let’s make this some sort of collaborative conversation. I’m looking for change. I’m looking for something more. I’m not even sure why I’m writing this, but I’d like to hear from you about this manifesto.

A Manifesto of Revolt and Activism in a Journey

Out of the Cluttered Woods of Faith

This is a clearing, a walk in spiritual anticipation for a tribe of earth shakers, lovers and heretics.

1. First and foremost, we are followers of Christ, lovers of God and chasers of the Spirit.
2. We the people are discontent with the way churches are today.
3. We want to do the work of Jesus and join in the healing of a broken world.
4. We are fueled by compassion, driven by love, and broken by God’s unfathomable grace.
5. We will not complain or bicker or dissent about the current state of the broken church, but we will incite change through our actions, meditations, prayers, and love.
6. We will pray and seek the Lord in the world around us.
7. We will break the mold of religious traditions and the American dream because we are sojourners, aliens, nomads following in the steps of a wandering Aramean.
8. We are social and religious heretics who are only accountable to the sovereign creator of the universe.
9. We are lovers of change, hope and compassion and will shake the status quo by how we step outside the herd and barbeque the sacred cow.
10. We will work out our faith in transparent community of broken followers stumbling after Christ.

Talk about hittin’ the flippin’ nail on the head.

Say what you will about Brian McLaren, but I like him. I’ve read several of his books and I don’t agree with everything he says, but he certianly challenges me to think.

In his new book Finding Our Way Again he recounts an interview he conducted at a pastors conference with Dr. Peter Senge. It went something like this:

Dr. Senge was saying that in any given bookstore, the best selling books are first, “how to get rich” and second, books on Buddhism.

“Why are books on Buddhism so popular, and not books on Christianity,” McLaren asked.

Senge replied, “I think it’s because Buddhism presents itself as a way of life, Christianity presents itself as a system of belief. I would want to get Christian ministers thinking about how to rediscover their own faith as a way of life, because that’s what people are searching for today. That’s what they need most.”

“Awake, you sleepers,

from your slumber…

examine your deeds,

return in repentance,

and remember your Creator.”

-Maimonides (ancient Jewish Rabbi)

Today is Rosh Hashana and the next nine days following are referred to as the “Days of Awe” in Jewish culture.

The ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are commonly known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the Days of Repentance. This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur. More here on Jew FAQ

So rarely do we look inward and reflecting upon what the Lord has done in our lives. The next 10 days are a time for reflection and introspection before the Jewish New Year. It’s never a bad thing to pause and reflect in our busy lives. So often time passes and we just keep on going. Let these next 10 days be ones of prayer, remembrance, introspection and repentance.

To hear more about it The Days of Awe from a  Jewish perspective, listen to this podcast (the first 10 – 15 min are the most succinct and interesting;, the rest is fairly superfluous)

Speaking of Faith: “Days of Awe” podcast

Free book from Thom Ranier about:

“Why do so many young adults (18 to 22) leave the church, and what will it take to bring them back?”

Not sure if I agree with books of this type, but I’ll give it a go and give you my opinion. Why are young adults leaving the church? My opinion? They’ve never experienced a faith worth following (I can digress, but that’s not the point of this post). Besides my opinion’s too short to put into a book. Who knows, I may learn something from this one…

Go here for the book.

[Thank Tommy Parke for the hook up]

You all know how much I love religion and politics (insert sarcasm), but I got sent info on this new website faith2008.org. It’s a database of religious rhetoric being compiled by Georgetown University centering around the presidential election. Now understand this isn’t the newest version of Christianity Today where candidates give lip service to tow the he Christian vote. The Faith 2008 Database tracks religious rhetoric in the campaign by candidate and theme, and features historical and international comparisons. It’s interesting to say the least.

Check out Faith2008.org