What is it that we need to do, Part Deux?

In the first piece, I stated that I was having a difficult time talking about how I understand or what I feel about “Everything Must Change”. I mentioned how that Mr. McLaren doesn’t talk about Jesus in the way most of us have heard. I have since learned that there is a reason for not talking about the traditional salvation message. It is really been talked about so much that we have missed the rest of what Jesus has to say. For many, this has been a difficult book to talk about. Not because the topic itself is so unmentionable, but more that when we talk about Jesus and being church, it is usually a more spiritual, philosophical discussion. In this study, we are getting down to the ‘nuts and bolts’, so to speak. Some may say, “You’ve now gone from preaching to meddlin’!”

Now that I’ve said that, let me give a bit of my background and tell you how this topic has affected me. I think it started when I was 15 years old and I went on a mission trip with the Youth group at Metropolitan Baptist Church. I had been a part of this group since I was 8 years old and the trip was one of those “rites of passage” that we all look forward to. It was on that trip that my mind and heart were changed. My whole view of the world and of Christianity had changed. I realized for the first time that there were people in the world who were really suffering. We as young Christians were blown away by the amount of poverty we saw and were determined to make a difference.

As the years went by, I began to see the world through different eyes. I began to see new and different ways that we, as the Church might be able to reach out to the world. Some of it was naïve, I guess, but the spark was there nonetheless.

Then, in 1995 I moved into Americana. I have always cared about missions. I have always been concerned about the poor. I have always wanted to know more about the world and different cultures. Moving in to Americana did something to me. It was there that I learned so much about the rest of the world. I learned so much about the different cultures and had such a beautiful experience; it was really difficult for me when I had to move.

Americana is an apartment complex, here in Louisville. The apartments themselves have been here for about 60 years or so. They were originally built as military housing, but in recent years, have been home to many of this city’s marginally poor and a first home for many of the refugees coming to the United States. People from all the poorest places in the world, who come to Louisville, often live in Americana till they can get on their feet.

I had neighbors from Vietnam, Bosnia, El Salvador and Cuba. That was just in my building. There were also people from Iraq, Sudan, Laos, Nigeria, Nicaragua and Mexico. While the rest of the community struggled with the change, I saw the residents struggle with prejudice and fear.

As I look back, I see that I was almost always at odds with the ministers in my life. Still am, to some degree. I wasn’t at odds because I was trying to cause trouble. It was more like I didn’t see the world, or didn’t want to see the world the way that the Church or the church I knew saw it. I questioned preachers regarding doctrine, I read book after book, I listened to professors in college talk about religion and yet there were still things that just didn’t seem to fit.

I had read the stories of Jesus, sung the songs and listened to countless sermons. It still seemed like we were saying one thing and yet, doing something else. I mean, Jesus said to “Love your neighbor, as yourself”. Yet, there are so many things that we, as Christians should be doing. Someone else knows that we are missing the point!!! I really didn’t believe I was the only one who thought there was a problem. It is one thing to want to save the world; it is another to figure out how to save it.

In the book, “Everything Must Change”, there is a challenge to reexamine the stories of Jesus. We are challenged to look at the world’s problems and try to see what Jesus would really do. With his two questions, McLaren challenges us to take a look at what Jesus said and did, in the context of His time and how might we apply it to the world’s problems, today.

If you are reading this, please make a comment. I am really looking for feedback.

What is it that we need to do, as Christians, in the postmodern world in which we live?

I am currently involved in a book study at Highland Baptist Church. It seems to me, that I am having a difficult time expressing my opinions regarding the issues raised in the book we are reading. Let me begin by telling you the name of the book, it’s author and then I will attempt to write here what my thoughts and feelings are regarding the book’s content.

The name of the book is ‘Everything Must Change, Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope’, written by Brian McLaren. Mr. McLaren has also written several other books, including ‘The Secret Message of Jesus’ and ‘A Generous Orthodoxy’. His work focuses primarily on what the message of Jesus is and how it relates to our world today. In Everything Must Change, McLaren poses two questions. The first, “What are the biggest problems facing the world, today?” He has several lists, from numerous sources. The second is, “What does Jesus have to say about these global problems?”

Mr. McLaren’s books are highly recommended by those who are interested in what is called the “emerging church” movement. Some would say that this is a cult, attempting to draw those who have been disillusioned by the ‘church’ into some false sense of “whatever I do is okay” and putting less emphasis on the salvific message we traditionally see in the Gospels. Others believe that maybe this is a way to rethink how we are as Christians. How do we apply the message of Jesus in our world today?

While I realize that there is definitely less emphasis on salvation in McLaren’s writings, I don’t believe that we have to see it that way. I believe that his ideas have merit. I don’t think he believes we should deny salvation altogether, and if he does, well he is just one man. I am going to put it out there…I am interested in what others think.

I may be opening a can of worms here, but I do value others opinions.

Please Read, For those who need help!

Here is an article that was originally posted by my friend Madonna. If you are interested in reading more You can find her blog at: http://ww1.yuwie.com/profile/?id=40853 PLEASE SEEK HELP,TRY TO GET A GRIP,WE ALL NEED TO READ		add to favorites
There are many definitions used to talk about codependency today. The original concept of codependency was developed to acknowledge the responses and behaviors people develop from living with an alcoholic or substance abuser. A number of attributes can be developed as a result of those conditions. However, over the years, codependency has expanded into a definition which describes a dysfunctional pattern of living and problem solving developed during childhood by family rules. One of many definitions of codependency is: a set of *maladaptive, *compulsive behaviors learned by family members in order to survive in a family which is experiencing *great emotional pain and stress. *maladaptive - inability for a person to develop behaviors which get needs met. *compulsive - psychological state where a person acts against their own will or conscious desires in which to behave. *sources of great emotional pain and stress - chemical dependency; chronic mental illness; chronic physical illness; physical abuse; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; divorce; hypercritical or non-loving environment. As adults, codependent people have a greater tendency to get involved in relationships with people who are perhaps unreliable, emotionally unavailable, or needy. And the codependent person tries to provide and control everything within the relationship without addressing their own needs or desires; setting themselves up for continued unfulfillment. Even when a codependent person encounters someone with healthy boundaries, the codependent person still operates in their own system; they’re not likely to get too involved with people who have healthy boundaries. This of course creates problems that continue to recycle; if codependent people can’t get involved with people who have healthy behaviors and coping skills, then the problems continue into each new relationship. Why do we become codependent? What causes it? It’s widely believed we become codependent through living in systems (families) with rules that hinder development to some degree. The system (usually parents and relatives) has been developed in response to some problem such as alcoholism, mental illness or some other secret or problem. General rules set-up within families that may cause codependency may include: It’s not okay to talk about problems Feelings should not be expressed openly; keep feelings to yourself Communication is best if indirect; one person acts as messenger between two others; known in therapy as triangulation Be strong, good, right, perfect Make us proud beyond realistic expectations Don’t be selfish Do as I say not as I do It’s not okay to play or be playful Don’t rock the boat. Many families have one or more of these rules in place within the family. These kinds of rules can constrict and strain the free and healthy development of people’s self-esteem, and coping. As a result, children can develop non-helpful behavior characteristics, problems solving techniques, and reactions to situations in adult life How can counseling help? For people with codependency, individual counseling can teach assertiveness, listening, and communication. Counseling can help you become more aware of non-helpful actions/behaviors, and work with you on developing new, healthier coping skills. In the case of codependency though, counseling only helps if the counselor is aware of their own tendency towards codependence, or if the counselor has some understanding about the addictive push in our society. Counselors, in the case of codependency, need to present good boundary setting and healthy living themselves during sessions with clients. If a counselor develops a working relationship with a client that has codependent qualities, again, the pattern is repeated, and therapy may not be as helpful. Some statistics show 50-80% of counselors have not addressed their own codependency issues. So one must be careful in choosing a counselor for this kind of support. There are also self-help groups for codependency, called CODA groups. More information is available through local alcoholism services. If you can’t find a CODA group, there’s also ACA (adult children of alcoholics groups) that deal with similar issues CODA groups might deal with. If you are interested in making some money, check out www.yuwie.com Tell the Georgianna sent you!