AIDS, a decade later, Bono

Bono has campaigned much for the Aids issue in Africa.

His recent NY Times article highlights America's role in the progress, naming names and milestones.

This quote captures the heart of the campaign and message to the west that got people's attention:

And all of us who witnessed these dedicated African workers issuing death sentence after death sentence still feel fury and shame. AIDS set off an almost existential crisis in the West. It forced us to ask ourselves the big, uncomfortable questions, like whether capitalism, which invented the global village and kept it well stocked with stuff, could also create global solutions. Whether we were interested in charity... or justice.

Top 10 Christmas Gifts (ALTERNATIVE)

Christmas is so frantic. Malls are packed. People drive crazy. No one's happy until they sit down to eat. HOHOHO

Here's an easy way to make a lasting impact and get the PERFECT gift for those you love - or through those you love :)

OK, I tricked you!!

These gifts are for people you don't know, but would need them so much more. In fact, maybe who ever you're exchanging gifts with will agree to do the same - win win. Even shaving off 30% of your total budget and redirecting it would make a huge impact.

AdventConspiracy.org is a great inspiration on this.

Jesus came into the world to bring justice, and perhaps the best way to celebrate him is to do justice along side him.

Here's my Top 10 gift alternatives for Christmas 2011:

Soccer balls for boys and girls overseas.
Not bad for a kid who probably never played X-box
30$

Greenhouse for a farmer in Ukraine.
Lengthens their growing season and produces better crop.
100$

That pig they always wanted
Pigs actually help families fertilize their gardens, yum.
75$

Police Chase.
Sponsor a 1 day investigation with International Justice Mission
45$

Put a School Kit together
Help kids overseas with needed tools for education
Drop Off Locations

My favorite, and something everyone should own - yes that Water Buffalo on the top of your list!!
Water Buffalo's help with transport and more... and they're kind of cute
460$ (less than your average espresso machine)

The rest are some organizations you might not know about, but should...

Big Brothers and Sisters
Matching adult mentors with kids that need it

Welcome Hall Mission
One of Montreal's largest resources for the poor

PAX- Communauté de la Rue
Building relationships with and serving the homeless in Montreal

Bearers of Love
Providing funds and resources for homeless, orphans, and rehabilitating addicts in Ukraine

BONUS GIFT:
Westside is doing a FOOD DRIVE for West Island Mission on Sunday, December 18 and 23. Pop into our gathering and drop off some groceries OR connect with WIM directly!!!

What are your gift options this year?
Are you considering going alternative this year?
How much do you spend on gifts, average?

NEXT POST: my theory on why you should completely reconsider what you give to your toddler (ages 0-5) this Christmas and why?

Amazon.com is HUGE

I think Amazon is a great company. I get more interested in them then Apple (yes I own Apple products and happen to consume Amazon products on them). They don't have that elitist edge like Apple seems to give off (please correct me if I'm wrong on this).

I like them b/c they're also more sustainable. You have to buy Apple stuff with your Apple product. You don't only have to buy amazon stuff with your amazon.ca account. I can by books, cameras, e-books, memory cards, etc.
Check out this great infographic on them.

I also like the fact that they provide Apple with competition. Since I also use Apple products, competition should keep the price a little lower :)

Source: Frugaldad.com

Create vs. Consume

I've been feeling the SLUG of consumerism lately.

NOT WHAT YOU THINK.

Ok, I've probably eaten a little too much and maybe purchased something I really don't need (that 1/8 inch wire to attach a DVD player to my car speakers - not important when some live on 2$/day)

The consumerism I'm talking about is INFORMATION.

I can't get enough of it. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Articles. It seems like they come in like fire hoses.

To be honest, I hold the valve. I can intake,... or not.

What does this have to do with creating?

Consuming DOES NOT EQUAL creating!!

Consuming can be good, but it can also hurt you.

It makes you procrastinate (one more article on _____ before I start writing)
It gets you tired (one more video on the next iPhone #)
It distracts you from people and priorities (wait honey, I'll be there in 2 min.)

Can you relate?

Tonight I determined to CREATE instead of CONSUME.

I got better at iMovie, making a short video for a community outreach
I wrote the a book review

I'm going to bed fulfilled. Infact, even writing this post makes me feel creative instead of consumeristic.

How are you at with balancing your creativity and consumption?
What products (web, tv, magazines, etc.) do you find yourself consuming?
Is there a good consumption and a bad one?

faking conversion for a better understanding of american evangelicals

This is interesting. GINA WELCH, writer, faked her conversion and baptism so she could get a first hand look at American Evangelicalism. From what I understand she's an atheist, secular Jew (not confirmed).

Here's an interview with Southern Baptist (writer/blogger) Trevin Wax (Wax is a conservative Christian)

Here's 2 sections that stand out to me from the interview.

In the evangelism class I took at Thomas Road, we learned that the precondition for talking to someone about the Gospel was the question, “Do you believe in God and the Bible?” The script assumed the answer would be yes. If the answer was no, you simply walked away. We were armed with arguments for Christianity, but not for God.

This last line is striking - an interesting look at a Christian's approach to evangelism. We presume people must believe our framework first in order to start searching for God. I.E. we're leading them to Christianity, not to Jesus/God. Of course, if led to Jesus, they will be led to Christianity. Her critique causes much reflection on how we approach sharing our faith - which Jesus called us to do (Matthew 28:18-20)

Here's a section about marriage:

Half of marriages end in divorce, and the average marriage lasts around seven years. Yes, the institution is in deep trouble. But I’d argue this has much to do with our casual attitude about marriage–the emphasis on being a beautiful bride with toned arms and having a perfect wedding with vows and flowers and food that everyone will remember, and the comparatively low interest in the content of sustained married life.

This is a true assessment. Even among Christians, there's so much attention paid to the marriage day, the home, the furniture, the honeymoon, the pictures, and more. If this much detail was given to prayer, discussion, marriage counseling, and a deep biblical and relational understanding of marriage I wonder how much better marriages would be within the church - not to mention an amazing witness for the culture of what marriage can be like.

Definitely an interesting read, a bold move from Welch (which she now has faced much negative feed back about), and an honest interview with Wax.

Christmas Jealousy?!?

I'm noticing ADS a little more these days (see my last post)

Today's Montreal Gazette (page A10) has a Videotron.com ad with the new Nexus One HTC phone with this line attached:

"The Power to make everyone Jealous"

There's motive for you. A really great reason to buy something - not b/c it's good or useful or even nice. Instead, let's buy it so my friends will pay more attention to me, even worse, so I can make them JEALOUS.

God breaking out in a mall

Imagine this in your local mall. Montreal - can we set this up at Rockland or Fairview!!!



The words of that classic song is the gospel - the whole gospel - the reign of God - we see glimpses of it now, but one day it will be in full reign.

What a great example of how God breaks into our reality from time to time to point us towards the day he will make everything right. "He shall reign!"

6 bad udpates on the new iPhone OS

I have an iPhone 3GS, which Apple automatically installs their new 4.01 OS on when you do a regular upgrade. I wish there was a way to keep the old one (like keeping XP on your PC), here's why:

1. things run slower
- I find every app or software on my phone runs slower, except the camera (but see point #2)
- email, Safari, etc. - they all run a little slower with some added glitches

2. it takes 3-5x longer to load an APP, especially the camera
- for some reason, the camera shoots a fast pic once it's on

3. email software is too complex
- I now have 2 sets of folders
- I actually like seeing all my mail from 3 accounts in one
- but the I need to go back to make sure I know where it's from
- they've added a following system - so they keep email conversations together
- this can be nice, but then gets too complex

4. as soon as you move an icon over it creates a folder
- this stinks, I've had to undo that so many times
- they should have had a screen pop: are you sure you want to create this folder

5. multi-tasking is not that efficient
- but how long does an app stay open
- when do you really close it

6. there's no more double click to your favorite phone numbers
- as a former BB user, I though iPhone had way to many steps to actually make a call
- plus you need to touch too many buttons to get the speaker or dial pad on
- at least they had the double button touch to get favorites
- guess what, the new OS removed that b/c now double touch turns on multi-tasking

Although this could be a better 'phone', I do love my iphone for some app features, internet, and great screen. But this new OS didn't make it better. They should at least let you stick with the old system if you wanted to.

What do you think?

Why learn from culture

Westside started a series last Sunday called AT THE MOVIES. We'll go through different popular movies this last year and see if they have anything to teach us. I.E. is there something in these movies that affirm how God is already trying to shape us through the scriptures.

I often wonder if that takes away from starting with the Bible?

But Phil. 4:8 helps us see that we must be able to discern when things affirm truth.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

If God is real and if God is right, then he must be trying to affirm the kind of life he's created us for outside of just the scriptures. Though the scriptures are HIS word to us and our final authority when discerning other voices, I think it's important to know when other voices echo what God is trying to tell us.

Here's why I try to look for those affirmations:

1. they help me see that God speaks our language - b/c he loves us and wants to get our attention.

2. they help me see that the human heart searches for God - or the life he's created for us; so when we notice someone yearning for justice or purity or love - it affirms what the scriptures already tell us about how God created us in his image

3. messages that affirm God's truth in our culture help us connect people to God. if people could see some movie or song or poem they're excited about is echoing a message God has already been saying, this can help them see that God not only exists but that he's worth getting to know

ad for a stronger marriage

what a creative ad... and it's true

Dreams for the world

"the church and it's gospel throw into question the agenda of the world-all the agendas of the world-and open the world to possibilities of which it has never dared to dream. When the church dares to be different, it models for the world what God calls the church to become." (Richard John Neuhaus)

Read this in "Unfashionable" by Tullian Tchividjian, where he closes this chapter with a great phrase describing the church, calling it 'God's Demonstration Community'

Reminds me of the phrase I live to spread around, that the church is 'God's living and local presence'

iPad... i wonder

Last night I was all caught up with the news of Apple's new creation.

I love the new features in Calendar (finally they added the 'week at a glance' view), the ability to read Magazines in a vivid platform, and the iBook app.

But really, would someone spend 600-800$ (b/c you obviously want a 3Gs version) on an iPad for that reason? Not sure yet.

(read FastCompany for their opinion on how much it might cost you)

The more I think about it, it looks more like a an over sized iPhone, and for someone who has an iPhone and a smaller MacBook... what would they do with an iPad - perhaps like one review said - it's an iSunday - for those leisure Sunday reads on the couch.

This was a funny quote from InformationWeek: The iPad is like living with your parents -- there's a lot you can't do, but there are undeniable advantages.

Tech fans here in Montreal apparently weren't too impressed.

My first thought was: this can become my next laptop... but not sure, unless version 2 or 3 allows you do more than open apps and read books.

Then again, who knows, if the book and magazine industry continue to move digital it will be an amazing library to carry around! And, the sheer fun of surfing, emailing, playing, and reading on a such a slick designed piece like the iPad might be what everyone is looking for.

Let me know if you buy one and how you like it.

Bill Gates online

Just stumbled upon Bill Gate's website... really clean and informative.

GO HERE

Perspective

I looked up Haiti on a map today. As much as I had a vague idea, I wasn’t 100% sure.

Locating something is meaningful. It helps you get perspective.

But what we are seeing on the news, photos, and videos this week is definitely a change in perspective.

Red Cross claims 50,000 are already dead and 3,000,000 will be effected by this. Trying to explain that to my son, I told him that this is like our whole municipality (D.D.O.) dying and all of the Greater Montreal Region being effected.

Perspective.

As you hear the reports, talk to friends, watch the pictures – please take time to pray for Haiti and the thousands of people dealing with the aftermath of destruction and loss.

And also, as God leads you, prayerfully consider your contribution to this enormous need. Our church recently posted some info that can help you both gain perspective and give you a path to make a difference.

(wrote this initially for Westside's weekly enews on January 15, 2010 but felt I should share it on this blog)

To tied down to give

"Christians don’t wait to start giving until they own enough to give it up; Christians start when they’ve got nothing that owns them enough to tie them down" (from Leonard Sweet's Facebook status)

I don't know many people who give only because they can.
Most people I know who give, give because they choose to.
Most of those people started giving when they had little.
Most people who give to other organizations usually give to more than one.
It seems like giving reproduces giving.

I have a feeling that the people that will give more this Christmas to good causes around the world are already giving to their church and other charities throughout the year. It's an attitude thing.

CONSUMING is something I fight more than a little. I like to have stuff. I like the promo ads for new TV's and gadgets. I like thinking about what I can get.

I continually have to surrender the stuff in my life so "nothing owns me enough to tie me down" and stop me from... giving.

This might help you out: www.adventconspiracy.org, at least for this season.

The Soloist (movie)

Finally got around to watching The Soloist (staring Robert Downey Jr & Jamie Foxx).

A powerful (true) story about a report (Lopez) who spontaneously meets a homeless man (Ayers) who happens to be a gifted musician that when to Juilliard School of Art.

Lopez, an LA Times journalist gets caught up on a mission to help Ayers. When his expectations are never met, Lopez wants to give up. But his ex-wife helps him realize that maybe all the Ayers needs from him is friendship, not opportunities to get out of his situation.

The joy of it is that Lopez gets positively affects and so does his heart - learning more about himself than he does about Ayers.

TAKE AWAY (for me):
1. Too often our self worth is put on other people's progress
- if they progress, we did good, and therefore are successful
- this hit me as a pastor, b/c very often I want so badly for people to move forward spiritually, see the importance of community, mature in leadership capability, etc. - and when it doesn't or happen fast enough it sometimes makes me feel like a failure
- sometimes I need to be me and fulfill my role and not allow the results to define me

2. Too often we serve a need in the hopes of seeing a return
- most often the people in need, really need relationship, not progress
- I've often lost interest when no progress is made, and that made the other person feel like a project instead of a person

3. Passion for beauty and life
Nathanial Ayers was troubled in some ways (mentally), but his passion for music was overwhelmingly beautiful; at one point Lopez says: I've never loved anything as much he loves music; when I was with him listening in on the orchestra's rehearsal I could feel his passion, it was so real. (only problem is that he said this to his ex-wife!!)
- I want to live with much greater passion for life, people, God, creativity, and grace

4. the problem of homelessness is all around us, but especially in LA where they have more homeless people on the streets than 6 major US cities combined (although I can imagine weather has something to do with that)
- 90,000 (60,000 literally on the streets)
- I don't know Montreal stats (can't recall, I think it's about 25,000)
- a link here and here for a start on the Montreal issue
- met a great couple who works with street people in Montreal and really embodies the 'friend' approach (met them during our SOAR mission week)

Any thoughts? Let me know if you watched the movie and what you thought.

Larry Norman on CNN

LARRY NORMAN makes it to CNN.

A great ARTICLE about the pioneer of Christian Rock who had an incredible relevance in the culture of his day. Some of his fans included U2, Bob Dylan, and Guns-n-Roses. My older brother was a fan... and by default so was I.

"I want the people to know that he saved my soul, but I still want to listen to the Radio." (one of his many lyrics)

Read the article, very authentic. Larry was missional in his day!

Obama Speech to Students

The coles notes of President Obama's speech to students posted by John Piper.

A great motivational and challenging communication to students. I read some of it to my son. He listened!!

Some days...

SOME DAYS HAVE A PURPOSE YOU CAN ONLY DISCOVER, NOT PLAN

Last night we had plans... but they fell through.

So... it turned into an evening with little to do but nothing - started at supper, turned into a coffee on my deck, moved to helping my little girl ride her bike without training wheels (and she did!!), shifted to my front porch where we were joined by 3 neighbors in conversation for over an hour (interesting topics, free drinks), a spontaneous walk with my son that was both needed and meaningful, interrupted by an invitation for a drink on another back deck, ended with peacefully putting our kids to bed and spending some quiet time with my wife, sleep (an unavoidable necessity)

See, "SOME DAYS HAVE A PURPOSE YOU CAN ONLY DISCOVER, NOT PLAN"

I wonder if your life needs to be purposefully planned or just purposefully expectant so we can take the opportunities that fulfill the purposes in our hearts.

I wonder if we need margin in life to fulfill our purposes (teaching your daughter how to ride her bike, listening to the life stories of neighbors, sharing your heart in return)

I wonder if we don't recognize the purposeful in the unintentional moments.

Musing... feel free to comment.

technology, faith, community...

just got off the phone with a prayer conference call - some guys from my church initiated it; one was in the states, the rest in our different offices in Montreal

incredible to plug in

funny thing: I just read a critique/review last night of Shane Hipps' new book, Flickering Pixels. The book makes ultra negative claims about technology as a cheap substitute for interaction. I can understand. Nothing can substitute face to face interaction. The critique slams Hipps for not recognizing that technology can allow for interaction when face to face opportunities do not exist.

I experienced that this morning on the conference call. A little choppy - for sure - but could not have happened without technology.

Definitely a boost to my day, a needed prayer for me and others, and a cool way to nurture the faith of each other in spiritual community.