The world’s on fire it’s more then I can handle
I’ll tap into the water try and bring my share
Try to bring more, more then I can handle
Bring it to the table
Bring what I am able
All posts by mjfelker1980
The Variables Rock
Coldplay‘s latest album, X&Y, is a classic. It starts with an awesome track entitled, “Square One,” and resolves exceptionally with “Twisted Logic.” My favorite tracks (“Fix You,” “Swallowed By the Sea,” “Talk”) will no doubt go down in Coldplay history as defining moments. I cannot wait until September when the wife and I will celebrate our 4th anniversary with thousands of our closest friends listening to these songs live. A great band and a great album.
Speaking Tonight
Tonight I will be speaking at church. The difficult part is that there are so many different people there: Teens, parents, bluehairs, CEOs and babies. In the grand scheme of things that kind of diversity is good. In the preparing a lesson scheme of things it is a challenging thing. A very challenging thing.
Simpsons Movie Not Unpossible
More from ONE
On Friday I recieved this email from Rick Warren concerning the ONE Campaign. If you are a “faith leader” please email Rick at rick@peace.gs and tell him that you would like to sign this letter below.
Do something. Anything. Help.
Dear President Bush,
Because:
· ONE billion people around the world live on less than ONE dollar a day;
· The US government spends less than ONE percent of its budget on fighting global AIDS and poverty;
· Americans are uniting as ONE across political and religious divides to support action to overcome the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty.At the G8 leaders meeting on July 6th we urge you to:
· Help the poorest people of the world fight poverty, disease, and hunger at a cost equal to just ONE percent more of the US budget on a clear timetable;
· Cancel 100% of the debts owed by the poorest countries;
· Reform trade rules so poor countries can earn sustainable incomes.We urge you to lead an historic deal with other nations to help Africa and the poorest nations overcome global AIDS and extreme poverty. Together as ONE, we can Make Poverty History this July.
Sincerely, U.S. Faith Leaders
Play Catch Up on Emergent Criticism
Emergent Response
In 2000, I read a book entitled “Postmodern Youth Ministry” by Tony Jones. I had the privilege of meeting him and his friend Dan Kimball at YS NYWC soon after. Kimball then wrote a book called “The Emerging Church” which I fell in love with church all over again. That book’s follow-up, “Emerging Worship,” was also a hit at the Felker desk. Then came the earthquake: “A New Kind of Christian” by Brian McLaren. I soon discovered other McLaren gems such as “Finding Faith,” “Adventures in Missing the Point,” “The Church on the Other Side,” and now recently, “A Generous Orthodoxy”. These books were so refreshing and honest. They completely spoke to my heart as one who seeks to see the Church become what it was intended to be and not just what we have settled for. This group and its message became known as Emergent.
For a while, Emergent was considered by some to be a fad by the “mainstream”. It was a “coffee and Christmas lights” worship movement and nothing more. It wasn’t dangerous. It wasn’t even on the radar for many (and still may not be).
Now, things are different. As I have followed their stories on blogs and though print I have seen a dramatic backlash against these men and their teachings. I believe one of them (Jones, Pagitt) saw this backlash on the horizon a little over a year ago. Now I’ve seen it to be true. Below I have pasted an article from The Ooze written by Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, Spencer Burke, Brian McLaren, Dan Kimball, Andrew Jones, and Chris Seay. The article is a response to some of the criticism that has sprung up. I have met or heard in person almost all seven of these men. They have meant a lot to me and their writings have helped me focus my ministry on Christ Jesus. If you aren’t in on the conversation, get in.
We continue to be amazed by the enthusiastic interest in the work of emergent, a conversation and friendship of which we are a small part. This conversation is bringing together a wide range of committed Christians and those exploring the Christian faith in wonderful ways, and many of us sense that God is at work among us. As would be expected, there have also been criticisms. A number of people have asked us to respond to these criticisms. These ten brief responses will, we hope, serve to clarify our position and suggest ways for the conversation to continue constructively for participants and critics alike. It is our hope and prayer that even our disagreements can bring us together in respectful dialogue as Christians, resulting in growth for all concerned.
First, we wish to say thanks to our critics… (more)
More Important Than Coldplay
Take Action Links
Greg’s Thoughts on American Indifference
NYT: “Bush Maintains Opposition to Doubling Aid for Africa”
Worship in the Spirit of Justice
The ONE Campaign
Just a taste of the important things I’ve been reading about today.
Nada and Compare
I have been absolutely worthless since my wife left to visit her family. Not as worthless as a friend I had in college but still I feel lazy. This friend was the worst (or best depending on your perspective). His wife left for a summer long internship in another state. He went to Wal-Mart and purchased a couple of power strips and extension chords. When he returned to his apartment he plugged his refrigerator, microwave, an fan and the TV into the power strips and plugged the extension chord in the community outlet in the hallway of the apartment complex. He then turned the power off in his apartment to avoid paying for electricity while his wife was gone. I would try that but I think my neighbors would notice my bright orange extension chord plugged into their back porch.
I haven’t completely let the house go to pot but it is a far cry from being acceptable to her. Tonight I’m going to have to clean hardcore!
I feel like I have not accomplished anything this week even though I have done a lot. I am teaching a class next school year entitled “Leadership in Action”. I am so excited and have been working very hard on making it a great class. This week I laid out a basic outline for the year and I detailed the first 2-3 weeks. I have done a lot of work on it. I’ll share more on it later.
On the pop culture front, I am eagerly anticipating the new Coldplay album X&Y. I read on the CNN ticker last night that it was leaked on the internet yesterday. I just checked iTunes and they still have it listed as pre-order. I guess I can wait until Tuesday. I am excited also because of all the U2/Coldplay comparisons. Although I think that they are two completely different bands I still get excited when I read things like this:
Coldplay’s third opus takes on the reigning champ, U2, and doesn’t so much dismantle Atomic Bomb as blast right through it, like a mile-wide meteor, hurteling across the heavens toward the Beatles themselves.
Whoa! That was written by Bud Scoppa in the June/July issue of Paste Magazine. For my money, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is my favorite album of the past 12 months. I know I’m biased but so what! It is a near perfect album.
If Martin and Co. can “blast” through that album my ears say, “Bring it on!!!”
Live 8
I just recieved this email from The ONE Campaign. There are some very exciting things happening!
This morning, international stars such as Bono, Bob Geldof and Dave Matthews announced “Live 8”, a series of free global concerts to take place on July 2. “Live 8” concerts will be held simultaneously in Philadelphia, PA; London, England; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; and Berlin, Germany.
The “Live 8” concerts are part of the ONE Countdown to the G8 Summit to urge President Bush and other leaders of the world’s 8 wealthiest nations to save millions of lives when they meet together in Scotland, July 5th to 8th.
The global concerts will feature performances by a historic line up of artists including Dave Matthews Band, U2, Jay Z, Paul McCartney, Black Eyed Peas, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and many, many more!
his year marks 20 years since LIVE AID, the biggest charity concert ever staged. This time, the concerts will not be asking for your money, but your voice. Your voice is urgently needed to urge President Bush to Make Poverty History at the G8 summit.
Together, we will let President Bush know that the American people are counting on his leadership to make the simple, but powerful decisions necessary to save millions of lives around the world.
Sincerly, The ONE Team