Beam me up.

I spent $65 on gas today. And it was at a cheap gas station... in a cheaper county....

Dreaming of Hussein

I had a dream that I was in the Senate listening to them take attendance. It was taking forever. You see, after each state's roll was taken, then the senators had a chance to share what legislation they'd like to pass for the year. A woman senator from IL (make-believe -not Carol Mosely Braun -that would have been a nightmare!) proposed an amendment that would tie the presidency to gaining the popular vote rather than the electoral. I was concerned about this, and since I was sitting next to Senator Obama, I asked him about it -whether we could do it in a year or not. It was very nice about it. Next I wanted to discuss with him why evangelicals did not support ERA. (I KNOW why... but in the dream wanted to discuss it.)

Interestingly enough, I was "keeping score" of the attendance/roll call much like you would at a baseball game in terms of taking notes on the game play on the field.

Saint Beverly

Pray for my friend P. Her mom died on Friday.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Ps 116.15)

Being Missional in Suburbia: the grass ain't greener

As someone who lives and serves in an inner city community, I am a very strong advocate for increased Christian involvement in the inner city, but only because that it the context to which I am called and can see the need.

However, I am not blind the broader needs.

I have said it many times before, but it is worth saying again:

Suburbia is a far more challenging context in which to be truly missional than the inner city in so many ways.
While the problems in the inner city are many, they are also largely out in the open for many to see.
Further, because so few Christians genuinely engage the community missionally, there is a freedom to explore and experiment with creative ways of serving God and our neighbours.

In suburbia the culture of respectability and privacy means that the very real problems are often
hidden behind a veneer of manicured lawns and smiling faces.

Further, the culture is less forgiving about innovation in ministry.
All this to say that, while many people pat me on the back for living and working in the inner city,
my heroes are those who genuinely contend with the culture of suburbia for Christ
without abandoning it
or compromising within it.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
http://missional.blog.com/
-Jamie Arpin-Ricci
"a goodly read" says, LGirl