Dad

My dad died Wednesday after years of fighting ALS. If you've ever been close to someone with ALS - you know the slow devastation of this particular disease. It's just awful.
Some of you know that I just happen to be at this particular spot in life where several of those close to me have died. Mom, A.J., Karen and now Dad.
I've often described the last four years, at certain points, to feel like when you're just falling asleep. It's been surreal at times.
But underneath the buzz I must admit there's a certain warmth. Maybe it's just feeling what all those that have gone before us have felt as their loved ones disappeared. Maybe the warmth is feeling a sense of community with all those that mourn.
It's probably all that. And then, I think it's something more. As I've gotten older and walked through all this, I've found myself praying "thy kingdom come..." and really meaning it.
I really do long now for the Kingdom of God to come in it's fullness - no more sorrow and no more death. Resurrected bodies that won't get sick and won't wear out and won't die.
In fact, looking at it from this vantage point - I think a new description is in order. Rather than it feeling like when you're just falling asleep - perhaps the best way to describe it is to say that it feels like when you're just waking up.
Yeah, that's it. You know how that feels, when you're in that ambiguous place of slumber where you're experiencing weird dreams and uneasy uncertainy. Everything feels sluggish and encumbered.
But then, the first rays of sunlight poke into your consciousness, and you slowly become aware of the day. And then - before you know it - you're awake. You're awake to the gift of a brand new day - all its possibilities and all its opportunities.
Yep, that's a better way to say it. We're waking up.

The Expedition

I LOVE the mountains and just about everything humans have dreamed up to do in them.

So in amongst all the other newness of this particular summer - Clayton Schultz and Jarod Sickler have been schooling me on the particulars of The Expedition.

What a cool deal - backpacking and climbing in the Weminuche Wilderness, Moab and other excellent destinations in and around southwest Colorado.

Over the last few years Clayton and Jarod (strong mountaineers, quality thinkers and all around good people) have built this incredible program - and we'll be expanding it over the next few years in some truly amazing ways.

If you're into high adventure, or think you want to be, check out www.the-expedition.com and stay tuned for more info here as we continue sculpting!

SuperFriends - Part 2

The Institute's been fun the last few terms out here at Camp Kivu - teaching young people what is for most of them a whole new way of looking at Christianity. Like always, it's very rewarding.

I've gotten a bunch of comments like "I never saw the big picture of Christianity like this." or "It really makes me want to read the Old Testament." or "Can you get this stuff to my youth pastor?". One particularly sharp young man, especially affected by our discussion of the requirement that our works mirror our faith, called it a "wake up call".

So good - good for those of you that engaged in the discussion and came away challenged. I know I always walk away from these things changed in some way and this is no exception.

One interesting part of our discussion over the past few weeks has been the issue of uncertainty and ambiguity. In the Institute - I discussed it as it applies to worldviews. We talked specifically of the unprovable nature of any worldview.

Since neither you nor I can conclusively prove the truthfulness of our worldview (no matter what it is!) - I spend considerable time trying to help my students become comfortable being uncertain. To be at home in ambiguity.

I show them how their faith can be exponentially stronger by acknowledging and accepting the fact that their opinions, ideas and overall worldviews are inherently uncertain and ambiguous. Of course, I demonstrate that there is a way through the fog - a way of strength. It's an invigorating and adventurous journey for sure.

Of course - this concept is front and center in the discipline of leadership as well. And that's why I bring it up here in a discussion of the SuperFriends.

One of the students this week asked, "Why haven't I heard this before? Why haven't I heard that you can have strong faith while at the same time being uncertain?". Before I could answer, another student boldly replied, "because uncertainty scares most people to death".

Friends, Christianity is - a faith - is it not? We are asked by Messiah himself to believe in things we cannot see/hear/taste/touch/measure - right?

Yep, uncertainty does scare most people to death - and that's a shame.

Uncertainty scares modernist-egocentric-narcissists. So they try to stomp it out wherever they can. They micromanage everything. They crave and hog the limelight. They insist on being on top of their pyramid of sycophants because they alone have the "absolute truth" that all the rest of us only wish we could have.

And play on a team of equals? No way! That would introduce an uncertainty of their absolute control - which again scares them witless. They surround themselves only with people they deem weaker - people they can control.

bleh.

The SuperFriends have no such fear of uncertainty. They acknowledge their weaknesses (while of course trying to continuously improve). They take solace in knowing that their weaknesses are made up for by their co-laborers' strengths, and vice versa. So it's in their best interests to surround themselves with the strongest people available.

Think that through as you seek to lead in whatever capacity God has put before you. Does uncertainty scare you to death?

Hmmm? :)

Bright Future

The students got it today. And I mean to tell you - a bunch of 'em got it. The campers that make the trek out to Durango are, by and large, sharp cookies indeed.

It was a great day of teaching a new way (really, it's about the oldest way you can do it) of understanding the over-arching story of the Bible.

As many of you know - I've been studying the writings of several third-quest theologians for the last few years. It's deep water for sure. These guys are brilliant - way smarter than the average bear. Yet their premise is surprisingly simple:

"Why do we, as if we are computer-programmed, consistently read back into the scriptures all manner of (anachronistic, Greek philosophising, 21st-century, western, SUV-drivin', Starbucks drinkin') ideas that would make absolutely no sense to one of Jesus' first-century listeners?

Why don't we let the historical story of the ancient Jews, their messianic expectations, their socio-political plights and their hopes for the future - why don't we let those kinds of things dictate the meaning we take from the Bible?"

I spent a year extending their approach into a working Genesis-to-Revelation theology that can be understood by "the rest of us". Really - it was for my college students.

And then over the last month or so I've been doing my level best to streamline and simplify this primarily historical yet heavily eschatological understanding of Christianity for the students here at camp. Even still - it's a MOUTHFUL for teenagers to swallow in 3 days.

But the good news is - these guys are getting it. They're stretching themselves, they're questioning some age-old assumptions and they're seeing a fresh picture of the past, the present and the future for them and for the whole world.

So I salute all of you Institute students of 2009. Bright young men and women like you give me energy for today and a new shot of hope for the future.

Father, thank you for the young leaders you're raising up to extend your kingdom. Help us all to see, to hear and to understand your Great Story - and give each of us the strength to use our unique gifts to bring it to the whole world.

SuperFriends - Part 1

Any of you remember the SuperFriends? (Come on, Lowell - I know you're out there!)

Remember the Justice League? All those superheroes joining forces to fight evil in bigger and better ways than any one of them could do on their own?

It was one of my favorite cartoons back in the day.

So I've been teaching on and talking about epistemology alot lately here at Camp Kivu. (Hang with me - this isn't bait and switch - we'll get back to the SuperFriends. The connection with epistemology is quite powerful and could change your life if you let it!)

Those of you who've been in my classes know that I believe epistemology - the "study of knowledge" - to be the basis upon which we build our entire lives.

What you think of the past, present and future - what you think of God - what you think of yourself and those around you - how you approach "truth"... All of it is affected by what you think you can know, how you think you know and what you expect out of "knowledge".

So, I can't think of anything more important to talk about.

In this article I'll contrast two epistemologies - two ways of looking at "truths" outside ourselves. Then I'll look at how our choice of epistemology affects how we relate to others, and how we lead the teams, the businesses, the ministries and the families that God has entrusted us to.

The first "view of knowledge" I'll deal with here is the Modernist view (or the Positivist view, for you philosophers). The Modernist/Positivist believes that "the truth is out there", that it is concrete and objective, and that he can discover it and know it completely.

She may have to experiment to find it, or he may choose just to "feel it" - but either way, the Modernist believes he or she has found the absolute, objective truth - forsaking all other views. For the strict Modernist - anyone that disagrees with her is either misinformed or just plain stupid.

The Modernist view was quite popular during the Industrial Revolution all the way up to the 1970s or so. Modernists thought that science and technology would revolutionize the world, and that problems such as war, famine, racism, imperialism and poverty would melt away as "the truth" was found through scientific experimentation or contemplation.

Modernism gave way to Postmodernism in the popular culture during the 1970s or so, and is still the dominant mindset today. The Postmodern (or Phenomenalist for you philosophers) epistemology holds that there is no truth "out there". In fact, the Postmodern says that whatever we think is true is merely a reflection of ourselves - of our own biases and upbringing.

So the Postmodern mind believes that truth (if it even exists) is not absolute, nor concrete, nor is it "knowable". Rather, for the strict Postmodernist - all we can really know is that we exist, and that we "sense things" outside ourselves. For the strict Postmodernist - anyone that disagrees with him is merely exercising the right to exist and to believe their own reality - which, to them, is a good thing.

Now - what, you ask, does Modernism and Postmodernism have to do with the SuperFriends?

Well, here goes...

Modernism created heroes like Wyatt Earp, John Wayne and Dirty Harry. These guys were self-made, independent and larger-than-life. If you got in their way - God help you. Because they knew the truth, and they were gonna make the world in their own image.

Modernist heroes didn't care about the opinions of those around them. Why? Because they were the experts. They had everything they needed in themselves - why ask for help?

The SuperFriends were different, though - weren't they? Look at how they all came together at the Justice League headquarters. Look at how they viewed themselves as equals - how they deferred to one another - how they recognized each others' strengths and how they did their best to make up for each others' weaknesses.

The SuperFriends are a Postmodern construct, my friends.

Each member of the SuperFriends let go of the need to be the center of attention. They dropped the arrogant notion that they "had the truth" in favor of a more humble approach that valued the viewpoints of the others.

Was Batman still one tough hombre? You bet. Did Wonder Woman still have her own unique contribution to make to the team? Yes sir.

What about Superman? Wasn't he still the strongest? Yep. But did he use that strength to dominate the others? Nope. Wouldn't have been the SuperFriends if he did.

What, you ask, does this have to do with you and me?

Well, I've adopted a different epistemology than either Modernism or Postmodernism - but that's a story for another day. But in this discussion, I must admit that I appreciate the SuperFriends contribution of Postmodernism.

You know, I'm so sick (and I bet you are too) of the preachers, CEOs, evangelists, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, businessmen and "visionary leaders" that are so fond of themselves they can hardly stand it.

You know the type. They're the "transformational leaders" that (although they often can't think their way out of a wet paper bag) expect you to devote your life to making their visions into reality. They're narcissistic, self-centered egoists with a thinly-veiled desire to rule the world. They think they hold "the truth" that you only wish you could have.

One of my favorite oldtime preachers spoke of these people as having "I" trouble. In other words, everything that comes out of their mouths is "I did this", or "I think that". I, I, I, I....

The problem with the Modernist narcissistic egocentric leader is this. They'll never get nearly as far with nearly as much impact while cultivating nearly as many new leaders as will the SuperFriends.

For you see, the ultimate goal of the SuperFriends is to identify, train and enable more leaders - to share in an ever-growing pie that involves everyone's strengths. The goal of the Modernist narcissistic egocentric leader, on the other hand, is to maintain her own power at the cost of all others.

So, watch out for the Modernist approach in the leaders you're following, and most importantly, watch out for it in yourself.

When I grow up - I aspire to the SuperFriends approach. I want to trust others, to value their strengths and help minimize their weaknesses with my strengths as they do the same for my weaknesses.

I want to share in an ever-growing pie as we continually identify, train and enable more leaders to go and do what God has uniquely made them to do.

Whaddya think?

New Friends and New Ways

I made a new friend the other day - a student in The Institute. He's one of several that admitted they had serious questions about their worldviews. He'd been exposed to several possible explanations for humanity's past, present and future (including a few of the more popular ones). But he hadn't made up his mind yet.

I'm impressed by his honesty and by his willingness to explore and ask the hard questions. I spoke to him briefly today, and he mentioned in passing that "he'd changed" over the last few days.

I haven't got all the details yet - but I think he's getting some clarity. I think he's seeing the big picture. I think he's charting a new course for his life. Excellent.

Father, thank you for bringing new light and fresh perspectives to those who are seeking and open to your bright future. May your kingdom come and your will be done.

Doing Good

I'm teaching on the topic of doing good works in the Institute today. So I thought I'd resurrect this post on the subject. I love this stuff!

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Christians all agree to some extent that "doing good" is the right thing. What we often disagree on is why.

Some suppose to do good in order to salve their conscience from past sins. Others to perhaps earn favor with God. Still others, really, just because their priest, pastor, or parent told them to.

Of course, none of that will work for me - I've gotta have something more substantial.

Here goes.

Paul, in the context of outlining how the Kingdom is to be cultivated and grown, says:

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." - I Corinthians 3:10-15

Notice the phrase "the day will show it". He is speaking eschatologically - referring to "the day of the Lord". The Hebrews had, for hundreds of years, expected a judgment at the end of the age. Christians of course believed the same, and still do. That judgment is what Paul is referring to.

That judgment will eradicate the "wood, hay and straw" work that we've been involved in. Ouch! But think about what he says next.

Those works of ours which are built on the foundation of Jesus (who is the Messiah of the Jews and the King of the Cosmos) will remain.

Put another way, the noble things you do (conceive, create, draw, build, paint, teach, sculpt, write, support, lead) which are built upon the foundation of Jesus' fulfillment of the Messianic expectation and his lordship over the whole world - these things will pass through the judgment to come!

They will remain.

Got that? Let it sink in for a moment.

I can't, of course, predict exactly how this will work. I'm just processing what I read in the OT prophets, in Jesus' own words, in Paul and in Revelation regarding the Kingdom to come. And as I've covered many times here and elsewhere - the Kingdom that's coming is not some fuzzy place on a cloud, or out in space or in some other dimension.

Those fuzzy thoughts would have been laughed off in the first century, and should be in this century as well! Rather, Jesus taught us to pray "Thy Kingdom Come...On Earth!", and that means a real, physical kingdom with a real physical resurrection cranking out real physical bodies that will live forever. Study the Jewish expectations for Messiah and his kingdom, and then read the last few chapters of Revelation if you don't believe me.

And again, the noble work that we do now - the gold, silver and precious stones - will in some sense remain and be represented in that Kingdom. Just the thought of such a thing is overwhelming.

So then, why do I seek to do good works? Just because? Just because my pastor told me to? Just because I feel subconsciously guilty and need a soothing?

Nope, none of that. I seek to do good works so that I may build now what may remain then.

Like most of us, I want to leave a mark - to change the world in some way.

And the Christian story - read rightly - tells me that I can do works, including (conceiving, creating, drawing, building, painting, teaching, sculpting, writing, supporting, leading) that produce (ministries, families, songs, companies, paintings, people groups, architectures) that will remain in the Kingdom to come.

So can you. Yeah, baby!