AIDS, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Inconsistency of the Church

Saturday night Cheri and I went to the AIDS Coalition "Unmask the Mysteries" Gala fundraiser. It was a "whos who" event in down town San Jose. The premise was to raise funds through corporate sponsors and through a silent auction of items donated from people all over the Bay Area. It was nice to mingle with people who care so much about fighting AIDS. There were 5 of us represented from WestGate (Beautiful Day's Living Well group). In fact, we were the only church represented at this event. I actually felt proud to be connected to WestGate and represent our church's ongoing support of those who are suffering from HIV and AIDS, but I was saddend by the lack of support from the evangelical community at large.

It baffles me that churches would work to respond to the AIDS pandemic globally, but make very little effort locally. What I find most ironic is churches rallying together to fight the gay community over legalized same-sex marriage, while making little to no response to those suffering from HIV and AIDS. Why is that? The whole fight feels inconsistant to me. We will rally together and unify churches to fight for something that protects a value that we hold, but we fail to come together to fight for those who are suffering.

I'm not saying that I don't share some of the same convictions with some of these churches about same-sex marriage. What I am saying is that I really dont like the way this thing is going down. The conservative evangelical community is going to do what it seems to do best... that is, rally together to stand "against" something, rather than rally together to stand "along side" someone.

The evangelical community has done so much damage in the past as it relates to the Gay Community and those suffering from HIV and AIDS, that our credibility to say anything worth listening to is almost entirely lost. The only credible voice comes in the form of a servant... who is willing to pick up a towel and wash feet.

The further we get to the Same Sex marriage initiatives in November, the more I will call people to humbly serve, to bless, to give, to care. If we rally around anything it will be around Jesus who came in the form of a servant, and healer. Jesus healed wounds and cared for those who were suffering... we should do the same.

For more information about AIDS Coalition Silicon Valley go to: www.AIDScoalition.org
-Make a one time donation
-register under "Team Beautiful Day" for the Oct 19th AIDS walk
-Donate your Vehicle

Modern Day Hero's

Every once in a while you meet a modern day hero. Tom Randall is one of the most recent that I've had the previledge to interact with. Tom is this larger than life character who serves in the most unusal ways to introduce people to Jesus and to care for the forgotten peoples of this world. Tom serves as a communicator and chaplain for the PGA Seniors tour. His connections with pro golfers is one of the many networks that he leverages for making impact to orphans and lost people around the world.





On June 16th Tom will be riding his bike 2500 miles from the Pacific Coast over three mountain ranges and through Oregon, Idoho, Wyoming, South Dakoda,a d Minnesota in 27 days.

The funds pledged so far is over $317,000 towards building orphanages and sponsering kinds in the Philippines.

What I love most about this is the relentless passion for what intuitively seems right and God directed. Tom looks at the obvious obsticles as a chance for God to show himself... and for Tom to have yet another story to tell.

God continues to show me... that when He puts something in your heart to do, and it sounds and seems unconventional, unimaginable, and maybe even ridiculous... that obedience opens doors for God to show up in ways no one every would have imagined.

Most people who hear Tom tell me "I love his stories. I wish God used me that way." All I can think of is "it ain't Tom... its the power of Him whom Tom abandons himself to in faith."

God I pray that those who read this post would be more empowered with your spirit as they completely abondon themselves in faith to do strangly unusual for your kingdom.

Check Tom's progress and journey at www.bike4kids.blogspot.com

I've included Tom in my list of "Sites that are changing the world"

Mount Constitution and Laughing Jesus

I just got back from Orcas Island on the last advance for my doctoral program. It was great to be there and i had the opportunity to fly in to Orcas Island airport from Gig Harbor in WA. I was told that the most traffic that comes through Orcas airport are deer that seem to frequent the runway... requiring pilots to do a "fly-by" to ward off any strays. I spent the week at Len's Sweets house... which is another story unto itself.

While i was there I had the opportunity to visit one of the most scenic sights in the US at the top of Mt Consitution. Mt Constitution is a 2,409 ft high mountain on Orcas Island, and the tallest spot on all the San Juan Islands. There is a tower on top of Mt Constitution and a look out from the top. I was there observing the beauty and offered to take a picture of a couple who were there at the same time. They also took one of me and emailed it to me. Since that time we've been emailing back and forth (Kevin and Shari Vogt) from Huntington Beach. Shari is an artist who does stylized custom portraits that are unbelievable! You can check out her work at http://www.sharivogtartistry.com/ and look throught the gallery. Turns out I've already sent her some pics and we are negotiating some work for our family. I encourage you to check it out and do the same.

Here's a sample of her work.

I love how this turned out... I go to school in WA... happen to go to Mt Constitution on that day... just happen to meet a couple from my wifes home town in So Cal... i offer to take their picture... they offer to take mine... we banter emails and pictures back and forth... she's an artist who happens to do art the way i love. OK so maybe its not all that mysterious.

But I think its a cool link that would make Laughing Jesus at least break out in a smile.

The Mezuzah's in your Life

The basic idea is pretty simple and has traces back to ancient Judaism. On a typical Jewish home you will find a metal or ceramic fixure fixed typically to the entry way of the front door called a Mezuzah. The Mezuzah is nothing more that a carrying case of a rolled up piece of paper with the passages of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and 11:13-21, and on the back is written Shaddai (the name of God) written in Hebrew. The whole point of the Mezuzah was to fulfill the written command given to Moses by God for the Children of Israel which was an acknowledgement of the "wholeness" of God, followed up by the command to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." And to inscribe this on your heart.


Then the passage gives this cool learning tool to remember what it is that we acknoweldge about God... it says to "Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

To put these foundational truths (i.e. the wholeness of God, and to love Him with all you are), somewhere in your life where there is high traffic in your life. The idea is that you see the Mezuzah, holding the foundational truths and your remember who God is, how much He loves and blesses you, and to Love Him with all of who you are.

The first-century Jewish historian Josephus wrote in his Antiquities, "The greatest benefits of God are to be written on the doors... in order that his benevolent providence may be made known everywhere."

According to Maimonides, the great 12th-century rabbi and philosopher, "By the commandment of the mezuzah, man is reminded of the unity of God and is aroused to the love of him."

The idea of Mezuzah your Life is to take the same principle and make Life Mezuzah's. To take "high traffic" areas in your life (the computer, your car, your bathroom mirror, etc) and make them your Mezuzah.

For example, I love the smell of baked bread. Its warm, refreshing, and inviting. In fact, when I smell it, I feel at home (even if I'm not at home!). Truth is, many realtors took advantage of the "aroma of bread" and strategically had bread baking in homes they were selling just to capture the sense of "at home" to potential home buyers. For me, I've Mezuzah'd the smell of bread. I've captured this smell and this sense into mind as a reminder of the person and work of Christ at the communion table. Everytime I smell bread (opening the bag when making a sandwich, or walking by Panera) I'm reminded of who God is, how much He loves me, and to love Him with all of who I am. I've Mezuzah'd the smell of bread.

Last Thursday I took the WestGate "Summit" group to the top of Highway 9 (and Skyline) and watched the Sun set over Santa Cruz. While the sun went down and the beauty of God's blessing on us (through his creation) was plainly evident for all to see... we had a Mezuzah moment. Everytime you see a sunset (which if you pay attention... it usually happens every day.. that's called "high traffic") you are reminded of who God is, how much He Loves and Blesses you, and that you give him all of who you are.

(an actual picture from our Mezuzah experience, taken by Danny Gaines)

Make Mezuzah's in your Life

No MRI yet... it was way too painful.

I could not do it!!

I could not lay in the MRI bed, and have my head screwed into a cage and my arms and legs strapped down. It was far too painful. The doctor tried to coax me in, but I could not handle the pain while lying flat... so they must dope me up big time.... then I can lay in this fine tube.... and have this thing done to me.

This picture is the closest representation of how things went down on Monday for me.

MRI on Monday... This should be fun

Well this ought to be fun!!!

In a few hours I get to experience the joy of laying in an MRI tube for 45 minutes. For the past few months I've experienced back/neck/and shoulder pain that makes my hand go numb... so the Dr. said "MRI son!"....

I'm happy that we can isloate the problem... just not so thrilled about laying in a tube about the circumference of a basketball hoop. I hope these tubes don't echo as to amplify the sounds of grown men crying. Everyone at the Dr's office asked me if I'm clostraphobia... if I am, will I get a wider tube? Or will they just dope me up... either way that seems like a good option. "Um Dr... I'm feeling a wee bit caved in.... can I have some drugs, and an apple martini?"

Maybe I should take my ipod... make myself an MRI playlist.

I have this issue that when im not supposed to move... things start to itch. It's funny to, how things itch... first your nose itches... then it drives you crazy, then your leg itches (no way I'm reaching that in a tube)... then the leg tches so much that you forget about your nose, and think about only your leg... until your knee itches... and this goes on for about... well 45 minutes.

When I return... I shall tell you all of my MRI journeys.

Compassion Unleashed

COMPASSION UNLEASHED CONFERENCE 5/21 San Jose
A large one-day gathering on Wed, May 21 from 8am - 8pm for pastors, leaders & ministries to re-align their churches to unleash followers of Jesus into the community to bring blessing and transformation. Churches and organizations collaborate & explore possibilities of unity, creativity, and innovation. Lunch and dinner included. EARLYBIRD registration $69 before April 9! ($89 if before 5/10; Late registration $109 after 5/11; group discounts available.) Register: www.ourbeautifulday.org, 408 252-3700 x22. BEAUTIFUL DAY WEEK for 2008 is Nov 17-23. See the empowerment of compassion!