Joel in the City

3 Days, 3 Dead

This morning, the BBC reported that another top Mexican policeman was killed by assassins.  The long-standing drug war in Mexico seems to have escalated this year with already some 1100 dead.  Two of the top Mexico City policemen were killed in the last two days as well as they prepared to leave their homes.

As we live and work and worship in this city, we don't always remember that it is a city of great promise but also of great challenge.  People are living day-to-day, trying to make ends meet.  There are so many stressors: the number of people, the traffic, the polluted air, the financial realities, the crime.  We are thankful that God has brought us to this place and He will be glorified in this place as his followers are faithful to shine his light into the darkness.

Another Immigration Angle

Here is another look at the Mexican Immigration issue.  NAFTA is generally looked at by blue collar workers in the U.S. as being to blame for the disappearance of U.S. industry jobs but in this article, another possible consequence is expressed.

Luther Burger: A heart attack waiting to happen

In an effort to provide my friends with the best in American cuisine, I present for your review the Luther Burger.  Yes, those are glazed donuts instead of the boring bun.

Aaron Roche

My friend Rick recommended this Indie musician.  You can listen to a few of his songs HERE.  He reminds me of one of my other favorites, Steve Bell.  If you still haven't listened to Steve Bell, you need to...now.

What are you listening to these days?

New Monasticism

My friend Kevin sent me this link that discusses a new movement among evangelicals- some are calling it the New Monasticism.  My recent reading (see previous post) has opened my eyes a bit to some of the older traditions in the church.  I'm glad that I haven't grown up with a fear of the Roman Catholic church and am able to accept some of those traditions into my own devotional life.  For an overview of some of the common themes in New Monasticism, you can go HERE.

We aren't planning to start a new "movement" here in Mexico City or in Michigan when we get home but wouldn't it be great to have a greater connection to the worldwide church and to each other by incorporating some of these traditions?  What do you think?

Recent Reading

My reading lately has been dealing with spiritual disciplines.  First, was a book my mom gave us for Christmas called The Sacred Way by Tony Jones.  It is a good intro to some ancient spiritual disciplines that have not been a part of the Protestant tradition for a long time.  I learned a lot about some of the practices that are a regular part of the discipline of many Christians in the world- like centering prayer, lectio divina, and labyrinths.  This is not an exhaustive (or exhausting) read on these traditions but is a good primer and may spur you on to further investigation.

The second book is The God of Intimacy and Action by Tony Campolo and Mary Darling.  This book attempts to connect several ancient spiritual disciplines with the more "modern" focuses of evangelism and justice.  The authors contend that only by cultivating a mystical Christianity can we have the Spirit's power to work for justice and share with others the Good News.  It is a little harder to get into but there are some real gems if you stick with it.

What are you reading these days?

Blast from the Past

I recently was pointed to a website that allows you to play many of the classic Nintendo arcade games from the 80's and 90's.  www.virtualnes.com is free and was a fun walk down memory lane for me.  We had a Colecovision as kids and I fondly remember the Rocky game where Rocky and Clubber Lang (Mr. T) fought it out.  Anyway...enjoy it for what it's worth but don't waste too much time on it.

Turning Cheeks and Keeping Mouths Shut

A flat denial, a kiss on the cheek
How could your response be so mild and meek?

Thorns on your brow, spit in your face
What would I have done in your place?

A lamb to the slaughter, silent your protest
In love and humility, you gave us your best.

Your life and your love, who could afford?
And I am healed by your blood which out poured.

That same love-power which the Father gave then
To suffer, forgive, and redeem sinful men
Is still available- though not without pain
For I must yield and choose to remain
Remain in the eye of the storm swirling 'round
Where You are the only shelter to be found.

And there I will stay 'til your Spirit says "Arise"
For your power to restore reaches the skies.

Of Super Bowls and Exercise

After spending the first two hours of the Super Bowl at church, we returned home to watch much of the third and all of the fourth quarters.  The announcing was in Spanish but the play on the field made for an exciting end in any language!  We adopted the Giants after our Indianapolis Colts lost.  Honestly, we would have rooted for any team against the Patriots since all other teams would have been the underdogs.  Some of the younger Mexicans follow "American" football but the majority don't know and don't care much about the other football.

I've been reading I Peter recently.  Verse 7 in chapter 4 caught my attention lately.  As I focus on prayer in 2008, this verse seemed to hit me where it hurts: "The end of all things is near, therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers" (NRSV).   Lack of discipline in other areas of my life carries over into my (lack of) prayer life.  So, I got up this morning and went for a jog.  My muscles are in full rebellion but I know that physical discipline can help in the battle for spiritual discipline.  Tomorrow, I'll consider giving up some of the comfort foods that I turn to in my un-discipline!

Praying the News

My friend John Hay recently wrote of praying through the news or current events of the day.  This is a spiritual discipline practiced by many and a good alternative to reading the news and despairing.  This week I've been reading and praying.  Since we don't have a newspaper delivered to our step here in Mexico City, I have been using the BBC website.  They have an international page that allows you to access any of several world areas like Americas, Africa, Europe, etc.  I don't always agree with the BBC's analysis but I don't need analysis to see that the current situation in Kenya is quickly approaching genocide.  There are atrocities being committed and we are arriving at that point where no one will remember (or care) who started the killing.

The similarities to today's Kenya story and the Rwandan story of 1994 are chilling.  I watched Sometimes In April last week and was moved to tears as I realized how unaware I was at the time and how much hatred can be pent up and then released if not for God's grace.

God help us in these days to pray with our eyes wide open- open to the real suffering of real people in the world but also open to the redemption that he longs to bring.