A few thoughts on these most recent events…

I got a text last night asking if I’d seen that Osama bin Laden had been killed. I hadn’t, so I turned on a news channel to see the breaking news. I caught a bit of the President’s speech, and then saw footage of the crowds outside the White House celebrating. Without getting into it, I will say that it is very unnerving to me to watch people celebrate the death of another. 

Hell is something that people experience on a daily basis, and is perpetuated by people such as Osama bin Laden. Terror, murder, and instilling fear into the lives of others is a choice that is made out of a twisted grasp at power and control. Evil is most often a perverted struggle with control. And since eternity began with the resurrected Jesus, we can provide our world, right now, glimpses of the Kingdom that broke in on the first Easter. Death lost its power, and the power of Hell was defeated; we are witnesses.

One of the most basic concepts of A Creative Theology is that the encounter between an audience and a piece of creation develops a relational bond between that same audience and the creator of the creation. When you encounter a piece of creation, it changes how you view the person who created it. There is a bond or a disconnect experienced in that moment. How you view humanity is a direct reflection of how you view the Creator.

You know those people who are always being asked for a stick of gum? You may have your own gum bearer in your life, and if not, I bet you can identify someone in your close circle who is that person those around them.

At some point, this person, the one who happily dispenses gum to their friends, had to face the decision of whether or not they would be the go -to gum person. It didn’t happen on accident. There was a moment where they had two options: stop carrying gum, thus ceasing the pleas from friends and strangers, or, they could up their gum buying budget and carry more gum. Afterall, once you become the gum person, the requests only increase, and then it becomes a role.

We all have face these decisions in our lives: where we will draw the line, when will we cut others off, and when will we embrace the role in which we find ourselves whether we feel like we chose it or not.

In how much gum we carry around, in selecting who we work with, in establishing an “I will not do ____” list, in what we consume and in what we produce. It all boils down to seemingly insignificant decisions that have great impact in the long run.

May we chose wisely.

I only heard of John Mark McMillan fairly recently, and I haven’t been able to get enough of his work since. Death in His Grave is one of my favorite songs right now, not just of McMillan’s but of any out there. I was hoping to hear it on Easter Sunday, and wasn’t disappointed.

Chris Kretzu posted on the meaning behind the song. Deep, beautiful, creative, theological stuff.

This is my first year observing the season of Lent. As I’ve attempted to follow my own advice, and use this time to look my sins full in the face, and turn to the creator, I have noticed a few moments where I feel the message of Lent taking root.

I saw a sunrise the other day that reminded me just how few sunrises I will witness while on this earth. To dust I shall return…

But, in that realization, the resurrection is made infinitely more beautiful. While our time is limited, there will come a day of complete restoration and renewal that will set all things right. In that sunrise, true beauty will be revealed and realized.

No amount of sin can separate us from God’s love. No moments of despair or anxiety can hold back the sunrise. No measure of death can hold back the resurrection. 

So even now, in our bodies made from the dust, we can look up and say, that is good news.

Readers (Creative Theologians?),

I have done my best a keeping this blog about issues of faith and creativity. While there have been times that my personal life, and non-profit work have crept in, I have been resolute in my attempts to keep this space about a creative theology. It has been this focus that has helped me be more intentional with my time and attention, and allowed me to help launch a startup non-profit with my brother, and finish my book (almost there!). It has been beyond busy. In fact, it’s been so busy, that I cut back my writing here, and scaled back outside projects, in an effort to make more margin for my family. This has made me prize this space even more, and I have a deep appreication for those who come to read and engage.

Aaaaall that to say, I would love for you to check out what’s going on right now with The Move Project, and our response to the tsunami in Japan. (See? Way off “normal” topic).

We accept donations through Dwolla, who has partnered with us by waiving all transaction fees so that 100% of donations with tsunami in the memo go straight to partners providing relief and aid on the ground.

Here’s a bit more info from The Move Project blog.

You can also follow on Twitter @themoveproejct and track with us on Facebook.

I was going to try to work in a tie to artists and people of faith, but I’m simply going to ask: Will you join us in providing relief to those hurting in the wake of this disaster? If so, you can donate here.

Many thanks!

Sam