yet again, we stick it to the man.

"So what is the answer for the church in the suburbs? There are at least four main ways the default suburban lifestyle needs to be challenged.

First, we need to speak out against the suburban value of extreme individualism and call Christians back to community.

Second, we need to deconstruct the value of consumerism in way that leads instead to sacrificial living.

Third we need to question the suburban value of safety and comfort and judge it against the call of the gospel.

Finally, we need to understand how our individualism and consumerism lead us to neglect the hurting and needy people in our neighborhoods and cities. . .



We have a monumental challenge if we are going to contextualize the gospel and live as missional communities of faith throughout suburban America. We cannot flee. We cannot get out of here. This is where we live. This is where God has called us. And this “God-forsaken place” that we have been called to desperately needs the Church to stand up and be the Church.

We need to be a Church that truly exists for the sake of others. We need a Church that gives up luxury so that others may have necessity. We need a Church that rejects the lone ranger mentality and lives in sacrificial and compassionate community. We need a Church that views money as a resource of God’s Kingdom and not an object to be consumed. We need a Church that trusts the Spirit and takes risks for the sake of the Gospel. We need a Church that comes together to care for the poor in their backyards as well as those in the city.

Perhaps, if we are careful to listen to the voice of the Spirit’s leading, we will see the power of the cross and the Resurrection can transform a place as cold and hard to the gospel as suburban America.

(taken from Al Hsu's nifty blog about suburban Christianity)

Thoughts? Anyone?

get smart

I apologize if my last post sounded bitter and cynical. I reread it this morning and realized my intentions might have been understandably misinterpreted. Honestly, what disturbed me most about my democratic exercise a few days ago was myself, not the candidates. Anyone who has enough motivation and persistence to run for office deserves my respect. There's no question about that.

But as for me...my ignorance about politicians, politics, and current issues is truly frightening. I meant to expose myself and actually to ask a larger question: am I comfortable operating within a democratic society in which people like me (I assume I am not alone in my lack of political savvy) form the foundation and influence decisions? I'm guessing I am not the only one who shies away from voting for a particular candidate because of his goofy haircut or her uninteresting statement. There has to be a better way.

Two options, right? One, I get informed. Two, I should not have the right to sway my country's political actions. The second option seems like a waste because of the arduous battle that was fought so I could express my opinions, no matter how ridiculous my reasoning may be. So I am left with the first option, which I will act upon right now by trudging through the rest of the voter's pamphlet. I'll spare you the details but hope I am not walking this road alone.

I really need some chocolate.

befriending the voter's pamphlet (part I)

I am, in fact, my own worst nightmare. Maybe you can relate to the following story:

As I walked into the Mill Creek library on my way home and saw a table on the left side of the small lobby. “Elections! Register now!” Blue and red signs covered the walls. Hmm, there must be an election coming up.

I vaguely remember glancing at the envelope containing my absentee ballot just before it was buried under a pile of coupons on our kitchen counter. Oops. I asked the graying lady who manned the booth if today was my last chance to vote. “Any day through Tuesday, except Sunday.” Apparently God still trumps politics.

Phew. I have four days to prepare to to enact my civic privilege. I grab a voters' pamphlet on the way out. A waste of paper given that I could read everything online, but it still feels like a step in the right direction and serves to solidify my intentions. I will vote. Watch me.

Upon arriving home, I change into a bathing suit so I can work on my tan, grab a blanket and the pamphlet and make myself comfortable on the lawn. Multi-tasking. I create a delightful blend of sheer vanity and the guise of political prowess. Hot.

“Okay, so what do we have here?” I am enthused as I tear into the ballot. Not only am I fulfilling my role as a citizen of this democracy, I am well on my way to ensuring I won’t feel the guilt that invariably springs forth at 7:30 p.m. on election day when I realize I once again forgot to vote.

A small yellow notice in the envelope informs me that I am not required to declare a party for this election because Washington state changed the rules of its primaries. This just gets better and better! What a relief to not have to label myself according to party preference. I am a renegade! I can’t be boxed in - I do what I want. I feel empowered by my state's recognition that I need to feel unique and independent. Awesome.

First on my ballot: Jay Inslee vs. Larry Ishmael. “Who is Larry Ishmael?” Probably a sucker. Let’s find out. I flip to page 10 of my handy dandy pamphlet as I mentally attempt to lay down some ground rules.

“Okay, Lacey. Remember it’s not about how they look.” Even as I think this, I know I will inevitably draw all sorts of conclusions from the candidates’ grainy black and white thumbnail photos. Shoot. But I’ll do my best.

Second rule: “Spelling errors count.” Okay, let’s be honest. It is okay if you can’t spell. It is a gift. But not seeking out someone worthy to edit your paragraph is just lazy. Lazy people shouldn’t get elected.

With these trustworthy guidelines to aid me, I begin to wade through the blurbs. Jay fancies himself a contemporary JFK and Larry has chubby cheeks. I mean…okay, I’ll actually read his statement. I skim it for interesting phrases.

Ah, what is this? “Not until we start relying on viable sustainable fuel sources, like nuclear energy, will we gain independence from foreign oil.” Wait…nuclear energy? I’m not a scientist, but I kind of thought that nuclear energy has a bad reputation for destroying the earth and, well, being nuclear. I texted Charlie: “Isn’t nuclear energy bad?” He replied that it creates nuclear waste, which is no good. A no for Larry Ishmael! On to the next section!

Governors. I’ve seen smear campaign commercials from both Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire and haven’t heard of any of the other eight candidates listed. Here are some highlights gleaned from the time I spend reading about them:

Dino Rossi grew up in Mountlake Terrace. That’s almost like rising out of Harlem. Someone could make a movie about him. I’m pretty impressed.

Will Baker, I’m pretty sure, is simply running in order to expose some nasty business about Christine Gregoire. Reminds me of the Northern Irish political system, in which everyone and their mother runs for office simply in order to raise awareness about his or her particular cause without any desire of actually being voted in. Well, thank you anyway, Will Baker, for your concern for the truth. I mean, I guess it’s the truth…

Christine Gregoire. Last night someone I respect said that he didn’t trust her, so I am biased already. Not too impressed by her statement. Kind of uninteresting.

Duff Badgley. Let’s be honest – his name is awesome. But by the time I get to the point on his list of goals, all having to do with climate change, in which he proposed to “Demand full withdrawal from Iraq. Divert funds to climate programs” I begin to wonder if his scope isn’t a bit narrow for my taste in governors.

John W. Aiken, Jr., belongs to the National Rifle Association. I believe in the freedoms afforded by the Constitution, one being the right to bear arms. But I won’t lie – the thought of electing a man who enjoys guns enough to belong to a full-blown association makes me wary. I will pass on this guy.

Christian Pierre Joubert. A Frenchman! Let’s see what he proposes for our great state. Freedom from diseases, pollution, waste, wars…blah, blah…just like every other candidate. But wait, it gets interesting: "freedom from ignorance, alienation and recession." Freedom from alienation? Wow, sign me up! I read on.

“Freedom from hunger, deserts, and world misery.” World misery, people!

“Thanks to ethical trade, the doubling of exports, tree planting, vineyards, organic agriculture [Carla, pay attention!], health restaurants and the distribution of ‘superfoods’ (including but not limited to amazing dopamine-producing raw vegan chocolate mousses), we would find solutions to world hunger and deserts would flower.”

DID YOU HEAR THAT?! Dopamine-producing raw vegan chocolate mousses! I honestly don’t know what conclusions to draw about this guy. He sounds amazing and weird. I think I like him.

Aw, my job beckons. To be continued…

resolution: learn about political stuff

A purple ballot with my name on it serves as a nagging reminder that I need to get myself well-educated for this year's elections. And fast. Here's my first step toward political awareness:

BBC 2008 US Elections - Comparison of Issues

Happy reading, fellow voters :)

i like trash.

I read a passage from a book that said “if women are to be free to choose to pursue a career as well as marriage, they must also be free to choose the making of a home and the nurture of a family as their vocation…”

This author then said that creativity is a way of living life, regardless of our vocation or how we make money. I could be a housewife creatively. I could be a physician creatively. I can be a barista creatively. "It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it"... right?

The brothers at Taizé said something similar. They asserted that “eternal life” is quality of life here on earth, not just a future destination. What they meant is this: every choice we make, whether we abuse or honor others, destroy or create, eat chocolate cake or vanilla (just kidding)…these things determine whether we spend our days living or dying. Death and life, in this sense, have nothing to do with whether our heart continues to pump and blood flows through our veins. There’s a Braveheart quote tickling the back of my brain…

I am inspired to think that there are ways life can be lived that transcend typical categories of work and housing situations, geographical location, or the activities and relationships we spend time on when all our daily chores are done. How can I live this day creatively? Eternally?

Walking in Edmonds with Charlie a few days ago, I spotted a piece of glass partially exposed along the dirt path we use as a sidewalk on Sunset. To be honest, I probably would have ignored it if I was alone. But I picked it up and in my attempts to convince Charlie it was an amazing treasure (actually just a glass block that used to adorn someone’s bathroom) I myself grew more excited about the discovery.

I stared at it, waiting for its use in my life to be revealed. As we brainstormed possible functions, I savored the process of gazing at this seemingly useless and random artifact and allowing space for creativity to explode in brilliant colors. It hasn’t yet. I cleaned off the glass when I got home and unoriginally set a candle on it. Its potential remains untapped.

I know this story makes me sound weird. Maybe I am. But here's what makes me excited: that meaningless things gain meaning when questions of eternity and creativity are given room to breathe.

I don’t know how to conclude this post. I am simply loving the idea that I can live life beyond the mundane, no matter how uninspired I sometimes feel by the daily grind.