(2718,109,'2011-11-28 15:21:12','2011-11-28 23:21:12','I am sure you’ve heard about the ongoing series of demonstrations in the Wall Street financial district. What is Occupy Wall Street or<strong> </strong>(OWS) for short anyway? A paradigm shift or “blame-game” perhaps? In a nutshell, it’s a growing worldwide movement loosely based upon social and economic inequality. Some consider this movement highly controversial.\r\n\r\nMaybe, to some who are reading, <em>this article</em> will seem “controversial.”  But, as they say, “the proof is in the pudding.”  The realization I’m pointing to can only be known once we recognize the open, relaxed, non-separate way of being of what is known as non-duality. Occupy Wall Street, along with the frustration and desire for change that lots of people are experiencing these days, is a prime example of how the belief in separation can be seen as the root of human problems.\r\n<p align=\"center\"></p>\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>What is the belief in separation?</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor starters here is a simple metaphor:  the painter and his painting are inseparable.  Translated, this means that the consciousness we are carrying around, which is the belief in being separate people, determines the world we see.  The painter “me” is inseparable from the world I see out there.\r\n\r\nThe Occupy Wall Street movement is certainly shaking things up, while attempting to provide a much-needed balance in our world. It appears that lots of people are “fed up” these days with corporate greed and the appearance that the rich keep getting richer while the poorer keep getting poorer.  It’s <em>quite</em> natural to want change when this is believed.  And it’s also quite <em>natural</em> to look outward into the world, believing that the problem exists (solely) out there.  In some sense, it does!  In the appearance of life, there are people and organizations who are acting from a sense of lack, fear, and greed—taking more than giving.  It’s much like any addiction.  The taking begets more taking, ad nauseum.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>Let’s look at it a different way.</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany times in my meetings I get questions about the financial state of our world.  And almost always, I can sense in the questioner fear or anxiety below the surface of the words.  Yet the focus of the questioner is in pointing <em>out there</em>, in the world (in the “painting”), as if the solution lies solely there.\r\n\r\nWe can take all sorts of practical steps to change our world, and even improve it in many ways.  But if we are not in touch with the fear, anxiety, frustration, lack, and greed within each of us, then in some ways we are <em>only boxing our own shadows </em>when we point outward to Wall Street.  If the painter—me—is experiencing fear, frustration, anger or anxiety but only pointing outward towards the world, the question is this:  what am I looking to accomplish through that pointing?\r\n\r\nWhat I find time and again when the question of Wall Street pops up is that this outward pointing is the perfect opportunity to go <em>inward</em>.  By bringing someone’s attention—the bare observation of naked awareness—directly to the frustration, anger, fear or anxiety he or she is feeling, this inseparability between the painter and his painting becomes crystal clear.  Although we don’t always see it that way, we are looking for relaxation and well-being.  We are looking to rearrange the world (the painting) so that we can finally relax and not have to feel this frustration, anger, fear or anxiety.\r\n\r\nWhen I suggest to the questioner that true transformation of the world starts with the self (or inner voice), it can appear controversial, counterintuitive, and even repulsive at first.  I’m inviting the questioner to Occupy Awareness first, so to speak.  This means to rest without viewpoints over and over, throughout the day, letting all the afflictive emotions that arise with those viewpoints be as they are, without trying to understand, neutralize or get rid of them.   When we begin to do this, insight begins to arise automatically.  We see that our bodies, when they are troubled by these afflictive emotions, cause a sort of automated response in the mind.  That response shows up as a pointing outward into the world in some attempt to change that world so that the emotions can relax.  However, that outward pointing only goes so far.\r\n\r\nFor any transformation to happen, it is helpful to see through the sense of self that is identifying so strongly with viewpoints, no matter what they are.  As these viewpoints are relaxed, over and over, we start to feel energy in the body very directly.  That energy is allowed to come and go, bringing about a natural healing in our experience.  This is a deep and profound healing precisely because it deals with the very source of suffering, the ego or self.\r\n\r\nAs we relax as awareness (or Occupy Awareness), the sense of being a person cut off from a hostile world “out there” begins to soften and relax.   Insights and clarity begin to pave the way automatically.  We lose the sense of an us v. them attitude and this frees us up to take a more comprehensive perspective of our world, illuminating the way in which the painter is inseparable from his painting.\r\n\r\nAs we begin to relax and heal, the world and the sense of inherent “others” also begin to relax.  We start to move and act in the world with a fearless, compassionate love and peace.  This is not a love and peace that just sits quietly as the so-called others “destroy the world.”  It is not by its nature passive at all.\r\n\r\nWe can continue trying to point outwardly, believing that the problem is solely out there.  Yet this blinds us to the direct experience of what is happening in our own bodies and minds.  If we look inward, the fear, lack, anger, frustration, and anxiety that we are feeling as separate selves actually creates a sort of addiction for goods or for other vices that we believe will satisfy our suffering.  And so, in a very direct way, we created Wall Street by not experiencing and healing our own afflictive emotions.\r\n\r\nThe painter is inseparable from his painting.  So, as we change, from the belief in being a<em> separate</em> person, into a more fluid, non-separate, non-referential way of experiencing, the painting (the world) begins to change automatically.  Everyone we meet is then affected by the change within us.  Deep change is very contagious.  We don’t settle for Occupying Wall Street or any other street for that matter.  We occupy every moment with this new-found openness and direct experience of non-separation.  The world cannot help but change at that point simply because the world is a reflection of our own consciousness.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, do not take this as an invitation to stop protesting or speaking your mind about what you perceive in the world.  The recognition of the inward freedom that I am attempting to demonstrate here in no way outlaws taking practical action to change things in our relative experience.  I’m merely offering you, the reader, <a title=\"An invitation to Living Realization\" href=\"http://livingrealization.org/\" target=\"_blank\">an invitation</a> to look in a different way, seeing that what we have created as something out there is a reflection of our own, interior experience as humans.  As that interior experience begins to be illuminated more and more, it’s quite natural for an outward expression of that to take place.  We are only ever tending to the world we created through our own thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions.\r\n\r\nWhy not start in our own backyard?','Occupy Awareness','','inherit','open','open','','2713-revision-2','','','2011-11-28 15:21:12','2011-11-28 23:21:12','',2713,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2713-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2719,109,'2011-11-28 15:24:52','2011-11-28 23:24:52','Aaron Bauer  - Occupy Wallstreet Sign ','Occupy Wallstreet Sign ','Pic Aaron Bauer','inherit','open','open','','occupy-wallstreet-sign-aaron-bauer','','','2011-11-28 15:24:52','2011-11-28 23:24:52','',2713,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Occupy-Wallstreet-Sign-Aaron-Bauer.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2720,109,'2011-11-28 15:26:54','2011-11-28 23:26:54','','Occupy Wallstreet ','Pic Wendy Annibell','inherit','open','open','','wallstreet-wendy-annibell','','','2011-11-28 15:26:54','2011-11-28 23:26:54','',2713,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Wallstreet-Wendy-Annibell.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2721,109,'2011-11-28 15:22:04','2011-11-28 23:22:04','I am sure you’ve heard about the ongoing series of demonstrations in the Wall Street financial district. What is Occupy Wall Street or<strong> </strong>(OWS) for short anyway? A paradigm shift or “blame-game” perhaps? In a nutshell, it’s a growing worldwide movement loosely based upon social and economic inequality. Some consider this movement highly controversial.\n\nMaybe, to some who are reading, <em>this article</em> will seem “controversial.”  But, as they say, “the proof is in the pudding.”  The realization I’m pointing to can only be known once we recognize the open, relaxed, non-separate way of being of what is known as non-duality. Occupy Wall Street, along with the frustration and desire for change that lots of people are experiencing these days, is a prime example of how the belief in separation can be seen as the root of human problems.\n\n&nbsp;\n<p align=\"center\"></p>\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>What is the belief in separation?</strong></p>\n&nbsp;\n\nFor starters here is a simple metaphor:  the painter and his painting are inseparable.  Translated, this means that the consciousness we are carrying around, which is the belief in being separate people, determines the world we see.  The painter “me” is inseparable from the world I see out there.\n\nThe Occupy Wall Street movement is certainly shaking things up, while attempting to provide a much-needed balance in our world. It appears that lots of people are “fed up” these days with corporate greed and the appearance that the rich keep getting richer while the poorer keep getting poorer.  It’s <em>quite</em> natural to want change when this is believed.  And it’s also quite <em>natural</em> to look outward into the world, believing that the problem exists (solely) out there.  In some sense, it does!  In the appearance of life, there are people and organizations who are acting from a sense of lack, fear, and greed—taking more than giving.  It’s much like any addiction.  The taking begets more taking, ad nauseum.\n\n&nbsp;\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>Let’s look at it a different way.</strong></p>\n&nbsp;\n\nMany times in my meetings I get questions about the financial state of our world.  And almost always, I can sense in the questioner fear or anxiety below the surface of the words.  Yet the focus of the questioner is in pointing <em>out there</em>, in the world (in the “painting”), as if the solution lies solely there.\n\nWe can take all sorts of practical steps to change our world, and even improve it in many ways.  But if we are not in touch with the fear, anxiety, frustration, lack, and greed within each of us, then in some ways we are <em>only boxing our own shadows </em>when we point outward to Wall Street.  If the painter—me—is experiencing fear, frustration, anger or anxiety but only pointing outward towards the world, the question is this:  what am I looking to accomplish through that pointing?\n\nWhat I find time and again when the question of Wall Street pops up is that this outward pointing is the perfect opportunity to go <em>inward</em>.  By bringing someone’s attention—the bare observation of naked awareness—directly to the frustration, anger, fear or anxiety he or she is feeling, this inseparability between the painter and his painting becomes crystal clear.  Although we don’t always see it that way, we are looking for relaxation and well-being.  We are looking to rearrange the world (the painting) so that we can finally relax and not have to feel this frustration, anger, fear or anxiety.\n\nWhen I suggest to the questioner that true transformation of the world starts with the self (or inner voice), it can appear controversial, counterintuitive, and even repulsive at first.  I’m inviting the questioner to Occupy Awareness first, so to speak.  This means to rest without viewpoints over and over, throughout the day, letting all the afflictive emotions that arise with those viewpoints be as they are, without trying to understand, neutralize or get rid of them.   When we begin to do this, insight begins to arise automatically.  We see that our bodies, when they are troubled by these afflictive emotions, cause a sort of automated response in the mind.  That response shows up as a pointing outward into the world in some attempt to change that world so that the emotions can relax.  However, that outward pointing only goes so far.\n\nFor any transformation to happen, it is helpful to see through the sense of self that is identifying so strongly with viewpoints, no matter what they are.  As these viewpoints are relaxed, over and over, we start to feel energy in the body very directly.  That energy is allowed to come and go, bringing about a natural healing in our experience.  This is a deep and profound healing precisely because it deals with the very source of suffering, the ego or self.\n\nAs we relax as awareness (or Occupy Awareness), the sense of being a person cut off from a hostile world “out there” begins to soften and relax.   Insights and clarity begin to pave the way automatically.  We lose the sense of an us v. them attitude and this frees us up to take a more comprehensive perspective of our world, illuminating the way in which the painter is inseparable from his painting.\n\nAs we begin to relax and heal, the world and the sense of inherent “others” also begin to relax.  We start to move and act in the world with a fearless, compassionate love and peace.  This is not a love and peace that just sits quietly as the so-called others “destroy the world.”  It is not by its nature passive at all.\n\nWe can continue trying to point outwardly, believing that the problem is solely out there.  Yet this blinds us to the direct experience of what is happening in our own bodies and minds.  If we look inward, the fear, lack, anger, frustration, and anxiety that we are feeling as separate selves actually creates a sort of addiction for goods or for other vices that we believe will satisfy our suffering.  And so, in a very direct way, we created Wall Street by not experiencing and healing our own afflictive emotions.\n\nThe painter is inseparable from his painting.  So, as we change, from the belief in being a<em> separate</em> person, into a more fluid, non-separate, non-referential way of experiencing, the painting (the world) begins to change automatically.  Everyone we meet is then affected by the change within us.  Deep change is very contagious.  We don’t settle for Occupying Wall Street or any other street for that matter.  We occupy every moment with this new-found openness and direct experience of non-separation.  The world cannot help but change at that point simply because the world is a reflection of our own consciousness.\n\nFurthermore, do not take this as an invitation to stop protesting or speaking your mind about what you perceive in the world.  The recognition of the inward freedom that I am attempting to demonstrate here in no way outlaws taking practical action to change things in our relative experience.  I’m merely offering you, the reader, <a title=\"An invitation to Living Realization\" href=\"http://livingrealization.org/\" target=\"_blank\">an invitation</a> to look in a different way, seeing that what we have created as something out there is a reflection of our own, interior experience as humans.  As that interior experience begins to be illuminated more and more, it’s quite natural for an outward expression of that to take place.  We are only ever tending to the world we created through our own thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions.\n\nWhy not start in our own backyard?','Occupy Awareness','','inherit','open','open','','2713-revision-3','','','2011-11-28 15:22:04','2011-11-28 23:22:04','',2713,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2713-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2722,109,'2011-11-28 15:27:26','2011-11-28 23:27:26','I am sure you’ve heard about the ongoing series of demonstrations in the Wall Street financial district. What is Occupy Wall Street or<strong> </strong>(OWS) for short anyway? A paradigm shift or “blame-game” perhaps? In a nutshell, it’s a growing worldwide movement loosely based upon social and economic inequality. Some consider this movement highly controversial.\r\n\r\nMaybe, to some who are reading, <em>this article</em> will seem “controversial.”  But, as they say, “the proof is in the pudding.”  The realization I’m pointing to can only be known once we recognize the open, relaxed, non-separate way of being of what is known as non-duality. Occupy Wall Street, along with the frustration and desire for change that lots of people are experiencing these days, is a prime example of how the belief in separation can be seen as the root of human problems.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"center\"></p>\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>What is the belief in separation?</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2719\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"333\" caption=\"Pic Aaron Bauer\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2719\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Occupy-Wallstreet-Sign-Aaron-Bauer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\nFor starters here is a simple metaphor:  the painter and his painting are inseparable.  Translated, this means that the consciousness we are carrying around, which is the belief in being separate people, determines the world we see.  The painter “me” is inseparable from the world I see out there.\r\n\r\nThe Occupy Wall Street movement is certainly shaking things up, while attempting to provide a much-needed balance in our world. It appears that lots of people are “fed up” these days with corporate greed and the appearance that the rich keep getting richer while the poorer keep getting poorer.  It’s <em>quite</em> natural to want change when this is believed.  And it’s also quite <em>natural</em> to look outward into the world, believing that the problem exists (solely) out there.  In some sense, it does!  In the appearance of life, there are people and organizations who are acting from a sense of lack, fear, and greed—taking more than giving.  It’s much like any addiction.  The taking begets more taking, ad nauseum.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>Let’s look at it a different way.</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany times in my meetings I get questions about the financial state of our world.  And almost always, I can sense in the questioner fear or anxiety below the surface of the words.  Yet the focus of the questioner is in pointing <em>out there</em>, in the world (in the “painting”), as if the solution lies solely there.\r\n\r\nWe can take all sorts of practical steps to change our world, and even improve it in many ways.  But if we are not in touch with the fear, anxiety, frustration, lack, and greed within each of us, then in some ways we are <em>only boxing our own shadows </em>when we point outward to Wall Street.  If the painter—me—is experiencing fear, frustration, anger or anxiety but only pointing outward towards the world, the question is this:  what am I looking to accomplish through that pointing?\r\n\r\nWhat I find time and again when the question of Wall Street pops up is that this outward pointing is the perfect opportunity to go <em>inward</em>.  By bringing someone’s attention—the bare observation of naked awareness—directly to the frustration, anger, fear or anxiety he or she is feeling, this inseparability between the painter and his painting becomes crystal clear.  Although we don’t always see it that way, we are looking for relaxation and well-being.  We are looking to rearrange the world (the painting) so that we can finally relax and not have to feel this frustration, anger, fear or anxiety.\r\n\r\nWhen I suggest to the questioner that true transformation of the world starts with the self (or inner voice), it can appear controversial, counterintuitive, and even repulsive at first.  I’m inviting the questioner to Occupy Awareness first, so to speak.  This means to rest without viewpoints over and over, throughout the day, letting all the afflictive emotions that arise with those viewpoints be as they are, without trying to understand, neutralize or get rid of them.   When we begin to do this, insight begins to arise automatically.  We see that our bodies, when they are troubled by these afflictive emotions, cause a sort of automated response in the mind.  That response shows up as a pointing outward into the world in some attempt to change that world so that the emotions can relax.  However, that outward pointing only goes so far.\r\n\r\nFor any transformation to happen, it is helpful to see through the sense of self that is identifying so strongly with viewpoints, no matter what they are.  As these viewpoints are relaxed, over and over, we start to feel energy in the body very directly.  That energy is allowed to come and go, bringing about a natural healing in our experience.  This is a deep and profound healing precisely because it deals with the very source of suffering, the ego or self.\r\n\r\nAs we relax as awareness (or Occupy Awareness), the sense of being a person cut off from a hostile world “out there” begins to soften and relax.   Insights and clarity begin to pave the way automatically.  We lose the sense of an us v. them attitude and this frees us up to take a more comprehensive perspective of our world, illuminating the way in which the painter is inseparable from his painting.\r\n\r\nAs we begin to relax and heal, the world and the sense of inherent “others” also begin to relax.  We start to move and act in the world with a fearless, compassionate love and peace.  This is not a love and peace that just sits quietly as the so-called others “destroy the world.”  It is not by its nature passive at all.\r\n\r\nWe can continue trying to point outwardly, believing that the problem is solely out there.  Yet this blinds us to the direct experience of what is happening in our own bodies and minds.  If we look inward, the fear, lack, anger, frustration, and anxiety that we are feeling as separate selves actually creates a sort of addiction for goods or for other vices that we believe will satisfy our suffering.  And so, in a very direct way, we created Wall Street by not experiencing and healing our own afflictive emotions.\r\n\r\nThe painter is inseparable from his painting.  So, as we change, from the belief in being a<em> separate</em> person, into a more fluid, non-separate, non-referential way of experiencing, the painting (the world) begins to change automatically.  Everyone we meet is then affected by the change within us.  Deep change is very contagious.  We don’t settle for Occupying Wall Street or any other street for that matter.  We occupy every moment with this new-found openness and direct experience of non-separation.  The world cannot help but change at that point simply because the world is a reflection of our own consciousness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2720\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Pic Wendy Annibell\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2720\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Wallstreet-Wendy-Annibell-300x196.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFurthermore, do not take this as an invitation to stop protesting or speaking your mind about what you perceive in the world.  The recognition of the inward freedom that I am attempting to demonstrate here in no way outlaws taking practical action to change things in our relative experience.  I’m merely offering you, the reader, <a title=\"An invitation to Living Realization\" href=\"http://livingrealization.org/\" target=\"_blank\">an invitation</a> to look in a different way, seeing that what we have created as something out there is a reflection of our own, interior experience as humans.  As that interior experience begins to be illuminated more and more, it’s quite natural for an outward expression of that to take place.  We are only ever tending to the world we created through our own thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions.\r\n\r\nWhy not start in our own backyard?','Occupy Awareness','','inherit','open','open','','2713-revision-4','','','2011-11-28 15:27:26','2011-11-28 23:27:26','',2713,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2713-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2723,109,'2011-11-28 15:29:06','2011-11-28 23:29:06','I am sure you’ve heard about the ongoing series of demonstrations in the Wall Street financial district. What is Occupy Wall Street or<strong> </strong>(OWS) for short anyway? A paradigm shift or “blame-game” perhaps? In a nutshell, it’s a growing worldwide movement loosely based upon social and economic inequality. Some consider this movement highly controversial.\r\n\r\nMaybe, to some who are reading, <em>this article</em> will seem “controversial.”  But, as they say, “the proof is in the pudding.”  The realization I’m pointing to can only be known once we recognize the open, relaxed, non-separate way of being of what is known as non-duality. Occupy Wall Street, along with the frustration and desire for change that lots of people are experiencing these days, is a prime example of how the belief in separation can be seen as the root of human problems.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"center\"></p>\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>What is the belief in separation?</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor starters here is a simple metaphor:  the painter and his painting are inseparable.  Translated, this means that the consciousness we are carrying around, which is the belief in being separate people, determines the world we see.  The painter “me” is inseparable from the world I see out there.\r\n\r\nThe Occupy Wall Street movement is certainly shaking things up, while attempting to provide a much-needed balance in our world. It appears that lots of people are “fed up” these days with corporate greed and the appearance that the rich keep getting richer while the poorer keep getting poorer.  It’s <em>quite</em> natural to want change when this is believed.  And it’s also quite <em>natural</em> to look outward into the world, believing that the problem exists (solely) out there.  In some sense, it does!  In the appearance of life, there are people and organizations who are acting from a sense of lack, fear, and greed—taking more than giving.  It’s much like any addiction.  The taking begets more taking, ad nauseum.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2719\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"266\" caption=\"Pic Aaron Bauer\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2719 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Occupy-Wallstreet-Sign-Aaron-Bauer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"266\" height=\"400\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>Let’s look at it a different way.</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany times in my meetings I get questions about the financial state of our world.  And almost always, I can sense in the questioner fear or anxiety below the surface of the words.  Yet the focus of the questioner is in pointing <em>out there</em>, in the world (in the “painting”), as if the solution lies solely there.\r\n\r\nWe can take all sorts of practical steps to change our world, and even improve it in many ways.  But if we are not in touch with the fear, anxiety, frustration, lack, and greed within each of us, then in some ways we are <em>only boxing our own shadows </em>when we point outward to Wall Street.  If the painter—me—is experiencing fear, frustration, anger or anxiety but only pointing outward towards the world, the question is this:  what am I looking to accomplish through that pointing?\r\n\r\nWhat I find time and again when the question of Wall Street pops up is that this outward pointing is the perfect opportunity to go <em>inward</em>.  By bringing someone’s attention—the bare observation of naked awareness—directly to the frustration, anger, fear or anxiety he or she is feeling, this inseparability between the painter and his painting becomes crystal clear.  Although we don’t always see it that way, we are looking for relaxation and well-being.  We are looking to rearrange the world (the painting) so that we can finally relax and not have to feel this frustration, anger, fear or anxiety.\r\n\r\nWhen I suggest to the questioner that true transformation of the world starts with the self (or inner voice), it can appear controversial, counterintuitive, and even repulsive at first.  I’m inviting the questioner to Occupy Awareness first, so to speak.  This means to rest without viewpoints over and over, throughout the day, letting all the afflictive emotions that arise with those viewpoints be as they are, without trying to understand, neutralize or get rid of them.   When we begin to do this, insight begins to arise automatically.  We see that our bodies, when they are troubled by these afflictive emotions, cause a sort of automated response in the mind.  That response shows up as a pointing outward into the world in some attempt to change that world so that the emotions can relax.  However, that outward pointing only goes so far.\r\n\r\nFor any transformation to happen, it is helpful to see through the sense of self that is identifying so strongly with viewpoints, no matter what they are.  As these viewpoints are relaxed, over and over, we start to feel energy in the body very directly.  That energy is allowed to come and go, bringing about a natural healing in our experience.  This is a deep and profound healing precisely because it deals with the very source of suffering, the ego or self.\r\n\r\nAs we relax as awareness (or Occupy Awareness), the sense of being a person cut off from a hostile world “out there” begins to soften and relax.   Insights and clarity begin to pave the way automatically.  We lose the sense of an us v. them attitude and this frees us up to take a more comprehensive perspective of our world, illuminating the way in which the painter is inseparable from his painting.\r\n\r\nAs we begin to relax and heal, the world and the sense of inherent “others” also begin to relax.  We start to move and act in the world with a fearless, compassionate love and peace.  This is not a love and peace that just sits quietly as the so-called others “destroy the world.”  It is not by its nature passive at all.\r\n\r\nWe can continue trying to point outwardly, believing that the problem is solely out there.  Yet this blinds us to the direct experience of what is happening in our own bodies and minds.  If we look inward, the fear, lack, anger, frustration, and anxiety that we are feeling as separate selves actually creates a sort of addiction for goods or for other vices that we believe will satisfy our suffering.  And so, in a very direct way, we created Wall Street by not experiencing and healing our own afflictive emotions.\r\n\r\nThe painter is inseparable from his painting.  So, as we change, from the belief in being a<em> separate</em> person, into a more fluid, non-separate, non-referential way of experiencing, the painting (the world) begins to change automatically.  Everyone we meet is then affected by the change within us.  Deep change is very contagious.  We don’t settle for Occupying Wall Street or any other street for that matter.  We occupy every moment with this new-found openness and direct experience of non-separation.  The world cannot help but change at that point simply because the world is a reflection of our own consciousness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2720\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Pic Wendy Annibell\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2720\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Wallstreet-Wendy-Annibell-300x196.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFurthermore, do not take this as an invitation to stop protesting or speaking your mind about what you perceive in the world.  The recognition of the inward freedom that I am attempting to demonstrate here in no way outlaws taking practical action to change things in our relative experience.  I’m merely offering you, the reader, <a title=\"An invitation to Living Realization\" href=\"http://livingrealization.org/\" target=\"_blank\">an invitation</a> to look in a different way, seeing that what we have created as something out there is a reflection of our own, interior experience as humans.  As that interior experience begins to be illuminated more and more, it’s quite natural for an outward expression of that to take place.  We are only ever tending to the world we created through our own thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions.\r\n\r\nWhy not start in our own backyard?','Occupy Awareness','','inherit','open','open','','2713-revision-5','','','2011-11-28 15:29:06','2011-11-28 23:29:06','',2713,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2713-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2726,80,'2011-11-28 10:48:14','2011-11-28 18:48:14','November 25, 2011 may not have inaugerated Black Friday as the newest holiday in the season, but things certainly rose to a new level that day.  The orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced is nothing new.  But in recent years, violence has begun to rear it\'s head as shoppers will go to great lengths to get something for (what they believe) is next to nothing.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.periscopepost.com/2011/11/black-friday-saw-record-sales-but-also-violence-as-shoppers-fought-for-bargains/\">http://www.periscopepost.com/2011/11/black-friday-saw-record-sales-but-also-violence-as-shoppers-fought-for-bargains/</a>','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-7','','','2011-11-28 10:48:14','2011-11-28 18:48:14','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2724,109,'2011-11-28 15:29:22','2011-11-28 23:29:22','I am sure you’ve heard about the ongoing series of demonstrations in the Wall Street financial district. What is Occupy Wall Street or<strong> </strong>(OWS) for short anyway? A paradigm shift or “blame-game” perhaps? In a nutshell, it’s a growing worldwide movement loosely based upon social and economic inequality. Some consider this movement highly controversial.\r\n\r\nMaybe, to some who are reading, <em>this article</em> will seem “controversial.”  But, as they say, “the proof is in the pudding.”  The realization I’m pointing to can only be known once we recognize the open, relaxed, non-separate way of being of what is known as non-duality. Occupy Wall Street, along with the frustration and desire for change that lots of people are experiencing these days, is a prime example of how the belief in separation can be seen as the root of human problems.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"center\"></p>\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>What is the belief in separation?</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor starters here is a simple metaphor:  the painter and his painting are inseparable.  Translated, this means that the consciousness we are carrying around, which is the belief in being separate people, determines the world we see.  The painter “me” is inseparable from the world I see out there.\r\n\r\nThe Occupy Wall Street movement is certainly shaking things up, while attempting to provide a much-needed balance in our world. It appears that lots of people are “fed up” these days with corporate greed and the appearance that the rich keep getting richer while the poorer keep getting poorer.  It’s <em>quite</em> natural to want change when this is believed.  And it’s also quite <em>natural</em> to look outward into the world, believing that the problem exists (solely) out there.  In some sense, it does!  In the appearance of life, there are people and organizations who are acting from a sense of lack, fear, and greed—taking more than giving.  It’s much like any addiction.  The taking begets more taking, ad nauseum.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2719\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"266\" caption=\"Pic Aaron Bauer\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2719 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Occupy-Wallstreet-Sign-Aaron-Bauer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"266\" height=\"400\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>Let’s look at it a different way.</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany times in my meetings I get questions about the financial state of our world.  And almost always, I can sense in the questioner fear or anxiety below the surface of the words.  Yet the focus of the questioner is in pointing <em>out there</em>, in the world (in the “painting”), as if the solution lies solely there.\r\n\r\nWe can take all sorts of practical steps to change our world, and even improve it in many ways.  But if we are not in touch with the fear, anxiety, frustration, lack, and greed within each of us, then in some ways we are <em>only boxing our own shadows </em>when we point outward to Wall Street.  If the painter—me—is experiencing fear, frustration, anger or anxiety but only pointing outward towards the world, the question is this:  what am I looking to accomplish through that pointing?\r\n\r\nWhat I find time and again when the question of Wall Street pops up is that this outward pointing is the perfect opportunity to go <em>inward</em>.  By bringing someone’s attention—the bare observation of naked awareness—directly to the frustration, anger, fear or anxiety he or she is feeling, this inseparability between the painter and his painting becomes crystal clear.  Although we don’t always see it that way, we are looking for relaxation and well-being.  We are looking to rearrange the world (the painting) so that we can finally relax and not have to feel this frustration, anger, fear or anxiety.\r\n\r\nWhen I suggest to the questioner that true transformation of the world starts with the self (or inner voice), it can appear controversial, counterintuitive, and even repulsive at first.  I’m inviting the questioner to Occupy Awareness first, so to speak.  This means to rest without viewpoints over and over, throughout the day, letting all the afflictive emotions that arise with those viewpoints be as they are, without trying to understand, neutralize or get rid of them.   When we begin to do this, insight begins to arise automatically.  We see that our bodies, when they are troubled by these afflictive emotions, cause a sort of automated response in the mind.  That response shows up as a pointing outward into the world in some attempt to change that world so that the emotions can relax.  However, that outward pointing only goes so far.\r\n\r\nFor any transformation to happen, it is helpful to see through the sense of self that is identifying so strongly with viewpoints, no matter what they are.  As these viewpoints are relaxed, over and over, we start to feel energy in the body very directly.  That energy is allowed to come and go, bringing about a natural healing in our experience.  This is a deep and profound healing precisely because it deals with the very source of suffering, the ego or self.\r\n\r\nAs we relax as awareness (or Occupy Awareness), the sense of being a person cut off from a hostile world “out there” begins to soften and relax.   Insights and clarity begin to pave the way automatically.  We lose the sense of an us v. them attitude and this frees us up to take a more comprehensive perspective of our world, illuminating the way in which the painter is inseparable from his painting.\r\n\r\nAs we begin to relax and heal, the world and the sense of inherent “others” also begin to relax.  We start to move and act in the world with a fearless, compassionate love and peace.  This is not a love and peace that just sits quietly as the so-called others “destroy the world.”  It is not by its nature passive at all.\r\n\r\nWe can continue trying to point outwardly, believing that the problem is solely out there.  Yet this blinds us to the direct experience of what is happening in our own bodies and minds.  If we look inward, the fear, lack, anger, frustration, and anxiety that we are feeling as separate selves actually creates a sort of addiction for goods or for other vices that we believe will satisfy our suffering.  And so, in a very direct way, we created Wall Street by not experiencing and healing our own afflictive emotions.\r\n\r\nThe painter is inseparable from his painting.  So, as we change, from the belief in being a<em> separate</em> person, into a more fluid, non-separate, non-referential way of experiencing, the painting (the world) begins to change automatically.  Everyone we meet is then affected by the change within us.  Deep change is very contagious.  We don’t settle for Occupying Wall Street or any other street for that matter.  We occupy every moment with this new-found openness and direct experience of non-separation.  The world cannot help but change at that point simply because the world is a reflection of our own consciousness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2720\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Pic Wendy Annibell\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2720\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Wallstreet-Wendy-Annibell-300x196.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFurthermore, do not take this as an invitation to stop protesting or speaking your mind about what you perceive in the world.  The recognition of the inward freedom that I am attempting to demonstrate here in no way outlaws taking practical action to change things in our relative experience.  I’m merely offering you, the reader, <a title=\"An invitation to Living Realization\" href=\"http://livingrealization.org/\" target=\"_blank\">an invitation</a> to look in a different way, seeing that what we have created as something out there is a reflection of our own, interior experience as humans.  As that interior experience begins to be illuminated more and more, it’s quite natural for an outward expression of that to take place.  We are only ever tending to the world we created through our own thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions.\r\n\r\nWhy not start in our own backyard?','Occupy Awareness','','inherit','open','open','','2713-revision-6','','','2011-11-28 15:29:22','2011-11-28 23:29:22','',2713,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2713-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2725,109,'2011-11-28 15:33:49','2011-11-28 23:33:49','I am sure you’ve heard about the ongoing series of demonstrations in the Wall Street financial district. What is Occupy Wall Street or<strong> </strong>(OWS) for short anyway? A paradigm shift or “blame-game” perhaps? In a nutshell, it’s a growing worldwide movement loosely based upon social and economic inequality. Some consider this movement highly controversial.\r\n\r\nMaybe, to some who are reading, <em>this article</em> will seem “controversial.”  But, as they say, “the proof is in the pudding.”  The realization I’m pointing to can only be known once we recognize the open, relaxed, non-separate way of being of what is known as non-duality. Occupy Wall Street, along with the frustration and desire for change that lots of people are experiencing these days, is a prime example of how the belief in separation can be seen as the root of human problems.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"center\"></p>\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>What is the belief in separation?</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor starters here is a simple metaphor:  the painter and his painting are inseparable.  Translated, this means that the consciousness we are carrying around, which is the belief in being separate people, determines the world we see.  The painter “me” is inseparable from the world I see out there.\r\n\r\nThe Occupy Wall Street movement is certainly shaking things up, while attempting to provide a much-needed balance in our world. It appears that lots of people are “fed up” these days with corporate greed and the appearance that the rich keep getting richer while the poorer keep getting poorer.  It’s <em>quite</em> natural to want change when this is believed.  And it’s also quite <em>natural</em> to look outward into the world, believing that the problem exists (solely) out there.  In some sense, it does!  In the appearance of life, there are people and organizations who are acting from a sense of lack, fear, and greed—taking more than giving.  It’s much like any addiction.  The taking begets more taking, ad nauseum.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2719\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"266\" caption=\"Pic Aaron Bauer\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2719 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Occupy-Wallstreet-Sign-Aaron-Bauer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"266\" height=\"400\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>Let’s look at it a different way.</strong></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany times in my meetings I get questions about the financial state of our world.  And almost always, I can sense in the questioner fear or anxiety below the surface of the words.  Yet the focus of the questioner is in pointing <em>out there</em>, in the world (in the “painting”), as if the solution lies solely there.\r\n\r\nWe can take all sorts of practical steps to change our world, and even improve it in many ways.  But if we are not in touch with the fear, anxiety, frustration, lack, and greed within each of us, then in some ways we are <em>only boxing our own shadows </em>when we point outward to Wall Street.  If the painter—me—is experiencing fear, frustration, anger or anxiety but only pointing outward towards the world, the question is this:  what am I looking to accomplish through that pointing?\r\n\r\nWhat I find time and again when the question of Wall Street pops up is that this outward pointing is the perfect opportunity to go <em>inward</em>.  By bringing someone’s attention—the bare observation of naked awareness—directly to the frustration, anger, fear or anxiety he or she is feeling, this inseparability between the painter and his painting becomes crystal clear.  Although we don’t always see it that way, we are looking for relaxation and well-being.  We are looking to rearrange the world (the painting) so that we can finally relax and not have to feel this frustration, anger, fear or anxiety.\r\n\r\nWhen I suggest to the questioner that true transformation of the world starts with the self (or inner voice), it can appear controversial, counterintuitive, and even repulsive at first.  I’m inviting the questioner to Occupy Awareness first, so to speak.  This means to rest without viewpoints over and over, throughout the day, letting all the afflictive emotions that arise with those viewpoints be as they are, without trying to understand, neutralize or get rid of them.   When we begin to do this, insight begins to arise automatically.  We see that our bodies, when they are troubled by these afflictive emotions, cause a sort of automated response in the mind.  That response shows up as a pointing outward into the world in some attempt to change that world so that the emotions can relax.  However, that outward pointing only goes so far.\r\n\r\nFor any transformation to happen, it is helpful to see through the sense of self that is identifying so strongly with viewpoints, no matter what they are.  As these viewpoints are relaxed, over and over, we start to feel energy in the body very directly.  That energy is allowed to come and go, bringing about a natural healing in our experience.  This is a deep and profound healing precisely because it deals with the very source of suffering, the ego or self.\r\n\r\nAs we relax as awareness (or Occupy Awareness), the sense of being a person cut off from a hostile world “out there” begins to soften and relax.   Insights and clarity begin to pave the way automatically.  We lose the sense of an us v. them attitude and this frees us up to take a more comprehensive perspective of our world, illuminating the way in which the painter is inseparable from his painting.\r\n\r\nAs we begin to relax and heal, the world and the sense of inherent “others” also begin to relax.  We start to move and act in the world with a fearless, compassionate love and peace.  This is not a love and peace that just sits quietly as the so-called others “destroy the world.”  It is not by its nature passive at all.\r\n\r\nWe can continue trying to point outwardly, believing that the problem is solely out there.  Yet this blinds us to the direct experience of what is happening in our own bodies and minds.  If we look inward, the fear, lack, anger, frustration, and anxiety that we are feeling as separate selves actually creates a sort of addiction for goods or for other vices that we believe will satisfy our suffering.  And so, in a very direct way, we created Wall Street by not experiencing and healing our own afflictive emotions.\r\n\r\nThe painter is inseparable from his painting.  So, as we change, from the belief in being a<em> separate</em> person, into a more fluid, non-separate, non-referential way of experiencing, the painting (the world) begins to change automatically.  Everyone we meet is then affected by the change within us.  Deep change is very contagious.  We don’t settle for Occupying Wall Street or any other street for that matter.  We occupy every moment with this new-found openness and direct experience of non-separation.  The world cannot help but change at that point simply because the world is a reflection of our own consciousness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2720\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Pic Wendy Annibell\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2720\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Wallstreet-Wendy-Annibell-300x196.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFurthermore, do not take this as an invitation to stop protesting or speaking your mind about what you perceive in the world.  The recognition of the inward freedom that I am attempting to demonstrate here in no way outlaws taking practical action to change things in our relative experience.  I’m merely offering you, the reader, <a title=\"An invitation to Living Realization\" href=\"http://livingrealization.org/\" target=\"_blank\">an invitation</a> to look in a different way, seeing that what we have created as something out there is a reflection of our own, interior experience as humans.  As that interior experience begins to be illuminated more and more, it’s quite natural for an outward expression of that to take place.  We are only ever tending to the world we created through our own thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions.\r\n\r\nWhy not start in our own backyard?','Occupy Awareness','','inherit','open','open','','2713-revision-7','','','2011-11-28 15:33:49','2011-11-28 23:33:49','',2713,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2713-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2728,46,'2011-12-03 09:00:10','2011-12-03 17:00:10','Around this time every year, I feel strangely melancholy. Like Charlie Brown before me, I know I should be happy: Christmas is coming! And while I am glad I can finally listen to “A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1” over and over again, I still have this feeling of gloom.\r\n\r\nMaybe it’s the weather. After all, it is that time again to put away the flip-flops and t-shirts, and break out the heavy coats and sweaters. Plus, the days are getting shorter, so when I get off work it looks like the middle of night outside.\r\n\r\nBut I think it’s something much deeper than that.\r\n\r\nCall me a party pooper, but I can’t help but think about all the people out there that won’t have themselves a merry little Christmas. I think of the homeless man trying to keep warm, the little girl wondering why her poverty-stricken parents say they’re not going to have a Christmas this year, and the lonely man who is thinking about ending his own life. I also think about my own life and all of the mistakes I’ve made during the past year, and all of the unresolved issues that are waiting for me in the new year. Maybe I’m the Charlie Browniest of all the Charlie Browns in the world after all.\r\n\r\nOr maybe it’s all just part of the Advent season.\r\n\r\nThis past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, the time where we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we light the wreath and sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” we think about how this world, this life, isn’t how God originally intended it to be. We think about the Second Advent, when all will be made new again, by meditating on the First.\r\n\r\nSo maybe all of this melancholy is just my spirit groaning with creation to see the world restored.\r\n\r\nI can’t help but think about <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</span>, how it was “always winter and never Christmas” in Narnia before Aslan came. Even though it sounds like a lyric to a bad emo song, “always winter and never Christmas” is a good way to describe the state of this present world. But one day the snow will melt.\r\n<blockquote>“Oh my friends I\'ve\r\nBegun to worry right\r\nWhere I should be grateful\r\nI should be satisfied\r\n\r\nOh my heart I\r\nWould clap and dance in place\r\nWith my friends I have so\r\nMuch pleasure to embrace\r\n\r\nBut my heart is\r\nReturned to sister winter\r\nBut my heart is\r\nAs cold as ice”--\"Sister Winter\" by Sufjan Stevens</blockquote>','Advent Meditation:  Returning to Sister Winter','','publish','open','open','','advent-meditation-returning-to-sister-winter','','','2011-12-01 10:10:44','2011-12-01 18:10:44','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2728',0,'post','',0),(2729,46,'2011-11-28 18:39:30','2011-11-29 02:39:30','<blockquote><span style=\"font-style:italic\">“Oh my friends I\'ve\nBegun to worry right\nWhere I should be grateful\nI should be satisfied\n\nOh my heart I\nWould clap and dance in place\nWith my friends I have so\nMuch pleasure to embrace\n\nBut my heart is\nReturned to sister winter\nBut my heart is\nAs cold as ice”--\"Sister Winter\" by Sufjan Stevens</span></blockquote>\n\nAround this time every year, I feel strangely melancholy.  Like Charlie Brown before me, I know I should be happy:  Christmas is coming!  And while I am glad I can finally listen to “A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1” over and over again, I still have this feeling of gloom.\n\nMaybe it’s the weather.  After all, it is that time again  to put away the flip-flops and t-shirts, and break out the heavy coats and sweaters.  Plus, the days are getting shorter, so when I get off work it looks like the middle of night outside.  \n\nBut I think it’s something much deeper than that.\n\nCall me a party pooper, but I can’t help but think about all the people out there that won’t have themselves a merry little Christmas.  I think of the homeless man trying to keep warm, the little girl wondering why her poverty-stricken parents say they’re not going to have a Christmas this year, and the lonely man who is thinking about ending his own life.  I also think about my own life and all of the mistakes I’ve made during the past year, and all of the unresolved issues that are waiting for me in the new year.  Maybe I’m the Charlie Browniest of all the Charlie Browns in the world after all.\n\nOr maybe it’s all just part of the Advent season.\n\nThis past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, the time where we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  As we light the wreath and sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” we think about how this world, this life, isn’t how God originally intended it to be.  We think about the Second Advent, when all will be made new again, by meditating on the First.\n\nSo maybe all of this melancholy is just my spirit groaning with creation to see the world restored.  \n\nI can’t help but think about <span style=\"font-style:italic\">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</span>, how it was “always winter and never Christmas” in Narnia before Aslan came.  Even though it sounds like a lyric to a bad emo song, “always winter and never Christmas” is a good way to describe the state of this present world.  But one day the snow will melt.','Advent Meditation:  Returning to Sister Winter','','inherit','open','open','','2728-revision','','','2011-11-28 18:39:30','2011-11-29 02:39:30','',2728,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2728-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2730,82,'2011-11-30 08:30:02','2011-11-30 16:30:02','Black Friday…it honestly has a very somber ring to it.\r\n\r\nSure, for retailers nationwide, these words are the most blessed words one can hear – but outside of the cash flow, it really prompts a very a solemn feeling from the utterance of such words alone.\r\n\r\nUpon the many articles that flew across headline news on morning of Nov. 25th, revealing people being hurt in the process of others seeking to obtain that “perfect” gift for someone at the best deal they’ve ever experienced on such an item, it sincerely brought about two emotions to my heart.\r\n\r\n<em>One of gratitude, and one of shock.</em>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2731\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGratitude in that I didn’t opt to engage, like I never do, in Black Friday hoopla – and shock that so many would go to such measures (such as using pepper spray) to gain the upper hand over others to obtain what they wanted to get for someone else.\r\n\r\nReally now?\r\n\r\nHmmm…doesn’t sound like the apple fell that far from the tree when we look more at Cain’s example of “giving.”\r\n\r\nExploring Chapter 4 of Genesis, we see in the beginning that Cain and Abel were given distinct gifts for their lives to work out – Cain, to work the land; Abel to tend to the flock.\r\n\r\nEach of these brothers each had the same opportunity to serve God cheerfully, but only one opted to actually do it in faith and belief to God…and no, it wasn’t Cain who did that. He was the other guy who grumbled under his breath to God and saw his brother as competition and “God’s favorite”;  hence his decision to get him out of the picture.\r\n\r\nThis kind of mentality and behavior is oozing at its proverbial seams with the way people treat others on a Black Friday morning.\r\n\r\nFor a season abundantly laden with the theme of giving, sincerely what does ransacking a store for the best possible price on the highest-end object have anything to truly do with giving?\r\n\r\nMatthew West and Amy Grant put out a beautiful song last year that was put on a Veggie Tale’s movie that my son absolutely adores – as does my husband and myself. The song is called, <em>“<a title=\"Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West &amp; Amy Grant\" href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ulYpoNXC0\" target=\"_blank\">Give This Christmas Away</a>.”</em>\r\n\r\nI deeply love this song because it captures the heart of Christmas, and the life we’re called to live in Christ year round…not just one season out of the year.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>To give doesn’t focus on an object.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>To give doesn’t incite anger.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>To give doesn\'t provoke selfishness in any capacity.</em></p>\r\nTo truly give prompts our hearts to give the gift we’ve been given in Christ Jesus away in such a manner that He becomes the most desired gift anyone would want to receive into their own lives.\r\n\r\nCan this be accomplished through the giving of a material gift? Absolutely. But it is never the material that is the focus…it is the intent of the heart of the one giving the gift.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>This Christmas season…and the year to come, hereafter…how can you find yourselves giving in a manner that reveals Christ more than the material gift you give this year to others?</strong></em>','The Gifts We Give','','publish','open','open','','the-gifts-we-give','','','2011-11-30 00:04:14','2011-11-30 08:04:14','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2730',0,'post','',0),(2731,82,'2011-11-28 19:05:45','2011-11-29 03:05:45','','Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald','Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald','inherit','open','open','','gift','','','2011-11-28 19:05:45','2011-11-29 03:05:45','',2730,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2732,82,'2011-11-28 19:13:10','2011-11-29 03:13:10','[caption id=\"attachment_2731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2731\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBlack Friday…it honestly has a very somber ring to it.\n\nSure, for retailers nationwide, these words are the most blessed words one can hear – but outside of the cash flow, it really prompts a very a solemn feeling from the utterance of such words alone.\n\nUpon the many articles that flew across headline news on morning of Nov. 25th, revealing people being hurt in the process of others seeking to obtain that “perfect” gift for someone at the best deal they’ve ever experienced on such an item, it sincerely brought about two emotions to my heart.\n\n<em>One of gratitude, and one of shock.</em>\n\nGratitude in that I didn’t opt to engage, like I never do, in Black Friday hoopla – and shock that so many would go to such measures (such as using pepper spray) to gain the upper hand over others to obtain what they wanted to get for someone else.\n\nReally now?\n\nHmmm…doesn’t sound like the apple fell that far from the tree when we look more at Cain’s example of “giving.”\n\nExploring Chapter 4 of Genesis, we see in the beginning that Cain and Abel were given distinct gifts for their lives to work out – Cain, to work the land; Abel to tend to the flock.\n\nEach of these brothers each had the same opportunity to serve God cheerfully, but only one opted to actually do it in faith and belief to God…and no, it wasn’t Cain who did that. He was the other guy who grumbled under his breath to God and saw his brother as competition and “God’s favorite”;  hence his decision to get him out of the picture.\n\nThis kind of mentality and behavior is oozing at its proverbial seams with the way people treat others on a Black Friday morning.\n\nFor a season abundantly laden with the theme of giving, sincerely what does ransacking a store for the best possible price on the highest-end object have anything to truly do with giving?\n\nMatthew West and Amy Grant put out a beautiful song last year that was put on a Veggie Tale’s movie that my son absolutely adores – as does my husband and myself. The song is called, <em>“<a title=\"Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West &amp; Amy Grant\" href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ulYpoNXC0\" target=\"_blank\">Give This Christmas Away</a>.”</em>\n\nI deeply love this song because it captures the heart of Christmas, and the life we’re called to live in Christ year round…not just one season out of the year.\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t focus on an object.</em></p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t incite anger.</em></p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn\'t provoke selfishness in any capacity.</em></p>\nTo truly give prompts our hearts to give the gift we’ve been given in Christ Jesus away in such a manner that He becomes the most desired gift anyone would want to receive into their own lives.\n\nCan this be accomplished through the giving of a material gift? Absolutely. But it is never the material that is the focus…it is the intent of the heart of the one giving the gift.\n\n<em><strong>This Christmas season…and the year to come, hereafter…how can you find yourselves giving in a manner that reveals Christ more than the material gift you give this year to others?</strong></em>','','','inherit','open','open','','2730-revision','','','2011-11-28 19:13:10','2011-11-29 03:13:10','',2730,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2730-revision/',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (2733,82,'2011-11-28 19:13:50','2011-11-29 03:13:50','[caption id=\"attachment_2731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2731\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBlack Friday…it honestly has a very somber ring to it.\r\n\r\nSure, for retailers nationwide, these words are the most blessed words one can hear – but outside of the cash flow, it really prompts a very a solemn feeling from the utterance of such words alone.\r\n\r\nUpon the many articles that flew across headline news on morning of Nov. 25th, revealing people being hurt in the process of others seeking to obtain that “perfect” gift for someone at the best deal they’ve ever experienced on such an item, it sincerely brought about two emotions to my heart.\r\n\r\n<em>One of gratitude, and one of shock.</em>\r\n\r\nGratitude in that I didn’t opt to engage, like I never do, in Black Friday hoopla – and shock that so many would go to such measures (such as using pepper spray) to gain the upper hand over others to obtain what they wanted to get for someone else.\r\n\r\nReally now?\r\n\r\nHmmm…doesn’t sound like the apple fell that far from the tree when we look more at Cain’s example of “giving.”\r\n\r\nExploring Chapter 4 of Genesis, we see in the beginning that Cain and Abel were given distinct gifts for their lives to work out – Cain, to work the land; Abel to tend to the flock.\r\n\r\nEach of these brothers each had the same opportunity to serve God cheerfully, but only one opted to actually do it in faith and belief to God…and no, it wasn’t Cain who did that. He was the other guy who grumbled under his breath to God and saw his brother as competition and “God’s favorite”;  hence his decision to get him out of the picture.\r\n\r\nThis kind of mentality and behavior is oozing at its proverbial seams with the way people treat others on a Black Friday morning.\r\n\r\nFor a season abundantly laden with the theme of giving, sincerely what does ransacking a store for the best possible price on the highest-end object have anything to truly do with giving?\r\n\r\nMatthew West and Amy Grant put out a beautiful song last year that was put on a Veggie Tale’s movie that my son absolutely adores – as does my husband and myself. The song is called, <em>“<a title=\"Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West &amp; Amy Grant\" href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ulYpoNXC0\" target=\"_blank\">Give This Christmas Away</a>.”</em>\r\n\r\nI deeply love this song because it captures the heart of Christmas, and the life we’re called to live in Christ year round…not just one season out of the year.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t focus on an object.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t incite anger.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn\'t provoke selfishness in any capacity.</em></p>\r\nTo truly give prompts our hearts to give the gift we’ve been given in Christ Jesus away in such a manner that He becomes the most desired gift anyone would want to receive into their own lives.\r\n\r\nCan this be accomplished through the giving of a material gift? Absolutely. But it is never the material that is the focus…it is the intent of the heart of the one giving the gift.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>This Christmas season…and the year to come, hereafter…how can you find yourselves giving in a manner that reveals Christ more than the material gift you give this year to others?</strong></em>','','','inherit','open','open','','2730-revision-2','','','2011-11-28 19:13:50','2011-11-29 03:13:50','',2730,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2730-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2734,82,'2011-11-28 19:14:43','2011-11-29 03:14:43','[caption id=\"attachment_2731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2731\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBlack Friday…it honestly has a very somber ring to it.\r\n\r\nSure, for retailers nationwide, these words are the most blessed words one can hear – but outside of the cash flow, it really prompts a very a solemn feeling from the utterance of such words alone.\r\n\r\nUpon the many articles that flew across headline news on morning of Nov. 25th, revealing people being hurt in the process of others seeking to obtain that “perfect” gift for someone at the best deal they’ve ever experienced on such an item, it sincerely brought about two emotions to my heart.\r\n\r\n<em>One of gratitude, and one of shock.</em>\r\n\r\nGratitude in that I didn’t opt to engage, like I never do, in Black Friday hoopla – and shock that so many would go to such measures (such as using pepper spray) to gain the upper hand over others to obtain what they wanted to get for someone else.\r\n\r\nReally now?\r\n\r\nHmmm…doesn’t sound like the apple fell that far from the tree when we look more at Cain’s example of “giving.”\r\n\r\nExploring Chapter 4 of Genesis, we see in the beginning that Cain and Abel were given distinct gifts for their lives to work out – Cain, to work the land; Abel to tend to the flock.\r\n\r\nEach of these brothers each had the same opportunity to serve God cheerfully, but only one opted to actually do it in faith and belief to God…and no, it wasn’t Cain who did that. He was the other guy who grumbled under his breath to God and saw his brother as competition and “God’s favorite”;  hence his decision to get him out of the picture.\r\n\r\nThis kind of mentality and behavior is oozing at its proverbial seams with the way people treat others on a Black Friday morning.\r\n\r\nFor a season abundantly laden with the theme of giving, sincerely what does ransacking a store for the best possible price on the highest-end object have anything to truly do with giving?\r\n\r\nMatthew West and Amy Grant put out a beautiful song last year that was put on a Veggie Tale’s movie that my son absolutely adores – as does my husband and myself. The song is called, <em>“<a title=\"Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West &amp; Amy Grant\" href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ulYpoNXC0\" target=\"_blank\">Give This Christmas Away</a>.”</em>\r\n\r\nI deeply love this song because it captures the heart of Christmas, and the life we’re called to live in Christ year round…not just one season out of the year.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t focus on an object.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t incite anger.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn\'t provoke selfishness in any capacity.</em></p>\r\nTo truly give prompts our hearts to give the gift we’ve been given in Christ Jesus away in such a manner that He becomes the most desired gift anyone would want to receive into their own lives.\r\n\r\nCan this be accomplished through the giving of a material gift? Absolutely. But it is never the material that is the focus…it is the intent of the heart of the one giving the gift.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>This Christmas season…and the year to come, hereafter…how can you find yourselves giving in a manner that reveals Christ more than the material gift you give this year to others?</strong></em>','The Gifts We Give','','inherit','open','open','','2730-revision-3','','','2011-11-28 19:14:43','2011-11-29 03:14:43','',2730,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2730-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2735,82,'2011-11-28 19:14:49','2011-11-29 03:14:49','[caption id=\"attachment_2731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2731\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBlack Friday…it honestly has a very somber ring to it.\r\n\r\nSure, for retailers nationwide, these words are the most blessed words one can hear – but outside of the cash flow, it really prompts a very a solemn feeling from the utterance of such words alone.\r\n\r\nUpon the many articles that flew across headline news on morning of Nov. 25th, revealing people being hurt in the process of others seeking to obtain that “perfect” gift for someone at the best deal they’ve ever experienced on such an item, it sincerely brought about two emotions to my heart.\r\n\r\n<em>One of gratitude, and one of shock.</em>\r\n\r\nGratitude in that I didn’t opt to engage, like I never do, in Black Friday hoopla – and shock that so many would go to such measures (such as using pepper spray) to gain the upper hand over others to obtain what they wanted to get for someone else.\r\n\r\nReally now?\r\n\r\nHmmm…doesn’t sound like the apple fell that far from the tree when we look more at Cain’s example of “giving.”\r\n\r\nExploring Chapter 4 of Genesis, we see in the beginning that Cain and Abel were given distinct gifts for their lives to work out – Cain, to work the land; Abel to tend to the flock.\r\n\r\nEach of these brothers each had the same opportunity to serve God cheerfully, but only one opted to actually do it in faith and belief to God…and no, it wasn’t Cain who did that. He was the other guy who grumbled under his breath to God and saw his brother as competition and “God’s favorite”;  hence his decision to get him out of the picture.\r\n\r\nThis kind of mentality and behavior is oozing at its proverbial seams with the way people treat others on a Black Friday morning.\r\n\r\nFor a season abundantly laden with the theme of giving, sincerely what does ransacking a store for the best possible price on the highest-end object have anything to truly do with giving?\r\n\r\nMatthew West and Amy Grant put out a beautiful song last year that was put on a Veggie Tale’s movie that my son absolutely adores – as does my husband and myself. The song is called, <em>“<a title=\"Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West &amp; Amy Grant\" href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ulYpoNXC0\" target=\"_blank\">Give This Christmas Away</a>.”</em>\r\n\r\nI deeply love this song because it captures the heart of Christmas, and the life we’re called to live in Christ year round…not just one season out of the year.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t focus on an object.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t incite anger.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn\'t provoke selfishness in any capacity.</em></p>\r\nTo truly give prompts our hearts to give the gift we’ve been given in Christ Jesus away in such a manner that He becomes the most desired gift anyone would want to receive into their own lives.\r\n\r\nCan this be accomplished through the giving of a material gift? Absolutely. But it is never the material that is the focus…it is the intent of the heart of the one giving the gift.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>This Christmas season…and the year to come, hereafter…how can you find yourselves giving in a manner that reveals Christ more than the material gift you give this year to others?</strong></em>','The Gifts We Give','','inherit','open','open','','2730-revision-4','','','2011-11-28 19:14:49','2011-11-29 03:14:49','',2730,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2730-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2736,80,'2011-11-28 19:45:44','2011-11-29 03:45:44','Shannon Stapleton - AFP/Getty Images','black-friday-photos-sales-walmart-bestbuy-3-20111123','','inherit','open','open','','black-friday-photos-sales-walmart-bestbuy-3-20111123','','','2011-11-28 19:45:44','2011-11-29 03:45:44','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/black-friday-photos-sales-walmart-bestbuy-3-20111123.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2737,80,'2011-11-28 18:17:59','2011-11-29 02:17:59','November 25, 2011 may not have inaugerated Black Friday as the newest holiday in the season, but things certainly rose to a new level that day.  The orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced is nothing new.  But in recent years, violence has begun to rear it\'s head as shoppers will go to great lengths to get something for (what they believe) is next to nothing.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.periscopepost.com/2011/11/black-friday-saw-record-sales-but-also-violence-as-shoppers-fought-for-bargains/\">http://www.periscopepost.com/2011/11/black-friday-saw-record-sales-but-also-violence-as-shoppers-fought-for-bargains/</a>','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-8','','','2011-11-28 18:17:59','2011-11-29 02:17:59','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2740,80,'2011-11-28 19:58:30','2011-11-29 03:58:30','I\'m talking about Black Friday, of course; the orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced.  Each year, it seems to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, forcing employees to to work on one of the few days set aside to spend with family. If that\'s not bad enough, violence always seems to break out while people prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  It doesn\'t make sense.  But, every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the store’s are filled with shoppers buying crap that they don’t need and really can’t afford.  Sadly, we pass our greed on to our children.  Don\'t think so?  One Christmas afternoon, when my nephew was about 2 or 3, his father (my brother) wanted to look at one of his toys.  This normally sweet, good-natured kid pulled all the things he’d gotten that day into a pile, lay on it and yelled “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!”  Contrast that story with one my grandmother used to tell about her favorite Christmas memory.  Grandma was born in 1905 in Volunteer, a little community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains.  She lived on a small tobacco farm and like most mountain farm families in those days, money was scarce.  Since there really weren\'t any government assistance programs, any help that folks got came from church groups and private citizens.  The Christmas I’m talking about, one of those groups gathered some resources so the children in those poor families would get something for Christmas.  Grandma and her brothers and sisters didn’t know anything about that.  All they knew was that they heard sleigh bells coming up the road on Christmas Eve.  The bells stopped in front of their house and they heard a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho”.  When Grandpa Chandler opened the door, who stood there but Santa Claus.  He came in, partook of what hospitality the family could offer (to do otherwise would’ve been an insult) and, finally, started passing out presents.  Grandma got an apple, an orange, a little bucket full of hard candy and baby doll.  And, she was elated.  She remembered that Christmas Eve until the day she died, 95 years later.\r\n\r\nA lot of Christians go around this time of year, saying to anyone that will listen “Jesus is the reason for the season”; then, they get in a fist fight over HDTV for 200 bucks.  If Jesus is the reason for the season, why don’t we act like it?  Why don’t we do the things Jesus did, like help the needy, the poor, and the marginalized?  Why don\'t we find someone who’s trying to do that and give them a hand?   Better yet, find a family in need and throw them a lifeline.  Hell, just quit thinking the guy panhandling is lazy and should get a job and give him a dollar.  Better yet, give him that dollar and treat him like an actual human being.  That would be a helluva lot better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than busting out your pepper spray so you get those X boxes you <em>need </em>so bad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-11','','','2011-11-28 19:58:30','2011-11-29 03:58:30','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(2739,80,'2011-11-28 19:48:18','2011-11-29 03:48:18','I\'m talking about Black Friday, of course; this orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced.  Each year, it seems to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, forcing employees to leave their families on one of the few days set aside to spend with family. If that\'s not bad enough, violence always seems to break out while people prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  It doesn\'t make sense.  But, every year, the store’s are filled with shoppers buying crap that they don’t need and really can’t afford.  Sadly, we pass our greed on to our children.  Don\'t think so?  One Christmas afternoon, when my nephew was about 2 or 3, his father (my brother) wanted to look at one of his toys.  This normally sweet, good-natured kid pulled all the things he’d gotten that day into a pile, lay on it and yelled “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!”  Contrast that story with one my grandmother used to tell about her favorite Christmas memory.  Grandma was born in 1905 in Volunteer, a little community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains.  She lived on a small tobacco farm and like most mountain farm families in those days, money was scarce.  Since there really weren\'t government assistance programs, any help that folks got came from church groups and private citizens.  The Christmas I’m talking about, one of those groups got together and gathered some resources so the children in the poor families would get something for Christmas.  Grandma and her brothers and sisters didn’t know all that.  What they knew was, not long after dark, they heard sleigh bells coming up the road to their house.  Then, after the bells stopped, they heard a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho” and, when Grandpa Chandler opened the door, who stood there but Santa Claus.  He came in, partook of what hospitality the family could offer (to do otherwise would’ve been an insult) and, finally, started passing out presents.  Grandma got an apple, an orange, a little bucket full of hard candy and baby doll.  And, she was elated.  She remembered that Christmas Eve until the day she died at the age 95.  How do you think kids today would react to such a meager haul at Christmas?\r\n\r\nA lot of Christians go around this time of year, saying to anyone that will listen “Jesus is the reason for the season”; then, they get in a fist fight over HDTV for 200 bucks.  If Jesus is the reason for the season, why don’t we act like it?  Why don’t we do the things Jesus did, like help the needy, the poor, and the marginalized?  Why don\'t we find someone who’s trying to do that and give them a hand?   Better yet, find a family in need and throw them a lifeline.  Hell, just quit thinking the guy panhandling is lazy and should get a job and give him a dollar.  Better yet, give him that dollar and treat him like an actual human being.  That would be a helluva lot better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than busting out your pepper spray so you get those X boxes you <em>need </em>so bad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-10','','','2011-11-28 19:48:18','2011-11-29 03:48:18','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(2738,80,'2011-11-28 19:47:05','2011-11-29 03:47:05','<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/black-friday-photos-sales-walmart-bestbuy-3-20111123.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-2736\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/black-friday-photos-sales-walmart-bestbuy-3-20111123-300x207.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"207\" /></a> I\'m talking about Black Friday, of course.  This orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced.  Each year, it seems to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, forcing employees to leave their families on one of the few days set aside to spend with family. If that\'s not bad enough, violence always seems to break out while people prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  It doesn\'t make sense.  But, every year, the store’s are filled with shoppers buying crap that they don’t need and really can’t afford.  Sadly, we pass our greed on to our children.  Don\'t think so?  One Christmas afternoon, when my nephew was about 2 or 3, his father (my brother) wanted to look at one of his toys.  This normally sweet, good-natured kid pulled all the things he’d gotten that day into a pile, lay on it and yelled “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!”  Contrast that story with one my grandmother used to tell about her favorite Christmas memory.  Grandma was born in 1905 in Volunteer, a little community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains.  She lived on a small tobacco farm and like most mountain farm families in those days, money was scarce.  Since there really weren\'t government assistance programs, any help that folks got came from church groups and private citizens.  The Christmas I’m talking about, one of those groups got together and gathered some resources so the children in the poor families would get something for Christmas.  Grandma and her brothers and sisters didn’t know all that.  What they knew was, not long after dark, they heard sleigh bells coming up the road to their house.  Then, after the bells stopped, they heard a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho” and, when Grandpa Chandler opened the door, who stood there but Santa Claus.  He came in, partook of what hospitality the family could offer (to do otherwise would’ve been an insult) and, finally, started passing out presents.  Grandma got an apple, an orange, a little bucket full of hard candy and baby doll.  And, she was elated.  She remembered that Christmas Eve until the day she died at the age 95.  How do you think kids today would react to such a meager haul at Christmas?\r\n\r\nA lot of Christians go around this time of year, saying to anyone that will listen “Jesus is the reason for the season”; then, they get in a fist fight over HDTV for 200 bucks.  If Jesus is the reason for the season, why don’t we act like it?  Why don’t we do the things Jesus did, like help the needy, the poor, and the marginalized?  Why don\'t we find someone who’s trying to do that and give them a hand?   Better yet, find a family in need and throw them a lifeline.  Hell, just quit thinking the guy panhandling is lazy and should get a job and give him a dollar.  Better yet, give him that dollar and treat him like an actual human being.  That would be a helluva lot better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than busting out your pepper spray so you get those X boxes you <em>need </em>so bad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-9','','','2011-11-28 19:47:05','2011-11-29 03:47:05','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(2741,80,'2011-11-28 20:00:44','2011-11-29 04:00:44','I\'m talking about Black Friday, of course; that orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced.  Each year, it seems to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, forcing employees to to work on one of the few days set aside to spend with family. If that\'s not bad enough, violence always seems to break out while  people  prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  It doesn\'t make sense.  But, every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the stores are filled with shoppers buying crap that they don’t need and really can’t afford.  Sadly, we pass our greed on to our children.  Don\'t think so?  One Christmas afternoon, when my nephew was about 2 or 3, his father (my brother) wanted to look at one of his toys.  This normally sweet, good-natured kid pulled all the things he’d gotten that day into a pile, lay on it and yelled “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!”  Contrast that story with one my grandmother used to tell about her favorite Christmas memory.  Grandma was born in 1905 in Volunteer, a little community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains.  She lived on a small tobacco farm and like most mountain farm families in those days, money was scarce.  Since there really weren\'t any government assistance programs, any help that folks got came from church groups and private citizens.  The Christmas I’m talking about, one of those groups gathered some resources so the children in those poor families would get something for Christmas.  Grandma and her brothers and sisters didn’t know anything about that.  All they knew was that they heard sleigh bells coming up the road on Christmas Eve.  The bells stopped in front of their house and they heard a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho”.  When Grandpa Chandler opened the door, who stood there but Santa Claus.  He came in, partook of what hospitality the family could offer (to do otherwise would’ve been an insult) and, finally, started passing out presents.  Grandma got an apple, an orange, a little bucket full of hard candy and baby doll.  And, she was elated.  She remembered that Christmas Eve until the day she died, 95 years later.\r\n\r\nA lot of Christians go around this time of year, saying to anyone that will listen “Jesus is the reason for the season”; then, they get in a fist fight over HDTV for 200 bucks.  If Jesus is the reason for the season, why don’t we act like it?  Why don’t we do the things Jesus did, like help the needy, the poor, and the marginalized?  Why don\'t we find someone who’s trying to do that and give them a hand?   Better yet, find a family in need and throw them a lifeline.  Hell, just quit thinking the guy panhandling is lazy and should get a job and give him a dollar.  Better yet, give him that dollar and treat him like an actual human being.  That would be a helluva lot better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than busting out your pepper spray so you get those X boxes you <em>need </em>so bad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-12','','','2011-11-28 20:00:44','2011-11-29 04:00:44','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(2742,80,'2011-11-28 20:03:07','2011-11-29 04:03:07','I\'m talking about Black Friday, of course; that orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced.  Each year, it seems to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, forcing employees to to work on one of the few days set aside to spend with family. If that\'s not bad enough, violence always seems to break out while  people  prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  It doesn\'t make sense.  But, every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the stores are filled with shoppers buying crap that they don’t need and really can’t afford.  Sadly, we pass our greed on to our children.  Don\'t think so?  One Christmas afternoon, when my nephew was about 2 or 3, his father (my brother) wanted to look at one of his toys.  This normally sweet, good-natured kid pulled all the things he’d gotten that day into a pile, lay on it and yelled “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!”  Contrast that story with one my grandmother used to tell about her favorite Christmas memory.  Grandma was born in 1905 in Volunteer, a little community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains.  She lived on a small tobacco farm and like most mountain farm families in those days, money was scarce.  Since there really weren\'t any government assistance programs, any help that folks got came from church groups and private citizens.  The Christmas I’m talking about, one of those groups gathered some resources so the children in those poor families would get something for Christmas.  Grandma and her brothers and sisters didn’t know anything about that.  All they knew was that they heard sleigh bells coming up the road on Christmas Eve.  The bells stopped in front of their house and they heard a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho”.  When Grandpa Chandler opened the door, who stood there but Santa Claus himself.  The jolly old elf came in, partook of what hospitality the family could offer (to do otherwise would’ve been an insult) and, finally, started passing out presents.  Grandma got an apple, an orange, a little bucket full of hard candy and baby doll.  And, she was elated.  She remembered that Christmas Eve until the day she died, 95 years later.\r\n\r\nA lot of Christians go around this time of year, saying to anyone that will listen “Jesus is the reason for the season”; then, they get in a fist fight over HDTV for 200 bucks.  If Jesus is the reason for the season, why don’t we act like it?  Why don’t we do the things Jesus did, like help the needy, the poor, and the marginalized?  Why don\'t we find someone who’s trying to do that and give them a hand?   Better yet, find a family in need and throw them a lifeline.  Hell, just quit thinking the guy panhandling is lazy and should get a job and give him a dollar.  Better yet, give him that dollar and treat him like an actual human being.  That would be a helluva lot better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than busting out your pepper spray so you get those X boxes you <em>need </em>so bad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-13','','','2011-11-28 20:03:07','2011-11-29 04:03:07','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(2743,80,'2011-11-28 20:04:37','2011-11-29 04:04:37','I\'m talking about Black Friday, of course; that orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced.  Each year, it seems to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, forcing employees to to work on one of the few days set aside to spend with family. If that\'s not bad enough, violence always seems to break out while  people  prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  It doesn\'t make sense.  But, every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the stores are filled with shoppers buying crap that they don’t need and really can’t afford.  Sadly, we pass our greed on to our children.  Don\'t think so?  One Christmas afternoon, when my nephew was about 2 or 3, his father (my brother) wanted to look at one of his toys.  This normally sweet, good-natured kid pulled all the things he’d gotten that day into a pile, lay on it and yelled “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!”  Contrast that story with one my grandmother used to tell about her favorite Christmas memory.  Grandma was born in 1905 in Volunteer, a little community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains.  She lived on a small tobacco farm and like most mountain farm families in those days, money was scarce.  Since there really weren\'t any government assistance programs, any help that folks got came from church groups and private citizens.  The Christmas I’m talking about, one of those groups gathered some resources so the children in those poor families would get something for Christmas.  Grandma and her brothers and sisters didn’t know anything about that.  All they knew was that they heard sleigh bells coming up the road on Christmas Eve.  The bells stopped in front of their house and they heard a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho”.  When Grandpa Chandler opened the door, who stood there but Santa Claus himself.  The jolly old elf came in, partook of what hospitality the family could offer (to do otherwise would’ve been an insult) and, finally, started passing out presents.  Grandma got an apple, an orange, a little bucket full of hard candy and baby doll.  And, she was elated.  She remembered that Christmas Eve until the day she died, 95 years later.\r\n\r\nA lot of Christians go around this time of year, saying to anyone that will listen “Jesus is the reason for the season”; then, they get in a fist fight over HDTV for 200 bucks.  If Jesus is the reason for the season, why don’t we act like it?  Instead of spending all night standing in line to buy more crap we don\'t need, why don’t we do the things Jesus did, like help the needy, the poor, and the marginalized?  Why don\'t we find someone who’s trying to do that and give them a hand?   Better yet, find a family in need and throw them a lifeline.  Hell, just quit thinking the guy panhandling is lazy and should get a job and give him a dollar.  Better yet, give him that dollar and treat him like an actual human being.  That would be a helluva lot better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than busting out your pepper spray so you get those X boxes you <em>need </em>so bad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-14','','','2011-11-28 20:04:37','2011-11-29 04:04:37','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(2744,1,'2011-12-01 10:14:06','2011-12-01 18:14:06','I\'m talking about Black Friday, of course; that orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced.  Each year, it seems to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, forcing employees to to work on one of the few days set aside to spend with family.\n\nIf that\'s not bad enough, violence always seems to break out while  people  prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  It doesn\'t make sense.  But, every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the stores are filled with shoppers buying crap that they don’t need and really can’t afford.\n\nSadly, we pass our greed on to our children.  Don\'t think so?  One Christmas afternoon, when my nephew was about 2 or 3, his father (my brother) wanted to look at one of his toys.  This normally sweet, good-natured kid pulled all the things he’d gotten that day into a pile, lay on it and yelled “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!”\n\nContrast that story with one my grandmother used to tell about her favorite Christmas memory.  Grandma was born in 1905 in Volunteer, a little community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains.  She lived on a small tobacco farm and like most mountain farm families in those days, money was scarce.  Since there really weren\'t any government assistance programs, any help that folks got came from church groups and private citizens.\n\nThe Christmas I’m talking about, one of those groups gathered some resources so the children in those poor families would get something for Christmas.  Grandma and her brothers and sisters didn’t know anything about that.  All they knew was that they heard sleigh bells coming up the road on Christmas Eve.  The bells stopped in front of their house and they heard a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho”.  When Grandpa Chandler opened the door, who stood there but Santa Claus himself.  The jolly old elf came in, partook of what hospitality the family could offer (to do otherwise would’ve been an insult) and, finally, started passing out presents.  Grandma got an apple, an orange, a little bucket full of hard candy and baby doll.  And, she was elated.  She remembered that Christmas Eve until the day she died, 95 years later.\n\nA lot of Christians go around this time of year, saying to anyone that will listen “Jesus is the reason for the season”; then, they get in a fist fight over HDTV for 200 bucks.  If Jesus is the reason for the season, why don’t we act like it?  Instead of spending all night standing in line to buy more crap we don\'t need, why don’t we do the things Jesus did, like help the needy, the poor, and the marginalized?  Why don\'t we find someone who’s trying to do that and give them a hand?   Better yet, find a family in need and throw them a lifeline.  Hell, just quit thinking the guy panhandling is lazy and give him a dollar.  Better yet, give him that dollar and treat him like an actual human being.  That would be a helluva lot better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than busting out your pepper spray so you get those X boxes you <em>need </em>so bad.','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-autosave','','','2011-12-01 10:14:06','2011-12-01 18:14:06','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2745,80,'2011-11-28 20:06:28','2011-11-29 04:06:28','I\'m talking about Black Friday, of course; that orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced.  Each year, it seems to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, forcing employees to to work on one of the few days set aside to spend with family. If that\'s not bad enough, violence always seems to break out while  people  prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  It doesn\'t make sense.  But, every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the stores are filled with shoppers buying crap that they don’t need and really can’t afford.  Sadly, we pass our greed on to our children.  Don\'t think so?  One Christmas afternoon, when my nephew was about 2 or 3, his father (my brother) wanted to look at one of his toys.  This normally sweet, good-natured kid pulled all the things he’d gotten that day into a pile, lay on it and yelled “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!”  Contrast that story with one my grandmother used to tell about her favorite Christmas memory.  Grandma was born in 1905 in Volunteer, a little community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains.  She lived on a small tobacco farm and like most mountain farm families in those days, money was scarce.  Since there really weren\'t any government assistance programs, any help that folks got came from church groups and private citizens.  The Christmas I’m talking about, one of those groups gathered some resources so the children in those poor families would get something for Christmas.  Grandma and her brothers and sisters didn’t know anything about that.  All they knew was that they heard sleigh bells coming up the road on Christmas Eve.  The bells stopped in front of their house and they heard a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho”.  When Grandpa Chandler opened the door, who stood there but Santa Claus himself.  The jolly old elf came in, partook of what hospitality the family could offer (to do otherwise would’ve been an insult) and, finally, started passing out presents.  Grandma got an apple, an orange, a little bucket full of hard candy and baby doll.  And, she was elated.  She remembered that Christmas Eve until the day she died, 95 years later.\r\n\r\nA lot of Christians go around this time of year, saying to anyone that will listen “Jesus is the reason for the season”; then, they get in a fist fight over HDTV for 200 bucks.  If Jesus is the reason for the season, why don’t we act like it?  Instead of spending all night standing in line to buy more crap we don\'t need, why don’t we do the things Jesus did, like help the needy, the poor, and the marginalized?  Why don\'t we find someone who’s trying to do that and give them a hand?   Better yet, find a family in need and throw them a lifeline.  Hell, just quit thinking the guy panhandling is lazy and give him a dollar.  Better yet, give him that dollar and treat him like an actual human being.  That would be a helluva lot better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than busting out your pepper spray so you get those X boxes you <em>need </em>so bad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-15','','','2011-11-28 20:06:28','2011-11-29 04:06:28','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(2746,80,'2011-11-28 20:07:59','2011-11-29 04:07:59','I\'m talking about Black Friday, of course; that orgy of greed that follows the one day out the year we\'re supposed to stop and give thanks for all the good things we\'ve experienced.  Each year, it seems to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, forcing employees to to work on one of the few days set aside to spend with family. If that\'s not bad enough, violence always seems to break out while  people  prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  It doesn\'t make sense.  But, every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the stores are filled with shoppers buying crap that they don’t need and really can’t afford.  Sadly, we pass our greed on to our children.  Don\'t think so?  One Christmas afternoon, when my nephew was about 2 or 3, his father (my brother) wanted to look at one of his toys.  This normally sweet, good-natured kid pulled all the things he’d gotten that day into a pile, lay on it and yelled “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!”  Contrast that story with one my grandmother used to tell about her favorite Christmas memory.  Grandma was born in 1905 in Volunteer, a little community in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains.  She lived on a small tobacco farm and like most mountain farm families in those days, money was scarce.  Since there really weren\'t any government assistance programs, any help that folks got came from church groups and private citizens.  The Christmas I’m talking about, one of those groups gathered some resources so the children in those poor families would get something for Christmas.  Grandma and her brothers and sisters didn’t know anything about that.  All they knew was that they heard sleigh bells coming up the road on Christmas Eve.  The bells stopped in front of their house and they heard a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho”.  When Grandpa Chandler opened the door, who stood there but Santa Claus himself.  The jolly old elf came in, partook of what hospitality the family could offer (to do otherwise would’ve been an insult) and, finally, started passing out presents.  Grandma got an apple, an orange, a little bucket full of hard candy and baby doll.  And, she was elated.  She remembered that Christmas Eve until the day she died, 95 years later.\r\n\r\nA lot of Christians go around this time of year, saying to anyone that will listen “Jesus is the reason for the season”; then, they get in a fist fight over HDTV for 200 bucks.  If Jesus is the reason for the season, why don’t we act like it?  Instead of spending all night standing in line to buy more crap we don\'t need, why don’t we do the things Jesus did, like help the needy, the poor, and the marginalized?  Why don\'t we find someone who’s trying to do that and give them a hand?   Better yet, find a family in need and throw them a lifeline.  Hell, just quit thinking the guy panhandling is lazy and give him a dollar.  Better yet, give him that dollar and treat him like an actual human being.  That would be a helluva lot better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than busting out your pepper spray so you get those X boxes you <em>need </em>so bad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Our Newest Holiday','','inherit','open','open','','2376-revision-16','','','2011-11-28 20:07:59','2011-11-29 04:07:59','',2376,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2376-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(2748,1,'2011-11-30 00:02:28','2011-11-30 08:02:28','[caption id=\"attachment_2731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2731\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBlack Friday…it honestly has a very somber ring to it.\r\n\r\nSure, for retailers nationwide, these words are the most blessed words one can hear – but outside of the cash flow, it really prompts a very a solemn feeling from the utterance of such words alone.\r\n\r\nUpon the many articles that flew across headline news on morning of Nov. 25th, revealing people being hurt in the process of others seeking to obtain that “perfect” gift for someone at the best deal they’ve ever experienced on such an item, it sincerely brought about two emotions to my heart.\r\n\r\n<em>One of gratitude, and one of shock.</em>\r\n\r\nGratitude in that I didn’t opt to engage, like I never do, in Black Friday hoopla – and shock that so many would go to such measures (such as using pepper spray) to gain the upper hand over others to obtain what they wanted to get for someone else.\r\n\r\nReally now?\r\n\r\nHmmm…doesn’t sound like the apple fell that far from the tree when we look more at Cain’s example of “giving.”\r\n\r\nExploring Chapter 4 of Genesis, we see in the beginning that Cain and Abel were given distinct gifts for their lives to work out – Cain, to work the land; Abel to tend to the flock.\r\n\r\nEach of these brothers each had the same opportunity to serve God cheerfully, but only one opted to actually do it in faith and belief to God…and no, it wasn’t Cain who did that. He was the other guy who grumbled under his breath to God and saw his brother as competition and “God’s favorite”;  hence his decision to get him out of the picture.\r\n\r\nThis kind of mentality and behavior is oozing at its proverbial seams with the way people treat others on a Black Friday morning.\r\n\r\nFor a season abundantly laden with the theme of giving, sincerely what does ransacking a store for the best possible price on the highest-end object have anything to truly do with giving?\r\n\r\nMatthew West and Amy Grant put out a beautiful song last year that was put on a Veggie Tale’s movie that my son absolutely adores – as does my husband and myself. The song is called, <em>“<a title=\"Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West &amp; Amy Grant\" href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ulYpoNXC0\" target=\"_blank\">Give This Christmas Away</a>.”</em>\r\n\r\nI deeply love this song because it captures the heart of Christmas, and the life we’re called to live in Christ year round…not just one season out of the year.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>To give doesn’t focus on an object.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>To give doesn’t incite anger.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>To give doesn\'t provoke selfishness in any capacity.</em></p>\r\nTo truly give prompts our hearts to give the gift we’ve been given in Christ Jesus away in such a manner that He becomes the most desired gift anyone would want to receive into their own lives.\r\n\r\nCan this be accomplished through the giving of a material gift? Absolutely. But it is never the material that is the focus…it is the intent of the heart of the one giving the gift.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>This Christmas season…and the year to come, hereafter…how can you find yourselves giving in a manner that reveals Christ more than the material gift you give this year to others?</strong></em>','The Gifts We Give','','inherit','open','open','','2730-autosave','','','2011-11-30 00:02:28','2011-11-30 08:02:28','',2730,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/2730-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2749,82,'2011-11-28 19:15:01','2011-11-29 03:15:01','[caption id=\"attachment_2731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2731\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"Gift by Vanessa Fitzgerald\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBlack Friday…it honestly has a very somber ring to it.\r\n\r\nSure, for retailers nationwide, these words are the most blessed words one can hear – but outside of the cash flow, it really prompts a very a solemn feeling from the utterance of such words alone.\r\n\r\nUpon the many articles that flew across headline news on morning of Nov. 25th, revealing people being hurt in the process of others seeking to obtain that “perfect” gift for someone at the best deal they’ve ever experienced on such an item, it sincerely brought about two emotions to my heart.\r\n\r\n<em>One of gratitude, and one of shock.</em>\r\n\r\nGratitude in that I didn’t opt to engage, like I never do, in Black Friday hoopla – and shock that so many would go to such measures (such as using pepper spray) to gain the upper hand over others to obtain what they wanted to get for someone else.\r\n\r\nReally now?\r\n\r\nHmmm…doesn’t sound like the apple fell that far from the tree when we look more at Cain’s example of “giving.”\r\n\r\nExploring Chapter 4 of Genesis, we see in the beginning that Cain and Abel were given distinct gifts for their lives to work out – Cain, to work the land; Abel to tend to the flock.\r\n\r\nEach of these brothers each had the same opportunity to serve God cheerfully, but only one opted to actually do it in faith and belief to God…and no, it wasn’t Cain who did that. He was the other guy who grumbled under his breath to God and saw his brother as competition and “God’s favorite”;  hence his decision to get him out of the picture.\r\n\r\nThis kind of mentality and behavior is oozing at its proverbial seams with the way people treat others on a Black Friday morning.\r\n\r\nFor a season abundantly laden with the theme of giving, sincerely what does ransacking a store for the best possible price on the highest-end object have anything to truly do with giving?\r\n\r\nMatthew West and Amy Grant put out a beautiful song last year that was put on a Veggie Tale’s movie that my son absolutely adores – as does my husband and myself. The song is called, <em>“<a title=\"Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West &amp; Amy Grant\" href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ulYpoNXC0\" target=\"_blank\">Give This Christmas Away</a>.”</em>\r\n\r\nI deeply love this song because it captures the heart of Christmas, and the life we’re called to live in Christ year round…not just one season out of the year.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t focus on an object.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn’t incite anger.</em></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><em>To give doesn\'t provoke selfishness in any capacity.</em></p>\r\nTo truly give prompts our hearts to give the gift we’ve been given in Christ Jesus away in such a manner that He becomes the most desired gift anyone would want to receive into their own lives.\r\n\r\nCan this be accomplished through the giving of a material gift? Absolutely. But it is never the material that is the focus…it is the intent of the heart of the one giving the gift.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>This Christmas season…and the year to come, hereafter…how can you find yourselves giving in a manner that reveals Christ more than the material gift you give this year to others?</strong></em>','The Gifts We Give','','inherit','open','open','','2730-revision-5','','','2011-11-28 19:15:01','2011-11-29 03:15:01','',2730,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2730-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2751,24,'2011-11-23 10:50:10','2011-11-23 18:50:10','God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\n\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\n\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\n\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\n\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\n\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"\n\nWith the worlds current events getting so much attention and the endless banter between politicians, governments and corporations it may appear that our world has lost its mind. One can find oneself lost it trying to fix all sorts of systems and entities to make the world a safe place to live. I would like to point out a view of things that allows one to loose interest in getting something from this world. Instead I will point to a Reality the demands nothings, asks for nothing, it simply is what it is. For some this is to simple, or boring. They are far more interested in fixing others and entertaining themselves in the drama of their lives.\n\nOne can liken the addiction we have to the drama of this world as to walking into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera. At the climax you walk up and turn the TV off. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be to walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Do you see the same reactions? One does not have to condemn this addiction we see to prevalent in society, one just at some point to decide whether or not to continue to participate in it.\n\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera fanatics upbringing were usually told what to believe and why. Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists ect because we have been this faith for generations.\n\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\n\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\nLooking at this picture, what do you see?\n\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\nWhich perception is real?\nDoes one negate the other?\nDo both exist simultaneously?\n\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\n\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\n\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with. Light doe not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply his absence. Perception is then extremely subjective.\n\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or in other words identifies with. If the mind believes something has value it then desires it. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind desires what it values.\n\nOur minds as children are innocent, like a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. We then observe our families our culture our entertainment and we pick up the software that runs our minds value system which is called perception.\n\n<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2425\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Prism-300x186.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"186\" />\n\nLike this prism, perception derived from programming interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see if valuable or something we would like to avoid.\n\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitaion to return to that inncocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\n\n<strong>“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.\" Matthew 18:3</strong>\n\n&nbsp;','Perception is Deception, Part 1','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-20','','','2011-11-23 10:50:10','2011-11-23 18:50:10','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/23/1975-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(2752,24,'2011-11-29 09:11:37','2011-11-29 17:11:37','God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\r\n\r\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\r\n\r\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\r\n\r\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\r\n\r\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\r\n\r\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"\r\n\r\nWith the worlds current events getting so much attention and the endless banter between politicians, governments and corporations it may appear that our world has lost its mind. One can find oneself lost it trying to fix all sorts of systems and entities to make the world a safe place to live. I would like to point out a view of things that allows one to loose interest in getting something from this world. Instead I will point to a Reality the demands nothings, asks for nothing, it simply is what it is. For some this is to simple, or boring. They are far more interested in fixing others and entertaining themselves in the drama of their lives.\r\n\r\nOne can liken the addiction we have to the drama of this world as to walking into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera. At the climax you walk up and turn the TV off. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be to walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Do you see the same reactions? One does not have to condemn this addiction we see to prevalent in society, one just at some point to decide whether or not to continue to participate in it.\r\n\r\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera fanatics upbringing were usually told what to believe and why. Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists ect because we have been this faith for generations.\r\n\r\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLooking at this picture, what do you see?\r\n\r\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\r\nWhich perception is real?\r\nDoes one negate the other?\r\nDo both exist simultaneously?\r\n\r\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\r\n\r\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\r\n\r\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with. Light doe not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply his absence. Perception is then extremely subjective.\r\n\r\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or in other words identifies with. If the mind believes something has value it then desires it. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind desires what it values.\r\n\r\nOur minds as children are innocent, like a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. We then observe our families our culture our entertainment and we pick up the software that runs our minds value system which is called perception.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2425\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Prism-300x186.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"186\" />\r\n\r\nLike this prism, perception derived from programming interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see if valuable or something we would like to avoid.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitaion to return to that inncocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\r\n\r\n<strong>“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.\" Matthew 18:3</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The Deception in Perception, Part 1','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-21','','','2011-11-29 09:11:37','2011-11-29 17:11:37','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(2753,24,'2011-11-29 09:12:25','2011-11-29 17:12:25','<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\r\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\r\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\r\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\r\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\r\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"\r\n\r\nMy intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.\r\n\r\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\r\n\r\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\r\n\r\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\r\n\r\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\r\n\r\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\r\n\r\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\r\n\r\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\r\n\r\n\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates\r\n\r\nLooking at this picture, what do you see?\r\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\r\nWhich perception is real?\r\nDoes one negate the other?\r\nDo both exist simultaneously?\r\n\r\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\r\n\r\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\r\n\r\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\r\n\r\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\r\n\r\nYou either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie\r\n\r\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\r\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see if valuable or something we would like to avoid.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\r\n\r\nAssuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus\r\n\r\nContinued in Part 2.</div>','The Deception in Perception, Part 1','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-22','','','2011-11-29 09:12:25','2011-11-29 17:12:25','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(2755,1,'2011-11-29 09:27:40','2011-11-29 17:27:40','','Deanna_Ogle','','inherit','open','open','','deanna_ogle','','','2011-11-29 09:27:40','2011-11-29 17:27:40','',0,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Deanna_Ogle.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2757,24,'2011-11-29 09:13:18','2011-11-29 17:13:18','<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\r\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\r\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\r\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\r\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\r\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.\r\n\r\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\r\n\r\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\r\n\r\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\r\n\r\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\r\n\r\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\r\n\r\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\r\n\r\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\r\n\r\nLooking at this picture, what do you see?\r\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\r\nWhich perception is real?\r\nDoes one negate the other?\r\nDo both exist simultaneously?\r\n\r\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\r\n\r\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\r\n\r\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\r\n\r\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\r\n\r\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\r\n\r\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\r\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see if valuable or something we would like to avoid.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\r\n\r\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\r\n\r\nContinued in Part 2.\r\n\r\n</div>','The Deception in Perception, Part 1','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-23','','','2011-11-29 09:13:18','2011-11-29 17:13:18','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(2758,24,'2011-11-29 10:12:32','2011-11-29 18:12:32','<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.Take a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?The world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\n\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\n\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\n\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\n\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\n\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\n\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\nWhich perception is real?\nDoes one negate the other?\nDo both exist simultaneously?\n\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\n\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\n\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\n\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\n\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\n\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see if valuable or something we would like to avoid.\n\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\n\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\n\nContinued in Part 2.\n\n</div>','The Deception in Perception, Part 1','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-24','','','2011-11-29 10:12:32','2011-11-29 18:12:32','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(2759,24,'2011-11-29 10:13:00','2011-11-29 18:13:00','<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\r\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\r\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\r\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\r\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\r\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.Take a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?The world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\r\n\r\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\r\n\r\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\r\n\r\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\r\n\r\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\r\n\r\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\r\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\r\nWhich perception is real?\r\nDoes one negate the other?\r\nDo both exist simultaneously?\r\n\r\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\r\n\r\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\r\n\r\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\r\n\r\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\r\n\r\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\r\n\r\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\r\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\r\n\r\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\r\n\r\nContinued in Part 2.\r\n\r\n</div>','The Deception in Perception, Part 1','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-25','','','2011-11-29 10:13:00','2011-11-29 18:13:00','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(2760,24,'2011-11-29 10:15:14','2011-11-29 18:15:14','<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"</div>\n<div>My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.</div>\n<div>Take a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal? The world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world.</div>\n<div>As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.</div>\n<div>For some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.</div>\n<div>\n\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\n\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\n\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\n\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\n\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\nWhich perception is real?\nDoes one negate the other?\nDo both exist simultaneously?\n\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\n\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\n\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\n\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\n\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\n\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\n\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\n\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\n\nContinued in Part 2.\n\n</div>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-26','','','2011-11-29 10:15:14','2011-11-29 18:15:14','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(2761,24,'2011-11-29 10:16:58','2011-11-29 18:16:58','<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"</div>\n<div>My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.</div>\n<div>Take a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal? The world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world.</div>\n<div>As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.</div>\n<div>For some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.</div>\n<div>\n\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\n\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\n\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\n\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\n\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\nWhich perception is real?\nDoes one negate the other?\nDo both exist simultaneously?\n\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\n\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\n\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\n\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\n\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\n\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\n\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\n\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\n\nContinued in Part 2.\n\n</div>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-27','','','2011-11-29 10:16:58','2011-11-29 18:16:58','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(2762,24,'2011-11-29 10:17:58','2011-11-29 18:17:58','','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-28','','','2011-11-29 10:17:58','2011-11-29 18:17:58','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(2764,24,'2011-11-29 10:21:27','2011-11-29 18:21:27','<div>\r\n<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\r\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\r\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\r\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\r\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\r\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.\r\n\r\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\r\n\r\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\r\n\r\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\r\n\r\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\r\n\r\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\r\n\r\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\r\n\r\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\r\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\r\nWhich perception is real?\r\nDoes one negate the other?\r\nDo both exist simultaneously?\r\n\r\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\r\n\r\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\r\n\r\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\r\n\r\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\r\n\r\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\r\n\r\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\r\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\r\n\r\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-30','','','2011-11-29 10:21:27','2011-11-29 18:21:27','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(2765,24,'2011-11-29 10:21:54','2011-11-29 18:21:54','<div>\r\n<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\r\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\r\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\r\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\r\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\r\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"</div>\r\n<div>My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.</div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\r\n\r\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\r\n\r\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\r\n\r\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\r\n\r\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\r\n\r\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\r\n\r\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\r\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\r\nWhich perception is real?\r\nDoes one negate the other?\r\nDo both exist simultaneously?\r\n\r\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\r\n\r\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\r\n\r\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\r\n\r\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\r\n\r\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\r\n\r\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\r\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\r\n\r\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-31','','','2011-11-29 10:21:54','2011-11-29 18:21:54','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(2766,24,'2011-11-29 10:22:09','2011-11-29 18:22:09','<div>\r\n<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\r\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\r\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\r\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\r\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\r\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"</div>\r\n<div>My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.</div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\r\n\r\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\r\n\r\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\r\n\r\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\r\n\r\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\r\n\r\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\r\n\r\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\r\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\r\nWhich perception is real?\r\nDoes one negate the other?\r\nDo both exist simultaneously?\r\n\r\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\r\n\r\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\r\n\r\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\r\n\r\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\r\n\r\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\r\n\r\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\r\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\r\n\r\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-32','','','2011-11-29 10:22:09','2011-11-29 18:22:09','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(2768,24,'2011-11-29 10:24:08','2011-11-29 18:24:08','<div>\n<div>\n<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div>\n\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\n\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleague\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\n\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\n\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\n\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\n\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programmed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\n\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\n\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\nWhich perception is real?\nDoes one negate the other?\nDo both exist simultaneously?\n\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\n\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\n\nA person\'s way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, it\'s simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\n\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\n\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\n\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\n\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\n\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\n\n</div>\n</div>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-34','','','2011-11-29 10:24:08','2011-11-29 18:24:08','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(2767,24,'2011-11-29 10:22:37','2011-11-29 18:22:37','<div>\r\n<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\r\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\r\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\r\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\r\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\r\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"</div>\r\n<div>\r\nMy intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.</div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\r\n\r\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleauge\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\r\n\r\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\r\n\r\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\r\n\r\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\r\n\r\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\r\n\r\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\r\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\r\nWhich perception is real?\r\nDoes one negate the other?\r\nDo both exist simultaneously?\r\n\r\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\r\n\r\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\r\n\r\nA persons way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, its simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\r\n\r\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\r\n\r\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\r\n\r\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\r\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\r\n\r\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-33','','','2011-11-29 10:22:37','2011-11-29 18:22:37','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(2769,24,'2011-11-29 10:24:12','2011-11-29 18:24:12','<div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\r\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\r\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\r\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\r\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\r\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\r\n\r\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleague\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\r\n\r\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\r\n\r\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\r\n\r\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\r\n\r\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programmed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\r\n\r\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\r\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\r\nWhich perception is real?\r\nDoes one negate the other?\r\nDo both exist simultaneously?\r\n\r\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\r\n\r\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\r\n\r\nA person\'s way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, it\'s simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\r\n\r\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\r\n\r\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\r\n\r\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\r\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\r\n\r\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-35','','','2011-11-29 10:24:12','2011-11-29 18:24:12','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(2770,24,'2011-12-14 12:06:03','2011-12-14 20:06:03','God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\n\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\n\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\n\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\n\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\n\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.\n\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\n\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleague\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\n\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\n\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\n\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\n\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programmed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\n\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\n\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\nWhich perception is real?\nDoes one negate the other?\nDo both exist simultaneously?\n\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\n\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\n\nA person\'s way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, it\'s simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\n\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\n\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\n\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.\n\n<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\n\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\n\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\n\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-autosave','','','2011-12-14 12:06:03','2011-12-14 20:06:03','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/1975-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2847,1,'2011-12-01 10:15:30','2011-12-01 18:15:30','<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>God decided He was tired of humanity, tired of the incessant selfish requests. He called His angels in for advice. \"I would like to go somewhere were these humans will not find me.\"\nOne angel spoke up, \"Hide on the highest mountain, they will not find you there.\"\nAnother angel said, \"The bottom of the deepest ocean.\"\nOne angel shouted, \"The dark side of the moon, they cannot see you there.\"\nGod not satisfied that these suggestions would hide Him, He summoned His wisest angel and asked him, \"Where can I hide so that these humans will not find me?\"\nThe angel smiled and replied, \"hide in their hearts, for they fear to look within.\"My intention is to introduce a point out a view that invites one to lose interest in getting something from this world and become aware of a Reality that demands nothing, asks for nothing; One which simply Is.\n\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div>\n\nTake a moment to pay attention the happenings of the world around you without commenting on it. What do you see? What do you hear? Is it personal?\n\nThe world changes in appearance as we progressively remove the personal self from the world. As a practice, instead of commenting on how the world effects you, watch your colleague\'s, your wife or husband and children. Treat them as though they have no past history with you, they are simply present. Be with this moment with the intention to be kind to everything.\n\nFor some this is too simple, or boring. They are far more interested in solving problems, fixing others and (subconsciously) entertaining themselves via the drama of their lives.\n\nTo understand the addiction we have to the drama of this world think of how someone would react if we walked  into a room of people watching their favorite soap opera and turned off the TV right at the climax. Now just imagine the response. Anger, yelling, pushing and shoving are the likely effects of disconnecting people from their entertainment. Another example would be, walking into a crowded bar on a playoff night, turn the power off just prior to the end of a close game. Would you see the same reactions?\n\nTranscendence does not mean condemnation of this addiction we see so prevalent in society; at some point one just decides whether or not to continue to participate in it.\n\nThose of you who were raised in any sort of religion, culture/ethnicity, sports team loyalists, soap opera drama  fanatics upbringing were usually programmed what to believe, in many cases the reason being “because that\'s the way it is.” Even if you were not told directly it was obvious by the behavior of your family.  \"We are Bronco fans because we live in Colorado.\" We hate the Raiders and Chargers with a passion!\"  We are Catholics?Protestants/ Buddhists etc.  because our parents were and theirs before them for generations.\n\nHow do we know if anything is true? Can our thoughts, perceptions, families beliefs and customs be trusted as Truth?\n\n<strong>\"Man is intrinsically innocent because he can only choose what he perceives to be good.\" - Socrates</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1976\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YoungOldWoman-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>Looking at this picture, what do you see?\nIs this your wife or mother-in-law?\nWhich perception is real?\nDoes one negate the other?\nDo both exist simultaneously?\n\nI John 2: 9-11 Anyone who claims to live in God\'s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It\'s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God\'s light and doesn\'t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn\'t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness.\n\nLook around the room you are in. Is it possible to see the light? Or can you only see that with which the light illuminates?\n\nA person\'s way of speaking, behavior and thought process simply reveals what they are aligned with, it does not make them what they are. Light does not judge or condemn, it\'s simply reveals what is. God is light and in Him there is no shadow or darkness. So evil is not the opposite or antithesis of God, but simply the state in which He is not being acknowledged and allowed. Perception is therefore extremely subjective as it usually involves with duality, opposites and either-or situations.\n\nOur perceptions are derived from a mind that searches for the meaning of what it perceives or, in other words, identifies with. If the mind is programmed to desire that which it perceives to be valuable. Thoughts and feelings arise from desire, and the mind uses them as a tool to get what it views as a ‘need.’\n\n<strong>You either believe what you think or you question it. There’s no other choice. - Byron Katie</strong>\n\nOur minds, like children, are innocent. They are analogous to a brand new Mac Book Pro without any software. As we observe our families and our culture we pick up the software that runs our minds’ value system which is called perception.<img src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/plOB4PsoyoXsnIc0THdPhc-xSEWVLpDugXnQAUsnpD6NtlQuatHkFHb8dzSGGDi4cDOP-YoVJylmZjzSTLL1RXDz1Z8GhnUJdnG5B8Oz8jIxbYL2-2E\" alt=\"\" width=\"400px;\" height=\"248px;\" />\nLike this prism, perception, derived from programming, interprets the light and breaks it into categories. We then judge, evaluate and determine if what we see is valuable or deemed something we would like to avoid.\n\nPerhaps the statement Jesus made in Matthew is an invitation to return to that innocence. To shed our ideas of ourselves and this world. To give up trying to fix everything out there and simply turning within to explore what we fear the most, our heart.\n\n<strong>Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Jesus</strong>\n\n</div>\n</div>','The Deception in Perception','','inherit','open','open','','1975-revision-37','','','2011-12-01 10:15:30','2011-12-01 18:15:30','',1975,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/01/1975-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(2771,1,'2011-10-18 13:47:06','2011-10-18 20:47:06','All images on <strong>Provoketive.com</strong> are readily available in various places on the Internet and believed to be in public domain. Images posted are believed to be posted within our rights according to the U.S. Copyright Fair Use Act (title 17, U.S. Code.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Claims of Infringement</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you believe that any content appearing on <strong>Provoketive.com</strong> infringes on your copyright, please let us know. E-Mail <a href=\"mailto:admin@provoketive.com\">admin@provoketive.com</a>\r\nfollowing information to us and the infringing material will be removed as soon as possible.\r\n\r\n(a) your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address;\r\n(b) a description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed;\r\n(c) the exact URL or a description of each place where alleged infringing material is located;\r\n(d) a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use has not been authorized by you, your agent, or the law;\r\n(e) your electronic or physical signature or the electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on your behalf; and\r\n(f) a statement by you made under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate, that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner\'s behalf\r\n\r\nPlease also note that under Section 512(f) of the Copyright Act any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that material or activity is infringing may be subject to liability.','Copyright Information','','inherit','open','open','','679-revision-3','','','2011-10-18 13:47:06','2011-10-18 20:47:06','',679,'http://provoketive.com/2011/10/18/679-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2774,90,'2011-12-05 08:00:54','2011-12-05 16:00:54','<em>The core of this piece was written late on a Saturday night in last June, at the Wild Goose Festival (a gathering of emergent and progressive Christians), sitting under the stars at the campsite, reaching to comprehend and process the transformations that were taking place in me and around me by texting a dear friend and colleague. Turned out to be one very long text.</em>\r\n\r\nThe warning has come in many forms over the years: watch out for the slippery slope. If we dare to question what we’ve been taught, we cannot predict what could follow, what unearthly pit is around the corner. If we dare to question, before we know it we could be...well…something and surely hell and hand-baskets are involved. Don’t raise those questions, don’t voice any doubts, you don’t know where it may lead. I had been warned.\r\n\r\nI didn’t listen. I’ve had conversations with people whose views differ from mine. I’ve gone to worship services that have stretched me beyond my comfort zone. I’ve traveled to other cultures. I’ve read those “edgy” theological books. I’ve entered into conversations where I am challenged and uncomfortable. And in January I finally left the church organization I had called home for many years, as a “radical” pursuing ordination as a woman. Since then, I’ve dared to open up the Bible without being preemptively sure of what it might have to say to me. I’ve become friends with fellow seminarians who are seeking to serve God wholeheartedly who also happen to be lesbian, transgendered and gay. I’ve begun to question the cultural assumptions that had defined my theological reality and am finding the Bible to be alive with humanity and contradiction and the gospels to be downright manifestos of radical living. I continue to question the theology and church culture, as I understood it, while boldly stumbling along, pursuing God and spiritual community.\r\n\r\nYou open any of these doors, and before you know it, you’re led down a road where you\'re speaking up about the marginalized, selling your possessions to give to the poor, and surrendering your life to something greater than yourself. It\'s a slippery slope. If you open yourself up to revelation being alive and moving, letting it be more than a moral code or a patriarchal history lesson, then you slide. You slide and find that you\'re surrounded by revelation. Poems, stories, myths, the writing and lives of Gandhi and Dr. King, Maya Angelou and Rumi, and the mountains, the people, silence, and yes, even the Scriptures are speaking to you. All overflowing with the Breath of the Spirit and infused with Divine Voice. Each offers pathways connecting the human and the Divine, enlivening and disturbing, moving you to action, bathing you in peaceful Love.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a slippery slope, letting go of the lines that divide, seeing people different from yourself as human. Let the walls that make me an \"us\" and they a \"them\" crumble, and there is a world of humanity to love. No longer can you ignore the vulnerability, the humanity, the absolute sinner and saint in all of us. No longer can you push others aside or arbitrarily categorize them. Confronted by the humanity around us, we confront the humanity within us and expose our collective brokenness. We come face to face with the things we are capable of, for ill or good. We lose the ability to hide behind our self-righteousness or be cozy in our carefully constructed boxes of absolutism and superiority.\r\n\r\nAnd then we might start caring. We might start exposing ourselves to the people in the world around us. We might start seeing needs. We might start owning and feeling the pain of the human family as our own story, a story that we are drawn into, that we now want to participate in. It’s risky, this slippery slope of seeing humans as human. It’s transformative, God being Divine.\r\n\r\nEntertaining the idea that God is untamable, uncontainable and immersed in all we know, might just lead us to respond. To ask what Jesus taught and at least play with the possibility, maybe for the first time, that we\'re actually called to follow these teachings, is a daring and radical notion. Maybe Jesus had something right when he told us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Maybe there\'s something to this command to take care of the widows and orphans. Maybe Jesus wasn\'t being metaphorical when he told us to feed, clothe and heal our human family.\r\n\r\nMaybe, just maybe, this whole Jesus on earth thing, this spark of Divinity walking among us, is something to pay attention to. Maybe model our lives after. And maybe when we go back to the gospels we might find that most of what Jesus was interested in were the marginalized, the poor, speaking up against the oppressing forces, confronting the hard conversations, going to those that need healing, and approaching the broken parts of each of us. We could find that this radical Messiah came to speak and live out an alternative to ruling over others, to consuming, to living only for ourselves. We may begin to entertain the notion that there\'s something more to live for. We could start to hear the gentle breeze whispering in our ears that there\'s a force of Creative Love calling. Calling us to act. Moving us to live in harmony. Drawing us to follow this Radical Christ. And that, that my friend is damned uncomfortable.\r\n\r\nWatch out for the slippery slope.','The Slippery Slope ','','publish','open','open','','the-slippery-slope','','','2011-12-05 16:29:02','2011-12-06 00:29:02','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2774',0,'post','',3),(2775,90,'2011-11-29 11:11:27','2011-11-29 19:11:27','','slippery-slope','','inherit','open','open','','slippery-slope','','','2011-11-29 11:11:27','2011-11-29 19:11:27','',2774,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/slippery-slope.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2776,90,'2011-11-29 11:10:53','2011-11-29 19:10:53','<em>The core of this piece was written late on a Saturday night in last June, at the Wild Goose Festival (a gathering of emergent and progressive Christians), sitting under the stars at the campsite, reaching to comprehend and process the transformations that were taking place in me and around me by texting a dear friend and colleague. Turned out to be one very long text.</em>\n\nThe warning has come in many forms over the years: watch out for the slippery slope.  If we dare to question what we’ve been taught, we cannot predict what could follow, what unearthly pit is around the corner. If we dare to question, before we know it we could be...well…something and surely hell and hand-baskets are involved.  Don’t raise those questions, don’t voice any doubts, you don’t know where it may lead.  I had been warned.\nI didn’t listen.  I’ve had conversations with people whose views differ from mine.  I’ve gone to worship services that have stretched me beyond my comfort zone.  I’ve traveled to other cultures.  I’ve read those “edgy” theological books.  I’ve entered into conversations where I am challenged and uncomfortable.  And in January I finally left the church organization I had called home for many years, as a “radical” pursuing ordination as a woman.  Since then, I’ve dared to open up the Bible without being preemptively sure of what it might have to say to me.  I’ve become friends with fellow seminarians who are seeking to serve God wholeheartedly who also happen to be lesbian, transgendered and gay.  I’ve begun to question the cultural assumptions that had defined my theological reality and am finding the Bible to be alive with humanity and contradiction and the gospels to be downright manifestos of radical living.  I continue to question the theology and church culture, as I understood it, while boldly stumbling along, pursuing God and spiritual community.\nYou open any of these doors, and before you know it, you’re led down a road where you\'re speaking up about the marginalized, selling your possessions to give to the poor, and surrendering your life to something greater than yourself. It\'s a slippery slope. If you open yourself up to revelation being alive and moving, letting it be more than a moral code or a patriarchal history lesson, then you slide.  You slide and find that you\'re surrounded by revelation.  Poems, stories, myths, the writing and lives of Gandhi and Dr. King, Maya Angelou and Rumi, and the mountains, the people, silence, and yes, even the Scriptures are speaking to you.  All overflowing with the Breath of the Spirit and infused with Divine Voice.  Each offers pathways connecting the human and the Divine, enlivening and disturbing, moving you to action, bathing you in peaceful Love.\n\nIt\'s a slippery slope, letting go of the lines that divide, seeing people different from yourself as human.  Let the walls that make me an \"us\" and they a \"them\" crumble, and there is a world of humanity to love.  No longer can you ignore the vulnerability, the humanity, the absolute sinner and saint in all of us.  No longer can you push others aside or arbitrarily categorize them.   Confronted by the humanity around us, we confront the humanity within us and expose our collective brokenness.  We come face to face with the things we are capable of, for ill or good.  We lose the ability to hide behind our self-righteousness or be cozy in our carefully constructed boxes of absolutism and superiority.  \nAnd then we might start caring. We might start exposing ourselves to the people in the world around us.  We might start seeing needs.  We might start owning and feeling the pain of the human family as our own story, a story that we are drawn into, that we now want to participate in.  It’s risky, this slippery slope of seeing humans as human. It’s transformative, God being Divine. \nEntertaining the idea that God is untamable, uncontainable and immersed in all we know, might just lead us to respond. To ask what Jesus taught and at least play with the possibility, maybe for the first time, that we\'re actually called to follow these teachings, is a daring and radical notion.  Maybe Jesus had something right when he told us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Maybe there\'s something to this command to take care of the widows and orphans. Maybe Jesus wasn\'t being metaphorical when he told us to feed, clothe and heal our human family.\nMaybe, just maybe, this whole Jesus on earth thing, this spark of Divinity walking among us, is something to pay attention to.  Maybe model our lives after.  And maybe when we go back to the gospels we might find that most of what Jesus was interested in were the marginalized, the poor, speaking up against the oppressing forces, confronting the hard conversations, going to those that need healing, and approaching the broken parts of each of us. We could find that this radical Messiah came to speak and live out an alternative to ruling over others, to consuming, to living only for ourselves. We may begin to entertain the notion that there\'s something more to live for. We could start to hear the gentle breeze whispering in our ears that there\'s a force of Creative Love calling.  Calling us to act.  Moving us to live in harmony. Drawing us to follow this Radical Christ. And that, that my friend is damned uncomfortable. \n\nWatch out for the slippery slope.\n','The Slippery Slope ','','inherit','open','open','','2774-revision','','','2011-11-29 11:10:53','2011-11-29 19:10:53','',2774,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/2774-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2777,90,'2011-11-29 11:11:50','2011-11-29 19:11:50','<em>The core of this piece was written late on a Saturday night in last June, at the Wild Goose Festival (a gathering of emergent and progressive Christians), sitting under the stars at the campsite, reaching to comprehend and process the transformations that were taking place in me and around me by texting a dear friend and colleague. Turned out to be one very long text.</em>\r\n\r\nThe warning has come in many forms over the years: watch out for the slippery slope.  If we dare to question what we’ve been taught, we cannot predict what could follow, what unearthly pit is around the corner. If we dare to question, before we know it we could be...well…something and surely hell and hand-baskets are involved.  Don’t raise those questions, don’t voice any doubts, you don’t know where it may lead.  I had been warned.\r\nI didn’t listen.  I’ve had conversations with people whose views differ from mine.  I’ve gone to worship services that have stretched me beyond my comfort zone.  I’ve traveled to other cultures.  I’ve read those “edgy” theological books.  I’ve entered into conversations where I am challenged and uncomfortable.  And in January I finally left the church organization I had called home for many years, as a “radical” pursuing ordination as a woman.  Since then, I’ve dared to open up the Bible without being preemptively sure of what it might have to say to me.  I’ve become friends with fellow seminarians who are seeking to serve God wholeheartedly who also happen to be lesbian, transgendered and gay.  I’ve begun to question the cultural assumptions that had defined my theological reality and am finding the Bible to be alive with humanity and contradiction and the gospels to be downright manifestos of radical living.  I continue to question the theology and church culture, as I understood it, while boldly stumbling along, pursuing God and spiritual community.\r\nYou open any of these doors, and before you know it, you’re led down a road where you\'re speaking up about the marginalized, selling your possessions to give to the poor, and surrendering your life to something greater than yourself. It\'s a slippery slope. If you open yourself up to revelation being alive and moving, letting it be more than a moral code or a patriarchal history lesson, then you slide.  You slide and find that you\'re surrounded by revelation.  Poems, stories, myths, the writing and lives of Gandhi and Dr. King, Maya Angelou and Rumi, and the mountains, the people, silence, and yes, even the Scriptures are speaking to you.  All overflowing with the Breath of the Spirit and infused with Divine Voice.  Each offers pathways connecting the human and the Divine, enlivening and disturbing, moving you to action, bathing you in peaceful Love.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a slippery slope, letting go of the lines that divide, seeing people different from yourself as human.  Let the walls that make me an \"us\" and they a \"them\" crumble, and there is a world of humanity to love.  No longer can you ignore the vulnerability, the humanity, the absolute sinner and saint in all of us.  No longer can you push others aside or arbitrarily categorize them.   Confronted by the humanity around us, we confront the humanity within us and expose our collective brokenness.  We come face to face with the things we are capable of, for ill or good.  We lose the ability to hide behind our self-righteousness or be cozy in our carefully constructed boxes of absolutism and superiority.  \r\nAnd then we might start caring. We might start exposing ourselves to the people in the world around us.  We might start seeing needs.  We might start owning and feeling the pain of the human family as our own story, a story that we are drawn into, that we now want to participate in.  It’s risky, this slippery slope of seeing humans as human. It’s transformative, God being Divine. \r\nEntertaining the idea that God is untamable, uncontainable and immersed in all we know, might just lead us to respond. To ask what Jesus taught and at least play with the possibility, maybe for the first time, that we\'re actually called to follow these teachings, is a daring and radical notion.  Maybe Jesus had something right when he told us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Maybe there\'s something to this command to take care of the widows and orphans. Maybe Jesus wasn\'t being metaphorical when he told us to feed, clothe and heal our human family.\r\nMaybe, just maybe, this whole Jesus on earth thing, this spark of Divinity walking among us, is something to pay attention to.  Maybe model our lives after.  And maybe when we go back to the gospels we might find that most of what Jesus was interested in were the marginalized, the poor, speaking up against the oppressing forces, confronting the hard conversations, going to those that need healing, and approaching the broken parts of each of us. We could find that this radical Messiah came to speak and live out an alternative to ruling over others, to consuming, to living only for ourselves. We may begin to entertain the notion that there\'s something more to live for. We could start to hear the gentle breeze whispering in our ears that there\'s a force of Creative Love calling.  Calling us to act.  Moving us to live in harmony. Drawing us to follow this Radical Christ. And that, that my friend is damned uncomfortable. \r\n\r\nWatch out for the slippery slope.\r\n','The Slippery Slope ','','inherit','open','open','','2774-revision-2','','','2011-11-29 11:11:50','2011-11-29 19:11:50','',2774,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/2774-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2852,1,'2011-12-01 10:26:38','2011-12-01 18:26:38','To have perseverance is a lot like being a tree. It’s not so much that they are often big and strong.  It’s about something they don’t do.\n\nI live in a part of the country full of deciduous trees, like oak and maple.  Over the last two months, I’ve watched their leaves turn glorious colors and gradually fall off.   One day while taking a walk, a thought occurred to me that changed my perspective about faith:  these trees drop their leaves in the fall, not their branches.  If they had no branches in the spring, there would be no leaves, and the trees would die.  All through the winter they lie dormant, sort of asleep, like bears hibernating.  Weeks and months go by, and then it gets warmer, and here come the new leaves.  Their faith in spring keeps them strong.\n\nTo persevere means hanging in there during long tough times or when disasters come in herds. Having faith means not giving up even when everything suggests we should, believing that one day things are going to get better.  But what if partial faith is all you have?  What about when the dark in your heart and life seems endless?\n\nRemember that winter is only a season.  Keep your branches up.  Spring will come.\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span>','When All Your Leaves Fall Off','','inherit','open','open','','2793-autosave','','','2011-12-01 10:26:38','2011-12-01 18:26:38','',2793,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/01/2793-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2778,90,'2011-11-29 11:12:30','2011-11-29 19:12:30','<em>The core of this piece was written late on a Saturday night in last June, at the Wild Goose Festival (a gathering of emergent and progressive Christians), sitting under the stars at the campsite, reaching to comprehend and process the transformations that were taking place in me and around me by texting a dear friend and colleague. Turned out to be one very long text.</em>\r\n\r\nThe warning has come in many forms over the years: watch out for the slippery slope.  If we dare to question what we’ve been taught, we cannot predict what could follow, what unearthly pit is around the corner. If we dare to question, before we know it we could be...well…something and surely hell and hand-baskets are involved.  Don’t raise those questions, don’t voice any doubts, you don’t know where it may lead.  I had been warned.\r\n\r\nI didn’t listen.  I’ve had conversations with people whose views differ from mine.  I’ve gone to worship services that have stretched me beyond my comfort zone.  I’ve traveled to other cultures.  I’ve read those “edgy” theological books.  I’ve entered into conversations where I am challenged and uncomfortable.  And in January I finally left the church organization I had called home for many years, as a “radical” pursuing ordination as a woman.  Since then, I’ve dared to open up the Bible without being preemptively sure of what it might have to say to me.  I’ve become friends with fellow seminarians who are seeking to serve God wholeheartedly who also happen to be lesbian, transgendered and gay.  I’ve begun to question the cultural assumptions that had defined my theological reality and am finding the Bible to be alive with humanity and contradiction and the gospels to be downright manifestos of radical living.  I continue to question the theology and church culture, as I understood it, while boldly stumbling along, pursuing God and spiritual community.\r\n\r\nYou open any of these doors, and before you know it, you’re led down a road where you\'re speaking up about the marginalized, selling your possessions to give to the poor, and surrendering your life to something greater than yourself. It\'s a slippery slope. If you open yourself up to revelation being alive and moving, letting it be more than a moral code or a patriarchal history lesson, then you slide.  You slide and find that you\'re surrounded by revelation.  Poems, stories, myths, the writing and lives of Gandhi and Dr. King, Maya Angelou and Rumi, and the mountains, the people, silence, and yes, even the Scriptures are speaking to you.  All overflowing with the Breath of the Spirit and infused with Divine Voice.  Each offers pathways connecting the human and the Divine, enlivening and disturbing, moving you to action, bathing you in peaceful Love.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a slippery slope, letting go of the lines that divide, seeing people different from yourself as human.  Let the walls that make me an \"us\" and they a \"them\" crumble, and there is a world of humanity to love.  No longer can you ignore the vulnerability, the humanity, the absolute sinner and saint in all of us.  No longer can you push others aside or arbitrarily categorize them.   Confronted by the humanity around us, we confront the humanity within us and expose our collective brokenness.  We come face to face with the things we are capable of, for ill or good.  We lose the ability to hide behind our self-righteousness or be cozy in our carefully constructed boxes of absolutism and superiority.  \r\n\r\nAnd then we might start caring. We might start exposing ourselves to the people in the world around us.  We might start seeing needs.  We might start owning and feeling the pain of the human family as our own story, a story that we are drawn into, that we now want to participate in.  It’s risky, this slippery slope of seeing humans as human. It’s transformative, God being Divine. \r\nEntertaining the idea that God is untamable, uncontainable and immersed in all we know, might just lead us to respond. To ask what Jesus taught and at least play with the possibility, maybe for the first time, that we\'re actually called to follow these teachings, is a daring and radical notion.  Maybe Jesus had something right when he told us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Maybe there\'s something to this command to take care of the widows and orphans. Maybe Jesus wasn\'t being metaphorical when he told us to feed, clothe and heal our human family.\r\nMaybe, just maybe, this whole Jesus on earth thing, this spark of Divinity walking among us, is something to pay attention to.  Maybe model our lives after.  And maybe when we go back to the gospels we might find that most of what Jesus was interested in were the marginalized, the poor, speaking up against the oppressing forces, confronting the hard conversations, going to those that need healing, and approaching the broken parts of each of us. We could find that this radical Messiah came to speak and live out an alternative to ruling over others, to consuming, to living only for ourselves. We may begin to entertain the notion that there\'s something more to live for. We could start to hear the gentle breeze whispering in our ears that there\'s a force of Creative Love calling.  Calling us to act.  Moving us to live in harmony. Drawing us to follow this Radical Christ. And that, that my friend is damned uncomfortable. \r\n\r\nWatch out for the slippery slope.\r\n','The Slippery Slope ','','inherit','open','open','','2774-revision-3','','','2011-11-29 11:12:30','2011-11-29 19:12:30','',2774,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/2774-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2779,90,'2011-11-29 11:12:35','2011-11-29 19:12:35','<em>The core of this piece was written late on a Saturday night in last June, at the Wild Goose Festival (a gathering of emergent and progressive Christians), sitting under the stars at the campsite, reaching to comprehend and process the transformations that were taking place in me and around me by texting a dear friend and colleague. Turned out to be one very long text.</em>\r\n\r\nThe warning has come in many forms over the years: watch out for the slippery slope.  If we dare to question what we’ve been taught, we cannot predict what could follow, what unearthly pit is around the corner. If we dare to question, before we know it we could be...well…something and surely hell and hand-baskets are involved.  Don’t raise those questions, don’t voice any doubts, you don’t know where it may lead.  I had been warned.\r\n\r\nI didn’t listen.  I’ve had conversations with people whose views differ from mine.  I’ve gone to worship services that have stretched me beyond my comfort zone.  I’ve traveled to other cultures.  I’ve read those “edgy” theological books.  I’ve entered into conversations where I am challenged and uncomfortable.  And in January I finally left the church organization I had called home for many years, as a “radical” pursuing ordination as a woman.  Since then, I’ve dared to open up the Bible without being preemptively sure of what it might have to say to me.  I’ve become friends with fellow seminarians who are seeking to serve God wholeheartedly who also happen to be lesbian, transgendered and gay.  I’ve begun to question the cultural assumptions that had defined my theological reality and am finding the Bible to be alive with humanity and contradiction and the gospels to be downright manifestos of radical living.  I continue to question the theology and church culture, as I understood it, while boldly stumbling along, pursuing God and spiritual community.\r\n\r\nYou open any of these doors, and before you know it, you’re led down a road where you\'re speaking up about the marginalized, selling your possessions to give to the poor, and surrendering your life to something greater than yourself. It\'s a slippery slope. If you open yourself up to revelation being alive and moving, letting it be more than a moral code or a patriarchal history lesson, then you slide.  You slide and find that you\'re surrounded by revelation.  Poems, stories, myths, the writing and lives of Gandhi and Dr. King, Maya Angelou and Rumi, and the mountains, the people, silence, and yes, even the Scriptures are speaking to you.  All overflowing with the Breath of the Spirit and infused with Divine Voice.  Each offers pathways connecting the human and the Divine, enlivening and disturbing, moving you to action, bathing you in peaceful Love.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a slippery slope, letting go of the lines that divide, seeing people different from yourself as human.  Let the walls that make me an \"us\" and they a \"them\" crumble, and there is a world of humanity to love.  No longer can you ignore the vulnerability, the humanity, the absolute sinner and saint in all of us.  No longer can you push others aside or arbitrarily categorize them.   Confronted by the humanity around us, we confront the humanity within us and expose our collective brokenness.  We come face to face with the things we are capable of, for ill or good.  We lose the ability to hide behind our self-righteousness or be cozy in our carefully constructed boxes of absolutism and superiority.  \r\n\r\nAnd then we might start caring. We might start exposing ourselves to the people in the world around us.  We might start seeing needs.  We might start owning and feeling the pain of the human family as our own story, a story that we are drawn into, that we now want to participate in.  It’s risky, this slippery slope of seeing humans as human. It’s transformative, God being Divine. \r\nEntertaining the idea that God is untamable, uncontainable and immersed in all we know, might just lead us to respond. To ask what Jesus taught and at least play with the possibility, maybe for the first time, that we\'re actually called to follow these teachings, is a daring and radical notion.  Maybe Jesus had something right when he told us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Maybe there\'s something to this command to take care of the widows and orphans. Maybe Jesus wasn\'t being metaphorical when he told us to feed, clothe and heal our human family.\r\nMaybe, just maybe, this whole Jesus on earth thing, this spark of Divinity walking among us, is something to pay attention to.  Maybe model our lives after.  And maybe when we go back to the gospels we might find that most of what Jesus was interested in were the marginalized, the poor, speaking up against the oppressing forces, confronting the hard conversations, going to those that need healing, and approaching the broken parts of each of us. We could find that this radical Messiah came to speak and live out an alternative to ruling over others, to consuming, to living only for ourselves. We may begin to entertain the notion that there\'s something more to live for. We could start to hear the gentle breeze whispering in our ears that there\'s a force of Creative Love calling.  Calling us to act.  Moving us to live in harmony. Drawing us to follow this Radical Christ. And that, that my friend is damned uncomfortable. \r\n\r\nWatch out for the slippery slope.\r\n','The Slippery Slope ','','inherit','open','open','','2774-revision-4','','','2011-11-29 11:12:35','2011-11-29 19:12:35','',2774,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/2774-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2820,20,'2011-11-29 12:43:25','2011-11-29 20:43:25','People like to emphasize different aspects of Jesus\'s life and teachings.  He taught that the pure in heart would be blessed, for example, seemingly indicating that the inward life is what truly matters.  Yet the miracles, warnings about judgment, and commands to care of the distressed and outcast are equally stressed.  A few weeks ago we discussed this passage at church from <a href=\"http://www.markscandrette.com/writing/practicing-the-way-of-jesus-coming-soon/\">Mark Scandrette\'s newest book, <em>Practicing the Way of Jesus</em></a>:<a href=\"http://www.markscandrette.com/writing/practicing-the-way-of-jesus-coming-soon/\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n</a>\r\n<blockquote>The baptism of Jesus provides a compelling picture of the kind of intimate union with God we were created for.  As he stepped out from the water, he heard a voice saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17).  The Spirit then led Jesus into the wilderness where his identity as the beloved was tested.  He emerged after forty days a resolute son prepared to do “his father’s business.”  Subsequently, Jesus often withdrew to gardens and other lonely places.  In the most difficult hours leading up to his arrest, torture and crucifixion, he went into a garden one last time, kneeling to pray, “Abba, not my will but yours be done.”  A hidden life of solitude fueled his courageous public acts of love and service (p. 105).</blockquote>\r\nMaybe it could be said then that the Christian life is meant to be lived out on the razor’s edge between prophetic action and contemplative reflection.  And it is not so much that one of the steps in this dialectical process must come before the other.  Nor do they necessarily coalesce, really, but remain in tension and are mutually reinforcing.  They form the two pillars that buttress discipleship.  Politically speaking, for instance, we can therefore work for justice and even invest ourselves in certain legislative reforms, electoral changes and grassroots movements.  The role of the contemplative in this case, however, will be to keep our expectations and emotional attachment in check and somewhat disinterested.  The contemplative reminds us that at the end of the day, a Christ-follower still must ultimately find rest in her Sustainer rather than in the outcome of political proposals.<a title=\"\" href=\"#_edn1\">[i]</a>  Duke theologian <a href=\"http://divinity.duke.edu/academics/faculty/paul-griffiths\" target=\"_blank\">Paul J. Griffiths</a> calls this approach “political quietism.”<a title=\"\" href=\"#_edn2\">[ii]</a>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, it is the contemplative that gives inspiration, energy and vision to our impending and “courageous public acts of love and service” (see above).  It enables one to meditate on the “agonistic weight of the world.\"<a title=\"\" href=\"#_edn1\">[iii]</a>  At the same time, it also serves to critique and safeguard the extent to which our identities can become too closely aligned with nationalism or any other parochial allegiance.  It is the corrective to all our idolatries.  Accordingly, a Christian citizenship then is understood to be a revoked and “crucified” vocation – that is, it is self-emptied.  We act, but we act with a knowledge that the problems we face in this world can at best only be imperfectly resolved.  As she surveys the bloodshed in our world, it’s not easy for the Christian citizen to really expect the proposal she advocates to substantially curtail all the violence and oppression.  Occupy Wall Street might be a good example of this - a movement with so much positive potential but the lasting effect of which is still to be seen.  Thus, Griffiths also talks about three other  “notes” of Christian political agency: skepticism, hope and lament – skepticism with regard to over-realized eschatological promises, hope for the coming Kingdom, and lament over the real and terrible suffering in the meantime.\r\n\r\nActivism remains, and indeed we must act - especially in solidarity with those on the underside of history - but it is only the spiritually and prayerfully formed person whose heart is prepared for the trials of a cross-bearing lifestyle.  Too often we are content with the contemplative or running dry in the prophetic.  May we remind and spur each other along to traverse the path between the two.\r\n\r\nHow does this tangibly play out in the rhythms of congregational and communal life?\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<hr align=\"left\" size=\"1\" width=\"33%\" />\r\n\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"\" href=\"#_ednref\">[i]</a> I’m using the term <em>political</em> here in the broadest possible sense to include practically all corporate civil activity – not just official or formal participation.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"\" href=\"#_ednref\">[ii]</a> Douglas Harink, <em>Paul, Philosophy, and the Theopolitical Vision: Critical Engagements with Agamben, Badiou, Zizek and Others</em> (Cascade Books, 2010), 190.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"\" href=\"#_ednref\">[iii]</a> Mark L Taylor, <em>The Theological and the Political: On the Weight of the World</em> (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2011).\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','The Prophetic and the Contemplative','','inherit','open','open','','2622-revision-7','','','2011-11-29 12:43:25','2011-11-29 20:43:25','',2622,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/2622-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2791,110,'2011-11-30 07:04:51','2011-11-30 15:04:51','In the <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">first post</a> of this Advent series, I introduced the idea that we have \'harmonized\' Christmas, combining the different voices and stories of the Gospel writers. I think this homogenized story loses some of its rawness and punch. By \'de-harmonizing\' we start to hear the voices more distinctly and recognize the melodies that each one is singing as special in their own right. While <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">Mark</a> might be the least likely gospel to be chosen to read during Advent (though I\'ve discovered that it may be in your lectionary for the second Sunday in Advent, it\'s still a tough one to choose!), John is often read in the traditional \'Nine Lessons\' services of Christmas.\n\nLike Mark, John does not narrate the details of Jesus\' birth in the way we are accustomed to - donkey, stable, angels and so on. He chooses a much more philosophical approach, exploring who Jesus is at the beginning, the first 18 verses, then showing his working through the rest of the book.\n\nJohn a couple of big ideas - <em>logos</em> or \'word\', borrowing and expanding on an idea from Greek philosophy, and the familiar Christmas image of light.','De-harmonizing Christmas - Part 2: John','','inherit','open','open','','2790-revision','','','2011-11-30 07:04:51','2011-11-30 15:04:51','',2790,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2790-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2793,35,'2011-12-05 09:00:36','2011-12-05 17:00:36','To have perseverance is a lot like being a tree. It’s not so much that they are often big and strong.  It’s about something they don’t do.\r\n\r\nI live in a part of the country full of deciduous trees, like oak and maple.  Over the last two months, I’ve watched their leaves turn glorious colors and gradually fall off.   One day while taking a walk, a thought occurred to me that changed my perspective about faith:  these trees drop their leaves in the fall, not their branches.  If they had no branches in the spring, there would be no leaves, and the trees would die.  All through the winter they lie dormant, sort of asleep, like bears hibernating.  Weeks and months go by, and then it gets warmer, and here come the new leaves.  Their faith in spring keeps them strong.\r\n\r\nTo persevere means hanging in there during long tough times or when disasters come in herds. Having faith means not giving up even when everything suggests we should, believing that one day things are going to get better.  But what if partial faith is all you have?  What about when the dark in your heart and life seems endless?\r\n\r\nRemember that winter is only a season.  Keep your branches up.  Spring will come.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span>','When All Your Leaves Fall Off','','publish','open','open','','when-all-your-leaves-fall-off','','','2011-12-01 10:27:11','2011-12-01 18:27:11','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2793',0,'post','',10),(2854,1,'2011-12-01 10:26:48','2011-12-01 18:26:48','To have perseverance is a lot like being a tree. It’s not so much that they are often big and strong.  It’s about something they don’t do.\r\n\r\nI live in a part of the country full of deciduous trees, like oak and maple.  Over the last two months, I’ve watched their leaves turn glorious colors and gradually fall off.   One day while taking a walk, a thought occurred to me that changed my perspective about faith:  these trees drop their leaves in the fall, not their branches.  If they had no branches in the spring, there would be no leaves, and the trees would die.  All through the winter they lie dormant, sort of asleep, like bears hibernating.  Weeks and months go by, and then it gets warmer, and here come the new leaves.  Their faith in spring keeps them strong.\r\n\r\nTo persevere means hanging in there during long tough times or when disasters come in herds. Having faith means not giving up even when everything suggests we should, believing that one day things are going to get better.  But what if partial faith is all you have?  What about when the dark in your heart and life seems endless?\r\n\r\nRemember that winter is only a season.  Keep your branches up.  Spring will come.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span>','When All Your Leaves Fall Off','','inherit','open','open','','2793-revision-4','','','2011-12-01 10:26:48','2011-12-01 18:26:48','',2793,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/01/2793-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2794,35,'2011-11-30 08:10:10','2011-11-30 16:10:10','','winter tree','','inherit','open','open','','winter-tree','','','2011-11-30 08:10:10','2011-11-30 16:10:10','',2793,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/winter-tree.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2795,35,'2011-11-30 08:09:04','2011-11-30 16:09:04','<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">To have perseverance is a lot like being a tree. It’s not so much that they are often big and strong.  It’s about something they <em>don’t</em> do.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">I live in a part of the country full of deciduous trees, like oak and maple.  Over the last two months, I’ve watched their leaves turn glorious colors and gradually fall off.   One day while taking a walk, a thought occurred to me that changed my perspective about faith:  these trees drop their leaves in the fall, not their branches.  If they had no branches in the spring, there would be no leaves, and the trees would die.  All through the winter they lie dormant, sort of asleep, like bears hibernating.  Weeks and months go by, and then it gets warmer, and here come the new leaves.  Their faith in spring keeps them strong.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">To persevere means hanging in there during long tough times or when disasters come in herds. Having faith means not giving up even when everything suggests we should, believing that one day things are going to get better.  But what if partial faith is all you have?  What about when the dark in your heart and life seems endless? </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">Remember that winter is only a season.  Keep your branches up.  Spring will come.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>','When All Your Leaves Fall Off','','inherit','open','open','','2793-revision','','','2011-11-30 08:09:04','2011-11-30 16:09:04','',2793,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2793-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2797,35,'2011-11-30 08:10:58','2011-11-30 16:10:58','<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">To have perseverance is a lot like being a tree. It’s not so much that they are often big and strong.  It’s about something they <em>don’t</em> do.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">I live in a part of the country full of deciduous trees, like oak and maple.  Over the last two months, I’ve watched their leaves turn glorious colors and gradually fall off.   One day while taking a walk, a thought occurred to me that changed my perspective about faith:  these trees drop their leaves in the fall, not their branches.  If they had no branches in the spring, there would be no leaves, and the trees would die.  All through the winter they lie dormant, sort of asleep, like bears hibernating.  Weeks and months go by, and then it gets warmer, and here come the new leaves.  Their faith in spring keeps them strong.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">To persevere means hanging in there during long tough times or when disasters come in herds. Having faith means not giving up even when everything suggests we should, believing that one day things are going to get better.  But what if partial faith is all you have?  What about when the dark in your heart and life seems endless? </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">Remember that winter is only a season.  Keep your branches up.  Spring will come.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>','When All Your Leaves Fall Off','','inherit','open','open','','2793-revision-2','','','2011-11-30 08:10:58','2011-11-30 16:10:58','',2793,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2793-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2798,0,'2011-11-30 08:14:18','2011-11-30 16:14:18','Ashley, thank you for your post on Provoketive.  Can you please update your profile so readers can get to know you.  Thanks\r\n\r\nJonathan\n<!--more-->\nAUTHOR: Jonathan Brink\nAUTHOR EMAIL: jb@thriven.org\nAUTHOR URL: http://jonathanbrink.com\nSUBJECT: [Provoketive Magazine] Smells Like God\nIP: 75.31.89.167\nArray\n(\n    [Name] =&gt; Jonathan Brink\n    [Email] =&gt; jb@thriven.org\n    [Website] =&gt; http://jonathanbrink.com\n    [Message] =&gt; Ashley, thank you for your post on Provoketive.  Can you please update your profile so readers can get to know you.  Thanks\r\n\r\nJonathan\n)\n','Jonathan Brink - 2011-11-30 08:14:18','','publish','open','open','','abe36d8f30228a75e0c5b68be5ca066c','','','2011-11-30 08:14:18','2011-11-30 16:14:18','',2497,'http://provoketive.com/?post_type=feedback&p=2798',0,'feedback','',0),(2799,1,'2011-11-30 08:21:37','2011-11-30 16:21:37','[simple-sitemap]','Site Map','','publish','open','open','','site-map','','','2011-11-30 08:31:33','2011-11-30 16:31:33','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?page_id=2799',0,'page','',0),(2810,35,'2011-11-30 08:25:48','2011-11-30 16:25:48','<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">Prepare to hear a blasphemous, un-American confession:  I don’t care about Christmas anymore.  God knows I used to, and I have the ornaments, lights, and Christmas cookie recipes to prove it.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">So what happened to me?  Did someone I love die, and I’m still in grief?  Yeah, something died, alright.  The celebration in Christmas.  All the rah-rah, happy-happy, be of good cheer.  I’m not jaded because of  commercialism these days, though I hate it.  I <em>am</em> seriously pissed that stores are putting up Christmas things <em>two weeks before Halloween</em>.  What’s next?  Santa on the shelf before Labor Day?</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>\n\nOver the last few years, I’ve tried to be a “good” Christian, and focus on the “Christ” in Christmas.  See the baby Jesus in the manger as significant.  I mean, really – I wouldn’t be a Christian today if Jesus hadn’t come to earth, right?  So what the hell is wrong with me?  What is wrong <em>for</em> me?\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Do I have to have a reason except that Christmas depresses me now?   I’m not going to lie to you and make one up.  Didn’t it always piss you off when you were a child and you asked your parents why you had to do such-and-such and they said, “Because I said so”?</span></span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Why don’t I care about Christmas anymore?  Because I don’t.  I’m not trying to be a kill-joy, but Christmas <em>is</em> a kill-Joy.  It kills me to pretend that everything is lovely, while Christmas only depresses me.  I know so many people who tell me they just LOVE Christmas and it’s their favorite time of year.  Do you know when that was true for me?  When I was a kid and when my kids were little.  If I had really looked closely when my children were pre-schoolers and in elementary school, I might have noticed that I cared about Christmas for them, not because it was important for me.</span></span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">So what do I do at this time of year?  Pretend.  Tell people what they expect to hear.  But here’s what <em>is</em> real, what <em>does</em> matter:  that my adult children get what they want, and I’m NOT talking about their list for Santa.  I can’t afford that any more.  So what do they want from me?  What do I really want for Christmas?  Read on.</span></span>\n<h4></h4>\n<h4>Giving What I Need</h4>\nI don’t care about Christmas anymore.\n\nIt seems so sad and empty,\n\nsomething to do and be done with.\n\nI refuse to just “buy something” for the people I love.\n\nThere is a special satisfaction in finding a gift\n\nperfect for a precious someone,\n\nand I would be lynched if I didn’t fill\n\nmy tall kids’ stockings with silly dollar store toys and kiddy candy\n\nappropriate only for six-year-olds.\n\nI really like that part,\n\nbut the carols, trees and seasonal scenes\n\nhave lost me, left me out to lunch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo all the people glowing with delight,\n\nasking if my shopping is complete\n\nthen interrupting with their answer\n\nbefore hearing mine,\n\nI just smile and give the expected response:\n\n“Yes.  Merry Christmas.”\n\nWhat else is there to say that’s socially acceptable?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI just buried my dog with stomach cancer,\n\nwhich doesn’t help, but that’s not what’s wrong.\n\nThe lights at night are pretty but pointless,\n\npoinsettias, packages,\n\npain my hurting heart can’t celebrate,\n\nand I don’t even miss it,\n\nbut I don’t have to explain this to you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen you rode into Jerusalem\n\nand the crowds welcomed you with joy,\n\nI doubt that happiness filled your heart.\n\nGrief and dread were primary\n\nbecause you knew what was coming,\n\nbut I bet you smiled and waved anyway\n\nbecause you loved them.\n\nIt was more important\n\nto give them what they wanted\n\ninstead of what you did.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIs that the perfect gift I can give this year\n\nto the people I care about?\n\nWhat they want from me isn’t my depression.\n\nHelp me give the gift you gave,\n\npocketing your needs to feed the hearts of others,\n\ncelebrating their joy.\n\nSo my candle isn’t lit;\n\nI can still light up their faces\n\nwith traditions that matter to them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut I’m sick of faking it;\n\ncontinuing will only make things worse.\n\nI can’t do this by myself.\n\nGrant me the gumption\n\nto feel for real what they need\n\nand act on it with faith\n\nthat you will meet my needs, too.\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>','Giving What I Need','','inherit','open','open','','2804-revision','','','2011-11-30 08:25:48','2011-11-30 16:25:48','',2804,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2804-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2801,1,'2011-11-30 08:32:50','2011-11-30 16:32:50','[simple-sitemap]','Site Map','','inherit','open','open','','2799-autosave','','','2011-11-30 08:32:50','2011-11-30 16:32:50','',2799,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2799-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2800,1,'2011-11-30 08:21:10','2011-11-30 16:21:10','<code>[pagelist]</code>, <code>[subpages]</code>, <code>[siblings]</code> or <code>[pagelist_ext]</code>','Site Map','','inherit','open','open','','2799-revision','','','2011-11-30 08:21:10','2011-11-30 16:21:10','',2799,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2799-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2802,1,'2011-11-30 08:21:37','2011-11-30 16:21:37','<code>[pagelist]</code><code></code>','Site Map','','inherit','open','open','','2799-revision-2','','','2011-11-30 08:21:37','2011-11-30 16:21:37','',2799,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2799-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2806,1,'2011-11-30 08:26:41','2011-11-30 16:26:41','<strong>[simple-sitemap]</strong>','Site Map','','inherit','open','open','','2799-revision-5','','','2011-11-30 08:26:41','2011-11-30 16:26:41','',2799,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2799-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2803,1,'2011-11-30 08:23:04','2011-11-30 16:23:04','<code>[pagelist <code>depth=\"3\"</code>]</code><code></code>','Site Map','','inherit','open','open','','2799-revision-3','','','2011-11-30 08:23:04','2011-11-30 16:23:04','',2799,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2799-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2804,35,'2011-12-06 09:09:08','2011-12-06 17:09:08','Prepare to hear a blasphemous, un-American confession:  I don’t care about Christmas anymore.  God knows I used to, and I have the ornaments, lights, and Christmas cookie recipes to prove it.\r\n\r\nSo what happened to me?  Did someone I love die, and I’m still in grief?  Yeah, something died, alright.  The celebration in Christmas.  All the rah-rah, happy-happy, be of good cheer.  I’m not jaded because of  commercialism these days, though I hate it.  I am seriously pissed that stores are putting up Christmas things two weeks before Halloween.  What’s next?  Santa on the shelf before Labor Day?\r\n\r\nOver the last few years, I’ve tried to be a “good” Christian, and focus on the “Christ” in Christmas.  See the baby Jesus in the manger as significant.  I mean, really – I wouldn’t be a Christian today if Jesus hadn’t come to earth, right?  So what the hell is wrong with me?  What is wrong for me?\r\n\r\nDo I have to have a reason except that Christmas depresses me now?   I’m not going to lie to you and make one up.  Didn’t it always piss you off when you were a child and you asked your parents why you had to do such-and-such and they said, “Because I said so”?\r\n\r\nWhy don’t I care about Christmas anymore?  Because I don’t.  I’m not trying to be a kill-joy, but Christmas is a kill-Joy.  It kills me to pretend that everything is lovely, while Christmas only depresses me.  I know so many people who tell me they just LOVE Christmas and it’s their favorite time of year.  Do you know when that was true for me?  When I was a kid and when my kids were little.  If I had really looked closely when my children were pre-schoolers and in elementary school, I might have noticed that I cared about Christmas for them, not because it was important for me.\r\n\r\nSo what do I do at this time of year?  Pretend.  Tell people what they expect to hear.  But here’s what is real, what does matter:  that my adult children get what they want, and I’m NOT talking about their list for Santa.  I can’t afford that any more.  So what do they want from me?  What do I really want for Christmas?  Read on\r\n<h4>Giving What I Need</h4>\r\n<em>I don’t care about Christmas anymore.\r\nIt seems so sad and empty,\r\nsomething to do and be done with.\r\nI refuse to just “buy something” for the people I love.\r\nThere is a special satisfaction in finding a gift\r\nperfect for a precious someone,\r\nand I would be lynched if I didn’t fill\r\nmy tall kids’ stockings with silly dollar store toys and kiddy candy\r\nappropriate only for six-year-olds.\r\nI really like that part,\r\nbut the carols, trees and seasonal scenes\r\nhave lost me, left me out to lunch.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>To all the people glowing with delight,\r\nasking if my shopping is complete\r\nthen interrupting with their answer\r\nbefore hearing mine,\r\nI just smile and give the expected response:\r\n“Yes.  Merry Christmas.”\r\nWhat else is there to say that’s socially acceptable?</em>\r\n\r\n<em>I just buried my dog with stomach cancer,\r\nwhich doesn’t help, but that’s not what’s wrong.\r\nThe lights at night are pretty but pointless,\r\npoinsettias, packages,\r\npain my hurting heart can’t celebrate,\r\nand I don’t even miss it,\r\nbut I don’t have to explain this to you.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>When you rode into Jerusalem\r\nand the crowds welcomed you with joy,\r\nI doubt that happiness filled your heart.\r\nGrief and dread were primary\r\nbecause you knew what was coming,\r\nbut I bet you smiled and waved anyway\r\nbecause you loved them.\r\nIt was more important\r\nto give them what they wanted\r\ninstead of what you did.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>Is that the perfect gift I can give this year\r\nto the people I care about?\r\nWhat they want from me isn’t my depression.\r\nHelp me give the gift you gave,\r\npocketing your needs to feed the hearts of others,\r\ncelebrating their joy.\r\nSo my candle isn’t lit;\r\nI can still light up their faces\r\nwith traditions that matter to them.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>But I’m sick of faking it;\r\ncontinuing will only make things worse.\r\nI can’t do this by myself.\r\nGrant me the gumption\r\nto feel for real what they need\r\nand act on it with faith\r\nthat you will meet my needs, too.</em>','Giving What I Need','','publish','open','open','','giving-what-i-need','','','2012-01-31 10:35:56','2012-01-31 18:35:56','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2804',0,'post','',6),(2813,1,'2011-11-30 08:28:17','2011-11-30 16:28:17','','Site Map','','inherit','open','open','','2799-revision-8','','','2011-11-30 08:28:17','2011-11-30 16:28:17','',2799,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2799-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2805,1,'2011-11-30 08:23:15','2011-11-30 16:23:15','<code>[pagelist <code>depth=\"3\"</code>]</code><code></code>','Site Map','','inherit','open','open','','2799-revision-4','','','2011-11-30 08:23:15','2011-11-30 16:23:15','',2799,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2799-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2807,1,'2011-11-30 08:27:07','2011-11-30 16:27:07','<strong>[simple-sitemap]</strong>','Site Map','','inherit','open','open','','2799-revision-6','','','2011-11-30 08:27:07','2011-11-30 16:27:07','',2799,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2799-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2808,35,'2011-11-30 08:28:03','2011-11-30 16:28:03','','broken ornament','','inherit','open','open','','broken-ornament','','','2011-11-30 08:28:03','2011-11-30 16:28:03','',2804,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/broken-ornament.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2809,1,'2011-11-30 08:27:29','2011-11-30 16:27:29','[simple-sitemap]','Site Map','','inherit','open','open','','2799-revision-7','','','2011-11-30 08:27:29','2011-11-30 16:27:29','',2799,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2799-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2811,35,'2011-11-30 08:28:46','2011-11-30 16:28:46','<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">Prepare to hear a blasphemous, un-American confession:  I don’t care about Christmas anymore.  God knows I used to, and I have the ornaments, lights, and Christmas cookie recipes to prove it.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\">So what happened to me?  Did someone I love die, and I’m still in grief?  Yeah, something died, alright.  The celebration in Christmas.  All the rah-rah, happy-happy, be of good cheer.  I’m not jaded because of  commercialism these days, though I hate it.  I <em>am</em> seriously pissed that stores are putting up Christmas things <em>two weeks before Halloween</em>.  What’s next?  Santa on the shelf before Labor Day?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>\r\n\r\nOver the last few years, I’ve tried to be a “good” Christian, and focus on the “Christ” in Christmas.  See the baby Jesus in the manger as significant.  I mean, really – I wouldn’t be a Christian today if Jesus hadn’t come to earth, right?  So what the hell is wrong with me?  What is wrong <em>for</em> me?\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Do I have to have a reason except that Christmas depresses me now?   I’m not going to lie to you and make one up.  Didn’t it always piss you off when you were a child and you asked your parents why you had to do such-and-such and they said, “Because I said so”?</span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Why don’t I care about Christmas anymore?  Because I don’t.  I’m not trying to be a kill-joy, but Christmas <em>is</em> a kill-Joy.  It kills me to pretend that everything is lovely, while Christmas only depresses me.  I know so many people who tell me they just LOVE Christmas and it’s their favorite time of year.  Do you know when that was true for me?  When I was a kid and when my kids were little.  If I had really looked closely when my children were pre-schoolers and in elementary school, I might have noticed that I cared about Christmas for them, not because it was important for me.</span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">So what do I do at this time of year?  Pretend.  Tell people what they expect to hear.  But here’s what <em>is</em> real, what <em>does</em> matter:  that my adult children get what they want, and I’m NOT talking about their list for Santa.  I can’t afford that any more.  So what do they want from me?  What do I really want for Christmas?  Read on.</span></span>\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4>Giving What I Need</h4>\r\nI don’t care about Christmas anymore.\r\n\r\nIt seems so sad and empty,\r\n\r\nsomething to do and be done with.\r\n\r\nI refuse to just “buy something” for the people I love.\r\n\r\nThere is a special satisfaction in finding a gift\r\n\r\nperfect for a precious someone,\r\n\r\nand I would be lynched if I didn’t fill\r\n\r\nmy tall kids’ stockings with silly dollar store toys and kiddy candy\r\n\r\nappropriate only for six-year-olds.\r\n\r\nI really like that part,\r\n\r\nbut the carols, trees and seasonal scenes\r\n\r\nhave lost me, left me out to lunch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo all the people glowing with delight,\r\n\r\nasking if my shopping is complete\r\n\r\nthen interrupting with their answer\r\n\r\nbefore hearing mine,\r\n\r\nI just smile and give the expected response:\r\n\r\n“Yes.  Merry Christmas.”\r\n\r\nWhat else is there to say that’s socially acceptable?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI just buried my dog with stomach cancer,\r\n\r\nwhich doesn’t help, but that’s not what’s wrong.\r\n\r\nThe lights at night are pretty but pointless,\r\n\r\npoinsettias, packages,\r\n\r\npain my hurting heart can’t celebrate,\r\n\r\nand I don’t even miss it,\r\n\r\nbut I don’t have to explain this to you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen you rode into Jerusalem\r\n\r\nand the crowds welcomed you with joy,\r\n\r\nI doubt that happiness filled your heart.\r\n\r\nGrief and dread were primary\r\n\r\nbecause you knew what was coming,\r\n\r\nbut I bet you smiled and waved anyway\r\n\r\nbecause you loved them.\r\n\r\nIt was more important\r\n\r\nto give them what they wanted\r\n\r\ninstead of what you did.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs that the perfect gift I can give this year\r\n\r\nto the people I care about?\r\n\r\nWhat they want from me isn’t my depression.\r\n\r\nHelp me give the gift you gave,\r\n\r\npocketing your needs to feed the hearts of others,\r\n\r\ncelebrating their joy.\r\n\r\nSo my candle isn’t lit;\r\n\r\nI can still light up their faces\r\n\r\nwith traditions that matter to them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I’m sick of faking it;\r\n\r\ncontinuing will only make things worse.\r\n\r\nI can’t do this by myself.\r\n\r\nGrant me the gumption\r\n\r\nto feel for real what they need\r\n\r\nand act on it with faith\r\n\r\nthat you will meet my needs, too.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;font-size: small\"> </span>','Giving What I Need','','inherit','open','open','','2804-revision-2','','','2011-11-30 08:28:46','2011-11-30 16:28:46','',2804,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2804-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2957,1,'2011-12-05 09:11:35','2011-12-05 17:11:35','Prepare to hear a blasphemous, un-American confession:  I don’t care about Christmas anymore.  God knows I used to, and I have the ornaments, lights, and Christmas cookie recipes to prove it.\r\n\r\nSo what happened to me?  Did someone I love die, and I’m still in grief?  Yeah, something died, alright.  The celebration in Christmas.  All the rah-rah, happy-happy, be of good cheer.  I’m not jaded because of  commercialism these days, though I hate it.  I am seriously pissed that stores are putting up Christmas things two weeks before Halloween.  What’s next?  Santa on the shelf before Labor Day?\r\n\r\nOver the last few years, I’ve tried to be a “good” Christian, and focus on the “Christ” in Christmas.  See the baby Jesus in the manger as significant.  I mean, really – I wouldn’t be a Christian today if Jesus hadn’t come to earth, right?  So what the hell is wrong with me?  What is wrong for me?\r\n\r\nDo I have to have a reason except that Christmas depresses me now?   I’m not going to lie to you and make one up.  Didn’t it always piss you off when you were a child and you asked your parents why you had to do such-and-such and they said, “Because I said so”?\r\n\r\nWhy don’t I care about Christmas anymore?  Because I don’t.  I’m not trying to be a kill-joy, but Christmas is a kill-Joy.  It kills me to pretend that everything is lovely, while Christmas only depresses me.  I know so many people who tell me they just LOVE Christmas and it’s their favorite time of year.  Do you know when that was true for me?  When I was a kid and when my kids were little.  If I had really looked closely when my children were pre-schoolers and in elementary school, I might have noticed that I cared about Christmas for them, not because it was important for me.\r\n\r\nSo what do I do at this time of year?  Pretend.  Tell people what they expect to hear.  But here’s what is real, what does matter:  that my adult children get what they want, and I’m NOT talking about their list for Santa.  I can’t afford that any more.  So what do they want from me?  What do I really want for Christmas?  Read on\r\n<h4>Giving What I Need</h4>\r\n<em>I don’t care about Christmas anymore.\r\nIt seems so sad and empty,\r\nsomething to do and be done with.\r\nI refuse to just “buy something” for the people I love.\r\nThere is a special satisfaction in finding a gift\r\nperfect for a precious someone,\r\nand I would be lynched if I didn’t fill\r\nmy tall kids’ stockings with silly dollar store toys and kiddy candy\r\nappropriate only for six-year-olds.\r\nI really like that part,\r\nbut the carols, trees and seasonal scenes\r\nhave lost me, left me out to lunch.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>To all the people glowing with delight,\r\nasking if my shopping is complete\r\nthen interrupting with their answer\r\nbefore hearing mine,\r\nI just smile and give the expected response:\r\n“Yes.  Merry Christmas.”\r\nWhat else is there to say that’s socially acceptable?</em>\r\n\r\n<em>I just buried my dog with stomach cancer,\r\nwhich doesn’t help, but that’s not what’s wrong.\r\nThe lights at night are pretty but pointless,\r\npoinsettias, packages,\r\npain my hurting heart can’t celebrate,\r\nand I don’t even miss it,\r\nbut I don’t have to explain this to you.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>When you rode into Jerusalem\r\nand the crowds welcomed you with joy,\r\nI doubt that happiness filled your heart.\r\nGrief and dread were primary\r\nbecause you knew what was coming,\r\nbut I bet you smiled and waved anyway\r\nbecause you loved them.\r\nIt was more important\r\nto give them what they wanted\r\ninstead of what you did.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>Is that the perfect gift I can give this year\r\nto the people I care about?\r\nWhat they want from me isn’t my depression.\r\nHelp me give the gift you gave,\r\npocketing your needs to feed the hearts of others,\r\ncelebrating their joy.\r\nSo my candle isn’t lit;\r\nI can still light up their faces\r\nwith traditions that matter to them.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>But I’m sick of faking it;\r\ncontinuing will only make things worse.\r\nI can’t do this by myself.\r\nGrant me the gumption\r\nto feel for real what they need\r\nand act on it with faith\r\nthat you will meet my needs, too.</em>','Giving What I Need','','inherit','open','open','','2804-revision-4','','','2011-12-05 09:11:35','2011-12-05 17:11:35','',2804,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/05/2804-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(3161,46,'2011-12-19 11:40:22','2011-12-19 19:40:22','Anyone who knows me knows that when a particular subject interests me, I go out and read every single thing I can about that subject until it becomes an obsession and it is all I ever talk about. Yeah, I’m that nerdy!\r\n\r\nLately the subject that has become my obsession is the history of Christianity. Turns out it’s a lot more complicated than the short history lesson a lot of evangelical churches teach: God wrote the Bible, the Catholics came along and ruined things, Luther and Calvin saved the day, the end. There’s a whole two-thousand year history that’s full of different doctrines, ideas, theologies, and schisms that have shaped the religion throughout the years. In fact, I think Christianity is still evolving right now as I write this.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, some of the things I have read had made me question a lot of my theology.\r\n\r\nThis is why I have mixed feelings about biblical scholar Marcus Borg. On one hand, his book <em>Reading the Bible Again For the First Time</em> has definitely taught me how to take the Bible seriously without interpreting every story literally. But on the other hand, when he questions the historical accuracy of anything that the Apostle’s Creed confirms, that’s when I get a little anxious.\r\n\r\nFor example, since this is the Advent season I’ve had the virgin birth on my mind a lot lately. Only two of the gospels mention anything about Jesus’ birth--Matthew and Luke--and none of the New Testament books written prior to Matthew and Luke say anything about Jesus’ birth. Also, both Matthew and Luke have different details about what exactly happened on that first Christmas morning. And then of course, there’s the fact that in the original Hebrew, Isaiah 7:14 could mean either “virgin” or “young girl.” (Hat tip: <em>Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time</em>, chapter 2).\r\n\r\nOf course since we can’t go back in time to give Mary a physical examination, there’s no way of knowing for sure whether or not she really was a virgin. But since I’ve always been the over-analytical type, I can’t help but wonder, “If the virgin birth isn’t factual, what about the incarnation? How else could God come to earth as a human?”\r\n\r\nI can’t help but think about what Martin Luther King Jr said about science and religion:\r\n<blockquote><em>“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge which is power; religion gives man wisdom which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals. They are complementary. Science keeps religion from sinking into the valley of crippling irrationalism and paralyzing obscurantism. Religion prevents science from falling into the marsh of obsolete materialism and moral nihilism.”</em></blockquote>\r\nAnd I think the same can be applied to history. We need historical fact in order to distinguish myth from reality. Of course all facts need interpretation, and this where faith comes in. The book of Hebrews tells us that “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (11:1). When there are gaps in the facts, or the facts leave gaps in our previously-held theology, faith fills in those gaps. It does not ignore the facts; it merely says that God is much bigger than all of our questions, all of our doubts, and all of our tiny little theological boxes.\r\n\r\nLike I said, we have no way of looking up Mary’s medical records, but maybe we don’t need to. Faith is enough to reassure us that Jesus is still God-with-us.\r\n\r\n<em>Photo Credit: christmaswithak/</em>','Letting Faith Fill In The Gaps','','publish','open','open','','letting-faith-fill-in-the-gaps','','','2011-12-19 11:40:22','2011-12-19 19:40:22','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=3161',0,'post','',0),(2814,1,'2011-11-30 08:34:56','2011-11-30 16:34:56','[simple-sitemap]','','','publish','open','open','','2814','','','2012-12-18 12:55:09','2012-12-18 20:55:09','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2814',75,'nav_menu_item','',0),(2815,1,'2011-11-30 09:13:30','2011-11-30 17:13:30','[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRtc-k6dhgs[/youtube]\r\n\r\nOne of the real concerns people have about the Occupy Movement is that it\'s simply trying to overthrow the rich, even through violence.  I think that concern is largely ungrounded and based on a few isolated events.  For the most part, Occupy has been peaceful.  And it\'s easy to focus on the violence and miss what is happening at the street level.  Finally someone is profiling the deeper, compassionate response of the movement.\r\n\r\nOccupy Love is a new documentary that focuses on the Occupy Movement but asks a deeper questions.  It looks like a fascinating documentary because they aren\'t seeking the overthrow of the top 1%, but instead a better approach to community.  I appreciate that he sees the 1% as people disconnected from community and creativity, rather than just demonizing them.You can support the <a href=\"http://www.indiegogo.com/Occupy-Love\" target=\"_blank\">Occupy Love project</a> by donating here.\r\n\r\nThis is from the site:\r\n<blockquote><a href=\"http://www.occupylove.org\" target=\"_blank\">Occupy Love</a> will be a moving, transformative feature documentary that asks the question: <strong>how are the economic and ecological crises we are facing today a great love story? </strong>\r\n\r\nA profound shift is taking place all over the world. Humanity is  waking up to the fact  that the current system that dominates the planet is failing to provide us with health, happiness or meaning.  The dominant paradigm is based on separation, as exemplified by the financial system, and the corporate emphasis of profits before people.\r\n\r\nOur headlong rush towards infinite growth is destroying our communities, our ecology, and threatening our very existence.  The climate crisis is hitting us with droughts, extreme weather, floods, sea level rise and more, yet corporate lobbyists block any attempts at mitigation.  Unemployment is at an all time high, and the gap between the wealthiest 1% and the remaining 99% is growing alarmingly.  People are losing their homes, and the quality of life for the many is plummeting, while the few are raking in absurd profits.  Wall Street is making dangerous bets, greed is running rampant, and entire economies are collapsing.  Governments have been bought by the corporations, and many of us had lost hope.  Until now.\r\n\r\nThis crisis has become the catalyst for a profound transformation:  millions of people are deciding that enough is enough -  the time has come to create a new world, a world that works for all life.  We have experienced an extraordinary year of change, from the Arab Spring, to the European Summer, and now, erupting into North America: the Occupy Movement.\r\n\r\nThis is a revolution rooted in compassion,  direct democracy, and shared power, as opposed to the \"power over\" model of the corporate world view.  The new story is one of Inter-dependence.  Love is the movement.  As the Occupy cry goes: \"We are unstoppable. Another world is possible!\"\r\n\r\nWe have been filming at Occupy Wall Street since the first day, and have filmed the historical General Strike at Occupy Oakland,  and have filmed at Occupy Canada.  Currently we are tracing the evolution of the movement in Europe. We will be exploring the solutions to the problems we are facing, and zeroing in on the \"heart\" of this global evolution.\r\n\r\nThe film will feature an incredible cast of visionaries, both the well known, and the everyday hero\'s who are emerging in this fledgling movement.  So far we have interviewed: Naomi Klein, Charles Eisenstein, Marina Sitrin, Judy Rebick, Rebecca Solnit, The Yes Men, Angaanaq, Clayton Thomas Muller, Tom Goldtooth, Bill McKibben, Malik from Occupy the Hood, Rebecca Solnit, Drew Dellinger, Don Tapscott, Jeremy Rifkin, Asmaa Mahfouz, Bill McKibben, Penny Livingston Stark, Rob Hopkins, and more.</blockquote>','Occupy Love','','publish','open','open','','occupy-love','','','2011-11-30 09:13:30','2011-11-30 17:13:30','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2815',0,'post','',0),(2816,1,'2011-11-30 09:09:37','2011-11-30 17:09:37','[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRtc-k6dhgs[/youtube]\n\nRarely do I see expressions that have such a wholistic approach to change.  And this looks like one of them.\n\nOccupy Love is a new documentary that focuses on the Occupy Movement but asks a deeper questions.  It looks like a fascinating documentary because they aren\'t seeking the overthrow of the top 1%, but instead a better approach to community.  I appreciate that he sees the 1% as people disconnected from community and creativity, rather than just demonizing them.You can support the <a href=\"http://www.indiegogo.com/Occupy-Love\" target=\"_blank\">Occupy Love project</a> by donating here.\n\nThis is from the site:\n<blockquote><a href=\"http://www.occupylove.org\" target=\"_blank\">Occupy Love</a> will be a moving, transformative feature documentary that asks the question: <strong>how are the economic and ecological crises we are facing today a great love story? </strong>\n\nA profound shift is taking place all over the world. Humanity is  waking up to the fact  that the current system that dominates the planet is failing to provide us with health, happiness or meaning.  The dominant paradigm is based on separation, as exemplified by the financial system, and the corporate emphasis of profits before people.\n\nOur headlong rush towards infinite growth is destroying our communities, our ecology, and threatening our very existence.  The climate crisis is hitting us with droughts, extreme weather, floods, sea level rise and more, yet corporate lobbyists block any attempts at mitigation.  Unemployment is at an all time high, and the gap between the wealthiest 1% and the remaining 99% is growing alarmingly.  People are losing their homes, and the quality of life for the many is plummeting, while the few are raking in absurd profits.  Wall Street is making dangerous bets, greed is running rampant, and entire economies are collapsing.  Governments have been bought by the corporations, and many of us had lost hope.  Until now.\n\nThis crisis has become the catalyst for a profound transformation:  millions of people are deciding that enough is enough -  the time has come to create a new world, a world that works for all life.  We have experienced an extraordinary year of change, from the Arab Spring, to the European Summer, and now, erupting into North America: the Occupy Movement.\n\nThis is a revolution rooted in compassion,  direct democracy, and shared power, as opposed to the \"power over\" model of the corporate world view.  The new story is one of Inter-dependence.  Love is the movement.  As the Occupy cry goes: \"We are unstoppable. Another world is possible!\"\n\nWe have been filming at Occupy Wall Street since the first day, and have filmed the historical General Strike at Occupy Oakland,  and have filmed at Occupy Canada.  Currently we are tracing the evolution of the movement in Europe. We will be exploring the solutions to the problems we are facing, and zeroing in on the \"heart\" of this global evolution.\n\nThe film will feature an incredible cast of visionaries, both the well known, and the everyday hero\'s who are emerging in this fledgling movement.  So far we have interviewed: Naomi Klein, Charles Eisenstein, Marina Sitrin, Judy Rebick, Rebecca Solnit, The Yes Men, Angaanaq, Clayton Thomas Muller, Tom Goldtooth, Bill McKibben, Malik from Occupy the Hood, Rebecca Solnit, Drew Dellinger, Don Tapscott, Jeremy Rifkin, Asmaa Mahfouz, Bill McKibben, Penny Livingston Stark, Rob Hopkins, and more.</blockquote>','Occupy Love','','inherit','open','open','','2815-revision','','','2011-11-30 09:09:37','2011-11-30 17:09:37','',2815,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2815-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2817,1,'2011-11-30 09:10:09','2011-11-30 17:10:09','','Occupy_Love','','inherit','open','open','','occupy_love','','','2011-11-30 09:10:09','2011-11-30 17:10:09','',2815,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Occupy_Love.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2818,1,'2011-11-30 09:12:45','2011-11-30 17:12:45','[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRtc-k6dhgs[/youtube]\n\nOne of the real concerns people have about the Occupy Movement is that it\'s simply trying to overthrow the rich, even through violence.  I think that concern is largely ungrounded and based on a few isolated events.  For the most part, Occupy has been peaceful.  And it\'s easy to focus on the violence and miss what is happening at the street level.  Finally someone is profiling\n\nOccupy Love is a new documentary that focuses on the Occupy Movement but asks a deeper questions.  It looks like a fascinating documentary because they aren\'t seeking the overthrow of the top 1%, but instead a better approach to community.  I appreciate that he sees the 1% as people disconnected from community and creativity, rather than just demonizing them.You can support the <a href=\"http://www.indiegogo.com/Occupy-Love\" target=\"_blank\">Occupy Love project</a> by donating here.\n\nThis is from the site:\n<blockquote><a href=\"http://www.occupylove.org\" target=\"_blank\">Occupy Love</a> will be a moving, transformative feature documentary that asks the question: <strong>how are the economic and ecological crises we are facing today a great love story? </strong>\n\nA profound shift is taking place all over the world. Humanity is  waking up to the fact  that the current system that dominates the planet is failing to provide us with health, happiness or meaning.  The dominant paradigm is based on separation, as exemplified by the financial system, and the corporate emphasis of profits before people.\n\nOur headlong rush towards infinite growth is destroying our communities, our ecology, and threatening our very existence.  The climate crisis is hitting us with droughts, extreme weather, floods, sea level rise and more, yet corporate lobbyists block any attempts at mitigation.  Unemployment is at an all time high, and the gap between the wealthiest 1% and the remaining 99% is growing alarmingly.  People are losing their homes, and the quality of life for the many is plummeting, while the few are raking in absurd profits.  Wall Street is making dangerous bets, greed is running rampant, and entire economies are collapsing.  Governments have been bought by the corporations, and many of us had lost hope.  Until now.\n\nThis crisis has become the catalyst for a profound transformation:  millions of people are deciding that enough is enough -  the time has come to create a new world, a world that works for all life.  We have experienced an extraordinary year of change, from the Arab Spring, to the European Summer, and now, erupting into North America: the Occupy Movement.\n\nThis is a revolution rooted in compassion,  direct democracy, and shared power, as opposed to the \"power over\" model of the corporate world view.  The new story is one of Inter-dependence.  Love is the movement.  As the Occupy cry goes: \"We are unstoppable. Another world is possible!\"\n\nWe have been filming at Occupy Wall Street since the first day, and have filmed the historical General Strike at Occupy Oakland,  and have filmed at Occupy Canada.  Currently we are tracing the evolution of the movement in Europe. We will be exploring the solutions to the problems we are facing, and zeroing in on the \"heart\" of this global evolution.\n\nThe film will feature an incredible cast of visionaries, both the well known, and the everyday hero\'s who are emerging in this fledgling movement.  So far we have interviewed: Naomi Klein, Charles Eisenstein, Marina Sitrin, Judy Rebick, Rebecca Solnit, The Yes Men, Angaanaq, Clayton Thomas Muller, Tom Goldtooth, Bill McKibben, Malik from Occupy the Hood, Rebecca Solnit, Drew Dellinger, Don Tapscott, Jeremy Rifkin, Asmaa Mahfouz, Bill McKibben, Penny Livingston Stark, Rob Hopkins, and more.</blockquote>','Occupy Love','','inherit','open','open','','2815-revision-2','','','2011-11-30 09:12:45','2011-11-30 17:12:45','',2815,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2815-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2819,1,'2011-11-30 09:14:43','2011-11-30 17:14:43','[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRtc-k6dhgs[/youtube]\n\nOne of the real concerns people have about the Occupy Movement is that it\'s simply trying to overthrow the rich, even through violence.  I think that concern is largely ungrounded and based on a few isolated events.  For the most part, Occupy has been peaceful.  And it\'s easy to focus on the violence and miss what is happening at the street level.  Finally someone is profiling the deeper, compassionate response of the movement.\n\nOccupy Love is a new documentary that focuses on the Occupy Movement but asks a deeper questions.  It looks like a fascinating documentary because they aren\'t seeking the overthrow of the top 1%, but instead a better approach to community.  I appreciate that he sees the 1% as people disconnected from community and creativity, rather than just demonizing them.You can support the <a href=\"http://www.indiegogo.com/Occupy-Love\" target=\"_blank\">Occupy Love project</a> by donating here.\n\nThis is from the site:\n<blockquote><a href=\"http://www.occupylove.org\" target=\"_blank\">Occupy Love</a> will be a moving, transformative feature documentary that asks the question: <strong>how are the economic and ecological crises we are facing today a great love story? </strong>\n\nA profound shift is taking place all over the world. Humanity is  waking up to the fact  that the current system that dominates the planet is failing to provide us with health, happiness or meaning.  The dominant paradigm is based on separation, as exemplified by the financial system, and the corporate emphasis of profits before people.\n\nOur headlong rush towards infinite growth is destroying our communities, our ecology, and threatening our very existence.  The climate crisis is hitting us with droughts, extreme weather, floods, sea level rise and more, yet corporate lobbyists block any attempts at mitigation.  Unemployment is at an all time high, and the gap between the wealthiest 1% and the remaining 99% is growing alarmingly.  People are losing their homes, and the quality of life for the many is plummeting, while the few are raking in absurd profits.  Wall Street is making dangerous bets, greed is running rampant, and entire economies are collapsing.  Governments have been bought by the corporations, and many of us had lost hope.  Until now.\n\nThis crisis has become the catalyst for a profound transformation:  millions of people are deciding that enough is enough -  the time has come to create a new world, a world that works for all life.  We have experienced an extraordinary year of change, from the Arab Spring, to the European Summer, and now, erupting into North America: the Occupy Movement.\n\nThis is a revolution rooted in compassion,  direct democracy, and shared power, as opposed to the \"power over\" model of the corporate world view.  The new story is one of Inter-dependence.  Love is the movement.  As the Occupy cry goes: \"We are unstoppable. Another world is possible!\"\n\nWe have been filming at Occupy Wall Street since the first day, and have filmed the historical General Strike at Occupy Oakland,  and have filmed at Occupy Canada.  Currently we are tracing the evolution of the movement in Europe. We will be exploring the solutions to the problems we are facing, and zeroing in on the \"heart\" of this global evolution.\n\nThe film will feature an incredible cast of visionaries, both the well known, and the everyday hero\'s who are emerging in this fledgling movement.  So far we have interviewed: Naomi Klein, Charles Eisenstein, Marina Sitrin, Judy Rebick, Rebecca Solnit, The Yes Men, Angaanaq, Clayton Thomas Muller, Tom Goldtooth, Bill McKibben, Malik from Occupy the Hood, Rebecca Solnit, Drew Dellinger, Don Tapscott, Jeremy Rifkin, Asmaa Mahfouz, Bill McKibben, Penny Livingston Stark, Rob Hopkins, and more.</blockquote>','Occupy Love','','inherit','open','open','','2815-autosave','','','2011-11-30 09:14:43','2011-11-30 17:14:43','',2815,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2815-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2821,1,'2011-11-30 10:06:48','2011-11-30 18:06:48','','Jim_Palmer2','','inherit','open','open','','jim_palmer2','','','2011-11-30 10:06:48','2011-11-30 18:06:48','',2691,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Jim_Palmer2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2822,1,'2011-11-28 13:24:13','2011-11-28 21:24:13','In this second of a three part interview, I got to ask Jim about his experience with his publisher and what went wrong.\r\n\r\n[question]What happened with Zondervan? They decided to cancel your 2-book contract, why?[/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]The book was intended to be a 1-year social experiment where I tested the idea that authentic Christianity is not Jesus <strong><em>AND</em></strong> Jim but Jesus <strong><em>AS</em></strong> Jim, believing that there was nothing separating me and Jesus, and that I was free to live as he did in every way. On August 25, 2008 when I signed that 2-book deal with Zondervan Publishers I had no idea that 1 year would stretch into 3, and would include the death of my mother, two near-death experiences, and a deeper deconstruction of my faith and my entire identity as Jim Palmer. Nor did I expect I would become the center of a firestorm of controversy when I turned my manuscript into Zondervan in April. My manuscript was rejected on the grounds that it did not “lie within the bounds of biblical, orthodox Christianity.” My 2-book contract was promptly canceled.[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]What was your response?[/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]Zondervan’s publishing mission reads, “To be the leader in Christian communications meeting the needs of people with resources that glorify Jesus Christ and promote biblical principles.” I wish that somehow this mission could include telling every human being that they are born into this world with inherent and equal eternal worth, and every bit a “Son of God” as Jesus of Nazareth was.[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]Did you agree with their reasons?[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nWhile earning my Masters of Divinity degree and during my years of being a pastor, I uncovered plenty of biblical support for this idea, much more than I could ever mention here. Jesus himself, in John 17, says we share the “same glory” given him by God and that this is the basis for all humanity to be “one” with God. I was told in my religious training that it was sacrilege to view myself on equal footing with Jesus. But even he said, “We would do greater things than he did.”\r\n\r\nBut this message was lost as the Christian religion gave way to institutionalized clerical power and politics. There are countless stories of divine nobodies who lived their faith outside the walls of “official” Christendom. They were demonized and left out of history books and schools of divinity. These free believers were often condemned and killed...as heretics.\r\n\r\nThe past several years my journey and writing have been about shedding corporate Christianity with its “us versus them” mentality, and reclaiming the real meaning of Christ’s divine inclusivity.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]That\'s a fairly radical message.[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nFor Jesus of Nazareth, life was his religion, love was his doctrine, and humankind was his church. Jesus affirmed the inherent and divine dignity of all people, and was devoted to human solidarity, compassion and community. That’s why we need the Darlas, Makihas, Brunos and Jims – every one of us “being Jesus” in today\'s world.\r\n\r\nWhat I learned in my year of being Jesus is that Jesus was special, but not because he was more divine then the rest of us, but because he was courageously more human than most.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat’s ironic is that after submitting my final manuscript to Zondervan, I blogged, tweeted, and Facebook-ed about <em>Being Jesus in Nashville</em>, causing my pre-order book sales to climb to an astounding Amazon ranking of 15,000. But it wasn’t long after that I received news of the rejection.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]But Zondervan still rejected the manuscript.[/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]I’m not the first “heretic”/author to be let go of by Zondervan. Fellow pastor-author Rob Bell gets the credit for that. The hallmark of Christianity seems to have become who is excluded, which can include anything from a theological litmus test to what you wear to church on Sunday mornings. Since leaving institutional church and writing about my journey of shedding religion to find God, I have received hundreds of emails from other nobodies who feel judged and marginalized by Christianity, including Wanda the Waffle House waitress who’s only crime is having tattoos and wearing her Waffle House uniform to church, where people stare at her like she’s a whore and avoid talking to her after the service.[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]What would you say to people like Wanda now?[/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]I wish I could tell Wanda and every person that they are born into this world as complete and whole human beings with equal worth to God as Jesus of Nazareth. In the eyes of the religious establishment we might be nobodies but we are <em>divine</em> nobodies, as much a child of God as that nobody Nazarene carpenter. This is the message I would like to get through to fellow survivors of childhood abuse. It’s the message I would have wanted to express to the 10-year-old girl sex slaves I encountered in brothels in Southeast Asia in my work as a human rights activist. As an ordained minister, it’s the message I wanted to deliver to a Christian friend who said, “I am a piece of shit to God, which is why I need Jesus.” It is very difficult to convince people that they are good and beautiful human beings when religion has sufficiently convinced them that they are “sinners” and despicable to God. It’s also difficult to deliver this message when institutional Christianity has convinced us that acknowledging the divine in every human is a betrayal of God.[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]How do you feel about the experience now, now that is it over?[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nThis isn’t a Conan O’Brien thing for me – I’m not bitter about what happened with Zondervan. I’m not going to lie, the whole ordeal was personally devastating, tanked me out emotionally and led to my filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy… but I worked through it with the support of some great friends and a supportive social media network.\r\n\r\nI had hoped early on that Zondervan and I could have worked all this out and still published the book. I saw a huge upside in doing so and perhaps avoid a Rob Bell scenario, which only seems to deepen the divide between people who hold different beliefs about God. I made what I thought was a powerful appeal to Zondervan, believing that our mutual love for Jesus could allow us to rise above whatever other theological differences there might be.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]Is that really even possible?[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nA way perhaps to do this would have been to put a label on the cover stating that Zondervan didn’t necessarily support all the views expressed in the book. That would be unique. The book may have been even more interesting, more marketable – causing more book sales, which most book publishers, Christian or not, would want. Theological differences among professing Christians is nothing new. It has always been a part of the story of Christianity from its earliest days. I actually believed we could work – within the agreement of the contract – to create a book with an appeal outside the box of traditional Christian books.\r\n\r\nBut it wasn’t to be.\r\n\r\nNow on the other side of this I don’t want to contribute to the divide. Zondervan did what they felt was consistent with their mission. Eventually I realized it wasn’t personal. I have friends at Zondervan who I hold in high regard.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\nIn part 3, Jim shares his experience of wanting to fade into the woodwork and what it meant to self-publish Being Jesus in Nashville.  Stay tuned.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Author Jim Palmer Uncensored - Part 2','','inherit','open','open','','2691-revision-3','','','2011-11-28 13:24:13','2011-11-28 21:24:13','',2691,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2691-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2823,1,'2011-12-05 11:21:48','2011-12-05 19:21:48','In this third of a three part interview, I got to ask Jim about his desire to fade into the woodwork and what it mean to self-publish his book <em><a href=\"With%20the%20upcoming%20release%20of%20Jim%27s%20newest%20book,%20Being%20Jesus%20In%20Nashville\" target=\"_blank\">Being Jesus In Nashville</a></em>.\n\n[question]You’ve stated that you’ve “flirted with fading into the woodwork, never to be heard from again.”  What do you mean by that? [/question]\n\n[answer]\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Being_Jesus_Kindle.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2824\" title=\"Being_Jesus_Kindle\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Being_Jesus_Kindle.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"150\" /></a>I’m not fond of controversy or conflict and I’ve had a whole lot of both around this book. There are some days when it wears on me and I ponder resurrecting my original dream, which was to be a starting guard for the Chicago Bulls. It wouldn’t work now anyway, I had my chance when MJ retired and didn’t take it.\n\nI get discouraged. Some days it feels like I’m just banging my head against a wall. I’m not selling crack or peddling porn; I’m standing for the inherent, equal and divine worth of every human being, and wanting to enroll people in the idea of building a world that works for everyone. But for this, people want me crucified. What keeps me going are those divine nobodies who contact me to share their story and the ways I’ve contributed to their journey.\n\n[/answer]\n\n[question]You\'ve recently started the Occupy Religion effort.  What is that?[/question]\n\n[answer]\n\nI didn’t expect the Occupy Religion effort to evolve from my new book. Government and religion share the similar dynamic of 1% having inordinate influence over how things work for everyone else. In religion’s case, the 1% are religious clerics and the 99% are the rest of us, many of whom practice a particular faith but still have very little say on how that faith is expressed in the world.\n\nThe Occupy Religion effort is about confronting religion in those places where it divides and separates people from God and each other. <em>Being Jesus in Nashville</em> is taking a stand with my tribe who has shared this journey with me the last several years. They are ordinary people who have been shedding religion and no longer support the view of Jesus promoted by the institutional church—one that leads to condemning people of other faiths, forces Christians to adopt beliefs and practices they often cannot live up to or support in good conscience, and requires people to promote a message that divides human beings in the name of Jesus… in the name of God.\n\nIn a nutshell, I keep going because I know I’m not alone. I’m not just speaking for myself but representing a lot of people who want their voice to be heard.\n\n[/answer]\n\n[question]You chose to self-publish <em>Being Jesus</em>. What does this new book mean to you and why did you decide to publish it on your own?[/question]\n\n[answer]\n\nI’m self-publishing this book because I realized I had to disentangle myself from the Christian publishing machine in order for my voice and message to be heard. Membership in an institutional church is not a prerequisite for being a fully expressed and devoted follower of Christ. A book contract with a major Christian publisher is not necessary to share my story and message with my tribe and beyond.\n\nSelf-publishing hasn’t been a cake walk. I discovered that I didn’t know <strong>jack about self-publishing. </strong>How hard can this be??? (I said to myself). Well, IT IS! It’s been a steep learning curve and I’m still climbing it. <strong>I’m scared as hell of failing.</strong> What if my decision to self-publish bombs?! I HATE “marketing” myself or my books and the publisher mostly did this stuff before. So, it’s uncomfortable. Plus, I worry about letting people down. I don’t like disappointing people. <strong>I’m making mistakes.</strong> I thought the self-publishing route meant that I could get everything I wanted instantaneously when I wanted it just the way I wanted it. I think they call that delusional! <strong>The freedom isn’t so easy.</strong> With no filter or censorship, I am free to fully express myself. Just what I wanted! Right? It’s not so easy. It’s challenging that part of me that wants people to like me, losses sleep over a negative Amazon review, worries about offending people, and fears rejection.\n\nPeople can contribute to self-publishing effort of <a href=\"http://www.indiegogo.com/Being-Jesus?a=294635&amp;i=addr\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Being Jesus in Nashville</em></a> through the IndieGoGo Campaign.\n\n[/answer]\n\n[question]How are you holding up now?[/question]\n\n[answer]\n\nSome days it feels like I’m spitting in the wind. Sometimes I wonder if I’m making any difference at all. I get discouraged at times, questioning what, if any, impact I am having. I often feel I’m beating my head against a wall, speaking out about the way religion puts a barrier between people and God and each other. It’s an up-hill battle trying to convince people that following Jesus could mean standing for the inherent, equal and divine worth of every human being. So, just being straight here, some days I ponder if I should go back to being a carpet salesman, maybe coach the girls basketball team at Jessica’s school.\n\nAnyway… sometimes it feels this way and then I received this email a few minutes ago:\n\n<em>Hi Jim.</em>\n\n<em>I just wanted to say that I’m grateful for the “What do you need to give yourself permission to do or be?” question you raised on the Divine Nobody Call. It was such a heartfelt, deeply honest question, and I think that is one of the things I appreciate about you, that you don’t give up on asking the questions, even when it’s scary, and messy, and confusing and you keep trying to be open about what you’re feeling and where you’re at in your journey even when it’s uncomfortable. </em>\n\n<em>A few things occurred to me as I started to write this, one is that we can find God in the questions and when you feel them being formed in you, it’s God stirring you into being who you are. Two, your question about permission makes me a little sad because, I think some people are so lost in the self they’ve created to relate and survive the world, that they don’t even know they aren’t giving themselves permission. These are the kinds of questions that people need space to hear and express and I’m thankful that you help to create that space. </em>\n\n<em>For me, I’m starting to feel lately like it’s less about shedding religion, and more about shedding a fake me who in turn relates in a fake way and can’t take up space, felt like she had to live by a different set of rules than the rest of my family, and who had to be the calming force trying to smooth the waters and bandage the wounds. I’m starting to feel like religion is just yet another symptom of the problem of not being fully yourself and thinking that by being fake you could create something better than God has already made. Religion, is one of the many ways that we as humans choose to keep ourselves small, and cowering in a dark corner of ourselves and the world, and to keep ourselves what we think is “safe and comfortable”, but there is no true safety or comfort being so tangled up in lies and the pain you won’t express, there is only safety and comfort in knowing and being the person that everytime God looks at you, the REAL you He says” Ah yes, you’re just who I made, I love you like crazy, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”</em>\n\n<em>Thanks for being a part of this stage in my journey, and also for not giving up even on the days when you can’t seem to give yourself any permission at all.</em>\n\n[/answer]\n\nIf you\'d like to support Jim, consider contributing to his <em></em><em><a href=\"With%20the%20upcoming%20release%20of%20Jim%27s%20newest%20book,%20Being%20Jesus%20In%20Nashville\" target=\"_blank\">Being Jesus In Nashville</a></em> self-publishing campaign.','Author Jim Palmer Uncensored - Part 3','','inherit','open','open','','2693-autosave','','','2011-12-05 11:21:48','2011-12-05 19:21:48','',2693,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2693-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2824,1,'2011-11-30 10:09:08','2011-11-30 18:09:08','','Being_Jesus_Kindle','','inherit','open','open','','being_jesus_kindle','','','2011-11-30 10:09:08','2011-11-30 18:09:08','',2693,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Being_Jesus_Kindle.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2825,1,'2011-11-30 10:09:39','2011-11-30 18:09:39','','Jim_Palmer3','','inherit','open','open','','jim_palmer3','','','2011-11-30 10:09:39','2011-11-30 18:09:39','',2693,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Jim_Palmer3.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2826,1,'2011-11-28 13:22:55','2011-11-28 21:22:55','In this third of a three part interview, I got to ask Jim about his desire to fade into the woodwork and what it mean to self-publish his book <em><a href=\"With%20the%20upcoming%20release%20of%20Jim%27s%20newest%20book,%20Being%20Jesus%20In%20Nashville\" target=\"_blank\">Being Jesus In Nashville</a></em>.\r\n\r\n[question]You’ve stated that you’ve “flirted with fading into the woodwork, never to be heard from again.”  What do you mean by that? [/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nI’m not fond of controversy or conflict and I’ve had a whole lot of both around this book. There are some days when it wears on me and I ponder resurrecting my original dream, which was to be a starting guard for the Chicago Bulls. It wouldn’t work now anyway, I had my chance when MJ retired and didn’t take it.\r\n\r\nI get discouraged. Some days it feels like I’m just banging my head against a wall. I’m not selling crack or peddling porn; I’m standing for the inherent, equal and divine worth of every human being, and wanting to enroll people in the idea of building a world that works for everyone. But for this, people want me crucified. What keeps me going are those divine nobodies who contact me to share their story and the ways I’ve contributed to their journey.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]You\'ve recently started the Occupy Religion effort.  What is that?[/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nI didn’t expect the Occupy Religion effort to evolve from my new book. Government and religion share the similar dynamic of 1% having inordinate influence over how things work for everyone else. In religion’s case, the 1% are religious clerics and the 99% are the rest of us, many of whom practice a particular faith but still have very little say on how that faith is expressed in the world.\r\n\r\nThe Occupy Religion effort is about confronting religion in those places where it divides and separates people from God and each other. <em>Being Jesus in Nashville</em> is taking a stand with my tribe who has shared this journey with me the last several years. They are ordinary people who have been shedding religion and no longer support the view of Jesus promoted by the institutional church—one that leads to condemning people of other faiths, forces Christians to adopt beliefs and practices they often cannot live up to or support in good conscience, and requires people to promote a message that divides human beings in the name of Jesus… in the name of God.\r\n\r\nIn a nutshell, I keep going because I know I’m not alone. I’m not just speaking for myself but representing a lot of people who want their voice to be heard.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]You chose to self-publish <em>Being Jesus</em>. What does this new book mean to you and why did you decide to publish it on your own?[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nI’m self-publishing this book because I realized I had to disentangle myself from the Christian publishing machine in order for my voice and message to be heard. Membership in an institutional church is not a prerequisite for being a fully expressed and devoted follower of Christ. A book contract with a major Christian publisher is not necessary to share my story and message with my tribe and beyond.\r\n\r\nSelf-publishing hasn’t been a cake walk. I discovered that I didn’t know <strong>jack about self-publishing. </strong>How hard can this be??? (I said to myself). Well, IT IS! It’s been a steep learning curve and I’m still climbing it. <strong>I’m scared as hell of failing.</strong> What if my decision to self-publish bombs?! I HATE “marketing” myself or my books and the publisher mostly did this stuff before. So, it’s uncomfortable. Plus, I worry about letting people down. I don’t like disappointing people. <strong>I’m making mistakes.</strong> I thought the self-publishing route meant that I could get everything I wanted instantaneously when I wanted it just the way I wanted it. I think they call that delusional! <strong>The freedom isn’t so easy.</strong> With no filter or censorship, I am free to fully express myself. Just what I wanted! Right? It’s not so easy. It’s challenging that part of me that wants people to like me, losses sleep over a negative Amazon review, worries about offending people, and fears rejection.\r\n\r\nPeople can contribute to self-publishing effort of <a href=\"http://www.indiegogo.com/Being-Jesus?a=294635&amp;i=addr\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Being Jesus in Nashville</em></a> through the IndieGoGo Campaign.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]How are you holding up now?[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nSome days it feels like I’m spitting in the wind. Sometimes I wonder if I’m making any difference at all. I get discouraged at times, questioning what, if any, impact I am having. I often feel I’m beating my head against a wall, speaking out about the way religion puts a barrier between people and God and each other. It’s an up-hill battle trying to convince people that following Jesus could mean standing for the inherent, equal and divine worth of every human being. So, just being straight here, some days I ponder if I should go back to being a carpet salesman, maybe coach the girls basketball team at Jessica’s school.\r\n\r\nAnyway… sometimes it feels this way and then I received this email a few minutes ago:\r\n\r\n<em>Hi Jim.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>I just wanted to say that I’m grateful for the “What do you need to give yourself permission to do or be?” question you raised on the Divine Nobody Call. It was such a heartfelt, deeply honest question, and I think that is one of the things I appreciate about you, that you don’t give up on asking the questions, even when it’s scary, and messy, and confusing and you keep trying to be open about what you’re feeling and where you’re at in your journey even when it’s uncomfortable. </em>\r\n\r\n<em>A few things occurred to me as I started to write this, one is that we can find God in the questions and when you feel them being formed in you, it’s God stirring you into being who you are. Two, your question about permission makes me a little sad because, I think some people are so lost in the self they’ve created to relate and survive the world, that they don’t even know they aren’t giving themselves permission. These are the kinds of questions that people need space to hear and express and I’m thankful that you help to create that space. </em>\r\n\r\n<em>For me, I’m starting to feel lately like it’s less about shedding religion, and more about shedding a fake me who in turn relates in a fake way and can’t take up space, felt like she had to live by a different set of rules than the rest of my family, and who had to be the calming force trying to smooth the waters and bandage the wounds. I’m starting to feel like religion is just yet another symptom of the problem of not being fully yourself and thinking that by being fake you could create something better than God has already made. Religion, is one of the many ways that we as humans choose to keep ourselves small, and cowering in a dark corner of ourselves and the world, and to keep ourselves what we think is “safe and comfortable”, but there is no true safety or comfort being so tangled up in lies and the pain you won’t express, there is only safety and comfort in knowing and being the person that everytime God looks at you, the REAL you He says” Ah yes, you’re just who I made, I love you like crazy, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”</em>\r\n\r\n<em>Thanks for being a part of this stage in my journey, and also for not giving up even on the days when you can’t seem to give yourself any permission at all.</em>\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'d like to support Jim, consider contributing to his <em></em><em><a href=\"With%20the%20upcoming%20release%20of%20Jim%27s%20newest%20book,%20Being%20Jesus%20In%20Nashville\" target=\"_blank\">Being Jesus In Nashville</a></em> self-publishing campaign.','Author Jim Palmer Uncensored - Part 3','','inherit','open','open','','2693-revision-4','','','2011-11-28 13:22:55','2011-11-28 21:22:55','',2693,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2693-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2828,43,'2011-12-06 10:00:36','2011-12-06 18:00:36','When we talk about sin, we often speak of it in terms of doing battle with our earthly desires.  We must do our best to keep ourselves pure, holding our will and our wants at bay.  We place great emphasis on personal purity, on keeping ourselves from the traps and temptations of this world.  In fact, some see a tension between social justice and holiness.  But what if we’re looking at it upside down and backwards?\r\n\r\nWe’ve put a lot of stock in trying to will away our feelings when confronted with the choice of acting on sin.  Don’t look, don’t touch, don’t even think.  Stay away from things which remind us of what we shouldn’t do.  Or, conversely, act on those things, but only to a point.  After all, we are only humans, with a need for sensation and experience.  Go ahead and enjoy a milder form, as long as you’re not crossing some invisible line.\r\n\r\nThat’s the kind of thinking that Jesus rejected in the Pharisees.  He said to them, \"You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel\" (Matthew 23:24).  But Jesus didn’t mean <em>go ahead, do what you like, because there’s no way to completely obey the law anyway.</em>  The whole point of the message is that when a literal breach of law has occurred, it must be in the spirit of obeying the highest law: To love God above all, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.\r\n\r\nWhat if the way to deal with sin in our lives isn’t to try to stop ourselves from wanting it, but to concentrate our efforts on living out the Greatest Commandment?\r\n\r\nWhat if the way to battle an unhealthy craving for wealth and possessions would be best dealt with by giving to others, rather than repeating the mantra, “I shall not covet”?  What if we could overcome our sexual lust with genuine love, care, and respect for the other people in our lives?  What if we could stop anger, resentment, and vengeance by reaching out to our neighbors, even when we’ve been wronged?\r\n\r\nI have some friends who are doing just that.  With permission from our youth pastor, Cory Hunneyman, I\'m sharing a recent interaction between his family and their neighbor.  To get the full effect, please read the original <a href=\"http://toomuchpizza.com/2011/11/28/when-your-relationship-with-your-neighbors-is-less-than-great/\">blog post</a>—Pastor Cory has said it much better than I could (not to mention the fact that he was actually there).  In short, he and his wife received a rather rude note about the state of their unraked lawn.  Rather than responding in kind, they chose to rake the leaves and bake cookies.\r\n\r\nWill their neighbor be changed by their actions?  Possibly.  That person may be moved by their actions and want to know more.  He may soften and begin treating them with returned respect.  Next year, he may even help rake the leaves.\r\n\r\nOr he may not.  He may not be changed at all.\r\n\r\nBut by their actions, my friends almost certainly were.  They answered God’s call to love their neighbors, quite literally.  They didn’t ask, “Who is my neighbor?” but “To whom can I be a neighbor?”  They have conformed to the heart of God, and moved deeper in their love for God and others.  It is that kind of faith which leads us from sin and into grace, by God\'s infinite love.\r\n\r\nWhat can we each do today to act on that love?','Valuing Others Above Ourselves','','publish','open','open','','valuing-others-above-ourselves','','','2011-12-05 09:13:36','2011-12-05 17:13:36','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2828',0,'post','',0),(2829,43,'2011-11-30 13:57:04','2011-11-30 21:57:04','','love_thy_neighbor-billboard','','inherit','open','open','','love_thy_neighbor-billboard','','','2011-11-30 13:57:04','2011-11-30 21:57:04','',2828,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/love_thy_neighbor-billboard.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2830,43,'2011-11-30 13:52:18','2011-11-30 21:52:18','When we talk about sin, we often speak of it in terms of doing battle with our earthly desires.  We must do our best to keep ourselves pure, holding our will and our wants at bay.    We place great emphasis on personal purity, on keeping ourselves from the traps and temptations of this world.  In fact, some see a tension between social justice and holiness.  But what if we’re looking at it upside down and backwards?\n\nWe’ve put a lot of stock in trying to will away our feelings when confronted with the choice of acting on sin.  Don’t look, don’t touch, don’t even think.  Stay away from things which remind us of what we shouldn’t do.  Or, conversely, act on those things, but only to a point.  After all, we are only humans, with a need for sensation and experience.  Go ahead and enjoy a milder form, as long as you’re not crossing some invisible line.\n\nThat’s the kind of thinking that Jesus rejected in the Pharisees.  He said to them, \"You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel\" (Matthew 23:24).  But Jesus didn’t mean <em>go ahead, do what you like, because there’s no way to completely obey the law anyway.</em>  The whole point of the message is that when a literal breach of law has occurred, it must be in the spirit of obeying the highest law: To love God above all, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.\n\nWhat if the way to deal with sin in our lives isn’t to try to stop ourselves from wanting it, but to concentrate our efforts on living out the Greatest Commandment?\n\nWhat if the way to battle an unhealthy craving for wealth and possessions would be best dealt with by giving to others, rather than repeating the mantra, “I shall not covet”?  What if we could overcome our sexual lust with genuine love, care, and resepct for the other people in our lives?  What if we could stop anger, resentment, and vengeance by reaching out to our neighbors, even when we’ve been wronged?\n\nI have some friends who are doing just that.  With permission from our youth pastor, Cory Hunneyman, I\'m sharing a recent interaction between his family and their neighbor.  To get the full effect, please read the original <a href=\"http://toomuchpizza.com/2011/11/28/when-your-relationship-with-your-neighbors-is-less-than-great/\">blog post</a>—Pastor Cory has said it much better than I could (not to mention the fact that he was actually there).  In short, he and his wife received a rather rude note about the state of their unraked lawn.  Rather than responding in kind, they chose to rake the leaves and bake cookies.\n\nWill their neighbor be changed by their actions?  Possibly.  That person may be moved by their actions and want to know more.  He may soften and begin treating them with returned respect.  Maybe next year, he\'ll even help rake the leaves.\n\nOr he may not.\n\nBut my friends were almost certainly changed by their actions.  They answered God’s call to love their neighbors, quite literally.  They didn’t ask, “Who is my neighbor?” but “To whom can I be a neighbor?”  They have conformed to the heart of God, and moved deeper in their love for God and others.  It is that kind of faith which leads us from sin and into grace, by God\'s infinite love.\n\nWhat can we each do today to act on that love?','Valuing Others Above Ourselves','','inherit','open','open','','2828-revision','','','2011-11-30 13:52:18','2011-11-30 21:52:18','',2828,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2828-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2833,43,'2011-11-30 13:59:32','2011-11-30 21:59:32','When we talk about sin, we often speak of it in terms of doing battle with our earthly desires.  We must do our best to keep ourselves pure, holding our will and our wants at bay.    We place great emphasis on personal purity, on keeping ourselves from the traps and temptations of this world.  In fact, some see a tension between social justice and holiness.  But what if we’re looking at it upside down and backwards?\n\nWe’ve put a lot of stock in trying to will away our feelings when confronted with the choice of acting on sin.  Don’t look, don’t touch, don’t even think.  Stay away from things which remind us of what we shouldn’t do.  Or, conversely, act on those things, but only to a point.  After all, we are only humans, with a need for sensation and experience.  Go ahead and enjoy a milder form, as long as you’re not crossing some invisible line.\n\nThat’s the kind of thinking that Jesus rejected in the Pharisees.  He said to them, \"You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel\" (Matthew 23:24).  But Jesus didn’t mean <em>go ahead, do what you like, because there’s no way to completely obey the law anyway.</em>  The whole point of the message is that when a literal breach of law has occurred, it must be in the spirit of obeying the highest law: To love God above all, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.\n\nWhat if the way to deal with sin in our lives isn’t to try to stop ourselves from wanting it, but to concentrate our efforts on living out the Greatest Commandment?\n\nWhat if the way to battle an unhealthy craving for wealth and possessions would be best dealt with by giving to others, rather than repeating the mantra, “I shall not covet”?  What if we could overcome our sexual lust with genuine love, care, and resepct for the other people in our lives?  What if we could stop anger, resentment, and vengeance by reaching out to our neighbors, even when we’ve been wronged?\n\nI have some friends who are doing just that.  With permission from our youth pastor, Cory Hunneyman, I\'m sharing a recent interaction between his family and their neighbor.  To get the full effect, please read the original <a href=\"http://toomuchpizza.com/2011/11/28/when-your-relationship-with-your-neighbors-is-less-than-great/\">blog post</a>—Pastor Cory has said it much better than I could (not to mention the fact that he was actually there).  In short, he and his wife received a rather rude note about the state of their unraked lawn.  Rather than responding in kind, they chose to rake the leaves and bake cookies.\n\nWill their neighbor be changed by their actions?  Possibly.  That person may be moved by their actions and want to know more.  He may soften and begin treating them with returned respect.  Next year, he may even help rake the leaves.\n\nOr he may not.  He may not be changed at all.\n\nBut by their actions, my freinds.  They answered God’s call to love their neighbors, quite literally.  They didn’t ask, “Who is my neighbor?” but “To whom can I be a neighbor?”  They have conformed to the heart of God, and moved deeper in their love for God and others.  It is that kind of faith which leads us from sin and into grace, by God\'s infinite love.\n\nWhat can we each do today to act on that love?','Valuing Others Above Ourselves','','inherit','open','open','','2828-revision-4','','','2011-11-30 13:59:32','2011-11-30 21:59:32','',2828,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2828-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2831,43,'2011-11-30 13:57:22','2011-11-30 21:57:22','When we talk about sin, we often speak of it in terms of doing battle with our earthly desires.  We must do our best to keep ourselves pure, holding our will and our wants at bay.    We place great emphasis on personal purity, on keeping ourselves from the traps and temptations of this world.  In fact, some see a tension between social justice and holiness.  But what if we’re looking at it upside down and backwards?\r\n\r\nWe’ve put a lot of stock in trying to will away our feelings when confronted with the choice of acting on sin.  Don’t look, don’t touch, don’t even think.  Stay away from things which remind us of what we shouldn’t do.  Or, conversely, act on those things, but only to a point.  After all, we are only humans, with a need for sensation and experience.  Go ahead and enjoy a milder form, as long as you’re not crossing some invisible line.\r\n\r\nThat’s the kind of thinking that Jesus rejected in the Pharisees.  He said to them, \"You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel\" (Matthew 23:24).  But Jesus didn’t mean <em>go ahead, do what you like, because there’s no way to completely obey the law anyway.</em>  The whole point of the message is that when a literal breach of law has occurred, it must be in the spirit of obeying the highest law: To love God above all, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.\r\n\r\nWhat if the way to deal with sin in our lives isn’t to try to stop ourselves from wanting it, but to concentrate our efforts on living out the Greatest Commandment?\r\n\r\nWhat if the way to battle an unhealthy craving for wealth and possessions would be best dealt with by giving to others, rather than repeating the mantra, “I shall not covet”?  What if we could overcome our sexual lust with genuine love, care, and resepct for the other people in our lives?  What if we could stop anger, resentment, and vengeance by reaching out to our neighbors, even when we’ve been wronged?\r\n\r\nI have some friends who are doing just that.  With permission from our youth pastor, Cory Hunneyman, I\'m sharing a recent interaction between his family and their neighbor.  To get the full effect, please read the original <a href=\"http://toomuchpizza.com/2011/11/28/when-your-relationship-with-your-neighbors-is-less-than-great/\">blog post</a>—Pastor Cory has said it much better than I could (not to mention the fact that he was actually there).  In short, he and his wife received a rather rude note about the state of their unraked lawn.  Rather than responding in kind, they chose to rake the leaves and bake cookies.\r\n\r\nWill their neighbor be changed by their actions?  Possibly.  That person may be moved by their actions and want to know more.  He may soften and begin treating them with returned respect.  Maybe next year, he\'ll even help rake the leaves.\r\n\r\nOr he may not.\r\n\r\nBut my friends were almost certainly changed by their actions.  They answered God’s call to love their neighbors, quite literally.  They didn’t ask, “Who is my neighbor?” but “To whom can I be a neighbor?”  They have conformed to the heart of God, and moved deeper in their love for God and others.  It is that kind of faith which leads us from sin and into grace, by God\'s infinite love.\r\n\r\nWhat can we each do today to act on that love?','Valuing Others Above Ourselves','','inherit','open','open','','2828-revision-2','','','2011-11-30 13:57:22','2011-11-30 21:57:22','',2828,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2828-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2832,43,'2011-11-30 13:57:31','2011-11-30 21:57:31','When we talk about sin, we often speak of it in terms of doing battle with our earthly desires.  We must do our best to keep ourselves pure, holding our will and our wants at bay.    We place great emphasis on personal purity, on keeping ourselves from the traps and temptations of this world.  In fact, some see a tension between social justice and holiness.  But what if we’re looking at it upside down and backwards?\r\n\r\nWe’ve put a lot of stock in trying to will away our feelings when confronted with the choice of acting on sin.  Don’t look, don’t touch, don’t even think.  Stay away from things which remind us of what we shouldn’t do.  Or, conversely, act on those things, but only to a point.  After all, we are only humans, with a need for sensation and experience.  Go ahead and enjoy a milder form, as long as you’re not crossing some invisible line.\r\n\r\nThat’s the kind of thinking that Jesus rejected in the Pharisees.  He said to them, \"You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel\" (Matthew 23:24).  But Jesus didn’t mean <em>go ahead, do what you like, because there’s no way to completely obey the law anyway.</em>  The whole point of the message is that when a literal breach of law has occurred, it must be in the spirit of obeying the highest law: To love God above all, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.\r\n\r\nWhat if the way to deal with sin in our lives isn’t to try to stop ourselves from wanting it, but to concentrate our efforts on living out the Greatest Commandment?\r\n\r\nWhat if the way to battle an unhealthy craving for wealth and possessions would be best dealt with by giving to others, rather than repeating the mantra, “I shall not covet”?  What if we could overcome our sexual lust with genuine love, care, and resepct for the other people in our lives?  What if we could stop anger, resentment, and vengeance by reaching out to our neighbors, even when we’ve been wronged?\r\n\r\nI have some friends who are doing just that.  With permission from our youth pastor, Cory Hunneyman, I\'m sharing a recent interaction between his family and their neighbor.  To get the full effect, please read the original <a href=\"http://toomuchpizza.com/2011/11/28/when-your-relationship-with-your-neighbors-is-less-than-great/\">blog post</a>—Pastor Cory has said it much better than I could (not to mention the fact that he was actually there).  In short, he and his wife received a rather rude note about the state of their unraked lawn.  Rather than responding in kind, they chose to rake the leaves and bake cookies.\r\n\r\nWill their neighbor be changed by their actions?  Possibly.  That person may be moved by their actions and want to know more.  He may soften and begin treating them with returned respect.  Maybe next year, he\'ll even help rake the leaves.\r\n\r\nOr he may not.\r\n\r\nBut my friends were almost certainly changed by their actions.  They answered God’s call to love their neighbors, quite literally.  They didn’t ask, “Who is my neighbor?” but “To whom can I be a neighbor?”  They have conformed to the heart of God, and moved deeper in their love for God and others.  It is that kind of faith which leads us from sin and into grace, by God\'s infinite love.\r\n\r\nWhat can we each do today to act on that love?','Valuing Others Above Ourselves','','inherit','open','open','','2828-revision-3','','','2011-11-30 13:57:31','2011-11-30 21:57:31','',2828,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2828-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2834,43,'2011-11-30 14:02:49','2011-11-30 22:02:49','When we talk about sin, we often speak of it in terms of doing battle with our earthly desires.  We must do our best to keep ourselves pure, holding our will and our wants at bay.  We place great emphasis on personal purity, on keeping ourselves from the traps and temptations of this world.  In fact, some see a tension between social justice and holiness.  But what if we’re looking at it upside down and backwards?\n\nWe’ve put a lot of stock in trying to will away our feelings when confronted with the choice of acting on sin.  Don’t look, don’t touch, don’t even think.  Stay away from things which remind us of what we shouldn’t do.  Or, conversely, act on those things, but only to a point.  After all, we are only humans, with a need for sensation and experience.  Go ahead and enjoy a milder form, as long as you’re not crossing some invisible line.\n\nThat’s the kind of thinking that Jesus rejected in the Pharisees.  He said to them, \"You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel\" (Matthew 23:24).  But Jesus didn’t mean <em>go ahead, do what you like, because there’s no way to completely obey the law anyway.</em>  The whole point of the message is that when a literal breach of law has occurred, it must be in the spirit of obeying the highest law: To love God above all, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.\n\nWhat if the way to deal with sin in our lives isn’t to try to stop ourselves from wanting it, but to concentrate our efforts on living out the Greatest Commandment?\n\nWhat if the way to battle an unhealthy craving for wealth and possessions would be best dealt with by giving to others, rather than repeating the mantra, “I shall not covet”?  What if we could overcome our sexual lust with genuine love, care, and respect for the other people in our lives?  What if we could stop anger, resentment, and vengeance by reaching out to our neighbors, even when we’ve been wronged?\n\nI have some friends who are doing just that.  With permission from our youth pastor, Cory Hunneyman, I\'m sharing a recent interaction between his family and their neighbor.  To get the full effect, please read the original <a href=\"http://toomuchpizza.com/2011/11/28/when-your-relationship-with-your-neighbors-is-less-than-great/\">blog post</a>—Pastor Cory has said it much better than I could (not to mention the fact that he was actually there).  In short, he and his wife received a rather rude note about the state of their unraked lawn.  Rather than responding in kind, they chose to rake the leaves and bake cookies.\n\nWill their neighbor be changed by their actions?  Possibly.  That person may be moved by their actions and want to know more.  He may soften and begin treating them with returned respect.  Next year, he may even help rake the leaves.\n\nOr he may not.  He may not be changed at all.\n\nBut by their actions, my friends almost certainly were.  They answered God’s call to love their neighbors, quite literally.  They didn’t ask, “Who is my neighbor?” but “To whom can I be a neighbor?”  They have conformed to the heart of God, and moved deeper in their love for God and others.  It is that kind of faith which leads us from sin and into grace, by God\'s infinite love.\n\nWhat can we each do today to act on that love?','Valuing Others Above Ourselves','','inherit','open','open','','2828-revision-5','','','2011-11-30 14:02:49','2011-11-30 22:02:49','',2828,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2828-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(3018,46,'2011-12-12 09:00:44','2011-12-12 17:00:44','Last night as I was going through my iTunes library, I realized that most of my favorite Christmas songs have to do with peace on earth . . . specifically the lack of it. For starters, there\'s of course John Lennon\'s \"Happy Xmas (War is Over),\" where Yoko Ono and a children\'s choir sing \"War is over if you want it, war is over now\" throughout the song. Then there\'s Stevie Wonder\'s \"Someday at Christmas,\" where Stevie dreams of a world where \"men won\'t be boys/playing with bombs like kids play with toys.\" Then there\'s Greg Lake\'s \"I Believe in Father Christmas,\" which begins with these words:\r\n<blockquote><em>\"They said there\'ll be snow at Christmas\r\nThey said there\'ll be peace on earth\r\nBut instead it just kept on raining\r\nA veil of tears for the virgin\'s birth\" </em></blockquote>\r\nOf course my personal favorite is David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing \"Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth.\" According to legend, Bowie was supposed to sing \"Little Drummer Boy\" with Crosby, but asked to sing something else instead, so the producers wrote these new lyrics:\r\n<blockquote><em>\"Peace on earth, can it be?\r\nYears from now, perhaps we\'ll see\r\nSee the day of glory\r\nSee the day when men of goodwill\r\nLive in peace, live in peace again\r\nPeace on earth, can it be?</em>\r\n\r\n<em>Every child must be made aware</em>\r\n<em> Every child must be made to care</em>\r\n<em> Care enough for his fellow man</em>\r\n<em> To give all the love that he can.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>I pray my wish will come true</em>\r\n<em> For my child, and your child too.</em>\r\n<em> He\'ll see the day of glory.</em>\r\n<em> He\'ll see the day when men of goodwill</em>\r\n<em> Live in peace, live in peace again</em>\r\n<em> Peace on earth, can it be?\"</em></blockquote>\r\nWhy are so many of my favorite Christmas songs about peace on earth? Maybe it\'s just the anarcho-pacifist in me pushing my radical agenda onto this sacred holiday season of overspending and gross commercialism. Or maybe, just maybe, it\'s a little bit more than that.\r\n\r\nLike I said <a href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/12/03/advent-meditation-returning-to-sister-winter/\">a week or so ago</a>, every week during Advent as we light the wreath, we wait for the day when Jesus comes to bring light into the darkness. And as Isaiah prophesied, when the Light of the World comes, he will \"teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. . . . He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore\" (2:3-4).\r\n\r\nI used to think that passage was only referring to the Second Coming, until I noticed the part in verse two when Isaiah says, “He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” To me, that indicates Isaiah was talking about Jesus\' first advent, when He came to teach us about the Kingdom of God. So if I\'m not mistaken, that means we don’t have to wait around in order to have peace; we can work for peace right now.\r\n\r\nSo will David Bowie\'s wish ever come true? Yes, but I don’t think we’ll have perfect peace until Jesus returns, so in that sense we are still waiting. However, I do believe it’s time the Church took Jesus’ teachings about nonviolence seriously, and start working to make the world a more peaceful place (with the help of God, of course).','Advent Meditation:  Beating Swords Into Plowshares','','publish','open','open','','advent-meditation-beating-swords-into-plowshares','','','2011-12-12 08:18:43','2011-12-12 16:18:43','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=3018',0,'post','',1),(2838,12,'2011-11-30 18:36:14','2011-12-01 02:36:14','','christ001','','inherit','open','open','','christ001','','','2011-11-30 18:36:14','2011-12-01 02:36:14','',2837,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/christ001.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2839,12,'2011-11-30 18:36:41','2011-12-01 02:36:41','','002','','inherit','open','open','','002','','','2011-11-30 18:36:41','2011-12-01 02:36:41','',2837,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/002.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2840,12,'2011-11-30 18:34:37','2011-12-01 02:34:37','When you\'re raised Southern Baptist, there\'s just some things you don\'t mess around with. You don\'t question them. They are ideas that are stuck into your mind and they are never discussed.\n\nFor instance, \"once saved, always saved\". End of discussion. That is, until later when your seminary professor tells you that those words don\'t appear in Scripture and you need to find a Scriptural way to defend your own position.\n\nSeminary was a weird time for me. I had been raised Southern Baptist and was proud of it. I thought I\'d do well at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, surrounded by theological giants like Albert Mohler, Bruce Ware and Thomas Schreiner. But, when I got there, I found my beliefs were shaken to the core. This is a pretty common reaction, actually. Our safe, Sunday School beliefs are challenged by studying the higher critics and those in liberalism and our own minds are challenged. A lot of people don\'t make it to graduation.\n\nOne of the most fascinating topics for me was the humanity of Christ. I honestly didn\'t think I\'d struggle with it. It\'s a great time to discuss it too, since we find ourselves in the Christmas season. Christ became God in the flesh, Immanuel - God with us.\n\nI had the belief that Christ was some sort of amazing Superman. He had these amazing superpowers and was fully human and fully God - which He was - but that He combined them to become something more than human. For some reason, I believed that Christ knew He was Christ from day one of His birth and was on a mission.\n\nThen I had theology class with two really outstanding professors. These men are some of the most conservative men in the Baptist faith. What they said shook me to the core. We were taught about heresy. Heresy is a strange thing. Over the centuries, heresy tends to swing a dangerous balance. For instance, people will emphasize the deity of Christ too much for a long time and forget His humanity to such a degree that heresies will arise to deny His humanity. Then, groups will complain and begin to emphasize His humanity too much, swinging the balance in the other direction, not emphasizing His deity, creating another heresy. The answers, my professors said, typically lay in the middle.\n\nThe first time my mind was blown was when one of my professors was talking about Christ and His early days. He was talking about His humanity and Him growing up, being a carpenter before His baptism by John. He was discussing Christ\'s studying the Scriptures, knowing that something must be special about His life.\n\nI raised my hand. The professor, author of several books that praise the sovereignty of God called on me.\n\nI said, \"Hold on, professor. I was raised thinking that Jesus just always knew He was the Messiah. But you\'re blowing my mind here. You\'re saying He didn\'t?\"\n\nThe professor leaned over the overhead projector. \"There\'s no biblical evidence. Here\'s the issue. Christ came to us as fully human, didn\'t He? He had to struggle, live and suffer as one of us if His atonement were to mean anything, right?\"\n\nI thought about that for a moment. \"I suppose. So when did Jesus know He was the Messiah?\"\n\nThe professor looked down and closed his eyes. \"I don\'t know. But I like to imagine that one day, He was reading the suffering servant passages in Isaiah and He thought, \'This is me.\'\"\n\nAgain, mind blown. I had never considered that Jesus was so . . . so . . . human. That He actually was like me when He was here. I thought about that for a long time. At first, it made me struggle. I wanted Him to be a superhero who could zap away His enemies with a word. But the more I dwelled on it, I was given peace knowing that Christ lived His life, as the bible says, as fully human. As I do. Fully tempted. Hungry, sweaty, thirsty, and dirty.\n\nHe was Immanuel. My theology had previously gone too far into the divine category. He is divine. He is fully God. But I had forgotten His humanity. His compassion. His capacity to love and be human.','The Humanity Of Christ Is Not To Be Feared, Part 1','','inherit','open','open','','2837-revision','','','2011-11-30 18:34:37','2011-12-01 02:34:37','',2837,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2837-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2841,12,'2011-12-05 10:50:32','2011-12-05 18:50:32','When you\'re raised Southern Baptist, there\'s just some things you don\'t mess around with. You don\'t question them. They are ideas that are stuck into your mind and they are never discussed.\r\n\r\nFor instance, \"once saved, always saved\". End of discussion. That is, until later when your seminary professor tells you that those words don\'t appear in Scripture and you need to find a Scriptural way to defend your own position.\r\n\r\nSeminary was a weird time for me. I had been raised Southern Baptist and was proud of it. I thought I\'d do well at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, surrounded by theological giants like Albert Mohler, Bruce Ware and Thomas Schreiner. But, when I got there, I found my beliefs were shaken to the core. This is a pretty common reaction, actually. Our safe, Sunday School beliefs are challenged by studying the higher critics and those in liberalism and our own minds are challenged. A lot of people don\'t make it to graduation.\r\n\r\nOne of the most fascinating topics for me was the humanity of Christ. I honestly didn\'t think I\'d struggle with it. It\'s a great time to discuss it too, since we find ourselves in the Christmas season. Christ became God in the flesh, Immanuel - God with us.\r\n\r\nI had the belief that Christ was some sort of amazing Superman. He had these amazing superpowers and was fully human and fully God - which He was - but that He combined them to become something more than human. For some reason, I believed that Christ knew He was Christ from day one of His birth and was on a mission.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2839\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/002-300x263.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"263\" /></a>Then I had theology class with two really outstanding professors. These men are some of the most conservative men in the Baptist faith. What they said shook me to the core. We were taught about heresy. Heresy is a strange thing. Over the centuries, heresy tends to swing a dangerous balance. For instance, people will emphasize the deity of Christ too much for a long time and forget His humanity to such a degree that heresies will arise to deny His humanity. Then, groups will complain and begin to emphasize His humanity too much, swinging the balance in the other direction, not emphasizing His deity, creating another heresy. The answers, my professors said, typically lay in the middle.\r\n\r\nThe first time my mind was blown was when one of my professors was talking about Christ and His early days. He was talking about His humanity and Him growing up, being a carpenter before His baptism by John. He was discussing Christ\'s studying the Scriptures, knowing that something must be special about His life.\r\n\r\nI raised my hand. The professor, author of several books that praise the sovereignty of God called on me.\r\n\r\nI said, \"Hold on, professor. I was raised thinking that Jesus just always knew He was the Messiah. But you\'re blowing my mind here. You\'re saying He didn\'t?\"\r\n\r\nThe professor leaned over the overhead projector. \"There\'s no biblical evidence. Here\'s the issue. Christ came to us as fully human, didn\'t He? He had to struggle, live and suffer as one of us if His atonement were to mean anything, right?\"\r\n\r\nI thought about that for a moment. \"I suppose. So when did Jesus know He was the Messiah?\"\r\n\r\nThe professor looked down and closed his eyes. \"I don\'t know. But I like to imagine that one day, He was reading the suffering servant passages in Isaiah and He thought, \'This is me.\'\"\r\n\r\nAgain, mind blown. I had never considered that Jesus was so . . . so . . . human. That He actually was like me when He was here. I thought about that for a long time. At first, it made me struggle. I wanted Him to be a superhero who could zap away His enemies with a word. But the more I dwelled on it, I was given peace knowing that Christ lived His life, as the bible says, as fully human. As I do. Fully tempted. Hungry, sweaty, thirsty, and dirty.\r\n\r\nHe was Immanuel. My theology had previously gone too far into the divine category. He is divine. He is fully God. But I had forgotten His humanity. His compassion. His capacity to love and be human.','The Humanity Of Christ Is Not To Be Feared - Part 1','','inherit','open','open','','2837-autosave','','','2011-12-05 10:50:32','2011-12-05 18:50:32','',2837,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2837-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2842,1,'2011-12-01 10:07:12','2011-12-01 18:07:12','Around this time every year, I feel strangely melancholy. Like Charlie Brown before me, I know I should be happy: Christmas is coming! And while I am glad I can finally listen to “A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1” over and over again, I still have this feeling of gloom.\n\nMaybe it’s the weather. After all, it is that time again to put away the flip-flops and t-shirts, and break out the heavy coats and sweaters. Plus, the days are getting shorter, so when I get off work it looks like the middle of night outside.\n\nBut I think it’s something much deeper than that.\n\nCall me a party pooper, but I can’t help but think about all the people out there that won’t have themselves a merry little Christmas. I think of the homeless man trying to keep warm, the little girl wondering why her poverty-stricken parents say they’re not going to have a Christmas this year, and the lonely man who is thinking about ending his own life. I also think about my own life and all of the mistakes I’ve made during the past year, and all of the unresolved issues that are waiting for me in the new year. Maybe I’m the Charlie Browniest of all the Charlie Browns in the world after all.\n\nOr maybe it’s all just part of the Advent season.\n\nThis past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, the time where we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we light the wreath and sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” we think about how this world, this life, isn’t how God originally intended it to be. We think about the Second Advent, when all will be made new again, by meditating on the First.\n\nSo maybe all of this melancholy is just my spirit groaning with creation to see the world restored.\n\nI can’t help but think about <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</span>, how it was “always winter and never Christmas” in Narnia before Aslan came. Even though it sounds like a lyric to a bad emo song, “always winter and never Christmas” is a good way to describe the state of this present world. But one day the snow will melt.\n<blockquote>“Oh my friends I\'ve\nBegun to worry right\nWhere I should be grateful\nI should be satisfied\n\nOh my heart I\nWould clap and dance in place\nWith my friends I have so\nMuch pleasure to embrace\n\nBut my heart is\nReturned to sister winter\nBut my heart is\nAs cold as ice”--\"Sister Winter\" by Sufjan Stevens</blockquote>','Advent Meditation:  Returning to Sister Winter','','inherit','open','open','','2728-autosave','','','2011-12-01 10:07:12','2011-12-01 18:07:12','',2728,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/01/2728-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2843,1,'2011-12-01 10:10:08','2011-12-01 18:10:08','','Advent_candles','','inherit','open','open','','advent_candles','','','2011-12-01 10:10:08','2011-12-01 18:10:08','',2728,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Advent_candles.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2844,1,'2011-11-28 18:40:27','2011-11-29 02:40:27','<blockquote><span style=\"font-style:italic\">“Oh my friends I\'ve\r\nBegun to worry right\r\nWhere I should be grateful\r\nI should be satisfied\r\n\r\nOh my heart I\r\nWould clap and dance in place\r\nWith my friends I have so\r\nMuch pleasure to embrace\r\n\r\nBut my heart is\r\nReturned to sister winter\r\nBut my heart is\r\nAs cold as ice”--\"Sister Winter\" by Sufjan Stevens</span></blockquote>\r\n\r\nAround this time every year, I feel strangely melancholy.  Like Charlie Brown before me, I know I should be happy:  Christmas is coming!  And while I am glad I can finally listen to “A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1” over and over again, I still have this feeling of gloom.\r\n\r\nMaybe it’s the weather.  After all, it is that time again  to put away the flip-flops and t-shirts, and break out the heavy coats and sweaters.  Plus, the days are getting shorter, so when I get off work it looks like the middle of night outside.  \r\n\r\nBut I think it’s something much deeper than that.\r\n\r\nCall me a party pooper, but I can’t help but think about all the people out there that won’t have themselves a merry little Christmas.  I think of the homeless man trying to keep warm, the little girl wondering why her poverty-stricken parents say they’re not going to have a Christmas this year, and the lonely man who is thinking about ending his own life.  I also think about my own life and all of the mistakes I’ve made during the past year, and all of the unresolved issues that are waiting for me in the new year.  Maybe I’m the Charlie Browniest of all the Charlie Browns in the world after all.\r\n\r\nOr maybe it’s all just part of the Advent season.\r\n\r\nThis past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, the time where we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  As we light the wreath and sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” we think about how this world, this life, isn’t how God originally intended it to be.  We think about the Second Advent, when all will be made new again, by meditating on the First.\r\n\r\nSo maybe all of this melancholy is just my spirit groaning with creation to see the world restored.  \r\n\r\nI can’t help but think about <span style=\"font-style:italic\">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</span>, how it was “always winter and never Christmas” in Narnia before Aslan came.  Even though it sounds like a lyric to a bad emo song, “always winter and never Christmas” is a good way to describe the state of this present world.  But one day the snow will melt.','Advent Meditation:  Returning to Sister Winter','','inherit','open','open','','2728-revision-2','','','2011-11-28 18:40:27','2011-11-29 02:40:27','',2728,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/28/2728-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2864,12,'2011-12-01 15:22:48','2011-12-01 23:22:48','','christ001','','inherit','open','open','','christ001-2','','','2011-12-01 15:22:48','2011-12-01 23:22:48','',2863,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/christ001.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2865,12,'2011-12-01 15:23:22','2011-12-01 23:23:22','','noman','','inherit','open','open','','noman','','','2011-12-01 15:23:22','2011-12-01 23:23:22','',2863,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/noman.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2866,12,'2011-12-01 15:21:55','2011-12-01 23:21:55','Last time, I examined how the humanness of Christ was something I had never really thought about. During my years growing up in a Southern Baptist Church, the deity of Christ was strongly impressed upon me. Even to the point that His humanity was a sidenote.\n\nYou may know what I\'m talking about.\n\nIf you\'ve ever sat in a class where Christology (the study of Christ) is discussed, the topic of His full humanity will arise. It did in my seminary education as well as in my Southern Baptist undergraduate studies. When it was brought up, it was pretty quick and droll. It went something like, \"We know Jesus was fully human. He got tired, he got hungry, he wept, etc.\" Then, we moved on to His deity.\n\nI think we miss something when we skip over the humanity of Christ. I\'m going to sum up the importance of Christ\'s humanity and deity in the last post, but I want to share with you one of the biggest shockers I ever heard at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.\n\nI struggled there. I was having doubts about my faith after reading the critics and liberals. It was, overall, a great experience. It forced me to tear down everything that wasn\'t essential to my faith and rebuild it from the ground up. For a while, I really wasn\'t sure where the ground was. I finally found it. It was in the person of Jesus Christ. Historical figure. A man who lived, breathed and ministered. A man who was witnessed to have risen from the dead.\n\nI still wasn\'t sure how the whole humanity/deity thing worked out. Sure, some said it was a paradox. Christ was 100% God and 100% man and it was impossible for us to reconcile it. But my mind had to make sense of it.\n\nBefore that time came, I had an excellent hermeneutics teacher. He was very conservative and taught me how to appreciate the different genres of literature within the bible. He had even written several books, one of them dealt with challenging passages in the New Testament.\n\nOne day, we came to Matthew 24:36. Jesus, speaking of His return said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.\"\n\nThat\'s been a troublesome verse for a lot of people. Our professor discussed the different ideas people have thrown out. He mainly discussed the one that most conservatives use - \"Jesus, in his humanity, pushed aside this knowledge while He was on earth.\" That\'s been a standard response. It gives the Christian the ability to move strongly to the deity of Christ while still acknowledging His humanity in some form.\n\nOur professor, one of my favorites, began walking back to the podium then spun around with his finger in the air. \"How about this? What if He just didn\'t know?\"\n\nFriends, you could have heard an audible gasp in the room. Immediately, some of the more bellicose pastors in training objected. \"Well, He had to know, He was fully divine! He had all knowledge.\"\n\nThe professor smiled, looked down at the floor and then back up. He said, \"I always enjoy it when we say we take the bible for face value, then attempt to twist it around. What does the passage say? <em>It says He doesn\'t know.</em>\"\n\nMore silence. We were waiting on him to bail us out. To give us some surprise trap door out that verified our orthodoxy. But he didn\'t. Because he wasn\'t denying orthodoxy.\n\nHe said, \"Christ was fully human for us. And the Son just didn\'t know. There shouldn\'t really be a problem with that. It doesn\'t make Him at that moment less divine. It makes us appreciate His humanity that much more.\"\n\nThe wheels were turning again for me, but would not find resolve until my Theology II class . . .','The Humanity Of Christ Is Not To Be Feared, Part 2','','inherit','open','open','','2863-revision','','','2011-12-01 15:21:55','2011-12-01 23:21:55','',2863,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/01/2863-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(3507,1,'2011-12-31 14:38:19','2011-12-31 22:38:19','I had a book reviewer Tweet me and say something along the lines of, \"I\'m reading your book - it\'s both helpful and depressing.\"\r\n\r\nHe\'s right. <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Pastor-Finding-Restoration-Broken/dp/0615567096/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1325370631&amp;sr=8-1\">\"Fallen Pastor: Finding Restoration in a Broken World,\"</a> is not for the lighthearted. But it is for those who desire to see the church culture change so that the future can be brighter.\r\n\r\nWe live in a broken world. One where 1,500 pastors a month are leaving the church due to moral failure, conflict, or burnout. Something is broken, and it\'s more than just these pastors. It is a culture that is immersed in a pattern of failure.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/fp4.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3503\" style=\"margin-left: 6px;margin-right: 6px\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/fp4-194x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"300\" /></a>In the book, I interviewed one fallen pastor who I call \"Gary.\" He relayed the following story:\r\n\r\n<em>\"I heard about a pastor who committed adultery in August then killed himself in December. I wondered, \"Did anyone reach out to him? Did anyone love him? Did anyone seek to restore him?\' It brought back so many memories of when I wanted to die.\"</em>\r\n\r\nSadly, when a pastor falls into sin and is removed from the church, he finds himself alone and rejected. And why not? It\'s his own fault, right? He has placed himself into this situation. He has dug a hole and now must reside there.\r\n\r\nChrist challenged this attitude all throughout Scripture. He came alongside the weak and condemned. In fact, He became condemned for our satisfaction.\r\n\r\nScripture challenges us in <a href=\"http://www.esvbible.org/search/gal+6/\">Galatians 6:1</a> to restore those who are caught in a transgression. Too often, though, our response to those in leadership is harsh and unloving. <em>\"How could he?\"</em>\r\n\r\nThe path of the pastor to fallenness is a long one. Unrealistic expectations, isolation, a worsening relationship with his spouse all lead him to weakness. He may ultimately find himself in a position where he makes the final, sinful decision.\r\n\r\nFallen Pastor seeks out those who have fallen. But it seeks out those who want to prevent it from happening. It encourages people who desire to do one of the most difficult jobs - to walk alongside the fallen pastor. But it calls all of us to react in a compassionate manner toward those who sin and seek their restoration to the body of Christ.\r\n\r\nIt will keep anyone from having to ask the question, <em>\"Did anyone love him?\"</em> A question that should never be asked of someone within the community of Christ, regardless of their sin or how far they fall. Let us rise together to walk with those who need restoration, because one day it may be one of us who needs the grace of the community.\r\n\r\n__________________________\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Pastor-Finding-Restoration-Broken/dp/0615567096/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1325370631&amp;sr=8-1\">Fallen Pastor: Finding Restoration in a Broken World</a> by Ray Carroll (Civitas Press) is now available. You can also view his blog at <a href=\"http://www.fallenpastor.com\">www.fallenpastor.com</a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','\"Did Anyone Love Him?\"','','inherit','open','open','','3501-revision-2','','','2011-12-31 14:38:19','2011-12-31 22:38:19','',3501,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/31/3501-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(3506,38,'2011-12-31 13:35:42','2011-12-31 21:35:42','When you think of the universe, what comes to mind? For me “the universe” is a great mystery. It’s space, planets, stars, and nature. It’s matter, the elements, physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, and balance.\r\n\r\nOver the last couple of years it’s become easier for me to believe in the universe than a god because it is easier to believe that the universe is benevolent. It’s easier to believe that it has a natural order and it makes sure to keep things in balance.\r\n\r\nI keep find myself saying “The universe is being nice to me again,” instead of “The Lord is good! They were having a sale on clothing that I needed!” I think that the universe is the one pushing me towards the people I need to meet and the places that I need to be in. It gives me a gentle push when I’m confused. Sometimes if I’m really not listening, it will yell. Okay, Universe! I got it!\r\n\r\nI mostly tend to believe in karma too; that your actions will eventually come back to find you and that justice will eventually be carried out. I like this idea that there is a natural order and balance, and that there are rules to keep everything in check. It’s a huge, benevolent grand element that slowly, silent keeps everything flowing.\r\n\r\nI think the reason this is so appealing to me is because when the universe “punishes” me, I don’t take it personally. It’s not out to get me. It’s not the school teacher, the parent, or the pastor who resents me and is watching my every move. It’s just the universe doing its thing. It’s keep everything in harmony and I did something to mess that up, so it sends the appropriate karma my way.\r\n\r\nSomeone had abandoned a 2-liter of root beer in the freezer aisle at the grocery store a couple of months ago. I casually knocked it over just because I could. Two minutes later I tripped and fell onto the tile floor, breaking the carton of eggs and glass jar of jam I was holding. It was like there was something that said with a slight smirk, “Do you think I’m not paying attention?” Correction received. We can both move on.\r\n\r\nMy image of God or Jesus has been weighed down to the point where I barely know how to interact with him.  “People don’t like to talk about the Lion,” Pete said. He was talking about how there are two classic pictures of God: the lion and the lamb. He said that we can’t cleave too much to one or the other or we miss a crucial piece in the character of God and start to form him/her to our own image.\r\n\r\n“People don’t want to believe that God is wrathful,” my husband said to me last night. We were lying in bed at 1:30 AM, supposed to be sleeping, but instead were wide awake talking about theology. “Um, <em>I </em>don’t want to believe that God is wrathful,” I said.\r\n\r\nI have no problem talking about the lion. I have issues talking about the lamb. The image of God in my life has been so weighed down by guilt, fear, and shame that I really am unable to recognize Jesus as a benevolent being. I’ve revered him to be someone who is always watching my every move just waiting for me to trip up. This is probably my own fault; I was given the inch and I took the yard.\r\n\r\nI\'ve feared him my whole life and now it comes time for me to work on self-acceptance and give Jesus acknowledgement for the things that happen in my life. The thing that I referred to earlier as “the universe” <em>is</em> God. He is so much bigger than just the little person in a white robe somewhere up in the clouds keeping score. Maybe for a while I just need to call this force “the universe”. Maybe I need to respect this distance for a while to deconstruct the conditioning in my gut/heart and then transfer those feelings back to the right name: “God”.','Universe, Are You There? It\'s Me, Deanna.','','inherit','open','open','','3471-revision-8','','','2011-12-31 13:35:42','2011-12-31 21:35:42','',3471,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/31/3471-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(3077,24,'2011-12-09 10:30:49','2011-12-09 18:30:49','My recent exploration of the idea of  \"me\" has led \"me\" to a remarkable fact. Self exploration can be the best exploration of all. I have not done much of this in the past?  I have been scared to look within. Afraid that something is wrong with me. (That has actually turned out to be true!) I thought only weak people talk about their weaknesses, then they don\'t have to do anything. They have no mission or vision for their lives so they are perishing.  That was a lame thought. If I every said that to you consider this a formal apology.\n\nWhat if when God formed man and blew the breath of life into us we became and eternal unsearchable being like him. What if there is no end to our souls. What if the more we search the more we discover about God and His amazing love for us.\n\nWhere could I go and find God absent? It seems everything I perceive \'out there\' is leading me towards and inner gaze.\nDavid seemed to recognize this phenomena when in Psalm 139.\n\n<em>I look behind me and you\'re there,</em>\n<em> then up ahead and you\'re there, too—</em>\n<em> your reassuring presence, coming and going.</em>\n<em> This is too much, too wonderful—</em>\n<em> I can\'t take it all in!</em>\n\n<em>Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?</em>\n<em> to be out of your sight?</em>\n<em> If I climb to the sky, you\'re there!</em>\n<em> If I go underground, you\'re there!</em>\n<em> If I flew on morning\'s wings</em>\n<em> to the far western horizon,</em>\n<em> You\'d find me in a minute—</em>\n<em> you\'re already there waiting!</em>\n<em> Then I said to myself, \"Oh, he even sees me in the dark!</em>\n<em> At night I\'m immersed in the light!\"</em>\n<em> It\'s a fact: darkness isn\'t dark to you;</em>\n<em> night and day, darkness and light, they\'re all the same to you.</em>\nPsalms 139 (message)\n\nI am not afraid of the darkness in me anymore. I found that being OK to look at, deal with, run at it and feel the pain of what is hidden in my darkness opens doors to real freedom. The fact that I used the word \"shit\" as a the title is what I mean. I never cussed before, God forbid someone hear me and think I was not holy, or pure, or the great guy I have worked so hard to be. Forget that! God this mess is your mess. I have no clue how to get out of it. I am drowning in darkness. I surrender all!\n\nSo good ol Peter steps out to walk on the water and before he can get far he is sinking. Lets fast forward a couple thousand years and here we have Jon Crouch trying to walk, but its not water, its shit. My shit, you know the stuff that stinks, the stuff most people don\'t want to see. I am OK looking at it, but if someone else see\'s it they freak. (I know a bit graphic but true.) I tried so hard to be someone, to use people, systems whatever to get love or attention some sort of pat on my back. All the time I am starting to sink, because without real love I turn to any sort of self soothing method. These methods are eating away at my soul. It\'s harder to hide, harder to be nice, I find myself pushing away from those closest to me. I feel like a big piece of shit or like I am sinking into it.\n\nIn the past I had people come to me who were is the blissful situation, amazingly I had nothing to say. I was shocked at their mess, I would offer the great advice of, pray more, read your bible, or the classical just get over it. Now its me who\'s made a mess, who\'s finally sinking. I realize I am not going to make it without some serious help. I know its good in some deep spiritual cosmic way, but I am terrified. \"Jesus I am sinking in this shit!\"\n\nSuddenly I realize, He is walking on it. He does not have a nose plug, He\'s not freaking out lecturing me on why I\'m sinking. He is smiling at me with arms out wide. He picks me up give me a big long hug. I am shocked, broken, a mess and He is with me.\n\nHe tells me, \"It\'s over son, no more trying, no more effort, just let go and trust what I see in you.\"\n\nSo now this shit I was sinking in has become the energy and fuel for the life Jesus promised.\n\n\"You\'ll take delight in God, the Mighty One,\nand look to him joyfully, boldly.\nYou\'ll pray to him and he\'ll listen;\nhe\'ll help you do what you\'ve promised.\nYou\'ll decide what you want and it will happen;\nyour life will be bathed in light.\nTo those who feel low you\'ll say, \'Chin up! Be brave!\'\nand God will save them.\nYes, even the guilty will escape,\nescape through God\'s grace in your life.\"\n\nJob 22 (message)\n\nMy pain becomes my platform, my messes my messages, my brokenness an invitation to a living God\'s embrace. Chin up! Be Brave! This messy boy believes in you!\n\n<strong>\"I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well.\" - David Thoreau</strong>','This Shit Makes Energy!','','inherit','open','open','','3045-revision-7','','','2011-12-09 10:30:49','2011-12-09 18:30:49','',3045,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/09/3045-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2869,0,'2011-12-01 19:15:56','2011-12-02 03:15:56','I would like to write on Faith in the subcategory of Spiritual Practices and Life in the subcategory of Health (specifically emotional help).\n<!--more-->\nAUTHOR: Patrick Green\nAUTHOR EMAIL: patlgreen@gmail.com\nAUTHOR URL: http://piratetopastor.com\nSUBJECT: Provoketive Magazine Writing For Provoketive\nIP: 24.15.137.136\nArray\n(\n    [Name] =&gt; Patrick Green\n    [Email] =&gt; patlgreen@gmail.com\n    [Existing Blog or Website] =&gt; http://piratetopastor.com\n    [List the topic you are interested writing about] =&gt; I would like to write on Faith in the subcategory of Spiritual Practices and Life in the subcategory of Health (specifically emotional help).\n    [Current or New WordPress Login Name (We\'ll send you a password.)] =&gt; captaintux\n)\n','Patrick Green - 2011-12-01 19:15:56','','publish','open','open','','c9b547a4d7411fe85226b2cacc985335','','','2011-12-01 19:15:56','2011-12-02 03:15:56','',358,'http://provoketive.com/?post_type=feedback&p=2869',0,'feedback','',0),(2872,110,'2011-12-02 09:31:44','2011-12-02 17:31:44','In the <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">first post</a> of this Advent series, I introduced the idea that we have \'harmonized\' Christmas, combining the different voices and stories of the Gospel writers. I think this homogenized story loses some of its rawness and punch. By \'de-harmonizing\' we start to hear the voices more distinctly and recognize the melodies that each one is singing as special in their own right.\n\nWhile <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">Mark</a> might be the least likely gospel to be chosen to read during Advent (though I\'ve discovered that it may be in your lectionary for the second Sunday in Advent, it\'s still a tough one to choose!), John is often read in the traditional \'Nine Lessons\' services of Christmas. Like Mark, John does not narrate the details of Jesus\' birth in the way we are accustomed to - donkey, stable, angels and so on. He chooses a much more philosophical approach, exploring who Jesus is at the beginning, the first 18 verses, then showing his working through the rest of the book.\n\nI love the phrase that John uses - \'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us\'. John is referring to both Jewish tradition and Greek philosophy - in a church context that increasingly has both people raised as Jews and others with a more Roman or Greek background. You can\'t help but notice the parallels with the beginning of Genesis 1 in the first few verses of John. The Word is the creative power of God, as He speaks, things are, or things become. Yet the Word is also an image of prophecy in the Old Testament: throughout the books of Samuel and Kings, on to Isaiah and especially Jeremiah, the phrase \'the word of the Lord\' means that God spoke through a prophet to communicate with His people; ignoring the prophet and the prophecy meant ignoring God .\n\nTo someone familiar with Greek philosophy, <em>logos</em> took a different meaning. It was the reason behind what happened - the suggestion that the cosmos was not accidental and random but structured and understandable. To some, it took on an almost spiritual meaning, the perfection of order in the universe.\n\nJohn at once combines the two ideas and confounds them - the Word became flesh, <em>sarx</em>. Quite literally a four-letter word, especially in the turbulent times of the turn of the second century. Many suggested that the spiritual could have nothing to do with the fleshly, that we humans, \'embodied souls\', sought to cast off the flesh to become a pure, spiritual being. John says that the perfect, immutable, only God, the animating force behind the universe became flesh to live with us.\n\nBut there\'s more: \'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.\' (<a title=\"John 1, English Standard Version on Biblegateway.com\" href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201&amp;version=ESV\">John 1:14, ESV</a>) The words \'only Son\' (or \'only','De-harmonizing Christmas - Part 2: John','','inherit','open','open','','2790-revision-2','','','2011-12-02 09:31:44','2011-12-02 17:31:44','',2790,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/02/2790-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2873,110,'2011-12-02 09:31:52','2011-12-02 17:31:52','In the <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">first post</a> of this Advent series, I introduced the idea that we have \'harmonized\' Christmas, combining the different voices and stories of the Gospel writers. I think this homogenized story loses some of its rawness and punch. By \'de-harmonizing\' we start to hear the voices more distinctly and recognize the melodies that each one is singing as special in their own right.\r\n\r\nWhile <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">Mark</a> might be the least likely gospel to be chosen to read during Advent (though I\'ve discovered that it may be in your lectionary for the second Sunday in Advent, it\'s still a tough one to choose!), John is often read in the traditional \'Nine Lessons\' services of Christmas. Like Mark, John does not narrate the details of Jesus\' birth in the way we are accustomed to - donkey, stable, angels and so on. He chooses a much more philosophical approach, exploring who Jesus is at the beginning, the first 18 verses, then showing his working through the rest of the book.\r\n\r\nI love the phrase that John uses - \'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us\'. John is referring to both Jewish tradition and Greek philosophy - in a church context that increasingly has both people raised as Jews and others with a more Roman or Greek background. You can\'t help but notice the parallels with the beginning of Genesis 1 in the first few verses of John. The Word is the creative power of God, as He speaks, things are, or things become. Yet the Word is also an image of prophecy in the Old Testament: throughout the books of Samuel and Kings, on to Isaiah and especially Jeremiah, the phrase \'the word of the Lord\' means that God spoke through a prophet to communicate with His people; ignoring the prophet and the prophecy meant ignoring God .\r\n\r\nTo someone familiar with Greek philosophy, <em>logos</em> took a different meaning. It was the reason behind what happened - the suggestion that the cosmos was not accidental and random but structured and understandable. To some, it took on an almost spiritual meaning, the perfection of order in the universe.\r\n\r\nJohn at once combines the two ideas and confounds them - the Word became flesh, <em>sarx</em>. Quite literally a four-letter word, especially in the turbulent times of the turn of the second century. Many suggested that the spiritual could have nothing to do with the fleshly, that we humans, \'embodied souls\', sought to cast off the flesh to become a pure, spiritual being. John says that the perfect, immutable, only God, the animating force behind the universe became flesh to live with us.\r\n\r\nBut there\'s more: \'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.\' (<a title=\"John 1, English Standard Version on Biblegateway.com\" href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201&amp;version=ESV\">John 1:14, ESV</a>) The words \'only Son\' (or \'only','De-harmonizing Christmas - Part 2: John','','inherit','open','open','','2790-revision-3','','','2011-12-02 09:31:52','2011-12-02 17:31:52','',2790,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/02/2790-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2874,110,'2011-12-02 10:26:44','2011-12-02 18:26:44','In the <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">first post</a> of this Advent series, I introduced the idea that we have \'harmonized\' Christmas, combining the different voices and stories of the Gospel writers. I think this homogenized story loses some of its rawness and punch. By \'de-harmonizing\' we start to hear the voices more distinctly and recognize the melodies that each one is singing as special in their own right.\n\nWhile <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">Mark</a> might be the least likely gospel to be chosen to read during Advent (though I\'ve discovered that it may be in your lectionary for the second Sunday in Advent, it\'s still a tough one to choose!), John is often read in the traditional \'Nine Lessons\' services of Christmas. Like Mark, John does not narrate the details of Jesus\' birth in the way we are accustomed to - donkey, stable, angels and so on. He chooses a much more philosophical approach, exploring who Jesus is at the beginning, the first 18 verses, then showing his working through the rest of the book.\n\nI love the phrase that John uses - \'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us\'. John is referring to both Jewish tradition and Greek philosophy - in a church context that increasingly has both people raised as Jews and others with a more Roman or Greek background. You can\'t help but notice the parallels with the beginning of Genesis 1 in the first few verses of John. The Word is the creative power of God, as He speaks, things are, or things become. Yet the Word is also an image of prophecy in the Old Testament: throughout the books of Samuel and Kings, on to Isaiah and especially Jeremiah, the phrase \'the word of the Lord\' means that God spoke through a prophet to communicate with His people; ignoring the prophet and the prophecy meant ignoring God .\n\nTo someone familiar with Greek philosophy, <em>logos</em> took a different meaning. It was the reason behind what happened - the suggestion that the cosmos was not accidental and random but structured and understandable. To some, it took on an almost spiritual meaning, the perfection of order in the universe.\n\nJohn at once combines the two ideas and confounds them - the Word became flesh, <em>sarx</em>. Quite literally a four-letter word, especially in the turbulent times of the turn of the second century. Many suggested that the spiritual could have nothing to do with the fleshly, that we humans, \'embodied souls\', sought to cast off the flesh to become a pure, spiritual being. John says that the perfect, immutable, only God, the animating force behind the universe became flesh to live with us.\n\nBut there\'s more: \'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.\' (<a title=\"John 1, English Standard Version on Biblegateway.com\" href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201&amp;version=ESV\">John 1:14, ESV</a>) The words \'only Son\' (or \'only begotten\' as I learned it at Sunday School!) are distinctive to John - it\'s only applied to Jesus in John\'s gospel and in the letter of 1 John. In Greek it\'s one word - <em>monogenes</em>, one which obviously doesn\'t have a direct English translation. Looking at the word, <em>mono</em> means one or only, while <em>genes</em> comes from the same root word that gave us the word \'gene\' in English. I suppose you might say that Jesus is the only on with the exact same DNA as the Father - while being in the flesh! Not only that, but John says that they saw his glory while he was \'in the flesh\', not needing to be without flesh.\n\nWe saw Mark set up a big mystery about who Jesus is, but John takes the exact opposite tack. He goes into the philosophy, the detail of what it means for Jesus to be fully human as well as divine, while still ignoring the material details of how, where and when (don\'t worry, with two more weeks of Advent we\'ve still got Matthew a. John reminds us that Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, it\'s bigger, with cosmic significance, it can\'t be glossed over with fairy lights.','De-harmonizing Christmas - Part 2: John','','inherit','open','open','','2790-revision-4','','','2011-12-02 10:26:44','2011-12-02 18:26:44','',2790,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/02/2790-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2875,110,'2011-12-02 10:58:23','2011-12-02 18:58:23','In the <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">first post</a> of this Advent series, I introduced the idea that we have \'harmonized\' Christmas, combining the different voices and stories of the Gospel writers. I think this homogenized story loses some of its rawness and punch. By \'de-harmonizing\' we start to hear the voices more distinctly and recognize the melodies that each one is singing as special in their own right.\n\nWhile <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">Mark</a> might be the least likely gospel to be chosen to read during Advent (though I\'ve discovered that it may be in your lectionary for the second Sunday in Advent, it\'s still a tough one to choose!), John is often read in the traditional \'Nine Lessons\' services of Christmas. Like Mark, John does not narrate the details of Jesus\' birth in the way we are accustomed to - donkey, stable, angels and so on. He chooses a much more philosophical approach, exploring who Jesus is at the beginning, the first 18 verses, then showing his working through the rest of the book.\n\nI love the phrase that John uses - \'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us\'. John is referring to both Jewish tradition and Greek philosophy - in a church context that increasingly has both people raised as Jews and others with a more Roman or Greek background. You can\'t help but notice the parallels with the beginning of Genesis 1 in the first few verses of John. The Word is the creative power of God, as He speaks, things are, or things become. Yet the Word is also an image of prophecy in the Old Testament: throughout the books of Samuel and Kings, on to Isaiah and especially Jeremiah, the phrase \'the word of the Lord\' means that God spoke through a prophet to communicate with His people; ignoring the prophet and the prophecy meant ignoring God .\n\nTo someone familiar with Greek philosophy, <em>logos</em> took a different meaning. It was the reason behind what happened - the suggestion that the cosmos was not accidental and random but structured and understandable. To some, it took on an almost spiritual meaning, the perfection of order in the universe.\n\nJohn at once combines the two ideas and confounds them - the Word became flesh, <em>sarx</em>. Quite literally a four-letter word, especially in the turbulent times of the turn of the second century. Many suggested that the spiritual could have nothing to do with the fleshly, that we humans, \'embodied souls\', sought to cast off the flesh to become a pure, spiritual being. John says that the perfect, immutable, only God, the animating force behind the universe became flesh to live with us.\n\nBut there\'s more: \'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.\' (<a title=\"John 1, English Standard Version on Biblegateway.com\" href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201&amp;version=ESV\">John 1:14, ESV</a>) The words \'only Son\' (or \'only begotten\' as I learned it at Sunday School!) are distinctive to John - it\'s only applied to Jesus in John\'s gospel and in the letter of 1 John. In Greek it\'s one word - <em>monogenes</em>, one which obviously doesn\'t have a direct English translation. Looking at the word, <em>mono</em> means one or only, while <em>genes</em> comes from the same root word that gave us the word \'gene\' in English. I suppose you might say that Jesus is the only on with the exact same DNA as the Father - while being in the flesh! Not only that, but John says that they saw his glory while he was \'in the flesh\', not needing to be without flesh.\n\nFor John, the material matters - because of Jesus being a fleshy human like us. We can\'t just focus on the \'spiritual matters\' and ignore physical ones, the divide won\'t work. Humans, like Jesus are integral beings, both spirit and body in harmony. Neither can exist without the other and it is in the physical that glory is displayed. We can see the family likeness of the Father in Jesus because of his grace and truth. In a time when some are obsessed with truth, John says it\'s the two together that show the DNA of God in Jesus.\n\nWe saw Mark set up a big mystery about who Jesus is, but John takes the exact opposite tack. He goes into the philosophy, the detail of what it means for Jesus to be fully human as well as divine, while still ignoring the material details of how, where and when (don\'t worry, with two more weeks of Advent we\'ve still got Matthew and Luke to give us those!) John reminds us that Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, it\'s bigger, with cosmic significance, it can\'t be glossed over with fairy lights. The glory of God, the Father, is seen in the glory of Jesus, the Word become flesh, living with us','De-harmonizing Christmas - Part 2: John','','inherit','open','open','','2790-revision-5','','','2011-12-02 10:58:23','2011-12-02 18:58:23','',2790,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/02/2790-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2876,110,'2011-12-02 12:46:20','2011-12-02 20:46:20','','Zampieri_St_John_Evangelist','','inherit','open','open','','zampieri_st_john_evangelist','','','2011-12-02 12:46:20','2011-12-02 20:46:20','',2790,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Zampieri_St_John_Evangelist.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2877,110,'2011-12-02 11:00:15','2011-12-02 19:00:15','In the <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">first post</a> of this Advent series, I introduced the idea that we have \'harmonized\' Christmas, combining the different voices and stories of the Gospel writers. I think this homogenized story loses some of its rawness and punch. By \'de-harmonizing\' we start to hear the voices more distinctly and recognize the melodies that each one is singing as special in their own right.\r\n\r\nWhile <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">Mark</a> might be the least likely gospel to be chosen to read during Advent (though I\'ve discovered that it may be in your lectionary for the second Sunday in Advent, it\'s still a tough one to choose!), John is often read in the traditional \'Nine Lessons\' services of Christmas. Like Mark, John does not narrate the details of Jesus\' birth in the way we are accustomed to - donkey, stable, angels and so on. He chooses a much more philosophical approach, exploring who Jesus is at the beginning, the first 18 verses, then showing his working through the rest of the book.\r\n\r\nI love the phrase that John uses - \'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us\'. John is referring to both Jewish tradition and Greek philosophy - in a church context that increasingly has both people raised as Jews and others with a more Roman or Greek background. You can\'t help but notice the parallels with the beginning of Genesis 1 in the first few verses of John. The Word is the creative power of God, as He speaks, things are, or things become. Yet the Word is also an image of prophecy in the Old Testament: throughout the books of Samuel and Kings, on to Isaiah and especially Jeremiah, the phrase \'the word of the Lord\' means that God spoke through a prophet to communicate with His people; ignoring the prophet and the prophecy meant ignoring God .\r\n\r\nTo someone familiar with Greek philosophy, <em>logos</em> took a different meaning. It was the reason behind what happened - the suggestion that the cosmos was not accidental and random but structured and understandable. To some, it took on an almost spiritual meaning, the perfection of order in the universe.\r\n\r\nJohn at once combines the two ideas and confounds them - the Word became flesh, <em>sarx</em>. Quite literally a four-letter word, especially in the turbulent times of the turn of the second century. Many suggested that the spiritual could have nothing to do with the fleshly, that we humans, \'embodied souls\', sought to cast off the flesh to become a pure, spiritual being. John says that the perfect, immutable, only God, the animating force behind the universe became flesh to live with us.\r\n\r\nBut there\'s more: \'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.\' (<a title=\"John 1, English Standard Version on Biblegateway.com\" href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201&amp;version=ESV\">John 1:14, ESV</a>) The words \'only Son\' (or \'only begotten\' as I learned it at Sunday School!) are distinctive to John - it\'s only applied to Jesus in John\'s gospel and in the letter of 1 John. In Greek it\'s one word - <em>monogenes</em>, one which obviously doesn\'t have a direct English translation. Looking at the word, <em>mono</em> means one or only, while <em>genes</em> comes from the same root word that gave us the word \'gene\' in English. I suppose you might say that Jesus is the only on with the exact same DNA as the Father - while being in the flesh! Not only that, but John says that they saw his glory while he was \'in the flesh\', not needing to be without flesh.\r\n\r\nFor John, the material matters - because of Jesus being a fleshy human like us. We can\'t just focus on the \'spiritual matters\' and ignore physical ones, the divide won\'t work. Humans, like Jesus are integral beings, both spirit and body in harmony. Neither can exist without the other and it is in the physical that glory is displayed. We can see the family likeness of the Father in Jesus because of his grace and truth. In a time when some are obsessed with truth, John says it\'s the two together that show the DNA of God in Jesus.\r\n\r\nWe saw Mark set up a big mystery about who Jesus is, but John takes the exact opposite tack. He goes into the philosophy, the detail of what it means for Jesus to be fully human as well as divine, while still ignoring the material details of how, where and when (don\'t worry, with two more weeks of Advent we\'ve still got Matthew and Luke to give us those!) John reminds us that Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, it\'s bigger, with cosmic significance, it can\'t be glossed over with fairy lights. The glory of God, the Father, is seen in the glory of Jesus, the Word become flesh, living with us. May you experience both the truth and grace of Christmas this year!','De-harmonizing Christmas - Part 2: John','','inherit','open','open','','2790-revision-6','','','2011-12-02 11:00:15','2011-12-02 19:00:15','',2790,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/02/2790-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2878,110,'2011-12-02 12:48:00','2011-12-02 20:48:00','In the <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">first post</a> of this Advent series, I introduced the idea that we have \'harmonized\' Christmas, combining the different voices and stories of the Gospel writers. I think this homogenized story loses some of its rawness and punch. By \'de-harmonizing\' we start to hear the voices more distinctly and recognize the melodies that each one is singing as special in their own right.\n\nWhile <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">Mark</a> might be the least likely gospel to be chosen to read during Advent (though I\'ve discovered that it may be in your lectionary for the second Sunday in Advent, it\'s still a tough one to choose!), John is often read in the traditional \'Nine Lessons\' services of Christmas. Like Mark, John does not narrate the details of Jesus\' birth in the way we are accustomed to - donkey, stable, angels and so on. He chooses a much more philosophical approach, exploring who Jesus is at the beginning, the first 18 verses, then showing his working through the rest of the book.\n\nI love the phrase that John uses - \'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us\'. John is referring to both Jewish tradition and Greek philosophy - in a church context that increasingly has both people raised as Jews and others with a more Roman or Greek background. You can\'t help but notice the parallels with the beginning of Genesis 1 in the first few verses of John. The Word is the creative power of God, as He speaks, things are, or things become. Yet the Word is also an image of prophecy in the Old Testament: throughout the books of Samuel and Kings, on to Isaiah and especially Jeremiah, the phrase \'the word of the Lord\' means that God spoke through a prophet to communicate with His people; ignoring the prophet and the prophecy meant ignoring God .\n\nTo someone familiar with Greek philosophy, <em>logos</em> took a different meaning. It was the reason behind what happened - the suggestion that the cosmos was not accidental and random but structured and understandable. To some, it took on an almost spiritual meaning, the perfection of order in the universe.\n\nJohn at once combines the two ideas and confounds them - the Word became flesh, <em>sarx</em>. Quite literally a four-letter word, especially in the turbulent times of the turn of the second century. Many suggested that the spiritual could have nothing to do with the fleshly, that we humans, \'embodied souls\', sought to cast off the flesh to become a pure, spiritual being. John says that the perfect, immutable, only God, the animating force behind the universe became flesh to live with us.\n\nBut there\'s more: \'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.\' (<a title=\"John 1, English Standard Version on Biblegateway.com\" href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201&amp;version=ESV\">John 1:14, ESV</a>) The words \'only Son\' (or \'only begotten\' as I learned it at Sunday School!) are distinctive to John - it\'s only applied to Jesus in John\'s gospel and in the letter of 1 John. In Greek it\'s one word - <em>monogenes</em>, one which obviously doesn\'t have a direct English translation. Looking at the word, <em>mono</em> means one or only, while <em>genes</em> comes from the same root word that gave us the word \'gene\' in English. I suppose you might say that Jesus is the only on with the exact same DNA as the Father - while being in the flesh! Not only that, but John says that they saw his glory while he was \'in the flesh\', not needing to be without flesh.\n\nFor John, the material matters - because of Jesus being a fleshy human like us. We can\'t just focus on the \'spiritual matters\' and ignore physical ones, the divide won\'t work. Humans, like Jesus are integral beings, both spirit and body in harmony. Neither can exist without the other and it is in the physical that glory is displayed. We can see the family likeness of the Father in Jesus because of his grace and truth. In a time when some are obsessed with truth, John says it\'s the two together that show the DNA of God in Jesus.\n\nWe saw Mark set up a big mystery about who Jesus is, but John takes the exact opposite tack. He goes into the philosophy, the detail of what it means for Jesus to be fully human as well as divine, while still ignoring the material details of how, where and when (don\'t worry, with two more weeks of Advent we\'ve still got Matthew and Luke to give us those!) John reminds us that Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, it\'s bigger, with cosmic significance, it can\'t be glossed over with fairy lights. The glory of God, the Father, is seen in the glory of Jesus, the Word become flesh, living with us. May you experience both the truth and grace of Christmas this year!','De-harmonizing Christmas - Part 2: John','','inherit','open','open','','2790-revision-7','','','2011-12-02 12:48:00','2011-12-02 20:48:00','',2790,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/02/2790-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2879,1,'2011-11-30 10:07:20','2011-11-30 18:07:20','In this second of a three part interview, I got to ask Jim about his experience with his publisher and what went wrong.\r\n\r\n[question]What happened with Zondervan? They decided to cancel your 2-book contract, why?[/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]The book was intended to be a 1-year social experiment where I tested the idea that authentic Christianity is not Jesus <strong><em>AND</em></strong> Jim but Jesus <strong><em>AS</em></strong> Jim, believing that there was nothing separating me and Jesus, and that I was free to live as he did in every way. On August 25, 2008 when I signed that 2-book deal with Zondervan Publishers I had no idea that 1 year would stretch into 3, and would include the death of my mother, two near-death experiences, and a deeper deconstruction of my faith and my entire identity as Jim Palmer. Nor did I expect I would become the center of a firestorm of controversy when I turned my manuscript into Zondervan in April. My manuscript was rejected on the grounds that it did not “lie within the bounds of biblical, orthodox Christianity.” My 2-book contract was promptly canceled.[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]What was your response?[/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]Zondervan’s publishing mission reads, “To be the leader in Christian communications meeting the needs of people with resources that glorify Jesus Christ and promote biblical principles.” I wish that somehow this mission could include telling every human being that they are born into this world with inherent and equal eternal worth, and every bit a “Son of God” as Jesus of Nazareth was.[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]Did you agree with their reasons?[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nWhile earning my Masters of Divinity degree and during my years of being a pastor, I uncovered plenty of biblical support for this idea, much more than I could ever mention here. Jesus himself, in John 17, says we share the “same glory” given him by God and that this is the basis for all humanity to be “one” with God. I was told in my religious training that it was sacrilege to view myself on equal footing with Jesus. But even he said, “We would do greater things than he did.”\r\n\r\nBut this message was lost as the Christian religion gave way to institutionalized clerical power and politics. There are countless stories of divine nobodies who lived their faith outside the walls of “official” Christendom. They were demonized and left out of history books and schools of divinity. These free believers were often condemned and killed...as heretics.\r\n\r\nThe past several years my journey and writing have been about shedding corporate Christianity with its “us versus them” mentality, and reclaiming the real meaning of Christ’s divine inclusivity.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]That\'s a fairly radical message.[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nFor Jesus of Nazareth, life was his religion, love was his doctrine, and humankind was his church. Jesus affirmed the inherent and divine dignity of all people, and was devoted to human solidarity, compassion and community. That’s why we need the Darlas, Makihas, Brunos and Jims – every one of us “being Jesus” in today\'s world.\r\n\r\nWhat I learned in my year of being Jesus is that Jesus was special, but not because he was more divine then the rest of us, but because he was courageously more human than most.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat’s ironic is that after submitting my final manuscript to Zondervan, I blogged, tweeted, and Facebook-ed about <em>Being Jesus in Nashville</em>, causing my pre-order book sales to climb to an astounding Amazon ranking of 15,000. But it wasn’t long after that I received news of the rejection.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]But Zondervan still rejected the manuscript.[/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]I’m not the first “heretic”/author to be let go of by Zondervan. Fellow pastor-author Rob Bell gets the credit for that. The hallmark of Christianity seems to have become who is excluded, which can include anything from a theological litmus test to what you wear to church on Sunday mornings. Since leaving institutional church and writing about my journey of shedding religion to find God, I have received hundreds of emails from other nobodies who feel judged and marginalized by Christianity, including Wanda the Waffle House waitress who’s only crime is having tattoos and wearing her Waffle House uniform to church, where people stare at her like she’s a whore and avoid talking to her after the service.[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]What would you say to people like Wanda now?[/question]\r\n\r\n[answer]I wish I could tell Wanda and every person that they are born into this world as complete and whole human beings with equal worth to God as Jesus of Nazareth. In the eyes of the religious establishment we might be nobodies but we are <em>divine</em> nobodies, as much a child of God as that nobody Nazarene carpenter. This is the message I would like to get through to fellow survivors of childhood abuse. It’s the message I would have wanted to express to the 10-year-old girl sex slaves I encountered in brothels in Southeast Asia in my work as a human rights activist. As an ordained minister, it’s the message I wanted to deliver to a Christian friend who said, “I am a piece of shit to God, which is why I need Jesus.” It is very difficult to convince people that they are good and beautiful human beings when religion has sufficiently convinced them that they are “sinners” and despicable to God. It’s also difficult to deliver this message when institutional Christianity has convinced us that acknowledging the divine in every human is a betrayal of God.[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]How do you feel about the experience now, now that is it over?[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nThis isn’t a Conan O’Brien thing for me – I’m not bitter about what happened with Zondervan. I’m not going to lie, the whole ordeal was personally devastating, tanked me out emotionally and led to my filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy… but I worked through it with the support of some great friends and a supportive social media network.\r\n\r\nI had hoped early on that Zondervan and I could have worked all this out and still published the book. I saw a huge upside in doing so and perhaps avoid a Rob Bell scenario, which only seems to deepen the divide between people who hold different beliefs about God. I made what I thought was a powerful appeal to Zondervan, believing that our mutual love for Jesus could allow us to rise above whatever other theological differences there might be.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\n[question]Is that really even possible?[/question]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[answer]\r\n\r\nA way perhaps to do this would have been to put a label on the cover stating that Zondervan didn’t necessarily support all the views expressed in the book. That would be unique. The book may have been even more interesting, more marketable – causing more book sales, which most book publishers, Christian or not, would want. Theological differences among professing Christians is nothing new. It has always been a part of the story of Christianity from its earliest days. I actually believed we could work – within the agreement of the contract – to create a book with an appeal outside the box of traditional Christian books.\r\n\r\nBut it wasn’t to be.\r\n\r\nNow on the other side of this I don’t want to contribute to the divide. Zondervan did what they felt was consistent with their mission. Eventually I realized it wasn’t personal. I have friends at Zondervan who I hold in high regard.\r\n\r\n[/answer]\r\n\r\nIn part 3, Jim shares his experience of wanting to fade into the woodwork and what it meant to self-publish Being Jesus in Nashville.  Stay tuned.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Author Jim Palmer Uncensored - Part 2','','inherit','open','open','','2691-revision-4','','','2011-11-30 10:07:20','2011-11-30 18:07:20','',2691,'http://provoketive.com/2011/11/30/2691-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2882,43,'2011-12-03 07:52:25','2011-12-03 15:52:25','','bully7','','inherit','open','open','','bully7','','','2011-12-03 07:52:25','2011-12-03 15:52:25','',2881,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/bully7.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2883,43,'2011-12-03 07:43:52','2011-12-03 15:43:52','At the end of November, one of our local schools suffered a tragic loss.  A student died by suicide.  Although the people investigating have not officially stated whether bullying was involved, that was the conclusion reached by many of the student’s peers.  How sad that aggression in schools has progressed to the point that when a student ends her life, that is the first thing to come to mind.\n\nIt doesn’t make any difference whether bullying was the underlying cause.  That it has become epidemic  is far more alarming.  Alongside that, there seems to be a collective feeling of being at a loss for answers—even by school staff.\n\nOne reason may be that the shape of bullying has changed.  We want to imagine that bullies are easy to spot.  He’s the biggest kid on the playground, the one who always picks on smaller kids.  No one except the ones he’s terrified into the role will befriend him.  Maybe we even want to feel sorry for him, that he comes from a dangerous or frightening family situation himself.\n\nBut that isn’t always the way it works.  Bullies may come from “good” families.  They may go to church on Sundays.  They may be well-liked by parents, teachers, and other students.  There is no way to distinguish someone who is victimizing someone else unless you witness it happening.  They’re not just stealing kids’ lunch money anymore.\n\nSo the rest of us are left to deal with the tragic aftermath of adolescent cruelty.  We wonder if our own children are safe at school, or even whether they are the ones hurting others.  Those of us who work with the youth at our churches must find ways to help the students left behind after the dust clears.\n\nI spoke with the youth pastor at our church, asking if those of us working with the kids were going to discuss this issue as a team.  I mentioned that it was going to be tough for awhile, as we have students who knew the girl who died.  He said, “Imagine being a youth leader at a church where it’s one of your students.\"\n\nI answered, “What if one day we are?”\n\nBecause this latest suicide wasn’t halfway across the country, or even in another state.  It wasn’t even in another city.  It was here, just a few miles from us.\n\nChristians have a responsibility here.  We could sit back and wait for the schools to handle things.  We could expect that teachers will not tolerate disrespectful attitudes and behaviors in class.  We could even pray that our own kids know how much they are loved, even if they are the victims of bullying.  But that won’t solve the problem.  To be honest, I’m not sure what the solution is.  I do know that my duty to love makes it my business to help search for one.\n\nWe social justice Christians often talk about human dignity and how everyone is worthy of love and respect.  Why not start by honoring the dignity of our children and youth?','When Bullying Leads to Tragedy','','inherit','open','open','','2881-revision','','','2011-12-03 07:43:52','2011-12-03 15:43:52','',2881,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/03/2881-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2884,43,'2011-12-03 07:52:47','2011-12-03 15:52:47','At the end of November, one of our local schools suffered a tragic loss.  A student died by suicide.  Although the people investigating have not officially stated whether bullying was involved, that was the conclusion reached by many of the student’s peers.  How sad that aggression in schools has progressed to the point that when a student ends her life, that is the first thing to come to mind.\r\n\r\nIt doesn’t make any difference whether bullying was the underlying cause.  That it has become epidemic  is far more alarming.  Alongside that, there seems to be a collective feeling of being at a loss for answers—even by school staff.\r\n\r\nOne reason may be that the shape of bullying has changed.  We want to imagine that bullies are easy to spot.  He’s the biggest kid on the playground, the one who always picks on smaller kids.  No one except the ones he’s terrified into the role will befriend him.  Maybe we even want to feel sorry for him, that he comes from a dangerous or frightening family situation himself.\r\n\r\nBut that isn’t always the way it works.  Bullies may come from “good” families.  They may go to church on Sundays.  They may be well-liked by parents, teachers, and other students.  There is no way to distinguish someone who is victimizing someone else unless you witness it happening.  They’re not just stealing kids’ lunch money anymore.\r\n\r\nSo the rest of us are left to deal with the tragic aftermath of adolescent cruelty.  We wonder if our own children are safe at school, or even whether they are the ones hurting others.  Those of us who work with the youth at our churches must find ways to help the students left behind after the dust clears.\r\n\r\nI spoke with the youth pastor at our church, asking if those of us working with the kids were going to discuss this issue as a team.  I mentioned that it was going to be tough for awhile, as we have students who knew the girl who died.  He said, “Imagine being a youth leader at a church where it’s one of your students.\"\r\n\r\nI answered, “What if one day we are?”\r\n\r\nBecause this latest suicide wasn’t halfway across the country, or even in another state.  It wasn’t even in another city.  It was here, just a few miles from us.\r\n\r\nChristians have a responsibility here.  We could sit back and wait for the schools to handle things.  We could expect that teachers will not tolerate disrespectful attitudes and behaviors in class.  We could even pray that our own kids know how much they are loved, even if they are the victims of bullying.  But that won’t solve the problem.  To be honest, I’m not sure what the solution is.  I do know that my duty to love makes it my business to help search for one.\r\n\r\nWe social justice Christians often talk about human dignity and how everyone is worthy of love and respect.  Why not start by honoring the dignity of our children and youth?','When Bullying Leads to Tragedy','','inherit','open','open','','2881-revision-2','','','2011-12-03 07:52:47','2011-12-03 15:52:47','',2881,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/03/2881-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2889,1,'2011-12-04 08:00:49','2011-12-04 16:00:49','<a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com\">Benetton</a> clothing has a new campaign out called the <a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com/campaign/china_usa/\">Unhate Campaign</a>.  The images of the campaign show high profile enemies kissing each other.  In most cases the two enemies are men.  One includes President Obama and one includes the Pope.The images aren\'t sexual in nature, but they are provoketive.  They stir something in us, not just from an artistic boundary breaking standpoint, but from the possibility of what the image actually means.  <strong>While the images are meant to shock us, its bold to suggest that enemies could actually reconcile.</strong> Our imagination runs wild when we consider that peace isn\'t just possible but attainable.  I applaud Benetton for taking such a risk in its advertising.\r\n\r\nWhat do the images say to you?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2892 alignnone\" title=\"NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2891 alignnone\" title=\"China_USA-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2893 alignnone\" title=\"Palestine_Israel-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2894\" title=\"pope500\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>','Benetton\'s Unhate Campaign','','publish','open','open','','benettons-unhate-campaign','','','2012-02-18 13:32:07','2012-02-18 21:32:07','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2889',0,'post','',3),(2890,1,'2011-12-03 21:55:20','2011-12-04 05:55:20','','Unhate_Campaign','','inherit','open','open','','unhate_campaign','','','2011-12-03 21:55:20','2011-12-04 05:55:20','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Unhate_Campaign.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2891,1,'2011-12-03 22:00:20','2011-12-04 06:00:20','','China_USA-940x664','','inherit','open','open','','china_usa-940x664','','','2011-12-03 22:00:20','2011-12-04 06:00:20','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2892,1,'2011-12-03 22:02:36','2011-12-04 06:02:36','','NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664','','inherit','open','open','','northkorea_southkorea-940x664','','','2011-12-03 22:02:36','2011-12-04 06:02:36','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2893,1,'2011-12-03 22:04:02','2011-12-04 06:04:02','','Palestine_Israel-940x664','','inherit','open','open','','palestine_israel-940x664','','','2011-12-03 22:04:02','2011-12-04 06:04:02','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2894,1,'2011-12-03 22:04:59','2011-12-04 06:04:59','','pope500','','inherit','open','open','','pope500','','','2011-12-03 22:04:59','2011-12-04 06:04:59','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2895,1,'2011-12-03 22:10:53','2011-12-04 06:10:53','<a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com\">Benetton</a> clothing has a new campaign out called the <a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com/campaign/china_usa/\">Unhate Campaign</a>.  The images of the campaign show high profile enemies kissing each other.  In most cases the two enemies are men.  One includes President Obama and one includes the Pope.The images aren\'t sexual in nature, but they are provoketive.  They stir something in us, not just from an artistic boundary breaking standpoint, but from the possibility of what the image actually means.  <strong>While the images are meant to be shocking, it\'s bold to suggest that enemies could actually reconcile.</strong> Our imagination runs wile when we consider that peace isn\'t just possible but attainable.  I applaud Bentton for taking such a risk in it\'s advertising.\n\nWhat do they images say to you?\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2892 alignnone\" title=\"NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2891 alignnone\" title=\"China_USA-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2893 alignnone\" title=\"Palestine_Israel-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2894\" title=\"pope500\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>','The Unhate Campaign','','inherit','open','open','','2889-revision','','','2011-12-03 22:10:53','2011-12-04 06:10:53','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/03/2889-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2896,1,'2011-12-03 22:14:25','2011-12-04 06:14:25','<a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com\">Benetton</a> clothing has a new campaign out called the <a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com/campaign/china_usa/\">Unhate Campaign</a>.  The images of the campaign show high profile enemies kissing each other.  In most cases the two enemies are men.  One includes President Obama and one includes the Pope.The images aren\'t sexual in nature, but they are provoketive.  They stir something in us, not just from an artistic boundary breaking standpoint, but from the possibility of what the image actually means.  <strong>While the images are meant to shock us, its bold to suggest that enemies could actually reconcile.</strong> Our imagination runs h when we consider that peace isn\'t just possible but attainable.  I applaud Benetton for taking such a risk in its advertising.\n\nWhat do the images say to you?\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2892 alignnone\" title=\"NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2891 alignnone\" title=\"China_USA-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2893 alignnone\" title=\"Palestine_Israel-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2894\" title=\"pope500\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>','Benetton\'s Unhate Campaign','','inherit','open','open','','2889-autosave','','','2011-12-03 22:14:25','2011-12-04 06:14:25','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/03/2889-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2897,1,'2011-12-03 22:11:20','2011-12-04 06:11:20','<a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com\">Benetton</a> clothing has a new campaign out called the <a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com/campaign/china_usa/\">Unhate Campaign</a>.  The images of the campaign show high profile enemies kissing each other.  In most cases the two enemies are men.  One includes President Obama and one includes the Pope.The images aren\'t sexual in nature, but they are provoketive.  They stir something in us, not just from an artistic boundary breaking standpoint, but from the possibility of what the image actually means.  <strong>While the images are meant to be shocking, it\'s bold to suggest that enemies could actually reconcile.</strong> Our imagination runs wile when we consider that peace isn\'t just possible but attainable.  I applaud Bentton for taking such a risk in it\'s advertising.\r\n\r\nWhat do they images say to you?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2892 alignnone\" title=\"NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2891 alignnone\" title=\"China_USA-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2893 alignnone\" title=\"Palestine_Israel-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2894\" title=\"pope500\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>','The Unhate Campaign','','inherit','open','open','','2889-revision-2','','','2011-12-03 22:11:20','2011-12-04 06:11:20','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/03/2889-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2898,1,'2011-12-03 22:12:27','2011-12-04 06:12:27','<a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com\">Benetton</a> clothing has a new campaign out called the <a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com/campaign/china_usa/\">Unhate Campaign</a>.  The images of the campaign show high profile enemies kissing each other.  In most cases the two enemies are men.  One includes President Obama and one includes the Pope.The images aren\'t sexual in nature, but they are provoketive.  They stir something in us, not just from an artistic boundary breaking standpoint, but from the possibility of what the image actually means.  <strong>While the images are meant to shock us, its bold to suggest that enemies could actually reconcile.</strong> Our imagination runs h when we consider that peace isn\'t just possible but attainable.  I applaud Benetton for taking such a risk in its advertising.\r\n\r\nWhat do they images say to you?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2892 alignnone\" title=\"NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2891 alignnone\" title=\"China_USA-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2893 alignnone\" title=\"Palestine_Israel-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2894\" title=\"pope500\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>','The Unhate Campaign','','inherit','open','open','','2889-revision-3','','','2011-12-03 22:12:27','2011-12-04 06:12:27','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/03/2889-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2899,1,'2011-12-03 22:13:08','2011-12-04 06:13:08','<a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com\">Benetton</a> clothing has a new campaign out called the <a href=\"http://unhate.benetton.com/campaign/china_usa/\">Unhate Campaign</a>.  The images of the campaign show high profile enemies kissing each other.  In most cases the two enemies are men.  One includes President Obama and one includes the Pope.The images aren\'t sexual in nature, but they are provoketive.  They stir something in us, not just from an artistic boundary breaking standpoint, but from the possibility of what the image actually means.  <strong>While the images are meant to shock us, its bold to suggest that enemies could actually reconcile.</strong> Our imagination runs h when we consider that peace isn\'t just possible but attainable.  I applaud Benetton for taking such a risk in its advertising.\r\n\r\nWhat do they images say to you?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2892 alignnone\" title=\"NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NorthKorea_SouthKorea-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2891 alignnone\" title=\"China_USA-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/China_USA-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2893 alignnone\" title=\"Palestine_Israel-940x664\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Palestine_Israel-940x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2894\" title=\"pope500\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pope500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" /></a>','Benetton\'s Unhate Campaign','','inherit','open','open','','2889-revision-4','','','2011-12-03 22:13:08','2011-12-04 06:13:08','',2889,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/03/2889-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2900,110,'2011-12-02 12:49:32','2011-12-02 20:49:32','In the <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">first post</a> of this Advent series, I introduced the idea that we have \'harmonized\' Christmas, combining the different voices and stories of the Gospel writers. I think this homogenized story loses some of its rawness and punch. By \'de-harmonizing\' we start to hear the voices more distinctly and recognize the melodies that each one is singing as special in their own right.\n\nWhile <a title=\"De-harmonizing Christmas – Part 1: Mark\" href=\"http://provoketive.com/2011/11/29/de-harmonizing-christmas-part-1-mark/\">Mark</a> might be the least likely gospel to be chosen to read during Advent (though I\'ve discovered that it may be in your lectionary for the second Sunday in Advent, it\'s still a tough one to choose!), John is often read in the traditional \'Nine Lessons\' services of Christmas. Like Mark, John does not narrate the details of Jesus\' birth in the way we are accustomed to - donkey, stable, angels and so on. He chooses a much more philosophical approach, exploring who Jesus is at the beginning, the first 18 verses, then showing his working through the rest of the book.\n\nI love the phrase that John uses - \'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us\'. John is referring to both Jewish tradition and Greek philosophy - in a church context that increasingly has both people raised as Jews and others with a more Roman or Greek background. You can\'t help but notice the parallels with the beginning of Genesis 1 in the first few verses of John. The Word is the creative power of God, as He speaks, things are, or things become. Yet the Word is also an image of prophecy in the Old Testament: throughout the books of Samuel and Kings, on to Isaiah and especially Jeremiah, the phrase \'the word of the Lord\' means that God spoke through a prophet to communicate with His people; ignoring the prophet and the prophecy meant ignoring God .\n\nTo someone familiar with Greek philosophy, <em>logos</em> took a different meaning. It was the reason behind what happened - the suggestion that the cosmos was not accidental and random but structured and understandable. To some, it took on an almost spiritual meaning, the perfection of order in the universe.\n\nJohn at once combines the two ideas and confounds them - the Word became flesh, <em>sarx</em>. Quite literally a four-letter word, especially in the turbulent times of the turn of the second century. Many suggested that the spiritual could have nothing to do with the fleshly, that we humans, \'embodied souls\', sought to cast off the flesh to become a pure, spiritual being. John says that the perfect, immutable, only God, the animating force behind the universe became flesh to live with us.\n\nBut there\'s more: \'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.\' (<a title=\"John 1, English Standard Version on Biblegateway.com\" href=\"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201&amp;version=ESV\">John 1:14, ESV</a>) The words \'only Son\' (or \'only begotten\' as I learned it at Sunday School!) are distinctive to John - it\'s only applied to Jesus in John\'s gospel and in the letter of 1 John. In Greek it\'s one word - <em>monogenes</em>, one which obviously doesn\'t have a direct English translation. Looking at the word, <em>mono</em> means one or only, while <em>genes</em> comes from the same root word that gave us the word \'gene\' in English. I suppose you might say that Jesus is the only on with the exact same DNA as the Father - while being in the flesh! Not only that, but John says that they saw his glory while he was \'in the flesh\', not needing to be without flesh.\n\nFor John, the material matters - because of Jesus being a fleshy human like us. We can\'t just focus on the \'spiritual matters\' and ignore physical ones, the divide won\'t work. Humans, like Jesus are integral beings, both spirit and body in harmony. Neither can exist without the other and it is in the physical that glory is displayed. We can see the family likeness of the Father in Jesus because of his grace and truth. In a time when some are obsessed with truth, John says it\'s the two together that show the DNA of God in Jesus.\n\nWe saw Mark set up a big mystery about who Jesus is, but John takes the exact opposite tack. He goes into the philosophy, the detail of what it means for Jesus to be fully human as well as divine, while still ignoring the material details of how, where and when (don\'t worry, with two more weeks of Advent we\'ve still got Matthew and Luke to give us those!) John reminds us that Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, it\'s bigger, with cosmic significance, it can\'t be glossed over with fairy lights. The glory of God, the Father, is seen in the glory of Jesus, the Word become flesh, living with us. May you experience both the truth and grace of Christmas this year!','De-harmonizing Christmas - Part 2: John','','inherit','open','open','','2790-revision-8','','','2011-12-02 12:49:32','2011-12-02 20:49:32','',2790,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/02/2790-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2901,100,'2011-12-07 10:00:21','2011-12-07 18:00:21','[caption id=\"attachment_2903\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Joshua Becker\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/joshua-becker.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2903\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/joshua-becker-300x253.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"253\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nJust in time for the holiday gift giving season, the something beautiful crew talks with blogger and author Joshua Becker.\r\n\r\nBecker is an associate minister for a church outside Phoenix, Arizona and he writes about his journey towards becoming a minimalist in his spare time.\r\n\r\nHe shares how he stumbled into the idea of minimalism, what a rational minimalist entails and how it plays out with his faith.\r\n\r\n[audio=\"http://somethingbeautifulpodcast.com/podcast/120311.mp3\"]\r\n\r\nSome questions to ask yourself while you listen:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What would rational minimalism look like in my life?</li>\r\n	<li>What \"things\" do I have that are simply cluttering my life?</li>\r\n	<li>How does my \"stuff\" relate to the call of Jesus in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>','Something Beautiful - Joshua Becker','','publish','open','open','','something-beautiful-joshua-becker','','','2011-12-05 09:25:43','2011-12-05 17:25:43','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2901',0,'post','',0),(2902,100,'2011-12-04 09:28:10','2011-12-04 17:28:10','This week the something beautiful crew talks with blogger and author Joshua Becker.\n\nBecker is an associate minister for a church outside Phoenix, Arizona and he writes about his journey towards becoming a minimalist in his spare time.\n\nHe shares how he stumbled into the idea of minimalism, what a rational minimalist entails and how it plays out with his faith.\n\n[a','Something Beautiful - Joshua Becker','','inherit','open','open','','2901-revision','','','2011-12-04 09:28:10','2011-12-04 17:28:10','',2901,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2901-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2903,100,'2011-12-04 09:29:31','2011-12-04 17:29:31','','joshua-becker','Joshua Becker','inherit','open','open','','joshua-becker','','','2011-12-04 09:29:31','2011-12-04 17:29:31','',2901,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/joshua-becker.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2904,100,'2011-12-04 09:31:09','2011-12-04 17:31:09','[caption id=\"attachment_2903\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Joshua Becker\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/joshua-becker.jpg\"><img src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/joshua-becker-300x253.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"253\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2903\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nJust in time for the holiday gift giving season, the something beautiful crew talks with blogger and author Joshua Becker.\n\nBecker is an associate minister for a church outside Phoenix, Arizona and he writes about his journey towards becoming a minimalist in his spare time.\n\nHe shares how he stumbled into the idea of minimalism, what a rational minimalist entails and how it plays out with his faith.\n\n[audio=\"http://somethingbeautifulpodcast.com/podcast/120311.mp3\"]\n\nSome questions to ask yourself while you listen:\n\n<ul>	<li>What would rational minimalism look like in my life?</li>\n\n	<li>What \"things\" do I have that are simply cluttering my life?</li>\n\n	<li>How does my \"stuff\" relate to the call of Jesus in my life?</li></ul>\n','Something Beautiful - Joshua Becker','','inherit','open','open','','2901-revision-2','','','2011-12-04 09:31:09','2011-12-04 17:31:09','',2901,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2901-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2905,100,'2011-12-04 09:34:54','2011-12-04 17:34:54','[caption id=\"attachment_2903\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Joshua Becker\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/joshua-becker.jpg\"><img src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/joshua-becker-300x253.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"253\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2903\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nJust in time for the holiday gift giving season, the something beautiful crew talks with blogger and author Joshua Becker.\r\n\r\nBecker is an associate minister for a church outside Phoenix, Arizona and he writes about his journey towards becoming a minimalist in his spare time.\r\n\r\nHe shares how he stumbled into the idea of minimalism, what a rational minimalist entails and how it plays out with his faith.\r\n\r\n[audio=\"http://somethingbeautifulpodcast.com/podcast/120311.mp3\"]\r\n\r\nSome questions to ask yourself while you listen:\r\n\r\n<ul>	<li>What would rational minimalism look like in my life?</li>\r\n\r\n	<li>What \"things\" do I have that are simply cluttering my life?</li>\r\n\r\n	<li>How does my \"stuff\" relate to the call of Jesus in my life?</li></ul>\r\n','Something Beautiful - Joshua Becker','','inherit','open','open','','2901-autosave','','','2011-12-04 09:34:54','2011-12-04 17:34:54','',2901,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2901-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2906,90,'2011-12-04 09:35:20','2011-12-04 17:35:20','','advent_calendar','','inherit','open','open','','advent_calendar','','','2011-12-04 09:35:20','2011-12-04 17:35:20','',2885,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/advent_calendar.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2907,90,'2011-12-03 12:51:43','2011-12-03 20:51:43','','The Divine Tension of Anticipation ','','inherit','open','open','','2885-revision','','','2011-12-03 12:51:43','2011-12-03 20:51:43','',2885,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/03/2885-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2908,90,'2011-12-04 09:35:48','2011-12-04 17:35:48','<em>Anticipate: to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee: to anticipate pleasure.\nAnticipate: to expect; look forward to; be sure of; to anticipate a favorable decision</em>\n\nThe advent season is one of anticipation. Of waiting… Of preparation… Of looking forward to the special Christmas day… When the concepts of anticipation and Christmas come together, I picture the look on a child’s face when December 1st rolls around. Waiting for Christmas becomes a month-long celebration. Some wake up each morning, ready to open the next door of the advent calendar. People scurry around making gifts and tucking them at the back of the closet or in that hidden spot in the crawl space, waiting for their Christmas morning unveiling. As children, the month of December can seem like an eternity, 24 whole doors on the advent calendar to open before one can wake up to the delight of Christmas morning. \n\n\nParents in the month of December are called to work with their children on discipline. “Nope, you can’t open doors for December 17th and 22nd today—today is December 3rd.” “You can shake and poke the presents from Grandma under the tree, but don’t think about peeling the tape back on the corner of the box”.  There’s something charged and magical in the waiting along with the frustration and restraint.\n\nWhat of our discipline in advent?  What do we anticipate as we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, Divinity Incarnate on earth? I’ll admit that I’m not so far from the ways of childhood, when it comes to Christmas. I get excited when the lights start going up on the trees and I’ve been madly knitting gifts for weeks now. I anticipate Christmas concerts and meals with friends and family and await the gentle glow of candlelight traditions. \n\n<em>Anticipate: to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee: to anticipate pleasure.\nAnticipate: to expect; look forward to; be sure of; to anticipate a favorable decision</em>\n\nThere is something in the waiting that feels sacred to me. There’s a care in the preparations that speaks to the precious nature of the holiday we’re approaching. I am seeing God in this tension, in the waiting, the anticipation. Maybe anticipation is God’s gift to us, the foretaste of God’s goodness, the spark of light in a darkened world. We anticipate, prepare, and stay in the tension because we look forward to a dream being realized; we feel God’s vision of the future we are working towards.\n\nWhen we live in the anticipation as a Divine gift, we can find the sacred, the joy of knowing that something beautiful is coming, the energy and excitement to persevere, the trust and patience to wait. We anticipate the end of a season. We anticipate a shift in our attitudes. We anticipate a change in a relationship, a new home, conquering an inner battle, mastering a skill, or the passing of time. \n\nWe can live into the anticipation as a gift, or we can see it as a burden. We can wake up each day and curse the fact that it is not yet Christmas morning, be bitter and twisted about the greener grass across the way and threaten to rip open all the gifts under the tree. We can live our lives in a way that would cause us to walk into a darkened room, throw on every bank of lights, and flood the room with a harsh fluorescent glare to see what’s there—RIGHT NOW.\n\nOr… The people who walked in darkness, saw a great light. Those who dwelt in the shadow of death, upon them a light has shone. The light is out there—flickering in the darkness. The Christ light shines, beckoning us to draw near, to follow, to anticipate. In this advent season, we are reminded to walk in spiritual disciplines, to breathe in the tension between what we look towards and what is. To engage in the sacred dance of anticipation. To be present in each moment, each breath. To look for the Christ light shining in our midst.\n','The Divine Tension of Anticipation ','','inherit','open','open','','2885-revision-2','','','2011-12-04 09:35:48','2011-12-04 17:35:48','',2885,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2885-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2909,90,'2011-12-04 09:35:52','2011-12-04 17:35:52','<em>Anticipate: to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee: to anticipate pleasure.\r\nAnticipate: to expect; look forward to; be sure of; to anticipate a favorable decision</em>\r\n\r\nThe advent season is one of anticipation. Of waiting… Of preparation… Of looking forward to the special Christmas day… When the concepts of anticipation and Christmas come together, I picture the look on a child’s face when December 1st rolls around. Waiting for Christmas becomes a month-long celebration. Some wake up each morning, ready to open the next door of the advent calendar. People scurry around making gifts and tucking them at the back of the closet or in that hidden spot in the crawl space, waiting for their Christmas morning unveiling. As children, the month of December can seem like an eternity, 24 whole doors on the advent calendar to open before one can wake up to the delight of Christmas morning. \r\n\r\n\r\nParents in the month of December are called to work with their children on discipline. “Nope, you can’t open doors for December 17th and 22nd today—today is December 3rd.” “You can shake and poke the presents from Grandma under the tree, but don’t think about peeling the tape back on the corner of the box”.  There’s something charged and magical in the waiting along with the frustration and restraint.\r\n\r\nWhat of our discipline in advent?  What do we anticipate as we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, Divinity Incarnate on earth? I’ll admit that I’m not so far from the ways of childhood, when it comes to Christmas. I get excited when the lights start going up on the trees and I’ve been madly knitting gifts for weeks now. I anticipate Christmas concerts and meals with friends and family and await the gentle glow of candlelight traditions. \r\n\r\n<em>Anticipate: to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee: to anticipate pleasure.\r\nAnticipate: to expect; look forward to; be sure of; to anticipate a favorable decision</em>\r\n\r\nThere is something in the waiting that feels sacred to me. There’s a care in the preparations that speaks to the precious nature of the holiday we’re approaching. I am seeing God in this tension, in the waiting, the anticipation. Maybe anticipation is God’s gift to us, the foretaste of God’s goodness, the spark of light in a darkened world. We anticipate, prepare, and stay in the tension because we look forward to a dream being realized; we feel God’s vision of the future we are working towards.\r\n\r\nWhen we live in the anticipation as a Divine gift, we can find the sacred, the joy of knowing that something beautiful is coming, the energy and excitement to persevere, the trust and patience to wait. We anticipate the end of a season. We anticipate a shift in our attitudes. We anticipate a change in a relationship, a new home, conquering an inner battle, mastering a skill, or the passing of time. \r\n\r\nWe can live into the anticipation as a gift, or we can see it as a burden. We can wake up each day and curse the fact that it is not yet Christmas morning, be bitter and twisted about the greener grass across the way and threaten to rip open all the gifts under the tree. We can live our lives in a way that would cause us to walk into a darkened room, throw on every bank of lights, and flood the room with a harsh fluorescent glare to see what’s there—RIGHT NOW.\r\n\r\nOr… The people who walked in darkness, saw a great light. Those who dwelt in the shadow of death, upon them a light has shone. The light is out there—flickering in the darkness. The Christ light shines, beckoning us to draw near, to follow, to anticipate. In this advent season, we are reminded to walk in spiritual disciplines, to breathe in the tension between what we look towards and what is. To engage in the sacred dance of anticipation. To be present in each moment, each breath. To look for the Christ light shining in our midst.\r\n','Divine Tension of Anticipation ','','inherit','open','open','','2885-revision-3','','','2011-12-04 09:35:52','2011-12-04 17:35:52','',2885,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2885-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2910,90,'2011-12-04 09:37:33','2011-12-04 17:37:33','<em>Anticipate: to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee: to anticipate pleasure.\r\nAnticipate: to expect; look forward to; be sure of; to anticipate a favorable decision</em>\r\n\r\nThe advent season is one of anticipation. Of waiting… Of preparation… Of looking forward to the special Christmas day… When the concepts of anticipation and Christmas come together, I picture the look on a child’s face when December 1st rolls around. Waiting for Christmas becomes a month-long celebration. Some wake up each morning, ready to open the next door of the advent calendar. People scurry around making gifts and tucking them at the back of the closet or in that hidden spot in the crawl space, waiting for their Christmas morning unveiling. As children, the month of December can seem like an eternity, 24 whole doors on the advent calendar to open before one can wake up to the delight of Christmas morning. \r\n\r\n\r\nParents in the month of December are called to work with their children on discipline. “Nope, you can’t open doors for December 17th and 22nd today—today is December 3rd.” “You can shake and poke the presents from Grandma under the tree, but don’t think about peeling the tape back on the corner of the box”.  There’s something charged and magical in the waiting along with the frustration and restraint.\r\n\r\nWhat of our discipline in advent?  What do we anticipate as we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, Divinity Incarnate on earth? I’ll admit that I’m not so far from the ways of childhood, when it comes to Christmas. I get excited when the lights start going up on the trees and I’ve been madly knitting gifts for weeks now. I anticipate Christmas concerts and meals with friends and family and await the gentle glow of candlelight traditions. \r\n\r\n<em>Anticipate: to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee: to anticipate pleasure.\r\nAnticipate: to expect; look forward to; be sure of; to anticipate a favorable decision</em>\r\n\r\nThere is something in the waiting that feels sacred to me. There’s a care in the preparations that speaks to the precious nature of the holiday we’re approaching. I am seeing God in this tension, in the waiting, the anticipation. Maybe anticipation is God’s gift to us, the foretaste of God’s goodness, the spark of light in a darkened world. We anticipate, prepare, and stay in the tension because we look forward to a dream being realized; we feel God’s vision of the future we are working towards.\r\n\r\nWhen we live in the anticipation as a Divine gift, we can find the sacred, the joy of knowing that something beautiful is coming, the energy and excitement to persevere, the trust and patience to wait. We anticipate the end of a season. We anticipate a shift in our attitudes. We anticipate a change in a relationship, a new home, conquering an inner battle, mastering a skill, or the passing of time. \r\n\r\nWe can live into the anticipation as a gift, or we can see it as a burden. We can wake up each day and curse the fact that it is not yet Christmas morning, be bitter and twisted about the greener grass across the way and threaten to rip open all the gifts under the tree. We can live our lives in a way that would cause us to walk into a darkened room, throw on every bank of lights, and flood the room with a harsh fluorescent glare to see what’s there—RIGHT NOW.\r\n\r\nOr… <em>The people who walked in darkness, saw a great light. Those who dwelt in the shadow of death, upon them a light has shone</em>. The light is out there—flickering in the darkness. The Christ light shines, beckoning us to draw near, to follow, to anticipate. In this advent season, we are reminded to walk in spiritual disciplines, to breathe in the tension between what we look towards and what is. To engage in the sacred dance of anticipation. To be present in each moment, each breath. To look for the Christ light shining in our midst.\r\n','Divine Tension of Anticipation ','','inherit','open','open','','2885-revision-4','','','2011-12-04 09:37:33','2011-12-04 17:37:33','',2885,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2885-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2911,48,'2011-12-08 10:00:50','2011-12-08 18:00:50','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself promotions in title only), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of an organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work under, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out-of-place.\r\n\r\nI mention this, because the physical appearance of his employees was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business-attire dress code found in many office policies, he was very particular that all female employees wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it <em>had</em> to be lipstick. I often jokingly wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, and I would have asked if I\'d believed I could keep a straight face.\r\n\r\nI have no problem with make-up. I am a firm believer in enhancing one\'s natural beauty, and I tend to wear make-up nearly every day, rarely venturing outside the house without some on. However, I am not convinced of lipstick\'s benefits. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. And, don\'t get me started on those supposed \"12 hour wear\" kinds. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old with horrible lipstick applying skills. It really isn\'t an attractive look.\r\n\r\nWhile most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually did not take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything in sight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in to the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office and said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and again to keep your lipstick on. This is your final warning. If I have to tell you once more to put on your lipstick, you will be done here.\"\r\n\r\nThis was the only issue regarding my appearance or my performance that my boss had mentioned for at least 6 months. In fact, he had on numerous occasions complimented me on my stellar work and repeatedly told me that I was \"indispensable\" to him. Apparently that was only applied if I was wearing lipstick. I should mention that a couple of weeks later I arrived to work without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called.\r\n\r\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there. His organization held frequent meetings for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious remodeling. Not having the funds to do a complete renovation, he told us to \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer.\r\n\r\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am quite happy to no longer work for the man, I do sincerely wish him well. Rather, I tell this story to illustrate an issue that was once an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is now pervasive in churches and ministries today: obsession with image.\r\n\r\nBranding and marketing, formerly reserved for businesses and products, has now become a widespread tool among ministries and churches seeking to be culturally relevant, better able to \"market\" the church to their communities, or maybe just plain cool. Church names now border on the bizarre, often sounding more like clothing stores names than church names. Worship teams, or house bands if you are in a more \"relevant\" church, may even use smoke machines or crazy light shows during the worship service. Even church buildings have been given a makeover, with new churches popping up in refurbished storefronts, warehouses, or even movie theaters, often looking more like a club or concert arena than the traditional church building.\r\n\r\nPlease do not mistake me; I do not think any of this is inherently bad. These can all be wonderful expressions of the church body and worship.  However, the danger is giving it too much focus. The image of the church leadership, building, worship style, or witness method (if you want to consider marketing a witnessing method), should not supersede being bearers of the image of Christ.  When it appears that churches or ministries spend most of their resources and time branding and marketing their image, I often suspect all the shining packaging is hiding some cracks beneath the surface, much like the warehouse that housed my former bosses\' organization.\r\n\r\nAs I stated earlier, I have no problem using make-up to enhance personal beauty. But there\'s enhancing personal beauty and.... trying mask your entire face to hide real or perceived flaws. Are we, the Church, using these tools to enhance the good or hide the ugly? At the very least, The Church should not tart itself up with gaudy lipstick to woo suitors. That is merely a cheap façade, masking The Church\'s true beauty, current flaws and all.\r\n\r\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Slap On a Little Lipstick, You\'ll Be Fine','','publish','open','open','','slap-on-a-little-lipstick-youll-be-fine','','','2011-12-05 09:45:38','2011-12-05 17:45:38','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=2911',0,'post','',8),(2912,48,'2011-12-04 10:20:49','2011-12-04 18:20:49','','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision','','','2011-12-04 10:20:49','2011-12-04 18:20:49','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2913,48,'2011-12-04 10:55:33','2011-12-04 18:55:33','','joker','','inherit','open','open','','joker','','','2011-12-04 10:55:33','2011-12-04 18:55:33','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/joker.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2914,48,'2011-12-04 10:21:37','2011-12-04 18:21:37','','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-2','','','2011-12-04 10:21:37','2011-12-04 18:21:37','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2915,48,'2011-12-04 10:56:05','2011-12-04 18:56:05','','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-3','','','2011-12-04 10:56:05','2011-12-04 18:56:05','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2916,48,'2011-12-04 10:58:24','2011-12-04 18:58:24','Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography\n\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-4','','','2011-12-04 10:58:24','2011-12-04 18:58:24','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2917,48,'2011-12-04 10:58:46','2011-12-04 18:58:46','<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-5','','','2011-12-04 10:58:46','2011-12-04 18:58:46','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2918,48,'2011-12-04 10:59:04','2011-12-04 18:59:04','<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-6','','','2011-12-04 10:59:04','2011-12-04 18:59:04','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2919,48,'2011-12-04 10:59:08','2011-12-04 18:59:08','<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-7','','','2011-12-04 10:59:08','2011-12-04 18:59:08','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(3097,100,'2011-12-14 08:24:02','2011-12-14 16:24:02','[caption id=\"attachment_3098\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"230\" caption=\"Ariah Fine\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ariah-fine.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3098\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ariah-fine-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis week the something beautiful crew talks with author and community organizer Ariah Fine about his latest project, Clean Water for Elirose.\r\n\r\nAriah shares why community and social justice matter to him and how he was inspired to write a children’s book to share the story of clean water with his young children.\r\n\r\n<strong>Some questions to ask yourself while you listen:</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat issues are dear to your heart?\r\nAre resources available to explain those issues to people of all ages?\r\nWhat resource could you create to better explain the issue?\r\nWhat could you and your family do to help provide clean water for people around the world?\r\n\r\n[audio=\"http://somethingbeautifulpodcast.com/podcast/120911.mp3\"]','Something Beautiful - Ariah Fine','','publish','open','open','','something-beautiful-ariah-fine','','','2011-12-12 09:01:51','2011-12-12 17:01:51','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=3097',0,'post','',0),(2922,48,'2011-12-04 12:03:47','2011-12-04 20:03:47','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself title promotions), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of a particular organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work for, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out of place. \n\nThe physical appearance of his employess was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business attire dress code you find in offics, he was very particular that the ladies all wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it had to be lipstick. I often wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, but I never asked as I knew I wouldn\'t be able to do so and still keep a straight face. \n\nI have no problem with make-up. I tend to wear it most days, and don\'t usually leave the house without some on. However, I am not fond of lipstick. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. Those \"last all day\" kinds? Crapola. They don\'t work. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old. It really isn\'t an attractive look. \n\nSo, while most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually didn\'t take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything insight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office. Looking at me, he said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and time again to keep your lipstick on. This is your last warning. If I have to tell you again, you will be done here.\"\n\nThis, I should tell you, was the only issue about my performance at work for at least 6 months. In fact, he had many times complemented me on my stellar work and how I was \"indespensible\" to him. Apparently that was only true if I was wearing lipstick. \n\nThis story is one of my personal favorites to tell from my time working for that particular organization. Even at the time that it happened, I ended up laughing to myself because of the sheer absurdity of it. I should also mention that a couple weeks later I showed up to the office without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called. \n\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there, either. We held weekly meetings at our organization for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious renovation to use it. Not having the funds to do a complete remodel, he told us to  \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer. \n\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am very happy to no longer work for the man and disagree with him on some fundamental issues, I honestly believe he is a good man who honestly tries to help people. Rahter, I think this story highlights an issue that used to be more of an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is pervasive in churches and ministries today: an obsession with image. \n\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\n\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-8','','','2011-12-04 12:03:47','2011-12-04 20:03:47','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2924,48,'2011-12-04 12:20:59','2011-12-04 20:20:59','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself title promotions), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of a particular organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work for, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out of place. \n\nThe physical appearance of his employess was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business attire dress code you find in offics, he was very particular that the ladies all wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it had to be lipstick. I often wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, but I never asked as I knew I wouldn\'t be able to do so and still keep a straight face. \n\nI have no problem with make-up. I tend to wear it most days, and don\'t usually leave the house without some on. However, I am not fond of lipstick. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. Those \"last all day\" kinds? Crapola. They don\'t work. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old. It really isn\'t an attractive look. \n\nSo, while most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually didn\'t take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything insight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office. Looking at me, he said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and time again to keep your lipstick on. This is your last warning. If I have to tell you again, you will be done here.\"\n\nThis, I should tell you, was the only issue about my performance at work for at least 6 months. In fact, he had many times complemented me on my stellar work and how I was \"indespensible\" to him. Apparently that was only true if I was wearing lipstick. \n\nThis story is one of my personal favorites to tell from my time working for that particular organization. Even at the time that it happened, I ended up laughing to myself because of the sheer absurdity of it. I should also mention that a couple weeks later I showed up to the office without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called. \n\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there, either. We held weekly meetings at our organization for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious renovation to use it. Not having the funds to do a complete remodel, he told us to  \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer. \n\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am very happy to no longer work for the man and disagree with him on some fundamental issues, I honestly believe he is a good man who honestly tries to help people. Rahter, I think this story highlights an issue that used to be an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is now pervasive in churches and ministries today: an obsession with image. \n\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\n\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-10','','','2011-12-04 12:20:59','2011-12-04 20:20:59','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(2923,48,'2011-12-04 12:19:26','2011-12-04 20:19:26','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself title promotions), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of a particular organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work for, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out of place. \n\nThe physical appearance of his employess was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business attire dress code you find in offics, he was very particular that the ladies all wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it had to be lipstick. I often wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, but I never asked as I knew I wouldn\'t be able to do so and still keep a straight face. \n\nI have no problem with make-up. I tend to wear it most days, and don\'t usually leave the house without some on. However, I am not fond of lipstick. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. Those \"last all day\" kinds? Crapola. They don\'t work. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old. It really isn\'t an attractive look. \n\nSo, while most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually didn\'t take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything insight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office. Looking at me, he said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and time again to keep your lipstick on. This is your last warning. If I have to tell you again, you will be done here.\"\n\nThis, I should tell you, was the only issue about my performance at work for at least 6 months. In fact, he had many times complemented me on my stellar work and how I was \"indespensible\" to him. Apparently that was only true if I was wearing lipstick. \n\nThis story is one of my personal favorites to tell from my time working for that particular organization. Even at the time that it happened, I ended up laughing to myself because of the sheer absurdity of it. I should also mention that a couple weeks later I showed up to the office without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called. \n\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there, either. We held weekly meetings at our organization for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious renovation to use it. Not having the funds to do a complete remodel, he told us to  \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer. \n\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am very happy to no longer work for the man and disagree with him on some fundamental issues, I honestly believe he is a good man who honestly tries to help people. Rahter, I think this story highlights an issue that used to be an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is now pervasive in churches and ministries today: an obsession with image. \n\nBranding and marketing, which used to be reserved for businesses and products, are now popular tools utilized by churches. More and more, churches are seeking to be culturally relevant or perhaps just cool, with names that sound more like clothing stores or clubs than churches. Worship teams, or the cooler sounding \"house bands,\" now have smoke machines and crazy light shows. Sometimes even the sermon or message starts to sound more like a self-help guide or motivational speech than biblical teaching. \n\nPlease don\'t mistake me: I think there can be a place for all of this. But, when it gets out of hand, it seems like the Church is trying to package itself up in a disengenuis fashion. All the branding, hip names, lights and smoke are merely like lipstick, hiding the true beauty, flaws and all, underneath. \n\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\n\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-9','','','2011-12-04 12:19:26','2011-12-04 20:19:26','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(2925,48,'2011-12-04 12:22:58','2011-12-04 20:22:58','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself title promotions), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of a particular organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work for, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out of place.\r\n\r\nThe physical appearance of his employess was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business attire dress code you find in offics, he was very particular that the ladies all wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it had to be lipstick. I often wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, but I never asked as I knew I wouldn\'t be able to do so and still keep a straight face.\r\n\r\nI have no problem with make-up. I tend to wear it most days, and don\'t usually leave the house without some on. However, I am not fond of lipstick. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. Those \"last all day\" kinds? Crapola. They don\'t work. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old. It really isn\'t an attractive look.\r\n\r\nSo, while most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually didn\'t take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything insight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office. Looking at me, he said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and time again to keep your lipstick on. This is your last warning. If I have to tell you again, you will be done here.\"\r\n\r\nThis, I should tell you, was the only issue about my performance at work for at least 6 months. In fact, he had many times complemented me on my stellar work and how I was \"indespensible\" to him. Apparently that was only true if I was wearing lipstick.\r\n\r\nThis story is one of my personal favorites to tell from my time working for that particular organization. Even at the time that it happened, I ended up laughing to myself because of the sheer absurdity of it. I should also mention that a couple weeks later I showed up to the office without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called.\r\n\r\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there, either. We held weekly meetings at our organization for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious renovation to use it. Not having the funds to do a complete remodel, he told us to \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer.\r\n\r\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am very happy to no longer work for the man and disagree with him on some fundamental issues, I honestly believe he is a good man who honestly tries to help people. Rahter, I think this story highlights an issue that used to be an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is now pervasive in churches and ministries today: an obsession with image.\r\n\r\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-11','','','2011-12-04 12:22:58','2011-12-04 20:22:58','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(2926,48,'2011-12-04 12:23:37','2011-12-04 20:23:37','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself title promotions), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of a particular organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work for, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out of place. \r\n\r\nThe physical appearance of his employess was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business attire dress code you find in offics, he was very particular that the ladies all wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it had to be lipstick. I often wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, but I never asked as I knew I wouldn\'t be able to do so and still keep a straight face. \r\n\r\nI have no problem with make-up. I tend to wear it most days, and don\'t usually leave the house without some on. However, I am not fond of lipstick. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. Those \"last all day\" kinds? Crapola. They don\'t work. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old. It really isn\'t an attractive look. \r\n\r\nSo, while most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually didn\'t take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything insight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office. Looking at me, he said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and time again to keep your lipstick on. This is your last warning. If I have to tell you again, you will be done here.\"\r\n\r\nThis, I should tell you, was the only issue about my performance at work for at least 6 months. In fact, he had many times complemented me on my stellar work and how I was \"indespensible\" to him. Apparently that was only true if I was wearing lipstick. \r\n\r\nThis story is one of my personal favorites to tell from my time working for that particular organization. Even at the time that it happened, I ended up laughing to myself because of the sheer absurdity of it. I should also mention that a couple weeks later I showed up to the office without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called. \r\n\r\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there, either. We held weekly meetings at our organization for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious renovation to use it. Not having the funds to do a complete remodel, he told us to  \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer. \r\n\r\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am very happy to no longer work for the man and disagree with him on some fundamental issues, I honestly believe he is a good man who honestly tries to help people. Rahter, I think this story highlights an issue that used to be an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is now pervasive in churches and ministries today: an obsession with image. \r\n\r\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-12','','','2011-12-04 12:23:37','2011-12-04 20:23:37','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(2927,48,'2011-12-04 12:29:05','2011-12-04 20:29:05','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself title promotions), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of a particular organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work for, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out of place.\n\nThe physical appearance of his employess was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business attire dress code you find in offics, he was very particular that the ladies all wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it had to be lipstick. I often wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, but I never asked as I knew I wouldn\'t be able to do so and still keep a straight face.\n\nI have no problem with make-up. I tend to wear it most days, and don\'t usually leave the house without some on. However, I am not fond of lipstick. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. Those \"last all day\" kinds? Crapola. They don\'t work. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old. It really isn\'t an attractive look.\n\nSo, while most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually didn\'t take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything insight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office. Looking at me, he said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and time again to keep your lipstick on. This is your last warning. If I have to tell you again, you will be done here.\"\n\nThis, I should tell you, was the only issue about my performance at work for at least 6 months. In fact, he had many times complemented me on my stellar work and how I was \"indespensible\" to him. Apparently that was only true if I was wearing lipstick.\n\nThis story is one of my personal favorites to tell from my time working for that particular organization. Even at the time that it happened, I ended up laughing to myself because of the sheer absurdity of it. I should also mention that a couple weeks later I showed up to the office without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called.\n\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there, either. We held weekly meetings at our organization for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious renovation to use it. Not having the funds to do a complete remodel, he told us to \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer.\n\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am very happy to no longer work for the man and disagree with him on some fundamental issues, I honestly believe he is a good man who honestly tries to help people. Rahter, I think this story highlights an issue that used to be an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is now pervasive in churches and ministries today: an obsession with image.\n\nBranding and marketing, formerly reserved for businesses and products, has now become a frontline tool for ministries and churches seeking to be culturally relevant, better able to \"market\" the church to their communities, or maybe just plain cool. Church names now border on the bizarre, often sounding more like clothing stores or Etsy shops than churches. Woship teams, or house bands if you are in a more \"relevant\" church, may \n\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\n\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-13','','','2011-12-04 12:29:05','2011-12-04 20:29:05','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(2928,48,'2011-12-04 12:35:50','2011-12-04 20:35:50','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself title promotions), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of a particular organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work for, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out of place.\n\nThe physical appearance of his employess was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business attire dress code you find in offics, he was very particular that the ladies all wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it had to be lipstick. I often wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, but I never asked as I knew I wouldn\'t be able to do so and still keep a straight face.\n\nI have no problem with make-up. I tend to wear it most days, and don\'t usually leave the house without some on. However, I am not fond of lipstick. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. Those \"last all day\" kinds? Crapola. They don\'t work. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old. It really isn\'t an attractive look.\n\nSo, while most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually didn\'t take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything insight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office. Looking at me, he said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and time again to keep your lipstick on. This is your last warning. If I have to tell you again, you will be done here.\"\n\nThis, I should tell you, was the only issue about my performance at work for at least 6 months. In fact, he had many times complemented me on my stellar work and how I was \"indespensible\" to him. Apparently that was only true if I was wearing lipstick.\n\nThis story is one of my personal favorites to tell from my time working for that particular organization. Even at the time that it happened, I ended up laughing to myself because of the sheer absurdity of it. I should also mention that a couple weeks later I showed up to the office without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called.\n\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there, either. We held weekly meetings at our organization for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious renovation to use it. Not having the funds to do a complete remodel, he told us to \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer.\n\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am very happy to no longer work for the man and disagree with him on some fundamental issues, I honestly believe he is a good man who honestly tries to help people. Rahter, I think this story highlights an issue that used to be an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is now pervasive in churches and ministries today: an obsession with image.\n\nBranding and marketing, formerly reserved for businesses and products, has now become a frontline tool for ministries and churches seeking to be culturally relevant, better able to \"market\" the church to their communities, or maybe just plain cool. Church names now border on the bizarre, often sounding more like clothing stores or Etsy shops than churches. Woship teams, or house bands if you are in a more \"relevant\" church, may even use smoke machines or crazy light shows during the worship service. Even church buildings have been \"coolified\", with many new churches popping up in refurbished storefronts, warehouses, or even movie theaters, often looking more like a club or concert arena than a church.\n\nPlease don\'t mistake me; I do not think that all of this is inheritantly bad. I think there can be a place for all of this. However, the danger is giving it too much focus. The image of the Church should not\n\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\n\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-14','','','2011-12-04 12:35:50','2011-12-04 20:35:50','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(2929,48,'2011-12-04 12:40:49','2011-12-04 20:40:49','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself title promotions), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of a particular organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work for, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out of place.\n\nThe physical appearance of his employess was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business attire dress code you find in offics, he was very particular that the ladies all wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it had to be lipstick. I often wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, but I never asked as I knew I wouldn\'t be able to do so and still keep a straight face.\n\nI have no problem with make-up. I tend to wear it most days, and don\'t usually leave the house without some on. However, I am not fond of lipstick. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. Those \"last all day\" kinds? Crapola. They don\'t work. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old. It really isn\'t an attractive look.\n\nSo, while most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually didn\'t take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything insight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office. Looking at me, he said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and time again to keep your lipstick on. This is your last warning. If I have to tell you again, you will be done here.\"\n\nThis, I should tell you, was the only issue about my performance at work for at least 6 months. In fact, he had many times complemented me on my stellar work and how I was \"indespensible\" to him. Apparently that was only true if I was wearing lipstick.\n\nThis story is one of my personal favorites to tell from my time working for that particular organization. Even at the time that it happened, I ended up laughing to myself because of the sheer absurdity of it. I should also mention that a couple weeks later I showed up to the office without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called.\n\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there, either. We held weekly meetings at our organization for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious renovation to use it. Not having the funds to do a complete remodel, he told us to \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer.\n\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am very happy to no longer work for the man and disagree with him on some fundamental issues, I honestly believe he is a good man who honestly tries to help people. Rahter, I think this story highlights an issue that used to be an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is now pervasive in churches and ministries today: an obsession with image.\n\nBranding and marketing, formerly reserved for businesses and products, has now become a frontline tool for ministries and churches seeking to be culturally relevant, better able to \"market\" the church to their communities, or maybe just plain cool. Church names now border on the bizarre, often sounding more like clothing stores or Etsy shops than churches. Woship teams, or house bands if you are in a more \"relevant\" church, may even use smoke machines or crazy light shows during the worship service. Even church buildings have been \"coolified\", with many new churches popping up in refurbished storefronts, warehouses, or even movie theaters, often looking more like a club or concert arena than a church.\n\nPlease don\'t mistake me; I do not think that all of this is inheritantly bad. I think there can be a place for all of this. However, the danger is giving it too much focus. The image of the church building, or worship style, or witness method (if you want to consider marketing a witnessing method), should not supercede being bearers of the image of Christ. The Church should not need to tart itself up with gaudy lipstick to woo suitors. It is a cheap veneer, masking The Churche true beauty, current flaws and all.  \n\n\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\n\n&nbsp;','Slap a Little Lipstick On, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-15','','','2011-12-04 12:40:49','2011-12-04 20:40:49','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(2933,48,'2011-12-04 13:29:15','2011-12-04 21:29:15','Before I came into my current position as The Queen of Awesomeness (also known as Stay at Home Mom; hey, if I don\'t get paid, at least I can give myself title promotions), I was the personal assistant to the head and founder of a particular organization that shall remain nameless. My boss was a bit bi-polar in his office demeanor, one day perfectly amiable and fun to work under, the next day spitting nails over a single hair being out-of-place.  I mention this, because the physical appearance of his employees was of particular importance to him; in addition to the normal business-attire dress code found in many office policies, he was very particular that all female employees wore makeup-- especially lipstick. Lip gloss was not acceptable; it <em>had</em> to be lipstick. I often jokingly wondered if there were specific office-approved lipstick colors, and I would have asked if I\'d believed I could keep a straight face.\n\nI have no problem with make-up. I am a firm believer in enhancing one\'s natural beauty, and I tend to wear make-up nearly every day, rarely venturing outside the house without some on. However, I am not convinced of lipstick\'s benefits. It\'s always smearing, getting on my coffee cups, fading, and needing to be reapplied. And, don\'t get me started on those supposed \"12 hour wear\" kinds. They just crack and make it look like you have the lips of an 80-year-old with horrible lipstick applying skills. It really isn\'t an attractive look.\n\nWhile most days I applied lipstick before leaving for work, I usually did not take the trouble to reapply it every 10 minutes. That is, unless my boss was having one of his \"shoot anything in sight\" kind of days. On one of those particular days, I was feverishly working to finish up some time-sensitive projects and did not check my make-up before he came in to the office. Shortly after he arrived, he called me into his office. Glaring at me, he said, very sternly, \"I have told you time and again to keep your lipstick on. This is your final warning. If I have to tell you once more to put on your lipstick, you will be done here.\"\n\nThis was the only issue regarding my appearance or my performance that my boss had mentioned for at least 6 months. In fact, he had on numerous occasions complimented me on my stellar work and repeatedly told me that I was \"indispensable\" to him. Apparently that was only applied if I was wearing lipstick. I should mention that a couple of weeks later I arrived to work without a stitch of lipstick on, with nary a comment or pink slip. Bluff called.\n\nMy bosses\' obsession with lipstick didn\'t end there. His organization held frequent meetings for leaders and the general community, however the building we occupied was a large warehouse in need of some serious remodeling. Not having the funds to do a complete renovation, he told us to \"slap a little lipstick on it\". That is, he wanted us to distract from the flaws with a cheap veneer.\n\nI don\'t tell you this anecdote to rail on my former boss. While I am quite happy to no longer work for the man, I do sincerely wish him well. Rather, I tell this story to illustrate an issue that was once an issue mainly in the culture at large, but is now pervasive in churches and ministries today: obsession with image.\n\nBranding and marketing, formerly reserved for businesses and products, has now become a widespread tool among ministries and churches seeking to be culturally relevant, better able to \"market\" the church to their communities, or maybe just plain cool. Church names now border on the bizarre, often sounding more like clothing stores names than church names. Worship teams, or house bands if you are in a more \"relevant\" church, may even use smoke machines or crazy light shows during the worship service. Even church buildings have been \"coolified\", with many new churches popping up in refurbished storefronts, warehouses, or even movie theaters, often looking more like a club or concert arena than the traditional church building.\n\nPlease do not mistake me; I do not think any of this is inherently bad. There can be a place for it, even in the context of churches and ministries. However, the danger is giving it too much focus. The image of the church building, or worship style, or witness method (if you want to consider marketing a witnessing method), should not supercede being bearers of the image of Christ. The Church should not need to tart itself up with gaudy lipstick to woo suitors. It is a cheap veneer, masking The Churches true beauty, current flaws and all.\n\n<em>Photo Credit: Sabbath Photography</em>\n\n&nbsp;','Slap On a Little Lipstick, You\'ll Be Fine','','inherit','open','open','','2911-revision-19','','','2011-12-04 13:29:15','2011-12-04 21:29:15','',2911,'http://provoketive.com/2011/12/04/2911-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),