Re-entry. First Blog Entry in a Long Time

It feels like I haven't written a blog forever.

I took a voluntary hiatus from blogging and twittering.

I found myself writing things just so people would read them. I know that that's partly the point of the blogging and twittering. But what happened to me was that I was writing blogs so it would get picked up on Presbyweb, I was twittering so that it would get retweeted. And when it wasn't, I'd be somewhat disappointed.

The first thing I'd check in the morning is to see if my blog was picked up by Presbyweb, to see how many hits were on my blog, to see if my tweets were being commented on.

Instead of writing because I had something to say and because I wanted to express my thoughts somewhere, my purpose became so that other people would read it.

And I didn't like what it was doing to me. I didn't like me trying to be a major people pleaser.

I still think the regular exercise and discipline of regular writing and reflecting is a good discipline to maintain. I am ready engage in this discipline again.

So I will continue to write about stuff that interests me and that I think are worth reflecting about. I am no longer going to get caught up in the "popularity" and the "followership".

Egypt - Reasons for Praise and for Prayer

I rejoice with the people of Egypt for an opportunity for a new beginning.

I rejoice for the protester's resolve to a non-violent voicing of their strong resolve.

I rejoice that President Mubarak has chosen to step down without resorting to violence.

I pray that his legacy in promoting peace and stability in the region will carry the day.

Along with the rejoicing, there is reason for deep prayer.

The fact remains that most of the people celebrating on the streets of Cairo are people who just weeks ago, considered America and her version of democracy and freedom evil.

What drove this protest, along with a desire for more freedom and democracy, is the disparity between the rich and the poor. While the middle class and the rich live fairly comfortable lives, the great portion of the country lives in abject poverty - living on less than $2/day.

Just because they wanted Mubarak out does not mean that the people who have been anti-America, anti-west, anti-anything not Islam are all of a sudden going to become wonderful friends of the west, friends of freedom as we know it, and friends of western democracy.

They still remain and will continue to remain Muslim.

Situations like this are ripe for radical Islam to claim that the failure of Mubarak's version of Islam is precisely his ties to the west, and what is required is a "true-er" version of Islam.

It is my prayer that the ferment of dissatisfaction in Egypt that birthed this new reality will lead to genuine freedom for all Egyptians - Muslim, Christian, Jew, etc.

White Paper, Tall Steeple Paper, Fellowship Invitation...Pick Up the Phone and Call Someone

It has been very difficult not to write a knee-jerk response to the original letter and the many varied responses that are on the blogging, FB, and the twitter world. I have found myself biting my tongue multiple times a day, typing things out only to delete them.

There are a myriad of thoughts and emotions swirling around, all depending on what I responses I am reading.

I just have one favor to ask anyone reading this.

If you took the time and effort to look up the different names and the size of the congregations of the people who signed the document, surely you came across some phone numbers to those names and congregations.

Please, pick up the phone and call.

Better yet, if you find yourself in close proximity to the the forty plus signatories, invite them out for coffee or tea, or for a scotch and have a face to face conversation.

Perhaps, when we start talking with one another instead of to each other...church happens.

It doesn't mean we have to agree on everything. It's just that when two or more are gathered in Christ's name, he is really present. And perhaps it's his presence that's been missing in so much of our talking at each other.

White paper, tall steeple paper, fellowship paper, FB, Twitter, Blogs...please, pick up the phone and call someone.

I am always, always available for coffee or scotch anytime, anywhere.

Tea...I guess that's okay too.