intersections

The Finest Cup of Coffee

At 4:00 am I was awakened by the sound of my cell phone chirping and discovered that my alarm clock was dark - the power was out. As the power tried to come back on several times my cell phone chirped to indicate it was charging. As I got back in bed after disconnecting my  phone I was aware that all my plans for the morning were shot if the power didn't come back on. Usually I awaken long before the rest of my family so I can read and/or write before the chaos begins. But that requires a cup of coffee and power to my Powerbook. So, I slept in a little (though the kids got up at 6:20 for some reason. Anyway, due to the power outage I was forced to retrieve my french press from the top shelf of a cabinet we rarely get into and I was reminded that it truly is the finest way to make coffee. There is just something about it! Maybe it also had to do with the fact that the kids couldn't watch TV. Anyway, small blessings related to a power outage!

Tour of California

Today, Sophie and I went to Redondo Beach to watch the final stage of the Tour of California. This final stage was a circuit race (10 laps of 7.65 miles). It was a really great thing. I've never see a professional bike race live. There's really nothing like it! Check out the photo albums on the left column for more pictures of the day! Click here to see a short video of the start.

Survey of Books

I ask 39 of my friends and colleagues the following question last week:

If someone (non-Adventist and nominally Christian) came to you today and asked you for a short book that would give them an idea who Seventh-day Adventists are and what they believe, what would you give them?

I should also clarify that these are some of the most thoughtful and forward thinking people in Adventism. Among them are Ph.D.s in their field (theology, Biblical studies, history), seminary professors, magazine and academic journal editors, published authors, pastors that are on the cutting edge of ministry in the postmodern world, etc.

Twelve responded and here are the results (people often gave 3 or 4 suggestions so the results don't add up to 12). Two books tied for first place with three votes each:

1. Searching for a God to Love, by Chris Blake
2. The Fifth Generation: Spiritual Secrets of Mature Adventism, by John McLarty

Three people also said, "Anything George Knight has written," with one person mentioning in particular, A Brief History of Seventh-day Adventists. So, congratulations to the top vote getters. Other notable mentions include:

1. Steps to Christ, Ellen G. White (2 votes)
2. Adventism & the American Republic, Doug Morgan
3. Remnant & Republic, Charles Teel
4. Seeking a Sanctuary, Bull & Lockhart
5. The Demons Have Had It, Charles Scriven

I have my theory about what all this means, but I would love to hear yours. Please comment by clicking "Comments" just below.

AirTalk discusses Hollywood & Gower

On KPCC Public Radio (89.3) this morning there was a story about the controversial project proposed for Hollywood & Gower, just 3 blocks from our church. The proposed project would be what is known as Permanent Supportive Housing. My friend, Sarah Hubinsky Phelps, is the Co-Director of L.A Voice PICO and is the organization which, out of a coalition of Hollywood clergy, helped conceive of the this project. Many in the community feel it is a bad idea for a whole host of different reasons. This radio which you can download below, features Sarah, along of with Councilman Eric Garcetti and other neighbors of ours. Important listening...enjoy!

Download Airtalk - Feb 24, 2006
(The file is a 1 hour MP3 and is 19 MB, so please be patient)

How You Know You're in Deep Trouble as a Parent

Meeting Rabbi Lerner

Yesterday I had the privilege of hearing Rabbi Michael Lerner speak to a small group that gathered at a bookstore in West Hollywood. There may have been 20 of us packed into this small space. He spoke passionately about his book and the Network for Spiritual Progressives for nearly an hour. As he signed my book I told him I was a pastor in Hollywood and we spoke about ways in which Adventists have a natural affinity to the things he's talking about, separation of church and state, anti-militarism, peace, a society characterized by love and generosity rather than fear and control. I'm going to be blogging chapter by chapter through the Left Hand of God, so if you want, you can read along with me and comment and share what you're learning. Come on...you know you want to!

I also saw a documentary film that I've been really anxious to watch - Eugene Jarecki's, "Why We Fight". It was really outstanding. In LA it's playing on Sunset in West Hollywood, Pasadena and Santa Monica. If you're outside a major metropolitan area you probably can't find a theater that is showing it. But when it comes out of DVD you need to see this. I'll be writing more about this film in the near future.

 

Left Hand of God book review

Just below, on Feb 17, I wrote about a new book I'm reading. It just came out at the beginning of February. Anyway, in this morning's Book Review section of the LA Times was this great review by Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California. This is the same All Saints Church that made the news back in November. I blogged about it here. I write more about my time at the book signing tomorrow night so check back.

Network of Spiritual Progressives

For some time now I've been meaning to blog about something I've been following called The Network of Spiritual Progressives. This is a spiritual/political movement to change the bottom line in American political and social discourse. Rabbi Michael Lerner is the leader of the Network. He is also the Editor of Tikkun magazine (tikkun is a Hebrew word meaning "healing." It is taken from the Hebrew expression tikkun olam, meaning, healing the world).

Rabbi Lerner has just written a book called The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right. I've just read the Introduction and already I am encouraged by the direction he is headed. You might not be able to tell from the subtitle, but his tone is firm but generous. He is critical not only of the Religious Right but also what he calls the militantly secular Left. His metaphor of the Left Hand of God is rich. I will blog more about this book as I read it.

I am going to a book store in West Hollywood on Monday (2/20) to hear him speak. If anyone wants to go with me, please email me.

Walmart's Ongoing Saga

There was another article about Wal-mart in the New York Times today. You can read it here. I also received a free copy of a new book by Anthony Bianco entitled, The Bully of Bentonville: How the High Cost of Wal-Mart's Everyday Low Prices is Hurting America. I haven't read it and probably won't get to anytime soon, but it is just one more indication that this issue is getting the attention it needs. Often these books are one-sided and a bit over simplified. The author has been a senior writer for Business Week for 20 years, so he's not just an angry muckraker.

If anyone gets the chance to read it, please let me know what you think.

Should I Not Love This Great City?

The city is our dominant context here in Hollywood and in so many places around the US and the world. To get into a discussion about how God views the city we re-enter the story of Jonah this week. From this story we see God  compassion for what He calls, "that great city of Nineveh." Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria, the nation that would eventually take into exile (permanently) the 10 northern tribes of Israel.

Download "Should I Not Love This Great City?"
Pursuing a Compelling Vision - Part 6 of 13