Images of Jesus

Blond haired, blue eyed? Dreadlocked?

Stern-faced? Welcoming?

Revolutionary? Hippie?

Images are powerful. An image can elicit an array of emotions, depending greatly on who you are and where you're coming from. The same can be said for images of Jesus.

Why did a church receive death threats several years ago when they cast a black man as Jesus in a Passion Play? (http://lubbockonline.com/news/032197/black.htm)

Why are people surprised, yet often pleased when they first see 'Jesus Laughing'? (Above... a favorite I have up in my office). Why does it challenge their perceptions?

Why am I, a white, middle-class American male, bothered by images of anglo-Jesus? You know, the kind in your kid's Sunday School class.

There's no right or wrong answer (is there ever?). I believe our perceptions of Christ are largely shaped by our faith journey (no matter the tradition) and experiences.

For the white evangelical in America... Christ is most comfortably seen as white. For the oppressed of the inner city, an image of Jesus crucified next to the Sears Tower brings Christ home. Redeemer. Liberator.

We'll never have a definitive or 'true' image of Christ, and I think that's a good thing. Any image of Christ that brings hope to the weak and challenges the strong to reach out in charity is worthwhile.

Rant inspired by...

http://www.rejesus.co.uk/expressions/faces_jesus/index.html

Striving for... something

In life I believe we are called to be in tune with the present moment. We are called to strive for our best in all endeavors, as imperfect as our ‘best’ may be. I do so when I strap on my guitar, when I put pen to paper, and when my feet hit the pavement for a run at Canal Park.

I’m admittedly a bit of a perfectionist. When I find something I care about, I pursue it almost to a fault (except guitar… that’s paid off). At times I think I’ll be remembered as a modern-day Icarus, someone who pushed the limits of his abilities, despite knowing the consequences, until plunging from the sky. I've taken my share of falls thus far.

I long for greatness, however broken and lacking my ‘best’ efforts may be. No one is perfect. If we were we’d have no need for God. Still, I believe we are all made in the image of God. We may be broken and fragile, but we all have our moments of greatness, perhaps even moments of perfection.

In the grand scheme of things we are not called to seek some infallible existence (note to self). If we do we’ll languish in a life of disappointment. Perhaps I’ve read too much Buddhist philosophy, but I believe more and more that being in-tune with the present moment is of primary importance to one’s happiness.

Greatness is to be measured not by our output, but our in-put: what we give of ourselves and how it changes who we are and, perhaps more importantly, how it changes the world around us.

We are called to be awe-full, to be filled with awe by the moments in which our feeble efforts and perfection go dancing. It is in these uncommon instances where we fully taste the splendor of life and see the face of God, the God who calls us to be in-tune with every moment, living life to the full for the uplift of this maddening world we live in.

Things keeping me from posting....

I haven’t posted anything in a while, so here’s a lame and generic list of things I’m enjoying right now…

Wilco – Kicking Television – Ok, I saw Wilco a couple times at 96 Wavefest back in the mid-90’s. I remember nothing about the performances. What I do know is that their recently released 2-disc live album is nothing short of incredible. Surprisingly the genius of their recent studio albums works in a live setting.

Free gym at Eastminster Presbyterian –As Ron Burgundy says, “The only way to bag a classy lady is to give her two tickets to the gun show.” Free gym = free muscles. 2 weeks and I'm already seeing results.

Sufjan Stevens – Say Yes! To Michigan – The first Sufjan album I ‘discovered’ online (aka illegally downloaded) about a year and half ago. If you like laid-back, acoustic-driven indie music without the pretentiousness (a rarity!) and with intelligence… Sufjan’s your man.

Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks – Trendy? Yes. Masculine? No. Do I care? Not really. These things are like drinking heaven out of a recycled cup. So good it almost makes me forget that I’m exploiting third world farmers every time I waste, err spend, $4 on one.

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Live at the Roxy – 23-minute Get Up, Stand Up / War / No More Trouble jam is worth the purchase itself. Definitely a good stocking stuffer for your dreadlocked loved ones.

Credo – William Sloan Coffin – Fascinating book of quotations from one of the world’s most renowned social activists and ministers. I haven’t gotten too far into this book (each quote takes some sinking in), but so far it’s been a very refreshing read. Great pick for the socially conscious Christian on your Christmas list.

Honorable Mentions:

NCAA March Madness ’06 for PS2
Tao Te Ching
Peace is Every Step – Thich Nhat Hanh
The Genesee Diary – Henri Nouwen
Sidney Rice TD's
John Coltrane – Live at the Village Vanguard (Master Takes)… if anyone wants to give me a Christmas gift you can pick up the boxset!
Steve Spurrier’s mystique