Comments on: An Ever-new Narrative of Good News http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/ A Blog by Jim Wallis and Friends Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:29:46 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: BillSamuel http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-110030 BillSamuel Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:06:12 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-110030 We must start with the love of God, not with politics. It has immense political ramifications, but the key is starting with God. Here's how Cedar Ridge Community Church expresses the vision we feel God has give us:<br><br>Cedar Ridge is a community of hope and transformation dedicated to following Jesus.<br><br>Imagine a community that dares to dream of heaven on earth; a community where everyone is accepted and respected and their journey cherished, regardless of their background, beliefs or place in society; where everyone looks out for the concerns of others and no one is alone. Imagine a community of peace and safety where it’s possible to shelter from the frenzied pace of life, in order to slow down and explore the mystery and meaning of our existence; where we can take time to address the roots of our anxieties and pain; a place of hope where we can find help and healing and the power to change, no matter how desperate our situation. Imagine a community of people devoted to following Jesus together, learning to live like him and helping one another grow in their relationship with God; where we are gradually transformed to become better people: better friends, better family members, better workers, better neighbors; becoming people who enjoy life to the full and who can also deal with adversity well, learning to grow through failure and suffering. Imagine that community scattered throughout the region around Washington, Baltimore and beyond working as agents of love, peace and hope wherever they are; serving our neighbors, caring for the poor, helping the oppressed. Imagine a community of people who live simply and ethically, who share their land and resources with their neighbors; a community that treasures the Earth and reaches out beyond global, cultural and political barriers to offer friendship and practical support.<br><br>Imagine a community of people who make the world a better place. We must start with the love of God, not with politics. It has immense political ramifications, but the key is starting with God. Here's how Cedar Ridge Community Church expresses the vision we feel God has give us:

Cedar Ridge is a community of hope and transformation dedicated to following Jesus.

Imagine a community that dares to dream of heaven on earth; a community where everyone is accepted and respected and their journey cherished, regardless of their background, beliefs or place in society; where everyone looks out for the concerns of others and no one is alone. Imagine a community of peace and safety where it’s possible to shelter from the frenzied pace of life, in order to slow down and explore the mystery and meaning of our existence; where we can take time to address the roots of our anxieties and pain; a place of hope where we can find help and healing and the power to change, no matter how desperate our situation. Imagine a community of people devoted to following Jesus together, learning to live like him and helping one another grow in their relationship with God; where we are gradually transformed to become better people: better friends, better family members, better workers, better neighbors; becoming people who enjoy life to the full and who can also deal with adversity well, learning to grow through failure and suffering. Imagine that community scattered throughout the region around Washington, Baltimore and beyond working as agents of love, peace and hope wherever they are; serving our neighbors, caring for the poor, helping the oppressed. Imagine a community of people who live simply and ethically, who share their land and resources with their neighbors; a community that treasures the Earth and reaches out beyond global, cultural and political barriers to offer friendship and practical support.

Imagine a community of people who make the world a better place.

]]> By: BillSamuel http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-110031 BillSamuel Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:04:30 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-110031 No. It's an expression of how his thinking has developed over a long time. I don't think he's citing himself as an authority, but just not putting into new words what he's already said. No. It's an expression of how his thinking has developed over a long time. I don't think he's citing himself as an authority, but just not putting into new words what he's already said.

]]> By: BillSamuel http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-107548 BillSamuel Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:06:12 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-107548 We must start with the love of God, not with politics. It has immense political ramifications, but the key is starting with God. Here's how Cedar Ridge Community Church expresses the vision we feel God has give us:<br><br>Cedar Ridge is a community of hope and transformation dedicated to following Jesus.<br><br>Imagine a community that dares to dream of heaven on earth; a community where everyone is accepted and respected and their journey cherished, regardless of their background, beliefs or place in society; where everyone looks out for the concerns of others and no one is alone. Imagine a community of peace and safety where it’s possible to shelter from the frenzied pace of life, in order to slow down and explore the mystery and meaning of our existence; where we can take time to address the roots of our anxieties and pain; a place of hope where we can find help and healing and the power to change, no matter how desperate our situation. Imagine a community of people devoted to following Jesus together, learning to live like him and helping one another grow in their relationship with God; where we are gradually transformed to become better people: better friends, better family members, better workers, better neighbors; becoming people who enjoy life to the full and who can also deal with adversity well, learning to grow through failure and suffering. Imagine that community scattered throughout the region around Washington, Baltimore and beyond working as agents of love, peace and hope wherever they are; serving our neighbors, caring for the poor, helping the oppressed. Imagine a community of people who live simply and ethically, who share their land and resources with their neighbors; a community that treasures the Earth and reaches out beyond global, cultural and political barriers to offer friendship and practical support.<br><br>Imagine a community of people who make the world a better place. We must start with the love of God, not with politics. It has immense political ramifications, but the key is starting with God. Here's how Cedar Ridge Community Church expresses the vision we feel God has give us:

Cedar Ridge is a community of hope and transformation dedicated to following Jesus.

Imagine a community that dares to dream of heaven on earth; a community where everyone is accepted and respected and their journey cherished, regardless of their background, beliefs or place in society; where everyone looks out for the concerns of others and no one is alone. Imagine a community of peace and safety where it’s possible to shelter from the frenzied pace of life, in order to slow down and explore the mystery and meaning of our existence; where we can take time to address the roots of our anxieties and pain; a place of hope where we can find help and healing and the power to change, no matter how desperate our situation. Imagine a community of people devoted to following Jesus together, learning to live like him and helping one another grow in their relationship with God; where we are gradually transformed to become better people: better friends, better family members, better workers, better neighbors; becoming people who enjoy life to the full and who can also deal with adversity well, learning to grow through failure and suffering. Imagine that community scattered throughout the region around Washington, Baltimore and beyond working as agents of love, peace and hope wherever they are; serving our neighbors, caring for the poor, helping the oppressed. Imagine a community of people who live simply and ethically, who share their land and resources with their neighbors; a community that treasures the Earth and reaches out beyond global, cultural and political barriers to offer friendship and practical support.

Imagine a community of people who make the world a better place.

]]> By: BillSamuel http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-95996 BillSamuel Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:04:30 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-95996 No. It's an expression of how his thinking has developed over a long time. I don't think he's citing himself as an authority, but just not putting into new words what he's already said. No. It's an expression of how his thinking has developed over a long time. I don't think he's citing himself as an authority, but just not putting into new words what he's already said.

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-95950 Eric77 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:25:11 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-95950 You'll see that many of the same people decrying the influence of lobbyists are also the people who are advocating that the federal government get in the business of dispensing more goodies and regulating more of society. As long as there are goodies to be gotten and oxes being gored there will be lobbyists. You'll see that many of the same people decrying the influence of lobbyists are also the people who are advocating that the federal government get in the business of dispensing more goodies and regulating more of society. As long as there are goodies to be gotten and oxes being gored there will be lobbyists.

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-95954 Eric77 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:22:02 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-95954 I've often heard of "the elderly eating cat food" example of how bad poverty is in the U.S. I've never actually known anyone to eat cat food because they couldn't afford other food. There's plenty of human food to eat without resorting to pet food. Rice, beans, potatoes, and frozen and canned vegetables are pretty cheap.<br><br>If I knew someone in my community who was surviving on cat food the last thing I would do would be to complain that the federal government isn't helping them. I'd give them some human food to eat. I've often heard of “the elderly eating cat food” example of how bad poverty is in the U.S. I've never actually known anyone to eat cat food because they couldn't afford other food. There's plenty of human food to eat without resorting to pet food. Rice, beans, potatoes, and frozen and canned vegetables are pretty cheap.

If I knew someone in my community who was surviving on cat food the last thing I would do would be to complain that the federal government isn't helping them. I'd give them some human food to eat.

]]> By: prk http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-95953 prk Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:32:57 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-95953 What?<br><br>Where are the elderly eating cat food? In the US most of the wealth is held by those over 65. My parents are a prime example, both over 75 with a pension and their house is paid for, no kids at home. They are having a great time waiting for the next Braves game to start on their big screen.<br><br>As for all the other things you say I will always think that markets are far more superior than are the pols. Who should decide what is rampant materialism, consumerism and for waste if the market sets a high price for waiste we will have less of it, but if it is cheap we will have more of it. Why is this a problem?<br><br>And the shrinking middle class, check that out more closely, look hard at the numbers, household vs. individual. Also look at who the numbers in the household has been going. i.e. a mom and dad working and living in the same household will have more income than a single mom. What?

Where are the elderly eating cat food? In the US most of the wealth is held by those over 65. My parents are a prime example, both over 75 with a pension and their house is paid for, no kids at home. They are having a great time waiting for the next Braves game to start on their big screen.

As for all the other things you say I will always think that markets are far more superior than are the pols. Who should decide what is rampant materialism, consumerism and for waste if the market sets a high price for waiste we will have less of it, but if it is cheap we will have more of it. Why is this a problem?

And the shrinking middle class, check that out more closely, look hard at the numbers, household vs. individual. Also look at who the numbers in the household has been going. i.e. a mom and dad working and living in the same household will have more income than a single mom.

]]> By: SisterMarie http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-95952 SisterMarie Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:03:00 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-95952 Brother McLaren,<br>What were you doing in a pub? I hope you were not drinking beer.<br><br>"Look not upon the wine when it is red..."<br><br>"Wine is a mocker..." Brother McLaren,
What were you doing in a pub? I hope you were not drinking beer.

“Look not upon the wine when it is red…”

“Wine is a mocker…”

]]> By: TedVothJr http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-95951 TedVothJr Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:21:20 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-95951 Is it coincidental that man-made disaster on an apocalyptic scale, environmental, economic, political threatens us when some of the People are back in the Land?<br>Some of Israel are back in Palestine, more as the last gasp, let us hope, of European colonial expansion, with the usual disastrous results for the indigenous population, than as a 'move of God', as we Pentecostals might say.<br><br>Look up and rejoice.<br><br>Escapist? No, the LORD has work for his Church to do till he gets back, showing the world what his Kingdom's like, preaching the Gospel, using words when necessary.<br><br><3 in Him<br><br>Marana, Tha! Is it coincidental that man-made disaster on an apocalyptic scale, environmental, economic, political threatens us when some of the People are back in the Land?
Some of Israel are back in Palestine, more as the last gasp, let us hope, of European colonial expansion, with the usual disastrous results for the indigenous population, than as a 'move of God', as we Pentecostals might say.

Look up and rejoice.

Escapist? No, the LORD has work for his Church to do till he gets back, showing the world what his Kingdom's like, preaching the Gospel, using words when necessary.

<3 in Him

Marana, Tha!

]]> By: carlcopas http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-95949 carlcopas Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:55:32 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-95949 prk,<br><br>could you also address fears of the unintended consequences of unfettered capitalism? E.g., boom-and-bust cycles that cause enormous social damage; rampant materialism and consumerism; waste; a shrinking middle class; ecological damage; the elderly who have to eat catfood because you don't want to "pay more" for a safety net that would allow them to live out their lives in simple dignity, etc. etc. prk,

could you also address fears of the unintended consequences of unfettered capitalism? E.g., boom-and-bust cycles that cause enormous social damage; rampant materialism and consumerism; waste; a shrinking middle class; ecological damage; the elderly who have to eat catfood because you don't want to “pay more” for a safety net that would allow them to live out their lives in simple dignity, etc. etc.

]]> By: prk http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-93474 prk Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:17:45 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-93474 Maybe like me he fears the unintended consquences of progressive policy. The raising of the minimum wage that causes someone to lose their job. The 40 hour work week that causes someone not to get enough hours of work. Or the mandating of what is covered on my health insurance that causes me to pay more. <br><br>And for irony the more the pols want to control the more lobbying is done, GE and Simens are now lobbying for money from the Global Warming fraud. NPR said this morning that lobbying money is at an all time record. Maybe like me he fears the unintended consquences of progressive policy. The raising of the minimum wage that causes someone to lose their job. The 40 hour work week that causes someone not to get enough hours of work. Or the mandating of what is covered on my health insurance that causes me to pay more.

And for irony the more the pols want to control the more lobbying is done, GE and Simens are now lobbying for money from the Global Warming fraud. NPR said this morning that lobbying money is at an all time record.

]]> By: lumens http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-90089 lumens Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:08:53 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-90089 Can Sojo do a post on when and how to use quotation marks? Can Sojo do a post on when and how to use quotation marks?

]]> By: BlueDeacon http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-90081 BlueDeacon Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:55:52 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-90081 His point was about "socialism" -- which is not only inaccurate but an<br>outright slur. His point was about “socialism” — which is not only inaccurate but an
outright slur.

]]> By: lumens http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-90080 lumens Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:50:02 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-90080 If my comment is irrelevant, then yours is for the same reason. You can't<br>possibly be arguing that we should come under one world religion in an<br>attempt to foreshadow the return of Christ, so I'm not sure what your point<br>was in response to Hannity guy. If my comment is irrelevant, then yours is for the same reason. You can't
possibly be arguing that we should come under one world religion in an
attempt to foreshadow the return of Christ, so I'm not sure what your point
was in response to Hannity guy.

]]> By: DITE http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-90075 DITE Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:19:29 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-90075 Um, yes. Um, yes.

]]> By: BlueDeacon http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-90073 BlueDeacon Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:21:20 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-90073 I would have to hear the "rest of the story," so I don't know for sure. As it is, given what I know about Thoreau I can assume that his words were taken out of context. I would have to hear the “rest of the story,” so I don't know for sure. As it is, given what I know about Thoreau I can assume that his words were taken out of context.

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-90071 Eric77 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:57:50 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-90071 Right. Voluntarily choosing to live collectively with other people would be ideal. I can think of few things more undesirable than being forced to live collectively with other people who didn't want to do so. Granted, God calls <i>us</i> as Christians to do many things that don't come naturally or that are uncomfortable for us, but he doesn't tell us to force others to do those things. Right. Voluntarily choosing to live collectively with other people would be ideal. I can think of few things more undesirable than being forced to live collectively with other people who didn't want to do so. Granted, God calls us as Christians to do many things that don't come naturally or that are uncomfortable for us, but he doesn't tell us to force others to do those things.

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-90070 Eric77 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:53:47 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-90070 Do you think that is why Thoreau said what he did? Was he simply trying to hold on to what he had? Do you think that is why Thoreau said what he did? Was he simply trying to hold on to what he had?

]]> By: An Ever-new Narrative of Good News « acc3ss.info http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-90057 An Ever-new Narrative of Good News « acc3ss.info Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:24:16 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-90057 [...] Excerpt from: An Ever-new Narrative of Good News [...] [...] Excerpt from: An Ever-new Narrative of Good News [...]

]]> By: BlueDeacon http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/20/an-ever-new-narrative-of-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-90065 BlueDeacon Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:56:02 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=10213#comment-90065 I wonder why that is -- perhaps because the person being approached fears that better life because he/she wants to hold on to what he/she already has. And here's the irony: Many of those same people who argue against the "modern state" had no qualms about using the power of the state to maintain their own superior class status, making that argument hypocritical. I wonder why that is — perhaps because the person being approached fears that better life because he/she wants to hold on to what he/she already has. And here's the irony: Many of those same people who argue against the “modern state” had no qualms about using the power of the state to maintain their own superior class status, making that argument hypocritical.

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