I’m sorry if this post depresses, discourages, or disturbs you. It’s not my intent but a reminder of the arduous work ahead for all of us.

It’s the day after…

The day after this nation (and many in the global community) celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We march, share inspiring quotes, and listen to compelling speeches.

It’s a feel good day.

But today is the day after – and the awareness of reality. A reality of certainly a better world from the days of Rosa Park and Dr. King but a reminder of  the long road ahead. Oh,we have a long way to go.  Anyone that wonders if racism still exists in America simply need to look at our incarceration and education system. Broken would be an understatement.

But it’s not just merely an issue of race or more specifically, Black and White. Rather, it’s about the larger issue of Strong vs. Weak. Perhaps, it’s always been about this dichotomy and it gets played out via the arenas of race, class, economics, gender, age, orientation, etc.

The question for us – as human beings – and especially as people after the heart of God as Christians is to not merely understand the heart of God but to pursue and do the heart of God.

I often wonder if those that are so eager to celebrate and applaud Dr. King actually read the same Bible that Rev. Dr. King read.

By this, I mean, do we understand how on so many occasions, God conveys His fierce passion for the widows, the orphans, the poor, the weak, the sick, the exploited, etc. Do we know that God takes sides?

We might not like it. We might not agree with the politics. We might want to hide from it. We might want to spiritualize it. We might want to theologize it, disneyize it…but this I know from reading the Bible and following the life of Jesus:

God takes sides of the weak

I know some of you will disagree with my usage of the word ‘weak.’ There’s something undignified about labeling people as weak and I agree but semantics and language aside, I guess that’s what I mean: We live in an unjust, unfair, and broken world where there are distinctions of strong and weak and the weak after often, if not always, exploited on some level or another. Why? Because we can.

One of the more compelling verses from the Scriptures that inform and transform my world view comes from Psalm 82:3-4

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy…

Two stories – an article and a video – recently came to my attention.  I’m aware there’s always many angles to a story but for me, they are stories and example of the strong destroying the weak. I’m not sharing these stories because the weak in these stories are Asian and as such, trying to elevate Asian plight. Nope, my point is much broader: Strong vs. Weak.

If there’s one thing you’ll read this month, I want to humbly suggest you read this article from the New York Magazine. It is a feature and the story of Private Danny Chen (1992-2011) – “He was 19 yars old, a scrawny six-four, and wanted nothing more than to join the Army…”

But things got bad:

The eight men later charged in connection with his death are all white and range in age from 24 to 35; they include one lieutenant, two staff sergeants, three sergeants, and two specialists. Members of this group allegedly harassed and humiliated Chen from almost the day he arrived at The Palace. They belittled him with racial slurs. They forced him to do push-ups with a mouthful of water, refusing to let him swallow or spit any out. And, on September 27, a sergeant allegedly yanked him out of bed and dragged him across about 50 yards of gravel toward a shower trailer as punishment for supposedly breaking the hot-water pump. He endured bruises and cuts on his back. Army officials told Chen’s family that although the leader of his platoon found out about this incident, he never reported it as he was required to. [read full article]

Read it. I dare you. I challenge. Please, I invite you. I don’t know what more to write but to share sadness and pain for the lost life of Danny Chen, the desolation of his parents, and the heinous behavior of those in power who preyed on his ‘weakness.’

Desolation for others who are bullied, beaten, and belittled – simply because they are “weaker” – however defined.

And then yesterday, I saw this YouTube video entitled, “Helpless Asian man attacked and jumped by 7 others behind school.” Apparently, this took place this past week in Chicago. I know that there’s always some context that’s missing but what I see is the (physically) strong attacking the weak and it is absolutely sickening and disgusting. If you watch this video, be warned of the extreme violence and language.

It’s the day after…and I’m discouraged. The world is so fallen and broken. Like, really broken.  And so perhaps, this quote again from Dr. King is especially appropriate for “the days after”…

“When our days become dreary with low hovering clouds of despair, and when our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”

Yes, the feel good fuzziness of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is over. I’m reminded of the work before us – the work of mercy, justice, and humility; the work of reconciliation and restoration. The work of defending, rescuing, and fighting for the weak – and this work to be done with dignity.

We’ve got work ahead and so, I share a prayer once prayed by Dr. King with you all:

Most Gracious and all wise God, Before whose face the generations rise and fall, Thou in whom we live, and move, and have our being. We thank thee for all of thy good and gracious gifts, for life and for health, for food and for raiment, for the beauties of nature and the love of human nature. We come before thee painfully aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings. We realize that we stand surrounded with the mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate. We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie, We are forever offered the high road and yet we choose to travel the low road. For these sins O God forgive. Break the spell of that which blinds our minds. Purify our hearts that we may see thee O God in these turbulent day when fear and doubt are mounting high give us broad visions, penetrating eys, and power of endurance. Help us to work with rewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth, and for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.

If you’re reading this and read this far:

Thanks for your life, your work, and your commitment to the whole Gospel including: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy.” – and Let’s Do it With Dignity.

I’m honored to be laboring together with you.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an extraordinary person.  Not perfect but nevertheless, extraordinary.  While we remember his legacy again on this day…let’s not make the mistake of forgetting the God behind this extraordinary man.

It’s way too easy to talk about MLK because so many people and groups of people want to own him as their own.  But they often don’t want to take or acknowledge all of him.  At the core of his life, Martin Luther King Jr. was a follower of Jesus Christ. His faith in Christ informed all that he sought to do as a civil rights leader.

And that is precisely why his dream did not die upon his assassination. Because it wasn’t his dream.  This dream is bigger than one man, one race, one gender, and one generation.

God is behind it all…
And God is still stirring.
And God is still speaking into our dreams.

Dr. King was not a perfect man. Far from it but he was a great man as he pursued to live out his definition of greatness: a servant of others. While many are familiar with his more well known speeches such as “I Have a Dream,” another one that I’m particularly drawn to is his last “speech” – delivered the day before his assassination.

“I just want to do God’s will…as a people, we will get to the promised land…I’m not fearing any man as mine eyes have seen the coming of the Lord.”

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day today, may we acknowledge and celebrate this amazing dreamer but also acknowledge the Giver of such dreams.

..and dare to dream as well.

And every now and then, I love “preaching” one of his sermons. Last year (2011), I read one of my favorite Martin Luther King Jr. sermons at Quest Church entitled, “The Drum Major Instinct.” This sermon was preached at Ebener Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia on February 4, 1968. He was assassinated on April 4.

Below is the video of the sermon and you can also read the entire manuscipt here.

Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice.
Say that I was a drum major for peace.
I was a drum major for righteousness.
And all of the other shallow things will not matter.
I won’t have any money to leave behind.
I won’t have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind.
But I just want to leave a committed life behind…

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I’m sharing one of my favorite MLK Jr. quotes:

“When our days become dreary with low hovering clouds of despair, and when our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Question: What’s your favorite MLK quote?

Wait! Before you decide not to click or read this blog entry because I’m talking about Korean Pop (K-Pop), I want you to do yourself a favor and read this.

Actually, see this and more importantly, hear this song.

I know. I know.

You’re not K-Pop fans nor fans of ballads. I’m not either.  Heck, I don’t even know what’s popular in the States. I’ve never even seen an episode of American Idol or X Factor or The Voice or whatever else it’s called now.

But couple days ago, I was working and stumbled onto YouTube and saw an episode of K-Pop Star – perhaps the equivalent of American Idol  and then, I couldn’t stop watching.

There were some decent talent and then this guy sang and I literally…

pushed play 6 consecutive times.

Who is this guy?

His name is Soo Hwan Kim (or Kim Soo Hwan in Korean).

For his 2nd round audition, he sang a cover of a song called “I’m so Fortunate.” I guess the title and content of the song is particular moving in light of the fact that Soo Hwan was born blind. The 19-year-old contestant (maybe 18 in Western age?) barely made it past the 1st round because one of the judges was particularly moved by his attempt to hip-hop dance despite another judge giving him a “No.” He was definite fortunate in that way as well.

But for the 2nd round, Soo Hwan literally mesmerized the judges. I think they all got a little teary-eyed. I may or may not have teared up watching this in my pajamas in my office late at night. Maybe. After watching his audition, I may or may not have dreamt about being a K-Pop star.

One of the judges, J. Y. Park, asks if he had a girlfriend and if he thinks of his girlfriend when he sings a song like this. He answers:

“Yes. I do have a girlfriend. And I do think of her. She’s really cute. We’ve been dating for seven years. She’s also blind. Her condition is worse than mind. I was in 6th grade and she was in 4th grade when I first started courting her…”

I’m a sucker for these kind of stories – even at the risk of losing any remnants of the man-card I have left. Stories like Susan Boyle and Sung Bong Choi (an orphan boy who is discovered in a similar kind of audition and who blows everyone away). I love these stories because vocalized or not, we all have judgments about what people can or can’t do. Perhaps, no one experiences this more than those who are physically challenged or to be more politically incorrect…disabled.

But as we learn again and again…

Everyone has dreams. Everyone.
Everyone has gifts. Everyone.

There’s power and beauty when we pursue those dreams with the gifts that we have…

I know. I know. You don’t understand Korean. But just listen to it. I have a feeling you’ll understand at least the crux of the song:

“I’m so Fortunate.”

We are all so fortunate. We just need to have the sight to understand this.

If you don’t want to watch the intro, forward to 1:26.

Did you see this?

Probably not  because who cares about receipts from fast foot joints like Papa John’s? But if you look carefully, you’ll notice that an employee tried to be “funny” and wrote in “lady chinky eyes” to identify the Asian customer.

Here’s 6 things you should know:

1. Umm, don’t hate. My slanted eyes are beautiful.

2. The customer’s name was 24-year-old Minhee Cho – the exact same name as my wife. Some of you asked and emailed me. Unless my wife has a private jet, she was not in New York this past weekend. She was home in Seattle so this was a different Minhee Cho.

3. Minhee Cho posted the picture on her Twitter account and the next thing you know, it went viral. The last time I checked, it was viewed 209,154. Wow. And before you knew it, it was posted on Huffington Post and the New York Daily News.

Can someone say “the power of social media?”

4. I was pretty upset. Bummer that this still happens. Sad to say but it happens to my kids at school. Real bummer.

5. I obviously don’t know the 16-year-old employee and honestly, I really wished she wasn’t fired. Really. I know that our initial mindset is usually inclined towards thinking that justice = firing but I disagree in situations like this. Jobs are scarce. 16-year-olds that are working seem scarce.

Rather,  I just wanted Papa John’s to invest time and money on cultural awareness and sensitivity – not just for the employee but for all the employees including the manager who blamed this incident on the influence of “modern music” or “hip-hop music.”  Double huh.

And wished that other companies would see this as a great opportunity to check their company’s cultural sensitivity.

Wonder if cultural sensitivity should happen even at churches. Another post later on this.

6. This is a big deal despite what folks sometimes think. Why is this important? I know what you ‘re thinking. Someone always thinks this way:

• This isn’t a big deal.
• There are more important things in the world.
• Grow thicker skin.
• I’m sure they were just trying to be funny.
• They meant good.
• It’s a pizza receipt.

Yes, I’ve heard them wall – w/ the exception of “it’s a pizza joint.”

But  it is a big deal. Small things matter. They add up. They impact people. You should know that slitting your eyes or calling someone ‘chinky eyes’ has been used and said historically in the past and present as a way to mock, offend, and degrade Asians locally and globally. And if we don’t make a big deal of this and other instances, it will continue to not only occur but be perceived by some as acceptable.

But it’s not acceptable. Not in my face. Not to my children. Not to this Minhee Cho. And not even on my fast food receipt.

But want to know what’s awkwardly funny?

I – temporarily – made a decision to boycott Papa John’s Pizza when I saw this receipt on Saturday morning – until at least some formal apology and plan for cultural sensitivity was shared. Yesterday,  I went to church and after our morning services, we had a meeting at our church basement. While we occasionally serve pizza, we’ve NEVER served Papa John’s but behold…12 boxes of Papa John’s Pizza.

Couldn’t help but to laugh – awkwardly.

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2012. Can you believe it?

We’re upon another new year and as such, it’s that time of the year where many are formulating their new year’s resolutions. During this time, I normally have a list of a few mental resolutions including one that involves my expanding waistline but that’s not the point of this post.

Instead, there’s 3 things I’m going to strive for in the upcoming year. I wish they were easy easier to accomplish or easy to measure like losing 10 pounds, running 3 days per week, drinking more water, etc.

Rather, the 3 goals I have for my life  in the upcoming year deal with some more painful and difficult issues.

Namely: my heart…

They are what I call ‘resolutions for the heart.’ So, here they are in all its depravity – exposed:

Hate Less. Love More. 

So simple but so hard. I’m learning how it’s amazing how our views, judgments, and biases inform us in such a way that it has the dark capacity to nearly influence how we see a person, circumstance, and situation.

When you dislike someone, it doesn’t matter what “good” they do or intend…we’ll find a way to be critical. We’ll find the ugly. Ugly finds ugly.

How do I know this?

I look in the mirror and I see my personal depravity.

So, while we want to focus on the ‘ugly’ of others, the bigger issue is our own personal ugly which – when undealt with – will always find the ugly in others. You see…ugly find ugly.

Yup: Hate Less. Love More.

Bless. Bless. Bless.

One way I can hate less and love more is to really examine the way I engage with others – especially those with whom I have issue. In the name of being “friendly”, I find it certainly easy to appear friendly or generous but beyond appearance, the big gut-check question I want to have the courage to ask myself is this:

Do I really want ______ to be blessed?

And by “to be  blessed”, I mean…

Do I really want to see _____ prosper in the Lord?

It’s not just merely a desire to bless others but I’ve come to learn that in wanting to truly bless and love others, it’s one of the manners by which God liberates us to experience the freedom we have in His grace.

Stop throwing stones.

In the upcoming year, I want to learn to stop throwing stones – not literally (of course) but  metaphorically (and in my heart & mind). In our day and age, it’s become much easier (and accepted) to “Throw stones first. Ask questions later.”

Respect and civility seem to be a growing issue – not just in the public forum of politics but in our broader society – especially as it pertains to our engagement with whom we have disagreements. And without relationship, we can make judgments and borderline condemnations:

• If you don’t support homosexuality, you’re anti-gay.
• If you support gay rights, you’re anti-marriage.
• If you don’t support women in leadership, you’re anti-women.
• If you support women in leadership, you’re anti-Scriptures.
• If you don’t support the war in _________, you’re anti-American.
• If you do work in international development, you’re anti-domestic care.
• If you do work in local development, you anti-global.
• If you don’t support Eugene, you’re anti-Eugene.

I want to go on the record and declare that I’m anti your anti-________.  Thus, I’ve neutralized your anti-ness. And I’m brilliant.

Seriously. We often live as people who are defined by what we are against and not necessarily, what we are for.

Can we agree? It’s hard to love your enemies when you can’t even hear what they’re saying… So, listen first. And don’t throw stones.

How about you?

What are your resolutions? Your spiritual pursuits?

It’s amazing what makes headline news nowadays.

Example:

President Barack and Michelle Obama’s Christmas card selection.

Yup. Headline news.

Why?

Because former Alaska governor, Sarah Palin, has come to officially criticize its selection as “odd” since it emphasizes Obama’s family dog, Bo, and as such, we can assess that the first family and specifically, President Obama, elevates canines over “family, faith, and freedom.”

Huh? Really?

I hope this doesn’t sound awkward, elite, or boastful:

Minhee and I also received the official White House Christmas card couple weeks.

When I first opened the card, I was secretly hoping it included a gift card from Target but I digress. When I first opened the card, I analyzed the card as I do every single Christmas card I receive since it’s very helpful for me to make judgments and analysis about that person.

So, I thought I’d join in the party and share with you 8 things I learned about President Obama from my observations and analysis of the official White House Card:

1. The 1st family must oppose human beings because there’s no sign of human beings in that picture. I knew it: He’s an alien!
2. Wow. Even their dog is black! I knew it: He hates white people!
3. Lots of red colors and red tint in the card. I knew it: He’s a communists or at least, a socialist!
4. Occupy that room.
5. Where’s the Bible? If there’s one on the shelf, why isn’t it prominently placed on the table? I knew it: He hates our religious heritage. 
6. Where’s the picture of the White Jesus above the fireplace? I knew it: He’s a Muslim and hates Jesus!
7. Is that an Oriental rug? I knew it: He hates Asians!
8. Where’s the American flag? I knew it: He’s not American!

You have any analysis? Did I miss anything?

As a staunch independent voter, I have no deep affection for any political affiliations but I’ve committed personally to pray for our civic leaders.

Obviously, Minhee and I don’t know the first family personally. Barack and I aren’t texting friends. Our kids don’t play together. But I’ve had the privilege (and burden) to be at the White House twice over the past couple years because while I have my occasional bouts of cynicism over politics, I know that politics are important because it informs policies which ultimately, impact people – and I fear, people that are often under-represented.

I don’t have anything against Sarah Palin and honestly, if I could pick a handful of people to spend the day with, she’d definitely be on that list. I’d love to spend a weekend in Alaska fishing and hunting with her. And as I’ve shared before, I really like Sarah Palin – but not for President.

But the point that I’m trying to make here is that it’s amazing how our views, judgments, and biases inform us in such a way that it has the dark capacity to nearly influence how we see a person, circumstance, and situation.

When you dislike someone, it doesn’t matter what “good” they do or intend…we’ll find a way to be critical. We’ll find the ugly.

How do I know this?

I look in the mirror and I see my personal depravity.

My hope for this upcoming year is “Hate Less. Love More.”

Let’s keep working towards love; listening; eating together; working together. Lets’ remember: We are bound to one another.

Christmas is an amazing festive season.

How can it not be when we’re celebrating the birth of Jesus – God incarnate?! Certainly, there are other reasons that make the Christmas seasons so special: parties, food, carols, family gatherings, traditions, the Christmas tree, more food, re-runs of It’s a Wonderful Life, and of course: presents.

Who doesn’t like receiving presents? Seriously?

And while it’s hip and edgy to deconstruct the entire nature of gifts, presents, consumerism, etc…I also think that there’s room and space to enjoy giving, exchanging, and receiving gifts. It’s a beautiful thing or rather, it can be a beautiful thing – if we understand these gifts in perspective.

What do I mean “gifts in perspective?”

By that, I mean that we understand that gifts, goods, stuff, and consumption don’t define us, our worth, or the worth of others. If we’re not careful, it can grow in such a way that it reflects our hunger for more or to more uncontrollably engage in upward mobility. It becomes the anti-thesis of contentment. And when we prey to this kind of upward mobility, it can directly contradict the incredulous beauty of Christmas when God became one of us – or in other words, the most powerful example of “downward mobility.”

About two years ago, Minhee and I made one of the hardest decisions we’ve made thus far in our marriage and in our calling as parents.

In our hope to honor a conviction of the Holy Spirit to give up a year’s salary, we had begun the two year process of saving, selling, and simplifying in 2007. Our goal was to come up with our then year’s wages of $68,000 – in order to launch a movement called One Day’s Wages. With only a few months left to come up with the total sum, we were a bit short and decided to sublet our home for couple months and asked some friends if we could stay with them on their couches or their guest room.

Needless to say, it was a very humbling time.

Our instruction for ourselves and our children were very simple:

Each person gets one carry-on bag for their belongings.

I still remember crying the night I told our kids of our plans. This wasn’t what I had signed up for; This was by far more difficult that I had imagined; I felt I had failed my wife and children; A deadbeat.

Had I known, there is no way in Hades I would have agreed to this conviction.

But as I look back now, I’m incredibly grateful for this experience. We simplified our lives; Sold off belongings we didn’t need. For about 2 years, we agreed as a family not to buy anything beyond our necessities.  When we stayed with friends, we were reminded what was most essential in our lives:

It was the people right in front of us:

Faith and Hope in Christ.
My marriage. My children. My community.

In our 2500+ square feet home, it’s so easy to get lost in our stuff, our possessions, our rooms, our floors, our gadgets, our TV sets, our personal music listening devices, etc.

We can get so lost in our stuff that we forget – or take for granted – the most important things: relationships.

Two years later, I worry that the invaluable lessons we learned during our season of simplicity may be getting lost on us – again. As most of my readers know, I was on sabbatical this past summer. It’s something I treasure every three years and during my sabbatical, we usually leave Seattle and during our time away, we try to sublet our home – if we can find renters we trust. While it’s not something we particularly want to do, it’s an important source of income that allows us to travel without financial worries. But in order to sublet the home, we have to minimize and clean up the home…

Couple months ago (before we left for our 7000+ mile road trip), we couldn’t believe how much stuff we’ve accumulated since we gave up our fast of  ”not buying anything beyond essentials.” We couldn’t believe the stuff we’ve accumulated in our closets, our garage, our toyboxes, our offices, etc. And to be honest, the stuff we’ve accumulated in…our hearts.

And this is from a family that takes great “pride” in simple living!

Again, I’m reminded of the great power in the story of Jesus. There are so many things that compel me about Jesus but one of them is what I call the story of “downward mobility.”

It completely contradicts the movement of upward mobility that is pervasive in our culture. We want to upgrade everything at every opportunity:

We want the bestest, the fastest, the  strongest, the mightiest, the largest, the mostest, the most horse powerful-est, the beautiful-est, the most blazing CPU processer-est, and the list goes on and on…

Even as I’m typing this on my lethargically slow netbook, I want…I need…I lust…for the new Mac Air.

But I digress.

Upward mobility never stops. Because we go through this cycle constantly. And the powers to be know this.

Jesus?

The incarnation is the story of Jesus who gave up the glory of heaven to descend upon this world; He gave up total divinity to be consumed by flesh and bone and to simultaneously assume full humanity. Born in a manger to simple commoners, he assumed a simple lifestyle as a carpenter and throughout his life, he owned nothing except the stuff he traveled with.

It’s the story of downward mobility.

This is a lesson and a story we have to all get behind. This is the Jesus we have to get behind – not the Jesus of bling bling, the Jesus of total prosperity theology; a a Jesus of exclusivity and elitism; a Jesus of total health and prosperity, or the Jesus of “send $49 and we’ll mail you this special anointed cloth.”

It’s not to suggest that we have to adopt a lifestyle of poverty but rather…

A lifestyle of enough.

We have enough.
We are blessed and blessed immensely. God has given us enough.
God is our enough.

I’m reminded of the wise words of G. K. Chesterton:

There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more & more. The other is to desire less.

So true. So true.

Perhaps, an easy and one (more) step we can take to grow in “our lifestyle of enough” is to simply give away our birthdays or to consider how we can creatively celebrate the Christmas season in parallel to Jesus’ model of downward mobility.

* originally posted on 8/21/11

Let’s be honest: the issue of homelessness just isn’t as sexy as some of other ‘justice’ issues like the global water crisis, human trafficking, or shoes. Yes, I just went there.

The reasons for homelessness are numerous and complex but the numbers – indicating real people – are real. Very real.

• Approximately 2.3 – 3.5 million people are homeless each year in U.S. (Urban Institute)
• 12 million adults in U.S. currently are or have been homeless at some point in their lives. (National Coalition for the Homeless)
• The largest and fastest growing group of homeless folks are families with children, comprising 40% of the homeless population, mostly with single mother head of household. Average homeless family has 2.2 children. (HUD)
• 33% of homeless men are veterans. (HUD)
• 22% of single adult homeless population suffer from severe and persistent mental illness. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2001)

In the Seattle area alone, on any given night there are 7,980 homeless in Seattle/King County.

This is the main reason why Quest Church envisioned and funded a ministry called The Bridge Care Center and I can’t tell you how proud, encouraged, and convicted I am to be a part of this ministry. It’s the aspect of Quest that I’m most proud of this past year. What is the BCC?

The Bridge Care Center, a ministry of Quest Church, is an outreach center for men and women who are experiencing homelessness and displacement, allowing relationships to develop through advocacy and case management. We seek to provide partnerships and support to adults, youth and families who are experiencing homelessness and financial hardship. The Bridge Care Center’s work is about dignity and acknowledging people with value and meaning. [RSS readers: click here to see the video]

I’m so proud of our church because in spite of a challenging financial year, the church community blew past our announced goal of raising $50K and they gave nearly $75,000 to help underwrite the vision of the Bridge! We brought on our first staff (and case manager) and numerous volunteers to initially focus on three main areas:

• Advocacy and Referral Services
• Computer & Communication
• Clothing Bank

How you can help?

This request is especially directed to anyone and everyone that lives in the greater Seattle area. I’d like to sincerely ask you to consider 3 very simple ways to support The Bridge. While a ministry of Quest, this operation is couple miles from our location and designed to serve the larger Seattle area – and especially the Ballard area where there are numerous challenges but very limited resources.

CLOTHING. We need your clothes. Seriously. I want your clothes. I’ll send volunteers to your home to pick them up or you can drop them off at the Bridge or at the Q Cafe. I’ll also take your extra blankets or sleeping bags.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS.  Yes. Can you consider investing $25, $50, $100, or another amount. You can send in your donations to: Quest Church (c/o Bridge Care Center), 3223 15th Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119

If you’re a pastor of a local church, I’d like to especially ask you and your congregation to make a donation to The Bridge. 100% of your donation will go directly to fund the three focuses of Advocacy & Referral Services, Computer & Communication, and Clothing Bank.

VOLUNTEER. Please contact jill@seattlquest.org and we’ll get you up and running. Asides from one paid staff, the entire Bridge Care Center is run by volunteers.

Joking aside, I’m glad that God calls us respectively and collectively to seek good, love mercy, do justice – here, there, and everywhere. But as we go there and everywhere, I’m regularly reminded – by the lines of people that are literally waiting for the Bridge doors to open every week – that we can’t forget to focus on the here.

Folks need shoes here, too.

I confess that I don’t have much idea with what’s currently going on with the Presidential primary process but can assume that things are heating up as candidates ratchet up rhetoric about all things including their affection for Christ, faith, religion, evangelicals, etc.

And why does this make sense? Because supposedly, America,  is a Christian nation – or at the least, a religious nation.

Statistically, in the United States, 83% claim to belong to some sort of religious denomination 40% claim to attend services nearly every week or more, and 58% claim to pray at least weekly. The majority of Americans (60% to 76%) identify themselves as Christians… [source]

All this to say that it makes perfect sense why politicians and political parties would want to politicize religion or faith – however genuine their faith is or not. This is why it made perfect sense for President Obama’s opponents and critics to question, Is Obama really a Christian? And that’s why it makes sense & smart strategy for Rick Perry to throw down some religious rhetoric to say “I’m one of you” when he promised in a recent political ad (click here for RSS readers) to:

“end Obama’s war on religion. And I’ll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage. ”

He goes on to say…

“there’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.”

While some folks holler and scream about Rick Perry’s ad, the blunt truth is that this has always been the consistent strategy of modern day politics.

Sadly, religion has become fair game for politicizing – at its best or worst depending on your perspective. What I’m saying is that I while I really dislike Rick Perry’s ad and strongly disagree with his assertion that President Obama has waged war against religion. But that’s not the point. My point is that we’ve allowed the politicizing of religion (and other things) to be FAIR GAME.

Listen folks: I’m not criticizing Rick Perry (or other candidates) because, truth be told, we’d probably do the same politick-ing.  I’m actually critiquing you and me. I’m critiquing us.

And as such, voters (and especially people of faith) have to realize that political parties and candidates (all of them) will engage, distort, manipulate, cajole, emotionalize, tug, and whatever other tactics to “speak” to our religion and faith. And if we’re not careful, we can be dumbed down and influenced in such a way that “religion” becomes the ruling or dominant way we decide to vote. Who cares what a respective candidate’s views are about economics, jobs, immigration, poverty, education, foreign aid, blah blah blah as long as we know that a particular candidate and I are “equally yoked”?

Don’t get cynical. Get smart. We have to remain engaged because politicization aside, politics really do matter.

This is why we need discerning, smart, thoughtful, and deeply engaged voters. Folks that will dig beyond the politicization (and manipulation). We have to attempt to humbly and discerningly become “the new evangelical voter.“

That’s why I was really encouraged by these two young women’s video, “A Christian’s Response to Rick Perry, in response to Rick Perry’s commercial. I would have rather they titled it “Two Christians’ Response…” since they can’t possibly speak for all Christians.

Some might think it’s too simplistic. I don’t because what I hear is this:

“Our faith is important but please don’t politicize our faith. Rather, we want to hear: What’s your substance for the Presidency of the United States?”

What do you think?

Agree or disgree with what I shared above? Your thoughts about the videos?

Here’s the message of the two girls and their videos below:

We’re not ashamed to admit that we’re Christians, but we don’t think that being in a pew on Sunday is what makes you one.

We know there is something wrong in this country when you can spin the name of Jesus Christ, the living body of love and grace, into a political platform. Especially when this platform demonizes the very people who sacrifice their own lives so that you can have that platform at all.

Rick Perry, you said that you’ll end the war on religion. We’re waiting for a president who doesn’t dilute religion into a mere political constituency, but instead embraces it as a powerful way to bridge the gap of vast differences among our fellow Americans.

Grace is what makes us strong, and will make us strong again because not our country, nor Rick Perry, nor either of us deserve it.

We’re gay, we’re straight,
we’re black, we’re white,
we’re rich, we’re poor,
we’re conservative, we’re liberal,
we’re Christian, we’re not
…and Jesus loves the little children.
All the children of the world.
We strive to love you all extravagantly…
the way that Jesus loved.

We’re sisters, and we approve this message.