Eugene Cho

Saturday, February 18, 2012 • 4:30 am 145

A conversation about prayer with President Barack Obama.

Unless it’s Justin Bieber I don’t get star-struck, but I have to admit, it was pretty cool to meet President Barack Obama earlier this month. During his visit to Seattle on the weekend of February 16, I had the opportunity and privilege to attend one of the events he was speaking at. Specifically, it was an event at Boeing Everett to celebrate the work of American workers, Boeing, and the culmination of the work of the Dreamliner 787.

Light to the World.

As you know. I don’t run in these circles.  Sitting in a special section with dignitaries and politicians including mayors, various council members, business bigwigs and the Washington governor was awkward to say the least.  How I got invited to this event is a little unclear but over the past couple years, I’ve been building relationships with the White House via their Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. It’s also from a commitment I’ve had – as a Christian, a pastor, and a leader – to be a light to the World and not just merely light to the Light. Translation: As we serve and love the church, we must also look outward and engage the larger culture. Folks notice and when opportunities arise, they sometimes ask for input and involvement or just merely your presence and that’s what happened.

Because of this theology and ecclesiology Read the rest of this entry »

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Saturday, December 10, 2011 • 10:48 am 34

vote for me! the politicization and manipulation of jesus, christians, and religion

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 Read the rest of this entry »

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Thursday, July 14, 2011 • 5:00 am 14

A moral budget: What would Jesus cut?

Update: I’m joining in solidarity with others in expressing deep disappointment and anger over the recent news and decision by the House Agricultural Committee’s decision to cut the SNAP program (formerly food stamps) by more than $35 million over the next 10 years.

While it should not make it past the Senate, I’ve emailed my elected officials to express this disappointment and to take actions. Regardless,  you have to wonder where our priorities are.

I am all for reducing our national deficit. It must be a priority but to do it at the expense of those who need food via this program is morally wrong.

Wrong.

Here’s a brief synopsis from Bread for the World’s blog:

Bread for the World is infuriated by the House Agriculture Committee’s decision today to slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) by more than $35 billion.

“Cuts to SNAP, particularly at a time of continued high unemployment and unprecedented need for food assistance, are a moral outrage,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “SNAP is working exactly as intended. It has grown to meet increased need and is expected to decrease to pre-recession levels as the economy recovers.”

You can read the full article here or one via Reuters and I encourage you to join Bread for the World’s efforts to advocate for the poor.

WWJC? What would Jesus cut?

I have reasons to both like and dislike Tupac but his words when he was alive still hit the core:

“They have money for war but can’t feed the poor.” – Tupac

Original Blog Entry:

Several weeks ago (right before I left for my sabbatical), I joined with six other pastors from around the country Read the rest of this entry »

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Thursday, April 28, 2011 • 6:00 am 23

why president obama is and isn’t american

What is the deal with President Barack Obama? Or maybe we should re-frame the question:

What is wrong with America?

Why is it that we have such a hard time

His presidency is historical for obvious reasons and everyone knew that he was going to experience an uphill journey but the questions he’s had to endure are ridiculous: Read the rest of this entry »

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Thursday, December 9, 2010 • 12:01 am 31

the inconsistency for the call of civility

In light of an unsuccessful campaign to become the president of my middle school as an 8th grader, I have no plans on entering politics and running for political office. But, I have been learning so much about civic engagement, policy making, advocacy, and the larger realm of politics. Several days ago, I spent 2 days in Washington DC to continue that education. And while I wasn’t able to play hoops with President Obama and throw him a couple elbows, I even had the opportunity to attend a briefing in the White House. While it wasn’t as surreal as I expected, it was a neat experience nevertheless.

While I’m not able to disclose too much of this gathering, we had a conversation that I feel like I’m hearing and reading quite often:

The topic of civility.

…And particularly around the discourse of politics.

Ahhh, the conversation of politics.

As I shared with my church recently, I’m not looking forward to the next election season in two years. If folks thought that the most recent presidential election were intense, heated, and vicious…wait till the 2012.

As an independent voter with Read the rest of this entry »

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Tuesday, October 19, 2010 • 3:20 pm 8

the rent is too damn high…politics

Today, I’m showing my true political affiliations. I’ve chosen to disassociate with anything Democrats, Republicans, Tea Party, and Coffee Party.

Just kidding. Kind of.

It’s that time of the political process (the voting season) where you’re starting to feel queasy, vomitaceous, and disillusioned by the speeches, promises, and worst of all, the slanders. In the state of Washington, there’s a pretty nasty one going on for the US Senate position between the incumbent, Patty Murray, and the competitor, Dino Rossi. If you were to believe the other candidate’s campaigning, you’d think that both of them eat children, pillage villages, are responsible for the Gulf Oil Spill, faulty for the horrible Mariners baseball team, and will destroy life in the universe as we know it.

Seriously, how are you feeling about politics nowadays? What’s going on in your part of the country? Why is there always the feeling that…these politicians have no ‘connection’ with the real world? Read the rest of this entry »

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Friday, May 21, 2010 • 10:30 am 22

“who on earth would support such a dummy?”

Please don’t send me hate mail. I’m not ripping on Alabama, the South or people that Alabamanians.  [Is that the word?]

But what is going on with some of these political ads from Alabama:

This is one of the most hilarious political ads I have ever seen.

Or perhaps, you have better ones…

Dale Peterson is running for Agricultural Comissioner of Alabama:

  • “And they don’t give a rip about Alabama…”
  • “Who on earth would support such a dummy?” [my personal favorite]
  • I’ll name names and won’t take no prisoners…”

Watch the video below and enjoy: Read the rest of this entry »

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Thursday, April 29, 2010 • 10:20 am 32

this is america. learn it or leave.

We live in a world and society of different worldviews. We all know this so then, the issue is how do we learn to co-exist as neighbors and with some common goals in mind.

While I’ll wait till tomorrow or this weekend (I’m currently speaking and working with some national Hispanic leaders) about the Arizona immigration bill, I want to show a video with you of Tim James (aspiring Alabama governor) that blows my mind. It doesn’t surprise me that it’s a view (since I hear this sentiment here and there) but that it’s part of a platform of a leader & politician seeking to be elected for governor. To be fair to Tim James, I know that there’s other things that constitute his “platform” but…

This is what I hear: Read the rest of this entry »

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Saturday, October 3, 2009 • 10:45 am 17

pray for those liberals…

liberals

I remember being instructed as a new Christian many years ago to pray for influential Hollywood people.  I did as I was instructed and I still remember praying for numerous including Tom Cruise…umm, I should have prayed more. So, I kind of chuckled when I saw this article recently from the Christian Post entitled, Prayerful Americans Called to ‘Adopt a Liberal.’

I’ve been called lots of different names and labeled with different words including the ‘liberal’ word. I’ve also been called a ‘narrow minded fundy,’ ‘wanna be progressive’, ‘classic conservative’, ‘christian communist’ and the list goes on.

The positive about being labeled is that I might actually make it on someone’s prayer list and who doesn’t want prayer?  :)

I’m a fan of prayer. I’m a fan of civility. I understand the nature and necessity of politics. I don’t really like some of the views of the folks on the list but I also don’t know them as people – personally. And I know that while we’re instructed to pray for our ‘leaders’ but the ‘adopt a liberal’ thing sure seems weird.  How long before we get an “Adopt a Conservative” initiative? And thus, the perpetuation of the “otherizing” and worse, “demonizing” of others. Which leads us to the big picture question:

Is there another way?  What is the “follower of Christ” way?

Enough of me. What do you think?

Here’s the article: Read the rest of this entry »

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Saturday, May 23, 2009 • 12:00 am 45

liberty university removes the democratic club

liberty universityDid you read the news of Liberty University (founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell) shutting down removed the Democratic club (as an offiicial Liberty club) because the national party’s platform goes against the values of the school?

As I’ve shared before, I’m neither a Democrat or a Republican. I’m an independent voter/thinker and attempt to look at things issue by issue. But in regards to this news from Liberty, let me first say that I get where their administration is coming from. They have certain convictions and are trying to honor them and as a private university, they have the right to do so, right? – especially since students sign the Liberty Way policy: Read the rest of this entry »

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Thursday, April 9, 2009 • 10:57 pm 22

call me eugene macgyver from here on out

macgyver-movie

What do you do with something like this?

A North Texas legislator during House testimony on voter identification legislation said Asian-descent voters should adopt names that are “easier for Americans to deal with.”

I’ve heard these sort of comments many times before but when they come from one of your government leaders, it’s a punch to the guts.  Brings up memories of “Go back where you came from…”

Or even the recent elections that “B-a-r-a-c-k  O-b-a-m-a” doesn’t sound American so he must be a Muslim and thus, he must be a terrorist?!?  Huh?

But if Asians have to change our last names, I want to be called:

Eugene MacGyver or Eugene Kennedy III

Go ahead, suggest a new last name for me!

Alright, what do you think?

Me?  I know that Rep. Betty Brown didn’t mean harm.  Having watched the video, it wasn’t mean spirited in any bit but it certainly demonstrates ignorance.   I often hear people speak of how far Read the rest of this entry »

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Thursday, February 14, 2008 • 1:22 am 18

presidential safety

It’s hard to articulate with words but it’s very clear that there’s something significant going on with the presidential elections.  As I’ve shared before:  Never in my thoughts did I imagine that in my lifetime, I would experience the legitimate candidacy of the following three individuals:  a candidate [John McCain] at the age of 72 [if voted] and 80 if he completes 2 terms; a woman [Hilary Clinton], and an African-American [Barack Obama].  But there’s something deeper going on and perhaps, some of it is can be broadly encapsulated with that buzzword: change. 

For example, at one of the caucuses hosted at Q Cafe last Saturday, they shared that about 150 folks showed up 4 years ago.  This past Saturday, crowds of up to 500 supposedly came to participate in the caucus. 

So, how would you articulate what’s going on? 

While ‘change’ can be a good thing, it can also be dangerous, painful and revolutionary.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Saturday, February 9, 2008 • 4:25 pm 12

washington caucus mania

I’m sure that the turnout for today’s Democratica and Republican caucuses will break  crush previous records. The activity and frenzy for politics is at a level I haven’t experienced in a long time. Over 5K showed up for Hilary Clinton’s visit on Thursday night and 23K folks showed up to hear Obama at Key Arena on Friday morning. Crazy. Today as some of you know, caucuses were held throughout the State at 1pm.

Minhee and I participated in our local precinct caucus and as I expected, it was a frenzy. I was particularly excited that Minhee was able to particpate for the first time as a U.S. citizen. As for who we supported, we’re not telling as I shared yesterday in faith and politics. It was a little disappointing because it was somewhat disorganized. Our precinct didn’t have a PCO [precinct caucus officer?] so the group sought volunteers and went about the process and got the job done. Overall, a beautiful portrait of democracy at work. Isn’t democracy a wonderful thing?

And to give you some ideas how hectic things got, check out these pictures from one of the caucuses held at Q Cafe – a place I serve as the exec. director. Read the rest of this entry »

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stuff, connect, info

one day’s wages | video

my tweets

  • Love wins in the end but in the meanwhile, it fights for & pursues the things that matter. Love isn't sentimental, it's fierce. It endures. || 7 hours ago
  • Dear Hong Kong: I'll be preaching this Sunday @TheVineHK at all 3 services: 9.15, 11.30, 4pm. Hope to see you there: thevine.org.hk || 19 hours ago
  • "Justice is the grammar of things. Mercy is the poetry of things." - Frederick Buechner || 1 day ago
  • Proud to support the work of @thesoldproject & @raegoble as they fight human trafficking in Thailand with dignity: onedayswages.org/donate/org/sol… || 1 day ago
  • Don't underestimate the impact of our purchasing power. May our spending and investing be consistent with our values and convictions. || 2 days ago
  • How quickly people forget some of Abercrombie & Fitch's t-shirt designs from 2002 including these racist classics: http://t.co/vF5eGW0x80 || 2 days ago
  • The best way to make a statement against Abercrombie & Fitch isn't to exploit the homeless for a publicity stunt. Rather, just boycott AF. || 2 days ago
  • "My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ & I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it." - Brennan Manning || 2 days ago

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