'I must be an acrobat, to talk like this and act like that...' -Actung Baby,U2
I am Jacob Bailey. I have been writing here for a while now. I am 27 years old, on the brink of moving to Spain. I love my wife and two beautiful children. Glad you stopped by - please let me know you were here by posting a comment.
leading with QUESTIONS
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
To end all wars
What a great film. To end all wars. I was completely taken by this movie. The story is amazing. In such a horric time as the mid forties in the 20th century, with the entire planet at war, and the known world suffering incredible loss of life and dignity a compelling demonstration of the gospel emerges. This movie helped me recover the plot of the saving power of the gospel.
I can't say anything here right now that might not be better captured through the message of the film. Has anyone else experienced this thing?
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Monday, August 23, 2004
Are you wondering about the upcoming election? I am. Everyone is. We find ourselves dealocked in a culture war that's coming quickly to some sort of a peak soon. I thought this article by Richard Rohr was helpful to add to the conversation (thanks Deborah for the link!). The eighth paragraph was particularly striking to me. Props to Rohr for identifying our american gods and places of true worship...the questions in the end of that paragraph are great. Check it out...
I would love to link moby to this guy then spy on their conversation...or join it.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
I tried posting a couple of times this week, but both times after I tried to publish everything blogger went down and lost my thoughts somewhere. No big deal. I just wanted to link anyone inertested again to those essays at the Grahm Center for Evangelism site. I was reading Richardon's essay and found it really helpful. Let me just say I need his encouraging words this week especially.
Finished a morning of interaction with our home group leaders. I was working Wed-Sat this week because we were at Lake Cushman for the first part of my week. What a drag to be at work on Saturday. Actually it wasn't too bad. Videos, videos and more digital videos have taken up all my time. I have got four on the burner I am trying finish by mid-September.
I learned more about my dad's program Wildcad. That was cool he showed me the program. It's unique in that there nothing like it out there for fire/incident dispatchers. I am pretty proud of him and this small business venture he is a part of. His boss totally values him and that's cool. You know I realized life is so short and often times we forget to love eachother even care enought to ask. I was so stupid not to even ask before or show the kind of interest I could of. I mean he's my own dad. So after this weekend I realized - man, what my dad does and who he is is cool. I had to tell him. We cried. It was good for both our souls. I still call my dad pop. I always will. I used to think it wasn't cool and resented it. But foget that... I love my dad whom I will always call Pop.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
"What Christians face from people in a post Christian culture when they claim that Jesus is the only way, is what all representatives Grand, totalizing Stories face, when they seek to persuade other people that their way is the only right way. We face skepticism, distrust, and the conviction that behind this Grand Story lies the hidden agenda of the self-serving will to power." (emphasis mine, Rick Richardson's essay for Billy Grahm Center for Evangelism. It's really good!)
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
moby posted something funny on his journal today (8/11/04) called "to share". At the same time I received today an email from a person in my church highlighting Kerry's voting record in regards to national defense. The forwarded email was just plain and simply odd. It smacked of fear and ugly right wing arrogance. I couldn't believe folks I know actually subscribe to some this conservative/militaristic/pro-war/anti homosexual Bs.
I may have a plank in my eye (Matt 7:3) but I am still praying 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do.'
Brian McLaren has written an essay for the Billy Graham center on evangelism. It's pretty good. Check it out here. Rick Richardson has also written there and some others...
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
just added a link to Jeff Smith. He's my new teamate here at the church and a growing friend. Thanks jeff for just being here. We welcomed the coolness of the evening last night and shared a refreshing converstation...at my place. Thanks jeff for just being you.
Monday, August 09, 2004
watched an interesting film this weekend called the Fog of War. It really made me think and rethink my understanding of history. It keeps changing. McNamara - this brilliant man from the 20th century, looks back on his life throughout the film and tells an amazing story. Among many other conclusions he come to the place where he can say that "reason" has let him (and all the world) down. To peek behind the scenes with him into WW2, the cold war, and vietnam sent really shook my heart. The tragedies that could of been avoided, were barely avoided and were unnecessary are truly troubling...what happened in the 20th century?
was it all about power? will the world always be this way? how did my "christian" upbringing lead me toward acceptance of such "necessary" horrors? how could war ever be seen as right?
questions and more questions...
Thursday, August 05, 2004
why is it that we are obsessed with success?
why do we define success in terms of size - chiefly LARGE?
why do we define success in terms of profit - big money?
why do we define success in terms of influnce - control over others?
why do we define success in terms of recognition - envy of others?
is God most happy when we succeed in these ways or when we take up our cross and follow?
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
refuse
ys. ys. ys. it's everywhere. It's "the" new thing. Youth specialties! Yippee... The new christian consumer company has really "emerged." I say this scratching my head and fully accepting my own hypocracy, with probably 3 unread ys books on my desk and plenty of half read ys books on my shelf. But where is this all going. We got to draw the line. We have to refuse to buy. Today I refuse to buy their moving images. Why?
I think because God values stewardship over consumption. Recycling over exploitaion. Creation over duplication. maybe...we shouldn't all be reading the same stuff, or using the same media. Maybe we should trust God to lead us in the place where we are at, using the tools right around us....maybe that's enough...maybe that will release something alive rather than something dead and empty.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
so easy
it's always so easy to jugde others and not ourselves. it's so easy. it makes us feel so good. it just comes natural. if others would just get there act together then...oopps. I am sorry. I can't see anything. Yes, that a stick in my eye. I am working on it.
