Setting up the tree and playing in the box

Picturesque

My sissy’s birthday celebration

Alma Mater

They were thrilled

Santa sighting

This morning’s glory

Your 7 Days?

I am often more in tune with how individuals and their stories are impacted during trying times than I am with systems that can cause and/or perpetuate such trying times. So I am learning. Particularly about the housing market and its effect on eviction and homelessness. And now the criminal justice system and its effect on poor communities/communities of color.

I have started The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, but keep putting it down. Trying to digest and think versus react and attack. Then I heard from several sources I needed to watch 13th on Netflix. For someone like me, the documentary was a great way to hit what I can only assume are some highlights of Alexander’s book. The author herself is interviewed along with Bryan Stevenson of whom I am a fan.

The basic premise is how the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery – as long as you are not a criminal. As you can imagine, in a fallen world, imperfect government, and with leaders prone to sin (like all of us) this clause can quickly be turned into a way to control and oppress. After slavery was abolished, and the Southern economy ravaged, the clause allowed for newly-freed slaves to – legally – be charged with petty crimes such as loitering, be labeled a criminal, and continue to be used for cheap or free labor. And public lynchings and terror of blacks were condoned.

When such outright violence became too much, Jim Crow laws/segregation were put into effect. Now there were legal ways to relegate blacks to second class citizens. When the Civil Rights movement showed the world the injustice of such laws, the Freedom to Vote act was an admission to the black community their rights had been stripped and was a move toward reparations.

As the Baby Boomer generation grew into adulthood, so came a boom in crime rates based on the sheer volume of the population. The “War on Crime” and “Law and Order” were an easy way for politicians to receive the public’s vote. As such, tougher sentencing, the introduction of crack cocaine (into predominantly urban, poor communities), treating drug addiction as a crime instead of a health issue, and media/pop culture educating the public against people of color became the norm.

Then came the 1994 $30 billion crime bill which helped morph law enforcement into an “infrastructure of militarization.” In short, it took the “serve” out of “To Protect and Serve.” In a free market economy, this quickly turns into a private industry profit-making situation. Businesses and individuals making money on people being punished in the prison system. Instead of helping educate, heal, or otherwise reform those who need it.

I know two things as I move into this conversation. The first is, this is a very simplified review of an extremely well-documented book and documentary. But if you are like me – are of the powerful majority or are middle class or of some other inherent privilege – sometimes you don’t understand the issues because they don’t negatively affect you. Sometimes a big picture fly-over helps at least begin a discussion.

The other thing I know is that because The New Jim Crow book is 4 years old, there have been solid arguments raised against its premise. I have heard some of those arguments and, just yesterday, explored an article on The Gospel Coalition’s website in which a great discussion began in the comments section. My favorite response in the comments was by the article’s author, Rasool Berry:

“The ‘New Jim Crow’ analogy is helpful precisely because it still gives us a framework for understanding the pattern of these cultural forces even as they evolve. How did former slave owners respond to the new social order created by abolition? History tells us they did by creating black codes to control and exploit. What did they do once the black codes were illegal? History tells us intimidation, violence and Jim Crow laws to still maintain superiority and control of former slaves and their descendants. How did whites respond to the social revolution of the ’60’s marked by the end of Jim Crow laws which still maintained a racial hierarchy? … Did all of that racial animus simply evaporate? How do we discuss what happened next and how we ended up here? Is there anyway that the tragic circumstances and outcomes today are related to that history? I think the answer is obvious but perhaps how to discuss it is less so.”

Yes. The answer is obvious but perhaps how to discuss it is less so. Especially in our current climate in which we are so divided and fuses are short.

As usual, I do not have a clear-cut call to action. I simply ask you to care. To think about all this and its implications, especially if you have never done so. Advent has so been on my heart and mind, and frankly I would prefer a more Christmas-y post this morning. But in advent – in the waiting – we are called to be ambassadors of the Kingdom. To bring heaven where we can onto this earth because He Himself came to redeem. If so many are systemically abused during our tenure here, being informed matters. It doesn’t negate that the primary assault is spiritual, but it can give us a practical framework to understand how evil is perpetuated.

So…Any thoughts?

“In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa…”

Nehemiah 1:1b

Last time we established Nehemiah as a new leader whose name means “the LORD comforts.” Now we get a glimpse into his first-person memoirs to find out about this leader’s background. We begin with his location: Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, in what is now southwest Iran. If our leader was in the capital – the citadel, fortress, stronghold of an empire – we can assume he was of some importance. And he was. We will find out more about that soon.

For now, can we celebrate that God will use a runt-of-the-litter shepherd boy as willingly as He’ll use someone of prominence in a pagan empire? How open He is to allow one of His own to advance to the 2^nd highest position in a nation if it advances His glory and His people’s good? And yet, how He will chase down a forgotten pagan woman who has been used up and sent away?

I love that about Him. He will take someone of great prominence in lineage and impressive in knowledge, and turn his passion toward Him alone. And He will come to a young, unassuming virgin and tell her she has found favor with Him.

And most of all, when He walked on this earth, He would have all the pedigree needed to be the Messiah, and yet be hunted from birth, born in a barn, and raised not in a palace but in a poor home.

The only requirement to be used of Him is humility. To have humility we must humble ourselves. Everything else must be dung compared to the fact that we know Him. Not for His sake, but for ours.

And He Himself will be our Citadel.

This weekend is 2nd Saturday. Bundle up and get some gift shopping done while saving.

2nd Sat Along the Avenue features a free Trolley Ride. And for 2nd Sat at The Workroom enjoy local art, live music and food trucks.

Tonight, enjoy Wichita Parks & Rec’s A Night with Santa from 6:30-8:30 at Century II. Visit with Santa, enjoy a cake walk, games, and even a chance to see a live reindeer. Admission is free but non-perishable foot item donations are encouraged for the Kansas Food Bank.

A Christmas Carol the Musical by Music Theatre for Young People will begin performances this weekend. See the show the 9th & 10th at 7:30 pm, and the 11th at 2:30 pm.

And indulge in healthy fare at Green Acres’ Holiday Extravaganza at West and Bradley Fair, both on Saturday the 10th from 11-2.

And tonight, December 8th, from 6-7, enjoy a Bike Walk Wichita Workshop at Whole Foods. Come learn how to maximize your off season workout times.

Library

The Friends of the Wichita Public Library Book Sale is on. All day today, December 8th, until 7 pm, and 10:30-5:00 tomorrow, the 9th, come shopping for the book lovers in your life.

See all upcoming library events here, including an iPhone and iPad workshop at Westlink.
Have a great weekend!

Full week, few pics

Celebrating new life

Celebrating free flowers

Glory

Your 7 Days?

Community – our family and friends – are so very important to us. But the other day I was thinking about a quiet Christmas hubs and I spent overseas. We later met up with teammates and shared the joy of The Day.

But the morning was quiet. I was still in the first trimester with our oldest and nothing tasted good. Dan videoed me making our Christmas pancakes. Our tree was maybe two feet tall, with only a scant amount of decorations we packed for our two-year time. I’m not even sure we exchanged gifts that year.

But it was oh so holy.

Even for two people who cherish community. And selecting and wrapping gifts. And laughing with those we love.

Because He came, The Day can be precious no matter how it is spent. I’m thinking of friends overseas, those recently relocated, those who have lost loved ones and are grieving this year.

The Day is precious. Through our grief and loneliness and waiting, It is precious because He is precious.

Much love to you and yours this Advent season.

He makes all things new.

“The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.”

Nehemiah 1:1a

Well, here we are. Our two generations of exiles have committed to obedience and purity in worship by putting away their idols. In this case, marrying with those who do not worship Covenant Yahweh. The investigation is wrapped up in the year 457 B.C.

Now our narrative fast forwards 12 years to the words of a new leader: Nehemiah. Want to know what his name means?

“The LORD comforts.”

How we need His comfort. So much upheaval has gone on with our community of exiles. They are have been rebuilding Temple, coming upon much opposition. They have been encouraged through the words of Haggai and Zechariah. To return to their First Love with all their heart. To put God’s purposes of rebuilding His house above their own personal comfort. To trust His heart toward them in conflict, that He will be a Wall of Fire around them and the work will come not by force nor strength but by His Spirit.

They have been brought to an awareness of His heart behind the Law. How His people will be known as those whose kindness and mercy temper their mishpat: justice. They completed Temple and years later welcomed a second wave of exiles returning from Babylon, along with a new priest, Ezra. He was “firm in his will to seek God’s Law, to accomplish it, and to teach its boundaries, limits, and just verdicts to Israel.”

Not long after Ezra’s arrival, he is weeping in the Temple after learning of the people’s disobedience. Fresh from a long discipline of exile, God’s people immediately return to the sin that led them there. Ezra weeps and prays, thanking God for His unfailing, covenant love. His hesed.

Then he stands up and takes action. The grief has become communal and, as an act of unifying and purifying a set-apart people, Ezra has the offenders separate themselves from their foreign wives.

Yes, this is a group that could use a leader whose name means “The LORD comforts.”

And so are we. In a time when holiness and honor and hesed are not lifted high, we who represent the Most High will face much opposition. The need for us to return to our First Love and His ways is desperate.

We cannot wonder if we should love our enemies, serve our neighbor, humbly fight for mishpat or die to ourselves. We must.

We cannot wonder if favoring our comfort or political party or opinions is of ultimate importance. We must lay down our lives for His kingdom.

We cannot worry about how to defend ourselves in conflict or seek revenge or fret over issues that take our eyes off Him. We must daily remember the battle is spiritual and our fight is ultimately against powers and principalities. And can only be won by His Spirit.

We cannot wonder if our desire for mishpat should be tempered with His hesed. It must, otherwise we’re a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.

And we cannot go anywhere, move forward with Him and each other, still clinging to our idols. What cannot save and does not satisfy.

Any pair of eyes who would read this would be guilty at some level of the above. I know I am. In the last 24 hours.

We can never measure up on our own. We were never supposed to. But together, as His Body represented in each local church He calls us to, we can move forward in His strength.

And His covenant loyalty as Prince of Peace is our comfort.

Happy December!

A new Stay Strong, Stay Healthy class is beginning with the Sedgwick County Extension Office. This exercise class geared at ages 60+ meets Tuesdays and Thursdays in January and February.

Can you imagine?

See Daymond John (of Shark Tank fame) at Watermark from 4-5 this evening for a signing of his book The Power of Broke. 

And purchase your ticket to see Young Adult author Kate DiCamillo Friday the 2nd at 6 pm.

Then on Sunday the 4th, don’t miss the Local Literary Festival at Watermark.

Friends of the Wichita Art Museum are holding their Holiday Open House on Sunday the 4th from 2-4. This free event includes a visit from Santa and musical performances.

The YMCA is hosting a free Healthy Cooking course Thursdays in December from 2-4.

Join the Great Plains Nature Center for Bringing in the Greens this Friday the 2nd from 6-8 pm. Enjoy a live owl program, cookie decorating and caroling.

Incredibly important

Saturday’s Caffeinated Lab Class at Reverie will educate us on Water Quality in brewing. Grab your ticket here.

City Arts‘ annual Gifts in the Gallery will be opening tomorrow, December 2nd. Great way to shop local and support artists in the area.

And check out all the Upcoming Events at the Library here.

Happy Weekend!

Neighbor pups delighted this Thanksgiving

Cousin time beating The Claw

A little mall walking

A little mall stopping

Cousins too

Minions as well

Inviting in the Season

Glory

Your 7 Days?

I have heard and read plenty on the pull toward Advent this year. And how division and disillusionment in politics and government has people even more open to the Kingdom.

This is bittersweet.

We long for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done here on earth. We also know that is a limited desire until He makes all things new.

Still we do our part. We roll up our sleeves and get on our knees – both – to join Him in advancement. We do this because He came. Right into our division and disillusionment. And He’s still showing up in those very places.

Both my personal verses this morning and the ones I read with our boys referenced His words abiding. Remaining in Him, eyes locked on heaven, Words of Life in our minds and hearts and on our tongues yielding powerful prayers. Prayers that are guaranteed to move Heaven. Not because we can somehow manipulate Him to action, but because they are His very will. We are agreeing with Him, changing to be more like Him.

We know God longs for peace and dignity and joy and truth and justice and redemption and life to prevail. Let’s pray those things and live those things. Let’s celebrate and wait. Work and pray. Long and act.

Because He came once and He’s coming again.