these city walls

Revelation

I am a slave to potential. That's all for now.

posted by Cameron Lawrence at 01:29 -->   

Suffice it to say that I am tired. Tired of scraping by. Tired of unrealistic dreams. Tired of my life being up in the air like a Dandelion feather. I wish it would settle to the ground and burrow its way deep into the soil. And that, rather than a patch of weeds, a large tree would grow tall and stretch out its beautiful, shading arms.

posted by Cameron Lawrence at 01:34 -->   

They locked the mini-bar.

I'm sitting in my room on the 10th floor the of the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta. The hotel is only seven minutes from my apartment, but I decided that when a free stay at a four star hotel is offered me, I should gladly partake. The kind desk clerk upgraded my bed to king size on his own initiative. Good man. I don't need all this bed. Maybe Annabelle and I should elope--we already have the honeymoon suite. That would be all right if I didn't have to wake up the first morning of being married to a crowd of four hundred college ministers I'm meant to lead worship for.

But seriously, eloping gets a bad wrap. Sure you piss of two sets of parents and siblings, not to mention strong-willed relatives who must never be forgotten. I feel as if I'll get in trouble for even mentioning eloping. But still, it has its appeal. Definitely.

Everyone would feel robbed in the end. And the worst vicitms of all would be us, I suppose. Victims because we would have forgone the experience we really wanted due to lack of patience or self-control. There's something wonderful about waiting. That's one of my favourite things about having a meal in a restaurant. Taking the time to enjoy things properly, one course at a time. And so far our engagement has served up courses that have filled us both with a deeper love for each other.

So for now I'll be content to carry on waiting and beliving that there's something on the other end to make it all worth it. I have no doubt in my mind that it will be anything but that.

posted by Cameron Lawrence at 16:28 -->   

Sorry about that last one. I guess I needed a good rant.

posted by Cameron Lawrence at 10:42 -->   

Dear Chain Letter

Why should we be upset about Touched by An Angel being taken off of the air? Does it really represent Christianity? I don't think it does. She was a nice angel who went around helping people. How lovely. But where was Jesus? I'm fairly certain He wasn't around. What the person who sent this petition doesn't realize, aside from the fact that it won't do anything, is that God has been taboo in the media for a long time. His name is also Jesus Christ and that name is certainly not accepted. Just try and say something about Jesus' transformational power, His kingdom, His healing touch, or salvation through Him on television. It won't be done. Often when a person is interviewed by the media and they pay homage to their faith in Jesus Christ they will leave that part out, the editors that is. The media is okay with God, not okay with Jesus. Loads of people believe in God, but which God? I doubt the personwho wrote this really understands what was going on, if it ever was, regarding this issue. If anything the FCC is deregulating and making it easier for Christian broadcasting to happen. All they have to do is have the money to spend (see this article: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/126/42.0.html).

If we're really counting on Touched by an Angel, or Seventh Heaven, or whatever, to be a witness to our world something is wrong. Yes, the shows are moral and involve nebulously Christian people--we can only assume they are Christian by the robe the minister wears and that church building looks like our churches or churches we've visited. They haven't been and won't be called Christians on the show because it implicates Christ. I get a bit heated about things like this because I've seen a number of Christians who get fiercely mad about the debate surrounding the pledge, or the ten commandments, and things like a silly show on ABC or whatever. But when it comes down to the nitty gritty, they aren't really living out the Gospel. They are not being the shining examples of Christ's radiance they are meant to. Why can't they be upset about homelessness instead? We have been commanded to feed the the poor, yet every winter thousands of homeless people die while we open Christmas presents. Why can't they be upset that millions of people are dying in Africa because of AIDS and as a result millions of children are left as orphans? Why can't they be upset that there are thousands upon thousands of people in our country alone who struggle with depression and thoughts of worthlessness or maybe even suicide? People who wonder if anyone will ever love them, or simply be a friend. And rather than be concerned, why not do something about it?

How much more would one man or woman fully committed to Christ do to affect our nation and world than one or two quasi-spiritual shows that, let's be honest, only Christians watch? That's the problem I have with Christian music. People who aren't Christian don't listen to it. The transformation and healing of the world, ultimately to Christ's glorification, isn't going to happen by having more of God on television, or more happy-Jesus-love-you albums in Lifeway Christian Stores. It's going to happen by more of God's people stepping into a stride with the Holy Spirit, walking in His power, living lives of worship, of joyful mission. It's going to happen as individuals learn to love other individuals authentically. Transformation will happen when the Church is no longer afraid to look different than the world, operating in honesty.

God is about people and restoring them. God is about loving people. God is about relationship. So rather than get upset that God isn't tacked to the walls of our schools or courthouses or on our lips at the beginning of the World Series, let's get upset that the people we work with, play with, volunteer with, and live with don't know Jesus and are hurting because of it. And they'll be hurting for eternity. Let's get upset that we've gone so long without being bold enough to really love people and speak truth into their lives. Let's get upset that we've been holding on to Jesus and not giving Him away.

Sincerely,
Cameron

posted by Cameron Lawrence at 11:53 -->