Power of Love

The great theologian Huey Lewis once said: 
"You don't need money, don't take fame 
Don't need no credit card to ride this train It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes But it might just save your life That's the power of love"


I've been thinking about love, well really I've been thinking about theology which has led me to think about love. I saw this Peanuts cartoon about a week ago

and it really made me think.


I was reading Facebook posts this morning and I realized I have friends all across the Christian spectrum; from hard core right-wing fundamentalists to left wing Christian universalists. I also have friends who are Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and even self proclaimed atheist. I don't think I have one single friend who agrees with me 100% on theology, maybe some are close, but we all have our differences. However, I think all of us can agree that despite our different opinions the world would be a much better place if we concentrated on love. I know I probably sound like some hippie from the 70s, but really love is all we need. If we truly loved one another, which fits into the parameters of all the religions and beliefs I mentioned, then we would see a radically different world. We would see a world transformed. We would see an end to world strife. But before the world can be transformed the individuals must be transformed. It starts with us. It starts with you and I. Will you love today with a reckless abandon that might have a transforming affect on the world?

Judgment!

It has been a while since I blogged. But now that the rough draft of my dissertation is finished and all I have to do is the editing I hope to have the time to blog once again. My dissertation is 139 pages of my creation. It will pass the desk of my proof reader, my dissertation advisor, the second reader and who knows who else at George Fox Evangelical Seminary. All of them will judge it. That scares me! I'm not sure I like my creation being judged. However, when it passes through the judgment stage and the flaws are fixed, the end result will hopefully be better.

Is the same true with us? I suppose it depends on who is doing the judging. I've been judged by some and it caused me to make some positive changes. I've been judged by others and it caused me to do some real soul searching as to why it made me so angry. In both cases I think I emerged better.

Judgment is a popular word being tossed around these days both in and out of Christian circles. I really like the phrase "let me love and let God judge", but is some judgment beneficial? I know some of my friends are going to be tempted to fire proof texts at me; please don't so I will not be tempted to judge you :-) I want to tackle this judgment thing based solely on empirical evidence, can it be helpful, why is it hurtful, what do we make of it!

Sorry my first blog back isn't a nugget of gold...remember these are just the thoughts in my head when I sit down in front of my MacBookPro (some want to judge me right now!)

Peace