The rest of the story—and a way to share it

Last updated on: May 26, 2011 at 10:04 pm by Richard Dahlstrom

The rest of the story—and a way to share it 2011-05-26T22:04:56-07:00 Richard Dahlstrom

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Yes. Of course. Westboro Baptist church is planning a protest for President Obama’s visit to Joplin, Mo., to inflict a little hate and misery, in Jesus’ name. That the rapture didn’t happen this past Saturday was in the news as much as if it had happened. And people are still debating whether Rob Bell is saved.

This is the stuff that generates tweets, blogs, Facebook fodder, debates, ill-will, and the general opinion that people of faith are more interested in their own internal squabbles than doing much that’s meaningful in the world. It’s the stuff that’s good for readership because everybody loves a scandal, a controversy, a debate. The cumulative effect of this, though, has been to give our larger culture a caricatured view of Christ followers, painting us as self-absorbed, combative, fearful, arrogant—and painting all of us with these colors, as I shared here.

This not just a terrible pity; it’s a terrible lie. The truth of the matter is that God is making His good reign visible in some rather remarkable ways these days but, as is usually the case, the real redemptive work doesn’t get much press. It’s hidden, like a mustard seed. It’s there though: I think of my friend Walter, who’s focused on freeing women from sexual slavery in Ghana. Then there’s Curtis and his band, who make beautiful music and donate some of their profits to International Justice Mission. Let’s not forget Laura, whose movie has spawned the Rwanda Initiative. World Relief? One Day’s Wages? Aurora Commons? I could go on, and on, and on.

Instead, I’ll ask you to share. My only interest in writing The Colors of Hope is to encourage our culture away from the meaningless and polarizing debates, focusing instead on our clear calling to be people of hope in this world, intent on making God’s good reign visible through intentional acts of justice, mercy, and love. We can help create this culture by sharing the stories of groups that are doing this, and I’m happy to provide a way.

If you’ll go to this link, you’ll find a place to share stories, links, videos, of ministries that are imparting justice, mercy, and love in our world in Jesus name. Share your story, and your link, and then encourage your friends to vote. At the end of the summer, I’ll interview and highlight two ministries and give some funds to each one. The point isn’t the money. The point is sharing stories. The point is celebrating the truth that lots of people are getting on with real life in Christ—and that, I hope, will encourage more of us to join in!

So please—share a work that embodies God’s good reign on the contest website. Thanks!

generosity

justice

Previous Post

May 24, 2011

California, meet Rwanda - and learn about justice, reconciliation, and prisons

Next Post

May 28, 2011 Messiah complex and conventional wisdom: a marriage made in hell

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category body bridges church coffee with God Creation exhaling generosity Inhaling intimacy inviting justice leadership life questions Rest and Sabbath Reviews Rule of Life Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 August 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz