Collapsing reality; deconstructing selfhood; the death of the metanarrative. These are the keys to understanding postmodernity. It is a ruthless application of the hermeneutic of suspicion to everything that the post-Enlightenment Western world has held dear. It goes exactly with the microchip revolution, which has generated and sustained a world in which creating new apparent realities, living in one's own private world and telling one's own story even though it does not cohere with anybody else's, is easier and easier. This is what the Internet is partly all about. We live in a cultural, economic, moral and even religious hypermarket. Scoop up what you like and mix it all together.
When someone discovers that I'm a part of a House Church network in Lawrence, KS, I'm generally met with a lot of questions. These questions can arise from a variety of places within the questioner. Sometimes it's fascination, other times it's freak-show curiosity. I'm met with concern and with admiration. But generally, people seem to be interested in how House Church actually works and how they can apply it to their local context.
Thus far, I have been hesitant to share the secret of our community, but in a moment of clarity, I've decided it only appropriate to share from our riches. The secret success of our house church comes from one activity that we, as a community, engage with together: Hearts with Consequences.
For those unfamiliar, Hearts with Consequences is basically a combination of Hearts and Russian Roulette. Before the commencement of the game, every participant chooses a 'consequence' that they must perform if they end up losing (ex. signing up for eHarmony & going on a date through it, getting a tattoo of the card you lost the game with, driving your car decorated with 'Just Married' all over it for a week). In case it isn't perfectly clear, the point isn't necessarily to win, just to not lose!
Now, some of you will question the theological and Biblical basis of Hearts with Consequences and it's effect in bringing about the life of God. To those, I would encourage a fresh reading of Acts 2:42-47:
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to intense individualistic competition, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders, miraculous signs and humiliating consequences were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common despite the risk of social humiliation. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Their competitive spirit so rampant, every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved and joining in on the lively festivities.
As disciples of Jesus, it is important to discover modern pictures of what it looks like to follow Jesus both as an individual disciple and as a community of disciples. On both accounts, I offer one picture:
(a special thanks to T$ whose gracious permission to use his picture made this post possible)
The last months I've grown a fascination with the language and it's adaptation through time and geography and culture. Increasingly, I've been a part of discussions on language being dynamic: words ever change and therefore are in regular need of redefinition.
Though there are many ways this can happen, one I see especially prevalent is over-use of a word or phrase to the point of meaning pollution. At this point the word effectively becomes more of a cultural (or sub-cultural) staple rather than a word with actual meaning. It is, as if, there is a point where language tips from having a real definition with rich imagery and meaningful associated practices to being a word we use because we're used to saying it.
Naturally, I am most aware of this within the Christian sub-culture and am painfully present to how many of our words just don't make sense outside this context. But rather than tear down words and stop using them, I like to reinvent them, redefine them. That way, they're rich to me, full of meaning, and a discovery to invite others into.
One of the words that nearly lost meaning for me is disciple, a word thrown-around a fair bit in expressly Christian circles. My working definition of a disciple is someone who postures their life to listen to Jesus and faithfully respond over time.
(I stole this definition from Ken Primrose and the entire Norman Community Church. Ken goes on to define faithfulness as sincerity + time)
Friday night was my first Christmas Party with my new job. It was quite an experience. And probably more so for my friend Megan who graciously accompanied me.
The highlight of the evening for me was upon being introduced, one of our less than sober accountants declaring: 'when I first heard your name, I thought it was a joke!'
Now, I've always known Graham Ripple is a unique name, but I didn't realize it was that unique! What I have known is that I've received some pretty crazy nicknames over the years. And so, I thought it only fitting to share some of my favorite nicknames (along with who originated them) which really are a joke!
~ dirty (Johnny B started it and continues to keep it alive)
- the grahambulance (Zak & the Rome crew)
- graham 'ripples of pain through your jaw' ripple (Ryan Campbell... last night)
- g-ram (far too many people, but Chris Howard stands out)
- g.rip (again, too many to name!)
Anyone have a favorite they want to share?
You're also, of course, welcome to share some of your favorite nicknames that you've received, but really, shouldn't you be posting that on your blog!?!
Scrolling through my iPod at work yesterday, I ran into the Weepies' song Gotta Have You. How it got there, I have no clue. Needless to say it has been on repeat.
Sorry it isn't the complete song... best I could do!
Oh, and here are the lyrics, for those interested:
Gray, quiet and tired and mean Picking at a worried seam I try to make you mad at me over the phone. Red eyes and fire and signs I'm taken by a nursery rhyme I want to make a ray of sunshine and never leave home
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine No, nothing else will do I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you.
The road gets cold, there's no spring in the middle this year I'm the new chicken clucking open hearts and ears Oh, such a prima donna, sorry for myself But green, it is also summer And I won't be warm till I'm lying in your arms
I see it all through a telescope: guitar, suitcase, and a warm coat Lying in the back of the blue boat, humming a tune...
This is the blog of Graham Ripple & Kyle FitzGerald of Two Guys Good Health.
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