Here are just a few random pictures taken from my cell phone during our first few weeks in Chicago:
Try finding this combination in the South!
Go ahead, just ask this guy about his views on politics…
Last week, I took a bike ride on the Lakefront Trail from our place down by the beach, to the loop and back. It was long but well worth it!
Always-fun Navy Pier and my half way point on the bike adventure.
Tonight Katrina and I watched Jumper and What Would Jesus Buy?
Jumper is hardly worth mentioning. Nice effects. It had Anakin from the newer Star Wars movies. I say again, it is hardly worth mentioning.
What Would Jesus Buy? Presented by Morgan Sperlock, (of Supersize Me fame), was a provocative and prophetic documentary that was released last Christmas. It featured Reverend Billy and the Holy Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir. At first I thought this whole thing was a big hoax for the documentary, but as I watched it, I realized that these people were just protesters who had left their picket signs in Washington and had hit the road to get the message out. They drove two bio-diesel buses and dressed up in full Pentecostal flare. They “preached” in churches, diners, even the Mall of America. I don’t know how they had the guts to do everything they did, going into retail stores with megaphones warning consumers of a “Shopocaplypse,” and singing hymns denouncing capitalism as god, but they did it. Police were regulars on the tour, and “church members” regularly found themselves behind bars.
I found myself laughing in disbelief. I had heard of Not Buying It, a great book about a lady who went a year without shopping, and Buy Nothing Day, a grassroots movement encouraging people to take a day off shopping and find meaning with family and friends rather than in consumption. When I heard that the retail space in the United States could hold every North American, South American and European inside its doors all at once, and when I heard that every American (regardless of age/race/gender) holds an average of $13,000 in credit card debt, and 4.2 billion credit cards are mailed out to Americans EVERY YEAR – I realized the kind of power we’re up against. My laughing wasn’t so much in disbelief as much as relief.
It is good to see someone finally take seriously the phrase “Jesus is the reason for the season,” and to do it with a little humor and performance. Most street preachers with a megaphone rain down condemnation on passers by (I know, I’ve been pelted by some of it myself), but these guys went caroling with parodies of Christmas tunes! I will listen to anyone who has a good joke and doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
While watching What Would Jesus Buy? I leaned over and said to Katrina, “Our kids are gonna be so weird.” When I look at the state of the world today, and the direction its heading in – maybe ‘normal’ is what’s weird, and we’re just searching for sanity. I’m not some crazy anarchist – I just think we’ve gone way overboard. It’s high time someone called it for what it is. God likes to use humor sometimes to do just that.
BTW – Amidst drunken credit card tomfoolery across the nation, Katrina and I have been receiving lots of financial peace from this guy.
A heads up to all you interested in the fusion of the Emerging Church conversation and established Christian fellowships. Tyler Priest, a good friend of mine, has written a great primer to the whole thing here, and is asking for ideas on how to conceive of the Stone-Campbell Movement’s intrigue and experiment into postmodern expressions, and the Emerging Church. Check it out and leave him a comment. If you’re wondering what Emerging Church is, head to Emergent Village to learn more.
Katrina and I are wrapping things up here in Indy. We had an amazing time last Sunday at Southeastern Church inviting them to partner with us in some of our next steps forward in church planting in Chicago. I am continually grateful to be hooked up with them, and look forward to ways in which we can work together to develop an ‘emerging’ expression of God’s Kingdom that is deeply rooted to its ancient faith.
EC, 
Curtis 8:53 am on June 15, 2008 Permalink
Ha ha! That’s awesome! What a blast, we’ll check that out.
What do you think about these new refillable debit cards? I had a mixed reaction — on the one hand it provides some help to low-wage workers (and refugees) who don’t have bank accounts, but still need to swipe plastic for some things.
On the other hand though it trains people to love the plastic and swipe it often, so God help them if they ever get a real credit card!
Mark 9:06 am on June 15, 2008 Permalink
I think regular debit cards are fine. They represent your actual cash flow. My wife and I use an envelope system for the things we usually go over on (like dining out, or entertainment) and use our debit card for more steady things (like cleaning supplies, or gas…although there’s not much steady about that these days).
It sounds like these refillable cards are like gift cards, which make me feel like I can buy anything. I would personally stay away from them, but then again, I have a bank account.
What places don’t accept cash? In fact, I feel like I can negotiate better with dollar bills waving all over the store than I can with a fixed price and a plastic card. I’m fine with the refillable debit cards for those without a bank account – in my opinion, the more important thing is – do I have a budget that names every dollar that comes in and goes out? Then it doesn’t matter what form its in (cash, plastic, check) its under control.
Curtis 9:13 am on June 15, 2008 Permalink
Eh, many hotels, car rentals, online purchases, etc.
Right, there’s no need for such a thing if you have a bank account. We use a regular debit card as well. That envelope system sounds interesting…
EC 1:55 pm on June 16, 2008 Permalink
Chyeah we will play ultimate in Chicago! My parents are helping us move up there. I could see them breaking out some awesome fritbee skills.
Glad to know I shouldn’t waste my money/time on Jumper.