Brian McLaren is a good friend, the kind you can dive deep into conversation with poolside in Burundi or on the sandy beaches of Florida. He is the person I reach out to when I get mired in a theological quandary or need to search out a good resource or two. He is the person we can count on for calm in a crisis, wise counsel and prayerful solidarity amid our own kind of turmoil.
Both the links I want to share with you today have one common denominator – Brian McLaren – so that has me thinking about him today. How grateful I am for such friends in this world.
First, the dangerous women over at SheLoves Magazine decided to read The Secret Message of Jesus this month. Idelette and I will be hosting the conversation – and so this is my introduction, with a response by Idelette later in the month. I hope you’ll consider join us in reading and conversing about Jesus, his stories and his secret message!
Second, Brian highlighted some voices speaking to the situation in Burundi right now. This is an article about what is happening in the wider context of this small, green country. Beyond the heated protests in the streets and the political rancor is the economic landscape rife with injustice. We cannot just solve the immediate political crisis (though we must address it first), we must work to address the larger economic practices that shape the Burundian society to prevent this kind of crisis in the future.
I must ask – please remember Burundi in your prayers. Please pray that people of peace will find the energy and imagination for new works of justice, that peace-making attempts will not be stymied but open fresh vistas of possibility for this beloved land.
Yes, yes, yes. Praying, dear Kelley.