Christianity

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  Holy Experience

• weekend wanderings: fun with the kids

  Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience

  6 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

  ~ A free customizable - printable chorechart for kids (and it doesn't say "chores" -- it says how one "contributes" to family. Beautiful!)~ organization of art supplies -- home-education inspiration (I recollect you can buy those galvanized buckets at Ikea?)~a Thanksgiving Centerpiece(Child-Made, God-Glorifying, Easily-Beautiful!)~ Instantly Preserved Leaves -- Wax them! (Oh, can we do this too? A walk first... and then a dipping into wax... and then string the colored garlands. Might be a way to hunt for beauty this weekend?)May you enjoy the beautiful people you are spending your weekend…

• How do Christians Seek Beauty?

  Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:30 am

  The cold came for the color, drained summer brown, and the furniture vases, they’re open mouths, waiting for petals and I go looking for beauty in November.And when I fill them with tassels of broom corn from the garden, stalks grown from heritage seeds of the Shakers at Pleasant Hill, I trim each woody stalk and think how seeing beauty in the obvious and apparent isn’t perhaps really seeking at all.The Real Words read: "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” and my thoughts line up like an echo:“For if you find beauty…

• Beauty Challenge: Seeing Through

  Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  Reframing the mess, seeing through to the Real.......He rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~Heb. 11:6Lord, when I seek... when I seek. The Beauty of You... You. This week: Beauty Challenge #1 ::: Beauty Challenge #2Photos: seeing through to the Beauty of GodShare your thoughts?...Would you like Holy Experience delivered to you quietly via email?...

• Eating Bread: The One Habit that's Most Changed Us

  Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience

  3 Nov 2009 | 10:54 pm

  (You were asking? Several notes to the inbox with questions, so a revisitation on how our family quietly eats this book...)Words are always dessert.I was sixteen when I first I ate dinner at his house and when the plates were cleaned, forks laid down, when it'd seem commonplace to nod thanks to the cook and push back the chairs, his family bowed their heads and his Father opened a Bible, thick and tattered, a multitude of bookmarks sticking out from all the pages and he read a chapter of Scripture in an even thicker Dutch accent. Chapter finished, he'd close the book, look around the table,…

• The Beauty Challenge: Beauty Inspiration

  Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:29 am

  In the space of a few days, oldest son breaks his right arm working in the barn, youngest son twists his left ankle on trampoline, and the sunflowers droop brown and heavy in the garden, blooms withered. We elevate and medicate and supplicate, and yes, there are tears. November winds blow and it rains.Do I have eyes audacious enough to see beauty, courage to declare the lovely in days that wail of the ugly, the boldness to fill the hollowed out places with surprising grace?The true artist enters into work of Father and makes the ordinary material of the world new. Inspired to pick the common…

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  Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff

• Win a free copy of “Scouting the Divine” by Margaret Feinberg.

  Jon

  7 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  Dang, Margaret Feinberg rocked the casbah at Catalyst. In a bright red coat that made her look like a super hero and a book that sounds awesome, she just tore it up when she was handed the mic. Her new book was years in the making and has perhaps my favorite subhead ever: “Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey.” She basically spent time with a shepherd, a beekeeper and vintner to try to bridge the gap between the ancient world and her own as she pursued the mystery and beauty that lurks within the Bible. She said I could give away five copies of the book to…

• Visit my dad’s new church

  Jon

  7 Nov 2009 | 1:39 am

  Most of what I write about, speak about, laugh about is just an offshoot of what I saw my dad do first. That’s why I’m excited that he started a new church in Durham, North Carolina called the Gathering Church. Tomorrow is their first Sunday. If you live in the area, visit and tell him I sent you. For more info visit their site, allgather.org. Details about Sunday are also pasted below: Gathering Church Starting at 10:30 am. Creekside Elementary 5331 Ephesus Church Road Durham NC 27707

• Secretly believing the prosperity gospel.

  Jon

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  (I like to think I’m funny and have big faith until I meet people like Michael Kelly. He’s a writer with a hilarious wit but it’s his heart that struck me most. When I first met him, he told me, “I was headed down this path of being an author until my two year old son got leukemia and my priorities changed.” He’s years down the road on that journey and it’s been a great privilege to learn about the miracles God has worked in Michael’s family. Today, in further proof that big faith and big funny can live in the same person, Michael joins us for a guest post on Stuff Christians…

• Youth group rules.

  Jon

  5 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  “What am I supposed to do, swivel?” An exasperated friend asked me that recently. He was telling me about a rule he had received as a Christian youth camp counselor. In the contract for the camp, he had been told, “You can only side hug the campers. No front hugs.” And that’s an OK rule. That makes sense, I get that. It’s designed to protect both the campers and the counselors. But my friend had a problem. Occasionally a camper would break down in tears, say something like, “My uncle just died and it is killing me” and then throw their arms out for a front hug. Which is when…

• Come see me for free in Atlanta, November 11.

  Jon

  5 Nov 2009 | 1:49 am

  Singles of the world unite! Or at the bare minimum come see me speak about how to have a wicked awesome dating life on Wednesday, November 11 at North Point Community Church outside of Atlanta, Georgia. The event is free. I will probably try to pop n’ lock at least once. I will be handing out booty, God, booty buttons like they were sweet satirical candies. And you’ll get to meet my wife, who is the smarter of the two Acuffs. Space is limited, so make sure you sign up if you want to come hang out. Register right here.

• 
  The Acton Institute - Acton News & Commentary

• The Market, School of Virtue

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:39 am

  Many culture-oriented critics of the market -- on both the left and the right -- have attacked the acquisitiveness or self-serving aspects of the market economy. But Stephen Grabill shows that many of the character traits we call practical virtues are rewarded by the market economy. As a result, market activity may actually inculcate values and moral habits that make us better citizens, colleagues, employers, and employees.

• Public schools flunk the test on black males

  28 Oct 2009 | 6:41 am

  "Given the many social pathologies plaguing black males in low-income and fatherless households, the best place for at-risk black males is not the dominant failed public school paradigm," writes Anthony Bradley. "Since public schools are forbidden to teach virtue and often reduce children to receptacles of information, expanding private and faith-based options to black parents is the only compelling solution."

• America’s Uncontrolled Debt and Spending is the Real ‘Waterloo’

  21 Oct 2009 | 7:43 am

  The religious left likes to describe the federal budget as "a moral document." So what kind of morality is behind uncontrolled spending and debt?

• Healthcare and Catholics: True and False Arguments

  14 Oct 2009 | 8:27 am

  Samuel Gregg points out that “when it comes to how we achieve the good end of healthcare reform -- such as making it more affordable, universal, and ensuring that the most marginalized are protected -- there’s a legitimate diversity of views among Catholics.” But there are non-negotiables which “principally concern any provisions that facilitate or encourage the intentional termination of innocent human life, or which diminish existing conscience exemptions.”

• Less Religion Means More Government

  7 Oct 2009 | 7:42 am

  Anthony Bradley ponders the erosion of religious belief among younger people, a group described by a new survey as the generation of "Nones." Bradley warns that "the reported decline in religious life is an omen that virtue-driven local charity will decline, the passion to pursue the good will wane, and Americans will look to government to guide, protect, and provide."

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  Baptist Standard

• TV drama prompts musician’s crusade against human trafficking

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:30 am

  Dove award-winning Christian music artist Natalie Grant is seeking to make a difference in the world by raising awareness about eating disorders and by fighting modern-day slavery.

• DBU students share basketball, cheerleading and the gospel in Korea

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:09 am

  A 42-member team of student athletes, cheerleaders, coaches, trainers and staff from Dallas Baptist University spent fall break in Seoul, South Korea, leading sports clinics for children and youth, ministering to homeless people and sharing their faith.

• Struggles bring Christians closer to God, speaker asserts

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:04 am

  At times, ministry—like life itself—will be a struggle, Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love and pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, Calif., told the Youth Ministry Conclave.

• Cambodian pastor returns with the gospel to land he fled 30 years ago

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:56 am

  Cambodian pastor Rindo Nong describes his flight from the Khmer Rouge in 1979, his conversion to Christ in a Thai refugee camp and a journey to the Philippines and then to Fort Worth, Texas. He now is pastor of a Cambodian mission church sponsored by Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

• Conference set to discuss Calvinism, leadership styles

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:44 am

  The Center for Effective Leadership and the Center for Informed Faith are coming together to encourage discussion on Calvinism and effective leadership styles during a new event called the G-5 Leadership Conference, scheduled Nov. 17 after the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

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  Bible.org Women -

• Heaven’s Natural Response to Disappointment and Loss

  Lael Arrington

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:19 pm

  "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, in my life, as it is in heaven." Wouldn't it be a relief to respond to God’s will as joyfully and immediately as the angels in heaven? Too often, by the time I think to rely on his Spirit, everything is already in flames. How long, Oh Lord, before my natural response, the words that come tripping off my tongue, the subtleties of my body language, the surface tension of my emotional tidal pool, will be quite naturally those of Jesus? read more

• That Gift From God: Open If You Dare

  Jamie Lath

  5 Nov 2009 | 5:44 am

  Have you ever feared your gift? Well, you’re not alone. I have a theory that at some time in our lives, we have all feared our God-given gifts. Silly when you think about it, but that doesn’t stop us from doing so. Why do we fear? Well, I’ve got a theory on that too. A few of them. read more

• Redemption Poem

  Sharifa Stevens

  3 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

  redemption love lost and found hope once bouyant seemingly drowned baptized through the inferno gold-forged now shines eternal phoenix rising for the nations stunning bird and spotless silent lamb in eternity the great I AM yet baby clothes and baby cries witnessed by Simeon and Anna's eyes Redeemer Savior Word redemption song chorus widely heard some still don't know the words love sin sacrifice resurrection unworthy - praise God for His affection read more

• How to Break into Publishing

  Sandra Glahn

  2 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

  Want to break into publishing? read more

• Keeping first things first!

  Gwynne Johnson

  2 Nov 2009 | 6:02 am

  Last evening we enjoyed dinner with a group of former young marrieds from a class convened in the early 1980s. In those days one key aim for the class was the development among the couples of authentic and lasting friendships.  The evening provided a glimpse into God's blessing of that intention and the value of it.  read more

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  Menlo Park Presbyterian Church Sermon-Cast

• The Daniel Project / Part 1

  2 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pm

  Nancy Ortberg on 2009-11-01: The Daniel Project / Part 1Check out our weekly Sermon-Cast HERE

• The Ripple Effect: "Imagine" - John Ortberg

  26 Oct 2009 | 12:59 pm

  This weekend John Ortberg continued our sermon series, The Ripple Effect, with a message called "Imagine."Hebrews 11Check out our weekly Sermon-Cast HERE

• The Ripple Effect: "Constructive Interference" - John Ortberg

  19 Oct 2009 | 2:12 pm

  This weekend John Ortberg continued our sermon series, The Ripple Effect, with a message called "Constructive Interference."Check out our weekly Sermon-Cast HERE

• The Ripple Effect: "No Splash Is The Same" - John Ortberg

  12 Oct 2009 | 2:50 pm

  This weekend John Ortberg continued our sermon series, The Ripple Effect, with a message called "No Wave Is The Same."Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."Check out our weekly Sermon-Cast HERE

• The Ripple Effect: "Making Waves" -Kevin Kim

  12 Oct 2009 | 2:46 pm

  This weekend Kevin Kim continued our sermon series, The Ripple Effect, with a message called "Making Waves."Check out our weekly Sermon-Cast HERE

• 
  Brian McLaren EMC

• Why more of us are speaking up on nuclear reduction and disarmament ...

  plushy55@yahoo.com

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:48 am

  Good reasons after the jump from Tyler Wigg-Stevenson ... Continue reading Why more of us are speaking up on nuclear reduction and disarmament ......

• More on Baptists ... and Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Methodists too!

  plushy55@yahoo.com

  4 Nov 2009 | 8:25 am

  In reference to my posting emergent AND baptist a few days ago, check out the Baptimergent site here. And to all the Lutherans out there who feel you're always getting passed over (I plead guilty of doing so in AGO - I beg for Lutheran mercy!), check out this! I just returned from a wonderful time with Presbyterians in the Shenandoah Valley - what good and hopeful people. And an added bonus was a delightful day with Shenandoah University in Winchester (a Methodist school) ... a most meaningful worship service and a warm and vibrant community of students and staff. The students in the Just…

• Crying like a baby ...

  plushy55@yahoo.com

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:49 am

  I continue to receive - and be moved by - emails like this one ... (after the jump) Continue reading Crying like a baby ......

• a fantastic video ...

  plushy55@yahoo.com

  2 Nov 2009 | 12:13 pm

  TransFORM: Missional Community Formation from TransFORM on Vimeo. ... about forming missional communities, featuring some of my dear friends. Transform is a new network seeking to help innovative missional communities of practice take shape, grow, and multiply. You can learn more about it here. I believe we need thousands of these kinds of new faith collectives to form in the coming years ... maybe you have a calling in that direction?

• prayer for the earth ...

  plushy55@yahoo.com

  31 Oct 2009 | 4:58 pm

  Text available here.

• 
  Global Feed

• When God Won't Heal

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:15 am

  Churches are ill-equipped to deal with those who suffer chronic illness.

• Be Anxious For Nothing--Now?

  3 Nov 2009 | 8:41 am

  When facing foreclosure, it's tough to believe that God is sovereign.

• Drifting Into Christless Christianity

  28 Oct 2009 | 1:50 pm

  Our conversation with author and theologian Michael Horton.

• Training a New Generation of Christian Writers

  27 Oct 2009 | 9:39 am

  It is encouraging to note the number of Christian colleges that are acceptiong the challenge of training tomorrow's writers.

• MNA Launches "Every Church Plant a Church"

  21 Oct 2009 | 2:11 pm

  New DVD educates churchgoers about the importance of church planting.

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  http://heatheragoodman.com/rss.xml

• What She Said

  hgoodman

  28 Oct 2009 | 7:24 am

  Last night, before watching the latest episode of Flash Forward, Chris said, "Remind me how the last one ended." My reply: "The guy from Coupling who was in the girl from Lost's flash forward got a call from Charlie from Lost saying something about them being responsible, and the Shakespeare guy told his coworker to call the hacker." Oddly enough, he understood me.

• Tips for a Trip to Israel

  hgoodman

  26 Oct 2009 | 8:15 am

  After returning from Israel (and having some sense of coherence return to my life--although not much), I thought I'd compile a list of tips for those of you out there desiring to make a trip to the Holy Lands. Or for those of you armchair travelers who prefer seeing the world through the travel channel. You still may need these tips before the Israel episode. Travel with cynical writers. I worried the trip would be made up of constant emotional breakdowns and holy moments. Israel's a great place for them. But as Keith, one of my fellow travelers, said, "All of creation is holy…

• Tales from the Crypt

  hgoodman

  19 Oct 2009 | 11:34 am

    Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

• Dancing on the Sea of Galilee

  hgoodman

  17 Oct 2009 | 10:22 am

  Jesus said we'd do greater things than he. He walked on water. Today, we danced on it. This morning, our group went out on the Sea of Galilee in a replica of a first-century boat. A couple in our group used this opportunity to renew our wedding vows. Which evolved into traditional Jewish wedding music. Which evolved (devolved, perhaps) into ABBA. And Cotton-Eyed Joe. And Israeli techno music. And we danced. Someone noted today that the trip isn't as spiritual as she expected. But here's how I see it: the people of the Bible may have lived in a different culture, but they were human with human…

• Raw Thoughts #1

  hgoodman

  16 Oct 2009 | 10:45 am

  We missed out on Cana. Drove through, but didn't get to stop at the church that's built over the traditional site of the wedding. Too bad. I was looking forward to a good glass of wine. In Caesarea, there are ruins underwater from this pier Herod built (it was destroyed by tsunami) as well as wrecks from ships. I asked if it's open to the public for diving. It is. Someday I'd like to return and see the ruins down there. I ran out of room on the camera within an hour. So I went back and deleted some of the pics I took, switched it to snapshot, and took much fewer pictures than I would've liked…

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  CatalystSpace | Catablog

• New Buildings & Ministry

  info@catalystspace.com

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:42 am

  There has been a lot of discussion about the new $130 Million building a church has decided to build and relocate to. Of course there are opinions on both sides. Without getting into who & why I'd like to ask a question about this idea in general. Some people uphold the idea to build a $130M building as a good investment (breaking eggs to make an omelet). Others think it's a bad investment (a waste of money). Actually, both groups are right ... from their perspective. One group believes (simplifying) that the money should be spent on helping the poor, or building 130 churches ($1 million…

• What Social Media Sites Do You Use?

  info@catalystspace.com

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  There's a million Social Networking websites nowadays. Which ones do you like, and which ones are lame? We use: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo & Flickr.Facebook seems to be the gold-standard in social networking. You can easily share everything and keep up w/ your friends. However, Twitter is my favorite b/c it's the most fun! It gives you a quick view of what everyone is doing and you can quickly share interesting links. Something about the constant updates gives Twitter a velocity & energy that is really fun. Also, recently interested in Tumblr, b/c it lets you easily share…

• Catalyst West Creative Meeting

  info@catalystspace.com

  4 Nov 2009 | 5:32 pm

  Catalyst West Coast is less than 6 months away (April 21-23)!  Yesterday we hosted our first creative meeting for Catalyst West 2010 at Mariners Church; Brad Lomenick and Jeff Shinabarger flew out from Atlanta to join a host of southern California leaders (plus a special guest from Las Vegas, Mr. Jud Wilhite!).  We had a blast...  Our theme for Catalyst West 2010 is Unusual Tomorrow - What's now?  What's next?  Imagine the future.  Envision what lies ahead.  One of the many fun questions we navigated during the afternoon was, "If you were thinking outside of…

• Join the Scouting the Divine Blog Tour

  info@catalystspace.com

  4 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

  Over the last month, Margaret Feinberg has been busy organizing a month-long, 100-stop blog tour to celebrate the launch of Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, & Wild Honey. She traveled to spend time with a shepherd in Portland, a farmer in Nebraska, a beekeeper in Colorado and vintner in California. With each person, Margaret asked how they read passages of scripture’not as theologians’ but in light of what they did everyday. Their answers changed the way she reads scripture forever. Here are some of the bloggers taking part in the blog tour Mark Batterson,…

• WIN a CD SET from Catalyst 09

  info@catalystspace.com

  4 Nov 2009 | 4:41 am

  UPDATE: We've chosen a winner! #216, Jason Rogers, @indescribable13. Thanks everyone for playing! If you missed Catalyst, you can still experience it w/ CDs from Catalyst or the Experience Kit which includes the CDs, DVDs, LABS, FILTER & several other resources. Today we're giving away a Catalyst 2009 CD Set for FREE. Here's how to enter the contest: 1. tweet this phrase: WIN a Catalyst 09 CD Set at 4PM(EST) today! Comment here http://bit.ly/pl1GO & RT (via @CatalystLeader)2. Comment below (on this blog post, not on Facebook) with your twitter name & - just for fun - your favorite…

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  CatalystSpace | Articles

• Among the Flock: What Are You Really Wired For?, By Margaret Feinberg

  info@catalystspace.com

  6 Nov 2009 | 3:29 am

  I honestly don’t know why sheep are the most common animal mentioned in scripture, but I have a hunch that it’s no accident. Though sheep are not specifically mentioned in the account of Creation, God made these animals as a valuable source of food and clothing. Because of their usefulness, disagreements soon followed. From Abel to Abraham and Rachel to King David, we see many men and women caring for flocks. They are a normal part of life in the ancient agrarian society and often became crucial to a family’s—and even an entire village’s—survival. Many of…

• Young Influencers List - October Edition, By Brad Lomenick | Director of Catalyst

  info@catalystspace.com

  4 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  The October edition of the Young Influencers List. You can see last month’s list, along with all the past editions, here. 1. Charles Jenkins- pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, along with being a community leader, entrepreneur and songwriter. 2. Jessica Markowitz- 14 year old from Seattle who started an organization called IMPUWE, which helps Rwandan girls attend school. Jessica will receive the UNICEF World of Children Award this week. 3. Dude Perfect Squad- group of college students at Texas A&M whose crazy basketball shots have become the most recent…

• Worship & the Visitor, By Gerrit Gustafson

  info@catalystspace.com

  2 Nov 2009 | 6:05 am

  I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.  Psalm 108:3An American church planting pastor in Japan told me this story.  Two Japanese, who had never had any previous contact with Christianity, came into a tiny Christian gathering.  The worship that day, he said, was especially good.  After the meeting, the two visitors eagerly approached the pastor with this question: "When you were singing those songs, we felt something.  Was that God?"  The pastor was able to explain how God dwells in the praises of His people and how…

• The Death of Self Esteem, By Phil Cooke

  info@catalystspace.com

  30 Oct 2009 | 4:17 am

  It appears the self-esteem movement is finally dead.  It all began back in 1969, when psychologist Nathaniel Brandon published a highly acclaimed paper called The Psychology of Self-Esteem.  He argued that “feelings of self-esteem were the key to success in life,” and his idea soon became the hot new thing in education.  At the apex of the craze, the California Legislature even established a “Self Esteem Task Force” for the state’s schools. But the only problem with teaching self-esteem?  It doesn’t work.  Writing recently in the…

• Hillsong United: We're All In This Together, By Brad Lomenick

  info@catalystspace.com

  27 Oct 2009 | 9:34 am

  Hillsong United is one of the most innovative and influential worship crews out there. Moved by the Spirit of God, they're doing something next week that we've never seen anywhere else: The I Heart Revolution film. The I Heart Revolution has been an ongoing project birthed in the heart of Joel Houston nearly four years ago. It is essentially about love, the notion that worship and justice are inextricably linked. Whilst driving to an event in Columbia passing so much injustice He felt the burden for something more: “If what’s happening within those 4 walls is having no effect on…

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  CCBlogs

• Why sin?

  Bob Cornwall

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:40 am

  Bob Cornwall's blog Yesterday, in my theology 101 sessions, we talked about sin -- and salvation, but mostly about sin. Disciples don't dwell on sin, for the most part. I asked my earlier group about their experience -- had they heard much about sin over the years? The answer was no. One reason for this is that Disciples, generally don't affirm the doctrine of original sin. We also reflect, even in unconsciously, an optimism that emerges out of the early 19th century American frontier experience. The world lay before them! They also reflected the Enlightenment thinking of Locke and Reid. So,…

• Two ecumenisms?

  Chris Sissons

  2 Nov 2009 | 7:47 am

  Chris Sissons's blog The arrangements put in place by the Roman Catholic Church to admit Anglicans disillusioned by women bishops has highlighted a couple of other issues about ecumenism in Britain. The joint statement made by the two archbishops recently states what might be called mainstream ecumenism will continue between the two churches. These are the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and the International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM). I am sure they will continue but we need to understand something of the context in which they…

• Saints galore

  Steven Woolley

  2 Nov 2009 | 7:47 am

  Steven Woolley's blog I’ve got a little paperback book, “Saints Galore” – can’t put my finger on it right now so I can’t tell you who wrote it – but it offers something of an offbeat slightly irreverent look at saints. That’s not a bad idea for an age, ours, in which saints have been made into rigid stained glass figures of improbable holiness or demoted to everyone without distinction. Most Protestants will emphasize Paul’s assertion that all who are baptized into the Christian faith are saints, at least in a generic sense. What we need to do is move from the generic to the…

• We're all mixed bags

  Thom Turner

  30 Oct 2009 | 12:43 pm

  Thom Turner's blog When I was a kid I always liked getting those mixed bags of candy at Halloween or birthday parties. It was my own personal buffet of treats. A buffet that allowed me to trade candy I didn't like for candy I did like, in my eternal quest to end up with all Mr. Goodbars and Special Darks. I think people are mixed bags too, just like those party favors and treats we received as kids (and Lord willing as adults as well!). I came to this conclusion after a brief episode of anger. A screed if you will. Let me explain... I came into my house last night and saw a printout of…

• Blanket blessings

  edsundaywinters

  28 Oct 2009 | 3:02 pm

  Ed Sunday Winter's blog Dr. Roy Honeycutt, then president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was at Carson-Newman College to preach a campus revival during my senior year. I remember very little of what he said except that in one service, he did preach from the 28th Chapter of Isaiah. The verse that has stuck with me all these years is verse 20: “The bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you.” I think this verse has stuck with me because it is just so very true. What it is more uncomfortable than a bed that is too short, unless it a blanket…

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  The Christian Post RSS Feed | homepage

• Malaysian Church Body Calls for Immediate Release of Bibles

  6 Nov 2009 | 7:56 pm

  The representative body of Christians in Malaysia is calling for the immediate release of the more than 15,000 Bibles that were seized by Malaysian authorities this past year, arguing that the confiscation is an infringement of their constitutional rights.

• Saddleback Church to Host Forum on Persecuted Church

  6 Nov 2009 | 3:55 pm

  The Southern California megachurch of popular preacher Rick Warren will host a forum Sunday on the persecuted church with some of the nation’s foremost experts on the subject.

• Commentary: Ending the Worship War Without a Truce

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm

  Because I love the church, and hate it when we get distracted from what matters most to God, I decided to share more of my thoughts concerning the perennial war over worship.

• Iran Forces Largest Public Church to Halt Friday Services

  6 Nov 2009 | 12:09 pm

  The largest church that gives open, public services in Iran will no longer hold Friday worship services due to government pressure, local sources have reported.

• Campaign Launched to Free Iranian Female Converts

  6 Nov 2009 | 9:52 am

  A ministry that supports persecuted Christians launched a campaign Thursday to press Iran to release two young female converts who have been detained for eight months in one of the most notorious prisons in the country.

• 
  Christian Today

• Campaign launched to free Iranian female converts

  7 Nov 2009 | 3:27 am

  A ministry that supports persecuted Christians launched a campaign Thursday to press Iran to release two young female converts who have been detained for eight months in one of the most notorious prisons in the country

• Clinic director resigns after witnessing abortion

  7 Nov 2009 | 3:17 am

  The director of a Planned Parenthood abortion centre in Texas has resigned and embraced the prolife movement after witnessing an abortion through an ultrasound

• Catholics disappointed with sex education plans

  7 Nov 2009 | 3:05 am

  The Catholic Education Service for England and Wales says it is disappointed with the announcement from Schools Secretary Ed Balls that sex education is to be made compulsory for all pupils

• Billy Graham gives thanks on 91st birthday

  7 Nov 2009 | 2:06 am

  Evangelist Billy Graham is spending the weekend receiving several family members at his western North Carolina home to celebrate his 91st birthday today

• Worship artists praise Delirious on release of Greatest Hits album

  7 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  Delirious released its iHistory Makers Greatest Hits iCD worldwide on Friday on Kingsway with EMI CMG Distribution

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  Out of Ur

• Video Venues and Multi-Sites: Can We Please Move On?

  by David Swanson

  4 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

  May I vent for a moment? If I stumble onto another blog, article, or conference advertisement for anything having to do with video venues or multi-site models of church growth, I just might lose it. Everywhere I look within our odd little subculture these days I’m barraged by debates and diatribes about the glorious merits or awful shortcomings of venues and sites. On one side are proponents who seem to believe that only really good sliced bread can compete with their innovative ministry models for the title of “greatest thing ever.” Opposing these trendsetters are Marshall McLuhan’s…

• Not a Christian, But a Christ-Follower?

  by Jason Byassee

  3 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

  Anyone can understand the desire for an alternative to the word “Christian.” There are plenty of “Christians” I’d rather not be associated with. I’d much prefer to maintain my relationship with Jesus while making clear to others I am not in relationship to Pat Robertson or Jack Spong. Lisa Miller, true to form as an excellent religion journalist, has brought attention to efforts to follow Jesus without calling oneself a “Christian.” Non-Christian Christ-followers even seem to have some scripture on their side. The first name of the Jesus movement in the book of Acts is…

• Ur Video: The Prosperity Gospel

  2 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

  Christianity Today International, Out of Ur's publisher, and The Lausanne Movement, a worldwide movement of evangelical Christian leaders, present The Global Conversation: a year-long series of essays, short films, and photo essays about issues facing the church worldwide. These videos highlight topics to be addressed at the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization being held in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2010. In November the Global Conversation focuses on the prosperity gospel—the teaching that true Christian faith results in material wealth and physical well-being. While…

• Catalyst, Liturgy, and Innovation

  by Andy Rowell

  2 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  According to data from the National Congregations Study (2006-2007), 38% of people in the United States associate themselves with liturgical churches (Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, etc.); while 46% associate themselves with free churches (Baptist, Pentecostal, non-denominational, etc.). The 14% of people associated with Methodist and Reformed/Presbyterian churches sit atop this watershed—some sliding down the liturgical slope, others down the free church slope. Liturgical churches emphasize historical and global continuity in their worship services; whereas the term “free church”…

• Are Small Groups Just for White People?

  by Sam O'Neal

  29 Oct 2009 | 11:00 pm

  I came across an interesting interview in the recent issue of Leadership Journal. The subjects of the interview were from River City Community Church—a multi-ethnic ministry located in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. Leadership talked with Daniel Hill, who founded the ministry, along with several key leaders of the church. Here's a brief excerpt of their conversation: What kind of person is attracted to River City? Hill: Most of our new people are white. But there's a revolving door with the white community here. They have a romantic notion of being part of a multi-ethnic church,…

• 
  Prodigal Magazine

• Christian Tech Conference Toolbelt – 8 things to bring

  admin

  5 Nov 2009 | 2:56 pm

  1.  Twittonary – twitter dictionary You better have your twitter lingo down as you will be attending tweetups, asked about your twaffic and surrounded by other tweeples. 2.  Moleskin – the notebook for hipsters ‘Losing my passport was the least of my worries, losing a notebook was a catastrophe.’ — Bruce Chatwin 3.  Flip Mini HD – you know….for your vlog. Also use to video guys walking into walls, signage or other barriers as they are checking their twitter account. 4.  SCL – The Book Jon Acuff breaks down Christian antics in a humorous way…

• Men of God Spotlight: Scott Brosius

  aclapp

  19 Oct 2009 | 1:47 pm

  At the end of the 1997 season, Scott Brosius wondered where his career was going.  He had just completed his worst season in Oakland and now, he was hearing the trade rumors and contemplating where he would be next.  God opened a door, one that Scott could not have imagined being opened before that time, reviving his career and providing Scott with a new platform and a new audience.  His faith would grow as the Lord moved in so many ways. Scott Brosius is now the head baseball coach at his alma mater.  He is in our Men of God spotlight this week and we recently caught up with Scott over…

• The Extraordinary Man

  Dgill

  15 Oct 2009 | 9:41 am

  I was thinking about some things I learned a few years ago, back to February of 2005 to be exact.  It was then I had the opportunity to hear a particular message from Rick Godwin. Rick’s message was about taking risks and how important it is to be willing to take risks in your life.  There was one statement he made that hit me so hard, it still impacts me today.  He said, “you can change the world…start with yourself, by becoming extraordinary”. One thing I have learned over the years is it is very difficult to become something unless you understand what it is.

• Simple Love

  Csmyth

  8 Oct 2009 | 8:45 pm

  Everything sorted for a four and a half hour flight? Yesterday I boarded my plane at Gatwick, London, heading for two weeks in Pathos, Cyprus. I had everything sorted, an aisle seat, flip flops, coffee, a Bill Hybels book on leadership, the latest Soul Survivor worship album plugged into my ears, and an ipod freshly updated with pod-cast’s and sermons I was eagerly waiting to listen to. So there I was sitting in an Easy-Jet 747, flight number EZZE12, looking painfully like the perfect stereotype of a young middle class Christian leader. I think I even had a highlighter in my bag ready…

• Ministry Spotlight – Upper 90 Ministry

  aclapp

  29 Sep 2009 | 7:11 am

  The way that Jesus reached people always took on a different form.  For some, He reached them through healing.  For others, He reached them through a parable that revolved around where they were in life.  He told parables about fishing when He came into contact with fishermen.  He told parables about various walks of life, hoping to tie in the lessons of God to something that they could understand.  Upper 90 Ministry is seeking to do the same thing, using the most global sport in the world to open the door for the message of Jesus. Upper 90 Ministry was founded by Chris and Stephanie…

• 
  Commonweal Magazine

• A Relic

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:57 am

  We are moving and have been cleaning out our overstuffed files. As I sorted through one pile, ready to toss it out, I happened to find a letter from Dorothy Day. Thank goodness I saved it. The (...)

• Pro Bono

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:51 am

  Stereotypical rock stars use their fame to get sex, or as an excuse to trash hotel rooms and smash their guitars. U2's lead singer Bono uses his rock-star status to gain an audience with (...)

• The Unquenchable Thirst

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:46 am

  Catholicism and modernity has proven to be a volatile mix. Illustrations are legion, and perhaps as tiresome as they are inescapable in the daily lives of Catholics. The two Vatican Councils (...)

• Facing the Music

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:42 am

  Many a baby boomer was raised on tales of the Great Depression, tales of sharecroppers, breadlines, NRA parades, and sparing a dime for a brother in need. These often played a bigger part in our (...)

• Cloudy Crystal Ball

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:29 am

  A review of John Allen's new book 'Future Church: How Ten Trends Are Revolutionizing the Catholic Church'

• 
  Compassion International - Christian Blog on Child Poverty

• The Twinkie Is Getting Fatter

  Meredith Dunn

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:56 pm

  Friends! It has been much too long. I’m sorry for my extended leave of absence as of late. But I promise … I have a pretty good excuse. Let’s catch up, yes? Let’s talk Twinkies first. The Twinkie Project has undergone some serious plastic surgery. Face-lift. Tummy tuck. Lipo. The works. We’ve trimmed her up real nice and purdy. But don’t fret, it’s all for the best. Who was the surgeon, you ask? Thankfully, not me. I did not excel in anatomy. This project has been handed off to a team, as in several people, who will be taking it to infinity and beyond. Three highly qualified and…

• Child Sponsorship Is Not in Vain

  Web Team

  4 Nov 2009 | 11:11 pm

  My name is Peninah Esianoi Pashile. I was a sponsored child at Imaroro Child Develoment Center in Kenya. I would like to share my story with you and hope that it will be an inspiration and encouragement to all who are dedicating their time and resources to releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Your work is not in vain; your acts of compassion are changing the world day by day. I was born in 1982, the fifth of seven children in the household. I was born and brought up in a remote village of Empuyiankat in Kajiado district, Rift Valley province in Kenya. My father is a…

• What’s It Like Growing Up in Poverty?

  Web Team

  3 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pm

  Another clip from our video interview with the Moody Bible Institute scholars. After watching it, will you sponsor a Leadership Development Program student? You can do so by yourself, but you can also do it as a group, with family, friends, co-workers, your small group, etc. You can also view the Growing Up in Poverty video on YouTube. My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

• Do You Sponsor a Child in El Salvador?

  Web Team

  2 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  More specifically, do you sponsor a child in one of these three child development centers in El Salvador? ES526, Bethel Student Center ES808, Cachorros de León Student Center ES782, Comisión de Amor Student Center If you do sponsor a child in one of those three centers, let us know. These are the centers that the CompassionBloggers will visit next week, and we have someone going who is willing to TRY to get a photo of your child for you. We can’t guarantee success, but we will do our best. Please don’t leave your child’s name or number in your comment. Just let us know you have a…

• 11 Tips to Effectively Speak on Behalf of Children in Poverty

  Web Team

  1 Nov 2009 | 11:26 pm

  These tips come courtesy of Shaun Groves, learned from his personal experience as a speaker on behalf of children in poverty, figuring out what works and what doesn’t … usually. They are relevant whether you’re speaking in front of a crowd of thousands or to one person in an elevator. They are as true for persuading people via Twitter, blogs or Facebook as they are for concerts and festivals. They will help you effectively speak up on behalf of children in need and our holistic Christian approach to releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Tell us a story. The…

• 
  Daily Reflections

• November 6 - November 13

  Patrick Henry Reardon

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:58 am

  Friday, November 61 Thessalonians 3:1-13: The two verbs "strengthen" and "encourage" (sterixsai, parakalesai) (verse 2) are used fairly often in the New Testament to describe what Christians are supposed to do for one another. Indeed, in the pastoral work of the early Christians, these are practically technical expressions for matters of duty. In addition to being used separately, they sometimes appear together in the writings of the two great missionaries who traveled together, Paul and Luke (Romans 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; Acts 14:22; 15:32).Probably we should not try…

• 
  Desiring God Blog

• 9 Ways to Know the Gospel of Christ Is True

  6 Nov 2009 | 8:17 am

  (Author: John Piper) 1. Jesus Christ, as he is presented to us in the New Testament, and as he stands forth from all its writings, is too single and too great to have been invented so uniformly by all these writers. The force of Jesus Christ unleashed these writings; the writings did not create the force. Jesus is far bigger and more compelling than any of his witnesses. His reality stands behind these writings as a great, global event stands behind a thousand newscasters. Something stupendous unleashed these diverse witnesses to tell these stunning and varied, yet unified, stories of Jesus…

• Discounted DVD Sets

  6 Nov 2009 | 4:46 am

  (Author: Tyler Kenney) We've lowered our prices on the John Piper Small Group Series DVDs. Each one is at least $7 cheaper than before. God Is the Gospel Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ TULIP What's the Difference When I Don't Desire God Why We Believe the Bible

• My Mother's Response to Our Adoption

  5 Nov 2009 | 7:13 am

  (Author: Noel Piper) Today is a very important day in my life—my mother's birthday. At my blog, I'm in the middle of a series, telling our adoption story. Today, I skipped ahead a few episodes to describe Mother's response to our adoption news. I'm thanking God for Mother, who to this day points me toward him through her life and practical advice.

• New Programs at Bethlehem College and Seminary

  5 Nov 2009 | 5:25 am

  (Author: Joe Rigney) Bethlehem College and Seminary is offering new undergraduate programs beginning in the fall of 2010. We'll be offering a two-year degree in Christian Worldview, a four-year degree in Biblical and Theological Studies, a four-year degree in the History of Ideas, and a non-traditional degree completion program. Whichever of these programs students choose, they will not find a typical college experience. The classes are small. For starters, we keep the classes around 16 students per instructor (instead of those mammoth introductory courses at most colleges). The price is…

• Christmas Sale: Something for Everyone

  4 Nov 2009 | 11:45 am

  (Author: Abraham Piper) You're going to be buying presents for all sorts of people this Christmas, so we thought for our Christmas sale we'd put together sets of books and other resources aimed at different kinds of readers. We've created 12 packages and put them on sale. We hope that this will make it easy to choose a perfect present for some of the people on your list. Check out your different options: The (Almost Complete) John Piper Library For Mom For Dad For the Little Ones For the Bargain Hunter For the Student For a Missionary For Your Pastor For a New Christian For Anyone in a Hurry…

• 
  Episcopal Life Online

• A taste of missionary life

  A missionary's life can be full of surprises. When Mike Young, 24, of Abilene, Texas, signed up with the Young Adult Services Corps (YASC) as an Episcopal Church missionary, the last thing he expected was to be sent to First-World-known-for-high-development-and-electronics Japan, he said.

• Episcopalians pick five strategic goals for future

  A recently completed survey shows Episcopalians think the church ought to focus on youth and young adults, evangelism and elements of congregational life in the coming years.

• EPPN urges action on health-care reform

  The Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) has issued an appeal for church members to urge Congress to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009.

• 
  EPPC Publications

• A War of Ideas Within Islam

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  Backward views hold sway in much of the Muslim world. And yet there is hope.

• The President Should Be Opposing the House Bill

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asserts that the revised health-care bill Democrats are now pushing stays within the president's $900 billion budget, but that is plainly not the case. In fact, using proper accounting, the House Democratic plan would spend $1.5 trillion over the period 2010 to 2019, and raise taxes by about $725 billion, too.

• Saint Jeanne Jugan

  3 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  A culture of filial impiety casts into sharp relief the October canonization of Jeanne Jugan, foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

• Some Thoughts on Barack Obama’s Awful Evening

  3 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  This past Election Day was a significant political moment, one that might be a harbinger for much worse things for Obama and Obamaism.

• The Wrong Medicare Advantage Reform: Cutting Benefits, Limiting Choices, and Increasing Costs

  2 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  A much more rational payment system for Medicare Advantage plans -- based on market principles -- is possible. However, tying payments either to local average fee-for-service spending or to the average of bids offered only by MA plans would be even worse than current law.

• 
  Faith in the Workplace

• Interview with Francis Collins (Part 2)

• Love God With a Scientific Mind

• Baseball

  Where can you fail two thirds of the time and still be wildly successful?

• What Difference Does Character Make?

• Pardon Me, But Who's Chained to Whom?

• 
  First Things: On the Square

• A Healthcare Problem Washington May Have Missed

  With more than 620 Catholic hospitals serving the public around the United States, hundreds of Catholic medical clinics and shelters, and even a few Catholic-affiliated medical schools, Catholics have a keen interest in healthcare reform. That interest isn’t new. It’s rooted in experience, including the experience of trying to help people with little or no health insurance at all. For decades, the U.S. bishops have pushed for an overhaul of our nation’s healthcare industry and the way it delivers its services. Why? Because the Church sees access to basic health care as a right and a…

• Remembering 1989

  For the ten years beginning in 1982, I had the privilege of serving on the Board of Radio Free Europe (for East-Central Europe) and Radio Liberty (for the vast Soviet Union). President Reagan had declared it the goal of the United States to win the Cold War, not just accept it as our long-term fate, and our job was to report the realities on the ground as accurately as we could. Our listeners loved getting these tastes of reality and they increasingly helped us with every bit of information they could.By late 1988, we had free dial-in capacities from most parts of our two regions. And the…

• A Catholic Among the Evangelicals

  In 2005 I accepted a position at CURE International, an evangelical mission organization. Today I serve as CURE’s director of government and foundation relations. At first blush, my story appears unexceptional—until I add that I am a Catholic. CURE’s motto is “Healing changes everything,” and the organization is devoted to overcoming brokenness on many levels. Although I did ponder the implications of accepting such a position, I must admit I was in no way prepared for the ramifications this job would have on my life. My experience at CURE clearly demonstrates that a shared…

• Muhammad and Man At Yale

  A good cartoon ought to make its reader shake with laughter, but that was neither the intention nor the effect of the twelve cartoons depicting “the face of Muhammad,” published by the Danish newspaper Jylsend-Posten in September 2005. Over the course of five months, the cartoons became the impetus for Muslim protests and riots across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East that ultimately resulted in the deaths of more than two hundred people. The cartoons stood at the center of what seemed to be a monumental clash between the West’s reverential respect for free speech and Muslim piety.And…

• Into the Land of the Living

  The second day of November is a busy one for parish priests. On that day, we celebrate three Masses for the dead. These liturgies follow directly on the previous day’s joyous celebration of the saints in glory. The living—those souls who are truly living because they have entered heaven, the Land of the Living—and the dead—those who died in the state of grace yet need purification before they may enter eternal life—are joined to us in worship and prayer. The altar is the crossroads between life, death, and eternal life. On the altar, on consecutive days in November, we offer the…

• 
  FlowerDust.net

• Drenched & Whole & Healed

  Anne Jackson

  4 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am

  I heard somewhere once that during Billy Graham’s crusades, after he finishes his message, he returns to a chair and closes his eyes and prays. From what I understand, he doesn’t want to see how many people were (or were not) coming forward, and just wanted to pray for the change that was happening. Granted, I’ve never been to a Billy Graham crusade and I am probably a terrible Christian for even admitting I don’t know that much about them to validate if this actually happens or not. However, as I’ve had the opportunity to speak at several churches in a variety…

• Big News about Summer 2010

  Anne Jackson

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:11 am

  Watch the video below for some big news about how I’m spending my summer vacation! *Even though the crazy-eyed freeze frame implies it, I will not eat you. Or, if you’re lazy and don’t watch videos… 3100 miles + 2 months in the Summer + Bike + Raising $$ for Water in Africa = Me on the Ride:Well 2010 Tour. Learn more or come on the trip with me. Related posts:community… I have heard the blogging community compared to a real...interconnected [through flesh & 0s and 1s] i’ve been officially blogging since early 2004, so, a good...Uganda or Bust so, who…

• It’s Cheap

  Anne Jackson

  2 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am

  I got word a couple days ago that Mad Church Disease is on its fourth printing. Especially considering it’s a niche book in a struggling economy, I am so thankful that the words are bringing hope and healing to many people. It’s not like it’s sold a billion copies, but I think it’s tracking well and really appreciate the stories you have shared with me as you have read it, or passed it on to friends. It is amazing to see how God can redeem our mistakes and brokenness so we can be a healthy hope for the world. To celebrate the fourth printing, I’d like to offer…

• The Sex and The City

  Anne Jackson

  26 Oct 2009 | 6:30 am

  I’ve been in New York City over the weekend…a last minute trip to meet with some amazing people and hopefully share a very powerful story in Permission to Speak Freely. It was a spur of the moment trip, sans The Hubs. Thankfully, we were just here a couple of weeks ago, so the subway maps and schedules were fresh in my mind. My flight got in after dark on Saturday night because of some delays, and being on my own plus the torrential rain storm that hit the Northeast, I decided that paying a little more for a cab instead of taking two trains and two subways would be a safer way to…

• The Boy Made of Post-Its

  Anne Jackson

  22 Oct 2009 | 6:30 am

  Sorry it’s been quiet here lately. Really quiet. The manuscript for Permission to Speak Freely is due in a couple of weeks, and I’m traveling to six cities (from San Diego to NYC and everything in between) and speaking while trying to finish writing the book…so…it’s been a bit hectic, but wonderful and stretching at the same time. I am looking forward to some much needed down time over the holidays! Last night I spoke at The Walk, which is the college & young adults ministry at Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN. It was an honor to hang out with…

• 
  Godspace

• Practicing everyday Justice

  Christine Sine

  6 Nov 2009 | 4:52 pm

  Tom & I are just finishing off our time here at Eastern Mennonite University.  We have enjoyed sharing with the students about how live on purpose in our consumer driven world. I have particularly been impressed with some of the green initiatives on the campus here.  Their campus garden provides greens squash and grapes for the school cafeteria.  A student led initiative has resulted in the cafeteria going trayless which has saved a stunning 300,000 gallons of hot water as well as quantities of soap and hours of staff time.  It also cuts down on waste as students think more about the…

• What Would Jesus Eat

  Christine Sine

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:24 pm

  It seemed appropriate that just after I added my last blog post I received this information from Mike Morrell.  He and Kevin Beck are hosting a presentation with Lucas Land Thursday evening 8pm New York Time entitled What Would Jesus Eat Lucas is doing a full-immersion internship at a sustainable farm that’s all about producing fresh, worker-friendly, local food & using proceeds to fund similar initiatives to alleviate hunger worldwide. Registration is free but you will need a password so check out the details here

• Junk Food Spirituality – Are We Addicted to the Wrong Practices?

  Christine Sine

  3 Nov 2009 | 2:16 pm

  Following my post yesterday Fruit That Will Last, my friend Andy Wade commented I wonder, what would the difference look like between highly processed fruit and whole foods w/o all the junk? What are the parallels between how our bodies respond to processed foods and how our souls respond? It was a great question that sent my mind whirring as I had just finished reading an article entitled Scientists Claim Junk Food Is As Addictive As Heroin. According to the article: Junk food elicits addictive behavior in rats similar to the behaviors of rats addicted to heroin, a new study finds. Pleasure…

• Fruit That Will Last

  Christine Sine

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:47 am

  Tom and I are now at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg Virginia still trying to get our clocks turned around from the trip to Australia.  This is definitely not the best way to model a balanced way of life though I am really looking forward to our time here. Part of my morning Bible reading was John 15:16 “… go and bear fruit – fruit that will last”  and I found myself reflecting on this in light of the fact that I spent the weekend anxiously checking out the dried beans and the stored winter squash.  Out in the garden I looked over the leeks and collard…

• Coming Challenges in the Global Economy

  Christine Sine

  2 Nov 2009 | 6:23 pm

  I realize that most of you do not live in the Seattle area but for those that do I would like to extend an invitation to join us for the first of MSA’s new Turbulent Times–Ready or Not! Conversation Series.  We are planning to record the event so those of you who are not able to attend should still have access through the MSA website. Coming Challenges in the Global Economy with Phil Bontrager – a discussion of the challenges coming in the global economy and ideas for re-imagining ways to live and serve in changing times. DATE: November 11, 2009 TIME: 7:00 pm LOCATION: the…

• 
  The Gospel.com Blog

• Has Social Networking Had a Positive Impact on Your Faith?

  Chris

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:03 pm

  The day one of my parents’ peers requested to be my friend on facebook I knew that social networking was here to stay. There’s something about connecting with each other that just makes sense, even for people who five years ago would barely take a second glance at a computer. For those that do participate in social networks, I’d like to ask you: has social networking had a positive impact on your faith? What do you think?

• Listening to the parting shots

  Andy

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pm

  How does your church react when a member of the congregation leaves? Gordon Atkinson, longtime pastor (and blogger) has written a thoughtful essay describing the importance of gracefully listening to the “parting shots” of departing church members… even when what they say isn’t what you want to hear: Most of the time when people leave our church, however, they just disappear. We notice their repeated absence after some weeks have passed. If I can track them down, they’ll often give me their parting shot, a short, abbreviated explanation of why they are leaving.

• When Do You Pray?

  Chris

  6 Nov 2009 | 6:56 am

  Whether it’s in the morning, during lunch or in the evening, most people try to block out some time every day for prayer. What about you, when do you pray? Share your thoughts!

• Do Old Testament laws and restrictions still apply to us today?

  Andy

  5 Nov 2009 | 1:55 pm

  Do Old Testament rules about things like tattoos and hair length apply to us today, or were they intended only for their original pre-Christian audience? What do you do when you come across a passage that contains some rules that seem timeless and others that seem specific to the culture of Old Testament Israel? Here’s how Delve Into Jesus answers that question: In almost every case, when Paul or another apostle commands us to obey some cultural custom, the goal is to demonstrate to the world that we are children of God and to distance ourselves from the pagans. This was a very serious…

• Exporting the Prosperity Gospel

  Chris

  5 Nov 2009 | 1:51 pm

  A few days ago, Out of Ur pointed to this video on the prosperity Gospel produced by The Global Conversation, which is a partnership between Christianity Today and the Lausanne Movement. The Global Conversation is a year-long project exploring global Christianity through videos and essays. The video describes how the export of the distinctly American prosperity Gospel is affecting Africa: The Prosperity Gospel from The Global Conversation on Vimeo.

• 
  HighCallingBlogs.com

• 7 Easy Tips to Grow Your Blog Audience

  Chris Cree

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:16 pm

  People consume content differently on the web than they do with other media. As the number of web pages out there approaches infinity, attention spans on the web continue to shrink. And that puts the pressure on us as blogger to capture and hold people’s attention long enough to read what we have to say. So here some things you can do to make our blog posts more attractive to web readers. They may be a little different than the way you’re used to writing. 1. Think “Scannable” One big overall concept to keep in mind when writing for the web is that it will help your…

• Writing in the Dark

  l. l. barkat

  6 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  L.L. here with Random Acts of Poetry. Writing in the dark. “That’s bad for your eyes, LL,” somebody’s going to say. And I’m not going to argue. Because the kind of in-the-dark writing I do is all in my head. This is not to say I imagine I write in the dark. I really DO write in the dark. Especially poetry. Especially at around 4:00 am. Sometimes I get up and sneak into the bathroom and scribble my dreamy thoughts. But most times I play around with words until they lull me back to sleep. Then when I wake up for real, I sneak into the study and key in whatever…

• Do You Twitter List?

  l. l. barkat

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:55 am

  L.L. here. Making Twitter lists. And doubting their usefulness. Like I’ve said elsewhere… “My Social Media life is quite organic. I hang out with people I can put on lists (and I have already done it), but the truth is I like to see these people all in the same place… …poets talking to businesspeople talking to Moms talking to authors talking to artists. You get the picture. In fact, the birth of @tspoetry and Twitter parties happened as a result of a conversation between a teacher, an executive, a Social Media Director and an author (um, me!). I’m guessing…

• Our life with Shelby

  Gordon Atkinson

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

  My daughter Shelby turns 17 this month. We have been through some hard times with her over the last few years. Shelby has read this and is fine with me telling you about what has happened. The name of her second grade teacher has been changed in this account. My wife says that our middle daughter Shelby came into this world anxious and has been anxious ever since. She was a colicky baby who cried constantly. As a small child she was fearful of many things and hesitant to try anything new. She was most comfortable when she was alone and often played by herself. She spent hours in her room…

• Our Fathers

  annkroeker

  4 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Fathers form us. Our fathers may have launched us into adulthood healthy, strong and confident having poured into us words of truth, love and life and surrounded us with the safety of strength and sensitivity. Or perhaps our fathers left us emotionally shredded, grasping for something to staunch the wounds as we limped into the world to find our way. Even if a father leaves the family, his children are formed by the hole that remains and by the future father figures who may seek to fill that hole. Randy Carlson, in his 1992 book Father Memories, wrote, “Picture fathers all around the world…

• 
  Good Letters: The Image Blog

• A Mother’s Breath

  6 Nov 2009 | 10:14 am

  There’s something magical about going to the movies alone, especially on the first chilly day of the season. Surrounded by strangers, I feel something of the childlike thrill of comfort at bedtime reading, perhaps under the sheet, perhaps not, while around you the rest of the family goes about its business. Mom and Dad in the....

• Cheap Grace

  5 Nov 2009 | 9:53 am

  I am an American with a moderate amount of credit card debt who watches cable TV, reads US magazine in the grocery store line, and drinks Starbucks coffee. These proclivities do not make me cool in the terribly earnest circles I frequent. If I were more cool, I would not....

• What Can’t Be Changed

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:17 am

  Friday was unseasonably warm and blustery, with a cold front moving in. The week had been trying and my wife Jill and I were eager to drive an hour east of town after work for a friend’s birthday get-together, which we knew would be overflowing with good food, good conversation and, if the rain held off, a bonfire....

• The Little Island

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:28 pm

  I’m pregnant again, twelve weeks now, and I’m experiencing the same disconnected feeling I did the first time. I’ve never felt so alone as when there is life growing inside me. Every morbid impulse in my psyche flares in the first trimester, and my thoughts linger on mortality....

• Facing the Truth

  2 Nov 2009 | 3:57 pm

  I’m not too happy with myself these days. Just as the leaves are falling from the tree in my front yard, returning its limbs to their stark, spindly state, it’s a season for me, too, of cutting back, of paring things down to their essence. My birthday was a couple of weeks ago (I turned....

• 
  www.markdroberts.com

• Could Virtual Church Enhance Physical Church? Surprising Confirmation from the Pew Research Center

  Mark D. Roberts

  6 Nov 2009 | 12:01 am

  Part 8 of series: The Challenge and Opportunity of Virtual Church Permalink for this post / Permalink for this series The Pew Internet and American Life Project, a project of the Pew Research Center, has just released the results of a fascinating and timely study on the Internet and its effects on American social life. This study, called “Social Isolation and New Technology,” suggests that fears of the Internet taking away from face-to-face socializing are unfounded. In fact, according to the Pew press release: “People who use modern information and communication…

• Michael Lindsay at Laity Lodge

  Mark D. Roberts

  5 Nov 2009 | 12:01 am

  Laity Lodge was honored to have as Dr. Michael Lindsay as a speaker at our recent Leaders’ Retreat. Michael is a professor of sociology at Rice University and an award-winning author. His recent book, Faith in the Halls of Power, has been highly acclaimed as a groundbreaking study of Christians who are leaders in business, government, and education. Michael gave three stirring messages at the retreat: • The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: When Faith and Power Meet • Ties that Bind: Leadership and the Common Good • Faithful Leadership: The Perils and Possibilities of Privilege and…

• Is Virtual Church Enough? A Theological Response

  Mark D. Roberts

  4 Nov 2009 | 12:01 am

  Part 7 of series: The Challenge and Opportunity of Virtual Church Permalink for this post / Permalink for this series In my last post in this series I offered an existential response to the question: Is virtual church enough? I suggested that when you take away the physical aspect of church, something essential is missing. I supported this contention more intuitively and emotionally than theologically. Now I’d like to muster some theological support. I would begin by pointing to some of the most formative truths of the Christian faith. God created the physical world and called it good.

• Is Virtual Church Enough? An Existential Response, Section 2

  Mark D. Roberts

  3 Nov 2009 | 12:01 am

  Part 6 of series: The Challenge and Opportunity of Virtual Church Permalink for this post / Permalink for this series In my last post, I suggested that, though virtual church has many benefits, a personal cannot experience everything church is supposed to be without being physically present with other Christians. Thus the potential for church to be fully real is there for physical church, but not for virtual church. No matter how wonderful and authentic a virtual church experience might be, it is never able completely to be church. I’m not quite sure if Douglas Estes, who makes a strong,…

• Is Virtual Church Enough? An Existential Response, Section 1

  Mark D. Roberts

  2 Nov 2009 | 12:01 am

  Part 5 of series: The Challenge and Opportunity of Virtual Church Permalink for this post / Permalink for this series In my last post in this series I made what I consider to be the strongest case for virtual church. It is based on the fact that millions of people spend a substantial chunk of their lives in Internet-based virtual worlds. If Christians want to reach these people with the love and truth of Christ, then we need to be substantially present in these worlds. We need, in a nutshell, virtual church. Yet is virtual church enough? Can it satisfy the biblical and theological…

• 
  Mere Orthodoxy

• Thomas Says: It’s Wrong to Kill Yourself

  GaryH

  6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

  After discussing questions about killing plants, animals, and sinners by private citizens, public officials, and clerics, Thomas picks up the weighty and delicate subject of suicide. His position is that “it is altogether unlawful to kill oneself.” Thomas isn’t messing around here. He usually reserves language like “altogether unlawful” for serious purposes. And this is the only place in the eight questions about killing that he uses such strong language. Furthermore, Thomas usually considers only three objections to his position. On suicide, he considers five objections. Whenever I…

• On God’s Knowledge of Us

  Matthew Lee Anderson

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:12 pm

  Michael Bird, a New Testament  scholar of the first rate, highlights Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 8:3 that “anyone who loves God is known by him” before going on to quote Richard Hays’ statement that “what counts is not so much our knowledge of God as God’s knowledge of us.”   I don’t know about how to rank these things, but I do know that my spiritual life underwent a remarkable change when I realized that God’s knowledge of us was the foundation and precursor of our knowledge of Him, and that His knowledge, while intimate, is a…

• What Kind of Culture is the Church

  Matthew Lee Anderson

  3 Nov 2009 | 2:22 am

  In my response to Frank Beckwith and John Mark Reynolds in The City, I pointed out that any that Christendom is impossible until evangelicals recover a robust notion of the Church’s existence as a culture–and maybe not even then. The notion of Church as culture, though, begs the difficult and tangled question of what kind of culture the Church is? This is one question Peter Leithart raises in his brilliant little book, The Baptized Body. Leithart defends baptizing infants by locating the practice in the context of discipleship and full integration into the culture that is the…

• Thomas Says: Clerics Cannot Kill Sinners (This Means You, Too, Protestant Pastors)

  GaryH

  30 Oct 2009 | 6:00 am

  The question of whether a cleric can kill a sinner (criminal) is not one that occupies the thoughts of Christians today. But whenever we find such a question that occupies a past thinker it’s important to reflect on why we don’t find such questions pressing. Sometimes we don’t find the question pressing anymore because the past thinker has settled the question decisively. Take, for example, the question of whether Christians should read and theologize about the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). This isn’t a pressing question today among Christians partly (perhaps primarily) because…

• Parents and Public School: Comments on Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye

  Jeremy Mann

  25 Oct 2009 | 9:32 pm

  I recently had the chance to read Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye for my Teach For America credentialing program at Loyola Marymount University. Reading the book in that setting prompted notice of the near absence of school in the novel. In one way this is disappointing, as I’m sure Morrison would powerfully present how her protagonist, a young black girl, experiences school. At the same time, however, I wonder if this absence helps an educator remember what is often very hard for educators to remember: school is not a very powerful force in the lives of many students. School for many is a…

• 
  open source theology - collaborative theology for the emerging church

• Comment spam

  Andrew

  4 Nov 2009 | 1:43 pm

  For some reason Open Source Theology has recently been subjected to sustained attacks of comment spam. For the time being I have stopped the automatic posting of comments to the site. I will try to approve genuine comments as quickly as possible, but there will be a regrettable lag. Some regular contributors will find that they can still post directly, and I will endeavour to add to this approved list over time.

• What does gleaning mean in our present context?

  Jacob

  24 Oct 2009 | 8:17 am

  A few weeks ago I was in Philadelphia’s Penn (train) Station. It was late and I was hungry, so I went into the only available store: Dunkin’ Doughnuts. The store was about to close and I was talking to the lady behind the counter. I couldn’t decide what I wanted and she said that I needed to hurry and choose because when the store closed, the doughnuts were thrown in the garbage. After I purchased what I wanted, I then watched her scoop 20 or more doughnuts and pastries into brown bag, roll the top down, and stuff it into the garbage.

• The World's Wisdom and God's Folly: A Gospel of Deconstruction

  James Walden

  20 Oct 2009 | 1:41 pm

  It’s been said that the preacher cannot exalt Christ and his own intelligence at the same time. Why not? What’s wrong with impressing the world, just a little, so that we might earn a hearing? Why was Paul so opposed to employing the rhetorical sophistication expected of public speakers by the Corinthians and others of the Hellenistic world? All rhetoric (simple or complex) is designed to be manipulative, right? What about gospel preaching?

• On the Historical Origins of Intelligent Design

  Jacob

  16 Oct 2009 | 7:27 pm

  Over at the Thinking Christian, Tom Gilson, a proponent of intelligent design, asks: “Who Defines ID?” My goal in this essay is not to define ID, but to inquire into its origins. For Tom and ID supporters to talk about ID in the present, it first had to be possible for Tom to invoke the phrase “intelligent design.” How did “intelligent design” become possible to talk about?

• 
  Presbyterians Today

• Where is your treasure?

  1 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pm

  The bottom line on stewardship, according to Vernon Broyles (and Jesus)

• Homegrown commitment

  1 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pm

  One small church's powerful model for cultivating disciples

• 2009 Advent Calendar

  1 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pm

  Order copies for your congregation now!

• What Presbyterians Believe

  21 Jun 2009 | 6:00 pm

  Explore the archives

• Go green!

  21 Jun 2009 | 6:00 pm

  New paperless subscription and renewal options

• 
  Let My People Think (RZIM)

• Redeeming the Arts (Part 1 of 2)

  Ravi Zacharias

  31 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  Movies, literature, music, the news media- they are all part of the arts and the all have a huge impact on culture. But what role should the church have in speaking to the arts? Ravi and a round table of experts dive into this topic a brand new message on Let My People Think.

• Whence the Power? (Part 2 of 2)

  Ravi Zacharias

  23 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  Is it possible to live a godly life even in these difficult times? This week on Let My People Think, a brand new message as Arun Andrews tells us how God has supplied all our needs no matter our circumstance.

• Whence the Power? (Part 1 of 2)

  Ravi Zacharias

  16 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  Is it possible to live a godly life even in these difficult times? This week on Let My People Think, a brand new message as Arun Andrews tells us how God has supplied all our needs no matter our circumstance.

• The Christian Privilege (Part 2 of 2)

  Ravi Zacharias

  9 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  What does it mean to be human? It’s a question that philosophers still grapple with. And for the Christian, the notion of who we are takes on even greater significance. Ravi Zacharias explores our identity this week in a brand new message on Let My People Think.

• The Christian Privilege (Part 1 of 2)

  Ravi Zacharias

  2 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  What does it mean to be human? It’s a question that philosophers still grapple with. And for the Christian, the notion of who we are takes on even greater significance. Ravi Zacharias explores our identity this week in a brand new message on Let My People Think.

• 
  Real Live Preacher

• Our life with Shelby

  rlp

  5 Nov 2009 | 4:43 pm

  My daughter Shelby turns 17 this month. We have been through some hard times with her over the last few years. Shelby has read this and is fine with me telling you about what has happened. The name of her second grade teacher has been changed in this account. My wife says that our middle daughter Shelby came into this world anxious and has been anxious ever since. She was a colicky baby who cried constantly. As a small child she was fearful of many things and hesitant to try anything new. She was most comfortable when she was alone and often played by herself. She spent hours in her room…

• Naked as the day we were born

  rlp

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:17 am

  I had a vision the other day that came to me in the form of a daydream. I was sitting in the library staring off into space when suddenly I imagined myself in a huge room with a crowd of people. We were all waiting for God to show up. Some people were standing around in groups, talking. Others were sitting down. A few were asleep. Suddenly God appeared and things got very quiet, which was understandable because God was about 30 feet tall. A man near the back was the last one to notice. He was telling a joke to his buddy when he realized he was the only one talking. He looked around, saw God,…

• Google Voice

  rlp

  28 Oct 2009 | 5:12 am

  Anyone want to send me a google voice invite? Someone sent one. Thanks! rlp

• Generate Magazine

  rlp

  27 Oct 2009 | 1:53 am

  Leave it to Paul Soupiset and his emergent friends to go retro on us. Yeah, they're going back to the magazine, like my daughter is fallen in love with vinyl records. She keeps buying them and wanting me to listen to them. Like I didn't live through the whole album thing the first time around. And I've lived through the magazine thing too. And was settling into the idea that maybe magazines were done. Not when the entire freakin magazine is one stunning work of art. Do you like pretty things? I mean do you like to go to museums and look at beautiful art? Well, you should lay your hand on this…

• Turtles work continues

  rlp

  20 Oct 2009 | 7:40 pm

  I continue to labor with my deadline of this coming Monday for the manuscript for "Turtles all the Way Down." I won't get much writing done here during this time. Most of the essays are edited and ready to go. I'm working over some new content that has never been published or posted online. The foreward by Keith Snyder is so cool that I just finished writing a foreward to his foreward. I'm working on some new content that will be included...hopefully...if I can get some things finished. Writing writing writing writing editing and more writing for me this week. I have uncovered about 20 very…

• 
  RedBlueChristian

• The Myth of the Good Old Days

  Allan Bevere

  6 Nov 2009 | 8:31 am

  There’s lots of bad stuff going on in the world today. A natural worrywart would have a feast wigging out over what is happening in the world and right here in the good ole’ U.S. of A. How many times I hear people speaking of the good old days, of simpler times when life wasn’t so complicated, when it was safe to let children run free in public and when everyone supposedly went to church every Sunday. I dissent from such a view. There is no such thing as the good ole’ days. It is a myth constructed by people with amnesia who have forgotten or have chosen not to…

• What’s Wrong with Obamacare

  ChrisB

  5 Nov 2009 | 6:41 pm

  Why do conservatives and Republicans oppose health care reform? (A brief summary for sharing with your friends.) The objection is common: When millions are without health insurance and far too many people are driven to bankruptcy by their medical bills, why do Republicans want to maintain the status quo in health care? The answer is simple… And it’s at My Three Cents

• Elections Are Never Mandates

  Allan Bevere

  4 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pm

  Yesterday’s elections results are now being spun by both political parties to their advantage. Most Democrats are minimizing losing two governorships in Virginia and New Jersey, while Republicans are hailing their victories as a shot across the bow at Democrats in Congress and President Obama. In truth, both sides are overplaying their hand, which should not be surprising. Nevertheless, Republicans have reason to be happy today, though their celebration should be guarded, and Democrats ought to be concerned, although they are hardly on the path to minority party status. The first lesson…

• Very Interesting

  Tony Mitchell

  29 Oct 2009 | 5:28 am

  The other day I posted “How Ironic” to alert you all to what was happening at Butler University.  It was announced over the last two days that the University was dropping its lawsuit (see “Butler Drops Suit Against Student Blogger”) against the anonymous student blogger.  But it was also indicated that there was still the potential for Butler University to seek some sort of administrative action against Jess Zimmerman, the student in question. It is interesting to read what the University’s attorney said and what the University actually did and what they propose to…

• Billboard Reveals Secret to Health Care Reform

  ChrisB

  27 Oct 2009 | 7:42 am

  I was driving down I-35 one afternoon when I saw a billboard that made the key to health care reform crystal clear to me. As much as we need to deal with health insurance portability, pre-existing conditions, and the millions of uninsured, the biggest problem — the one we absolutely must address — is rising health care costs. Every health care system in the industrialized world is struggling with this. No plan — be it a “public option,” a co-op, or single-payer — can survive long-term without finding a way to contain costs. And this billboard made the key…

• 
  Red Letter Believers

• More than a J.O.B.

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:53 pm

  The venerable and wise Chuck Colson has a great column, called "More than a Job." He says this: "These days, when many jobs are becoming iffy or non-existent, Americans are very sensitive to the importance of having and keeping a job, no matter what. But if all we see in our job is a way of making a living, and perhaps finding a small measure of satisfaction, we’ve missed the main point of how our job fits into the total scheme of the work we’ve been given to do. Jobs are important – more than we may at first recognize. Because where do those skills come from? And the resources to bend…

• He didn't want to go to work, so he stabbed himself

  4 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm

  A 27-year-old Denver man employed at a  Blockbuster video store, was skateboarding off- duty in his uniform when he ripped the issued khaki pants. Rather than explain to the boss what had happened, he hatched a bizzare scheme. He took a knife, stabbed himself in the leg and showed up at work claiming to have just been attacked by three Hispanic males. He had a deep stab wound in one leg and several other minor cuts on his face and stomache The police were called and the man perpetuated the lie. He showed his wounds and provided descriptions.  A five-county alert was issued and…

• How the sausage gets made

  2 Nov 2009 | 5:30 pm

  Image via Wikipedia Every company tries to put it's best face forward. The counters are clean. The floors gleam with reflective wax. The lights are positioned to reflect the bright surfaces. The people at the front are schooled and trained in customer service. "Yes, no, please and thank you, sir. Did you find everything you need and may I help you buy something else." A light bulb burned out on the front sign is a call for immediate maintenance, but a broken employee toilet takes days. As consumers, we buy goods, products and services based on their value and often, their presentation. The…

• If you can't live your faith, don't talk about it

  29 Oct 2009 | 7:12 pm

  A reader recently wrote this:"I recently served a client that was very vocal with his Christian faith. For business reasons not related to my performance, he abruptly terminated my contract outside the terms of our written agreement. He did not have the courage or courtesy to notify me directly--even by voice mail orE-Mail. Instead, he told a rival co-worker who leveraged this information to undermine and damage my reputation with my consulting firm."Normally, I could write this off as 'just business,' but his 'red letter' words set higher expectations of his behavior and deepened the injury…

• Final Harvest

  27 Oct 2009 | 7:53 pm

  Thanks to High Calling Blogs, who published "The Final Harvest," from a previous Red Letter Believers post. Here's an excerpt: "I’ve been at this Christian walk for years — no, decades. And like these green tomatoes, I droop in immaturity. I’m not ready for Christ to come. I’m not ready to go home. I still need a few more days — or weeks — or years....will I be ready?" Read the rest of the post here....

• 
  Reformissionary

• Music Monday 11.2.09

  Steve McCoy

  2 Nov 2009 | 2:45 pm

  A bunch of great $5 albums available today. Reformissionary recommends... The Antlers: Hospice - might be my #1 of '09 The Avett Brothers: Four Thieves Gone - anything Avett is must-buy Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - love this new album, full of gems Blitzen Trapper: Furr - #14 album of '08 for me John Coltrane: The Ultimate Blue Note - one of my fav jazz albums  Grizzly Bear: Horn of Plenty - older, lo-fi sound from a hot indie band The Gaslight Anthem: The '59 Sound - a great album Flogging Molly: Float - so much fun, these guys I can't say…

• Review: Fight Clubs by Jonathan Dodson

  Steve McCoy

  29 Oct 2009 | 5:36 pm

  I remember reading the article, Fight Club, from Jonathan Dodson when it was published by Boundless back in 2008. I read it several times. It's great to see this made into a fuller-length treatment, though it's still only just over 40 pages of text. Jonathan is pastor of Austin City Life. Fight Clubs is about re-centering discipleship on the gospel in community, not merely individuals. It's a messy, tenacious struggle with honesty and authenticity. Dodson describes the biblical case for the fight, where we go wrong (legalism or license) and how to keep from extremes, the…

• Music Monday 10.26.09

  Steve McCoy

  26 Oct 2009 | 9:53 am

  Quick hits... Mat Kearney, four free songs at Daytrotter My buddy, Rick, lists his top 50 albums of the new millennium Sufjan Stevens' soundtrack for The BQE is very good Daniel Renstrom's new Christmas CD, On The Incarnation, comes out tomorrow. Review up soon.  Join oh join the angel melody//God with man is pleased to dwell//Sing confess, with all His company//Jesus our Immanuel A thoughtful and woeful video for the gorgeous song "Charlie Darwin" from The Low Anthem. Their album, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin is outstanding. (Download) I just can't say enough about…

• Review: Counterfeit Gods

  Steve McCoy

  20 Oct 2009 | 12:07 pm

  I have a thing for Tim Keller. You've noticed? Cool. Just wanted to make sure you know. :) When I heard that Dr. Keller was publishing Counterfeit Gods (OUT TODAY, October 20th) many months ago I was pumped. Pumped because I like nearly everything he says and writes and one more thing is a good thing. This book has exceeded my highest of expectations, especially after Dr. Keller's excellent talk, The Grand Demythologizer, at The Gospel Coalition this spring. In Counterfeit Gods, Keller defines idolatry for us... It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs…

• Music Monday 10.19.09

  Steve McCoy

  19 Oct 2009 | 12:29 pm

  Bon Iver is on indefinite hiatus. Steve is in definite depression. Check out The Swell Season's new album streaming for free. Saw Where the Wild Things Are on Saturday with the family. We enjoyed the movie and the kids loved it even more having heard several times the excellent soundtrack from Karen O and the Kids. You should own it. Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones, Josh Homme = Them Crooked Vultures. They can play rock music, like this. This would be a good time to crank it up. Hope you didn't miss the $0.99 album (The Second Gleam) I mentioned on Twitter yesterday from The Avett Brothers. You…

• 
  The Scriptorium Daily: Middlebrow

• A Joy of Being an Evangelical

  John Mark Reynolds

  7 Nov 2009 | 1:12 am

  Having one great virtue can be enough if the virtue is big enough. What is so great about being an evangelical? A particularly strong argument for the traditional evangelical cause is that it would be impossible to attend an evangelical church or parachurch event and not be confronted with the Gospel. Nobody ever visited my Dad’s church without getting a chance to be born again. If you get that right, you really have a lot of latitude to get things wrong! A confrontation with Jesus Christ and our desperate need for His atoning work is at the heart of the evangelical message. Having…

• Ten Reasons to Dread the New Christmas Carol Movie

  John Mark Reynolds

  7 Nov 2009 | 12:36 am

  Disney, the studio that gave up on Narnia, has given us an early Christmas movie with a remake of a Dicken’s classic A Christmas Carol. Since I refuse to go to any Christmas film before Thanksgiving, I will not see it soon, but there are ten reasons I dread seeing it. If you have seen it, please let me know if my fears are justified. First, this is a remake of a story with several very good versions already. My favorite has Muppets in it, but if you prefer Dickens without singing rats you should find Alastair Sims black and white almost-masterpiece. Plato warns us of images of images of…

• Traditionalists Cannot Win in Politics

  John Mark Reynolds

  7 Nov 2009 | 12:14 am

  On a day when traditional marriage won Maine, I go to the Atlantic and read people arguing that social issues are sinking the GOP in the Northeast. One commenter said: “I don’t see how the GOP gets out of its current position of being a pointless rump, a discredited regional party associated with the lunatic fringe Christianists.” While the Tax Payer Bill of Rights lost in Maine, traditional marriage won, but it is the social conservatives who are holding back the party in the Northeast? In a post on the Atlantic, Megan McArdle describes her relatives in Wayne County, New York and uses…

• Reflection on a Passage in Phaedrus

  John Mark Reynolds

  7 Nov 2009 | 12:10 am

  For those interested in my reading this week and one question that motivates my studies this weekend, I have appended some brief notes on a section of Phaedrus (around 234d). Rhetoric can be charming, but being charmed is dangerous for any person who wants to be free. This week I have been reflecting on ways to make my personal speech less likely to “charm” and more likely to stimulate thought and liberty in the listeners. I don’t want them to remember my speech, but to long for the Good at the end of it. There is no way of saying that without sounding silly. It seems to me…

• On Bad Textbooks

  John Mark Reynolds

  6 Nov 2009 | 11:54 pm

  Some people say, “I’ll use any stick to beat a dog,” but they better not mean it. A stick of dynamite, for example, would harm the one doing the beating as well as the dog. Most Evangelical Christian school history text books or homeschool materials are written from a very conservative Protestant perspective and they are, to be charitable, very bad. The uncharitable description would be that they are worse than useless. If they were merely useless, they would do less harm. As it is, they contain so much laughable error and over the top bias that they harm the causes they…

• 
  Seedlings in Stone

• How Do You Write?

  L.L. Barkat

  6 Nov 2009 | 5:15 am

  I write in the dark...andI write despite...Teahouse in Granada Spain, photo by L.L. Barkat.POETRY FRIDAY:Glynn’s David, HillsideKelly’s eve’s regretLinda’s Redeemer/LoverMonica’s Han and Leia On a DateBina’s Mrs. DeWinter’s Nighttime HonestynAncY’s meeleyKelly’s tensionLaura’s FruitMaureen’s Woman in His LifeA Simple Country Girl’s Autumn DanceSojourner’s AdorationMaureen’s Last Words with Her ExecutionerTravelmom's Love

• Want a Chance to Write at Beliefnet?

  L.L. Barkat

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:27 am

  Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places is going to be featured on Beliefnet in early December, thanks to the creative mind (and gracious heart) of Joan P. Ball, author of the upcoming book Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life.If you post about Stone Crossings between now and then and drop your post link here (or there) so we don't miss you, you'll get a chance to be featured on Beliefnet. Five posts will be chosen for feature over five days. But all posts will be given links, so either way... you're there! We look forward to hearing…

• Unpredictable Paths of Grace

  L.L. Barkat

  2 Nov 2009 | 6:38 am

  When you grow up like I did, you try to know-it-all. Everything depends on it. Supposedly.It has been a long time since "growing up", but still some strange place in your head never quite forgives you for not holding together what was never in your power to hold together anyhow— your parent's marriage, hoped-for joys of holidays and ordinary days quashed by volatility, or some other such thing.Trying to be right, to know it all, brings the need for control; after all, it's so much easier to be right when you understand the playing field, have set the boundary lines yourself, inasmuch as…

• Ticket to Party

  L.L. Barkat

  28 Oct 2009 | 6:46 am

  Want to keep me? Make it easier for me to leave.That's the philosophy behind a strategy that, more often than not, helps businesses retain executives. How do savvy businesses make it easier for executives to leave and, surprisingly, get them to stay? Besides offering professional development opportunities, they encourage social networking, by hosting events where execs will meet others beyond their immediate circle. How cool is that? We regular-people have a word for "social networking event." It's called a party. I'm guessing there needs to be some kind of synergy. Executives at a…

• Top 10 Steps to Make Your Blog or Book Go Viral

  L.L. Barkat

  23 Oct 2009 | 5:54 am

  Viruses used to be simple. I'd sneeze, you'd catch my cold. Those were the days.Yesterday, I perused a bunch of articles about Penenberg's new book Viral Loop: From Facebook to Twitter, How Today's Smartest Businesses Grow Themselves Reading these articles, I learned that spreading a cold just got more complicated. Not impossible, mind you, but way past a simple sneeze.You can read some of the informative articles (I've linked to them at the bottom of this post). Or you can grab the high points here. These are the Top 10 steps to make your blog or book go viral...1. MENTION your blog or book…

• 
  Simply Missional

• H.E.L.P. Blog

  admin

  4 Nov 2009 | 7:51 am

  For those who don’t know, I’ve been writing over at the HELP Blog. Here are some links: - Praying for the Poor! - HELP needs some help with our office. - Orphan Sunday is THIS Sunday.- Trip to Atlanta. Go check us out. For those who use RSS (Google Reader, Bloglines, Etc.), our feed is: feed://www.helpendlocalpoverty.com/feed/

• Atlanta

  admin

  28 Oct 2009 | 7:32 pm

  I’m currently in a hotel room outside of Atlanta, after driving eight hours from Raleigh. On my way to Atlanta, I stopped in Charlotte and had lunch with Steve. God has answered some prayers, when I left this morning, I had no clue where I would be staying. Lucky for me a friend donated cash for a hotel room tonight, and tomorrow I’m staying with a family I’ve never met-God’s Kingdom at work. In the morning I will meet with a church that is interested in doing some international work. Tomorrow night I get to reconnect with the Extreme Response boys (Jerry & Dan)…

• Belief

  admin

  22 Oct 2009 | 2:04 pm

  Lucky for us, they’ve decided to donate the proceeds of the conference to HELP and One Day’s Wages, which is a new organization led by Eugene Cho. Pretty cool eh? Don’t get me wrong, we can always use extra cash, so many needs to be met and resources are hard to come-by at times. But, here is what’s more important, the belief. I can’t tell you have encouraging it is when people “do something” to help us an organization, it means the world! So, if you live in the Philly, make sure you go to Scripture & Culture, and let me say a big thanks to JR,…

• Hello-You Must Build A Platform

  admin

  21 Oct 2009 | 7:19 am

  Credit Recently I’ve been really encouraged with the progress of HELP. There are some emerging opportunities that are currently taking shape, initiatives that are being launched and partnerships are being formed. Building a platform is not easy, but we all have to do just that, no matter what field you work in, or what dream you have, without a platform, it’s just an idea! HELP was launched out of a church that I helped plant in Austin, TX, our church was 100-150 people, we were about two years into the launch. I say that to say this, HELP had no platform whatsoever, we had no…

• Conversation with Charles Lee

  admin

  19 Oct 2009 | 11:35 am

  I recently did an interview with Charles Lee…Head over here to check it out!

• 
  SmartChristian.com

• www.ExperienceTurkeyTours.com Permalink

  Andrew Jackson

  24 Oct 2009 | 6:21 pm

  www.ExperienceTurkeyTours.com Take a look at my new site. Join me sometime.

• JOHN PIPER & ESCHATOLOGY CONVERSATION Permalink

  Andrew Jackson

  7 Oct 2009 | 11:29 am

  JOHN PIPER & ESCHATOLOGY CONVERSATION John Piper leads a conversation of eschatology (end times and book of Revelation) with Sam Storms, Doug Wilson and Jim Hamilton.  Excellent. Audio and video available at Desiring God.

• SOJOURNERS’ JIM WALLIS & ACORN Permalink

  Andrew Jackson

  27 Sep 2009 | 5:40 pm

  SOJOURNERS’ JIM WALLIS & ACORN Jim Wallis, the leader of Sojourners and the progressive Christian movement was a keynote speaker at the 2008 ACORN National Conference. This is what he said about ACORN: “You can’t change the politicians, you need to change the direction, and ACORN is an organization that can change the direction of the country by pressing from the outside and I have no doubt ACORN will be making their voices heard regardless of who occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.” I have contacted Sojourners to inquire into their working relationship with ACORN, including…

• Institutional Entrepreneurialism Permalink

  Andrew Jackson

  14 Sep 2009 | 8:47 pm

  INSTITUTIONAL ENTREPRENEURIALISM As American institutions - media, education, government etc. - continue to rot from the inside out, there is a new opportunity for young institutional entrepreneurialism.  Here is some advice to young college graduates.  Forget traditional jobs, we are living in an age similar to the founding generation of our country when men and women can actually engage in institutional reconstruction.  One example of my point is the new media that is emerging as the old media dies.

• Sermon Illustration Video: Let It Go Permalink

  Andrew Jackson

  27 Aug 2009 | 4:01 pm

  SERMON ILLUSTRATION VIDEO Based on Philippians 3:13-14, I wrote a sermon illustration video recently titled “Let It God.”  Go to www.SermonSpice.com and search “Let It Go.”   Check it out.

• 
  Strangely Dim

• An All Hallows Reflection on the Blood

  Christa Countryman

  30 Oct 2009 | 1:03 pm

  By Christa Countryman. It's pretty common for my roommate and I to spend time together, but recently we mixed things up a bit by spending a some time together in the ER. We should probably have been a little more serious,...

• There once was a girl who missed blogging . . .

  Lisa Rieck

  27 Oct 2009 | 8:53 am

  Hello Strangely Dim friends! I've missed you. And I've missed your brilliant reflections and coments. And I've missed my fellow bloggers. I've also missed my space heater. In honor of Dave's walk down memory lane through our limerick fun, I...

• Spam Attack, and Lisa's Back

  Dave Zimmerman

  27 Oct 2009 | 7:50 am

  Two events coincided this morning: 1. Lisa Rieck, our esteemed fellow blogger, returned to the office from some well-deserved time off. B. Strangely Dim was besieged by spammers. I don't link the two, except that one of the spam attacks...

• What Genesis Has Made Us

  Dave Zimmerman

  26 Oct 2009 | 8:22 am

  Of all the books in the Bible, I'd say that Genesis has the most capacity to capture the imagination. Genesis features countless stories that get stuck in little kids' heads--Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Ark, Abraham...

• Shane Claiborne Swiped My Credit Card

  Dave Zimmerman

  12 Oct 2009 | 8:57 am

  I can't imagine that everyone agreed with everything, but it was fun, and it was substantive, and it was seminal. And I got a killer syrup recipe out of it.

• 
  Tall Skinny Kiwi

• Deep Church shifts over to USA

  Andrew Jones

  7 Nov 2009 | 3:14 am

  " . . . Deep Church is back with a vengeance. Get used to the term because you are going to hear much more of it." TallSkinnyKiwi, 2007 A few years ago the UK experienced a "Deep Church" wave. There were books, blogs, lecture series,  Now the USA is taking a look at this term that C.S. Lewis preferred for his book "Mere Christianity". Hot off the press is Jim Belcher's book called Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional". I took a quick look this morning. Initial responses: - Jim Belcher seems like a lovely guy with a good mind and a big heart. I think we will be…

• My famous Christian Nude post makes the Erotic Library

  Andrew Jones

  6 Nov 2009 | 6:10 am

  The blogosphere is a funny place. A tiny post of mine entitled "Christian Nudes?" from back in 2004 has generated daily visitors on my site for 5 years. And today, since it got featured on a "Christianity and Sex Topic" page on the Erotic Library, it has generated a whole new crowd of sightseers to my blog. The post itself is not very interesting but there were some insightful comments that I guess were interesting reading. Cant remember what they were and I cant remember what the article that I was pointing to said either. Something about why nudes are OK in old Christian paintings but too…

• blogging from iPod touch

  Andrew Jones

  5 Nov 2009 | 12:11 pm

  Just testing out my new iblogger application for my iPod touch.Yes, I finally splashed out and bought an iPod, after all these years of not justifying the expense of a glorified music player. iPhone was out of my budget but the iPod touch graduated from a music player to something far more useful and so I got one. One of the biggest draws was language learning wis do much more convenient than my computer.Anyway, nice to blog from this thing. Hello future!Mobile Blogging from here.[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

• Rock on Christmas Festival (Dec 5-6)

  Andrew Jones

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:39 am

  We are busy preparing for a rock festival called Rock on Christmas, to be held in Portugal on Dec 5 and 6. LOTS and LOTS of work to do. Like . . . choosing a location . . preparing a campsite (my kids are doing this right now) . . . publicity, etc. Thats right - we don't yet have a location, And neither do any of us have any money. But that doesn't seem to be a problem right now. Festival organizer Denny Hurst has asked me to be the VJ [bless his heart] which was a WISE CHOICE! In fact, I really think the entire festival will be all about me and my out-of-this-world video jockeying abilities.

• Taking the Family on the Road

  Andrew Jones

  5 Nov 2009 | 2:36 am

  Big article yesterday called "Dad lost his job, so this family lives on the road." Its about families who have traded their houses for motorhomes in order to ride out (no pun intended) the recession. The article points to a great website called Families on the Road which, if you look carefully on the front page, mentions the Jones family of 7 that is traveling around Europe. Their website is called Jonesberries, because they remind people of the Thornberrys. Hey - wait a minute . . . thats us! This is me, waking up this morning in Portugal, in a pre-coffee state, standing next to our…

• 
  The Lutheran

• Are we 'that people'?

  31 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  The televangelist intones, "The Bible says.." The two strangers at the door are equally intent, quoting verses about whether to worship on Saturday or Sunday, whether your baptism as an infant was valid, whether only men should be public leaders in the church. The Bible is God's word and is authoritative, but how can a person be sure it applies to them?One important question to ask, especially when dealing with its rules and regulations, is whether a particular passage applies to us in the present. Some may question whether we have the right to pick-and-choose one Bible passage…

• Dismantling patriarchy

  31 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  One woman's journey.

• Ponyo

  31 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  This charming animated feature film has been loosely adapted from The Little Mermaid. Japanese writer and director Hayao Miyazaki presents the satisfying life of 5-year-old Sosuke, who lives by the sea in a house on the cliff with his mother and father, a pilot on a cargo ship. One day he finds a goldfish with a face that almost looks human. He names her Ponyo and vows to protect her. The goldfish's father, who has powers over the sea creatures, retrieves her. But Ponyo escapes back to land and takes on the form of a little girl. Sosuke and his mother drive out during a storm, searching…

• Grappling with autism

  31 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  How grandparents take part in families' struggles.

• College musicians combine music & mission

  31 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  It wasn’t your typical spring break mission trip.

• 
  THEOOZE Featured Faith Articles

• A Profound Mystery

  14 Oct 2009 | 10:16 pm

  The story of our life with Christ does not end in the book of Revelation - it only begins. What comes after is part of what Paul the Apostle called "a profound mystery". This article won't attempt to explain any of this mystery for you, but if you want to be amazed at God's audacious love for you. Peek inside.

• Seven Mistakes Every Church Should Avoid

  4 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  Over the last 18 years serving as a pastor, teacher, and church-planter, I've learned a few things about what not to do. My sincere prayer and hope is that every Christian Church in America would repent of these seven failures and return to a more Biblical, New Testament form of Christianity.

• The Gift

  1 Oct 2009 | 2:10 pm

  This year their curiosity regarding what their birthday gift was, on this auspicious occasion of their sixteenth birthday, heightened the test of their patience.

• We Serve a Gucci God

  15 Sep 2009 | 7:05 pm

  Shh! It's a secret--God is the greatest fashion designer in the universe. He designed the first clothing (for Adam and Eve) and in Matthew 6, Jesus says God clothes the lilies of the field even better than Solomon was clothed! But wait, it gets even better. Throughout Scripture, new clothing is symbolic of spiritual cleansing. The ultimate cleansing comes when we get new clothes in Heaven. WARNING: Do not read this article if you want your Heavenly wardrobe to be a surprise when you get there!

• Michael Vick, John Newton, and God's Creation

  16 Aug 2009 | 10:19 pm

  What do John Newton, Michael Vick have in common? Need for Amazing Grace. As Christian shouldn't we support Vick to help him turn tragedy into glory? After all, don't we follow the God of second chances?

• 
  The Suburban Christian

• "The Day We Let Our Son Live"

  Al Hsu

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:35 am

  My wife, Ellen, wrote a blog entry about our son, Elijah, that has been reposted on Christianity Today's Her.meneutics blog. (The opening paragraphs below are by editor Katelyn Beaty; Ellen's material follows.)The Day We Let Our Son Live It ended up being the most important day of my life. Ellen Hsu, guest blogger When it comes to the chance for those with genetic defects to live, the news has not been good on either side of the Atlantic. Last week’s Telegraph reported that of all women in the U.K. who find out through prenatal testing that their baby will have Down syndrome, about 90…

• Introverts in the Church by Adam McHugh

  Al Hsu

  2 Nov 2009 | 2:23 pm

  Now that I've gotten some books off to the printer, I have a little more breathing space to announce books that have just been published. One that I'm excited about is Adam McHugh's Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture. (You can download free PDFs of the introduction and the first chapter.) I'm not an introvert myself, but I'm married to one, and I've found myself becoming somewhat more introverted in my rhythms over the years. Adam's book is a groundbreaking work that validates introverts' identity and temperament and lifts out the value and place of…

• Ted Ward, Groundhog Day and cultural impact

  Al Hsu

  31 Oct 2009 | 11:50 am

  As part of my PhD program, I have the opportunity to meet with veteran educator Ted Ward, who played a key role in developing Trinity's PhD programs in educational studies and intercultural studies. Over lunch today, he told our group of doctoral students that back in the 1930s his father was a publicist for the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Many towns in the area also featured groundhogs, but Ward's father helped establish their town as the groundhog capital. The result is what we know today as Groundhog Day.This was fascinating to me because any of those Pennsylvania towns could have…

• The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose

  Al Hsu

  14 Oct 2009 | 11:21 am

  A couple of years ago I read A. J. Jacobs's book The Year of Living Biblically, which I enjoyed but critiqued as being a rather individualistic exercise rather than rooted in actual communities of spiritual practice. Well, I just read a book that follows Jacobs's lead but ups the ante. Kevin Roose, who was a research assistant for Jacobs on Year of Living Biblically, left his liberal Ivy League college to spend a semester at the fundamentalist/evangelical Liberty University, exploring how life is lived and faith is practiced at Jerry Falwell's school. The result is The Unlikely Disciple: A…

• The Urbana experience

  Al Hsu

  9 Oct 2009 | 9:01 am

  This December 27-31 is Urbana 09, InterVarsity's 22nd student missions conference. So right now I'm in the midst of sending a slew of Urbana-related books to the printer and helping to plan things for the onsite bookstore. If you're thinking of attending, registration fees bump up on Oct. 17, so now is a good time to register. Urbana is an amazing, life-changing experience. Below is a testimony I shared with my IVP colleagues in 2003 in anticipation of Urbana 03, reflecting on my experiences at Urbana 93:I went to Urbana 93 as a senior in college, and it was a defining experience in my life.

• 
  theologer

• 2 Timothy 2:2 as a basis for church planting

  Roger Mugs

  1 Nov 2009 | 6:49 am

  "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." - 2 Timothy 2:2Raising up others to enable them to do what the Lord has called them to do. Entrusting faithful men with the work of the Lord.This more and more feels like a calling. I want to teach at a seminary, but I more and more think preparing people to lead big churches is the wrong way to go. Are there seminaries teaching people to plant movements instead of mega-churches? I want in.This is the verse often quoted by church planting movements. They follow…

• Church Planting Movements

  Roger Mugs

  26 Oct 2009 | 8:14 am

  Holy Crap, are any of you reading this?This book is just getting me pumped about everything I'm doing, everything I've been thinking/hoping/praying for months. I haven't been this gripped by a book since Harry Potter.

• iPhone Bible app

  Roger Mugs

  19 Oct 2009 | 7:58 am

  How is there still no iPhone app that uses the sword project repositories so we can have ESV and many many different languages. It's bewildering to me that the iPhone can do everything better but windows mobile still has e-Sword and we have nothing.Drives me nutty.

• You're a soldier, not a civilian (2 Timothy 2;4)

  Roger Mugs

  19 Oct 2009 | 4:53 am

  "No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." - 2 Timothy 2:4I'm sure I've written about this before, probably almost two years ago now because this is a life verse for me. I read this section again today and was really chewing on it particularly because verse 7 says, "Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." So I read this and the verses around it and then began to pray for understanding. Now having said that I don't want you to think that now I'm saying, "So this is the word of God," because I'm…

• haiku meme

  Roger Mugs

  17 Oct 2009 | 12:55 am

  Seems like it's been forever since I was tagged in a meme (that I know of) so I thought I'd hop in. Seeing as how my other love is poetry (and by that I meanthe sieve and the sand) I'll jump right in.First, here is the original post by Jeff.weightless winds brush drops fromleaves of intricate designscreaming You're awesomei feel bad tagging folk because i don't read hardly anyone else's blog these days... but don't think just do.

• 
  Think Christian

• ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and yellow brick roads

  Josh Larsen

  5 Nov 2009 | 12:18 pm

  What does “The Wizard of Oz” mean to you? We have occasion to ask because yet another edition of the 1939 classic has been released on DVD, this time to celebrate the movie’s 70th anniversary. “The Wizard of Oz” has maintained classic status for all those years because kids return to it as adults, both to share the movie with their own children and to revisit a seminal childhood viewing experience. And it’s as adults that we notice the picture is not simply a children’s fantasy, but also a wondrously malleable allegory. Its imagined universe is so rich and vast that you can read…

• Smartphone as the Ring of Doom?

  Paul Vander Klay

  4 Nov 2009 | 11:17 am

  I’m a gadget nerd whose Verizon contract is almost up so I’m shopping for my next phone. Here’s an ad from HTC. Click here to view the embedded video. Tim Keller quotes Tom Shippey in Counterfeit Gods as calling Sauron’s ring in The Lord of the Rings “a psychic amplifier”. They take our heart’s good desires and amplify them to idolatrous proportions (pg. xv) In this one minute piece HTC promises that its newest phone will amplify the passion and the poignancy. It reminds me of an obviously effective Kodak commercial in the 70s that used a Paul Anka’s song encouraging people to…

• Welcome Paul Vander Klay

  Jerod Clark

  4 Nov 2009 | 11:16 am

  We liked him so much when he guest posted, we’ve asked Paul Vander Klay to be a regular Think Christian contributor. Thankfully, he said yes!   He’s no stranger to TC as he’s been hanging out and commenting on posts for some time. Paul is the pastor of the Living Stones Christian Reformed Church in Sacramento, California.  He grew up in Paterson, NJ in an urban church planted by his father.  He is a graduate of Calvin College and Calvin Seminary and spent 6 years as a missionary in the Dominican Republic.  He likes playing with technology and theology on his blog and…

• Does pure confession need to come with no worldly benefits?

  Administrator

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:07 am

  (Guest blogger: Todd Hertz.  Todd is the E-Marketing Manager for ReFrame Media.  That basically means he works to build online relationships plus develop web and social media strategies.  He formally worked as the editor for multiple projects at Christianity Today.) 2009 has been a big year for celebrity confessions and apologies. The most notable cases:  Alex Rodriquez admitted and apologized for steroid use and David Letterman confessed to taking sexual advantage of his show’s staff. The latest celebrity to publicly confess transgressions is tennis star Andre Agassi who shockingly…

• Wearing A Mask

  Jerod Clark

  30 Oct 2009 | 12:19 pm

  At our partner ministry Walk the Way, Jeff Klein has been talking about Halloween the last few days.  In this video, he’s talking about masks.  While many folks will throw on a literal disguise this weekend, every other day of the year many of use wear a metaphorical mask by the hiding who we truly are. Jeff asked, “Are you wearing a mask?  Is it time to take it off?”  I would add, as Christians, is there every an okay reason for us to wear a mask?  In our day to day lives where we’re not wearing a costume, should we ever present ourselves as someone we…

• 
  Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day

• 1 Timothy 2:1-2

  Bible Gateway

  “[Instructions on Worship] I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

• 
  Dan Kimball: Vintage Faith

• The Year Of Living Like Jesus at Vintage Faith Church

  DanKimball

  2 Nov 2009 | 3:59 am

  I first heard of Ed Dobson back in the early 1990's when he was pastor at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was passionate about people outside of the church and was going against the grain of what normal...

• Origins at Outreach Convention in San Diego next week

  DanKimball

  28 Oct 2009 | 8:59 pm

  I rarely am getting time to blog or post things due to just being so full on this fun adventure of spending time with family, all that is happening with Vintage Faith Church, spending time with people outside of church,...

• "The Nines" video posted on-line to watch from Leadership Network

  DanKimball

  1 Oct 2009 | 1:53 pm

  Leadership Network put up the 9 minute video I did for "The Nines" which was shown on 9/9/09. You can watch it here. Mine was very raw, no script or pre-planned outlined message I was looking at. What you will...

• We need each other if we are on mission - this isn't the time to argue about non-essential things

  DanKimball

  29 Sep 2009 | 2:20 pm

  I just got back from another wonderful Youth Specialties Convention- I think I have spoken at them for the past 8 years in a row. They are experimenting with some new formats as part of the convention where they still...

• Deep Church: the best (and hopefully last?) book studying the emerging church

  DanKimball

  22 Sep 2009 | 3:52 pm

  I haven't been blog posting too much as I am working on wrapping up my next Zondervan book - as usual it is taking longer than I thought in the rewriting of a couple very difficult chapters to write about...

• 
  XXXChurch.com

• Women - "Weak in the Knees" AMNON TAMAR AND JONADAB Pt.2

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:15 am

  “Some time later, this happened: Absalom, David's son, had a sister who was very attractive. Her name was Tamar. Amnon, also David's son, was in love with her. Amnon was obsessed with his sister Tamar to the point of making himself sick over her. She was a virgin, so he couldn't see how he could get his hands on her. Amnon had a good friend, Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah. Jonadab was exceptionally streetwise. He said to Amnon, 'Why are you moping around like this, day after day—you, the son of the king! Tell me what's eating at you.' "'In a word, Tamar,' said Amnon.

• News - 1 in 5 iPhone People Looking At Porn

  5 Nov 2009 | 5:38 am

  We submitted X3watch to the Apple store and are awating approval. Here is the latest study. Shopping site Retrevo has been talking to iPhone users and has discovered that they prefer cool gadgets to degrees, but still consider themselves intellectual. The "study" involved polling 445 iPhone and Blackberry users about their relationships with other people and their kit, and discovered that iPhone users consider themselves to be extrovert intellectuals who know a lot about the media but find a lack of high-tech gadgets to be a turn off. 35 per cent of iPhone owners said they would find a…

• Wives - The Power of Our Story

  4 Nov 2009 | 10:13 pm

  We all have a story. I do, you do, my weird neighbor who shovels the snow off of his lawn does – we all have a story. Over the years I have become very comfortable sharing our story of sexual addiction; the story of my husband's transgressions, my responses, and God's grace. I didn’t used to be comfortable sharing our story. I thought that my story, the story of a sex addict's wife, was dark and ugly. It scared me. Not only did it scare me, but I was sure it would scare others too. Rather than share my real story, my authentic story, I recreated one that I thought people would…

• News - 1 Female Intern Needed

  4 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am

  The Strip Church is looking for a January-May girl intern to work directly with the brothel and strip club outreaches that are happening in Vegas! This is an opportunity and life experience that you do not want to miss. The is stepping out and doing rather than just talking! Come be a part of the fun and adventure in 2010 as we continue to build relationships in Las Vegas. Apply on line and who knows you may just find yourself right where God wants you! We are asking that all videos applications are submitted by this coming Sunday. We will provide housing for you plus school credit if you…

• News - Porn Debate WI LIVE ON FACEBOOK

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:52 am

  We are very pleased to invite you to the ClickCast Live event for the WI Porn Debate - Ron Jeremy vs. Craig Gross Wednesday November 11th  7th at 5pm PST / 7pm CT/ 8pm EST. You'll have a chance to talk to Craig and Ron "real time" about everything from their favorite pizza toppings to Craig's much anticipated new book..."Jesus Loves You...This I Know."ClickCast is a press junket meets live viral chat on Facebook where YOU ask the questions and view live video of the event. That's right....no middle man between you and the big shots. You can RSVP for t he event and invite friends on…

• 
  Doorkeeper's Journal

• So Routine...

  Craig

  13 Oct 2009 | 7:02 am

  Over the past two weeks, our Singles' Sunday School class has been working through the Chase the Goose study book by Mark Batterson. For more information, you can click here. This Sunday, we were talking about routines in our lives and whether or not they were just keeping us in a rut, or actually growing us as we seek to follow the Holy Spirit.One of the passages in the Bible that deals directly

• Why Do I Fear???

  Craig

  14 Sep 2009 | 6:44 am

  I know I can't be the only one having to deal with issues of insecurity and fears at multiple times in these days. You know, we can also be assured that what we are facing, even the greatest of New and Old Testament saints have battled with as well. The fears that we allow to chew us up and spit us out were overwhelming for even David, who was called a man after God's own heart(Acts 13:22)...

• Remembering 9-11...

  Craig

  11 Sep 2009 | 7:58 am

  I found this photo on Flickr that was taken just two days before the attack on the World Trade Center. Last year, we got a few responses back, but I would like to hear what you think of when you think about September 11, 2001. What were you doing? What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear 9-11?When I think of 9-11, I think about a time in which we as a nation and a people were so

• Fearless - book review

  Craig

  8 Sep 2009 | 8:23 am

  My latest book review in association with the Thomas Nelson Publishers Book Review Bloggers program is the latest Max Lucado release, Fearless. The subtitle to the book states the main point of the entire work rather profoundly...Imagine Your Life Without Fear.With all that we face in these troubled times...financial woes, raising kids, gas prices, job instability...the list goes on and on...many

• Are You Available???

  Craig

  31 Aug 2009 | 7:54 am

  I have begun reading into the new book by Francis Chan entitled Forgotten God. Be on the lookout for a review in the coming week. The whole premise of the book is how we talk about Jesus and the Father, but too often discount the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thus, the image to your left!In the trailer for the book, Francis looks at Acts 4:13, which we will first view in the KJV..."Now

• 
  Life on Life

• Broken People

  5 Nov 2009 | 9:49 am

  My heart has been broken for people in need lately. I thank God for that. My prayer is that we, as church leaders, never forget the broken. That we actually see (and respond) to people in need. I spend a lot of time praying for these folks. In the Church today I think we sometimes get so far removed from where people are. We are living life in our little church bubble.I was reading the blog of a pastor yesterday who had an affair months ago and has been removed from the world of church leadership and has transitioned to what he calls "the real world." After reading his post it further…

• 15 Signs a Church is in Trouble

  4 Nov 2009 | 2:39 pm

  Perry Noble has a great post today titled "15 Signs a Church is in Trouble." I can't help but agree with his list. I'll include a few highlights and you can click [here] to read the rest.#1 – When excuses are made about the way things are instead of embracing a willingness to roll up the sleeves and fix the problem.#2 – When the church becomes content with merely receiving people that come rather than actually going out and finding them…in other words, they lose their passion for evangelism!#6 – The leaders within the church cease to be coachable.#10 – The people in the church lose…

• Invite to the Man-Cave

  3 Nov 2009 | 11:57 am

  A long time ago someone told me about Deadly Viper. It's an online community that was created by Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite for the purpose of candid conversations about radical integrity and grace among church leaders. They've grown their audience online to thousands and have recently launched something new their calling "the Man-Cave Online: Leadership Manswers with Mike and Jud." I love it! You can check out their live experience tonight [online] at 6PM PST.

• Manic Monday Minute

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:46 pm

  Manic Monday Minute is a serious mind-dump that will probably take you one minute to read. Here are some thoughts going through my head right now...This is the Manic Monday MinuteWeather stunk it up for most of today. Actually yesterday wasn't much better.We experienced all 4 seasons over the course of the weekend here.This weekend was bizee. How was yours?Didn't really do anything special for Halloween.Actually, I only saw 2 people in costumes the entire day! It definitely didn't feel like Halloween.I got to see This is It. Thought the movie was very good. Just noticed Jackson's guitarist,…

• 5 Key Ingredients in Great Managers

  2 Nov 2009 | 11:58 am

  I've been thinking a lot lately about management. Mostly likely its on the brain because I actually did a sermon recently on the subject. Over the years I've been managed by a diverse group of men and women and I've come to the conclusion that its been a good thing for me. I've learned "how to do it" but mostly, how "not to do it" when it comes to managing others. One thing you must realize as a manager: you are mentoring your staff - mostly indirectly - at ALL times. I'll share a few snippets here from my own experiences:I recall one boss that was a bit of a control freak. She never let me…

• 
  Deep Thoughts by Gman

• Famous Failures

  6 Nov 2009 | 9:07 am

  http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/ZioO

• Life is Temporary Bluefish TV

  6 Nov 2009 | 9:07 am

  http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/ZioO

• Why is it hard to follow up on people?

  6 Nov 2009 | 9:02 am

  Here is an email I recently sent the congregation I serve:One of the things I know myself and even the church needs to do is to invite people and follow up on not only on Visitors but also on those missing. Why is it hard? Let me suggest a few reasons. I. It takes time. II. It is a relationship. III. It can be awkward. Let me tell you what I am doing and maybe you can be encouraged as well. Each week, we follow up on our visitors with a letter right away and try to reach them and ask if they have a church home. Every few weeks I try to reach out to them - send reminders or thank them for…

• Preaching and Pouting Jonah 3 - 4

  6 Nov 2009 | 8:50 am

  This week we look atI. How God used Jonah.II. How God ministered to Jonah.And how this applies to us today.http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/ZioO

• BRBPDYM - Big Red Ball Purpose Driven Youth Ministry

  3 Nov 2009 | 11:26 am

  It all started out as a discussion on what it means to be purpose driven and ministering to those in the post-modern era about 12 years ago.Online there wasn't message boards or forums as much as listservs. Email lists and debates and discussions. Youth Specialties had this one listserv started by Mike A of Mikey's Funnies. (Later would become YMExchange) So as the discussion came about, one person suggest all we need is a Big Red Ball. A Big Red ball? Yeah, Big Red Ball Purpose Driven Youth Ministry. It wasn't so much the tool but on the relationship.Bouncing the ball back and forth and…

• 
  TechPastor.net

• Are You Afraid To Let Go?

  frank

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:39 pm

  A couple of years ago I remember taking my son to a birthday party, and it was at this party where he acquired one of his first addictions… BALLOONS! As we approached the park where the party was hosted his big brown eyes saw balloons of all colors tied to each picnic table in the pavilion. He had a smile from ear to ear and immediately ran to a paired set of red and blue balloons shouting, “Boom, boom!” because he couldn’t quite say balloon yet. Michael wasn’t strong enough to rip the strings from the table so he just stood there holding these two balloons tightly,…

• Five Reasons To Be In A Small Group For Life

  frank

  24 Oct 2009 | 1:27 pm

  At the Group Life Conference this year Andy Stanley shared five reasons that he will be in a small group for life.  Here they are: 1. It’s the easiest place to invite un-churched people to, especially if they are not ready for the whole Sunday morning experience. 2. It’s often one of the only contexts for pastors or church staff to engage in ministry with their spouse. 3. It’s the only environment where you get to engage others on their spiritual journey, where they are at.  You are often forced to connect with people that you would not normally connect with. We often are exposed to…

• Keep The Bible Fresh – Bill Donahue

  frank

  24 Oct 2009 | 12:52 pm

  In our small groups or classes, it is always a challenge to keep the bible fresh as a leader or teacher.  At the Group Life Conference Bill Donahue shared a few different methods to help us do a better job at keeping the Bible fresh: Guidelines to engage the text: Study the bible for yourself, not by yourself – Acts 2:42 Devote yourself to the teaching Never engage the text without encountering the author – you don’t need a backstage pass to encounter God in your study Read the Bible for transformation, not just information – don’t just seek to know about something, seek to know…

• Using Social Media in Small Groups

  frank

  22 Oct 2009 | 5:59 pm

  Relationships are an essential part of the Christian life.  To follow Jesus and his teachings means we live in community with God, and community with others.  The challenge we face in our culture is the busyness it creates in people’s lives. The very people that we are called to ministered to, and I believe social media is a tool we can leverage to enhance our relationships. So here are three ways you may want to try to apply social media in group life. Create A Facebook Group What’s great about facebook is that it is growing exponentially right now.  It is something that many…

• A Church That Burns Bibles?

  frank

  15 Oct 2009 | 11:23 pm

  I’m quite shocked that a pastor would do this with his church. That’s right, Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Canton, NC is planning a book burning and bbq this Halloween. Among the books are any Bibles that are not the King James Version. After looking at the video below, if you had a chance to sit down with Pastor Marc Grizzard, what would you tell him?

• 
  Digging the Word

• Everything You Do, Do For Him

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  1 Peter 2:21  For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.22  He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23  He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.25  Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to…

• Keep It Simple

  2 Nov 2009 | 4:43 am

  1 Peter 2:15-17  It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.Sometimes it is easy to think that the Bible is so big and so difficult, how can I possibly know how to live, but that is so far from the truth. There are a lot of difficult passages but there are some basics that as a Christian I can know these precepts on how to…

• The Living Cornerstone

  30 Oct 2009 | 7:02 am

  1 Peter 2:4-10 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject…

• I Am An Alien

  28 Oct 2009 | 3:43 am

  1 Peter 2:11-12  Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.I remember those long car trips where it seemed that dad would never pull the car into the driveway and say "were home." I am ready for God to change my temporary resident status here on earth and I look forward to God saying "well done…

• We Need To Be Kind

  26 Oct 2009 | 7:05 am

  1 Peter 1:18  For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19  It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.22  You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.23  For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word…

• 
  pastorforlife.org

• Defining Success

  Paul

  5 Nov 2009 | 6:10 pm

  Success is such a vague concept in Pastoral life. For ages, we’ve defined it by numbers. Whatever numbers we could produce. Numbers of people Numbers of dollars Numbers of buildings Numbers of salvations Numbers of baptisms. You number it and we’ll count it in the final tally! For the last “number” of years, many well-known Pastors have tried to re-define success by saying that God cares more about faithfulness than He does “success”. Others have said that faithfulness IS “success”. I appreciate the comment Rick Warren had on his Ministry…

• Rest That Sleep Can’t Provide

  Paul

  4 Nov 2009 | 5:22 pm

  Josh Patterson, Executive Pastor at The Village Church in Highland Village, Texas, wrote this great post recently on the topic of real rest … I spent the last two weeks away from work and one of those weeks in Jamaica on vacation. I had no agenda and not a lot of responsibility. I didn’t have e-mails to return, no pressure to return calls or make meetings. My most pressing decision was which book to read. It really was a great couple of weeks. But, there is a kind of rest that sleep cannot provide. There is a kind of rest that a vacation or time away from work doesn’t produce.

• Pastors Packing Whose Power?

  Paul

  1 Oct 2009 | 11:15 pm

  Here’s one interesting take on whose power we’re preaching and how …. click here!

• Even The Contemplative Struggle With Burnout

  Paul

  30 Jul 2009 | 12:51 am

  You may or may not have heard of Father Peter Norden, founder of a large social justice agency in Australia called Jesuit Social Services and a well-known Prison Chaplain down under. He recently announced his resignation from the ministry after 40 years, citing burnout. Interesting juxtaposition, in that Jesuits are known to be practicing contemplative spirituality  in every way. You can click here to not only read some of his story, but listen to a radio interview done with him where he is very frank about recognizing the lack of self-care throughout his ministry career. Also interesting is…

• Creating a Culture of Balance

  Paul

  5 Jul 2009 | 10:33 pm

  I recently read a great paper available from Leadership Network on how Pastors in their 20’s and 30’s are dealing with the stress and strain of ministry life. It was an excellent read and encouraging to hear that these guys are thinking much differently than I was trained. It gives me hope for the future of the Pastor and the future of the Church. If you’d like your own copy to enjoy, click here. I’d be very interested in your thoughts and comments if you end up reading it. Post them here below.

• 
  Reflections

• Trivia Wednesday #146: Thanksgiving

  4 Nov 2009 | 5:24 am

  answer #145 - $24.17, according to the 2008 spending analysis by the National Retail Federation. (How much money does the average consumer spend on a Halloween costume?)question #146 - Who was the first President to make Thanksgiving a national holiday?------------This weekly trivia is provided for use within your youth ministry. You can use this random trivia in many ways: use it to start a conversation with a student, add it to your introduction for your lesson or message, include it in your next newsletter or email, or just randomly insert it into your daily conversations. No matter how…

• NYWC 09: Friday & Saturday

  31 Oct 2009 | 8:15 pm

  The convention is definitely underway.A lot of great content being shared from speakers, teachers and fellow youth workers. This communication of ideas is what makes youth workers so great - we are not afraid to share what we know and learn from others who have been where we want to go.This attitude is what makes Open Space a great addition to the National Youth Workers Convention.Open Space was a great experience. For me, I stayed with a group who were talking about working in a small church. We talked about finances, reaching the community, ministering to students, staying relevant,…

• Photo Friday: Frozen Bananas & A Mutated Strawberry

  30 Oct 2009 | 4:26 am

  Bananas just do not look right after you freeze them.As a Halloween bonus: here is a picture of a mutated strawberry. Okay, really its just a very odd shaped strawberry that looks like it should sprout a mouth and start talking.--------------------These weekly pictures are provided as an available resource for use within your youth ministry. These pictures can be used for background slides, event promotion, or anywhere else you need a good photograph. What I ask is that you do not use them for anything in which you make a profit and attribute me as the photographer. I would also love to hear…

• NYWC 09: Thursday

  29 Oct 2009 | 7:42 pm

  First full day of the convention for me (as a volunteer).Today was a good day. Store is set up and ready to go. I got to hang out with some old friends and a few new ones. Since we (the store volunteers) are so good, we got done early today - so we got to check out a early bird seminar. I sat in on the Real World Parents seminar, taught by Mark Matlock. I got to sit next to and talk with Patti Gibbons. Nice to actually meet her in person.Then I got to hang out with some old college buddies (Bill being one of those guys) - a great "get away" for me. We went to LaRosa's (I highly recommend it…

• Trivia Wednesday #145: Money Spent on Halloween Costume

  28 Oct 2009 | 5:23 am

  answer #144 - Tootsie Rolls. (What was the first wrapped candy in America?)question #145 - How much money does the average consumer spend on a Halloween costume?--------------This weekly trivia is provided for use within your youth ministry. You can use this random trivia in many ways: use it to start a conversation with a student, add it to your introduction for your lesson or message, include it in your next newsletter or email, or just randomly insert it into your daily conversations. No matter how you decide to use it, I hope this trivia knowledge can be beneficial within your youth…

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  Human3rror

• My Wife is CSS and I Am HTML

  John

  7 Nov 2009 | 3:36 am

  I’m so getting this shirt… but I’m not sure I’d be “allowed” to wear it in public. Sad…! Have you ever wanted to express your love to your spouse in ways that would seriously embarrass them? Apparently my “love language” is code.

• EPIC Holiday Lighting Win!

  John

  6 Nov 2009 | 3:49 pm

  I’m almost tempted to do this because we’ve got some neighbors who live for this time of year.

• Husband Fail Friday

  John

  6 Nov 2009 | 4:11 am

  It’s Friday! Time for another Husband Fail! This is your opportunity to share silly stories of how your husband pretty much failed you this past week! Or, if you want to be honest (Mr. Husband) then go ahead and admit what you did and how it was so lame of you to do whatever you did before your wife shows up and does it for you! Please try not to take yourself (or this post) too seriously… Me First: I’m awesome at hearing you but I’m not awesome at actually listening to you. I’m awesome at knowing that you said something but I’m not awesome at knowing specifically…

• At What Age Should My Kid Have a Cell Phone?

  John

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:38 am

  This is serious. I read this article here that says 1 out of 5 kids have a cellphone by the time they are 8 years old. Wow. My daughter started actually using my iPhone (not just banging things on it) before she was 2. And even before that she was using one (pic taken above is from January 1, 2008). She’s 3 now and can do almost anything on it, including call my mom and my brother, browse movies to watch or browse music to listen to, and play every game on there. She also knows how to re-arrange the icons on the phone as well as delete stuff (sad…). But, it’s Appa’s…

• Psalm 23 for the Working Man

  John

  4 Nov 2009 | 2:47 am

  The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining. He reminds me that He is my source and not my job. He restores my sanity every day and guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all that I do. Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn’t cooperate every morning, I still will not stop – for He is with me! His presence, His…

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  KRELLFISH

• A Chance to Choose

  Audra Krell

  3 Nov 2009 | 1:55 pm

  For some it's the dreaded blank fortune. What could it possibly mean if you crack open a Chinese cookie that has well, nothing in it? Is your future short and bleak? Have you been forgotten?Around here, we choose to see it as a blank slate. A canvass for anything and everything. A chance to make the choice, decide just how life is going to be. An opportunity to be happy with the life God has given us.Just got back from Vegas, there was no foreboding cookie preceding our trip and everyone came home with all their body parts. By the way, that was no small feat in Vegas on Halloween.For…

• No Fall, Just Pumpkin

  Audra Krell

  27 Oct 2009 | 8:39 pm

  Pumpkin is one of my favorite times of year. When you live in AZ, there is no fall. Our seasons are: Hot  Hotter-Than-You- Know-Where  Pumpkin   Sweater Day  Then Hot starts again.So when the Pumpkin Lattes come out at Starbucks, it's a symbol to me. A sign that Hot will be gone at night for awhile.Here are some of my favorite pumpkin things to cheer you:Pumpkin Pie Blizzard from Dairy Queen (XXL)Pumpkin Pie from Village Inn (not a slice, the whole pie)Pumpkin Smash Smoothie from Jamba Juice (which I cannot have…

• Fortunate

  Audra Krell

  20 Oct 2009 | 1:58 pm

  Every hair on the back of my neck stood up as I crumpled the fortune and threw it to the center of the table. Why can't I ever get a good fortune, like I'll win a million dollars?"You will have a close encounter of a serious kind," it read.Awesome, I can't wait for that one.And so it began on our beach vacation last week. I don't believe in fortunes, luck, fate or coincidence, but I do believe God speaks through these events. I knew something was coming and I later found out that my husband knew it too. There was something to be said, for knowing it was coming.

• Find Your Strongest Life

  Audra Krell

  5 Oct 2009 | 2:07 pm

  This book by Marcus Buckingham is about "what the happiest and most successful women do differently." And here's the good news right off the bat, they aren't perfect women, nor are they striving to be. All the constant striving we women do, leads to serious problems. We've finally become the men Gloria Steinem said we should be, and yet sadly, statistics show, that we are not happier. In fact we are quite a bit unhappier than our 1960's and 70's counterparts. Even with all the opportunity, equality and advancement, depression among women is at an all time…

• Loved this Beautiful Mess

  Audra Krell

  28 Sep 2009 | 10:07 am

  Born and raised on country music, Beautiful Mess is food for my soul. This is a fascinating story of each of the six members of Diamond Rio and blending these stories could not have been an easy task for writer Tom Roland. Nonetheless, he does a fine job of researching, compiling and weaving the story of six men who started as the Tennessee River Boys, twenty years ago. The longevity of the band comes from old fashioned hard work, unwavering faith and commitment to each other. At one point, Arista Records asks lead singer Marty Roe to go solo and he sums up Diamond Rio's story with his…

• 
  Morning Briefings (Company of Prayer)

• Lord, lead those seeking healing to the place they can find it

  Company of Prayer

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:05 pm

  Abigail Van Buren once wrote that, ‘a church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.’ As important as history and tradition is to our Church, our faith is not a museum exhibit filled with long-dead specimens, stuffed and propped up to show what the ‘real thing’ looks like. Our Church is and must be alive and real, and that means filled with fragile, weak and sinful humans. – Steve Givens Living Faith

• That we give each other the space to enjoy our morning routines, I pray

  Company of Prayer

  4 Nov 2009 | 8:05 pm

  One man’s rut is another man’s ritual. We need to honor and respect all the ruts, routines and rituals that people employ as they travel down the road of life. The ruts give them comfort, the routines keep them young and the rituals remind them that they are not alone. – Dwight CurryHow We Behave at the Feast

• Lord, we need your presence every day

  Company of Prayer

  3 Nov 2009 | 8:05 pm

  People never crumble in a day. It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to grey. Daddies never crumble in a day. Families never crumble in a day. It’s a slow fade. – Casting Crowns Slow Fade

• When all seems futile, remind us Lord, that we have you

  Company of Prayer

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:05 pm

  Almost two out of every three small-business owners are concerned their companies will fail by 2011, according to an online survey. – Jan Norman on Small Business OCRegister.com

• Let us be reminded of and act on the obvious, however difficult

  Company of Prayer

  1 Nov 2009 | 8:05 pm

  Use your authority for the sake of serving others. Leadership is for service. – Douglas J. Rumford TouchPoints for Leaders

• 
  Thinking Out Loud

• A Different Kind of Bible Translation

  paulthinkingoutloud

  6 Nov 2009 | 6:24 am

  Jeff Snow is a guy we got to know shortly after moving from Toronto, Canada 20-years ago, to our current home in small town Ontario.   In a smaller town people in ministry often have to wear many hats, and we don’t know anyone who juggles them better than Jeff.   Whether working with Youth for Christ, hosting a radio show, serving on the town’s Character Committee, helping serve dinner once a week in a low-income ghetto, guest speaking at local churches, or leading worship in a variety of settings; Jeff brings with him the best of two worlds and two ministry models:  Years…

• Adapting To The Culture

  paulthinkingoutloud

  5 Nov 2009 | 7:47 am

  When the pastor at Family of Christ Congregation walked out the side door of the church and ran into the manager of the local radio station next door, he didn’t know his ministry and his world were about to change. Family of Christ Congregation (FCC) was his third pastorate.   A rather imposing figure of a man, Pastor Tyrone Lexington Boone was born to an African American father and a Latino mother in a middle class suburb of northern Ohio; but the posting at FCC found him in a Tennessee medium-sized town that was “part south and part midwest” in its outlook. The church…

• Hump Day Link List

  paulthinkingoutloud

  4 Nov 2009 | 7:42 am

  I’m assuming most people have heard Wednesday referred to as ‘hump day;’ otherwise it probably sounds a bit rude.   The terms is rather widely used in Canada and the U.S.   …Here’s where my computer took me recently: A Christian musician in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada is facing a first-degree murder charge for a crime that occured 16 years ago, according to this article at ChristianWeek.org. Randy Morgan can’t help notice that among some pastors he knows personally whose churches have hit the 1,000+ mark in attendance, their messages have somewhat…

• Zacchaeus Meets The Christmas Story

  paulthinkingoutloud

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:22 am

  The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19: 1-9 is the ultimate children’s Bible story.   Think about, it’s got: a short key character; kids can identify a parade — or something similar –  about to pass by tree climbing; what kid doesn’t like that? unlikely guy gets singled out for special treatment Zacchaeus and Jesus have a tea party, at least according to the children’s song; actual serving of tea may have been unlikely restitution of unfair trade practices; he did something bad and is going to make it right But the tree climbing is the fun part of the story,…

• Editing The Bible To Suit Your Lifestyle

  paulthinkingoutloud

  2 Nov 2009 | 5:34 pm

  This appeared today at WORLDmag.com; I’m reproducing the whole piece — it’s only four paragraphs — because I couldn’t really leave anything out.    You can also read it here. Ripping the Bible Written by Mickey McLean November 2, 2009 In an interview with Details magazine, openly gay actor Ian McKellen admits that when he stays in hotels he finds the in-room Bible and tears out the page condemning homosexuality: I’m not proudly defacing the book, but it’s a choice between removing that page and throwing away the whole Bible. And I’m not really the first:…

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  Just A Thought

• Help Me Ring The Bell!

  6 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  I'm participating in iKettle 2009 by hosting an online kettle for The Salvation Army's Christmas Appeal.You can help support me by making a secure online donation using your credit card. Click on the link below to donate:http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2416611For more information on how YOU can host an iKettle too, please visit www.salvationarmy.ca/ikettleThanks for your support!

• 5 Questions with Fred von Kamecke

  4 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  Welcome to 5 Questions With.....Today's Guests is Fred von Kamecke. Fred is an assistant pastor at The Chapel of Lake County, Illinois. He served as assistant professor at North Park Seminary as well as adjunct professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he received his PhD (New Testament) He is the author of Busted which is published by Zondervan.And now without further delay, on

• Busted

  2 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  I have never been a huge fan of apologetics books. The material is usually over the head of the average Christian (and therefore useless IMHO) or comes off as very confrontational. I don't think you should need a PhD to understand the Gospel and how to answer the challenges people present against God and His Word! Enter Busted by Fred Von Kamecke and published by Zondervan. This book had me

• Lord I Believe, Help My Unbelief! - Just A Thought #39

  1 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  I believe God still does miracles today. I have seen Him heal the sick instantaneously. I remember well when God INSTANTLY healed my Mom of multiple sclerosis.I have also seen God meet financial needs, miraculously provide food, etc.What happens to our faith though when God stays His hand? I have been battling and slowly recovering from a nasty chest cold for about a month. I have prayed for God

• L-O-V-E

  30 Oct 2009 | 7:00 am

  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27)I am not ashamed to say I am falling in love with God. I am finding my heart seeking after Him more. I find my strength is truly only found in Him! When I am weak, wearied and harassed I find my desire to run to Him for

• 
  InsideWork

• Move Over, Christians. Buddhism is the New Standard for Business Spirituality

  Bradley J Moore

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  My friend Joan Ball over at Beliefnet recently attended a “Trust Summit” at the Harvard Club in New York City, where authors of the business books Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence (by social media gurus Chris Brogan and Julien Smith) and The Trusted Advisor (by David H. Maister, Charles Green and Robert M. Galford) were the featured speakers. The topic was how to build trust among your business constituents. Their presentations were followed by a lengthy Q&A session, which Joan describes in her Blog post, “What Churches Can Learn from the Harvard Business…

• The Meaning of Being Tired

  Glenn McMahan

  4 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  In Brazil, everyone seems to be tired. Tired of corruption. Tired of roads full of holes. Tired of crime and violence. Tired of high taxes and low wages. They’re just plain tired. On the inside. I’m not talking about only the poor people in Brazil who often live in outright misery. The worn-out people I know are middle and upper-class professionals. One self-employed lawyer I know, an honest guy who is good husband and father, has won numerous cases for his clients but he hasn’t been paid for months because of bureaucratic logjams. The situation has become so bad that he might have to…

• Are You Facing a Layoff or Career Transition?

  Dr. Stephen G. Payne

  3 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  A lot of us are in transition these days. If you’re in that number, before rushing to polish and upload your resume, take a deep breath and think about what God might want for you. Maybe your job is being eliminated. Or perhaps you’ve made the Big Decision to change careers. Either way you are starting one of life’s major transitions. Consider these ten great principles from the perspective of staying spiritually engaged. Move on to something better. Expect to make where you are going a far better situation than the place you’re leaving. Get your mind really clear on this point. God…

• All in Vain. Unless…

  Howard Morrison

  2 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  You get up, work hard, do what you think is right, try to improve what you do, listen to advice, try to get some time to yourself, go to bed, sleep…and get up the next morning to start it all over again. How in the middle of all of this do you get ahead? The author of Psalm 127 says it is vain to rise early or to stay up late.  Gosh, I thought that was one of the secrets of success…just work harder. The psalmist says it is vain to be a diligent worker (guarding or watching over the city). What? He even says you can work your tail off trying to be a good father, husband, wife, or mother…

• 44: Process of Self Deception

  Dan Wooldridge

  1 Nov 2009 | 11:36 pm

  Marshall Goldsmith with Mark Reiter What Got You Here Won’t Get You There - How Successful People Become Even More Successful!, (p. 17), Hyperion, 2007 …our delusions become a serious liability when we need to change. We sit there with the same godlike feelings, and when someone tries to change our ways we regard them with unadulterated bafflement. It’s an interesting three-part response. First, we think the other party is confused. They’re misinformed and don’t know what they’re talking about. They have us mixed up with someone who truly does need to…

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  Take Root and Write

• Pastor's Kids: living a life most people could never comprehend

  Deanna Shrodes

  5 Nov 2009 | 9:30 pm

  Last month here at Survive and Thrive Ministry Wives I wrote about protecting our PK's (pastor's kids) from the enemy's assignment. We know that it is the goal of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy all of us, (John 10:10) however I believe he has a special assignment against PK's. First of all, he knows that the greatest way to hurt a pastor is to hurt their kids! I can handle a lot of things in life, with grace. But harm my kids, and it's not a pretty scene. I am like a Momma bear, protecting her cubs, as most mothers are. There was once a mother who who was…

• Married to an Un-Believer

  Karen L. Evans

  5 Nov 2009 | 9:25 pm

  Greetings from winter-bound Santa Fe, New Mexico! I hope you all have been having a blessed change of season. Married to an Un-Believer Here's a question to ponder - How is the life of a Christian woman when she is married to an un-believer? This question can be answered in many ways. This question is answered in many ways. Being married to an un-believer could feel just fine at times. It can be likened to the surface of an ocean or stream. On the top appears to be smooth and peaceful but the undercurrent can be deadly. Underneath the smooth tranquilizing layer of water are animals…

• Zip-line Adventures

  Shona Neff

  5 Nov 2009 | 9:20 pm

  Can you imagine zip-lining through the rain forest canopy surrounded by vegetation so dense the ground and the sky are tucked away from view? Have you ever been in a place where noises originate from undercover creatures and reverberate through the treetops? Can you imagine that? I can; I zip-lined through the Central American rain forest several years ago with a group of teenagers. I was chaperoning a group of middle-school students one summer; destination, Costa Rica. I will never forget flying through the air, dangling beneath cables stretched between jungle trees. I wasn't real…

• Sue Patrick's Workbox System Review

  Meredith Curtis

  5 Nov 2009 | 9:15 pm

  After hoping and praying for a baby for ten years, Sue Patrick recieved a beautiful bundle of joy from her Heavenly Father. Grief was to follow, though, when her son was diagnosed at the age of two with Autism while Sue was working on her master's degree from North Carolina State University and getting ready to give birth to her daughter. She got through her grief as quickly as possible so that she could give herself to raising two little children. While they slept, she spent time researching and making materials and curriculum to use with her son. The result of this time of research and…

• Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome

  Debbie Roome

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:30 pm

  Asperger's Syndrome is a form of autism where the person is often highly intelligent but struggles with communication and social interaction. The condition is not widely recognized and undiagnosed children and adults may end up in work and school situations that are uncomfortable for them. Asperger's Syndrome is often detected when a child starts preschool. He will generally interact better with his teacher than his peers and may display silly, loud, aggressive or socially withdrawn behavior.  In some cases, Asperger's can be classed as a disability and appropriate help and…

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  Godgirl's Weblog

• Twittersheep

  godgirl

  3 Nov 2009 | 1:26 pm

  Just learned about Twittersheep this morning.  This word cloud reflects the bios of the peeps that follow me. Pretty cool.  

• TwitterSheep

  godgirl

  3 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm

  Just learned about Twittersheep this morning.  Here's what my twitter followers focus on.   http://twittersheep.com/results.php?u=cindyronzoni

• Ewoks Amok!

  godgirl

  30 Oct 2009 | 12:46 pm

  A PR Nightmare. Ewoks Amok! What do you when your live national news segment runs amok due to Ewoks!  Pretty much nothing.  You let them steal the show.  These characters were hilarious and so refreshing for live TV.  There's no way you (a producer) could have been prepared for this.  But I guarantee you more people are posting this than would have if they didn't act up. Watch and enjoy. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/33549454#33549454

• Your Own Hype Could Poison You

  godgirl

  29 Oct 2009 | 10:16 am

  As a publicist whose primary job is to promote the efforts of others – Chris Brogan's words about how to be humble and sucessful just warm my soul.  I wish more people would adopt what he's preaching here.  Take a look and pass it along.  

• A Real Life Obsession

  godgirl

  28 Oct 2009 | 2:20 pm

  For all of you who have a hobby that you take seriously…try and top this.   http://online.wsj.com/video/how-i-built-it-a-cosmetic-brand-finds-sweet-spot/B90F8021-7427-47DC-A35E-B2BB631FA8D0.html

• 
  Eric Bryant - Blog

• Amazing Example of Artistry and Creativity

  Eric Bryant

  6 Nov 2009 | 5:56 am

• “Business As Mission” by Rudy Carrasco

  Eric Bryant

  5 Nov 2009 | 5:07 am

  Rudy Carrasco, a Christian Community Development Association Advisory Board member who served for 19 years at Harambee Christian Family Center in Pasadena, Calif., and is currently an associate director at Partners Worldwide in Grand Rapids, MI) recently made a presentation at the CCDA conference on Business as Mission (also known “business as ministry” or “business as calling”).  His presentation included a local model and an international model. He has made the entire presentation available for free here.

• We Need Each Other! (Erwin’s Thoughts on the Church)

  Eric Bryant

  3 Nov 2009 | 5:53 am

  Some thoughts Erwin McManus shared during the “Concrete: The Stuff You Build On” series: “Jesus didn’t die on the cross to give us more information about God but connect us directly to God.” “The church needs a new marketing team. The church is doing so much good in the world and has done so much good. Too often we are only known for what we’ve done wrong because those who are doing good aren’t trying to make a name for themselves. ” “We need to move from observer to an active participant.” “One of the greatest of…

• This Week: Rick McKinley, Dan Kimball, and More!

  Eric Bryant

  2 Nov 2009 | 5:05 am

  TUESDAY, NOV. 3RD Our next LIVE, free teleseminar  will be on Tuesday, November 3rd at 2:00pm Pacific (5:00pm Eastern) with Rick McKinley, the founding pastor of Imago Dei Community in Portland, an author, speaker, guest professor across the nation, and part of the creative team of The Origins Project. Sign Up Here! Rick’s newest book was written with Chris Seay and Greg Holder & called Advent Conspiracy. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4TH In the Origins Pre-session at NOC09, we will discover how to use the ancient text in our present context with future textures. Pastors and practitioners Dan…

• Fall Festival 2009

  Eric Bryant

  1 Nov 2009 | 8:39 am

  We hosted our annual Fall Festival at our house last night and had a great time! Halloween is big in our area. We have met more people in our neighborhood on October 31st than any other day of the year! I have to be honest, Halloween isn’t my favorite holiday. For example, some of the more popular costumes at Trevi’s elementary school included a dead prom date, zombies, Michael Jackson, and a dead terrorist. We used to go help with our church’s Fall Festival, but in doing so we realized we were missing a great opportunity to connect with new friends and get to know our…

• 
  Faith Journey

• A Story of Spiritual Direction

  Paul

  3 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm

  There was a young man hiking in the wilderness, enjoying the beauty of nature and admiring what he saw and heard. After a few hours though, he started to feel as though he was simply going in circles. He wasn’t quite lost, but he felt as though there must be more to experience. After a while of having these thoughts and continuing to walk, he came up to a rest area where he met another hiker. He initiated conversation with this fellow nature lover, hoping that he might gain some wisdom from this man who looked as though he had hiked this and other trails a hundred times before. After…

• Helping Each Other Grow

  Paul

  16 Oct 2009 | 11:45 am

  What difference would it make in your life if you took time once a week to get together with a couple other Christians simply for the purpose of encouraging, urging, and helping each other grow in your faith? Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in complicated methods for spiritual growth that we forget the simple power of meeting with others for accountability, support, and encouragement. Sometimes it helps to have some direction for how to help each other grow, so I’ve pulled together a simple list of accountability questions that can be used. Here they are: PRAY •    Have you…

• Book Review: Real Church

  Paul

  29 Sep 2009 | 9:01 am

  In his latest book, Larry Crabb opens up and gets honest as he looks at his current feelings about the contemporary church. He starts out with the confession that though he has been a devoted Christian for most of his life, he finds most modern expressions of church to be uninspiring and unexciting. The first part of the book is spent dissecting what he sees as the shortcomings of the modern church. The second is spent setting a foundation of the church that Larry says he would go to. This kind of church is built on 4 things: Spiritual Theology, Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Community, and…

• Rule of Life: Service

  Paul

  18 Sep 2009 | 8:59 am

  Part 4 0f 4 in the Simple Rule of Life Series In this brief series, I’ve discussed what could be seen as a Rule of Life Tripod. Three simple things to build our daily life around: Prayer, Scripture, and Service. In this post, I’ll wrap it up by looking at the third leg: Service. Service – following the example of Jesus, the one who came not to be served but to serve I think that living a life of service is just as central to following Jesus as prayer and Scripture are. The example Jesus set for us was one of living for the sake of others. Consider these Scriptures that point the…

• Live Deep!

  Paul

  27 Aug 2009 | 8:42 pm

  Click here to view the embedded video. Check it out at LiveDeep.CalvaryDover.org Similar Posts: Quest I want to invite you to check out something new at… Book of Matthew As a part of our latest discussion series at &quot… Want to Write For the Site? Do you like to write?  Have a devotional / ar…

• 
  theoquest

• The Button Pusher?

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:20 pm

  Maybe it's because I moved a lot growing up.... (probably)Maybe it's because I get bored easily... (could be)Maybe it's because I'm pretty laid back and easy going... (ja, es stimmt)Maybe it's because I like to eat pancakes... (pancakes?!)Maybe it's because I'm a spineless chameleon that alters whatever is necessary to blend... (Ouch! hope that's not it)I really don't have a good explanation, but change (in and of itself) hasn't really ever been a big deal to me. I don't mind when things change. I've come to expect it. There's no use fighting most of it. Often, I even like it. Sometimes I…

• To Change...

  4 Nov 2009 | 12:33 pm

  I'm the kind of guy who likes to change things up a little bit once in a while. Just got my hair cut drastically shorter for the simple reason that I felt like it. One of the recurring witticisms of my childhood was "You should always try new things." So here, I offer to you, several reasons you should embrace change.5 Reasons to Embrace Change1. It's working great in the church down the street. Hey, if it's good for the Baptists, it's got to work here, too! Right?2. It's working in the mega-churches. They're big and successful because they changed, so it follows that if we make the same…

• Or not to Change...

  4 Nov 2009 | 12:07 pm

  I've noticed lately that we humans can be very resistant to any kind of change. Recent changes to facebook have definitely brought out the best in us! Altering the tempo of a favorite song has been known to induce spasmodic hiccups. A little tweaking of vocabulary is enough to cause great consternation. So I thought I'd offer a bit of a defense for those of us who like to see things stay the same. Coming soon to an anti-change bumper sticker near you:7 Reasons to Resist Change1. It hurts - and everyone knows, God's highest value is your personal comfort. If it's difficult, it must not be what…

• WWmark 4 - Commitment to Local Service as the Church

  3 Nov 2009 | 1:51 pm

  A lot of churches think of service projects for young people as ways to keep them out of trouble, keep them busy, or to make them earn their way... If they'll work, they can get a camp scholarship, or we'll make a donation to the youth room, etc. There are a couple harmful byproducts of this approach.1. The service is nearly always tainted with ulterior motives. "I'll serve in the clean up day because I need money to go on the ski trip." Now, I fully agree that an important value to pass on to next generations is to not expect handouts. But it is very easy for students to get the message that…

• Unyielding Resolve...

  30 Oct 2009 | 2:04 pm

  "This essential energy of the soul is not an ecstatic trance, high emotion, or a sanguine stance toward life: It is a fierce longing for God, an unyielding resolve to live in and out of the truth of our belovedness." -Brennan ManningWhat you really need for the ministry you are called to live out... is God.There have been times when I thought "All I need for this ministry to really take off is ______." The blank in my mind has been filled in a number of ways at various times: better facilities, a few more adults who really love kids, a bigger budget, any budget, a better band, etc. "Maybe if…

• 
  The Writing on the Wall

• Ted Haggard is back to his old tricks

  hiscrivener

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:46 pm

  No, no. I mean starting a new church. What did you think I meant? You Wall-watching gutter minds. Oy! Anywhoo, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette, Ted is back with a vengeance and holding a “prayer meeting” on November 12 at… his house. (Hey, isn’t that how he first got in trouble with his gay-lover-masseuse-meth-dealer-dude in [...]

• Apocalypse Watch: NASA thinks the Q Dog should be put to sleep before 2012

  hiscrivener

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

  Later this month, you know in 2009, a blockbuster is going to hit global screens – 2012. John Cusack is going to save the world from the “Q Dog” (much to the chagrin of my Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. ties) and the fact that it’s just a cheap marketing ploy three years early shouldn’t matter. I [...]

• Mormon calendar shows off LDS hot cross buns

  hiscrivener

  2 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

  I said it once, and now I get to say again… anyone remember excommunicated Mormon Chad Hardy? Hardy is an entrepreneur from Las Vegas who had an epiphany that, if directed to a niche audience, would cause him a winfall of cash money. The idea was a Missionary Beefcake calendar of all those hottie LDS door-to-door [...]

• Cross Eyed for the Holidays: The only Ghost during Halloween

  hiscrivener

  31 Oct 2009 | 12:30 pm

  Today… well, scratch that… TONIGHT is when many families gallivant from house to house begging for candy. Others, more paranoid, go to malls or the ubiquitous “Fall Festivals”. Safer, but no more of a beating. And then there are those fools who use this night to express misguided angst under the cloak of religion. That’s about [...]

• 700 men take oath of allegiance for their odd ball pastor. Swear.

  hiscrivener

  29 Oct 2009 | 9:07 pm

  Oaths. Funny things, aren’t they? People take an oath when they get married, and how’s that working out for half of this globe? Oaths are performed when swearing someone into office, and that seems to be for show. And then, there are those oaths that a witness takes when they are about to lie their tail off [...]

• 
  Preacherboy

• My Interview with Dan Merchant of Lord Save Us From Your Followers

  26 Oct 2009 | 10:56 am

  OR to see original interview: Click HERE

• What Does The Bible Say About Effective Leadership (part 2)?

  15 Oct 2009 | 3:56 pm

  Sorry this post has been so long in coming, I guess you could say I got sidetracked by life a little bit. It's all been apart of me being a more effective leader. I lead a group of emerging leaders through a real cool process this past year (my 5th year doing it). I'm proud to say, leaders have emerged from that process who are now leading another 15 leaders through the same process (duplication, I love it!)One of the things we always address is "What does the Bible say about leadership?" So, here is the 2nd thing (out of 10) the Bible says about effective leadership (that is a leaders who…

• Why Christian didn't drive a motorcycle while in the U.S.

  15 Oct 2009 | 3:04 pm

  This is Christian Jung. He is our missionary to Africa (right now in Mozambique). These are the roads they drive while getting the Word out about Jesus. Jesse Gellatly (one of our other missionaries to Mozambique) is filming him.

• Sunday October 11, 2009 YouVersion Live Link

  10 Oct 2009 | 3:12 pm

• The Skinny on Idea Camp PNW

  17 Sep 2009 | 12:06 pm

  Dates: November 20-21, 2009 Times: Friday (Nov 20) 11:00a – 5:00p and Saturday (Nov 21) 8:30 – 5:00p Location: Portland Foursquare Church 1302 SE Ankeny St., Portland, OR 97214 Cost:Absolutely Free! RSVP: EventbriteFor Lastest updates and Speaker List:Idea Camp Website and Idea Camp CommunityBecome a FAN on FacebookHere's the Skinny:Each Idea Camp has had it's own flavor or focus according to the area where the conference was taking place. So, it is only fitting that the Idea Camp Pacific Northwest Focus: Being Present With the CityThis particular Idea Camp will focus on the topics of…

• 
  Faith Journey

• A Story of Spiritual Direction

  Paul

  3 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm

  There was a young man hiking in the wilderness, enjoying the beauty of nature and admiring what he saw and heard. After a few hours though, he started to feel as though he was simply going in circles. He wasn’t quite lost, but he felt as though there must be more to experience. After a while of having these thoughts and continuing to walk, he came up to a rest area where he met another hiker. He initiated conversation with this fellow nature lover, hoping that he might gain some wisdom from this man who looked as though he had hiked this and other trails a hundred times before. After…

• Helping Each Other Grow

  Paul

  16 Oct 2009 | 11:45 am

  What difference would it make in your life if you took time once a week to get together with a couple other Christians simply for the purpose of encouraging, urging, and helping each other grow in your faith? Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in complicated methods for spiritual growth that we forget the simple power of meeting with others for accountability, support, and encouragement. Sometimes it helps to have some direction for how to help each other grow, so I’ve pulled together a simple list of accountability questions that can be used. Here they are: PRAY •    Have you…

• Book Review: Real Church

  Paul

  29 Sep 2009 | 9:01 am

  In his latest book, Larry Crabb opens up and gets honest as he looks at his current feelings about the contemporary church. He starts out with the confession that though he has been a devoted Christian for most of his life, he finds most modern expressions of church to be uninspiring and unexciting. The first part of the book is spent dissecting what he sees as the shortcomings of the modern church. The second is spent setting a foundation of the church that Larry says he would go to. This kind of church is built on 4 things: Spiritual Theology, Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Community, and…

• Rule of Life: Service

  Paul

  18 Sep 2009 | 8:59 am

  Part 4 0f 4 in the Simple Rule of Life Series In this brief series, I’ve discussed what could be seen as a Rule of Life Tripod. Three simple things to build our daily life around: Prayer, Scripture, and Service. In this post, I’ll wrap it up by looking at the third leg: Service. Service – following the example of Jesus, the one who came not to be served but to serve I think that living a life of service is just as central to following Jesus as prayer and Scripture are. The example Jesus set for us was one of living for the sake of others. Consider these Scriptures that point the…

• Live Deep!

  Paul

  27 Aug 2009 | 8:42 pm

  Click here to view the embedded video. Check it out at LiveDeep.CalvaryDover.org Similar Posts: Quest I want to invite you to check out something new at… Book of Matthew As a part of our latest discussion series at &quot… Want to Write For the Site? Do you like to write?  Have a devotional / ar…

• 
  GetReligion

• Surveying Muslim reaction to Ft. Hood

  Brad A. Greenberg

  6 Nov 2009 | 8:54 pm

  Long before Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire on Fort Hood, killing at least 13, there was a well-established formula for covering this story. Start with shock and awe. Then, as information starts to get out, report that the suspected shooter has an Arabic name. Confirm that he was, in fact, a Muslim. Once that has settled in, add to the story about motive the possibility of jihad and the references to 9/11. Finally, within short order, fill out the picture with a story about American Muslims condemning the alleged act of their misguided brother. Ms. MZ and tmatt were all over the…

• Washington Post delivers on deadline

  tmatt

  6 Nov 2009 | 11:06 am

  I am always amazed (and I must confess, intimidated) by the quality of journalistic work that true professionals are able to do on deadline. Of course, the Washington Post had a totally unfair advantage on other national-market newspapers when the story broke at Ford Hood. While Sunbelt newspapers were closer to the action on the ground (and some did not use that location to much advantage), the Post was able to turn its attention to the people who had the best first-hand information on the background of the alleged gunman. Why? That’s the lede of the stunning early profile that the…

• Fort Hood: Speculation vs. facts

  Mollie

  6 Nov 2009 | 4:07 am

  Yesterday a U.S. Army major opened fire on a military processing center at Fort Hood in Texas, killing 12 people and wounding 30, according to various media reports. Whenever major news breaks, information flies around fast and much of it turns out to be inaccurate. This case was no different. Early reports indicated that there were three shooters. Then there were reports that one of the shooters had been killed. Then there were reports that the main suspect — Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan — was the shooter who had been killed. Another report said a police officer had been killed. As I…

• Haggard and Dobson revisited

  Steve Rabey

  5 Nov 2009 | 2:33 pm

  Mark Barna has his hands full covering religion at the Colorado Springs Gazette. This morning’s two news stories on evangelical leaders varied from solid to so-so. Appearing top right on A1 is an update on Ted Haggard, the once high-flying leader of the National Association of Evangelicals who was laid low by a squalid gay sex and drugs scandal. This morning’s story says: “Haggard starting new church at his Springs home”: Ted Haggard, who started New Life Church in his Colorado Springs basement and built it into a megachurch with thousands of worshippers, said…

• Mormons still to blame, somehow

  Mollie

  5 Nov 2009 | 12:32 pm

  TMatt has been looking at some of the larger issues of framing in coverage of Maine’s vote to overturn a law legalizing same-sex marriage. But I’m also curious about some of the nitty gritty. I’ve been meaning to look at some of the coverage for days so let’s begin with this pre-election story by the Washington Post’s Karl Vick. The story explains the situation — the legislature passed and the governor signed a bill to permit same-sex couples to marry and gets his perspective that the “libertarian” Maine will note vote to overturn that law. The…

• 
  Ragamuffin Soul

• Online Evangelism…Is It Possible?

  loswhit

  6 Nov 2009 | 10:41 am

  Give me some meat for a section of my talk today at the NOC. Simple definition… evangelism |iˈvanjəˌlizəm| noun the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness. • zealous advocacy of a cause. 2 questions for you… Is it possible online? Why or Why not? Los

• WINNERS OF GHETTO GANGSTA GIVEAWAY

  loswhit

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:31 pm

  Katy won on pull number one from the Random.org site.  The rest were… @FayZ @deWeb and @rebekahking Congrats guys. send me your address to loswhit@gmail.com Katy.  Now help me figure out how to get a few books across the world… See. I give back to the community… Los

• ghetto gangsta giveaway…

  loswhit

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:38 pm

  I just got 4 free books. They are 2 copies of 2 of my favorite books published this year. Problem is…I own them already. The Divine Commodity and The Monkey And The Fish I have 2 copies each. So I’m feeling generous. I’m gonna give them to you. Just a fun 3 hour contest for my West Coast homies or those of you up late in the ATL. I’ll give them away at midnight San Diego time. 1. Tweet this: My homie @loswhit wants 2 giv me 2 of his favorite books. Drop him a line hre http://tinyurl.com/yznncgn & U cn win 2. 2. Comment on this post and let me know your twitter name…

• Where Do You Need The Biggest Kick In The…

  loswhit

  3 Nov 2009 | 7:42 pm

  So right now it’s a tie. My fat arse needs to shrink. When someone is on stage jumping up and down pumping their fist the last thing you want to see is their belly hittin on the 2’s and 4’s. Since going solo on the work front, wife doing what she does best…taking care of me and the kids, and trying to start a business, my finances need some help in a major way. I hired PS20 to help with my business accounting but my home front needs some attention. Spiritually I am kicking right along. Thomas Merton and my daily Bible reading I think might be the only thing keeping me…

• Stayin’ Alive // You’re Favorite “Ordinary” Moment

  loswhit

  3 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm

  When Heather leaves me and the kids alone for a night, or 5, the first thing that happens is usually the destruction of the sofa and the cushion jump of death. Hopefully my kids will remember that their dad was massively in love with them. What is one of your favorite “ordinary” moments with your dad or mom or parental figure growing up. One of mine is when my dad would let us get in polyester sleeping bags and slide head first down the carpeted stairs. I’m still bruised. Building a tree house? Building a fort of bed sheets? Stories in the closet? The rope swing? Or nothing…

• 
  internetmonk.com

• Evangelical Ecumenism and A Jesus Shaped Guest List

  iMonk

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:59 pm

  Point: evangelicalism contains within itself some almost irresistible itches from its fundamentalist DNA. From time to time, the urge to scratch is almost overwhelming. These itches would include: “Must say that Catholics are not Christians….” “Must say that all things ecumenical are bad unless it’s guys on our team writing books or putting on a conference….” “Must say all mainline Christians are apostate….” “Must find ways to say our church actually has the pure Gospel others don’t have….” “Must point…

• Recommendation and Review: Pocket Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship by Brett Scott Provance

  iMonk

  6 Nov 2009 | 6:27 am

  I used to look at the big Dictionaries of Liturgy and wonder if they were worth all that money. I held onto my dollars and spent years not knowing what a collect was. You don’t have to live in this kind of humiliation. IVP has published the Pocket Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship by Brett Scott Provance, a wonderfully comprehensive resource that won’t cost you a semester’s tuition and will provide you with all the liturgical information you need to actually know what your Anglican and Lutheran friends are talking about when they say “rubric.” Just this morning I…

• There’s Always A Day Before

  iMonk

  5 Nov 2009 | 6:45 am

  UPDATE: We are still praying for Gary and his family. He’s still fighting. Your prayers are welcome. The news story is strange and tragic. Three college softball players go for a night time drive in the country. On an unfamiliar road, they take a wrong turn and drive into a pond….and drown. There was a day before. A day with no thought of drowning. A day with family and friends. Perhaps with no thought of eternity, God or heaven. There was a day when every assumption was that tomorrow would be like today. My friend Gary has been the night dean at our school for more than 20 years.

• Honest Thoughts On The Catholic Discussion: Is This The Best We Can Do?

  iMonk

  4 Nov 2009 | 12:03 pm

  NOTE: Commenters should read the commenting rules in FAQ 10, especially those who plan to write me a long appeal to become a Catholic. COMMENTS CLOSED No one reading, writing or commenting on the posts in this interview has ever been as angry as yours truly over the claims of the Roman Catholic Church. In ‘07 and ‘08, I was torn apart by this question. Being unable to commune with my wife or Catholic friends, knowing my ordination to the Gospel ministry is considered invalid and having my community denied even the dignity of being “church” instead of the tedious…

• Bryan Cross Interview (Part 5): Mary, Purgatory and the Eucharist

  iMonk

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:07 am

  COMMENTS CLOSED My sincere thanks to Bryan Cross and all the commenters in this discussion. The majority of our discussion has been constructive and helpful. Of course, there are deep feelings at work in these issues and some commenters reflect various levels of understanding other traditions and various levels of being able to communicate without rancor. This final post deals with three issues causing continuing disagreement: Marian devotion, the doctrine of purgatory and the nature of the Catholic Eucharist. 10. Most Protestants would see three major impediments to reunion: Tradition in…

• 
  Tall Skinny Kiwi

• Deep Church shifts over to USA

  Andrew Jones

  7 Nov 2009 | 3:14 am

  " . . . Deep Church is back with a vengeance. Get used to the term because you are going to hear much more of it." TallSkinnyKiwi, 2007 A few years ago the UK experienced a "Deep Church" wave. There were books, blogs, lecture series,  Now the USA is taking a look at this term that C.S. Lewis preferred for his book "Mere Christianity". Hot off the press is Jim Belcher's book called Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional". I took a quick look this morning. Initial responses: - Jim Belcher seems like a lovely guy with a good mind and a big heart. I think we will be…

• My famous Christian Nude post makes the Erotic Library

  Andrew Jones

  6 Nov 2009 | 6:10 am

  The blogosphere is a funny place. A tiny post of mine entitled "Christian Nudes?" from back in 2004 has generated daily visitors on my site for 5 years. And today, since it got featured on a "Christianity and Sex Topic" page on the Erotic Library, it has generated a whole new crowd of sightseers to my blog. The post itself is not very interesting but there were some insightful comments that I guess were interesting reading. Cant remember what they were and I cant remember what the article that I was pointing to said either. Something about why nudes are OK in old Christian paintings but too…

• blogging from iPod touch

  Andrew Jones

  5 Nov 2009 | 12:11 pm

  Just testing out my new iblogger application for my iPod touch.Yes, I finally splashed out and bought an iPod, after all these years of not justifying the expense of a glorified music player. iPhone was out of my budget but the iPod touch graduated from a music player to something far more useful and so I got one. One of the biggest draws was language learning wis do much more convenient than my computer.Anyway, nice to blog from this thing. Hello future!Mobile Blogging from here.[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

• Rock on Christmas Festival (Dec 5-6)

  Andrew Jones

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:39 am

  We are busy preparing for a rock festival called Rock on Christmas, to be held in Portugal on Dec 5 and 6. LOTS and LOTS of work to do. Like . . . choosing a location . . preparing a campsite (my kids are doing this right now) . . . publicity, etc. Thats right - we don't yet have a location, And neither do any of us have any money. But that doesn't seem to be a problem right now. Festival organizer Denny Hurst has asked me to be the VJ [bless his heart] which was a WISE CHOICE! In fact, I really think the entire festival will be all about me and my out-of-this-world video jockeying abilities.

• Taking the Family on the Road

  Andrew Jones

  5 Nov 2009 | 2:36 am

  Big article yesterday called "Dad lost his job, so this family lives on the road." Its about families who have traded their houses for motorhomes in order to ride out (no pun intended) the recession. The article points to a great website called Families on the Road which, if you look carefully on the front page, mentions the Jones family of 7 that is traveling around Europe. Their website is called Jonesberries, because they remind people of the Thornberrys. Hey - wait a minute . . . thats us! This is me, waking up this morning in Portugal, in a pre-coffee state, standing next to our…

• 
  Vintage Faith

• The Year Of Living Like Jesus at Vintage Faith Church

  DanKimball

  2 Nov 2009 | 3:59 am

  I first heard of Ed Dobson back in the early 1990's when he was pastor at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was passionate about people outside of the church and was going against the grain of what normal...

• Origins at Outreach Convention in San Diego next week

  DanKimball

  28 Oct 2009 | 8:59 pm

  I rarely am getting time to blog or post things due to just being so full on this fun adventure of spending time with family, all that is happening with Vintage Faith Church, spending time with people outside of church,...

• "The Nines" video posted on-line to watch from Leadership Network

  DanKimball

  1 Oct 2009 | 1:53 pm

  Leadership Network put up the 9 minute video I did for "The Nines" which was shown on 9/9/09. You can watch it here. Mine was very raw, no script or pre-planned outlined message I was looking at. What you will...

• We need each other if we are on mission - this isn't the time to argue about non-essential things

  DanKimball

  29 Sep 2009 | 2:20 pm

  I just got back from another wonderful Youth Specialties Convention- I think I have spoken at them for the past 8 years in a row. They are experimenting with some new formats as part of the convention where they still...

• Deep Church: the best (and hopefully last?) book studying the emerging church

  DanKimball

  22 Sep 2009 | 3:52 pm

  I haven't been blog posting too much as I am working on wrapping up my next Zondervan book - as usual it is taking longer than I thought in the rewriting of a couple very difficult chapters to write about...

• 
  Albert Mohler's Blog

• NewsNote: The Hypersocialized Generation

  Albert Mohler

  6 Nov 2009 | 10:08 am

  Jeffery Zaslow of The Wall Street Journal opens his article with the story of a 17-year-old boy sent to the vice principal’s office after being caught sending text messages in class.  The vice principal, Steve Gallagher, told the boy to pay attention to the teacher, not to his cellphone.  Even as the boy nodded politely, Gallagher noticed something amiss — the boy was texting about his discipline for being caught texting. “It was a subconscious act,” said Gallagher. “Young people today are connected socially from the moment they open their eyes in the morning…

• NewsNote: Muslim Creationists and Western Elites — Get Out Much?

  Albert Mohler

  5 Nov 2009 | 12:31 pm

  Every individual human being is embedded in a complex of culture, language, relationships, and ideas. What we see as normal is a product of our perception from within that embedded social location. It takes considerable intellectual effort to escape our own cultural cage. Furthermore, it is far easier to notice when others reveal their cultural assumption than when we reveal our own. That said, there is something very strange and revealing about the response of the intellectual elites to the fact that their cherished theory of evolution is held by such a small percentage of the world’s…

• Is Truth Really Plural? Postmodernism in Full Flower

  Albert Mohler

  4 Nov 2009 | 1:14 am

  The question of truth stands at the very center of the postmodern challenge. As with any major shift in human thinking, postmodernism comes packaged with both positive and negative elements. Positively, the general worldview of postmodernism reminds us that we are deeply embedded in cultural and linguistic systems that shape and influence our thinking. Furthermore, postmodernism can provide a corrective to epistemological arrogance — the tendency to claim premature finality for our thought and truth claims. On the other hand, the negative dimensions of the postmodern turn are often…

• NewsNote: Naughty Rodents — Your Brain without Dad

  Albert Mohler

  3 Nov 2009 | 12:42 pm

  Do children need fathers? Fascinating research on that question is reported by Shirley S. Wang of The Wall Street Journal. Anna Katherina Braun, a German biologist, has been working with colleagues to understand the biological impact of single parenting.  Her research has focused on the degu, a small rodent that is a distant relation to the guinea pig. The research indicates that little degus raised without dads “exhibit both short-and long-term changes in nerve cell growth in different regions of the brain.” The research also reveals that “fatherless degu pups exhibit more…

• NewsNote: Paganism “Just Another Religion?”

  Albert Mohler

  2 Nov 2009 | 11:54 pm

  Samuel G. Freedman of The New York Times took a look at the resurgence of pagan religions and practices in postmodern America.  He found Michael York, a serious-minded pagan who observes Samhain, “the autumnal new year for Pagans,” and the historic precursor to the modern holiday of Halloween.  Reading the names of his ancestors while facing a pagan altar, Mr. York remarks that, on Samhain, “the veil between the worlds is understood to be thinnest.” Freedman also found the Rev. Selena Fox, senior minister and high priestess of Circle Sanctuary, a Wiccan church in…

• 
  Without Wax

• Broadcasting Volunteer Gala LIve!

  Pete Wilson

  6 Nov 2009 | 6:44 am

  I’ve got a BIG announcement this morning. We’ve decided to broadcast our annual Volunteer Gala which happens tonight LIVE. Trust me when I say you won’t want to miss watching how we celebrate our volunteers here at Cross Point. It’s one of the most unique celebrations I’ve ever been a part of. We’ll be going LIVE around 7:15 cst, so grab some popcorn and get ready as we pull out all the stops to honor the thousands of volunteers that make Cross Point so special. I’ve embedded the channel here so you can come back here and watch it. You can also go…

• How We Live

  Pete Wilson

  5 Nov 2009 | 7:42 pm

  Like so many of you I watched in horror as the news about the shooting at Ft. Hood started to spread. Apparently an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 12 people and wounding 31 others. The event was a violent reminder that none of us get to choose how we die in this world, but we do get to choose how we live. Hope you’ll take some extra time to pray for the families impacted by the shootings.

• My Favorite Night Of The Year

  Pete Wilson

  5 Nov 2009 | 6:07 am

  There are many different events we put on as a church. My favorite, hands down, is our Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. Once a year we roll out the red carpet in an attempt to find a way to say thank you to the thousands of volunteers that make Cross Point Church the special place it is. I was blown away to hear that this year we mailed out invitations to 2000 households. I can’t tell you how humbled I am to get to serve alongside such an amazing group of people! Every year the gala is full of some unexpected moments which make the night. These unexpected moments usually include some…

• The Greatest Of All Illusions

  Pete Wilson

  4 Nov 2009 | 4:27 am

  We’re in a series entitled Faith, Hope & Love at Cross Point where we’ve been looking at how God uses our faith to increase our intimacy and trust with Him. As usual I’ve found myself in the middle of struggling with the very topic I’m in the midst of teaching about. I’ve got a situation that is driving me absolutely crazy. I want answers. I want explanations. I want guarantees. I want control. And yet what God wants is for me to simply trust Him. Over the past two days I’ve felt God saying, “Pete, take your hands off of this. Stop trying to…

• Should Churches Monitor Staff’s Twitter?

  Pete Wilson

  3 Nov 2009 | 5:12 am

  Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has been suspended and banned from all team activities while NFL is investigating his shameful use of gay slur when he questioned coach Todd Haley’s football credentials in an exchange with one of his followers on his Twitter account on Monday (October 26).  The NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, said his twitter comments violated the league’s personal conduct policy Johnson’s agent Peter Schaffer alleges the game check and other lost revenue would amount to a penalty of about $600,000 for the former two-time Pro Bowl player. Ouch!

• 
  22 Words

• We know nothing about someone’s character by learning how much money they make.

  Abraham Piper

  6 Nov 2009 | 7:07 am

  This month’s World Magazine lists 48 non-profit executives’ salaries. What can I possibly do with that out-of-context information other than judge them?

• Online ads are billboards with benefits, but they’re still basically just billboards.

  Abraham Piper

  6 Nov 2009 | 4:38 am

  Obviously, advertisers want users to click through, but most won’t. So the best use of online advertising is still simply for exposure.

• I feel the dark and unfashionable shadow of the right wing hovering over our house.

  Abraham Piper

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:36 am

  Today Orison chose to wear short jeans, cowboy boots, and a T-Shirt featuring the American flag and lyrics for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

• The problem with disliking Jesus-is-your-boyfriend music is that Jesus is (y)our boyfriend.

  Abraham Piper

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

  I’m uncomfortable as anyone with Christians being Jesus’ lover. But that’s my fault. I shouldn’t blame those who thrill to this metaphor.

• Being finicky is crying wolf.

  Abraham Piper

  5 Nov 2009 | 5:32 am

  If you’re persnickety, people learn to ignore you. Which means they won’t even heed the reasonable things you occasionally come up with.

• 
  beauty and depravity

• never give up. never give up. never give up.

  Eugene Cho

  6 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  Read this story of Sa-Soon Cha, a 68 year old woman who finally passed her written driver’s test on the 950th attempt. At first, I was laughing but then when you consider how much work, time, commitment,heart, and even finances she invested, it’s an incredible story of perseverance. Actually, i’ts pretty inspiring. My favorite quote: “I believe you [...]

• harvard professor donates engagement party?

  Eugene Cho

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  I can’t tell you how much this story encourages me. I met Dr. Josephine Kim, a Harvard professor in their graduate school of education, this past summer when we spoke at a leadership conference. Check out what she and her fiance are doing to celebrate their engagement (or click image above). Beautiful stuff. [...]

• we’ve blogged about it. now, let’s get together…

  Eugene Cho

  4 Nov 2009 | 11:05 pm

  I want to follow up on yesterday’s post which I believe has broken the record for the longest title in history: “deadly vipers, mike foster, jud wilhite, soong-chan rah, chuck norris, joyluck club, angry asian man, wanna be ninjas and everyone else.” Yo, that’s how I roll. I had some good dialogue with Mike Foster yesterday [...]

• the ultimate closet sale for a cause

  Eugene Cho

  4 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  Until recently, I had never met Bob & Eunice or their kids. Eunice was a blog stalker, heard about the vision of One Day’s Wages, and wanted to show her support. She also happens to be a local independent fashion designer. When she first emailed me, I thought she needed me to model her clothes [...]

• relationships: god the creator is pursuing you

  Eugene Cho

  3 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pm

  We launched a new teaching series at Quest this past Sunday entitled “Relationships: ___________.”  We’ll likely spend the next 4-5 months on all things relationships: God, Jesus, Spirit, self, parents, children, enemies, marriage, dating, and so on. One of our other pastors was supposed to launch the series but had to bail last minute with a [...]

• 
  Wrecked for the Ordinary

• Paul Baloche: Glorious Release

  5 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Every believer has signposts for the journey of faith -- the day we encounter our Savior, the challenges that uncover our deep need for Him, the moments we experience God's faithfulness. For Paul Baloche, this spiritual journey is marked by songs, music that has moved from personal touchstones to collective signposts for millions of believers. Intimate prayers that have become global anthems. "Songwriting is a big part of my spiritual life," Paul shares. "It helps me go deeper with God. It helps me fix my mind on Jesus, to set my mind on things above. It keeps my own heart fresh and alive,…

• Seeing the Spiritual

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  From Guatemala:   This young lady is mentally handicapped. Her name is Ilsa. She is 26 years old. She lives in an orphanage that resembles hell. She sees in the spiritual realm. There is a battle raging in and around her.   We were there only to clean the grounds yesterday. But I could feel the Spirit leading me to the girls' dorm. I walked into the main room of the girl's dormitory at the orphanage, which looks like a 1940s psych ward at a creepy hospital.   There were two old metal school desks at one end of the room. A chair in the absolute center of the room. And a TV…

• Truth and Love

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Truth and Love. (And True Love.) I work at a garden center. That means one thing:  a lot of dirt. The other day, while shoveling some of said dirt, I found myself realizing something: I am dirt. Physically. We'll all end up there someday. There's no escaping the fate of our bodies. They are cages, time bombs we are bound to, waiting to inevitably fail us one day. So what do we do with this life we have? How do we avoid the dirt? The truth is:  life is messy and dirty, because we are messy and dirty. But out of the dirt, with a little love, something can bloom that is beautiful, and…

• Book Review: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

  2 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Last summer, I found myself rushing home from an outreach in Los Angles, trying to make it back to East Texas in time for a very important event -- Donald Miller was coming to my town. He was part of the Ride Well Tour, biking across America to raise money for wells in Africa.   I am not going to to lie. I have a bit of a writer/celebrity crush on Don. I don't think I am alone in this either. I think one of the reasons is because before I read Blue Like Jazz, I felt alone, like I didn't fit into cultural Christianity. His quirky, honest memoir deeply resonated with thousands of young…

• Book Review: The Love Revolution by Joyce Meyer

  1 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  The first time I saw the ministry of Joyce Meyer in action, I was in a small orphanage slum in the middle of Southern India. The kids were gearing up for Christmas and singing carols to usher in the winter solstice.  I was with a team of people and we were there to sing with them and lead them in their holiday merriment. It really amazed me because up to that point, I thought Joyce Meyer was another conservative televangelist. That she is not!   In her new book The Love Revolution, Joyce Meyer candidly talks about her childhood, life and how the church needs to get…

• 
  Kary Oberbrunner : Recovering Pharisee

• Lady Originally Upset that our Fast is “Unbiblical” – Was she right?

  Kary Oberbrunner

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:53 am

   I like this lady. She asks good questions. I like people who ask good questions. In the end I think she sees from you, our community of readers, that our fast is right on biblical. See our public dialogue from Facebook below. More dates are still open. Will you join me? Robin Lynn Graham 2 cents from the peanut gallery…matthew 6:16-18…do it in secret, and there’s NOTHING secret about Facebook! Yesterday at 3:21am · Delete Kary Oberbrunner Good point Robin. I agree…that is why I made the facebook group private so no one can see it unless they are actually fasting.

• 12 Month Fast Growing Faster than I Imagined

  Kary Oberbrunner

  4 Nov 2009 | 3:43 pm

  I can’t believe it. With this 12 Month fast Ephesians 3:2o-21 seems to be taking place: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. I got more than a dozen more emails today from people joining in the 12 month fast. Many from strangers. Check out this one below: I’ve been praying about your fasting. I’d like to do one day per month. I was thinking the 5th of every month, because that is a…

• A Pastor Confronts me about the Fast

  Kary Oberbrunner

  3 Nov 2009 | 10:44 pm

  Yesterday, I got a call from a Pastor out east. I’ve never met him before. He seriously questioned my fast, saying that he doubted God would tell me to do something destructive, that if unsuccessful would “end my life.” Like fasting for 12 months. I appreciated his sincere concern for me (he seems like a nice guy) and I directed him back to the original blog post. I never said, “God told me to do a 12 month fast.” That would be crazy. I reiterated that God told me, “A life without prayer is a life with pride.” MY response to my pride was the 12 month…

• Your Reactions to the 12 Month Fast

  Kary Oberbrunner

  2 Nov 2009 | 5:37 pm

  I didn’t know what to expect obeying the Lord with this huge step of faith…not eating for a full year. I honestly thought it might flop. Maybe it still will. But in the last 48 hours I have been humbled and honored by the outpouring of compassion, praying and fasting, for the people who will read Your Secret Name. Let me share a few updates about the committed crew: We are committed with people fasting through December 2 as of now. Someone even committed to fasting on Thanksgiving. WOW! A few people I never met before took a day. One of my buddies from high school took a day.

• 12 Month Fast Starts Tomorrow – 11/1/09-11/1/10 – Will you help?

  Kary Oberbrunner

  31 Oct 2009 | 12:13 pm

  On my elliptical machine the other day God hit me with a thought that almost knocked me off. A life without prayer is a life with pride. I confess…I have pride. The last few weeks I’ve been wrapping up the final edits for my new Zondervan book out next September. Since I began this project I’ve had a strange feeling that this book is going to be different. That God wants to use it in a special way to heal people and free them from the chains that hold them captive. This new book, Your Secret Name, is the first book I’ve written for everyone,  not necessarily…

• 
  Ligonier Ministries Blog

• "Science" vs. Science

  6 Nov 2009 | 5:05 am

  Pastor's Perspective by David A. Robertson The door opened and a middle-aged man appeared. "Hi, I'm from the local church and...." "Don't waste your time," he interrupted, "I've no time for religion, I believe in science." "Really? Are you a scientist?" "No." "Have you studied science?" "No." "So why do you have faith in science?" Silence. The conversation is an all too typical consequence of a modern Western myth that science and religion are polar opposites and that those who have a scientific background and knowledge will de facto avoid faith. In the mid-nineteenth century science was…

• Is Sola Scriptura in the Bible?

  5 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am

  by R.C. Sproul Jr. No, and yes. The Bible does not have specific text that suggests that the Bible alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Those who delight to point this out, however, typically Roman Catholics and the eastern Orthodox, typically miss the point. First, their energies more often than not are aimed at the Anabaptist error that we call solo Scriptura. Here the person affirms that all he needs is himself and his Bible. The wisdom of the church in history, the community of believers, are all deemed irrelevant to understanding the things of God. Solo…

• All Truth Is God's Truth

  4 Nov 2009 | 4:20 am

  Right Now Counts Forever by R.C. Sproul Few books I have read have made a lasting impression on my mind and thought. One of them I read over fifty years ago. The title of the book was The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Science, and it made a lasting impression upon me because it clearly set forth the importance of understanding that all scientific theories presuppose certain philosophical premises. The philosophical premises that are the underpinning of scientific inquiry are often taken for granted and never given even a cursory exploration. But in a time when fierce debate rages between…

• A Man Created in God's Image

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:32 am

  Coram Deo: Living Before the Face of God by Burk Parsons In 1998 a dear friend prompted me to get involved working with Dr. Tom Woodward and the C. S. Lewis Society. A few months later I found myself at dinner with Phillip E. Johnson, noted law professor at Berkeley and author of Darwin on Trial. During my time with Dr. Johnson I learned two very important things. First, if we as Christians are going to enter the debate on Darwinian evolution, we must first understand who and what we're up against---we must know our opponents' arguments better than they do. Second, I learned that our ultimate…

• Columns from Tabletalk Magazine, November 2009

  2 Nov 2009 | 4:20 am

  The November edition of Tabletalk is out. This month's theme is "Darwin." The issue looks at Charles Darwin and discusses the ramifications of his theories and Christian responses to them. Contributors include R.C. Sproul, Allan Fisher, Keith Mathison, Russ Pulliam, David Robertson and Rod Rosenbladt. We do not post all of the feature articles or the daily devotionals from the issue, so you'll have to subscribe to get those. But for now, here are links to a few select columns and articles from this month: Coram Deo (Living Before the Face of God):"A Man Created in God's Image" by Burk Parsons…

• 
  Ransomed Heart Blog

• My how God has changed!

  Craig McConnell

  5 Nov 2009 | 6:56 pm

  I’ve been reading through 35 years of my journaling. My how I’ve changed. My how God has changed! Now, of course God hasn’t changed, but a boat load of my beliefs about Him sure have. Over the course of a Christ-follower’s life long journey any beliefs he has about God that are beneath Him (God) will be dismantled and discarded. Dismantled by God.  Discarded by us.  After all, the Author and Perfector of our faith desires truth in our inner most being, and we, who are children of light cannot coexist with darkness once it’s been exposed. It actually takes a herculean effort to…

• It Was Ugly

  Craig McConnell

  29 Oct 2009 | 8:54 am

  I’m sitting at Gate B-42 waiting, as usual, for a United flight that’s been delayed four times since its scheduled time of departure over two hours ago. I’m among a crowd that is slowly morphing into a mob. The businessman seated one “Friendly-Skies”-blue vinyl seat over, gets up and for the third time approaches the Customer Service rep at the gate counter. And with three well enunciated words he un-corks vicariously venting for all 150 of us. Less than 10 seconds into his diatribe he crossed the line as our warrior-poet-representative and became a caricature/cartoon of a…

• 7 Iron Bliss

  Craig McConnell

  25 Oct 2009 | 5:47 pm

  Okay… who’s been praying for my golf swing? Thank you! When our close friend’s son asked our daughter, Meagan, to marry him we were elated. As the Wedding Week was being planned several rounds of Golf were on the docket. I’d never had any interest in shagging a ball around for 4-6 hours; however, realizing this was an opportunity to spend time with them zipping around in a golf cart while engaged in a competitive sport that involved skill, grace, jawboning and a beer afterward I decided to take it up. So, the humiliating process of learning to “play” began. It’s been a year and…

• Distraction

  Craig McConnell

  14 Oct 2009 | 9:27 pm

  “Hutchison's Law: Any occurrence requiring undivided attention will be accompanied by a compelling distraction.” – Robert Bloch   This is now the fourth afternoon I’ve sat down to scribble out a bit of all that’s unfolding before me to no avail. There’s a gumbo of fresh thoughts simmering around in my heart and head that I’d love to put out there on paper… (such as):  … there is a joy rooted in objective truth that desperate circumstances cannot alter. … what we actually mean when we say that “Marriage” is hard. … my love of naps. … the grief…

• Wrong Room?

  Craig McConnell

  1 Oct 2009 | 6:28 am

  Last night must have been a blue moon for this morning I went onto Facebook to peruse the status of my friends. A young friend posted: Thomas wishes that when he ran into a room and started dancing that other people would get up and dance. and not just sit and stare. ya. One of Thomas’s friends commented quickly: maybe you're running into the wrong rooms I didn’t read another line. I’m pausing still... God why does this grab me? Maybe we’re running into the wrong rooms/churches/small groups/relationships... Don’t stop dancing! – Craig McConnell

• 
  John Eldredge

• i Motive

  John Eldredge

  31 Oct 2009 | 10:14 am

  Most of you have probably seen by now the commercials comparing the Mac to the PC. “Hello. I’m a Mac.” “And I’m a PC.” (If you haven’t, you can watch them on the Apple website.) They are funny; they are clever; and they are absolutely brilliant. The Mac is hip, laid-back, dressed for the times, tolerant, “authentic,” the ultimate postmodern. The PC is awkward, dressed for the office climate of the 50’s, goofy, overweight, fumbling, and clearly not authentic. C’mon now, admit it – you want to be the Mac. Even if you don’t own a Mac or ever care to own a Mac, in that…

• Our New Website is Up!

  John Eldredge

  14 Oct 2009 | 9:59 am

  Have you noticed – things always seem to take longer than you expect (and certainly longer than I ever want). But finally we are getting to release some new great stuff out of Ransomed Heart I think you’re going to love. First, check out our new website! We’ve been working on it for some time now, and though this is a “soft” launch (we have a number of new pieces yet to come) we are really excited about it. Some of the new things you’ll want to notice are:Love and War! Stasi and I wrote a marriage book (yikes) that releases December 15. Friends who have had a sneak peek tell us…

• Memory

  John Eldredge

  28 Sep 2009 | 3:02 pm

  One of my favorite quotes comes from Nathaniel Hawthorne: “Our Creator would never have made such lovely days and given us the deep hearts to enjoy them, above and beyond all thought, unless we were meant to be immortal.” I love it for a couple of reasons. One, it reminds me that the beauty of the earth and the golden days we do experience are gifts from a loving God, telling us what his heart is like. It also helps me with the dilemma of “but why do they pass so quickly?”I have a photo on my cell phone. It is an evening shot of the Tetons, taken during our summer vacation this past…

• Epic and Intimate

  John Eldredge

  18 Jul 2009 | 11:37 am

  I have been thinking about the Christian life, and my own life, thinking about the essential themes, experiences and needs, and I have landed on these two words to describe it: Epic and Intimate. Somehow these resonate deeply as the core of life with God.   As I thought about this, I remembered something that happened more than ten years ago, when my best friend Brent was killed in a climbing accident. I went to the mountains to seek solace, and solitude, beauty, and time with God. I was high in the Holy Cross wilderness, surrounded by majestic peaks and valleys. But the grandeur –…

• A Quart in my Tank

  John Eldredge

  25 Jun 2009 | 11:23 am

  So, we try and build some margin into our “season” at Ransomed Heart. We are very aware of the danger of burn-out in ministry. It seems like the number one occupational hazard for Christians. So common it seems inevitable. But no. We set a calendar that has some margin in it, and we do our best to stick to it. But try as one may, you can never predict the inevitable crises that come our way. Or the intensity of warfare. Or the myriad of other draining things that show up unexpectedly. It has been a brutal year. I arrived at June spent beyond all reason. Running on fumes. Thank…

• 
  Geoffrey Janes

• Monroe Campus - Some Thoughts

  4 Nov 2009 | 1:46 pm

  It's been one year since Pastor Rob twisted my arm and made me take on the campus pastor job in Monroe. And I haven't regretted it for one minute! I have to say I wasn't to sure about this whole campus pastor thing. I can also say we still have a lot of figuring out to do. We are exploring new territory. And we are seeing God use the people at Southbrook in amazing ways.I meet once a month with our ministry team leaders. We don't have any paid staff at the Monroe campus yet (besides me). But we have some super-committed volunteers, and as far as I am concerned, they are staff. At our last…

• Children's Wing Update

  28 Oct 2009 | 2:06 pm

  As you know we are in the process of up fitting the Children's Wing. We joined together over the summer months to raise the funds to complete the construction. Many of you gave faithfully and sacrificially. We did a three month giving campaign, which technically ended in August. But the need for funds was still there, and many of you have continued to give. We are about $2000 short of our projected need. Praise God! Thank you for your generous gifts!Dane Kovach has been leading the effort to complete this task. The Lord has provided us with a plumber and an electrician who are offering their…

• But You're So Busy...

  14 Oct 2009 | 12:31 pm

  "But you're so busy..." That's what I often hear from people. "I wanted to email you, or talk to you, but I know how busy you are, so I decided not to bother you." I've heard this one enough that I thought it would be good to set the record straight. Yes, I am busy. But that is not the point. We are all busy. Here's my take - you are my job. You are my responsibility. When God called me into the ministry, He called me to care for people. I can't care for people if I am not in relationship with people. Jesus was busy. So busy that the disciples forbade the little children from coming to see…

• Hold My Hand

  13 Oct 2009 | 4:22 pm

  My wife's van had a tire that was getting low on air. I had filled it back up, but the air pressure slowly leaked out, so I decided to take it to have it looked at. I took Kelsey and we went to Discount Tire. I dropped the van off and we decided to go and visit Walmart while we were waiting. Discount Tire and Walmart are in the same parking lot, so off we went, through the busy parking lot, of course, holding hands. Who would ever think of walking through a parking lot like that without holding their 4 year old's hand! On the way back to pick up the van, as we were walking hand in hand, we…

• Chad Manus - Behold Story

  2 Oct 2009 | 11:56 am

  Here is the third interview from church on Sunday. Chad started coming to the Monroe Campus when we were still meeting in the school. He's been faithfully attending, and it has been so great to watch him grow in his relationship with Jesus. Enjoy!Chad Manus - Behold Story from Geoffrey Janes on Vimeo.

• 
  Good News Magazine

• GN Video Commentary: Hope for Fort Hood

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:23 pm

  Is there any hope, either for the dead or for the sickness that leads to this type of tragedy?

• Vertical Thought Commentary: Just a Little Late--or Not?

  6 Nov 2009 | 8:26 am

  When it comes down to it, the songs "You Found Me" and "Alive Again" are about two entirely different Gods—one who is apathetic and incompetent, or one with a carefully crafted plan for mankind who knows what He's doing. Which do you believe in?

• Europe and the Church, Part 13: And One Is Yet to Come

  5 Nov 2009 | 2:05 pm

  The book of Revelation shows there is to be one more revival of the Roman Empire immediately prior to Christ's return. Is the European Union the prophesied revival?

• An American Thanksgiving

  5 Nov 2009 | 2:04 pm

  Every year Americans gather on the fourth Thursday of November to give thanks for a land of plenty and a year of blessings. What if Americans truly gave thanks to God for their blessings? Could it make a difference for the future?

• How Long Will the NATO Alliance Last?

  5 Nov 2009 | 2:04 pm

  The 50th anniversary of the NATO alliance in 1999 was a celebration of the successful defense of the free world. Just 10 years later there are signs of serious trouble within the alliance.

• 
  Kitchen of Half-Baked Thoughts

• Suffering: Oswald Chambers weighs in

  Tim Archer

  6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  From my college days, I’ve loved Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost For His Highest. I didn’t realize until recently that you can read the devotionals for each day online. I found yesterday’s entry to be especially appropriate to our discussion on suffering: If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes…

• Suffering: A Bit of Perspective

  Tim Archer

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) There’s an illustration that I’ve used in the past that helps me visualize this. Picture a blank wall with a stripe painted across it. Imagine that stripe continuing out past the wall and across the country, crossing oceans and shooting out into space. We’ll call that strip “Infinity.” With that strip representing the whole of eternity, what size would the span of our lives be on that stripe? The smallest dot that we could draw would be…

• Suffering: Advice from 1 Peter

  Tim Archer

  4 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  I hadn’t realized until recently that one of the main topics of the book of 1 Peter is the theme of suffering. Peter is writing to a group of Christians that are about to suffer persecution or that are currently being persecuted. He writes to encourage them. In doing so, he uses the word “suffer” over and again. Look at these verses. 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1:11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he…

• Suffering: An integral part of the Christian life

  Tim Archer

  3 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  “Come suffer with us!” Maybe that should be what we advertise on our church signs. It would be more honest than much of what we see out there. The New Testament makes it clear that suffering is part of the Christian life. It may not be the part that we like to talk about, but it’s an integral part of who we are. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33) That’s pretty clear. When Paul and Barnabas went around encouraging new Christians, they told them: “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22) It’s…

• Jay Guin on Pacifism

  Tim Archer

  2 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  Jay Guin is doing an interesting study on pacifism over on his blog. That’s a topic that I would like to explore sometime; for now, I’ll just point you to Jay’s works and the discussion over there. Pacifism and nonviolence are difficult topics because emotions enter into the discussion, making it hard to work from a base of logic and reason. I haven’t agreed with some of his conclusions, but I always respect Jay’s study methods. Here are the links to the posts so far: Introduction The Early Church David Lipscomb and Civil Government John Howard Yoder, Part 1 Part…

• 
  Godvertiser.com

• If Prayer Works Here, Imagine Its Effects In Your Mininstry

  BuddyCueto65

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:59 am

  There are some people that are just gifted as prayer warriors. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. It works — even in situations where you don’t usually associate prayer with. This video showcases just how powerful prayer can be. The gift this woman had was to have a faith life which allowed her to default to prayer. How many of us can say the same thing about our confidence in the same situation? Her faith and dependence on prayer assumedly reflects the strength of her spiritual faith. But that doesn’t get the rest of us off the hook! Just imagine what else…

• How The Church Can Use The Internet To Increase Intimacy In Its Relationships

  godvertiser

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:15 pm

  Critics of church online all point to the sterility and breakdown of human connections across the digital highway. Stefana Broadbent, an anthropologist who has studied human relationships across technology (cell phones, IM, Skype / video chatting, Facebook, etc) for over 20 years, has come to a different conclusion. While you watch this video of her presentation on how the Internet and technology actually increases intimacy in human relationships, you’ll find the eerie Dunbar number coming up (120-150!). Technology hasn’t drastically increased the number of real connections we…

• Twitteratti Tuesday: Free Christian Twitter Background #3

  godvertiser

  2 Nov 2009 | 11:22 pm

  Is it Tuesday again already? Looks like it is time to offer another free Twitteratti Tuesady download in our Christian Twitter Backdrop Design Series. I’m aiming to release a brand new Christian themed background to use on your own Twitter profile each week till the end of the year. And if you are a designer (or even a wannabe!), I invite your participation in helping to “fill the Twitterverse with the Bible and teaching of Christ!” Why not contribute a Christian-themed background for other Twitter users? Just use the contact form and we’ll arrange to display + share your work…

• Picking Up A Different Bible

  godvertiser

  30 Oct 2009 | 8:24 pm

  A new nationwide study shows that there’s a shift happening with how people view and engage with the Bible. Young adults have an overarching skepticism regarding the Bible not present in older audiences surveyed. So what does this mean for your church and ministry? One way to look at it is that what you’re doing right now isn’t working. It’s time to not just try different things. It’s time to BE different. Are the sermons being crafted for the pulpit taking into consideration some of the issues important to the younger generation? Is your church’s…

• Reality TV: A New Church Promo Tool

  Kenny Jahng

  29 Oct 2009 | 2:40 am

  Today’s guest post is from Kathy Leonard of Church Initiative. The ministry’s original purpose was to equip churches with resources to help people recover from the pain of separation and divorce, also to help couples remain together or reconcile whenever possible. Kathy shares a unique tactic one church has used to help get people in the door to its ministry programs. A blip in the church bulletin. . . An abbreviated pulpit announcement. . . A spot on the church calendar. . . How well is your church getting the word out about its programs? And are people in your community even aware…

• 
  Going to Seminary

• Logos Bible Software Launches Logos 4

  W. Ryan Burns

  2 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  Big news in Bible software today: Logos Bible Software has announced the release of the newest version of Logos Bible Software, Logos 4. I’ve had my hands on the Beta version for several months and, let me just say, it is amazing. With far too many upgrades, features, and resources to cover in a single post, you can visit www.logos.com/4 to see what Logos 4 can do for you. If you’re already a Logos users, be sure to check out the amazing crossgrade and upgrade options available for you. All the base packages have new books added to them and there are even some new levels that…

• Google Wave invite

  Brian Schmitt

  14 Oct 2009 | 9:27 am

  We were fortunate enough to get a Google Wave invite yesterday. And, we have so few friends that were interested in Wave we didn’t give all our “nominations” (read invites) away yet. If you would like to get nominated for a Google Wave account post your crazy idea for how it could be used in ministry. Then be sure to vote on the ideas you like the best by replying to that person’s comment. The winner will be nominated for a Wave account. If you’re asking what Wave is:

• Academic and Devotional Reading: A False Distinction!?!

  Stephen Hess

  11 Oct 2009 | 5:22 pm

  I am assuming that if you were given any advice upon entering seminary, this phrase may have come out: “guard your devotional time with the Lord!” I am not writing to suggest that this is poor advice by any means. It is great advice! Yet, I am wondering whether or not our notion of “devotional time” is too narrow? Are we not constantly communing with the Lord when we open up His Word?  He is now speaking to us through His Word and through His people when rightly handling the word of truth. Are we aware of Him? Am I? Before starting seminary, I interpreted that advice…

• Review: The New International Commentary for Logos

  W. Ryan Burns

  8 Oct 2009 | 9:26 pm

  NIC on the Old and New Testament My first real introduction to the New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (NIC)  was in Dr. Kistamaker’s class on the Epistle to the Hebrews. The assigned reading for the class was, compared to my others, quite light. We were to read Hebrews, FF Bruce’s Epistle to the Hebrews from the NIC, and one other commentary. I thoroughly enjoyed Bruce’s commentary as it was very approachable, yet technical when it needed to be. Over the course of my seminary days I added a few more NIC volumes to my library, and was always happy with…

• Picking a Seminary

  Joel M. Usina

  29 Sep 2009 | 7:01 pm

  I am a second year student at Campbell University Divinity School. Campbell is embedded deep within the Baptist denomination. It is affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, the Baptist World Alliance, and is also a partnering institution with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). Too bad I’m not Baptist. “Why then are you going to Campbell?” you might ask. Good question. Let me share some reasons that were not a part of my decision to continue my education here and at the same time share some reasons that did influence this decision. First, I did not come…

• 
  Live A Revolution... Every Day

• Falling Down and Squeezing It's Guts Out! Pumpkin Fun!

  Todd Ruth

  25 Oct 2009 | 5:52 pm

  Here's the latest video of our yearly family pumpkin carving event. It's full of near blood and guts.

• The Dancing Mo

  Todd Ruth

  24 Oct 2009 | 8:37 am

• More Than Genes

  Todd Ruth

  16 Oct 2009 | 12:54 pm

  When I was growing up, my mom and dad constantly reminded me that I was setting the stage for my brothers in school. They reminded me that as the oldest, the reputation I had in school would be renembered by my teachers and passed down to my brothers. Check this out: "I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you." 2Timothy 1:5 So here's the question... What are you leaving behind for your kids? Do you want them to share the reputation you have in each area of your…

• I Can't Shake It... Changing My Thinking

  Todd Ruth

  13 Oct 2009 | 2:03 pm

  I can't shake a phrase that Paul wrote in 1 Timmy 3:15: ..."This is the church of the living God..." "... the church of the LIVING GOD..." If you believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, you belong to the church of the LIVING GOD. If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, you ARE the church of the LIVING GOD. The LIVING GOD who conquered death. The LIVING GOD who raised the dead. The LIVING GOD who healed the sick. The LIVING GOD who conquered sin. What are you struggling with right now? We each have them. Some are bigger than others. But none is bigger than the LIVING GOD.

• Stoned - Pillars

  Todd Ruth

  12 Oct 2009 | 9:36 am

   I love pillars. That's one of the reason's I love going to Washington D.C. There's just something strong and beautiful about them. When you look at the Jefferson Memorial, you can't help but notice its pillars. But Washington D.C. isn't the only place where you will find pillars. Check this out: "I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of truth." 1 Timothy 3:14-15 There's deep meaing…

• 
  Food for the Body, Mind & Soul

• God Gave me the Opportunity.....

  Ms. Salubrious

  25 Oct 2009 | 7:47 pm

  A woman with the nicknames: Ma-ha, Slugger Maroo, Princess, Asbestos Mouth? You may be thinking that people must REALLY disliked her. In all actuality, all these names were given to my Grams out of love. You see, my Grams was the type of person that would just 'grin & bare it'. In other words, a real even-keel individual that you take for granted will be there for you whenever you need her. But, then life gets busy and you tend to overlook keeping atop of those times....... I never quite grasped how fast the time would fly between these two pictures, until the time was no longer…

• Like a Thief in the Night.....

  Ms. Salubrious

  22 Oct 2009 | 6:36 am

  PLEASE PAUSE MUSIC PLAYER INTHE RIGHT COLUMN, BELOW to hear this video! Thank You!!Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be…

• My Grams

  Ms. Salubrious

  9 Oct 2009 | 8:16 pm

  In the past I have always been uncomfortable in discussing death and thinking about death......God is changing me in this respect. He has broken away my inhibitions by completely submerging me in the concept. I have dealt with 2 close deaths so far this year, and will be sadly expecting another one shortly. My mom's mom in January, you can read the full story here: Grandma Has Left Us . The next, quite interestingly, someone whom I had never met, read it here: God's Baby . My third one I'm mournfully anticipating is one of a woman whom I greatly admire, respect and love: My dad's…

• Blessed Be Your Name

  Ms. Salubrious

  6 Oct 2009 | 6:18 pm

  PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO PAUSE THE MUSIC PLAYER, IN THE RIGHT COLUMN, TO HEAR THE VIDEO.I'm sure we could easily find excuses to seperate us from our Savior.....excuses that give rationalization for us not having to submit to Him. Excuses such as cancer, unemployment, infertility, drug & alcohol addictions, depression, disbelief, loss of loved ones, and broken relationships to name a few. Many of us 'deal with' some form of "possible" daily barriers such as these. Barriers to happiness, barriers to God. But what some people have figured out, is that these "barriers" can instead become…

• So You Have The FLU...Now What Do You Do?

  Ms. Salubrious

  4 Oct 2009 | 11:28 am

  PRODUCTS that I would personally take if I came down with Flu symptoms are listed below. It is probably a worthwhile idea to take MORE things to raise the immune system than LESS....simply because the more varied support your body receives, the better it will be able to fight off the invading virus. Some of these are things to be taking regularly beforehand as a preventative, read more in this BLOG posting: Why do People opt out of the Flu Shot & What is Virus Shedding? Natural Fighters include:Vitamin D3 --between 10,000 IU's -15,000 IU's /day for the duration of the illness, then…

• 
  orange county pastor

• 10 Days From Today

  5 Nov 2009 | 4:07 pm

  I will be preaching in our 2 main services at Calvary on November 15th.I am preaching on 1 Timothy 5:1-16.Here is my Title and 2 main points:"What Should the House of God Be Known For?5:1-2: The House of God should be known for the way we treat each other as family.5:3-16: The House of God should be known for the way we exercise compassion towards the helpless among usLord give me wisdom as I prepare.I need you God!!!!

• Owl City

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:58 pm

  I just bought the band Owl City's latest CD, "Ocean Eyes"Does this make me:A. 6 months too lateB. Hip and TrendyC. Hopelessly and awkwardly trying to stay 25

• What If U2 Would Have Been Born in Orange County?

  2 Nov 2009 | 9:58 pm

  Phil Cooke posted an interesting thought on his excellent blog today from a conversation he had with writer Steve Turner. Steve asked Phil, "If the rock band U2 had been born in Orange County, California, would they have become just another church worship band?"Read the rest of the post here and scroll down below to the comment section to read my thoughts.

• The Difficult Side of Leadership

  2 Nov 2009 | 9:43 pm

  Today I had to make a decision that impacted some folks that I really like.They weren't happy at all with my decision.But I knew it was the decision I had to make as I prayed, searched the scriptures and sought counsel from others.This is the painful and difficult side of leadership.Leading people well with integrity and Godliness even when it isn't popular.I pray the Lord continues to give me humility and wisdom in these type of situations.

• Martin Luther Quote

  31 Oct 2009 | 10:50 pm

  "Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave. "Martin Luther (taken from a Noel Piper tweet)

• 
  The Blogging Muse

• Lighthouse Church of All Nations gives away $1000 in cash prizes fill pews every Sunday

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:10 am

  “At each of the three Sunday services, the Rev. Dan Willis of the Lighthouse Church of All Nations, in Alsip, IL. Pulls a number of one seat from a bag and the worshiper in that seat wins a cash prize. Two of the churchgoers win $250 and the third gets $500. The church gives away $1,000 each Sunday, Willis said. Willis concedes the cash prize is a gimmick to fill the pews.” This is wrong in so many ways to me, the Spirit in me was grieved when I read this, but I guess when you run church as a for profit business, spending a $1000 on marketing, gaining you $10,000 in new income (tithes)…

• 1.5 million evangelical Christians join Brazil’s "March for Jesus"

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:08 am

  An estimated 1.5 million evangelical Christians joined Brazil’s annual "March for Jesus" on Monday in Sao Paulp, Brazil, an event sponsored by a church whose leaders recently returned after being imprisoned in the U.S. for money smuggling. Now in its 17th year, the march unites faithful from hundreds of evangelical churches and attracts dozens of Christian bands, preachers and local celebrities. It is organized by the powerful Reborn in Christ Church, whose leaders said they had hoped to draw 5 million people to gather around a central Sao Paulo plaza where the main stage was…

• 2,000 Chinese children have been rescued by police in war against human trafficking.

  28 Oct 2009 | 8:44 am

  In a victory in the war against human trafficking Chinese police have found 2,008 children, ranging from babies to young adults, who were kidnapped from their families. Hundreds of arrests have also been made and 42 suspects were detained last week for allegedly selling 52 children in the north of China. In China’s patriarchal society, baby boys are especially prized, sometimes selling for as much as $6,000 (£3,670), says the BBC’s Quentin Sommerville in Beijing. Girls are sometimes sold for just $500 (£305), he says. Human traffickers also kidnap girls in order to sell them as…

• The Geneva Push? Yet another church planting movement.

  28 Oct 2009 | 7:14 am

  Yes, there is a new a church planting movement, this one in Australia called The Geneva Push? (news story here). I do not quite get the name, what does the name Geneva have to do with Australia anyway, when I saw the name I immediately thought of Geneva Switzerland, as I’m sure most people did. With that said, I must protest, Another church planting movement? I think we have to many now, all I have to say about them is enough, stop already. Speaking as one who has been part of a couple of them, we do not need them, they are just excuses to do nothing. To set around and talk about what we…

• 52 Children rescued, hundreds charged in child prostitution crackdown

  27 Oct 2009 | 12:28 pm

  Federal officials announced Monday that 52 children had been saved and nearly 700 people had been arrested and charged over the past three days in a nationwide crackdown on child prostitution. Officials of the FBI, along with representatives of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and police agencies throughout the country, said the arrests were the results of investigations in 36 cities. Too many still do not believe human trafficking is not only alive and well in the US but is growing daily. Read the full story By Joe Markman / Tribune Washington Bureau Here.

• 
  Trinity Presbyterian Church Podcast

• Loving Your Neighbor in Thought, Word, and Deed

  Pastor Reid Hankins

  1 Nov 2009 | 3:30 pm

  Sermon preached on Deuteronomy 5:19-22 by Rev. W. Reid Hankins during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 11/01/2009 in Novato, CA. Manuscript: Loving Your Neighbor in Thought, Word, and Deed

• Bible Survey – Exodus

  Pastor Reid Hankins

  1 Nov 2009 | 3:22 pm

  Adult Sunday School continued a Bible Survey class led by Rev. W. Reid Hankins at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 11/01/2009 in Novato, CA.  This week we surveyed the book of Exodus.

• Reformation Service 2009

  Pastor Reid Hankins

  26 Oct 2009 | 12:35 am

  This year’s Reformation Service took a special focus on the ministry of reformer John Calvin on the occassion of his 500th birthday who was born July 10, 1509.  The service was held October 25, 2009 at 5:00 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Novato, CA and was co-hosted with Petaluma Community Church.  Rev. Kevin Kirby spoke on the life and legacy of John Calvin.  Rev. W. Reid Hankins preached from Ephesians 1:3-14 on a sermon title “Every Spiritual Blessing.”

• You Shall Not Commit Adultery

  Pastor Reid Hankins

  25 Oct 2009 | 11:39 pm

  Sermon preached on Deuteronomy 5:18 by Rev. W. Reid Hankins during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 10/25/2009 in Novato, CA. Manuscript: You Shall Not Commit Adultery

• Bible Survey – Genesis

  Pastor Reid Hankins

  25 Oct 2009 | 11:35 pm

  Adult Sunday School continued a Bible Survey class led by Rev. W. Reid Hankins at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 10/25/2009 in Novato, CA.  This week we surveyed the book of Genesis.

• 
  Vision Baptist

• Developing the Small Things Opens Great Doors

  gardner@bcwe.org

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:58 am

  1Samuel 16:17-18 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. Amazingly David will soon become the armor bearer for Saul, then kill Goliath, and eventually take over the kingdom. But it all starts when David is sought out and the door is opened because he plays the harp well and has good character. I doubt…

• World Evangelism Today with Chris Gardner #1

  davidvelke

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  Click on the icon below to hear today’s interview with Chris Gardner.

• He lifts us up when we are little in our own sight!

  gardner@bcwe.org

  5 Nov 2009 | 1:28 am

  1Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? Saul has just made one of the biggest mistakes of his life. Earlier he would never have presumed to think that he could make sacrifices and lead worship. Earlier he had hidden himself and had to be sought out. But now God has used him. God has shown His power in and through the life of Saul. Saul is feeling pretty good about himself. He takes too much upon himself and begins to lead worship. This worship was reserved only…

• Ethan Howeth Update 11/4/09 – 6:56 pm

  Trent

  4 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Ethan and his family have made it to the Atlanta Medical Center. He was moved there by ambulance. They are waiting for Ethan to get to his room in the ICU. The purpose of moving Ethan to Atlanta Medical Center was to facilitate the surgeries he will need on his leg. Please, continue to pray for this family. Tomorrow evening Chris Gardner will be preaching for our midweek service. During the service we will take up a special offering for the Howeth family. Please, pray and ask God what He would have you to give. Here is an article taken from Pastor Gardner’s personal blog. He is…

• Update on Ethan Howeth 11/4/09 – 9:52 am

  Trent

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:52 am

  Thank you all for you prayers. Bro. Tony & Mrs. Stacey have been overwhelmed by our churches response. You are a wonderful church family. We are here at the Palmetto Richland Hospital here in Columbia, SC. They are looking at moving here to Charlotte or Atlanta. Here is the latest update from Mark Coffey. Mark has been by Bro. Tony’s side every step of this journey. Literally thousands of people from across America has contacted us asking for more information. This family is greatly loved. Just found out that Ethan Howeth’s vitals are getting better and his blood flow is…

• 
  Pilgrimage of the Heart

• What It's Like to Live in a Leper Colony

  5 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Friend and fellow storyteller Katie Rowland shares that it's like to live in a leper colony with some photos of a visit she and her ministry team paid to a slum in India. According to Katie, the leper colonies are populated by "Untouchables" and outcasts who are filled with despair and fear. At the same time, she attests to how beautiful India is.   Interestingly, leprosy is a disease that can be treated, but many radical Hindus refuse treatment due to a strong belief of karma. The people they encounter are afraid of being reincarnated at a lower social status. Right now, she's on the…

• A Spiritual House-Cleaning Prayer

  4 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Many thanks to my friend Mike who led me and the other guys from the Man Hike this morning in a "spiritual house-cleaning" prayer. We definitely needed it.   I'm passing this along to those of you who need more breakthrough in your life, who need to see God show up in some places where you're wondering if he will, who need to step out in faith and exercise the authority you know you have:   In the name of Jesus who has given men the authority to use his name we ask for protection and holy ground today as we minister to each other.   In the name of Jesus, bring down every…

• How to Get People to Read Your Blog

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  There are all kinds of strategies out there on how to get people to read your blog. There are all sorts of blogs about blogging and SEO and a bunch of other terms involving complex algorithms that may just confuse and frustrate you.   Don't get me wrong -- I love that stuff. It's fun for me to discover new ways to drive traffic to your website. And there are some great resources out there on how to do it.   For instance, you could read this article from the Blog Herald: "How to get Me to Read Your Blog". Or, you could, of course, take a page from blogging master Seth Godin's…

• How to Finance Your Dreams

  2 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Yesterday, I wrote a blog, asking the question, "Is support raising keeping you from your calling?"   Several of you gave some pretty brave responses, both on Twitter and this blog, either admitting that the idea of self-financing your dreams was scary or testifying to God's faithfulness to provide.   I think that it goes without saying that most of us wish we were living more extraordinary lives. And if we didn't have to worry about rent and food, we probably would be.   A friend of mine who just finished a year of missions around the world said that she, like most of the…

• Is Support-Raising Keeping You from Your Calling?

  1 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  As I've alluded to before in previous posts, I'm building a marketing team for Adventures In Missions (AIM), the nonprofit missions organization that I work for. I've been doing this for about a year (we currently have a robust, but understaffed team), and hands down, the number one question I get from job applicants is:   "Do I have to raise support?"   I actually dread answering it. I feel like I have to begin with an apology: "Yes, but..."   As a Christian ministry, we believe that support-raising is an important leap of faith in pursuing God's calling on your life, but it…

• 
  LifeVesting

• Send in the Clowns

  Andy Wood

  6 Nov 2009 | 11:21 pm

  “It seems plausible that folly and fools, like religion and magic, meet some deeply rooted needs in human society.”  -Peter Berger, Redeeming Laughter At a convention, filled with pastors and other very religious people, I was sitting on a shuttle bus going from the parking lot to the convention center.  The bus made a stop, and on hopped Dennis Swanberg – comedian, and then-pastor.  I recognized him, because we’d recently had him as a guest in our church.  Somebody else recognized him too.  A good ol’ boy hollered from the back of the bus, “Hey!  Aren’t you Dennis…

• When Work and Rest Collide

  Andy Wood

  4 Nov 2009 | 8:45 am

  There are two kinds of work – work that drains, and work that energizes. There are two kinds of rest – rest that re-creates, and rest that only adds to the fatigue, loneliness, isolation, or emptiness. None of us were created to work incessantly.  We were all created with a built-in cry for a Sabbath – a rest. Unfortunately, we live in a culture with plenty of instructions for work, and precious few for re-creation. Sometimes the rest is calling, but we can’t answer. So here’s a thought:  If you can’t take the day off and rest, take the day ON and reenergize. If You Enjoyed…

• Life’s a Mystery: The Truth Story of Aunt Ruth

  Andy Wood

  2 Nov 2009 | 1:37 am

  Aunt Ruth was neither my aunt, nor was she named “Ruth.”  Through a set of circumstances I don’t have time to relate, “Aunt Ruth” was what I wound up calling her.  Aunt Ruth had eyes that danced long after her feet were unable to.  She defied aging – said she didn’t have time or sense enough to grow old.  She detested religiosity and people who took themselves too seriously.  “Fuddy Duddy Christians,” she called them.  Aunt Ruth was wise.  Through her sometimes-sharp exterior, she loved me.  And she taught me one of the most important lessons I ever learned. …

• Finding Your Voice

  Andy Wood

  29 Oct 2009 | 10:43 pm

  Laura Kate Wiley is finding her voice. At 17 months, she’s off to a good start. With safe surroundings and a fearless heart, A free spirit and a supportive family, She plays and rests and dreams and wants – Sincerely believing that what she has to say actually matters. She will need these things again and again, As her world evolves and her voice is threatened. Nobody can sing the songs meant for her alone. Again and again, she will have to find her heart with clarity, And express her mind with grace and courage. So will you.  Find your voice. If You Enjoyed This, You May Also Like the…

• Giving Up My Small Ambitions

  Andy Wood

  28 Oct 2009 | 2:11 pm

  Today I give up my small ambitions.  I will give thanks for the pleasures God has designed for me to enjoy, But no longer will I allow my life to be driven by the pursuit of pleasure.  I will no longer sacrifice joy on the altar of happiness.  I will never again measure my success by my ability to escape pain. Today I give up my small ambitions.  I will give thanks for the material blessings God entrusts to me, But no longer will I associate money with happiness.  Never again will I believe the lie that gain is godliness, Or that my worth is measured by what I own.  From this day…

• 
  Shawn Wood Writes...

• Getting Things Done: Review

  ShawnWood

  6 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Getting Things Done – Step 3: Organize from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

• Getting Things Done: Organize

  ShawnWood

  5 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Getting Things Done – Step 3: Organize from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

• Getting Things Done: Process

  ShawnWood

  4 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Getting Things Done – Step 2: Process from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

• Getting Things Done: Collect

  ShawnWood

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Getting Things Done – Step 1: Collect from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

• Getting Things Done: Introduction

  ShawnWood

  2 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Getting Things Done – Introduction from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

• 
  blog.worship.com

• Interview With Matt Redman

  The Editors

  6 Nov 2009 | 3:15 pm

  Bob Kauflin and Matt Redman discuss Matt's new CD entitled We Will Not Be Shaken.  Excerpt: Bob: Themes of God’s sovereignty pervade the songs on this album. Why did you choose to make that focus for this album?Matt: I had a sense that many people right now need re-assurance that God is in control in their lives. So many recent events, particularly economic ones, have reminded us that much of this life and this world is fragile, temporary and changing. We’ve heard so many statistics about mortgage payments defaults and unemployment - but these aren’t just facts and figures - this…

• FaithBook: Churches Use Facebook to Develop Online Congregations

  The Editors

  6 Nov 2009 | 7:56 am

  Inside Facebook notes that "While church-focused Facebook applications have been around for years, now real-life churches across the country are spreading their messages online, giving more people access to worship services and helping the churches reach a broader number of people."

• Rising from the Valley of Death

  The Editors

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

  Steven Curtis Chapman opens up about losing his daughter, their family's arduous journey, and a new album of songs chronicling the path of pain and hope.  Christianity Today. 

• Ask John Piper: Live Wednesday on Twitter

  The Editors

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:22 pm

  Ask Pastor John your questions. Participate in APJ Live on Nov. 4, 8 - 11 AM CT. Submit your questions and comments via Twitter using the hashtag #apj.  Watch live. Remember worship.com is are also on Twitter and facebook.

• How to Identify a Reliable Preacher

  The Editors

  2 Nov 2009 | 7:10 pm

  Our friend Tullian Tchividjian offers biblical insight into making wise decisions regarding the preaching one chooses to listen to. 

• 
  ReelWorship

• I am...

  Caroline

  I am the Technical Co-ordinator for i-church (www.i-church.org), an online Christian community that is rooted in the diocese of Oxford, but has members all over the world, and from many denominations. I am responsible for setting up and maintaining our websites, and also for setting up the resources we use for special projects - Advent and Lent have been the main two in the past year (they can be seen at http://www.i-church.org/adventcalendar/ http://www.i-church.org/publicforums/6lent.php" and http://i-church.org/wpmu/HolyWeek/). Our members contribute to these events, but I am the fallback…

• TheSyncast 62 Ft. Tech N9ne

  SyntaxRecords.Com

  Rapzilla Presents: TheSynCast 62 Host: MaxOne News: Matt Pelishek QJ Update: Jeremiah Bonds Engineer: Shane Newville Studio: Syntax Description: In this episode MaxOne gets down to the nitty grimey with the rapid fire staccato flowing Tech N9ne. Tech give his thoughts on Soulja Boy and the hip hop genre in general. If that isn't enough to get you to listen then you may want to consider this word...."Technology." Playlist: Theory Hazit – “Out With A Bang” (ft. Sharlok Poems) JustMe – “Made Me Think” Precise – “A Way Out” Cas Metah & MotionPlus – “Down Parascope”…

• It's Raining Again

  Dan Benedict

  For 13 of the first 15 days of June it rained here in the Black Hills. In fact, it rained more days in June than it didn't. Yesterday we had hail stones the size of the tip of my thumb and it rained last night as well. And, you guessed it, it's raining again. I remember spending those gloomy Summer days growing up wishing the rain would just quit so I could got outside and have fun. My siblings and I would sing "Rain, Rain, go away, come again some other day" and "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring - He bumped his head and went to bed and never woke up in the morning." That…

• Worship Media and Other Ramblings

  Dan Benedict

  I stumbled on to ReelWorship a month or so ago while looking for free worship media to use on Sunday mornings. I've been the pastor of my church for nine years as of a week or so ago and it took me until April of this year to finally get a video projector and screen installed. I guess some of us are a little slow in that department. I've wanted it for some time but this year we finally had that magical confluence of money, timing, and willingness of leadership that led to the opportunity to install the projector. We're in the midst of a lot of such changes in the church and it's interesting…

• Lakeside 2009

  Robin Hughes

  Tomorrow starts a week that all the teens at our church and other churches in our area look forward to: Lakeside Senior High Institute. I started this blog to post ideas for the interest group my son and I lead on Media and Ministry. Please pray that the campers get the information from us that they need and that what they take back to their churches helps lead others to Christ.

• 
  Reformation21

• Preaching Ephesians

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:38 am

  'What makes a preacher choose any book or passage of the Bible to preach on?' That's the sixty-four thousand dollar question I tend to ask myself on not a few occasions and feel I have to answer to my congregation (usually when I'm beginning a new series). I suppose there is a degree of similarity in that to the mountaineer's question and answer: 'Why climb that mountain? - Because it's there!' The Bible is full of scriptural 'mountains' (some of which feel pretty Himalayan in their proportions and tend to scare us off as preachers), but they're there as part of that 'all Scripture' which is…

• O Day Most Calm, Most Bright

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:20 am

  Theology and literary flair. These days it seems never the twain shall meet. The former often suffers from clunky constructions and idiosyncratic pedantry; but when mixed with the latter, however, it turns sweetly succinct and yet able to ply the heart, catapulting it upward. It's no mistake that the most deeply theological (and thus doxological) portions of sacred Scripture are often the most brief and poetic.Surely examples of literary rich theology exist today; but yesterday the exception was the minister who showed little respect for the written word, for the lovely turn of phrase, who…

• Is Idolatry the New Sin?

  4 Nov 2009 | 8:15 am

  Is Idolatry the New Sin?"Just talk about idolatry and you'll be fine."  A mentor recently offered these words in my presence to a seminary student who was facing an assignment to preach on the topic of sin.  The student's sermon may, indeed, have been "fine" if he followed that suggestion, but the advice struck me as signaling something deeper than a single Sunday pointer.  It struck me as something more comprehensive--more a blanket orientation for today's Sunday preacher, a kind of homiletical compass that, if pointed properly, enables a preacher to navigate toward a…

• Welcome to Wherever You Are

  3 Nov 2009 | 11:46 am

  Anyone who has ever emigrated as an adult to a foreign country will tell you that, while the physical process of moving can be dispatched in a relatively short period of time, the emotional and cultural transition takes much longer and probably never quite comes to an end. For me, the distance from family was difficult at times, but at least it was something that I knew would be part and parcel of the deal.  With cheap phone calls and reasonable transatlantic flights, I probably spend more time in terms of hours at home with my mother now than I have done since graduating from…

• Lloyd Jones: Messenger of Grace

  2 Nov 2009 | 6:25 am

  Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of GraceBy Iain Murray274 p.Banner of Truth (May 2008)The Lord Jesus Christ has gifted his church with teachers and preachers in the past and for that we are truly grateful.  One, whose writings I first came into contact with twenty-two years ago, was the late Dr. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones.  Upon acquainting myself with his Preachers and Preaching (Grand Rapids:  Zondervan, 1972) and several of the volumes in his sermon series on Romans (Carlisle:  Banner of Truth, 1985-2003), I was bitten by the "Doctor's" doctrinal preaching.  His was a…

• 
  Kingdom Calling Advisors

• Can Our Economy Improve?

  Wes Bridel

  6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  Who’s going to do the buying that will propel economic growth moving forward? Yesterday, we spoke about both of the dire realities of our economy and the glimmers of hope.  The question is: Can things improve? The US has a lot going for it.  We have a country with a history of freedom and opportunity where anyone is free to accomplish anything  they put their mind to.  So yes, the American people’s entrepreneurial spirit should never be doubted as a force for economic expansion.  However, there are definitely a couple factors of concern to look at. The US Consumer is tapped out and…

• What’s the Outlook for the US Economy?

  Wes Bridel

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  Where are we going? We’ve covered the spiritual side of what’s about to happen (over the next decade) in this country, and now we’ll begin a series looking at the financial basis for this. Spiritual realities and truths are always controlling physical events, but you can see signs in the physical events themselves. Actually, God very often teaches us through natural events and realities (Romans 1:20). If you pay attention to the news, you’ve seen over the last week or two “signs” here and there that the economy is improving. This has been the ebb and flow of the economy for…

• Turning Toward God in Crises

  Wes Bridel

  4 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  For several days, we’ve talked about the economic storm that is coming to hit this country (and most of the world). We’ve covered some of the effects that this will have on the world and on the Body of Christ. The last thing we’ll talk about in this series is the effect it will have on non-believers. If you’d like to know more of the reason why and what this storm will look like – sign up for our newsletter. I believe many people will be saved through these times. I came to Christ in a different way, but many come to Christ through suffering. They get to the end of their rope…

• The Praise of Daniel

  Wes Bridel

  3 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  A Storm is Coming that is far worse than anyone understands. Yesterday, we spoke about how you as a follower of Christ should prepare. Today, we’re going to briefly look at the Praise that Daniel gave when God gave him the dream which brought him favor with the king. If you’d like to know more about this coming storm, sign up for the free newsletter here. The following is the Praise of Daniel interspersed with a few comments for us to keep in mind during the times ahead. “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. (Daniel 2:20) Daniel’s focus is on…

• How Do We Handle This Coming Economic Storm?

  Wes Bridel

  2 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  What will your response be to the coming storm? We’ve spent the last couple days talking about the removing of God’s royal authority from the United States and what this will mean for the Body of Christ. These are spiritual things, if you’d like a more concrete economic understanding of what’s going on and what’s about to happen – you can read the Coming Storm or sign up for our newsletter to get even more information on this. Today, we’re going to look at how you, as a follower of Christ, should respond in these times and at the incredible blessings that will come with…

• 
  exegeek::godmatic

• What is Faith?

  Jeremymcnabb

  2 Nov 2009 | 7:45 pm

  Guest Blogger: Greg Stokley The question of faith is ever present in our Christian walk. In a sense, it is a defining characteristic of such. Yet, often times we ask ourselves and others this question: “What is faith?” By no means is the concept and action of faith easy to define, or even grasp for that matter. This question was asked of those of us who were in Dr. Skip Jenkins’s Intro to Theology class. We were asked to give the first thing that came to mind whenever Skip asked what faith is. The responses were many and scattered across a broad spectrum.             Some…

• A Weather Update

  Jeremymcnabb

  1 Nov 2009 | 5:54 pm

  On October 14th, I ran a news update about Amazing Grace Baptist Church, who planned on spending their Halloween burning evil and Satanic books…you know, like the NIV bible and Billy Graham’s Just As I Am. My friend Jordan just shared the weather report, found here. Heavy wind and rain. Share and Enjoy:

• Monsters In The Pew

  Jeremymcnabb

  29 Oct 2009 | 10:00 am

  Victorian literature has more original monsters that any other literary period. Modern tales, even those written by the likes of Stephen King, lack the never-before quality that you find in the nineteenth century. And while they’re quite numerous, most of today’s movie monsters are alike in some way. They’re demons, or angry ghosts, or vampires, or mutants. Where are all the one-off, one-of-a-kind creatures that were written about before the turn of the century? Frankenstein was nothing like Dracula; Dracula nothing like Mr. Hyde; Mr. Hyde nothing like the Invisible Man except…

• The Door Says Pull.

  Jeremymcnabb

  28 Oct 2009 | 7:55 pm

  Imagine the scene on a Sunday morning. Its 10:31 AM, exactly one minute after the worship service has started. Outside of the building, there’s a line of people—short, tall, emo, redneck, thug, young, old, black, blue, tanned, pasty, crazy, and sane—the first person is pressed fatally into the pane of glass. His eyes have rolled back in his head, his tongue is hanging out. The only reason he’s even standing is because the second guy in line is pressed firmly up against him, waiting for his spine to snap under the pressure of the girl being crushed into his back. Tracking backwards, we…

• The Exegeeks – 10.26.09

  Jeremymcnabb

  26 Oct 2009 | 7:26 pm

  LMAO Art – Copyright Carissa Hartlaub 2009, Original work View Carissa’s work HERE. Share and Enjoy:

• 
  AGBM Blog

• Rick Clark's Mother With the Lord

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:37 am

  Word has been received of the death of Patricia Bush, mother of Rick Clark, former pastor of the Pike Grace Brethren Church in Johnstown, Pa.Rick writes: My mother fell 2 weeks ago and broke her neck. She was a quadriplegic. She had many challenges ahead. Tuesday morning (November 3) she went home to be with the Lord. She grew up and was saved and baptized at the Vicksburg GBC and was a member for many years at Leamersville GBC when my brothers and I were growing up.The viewing will be Friday (November 6) from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Leslie-Miller Funeral home in Claysburg and the funeral will be…

• Mother of Dan Ramsey, Nancy Kennedy, Dies

  2 Nov 2009 | 9:28 am

  Sympathies are expressed to Grace Brethren pastor Dan Ramsey (Grace Church, Loveland, Ohio) and Nancy Kennedy, wife of Pastor Dave Kennedy (Community of Grace, Richmond, Va.) on the death of their mother, Virginia Lois Ramsey, of Cincinnati, Ohio, a long-time member of the Grace Brethren Church, Canton, Ohio.She is also survived by her husband, Richard, of Cincinnati, and another daughter, Ann (Andrew) Ramsey-Moor of Ellicott City, Md.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and brothers Harvey Lesh Jr. of Maine and Don Lesh of North Carolina.Services were held October 29 at the…

• Prayer Requested for Lee Dice

  27 Oct 2009 | 12:05 pm

  Please pray for Pastor Lee and Reva Dice. Lee has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and needs your prayers for God’s wisdom, comfort, peace, and perfect will to be done.Lee most recently served as associate pastor at the Grace Brethren Church of Wooster, Ohio, but has also served as senior pastor in churches in Pennsylvania and Indiana. He will also be recognized by many pastors because of his faithful role as secretary for the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers. As expected, Lee and Reva have handled the news with great faith, filled with their steadfast hope in Jesus…

• Lexington, OH, Seeks Family Ministries Pastor

  15 Oct 2009 | 12:39 pm

  Associate Pastor of Family Ministries The Grace Brethren Church of Lexington, Ohio, is looking for an Associate Pastor of Family Ministries to oversee ministries to our youth and children. Our average attendance on Sunday morning is roughly 150. The youth group currently consists of about 25 teenagers representing families inside and outside the church. Our children's ministry currently consists of Sunday School as well as a flourishing AWANA ministry that draws children and families from outside of the church. Any interested candidates may contact Pastor Jason Carmean for more information at…

• Larry Richeson Hospitalized

  2 Oct 2009 | 6:29 am

  Jim Franklin, pastor of the Flora, Ind., Grace Brethren Church sent this message yesterday evening.Pastor Larry Richeson of Indian Heights GBC has been admitted to Howard Community Hospital in Kokomo IN. His blood pressure is very high and the docs want to get it under control. Larry had some routine tests done today. Please pray for Larry and his wife, Norma.Update: As of late this afternoon, Larry was scheduled to be discharged, pending lab results. Continue to pray for the Richesons during this time.Update (October 7, 2009): Larry has reported all is well with his blood pressure, but when…

• 
  The Project

• What Is Poverty?

  Cory

  5 Nov 2009 | 6:22 am

  Interesting perspective on poverty: [If you cannot see the embedded video, click here to view it]

• Machine Gun Preacher

  Cory

  3 Nov 2009 | 10:05 pm

  Love it or hate it, but you’ve likely never seen anything like it… http://www.machinegunpreacher.org/

• “Change the World” Mondays (12)

  Cory

  2 Nov 2009 | 4:37 am

  Look cool and make a difference ‘They Thank You‘ is a clothing label that puts focus on what they believe is important. From their website: “The label was born in Sydney, Australia in September 2008 and since then has matured into a fashion label with a difference. Everything that we do as a label is for people, ALL people, and for you – because people are more important than money. Our cotton is sourced from Fairtrade Certified organic farms where a fair price is paid to farmers and pesticide-free methods preserve the people’s health and land for future farming.

• Things I’m Learning…

  Cory

  29 Oct 2009 | 2:03 am

  That God created the world because love requires expression. That the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil was the first representation of free will. That there can be no true obedience from the heart unless there is the freedom to disobey. That sin is a degenerate condition on humanity. That God has chosen to deal with humanity in different ways throughout history. That numbers like 12, 30 and 40 have mysterious significance throughout the bible. That light existed before the sun. That the second-born male usually received the inheritance. That your name used to define you. That those who…

• The Drifter

  Cory

  27 Oct 2009 | 12:36 am

  Pretty sweet looking new film from one of my favourite surfers back in the day, Rob Machado. Check out the trailer: http://www.thedriftermovie.com/ [If you cannot see the embedded video, click here to view it]

• 
  Connecting to Impact

• An Update & an Encouragement

  6 Nov 2009 | 9:41 am

  If it's possible to be extremely pumped and extremely tired, I'm there. It's so good to be here in Oklahoma for the ICLC conference.  It's good to be able to receive, get filled up, and know that God has a purpose in all of it. I heard a message last night from a brother who echoed a famous Winston Churchill speech that consisted of five words to the students he was asked to address. Never, never, never, never give up  What God has for each of us individually and corporately is worth standing and fighting for.  I find myself echoing the words and heart of…

• So You Think You Can Dance

  5 Nov 2009 | 5:12 am

  I’m sitting in the Seattle, WA airport writing this—humbled and blessed as I contemplate these things. I’ll start off by saying I’m not much of a dancer.  If you don’t count the jumping up and down thing I have done at church (yep, I’m one of those!), I have shaken my money-maker only a couple times in public.  The rest has been with my wife and family and mostly pretty silly. That said, the other day as I was driving to work and praying I had this picture flash before me.  It was a child and a dad, dancing.  I know from firsthand experience how wonderful this…

• The Everday Testimony Project is here!

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:14 am

  Today I'm on planes all day as I head to Oklahoma for a conference for leaders in our network of churches. I'm expecting great things as God speaks and meets us. It's a short trip, but I know it will be a fruitful one of recharging and seeking Him. A few days I told you about a project I was working on with the purpose of seeing God's people cultivate thankfulness.  I've called it the Everyday Testimony Project. It's a place to share the everyday miracles in our lives and encourage one another with our testimonies of God's faithfulness.  I love hearing people's stories, getting to…

• First Thing to Remember

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:59 am

  This post is part of a blog carnival where we all write about “Remember.”  The honors of hosting go to Peter Pollock of Rediscovering the Church, and I encourage you to check out all the entries as well as Peter’s great blog (if you’ve never done so). How can something so simple be so hard?  “Just remember… Don’t forget…” I probably tell my kids a hundred times a day these words or something similar.  They need to remember to put their shoes away when they come in the house.  Remember to work on your homework.  Don’t forget to feed your guinea…

• To Sow, To Reap

  2 Nov 2009 | 8:36 am

  Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6). Do you always sow intentionally expecting?  Sometimes I give of myself, time, resources, money, whatever without even contemplating that I’m sowing seed and that seed will produce a harvest.  I often think of it that way when I’m preaching because I can’t control how someone receives or doesn’t receive what I feel God is saying on a given day, all I can do is sow the seed and trust the God of the process. I've been thinking recently…

• 
  Family Research Council Blog

• How the Health Bill Funds Abortion

  David Christensen

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:46 pm

  The Health Care bill will fund abortion because of the Capps amendment. The supposed “Ellsworth” compromise would not prevent the public option from funding abortion, but would have the exact same effect of government funding of abortion. Because of confusing accounting gimmicks, this flow-chart may help you understand how the public option would fund elective abortion: [Click here for a full-size PDF version of the graphic]

• Perkins on Point: November 6, 2009

  Tony Perkins

  6 Nov 2009 | 12:02 pm

• Inheritance of Debt

  Jared Bridges

  4 Nov 2009 | 5:54 am

  FRC’s new ad, “Inheritance of Debt”: Transcript: ATTORNEY: My sincere condolences upon the passing of your loved one. Upon review of the will, your grandfather has bequeathed to you, this stack of bills! NARRATOR: Our government’s irresponsible programs will leave our country buried under 9 trilliion dollars in new spending with no plans for payment, shackling our children with an inheritance of debt. Family Research Council is responsible for the content of this advertising. Watch our other ad here, and help us air this ad by contributing here.

• Frequent Church Attendance = Pride in Work

  Michael Leaser

  3 Nov 2009 | 1:31 pm

  In the latest Mapping America, the General Social Surveys show that adults who attend religious services at least monthly are the most likely to be proud of the type of work they do.

• Live Webcast Tonight – Government Takeover of Healthcare: Counting the Cost

  Jared Bridges

  3 Nov 2009 | 5:07 am

  Be sure to tune in tonight at 8:30 p.m. EST for the live video webcast of “Government Takeover of Health Care: Counting the Cost.” We’ve invited Members of Congress, financial analysts, and FRC policy experts to join us live at our Washington, D.C. headquarters to help us assess this bill as Congress prepares to vote this week. Participants include: Host: Tony Perkins, President, FRC Action Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) Congressman Charles Boustany, M.D. (R-La.) Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) Douglas Johnson, Legislative Director, National Right to Life Karen Steward,…

• 
  michael d. miller

• millerisms56: Going once going twice A Publisher's Confession! http://michaeldmiller.wordpress.com/

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:42 pm

  millerisms56: Going once going twice A Publisher's Confession! http://michaeldmiller.wordpress.com/

• millerisms56: Ths @bpfrank for the opportunity to be with BBC pastors @TimJBrady @jmharrison are just part of a great team of leaders!!!!!

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:27 pm

  millerisms56: Ths @bpfrank for the opportunity to be with BBC pastors @TimJBrady @jmharrison are just part of a great team of leaders!!!!!

• millerisms56: November is national adoption month!!! http://tinyurl.com/ybyzz9q

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:24 pm

  millerisms56: November is national adoption month!!! http://tinyurl.com/ybyzz9q

• millerisms56: A good day of meetings with some young leaders in North Carolina doing some good Kingdom work! Headed home to COS tomorrow and ready for it

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:01 pm

  millerisms56: A good day of meetings with some young leaders in North Carolina doing some good Kingdom work! Headed home to COS tomorrow and ready for it

• millerisms56: Very good meeting with some amazing church leaders in North Carolina. God has truly blessed the work they are doing!!!

  5 Nov 2009 | 4:13 pm

  millerisms56: Very good meeting with some amazing church leaders in North Carolina. God has truly blessed the work they are doing!!!

• 
  Terry Storch

• TerryStorch: #Droid is a very nice device. AndroidOS is awesome! I LOVE the competition for iPhone...but no #droid for me yet.

  6 Nov 2009 | 7:23 pm

  TerryStorch: #Droid is a very nice device. AndroidOS is awesome! I LOVE the competition for iPhone...but no #droid for me yet.

• TerryStorch: Dinner with the family b — at Pei Wei http://gowal.la/s/8ev

  6 Nov 2009 | 4:10 pm

  TerryStorch: Dinner with the family b — at Pei Wei http://gowal.la/s/8ev

• TerryStorch: Anyone bought a new Verizon Eris device? @reply me...would like you to check something for @youversion. Thx!

  6 Nov 2009 | 3:29 pm

  TerryStorch: Anyone bought a new Verizon Eris device? @reply me...would like you to check something for @youversion. Thx!

• TerryStorch: RT @youversion: The Bible Lands on Droid! http://is.gd/4P5NX #youversion

  6 Nov 2009 | 12:32 pm

  TerryStorch: RT @youversion: The Bible Lands on Droid! http://is.gd/4P5NX #youversion

• TerryStorch: No sweat...on the plane, but not time for a coffee stop. — at DEN Denver International Airport http://gowal.la/s/7UY

  6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

  TerryStorch: No sweat...on the plane, but not time for a coffee stop. — at DEN Denver International Airport http://gowal.la/s/7UY

• 
  Brad Powell

• bradpowell: Just posted a video on my blog about my new series "Broke." http://bit.ly/trYpK

  6 Nov 2009 | 12:11 pm

  bradpowell: Just posted a video on my blog about my new series "Broke." http://bit.ly/trYpK

• bradpowell: @BobDoro Sadly, many misunderstand faith...think it's the opposite of thinking. Reality...genuine faith requires good thinking.

  6 Nov 2009 | 10:26 am

  bradpowell: @BobDoro Sadly, many misunderstand faith...think it's the opposite of thinking. Reality...genuine faith requires good thinking.

• bradpowell: Speaking at Church of God conference in Lansing today & tomorrow before kicking off new series at NRC! What a privilege!

  6 Nov 2009 | 8:06 am

  bradpowell: Speaking at Church of God conference in Lansing today & tomorrow before kicking off new series at NRC! What a privilege!

• bradpowell: Praying for all those whose lives are being turned upside down by the tragedy at Fort Hood today.

  5 Nov 2009 | 3:54 pm

  bradpowell: Praying for all those whose lives are being turned upside down by the tragedy at Fort Hood today.

• bradpowell: