Here is a link for a free leadership e-book put together by Exponential network
http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/docs/leadershiplearnings-V1.pdf
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Dreams
Like a dream come true
That's the way Derek Sivers (founder of CDBaby) described his mission statement in building the company. "What could I build that would be a like a dream come true for independent musicians?"
What an extraordinarily universal way to construct a product, a service or a business. Notice that dreams are rarely "within reason" or "under the circumstances." No, dreams are dreams. If your business is a dream come true for customers, you win. Game over.
Too often, I hear about businesses that just might be a dream come true for their owners, but hardly for the people they seek to recruit or the customers they hope to snare. What do your prospects dream of? What would get them to wait in line?
from http://sethgodin.typepad.com
That's the way Derek Sivers (founder of CDBaby) described his mission statement in building the company. "What could I build that would be a like a dream come true for independent musicians?"
What an extraordinarily universal way to construct a product, a service or a business. Notice that dreams are rarely "within reason" or "under the circumstances." No, dreams are dreams. If your business is a dream come true for customers, you win. Game over.
Too often, I hear about businesses that just might be a dream come true for their owners, but hardly for the people they seek to recruit or the customers they hope to snare. What do your prospects dream of? What would get them to wait in line?
from http://sethgodin.typepad.com
Thursday, February 05, 2009
A New Kind of Conversation
“A New Kind of Conversation: Blogging Toward A Postmodern Faith” edited by Myron Bradley Penner & Hunter Barnes is an attempt to be more of a conversation than just a book. One of the contributors offers a blog on a certain subject then it was open for comments by other bloggers the result is this book. They have succeeded, for there were times I wanted to jump up and respond to some of the comments, but then realizing the book is already written. :(
Blog 1 is an attempt to define what ‘postmodernism’ is. One of the bloggers suggest, which I agree, a better question than ‘what is postmodernism?’ would be “Why is There Postmodernism?”
He then offers 2 reasons 1) Being in our day of pluralism there are so many voices no one is sure what the truth is. One of the points being brought out that with so many groups living by different worldviews that have seemed violent and dangerous (including Christians eg. The Crusades) how are we to live?
I would answer that question by saying we live by love. Not a self-promoting, ulterior motive type of love but a love that only God can put in our hearts. A love that truly seeks the best for the other person, by doing to/for them what we would want them to do to/for us.
2) There is a distrust of accepted sources of authority and truth. He uses one example of children of divorce, saying that kids, though they may not be able to express it verbally, down deep they feel they have been wronged. And if those who are suppose to be faithful to you let you down, then whom can you really trust and believe?
I feel the church has failed to really see the seriousness of divorce on children and how that effects how we do church today. We get all excited and upset about homosexual marriage etc.and yet seem strangely silent on divorce.
On the blog ‘The Bible, Theology, and Postmodernism’ The conversation turned toward discerning heresy. I liked what one of the bloggers said if the community is in loving obedience then heresy will be unheard of. The obedient community will be a check on heresy.
And marginal voices are to be heard with humility, patience and love.
I was reminded of John Wesley’s ‘Quadrilateral’, in which he uses 4 sources in coming to theological conclusions. Any new teaching must be measured by each of these sources.
1) Scripture- the Old and New Testaments
2) Tradition- What does 2000 years of the history of the Church have to say
3) Reason- rational thinking and sensible interpretation
4) Experience- What does a persons personal and communal journey in Christ suggest
Using these 4 sources seems like a good way to stay clear of heresy or unorthodox teaching.
Blog 5 “Evangelical Faith and (Postmodern) Others” dealt with how our faith will be viewed by others outside of our Western, North American context. A problem that we need to admit is that we tend to interpret scriptures according to our own North American perspective, then we want to apply that to all people in all nations, cultures etc.
I think specifically even of our interpretations of the ‘last days’. We tend to have tunnel vision, in thinking that everything the Bible talks about the last days revolves around the United States (us). Eg. We look at the church in America and say “there is a great falling away” and yet fail to realize that in places like China, the church is thriving.
In the final chapters (blogs) the issues of apologetics (or how to reach postmodern people) and spiritual formation was covered. How do we reach them? Primarily by loving them. How will their spiritual growth be measured? Not by their attendance to our church programs and activities but by their ‘Christlikness’
Blog 1 is an attempt to define what ‘postmodernism’ is. One of the bloggers suggest, which I agree, a better question than ‘what is postmodernism?’ would be “Why is There Postmodernism?”
He then offers 2 reasons 1) Being in our day of pluralism there are so many voices no one is sure what the truth is. One of the points being brought out that with so many groups living by different worldviews that have seemed violent and dangerous (including Christians eg. The Crusades) how are we to live?
I would answer that question by saying we live by love. Not a self-promoting, ulterior motive type of love but a love that only God can put in our hearts. A love that truly seeks the best for the other person, by doing to/for them what we would want them to do to/for us.
2) There is a distrust of accepted sources of authority and truth. He uses one example of children of divorce, saying that kids, though they may not be able to express it verbally, down deep they feel they have been wronged. And if those who are suppose to be faithful to you let you down, then whom can you really trust and believe?
I feel the church has failed to really see the seriousness of divorce on children and how that effects how we do church today. We get all excited and upset about homosexual marriage etc.and yet seem strangely silent on divorce.
On the blog ‘The Bible, Theology, and Postmodernism’ The conversation turned toward discerning heresy. I liked what one of the bloggers said if the community is in loving obedience then heresy will be unheard of. The obedient community will be a check on heresy.
And marginal voices are to be heard with humility, patience and love.
I was reminded of John Wesley’s ‘Quadrilateral’, in which he uses 4 sources in coming to theological conclusions. Any new teaching must be measured by each of these sources.
1) Scripture- the Old and New Testaments
2) Tradition- What does 2000 years of the history of the Church have to say
3) Reason- rational thinking and sensible interpretation
4) Experience- What does a persons personal and communal journey in Christ suggest
Using these 4 sources seems like a good way to stay clear of heresy or unorthodox teaching.
Blog 5 “Evangelical Faith and (Postmodern) Others” dealt with how our faith will be viewed by others outside of our Western, North American context. A problem that we need to admit is that we tend to interpret scriptures according to our own North American perspective, then we want to apply that to all people in all nations, cultures etc.
I think specifically even of our interpretations of the ‘last days’. We tend to have tunnel vision, in thinking that everything the Bible talks about the last days revolves around the United States (us). Eg. We look at the church in America and say “there is a great falling away” and yet fail to realize that in places like China, the church is thriving.
In the final chapters (blogs) the issues of apologetics (or how to reach postmodern people) and spiritual formation was covered. How do we reach them? Primarily by loving them. How will their spiritual growth be measured? Not by their attendance to our church programs and activities but by their ‘Christlikness’
Campfire Lesson
Sitting around the campfire last night, I was reminded of a lesson I was taught in Fire Academy.Things do not burn. The wood pallets thrown on the fire do not burn. What actually happens is that the wood reaches its ignition point, the molecules freak out and start to break down, in the process the item turns to vapor and it is this vapor that actually burns (this can be plainly seen by looking closesly at the wick of a burning candle, you will see that the flame is actually not touching the wick).
As Christians, have we reached our ignition point, or are we still cold? Are we on fire for Christ in such a way that we are releasing His "vapor"? Is our relationship with Him evident to those around us, because we are emitting the love of Christ, and things of the Kingdom?
taken from www.experienceshift.blogspot.com
As Christians, have we reached our ignition point, or are we still cold? Are we on fire for Christ in such a way that we are releasing His "vapor"? Is our relationship with Him evident to those around us, because we are emitting the love of Christ, and things of the Kingdom?
taken from www.experienceshift.blogspot.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What marketers actually sell
Not powder or chemicals or rubber or steel or silicon or talk or installations or even sugary water.
What marketers sell is hope.
The reason is simple: people need more. We run out. We need it replenished. Hope is almost always in short supply.
The magical thing about selling hope is that it makes everything else work better, every day get better, every project work better, every relationship feel better.
If you can actually deliver on the hope you sell, there will be a line out the door.
Hope cures cynicism. Hope increases productivity. Hope needs no justification.
Taken from www.sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/
What marketers sell is hope.
The reason is simple: people need more. We run out. We need it replenished. Hope is almost always in short supply.
The magical thing about selling hope is that it makes everything else work better, every day get better, every project work better, every relationship feel better.
If you can actually deliver on the hope you sell, there will be a line out the door.
Hope cures cynicism. Hope increases productivity. Hope needs no justification.
Taken from www.sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Mind Boggling
President elect Obama is talking about a $1,000,000,000,000 debt (1 trillion).
A number we can't really grasp. Though this might help...
1 trillion seconds is 31,000 years.
yikes!
A number we can't really grasp. Though this might help...
1 trillion seconds is 31,000 years.
yikes!
Monday, January 05, 2009
Friday Movie Night
On Friday nights during the month of January we will be having a Family Movie Night.
This Friday night (the 9th) we will be watching Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe
Next Friday, on the 16th, we will watch "Prince Caspian"
Show time is 7:00pm. Admission is free and we would like everyone to join us. There will be popcorn and drinks and you can even come in your pj's
This Friday night (the 9th) we will be watching Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe
Next Friday, on the 16th, we will watch "Prince Caspian"
Show time is 7:00pm. Admission is free and we would like everyone to join us. There will be popcorn and drinks and you can even come in your pj's
New Years' Quote
I came across this quote from Francis of Assisi, which he said to the brothers at the end of his life. I thought it was a good thought to begin the New Year with.
“Let us begin again,
for as yet we have done nothing.”
“Let us begin again,
for as yet we have done nothing.”
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Is the US the beast of Revelation?
An interesting article in “Gods Politics’ blog titled, “Numbers That Mark the Beast”
The writer says,
The Bible isn’t concerned with empire. The Bible takes empire for granted. Humans gather, accumulate, and seek security for themselves and their group. The Bible’s intro (Genesis 1-11) culminates with humans securing a name for themselves. This is the Bible’s way of saying that people will build empires.
The biblical question isn’t if empires should arise but how to manage them once they have. Do they uphold justice or do they preserve privilege at the expense of the weak? Are they built on the backs of the poor or do they distribute blessings abroad?
When enough power is secured that sovereignty can’t be challenged and justice for the weak is denied, the Bible doesn’t call that empire. In biblical language, such a distortion of human community is called a Beast.
And the Bible has special numbers for Beasts.
The writer ask if the U.S. could be considered a Beast. He uses the $700 billion dollar bail out v $600 billion, global giving to Africa since 1960.
You can find the article at
http://www.sojo.net/blog/godspolitics/?p=4781&continue
The writer says,
The Bible isn’t concerned with empire. The Bible takes empire for granted. Humans gather, accumulate, and seek security for themselves and their group. The Bible’s intro (Genesis 1-11) culminates with humans securing a name for themselves. This is the Bible’s way of saying that people will build empires.
The biblical question isn’t if empires should arise but how to manage them once they have. Do they uphold justice or do they preserve privilege at the expense of the weak? Are they built on the backs of the poor or do they distribute blessings abroad?
When enough power is secured that sovereignty can’t be challenged and justice for the weak is denied, the Bible doesn’t call that empire. In biblical language, such a distortion of human community is called a Beast.
And the Bible has special numbers for Beasts.
The writer ask if the U.S. could be considered a Beast. He uses the $700 billion dollar bail out v $600 billion, global giving to Africa since 1960.
You can find the article at
http://www.sojo.net/blog/godspolitics/?p=4781&continue
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Whatever happened to 'Merry Christmas'?
The last few years there has been a debate (in courts, the media etc) about wishing people a 'Merry Christmas", or so not to offend anyone, "Happy Holidays" when checking out at department stores etc....This year I have noticed that no one says anything. They dont tell you to have a 'merry Christmas' nor have a 'happy holiday'. It is just 'Thank You' or as the Salvation Army kettle man, in front of our neighborhood Wal-Mart, told me today, "Have a nice day".
What is wrong with us? Are we becoming a nation of lunatics or what?
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
God Bless
What is wrong with us? Are we becoming a nation of lunatics or what?
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
God Bless
If God Disappears
In the book, “If God Disappears” David Sanford gives 9 things we can do when crisis, trials, troubles, doubts etc. try to shake our faith.
1. Telling my story to a friend who knows God- sharing my bad experience can help me work through it.
2. Cultivating relationships of humility, trust and submission- Be willing to submit to the advice and counsel of other people. Don’t be a know it all
3. Being courageous enough to make choices based on the truth- Do the right thing regardless of how we feel
4. Experiencing the power of love with grace- Don’t let your feelings of hurt or anger control your actions
5. Reclaiming Gods promises even if I have to wait- Be patient. God will come through.
6. Asking questions, wrestling with doubt and embracing hope. God encourages questions and doubts from a honest and seeking heart.
7. Seeing God as He is and believing that he is working behind the scenes. Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for the good to those who love God and to those called according to His purpose.
A good verse to have memorized.
8. Rediscovering Gods ideal and allowing him to write a vibrant new script to your life. God is the God of second chances (also third, forth, fifth etc. chances)
9. Awakening to our calling as God’s new prophets to the church. Let God speak through you even if/when you are hurt by a church.
1. Telling my story to a friend who knows God- sharing my bad experience can help me work through it.
2. Cultivating relationships of humility, trust and submission- Be willing to submit to the advice and counsel of other people. Don’t be a know it all
3. Being courageous enough to make choices based on the truth- Do the right thing regardless of how we feel
4. Experiencing the power of love with grace- Don’t let your feelings of hurt or anger control your actions
5. Reclaiming Gods promises even if I have to wait- Be patient. God will come through.
6. Asking questions, wrestling with doubt and embracing hope. God encourages questions and doubts from a honest and seeking heart.
7. Seeing God as He is and believing that he is working behind the scenes. Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for the good to those who love God and to those called according to His purpose.
A good verse to have memorized.
8. Rediscovering Gods ideal and allowing him to write a vibrant new script to your life. God is the God of second chances (also third, forth, fifth etc. chances)
9. Awakening to our calling as God’s new prophets to the church. Let God speak through you even if/when you are hurt by a church.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Justice, Human Rights and Kingdom Mission
I have just finished reading the book “On the Side of the Angels” by Dr. Joseph D’Souza and Benedict Rogers, a book that deals with Justice, Human Rights and Kingdom Mission.
They begin by emphasizing that the basic human right for everyone is the right to life. Without the right to life all others rights are non-existent.
There emphasis is a need not just for social action, giving money, but also standing against the evil in social structures. One of their emphases is that Jesus accepted everyone. That is he treated everyone the same: the sick, elderly, woman, and the disenfranchised.
They suggest that we join with other religions in trying to change evil social structures and even suggest that violence may be a last (though a very last) resort in some situations. They cite Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an example. Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor during WW2, who was eventually killed for his plans to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
There are 2 forms of advocacy: private and public, which include prayer, protest (letter writing and demonstration) and provision.
They conclude with the words of a song that says:
I will speak out for those who have no voices.
I will stand up for the rights of all the oppressed.
I will speak truth and justice.
I’ll defend the poor and the needy
I will lift up the weak in Jesus name.
I will speak out for those who have no choices.
I will cry out for those who live without love.
I will show God’s compassion to the crushed and broken in spirit.
I will lift up the weak in Jesus name.
This book was a good and easy read with a lot of contemporary examples of what others are doing along the line of social advocacy.
2 things came to me as I was reading
1.) I feel social action is limited because of our failure to see it. The adage, ‘out of sight out of mind’ plays a part in this. With all of our technology this should not be a problem. I try to encourage the missionaries that come our way to get a video camera and video the work they are doing and send the video to the churches. That will help them to get a feel for what the missionary is doing and also help in raising the funds for the work that is needed. Real moving pictures of hurting people from people we actually know may have a great impact upon our social action.
2) The devil does not want us to love everyone, and I feel he will use anything to cause us not to accept or love other people. With the crime that is affiliated with our neighborhood, it is easy to become cynical and even fearful of those we meet. Personally I do not want to know and encourage others not to tell me who the drug dealers and users are, who the sexual predators are (or have been), who the ones are that are causing trouble. That knowledge does no good other than to tempt us not to love or accept certain people.
To be like Jesus we must love those who are dirty, sick, retired, those who have no jobs and aren’t interested in finding a job, the teens that walk our streets, the druggies, the drunks and any other than may seem to be obnoxious to us. Anything less is most unlike Christ.
They begin by emphasizing that the basic human right for everyone is the right to life. Without the right to life all others rights are non-existent.
There emphasis is a need not just for social action, giving money, but also standing against the evil in social structures. One of their emphases is that Jesus accepted everyone. That is he treated everyone the same: the sick, elderly, woman, and the disenfranchised.
They suggest that we join with other religions in trying to change evil social structures and even suggest that violence may be a last (though a very last) resort in some situations. They cite Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an example. Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor during WW2, who was eventually killed for his plans to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
There are 2 forms of advocacy: private and public, which include prayer, protest (letter writing and demonstration) and provision.
They conclude with the words of a song that says:
I will speak out for those who have no voices.
I will stand up for the rights of all the oppressed.
I will speak truth and justice.
I’ll defend the poor and the needy
I will lift up the weak in Jesus name.
I will speak out for those who have no choices.
I will cry out for those who live without love.
I will show God’s compassion to the crushed and broken in spirit.
I will lift up the weak in Jesus name.
This book was a good and easy read with a lot of contemporary examples of what others are doing along the line of social advocacy.
2 things came to me as I was reading
1.) I feel social action is limited because of our failure to see it. The adage, ‘out of sight out of mind’ plays a part in this. With all of our technology this should not be a problem. I try to encourage the missionaries that come our way to get a video camera and video the work they are doing and send the video to the churches. That will help them to get a feel for what the missionary is doing and also help in raising the funds for the work that is needed. Real moving pictures of hurting people from people we actually know may have a great impact upon our social action.
2) The devil does not want us to love everyone, and I feel he will use anything to cause us not to accept or love other people. With the crime that is affiliated with our neighborhood, it is easy to become cynical and even fearful of those we meet. Personally I do not want to know and encourage others not to tell me who the drug dealers and users are, who the sexual predators are (or have been), who the ones are that are causing trouble. That knowledge does no good other than to tempt us not to love or accept certain people.
To be like Jesus we must love those who are dirty, sick, retired, those who have no jobs and aren’t interested in finding a job, the teens that walk our streets, the druggies, the drunks and any other than may seem to be obnoxious to us. Anything less is most unlike Christ.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Give a Gift of Death
Planned Parenthood is selling gift certificates this Christmas that can be used for abortions...
God Help Us.
http://www.lifenews.com/state3669.html
God Help Us.
http://www.lifenews.com/state3669.html
Sunday, November 23, 2008
SKA ANYONE
One of my favorite local bands, Send Out Scuds, who have played here at the church a few times are in the middle of some transitioning and looking to fill some positions. Let's pray that things go well with the band. Their newsletter is as follows
Hey Everyone,Welcome to the Send Out Scuds Newsletter!
We are setting up this newsletter to keep you informed of shows, events within the band and events within the lives of the individual members.
There has been some recent changes in the Send Out Scuds line up. We are in the process of looking for a new trombone player, sax player (preferably tenor sax) and possibly a singer.
For those of you who are curious as to why we have had this change it has been agreed that this small split is for the best. Some members are interested in pursuing different styles of music. We are all still really good friends and will continue helping them with new projects.
If you are interested in filling one of these positions or know someone that would be please contact us at:
sendoutscuds@gmail.com ***Serious replies only, please
This is a ministry and if you have a willing desire to serve God, please contact us and we will set up an audition.
Thank you all for everything and please pray for us during this transition.
At this time we aren't going to be playing any shows until these positions have been filled. In the mean time we will be writing new music and working on the new album that we will be releasing on Blood and Ink Records. We hopefully will hit the studio as soon as possible. We also will be getting a new myspace up in the next few weeks. You will be able to order our merch through a special webstore and use some cool new banners! FireOutside Media has done a great job on all of our shirt designs, stickers and more! You should check out all the other things they have done!
Please keep checking back for updates on www.myspace.com/sendoutscuds or just send us an email and we will be glad to answer!
Thank you again for all your love and support!
-Jeremy, Kim, Brennen, Dustin, Josh and Josh
Hey Everyone,Welcome to the Send Out Scuds Newsletter!
We are setting up this newsletter to keep you informed of shows, events within the band and events within the lives of the individual members.
There has been some recent changes in the Send Out Scuds line up. We are in the process of looking for a new trombone player, sax player (preferably tenor sax) and possibly a singer.
For those of you who are curious as to why we have had this change it has been agreed that this small split is for the best. Some members are interested in pursuing different styles of music. We are all still really good friends and will continue helping them with new projects.
If you are interested in filling one of these positions or know someone that would be please contact us at:
sendoutscuds@gmail.com ***Serious replies only, please
This is a ministry and if you have a willing desire to serve God, please contact us and we will set up an audition.
Thank you all for everything and please pray for us during this transition.
At this time we aren't going to be playing any shows until these positions have been filled. In the mean time we will be writing new music and working on the new album that we will be releasing on Blood and Ink Records. We hopefully will hit the studio as soon as possible. We also will be getting a new myspace up in the next few weeks. You will be able to order our merch through a special webstore and use some cool new banners! FireOutside Media has done a great job on all of our shirt designs, stickers and more! You should check out all the other things they have done!
Please keep checking back for updates on www.myspace.com/sendoutscuds or just send us an email and we will be glad to answer!
Thank you again for all your love and support!
-Jeremy, Kim, Brennen, Dustin, Josh and Josh
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Since we have been talking about faith and culture in our Wed. night services and how to reach our surrounding culture. I thought this blog by Fred Peatros fit well.
Beta Church Embraces Third-Place Communities
Being earthed in today’s culture and realities is about being connected and not separated, inclusive and not exclusive, being aware and not ignorant to issues our culture is facing. It invokes God’s people to learn again what it means to be salt and light.
A former Southern Baptist preacher, dismayed at failed attempts to establish a thriving new church, set up a retro shoe store. It soon became a popular establishment among the varied community of gay couples, artist, and aging hippies. The former preacher simply allows his ability to collect and sell shoes help him establish meaningful relationships. As a preacher turned spiritual explorer all his time is now spent with non-Christians (the people Jesus misses). This is his church, firmly rooted in the realities of the 21st century.
More and more of Jesus’ apprentices are beginning to see church this way, not a physical place to attend every Sunday, but a network of relationships and groupings that enable God’s people to build genuine community within its host culture while following Jesus. It’s a more informal, fluid approach to church that builds on interest and relationship networks already in existence. One anticipated fear of such a church model is that there will no longer be definable physical space around which to be church....
Whatever church model evolves, God’s people must find alternative ways of walking to the beat of God’s kingdom while connecting with God’s world. It can’t be about polarized, separate communities. It’s about reconnecting with the freedom Jesus gave us to go out into the world with his good news and to stop getting all worn out with building churches and programs.
Beta Church Embraces Third-Place Communities
Being earthed in today’s culture and realities is about being connected and not separated, inclusive and not exclusive, being aware and not ignorant to issues our culture is facing. It invokes God’s people to learn again what it means to be salt and light.
A former Southern Baptist preacher, dismayed at failed attempts to establish a thriving new church, set up a retro shoe store. It soon became a popular establishment among the varied community of gay couples, artist, and aging hippies. The former preacher simply allows his ability to collect and sell shoes help him establish meaningful relationships. As a preacher turned spiritual explorer all his time is now spent with non-Christians (the people Jesus misses). This is his church, firmly rooted in the realities of the 21st century.
More and more of Jesus’ apprentices are beginning to see church this way, not a physical place to attend every Sunday, but a network of relationships and groupings that enable God’s people to build genuine community within its host culture while following Jesus. It’s a more informal, fluid approach to church that builds on interest and relationship networks already in existence. One anticipated fear of such a church model is that there will no longer be definable physical space around which to be church....
Whatever church model evolves, God’s people must find alternative ways of walking to the beat of God’s kingdom while connecting with God’s world. It can’t be about polarized, separate communities. It’s about reconnecting with the freedom Jesus gave us to go out into the world with his good news and to stop getting all worn out with building churches and programs.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Quotes regarding the Church
Attraction to the Christian life occurs when one can see a concrete community of people living out salvation, living reconciled and hopeful lives in the midst of a violent world. Rarely are people converted by well-argued theories.
People are usually converted to a new way of living by getting to know people who live that way and thus being able to see themselves living that way too. This is the way God’s revolution works. The church is meant to be that community of people who make salvation visible for the rest of the world. Salvation is not a property of isolated individuals, but is only made visible in mutual love. (”The Church as God’s Body Language”)
People are usually converted to a new way of living by getting to know people who live that way and thus being able to see themselves living that way too. This is the way God’s revolution works. The church is meant to be that community of people who make salvation visible for the rest of the world. Salvation is not a property of isolated individuals, but is only made visible in mutual love. (”The Church as God’s Body Language”)
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Book Review "Me-Ville"
“Deliver Us From Me-Ville” a book by David A. Zimmerman is a book that I will have to read a second time. He says a lot of good things that need to be re-read, thought and prayed about.
The book is about our self-absorption. The writer likes the word superbia which is the Latin word for pride or an inordinate sense of self regard. The book is about ‘escape routes’ for this sense of pride and its subtleties in our life. As the writer says, “Our way out of ourselves will involve Jesus coming to us and displacing us.” He says Jesus enables us to go from, ‘me-ville to thee-ville’
He uses Peter as an example of this self- regard and also quotes alot from Bonhoeffer. Both of which fits good with his points.
He also uses another Latin word, agere contra, which means to “act against”. The self seeks that which is most comfortable and we need to fight against it. I am reminded of one of my fellow students at Bible School, when he stood up in chapel and made the announcement that “he and the Holy Spirit have declared war against self.”
The end of each chapter has some questions and exercises for self-examination. And he closes the book with a discussion guide that could be used with a small group or SS class.
The book is about our self-absorption. The writer likes the word superbia which is the Latin word for pride or an inordinate sense of self regard. The book is about ‘escape routes’ for this sense of pride and its subtleties in our life. As the writer says, “Our way out of ourselves will involve Jesus coming to us and displacing us.” He says Jesus enables us to go from, ‘me-ville to thee-ville’
He uses Peter as an example of this self- regard and also quotes alot from Bonhoeffer. Both of which fits good with his points.
He also uses another Latin word, agere contra, which means to “act against”. The self seeks that which is most comfortable and we need to fight against it. I am reminded of one of my fellow students at Bible School, when he stood up in chapel and made the announcement that “he and the Holy Spirit have declared war against self.”
The end of each chapter has some questions and exercises for self-examination. And he closes the book with a discussion guide that could be used with a small group or SS class.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Good Post Election Thoughts
Here are some good post election thoughts from David Fitch a pastor near Chicago
www.reclaimingthemission.com
www.reclaimingthemission.com
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Types of Government
The four types of government compared, using two cows.
SOCIALISM would have you give one of your cows to your neighbor and keep the other. COMMUNISM would insist that you give both cows to the state, and occasionally you might be fortunate enough to get a little milk or butter.
NAZISM would shoot you and take both of your cows.
In a DEMOCRACY you would sell one cow and buy a bull.
SOCIALISM would have you give one of your cows to your neighbor and keep the other. COMMUNISM would insist that you give both cows to the state, and occasionally you might be fortunate enough to get a little milk or butter.
NAZISM would shoot you and take both of your cows.
In a DEMOCRACY you would sell one cow and buy a bull.
Political Thoughts
One of the things about the political candidates that bothers me, along with many of their pundits, is no one seems to really get what I believe is the main economical issue. That is, how can you get those millionaire CEO's to pay their workers a living wage?
John McCain wants to give them tax breaks to start new jobs. But what good is a new job that pays only $7-8.00 per hour. You cant hardly find a affordable place to rent for that much.
Obama wants to increase their taxes and then the government spread the wealth. The problem with that is that the government will end up with the most of it.
I think the solution, at least from past observation, is that we need to unionize. The companies need to bring back unions. I know the unions have their own problems, they are carnal organizations, but the bottom line is it is the only way to force greedy CEO's to give a liveable wage to their employees. With a non union job you can make $7.00 per hour with a union job you can make $20.00 per hour, which would you prefer?
John McCain wants to give them tax breaks to start new jobs. But what good is a new job that pays only $7-8.00 per hour. You cant hardly find a affordable place to rent for that much.
Obama wants to increase their taxes and then the government spread the wealth. The problem with that is that the government will end up with the most of it.
I think the solution, at least from past observation, is that we need to unionize. The companies need to bring back unions. I know the unions have their own problems, they are carnal organizations, but the bottom line is it is the only way to force greedy CEO's to give a liveable wage to their employees. With a non union job you can make $7.00 per hour with a union job you can make $20.00 per hour, which would you prefer?
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