This is... um... unusual. Taken from The Door Magazine.
Top 10 Ways The Amish Like To Party Like It's 1699
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Web Evangelism
I've never been that great a proponent of web evangelism, it always seems a bit detached. But this site is making me re-think that a bit.
rejesus
rejesus
Churches are Not Cool
From Roger at House Church Blog...
"Churches, themselves, are not cool. House churches are not cool. Traditional churches are not cool. Emerging churches are not cool. Mega-churches are not cool. Seeker churches are not cool. Cell group churches are not cool. Churches with buildings are not cool. Churches without buildings are not cool...
Wherever and however we gather today, may we be on our knees asking God to take our frail, weak, and fully imperfect human lives and gatherings and somehow, by His grace, display His wonder through our brokenness. Let's do it in cathedrals, and let's do it in houses, and let's do it in the streets.
Then, if God's grace does, in any way, show up and move hearts and touch lives... let's remember that it has nothing to do with how cool our church or gathering is. Rather, it has everything to do with how cool God is."
Read more of "Churches are Not Cool"
"Churches, themselves, are not cool. House churches are not cool. Traditional churches are not cool. Emerging churches are not cool. Mega-churches are not cool. Seeker churches are not cool. Cell group churches are not cool. Churches with buildings are not cool. Churches without buildings are not cool...
Wherever and however we gather today, may we be on our knees asking God to take our frail, weak, and fully imperfect human lives and gatherings and somehow, by His grace, display His wonder through our brokenness. Let's do it in cathedrals, and let's do it in houses, and let's do it in the streets.
Then, if God's grace does, in any way, show up and move hearts and touch lives... let's remember that it has nothing to do with how cool our church or gathering is. Rather, it has everything to do with how cool God is."
Read more of "Churches are Not Cool"
Body and Spirit
I've felt really crappy for the past few days, some type of cold or sinus infection. It's made me kind of lethargic. Not only physically, but spiritually. It's funny how our physical body affects our spirit. There is some type of link between the two. I often tend to view my body as nothing more than the car in which my spirit drives around, but there is more to it than that. The body can be a help or a hindrance to the growth and nurture of my spiritual life. I guess that's why things like posture affect our prayers. That's why kneeling or raising our hands can actually enable our spirit to physically express a spiritual attitude. The body is our primary vehicle for acting out what our spirit is becoming. This is interesting when you consider that Jesus was the "incarnation" - the Word made flesh. In the same way, the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to help utilize the body for the Kingdom of God. It is the theatre where the truth of God is "incarnated" for the world to see. That's why Paul says, "I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasting to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship." (Rom 12:1)
Our body is not just a vehicle to drive a spirit around, but becomes the area where we work out our salvation. It is the testing ground where our spiritual growth is visibly developed and demonstrated.
Dallas Willard writes, "So what we find, then, is that the body is the place of our direct power. It is the little "power pack" that God has assigned to us as the field of our freedom and development. Our lives depend upon our direction and management of it. But it has and acquires a "life of its own"--tendencies to behave without regard to our conscious intentions. In our fallen world this life is prepossessed by evil, so that we do not have to think to do what is wrong, but must think and plan and practice--and receive grace--if we are to succeed in doing what is right.
But Christ shows us how to bring the body from opposition to support of the new life He gives us, "the spirit" now in us. He calls us to share His practices in sustaining His own relationship to the Father. Indeed, these practices--of solitude, silence, study, service, prayer, worship, etc.--are now the places where we arrange to meet regularly with Him and His Father to be His students or disciples in Kingdom living.
Some may think it strange that such practices, the disciplines for life in the spirit, are all bodily behaviors. But it cannot be otherwise. Learning Christlikeness is not passive. It is active engagement with and in God. And we act with our bodies. Moreover, this bodily engagement is what lays the foundation in our bodily members for readinesses for holiness, and increasingly removes the readinesses to sin -- "So that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Phil 1:20-21)"
Read more by Dallas Willard
Our body is not just a vehicle to drive a spirit around, but becomes the area where we work out our salvation. It is the testing ground where our spiritual growth is visibly developed and demonstrated.
Dallas Willard writes, "So what we find, then, is that the body is the place of our direct power. It is the little "power pack" that God has assigned to us as the field of our freedom and development. Our lives depend upon our direction and management of it. But it has and acquires a "life of its own"--tendencies to behave without regard to our conscious intentions. In our fallen world this life is prepossessed by evil, so that we do not have to think to do what is wrong, but must think and plan and practice--and receive grace--if we are to succeed in doing what is right.
But Christ shows us how to bring the body from opposition to support of the new life He gives us, "the spirit" now in us. He calls us to share His practices in sustaining His own relationship to the Father. Indeed, these practices--of solitude, silence, study, service, prayer, worship, etc.--are now the places where we arrange to meet regularly with Him and His Father to be His students or disciples in Kingdom living.
Some may think it strange that such practices, the disciplines for life in the spirit, are all bodily behaviors. But it cannot be otherwise. Learning Christlikeness is not passive. It is active engagement with and in God. And we act with our bodies. Moreover, this bodily engagement is what lays the foundation in our bodily members for readinesses for holiness, and increasingly removes the readinesses to sin -- "So that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Phil 1:20-21)"
Read more by Dallas Willard
Friday, September 10, 2004
The Unlikely Prophet...
Truth can be found in some pretty strange places sometimes.
"Well , I may not know much about God, but I have to say, we built a pretty nice cage for him ."
(Homer Simpson after helping some island natives build a chapel.)
"Well , I may not know much about God, but I have to say, we built a pretty nice cage for him ."
(Homer Simpson after helping some island natives build a chapel.)
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Loving Someone
I believe in the church. It's God's way of bringing about His kingdom. No, it's not perfect. It's full of people who have their own agendas and selfish inclinations. If I am willing to be honest, I have to admit that I am one of those people. I've also realized that one of the reasons I get angry with the church is that I'm too interested in "the church". As a pastor church can become a hobby, a passion, an addiction. When it's not moving as I think it should I get frustrated. As I was praying a few years ago God spoke to my heart and asked me, "Do you love me or do you love my bride?" It was one of those moments of clarity that I will never forget. I love the church, but I have to realize that the reason I love the church is because I love Jesus. And as I love Jesus, I find myself more patient and willing to work among the muck and mire that I find in my own life and in the lives of those who are the church. Brian McLaren sums my thoughts up in his newest book, A Generous Orthodoxy,
"A friend of mine once said that every new Christian should be equipped at baptism with a manure detector (not his exact words) because their is plenty of it around in the church world, and I agree. I've seen it and smelled it (and too often tracked it through the house). Sometimes, honestly, I've felt like giving up and walking away in search of fresher, healthier air. But there is something here that I love and can't stop loving, and that something is actually Someone."
May the Someone that we love so consume our thoughts and emotions, that we may walk together as His bride, painting a picture for the world of how beautiful He truly is.
"A friend of mine once said that every new Christian should be equipped at baptism with a manure detector (not his exact words) because their is plenty of it around in the church world, and I agree. I've seen it and smelled it (and too often tracked it through the house). Sometimes, honestly, I've felt like giving up and walking away in search of fresher, healthier air. But there is something here that I love and can't stop loving, and that something is actually Someone."
May the Someone that we love so consume our thoughts and emotions, that we may walk together as His bride, painting a picture for the world of how beautiful He truly is.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
The Jesus Creed
From Brian McLaren's website:
We have confidence in Jesus
Who healed the sick, the blind, and the paralyzed.
And even raised the dead.
He cast out evil powers and Confronted corrupt leaders.
He cleansed the temple.
He favored the poor.
He turned water into wine, Walked on water, calmed storms.
He died for the sins of the world, Rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father, Sent the Holy Spirit.
We have confidence in Jesus
Who taught in word and example, Sign and wonder.
He preached parables of the kingdom of God On hillsides, from boats, in the temple, in homes, At banquets and parties, along the road, on beaches, in towns, By day and by night.
He taught the way of love for God and neighbor, For stranger and enemy, for outcast and alien.
We have confidence in Jesus,
Who called disciples, led them, Gave them new names and new purpose And sent them out to preach good news.
He washed their feet as a servant.
He walked with them, ate with them, Called them friends, Rebuked them, encouraged them, Promised to leave and then return, And promised to be with them always.
He taught them to pray. He rose early to pray, stole away to desolate places, Fasted and faced agonizing temptations, Wept in a garden, And prayed, “Not my will but your will be done.”
He rejoiced, he sang, he feasted, he wept.
We have confidence in Jesus,
So we follow him, learn his ways,
Seek to obey his teaching and live by his example.
We walk with him, walk in him, abide in him, As a branch in a vine. We have not seen him, but we love him.
His words are to us words of life eternal, And to know him is to know the true and living God.
We do not see him now, but we have confidence in Jesus.
Amen.
Brian McLaren: The Jesus Creed
We have confidence in Jesus
Who healed the sick, the blind, and the paralyzed.
And even raised the dead.
He cast out evil powers and Confronted corrupt leaders.
He cleansed the temple.
He favored the poor.
He turned water into wine, Walked on water, calmed storms.
He died for the sins of the world, Rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father, Sent the Holy Spirit.
We have confidence in Jesus
Who taught in word and example, Sign and wonder.
He preached parables of the kingdom of God On hillsides, from boats, in the temple, in homes, At banquets and parties, along the road, on beaches, in towns, By day and by night.
He taught the way of love for God and neighbor, For stranger and enemy, for outcast and alien.
We have confidence in Jesus,
Who called disciples, led them, Gave them new names and new purpose And sent them out to preach good news.
He washed their feet as a servant.
He walked with them, ate with them, Called them friends, Rebuked them, encouraged them, Promised to leave and then return, And promised to be with them always.
He taught them to pray. He rose early to pray, stole away to desolate places, Fasted and faced agonizing temptations, Wept in a garden, And prayed, “Not my will but your will be done.”
He rejoiced, he sang, he feasted, he wept.
We have confidence in Jesus,
So we follow him, learn his ways,
Seek to obey his teaching and live by his example.
We walk with him, walk in him, abide in him, As a branch in a vine. We have not seen him, but we love him.
His words are to us words of life eternal, And to know him is to know the true and living God.
We do not see him now, but we have confidence in Jesus.
Amen.
Brian McLaren: The Jesus Creed
A call to honesty...
Jesus prayed that we (believers) might be one even as He and the Father are one. Yet it only takes a cursory glance at the church today to see that we are far from being one. In my little corner of Canada alone there are 5 different types of Baptists. And a look at the differences in our statements of Faith shows that the divisions have been made over non-essential issues. Of course, each group has the final word on these issues, at least to the point that it keeps them separated from one another. I was reflecting on this because of a quote from N.T. Wright taken from a lecture that he gave at Regent College back in 1988. He said, "My experience is that unity is a by-product of honesty...". Is that what keeps us apart? Our fear of being honest and saying that we don't quite understand everything? My prayer is for a generation of people who will seek to "speak the truth in love", being honest about what we know to be true, and honest about what we aren't sure about.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
I don't understand economics...
...but quotes like this one make we wonder if something isn't working the way it should.
"...Today the top 400 income earners in the U.S. make as much in a year as the entire population of the 20 poorest countries in Africa (over 300 million people)...A series of reports released in 2003 by the UN and other global economy analysis groups warn that further increases in the imbalance in wealth throughout the world will have catastrophic effects if left unchecked. UN-habitat reports that unless governments work to control the current unprecedented spread in urban growth, a third of the world's population will be slum dwellers within 30 years. Currently, almost one-sixth of the world's population lives in slum-like conditions. The UN warns that unplanned, unsanitary settlements threaten both political and fiscal stability within third world countries, where urban slums are growing faster than expected." Read more
I'm still a capitalist, but I think that capitalism without morality and integrity can destroy the world.
"The freest government cannot long endure when the tendency of the law is to create a rapid accumulation of property in the hands of a few, and to render the masses poor and dependent." – Daniel Webster, 1782-1852
"...Today the top 400 income earners in the U.S. make as much in a year as the entire population of the 20 poorest countries in Africa (over 300 million people)...A series of reports released in 2003 by the UN and other global economy analysis groups warn that further increases in the imbalance in wealth throughout the world will have catastrophic effects if left unchecked. UN-habitat reports that unless governments work to control the current unprecedented spread in urban growth, a third of the world's population will be slum dwellers within 30 years. Currently, almost one-sixth of the world's population lives in slum-like conditions. The UN warns that unplanned, unsanitary settlements threaten both political and fiscal stability within third world countries, where urban slums are growing faster than expected." Read more
I'm still a capitalist, but I think that capitalism without morality and integrity can destroy the world.
"The freest government cannot long endure when the tendency of the law is to create a rapid accumulation of property in the hands of a few, and to render the masses poor and dependent." – Daniel Webster, 1782-1852
Sanity?
"If the world is sane, then Jesus is mad as a hatter and the Last Supper is the Mad Tea Party. The world says, 'Mind your own business', and Jesus says, 'There is no such thing as your own business'. The world says, 'Follow the wisest course and be a success', and Jesus says, 'Follow me and be crucified'. The world says, 'Drive carefully-the life you save may be your own-', and Jesus says, 'Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it'. The world says, 'Law and order', and Jesus says, 'Love'. The world says, 'Get', and Jesus says, 'Give'. In terms of the world's sanity, Jesus is crazy as a coot and anybody who thinks he can follow Him without being a little crazy is labouring less under the cross than under a delusion. 'We are fools for Christ's sake,' Paul says, faith says--the faith that ultimately the follishness of God is wiser that the wisdom of men, the lunacy of Jesus saner than the grim sanity of the world." (Frederick Buechner)
"Great things..."
I've always been motivated by the quote by William Carey, "Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God." I'm a dreamer and I want to make a difference in the world, the big world, not just "my little corner". But lately I've been learning that I need to be careful how I define "great". Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed that was planted in the ground. A small, seemingly inconsequential act, when empowered by the Spirit, accomplishes "great things". It reminds me of what Mother Theresa said, "We can do no great things; only small things with great love."
So I'm looking for mustard seeds to plant. I'm asking God to help me serve in small ways that will multiply the Kingdom. And it's amazing the different perspective it gives. Pierre Teihard de Chardin said, "Do not forget that the value and interest on life is not so much to do conspicuous things...as to do ordinary things with the perception of their enormous value." Am I willing to be "useless" for God and spend my life doing small things, knowing that He takes small things and uses them to build a never-ending Kingdom? I hope so.
So I'm looking for mustard seeds to plant. I'm asking God to help me serve in small ways that will multiply the Kingdom. And it's amazing the different perspective it gives. Pierre Teihard de Chardin said, "Do not forget that the value and interest on life is not so much to do conspicuous things...as to do ordinary things with the perception of their enormous value." Am I willing to be "useless" for God and spend my life doing small things, knowing that He takes small things and uses them to build a never-ending Kingdom? I hope so.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Acts 2:42 and what the church should look like.
In a very inspiring article from the archives of Next-Wave, Mike Bishop writes, "For the past few years I've been captured by the idea that the Gospel is an invitation into a new way of life - something God-shaped, kingdom oriented. This is what it means to become a follower of Jesus, to “repent and believe the good news” that the kingdom of God is near. Being renewed from the inside that transforms outward conduct, taking on a new character…a new lifestyle, with a new Master. Meditating on this process - a journey in which I've embarked - has produced in me the beginnings of awareness. Seeing and hearing what the Father is doing. Tending the good soil. Everything around me, every passing moment is shaping me. I am recognizing how the Spirit is forming me and those around that he is calling."
Bishop encapsulates a vision for church that is not confined to the four walls of a building, but one that is alive in the day to day life of every believer. Take a look at this article.
Read More
Bishop encapsulates a vision for church that is not confined to the four walls of a building, but one that is alive in the day to day life of every believer. Take a look at this article.
Read More
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Brian McLaren's new book
It's coming soon. Should be an interesting read. The full title is "A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I Am A Missional, Evangelical, Post/protestant, Liberal/conservative, Mystical/poetic, Biblical, Charismatic/contemplative"
Link to Amazon.com
Link to Amazon.ca
Link to Amazon.com
Link to Amazon.ca
Real Headlines (via Debby Flynn)
Actual Newspaper Headlines (collected by journalists)
==========================
1. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
2. Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
3. Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted
4. Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
5. Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents
6. Farmer Bill Dies in House
7. Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
8. Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
9. Stud Tires Out
10. Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
11. British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
12. Lung Cancer in Women Mushrooms
13. Eye Drops off Shelf
14. Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
15. Reagan Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead
16. Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim
17. Shot Off Woman's Leg Helps Nicklaus to 66
18. Enraged Cow Injures Farmer with Ax
19. Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told
20. Miners Refuse to Work after Death
21. Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
22. Stolen Painting Found by Tree
23. Two Soviet Ships Collide, One Dies
24. Two Sisters Reunited after 18 Years in Checkout Counter
25. Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in 10 Years
26. Drunken Drivers Paid $1000 in '84
27. War Dims Hope for Peace
28. If Strike isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last a While
29. Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
30. Enfields Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
31. Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge
32. Deer Kill 17,000
33. Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
34. Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
35. New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
36. Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
37. Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
38. Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy
39. Arson Suspect is Held in Massachusetts Fire
40. British Union Finds Dwarfs in Short Supply
41. Ban On Soliciting Dead in Trotwood
42. Lansing Residents Can Drop Off Trees
43. Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
44. New Vaccine May Contain Rabies
45. Man Minus Ear Waives Hearing
46. Deaf College Opens Doors to Hearing
47. Air Head Fired
48. Steals Clock, Faces Time
49. Prosecutor Releases Probe into Undersheriff
50. Old School Pillars are Replaced by Alumni
51. Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board
52. Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
53. Some Pieces of Rock Hudson Sold at Auction
54. Include your Children when Baking Cookies
==========================
1. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
2. Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
3. Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted
4. Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
5. Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents
6. Farmer Bill Dies in House
7. Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
8. Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
9. Stud Tires Out
10. Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
11. British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
12. Lung Cancer in Women Mushrooms
13. Eye Drops off Shelf
14. Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
15. Reagan Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead
16. Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim
17. Shot Off Woman's Leg Helps Nicklaus to 66
18. Enraged Cow Injures Farmer with Ax
19. Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told
20. Miners Refuse to Work after Death
21. Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
22. Stolen Painting Found by Tree
23. Two Soviet Ships Collide, One Dies
24. Two Sisters Reunited after 18 Years in Checkout Counter
25. Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in 10 Years
26. Drunken Drivers Paid $1000 in '84
27. War Dims Hope for Peace
28. If Strike isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last a While
29. Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
30. Enfields Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
31. Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge
32. Deer Kill 17,000
33. Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
34. Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
35. New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
36. Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
37. Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
38. Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy
39. Arson Suspect is Held in Massachusetts Fire
40. British Union Finds Dwarfs in Short Supply
41. Ban On Soliciting Dead in Trotwood
42. Lansing Residents Can Drop Off Trees
43. Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
44. New Vaccine May Contain Rabies
45. Man Minus Ear Waives Hearing
46. Deaf College Opens Doors to Hearing
47. Air Head Fired
48. Steals Clock, Faces Time
49. Prosecutor Releases Probe into Undersheriff
50. Old School Pillars are Replaced by Alumni
51. Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board
52. Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
53. Some Pieces of Rock Hudson Sold at Auction
54. Include your Children when Baking Cookies
Disciplemaking in a Postmodern World
Excellent article that covers some of the basic concepts of post-modern thinking and how they affect disciplemaking.
Disciplemaking in a Postmodern World
Disciplemaking in a Postmodern World
"Forgetting God"
Thanks to Backyard Missionary who directed me to this article by Phillip Yancey.
Yancey writes, "Observing the modern world, French sociologist Jacques Ellul noted a striking trend: As the Christian gospel permeates society, it tends to produce values that, paradoxically, contradict the gospel."
Read more
Yancey writes, "Observing the modern world, French sociologist Jacques Ellul noted a striking trend: As the Christian gospel permeates society, it tends to produce values that, paradoxically, contradict the gospel."
Read more
They will know we are Christians by our ??????
Okay, I know the song. They will know we are Christians by our love. But what I've been wondering lately is this - If we didn't have a "church" and we didn't have the Bible, how would people know that we are Christians? I know that there are many groups in North America who are moving "church" out of the building and into their lives, but what if a church building wasn't even an option. What if we had to communicate who we were without a building or a book like the early church had to do? Don't get me wrong, I thank God for the Scriptures and for resources like the building my church has, but I think the "what if?" questions can help us make sure that we're more than just a group of people who read their holy book in their building. I believe we have a lot to learn from the persecuted church. They have to learn to be the church in a culture that is hostile to all the things that we see as so necessary for the church in North America. How will they know that we are Christians? It's a question worth asking.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
You have to see this...
Here's a flash video that can start a discussion. Thanks to Jay Voorhees for the link.
If you're curious about the quotes in the video then check them out by clicking here.
Link
If you're curious about the quotes in the video then check them out by clicking here.
Link
Clarity of Perspective
We need to see things as they really are. Far too often we are lulled to sleep and our perspective of reality gets distorted. Henry W. Longfellow writes,
"If Spring came but once in a century, instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake, and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all hearts to behold the miraculous change. But now the silent succession suggests nothing but necessity. To most, only the cessation of the miracle would be miraculous and the perpetual exercise of God's power seems less wonderful than its withdrawal would be."
God give us clear vision and enable us to live life in light of that perspective.
"If Spring came but once in a century, instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake, and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all hearts to behold the miraculous change. But now the silent succession suggests nothing but necessity. To most, only the cessation of the miracle would be miraculous and the perpetual exercise of God's power seems less wonderful than its withdrawal would be."
God give us clear vision and enable us to live life in light of that perspective.
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