Glenn Beck, the celebrated conservative commentator had some things to say over the past week or so about "social justice" and "economic justice". It's easier to find commentaries on what he said, than it is to find what he actually said, but here's part of the exact words he spoke: "I beg you, look for the words "social justice" or "economic justice" on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words. Now, am I advising … [Read more...]
Start here…
March 15, 2010 By 1 Comment
This past Sunday, our church's text in Romans 8 reminded me that those of us who are in Christ are, "not in the flesh, but in the spirit." As I shared, this is the foundation for establishing a trajectory towards maturity. Little by little, as we learn to live into this new identity, we'll be enabled to overcome issues, discover our unique gifts and callings, and gain an increasing capacity to be a blessing to others. All of this, though, is predicated on us becoming increasingly secure in … [Read more...]
Start here…
March 15, 2010 By 1 Comment
This past Sunday, our church's text in Romans 8 reminded me that those of us who are in Christ are, "not in the flesh, but in the spirit." As I shared, this is the foundation for establishing a trajectory towards maturity. Little by little, as we learn to live into this new identity, we'll be enabled to overcome issues, discover our unique gifts and callings, and gain an increasing capacity to be a blessing to others. All of this, though, is predicated on us becoming increasingly secure in … [Read more...]
Male Call –
March 10, 2010 By 17 Comments
David Brooks wrote a NY Times column last month in which he posited that the current economic crisis has been much harder on men then women, pointing out that nearly a fifth of all men between the ages of 24 and 54 were unemployed as of this past November. He notes that for every 100 men graduating from college, there are 185 women doing so, and ponders the loss of masculine identity. I applaud Brooks for bringing a subject to light that few people want to address: the crisis of the … [Read more...]
A tension…
March 7, 2010 By 3 Comments
Winding down my time in Fresno, I'm sitting, waiting for my flight. Fresno, increasingly represents this schizophrenic division that I see in me and all of us, every time I'm here. The place, of course, reminds me of my youth, and the marvelous times I had, especially in high school. Life was full and good, with a solid self esteem that came from my involvement in the music world, and a few good friends with whom I'd play tennis, eat pizza, and just generally have fun. There were … [Read more...]
The Paralysis of Polarity
March 2, 2010 By 5 Comments
After spending a glorious Sunday afternoon watching the best Ice Hockey game ever (and I've seen many), I posted a tongue and cheek comment on my facebook page, indicating that Canada had both the gold medal and health care. The comments that ensued were a reminder that Christians are as deeply divided and entrenched on this issue as everyone else. We're red Christians and blue Christians - big government Christians, and small government Christians, and we're good at pushing each other's … [Read more...]
WWJE? Eschatology and Food
February 25, 2010 By 26 Comments
If you're one of those "it's all going to burn up anyway" Christians, there's a good chance you'll be eating a big slab of meat tonight, cooked over a fire, complemented by a pesticide laced salad, enhanced by an Italian Red, and washed down with coffee that was utterly affordable thanks to the rainforest that was cleared to increase the crop size. If I thought it was all going to burn up, especially in the near term (as I've been told it will, any day now, for the past 35 years), I'd join … [Read more...]
Rule of Life: Sustaining your faith for the distance
February 21, 2010 By 21 Comments
There's a new category tag on this blog and it's called "Rule of Life". Each posting I offer that will help equip people for developing the disciplines to sustain and enliven their faith will be tagged "rule of life". For those interested the the "why" of rule of life, I'll suggest listening to the teaching from my church on February 21st, 2010. I'll open this category with two things: 1. Resource - for a quick overview of what a rule of life is, and it's significance, I'll refer you to … [Read more...]
breaking the stress barrier…
February 19, 2010 By 1 Comment
This past Sunday I preached on 'glorying in our tribulations'. Starting on Monday, it's been lab work on the same subject. The convergence zone of too many obligations, with some fresh new challenges tossed in, and obligations 'out' every night, conspired with some weighty and important decisions that need to be made. Toss in a shortage of sleep (from too much too do, too much thinking, and not enough exercise), and the whole mixture becomes a sort of toxic 'stress soup'. Do you know of … [Read more...]
The need for Lament…
February 10, 2010 By 14 Comments
Survey the landscape of American Christianity on any given Sunday and you'll find plenty of evidence that God is on the throne, we're walking in victory, and Satan's utterly crushed. There are lots of praise choruses about our victory and God's goodness, along with clapping and shouting "praise the Lord". It's the winning team for certain, at least if noise and bravado is any indicator. Unfortunately, it's not. Have you seen the movies from the Youth Rallies during the reign of the … [Read more...]
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