spiritual regurgitations

Gotta love this too!

A video to take a peak at...prayerfully and thoughtfully

My friend, Scot McKnight, posted this on his blog today...it is important to know how other followers of Jesus "live" and understand their journey in the kingdom of God. You might not "agree" with everything that this has to say...actually, that's good if you don't. Understand though - as you enter into community with other followers of Jesus, that you grow...instead of being so busy pointing out that which separates us intellectually and doctrinally, we need to concentrate on our common Lord and our common passion to embody the grace, mercy and presence of Jesus in and through our lives. Not much is completely appreciated about Orthodox Christianity within those of us who are of the "protestant" bent...we need to know and understand more about these brothers and sisters. See what you think!

The "Naked Pastor" makes blogging easy!

Just post one of his cartoons, and the rest of it takes care of itself...case in point:

Sometimes the truth hurts...

Going against the flow...good thing to think about...

Going against the flow...it seems to be a style of living and thinking for many...especially those who seems to have the most impact in any given human situation.  Yep, there can be risks to that style of life...but frankly, "no risk...no glory".  As Seth Godin says below, maintaining the status quo is a recipe for failure.  Seth's post today is worth a quick look:

Boundary makers by Seth Godin

Some artists continually seek to tear down boundaries, to find new powder, new territory, new worlds to explore. They're the ones that hop the fence to get to places no one has ever been.

Other artists understand that they need to see the edges of the box if they're going to create work that lasts. No fence, no art.

Can't do both at the same time.

My guess is that you're already one kind of person or the other. When people present you with an opportunity/problem, what's your first reaction? Some people immediately start looking for loopholes or weak boundaries. "You didn't say we couldn't do xxx". For these people, the best and most obvious solution is to completely demolish the problem and play by different rules.

Other people, some just as successful, take a hard look at the boundaries and create something that plays within, that follows the rules, but that is likely to win because of this.

In my experience, either can work, but only by someone willing to push harder than most in their push to be remarkable. Going with the flow is a euphemism for failing...

What a great video!

Obviously...

Insightful article on steps needing to be taken in the transition of "ekklesia"

A brother in the Lord by the name of Roger Thoman recently wrote an article for the Simple/House Church website that is insightful on some of the issues that any traditional “church” faces when transitions are “in the wind”.  These stages are theological, biblical and “heart checks” that must be navigated for real transformation to occur.  I think his list is helpful…if you want to see the entire article, click HERE.

1. Letting go of old paradigms of church life. 

2. Exploring New Testament gatherings. 

3. Re-boot to Jesus. 

4. A new missional heart and longing. 

5. Fresh discovery of our own passions, spiritual gifts, and calling.

6. Integration of an organic, fruitful lifestyle with organic gatherings that support it. 

7. Our kingdom influence spreads and even becomes reproductive in its impact. 

Walt Mueller is right!

Walt Mueller of the Center for Youth and Parent Understand put it well - "Youth culture is a map and a mirror. It is both directive and reflective. We watch it to see where it's sending us and our kids. We watch it to see where we are. We monitor, deconstruct, and exegete it to know how to bring the map of the Biblical world and life view to bear on the realities that exist. A world that's not the way it's supposed to be keeps heading in that direction. We're in desperate need of being straightened out, fixed, and made new. That's why we listen and watch carefully.  Looking for a cultural map and mirror to ponder and talk about over the next month or so? Here's one worth engaging.  "You 86 the rules. You do what just feels right. . . "

Is this really what Christmas has been reduced to? 

Need we say more?