Weekend Wanderings

We had some storms roll through the area this week. There were a lot of trees knocked down, and some folks have been without power for five days. Thankfully, there was not the damage or loss of life that some have seen in the past few weeks. We have also been invaded by a plague of cicadas. I think they are the 17 year variety. They are pretty much just on our side of town where there are more old trees and not as many new neighborhoods.

Here is some of what I've been reading this week:

Dan Edelen on internet anger.

Donald Miller on the Fall and feelings.

Richard Wagner on the importance of being together.

Letting go.

A good poem.

Wow! (HT: Scot McKnight)

Ronnie McBrayer on finishing.

Jared Wilson on hyper-spirituality.

Chaplain Mike on expecting too much.

What does mission really look like? Part 3.

What kind of justice?

Freedom Riders.

Dan Allen is writing a novel. An excerpt is here.

Matt on why he stopped praying.

Alan Knox on following Christ.

Shallow small groups.

Even during church meetings?

Called to ministry?

Have a great week.

World Vision Wednesday

Sometimes mothers have to stand up for their children against superstition as well as fighting to keep them nourished. Read this article for the story of one woman who did just that.

Stay Thirsty?

A church near us has a sign that reads, "Stay thirsty, my friends - for the Living Water." Now, aside from the fact that the sign is a blatant ripoff of the Dos Equis commercials, I have a bit of an issue with the message. I think I understand what the church is trying to say, but I don't think it's the best way to say it.

In the Gospels, Jesus speaks about thirst a few times. When he does, he doesn't tell his audience to stay thirsty. In fact, he says the opposite. In Matthew 5:6, Jesus states that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. In John's gospel, Jesus invites those who are thirsty to come to him and never thirst again (John 7:37 and 6:35). In John 4:14 he says that those who come to him will not only never thirst again, but that this living water will pour out from them. Doesn't sound like Jesus expects those who come to him to stay thirsty.

I believe those who put the sign up meant well. There is a sense in which we need to remember that only Jesus can quench our thirst, because there are times we forget and look for other things to satisfy us. Maybe they meant that we must keep coming to Jesus, and not think that a one time experience is enough. If that's the case, I can agree with that.

Although I still cringe at churches that rip off culture on their signs. :)

Weekend Wanderings

Today is Kentucky Derby Day, one of the three days a year when I watch horse racing on TV. I don't think there is a favorite to win the Triple Crown this year, but you never know. It's been awhile, so maybe it's time. Tomorrow is Mother's Day. To all the moms out there, I hope you have a good one. For those of you who are able, let your mother know how important she is and how much you love her.

Here are the links:

Bob thinks his daughter is a pretty good mom.

Where you do not want to go.

Glenn on the church of the future.

Doing good, or not.

Rich asks who your neighbor is.

In the end...

A most difficult name.

Easter people.

Don't get your pants in a wad.

A vulnerable God.

Check out the Rally to Restore Unity. There's a lot of good people who took part.

Scot McKnight asks what Jesus would cut.

The difference between guilt and conviction.

When we have become the enemy.

Alan Knox on heresy.

I used to believe...

Dan Allen on promoting unity.

Heresy wins.

Jared Wilson on sand (sort of).

Doc Rivers, Shaq, and context.

Have a great weekend!

500 Posts

I realized sometime in the past few days that I reached the magical (?) 500 post milestone. When I started this blog back in 2007, I had no idea how long I would be doing this. I enjoy writing, but I didn't know if I could think of things to write about. It seems that I've been able to think of a few things over the years. Whether those things have been worth writing about is left for history to judge (Boy, that sounds pretentious, doesn't it?).

Over the three and a half years that I've been writing this blog, I've met a lot of good people on-line, and read an awful lot of good material from other bloggers. I've been encouraged by many readers, and challenged by others. Many of my ideas have been shaped and crystallized both by those I read, and by those who leave comments.

I plan on continuing to write, for awhile anyway. There's still a lot of stuff rolling around in my head. Some of it is actual thoughts. As those thoughts form, I'll put them into words and put them on here for all to see. Hopefully some of you will be encouraged, some of you will be challenged. Some of you may even be angered, but I'm going to try and not worry about that. My writing comes from the heart, and from the point of view of someone who sees what has happened to the movement that Jesus started and doesn't like much of what he sees. Thanks to all of you have read, comment, or have ever read or commented. Your encouragement is a huge blessing to me.

As the journey continues, I'll keep you posted on the twists and turns of the road.

Resurrection and Unity

Rachel Held Evans is the force behind the Rally to Restore Unity. I am not really worthy to be in the company of some of the bloggers that are adding their voices to the effort this week, but I am chipping in my two cents anyway. As part of this, there is a a fundraising campaign going on for Charity: Water. Even if you think I'm full of hot air (or something worse) :), consider helping out this worthy charity.

Alan Knox wrote this post in April concerning the failure of the disciples to believe in the Resurrection until they had actually encountered the risen Christ. I immediately thought about the folks who came to faith during the first century. They also came to believe in the Resurrection because they encountered the risen Christ. Not in literal bodily form, but in the followers of Jesus they encountered in the day-to-day. It was the presence of Jesus in the "Christians" (little Christs) that cause those people to put their faith in Christ. Those early Christians lived a Resurrection life. They could not have done what they did had the Resurrection not have really happened.

Today, the world looks at the Church and sees a fractured, disunited body. They see us divided into camps based on anything from translations of Scripture to what styles of music. They see a group of people that are known more for what we are against than what we are for, and if we're not busy fighting the culture war we are fighting each other over how to interpret prophecy or who is a "real Christian." Is it any wonder the world doesn't believe in the Resurrection when they don't encounter the risen Christ? We celebrate Easter and put on a big show, but do we live in the power of that resurrection the other 364 days of the year?

The Resurrection of Jesus changed everything. It still does, if we realize that the same power that raised Jesus is now in us. Life as a follower of Jesus is not an easy one, especially when it comes to living in unity with those we disagree with. Our tendency is to hang out with those who we agree with. That extends to our gatherings as the church. We want to be comfortable and accepted, and I don't believe there is anything wrong with wanting to be accepted. What we fail to remember is that because of the Resurrection, we are accepted by God. Because of the Resurrection, we are part of God's family.

Because of the Resurrection, we have the power to live as brothers and sisters, as friends, as members of one another in the Body. We have the power to look past the differences, the disagreements, even the passionate (ahem) "discussions." Because of the Resurrection, we can have Jesus' prayer that we be one as he and the Father are one answered in and through us. When that happens, the world around us will be like the ancient Romans who said, "Behold how these Christians love one another."

Then they will encounter the risen Christ. Then, maybe we'll turn the world upside down.

Weekend Wanderings

This has been an interesting week. Terrible storms devastated large parts of the Southeast, particularly Alabama. It is heart breaking to see the destruction and loss of life, and it also good to see the Church moving in to help. Here in this part of the sunny South, it has been cooler than normal, but we have been spared the worst of the recent weather.

It was interesting to see the fascination that we Americans have with what goes on across the Atlantic when it concerns the royal family. I saw bits and pieces of The Wedding, and it is interesting to see the tradition and history involved.

On to the good stuff:

Dan Edelen writes about the forgotten prayer of Jesus.

Fight, Fight!

Richard Wagner writes about coconut.

The ideal of the church.

Part 1 of a series on living as Easter people.

For those who believe that China is granting more "religious freedom," comes this news (HT: iMonk).

The Lamb is the Lion.

David Sehat writes about church and state (HT: Scot McKnight).

Being who you are.

John Armstrong writes about a clash of worldviews.

Just play the game.

Dr. Terry Dorsett writes about rudeness.

The tangible kingdom.

David B. Hart writes about Ayn Rand.

Fear of everything is the best policy.

Jeremy Myers writes about activities that are not church sponsored.

Discipleship.

Dan Allen reviews the Bible.

Waiting for Jesus to come back.

Jon Acuff writes about 9 words.

Enjoy your week. Continue to live in the Resurrection!