Politics, sports, technology, life … yeah, it's eclectic
I wrote a big, long introduction to this, trying to find some way to explain it — but I just can’t explain it. Perhaps their good intentions can be their excuse. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/30/145245/63/817/647006
Sometimes, when you least expect it, grace breaks in. Sunday night was the Four Churches concert that our church participates in each fall. Having finished my small handbell contribution (we accompanied the first hymn), I sat down to enjoy the rest of the concert. As I looked around the beautiful sanctuary of Church of the … Read moreLife As Gift, Live As Gift
We’re working through Brian McClaren’s book Everything Must Change at church on Sunday nights, and it’s been a good study of a challenging book. (There are still some weeks to go — come join us.) Today’s section contained a point that really helped crystalize a thought for me, and challenged me as well. Here’s the gist of it.
You know, I’m really getting tired of religion.
I don’t mean spirituality, necessarily, and I certainly don’t mean the practice of Christlikeness. But I surely do mean the earthly-focused, useless, institutional, powerless, unexamined fabric of delusions and rituals that pass for Christianity in many churches and places.
(Cross-posted at DailyKos and at Street Prophets) I have always loved Christmas: the decorations, the special services at church, the parties, the time off. When I was young, the gifts were part of the attraction, but over time getting gifts has become much less important than giving them. One of the main things I’ve loved … Read moreHave a Very Merry, Horribly Conflicted Christmas
(cross-posted at Daily Kos) Our church, and our pastor, are serious about two things: inviting people into the love and acceptance of God, and confronting injustice as the opportunity presents itself. So when Dr. Joseph Phelps of Highland Baptist in Louisville was contacted by the WakeUpWalmart folks and asked to do a short commercial, he … Read morePastor Speaks Out on Walmart
Our pastor, Joe Phelps, passed along an essay he did for Ethics Daily (link at the right). I cross-posted it on dailyKos here. Please go give it a read — it’s very good. Labels: Christianity, Jesus, non-violence, torture
It’s almost Sunday, and time for a few links for fellow Christians to check out… Faithful Progressive, a new (to me) blog that looks promising Christian Alliance for Progress, a new site (and organization?) subtitled “The Movement to Reclaim Christianity and Transform American Politics.” I’m still checking them out, so haven’t signed on yet, but … Read moreA Few Quick Links for Christians
As we prepare for the inauguration and reflect on recent and current events, we may find benefit in the comparison of ethics versus morals. Morals, according to the dictionary, is “concerned with the judgment of the goodness or badness of human action.” And when it comes to judgment, the current crop of Bushites certainly excel, … Read moreEthics versus Morals