GOD STUFF – Page 23

The Almost-Gospel

In yesterday’s post I was writing about how there’s a problem in the church that is evident in the statistical data which shows that divorce and other moral problems are occurring in the lives of Christians at the same rate as in those who are not Christians. I think the cause of this is deeperContinue reading “The Almost-Gospel”

I’m Think I’m Gonna Puke If…

…if I get to the end of one more Bible study lesson and have to answer questions like, “How can you be more [XXX] (loving, joyful, peaceful, gracious, etc.) this week?” “What is one thing you can do to walk more in love this week?” “How can you be a good representative of Christianity?” “WhoContinue reading “I’m Think I’m Gonna Puke If…”

“Dumb-Shitness”

http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fpower2uth%2Fdumb-shit-ness “dumb-shit-ness” by thefallencleric This brief clip from Father Richard Rohr just completely captures what Christian spirituality (as contrasted with Christian religion, which is not actually spirituality at all) is all about. We are united not by strength, but by weakness. That’s how community is formed. Jesus came and modeled a theology of weakness. PaulContinue reading ““Dumb-Shitness””

Weakness

I was wondering today what is it that accounts for the fact that almost without exception every pastor wrestles with the size of his/her church. I don’t know a single one (including myself) who doesn’t go home feeling elated on days when a lot of people are there, and depressed if attendance is low. IContinue reading “Weakness”

A Journey Toward Humility

An old couple was once asked what the key was to the longevity of their relationship. They said each of them had learned to say one phrase to the other person during an argument, really believing it deeply: “You could be right.” I want my life to communicate the openness and respect that comes fromContinue reading “A Journey Toward Humility”

Dealing with pain

I have a group of fellow pastors I meet with once a month for breakfast. We socialize and talk shop, but mostly we just hang out. That’s right. We hang out. It’s not usually very “spiritual.” It’s not usually what a person might expect from a group of pastors hanging out together. No one bringsContinue reading “Dealing with pain”

Codewords

Glenn Beck’s recent diatribe on how the words “social justice” are codewords for Nazism and Communism got me thinking, in general, about the idea of codewords. When a military commander sends a message to headquarters in code, he assumes that 1) there is actually a place called headquarters; and 2) that this place called headquartersContinue reading “Codewords”

Hearing God

Lily Tomlin once noted that when we talk to God we call it prayer, but when God talks back we call it schizophrenia. More than 90% of Americans say they pray regularly. Are you one of them? When you talk to God, do you hope that he will talk back? Is there any reason youContinue reading “Hearing God”

On the turning…

I will never cease to be a Free Methodist. I am proud of our background and what our church has always stood for. But I have to admit, I’m feeling a bit misled by the evangelical tradition in general lately. The view of Christ, of God, etc., that I was taught is only about 100Continue reading “On the turning…”

Can God use people who don’t serve him?

In the church we often think God can only work through people who have devoted their lives to serving Him. Actually this is not the case at all, and when we believe this it marginalizes God to the fringe. God can do anything and work through anyone in any circumstance. It’s pretty Biblical. In Genesis,Continue reading “Can God use people who don’t serve him?”