Connexion Bloggers
The content below is drawn from the personal web sites of Connexion members. ECC / Connexion is not responsible for the content. The views and opinions of these authors are not necessarily those of ECC and should not be read as such. If you've got a blog that you'd like to share with us, tell us about it!
Beyond Purgatory: If I had let my eyes decide
I once met an old man who was wrinkled, white, and grey
If I had let my eyes decide, I would have walked away
His stories were of adventure, and mystery and love
And his crows feet grew from praying to the sky and Son above
the whisky on his breath keeps him sober through the day
if I had let my eyes decide, I'd have had too much to say
I once met a woman with stains on all her clothes,
If I had let my eyes decide, I would have gone back home
She told me of the tears that have soaked her tattered skirt,
Her child is at school, and then comes home to sleep in dirt
The coins that line her pockets feed the lining in her stomach
If I had let my eyes decide, I'd have thought quite little of it
I once met a boy with colors on his arm
If I had let my eyes decide, I'd have thought he meant me harm
He told me that his pictures were the still frames of his life
That gave him strength and character for his future, Christian wife
His hope is just to love the ones the world chose to ignore
If I had let my eyes decide, I would have expected more
I once met a girl with a sweater for each season
If I had let my eyes decide, I'd have not asked for a reason
She told me that each sweater hides the scars on both her wrists
And her entourage of friends conceals the only one she'll miss
And soon she won't need sweaters, or even a change of clothes
If I had let my eyes decide, I would have never known
I meet so many people but we never ... [Link]
God Entranced: Getting the most out of seminary
I was so thankful that I met a man named John Erickson during my second semester. He became a mentor to me during the next five semester and into today. One piece of advice he gave me during the early weeks of our relationship changed how I approached seminary and I am grateful for it today.
In seminary, maybe more than any other graduate program (though I don't have much to compare it to), there is a ton of reading. I mean a ton. The average student will probably read 2000-3000 pages per class, not counting time reading Scripture (which is not suprisingly important in seminary - if you go to a good one). Again, that's per class. John's advice was in the form of a decision: either you'll plow through all the reading in a mechanical way or you'll read it devotionally, allowing it to sink in and transform. I chose the later, which wasn't an easy choice. In essence, it meant I didn't always get all the reading done. But I wouldn't trade the A- for A's if it meant I didn't get anything other than a grade from it.
I am not a fast reader. I plow through slowly, reading paragraphs twice, underlining, commenting. It took time, but I grew in an appreciation for God's word and in awe of God and all he has done for his people and his church.
This choice goes to the very heart of why someone goes to seminary. It's not just to get your ticket punched. It's to be prepared for ministry, whether in a church or parachurch or in an academic setting. This preparation is as much, or more, spiritual and heart focused as it is academic and intellectual.
Don't misunderstand. I didn't use my 'devotional' approach as an ... [Link]
God Entranced: Obama's misstatement on abortion
I want to be real honest - I didn't watch any of Obama's conversation with Rick Warren this weekend and only 5-10 minutes of McCain's. I mean cmon, the Olympics are on. I was prompted by a blog to listen to Obama's comments on abortion and the beginning of life. He was witty, but wrong. Decisions about when a child gets human rights are not 'over his pay grade', at least not if he is a presidential hopeful. To his credit, he did acknowledge it is a moral/ethical issue, not just a political or pragmatic one.
However, he appears to have been wrong when he asserted that abortions have not gone down during the reign of George W., a pro-life president. An article in US News and World Report shows differently. The article is entitled "Abortion Rate Falls to Lowest Level in Decades". This isn't a good strategy for Obama. If he wants to win this argument (and I don't want him to, by the way), then he should be saying that the abortion rate has little or nothing to do with the stance of a President. Yes, abortions have gone down during George W.'s reign; however, they were at their all time during the reign of his father George H. [Link]
Beyond Purgatory: IPOY
August 16, 2008
Open your hearts to us; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I have great confidence in you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. With all our affliction, I am overjoyed. (2 Corinthians 7:2-4)
I wish I could have the same spirit as Paul when he speaks to the Christians of various towns. The epistles were written because people we screwing up, making mistakes, being led astray despite his work to show them the accurate gospel of Jesus Christ. And yet, this insane behavior does not create a heart of bitterness in Paul. Instead he states simply, “I have great confidence in you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort.”
I wish I could say this to my friends who fall habitually into sin. I wish I could say, “I’m proud of you,” when they start behaving like maniacs. But then again, when I was in my downward spirals, I desperately wanted someone to believe in me. I needed the affirmation of love. So Paul gives. And so I want to give to my friends as well.
When someone believes in you, you can’t help but feel the slightest bit empowered. If someone believes in me, I at least wonder what they could see that perhaps I don’t see. We all need someone to see us beyond ourselves, because way too frequently we’re egotistical cry babies.
Paul says that in Christ, we no longer see the world thru human eyes, but thru the eyes of God. Maybe that’s where believing in sinners comes ... [Link]
A Fresh Breath: Finally Understanding Ourselves
"This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."~ 1 Timothy 1:15
I'm in the midst of reading a pretty awesome book. It's called "When Sinners Say I Do" by Dave Harvey. I enjoy reading books on relationships, but this book is by far the most unique and I would venture to say one of the most solid of the bunch. I was expecting another "How To" book on relationships, eager to see how yet another person views marriage- which is usually accompanied by a 10-step list. But in this book, I have found an earth-shattering simplicity that continues to change my perspective on things.
So what's the premise? We're all sinners. I know, I know. That's kind of a "duh" statement, right? But in considering the way we interact, I think it's quite profound. We don't actually act on this truth. Think about it. I know countless situations where I've responded to the person as if he or she should be perfect. Thoughts like "they should know that hurts me" or "I don't deserve to be treated like that" or "did he really forget to tell me again??" This attitude communicates a very humanized and twisted theology that I tend to hold. First, it communicates that I don't know who I'm working with. First, that I am a sinner...really...so it truly is by GRACE that I am even typing these words. Second, the person across from me is a sinner LIKE ME, so I am obligated to grant them the same forgiveness as I've been shown. And third, I don't even come close to recognizing the significance and necessity of God's grace and mercy...in fact, I don't see the power in it. At ... [Link]
God Entranced: Modern 'respect' for religion is really disrespecful
I don't keep up with too much TV, unless its sports. I've seen three or four episodes of Lost, only two episodes of the Office. I even missed the whole Seinfeld craze. Just wasn't into it. But Friends, I watched that religiously back in the day. I was reading a book about religious pluralism and a scene from Friends popped into my mind. Rachel's got a crush on a guy names Joey. Ross doesn't like it. Joey teaches him how to be insulting and dismissive without showing that he doesn't like the fact that Rachel is dating someone else.
Rachel laughs to herself
Phoebe: (About Rachel laughing) What? What?
Rachel: Well, it was just something Josh said about v-necks, but you had to be there.
Ross: Yeah, how does Jason look in a v-neck?
Rachel: It’s Joshua.
Ross: Oh, whatever.
Whatever. I doesn't matter. It's all the same. Dismissive and insulting.
Imagine a child being given directions from their parent.
Parent: gather up all your toys and put them in the toy box. its time for bed.
Child: whatever mom.
Parent: what did you say to me. Say it again and I'll rip your lips off.
Completely imaginary conversation, but 'whatever' isn't respectful, it's dismissive and insulting. And yet, that's exactly how the claims of the great religious leaders not only of our day but from the ages are treated.
Paul: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God
Jewish Teacher of the Law: Jesus was a blaspheming heretic.
Muhammad: Jesus was the Messiah, a great prophet, but not the Son of God (Christians blaspheme in claiming God has progeny)
Postmodern Pluralist: Whatever. It's all the same.
Vedas: the soul is eternal
Siddhartha Gautama: no it's not, everything is in flux and nothing is eternal ... [Link]
God Entranced: Who should go to seminary, part 2?
Read the second part of Dr. Clark's response to the question 'who should go to seminary?'. May I suggest that you carefully pay attention to point two in his response - don't go if you're just doing it to jump through a hoop, get your ticket punched or if you're only interested in 'practical ministry' stuff. I completely echo Dr. Clarks comments about seminary being the beginning of the process of learning, not the terminus. I learned how to think biblically in seminary, not just what to think.
I think I'll post later this week on how to get the most out of your seminary experience. I think it will apply to your classes at IU as well. [Link]
God Entranced: Who should go to seminary?
Last week I posted my 'top ten list' of seminaries, which was actually twelve and turned into thirteen when it was pointed out that I completely neglected Westminster Seminary California. Dr. R. Scott Clark from Westminster pointed out my error (still not sure how he stumbled onto my blog - google search for 'top seminaries' is my guess). I took that insult as an opportunity to add injury and asked him if he would be willing to write on the question 'who should go to seminary' on his blog. He was gracious and willing. His response - "anyone, but not everyone". Read the whole thing... [Link]
c. scott andreas: Kurt Vonnegut:
Vonnegut: What a mistake we are. We have mortally wounded this sweet life-supporting planet…with a century of transportation whoopee.
[Link]
God Entranced: Westminster Seminary California
Oops. I left off a very good and influential seminary from my list. Westminster Seminary in Escondido, CA is an excellent seminary with outstanding faculty and great reputation. Among their big guns are Michael Horton (White Horse Inn, Modern Reformation), Robert Godfrey and R. Scott Clark. The seminary also draws from a large pool of great visiting faculty, guys like DG Hart, Kim Riddlebarger, RC Sproul, and Philip Ryken. Sorry for the slight. In fact, the works of these guys has shaped my theology more than any of the other seminary faculties outside of TEDS. [Link]
God Entranced: Recommended Seminaries
I get asked quite frequently which seminaries I would recommend; in fact, someone asked me earlier today. It seemed like it might be helpful to post my list with some comment here. This isn't an official ranking and is almost exclusively evangelical seminaries (no Princetons or Dukes), though not all on the list would like that label. Here they are:
1. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Chicago area, Evangelical Free Church)
Ok, so this one is near and dear to my heart. Honestly, I'm not joking. The three years I spent there were incredible. I loved the friends, the classes, the environment and the faculty (though the campus leaves a lot to be desired). It is a very strong academic institution but has a very strong emphasis on practical ministry experience and personal spiritual development. Some of their big gun profs are DA Carson, Kevin Vanhoozer, Doug Sweeney, Grant Osborne, Herold Netland, and John Woodbridge. It's conservative but not fundi, it's largely reformed, but has a healthy dose or Arminian/Wesleyan profs and really does 'major on the major' stuff. There's a wealth of seminars and other talks from the Henry Center available for download.
2. Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia area, Orthodox Presbyterian)
Academically, this may be the strongest on the list, but its staunch Presbyterianism may not be for everyone. In addition, I think its reputation is for turning out great profs but for not being as strong on the practical ministry side of things. If I had my druthers, I'd do a PhD there. Their big guns are Vern Poythress, Peter Lillback, and Scott Oliphant. It's got a great history to add. There's lots of video and audio at the Media Center to help give you a feel for the institution.
3. Gordon Conwell Theological ... [Link]
Beyond Purgatory: Shout Out
I just wanted to make a shout out to the woman who waited in the Bruggers store to watch my computer as I was in the bathroom.
Psychology class taught me that you should always designate someone to be in charge of your stuff if you have to leave for a moment. Otherwise, a theif is more likely to succeed in stealing your stuff, even if a slew of people know it doesn't belong to him or her, but you instead. Therefore, I always ask strangers to look out for my stuff if I have to leave. Don't worry, I don't make a habit of this. But when a girls gotta go, a girls gotta go.
So, I write this because in all the hell that is here on earth, there are still heavenly beings willing to lend a helping hand. I chose this lady because I thought she'd be taking more time to eat her sandwich. But while I was gone, she finished, but decided to stick around because she had a responsibility, even though she had every right to renig on that and go on with her evening.
So thank you, helpful lady, for spending few more minutes watching my laptop while I was on the potty. I greatly appreciate you, and hope someone watches out for you as well.
God bless, and be a blessing! ...http://beyondpurgatory.blogspot.~ [Link]
God Entranced: The Greatest Commandment and Marriage
Matthew 22:34-40, But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (ESV)
This week, in preparing for a wedding, I was reflecting on how these commands inform and challenge husbands and wives in marriage. The first command is an important reminder that while we must love our spouses, we must love them more than we love God. If our loves are not 'properly ordered' (CS Lewis), they cease to be truly loving. Only a when we love God first, do we love our spouses (or anyone) well. I remember reading a poem by John Piper, written for his son's wedding I believe, in which he called upon the newlywed couple to "go and love each other more by loving each other less (than God)".
Our spouses, or future spouses, are gifts from God. Genesis 2 describes the reasoning behind God giving this gift to mankind - it was not good for man to be alone. It is possible, and all to common, for people to love God's gifts more than the giftgiver. It happens with spouses, kids, and sadly enough, houses and cars too.
The second command is also a challenge in marriage (and in every other facet of life). I've heard people twist this commandment and urge people to learn how to love themselves. ... [Link]
Beyond Purgatory: Choice Between Songs
There are times where you have the responsibility to decide between two choices: will I eat now or have a glass of water? Will I watch Law and Order Criminal Intent or Special Victims Unit? Will I go to sleep or write a blog to express my feelings? Hmm...
Some choices are more difficult, or at least more crucial: Will I decide to talk smack about someone or decide to build them up, even though I feel about "this" small in their eyes? Will I choose to resort to old habits and fixes or quickly exit the screen before I send a message I will regret? Will I dwell on resentment or plead to feel forgiveness?
Tonight, I have a choice between two songs: one about love and friendship, the other about bitternes and disappointment. One song was written early in the morning, and the other song was written to end the evening. One song I felt 12 hours ago, and the other I feel right now. But one song will encourage people who read it, and the other song will just make me feel entitled and potentially make others feel bad, and all so I can have a nice pity party because things don't go my way.
That's a pretty selfish, egotistical justification for behavior.
So, against my true feelings, but in honor of that which I wish I felt, I am posting the first song. Mainly, because the first song (in the end) overrides the latter by a landslide. I dedicate it to all my friends who I hope I never have to let go of. And what's nice is that I don't have to try that hard to hold on, either :) Thanks, girls :)
Best of Conversations
by Elise Hindmarsh, July 31 2008
Is it ... [Link]
God Entranced: An Emotionally Raw Day
Yesterday was a very weird day for me. It seemed as though I was wearing my emotions on my sleeve - good ones and bad ones. All day long my heart was heavy with decisions I have made that are good, but are potentially hurtful. No matter what I was doing, that was on my mind and several times yesterday I had to fight back tears.
At the same time, talking with a friend and recounting a blessing from over the weekend nearly brought me to tears as well. Then I went home and realizing how much I'm loved by my wife and kids was an overwhelming feeling. Luke, our two year old, gave me a huge hug and a full on the mouth wet kiss. Again, nearly crying in front of my boys (hard to explain to them).
Life is weird, isn't it. A day can be filled with such ups and downs. I'm amazingly unstable (I think we all are). I'm learning more and more how to really be in those moments - how to really feel grief and sorrow when its appropriate. I'm glad, in a way, that the hard decisions I am working through are hard. I'm glad they effect me and that my heart is open to the hurt I could cause. I don't enjoy it, but I'm glad for it. I'm also glad that opening myself up to the hurt and grief also opens me up to greater experiences of joy and comfort. And I'm really glad God sends a mixture of both into our lives.
Yesterday was one of the most prayerful and worshipful days I've had in a while, and it was also exhausting. I wanted to write about it last night, but I was too tired. I fell asleep on the ... [Link]
Beyond Purgatory: A Time and a Place
I love the Sunday comics. I don't read the paper much, but I love the comics. Occasionally, I think that the comics hold bits and pieces of profound truth, which says to me that I'm reading something worthwhile, even if its not the political section.
For example, this afternoon I was reading Peanuts. I'm not sure how it is still in circulation as the cartoonist passed away, but I don't loose sleep on it. Anyways, the setting was the typical baseball field, where Charlie pitches and his friends, usually Lucy, are in the outfield.
The first frame shows Lucy ignoring a pop-up, as it falls two inches away from her. Charlie marches over (or so I assume as its hard to see moving action in a frame-by-frame cartoon), and starts chewing her out because she didn't go for the ball. When he demands an answer, Lucy's response is simple: "I was having my quiet time."
Now, in the Christian circle. a quiet time is when we spend time alone with God, separating ourselves from distractions so we can focus solely on talking, meditating, and just "hanging out" with the Lord. I'm sure that Peanuts wasn't using the phrase, "quiet time" in the same way, but it made me think: do we as Christians ignore our responsibilities and justify that by saying, "We were having our quiet time."
More specifically, do we focus so much on our relationship with the Lord and ignore what's going on around us? Do we latch onto the truth that salvation comes from a personal choice to follow Christ, and ignore the equal truth that it should move us to action in our world?
For instance: the two greatest commandments are love God...and then love others. Jesus calls His disciples to Himself...and then calls them ... [Link]
God Entranced: Favorite Music, Christian and Otherwise
I'm feeling bad that I slammed Christian music tonight. Fist, let me clarify I wasn't slamming Christian contemporary worship music. I actually enjoy much of that. I had in mind the Christian pop/rock genre. I dislike it because I hate it when groups mimic popular secular groups sound, but there are a few Christian artists I like and think are original:
1. Jars of Clay
2. Dave Crowder
3. Caedmons Call
4. Waterdeep
5. Delirious
6. Derek Webb
Now I completely understand that this might just reflect my musical tastes. These tastes are, however, incredibly diverse. On the secular side I really enjoy hard rock (Linkin Park, Metallica, Papa Roach, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Live, Alice in Chains, Audioslave, Smashing Pumpkins, Velvet Revolver, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, even Rob Zombie and NIN).
Recently, I've mellowed and have turned to Coldplay, Counting Crows, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Ryan Adams (not Bryan Adams), John Mellencamp, Five for Fighting, John Mayer, and James Blunt.
When I'm in a more funky mood, Beck, Moby, Stone Roses, Rusted Root, U2.
And then there are the bands I"m embarrassed to admit I listen to still: Bon Jovi, Journey, Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffet and a few more. [Link]
God Entranced: Pastor Injured During Sunday Morning Sermon
You can file this under 'things you'll never see Dan do'.
KOKOMO, Ind. — A pastor brought out a dirt bike during a church service to demonstrate the concept of unity. Now he's demonstrating the concept of healing.
Jeff Harlow, the senior pastor at Crossroads Community Church, broke his wrist when he lost control of the motorcycle at the start of Sunday's second service, driving off a 5-foot platform and into the vacant first row of seats. He underwent surgery on the wrist Monday.
"Jeff has already laughed a lot, so he's OK. I think his pride was bruised," said his wife, Becky.
Becky Harlow said her husband had recently attended a motorcycle race in Buchanan, Mich.
"He had this idea that he would bring this bike out onstage and show people how the rider would become one with the bike," she told the Kokomo Tribune. "He was going to just sit on it and drive it out. He was just walking the dirt bike out onstage and somehow it got away from him. It was not intended."
No one else was hurt.
Jeff Harlow had performed the demonstration at earlier services Saturday night and Sunday morning without incident. [Link]
God Entranced: Summary and Review of Above All Earthly Pow'rs, Part 2
It has been a long time since I posted part one of this summary and review, but I want to finish what I started, so here is part two and part three will soon follow.
Wells does a great job chronicling the effects of immigration on the American religious scene. For the first century and half of our nations existence, most immigrants came from Europe and shared a common Judeo-Christian heritage. However, in the second half of the 20th century this trend changed and America became a more pluralistic nation.
Alongside the multiplication of religions available on the buffet, a 'new spirituality' has developed. This new spirituality is individualistic, non institutional, therapeutic at its core. This personalized and customizable spritualities have had a tremendous and unfortunate impact on the evangelical church in the last decades. This is especially the case in seeker churches which have exploited this heightened spirituality in our culture. Wells observes, "[The spiritual climate] makes it easy to gain a hearing for what is spiritual but hard to maintain a genuinely biblical posture because that is what becomes a part of 'religion'" (119).
While the new spiritual openness of our culture is an opportunity of immense proportions, it would be a mistake to think the new spirituality is a friend of evangelical faith. Again, Wells correctly asserts, "It is this spirituality that threatens to rumble through evangelical faith in a way more detrimental to it than any Christian engagement with no Christian religions" (126). This new spirituality is in fact, as Wells aptly demonstrates, not that new, but a combination of ancient paganism and ancient gnosticism. This new spirituality is to be confronted, not courted.
Chapter Five of Wells' book is one of the most helpful I've read recently, helpful knowing how to engage with those ... [Link]
God Entranced: What kinda Evangelical are you?
What Kind of Evangelical Are You
created with QuizFarm.com
You scored as Evangelical Presbyterian
You're an Evangelical Presbyterian, probably a member of a PCA church. Sound theology and reverent worship are important to you, but so are outreach and ministry to the community. You are likely to be from the deep South, and perhaps at one time you were Southern Baptist.
Evangelical Presbyterian
95%
Reformed Baptist
95%
High Church Nomad
70%
Presby - Old School
60%
Baptist
50%
Fightin' Fundy
40%
Moderate Evangelical
30%
Conservative Evangelical
25%
Wow, pretty accurate. Of course, I took the quiz twice because the first time it said I was a Reformed Baptist even though I said I'd baptize infants - which would rule me out of membership in any Baptist Church I know of. I did live in the south, was a member of many baptist churches, though most were independent. My dad, who was my pastor for 20 years or so) is an evangelist at heart, more than me, but cares less about doctrinal precision than I do. I thought about pursuing ordination in the PCA at one time, but get hung up on one point of the Westminster Confession - avoiding worldly leisure on the Sabbath. Seemed a little Pharisaical to me. I am, on the other hand, attending a PCA seminary. Well, I just wasted 15 minutes of a work day finding out what I already knew - and you just wasted five minutes finding out things about me that I bet you already knew to! [Link]
