The following are from the book, Children’s letters to God by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall: Dear God, If we come back as something, please don’t let me be Jennifer Horton because I hate her. (Denise) Dear God, My brother is a rat. You should give him a tail. Ha ha. (Danny) Dear God, Please send Dennis Clark to aContinue reading “Learning to Love”
Category Archives: community
Jesus and Organized Religion (4)
There’s more to say from Matthew 23 concerning Jesus’ teaching about organized religion. These bullet points will give you a starting point for your own research and study. 3. Jesus was for humility and against pride. (v. 5-12) 4. He was against building walls and for building bridges. (v. 13-14) 5. He was against winning people toContinue reading “Jesus and Organized Religion (4)”
Jesus and Organized Religion (3)
It seems that these days disciples of Jesus bear the responsibility of not only being apologists for anything and everything claiming to be Christian, but in the eyes of an increasing amount of people, they should be defenders of all religions and faiths—especially the radicalized ones. Read the vitriol of people like Sam Harris andContinue reading “Jesus and Organized Religion (3)”
Jesus and Organized Religion (2)
There are several approaches we could take in regard to Jesus and organized religion. We could speak about Him promising to “build My church” (Matthew 16:18). We could look at His words to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2-3 and discuss how, despite the failings of some of the groups, He claims themContinue reading “Jesus and Organized Religion (2)”
Jesus and Organized Religion (1)
From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn’t seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it’s not really compassionate. Sir Elton John Organized religions in general, in my opinion, are dying forms. There were all very important when we didn’t know why the sun moved, why weatherContinue reading “Jesus and Organized Religion (1)”
If You Get To The Funeral Home You’ve Gone Too Far
We lived in Arkansas for fifteen years years and this is what would I tell people when giving directions to our church building. If nothing else, it usually got their attention because for better or worse, funeral homes usually stand out. Nothing else really looks quite like a funeral home. Architecturally, they might resemble a church or aContinue reading “If You Get To The Funeral Home You’ve Gone Too Far”
Honor Guards and Ultimate Solidarity
We were at our gate in the Raleigh-Durham airport when it was announced that our plane would be transporting the body of a fallen soldier. The honor guard was there at the gate and we were asked to stand and be silent while they performed their duties. It was a powerful moment. Airports are normallyContinue reading “Honor Guards and Ultimate Solidarity”
Grace and Community (2)
Both pop psychology and American culture thrive on playing up to our individualism. You’re different! You’re unique! You’re not like anyone else! Snowflakes, fingerprints, and DNA are all called in to make the case for how wonderfully special we are. And while that’s true, it’s a partial truth that needs balancing because we hear itContinue reading “Grace and Community (2)”
Grace and Community (1)
Luke recorded a parable by Jesus in 18:9-14 of his gospel. The story Jesus told was about two men in the temple and their approach God. The first man, a Pharisee, came before God reciting a checklist of all of the good things he had done. Interestingly, Christ never suggested that the man didn’t do the things of which heContinue reading “Grace and Community (1)”
For What It’s Worth
We are a fragmented nation, with fragmented leaders (official and otherwise), speaking fragmented messages that offer fragmented solutions with the promise of producing wholeness! Picking and choosing who to love, who to help and whose sins we will recognize and condemn is what has brought us to this point. Treating complex, involved issues by ignoringContinue reading “For What It’s Worth”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 