Posted by Helen in category
Jim and Casper on March 30, 2008
by Mike Herzog
I’m a recovery snob. Having been involved for almost 6 years in various recovery/healing groups, I see the immense benefit of working on our stuff through a 12 step program. I believe, to the point of sometimes cramming my agenda down your throat. I mean, hey, I have wisdom that I think should be imparted to you! The truth is my goal is, quite often, very noble and helpful. It is good to accept Jesus and be a Christ follower. It’s good for a child to learn to integrate into the world around him/her. It’s also good for the addict to come to grips with their brokenness and begin to heal. but i’m definitely beginning to rethink my role and my methods in this process.
A half a year ago, I was talking to one of my mentors about someone I’d known for a few years. This young lady was, in my prideful opinion, in need of my wisdom on her recovery. (A need she had never shared that she needed or desired, but I have been practicing mind reading for decades). So I decided I was going to make her a “project” of mine. (more…)
Posted by Helen in category
Jim and Casper on March 27, 2008
Pastor Mark Van Steenwyk has posted a detailed review of this book on his blog. Overall Mark thought
The book was pretty well written, though I could tell from Jesus’ sections that he hadn’t written a book before. His insights were the most insightful, but I found I could relate with Tim’s perspective more easily.
Read the rest of Mark’s review and find out what Jesus thought of the churches he visited with Pastor Tim Henderson.
Posted by Traci in category
Beth and Traci go to Church on March 20, 2008
What’s that gaggle of suburban moms in aisle 5? Why, it’s an Easter candy buying frenzy.
I take my paper towels and creme hair colourant (the “u” in the middle spells fancy) to the register. Behind me a woman unloads her cart of candy and my eye rests on a milk chocolate cross with — God help me, is that a chocolate Jesus strung up on the thing?
No, it’s flowers.
Phew.
Nothing says “thanks for the salvation” like an execution device rendered in chocolate, but a candy Jesus would be in poor taste.
Posted by Beth Bates in category
Beth and Traci go to Church on March 18, 2008
“I think attending church regularly is important because it gives you a chance to stop, reflect on your life and regroup from the week.”
Pop Quiz!
Who made the above statement during our time at Convergence in Portland?
A - One of the conventional church female pastors trying to persuade a pierced, artfully tattooed Emergie in one of the bars at Edgefield
B - A pierced, artfully tattooed Emergie trying to persuade a pierced, artfully tattooed drunk in one of the bars at Edgefield
C - An unpierced, flawless skinned atheist interloper trying to persuade a lapsed fundamentalist in one of the bars at Edgefield
(more…)
Posted by Helen in category
General Conversation on March 17, 2008
Benjamin sent me a link to an interesting commentary yesterday in which the author said:
while it might seem obvious that people choose a church (or synagogue, or mosque) because they agree with its teachings, that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, I’d argue that for most people the beliefs of their church are a small, often insignificant part of why they attend.
They might attend because of the community there. They might attend because the church, like the evangelical congregation I hear advertised on WEHM-FM out of Long Island from time to time, offers free baby-sitting, plus a short service so you can “get home in time for the big game.” They might attend because of a cultural loyalty–and this can be true of Jews or Muslims or even Norwegian Lutherans, whose church might be their last meaningful tie to the grandparents who came over from Northern Europe. They might attend because the music and ritual are powerful.
They might attend a church with offensive sermons because having a pastor whom they disagree with is more interesting than having a pastor who never says anything controversial.
read the whole article
Those of you who attend church: why do you go? How important is it to you whether the church’s beliefs match yours?
