This morning I listened to an interesting article regarding Hispanics and the "American Church." There is after a closer read some perspective issues.
"The Rev. Wilfredo de Jesus is leading the movement to give a little color to the mostly white Pentecostal faith. He says — and statistics bear him out — that Latinos are saving American Christianity."
Looking past "American Christianity" which sort of makes me shudder, is the statement that a certain culture/demographic is "saving it." Equally wrong would be a statement like this:
"The American Church is saving a a disproportionately large number of Hispanic Americans."
I think the first quote wouldn't bother me as much if it wasn't from a Christian leader. I can't expect NPR to acknowledge where the Holy Spirit works and Who actually does the saving (and from what). I hope the statement has been brought out of context as well as the final statement of the piece:
"Which is why de Jesus is traveling the country, telling other pastors how to expand their churches, Latino-style."
For a Christian, salvation does not come through a church but through Christ. For a church, the purpose is not to increase their "gate" but to usher congregants to the Savior.
Person 1: Which Church do you go to?
Person 2: We go to (insert pleasant name) (insert well-known denomination) Church. It's the church my spouse was raised in.
Translation: I really don't like this church or the denomination, but we go there anyhow.
For years, I have tried to shed my allegiance to the Cincinnati Bengals. Growing up in the area, they were respectable. Actually, they were respectable until the passing of their founder and first head coach, Paul Brown. They have been consistently bad since, and the common thread through those years of badness, has been the teams front office and ownership. (In this case the apple DOES fall far from the tree).
Anyhow, the saying you often hear is, "If you want to know where someone's heart is, look at their checkbook." I'm going to follow that statement in to the NFL. I have decided that I will cheer for the team who has spent the most on their payroll. Not because they likely have the best players, but because I refuse to be more concerned about winning than the owners/millionaires that own the team.
Son (re: selling something through craigslist): "But what if they guy who says he wants to buy them, has a machine gun?" Mom: "I don't think he is going to have a machine gun." Son: "I know. If he has a machine gun, I will just give him the matchbox cars." Mom: "That's a very good idea!"
Growing up I was a huge fan of Rush, (and still am a fan). Consequently, it was cool to think Ayn Rand is cool. Mainly because she had one novel that influenced the the writing of "2112." I read that novel, which in and of itself was thought provoking.
Ayn Rand is best known for a Philosophy called Objectivism. The summation of this philosphy, from an ethical point of view is characterized by a statement of one of her Characters in "Atlas Shrugged:"
"I swear -- by my life and my love of it -- that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."
While Ms. Rand may have influenced prominent people such as Alan Greenspan, I personally find this philosophy, or the creator of it a bit whacked.
10 Year Old Son: "Dad, what is 'making out?'"
Dad: "Uh,...it's when you kiss your wife multiple times."
Son: "Yeah, or someone you're in love with, right?"
Dad: "Uh...let's just leave it at 'wife.'"
This week I figuratively threw my sons in to the deep end. Yesterday was their first day of 6th and 3rd grade, in a new school where they knew less than five people vaguely. Today the 6th grader left for Windy Gap for a three day spiritual retreat with the middle school.
I'm very happy about their new school, while being both thrilled and petrified that they are gaining more independence through the process....especially the 6th grader. Here he is leaving the parking lot this morning. He's the one in the bus. ;-)
Is it because I am neglectful or less egocentric that I haven't posted in a while? You can decide in due time I suppose. I'm seriously thinking about a full decommissioning of this blog or perhaps I lower my standards and post any and everything that comes to mind. People can take or leave it. I'm beginning to think the latter would be better. Doing so will help me be less selective and allow the writing outlet I want. Considering that it is implied that people take or leave blog entries, I shouldn't be so hard on myself and should just do it.
I suppose if I'm going to do this I should perhaps change the name of this blog too.
Often we find we are not putting our faith into action. That what we do seems temporal or lacks potential eternal significance. Max Lucado addresses such thoughts and concerns in Outlive your life. After reading Fearless, I felt this would be a good second Max Lucado book to read. Lucado remains extremely readable. The words flow well and the stories can be heart-wrenching/warming. In this Book, Lucado takes the first 12 chapters of Acts and uses them to speak on the need for us, as followers of Christ, to engage the world and make a difference.
In this book, Lucado strikes his pastoral tones and each chapter comes out like a sermon…a good sermon. Max pulls at your emotions while grounding you in the text of scripture, albeit at a high level. I found myself emotionally moved to further take on our call to live according to the ways that were reflected in our savior and the early disciples. Mr. Lucado writes at a high level. His writings are grounded in sound theology, but theology is not what you will get in this book. This book focuses on application which is consistent with the author’s style. The book was enjoyable and moving.
One hundred percent of the author royalties from Outlive Your Life products will benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Write more, tweet less
Move more, eat less
Pray more, surf less
Listen more, talk less
Serve more, judge less
Love more, complain less
Play more, sit less
Give more, spend less
I do not resolve anything, but I do hope to improve.
Your basic salad, by layer is as follows:
1. Vegetables and maybe a little meat
2. Cheese
3. Dressing
4. Bread (Croutons)
You now have a guilt free healthy dish.
Turn it upside down:
1. Bread
2. Dressing
3. Cheese
4. Vegetables and maybe a little meat
If your dressing is tomato based and you reduce the fat/oil a little, you essentially have a pizza.
Conclusion: Pizza is better for you than salad....Happy Holidays!!!
Fear of Insignificance? Upsetting God?Financial Upheaval?Losing Your Job? Death?In Max Lucado’s book Fearless, the author looks to word pictures, analogies and most importantly, scripture, to address these and many other common fears.Fear constrains us from what God wants us to be.It limits our service, worship, witness and joy.
This was the first Max Lucado book I had ever read, I wasn’t disappointed.I found the author easy to read and his writing style has a familiar tone. His pastoral nature comes through in his word pictures and analogies as well as references to both the old and new testaments make reading this book very was not the least bit intimidating, which reflects the tone you would expect when someone tells us not to be afraid.While reading this book, I felt like I was sitting in a room with Max, while he was providing encouragement and conviction where needed.I found Fearless very appropriate and timely, not only from a national or international perspective, but from a personal one.The book reads like a series of sermons, which brings additional value to the book since I can reference it when needed during times of anxiety. With each topic, Max makes a compelling case, to consider scripture and our God when anxiousness and fear constrain us.And in the end, he helps us realize that the only healthy fear is in God and His limitless power.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
"Politicians pull box-sized versions of Jesus off the shelf asserting that Jesus would most certainly vote green; conservative; often; never; like a hawk, dove or eagle. The Jesus-of-my-politics comes in handy during elections."
I appreciate his facetiousness. He goes on to talk about how you cannot put God in a box.
