escapingbabylon.com

Excerpt from the InterVarsity Press Blog:

My small group at church, for example, opts to discuss a forty-year-old book on evangelism. I commence re/add-ing, dutifully but skeptically, deconstructing and dismissing as I go. I lean back smugly in my chair in our circle, biding my time until I can bring all conversation to a halt with my enlightened Christian editorial denouncement of our reading assignment. Meanwhile, my friends and neighbors share how meaningful this week’s chapter was, how the author brought up things they’d never thought of, how their understanding and appreciation of Jesus has been transformed by their encounter with this text. And I am left silent.

So, doing my regular Technorati trawling, I came across this article that just so perfectly captures an issue that I struggle with, and I also see symptoms of in the lives of those who are also involved in “ministry”. Go check it out, tell me what you think.

[rating:4/5]

I just saw Pirates of the Caribbean 3. The short answer is that I give it a high woo (which is 4th on my 5 point scale). In-depth review (and potential light spoilers)below the cut. (more…)

So I’ve been thinking about changing my design for a while, and found this theme. I like it because the picture reminds me of orchards back home on the way to Montego Bay.

Anyway, I’m still working out some of the design tweaks (like changing the favorites icon, and considering the font for the name) and making sure everything connects and still works. I’d love feedback and suggestions though.

What’s the InterVarsity (or other para church ministry targeted at college students) equivalent of meeting at a bar?

Is there a physical place on campuses in general (or on a particular campus that you know of) where we could meet that is like a bar in three specific ways :-

1. It’s a community gathering place
2. It’s a place where Christianity usually isn’t
3. We will be able to serve the community and its culture instead of going in there to try to “civilize” them.

On the recent kerfluffle at Hamline. (more…)

So, I’ve been awarded a Thinking Blogger Award by Ariah, for which I am grateful and now I’m going to give out my versions of it.

1. Trying to Follow: I’m not just being reciprocal here. Ariah’s blog deals with following Jesus in the real world. He’s often (always) radical and always well written. I’ve been challenged by this blog a lot.
2. Barrio Prophets: Abner Ramos and his blog about ministry though InterVarsity and beyond. He speaks a lot about reconciliation, and though he doesn’t post any more, is always an inspiration when he does. I’ve also yet to meet him, even though we’ve been at a conference together when I was actively looking for him.
3. Jesus Manifesto: Mark VanSteenwyk’s blog of ministry stuff and general pontification. A smart man, a Christian anarchist and also all about sacrificial living (for want of a better phrase right now).
4. Dog On the Prairie: Matthew is living on a Lakota reservation in South Dakota, working for Teach For America.  We went to school together, and although we have different journeys in dealing with ethnicity and culture, have done a lot of that journey alongside each other. He doesn’t dismiss the things that are happening to him, but thinks about them and uses them to grow. I admire him for it, and it’s fun to read about.
5. The CBE scroll: the blog for Christians for Biblical Equality. Their core purpose is “To broadly communicate the biblical truth that men and women are equally responsible to use their God-given gifts to further Christ’s kingdom.” It’s interesting stuff to chew on.

There’s a lot more people who I would give the thinking part of the award to, but they don’t blog as much or their deep thoughts are mostly shared in person, not online. So if I’ve missed you, know that I appreciate your insight.

I am humbled by this. A friend of mine has founded and is carrying on this ministry in spite of a lot of set backs. There is more to the story than this clip, but even just what is in this clip is humbling.

I love having friends dedicated to the mission of God in all its aspects. I have only a few regular readers, but those I know about have put me in awe so many times. Thank you all for what you do.