The challeng of using online new media and social networking is the "distraction
factor". You can connect with others and find lots of useful information
and do great networking. But you can also easily be drained of your time.
I find that I must limit my time online and also have a purpose. Yet,
I also must stay open to discoveries, for that can lead to good things.
Many of you might come to this web site because of a web search, not
knowing what is here until you spend a bit of time looking around.
Today on my Twitter account
I came across another follower which led me to his web site and interesting
post, Does Anyone Listen Anymore? (marklinder.com).
I recommend you read it. The point is that we can't let all this new
technology and multi-tasking distract us from real communication and
interaction.
Mark's site also led me to some independent Christian music podcasts
you might want to listen to at BuildtheChurch.com (great
domain name!)
January 27,
2009
One sure sign of the work of the Holy Spirit is the awakening to God
at work in and around us from various people, directions and faith communities
that seem to be involved in the same thing.
The Emergent Church (or emerging movement) seems to be an indication
of this. Phyllis Tickle indicates that such movements have been evident
throughout the lifetime of Christianity (every 500 years or so) and believes
this is another such reformation. An upcoming conference at the end of
March, hosted by the Center
for Action and Contemplation, invites Christians of all
denominations (indeed all spiritual seekers) to a fresh understanding
of Jesus. Speakers include Richard Rohr, Brian McLaren, Phyllis Tickle,
Shane Claiborne and Alexie Torres-Fleming. More
here.
January 25,
2009
It was only a matter of time. The Vatican and the Pope now have their
own YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/vatican.
January 23,
2009
Christians believe in the sanctity of all human life, from conception
to death. This means more than opposing abortion. It also means protection
until death, and even for many, the issue of capital punishment.
Christians also, of course, care and love for those who are disabled,
injured, suffering from debilitating disease, and so on. It is wonderful
when healing takes place. Certainly finding cures is important. But we
need to be aware of the implications of research and scientific/medical
methods for this that require using and compromising life, such as with
embryonic stem cells. Research continues to show that exploring viable
other options, including adult stem cells (that don't require ending
the life of a human embryo) is important and may provide the medical
breakthroughs so many hope for.
Finding
purpose and meaning in life
is part of our life journey. Sometimes it
is joyous discovery. Other times it is stressful,
difficult, full of suffering and hard to
accept. The good with the bad – that’s
how it goes.
Since we are all interdependent we should make sure we help each other.
That’s not always easy. So often we come into conflict with someone
or something. But we should not let that keep us from trying.
January 20,
2009
Our new President Barack
Obama needs our prayers as he embarks on
his administration and leads us in a difficult
time. No matter how you voted you should
pray for our leaders.
An article by Mark Labberton, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in
Berkeley, California, is posted on ChristianityToday.com and in it he
gives some good reasons for praying for our new president and to seeking
God's blessing for our pluralistic, conflicted, and often divided nation.
Today in America I sense a feeling of hope. This despite the great challenges
and troubles we currently are dealing with. It has been our history that
out of great trials, when we lean on God and work together, we overcome
our difficulties. Not without struggle. Not without cost. Often only
with our last strength and resolve. This has been true not just of the
United States, but ifor all people who live with love for others and
a dependence on a Higher Power.
Many of today's biggest music performers and celebrities participated
in the We
Are One - The Obama Inaugural Celebration concert yesterday
In front of the Lincoln Memorial. They expressed hope and often quoted
from other past leaders who faced difficult times (including Franklin
Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln). Many thousands of people
braced the cold to be there.
Today, on this national holiday commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr.
(a true American Christian prophet), we have a new day. President-elect
Barack Obama will be officially sworn into office tomorrow, but today
he has declared this day to be a day
of service. It is only by service to others — true unselfish
giving of our time and energy — that we will have a community that,
to quote Lincoln, is "of the people, by the people, and for the
people". This is the dream of so many people. Yes, we can have
this dream. Brothers and sisters, let us pledge to live each day
in union with God. Show love for one another. Be known, as the early
Christians were, by our love.
January 16,
2009
The MLK National Holiday,
in honor of the late Martin Luther King,
Jr, is Monday, January 19. This great man's
life can, and should, inspire us to do more
for others, our community, our country and
our world.
Between now and January 19 the USAService.org site
is featuring a series of guest bloggers who will offer their insight
and ideas.
January 14,
2009
The continued fighting in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas has
kept the Middle East in heightened tension. There are efforts to construct
another peace agreement. But the situation is always volatile.
Now a familiar voice has once again called for a jihad, or holy war,
against Israel. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has apparently released
a new audio message (CNN
story).
What can we do? Feeling powerless does not prevent us from praying for
peace. And how are we conducting ourselves around others, especially
when the topic of Israel and the ongoing conflict comes up? I think it
is best to avoid self-righteous talk. The violence is disturbing enough
from both Hamas and the Israeli military. If we truly hope for peace
then we will be messengers of peace to everyone.
January 12,
2009
We are now two weeks into the New Year. How are you doing on your resolutions?
Sometimes we have the best intentions and we start strong - but we can't
keep it going. I like to have goals and plans, but I ask God to infuse
me with the vision of His will for me. But I know I must be flexible
with my plans. Life and God keep surprising me.
Don't get discouraged if you feel like you're already off track. You
just begin again. You will face obstacles and sometimes it is just overcoming
your own inertia.
I came across a very inspiring person the other day. When you think you
can't overcome your obstacles consider Nick Vujicic.
He was born without limbs, but he's a motivational speaker and has a
ministry to help others, Life
Without Limbs. Watch some of the short videos on his site
and you will be amazed at this man's courage, fortitude and faith!
January 10,
2009
Who is Dennis Gable? I had no idea until just recently.
Dennis and I connected through the social media site, LinkedIn.
And man does he have a story!
I happen to believe that everyone has a story and that our personal testimonies
about our faith and our struggles — our ups and downs — can
be very effective in leading people to Jesus and ultimately a real relationship
with God.
People need to hear stories that are genuine. They won't believe you
unless you are real. And some of the most influential stories I've heard
are from very humble and down-to-earth people.
So back to Dennis Gable. He's been through a lot already in his life.
Now he's on fire for God and for Jesus, but he had to come to the end
of his rope before he was ready for his new life. He had a rough upbringing.
Both his parents were addicts and alcoholics. Not the best role models.
But God had a plan for Dennis. Just like he has a plan for you.
I invite you to read Dennis' story and find our more about him and his
ministry. You'll find this online at his site, RiiBuild.com.
January 9, 2009
We're all aware of the enormous challenges facing us, our countries and
our world. We are especially confronted with the troubled economy, but
we also have the very real difficulties in our education system, the
ecology and various world conflicts (i.e. Israel and the Palestinians).
Considering all this, I want to point you to Kenny Moore, a very interesting
man who writes a very interesting blog. Kenny works in the corporate
world and has a lot to say about how things work (or don't work) in
that environment. He's not afraid to comment on how we really treat
customers and colleagues, or to tell us the "emperor has no clothes".
Among other things, Kenny used to be
a catholic priest in a monastery and
he successfully survived late stage "terminal" cancer.
His newest article, Letting
Go of our Love Affairs with Leaders,
had me nodding my head in agreement.
We do need to take more personal responsibility
for our happiness, life direction and
purpose. We must admit that we put leaders
on pedestals only so we can knock them
off. We've got to stop expecting our
leaders to be messiahs. And we need to
get back to a greater respect and appreciation
for our elders and what they have to
offer.
Read the article here.
And you can see what I wrote some time
ago about servant leadership - here.
January 7, 2009
It is the time of year to make new beginnings. And 2009 surely needs
a break from “business as usual”. That kind of business led
to greed, corruption, economic upheaval, pleasure seeking, irresponsibility
towards our neighbors and neighborhoods and plenty of violence.
But that was then and this is now. Now is
where it’s at. Be here now. Or, be
- now here. If you put those two words together
you get nowhere. A lot of the time being
in the now feels like nowhere, because we
are so unaccustomed to being in the moment.
How we see things depends on our vision, our viewpoint and the light
needed to see clearly. There's a new article about this - Let
Your Light Shine.
January 6, 2009
Are you a peaceful person? I think we all hope for world peace and it
is distressing when we continue to see news of conflict. The current
military offensive in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas surely
troubles us all.
Peace is possible and blessed are the peacemakers. But we must remember
that peace begins in each of us. How we live and face up to conflict
in our daily dealings reflects what is in our hearts.
Of course, our reliance must be on God and we must not appeal to God
as some sort of Big Game referee. Our prayers are not announcements to
God. Pray that God will soften our hearts and fill us with love, even
for our enemies.
January 5, 2009
The holiday break is over and for many children it is back to school.
Education is so important and a high calling for anyone involved in this
work. Let us pray for our teachers, instructors, administrators and students.
They need encouragement and inspiration.
We are taught as Christians to have the mind of Christ (1
Corinthians 2:15-16). If we do let go thinking only on our
own and unite ourselves with Christ then we become open to proper instruction.
Why would we persist in figuring things out on our own? We have a loving
Savior who wants us to know the way!
January 2, 2009
Welcome to the New Year. It can be a "happy" New Year if you
allow yourself to live in the love and grace that God gives each of us.
It is a choice. Good things and bad things will happen to all of us.
This year will be no different. But how we respond - not react - to the
circumstances of life will determine our spiritual growth, and to a certain
extent, the outcomes of our difficulties.
I had to discover that I couldn't live life successfully on my own. I
need God's help. God's help is manifested in my life in many ways. Often
the message I need to hear comes to me from human messengers. I choose
to believe God puts a message on their lips for me to hear.
A new year means new beginnings. Each day we also begin anew. I like
what the Gospel of John says about the beginning (John
1:1-5 — NIV)
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