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Journal — February, 2009 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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February 27,
2009
The greatest buzz on the Internet the past year or so has been social
networking. Millions of people engage in online networking and sharing
through sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter (just
to mention a few). And of course blogging continues to be huge.
The evolution of the web (web 2.0 interactivity) gives people an incredible
array of choices for online socializing, learning - and yes, ministry
and evangelization.
Nothing replaces the need for real face-to-face human interaction, but
I believe the use of technology to reach more people is vital. A social
experiment started by MIT-graduate Andrew Sears has attracted nearly
800,000 members who have joined his Facebook group, One
Body of Christ Experiment (story on everydaychristian.com).
Sears is involved in technology and the Internet with his TechMission's
groups, including Christianvolunteering.org.
It is certainly not the only Christian group on Facebook (and some others
have similar names), but its intent is the experiment - to unite all
the Christians on Facebook.
The opportunity to unite a diverse and large group of Christians through
online groups could bring about much good. See
more here.
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February 25,
2009
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the season of Lent. It has a long
tradition in the Christian church. Today not all denominations observe
a formal Lenten period, but many do. It is a time of repentance, fasting,
doing more for others, especially the poor, and a preparation for Easter.
One of the foundational beliefs for Christ followers is that you can't
have the resurrection (new life, transformation) without the cross (death,
conversion).
Lent can be a very sacred time when we really grow spiritually. We admit
our faults and our "shadow side". We do't ignore or deny it.
We give it to God. We follow Jesus and carry our burdens (our crosses)
with his help and grace. We discover that love, mercy and forgiveness
are healing, for others and for ourselves.
If you want to know more about Lent and specifically how Catholics observe
it see FAQs
About Lent.
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February 23,
2009
Sojourner's CEO, Jim Wallis, has been asked to serve
on the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood-Partnerships.
It is his hope that this faith-based initiative will truly help to address
poverty and social justic issues in America and around the world.
The Mobilization to End Poverty taking
place April 26-29 in Washington D.C.is bringing
together Christians and all who care about
poverty. Sponsored by World Vision, ONE,
Oxfam, Wesley Theological Seminary, Convoy
of Hope, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America, the event will offer workshops,
training sessions, worship services and inspiring
speakers. Hear from Brian McLaren, Tavis
Smiley, Jeffery Sachs, Sharon Watkins, Alexia
Kelley, Angela Glover Blackwell, Richard
Stearns, Donald Miller, Jim Wallis, and many
others. They have invited President Obama
to speak, too.
There is a reduced rate to register by Friday, February 27. More
here.
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February 19,
2009
Part of being holy - becoming whole - is to be joyful.
Are you finding joy in life? Does your idea of God bring you joy? God
is love and love is with us through thick and thin. Hard times happen.
Pain is real. Suffering is part of life. But denying self is not the
same as giving your life over to the love and guidance of God. There
is joy in a life lived with God and for others.
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February 17,
2009
Brothers and sisters - I know that so many of you are struggling right
now. Struggling financially. Struggling emotionally. Struggling with
health issues. And struggling spiritually.
Life so often feels like a continual struggle. I want you to know that
I am right there with you. I, too, am facing fear and financial insecurity.
I am responsible for caring for my family and earning an income. About
three months ago I lost my "day" job, a fulltime source of
income. I continue to keep this e-ministry going (Living the
Solution) and I'm very grateful for all who visit. I am also
immensely grateful for the financial support over the years from Factory
Express. They made this site possible and have been the
economic "engine" for it. But at the end of this month they
will no longer be the site sponsor.
I will keep this site going. You will see some necessary changes as adjustments
are made. I really believe that God wants to work with us, in us and
through us with this web ministry. It will require more effort on my
part. Pray that God will guide me and show us all how to help others
and keep loving through our efforts.
Peace and joy — Tom Gilbert
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February 15,
2009
In the midst of this economic crisis we are hearing talk of how to best
stimulate the economy and bring about financial recovery.
Brian McLaren makes an excellent point about how we are addicted to so
many things that are not good for us. He's not talking about drugs and
alcohol, but he takes a cue from how addicts recover to point out that
we need spiritual solutions to our addictions to carbon fuels, consumerism,
fear, weapons and ideological "quick-fixes" (see post Two
Kinds of Economic Recovery). He is making an excellent point
and we need to recognize that our recovery cannot be to simply
getting back to the "way things used to be". We've got to make
some tough choices about how we live and spend.
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February 13,
2009
Each year at Valentine's Day I ponder this holiday. Most consider it
a day to recognize and show appreciation for their special love partner.
And those in a relationship often scramble to find the right card or
gift. And those who aren't currently romantically linked wonder when
they will be or perhaps are even bitter about past experiences.
True love is bigger, deeper and better than what we think it is. In fact, thinking can't
take you there. We only can truly love when we let God love in and through
us. For God is love.
Bless the cards, the candy and the gifts. But truly bless the love casts
out fear and holds the universe together.
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February 10,
2009
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." That is a presidential
quote. It's from Theodore Roosevelt and it is a good reminder to be in the moment,
living one day at a time, and being responsible.
Remember, however, that you don't have to live alone and on your own
power. God is all around you — even in you. Give yourself
a spiritual stimulus. Open your heart to love. When you do you
are inviting God to be part of your life.
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February 9,
2009
Some of the pictures of the raging brush fires and devastation in Australia
show great tragedy, but also how some people will also reach out and
help when calamity strikes.
At least 135 people have died in these fires and news reports now indicated
that some of these wildfires, among the worst ever in Australia, may
have been set by arsonists (story
here). Some have described the scene as "hell on earth".
Remember and pray for those affected "down under".
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February 7,
2009
World
Marriage Day is being officially
observed on Sunday, February 8. This annual
event honors husband and wife as head of
the family, the basic unit of society. It
salutes the beauty of their faithfulness,
sacrifice and joy in daily married life.
The theme for WMD has been permanently adopted as "Love One Another".
This phrase is the commandment given us by Jesus in John
15:12.
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February 6,
2009
When we speak of God as the Creator do we fully appreciate what that
means? God is always creating, and the creative spirit has been planted
in us and through all types of artistic expressions God is shared.
"It is the task of art to undo the work of our vanity, our passions, our
spirit of imitation, our abstract intelligence, our habits…making us travel
back in the direction from which we have come to the depths where what has really
existed lies unknown within us…" — Marcel Proust
An interesting article about Church as art, community and transformation
has resonated with me today. Written by Brittian Bullock, you can read
it at The
OOZE
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February 5,
2009
I've been following a discussion posted by a member of the Church
Ministry & Church Leadership group (on the social networking
site, Linkedin.com)
about "entertainment vs. worship". This is a pertinent subject
for many churches. Often they attempt to make their services more lively,
interactive and appealing to attract people. But what should be the real
attraction of church and worship?
Isn't it to come together as a group for praise, thanksgiving and for
help (for ourselves and to help each other)? Worship services can be
engaging. There is nothing wrong with that, but if people go only for
entertainment or out of obligation then the point is missed.
I believe God puts a call on our hearts. You may not recognize it at
first. But God extends the invitation and it is our free choice how,
when and where we will answer. "Church" takes place not just
in worship services. Church is part of our interaction with others, our
communal gatherings, and can be found in small groups, community outreach
services, 12-step groups and wherever two or more are gathered in Jesus'
name.
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February 2,
2009
In the movie Groundhog
Day the main character (played by Bill Murray) is a self-absorbed
and somewhat cynical TV weatherman sent to cover the annual groundhog
day event in Pennsylvania. You probably know the February 2nd presumption — If
the rodent sees his shadow, more winter, etc.
It is his fourth year of covering this event and he's tired of the "circus" atmosphere
and thinks he's entitled to better assignments. But a mysterious event
happens. He gets "stuck" living the same day, Groundhog Day,
over and over and over again.
The lesson from the movie is that if we keep living for our own selfish
reasons, and keep doing the same things over and over again expecting
different results, we will be living an irrational (some would say insane)
life with no higher purpose.
God did not create us to live for our own pleasure and at the expense
of others. We are invited into community and participation, with a special
intention for those living on the margins.
It is always better to bless than to impress. On this Groundhog Day I
invite you to discover BetterTo
Bless and try living that way.
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Scripture taken from
the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of
International Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering
of goods or services requires the prior written consent of International
Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New
Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale
House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PSALM 118:24
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"This
is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be
glad in it."
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(NIV)
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