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Living The Solution – Online Newsletter |
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February 21, 2008 ISSUE |
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Opening Thoughts:
You can't keep it unless you give it away. This is an expression
used by people in 12 step groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous.
It's the same idea expressed in the concept of "paying
it forward". You receive help and you pass it on.
It works. Do good to others. Do it because it is the right
way to live, not to get something out of it. If we all
lived that way what mighty changes would take place. Despite
humanities' history of great violence there have been many
who lived by "giving it away" and "passing it on". It's
a Biblical principle - you can look it up!
Peace and joy,
Tom Gilbert
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IN THIS ISSUE
Feature Article: What's A "Red Letter Christian"?
In The Spotlight: Call to Conversion
Daily Thoughts: Barren Pursuits of Darkness
Prayer & Sharing Requests
Quotable: Seeing God |
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| FEATURED
ARTICLE |
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What's A "Red Letter Christian"?
Q & A with author and evangelist Tony Campolo
The new book, Red Letter Christians
(Regal Books), is garnering a great deal of attention.
Many are wondering just what this Red Letter Christians
movement is all about. In this article the author answers
specific questions about it. This article is reprinted
by permission of the B&B Media Group. Visit www.tbbmedia.com.
Who are the founders of the Red
Letter Christian movement?
Given the general contemporary meanings
and connotations ascribed to the word "evangelical",
a group of us who are speakers and authors and who
share an evangelical theology got together and confessed
that we have a hard time applying the label to ourselves
anymore. This group included Brian McClaren, a leader
in the emerging church movement; Richard Rohr, the
well-known Catholic writer and speaker; Cheryl Sanders,
a prominent African-American pastor; Noel Castellanos,
a strong voice in the Latino community; and Jim Wallis
and Duane Shank, two key leaders of the Sojourners
Community and the Call to Revival Movement. By calling
ourselves Red Letter Christians, we are alluding to
those old versions of the Bible where the words of
Jesus are printed in red. In adopting the name, we
are saying that we are committed to living out the
things that Jesus taught.
What differentiates Red
Letter Christians from other Christians?
Our passionate commitment to social
justice, which results in our intense political involvement,
creates the biggest distinction between us and the
rest. Whereas some leading evangelical spokespersons
focus almost all their attention on preventing gay
marriages and overturning past Supreme Court rulings
on abortion, Red Letter Christians, while recognizing
the great importance of these issues, embrace a broad
range of social concerns, giving special attention
to legislation that provides help for the poor and
hope for the oppressed. Declaring that there are more
than 2,000 verses of Scripture that call us to express
love and justice for those who are poor and oppressed,
we promote legislation that turns biblical imperatives
into social policy.
What commonalities do
Red Letter Christians and other evangelicals share?
Read the entire article here
More articles here.
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| IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
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Lent: Call to Conversion
The season of Lent has begun. American Catholic
has helpful resources for anyone who wants to make their journey
through Lent more meaningful.
It is a call
to conversion - a time to be quiet - and a time of selfless
giving to others. Follow Jesus more closely with the tips and
ideas offered through these featured resources.
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DAILY THOUGHTS & REFLECTIONS |
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Barren Pursuits of Darkness
Don't waste your time on useless work, mere
busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. (Ephesians 5:11 — The
Message)
So often we think of sin as the “bad” things
people do, such as killing, stealing, cursing, and sleeping
around, and so on. But we are also told it is sin to not
do what we know is right or what we should do.
We were created for more than just the mundane activities of life. We have a
purpose, a reason for existing. We find that purpose in God and in the deep desires
He has placed in our hearts. God put those desires there for a reason. He wants
us to follow them, to pursue them. He wants us to live from our hearts. He wants
us to be men and women who are fully alive and we can only be fully alive when
we are doing that for which we were created to do, living from our hearts, from
the passion and desire that God placed there. This is why Paul warns against
useless work, busywork, and barren pursuits of darkness. These things rob us
of our time and energy leaving us with nothing for the things that God created
us to do. In allowing ourselves to be occupied with the mundane things of life
we are engaging in barren pursuits of darkness because we are failing to do the
things that we know we should do and for which we are created to do.
Make a choice today. Don’t be caught in the cycle of useless, mundane busywork
and activities. Instead, spend your time loving God and living from you heart.
It is a rescued and restored heart God has given you and in which He makes His
home. Become fully alive.
Live intentionally, purposely, free and with passion,
Pete Reinbold
Get daily inspiration with a Scripture verse and commentary
at
Daily Thought
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PRAYER REQUESTS & RESULTS |
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Prayer works. It really does.Submit your prayer
requests and we will pray for them.
Of course, we keep your information confidential.
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My thoughts are shared regularly on the pages of
our web site, especially on
the Journal pages.
We welcome and appreciate your feedback. If you would
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guidelines.
It is our hope that the content of Living The Solution will
stimulate you to deepen your faith. That is certainly a result for us in both
our writing and reading. If you would like to see articles on a particular topic
or you have comments please let us know.
Send an email
Quotable: Seeing God
“People see God every day, they just don’t
recognize him.”
— Pearl Bailey
Copyright 2008 Living the Solution, all rights reserved.
Tom Gilbert
Editor/Web-servant
Living The Solution
www.livingthesolution.com
P O Box 25584
Albuquerque, NM 87125-5584
Toll free 1-800-399-2564 (US only) or 505-247-3232
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