the journey

small fire

labo08_06
Originally uploaded by smallritual

[Click on photo for larger version.]

I ran across a cool set of alternative worship photos at small fire. They include photos from Holy Joe's, Church of the Apostles and Solomon's Porch, just to name a few.

I'm a big fan of the labyrinth for spiritual growth and renewal, so I couldn't resist posting this photo.

Enjoy.

HT:  Can't remember, sorry.

So, you're thinking about purchasing an iphone

All of the excitement about the new iphone has got me thinking. Umm, is it really worth it?

Click here and decide for yourself. Funny stuff.

HT: bob.blog

Technorati Tags: iphone, Apple

A theological hot topic

One of the top theological hot topics of the 21st century is homosexuality. Like no other subject, this topic seems to elicit a full range of emotions and opinions including the following viewpoints:

1. Deeply Immoral: a paradigmatic sign of the brokeness of the Creation. Same-sex sexual orientation is evil and the gay, lesbian, or bi-sexual person is personally culpable for not only their actions, but their desires, attractions, etc. A complete sexual reorientation is required as part of repentance and conversion. The church should not bless same-sex unions nor ordain homosexuals at all. Same-sex orientation reflects hatred of the opposite sex, is a perversion of natural (created) behavior and both legal and social discrimination is justified.
2. Like Alcoholism: a greater, but not paradigmatic sign of the brokeness of the Creation. Same-sex orientation is a disease, so there is little personal culpability for desires, etc., but is culpability for actions. Gay or lesbian unions are more evil than enforced life-long celibacy/abstinence. The church should not bless same-sex unions and should ordain only closeted and totally abstinent gays or lesbians. Like alcoholism, homosexual orientation is incurable, so gays and lesbians must abstain from sexual activity (like being sober). This is viewed as morally identical to forbidding sexual activity to single heterosexuals. Since only homosexual ACTIONS are sinful, glbt persons should not be punished through discrimination in housing, workplace, etc.
3. Like Blindness: a lesser sign of the brokeness of the Creation. Homosexual orientation, in this view, is a defect, so there is no culpability–any more than someone born blind or lame would be culpable. Since sexuality is deeply a part of the human person and celibacy a special spiritual gift and calling, gay or lesbian unions are less evil than enforced lifelong abstinence, which is an unreasonable expectation. Holders of this view vary regarding whether the church may or may not bless unions (or simply tacitly accept them) or ordain chaste, closeted gay people. This perspective views closeted unions as a way of coping with the defect–like learning to live with blindness. This is a compromise with the broken or fallen nature of the world– a recognition that the full healing of New Creation has not yet come.
4. Like Color Blindness (that’s colour blindness for British or Commonwealth readers): not quite the fullness of God’s blessing; an imperfection. There is no personal culpability for the orientation. Both same-sex unions AND abstinence fall short of God’s ideal. The church should bless unions privately and ordain chaste, closeted gays and lesbians. Homosexuality is a minor manifestation of fallenness/brokenness–not the ideal. Just as color blind people choose to see rather than close their eyes, so gay or lesbian people choose to engage in imperfect expressions of sexuality rather than repress such a vital part of their humanness. Celibacy requires a special gift of the Spirit. People who hold this view believe God calls people to an appropriate fulfilling of their sexual identity–so abstinence cannot model appropriate sexual behavior for those not specially gifted and called. Small, private blessings (like some churches do with second marriages) are allowed. All forms of discrimination in society are opposed.
5. Like Left-Handedness: part of God’s original blessing; a variation. The issue of culpability is as irrelevant as for left-handedness. Same-sex unions for gays or lesbians are good and should be publicly blessed. The church should ordain those called to ministry, including chaste, uncloseted, non-celibate glbt folk. “Homosexuality” is a natural variation in the created order–and found in other animals than humans. There is nothing wrong with being gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgendered. It would be unnatural and immoral for gays or lesbians to engage in heterosexual behavior.

Source: Levellers


Technorati Tags: homosexuality, Levellers

ScribeFire

This is simply a test.

I'm trying a new Firefox blogging add-on called ScribeFire. It works within Foxfire without any additional programs having to be opened. Pretty cool.

Technorati Tags: ScribeFire, blogging editor

Those darn teenagers

Katy Perry, originally Katy Hudson, the daughter of two conservative pastors, first pursued a career as a contemporary Christian artist.  I suppose that did work out, because now, as Katy Perry, she's singing about the joys of kissing another girl.  Wow.  Kids have an uncanny way of makin' a parent proud. ;-)

If you're in a fog and don't have a clue what I'm talking about, here's the video clip.

Here's a live version too.

HT: Walt Mueller

Tags: Katy Perry, Katy Hudson, I kissed a girl

Exceptional teacher movies

Thomas Echols, my first male teacher, made a significant impact on my life as a young boy.  Besides my own father, he was a wonderful, caring male role model in my grade school years.  I even think of him today. 

In a similar vein, I've been thinking about some of my all-time exceptional teacher movies too.  It's a short, but powerful, list:

• Dead Poet's Society (my all-time favorite!)
• Mr. Holland's Opus
• Good Will Hunting
• School Ties
• The Ron Clark Story (I just recently saw this movie)

What are some of your favorite "teacher" movies?

Technorati Tags: teacher movies, exceptional teachers

Thinking ahead

Giles - 8wks
Originally uploaded by RossMiller

[Click on photo for larger version.]

If anything should ever happen to my beloved cat-- heaven forbid-- I think I want a dog next time.

Umm, kinda like this one.

Sorry KeeKee, no offense intended.  Just daydreaming and thinking ahead.