the journey

Decision-making for dummies

decision-making for dummies
Originally uploaded by petit hiboux

[Click on photo for better view.]

In a nutshell:

1) Throw both balls across the room.
2) See which one the dog chooses
3) That's who you'll vote for (lol)

Nuff said.

Technorati Tags: Obama, Clinton

The essential nature of religious community

Here's an interesting morsel from John Westerhoff:

The essential nature of religious community is hard to grasp here on a continent where evangelists typically strive to win souls for Christ, but rarely for Christ and his church; where baptism is understood as a call to individual salvation, rather than an incorporation into a family; where the Eucharist is seen as food for the individual soul rather than a communal thanksgiving meal; and where the church is believed to be a voluntary association to which people belong by choice and withdraw at will, rather than an eternal relationship established by God, binding us together to be a sign and witness of God's reign in human history.

Source: Living the Faith Community by John Westerhoff III

Technorati Tags: Christianity, religious community, community, faith community, John Westerhoff III

Love can sweep you off your...

I was needing a little humor today.  This did the trick:

“Love can sweep you off your feet and carry you along in a way you've never known before. But the ride always ends, and you end up feeling lonely and bitter. Wait. It's not love I'm describing. I'm thinking of a monorail.” ~Jack Handy

HT: Scott, diagonally parked

Technorati Tags: Love, Jack Handy

Pisseth against the wall

Just when it seems that preachers can't do anything else to be an embarrassment to the profession, something like this gets posted on YouTube.

Heaven help us.

HT: ysmarko, I am pernell, and others

Tags: YouTube, preaching, pisseth

What is your spiritual/religious end game?

I ran across something that got me thinking.  Here's something that need serious discussion:

What is your spiritual/religious end game?  What is your life all about?

• You're going to heaven
• You're saved
• You've become more and more like Jesus
• You've learned everything you can about Jesus
• You've become spiritually, physically and financially prosperous
• You're self-fulfilled, self-actualized, self-improved because of Jesus 
• You've won souls for Jesus
• You've discovered and followed your purpose
• Your life was all about selfless love, forgiveness and grace
• You've befriended the poor, hungry, homeless and forgotten
• You've busied yourself advocating/building a world where justice, freedom and liberty are for all 
• Or maybe it's something else

So, what's your spiritual end game?  And while you're at it, why? 

HT: Shadows of Love

Technorati Tags: Christianity, end game

An angry God

Here's an interesting thought about a common misconception about God:

An angry, vindictive God gives life to angry, vindictive religions, which in turn gives life to angry, vindictive people.

HT: Shadows of Love

Technorati Tags: God, angry God, an angry God

Praying for Dieter Zander

Dieter Zander, a pioneer in the genX movement (with the Axis service at Willowcreek), recently had a massive stroke and is in need of (y)our prayers.  Posted below are a few links that might be of interest

• The Dieter Zander Update site
• A photo and a brief word by Tony Jones (aka Tall Skinny Kiwi)
• Updates posted by Mark Scandrette.

I'm sure the Zander family, and his entire church family, would appreciate your tangible acts of concern.

HT:  Emergent Village Weblog

Technorati Tags: Dieter Zander

Barack Obama on Flickr

I found it interesting that the Obama camp is posting photographs on Flickr.

Slick move!

Click here for the full set.

Technorati Tags: Flickr, Barack Obama, Obama

Christians wrong about heaven

Here's an interesting Time Magazine article featuring Bishop Tom Wright.

Click here for the article.

HT: Bob Blog

Technorati Tags: Tom Wright, N.T. Wright, heaven

It's Ash Wednesday, again

If you're not the least bit ready for Easter, much less Ash Wednesday, maybe it's time for a dose of Anne Lamott.  Here's her Ash Wednesday offering entitled "Ashes to Alvin."

Click here.  Enjoy.

HT: One House

Technorati Tags: Anne Lamott, Ashes to Alvin