Category: Uncategorized
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Looking and Feeling Spiritual
Adam and Eve chose to believe that the truth of heaven was different than the truth of earth. In doing so, they became the world’s first pietists. Pietists divide reality into two realms: sacred and secular. They see life divided into compartments, some spiritual and others not. This kind of thinking causes them to confront…
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Adam and Eve: The First Pietists
In my writing about “Truth Versus Pietism” I explored how these two views of reality impact one’s approach to the gospel, Christian maturity, and engaging the world. My last post presented a chart that contrasted different aspects of these paradigms. Now, I’d like to look at the very first Pietists – Adam and Eve. In…
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“Little Boy Blue” – Guitar Piece
This is a short guitar piece written and played by Jared Barton. Along with playing the guitar and mandolin, Jared enjoys writing music and drawing. Recently, he has also taken up learning the violin. Enjoy! Get Flash to see this player. Right click the link to download the mp3.
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For Matthew and Renee – The Food-Loving Garfield!
Matthew and Renee
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Gospel = Community
Last week we were very excited when we read a paper by Richard B. Hays, Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School. In Ecclesiology and Ethics In 1 Corinthians, Professor Hays shows that Paul’s exhortations and teachings in 1 Corinthians, and indeed in all of his letters, “should be read primarily as instruments of…
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Communities That Inspire Us
I feel blessed beyond measure when I think about the many communities that have helped us along the way. Each community has its own gift and flavor. Some are rural, others are urban or suburban. They all come from different denominational traditions. They all have unique viewpoints. But a common thread I’ve seen among them…
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Obsessive-compulsive
I mentioned in my last post that when Alec visits us we enjoy watching episodes of Monk. Monk has been the all the rage for a while in the community. It is a clever show. If you haven’t seen the series, the story centers around a disabled San Francisco detective who works as a subcontractor…
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Poetry by Sam Poat
Sam Poat was inspired to write this poem based on Martin Heidegger: Between Good and Evil—a philosophical biography of Martin Heidegger. Sam used quotes from the book and juxtaposed them with his own thoughts. Oh come ye, here, to drink of life far gone and wasted. To taste of images and shadows of things undone.…
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Community, Cross, and New Creation
This weekend we have visiting with us, Alec Brooks, our friend and mentor. Alec was president of Bethany Fellowship for a number of years and currently leads Charis International, a relief and development support ministry. We really enjoy when Alec comes, not just for his teachings, but the fellowship and evenings of ice cream and…
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Witness or Reputation?
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:17) As Christians we are concerned about our witness. We want our deeds to demonstrate to those around us the reality of God and His kingdom values. Recent news about the moral failing…