A Theography?

“First,” the authors wrote, “this isn’t a biography. It’s a theography. Even if you argue that a biography of Jesus is possible, which is hotly debated among scholars today, we are telling the story of God’s interactions, intersections, and interventions with humanity through the life of Jesus.”

Following the lead of N.T. Wright, Sweet and Viola declare that “if we don’t interpret the available evidence correctly, ‘we shall simply squash Jesus into the little boxes of our own imaginations rather than seeing him as he was.’”

The authors explain that the Scriptures, and in particular John’s gospel, portrays Jesus as meeting all human need:

In The Blessed Church, subtitled “The Simple Secret to Growing the Church You Love”, Pastor Robert Morris commends readers to believe a healthy church is possible.

Morris provides practical wisdom he has learned throughout his ministry years, particularly principles and practices from his time serving with Gateway Church.

Vision

“Without a doubt, my vision for Gateway Church crystallized, expanded, and deepened over the years, but from the very beginning there were three key things I was determined that, with God’s grace and supernatural empowerment, we would do as a church. The following were the central goals of my vision:

“What Matters Most: How We Got the Point but Missed the Person” is a reprint of a 2004 book, entitled “Out of the Question…Into the Mystery.”

That said, this is a powerful book that needed to be re-considered for an audience, myself included, that missed it when it was first released.

“Belief can exist in isolation, but faith requires a relationship.” For without dynamic, engaging deep relationships — relationship with Jesus and then relationship with people — we cannot demonstrate love.

Last year I introduced you to my hero, June Oulund.  Today I’d like to introduce you to two more of my heroes.

We spent the weekend with my college roommate Gerry Andersen and his wife Julie.  Though we haven’t seen each other for almost twenty years, it’s like our relationship was on pause and we took up the conversation instantly.

Where Have They Been?

Gerry and Julie live in a small village in the mountains of Mexico with people who have never had their language in written form.

A clutch play is a moment in time when what needs to happen happens when it’s most needed. Clutch plays don’t just happen in sports.  Clutch plays happen in the lunchroom, living room, boardroom, and bedroom.

We can count on her. She has poise.
He produces in the clutch. He’s reliable.

Be careful not to count on previous reliability.

Previous Success Doesn’t Guarantee Future Success

This past Sunday the former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch dropped two passes, and former Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady threw an interception, missed an open receiver and looked panicked.  They play for the New England Patriots, and lost.

November is the month in which people gather for All Saints’ Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving, but combined they don’t capture the attention of Americans more than “Black Sunday.”

I’m Not Opposed To Marketing, I’m Opposed To My Confused Values

Some Christian churches celebrate All Saints’ Day, and some do not. Millions of people voted on Election Day, but most people did not.  Millions recognize Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, but others prefer not to celebrate holidays connected to conflicts. 1

Marketers find many ways to make money on those holidays, but they all pale in comparison to “Black Friday.”

Brandon and Susie Kline got married last week. They brought together family, friends, faith, fun and laughs. 

You and I react emotionally to a photo like this even if you don’t know the couple.

Our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and musings about marriage come from somewhere.  We are all affected by nature and nurture — by genetics and environment — and by culture, both corrupt and commendable.

Marriage.  It’s just a word, but we react to it. 

For many of us, the feelings about the word run deep.  They echo into the past and resound with feelings buried deeper than we realize.

My friend Rev. Rachel Morey of Brooklyn Mosaic United Methodist Church emailed me today. 1  Rachel is one of those people with a warm smile and a quiet magnetism that is the antithesis of some televangelists.

Rachel is also a representative of the Minnesota Interfaith Open Forum.

Rachel’s email had me thinking about how I connect with my own faith.

My Faith

I have opinions, beliefs, faith statements and values all of which have been influenced by family, friends, like-minded people and other-minded people.

I love hugs.

There is something special about a caring embrace that even an onlooker appreciates.

Hugs have been part of the American culture for longer than I have been alive [insert your joke here about my age].

While hugs have been around a long time, it is my undocumented opinion that hugs are more popular that when I was a teen.

I might have been too lonely, self-centered or busy to notice hugs as I walked through Lincoln School [my junior high] or East Leyden High School, but I seldom saw people hug one another in school.