After giving several mediocre reviews of selections from The Ooze Viral Bloggers I am very pleased to be able to highly recommend Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron.
This work of fiction pulls you in immediately. I generally avoid fiction so that I can spend my time on books that will challenge a way of thinking or teach me something, this book does just that! Walking the journey from lost faith to renewed faith with Chase Falson (and St. Francis) was both moving and challenging.
I would recommend this book to every "evangelical" who wants to be challenged to live a life or lead a church that will truly impact their world for Jesus Christ.
#ChasingFrancisSpeakEasy
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Review of Sacred Unions, Sacred Passions
In the last several months I have read and reviewed quite a few books from for The Ooze - Viral Bloggers. This time I am doing a short review of Sacred Union, Sacred Passions by Dan Brennan.
I started this book with anticipation but finished it, just relieved to be finished. While I really appreciate the need to engage one in relationships with people of the opposite sex and would agree that we lose when we do not. It felt as if Dan was stretching the biblical narrative to fit his position. This seems especially true when he speaks of the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
In addition to these concerns, it was just a difficult read. Too many outside sources and writing style that is difficult to follow.
This subject certainly merits further discussion and I would love to see more written on the topic. Follow this link to read other reviews of this work.
http://viralbloggers.com/2010/04/sacred-unions-sacred-passions-by-dan-brennan/
I started this book with anticipation but finished it, just relieved to be finished. While I really appreciate the need to engage one in relationships with people of the opposite sex and would agree that we lose when we do not. It felt as if Dan was stretching the biblical narrative to fit his position. This seems especially true when he speaks of the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
In addition to these concerns, it was just a difficult read. Too many outside sources and writing style that is difficult to follow.
This subject certainly merits further discussion and I would love to see more written on the topic. Follow this link to read other reviews of this work.
http://viralbloggers.com/2010/04/sacred-unions-sacred-passions-by-dan-brennan/
Monday, August 2, 2010
Ms. Pearl's Day Care
Several members of my family joined a team from Suncrest to hang out with the kids at Ms. Pearl's Daycare Center last week. There are some amazing things happening at that place in the Roseland neighborhood on the south side of Chicago! I know that I was challenged to love more, pray more and do more...this week I am praying for a little guy that fell asleep in my arms on the way home from a field trip to the water park. I am praying that he grows up healthy and strong, that he will be a blessing to those around him and that he will be available to do whatever God has in store for him.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Move-in Day
Move-in day is finally here! In just a little while, I will head over to our new house to help the former owners load the last of their things and then we can begin making it feel like home.
Over the past several years we have called several places "home." While it has been a great adventure and I can certainly testify to God's faithfulness, it is my sincere desire that this will be home for many, many years to come.
I am very excited to see how God uses us and this new home to bring glory to Himself!
Over the past several years we have called several places "home." While it has been a great adventure and I can certainly testify to God's faithfulness, it is my sincere desire that this will be home for many, many years to come.
I am very excited to see how God uses us and this new home to bring glory to Himself!
Monday, June 21, 2010
my first 3 months at Suncrest
It has been about 90 days since my first day here at Suncrest Christian Church in NW Indiana. I have had several "first days" but none like my first day at Suncrest! I spent my first day on staff at Suncrest at Catalyst One Day at Willow Creek Community Church. At the time I didn't really think about the tone that day set for how I perceive Suncrest but it did impact my perception. Suncrest is led by people who are continual learners, people who believe that we should partner with those around us, learn from those who are ahead of us and lead those who are not as far along.
I am very excited about all that God is doing in this corner of the world and anxious to see how He will use our family in "the region"
I am very excited about all that God is doing in this corner of the world and anxious to see how He will use our family in "the region"
The Gospel You've Never Heard by David I Rudel and the Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley
In previous posts I've mentioned that I do some reading and blogging for The Ooze - Viral Bloggers. They give me books that I wouldn't normally read in exchange for blogging about them
This time I chose two books, The Naked Gospel by David Rudel and The Gospel You've Never Heard by Andrew Farley. These books start with the authors sharing their discontent with what they believe the modern church teaches about salvation, grace, works and the law. At this point they diverge significantly; one author, Farley, claiming that the Law has no place in the life of a Christian, the other (Rudel) claiming that Jesus calls us to follow the Law and that believing in Him does not guarantee a place in heaven.
As an evangelical I struggle with both views. Faith in Jesus Christ does not exempt us from being responsible for our neighbor or from living righteously as Farley would lead one to believe. But I cannot agree with the position that seems to be taken by Rudel, that faith in Jesus Christ is insufficient to guarantee my position as a child of God apart from the Law.
As mentioned by several bloggers before me; font changes, grammar and errors made The Gospel You've Never Heard a very frustrating read. The author would have benefited greatly from an editor with the eye of a reader. The name of the publisher, Biblical Heresy Press, was also offputting.
While I did not agree with all that Andrew Farley's arguments, it was a much easier read due to it's structure and the care with which it was written and edited. There is a significant benefit to being published by a publishing house with the expertise of Zondervan.
This time I chose two books, The Naked Gospel by David Rudel and The Gospel You've Never Heard by Andrew Farley. These books start with the authors sharing their discontent with what they believe the modern church teaches about salvation, grace, works and the law. At this point they diverge significantly; one author, Farley, claiming that the Law has no place in the life of a Christian, the other (Rudel) claiming that Jesus calls us to follow the Law and that believing in Him does not guarantee a place in heaven.
As an evangelical I struggle with both views. Faith in Jesus Christ does not exempt us from being responsible for our neighbor or from living righteously as Farley would lead one to believe. But I cannot agree with the position that seems to be taken by Rudel, that faith in Jesus Christ is insufficient to guarantee my position as a child of God apart from the Law.
As mentioned by several bloggers before me; font changes, grammar and errors made The Gospel You've Never Heard a very frustrating read. The author would have benefited greatly from an editor with the eye of a reader. The name of the publisher, Biblical Heresy Press, was also offputting.
While I did not agree with all that Andrew Farley's arguments, it was a much easier read due to it's structure and the care with which it was written and edited. There is a significant benefit to being published by a publishing house with the expertise of Zondervan.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Live Sent
I am a part of the Ooze Viral Bloggers group and I recently received a copy of Live Sent - you are a letter by Jason C. Dukes to read and blog about.
I just finished reading it and I have to admit that this book was more challenging than I expected. I have spent all of my life in and around the church and I have to admit for most of that time I would have agreed with the statement, The church is not a place or an event. She is a who. The church is people. but didn't live or lead like I believed it. The church has most often been the place I worked or the place we attended on Sunday. The big challenge of this book is to live like we are the church, whether we are gathered together or living and working in the world around us.
Sunday mornings can no longer be viewed at just "fueling stations", they must be thought of as Post Offices, gathering and sorting mail in order to send out letters. This statement from chapter 2 sums it up for me.
This author could have benefited from a better editor, but Live Sent is still worth reading.
I just finished reading it and I have to admit that this book was more challenging than I expected. I have spent all of my life in and around the church and I have to admit for most of that time I would have agreed with the statement, The church is not a place or an event. She is a who. The church is people. but didn't live or lead like I believed it. The church has most often been the place I worked or the place we attended on Sunday. The big challenge of this book is to live like we are the church, whether we are gathered together or living and working in the world around us.
Sunday mornings can no longer be viewed at just "fueling stations", they must be thought of as Post Offices, gathering and sorting mail in order to send out letters. This statement from chapter 2 sums it up for me.
This author could have benefited from a better editor, but Live Sent is still worth reading.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Things I Carry with Me
I packed up my office today...books, pictures and stuff. You see, we have pretty clearly heard God telling us that it is time to move on, that my time leading Children's Ministry here is done. We are excited about where God might take us but leaving is never easy. This morning I was kind of feeling sorry for myself and just a little apprehensive about this new beginning in my life.
I don't think of myself as sentimental...but as I was going through those items that I carry with me, I realize that I might be a bit more sentimental than I thought. Here are just a few of the things that have moved from Michigan to California, back to Michigan, and then to North Dakota...
1. a small polished rock that was given to me by Rod Pierce - everytime I see it I am reminded to pray for him.
2. a snow globe type craft that my friend Lori Overbeek designed - it reminds me that God's voice is most often heard in those still, quiet moments, when I am really listening
3. a large framed photo from the Urban Family Ministry kids - I am reminded everytime I see it that God is faithful, and of the ministry that touched my family
4. a picture of a pack of hound dogs with a fox in the middle - the caption reads "when you are in trouble, look straight ahead and keep your mouth shut" makes me laugh
5. a scrap of paper that says "Debby's Mind" - reminds me that "losing my mind" can bring great laughter to a bunch of teens for several weeks/months. will pray for those kids all my life
6. picture of my family at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI - they are all pretending to be monkeys and laughing very hard! loved that day
7. Fridaze party agendas and game lists, because they remind me of Laurie Mahdasian and the fun we had planning those crazy events.
I have been blessed to have amazing friends, who know me well and still love me. I have a husband who lets me be me and loves me, even if I'm not the perfect wife. I have kids who actually like to hang out at home and enjoy one another's company. I have parents, brothers and sisters who are always there for me and for each other.
Wow! God has been so very good to me. Bring on the New Beginning!
I don't think of myself as sentimental...but as I was going through those items that I carry with me, I realize that I might be a bit more sentimental than I thought. Here are just a few of the things that have moved from Michigan to California, back to Michigan, and then to North Dakota...
1. a small polished rock that was given to me by Rod Pierce - everytime I see it I am reminded to pray for him.
2. a snow globe type craft that my friend Lori Overbeek designed - it reminds me that God's voice is most often heard in those still, quiet moments, when I am really listening
3. a large framed photo from the Urban Family Ministry kids - I am reminded everytime I see it that God is faithful, and of the ministry that touched my family
4. a picture of a pack of hound dogs with a fox in the middle - the caption reads "when you are in trouble, look straight ahead and keep your mouth shut" makes me laugh
5. a scrap of paper that says "Debby's Mind" - reminds me that "losing my mind" can bring great laughter to a bunch of teens for several weeks/months. will pray for those kids all my life
6. picture of my family at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI - they are all pretending to be monkeys and laughing very hard! loved that day
7. Fridaze party agendas and game lists, because they remind me of Laurie Mahdasian and the fun we had planning those crazy events.
I have been blessed to have amazing friends, who know me well and still love me. I have a husband who lets me be me and loves me, even if I'm not the perfect wife. I have kids who actually like to hang out at home and enjoy one another's company. I have parents, brothers and sisters who are always there for me and for each other.
Wow! God has been so very good to me. Bring on the New Beginning!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Compassion
Compassion...
A few months ago I was visiting an old friend's church, he spoke on Colossians 3:12, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
I've read this passage a hundred times, probably heard a dozen sermons but this time was different...my friend issued a challenge and it just won't leave me. What was that challenge? "compassion without action is condescension".
Think about it...I am
A few months ago I was visiting an old friend's church, he spoke on Colossians 3:12, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
I've read this passage a hundred times, probably heard a dozen sermons but this time was different...my friend issued a challenge and it just won't leave me. What was that challenge? "compassion without action is condescension".
Think about it...I am
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