I was predestined to post this blog

We’re studying Romans in a small home Bible study and we’ve just waded through chapter 8:28-30 (the predestination bit). “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; those he called he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

What do you think about this? Is it:

A: God has hand picked all the people who get to be saved?
B: Paul is referring to the larger plan of salvation and not to the specifics about people?
C: Paul is speaking about specific people in specific situations and at specific times (eg, the apostles)?
D: A combination of B and C?
E: Something totally different?

In continuing our look into the “Emerging Culture” and how they feel about the church, I think some issues like this are helpful to explore. We may have an understanding as to what we think, but there are usually those who take opposite vistas. Because of this, many issues simmer in churches and straw-man arguments are used to promote one church over against another. Before long, Satan cultivates division between people who all say they are following Jesus. Caught in the ensuing crossfire are those who are staining simply to know Jesus. These emerging eyes want nothing more than to see Jesus as the loving, benevolent, defender of the faint and accuser of the religiously smug. Is there a way to view passages like these and have open discussions with other “faiths” without casting the stones of judgment? Dan Kimble of “They Love Jesus but Hate the Church” suggest that the emerging generations look at the church (as in all of them) as rule laden organized religion; people and leaders with more concern for political or doctrinal agendas rather than sharing and showing the love of Jesus.

So ye brave visitors to blogdom, choose ye the letter from above which correspond with your opinion. Also, let me know if you think there be any way doctrinal purity can be maintained while also preventing judgmental attitudes and staying somewhat inviting to innocent bystanders? Wow, that’s really asking a lot. Just do your best. Feel free to be anonymous if you want. I’ll spill my views in a day or two.

Tom

Google Goth

Tonight (March 29th) from 8 to 9 o’clock is "Earth Hour". The "global warming" set suggest that we turn our lights out in solidarity and support for conserving energy. Even Google has gotten involved and has turned their Home Page black with white letters. Now they have admitted that their new look doesn’t really help the environment: “… it saves no energy; modern displays use the same amount of power regardless of what they display”. Regardless of this, they view their “Goth Google” look as supportive of this cause.

While I don’t completely buy into the whole “Global Warming” scare, I am not usually one to want to be outdone. So, taking inspiration from our web browsing friends, I suggest the following.

1. Put down your Snickers bar and pick up a Milky Way Dark
2. Order your steak blackened (Cajun style).
3. Eat leg and thigh instead of back and breast.
4. Don’t use salt on your food (add an extra dash or two of pepper).
5. Use only black ink or black font on your work.

What can you add to this list? Give it your best shot. We might even have to award another ROSCOE award.

We’re having Bible study tonight at our house during this hour and I’m quite sure we’ll have the lights on. But none of us will be eating marshmallows (well, we are going to have rice crispy treats, but we’ll make sure to only serve chocolate milk).

So regardless if you celebrate it or not, may your Earth Hour be happy and BRIGHT!

Tom

The ROSCOE award

Alright, since I don't want everyone to have to wait all weekend to find out who wins the Roscoe award. We'll make the deadline Thursday at midnight, (hey, they're my rules, I can change them if I want). DB really made me laugh with his Southern Typed caption on this weeks picture and so congratulations go to DB Carden. Here is the Picture and winning caption:

In the name of the Lord JE-sus Christ, I command you evil spirit to COME OUT...of this tennis ball!!



DB, as you can see in the picture below, we are having a difficult time keeping track of where Roscoe is (he has delusions of being like his twin brother Oscar). I'm afraid you may have to wait for your award. Sorry about that!



Picture taken somewhere near the west coast. Not to worry, I'm sure we'll track him down soon.

Thanks for playing everyone. I'd like to run this game every Wednesday.
Tom

You Provide the Caption

I saw this on an Emerging Culture site and saw some pretty funny comments. I have other pictures I'd like run by everyone, but this one was so funny I had to begin with it. Give me your best caption.

Easter Fun

Alright, Easter came and the kids had a blast. I've chosen three photo's in this first "Family Portion" of the blog. Enjoy!

Here's my boy reading the directions to his new stackable computer block people - uh, thingy. (Dawn says that I make that same face when I'm concentrating on something. I'm probably making it now).


My Big Girl looking for those elusive eggs.


My slightly less Big Girl proud of a successful hunt.


We centered our worship around the sacrifice and Resurrection of Jesus and centered our lunch around a ham (no spiritual significance). We got enough candy to last us until Halloween (we tossed out the last vestiges of Halloween candy to make room for yesterday's haul).

Our children smiled and our hearts sang.
Tom

Not a lot of time tonight to blog. I have a mid-night rendezvous with a large furry creature who comes to our house to bring chocolates and goodies and such. I'll post some pictures in a day or two. We'll keep the discussion going about the "Everging (yes, I know I spelled it wrong) Generation." I look forward to hearing your continuing thoughts on some further points.

Happy Easter
Tom

The Everging Generation Part 2

Continuing in discussion of Dan Kimball’s book “They Like Jesus but Not the Church”

In chapter 2 Dan states that “Today, Christians are known as scary, angry judgmental, right-wing finger-pointers with political agendas”. Seriously, that’s a section heading. He quickly adds the caveat that “most of us don’t” fit that stereotype, but still the point is made. In our last blog, Lisa posted the comment about how we are perceived to be (I’m paraphrasing here) un-fun, hypocritical, narrow-minded, rule followers who don’t necessarily live any better lives than do many non-Christians. I don’t disagree with either Lisa or Dan in their comments. I think we would all agree that the best answer to this problem is to simultaneously have all Christians everywhere to put down their judgmental machine-guns and their pious platform shoes and begin to share the love of Jesus with the lost.
Problem; with all the different denominations (each with subsets and split-offs) firing plenty of ammo out their own stained-glass windows (carefully aimed at the neighboring churches similarly painted stained-glass windows) how can we possibly hope to change this viewed stereotype? If that is how the world views Christians (especially in non-Bible-Belt communities) how do we go about combating that impression? Do we join the throngs of Kum ba yah singing, tolerance preaching, everything’s okay as long as you want Jesus in your heart, people? If that is the answer, I’ll lead the song, the band, the rap or metal group. Here are the words, everyone get ready for the down beat.
Kum ba yah my lord, Kum ba yah! Kum ba yah my lord, Kum ba yah! Kum ba yah my lord, Kum ba yah! Oh Lord, Kum ba yah. Someone's crying, Lord, Kum ba yah! Someone's cry … Alright, you get my point.

As much as the world wants us to say “Everything is okay”, everything is not okay! There are some things that God warns us against doing and other things that God commands us to do. Can either of these be ignored? How do we strike a balance between sharing the truth and the Spirit of Jesus and not being scary, angry judgmental, right-wing finger-pointers with political agendas?
Three questions:
1. Is this really how the world sees us?
2. Do you find any validity in it?
3. Should we be content simply to be the “Faithful Few” on the “Narrow Road”?
Thanks, Tom

The Emerging Generation

Wow, the pressure. I've been commenting on different blogs for a while now and many have suggested that I start my own blog. The reasons not to do this are many, and can almost all be summed up in the following question: "Where will I find the time?"

Having said that, here I am. If I'm going to do this, I want to do it well. What should this blog be about? Well, I'd like to make it fun so I'll probably spend some time being a bit silly. I love photography so I'll probably have some pictures. I love my family and will probably include some images and stories from home. I am also very busy at church so there will be many spiritual discussions here. I hesitate to make this a church blog simply because I don't want to pretend to represent the entire congregation, but I'm sure that church and church topics will come into play quite often. So welcome to the site and here we go.

I am in the initial chapters of a book by Dan Kimball entitled “They Like Jesus But Not The Church insights from emerging generations.” In the introduction Mr. Kimball states that “2/3 of those who graduate from high school and stay in the area end up leaving the church.” I would like your help in understanding the scope of this problem.

1. Very simply, is this true where you attend?
2. What do you think some of the causes are?
3. Can it be fixed?

4. Your best guess at how to fix it.

Thanks,

Tom