What happened to your blog here, man? Miss reading your stuff.

[despam]

I agree as well. The problem though is that in a bigger church it is sometimes harder to monitor the teachings of certain people who would let the gospel lead to a more relative and relational interpretation. If unchecked it can grow out of control before you really know it. I speak from experience, I was a little bit jaded in February with the original post. Things are a little better now, but it was getting it;s tentacles into the way the church was working pretty fast.

[despam]

Anonymous, I agree with you. While someone espousing a postmodern worldview may be in a mega-church, mega-churches are not synonymous with postmoderns.

[despam]

i don't think that mega churchs and postmoderns go together...

[despam]

I would agree that the human race has value, but the value is not intrinsic so much as extrinsic. We are valuable not in and of ourselves, but rather because we bear the image of God. It was right for MLK to stand up for the rights of black Americans. They no less than I have been created to bear God's image. However, it is God's image that is valuable and not the human--we are but dust, but the glory which we are to manifest is priceless. That said, I must also admit at being puzzled: why is an adulterous, Liberal Christian like MLK being applauded here? True, the fight he fought was necessary, but the fact remains--his "gospel" was warped by his political views of egalitarianism. The views he subscribed to regarding the nature of the Gospel stem not from historic views of justification, but rather from the early 20th century's liberalism. He is no hero. His lack of faithfulness to his wife also would exclude him from biblically bearing the title "Reverend"--adultery is irreverent and not to be counted among God's people... Curious. -James H

[despam]

How was the Pigfest?

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We will be having a potluck soon amongst my small group and a few others. The point, although most do not know it yet, is to teach about breaking of bread, together. We are going to use biblical examples of breaking bread together. So often we think of communion as the only time we say "this do in remembrance of me" when we should be doing it in rememberance of God, ALWAYS. Great post.

[despam]

Just some observations of the Church I attend here in the springs (you know where I attend) and another large counterpart. The only ritual really still followed is Communion. Part of the problem is the size of the church. I just feel with so many "mega churches" popping up around the country that it is harder and harder to cultivate the sacraments that are passed down generation to generation and the signifigance of them. I did not mean to be an alarmist. Great Post by the way!

[despam]

Carl, Why do you say that postmodern movements are moving away from rituals?

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Sorry about the bad grammar. I worked on this post over a few hours. Proofreading was not my strong point in school.

[despam]

I just finished Eugene peterson's Book called Living the Resurrection. It was a great book. In it he talks about the Monk Dom Gregory Dix and his observation that at each meal Jesus takes, we are blessed, broke and gave. (Bear with me) Jesus takes what we bring to the table and blesses it, he takes us. Jesus blesses what we bring to the table and prospers it. Jesus breaks what we bring. Sometimes to break us of ourselves. Then he Gives it back. But differently. He takes what we bring to the table and turns it into something great. All this to say that sacraments and rituals are crucial to spiritual growth. Every meal we take, every meeting with friends we have has some element of the above. It is a holy sacrament in and of itself, and it is wonderful. Something that concerns me about post modern movements today is the move away from rituals. I rebeleed against them in my youth, but now as a father I realize how much of my worldview can be cirected by holding fast to rituals, and how much heritage it can provide my family.

[despam]

AMEN. I have been writing a paper on the power of breaking bread together, even with people we do not know. It is interesting, and I suspect that the spiritual implications come from just this passage.

[despam]

I think I am going to have to weasel my way into next years breakfast. It sounds like it was way to cool and sobering at the same time.

[despam]

God is pouring out his blessings for sure. (I guess this is where I say I have shook GW's hand before) I am glad you had a good time. I get opportunities like this once in awhile and they are fun, eye opening and humbling, all in the same time.

[despam]

Thanks for the kind words, Carl. God poured out His blessing and it is only by Divine Providence that I am able to gather with leaders around our nation to pray and seek God's face. Regardless of whether we make it to Washington, D.C. once a year, we can seek God's Will for our nation everyday. Pray for our leaders and lift up grateful hearts with thanksgiving to our Almighty Creator.

[despam]

How come YOU get to do all the cool stuff? Meanwhile I sit out here in Colorado settling for watching it on T.V...At least it is HiDef.. Tell Bono hi.

[despam]

The "live in the now" message was powerful and relevant. That was the real take away for me. Boa has so many clever sayings that you really need to listen to his talk on CD ... over and over ... to catch them all. I am amazed at how many of his quick one-liners you captured. My favorite was the "any dead fish can float downstream, you go to be alive to swim upstream." I love that. I enjoyed our chat afterwards. I was annoying Joe with all of my questions. ;-) I like to ask questions as I am pondering someone's message. Boa stirred me up to re-focus on my "being" rather than my "doings". Spiritual formation is so important -- yet I neglect because I am anxious to run out and accomplish great things. The refrigerator magnet comment helped to snap me back to reality.

[despam]

Mary, Great thoughts. Praise be to God who is weaving us into His Story.

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Amen and Amen. I don't consider it "happenstance" that the unfolding of human activity on this planet is called "History," for it is truly all His Story, from beginning to end. His Word is His gift to us -- that we may truly learn how to rise above events that seem to be beyond human control and hold on to the Kingdom truth that our lives and our story can be under His control. History becomes a story of the past, but His Story has no end. Praise God!

[despam]

Thanks for the thoughts, Carl.

[despam]