I want to make my new Navy Christian website the best it can be for connecting mentors and protégés. Therefore, I would like to ask a question for the community as a whole. Please answer these questions in the comments section:
Q1: What is one area you need mentoring in?
Q2: What is one area you could mentor someone else in?
Why does the church need Distributed Experience?
I believe that a social network designed to help connect experienced Christians with those of less experience would be beneficial to the church in order to spread the message of Christ, to show the world our love and concern for one another, and to build future generations of the church. I've mentioned that I believe there are wasted assets in the church. Mentoring can recover those assets.
In the military, we talk about communities of practice. They lead to better knowledge transfer, something that is difficult to do considering the high turnover that takes place because of our jobs. While the timing isn't as critical due to turnover in the church as whole, it is becoming an issue as some of the last generations who knew how to mentor pass on. The simple fact is that the church as a whole needs a community of practice. Distributed Experience will provide that community of practice.
Unless you are the type of Christian who wants to keep the power you have all to yourself or you don't care about the future of the church (or assume that the status quo will work), then you simply must understand that this is what we need. You need this. Whether developed by Navy Christian or developed by someone else, we need to stop pretending that the level of mentoring and information exchange we have now is good enough.
In the military, we talk about communities of practice. They lead to better knowledge transfer, something that is difficult to do considering the high turnover that takes place because of our jobs. While the timing isn't as critical due to turnover in the church as whole, it is becoming an issue as some of the last generations who knew how to mentor pass on. The simple fact is that the church as a whole needs a community of practice. Distributed Experience will provide that community of practice.
Unless you are the type of Christian who wants to keep the power you have all to yourself or you don't care about the future of the church (or assume that the status quo will work), then you simply must understand that this is what we need. You need this. Whether developed by Navy Christian or developed by someone else, we need to stop pretending that the level of mentoring and information exchange we have now is good enough.
Mentoring FAQ #2: Why can't I mentor someone of the opposite gender?
Because you have no idea how much power there is in a relationship. When you've been mentoring someone for a long time, you develop a concern for that person that rivals family. In fact, Paul clearly thought of Timothy as his own son. When one keeps the relationship properly within the confines of one's own gender, a father-son relationship is as deep as one gets, and that's definitely not shallow! However, if one were to cross over to mentoring, or being mentored by, the opposite gender, then that care and concern can become dangerous.
In fact, I'd venture to say that the care and concern which is natural and acceptable in a same-gender mentoring partnership WILL become dangerous in a mixed-gendered situation. How can one person work that closely with another person without becoming attached? It would be nearly impossible.The last thing we want to have happen in a godly outreach is to damage integrity and healthy relationships (think breaking up a marriage!).
And that's why you can't mentor someone of the opposite gender.
In fact, I'd venture to say that the care and concern which is natural and acceptable in a same-gender mentoring partnership WILL become dangerous in a mixed-gendered situation. How can one person work that closely with another person without becoming attached? It would be nearly impossible.The last thing we want to have happen in a godly outreach is to damage integrity and healthy relationships (think breaking up a marriage!).
And that's why you can't mentor someone of the opposite gender.
Connecting Mentors and Proteges
Periodically, I ask pastors to give me a hand thinking through things, and I'm thinking through things again. Right now, I'm considering how to connect experienced Christians with inexperienced Christians for mentoring and discipleship. At the moment, churches barely do this and it happens by accident most of the time when it does actually happen.
For those of you who know me, and know that my passion is developing people (mentoring), then you know I'm not going to be satisfied with the status quo. So, here are my thoughts:
The Plan:
Inside the collective church exists two wasted assets. The first is youthfulness. We make young professional adults, all the way up into their 30s, figure life out on their own. This leads to unnecessary mistakes, some of them catastrophic. The second wasted asset, and perhaps the most important one, is that of the older generations. Let the world pass on the experiences that elders have, but let that not be what the church does. Those same mistakes made by those with youthful vigor could be avoided if the wisdom of the experienced were used. Regardless of what area of life the mistake is made in, most could be avoided or the consequences eased and dealt with if the inexperienced could seek the experienced.
That is where my business comes in to play. It is my desire to create a business that will connect inexperienced people with a pool of experience within the church in a variety of subjects. Let's say a recent MBA grad is just starting a new position at a company and needs some advice. He would come to the website, create a profile and list the area(s) he needs to be mentored in (in this case, it would be business). Then he might search the profiles of our experienced members and put some information on the message boards and find someone he thinks he could work with.
It would be my goal to sign every single Christian in America up for this service. As long as ads made enough money then ideally I'd never charge a membership as the goal is mentoring. I would need to be sure that ads and possibly affiliate sales would generate income in this situation as well in order to keep fees down. If I can somehow help others avoid problems and realize success through mentoring, then I've succeeded. If I can do it with a profit to me, then all the better.
Basically, what I think I'd need is a social networking-type website that allows the creation of profiles and lets people search those profiles out according to needs. Mentoring relationships can then be realized on their own, or with assistance (perhaps for a fee?).
I'd handle marketing mostly through my personal contacts at first, essentially as a favor initially, to help build a base of knowledge for the first few months, then I will make a plea for them to help expand to their social networks as well, particularly through those that blog and make extensive use of Facebook, Twitter, etc. The big push after that has run its course is to work through local churches. I'd start here in the Chicago-land area first, and then expand mostly in areas I know, like San Diego and Little Rock. Obviously, I would name the business and blog in order to build some SEO work and if money starts coming in, I'll run a few ad campaigns.
I understand that this may not work, or at least may not work fast. However, I believe the idea could work, and is actually needed, even if it takes a little while to get things moving.
In a nutshell, that is the plan. I have many ideas along these lines that can be shared in more detail, but this is the base line. Thoughts?
For those of you who know me, and know that my passion is developing people (mentoring), then you know I'm not going to be satisfied with the status quo. So, here are my thoughts:
The Plan:
Inside the collective church exists two wasted assets. The first is youthfulness. We make young professional adults, all the way up into their 30s, figure life out on their own. This leads to unnecessary mistakes, some of them catastrophic. The second wasted asset, and perhaps the most important one, is that of the older generations. Let the world pass on the experiences that elders have, but let that not be what the church does. Those same mistakes made by those with youthful vigor could be avoided if the wisdom of the experienced were used. Regardless of what area of life the mistake is made in, most could be avoided or the consequences eased and dealt with if the inexperienced could seek the experienced.
That is where my business comes in to play. It is my desire to create a business that will connect inexperienced people with a pool of experience within the church in a variety of subjects. Let's say a recent MBA grad is just starting a new position at a company and needs some advice. He would come to the website, create a profile and list the area(s) he needs to be mentored in (in this case, it would be business). Then he might search the profiles of our experienced members and put some information on the message boards and find someone he thinks he could work with.
It would be my goal to sign every single Christian in America up for this service. As long as ads made enough money then ideally I'd never charge a membership as the goal is mentoring. I would need to be sure that ads and possibly affiliate sales would generate income in this situation as well in order to keep fees down. If I can somehow help others avoid problems and realize success through mentoring, then I've succeeded. If I can do it with a profit to me, then all the better.
Basically, what I think I'd need is a social networking-type website that allows the creation of profiles and lets people search those profiles out according to needs. Mentoring relationships can then be realized on their own, or with assistance (perhaps for a fee?).
I'd handle marketing mostly through my personal contacts at first, essentially as a favor initially, to help build a base of knowledge for the first few months, then I will make a plea for them to help expand to their social networks as well, particularly through those that blog and make extensive use of Facebook, Twitter, etc. The big push after that has run its course is to work through local churches. I'd start here in the Chicago-land area first, and then expand mostly in areas I know, like San Diego and Little Rock. Obviously, I would name the business and blog in order to build some SEO work and if money starts coming in, I'll run a few ad campaigns.
I understand that this may not work, or at least may not work fast. However, I believe the idea could work, and is actually needed, even if it takes a little while to get things moving.
In a nutshell, that is the plan. I have many ideas along these lines that can be shared in more detail, but this is the base line. Thoughts?
5 Ways to Prevent Christian Burnout
I recently confessed to my Christian Doctrine professor (Dr. Russell Hobbs), that I was beginning to grow weary from dissecting the Bible while working through my seminary classes. Essentially, I have started suffering from a form of burnout, I believe. He responded with grace and mercy, which was encouraging. I always feel like less of a Christian when admitting something like this, and his response was very helpful. He wrote 5 suggestions for reading the Bible without burning out. They are as follows:
1. Pray the Scriptures back to God, especially the Psalms. Everywhere you can, simply repeat the verses as a prayer to God. Where necessary, modify the wording to make it appropriate as a prayer. The goal is to worship through the Bible. The Psalms and Isaiah are some of the best books to start on for this. Hebrews is also good, as are parts of Revelation.
2: Use a different Bible for devotional time than for study time. The devotional Bible might best be an unmarked Bible (not a study Bible or anything with notes), and one with a format that de-emphasizes the verse and chapter numbers. Avoid thinking of how you could use various verses for preaching or solving theological debates.
3. Place Jesus at the center of the Bible. The OT is about him; find him there on almost every page. The Jesus you love, who has redeemed you and to whom you have dedicated yourself, is there waiting to be discovered, worshipped and followed. The Gospels are the centerpiece of the revelation of the Son. Set aside the academic aspects of the Gospels and find hope and food there. Nothing surpasses the very words of the Son of God recorded there. What you find there in his teachings and life you can follow and love with your whole heart--unreservedly. The rest of the NT books are footnotes to the Gospels. Jesus is the center.
4: As you minister to others, use the Bible as ointment for their wounds. Lead them to see the beauty of Jesus revealed there. Also, listen to how they find hope in the Bible. Learn from them.
5. Recognize that there are times when God asks us to show him that we will love and serve him, even without the consolations of our feelings.
These ideas, which I've only been using for a few days, have already been working marvelously! You will want to give them a try. For those who have lost the awesome mystery of the Bible, and want it back, take Dr. Hobbs' ideas and apply them to your life. Or, if you have other ideas, please list them below for the rest of us to reference!
1. Pray the Scriptures back to God, especially the Psalms. Everywhere you can, simply repeat the verses as a prayer to God. Where necessary, modify the wording to make it appropriate as a prayer. The goal is to worship through the Bible. The Psalms and Isaiah are some of the best books to start on for this. Hebrews is also good, as are parts of Revelation.
2: Use a different Bible for devotional time than for study time. The devotional Bible might best be an unmarked Bible (not a study Bible or anything with notes), and one with a format that de-emphasizes the verse and chapter numbers. Avoid thinking of how you could use various verses for preaching or solving theological debates.
3. Place Jesus at the center of the Bible. The OT is about him; find him there on almost every page. The Jesus you love, who has redeemed you and to whom you have dedicated yourself, is there waiting to be discovered, worshipped and followed. The Gospels are the centerpiece of the revelation of the Son. Set aside the academic aspects of the Gospels and find hope and food there. Nothing surpasses the very words of the Son of God recorded there. What you find there in his teachings and life you can follow and love with your whole heart--unreservedly. The rest of the NT books are footnotes to the Gospels. Jesus is the center.
4: As you minister to others, use the Bible as ointment for their wounds. Lead them to see the beauty of Jesus revealed there. Also, listen to how they find hope in the Bible. Learn from them.
5. Recognize that there are times when God asks us to show him that we will love and serve him, even without the consolations of our feelings.
These ideas, which I've only been using for a few days, have already been working marvelously! You will want to give them a try. For those who have lost the awesome mystery of the Bible, and want it back, take Dr. Hobbs' ideas and apply them to your life. Or, if you have other ideas, please list them below for the rest of us to reference!
How to raise Godly Children without them Knowing it!
A good friend of mine in the blogging world has written quite possibly the best short article on raising kids in a godly atmosphere. I'm including the first half of his post here:
1) Give your children a Biblical foundation and encourage their bent, and trust God when things get hairy. (Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6)
2) Always speak about spiritual things around your children, and let them see you pray. Let them see God in you. (And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
3) Remember to distinguish the urgent from the important. That phone call may be urgent, but your children are important. Let them know it! (Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:15-16)
4) Remember that parenting is a hard job. You are to be a parent, not a bff. Discipline must be a core component of biblical parenting. “Spare the rod and spoil the child?” Yeah, it’s in there! (Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.)
5) Be positive, even in correction. Praise often, even in times of discouragement. Your children will reflect your attitude about them. (Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Colossians 3:21)
Read the rest at A Fish Called Grace!
1) Give your children a Biblical foundation and encourage their bent, and trust God when things get hairy. (Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6)
2) Always speak about spiritual things around your children, and let them see you pray. Let them see God in you. (And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
3) Remember to distinguish the urgent from the important. That phone call may be urgent, but your children are important. Let them know it! (Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:15-16)
4) Remember that parenting is a hard job. You are to be a parent, not a bff. Discipline must be a core component of biblical parenting. “Spare the rod and spoil the child?” Yeah, it’s in there! (Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.)
5) Be positive, even in correction. Praise often, even in times of discouragement. Your children will reflect your attitude about them. (Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Colossians 3:21)
Read the rest at A Fish Called Grace!
Theologically Weak
I guess yesterday's confession that I don't know what to do with my degree has got me admitting my weaknesses. I've heard that you're not supposed to do this, so if anyone was thinking of promoting me or hiring me, please stop reading. I don't want you to see this!
Anyway, the fact is that I feel theologically inferior to several people. Actually, to most people. I have written papers that got me great grades in most of my classes, but I'm not feeling too confident. The fact is that my rapture paper (96%) was written for a professor at a predominantly pre-millinial school. My paper on Satan (upper 90s%) was written with very little use of the original languages. Finally, my outstanding paper on missions in Japan (97%) was a practical paper, where I am strongest. I'm much more adept to discussing practical issues rather than the more theoretical.
When I read blogs by guys who are much more intelligent than I am, or when I think about the arguments my grandfather used to make, I feel honestly like I'm out of my league. These guys aren't discussing missions, outreach, or stuff like that...stuff I'm good at. Instead, they are writing about the possibility that Satan is not a singular being, but rather an idea or a group of beings. Another great writer proposes the idea that hell is not an eternal punishment, and he has answers for all of the verses that I think do show that hell is eternal. I could go on and on, because there are many examples, but I won't.
And when I write about doing something about Sendai Japan or Joplin Missouri, I get very little feedback. It's down right frustrating.
Even as I write this I feel convicted. The Lord has not given me a gift for theory and understanding specific scriptures. That kind of hurt to admit. However, the Lord has given me a gift of practical understanding. Somehow, I just have to find ways to display and discuss my ideas and the ideas of others. So maybe I got the wrong degree and I should have gone for an intercultural studies degree or something like that. Oh well. The Lord is able.
Anyway, the fact is that I feel theologically inferior to several people. Actually, to most people. I have written papers that got me great grades in most of my classes, but I'm not feeling too confident. The fact is that my rapture paper (96%) was written for a professor at a predominantly pre-millinial school. My paper on Satan (upper 90s%) was written with very little use of the original languages. Finally, my outstanding paper on missions in Japan (97%) was a practical paper, where I am strongest. I'm much more adept to discussing practical issues rather than the more theoretical.
When I read blogs by guys who are much more intelligent than I am, or when I think about the arguments my grandfather used to make, I feel honestly like I'm out of my league. These guys aren't discussing missions, outreach, or stuff like that...stuff I'm good at. Instead, they are writing about the possibility that Satan is not a singular being, but rather an idea or a group of beings. Another great writer proposes the idea that hell is not an eternal punishment, and he has answers for all of the verses that I think do show that hell is eternal. I could go on and on, because there are many examples, but I won't.
And when I write about doing something about Sendai Japan or Joplin Missouri, I get very little feedback. It's down right frustrating.
Even as I write this I feel convicted. The Lord has not given me a gift for theory and understanding specific scriptures. That kind of hurt to admit. However, the Lord has given me a gift of practical understanding. Somehow, I just have to find ways to display and discuss my ideas and the ideas of others. So maybe I got the wrong degree and I should have gone for an intercultural studies degree or something like that. Oh well. The Lord is able.
What to do with a Master of Arts?
The other day I was reading an article on advanced degrees in the Economist. It turns out that putting a Master's degree on your resume doesn't always equal more money! Go figure. Yet I'm still satisfied that I'll be getting my Master of Arts degree in Theology Studies this winter from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Unfortunately, with just under 5 years left in the Navy, I'm not sure what I can do with a degree like that. The Navy wouldn't let me be a chaplain because it's not a long enough degree and I don't have official experience in church, so that's out.
So I'm going to put it out to all of you. Please let me know what you think. What are your recommendations for this path? Do churches hire staffers with just a master of arts? Do mission agencies take people on with that degree? What about parachurch organizations?
Love to hear your thoughts!
So I'm going to put it out to all of you. Please let me know what you think. What are your recommendations for this path? Do churches hire staffers with just a master of arts? Do mission agencies take people on with that degree? What about parachurch organizations?
Love to hear your thoughts!
Joplin: Your Part
I just had an opportunity to hear more about what churches are doing in the Joplin area. Below is some information from the pastor of First Baptist Church in Galena, Kansas, and it's more than worth your time. I need you all to take a minute and read it over very carefully. There are opportunities to help for sure.
So, tell me a little about what happened and how First Baptist Church Galena has responded.
On Sunday evening May 22nd, a killer E-5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri. In response to this tragedy, First Baptist Church of Galena, Kansas partnered with Grace Baptist Church of Joplin, Missouri and Pastor Fred Vogel, to minister to our neighbors and church families who are enduring the greatest challenge of their lives. On Monday morning after the tornado, several of us met and developed a strategy to minister to the short-term needs of our community and God has touched the hearts of others to partner with us. Last week, we fed over 5,000 victims and volunteers a hot meal, provided tetanus shots to hundreds of volunteers, and collected and distributed water, non-perishable food items, personal hygiene articles, and articles of clothing. We further completed more than 400 construction projects which included sifting through the remains of houses to salvage what could be found, moving people's belongings into storage facilities, using chain saws to clear the downed trees, repairing roofs, and many other services too numerous to mention.
On day three, we developed a long-term strategy to minister to the people. We identified the “Jerusalem” (Acts 1:8) of Grace Baptist Church, their area of ministry and influence, which includes 450 houses located in and around the church. We initially surveyed these houses and identified the specific needs of each family and then we met that need. We are going back every other day to these families to identify other needs and meet those. Our prayer is that as we develop a relationship of love with these families that we will gain their trust and will have earned a hearing as we share God's marvelous plan of salvation with them.
What can my readers do to help?
First of all, please pray for us. We need physical strength, emotional strength, spiritual power, and wisdom to minister in a crisis that is in a constant state of flux—changing every day. Only God can meet these personal needs and so would you please pray for us?
Secondly, we ask that you pray about sending an offering to help us. We need individuals, families, Sunday School classes, small groups, and churches to help us with financial donations. Because we have no operating overhead, we assure you that 100% of every dollar given is invested through two local churches directly to the families of Joplin, a claim that no other national or international relief agency can make.
Thirdly, we could use your physical presence here in Joplin. If you can come, please call, email, or text me and we will do our very best to provide housing and some meals. We are in this for the long-term so we need help over the next year plus.
Some are collecting items to bring to Joplin and we appreciate that very much. However, I ask that you please contact me before you start collecting items because the needs are constantly changing. For example, last week we needed clothing and bottled water but not this week.
Where can we send money to help?
If you can help us with a financial gift, please send your tax-deductible offering to:
First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 218
Galena, Kansas 66739
Please mark your check “tornado” or “Joplin.”
Final thoughts?
There is no way that television can portray the real damage here. You can see the physical damage but we see and hear the emotional and spiritual damage to people on an hourly basis. God is all over this city and I promise that you cannot come to Joplin and not be changed. The need is great! The time is now! You are needed! Please pray about helping us!
So, tell me a little about what happened and how First Baptist Church Galena has responded.
On Sunday evening May 22nd, a killer E-5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri. In response to this tragedy, First Baptist Church of Galena, Kansas partnered with Grace Baptist Church of Joplin, Missouri and Pastor Fred Vogel, to minister to our neighbors and church families who are enduring the greatest challenge of their lives. On Monday morning after the tornado, several of us met and developed a strategy to minister to the short-term needs of our community and God has touched the hearts of others to partner with us. Last week, we fed over 5,000 victims and volunteers a hot meal, provided tetanus shots to hundreds of volunteers, and collected and distributed water, non-perishable food items, personal hygiene articles, and articles of clothing. We further completed more than 400 construction projects which included sifting through the remains of houses to salvage what could be found, moving people's belongings into storage facilities, using chain saws to clear the downed trees, repairing roofs, and many other services too numerous to mention.
On day three, we developed a long-term strategy to minister to the people. We identified the “Jerusalem” (Acts 1:8) of Grace Baptist Church, their area of ministry and influence, which includes 450 houses located in and around the church. We initially surveyed these houses and identified the specific needs of each family and then we met that need. We are going back every other day to these families to identify other needs and meet those. Our prayer is that as we develop a relationship of love with these families that we will gain their trust and will have earned a hearing as we share God's marvelous plan of salvation with them.
What can my readers do to help?
First of all, please pray for us. We need physical strength, emotional strength, spiritual power, and wisdom to minister in a crisis that is in a constant state of flux—changing every day. Only God can meet these personal needs and so would you please pray for us?
Secondly, we ask that you pray about sending an offering to help us. We need individuals, families, Sunday School classes, small groups, and churches to help us with financial donations. Because we have no operating overhead, we assure you that 100% of every dollar given is invested through two local churches directly to the families of Joplin, a claim that no other national or international relief agency can make.
Thirdly, we could use your physical presence here in Joplin. If you can come, please call, email, or text me and we will do our very best to provide housing and some meals. We are in this for the long-term so we need help over the next year plus.
Some are collecting items to bring to Joplin and we appreciate that very much. However, I ask that you please contact me before you start collecting items because the needs are constantly changing. For example, last week we needed clothing and bottled water but not this week.
Where can we send money to help?
If you can help us with a financial gift, please send your tax-deductible offering to:
First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 218
Galena, Kansas 66739
Please mark your check “tornado” or “Joplin.”
Final thoughts?
There is no way that television can portray the real damage here. You can see the physical damage but we see and hear the emotional and spiritual damage to people on an hourly basis. God is all over this city and I promise that you cannot come to Joplin and not be changed. The need is great! The time is now! You are needed! Please pray about helping us!
More information on Joplin
Just as I provided as much information as I could about churches reaching out in Sendai Japan, I want to give an update to what I know about those reaching out in Joplin, Missouri.
Thanks to my aunt, I have a video from a TV station in Joplin about Grace Baptist Church. You can learn about that work by clicking the above link.
Another church that is doing a lot of work in the area is from the Kansas side of the border:
First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 218
Galena, KS 66739
I'll be posting more about FBC Galena tomorrow.
Thanks to my aunt, I have a video from a TV station in Joplin about Grace Baptist Church. You can learn about that work by clicking the above link.
Another church that is doing a lot of work in the area is from the Kansas side of the border:
First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 218
Galena, KS 66739
I'll be posting more about FBC Galena tomorrow.
Blog Carnival!
I really enjoyed hosting the blog carnival a few months ago and so I jumped at the chance to host it again. I really can't wait to show you all of the blogs I've read...well, take a look!
First up this week comes from the Olin's Blog. In this post the idea of Christian hypnosis, called Meditative Prayer by the author, is brought into the light. I had some issues with it in that even though the author says it's not new-agey, it sure looks suspicious. I recommend you go over and take a look for yourself!
The second entry is from Real Deal Christian, who writes about "If God is Good." I think it's the best writing on the topic of God acting during misery that I've read in a long, long time. You'll need to read it to get the full gist of what he's writing about, but it's definitely worth your time. He also wrote an article on Riches and how to know if you're growing spiritually. They are equally worth reading!
There were several good articles on the Memorial Day holiday. Barry Wallace wrote this week about a song for Servicemen and those who love them. As a Sailor, I really enjoyed reading this post. I also liked this post, which shows a video of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It will send chills up your spine! Michelle wrote about her experiences in the USAF, and I think you'll like that too. Finally, I leave you my own post for that day, regarding the childhood that got me interested in the Naval service.
Rodney Olson writes in an outstanding article on Wicca and it's dangers. I was honestly a little fascinated by the writing, if being scared to death equals fascinated! I definitely need to be careful with my children.
Finally, Jeremy Pierce writes about the meaning of the old KJV term "help meet" and what it really means. For any student of the Bible, it's an important article!
Honorable Mentions:
Why Carry Your Heavier Cross?
Capitalism and the Attack on Imago Dei
No Shame in Scars
Why are Folks so Afraid of Prayer?
The Joy of Ministry
Dead Right is Still Dead, Right?
Is your Financial life Missing the Most Important Ingredient?
First up this week comes from the Olin's Blog. In this post the idea of Christian hypnosis, called Meditative Prayer by the author, is brought into the light. I had some issues with it in that even though the author says it's not new-agey, it sure looks suspicious. I recommend you go over and take a look for yourself!
The second entry is from Real Deal Christian, who writes about "If God is Good." I think it's the best writing on the topic of God acting during misery that I've read in a long, long time. You'll need to read it to get the full gist of what he's writing about, but it's definitely worth your time. He also wrote an article on Riches and how to know if you're growing spiritually. They are equally worth reading!
There were several good articles on the Memorial Day holiday. Barry Wallace wrote this week about a song for Servicemen and those who love them. As a Sailor, I really enjoyed reading this post. I also liked this post, which shows a video of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It will send chills up your spine! Michelle wrote about her experiences in the USAF, and I think you'll like that too. Finally, I leave you my own post for that day, regarding the childhood that got me interested in the Naval service.
Rodney Olson writes in an outstanding article on Wicca and it's dangers. I was honestly a little fascinated by the writing, if being scared to death equals fascinated! I definitely need to be careful with my children.
Finally, Jeremy Pierce writes about the meaning of the old KJV term "help meet" and what it really means. For any student of the Bible, it's an important article!
Honorable Mentions:
Why Carry Your Heavier Cross?
Capitalism and the Attack on Imago Dei
No Shame in Scars
Why are Folks so Afraid of Prayer?
The Joy of Ministry
Dead Right is Still Dead, Right?
Is your Financial life Missing the Most Important Ingredient?
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