Living life with steps of faith

What would happen if I went through every verse in a book of the Bible and recorded what it says about Jesus Christ? What would I find? According to the book of Colossians, Jesus is: The Son of God (1:3) Lord (1:3; 2:6; 3:17) The Christ (1:1, 3 - and many of the verses that follow.) Image of the Invisible God (1:15) Firstborn of All Creation (1:15) Firstborn From the Dead (1:18) Before Everything / The Beginning (1:17, 18) Head of the Body--the Church (1:18) Head of Every Ruler and Authority (2:10) The Hope of Glory (1:27) God's Mystery (1:27; 2:2) Risen (3:1) In Us (1:2) Proclaimed by the Apostles (a.k.a the Embodiment of the Good News/Gospel) (1:28) Seated Above (3:1) Seated at the Right Hand of God (3:1) But, this is not it! There is so much more. We also learn from Paul and Timothy in the letter to the believers in Colossae, that: Jesus appointed followers to spread His word: Jesus had apostles . (1:1) There are ministers of Christ. (1:7) Jesus powerfully inspires energy in the...

This past week I had a conversation with someone who lived her life driven by her personal goals. I saw a lot of myself in her, and yet there was something distinctly different between the two of us and our manner of being goal-driven. For this friend, she had complete control over choosing, changing, and meeting her goals. No other force was at play and if at any point she would "unfathomably" be unable to achieve a goal, then it would be due to her own inability to choose appropriate goals. The ultimate source of her own life happiness was herself. She needed no one else. In many ways I felt like she was hiding behind her goals. Using them as a barrier to keep people away. But as I reflected more on our conversation, I realized that her goal-centered orientation is more a reflection of her view of the ultimate reality of life. Her god is herself. There is no divine will that is greater than hers. I could be like that. God has humbled me and shown me over and over again t...

Call me old fashioned, but sometimes the church just feels too overcommercialized. This morning I was looking at a resource book for church leaders (a.k.a. catalogue) and saw a new “package” of church materials that promotes something that I believe in. The problem with it is that it is a “package.” The idea that if you buy this audio-devotional for your teens, this video curriculum for your adults, these banners and postcards, and everyone goes and sees a certain movie and talks about it together afterwards you will start a movement. Perhaps I am just a bit jealous because it requires resources to do this. But at the same time, I am just weary of marketing fads. But then again if they work, why should I complain? Why do we need all of this pizzazz in order to convince people of the message that is already contained in the Scriptures? The message of God’s Kingdom – which is very different from the message of the kingdoms of this world. Kind of ironic using “cultural tools” to sp...

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson My rating: 4 of 5 stars Greg Mortenson is blessed with an incredible aptitude for culture. This is the story of his surprising mission to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, starting in the mid-1990s, extending through September 11, 2001 to the present. A great read for anyone interested in sociology, culture, religion, or even gaining a new perspective on the United State's "influence" in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Expect to have your worldview altered! View all my reviews >>

I am cleaning my room and I came across a note I wrote after having a good friend visit me. I wrote, "With your best friend you can talk without thinking and when you are thinking and not talking she knows exactly what you are not saying."

Days of Fire and Glory:The Rise and Fall of a Charismatic Community by Julia Duin My rating: 4 of 5 stars In a narrative style that is enriched with journalistic touches, Washington Times writer, Julia Duin writes about the birth of the 1960s charismatic movement in Houston, Texas and its growth all the way to its demise in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She writes of the power of community and the joys of life experienced through Holy Spirit inspired personal sacrifice. She also hints throughout the book to the dangers of such power not being held in check and warns of how leaders lacking accountability can lead to the demise of a community. She writes historically and she writes theologically. This book would be great for anyone who is interested in church history, movements of the Spirit, church leadership, or community living. I also encourage the reading of this book by anyone who has encountered the charismatic movement but has been left confused by this encounter. Good read. ...

Yesterday I finished my first book since graduating from seminary. Ahhh, refreshing! It feels good to read again just to read. No assignments, no papers, no exams, just personal pleasure and growth. It feels so good that I am back to my pre-seminary habit of reading more than one book at a time, each from a different genre. I'm reading Richard Foster's, "Celebration of Discipline" at about one or two pages a day, for my own spiritual growth. My husband and I are reading together Christopher Moore's "Lamb: The gospel according to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal," for the sure pleasure and shared laugh that Moore offers. And I just completed, Julia Duin's "Days of Fire and Glory: The Rise and Fall of a Charismatic Community." Julia actually sent me this book about a year ago and we finally met today to discuss it. I actually have several books on my "to-read" list that I have been given by authors. I've started several of...