tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69670949282526578462024-03-13T11:07:46.386-07:00moment by momentwhat we believe is revealed by how we live, not by what we know.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-88104379093593063962012-03-16T08:29:00.004-07:002012-03-16T08:34:03.079-07:00Theological Word of the Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35R2ExL2uXM/T2NdZEB4jRI/AAAAAAAAAhY/1hKntuPIbiA/s1600/emergent.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35R2ExL2uXM/T2NdZEB4jRI/AAAAAAAAAhY/1hKntuPIbiA/s320/emergent.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720518636850416914" /></a><br />Emerging Church<br /><br />The “emerging church” is a representative designation for a growing ethos or way of thinking among many dissatisfied Christians (primarily those in Protestantism). While there is no primary leader or credal unity among those in the emerging church, there are certain characteristics that stand out among “emergers,” as they are called. These characteristics are not necessarily found in all emergers, but are representative of the emerging ethos.<br /><br />1. Epistemologically, they are less optimistic about our ability to come to know “the” truth, but find value in many perspectives.<br />2. Theologically, they are prone to questioning traditional theological dogma.<br />3. Politically, they call for change and social activism and often a disassociation with the Republican party.<br />4. Sociologically, they call on the church to reach out to those in need with love and compassion.<br />5. Missionally, they focus on “mission” as the everyday role of Christians that should permeate every aspect of their life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-69096012500879731382012-03-16T07:56:00.002-07:002012-03-16T07:56:54.182-07:00The Barna Group - Five Myths about Young Adult Church Dropouts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BSyx3aAupPQ/T2NUoYhp8BI/AAAAAAAAAhA/ao8b4_dh07o/s1600/speechless_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BSyx3aAupPQ/T2NUoYhp8BI/AAAAAAAAAhA/ao8b4_dh07o/s1600/speechless_b.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/534-five-myths-about-young-adult-church-dropouts#.T2NUkemhRog.blogger">The Barna Group - Five Myths about Young Adult Church Dropouts</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-5550114283243590402012-03-15T10:26:00.006-07:002012-03-16T08:36:42.879-07:00Theological Word of the Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NaGtIpa2qeA/T2Im5qEYaII/AAAAAAAAAgg/jghDQjh6sDQ/s1600/theology.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NaGtIpa2qeA/T2Im5qEYaII/AAAAAAAAAgg/jghDQjh6sDQ/s320/theology.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720177248701016194" /></a><br /><br />Cognitive Dissonance<br /><br />The condition when some of a person’s beliefs are in contradiction to other beliefs they hold or to the way they live. Often people’s habitual patterns do not harmonize with their intellectual convictions. In Christianity, it is often the case that people attempt to live according to a Christian worldview due only to traditional bents without ever personally experiencing a true cognitive or intellectual conviction about such. This can produce a dichotomous life of dissonance or inconsistency in their beliefs and practices.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-64314487345315284442012-01-30T09:10:00.000-08:002012-01-30T09:15:23.498-08:00I AM TIRED OF CHURCH by John Hawkins, Pastor of Center Pointe Church<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPwzv2zVEmk/TybPFIGOWfI/AAAAAAAAAgI/CvUBkI2bLNs/s1600/church-doors-locked.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 154px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPwzv2zVEmk/TybPFIGOWfI/AAAAAAAAAgI/CvUBkI2bLNs/s320/church-doors-locked.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703473665091197426" /></a><br /><br /><br />the JOURNAL of the JOURNEY<br /><br />I am tired of church or I should say I am tired of churchianity. I am tired of the politics, the power struggles, the emotional immaturity (present company excepted), the expectations, the hypocrisy, the personality disorders, the inauthenticity, the hidden agendas, the selfishness, the apathy, the spiritual laziness. the lack of honesty, the defensiveness in people, the insensitivity to others, the pride, the made up lists of do’s and don’ts, the judgmental attitudes, the plastic smiles and fake love, the critical and negative attitudes, the stinginess, the unbelief, the rebellion to truth, and give me a minute and I’ll think of a few other things while I am on a role. I am tired of how we took something God made simple and for the purpose of building our relationship with him and others and institutionalized it. We have organized it, complicated it, hierarchied it, and paralyzed it so it no longer does what God intended it to do. We have split it into a thousand factions so it no longer functions in unity as one body and fulfills the mission Jesus gave to it.<br /><br />Perhaps I am being too broad in my indictment. I can not speak for the church at large in the world, I am not an expert on the subject. My frame of reference and experience is the church in America where I have pastored for 38 years. Does this all sound too cynical or negative? I have had plenty of people as I would invite them to church use one or several of these reasons for not coming. Even as a pastor I have felt this way at times. I think most pastors have at one time or another if they were honest. At times we question our call and tell God we want to quit and go do something else. He is ok but we just can’t stand people. I think Jesus felt a little like this when he came into the world and started to work with the “church” (religious crowd of His day). He turned things upside down and was a real contrarian when it came to the whole religious thing. Read the sermon on the mount sometime – as the new Moses He gave us the new way.<br /><br />Contrary to how this sounds I am not some cynical, bitter preacher ready to give up on the church and go sell cars (though I have told God several times I was done). Rather as someone with more years of ministry behind me than in front of me I want to make my final years count. I want to find the simplicity of what true ministry is about. I think it has something to do with building relationships not organizations, buildings, programs, empires, or being successful. I think it is about leaving a legacy of lives my life has touched for God. Maybe this is too idealistic or naive but I am going to try to find my way in this. I would rather do this than become the cynical preacher who gives up on the church. Maybe I just haven’t been doing it right. You are never too old to learn. recently a mentor I work with gave me some thoughts on focusing your life for the second half. They were pretty helpful to me, allow me to leave them with you they are from author Dave Legg:<br /><br />Slow your pace.<br />Narrow your focus.<br />Focus on things that strike passion and desire in your heart.<br />Focus on people more than programs.<br />Measure life in terms of people.<br />Invest your life by investing in people.<br />Give the whole gospel and not just the salvation piece of the gospel.<br />Commit to community and its high importance at this time in your life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-67583409920072983382012-01-18T05:43:00.000-08:002012-01-18T05:52:33.840-08:00An Anonymous Letter From a Homosexual To The Church<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYwA9lPUNg8/TxbNIuGbScI/AAAAAAAAAf8/zwSVE_CYd9c/s1600/good-samaritan-came-to-him.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYwA9lPUNg8/TxbNIuGbScI/AAAAAAAAAf8/zwSVE_CYd9c/s320/good-samaritan-came-to-him.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698967928181574082" /></a><br /><br /><br />Dear Church,<br /><br />I’m in such pain; I just had to write something to someone, because there’s no one to call at this hour. Don’t think poorly of me because I am still learning to lean on God… and because sometimes I need arms to hold me; even God said it is not good that man be alone. I don’t want to disturb anyone at this hour. I’m afraid if I did, they would reject me… people seem to be eager to help when it’s convenient. For me to call someone now would be inconvenient, and I could not take the possible rejection on top of the pain I already feel in my heart. Sometimes the stuff I'm forbidden to have can look awfully good when I'm feeling empty on the inside, with no one to call.<br /><br />I like what I’ve learned from the bible, even though it’s hard to accept some things. But I need more; I need to see Jesus modeled by the Church. I need to see you who believe actually BE the ears, arms, and eyes of God. I need friends. I need guys in my life I can get together with - pals, buddies… I need the stuff I didn't get growing up, and that most guys don't have time for in the Church - because they have families and fathers and careers already. But I don’t need a baby sitter or a teacher; I need a human being who cares and who is willing and able to be a friend. I need men in my life who will love me where I’m at, who are willing and able to spend time with me; I need men to show me examples of what a healthy relationship between men looks like, not just an hour a week at Sunday school… but in real life.<br /><br />I think guys who have families forget what being single is like... some will argue the reverse, that I’m better off single… but they don’t know what they have – and they would rethink things if they found themselves alone, as I am. They want to fix me, and think that I should bury myself in work like they do; but maybe that burial is why their marriages are dying. Maybe I’m not the only sick one here – maybe most guys are just as scared as I am over sharing their hearts. I've had several suggest that the right job would fix my loneliness... but I know from personal experience that work doesn’t fill the need for human contact, and the secular workplace doesn’t fill the need for Godly relationships with other men.<br /><br />Sometimes you, men of the Church, make comments that I’m too open, and sometimes I think to myself, “You should be a man, keep the feelings in and be strong.” But is this really what God wants – or is it male pride? I think those words “Be strong” are whispered directly from Satan’s mouth into my ear… and the ear of every man… because in my strength, I draw away from needing God and others, and I am really weak – even though my pride fools me into thinking I am powerfully “self-reliant”. And when I am weak, I am strong, because I am more connected with God and with other men… because I need them.<br /><br />Heck, the people I can relate to most in any setting seem to be the older ones or the kids - because most of the guys my age have lost something that kids and older people have. I don't know what it is, maybe people my age are too arrogant, too set in our ways, too proud, or too busy to be bothered with such “trivial” things as friendship and love. I miss friends from my old life… because even though some of those interactions might have been sinful, at least I had friends who would spend time with me. The Church can seem pretty sterile when the only time I see you – you who call themselves “brothers and sisters” – is in a bible study or at church. I feel like I'm starving for human interaction, when all I get is two or three hours a week in groups. Is this what you would call “ministering”?<br /><br />Do you, dear Church, want to know the real reason I stumble into pornography and gay sin? It is for one reason: I am starved for relationship, for friendship, for touch... but I am afraid to ask, and be told “no” yet again. The pornography might be sin, but at least the “high” took my mind off the pain of isolation for a little while, when you weren’t willing to; and pornography is always there; you, men of the Church, are not. It made me forget my loneliness. When life gets tough, you have wives and family to comfort you – or at the very least to keep you occupied. When my life gets tough, married men tell me to seek comfort in God – spoken from the comfort of their wives arms. This is convenient… for them. I have put work into relationships, and you didn’t have time, dear Church. It’s funny how you have time to condemn homosexuals, to rally to abolish gay marriage, or get on the band wagon over this cause or that, all in the name of God. But you don’t have time to be friends with a homosexual who wants to change. If I were to define hell, it would be "a void of relationship". If I were to point to a place on earth where I have found the most hell, it has been within the walls of the Church. I’m tired of all the verses and the theory. You want me to change; stop talking and SHOW me how to be a loving Christian in Godly relationships by LIVING that theory with me, by inviting me into these relationships… or I will stumble – and you, men of the Church, will not be guiltless.<br /><br />I want to live life, to share life with people. There seems to be no outlet for me – the single male struggling with sexual brokenness – to do this, other than little bits here and there. I have much to offer, along with my peers, even though I am also needy. I want the touch of another human being. I want it to matter when I laugh and when I cry, and I want the tears and laughter of others to matter to me. I am frustrated by so many things in not only our society, but in the Church; men do not know how to love one another as God intended... if we all did, there wouldn't be so much homosexuality; it is a backlash, a result of men not loving as they should... including you, men of the Church.<br /><br />I have one dream... I want Jesus to hold me, to let me cry, to sob, to let my body shake with the grief of the losses I have felt in my life. I want him to be there and hold me through it, whether I cry for a minute, a day, or a year... until finally there are no more tears left. And then I want to fall asleep in his arms, I want to be safe. I want to go back, to be a kid again, and to get what I didn't get back then, what I can't get now by myself, but which can only come through Jesus and through other men in a healthy way. I am frustrated and angry - and I feel cheated, that I have no attraction to women, that I have no family. I have worked so hard simply to overcome the trauma of the rejection I went through from my father... he didn't mean to do it, but I carry those deep scars, and they go right to the foundation of my heart.<br /><br />Do you want to crucify the homosexual, or save him? If you want to save him, here I am, and I’m asking to be saved. I’m asking you to be Christ’s arms and ears, to hold me and let me cry, to let me know Jesus does care about me – that even though I feel rejected and broken and alone, at least someone does care. Or do you want to help in theory, so you can feel good about yourselves? Or maybe it’s just easier to throw the first stone. Some days, I would thank you for throwing that stone; the pain would end.<br /><br />I know you can't fix me. You may not know what to say. Men of the Church, you think you have to say something profound to "fix" others. Wrong. You are here to teach me God’s ways by EXAMPLE, to be examples of love in a world of hatred. Ironically, I – the homosexual – am here to teach you, too, men of the Church. “To teach us?” you may ask in shock. Yes, to teach you something you’ve forgotten; we are here to teach you the strength of vulnerability, the power of facing the truth - we are powerless, that we are all broken and we can fix nothing... that Jesus died to fix us. When in my weakest moments I share with you, I am doing what God wants me to. I am an example of vulnerability, and my example gives you – men of the Church – permission to shed your masks of self-strength and self-righteousness. Listen and learn, men of the Church: we can’t put on God’s armor, until we first take off our own useless armor… and we can’t do that until we set our pride aside, and get honest with one another. I’m ready. Are you?<br /><br />Aren't we God's hands extended?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-33542487612586444282012-01-18T05:38:00.000-08:002012-01-18T05:42:09.484-08:00I AM TIRED OF CHURCH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dvv-MvydtZM/TxbMLfOEnZI/AAAAAAAAAfw/QaPH_RdnJaM/s1600/church.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 166px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dvv-MvydtZM/TxbMLfOEnZI/AAAAAAAAAfw/QaPH_RdnJaM/s320/church.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698966876215090578" /></a><br />CENTER POINTE CHURCH<br />PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA<br /><br />By John Hawkins<br /><br />I am tired of church or I should say I am tired of churchianity. I am tired of the politics, the power struggles, the emotional immaturity (present company excepted), the expectations, the hypocrisy, the personality disorders, the inauthenticity, the hidden agendas, the selfishness, the apathy, the spiritual laziness. the lack of honesty, the defensiveness in people, the insensitivity to others, the pride, the made up lists of do’s and don’ts, the judgmental attitudes, the plastic smiles and fake love, the critical and negative attitudes, the stinginess, the unbelief, the rebellion to truth, and give me a minute and I’ll think of a few other things while I am on a role. I am tired of how we took something God made simple and for the purpose of building our relationship with him and others and institutionalized it. We have organized it, complicated it, hierarchied it, and paralyzed it so it no longer does what God intended it to do. We have split it into a thousand factions so it no longer functions in unity as one body and fulfills the mission Jesus gave to it.<br /><br />Perhaps I am being too broad in my indictment. I can not speak for the church at large in the world, I am not an expert on the subject. My frame of reference and experience is the church in America where I have pastored for 38 years. Does this all sound too cynical or negative? I have had plenty of people as I would invite them to church use one or several of these reasons for not coming. Even as a pastor I have felt this way at times. I think most pastors have at one time or another if they were honest. At times we question our call and tell God we want to quit and go do something else. He is ok but we just can’t stand people. I think Jesus felt a little like this when he came into the world and started to work with the “church” (religious crowd of His day). He turned things upside down and was a real contrarian when it came to the whole religious thing. Read the sermon on the mount sometime – as the new Moses He gave us the new way.<br /><br />Contrary to how this sounds I am not some cynical, bitter preacher ready to give up on the church and go sell cars (though I have told God several times I was done). Rather as someone with more years of ministry behind me than in front of me I want to make my final years count. I want to find the simplicity of what true ministry is about. I think it has something to do with building relationships not organizations, buildings, programs, empires, or being successful. I think it is about leaving a legacy of lives my life has touched for God. Maybe this is too idealistic or naive but I am going to try to find my way in this. I would rather do this than become the cynical preacher who gives up on the church. Maybe I just haven’t been doing it right. You are never too old to learn. recently a mentor I work with gave me some thoughts on focusing your life for the second half. They were pretty helpful to me, allow me to leave them with you they are from author Dave Legg:<br /><br />Slow your pace.<br />Narrow your focus.<br />Focus on things that strike passion and desire in your heart.<br />Focus on people more than programs.<br />Measure life in terms of people.<br />Invest your life by investing in people.<br />Give the whole gospel and not just the salvation piece of the gospel.<br />Commit to community and its high importance at this time in your life.<br /><br />Thank you, John Hawkins for writing your heart. I, myself is very tire of the institutional churchianity.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-75314902574858756652011-09-14T20:35:00.000-07:002011-09-14T20:35:30.987-07:00Charlie Brown Praise Break<iframe width="480" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yDWeyVEyKEI?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-13135912614920096772011-05-25T09:06:00.000-07:002011-05-25T09:06:58.627-07:00Ultimate Dog Tease<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nGeKSiCQkPw?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-11655502869143013612011-05-21T21:08:00.000-07:002011-05-21T21:08:35.854-07:00Exodus International: Embracing the Call<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rhY3IkkT3cY?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-43743827290230541202011-05-16T10:16:00.000-07:002011-05-16T10:16:05.995-07:00Jesus Culture - Rooftops<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PLIKjKRU0YY?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-61477001090103967362011-04-25T10:51:00.000-07:002011-04-25T10:51:23.794-07:00A Man Fell in a Hole<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5WCTltHR-Hg?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-82688493494270850872011-04-02T18:49:00.000-07:002011-04-02T18:51:20.189-07:00I Quit!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ol15oJUAUtM/TZfSk-53FvI/AAAAAAAAAeM/sO9De9BU2As/s1600/I%2Bquit.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 121px; height: 181px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ol15oJUAUtM/TZfSk-53FvI/AAAAAAAAAeM/sO9De9BU2As/s320/I%2Bquit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591168995206567666" /></a><br />“I quit!” I told my husband. “I’m leaving our church. This no longer brings me life. It brings me death.” And my husband was the pastor!<br />Those words launched me into a journey of profound spirituality that I refused to continue living, pretending everything was “fine.” <br /><br />It happened on January 2nd on year, and was actually much more than a New Year’s resolution (e.g. “I will go to the gym three times a week” or “I will take a class at a community college”). Something broke inside me when I finally said, “No more.”<br />It was a determination to quit those things that were damaging to my soul, freeing me up to choose ways of being that were authentic and rooted in love. Not only would I be changed, but my marriage, family and community also transformed in unimaginable ways.<br />That one decision has evolved over the years into eight “I Quit” resolutions, which I’m urging others to consider as a far more expansive and life-changing resolution for the 2011 New Year: <br /><br />1. I will quit being afraid of what others think.<br />I will not say “yes” when I really want to say “no” because I’m afraid someone will be angry, sad or disappointed. I will speak up when I disagree or prefer something different, no longer ignoring my own values. Who I am “on stage” before others will be the same person I am “off stage” when I am by myself.<br /><br />2. I will quit lying.<br />I will become brutally honest with myself, especially with my own thoughts and feelings. I will declare my truth to others, not fearing what they think. That truth can be as simple as “I don’t want to eat at that restaurant,” or as difficult as, “I was hurt by your comment.” Speaking the truth respectfully and clearly is one of the most significant ways I can respect myself and others. <br /><br />3. I will quit dying to the wrong things.<br />I will not put things most important, like self-care, at the mercy of things least important, like always putting others before myself. I will actively pursue a day of rest and I will no longer set aside activities or relationships that cause my soul to feel fully alive (e.g. music, dance, art, the outdoors, travel). <br /><br />4. I will quit denying sadness, anger and fear.<br />Many of us live inhuman lives because we believe inhuman rules like “Don’t be sad”, “It’s bad to be angry”, or “You’re weak if you’re afraid.” I will allow myself to feel all these feelings, treating them as “guests” sent to teach me something. I will neither put them in the driver’s seat and let them control me, nor will I ignore them by stuffing them in the trunk. <br /><br />5. I will quit blaming. <br />As a human being made in God’s image, I recognize that no one is responsible for my life and happiness but me. I will take responsibility to choose my own life and help others do the same. I can’t change others, but I can change myself.<br /><br />6. I will quit overfunctioning.<br />I will quit doing for others what they can and should do for themselves. I will stop perpetuating their immaturity or my false sense of indispensability, seeking courage and wisdom in doing so. <br /><br />7. I will quit faulty thinking. <br />I will not assume I know what others are thinking without checking it out with them. I won’t jump to negative interpretations without having all the data. And I will not believe the falsehood that things will never change. <br /><br />8. I will quit living someone else’s life. <br />I will embrace the unique life God has given me, paying attention to my very personal rhythms for waking, sleeping, playing and working. I will set appropriate boundaries around everything that breathes, letting go of other people’s agenda for my life. And I will follow what is important to me.<br /><br />May you be courageous this new year to live divided no more, discovering the Spirit’s power that yearns to break into your life and birth that which is good, true and beautiful. Remember, if you don’t embrace your one, unrepeatable life, it won’t get lived.<br /><br />Geri Scazzero is the author of the recently released I Quit: Stop Pretending Everything is Fine and Change Your Life (Zondervan, 2010). She lives in Queens, New York City.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-89126966976927742442011-04-02T18:40:00.000-07:002011-04-02T18:43:22.630-07:00THE WOODCARVER<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T09Bv2B9688/TZfQs7q1mgI/AAAAAAAAAeE/C8Rxsb2BBWA/s1600/woodcarver.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T09Bv2B9688/TZfQs7q1mgI/AAAAAAAAAeE/C8Rxsb2BBWA/s320/woodcarver.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591166932753947138" /></a><br />Khing, the master carver, made a bell stand<br />Of precious wood. When it was finished,<br />All who saw it were astounded. They said it must be<br />The work of spirits.<br />The Prince of Lu said to the master carver:<br />"What is your secret?"<br /><br />Khing replied: "I am only a workman:<br />I have no secret. There is only this:<br />When I began to think about the work you commanded<br />I guarded my spirit, did not expend it<br />On trifles, that were not to the point.<br />I fasted in order to set<br />My heart at rest.<br />After three days fasting,<br />I had forgotten gain and success.<br />After five days<br />I had forgotten praise or criticism.<br />After seven days <br />I had forgotten my body<br />With all its limbs.<br /><br />"By this time all thought of your Highness<br />And of the court had faded away.<br />All that might distract me from the work<br />Had vanished.<br />I was collected in the single thought<br />Of the bell stand.<br /><br />"Then I went to the forest<br />To see the trees in their own natural state.<br />When the right tree appeared before my eyes,<br />The bell stand also appeared in it, clearly, beyond doubt.<br />All I had to do was to put forth my hand<br />and begin.<br /><br />"If I had not met this particular tree<br />There would have been <br />No bell stand at all.<br /><br />"What happened?<br />My own collected thought<br />Encountered the hidden potential in the wood;<br />From this live encounter came the work<br />Which you ascribe to the spirits."<br /><br />- Chuang Tzu<br />from The Way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas MertonUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-66288726206735982492011-03-19T07:37:00.000-07:002011-03-19T07:38:15.547-07:00Emanual<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2bGlooT80jA?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-19087946097124124052011-03-17T15:10:00.000-07:002011-03-17T15:10:27.921-07:00Reverse Thinking<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jgFU5Ak88-k?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-21840598440595444012011-02-26T07:38:00.000-08:002011-02-26T07:38:20.596-08:00Modern Day Church Exposed!<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zAzScc_SIy4?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-27148845988319547232011-02-23T12:01:00.001-08:002011-02-23T12:02:40.034-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AK0BtOBdXxk/TWVn2RmQHEI/AAAAAAAAAdk/amLU_ED9STw/s1600/books2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 116px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AK0BtOBdXxk/TWVn2RmQHEI/AAAAAAAAAdk/amLU_ED9STw/s320/books2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576977895702666306" /></a><br />The most effective way to keep information from <br />someone is to put it in a book. ~SRUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-7416079235310602822011-02-02T13:48:00.000-08:002011-02-02T13:50:41.459-08:00Pooh and Piglet<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUnRpsungbI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/w_RPAyH3K68/s1600/pooh-and-piglet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUnRpsungbI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/w_RPAyH3K68/s320/pooh-and-piglet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569212928531857842" /></a><br />Piglet: "How do you spell love?"<br />Pooh: "You don't spell it, you feel it."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-53284661844959442162011-02-02T13:42:00.000-08:002011-02-02T13:42:03.024-08:00It's A Book - By Lane Smith<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x4BK_2VULCU?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-79115333733649906722011-02-02T12:39:00.000-08:002011-02-02T12:55:36.683-08:00Spiritual Teacher/Spiritual Seeker<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUnEQATg6II/AAAAAAAAAdI/ivJAAzsv64Y/s1600/air%2Bballoon.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUnEQATg6II/AAAAAAAAAdI/ivJAAzsv64Y/s320/air%2Bballoon.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569198193459128450" /></a><br />A man flying in a hot air balloon realizes that he is lost. He spots a person on the ground, reduces his altitude, and shouts, "Hey! Can you tell me where I am?"<br /><br />The person below says, "Yes, you're in a hot air balloon hovering 30 feet above this field."<br /><br />The balloonist says, "You must work as a spiritual teacher."<br /><br />"I do," replies the person, "How did you know?"<br /><br />"Well," says the balloonist, "what you told me is true enough, but it's of no use at all."<br /><br />The person below said, "You must be a spiritual seeker."<br /><br />"I am," replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?"<br /><br />"Well," says the person, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help you. You're in the same position you were in before we met, but now it's my fault!"<br /><br />~source unknownUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-47269434902984637782011-01-31T12:07:00.001-08:002011-01-31T12:08:00.140-08:00Walk Away!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUcWm5Ru_bI/AAAAAAAAAcs/b6r26s1Kg0M/s1600/nightwalk2_mic.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUcWm5Ru_bI/AAAAAAAAAcs/b6r26s1Kg0M/s320/nightwalk2_mic.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568444321732951474" /></a><br />Don't look at it! Don't touch it! Don't taste it! Just Walk Away...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-17184663080926351102011-01-31T12:01:00.000-08:002011-01-31T12:03:14.167-08:00Longing!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUcVfWAvRJI/AAAAAAAAAck/3I3hy_Jy7uw/s1600/lonely_boat_iii_.....jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 197px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUcVfWAvRJI/AAAAAAAAAck/3I3hy_Jy7uw/s320/lonely_boat_iii_.....jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568443092495713426" /></a><br />Longing to get away from it all! Anyone want to join me?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-27400851024835930412011-01-31T11:58:00.000-08:002011-01-31T12:00:38.253-08:00Waiting!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUcU4S2IobI/AAAAAAAAAcc/6FqR0tM9yT4/s1600/alone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUcU4S2IobI/AAAAAAAAAcc/6FqR0tM9yT4/s320/alone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568442421631033778" /></a><br />Waiting on You Father! Waiting.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-67240210981358638032011-01-31T11:48:00.000-08:002011-01-31T11:57:09.581-08:00Autobiography in 5 Short ChaptersChanging our behaviour is difficult. If it were simply a matter of deciding to change, and following through on that change, there would be no need for psychotherapists.<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jSCA0EWR2RE?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967094928252657846.post-27067889118178867002011-01-30T10:37:00.000-08:002011-01-30T10:41:18.979-08:00Money Makers Paradise Become a Pastor<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUWwVsI2nGI/AAAAAAAAAcU/ECDYN1TQNuU/s1600/earn%2Bmoney.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s8vue9rsXPI/TUWwVsI2nGI/AAAAAAAAAcU/ECDYN1TQNuU/s320/earn%2Bmoney.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568050400985521250" /></a><br /><br />by Slashing Tongue's blog<br /><br />Bishop Eddie Long, a pastor who is being accused of luring four young man into sexual relationships. Well he is still innocent till proven guilty which is very unlikely considering the support he has. This article isn’t about the allegations or this pastor but it is about the money made by such independent mega churches and its pastors. Over the years, there have been many independent pastors, internet pastors or street pastors arising. When video sites like youtube or dailymotion making it easy for people to upload almost any type of content it has also made it easy for people to make money the right or the wrong way. Depends on how an individual takes it though.<br /><br />I am not saying that when one pastor does something wrong that he represents all pastors. It also does not mean that we should not doubt them and their actions. I have seen so many videos of pastors and evangelical preachers using various methods to scam and promote their products into getting people to buy them. What do the people do, they spend and donate. Where does the money go? To god? Does god need money? Maybe people might think the money goes to church for its maintenance and payouts. Every time you look at a pastor at an event, he wears expensive clothing,jewelries and has very nice vehicles. There were even documentaries where they showed pastors having personal chefs and having taking trip to places where the very people who donated the money can’t afford. Is this really what people want? <br /><br />The country already has economical issues and many people are losing their jobs. Yet there are still people who choose to leech of others. At the same time, there are people who let themselves be leeched. Does religion make people blind? Is it so hard for people to do some research? What can we do teach people to be more aware of such pastors. Than comes the outstanding faith healers who claim they can cure you of any health problems. During the event they will walk up to anyone and start describing that person’s home and address. Then they start to heal them and their health problems are solved miraculously. These people literally conned the audience using creative methods such form filling before the event and using radio transmitters to lie to their victims. Of course with people like James Randi around such scam artists are bound to be exposed. What is surprising is that these scam artists are out of jail and are able to continue to do what they were doing before. Yes, they still make money.<br /><br />Oh well living in the country of the free anything is possible….Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0