daddy4ms

Today I attended the Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series at Hesston Collge.  The speaker was Shane Claiborne.  I have heard him speak a couple of times before. Below are a few of my favorite quotes from today: The Christian faith spreads best not through force but through fascination. The commuter church makes community really difficult. We have a God who is loving people back to life.  We often forget the power of God's grace to bring people back to life. Grace is endangered. We need to create a new culture in the church. We need to admit we're not perfect. World is not looking for perfection but honesty. God works through the cracks. God works through our imperfections. As unchurched and unbelievers describe the God they don't believe in, I realize I don't believe in that God either. Some of the loudest voices have not been the most beautiful. The answer to bad theology is good theology not no theology. We can misplace our hope in politics and candidates. We sho...

We are continuing our series on songs on the radio that remind us of the gospel. These songs are full of grace and point us to a God who is good and loving.  Today's song is by Big Daddy Weave and is called My Story. Lyrics are below. If I told you my story You would hear Hope that wouldn't let go And if I told you my story You would hear Love that never gave up And if I told you my story You would hear Life, but it wasn't mine If I should speak then let it be Of the grace that is greater than all my sin Of when justice was served and where mercy wins Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in Oh to tell you my story is to tell of Him If I told you my story You would hear victory over the enemy And if I told you my story You would hear freedom that was won for me And if I told you my story You would hear Life overcome the grave If I should speak then let it be Of the grace that is greater than all my sin Of when justice was served and where mercy...

God gets a bad rap.  We like to play this comparison game of the God of the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament.  We are a little scared and skeptical with all of the wars and wrath we see in the Old Testament.  So we are thankful when Jesus enters the scene with a new covenant and what He did on our behalf in the New Testament.  Jesus is the One who saves us, forgives us, takes the wrath we deserve.  Preston Sprinkle in Charis is trying to change this perception.  Below are some quotes of how God in the Old Testament was very loving and gracious. If there ever was clear evidence that God saved people based on who He is and not on what we have done, it's the exodus from Egypt. God's power is released on account of His compassion, not Israel's righteousness. This is where the tent comes in. God cannot dwell with sinful people, but God desires to dwell with sinful people. So He comes up with a plan to have build a te...

On Thursday, I was reading Sticky Faith again and was reminded about another option for you during the Lenten season.  Powell & Clark share some research about helping develop a heart of service and justice in our kids.  They also talk about the growing number of youth going on mission trips, but not seeing any change long term.  They suggest it is important for service and justice to "hit close to home . . . literally, thematically, personally, and relationally."  In other words, service and justice cannot be occasional events, but instead must become part of our family's lifestyle. As I reflect on Lent and the sacrifices that Jesus has done for me, it seems natural that part of our growth during Lent can be experienced as we as families serve others and/or seek justice on their behalf.  So, what can you do?  There are so many opportunities for service and justice in your community and in our world.  Check out organizations like Compassion Int...