tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-105899122012-01-21T09:04:46.423-06:00Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.comBlogger1631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-5507407559237627402012-01-02T18:47:00.001-06:002012-01-02T18:47:29.056-06:00

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ~ Mark 1:38 “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~ Matthew 20:26-28 (

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-73249492076977955652009-09-30T06:06:00.001-05:002009-09-30T06:06:43.008-05:00

Meditations on Faith after reading Colossians chapter 1-Chris GonzalezA little faith is worth something, spotted and tattered as it may be. It is worth something because it exists. There is no better case against the forces of Evil than the existence of faith…faith in any condition or size. Evil has a no tolerance policy on faith and therefore any little scrap of it is an affront. A little

Fajitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704189756009543355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-42390225011797100882009-09-28T22:27:00.000-05:002009-09-28T22:30:08.835-05:00

Diversity I always thougth diversity just happened.I always thought that diversity was easy.I always thought that diversity was someone else's job.I knew that diversity is beautiful.I knew that diversity is a sign of Christ.I knew that diveristy fires us up.I didn't know that diversity is intentional.I didn't know that diversity is easiest when we start over.I didn't know that diveristy means we

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-8902408054323764412009-08-07T13:03:00.000-05:002009-08-07T13:06:39.557-05:00

Today is my son's 17th birthday. What a joy it has been to see him grow in our home.However, this post is probably more about me than him, and I guess I should begin by stating that. You can read on if you want, however as parents we do self reflection on our kids' important days at times.I had a dad who was emotionally distant and didn't connect well with me or my brother. He was an atheist and

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-76366535510813086172009-05-12T09:36:00.001-05:002009-05-12T09:36:31.093-05:00

What does the word justice bring to mind? What did justice mean to Jesus?I think of the words "fairness" and "equity" and "dignity" among others.Today we're hosting Paul Kent from Habitat for Humanity Tulsa at the Green Country Event Center. We'll get his input on how our land or resources can be used to bring justice to those without adequate or affordable housing in Tulsa. We're also hosting

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-3214100175330377742009-05-01T13:30:00.000-05:002009-05-01T13:33:34.008-05:00

As many of you know today is our monthly Friday prayer and fast day. I am cramming a handful of Lays potato chips in my mouth in preparation.The Vice Principle at Reynolds High School has recently challenged me to be praying about our work to develop boys groups in the high school. She has also been leading a committee to do a Human Trafficking conference in May at the school. She asked me point

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-75251574646641201922009-04-21T16:02:00.001-05:002009-04-21T16:02:32.251-05:00

This message is from Michael, co director of Alternatives for Simple Living www.simpleliving.org How will you be spending Earth day? We hope you will be able to spend time enjoying creation and support efforts to encourage the wise stewardship of the planet earth.A common comment these days is "Now is the time we need to start living more simply." Usually this comment is made in the context of

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-3854936807705684692009-03-06T15:31:00.001-06:002009-03-06T15:31:27.376-06:00

I'm staying with a high school friend and his family and enjoying reconnecting with them. I'm here for the ZOE Conference at the Monterey Church of Christ. I'm involved with ZOE because we help people break free from legalism and experience a new journey with Jesus Christ. We help people with stepping stones like articles on Wineskins.org, conference experiences in worship, great speakers such as

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-54586452104536182802009-03-05T07:27:00.001-06:002009-03-05T07:27:05.227-06:00

During Lent I'm on a Daniel Fast. No, not Daniel in the Bible.My friend, Daniel Mwaza, in Uganda told me how to lose weight . . . He said, "Stop eating so much."So I'm eating half of the normal American calorie intake (which about matches intake of half the world), with about 4 oz of protein a day.I lived seven years in Uganda, and this fast helps me remember those days when I saw children in

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-80733270340047543522009-01-18T00:52:00.000-06:002009-01-18T01:00:04.709-06:00

I walked past a van parked in front of a handicapped children's center recently. The symbol of a wheelchair was on a sticker on the window of the sliding door. It read, "Please, Leave Extra Room." Knowing that the people on board that van need extra space enables me to give it to them.If, somehow, we could look into each other's heart, and if we then realized that everyone wears a sticker on the

Stephennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-76357265172853426922009-01-02T17:59:00.001-06:002009-01-02T17:59:26.920-06:00

Could you have imagined one year ago what 2008 would bring? Can you imagine what events will happen in your life in 2009, what will happen internationally?What can you do in 2009 to be ready for the changes that will occur in your life and in the world? Since I was a child I have made personal goals at the beginning of each year. I no longer make personal goals but try to think about the

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-76416589989444703262008-12-23T23:31:00.000-06:002008-12-24T00:02:45.946-06:00

A MISSIONAL VIEW OF CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS“Merry Christmas” offends these days. Christmas trees offend, and The Ten Commandments too. Symbols of Christianity are increasingly getting the thumbs down…if you haven’t noticed.What’s the Christian’s response? How do we act and speak when our Bibles are contraband on campus, when our emblems are removed, when our buildings are denuded of their crosses? What

Stephennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-63179211051193867782008-12-19T09:17:00.000-06:002008-12-19T09:22:25.755-06:00

A couple of months ago I listened to the FBI and Sheriff's dept. do a presentation on human trafficking and underaged prostitution. I was at the regular Attny Gen. Sexual Assault Task Force meeting where we had been discussing "sex industries" and prostitution. Interesting conversation that most ministers don't have on a regular basis. I would have to say that the team I work with (about 15)

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-2429779342404134772008-12-05T15:32:00.000-06:002008-12-05T15:34:29.383-06:00

The UN has designated this year as a focus on human rights in communities. I was asked to participate on a panel at the Portland City Hall concerning domestic violence. I sat with 5 other professionals to talk and then participate in Q and A. One of the panelists, who was Vietnamese, shared her story about being at a store purchasing a tent. The store was out and the sales associate called the

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-53645112662718969932008-11-30T20:36:00.001-06:002008-11-30T20:36:44.570-06:00

Today is the first day of Advent. The following format tells us about this practice but can also be used by families or groups, with younger people asking the question and others answering.What is Advent? Advent is a tradition of Christians that means "coming" and calls us to live in the tension of how Jews felt while waiting for the Messiah. They waited for Emmanuel, God with us.What do we wait

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-90292443151099836702008-09-30T07:52:00.001-05:002008-09-30T07:52:20.796-05:00

Marcia Ford is hilarious. Reminds me of writer and librarian, Marge Wood, who has written for Wineskins. Ford is giddy about the fact that independent voters have become a major political force, from around 10 percent in the 80s to more than 40 percent today. This is a great development because it loosens the bounds to red and blue parties. She says, "The growing discomfort with the church's

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-49651730391841265662008-09-23T06:32:00.001-05:002008-09-23T06:32:21.903-05:00

Marcia Ford is a kindred spirit in her journey politically, spiritually, and as a writer. She describes herself as "a book author, with 18 traditionally published books. I'm also a ghostwriter, though of course I can't talk specifically about those books; let's just say that I've ghostwritten or contributed to 12 additional books. I'm also a book editor, book reviewer, writing instructor, writing

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-3985982287315680452008-09-09T08:41:00.001-05:002008-09-09T08:41:47.861-05:00

Through my association with Uganda, Wineskins, ZOE, The Kibo Group, water projects, Neighborhood Kitchens, and Garnett Church of Christ, I hear about and participate in many non-profit projects and missions that are always needing funding. If you or your church would like to get involved in missions, donating or participating in amazing work serving God's children worldwide, please email me:

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-20976013661412959432008-09-04T18:42:00.001-05:002008-09-04T18:45:42.569-05:00

The other night we watched the Olympic Womens' Marathon. Romania's Constantina Tomescu won the 26.2 mile race. She took a gamble and it paid off.For the first 1 1/2 hours the pack of runners (about 25-30) stayed together and ran a slower pace than normal. Shortly after this Tomescu bolted ahead of the pack and held her lead for the final 45 minutes. Sometimes she was as far as 1 minute ahead of

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-64353071033814219442008-09-04T14:17:00.000-05:002008-09-04T14:35:35.755-05:00

I'm trying to decide who to vote for. Each election year I decide between the candidates. Now, I know that sounds a bit mundane and you may wonder why I'm even saying that. Don't we all choose a candidate. Not really. Most voters are Republicans or Democrats. Most voters vote their party. Still, many people vote for "the man (or woman), not the party!"So I'm an independent who leans toward

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-24557212391196849552008-07-01T11:55:00.000-05:002008-07-01T12:02:37.852-05:00

Thinking about tracks for the October 2008 ZOE Leadership Conference in Nashville . . . we're considering how we might do more on healthy leadership structures. Please help us brainstorm.What structures from non-profit world work that apply to church leadership?Are business models appropriate or inappropriate for church leadership? Why or why not?Ian Fair's book is being republished by Leafwood .

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-2142812264896435102008-05-23T13:42:00.000-05:002008-05-23T14:23:31.455-05:00

No words can adequately express how you ministered to me through your prayers, visits, emails, texts, and calls over the past week. Over and over again, the song "You Never Let Go" kept ringing in my head and each communication I received from you reminded me that God was using you to remind me that He never lets go.Most of you are familiar with my story. My sister has been fighting all her

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-11925100659035060562008-05-22T01:23:00.000-05:002008-05-22T07:19:43.387-05:00

Life support was removed from Kristi Blank tonight and she died five minutes later. Eric is hurting. We mourn the loss of Eric's sister, who had three children and one grandchild.Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for Eric, Natalie and the rest of the family.

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-91765646832160728612008-05-20T23:16:00.000-05:002008-05-20T23:28:26.500-05:00

From Eric in Spokane, Washington:First I want to thank you. I don't have words to express how these messages you've sent, the prayers you've lifted have kept me going.It has been so encourage to stop, sit and pick up my phone and read the prayers and thoughts of so many. It has been a very emotional roller coaster. Below is the latest.Kristi has two doctors seeing her and they have very

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-45934547023956654702008-05-20T08:52:00.000-05:002008-05-20T09:06:22.401-05:00

Eric texted me yesterday with these words . . .This is so hard. In addition to having to re-live the death of my (biological) mother 12 years ago, I am witnessing my sister, who I cared for when we were kids, dying right in front of me.Kristi has not been awake since we arrived Sunday. She is breathing on her own, but breaths are more and more shallow and heart rate has gone from 124 to 134.It

Greg Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08755964710112615631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-89316136817801883992008-05-09T18:35:00.001-05:002008-05-09T19:10:02.796-05:00

"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." ~

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-30534401100129396252008-04-19T18:15:00.000-05:002008-04-19T18:17:09.693-05:00

What a great discussion Wednesday night at Cascade College. We had 2 atheists, an agnostic philosophy professor, and myself discuss Antony Flew's book There is a God. The Rehearsal hall was packed (had to bring in extra chairs). This session the Cascade students were surprisingly absent (except the ones required to come for my class). Kevin Reed from Cascade moderated. We had students from

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-5367515596652879072008-03-13T16:53:00.000-05:002008-03-13T16:57:13.138-05:00

You know, maybe that's not such a bad idea.But there's really only one way to do it. And it has nothing to do with trying to re-create the way church was "done" in century one; analyzing structures and customs and laws and hermeneutics and praxes of a day long since past, then trying to imitate them and adapting them and staying within them and never straying outside them and shaking our fingers

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-84371725389813951012008-01-15T21:24:00.000-06:002008-01-15T21:25:23.220-06:00

Chat here about the article by Dr. Marie Fortune.

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-41798387249968406872008-01-12T12:29:00.000-06:002008-01-12T12:30:10.285-06:00

Chat here about this issue and the introductory article by Ron Clark (known to you here as KMiV!).

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-27420793483771476282008-01-12T12:27:00.000-06:002008-01-12T12:28:55.819-06:00

Chat here about this article by Nancy Nason Clark.

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-43355406733366175172008-01-12T12:26:00.001-06:002008-01-12T12:27:42.477-06:00

Chat here about this article by Ron Clark (known to you here as KMiV!).

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-42416314993503196492007-12-18T23:43:00.001-06:002007-12-18T23:43:53.141-06:00

I kiss all my boys. My boys don't hesitate to kiss me--well, Nathan not so much now. I guess that is OK. But I've never been ashamed to show affection to them.I grew up with a dad who didn't show affection. He never kissed us, that I can remember (although he did kiss my mom a lot--at least before they were divorced). I can't remember him ever hugging us. My brother is divorced and is not

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-74131267024684094112007-12-03T15:48:00.000-06:002007-12-03T15:49:56.428-06:00

So we went to lunch together at Louie's Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown. We had a good meal and it was hot.He had been in and out of rehab and was now 9 days clean from heroin and crack. He was wanting to get off the streets and we talked about options. I feel that it is better to give options and empower people to choose, rather than choose for them and tell them what to do. It was obvious that

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-54316688468352742562007-12-02T22:40:00.000-06:002007-12-02T22:41:54.410-06:00

Thursday morning I was making my usual trek downtown to see who God would put in my path. Pioneer Square was covered due to the Ale Festival. As usuall most of the people I usually see are gone from the square. I have found that searching the bridges, riverfront, and Saturday Market area gives more people to meet. This day I got off the MAX and headed to the river. Something kept urging me left

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-41911021982971888932007-11-28T09:18:00.001-06:002007-11-28T09:18:54.654-06:00

Well, it's definitely the Christmas season. You can hear the hum of the engine of busy-ness cranking into full roar. And...ironically, we're in a series at Otter Creek about time and how our time belongs to God. It's hard not to feel the irony.The series is called "12 Million Minutes". We have a creative planning team for worship now--approximately 15 people serve on it. The team is made up of

Brandon Scott Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03945502638721214409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-27499104981299598572007-11-23T01:10:00.000-06:002007-11-23T01:12:57.484-06:00

I just returned from 5 days in San Diego. I presented a paper at the annual Society of Biblical Literature and American Academy of Religion national conference. The AAR includes many religion scholars and the SBL includes the scholars of the Biblical texts. This will be the last year that both groups will meet together. As always I enjoy this conference. This year I was sruck with some

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-30970755233817382462007-10-15T19:24:00.001-05:002007-10-15T19:25:35.002-05:00

What a day we had Sunday for our Friends' Day. 101 showed up, including the guy sitting outside who we invited to lunch. Great worship and celebration of Agape's 6 month in existence. We had a wonderful worship, finished the Gospel of John, and had a huge Subway sandwich for everyone. Yet, as Lori and I talked about the day these thoughts came to mind:We all brought friends from Dignity Village,

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-33539121053787296012007-09-18T16:42:00.000-05:002007-09-18T17:00:42.488-05:00

I am sitting at my desk. To my right is a stuffed bunny--of the "Peter Rabbit" variety. If this were LOST right now, there'd be some cool underscoring of music and I'd be flashing back in time a couple of weeks.It had been a really, REALLY awful couple of days. Details aren't necessary. Just trust me in saying that the Satan was really finding joy in my brokenness. After a long day, it was time

Brandon Scott Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03945502638721214409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-30311069151942874992007-09-18T10:19:00.001-05:002007-09-18T10:20:17.631-05:00

When I was a kid I remember the story of the 3 Billy Goat's Gruff. In the story the goats had to cross a bridge where a "troll" lived. The troll was mean, scary, and wanted to eat the goats. I learned as a child that trolls and monsters lived under bridges and we never went there in the dark.As I grew, bridges and overpasses became a place of refuge on a long road run. We would take shelter under

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-33004014012281517562007-08-31T05:55:00.000-05:002007-08-31T06:21:09.192-05:00

August 30 was the date of our second baptism at Agape Church of Christ. It has been almost a year since the first one, but with the launch of this new church 3 months ago, we are seeing many more studying to put on Jesus. We met at a state park along the Columbia River in Washington. It is interesting that this has been a popular place to hang out since Lewis and Clark made this their last stop

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-84170179251508482452007-08-28T18:47:00.000-05:002007-08-28T19:04:35.160-05:00

... but do we?I blogged about Jesus for a month. Visitors to my site dwindled. Comments shrank and grew fewer.We think we know the Son of God, Lord and Savior, Master and Friend, Teacher and Rabbi.But the more we look at Him, the more blurred and muddled our stereotypical picture of Him becomes.He defies our analyses. He explodes our myths. He refuses to fit our boxes. He will not remain in our

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-35070345652573358722007-08-28T10:57:00.000-05:002007-08-28T11:13:26.529-05:00

Now, I have nothing against other dog breeds, but I’m certain that our Golden Retrievers, besides being man’s best friend, are categorically the best dogs on the earth. First, they’re beautiful. Second, they’re intelligent. Third, they are compliant (Labrador and Poodle owners eat your hearts out!). Fourth, they’re profitable. A good portion of my oldest son’s college education has been paid

Stephennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-76355321243748730472007-07-12T09:57:00.000-05:002007-07-12T10:01:24.785-05:00

Things that make you go Hummmm--er....I've been noticing a lot of the new Toyota Hybrid cars in Brentwood. I think that's cool. I really would love to get a hybrid when my car finally dies. It's paid off, has 135,000 miles and sounds like an airplane. But--I have a car.Truth be known, I like cars. A LOT. I could really be into owning cars--but then there's that whole extravagance thing. It's

Brandon Scott Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03945502638721214409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-84844103597897376882007-07-04T10:16:00.000-05:002007-07-04T10:21:15.424-05:00

This is a picture of Pioneer Courthouse Square. This place is a popular hangout for downtown Portlandians. I also hear that it is the hangout for homeless/runaway teens. Some have reported that Portland has the highest teen runaway drug rate in the country, and of course, many of the kids are here.I have been going downtown to meet some of the kids and get to know them. I will take some to lunch

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-52083094412772550122007-05-26T17:16:00.000-05:002007-05-26T17:17:07.768-05:00

I would have to say that the last 2 weeks have been very eye opening. Those crazy college students hit me again. They are like the dream police (remember the Cheap Trick song). They inspire Lori and I do take risks and try to learn to love unconditionally. Although we are not completely there, we are learning.I have taken some of the homeless folks and couples out to lunch while at Pioneer square

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-45868598815388846702007-04-25T17:59:00.000-05:002007-04-25T18:00:19.514-05:00

Sunday a couple of our college students from Cascade College brought two folks from Dignity Village. Dignity Village is a transitional tent community that is becoming a city, within Portland, for homeless people. Those crazy college kids have no boundaries, no fear, and no desire to spiritually die as many of us already have.Lori and I spent 3 hours at Dignity Village today (whenever you visit

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-50508362886609054852007-04-11T20:49:00.000-05:002007-04-11T20:50:09.848-05:00

Thank you to all of our supporters and those praying for us. There is so much to say, and so many emotions running through our minds and hearts at this time. God is good and we are excited to officially be in Portland as a new church.You can visit our website www.missionagape.com to pull up the Powerpoint presentation of our first worship service. Sorry--I don't know how to copy the link here!

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-562896714387734302007-04-03T08:47:00.000-05:002007-04-05T09:31:50.713-05:00

I walked the mountain this morning and made a discovery. A few weeks ago a series of small, but potentially large, fires burned in the forest near and on our farm. Today I found where fire breaks had been cut by the forest service and walked the length of one.Powerful, indiscriminating equipment left a swath of crushed rock, raked bark, ripped earth and twisted saplings. The forest’s beauty was

Stephennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-48392657637447658632007-02-04T22:30:00.000-06:002007-02-04T22:33:22.984-06:00

Photo by Craig VolpeToday is our monthly day of fasting and prayer from our Agape Church plant team. One of the things that today does for us is to remind us that we can easily get into a routine. This morning I can't tell you how many times I almost put something in my mouth--leftover breakfast from the boys, a granola bar, pieces of cereal, that fruit that might as well be thrown out. It

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1167089071161079282006-12-25T17:21:00.000-06:002006-12-25T17:59:36.016-06:00

I love all the wireless technology that is out there. Portland is wireless, McMenamins is wireless, Starbucks is wireless (not free of course), our house is wireless, most hotels are wireless, and airports are wireless. I hear that God is the original pioneer in wireless cdommunication. It is great being able to get a connection anywhere without wires, cords, or cables.Yet for all the wireless

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1165501997860836522006-12-07T08:32:00.000-06:002006-12-07T08:49:19.876-06:00

A lot of Christians, according to the Advent calendar, talk about John the Baptist this week.I remember the day John the Baptist showed up in Dewey Church of Christ when I was a teenager. We joked about it after he'd left, that we thought he'd gotten beheaded and where was the scar?As I reflect on that weird experience of standing in the lobby talking to "John the Baptist," I wonder how many odd

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1162918738781631532006-11-07T10:57:00.000-06:002006-11-07T11:03:20.473-06:00

Disciples of Christ Historical Society announced today that its Board of Trustees has elected Dr. Raymond Brown to serve as Chair of the Board for 2007-08. He becomes the first African-American to hold that position in the 65 year history of DCHS.Dr. Brown studied at Jarvis Christian College and Drake University. Now retired, he and his wife Suzanne are members of Downey Avenue Christian Church

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1160347248857051242006-10-08T17:37:00.000-05:002006-10-08T17:40:48.876-05:00

This news article hit close to home. When I went to church as a child it was one that believed infants should be baptized because they were born with "original sin" (the sin of Adam). I was sprinkled as an infant but questioned the teaching in college. I was baptized at 21 because I was convinced that sin was a choice I made--and believe me I did a lot of it. I remember studying with my old

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1159192843595486672006-09-25T09:00:00.000-05:002006-09-25T09:02:07.836-05:00

The best part of my job as editor is working with writers and the thrill of seeing someone get published the first time and giving people opportunities to write authentically and coaxing new writers to dig deeper. Giving new editors the chance to work with writers is another joy of my work . . .Today I'm announcing a search for a new book review editor for Wineskins.If you are interested, please

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1158952260340860312006-09-22T14:04:00.000-05:002006-09-23T09:33:24.686-05:00

Many churches have a maverick attitude about the resources they use in public worship. They grab photos from the internet, rent a movie from Blockbuster, and with little thought to the legalities, boom, Sunday showtime!For years churches have needed wisdom and advice about how to properly use internet, video, sound, and music media. ZOE has done sessions over the years on this, and we have

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1158768004353242362006-09-20T10:57:00.000-05:002006-09-20T11:31:51.993-05:00

We start planning the ZOE "Look to the Hills" Leadership and Worship Conferences in the Spring and the first one is in Nashville the first weekend in October each year.This year the theme is "Closer," not to be confused with the homonym name for a popular TV show. This is closer as in intimacy and drawing near to God. I'll let the cat out of the bag here a little bit because I'll be happy to have

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1154582885209241892006-08-02T23:58:00.000-05:002006-08-03T00:28:18.266-05:00

Ron Clark is living where Wineskins right now is calling us to live . . . he is a church planter and one who meets people in the messiness of life. For twelve years they have been ministering to those suffering quietly in houses of sexual violence and abuse.I want to encourage you to read Ron's article on the Rape of Dinah (Genesis 34) that was published in the Swiss journal for feminist Biblical

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1151984140351316342006-07-03T22:24:00.000-05:002006-07-04T10:43:34.256-05:00

“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees you’ll not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”—JesusIn a culture being lulled to sleep by mediocrity, passivity, acceptance, political correctness, moderation and tolerance Jesus would be considered an intolerant radical fanatic: He ran the money changers out with a whip – "Intolerant, rage-aholic!"In essence, He told the rich ruler, “My way or

Stephennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1151968073087518822006-07-03T17:57:00.000-05:002006-07-03T18:09:51.610-05:00

I was completely blown away when a Swiss journal for feminist Biblical studies asked me to submit my article on the Rape of Dinah (Genesis 34) this Spring. I was also struck when a representative of the Attourney General's Sexual Assault Task Force asked me Thursday to join the committee. God pushes, but I never knew it would be this hard.Ever since my first sermon on domestic violence (in 1995)

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1150231224208431202006-06-13T15:38:00.000-05:002006-06-19T09:33:27.076-05:00

In the Gospel of John he tells us that the word became flesh and dwelt/tabernacled among us. Instead of living in a tent, building, or reconstructed temple, God came to live in flesh. Jesus is God in the flesh. Have we ever really contemplated what that means.This picture was done by one of our artists at Metro Church of Christ, in Portland, OR. It reminds me of what this incarnation really meant

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1150000023481441742006-06-10T23:20:00.000-05:002006-06-10T23:29:26.033-05:00

Scot McKnight of The Jesus Creed fame brings us another treat with Praying With The Church. In this highly accessible book, McKnight draws the reader into the world of prayers from the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions in such a way that makes entering into foreign ecclesial turf a comfortable experience. In a sense, he gives us permission to wander outside of our zone of prayer

Fajitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704189756009543355noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1149951963864001342006-06-10T10:03:00.000-05:002006-06-10T12:12:58.870-05:00

I have enjoyed the book The Greying of the Flock by James Knapp. We used this in my class at George Fox Seminary and my students did presentations on it last week. The ones over 55 had some great insights about their futures, the future of aged Christians, and the futures of churches. I also had one of the staff say, "We have spent a lot of time targeting the 'Emerging church' (young people) but

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1149125917636190932006-05-31T20:32:00.000-05:002006-05-31T20:38:37.690-05:00

Male & Female: Made in God’s Image (Genesis 1:27)The 2006 New Wineskins Retreat will be held on the campus of Pepperdine University on Friday & Saturday, July 14 & 15, 2006. This year’s theme is “Male & Female: Made in God’s Image (Genesis 1:27).”Our 2006 featured speakers include Dr. Jeanene Reese (Abilene, Texas); Sylvia Rose (Detriot, Michigan); D’Esta Love (Malibu, California); and Irie

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1148264261876464112006-05-21T20:57:00.000-05:002006-05-21T21:17:41.923-05:00

I don't read nearly as many books as I used to read (though I am really looking forward to reading Darryl Tippens' Pilgrim Heart very soon). But I do read, pretty voraciously - through copies of old Wineskins.So I won't be misunderstood, I'm talking about the magazine in its first incarnation before the good folks at The ZOE Group became its caretakers.On and off for about three years, I've been

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1146776119303468462006-05-04T15:36:00.000-05:002006-05-05T21:51:44.263-05:00

I'll have to leave tomorrow; leave the sunshine, cool breezes and coastal views of the Pepperdine University campus to go home and be a part of my daughter's 10th birthday celebration.It's a fair trade.I've never been to a lectureship before. I'm certain that I will try to again. But if it's not in God's will, hopefully it will be within it for me to remember these things for the rest of my life:

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1146174822666238062006-04-27T16:49:00.000-05:002006-04-27T16:53:42.686-05:00

This picture was taken on a 7 hour layover in Vienna, Austria on my way to Albania. It was on a Sunday afternoon while the cathedral was having worship. Notice the scaffolding. They are trying to revive, renovate this ancient church building. Notice, also, the people milling around the square oblivious to the renovation on the outside and the spiritual renovation on the inside. Can the church

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1145969084934057022006-04-25T07:42:00.000-05:002006-04-25T07:44:44.950-05:00

Some cups hold coffee; others hold meaning. Coffee cups come in all sizes, some are silly, some plain. There are cups received for service, in remembrance of events, in celebration of happenings. My children have given me cups. I keep them on bookshelves, on my desk, and store in boxes with other treasures. We use our metal cups from Kenya when we drink our hot African Chai. Someone gave us a

Stephennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1144767146897801042006-04-11T09:51:00.000-05:002006-04-11T10:45:58.506-05:00

“Make straight the way for the Lord.” Jn 1:23bMowing on mountains is dangerous. Two autumns ago I borrowed a neighbor’s tractor—a big four-wheel drive orange Kuboto monster tractor...with a lift on the front! Men who ride such beasts develop muscles (mostly around the mid-section). What phone booths do for Superman, big powerful machines, like the one I borrowed, do for farming men. “Arrrggggh!”.

Stephennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1144329379257412492006-04-06T07:54:00.000-05:002006-04-06T08:16:19.913-05:00

I guess many of you have been following the news concerning the minister who was shot by his wife recently. Here at Metro there are folks who are suggesting that maybe the wife was abused or that we don't know all that went on behind closed doors. Others suggest depression, PPD, or something else. Maybe it is one of those rare cases of domestic violence where the woman has been controlling (and

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1144178561391142432006-04-04T14:16:00.000-05:002006-04-05T06:50:22.216-05:00

Let’s go!Let’s go to the store. Let’s go to the mall. Let’s go eat, watch TV, hang out.Let’s go for a drive, see a movie or some friends.Let’s go to work. Let’s go to school. Let’s go home.Let’s go to sleep….let’s go, let’s go, let’s go…..Go.Go.Go. Constantly, “On the Go.” ….and….and making….and making nothing.Living in motion, in a circle, insignificantly. Going nowhere. Making nothing.…Going….

Stephennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1142573103552620962006-03-16T22:45:00.002-06:002006-03-16T23:25:03.553-06:00

Actually, there was only one ... to begin with. And it was white; white frame, though some of the paint had faded and chipped off to reveal the brown wood beneath.I went to church there my freshman year in college with some friends who were older and had cars - since this church was more than twenty miles away in a tiny town across the river.The name isn't important.What happened there is, and is

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1141174608620960662006-02-28T18:31:00.000-06:002006-03-02T12:07:51.400-06:00

Laughing at GodThere is a temptation is to laugh at God’s requests, “Surely, God, you don’t mean it!”"Osaiywa!" (Pray for me). Yelled a babbling crazy man. Two hundred Africans packed into a mud and wattle building intended for a quarter that number; every chair, bench, and spot on the dirt floor occupied. The crazy man sat near the rear of our packed crowd. His eyes, smoky windows into a

Stephennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1141004644194554222006-02-26T19:40:00.000-06:002006-02-27T06:39:35.846-06:00

SUNRISEIt's early. Coffee is brewing. Our mountain's hem is glowing in faint silver. The sun will rise soon.When’s the last time you watched the sun rise? Yesterday? Been awhile? Watching this one with me? Maybe I should clarify, because I may be asking a different question than you think. I’m not asking when you last saw a risen sun—which is also a beautiful thing. I’m asking, “When was the last

Stephennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1140062517461668932006-02-15T21:49:00.000-06:002006-02-16T11:12:24.483-06:00

Some weeks back I begged my preaching minister, Chuck Monan, to submit a fine message he had delivered on the subject of unity as an article for New Wineskins - and the guy consented! On top of that, managing editor Greg Taylor accepted it, and it went live Monday. You can read it (or listen to it) and see if my risk of sycophanting up to the boss was worth the ribbing I'll get in the church

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1138920595533630632006-02-02T16:48:00.000-06:002006-02-02T16:49:55.546-06:00

President George W. Bush asked Bono to speak at the National Prayer Breakfast today. See and hear it here.

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1138893551190648162006-02-02T09:13:00.000-06:002006-02-02T09:22:29.956-06:00

Goatee: Untangling and Untying from SinI was apprehensive when my ‘friend’ offered us a goat, but Benjamin’s face grew a grin. Ten year old boys don’t understand what’s involved in caring for goats, and Dad’s can’t forget when they were ten. We took the goat.He was medium size, a long beard, long brown and black hair, and a pair of well developed horns, but his temperament was calm and he ate

Stephennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1138804467714419692006-02-01T08:06:00.000-06:002006-02-01T08:41:25.953-06:00

Is diversity a necessary part of the kingdom come on earth? Is the longing I have to worship and be in community and serve with people different from me as well as similar to me part of the divine nature within me?I want to live in a community of faith in Christ that includes both pacifists and military heroes. I enjoy seeing a cowboy elder hugging a hip-hop baggy pants wearing teenager. Give me

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1138481028214794152006-01-28T14:07:00.000-06:002006-01-28T14:59:02.536-06:00

Well, I might as well get into it. I got started thinking about it in my last post at my blog. I wondered how seriously we take the idea that God is in us.Because it's obvious to me that His Spirit is intimately involved in preservation of unity.When Paul wrote to Colossae, Christ was in the saints - though it was a mystery.His Spirit was in the prophets before He was born among men, when they

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1138386508823312812006-01-27T12:25:00.000-06:002006-01-27T13:08:52.740-06:00

...true stories intended to touch your heart and change your life...The Testing of Our Faith …for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith…may be proved genuine and may result in prise, glory and honor… 1 Peter 1:6-7Jackson Arap Rono, our first convert among the Kalenjin, has tasted the cup of testing many times. One of the most

Stephennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1136990986812536402006-01-25T08:48:00.000-06:002006-01-25T09:17:17.406-06:00

One of the great joys of editing Wineskins is getting to research foundational work on a particular theme and also read contemporary "takes" on that theme by sometimes up to 50-60 different author submissions. From those submissions, with the help of our editing staff, I peel off layers of the theme and communicate with writers, informing them whether we can use or cannot use their article.From

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1137676866584163722006-01-19T07:18:00.000-06:002006-01-19T07:33:08.823-06:00

This morning Sacred Space introduces the start of the Octave, the prayer for unity. This is from the site, a powerful call to pray for unity of all humanity.This week sees the start of the Octave of prayer for church unity. It has taken us centuries of misunderstandings to reach the point where Christian churches can dare to do that most obvious thing: pray together. Images like those of John

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1137594877314853962006-01-18T08:00:00.000-06:002006-01-18T08:45:31.693-06:00

What if unity requires face to face contact?Unity of any branch of humanity--religious, political, familial, otherwise--cannot be fully realized on earth. Fully knowing and being fully known, having no cross purposes with God, and being one with creation is a promise of the end times. Then we will fully know unity.We can, however, taste unity in that tart green apple form on earth but not without

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1137255584312274252006-01-14T10:12:00.000-06:002006-01-14T10:46:27.100-06:00

Snow on the Mountain:Transforming Moments with The TransformerMy children have been watching, dreaming, wishing, even singing about snow for two months now. Finally, last night, it arrived, and this morning our mountain is carpeted in white. One morning, about five years ago, I saw the most beautiful snow I have ever witnessed. It came as a total surprise. I suppose the weather experts had been

Stephennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1137214523349755932006-01-13T22:52:00.000-06:002006-01-13T22:56:09.206-06:00

I need reviews of two movies: Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and End of the Spear. Narnia review can be sent anytime to Greg Taylor.End of the Spear comes out January 20. I'll need a review for Wineskins January 21 asap. If you are planning to go on opening night and can write a review quickly, please contact me and send in a review to Greg Taylor.

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1137073049267683142006-01-12T07:36:00.000-06:002006-01-12T07:37:29.290-06:00

Thought I'd mention a few of the books on my desk, some as invitation for you to receive to review for Wineskins and others as recommendations or just to let you know what passes for reading material around here.Books for review you may be interested in reviewingMarva Dawn, Talking the walkDonald Miller, Through painted desertsDavid E. Fitch, The great giveaway: Reclaiming the Mission of the

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1136990826578627492006-01-11T08:42:00.000-06:002006-01-11T08:57:12.823-06:00

Here's an important quote by Gene Shelburne, whose book we're planning to excerpt for our newest issue on Unity to launch Friday, January 13:To the generations who have come after those faithful men (Restoration Movement of 200 years ago), their dream seems too small. Because their dream came true, today we are able to dream nobler dreams. Now, instead of trying to unite the squabbling heirs of a

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1136558526777324672006-01-06T08:41:00.000-06:002006-01-06T08:44:37.060-06:00

I think it's vitally important what our home page is, because it sets the tone for our interaction on the web. Sure, I can choose to ignore my home page and often I skip right over Sacred Space on my way to news or other information. We're working toward making Wineskinsa great option for your home page, too.MSN.com or other news and pop culture sites I've tried as home pages have not set the

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1134674720807699482006-01-05T07:21:00.000-06:002006-01-05T07:31:44.626-06:00

January 2006 we begin a double issue on the theme of unity. We're going to cover this in ways you perhaps have never experienced. Some of the articles will rock all of our worlds. One hundred years ago, the church that this magazine owes much of its heritage--churches of Christ--split with the Christian Churches and eventually and today there are three churches with Stone-Campbell or Restoration

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1136290383640403812006-01-03T06:12:00.000-06:002006-01-03T22:13:40.323-06:00

Chris Anderson is a world class photojournalist, the best field photographer I've seen. He's been to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Israel's Gaza Strip, Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Katrina, and dozens of other hot spots in the world. My dream would be to tour with him in Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan.Wineskins was blessed to use some of his photos on two separate occasions, the first time for the cover

Greg Taylornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1135353283714861492005-12-23T09:54:00.000-06:002005-12-23T09:54:43.730-06:00

He is a tiny newborn in a trough of animal food in a drafty barn. He would be shivering and His very life in danger, were He not wrapped in strips of cloth. He has done nothing yet; said nothing yet; can do nothing yet. His survival depends completely on His mother and her husband. Within days or weeks, armies will be searching for Him to murder Him because of the time He was born and the star He

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1134573224799702942005-12-14T08:50:00.000-06:002005-12-15T09:53:31.816-06:00

LIKE REGGIE:Exceptions to the RuleAnimals have personalities. We’ve had cattle on our farm as gentle at kittens, but others as mean as Al Qaeda operatives. Our place has been home to a snapping turtle with an attitude and an old black snake who's getting grumpier in his advanced years. Currently, we have six Golden Retrievers, who, for the most part, are very friendly and loving; however, there

Stephennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1134497413434628522005-12-13T12:09:00.000-06:002005-12-13T12:10:13.463-06:00

In Malachi 4:1-6, God told the people of Jerusalem that they would be visited. The nation had been brought back from captivity in Babylon/Persia, had rebuilt the temple, and had (in a short time) returned to their old ways. They were showing partiality in judgment and oppressing the widows, orphans, and strangers in their community (2:9; 3:5). They were giving honor to the bad people rather than

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1134453326102370072005-12-12T23:49:00.000-06:002005-12-12T23:57:51.480-06:00

What is this, 1965? I went in to get my hair cut yesterday and my hairstylist (we’ll call her “June”) seemed either angry or sad. I couldn’t tell. All I know was that I was a little afraid to get under her scissors. But she brightened up when we started talking and I asked for the haircut, tea tree treatment and a badly needed eyebrow wax. So while she was gently ripping away at my eye area, I

Anne-Geri'http://www.blogger.com/profile/13870435385027539184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1134314070089147542005-12-11T09:11:00.000-06:002005-12-11T09:15:49.020-06:00

(written by David Underwood; posted by Keith Brenton from David's blog lightandsalt.blogspot.com)There is a lot of talk in the air lately about being "safe". I am not talking about in the context of the physical world. The circles where I have been hearing it have been in the spiritual context. What is your response when you hear the term "safe" used in that context?First, I think it is important

Keith Brentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08370891993969932472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1133151520145910582005-11-27T22:13:00.000-06:002005-11-28T20:12:01.566-06:00

Tension: The transforming of those around us."The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed...when it grows, it...becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches." Matthew 13:31-33My sons, Benjamin (10) and Joshua (4), and I were exploring the hill behind our house yesterday when we several bearing hickory-nut trees. We all filled our pockets. Benjamin found the one, among hundreds

Stephennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1131982700536995722005-11-14T09:26:00.000-06:002005-11-14T09:44:25.123-06:00

...true stories intended to touch your heart and change your life...Where did you spend your day? I spent mine on death row.A friend invited me to a movie shoot at a vacant prison in Nashville. While waiting for props to be set, he took me on tour down a corridor of 20 vacant cells.Paint hung in massive flakes from ceilings and walls. Asbestos covered pipes. Pigeon roosts dripped with droppings.

Stephennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1131468432835313182005-11-08T10:46:00.000-06:002005-11-08T10:48:07.896-06:00

Stella was our neighbor down the street. The first time we met Stella was at our neighborhood Bible study that started 6 years ago. She was a fiesty older woman who had lived a hard life, with a hard husband, who 15 years ago started back to the local Baptist church. Her husband had Alzheimer's and was pretty tough on her. She came to our study and always had a good way of looking at things. She

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1131048755435518332005-11-03T13:44:00.000-06:002005-11-03T14:12:35.453-06:00

When our faith is not rewarded as we expect, how do we respond? Peter stepped out of the boat and the sea’s surface turned back to liquid. Those who step out on faith often find themselves overwhelmed, doubting, and crying out for help. Not all endings are happy ones, but only such water-walkers experience the firm grip of God on their flailing arm. Such risk and response builds faith like

Stephennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589912.post-1130796832204456102005-10-31T15:56:00.000-06:002005-10-31T16:14:09.930-06:00

Polytheism is a word we do not think about to often. The word means “many gods.” The term suggests that an individual believes and worships more than one God or Lord. We do not meet many people who are polytheists, here in America, so most of us understand worship as a one on one relationship with a god or divine being. Balance is a word we do understand. Balance means that everything is equal,

KMiVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836485376510663761noreply@blogger.com2