My friend Robin blogged about Brian McLaren’s books, writing an almost throw-away line wondering why the crucifixion is such a big deal, much more so than the resurrection, it seems. I jumped on that in the comments, and a wonderfully rich discussion exploded about the …
Read MoreJust thinking
“Conventional wisdom,” I thought while in the shower, “isn’t.” Isn’t wisdom, I mean. And almost by definition. If just about everybody thinks it, if it’s conventional, then it probably isn’t wise. Otherwise the world would be a better place. I used to think the most …
Read MoreHow I celebrated MLK day
For years I’ve felt awkward, bordering on guilty, that I pastor a Quaker church and work on MLK day. It seems wrong on multiple levels, like we are turning our backs on our history of social reform. But it also feels kinda weird and selfish …
Read More3:16 series– John
John 3:16 shows up everywhere. (But here, not until you click the black screen below) http://outofdoubt.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/l-640-480-bebdb240-e809-4c87-ab1e-c6c51473ac08.jpegwp-content/uploads/316.mov For some people, it’s a sign of annoying Christianity. For others, it’s a sign of hope. For us at Newberg Friends yesterday, the verse was a chance to remind …
Read MoreWhy should we care about the world?
I’m glad to be a part of a church community that cares deeply about the whole world, and is not wrapped up in thinking we exist for ourselves. I’m glad to be a part of a church community that is looking to be holistic in …
Read MoreWhy Give Regularly?
Talking about money is not always the easiest thing to do in a church. But last Sunday, that was our theme. Here’s what I shared.
Read MoreWant to join?
I follow many things, mostly blogs, in Google Reader. (I used to be a Bloglines guy, but I’m finding that Google has placed a lot of time and money into making their stuff work really great with the iPhone, so I’m more and more being …
Read MoreSt. Gregory of Nazianzus
I was just telling my kids this week that the “Gregorys” from history were popes, and none of them were all that great. But I forgot about the desert fathers! And here’s a great Christmas sermon from my namesake from Nazianzus: Christ is born, glorify …
Read MoreSt. John Chrysostom
John became Archbishop of Constantinople, known as the “golden mouthed”…this is what “Chrysostom” means. It will not be difficult to see where this name came from. What shall I say to you; what shall I tell you? I behold a Mother who has brought forth; …
Read MoreSt. Augustine of Hippo
The pastors and theologians of the early church caught on quickly to the paradox and the beauty of the incarnation. He is the One through whom all things have been made, and, on Christmas, Who has been made in the midst of all things… He …
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