Yearly Archives: 2007

I keep running this phrase through my mind.  70 years ago this started the church I’m currently pastoring.

As I’ve talked with people they immediately sense an affinity to the idea.  They don’t seem to need a definition.  And I suppose defining it will come in time.

But, the idea is that we participate.  We get in there and worship God and find out where He is working.  And when we do, we roll up our sleeves and plunge in.

This leaves a lot of latitude for diversity of spiritual gifts — a phrase which means God is going to do His thing through all sorts of people in all sorts of ways.

We have one Lord, Jesus and one entrance into this thing called the church.  But after that the creativity of God grabs hold.

Try it out!  See what you think.

A few days ago, we could watch the snow melt

Today, I’m awakened to snow on the ground.  But I know Spring is on the way — in fact, we celebrated it on March 21st.

How much like our lives.  Often we have come out of a long winter.  We have celebrated the entrance into a new season.  And then some adversity hits.  But, with it, we have hope.  We need to continue in that hope and trust God to work.

Jill and I have been much like the seasons this past week.  We are seeing God work, and yet we are also living in a real world of people.  I guess there is no better place to be — hope Springs!

We wandered over to a used car lot today.

For  the last few months we have had the use of a Neon car.  The usual driver of the car was over in Africa.  So we enjoyed being able to both be a two places at one time.  Without having to walk long distances!

The driver has arrived back from Africa.  So we wondered what a car would cost.

One was available for viewing.  $1,900.  1990 Subaru.  Four door.  A bit of rust.  No record of previous owners.  Some body work – accident?  We decided that some decisions are best made later. 

I have a feeling our desire is to replace without prioritizing.  So we will sleep on it.  Probably a few times.  And see what comes.

So far, the car is not coming.  At least to our place!

I ran across the following article:  Defining Faith – How each generation sees it!

Some thoughts from the article?

Elders (those over 65 or so) see faith as the foundation of life.  Boomers 1946 – 1964 birhtdates)  see faith as providing security.  Busters (younger yet) see faith as helping to discover insights and relationships.

Elders appreciate religious institutions, boomers want content and institutions may or may not help.  Busters find institutions irrelevant since people are more important than the institution itself.

Elders chose Christianity, Boomers reshape Christianity to their own "selfish" religion.  Busters are existentialists finding spirituality in wide ranging discussion.

Check it out!  This is based on research from 2001.  Seems to have a ring of truth.