Four years ago my first book was being rolled out. Today I’m working with some college students on a new book. We will be gathering together some themes on small churches that we expressed in podcasts I did during the pandemic. I’ll keep you posed on when the book is ready to be accessed.
I ran across some very interesting comments on Facebook today – one by Wes Mills (ACOP President) and a reply to his thoughts by Glen Peder
Wes Mills (posted March 14, 2022)
The Austrian philosopher Ivan Illich is credited with saying that “Neither revolution nor reformation can ultimately change a society, rather you must tell a new powerful tale, one so persuasive that it sweeps away the old myths and becomes the preferred story, one so inclusive that it gathers all the bits of our past and our present into a coherent whole, one that even shines some light into the future so that we can take the next step…if you want to change a society then you have to tell an alternative story.”
The gospel is the alternative story our society desperately needs to hear and see.
Glen Peder (reply March 15, 2022)
Wes, Illich is right, we need a metanarrative of unusual proportions.
Through the ages, many have tried to create an alternate metanarrative for humanity, but all have failed. So we have seen the rise of post-modern anti-narratives, the uncoupling of story from truth that fractures and reduces all narratives to the insignificance of relativism.
Sadly, many in the Christian church today have become deeply infected by this postmodernity. I see it all over. I have myself felt its attraction. Yet, many in the world have begun to cry out for a true narrative. They have seen the product of relativism and come to realize its destructive power. They want truth.
If “the Gospel is the alternative story our society desperately needs to hear and see,” the church first needs to learn it, believe it, and put it into practice. Only when we apprehend this narrative will we have a story to tell the world.
I’m not sure old age is to blame . . . but . . .
On January 13th I went in for a massage treatment. I had been having trouble with my hips for a few days and was hoping it was just stiffness from activity. A few days later the pain was increasing and, although the massage had helped, I was advised to see a chiropractor.
January 17th was the first treatment. Others were to follow. On a bold adventurous weekend I headed down to Regina in February. Although the ride was smooth my hips were not impressed (or maybe impressed too much). I got another Chiropractic treatment in Regina. By the end of February I added a two or three week regimen of pain killer and muscle relaxant pills (starting every four hours, then backing off over the coming days). I took the last of those pills on March 10th (and hopefully have passed the point of needing further chiropractic treatment). By March 13 (two months later) I am able to walk much more easily, although I tire and will need to rebuild those muscles.
There is still a mystery in my mind as to what precipitated this episode of pain and readjustment. I’d like to say it was my muscular ability in cleaning walks and doing other athletic feats. I’d even like to say it was a heroic deed that cause me to strain the muscles.
That’s the “I’d like to” scenarios. In truth, I have no idea. I’m glad I’m recovering at this point. There were days of pain that precluded my doing anything – and my thinking was clouded. I feel for those with chronic pain – and am thankful for those who can prescribe treatment to lessen that pain. While I firmly believe in prayer for present healing, I am looking forward to a day of permanent healing in heaven. Move a little, dance a lot – and enjoy no pain!
Four words from my niece on celebrating women around this world.
Resolve, resilience, creativity, leadership.
Here is how a world goes round and round!