Velvet Elvis

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Reading a new book by Rob Bell called Velvet Elvis.  I’d put the link to amazon.com down, but I found it for really cheap at our local Christian Bookstore.  One of those, “We’ll print millions of copies, the first week will go for $20.00.  Next week its already old news – $10.00”.

Rob is a pastor in the States, with Old Testament studies under his belt.  He is the “star” of Nooma videos, a great set of short 10-12 minute clips on basic biblical principles.  So I expected this would be a good read.

And it is!  I’m into the third chapter.  He’s already covered the place of doctrine (what we believe and how flexible it should be) and hermeneutics (the matter of interpreting the Bible).  And never once mentioned that polysyllabic words.

He’s a great writer.  If you want an approach to the “emerging church”, here is a good explanation.  Of course, because emerging church is a new term no one really knows what it means.  The definition is still emerging.  Rob Bell’s approach will definitely give some good thoughts to chew on, from a biblical scholar who delights in context, the visual and the twist of a phrase.

Need some new bed time reading?  Have I got a deal for you!!

Unplugged!

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Cable is gone – for the moment.

My wife is at her neice’s wedding.  I’m batching, and I haven’t missed a meal yet!  Of course, she (Jill) left enough food to feed an army, and I just brought ham and buns from our church potluck.

I’m finding that when you are by yourself, the easiest thing is to do the easiest thing!  So, after hours of TV watching yesterday (my day off), I unplugged my cable connection.

I’m enjoying it!

A few years ago there was an “Unplugged” movement in the music world.  Something about getting back to the simple things of life – like just a guitar and a voice! 

I’m ready to push us into “Unplugged 2”. 

Get rid of TV “broadcasting” (we must almost be up to 1,000 channels by now!!) and move to “narrowcasting” (just a few stations).  Since I live in rural Saskatchewan, I think I’ll call it  “farmer vision”!

The real thing!

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There really is a SPLATTER team!

Yesterday night I went to the “changing of the name” ceremony for our local cadets branch.  The cadets stood on parade for over an hour.  Literally stood – with two sit-down/stand-up breaks of about 15 seconds each.  As the evening progressed they began to look weary.  Some wavered!

And then, from just outside the edge of the squadron, two parents wandered into the ranks. They checked on a cadet.  Just to make sure they were alright.

Their mission?   “We are the splatter patrol – we keep them from splattering all over the floor!”

Around the table!

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Two pastors joined me for coffee this morning.  OK, so they had coffee and I had my tea.   We talked of fixing houses, prayer and fasting, cruises and Christ.

Someone once said fellowship is a discipline of the spirit.  I’m inclined to agree.  I have to put myself out.  Out where vulnerabiltiy, honesty and integrity are all tested.

At the same time, there is a benefit!  I need other people around the table with me.  Somehow others re-in-spire (put breath back into me).  And in a society where life can creep away from you faster than a prairie breeze, you sometimes need to catch a breath of fresh air from someone else!