This BLOG has MOVED

Thanks for visiting.

I have re-grouped and have a new blog. Can't wait to see you there.

Sin- proposals/theories, Adam Miller

Miller weighs in on what sin is, by dissecting the blockage of grace and suffering. Interesting proposal.

Book Review -Rhythm in Life (vs. balance)

I'm linking to my book review, because it suits the topic of my Life As Prayer blog very well.

Read a to-the-point review of "Your Life in Rhythm," by Bruce Miller, from Tyndale Publishing, and a mention of another helpful read, Ruth Barton's, "Sacred Rhythms."

Mosaic Bible, worth a look

I'm a featured as a contributor with a meditation in Tyndale’s Holy Bible: Mosaic NLT, coming Fall 2009. Amazon.com pre-orders reduce the Tyndale list price of $49.95 to just $19.95. This authoritative Bible translation is rendered faithfully into today’s English from the ancient texts by 90 leading Bible scholars.

 

According to Tyndale website they describe the project this way.

Holy Bible: Mosaic is unlike any Bible that you have used before. Encounter Christ on every continent, and in every century of Christian History. A new genre of Bible—a weekly meditation Bible—Holy Bible: Mosaic is an invitation to experience Christ both in His word, and in the responses of his people. Each week, as you reflect on guided Scripture readings aligned with the church seasons, you will receive a wealth of insight from historical and contemporary writings. Full-color artwork will engage the soul; quotes, hymns, prayers, and poems enhance the rich devotional experience, and space is provided for your response to God’s promptings. It also includes a Dictionary/Concordance, NLT word study system with Hebrew/ Greek dictionary. A beautiful layout of art and devotional content, and an online community and content (coming Fall 2009) will extend the experience.

Believing stuff

I've been wondering about what makes a person believe something they did not believe before. I don't just mean life-after-death, or that God is there, or something really huge. I mean even something mundane, like that a certain product is actually better, or that a new friend is a true "keeper," or that the GPS person (voice speaking) isn't lying (read: mistaken) when they say, "turn right now."

I know it must have to do with trust. Some people will do that better, or more quickly. Others are just plain more skeptical. But are they more discerning, or more scared? Maybe both. Maybe they've been screwed over, and tricked, maybe too they have an analytical and curious mind that must investigate a good bit first. 

Maybe-on the other side-the quicker believers aren't just more susceptible to belief, but willing to growth and try, a bit more readily. They are perhaps flexible in their quests, and not pinned down like rigid thinkers can be.

Besides that-The two opinionated sides of the spectrum: Dogmatic types and Skeptic types are really both stuck. They both will have a difficult time improving, or having the abilities to take in new, useful information, because their minds are, in effect, made up.

What is the psychology at the turning point of belief...

for you, or in general...?

The spiritual (what is beyond the physical) plays a big part.

Sometimes the righteous people don't get it (then and now)

Copied from my post contribution on http://inamirrordimly.com

This is a nice series Ed, and thanks for putting it down.

Many approach “witnessing” as debate, and/or a goal-oriented task…the goal is convert…The guilt runs high too. The stakes are SO HIGH. The eternal soul! But, God is awfully big and powerful, and the Holy Spirit is at work, so being like Jesus is our best bet. I feel really comfortable with God’s capabilities.

While it’s true that Jesus told some to “go and sin no more,” he must have done it gently with sincere love, because sinners loved to be with him, and their lives were transformed. Jesus’ harshest words were very fiery, but they were expressly for the religious establishment–a wake up call. It gives one pause. Maybe righteous types just don’t “get it”? The story of redemption has far less to do with anger, in fact, it has almost nothing to do with it, unless you split up the Trinity into three gods. A Holy God needs recompense for sin before reconciliation, yes. But God provided a way to himself. This is a message of hope, love, and grace. To give a message that will sink into the heart of people, we have to remember we are saved to something, not from something. (Even now, without God, unbelieving sinners are caught in the “hell of self”.) It’s time to just invite them home.

On violence

Ken Miller, PhD 5/5/09

On violence of the crucifixion-

God used our violence, and submitted to it, (in Christ's death) to solve the problem, to save us from our violence.