PneumaSphere (PneumaBlogs Aggregator)

PneumaSphere

Here are the last 50 or so posts for all the blogs in the entire PneumaBlogs catalog.

(Note to PneumaBloggers, I don’t keep your posts here and repurpose them as my own. Your content will be featured until it rolls off the page. I’m hoping to drive more traffic and subscribers to your site. If you want off let me know.)

(Update! Now you can search within these blogs with PneumaSearch!)

Latest Posts

Oak Initiative Calls For Prayer to Stop Bad Bill

Posted 70 minutes ago

We are asking all of our members to pray in earnest, and for those who feel called to fast to do this for the resolution of the crisis over the pending healthcare legislation. We believe the passage of this legislation will create serious crises in the nation on a number of fronts, including constitutional issues, because of elements in the bill. Because of the manner in which congress is seeking to manipulate passage of the bill will even further exacerbate growing divisions in the nation that are already at dangerous levels.


1 – For America: Our past (repentance) and our future (seeking His will and ways)
2 – For our Leaders: At all levels – in secular and church government.
3 – Regarding the Healthcare Bill: For truth … [Link]

No title

Posted 86 minutes ago































Oh that I was lowly in heart! Honor and dishonor, good report and evil report would then be alike, and prove a furtherance to me in my Christian cause.

—George Whitefield

photo taken at Smith College, Northampton, MA [Link]

Tweet Tweet for 2010-03-20

Posted 119 minutes ago

  • About to feast on the word… Looked forward to this all week! #
  • What resources are available to us… We are carriers of the presence and glory of God… Its far MORE than we realize. FAR. #
  • Heavier will be delighted and amused to know that i just saw the 610 sign for the first time. #
  • Great night in wave after wave of glory. Now soon zzzz #
  • I feel like my brain will explode — in the best possible way. So many subconscious attitudes exposed and dealt with over this last week. #
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Small Groups as an Enabler of Discipleship

Posted 3 hours ago

(I am writing some stuff for our church and thought I would share my thoughts here)


In everything we do as a church, we function to expand the kingdom by making disciples. This purpose focus our community and gives us a way to reflect upon whether or not we are “doing church” according to the way Jesus has directed us to “do church”. The same purpose directs our meetings in small group and in our 1×1 discipleship relationships.


Even more foundational than the purpose of small groups is the faith that motivates our meetings as a church and as small groups.


We believe that the kingdom is within reach. we believe through faith in Jesus Christ that people can find a path to …

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No title

Posted 3 hours ago

Danse de la argent et la mort VI Most of the world knew this academcian for the enormous number of books he had written, which crowded the bookshelves at Borders, Barnes & Nobel, and even Wal-Mart. Their titles all varied, but the subtitles could all just as well been the same: something along the lines of "everybody's misinterpreted what so-and-so said, until I, the guy with the enormous brain [Link]

It's Darkest before Dawn

Posted 4 hours ago

One moment it is dark, and the next moment, we see light. This is the dawning of the day.And this could be the outcome of the Health Care bill tomorrow. The vote will come tomorrow afternoon. Right now, they say they have the votes to pass the bill. But the truth will not really be known until the actual vote comes up.There have been many changes in the way they are going to vote. It has been [Link]

Should errant Christian leaders be restored?

Posted 5 hours ago

While I am taking a break from my series on Authority, power and rights in the New Testament, my near neighbour (at least from a global perspective, but we have never met) Sam Norton has started a series on a related topic: Does the priest have to be pure? In this he talks about the Donatists, whom I discussed here nearly two years ago. Sam gives an excellent explanation of why they were wrong to teach that the ministry of a Christian leader is invalidated by their personal sin.

This doesn’t mean that the sins of Christian leaders should simply be ignored. Unrepentant sinners like Michael Reid certainly should not be allowed to continue in ministry. But it does mean that those who fall should be …

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Invitation: Wondering Where the Lions Are

Posted 5 hours ago

Introduction to Changing My Mind

Another Day Along the Way
Saturday, March 20, 2010

Another day,
Most people occasionally forget a name. Spell-check and memos come in handy for us all. An appointment missed or a birthday forgotten: stuff happens. Parents stare at one child, calling him or her the name of a sibling. Singers miss words of the national anthem, or ruin Wrigley Field's seventh-inning stretch while trying to lead the fans in "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

You’ve done it, haven't you? Ordered the wrong meal, taken the wrong turn, called the wrong number?

We label those errors common mistakes. Those of us who are perfectionistic control freaks condemn ourselves until we silence the self-talk. When such mistakes occur habitually we think we're just getting old. But … [Link]

-Health Care Bill: Teetering on Tyranny

Posted 7 hours ago

(Capitol by wallyg via Flickr)

Only 35% support the HealthCare bill that is being pushed today in Congress and 55% solidly oppose it according to the latest polling by Fox News.

Millions of phone calls and emails in opposition have flooded the congressional offices during the last week or so. Nevertheless, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership plan on ‘deeming’ the bill passed and plan to move on making changes and amendments to it as if they had actually voted on the Senate bill and passed it?

Legal and Constitutional scholars are divided over the questionable parliamentary tactics proposed in passing this monstrosity. One would think that our supposed representatives in Congress would want overwhelming support of the people before they change …

[Link]

Floppy Ears

Posted 8 hours ago

I was reading an interesting article regarding some recent scientific studies that challenge what the mainstream believes about evolution.  The article is interesting enough, but my take-away was this line:"…not every trait a creature possesses is necessarily adaptive. Some just come along for the ride: for example, genes that express as tameness in domesticated foxes and dogs also seem to express as floppy ears, for no evident reason."Probably the most adorable trait of my basset hound, and the one that has intrigued me the most is just that – his floppy ears.  If size is an indicator of degree, basset hounds must be the most tame dogs out there.  He is very playful and I have not seen any indicators of aggression, except towards a … [Link]

The Jesus Prayer is a Missional Prayer

Posted 8 hours ago

Our part in God's mission, says Leslie Newbigin in The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission, is threefold: to announce the Kingdom of God, to share in the life of Jesus, and to do the work of the Spirit. Although I haven't read Newbigin's classic text (it's on my list), I do think this little triad seems a good way to think about discipleship.

In my last post on praying in the way that Jesus taught, I tried to emphasize that the Jesus prayer of Matthew 6 was essentially a prayer of discipleship. A disciple is a follower of Jesus and, as Dallas Willard says, a student of Jesus. The Jesus prayer is the way of Jesus in prayer, his way of thinking … [Link]

Spring Is Here!

Posted 8 hours ago

Spring officially arrives this weekend! At least in does in the Northern Hemisphere; and in Alabama!

This weekend I will be in Cypress Texas at New Life Church with Pastor Steve Weaver and his family. Pastor Steve and Karen have become dear friends of this ministry and we are looking forward to being in both Sunday morning services 9am and 11am Central time. If you are within driving distance we would love to have you join us for either of these two powerful Sunday morning meetings!

By the time you receive our monthly Newsletter for April, Dave Johnson and I will be in Kenya beginning our first Pastors Vocational Leadership School in Kilgoris. This has been a vision of ours since we first began traveling to …

[Link]

More Than Indifferent

Posted 8 hours ago

So, this morning, at the 2.3 mile mark of my run, a yacht-sized white caddy coming towards me starts to slow down. A bunch of arms simultaneously pop out of every one of its windows and they all begin flapping in some sort of synchronized hysterics, as if their owners had somehow lost complete control of their normal functions. As the white yacht drew closer I could see a car load of white suburbanite baby boomers all waving at me and mouthing things I couldn’t quite interpret from the sidewalk. The white yacht then comes to a complete stop right beside me and one of those old, white suburbanites yells out at me, “Hey! Where’s Walnut Street?”

I couldn’t believe it! Here I am, 2.3 miles …

[Link]

Mission: Zimbabwe

Posted 9 hours ago

This video gives a report of the recent Jubilee Church mission trip to Zimbabwe. Thanks to the generosity of Crossway we were able to donate 100 copies of Raised With Christ to the pastors there. You can see in this video the joyful reaction of the people to receiving this and other materials (which included battery-operated MP3 players full of sermons). Tope also speaks about the number of orphans and widows he met there.


By Tope Koleoso
14 March
download video or download audio

Tope said the following about this trip on Facebook:

One major lesson learnt afresh on Mission:Zimbabwe is that the Gospel must be PREACHED in word and DEMONSTRATED in action. To preach the death, burial and resurrection and also to care for the …

[Link]

The Republic

Posted 10 hours ago

"When the people find they can vote themselves money,
that will herald the end of the republic."
- Ben Franklin [Link]

The big 1-9 for Jordan!

Posted 15 hours ago

As promised yesterday here are some photos from Jordan's birthday dinner on Thursday night. Right now I'm still in Lake Worth speaking on the Hope Tour (will be away next weekend too doing the same…) and will probably post some reflections from the conference events at some point tomorrow. Enjoy ~

We went with his "second family" ~ the Riveras, to our family favorite for birthdays, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse. Left to right ~ Eddie, Candy, me, Larry, Jordan, Eddie Jr. and in back to the left Savanna, and Elijah.

Jordan with his little birthday cupcake. He loves to play with the little umbrella, still at 19…
Savanna watches the chef cook the veggies Where there's smoke, there's…fire!
A good time was had by all…Jordan is 19 … [Link]

Letting Go

Posted 19 hours ago

We all need to learn how to let go at some point in our lives. What we are letting go of will most assuredly be different for each one of us. Some will have to let go of lost love; others will have to let go of the pain of disappointment. Some of us may even have to let go of unhealthy ways of thinking about life, divinity, and each other. Sometimes we may even have to let go of good things in our lives too! It all depends upon our situation and story! Our need to let go will be different for each one of us, for sure. The point is we all will have to wrestle with letting go of something or someone …

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Jonathan Gruber – Speech on Health Care Reform

Posted 20 hours ago

C-SPAN Video Player – Speech on Health Care Reform
Great Explanation of costs and cadillac tax and how the Health Care Bill will be funded. Jonathan Gruber is easy to listen to. His explanation of why costs are high due to over testing and over selling of health services is compelling.

What will happen if we do not reform health care. [Link]

-Egypt: Muslims Attack Christian Community

Posted 20 hours ago


(Gutted vehicle from the attack)

(CDN): A mob of enraged Muslims attacked a Coptic Christian community in a coastal town in northern Egypt last weekend, wreaking havoc for hours and injuring 24 Copts before security forces contained them.

The violence erupted last Friday (March 12) afternoon when the local sheikh at the neighborhood mosque incited Muslims over a loudspeaker, proclaiming jihad against Christians. Then the angry Muslim mob attacked the local Coptic Christian church hurling rocks and attacking Christians trying to force them to convert. A number of Christian businesses and homes were looted and burned along with several vehicles.

It was following the afternoon mosque prayers when Sheikh Khamis rallied the mob of over 300 Muslims. The attack was apparently in response …

[Link]

Universal Health Care in Israel

Posted 22 hours ago

I always wondered why republicans never use Israel as an example of evil government funded health care. Israel has had socialized medicine since 1948.
Hmm, maybe it is because health care in Israel works. [Link]

Who's in play: House health-care whip count

Posted 22 hours ago

Who’s in play: House health-care whip count washingtonpost.com

This is really cool with stats and graphics on the $$ of campaign financing from the insurance industry and % of constituents that are uninsured. Neither seem to actually correlate much but interesting anyway. [Link]

Tweet Tweet for 2010-03-19

Posted 26 hours ago

  • OK – spaghetti sauce is simmering in the crockpot. Got to start on my closet now. Half the stuff got wet when the hot water heater pipe blew #
  • @ SimpleChurch @thomrainer we need to realize: "programs" are NOT (necessarily) "ministry". in reply to ThomRainer #
  • think I'll make a french press… I'm bottoming out this afternoon!! #
  • Anyone know of a brand of hair dye that is gluten free? # glutenfree #
  • why am I so sleepy? why won't the kids eat their dinner? why do birds fly? #
  • I get the BIGGEST kick out of ppl who compare John Crowder to a "ravenous wolf" … really? have you met the guy? listened to him preach? #
  • “why not?" is not the response i expected …
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Praying for the Kingdom of God

Posted 28 hours ago

In this recent post I talked about how the Lord's prayer, as it is called, provides a format for intercession that keeps us from being self-absorbed in our prayers. Now I want to say something more.

When I pray, I try to pray in this format, starting out by focusing on the kingdom of God, thinking about the kingdom and longing for it to come at last in fullness and glory; and then, with some sense of kingdom-wonder lingering in my thoughts, I move on to the second half of the Jesus format: personal provision, forgiveness, protection from temptation and the evil one. Sometimes I focus more on one of these than the others, but I try always to start with the kingdom.

When we pray "may … [Link]

Regarding: "Mom, I Caught A Troll!"

Posted 28 hours ago


I just received a phone call from my mother in-law, who lives in Paducah, KY and who also never uses the Internet, so she has not been aware of the troll story.
She began to tell me "a true story" that someone down there had told in someone else down there. This woman, who has a child with down's syndrome told the exact same story, and that her son had caught him a troll and put him into the closet and she had come home from work and found him there, only this time it was a Jehovah's Witness. This story has run rampant, literally around the world this week. On my blog I have the ability to see how many readers I have, how they … [Link]

Gmail Account Hacked

Posted 28 hours ago

I had my Gmail account hacked a while back. I was getting some strang email and went into my Gmail setup and found that someone had put some very offensive material in my signature box.

I immediately deleted it and changed my passwords etc. I also check it often now to see what is up.This is just a heads up. I am not sure what they can do with your account info but it does concern me based on some of the email I got after that. [Link]

Scandalous by Don Carson

Posted 30 hours ago

There was a time when the definition of an “evangelical” was someone who liked John Stott and Billy Graham. Today, perhaps one could suggest that Don Carson has a similarly defining role, alongside people like John Piper. Certainly Carson’s books are well known and sell widely. He is recognized as a gifted expositor of God’s word and a sought-after conference speaker.

Scandalous is a short book closely based on a series of sermons Carson preached at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. It reads very much like a series of sermons. He chose five passages and exposited them verse by verse. The passages might initially seem like a surprising combination. But the theme underlying each of them is the vital place of the death and resurrection …

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Writing for new media — be flexible, try new things

Posted 30 hours ago

I confess I’m an “old-timer” when it comes to writing. The writing I enjoy most is putting words on paper with a pen or even a pencil. If I were forced to rank newer writing “media” for preference, my next favorite writing would be with a computer and printer. Then I enjoy posting articles online [...]

Post from: Writing Tips at GarySpeer.com Do you collect things? Great deals on collectibles of all sorts found on eBay. We make it easy at “Fun for Collectors"! (This content is copyright protected and if you aren't seeing this post at garyspeer.com, then it has been used without permission.) Writing for new media — be flexible, try new things

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Specialized writing online: Do careful research and be wary

Posted 31 hours ago

Do you believe everything you read on the Internet? No? Then you also should be very careful about what you write on the Internet. I mention this because some of the long-time “money maker” blogs and websites are those devoted to 1) health advice, 2) diet advice, and, 3) financial/credit repair advice. All three of those [...]

Post from: Writing Tips at GarySpeer.com Do you collect things? Great deals on collectibles of all sorts found on eBay. We make it easy at “Fun for Collectors"! (This content is copyright protected and if you aren't seeing this post at garyspeer.com, then it has been used without permission.) Specialized writing online: Do careful research and be wary

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A very brief book by Don Carson on 2 Timothy 3

Posted 32 hours ago

There are short books, and there are really short books. From the Resurrection to His Return is a really really short book!  This book is, however, a very engaging, but brief, exposition of some very important verses about how we should live in what the Bible calls “the last days,” i.e. the time before Jesus’ return.  Jesus is coming and we must be Bible-focused people who pass on the unadulterated message of God to those who come after us. This book is definitely worth the very short time it will take you to read.  The really great news is that right now you can order it for less than 2 British pounds from 10ofthose.com, but hurry, as the offer only lasts for another day.  …

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Internet writers only get read if they draw site visitors

Posted 32 hours ago

Call this advice for new online writers or simply basic review of the obvious: Internet writers only get read if they find ways to draw visitors to their websites. You might have the most brilliant article directory or blog or marketing website on the Internet. But no one will enjoy your brilliance, your clever writing, [...]

Post from: Writing Tips at GarySpeer.com Do you collect things? Great deals on collectibles of all sorts found on eBay. We make it easy at “Fun for Collectors"! (This content is copyright protected and if you aren't seeing this post at garyspeer.com, then it has been used without permission.) Internet writers only get read if they draw site visitors

[Link]

Health Care – Access, Access, Access (updated)

Posted 32 hours ago

Health Care – Access, Access, Access – NYTimes.com

Nicholas D. Kristof wrote a great article yesterday on Health Care. What is striking to me is how a Christian heart of compassion ought to have a passion for increased access to health care. The link between increased access to health care and decreases in infant mortality and mortality in childbirth and pregnancy mandate Christian support for increased access to health care. This is a no-brainer.

So the question is. Why are conservative christians against health care reform? I think this is another case of ideology getting in the way of practical solutions to real life problems of human suffering.

Kristof does make one misleading statement about low abortion rates in Germany. The abortion rate in Germany is even lower … [Link]

Steering Through Chaos

Posted 32 hours ago

I was recently given a copy of a brand new book by Scott Wilson to read and review–and I'm so thankful I was!

I used to think that leading change was a leadership skill that only applied to pastors of established churches. Having a baby changed my perspective. As soon as Gabby was born she began to change. 

Church planters need to develop skills to navigate transition and change as much as anyone, for two simple reasons. First, as soon as a new church is born, it begins to change. You want it to change in the right direction. Second, no church plant is perfect. They all have strengths and weaknesses, and leading change is the important process of continually improving your organization.

The truth …

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The answer to Paul's prayer is the gospel (Ephesians 3)

Posted 32 hours ago

Recently had the joy of preaching on Ephesians 3:14-21 for Exeter ECU.
Download mp3: Getting caught up in the love of God – Ephesians 3:14-21 (35mins)

FIRST V17a – A PRAYER FOR GOSPEL LIFE
“so that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith” – something inner of relationship with Christ. This they already have fully yet he longs for them to have the same. The goal of strengthening is the indwelling of Christ in our hearts. Christ in us – from the Father’s glory by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.


This is the realisation of union with Christ. Paul has painted with his words how in Christ having died was raised and seated in the heavenly realms, and so too we who were once dead under … [Link]

Is the Gospel for Sunday Morning? Or for the Church?

Posted 33 hours ago

One of the most confusing things about our culture, I'm finding, is that when it comes to "church-planting" pretty much everything I read seems to make the "church" about Sunday morning. For some reason, "church" is directly and inseparably connected to Sunday morning. This has made Sunday morning the "show", so to speak. We offer our children's ministries, Sunday Schools, Bible studies, [Link]

We cannot trust Congress with Health Care…when their lips move, they are lying!!!

Posted 33 hours ago

Unless you are living in a box on the tip top of Mt. Everest, you have probably already seen the following video, but just in case here is the perfect example of why no one should let the bozos in Congress take over the Health Care Industry.


We should let Congress pass the bill and hope that what's in it isn't horrific. More important, even if we've had the past few days to look at it, we also must have faith that the reconciliation process will take out the bad stuff. I have faith in Jesus, not Congress. Jesus has never let me down. Congress has never even met my really low expectations.

Is it any wonder that Congress' approval rate is at an historic low of … [Link]

The Un-United States of America?

Posted 34 hours ago


If you've been watching the news and keeping up with world events, you know that Greece is exploding with rioting and violence over the economic woes of that country. The people have just had it. Spain is right on the brink of an economic melt down as well… and I believe our nation teeters right there with them. In my opinion, this health care bill which allows the government to take over not only health care but also all student loans, could be the catalyst to push this country to protests and rioting at a level not seen since the 60's. In fact, I think the protests will be more wide spread than the protests of the 60's. It could in fact push this nation … [Link]

Limited Time Special Offer For Music Fans Only

Posted 35 hours ago

This is a limited time offer for members of my fan page only

Facebook has a strict policy regarding contests, promotions, and giveaways due to possible legal issues. Therefore, it is necessary for me to conduct this particular special offer on my blog. I will be giving away a free copy of my newest EP entitled Paradigm- a collection of jazz/fusion instrumentals to the first 3 people who e-mail me at preacherhenry at gmail dot com (preacherhenry is all one word of course, and I spelled out dot com to avoid unnecessary spammers) with their mailing (not physical) address.

Winners will be notified by e-mail. I will not use your e-mail address for any other purpose(s), nor will I share it with anyone else. This is purely … [Link]

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Posted 37 hours ago


Mark 8:27-9:1
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. … [Link]

Article by Maria Woodworth-Etter

Posted 37 hours ago

Maria Woodworth-Etter was a healing revivalist who ministered in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. God did many amazing miracles in her meetings and she had a uncompromising faith. She moved in signs and wonders before signs and wonders were widely accepted. There’s an excellent article about her in the AoG’s Enrichment Journal.

Excerpt from: Miracles and Marvels – How to Cooperate With the Holy Spirit in a Meeting (discovered on Billye Brim’s website)

The first snippet I offer is about heresy hunting and restoration:

But at the same time we are continually careful not to do or say anything that will displease or grieve Him, bring reproach on the cause or contempt on the work. We should try the spirits. Ours is the desire to …

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The Weavers Skillful Hand

Posted 37 hours ago

Corrie Ten Boom is one of my heroes. I put my faith in Christ after watching the theatrical version of her life story, The Hiding Place.

Corrie used to speak to audiences about her experiences and she would often look down while she talked. It seemed like she was reading her notes, but she was actually working on a piece of needlepoint. After telling her story of the cruelty in the concentration camps and the death of her father and sister, Corrie would hold up the backside of the needlepoint. It was a jumble of colors and threads with no discernible pattern. And she would say "this is how we see our lives." Then she would turn it over to reveal the pattern. And Corrie would … [Link]

Drop the dying double-u’s

Posted 38 hours ago

I am pleased to tell you that, because of an upgrade by my hosting company, you can now optionally drop the www and access this blog with the shorter URL of http://gentlewisdom.org.uk/. This address will be automatically forwarded to http://www.gentlewisdom.org.uk/. You can change your bookmarks if you want to, but you don’t need to.

Over a year after the departure of another infamous W it is high time that these redundant three w’s are completely retired from Internet addresses. But they haven’t yet gone completely from mine.

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On the road again…

Posted 39 hours ago

Being on the road is perfectly fine, because I love to travel, and my family understands. I also love to be at home just as much. This means I live the best of both worlds.

This morning is sectional council and just as soon as it's over I'm jetting off from there quickly to travel down to Lake Worth, FL to speak on the Hope Tour again this weekend. Going to travel along with my good friends Tina Blount and Tammy Young, and that will make the ride much more fun, indeed.

Speaking of travel — really getting excited about the Africa trip! I'll be going June 1-8 or 9 (not sure yet what day I'm coming back, still working that out) but it's coming quickly, for … [Link]

After The Deadline: Spell, Grammar, And Style Check Add-on For Firefox

Posted 39 hours ago

abelajohnb posted:

Hey All,A quick blog about a cool addon feature for those of you who use the Firefox web browser.This cool addon will allow you to have a sweet little spell checker for use here at ChristianBlog.Com (and just about every other website on the internet) that is farandbeyond better than the builtin spell checker within Firefox.You can grab it at: I have been using it for a month or so, and was going to post about it sooner, but I wanted to make sure it was stable and did not cause any other problems before I blogged about it and thus far, it has proven to be bugfree and amazingly accurate.There is a video on their page that I highly suggest you watch. I also …

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Where have all the OT songs gone?

Posted 41 hours ago

Matt Hosier’s post on fatness stirred up some memories of a classic old song we used to sing in my youth growing up in restorationist circles, based on Isa 55:2 in the King James Version. My favourite line went "and your soul shall delight itself in fatness, in fatness, in fatness" – a great Biblical justification for a second helping of cake. Along similar lines, I always felt that the song based on the prayer of Jabez "O that you would bless me, and enlarge my borders" sounded like a request for a bigger waistline.

It made me ponder how Scripture saturated many of the songs we used to sing in those days were, especially rich in Old Testament references, which have virtually been expunged from …

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Paul’s Hedgehog Wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Posted 42 hours ago

  

  

If you can’t view today’s Daily Word video, click here.

The Greek poet Archilochus said, “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” Building on this insight, Isaiah Berlin divided “writers and thinkers” between those “who relate everything to a single central vision” and “those who pursue many ends.” Using Berlin’s taxonomy, we might say that Paul was a hedgehog whose “one big thing” was Jesus Christ. 

Consider what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you …

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-Rancho Cucamonga, CA: City Orders Home Bible Study to Cease

Posted 43 hours ago

(Image by DrGBB via Flickr)

City officials in Rancho Cucamonga, California ordered a home Bible study to cease or get a permit.

There seems to be a rash of these cases going on lately. Recently home Bible studies were ordered to stop meeting in Gilbert, Arizona and in San Diego , CA. The San Diego case has been resolved allowing the home fellowship to continue along with an apology from officials. The Situation in Gilbert seems to be resolving itself with support from the Mayor and Council members.

Now comes this case in Rancho Cucamonga. The city claimed that the home Bible study was really a church. They ordered the group to get a Conditional Use Permit by April 2, in order to …

[Link]

Theology Matters

Posted 46 hours ago

I had the privilege of speaking at the Chi Alpha group on the campus of USM last week. I chose the topic of Doctrine and the importance of Loving the Lord your God with all… your mind – what Jesus said was the greatest commandment. I think it went well.

But today I came across this video trailer for a book call Dug Down Deep. It makes the case that we all should be theologians and I'm intrigued to read it. It fits well with the point of my presentation to Chi Alpha, and my thoughts in general on the subject.

DugDownDeep_Carnahan.mov from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.

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Do you take ascorbic acid or Vitamin C? What chemicals do you swallow daily?

Posted 46 hours ago

Jargon, which I’ve written about several times before, comes in many varieties. Yesterday’s physical exam was a real lesson about how NOT to use jargon we writers can learn from. When the nurse updated my medical information before the exam, he looked at information from my visit nine months ago and asked questions like, “Are you [...]

Post from: Writing Tips at GarySpeer.com Do you collect things? Great deals on collectibles of all sorts found on eBay. We make it easy at “Fun for Collectors"! (This content is copyright protected and if you aren't seeing this post at garyspeer.com, then it has been used without permission.) Do you take ascorbic acid or Vitamin C? What chemicals do you swallow daily?

[Link]

Gulf of Mexico Oil Goes to Russia

Posted 46 hours ago

Of course it does, since we're not going to take any of it!  How infuriating! [Link]

Are Gay Bashers Hiding Something?

Posted 46 hours ago

A friend directed my attention towards a very interesting and evocative letter to the editor in today’s Lancaster New Era (a local newspaper). The subject: Homophobia. I’ll get to the article quickly, but first, how about a clear, concise definition of homophobia? Here is one from Wikipedia:

Homophobia: Homophobia is a term for a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards homosexuality and people identified or perceived as being homosexual. Definitions of the term refer variably to antipathy, contempt, prejudice, aversion, and irrational fear. Homophobia is observable in critical and hostile behavior such as discrimination and violence on the basis of a non-heterosexual orientation.

Got it? Good! Now here’s the letter to the Lancaster New Era concerning what the writer deemed to be a homophobic …

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Those of us without health insurance appreciate ’sliding fee’ clinics

Posted 46 hours ago

On a personal note, I’ve mentioned several times that I am not able to afford health insurance. The good news is, we have a very well-equipped, HUGE “sliding fee” clinic here that I qualify for — and yesterday was sort of Reckoning Day for my generally inactive, slovenly lifestyle: I had a checkup at said [...]

Post from: Writing Tips at GarySpeer.com Do you collect things? Great deals on collectibles of all sorts found on eBay. We make it easy at “Fun for Collectors"! (This content is copyright protected and if you aren't seeing this post at garyspeer.com, then it has been used without permission.) Those of us without health insurance appreciate ’sliding fee’ clinics

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Deep Conversations Make Us Happy

Posted 46 hours ago

I have found this to be true in my own life, but now there’s a study to support my own experience. I always have felt recharged after a long, personal conversation with a close friend. I guess I always just thought it was "just me", but it seems there's more to it than that. I think this is also why people still feel so isolated and lonely even with the increased, but shallow connectivity with today's technology. Real relationship doesn't happen over FB, Myspace, or Twitter. It happens over the phone, in a letter, or over coffee. According to the study:
“But, he proposed, substantive conversation seemed to hold the key to happiness for two main reasons: both because human beings are driven to find and … [Link]

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Posted 2 days ago





















Be inwardly still, Friends, and wait patiently
upon the revelation of the living flame of love
that burns in the hidden depths of our hearts.
Place your hope in the purifying, enlightening,
and liberating working of that Holy Flame,
and rest in that hope, and trust that the secret
life of Christ within us is itself the answer,
ineffable but sure, to the unutterable longing
of our souls.

–George Fox –Letter to Lady Claypole

photo taken at Smith College, Northampton, MA

Smith College
George Fox [Link]

Tweet Tweet for 2010-03-18

Posted 2 days ago

  • At the park with the kidlets. They are having a blast. Grilling out… #
  • What would happen if we, individually and collectively, refused to accept and settle for less than the fullness of God and His promises? #
  • Always fun to shop for jeans and realize that wow, those are too big. #
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Launch Team Meeting

Posted 2 days ago

We have a launch team meeting for the Gala Theatre on Tuesday, March 23 at Ebenezers Coffeehouse @ 7:30 PM. Just wanted to get it on the radar! If you're praying about the possibility of being part of the team, this meeting is for you. It's an informational meeting, but because the time line is so tight, we'll give people an opportunity to commit to the launch that night as well.

Our first service @ the Gala Theatre will be Easter Sunday @ 10:30 AM. Then we'll shift to Sunday Nights on April 11.

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A Visit to Israel

Posted 2 days ago

I’m just back from a trip to Israel. See  Midlife Musings.

Tags: Israel

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