On this Thanksgiving
I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought,
and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
– Gilbert Keith Chesterton, English writer (1874-1936)
Discovering Ourselves in the Other
Henri Nouwen once said, “…we will never believe that we have anything to give unless there is someone who is able to receive. Indeed, we discover our gifts in the eyes of the receiver.” That quote captures me because we try so hard to figure out who we are in a vacuum. The surest way to discover who we are and what God has created us to do is to serve the other. Mission means that we must go beyond the talk and the rhetoric and actually look another person in the eyes.
Sept 13 – On this day in the story of my Tribe
1962 – Swiss Reformed theologian Karl Barth wrote in a letter: 'God, according to 2 Cor. 5:19, reconciled the world to himself, not himself to the world.'
Telling the Story of New Community
This last week I retold the story of New Community. I have to admit it was a strangely emotional experience. It kind of blind-sided me. It is really a story about how I flubbed it up continually and how God was full of grace toward our community. When I got home after the service I collapsed on the couch and slept for a good long time. I went to bed early and got up feeling like I had been on a "bender."
I rarely "honk" my stuff, but if you care to listen to the talk it can be found at
Cool Site about Missional Orders
There is a ton of conversation going on about how we create spiritual rhythm. Here is a very sweet site about MIssional Orders. Check it out.
August 26 – On This Day in the Story of our Tribe
1956 – Swedish Christian statesman Dag Hammarskjald recorded in
his devotional journal (Markings): 'Bless your uneasiness as a sign that there
is still life in you.'
Pretty Cool Conversation between McClaren and Lang
Here is an informative video conversation between Brain McClaren and SBC Richard Lang about evangelicalism and politics.
August 15- On This Day in the Story of our Tribe
The Olympics, China and Religious Tolerance?
For anyone interested in tracking religious freedom this is a must read article from the Washington Post.