Book 4 of 2011 -- Faith in a Time of Change

In 2006 the United Church of Canada launched a three year project (which was later expanded into a 4th year) called Emerging Spirit.  This campaign included a series of magazine ads, a series of congregational workshopss, some templates for  newspaper ads and postcard that congregations could utilize and the WonderCafe website.

Another part of the campaign were a number of blogs.  AS the campaign was wrapped up a selection of those blog posts were compiled into this book.  I had the opportunity to get a free copy of the book to review, and my full review will be forthcoming.

But in short I would have to say that I greatly enjoyed this book.  Some posts I disagreed with, some I was fairly neutral, and many of them I wished for the chance to sit down with the writer for more discussion.    And really isn't that what you want in a volume like this?

Besides, as a child of the Star Wars generation, how could I resist a book whose cover appears to have force lightning coming from a stained glass window? ;)

How Can WE Do IT?

This week we are reading about turning the other cheek, walking the second mile, loving your enemies...

Hard to hear. Hard to live. Jesus calls us to move out of the model where we make sure others "get what they deserve" and payback. Jesus calls us away from a place where the only choices are being a doormat/victim or playing by the same rules of the oppressors.

How can we do that? It seems so, I don't know, natural to live by those rules. I mean I know that some (Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. come to mind) were able to internalize these ideas and live them out--although sometimes their followers had difficulty--but in day to day life?????

THe thing is I ssee the logic. As St. Paul and Dr. King remind us, only love can drive out and conquer evil and hate. But how is it possible?

Only one way. By remembering that we are created in God's image and that said image is still part of our core being. And so I think I might play this on Sunday:

Book 3 of 2011 -- Its Not Too Late

FOund this one in a book display last November, and finally cracked it open last month.

It was ok.  An easy read but certainly not a "don't put me down till you are finished" grabber.

It treats hope honestly (a whole section called "Bogs" about the challenges to hope" and yet it didn't feel like I was getting much more than nuggets.  I think that was intentional, given the nature of the writing but it left me feeling like I needed something more.

Apparently it is Anit-Bullying month

or so I read somewhere.  And so I endear this to your hearts.

Ever feel Unprepared?

Well name one person in ministry (or in life in general) who doesn't at times.  Here is a song that might help:

A Perky Friday Five

Over at RGBP we find:

Thanks to #snOMG this week has had a different rhythm to it for me. Fortunately, one of the perks of ministry is a fairly flexible schedule and quite often the ability to work from home. Another perk of ministry is that I will be part of a worship service that celebrates my friend's gifts in ministry and the ministry she will do with the church she has been Called to lead.

These two things have me reflecting on the gifts and perks of ministry and what else I would put on that list.

What about you? What are 5 perks/gifts of ministry for you?

1. the unestimable privilege of being invited into people's lives at key points like marriage, illness, death, baptism...
2. having decided what I want to do when I "grow up" actually getting to doit!
3. as kzj said, the ability to flex time and work from home when needed
4. a jop that includes eating with people, coffee with people, and being fed (especially by the UCW)
5. two words----book allowance
   

I Don't Understand...

The way people spend money.

I heard yesterday that the top face value (official price) ticket for the Super Bowl on Sunday was $1200.  Yes, one thousand two hundred dollars to watch one single football game (and I assume you still have to buy your own beer hot dogs and nachos).  Of course tickets are all sold out--and scalpers are asking between $2000 and $25 000.  You can buy a very decent vehicle for $25 000!!

I just don't get it....