Claimed, gathered and sent

The Shack by William P. Young is a must read for anyone who has ever struggled with the problem of loss and pain. It is an allegorical journey into the very heart of the God who loves us so much and grieves over the pain of his people. It deals with the issue of theodicy, which is the attempt to reconcile the bad things that happen in this world with the idea of a loving, benevolent God. Here is a link to the website for The Shack. It gives you an opportunity to even read the first chapter. The link is: http://theshackbook.com/ . Enjoy!

Please take a look at the article at this link http://www.generousorthodoxy.net/thinktank/2007/11/the-thoughts-of.html?cid=91559088#comment-91559088 entitled The Thoughts of One Signatory to "Loving God and Neighbor Together." This is regarding Christian-Muslim dialogue.

Each fall for 15 years, up to 100 people gathered every Wednesday night at Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee, to explore the meaning of the Sacred Journey. Led by the Rev. Dr. Douglass M. Bailey, the participants in the class listened and talked about their own journey and the journey of others. The class affirmed the individual nature of each journey and each person's need to explore the questions that can shape their path. The people who journeyed together each fall learned about prayer, community, death and resurrection. They heard questions and reflections from others, and through them came to a better understanding of their own spiritual growth. We have included an overview of the Journey material here in hopes that some of the ideas may help you on your own Spiritual path. The questions are meant for you to ask yourself and those traveling with you. Use those that are meaningful to you as guideposts, pointing down a road you may not yet have explored. The church

I'm beginning a series on the Journey of Faith, taken from explorefaith.org. The article is lengthy, but nicely divided up for daily posting. Enjoy and begin the journey to which he has called us! The Journey of Faith Each fall for 15 years, up to 100 people gathered every Wednesday night at Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee, to explore the meaning of the Sacred Journey. Led by the Rev. Dr. Douglass M. Bailey, the participants in the class listened and talked about their own journey and the journey of others. The class affirmed the individual nature of each journey and each person's need to explore the questions that can shape their path. The people who journeyed together each fall learned about prayer, community, death and resurrection. They heard questions and reflections from others, and through them came to a better understanding of their own spiritual growth. We have included an overview of the Journey material here in hopes that some of the ideas may help you

What does that mean? In order to go forward in pursuing a call to ministry in the ELCA, one must be entered into the candidacy process. "T he committee assesses the applicant's sense of call, potential for leadership and spiritual, psychological, and situational readiness to begin the process of preparation. In consultation with the candidacy committee, the applicant applies for admission to an ELCA seminary or plans another course of study." (http://www.elca.org/candidacy/process1.html). They said yes! I have already applied to the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and they are processing my application. God willing, we will move there to begin studies in the Fall of 2008. " For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord , plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope" (Jer 29:11).

Quick, easy fixes are the antithesis of systems thinking. It is challenging, “because it is much harder to integrate new tools than simply apply them separately” (Senge, 2006, p. 11). This is an all encompassing discipline: the individual disciplines being like instruments in an orchestra, the fifth discipline being the orchestra. “By enhancing each of the other disciplines, it … reminds us that the whole can exceed the sum of its parts.” (Senge, p. 12). This process of systems thinking parallels “Natural Church Development” (Schwarz, 2006, p. 10). Senge writes, “…vision without systems thinking ends up painting lovely pictures of the future with no deep understanding of the forces that must be mastered to move from here to there” (Senge, 2006, p. 12). Natural Church Development call this “passionate spirituality” (Schwarz, 2006, p. 28) without “effective structures” (Schwarz, p. 30). Healthy churches are characterized by st

God’s Spirit in Creation Moltmann describes the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of life.” [1] and “suggests that every experience ‘can possess a transcendent, inward side … grounded theologically on an understanding of the Spirit of God as the power of creation and the wellspring of life.’” [2] Religion as a Response to the Holy Spirit This may be, but sometimes it may be a fearful response to demonic activity, trying to appease evil spirits etc. Following discussion of Gunton’s position that “the Spirit allows for the Spirit’s work in creation outside the church” [3] Lord stresses, “we need to deal with the Fall and the need for discernment.” [4] Recognizing the Spirit’s Presence He is recognized by “’experiences of awakening and disclosure,’ annunciation experiences.” [5] One Muslim young man in Bethlehem related that while walking, looking at the grass, the sky, enjoying the day, he saw Jesus. He said it casually as if it was an everyday occurrenc