Author William Paul Young talks about his story and the story behind his NY Times, best selling book, The Shack with George Stroumboulopoulos from CBC News….
summer time is approaching and the number of students at momentum is soaring. there were 46 at last night’s gathering of high school and junior high students! seems that dividing the students for discussion that is relevant to their age and gender is significant.
in each group we’re talking about what it means to live as young men and women of God. we’re also dealing with the specific pressures, temptations,and stresses that each face.
we’re seeing much greater honesty, discussion, and vulnerability in each of the settings. which of course leads to more openness to God, personal change, and deeper relationships. Godrushes to scene of humility.and we’re loving every minute of what He’s doing here!
So you’ve heard about Twitter and maybe even set up an account on your cell phone, or maybe your computer. But now what?
@CrowInfoDesign has put together a free e-book that gives a great overview of the service and some pointers on how to get started.
Download the PDF:
Twitter for beginners
HT to JeffHurt for the link.
UPDATE: Another great resource – Everything You Need to Know About Twitter.
Shaun Groves just returned from a week+ long trip to India with a group of bloggers for Compassion International (read their thoughts here).
As part of their trip, Shaun he met with a couple different pastors who are choosing to do church outside of the norm.
This guy’s doing it all wrong.
He’s the pastor of a church in Kolkata, India that’s partnering with Compassion International – he says to “serve” kids in his community.
Pete and I saw a lot of unchurchy stuff going on at this church….
This is a common mistake for pastors in the developing world. They don’t know any better. They’ve never been to a pastors conference.
I’ve seen this time and again: churches in the third world doing stuff we Christians in America are savvy enough to get politicians and non-profits to do for us.
Check out Shaun’s blog for pictures and more info… and then I encourage you to say a prayer for all the guys doing it all wrong.
Do you see the hidden tiger in the picture? (see below for answer)
in Monday’s “enjoy the silence” reading we saw this verse…
He said, the knowledge of the secrets of thekingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand… luke 8:10
Most assume that He spoke in parable so that people could better understand. But there was an element to the parables that also hid truth. It does not mean that Jesus was trying to be sneaky, deceptive, or cruel.
Instead it reveals something about the hearts of people who hear. The mysteries of the kingdom are kept for those whose heartsare open toward Him. Understanding is not just a mental function. If it were then truth would be reserved for only the intellectual. However, real understanding involves the heart. Understanding happens when the heart and mind function together in concert with God. We understand when we are humble, seeking, honest – all functions of the heart and mind.
The opposite is also true. When we are filled with pain, anger, resistance, or defiance, then a parable / truth will not be understood – especially as it applies to our situation. It is not because we don’t have the intellectual capacity, but is often because of the condition of our heart. There were many who saw Jesus and heard His parables. Yet, because of the hardness of their hearts they would pass right by and miss who He was and what He had to say.
Notice the power of heart upon understanding here…
Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools… Romans 1:21-22a
Because their heart did not recognize Godwith honor, gratefulness, and humility, then their mind became dark, self-absorbed, and confused.
There is a dimension and depth of understanding that God has for us in His Word and in knowing Him. Yet it is only found by those whose hearts are humble, soft, and open toward Him. Again, notice the connection of heart with understanding…
And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. For Jehovah searches all hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you. But if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever 1 Chronicles 28:9
For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro in all the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. You have done foolishly in this; therefore from now on you shall have wars 2 Chronicles 16:9
answer to the picture: look at the stripes on the tiger. read them – they spell “The Hidden Tiger”
