Is Blogging a Dying Art?

Christianity Today, 29 September 2007 gives us the tiding

The Death of Blogs
Well, some of them, anyway.
by Ted Olsen posted 9/25/2007 08:57AM

Tech researcher Gartner Inc. reported earlier this year that 200 million people have given up blogging, more than twice as many as are active.

"A lot of people have been in and out of this thing," Gartner analyst Daryl Plummer told reporters. "Everyone thinks they have something to say, until they're put on stage and asked to say it." Given the average lifespan of a blogger and the current growth rate of blogs, Gartner says blogging has probably peaked.

Which isn't to say that blogging is dead. Quite the opposite. Blog aggregator Technorati estimates that 3 million new blogs are launched every month. The site's tongue-in-cheek slogan: "Zillions of photos, videos, blogs, and more. Some of them have to be good."...

But some of us can't help ourselves. Nearly as common as the abandoned blog is the "final comments before I reclaim my life" post. Followed by "an update to something I said in my final comments." And, "Well, I couldn't let this story go by." And on it goes.

One of the best resignation letters came from Alan Jacobs in Books & Culture. "Right now, and for the foreseeable future, the blogosphere is the friend of information but the enemy of thought," he wrote in "Goodbye, Blog" (May/June 2006). A year later, in addition to writing a regular column for Books & Culture, the Wheaton College literature professor blogs thoughtfully at two different sites.

read the complete article here


.

Is Blogging a Dying Art?

Christianity Today, 29 September 2007 gives us the tiding

The Death of Blogs
Well, some of them, anyway.
by Ted Olsen posted 9/25/2007 08:57AM

Tech researcher Gartner Inc. reported earlier this year that 200 million people have given up blogging, more than twice as many as are active.

"A lot of people have been in and out of this thing," Gartner analyst Daryl Plummer told reporters. "Everyone thinks they have something to say, until they're put on stage and asked to say it." Given the average lifespan of a blogger and the current growth rate of blogs, Gartner says blogging has probably peaked.

Which isn't to say that blogging is dead. Quite the opposite. Blog aggregator Technorati estimates that 3 million new blogs are launched every month. The site's tongue-in-cheek slogan: "Zillions of photos, videos, blogs, and more. Some of them have to be good."...

But some of us can't help ourselves. Nearly as common as the abandoned blog is the "final comments before I reclaim my life" post. Followed by "an update to something I said in my final comments." And, "Well, I couldn't let this story go by." And on it goes.

One of the best resignation letters came from Alan Jacobs in Books & Culture. "Right now, and for the foreseeable future, the blogosphere is the friend of information but the enemy of thought," he wrote in "Goodbye, Blog" (May/June 2006). A year later, in addition to writing a regular column for Books & Culture, the Wheaton College literature professor blogs thoughtfully at two different sites.

read the complete article here


.

The Batcave

The Batcave held certain fascination for me even since I was a young kid. I always like secret headquarters. I love the villains of the James Bond movies because they all have such cool secret bases. This graphic novel, Secrets of the Batcave is a compilation of Batman and Robin stories concerning the trophies they have collected in their trophy room in the Batcave and indirectly about the Batcave itself.

Orginally operating out of a store room under the barn on the Wayne property, Bruce Wayne/Batman discovered a secret cavern underneath. A second level was added as Batman's base of operation expanded.

The Batcave underneath Wayne Manor was expanded into the nearby mountain.

With Dick Grayson gone to college, Batman decided to make his new base of operations in the central of Gotham City. Living in a penthouse in the Wayne Foundation building, Bruce Wayne built a secret Batcave in the sub-basement.

The Batcave was relocated back to beneath Wayne Manor

The Batcave is under the Wayne manor on the ourskirt of Gotham City

The lower level of the Batcave contain Batman's gynasium and also the spectacular Trophy room

The batcave of the present with satellite Batcaves in different locations in Gotham City

.

The Batcave

The Batcave held certain fascination for me even since I was a young kid. I always like secret headquarters. I love the villains of the James Bond movies because they all have such cool secret bases. This graphic novel, Secrets of the Batcave is a compilation of Batman and Robin stories concerning the trophies they have collected in their trophy room in the Batcave and indirectly about the Batcave itself.

Orginally operating out of a store room under the barn on the Wayne property, Bruce Wayne/Batman discovered a secret cavern underneath. A second level was added as Batman's base of operation expanded.

The Batcave underneath Wayne Manor was expanded into the nearby mountain.

With Dick Grayson gone to college, Batman decided to make his new base of operations in the central of Gotham City. Living in a penthouse in the Wayne Foundation building, Bruce Wayne built a secret Batcave in the sub-basement.

The Batcave was relocated back to beneath Wayne Manor

The Batcave is under the Wayne manor on the ourskirt of Gotham City

The lower level of the Batcave contain Batman's gynasium and also the spectacular Trophy room

The batcave of the present with satellite Batcaves in different locations in Gotham City

.

When Your Ass Speaks, Shut Up and Listen

When Your Ass Speaks, Shut Up and Listen
Balaam, an Angel and a Donkey
Text: Numbers 22:1-35


Balak, king of the Moabites was worried. His spies reported the invasion of this group of escaped slaves from Egypt called Israelites. They had won spectacular victories over King Og and King Sihon and are even at this moment camped beside the Jordan River, near Jericho. Balak was worried that the Israelites will be eyeing his country next. He also knew that he cannot defeat them by his army alone. So with his advisors, he hatched a plot to defeat these invaders. If they cannot be defeated by physical force, maybe they can be defeated by magic.

Balak knew of a powerful sorcerer and diviner named Balaam. He was so powerful that those he blessed prospered and those he cursed self-destructed. So Balak decided to enlist his help. He started by sending his prince-elders with a suitable amount of gold and silver to buy his services. Balaam received them and told them to stay the night. That night he consulted with God who told him to refuse. The delegation reported back to Balak.

Balak sent another delegation. This time it includes his more distinguished prince-elders and even more gold and silver. Again Balaam invited them to stay and that night consulted with God. It seems that this gentile prophet has open access to God. God said to go but on condition that Balaam will obey and say only what God had directed him to say.

The next day, Balaam saddled his donkey and set off on the main road. Suddenly, the donkey saw an angel with a sword in the middle of the road. So she turned off the road and went into the field. Surprisingly, the powerful wizard cannot see the angel. Angry at the change in direction, he beat his donkey with a stick. As the donkey continued along a narrow lane between two vineyards, again she saw the angel so she had to squeeze to the side of the lane to avoid the angel. This scratched Balaam’s foot so he got angry and beat the donkey again. The donkey continue into a smaller lane who there stand the angel and there was no escape. The donkey knelt down and refused to move. This was a smart donkey.

Again Balaam hit her. “Why did you hit me?” spoke the donkey, “have I not served you faithfully before.” It must have been incredible for the donkey to speak. It was even more incredible for Balaam to answer her. Balaam acted as if it was commonplace for animals to speak. The Lord showed the angel with the sword to Balaam and Balaam immediately perceived his peril. He fell on his face, confessed, repented and begged for forgiveness.

This story is part of larger collection of Balaam stories. However I want to draw some lessons from this:

(1) The Lord is in Total Control

This was a popular story amongst the Jewish audience for many centuries. It shows that the Lord, our God is in total control of the situation. The Lord was aware of what was happening with his people in Transjordan. They have just defeated the people of Sihon and Og. Yet he was also aware of what was transpiring in Moab.

Balaam is a Gentile prophet. We are told that he was a powerful sorcerer and diviner. It is not surprising that God sometimes uses people from outside the Israel nation. Some scholars debate whether Balaam is a true prophet. The word used for the Lord is elohim and Yahweh. Elohim is also used as a generic name for God. Hence Balaam may be worshipping a god when he suddenly came into contact with the real God; Yahweh. This story illustrates in a wonderful way that God is in total control of the whole situation. From where you are standing now, it may not appear so. You may be wondering why God allowed some bad things to happen to you. Be assured that God has not abandoned you. As God has shown, He was aware of what is happening in Moab which was quite a distance from where the Israelites were encamped. What is even more wonderful is that He forbade Balaam to ‘curse them’. No one who belongs to God can be cursed because God is more powerful than powers and principalities.

(2) The Lord demands total obedience.

One may wonder why God was so tough on Balaam. After all, did Balaam not follow God’s instructions closely? When God said, “Don’t go.” He didn’t. When God said “Go,” he went. My suspicion is that God is not unreasonable but that God knew the disobedience in Balaam’s heart. Though outwardly, Balaam was a model of obedience, in his inner heart there must be treachery. He must be thinking if I could fool this ‘god’ by pretending to obey and then when the occasion was right, he would curse the Israelites.
Later in the book of Numbers, we were shown that Balaam was responsible for leading the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality. In fact, Balaam’s name was infamous through the Bible starting from Numbers, Deuteronomy and even in Revelation.

God’s instructions were clear. ‘Say only what I told you to say.’ The fact that he sent an angel to kill Balaam meant that God knew that Balaam did not intend to follow His instructions to the letter. Many of us do not take the Lord seriously. We make bargains with the Lord when we are in trouble. We gave our vows when we have been emotionally or spiritually trapped. We pledged to give of our time, money, and possessions if the Lord will help us. Yet when we are out of trouble, we forget our bargains, vows, and pledges.

We also take the instructions of the Lord lightly. We know what He wants us to do, the type of life He wants us to live, and the kind of people He wants us to be. All His instructions and expectations are all available to us in the Bible so we cannot plead ignorance. He even came Himself as Jesus Christ to show us how it can be done. Yet, we so often disregard His instructions when it inconvenience us; when it moves us out of our comfort zone; and when its demand something sacrificial from us. The story of Balaam shows us that God will not be mocked.

(3) Listen to all around you because the Lord may speak through them.

The talking donkey shows us that sometimes we can miss seeing something that is right in front of our eyes. Balaam, for all his divination skills cannot see the angel with the sword. Yet his donkey can. So, we have to have humility and not be dogmatic in our walk with the Lord. Sometimes, our pride may blind our spiritual eyes. Then we cannot see where the Lord is leading us and walked right out of His will.

God did not always choose to speak through the high and mighty. He also speaks through the lowly donkey or ass. So we must be ever alert to discern God’s leading and instruction from all things around us. Anyone and anything can teach us spiritual lessons if we are humble and sensitive enough to discern them.

The story of Balaam, his donkey and an angel teaches us that God is in total control, He demands total obedience, and we have to be spiritually discerning if we do not want to miss His guidance to our regret. It means we have to walk closely with Him at all times.

Reflection Questions
(1) Do you believe that God is in total control of all situations? As you read the newspaper today, watch the news on televisions and look at your or your friend’s life circumstances, do you believe that He is in control? Why? Or why not?
(2) Have you been obedient to His instructions as revealed in the Bible? If not, why not? What is stopping you? What steps will you take to correct that? If yes, praise the Lord.
(3) How do you think pride prevents us from learning from those whom we consider ‘non-spiritual’ or from lowly people? What do you think we should do to be humble enough to learn from them?

Lord,

Give us the conviction that You are in total control of what is happening in the world today. Reassure us that You have a plan. Help us to be obedient to you. Give us the strength to resist temptations to be disobedient. Help us to develop discerning eyes and humble ears to see and hear your presence in the world today.

Amen


picture credit

soli deo gloria

When Your Ass Speaks, Shut Up and Listen

When Your Ass Speaks, Shut Up and Listen
Balaam, an Angel and a Donkey
Text: Numbers 22:1-35


Balak, king of the Moabites was worried. His spies reported the invasion of this group of escaped slaves from Egypt called Israelites. They had won spectacular victories over King Og and King Sihon and are even at this moment camped beside the Jordan River, near Jericho. Balak was worried that the Israelites will be eyeing his country next. He also knew that he cannot defeat them by his army alone. So with his advisors, he hatched a plot to defeat these invaders. If they cannot be defeated by physical force, maybe they can be defeated by magic.

Balak knew of a powerful sorcerer and diviner named Balaam. He was so powerful that those he blessed prospered and those he cursed self-destructed. So Balak decided to enlist his help. He started by sending his prince-elders with a suitable amount of gold and silver to buy his services. Balaam received them and told them to stay the night. That night he consulted with God who told him to refuse. The delegation reported back to Balak.

Balak sent another delegation. This time it includes his more distinguished prince-elders and even more gold and silver. Again Balaam invited them to stay and that night consulted with God. It seems that this gentile prophet has open access to God. God said to go but on condition that Balaam will obey and say only what God had directed him to say.

The next day, Balaam saddled his donkey and set off on the main road. Suddenly, the donkey saw an angel with a sword in the middle of the road. So she turned off the road and went into the field. Surprisingly, the powerful wizard cannot see the angel. Angry at the change in direction, he beat his donkey with a stick. As the donkey continued along a narrow lane between two vineyards, again she saw the angel so she had to squeeze to the side of the lane to avoid the angel. This scratched Balaam’s foot so he got angry and beat the donkey again. The donkey continue into a smaller lane who there stand the angel and there was no escape. The donkey knelt down and refused to move. This was a smart donkey.

Again Balaam hit her. “Why did you hit me?” spoke the donkey, “have I not served you faithfully before.” It must have been incredible for the donkey to speak. It was even more incredible for Balaam to answer her. Balaam acted as if it was commonplace for animals to speak. The Lord showed the angel with the sword to Balaam and Balaam immediately perceived his peril. He fell on his face, confessed, repented and begged for forgiveness.

This story is part of larger collection of Balaam stories. However I want to draw some lessons from this:

(1) The Lord is in Total Control

This was a popular story amongst the Jewish audience for many centuries. It shows that the Lord, our God is in total control of the situation. The Lord was aware of what was happening with his people in Transjordan. They have just defeated the people of Sihon and Og. Yet he was also aware of what was transpiring in Moab.

Balaam is a Gentile prophet. We are told that he was a powerful sorcerer and diviner. It is not surprising that God sometimes uses people from outside the Israel nation. Some scholars debate whether Balaam is a true prophet. The word used for the Lord is elohim and Yahweh. Elohim is also used as a generic name for God. Hence Balaam may be worshipping a god when he suddenly came into contact with the real God; Yahweh. This story illustrates in a wonderful way that God is in total control of the whole situation. From where you are standing now, it may not appear so. You may be wondering why God allowed some bad things to happen to you. Be assured that God has not abandoned you. As God has shown, He was aware of what is happening in Moab which was quite a distance from where the Israelites were encamped. What is even more wonderful is that He forbade Balaam to ‘curse them’. No one who belongs to God can be cursed because God is more powerful than powers and principalities.

(2) The Lord demands total obedience.

One may wonder why God was so tough on Balaam. After all, did Balaam not follow God’s instructions closely? When God said, “Don’t go.” He didn’t. When God said “Go,” he went. My suspicion is that God is not unreasonable but that God knew the disobedience in Balaam’s heart. Though outwardly, Balaam was a model of obedience, in his inner heart there must be treachery. He must be thinking if I could fool this ‘god’ by pretending to obey and then when the occasion was right, he would curse the Israelites.
Later in the book of Numbers, we were shown that Balaam was responsible for leading the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality. In fact, Balaam’s name was infamous through the Bible starting from Numbers, Deuteronomy and even in Revelation.

God’s instructions were clear. ‘Say only what I told you to say.’ The fact that he sent an angel to kill Balaam meant that God knew that Balaam did not intend to follow His instructions to the letter. Many of us do not take the Lord seriously. We make bargains with the Lord when we are in trouble. We gave our vows when we have been emotionally or spiritually trapped. We pledged to give of our time, money, and possessions if the Lord will help us. Yet when we are out of trouble, we forget our bargains, vows, and pledges.

We also take the instructions of the Lord lightly. We know what He wants us to do, the type of life He wants us to live, and the kind of people He wants us to be. All His instructions and expectations are all available to us in the Bible so we cannot plead ignorance. He even came Himself as Jesus Christ to show us how it can be done. Yet, we so often disregard His instructions when it inconvenience us; when it moves us out of our comfort zone; and when its demand something sacrificial from us. The story of Balaam shows us that God will not be mocked.

(3) Listen to all around you because the Lord may speak through them.

The talking donkey shows us that sometimes we can miss seeing something that is right in front of our eyes. Balaam, for all his divination skills cannot see the angel with the sword. Yet his donkey can. So, we have to have humility and not be dogmatic in our walk with the Lord. Sometimes, our pride may blind our spiritual eyes. Then we cannot see where the Lord is leading us and walked right out of His will.

God did not always choose to speak through the high and mighty. He also speaks through the lowly donkey or ass. So we must be ever alert to discern God’s leading and instruction from all things around us. Anyone and anything can teach us spiritual lessons if we are humble and sensitive enough to discern them.

The story of Balaam, his donkey and an angel teaches us that God is in total control, He demands total obedience, and we have to be spiritually discerning if we do not want to miss His guidance to our regret. It means we have to walk closely with Him at all times.

Reflection Questions
(1) Do you believe that God is in total control of all situations? As you read the newspaper today, watch the news on televisions and look at your or your friend’s life circumstances, do you believe that He is in control? Why? Or why not?
(2) Have you been obedient to His instructions as revealed in the Bible? If not, why not? What is stopping you? What steps will you take to correct that? If yes, praise the Lord.
(3) How do you think pride prevents us from learning from those whom we consider ‘non-spiritual’ or from lowly people? What do you think we should do to be humble enough to learn from them?

Lord,

Give us the conviction that You are in total control of what is happening in the world today. Reassure us that You have a plan. Help us to be obedient to you. Give us the strength to resist temptations to be disobedient. Help us to develop discerning eyes and humble ears to see and hear your presence in the world today.

Amen


picture credit

soli deo gloria

Batman and Son

That's right. Batman has a son. This original storyline from BATMAN comic issues 655-658, 663-66 by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert reveals that Batman sired a boy named Damian. The mother is Talia, the daughter of Ra's al Ghul, now mistress of the greatest criminal empire in the world. Damian is genetically engineered for the best qualities of Batman/Bruce Wayne and Ra's al Ghul.

Damian was raised by Talia to be like his father, the world's greatest detective. However he was also trained and indoctrinated by the League of Assassins. Batman accepts Damian under his wings. The question is whether Damian is a young boy trying to prove himself to his father or Talia's ultimate weapon to destroy Batman. The storyline was made more interesting when Batman has to face three different versions of himself. An enjoyable read.


read more of my comments on comics here

Batman and Son

That's right. Batman has a son. This original storyline from BATMAN comic issues 655-658, 663-66 by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert reveals that Batman sired a boy named Damian. The mother is Talia, the daughter of Ra's al Ghul, now mistress of the greatest criminal empire in the world. Damian is genetically engineered for the best qualities of Batman/Bruce Wayne and Ra's al Ghul.

Damian was raised by Talia to be like his father, the world's greatest detective. However he was also trained and indoctrinated by the League of Assassins. Batman accepts Damian under his wings. The question is whether Damian is a young boy trying to prove himself to his father or Talia's ultimate weapon to destroy Batman. The storyline was made more interesting when Batman has to face three different versions of himself. An enjoyable read.


read more of my comments on comics here

Bringing Light Out of the Darkness

Reading this book is like reading some one's personal diary or a protected personal blog. I feel very uneasy especially when I knew that Mother Teresa had no intention of having her personal diary and correspondence published.

The books contains extracts of letters, personal notes and observations with commentaries giving the context, time and place of these writings.

It reminds me of reading the writings of another Teresa, St.Teresa of Avila. The greatest impression this book has made on me is that here is a woman in love with Jesus. After she embarked on her mission, she suddenly lost the sense of Jesus' presence. Although there were a few occasions when she did feel His presence, it never lasted long. Mother Teresa calls these periods of His absence as the 'darkness'.

In spite of her personal 'darkness', Mother Teresa resolves to keep her pain to herself and present to the world a face of one called by Jesus for a special mission. She hides her suffering behind a smile of encouragement.

Reading her writings does not reveal a person who is suffering from depression or burn out due to chronic stress working in the Calcutta slums. All these has been postulated as reasons for her 'darkness.' Personally, I believe her 'darkness' is what St. John of the Cross described as the dark night of the soul. It is in the absence that is the Presence.

I finished it with my respect for Mother Teresa increased. She is undoubtedly a woman of courage and strength. That she sacrificed so much, including the support she could have received from her sisters is a miracle indeed. Here is a life built on service to Jesus Christ, her Lord.

sli deo gloria

Bringing Light Out of the Darkness

Reading this book is like reading some one's personal diary or a protected personal blog. I feel very uneasy especially when I knew that Mother Teresa had no intention of having her personal diary and correspondence published.

The books contains extracts of letters, personal notes and observations with commentaries giving the context, time and place of these writings.

It reminds me of reading the writings of another Teresa, St.Teresa of Avila. The greatest impression this book has made on me is that here is a woman in love with Jesus. After she embarked on her mission, she suddenly lost the sense of Jesus' presence. Although there were a few occasions when she did feel His presence, it never lasted long. Mother Teresa calls these periods of His absence as the 'darkness'.

In spite of her personal 'darkness', Mother Teresa resolves to keep her pain to herself and present to the world a face of one called by Jesus for a special mission. She hides her suffering behind a smile of encouragement.

Reading her writings does not reveal a person who is suffering from depression or burn out due to chronic stress working in the Calcutta slums. All these has been postulated as reasons for her 'darkness.' Personally, I believe her 'darkness' is what St. John of the Cross described as the dark night of the soul. It is in the absence that is the Presence.

I finished it with my respect for Mother Teresa increased. She is undoubtedly a woman of courage and strength. That she sacrificed so much, including the support she could have received from her sisters is a miracle indeed. Here is a life built on service to Jesus Christ, her Lord.

sli deo gloria

How to Preach a Narrative Sermon

Is it difficult to preach a narrative sermon? Some pastors seem to think so while others think it is a breeze. Recently I read a book that teaches narrative preaching. What is interesting is that the author has been preaching it for 50 years!

Calvin Miller (2006), Preaching: The Art of Narrative Preaching (Grand Rapids. MI: Baker Books) is an excellent book by a preacher, pastor and teacher of homiletics (preaching).

Miller takes us through ‘birthing’ a sermon from exegesis, writing, and preaching a sermon. One of his points is to be yourself in the pulpit and not try to imitate another preacher. He has written a poem about being himself.

“I-Ness”
I’m me, and my “I-ness” is special to me.
Minus my “I-ness” I’d just be like you,
And you’d be like me and that’s nothing new.
“You-ness” looks good, but only on you.
‘Cause “you-ness” wouldn’t fit where “I-ness” should be.
My “I-ness” looks great, but only on me.

The gem of the book is in the appendix where he names and pays tribute to the great preachers and their specific strengths in building a sermon:

Meat and Potatoes (expository base of the sermon): Haddon W. Robinson
The Mind of the Sermon: Ian Pitt-Watson
The Subject of the Sermon: Bryan Chapell [subject is always Christ]
The Soul of the Sermon: Barbara Brown Taylor
The Witness of Preaching: Thomas Long
The Philosophy of Preaching; John Stott
The Narrative Base: Eugene Lowry
The Movement of the Sermon: David Buttrick
The Spirit and Life of the Sermon: Donald Coggan
The Sermon and Altar: Calvin Miller

.

How to Preach a Narrative Sermon

Is it difficult to preach a narrative sermon? Some pastors seem to think so while others think it is a breeze. Recently I read a book that teaches narrative preaching. What is interesting is that the author has been preaching it for 50 years!

Calvin Miller (2006), Preaching: The Art of Narrative Preaching (Grand Rapids. MI: Baker Books) is an excellent book by a preacher, pastor and teacher of homiletics (preaching).

Miller takes us through ‘birthing’ a sermon from exegesis, writing, and preaching a sermon. One of his points is to be yourself in the pulpit and not try to imitate another preacher. He has written a poem about being himself.

“I-Ness”
I’m me, and my “I-ness” is special to me.
Minus my “I-ness” I’d just be like you,
And you’d be like me and that’s nothing new.
“You-ness” looks good, but only on you.
‘Cause “you-ness” wouldn’t fit where “I-ness” should be.
My “I-ness” looks great, but only on me.

The gem of the book is in the appendix where he names and pays tribute to the great preachers and their specific strengths in building a sermon:

Meat and Potatoes (expository base of the sermon): Haddon W. Robinson
The Mind of the Sermon: Ian Pitt-Watson
The Subject of the Sermon: Bryan Chapell [subject is always Christ]
The Soul of the Sermon: Barbara Brown Taylor
The Witness of Preaching: Thomas Long
The Philosophy of Preaching; John Stott
The Narrative Base: Eugene Lowry
The Movement of the Sermon: David Buttrick
The Spirit and Life of the Sermon: Donald Coggan
The Sermon and Altar: Calvin Miller

.

Preaching for all Seasons of Life

Leadership Journal, Summer 2007 featured a really excellent article by Gordon MacDonald

Incarnate Preaching
It's not just living your words, it's knowing the lives of those you're speaking to.

MacDonald, drawing on his long experience as a preacher and pastor shares his wisdom on how to make his sermons relevant. What struck me most are his

Questions of the Decade

When I preach to people in their twenties, I am aware that they are asking questions such as:

What makes me different from my family of origin or the people around me?
In what direction am I going to point my life in order to pay my way through life?
Am I lovable and am I capable of loving?
Around what will I center my life?

Those in their thirties tend to have accumulated serious long-range responsibilities: spouses, babies, home mortgages, and serious income needs. Suddenly life becomes overrun with responsibilities. Time and priorities become important. Fatigue and stress levels rise. The questions shift to:

How can I get done all of these things for which I am responsible?
Why do I have so many self-doubts?
Why is my spiritual center so confused?
What happened to all the fun I used to have?
Why haven't I resolved all my sin problems?
Why is there so little time for friendships?

For people in their forties, the questions do not get any easier. Now they are asking:

Why are some of my peers doing better than me?
Why am I so often disappointed in myself, in others?
Why isn't my faith deeper?
Why is my marriage less than dazzling?
Why do I yearn to go back to the carefree days of my youth?
Should I scale back some of my dreams?
Why do I no longer feel attractive?

People in their fifties are asking:

Do these young people think I'm obsolete?
Why is my body becoming increasingly unreliable?
Why are so few of my friendships nourishing?
What do my spouse and I have in common now that the children are leaving?
Does this marriage of mine offer any intimacy at all?
Why is my job no longer a satisfying experience?
Are the best years of life over?
Do I have anything of value to give any longer?

Those in their sixties ask:

How long can I keep on doing the things that define me?
Why do my peers look so much older than me?
What does it mean to grow old?
How do I deal with angers and resentments that I've never resolved?
Why do my friends and I talk so much about death and dying?

Those in their seventies and above have questions such as:

Does anyone around here know who I once was?
How do I cope with all this increasing weakness around me?
How many years do I have left?
How long can I maintain my independence and my dignity?
When I die, how will it happen?
What about all these things I intended to do (and be) and never got around to?

Can a sermon speak to these issues? For many listeners, sermons that ignore these questions will not be credible.

It is around matters like these, which change through the years, that the preacher can speak into the fears, the failures and regrets, the longings and opportunities, and bring words of hope and clarity, touching a life with Christ's presence

read more

.

Preaching for all Seasons of Life

Leadership Journal, Summer 2007 featured a really excellent article by Gordon MacDonald

Incarnate Preaching
It's not just living your words, it's knowing the lives of those you're speaking to.

MacDonald, drawing on his long experience as a preacher and pastor shares his wisdom on how to make his sermons relevant. What struck me most are his

Questions of the Decade

When I preach to people in their twenties, I am aware that they are asking questions such as:

What makes me different from my family of origin or the people around me?
In what direction am I going to point my life in order to pay my way through life?
Am I lovable and am I capable of loving?
Around what will I center my life?

Those in their thirties tend to have accumulated serious long-range responsibilities: spouses, babies, home mortgages, and serious income needs. Suddenly life becomes overrun with responsibilities. Time and priorities become important. Fatigue and stress levels rise. The questions shift to:

How can I get done all of these things for which I am responsible?
Why do I have so many self-doubts?
Why is my spiritual center so confused?
What happened to all the fun I used to have?
Why haven't I resolved all my sin problems?
Why is there so little time for friendships?

For people in their forties, the questions do not get any easier. Now they are asking:

Why are some of my peers doing better than me?
Why am I so often disappointed in myself, in others?
Why isn't my faith deeper?
Why is my marriage less than dazzling?
Why do I yearn to go back to the carefree days of my youth?
Should I scale back some of my dreams?
Why do I no longer feel attractive?

People in their fifties are asking:

Do these young people think I'm obsolete?
Why is my body becoming increasingly unreliable?
Why are so few of my friendships nourishing?
What do my spouse and I have in common now that the children are leaving?
Does this marriage of mine offer any intimacy at all?
Why is my job no longer a satisfying experience?
Are the best years of life over?
Do I have anything of value to give any longer?

Those in their sixties ask:

How long can I keep on doing the things that define me?
Why do my peers look so much older than me?
What does it mean to grow old?
How do I deal with angers and resentments that I've never resolved?
Why do my friends and I talk so much about death and dying?

Those in their seventies and above have questions such as:

Does anyone around here know who I once was?
How do I cope with all this increasing weakness around me?
How many years do I have left?
How long can I maintain my independence and my dignity?
When I die, how will it happen?
What about all these things I intended to do (and be) and never got around to?

Can a sermon speak to these issues? For many listeners, sermons that ignore these questions will not be credible.

It is around matters like these, which change through the years, that the preacher can speak into the fears, the failures and regrets, the longings and opportunities, and bring words of hope and clarity, touching a life with Christ's presence

read more

.

The White Feather of Cowardice

The Four Feathers is a remake of a timeless romance based on a novel. This movie was made in 2002. The previous movies were made in 1939 and 1977. Like all great stories, it is about love, honor, loyalties and discovering who we really are. This movie is set in the 19th Century when the British Empire ruled the world.

In Sudan there was an uprising led by an Islamic fundamentalist called Mahdi. This was the time of General Gordon of Khartoum. The British garrisons in Sudan were annihilated by the local rebels and fresh British troops were being sent in.

Harry Feversham was son of General Feversham, a famous British general. He had always drifted through life, doing what his authoritative father wanted him to do. After college, he joined the army. His intention was to hold a military commission for two years (as expected by his father) and then resign and get on with his life. He is in love with a beautiful girl who loved him and they were about to be married. Harry's life shattered when his regiment were sent to Sudan. Harry suddenly discovered that he really do not know who he is. In his gesalt of self discovery, he discovered that he did not want to go to war. Harry resigned his commission. In the 19th century, it was regarded as a noble task to fight for the Queen and country. To refuse to fight is regarded as an act of cowardice. This is symbolised by three white feathers sent by his three best friends in the regiment. The fourth was from his fiance!

The story is about a man who set out on a journey of inner self discovery. His refusal to go to war and resignation from the army branded him a coward. So he set out to Sudan to face his inner demons. One by one he redeemed his white feathers by saving his friends in heroic situations. He found that being brave is not the courage to face death but to face life.

This is a period movie with costumes and cliches. Yet, it is timeless because it deals with a basic question. Who are we? When the houses of card on which we built our identities collapsed and we are flat on the ground, then we will really know who we really are. How may of us have the courage to rebuild with solid bricks and a strong foundation? I suspect many of us will prefer to rebuild our houses of card again.

The key scene in the movie was when Harry told his fiance that he was refusing to go to war. They were in a nave of a church. The next time they met at the end of the movie in the same place, Harry was a changed person. It is symbolic as it reminds me of one of Elliot poem that in searching for ourselves, we will end up from where we began. The search is within, not without.

There is a lot of fighting and bloody scenes, comparable to Zulu but not like 300. Bloody good show, what?

.

The White Feather of Cowardice

The Four Feathers is a remake of a timeless romance based on a novel. This movie was made in 2002. The previous movies were made in 1939 and 1977. Like all great stories, it is about love, honor, loyalties and discovering who we really are. This movie is set in the 19th Century when the British Empire ruled the world.

In Sudan there was an uprising led by an Islamic fundamentalist called Mahdi. This was the time of General Gordon of Khartoum. The British garrisons in Sudan were annihilated by the local rebels and fresh British troops were being sent in.

Harry Feversham was son of General Feversham, a famous British general. He had always drifted through life, doing what his authoritative father wanted him to do. After college, he joined the army. His intention was to hold a military commission for two years (as expected by his father) and then resign and get on with his life. He is in love with a beautiful girl who loved him and they were about to be married. Harry's life shattered when his regiment were sent to Sudan. Harry suddenly discovered that he really do not know who he is. In his gesalt of self discovery, he discovered that he did not want to go to war. Harry resigned his commission. In the 19th century, it was regarded as a noble task to fight for the Queen and country. To refuse to fight is regarded as an act of cowardice. This is symbolised by three white feathers sent by his three best friends in the regiment. The fourth was from his fiance!

The story is about a man who set out on a journey of inner self discovery. His refusal to go to war and resignation from the army branded him a coward. So he set out to Sudan to face his inner demons. One by one he redeemed his white feathers by saving his friends in heroic situations. He found that being brave is not the courage to face death but to face life.

This is a period movie with costumes and cliches. Yet, it is timeless because it deals with a basic question. Who are we? When the houses of card on which we built our identities collapsed and we are flat on the ground, then we will really know who we really are. How may of us have the courage to rebuild with solid bricks and a strong foundation? I suspect many of us will prefer to rebuild our houses of card again.

The key scene in the movie was when Harry told his fiance that he was refusing to go to war. They were in a nave of a church. The next time they met at the end of the movie in the same place, Harry was a changed person. It is symbolic as it reminds me of one of Elliot poem that in searching for ourselves, we will end up from where we began. The search is within, not without.

There is a lot of fighting and bloody scenes, comparable to Zulu but not like 300. Bloody good show, what?

.

Persecution, Proclaimation, Profession, Power

Persecution, Proclamation, Profession, Power
Text: Acts 8:1- 25

Sermon Statement (Big idea)

God uses all types of circumstances as opportunities for his people to share the gospel so that others may be saved. There will be true and false professions of the faith. To all true believers there is only one church. Power is a powerful attraction for some, even within the church.

Introduction

Adverse events in our lives may lead to better things. In the Bible, Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers. Yet, it turn into an opportunity for him to become the right hand man of Pharaoh and saved his family from starvation.

read more

.

Persecution, Proclaimation, Profession, Power

Persecution, Proclamation, Profession, Power
Text: Acts 8:1- 25

Sermon Statement (Big idea)

God uses all types of circumstances as opportunities for his people to share the gospel so that others may be saved. There will be true and false professions of the faith. To all true believers there is only one church. Power is a powerful attraction for some, even within the church.

Introduction

Adverse events in our lives may lead to better things. In the Bible, Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers. Yet, it turn into an opportunity for him to become the right hand man of Pharaoh and saved his family from starvation.

read more

.

St. John's Illuminated Bible

A modern day attempt to create a medieval illuminated bible, named St. John's Bible.

By the time the Bible is finished (scheduled for 2009), the 1,150 handwritten pages will represent a decade of conversations and labor by artists, theologians, and scholars on two continents. Eventually, the pages will be bound between boards of Welsh oak into seven volumes and displayed in the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library on Saint John's campus.
Smithsonian magazine says that the Bible, expected to cost $4 million in donations, is "one of the extraordinary undertakings of our times." According to Saint John's, the endeavor is "a bold and dignified witness to the enduring importance of the Word of God."

read more

slideshow here


.

St. John's Illuminated Bible

A modern day attempt to create a medieval illuminated bible, named St. John's Bible.

By the time the Bible is finished (scheduled for 2009), the 1,150 handwritten pages will represent a decade of conversations and labor by artists, theologians, and scholars on two continents. Eventually, the pages will be bound between boards of Welsh oak into seven volumes and displayed in the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library on Saint John's campus.
Smithsonian magazine says that the Bible, expected to cost $4 million in donations, is "one of the extraordinary undertakings of our times." According to Saint John's, the endeavor is "a bold and dignified witness to the enduring importance of the Word of God."

read more

slideshow here


.

Forgive and Remember

Pearlie blogged about "Forgive, forget and reconcile": a fallacy? and offered some convincing evidence that it is problematic in real practice.

Here is an interesting abstract from Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, David L. Weaver-Zercher (September 27, 2007, $24.95 cloth)

In fact, forgiveness is less a matter of "forgive and forget" than forgive and remember—remembering in ways that bring healing, as Miroslav Volf writes in Free of Charge. When we remember, we take the broken pieces of our lives—lives that have been dismembered by tragedy and injustice—and re-member them into something whole. Literally forgetting an egregious offense, personally or publicly, may not be possible, but all of us can and do make decisions about how we remember what we cannot forget.

For the Amish, gracious remembering involves habits nurtured by memories of Jesus forgiving his tormentors while hanging on a cross and of Dirk Willems returning to pull his enemy out of the icy water. When thirteen-year-old Marian said "shoot me first" in the schoolhouse, and when adults in her community walked over to the killer's family with words of grace a few hours after her death, they were acting on those habits. And just as surely, their actions at Nickel Mines will be recounted around Amish dinner tables for generations to come, creating and renewing memories about the power of faith to respond in the face of injustice—even violence—with grace.

In a world where faith often justifies and magnifies revenge, and in a nation where some Christians use scripture to fuel retaliation, the Amish response was indeed a surprise. Regardless of the details of the Nickel Mines story, one message rings clear: religion was not used to justify rage and revenge but to inspire goodness, forgiveness, and grace. And that is the big lesson for the rest of us regardless of our faith or nationality.

read more


.

Forgive and Remember

Pearlie blogged about "Forgive, forget and reconcile": a fallacy? and offered some convincing evidence that it is problematic in real practice.

Here is an interesting abstract from Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, David L. Weaver-Zercher (September 27, 2007, $24.95 cloth)

In fact, forgiveness is less a matter of "forgive and forget" than forgive and remember—remembering in ways that bring healing, as Miroslav Volf writes in Free of Charge. When we remember, we take the broken pieces of our lives—lives that have been dismembered by tragedy and injustice—and re-member them into something whole. Literally forgetting an egregious offense, personally or publicly, may not be possible, but all of us can and do make decisions about how we remember what we cannot forget.

For the Amish, gracious remembering involves habits nurtured by memories of Jesus forgiving his tormentors while hanging on a cross and of Dirk Willems returning to pull his enemy out of the icy water. When thirteen-year-old Marian said "shoot me first" in the schoolhouse, and when adults in her community walked over to the killer's family with words of grace a few hours after her death, they were acting on those habits. And just as surely, their actions at Nickel Mines will be recounted around Amish dinner tables for generations to come, creating and renewing memories about the power of faith to respond in the face of injustice—even violence—with grace.

In a world where faith often justifies and magnifies revenge, and in a nation where some Christians use scripture to fuel retaliation, the Amish response was indeed a surprise. Regardless of the details of the Nickel Mines story, one message rings clear: religion was not used to justify rage and revenge but to inspire goodness, forgiveness, and grace. And that is the big lesson for the rest of us regardless of our faith or nationality.

read more


.

Five Hundred Posts

The Athenian Agora was my 500th post for this blog. Since January 2006, I have been blogging. I hope you have enjoyed the posts as much as I have in writing them.

picture credit

Five Hundred Posts

The Athenian Agora was my 500th post for this blog. Since January 2006, I have been blogging. I hope you have enjoyed the posts as much as I have in writing them.

picture credit

The Red One or The Blue One

Moepheus begins by describing Neo’s plight as similar to Alice falling down the rabbit hole in Lewis Carroll’s story. He comments that Neo has the look of one who accepts only what he sees because he is in a dream and about to awaken, which is why they brought him here. It is his chance to learn what the Matrix is; Morpheus asks if he wants to know.

Neo nods slowly, but without hesitation, as if realizing that this is a turning point in his life, marking a change forever. Morpheus explains: “The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us, even now in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window, or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you to the truth.”

Neo inquires as to what truth Morpheus is referring to.

“That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage, born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison for your mind.”

Moepheus opens a small silver box, takes out two pills from it, and informs Neo that mere description is not enough; that he must see it for himself to understand. Morpheus the leans forward, with a pill in each hand.

“This is your last chance. After this, there is no going back. You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

After having watched the Matrix Trilogy Movies by the Watchowski brothers and knowing what you know now, if you are Neo which pill will you choose: The blue one or the red one?


choose

The Red One or The Blue One

Moepheus begins by describing Neo’s plight as similar to Alice falling down the rabbit hole in Lewis Carroll’s story. He comments that Neo has the look of one who accepts only what he sees because he is in a dream and about to awaken, which is why they brought him here. It is his chance to learn what the Matrix is; Morpheus asks if he wants to know.

Neo nods slowly, but without hesitation, as if realizing that this is a turning point in his life, marking a change forever. Morpheus explains: “The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us, even now in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window, or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you to the truth.”

Neo inquires as to what truth Morpheus is referring to.

“That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage, born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison for your mind.”

Moepheus opens a small silver box, takes out two pills from it, and informs Neo that mere description is not enough; that he must see it for himself to understand. Morpheus the leans forward, with a pill in each hand.

“This is your last chance. After this, there is no going back. You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

After having watched the Matrix Trilogy Movies by the Watchowski brothers and knowing what you know now, if you are Neo which pill will you choose: The blue one or the red one?


choose

Athenian Agora by Panathenaic Way

AC 17:16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

(click on photo for an enlarged view)

Imagine Paul coming into the Athenian Agora. He would have been travelling from the port, having passed the Kerameikos and walked under the entrance arch of the Roman Basilica.

The Agora comprised a large open square where social and cultural events, religious festivals, open-air theatrical events and athletic contests were held and commercial exchange took place.

Looking to his right, he would have seen the Temple of Ares. Behind the temple, up on the hill is the Temple of Hephaisteion.

Further along the road on the left would be the Odeion of Agrippa- a state of the art entertainment hub of the time. This theatre was built by Marcus Vipsanius Agripa, an official of Augusus Caesar. Outside stood statues featuring three serpent tailed Giants and Titons on huge plith. Today two Titons and one Giant remains. This is a Giant.

To the right of the road would be the imposing Stoa of Attalos. A stoa is a sort of a shopping mall with a corridor on one side and shops on the other.

This is the corridor of the stoa where the people will gather and the shops would be on the right. There would have been 12 shops. Presently the shop space houses the Museum of the Agora



In front of the Stoa of Attalos on the right side of the road was the Bema. This was the speaker corner where anyone have a right to speak. Here I was standing on a stone that was engraved speaker's platform. To think that some of the great orators of Greece once stood here to speak. Stoic and Epicurean philosophers. Maybe Socrates, Plato or Aristotle. The apostle Paul may have spoken here. Cool!





At the end southern corner stood the Nymphaion or Fountain House. Now the Church of the Holy Apostles is sited here.

soli deo gloria

Athenian Agora by Panathenaic Way

AC 17:16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

(click on photo for an enlarged view)

Imagine Paul coming into the Athenian Agora. He would have been travelling from the port, having passed the Kerameikos and walked under the entrance arch of the Roman Basilica.

The Agora comprised a large open square where social and cultural events, religious festivals, open-air theatrical events and athletic contests were held and commercial exchange took place.

Looking to his right, he would have seen the Temple of Ares. Behind the temple, up on the hill is the Temple of Hephaisteion.

Further along the road on the left would be the Odeion of Agrippa- a state of the art entertainment hub of the time. This theatre was built by Marcus Vipsanius Agripa, an official of Augusus Caesar. Outside stood statues featuring three serpent tailed Giants and Titons on huge plith. Today two Titons and one Giant remains. This is a Giant.

To the right of the road would be the imposing Stoa of Attalos. A stoa is a sort of a shopping mall with a corridor on one side and shops on the other.

This is the corridor of the stoa where the people will gather and the shops would be on the right. There would have been 12 shops. Presently the shop space houses the Museum of the Agora



In front of the Stoa of Attalos on the right side of the road was the Bema. This was the speaker corner where anyone have a right to speak. Here I was standing on a stone that was engraved speaker's platform. To think that some of the great orators of Greece once stood here to speak. Stoic and Epicurean philosophers. Maybe Socrates, Plato or Aristotle. The apostle Paul may have spoken here. Cool!





At the end southern corner stood the Nymphaion or Fountain House. Now the Church of the Holy Apostles is sited here.

soli deo gloria