tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:28:55 +0000Joshua 3ReadingFinancial crisesbeginningsJohn FischerJoshuaChrist SufferingtripsDuke Divinity SchoolDave BarryJohn Mark McMillanMemoriesChurch GrowthDavid and Goliath"Mid-Course Correction"Holy SpiritChruchRetreatrelationshipsC.S. LewisColonMatthew 12:38ChangeBeerTrustRomansPresentDavid AdamChrist FollowerObedienceStonesCollegeLectio DivinaJoshua 4OrganizationJohn OrtbergJudgingfamilyOrganismPastOwnershipCoffee MugAndrew ZuckermanFaithPessimismIntimacy with GodVultureSpiritual LifeCalvaryPurifyGreat CommissionGraceAnne LomottTheologyWisdomFireflyWorshiptravelsMid-lifeCostMinistryGodRev. Jeremiah WrightJoshua 1ChristmasGod's WordsuccesstransformationSubmissionWhitewaterRulesBirthdayChristian BehaviorYoung adultsMySpaceAccountabilityCircumcisionPrayerTraditionalGrowthAnne LamottGod's WaysLifeFall FoliageGavin BryarsListenchurchChurch RevitalizationescapeBiographiesSnowResolutionsU2ContemporaryCourse of StudySpiritual growthDan FogelbergGod's GraceDiscipleshipEucharistSarah McMillanMarriageAngerSharingHoward Snyder12 StepsFollowing JesusUnderstanding GodBirdsGod's presenceGreedFutureGreat CommandmentOrchastra PieceBluesChristianMiley CyrusGuy timeLibrariesPoliticsMovingMoralityDonald MillerLentsayingsComputer VirusPhariseeUnlikely PeoplComplacencyDoubtConferenceMotherChonda PierceBookLarry NormanFacebookVBSSinTestimonyAsh Wednesdaythe LectionaryDonal Miller blogFlightBruce CockburnMac vs. PC ParodyWifeJokeTony CompoloStoriesHymnsPlane crashAge 50Gorden McDonaldTea MugMusiccultureCommunionJoshua 5Growing UpCCMEd StetzerStillnessBrokenPreaching"The Shack"personal timePurposeBattleDaughterGlorifying GodMissionLifestyleHolinessMemoryBumperstickersAnniversaryRahabAppointmentDeathPsalm 44Joshua 6TextingCharacterBooksManifestations of a Tethered SoulThe thoughts, questions and ponderings of one who is on a holy pilgrimage towards faith, truth and the joy of life, family and ministry.http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)Blogger81125ManifestationsOfATetheredSoulhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-7627428196225353038Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:28:00 +00002011-12-28T20:28:55.836-05:00Christian BehaviorJudgingPhariseeWalking in Another Person's Flip FlopsOK, I'll be the first to admit that doing a blog post that consists of quotes from a book (again) is probably the lazy persons way of doing things, and there might be some small truth to this, but it really is more than that. As I mentioned in my last post, I've been reading John Fischer's book, "12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee" and it has some really good things to say about us people who http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/12/walking-in-another-persons-flip-flops.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=ZPA9HBKQrJg:BL8RbZcwhA4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=ZPA9HBKQrJg:BL8RbZcwhA4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=ZPA9HBKQrJg:BL8RbZcwhA4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=ZPA9HBKQrJg:BL8RbZcwhA4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/ZPA9HBKQrJg" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-1844403744172445852Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:40:00 +00002011-12-20T15:40:46.370-05:0012 StepsPhariseeJohn FischerMe, a Pharisee?Many, many years ago, back in the early 80's, during the first stage of my life as a minister, I did a sermon series entitled, "Me, a Pharisee?" It was a rather pointed message, more pointed that it should have been, at times, and made a few folks upset with me. It wasn't that I wasn't preaching the truth, I was, but you can sometimes preach the truth/Gospel in a way that cracks open peoples http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/12/me-pharisee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=fmohfebvj_4:oA2aDt-g-vU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=fmohfebvj_4:oA2aDt-g-vU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=fmohfebvj_4:oA2aDt-g-vU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=fmohfebvj_4:oA2aDt-g-vU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/fmohfebvj_4" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-3611004248554629688Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:12:00 +00002011-11-28T15:12:52.177-05:00ObedienceFaithJoshua 6God's WaysGod's Holy Hand Grenade Click here to read Joshua 6 We are in a battle. It is around us, it concerns us, it involves us, and it impacts us. The Church is in the midst of that battle and every follower of Christ is being attacked on a daily basis. Our souls are the prize being fought for. It is an external battle but it is an internal one, and eternal one, as well. Some days we serve on one side and other days we may http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/11/gods-holy-hand-grenade.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=wZ0c5WwujJg:3pMtcCtSAIU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=wZ0c5WwujJg:3pMtcCtSAIU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=wZ0c5WwujJg:3pMtcCtSAIU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=wZ0c5WwujJg:3pMtcCtSAIU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/wZ0c5WwujJg" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-814403965075535056Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +00002011-11-07T11:04:51.426-05:00Matthew 12:38God's GraceFall FoliageThe Colors of FallI love the season of Autumn. I also love the season of Spring. I like Summer, but it gets so hot down here in the mid-south and I tend to stay in doors more than being out, though there is nothing like slipping into a pool or a stream or a lake on a hot summer day. Winter is OK but it's pretty grey in the south and usually white way too long in the north. So, I'm much more connected with Spring http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/11/colors-of-fall.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=XeJEFhl1LJQ:WDVvFYDqB5Y:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=XeJEFhl1LJQ:WDVvFYDqB5Y:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=XeJEFhl1LJQ:WDVvFYDqB5Y:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=XeJEFhl1LJQ:WDVvFYDqB5Y:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/XeJEFhl1LJQ" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-3201916416444853031Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:33:00 +00002011-11-01T18:06:57.290-04:00WorshipSubmissionCircumcisionBattleJoshua 5Foreskin, Spare Skin, and Bare SkinClick here to read Joshua 5 I've been sitting on this 5th chapter for over a week now. It's been one of those chapters that just wasn't flowing right in my head - not that anything flows right in my head but let's move on. As I thought about the first verse the realization came to me that, because I am in Christ, all the enemies that I face in my life - physical or spiritual - are defeated foes.http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/11/foreskin-spare-skin-and-bare-skin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=t0TxY6_hv8Y:XNs6zRawZVY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=t0TxY6_hv8Y:XNs6zRawZVY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=t0TxY6_hv8Y:XNs6zRawZVY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=t0TxY6_hv8Y:XNs6zRawZVY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/t0TxY6_hv8Y" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-4639769725537548063Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:00:00 +00002011-10-19T17:00:02.757-04:00MemoryStonesJoshua 4Memory StonesClick here to read Joshua 4 I can't help but think that when Joshua told the 12 men to go and pick up a stone and bring it back to the camp that there was at least one that thought about getting a little stone, one that would be easy to carry. At least, that would be what would go through my mind!  There are a lot of things that serve as "memory stones" in our lives. Pictures, videos, journal/http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/10/memory-stones.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=2UGkjahFwOE:b_k3Jl_w_E4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=2UGkjahFwOE:b_k3Jl_w_E4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=2UGkjahFwOE:b_k3Jl_w_E4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=2UGkjahFwOE:b_k3Jl_w_E4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/2UGkjahFwOE" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-4950380003428364359Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:44:00 +00002011-10-13T07:52:31.069-04:00PurifyJoshua 3HolinessListenStop, Drop, and ListenClick here to read Joshua 3 The spies have made it back, thanks to Rahab, and the next morning Joshua and the people head over to the Jordan River to set up camp for a few days. Something's in the works, there's a plan being put together and people are beginning to get the word: when they see the priests pass by with the Ark of the Covenant, they are to fall in line - at a distance - and follow http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/10/stop-drop-and-listen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=4KedoZ7PB4k:jL69Ixbu1Es:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=4KedoZ7PB4k:jL69Ixbu1Es:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=4KedoZ7PB4k:jL69Ixbu1Es:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=4KedoZ7PB4k:jL69Ixbu1Es:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/4KedoZ7PB4k" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-5863801519604214270Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:18:00 +00002011-10-06T00:30:29.576-04:00RahabUnlikely PeoplJoshuaA Most Unlikely PersonClick here to read Joshua 2. I remember sitting in youth group one Sunday when I was a teen when this passage of scripture was read for the lesson that was about to be taught. What first caught the attention of a couple of us was verse 1: Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/10/most-unlikely-person.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)2<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=p3hyla8q2TA:-KWbLyVkRwE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=p3hyla8q2TA:-KWbLyVkRwE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=p3hyla8q2TA:-KWbLyVkRwE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=p3hyla8q2TA:-KWbLyVkRwE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/p3hyla8q2TA" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-211056720993644462Sat, 01 Oct 2011 15:52:00 +00002011-10-01T12:02:46.293-04:00David and GoliathVultureFlightBirdsThe Birds of the Air I like to sit outside on my porch and have my devotions, do some reading and thinking, and drink my cup(s) of tea. I also like to watch the birds around my house. We have a bird feeder just a little ways from the back deck and a Hummingbird feeder on the deck, and it's fun and interesting to watch the different types of birds come and go. Green Hummingbirds with a light ring around their neck, http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/10/birds-of-air.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=XLbq-x8AluI:hZk5weiXkns:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=XLbq-x8AluI:hZk5weiXkns:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=XLbq-x8AluI:hZk5weiXkns:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=XLbq-x8AluI:hZk5weiXkns:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/XLbq-x8AluI" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-1966922590345082058Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:52:00 +00002011-09-29T11:07:40.842-04:00CharacterFaithJoshua 1Be Strong and CourageousI've been doing a reflective reading of the book of Joshua over the last several weeks. Not a daily thing but at least weekly. Not an in-depth study of text structures and historical comparison and such, just a reflective reading. Hears what I do: I sit down, open my Bible to the chapter that is up next (or I use eSword on my computer), and ask God to speak to me through what I am about to read. http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/09/be-strong-and-courageous.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=xn7DPifX2_g:GzQRa0Ds1YA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=xn7DPifX2_g:GzQRa0Ds1YA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=xn7DPifX2_g:GzQRa0Ds1YA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=xn7DPifX2_g:GzQRa0Ds1YA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/xn7DPifX2_g" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-4480778546425239339Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:26:00 +00002011-09-28T13:03:50.262-04:00Tea MugBrokenMemoriesCollegeCoffee MugA Good Cup in HandThere are things that we hold dear in our lives that have special meaning. A photograph, a special album, maybe an article of clothing or a piece of furniture. I still have many photographs that I occasionally look through, smiling from the memories that come flooding over me. I don't have but a handful of albums (LP's) now, and none really hold any great significance to me, though I have a few http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/09/good-cup-in-hand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=K2V1HzWbBNo:te0lNvrqp_A:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=K2V1HzWbBNo:te0lNvrqp_A:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=K2V1HzWbBNo:te0lNvrqp_A:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=K2V1HzWbBNo:te0lNvrqp_A:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/K2V1HzWbBNo" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-3925025075049652860Mon, 18 Jul 2011 23:02:00 +00002011-07-18T19:08:55.946-04:00TheologyBeer15 Reasons Why Beer Is Better Than ReligionSo, here I am at Course of Study at Emory/Candlar in Atlanta, having deep discussions about theology, the Wesleyan Movement, doctrine and faith issues and I find it fascinating, challenging, insightful, stirring, inspiring, and, at times, a little confusing. I guess these classes are serving their purpose, right? Anyway, I check out a YouTube clip that a friend brought my attention to of a http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/07/15-reasons-why-beer-is-better-than.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=bWJ1uCBWniU:4QZJpLZ62nc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=bWJ1uCBWniU:4QZJpLZ62nc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=bWJ1uCBWniU:4QZJpLZ62nc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=bWJ1uCBWniU:4QZJpLZ62nc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/bWJ1uCBWniU" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-5007048142636508126Sat, 09 Jul 2011 13:45:00 +00002011-07-09T09:45:17.507-04:00CostFollowing JesusDiscipleshipA Quote About Discipleship(Jesus) is something—someone—worth losing everything for. And if we walk away from the Jesus of the gospel, we walk away from eternal riches. The cost of nondiscipleship is profoundly greater for us than the cost of discipleship. For when we abandon the trinkets of this world and respond to the radical invitation of Jesus, we discover the infinite treasure of knowing and experiencing him. - http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2011/07/quote-about-discipleship.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=RJvOngsc2Ew:C-8QlTBpEeo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=RJvOngsc2Ew:C-8QlTBpEeo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=RJvOngsc2Ew:C-8QlTBpEeo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=RJvOngsc2Ew:C-8QlTBpEeo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/RJvOngsc2Ew" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-6007126654256815092Fri, 12 Nov 2010 23:17:00 +00002010-11-12T18:17:00.462-05:00culturechurchHoward SnydertransformationThe Church as a Transforming Society?Came across this quote a little while ago as I was doing some reading and continued prep work on my sermon series, "Why Bother with the Church?" It's by Howard A. Snyder from his book, "The Community of the King."So the Church is not to be understood primarily as a means to the end of transforming society. This would be to trample over the uniqueness and infinite worth to God of the Christian http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/11/church-as-transforming-society.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=OnBAELW7m8M:L0FDc9K77aE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=OnBAELW7m8M:L0FDc9K77aE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=OnBAELW7m8M:L0FDc9K77aE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=OnBAELW7m8M:L0FDc9K77aE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/OnBAELW7m8M" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-6239999192465196024Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:20:00 +00002010-09-04T22:20:08.538-04:00A little music and a laughJust so my blog won't close up on me from lack of use, I submit these videos for your viewing pleasure: First up, guitarist and singer Bruce Cockburn. Here he just plays guitar: And now, a little comedy music: http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/09/little-music-and-laugh.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=t4BO87PPd3U:dYl_uyCQjPg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=t4BO87PPd3U:dYl_uyCQjPg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=t4BO87PPd3U:dYl_uyCQjPg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=t4BO87PPd3U:dYl_uyCQjPg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/t4BO87PPd3U" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-8904697523438849717Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:35:00 +00002010-07-13T20:44:04.957-04:00MarriageAnniversaryBruce CockburnLove Of My LifeWell, I'm in the second week of schooling here at Duke Divinity School and I must admit it's not gotten any easier. Don't worry, I'll spare you all the "there's too much reading, there's too many papers to be written, I can't remember it all" statements. I'll simply say, "ditto." I've discovered another problem, though, one that has been ever growing over the last several years and I find it http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/07/love-of-my-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)2<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=vmXRoDXjCbE:vo4Vg_PgzmE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=vmXRoDXjCbE:vo4Vg_PgzmE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=vmXRoDXjCbE:vo4Vg_PgzmE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=vmXRoDXjCbE:vo4Vg_PgzmE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/vmXRoDXjCbE" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-1751841854130528909Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:41:00 +00002010-07-07T17:41:35.358-04:00ReadingDuke Divinity SchoolJokePete and RepeatYou know the old joke. Pete and Repeat were sitting in a boat and Pete fell out. Who was left? It's been told in various variations (on a fence and Pete fell off, walking in the street and Pete got run over, on a wall and Pete jumped down). In each variation the correct answer is "Repeat" and you're off again retelling the joke until your unsuspecting listener gets the joke.  I have a teacher whohttp://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/07/pete-and-repeat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=X2Re02IfWW4:a7TLVZ-VYNs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=X2Re02IfWW4:a7TLVZ-VYNs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=X2Re02IfWW4:a7TLVZ-VYNs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=X2Re02IfWW4:a7TLVZ-VYNs:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/X2Re02IfWW4" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-5608855572631458220Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:35:00 +00002010-07-05T22:14:35.660-04:00Duke Divinity SchoolCourse of StudyDuke, Desperation, and the DivineSo, if you read Facebook you will know that for the month of July I will be at Duke Divinity School taking four courses to move me along the United Methodist track of course of study. You also know full well how I have come with both feet dragging and daily desperation as I have tackled, and not tackled early enough, the pre-work required before I got here. I'll spare you all of that agony again http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/07/duke-desperation-and-divine.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=NnwBWyPXPwg:5Lydae1BwqY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=NnwBWyPXPwg:5Lydae1BwqY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=NnwBWyPXPwg:5Lydae1BwqY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=NnwBWyPXPwg:5Lydae1BwqY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/NnwBWyPXPwg" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-6097081829419409461Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:52:00 +00002010-03-03T14:52:26.953-05:00Ed StetzerChurch GrowthChruchA Decrease in the IncreaseI have been thinking about church life and church growth lately. I've been wondering about where my church is in the scheme of these two areas - church life and church growth. It would be safe to say that these two areas are on every pastor's mind when they think about their churches. We pastors take these two areas very seriously, even if we are at a loss on what that should look like at our http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/03/decrease-in-increase.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=SneDVevRXGQ:heJbBrh8OgU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=SneDVevRXGQ:heJbBrh8OgU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=SneDVevRXGQ:heJbBrh8OgU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=SneDVevRXGQ:heJbBrh8OgU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/SneDVevRXGQ" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-7049762207139124692Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:43:00 +00002010-02-08T17:43:51.468-05:00BumperstickerssayingsFireflyI need your help!I need your help and it is help that I will be need over a period of time. I am bouncing around a message series in my head that I want to call "Bumpersticker Christianity" or something like that. It's probably not an original idea but it's something I have been thinking about for a while, taking note of little sayings on billboards, bumper stickers, t-shirts, etc., and I've often wondered what http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-need-your-help.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=YoWosbz21Oo:C8ql4pyFTUI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=YoWosbz21Oo:C8ql4pyFTUI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=YoWosbz21Oo:C8ql4pyFTUI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=YoWosbz21Oo:C8ql4pyFTUI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/YoWosbz21Oo" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-189258536146480782Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:09:00 +00002010-01-26T19:43:16.975-05:00OrganismchurchOrganizationOrgan- ...ism vs ...izationI find church to be a very baffling and frustrating place. Despite all the books and articles I have read on the subject (and I've read many); despite all the church seminars and training sessions I have attended (and I've been to a lot); and despite all the advice I have been given by church leaders and "experienced" pastors (and I've received a lot); church remains an enigma to me. Of all thosehttp://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-find-church-to-be-very-baffling-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)3<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=QRoGD0KgPGA:c6guAN2F8mw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=QRoGD0KgPGA:c6guAN2F8mw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=QRoGD0KgPGA:c6guAN2F8mw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=QRoGD0KgPGA:c6guAN2F8mw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/QRoGD0KgPGA" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-5300675265410475569Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:47:00 +00002010-01-06T11:57:26.423-05:00ResolutionsStoriesDonal Miller blogLife Stories: For Further DiscussionI was checking out some of the blogs that I like to read (see side bar) and was pleased to read Donald Miller's blog, written yesterday (1/5) on "Living a Meaningful Story - Creating Memorable Scenes." In light of what I wrote on New Year's Day and what I preached on last Sunday, I think you might get something out of what he had to say. Check it out. And be sure to read Part 1.Living a http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/01/life-stories-for-further-discussion.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=aKdm-Uot11w:isORyaUlXfE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=aKdm-Uot11w:isORyaUlXfE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=aKdm-Uot11w:isORyaUlXfE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=aKdm-Uot11w:isORyaUlXfE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/aKdm-Uot11w" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-3203746681556847558Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:17:00 +00002010-01-01T12:24:32.096-05:00ResolutionsStoriesDonald MillerLifeChangeKissing Yesterday Goodbye2010.As the clock clicked to zero at the First Night Festival in Charlotte last night, I looked up and wondered where Arthur C. Clarke's "Monolith" might be floating at that moment. I wondered what weirdness and blackness might be awaiting us all this new year. But as I watched my wife and daughter dancing and singing and enjoying the fireworks explode over head, I realized I was looking towards http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2010/01/kissing-yesterday-goodbye.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)0<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=78_QgF687ls:KZDmEAlCF-k:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=78_QgF687ls:KZDmEAlCF-k:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=78_QgF687ls:KZDmEAlCF-k:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=78_QgF687ls:KZDmEAlCF-k:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/78_QgF687ls" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-3196590267222270074Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:37:00 +00002009-12-26T21:50:03.455-05:00Tony CompoloSinCalvaryChrist SufferingChrist's Eternal Now<!--[if gte mso 9]> 12.00 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2009/12/christs-eternal-now.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=CChhvtYCUA8:MDZU9tJmVsA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=CChhvtYCUA8:MDZU9tJmVsA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=CChhvtYCUA8:MDZU9tJmVsA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=CChhvtYCUA8:MDZU9tJmVsA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/CChhvtYCUA8" height="1" width="1"/>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626673.post-3391527491412681664Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:15:00 +00002009-10-24T14:47:01.687-04:00Donald MillerMoralityMoralityI've been reading a book by Donald Miller that he wrote in 2004, "Searching For God Know What." It's a really good book and has stirred my thinking on a number of things. I'm getting close to the end (and I'll be moving on to his newest book that just came out, "A Million Miles In a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life"). I just finishing up the chapter on Morality and there were http://parishthethought.blogspot.com/2009/10/morality.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Elder)1<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=WF2lccO2e1A:tIXpua_7KcU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=WF2lccO2e1A:tIXpua_7KcU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?i=WF2lccO2e1A:tIXpua_7KcU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?a=WF2lccO2e1A:tIXpua_7KcU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ManifestationsOfATetheredSoul/~4/WF2lccO2e1A" height="1" width="1"/>