Theological Edge

Tibow and Post-Season

2012-01-14T20:26:00.000-08:00

Who 'dat? We dat!

In the interest of full-disclosure, I am a SF 49er and Giants [baseball] fan. Unashamedly and since I was a little kid there was nothing greater than a trip to Kezar and watch Y.A. Tittle play football, or to The Stick and watch Mays, McCovey and the Alou boys.

Having gotten that out of the way CNN did a good job of explaining why Tim Tebow is all the rage. The best thing about the 'other' game today, Saturday, is that we won't have to face Denver.

Peace,

Alan

Mercy and Ministry

2011-10-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

Kenton has a long history of working with those who are resource challenged. A great deal of this has been overseas on mission fields from Ethiopia to the Sudan. There have been forays into local work as well from one week trips to other communities to Kenton's involvement with founding Portland Organizing Project in the early 90's.

The last few years we've tried to become more one-to-one in our approach. We have sponsored children and families through Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree and have made and distributed lunches to about 75 homeless people once every couple of months. We've also invited the pastor of Knowing Me ministries to speak at our church at various times.

I mention all of this so that you might take five minutes and read this link about mercy ministries. It is well thought out and his points at the end are worth printing out and going over at every mission committee you have.
Peace,

Alan

Winds of Change

2011-09-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

My better .9 has been officially unemployed since April. It may be hard to imagine an RN not being able to find work and I'm sure her 'experience' and the fact she was the top of the pay-scale for her prior employer had nothing to do with it. But she has a job starting September 19. Among the changes for her is a new company with different ways of doing things and for the first time in her professional life she'll have to commute to work more than 5 miles. I mention this because since May of 2010, and the death of my mother, our life has been one big change after another.

As we all know change is not always positive. And around our area are many people facing changes that are difficult. Marriages are ending, loved ones have possible fatal cancer, schools are in upheaval, jobs aren't there, and cars aren't running. Anyone older than 20 have had such things happen.

Our experience through this [I wish I could say I was always upbeat and positive about God's control] was that God wins out and His plan is better than what we may wish for. We've both questioned God's wisdom when things we thought seemed good didn't work out. We've wondered when jobs and health setbacks came but underlying all of this has been the sense that God's in control.

My purpose is to simply give anyone who feels under-the-gun of change a chance to take a deep breath and realize that hope, God's Hope, is an ever-present reality when change comes.

Peace,
Alan

The Prophet Harold said it...

2011-08-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

Way back in the mid-90's HR Reverend Harold Kurtz met with a group of conservative pastors before the Presbytery of the Cascade's meeting. We were in Central Church, Eugene and it was following the General Assembly meeting. He simply told the group how he'd been at General Assembly and "everything changed". There was no removal of the 'authoritative interpretations' or repeal of the 'fidelity and chastity' clause. What he meant was that the place of the PC(USA) in the life of the world-wide Church had shifted. A year or so previously he told our church, his prior congregation, that "nothing had changed."

When I asked him what caused this shift he told the group that the PC(USA) was not willing to listen to the vast history of the church in the rest of the world. He was right as the Presbyterian Church in Mexico has proven.

At least the PC(USA) can take comfort in knowing that they know the real revelation of God... What did they use to call that... Gnostic...something or other..

Peace

Harry Potter Last Movie

2011-07-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hat tip to Man of Depravity's recent Friday post but I felt the article dealing with Christian themes within Deathly Hallows 2 needed to be read. Excellent article if you've not seen the movie or have no plans to see the movie. Consider that a SPOILER ALERT.

Read and enjoy De-Theologizing Harry. Had that link wrong... Thanks R.C.

Peace

Alan

World Mission work

2011-06-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church wrapped up there General Assembly this past week. Below is a video on their World Outreach. Watch and enjoy.

Peace,

Alan

Change Has Come

2011-05-11T03:43:00.000-07:00

The Presbytery of Twin Cities became the vote to push the PCUSA's overture over the top. The Book of Order will now read,

Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

A couple of obvious changes for my former denomination will be:

Self-avowed practicing homosexual persons will now be openly and proudly ordained in congregations and presbyteries.
In other presbyteries the same people won't get a hearing and their will be remedial cases headed off to the regional Permanent Judicial Commissions etc.
Evangelical congregations and groups will publish letters, articles and the like and seek separate Synods, calls for repentance and hold gatherings to rally the troops

Yet the subtler changes will often be ignored, downplayed or not spoken about. For those who do not agree with such ordinations still must vow to "be governed by our church's polity...be a friend among your colleagues in ministry..." Such pastors, elders and deacons could come before their Presbytery and/or Session and declare a scruple about their vow but I don't see that happening. Instead, those who disagree will continue on and probably throw themselves into the ministry they see as valid, all the while, ignoring the larger issue for the denomination.
Although NOT in the BOO, a common understanding about ordination is expressed in Leslie Scanlon's article dated March 21, 2011, "that in the PC(USA) ordination is done on behalf of the whole church". If this is true then each and every congregation and session has a role in the ordination of each and every pastor and officers. If not true, then they're almost Baptists.
I'm going to come off sounding unloving but the deciding factor for most conservative congregations within the PCUSA is money not theology. If it costs too much to leave they will stay and complain or shut up and do their own thing. Many have done this since Angela Davis was an issue [It is in the Wikipedia article]. Oh, there will be some who bite the bullet, pay off Presbytery or walk away from their buildings and campuses but they will be the minority.
So, to my sisters and brothers who are in the PCUSA, I am praying for you, for your congregations and your next steps. God be with you.

Peace,

Alan

The Truth about Easter

2011-04-26T21:26:00.000-07:00

I looked for Matthew Ward's version of this but couldn't find it SIGH...

Came back here because I ran across a great podcast in looking for Matthew Ward's version. It's called "full circle" and they're available on iTunes. Right now I'm listening to episode 117 which is playing the old classic musical "Firewind".

If you like classic Christian music this is a great place to listen.

Peace,

Alan

Arguing with the Giants

2011-04-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

Rev. Terry Jones is not my favorite pastor in the world. I would not attend his church nor would I ask him to preach for me. But I find myself in prayer for him as he faces the persecution from the media over his burning of a Koran. He claims no responsibility for the riots or death which have erupted following his actions.

I don't know if he's to blame or not. What I do know, is that the news media has NOT painted Rev. Jones with the same brush used on Mr. Kurt Westergaard who drew cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad a few years ago.

Twelve cartoons brought about a series of protests and riots by Muslims around the globe. Included among the actions were a mutual murder of Muslim and Christians by one another in Nigeria. Burning of various embassies and attacks on the US Airbase at Bagram Afghanistan.

Yet no where in the press can I find an interviewer asking Mr. Westergaard if he felt responsible for the deaths or outrage. However, Terry Jones has been asked the question repeatedly. I'd like to take claim for the insight as to why this has happened but I have to pass on a hat tip to elder Tim for his insight.

As he pointed out. The Danish cartoonist, Mr. Westergaard worked for who? My answer, the media. And who is reporting on the cartoons and Terry Jones? My answer, the media. And who has a vested interest in "free speech". My answer, the media... Oh, I get it.

When it threatens them it is a matter of free speech and people rally around them by supporting Denmark and the like. But, when it's some right-wing preacher it's throw him to the lion time in the old Colosseum tonight. Let me thank the news media for giving me just one more example to share with my sisters and brothers in Christ about why the news media isn't about news but about advertising.

I may not have done what you did Pastor Jones but I will pray for you as you are attacked.

Peace,
Alan

Videos to Watch

2010-12-18T23:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas Teaching for the 12 days of Christmas...

Christmas story reboot sort of ...

Hat tip to Quotidian Grace and Rev. Santucci

Peace and Merry Christmas

Alan

Flash Mob at it's Best

2010-12-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

Told the congregation I'd put this on the blog so here it is. Worth the watch and I give you permission not to rise.

The HD version is on YouTube.

Peace,
Alan

Welcome Home!

2010-11-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

So what if:
We realized and celebrated God welcoming us?
We welcomed one another and the stranger in such a way?
We realized the difference a little attention makes?

Would the Church be seen as different?
Would God's people be known by their Love?
Would we find people wanting to join with us?

What do you think?

Peace
Alan

Nobel Prize and Evangelism

2010-10-06T06:31:00.000-07:00

How many pastors have told their members, either in a sermon or individually, that the best message to share about Christ is their own. Now we have scientific proof, of a kind.

Two physicists discovered a simple, one atom thick, piece of graphite [graphene]is more powerful than they ever thought. Their method of discovery was unique too. They didn't use "multibillion-dollar particle accelerators and orbiting telescopes" but "Andre Geim, 51, and Konstantin Novoselov, 36, both of the University of Manchester, laid the foundation for their discovery with an ordinary piece of Scotch tape"

The simple stories are the powerful ones. Our stories may not sound like something from the 700 Club, Guidepost or Decision but, assuming the presence of the Holy Spirit working, they have the ability to share what God has done for us to those in our world. A few fish [John 6, Matthew 15, Mark 8], a couple of coins [Mark and Luke 12] or being faithful in the little things [Matthew 25] each lead to big things with huge consequences.

Take time to reflect on YOUR STORY of how Christ has touched and changed you. List down three things that are different now, because of Jesus. Ask God to show you who needs to hear your story. Share your story with those to whom God leads. Trust God for the results.

Peace
Alan

21st Century Immigration

2010-09-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

Leonard Sweet makes us of the model of immigrant and native in describing two approaches to the digital and post-modern age in which we are living. In an interview Leonard says,

"I find that it is especially helpful for getting some people to think in a new way. I say this first, and then I backtrack from it. I am just going to make a generalization here. If you are over 30, you are an immigrant. If you are under 30, you are a native."

Read the whole interview to see it in context

Part of the application of this principle is how one connects with the world in which they live. How does an unchurched person look, act, talk and behave. In addition, what are they "into".

This all leads into something I heard today on a Portland, "Family Friendly", the new watchword for Christian radio station. The morning team were talking about how many families have DVR's and were using them to record the new shows that are premiering this week.

Then they show amazingly how totally "out of touch" they are with the world in which they live as they listed show after show about which neither of them had heard. It sounds harsh but I have a sinking feeling quite a few followers of Christ really don't care if others are damned to hell. We can become aware of what's happening without embracing and approving of it. Paul certainly did that when he spoke about Roman games.

Our Lord told us to go and make disciples of all nations not just our family and friends. We are ordered to make disciples of all nations not just those who look and talk like us. We are commanded to make disciples of all nations not just those who read the same books, listen to the same music and watch the same movies.
Peace
Alan

Old friends and memories...

2010-07-15T22:55:00.000-07:00

LORD, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.
Renew them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy. Hab. 3:2 NIV

I want to take a few moments to process how God has been at work since my mom's death May 23. Besides the usual emotions, I've noticed that God has touched my life with a variety and interesting group of people. Some of them are old friends. Some of them are relatives both known to me and new. Some are [were] youth that I worked with when I was a volunteer. Some were people that I sort of remember.

This probably won't make a lot of sense to you but that's my issue not yours. I've just been burned with the need to share what has been happening the last two months.

Family: I met Jerry, a cousin from the Wilkerson family that I met when I was 3 or 4 years old. We got to visit over coffee and share some things about family and our genealogy hobby. Sadly, my mom never knew he lived less than 15 minutes from her place.

I connected once more with cousins who I ran around with in Reno. Vicki lives in Washington,is a DVM, and owns a ranch. I spoke with my surviving aunt, Dawn, who couldn't make the service. She and my mom were roomies for a few years after my dad died.* Her son, Dale, works in Las Vegas and is Dawn's caregiver. Dawn's daughter Karen and granddaughter Sara were at the service. Sara spent much of the summer at the mobile home park during the years my mom and Dawn lived together.

Judy, Max and Kathleen's daughter was there too. I receive the most thoughtful letter of memories today from her. My cousin Philip wanted come down from Reno but was in Colorado on family business. Others health just wouldn't allow them to make the trip.

Friends: A couple from Reno came with their daughter and son-in-law. They had been in the Hawthorne church I served and their daughter was good friends with my kids. Besides just visiting with them it was great to hear their son-in-law is looking toward an education with Multnomah University through their distance learning.

Ken Couser and his mom, Carol was at the service. His mom was a den mother for me and both his dad and mine were involved in our scout troop. Ken and I shared close to 12 years together through school. We were on PVHS' swim team, [I had a different body then]. We hung out at the same lunch tables and Ken, Neil and I were pretty much inseparable. It was great to see them and to cement a relationship that was simply posts on Facebook up till then.

Katie Nelson and I played phone tag for a couple of days. She was in the high school group at 1st Presbyterian Richmond in which I served in the seventies. We had a great talk about old times and she affirmed me in ways she'll never know during our talk. She is living a boring life she says, "Same job, same kids, same house, same marriage..."

Then there is the contact with two other childhood friends. John who lives in Portland and Freddy an elementary school friend. High school, exploring fields, riding bikes were part of the history with these two. Then I connected with another member from our home church in Richmond by comments on another blogger's post.

What I know is that God is doing more than playing "six degrees of separation" with my life. I can't help but recall Israel being reminded of what went before and the command to remember. I can't help but think back to the formative days of my faith under the tutelage of Denn, Ron, Paul, Lloyd, Judd and others. All I can say is thank you Lord and I wait for your leading.
Peace,
Alan

* IMHO Dawn and my mom were twins who were born a year apart. If one of them yelled at us my cousin Dale and I couldn’t tell which one it was.

Not a Surprise

2010-06-25T06:43:00.001-07:00

Check out Rob Harrison's comments on the video below for he does a very good job of asking the difficult questions about it's content and purpose. My comments after the video.

In light of the Gospel of John which they are handing out should this surprise any follower of Jesus.

18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me.

Are there other cities with such restrictions? Heck yeah! From Boston's recent protest of a church training event with Exodus International to confrontation of Gideons handing out New Testaments on the sidewalk in Portland Oregon there are probably a dozen more such instances.

Should we, as followers of Jesus Christ be surprised at being set upon. No! In fact, as I read it we should expect it and even welcome it as a chance to live out the love of our Lord in the very midst of persecution.

Personal Reflection

2010-06-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

One of the nice things about a personal blog is that it can be, well... personal. Many people have asked, "How are you doing" as concerns my mom's death. The easiest way to answer that is to say, "I'm doing ok...but." The ok part is that I understand the issues involved in grieving and my slips in memory etc. don't bother too much. I know that there's a bunch of stuff to do and most times, I feel just too overwhelmed to even start, let alone finish projects.

The "but" part has been a journey. My mom had a stroke about 6 years ago. Where my mother is concerned, dealing with her post-stroke became my focus. I realize that a big part of me had simply shoved the other times we shared aside so that I could work on the situations and get things done.

As I've thought about the trips dad, mom and I took I can recall many better than good times. I can relive some of those jokes she told me. I can smile at her exploration into doing "color consulting" [anyone remember spring, fall, winter and summer colors]. The thoughts are good, bittersweet at times, and full of life.

The upshot is that I'm doing okay...but and that is not a bad place to be.
Peace,
Alan

A Sobering Time

2010-05-31T01:41:00.000-07:00

My mother passed from this life to eternity May 23rd. The cause of death won't be known till the toxicology screen is back from the coroner's office. We got the news of the fire in her mobile home as we were waiting to return from our vacation. It had been a time of celebration and relaxation up till the call.

One night home in our own beds then off to Sacramento we drove. Many people in Portland and elsewhere were praying for us as we started the process of dealing with the details of her death. God answered the prayers of people. God used my mom's chief care-giver Christina to do so much it's amazing. God oversaw some the issues with my mom's CD's as well as with the insurance she carried on the place.

All-in-all it the last week has been a heck-of-a lesson on watching God work. Is there more to do? Sure. Will there be set backs and road blocks? I'm sure there will be. But the fact remains that God's in charge and that's the best news we can hear no matter what we're facing.

I covet your prayers and thoughts for myself and our family.

Peace,
Alan

2010-05-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

So, I've got a new toy/tool which has taken me a bit more time than I wanted to get tweaked. Found the jump to Windows 7 to be a bit of a learning curve since everything else I have is XP or older, but I'm moving up the curve.

A couple of things I've discovered with the new computer:

1. The handwriting recognition is much better on Win 7 than XP and it wasn't too bad on XP. If it can read my scribbling it can read anyone.

2. I'm not putting all the programs I've ever owned on this one. It's getting the necessary ones-- Office; Logos 4; Nero; Acrobat; Avast; NIV Study Bible and a couple of others

3. I hate the HP junk at the beginning of the boot up. Desk management or whatever they call it is "fill-ware" [there are other names for it]. I'd be willing to do an total reinstall if I could get rid of that stuff.

It's a nice computer. Hopefully it will let me do what I need it to do with less hassles than the old Motion 1400 [it is now a home e-book reader] or my kid's old Gateway tank of a convertible.

Peace
Hope your Mother's Day went well

Alan

South Park and "Islam is Peace"

2010-04-26T16:07:00.001-07:00

After last week's Cartoon Network cave-in to Islamic hate mongers the way is open for followers of Jesus to also demand their time of censure. Perhaps Jon Stewart's spin is right; it was done to protect the creators. However even among the Muslim community there are those who called this a "distraction".

Perhaps vague threats against shows that take pot shots at Jesus, make fun of Christians, use the name of God in vain or which promote witchcraft and the third-date rule. But alas that won't happen because in spite of the aberrations among those who call themselves Christians; Christianity is REALLY a religion of peace and love.

Aberrations like white supremacists wand those who bomb abortion clinics and murder in the name of God are the exception not the rule. Followers of Jesus do not crash planes into Mecca on Hajj. Presbyterians don't plant car bombs outside of Baptist Churches on Sunday mornings. Lutherans don't gather in mobs and beat Catholics or Pentecostals on their way to worship and burn down churches. We leave that to others.

No, Christ followers take abuse because our Lord was abused. We believe it when we're told we will face persecution because Jesus was persecuted. Christ followers believe in turning the other cheek, going a second mile, and repaying evil with love.

Need examples? Here's a large church in Portland that will hold abbreviated worship services this Sunday, May 2, in order to send their members out into the community to serve others. Countless other everyday folks reach out each week to those in homeless shelters to the hungry and to children in less than ideal situations.

Millions worship in small congregations, old buildings, and with a dozen different styles. Millions give sacrificially to support others in doing what they cannot--from bringing aid to Haiti [no we haven't forgotten] and to adopting children around our world. And ALL of this is for the sake of Jesus.

So go ahead networks produce your junk. Go ahead talking heads and spout your attacks against God's people. You don't fear censorship because of our threats. We won't kill, maim or attack your homes, businesses and the like. Instead we'll do the worse possible thing we could do. We'll pray for you.

Peace
Alan

Prayer Pups Christian Comics

2010-04-18T03:15:00.003-07:00

Prayer Pups Christian Comics

Posted using ShareThis

Message from on high LOL

2010-04-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

God wants to inform the ecumenical community of some upcoming plans which may affect their service. These changes are currently slated to begin Memorial Day weekend however some within the church may notice a change sooner.

1. God will not be present every Sunday at worship. He needs time to recharge His batteries by going to the lake, beach, mountains and camping. God wants the church to understand that he needs time for Himself too.

2. God will not be blessing His people during much of the summer months. He will try to be regular with His giving but sometimes there are unexpected events cause Him to run short or simply forget to pour them out. If this causes a problem please just "trust God to provide".

3. God will also not be offering forgiveness those weekends He is away. He asks the church to save up our sins the weeks He is not present and He will get to them once school starts.

4. God will not be doing much "saving of souls" during the summer. His busy schedule, time away, and previous commitments, makes it difficult to commit His Holy Spirit for the events. He asks the church to understand that this is only temporary and once programs get ramped up again he is sure souls will be saved once more.

Praise God this is simply a nightmare for our Lord says:

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Hope your summer is touched by God's presence.

Peace,

Alan

Religious University duh!

2010-03-30T14:02:00.001-07:00

Trinity University in Texas, has a covenant relationship with the PC(USA) church. It was founded by Presbyterians right after the Civil War. Now at least some students want "Our Lord", as in "The Year of Our Lord" removed from their diplomas. You can read the article here.

Now I sympathize with Mr. Medina but... the name of the school is "TRINITY". As a Muslim I would have thought that would have been a bigger issue than "our Lord". Just a thought!

Peace
Alan

What's Keeping Me Busy

2010-03-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

This is the main reason for my lack of writing lately. We've been having a lot of fun, loving, nuzzling and napping. I'm sure I'll be getting back into things in a while. In the mean time, Peace

Alan

Remember Why We're Here

2010-01-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

Take a moment to read William Vanderbloemen's post.

It's a great reminder:

1. of Christ's love for all people

2. of the transforming power of God's Holy Spirit

3. of our need to engage those who we usually scorn

4. of our calling as Christ's Body and God's people.

Today, let us commit ourselves to being open to seeing, speaking with and praying for such people as Christ leads us. Amen.

Peace

Alan