Tag: faith

Wrestling, Faith & Science

Double head lock

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything about the squared-circle.

But Tripp posted a great find over at Homebrewed Christianity in which “Wofford college professors Byron R. McCane and Dan Mathewson reveal how the equally toothless performances of New Atheists like Richard Dawkins and creationists like Ken Ham share more with the garish world of Hulk Hogan and the Iron Sheik than with serious scholarship.”

It’s a great paper piece that compares the one-sided, over stereotypical and simplified views of Ham (Creation Science Museum) and Dawkins to Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Lots of fun. I give it five Ric Flair “WOOOOOOOO’s”

What do you think? Do Dawkins and Ham respresent over stereotypical and simplified views or science and religion at it’s best?

5 reasons I love being in a small group

Jonathan and Aaron

Abraham Piper (who has a great blog that you should be reading) shared 5 reasons he doesn’t like being in a small group this week.

I don’t disagree with his reasons, but thought I’d share the flip side – 5 reasons I love being in a small group.

  • I love watching people grow in their faith
  • I love seeing people build sanctuary (spaces of grace) for others
  • I realize I’m not the only one struggling and wrestling
  • I learn many things from the stories of others
  • The food is great

What about you? What do you love about small groups/community groups? What do you dislike about them?

Songs of Advent

Our homemade Advent wreath

I love that songs tell us so much about our faith, our story, our journey. They also tell us a lot about our communities. The songs communities sing are very telling about how the community sees one another, life, God, faith, community, etc.

While I believe Advent should be such a major part of our Christian life and story I’m struggling to come up with many Advent songs. Is it because of my own traditions, or is it because of our huge emphasis on Christmas Day itself?

Here’s the two I can think of right now…

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

As you can see, I’m struggling to come up with many.

What Advent songs can you think of?

What do you sing at this time of year?

Do you separate Advent from Christmas or are they one in the same?

5 Myths of Community

The Myth

Found a great podcast featuring Mark Scandrette during my break. In it, he addresses 5 Myths of Community.

“If we want real community like the early church… we must be willing to embrace hurt and suffering… because love is costly.”

Sounds very counter-intuitive to the American dream and empire.
Continue reading 5 Myths of Community

Monday morning challenge

A Monday morn challenge to my peeps.

Write a haiku describing your faith/or lack thereof.

A Haiku is a simple form of poetry, with only 17 syllables in three lines. The lines are made up of 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively.
Continue reading Monday morning challenge