Rethinking the church : a challenge to creative redesign in an age transition / James Emery White.

Rethinking the church : a challenge to creative redesign in an age transition / James Emery White. white, James Emery, 1961- 0-8010-9039-3 (pbk.) Rethinking Structure 93 To make matters worse, a church's structure is often wedded to some of the most deeply rooted customs within the life of a church . 94 As a result, a churches structure can either serve the church it to a standstill. It can energize a community of faith lead it toward ever deepening levels of discouragement. It can enable men and women to use their gifts and abilities for the kingdom of God or tie the hands and frustrate the most ted efforts of God's people. Why? Because the structure of any organization directly affects morale, effectiveness and unity.

Mountain rain / Eileen Crossrnan.

35 I am feeling more and more that it is, after all, just prayers of God's people that call down blessing upon the work, whether they are directly engaged in it or not. Paul may plant and Apollos water, but it is God whogives the increase; and this increase can be brought down from heaven by believing prayer, whether offered in China or in England. We are, as it were, God's agents - used by Him to do His work, ours. We do our part, and then can only look to Him. with orders, Eor His blessing. If this is so, then Christians at home can do as much for foreign missions as those actually on the field. I believe it Will only be known on the last Day how much has been accomplished in missionary work by the prayers earnest believers at home. And athis, surely, is the heart of the problem. Such work does not consist in curio exhibitions, showing slides, interesting reports and so on. Good as they may be. these are only the fringe. not root of the matter. Solid, lasting missionary work is done on our knees. What I covet more than anything else is Earnest believing prayer, and I write to ask you to Continue to put up much prayer for me and the work here in Tengyueh. I should like you continually to pray, not only for the salvation of outsiders but for blessing on those who have

what life is all about

I work hard and party hard; Thats what life is all about RIGHT???

Rethinking the church : a challenge to creative redesign in an age transition / James Emery White.

white, James Emery, 1961- Rethinking the church : a challenge to creative redesign in an age transition / James Emery White. 0-8010-9039-3 (pbk.) Rethinking Structure 93 To make matters worse, a church's structure is often wedded to some of the most deeply rooted customs within the life of a church . 94 As a result, a churches structure can either serve the church it to a standstill. It can energize a community of faith lead it toward ever deepening levels of discouragement. It can enable men and women to use their gifts and abilities for the kingdom of God or tie the hands and frustrate the most ted efforts of God's people. Why? Because the structure of any organization directly affects morale, effectiveness and unity.

Mountain rain / Eileen Crossrnan.

35 I am feeling more and more that it is, after all, just prayers of God's people that call down blessing upon the work, whether they are directly engaged in it or not. Paul may plant and Apollos water, but it is God who gives the increase; and this increase can be brought down from heaven by believing prayer, whether offered in China or in England. We are, as it were, God's agents - used by Him to do His work, ours. We do our part, and then can only look to Him. with orders, Eor His blessing. If this is so, then Christians at home can do as much for foreign missions as those actually on the field. I believe it Will only be known on the last Day how much has been accomplished in missionary work by the prayers earnest believers at home. And athis, surely, is the heart of the problem. Such work does not consist in curio exhibitions, showing slides, interesting reports and so on. Good as they may be. these are only the fringe. not root of the matter. Solid, lasting missionary work is done on our knees. What I covet more than anything else is Earnest believing prayer, and I write to ask you to Continue to put up much prayer for me and the work here in Tengyueh. I should like you continually to pray, not only for the salvation of outsiders but for blessing on those who have definitely accepted Christ . . . I vwnt to be downright in earnest myself, and to be filled with the Spirit.

Misc

• Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers
• When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
• God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
• God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
• God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
• If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
• Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!
• The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
• The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
• We don't change the message, the message changes us.

Gay bishop 'not an abomination'

I want to bring out a few points before you get into this article and the issue. The ultimate question is really, is homosexuality approved of in the Bible, no, in the Old Testament (Hebrew) and New Testament. God is the same and does not change. Homosexuals can be believers and even cared for and loved by the church as any other person, but that does not mean we should in any fashion sanction there actions; so once the church identifies there sin they are bound to call them on there sin, as an adulterer would have to be reproved. Having that clear lets look at some of the quotes

"I am not an abomination before God - please, I beg you, let's say our prayers and stand up for right Gene Robinson Bishop of New Hampshire

He is not an abomination, this is true, but his lifestyle and what he teaches by his actions and words are.

Gene Robinson said the Episcopal Church should "stand up for right", adding that Anglicans should not be swayed by fear of deepening rifts over the issue.

Isn't it evident that all the parties are standing up for what they believe is right? But evidently some have different views of that "right".

Tom Wright, the Bishop of Durham in the UK, warned that a moratorium was needed on creating any bishops living with a same-sex partner until there was consensus in the church.

NT Wright is a well respected author and church man and obviously he is here trying to bring reconciliation, and on first glance it might appear that is what he is saying, but on second and ever after one has to bring to light the truth. He is saying the same as the Archbishop of Canterbury indicated a while back, when everyone comes around to the correct way of thinking than we will be able to accept homosexuals, until than maybe we should just work at picking apart the opposition. The Homosexual action groups in large part are willing to play a battle of attrition waiting to wear down there opponents knowing that they will eventually win as society caves into a small vocal minority. But it also recognises that gay people are "by baptism... full members of the Church" and apologises to them for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church. Enough Said!!!! In conclusion nothing new, but I think I will again re-evaluate NT Wright even more. In the past I thought he was just wrong about his views on modernism and post modernism, now I must suspect that his theology is completely askew.

Gay bishop 'not an abomination'

The gay US bishop at the centre of controversy over his consecration has told a convention of US Anglicans he is "not an abomination". Gene Robinson said the Episcopal Church should "stand up for right", adding that Anglicans should not be swayed by fear of deepening rifts over the issue. The Ohio convention is to vote on how far to go in seeking to prevent the ordination of more openly gay bishops. A senior conservative said it would be impossible to prevent a split. "We've reached a moment where it is very difficult, indeed I think we've reached an impossible moment, in holding it together," Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh said, quoted by the Associated Press. 'Faithfully true' The Episcopal General Convention is the first since Bishop Robinson's consecration in 2003. I am not an abomination before God - please, I beg you, let's say our prayers and stand up for right Gene Robinson Bishop of New Hampshire Tom Wright, the Bishop of Durham in the UK, warned that a moratorium was needed on creating any bishops living with a same-sex partner until there was consensus in the church. But in an impassioned speech, Bishop Robinson argued that the question was whether the church recognised the life of Christ in its gay and lesbian members. It was not primarily about the future of the worldwide Anglican communion, he said. "I am not an abomination before God," he said. "Please, I beg you, let's say our prayers and stand up for right." He told the BBC that resolutions proposed by the convention were part of a conversation - one that he would not shy away from. "I won't walk away. I will stay here and I will talk with anyone who is willing to talk. I will be as faithfully true as I can be with people who can be equally as faithful," he said. 'Express regret' The main motion being discussed by the Episcopal Church suggests exercising "great caution" before ordaining another gay bishop, but falls short of the moratorium on ordination being suggested by Anglican leaders. The motion also calls on dioceses to defer same-sex ceremonies until the Anglican communion achieves consensus on the issue. And it says that the Episcopal Church should apologise "for having breached the bonds of affection in the Anglican communion by any failure to consult adequately with our Anglican partners". It urges those who took part in Bishop Robinson's election to "express regret" for the pain they have caused. But it also recognises that gay people are "by baptism... full members of the Church" and apologises to them for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church. The motion is mostly based on the recommendations of the Windsor Report, resulting from an inquiry into the row in 2004. Story from BBC NEWS: Published: 2006/06/15 09:49:36 GMT © BBC MMVI

Robert Heinlein on Religion

Stranger in a Strange Land A devout agnostic, Jubal rated all religions, from the animism of Kalahari Bushmen to the most intellectualized faith, as equal. But emotionally he disliked some more than others and the Church of the New Revelation set his teeth on edge. The Fosterites’ flat-footed claim to gnosis through a direct line to Heaven, their arrogant intolerance, their football-rally and sales-convention services – these depressed him. If people must go to church, why the devil couldn’t they be dignified, like Catholics, Christian Scientists, or Quakers? If God existed (concerning which Jubal maintained neutrality) and if He wanted to be worshipped (a proposition which Jubal found improbable but nevertheless possible in the light of his own ignorance), then it seemed wildly unlikely that a God potent to shape galaxies would be swayed by the whoop-te-do nonsense the Fosterites offered as “worship.” But with bleak honesty Jubal admitted that the Fosterites might own the Truth, the exact Truth, nothing but the Truth. The Universe was a silly place at best… but the least likely explanation for it was the no-explanation of random chance, the conceit that abstract somethings “just happened” to be atoms that “just happened” to get together in ways which “just happened” to look like consistent laws and some configurations “just happened” to possess self-awareness and that two “just happened” to bet he Man form Mars and a bald-headed old coot with Jubal inside. No, he could not swallow the “just-happened” theory, popular as it was with men who called themselves scientists. Random chance was not a sufficient explanation of the Universe – random chance was not sufficient to explain random chance; the pot could not hold itself. Jubal shook his head. “I’ll give an exact definition. ‘Love’ is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” The only religious opinion I feel sure of is this: self-awareness is not just a bunch of amino acids bumping together. (regarding religion/God)

Quote - Jonathan Go Forth on his points of focus

1) Seek to give much, expect nothing. 2) Put the very best construction on the actions of others. 3) Never let a day pass without at least a quarter of an hour spent in the study of the Bible. 4) Never omit daily morning and evening private prayer and devotion. 5) In all things seek to know Gods Will and when known obey at any cost. 6) Seek to cultivate a quiet prayerful spirit. 7) Seek each day to do or say something to further Christianity among the heathen

Quote: Scientific Theory

it matter not how beautiful and popular an idea is: if it does not agree with experiment or observation, it is useless and should be abandoned. Quoted in Crisis Magazine June 2006 pg6

Trinity: John 17:5-6 ESV

Joh 17:5-6 ESV And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. (6) "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

Review: The Greatest Thing in the World; Henry Drummond

-¤¤¤¤ "Who is Christ? He who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick. And where is Christ? Where? - whoso shall revieve a little child in My name recieveth Me. And who are Christ's? Every one that loveth is born of God." This is a terrible book. Its much like A Robert Schuller book, and others in the same vain - Rick Warren. Most people miss the most important critical factor. I have owned the book for a number of years and have finally gotten around to looking at it. This Jesus portrayed her is not the Jesus of the Bible, but a new Social Justice Jesus. This Jesus is one to spure us on to good deads so that we might feel better about our short existence. The way that these books show up their failure is in who there Jesus is. Rick Warren's, I will get to later, is all about giving US purpose. Drummonds was about "good" works. Charles Schullers is about feelings. In the quote above everything appears correct, to take a line from the book it not merely acts of commision but omision.

• He misses the Miracles of Jesus, this because Jesus was not God
• He Misses The Death and resurection

Jesus was more than a mere teacher, much more. He was and is God. To be a Christian is not to act godly, but to be Godly from being Godly Godly actions will follow, but if this is turned arround Godlyness does not follow, self-righteousness does. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 The only way to Godlyness is through faith and living in Christ payment for our sins on the Cross. Only a pure sacrifice will pay the price for me and anyone else, not good actions, deeds or thoughts. Only Christ blood, but we have to accept it. we have to come to the point were we acknowledge that we are incapable of getting to heaven on our own. Everyone wants to get to heaven on there own, buy the ticket and fly the plane, Jesus said "I am the way, the Truth, and the Life NO ONE gets to the father but through ME" The Greatest Thing in the World Henry Drummon FRSE,FGS 1900(?)

Edith Burns - Do you believe n Easter?"

One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?" Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room. After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?" Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long." Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!" Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!" Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter." Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse. Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book. One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you." Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work. I'm not interested." Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family." Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room. Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you." One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day." Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, "Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked." Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life. "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels. Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday." Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!" Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter. When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!" Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"