the ocean of god
“No man is satisfied in a swimming bath; he knocks his knees and elbows against its sides; he wants the sea. So with man’s soul, he hungers and thirsts for the ocean, for God; God infinite and Other, different to man, yet working in man…” - Baron F. Von Hugel
we are explorers
“The reward of the search is to go on searching. The soul’s desire is fulfilled by the very fact of its remaining unsatisfied; for really to see God is never to have had one’s fill of desiring Him” - Gregory of Nyassa
shapevine v.2
Yay! Shapevine is coming along nicely. We have a big announcement to make within a few weeks. We are going to be partnering with a major league publishing/magazine as their missional-oriented website. But here is the latest version anyhow. Check out the podule/e-learning system.
The Lessons of Social Networks
[[HT for this article to OnMovements]]>>
The research into network science has led to some new ways of thinking about social behavior. This research into networks offers multiple insights into movement building—the connecting, transforming, multiplying, generating, and cultural changing aspects of all movements. I’ve posted some applications from this research at different places. In a new book, “Connect!, the author compiled the following summary of how social networks work. I found its insights helpful.
fundamentalism: a true expression of Christianity or not?
On the last blog post I was asked in a to qualify why I thought that fundamentalism was basically a false understanding of God and the Christian faith. I thought it would be worth a broader discussion. This was my reply.. Read more
the heart of falsehood
“False prophets are not godless. [Rather] They adore the god ‘success’. They themselves are in constant need of success and achieve it by promising it to the people. But they do honestly want success for the people. The craving for success governs their hearts and determines what rises from them. That is what Jeremiah called the ‘deceit of their own hearts’. They do not deceive; they are deceived, and can breathe only in the air of deceit” - Martin Buber
outsourcing our responsibilities
“Whatever the failings of Moses, they are as nothing to the failures among his multitudes of followers. A people will concede greater responsibility to its leaders only so that it may enjoy less responsibility itself. If Moses converses with God, it saves them the exertion of doing so themselves” — Roy Oliver
some endorsements for reJesus
The publishers are on track for the early December release of reJesus. Here are some of the endorsements from various authors and thinkers.
R.I.P. Emerging Church??
Url Scaramanga, the somewhat naughty and provocative editor of Christianity Today’s Out of Ur blog, wrote this article. What do you think? Read more
funny boy Brant hanson takes Al Quaeda out
All the talk about Al Quaeda makes me think of my friend Brant Hanson’s post w hile back. this has already featured here once, but it is so good that it has to be posted again! So, this is from Brant….
Networks and Netwars: What can we learn about ourselves from Al Quaeda
As shocking as it seems at first, it’s not hard to see the striking similarities between the structures of international terrorist networks like Al Quaeda and that of the Early Church, or the Chinese church for that matter. And while the agenda of each is entirely different, it is partly the structure that makes both so effective and just about impossible to ‘take out.’ How is it that every legitimate government in the world is spending incalculable billions of dollars trying to stamp out a relatively small movement and has largely failed to make even a dent?! The most powerful armies in the world are dedicated to the sole purpose of destroying it and have yet to get close to fulfilling that mission. Putting aside its political agenda, what is it about this vile movement that makes it so hard to snuff out?
creation care
Fantastic…a group of committed evangelicals have got together and formed an alliance that will promote issues relating to the environment. At last!! I’ve signed up, why don’t you? If you need convincing, take a look at this alarming post at mine and Deb’s personal blog. And check out some other resources here.
why do women live longer than men?
Gandhi’s Seven Deadly Sins
Mohandas Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in modern social and political activism, considered these traits to be the most spiritually perilous to humanity… Read more
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we are explorers
- Alan Hirsch said: Shades of U2's song "I... shapevine v.2
- Penney Winiarski said: Great resource Alan....
- Andrew said: Have been into the...
- Frank Viola said: Looks great, Alan. Lance... fundamentalism: a true expression of Christianity or not?
- Janet said: Well, at the risk of...
- Matt Stone said: I think its more than...
- Andrew said: Thanks Matt for that...
- Andrew said: A reason I find US...
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- Matt Stone said: See http://en.wikipedia...