What does it mean that in Christ, we are a new creation? We know that it guarantees us a new start. We'd heard that when our lives are given to God, we're forgiven for our sins and given a fresh start. "White as snow" is what we claim to be because of Christ's blood covering us.
The news has been featuring a number of criminals lately that are out of jail after serving their terms. Some of them are "high risk to reoffend". Some of them aren't. But regardless of who they are, I've found myself thinking like I'm sure many of you do. "I'm glad they aren't in my neighborhood!" "We've gotta tighten up our laws so these people never get out!"
As Christians though, shouldn't we be the first to advocate for second chances? Since we've experienced Christ's true forgiveness, grace and mercy, shouldn't we understand - more than anyone else - how important it is to have a fresh start and how lost we are when we don't.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
we'll start light.
Since no one is likely really reading this right now, I'll start light and save the really heavy, serious stuff for another blog.
"The Island doesn't exist" says Facebook.
I have a mild addiction to Facebook. It would probably be safe to say that most people I know under 30 have some kind of addiction to it. Basically, it's a network website where people can connect, reconnect, and meet new people on the internet. You post your profile and join networks that you are interested in. Others join those networks too and then by looking through the names and connections, you find people. I joined my high school network, my old camp network, PYPS, and a few social groups I've been a part of. Through that, I've reacquainted with people I haven't even thought of in 20 years. It's crazy. And hugely popular.
According to the article, there are 11000 people on Van Isle wanting the Island to become a separate network. It will legitimize where we live and allow people to search for others that are local. At least 11000 people care enough about that to petition the administrators. There are also countless others (like myself) that think while it would be cool for it to happen, don't want to bother petitioning for it.
So why do people care so much? And why is this site so popular? Ask most teens/young adults today and they would tell you that they'd rather live without a TV than a computer or cell phone. Why? Because this is their community. This is their connection to the world. This is how they find their own identity and discover who they are.
One of the greatest images for the church is the family of God. The community of believers. So why is it that this generation is flocking to the internet community to find it's identity and leaving the church in droves? (that is, IF they were ever there in the first place). How can people find greater intimacy with those they know electronically than those in church that are supposed to love them and help grow them in Christ?
As a church and institution, we've always blamed the culture, the society, the world and called it shallow. But maybe it's us that have it wrong. Just maybe Facebook networks ARE more intimate than church friendships. At least 11000 people certainly seem to think so.
"The Island doesn't exist" says Facebook.
I have a mild addiction to Facebook. It would probably be safe to say that most people I know under 30 have some kind of addiction to it. Basically, it's a network website where people can connect, reconnect, and meet new people on the internet. You post your profile and join networks that you are interested in. Others join those networks too and then by looking through the names and connections, you find people. I joined my high school network, my old camp network, PYPS, and a few social groups I've been a part of. Through that, I've reacquainted with people I haven't even thought of in 20 years. It's crazy. And hugely popular.
According to the article, there are 11000 people on Van Isle wanting the Island to become a separate network. It will legitimize where we live and allow people to search for others that are local. At least 11000 people care enough about that to petition the administrators. There are also countless others (like myself) that think while it would be cool for it to happen, don't want to bother petitioning for it.
So why do people care so much? And why is this site so popular? Ask most teens/young adults today and they would tell you that they'd rather live without a TV than a computer or cell phone. Why? Because this is their community. This is their connection to the world. This is how they find their own identity and discover who they are.
One of the greatest images for the church is the family of God. The community of believers. So why is it that this generation is flocking to the internet community to find it's identity and leaving the church in droves? (that is, IF they were ever there in the first place). How can people find greater intimacy with those they know electronically than those in church that are supposed to love them and help grow them in Christ?
As a church and institution, we've always blamed the culture, the society, the world and called it shallow. But maybe it's us that have it wrong. Just maybe Facebook networks ARE more intimate than church friendships. At least 11000 people certainly seem to think so.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
What this is about
Well this is the first post. For those that aren't well acquainted with the art of 'blogging', it is basically a place to post thoughts on the internet for all to read. A 'blog' is short for 'web log' or a kind of online diary. So before we get started, I'll put out a couple ground rules so that we're all on the same page.
What this is:
-an open forum for ideas, thoughts, comments.
-the place where I will post daily reflections from what I read in the paper and see on the news for discussion at a coffee house meeting and 'ammunition' for Sunday morning sermons through the summer.
-provocative. It's designed to generate discussion.
What this isn't:
-the truth. Only the Bible is that. Neither the coffee house nor Sunday mornings is about what either of us think necessarily. It's about what God thinks. Let's open our Bibles together!
-a place to share deep personal things. This is the internet. Anyone can read it. Please don't post anything that you don't want just anyone reading (ie. no personal info, gossip etc.)
So with that said, post away! I'll start the official blogging tomorrow and it will be there every day throughout the summer. Feel free to reply here or just make notes and bring it to discuss at coffee house. Hope to see you there!
What this is:
-an open forum for ideas, thoughts, comments.
-the place where I will post daily reflections from what I read in the paper and see on the news for discussion at a coffee house meeting and 'ammunition' for Sunday morning sermons through the summer.
-provocative. It's designed to generate discussion.
What this isn't:
-the truth. Only the Bible is that. Neither the coffee house nor Sunday mornings is about what either of us think necessarily. It's about what God thinks. Let's open our Bibles together!
-a place to share deep personal things. This is the internet. Anyone can read it. Please don't post anything that you don't want just anyone reading (ie. no personal info, gossip etc.)
So with that said, post away! I'll start the official blogging tomorrow and it will be there every day throughout the summer. Feel free to reply here or just make notes and bring it to discuss at coffee house. Hope to see you there!
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