Gathering In Light

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Thanksgiving and Irony

Here’s the message I gave this past Sunday. I am not going to be posting my sermons online as much as I have been in the past but since our recording software for the podcast had a major breakdown this last week I thought I’d put this here

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Being A “Released” Minister

I recently went through and changed most of my online profiles, email signatures, and even our bulletin for Sunday morning it from “pastor” to “released minister” as that language seems to fit where I am at better. So now, at least on paper, that’s the language I use to

Church in Mission

To The Church in North America by Kester Brewin

Came across this video today by Kester Brewin. I think it has a lot to say. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqIYgdoUzwc&w=575&h=456] YouTube – To The Church in North America by Kester Brewin.

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A ‘Missional’ Church Statement

Here’s one of my favorite missional church statements of all time: In the power of life and wisdom, and dread of the Lord God of life and heaven and earth, dwell;…and be a terror to all the adversaries of God, and a dread, answering that of God in

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“How to Be a Poet” by Wendell Berry

(to remind myself) i Make a place to sit down. Sit down. Be quiet. You must depend upon affection, reading, knowledge, skill—more of each than you have—inspiration, work, growing older, patience, for patience joins time to eternity. Any readers who like your poems, doubt their judgment. ii Breathe

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Save the Date: Quaker Heritage Day 2011

I’ve been asked to be the speaker for Quaker Heritage Day, a day long series of talks around, you guessed it, Quaker history that Berkeley Friends puts on every year. Since Brian Young (the released minister there) is sending out the postcards, I thought I’d send out a

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New Missiology Books October 2010

As a doctoral student in missiology I like to keep up on the new things getting published on the subject. Here are a few new books that are out that have caught my attention. ((Books include referral code links to Powell’s Books an Independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon.)) Summaries

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Social Media and the Illusion of Action

The other day I got caught up in following Kester Brewin’s tweets on the Apple 8 Media: Social Media and Political Action event he was covering on twitter (see those comments here).  There were a number of things he quoted there that really stood out, so I was eager

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Small Group Discussion Guide for “The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction”

Over the course of the summer a small group at Camas Friends Church worked through Ben Pink Dandelion’s “The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction.” The book is honestly a little deceiving. It is short, but the font is also small and it is packed full with tons of information.

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An Index of Brent Bill’s Modest Proposals

Brent Bill, Quaker, recorded minister and and the author of Sacred Compass, has recently hammered out 8 great, and what he calls with tongue planted in cheek, “A Modest Proposal: For the Revitalization of the Quaker Message in the United States.” I printed them all out and read through them

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How Krista Tippett is Rocking My World

One of the things that has been really inspiring me lately is Krista Tippett’s radio/podcast program “Being,” which as of a month ago was known more widely as “Speaking of Faith.” The show interviews a variety of people from various faiths and perspectives who are doing some really

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Our Righteous Lament – Nadia Bolz-Weber

Nadia Bolz-Weber, the pastor at the House for All Sinners and Saints, (and blogger at www.sarcasticlutheran.com) has written a beautiful reflection on lament, the recent teen suicides by a number of gay youth, and the loss of covenant in our society. There is quite a strong tradition in

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Today is World Habitat for Humanity Day

The United Nations has designated the first Monday in October as annual World Habitat Day. It is a day to raise awareness around the importance of there being affordable and safe housing in the world. Safe and affordable housing is not something that is available to everyone and as the

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The End of Words

Quaker theologian Isaac Penington once wrote: And the end of words is to bring [humanity] to the knowledge of things beyond what words can utter. So, learn of the Lord to make a right use of the Scriptures: which is by esteeming them in their right place, and prizing that

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If You Can’t Go Over It, then…

One of L’s favorite books, and if we’re being completely honest mine as well, is “We’re Going On A Bear Hunt.” It’s a great adventure story that begs to be interacted with, the pitter-patter of hands on your legs for running, the squishy sounds for mud,

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Getting Ready for a New Year in Seminary?

As another school year is starting up for all you seminary students I thought I’d link to a few trips and tricks posts I’ve written over the years. Hopefully you find them helpful. * So This Is Your First Year In Seminary? Tips, Tricks and Other Advice * A Resource

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There is No Time for Weeping (Jeremiah 8)

I thought I would post what I would have said, if I would have preached the other day. (Given that please forgive the very unpolished nature of this piece). The love of a Parent is powerful. For instance, the other night L came running into our room balling. Now typically,

The Theological

Joan Baez – Virgin Mary (Had One Son)

Re-Watching some of the “No Direction Home” documentary this evening on Bob Dylan and was reminded of this haunting video by Joan Baez. I absolutely love it. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOAAHlYMKYc?fs=1&hl=en_US&w=574&h=456] YouTube – Joan Baez

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Questions for Jeremiah 8:18-9:1

At Camas Friends, we have a variety of ways in which we do the “message” portion of our service. Generally I preach, but not always. Sometimes we have a discussion around the text, sometimes we utilized drama or interview like portions to add to the mix, sometimes we invite people

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Tell all the Truth but tell it slant

Thinking about this poem today: Tell all the Truth but tell it slant— Success in Cirrcuit lies Too bright for our infirm Delight The Truth’s superb surprise As Lightening to the Children eased With explanation kind The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind— via Tell all

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Brent Bill: A Modest Proposal – For the Revitalization of the Quaker Message in the United Staes

Brent Bill, Quaker, author, convergent Friend, and all around good guy, is beginning a series on his blog that I am really looking forward to. In it he’s going to be looking at what the Quaker message is for today. I admitted that I had some interest in the

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Wake Up Everybody

Here’s a new video from John Legen and the Roots. I love the Roots so that’s how I bumped into this, I’ve never really listened to John Legend before.  I find the video really uplifting, and the song has a good tune with some great lyrics. It

Activism

Turning Messages Of Hate Into Poetry of Love

Came across this yesterday. It’s a really cool blog called God Loves Poetry. It’s a group of people subverting the hateful message of Westboro Baptist Church. Turning their anger into messages of hope with a black marker and some creativity. It’s a simple act, but it reminds

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The Love of a Parent

I love this quote from Frederick Buechner: “‘He who loves has fifty woes … who loves none has no woe,’ said the Buddha, and it is true. To love another, as you love a child, is to become vulnerable in a whole new way. It is no longer only through what

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Creatures are not Machines

Wendell Berry, in an essay within his book Life is a Miracle (53ff), writes about the persistent problem of some analogizing humans with machines. You don’t have to look far for examples or remarks about the human mind being like a computer chip, or people being talked about as