This is the first year that Catalyst has had a west-coast event. I’m glad I went. That’s the worship (or, Presbyterians would say, the “worship music”). The band is Hillsong United, from Australia.
Susan Boyle is a Reminder
Today I heard about Susan Boyle, the singing sensation who wowed the judges on Britain’s Got Talent. (Her story is summarized here, and it’s worth reading.) It’s a touching reminder how much we judge people. All the time, and to our shame. But God is good, and occasionally lets us see in one person, like … Continue reading »
O God, Thy Being Who Can Sound
I recently happened to hear the hymn “O God, Thy Being Who Can Sound.” (Here.) It’s a beautiful arrangement, and I wondered that I hadn’t heard the hymn before. I googled for it awhile, but couldn’t find it. But it kept bugging me, so I posted an inquiry on Facebook, and someone there found it … Continue reading »
In Time for Holy Week: Apostasy!
C.S. Lewis somewhere decries ministers who desert their faith but feel they should be left to “carry on” in their office in the church. Here’s a case in point: an Episcopal Muslim: “Both religions say there’s only one God,” Redding said, “and that God is the same God. It’s very clear we are talking about … Continue reading »
Unexpected Currents
Have you ever spent any time in the ocean? My in-laws have a house in southern Orange County. Whenever we visit, we go down to the same beach near their home. So we stake out a place on the beach and then we go out into the surf to swim and splash around. I enjoy … Continue reading »
Read and Comment
From Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy: The “real” world has little room for a God of sparrows and children. To it, Jesus can only seem “otherworldly” — a good-hearted person out of touch with reality. Yes, it must be admitted that he is influential, but only because he affirms what weak-minded and fainthearted individuals fantasize … Continue reading »
08B Update
Unofficially, the vote at Presbytery today on Amendment 08B was 42/53/2. That is to say, 42 in favor, 53 against, and 2 recommending no action.
08B Comments
Here’s what I said at Presbytery today. When I began the process of discerning my call to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, the leaders of my church encouraged me to participate in a discernment group. So one evening I sad down with a group of people to discuss with me, in detail, all the … Continue reading »
Morongo Basin Leadership Prayer Breakfast
I’m looking forward to the Leadership Prayer Breakfast on Friday. The speaker is Mark Joseph. All I know about him is what Google tells me. I got this bio from his column at the Huffington Post: Mark Joseph is a multi-media producer, columnist and author. His books include Pop Goes Religion, Faith, God & Rock … Continue reading »
Spring Forward? But It’s Still Winter!
Yecch. Daylight Savings Time begins earlier than ever this year. (They haven’t changed it again, it’s just that the second Sunday of March occurs 6 days earlier this year.)