D B A D

My primary axiom is this...Don't Be A Dick! Of course, that's not the verbiage I use with my daughter. With her, we talk about always respecting other people, animals, possessions, and our home/planet. As a matter of fact, Don't Be A Dick is the marble sack I use to carry my faith, spirituality, and understanding of what Jesus was trying to say. I don't think He hated a single Pharisee. But I DO think He was frustrated because they were being Dicks and using His Father's name to do it with. Something to think about...

Must Truth Be Tempered? / George Barna

November 11th, 2010 // posted in Cultural Trends

"We argue that we believe in God, then push Him aside and assume His throne. On occasion, we’ll engage in true worship, but mostly of celebrities. We say we are Christians, but aren’t sure if Jesus is relevant for today; claim to believe what the Bible teaches, but deny the existence of Satan; and settle for going to church rather than being the church. We adopt the label “Christian” at the same time we admit that God is our safety net rather than our first love, and that our church relationships are an addendum to our real social networks. Church leaders are frustrated by the lack of transformed lives produced under their guidance, but they do little to significantly change their routines, and even seek to block new ways of doing ministry and advancing the kingdom of God."

[full article]

What's organized religion got to do with whether or not God is? / Martha Woodroof

[It took me 150 pages in my book to try and say what Ms. Woodroof says here....nicely done.]

When the church itself needs saving / Michelle Boorstein

"When the church is inward-looking, it's dying," Long said. "In the developing world, where it's outward-looking, it's exploding."

[Article]

Walking away from church / Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell

Robert D. Putnam, a professor of public policy at Harvard University, and David E. Campbell, a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, are the authors of "American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us."

[Article]