Dec 15 2007
My dear friend James Street offers some good advice about how to listen to Christmas carols. One thing I like about him is his ability to find the positive spin on even the sappiest of Christmas carols. If you love Christmas music, and even more so if you hate Christmas music, you will want to check out Jim’s advice about how to listen to Christmas music.
on the walk
-Ethan
Dec 05 2007
As I am thinking about Advent, my good friend Jim Street reminds me that it’s about time. Holidays are among those events that shape the rhythm of our lives. But there are plenty of others that compete.
As you consider your participation in the Christmas year, think about how your time is shaped. Is it by the school year or the seasons? Is it by sports or fashion? Take a moment and consider how time shapes you life as you read Jim’s helpful thoughts on Advent.
on the walk
-Ethan
Nov 26 2007
I went on vacation. It was wonderful. I am grateful and was glad for the opportunity to give thanks. I have several things I long to post on but first I wanted to direct your attention to the conclusion of James Street’s series on gratitudians.
You can read it for yourself in Part 2 and Part 3.
In his post the addresses something that is of particular interest to me.
I don’t think you can think about water or anything else in this life as gift without simultaneously thinking that there is a Giver.
This theistic dimension of thanksgiving is so very important to me. Like many modern Christians, I often live as a practical atheist. (That is a person who believes in God but often ignores God in everyday life and decisions.) Thanksgiving prevents that.
This is why I think that Thanksgiving is so hard to corrupt. Continue Reading »
Nov 19 2007
I am eager for the rest of the story on this beautiful post from James Street. He says there is more coming and I hope he keeps his word. (I have no reason to doubt him.)
Jim was the preacher at the church of my youth. He had a profound influence on my development as a Christian and on my subconscious definition of great preaching.
He did a series on prayer that focused on the phrases of the Lord’s prayer. It has been lost to my conscious mind, but it shaped me, and occasionally unbidden phrases from that series will float to the front of my head.
This post is a powerful reflection on the intimate connection between practice and grace, and between discipline and character.
on the walk
-Ethan
Nov 04 2007
Alex Lozada has a good post on the potential risks of excellence as a value for Christians. Be warned, he links to another article you will want to read so you could be in a for a few minutes of insightful reading.
on the walk
-Ethan
Nov 03 2007
It is always a challenge for me to remember that Jesus loves everybody – even the people that I don’t like very much. Greg Boyd just posted a challenging post about Jesus’ love for everybody. He asks, if you want a Jesus who is on your side or a Jesus who came and died for everybody.
If you feel up to it, check it out.
on the walk
-Ethan
Oct 27 2007
One of the blogs that I read occasionally just posted the outline of an interesting looking series on Jesus and money. Given Mountain’s current series, I thought that some of you would be interested in seeing another take on the topic.
This blog is the home of a fascinating preacher at a fascinating church. I often find he has a surprising and refreshing view of church life and how to live as a Christian. Check it out if you want a glimpse at another take on these issues.
on the walk
-Ethan
Oct 09 2007
There is a wonderful article that can be read on the website of the Leadership Journal. In this article by Chad Hall, he writes of his own journey to simplify his life. I want to write more about this issue and I want to live more of this issue. But for today I encourage you to read what Chad has written. Can the church lead in this way? Should the church lead in this way?
Take a look: Living with Less.
on the walk
-Ethan
Oct 02 2007
If you want to have your mind challenged early in the morning, check out this dramatic and provocative post from Greg Boyd. This kind of stuff gets me inspired.
on the walk
-Ethan
Oct 01 2007
Later today I will post some sermon reflections and share a few pictures from the Barnesville pumpkin festival. But for now, I will share this wonderful story that Ben Witherington offers on prayer.
on the walk
-Ethan
