December 2009

You are browsing the archive for December 2009.

Do we trust GOD for our practical needs?

Can You Backpack With Boxes?

By Pam Fowler on 12/27/2009

Security does not come in a full fridge, money in the bank, a paycheck each week, knowing that you can get it if you need it, eating organically (this is the newest thing on the chopping block)…

Posted in Learning As We Go | Tagged anxiety, faith, following Jesus, Intentional Living, Simple Living, trusting GOD | 2 Responses

Farming As A Spiritual Discipline by Ragan Sutterfield

Farming and Faith: Interview With Ragan Sutterfield

By Jason Fowler on 12/24/2009

We are creatures, limited and dependent, living in a world that God created out of the trinitarian community of love…It is our role as Christians to live as limited and dependent creatures so that the creation might flourish and all can enjoy the abundance that God has created…

Posted in Features, Interviews | Tagged agrarian, Biblical agrarian, book, Christian agrarian, christian faith, church farm movement, Creation Care, Environment & Creation, farming, Farming As A Spiritual Discipline, Gene Logsdon, interview, Joel Salatin, ragan sutterfield, stewardship, Sustainable Agriculture, Theology, Wendell Berry | Leave a response

Is our idea of heaven based on Scripture? (montage by J Fowler)

Where On Earth Is Heaven?

By Dean Ohlman on 12/18/2009

The realization I came to a couple decades ago kindled a new hope in my heart—the understanding of the biblical promise that heaven was going to come to earth, and that the earth was going to be redeemed by “the Lamb who was slain”…

Posted in Features, Theology | Tagged Dean Ohlman, earth, eschatology, evangelical, future, heaven, Theology, Wonder of Creation | 15 Responses

Semper Reformanda

By Paul Littleton on 12/18/2009

I suspect that as long as the church remains in the world there will be reform movements calling her to greater faithfulness. I’d have to agree with the Protestant Reformers who believed that that was a good thing. Not perfect. But good. Semper Reformanda. Always Reforming.

Posted in Church & World History, Features, Theology | Tagged christian faith, Church History, church reform, monasticism, New Monasticism, new wineskins, Paul Littleton, reformation, semper reformanda, Theology | 5 Responses

All Creation Sings!

By Rich Vincent on 12/18/2009

An unbiblical view of creation will lead us to wrong living. Our theology affects our practice. Only a robust view of creation guides us in how we should live in God’s world.

Posted in Environment & Creation, Features, Theology | Tagged Biblical Worldview, Creation Care, psalm 104, Rich Vincent, science and faith, sustainable christian living, Theology, theology of creation, worldviews | 4 Responses

"The outstretched arms of Jesus exclude no one" (montage by J Fowler)

Finding the Furious Longing of God

By Becky Garrison on 12/16/2009

I wasn’t expecting a book to connect with me on such a visceral level. Through Brennan’s story, I saw how I had veered off the path. For all of my talk about how we need to put the Greatest Commandment into practice, I wasn’t exactly practicing what I preach.

Posted in Features, Life In The Spirit | Tagged Brennan Manning, humility, Jesus, love of GOD, Theology | Leave a response

Wendell Berry (image by J Fowler original of Mr. Berry by David Marshall)

The Work of Local Culture [excerpt]

By Wendell Berry on 12/11/2009

I know that one resurrected rural community would be more convincing and more encouraging than all programs of the last fifty years, and I think that it could be the beginning of the renewal of our country, for the renewal of rural communities ultimately implies the renewal of urban ones.

Posted in Food & Agriculture, Money & Economics | Tagged Community and Ecclesia, community renewal, E.F. Schumacher Society, local culture, localism, rural renewal, Wendell Berry | Leave a response

Are we radically opinionated or do we love radically? (montage by J Fowler)

Confession: Radicalism Often Turns People Into Jerks Rather Than Lovers

By Becky Garrison on 12/10/2009

During one of my recent holy hissy fits, Mark Van Steenwyk’s posting titled “A More Gracious Radicalism” graced my Google reader. Turns out I’m by no means the only one who struggles with righteous anger.

Posted in Life In The Spirit | Tagged christian faith, humility, love, Mark Van Steenwyk, radicalism, self-righteousness | 3 Responses