God With Us or God for Us 1

I attend a church that was founded on a principle of  being a place of refuge  for those who were shoved aside by the Pharisees that live among us. This was not our central principle but because of the void that existed, it brought many into our midst that were shunned because of divorce, or disagreement with leadership, or family troubles, or personal demons that others found revolting.

We grew as a body and empowered many who had lost their hope in finding a family.

Then comes change. We gained many who looked for a home until we captured that market.

We then looked in our community and found a college nearby. We invited them in.  They came looking for a home away from home. We have tried to be that.  Strangers ask questions.

We don't always have the answers but we studied.

Through our study of the Bible we began to open worship to female participation.  A place of refuge for those shoved aside.

We have had some of our long time members leave recently.

I ask, "Do we believe in GOD WITH US or GOD FOR US?

I have watched closely those who leave and ask the questions, 

"Did they leave so that they could do a better work somewhere else? 

OR Did they leave so that they could be more comfortable? 

 

OR Did they leave so that they did not want to change?

GOD WITH US or GOD FOR US

What do you think?

Experimental Theology: The Accidental Empire: Christian Resistance in the...

This is good stuff for thought:



Experimental Theology: The Accidental Empire: Christian Resistance in the...: What does Christian political resistance look like in the age of Trump? Mark Lilla in his book The Stillborn God describes Christendom ...

Catching Up at the Movies

Weird collection of movie:  An aging superhero, a monster from my youth and a Shack.

"Logan" is of course the "Wolverine" of the X-Men series. And as any animal, he is getting long in the tooth.  This is one of those stories of passing the torch to a younger version of him although a girl.  It is a fitting end for Logan. I had to see it through but lets face it Logan needs to rest.

2017 Movie #10   I give it ***stars.

"The Shack" is a movie that I dreaded like i dreaded the book. Having dealt with the death of a daughter (actually never finishing), it is not entertainment.  The movie in many ways is better than the book because it condenses without missing the point.  The gist of the story is the importance of our connection with God and our friends and family.  People debate the theology that is implied in the book, but the message is much simpler. Sometimes we have to get out of our way and our mind and open up to God and open up to see those who love us and need our love.  Hate and guilt and grudges keep us bottled up.  I loved this version of the story.

2017 Movie #11  I give it ****1/2 stars

Ok, "Kong, Skull Island" is a pleasure of my youth.  I loved King Kong as a kid. It was the first story of greed and men who just want to make money if it it risk people and things. King Kong was one of those Things.  This retelling is filled with Hollywood A-list actors and is great action fun.  not was what I needed to end the week.  AND I liked it in 3D.

2017 Movie #12  I give it **** stars