Great stuff from a great church

This Christianity Today article, by Chris Smith of Englewood Christian Church in Indianapolis, highlights some of the exciting things that have been happening over the past couple of decades, due to the fact that Christians at Englewood simply decided to start taking the word of God seriously. This is inspirational for any church community (like my own) that wants to change the world for the kingdom of God but is wondering where to start. Start by talking, and let your actions flow out of sustained, prayerful conversation. Thanks, Chris.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/thisisourcity/7thcity/talktoyourneighbors.html?paging=off

Read this Letter

http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/documents/Letter_Birmingham_Jail.pdf

One of the most important documents that Christian faith in the 20th century produced. One of the most powerful demonstrations of the idea that a life of prayer and a life of action can be and should be inextricably intertwined.

On the Craziness that is Tebow

Here are just a couple of the (many) articles written about Tim Tebow in the wake of the stunning OT victory over the Steelers last night. One of my frustrations has been the way that Tebowmania has given way to bad theology (on both sides of the debate). The posts on Slate have been particularly egregious in this regard, while this latest, from Josh Levin, is entertaining for the almost palpable level of passive-aggressive disdain for Tebow that the author exhibits. The posts/comments I've enjoyed the most have come from those who don't seem to come down on one side or the other regarding Tebow's religious beliefs, but see them as one piece of the amazing story that's unfolded in Denver over the past couple of months, a story capped off (for now) with an 80-yard touchdown straight out of a movie script. Grantland has been admirable on this front, and the piece by Bill Barnwell stands as an example of analysis not clouded by dogmatic allegiance to either of the two extreme perspectives on the phenomenon of Tebow. For good measure, I'll also throw in Chuck Klosterman's earlier piece, which I really enjoyed, on the polarizing effect that Tebow was having in those early days of the winning streak, before the Broncos crash-landed, backed into the playoffs, and then stunned everyone in the first round. Enjoy.

http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/features/2011/nfl_2011/wild_card/tim_tebow_playoffs_why_the_steelers_lost_to_tebow_and_the_broncos_.html

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7441363/bill-barnwell-breaks-tim-tebow-epic-game-coaching-woes-atlanta

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7319858/the-people-hate-tim-tebow

An Invitation

First, I'll preface this by saying that I know there are countless blogs out there already. I am exceedingly late to the party, as I often am when it comes to technology. I also know that there is an overwhelming abundance of information available on the internet, and a glut of voices competing for attention. I am self-aware enough to understand that I will not be doing anything earth-shattering or world-changing in this space. I am simply a Christian, a pastor, an occasional teacher and a sporadic writer who has decided to join the masses who have used the internet to share their thoughts and to initiate conversation about what is important to them. My hope is that this blog will bring new conversation partners into my life and initiate new friendships while at the same time reinvigorating old ones. My main practice here will be to post reflections on things that I'm reading, and to ask my readers (if there are any) what they think. I have been fortunate to be influenced by a number of strong, mature, and wise individuals and communities that have spurred me on to the kind of growth God desires for me and the kind of allegiance that God's kingdom demands. Without sustained discussion, I'm not sure where I'd be; this blog is, more than anything, an attempt to open myself up to more and better discussion with people whose interests and concerns intersect with my own, without necessarily mirroring them. So, as I begin this adventure, I want to invite friends, neighbors, and strangers to join me.
Grace and Peace,
Todd