Ok so now that I am back I have had some time to catch up on some email and blogging. I was sent this quiz kind of like the theo-quiz I had posted earlier called "What's your theological worldview?" This one is for your model of church. And for someone like me who has worked in the church for about 12 years and has pondered the idea of planting a church I found this interesting. If you want to take the quiz yourself click here. QUIZ
Here are my results...
You scored as Sacrament model.
Your model of the church is Sacrament. The church is the effective sign of the revelation that is the person of Jesus Christ. Christians are transformed by Christ and then become a beacon of Christ wherever they go. This model has a remarkable capacity for integrating other models of the church.
Sacrament model 83%
Servant Model 72%
Herald Model 67%
Mystical Communion Model 67%
Institutional Model 33%
I have no idea what the "Herald Model" is but when I find out I will tell. If any of you know what it is let me know! I bet it is a lot like the DAAAVVVVVIIIIDDDDD model of church! :)
Saturday, August 13, 2005
HOME SWEET HOME!
So after about 15 hours of flying and lots of really bad airplane food we made it home. We actually gained a night in our return, but we are so beat!
We had the opportunity of staying another night with free room and board, food, and $700 dollar plane vouchers for each of us because our flight from Rome was so full. We signed up for the deal, but unfortunately then didn't need that many seats. Oh well! It would have been really cool to get two $700 tickets and an extra night, but the comfort of our own bed was so night to come home to!
Thanks for all of your prayers for our trip! It was felt and appreciated! We can't wait to get together with you all and to share our stories and pictures!
Talk to you soon!
We had the opportunity of staying another night with free room and board, food, and $700 dollar plane vouchers for each of us because our flight from Rome was so full. We signed up for the deal, but unfortunately then didn't need that many seats. Oh well! It would have been really cool to get two $700 tickets and an extra night, but the comfort of our own bed was so night to come home to!
Thanks for all of your prayers for our trip! It was felt and appreciated! We can't wait to get together with you all and to share our stories and pictures!
Talk to you soon!
ROME, ORVIETO, AND CIVITA
So we have really loved Rome! It is an amazingly alive city especially at night! But our greatest adventure while in Rome actually came on our last day!
We decided to leave and go see another hill town. Much like our wine tour of Chianti we went to the town of Orvieto which is also a wine town. All I have to say is that you have to see the pictures, but from Orvieto we went to the small town of Civita.
This place is incredible. It has a population of 14! That's smaller than Eatonville! It is a place where the Etruscans lived in over 2500 years ago!!! You can only get there by walking up this long bridge. Picture the Grand Canyon in the middle of Tuscany. A little mountain with sharp cliffs surrounding it. It has a wall built all around it and the city is inside. We saw pictures of this town from when pictures were first available and it looks the same today! Anyways this was one of the coolest places we got to see! I can't wait to show you the pictures!
We decided to leave and go see another hill town. Much like our wine tour of Chianti we went to the town of Orvieto which is also a wine town. All I have to say is that you have to see the pictures, but from Orvieto we went to the small town of Civita.
This place is incredible. It has a population of 14! That's smaller than Eatonville! It is a place where the Etruscans lived in over 2500 years ago!!! You can only get there by walking up this long bridge. Picture the Grand Canyon in the middle of Tuscany. A little mountain with sharp cliffs surrounding it. It has a wall built all around it and the city is inside. We saw pictures of this town from when pictures were first available and it looks the same today! Anyways this was one of the coolest places we got to see! I can't wait to show you the pictures!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Venice Part 2, Brussels Belgium, and Rome!
Ok sorry for the blank blog from below. I ran out of time on the internet and it did not load up all that I wrote. SO yes Erika and others Venice was wonderful! So hear is the quick recap of Venice!
It is the most beautuful place ever! I never thought I could be more motivated to learn how to swim! Just kidding! We saw lots of statues, pigeons, tourists, paintings, gelato, pizza, vivaldi bands, sunsets, and rain! Yes we had rain and it was so refreshing! And it made all the tourists run for cover!!! We loved it! We also saw St Marks Basillica, the pallace of the Doge which is like a Duke, climbed some towers and saw incredible views. We purposely got lost and felt like a local which was really fun. We also saw the place in which they say the apostle Mark was burried and also saw artifacts that they say were from the days of Jesus! This is the very short version, I do not want a repeat of last time! I will share more later!
From Venice we headed off to Brussels Belgium!
This was incredible!
We stayed with my cousin Robin and her soon to be husband Alberto! Brussels is much like the northwest. It is green with lots of trees, hills, mountains, and parks. The people are very kind and the climate is very similar. We also got some rain Seattle style which again was very refreshing.
Basically while we were here we spent much time relaxing and catching up on relationships and sleep! We had frites, Belgian waffles, lots of mussels - to eat not mine, and great Beer! YUM YUM!!! We saw all the sights and we went to Bruge an incredibly beautiful medieval village kind of like Leavenworth but instead Belgian. They even have lots of canals like Venice! WE LOVED THIS PLACE!!! We were also treated to the most authentic Italian cooking by Alberto two of our nights which was very very good! We hated to leave, but Rome was calling!
AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE NOW!
So far we have seen the Spanish steps which is blocks from our place, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum. We also saw Vatican City the home of the Pope and the incredible Vatican museum. And with this we saw St Peters Basillica and the Sistine Chapel. It is a crazy city but we have loved it so far. I got to run, but we will be home very soon!
Ciao for now!
It is the most beautuful place ever! I never thought I could be more motivated to learn how to swim! Just kidding! We saw lots of statues, pigeons, tourists, paintings, gelato, pizza, vivaldi bands, sunsets, and rain! Yes we had rain and it was so refreshing! And it made all the tourists run for cover!!! We loved it! We also saw St Marks Basillica, the pallace of the Doge which is like a Duke, climbed some towers and saw incredible views. We purposely got lost and felt like a local which was really fun. We also saw the place in which they say the apostle Mark was burried and also saw artifacts that they say were from the days of Jesus! This is the very short version, I do not want a repeat of last time! I will share more later!
From Venice we headed off to Brussels Belgium!
This was incredible!
We stayed with my cousin Robin and her soon to be husband Alberto! Brussels is much like the northwest. It is green with lots of trees, hills, mountains, and parks. The people are very kind and the climate is very similar. We also got some rain Seattle style which again was very refreshing.
Basically while we were here we spent much time relaxing and catching up on relationships and sleep! We had frites, Belgian waffles, lots of mussels - to eat not mine, and great Beer! YUM YUM!!! We saw all the sights and we went to Bruge an incredibly beautiful medieval village kind of like Leavenworth but instead Belgian. They even have lots of canals like Venice! WE LOVED THIS PLACE!!! We were also treated to the most authentic Italian cooking by Alberto two of our nights which was very very good! We hated to leave, but Rome was calling!
AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE NOW!
So far we have seen the Spanish steps which is blocks from our place, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum. We also saw Vatican City the home of the Pope and the incredible Vatican museum. And with this we saw St Peters Basillica and the Sistine Chapel. It is a crazy city but we have loved it so far. I got to run, but we will be home very soon!
Ciao for now!
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Monday, August 01, 2005
Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence, Siena, & Chianti...
Bonjourno & Ciao from Italy!
Oh my we love this country! So from Barcelona we left very early to Pisa alla airplane. We made it and saw the famous Leaning Tower. From there we headed by train to what very well could be the most beautiful place on earth. THE CINQUE TERRE! We stayed in a place called Vernazza. It is right on the Mediteranean Sea. Very small and completely gorgeous! We hiked we relaxed, we people watched, we saw the sights and learned the history. And of course we ate some of the best food of our lives! We even got treated to live music and incredible tango dancing!
From there we went to Florence by train and stayed with Marcella who is awesome - like Bertha Sclafani only she doesn't speak English. We saw DAAAAAVVVVIIIIDDD!!! And lots of other special paintings and sculptures by DaVinci, Michelanglo, and all the other big names!
Then from there we bused to Siena which has been more relaxed and beautiful. Our place has an incredible terrace that looks over the whole city. And our host plays the accordian to us! Today we took a trip to Chianti and sipped wine and saw Tuscany! It is so beautiful!
I am just about out of time on this email card! So gotta go!
Off to Venice tomorrow!
Love you all and will email again soon!
Ciao and Bouna Sera from Italy!
Oh my we love this country! So from Barcelona we left very early to Pisa alla airplane. We made it and saw the famous Leaning Tower. From there we headed by train to what very well could be the most beautiful place on earth. THE CINQUE TERRE! We stayed in a place called Vernazza. It is right on the Mediteranean Sea. Very small and completely gorgeous! We hiked we relaxed, we people watched, we saw the sights and learned the history. And of course we ate some of the best food of our lives! We even got treated to live music and incredible tango dancing!
From there we went to Florence by train and stayed with Marcella who is awesome - like Bertha Sclafani only she doesn't speak English. We saw DAAAAAVVVVIIIIDDD!!! And lots of other special paintings and sculptures by DaVinci, Michelanglo, and all the other big names!
Then from there we bused to Siena which has been more relaxed and beautiful. Our place has an incredible terrace that looks over the whole city. And our host plays the accordian to us! Today we took a trip to Chianti and sipped wine and saw Tuscany! It is so beautiful!
I am just about out of time on this email card! So gotta go!
Off to Venice tomorrow!
Love you all and will email again soon!
Ciao and Bouna Sera from Italy!
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
It´s Caliente!
Ok before I get into it let me just say that WE SAW LANCE ARMSTRONG!! He drove right by us on his way to championship number 7! That is the short version and the long version - basically after lots of standing and rain he flew by with the rest of them! It was very cool!
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETLY DIFFERENT!
Well we have been in Barcelona Spain for the last couple of days and it has been crazy hot! But also very relaxing and enjoyable. We have been staying with Carlo´s brother Mario and his wife Sandra. THEY ARE AWESOME! We just got back from a wonderful night of true Barcelona night life! A walk down the Ramblas (the main drag) that is always busy with people. Dinner here doesn´t really happen till around 9:30pm so it gets late. They still have a ciesta during there day! Me likey! We leave tomorrow for Italy. We fly into Pisa of the fame leaning tower and then head off to the Cinque Terra! Oh we can not wait! I would list all the things that we saw while we were here, but you probably wouldn´t know what there were. So basically we saw a lot of spanish art, amazing cathedrals, incredible architechture, hilarious people watching, tasty food, and wicked hot temperatures. Oh and as I said - tons of fun with the Furlan´s of Barcelona! We hope to keep you posted when we are in Italy, but don´t know what the internet action will be like there.
Hasta la pasta!
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETLY DIFFERENT!
Well we have been in Barcelona Spain for the last couple of days and it has been crazy hot! But also very relaxing and enjoyable. We have been staying with Carlo´s brother Mario and his wife Sandra. THEY ARE AWESOME! We just got back from a wonderful night of true Barcelona night life! A walk down the Ramblas (the main drag) that is always busy with people. Dinner here doesn´t really happen till around 9:30pm so it gets late. They still have a ciesta during there day! Me likey! We leave tomorrow for Italy. We fly into Pisa of the fame leaning tower and then head off to the Cinque Terra! Oh we can not wait! I would list all the things that we saw while we were here, but you probably wouldn´t know what there were. So basically we saw a lot of spanish art, amazing cathedrals, incredible architechture, hilarious people watching, tasty food, and wicked hot temperatures. Oh and as I said - tons of fun with the Furlan´s of Barcelona! We hope to keep you posted when we are in Italy, but don´t know what the internet action will be like there.
Hasta la pasta!
Saturday, July 23, 2005
The Tour is coming...
Well today the Tour De Fance comes to an end. As I have just gotten up the day feels like a typical Seattle morning. Very overcast and a light mist! Today we are going to see Versailles, the Tour final, the Orsay museum, and actually climbing the Eiffel Tower tonight! A very full day to say the least! I don't have much time today to write, but maybe later tonight! We leave tomorrow for Barcelona Spain! Que bueno!
Bye for now!
Bye for now!
Wee or Oui or Si what country are we in again?
Ok so just in case you didn't know... Jen and I do not speak French! In fact the more we try the more we end up throwing Spanish into the mix! What is up with that? I keep saying Si [for yes] instead of Oui! And every thing I am trying to pronounce comes out sounding so WHITE! Fortunately, people have been nice to me. Jen on the other hand has had some very rude treatment! Especially at the post office. We are sending some stuff back to lighten our load [even though we followed Rick Steves packing light] and the time it took us to get all the information took f-0-r-e-v-e-r!
But we still made it to the Arc De Triomphie, climbed it, went to the museum that's inside it, took lots of pictures, and did the massive French shopping zone. Which by the way was way to crazy hectic, but still an experience.
Even the McDonalds here are "FRENCH" with a "McCafe" that served all kinds of French pastries, drinks, etc. outside in umbrella covered seats. And inside the main section was the regular McD's but with a giant video screen load rockin' American music playing and cd listening stations! By the way we didn't go there to eat! Just to get a coke and a water [or should I say Evion] to cool off and try not to spend an arm and a leg!
After spending lots of time walking and enjoying all that is France we went back to Rue Cler [where we are staying] and bought some picnic food. Wine, brie, tomatoes, grapes, pears, and bread. Then we slowly made our way to the Eiffel Tower for a picnic in the park. I must say that from a distance the tower is ok, but up close it is pretty amazing! Did you know that they paint it! It takes 50 tons of paint to do it! It was packed! Like U2 rock star concert packed, so we opted to just relax and watch the lights come on and take pictures! It is quite beautyfull and romantic! All in all it was a great day. Today we are off to who knows what! I'll tell you when we get back!
PS: By the way tomorrow the Tour De France comes to an end and we are going to go cheer on Lance Armstrong! Go USA!
But we still made it to the Arc De Triomphie, climbed it, went to the museum that's inside it, took lots of pictures, and did the massive French shopping zone. Which by the way was way to crazy hectic, but still an experience.
Even the McDonalds here are "FRENCH" with a "McCafe" that served all kinds of French pastries, drinks, etc. outside in umbrella covered seats. And inside the main section was the regular McD's but with a giant video screen load rockin' American music playing and cd listening stations! By the way we didn't go there to eat! Just to get a coke and a water [or should I say Evion] to cool off and try not to spend an arm and a leg!
After spending lots of time walking and enjoying all that is France we went back to Rue Cler [where we are staying] and bought some picnic food. Wine, brie, tomatoes, grapes, pears, and bread. Then we slowly made our way to the Eiffel Tower for a picnic in the park. I must say that from a distance the tower is ok, but up close it is pretty amazing! Did you know that they paint it! It takes 50 tons of paint to do it! It was packed! Like U2 rock star concert packed, so we opted to just relax and watch the lights come on and take pictures! It is quite beautyfull and romantic! All in all it was a great day. Today we are off to who knows what! I'll tell you when we get back!
PS: By the way tomorrow the Tour De France comes to an end and we are going to go cheer on Lance Armstrong! Go USA!
Friday, July 22, 2005
Bonjour from Paris!
We made it to Paris!
Chez jis mour jour de plats co vea sjaw oiw [this is basically what it is like to read a menu or to understand anything here] It is so weird!
Anyways! The Chunnel (super speed train as seen in the first Mission Impossible Movie) was incredible! The smoothest and fastest train I have even experienced. It also gave us some incredible views of both London and Paris! And when we got here we really for the first time felt the language barrier! Nothing was in English and it was crazy!
But we made it to our bus and got to our place by about 8pm. We are staying in a two bedroom apartment that is so gorgeous on the third floor just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower. In fact we can see it from the living room. It was sparkling last night! Light a giant sparkler!
We are staying with a woman named Pam. She is so kind and generous. We were welcomed by her and it was so nice seeing someone who spoke English!
For locals dinner doesn't really start till about 9pm so we joined some in this little whole in the wall place. It had one long dining room table that everyone sits at. Kind of like a family and the food was great. We got the "plats de jour" which is the plate of the day (which we didn't have any idea what we were getting) but it ended up being this type of stew with fresh pasta, tomatoes, peppers, and veal! And of course incredible fresh bread! Today we are off to the Louvre and the Arc De Triomphie and maybe a little late picnic in the park at the Eiffel Tower! We love you all and will keep you in touch. We have email access through till Monday while we are hear in Paris! So send us one if you get a chance!
Much love to you all,
Rich & Jen
Chez jis mour jour de plats co vea sjaw oiw [this is basically what it is like to read a menu or to understand anything here] It is so weird!
Anyways! The Chunnel (super speed train as seen in the first Mission Impossible Movie) was incredible! The smoothest and fastest train I have even experienced. It also gave us some incredible views of both London and Paris! And when we got here we really for the first time felt the language barrier! Nothing was in English and it was crazy!
But we made it to our bus and got to our place by about 8pm. We are staying in a two bedroom apartment that is so gorgeous on the third floor just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower. In fact we can see it from the living room. It was sparkling last night! Light a giant sparkler!
We are staying with a woman named Pam. She is so kind and generous. We were welcomed by her and it was so nice seeing someone who spoke English!
For locals dinner doesn't really start till about 9pm so we joined some in this little whole in the wall place. It had one long dining room table that everyone sits at. Kind of like a family and the food was great. We got the "plats de jour" which is the plate of the day (which we didn't have any idea what we were getting) but it ended up being this type of stew with fresh pasta, tomatoes, peppers, and veal! And of course incredible fresh bread! Today we are off to the Louvre and the Arc De Triomphie and maybe a little late picnic in the park at the Eiffel Tower! We love you all and will keep you in touch. We have email access through till Monday while we are hear in Paris! So send us one if you get a chance!
Much love to you all,
Rich & Jen
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Cheerio from London!
Ehllo Ladies and Gents!
So we made it to London for the beginning of the Sclafani European Adventure and what an adventure it has been! Crazy drivers, lots of fish and chips, and more. Here is a brief picture of all that we did while in London!
Rode on the "Tube" (the London subway)
Went to the...
So we made it to London for the beginning of the Sclafani European Adventure and what an adventure it has been! Crazy drivers, lots of fish and chips, and more. Here is a brief picture of all that we did while in London!
Rode on the "Tube" (the London subway)
Went to the...
- British Library
- St. Pauls
- Tower of London
- Tower Bridge
- Parliament
- Big Ben
- Westminster Abbey
- St James
- The London Eye
- Trafalgar Square
And we took the "Big Bus Tour" which is those double decker tour buses that take you everywhere. They have very hilarious and annimated commentators that tell you so much about the city. It was so fun and interesting! It really puts a new perspective on life and our world. We walked around sites that were built in 1064 - THAT IS OLD!
And at the British Library we saw the oldest existing copies of the Bible that was dated AD 350!!! IS THAT NOT CRAZY!! We also saw the first King James Bible from 1611. We also saw incredible works like da Vinci's notebooks, the Magna Carta, some of Shakespear's original writings and more. It was facinating!
So much it is hard to contain! We are off to Paris today! I'll let you know when we get there all about it! Hope all is well!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Fagetaboutit!
Ok so I forgot to do some blogging while in NY. Please forgive me! My trip was incredible. I love New York except for the 94 degrees and 90% humidity. The best thing about NY is time with mi familia di Sclafani. For those of you who didn't know I was out there for my cousin Melissa's wedding. I was one of the two pastors doing the wedding. What a incredible experience to ministry to my family, to share the love of Christ, and God's purposes for marriage with them. I must say east coast marriages are very different then the west coast Seattle weddings I am use to. I think the food for this wedding cost twice as much as my whole wedding budget. Not to mention the fact that there were live pure white doves!
Besides the actual wedding we celebrated the forth of July in New York which was really great and we also spent a few days out on the shore. Which is the next best things to the Hamptons. We were surrounded by multi-million dollar homes, beautiful beaches and board walks, and lots of sunshine.
Jen and I spent lots of time with Grandma Bertha and also got to see my great aunt [who is a nun] Sister Lillian Cornellious Sclafani. They tell the best stories in the world. I even got to see the original papers of my Great Grandparents wedding certificates and my Great Grandpa's papers from when he came here from Sciacca Sicily.
We celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary with an incredible night out on the town including going to a Broadway performance of Fiddler on the Roof which was so awesome!
And the best was being in New York to meet the newest of the Corriston family. Ryan and Amber had a beautiful large baby boy named Toby Patrick Corriston. He is gorgeous and weighs a ton - 9lbs 10oz! OUCH! But they all are doing wonderfully!
Friends, family, weddings, anniversaries, new babies, great stories, big cities, entertaining shows, million dollar homes, and more!
What a trip!
PS: After I figure out how to post pictures I will!
Besides the actual wedding we celebrated the forth of July in New York which was really great and we also spent a few days out on the shore. Which is the next best things to the Hamptons. We were surrounded by multi-million dollar homes, beautiful beaches and board walks, and lots of sunshine.
Jen and I spent lots of time with Grandma Bertha and also got to see my great aunt [who is a nun] Sister Lillian Cornellious Sclafani. They tell the best stories in the world. I even got to see the original papers of my Great Grandparents wedding certificates and my Great Grandpa's papers from when he came here from Sciacca Sicily.
We celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary with an incredible night out on the town including going to a Broadway performance of Fiddler on the Roof which was so awesome!
And the best was being in New York to meet the newest of the Corriston family. Ryan and Amber had a beautiful large baby boy named Toby Patrick Corriston. He is gorgeous and weighs a ton - 9lbs 10oz! OUCH! But they all are doing wonderfully!
Friends, family, weddings, anniversaries, new babies, great stories, big cities, entertaining shows, million dollar homes, and more!
What a trip!
PS: After I figure out how to post pictures I will!
Saturday, June 25, 2005
I would like to thank the academy...
I have had the privledge and honor of being one of the counseling interns at Eastside Academy this last school year. My job there was to meet one on one with roughly 10 students every week for counseling. It also included, teaching classes, running a group, and simply being present with these students. I have been so blessed by the experience. I have been encouraged, challenged, and loved by both the staff and the school. I was given the place to be me as a counselor - to explore my styles of practice, and to build authentic relationships with incredible people.
And in all of this I got to see the power of relationships. The power of a listening ear and what a caring/non-judgemental spirit can do in people's lives. I got to see the power of the Gospel. The redeeming power of loving, serving, forgiving, and being with others just as Christ has been with me and the world. I got to see students press on in a journey to becoming clean and sober. Celebrating someone having achieved two weeks of sobriety and others having reached over a year! Experiencing people press forward and accomplishing the goals that they set out to do - finishing school, getting a job, staying away from negative influences, and much more. Seeing people move to a place where they can recognize there strengths and weaknesses and not live into the negative labels that have been put on them. And today I saw 7 of these students graduate from High School. I can't even come close to sharing the emotional rollercoaster it was to see! I love these kids, I am so proud of them, and I am so excited to see where they will go from here!
So with all of that said I would like to personally thank everyone at the academy [Eastside Academy] and its graduating class of 2005 for the many blessings that you have given me! I count it a complete honor to have gotten to know you, learn with you, and most of all to journey with you in all that was an incredible school year! Thank you for providing a place in which authentic living can occur and the redeeming power of the Gospel is felt! May God bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you and give you all peace!
And in all of this I got to see the power of relationships. The power of a listening ear and what a caring/non-judgemental spirit can do in people's lives. I got to see the power of the Gospel. The redeeming power of loving, serving, forgiving, and being with others just as Christ has been with me and the world. I got to see students press on in a journey to becoming clean and sober. Celebrating someone having achieved two weeks of sobriety and others having reached over a year! Experiencing people press forward and accomplishing the goals that they set out to do - finishing school, getting a job, staying away from negative influences, and much more. Seeing people move to a place where they can recognize there strengths and weaknesses and not live into the negative labels that have been put on them. And today I saw 7 of these students graduate from High School. I can't even come close to sharing the emotional rollercoaster it was to see! I love these kids, I am so proud of them, and I am so excited to see where they will go from here!
So with all of that said I would like to personally thank everyone at the academy [Eastside Academy] and its graduating class of 2005 for the many blessings that you have given me! I count it a complete honor to have gotten to know you, learn with you, and most of all to journey with you in all that was an incredible school year! Thank you for providing a place in which authentic living can occur and the redeeming power of the Gospel is felt! May God bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you and give you all peace!
Friday, June 17, 2005
Define or not to define...
Ok so back to the whole definition of "Christian Music/Artist" thing! After reading the great responses from the post "WHAT MAKES CHRISTIAN MUSIC CHRISTIAN?" I am left with some more thoughts and questions. Why do we need a "definition" of "Christian." I can't honestly put a clear cut definition to Christianity or to whether someone is a Christian or not. I can have my opinions, but can I really know and do I really need to know? I don't think so. And I don't really think God is all about labelling us CHRISTIAN or NON-CHRISTIAN (which is a word that is not even in the Bible). I think God is more concerned about us living the life we were designed to live in relationship with Him. One of justice, mission, mercy, service, sacrifice, and above all unconditional love and forgiveness.
And even more, what difference does it make if a song is "Christian" or by a "Christian Artist" or not? If it speaks truth, it draws me to a deeper understanding of God, or beckons me to worship, isn't that enough?
God influences and uses people for his glory - Christian or not. I think that is what is so amazing to me about being made in the image of God. It is not an option for us to be image-bearers. It is what we do with our image-bearing (of God) selves that is optional. When we come to a personal understanding of who we are and who God is in relationship to us, than we are more able to understand how we are to live! Then through this relationship we can follow His example, His will, His way more realistically.
O.K - talk about a rant... I am done for now! I love this! Somebody talk to me :)
And even more, what difference does it make if a song is "Christian" or by a "Christian Artist" or not? If it speaks truth, it draws me to a deeper understanding of God, or beckons me to worship, isn't that enough?
God influences and uses people for his glory - Christian or not. I think that is what is so amazing to me about being made in the image of God. It is not an option for us to be image-bearers. It is what we do with our image-bearing (of God) selves that is optional. When we come to a personal understanding of who we are and who God is in relationship to us, than we are more able to understand how we are to live! Then through this relationship we can follow His example, His will, His way more realistically.
O.K - talk about a rant... I am done for now! I love this! Somebody talk to me :)
Monday, June 13, 2005
What's your theological worldview?
I found this quiz thanks to Mark O some of the questions are very interesting. Some took a lot of thought for me. I know anyone can make a quiz, but I really liked this one and found it to be very thought provoking.
Here is what they said about me...
Here is what they said about me...
"You scored as Emergent/Postmodern. You are Emergent/Postmodern in your theology. You feel alienated from older forms of church, you don't think they connect to modern culture very well. No one knows the whole truth about God, and we have much to learn from each other, and so learning takes place in dialogue. Evangelism should take place in relationships rather than through crusades and altar-calls. People are interested in spirituality and want to ask questions, so the church should help them to do this."
What's your theological worldview? |
Follow the links above to take the quiz yourself. I think my results would be even stronger taking it again. Some of my answers were a little soft. If you got a few minutes take the quiz and tell me what you think!
Enjoy!
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Bono & Christian Music...
So I found this really interesting clip of U2's lead singer [Bono] talking about worship music and "Christian/Gospel" music. I found it on a page from Relevant Magazine's website. I think it adds some great thoughts to ponder along with the last two posts about what makes music "Christian." Here is a quote from it...
"God is interested in truth, and only in truth. And that's why God is more interested in Rock & Roll music than Gospel... If you can't write about what's really going on in the world and your life, because it's all happy-clappy... Is God interested in that? I mean, 'Please, don't patronize Me!'" - An interview with Bono
Listen to the whole clip by clicking here Bono Clip and tell me what you think
Enjoy!
"God is interested in truth, and only in truth. And that's why God is more interested in Rock & Roll music than Gospel... If you can't write about what's really going on in the world and your life, because it's all happy-clappy... Is God interested in that? I mean, 'Please, don't patronize Me!'" - An interview with Bono
Listen to the whole clip by clicking here Bono Clip and tell me what you think
Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
You make the call!
So coming from the last post here is an powerful example of how a "non-Christian" artist can create a beautiful song and how it can speak of the Gospel. Below you will find a clip I used for The Mix! one night for a worship experience. It is VERY powerful and has some strong images, but I think you will enjoy! It is using the song "The Reason" by the band Hoobastank.
I recommend you maximizing the size of the clip to full screen. After you view it tell me what you think and you make the call. Do you think it can 'qualify' as a 'Christian Song?' Click here to view the video...
TheReasonWorshipExperience
I recommend you maximizing the size of the clip to full screen. After you view it tell me what you think and you make the call. Do you think it can 'qualify' as a 'Christian Song?' Click here to view the video...
TheReasonWorshipExperience
Friday, June 03, 2005
What makes Christian music Christian?
As a lover of music, I find myself often falling in love with the lyrics, melodies, and rhythems of songs that are not of the "Christian Music Genre." Sometimes in fact, I find these songs to express the Gospel or good news of the hope of glory and redemption of our souls even more so then most of the music I hear on the "Christian" music stations. Why is that? What makes a song or lyric Christian or not? Is it the writer, is it the words, is it the content, is it the emotions that come from hearing it, or something else? One of the things I love most about The Message is that it is story. And we relate to it because we all have our own story. And for me music is in many ways the creative way people tell the stories of life and the interaction of God within it - through song.
Examples of songs that I believe speak of/illustrate the stories of the Gospel...
I Grieve - Peter Gabriel
God Put a Smile Upon My Face - Coldplay
Devils and Dust - Bruce Springsteen
Sometimes - U2
Blowin In The Wind - Bob Dylan
Save Me - Dave Matthews
Everything - Alanis Morissete
Jesus Walks - Kanye West
The Reason - Hoobastank
I am not saying that every lyric of these songs are "theologically accurate" nor do I believe they need to. I am simply saying that these lyrics/songs/stories speak to the matters of the heart in such a way that causes people to ponder the things of God. AND I LOVE THAT! I could go into this more, but a friend and professor of mine wrote an incredibly good article on this topic. I'd love you to read it and I'd love your thought on this conversation.
Click here to read the article ischristianmusicchristian?
And even more so I would love any songs that you would add to this list [knowing this is no where near complete]. Songs that have nudged you deeper into your walk with God.
Examples of songs that I believe speak of/illustrate the stories of the Gospel...
I Grieve - Peter Gabriel
God Put a Smile Upon My Face - Coldplay
Devils and Dust - Bruce Springsteen
Sometimes - U2
Blowin In The Wind - Bob Dylan
Save Me - Dave Matthews
Everything - Alanis Morissete
Jesus Walks - Kanye West
The Reason - Hoobastank
I am not saying that every lyric of these songs are "theologically accurate" nor do I believe they need to. I am simply saying that these lyrics/songs/stories speak to the matters of the heart in such a way that causes people to ponder the things of God. AND I LOVE THAT! I could go into this more, but a friend and professor of mine wrote an incredibly good article on this topic. I'd love you to read it and I'd love your thought on this conversation.
Click here to read the article ischristianmusicchristian?
And even more so I would love any songs that you would add to this list [knowing this is no where near complete]. Songs that have nudged you deeper into your walk with God.
Lavalamp Prayer...
So I love the way the emergent church is creative with its exploration of spirituality and spiritual formation. Taking on the traditional concept of light being a sign of hope and the presence of God I found this unique prayer tool. Check it out.
Lavalamp Prayer
Lavalamp Prayer
National Doughnut Day...
Hey did you know that today is National Doughnut Day! What does that mean to you? Well if you live anywhere near a Krispy Kreme you get YOUR CHOICE of ANY DOUGHNUT in the store FOR FREE! I believe that this day originally started by the Salvation Army back in the day to help honor people who served our country in various ways. But don't quote me on that.
Yesterday I had a doughnut from MIGHTY O's. It was totally organic and vegan. And surprisingly tasty. Anyways, just go eat a free doughnut in honor of this special day!
Yesterday I had a doughnut from MIGHTY O's. It was totally organic and vegan. And surprisingly tasty. Anyways, just go eat a free doughnut in honor of this special day!
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