In case you don’t have the time or resources to head off to Italy, the wonder of technology can give you a pretty amazing “like you’re there” tour.
Here’s the link: Sistine Chapel Tour
Anyone actually been there? How close is this to accurate?
Posts Tagged ‘church’
reminded and renewed
Aug 11, 2010
I’m guessing she was about 16 years old. She was accompanied by a woman in her 40’s as she approached my product table after a presentation not too long ago. She was quiet, reserved – almost afraid. She wasn’t avoiding eye contact, but certainly not comfortable with it either.
The older of the two women started the conversation. Jane (not her real name) really wanted to come talk to you. She’s not a Christian. She was really touched by what you talked about and felt like she needed to talk to you. The she turned and walked away. (Truthfully – this surprised me a bit.)
The nearly-trembling, young lady finally spoke. I have only come to this church two times. The first time was last week. I was so afraid I just wanted to run out of there. But I came back. And what you said really made sense. The Bible made sense. I’m not afraid anymore. (Tears were slowly winding their way down her cheeks at this point.) I really want to find out how to know God more. I need to. And I just wanted you to know that and say ‘thank you.’
She hugged me. And then she left. I stood there, consumed with the beautiful, humbling, speech-stealing feeling that comes from knowing that the Holy Spirit has touched another person through you.
I am renewed. This is why I do what I do.
chris brogan on the digital church
Aug 9, 2010
One of the top bloggers on social media and online marketing is a guy named Chris Brogan. If you haven’t heard about him or read his stuff – start doing it now. Just click his logo and you’ll be taken to his site where you can read more, follow him on Twitter, etc.
Yesterday he wrote an article on Digital Church. The church he was talking about was LifeChurch.tv, which happens to be part of the Evangelical Covenant Church (where my family and I attend).
When someone who is read by thousands of people every day starts a post with the words I’m not religious, but… it’s worth a read.
What’s your take on the church going digital?
religion vs. freedom
Feb 16, 2010
I had the chance to present Galatians and preach at my home church this last Sunday. For those of you who weren’t there, here’s the ultra-brief recap of how I setup the presentation:
· Religion…God’s not a huge fan. (only mentions the words religion and religious 11 times in the whole Bible – and only twice in a positive light)
· Freedom…God’s a really big fan. (mentions freedom, free, and freely 159 times)
After presenting Galatians we looked at a couple truths about the freedom that God offers us. The first is that we are free FROM the law. Truly free. We can’t “do enough” to make God happy. He knew that. That’s why He did it all. He also knows that our temptation is to forget that we are free and slowly revert back to the if-I-do-the-right-stuff-God-will-accept-me mentality. Galatians is a not-so-gentle reminder that It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal 5:1)
But our freedom is not just FROM something. It is also FOR something. Later on in Chapter 5, Paul says, But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The freedom we have from the chains of Churchianity is a freedom that must always manifest itself in greater service and love for others.
Do you have a hard time accepting the first truth? Have you ever stopped to think that God’s purpose for you all along has been your freedom? Do you really believe – and do you live like you believe – that God is more interested in you living abundantly and freely, than He is about your observance of religious “have to’s?”
And what about the second truth? Does the recognition of the grace and freedom that Christ has poured out to you pushed you toward greater service of others? How can you serve someone today out of the joy that comes from the freedom you have?
You are free. Smile like it’s true. Serve like it’s true.
God’s missions or the church’s mission?
Oct 23, 2009
Last Sunday my pastor said, “God’s church doesn’t have a mission. God’s mission has a church.” It got me thinking about whether I’m trying to do things “for God,” or seeking to do the things that are on God’s heart.
The former seems to have a lot to do with my effort, my goals, my mission. The latter requires me to do something that’s much harder – listen.
I posted this quote and asked for feedback and here are a few responses (with names removed):
1. “Can a church (or a Christian) really call themselves God’s people if they don’t share His heart nor obey His commands? Obedience in the missional commandment of God is not an optional extra for special people, but an essential in our identity. God’s mission is the church, the family of people who have made Jesus Lord of their lives and live according to the cross. Let me put it this way: every Christian is a missionary, an ambassador of God to a broken world in need of salvation, or they are not a Christian at all.”
2. “I don’t think that it is either/or. I think that it is perspective. Our mission should be the same as Christ and the Father. Christ same to seek and save the lost. As Christians we are supposed to be like him.”
3. “My comment would be how do we know what God’s mission for our church is supposed to be and not get distracted by all the other to do’s and fun things available out there?
4. “My understanding is that God has a mission and part of that answer is the church as a corporate expression of the faith that is within, being expressed outwardly by us as a body of believers… God’s mission is redemption of all, He uses individuals, and groups to be tools of communication of the message of redemption to all..”
5. “I like to think that church is a tool in working out God’s purpose. A place for encouragement, support, refreshment and (of course) collaboration and the sharing of resources. Even so, I am less worried on any given day about what church I belong to or what the church is doing than I am about being sure I’m living God’s purpose in my life. I thank god for church families, but am likewise thankful that there’s more to being a Christian than your connection to a church.”
So…what do you think?
