What You Read & What You Eat Make You What You Are

I have become so used to communicating in small little bits of bytes that the prospect of again getting back to blogging As It Is Meant To Be is somewhat daunting. The simple act of reflection beyond the moment or the immediate schedule seems to be becoming a lost art. But there are welcome exceptions.

For instance, Brian McLaren, a writer who often speaks to my theological heart, has a knack for writing that I admire. His recent book, "A New Kind of Christianity" is a well-constructed sequel in thought to some of his earlier works. I don't need to review it here; there is little I can add to those who have already done so. But I share it here to record some of the sorts of thinking I have found helpful.

I have also been reading "Grow Your Church Form The Outside" by George Barna, a Christian demographer I was privileged to meet some years ago. Barna is a survey-taker and reflector upon modern trends in American polulations. While he is somewhat more edgy on the evangelical side than I am, I still find his observations to be interesting--and most of the time right on target.

Adam Hamilton, pastor of the huge Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, graduated from the same seminary I attended...although years later. I have visited that church and attended workshops there. He writes well and produces an amazing number of books and video courses for the consumption of the Church at large. His comments are always practical, and, for the most part, appropriate for congregations of diverse populations and sizes. You can't argue that success isn't impressive!

"ReChurch-Healing Your Way Back to the People of God" is a good book by Stephen Mansfield which focuses on folks who have been hurt, disenfranchised, offended, or somehow alienated from their faith communities. I am working my way through this slowly because I think he has important things to say, and I want to remember them. I wish I had had these insights when I came to my present congregation!

Not everything I am reading is heavy theological stuff. I am enjoying a book of stories called "Wizards", a collection of short stories about, well, wizards. They are very interesting and memorable. And, of course, I enjoy reading the blogs and notes and emails from all of you.

My time is up for now...see you later!

Back at it.

So it has been months and months between blogs. I used to read other folks blogs and see them write about how bad they felt about not writing regularly, and making promises to (whom) be real prompt about updating in the future. I never thought they would, and hardly ever checked back to see if they did.

I haven't been writing because I've had a sort of "writer's block." And it isn't that I have nothing to say. On the contrary, I often find my head filled with so many things that I could/should write about it becomes depressing. Anyway, I've decided to give it another go. And that's about it for tonight. It is 2 a.m. and I need to get some sleep. But tomorrow is full of "get ready for Sunday things" and "get ready to be gone Saturday stuff." And it is supposed to rain and storm in the afternoon and evening...so I will probably have time to add something then. Anyway, good to see you again. Thanks for checking in. See you tomorrow (maybe).