Friday, May 12, 2017

bread, stones and parents


picture of jesus praying in the garden. he prays, "Heavenly Father, I  know that St. Matthew and St. Luke will both be quoting what I said about fathers not giving stones to children who ask for bread... but will that be enough?  I fear that some who claim to follow you will in fact give stones and snakes to their very own children, all the while claiming to stand for righteousness and believing they are remaining faithful to the gospel while in fact missing me entirely." cartoon by rob goetze




Which daughters and sons are being given stones and serpents?

Which daughters and sons are being stoned 
instead of fed and nourished?



Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Luke 11:11 (NIV)
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[a] a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?




Wednesday, May 03, 2017

[why i left, why i stayed: book]


cover of book "Why I Left, Why I Stayed" by Tony Campolo and Bart Campolo.
In Why I Left, Why I Stayed, Tony, a renowned Christian teacher and apologist, and Bart, a humanist chaplain at the University of Southern California, seek to provide a safe space for anyone wrestling with their own—or a loved one’s—decision to stay in or leave the church, providing compelling arguments in both directions and modeling for everyone how to strongly but lovingly disagree about the things that matter most.

For anyone who has questions about the viability and truth of the Christian life or wonders what life looks like after Christianity, this book promises to be challenging, inspiring, and highly informative. Read a sneak peek excerpt here.
(Source: Red Letter Christians email)

I haven't read this book, but it looks like a great example of how people with very different views can get along and, in fact, like and love each other as people.


Click here to watch on YouTube.