Mid-City Christian Ministry Network

Protestants and Catholics

2012-02-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

February 7, 2012

CanProtestants and Catholics Find Truly Common Ground?

What stereotypes or misinformedviews about Catholicism might we need to let go of?

by Kelli B. Trujillo

I made the mistake of visiting a newchurch on Sunday, April 3, 2005. The day before, Pope John Paul II had died.And the young pastor of the small church we visited decided to include JohnPaul’s death in his sermon, which went something like this...

“Today, all those people inthat big, fancy church over there [pointing west toward the local Catholicparish] are all mourning the death of a man they worshiped. They’re sure he’sin heaven ...[imagine, now, a very smug tone of voice] but is he really? Idon’t presume to know God’s judgment—I don’t presume to say if he is in heavenor in hell—but those people over there have their focus on the wrongthing. On a man, not on God...”

Let’s just say that was our onlyvisit to that little congregation. (The sermon got it wrong on so many levels!)Yet his beliefs about Catholicism, though perhaps not so insensitivelyexpressed, are quite common among evangelicals. His disdain for a fancy orostentatious church building, the misinformed idea that Catholics worship thepope, the strongly implied suggestion that John Paul was not actually aChristian (and was likely in hell), and further the insinuation that Catholicsin general are not Christians.

I’ve heard similar sentiments amongevangelical friends. Some evangelical ideas about Catholicism come directlyfrom former Catholics who are speaking honestly about their own experience ofCatholicism and what they understood it to be about. But often times, sadly,Protestants perpetuate ideas about Catholicism that are simply ill-founded andmisinformed.

Now before you stop reading, hear mesay this: there are key, essential, and significant differences betweenCatholicism and evangelical Protestantism. I definitely recognize these crucialdifferences, and I believe that these differences ought not be ignored oroverlooked—as a matter of fact, recently Kyria.com put together a download resource discussing theCatholic-Protestant Divide. And of equal importance, I believe thesedifferences ought to be fairly and accurately understood.

I’ve come to this belief through ahabit I’ve formed over the past few years of periodically listening to Catholicradio. The shows I like are call-in shows in which Catholics, Protestants,agnostics, and atheists call in with questions and chat on-air with a priest,theologian, or lay leader. The value I’ve found in these shows is that I’vegotten to hear informed, committed Catholics explain what they believeand why—rather than getting the evangelical version of what Catholics believe.

I’ve discovered that some of ourdifferences are more a matter of semantics than true disagreement. For example,though Catholics may not gravitate toward phrases like “born again” or having a“personal relationship with Jesus,” that does not mean that they are not bornagain or that they don’t have a devoted relationship with Jesus infused withprayer, worship, Scripture reading, and more.

I’ve also discovered that some of myideas about what Catholics believe were simply wrong. These ideas aboutCatholicism often come from nominal Catholics—people who are Catholic in namebut who do not follow (or may not even know) the actual, official doctrines ofthe Catholic church. Just like I wouldn’t want a lapsed evangelical with noactive faith and no commitment to Jesus claiming to represent what I believe, Ithink we ought to be careful not to base our understanding of Catholicism onthe actions or words of people who are Catholic in name only.

And I’ve discovered that in theremaining key areas of disagreement, there is a great value in aiming tounderstand why Catholics believe as they do. I’ve had conversations withdevout Catholic friends asking questions like, “Why do you pray to Mary?” and “Doyou really believe that the bread and wine transform into actual fleshand blood?” In a dialogue of mutual respect, empathy, and a sincere desire tounderstand, I’ve learned a great deal from these Catholic friends.

While I still hold firmly to my ownconclusions on these matters as an evangelical Protestant, I’ve found a deepand meaningful sense of spiritual sisterhood with these friends whose profoundlove of Jesus inspires my own walk with him.

I’ve personally been blessed by myfellowship with Catholics and by engaging in thought-provoking discussion withthem over theological matters. How about you? What stereotypes or misinformedviews about Catholicism might you need to let go of? How might intentional andhonest dialogue with a Catholic strengthen your own convictions and nurtureyour faith in Christ?

North Park Campus of Eastlake Church

2012-02-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

Coming February 12, 2012

5:30pm and 7:00pm

Eastlake Church
North Park Campus
Sunset Temple
3911 Kansas Street
San Diego, CA 92104
Map & Service Times

SHEEP AND GOATS

2012-02-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

San Diego Reader

Sheep and Goats Edition

Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church

by Joseph O'Brien
Membership: 310 Pastor: Kevin Womack Born: Melbourne, Florida Age: 40 Formation: Bethel Seminary, San Diego; Talbot School of Theology, La Mirada Ordained: 11 years San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject ... +more

First They Came for the Catholics

2012-02-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

SpeakingOut

FirstThey Came for the Catholics: Obama's Contraceptive Mandate

An open letter to evangelical Christians

Timothy George and Chuck Colson | posted 2/08/2012 10:10AM

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

As you probably know by now, ObamaAdministration has refused to grant religious organizations an exemption frompurchasing health insurance that covers abortion-inducing drugs, surgicalsterilization, and contraception.

The Catholic bishops in America haveresponded quickly, decrying the Administration's decision for what it is—anegregious, dangerous violation of religious liberty—and mobilizing a vastgrassroots movement to persuade the Administration to reverse its decision.

We evangelicals must stand unequivocallywith our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters. Because when the governmentviolates the religious liberty of one group, it threatens the religious libertyof all.

Many bishops have already declaredthat they will not obey this unjust law. The penalty for such a move would besevere. Catholic hospitals, universities, and other organizations would beforced to pay punitive fines ($2,000 per employee) for refusing to purchaseinsurance that violates the teaching of their church.

For some institutions, it wouldspell the end of their existence—and their far-reaching service to the publicand the needy.

But Catholic institutions aren't theonly ones affected by this mandate. Prison Fellowship, for example, whichemploys 180 people, could not purchase insurance for its employees that coversabortifacients. Nor could the world's largest Christian outreach to prisonersand their families afford the fines we would incur.

Three years ago, when weco-authored the Manhattan Declaration, we predicted that the time would comewhen Christians would have to face the very real prospect of civildisobedience—that we would have to choose sides: God or Caesar.

Certainly for the Catholics and formany of us evangelicals, that time is already upon us.

We would urge you, therefore, toraise your voice against this unjust mandate that violates our first freedom asAmericans. First, please sign the petition to President Obama prepared by theBecket Fund for Religious Liberty, which we have posted at the ManhattanDeclaration site, demanding that the President extend exemptions from thisonerous mandate to all religious employers.

Second, write to your representativeand your senators in Congress.

Third, sign the ManhattanDeclaration. Join with 500,000 people who have committed to "fully andungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar's. But under no circumstances willwe render to Caesar what is God's."

Fourth, pray. Pray that God wouldsoften the hearts and minds of the president and the leaders within hisadministration so that they would reverse course.

We do not exaggerate when we saythat this is the greatest threat to religious freedom in our lifetime. Wecannot help but think of the words attributed to German pastor MartinNiemoeller, reflecting on the Nazi terror:

First theycame for the Socialists, and I
did not speak out —
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then theycame for the Trade Unionists,
and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then theycame for the Jews, and I did
not speak out — Because I was not a Jew.

Then theycame for me — and there was
no one left to speak for me.

In Christ, Chuck Colson & Timothy George

Charles Colson is founder of PrisonFellowship, Breakpoint, and several other ministries. Timothy George is dean ofBeeson Divinity School at Samford University and Chairman & President ofthe Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

"Speaking Out" is Christianity Today's guest opinion columnand (unlike an editorial) does not necessarily represent the views of themagazine.

National Prayer Breakfast Report

2012-02-03T13:55:00.000-08:00

Speaking Out

TheIronies of Obama's National Prayer Breakfast Speech

The President seems to be debating himself on religiousmotivations and the common good.

David Neff | posted 2/03/2012 11:02AM

PresidentBarack Obama's address to the National Prayer Breakfast this week echoed themesfrom his much-admired (and much criticized) 2006 Call to Renewal keynote speechon the role of religion in political life. (I, for one, liked it.)

Inthat speech, he chastised his fellow progressives not only for trying toexclude religious viewpoints from political discourse and public life, but alsofor assuming that they could have any hope of reforming American societywithout appealing to the religious sensibilities of the 90 percent of Americanswho believe in God. The religious faith of the American people was an essentialelement that drove compassion for others and a commitment to right living.

InThursday's address, he tried to model the theory he articulated in 2006,linking it strongly to his personal prayer life.

ThePresident said that he talks about "shared responsibility" because he"genuinely believe[s] that in a time when many folks are struggling, at atime when we have enormous deficits, it's hard for [him] to ask seniors on afixed income, or young people with student loans, or middle-class families whocan barely pay the bills to shoulder the burden alone." "I think tomyself," he continued, "if I'm willing to give something up assomebody who's been extraordinarily blessed, and give up some of the tax breaksthat I enjoy, I actually think that's going to make economic sense."

Hebased his willingness "as a Christian" to give something up for thecommon good on "Jesus' teaching that 'for unto whom much is given, muchshall be required.' " He went on to state that other policies he haspursued—ranging from fostering lifesaving medical research to preventingviolence in Uganda—stemmed from biblical principles: "Treating others asyou want to be treated. Requiring much from those who have been given so much.Living by the principle that we are our brother's keeper." And"speak[ing] up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rightsof all who are destitute."

Unfortunately,the speech to that point could have been construed as an attempt by thePresident to justify his policies with religious principles. Fortunately, hemade it clear (citing no lesser an authority than C. S. Lewis) that it wasdangerous to try to baptize specific policies as "biblical." Thereligious principles drive us to action, but they do not in and of themselvesdictate what actions we should take as a society. Religious principles shouldmotivate us more than they inform the specific shape of our policies.

Ashe spoke about the need for action, the President rehearsed hisadministration's collaboration with various faith-based agencies—includingCatholic Charities. That was an ironic inclusion, given the fact that CatholicCharities has been excluded from government partnerships in places likeIllinois and Oklahoma because it has religious scruples against placingchildren for adoption or foster care with same-sex couples. (This conflict,mostly at the state level, has been exacerbated by the actions of the Obamaadministration's Justice Department in promoting the cause of gay and lesbianpartnerships and its refusal to stand by the Defense of Marriage Act.)

ThePresident talked about pursuing the common good with shared good will andrespect for our differences. It is too bad that his own policies havemarginalized the contributions of Christian agencies.

* * *

Yesterday'sevent was the National Prayer Breakfast, and President Obama made a point offraming his speech by references to prayer. Early in the speech he said:

Iwake up each morning and I say a brief prayer, and I spend a little time inScripture and devotion. And from time to time, friends of mine … like JoelHunter or T. D. Jakes [also mentioned in his 2006 Call to Renewal speech], willcome by the Oval Office or they'll call on the phone or they'll send me aemail, and we'll pray together, and they'll pray for me and my family, and forour country.

ThePresident ended by recounting his visit to Billy Graham's Montreat, NorthCarolina, home, where the aging evangelist prayed for the President and thePresident prayed for the evangelist. It was a touching scene that he evoked.

Ihave fallen on my knees with great regularity since that moment—asking God forguidance not just in my personal life and my Christian walk, but in the life ofthis nation and in the values that hold us together and keep us strong. I knowthat He will guide us. He always has, and He always will.

In2009, Peter Wehner of the Ethics and Public Policy Center praised the wisdom ofSenator Barack Obama's Call to Renewal speech and complained about hissubsequent tendency as President to appeal to biblical values to drum upsupport for his specific initiatives, to the point of telling a group of clergythat in promoting the Affordable Care Act, "We are God's partners inmatters of life and death." Thus Wehner, who has chastised both the Leftand the Right on this score, could speak of Obama claiming God's imprimatur.Now, in this speech, the President once again juxtaposes the necessary cautionswith a sense that he is on a mission from God. Will Christians on the otherside of the aisle remember his generous offer to work together despite theirdifferences? Or will they feel marginalized by his claiming biblical authorityfor his policies?

David Neff is Editor in Chief ofChristianity Today.

TOP RELIGION NEWS ON THE WEB

2012-02-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

JAN. 31 - THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

Religious trash talk goes mainstream in Israeli-Palestinian conflict

JAN. 31 - USA TODAY

Christians fear losing freedoms in Arab Spring movement

JAN. 30 - LOS ANGELES TIMES

Contraceptive mandate could face tough sledding in Supreme Court

JAN. 30 - THE NEW YORK TIMES

Tunisia faces a balancing act of democracy and religion

JAN. 30 - THE WASHINGTON POST

Half of Maryland residents back legalizing same-sex marriage

JAN. 29 - THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

Syria uprising: Religion overshadowing the democratic push

JAN. 28 - THE ECONOMIST

Fleecing the flock: The big business of swindling people who trust you

JAN. 27 - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dutch move closer to banning the burqa

JAN. 27 - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

N.J. gay marriage referendum could be costly, advocates warn

jAN. 27 - BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

California's Catholic hierarchy takes stand against illegal-immigration dragnet

Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians

2012-02-02T10:04:00.000-08:00

An ECO analysis: What is it and why considerit?

ECOis the acronym for The Fellowship of Presbyterian's (FOP) new Reformed body.Spelled out the name is Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians. Fun hasbeen had on various blogs about what the acronym might have been: E-COOP whichbrings to mind chickens, E-COP which sounds like a police state, ECO-OP whichsounds very green and depending which syllable you emphasize, is either aclandestine operation or a co-operative. But ECO it is: A vision of a spiritualecosystem in which congregations can be planted and flourish and in which authenticdisciples of Jesus Christ will grow and bear abundant fruit for the Kingdom ofGod. Who wouldn't want to be in a denomination like that? "How far'out' of the Presbyterian Church (USA) can you get" and "how far 'in'ECO you want to be," are the presenting questions. Read full analysis here

E-Vangel Newsletter

2012-01-30T17:47:00.000-08:00

E-VangelNewsletter

January30, 2012

ChristUnited Methodist Ministry Center

“Christin the Heart of San Diego”

3295Meade Avenue

SanDiego, CA 92116

(619)284-9205

www.ChristSD.com

Pastorgraphs: “The Dash”

WhenI was about nine years old we moved from the farm at the northern base ofGraball Hill into a house on Williams Street in Yazoo City. Glenwood Cemeterywas a short walk from the house. I recall many walks through the graveyard,reading headstones that dated back over 100 years. Some were ornate, indicatingthe person came from a wealthy family. Others quite simple. But almost all toldonly the name and the year of birth and death separated by “the dash”.

Thedash just doesn’t tell the whole story. Some lived amazingly long lives. Othersdied as infants or small children. Sure, I could calculate what historicalevents they lived though (the Civil War, the fire of 1904 that burned down mostof the town, the Great Depression, or the soldiers whose markers indicated theypaid the ultimate sacrifice in World War II.) A Revolutionary War Veteran isburied there.

Obituariesdon’t tell the story, either, though some make valiant efforts to tell a lifestory in two paragraphs. If you had to tell the major characteristics of yourlife in 400 words or less, what would you say?

Sowhy am I on this morbid topic?

Oneof the things I promised myself was to organize my filing cabinet when I had time.In it are papers randomly collected from my birth certificate, my first paystub at WAZF radio station, school transcripts and awards, correspondence fromfamily and friends and colleagues.

Thefiling cabinet is just two drawers. The bottom drawer contains mostly genealogyresearch.

Somy “dash” is summed up in a single filing cabinet drawer. Doesn’t take long formy whole life to flash before my eyes. A bit humbling; and I know most of whatis contained therein would have no meaning, even to those dearest to me.

Ithink the psalmist may have been organizing his filing cabinet when heexclaimed:

“LORD,make me to know … how transient I am.”

(Psalm39:4 New American Standard Bible)

Likethe psalmist, I realize how wonderfully blessed I have been. Life is short anduncertain. There are highs points and low. There have been both pain and joy.The constant in all the twists and turns of my life has been a loving,forgiving and merciful God who has guided my path though the amazing gift oflife.

Filesorganized: One more item checked off my bucket list. Now I’m ready to dash onwith the best of the rest of my days.

Devotedly, BrotherBill

Free Community Dinner at Grim and Thorn

2012-01-29T13:52:00.001-08:00

Free Community Dinner At Trinity United Methodist Church
Thursday, 2/2 - An Opportunity To Meet and Get To Know One Another.Dinner*Activities*Conversation sponsored by the church.

RSVP/Info: tim@trinitysd.org,619-281-2592

TO STRONG AND LASTING MARRIAGES!

2012-01-27T07:43:00.001-08:00

Today'sfeatured article, Do YouSee Me? reminds us how important it is to try to see our spouses' hiddensacrifices, and to say thanks. The article's author learned a lesson when sherealized how much she wanted her husband's appreciation.

Fora biblical reminder that It'sthe Little Things That Count, join Rachael Phillips as she recognizes someof the unsung spouses of the Bible and nominates her own husband for an UnsungSpouse Award.

Sheep and Goats Edition

2012-01-25T16:12:00.001-08:00

San Diego Reader

Sheep and Goats Edition

Cloudbreak Church

byJoseph O'Brien
Membership: 110 Affiliation: Southern Baptist Pastor: Jeff Langley Age: 45 Born:San Diego Formation: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Forth Worth,Texas; Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, San Francisco Years Ordained:10 San ... +more

Eternal life overcomes the culture of death

2012-01-25T10:51:00.000-08:00

January 24th, 2012

By Archbishop George Niederauer

Archbishop Niederauer gave this homily at the Mass for Life Jan.21 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco.

In our first reading, from St. Paul’s Letter tothe Philippians, we hear him tell his recent converts to faith in Jesus Christ– and we hear him tell us –“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayerand petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then thepeace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

“Have no anxiety at all.” That’s easy to say but hard to do. We are anxiousabout our health, our jobs, our families, and today in particular, we areanxious about protecting innocent human life at its very vulnerable beginnings.But our faith in God challenges us to cast our cares upon the Lord because hecares for us. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta was famous for saying that Goddoes not call us to be successful but to be faithful.

Too often we are anxious because we are used to assuming that everythingdepends on us, that we are responsible for seeing to it that what we work onfor God must turn out perfectly, completely, and soon. But God often calls usto begin or continue a work that will be fulfilled long after we are gone.

As one poet has said, we will plant trees in the shade of which others willsit, but we will not. We begin what others continue in the service of thekingdom of God.

Already the work of dismantling the culture of death, and in particular theculture of abortion, in this country is nearly 40 years old (counting from Roev. Wade). Many who fought hardest in this struggle have gone before us in theLord, but many others have picked up their banners and caught their spirit.Some of our opponents dismiss us as engaged in “a losing battle.” Andsometimes, when weary and discouraged, we can be tempted to agree. But we knowthat time is on our side, and so are the sonograms. And recently so are thepolls.

Consider our Gospel reading from St. John this morning. It tells the story ofthe first Easter night, the day Jesus rose from the dead. Those 10 apostles(Judas was dead and Thomas was absent) had plenty of anxiety. They were hidingbehind locked doors, desperately afraid. The enemies of Jesus had killed him,and his followers were afraid that those same enemies would come looking forthem.

But that was the night that changed the meaning of life and death forever.Suddenly Jesus was in the room with the apostles and he wished them “Peace,”that is “Shalom.” One translation of that word can be the phrase of St. Francisof Assisi, our patron: “Peace and all good.”

Then Jesus showed them the wounds he received on the cross. The risen Jesus isthe savior born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, who has walked with thesedisciples for years. God the Father has raised up his son from death to thefullness of eternal life. This is the victory of life over death, for Jesus andfor all of us his disciples, for us and for all the victims of the culture ofdeath. Enemies can put Jesus to death, but the love of his Father can raise himup forever. People can “terminate a pregnancy,” but God’s powerful love canraise a person, a soul, to life eternal.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the heart of the good news, the Gospel. Ifthe tomb had not been empty on Easter morning, there would have been no goodnews, and the Gospels would not have been written.

Eternal life overcomes the culture of death. Some enemies of Christianity saythat we cheapen the value of the life we live here on earth when we proclaimour faith in eternal life, a life beyond the grave. The opposite is actuallytrue: our faith in eternal life makes us value this life all the more highly,because the choices we make and the actions we perform here determine the lifewe will live forever in eternity. For us the hungry or thirsty or homeless manor woman is not just a temporary inconvenience: he or she is Christ the Lord,who will judge us one day. In the same way, the depersonalized phrase“terminated pregnancy” fails completely to describe the violent ending of ahuman life, a gift of the living God.

In today’s Gospel Jesus says to the Apostles, and to us, “As the Father hassent me, so I send you.” Jesus sends us to proclaim and live the good news, tobe filled with his life, to live his life, to share his life, and to defend hislife. Jesus needs us, the church, his body, so that we can take his good newsto all people of all times and places; so that we can share and defend life,life here and life eternal, everywhere we go, everywhere he sends us. Today hebrought us here, to nourish us with his word and his body and blood, and tosend us on this walk for life today.

We live in a time and a place in which people like to play God. They areunwilling to let God be God, to let God give life and end it. “No,” some nowsay, “we will decide who lives and who dies.” We walk today in witness againstthat deadly spirit and habit and force. We take a stand and say, “Let God beGod. Don’t play at being God.”

However, that lesson is meant for us as well. We must not dare to makeourselves into modern Pharisees, drawing up our own God-like lists of who is approvedand who is condemned, of who is worthwhile and who is not. All of us here mustalso let God be God, and not play at being God. Jesus came for sinners, for usand also for those who oppose us. Let us fervently pray for everyone, includingand especially those who oppose.

We will walk today in witness not because we deserve to but because JesusChrist calls us to walk with him and for him and in him, and because the unbornand the dying need us to walk with and for them, on their behalf and in theirplace. We walk, but Jesus Christ leads the way. We hear Jesus Christ say to us,what the Apostles first heard him say to them, “Follow me.”

Downtown Church & Ministry Fellowship

2012-01-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

No Jail Time for Former SEDC Leaders

2012-01-20T14:58:00.001-08:00

No Jail Time for Former SEDC Leaders

Twoformer redevelopment leaders guilty of embezzling public money were ordered to slowly repay the city $435,000 at the rate of $100 per month- which amounts to $1,200 annually each. At that rate, the money won't berepaid until the year 2193.

The officials, Carolyn Y. Smith and Dante Dayacap, who were at the center of a2008 voiceofsandiego.org investigation, are on probation for five years.

ESSAYS and EXCERPTS about Michael O'Brien

2012-01-16T15:04:00.001-08:00

•Watch Interview with and Talk by Michael O'Brien
In the first video, O'Brien is interviewed by Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J., in theIgnatius Press studio; the second video is of O'Brien delivering a recentaddress at Kolbe Academy/Trinity Prep in Napa, California on "CatholicFiction and Restoring Culture in an Age of Escapist Illusions."
by Catholic World Report

•Becoming Men of Christ
Profiles of seven men--Fr. Larry Richards, Deacon Alex Jones, Steve Wood,Deacon Ralph Poyo, David Renshaw, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Dan Spencer--whohave dedicated themselves to challenging other men to grow in faith andholiness.
by Jim Graves

Vatican Voice Comments on 'Tebow-mania'

2012-01-14T15:31:00.000-08:00

Director of LaityCouncil's Sports Section Speaks on Prayer and Role Models

By Kathleen Naab

ROME, JAN. 13, 2012 (Zenit.org).-The director of the "Church and Sport" section at the PontificalCouncil for the Laity admits that the "Tim Tebow phenomenon" hasheightened his interest in the NFL playoffs.

Legionary of Christ Father Kevin Lixey works in the Roman Curiahelping the Church make a contribution to the world of sport, with the aim ofpromoting a sports culture suitable to the integral development of theindividual.

ZENIT spoke with Father Lixey about the Denver Broncosquarterback, Tim Tebow, after Tebow led his team to an overtime win in lastSunday's playoff game.

Those familiar with the NFL -- and even those who are not -- mighthave heard of Tebow for more than his unique style as a quarterback. Hisoutward expressions of his Christian faith are being talked about by all sortsof commentators, in the world of American football and beyond. Though certainlynot the only athlete to publicly express his faith on the field, Tebow isdrawing more attention than usual. We asked Father Lixey what he thinks aboutthat.

ZENIT: Do you see Tim Tebow's public expression of faith as apositive or negative phenomenon? Certainly it is drawing a lot of attention toChrist, in one form or another ...

Father Lixey: The hype over Tim Tebow is certainly an interestingphenomenon in an ever more secularized world. I consider it something verypositive. Even at the college level, while quarterback for the FloridaGators during the 2009 Bowl Championship Series title contest, Tebow wrote"John 3:16" on his eye black. The Palm Beach Post reported that 92million people Googled the verse following the game ... impressive!

But, it is not the mere public expression of faith -- as Tebowdrops a knee to give thanks after a touchdown, or prays with other players whoinclude teammates and opponents after the game -- that is attracting people; itis his entire person.

I had the chance to speak with the offensive coordinator whocoached Tim at the Florida Gators. He said he was a very unique player who wasspiritually on another stratosphere with respect to the rest of the team. Yet,Tim was respected by his teammates because he was genuine. And this is thepoint I would like to touch on. As one reporter noted(Chuck Klosterman, Dec. 6, 2011): "This, I think, is what makes Tebow somaddening to those who hate him: He refuses to say anything that would validatethe suspicion that he's fake (or naïve or self-righteous or dumb)."

While Tebow certainly sticks out for these external manifestationsof his faith, not to mention his unorthodox playing style as an NFLquarterback, his personal background is also not typical for an NFLquarterback. It is a real "Cinderella" story -- although those whohave to tackle Tim would not consider him a Cinderella.

First of all, Tim Tebow was born in the Philippines to Americanparents who were serving as Baptist missionaries, as his father is a pastor.His mother, while pregnant, suffered a life-threatening infection and wasadvised to have an abortion but she decided not to, and both Tim and his mothersurvived a difficult pregnancy. Another unique aspect is that Tim, like hisfour older siblings, was home-schooled. Thanks to legislation that was passedin Florida in 1996, home-schooled students were allowed to compete in localhigh school sporting events.

ZENIT: OK, but does prayer really have a place in football? SurelyGod doesn't care about who wins the Super Bowl -- or does he?

Father Lixey: Judging from his public statements, Tebow is one ofthe few and most prominent religious athletes to recognize that God does not care about the scoreof football games. Tebow considers his missionary and philanthropic work muchmore important than football, but at the same time, possible, because of it. Weall too often equate prayer with only asking good things from God, where prayeris only used "to obtain something" i.e., victory, health, or amiracle. The Catechism reminds us that prayer is also "the raising ofone's mind and heart to God" and that we "we must remember God moreoften that we draw breath."

Certainly there are moments and places more conducive to prayer,but there is no reason that all religious manifestations be entirely bannedfrom the public square. These external manifestations of one's beliefs areimpressive precisely because they are public. Just as Christians once fell totheir knees at the sound of the Angelus bell to remember the Incarnation, orjust as the cab driver makes the point of getting out of his car to bow down towardMecca in prayer, I see no reason why a professional football player cannotoffer a prayer of thanksgiving or point to heaven instead of doing a lewdvictory dance in the end zone.

Nonetheless, these external manifestations can make some peoplefeel uneasy and it is not certain how long this will be "allowed" inthe NFL. The Danish Football Federation complained to FIFA for permittingmembers of the Brazilian national to gather together in prayer after theirvictory of the 2009 Confederations Cup. FIFA's president responded by warningthat any religious manifestation would not be permitted in the 2010 World Cup.

ZENIT: Along those lines, the Tebow "phenomenon" comesat a time when the U.S. bishops are particularly concerned about religiousfreedom. Is reaction to Tebow's public expression of faith a sign that theirconcern is warranted? Or misplaced? Or is religious freedom on the playingfield one thing, and in the public square something else?

Father Lixey: Pope Benedict XVI is also particularly concernedabout religious freedom and touched upon this point Monday in his address to members ofthe diplomatic corps, noting: "In many countries Christians are deprivedof fundamental rights and sidelined from public life; in other countries theyendure violent attacks against their churches and their homes."

Obviously the Holy Father was not speaking about the FIFA decisionto sideline religion. But it does raise the question: "What is the publicsquare today?" Is it literally that quaint square in front of a town hallsomewhere in New England, where perhaps it is no longer permissible to displaya Nativity scene? Or is it the Internet, a person's desk at work, or theprofessional football stadium?

I think many are impressed with Tim Tebow's courage in professinghis faith for he certainly is mocked for it. When he received flack for doing apro-life ad with "Focus on the Family" that ran during the 2010Superbowl, he said: "I know some people won't agree with it, but I thinkthey can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe in." This isall Tim is asking. Whether it is standing up, or taking a knee, for what hebelieves in, many people do respect this, that he stands up for what he believes.Yet, others become infuriated as they consider Tebow guilty of breaching theline that all are supposed to respect, namely, that which separates the secularfrom the religious, the holy from the profane, the sacred from the everyday.

ZENIT: As Catholics, what can we learn from this situation -- fromTebow himself, perhaps, and from the reactions he's causing?

Father Lixey: Blessed John Paul II once reminded a group of topprofessional soccer players: "The eyes of sports fans throughout the worldare fixed on you. Be conscious of your responsibility! It is not only thechampion in the stadium but also the whole person who should become a model formillions of young people, who need 'leaders,' not 'idols.' They need men whocan convey to them the zest for challenge, a sense of discipline, the courageto be honest and the joy of unselfishness."

I believe Tim Tebow is trying to live up to these words of JohnPaul II and his examplecan prompt other athletes to be "leaders" and not idols, being amodel on and off the field, especially of the corporal works of mercy. As Timshares in his own words: "When I was a student at the University ofFlorida, I found great joy in taking time to encourage children suffering fromcancer in hospitals or visiting a prison or juvenile detention center, or doingmission work with my family at Uncle Dick's Orphanage in the Philippines. …Football is so popular (that) it enables an athlete like me to establish aplatform for doing good deeds … to take this experience to an even greaterlevel of outreach and influence. … After my professional career, I plan ongiving my life full time to this outreach."

That's not a bad role model for the youth. … It's not a badexample for us to follow either.

Why did God allow tsunami?

2012-01-14T10:43:00.001-08:00

Sheep and Goats Edition

2012-01-11T20:32:00.001-08:00

San Diego Reader

Sheep and Goats Edition

San Diego Christian Reformed Church

by Joseph O'Brien
Membership: 65 Affiliation: Christian Reformed Church Interim Pastor: Adam Stout Age: 32 Born: Davenport, Iowa Formation: One year of Yucatán, Mexico, mission work; Calvin College and Calvin Theology Seminary, Grand Rapids, Mich. ... +more

Religious Freedom Sunday

2012-01-10T14:21:00.000-08:00

Anticipating Religious Freedom Day (Jan. 16)

January 15, 2012

"Proclaim liberty throughout the land." Lev. 25:10

USA (MNN) -- Open Doors USA and Gateways to Better Education are teaming up to sponsor Religious Freedom Sunday. The event will be this weekend, January 15, in honor of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786, which cleared the way for the First Amendment to the US Constitution -- guaranteeing religious freedom in the USA. Open Doors president and CEO Carl Moeller hopes Christians will learn more about their religious freedoms so they can advocate on behalf of those who share our faith but not our freedom.

Changes to a Legendary Spot

2012-01-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 9, 2012

The Chicano Park murals have stood beneath Interstate 5 since the 1970s, the product of successful protests against the barren urban concrete that replaced a stretch of neighborhood.

Now, several of the original painters have returned to touch up and remake some of the more than 50 murals, which memorialize and celebrate Mexican-American life and culture.

The famed park could end up looking significantly brighter and more modern. In one mural, for example, old scrawling text has been replaced by a contemporary tattoo font.

"It's a complicated thing to invite artists with four more decades of experience under their belts to revisit work they made in their youth," Kelly Bennett writes. "Should the artist just repaint the same lines he painted in the 1970s, or bring to the table new techniques, new colors?"

Check out the full story, which has big, bright photos and video.

The Spiritual Landscape

2012-01-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

Jesus Is Not Our Elected Representative

The church is a hierarchy--in composition, character, and mission. Jesus is not our elected representative. He is King of King and Lord of Lords.

By Frederick Schmidt, January 03, 2012

In a recent dust-up over liturgical colors, a colleague of mine was challenged on her decision to use purple instead of blue during Advent. Only in an Episcopal Church.
Of course, colors are never about color. And I am fairly sure that the parishioner who took her to task had concerns that go well beyond liturgical propriety. But the case that she made for using blue over purple was telling. "Purple is hierarchical," she complained.
Well, duh, yes it is. Kings, royalty, all that jazz. And, by the way, so are some shades of blue.
This slipstream of reasoning is pretty common of late. The word "egalitarian" is thrown around as an ecclesiastical ideal with ever-greater ease. And, arguably, there is a case to be made for an approach to leadership and church life that is as open-ended as possible, borrowing on the energy and imagination of those who enter the doors of our churches.
I am not a great fan of power that is used in a bullying, officious, abusive fashion. It's not for nothing that our dog Hilda is named after Hilda of Whitby a 7th-century abbess who was renowned for chewing on the bishops of her day. (We don't allow our dog to do that, by the way.)
But there are real problems with insisting that the church is not a hierarchy.
Not the least of them is this: The church is a hierarchy—in composition, character, and mission. Jesus is not our elected representative. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
To ignore that fact flies in the face of a fundamental truth: God is God. We are not. To assert otherwise by changing colors and purging our language is not just a problem for our theology, it is a problem for ecclesiology as well. If God is not God, then there really isn't a good reason for doing church. People sense this, even if they can't name it, and it has subtly, but steadily eroded church attendance.
This does not mean that churches need to embrace caricatures of authoritarian leadership by barking orders and threatening excommunication. But it should not allow itself to be bullied into impotence by those caricatures either.
Biblical understandings of the fundamental and hierarchical difference between God and humankind do not focus on God's right to lord it over us, punish us, or drive us to despair. God is characterized instead as the One who is both capable of relationships and as One who longs for them. In this regard AkzoNobel's Tex Gunning, understands something about leadership that church leaders should have understood all along—and do, when they are at their best:
The quality of communal life of any kind depends upon the quality of the relationships within that community.
Understood in Christian categories, Gunning's observation is one with the way in which the purpose of Christ's life and ministry is described in John's Gospel: "that they may be one, as we are one."
This understanding of leadership is often missing from the approaches taken by ecclesiastical leaders who emphasize bureaucratic brinkmanship and programmatic glitz. And it may seem completely out of place in the corporate world. But, rightly, Gunning observes, people in any organization need to know that they are valued, respected, cared for, and safe. In churches, of course, relationships with God and with one another are in a sense, what it is all about.
A good friend of mine put his finger on this need not long ago. He observed, "You know, when I was young, I belonged to an intentional Christian community that really made a difference in my life. I felt needed and I needed the others who were a part of that community. I don't feel that way about church any more. Oh, I go—and I still think it's important to go. But worship is just something I go to watch happen. I don't feel any sense of connection to God or to the people with whom I attend church. After I've left, it doesn't matter any longer."
Of course it doesn't. We disassembled the hierarchy in the name of building relationships. Ironically, in its absence, there is no longer any reason to give those churchy relationships priority.
To argue that Jesus is one among many alternatives—or that church is among one of many civic organizations that are worthy of our attention—puts the church on a footing with other "good causes" that is alien to its original inspiration. The message of the Gospel is that the church is more than a good cause. To use a word that Gunning employs as well, it is the lifeline that restores our relationship with God and heals our relationships with one another.
That may sound hierarchical. But church is not a worthy activity. Life in the church is meant to be a one-of-a-kind commitment. And Jesus is not our elected representative. He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. If we don't communicate that as ecclesiastical leaders, there are no programs or strategies that will serve as a substitute.

The Reverend Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt, Jr. is Director of Spiritual Formation and Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality at Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas. An Episcopal priest, he also serves as the director of the Episcopal studies program. He is the author of several books, including Conversations with Scripture: The Gospel of Luke (Morehouse, 2009) and What God Wants for Your Life (Harper One, 2005).
Schmidt's column, "The Spiritual Landscape," is published every Monday on the Progressive Christian portal. Subscribe via email or RSS.

Labor Ready Storefront in North Park Closes

2012-01-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

By David Batterson | Published Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012

The Labor Ready office at 2884University Avenue closed on December 27. A sign posted on the door stated: “This office will be closed until further notice.” It says to contact their branch at 1021 W. Maple St., in downtown. Is this just a consolidation? Or is there not enough business in North Park to justify remaining open?

Labor Ready is one of the brands under the Tacoma, Washington-based TrueBlue, Inc. corporate umbrella. I asked Stacey Burke, VP of corporate communications, for a comment. Burke emailed: “I am not certain of the reason for the move, but it could be for some of the reasons you listed, including a consolidation or relocation to better suit our business needs.”

Labor Ready hires people for temp jobs in construction, manufacturing, hospitality, events, logistics, warehousing, retail support, and similar functions.

While I was taking photos, local busker Dave Boone, with his ukulele on his back, stopped to chat. He said he had worked for the company five years ago. Boone did temporary work at Qualcomm Stadium and was paid $8 an hour, he said.

DID YOU KNOW?

2012-01-04T09:33:00.001-08:00

“Natural devotion may be all very well to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His fascination, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will always deny Jesus somewhere or other.”

Reading for Wednesday 4th January 2012

Let the Church Rise

2012-01-04T07:17:00.001-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-30T15:20:00.000-08:00

BRICKS FOR UGANDA

2011-12-29T17:21:00.000-08:00

WWCS receives block press, encounters trouble in shipping

Uganda (MNN) -- When 35% of the nation can't read, good schools are a significant need in Uganda. Worldwide Christian Schools just received a gift that will help meet that. The ministry was given a block press [The Vermeer BP714 Block Press], which turns dirt and a bit of cement to bricks. Steve Geurink says it'll allow WWCS to build more schools, plus, "It's both producing a better quality block for us, as well as giving people a living in Uganda." The press was donated, but there's a hurdle to climb over before it can be used. "The cost of getting it through immigration, transporting it through Kenya up to Uganda, and then getting it set up--there's going to be about another $9,000-$10,000 worth of expense." Our Web site has ways for you to help defray the cost. "If someone wants to be a part of this financially, they're going to be making an impact in Uganda. That touches the lives of children and teachers as they have a place to teach the children the Gospel as well as a basic education.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16633

Charismatic movement growing quickly worldwide

2011-12-28T14:02:00.000-08:00

ReligionNewsBlog.com

Wednesday December 28, 2011

According to a recent Pew Research Center report on Global Christianity, 305 million Christians worldwide follow the charismatic movement.

On CNN’s Belief Blog Stacey Samuel highlights the experiences of a mother and daughter who attended a “charismatic healing service” at the Everlasting Life Christian Center in Laurel, Maryland:

They are among a fast-growing number within the diverse Christian landscape to join the charismatic movement.

According to a recent Pew Research Center report on Global Christianity, 305 million Christians worldwide follow the charismatic movement.

“One of the reasons the charismatic movement is expanding … apart from salvation, we experience healing, miracles. The blind see, the lame get up and walk, and the deaf can hear. That attracts a lot of people,” said Samuel Fatoki, who leads the roughly 200-member church with his wife, Marcia, who serves as his co-pastor.

Sandra Ashford talks about what she refers to as her mother’s miraculous recovery from cervical spinal stenosis.

Ashford recounted how on the third application of Fatoki’s hands on her mother, McDougall fell to the ground and began speaking in tongues. Ashford said her mother writhed on the floor, contorting in ways she couldn’t stretch before.

Both said she’s been walking upright since.

The Pew Reports says

Carismatics are members of non-pentecostal denominations — including Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant denominations — who hold at least some pentecostal beliefs and engage in at least some spiritual practices associated with pentecostalism, including divine healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues. The charismatic movement, sometimes known as the charismatic renewal, began among mainline Protestants in the U.S. in 1960 and had spread to parts of the U.S. Catholic Church by 1967.

The charismatic movement also finds expression in independent congregations that have formed their own networks of affiliated churches, similar to denominations. These church networks, such as the Vineyard Christian Fellowship based in California, are distinct from historically pentecostal denominations.

According to CNN

Dale Stoffer, professor of historical theology and academic dean at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio, said the charismatic movement has been present in the United States since the 1960s. The religious experience in the movement is more experiential, rather than based in intellectual expression.

“There’s a high degree of emphasis on the Holy Spirit working in supernatural ways,” Stoffer added.

While the movement is growing here in the United States, there’s been an “explosion in Christianity,” Stoffer said, in Africa, Latin America and Asia: regions of the world that have seen increased numbers of charismatic Christians.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

2011-12-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

Christians and lions

The world’s most widely followed faith is gathering persecutors. Even non-Christians should worry about that

Dec 31st 2011 | from the print edition

CHRISTIANITY is growing almost as fast as humanity itself, but its 2.2 billion adherents cannot count on safety in numbers. That is partly because the locus of the world’s largest religion is shifting to hotter (in several senses) parts of the world. According to a report published by the Pew Forum in December, the Christian share of the population of sub-Saharan Africa has soared over the past century, from 9% to 63%. Meanwhile, the think-tank says, the Christian proportion of Europeans and people in the Americas has dropped, respectively, from 95% to 76% and from 96% to 86%.

But moving from the jaded north to the dynamic south does not portend an easy future. In Nigeria scores of Christians have died in Islamist bomb attacks, targeting Christmas prayers. In Iran and Pakistan Christians are on death row, for “apostasy”—quitting Islam—or blasphemy. Dozens of churches in Indonesia have been attacked or shut. Two-thirds of Iraq’s pre-war Christian population have fled. In Egypt and Syria, where secular despots gave Christianity a shield of sorts, political upheaval and Muslim zeal threaten ancient Christian groups. Not all Christianity’s woes are down to Muslims. The faith faces harassment in formally communist China and Vietnam. In India Hindu nationalists want to penalise Christians who make converts. In the Holy Land local churches are caught between Israeli encroachment on their property and Islamist bids to monopolise Palestinian life. Followers of Jesus may yet become a rarity in his homeland. READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE HERE

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011

2011-12-24T08:13:00.000-08:00

Was the Grinch a Christian?

2011-12-23T17:58:00.000-08:00

The Top 11 Features of 2011

Why We Need to Throw Out the Term "Good Christian" by Francis Chan

"The American church has abandoned the most simple and obvious truth of what it means to follow Jesus: You actually follow His pattern of life."

15 Signs Your Church Is in Trouble by Perry Noble

Perry Noble offers a list of warning signs that your church may need help.

Why a Healthy Sex Life Makes You a Better Leader by Margaret Feinberg

Sexual intimacy might not be your first thought when thinking of leadership skills, but it’s a great way to test your faithfulness in the small things.

5 Things That Brought Life to a Dying Church by J.D. Greear

Only God brings life to dead things, but here are five lessons I learned that contributed to our church’s revitalization.

Why We Don't Need "Women's" Ministry by Sarah Bessey

Please stop treating women's ministry like a safe club for the little ladies to play church.

18 Ways to Ruin Your Reputation on Facebook by Paul Steinbrueck

Every time you post something, you risk hurting, offending or distancing yourself from people. So, here are 18 things you want to avoid doing on Facebook.

7 Ways to Avoid Sexual Sin by Dustin Neely

When was the last time you stopped to remind yourself of the battle we are fighting?

5 Things God Never Said by Larry Moyer

Here are five misconceptions of God's Word you'd be wise to spend a Sunday addressing.

12 Killers of Good Leadership by Ron Edmondson

A leader may struggle with one or more of these, but the goal should be to lead "killer-free."

5 Things That Convinced Me to Change Sunday Morning by Shaun King

"5 things have convinced me that this extreme emphasis on Sunday morning is not the will of God for our church."

10 Ways to Know Someone Is Leaving Your Church by Brian Dodd

Warning signs that indicate a potential exit is underway.

When the Unclean Becomes Clean

2011-12-23T11:28:00.000-08:00

(En Español)

There are unfathomable mysteries concerning the Messiah's entrance into our world, realities that are beyond our powers of comprehension: His divine conception, the manifestation of the angelic hosts, the miraculous star that led the wise men, etc. Yet, one reality strikes me as most profound: of all places where the Son of God might have been born, His birth came in the uncleanness of a stable.

With myriads of angels at the Almighty's command, we might assume the world's Creator would have orchestrated better accommodations, perhaps the home of a rich man or more appropriately, a king. Yet the staging of Christ's birthplace was prophetic of His life and purpose. Indeed, when I contemplate the message broadcast in the birthplace of Christ, I realize that He who was born in the uncleanness of a stable is not offended or repulsed by the uncleanness in me or you.

The Union of the Clean with the Unclean

As a backdrop to the issue of Christ's birthplace, consider: the Old Testament had over 250 references to clean and unclean things. In all cases the principle is the same: when something (or someone) clean is touched by the unclean, that which was clean is contaminated by the unclean. The fact is, cleanliness was directly associated with the holiness of God in scores of verses in the book of Leviticus.

Certain health conditions could render a person unclean, such as skin diseases or a woman's issue of blood. When one was unclean, they were required to stay away from their community until their condition changed and their restored health was verified by a priest. Lepers and others with contagious skin diseases were not only categorically unclean but in public were required to ring a bell while calling in a loud voice, "Unclean! Unclean!" to warn others (Lev. 13:45).

However, when Christ came upon lepers, He did not back away; rather, He touched and healed them! The unclean became clean! Beloved, with the Messiah, the entire principle of clean and unclean is reversed! Jesus, who is clean, does not become unclean by touching us; we become clean by touching Him! Just as the Lord affirmed to Peter, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy" (Acts 10:15).
Many people do not accept Christ simply because they are too aware of their inner uncleanness. Yet once we accept Christ, the indwelling of Christ not only washes us, but His presence makes us holy. Do you see? We are holy because He is holy. We are clean because His blood and His word cleanse us. We can never become clean until Christ comes to dwell in our spirits. He says, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me" (John 13:8).

This season, regardless of the uncleanness you feel inwardly, open your heart to Christ. Let the Redeemer enter. He who emerged in our world in a stable will not be offended at your need. Let His cleanness cleanse and heal that which is unclean within you.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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Coming February 12, 2012

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Changes to a Legendary Spot

The Spiritual Landscape

Jesus Is Not Our Elected Representative

The church is a hierarchy--in composition, character, and mission. Jesus is not our elected representative. He is King of King and Lord of Lords.

By Frederick Schmidt, January 03, 2012

Labor Ready Storefront in North Park Closes

DID YOU KNOW?

Let the Church Rise

HAPPY NEW YEAR

BRICKS FOR UGANDA

Charismatic movement growing quickly worldwide

Top 10 News Stories of 2011

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Christians and lions

The world’s most widely followed faith is gathering persecutors. Even non-Christians should worry about that

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011

Was the Grinch a Christian?

When the Unclean Becomes Clean