How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb? You know where that normally goes. They form a committee, then decide to study the matter and discover it's really not about the switch, it's more about the essence of light... and perhaps we could consider the light of God instead of physical light, etc. But here's where I'll go with it today, thinking about whole new light fixtures and bulbs: It takes the whole congregation. At Westminster Presbyterian Church, Olympia, Washington, we've watched the drama unfold over 20 years. The congregation turned on the lights this summer. God inspired us, challenged us, encouraged us and then showed us the final steps. These days, every time I flip a switch, I picture 20 years of faithful worshipers. In know these faithful worshipers will be the hosts to thousands of guests and that Christ will be our host each day. It takes a congregation.
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Soul Feast is a great resource for the spiritual life. I recently heard Marjorie speak and this reminded me of her excellent book. She has a great skill in writing about spiritual practices from a Reformed point of view. (****)Ignatius of Loyola: Ignatius of Loyola: Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works (Classics of Western Spirituality)
I often turn to this book to get back to one of the originals of the spiritual life. Ignatius is amazing. (*****)JONATHAN HOLDEN: KNOWING
I find Holden's poetry provokative, down to earth and fresh in most cases. (***)Jason Shinder: The Poem I Turn To With Audio CD: Actors and Directors Present Poetry That Inspires Them
The book makes poetry accessible. Actors and directors share the poems they like and comment about the poems or the authors of the poems. (*****)Patrick Carman: The House of Power (Atherton, Book 1) (No. 1)
Some of the best authors are writers for youth. Patrick Carman has great skill and wonderful imagination. Also, he lives in my home town of Walla Walla. (****)Michael A. Hiltzik: Dealers of Lightning: Xerox PARC and the Dawn of the Computer Age
A fantastic journalistic review of one of Xerox's most creative seasons. It also gives clues as to why Xerox failed to make good use of its creativity. (*****)
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08/12/2010
It Takes A Congregation
How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb? You know where that normally goes. They form a committee, then decide to study the matter and discover it's really not about the switch, it's more about the essence of light... and perhaps we could consider the light of God instead of physical light, etc. But here's where I'll go with it today, thinking about whole new light fixtures and bulbs: It takes the whole congregation. At Westminster Presbyterian Church, Olympia, Washington, we've watched the drama unfold over 20 years. The congregation turned on the lights this summer. God inspired us, challenged us, encouraged us and then showed us the final steps. These days, every time I flip a switch, I picture 20 years of faithful worshipers. In know these faithful worshipers will be the hosts to thousands of guests and that Christ will be our host each day. It takes a congregation.
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Outstanding Blogs and Websites
- Westminster Presbyterian Church, Olympia Website
The website for WPC, Olympia's congregation. You gotta see it! - The Christian Century website
A huge amount of information and links to "CC network blogs" and "Theolog" the Century's own blog. - Presbyterian Church USA web site
A very well organized website. It gives access to an amazing amount of information. - Covenant Network of Presbyterians
Their motto is "Toward a Church as Generous and Just as God's Grace. - Beliefnet
The website for all kinds of belief - Presbyterian blog: enough
Explores justice and simple living - Director of Evangelism and Church from PCUSA
Eric Hoey is the Director of Evangelism and Church Growth for the General Assembly Mission Council of the PCUSA - Food and Faith
Ways to address hunger from the PCUSA - Seminaries
The PCUSA's Coordinator for the theological education and seminary relations in the General Assembly Mission Council, Lee Hanson-Hasty's site. - Linda Valentine
Linda Valentine is the executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council of the PCUSA. This is her blog. - Peacemaking
The blog for the PCUSA peacemaking program. - Women
Rhashell Hunter's website on Presbyterian Women. She is the Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries and Presbyterian Women's Director of the General Assembly Mission Council. - Youth Ministry
Youth ministry at the PCUSA website. - Tree Hugger
Pretty cool green blog. - green faith
great interfaith green site.
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