ReClaiming Paul Conference

Nazarene Theological Seminary and Emergent Village partnered together to host the conference devoted to a fresh look at the apostle Paul. Some have viewed Jesus and Paul as being antagonistic towards one another or telling a different story of God. I have never had issue with Paul while looking at him through the lens of Jesus.

The presentations were academic and the conversations were practical. It was beneficial for all of us to mix university and church worlds, Nazarene and Emergent worlds. It seems to me, this is what is needed to advance peace talks rather than smack talk.

It was fun to visit with Ron Benefiel, Tony Jones, Doug Paggit, Tim Keel and hang with friends Brent Peterson, Jim Wicks, David Charlton, Dave Curtis, Scott Comfort and Dave Sharpes.

A Politcal Prayer

Found this on Tim Keel's blog who found it on J.R. Brigg's blog:

A Prayer of Confession

Forgive us O Lord: A Prayer for American Politics
Forgive us O Lord, for being divisive rather than working to build unity.
Forgive us O Lord, for striving to be right more than striving to be kind.
Forgive us O Lord, when we desire to be understood more than to understand.
Forgive us O Lord, for placing our hope in a person, a system, a government - rather than in you alone.
Forgive us O Lord, for complaining about politics rather than thanking you for our freedom.
Forgive us O Lord, when we use our mouths - and our email forwards - to tear down "the other."
Forgive us O Lord, for spending more time and energy thinking about the Empire than the kingdom.
Forgive us O Lord for speaking poorly and wishing ill will on another candidate.
Forgive us O Lord, when we are known more for following a party than for following the Risen Christ.
Forgive us O Lord, for claiming that God is only on "our side."
Forgive us O Lord, for claiming and proclaiming that one political party completely and accurately represents the politics of Jesus.
Forgive us O Lord, when we forget that the heart of the king is in your hands.
Forgive us O Lord, for being more excited to speak to others about our candidate than about our Savior.
Forgive us O Lord, when we think this prayer is for someone else we know and not for ourselves.

Give us grace to treat others with dignity and respect, even in the midst of our differences. Give us wisdom - not just with what we say and do, but how we say them and do them - so that we may not represent our political party, but that we may represent the one who has given us True Life.
Amen.

Kansas City Trip

Kansas City BBQ!!!















Jacob's Well -
Host of ReClaiming Paul Conference

Global Ministry Center

From Headquarters to Global Ministry Center.

From Inner city to Suburbs.

From American centric to American centric.

Cross Style Splits or Cross Style(s)

Resetting the American Dream - V

10 Practices to Reset our Standard of Living:

1. Work - Get the best paying job possible and work full time with at least one day off per week.

2. Family - Life is easier with a partner and it's cheaper to stay married. Then raise kids and teach them your values.

3. Education - Get then give your children an education (12 free years of public school plus life lessons at the dinner table) that prepares them for character choices and career opportunities.

4. Thrift - Live simply, within your means by saving money to make purchases and avoiding consumer debt.

5. Morals - Do not break the law, practice ethics and love your neighbor.

6. Health - Maintain your well being with prayer, proper rest, diet, exercise and recreation.

7. Responsibility - Keep your word, pay your bills, stay committed to relationships and make things right when they go wrong.

8. Give - Tithe, give to charity and volunteer to serve in the community.

9. Prosperity - Use your wealth to bless others and to maintain justice rather than creating a class system.

10. Remember - it's a dream, not a promise or an entitlement. Be thankful and content.

Resetting the American Dream - IV

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

- Emma Lazarus