From the CCblogs Network Posts for July, 2012

From the CCblogs Network

Don't let the fact that Paul's letters are now Christian scripture undermine their message and authority!

Jul 31, 2012 by James F. McGrath

Paul, in his time, made a case for relaxing Scriptural stipulations about the need for anyone within Abraham's household to be circumcised in order to be part of the covenant (Genesis 17:9-14).

From the CCblogs Network

Do you celebrate those who give to your church?

Jul 27, 2012 by Margaret J. Marcuson

I was struck recently by the power of resources to transform ministry. The church I attended as a small child received a large legacy that enabled them to build a new building, enabling them to develop a larger ministry for decades to come. On a recent visit for the first time in decades, I was delighted by the continued vibrancy of their ministry.

From the CCblogs Network

"I wish God would just wipe it all away"

Jul 26, 2012 by Ryan Dueck

Every morning on my way to work I drive past the local prison.  It is a surprisingly picturesque facility—lots of big trees for shade and well-manicured green grass, a nice lake beside it with all kinds of birds, a baseball diamond and basketball courts visible from the road.  Nonetheless, the barbed wire and the chain fence around the perimeter leave little doubt about the purpose of

From the CCblogs Network

Blessed are the peacemakers?

Jul 25, 2012 by Carol Kuniholm

Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”

From the CCblogs Network

Mike Huckabee and America's sin problem

Jul 24, 2012 by James F. McGrath

On his talk show, Mike Huckabee had the following to say about the shooting in Aurora, Colorado (that link goes to the Fox video; there are excerpts in print here):

Ultimately, We don’t have a crime problem or a gun problem – or even a violence problem. What we have is a sin problem. And since we ordered God out of our schools and communities, the military and public conversations, you know, we really shouldn’t act so surprised when all hell breaks loose.

From the CCblogs Network

"Shall we have a prayer?"

Jul 20, 2012 by Diane Roth

It was a hard time. I was not sure of a direction, and felt like my movement was blocked at every turn. I felt like I had made many mistakes, and was not sure yet if they were fatal mistakes. I wasn't sure if my gifts were valued, or even if my gifts were worth valuing.

From the CCblogs Network

Writing divine thank you notes

Jul 12, 2012 by Allan R. Bevere

The custom of writing thank you notes is a good and necessary one. I make it practice every week to send two or three thank you notes to parishioners for their service to Jesus Christ, his church and its mission. It is important to let people know that their contribution matters.

From the CCblogs Network

My kid won't swim the Olympics

Jul 10, 2012 by MaryAnn McKibben Dana

Caroline competes each summer with our pool’s swim team, and last week their coaches had given them an assignment to watch some of the Olympic time trials held in Omaha. It was fun to watch elite athletes swimming at the top of their game and to listen to Caroline’s observations about the different strokes.

From the CCblogs Network

Moving, sin and other stuff

Jul 03, 2012 by James Sledge

The moving van arrived at the church manse on Saturday morning. (The storm that left us without power until today complicated this only slightly.) We are moving from a home with a garage, a basement, and a large shed into a church manse with a small shed, no basement, and no garage.