Channel Surfing the Bible

Channel Surfing the Bible PDF Author: Rev. Thomas O’Donnell
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 146283308X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 268

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Book Description
Two thousand years ago, a simple man walked this planet with a simple message. They called him Jesus. His was a message of radical exclusion in a world he called the Kingdom of God. He spoke in parables grounded in common, everyday experiences, parables about yeast and leavened bread, weeds and mustard seeds, fishing nets and pearls. In the Kingdom of God, everyone was equal and differences made no difference. But the world couldnt handle such an outrageous message. Whoever heard of a world where differences make no difference? Of course, they make a difference. So they dangled him from a cross for all the world to take note. After his death, they honored him with a title, the Christ, and began a whole new religion in his name. But for two thousand years far too many have been dishonoring him by misrepresenting his message. His message of radical inclusion has been twisted and contorted into a message that far too many of his followers use to sanction that which he came to overcome. Instead of eliminating distinctions between insiders and outsiders, pure and impure, clean and unclean, his message has been used to perpetuate sexism, racism, age-ism, homophobism, imperialism, and all the other -isms that stand in the way of radical inclusion. All this has happened so gradually, literally over centuries if not millennia through crusty old doctrines, dogma, and creeds that very few have even noticed. Christianity has become fat and happy, just like the frog in the Parable of the Boiling Frog. You stick a frog in a vat of boiling water, and it will struggle with all its might to escape an otherwise certain death. But if you stick a frog in a vat of lukewarm water and ever so gradually keep warming it one degree at a time, the frog will grow comfortable in the increasing warmth of its environment until, before he realizes it, he has been boiled. Two thousand years later, it is time to set the record straight; time to return to Jesus simple message through the common, ordinary experiences of today. In the biblical witness, Moses wandered in the wilderness for forty years; Jesus, for forty days. So, too, shall we wander by channel surfing through forty chapters of scripture. From Adam and Eve to Ricky Nelsons Garden Party at Madison Square Garden; from the Book of Jobs Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar to The Three Stooges; from Matthews and Lukes nativity scenes to Larry, Darryl, and Darryl of The Bob Newhart Show; from the temptation stories and Jesus wandering in the wilderness to American Bandstand, the Temptations, and Dion & the Belmonts The Wanderer; from Pilate and Herod cross-examining Jesus to Judge Wapner and Judge Judy; from atonement theology to Lets Make a Deal, it is time to paint our antiquated parables with a more contemporary brush; in so doing, it is time to turn Jesus simple message into a profound reality. Onward, radical inclusion! On to the Kingdom of God. In the immortal words of Bart Simpson, Surfs up, dude.

Channel Surfing the Bible

Channel Surfing the Bible PDF Author: Rev. Thomas O’Donnell
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 146283308X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 268

Get Book Here

Book Description
Two thousand years ago, a simple man walked this planet with a simple message. They called him Jesus. His was a message of radical exclusion in a world he called the Kingdom of God. He spoke in parables grounded in common, everyday experiences, parables about yeast and leavened bread, weeds and mustard seeds, fishing nets and pearls. In the Kingdom of God, everyone was equal and differences made no difference. But the world couldnt handle such an outrageous message. Whoever heard of a world where differences make no difference? Of course, they make a difference. So they dangled him from a cross for all the world to take note. After his death, they honored him with a title, the Christ, and began a whole new religion in his name. But for two thousand years far too many have been dishonoring him by misrepresenting his message. His message of radical inclusion has been twisted and contorted into a message that far too many of his followers use to sanction that which he came to overcome. Instead of eliminating distinctions between insiders and outsiders, pure and impure, clean and unclean, his message has been used to perpetuate sexism, racism, age-ism, homophobism, imperialism, and all the other -isms that stand in the way of radical inclusion. All this has happened so gradually, literally over centuries if not millennia through crusty old doctrines, dogma, and creeds that very few have even noticed. Christianity has become fat and happy, just like the frog in the Parable of the Boiling Frog. You stick a frog in a vat of boiling water, and it will struggle with all its might to escape an otherwise certain death. But if you stick a frog in a vat of lukewarm water and ever so gradually keep warming it one degree at a time, the frog will grow comfortable in the increasing warmth of its environment until, before he realizes it, he has been boiled. Two thousand years later, it is time to set the record straight; time to return to Jesus simple message through the common, ordinary experiences of today. In the biblical witness, Moses wandered in the wilderness for forty years; Jesus, for forty days. So, too, shall we wander by channel surfing through forty chapters of scripture. From Adam and Eve to Ricky Nelsons Garden Party at Madison Square Garden; from the Book of Jobs Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar to The Three Stooges; from Matthews and Lukes nativity scenes to Larry, Darryl, and Darryl of The Bob Newhart Show; from the temptation stories and Jesus wandering in the wilderness to American Bandstand, the Temptations, and Dion & the Belmonts The Wanderer; from Pilate and Herod cross-examining Jesus to Judge Wapner and Judge Judy; from atonement theology to Lets Make a Deal, it is time to paint our antiquated parables with a more contemporary brush; in so doing, it is time to turn Jesus simple message into a profound reality. Onward, radical inclusion! On to the Kingdom of God. In the immortal words of Bart Simpson, Surfs up, dude.

Fluid Surfer

Fluid Surfer PDF Author: Michelle Drielsma
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780646941028
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 179

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Book Description


Deceiving the Elect - Quickening Dreams

Deceiving the Elect - Quickening Dreams PDF Author: Douglas Christian Larsen
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 125732148X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 442

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Book Description
A quiet book about how an intensely deceptive movement can begin, with its almost innocent origins buried deeply in the hopes and fears of good people. Quickening Dreams is the first book in the Deceiving the Elect series, introducing us to a cast of quirky, lovable characters, both good and bad. This book speaks to that growing feeling of uncertainty, deep in your heart, where you are beginning to question the reality of this world, and the religion your parents taught you. In distant echoes you are beginning to hear the still, small voice, and perhaps you are one of the very few that is having odd dreams, dreams that seem to waken you, and bring you to life.

Life in the Heart of God

Life in the Heart of God PDF Author: Pastor Margaret Duttera
Publisher: BalboaPress
ISBN: 9781452558523
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
You are a spiritual being, having a human experience. Do you have a clear sense of that reality? Do you believe that you are a spiritual being? For thirty years, I have been a pastor within a traditional church, one that is both progressive in its thinking and firmly rooted in love and grace. News flash! Those within traditional churches and those outside church of any kind are often confused, uncertain, and detached from what I call relevant faith. Do you describe yourself as a person of faith? If the answer is yes or if the answer is no, Life in the Heart of God will take you on a journey that will clarify what you do believe and what you do not believe. Most importantly, you will gain insight and affirmation related to your true divine identity. Growing up in a churchgoing family or simply attending church does not guarantee that your faith will be relevant in your daily life. For faith to be relevant, it must make sense. When faith is relevant in your daily life, who you are, whose you are, and the purpose of your life becomes clear. Remembering who you are, who you truly are, is of great importance. Alone, the physical world that is finite obscures your ability to see the infinite, and you easily fall victim to your fears. When you are able to understand your life on this earth to be a progressive journey from divine light to divine light, you will enter your personal spiritual dawn and awaken to life in and from the heart of God. Home!

Return to Forever

Return to Forever PDF Author: Mark Salvatore Pitifer
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1475999909
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 723

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Book Description
"Once you complete this journey your eyes will be open FOREVER!" - MIA CALABRESE "The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary, and even humble individual" -M.Scott Peck.... Nino Jones, an elderly homeless man from New York City, agrees to join a group of Heavenly mercenaries who are risking their eternities to pull off one of the most heroic challenges of all time. The target is Satan himself, and the future of the entire civilized world hangs in the balance. Follow Nino as he tours the magnificant Kingdom of Forever, the devastation of the Outerdarkness, and the absolute horrors of Hell. Listen as he learns about the origins of the cosmos and the meaning of human existence from such characters as Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Pontius Pilate, King Solomon, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Malcolm X, Virgin Mary, and many others. Flee with Nino through the streets of Manhattan as he is pursued by demons who are trying to prevent him from delivering his holy message, the truth about who we are, where we come from, and why we must RETURN TO FOREVER!

Emerging Hope

Emerging Hope PDF Author: Jimmy Long
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 9780830832170
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
How do we "do" church in this era of cynicism? Jimmy Long looks at the connections between postmodernism and the emerging generations--GenXers and millennials--highlighting implications for evangelism and discipleship. Here is a hopeful strategy for ministry that will appeal to a generation starved for belonging.

Plugged-In Parenting

Plugged-In Parenting PDF Author: Bob Waliszewski
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
ISBN: 158997624X
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
Plugged-In Parenting comes at a time when parents find themselves between a rock and a hard place. They want to protect their children from the increasingly violent and sexualized content of movies, TV, the Internet, and music as well as cyberbullying and obsessive cell phone texting. But they fear that simply "laying down the law" will alienate their kids. Can parents stay connected to the media while staying connected to God and to each other? This book makes a powerful case for teaching kids media discernment, but doesn't stop there. It shows how to use teachable moments, evidence from research and pop culture, Scripture, questions, parental example, and a written family entertainment constitution to uphold biblical standards without damaging the parent-child relationship.

Rescued by Grace

Rescued by Grace PDF Author: Cliff B. McManis
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1503551725
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 334

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Book Description
The Bible says Jesus came into the world to "seek and save the lost." Rescued By Grace is a compendium of modern day testimonies told by those who were lost but have now been found, saved and changed forever by Jesus and His gospel. This book also explains from Scripture who Jesus is using His very own words.

A Model for Evangelical Theology

A Model for Evangelical Theology PDF Author: Graham McFarlane
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1493422367
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
Written by a skilled theologian with over two decades of classroom experience, this introduction to evangelical theology explains how connecting to five sources of Christian theology--Scripture, tradition, reason, experience, and community--leads to a richer and deeper understanding of the faith. Graham McFarlane calls this the "evangelical quintilateral," which he recommends as a helpful rubric for teaching theology. This integrative model introduces students to the sources, themes, tasks, and goals of evangelical theology, making the book ideal for introductory theology courses.

Pursuing Spiritual Authenticity

Pursuing Spiritual Authenticity PDF Author: John Ortberg
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310251435
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
Discover the Life-Changing Relevance of the Old Testament Pursuing Spiritual Authenticity The words of the prophets cut through the millennia, grab us by our shoulders, and shake us from our slumber. Like a bucket of ice water, they pour over us and shock us with the message that God still speaks and is calling us to radically authentic lives. The prophets address us right where we live and call us to fresh places of spiritual growth. Part of the Old Testament Challenge series, this teaching guide and resource book helps you craft eight messages on what the prophets have to say about spiritual authenticity. As never before, your congregation will discover God's plan for stripping away counterfeit life-patterns and replacing them with authentic Christian living. A Communicator's Toolkit for Teaching the Old Testament Having the right resources gives you a powerful edge in communicating the message of the Old Testament effectively in this media-driven, sensory-intensive culture. The Creating a New Community Teaching Guide helps you connect with minds, imaginations, and hearts. Designed to maximize your connection and impact, it is a communicator's toolbox for teaching your congregation lessons from the four-part Old Testament Challenge series. * Historical, cultural, and geographical backgrounds unlock the meanings of Bible passages. Transport your listeners thousands of years into the past so they can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the ancient world. * Illustrations, humorous stories, and word pictures engage the imagination and emotions, bringing home the timeless message of the Old Testament with clarity and freshness. * Creative applications help listeners make the leap from learning Old Testament lessons to living the Christian life. The genius of this teaching guide is its flexibility. Customize your messages from a treasury of resources. This revolutionary tool provides up to sixteen categories of material for each message. No need to spend countless hours doing research---a wealth of ideas and resources lies at your fingertips! Creating a New Community Teaching Guide includes: * Creative Message Ideas * Heart of the Message * Heart of the Messenger * Historical Context Notes * Illustrations * Interpretive Insights * Life Applications * Narrative on Life * Narrative on the Text * New Testament Connections * On the Lighter Side * Pause for Prayer * Pause for Reflection * Quotable Quotes * Significant Scriptures * Word Studies Other Old Testament Challenge Teaching Guides 1---Creating a New Community: Life-Changing Stories from the Pentateuch (9 Sessions) 2---Stepping Out in Faith: Life-Changing Examples from the History of Israel (7 Sessions) 3---Developing a Heart for God: Life-Changing Lessons from the Wisdom Books (8 Sessions)