Linkathon 2/22, part 1
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the 40-day period observed by much of the Christian church known as Lent.
Mark Roberts offers resources for Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week and Easter.
Amy Sondova: “I know what it is to imagine there’s no God. I tried to do it for exactly 12 hours one day, and I was so tormented, I had to admit I believed in God. I was just so angry at Him that I wanted to Him to stay far away from me, and for years, that was the weird ebb and flow to our relationship. He never left me and I knew that. That’s how I know He will never leave me, that His promise to be with me always is true.”
When Jesus is present where Jesus isn’t present.
Kathy Escobar: there are lots of ways to pastor.
Adam McLane: Why youth ministry can’t become family ministry.
Brian Cosby: Youth pastors, give up your gimmicks.
Gregg Allison – a professor at Southern Seminary in Louisville – gave a seminar recently to Mars Hill Church staff on the theology of scripture.
Tony McCollum: Bob Russell’s nine keys to lasting in the ministry.
Greg Laurie: even atheists have moments of doubt.
Skye Jethani on the “evangelical industrial complex” and the rise of celebrity pastors, part 1 and part 2.
Chaplain Mike Mercer: Grace means saying ‘I’m sorry’ – even in the case of Mars Hill.
Roger Olson: “I will say it straight out: something cultic is appearing among the young, restless, Reformed Christian followers of Piper, Driscoll, et al. ”
Wanda Martin: “I can’t imagine spending late nights helping my daughters work through their sins, only to get them up the next morning to start the process all over again! … cannot imagine my daughters describing me in such a way. If they did, it would be terribly upsetting because I spent very little time during their growing up years helping them work through their sin. That was NOT the focus in their lives. Instead, my husband and I emphasized God’s love and our love for them. Of course there were times of correction, but they were few and far between. Instead of focusing on indwelling sin, we reminded our daughters that they are God’s children, who were created in His image.”
Andy and Wendy Alsup review Mark and Grace Driscoll’s Real Marriage. Wenatchee the Hatchet reflects on the review here and here.
Lisa Whittle: “It is why I’m interested in having a different conversation. I’ve grown a bit weary of talking about why we hurt each other in the body of Christ, as if our humanity is not reason enough. Instead, I want to shift our energy and effort to a conversation that is more productive: becoming better ourselves, and helping the church wounded be restored, again, after being hurt.”
Posted by BrianD on February 21, 2012.
Categories: Uncategorized
Good list thanks Brian I really appreciate the effort.
by brian on Feb 22, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Thanks for the lent links, I am excited about the Biblical 14 stations of the cross.
by Shaun on Feb 22, 2012 at 8:03 AM
Thanks, Brian! I’m looking forward to reading through these….when a little miniature image bearer of God’s creativity and energy decides it is time to nap!
by Sarah on Feb 22, 2012 at 8:09 AM
http://pastorfashion.com/
I want to add one. Holey-Moley.
by Josh the Baptist on Feb 22, 2012 at 8:50 AM
first stop out of the gate this a.m. was to read Wanda – she needs to take counsel with Lisa . . . i don’t think she accurately read what those 2 young women said, but spun it to fit her own agenda – IMO . . .
there are some of us carrying axes looking for something to sharpen them on and that doesn’t make a good Christian blog-site owner . . . it’s okay to do it here, tho, because there are lot of Lisa types to recenter us . . .
i went to the prayer thread and prayed with and was influenced by the folks over there, but still . . . had to get Wanda off my chest before my day goes on
sometimes i forget to say thank you, BrianD . . . thank you
by Em on Feb 22, 2012 at 9:01 AM
Lent for Baptists
http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/7161/9/
by Lutheran on Feb 22, 2012 at 9:02 AM
For those who are interested in these things
Orthodox Lent begins next Monday. Pascha (“Easter”) is April 15 this year, a week later from western Easter. (The difference in dates isn’t connected to the Old/New Calendar issue; we follow a different formula for calculating the date of Pascha.)
We don’t have an equivalent of Ash Wednesday. I don’t know why.
We are all raring to go over here in Ortholandia!
by Xenia on Feb 22, 2012 at 9:08 AM
and to take my thank you to a hole nutha level (#4) – thank you to Sarah for reminding me of Who and what’s important over on the the prayer thread
by Em on Feb 22, 2012 at 9:10 AM
Pastor Greg,”So put your hope in God today. He will never disappoint”
Pastor Paul “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” 1Cr 15:19 (yes, i know, Paul was addressing eternal life, but still . . .)
there goes the “prosperity gospel” anyway
by Em on Feb 22, 2012 at 9:25 AM
http://www.thedailymeal.com/strangest-packaged-foods-all-time-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=strangest%2Bpackaged%2Bfoods
by BrianD on Feb 22, 2012 at 9:50 AM
Good of Olson to play the “cult” card…we really need that sort of invective to keep the fire going.
by Michael on Feb 22, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Because of postings here I’ve decided for the first time to try and observe Lent. As a high schooler I recall Catholic kids getting time off from school so they could get the ashes applied. Seemed like a good way to get out of school.
After becoming a believer I saw it as a Catholic thing and therefore a waste of time as Catholics were off base as it was. That attitude has changed but I never thought about investigating it at all. Thanks to BrianD and posts from some here I decided to and what I’ve read leads me to believe this observation can be a good thing and that I could only benefit by joining in.
I have given up one pleasure that for me is difficult and that is playing Words With Friends. I love the game and usually have 7-8 of them going simultaneously! No snickering please!
I do not want this to become a legalistic thing where I’m looking to score spiritual brownie points with God but would desire to grow closer to Him and to have a renewed appreciation for all that Jesus gave up for me as an individual. So thanks to you all.
by Erunner on Feb 22, 2012 at 3:58 PM
The article about “when Jesus is present” is very challenging…worth the price of admission today.
by Michael on Feb 22, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Olson looks sartorial and I’m sure is not popular in these halls, however, I have experienced of what he speaks, and if not cultic, it’s spiritually dishonest and arrogant.
by Linnea on Feb 22, 2012 at 5:27 PM
I’m going to post part 2 tomorrow night, if that’s alright.
by BrianD on Feb 22, 2012 at 5:49 PM
both articles on youth ministry are solid, but McLane’s is definitely worth the read.
by filbertz on Feb 22, 2012 at 7:02 PM
BrianD,
That will be excellent…I’m taking the rest of the week off!
by Michael on Feb 22, 2012 at 7:30 PM
wait, so young people want Jesus, not just Kumbaya and gold-fish swallowing?
Next, someone’s gonna tell us they need a loving father who won’t abuse them and their mom, will sit down for dinner with them every now and again, will talk to them about the serious issues of life….
by jtk on Feb 22, 2012 at 7:33 PM
I attended Ash Wednesday service this evening. The service was very personal and I gained much from attending. Everything was centered on Jesus and His suffering for us and a time for introspection. I went forward and received the ashes towards the conclusion. Thanks to the community and BrianD specifically that God used to have me consider attending.
by Erunner on Feb 22, 2012 at 8:52 PM
I wish I could have gone to a service today, E…glad you were blessed.
by Michael on Feb 22, 2012 at 8:54 PM
I’ve giving up trying for Lent.
by randall slack on Feb 23, 2012 at 10:14 AM