Question
Why did God “try” the law if he knew he was going to send Jesus to fix what we couldn’t live up to?
What’s the point?
What’s the point of prayer? Is it an exercise for our benefit? Or do our words, thoughts and desires actually contain the power to change God?
What do you think?
Is it wrong?
Is it wrong to be a universalist – one who believes that all people enter into Heaven upon judgment?
What do you think? Is it sinful to hold that belief?
It’s alive!
After a lot of love, attention and tweaking, phase one of GretemanGroup.com is officially live.
Featuring our updated brand, a new portfolio and our very own blog, the site is refreshed, easy to navigate and provides more opportunity for interaction. While we’re still ironing out some minor issues and planning to add more features in the future, the site is live and it is good. At least I think so.
Have a great holiday weekend.
Veracity
What does it mean for a church to be “authentic?”
This word has been thrown around a lot lately, becoming almost as irrelevant as “relevant.” But amazingly, no matter who whom (h/t: Sam’s Dad) you ask, this adjective will likely be used to describe what is desired from a prospective church.
But what does it mean? What are the implications of an “authentic” church? If you were to walk through the doors a church building, how would you know whether or not you were entering a sanctuary of authenticity?
What’s your journey?
This summer I’m teaching the Wednesday night class for my youth group. We’re discussing “The Secret Message of Jesus” by Brian McLaren — one of my favorite books. (Sidenote: I’m also teaching the adults on Sunday Morning. In that class, I’m teaching on Mark Batterson’s “In a Pit with a Lion” — a good book, but not nearly as challenging as SMOJ.)Tonight we’re talking about our respective journeys — where we’ve been, where we are and where we think we’re going. The point of this discussion is to help them understand that the way we think of and communicate Jesus is based upon where we are on our journey. If we can recognize and appreciate this, it will dramatically change (for the better) the way we share our faith with those around us.
Many Christians have this idea that there is one way – their way – into a life-changing faith. That simply isn’t so, and to try to pull people off of their journey and onto a similar or identical journey is harmful and, I believe, wrong. Rather, we should come along side people, encouraging them on their journey while sharing our personal experience and insights.
So let me ask you. What’s your journey look like? Where have you been? Where are you? Where are you going? How does your journey color the way you think about Jesus?
(Just in case: I’m not preaching relativism; I’m preaching a big God who keeps His promises. Jesus promises that all who seek for truth will find it (Matt. 6:33) and in Heb. 11:6, the writer assures that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.)