Stewart 5

I read Peter Rollins’ book How (Not) to speak of God a while back. Brilliant. At the time, I had meant to write out some of my thoughts and questions. But, the reading never stops and I haven’t got around to it – until now…

Early in the book, Rollins is talking about an emerging church culture and what he appreciates about it. One thing he says of those in this form of faith journey is that “There is a shared understanding that being a Christian always involves becoming a Christian” (p. 5).

In other words (and he expounds on this quite a bit) postmoderns are more willing to embrace the idea that we have not arrived. We are being saved, becoming Christian, becoming Church. We are actively journeying. This does not mean that there is no destination. But, its an admission that we are not there.

How does that work for you right now? How would you describe YOUR journey these days? I would love to hear

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We have a friend named David who is on an around-the-world pilgrimage – very cool! Check out his website with more on him and what he is doing. Makes for great reading.

Bonus is that he has said some really insightful (and nice) things about NCSA. Check out these links from his blog:

David on NCSA

Granny’s

On people “back home”

Road Trip

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Within the next few days, I am launching a new “project” of sorts.  However, wanted to give my faithful readers (ok, not sure if there are such people…but YOU’RE reading this, aren’t you?) a sneak peak.  so, check out http://arthur-stewart.blogspot.com/

I find myself compelled to do this.  Not sure if the idea grabs at your heart as well, but would love for you to join me.  In any event, would love some feedback

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i think most people picture heaven (where God “lives”) as far away.  Maybe up in the sky somewhere (beyond space?).  Perhaps just “anywhere but here.”

Dallas Willard, in the Divine Conspiracy, makes a compelling case for heaven/the heavens being not far, but CLOSE!  I won’t go into all of his reasons here (read the book), but this matters a lot.  If God is close, God is accessible.  God can actually DO something.  I think you can also make a case that if God is close, it demonstrates that God cares about us.  And, it makes a lot of difference when you read the Biblical text…

For example, when we pray, “Our Father in Heaven,” are we addressing someone far away, someone we are hoping hears us across the distance, who will maybe intervene.  Our Father, way out there somewhere…

OR

might it more accurately mean, “Our Father who is always near us”?  I’d rather pray to that God!  When I cry out, or even when I need to have an intimate talk, I need a God who is nearby.  That’s the God Jesus talks about.

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The boys and I are reading in the Bible from the prophet Amos. Today, we read chapter 3. After reading, I asked them to build something from legos to represent something from the text.

These are “traps” (more modern versions, mind you). “If someone steps on it, this part springs up and lasers trap them…” I don’t know if it has more to do with the fact that our legos most often build space ships, or that lasers and technology are often part of the boys’ creativity. But, nice contextualization…

This actually refers to a great part from the passage (if you like logic, as I do), where God is basically operating like a lawyer, asking a set of questions of His people on the stand, letting their answers build His case.  “Does a trap spring from the earth when there is nothing to catch?” Answer: no.  God is about to explain why He is upset with His people’s actions.   So, when the “trap” = punishement comes, they will not be able to ask where it came from.  Traps spring for a reason.

Check out Amos for more on how God wants people to live!

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“Little Arthur” (as his brother and sister are calling him these days, as compared to his dad “Big Arthur”) turned 9 today! He continues to be an amazing boy and I look forward to all God has for him in the upcoming year.

Take a sec, thank God, and pray a blessing for our son today.

he’s  not as mean as he looks here (and he isn’t drinking wine yet)

with school friends Jonathan, Khumo, Rossen & Neil

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