Spiritual Growth

I was home over the weekend so went to The Summit church. It's always a pleasure to hear J.D. Greear deliver a sermon. He's a very dynamic, funny, engaging, Biblically-driven preacher.

The topic of Sunday's sermon, well the latest series really, has been the difference between "mechanical change"- going through the motions and rituals of being a Christian and "organic change"- a more internal change.

J.D. talked about the "cultural mandate" that God gave us in the Bible to go out into the world, take the earth's materials and make something beautiful out of it to glorify God. In short, the people of God are supposed to restore the earth and preach the gospel.

We Christians should take God to the people. J.D. noted that Christianity is the only religion with a vision for the world. We are supposed to be stewards of the earth. J.D. talked about how Armageddon is the battle for influential places in the world.

In the Triangle area and most other places, the spheres of influence will occur, not in the church, but in arts and communication, family, government, agriculture, justice, economics, religion, science and medicine, education and other sectors.
65 percent of our life is spent at work, according to the pastor. When it comes to work, J.D. outlined four options

1)paycheck-driven
2)passion-driven
3)philanthropy-driven
4)purpose-driven

The sermon also talked about four characteristics of a "Christian" business:
1)God-Honoring
2)Others-benefiting
3)Redemption-demonstrating
4)Global-encompassing

I know this summary is disconnected. But these are the snippets of notes I have. I don't really have a "point" to this post rather than to share some salient ideas. I guess the bottom line is eat at Chick-Fil-A.
Just kidding. Although I do love eating at the sort of ultimate example of a "Christian" business.
Spiritual growth is important. Without there is definitely a disconnect.
That's why I'm particularly thankful for groups like Grad Resources while I'm in college.

Response to GG

I'm so glad to hear about your spiritual progress, GG! I read Mere Christianity in college and it is one of my favorite books on Christian theology. C.S. Lewis knows how to break it down, especially on the Trinity and eternity of God. Good luck on the Bible reading. I have probably read most of the Bible so far, with a lot of it required reading back when I was in college. But I definitely need to revisit it. A couple apocryphal boooks that you might like are the gospels of Thomas, Phillip and Mary Magdalene. I've just recently read those. I'm heading toward a different track in my faith now (Christianity is supposed to be more of a journey and lifestyle than formulaic answer to life). Keep me in prayer as I do likewise for you. MJ

Growing In Christ

Greetings fellow BPBer's,

Y'all are so much farther along in your faith than me. I'm slowly but surely taking steps to grow in my faith. I thought i'd share with you some of the latest things.
I'm reading Mere Christianity for the first time as part of a small group.
As part of that group, we're also making prayer cards and praying for five people we hope to bring to Christ.
I haven't finalized my list yet, but I do know that I will be praying for four of my journalism classmates who are international students to come to know Christ. Their names are Stephanie, Jiran, Ming-Lan and Ekaterina.
As you also know, I've never read the BIBLE! At least not the WHOLE Bible. This year I hope to read the whole Bible. So far I've stuck to following my one-year plan.
Please pray that God grants me the guidance and wisdom to stick with it.
That's what is going on in my life now. How about you guys?
I'd love to hear how God is working in your lives! God BLESS!

-GG

It's time to simplify!

Hey guys,

Following are some of the resources I have mentioned when it comes to the Voluntary Simplicity movement. I will also include those I've found recently about Green Living, Peak Oil and Global Warming. I will just type if the book's name or Web site to save time. Read up (even though some of it may be depressing at first)!

Simplicity: simpleliving.net (be sure to check out the podcasts on Simple Radio!); slowfoodmovement.com; slowlysheturned.net; sustainablog.blogspot.com; eatlocalchallenge.com; everydaysimplicity.blogspot.com; http://www.frugalforlife.blogspot.com/

Books: Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vickie Robin; Circle of Simplicity by Cecile Andrews and Simplicity By Richard Rohr (a Franciscan priest)

Green living: http://greenerside.typepad.com/my_weblog/; coopamerica.org; greenkarat.com; http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/homemaking/vinegar.html; eatwellguide.org; www.thegreenguide.com


Global warming: climatecrisis.net

Peak Oil: www.kunstler.com (James Howard Kunstler wrote Geography of Nowhere and the Long Emergency; energybulletin.net; endofsuburbia.com; http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7203633/the_long_emergency; http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/; poweringdown.blogspot.com

I'll add more later!

GG Update

This winter break has been enjoyable after completing my first semester. Thanks to hard work and almost certainly some divine intervention by God, I got all A's my first semester! Although it has been a lot, and I mean, A LOT of work, i've thoroughly enjoyed graduate school. I definitely feel like I'm in the right place right now. My studies are heavily centered on theory and research, rather than anything practical. But that will help prepare me for a PHd program if that's what God has in store for me.
My non-church related small group this semester has been a Christian group for grad students dedicated toward exploring ways to blend our academic studies with our faith. Whereas last year was the BPB ministry, this year my small group has been this Grad Resources group. We divided into two groups. The group I was in has been reading "The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex and The Meaning of Life" by Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr. It's a very good book and I thoroughly recommend it. It's interesting to see the two competing worldviews. I don't know if I'll ever pull it off but I thought it would be interesting to get a Freud expert and a Lewis scholar to actually debate each other on these points in an educational forum on campus. That could be used as a good tool to draw non-believers. I think it's a good idea for someone to do, even if I or my group never does.
Anyway, it's been a good experience.
The other thing that has touched my heart is international students. One-fifth of the students in my master's program are international students. I've enjoyed befriending and learning about other cultures from my classmates from Korea, China, Taiwan, Russia and Africa. We play badminton together weekly, play basketball some, eat dinner together often and even go to church regularly (with one girl in particular). Some of the Koreans are already Christian, but I'm hoping some way God might use me to help share the gospel with the nonbelievers.
As for the principles of the BPB ministry, I'm the exact opposite of all of you: I'm taking on more and more debt, rather than eliminating it. But it's for school, which I'm hoping will pay off in the long run.
I'm also hoping to take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to me. I hope to take part in a study abroad program to France in May. I'll also go to New York as a student judge for the Peabody Awards. I'm not worthy of any of these opportunities so I must definitely give all the praise and glory to God for all of these things.
I have set this goal for New Year's past but I hope I actually acheive it this year: I want to read the Bible this year. I've never read the whole Bible. I hope I can remain faithful and grow in Christ as I consume the holy Word.
Yes, let's definitely get this blog going again. It can be a great resource. If nothing else, I enjoy hearing how everyone's doing. :)

Putting the Christ Back in Christmas

For the first 25 years or so of my life, Christmas meant presents, rampant commercialism, Santa and so forth. Lately, I've focused more on Christ at Christmas than I have Santa and presents under the tree.
It's somewhat shameful, I'll admit, that I become a better Christian at Christmas time. I should strive to act and focus my efforts on Christ 365 days a year, not just a few around Christmastime.
I just feel this year I've been much more focused on Christ. Since Christmas Eve fell on Sunday, I went to my church service on Sunday morning. That was an enjoyable experience.
Today, I was also in more of a spirit filled mood. After listening to some John Legend songs (some of which talk about God), I listened to some Canton Jones, some Kirk Franklin, some Fred Hammond and some other Gospel songs.
I've also found myself praying a lot more lately. Over the holidays, I've spent time with my grandmother, who has Alzheimer's. There are good days and good times and bad days and bad times. But the bad times are painful. I pray for her, for all the suffers of this dreadful disease, for peace for my mother who must care for her and other families.
I've also been touched by foreign ministry of sorts. Just last week, I had four Asians come visit me at my parents' house. Three of them are classmates of mine at Georgia. I felt bad for them, being alone in a foreign land, over the break and holidays. They are not Christians but I hope slowly in time at least one of them may come to know Jesus Christ.
Do you all have any suggestions or resources that could help me minister the gospel to international students? I have a tremendous opportunity being in a college town to reach a few people from foreign countries.
These have been the things on my mind this Christmastime: international students, Alzheimers, and Christ.
I don't want to sound all negative though. It's amazing to me to think what a difference a year can make. Last year at this time we were all in Gastonia. Now look at us! We all seem to be well off in our respective locations. God bless!

-GG

Mojo update

Wow, I finally made my way back to the blog. I have been quite busy these days with my transformation. I moved into an apartment (finally!) in November. I love it; the complex has brick exterior apts with hardwood floors and plaster walls (built in 1950s). It's also closer to my job downtown and right next to an arboretum and a few blocks away from the rec center and pool.

I'm on vacation now just taking it easy, handling some tasks and doing a lot of reading. I also cut my hair off! I have a TWA (teeny weeny fro) as they say. I got tired of the relaxers and want to relearn my hair in its natural state. I'm also changing my diet and going more green. I have a host of resources if you guys are interested. I'm hoping to start a simplicity study group soon. If you want to know what I'm reading, it's ceruleansanctum.com, simpleliving.net,unconventionalideas.com and coopamerica.com.

K-Young, glad to hear of your progress. I just canceled two credit cards this month, leaving me with one for emergencies. I am reading Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin, which is excellent. I'm quite disallusioned by the prosperity gospel and am looking for Christian teachings that align more with the message of Jesus as humble servant instead of victorious king (for balance-sake).

I hope we can revive this blog! Ttyl. Mojo

Dormant is Not Cool

Good Lawd! This site has become as "dead as a doornail." Whatever that means. We need to fire this back up. ESPECIALLY after our good conversation on all these "bpbministry" topics, MoJo. Post some links to all those readings, you were talkin' bout. K-Young, WHERE ARE YOU?!?!! What's kickin' down in Nawlins'. We want to hear what's up with you. Keep in touch, kids. Keep in touch. I've done a poor job of posting too. Let's get this thing up and running again.
If I can find the AJC article on the wealth ministry stuff, I'll post it. HOLLA!

-GG