Book of Faith

October 2008 Blog Posts (44)

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Friday's Featured Conversation

We're having great, in-depth conversations on this site, but this week let's take a step toward a lighter mood and just talk about the weird, funny stories in the Bible!

Added by Book of Faith Social Network on October 31, 2008 at 3:18pm — No Comments

One for Halloween

Did you know that in all of the whole history of the United States, there have only been two (that's right two) cases of candy tampering. In fact, one of these cases was a parent who tampered with their own child's pixie stick. So, in reality, there has only been one case of candy tampering in all of US history!



Yet, every Halloween, the same thing happens. Parents check their child's candy (which is a good thing anyway because then you can grab the good stuff), police set up free… Continue

Added by Pastor Justin Johnson on October 31, 2008 at 9:40am — 1 Comment

Post 8: On Halloween and the Book of Faith

Today is Halloween. Now that I have kids, I've had to make some deliberate decisions about how our family acknowledges this holiday. I'm going to be honest - I've had trouble with Halloween for a long time. Here are two of the reasons why:



In grad school, my officemate practiced the Wiccan religion. She was the first person I'd ever met who identified herself as someone who cast spells and enchantments. She was a kind, bright person. (She also made some dreadful decisions about her… Continue

Added by Dawn Rundman on October 31, 2008 at 8:49am — 1 Comment

Were the Disciples of Jesus Socialists?

One of the hot topics on the political scene right now is the idea of the "redistribution of wealth." What has sprung from this is the discussion around this being a form of "socialism." Now I know I could get into a big heated political discussion, so rather that say whether this is a right or wrong statement, I will let the title of this blog be the joke and then point out something from the Bible.



One of the first acts of the disciples in Acts was the set up of how they would… Continue

Added by Pastor Justin Johnson on October 30, 2008 at 9:23am — No Comments

Worship Helps - Now Available!

Rediscovering the Book of Faith Worship Helps is now available to download! Free PowerPoint backgrounds and other resources to help plan worship to reinforce the Rediscovering the Book of Faith content.

Added by Book of Faith Social Network on October 29, 2008 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Guitar Hero: Bible Study

This is going to be a strange analogy, but go with me for a second. I love the video game Guitar Hero. I love the music, the fun of the game, and just how when you play it with friends it is an instant party. There is a problem though. I stink at it. It has taken a few months, but I finally worked my way up to the medium level. Then one of my friends sent me a youtube video of a 3 year old playing the game on expert and I got really discouraged playing the game and wound up trading… Continue

Added by Pastor Justin Johnson on October 29, 2008 at 11:48am — 1 Comment

Rebekah, Was it worth the nose ring?

Genesis 24; 25: 19-34; 26:1-28 Rebekah probably means “Loop” or “Tie”



The first verse that required a double take on my part was the binding of the promise made by Abraham’s servant to Abraham. It’s not a pinky swear or a spit shake, it is a “Put your hand under my thigh and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live,” (Gen. 24: 3) Abraham wants his servant to put his… Continue

Added by Bobbie Steinhauer on October 29, 2008 at 7:00am — No Comments

Site Feature: Got Friends?

Making connections is important. One of the ways that you can make connections with others on the Book of Faith Online Community is to use the "friends" tool. If you see someone you know, or someone you want to know, invite them to become your friend! When you click on their picture, their profile page will appear, and under their picture is the "Add as Friend" option. Click that button and they will be sent a friend invitation. If they accept your friend invitation, you will be online… Continue

Added by Book of Faith Social Network on October 27, 2008 at 12:05pm — No Comments

Passages

Life takes us on an incredible journey. In June I watched the fifth grade class at my kids’ school make one of the big passages that life has to offer. We happen to be in a school district where the passage out of elementary school and into middle school is recognized and honored. The younger grades all lined the halls to applaud the fifth graders as they took their last walk through the hallway of their elementary school and onto the buses for summer.



What happened to our passages?… Continue

Added by Bobbie Steinhauer on October 27, 2008 at 7:00am — No Comments

Who Won't Wear the Ribbon?!?

Those of you who are Seinfeld fans will recognize the quote above as one of the classic lines from the show. I had a moment like this the other night. I had the opportunity to hear Tony Campolo talk on his new movement "Red Letter Christians." The point of the movement is to try to follow the words of Jesus without regard to politics/political pull, past dogma, etc. The whole point of this movement is action rather than words to proclaim the message of Jesus. I know I am not doing this justice,… Continue

Added by Pastor Justin Johnson on October 26, 2008 at 10:42pm — No Comments

Looking to Revive you Congregation?

http://www.seekingrevival.org



Revival: Real Ecstatic Visioning Involving Vital Active Leaders©



*It's Real because we deal with the Facts of the situation.



*It's Ecstatic because we invite the Holy Spirit to be involved.



*It's Visioning because we create a New Vision for the congregation.



*It's Involving because we seek sincere leadership Involvement.



*It's Vital because we bring New… Continue

Added by Douglas Dill on October 24, 2008 at 10:59am — No Comments

Friday's Featured Conversation: First Steps

So, how is Book of Faith going? Click here to share what is (and what isn't) working as the congregations have started training leaders and participants.

Added by Book of Faith Social Network on October 24, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

Spiritual Gifts

Why do we have the spiritual gifts that we have? I worked with domestic violence and child sexual assault and I was good at it. There are even times that I miss it. This is part of my involvement with the Social Statement on Sexuality. I miss the tough issues. I miss knowing that I made a difference today. I know because I helped someone go to shelter, because I helped put a bad person behind bars, because I helped a four year old little boy sleep without a nightmare. That is a Calling. I can… Continue

Added by Bobbie Steinhauer on October 23, 2008 at 8:11am — No Comments

Brainwashed!!!

I usually post reflections on my church website and on this website at the same time, but since my church website feeds into my Facebook page, this will be a BoF post only.



You see, I just had a scary moment. I ran into one of my former youth group members from a different congregation where I was the youth pastor. She has been at the local college and I knew through her Facebook page that she was seeing an attending a Pentecostal church rather than a Lutheran one. Also, it wasn't… Continue

Added by Pastor Justin Johnson on October 22, 2008 at 3:32pm — 2 Comments

Post 7: Opening the Book of Faith with kids in mind

I'll be focusing some of my blog posts on resources that support the Book of Faith initiative, starting with Opening the Book of Faith.



However, before I even open Opening the Book of Faith, I wanted to think deliberately about books, and kids, and how kids open books, and how kids open Bibles. Here are some questions to ponder:



Do kids see a Bible in their homes? What print materials get priority in the home? Magazines? Novels? Kids books? Do they… Continue

Added by Dawn Rundman on October 22, 2008 at 11:12am — 1 Comment

A Book of Faith Reflection

Click here to hear Patricia Lull, Dean of Students at Luther Seminary as she shares a Book of Faith insight.

Added by Book of Faith Social Network on October 22, 2008 at 9:00am — No Comments

Lot’s Wife, What did you see?

Genesis 18:16 – 19:29, Luke 17:28 – 33



I remember in women’s studies classes in college learning that HIStory did not reflect Her story. I think that is quite the case with this particular lesson. Lot’s wife is only mentioned a couple of times (never by her name). Though one of the verses is “Remember Lot’s wife” Luke 17:32. Now why would she get a verse devoted to the memory of her, without giving her a name?



From the beginning I struggle with Lot. I picture a wimpy man.… Continue

Added by Bobbie Steinhauer on October 22, 2008 at 7:00am — 6 Comments

Post 6: Christmas Arrived Early

Last night my daughter opened a few more birthday presents. She turned 2 last Wednesday and we've been rationing the gifts so she isn't completely overwhelmed.



Grandma and Grandpa gave her the Little People nativity set, including the wise men add-on set. I'm a big fan of Little People as great storytelling tools, and these did not disappoint (other than the blond curl peeking down from baby Jesus' swaddling clothes).



I look forward to all the ways we'll be telling the… Continue

Added by Dawn Rundman on October 21, 2008 at 12:18pm — 2 Comments

My Faith V. Religious Journey

Today I began to answer the question of my Faith Journey. This is the second time in recent months I have tried to define it. I think the confusion for me comes with my own question: why are my Faith and Religious journey's mutually exclusive? I speak of them in very different terms. Although my first understanding of God came through a church, most of my spirituality is a convergence of many moments with many people and experiences that have had very little to do with a church or… Continue

Added by Bobbie Steinhauer on October 21, 2008 at 7:46am — No Comments

Dogma vs Scripture

I recently went to see the film Religulous which I found to be rather good. Now rather than get into a movie discussion, although I would be glad to put my thoughts about the film into another post, I would like to lift up one of the points that was brought forth from the movie.



Throughout the movie, Bill Maher questions people about their faith and one of the questions he asks is a thought provoking one. His questions are more specific than the one I am about to ask, but essentially… Continue

Added by Pastor Justin Johnson on October 20, 2008 at 10:45pm — 2 Comments

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