Love Jesus, Hate Church?

Lindsey over at Enjoy the Journey posted about a new book she’s read called Love Jesus, Hate Church.  Sounds like a good read from what she says.  She’s not a theologian or anything, just a lady on a journey struggling with church-as-we-know-it, much like me.  Jump over and read her quick review.

Also, there is a website and a podcast … oh, and just so ya know, he’s a pastor too.

~Heather

Lisa Samson Interview

My new internet friend, Shauna, has posted an interview that she did with Lisa Samson. I’ve talked about Lisa and her books before. And I adore her and her writing. And after reading the interview I love her all the more. You can check out Shauna’s interview with Lisa here … then go buy a book!

~Heather

5 Things I Dig About Jesus

I’ve been tagged by my husband, Brandon.

Here are the rules-
1. Those Tagged will share 5 things they dig about Jesus.
2. Those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers.
3. Those tagged will provide a link in the comments section here so that others can read them.

Hmmm … let’s see … only 5 things?

1. Jesus, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
2. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross and its shame. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
3. He received sinners and ate with them. He Didn’t condemn them, but loved on them, speaking truth in the ultimate of love.
4. Jesus, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
5. Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light, He is gentle and humble in heart and He gives us rest for our weary souls.

Okay, so there are 5 of the many things that I dig about Jesus

So now I will tag …

Candace

Lisa Samson

Paige (you can put yours in the comments you lazy blogger you )

Christy Sensenig

Shauna

Blessings!

Jesus Never Earned a Wage…

Jesus never earned a wage from a church or synagogue. Paul apparently only received occasional gifts. Peter, James, & John kept their fishing equipment. How is it that “professional ministers” have become comfortable diverting money away from those in real need to support their family’s American lifestyle?

I saw the above on a blog that I read regularly. What a great question! What do you think is the answer to that question?

What the World Eats

Time Magazine has done a Photo Essay on their website called What the World Eats.  I thought it quite interesting.  It’s from the book Hungry Planet.  You can see pictures of the families, what they eat during a typical week all laid out before them, how much they spend and what their favorites are (pig knuckles … interesting!).  It’s worth a visit to see it.

~Heather

(HT: Lindsey @ Enjoy the Journey)

Honest

We’re on vacation right now. And I brought some books along to read … Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Church Ladies by Lisa Samson. Ever since picking up Church Ladies yesterday I have not been able to put it down. I have come to love Lisa Samson and her writing. She’s been commenting some on a homeschooling board that I frequent and I’ve also been reading her blog. I think she’s fabulous. Anyway, reading this book is rather eye-opening, and I’m only just beginning. I have read a few things aloud to Brandon and he’s laughed too. I told him, “It’s fiction!” And he said, “Sure … right “. The book is about Poppy, a pastor’s wife. On the back cover of the book is written, “Poppy Fraser, pastor’s wife second, person first…” Just a few quotes from the book:

So I bought the thick-sliced hickory bacon, my reward for surviving another service as the pastor’s wife of Highland Kirk Presbyterian Church U.S.A. What a frustrating position. Unpaid, too, mind you. Did IBM expect their managers’ wives to do half the work just because she’d said “I do” over two decades before?

I believe the worst part of being a pastor’s wife is living up to that verse in the Bible that talks about an elder having his family in order. I’m trying hard. I really am and all I can say is, boy, am I glad people can’t read my mind. It’s one thing to act the part, but thinking it is another matter altogether.

There have been several other lines and thoughts that have jumped out at me, but I can’t think of them at the moment. It’s a good book and a good read, especially for any woman who finds herself as a pastor’s wife who can get herself into trouble from time to time for being, well, real.

~Heather