The book presents the best of the first year of Today at the Mission. It is very much like the blog - a record of an emotional and spiritual journey undertaken in the kitchen of an anonymous homeless shelter that could be anywhere, or everywhere. It's not always 'light' reading but it's every bit as real as it is honest. This book captures a few miles of the journey I've been on, and I hope you'll join me along the way.
Buy the book here: Lulu.com
And yes - every cent of the profit goes to the Mission.
Tells the stories of those ensared by pron,and one pastor's work to make a difference, told with sensitivity and grace.
Claiborne and Haw collaborate for the Magnus Opus of Social Justice. Whimsical, delightful, profound.
This self-published book has become wildly popular among Christian readers and with good reason - Young draws you into an encounter with the Trinity that is simply extraordinary.
Angie is clearly the best singer-songwriter I've heard in a decade - or two. Lyrical, haunting, beautiful.
Jim's journey from mega-pastor to Jesus follower. Every chapter is a great story that carries you along on a beautiful journey.
Mike Yaconelli was a true original. I never met him, but I read this book, and loved him like a brother. You will too.
Sara stretched my thinking and my understanding of the Kingdom of God, and I'm grateful. We all hunger for god, for friendship and for food. The dinner table is the only place these three needs can be met simultaneuously. I should have known that, but didn't. I learned it from Sara. She rocks.
Donald Miller started me on a journey, mostly because this book made me realize I wasn't crazy. When I first read this book I realized I wasn't the only one that thought this way. You have no idea. If you haven't read this - you must. That's all I can say - you must!
This is the story of a minvan-driving family man who encounters Jesus on a Harley. Is he safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he is good. Buy this book - your inner wildness will thank you.
Greg Paul sees the bible come to life in the men and women of the homeless sanctuary he operates. You'll be amazed and in awe. Trust me. Amazed and in awe.
It's already a must-read classic. All my horizons got pushed back after reading this book.
January 11, 2007 "Church is a group of people who love God and love each other".
I've been trying to get my hands on that definition for about two years now. Was in a meeting with a group of church planters and strivers last night (rebels and heretics sharing coffee and pie) and someone came up with that statement. It still blows me away.
Love God. Love each other - everything else is culture.
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Reader Comments (10)
I like your new look!!!!
BTW the black text on dark grey background is nearly impossible to read :( at least by this aging lady!
That's good. But I would add 4 more words: "or love of self."
And that last one is hard, because many times we couch our love of self by portraying it as love of God or love of others. And yet if we're ever going to get down to brass tacks on anything, we have to constantly distinguish whether something is really love for God and love for others, or whether its just my own selfish desires dressed up in the fine garb of religion.
To me, that's the real question which your summary exposes - how to distinguish between living faith and dead religiousity.
Nice site. Thanks for sharing.
Works for me!
Shane - Yup, I do! I'm totally aitch tee em ell clueless, so templates are all I can do. You've got some spiffy new digs too ;)
Lorna - I believe it was first said by the lady at the end of the couch. It shouldn't be a dark gray background - not sure what that's about...
Christian - Nice to have you with us. Unfortunately, it seems like self-indulgence is pretty much the nature of our culture.
grace - works for me too
John Lunt - Yup - I like 'em both too!
Tragically, the sneaky twister-of-words that lives in my head would nod cynically and say, "Yeah - that's just what I've seen, most times. They love God, and love the other people in their church - the people who are just like them. Not much love for the folks outside the 'in crowd,' or outside the walls..."
By the same token, the optimistic, hopeful voice in my head hears "love each other" as "loving others, not just 'each other.'" Because I know people in otherwise-traditional churches who express love for folks who are "them" or "not-us," and do a good job of it. Heck, there's a bunch of 'em who are side-by-side with you, brother, day in and day out...
The part I love about this definition is that it doesn't measure anything theological or dogmatic, but simply holds up the shortest measuring stick: is there love for God, and love for others? Simple as that.