Archive for the ‘Tid-bits’ Category
Posted on October 5, 2009 - by Patrick
I need to update this more.
I have so many thoughts – why don’t I use this?
Posted on August 8, 2009 - by Patrick
The IvisiblePeople.tv Tour
On any given night, over one million people sleep without a home to call their own. In the past year, homelessness in America has snowballed into a full-fledged crisis. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 80 percent of individuals and 90 percent of families are homeless due to economic reasons. Community-based homeless service organizations from California to Massachusetts are reporting sharp increases in demand. In many communities, there are not enough shelter beds to meet the need, contributing to the growth of tent cities and the transformation of motels into temporary homeless shelters.
The experience of being displaced and without a home is devastating. The experience of living in a shelter, on the streets, or in a tent city is humbling. And the experience of sharing one’s story is powerful. For those less impacted by the economic downturn, the experience of coming face-to-face with people who are often shunned by society is both eye-opening and deeply moving.
InvisiblePeople.tv Road Trip U.S.A.
This summer, InvisiblePeople.tv is traveling across America to capture the stories of people without a home. By visiting tent cities, motels, and other modern-day accommodations for people without a home, this tour will unearth the modern-day realities of homelessness while providing a venue for “invisible” people to tell their story, raw and unedited.
Ways You Can Help
- Host Mark at a stop on the tour. Bring him to your community’s shelters/tent cities/homeless encampments and see that these stories are heard.
- Put the issue of homelessness on the front page of your local paper. Host a Road Trip event. Invite Mark and other local experts to speak. Invite the press. Write a letter to the editor about the tour. Make people listen.
- Make a donation! Buy a tank of gas for $50, a night at a hotel room for $100, or two weeks of meals for $300.
- Spread the word! Post stories on Facebook and Twitter. Scream as loud as you can.
- Take action locally and get involved. Three sites to help get you started: Idealist.org I VolunteerMatch I 2-1-1 (dial #211 from any phone)
- Don’t let your involvement end with the tour. CLICK HERE for 10 additional actions you can take to fight homelessness every day.
To donate or to read more about what Mark is doing, check out invisiblepeople.tv
Posted on August 7, 2009 - by Patrick
Letters from Leavers
People leave churches for many reasons. Some leave frustrated and hurt. Some leave simply because they have moved out of the area. Some people even leave church because they see church involvement as a hindrance to their faith and spiritual growth. Whatever your reasons, we want to hear from you.
The creators of Letters from Leavers love the church, but we are also aware of its flaws. In fact, the church has disappointed us too (and truth be told, we’ve failed the church and people like you at times). It is our desire to create an open venue for those that have left the church to tell us their story.
Tim Bower and Jason Loftis attend Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. This website was initially launched in February 2007 as part of a research project for Dr. John Drane’s course, Theology & Culture.
http://lettersfromleavers.com/
Posted on August 7, 2009 - by Patrick
The Church of Me.
“My primary assessment would be because American Christians tend to be incredibly self-indulgent so they see the church as a place there for them to meet their needs and to express faith in a way that is meaningful for them,”
[+] Erwin McManus, Futurist and Cultural Architect
Posted on August 7, 2009 - by Patrick
How do you interperate this scripture? Atonement for all?
So I have been studying 1, 2, 3 John – I came across this statement 1 John 2 that I have been chewing on the past few days.
You guys are smart, most likely smarter than I. How do you interperate the following passage? You all come from vastly streams of Christianity, it will be fascinating to hear your take.
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for[a] the sins of the whole world.” 2 John 1-2
I understand that John is speaking mainly to the church in Ephesus and to the global church at large — that meaning, communities of believers who are united by the Gospel of Jesus.
What troubles me is the issue of atonement of all people [a] and how that fits in with the churches view on the salvation process. (I.e. We must Accept, Believe and Confess that Jesus is Lord)
Here are a few questions:
- 1. If it is true that the sins of the world (including those outside of the church) have been atoned for how does this affect our message? (i.e. conversion of non-believers)
2. Is everyone in Gehenna (Hell) forgiven, atoned of their sins? If that is true, wouldn’t they be in right standing with God through Jesus?
3. If that is true, why are they in Hell in the first place. The blood of Jesus wiped sin out there by restoring humanity into a right relationship with the Father.
4. How does belief, grace and forgiveness of the sins of all humanity connect in a central gospel of the Christianity?
Have fun.
*note – the preceding questions should not call into question my personal beliefs, they are merely questions and ponderings. Let’s not start rumors.
Posted on August 7, 2009 - by Patrick
25 random facts about me…
1. I am not a sports fan. I think it’s boring and I’d rather watch reruns of Charles In Charge.
2. I once shot and killed a pregnant rabbit through the eye with a b.b. gun.
3. I have never been to Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, New Orleans, Oregon, Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota.
4. I once consumed baking soda when I was a kid. I pooped out fizz for a month.
5. My first computer when I was 3. It was a PC Junior. That was in 1985.
6. I get cold very easily – seriously I’m like a 105 pound girl.
7. I sometimes change clothes 3-4 times before I find something that feels right.
8. When I get nervous, excited or extremely tired — I stutter.
9. If you take my first initial and combine it with my middle name it’s “Pian”.
10. I live 15-minutes from Disneyland and have never been there.
11. I recently made the switch from boxer to boxer-brief.
12. When I was 13, I stole my moms car and crashed it into a tree.
13. I’ve been a journalist, camp counselor, photographer, security guard, life guard, graphic designer, professional mover, painter, teachers-aid, tutor, barista, cologne salesman, outdoor education instructor
14. I read ‘Catcher In The Rye’ in 5th grade against my teachers wishes.
15. Voted republican in my first election. (Shutter)
16. Pink is my favorite color shirt.
17. I once threw up Spagettioes all over my dentist.
18. My dream job is working from home designing, writing books and being a dad.
19. I am a closet Pentecostal (shhhh, don’t tell anyone)
20. I once had a date with a girl I met off of Craigsjist.
21. I have appeared on TBN – Not proud of this fact.
22. I have shaken Obama’s hand twice.
23. I’ve preformed CPR twice in my life.
24. At my heaviest, I was 280lbs. (When I was 20) I now weigh 195(ish).
25. I spend more money at Starbucks in one year then most people do on real estate in a lifetime.
