Lynn S. Nored's Blog (26)

A Personal Transformation

What is “transformation?” It is a metamorphosis from one state to another. It requires a “change” – a change of attitude and a change of action. We are admonished to “grow” to maturity. Sometimes this means a reexamination of our assumptions about what it means to be a Christian. When I was growing up what it…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on March 3, 2015 at 7:30pm — 6 Comments

Lessons About the Usefulness of Christianity

Recently my wife and I were privileged to attend the Dedication Ceremony for the donation ceremony of Dr. Virgil Trout’s 16,000 volume library. Dr. Trout has lectured in over one-third of our nations major universities on Christianity, ethics, and Science. (See http://devotionalsforeverydayliving.blogspot.com/2012/10/dr.html for a short bio). His topic at the dedication was: The Usefulness of the Impossible. The…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on August 15, 2014 at 12:03pm — No Comments

Reflections on Cooperation and Religious Divisions

Attendance at a recent Missions Resource Network benefit dinner, sparked thoughts of the religious divisions and lack of coorperation that long characterised congregtions of the churches of Christ.  I was born and raised in the 40's, 50's, and 60's--more than 50 years distance from our present culture.  During those times,  many good practices were prevalent, chief among them a…
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Added by Lynn S. Nored on April 18, 2014 at 5:58pm — No Comments

The Siren Allure of Political Activism

Within  our Christian brotherhood we have both liberals and conservatives, Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians.  Many of them are active in the political sphere. In this essay, the dangers that can befall all groups are highlighted. 

http://essaysonchristianity.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-siren-allure-of-political-activism.html

Added by Lynn S. Nored on September 27, 2013 at 8:29pm — 1 Comment

Can the Churches of Christ Have Unity in Diversity?

"Diversity" is a word charged with meaning in our world.  It usually provokes strong emotions from both proponents and antagonists.  In the secular world arguments for diversity rest upon two postulates: 1) Racial discrimination in the past necessitates positive inclusion of minority groups in decisions in order to "make up" for past discrimination in organizations 2)  "Studies show how diversity improves academic performance, reduces prejudice, lowers stress and psychological…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on September 25, 2013 at 7:30pm — No Comments

What Is Spiritual Discipline?

This essay is prompted by a paper entitled "Moving from Solitude to Ministry," by Henri Nouwen. (1) In this paper he states:

 

"But in the spiritual life, the word discipline means "the effort to create space in which God can act."  Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you're not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied.  In the spiritual life discipline means to create that space in which something important…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on April 10, 2013 at 12:57pm — No Comments

Does Our Individualism Prevent Submitting to the Kingship of Christ?

In the United States "individualism" has historically been one of the foundations of society. " John Locke (1632–1704) is among the most influential political philosophes of the modern period. In the Two Treatises of Government, he defended the claim that men are by nature free and equal against claims that God had made all people naturally subject to a monarch. He argued that people have rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, that have a foundation independent of…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on March 27, 2013 at 6:26pm — No Comments

Should the Restoration Movement be Saved?



The answer depends upon what one means by the Restoration movement. “The Restoration Movement (also known as the American Restoration Movement or the Stone-Campbell Movement) is a Christian movement that began on the American frontier during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century. The movement sought to restore the church and "the unification of all Christians in a single body patterned after the church of the New Testament.” It is an attempt to return to apostolic…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on March 19, 2013 at 2:47pm — No Comments

Is "Top-Down" Leadership What God Intended for the Church.

In many congregations members elderships and staff are viewed as the "decision-makers".  If something is done in a congregation--in worship, use of the building, ministry tasks, etc--it must first be "approved" by the elders before anything can be done.  In other cases, members look to the senior minister to initiate all programs and activities. In essence, this is "top-down" management.  

But, is this what God intended for congregations?  Certainly, from one standpoint it is God who…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on March 13, 2013 at 11:09pm — No Comments

Is the Great Commission About Evangelism or "Making DisicipLes"

In this post I examine whether we have missed the mark in how we have interpreted the Great Commission in practice.

What do you think?

http://essaysonchrisitianity.blogspot.com/

Added by Lynn S. Nored on February 21, 2013 at 11:44pm — No Comments

The Movie "Safe Haven" and the Missional Life

The movie "Safe Haven" is popular movie that many Christians are attending. The plot is summarized as follows:

"When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on February 19, 2013 at 11:27am — No Comments

A Leadership Vignette

The following post details lessons learned about leadership from watching German Shepherd dogs.

http://essaysonchrisitianity.blogspot.com/

Added by Lynn S. Nored on February 18, 2013 at 4:20pm — No Comments

What Does the MD Anderson Cancer Hospital Teach Us?

In Feb 2012 my wife was diagnosed with follicular lyphoma--cancer of the lymph nodes. She was diagnosed on a Friday and we were at MD Anderson for evaluation and potential treatment the next Tuesday. It was remarkable that the appointment was made immediately when they were called.  It was made, however, with the stipulation we could be at the hospital the following day.

Upon our arrival, there were parking attendants at the front.  There was w valet parking for all patients. Upon…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on February 18, 2013 at 1:55pm — No Comments

Is Our Passivity and "Need to be Feed" a Result of Our View or Our "Rights'?

How often have you heard the phase " I go to church, but I am not "fed"?  Our often is this used to invoke unhappiness with a particular preacher's sermons?  Where does this attitude  of " I need to be fed" come from?  Of course elders, not preachers, are told to "feed the folk.".  But this attitude is clearly one of passivity.  If a congregation doesn't have the "right program", enough "motivational" sermons, or .... whatever the person's felt needs ( as opposed to real needs) are, the…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on February 17, 2013 at 3:05pm — No Comments

How Do the Concepts of Liberty and Security Affect Church Governance? And Selection of Church Leaders?

 Historically, there has been a philosophical divide in governance. That divide can be summarized by two concepts: 1) Those who value "liberty" vs 2) Those who value "security".  Ever since the Enlightenment these two ideals have been in "competition" with one another.  That has especially been true in the political area.  This is not surprising as there seems to be a natural tendency of man to seek to be "free" as well as his desire to be "secure."   I would postulate these same desires…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on January 13, 2013 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Will Church Planting Stem the Decline of the Church In America?

Recently Mark Woodward of Let's Start Talking posed the following question on his blog ( http://www.wadehodges.com/2005/04/19/an-emerging-church-of-christ-part-4/ ): "Is the proliferation of new church plants simply covering up the fact that the religious marketplace is much less “profitable”? To use the language of business: are we closing old stores and opening new stores, but that strategy in and of…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on January 8, 2013 at 8:49pm — No Comments

Would Church Attendance Be Tied to It's Ability to Create "Social Relationships"?

Consider this statement by ACU professor Richard Beck: "So why has mobile social computing affected church attendance? Well, if church has always been kind of lame and irritating why did people go in the first place? Easy, social relationships. Church has always been about social affiliation. You met your friends, discussed your week, talked football, shared information about good schools, talked local politics, got the scoop, and made social plans ("Let's get together for dinner this…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on January 7, 2013 at 10:07pm — 3 Comments

What is The Church Divide

The present political divide in our country has brought to mind a much more serious divide, the church divide.  The political divide I am referring to is not the divide between political parties per se.  Rather it is the world-view held by opposing groups in our nation.  One group adheres to a world-view of personal responsibility,  independence, and self reliance.  In this group dependence upon others for sustenance is shameful.  The other group world view can best be summarized as…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on January 7, 2013 at 7:07pm — No Comments

What Should Concern Christians Today? ( in the U.S.)

My thesis is we have a moral/ethical/religious crisis which has precipitated a social/cultural/political crisis.  Therefore, what should be the primary concern of Christians?  ---Especially in our highly charged political atmosphere. If you would, click on the link and read my essay. I would welcome your comments and personal answer to the question What should concern Christians today?  The link follows:…

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Added by Lynn S. Nored on September 29, 2012 at 6:22pm — No Comments

Class Blog on Experiencing the Heart of Jesus

Class Presentations : This blog link provides my class presentations and comments on "Experiencing the Heart of Jesus."  You may make comments/ and or ask questions and join the discussion.  

Tks

Added by Lynn S. Nored on February 7, 2012 at 9:20pm — No Comments

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