URBANarmy

Interesting conversation sent me looking for this article - thanks Malcolm! Towards a definition of "Open Evangelical" "Open evangelical" is a term that has emerged in the context of evangelical Anglicanism in the UK. Broadly speaking it is those who see themselves as heirs of the Keele Congress of 1967, when evangelical Anglicans committed themselves to work in the mainstream of the Church of England, who would want to wear that label. "Open evangelical" is usually defined over against "conservative evangelical", although open evangelicals would claim to be conservative on scripture and radical on everything else. What are open evangelicals in the Church of England open to ? 1. Biblical scholarship (Believing scripture to be inspired, but not wishing to wear the inerrantist label, and content to accept that theology is a positive gift to the church, and that hermeneutics are essential to the task of understanding an inspired scr

Good couple of days meeting up with friends and colleagues. Felt thoroughly affirmed by John Reads session on mission and came home with a great Catherine Booth quote definin mission which I now need to source: "Mission is Jesus Christ come in the flesh again in his people. Living out before the the world his principles acting upon his precepts living for the same objects for which he lived." (Catherine Booth)

There is an immature petition that renders God my personal assistant or fixer or genii, the omnipotent enforcer of my will on earth pp 128 or The best way to pray is: stop. Let prayer pray within you, whether you know it or not. This means a deep awareness of our true inner identity. It implies a life of faith, but also doubt. You can't have faith without doubt. Give up the business of suppressing doubt. Doubt and faith are two sides of the same thing. Faith will grow out of doubt, the real doubt. We don't pray right because we evade doubt. (Thomas merton) pp 200 MacLaren, B. (2011) Naked spirituality : a life with God in 12 simple words

General Linda Bond launched her mission vision for TSA, love the emphasis on integrated mission and marginalised! ONE ARMY: We see a God-raised, Spirit-filled Army for the 21st century - convinced of our calling, moving forward together We will... deepen our spiritual life unite in prayer identify and develop leaders increase self-support and self-denial ONE MISSION: Into the world of the hurting, broken, lonely, dispossessed and lost, reaching them in love by all means We will... emphasise our integrated ministry reach and involve youth and children stand for and serve the marginalised encourage innovation in mission ONE MESSAGE: With the transforming message of Jesus, bringing freedom, hope and life We will... communicate Christ unashamedly reaffi rm our belief in transformation evangelise and disciple eff ectively provide quality teaching resources

Just found this rant on my ipod! "We know what's gone wrong: the question is, do we have the determination to put it right? Do we have the determination to confront the slow-motion moral collapse that has taken place in parts of our country these past few generations." David Cameron Summer 2011 This all said while pointing at communities that have systematically been striped of hope with choices peeled back to reveal very little. All this said with a self righteous air of superiority that forgets that while the finger points there are fingers that point back. It is easy to pour contempt on our poor broken and diseased society from the height and dry land of supposed moral superiority. Citing statistics of one parent families and benefit fraud ignoring the fact that the very same symptoms of disease can be seen in those who sit back and allow the looting of our economy, allow for exploitation of power, allow for the excesses of privilege. While they were undeniably

A friend sent me this today:- Read: John 5:35-47 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. —John 5:40 Dr. Jack Mezirow, professor emeritus at Columbia Teachers College, believes that an essential element in adult learning is to challenge our own ingrained perceptions and examine our insights critically. Dr. Mezirow says that adults learn best when faced with what he calls a “disorienting dilemma”—something that “helps you critically reflect on the assumptions you’ve acquired” (Barbara Strauch, The New York Times). This is the opposite of saying, “My mind is made up—don’t confuse me with the facts.” When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, He challenged the deeply held beliefs of many religious leaders, and they sought to silence Him (John 5:16-18). Jesus said to them: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (vv.39-40). Oswald Chamber

Not the easiest of reads as Ellul hits hard illustrating the means and way Christianity has been subverted and fabricated. He points to the many contradictions between the bible and the practice of the church as scripture has been reinterpreted by culture and times in their own nature. Lots of quotes noted down - here's one... Our God is a God of beginnings. There is in him no redundancy or circularity. Thus, if his church wants to be faithful to his revelation, it will be completely mobile, fluid, renascent, bubbling, creative, inventive, adventurous, and imaginative. It will never be perennial, and can never be organised or institutionalised. Ellul, J. (1986: 157). The subversion of Christianity . Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans.

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Summary 6 - Life of Love - 6 - Transcends us The final stage that Hagberg identifies is that of a faith that reflects God. The sense of journeying out continues in selfless Christlike living that is defined by total obediece to God and compassionate loving for others. The needs of self are abandoned in complete hospitatlity for others and the consequent disregard for self sees a detachment from things and stress. This is the utter poured out life of love that knows no boundaries. Hagberg, J. O. (2004). The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith, Second Edition (2nd ed.). Salem, WI: Sheffield Publishing Company pp 159

Summary of Stage 5 The Journey outward -transforms us After the unsettlement and disorientation of what Hagberg calls the wall, she suggests that we are turned inside out and unmasked in order that an unconditional love can emerge. Faith is surrendering to God in a new way that brings with it a renewed sense of God's acceptance characterised by a deep calm or stillness. While there is a similarity to the productive stage, the journey outward represents a new sense of calling, vocation or ministry less defined by a striving for uniqueness or a seeking for responsibility while more characterised through genuine concern and focus on others' best interests. Discovering a glimpse of God's purpose in life in all things comes from seeing that depth comes from relaxing into the evolving into being God's person. Fullness and being whole seems to be enough allowing vocation to be fulfilling. Hagberg, J. O. (2004). The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith, Second Edit

"There are certain things which The Salvation Army can spare and still be The Salvation Army -- citadels and other meeting places, for instance. Money, too, can be done without. The advantages of organization are not entirely essential. One thing, however, The Salvation Army cannot spare. The Army, which William Booth gathered together out of the most impossible material, to the astonishment of the world, cannot do without the pioneer spirit. The pioneer spirit is as necessary now as ever, for left to itself a movement tends to stagnate. Uniformed officers and soldiers we have in encouraging numbers -- but too many seem to have forgotten that they are not to be known as 'members'. We can say without equivocation that were we to lose the daring and the determination of the pioneer spirit we should no longer be The Salvation Army. There are plenty of churches and congregations. They have their own special work to do, but we are called to be pioneers of the Kingdom&q

Wow - so even philanthropy is to be privatised! Check out this article: Social bond pilot schemes to run in 2012 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/social-bond-pilot-schemes-to-run-in-2012-2344100.html Sent from my iPod

Tent hitched ready to head off to a favoured campsite on the IoW. International Drought Breakers are go.... Sent from my iPod

"... I got the barbecue out" Wasn't really the answer I was expecting. Conversations after church over a cup of tea are pretty always good. I like them! You get to connect, to share and to know each other. I had been doing well with Ron, his week hadn't been good workwise, carwise or in fact catwise. Suzy family pet for many years had died and I was being talked through the decision to cremate rather than bury. My pastoral face was caring and unshakeable. ".... Sorry to hear about your cat, so how does cremation for pets work ?" The answer asked intense questions of my pastoral face. "Ron... You barbecued your dead cat? It must've taken ages...!" "yeah... even after I stuffed her with fire lighters! ... we got there in the end, Marlene bought a new biscuit tin for the ashes..." The pastoral face disappeared. "Ron I don't want you taking this personally, don't be surprised if I don't come to a barbecue at y

What is it, exactly, that he, the incarnate Lord, does? What, if you wish, is he "good at"? The answer is found in the gospels: he lives out the kingdom of God, and he applies that kingdom for the good of others and even makes it possible for them to enter it themselves. Willard How to be a Disciple 1998 Christian Century April 430 ff Sent from my iPod

Open Yale Courses provides free and open access to a selection of introductory courses taught by distinguished teachers and scholars at Yale University. The aim of the project is to expand access to educational materials for all who wish to learn. Looks a good resource to me! More here

The group that stays for discussion after Monday Drop in at Faith house is developing really well with Rob Bell's Nooma a good starter. I love the way Malcolm takes it all so literal and after a great discussion about anger and irritation he starts to make a point about RB's story involving him chasing a man who tried to break into his car. "The thing that I don't get is this...." We wait expectantly. "Why didn't he have an alarm on his car...!" What I really love is that his literal observations are always receieved by the group as if they are made by Gregory of Nyssa himself!

Every year we have a retreat day for teh session aboput to be commissioned, so it was the Ambassadors of Holiness' turn to spend a day in the urban oasis that is The Royal Foundation of St. Katharine, at Limehouse in East London. One of the reflective exercises was to spend time in the Beatitudes and to paraphrase it. With a bit of inspiration from Pungente, J. J., & Williams, G. B. (2004). Finding God in the dark: taking the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius to the movies . this is my effort. Complete are they who have the right opinion and no illusion of themselves for they know how to live. Complete are they who are at ease with their vulnerability for they will not be trapped in a fear of living. Complete are those letting go of the dead in their lives for they will experience the abundance of new life. Complete are those who know not only 'what' and 'whom' to love but also 'how' to love for they will experience fullness. Complete are those

Never really noticed these words by James Montgomery (1771-1854) before. Hail to the Lord's Anointed, great David's greater Son! Hail, in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun! He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free, to take away transgression, and rule in equity. He comes, with succour speedy, to those who suffer wrong; to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong; to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light, whose souls, condemned and dying, were precious in his sight. He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth; love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth; before him, on the mountains, shall peace the herald go; and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow. Kings shall fall down before him, and gold and incense bring; all nations shall adore him, his praise all people sing; to him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend, his kingdom still incre

A brief look at this on-line Journal makes me think I'll be back for a deeper and longer look. The Bible and Critical Theory "The Bible and Critical Theory is an exploratory and innovative online scholarly journal for biblical studies, published by the Bible and Critical Theory Seminar. The journal explores the intersections between critical theory, understood in the broad sense, and biblical studies. It publishes peer-reviewed articles that investigate the contributions from critical theory to biblical studies, and contributions from biblical studies to critical theory. The journal has an active series of book reviews, which are published as they are ready."

William Booth College is pleased to invite you to an open day with Dr. Luke Bretherton to be held on Tuesday 21 June 2011 in the Assembly Hall.   Luke is a Senior Lecturer in Theology & Politics and Convenor of the Faith and Public Policy Forum at King's College London. Prior to King’s he was Director of Studies of an ordination training course for Anglican, Methodist and United Reform clergy and before that Research Director of the St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. In addition he has worked with a variety of faith based NGOs, mission organisations, and churches in a wide range of cultural contexts both in the UK and abroad (notably, East Africa, Central and Eastern Europe and Russia). His most recent books include:   Luke Bretherton (2010) Christianity and Contemporary Politics: The Conditions and Possibilities of Faithful Witness Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell  Luke Bretherton (2010) Hospitality as Holiness: Christian Witness Amid Moral Diversity  Aldersh

Discovered Ministry Today This article particularly was useful regarding personal development

I saw this article from The Independent and thought it might be of interest to you Tricky reality for preacher after world fails to end It's fair to surmise that today did not go entirely according to plan for Mr Harold Camping. For starters, he woke up. © 2009 Independent News and Media Sent from my iPod

Lyfe has had an overhaul and is worth investigating.

Certain words to me seem to have been hijacked and diluted and 'pure heart'seems to fit that category. Calon Lân is a Welsh hymn, the words of which were written in the 19th century by Daniel James, sung before Welsh rugby union test matches an anthem. I found it interesting that this Welsh word used for pure heart equally means to be complete. I don't ask for a luxurious life, the world's gold or its fine pearls, I ask for a happy heart, an honest heart, a pure heart. A pure heart full of goodness Is fairer than the pretty lily, None but a pure heart can sing, Sing in the day, sing in the night. If I wished for worldly wealth, It would swiftly go to seed; The riches of a virtuous, pure heart Will bear eternal profit. (Chorus) Evening and morning, my wish Rising to heaven on the wing of song For God, for the sake of my Saviour, To give me a pure heart. (Chorus) I love the connection that is begining to take shape in my

Song number 521 seems to be quite a mission anthem Saviour, I long to be Nearer to thee; In word and deed and thought Holy to be. O take this heart of mine And seal me ever thine, Fill me with love divine, For service, Lord! Make me a blazing fire Where'er I go, That to a dying world Thee I may show: How thou hast bled and died That none may be denied, But in thy bleeding side A refuge find. So shall my moments flow In praising thee, For thou hast never failed To strengthen me. Filled with the Holy Ghost, Saved to the uttermost, In Christ alone I'll boast And forward go.

I saw this article from The Independent and thought it might be of interest to you The first year of coalition government A is for Arts, which the Liberal Democrats mostly like but the Tories don't, because they see them as being devised by, and for the enjoyment of, a predominantly left-wing, anti-government bunch of "agitprop" merchants, gays, chatterers and subversives who shouldn't be subsidised by public money. Hence, a big cut in Arts Council – how they hate those two words – funding, and the abolition of the Film Council. Unemployed actors will have to bite the bullet and do voice-overs for Tesco. Do Tories really have what Denis Healey once called "a hinterland", something other than politics or money on their mind? © 2009 Independent News and Media Sent from my iPod

There is perhaps no better proof for the existence of God than the way year after year he survives the way his professional friends promote him. Buechner, F. (1988:5-6). Whistling in the dark: an ABC theologized. San Francisco: Harper & Row.

JR Woodward clearly loves Mission and has put together an amazing resource here Thanks Wayne!

Just a bit of fun. Here's my cabinet based on the short questionnaire. You took the Political Animal quiz on www.susa.info, and your personalised cabinet of political characters was: William Wilberforce You basically accept that Christian political action will be necessary on all fronts if we are going to have a fair and righteous society. The law should reflect both Godly moral foundations and practical concern for the poor. This approach is epitomised by the campaigning parliamentarian William Wilberforce, who led the drive to abolish the slave trade and restore the 'manners' (ie moral foundations) of Britain. Oliver Cromwell The most committed political activist needs to recognise that there are limits to what can be achieved by politics alone. Ideals can too easily become idols, and some things will never change without an inward work of salvation in people's lives. Puritan parliamentarian leader Oliver Cromwell used the power of the state and military

I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. "Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" — Martin Luther King Jr. Here's the quote in its fuller context following the double bluff that has gone viral! "The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out dar

I saw this article from The Independent and thought it might be of interest to you John Sentamu: Is the Big Society big enough to offer shelter to refugees? The events of the first Easter were told against a social backdrop of violence, injustice, migration, and the desperate search for safety. Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover that week, a festival that recalled their forebears' desperate flight from Egypt as refugees. Generations before, their ancestors had gone to Egypt as economic migrants. In the past weeks, as the turmoil in the Middle East has played out, Egypt has once again found itself a refuge for those seeking sanctuary. Having made historic changes in its own political settlment, it is admitting fugitives from the conflict in neighbouring Libya. © 2009 Independent News and Media Sent from my iPod

Summary of Stage 4 - The Journey Inward - unsettles us The fact that faith development becomes more about rediscovering God is unsettling. The process of unlearning and relearning comes through the emergence of a life of faith crisis. The certainities of life and faith are lost and once daely held answers no longer provide direction. The pursuit of personal integrity in relation to God causes the paradox and ambiguity of God being released from the box alongside an apparent loss of faith. Moving on from here involves embracing the paradox and at the very least being open to the possibility of allowing for a new certainty in God. The search for self that has dominiated needs to be recogised for what it is, and moving away from ego dominated thinking opens the meaning of the true cost of obedience. While reflection is important, the consumption of self centred assesment and constant pride fueled questioning imobilises people. The letting go of spiritual ego and accepting God's pu

Sang these words by Francis Bottome as part of Holy Week this morning and the themes of fullness, kenosis, mystical union, mission hit me between the eyes. Precious Jesus, O to love thee! O to know that thou art mine! Jesus, all my heart I give thee If thou wilt but make it thine. Chorus Glory, glory, Jesus saves me, Glory, glory to the Lamb! O the cleansing blood has reached me, Glory, glory to the Lamb! 2. Take my warmest, best affection, Take my memory, mind and will; Then with all thy loving Spirit All my emptied nature fill. 3. Bold I touch thy sacred garment, Fearless stretch my eager hand; Virtue, like a healing fountain, Freely flows at love’s command. 4. O how precious, dear Redeemer, Is the love that fills my soul! It is done, the word is spoken: Be thou every whit made whole. 5. Lo, a new creation dawning! Lo, I rise to life divine! In my soul an Easter morning; I am Christ’s and Christ is mine.

I saw this article from The Independent and thought it might be of interest to you Losing our religion: The Church of England in decline As the faithful look forward to Easter and the Archbishop of Canterbury prepares to officiate at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, it may seem inappropriate to be discussing the future of his Church. But this Easter week, I can't help feeling – more than ever – that the Church of England will not survive my children's lifetime and quite possibly not even my own. © 2009 Independent News and Media Sent from my iPod

Perhaps more a case of found lyrics rather than lost - but these words by H. Ernest Nichol caught my eye. We've a story to tell to the nations, That shall turn their hearts to the right. A story of truth and mercy, A story of peace and light, A story of peace and light. Refrain For the darkness shall turn to dawning, And the dawning to noonday bright; And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth, The Kingdom of Love and Light. We've a song to be sung to the nations, That shall lift their hearts to the Lord, A song that shall conquer evil And shatter the spear and sword, And shatter the spear and sword. That the Lord who regins up above, Has sent us His Son to save us, And show us that God is love, And show us that God is love. We've a Saviour to show to the nations, Who the path of sorrow has trod, That all of the world's great peoples Might come to the truth of God, Might come to the truth of God.

I saw this article from The Independent and thought it might be of interest to you Johann Hari: The plan to save Ed Miliband I am worried about Ed Miliband. I backed him to be leader of the Labour Party. I badly want him to beat David Cameron at the next general election. But here's my problem. He has been leader of the Labour Party for six months now, and my mother, my father, my brother and my sister – all normal British people on average or lower incomes who swing between parties – haven't noticed him yet. He hasn't said or done anything that has jutted into their stressed and busy lives. They have no thoughts about him at all. And there's a more worrying postscript still. There isn't yet a single five-minute clip I could send them of Miliband where they would consistently understand what he was saying, or identify with it. © 2009 Independent News and Media Sent from my iPod

"...a library is as holy a place as any temple..." "How like a winter hath my absence been from thee.." Doestoevsky - Words have power writes Buechner. "Words written fifty years ago, a hundred years ago, a thousand years ago, can have as much of this power today as ever they had it then to come alive for us an in us and make us more alive within ourselves... even across great distances of time and space do they ever lose their capacity for becoming incarnate. And when these words tell of vitue and nobility, when they move us closer to that truth and gentleness of spirit by which we become fully human, the reading of them is sacramental and a library is as holy a place as any temple." Buechner, F., & Connor, G. (1992:170ff). Listening to your life: daily meditations with Frederick Buechner . San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco.

"So would that only be for what you consider to be heaven or are you saved for here and now? " It's been a while since I have been evangelised and I have to admit it left me feeling a little annoyed but I am trying to work out exactly why? Two well meaning young men tooled up with no doubt the latest in hip communicating tracts accosted me on the street and just came right out with it. "So are you saved?" I guess I wouldn't have minded if had they introduced themselves even in a nominal way to establish the semblance of a context. Perhaps I wouldn't have minded if I wasn't in full uniform (including cap btw!) trying to raise money to bring hope and fullness to those who experience the hell of life confronting them the moment they wake up to the moment they fall asleep. However, I smile and politely say that I firmly believe I am and I wondered whether they too were saved. "Oh yes" they smile. "So would that only be for what you

Frank Viola makes a plea to learn our history here . Why? Beacause in missional and discipleship terms he considers that we are "peppered with many converts to Christianity who possessed fire-insurance policies, but few of them were actually following Jesus as this world’s true Lord." Good article thanks Simon ;o)

Bono : My understanding of the Scriptures has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love. What does that mean? What it means for me: a study of the life of Christ. Love here describes itself as a child born in straw poverty, the most vulnerable situation of all, without honor. I don't let my religious world get too complicated. I just kind of go: Well, I think I know what God is. God is love, and as much as I respond [sighs] in allowing myself to be transformed by that love and acting in that love, that's my religion. Where things get complicated for me, is when I try to live this love. Now that's not so easy. This interview seems to be floating around at the moment - more here

Great article in the Leadership Journal. Here are some edited highlights. "Biblical justice involves making individuals, communities, and the cosmos whole, by upholding both goodness and impartiality. It stands at the centre of true religion, according to James, who says that the kind of "religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" James 1:27. Earlier Scripture says, "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern" (prov 29:7) As we experience the wholeness that Jesus offers, we are to carry his justice forward in the world. Both individual transformation and community transformation are part of restoring wholeness. While morality and immorality are birthed in the human heart justice is centred in God's heart. We are to purify our hearts whose desires lead us to sin. With transformed hear

Lausanne 2010 - A Confession of Faith and a Call to Action The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (Cape Town, 16-25 October 2010) brought together 4,200 evangelical leaders from 198 countries, and extended to hundreds of thousands more, participating in meetings around the world, and online. Its goal? To bring a fresh challenge to the global Church to bear witness to Jesus Christ and all his teaching - in every nation, in every sphere of society, and in the realm of ideas. more here

If you understand it is not God you understand...! - Augustine

I've just had Mark Lawrence's art recommended. They look stunning. See them here

"....it is our business (not like so many peddlers of God's word but as men and women of sincerity) to speak with our hearts (which is what sincerity means) and to bear witness to, and live out of, and live toward, and live by, the true word of his holy story as it seeks to stammer itself forth through the holy stories of us all." Buechner, F. (1984). A room called Remember: uncollected pieces . San Francisco: Harper & Row. pp 56

Summary of stage 3 - The Productive Life - rewards and exalts us The life of discipleship develops into a practical outworking of that discipleship, in other words faith is working for God. This stage is characterised by a striving for uniqueness in the faith community and a seeking for responsibility. Great value is placed upon symbols or form with a need to achive perceived spiritual goals. As a result, frequently people here are characterised by being overly zealous and self centred seeing life as a performance. Moving on comes from a variety of sources including a loss of certainty that can come from experiencing personal/ faith crisis or feeling abandoned or recognising the need to look for direction. The catalyst for moving on can come from an acceptace of vulnerability and a letting go success Hagberg, J. O. (2004). The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith, Second Edition (2nd ed.). Salem, WI: Sheffield Publishing Company pp 86

Commissioning last year was conducted by The General, as part of his sermon he highlighted what Luther saw as the characteristics of a minister of religion. Study - mind Prayer - heart Affliction - empathy completed only then with action I wish I could find the reference as it resonates with Catherine Booth's thoughts of officers who should be people of head, hearts and hands. The strength of WBC for those who can see it is the commitment to encourage a framework of knowing, being and doing. There is a difference between the function of training that is shaped by the 'essence' of ministry and that of a function of training that is shaped by the 'form' of ministry. Luther's characteristics are a good reminder of what should shape what training should take. I've just seen the plans for the new reception at WBC; when it is finished will be dominated by Jeremiah 3:15. "I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledg

Thanks Simon for this link. A great summary of Richard Horsley and application to the birth narrative. http://thepangeablog.com/2010/12/20/when-a-poor-baby-in-a-manger-overthrows-the-empire/ Sent from my iPod

I saw this article from The Independent and thought it might be of interest to you The little red book that swept France Take a book of just 13 pages, written by a relatively obscure 93-year-old man, which contains no sex, no jokes, no fine writing and no startlingly original message. A publishing disaster? No, a publishing phenomenon. © 2009 Independent News and Media Sent from my iPod

Books of 2010 Moltmann, J. (2010). Sun of righteousness, arise!: God's future for humanity and the earth. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press. Morisy, A. (2009). Bothered and bewildered enacting hope in troubled times. London: Continuum. Rowling, J. K., & GrandPré, M. (2007). Harry Potter and the deathly hallows . New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books Ackerman, J. (2001). Listening to God: spiritual formation in congregations. Bethesda, MD: Alban Institute. Faragher, C. (2010) Other voices : exploring the contemplative in Salvationist spirituality. Salvo Wright, N. (2008). Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. New York: Harperone. Mandelson, P. (2010). The Third Man: Life at the Heart of New Labour. London: Harpercollins Uk. Brengle, S. L. (1978). Guest of the Soul. Atlanta: Salvation Army Supplies Brookmyre, C. (2009). A Snowball in Hell (Unabridged ed.). Cairo: Isis. Horsley, R. A., & Siberman, N.