Comments on: Irresistible Revolution . . . The Kite Runner http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:13:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Another World is Possible http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-71609 Another World is Possible Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:59:21 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-71609 Hey if you're a fan of Shane Claiborne and his book, then you should really check out the Another World is Possible DVD series. It's a multimedia project by Shane Claiborne and Jamie Moffett (co-founders of the Simple Way) that emerged in response to their belief that things are not right in the world, and that they don't have to stay that way. There are three DVD's, one on war, one on poverty, and one on creation. You can find out more about them at <a href="http://www.awip.us" rel="nofollow">www.awip.us</a>. Hey if you’re a fan of Shane Claiborne and his book, then you should really check out the Another World is Possible DVD series. It’s a multimedia project by Shane Claiborne and Jamie Moffett (co-founders of the Simple Way) that emerged in response to their belief that things are not right in the world, and that they don’t have to stay that way. There are three DVD’s, one on war, one on poverty, and one on creation. You can find out more about them at http://www.awip.us.

]]> By: John Close http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66955 John Close Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:13:33 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66955 Mike, I "spy" on you every once and a while and always enjoy what I read. I heard you preach a decade ago and enjoyed it very much as well. So there, apparently you rock. But enough about you. I just read The Kite Runner and it wrecked me too. Fortunately it also put me back together in the end so it worked out. The Movie comes out this November. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809765419/trailer Can't wait. Claibourne is also someone I highly respect. His call for the church to get their social act together is bang on. It is my passion to not only see but help make that happen. Anyways, I figured spying is kinda lame so here I am. Hope to read you again soon. God Bless, John P.S. Allen Close is my brother, I think you might know him. Maybe. He attended ACU awhile ago and preaches in Lexington, Sc. Just trying to connect the dots. Mike,

I “spy” on you every once and a while and always enjoy what I read. I heard you preach a decade ago and enjoyed it very much as well. So there, apparently you rock.

But enough about you. I just read The Kite Runner and it wrecked me too. Fortunately it also put me back together in the end so it worked out. The Movie comes out this November.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809765419/trailer

Can’t wait.

Claibourne is also someone I highly respect. His call for the church to get their social act together is bang on. It is my passion to not only see but help make that happen.

Anyways, I figured spying is kinda lame so here I am.

Hope to read you again soon.

God Bless,

John

P.S. Allen Close is my brother, I think you might know him. Maybe. He attended ACU awhile ago and preaches in Lexington, Sc. Just trying to connect the dots.

]]> By: Tery http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66877 Tery Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:04:11 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66877 I loved both of Hosseini's novels. I am horrified what the people, especially women have to endure. The killings in God's name don't reflect Him at all, just bad men. We view a world wihout Christ and it is terrifying. I loved both of Hosseini’s novels. I am horrified what the people, especially women have to endure. The killings in God’s name don’t reflect Him at all, just bad men. We view a world wihout Christ and it is terrifying.

]]> By: Cheryl Russell http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66868 Cheryl Russell Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:42:01 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66868 After my husband and I read the excerpt from Claiborne's book, we went to amazon and read one of the chapters. We were hooked, ordered the book, and were not disappointed! Claiborne is poignant, deep, passionate, and absolutely hilarious!!!! So many great one-liners that pierce the soul and sting with convicting truth. N.T. Wright speaks about the "bleeding love of God", Shane's testimony reminded me about this bleeding love. I was deeply convicted, and encouraged. We also found some video of Shane on youtube. I do see him as radical, and sometimes he makes me feel uncomfortable, but I feel the same way about Jesus. Some of our favorite quotes: "God made us in His image, and we decided to return the favor." "As I read the Scriptures about how the last will be first, I started wondering why I was working so hard to be first." "How can we worship a homeless man on Sunday, an ignore one on Monday?" "Namaste." "We preach prophesy, and dream together about how to awaken the church from her violent slumber." After my husband and I read the excerpt from Claiborne’s book, we went to amazon and read one of the chapters. We were hooked, ordered the book, and were not disappointed! Claiborne is poignant, deep, passionate, and absolutely hilarious!!!! So many great one-liners that pierce the soul and sting with convicting truth. N.T. Wright speaks about the “bleeding love of God”, Shane’s testimony reminded me about this bleeding love. I was deeply convicted, and encouraged. We also found some video of Shane on youtube. I do see him as radical, and sometimes he makes me feel uncomfortable, but I feel the same way about Jesus. Some of our favorite quotes:

“God made us in His image, and we decided to return the favor.”

“As I read the Scriptures about how the last will be first, I started wondering why I was working so hard to be first.”

“How can we worship a homeless man on Sunday, an ignore one on Monday?”

“Namaste.”

“We preach prophesy, and dream together about how to awaken the church from her violent slumber.”

]]> By: Ray B. http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66867 Ray B. Tue, 21 Aug 2007 20:51:30 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66867 It can always be just cups of cold water. In the spirit of the Samaritan , whoever comes into your daily line of vision can be those you help. Also do not forget the massive good works being accomplished in our great brotherhood all over this nation and in the world. Everyday countless lives are being touched by the compassionate hearts of Jesus disciples. They will never receive any headlines or the applause of men but one day the applause of the crucified hands. The gospel is being taught and charitable acts of kindness by unselfish servants are providing hope and help to a great many people. It can always be just cups of cold water. In the spirit of the Samaritan , whoever comes into your daily line of vision can be those you help. Also do not forget the massive good works being accomplished in our great brotherhood all over this nation and in the world. Everyday countless lives are being touched by the compassionate hearts of Jesus disciples. They will never receive any headlines or the applause of men but one day the applause of the crucified hands. The gospel is being taught and charitable acts of kindness by unselfish servants are providing hope and help to a great many people.

]]> By: Frank http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66855 Frank Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:21:40 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66855 Ongoing Restoration Needed Gerorge Barna has written more than three dozen books and has led the Barna Group, often quoted for its polling data about the state of religion in America. In 2005 he published Revolution, a book that created quite a rumble within the evangelical community. Barna is critical of most organized churches. After 24 years of studying the trends of the church in North America, he concludes that the established church has failed. He identifies seven “passions” of the first Christians that must be restored for the church to be what it was intended to be; these are regarding the nature of (1) worship, (2) faith-based conversations, (3) intentional spiritual growth, (4) resource investment, (5) servanthood, (6) spiritual friendships, and (7) family faith. The work of the church, as Barna sees it, is to bring about a transformation in the lives of people with regard to these seven passions. What led him to this Revolution movement was the startling conclusion that, after several years of researching “churched” people, he found little evidence that their lives were being transformed by their church experience. Instead, the transformation of these folks in the Barna survey had taken place outside the established church. He contends this is true of all churches—mainline Protestant, Evangelical, Roman Catholic. Thus, the “real” church is something beyond all of the established churches. It is that church that must be restored Ongoing Restoration Needed

Gerorge Barna has written more than three dozen books and has led the Barna Group, often quoted for its polling data about the state of religion in America. In 2005 he published Revolution, a book that created quite a rumble within the evangelical community.

Barna is critical of most organized churches. After 24 years of studying the trends of the church in North America, he concludes that the established church has failed. He identifies seven “passions” of the first Christians that must be restored for the church to be what it was intended to be; these are regarding the nature of (1) worship, (2) faith-based conversations, (3) intentional spiritual growth, (4) resource investment, (5) servanthood, (6) spiritual friendships, and (7) family faith. The work of the church, as Barna sees it, is to bring about a transformation in the lives of people with regard to these seven passions.

What led him to this Revolution movement was the startling conclusion that, after several years of researching “churched” people, he found little evidence that their lives were being transformed by their church experience.

Instead, the transformation of these folks in the Barna survey had taken place outside the established church. He contends this is true of all churches—mainline Protestant, Evangelical, Roman Catholic. Thus, the “real” church is something beyond all of the established churches. It is that church that must be restored

]]> By: Frank http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66850 Frank Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:46:28 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66850 I heard a speaker at a Christian Scholar's Conference at DLU say, "Churches of Christ need to rejoin the Christian race." As many churches of Christ are inching into mainstream evangelical Protestantism, it may be well to hear the hard edge voices of reformation within evangelicalism to return to the "narrow gate" and the "narrow path" of Jesus' original gospel. Such is David Bercot in THE KINGDOM THAT TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN. Larry Washer (Baptist) on youtube http://youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8 http://youtube.com/watch?v=nplD7JhJMOU Love in Jesus, Frank I heard a speaker at a Christian Scholar’s Conference at DLU say, “Churches of Christ need to rejoin the Christian race.” As many churches of Christ are inching into mainstream evangelical Protestantism, it may be well to hear the hard edge voices of reformation within evangelicalism to return to the “narrow gate” and the “narrow path” of Jesus’ original gospel. Such is David Bercot in THE KINGDOM THAT TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN.

Larry Washer (Baptist) on youtube
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nplD7JhJMOU

Love in Jesus,
Frank

]]> By: Leland http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66833 Leland Sat, 18 Aug 2007 08:00:16 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66833 Look in the ordinary and find the extraordinary. No one needs a terminal degree to be profound. I met a homeless man named Kenny by a convenience store. I bought him a beer, I wasn't there to "close the deal" but I was going to make him feel like a damn for 30 minutes. Come to find out he did not want to get off the juice, who could blame him, what do we or I really have to offer this man. To him it is always a bus ticket ride away. What we have to understand is Kenny has given up as so many as of us have and we need to realize we are in the same boat. How do we stop giving up? No bullshit pat answers please? I bet no one dares to tackle this comment. Let's keep it sterile and discuss which 13-14 yr old team beats whom by how much. Look in the ordinary and find the extraordinary. No one needs a terminal degree to be profound.

I met a homeless man named Kenny by a convenience store. I bought him a beer, I wasn’t there to “close the deal” but I was going to make him feel like a damn for 30 minutes.

Come to find out he did not want to get off the juice, who could blame him, what do we or I really have to offer this man. To him it is always a bus ticket ride away.

What we have to understand is Kenny has given up as so many as of us have and we need to realize we are in the same boat. How do we stop giving up? No bullshit pat answers please?

I bet no one dares to tackle this comment. Let’s keep it sterile and discuss which 13-14 yr old team beats whom by how much.

]]> By: Leland http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66832 Leland Sat, 18 Aug 2007 07:47:30 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66832 My Mamaw made her daughter's (my mom) dresses out of flour sacks in the 40's and 50's. My Mamaw visited the the people in the rest homes in the 20's, 30's ,40's, 50's, 60's,70's. 80's, 90's, 00's. Read the Grapes of Wrath. This is Irresistible Revolution is no new revolution, only a revolution whose deemed to be great because of people with credentials. Nobody cares my Mamaw did this till she died; not more than 30 miles from her home. This has been going on for ages. My Mamaw could not pen a book, but she should could sure pen a life. My Mamaw made her daughter’s (my mom) dresses out of flour sacks in the 40’s and 50’s.

My Mamaw visited the the people in the rest homes in the 20’s, 30’s ,40’s, 50’s, 60’s,70’s. 80’s, 90’s, 00’s.

Read the Grapes of Wrath.

This is Irresistible Revolution is no new revolution, only a revolution whose deemed to be great because of people with credentials. Nobody cares my Mamaw did this till she died; not more than 30 miles from her home.

This has been going on for ages. My Mamaw could not pen a book, but she should could sure pen a life.

]]> By: Mike http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66799 Mike Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:42:54 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66799 Nathan - Thanks for that note. I had read about the loss in pool play, but as a coach I read that differently. The top two teams are advancing. There is absolutely no advantage in being the top team (unlike a double elim tournament). At some point, when you know you're going to make it to the playoff, you start lining up your pitching, especially given the new pitch limits. Much better to go into the playoff game with a loss and your pitching lined up than to go in with no losses and the pitching depleted. Nathan - Thanks for that note. I had read about the loss in pool play, but as a coach I read that differently. The top two teams are advancing. There is absolutely no advantage in being the top team (unlike a double elim tournament). At some point, when you know you’re going to make it to the playoff, you start lining up your pitching, especially given the new pitch limits. Much better to go into the playoff game with a loss and your pitching lined up than to go in with no losses and the pitching depleted.

]]> By: Justin http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66713 Justin Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:09:40 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66713 Irresistible Revolution is fantastic. I actually listened to a sermon by Shane the other night and I was lying in bed sobbing. I was supposed to be teaching the next week at bible camp about using your gifts and talents for God's glory and I realized I wasnt doing that myself. I had an "R" rated conversation with God, but I wll give you the "PG-13" version. I said, "God I am a big freaking hypocrite and I am not ok with that." I am thankful to Shane and others who have been used by God to reshape my vision for serving God. You should all get the book and read it as soon as you get a chance. Irresistible Revolution is fantastic. I actually listened to a sermon by Shane the other night and I was lying in bed sobbing. I was supposed to be teaching the next week at bible camp about using your gifts and talents for God’s glory and I realized I wasnt doing that myself. I had an “R” rated conversation with God, but I wll give you the “PG-13″ version. I said, “God I am a big freaking hypocrite and I am not ok with that.”

I am thankful to Shane and others who have been used by God to reshape my vision for serving God. You should all get the book and read it as soon as you get a chance.

]]> By: KentF http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66711 KentF Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:04:29 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66711 Mike - I noticed that the church shooting yesterday was in Neosho. Prayers go out to that community of believers. Mike - I noticed that the church shooting yesterday was in Neosho. Prayers go out to that community of believers.

]]> By: matt elliott http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66710 matt elliott Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:34:42 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66710 I found that quote from Ehrenreich online. While you may not appreciate her referring to Jesus as a "socialist" or a "wine-guzzler," the point of this self-proclaimed atheist is well-taken. Here are her thoughts upon attending a tent revival in Minnesota: "It would be nice if someone [at the revival] would read this sad-eyed crowd the Sermon on the Mount, accompanied by a rousing commentary on income inequality and the need for a hike in the minimum wage. But Jesus makes his appearance here only as a corpse; the living man, wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist, is never once mentioned, nor anything he had to say. Christ crucified rules, and it may be that the true business of modern Christianity is to crucify him again and again so that he can never get a word out of his mouth . . . I get up to leave . . . and walk out to search for my car, half expecting to find Jesus out there in the dark, gagged and tethered to a tent pole." I found that quote from Ehrenreich online. While you may not appreciate her referring to Jesus as a “socialist” or a “wine-guzzler,” the point of this self-proclaimed atheist is well-taken. Here are her thoughts upon attending a tent revival in Minnesota:

“It would be nice if someone [at the revival] would read this sad-eyed crowd the Sermon on the Mount, accompanied by a rousing commentary on income inequality and the need for a hike in the minimum wage. But Jesus makes his appearance here only as a corpse; the living man, wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist, is never once mentioned, nor anything he had to say. Christ crucified rules, and it may be that the true business of modern Christianity is to crucify him again and again so that he can never get a word out of his mouth . . . I get up to leave . . . and walk out to search for my car, half expecting to find Jesus out there in the dark, gagged and tethered to a tent pole.”

]]> By: Matthew Morine http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66709 Matthew Morine Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:51:13 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66709 Really like the Noah quote. Funny. www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org Really like the Noah quote. Funny.

http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org

]]> By: Larry James http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66708 Larry James Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:28:35 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/08/10/irresistible-revolution-the-kite-runner#comment-66708 Whoa, guys! I'm no Shane Claiborne and we certainly haven't figured it out here by any means. However, I appreciate your kindness. Allison made me go back to my journal and find my entry on Ehrenreich's book. I will post the journal entry with her quote on my blog sometime this week. Whoa, guys! I’m no Shane Claiborne and we certainly haven’t figured it out here by any means. However, I appreciate your kindness. Allison made me go back to my journal and find my entry on Ehrenreich’s book. I will post the journal entry with her quote on my blog sometime this week.

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