Skip to content
  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Legal Terms
  • Say Hello
D Mergent

D Mergent

Fertilizing The Future With The Wisdom Of The Past.

  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Legal Terms
  • Say Hello
Shadow
Recent News
  • Five reasons why stroker toys will be your best friend
  • God’s Table: Playing Musical Chairs and Losing
    God's Table 

    God’s Table: Playing Musical Chairs and Losing

    January 11, 2013 by Alison
  • Dented Fenders: Why Christianity Has to Do Better
    Christianity 

    Dented Fenders: Why Christianity Has to Do Better

    January 7, 2013 by Alison
  • A Christian’s Extravagant Community
    Christianity Christianity Community Church 

    A Christian’s Extravagant Community

    January 3, 2013 by Alison
  • Joseph & Mary’s Christmas Letter
    Christmas Letter Church 

    Joseph & Mary’s Christmas Letter

    December 23, 2012 by Alison
  • What Do I Believe?
    Christianity Church 

    What Do I Believe?

    August 10, 2010 by Alison

CHRISTIANITY GUIDE

Christianity

Dented Fenders: Why Christianity Has to Do Better

January 7, 2013 by Alison
No comment
Christianity

A Christian’s Extravagant Community

January 3, 2013 by Alison
No comment
Christianity

What Do I Believe?

August 10, 2010 by Alison
No comment

TRENDING TOPICS

God’s Table: Playing Musical Chairs and Losing
God's Table 
January 11, 2013 by Alison

God’s Table: Playing Musical Chairs and Losing

I’m a pastor for a Christian denomination where communion is one of only two sacraments observed. It’s pretty important to us. Recently with the debate over homosexuality in the church, including membership, ordination, same-sex marriage, etc., communion has frequently defined the analogy…

January 11, 2013 by Alison
Continue Reading
Christianity

Dented Fenders: Why Christianity Has to Do Better

January 7, 2013 by Alison
No comment
Christianity

A Christian’s Extravagant Community

January 3, 2013 by Alison
No comment
Christmas Letter

Joseph & Mary’s Christmas Letter

December 23, 2012 by Alison
No comment
Christianity

What Do I Believe?

August 10, 2010 by Alison
No comment

TOP STORIES

A Christian’s Extravagant Community

A Christian’s Extravagant Community

January 3, 2013 by Alison

I cringe when I hear Christians respond to the "spiritual but not religious" by extolling the importance of community. Yes, we all need community for spirituality. We are social creatures.…

No comment
Continue Reading
Joseph & Mary’s Christmas Letter

Joseph & Mary’s Christmas Letter

December 23, 2012 by Alison

Dear friends and family back in Nazareth: season’s greetings! Mary reminded me that we really shouldn’t get into a new year without sending you all a note to update developments…

No comment
Continue Reading
What Do I Believe?

What Do I Believe?

August 10, 2010 by Alison

Too often when this type of question is asked, one of the results is that people can now put you in one camp or another. You are either “pro this”…

No comment
Continue Reading
  • Popular
  • Comments
  • Tags
Christian Podcasts

Favorite Christian Podcasts

January 4, 2023
No comment
Christmas Letter

Joseph & Mary’s Christmas Letter

December 23, 2012
No comment
Christianity

A Christian’s Extravagant Community

January 3, 2013
No comment
No comments found.
No tags created.

AROUND THE WEB

God’s Table: Playing Musical Chairs and Losing

January 11, 2013 by Alison
No comment

Dented Fenders: Why Christianity Has to Do Better

January 7, 2013 by Alison
No comment

A Christian’s Extravagant Community

January 3, 2013 by Alison
No comment

Joseph & Mary’s Christmas Letter

December 23, 2012 by Alison
No comment

What Do I Believe?

August 10, 2010 by Alison
No comment

LATEST NEWS & EVENTS

Favorite Christian Podcasts

January 4, 2023November 12, 2022
Christian Podcasts

Looking for a podcast on religion? Here is a collection of Christian podcasts to take into consideration, whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of the Bible or discover a new, entertaining angle on your faith.

Christian podcasts for adults:

  • Joanna Kimbrel and Stefanie Boyles, the hosts of the podcast Daily Grace, encourage women to delve deeper into their Bible studies and gain a better knowledge of God’s presence in their life.
  • Pray the Word: Host, writer, and pastor David Platt provides quick reflections and prayers that are ideal for your everyday commute.
  • Annie F. Downs That sounds  fun, Christian author and speaker Annie Downs offers her viewpoint on current Christian issues while incorporating guest interviews, chats, and evaluations of books, restaurants, travel destinations, and music.
  • WHOA That’s Good, Sadie Robertson Huff of “Duck Dynasty” is the host of a lighthearted and motivational podcast where she solicits the greatest advice from influential people.
  • Right Side Up: Danielle Strickland, a well-known author, lecturer, and voice on faith and justice, and World Vision have launched a new video podcast called Right Side Up. She examines the invitation of Jesus by examining the Beatitudes and provides suggestions for how to modify our lives in accordance with them. Alongside Latasha Morrison, “Be the Bridge” In the struggle for racial justice, Latasha, a best-selling and award-winning novelist, is a powerful voice.
  • Author and pastor John Mark Comer and author Jefferson Bethke discuss the detrimental consequences of ‘fight hustle and end hurry’ on our spiritual lives and what we can do to overcome them in their book Fight Hustle, End Hurry.
  • Dharius Daniels, M.D. Each week, Dharius and guests discuss issues related to faith, life, and culture.
  • BibleProject: In this well-liked series, which is now accessible in illustrated videos, pastor Tim Mackie and author Jon Collins take listeners on a trip through Scripture texts.

Christian podcasts

Christian podcasts for kids:

  • The Bible is read to children tale by story, and Jesus appears in every one of them.
  • Kids Bible Stories: The podcast shares the Bible with young listeners in an approachable manner, assisting them in making connections about how the Bible pertains to their life.
  • The podcast, titled “Jesus is Better,” encourages young listeners to grow in their faith and ask themselves whether they should follow God’s plan or their own.
  • The Chuck Swindoll creation Paws and Tales tells the stories of woodland creatures who discover the meaning of life and God.

Christian podcasts for parents:

  • Risen Motherhood by Laura Wifler and Emily Jensen discuss the highs and lows of raising children in their book Risen Motherhood.
  • Fathers, this one is for you! Legacy Dads Every subject that affects Christian fathers today is covered in the podcast, including marriage, parenting, societal issues, theology, and more.

4 Companies Radically Shaped by the Faith of Their Owners

December 4, 2022November 12, 2022
The Faith

Christians believes that Monday through Friday belong to the entire world whereas Sundays belongs mainly to the God within any work environment that also focuses production, speed, as well as profitability. But the Bible encourages Christians to lead more balanced lives.


Although Peter Demos started his career as a lawyer, he grew up in the family restaurant. However, his heart yearned for the hospitality sector and the restaurants, which were full of potential and memories. In his thirties, after successfully operating a restaurant for 12 years, he committed his life to Christ. Demos’ ability to become the successful restaurateur he is today, with four Demos’ Restaurant locations and two PDK Southern Kitchen locations, as well as an author, speaker, and the leader of a dozen organisations, was made possible by his initial act of listening to God.

Camp Gladiator’s Jeff Davidson. The day of Jeff Davidson’s wedding marked not just the commencement of his marriage but also the beginning of a collaborative business relationship. Ally ran away for giving the audition for American Gladiator, just few hours of her wedding. She returned in time to walk down the aisle while the meal was being cooked and the flowers were being delivered.

She also won the American Gladiator Grand Championship after few months. Jeff and Ally launched Camp Gladiator with 40 individuals and a stack of cones in a parking lot using the winnings. Camp Gladiator has more than 1,200 trainers who have altered more than 300,000 lives, and known as the nation’s fastest-growing fitness business.

Sam Thevanayagam is a person of warmth and professionalism who is also filled with the Holy Spirit. As the chief executive of Parts Life, Inc., he directs the company’s efforts to locate replacement parts and provide supply chain and obsolescence solutions to numerous military branches, particularly those in the aerospace, automotive, and construction equipment industries. Thevanayagam began his professional life in the auto sector. Then again, he lost his job after 12 years. Thevanayagam recognised he would need to recreate himself as a professional due to a strong non-compete clause. He provided consulting services for a period before founding Parts Life in 2007, just as the recession was getting started. Money was scarce. Thevanayagam suffered with stress as he tried to provide a roof over his family’s head and health insurance for his five kids, three of whom constantly risked the risk of getting hurt playing football.

Holy Spirit

In 1988, Joan Maxwell and her husband, Owen, established Regulator Marine. Their sportfishing boats are designed by Owen, and everyone else answers to Joan. Maxwell, the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s first female chair, is familiar with the feeling of being in new waters. In terms of her professional life, she is frequently the only woman in the room because she was the first member of her family to complete college. Maxwell learnt how to develop discipline and accountability within the organisation to carry out her goal in this life-giving, nondiscriminatory environment.

Facts Every Christian Should Know About Peace

November 6, 2022November 2, 2022
Every Christian

Peace is a stress-free state of calmness that comes without hostility and violence. It is commonly used to mean a state of mutual harmony between people or groups and personal relations.

Peace of  God

Having the peace of God, which surpasses all understandings, means being freed from the burden of sin. When you are freed from the burden of sin, you will experience an indescribable calm from the inside. The calm rests upon every child of God at the time of salvation. You are not working for that peace, but it comes to you because you are in harmony with God. Connection with God, who were once separated from God because of sin, is now reconnected with God.

Peace

The condition of sinners, when separated from Christ, is estranged from promised covenants and without God in the world. But all who have thought Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior have also received God’s peace. The Harmony with God is beyond all understanding.

There is nothing to worry about and in all situations, through prayer and petition,  present your requests to God. The peace of God, which surpasses everything, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

The Bible says incredible things about the peace of God.

  1. The birth of Jesus Christ brought the peace of God to the earth.
  2. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and we can experience God’s peace here on earth through him.
  3. He told his disciples that he left peace for everyone. His peace is different from the peace the world bestows.
  4. God has promised peace to his people if they keep his commandments and obey his laws.
  5. Peace was part of the priestly blessing God commanded Aaron and his sons through Moses to give Israel.
  6. God’s peace allows us to sleep and stay safe.
  7. Those who love God’s word have God’s peace, and they can never be offended. To stumble means to fall into sin or error or make a mistake.
  8. When the Lord pleases someone, he brings peace to his enemies.
  9. The wicked will not know the peace of God.
  10. The peace of the Lord gives long life and brings good things.

Jesus Christ

The only thing you should do to experience God’s peace is to confess your sins and believe Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then, pray if you want to invite Christ into your heart and experience God’s peace. If you have prayed sincerely, I rejoice with you and welcome you into the family of God. Our fear turns to peace because Jesus gave us peace, which remains. After all, we now have peace with the Father. As we experience eternal peace through reconciliation with God in Christ, we also receive the gift of his Holy Spirit. Through him, we enjoy the blessing of peace in our daily lives, even when we are in turmoil.

Inspiring Bible Verses about Faith

October 25, 2022
Bible Verses

Faith and hope are the two pillars in life that keep us going forward, with the expectation of something good to come along the way. Being a believer in this money-centric world is a huge challenge, not only mentally but also socially. The regular ups and downs in life can even raise doubts in a staunch believer’s mind. However, countless Bible verses help believers reignite faith in God and illuminate their knowledge.

If you’re looking for such verses, you have landed on the right page as we have jotted down inspiring Bible verses about faith.

Matthew

Verses from Matthew have helped people worldwide restore their faith in God through the Holy Bible. It has ignited new hops in old as well as new generations.

Holy Bible

Matthew 9:2

“Take heart, my son, as your sins are forgiven.”

Matthew 15:28

It talks about the faith of women, which helps them achieve whatever they desire.

Matthew 21:22

“Whatever you as in prayer, you will receive if you have faith.”

John

John 3:16 comprises the best verses for people to have faith and reignite faith in God.

John 8:24

It says that if a person does not believe that Jesus is God, then the person will die of his sins.

John 7:38

“Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow within him.”

John 5:5

“Who will overcome the world? Only the one who believes in Jesus is the Son of God.”

Romans

Romans have explained the power of having faith and how the path of faith in God can take us to different heights. The format of Roman verses speaks to the hearts.

Romans 10:17

“Faith comes from hearing through the words of God.”

Romans 10:9

“If you believe that Jesus is God, believe in your heart that God raised him from death, and you will be saved.”

Romans 1:17

“Righteousness ill live by faith.”

Ephesians

The verses by Ephesians impart the idea of grace and love in God. They also explain faith and how the love for Jesus will save us from the agony of life.

 

grace and loveEphesians 2:8-9

“The faith of the grace has saved you, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 6:16

“In all the circumstances, take up the path of faith, with which you can extinguish all flames of the evil one.”

James

James’ verses offer new levels of perspective for people undergoing turmoil in life. His words give hope to people and lead them on the path of faith.

James 1:5-6

“If you need wisdom, ask God, and he will give it to you.

James 1:2-4

“Whenever trouble comes your way, you should consider it an opportunity of joy. Likewise, endurance also has a chance to grow when faith is tested.”

Five reasons why stroker toys will be your best friend

October 24, 2022October 24, 2022

When it comes to self-pleasure, we all seem to have discovered all tips and tricks. Males start pleasuring themselves somewhere between 12-15 years of age. Therefore, by the time they reach their sexual maturity at 15-20 years of age, they become pretty confident in their ability to orgasm. However, with the advent of technology, new gadgets have started popping up every other fortnight, giving men new ways to self-pleasure.

One such innovative toy is the stroker toy. Stroker toys, also known as male masturbators, are simple devices that emulate the feeling of penetrative sex. Be it a wet tight sensation of a tight pussy or the insane pleasures of a sloppy blowjob, you get to experience everything with just a single toy.

 

In this article, I give you five golden reasons why you MUST have a stroker toy. These realistic masturbators will spice up your sex life like never before and will soon be your true best friend.

 

Am I qualified enough to comment on stroker toys?

 

Well, with an experience of 15 years of reviewing sex toys and writing thousands of adult articles, I think I am well qualified to comment on the recent developments in sex toys in general. As far as stroker toys or realistic masturbators are concerned, I consider myself a connoisseur of sex toys. Hence it is only fair that I have had over a dozen strokers lying in my cupboard.

 

Therefore, with decades of experience writing adult blogs and using realistic masturbators, I consider myself qualified to have an opinion on these modern-day beauties.

 

Five reasons why you should have a stroker toy:

 

  • Realistic AF!
    You would be surprised to see how incredibly realistic these stroker toys tend to be. The renowned toys have intricate textures on their inner lining that perfectly emulate the vagina. With ribs, dots, and other artifacts, you are in for a fantastic session every time you use realistic masturbators. Get one at Twice Tonight. 
  • Ability to switch up things.
    Many guys, like me, tend to get bored very quickly. I get tired of using the same masturbation technique after a week. But with stroker toys, you can switch up the sensation very easily.
    Almost every aspect of strokers is customizable, from the heating sensation to rhythms to the inner texture. So change it as frequently as you desire, and you experience a fresh sensation every time. 
  • Waterproof
    Most realistic masturbators have an IPX7 rating. This means that you can now shift your naughty session to your bathroom. Sit in the tub or float in the pool and enjoy your sessions with some waterplay. You’ll indeed thank me for this. 
  • Forget the hassles of courtship!
    Let’s be honest here. Tinder isn’t for everyone or picking up girls at the club. You’ve to be the coolest and sassiest dude in the club to pick up the chicks you desire. Even then, you wouldn’t know if she’s going to give you the V or not.
    Forget all this nuisance with the stroker toys; click here. With this simple device, you experience unmatched sexual pleasures every time. Getting the joys of sex is just a click away now.


  • Biosafe in every aspect
    Even if you find a partner to jump in bed with, staying infection-free is a big concern. These days one can quickly get a buffet of infectious diseases with simple sexual contact.
    The stroker toys remove all such fears. Here you get to enjoy yourself for as long as you desire. No fear of any infection or STD! 
  • Bonus Point: Affordable and discreet
    Stroker toys are the most affordable and discreet options to emulate the actual sensation of sex. You can find a good toy for as low as $30.
    But my advice would be to shell out a few more dollars to get a better one.
    You will cherish this one-time investment all your life, so don’t be too frugal about it.
    Lastly, unlike girls, your device won’t gossip with others about how you are in bed. So if you’ve any secrets to hide, it’ll stay safe between you and your stroker toy! *wink wink*

 

All these point to one fact: Stroker Toys are a man’s best friend.

If you’re still confused about whether to get one for yourself or not, I’d say take your leap of faith in me and buy one. Use it for a month, and you’ll be surprised to see how incredible this toy is. Not only will it take care of your sexual health, but it will also boost your confidence. So go ahead and grab a realistic masturbator right now!

 

 

Here is Why Millennium Development Goals Need the Church

September 9, 2022August 29, 2022
Millennium Development

The United Nations Millennium Summit, which took place in 2000 and saw the ratification of the United Nations Millennium Proclamation, resulted in the establishment of the eight international development targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for the calendar year 2015. The OECD DAC International Development Objectives adopted by Cooperation Secretaries in the “Defining the 21st Century Plan” served as the foundation for these. The MDGs were replaced with the Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs) later on.

They are a follow-up.

The United Nations established the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in September 2000 as a set of global objectives to improve the state of the globe. The year 2015 was set as the timeframe for achieving every one nine MDGs. Even though they haven’t been huge hits, they have been relatively profitable.

They have grown.

The widespread view is that there are several topics that the MDGs did not mention that ought to be addressed. As a result, 17 SDGs and 169 objectives have been suggested following a worldwide discussion encompassing more than 70 nations.

Civility: Bringing a stop to gender stereotypes and destitution.

Individuals: Providing that everyone has access to the top schooling and leads a healthier lifestyle free from starvation.

World: Ensuring that everyone has access to safe water and effective hygiene while also combating environmental issues.

Cooperation: For the successful execution of sustainable development, the international collaboration must be strengthened.

Righteousness is the promotion of secure, tranquil, and effective institutions. Happiness is the creation of healthy, creative industries on a global scale, the reduction of inequality, the provision of adequate employment for all, and the pursuit of inclusive, secure, and durable communities.

It’s time to conduct business.

The MDGs were considered as being primarily driven by authorities and non-profit organisations engaged in capacity building. This season, the financial sector is anticipated to contribute to accomplishing the goals because some of them are connected to productivity expansion.

advancement

Further than assistance, a thriving economy may help people escape poverty. The economy can only accomplish so much; it cannot solve all problems in fragile states and nations with very low levels of advancement.

Conclusion

The SDGs promote the expansion of the global compassion for the underprivileged. Their success is dependent just as much on how we as folks and congregations manage our finances, the causes we support, and the purchases we choose. A new, inclusive, and innovative paradigm for the environment, the SDGs. Even though some of the SDGs build on the advantages of the BMS, others will force us to find fresh solutions to problems that may arise in the upcoming decades.

Why is it Important to Have Sacrificial Love?

August 18, 2022August 27, 2022
Sacrificial Love

Jesus taught us that real love is self-sacrificing. He gave His life as a sacrifice so that we might find redemption. He nonetheless made the decision to sacrifice in our stead, although His selfless deed resulted in agony and sorrow.

Love Is More Than Simply an Emotion

Most individuals believe that love is merely a sensation. Love merely refers to a pleasant or delightful emotion when seen as an emotion. If love is merely a feeling, individuals may drift both into and out of it. The Bible, though, presents an alternative viewpoint.

Reflecting God's love

Love is much more than an emotion. You carry out this action. “Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech but with acts and in reality,” the apostle John writes in his epistle, serves as a reminder of this reality (1 John 3:18). Whenever we admire someone, it shows in the manner we behave and conduct ourselves around them (James 2:16; 1 John 3:17).

Reflecting God’s love via our deeds is one way we can do that. He did not only show love will toward people and wish well for us. As an alternative, “God demonstrated his immense love for us by delivering Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8, NLT).

Jesus Christ embodies the most love a person can ever know. We can freely accept His salvation offer if we put our confidence in Him because He decided to die in the place of sinful mankind (Ephesians 2:5, 8-9).

Here is how to practice it

Take time to pay attention.

Ecclesiastes 3:7, which talks about self-sacrificial love, teaches us that there is “a moment to remain silent and a moment to voice.” Whenever it pertains to voicing your ideas, love implies giving something up. Listening to your partner without interjecting rather than disagreeing with them.

In addition to demonstrating love and respect, the ability to listen will enhance relationships and communication and increase your spouse’s level of comfort while sharing their emotions with you.

pay attention

Spare some time

Your leisure is one item you can give up for your loved ones, including your acquaintances, family, and kids. Self-care is crucial, and that includes taking time for yourself, although one of the most precious things you can offer others is your attention and affection.

Create a strong sense of compassion

Empathy for your partner will strengthen your marriage and take it to greater levels. It enables you to see things from someone else’s point of view and make choices that are good for both you and your spouse. When couples are able to put their self in each other’s situations, their emotional connection is improved.

 

God’s Table: Playing Musical Chairs and Losing

January 11, 2013August 23, 2022
God's Table

I’m a pastor for a Christian denomination where communion is one of only two sacraments observed. It’s pretty important to us.

Recently with the debate over homosexuality in the church, including membership, ordination, same-sex marriage, etc., communion has frequently defined the analogy for the debate. It often appears in the form of ‘how do we be inclusive and welcoming of all people to the table?’

As our society has made strides in social and legal equality for those LGBTQ persons who have been historically disenfranchised, the church has lagged behind and struggled with not only a debate of basic, fundamental rights for the LGBTQ community, but also has had to deal with religious, scriptural and ecclesial questions. It’s not just ‘is it right?’, but ‘is it right in the eyes of God and in our faith tradition?’

In our denomination, I have heard a question related to LGBTQ equality in the Christian Church expressed using the table analogy. That question distills to something like this: ‘If we embrace the liberal perspective and make room at the table for LGBTQ persons, are we pushing away from the table the more conservative folks, who in many instances have tolerated the change at the table as we made room for those who had been disenfranchised?’

An interesting question, but one that has some assumptions and presumptions that must be addressed to honestly answer the question of including in the faith process versus excluding (and pushing some away from) the faith process.

It has to do with an economics concept: that of Nash equilibria (John Nash, the real-life subject of the movie, “A BRILLIANT MIND,” and Nobel-winning economist) and zero-sum versus non-zero sum games (or economies or life, for that matter). Zero-sum and non-zero sum, even if you’ve never heard of them, are very important to our fundamental understanding of the nature of God and omnipotence. A zero sum game like Monopoly assumes that if one person wins another must loose. There are a finite set of resources and players compete for them. A zero sum game must end in a win-lose manner. A non-zero sum game like The Prisoner’s Dilemma assumes that there are not limited resources and that players can play the game, collaborate and orchestrate a win-win ending.

I’d like to suggest – again not addressing the issues that have been debated regarding liberal/conservative and why we’ve had to ‘make room at the table’ —our society and culture tends to be ‘zero sum’ and to perceive life as having a fixed, finite set of resources for which we must compete. And therefore, if someone ‘gets’ another person must ‘lose.’ Our national economies and our personal economies are generally built on zero-sum assumptions. Negotiations, competitions for jobs, personal economic transactions, etc. all speak to a notion that we have to do better than the next person, because if we are to win, it will be at their expense and vice-versa.

Now—we run into a real puzzle when we ascribe zero-sum thinking to faith journey. Basically, if we adhere to a conventional and scriptural understanding of God as infinite and omnipotent, it is not possible to ‘push someone away from the table.’ God’s table can accommodate everyone. That means that making room for someone at the table or pushing someone away from the table must encompass two aspects that have to be examined: first, what is the nature of God’s table, through Jesus Christ, exemplified by Jesus’ example and teaching? Are there limitations? Most important, is the table in any way exclusive? Is there anyone who cannot be accommodated at the table? Does God set a table where mutual exclusivity can exist? Is it possible that if one person/group/identity is permitted at the table, another person/group/identity must be denied? Can mutual exclusivity be applied to any two persons/groups/identities within God’s creation?

Can we—in any way—assess the breadth, depth and elasticity of God’s ability to accommodate all the diverse components of creation? Even if we were able to discern whom God, through Jesus Christ would accept/reject, is that our purview? Basically, how do we decide if God’s love is zero-sum, or even can approximate zero-sum, with some being permitted ‘at the table’ meaning that others cannot be present?

A completely separate issue is the second aspect: If we decide, ‘yes, God’s table will accommodate some and not others,’ who fits which category? That’s where most of the equality/inequailty debate in the church today has centered. But the reality is: are we trying to retrofit belonging to a belonging template that doesn’t exist? Have we rushed so haphazardly to decide who is worthy and who is not worthy that we have ignored the fact that such debate seems to limit God and to set our human, finite, limited understanding as the model for God’s table?

Is zero-sum and mutual exclusivity a function of our societal and cultural existence that has slopped over into our definition of God’s nature and how God conducts ‘business’ with humankind? And if that’s true, is it legitimate and defensible? Our understanding of the nature of God needs to be addressed and understood before we begin contemplation of someone being pushed away from God as a result of human perceptions and actions.

Maybe, just maybe, God’s table is larger than our ability to imagine and more accommodating than we can possibly conceive. Here’s hoping . . .

Dented Fenders: Why Christianity Has to Do Better

January 7, 2013August 23, 2022
Christianity

Driving to work not long ago, I pulled up behind a blue Ford Fusion. Nice enough car. I happened to glance at the license plate holder, which read: “I retired from Ford. I still drive one.” Looking at the big dent in the fender, it occurred to me to add: “but not particularly well.”

Then I got to thinking: “I don’t imagine Ford much appreciates that kind of publicity, no matter how well intended.”

Who would? Nobody wants to be identified solely by their fans. The Who don’t want to be too closely identified with the enthusiasts in Cincinnati, who trampled 11 people to death trying to get into a general admission concert in 1979.

That’s the thought that popped into my mind yesterday as I had a conversation with my fifteen year-old son, the skeptic. He, like so many in his generation, is a voracious consumer of media. As a consequence, his exposure to popular Christianity is largely negative. Most of what he sees portrayed on Reddit and YouTube are the dolts and wingnuts who tend to trample saner depictions of the faith in a stampede to be noticed by a voracious public that feeds on doltishness and wingnuttery.

As a consequence, many of his heroes are the (usually sarcastic) people willing to call out slobbering reductionism when they see it. Many of his heroes are actively agnostic, if not atheist. He loves to see the dented fenders of the faith lampooned.

We had a conversation yesterday, however, in which he said something that meant a great deal to me. A documentary done by New Atheist icon, Richard Dawkins—who, interestingly enough, my son thinks is guilty of much of the same fundamentalist enthusiasm as the people he ridicules—came up on Netflix. After making disparaging remarks about Dawkins, he said: “You know, I’ve noticed something: when they do these documentaries on the shortcomings of Christianity, they don’t ever show the kind of Christianity you talk about.”

My first reaction was: “Boom!” And as tempting as it would be to write with glowing self-referentialism about “my faith,” I won’t, for a couple of reasons:

You deserve better than that.
There’s a larger point to be made about the contrast between popular Christianity—as it’s usually portrayed—and following Jesus, which apparently isn’t bizarre enough to get its own show on TLC.
So, I said to my son: “The irony is, I wouldn’t want to defend the Christianity by which the New Atheists are so outraged. I’m outraged by it, too.”

A common assumption in our culture is that James Dobson holds the Christian position with respect to gay people; that if it comes out of the perpetually smiling mouth of Joel Osteen, it’s gospel; that if the American Family Association asserts it, the rest of Christianity is simply awaiting its marching orders.

Fortunately, the popular conception of Christianity isn’t Christianity. Unfortunately, apparently most people don’t know that.

Here’s my problem: I’m tired of having to do all the heavy lifting of trying to follow Jesus, while at the same time trying to live down the bad publicity generated by his most vocal followers.

I’m willing to acknowledge that I sound like a petulant jerk when I say this. But I spend so much time around young people (university students) who think they already know everything they need to know about Christianity because they have a concerned aunt who spends her evenings forwarding interesting “news” stories from the 700 Club about why, if there is global warning, it’s because Barack Obama is heading up a secret one world government cabal determined to kill Christians and stay one step ahead of the Great Tribulation.

How about this:

Why not be just as concerned about finding ways to feed the 16.7 million American children who, through no fault of their own, live in homes that are never sure there’s going to be food on the table, than about sparing the rich from paying more taxes?1
Why not be just as vocal about the impact of divorce on the institution of marriage (about which Jesus had a great deal to say) as about the impact of same gender marriage (about which Jesus had nothing to say)?2
Why not express a concern about the potentially deteriorative effect of American consumerism on faith, instead of trying to baptize American consumerism by putting crosses and Jesus fish on merchandise and calling them “Christian?”3
How about a hat tip to the ideals of pacifism (something about which Jesus had a great deal to say), rather than feverishly working to preserve the rights of people to own assault rifles for the purposes of armed conflict (about which Jesus spoke no words that could be considered consolation to the armed)?4
In other words:

Why not worry about living your life so that it makes a positive impression on those who don’t believe what you believe, instead of trying to impress those who already share your convictions?
I’ve got a fifteen year-old son who’s watching … and he’s got friends. They are all over dented fenders.

I realize that this is a conflation of Evangelicalism and Republican politics, a generalization that doesn’t hold across the board. However, I think my assertion of the relationship between the two is true enough across a broad to withstand scrutiny.
“Born again Christians are more likely to disapprove of homosexuality than divorce” (Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity, 94).
According to the CBA, the Association for Christian Retail: “Nearly 12% of Americans spend more than $50 a month on religious products, and another 11% spend $25 to $29, according to a national survey of 1,721 adults by Baylor University. One in three Americans surveyed made at least one purchase in a Christian bookstore in 2005, says Baylor sociologist Jerry Park. They’re buying books, music, DVDs, toys, gifts, home decor and “witness wear” such as jewelry, T-shirts and more.”What exactly is communicated by the “witness” these folks are “wearing?” WWJD? Buy stuff, it would seem.
Conflation again, I know. It is interesting to note, however, that according to a Public Religion Research Institute/Religion News Survey, only 8% of White Evangelical Christians polled thought that the most important thing that could be done to prevent mass shootings in the United States was “stricter gun control laws and enforcement,” as opposed to 36% who thought the answer was putting “more emphasis on God and morality in school and society.”

A Christian’s Extravagant Community

January 3, 2013August 23, 2022
Christianity

I cringe when I hear Christians respond to the “spiritual but not religious” by extolling the importance of community. Yes, we all need community for spirituality. We are social creatures.

But, while there is truth in this response it is based upon an unproven assumption. That is, that the “spiritual but not religious” lead the lives of hermits never talking with friends about their faith journeys. The community-defense also assumes that community must take an organized form. It does not.

More troublesome about the community-defense, however, is that it allows followers of Jesus to avoid our own failings. Too often churches are not places of community. Community is about caring for one another in deep ways. It is about assuring that everyone has their basic needs met. The reality is we spend more time worshiping consumerism and capitalism than we do sharing with our neighbor–even those within our churches.

Too many churches have within their midst those struggling in very real ways while others live in relative laps of luxury. Aside from this being contrary to the teachings of our purported savior, the attitude of the relatively wealthy community members disturbs me. In my experience, when help is provided it comes with strings and pettiness. We reflect the resentment of a culture that elevates rugged individualism to idolatry.

Within this context of blaming the victim, we operate not out of extravagant love but out of begrudging duty. We do not believe that Jesus fed the whole crowd with a few loaves and fish. We fear that if we give too much to someone, even someone within our own community, there will not be enough for us.

Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Trustworthy God of Abundance, You give extravagant, undeserved grace. We give out of love, limited by our human fears and worries. Help us to trust in your abundance, help us to love you as you love us. Help us to give lavishly to others, within the koinonia, and to the whole human family.

Copyright © 2022 D Mergent | All Rights Reserved.
Designed & Developed by Sparkle Themes