The Body of Christ is divided. From the East/West schism of 1054 to the modern period of rampant denominationalism (I remember reading somewhere that there are 32 “varieties” of Baptists alone!) the Christian Church exists in a myriad of often closed, competing, and conflicting denominations. Steve Harmon’s new book, Ecumenism Means You, Too is a … Continue reading
Author Archives: krisnorris
Book Review: Apprenticeship with Jesus by Gary Moon
Apprenticeship with Jesus, by Gary W. Moon is a 30-Day journey of personal story, reflection, scripture, and devotional activity aimed at cultivating a renewed sense of discipleship and relationship with Jesus. Moon explains his impetus for this book as the realization that those who self-identify as “Christian” seem to exhibit little difference in their daily … Continue reading
Review of Faith Postures, by Holly Sprink
Taking a cue from her yoga class instructions, Holly Sprink frames the Christian life in terms of “noticing” and practicing certain postures in the new publication, Faith Postures. She notes in the introduction, as Christians begin to observe our own lives and how God is interacting with us, we can better respond to God. In … Continue reading
Movie Review: To Save a Life
I have a proclivity toward skepticism of most any overtly “Christian” movie. Stemming from experiences watching the “cheese” and melodrama of Left Behind and Facing the Giants, I did not expect anything different from To Save a Life, the newest in the growing Christian film industry. This time, I was wrong. While certainly not perfect, … Continue reading
Book Review: Tending to Eden, by Scott Sabin
In Tending to Eden: Environmental Stewardship for God’s People, Scott Sabin outlines the story of Plant with Purpose (PWP), a Christian non-profit agency seeking to resolve issues of poverty and environmental degradation, while emphasizing the important of environmental stewardship for Christians. As director of PWP, Sabin describes his discovery of the close connection between the … Continue reading
Book Review: Earth Gospel by Sam Hamilton-Poore
Earth Gospel is a four week guide to Christian prayer and meditation for God’s creation. Compiled and written by Sam Hamilton-Poore, Professor of Christian Spirituality at San Francisco Theological Seminary, this resource offers scripture readings, reflections, and prayers for morning, midday, and evening meditation times, all focusing on aspects of the environment, stewardship, praise, and … Continue reading
Book Review: Free for All, by Tim Conder and Dan Rhodes
At a time when many churches are simultaneously wondering how to connect with people in a postmodern context while looking for practical ways to remain faithful to their calling, Tim Conder and Dan Rhodes point us all to one of the most basic (and perhaps most forgotten) practices of the church: reading scripture in community. … Continue reading
A Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent: Where it all Begins
Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is Peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease. – (O Holy Night, traditional Advent Hymn) Christmas. The time of Santa Claus, of joy, of presents. It is also … Continue reading
The First Thanksgiving, or You are what you eat
The following devotional was given at CBF Staff Gathering, November 11. Scripture Reading: John 6:48-60, 66. “Eat my flesh and drink my blood.” When we hear phrases like these, we most likely think of zombies, cannibals, or vampires; Jesus is probably not the first thing to come to mind. This was true for Jesus’ disciples … Continue reading
The Prize of Peace, or What in the world does peace mean?
I am not one to often write about secular politics. In the end, I think national politics pales in comparison to the importance of the politics of Jesus and the “political” work of the church through its witness to the Way of Christ. In the case of last week’s Nobel Peace Prize award and the … Continue reading
