Thanks for visiting our blog. We could use your help in encouraging a few more people to read our text every Tuesday and then post about it. We didn't reach our goal of an average of 10 people posting each week in January. Let's see if we can get there over the next few weeks. Spread the word about the blog - all ages are welcome.

The text this week is Colossians 2: 16-23. Right now, without yet hearing from any of you, I'm leaning towards a continuation of the last week and focusing on three "red flags" out of this passage. Paul points out that there is an issue if someone:
1) requires more than Jesus requires (vv. 16, 20-22)
2) adds to Jesus teachings (v. 18)
3) recieves glory instead of Jesus (vv. 18, 19, 23)

You've invited to:
- Ask Questions
- Make Observations
- Tell a Story
- Share an Insight

Remeber, there is no need to make your comment "nice and pretty." Also, don't forget that you can comment about other people's posts. Click on the title of this post to see comments.

"All That We Need"

Text - Colossians 2:6-15

Study Guide: The Letter to the Colossians

Wikipedia - Cubic Zirconia

"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." ~ C.S. Lewis

Amazon - 18322 results in "spiritual" book search

How Do Circumcision and Baptism correspond? - Sermon from John Piper


Discussion Questions:

(starting at 10:45 am)
Sadness, Enigma
Fields of Gold, Eva Cassidy
Les Nuits, Nightmares on Wax
Play Dead, Bjork & David Arnold
Northern Sky, Nick Drake
Shout, Tears for Fears
Feeling Good, Nina Simone
Angelica, Lamb

(Self-Directed Prayer)
First Light, Brian Eno

(Communion)
If I Could Be Where You Are, Enya

(starting at 12:30 pm)
Energy 52, Cafe Del Mar
Slip Into Something More Comforatble, Kinobe
What Does Your Soul Look Like, DJ Shadow
Stranger on the Shore, Acker Bilk

(right-click to save)

Our passage for this week that I am inviting your questions and comments on is Colossians 2:6-15. A few weeks ago at Emergent during our conversation at the table I was sitting at someone shared that Jesus is the answer to everything. I wanted to explore this idea that "Jesus is all we need" and "Jesus has done everything we need" with this text from Paul.
I look forward to reading your thoughts. If possible, please post as early in the week as possible for you so that I can have time to think and pray about how this talk needs to be fleshed out.

Background Information - Ancient Corinth
Background Information - Images of Corinth
Background Information - A Brief History of Corinth

In our text Paul says that he would no longer look at people the way the world does. Pretend that you are walking down the street and a very different looking person is coming toward you. This person could be wearing a suit or several piercings, or of a different race, or holding hands with a person of the same gender. What would a worldly person say about them? What would Jesus say about them?

What could we learn from Babbette in the movie "Babbett's Feast?"

Look at these four articles and read them in light of 2 Corinthians 5:16,20.

Article 1 - The Excommunication of Paul
Article 2 - Cultural Refugees in Gay Nightclubs
Article 3 - True Story – What would you do?
Article 4 - Katrina Instpires Generosity of Black Americans

This week I was into soundtracks. Can you tell?

(starting at 10:45 am)
Any Other Name, American Beauty Soundtrack
Cavatina, Deer Hunter Soundtrack
Sibylla, Kingdom of Heaven Soundtrack
The Letter That Never Came, Lemony Snickerts Soundtrack
Gymnopedie No.1, What Lies Beneath Soundtrack
Gabriels Oboe, The Mission Soundtrack
An Ending, Traffic Soundtrack
Light Of Life, Kingdom of Heaven Soundtrack
Closing Credits, A Beautiful Mind Soundtrack

(starting at 12:30 pm)
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Meirelles
Club Nowhere, Blue Man Group
Goodnight and Go, Imogen Heap
High and Dry, Radiohead
Maybe Tomorrow, Stereophonics

Bruce Logue will be preaching this Sunday at Emergent. You can get some info about him off his blog if you want to poke around.
Our text this week is 2 Corinthians 5:11-20.(MSG) We welcome your questions, thoughts and observations. Bruce will be checking our blog this week to see what has been shared about Pauls words here to the Christians in Corinth. Don't hold back, jump in and be a part of the conversation here.

Modern Day "Empire" of Consumerism?

Roman Emipre - background information

The Corporation - Film
Some theologians have compared the modern day corporation, or more specifically global consumerism, to the Roman Empire. I'm including this link, though it is coming from a liberal worldview, because I think the film does have some validity and is valuable to watch - no matter what your political views.
Film Description: The Corporation "explores the nature and spectacular rise of the dominant institution of our time. Footage from pop culture, advertising, TV news, and corporation propoganda, illuminates the corporation's grip on our lives. Taking its legal status as a 'person' to its logical conclusion, the film puts the corporation on the psychiatrist's couch to ask 'What kind of person is it?' "
This movie can be rented at Blockbuster (link) or borrowed from Tom.

Four modern day examples of our "consumer empire"

1) Wal-Mart Takes Over The World - MSN article

2) Starbuck's Campaign - Information from the Organic Consumer's Association. This group can get rather extreme so just toss out whatever doesn't fit for you.
Why Starbuck's? - FAQ
Send an E-Fax to Starbucks CEO, Orin Smith here.

Local coffee shop alternatives that serve better beans:
1) Dry Creek Coffee - in Old Town Clovis (Fair Trade certified) Hours & Location
2) Java City - in Old Town Clovis (offer "Eco-Ground" coffee: rainforest alliance, fair trade, shade-grown/bird friendly. Have to ask for the "eco" coffee, but they do carry it.)
3) Gloria Jeans - Fashion Fair Mall (they use certified Rainforrest Alliance coffee beans)

3) President Bush - This comment in the sermon is not a critique of the current administration as much as it is a reminder that Jesus Christ is the one ultimately in charge of everything, including America. I do however, disagree with the idea that Christians need to vote down the Republican line in order to be faithful to Christ.
In speaking about an empire of consumerism it is very intersting that after 9-11 the President summed up our nation's status by using a business/money metaphor with the statement, "America is open for business."
Do you pray on a regular basis for our administration? - Presidential Prayer Team
For some interesting reading, here is a free .pdf copy of the first chapter from Jim Wallis book, God's Policics. (free chapter) I have this book if you want to borrow it.

4) Microsoft - is there really an explanation needed here? Can you say anti-trust? :)
Windows Anonymous - a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and home with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from the use of Microsoft Windows operating systems. Funny.


Misc Links

Flexitarian - MSN News Story on vegetarians that eat meat.

Biblical background on redemption


Background Links from Last Week:
Ancient city of Colosse

Historical background on Paul's prison letters - Link
Historical background on Colossians - Link

Wiki definitions - Tolerance & Pluralism

(starting at 10:45 am)
Xtal, Alphex Twins
Soul Meets Body, Death Cab by Cutie - Lyrics
Tropfstein, Triola
III Street Blues, Moonrock
Edelgruen, The Orb
Beautiful, Mandalay

(starting at 12:30 pm)
Burning Bright, Ulf Lohmann
Baghira, Markus Guentner and la Grande Illusion
Cascade, Quaid
Iceblink, Pass Into Silence

Thanks to those who have started sharing their thoughts and observations here each week. Feel free to email this page to others as an encouragement and reminder of our weekly interactions to share in preparing for conversations about the text on Sunday. Our goal by the end of this month is to grow to an average of 10 people posting here each week.

Please read through Colossians 1:13-23 and share your observations. This is where I end and you begin posting :)

No mp3's this week. Having FTP issues. Sorry.

Ancient city of Colosse

Historical background on Paul's prison letters - Link
Historical background on Colossians - Link

Wiki definitions - Tolerance & Pluralism


Optical Illusions



Illusion looks like the face of a beautiful woman, but it also looks like a cartoon of a man playing some music on his saxaphone.

Tilt your head to the right, and you'll see a duck. Then turn your head to the left and you'll see a bunny rabbit.

24-7 Prayer - Link
24-7 prayer diaries from around the world - Link

Global and Local
Amnesty International
Ekklesia Project
God's Golden Acre
Habitat for Humanity
iAbolish
IJM
Jubilee
Locks of Love
Poverello House
Sojourners
Volunteer Fresno
Volunteer Match

This week we will begin working our way through the book of Colossians. Our text for this week is Colossians 1:1-14. We need you to read through the passage and post your thoughts, observations, stories and/or prayers.
This interaction is critical for our congregation's hearing of God's Word each week, so thank you for your involvement and contribution!