Jun
09
2010
Worth a Look 6.9.10
From informant to informer: The story of the “Son of Hamas”
He grew up in radicalized Islam in the West Bank, was imprisoned in Israel, and eventually became disgusted with Hamas, the militant group his father helped create. He then came to Christ while working as an informant for Israel’s Shin Bet security service and helped prevent political assassinations.
In my more sober moments, I thank God that He often chooses others besides me to do His most powerful work, because otherwise I don’t think my flesh could handle it… If God always did His best work in a way that “increased” my stature personally, then the self-centeredness of my own heart would probably never be revealed. I would never be able to separate “thy kingdom come” from “my kingdom come.” I would never cease to be Satan and start to be a Son of God.
CNN on the dangers of being spiritual and not religious (HT – Z):
“People seem not to have the time nor the energy or interest to delve deeply into any one faith or religious tradition,” Greeley says. “So they move through, collecting ideas and practices and tenets that most appeal to the self, but making no connections to groups or communities.” Being spiritual instead of religious may sound sophisticated, but the choice may ultimately come down to pettiness…
Ed Stetzer is interviewed about his new book Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers
We advocate the need for an alternative to inward-focused or addition based church planting. Viral Churches contains enough stories for participants in church planting at every level to find inspiration and specific help but we want to see a new breed of planters. Our country needs planters to shift from church planting to church multiplication movements. The message put simply: Church planting needs to go viral.