Bill Berger.org

The fog is lifting...kinda

I figured out something, I think. It is truly "work" to keep up with all the tech stuff that is supposed to keep me cutting edge and relevant. Well, I think I am losing the cutting edge and relevant battle. I have twitter, Facebook, a blog and something else that i can't think of right now. I am trimming the fat off of my tech stuff and going to pick two mediums only. So, what would you,(now limited readers on this blog because I have been so neglectful in posts) recommend?

1. Twitter/Facebook

2. Twitter/blog

3. Blog/Facebook

4. Blog/Twitter

How clever of me to get you all involved. (rolling eyes).

Blogging, fb and twitter...oh my

I was surprised to see that their were still hits on my blog after my 20 day hiatus. I am looking forward to getting back into the blogging routine, but trying to figure out what is realistic. I have to admit, the social media is frustrating because it seems to be the easy way out when it comes to being clever, thoughtful or insightful. 

I have a lot of stuff I want to get out just to see reactions, thoughts and criticisms. I want to write about some cultural stuff (Farrah and MJ), church stuff, philosophy, strategy and vision, its not that I am the authority on any of that, I just want to hear what people are thinking and discovering. 

Anyway, there is some random babble, I am really looking forward to getting some stuff out there. So, check my twitter and Facebook for more...hahaha.

Wellman Tweets

I will be posting a summary of our time with Dr. James Wellman later today. In the mean time, catch some updates from me on twitter.

What do you think?

I found this quote on Andrew Sullivan's blog. It blew my mind to see that it was from 1981. As a pastor, I don't feel it is my calling to wade into political scuffles, I don't think I am wise enough. I am interested to hear from you readers.

"There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God's name on one's behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent.

If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both. I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.' Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? And I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my vote on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today: I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of 'conservatism,'" – Barry Goldwater, Congressional Record, September 16, 1981.

Want to get the word out on this...

Post Christian America?

Newsweek just published this article. What do you think? Read here.

Things that make you go, hmmmm...

Check out this article about a Seattle Episcopalian minister being defrocked for practicing Islam. My friend, Jim Wellman makes a good point in the article. I would like to hear your reaction, please leave a comment. You can read the CNN article here.

The Hood

I have been walking my 'hood for two reasons; I need the exercise and I have been praying for the people who live up here. I love my city, I love the people in my neighborhood, I hope to have conversations with as many as I can. I ask God for wisdom, "what will it take to have a conversation with these people?" I ask for insight, "what are they looking for spiritually? Are they hungry or thirsty?" I ask for a strategy, "Jesus, help us serve the food and water of your Spirit that will bring them to the table."

It grieves me to think that many have no idea how much Jesus loves them. The gospel compels us to love the unconvinced, to serve and love and be an example of who Jesus is.

I think this quote from Alan Hirsch is absolutely correct:

"how can we legitimately call ourselves Christ-ian, unless what we are doing is built squarely on the rock of Jesus and takes its direct agenda (and direct cues for its organizations and lifestyle) from him?"

The church must not build its identity on a pesonality, it must be built on THE person of Jesus Christ. This is how we create a movement, change a city and it's culture. We subversively bring Jesus into the foreground and we move to the background. It is Jesus who calls, rescues and delivers, not any man or woman.

Walkin' the 'hood get me thinkin'.

The economy in crisis 101

How has this economic crisis affected you?
The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Rev Lowery

Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right. Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.