Gone Is The Written Word - A Preview

This post is a preview of next week here at Ragamuffin Ramblings. I have noticed with the frequency of blogging, I rarely pour out on the written pages of my journal. Since I have been been blogging more and more over the course of the last 6-7 years (has it been that long?!?!), I notice less and less physical writing in my journal; a pastime I cannot ever imagine being rid of (I'd likely die inside). So here is a preview of what all my posts next week will look like...

My Most Favorite Podcasts

- Relevant Magazine Podcast The weekly podcast of Relevant Magazine - You will never get bored listening to this crew and their insights into entertainment, culture, and current events. This is my FAVORITE podcast. - The Moth People telling stories live and without notes. - This can be very inspirational if not just pure enjoyment. I find it helps bring more lively writing of sermons as it relates to the art of telling a story. - Indie Feed Performance Poetry Cutting Edge Performance Poetry - I have recently become addicted to this podcast. Three new poems a week, and it is just great great great poetry by artists doing it right now. - Neue Weekly conversations with ministers and thinkers shaping the future of the Church. - I have only recently begun listening to this podcast. I have been a subscriber to Neue for  quite a while, and I love the quarterly magazine's material. So I expect the same from the podcast.

- Various sermons (Rick McKinley, Matt Chandler, Francis Chan, Rob Bell, etc.) - It is important, as a teacher and pastor, to always be listening to new voices of ministry and teaching. When you are frequently teaching, it is detrimental not to be taught as well.

God's Faith In You

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 Think of the temptation you face the most. What is the temptation it feels you constantly have before you? What is that thing which seems you will never get out from under?

Paul reminds us that no temptation is unique to you. Nothing you are tempted by is new to you. Countless people for centuries have faced the same temptation; you are not the only one.

We are also to remember that God is not going to let you be tempted by anything he didn't know you could overcome. When you are tempted, instead, think of how much faith the faithful God has in you.

This is NOT a "you can do it" statement, because it is important to recognize WHY God knows you could do it; because HE has provided a way to escape that temptation...should you choose to take that route. Many to most of us do not take the provided escape route. Otherwise we would not be speaking now of this recurring temptation, right?

Well perhaps we would, because temptation never ends. What can come to an end is the frequency by which we act on that temptation.

Though temptation will always come, God knows you can endure (without acting) only because he has always provided a way out (should you choose to take it).

Readers Also Read

"Listeners also bought" is a favorite phrase of mine. It is a similar, but not quite the same, feeling I get when I go to log off of iTunes in a coffee shop to discover someone is connected to my shared music. (And no, I am NOT sure I want to quit if someone is enjoying my music.)

There is something interesting to know there are similar interests. But this section began to make think some more. If I wrote a book, what would I want to be listed in my "Readers also bought" section?

I would want that section to read:

Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning Matthew Paul Turner (or jesusneedsnewPR) A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller Ragamuffin Soul by Carlos Whittaker Donald Miller Henri Nouwen Songs by Rich Mullins Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (just to make people think, "What???")

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If you wrote a book or made an album, what would you want to see in the "People Also Bought" section?

Maybe We Could Use Some Legalism

In learning more about "grace" and "mercy" and moving past legalism, is it possible that our Christian culture has swung the pendulum to a polar side where we have left the fundamental truths to the wayside?

Does it seem in our churches we are seeing many who are simply willing to make the bad choice, feel bad, and then move on?

I am NOT asking what is 'right', or 'what does Scripture say about this'? I am asking us to take a look at things.

What say you?

My Most Favorite Music Ever

High Fidelity ruined me forever. I have an addiction for lists. After being inspired by a friend of mine and her recent post, I had to think about this one. I too go through phases, and I am always trying  out new music. So this is not too easy to list, but there are some artists who will never be far away from my heart. They will always keep getting play time no matter how many new artists I come across. This is that list...

Counting Crows Pedro the Lion The Glorious Unseen Mewithoutyou Ben Harper William Fitzsimmons City & Colour Mumford&Sons

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Who are the artists you simply will not ever get over?

Christians Ain't That Great

Spoke with a friend last night who informed me some common friends of ours are splitting up. This was a couple I had really admired. I admired them for their faith and their lifestyle of faith which looked so different and more engaging than most Christians I can recall knowing. My friend and I continued talking about how surprised Christians are to discover things like divorce happen to even them. We are almost blindsided more by the fact it is even POSSIBLE for Christian couples to get to a point where divorce happens.

I began to think further on WHY that is.

I think it has something to do with the fact that Christians forget that they hold themselves to a higher...er...a DIFFERENT moral standard, but that far from makes them morally superior.

There is a common perception among Christians, false though it may be, that becoming a Christian brings them innate morality that exceeds that of non-Christians.

It is for this reason a common frustration non-Christians have with Christians is that "they think they are better than everyone else." We absolutely do!

Now matter how many 'Not Perfect; Just Forgiven' bumper stickers you put on your car, we cannot overlook the fact we have come to be convinced we are innately more moral than those without Christ.

Granted, we are a new creation, but we are not a perfect creation. We are still a new creation living in the same humanity that is prone to temptation, sin, and failure. All the more reason to stand firm in our faith, yes! But all the more reason to remember the commonality of fallen humanity we still share with Christian and non-Christian alike.

All the more reason God's mercy and grace should become more of our presentation.

5 Blogs I NEVER Skip Over in Google Reader

I love my Google Reader. It is my preferred reader for all the blogs and sites I follow. Regardless of the reader you use, we all know you never really read every post by every person in your reader. For some of us, it would take days to do that. It's just information overload at some point. When your reader has nearly 30 new posts a day, it is necessary to skim.  For me, here are the posts I NEVER skip. 1. Ragamuffin Soul - Carlos Whittaker's blog says he  is "an artist, pastor, thinker, experience architect, and Web 2.0 junkie." I love his blog because it is creative, inspiring, and simple to read and interact with. 2.Michael Hyatt's Blog - Michael is the Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. His blog is a crisp and clean page with great insights for leaders, writers, and bloggers. 3. Heart of Campus Ministry - I do not include this just because I am a regular contributor. The guys at HOCM truly do exemplify their title, and their love and insights are evident for any whose heart beats for the people group we call "college students" 4. Refusing to Tiptoe - Sarah is a student, an artist, and a creative. She may even be nervous I am even including her in this blog, but more people should know about her writing and thoughts and heart. 5. Jesse Peterson's Blog - Jesse is a close friend of mine, and his blog may best be described as "misadventures of a young worship leader". Anyone involved in leading worship in any capacity would benefit from the insights he processes here.

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What are the blogs you never skip? (this is your chance for shameless plugs)