Bell's Hell

I want to read Rob Bell's book "Love Wins".  It's on order.  Supposedly a controversial view on hell, even though Rob Bell is convinced he remains within orthodox Christianity, and that he is not a universalist.  Here is a video of NT Wright answering a question about hell and bell.  I find most amusing that we can hear his ice cubes tingling around in his ice tea as he talks.

Galiano Trip

Just came back from a week long, all-expense paid trip to Galiano island - invited along with 15 other pastors from north america to join some Regent profs and staff, to discuss the harmony between Science and the Christian faith...and how we might work together to communicate to our churches how Science can help us worship God by unveiling his glory.   I am so grateful to Regent and the John Templeton Fund for making this possible...and to my church for blessing me to go.

I was so blessed by this week: it was gift upon gift upon gift...the setting, the learning, the fellowship, the food - every meal was a feast prepared for us.  I met amazing people, with passion for God's creativeness and the value of discovery.  For more detailed update, click here for Richard Dahlstrom's blog.

Here's some photos, taken with my iphone.  

Let's start with the setting:

And the lectures, along with post-lecture chatter, and break-time: so good, and notice the backdrop

A little free time, walking the trails:

Appetizer time: a table prepared for us, including wine, beer (micro-brew), cheeses, dips, amazing fellowship....it truly was a glimpse of the kingdom.  You can't see the entire art piece behind the table, but its an amazing portrayal of Jesus hanging on the cross and seamlessly blending into creation.

And the dinners: the Wilkinson's prepared these unbelievable feasts - all organic and local...salads made of nettles from their field, they made their own pasta - that kind of thing.  They also roasted the coffee in the backyard (Vansloten has got a photo of Loren transferring the beans from one bowl to the other, giving the chaff a chance to blow away - which makes Loren look like a priest offering a sacrifice...and can we be certain?)

 This is a video of a sung blessing:

God knows

So I'm trying to explain to my 5 year old why I let his older brother have two popsicles.  It's not fair, says Sam, because "me and Jude only got one".  My reasoning: "Finn never got to go to Starbucks and you and Jude did".  Then we proceed into a very mature dialogue,
Sam: "That's not fair"
Me: "Yes, it is fair"
Sam: "God knows its not fair"

I don't know whether I should be concerned that my 5 year old is reaching for higher authority...or delighted that my 5 year old is reaching for higher authority.

I don't know whether I should be concerned that my son is putting God on his side...or delighted that my son is beginning to recognize that a just God reigns, and even when injustice is exercised upon us....God knows....

First Visits

When the Resurrected and Reigning Christ appears, among the people he stops in first are: the ones with no status; his dear friend the denier; a skeptic he loved; and the vocal doubter. Might this signal to us what is high and dear on the mind of Christ?