In the news

Some news, feature, and just interesting articles:

• Fiji bans Methodist Conference
• American Religious Identity Survey 2008
• Struggling congregations look to change, grow
• History of the CME
• Christian Comedy Association

God = Allah?

An article titled "YourSay: Each one expresses 'God' in their own way" has an interesting perspective on the term "Allah" as used by Arabic-speaking Christians. The commenters are responding to an original letter suggesting that use of "Allah" by Catholics was offensive and that Methodists and others do not use the word.

Responders point out that differences in the word used for "God" varies worldwide due to native language, not religion or denomination. They also point to early use of "Allah" by people in the ancient world before the coming of Islam. The insistence that Christians not use the term "Allah" is an example of religious persecution of Christians in the modern world.

These are reasoned responses that lead me to wonder about some of the varied Christian viewpoints on Allah. Some hold that God and Allah refer to the same deity. Others insist that God and Allah cannot be the same. These people assert that the Koran and the Bible show two widely different deities.

Is it just possible that we fallible human beings have come to learn of and about God in different ways, through different means, and under different circumstances? If so, would it be so remarkable that each group of peoples would then have different views about God, Heaven, and so on? Since we are fallible, it's highly probably that no one group has the "complete" picture of God.

Perhaps if the proponents of God, Allah, and Yahweh were to approach each others' beliefs with that in mind, we could all work toward a common goal of doing God/Allah/Yahweh's work while we are here on earth.

God - Allah - Yahweh ... the three are one?

• The original letter -- Christians should not use "Allah"
• About Malasiakini online

Americans increasingly change Faiths

Research by the Pew Research Center shows that Americans increasingly leave the faith they were brought up in for others or desert religion altogether. The Pew study also has interactive section about the survey results.

• U.S. Religious Landscape survey results (Pew Research Center)
• Religious Landscape survey - interactive
• Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate (NY Times)
• Religious makeup of the United States

Spam hurts the earth?

According to a study released by McAfee, “Carbon Footprint of Spam,” the world expends 33 billion kilowatt-hours (KWh) of electricity to send, route, and filter spam messages. That’s the equivalent of the electricity required to power 2.4 million homes, the study estimates. And that much energy use emits the same amount of greenhouse gases as 3.1 million passenger cars using 2 billion gallons of gas.

An Information Week article by Thomas Claburn (Apr 16), "Spam is killing the planet", reminds people that even unnecessary computer use causes pollution.

"... the argument that spam should be fought to save the planet can be applied to other computing activities. Consider the environmental impact of more than 11 million World of Warcraft subscribers, or the broader population of gamers and their consoles. How much energy is frittered away as a result of Facebook, MySpace, and other social networks?"

I must confess that I have procrastinated in replacing a power supply in my older computer. So I've had to leave it running 24x7. This reminder should prod me to get that done this weekend. So how serious are we, really, about being good stewards of God's earth? What can you do this week to reduce your computing carbon footprint?

He is risen. Alelluia!

OK, it's really a Praying Mantis in defensive posture, but I got this photo in an email from a relative near Easter.

"He is risen!" is the first thought I had when seeing it.

Lament at the cross

Love has departed.
Joyful hearts are dark with sorrow.
Our hope has been extinguished.
Oh God, why have you taken the one we need most?
We pray for strength in our hour of need.
Bring us hope again.
Bring joyful light to a darkened world.
Let love return.

"Encounter with Jesus" Bible Study Technique

There are lots of different Bible Study methods and approaches. When it comes to the gospels, here's a way to focus on Jesus and spiritual development:

First, select a passage from one of the gospels (a red-letter edition of the Bible may be helpful). Read the passage through and answer the below questions. You may also want to have a Synoptic (parallel) Gospels Bible handy.

Where's Jesus?

• Where is Jesus in this passage?
• Where was Jesus prior to this event?
• With what type of people is Jesus dealing? (crowd, circle of friends, Gentiles or Jews, followers of Jesus, members of what sect)

What does Jesus say?

• Summarize or quote everything Jesus says.
• Note what Jesus does not say. Silence is often very telling. It can also unnerve people.
• Note Jesus' feeling, tone, and attitude.
• Is your first impression of Jesus' attitude really right or are you making Jesus "like us" -- too human? Look for alternate explanations for Jesus' behavior or how Jesus said something.

What are others' response to Jesus?

• What do others say about Jesus?
• What are people's impressions about Jesus; how do they feel about him?
• How do people respond to Jesus?

How does this passage and insight help me develop spiritually?

• What are my impressions of Jesus from this passage?
• What characteristics of Jesus would I like to see in my own life?
• Did the people's responses to Jesus in the passage convict me or inspire me ?
• What is Jesus saying in this passage that could or would change my life? How can I work with Him to make it happen?

Reference: If you’d like learn more, read or download the full Discipleship Journal article.

Character Bible Study

Here's one way to study a Bible character:

1. Use a concordance to locate every reference on that person.
2. Prayerfully read your character's story several times.
3. Put yourself in that person's shoes and humbly consider these questions:
• What did the character do right? Wrong?
• What motivated him or her?
• What were the character’s moral strengths and weaknesses?
• Was there a clear point at which their decline began or was it gradual?
• What opportunities did he/she have to repent? How did they respond?
• What could the character have done differently to avoid failing God?
• In what way(s) am I like this person?
• What do I need to do to avoid making the same mistakes?
4. Write a summary that includes a personal application plan.
5. Finish your study with a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

Reference: "Best Bible Study Methods", Discipleship Journal

WordLive

Scripture Union, a UK organization, now has up and running "WordLive". It's a multimedia Bible experience that lets you interact with the Word in whatever form you like.

• Choose the Bible translation you prefer
• Listen to music
• Listen to podcasts (voice)
• Look at images
• Look at video
• Download and print a Bible study

WordLive is now offering a five-week Lent study for small groups or individuals. As of January 5, Parts 1 and 2 area available.

Check out this nifty resource. As Scripture Union says, "Grab a God moment".

Music of the Bible revealed

An interesting 1986 "discovery" ...