tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85912500441918443512024-02-19T04:28:08.980-05:00THE BEAUTIFUL TENSIONAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-36791100199377490352015-11-23T13:07:00.000-05:002015-11-23T16:11:22.277-05:00Introducing An All New The Beautiful Tension<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2-oVvDO44w4bZQlaNR-yDQ8wGJKu5haRTFpxhdkUCqZHHLA1OaQWH860kDyIqyEm_p0SFCJlTxEe6_V6cynfVTWh5pugm7UJMjQlKSfLkLZmg2cYOlYcFgY0oQADt3hIKhcPz5xAECk/s1600/thebeautifultension+website.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2-oVvDO44w4bZQlaNR-yDQ8wGJKu5haRTFpxhdkUCqZHHLA1OaQWH860kDyIqyEm_p0SFCJlTxEe6_V6cynfVTWh5pugm7UJMjQlKSfLkLZmg2cYOlYcFgY0oQADt3hIKhcPz5xAECk/s640/thebeautifultension+website.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Same content. Brand new look. The blog's new home is now thebeautifultension.com. Click <a href="http://www.thebeautifultension.com/" target="_blank">here</a> to take a look! You can also follow on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/thebeauttension?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">here</a>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-33716312523322947272015-11-16T17:02:00.001-05:002015-11-17T17:05:21.209-05:00To My Newest Children, With Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUTgn-Mgc18SRvdSuZSPQvqiVy2OYay3_1FUIu3uL8O8ARt80t_JIYmPVOkpZjXp8QTgDbwB-0vy6tlJF-0XqLXFFVknz9Kx5Sjz6QV9wnMzK6KXNuEPyFlUTXZSaZlWCsuPm4r9Dh_4/s1600/To+My+Newest+Children%252C+With+Love.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUTgn-Mgc18SRvdSuZSPQvqiVy2OYay3_1FUIu3uL8O8ARt80t_JIYmPVOkpZjXp8QTgDbwB-0vy6tlJF-0XqLXFFVknz9Kx5Sjz6QV9wnMzK6KXNuEPyFlUTXZSaZlWCsuPm4r9Dh_4/s640/To+My+Newest+Children%252C+With+Love.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The anticipation of the joyful arrival
of our newest children has yielded and given way to the realization of their
joyful arrival. Our family of three is now a family of five. Thinking upon the
events surrounding the arrival of our two newest gifts from God, I penned these
words to my newest children as a sort of paternal plea. While these words were aimed at
my children, they are also a summons to my own heart to remember the all
surpassing goodness of God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/11/to-my-newest-children-with-love.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-21510775068920819642015-11-04T15:00:00.001-05:002015-11-04T15:00:16.312-05:00The Only Two Days That Matter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemF3uF5Ti015-6QaBO8xFUavYx_6_1VUUjMwnyNZapa-y20cqPW-5eWeGOa1Rk8a8cIKuO2_VYr2nGljVGpRl7MZd97Y6Fi4zjyDp7TFGn3rA3CvxqdbPVY_hyphenhyphenv6TaDLzqWA5KGfBKY4/s1600/vintage+day+shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemF3uF5Ti015-6QaBO8xFUavYx_6_1VUUjMwnyNZapa-y20cqPW-5eWeGOa1Rk8a8cIKuO2_VYr2nGljVGpRl7MZd97Y6Fi4zjyDp7TFGn3rA3CvxqdbPVY_hyphenhyphenv6TaDLzqWA5KGfBKY4/s640/vintage+day+shower.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In a few days, my wife and I will
welcome God’s gift of twins with a long-anticipated, long-hoped-for embrace.
The drawing near of that day in which our anticipated joy will find its completion
means that every day until then is oriented to that day. Rooms are rearranged.
Bottles are cleaned. Rest is stockpiled. The future has commandeered the
present. <i>This</i> day is different, it’s changed, because of <i>that</i>
day.</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-only-two-days-that-matter.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-50623013413385212572015-10-29T13:11:00.001-04:002015-10-29T13:11:43.569-04:00A New Resource for Families<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PglheTGy0pVrWmPz78xk2JgZFAHWJ1W2n2Gh_NT4gOEAim62pq2KCemUMnxXQRSxJS7FB4KkcHfUUo5HH_Wwh9deT-3zHQrRgEpCTnOpaVcW6KgiWtUFocI5Nz82fB2TFKl8w-9bGDg/s1600/The+Gospel+Centered+Family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PglheTGy0pVrWmPz78xk2JgZFAHWJ1W2n2Gh_NT4gOEAim62pq2KCemUMnxXQRSxJS7FB4KkcHfUUo5HH_Wwh9deT-3zHQrRgEpCTnOpaVcW6KgiWtUFocI5Nz82fB2TFKl8w-9bGDg/s640/The+Gospel+Centered+Family.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When
God commands Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth in
Genesis 1, God is making known that His design and purpose for the whole of His
world is the family. God appoints the family, founded by a man and woman united
together in the covenant of marriage, to be the fundamental building block of
His world. And God appoints the family to be the instrument He uses to complete
His purpose for creation—filling it with a people who love Him and love one
another. In this way, God intends what is true of families to be true of His
world.</span></div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-new-resource-for-families.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-14266983436955827682015-10-22T12:17:00.001-04:002015-10-22T12:18:19.618-04:00J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton, & An Invitation to Wonder<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y_qw-EA7qhNX7BGz-w6_LJMrjUlWAXqQaWGdUN2P1CsAv7rDPNGinE7jO31hiOf6v9oe6B4xEvATZpEEXrUaWgMq753HgBjEeTdmbpSP8w2aqVEH8Y_eXhkVfXZ6YlaVI8l7JIPDc98/s1600/7019348-sunrise-morning-mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y_qw-EA7qhNX7BGz-w6_LJMrjUlWAXqQaWGdUN2P1CsAv7rDPNGinE7jO31hiOf6v9oe6B4xEvATZpEEXrUaWgMq753HgBjEeTdmbpSP8w2aqVEH8Y_eXhkVfXZ6YlaVI8l7JIPDc98/s640/7019348-sunrise-morning-mist.jpg" width="640"></span></a></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am afraid we have lost our sense of
wonder. The world is ablaze with wonder, and we seem far too unaware, far too
blind to the grandeur of God with which the world burns. We are creatures whose
appetites for wonder have been dulled by the numbing power of self-dependency.
We have tethered our trust to ourselves and thereby removed any possibility to
be held captive by anything beyond ourselves. But there is a way to wonder again, and J.R.R. Tolkien and G.K. Chesterton help us understand how.</span><br>
</div></div><a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/10/jrr-tolkien-gk-chesterton-invitation-to.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-65721428308059031372015-10-12T09:43:00.001-04:002015-10-12T09:43:26.767-04:00Work is What Makes Us Human<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ORAkQrEbHJaJzEA2L-rMpQXfm2eND__YHnplKLidzgXQ4SBCpdBQNgF47lYvUeno1GQMgX2gylwldw8f9WK2s6JjHnBUuz9m0upgfRKTffPEx2bydH78vBxnvvvDqETqeDX8JLRzAH0/s1600/FWI+Full+Logo+Large+Square.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ORAkQrEbHJaJzEA2L-rMpQXfm2eND__YHnplKLidzgXQ4SBCpdBQNgF47lYvUeno1GQMgX2gylwldw8f9WK2s6JjHnBUuz9m0upgfRKTffPEx2bydH78vBxnvvvDqETqeDX8JLRzAH0/s640/FWI+Full+Logo+Large+Square.JPG" width="640"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The following is an edited transcript from Session Two of the FaithWork Initiative.</i><o:p></o:p></span><br>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></i>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In
Session Two, we will explore the idea that our work is what makes us human. As we mentioned in
Session One, our work exceeds the bounds of paid vocations and
includes the whole of our lives—our work as fathers and mothers, brothers and
sisters, neighbors and citizens. With this framing our understanding
of work, the thesis of Session Two is that be at work in God’s world is to be
human, and to be human is to be at work in God’s world. </span></div>
</div></div><a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/10/work-is-what-makes-us-human.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-67251420108305043502015-10-07T16:33:00.002-04:002015-10-07T16:33:35.510-04:00Where Your Saturdays Are, There Your Heart Will Be Also<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNdbavOIyvmaVDV0gYWtvWM3Q7tPz0Xu7Yw1uoXhT7psaXeUst9Whi1unO7OrFtZ22PSUARzpX1YhZqmb_FBuxbeht_nON9x96d9Fp21gUnw0VRiov1Yma7pIUt4WriRubprfWzR2D4A/s1600/swamp_home1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNdbavOIyvmaVDV0gYWtvWM3Q7tPz0Xu7Yw1uoXhT7psaXeUst9Whi1unO7OrFtZ22PSUARzpX1YhZqmb_FBuxbeht_nON9x96d9Fp21gUnw0VRiov1Yma7pIUt4WriRubprfWzR2D4A/s640/swamp_home1.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The pageantry of college football
is inescapably enticing. The crisp autumn air, the marching band, the roar of
tens of thousands of fans all collide in a unique array of intoxicating sensations.
At its best, college football is the God-honoring display and God-honoring
enjoyment of God’s good gifts. At its worst, however, it is an enslaving idol
that captures our worship and dulls our affections for God.</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/10/where-your-saturdays-are-there-your.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-32913920013534774612015-09-29T11:04:00.000-04:002015-09-30T08:54:06.148-04:00The Co-Existence of Christianity and Islam in Public Schools <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZDIZkABVB8kU5eP9AxE9eLx1Vyj_VjZq-c2YkxyaSEfb_7jMalfunkZYGGVrloj4NlKHNkhCDdsV7kcdCh_HHnbm8kXn5TQiWXexMZa3WUIHk6_i39KODA0QNYb6WRsXTHyjDazbi70/s1600/ISLAM_-_CRISTIANESIMO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZDIZkABVB8kU5eP9AxE9eLx1Vyj_VjZq-c2YkxyaSEfb_7jMalfunkZYGGVrloj4NlKHNkhCDdsV7kcdCh_HHnbm8kXn5TQiWXexMZa3WUIHk6_i39KODA0QNYb6WRsXTHyjDazbi70/s640/ISLAM_-_CRISTIANESIMO.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There has long been debate and confusion over the place of Christianity in the American public square. Most iconically, the Scopes Trial in Tennessee typified the impassioned debate over what some have believed is Christianity’s lawfully unique and supreme, if not exclusive, place in the public square. In a country that many believe finds its roots in Christian belief and doctrine and is also a champion for religious liberty, the debate is certain to continue. And the fire of the debate has found new kindling in a Tennessee classroom.</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-co-existence-of-christianity-and.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09715453391029861978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-9874580454521881972015-09-28T16:26:00.002-04:002015-09-28T16:27:23.000-04:00Look & Live: Ephesians 2:10-13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_QOTJVyfRO0Ctfd0ILfN_tZgIbIqIpz65suq7_xPescdU4gIiB6H3yuhh6FhQI3u7Yd1gNnv-OEXuEZ_FzXOAutnAqw_HWT3PHNqqngWAscyjMCzAWLuuKHCFZT1a_F_TAZussfYxxY/s1600/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_QOTJVyfRO0Ctfd0ILfN_tZgIbIqIpz65suq7_xPescdU4gIiB6H3yuhh6FhQI3u7Yd1gNnv-OEXuEZ_FzXOAutnAqw_HWT3PHNqqngWAscyjMCzAWLuuKHCFZT1a_F_TAZussfYxxY/s640/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we
should walk in them. Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles in the
flesh—called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is
made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from
Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the
covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in
Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of
Christ. </i>Ephesians 2.10-13</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/09/look-live-ephesians-210-13.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-82535485491715537732015-09-21T09:59:00.004-04:002015-09-21T09:59:41.055-04:00Work & The Biblical Narrative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNXghyphenhyphenhmL8BGVMQtWQeuZfXRi8nM2lWpd9f0AJwdXw1ugxrvr6nIGyXSoBaApaKuB1NRoBGjtJCm-ycAhLFj_F2M8iSOh_mq4jXO6oVWfJ4LOupzb5F1-5mJDWRyUX-JHsUFXyYCUuTA/s640/FWI+Full+Logo+Large+Square.JPG" width="640"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The
following is an edited transcript from session one of the FaithWork Initiative.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
FaithWork Initiative was birthed out of a desire to equip the church to do the
work of the ministry as God commands in Ephesians 4.12. It may seem strange that
we want to connect work and ministry, but that is exactly our aim. We want to reiterate at the
beginning of our journey that we believe the realm of faith and the realm of
work do not stand apart and separate. Biblically, our work in God’s
world is to be faithful worship of God.</span></div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/09/work-biblical-narrative.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-74642584528607603932015-09-16T10:20:00.002-04:002015-09-16T10:20:45.833-04:00Look & Live: Ephesians 2:4-10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DtIvpnO4FvO2emwL1mZnVVWVnfV20jcD-8JUJqkzTz5OvJQcxlm9h4rO4nUVezT4_MI33GchQjSrJjD-GpgvwBAB817Ro9YPamfeon7Gp0CY2C0HlswKTnC_TRaaL9tmQlYJGFiRAB0/s1600/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DtIvpnO4FvO2emwL1mZnVVWVnfV20jcD-8JUJqkzTz5OvJQcxlm9h4rO4nUVezT4_MI33GchQjSrJjD-GpgvwBAB817Ro9YPamfeon7Gp0CY2C0HlswKTnC_TRaaL9tmQlYJGFiRAB0/s640/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>But God, being rich in mercy,
because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our
trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and
raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ
Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his
grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved
through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a
result of works so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should
walk in them</i>. Ephesians 2.4-10</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/09/look-live-ephesians-24-10.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-90277064212500662912015-09-13T14:13:00.000-04:002015-09-13T14:13:03.186-04:00Poppy and the Red Petal Poppies: A Short Story (Part One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OB4Ds1o0Fgo9rV9dlhWqcQ0dS7gGJpRH_Zdlz9rPdlhVVrVA2UkNImKZacc1-BthrkCfkRb8dBJwH02E3Crln03DUrdH4bj0MLWzPURT8Khbk1CC9xlHGO27TTSVmqpWKrLoOOEYkdU/s1600/red+poppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OB4Ds1o0Fgo9rV9dlhWqcQ0dS7gGJpRH_Zdlz9rPdlhVVrVA2UkNImKZacc1-BthrkCfkRb8dBJwH02E3Crln03DUrdH4bj0MLWzPURT8Khbk1CC9xlHGO27TTSVmqpWKrLoOOEYkdU/s640/red+poppies.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
There lived a small man named Poppy in a small cottage in a small village in a small, far off country. In Poppy’s small village there were other small cottages where other small people lived. In this particular small village, the small people loved to make small paper poppy flowers. They would spend hours to make each petal as perfect as they could (to try and outdo their neighbors) and would have annual competitions for the most perfect yard of paper poppies.<br>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/09/poppy-and-red-petal-poppies-short-story.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09715453391029861978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-89082894682679264652015-09-03T15:05:00.001-04:002015-09-03T15:05:45.660-04:00The True Story of the Whole World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6oq3fmR72cRhu2yrp6j3m_HdjO1txkcS_NYKtRq9geWWasQNp08XN8jsYUvGqbLaIyFO-2aMLpXHaeMoIGPud-pD_g0BViXhuH9XggceQTTSCOhUlHiSb7ZYhefRRyeOHf1IW0eoEyg/s1600/NYC+through+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6oq3fmR72cRhu2yrp6j3m_HdjO1txkcS_NYKtRq9geWWasQNp08XN8jsYUvGqbLaIyFO-2aMLpXHaeMoIGPud-pD_g0BViXhuH9XggceQTTSCOhUlHiSb7ZYhefRRyeOHf1IW0eoEyg/s640/NYC+through+window.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Where did we come from? Where are
we going? What does this all mean? These are questions whose answers form the
framework of a worldview. A worldview is a grand story of the world crafted to
makes sense of the world. So then, our lives are informed by story. We all have
a reigning story in our minds of the world that colors the way we perceive
ourselves, others and the events that unfold around us. Yet there is only one Story
that is perfectly true. It is the Story that all good stories imitate and
whisper. It is the biblical Story. The true Story of the
whole world.</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-true-story-of-whole-world.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-33302149074438432192015-08-24T15:52:00.001-04:002015-08-24T15:54:18.550-04:00Look & Live: Ephesians 2:1-3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB216wLMOKOL-OJ_lMqaJxjshyphenhyphenKPamlV_W1sgk2X24-TIZgUbLyheuk-Ix1FaawvxbflqN19OQGB5nPNQAUdPPjBdk-727iptdbYz5eyH1ZOTurqtWQlRPb1s3hAACQMOsienS-WvhXw/s1600/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB216wLMOKOL-OJ_lMqaJxjshyphenhyphenKPamlV_W1sgk2X24-TIZgUbLyheuk-Ix1FaawvxbflqN19OQGB5nPNQAUdPPjBdk-727iptdbYz5eyH1ZOTurqtWQlRPb1s3hAACQMOsienS-WvhXw/s640/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;">And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> Ephesians 2:1-3</span><br>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div><a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/08/look-live-ephesians-21-3.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-88644515274135932592015-08-20T17:02:00.002-04:002015-08-20T17:02:28.120-04:00The Adoration of the Unadorned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4T7lrs9Xj-RtL6X891PRr9uXhNAA3mZKCg2DfN9pWf5_XKQHRPvp2W7IeIlJDiYv5PeKost0HbAIP4lzSEkcMnJgmrIXqKYHUNRYc8xRG0NRE6UN2Vt1BUbkKXO7UayLfaQGRI73wVE/s1600/crucifixion+painting.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4T7lrs9Xj-RtL6X891PRr9uXhNAA3mZKCg2DfN9pWf5_XKQHRPvp2W7IeIlJDiYv5PeKost0HbAIP4lzSEkcMnJgmrIXqKYHUNRYc8xRG0NRE6UN2Vt1BUbkKXO7UayLfaQGRI73wVE/s640/crucifixion+painting.jpeg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The life to
which you have been called by God is one of anonymity. It is one that not only
suggests but demands a persistent humility before God and others. This type of
humility is not simply willed into existence. It is not forged by human
exertion. It is gifted from the Spirit of God in having eyes to see supreme
beauty in the humiliation of Christ and being stirred to go and do likewise for
others. If in this life you welcome this humility, you will find your eternal
exaltation. The kingdom of God will welcome in adoration the unadorned. Yet if
you seek exaltation in this life, you will have it only for a season and be left
to embrace eternal humiliation.</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-adoration-of-unadorned.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-73943466811348880602015-08-12T16:01:00.001-04:002015-08-12T16:01:29.797-04:00Look & Live: Ephesians 1:22-23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiB91F0JEN0tjtfY0vb1kqQu3HMBIP1cR4ZG61r8a-vQFbHR5ZTdPlh2MK4KkOR9MCLBD4NM0MsgQiNKa-Y8H1tosJUvq3L9uRe1oR_216tcv3qN7nOnRv8f1bJ2rKYgb3djKNeB4Fi8/s1600/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiB91F0JEN0tjtfY0vb1kqQu3HMBIP1cR4ZG61r8a-vQFbHR5ZTdPlh2MK4KkOR9MCLBD4NM0MsgQiNKa-Y8H1tosJUvq3L9uRe1oR_216tcv3qN7nOnRv8f1bJ2rKYgb3djKNeB4Fi8/s640/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>And he put all things under
his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body,
the fullness of him who fills all in all.</i> Ephesians 1:22-23</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/08/look-live-ephesians-122-23.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-56913714125954664112015-08-07T08:24:00.001-04:002015-08-11T12:18:05.092-04:00Though the Fig Tree Should Not Blossom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dVOMeP9iDgJwGhZMwQoztIowMe04kU-PbdNAmYXHGcKvSM9YG0-NmDSTjdnj3egz3aYKMUZrAsFcX90PfsmwGrtl5Z2FMFLraSXgdZMq9atBzQoDfk3nyyy_NLPFv6mJG4OtBM60Be8/s1600/fig+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dVOMeP9iDgJwGhZMwQoztIowMe04kU-PbdNAmYXHGcKvSM9YG0-NmDSTjdnj3egz3aYKMUZrAsFcX90PfsmwGrtl5Z2FMFLraSXgdZMq9atBzQoDfk3nyyy_NLPFv6mJG4OtBM60Be8/s640/fig+tree.jpg" width="640"></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">I am 28 years old, married for almost 6 years, I have a 2
year old son, and I am a high school teacher at Duluth. To many, the obvious answers to “what is your
identity” are male, husband, father, teacher.
But let’s probe a little deeper. I like to think of identity as a Jenga tower. All of the different things that we do, like,
and want are all pieces of the tower. Some of my other “pieces” would be “Georgia Bulldog fan,” “tennis
player,” “father to a son who goes to college,” etc. Many of the things that I find my identity in
are future things. If you are having
trouble putting your finger on what makes up your “identity,” think about it
this way: what are you scared of losing?</span></span></div>
</div><a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/08/though-fig-tree-should-not-blossom.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09715453391029861978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-43302004647960931002015-08-06T15:34:00.001-04:002015-08-06T15:34:31.862-04:00Planned Parenthood, Racism & The Greater Evil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC8eR6tRA231tgOJ51jLpA4YAfyJJHylfuJoVuLHiRfRHgUCmiWMKQLtRGFEVpkmHvU1dIarBgC_hP4gDmACFdnCKS43QEqc5hup7SCW3kSmMFSWq46ChFbNH05DFzESPrhFMYt0MsKI/s1600/plannedparenthood138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC8eR6tRA231tgOJ51jLpA4YAfyJJHylfuJoVuLHiRfRHgUCmiWMKQLtRGFEVpkmHvU1dIarBgC_hP4gDmACFdnCKS43QEqc5hup7SCW3kSmMFSWq46ChFbNH05DFzESPrhFMYt0MsKI/s640/plannedparenthood138.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
How do we
wage war against atrocities that leave us paralyzed in silent devastation? How
do we rise up against injustice that cripples us under its unspeakably heavy
burden? These are questions I have grappled with in the wake of what is now
five videos that clearly and undeniably implicate top level Planned Parenthood
in the sell-for-profit of God<span lang="FR">’</span>s
image bearers whose lives have been sacrificed on the altar of convenience.</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/08/planned-parenthood-racism-greater-evil.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-2369361995873250472015-08-04T14:03:00.000-04:002015-08-04T14:03:03.380-04:00Look & Live: Ephesians 1:11-14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmH3ZBp6SF76R3vE-ABwjr43gXiO8quA3r1k2gPwiWYykVNdwBd5HzFql6R0-wtj2-I_GTMvWZOlIWvQKWjUY2vdcT7VC9OKbb8QBbYngoR1ltAudGptBAkmRhiVHg4lIBaFZfXdv7F0/s1600/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmH3ZBp6SF76R3vE-ABwjr43gXiO8quA3r1k2gPwiWYykVNdwBd5HzFql6R0-wtj2-I_GTMvWZOlIWvQKWjUY2vdcT7VC9OKbb8QBbYngoR1ltAudGptBAkmRhiVHg4lIBaFZfXdv7F0/s640/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"In him we have obtained an
inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works
all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first
to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when
you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our
inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."</i></div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/08/look-live-ephesians-111-14.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-40921508162184454222015-07-29T15:33:00.002-04:002015-07-29T15:33:32.308-04:00Confession, The Reality of Sin & The Hope of the Gospel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV-uryCxHcy4TNk91nP1q6BCNWXScnKc4AW7FVA6KMZEvWQpkx5D2IKQsEI7b4UxBkHZXpV-CErT_-gQ7TCwqSLOKZ1lAqc0wo8fffvsi65nIWi_9H-pZZo6qn_j0Q4EZz-vNjoMXB4w/s1600/open-jail-cell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV-uryCxHcy4TNk91nP1q6BCNWXScnKc4AW7FVA6KMZEvWQpkx5D2IKQsEI7b4UxBkHZXpV-CErT_-gQ7TCwqSLOKZ1lAqc0wo8fffvsi65nIWi_9H-pZZo6qn_j0Q4EZz-vNjoMXB4w/s640/open-jail-cell.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When it comes to sin, the church
has made a tragic, even fatal, habit of treating malignant tumors with band
aids. We play with nuclear bombs like they are snap pops. Nowhere is this
evidenced more than in our unwillingness to drag the darkness of our sin into
the liberating light of the gospel. When we refuse to confess our sin, we are
saying that sin is not really as serious and the forgiveness of the cross is
not really as free as the Bible says. In other words, where confession is
lacking, self-righteousness is still reigning.</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/07/confession-reality-of-sin-hope-of-gospel.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-77616078298849173282015-07-23T11:24:00.002-04:002015-07-23T11:24:55.863-04:00Look & Live: Ephesians 1:7-10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMdaahzzuPjzhtBNlVW1ILtLVfWU3zz3nJHv2IjDWAkihsONDVShlMHMYY-pAncBpqLQF7AAPnz_0exv_UyeFmANQrnVwxUngkUooeQ9TBcxN9k83SOUH_KY5Qd25vrepvrdyc-5VqRc/s1600/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMdaahzzuPjzhtBNlVW1ILtLVfWU3zz3nJHv2IjDWAkihsONDVShlMHMYY-pAncBpqLQF7AAPnz_0exv_UyeFmANQrnVwxUngkUooeQ9TBcxN9k83SOUH_KY5Qd25vrepvrdyc-5VqRc/s640/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>“In him we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he
lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of
his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for
the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things
on earth.”</i></div>
<i></i><a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/07/look-live-ephesians-17-10.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-53727263267079619662015-07-20T16:54:00.000-04:002015-07-20T16:54:27.436-04:00The Heart Defiles a Person<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdPakb9QOIaywDny1UjnD6b9pU2H8b0xbEiquGm7LrN2wGw6mlFanuCcJ6EY1iZhwxdHIIBDG01UY5uHVG1_VyWTChA4KCFXgvQNUGiUMLy_zGZUFMOHr4cD5fhhg6WCcMoSCto4bPkA/s1600/Dark+Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdPakb9QOIaywDny1UjnD6b9pU2H8b0xbEiquGm7LrN2wGw6mlFanuCcJ6EY1iZhwxdHIIBDG01UY5uHVG1_VyWTChA4KCFXgvQNUGiUMLy_zGZUFMOHr4cD5fhhg6WCcMoSCto4bPkA/s640/Dark+Forest.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m sure many, if not most, shrink
back at the subject of sexual sin. Yet we must talk about sexual sin because it
is a ruthless and deadly pandemic not only in our culture but, shamefully, in
the church. And even in the church we desperately try to avoid this subject
because the honest truth is that this sin is real in our hearts and we are
utterly terrified of being exposed and overwhelmingly burdened by its shame. So
we run and hide. We camp out in the darkness hoping that we can persist
undiscovered in our habitual sexual sin.</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-heart-defiles-person.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-75264191932922704792015-07-14T17:23:00.000-04:002015-07-21T06:24:13.376-04:00Look & Live: Ephesians 1:1-6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssPP1FOo_9fMB7Iup-abfy7xJ84daW6ukDSLPXPlaD_-C-gbJqXipktCMA8ACilcrlW7xHNoXLjVbZ_c4tV6U-8gHa22Dn-NjHG-x37fR4fA_FcBoVyd-kd370_UN0a3qpFAdi-cycGo/s1600/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssPP1FOo_9fMB7Iup-abfy7xJ84daW6ukDSLPXPlaD_-C-gbJqXipktCMA8ACilcrlW7xHNoXLjVbZ_c4tV6U-8gHa22Dn-NjHG-x37fR4fA_FcBoVyd-kd370_UN0a3qpFAdi-cycGo/s640/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Paul, an apostle of Christ
Jesus by the will of God, t</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">o the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ
Jesus: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Grace to you and peace from
God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every
spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before
the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according
to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he
has blessed us in the Beloved.”</span></div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/07/look-live-ephesians-11-7.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-31276604086213625032015-07-14T15:37:00.000-04:002015-07-14T16:06:54.697-04:00Look & Live<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kSo4vEO8lKSulPM97Q8cIqSx_0sKiE2Nl5zgQeY0OzIlgqgOdzVw4zTJ8pBafe4bx8G54LajfpOMpa400ODQrqUzfF8bi2QUn0VsqBtXPX8OIC9RLK25zc1t7x5bmaYJYkS83FkYGvY/s1600/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kSo4vEO8lKSulPM97Q8cIqSx_0sKiE2Nl5zgQeY0OzIlgqgOdzVw4zTJ8pBafe4bx8G54LajfpOMpa400ODQrqUzfF8bi2QUn0VsqBtXPX8OIC9RLK25zc1t7x5bmaYJYkS83FkYGvY/s640/Look+and+Live+Logo.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If we are honest, we are all at
times dull to God’s Word. There are seasons—perhaps days, weeks, even months—in
which we lay aside the Word, leaving it to collect dust as we fail to find or
feel compelling reason to open its pages. But the reasons are infinite. There
is unimaginable beauty of behold, inexpressible wonder to discover. This book
is the very word of God himself. The eternal, transcendent God has disclosed
himself in this book. So not only should we look at this book, we must. We must gaze through the portals of its pages to behold the One in whom
we live and move and have our being. We must look if we are to live.<br>
</div><a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/07/look-live.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591250044191844351.post-33359084737487966072015-07-08T15:54:00.001-04:002015-07-08T15:54:17.371-04:00We Do Not Consume Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn-ENZU2y9z8KSe1Ztqb99ql5jPMUQ9FIoAdpmUbi-k6jSadt-oIAzN7X_k2xGy3P1XPs0j64s-X0_nNl4oHe_CQKTmX-fR6VSuSzSSFYo2R0Fur08Df2LoWIeAFQSPRz9MQ9kdelVHk/s1600/Louis-Vuitton.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn-ENZU2y9z8KSe1Ztqb99ql5jPMUQ9FIoAdpmUbi-k6jSadt-oIAzN7X_k2xGy3P1XPs0j64s-X0_nNl4oHe_CQKTmX-fR6VSuSzSSFYo2R0Fur08Df2LoWIeAFQSPRz9MQ9kdelVHk/s640/Louis-Vuitton.jpeg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We are creatures of consumption.
In part, we consume out of necessity. We buy food and drink that sustain us. We
buy clothes that cover us. Yet we also consume because we are creatures who are
desperately needy and incessantly lacking. We consume to conceal and suppress the
inescapable reality that burdens us—we are deeply flawed, severely broken. So
we feast on the buffet of lies the culture has set before us—if we can consume
the right things, enough things, or at least more than the person next to us,
we will fashion our own repair.</div>
<a href="http://thebeautifultension.blogspot.com/2015/07/we-do-not-consume-church.html#more">»»»»</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09042535984668836151noreply@blogger.com0