Continuum of Faith to Antagonism

Because of several recent conversations and studying for a sermon on "Doubting Thomas" (who would be more accurately described as "unbelieving") this weekend, I have been working on creating a continuum of Faith to Antagonism to Faith.  My ultimate goal with this list would be to see how God responds to people at each point along the way and how we should deal with ourselves and others who are at these points.

I wonder if there is already something like this out there?  I don't want to recreate the wheel if there's already a continuum like this available.

Full Trust/Faith/Understanding à

Lack of Understanding (still trust, what does bible say or mean about _____) à

Struggling with Circumstances (Why is this happening?  Deal with pain of moment) à

Doubt (Is God going to fulfill His promise?) à

Wavering (Should I believe in God?) à

Unbelief à

Disobedience (Go against God)à

Antagonism toward faith/God/believers 

And where would something like John Wesley’s “Almost Christian” (profess belief, but no action) fit into this continuum?

Are these good labels for each point?  What would you add or remove from this continuum?

Grace and Songs

One of the amazing things about the UM Hymnal is its categorization of songs.  As I was preparing for this weekend's Confirmation trip in which we'll discuss Prevenient, Justifying, and Sanctifying grace, I began to think of worship songs and hymns for each type of grace.  Has anyone done a categorization of contemporary music for these that they'd like to share?The following is a list I've made for this weekend.
Prevenient:

• Forever (Chris Tomlin)
• The Stand (Joel Houston)
• Our God (Chris Tomlin)

Justifying:

• Nothing But the Blood (Matt Redman & many others)
• Jesus Paid it All (Bigstuf Band, not sure of original artist)
• God is Not Dead - Like a Lion (Newsboys)

Sanctifying:

• Christ is Risen (Matt Maher)
• I Will Follow (Chris Tomlin)
• Everyday (Hillsong)

What would you add/change?  Other suggestions?

TGIF

Thank God It's Friday is the usual understanding of these four letters.  However, a new meaning for the acronym TGIF has just come to my attention.  It was created by Leonard Sweet to describe the world we live in today:

Twitter
Google
Iphone
Facebook

As I have prepared for my sermon this week, I have been thinking about the "stuff" in my life.  Most of it revolves around these things, though I might switch out twitter with television (just not much of a tweet-er yet).  Technology is something that I can allow to run my life, to be my master.  And yet, as a Christian I want to give my full allegience and devotion to God.  And so, I am meditating on how I utilize my "things" and whether they are tools - or slave-masters for me.  Whether they are helps in my relationship with God - or hindrances.

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).

It's About Time

It's about time I wrote something here.  I have finally graduated from seminary and have begun working as an Associate Minister at Vineville Methodist!  So far, I am loving it and feeling the weight of the responsibility of this position.  I am looking forward to participating as a minister in my first baptisms, communion, and weddings in the next few weeks.


Isaiah is now a year old and is developing his own personality more each day.  He loves to use a walking toy to zoom across the living room floor.  Joanna has our house set up and looking like we actually live here.  In her free time, she has also secured a position for teaching in the fall at the Masonic Children's Home.  Our families are overjoyed at having us in the same state again.

So, this is a brief update on the recent events of my life to be followed soon by different thoughts and writings about my life, Scripture, and Christianity.

Video Week (bonus), Part 5

So, I finished the video of Isaiah's baptism a little earlier than I thought I'd be able to, so enjoy this bonus to video week. Isaiah was baptized on October 25, 2009 at Hope Springs Community Church in Lexington, KY. Both sets of grandparents were present as well as our good friends the Vandenbergh's and the Norrod's (Paul did the video - thanks Paul!!!).