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Geoffrey Baines the future and the last addiction

Welcome to the conversation.


It's now late July and I am aware that I have not written as much about this year of experiment as I had hoped to. This is more technical than personal - the problems with overcoming the glitches in you beingable to post comments to the blog have meant that I have not posted so much. Anyway, let me tell you what is happening at the moment.


I have just begun to read Ian Bradley's 'Colonies of Heaven' (looking at the Celtic ch

… Continue

Added by Geoffrey Baines on July 26, 2010 at 12:24pm — No Comments

Geoffrey Baines crazy, crazy people

Welcome to the conversation.


(The following is my attempt to get my thoughts together for sharing at a service a few Sunday's ago.)


Earlier in the week I had my first experience of an Atheist/Christian bible study (looking at Exodus). I wonder if anyone else has experienced anything like this: just about four hours of deeply challenging conversation, including some deeply searching questions to face, like some of the following:

… Continue

Added by Geoffrey Baines on July 19, 2010 at 2:11pm — 2 Comments

Geoffrey Baines prayer and purpose, intimacy and vocation

Welcome to the conversation.


Two questions:

  • How do we enter into intimacy with God (something we traditionally call prayer)?
  • How do we identify our created purpose?

On the face of it these are two different questions, but really they are connected up.


Just in the last week, my attention has been caught by these words from Henri Nouwen ('Reaching Out') - which I somehow passed over when I read his book last year:

… Continue

Added by Geoffrey Baines on June 7, 2010 at 9:03am — 2 Comments

Geoffrey Baines back to the beginning

Welcome to the conversation.


The way to life is an intentional way.


It will unmask what Henri Nouwen dubs ‘our illusion of immortality’ (Reaching Out). Put another way, it will lead us through what I think of as the five elemental truths of life: Life is hard; You are not as important as you think; Your life is not about you; You are not in control; and, You are going to die.


The intentional way is not ta

… Continue

Added by Geoffrey Baines on May 31, 2010 at 11:11am — 1 Comment

Nicolas Nelson Success weighs more heavily on a person than I expected

After several (um, six?) years, my freelance tutoring & editing business is starting to "succeed". I am making more money than ever before, almost reaching my income goal to cover all my family's basic expenses plus tucking a little away for the future (what a thought, eh? Everyone ought to try it). But goodness, it turns out to be... 1. ...a lot of work! Yes, having lots of work means just that. But somehow I imagined that the exhilaration of being hired for so many hours per week would gi… Continue

Added by Nicolas Nelson on January 23, 2010 at 1:55pm — No Comments

brandon faris Universal Reconcilation?

My journey has led me to ponder the scope of the Cross. I have always struggled with Jesus dying on the cross for all. If the word all really means all, doesn't that have strong implications for complete reconciliation of all things on heaven and earth? What does that even mean. Most recently I've read God's Plan For All (www.godsplanforall.com). The authors make a pretty strong case for Biblical Universalism. I'm just wondering who else has wrestled with this idea and what the spirit has reveal… Continue

Added by brandon faris on September 30, 2009 at 11:31am — 32 Comments

Eriq Devine For Why?

I have never lost anyone close to me. I can not imagine the agony of the loss of a loved one in such a tragic and meaningless way. My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. Deep within my soul I cry with my hands towards heaven, "For Why!" However, while Abdel Baset… Continue

Added by Eriq Devine on August 22, 2009 at 11:30am — No Comments

Eriq Devine It's been more than a year!

Wow time passes by fast. I have been posting on Face Book but M and Vox have always been my first love. I am just amazed I figured out my password. San Diego is HOT TODAY!! Going to the Flea Market today. It is a massive one and I have always wanted to check it out. Continue

Added by Eriq Devine on July 18, 2009 at 1:33pm — No Comments

Sonny Lemmons In the poker game of my life, I'll call your Gender Stereotype and raise you a Sitcom Waiting to Happen

“Two roads diverged in a woods, and I – I took the one that made people go ‘What the **** is he thinking?!?’ – and that has made all the difference.” – adapted from Robert Frost, who is undoubtedly spinning in his grave at this gross mis-quote "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace retur… Continue

Added by Sonny Lemmons on July 13, 2009 at 9:28am — No Comments

Scott Long Imprisoned

Trapped, suffocating, dying from the inside out. Walls close, hope slows, the end: only god knows. Now, all is a black shade of black seen by eyes permanently shut. I am in the prison of my self. How horrible it is to be surrounded by stone barriers made of skin. Memory is a torture chamber. In the distance, sweet sounds of the delicious nature of nature echo. But hey are out there. Ahhh out there! If only I could once again see: green grass, blue sky in morning and soft sunsets in evening. I’v… Continue

Added by Scott Long on April 12, 2009 at 7:00pm — 1 Comment

Dean Sharp Easter Greetings to Emeth the Calormene and all faithful Tarkaan Warriors

Easter greetings to the Tarkaan warrior Emeth, devoted follower of Tash—vulture god of the Calormens, and all Tash followers who, despite our ignorance, serve the Lion. As he rebuilds the world through the emptiness of the grave may all citizens of his kingdom be at peace with… Continue

Added by Dean Sharp on April 9, 2009 at 6:57pm — 1 Comment

Scott Long Life or Death

Relaxing, looking at white stars swimming in an ocean of black sky I settle into present feelings. I loosen the grip I have on the moment and let time elapse. Perhaps tonight is the last I will breathe. Maybe it is only the first of a thousand more. Who knows such things? Whatever the case, I am ready… ready for life or death. Continue

Added by Scott Long on March 31, 2009 at 3:08am — 1 Comment

Scott Long Sunrise

Dawn is a shapeless entity of darkly formed proportions. It leaves a trail of what came before and hints at what will be. It is the metaphor of the moment for me, as time is encompassed gorgeously through the phenomenon of gravitational circulation. Each of these experiences shaped the narrative of my past. I looked upon the Caribbean Sea. Sleep became the others in the room long ago. It was the day I'd return from a summer journey into Latin America. I was expletively excited for the forthcomi… Continue

Added by Scott Long on March 30, 2009 at 12:58pm — No Comments

Scott Long A Vision

Head back, eyes closed I see the future: green grass surrounding blue sky envelops skin, touched by warm wind. Soft rays of sun shower light upon previously dark corners of perspective. No longer do I worry. Need and opportunity have married; possibility is their offspring. Chills ripple over my body, the good kind… the ones that make you smile. My teeth show as I demonstrate happiness in a dance. Motion motivates inexplicable emotion; I am living! Finally! Continue

Added by Scott Long on March 26, 2009 at 12:51pm — No Comments

Given Promotions Given Promotions

So i just finished listening to Alex Mcmanus talk about cultural pubs. this guy has put into words the thoughts inside my head. i have had this idea to create a non profit organization that helps out the homeless, hungry, thirsty, naked, ill, and prisoned. Given Promotions will gather bands and other artists in local cities for these causes i have listed. the point- to help the helpless Continue

Added by Given Promotions on March 1, 2009 at 7:24am — No Comments

Berry Simpson Journal entry 022609: No guarantees

What would I be willing to sacrifice if I knew the results were guaranteed? Would I live on 1500 calories and workout every day and run hard if I knew in one year’s time I would be lean and fit and fast? I think I would if I was certain about the results - but of course, there is no guarantee. Why sacrifice day after day, workout week after week, if the outcome is uncertain? What if I put myself through that hard work yet all I get out of it was a 10% improvement? Is that enough? Would I get o… Continue

Added by Berry Simpson on February 28, 2009 at 2:44pm — No Comments

Eric Michael Bryant The Starfish and the Spider

I have really enjoyed reading The Starfish and the Spider by Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom. In many ways, I feel like I found a book to explain how we operate at Mosaic - a decentralized and catalytic organism. My dissertation is about organizing… Continue

Added by Eric Michael Bryant on February 18, 2009 at 11:05am — No Comments

Tank Tebow Faith and skool.

Living out your faith is a tough thing for some people. I typically dont find it tough especially in a school environment in which people i see never live faith out loud. I can honestly say that I rarely feel pressured to be "normal". However, i am not just living my faith everywhere for no reason. I am living to win the souls of the lost for christ. A great quote from the rapper lecrae is "Nobody knows how many souls are goin to heaven so we gotta go and win em for christ. I am not sure though… Continue

Added by Tank Tebow on February 10, 2009 at 10:59pm — No Comments

Sonny Lemmons MOSAIC MIAMI NOTES 2-8-09: Dating, Marriage and Sex, Part I

Been a while since I’ve been up here – and leave it to Kevin to let my return to the pulpit be the week after we wrap up a series on CHARACTER and WISDOM and instead turn to something incredibly easy to talk about: dating, marriage and sex.

When I told some of my friends that I was going to be tackling these subjects, other than the requisite snickering it elicited, they all asked – and in some cases, begged me – to not just fall back on other sermons I’d heard on these same topics and… Continue

Added by Sonny Lemmons on February 10, 2009 at 3:01pm — No Comments

Larry Platner Guys Are Bored

For most guys, life is boring. There is nothing that holds their heart, a cause or goal that inspires them, of such value and worth that they are driven and excited by it. Christian men aren’t much different. Their faith is wimpy and boring. It is about being polite, nice and good. We are responsible, well behaved, gotten rid of our bad language and nasty habits and sit quietly and politely in church every Sunday. The most exciting event of our Christian life is the clean up day at the church.… Continue

Added by Larry Platner on January 25, 2009 at 9:30pm — 3 Comments

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The Human Event – Michigan

Join us at Kensington Community Church (Troy, Michigan) on October 13-14 for a 2-day conversation on the future of the church in the post-Christian and Trans-human 21st century west.

Neil Cole (Organic Church) Alex McManus (M Network)

and You.

Who is the Human Event for? Forward thinking, missional activists, thinkers, and leaders. If you think that may be [...]

Holiness and Risk

A few hours after touching down back in Scotland from The International Mentoring Network’s Immersion experience in Orlando, I found myself in a conversation about a Methodist Church initiative called Holiness and Risk.

Is it okay if I tell you a little about this? It’s a really intriguing kind of thing that can emerge [...]

Tomorrow and How to Get There – The Futuristic

Tomorrow.  Face it with either fear or anticipation, it doesn’t matter which, it is coming regardless of our grasp of it.  Fortunes have been made marketing knowledge about tomorrow whether that tomorrow is 24 hours away or 100 years distant.

Fortune tellers make the promise that that can allay our fears with their prognostication [...]

Communities of Knowing

In his book, The Message in the Bottle, Walker Percy tells the fictional story of a train that hurried through the countryside. The commuters on board saw the passing scenery as little more than a two-dimensional background rolling past their windows.

One day, though, the train breaks down and the commuters have to disembark by a [...]

Into the Beautiful Unknown (Cross-Posted)

Since Alex is publishing this blog post with the IMN newsletter, I thought it ought to have a link from the IMN as well. Enjoy. -Your friendly neighborhood editor-of-doom.

Sometimes I’m asked, What does “M” stand for? I usually answer, “Exactly.” The question is understandable. I use M a lot.

My website is theimn. My social network [...]

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