Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 68

Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:

Alan Bevere wrote that Christian morality is more than just obeying a set of rules and that it is okay for Christians to ask God tough questions.

Christopher Gudger-Raines wrote about what mood is appropriate for Memorial Day and gambling on the National Spelling Bee.

Andy Bryan thinks that conservatives are too afraid of non-problems.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for May 30, 31, June 1 and 2.

Chris Morgan wrote that God, unlike us, doesn't throw away damaged people and that we can learn from every mistake and sin.

At Bandits No More, Richard Heyduck wrote that no one is truly in favor of completely 'Open Doors' in the UMC and the episcopal address at the Texas AC.

Beth Quick reviewed a satirical book about Jesus' childhood.

Brian Russell is very grateful to Dan Brown for The DaVinci Code (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!) and examined the Sinaitic Covenant.

Bruce Alderman wrote about how his city is trying to build social services for the homeless.

Josh Tinley wrote about evangelicals and global warming, the secularization of Pentecost (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!), and how the US is compromising humane foriegn policy in order to combat Islamo-fascism.

Dave Morris wrote about the struggle of depression, a sickening video game about killing for Christ, and procrastination.

Dave Warnock wrote about paranoia in response to gender egalitarianism, an overemphasis on the atonement of the cross, and worry about doctrinally dying denominations.

Dave Camphouse explained what a good sheep who follows a shepherd is like.

Derek Tang handicapped the World Cup soccer championships.

Sally Coleman wrote about the alienness of the wisdom of Christ, compared the Body of Christ with various science fiction collectives (e.g. the Borg), considered her calling into ministry, and a church booth that she set up at a local festival.

Steve Heyduck wrote that Christians spend too much time trying to sort people into 'saved' and 'unsaved' categories.

Gavin Richardson wrote about a youth experiment in listening.

Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote about the demographics of population replacement and that conservatives should stay home during the 2006 elections in order to punish the GOP.

Greg Crofford wrote about the core characteristics of America, the possibilities of life-extension technology, and stories of baptism.

Greg Hazelrig wrote that Pentecost was the opposite of the Tower of Babel and that we shouldn't worry about the end times, but focus on our mission.

Greg Lee preached on the divinity of Christ in contrast to The DaVinci Code.

Henry Neufield wrote about overemphasis on symbols (e.g. American flag), Christian video games, models of doctrinal affiliation (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!), theological nitpicking by Together4theGospel, creationists misrepresenting scientific positions, and that war does not always produce the desired results.

Chris Roberts reported on the North Indiana Annual Conference.

Mike Holly wrote about the difficulty in formulating what is a healthy Conference.

John Battern wrote that pastors should remember that they are not indispensible for the gospel.

John Wilks wrote about a UMC church in Omaha holding gay weddings.

Ken Carter reviewed the books Ancient-Future Evangelism and The Unnecessary Pastor.

Jan Kindle has a crazy idea that the goal of the church is not division.

Larry Hollon wrote about the nationalization of spelling bees, that answers to problems have increasingly shorter life-spans, a Christian video game, and how Christ would define hot-button issues.

Mark Winter wrote about a Methodist children's camp in Mexico.

Keith McIlwain wrote about hymns lost in the pages of the UMC Hymnal, the anniversary of a famous Beatles album, and that the 'tongues of fire' in Acts may refer to varieties of worship styles.

Craig Moore asked how Christians should relate to the needs of the poor.

Michael Daniel wrote about a Congressional race in Arkansas and what Stephen saw as he was martyred.

Michelle Hargrave wrote about The DaVinci Code.

Mike Hensley wrote about the art of Dick Detzer, which is very critical of Christianity.

Mike Lamson wrote about the utility of youth mission trips.

Neil Bishop examined hate in the name of God.

Padre Complex thinks that Robert's Rules of Order may be too flawed to function in a church.
Jason Woolever wrote about the four major views on the Book of Revelation.

Olive Morgan wrote about a professors' strike in British universities.

Rereason wrote a letter to President Bush calling for gay marriage rights and wrote a detailed report about the finances of his school district.

Theresa Coleman prayed for God to bless the poor and remembered the passing of her mother.

Sandpiper wrote that we should have the courage to try new wineskins, that life isn't fair (and that that's a good thing), and that we should be patient with other people's worship styles.

Lorna Koskela reviewed a book on anger, that God is more concerned with our condition than our comfort, that one of the lessons of Elijah and Elisha is that in times of turmoil, and we aren't supposed to stop moving forward with God.

Kurt Boemler wrote about closing UMC local churches.

Jonathan Marlowe explained the concept of the Annual Conference for the un-initiated.

Brian Vinson asked readers who in the Bible they would invite to dinner.

Tony Mitchell explained the relationship between Methodism and Pentecostalism (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!). He also reflected on patriotism.

Jim McKay supports a education funding initiative in West Virginia.

Shane Raynor reflected on God's test of Abraham's loyalty and open theism.

Scott McKay wrote that playgrounds are essential places for children to learn and grow.

Because of a variety of technical problems yesterday, I may have accidentally skipped a number of blogs.

Corrections? Additions? Do you know of a blog that should be added to the MBWR? Would you like to receive the MBWR via e-mail? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!