Chapters has moved to Girl in the City, my new blog. You can also type www.jennafleming.wordpress.com as the URL. Come check it out- there’s a post on the reasoning behind the new blog as well as a summer reading list. Enjoy!
June 6, 2009
New Blog!
June 3, 2009
The Gospel and the Gosselins
Christianity Today has an interesting article on the TLC hit show Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Many evangelicals (including myself) watch this show and make a large percentage of the show’s viewing audience. The recent rumors surronding Jon and Kate’s marriage troubles have swept the news headlines and grocery store tabloids. Many evangelicals are stunned as to how a happy, Christian couple could be on the brink of a potential divorce. The following article offers some insights into how we as evangelicals should consider the issues surrounding the show from a biblical perspective:
The Gospel and the Gosselins: Evangelicals and the Making of Jon and Kate Plus Eight
June 2, 2009
An Unlikely Good Read
Kevin Roose took a semester off from Brown University to attend Liberty University as an undercover reporter of sorts. His experience there led to his book, The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester at America’s Holiest University. In an interview with NPR, Roose said, “I had never really ever come into contact with conservative Christian culture.” His goal was to see the “unfiltered picture of life at Liberty University.” He took various core classes, made some friends, and even purchased a Christian self-help book to avoid cursing. Roose is back at Brown and says that he tries to pray every day- “That’s going to be important for me- to sit down everyday and think about the problems and the challenges facing other people in my life, and really trying to increase my own compassion that way.”
I had a chance to look through the book recently, and I found it to be quite interesting. I’m putting The Unlikely Disciple on my “Books to Read” list.
You can listen to the NPR interview with Roose here and you can purchase the book here.
May 26, 2009
Family Force 5
Okay, so every once in a while the adolescent in me requires some edgy music with a good beat. Family Force 5 is a band that offers such for when I’m looking for that good beat. Their new album rocks my face off…(okay, there’s the adolescent talking). It’s called “Dance or Die with a Vengeance“. Check it out if you want your face rocked off too.
Excellent article by Kevin DeYoung May 22, 2009
In the City, For the City, For the Glory of God
Travis and I are anticipating to relocate in the upcoming weeks to a church in a city. We sense God’s direction (and have sensed it for quite some time) that we are to invest our lives in an urban church where we can impact the city and the surrounding areas for Christ. Our experience in New Orleans has allowed us to be involved in mercy ministry, evangelism, and discipleship. Now we prayerfully await God’s will as a potential door for effective ministry has opened up for us.
People are moving back to the city. Travis and I are committed to the gospel and to the city, and we desire to see holistic, gospel renewal in the city. We recently came across a resource from our alma mater, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, that contains many articles, a journal, and book list for urban pastors/church planters. You can peruse it here.
Our prayer is that we will remain committed to the Great Commission as we engage our culture with the gospel. Know that no matter where you live- whether in a city, a suburb, or in a small town, that you exist on a mission field to see that the gospel is shared to the people and expressed through the overall culture. One of my favorite verses regarding the Christian’s call is from the lips of Christ to his disciples and to us today:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
May 19, 2009
Mohler on Obama’s Notre Dame Speech
Dr. Albert Mohler’s recent blog entry addresses Obama’s commencement speech to Notre Dame graduates. Mohler sums up Obama’s take on aboriton well in that Obama merely talked about talking about abortion rather than taking a stand. In response to Obama’s statement that the issue of abortion is one that is “heart-wrenching,” Mohler poignantly states, “If the unborn baby is not a person who possesses an intrinsic right to life, why is the decision to abort so “heart-wrenching?” You can read the full article here.
May 18, 2009
Pomp and Circumstance
It’s that time of the year again when graduating classes all around the world gather to receive their much anticipated diplomas or degrees. This particular year causes me to reflect upon my own graduations, particularly that of my high school graduation when ten years ago, I along with eight hundred or so other “Wildcats,” walked down the stage at the Sunrise Musical Theater to receive our high school diplomas.
Looking back, I can vividly recall dreaming of entering the ministry, marrying a godly man, and making the most of every opportunity that I encounter (Eph. 5:16). By the grace of God I can rejoice in His provision of these things. Everything seems so “far away into the future” when you’re a teenager, but before you know it you are sitting at your computer ten years later chronicling the very things that you’ve dreamed about.
Ephesians 5:1-21 is a passage of Scripture that I have been claiming since my senior year of high school. I made it my life’s mission statement in the following way:
1. Be an imitator of God
2. Walk in sacrificial love
3. Pursue purity and virtuous living
4. Walk as a child of light
5. Walk in wisdom
6. Make the most use of my time
7. Don’t be foolish; seek the will of God
8. Don’t get drunk on wine, but be filled with the Spirit
9. Sing to the Lord and always give Him thanks
10. Submit to my Christian brothers and sisters in reverence for Christ
I’m posting this today as a way of encouragement and admonishment for the reader because these verses have been a blessing to me in the past ten years and will continue to be such in my life into the future. I think that it’s important to have a life mission statement, particularly inspired by God’s Word. Give it a shot. Find a Scripture verse(s) that touches you and resonates with the vision of your heart. I believe that such an exercise will help aid you in articulating your dreams and will help you to focus in on God’s dream for your life. If you have a life verse(s) that you would like to post to share with others, then leave a comment and tell us how the passage of Scripture has blessed your life.
I attended two graduation ceremonies this weekend at the graduate level. One ceremony was at a seminary and the other was at a law school. Both were filled with highly skilled and accomplished young adults. My seminary friend will more than likely enter the ministry in the near future, and my law school friend (international affairs focused) will be (and is) a minister, but not on the vocational level. I was proud of my friends and was reminded that God impresses his children with a vision and calls some to work on the mission field or at a church, while calling others into business, non-profit agencies, or into a corporate office. The Great Commission remains the same for all regardless of his or her vocation, and that is:
“And Jesus said to them,’All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ “
Matthew 28:18-20
Much like how professors and deans send out their graduates into the work world, Jesus sent his disciples (and us) out into the world to carry out his gospel mission. I guess when it comes to the Christian life we never really graduate. We continue in the work faithfully as enabled by our Lord, so that we can rejoice with Him at the last day when heaven’s pomp and circumstance rings out through eternity.
May 14, 2009
Red Mountain Music
I’ve been listening to Red Mountain Church’s CD “This Breaks My Heart of Stone” over the past couple of weeks and I’m loving it. They have a fond appreciation for the historic hymns of our faith as well as for the craft of musical relevance for today. I would describe their sound as folksy-alt country. If you like the stuff that Indelible Grace puts out, then you’ll love Red Mountain Music, which comes out of Red Mountain Church in Birmingham, AL. Their Christmas CD, which is their latest album, is really wonderful as well. Hope you all enjoy!
May 13, 2009
Rachel’s Story: Death is Not Dying
Rachel Barkey has terminal cancer and may not live to see her 38th birthday. She is a wife and a mother, but these things do not define her. Cancer does not define her. Rachel says that her relationship with Jesus Christ is what defines her. Several weeks ago, Rachel shared a message with a group of women entitled “Death is Not Dying: A Faith that Saves.” Her faith is an inspiration and a testimony of the power of the gospel even in the face of death.
