The Wall

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“What a dear old wall that is that runs along by the river there! I never pass it without feeling better for the sight of it. Such a mellow, bright, sweet old wall; what a charming picture it would make, with the lichen creeping here, and the moss growing there, a shy young vine peeping over the top at this spot, to see what is going on upon the busy river, and the sober old ivy clustering a little farther down! There are fifty shades and tints and hues in every ten yards of that old wall. . . . It looks so peaceful and so quiet, and it is such a dear old place to ramble round in the early morning before many people are about.” Jerome K. Jerome, “Three Men In A Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)” Ch. 6 (1889)

"A New Exodus? Americans are Exiting Liberal Churches"

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Monday, June 6, 2005

"We have figured out your problem. You're the only one here who believes in God." That statement, addressed to a young seminarian, introduces Dave Shiflett's new book, Exodus: Why Americans are Fleeing Liberal Churches for Conservative Christianity. The book is an important contribution, and Shiflett offers compelling evidence that liberal Christianity is fast imploding upon itself.

read the rest of the article here

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Yet I could not help but notice the report of continuing rise of mysticism and blatant animism that prevails to influence many pastors today: per a poll issued by Barna, Rick Warren and his books "The Purpose-Driven Life" and "The Purpose-Driven Church" topped the list of typical pastor reading material, according to a study by The Barna Group released May 30. . . Other books cited by at least 2 percent of pastors included "What's So Amazing About Grace?" by Phillip Yancey, "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge, "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels, "Spiritual Leadership" by Henry Blackaby, "Next Generation Leader" by Andy Stanley and "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John Maxwell.

BTW: Warren's camp is heating up due to an authorized biography to which Warren responds. In that response, a few other inconsistencies are popping up . . .

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