Grace & Truth
HotNews Responds to the ICC
Editor's note: This article was originally published at ICOC HotNews in 2008. Republished with permission.
While it has been common place for critical articles about the ICOC to appear previously at the Portland website (when McKean led that congregation) and now at the City of Angels Church's website where Kip McKean is the minister, it seemed time for us here at ICOC Hot News to respond.
Reach the World
"Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise." -- Psalm 79:13
As our Uber driver dropped us off at America’s Center in St. Louis, he exclaimed, “The news people should be down here telling this story! These people are so young, happy and diverse!” That pretty much sums up the nearly 18,000 who attended Reach2016, the ICOC North American Discipleship Summit July 7-10.
To Act or React?
God’s people were a mess. Many were divided into distinct groups that distrusted, disliked or condemned each other. You could identify them by the leaders they followed, the writings they read and the meetings they attended. Some thought holding to the traditions of the past was the answer to all their problems. Others wanted a more practical faith and others were sure that a deeper knowledge of the Scriptures and the traditions were the way to freedom. Some just wanted to be more politically active and make their homeland God’s country again.2012 WDS - A Defining Moment for the International Churches of Christ
God inspired. Leaders planned. The people spoke.
The Christmas Story that Changes the World
On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” Others said, “He is the Messiah.”Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him -- John 7:40-44
This wonderful time called Christmas reminds us of the beauty, power and controversy of the greatest story ever told. Jesus came from heaven to be born of a woman, live as a human, conquer sin, death and the grave so that we can also be raised to new life forever. Wow!
In Manhattan on 9/11
Editor's note: This article is reprinted from LA Story, October 2001:
Marcia and I were in Manhattan the day the world changed -- September 11, 2001. In a brief moment, one of the single most evil atrocities in the history of mankind killed over 2,750* people from over 60 countries, left thousands of children without a parent, jolted the USA into a grieving resolve and forged an unprecedented global unity of nations against terrorism.
Your Choice
I read an article recently that explained how some people are more naturally cheerful and optimistic due to genetics. That may be true, but far more people have chosen to be that way, by faith. See this anecdote that is making its way around the email world.
Giving Thanks
Many cultures sanctify a day or more a year just for giving thanks. In the United States, that day is called Thanksgiving.
This year Thanksgiving is pregnant with thoughts and emotions. For me, November 22, 1963 was the sober introduction to adult Thanksgiving beyond turkey, pumpkin pie and football.
Cell Phone vs. the Bible
Have you ever wondered what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? A friend sent this to me the other day:
After the ICOC Fire: Ideals or Vision?
Eighth in a series reflecting on the firestorm that occurred in our family of churches and told as a parable of the Great Chicago Fire and lessons from Scripture. To read the entire series of articles, see After the Fire.