tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60691955131124247332011-07-08T03:52:58.713-07:00Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.comBlogger751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-49562990707741516712010-09-21T07:52:00.001-07:002010-09-21T07:56:13.399-07:00

"Hey its good to be back home again. Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend..."Who knows if John Denver is the one who said it best - but he certainly got the heart of it. Its been a long time since I've been in WW on a regular basis - between the Malaysia mission trip (very good) and WWVA Senior Survival (brilliant), it feels like I've been more away from home than I've actually

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-43614949029703320842010-08-24T07:59:00.000-07:002010-08-25T07:35:11.521-07:00

If I dont say so myself, the food has been fantastic in Kuching. I'm worried the weight gain is going to be in the double digits. Have my work cut out for me when I get back home. All the pictures below are from a vegetarian restaurant that is owned by Buddhists. Absolutely delicious.From 2010 - Malaysia Mission TripFrom 2010 - Malaysia Mission TripFrom 2010 - Malaysia Mission TripFrom 2010 -

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-85443053800194888932010-08-23T23:15:00.000-07:002010-08-23T23:27:55.702-07:00

 Islam is the state religion in Malaysia. However, at least in the state of Sarawak, where we are staying - the majority religion is Christianity. An interesting thing. At present, Muslims are celebrating Ramadhan in Sarawak which means that there are brilliant collections of street vendors set up to sell their foods each evening from about 6:30 to 8:30. So what I understand is that Muslims fast

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-71245826733078376142010-08-22T20:31:00.000-07:002010-08-23T23:28:15.414-07:00

 So our meetings have begun.Actually tonight will be #5. The first weekend of a Share Him series is always the most intense. Now we are starting to get into the flow of things. The group seems to have a bit more of a focused demeanor...at least over the weekend. I think it became very clear very quickly how important and potentially significant what we are doing actually is. Others in the group

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-12568187055904036372010-08-19T18:37:00.000-07:002010-08-23T23:28:27.483-07:00

 Just a test to see if this works - Trying to share my picture album from malaysia.

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-37041210059427405972010-08-19T15:33:00.000-07:002010-08-23T23:28:53.295-07:00

Last night we went to a meeting called "the association of Christian churches".Although I said what I said in the last post, embarrassingly I was frustrated having to be there because it took up about 4 hrs of our evening, exhausted us, and kept us from working on preparations for the #1 thing we are here to do. "If you say yes to something, you are saying 'no' to something else." right? Yet I've

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-13329118455788348362010-08-17T20:47:00.001-07:002010-08-23T23:29:22.347-07:00

Presently the group and I are in the Singapore airport. We have been here since around 1am last evening and decided to just chill here for the day - especially given the fact that it is like a complete torrential downpour.If you ever get the chance, really, this airport is a great place. Very clean, pretty, free internet kiosks everywhere, fun stuff to do, and great food. At least thats what we

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-1523854124136568512010-08-16T10:38:00.000-07:002010-08-23T23:29:31.707-07:00

I'm at the airport. 4hrs before my flight.Not on my own accord mind you - although I do tend towards a higher anxiety level when I'm traveling - but Paige and her mom had to get home quick so I got dumped. Fun.My initial reflections on this trip are firstly that I am dissappointed I cant be in Walla Walla for the start of school. The scheduling details of this trip didn't become fully clear to me

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-44151038726124475782010-04-14T21:51:00.001-07:002010-04-14T21:55:03.282-07:00

I've been here at the Walla Walla University church now for about 4 months.I think I am going to get back on the horse here and post more frequently...We are working on creating some great space for our High School members here at the University church. Tonight was our first of several 'work bees' where we are investing together in creating a dedicated place for all of our High School

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-29348108685030022752009-09-20T18:09:00.001-07:002009-09-20T18:10:15.866-07:00

Just Posted a new post over at Reinventing the Adventist Wheel.They should come more regularly now - about one per month.

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-88206102934498955322009-06-03T08:50:00.001-07:002009-06-03T08:50:19.961-07:00

Just posted my first contribution to Reinventing the Adventist wheel.Check it out at http://reinventingsdawheel.blogspot.com/

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-70331767709084317642009-06-01T16:17:00.001-07:002009-06-01T16:17:52.490-07:00

Marcel over at Reinventing the Adventist Wheel asked me to contribute once a month or so over there. My first post should be up in the next week or so. Keep on the lookout!

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-58530236952134658042009-04-23T15:59:00.001-07:002009-04-23T15:59:06.116-07:00

Currently, I'm sitting here at the Catalyst West conference in IrvineCalleeefforneeea -Great stuff so far; I'm really being fed and filled and challenged.Thank God for this place and this group of people.I'm also happy to be here w/ a few guys from Upper Columbia Conference.Update a little later on some neat ideas that came through today'sspeakers: Guy Kawasaki, Andy Stanley, Ravi Zacharias, and

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-35705585751460096612009-04-03T22:00:00.001-07:002009-04-03T22:00:18.885-07:00

My foray to Honduras has come to a conclusion. Life is good and it wasan honor to get to serve God and do what I could in that place tousher in His Kingdom. He really did some fun things.In thinking back on my weeks there, the idea that comes to mind in anoverwhelming sense is simplicity. Specifically, I was reminded of thestark difference between my life of complexity and anxiety - and thelives

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-38667137134557113102009-03-25T21:11:00.001-07:002009-03-25T21:11:39.661-07:00

I am reading this book from the 80's called "This Present Darkness" Itis pretty interesting. There are things I find helpful,interesting,and even challenging; there are also things in it I find alittle disingenuous, ridiculous, or even deceptive.It is a novel from a Christian perspective about how God works in theworld through unseen messengers or angels - and also how the devilworks similarly...

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-71751668775706027782009-03-20T17:58:00.001-07:002009-03-20T17:58:39.953-07:00

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/26793903/the_big_takeover/8It is a bit cynical - but I think clearly spells out what's going onand its disgusting.It makes me want to throw up.And God too

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-37315834008177494762009-03-19T17:10:00.001-07:002009-03-19T17:10:55.038-07:00

On the Pope on condoms:The pope was in Africa this past week and made some comments regardingcondom use and the AIDs crisis. He said that condoms won't solve theproblem and that they actually make it worse. Aside from the fact thatI think he is underestimating the scope of Aids in Africa, I read aninteresting quote on a message board on cnn.com -"It's funny how people are surprised that the

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-22632846556112155372009-03-19T07:57:00.001-07:002009-03-19T07:57:30.665-07:00

So yesterday I spoke for Week of prayer at the Bilingual school.I found myself annoyed during my talk because about 1/2 the room werehaving their own conversations - literally - and loudly.For the first 1/2 of the talk, I just made a lot of long pauses; this helped toquiet them down briefly - but they immediately were back to almost a roarwhen I was speaking.It was frustrating because it seems

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-29973330854254814002009-03-17T07:43:00.001-07:002009-03-17T07:43:41.354-07:00

Last night I preached on God's Love and it felt really good.I think it connected a lot.That message requires me to really show my own scars a bit and talkabout my personalexperiences with being hurt by religiosity - telling me that God isn'tinterested.I think it isperhaps the worst disservice and even crime against God to tellpeople that they aren't good enough for him - that they aren't accepted

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-89396055161148511982009-03-16T07:30:00.001-07:002009-03-16T07:30:36.226-07:00

last night we began.I spoke about hope and how nothing is impossible for God.We prayed for many people too...a whole group came forward whowant more of God in their lives.I hope people continue to make themselves available for him to work.Tonight is all about his love and how ''nothing we can do can make himlove us less'' a la rob bell.Amen ' yes Lord ' may it be so.

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-86485192396106156192009-03-14T22:46:00.000-07:002009-03-14T22:51:05.544-07:00

Sermon went well - It seemed that it connected; no shoes or any otherobjects were thrown - and this isgood.We spent the day out walking around town and having lunch.Good times- a really neat square can be found in the center oftown here in Comayagua. Cool beansTomorrow night the "companya" begins in earnest.I am praying that people meet God there.May it be so - Amen.

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-73697709553104891122009-03-13T12:19:00.001-07:002009-03-13T12:19:23.905-07:00

I'm preaching this sermon on the remnant tomorrow - its really kind ofabout pride in Adventism.I think that Adventists sometimes allow pride in being the remnant toderail them from behavingas the remnant should. They use it as an excuse to be aloof, separate,and even exclusivist -rather than open, connecting, and interested in the rest of Humanity.However, the thought just entered my mind: I

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-8171163508325691672009-03-12T17:47:00.001-07:002009-03-13T12:20:27.655-07:00

I made it to Honduras -It is going to be a good time - I have a good feeling about this -probably will developinto an even better time after I get some more Shut-eye.The preaching begins Saturday morning, then Sunday night; I guess thewhole country is doinga crusade thing on the same week - so that's pretty cool.It will be fun fun.more laterk--

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-72052978638472884692008-11-25T11:45:00.001-08:002008-11-25T11:45:31.690-08:00

kris loewen sent you an invitation to connect on Pulse on October 24. That invitation will expire soon! Follow this link to accept kris's invitation. http://pulse.plaxo.com/invite?i=48705154&k=1509658198&l=en_us Plaxo is free, easy to use and takes only a minute to join. Come see what kris wants to share. Thanks! The Plaxo team More than 20 million people use

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-41604571556287674162008-11-20T13:51:00.001-08:002008-11-20T13:53:03.820-08:00

This is so sad.Some Christians might believe that destroying the rainforest like this is simply "using the earth" as God has prescribed the human race in Genesis. I would argue this is akin to rape - it way oversteps our gift of use and even ignores God's further command to protect the creation.There is a fine line between use and abuse; God says that we ought to eat from the planet, live from

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-31534497640166647862008-11-04T15:32:00.001-08:002008-11-04T15:32:37.827-08:00

Fun Stuff!

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-90232901152446655152008-08-27T23:25:00.001-07:002008-08-27T23:25:14.127-07:00

>I'll write more about this later; but how cool is this?I find it so amazingly funny when I find this type of junk...I mean where do you come up with this?

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-904787097346357652008-07-22T17:41:00.001-07:002008-07-22T17:41:45.291-07:00

I recently preached a sermon based on Rob Bell's exegesis of Matthew 23:23-25 he gave in a sermon in the past couple of years. It is a powerful exposition of the text and an appeal to acknowledge and embrace the complexity and broadness of the gospel.Jesus says that the Pharisees are 'neglecting weightier matters of the law'...and that they are 'straining out gnats - yet swallowing camels'. His

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-81598857389149816392008-07-16T23:04:00.001-07:002008-07-16T23:04:41.164-07:00

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-44639875540178003182008-07-08T11:02:00.001-07:002008-07-08T13:34:39.717-07:00

It's been a while; too long. For I have been through much since I posted last... Actually that just sounded kind of cute - I really haven't been through that much.Anyways, I was bopping around on the web looking for info on my latest sermon on Hosea 3 and I ran across this site: http://russellsteapot.com/know-your-bible/At the core, he seems to be getting at the selective way most (or all)

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-86811956452580465522008-04-24T12:46:00.001-07:002008-04-24T12:47:31.033-07:00

I saw this on the web recently. It is interesting to me that happiness goes with wealth seemingly....this is counter-intuitive to what we rich folk often talk about: that money doesn't bring happiness. I wonder what they used to define happiness. I wonder if its really true. Because as I look around at rich americans, we are pretty much depressed and unhappy for the most part.

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-64256115618327892882008-04-14T14:05:00.001-07:002008-04-14T14:05:36.286-07:00

At the conference in Seattle, McLaren talked about how, super simplified, there are two lists of concerns: stuff churches care about, and big world issues.On the first list are things Like: -Tithe; Homosexuality; Women in Ministry; Speaking in Tongues; Biblical Inerrancy; Predestination...etc..On the second are things like: -Poverty; War; Global Warming; Crime; GangsChurch people

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-24865303075040477792008-04-14T06:26:00.001-07:002008-04-14T06:26:42.840-07:00

I have had the joy of working through the first couple of chapters of "Evangelism after Christendom" by Bryan Stone - by the recommendation by Ryan Bell. It has been excellent thus far. One idea I have picked up - if I am correct - is that Evangelism or Christian Witness can be looked at as a practice that is good in and of itself, regardless of external 'results' (i.e. conversions). He makes

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-899855375816346422008-04-13T18:04:00.001-07:002008-04-13T18:04:01.752-07:00

Just got back from a wonderful experience in Seattle with Brian McLaren - called the "Everything must Change Tour" - a fabulous seminar given by McLaren on the major issues in the world and how the message of the Kingdom of God - the gospel - can impact and even reverse those things.It was truly an inspiring, challenging, and moving time.

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-32402912605735882352008-03-06T13:50:00.001-08:002008-03-06T13:50:31.199-08:00

I am preaching friday night at Walla Walla University vespers and really looking forward to it. We are going to explore - just a bit - human anger: its downfalls and potential. I listed to a great sermon by Rob Bell about a year ago from his series "Jesus is Difficult" - some of my ideas are from that sermon. I recently picked up a book he referenced in it entitled "The Enigma of Anger" by

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-19363828674691825862008-03-04T20:16:00.001-08:002008-03-04T20:16:50.478-08:00

I am greatly looking forward to the WWU Church-youth wildfire weekend. It is essentially a weekend retreat for boys who are juniors or seniors in High-school intended to, in a way, pass the torch of manhood to them, inform them about important issues, and send them into college and beyond with God's blessing and courage.I am going to be presenting sections on my spiritual journey with God and all

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-52654495322214977542008-03-02T13:51:00.000-08:002008-03-04T20:39:19.384-08:00

I just listened to a talk by Brian McLaren on war on peace. (You can download it here [59min running time]) It was given just before the US went to war in Iraq in 2003. In it, McLaren reads a letter he penned to George W. Bush on war, peace, pacifism, Just-War, and the like. It is deeply moving and touching.Perhaps what I like most about it is how Mclaren acknowledges the complexity of war & how

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-84481938374861891162008-02-28T10:02:00.001-08:002008-02-28T10:03:49.522-08:00

Just listened to this recording of Scot McKnight speaking about inspiration at a national pastor's convention. I think he has a lot of cogent points. One of his general premises is that we essentially read the Bible selectively (some things apply to us, and others do not) - and that we, in many cases, don't even realize we are doing this, let alone have any type of backdrop for determining how we

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-87852557965960729462008-02-28T09:45:00.001-08:002008-02-28T09:45:05.170-08:00

boomp3.com

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-90101109818137459232008-02-28T09:44:00.001-08:002008-02-28T09:44:28.231-08:00

boomp3.com

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-59852717937565076202008-02-11T13:32:00.001-08:002008-03-06T14:16:10.611-08:00

I spent Sunday with my friend Caleb in Walla Walla - he spoke with me about a concept that I hadn't really processed before: he was talking about how many Christians (and especially Adventist Christians) have this unstated or even subconscious worldview that being a Believer is a different thing than being a Disciple. And its almost as if being a believer - and making believers - and nurturing

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-47217414680517455592008-02-06T23:54:00.001-08:002008-02-07T00:00:24.870-08:00

1-How do you make the decision on who to vote for?2-What stipulations/qualifications/factors come into play?3-Must a candidate fit all/most/some/one of your requirements or views?4-Will you vote for a candidate we all know has 'no chance' of winning - knowing that casting that vote is essentially casting a vote for another candidate?5-Will you vote at all?6-Do you think the President of the US

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-68778474269958462472008-02-05T08:40:00.000-08:002008-03-06T14:15:26.400-08:00

A Long Hiatus has passed - I've been to the Caribbean and back - and to northern Idaho and back; now things are shaking normally here at home in Yak-vegasI have been thinking the past couple of days about the way in which Jesus interacts with people. With some he is harsh ('let the dead bury their own dead'), with others he is merciful ('neither do I condemn you'), and yet with others he is

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-65235129374053694112007-12-03T13:11:00.000-08:002008-03-06T14:13:58.335-08:00

This article is disturbing to me. It essentially reports that Willow Creek has finally admitted it was all wrong in how it has been 'doing church' - Mr. Burney's triumphal glee at this really makes me want to scream. He speaks as though his [implicit] views of willow creek have finally been validated - that their methods and assumptions were all wet...and we knew it all along.I for one am

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-3252656915398277202007-11-29T10:56:00.000-08:002008-03-06T14:13:36.119-08:00

Rep. Gary Nelson (R-CT) Introduces The Gary Nelson Personal Pay Raise BillI Love the Onion. It feels somewhat British in the way it is so direct in its humor...This one is great - speaks for itself.Sometimes I get the feeling that some of our church leaders resemble politicians like this: they can speak absolute garbage - actually believe it - and not even flinch. I once spoke to an Adventist

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-14721185679541018272007-11-13T13:37:00.000-08:002008-03-06T14:12:58.048-08:00

I listened to a podcast from Catalyst Labs again - a great series - Matt Chandler "Family Traits"Check it out at catalystspace.com - you can purchase the labs cds there.He speaks on - essentially - the need for full transformation in our churches - that this is absolutely central - that it is ridiculous to even speak of church growth, strategy, etc..., if we are not seeing transformation of our

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-88694579387668845852007-11-07T06:33:00.001-08:002008-03-06T14:12:21.062-08:00

How do we know when it was God doing it...and when it was someone else? How do we tell the difference between God's deeds and satans deeds and pure happenstance and the consequence of human sin and decision? Does God kill people? Is He punitive? Does he get so angry that he rubs people out? When people die - is it a consequence of God judging them...and bringing their lives to an end? On

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-3210356746146258842007-11-06T14:00:00.000-08:002008-03-06T14:11:57.282-08:00

I'm in Orlando - sunny nice 75ish degree Orlando.Taking a class - indoors all day long.Hell?The class is very good - and very interesting.One idea the teacher brought out today is that many churches practice one-sided Christianity: 1. Where social justice is done but not Evangelism 2. Or where evangelism/gospel is done without Social ActionI tend to agree with him...especially in my tradition

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-75076697895012646102007-11-05T07:06:00.000-08:002008-03-06T14:11:26.587-08:00

Its been a while: I have been quite busy with Conspiracy of Hope - But things are getting back to normal. I'm in Orlando for a couple of weeks taking some classes (Mission to the world & Interpersonal Relationships hooray!)I am working through the book unChristian right now.It is a fairly newly published book that was picked up for me at Catalyst conference in Atlanta just a day or two ago.

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-76249103123198844472007-09-10T09:03:00.000-07:002008-03-06T14:10:39.666-08:00

I am working on a sermon right now about responses to evil in our world. Pandora's box is one...Greek mythology expressing the idea that we have evil as punishment for (i think) arrogance and human pride. The Hindu idea of retribution for past living is also there. It seems finding a construct to interpret evil in our world is necessary...there is so much of it...everyone recognizes it. Even

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-31980628910286421872007-09-06T18:18:00.000-07:002008-03-06T14:09:07.063-08:00

Alan Ayers came through again with a great design for our billboards for "Conspiracy of Hope"I am still excited about the meetings - things seem to be coming together; but again - it will not end in good shape without God's presence.I talked with the board this past week about my personal goals for our meetings...everyone seemed pretty supportive and that made me feel good.I took a class once

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-52547053689839793832007-09-04T10:38:00.000-07:002008-03-06T14:08:38.624-08:00

I have been listening to Catalyst Podcast. Oh my oh my; I have run out of material...because I just blew through it all...what great stuff.On account of my newness to Catalyst...and my ignorance to other's status, I provide this brief description: they are an organization that gives content, direction, vision, conversation to church leaders (as far as I have gathered). www.catalystspace.com and

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-66177543151693593432007-09-04T10:23:00.000-07:002008-03-06T14:08:11.254-08:00

Took up my instrument this past weekend.I started playing Upright Bass classically in grade school, and was in orchestras all the way through my first couple of years in college. I enjoyed it. It got snubbed after I found things I valued more; but I have great memories of the trips and time spent in rehearsal. I never considered myself to be very good - but I was not terrible.A couple of

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-60586882253679641112007-08-23T10:29:00.000-07:002008-03-06T14:07:46.990-08:00

I attend board meeting quite religiously. I am one of the pastors, so this is expected.I had not attended many before I arrived here in Yakima, but now that I have around a years worth of church & school board meetings under my belt, I have a question to ask: As a community of Christians, what drives us? How do we decide what we are going to do? At this point, through my observations of how my

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-91594796626867893062007-08-22T12:35:00.000-07:002008-03-06T14:06:10.361-08:00

Right now, I am wrestling with an old theological idea. I am working on a sermon for my upcoming seminar all about God's love and acceptance. The angle I am taking is that God's character has been misrepresented (it was to me) in some of the Christian world. My contention is that too often, theologians and pastors jump over God's love to talk about human responsibility in faith, and God's

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-85284543279684263412007-08-17T09:07:00.000-07:002008-03-06T14:02:50.057-08:00

When I spent a few weeks in Ghana for an evangelism preaching series, one of our Ghanaian leaders, whenever he had some topic to discuss with the group would say: "ok, I'm going to throw in another wild one into the center"...he was referring to a 'wild snake' to tame. So here is my wild one today: I live in a house that is adjoining one other house. We call it a town house because we own our

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-31082783656964747362007-08-15T22:12:00.001-07:002008-03-06T14:01:48.594-08:00

This is the 'final' draft of the brochures for myevangelism seminars in September.Things of Beauty - Alan Ayers is a good person.

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-2454807556713971462007-08-15T16:32:00.000-07:002008-03-06T14:01:21.607-08:00

This past sabbath - I had the privilege of speaking to Connections church in downtown Yakima. They meet in a charming old church with a vaulted dome ceiling complete with stained glass; large sub woofers, ornate woodworking, stacks of jbl speakers, custom made curving pews, and a flat screen tv turned projector. I had a wonderful time.It is a space truly full of the past - and looking to the

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-45470311527757899232007-07-26T09:44:00.001-07:002007-07-26T09:46:46.592-07:00

I am having the privilege of experiencing a class at the Seventh-day Adventist seminary from Joseph Kidder. It is on Spiritual Formation, and it has been such an amazing experience and powerful new beginning in my spiritual life. It is truly fabulous.I spent the day yesterday in a botanical gardens - I prayed all day long. I spent the day with my Lord. It was truly one of the best and most

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-26038035604460785202007-07-18T09:23:00.000-07:002007-07-18T09:38:31.392-07:00

It is easy to live day to day - especially in America - and not trust God.In the past few days, my wife and I have really been praying for God to take care of us...and trying to replace our attitude of "do everything we possibly can before we ask God for his help and guidance". Do you listen to God? Do you consciously trust him to take care of things...and only act for your own preservation and

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-30835314051261789582007-06-25T16:01:00.000-07:002007-06-25T16:21:22.842-07:00

I'm loaded.It's official.I'm the 260,000,000 richest person on earth!How rich are you? >>If this survey is anywhere near accurate (which I think it might give a semi-correct ballpark idea), I am in the top %4 of world's wealthiest people... SHocking... I don't think I have EVER felt like it before!I am working on a sermon about being Generous.Many of us have this idea in our heads (if we live

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-29876765835187133202007-06-18T11:54:00.000-07:002007-06-18T12:16:16.092-07:00

I preached this past weekend. I was fairly happy with the message...I worked very hard on it, and I believe it was something God was trying to teach me as much as he was trying to teach the congregation.If you are interested, you can download it here. It was entitled "The Problem with Temples"This sermon will be a part of my upcoming series in the fall.Anyways, I spoke about Jesus' phrase in the

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-87290520079320192402007-06-08T10:47:00.000-07:002007-06-08T11:06:08.348-07:00

An amusing exercise can be found at: http://quizfarm.com/run.php/Quiz?quiz_id=7095Thanks to ProgressiveAdventism.com for the link.Here are my 'stats' for all who might be interested (inquiring minds want to know of course)...The test is interesting, but feels a little contrived...and as a true postmodern leaner, I felt like I couldn't answer all the questions how I would answer them if I could

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-2883644948811575842007-06-07T10:05:00.000-07:002007-06-07T10:13:40.707-07:00

I just returned from a weekend at a local youth camp. I spent the time with a group of young pastors from my area, talking about and learning more about pastoral ministry in the Christian church.Of the many things that struck me, one that I found particularly helpful and insightful was the theme of: the necessity for me to be me in my ministry...and not to become a conglomerate of everyone's

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-17726678513882070072007-05-22T07:59:00.000-07:002007-05-22T09:48:18.066-07:00

I just returned from a weekend extravaganza to Olympic National Park in Washington state. I slept in a tent with my wife in the monsoon like rain in the rain forest. It was heavenly.Of the many thoughts that came to my mind this weekend, one sticks out today.I live approximately a 5 hour drive from that magical place...and have for the past 20 years...Yet I have visited it a whopping 2 times (

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-76611325954183259392007-05-14T21:02:00.000-07:002007-05-15T09:42:05.948-07:00

Here is a quote from the book "Live to Tell" by Brad Kallenberg: "My Suggestion that the intelligibility of the gospel depends strongly upon the character of the believing community may be disconcerting to Christians who, perhaps because they are steeped in individualism, cannot help but construe evangelism as a matter of one-on-one conversations. I

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-6411911229111133282007-05-03T21:30:00.000-07:002007-05-04T14:22:18.769-07:00

I am in the process of writing sermons for a series of meetings my church is sponsoring in the Fall. I really have high hopes for the good stuff God is going to do through them...I'm really excited. Our theme is hope...and I am going to preach on some unique topics (particularly for an Adventist 'crusade')...I'm going to start off with things like: my story, God's full acceptance of you,

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-7887298130268812632007-05-02T09:15:00.000-07:002007-05-04T22:36:29.492-07:00

I read the book of Daniel yesterday.From time to time in my life, I have just felt that necessary.Each time, I am left with some really important teachings...few of which are found in the average Adventist presentation of the book of Daniel.Of the themes that really spoke to me today, the idea of remaining faithful to God, through thick and thin, regardless of the surrounding chaos and confusion,

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-42992724658271784882007-04-14T12:54:00.000-07:002007-04-14T13:15:57.740-07:00

No, not my own personal wedding. (I hope there will only be a first wedding for me personally). I led out as the minister for my friends Jennifer & Scott in their wedding...this was my first time officiating over a service. It was really nice...it went really well. There were obviously things I myself would like to improve. For Instance, I would have liked to had more of a chance to discuss

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-61827701776491933112007-04-04T09:25:00.001-07:002007-05-03T11:15:33.285-07:00

I gave a talk last night for a Health Seminar...my part was entitled "The most important health principle"...and it was all about spending time with God.I really do believe in what I said; I'm just not sure I would say it that way to that group if I had a choice (it is mostly people from our community who are interested in having better health...not necessarily {but not to the exclusion of}

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-77249075631181424332007-04-03T14:24:00.000-07:002007-04-03T14:57:07.213-07:00

I am listening to a show on NPR - Talk of the Nation. They are talking about Darwin and the history of his theory of origins. One comment the guest made was this: "it is peculiar how every person in the world has their own view of how Darwinian evolution applies, or how creationism applies in the reality of our world..." what she meant by this is is that there quite obviously can only be one true

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-68009395209932719372007-03-31T12:54:00.000-07:002007-05-03T08:42:12.513-07:00

Just finished preaching my sermon on humility...and I just wasn't feeling it.I wonder if anyone picked up on that...or that I wasn't really feeling all that prepared either.I still had people come and tell me that it was what they needed to hear; but its hard to really take stock in it, because I feel like It never internalized enough in my heart.THe message on my heart is one of the key

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-44417967828649784742007-03-29T09:59:00.001-07:002007-04-03T14:56:01.259-07:00

I am preaching on communion this week. I think my theme is going to be humility, but I'm not sure where I'm going from that idea.To me, the humility Jesus lived is beyond belief...and it is truly against much of what we as a culture values. It was self-sacrificing and unpretentious to the very end.Although on the face, pride is honored in our American culture, charity and generosity to our

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-78566763428077406712007-03-28T20:54:00.001-07:002007-03-28T20:54:48.654-07:00

I like Rabbits...this is a test to see if my love for rabbits comes through via email...hmmm-- Kristopher Loewen"Love compelled is a precursor to loneliness. Having the freedom to love when you may choose not to love is to give love legitimate meaning" -Ravi Zacharias

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069195513112424733.post-42342279401656792212007-03-28T20:26:00.000-07:002007-04-14T13:18:05.787-07:00

What a trip! Just got back from Poptun, Peten, Guatemala with a group of kids from YACS here in Yakima. We built a church and did some good clean playing with kids and I pulled a lOt of teeth with a missionary dentist. What fun. THe people we met were charitable, kind, and friendly...albeit conservative in beliefs/habits. It was a truly great experience...with many interesting twists and turns

Kristopher Loewenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17527609566647722166noreply@blogger.com0