Should More Christians Live in the City?

This article in Christianity Today talks about A New Kind of Urban Christian. The premise is "As the city goes, so goes the culture."

Here is an Excerpt from the article:

"More Christians should live long-term in cities. Historians point out that by A.D. 300, the urban populations of the Roman Empire were largely Christian, while the countryside was pagan. (Indeed, the word pagan originally meant someone from the countryside—its use as a synonym for a non-Christian dates from this era.) The same was true during the first millennium A.D. in Europe—the cities were Christian, but the broad population across the countryside was pagan. The lesson from both eras is that when cities are Christian, even if the majority of the population is pagan, society is headed on a Christian trajectory. Why? As the city goes, so goes the culture. Cultural trends tend to be generated in the city and flow outward to the rest of society."

To read more, go here!

Emergent Self-Critique

"It’s always wise to listen and learn from criticism, but it’s even more important to proactively examine ourselves. As Paul said, if we judged ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged (1 Cor. 11:31), and Jesus told us to examine our own eyes for lumber before worrying about the splinters in others’ eyes. So, in that spirit, here’s an exercise in self-examination for the growing global generative friendship that is associated with the name “emergent” in the U.S. and in many places around the world. It’s based on my own observations, and includes proposals for how we respond to the issues I try to describe. "

I just read Brian McLaren´s critique of the Emergent movement (which you can read here). He seems very honest and brings up some very relevant issues. If you have been following the Emergent conversation, it is worth the read.

Mid Week Fun

Rome- I have been watching a Discovery Channel 8 part special on the rise and fall of Rome. It is very interesting and there are many things that we Americans should pay attention to as our society has many parallels to Rome.

Well, speaking of Rome, Lori is in Rome right now with her Mom, her Mom's best friend Gail and Gail's daughter Adrienne. Our good friend Father Sal who is a retired Catholic priest here in SdC just happened to have a trip scheduled there for the Same time. Today he is acting as their tour guide and showing them the Vatican. Tomorrow they are going to check out Florence.

Home- Abi, Isa and I are hanging out a lot this week. We reduced my hours at the cafe this week to enable me to be a stay at home dad. Yesterday afternoon I took the girls to my favorite plant store outside of town and then they helped me plant some new flowers on our back patio. It was such a hot day that by the end I ended up watering them with the hose as well as the flowers. They squealed with delight. Today I am planning on taking them to a park and then to "Old MacDaonald's" (as Isa calls it) for some ice cream.

Gnome- If Lori was here she would groan and probably make me change this post because it really has nothing to do with gnomes I just wanted to keep rhyming (hey, I've been hanging out with a two and four year old this week so cut me some slack). Anyways, I have posted some new photos here, here and here.

Roam- Hah, different kind of Rome. OK, enough. No more. I gotta stop. Anyway I wanted to encourage you to roam the net to see some of my favorite blogs this week.

• I wanted to Highlight Todd´s Blog in Paris. He has been writing some great articles about immigrants (a touchy topic, I know, but definitely a topic worth thinking about.

• I also wanted to highlight Missions Misunderstood. This missionary works for the IMB, but his posts are often relevant for anyone taking part in short or long term missions.

• Of Course, you can always check out my team mate Jacob´s blog to see more of what is happening here in SdC and some of the things that we talk about.

• Rainy Spain is another cool blog by an American who lives in SdC

• Also, if you have never visited the Tall Skinny Kiwi site you should. This guy blogs more in a day than anyone else I know. He definitely has his finger on the pulse of the blogosphere.

Cafe Event No-2

Last Thursday we were able to hold our second cultural event in the cafe. We had an inauguration for an art exhibition of a local amateur artist who is also one of our regular clients. A Texan friend who lives and works with a church in A Coruña came down and created an awesome atmosphere for us by playing the hammer dulcimer. These events have been awesome ways for us to connect with and serve people in our community. We are looking forward to trying a broad range of similar events in the coming year.

School Trip

Abigail and Lori spent Friday with students, parents and teachers from Abigail's school as they went to the country on a field trip. It was a hot day, but they had lots of fun. I am hoping to post photos of it here.

Family and Friends

Lori and I have been blessed to have Lori´s Mom, her best friend Gail, and Gail´s daughte Adrian visiting us here in SdC. Next week the women are taking a trip to Rome together and I will be doing the single father thing with Abigail and Isa (feel free to pray for me). It has been fun showing them our favorite part of the city and Spanish culture.

Summer Intern

We want to welcome Bri Kari. She is here interning with us this summer form Orlando, Florida. She has already been a great help to our team and we pray that God blesses her and those who she meets during her time here over the next two months.