Blogger v. Wordpress

The links in my sidebar have become dangerously unreliable, as more and more folks seem to be switching from Blogger to Wordpress (most notably LutherPunk's Idle Ramblings and Dave at Here I stand). I've looked through the features of Wordpress, and they seem pretty nice. But is it worth making all of the links to my blog point at the wrong site? What about all of the blogging Lutherans links?

I think for now it is time to stay put. For now. But Blogger needs to get me some shiny new features if they expect me to stick around.

Christian "Virtue"?

Catching up on some reading after a couple of days out of the office, I came across an interesting editorial piece in the latest Christianity Today. Unfortunately, I seem to be unable to find the article itself online, as I would love to link to it for all to read.

The author talks about a leading atheist and the response to his latest book, and how he could always tell the emails from Christians (as opposed to Muslims, Buddhists, etc), because the Christians' were always the most hated-filled. The author then went on to talk to his target audience (conservative evangelical Christians) about the hate with which they often treat other Christians.

The article was right on, and timely. But did not go far enough for me. Yes, as conservative Christians have a track record of being hateful toward those that they perceive to be "heretical" (read: liberal). But I have noticed that this tendencey has arisen in the left-wing of our church as well. I often find more liberal Christians describing their conservative brothers and sisters with nothing but hate and vitriol.

How did we get to this point? Certainly I understand standing up to what you perceive to be false teachings, heresy, or perversions of the Gospel. But when did we get to the point where there is no room for faithful Christians to disagree without excommunicating one another? I am not saying that we all need to be more liberal or more conservative -- I am saying shame on us for not being able to disagree while still remaining in fellowship with one another, shame on us for teaching the world that Christians hate one another - so what chance is there of us loving the stranger.

"Those who say, 'I love God,' while hating their brothers and sisters are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. (1 John 4:20-21)

May Almighty God give us the strength and the courage to love not only those with whom we agree, but also our enemies and those with whom we disagree; that the world may see the love of God through our actions. Amen.

Baby Girl

When someone as fine and upstanding as Mad Priest is asking for an update on the baby, then it must be time to fill in the online world on the latest in baby news.

We are expecting a girl - Layla Margaret Hansen. The pregnancy has gone well, and my wife has had relatively little sickness and discomfort (thanks be to God). Next weekend, we are having a baby shower at the church, hosted by the women of my wife's WELCA cirle.

We are every bit as excited as you would expect, and we thank God for this gift and addition to our family.

A Navy Pier Gathering

I am using some of my continuing education time this year to go to the ELCA's Navy Pier Gathering in August (snuck this one in just under the wire - any later and it would be too close to the due date to leave town).

So the Navy Pier Gathering is also entitled "Affirming Young Leaders: Thanks Be To God." It is a gathering for about 100 rostered leaders under the age of 30. As it approaches, I find myself getting more and more excited about the event. I was - at one point in my life - very involved in the goings-on of the wider church: I served on the churchwide board of the LYO, attended my share of gatherings in Chicago, was at the Philadelphia churchwide convention, and worked for a summer in the ELCA's Dept of Ecumenical Affairs. Interestingly, it was seminary that took me away from those sorts of events. As it approaches, my excitement makes me realize how much I missed it -- especially knowing that some of the same folks I used to know from churchwide events will probably be there.

Not only that, but I find myself realizing how much I need this continuing ed time. If nothing else, just to share ideas and stories with other people who are going through some of the same things. So if you'll be there -- I'll see you in Chicago.

Mea Culpa

It seems that I have neglected this blog -- and the Blogging Lutherans webring -- for far too long. My apologies. However, I am back, and will be posting here with some regularity again.

The Blogging Lutherans webring has been updated - there are now 59 blogs online with the webring. If you were one of those frustrated by the wait for me to push the "site approved" button, please accept my apologies.

There are still some sites in the queue, waiting to become members. If you are one of those, please place the blogging Lutherans html code on your blog, and and soon as possible and I will get you add to the members list.

Hello again, friends of the blog o'sphere