NextGenKent

In part two of this discussion of What is in a seed, I decided to research a little about the  effects of a seed's environment . Here are some things I learned. 1. When a seed grows in an alternate environment and survives, it is said it has  adapted.  How many times have you adapted? Whether we like it or not, adapting is a part of life. Our attitude about it is something we can control. 2. Some seeds planted in harsher environments, and live, can have its DNA restructured to become a hardier plant for that environment in the future. This is simply fascinating! It reminds of what James tells us in those first few verses in his opening chapter about counting it all joy because of those trials and what they produce! 3. The seed within the fruit of a plant gains information from its “mother” about what she experienced in her environment to better suit it for the next generation (this is called maternal environment effects).  Experiences modify the DNA  a...

Several years ago I partnered with a pastor in Kokomo, Indiana and will never forget something he said in one of our staff meetings. He talked about topics, and sermons series, and what he had been meditating on. Then he said, "Like, what's in a seed? I can't get my head around that." Apparently such statements hit me at my core and challenge me to try and figure it out too. Almost ten years I have been trying to get my head around that subject too: What's in a seed? The Bible has many things to say about seeds, harvesting, reaping, and leaving behind. Genesis 1:29 “every seed is for you” --God created every kind of seed and their purpose;  Genesis 3:15   “between your seed and her seed”--the fruit of the womb, children, are referred as seeds;  Genesis 8:22 “ seedtime and harvest … will never cease”--as long as there is an Earth. So, I wondered about the intended environment for a seed--about the soil or a womb.  I believe there are some things we...

"I just want to be a Christian I don't want to be a disciple. I like my life the way it is." I have been putting together an annotated bibliography of books for evangelism and I have really enjoyed the books I have reviewed for this (it is a part of my own personal study and research to make a course I am teaching in Evangelism and Discipleship hopefully more effective). I came across the above quote from Greg Ogden's book which quotes a Scot McKnight's book . The full quote is below. [For a good review on King Jesus Gospel .] " Dallas Willard shares a story from a pastor who challenged his congregation to become disciples. In response to this challenge, a woman said to her pastor after worship, "I just want to be a Christian. I don't want to be a disciple. I like my life the way it is..." I have been struggling for some time to put into words the feels of angst and frustration over the gospel meaning salvation from hell and not entran...

Most of us believe critically thinking about things is good. Most of the people I hang with know they don't just do what they feel like doing. Education and learning happen by levels and degrees--first grade, then second, Algebra I, then II, etc. Your thinking skills can graduate to a more critical thinking level as you add different knowledge bases to it--an understanding of Science can add to your ability in being an Accountant or Pastor. A video entitled " Ed Schultz Yells at guest Ryan Anderson, then cuts his mic " made me think of the following comparison when it comes to how some people think. Let me use gears as a metaphor for thinking. Getting our gears turning is like using the energy necessary for thinking. Some people think egg beaters and others like watches. Both ways of thinking are viable forms for accomplishing what they were created for. Keeping time is much more of an intricate process than beating eggs. An egg beater has two gears inte...