August 2013 Synchroblog – Parables: Small Stories, Big Ideas

Some people have described parables as being small stories that teach big ideas. Like the rabbis of his time, Jesus used images and characters from everyday life to create miniature plays or dramas, called parables, to illustrate his message. This was Jesus most common way of teaching. The importance of the parables that Jesus told as he preached can hardly be overestimated. They are generally regarded by scholars as among the sayings which we can confidently ascribe to the historical Jesus and they are, for the most part, authentic words of Jesus. All of the great themes of Jesus’ preaching can be found in the parables he told. Perhaps no part of the Gospels can better put us in touch with the mind of Jesus Christ than his parables.

This month we invite you to write about parables.  Write whatever you want about parables.  If you need some inspiration here are some ideas to help you get started:

write about a parable that Jesus told … one that is meaningful to you, one that is difficualt to understand or that is often misunderstood, one that seems to have a hidden meaning

or

write about parables in general … what they are, their purpose, why they are good teaching tools, their history, their structure

or

write your own parable to illustrate a message you are passionate about

or

write about a parable told by someone other than Jesus

The date of this month’s synchroblog is the second Wednesday of the month, August 14.

If you wish to participate, leave a comment below with your name, and the link to your blog post. Please do this by the evening of Tuesday, August 13 to make sure you’re included.

We ask each participant to include an introduction stating that their post is part of the “August Synchroblog – Parables: Small Stories, Big Ideas” (you may want to include a link to this post for a full explanation) and a list of all the participants with their links at the end of your post.  The list of links can be copied and pasted at the end of your post after they are published on this site in a separate post on August 14.

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All About Eve – Invitation to March Synchroblog

UPDATE! Due date for posts has changed to 6 p.m. EST on March 20, 2012

Women's History Month Observance Poster (Defense Department illustration: Peter Hemmer)

It’s Women’s History month and International Women’s Day is March 8. Women’s rights have been all over the news recently, from bills in Congress and state representative bodies to crass “jokes” by national broadcasters. The idea that women are or should be equal to men has become a polarizing topic of discussion on the national stage. So we thought Synchroblog might jump right in. Anything concerning women in general, women and the church, balancing women’s rights with religious freedoms, the differences between men and women … these are all good topics for blog posts.

There is one caveat, we are asking that the Synchroblog be a voice of moderation and temperance. You may have strong beliefs on this subject and that is good. Giving voice those beliefs in a spirit of cooperation and bridge-building is also good. We would like these posts to step in that direction.

Here are a couple of great examples of moderate writing on women’s issues to prime your writing …

–> An Apology From Limbaugh, But The Damage Is Done by Denny Burke –

–> And now…on the other side (critique of extreme complementarianism) by Roger E. Olsen

This topic idea brought to you by Wendy McCaig and Katherine Gunn (aka Jeannette Ailtes) … thank you for your help, ladies.

Add your post link in the comments section by midnight 6:00 pm EST, Tuesday March 13 20, 2012 to be included in this month’s Synchroblog. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

2011 Second Quarter Synchroblog Themes

APRIL SYNCHROBLOG

DO YOU LIVE UNDER A ROCK? – April 13th (second Wednesday)

As Christians we say we believe in the resurrection but sometimes it seems like we are living under a rock instead of living a resurrected life.  As Easter approaches take some time to reflect on what it means to live out the resurrection.  Does the resurrection make a difference in the here and now?  Have you seen evidence of the resurrection in the land of the living?  Would/Could resurrection life change anything/everything in the world/your community?  What does it mean to practice resurrection?  Join this month’s synchroblog and share your thoughts, reflections, opinions and stories as you consider the question “Do You Live Under A Rock?”

Please plan to submit your name, name of blog, title of post and link in the comment section of the April announcement here on this blog by 6 p.m. EST 4/12/2011 if you would like to be included in this synchroblog. The list of participants will be compiled and posted on 4/13/2011.

MAY SYNCHROBLOG

LIFE UNFURLING – May 11 (second Wednesday)

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Have you found more life by letting go of something? So many of us are continuing to grow in our faith by letting go of things that we once held tightly.  These things aren’t easy to shed.  Sometimes people think we’ve lost our minds, are ascribing to bad theology, or have put our souls in mortal danger.  But many of us, in different ways, have found a deeper, richer, and riskier spiritual life as we’ve let go of certain rules, doctrines, theologies, or practices along the way.   The weeks following Easter are centered around new life, so for May’s synchroblog let’s write about some of the things we’ve let go of along the way in our spiritual journeys and what we’re learning in the process.

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Please plan to submit your name, name of blog, title of post and link in the comment section of the May announcement here on this blog by 6 p.m. EST 5/10/2011 if you would like to be included in this synchroblog. The list of participants will be compiled and posted on 5/11/2011.

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JUNE SYNCHROBLOG

FAITH, FEASTS AND FORESHADOWING – June 8 (second Wednesday)

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.  Colossians 2:16-17

The Jewish festival of Shavuot (or Pentecost) is a celebration of the giving of Torah on Mt. Sinai and it always falls 50 days after the second night of Passover (Pesach).  This year that will be June 7 and 8 depending on where you live and how you celebrate.

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The Christian feast of Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in the book of Acts, ushering in the beginning of the church. 50 Days after Jesus’ resurrection (and 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension), the apostles were gathered together. On the day of Pentecost (Shavuot), a flame rested upon the shoulders of the apostles and they began to speak in tongues (languages), by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Pentecost falls on June 12 this year.

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For the June synchroblog we invite you to reflect on the foreshadowing that the Jewish celebration of Shavuot brings to the Christian feast of Pentecost.  How does the Torah foreshadow the Holy Spirit?  What can we learn from our forefathers that will enrich our faith?  What are the parallels?  What are the differences?  These are some (but definitely not all) of the questions that might be explored in this synchroblog.  Please join the celebration in June.

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Please plan to submit your name, name of blog, title of post and link in the comment section of the June announcement here on this blog by 6 p.m. EST 6/7/2011 if you would like to be included in this synchroblog. The list of participants will be compiled and posted on 6/8/2011.

2011 Synchroblogs Coming Up

 

SYNCHROBLOG –  Jan, Feb, Mar 2011

Subscribe to our website https://synchroblog.wordpress.com/ and join our Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=114506961937378 to receive reminders and updates.

January

The Manifestation of God – 1/12/2011 (second Wednesday)

 

January’s synchroblog’s theme is inspired by the season of Epiphany which begins on January 6 and ends the day before Ash Wednesday.  The word “epiphany” is rich in meaning.  Epiphany is derived from the Greek epiphaneia and means manifestation, shining forth, revelation or appearance. In a religious context, the term describes the appearance of an invisible divine being in a visible form. It can also indicate a sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something.  An “epiphany” might refer to those times in life when something becomes manifest, a deep realization, a sudden recognition that changes one’s view of themselves or their social condition and often sparks a reversal or change of heart.  In the spirit of Epiphany we invite you to share stories, experiences and/or thoughts about “The Manifestation of God”

 

Please plan to submit your name, name of blog, title of post and link in the comment section of the January announcement at the Synchroblog website https://synchroblog.wordpress.com/ on 1/11/2011 if you would like to be included in this synchroblog.  The list of participants will be compiled and posted on 1/12/2011.

 

 

February

Creativity and Christianity – 2/9/2011 (second Wednesday)

 

The February synchroblog theme is “Creativity and Christianity”.  It’s wide open but here are some questions to get the creative juices flowing:  Is there a connection between art/creativity and Christianity? Is creativity spiritual in nature?  Is there such a thing as “Christian Art”?  Does creativity have anything to do with spiritual formation?  What is needed for art to qualify as Christian?  Is our theology shaped or influenced by creativity/art?  Is creativity/art vital to our faith?  How does creativity/art impact Christian thought and/or Christian praxis?  Is there a particular form of art that has impacted your spiritual journey?  Should there be a distinction between sacred and secular art?  Is Christianity experiencing a “creative crisis”?  Is creativity and our knowledge of God connected?

 

Please plan to submit your name, name of blog, title of post and link in the comment section of the February announcement at the Synchroblog website https://synchroblog.wordpress.com/ on 2/8/2011 if you would like to be included in this synchroblog.  The list of participants will be compiled and posted on 2/9/2011.

 

March

Experiences In The Wilderness – 3/9/2011 (second Wednesday)

 

During the season of Lent we are reminded that all of us experience wilderness times in our lives – times of searching, of mourning, of anticipating, of waiting, of watching, of unknowing, of struggling, of preparation.  Join us during the season of Lent for this month’s synchroblog as we reflect and share insights and thoughts about “Experiences In The Wilderness”.

 

Please plan to submit your name, name of blog, title of post and link in the comment section of the March announcement at the Synchroblog website https://synchroblog.wordpress.com/ on 3/8/2011 if you would like to be included in this synchroblog.  The list of participants will be compiled and posted on 3/9/2011.

 

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PLEASE SEND ANY QUESTIONS AND/OR IDEAS FOR FUTURE SYNCHROBLOGS TO: synchroblog@gmail.com

 

AND …

 

PLEASE INVITE OTHER BLOGGERS YOU KNOW TO JOIN OUR SYNCHROBLOG.  THE MORE THE MERRIER!  THE MORE DIVERSE THE BETTER!

 

diverse voices. monthly topics. good conversation.

Synchroblog – diverse thinking and blogging in time together at the intersection of faith & post-modern life

Synchroblog is a collection of similar articles or posts made by a diverse group of bloggers who have agreed to blog on the same topic on the same day.  We typically post on the 2nd Wednesday of every month and write on our own individual blogs.  All links are archived here.  Subscribe to this blog or join our Synchroblog Group on Facebook to get announcements on upcoming topics.  We’d love to have your voice be part!

Questions, email us at synchroblog@gmail.com