Author: Todd Engstrom
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2009 Top Posts – Ethereal Thought Train
I’ve pretty much let Ethereal Thought Train go stale in the last two months, but I figured to close out 2009 I’d throw out your favorite posts of the year. Without further adieu, here they are: The 5 Big Issues in Campus Ministry | Missiology 1 Summary of College Ministry | Gentrified Discipleship and Ministry…
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American Charitable Giving | mint.com
I thought the image below from the Mint.com blog was fascinating. It’s long, but worth a look. budget planner – Mint.com
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Giving Thanks
I’m sitting in the passenger seat on my way to the inlaws’ family thanksgiving and dwelling on this great American holiday, so I figured I’d jot down some thoughts. In no particular order: Most of the country is taking the weekend off to celebrate WHAT they are thankful for. What an incredible opportunity to show…
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Lessons from a Razor
As many of you know, I was in a South Asian country with two other pastors from The Austin Stone, and we had an unfortunate incident with some youth. My friend who was attacked has written his reflections, and I highly encourage you to read them. Here is a short snippet: Unexpectedly, one of these…
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Home on the Range
After flying ~15,000 miles in the past 6 days, and sleeping for ~16 hours over that span, I’m officially home with my family. I am grateful to God for the time I was able to spend with new friends, thankful for the power of Jesus to keep me and my team safe, and dependent on…
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A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Psalm 59:16-17 16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress,…
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Being a Pastor – Fun Sunday Questions
Here’s a rundown of some of the questions I was asked today from a variety of different people: Are you a young earth or old earth creationist? Can you tell me where the bathroom is? Can you find some people to pass the offering baskets? Why did God require a sacrifice for sin? What role…
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Something Smells… and Hyperlinks
This blog is getting pretty stale…I guess I should try to pick up the pace. In all honesty, I’m not sure I’ve had many thoughts worth posting as of late, and I’m also running thin on time. Here’s a few links I’ve been enjoying as of late to keep you occupied in the meantime: Kevin…
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Together for Adoption Conference Audio
The mp3s from the Together for Adoption Conference are linked below: Dan Cruver, Adoption: Making Outsiders Insiders Scotty Smith, The Freedom of Adoption Scott Roley, Adoption and the Pursuit of Racial Reconciliation Ed Stetzer, The Gospel, Social Justice and the Missional Church Michael Easley, Orphan Care and Jesus, the Great Servant of the Poor Russell…
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Adoption is the World Mission | Jeremy Haskins
I just read the post below from Jeremy Haskins, and all I can say is amen. This is an excellent articulation of the mission of the church to declare the gospel to all peoples that they might be adopted into the family of God, and to demonstrate that spiritual adoption through earthly adoption. Here is…
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Together for Adoption | Sessions 3 and 4
Session 3: Scott Roley – Adoption and the Pursuit of Racial Reconciliation Scott’s basic thesis was that the greatest picture of the gospel’s work in our life is the adoption of unwanted children. He consistently showed that it was not his strength to do what was done (adopting/fostering transracially and living in a broken community…
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Together for Adoption | Sessions 1 and 2
I’ve been thoroughly blessed thus far by the Together for Adoption 2009 Conference. Below are a few highlights: Session 1 – Dan Cruver Dan preached from James 1:27-28, arguing that there are three facets to “pure and undefiled religion”, namely controlling the tongue, visiting orphans and widows, and keeping unstained from the world. His basic…