CCBlogs thinking critically, living faithfully

I've taken some enjoyable time over the last few days to read the latest offerings from our network of bloggers. There are 55 of us currently, and the amount of material we produce is almost more than one person can sort through. As usual, I found a number of things that both intrigue and inform me, things that challenge me and make me proud to be blogging with you.

Gordon (Real Live Preacher)

Larry Vaughan is one of my favorite bloggers. His writing is always beautiful and thoughtful. His latest piece is called "What do you do?" He's quite funny in the beginning (I love the line about Vlad the Impaler). Then Larry comes up with a new describer for his own vocation. One that really makes me think.

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Bishop Will Willimon has returned from a meeting of bishops holding conversations about the war in Iraq.

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Milton Brasher-Cunningham, our resident chef, tells a touching story about the night one of the chefs fed the kitchen staff. It's called "He gave us wings."

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Minister, guitarist, and rock aficionado James Lumsden writes about genre-bending music, Portishead, the Clash, Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, and Psalm 85. All in one essay.

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Pastor Bob Cornwall asks conservative Christians who are supporting Sarah Palin if they plan to offer similar opportunities to women in their own churches.

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Scot McKnight engages in a little shop talk with fellow ministers. Should you use notes from the pulpit or not? What are the pros and cons?

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Professor Drew Smith asks if Jesus was really serious when he called us to love our enemies. And if so, what does that mean for us? Follow-up piece is here.

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Julie Clawson, layperson (though she might dispute the validity of that term) and new mother, writes about what it means to claim fellowship with the movement some call Emergent or Emerging Christianity.