Samplings of online discussions about God, truth, and church-from theOoze.com Our culture is rapidly changing and people are searching for new models and paradigms to find meaning in their lives. As in all transitional periods, this search takes place in grass-roots conversations where the "new" is taking form. No other place so uniquely captures this struggle more than the message boards at theOoze.com, the premier melting pot of emerging spiritual conversation. Making Sense of Church is a snapshot of this "community conversation" as it tries to make sense of God in the emerging worldview. It represents a gathering of individuals with different points of view, theologies, life contexts, and feelings. Author Spencer Burke, creator of theOoze.com, provides the framework writing for each chapter and acts as a "guide" to the accompanying e-mail postings that supplement the chapters. Subjects discussed include: * Authentic Community * Experiential Worship * The Internet and God * Art as a Vehicle for Communicating Truth * Spirituality and Sexuality * What Is the Church? * What Is Postmodernism?

Is this really in the Bible? This book is written to be a companion novel to the recently published "The Kiss of God" (www.thekissofGod.com) to provide a provocative and very-Biblical image of God that is accessible to anyone, anywhere. In fact, the group the project has in mind were not necessarily the Bible-belt Church-goers-but rather the spiritually-minded 'Oprah-moms'-- those who are longing for a real experience of God in their lives. The overall project began back in 2000 as an in-depth Bible study into a little known and even lesser understood book deep in the heart of the Old Testament: The Song of Songs of Solomon. The result of the early in-depth effort has been very surprising. People-real people like you and me-- are becoming re-aware of the intense pursuing love of God. Generally, when people speak about God outside of church, they use adjectives like good, distant, angry, holy, just- or some might suggest opposing adjectives such as unjust, judgmental, sexist, warmongering or even indifferent. But according to the Song of Songs, appropriate and kosher adjectives of God would include impassioned, amorous, romantic, and even love-sick (in the highest possible sense). This novella was virtually penned in a single wonderfully inspired evening-and in our minds it truly captures visually, emotionally and humanly the very heart of God toward his wayward insecure bride. It is not a direct translation-though we would suggest that it captures the essence of the Song of Songs with great integrity. A creative free translation of the Biblical Song of Songs is included in the back of this book with multiple footnotes for the interest of Pastors, Priests, Rabbis and other scholars. Some may find this dramatic rendition of the Biblical book scandalous-- others will find it wonderfully provocative. But we are writing primarily to those who come to the book relationally beat-up, marginalized, victimized, and lonely. We have those in mind who struggle with identity and some degree of self-loathing. You may find in this book the healing love that your heart has been rabidly looking for in all of the wrong places. Welcome to The Song of Songs Novella.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is more delightful than wine. (Song of Songs 1:2) How do you see God, really? As holy? Distant? Demanding? Unjust? Unfeeling? The Song of Songs-or Song of Solomon-is a tiny book in the heart of the Old Testament with a big message: God may not be who you think he is. While many people view the Song as a kind of marriage primer, Senyard and Pepper take a different approach. They dare readers to engage with the book as poetry--and in so doing, risk encountering the healing power hidden within its verses. The Kiss of God unpacks the scandalous story of a king so smitten with his bride that at times, he can hardly even speak. Who is she? Where does she come from? And what does he see in her? You might be surprised to find out. Deeply personal and highly readable, this book invites readers to find themselves within one of history's most beloved texts. "This book will send you to places you haven't gone, cause you to ask questions you haven't asked, and bring to your mind thoughts you haven't considered. Then, if you 'get it, ' you'll dance and laugh in the presence of a God who loves you beyond anything you ever dreamed. This is a life-changing book even for an old cynical preacher like me." -- Steve Brown, Key Life Network " The Kiss of God] is a refreshingly honest and boldly insightful book Reading these well-crafted pages may well help you find the love out there that can actually heal. But don't be surprised if along the way some of your unhelpful images of God become shattered." -- Gary W. Moon, Apprenticeship with Jesus "Rabbi Akiva is reported to have said that if the Torah was not given, the Songs of Songs would have been sufficient to guide the world. The authors have persuaded me that this Talmudic sage may have been right." -- Eliyahu (Ilya) Lizorkin, Evangelical Theological Seminary (Nazareth, Israel)