Joel Kleppinger » passion

An apology for wild expression

Joel — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 19:10:02 +0000

In most of American Christianity and society, it is encouraged that public expression should be carefully measured and crontrolled. Shouting, crying, wild movements, and other physical expression of emotion is best avoided as it shows someone who is not well-controlled,

…

Why I drive 1000 miles to go to Woodston Camp

Joel — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:06:27 +0000

Woodston Camp is a tiny, rustic campground in middle of nowhere, Kansas that is open 1 week per year. I go there every year, even though I've lived as far as 1400 miles away. Why?

Rebuild the Ancient Ruins

Joel — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:22:44 +0000

In Isaiah 61, after it lists what Jesus is going to do (heal the sick, free the captives), it says “THEY shall rebuild the ancient ruins.” It didn't say Jesus would do it... it said that we would do it. What are the ancient ruins?

The big church without a bulletin

Joel — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:28:35 +0000

Whenever I go into a new church, the first thing I do is read the bulletin. I figure that people talk about what they are doing and what they are passionate about, so it's an easy way to get a read on what kind of church I just stepped into and what is important to that church. That's even more true of big churches since they can't possibly put everything in the bulletin that the church is doing.