ellen haroutunian

[May 2012 Synchroblog] A Laughing God

ellenharoutunian — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:43:26 +0000

So this month’s Synchroblog is an invitation to lighten up. Our faith blogs tend to become so very serious as we discuss theology and life and church and wounds and wonder. But even with all of our ponderings, we know a good belly laugh can minister to us in the deep places far more effectively …

A question about the art of Thomas Kinkade

ellenharoutunian — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:22:00 +0000

“Art is forever,” Thomas Kinkade said. “It goes front and center on your wall, where everyday the rest of your life you see that image. And it is shaping your children, it’s shaping your life.” And what shape does it give? To be honest, the artwork of Thomas Kinkade has always caused my heart to …

[April 2012 Synchroblog] Is There a Christianity without the Resurrection?

ellenharoutunian — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:37:17 +0000

This month’s Synchroblog explores the question: What if Jesus never rose from the dead? If there were no resurrection, would there still be a religion known as Christianity? My first thought is, without the resurrection I don’t think Christianity would have survived. After all, after the crushing blow of Jesus’ death, there had to be …

March Synchroblog: All About Eve

ellenharoutunian — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:30:15 +0000

You’d have to be living under a rock these last few years to not be aware of the escalating frenzy around women’s health and women’s rights that is going on in political and religious spheres. There have been a myriad of bills that include unnecessary intrusive procedures, limiting birth control coverage, diminishing the definition of …

[Book Review] Kissing Fish: Christianity for People Who Don’t Like Christianity

ellenharoutunian — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:54:35 +0000

Kissing Fish: Christianity for People Who Don’t Like Christianity By Roger Wolsey Xlibris Corporation It’s important to remember while reading Kissing Fish: Christianity for People Who Don’t Like Christianity, that the stated purpose of this book is to reach out to those who “don’t currently identify as being Christian, or who do privately, but are …

[February 2012 Synchroblog] Economic Inequality: Coming Back to Our Senses

ellenharoutunian — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:27:00 +0000

Our Synchroblog this month explores the ever-expanding gap between rich and poor in our country and others. Reports show that this gap is has reached its highest level in 30 years. One only needs to look at history to see that money equals power in this world. And when so much power is in the …

Hope is Held Between Us [Provoketive Magazine]

ellenharoutunian — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:20:56 +0000

[This month our Synchroblog partnered with Provoketive Magazine. See below for links to other Synchrobloggers.] Sometimes, ok, perhaps it’s often, I weary of the discipline it takes to stay faithful to the routines of tending life. I begin to skimp on the practices that nurture body, mind, soul and community. Fortunately, every now and then something wonderful comes …

[December Synchroblog] Jesus came, did you get what you expected?

ellenharoutunian — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:55:23 +0000

Jesus came, did you get what you expected? I pray that the answer is no. I realize how strange that sounds. When I wished my friends and family Merry Christmas, I truly meant it. I wished for each one a season of peace and enjoyment and that each would experience life-altering moments of kindness and …

[Advent 2011 Synchroblog] Remember Our Story

ellenharoutunian — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:28:23 +0000

Our world is unraveling. We are seeing the deterioration of civil society in many ways. This holiday week alone has been an embarrassment of aggressive consumerism with shoppers resorting to pepper spray and robbing each other at gunpoint. Black Friday is extending back into Thursday, threatening to diminish the one day we have set aside …

Seeing With the Heart: The St. John’s Bible tour, pt.2

ellenharoutunian — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:13:39 +0000

This is part two of my St. John’s Bible post. If you’d like to read about its history and to see some of the other illuminations, the first post is here. There are 160 illuminations and there were 17 of them on tour at the Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs. We attended a wonderful lecture …

Seeing With the Heart: The St. John’s Bible tour, pt. 1

ellenharoutunian — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:40:48 +0000

This weekend my husband and I were fortunate enough to see an exhibit of the St. John’s Bible at the Benet Hill Monastery down in Colorado Springs. This Bible is the first handwritten and hand painted work commissioned by the Benedictines in 500 years. It is a work of theology and a work of art. …

Higher Ground (not exactly a film review)

ellenharoutunian — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:02:28 +0000

So, Ellen, Aram, Ted and Phyllis went to see the indy film Higher Ground last night. It is one of those films that leaves you wide eyed and blinking. I doubt it will have this effect on everyone but if you were part of a conservative evangelical movement or church during the 70’s you may …

[Book Review] Discovering the God Imagination

ellenharoutunian — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:37:11 +0000

Discovering the God Imagination: Reconstructing A Whole New Christianity By Jonathan Brink 294 pages This is a gutsy book. Author Jonathan Brink dares to suggest a new theory of the atonement. In many theological circles this is something that is not only believed to be utterly unnecessary, it’s akin to messing with the truth itself. …

What is with this rapture stuff?

ellenharoutunian — Sat, 21 May 2011 16:34:39 +0000

Why have so many people gotten so caught up in the rapture warnings of Harold Camping and his group? If you have been hiding under a very big rock, Camping and his followers are a Christian group that believes with absolute certainty that the rapture of the church, which is a belief that Jesus will …

[May Synchroblog] Life Unfurling

ellenharoutunian — Tue, 10 May 2011 04:16:28 +0000

(This month’s Synchroblog explores the topic of growing spiritually by learning to let go of things that may have hindered us on our journeys, even good things. I will add other bloggers’ links as they come in this week.) I bought into the belief that life must be a certain way to really be successful …