Hello...

I have been in DU for close to a year now but have only lurked in this forum; however, I find myself being drawn to this place.

I am a fairly conservative evangelical Protestant, but with a very strong belief in Church/State separation (I save my hair shirts for myself, and can't begin to imagine trying to force them on someone else) :) . I'm not out to proselytize anyone.

I just wanted to say howdy, and that I may begin to post here occasionally.

I am currently reading "The Fifties Spiritual Marketplace: American Religion in a Decade of Conflict" by Robert Ellwood. I am curious; has anyone else here read it?

Most of my hangin' out has been in the Photography Forum, so I will share a pic taken on a mission trip to Romania, Winter/2006.

It was the coldest winter in many decades there; the Black Sea froze along the shore, and they had to run ice-breakers up the Danube to rescue trapped shipping. I think the extreme cold contributed to the all-too-often failure of the shutter to fully open on my wife's Canon Powershot, but it resulted in an interesting "interesting accident" on the shot of a cathedral ceiling in Deva.

Nice to have you with us! :hi:

This looks like a good-hearted group :thumbsup: I look forward to learning and sharing here and, hopefully, lifting each other up.

:D

I'm so glad to see you here- I haven't read the book you are reading, so unfortunately, I can't comment on it. However, I loved your photograph and thought it was beautiful. I would love to hear more about your trip to Romania. :hi:

When I can put a little something together about Romania I will share it. Mostly the trip was evangelism and working with small orphanages in some of the smaller towns.

Here is a shot taken at a baptism...I really liked it 'cause it shows the common ground between youth and elders, and also shows the "old world" feel of much of the country. :hi:

it was entitled 'Vanya: A True Story' by Myrna Grant. The synopsis from Barnes & Nobles reads: "This is a true story of Ivan (Vanya) Moiseyev, a soldier in the Soviet Red Army who was ruthlessly persecuted and incarcerated for his faith. He never denied his Savior, and he never hesitated to share the gospel with anyone who would listen."

I don't know why, but when I read your post, it made me think of this book; you may enjoy reading it. I really did, and found it very moving and inspiring.

(I think your use of light in your pictures is beautiful!)

Thanks for such a beautiful picture. I love iconography; you have caught Christos Pantokrator and Sts Luke and Mark in a beautiful image. I hope you share more here!

I haven't read the book you mentioned, but as a Chaplain, I have an extensive theology and religion library... so keep me informed on what you're reading. I'd love to have a discussion over a nice book!

:loveya:

:hippie:
skater314159

I just checked back in...

I have a fairly decent library...much of it coming at Christianity from a historical perspective, ie.: the role of eschatology in history (the perspective "lens" thing), American Christian movements, Church/State issues...

I am a Christian who is also pursuing a Graduate degree in History, and much of my interest has been focused on the "messianic nation" self-perception in American culture, and how it has affected our actions, etc.

Let me know if there is a particular book you are really interested in; if I haven't read it (which is highly likely, given the amount that is out there) then I will try to give it a read, and we can share ideas. :D

:hi: