Minding God

Does it make sense to speak of the "mind of God"? Are humans unique? Do we have souls?Our growing explorations of the cognitive sciences pose significant challenges to and opportunities for theological reflection. Gregory Peterson introduces these sciences -- neuroscience, artificial intelligence, animal cognition, linguistics, and psychology -- that specifically contribute to the new picture and their philosophical underpinnings. He shows its implications for rethinking longstanding Western assumptions about the unity of the self, the nature of consciousness, free will, inherited sin, and religious experience. Such findings also illumine our understanding of God's own mind, the God-world relationship, new notion of divine design, and the implications of a universe of evolving minds.Peterson is gifted at explaining scientific concepts and drawing their implications for religious belief and theology. His work demonstrates how new work in cognitive sciences upends and reconfigures many popular assumptions about human uniqueness, mind-body relationship, and how we speak of divine and human intelligence.

Pastors, leaders of Christian organizations and lay persons will find an invaluable guide and spiritual wisdom in this book. Focusing primarily on the what rather than the how of managing Christian organizations, Ray Anderson clearly presents a biblical and theological basis for understanding the unique characteristics of Christian organizations and what it means to manage such organizations in a Christian way. Anderson emphasizes the role of leadership for Pastors and those who manage Christian organizations, providing helpful teaching on issues such as strategic planning, the development of mission statements as a definition of the organization's goals, and what it means to use biblical principles, prayer, and dependence on the Holy Spirit in carrying out the organization's goals. "There is an increasing interest in---and concern for---how `Christian' organizations (and churches) are managed in today's complex society. Ray Anderson has made a careful study of this Christian organizational problem and helps us all to better understand the biblical stance related to an issue which affects so many of us. Here is timely help, a theological perspective, and practical applications. The author gives us an effective refreshing, creative approach to `Minding God's Business'."---Ted W. Engstrom, President, World Vision "After several decades of leadership theory and practice without much theology, often leading to ruthless pragmatism on one hand or ineffective mysticism on the other, Ray Anderson has stepped in and done what he does best. He teaches us that Minding God's Business is most effective when it simultaneously pays attention to the Spirit and to the organization with no nutty, false dualisms. If reading `how to' books on leadership and management are leaving you wanting more, and if theological works make you say `What do we do now?', pick up Minding God's Business. You'll get the whole picture."---Todd Hunter, Founder and President, Society for Kingdom Living, Author. Christianity Beyond Belief "Ray Anderson merges the `secular' concepts of accountability, competence and excellence with the `spiritual' concept of the calling of God to the secular workplace, erasing the lines we often draw between the two. As a leader in both the secular and para-church environments, I have striven to operate with one standard---God's good, pleasing and perfect will'. Ray ties it all together in a theological context that will help us `get it right.'"---Craig W. Olson, CEO, Fresh Start Bakeries, Chairman, Concordia University Irvine, CA Board of Regents

This book of poems has been written over a course of time in my life, and it expresses my thoughts as I have traveled along the path which God has led me. I have tried to write about the good times and the bad times as I have experienced them. I have also tried to include the up and down periods of my life, the experiences Ive had, some of the people Ive met and the friends Ive made as I have taken my journey across time. I hope through these poems you will see how your own thoughts sometimes were much like mine except you didnt put your thoughts into words. I hope these poems inspire you in a way that they will touch your heart and draw you closer to God.

You are here on earth to fulfill God's business. God sent you to earth to carry out a definite assignment. He sent you to earth because He is very much interested in you and also in the earth. You are the one God is looking up to, to bring to pass His dream for earth. God's kingdom will not reign on earth until it is reigning in you and I. and for His kingdom to reign in us, we must mind His business at all times. We are all created in a unique way to fulfill a unique assignment. Minding that assignment/business is the only way God will be pleased with us. There are no two persons with the same assignment. I have packaged this book to help you discover and fulfill God's purpose for your life and do it in a grand style. As you go through the pages of this book, may God grant you understanding and the heart to profit from the principles therein.