iPad + Velcro. Oh, the possibilities…
I dare you to read Ed Stetzer’s Post, “Involving All of God’s People in All of God’s Mission”
A fantastic resource to get demographic information.
Interesting read on bi-vocational pastors over at bedeviant.com
100 years after his death, Mark Twain’s autobiography will finally be published.
Great series by Jonathan Herron on what the church can learn from SNL.
And finally, for those who haven’t seen it, the swagger wagon.
“I’ll pray about that.”
In a way, this statement sounds super-spiritual. It leads one to think this person is going to wake up at 4am, go on a mountaintop and watch the sunset, and get an epiphany from God about whether or not to do whatever it is they are praying about.
Many times, it doesn’t works out that way.
Often, it’s a buffer.
However, there’s something you don’t have to pray and ask God about.
Something you don’t have to seek God’s will on.
What is it?
What He’s already said.
Should I forgive this person?
No need to ask, He he’s already said so.
Should I show these people love?
No need to ask, He’s already said so.
Should I be an active part of a community?
No need to ask, He’s already said so.
Should I work on this marriage even though we’re incompatible?
No need to ask, He’s already said so.
Should I sacrifice my time, money, and energy, even though I don’t feel like it?
No need to ask, He’s already said so.
I could go on.
Imagine if we’d just say “yes” to what God has already commanded?
What if our first instinct to what God has already said was a green light rather than a yellow light (which we often secretly wished would turn red so we wouldn’t have to be inconvenienced)?
We could pray more pointed prayers.
We could be bringing hope to the hopeless.
We could be a giver rather than a taker?
We could begin healing relationships?
We could be on our way to the life we’re meant to live.
This isn’t to say seeking God isn’t important. Of course it is.
But don’t use prayer as an excuse to delay what God’s commanded.
Just do it.
And see what happens.
In June, I have to privilege of sharing at “Denver 2010: Where the Next BIG Idea Meets UNconference.”
According to JR Woodward, one of the organizer’s of the event,
“The next big idea is about people sharing about innovative ways to partner with God in the renewal of all things. Unconference is about freely sharing creative ideas with one another without putting anyone on a pedestal. It is more participant oriented than personality driven. There is also no cost, because people share their gifts and knowledge freely.”
I’m looking forward to being a part of this. If you’re anywhere near the area, it would be great to meet you. Here’s a link to the flyer with the details.
My presentation is one of 14 presentations with each lasting 14 minutes. My hope is to squeeze everything into 14 minutes which should be a healthy exercise for me. I’m told there will be a visible clock to hold me accountable as well as rotten tomatoes to throw if needed.
Here’s a sneak peek into my topic:
Theme: Family and Mission
Title: “But Dad, You’re My Pastor”
Big Idea: What if the Church shifted from a “Safe For the Whole Family” mindset to a “Families on Mission” movement?
Summary paragraph: Many families are tearing apart at the seams. Broken hearts, broken homes, broken lives…and that’s just the pastors. Other families are struggling just to keep up with the American Dream with no sense of purpose other than their own fulfillment. It’s no wonder our families, and churches, have been blinded by complacency to the needs of this world.
What if families were awakened to join God in his mission in the world? How would that impact marriages? How would that shape children? How would that heal relationships?
With stories, ideas, and scripture, you will be encouraged to become the family God wants you to be and together, do what God has called you to do. God is renewing all things, and that includes the family. When the family is renewed, so is the Church. When the Church is renewed, so is the world. And it all begins at home.
To my Project Church family, you will get an extended version of this message this weekend!
What’s God calling me to do that I’m not doing?
Where can I find more pockets of time without eliminating my margin (and sanity)?
How can I be a more proactive husband?
Should I sign with a literary agent and publish traditionally or go a different route?
If I write it, will they read it?
How can Project Church best join God in his mission in the world?
What direction should I take thismustchange.org?
What memories can I create with my kids this summer?
Who can I trust and count on?
What if every Christian embraced the reality they are ministers and missionaries of the gospel?
Should we coordinate a killer relationship & marriage event for our community?
Where does Rapid City hurt?
What am I running to for comfort, security, and identity other than God?
Am I overthinking everything?
What do I need to stop doing, keep doing, and start doing?
I love road trips. There’s something about waking up early, grabbing a fresh cup of coffee, cranking up the tunes, and rolling.
In honor of road trip season, I thought I’d compile a playlist of songs for the road. Enjoy.
On the Road Again – Willie Nelson
Low Rider – War
Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Everywhere – Johnny Cash
Slow Ride – Foghat
Song For the Road – David Ford
Against the Wind – Bob Seger
Drive My Car – The Beatles
Interstate Love Song – Stone Temple Pilots
Hit the Road, Jack – Ray Charles
Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
Nothing Left To Lose – Mat Kearney
Driver 8 – R.E.M.
Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf
Everyday is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow
One Headlight – The Wallflowers
Life is a Highway – Tom Cochrane
Highwayman – The Highwaymen
Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
The Good Life – Weezer
Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
Who Wouldn’t Want to be Me? – Keith Urban
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
Fast As You – Dwight Yoakum
Back in Black – AC/DC
What would you add?
Some sweet links for you to check out.
Brad Lominick on 10 Small Things that will Kill Company Morale. See #1
Church planters would be wise to give Ben Sternke’s blog a read.
First living cell developed with synthetic DNA. Sounds like the beginning of a disaster sci-fi flick…
I’m praying for this guy.
I’m pumped for the series finale of LOST this Sunday night.
Eugene Cho is doing good work with One Day’s Wage. Check it out.
We’ve lost the art of gratitude. Art of Manliness shows us how to get it back.
This might be the most entertaining, non-satirical, political spot I’ve seen.
This could change media forever. Introducing Google TV.
Heard an outstanding storyteller this week, V.J. Smith, tell Marty’s story. Here’s a preview.
Let’s be honest. Bob Dylan is not the greatest vocalist in the world. Yet he is a musical legend. Why?
He is a talented poet and songwriter for sure, but he could’ve just been that, a writer. Instead, he is a performer who has sold millions of albums and filled venues around the world.
What he has is the ingredient that’s missing in so many artists, speakers, leaders, writers, programs, organizations, and even churches.
He has heart.
He has soul.
He has guts.
When he sings, you believe he’s coming from a real place.
You overlook the fact that he and his voice never would’ve made it past an American Idol audition. Why? Because you know what he’s singing is something he truly believes in or has actually experienced.
When I’m listening to a musical artist, watching a film, reading a book, learning from a speaker, buying a product, or joining a movement, I’m willing to overlook a number of shortcomings if they have heart, soul, and guts moving in the right direction. Not some shallow, manufactured formula that’s spit out of a software program, how-to book, or boardroom.
As a pastor of a new church, I know there are a number of things I, and we, could do better. But if nothing else, I want those who have an encounter with us to at least say, “they are real, they genuinely care, and they sincerely believe in joining God in his mission in the world.”
Your challenge and mine is to do what we do with heart, soul, and guts.
This doesn’t excuse doing our best, but it also doesn’t excuse going through life without life!
As G.K. Chesterton wrote, “A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.”
No more cookie cutters, templates, and mediocrity!
Instead, be alive! Be real! Be you!
Be who you were created to be!
When I was a single bachelor, I used to poke fun at songs like, “Butterfly Kisses.” Now, as a dad of a son and a daughter, tunes like that hit me harder than a Rashad Evans kick to the head.
I’ve put together a playlist that is sure to make even the toughest of men tap out in tears…at least on the inside.
Tough Little Boys – Gary Allan
She Crawls Away - Hootie & the Blowfish
Beautiful Boy – John Lennon
Just the Two of Us – Will Smith
Then They Do – Trace Adkins
Father and Daughter – Paul Simon
Isn’t She Lovely? – Stevie Wonder
Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel) – Billy Joel
Best Day of My Life – George Strait
Father and Son – Cat Stevens
With Arms Wide Open – Creed
There Goes My Life – Kenny Chesney
That’s My Job – Conway Twitty
Dance with My Father – Luther Vandross
I Think About You – Colin Raye
Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own – U2
My Little Girl – Tim McGraw
Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
Watercolor Ponies – Wayne Watson
Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
What would you add?
Facebook is changing its privacy settings and that’s causing many to consider deleting their account.
I love The Moth podcast.
Andrew Jones (Tall Skinny Kiwi) wonders if God sent Jamie Oliver to the Southern Baptists. Make sure you read the comments section too.
Skye Jethani on legitimacy.
Dan Pink reveals new insight on how to motivate people.
J.R. Briggs ponders on practicing Sabbath.
Pete Wilson writes on measuring growth in times of crises.
7 pitching grips every guy should know from Art of Manliness.
Tim Challies has a fun game called, “Joel Osteen or a Fortune Cookie.”
I’m digging Abraham Piper’s short story blog, Downhill Both Ways.
Christian Nightmares. Enough said.
My friend and former classmate, Brian Hunt, wrote an encouraging and very pastoral post in the wake of a old classmate who took his life.
Finally, Donald Trump proves his hair is the real deal in this video.
