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"The New Christians" Road Trip with Trucker Frank 2

Watch this. I wish I would have learned to preach/teach like this much earlier in my Christian journey.

Our Wedding

Our big day has come and gone. We planned it to be simple and small so we could enjoy the day instead of the stress of the big wedding. From what we were told, everyone enjoyed the day. Go HERE to see pics.

"The New Christians" Road Trip with Trucker Frank-Episode 1

I would love to spent some time with Truker Frank. He seems my kind of guy.

eSnips

For years I have wanted a place to store and share the worship songs that I have used over the year. After checking out the blog of Johnny Scott of CIY Believe I found a free way to share documents. Go HERE to check it out. I hope this will help a few up and coming worship leaders.

Possible Reasons Why You’re Not Emergent

Few will understand this but there are a few of you church workers that will find this hilarious. Missio Dei listed the Top 50 Possible Reasons Why You’re Not Emergent. Check the whole list HERE. Here is my top ten.

49. My mother will disown me.

46. I don’t like Rob Bell’s hair.

42. Mark Driscoll told me I couldn’t.

33. Tony Jones went to Princeton Theological Seminary…that liberal.

24. I’m allergic to candles.

22. Brian McLaren’s books are not theologically correct. I’m not sure why, I just know they are.

20. The orthodoxy police will bust me.

14. I prefer Joel Osteen.

11. I refuse to switch to Apple

6. Hell fire and brimstone works just fine, thank you.

Makes You Think

(ht IAmJoshBrown via Melissa Bill)

Tax Day

I'm proud of myself. My taxes where finished a day early.

Pic of the Week

Jesus On American Idol

Tuesday night, about three till (?) I was flipping the channels when a familiar tune caused me to stop my channel surfing. I could hardly believe it. The very popular but very Christian and very worship song “Shout to the Lord” was sung on freak’n American Idol! I watched in disbelief. How could this be? I didn’t hear the name Jesus in the song, so I was both suspect and proud at the same time. (They sang “Jesus” on Thursday performance.)

Two thoughts crossed my mind as I watched the performance:

First, in the spirit of Dan Kimball, culture is very interested in Jesus. Culture, as a whole, is very welcoming to the historic person of Jesus. They are not offended by his teachings. I think this performance on American Idol, the nation’s #1 show, is a small example of how pop-culture is open to Jesus. Very good news!

Secondly, however, making Jesus popular is not really the point. I was reminded of the Roman Emperor Constantine who made Jesus very popular in the 4th century. He made Christianity a world force…a good thing. But he also made Christianity look more like the pagan culture than the example we find in the New Testament…a bad thing. So while I was pumped that a very talented group of American Idol constants sang a worship song I am also cautious not to make too much out of this event.

What do you think?

Shift '08

Out of Ur has been posting some interesting sessions from Shift, a youth worker’s convention at Willow Creek. They've had some big names give presentations: Dan Kimball, Kara Powell, Mark Yaconelli, Shane Claiborne, Brain McLaren and more. I would have loved to been there. Click on one of the names above to read a short summary of thier teaching. Important stuff for anyone doing Kingdom work with youth.

What A Piano?

I have a piano that needs a new home. It belonged to my grandmother then took it as favor for my sister. She has moved to the West Coast and has granted permision to get rid of it. We would like to keep it in the family but the offer is good to anyone.

Pagan Christianity?

I just finished reading the joint work of Frank Viola and Gorge Barna titled Pagan Christianity?: Exploring The Roots of Our Church Practices. I highly recommend this book to every Christian (paid minister, church leaders, old ladies…everyone). This book uses Church history to prove the modern practices of today’s Church have been greatly influenced by pagan culture. As a result, it also points to the troubling reality that the teachings of the New Testament have been marginalized for the last two millennia. No one “does church” by the book.

As a person who has been suspect of traditional Christianity for some time, Pagan Christianity is another indication that Christianity is radically changing (for the better in my opinion). Viola’s work explores the origins of some of the foundational practices of the Christian faith that are seldom questioned. This practices include(and also serve as the chapter titles): the church building, the order of worship, the sermon, the pastor, the Sunday morning costumes, ministers of music, tithing & clergy salaries, baptism & the Lord’s Supper, Christian education, and finally, reproaching the New Testament.

This book will scare some; for others it will provide hope for the future. I found this book very eye opening and helpful in so many ways. To say this book was timely (with the uncertainty of my professional future) would be a great understatement.

Order HERE if you are interested (and be sure to read the bood reviews - some praise it while others find it useless). Drop a comment. I would love to hear what you think.

Bible Reading

(ht NakedPastor)

A Great Cabin in the Smokys

A few weeks ago I took a small group of students to the Smoky Mts. My former youth minister, Tim Wingfield, has a wonderful cabin located between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN. It has a king and queen size bed, pull out couch, fully functional kitchen, hot tub, and cable T.V. for the very reasonable price of $100 per night plus tax. I am hopping to take Rae sometime this summer. I told Tim I would post a link on my blog so click HERE to check out the cabin’s website. Feel free to contact Tim if your interested in staying there.

Still Moving

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. There hasn’t been much to write about. I’ve been moving my stuff into Rae’s house. Things are moving slowing but we are making progress. The both of us are getting ride of a lot of junk. I find it a rewarding experience to get ride of the stuff that clutters up life. I guess it’s the backpacker in me that says if you don’t need then don’t bring it. If I haven’t used it in a year… then it’s gone. I have a lot of stuff to give away. If it’s not out of my house by the end of the month I will place it outside next the edge of the street. Experience tells me that things disappear fairly fast when that happens.

Started the Move

I began to move my stuff into Rae and Emily’s house over my lunch break. The wedding is 23 days away and I would like to have all of my stuff moved in by then. Most of the stuff in my house is things I do not need so I will be getting rid of a lot of stuff. If anyone needs dishes, future, a desk, or anything at all – there is a good chance I’ll give it to you.

#421

(ht to The Ongoing Adventures)