Merry Christmas!

Funny how in this Holy Week, a time that's supposed to be calm and peaceful, seems anything but. Thousands of deadlines seem to pop up and threaten to steal our joy, if we let them. To paraphrase the great Chuck D (love you, too, Flavor Flav) we've got to fight the powers that be on this one. We must do what we can to carve out space to be filled by God's message of grace and peace and hope during this special week. It's a battle to do it to be sure, but very much worth it.

I ran across this paragraph from a Max Lucado devotional that says it better than I ever could:

"If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior."

May you and yours have a most joyous and blessed Christmas and 2010!

And yes, I just name-checked Flavor Flav and Max Lucado in the same blog post. That's how I roll.

Parker Christian Orser!!!!

So stoked for my little sis, who just delivered 7 lbs 12 oz. of awesome into the world. Welcome Parker Christian Orser!!! | http://ow.ly/N0DY

Our gifts

This weekend, I got one of the best early Christmas presents ever. I had taken my two wild childs out to buy their Christmas gifts for Mommy. I was proud because they used their own money that they had earned from doing chores. And they picked her out some great things, wrapped them and made personal notes for each one. My wife is gonna love all they put into these gifts that literally each cost less than $4 each.

But I guess my son thought I was being left out. So he went outside, found a walnut, brought it inside and wrapped it for me. In tin foil.

It was seriously one of the greatest gifts I'd ever been given. Because it was so heartfelt and genuine. Because I wasn't expecting it. Because it was from him.

Reflecting on it later, I felt like God probably wants more gifts like that from me. Less big wordy prayers full of boastful promises (I'm NEVER gonna lose my temper again! I'm not going to have a lustful thought ALL WEEK!) and more real, genuine praise and love. Why get caught up in how "fancy" or "perfect" my accomplishments, wants or desires are...and instead just give him more of myself?

Yeah - that makes too much sense. No wonder I hadn't thought of it before. Thanks to my 4 year old for showing me how it's done.

Tebow does it again

Timmy has done it again. How can you not be down with Tim Tebow? Even as a die hard UT fan, I've got to give it up for him. Amazing.

What If Jesus Meant All That Stuff?

Shane Claiborne has a radical Christian's ministry for the poor, The Simple Way. He was also recently asked by Esquire magazine to address those who don't believe. His first line had me hooked:


"To all my nonbelieving, sort-of-believing, and used-to-be-believing friends: I feel like I should begin with a confession. I am sorry that so often the biggest obstacle to God has been Christians."

Read the whole letter now. It is tremendous.

Dream big. Live small.

Genius

Can you imagine if Hendrix hadn't played his guitar? If Picasso didn't paint? If MLK didn't share his dream?

Shine your light greatly and share your genius boldly today. The world will be a better place for it.

Jennifer Landon

Thoughts and prayers to the family of Jennifer Landon. She ran such a great race, fought the good fight and lived a life that inspired many, including yours truly. Heaven got a new angel.

LANDON, JENNIFER LEE MAY - age 43, October 14, 1966 - November 29, 2009. She lived a wonderful life almost four years after being diagnosed with melanoma in January 2006. Please be aware of the early signs of melanoma as it can be caught early and treated. Jennifer's most important mission was being involved in the lives of her family and friends. Many people were positively influenced by her caring and helpful ways. Jennifer was a graduate of East Tennessee State University and has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and is also an LCSW. She was very active in Church Street UMC and enjoyed participating in the Crossroads Sunday School Class, the Stephen Ministry, and a variety of other ministries. She also enjoyed being involved in various school organizations for her children. Jennifer was preceded in death by her father, John C. May. She is survived by her husband Rick; daughters, Meg, 14 and Molly, 12; mother, Sharon May; brother, Jeff May and wife Tamera; in-laws, Dick and Joan Landon; sisters-in-law, Kim Anthony and Lori Cason; brother-in-law, Michael Landon and wife Cheryl; nieces, Emily May and Alexandra Anthony; nephews, Tyler and Ryan McMillan; uncle and aunt, Phil & Kris Wilcox, Holly Springs, NC; cousins, Scott Wilcox and wife Megan of Key West, FL and Matt Wilcox of Ohio, and Andrew Wilcox and wife Stephanie of Holly Springs, NC. During her illness, Jennifer was especially appreciative of her devoted mother and in-laws. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Thursday, December 3, at Church Street United Methodist Church with a 7:00 funeral service following. The family will meet at 1pm Friday, December 4, for a private family graveside service at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be Crossroads Sunday School Class. Memorials can be made to The Stephen Ministry of Church Street United Methodist Church, the Capstone Endowment of Church Street UMC, or the Crossroads Sunday School Class of Church Street UMC. Woodhaven Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 160 Edgemoor Road, Powell, 865-945-3461, is honored to serve the Landon Family. To share your thoughts and memories of Jennifer, go to www.woodhavenfh.com.

Thankful

in no particular order...

I am thankful for second chances.

I am thankful that God continues to love me even though I continue to fall for the same struggles sins, time and time again.

I am thankful for the sound of The Edge's guitar mixed with the voice of Bono.

I am thankful for the beautiful art of a perfectly run pick and roll, and that I am healthy enough to still play the sport I adore.

I am thankful that I outkicked my coverage and have been married to my beautiful wife for 13+ years now.

I am thankful for parents that took me to church and modeled what faith is about.

I am thankful for the work of contemporary Christian thought leaders like Rob Bell, Donald Miller, Mike Foster, Eugen Peterson, Timothy Keller and Francis Chan.

I am thankful for weekly a.m. coffee talks with my brother in faith and my Silas along my journey.

I am thankful for two beautiful children and what they inspire me to be.

I am thankful every time I hear Johnny Cash.

I am thankful what Bruce Pearl and Lane Kiffin are bringing to Rocky Top.

I am thankful to live in freedom in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

I am thankful for whoever came up with the www.iamsecond.com campaign.

I am thankful every time I see Steve Nash play.

I am thankful I survived college, and the night of February 12, 1994.

I am thankful for less than I should be.

I am thankful for you, and the fact that you've read this far. Many blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving.

Quote o' the day - Warren Buffet

"Every saint has a past, and every sinner a future." -Warren Buffet

Rob Bell 2.0

Here's a very cool interview with Rob Bell about what he's working on next. Sounds like there won't be any more new Nooma videos, but he's got some exciting ideas in the works. Can't wait!

Faith Requires Hiking Boots

Excellent post this a.m. from Knox Media Powerhouse, Hallerin Hilton Hill. (Triple H, Holla!!!) Enjoy as you strap on your hiking boots!


"This morning I was stopped by a 3-verse miracle in Matthew 15.

This miracle is a quickie on the way to the feeding of the 4 thousand.

Here's the passage:

Jesus Heals Many

29 Jesus went on from there and walked s beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. 30 And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, 31 so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Ok, so that, at first blush it looks like a run of the mill miracle.
(Think about that. Jesus was working miracles on the way to work miracles. BTW there are no "run of the mill" miracles)

Look closer.

I saw 2 things in this passage this morning that I had not seen.

1. Jesus was a mountain climber.

2. The people CLIMBED the mountain to get to him. They were willing to make the effort to get to him.

Not only did they CLIMB to get to him, they took some broken people with them. I imagine some people had to CARRY other people up the mountain to put them in front of Jesus.

WOW! That challenged me.

Had to ask myself a couple of big questions: "Am I willing to make the CLIMB?"

Reality: Sometimes faith requires hiking boots.

What about the broken people I know? Am I willing to exert the extra effort to guide or CARRY them up the mountain and put them in front of Jesus?

Truth is, I've been CARRIED up the mountain.

Bottom line: make the effort.

If He's on the mountain don't wait at the base for him to come down. Put on your hiking boots and get to steppin'. And take someone with you."

It's Not What You've Been...

I caught one lesson from the always excellent Jim Flemming over the weekend at Church Street. He always brings it (this was the 12th year in a row that our church has had him back for a lecture series) but there was one thought he shared that stood out the most to me.

He said it's not about what you've been (i.e. a liar, a thief, an adulterer, an addict, etc.) but rather through Jesus Christ what you can become.

You can become forgiven. You can become joyful. You can become the person God created you to be.

I like the sound of that.

Second Serve

Like these guys, I'm a big believer in second chances. That's why I applaud Andre Agassi's new revelations from his book Open. He also shared his powerful story last night on 60 Minutes.

Among other things he talks about how he hated tennis. He feared his father. He didn't want to be married to Suddenly Susan. He was depressed. And, oh yeah, he did crystal meth and lied about failing a drug test.

Plus his famous locks were really a hair weave (!!!)

Seriously, watch the 60 Minutes interview for a new look at this sports icon. I can't wait to read the book.

While many cynics have come out now and said Agassi is just saying this stuff now to sell a book, I don't buy it. (no pun intended). Watch his reaction and plea for "some compassion" when told about what some (very famous) tennis players are saying about Agassi's story. I think this is a man who was a child prodigy that made mistakes but has turned things around and wanted to come clean. And you can't argue with the work his foundation has been doing for education in his hometown of Las Vegas.

Quite a turnaround from a guy who once known for saying "Image is Everything."

Clean Your Window

Clean Your Window
The smudges and stains from your past will only cloud your future if you don't wipe them away

by Roy S. Johnson

They're there, and they're not. Windows. They stand between us and the world, offering a view. We see what we want and ignore what we want.

We all possess our own figurative window, too. Like the glass version, it stands between us and the world, offering a view. We see what we want and ignore what we want.

Your view shapes your perspective, your attitude about the world outside. It determines how you treat others, how you approach the challenges of each day. It also shapes how you see yourself and how you perceive your own prospects for the day, the week— for your life. When you don't like what you see outside, it drags down your attitude, your personality, your spirit. It drags down you.

It makes you resentful and critical, of even the smallest things. It makes you look for flaws everywhere—at work, at home, and even in people you first meet. Makes you frown at every encounter. Makes you perceive every challenge or opportunity as yet another chance to fail. It drains your confidence. In a word, it makes you miserable.

No matter your goals—for today, tomorrow, or for the rest of your life—they're unattainable when your view is clouded, gloomy, and critical. Misery loves company, not success.

Think about the miserable people around you every day—people who are always critical, always mumbling and blaming someone else for their frustrations or their setbacks of the moment. If you're waking up each morning with a critical, resentful attitude, waking up mad at this person, mad at that situation, mad at work, just plain mad, try this: Clean your window.

That's right. Scrub off the soot of past failures. Hose away the dinginess of broken relationships. Take some elbow grease to the splotches of betrayals, losses, and bad breaks.

Then, take a look. Suddenly, the world outside looks much different. Things are clearer, brighter. It's almost as if there's no window there at all.

You might even decide to throw the sucker open and step outside, where your perspective can now be shaped by fresh air, fresh aromas, fresh opportunities.

I once knew someone whom I just dreaded seeing because no matter the topic, she had something negative to say about it. This woman could have spoiled a kid's birthday party. I said "once knew" because ultimately I had to wipe her out of my life because simply being around her was affecting my own view. I had to clean her off the window.

Progress begins with a positive attitude. No one ever got anywhere by saying they couldn't. Dreams are not made from dread.

The smudges and stains from your past will only cloud your future if you don't wipe them away. Today.

Onward,
Roy S. Johnson
Men's Fitness
Editor In Chief

First things First

The first command that Jesus gives in the Sermon in the Mount?

"Rejoice and be glad."

No matter how bad it seems or what's stacked against us, Jesus says that through him it is possible to rejoice and be glad, even in the face of tremendous adversity. Amazing.

Thanks and props to Rob Bell's Twitter pagefor this reminder. Man, I needed to read this today.

God and Football

Time.com just ran an interesting profile on the NFL's spiritual advisors. It takes a good look and the men and women who serve as team chaplains and help your favorite NFLers with their faith journey.

It also answers that age-old question: Who caused the fumble - Jesus or Julius Peppers?

Awkward but Awesome

Genius interviewing skills on display here with a chat with Rob Bell at Catalyst in the ATL.

Favorite line: "All of your books have touched me.....in my hands." Classic!

Fearlessness

Wow! I really needed to read this post from Mark Batterson's blog today. It's about taking Jesus at his word and living a life without fear. It's excellent and is posted for you below.

No fear!


"According to psychologists we're only born with two fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. That means that every other fear is learned. Which means that every other fear can be unlearned. Here's a definition of faith: the process of unlearning ungodly fears.

The enemy is a fear monger. He wants to scare the heaven out of you. But I John 4:18 says: "Perfect love casts out all fear." In other words, as we grow in a love relationship with God we unlearn our fears until the only fear we have is the only healthy and holy fear: the fear of God. And when you fear God you don't have to fear anything else! Perfect love results in fearlessness.

I think there are moments in life when we have to make major decisions that will determine our destiny. And we will spend the rest of our lives managing those major decisions. And if you let fear dictate your decision you'll end up with a ton of inaction regrets at the end of your life. Fear is a great friend, but it makes a terrible master! Don't let fear dictate your decisions. You have to face your fears. And what you'll find is this: the thing that scares you to death is very often the thing that brings you to life.

Here's another lesson learned: few things are as liberating as what you fear actually happening. You realize that God is still there and life goes on."

Why Death is the Best Invention of Life

This is the text of the Commencement address at Stanford University by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005.

"I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:

Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, its likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

My second story is about love and loss.

I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.

I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down - that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.

I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

My third story is about death.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.

This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope its the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Thank you all very much."

When You Are Low on Hope

Got this passage from an e-newsletter sent by Max Lucado. It's a wonderful take for those whose tanks are running on empty. Stay strong, my friend.

When You Are Low on Hope
by Max Lucado

Water. All Noah can see is water. The evening sun sinks into it. The clouds are reflected in it. His boat is surrounded by it. Water. Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the west. Water.

He sent a raven on a scouting mission; it never returned. He sent a dove. It came back shivering and spent, having found no place to roost. Then, just this morning, he tried again. With a prayer he let it go and watched until the bird was no bigger than a speck on a window.

All day he looked for the dove’s return.

Now the sun is setting, and the sky is darkening, and he has come to look one final time, but all he sees is water. Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the …

You know the feeling. You have stood where Noah stood. You’ve known your share of floods. Flooded by sorrow at the cemetery, stress at the office, anger at the disability in your body or the inability of your spouse. You’ve seen the floodwater rise, and you’ve likely seen the sun set on your hopes as well. You’ve been on Noah’s boat.

And you’ve needed what Noah needed; you’ve needed some hope. You’re not asking for a helicopter rescue, but the sound of one would be nice. Hope doesn’t promise an instant solution but rather the possibility of an eventual one. Sometimes all we need is a little hope.

That’s all Noah needed. And that’s all Noah received.

Here is how the Bible describes the moment: “When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf!” (Gen. 8:11 NIV).

An olive leaf. Noah would have been happy to have the bird but to have the leaf! This leaf was more than foliage; this was promise. The bird brought more than a piece of a tree; it brought hope. For isn’t that what hope is? Hope is an olive leaf—evidence of dry land after a flood. Proof to the dreamer that dreaming is worth the risk.

Don’t we love the olive leaves of life?
“It appears the cancer may be in remission.”
“I can help you with those finances.”
“We’ll get through this together.”
What’s more, don’t we love the doves that bring them?
Perhaps that’s the reason so many loved Jesus.

To all the Noahs of the world, to all who search the horizon for a fleck of hope, he proclaims, “Yes!” And he comes. He comes as a dove. He comes bearing fruit from a distant land, from our future home. He comes with a leaf of hope.

A Love Worth GivingHave you received yours? Don’t think your ark is too isolated. Don’t think your flood is too wide. Receive his hope, won’t you? Receive it because you need it. Receive it so you can share it.

Love always hopes. “Love … bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:4–7 NKJV, emphasis mine).

From A Love Worth Giving
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2002) Max Lucado

Writing A Better Story

I just finished the new Donald Miller book, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years. It is outstanding! And, what do you know, here's an excerpt of it on Don's web site you can read for yourself.

The story essentially comes down to one question: how do you write a better story? In the middle of working with the film directors who were turning his book Blue Like Jazz into a movie, Don realized that his life story was, well, a little boring.

So what do you do to write a better story? To be a hero to someone who needs it. To take up a cause bigger than yourself. To have epic experiences that are worth writing about. And then remembered. For Don, it meant taking a chance with a girl he loved, biking across America (!) and starting a new organization to help provide fatherless children with mentors.

What does it mean for you and I? If our life was made into a movie, would anyone want to watch it?

Great questions. Ones that I find myself asking myself more and more since reading this exceptional book.

Dude Perfect

Amazing basketball shots for a good cause? Dude, that IS perfect! Check out this crazy video and the site: http://dudeperfect.com/

Post Secret

Bring the Pain

I was bummed to recently miss Rob Bell's Drops Like Stars tour when it recently hit the ATL. I hear it was excellent. While not the same as being there live, here's a cool interview w/ Rob about the tour and his insights on personal suffering and pain.

Alice Cooper on Being a Christian

Words fail. God won't.

Romans 8:26 (New International Version)

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.


I never really understood this verse until recently. But the stress of life these days has gotten me to a point where now I get it. In my prayer life, I have always given God a pretty good idea of things I want. "Heal this ankle injury from basketball", "I need a door open on a better job", "Please, no swine flu!"

This arrangement has always worked for me. I tell God what I want. He comes through.

But dealing with the rapid decline of my father in law's health has shaken that arrangement up. Because I've given God a very detailed list of things that I want to happen. "Please help him get better.", "Please help my wife have less stress", "Please let our life go back to normal"

But it would be wrong to say those prayers haven't been answered. They just haven't been answered the way I want them to be. It's been hard to watch a strong, great man of God go from being able to put out a giant garden last year, to not having the strength to stand up, feed himself or use the bathroom on his own.

In this process, I've been frustrated and mad that God "wasn't coming through for me." It's taken me and my wife and our little family unit to the ends of our collective ropes. But in the process, somehow my prayers have become less about me and more about what God really wants to happen. There's been times when I honestly have no idea what to pray for. Not mine, but thine, so to speak. And it's in those moments of our brokenness, where God does his best work.

The stars shine brightest just before dawn, to quote the great Johnny Cash.

Oh, and while I've been busy thinking God wasn't coming through, He's been busy coming through. Through a neighbor who is also a nurse to help with my father-in-law's care. Through friends who are bringing by food and helping with our kids. Through a family who helps lift the burden by doing everything from helping with kids to replacing broken appliances. Through friends who simply ask how we're holding up before we shoot hoops or drink a beer.

It all just goes to show how sometimes the best way He answers our prayers is when we have no idea what to say.

Refresh

I just got an e-newsletter that had this classic opening line:

"We should have a "refresh" button for everything: a bitter coworker, a lame bar scene, the National Hockey League. Just a click or two would give us instant improvement."

How awesome would that be? It'd be like those great Staples "Easy Button" commercials. Only any time we need to refresh, just click the button and your good.

But the more I thought about it, I believe we have something better. In Jesus, we have someone that knows all about our past, but loves us anyway. What's even more mind blowing to me is that he knows all about the ways we will fail him in the future, and he loves us anyway. His disciple, and close friend, Peter, looked him in the eye three times and promised he'd never let him down. Jesus knew better. Within 24 hours Peter would deny Jesus three times and skip town in an attempt to forget it ever happened. Yet, Jesus never gave up on Peter. How refreshing is it to know that our limits are no limit to God?

Our failures and frailties are nothing to the one who created the Universe. All he asks is that we love him and those he created with all we've got. Do that, and we naturally start becoming the type of person he created us to be.

Which is like having access to the ultimate "refresh" button.

Grace Amid the Vices

As one who has struggled with seven out of the seven vices (if this were baseball, I'd be batting 1000%!) I really enjoyed this interview with author Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung. She's written a book called Glittering Vices which takes "a new look at the seven deadly sins." Haven't read it yet, but from the interview she gives, it sounds like it's worth checking out. Anyone else read it?

Also, on another note, I really enjoyed a couple of recent posts from the always entertaining and enlightening Rob Bell. (follow him on Twitter @realrobbell). Some good thoughts on thinking about the Sabbath...in 140 characters or less.


Sabbath reminds us that we are human beings not human doings.

Sabbath reminds us that our worth does not come from how hard we work or how good we are or how much we produce or what people think of us.

Same Kind of Different As Me

I'm kind of late to the game on this one, but just got finished reading Same Kind of Different As Me. Truly outstanding. The story of a drifter, an art dealer, a devoted woman, and how they all came together to experience things so incredible, no novelist could make it up. Because it all really happened. A must read for your list.

Stay Classy, MJ

As a die hard Detroit Pistons fan, I have never cheered for Michael Jordan. But I always respected him. How could you not? To me, there is no reason for people to put "arguably" in front of "the greatest basketball player of all time." The man was simply the most gifted, determined, dominant force ever to lace them up. Kobe's great, but it kills me when people want to say he's the "next MJ." I've seen stretches of games where Kobe isn't even the best player on his team. That NEVER and I mean NEVER happened with MJ. Think of all the Hall of Fame players who's only sin for not getting a ring was being born around the same time as MJ. (Most of the '92 Dream Team)

But all that dominance comes at a high price. There has been a lot said about MJ's "acceptance" speech into the hall of fame. There wasn't much "acceptance" in it. MJ came off as bitter and petty. Blowing up fools and airing grievances that go back decades. The high school coach that cut him. Byron Russel for saying he could guard him. Isiah Thomas for ignoring him. Even Jeff Van Gundy for, I dunno, being Jeff Van Gundy.

But was all this really necessary?

I mean, MJ, my man...you just got introduced as THE GREATEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME. Do you get bonus points for then blowing up Jeff Van Gundy? You made the guy go ringless and then hairless. What more do you want?

One camp says, like the superb Michael Wilbon, say it was a glimpse at the ultimate competitor doing what he does. Another camp, says it was petty and vindicitve.

One thing I noticed was the contrast between the speeches of MJ and David Robinson. The Admiral spent the first part of his speech thanking each of his 3 sons, telling them how much he loved them and how proud he was of THEM. He then told his wife how much he loved her and how she "made him want to be a better man."



MJ on the other hand told his family "I wouldn't want to be you" because they have to live in his enormous shadow.



You win, Mike. You're the greatest of all time. But, in the end, is that really gonna be worth it?

The Personal Side of Pearl

My man crush on Bruce Pearl (or as he dubs himself: "The second best basketball coach at UT behind Pat Summitt") continues to grow. Check out this tremendous article that shows a glimpse at the private side of the guy that has been known to go to Lady Vols games dressed like this.

Colbert!

Stephen Colbert is a funny, funny man. He's also now a Rolling Stone cover boy and was just named by the esteemed mag as "The #1 Reason to Watch TV." And here all along I thought that was re-runs of Saved By The Bell. My bad.

The feature interview by Nil Strauss, "The Subversive Joy of Stephen Colbert" talks about what makes Colbert's show so insanely funny. It also touches on Colbert's "controversial" faith. Controversial, I guess, because he openly admits to be a believer and practicing Christian. The byline to the article sums it up best: "How a God-Loving Square Became TV's Most Dangerous Man."

Hey, whatever sells a few magazines.

The article does have some great nuggets on what makes Colbert tick. Sure, it says that he's like "Ned Flanders" because he teaches Sunday School class, doesn't swear, and dresses like, well, Ned Flanders. But here's a guy who's gone through some incredibly painful experiences — including his father and brother all dying in a plane crash. Yet, he remains on openly positive believer, in an industry dripping with cynics. He says that is only possible because of a deep faith in a loving God. In my favorite moment of the interview, Colbert shares something his mother taught him that helps him maintain perspective amidst his crushing schedule and Hollywood lifestyle:

"I think all the time about something my mother said to me many times as a child: "In the line of eternity, what does this matter?"

That, as the great Stephen Colbert is some tremendous truthyness.

It's Time!!!!!

Boys and girls, it's time!!! Oh yes it most certainly is....

GO VOLS!

The Word According to Wilco

The new issue of Relevant is outstanding. Great stuff per usual from cover to cover. And speaking of the cover, I was stoked to see Wilco's own Jeff Tweedy on it. The guy is a brilliant artist. Interesting to read his takes on God, Death, Religion (um, did I miss anything?)

Check it out online here.

Notes from Nooma

Had an amazing discussion in Sunday School class yesterday. I went back to do an "oldie but a goodie" - Rob Bell's 10th Nooma video, "Lump" If you've never seen it, visit the fine folks at flannel.org and order a copy today. (If you're a Church Streeter, you can check out a copy in the Church Library).

It's a great story about God's unconditional love and forgiveness. Two things we can really not be reminded of enough. Especially in these often dark, cynical times we live in. The discussion was powerful. The Holy Spirit was present. I'll never really capture it in words, but I'm just so thankful to have been a part of it.

I wanted to share the description of the video here on the blog. It really captures the spirit of the video, and is a good thought for us to kick off our week. Live blessed this week, my friend!


LUMP - NOOMA VIDEO #10
"A lot of us have done things in our lives that we're ashamed of. Some are small things, and some of us have really big and devastating things. some of us even have things that people close to us don't know about. Personal junk that we keep to ourselves so we don't have to deal with it. Because we don't know how to deal with it, do we? We're afraid that if we try it's just going to make everything worse. But no matter how big our junk is, no matter how much what we've done has impacted the way other people feel about us or how we feel about ourselves, it hasn't changed how God feels about us. God loves us, he always has and always will, and there's nothing we can do to change that."

Dungy on Vick

Here's a really good article where Tony Dungy is interviewed about his faith and a follow up to how Michael Vick is doing. When he first met with Vick in his cell, Dungy wanted to know "Where was the Lord in all this?" Really good read.

You Might Be A Loser If...

Yesterday I got a FaceBook message from an old pastor friend of mine.

Hadn't heard from him in a long time, so that was cool.

Cool, until I actually opened it.

I should have known something was up from the subject head. It just read "L.O.L!"

So I open up the message and see there's a link. So I opened it up.

Bad mistake.

It takes me to some hard core porn site. My mind was reeling, because I'm still thinking that my former pastor has sent me this!

It doesn't take me long to figure out this is one of the latest attacks on the Interwebs by some Internet Spam Pushers, er, LOSER! Within moments there's a real message from my friend saying "IF YOU GET A MESSAGE FROM ME ON FACEBOOK DON'T OPEN IT!"

Too late for me.

But it did get me thinking: is there a bigger loser than someone who spams Internet porn into unsuspecting boxes? Seriously. Look, I am no angel. I have seen these sites and filled my mind with garbage. But what kind of loser tries to "sneak" their amateur porn site into people's FaceBook pages!? Imagine the time it took to "hatch" this plan. Write the code. Figure out how to trick people into opening this up. Guess what you proved to us all: that you are a LOSER!

Look. It's a free country. If you want to get down and make your own porn, that's your call. But you have no right to try to trick somebody into looking at it by sneaking it onto their social network, mobile phone, whatever.

The fact that this message looked like it was coming from a former pastor shows how random this was. I'm sure the same message landed on FaceBook pages of soccer moms, high school students, grade schoolers, grandmothers, etc. Anyone and everyone was probably exposed to this trash.

Under the title "L.O.L."

Yeah, that's hysterical.

If you're so depraved that you somehow get off on doing something like that, there's absolutely nothing funny about it. Your life is the only thing that's a joke.

Vick's Second Chance

I've been wrestling with what to think about Michael Vick for a while. He appeared on 60 Minutes giving his first interview since being released from prison. The more I think about it, I'm glad he's getting a chance and applaud the Eagles for giving him a shot.

Let me be clear: I in no way, shape or form condone what Vick did. It was inhumane and disgusting. He deserved to go to jail and lose his status as a franchise NFL Quarterback. (not to mention $135 Million in endorsements).

But I believe that he deserves a second chance. Not because he deserves it, per se, but because God is a God of second chances. Time and time again in the Bible, God is in the business of giving second chances to people who made serious mistakes or lapses in judgement.

Imagine if Moses didn't have a second chance after killing the Egyptian.

Imagine if Paul didn't get a second chance before he got on that road to Damascaus.

Imagine if David didn't get a second chance after falling for Bathshebia.

Imagine if Peter didn't get a second chance after denying Jesus three times.

And on...and on....and on...

Whether or not Michael Vick makes the most of his second chance is up to him. But I do believe that good can come from his life and example going forward. I'll be pulling for him to make the most of it. (Just not the 2x of year that the Eagles play my Cowboys.)

Great Quote by Bono

Just finished up The Reason for God by Timothy Keller. Mind blowing. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year. I'm still processing a lot of it, but wanted to share this one exceptional passage that appears in the book (pg. 229) It's an interview with U2's Bono with Michaka Assayas:

Assayas: Christ has his rank among the world's great thinkers. But Son of God, isn't that far-fetched?

Bono: "No, it's not far=fetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: He was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn't allow you that. He doesn't let you off that hook. Christ says, No. I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me a teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: "I'm the Messiah." I'm saying:"I am God incarnate." And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet we can take. You're a bit eccentric. We've had John thhe Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don't mention the "M" word! Because, you know, we're gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no, I know you're expecting me to come back with an army and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he's gonna keep saying this. So what you're left with is either Christ was who He said He was — the Messiah — or a complete nutcase. I mean, we're talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson...I'm not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me that's far-fetched..."

Amen.

I'm Alright Now

My new theme song...courtesy of the Man in Black.

Oh how I love the Gospel of Johnny...

The Reason for God

I am about half way through the most excellent book by Timothy Keller, The Reason for God. It was written, in part, as a response to the "new atheism" movement led by best-selling authors like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. Keller's book offers thought provoking responses for why believing in God makes sense. Whether you are a true believer, a total skeptic or somewhere in between, Keller's book is a tremendous read for those with an open mind and looking for an honest debate about the Christian faith.

Here's a passage (one of many) I really liked. A response from Keller about "Christian fanatics"(pg. 57)

"Think of people you consider fanatical. They're overbearing, self-righteous, opinionated, insensitive, and harsh. Why? It's not because they are too Christian but because they are not Christian enough. They are fanatically zealous and courageous, but they are not fanatically humble, sensitive, loving, empathetic, forgiving, or understanding—as Christ was. Because they think of Christianity as a self-improvement program they emulate the Jesus of the whips in the temple, but not the Jesus who said, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone" (John 8:7). What strikes us as overly fanatical is actually a failure to be fully committed to Christ and his gospel."

Now More Than Ever

There are a million things that make me proud of my 7 year old daughter, Grace. But one of the biggest is her developing taste for truly awesome music. The girl makes requests for Johnny Cash. She knows Jack Johnson by heart. And she famously once said "Daddy, Bruce Springsteen is SO much better than Hannah Montana."

That's my girl.

So I was stoked, but not surprised, when I went to her room over the weekend and she was playing "Now More Than Ever" by John (Cougar?) Mellencamp. I've always loved the song. It was an under appreciated gem off the under appreciated 1991 classic Wherever We Wanted. I wore that thing out my sophomore year in college.

The song remained under appreciated until some car company used it as their theme song. And while that move got it overplayed, it never stopped being a truly profound song about faith and devotion. Check out the lyrics:

If you believe
Wont you please raise your hands
Lets hear your voices
Let us know where you stand
Dont shout from the shadows
Cause it wont mean a dammn
Now more than ever

Now more than ever
The world needs love
Not just a slogan
But the world needs love
Now more than ever
I cant stand alone
Now more than ever

If I was to buy you
A diamond ring
Make you my princess
Would it mean anything
Would you take me for granted
And just curse my name
Now more than ever

Now more than ever
The world needs love
Not just a slogan
But the world needs love
Now more than ever
I cant stand alone
Now more than ever

Who am I to say
What needs to be done
I am just nobody
Another lost one
Caught between whats left
And what needs to be done
Now more than ever
The loss of love
The loss of our dreams
Its not too late

Now more than ever
The world needs love
Not just a slogan
But the world needs love
Now more than ever
I cant stand alone
Now more than ever

Plus the music just rocks, as this video sample, courtesy of the You Tubes, will attest.

Now more than ever.

Homeless Man Leaves behind $4 Million

Another incredible NPR story (notice a trend this week?) about a homeless man who recently passed away. Oh, and left behind $4 Million to varous worthy charities. Huh!?!?!

Your Brain on God

NPR just took an depth look (is there any other way NPR looks at things?) at the human brain of those who profess faith or had spiritual experiences. I didn't understand all the big words, but it's a pretty interesting read. Check out the article here. It will blow your mind!

Steve Nash is a bad man...

Flickering Pixels

I'm in the middle of a great read, Flickering Pixels by Shane Hipps It's a look at how technology shapes your faith (the subtitle says so!) As I find myself in battling my Twitter/FB/Web addictions, I must say I picked it up with a bit of trepidation. But I know my man Rob Bell is a big Shane Hipps fan (the quote from Bell on the back of Flickering Pixels says that Hipps constantly "blows my mind." Works for me!) so I figured it was worth checking out.

I figured right.

I'll have a full write up when I finish. But here's one passage (at the end of chapter 4) that has really spoken to me:

"Knowing God comes through direct experience. This experience blooms in a wide-open heart where desire burns fiercely and freely. In this way, desire is the path to experiencing God. Desire in all its forms. Even our dark desires, the ones we're most fearful and ashamed of, the ones we call sin. Even those desires are merely disfigured drives searching for the divine in counterfeit form. If we pay attention to them, own them, and push beneath them by peeling back layer upon layer of desire, we eventually find our Original Desire -- the deepest longing that leads us home."

Picking Cotton

Over the weekend, 60 Minutes made me cry. This normally doesn't happen. Unless I watch the entire Andy Rooney segment at the end. Kidding! (sorta)

But the story about How Accurate is Visual Memory was mind blowing. It tells the incredible story and saga of Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton.

To read the transcript or watch video of the show, go here.

In a nutshell, when Jennifer Thompson was 22 she was a victim of a brutal rape. She picked Ronald Cotton out of a police lineup and he was tried and convicted of the crime. 11 years into his life sentence DNA evidence proved that he was innocent and he was released. Thompson was devastated that her eyewitness testimony had caused a man to go to jail and lose 11 years of the prime of her life. She requested a meeting with Cotton and here is her account of how it went:

"I started to cry immediately. And I looked at him, and I said, 'Ron, if I spent every second of every minute of every hour for the rest of my life telling you how sorry I am, it wouldn't come close to how my heart feels. I'm so sorry.' And Ronald just leaned down, he took my hands…and he looked at me, he said, 'I forgive you,'" Thompson remembered.

"I told her, I said, 'Jennifer, I forgive you. I don't want you to look over your shoulder. I just want us to be happy and move on in life,'" Cotton recalled.

"The minute he forgave me, it's like my heart physically started to heal. And I thought, 'This is what grace and mercy is all about. This is what they teach you in church that none of us ever get.' And here was this man that I had hated. I mean, I used to pray every day of my life during those eleven years that he would die. That he would be raped in prison and someone would kill him in prison. That was my prayer to God. And here was this man who with grace and mercy just forgave me," Thompson told Stahl. "How wrong I was, and how good he is."


The two have written a book, Picking Cotton, that I can not wait to read. They are also good friends and travel the country sharing their story and speaking about the dangers of eye witness testimony.

An amazing portrait of grace and mercy. Beautiful!

Drop Your Stone

Excerpt from Bishop Joseph W. Walker's eulogy at Steve McNair's service yesterday:

"People around this world and even here now, have a tension in their spirit. What is the response of the church in a moment like this? Oh, I know that is the big elephant in the room. What says the church in a moment like this?

People want to know. I stand between two places as priest and prophet — as priest to this family and ministering to them, and yet prophet to speak to the nation of what thus sayeth God.

There was a woman one day caught in adultery, and the religious people brought her to Jesus. And they said to Jesus, the law says she should be stoned. Jesus knelt down and drew in the sand. He looked up and said, 'Ye without sin, cast the first stone.'

They began to drop their stones, from the youngest to the oldest. And I have come to declare from the youngest to the oldest in America and over this world, it's time to have a stone-dropping service.

Drop your stone.

Next time you write about Steve McNair, drop your stone. Next time you text somebody, drop your stone. The next time you Twitter, drop your stone. Those of you in the barbershops, those of you walking the streets or on the corner, drop your stones.

What I do know about this man is that he loved God. And he was just like us. Imperfect. But he knew God."

Amen.

Six Prayers God Always Answers (Results May Vary)

I just finished one of the best books on the subject of prayer that I've ever read. It's called Six Prayers God Always Answers *Results May Vary by Mark Herringshaw and Jennifer Schuchmann. Put it on your "to read" list. It's excellent!

All of us offer up prayers. Even those who say God don't exist. Prayers such as:

"Oh my God!"

"Please Lord, don't let that cop pull me over..."

"Please, God, don't let him die!"

"Why me, God?"

"God, she's beautiful..."

The concept of the book is simple. Whether you believe God answers prayers or he doesn't, there are six types of prayers He always responds to. Of course, God being God, rarely are these answered the way we expect. (He is God, afterall!)

Bargaining prayers. Questioning prayers. Prayers for justice. Desperate prayers. Audacious prayer. Prayers for beauty and happiness. Even selfish prayers. This book takes a really interesting and entertaining look at how Gods responds to each of these. Often in ways we often don't understand. But always with our best interests in mind. He answers. The trick is for us to learn to listen. This book helped me to understand how to do that a little better.

To learn more, check out the Six Prayers web site. The authors also have a new book out, Nine Ways God Always Speaks that I'm gonna track down next.

(If your a fellow Church Streeter, you can find Six Prayers in our Church Library!)

Fearless

Max Lucado's new book, Fearless, is coming out soon. You can read the excellent first chapter here. for free.

Stay fearless.

Who Will Cry When You Die?

The last two weeks have been intense.

On a national scale, of course you had the deaths of MJ and Farrah.

On a personal level, my father in law has been in the hospital. A woman who was like a 2nd mother to my wife passed on after a long, courageous fight with cancer. I caught word that a business associate, a guy I interviewed with for a job a few years back, had a motorcycle accident and died at the age of 48.

48!?!?

And that's just my little corner of the world. Death has been all around. But then again, it always is. It seems to be in the spotlight these last few weeks, thanks mostly to the sensationalism of MJ's death. (I mean, the guy's funeral is going to be in the LA Staples Center of all places!)

In watching one of the non-stop news memorials on MJ, I was struck by the number of people who were absolutely bawling uncontrollably at the news that he was gone.

It made me think a few things. One, to each their own, but I can't imagine being that torn up over a death of a person that I had never met. I shed some tears when Johnny Cash died. I imagine I would if something happened to Bono, Steve Nash or President Obama (now there's a trio!). But for the most part, I can't imagine getting that worked up over someone who I only knew through watching them on TV or the Interwebs.

Now, somebody I know and love...that's a different matter entirely.

Which brought me to my second thought: Who will cry when you die? That's the name of an incredible book by one of my favorite authors, Robin Sharma.

It's also a powerful thought. What do you and I need to accomplish to make our short life here on Earth count? Who are the people we want to become, so that when we pass from this life into the next, tears on Earth are shed from the people that we've helped - just as tears of joy in Heaven are shed as we're welcomed into Eternity.

So that's what's on my mind.

Who will cry when you die?

Who do you think? Who is it for you?

Confusing Christians with Christ

My latest musical obsession is Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown. Not quite the classic American Idiot was, in my opinion, but brilliant none-the-less. Like American Idiot, it's a concept album, this time following a punk-rock couple (Christian and Gloria) as they find their way in a new century already going down the tubes.

While the "ballads" section gets a bit sappy for my tastes, the up-tempo stuff totally shreds. Lead singer Billy Joe Armstrong has incorporated a Beatles-esque sense to his songwriting that more and more rewarding with each listen.

It's also obvious from the lyrics, that Armstrong has a major beef with Christianity. At least, those of the "organized religion, Christian-right" variety. Here's a description of one of the songs, "East Jesus Nowhere" from a recent Rolling Stone interview with the band:

"Armstrong wrote "East Jesus Nowhere," a scalding rebuke of fundamentalist religion, after attending a church service where a friend's baby was baptized. The friend later asked him, "Was it really that bad?""

Now I'm not going to pretend to know what Billie Joe Armstrong's hang-ups with Christianity are. If I had to guess they'd be about hypocritical leaders who claim to be Christian but pass judgment and condemn others. Perhaps it was a truly scarring "religious" experience at an early age.

It could be any number of things. I would just ask him to do one thing:

Don't confuse Christians with Christ.

Christians are people. Which means we're going to screw up. A church, (in the organized religion, place to worship on Sunday sense of the word) then is a collection of screw-ups. (present company included!) A collection of failed, broken people that are going to make mistakes. It's in our DNA.

But Christ is different.

Where a Christian might be too unforgiving, Christ won't. Where a Christian might say the wrong thing or offer no forgiveness, Christ won't. Where a Christian can say one thing but do another, Christ won't.

I'd also ask Billie Joe to remember that he's in good company. Christ himself held his strongest rebukes for the religious hypocrites of his day. That Pharisee spirit is very much alive and well today. If it weren't, we wouldn't have brilliant albums like 21st Century Breakdown inspire us to do better.

And, considering the last song on the album is the positive anthem "See the Light" deep down I think Billie Joe agrees.

Smile :)

"Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other -- it doesn't matter who it is -- and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other."

-- Mother Teresa

Tybee Time!

Checking off the grid for a while for our family's annual pilgrimage to the always brilliant Tybee Island. Rumor has it that Hannah Montana will be on the pier one day filming scenes for a movie. So I will do everything humanly possible to avoid THAT...and come back rested and recharged from fun in the sun.

Stay awesome.
:)L

More Nashtyness

If this NBA thing stops working out, I really think Steve Nash has a career in comedy or broadcasting. Check his bit from Letterman last night...

I Heart Steve Nash

The Spirit at Work

Have you ever been in a situation where you truly feel the Holy Spirit at work? I must admit, it hasn't happened to me many times at all. But it did this weekend. It was an amazing and beautiful experience that I'll always treasure.

I was teaching in our Sunday School class as we continued our study of Max Lucado's Traveling Light. To be honest, I was dreading leading this course because it was a chapter about the burden of grief, centered around the verse about "walking through the valley of the shadow of death..."

Not exactly the feel-good hit of the summer.

So our class is really packed, and it starts with everyone talking about their beach vacation trips. Then I start in (cue Debbie Downer music) as Captain Buzzkill talking about the heaviest of topics. I mean really heavy stuff. The chapter opens with a story about a 3 year old that died of leukemia. Couples suffering miscarriages. Divorces. You name it.

Like I said, not the feel-good hit of the summer.

I was really struggling through teaching (some would argue that this is nothing new) when the Holy Spirit really moved across us. People started sharing stories about their own grief, in beautiful, touching ways. Tears were shed. While the stories were different, you could feel a common connection and closeness emerging.

As I listened to this amazing people share these stories of struggles and losses they had experienced in their own lives, I felt a wave of peace and strength. That these would be some of the people God will use when my chips are down and I walk through the Valley myself. What a blessing.

And to think, a Psalm written thousands of years ago is more relevant than ever. Amazing. Praise God!

Under Pressure

My buddy Paul Jones is one of the greatest musicians (and greatest guys) I know. So, I admit I'm biased. But I think his church choir's version of Queen/Bowie's "Under Pressure" (notice I didn't say Vanilla Ice "Ice Ice Baby") rules the school. Check it out!

Torn

For those who are struggling, who are questioning their faith and who wonder what God's plan for their lives really is, you are NOT alone.

Disappointed (With God) from David Tate on Vimeo.

The Bible...In 140 Characters of Less...

So, what would God tweet? Now we can find out, because apparently God has signed up for a Twitter account. He's live-blogging stories from Scripture. Condensing great stories that have been passed down for thousands of years into 140 characters or less. Surely soon, He will be RT'ing interesting tweets from St. Peter and other angels.

Here's a sample: how the Creation story is told via tweets:

Day 1: Lighting system installed. BRB.
Days 2-6: Some assembly required: sky, plants, cows, people. Left humans in charge, LOL.
Day 7: Siesta


What do you make of this? Is it ingenious, or a sign of the end-times. Probably a bit of both.

The Mike Vick Question

This is a tough one. What should our Christian response to Mike Vick be?

Not our dog loving response. Not our NFL-fandom response. Not even our law-abiding, can't believe he did what he did response.

In other words, what would Jesus say to do concerning Mike Vick?

I think I know, but it's tough to really do.

I've been wrestling with this question all week, ever since news that Mike Vick was a free man started to hit the interwebs. I'm torn, because both sides of the argument make so much sense.

On one hand, you have to understand the outrage at what he did. It was repulsive and morally bankrupt at every level. You have to see why a NFL team wouldn't want to have any part of him, and why animal lovers would protest his every move if a team did.

On the other hand, the NFL isn't exactly a club for choirboys. I read somewhere that 73 players have been convicted of drunk driving, for instance. In the case of 2 former Vols, Leonard Little and Donte Stallworth, with tragic consequences. Not to belittle what Mike Vick did in any way, but how could the NFL allow Leonard Little back into the league after serving time for killing a person, but not at least give Vick the opportunity to come back, after his role in killing animals?

There are no easy answers. Which is why I keep thinking about what Jesus would say to do. Of course, only He knows Mike Vick's heart - if Vick is truly repentant for what he did, or just sorry he got caught. But assuming he is a changed man, how should we respond? Certainly, being a NFL quarterback is a privilege and not a right. But there are only a handful of people on the planet that can do it. Only one that can do it and run a 4.2 40-yard dash. What if God has bigger plans for Mike Vick? Plans to use his horrible mistakes for a greater good?

I'm left struggling what to think. So, I'll ask you for help.

What should our Christian response to Mike Vick be?

Can't We All Just Get Along...

...why yes we can, at Red House Furniture!

Crazy Love - Part 2

I finished Crazy Love by Francis Chan over the weekend. Wow! Really great read. There are too many thoughts from it still marinating in my head to really go into now. But just wanted to say that you should definitley check out the book, the site, or both.

A big theme for me was that I am too stingy with my giving. There was this line in the book that basically said "You can either be a generous giver now, or look forward to being broke throughout Eternity."

Man, that hits close to home!

In a world where over half the population exists on less than $2 A DAY, how generous have I really been? I'm ashamed to admit, but the answer is, not much.

Another stat he had said that if you make $4,000 a month you are making more than ONE HUNDRED TIMES the average person on the planet.

Wow.

It's time to do better. Through the God that has no end to His generosity.

The Faith of Chuck Daly

Chuck Daly has made me very proud many times. As the coach of my beloved Detroit Pistons, he was the leader of easily the most diverse set of personalities ever to go back-to-back when the Bad Boys won it all. When he was named the coach of THE Dream Team back in '92 (there was only ONE dream team) it was a thing of beauty. But I don't think I've ever been more proud of the man who was one of my favorite coaches to follow than after I read this article about his faith.

Way to lead in life Chuck Daly. You ran the race the right way. Thanks, coach.

Jars of Clay - Flood (New Rain Remix)

Jars of Clay have rescheduled their Knoxville show at the Bijou for Monday, May 18th. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make that, but I'm definitely digging this new version/remix of their song "Flood." (Props to my homegirl Paige @ AC Entertainment for sharing...)

Flood (New Rain) - Jars of Clay

Crazy Love

I started a really cool book over the weekend, Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I'm not too far into it, but it's a really mind opening read about breaking free from the status quo to pursue a deeper relationship with God. Each chapter has video resources that you can check out on the book's web site Here was one of the videos from Chapter 1. Powerful stuff.

Quote o' the day - Denis Waitely

Glorious day! I ran across this quote as I was wading through work emails and thought it was a tremendous thought to start off the week. Enjoy!

"Happiness can not be traveled to, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."

- Denis Waitely

We're All In This Together

Trailer for new documentary coming out by Hillsong United called "We Are All In This Together." Amazing.

The Prodigal God.

Every now and then you come across a book that changes everything for you. Such is the case for me with the book I'm reading now, The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. I haven't finished it yet. As is the case with all great books, I'm savoring every page, not wanting it to end.

The basic premise is simple yet profound. Keller's point is that the popular parable about "The Prodigal Son" tells only half the story. Most of the focus has been on the younger son, that took his part of Dad's money and went off to enjoy the "good life." A first century equivalent of "what happens in Vegas..."

Where he ends up is in a pigsty, embarassed, broken and lonely.

Keller's point is that the other brother (the elder brother) is just as broken and exiled from his Father. He has used his "goodness" not because he truly loved his Dad and wanted to have a realtionship with him, but as a means to get what he wanted.

I had never thought about this parable this way. Keller brings out so many deep insights about how we can all go astray from God, either as "a younger brother" (through our disobedience), as an "elder brother" (with our Pharisee-like adherence to being "morally perfect") or some combination of the two. It's made me face the ways that I've had an "elder brother" attitude, without even realizing it. Keller's points on how God is a Prodigal (seeking endlessly) in both instances is riveting.

Read. This. Now.