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.