Thursday, May 28, 2009

Cartoon All-Stars

Man, I totally remember this. I guess this is the reason I never experimented with drugs after all.

The Art of Story

I have always said that if I could be the best in the world at something, it would be storytelling.

I mean it, I love to listen to a good story. One that has a great beginning, a big climax and an ending that makes it all worth the wait. Sometimes it isn't as much about the story as it is the person telling it. It is like my friend and co-worker, Ray Vance. This guy can tell a story like no one's business. I mean, he could tell you what he had for breakfast and you feel like you need to tell a buddy the same tail, only you know when you tell it...it will just be about breakfast.

Storytelling is crucial to culture. It is the foundation of any society, it gives us this crazy thing we call "History". And yes, I love the fact that the tail of humans existence comes back to God, even in the English word for it. "HIS-STORY"

Jesus was like that. He could tell a story in a way that, even if you didn't know he was God, you knew that he knew what he was talking about. I say this because, for one, he often had large crowds. Yes, this may have been due to the awesome miracles, but many times they would make mention of the fact that they could not believe the way he could teach. He would always illustrate his point to, either making up a story that is similar or even using objects, like gauging an eye out or a whithering tree.

I have always thought that if a sermon isn't driven by a story, whether personal, popular or from scripture, people won't want to follow it. And I think this MAY be why people tend to follow me well, but at the same time, I am not a great storyteller.

Here is a clip of Michael Emerson, of the the stars of the GREATEST TV SHOW EVER, Lost.

He is reading "Little Boy Boy", but notice that HOW he reads it, changes the story completely.



See what I mean?

What do you think? Does storytelling really matter that much in life?

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Idol Fans

Kris Allen

God of This City

Friday, May 22, 2009

I have to find a reason to do this on a Sunday..



LeBron is an amazing player, and does a ton for the great State of Ohio. Love the background track as well.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

The "I am loving right now" List

Here are some things I am loving right now...

1. David Cook's song "Permanent".
Wow, his Idol performance of this, FLOORED ME. The Lyrics are so real. I love this dude and he really shows the proper way to morn a loved one.

2. Anne Jackson's book "Mad Church Disease"
a MUST READ for anyone in the ministry. Love her writing style.

3. Hiking.
I feel like I have to do it every day off, it helps me get in shape and i LOVE nature.

4. Fiction Family.
This is the best band ever formed. If you don't listen to them, download or buy their album, ALL killer -> NO filler.

5. Duncan Doughtnuts Coffee
My mom got me some, and it's one of the best things ever.

6. Preaching.
Man I am getting that itch to preach every single day that I am not doing it right now, so much to say and so much time to say it.

7. Casting Crowns song "What This World Needs"
Just listen to it. It is all truth.

8. Expositor's Bible Commentary
I fell back in love with this commentary this week, I am preaching on Proverbs and they nailed it.

9. My wife being VERY pregnant.
She is both hilarious and breath takingly beautiful right now with that huge belly full of babies. But I can't wait to meet my little girls. I am just loving her glow.

10. Our babysitter.
Danielle Coleman watches G. She LOVES her and we do too. Could not do a better job.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Brett Favre...


Is a clown.

In the sports world there are those that you just wish would go away.

On behalf on any man who uses his SportsCenter time as an escape from the trials of life and is sick of hearing about you getting the "itch" to play again, go away.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Top 10 Movie Misquotes

This is from Yahoo!
It is a list of popular movie quotes, that, are not what was actually said in the film.

10. "Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?"
The Graduate (1967) - The quote in the actual movie was not a question at all. Instead, Benjamin simply stated, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me."

9. "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto"
The Wizard of Oz (1939) - The real movie line is slightly different, and less certain. When Dorothy arrived in Oz she said, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more."

8. "If you build it, they will come"
Field of Dreams (1989) - There's a slight variance from the popular line that is constantly quoted. Instead, the real quote is, "If you build it, he will come."

7. "Frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn"
Gone With the Wind (1939) - Rhett Butler is often misquoted in one of the most popular movie lines of all time. He never says "Scarlett" in the famous line and instead stated, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

6. "Beam me up, Scotty"
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) - The most well known "Star Trek" line, "Beam me up, Scotty" was never actually said in any of the Star Trek films. Instead Kirk said, "Scotty, beam us up."

5. "Hello, Clarice"
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - The creepy line uttered by Dr. Hannibal Lecter was quite different than it is remembered. He, in fact, said, "Good evening, Clarice."


4. "Play it again, Sam."
Casablanca (1942) - Turns out that Humphrey Bogart never said these famous four words. Instead, the closest he came was, "You played it for her, you can play it for me. If she can stand it, I can. Play it!"

3. "Do you feel lucky, punk?"
Dirty Harry (1971) - The actual line in this movie is far less catchy: "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?"

2. "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937) - Every day the queen consulted her mirror on the wall, however, instead of the famous quote we remember, she called, "Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?"

1. "Luke, I am your father"
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - This commonly quoted line, which Darth Vader was known to utter to young Luke Skywalker, was never said at all. The real movie line was "No, I am your father."


This reminds me of being a Christian. Often, I think scripture is teaching one thing. I mean i am positive, even to the point of not even looking into it further, I only believe it. But them am proven to be wrong, usually, by God.

So look at this list again, and think about when you quoted it, and thought you were SO right.

Would you watch this movie?

This is called, "The Bike King", seriously, wow.

I know, this isn't only a problem with Christians making awful movies, those outside of the church make cheesy/low budget movies too. But watch this tailor, if you make it to the swinging on the beach scene without laughing, I love you even more.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Top 10 Songs


I was doing a Facebook poll on everyone's favorite song ever, it is for my sermon next Sunday, and then I was asked what my favorite song ever was. Didn't take much to think about, but then I composed my top 10.

1. Lost? - Coldplay (The music, the subject, just hit me everytime)
2. Wedding Dress - Derek Webb (This IS my Christian journey)
3. Sunday Morning (Live Version) - Maroon 5 (To me, best arrangement of any pop song in my lifetime)
4. Live High - Jason Mraz (Tells the story of a pure and guilt free life, and I got to have some Mraz)
5. I Alone - Live (I get chills when I here the opening chords)
6. Beatiful - Phil Wickham (Voice, music, a love song to my KING)
7. If I Had A Million Dollars - Barenaked Ladies (Reminds me of my relationship with Em)
8. Sweet Pea - Amos Lee (Simple, great arrangement and it describes my relationship with my daughter to a T)
9. When She's Near - Fiction Family (They're best song, and they are the best band)
10. You Are There - Matthew West (A Jesus loving battle cry with a beat)

Honorable Mention:

Better With You - Five Times August
Tennessee- Arrested Development
All That Matters - Addison Road
Dream On - Aerosmith
Three Little Birds- Bob Marley
Clumsy - Chris Rice
Shameless - Garth Brooks
Santeria - Sublime
This Side - Nickelcreek
To Run - Josiah Lemming
Time To Pretend - MGMT
Feeling Good - Muse
The Mountains Win Again - Blues Travelor
Swan Dive - Sister Hazel

Thursday, May 14, 2009

And I am officially old


Okay, so I think the coolest celebrity in the history of the western hemisphere has to be Macho Man Randy Savage. From his awesome voice, to his sweet pink (at times) ring attire, to (of course) his Slim Jim commercails. But now, I feel old. I know in the late 90's-Early 2000's when I still watched him in the defunked WCW he in his late 50's or so, but, have you seen this guy lately? This is a picture of him from last year that was sent my way today. He is now fat and aged at least 20 years in his looks. However, he does have a huge beard, which is awesome.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Not An Idol Fan, BUT

This was sweet.



A Worship Leader, combines acoustic/Kanye.

I love you Kris Allen.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Rob Bell


Also, many have asked me why I am such a Rob Bell fan. I know many of my brothers in the ministry aren't. I am a HUGE fan. I don't worship him, and I do disagree with him on a few issues. Rather than go point-by-point defending my stance on Rob Bell and Mars Hill Bible church, I'll just post a response that Bell himself did at Mars Hill on a particular Sunday.

Listen to these and then if you still have questions, comment or e-mail about it, I'd be happy to answer or ponder them.







I can relate to a ton of this. I have had false things said about myself and our ministry in the past, and I really should develop the discernment and tack to address it rather than ignore it.

Thanks.

5 Books That Changed My Life

I was asked today what are some books, outside of The Bible, that changed my life and brought me to the understanding of where I am today. Here is a list of probably the 5 most influential books I have read. Each are listed on my blog to the right, and I highly recommend them all.

1. Searching For God Knows What - Donald Miller
2. Jesus For President - Shane Claiborne
3. The Reason For God - Tim Keller
4. Confessions From A Radical Reformission Reverend- Mark Driscoll
5. Velvet Elvis - Rob Bell

There are dozens more, but if I could pinpoint the top 5 that "changed" me, I would say these.

Do you have any?

One of my three favorite Pastors Alive

Mark Driscoll

Monday, May 11, 2009

Just makes me happy

This preacher, while I have no clue what he is preaching about or who he is, I love his passion for Jesus. And if you can work in a reference to Alicia Keys in a sermon, it can't be all bad.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

You may not like this...

I am normally a republican, and I certainly didn't vote democrat last election, but, I love this guy.

Friday, May 8, 2009

A Post for my church people



I realize that many of you aren't church-goers. I get that. I realize that you mainly read the stuff I put up here because you are a friend of me, not a friend of any church, and that is fine. But this is a post for those of us who ARE engrossed in the beautiful dance that we call church.

I posted a few months ago some honest facts about being in the ministry (if you didn't see it, search in the left hand corner "ministry in our western world) and got a large response from tons of e-mails, facebook, text and calls from people having AH-HA moments like "YES, THAT IS ME!!" And the truth is, I said nothing new, I only said it. This post isn't just for those in the ministry, it is for their families, close friends, volunteers, servants, consumers (those who come to be entertained and just leave), and everyone else.

I am going through a book titled "Mad Church Disease" right now, and it is eye-opening. It is written by an author (Anne Jackson) who grew up in a minister's family and now is in the ministry herself (don't worry, not preaching, with the young one's mostly) and how crazy you become if certain problems aren't dealt with.

Volunteers:

We all tend to think the more we do FOR God, the closer we will be TO God. Which is, a lie. The reality is, if you do one thing amazing, you should concentrate on it. If we are great teachers, we tend to try to staff volunteers, be greeters, van drivers, servers, sound people, etc. But what if you were a good teacher and then you took the time to become a GREAT teacher? Is God more glorified by you doing 12 things mediocre or one thing AMAZING? I am asking, really which is better? I realize we should sacrifice time to God, so what if that time was spent making the good, Great?

Families of pastors:

Your husband or wife's emotion becomes your emotion. If he/she hates his/her job, you do too. If he/she loves it, you do too. You let the treatment of them by the church, because your opinion by the church, and that, while accurate, is sad. What if you just saw the church as Jesus' imperfect bride, and attempted to love her and nurture her, no matter how they treat your loved one, they need building up.

I could give a million categories to whom I am talking about, but here is the point, our church involvement or lack thereof, can kill our faith and this is what Satan wants. Look at John 10:10a (1st half of verse):

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy"

Jesus is saying that Satan ONLY wants to kill and destroy. He wants you busy DOING church, so you can be distracted from BEING the church. But Jesus doesn't want it this way.

Look at John 10:10b(second half of verse):

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

He is saying that he wants us to have a full life. A guilt free and happy life. This means serving Jesus unconditionally, and not doing it to be busy, but doing it to actually SERVE him.

Read this book, its amazing and helping me wrong through a million issues I am personally going through, but also, admit your shortcoming and struggles in relation to the church, she is an adulterous bride, but she has a PERFECT husband.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Birthday

So tomorrow is my birthday, I am turning 26. Not sure why, but I haven't really enjoyed a birthday in a long time. I guess it's the whole adult thing. I have 4 meetings tomorrow. I will get the chance to see my girls about a combined total of 30 minutes from sun-up to sundown.

But what I've realized is, birthdays aren't about celebrating ME. We make them about that, but they aren't. They are more about celebrating the blessings from that year. Otherwise, you would be throwing an party to honor the great accomplishment of not DYING one more year, and for most people, that ain't too difficult of a task to complete.

By the national average, I am way lower middle-class, but in the grand scheme of things, I am more rich than any man could ever be. I have a better wife than a man could even hope for, a better daughter than I ever dreamed of, and twin baby girls coming in the next couple of months, and that is cool. I am a part of a great ministry and I serve a POWERFUL GOD.

Life is good, whether you are happy or not. And I love me some life these days. I may not enjoy my birthday, but I love what it stands for.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Sufjan Stevens - LIVE

Here is Sufjan Stevens singing his sweet version of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

An amazingly sad, but real movie

here is a movie about a guy named Marjoe. There is a little bad language in it, a second or two of course joking, but at the same time, I think every Christian needs to hear this story. You won't believe it.