Sounds good to me...

There is a new book coming out that I am excited to read. It is by Len Sweet called "The Gospel According to Starbucks Living With A Grande Passion." I don't think it comes out till January, but if you have ever read any of Sweet's stuff it is usually good and stimulating. He has this thing that he believes that we are designed for called EPIC. That we are Experimential, Paricipatory, Image-based, and Connective. And in this book he looks at Starbucks as an example of how we as humans made in the image of God live into this reality.

I don't know about you, but a book on theology and Starbucks sounds good to me!

Thought provoking...

One of the books I have been recently been diving into is called "Satan & The Problem of Evil: Constructing a Trinitarian Warfare Theodicy" by Gregory Boyd. It is not an easy read, but it is well written. It is one of those books you want to take your time and really think about what it is saying. But the bottom line is that it has been really good. It has helped me as a counselor/pastor to think about the lame "classic" answers people - particularly Christians and pastors give to issues of evil, sin, and difficulties that come from living in a fallen world.

Here is the book description from Amazon

Book Description

Where does evil come from?

If there is a sovereign creator God, as Christian faith holds, is this God ultimately responsible for evil?

Does God's sovereignty mean that God causes each instance of sin and suffering?

How do Satan, his demons and hell fit into God's providential oversight of all creation and history?

How does God interact with human intention and action?

If people act freely, does God know in particular every human decision before the choice is made? In this important book Gregory A. Boyd mounts a thorough response to these ages-old questions, which remain both crucial and contentious, both practical and complex.In this work Boyd defends his scripturally grounded trinitarian warfare theodicy (presented in God at War) with rigorous philosophical reflection and insights from human experience and scientific discovery. Critiquing the classical Calvinist solution to the problem of evil, he advocates an alternative understanding of the sovereignty of the trinitarian God and of the reality of Satan that sheds light on our fallen human condition. While all may not agree with Boyd's conclusions, Satan and the Problem of Evil promises to advance the church's discussion of these critical issues.

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If you are a pastor or a counselor, or someone who like me, is also sick of those "classic/no theological foundational" type answers here is another book Boyd has written you might like. I have heard it is good.

"Is God to Blame?: Moving Beyond Pat Answers to the Problem of Evil" by Gregory Boyd.

Interesting Neuroscience Experiment...

Here is a link to a study that is very interesting. It looks at the brain's activity in the midst of someone speaking in tongues. The study finds that the part of the brain that is active when people engage in activity on purpose experiences diminished activity when they speak in tongues. You can read all about it by following the link.

EXPERIMENT

Following and being like...

I am always asking myself how to describe what it means to be a disciple, follower, apprentice of Jesus Christ. I found this interesting link the other day and thought I post it. It is from The Jesus Dojo at REIMAGINE. Let me know what you think of it...

Qualities/Description of an Apprentice of Jesus Christ...

1. An apprentice of Jesus lives with a sense of legacy and destiny.
2. An apprentice of Jesus practices desert reflection.
3. An apprentice of Jesus practices radical repentance.
4. An apprentice of Jesus makes a public statement of their commitment to live in reverence towards God (ie. Baptism).
5. An apprentice of Jesus practices abstinence from normal consumption and activity in order to strengthen spiritual clarity and resolve.
6. An apprentice of Jesus is aware of both human physical needs and desires and intangible spiritual realities.
7. An apprentice of Jesus resists the urge to obtain power and authority in human kingdoms through surrender to God.
8. An apprentice of Jesus resists the desire for status and reputation through humility.
9. An apprentice of Jesus seeks the good of reverent people and does not depend on religious institutions or groups for validation.
10. An apprentice of Jesus identifies with the poor, imprisoned, blind, and oppressed and seeks their liberation and restoration.
11. An apprentice of Jesus communicates God’s favor for all people.
12. An apprentice of Jesus deals graciously with rejection.
13. An apprentice of Jesus proclaims repentance and forgiveness.
14. An apprentice of Jesus seeks healing and restoration for people.
15. An apprentice of Jesus cultivates oneness with the creator through prayer and solitude.
16. An apprentice of Jesus fulfills their missional purpose in partnership with others.
17. An apprentice of Jesus makes friends with social outcasts and eats with them.
18. An apprentice of Jesus embraces a freedom beyond socially determined religious regulation
19. An apprentice of Jesus embraces and rejoices in suffering insult and exclusion.
20. An apprentice of Jesus is suspicious of comfort and global good reputation.
21. An apprentice of Jesus loves their enemies, blesses and prays for them and shows their shows mercy and does not retaliate.
22. An apprentice of Jesus has a merciful non-judgemental approach to people that is free to forgive.
23. An apprentice of Jesus hears and practices the teaching and speaks and lives in what is fruitful and good.
24. An apprentice of Jesus looks for goodness and faith in unexpected places
25. An apprentice of Jesus reveals and conceals through storytelling.
26. An apprentice of Jesus is not afraid but has faith in God.
27. An apprentice of Jesus utilizes the power and authority of God.
28. An apprentice of Jesus lives ready to die—with an intensity of self denial.
29. An apprentice of Jesus welcomes children and learns to be blind to status.
30. An apprentice of Jesus is resolute in their commitment to serve in the Kingdom of God.
31. An apprentice of Jesus lives by the law of love.
32. An apprentice of Jesus prays in the way Jesus taught.
33. An apprentice of Jesus makes requests of God.
34. An apprentice of Jesus has good perception of reality.
35. An apprentice of Jesus values beyond externals.
36. An apprentice of Jesus does not neglect justice and love.
37. An apprentice of Jesus is not possessed with self-importance.
38. An apprentice of Jesus does not load people down with religious regulations and obligations.
39. An apprentice of Jesus does not memorialize or enshrine other people
40. An apprentice of Jesus increases in consistency between how they speak and how they live.
41. An apprentice of Jesus is not afraid of anything but God.
42. An apprentice of Jesus does not worry about what to say publicly.
43. An apprentice of Jesus is wary of being greedy in any way.
44. An apprentice of Jesus trusts God’s abundance and does not worry about their material needs.
45. An apprentice of Jesus centres their life on seeking God’s kingdom.
46. An apprentice of Jesus lives generously
47. An apprentice of Jesus is watchful and ready to serve in the work of the kingdom.
48. An apprentice of Jesus acts and lives with a sense of urgency and immediacy about time and takes action in the present.
49. An apprentice of Jesus chooses humility and service over honour and distinction.
50. An apprentice of Jesus celebrates hospitality with the marginalized.
51. An apprentice of Jesus of Jesus surrenders all other agendas and is unconditionally and totally dedicated to apprenticeship.
52. An apprentice of Jesus does not see being right with God as a privileged position based on personal merit
53. An apprentice of Jesus is relationally shrewd.
54. An apprentice of Jesus is trustworthy in managing wealth and property.
55. An apprentice of Jesus is not ruled by money
56. An apprentice of Jesus is committed to deep marriage fidelity.
57. An apprentice of Jesus is wary of causing other people to sin.
58. An apprentice of Jesus is constantly forgiving when wronged.
59. An apprentice of Jesus serves the kingdom with enduring humility.
60. An apprentice of Jesus finds the kingdom of God internally.
61. An apprentice of Jesus prays with persistence.
62. An apprentice of Jesus is welcoming to children.
63. An apprentice of Jesus makes restitution for past mistakes.
64. An apprentice of Jesus maximizes all they have been given.
65. An apprentice of Jesus acts with integrity in regard to civil government.
66. An apprentice of Jesus is wary of established religious authorities
67. An apprentice of Jesus is generous, even in poverty.
68. An apprentice of Jesus is wary of false signs of false messiahs.
69. An apprentice of Jesus will be hated and betrayed.
70. An apprentice of Jesus celebrates the Lord’s Supper
71. An apprentice of Jesus seeks to be one who serves rather than one who is given authority and honour.
72. An apprentice of Jesus prays not to give into temptations.
73. An apprentice of Jesus proclaims the message and repentance and forgiveness.

Windows In The Sky

I LOVE THIS NEW U2 SONG!

OH CAN'T YOU SEE WHAT LOVE HAS DONE? x3
WHAT IT'S DOING TO ME!

NEW ALBUM COMING OUT SOON!

I know that this isn't the video, but it was the best way to get the song on the blog!

Getting in the mood yet?

Sufjan Stevens: Put The Lights On The Tree

I know it isn't Christmas yet, but come on! You got to love this! Well at least I know Jamie will :)

U2 - when you look at the world

I love this!

Revolution starters vs. rebels...

One of the big things that I have been wrestling with with regards to the emerging church is a sense that there are those who are "in" it for some sense of coolness or image and even more so a feeling of dislike and some cases hatred towards the church and then there are others who are sincerely feeling a call from God to do something different - not better - but different.

To me the result looks different. Those who are motivated out of coolness, candles, clothes, and dislike/hatred towards the church move towards emerging ideas out of rebellion and more often than not this simply leads to extremes and even the acceptance of sinful behavior.

On the other hand there are those who are being called to lead, start, pioneer, etc. something that is different from the traditional church, but is rooted in and built on the foundations of the church and the desire to see the Kingdom of God in the here and now. These efforts are the ones I find such beauty and awe in because not only are they unique, but they are revolutionary because they are the work of God being lived out in humanity.

I feel like I am rambling a bit, but I guess my point is that I would love you all to pray that I serve, lead, pioneer, etc. the ministries that God has called me to do - be it very different - or quite traditional - not for the sake of rebellion, but for the sake of a spiritual revolution.

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And on a completely different note... Did you hear the NEWS? This story is incredible, painful, sad, frustrating, and just another picture of the tension between living in the already but not yet. There is a spiritual battle going on and it is scary. Please pray for the impact this story will have on our cultures view of Christianity, the church, and Jesus. Much like the nooma video called Bullhorn. We [Christians] get put into the same box as bullhorn guy and his ways, as the catholic priests who have done wrong with there people, or the heads of the evangelical movement.

Anyways, pray, and may the Kingdom of God continue to come!

I CAN'T WAIT...

Anyone going to this? I will be there with some other staff members from Calvary Chapel Seattle I am very excited about it. If you are going to be there let me know. Maybe we could hook up for some eats!

If you have not signed up and you want to go - it's not too late!

Click here for all the details... REVOLUTION.CONFERENCE