Evan Almighty...

So I just finished a series for TG called "God According to Bruce Almighty" it was awesome and today this comes out! It is the next movie in the "Almight" stories. It is like a modern day Noah's Ark with Steve Carrel and others. I can't wait! Tell me what you think!

Video #1



Video #2

Top Speed

Contrary to the beliefs of many my Subaru can not do this! This is so crazy! I want to do it!

The Doxology...

I don't know about you, but I love the words to the Doxology song. At CC we tend to sing it often as a congregation. It is always a beautiful moment of accapella type unity. But did you know that the typical four lines to the song are actually one of many verses to the full song and that it isn't even the first verse? I never really even gave it a thought, but learned it recently. I find just reading the words to be powerful. The doxology came from an anglican priest in england (named thomas ken)who wrote it in the 17th century!

I'd love your thoughts on these lyrics.

Here they are...
I encourage you to read them slowly and to pause between verses.

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

By influence of the Light divine
Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways
In ardent love, and cheerful praise.

In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.

All praise to Thee, Who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.

Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art,
O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.

I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Be Good or Be Gone, Fionn Regan

i thought this was a cool video and i really enjoy the song too! how about you?

2 Conferences...

Here are 2 conferences that I will be participating in coming the end of March and the end of April. If you can you should try to come too! Those involved include Brian McLaren, Karen Ward, Eugene Cho, Scott McKnight, Dwight Friesen, Rose Madrid-Swetman, Todd Hunter, and more!


#1 missional matrix/





#2 missional learning day

Over The Rhine Hallelujah

Words cannot express how much I really needed this song's reminder this week!

life moves...

In the last few days I have experiened community, joy, laughter, frustration, hurt, deep loss of a dear friend who passed away, visions for the future, communion with other saints, anger, rest, tears, deception, the fall of an amazing man, shock, love, questioning, counseling, leadership, the problems of evil, grace, and then I read the following post from Eugene Cho which really hit me in my role as a pastor.

the issue is very simple: the ministerial profession (life as pastors) is now considered one of the most dangerous or unhealthiest profession. it’s usually rated last or second to last. nice.

Read this:

48% of them think their work is hazardous to their family’s well being. Another 45.5% will experience burnout or depression that will make them leave their jobs. And 70% say their self-esteem is lower now than when they started their position. They have the 2nd highest divorce rate among professions.

Who are they? They are pastors…[read the full article]

While I love being a pastor and even more, being called to be a pastor, I want folks to know how incredibly difficult it is at times to handle the complexities and stress of being a minister. Finally, at the age of 36, I feel more at peace at how to create boundaries, love my church, deeply care for my wife and children, but I worry that I am failing my staff and pastors at the church I planted 5+ years ago. They are such amazing people who have given and sacrificed so much because of their love for Jesus, this church, and their partnership with me.

Want to read more overwhelming statistics:

* 80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with spouse and that ministry has a negative effect on their family.
* 40% report a serious conflict with a parishioner once a month.
* 33% say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family.
* 75% report they’ve had significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.
* 58% of pastors indicate that their spouse needs to work either part time or full time to supplement the family income.
* 56% of pastors’ wives say they have no close friends.
* Pastors who work fewer than 50 hrs/week are 35% more likely to be terminated.
* 40% of pastors considered leaving the pastorate in the past three months.

Simply, pastors are underpaid, underappreciated, and at times, undermined. My point is very simple: Please care, pray, and love your pastors (and church staff) in your local churches. Seriously, give them a nice payraise, more time off, regular opportunities to get away for even a day retreat to pray, buy them some dinner certificates, honor their spouses, love their children, and regularly share your appreciation and affirmation.

So why would I even want to be a pastor, to put my family through all of this? Good question. The truth is in the midst of all that I have experienced in these last days God has been there through it all. In both the glorious and the places of darkness and depravity there is redemption. I so long for everyone no matter where they are in there jouney of life to be able to experience the truth of this.

I can't imagine anyone going through life without it.

And because of this I am still a pastor.

Tribute to Bono

This is a cool tribute to Bono's story - both his individual and global impact on our world. I don't care so much for Chris Tucker words, but even his testimony shows the personal influence he has on everyone he has contact with. I love that!

Bono's Acceptance Speech

My boy Bono does it again! What a great speech. How can you not be inspired?