1. Top 10 Memory Hacks from Lifehacker.com- #10- Take a nap. Now that’s how you start a list.
2. Why Word of Mouth Doesn’t Happen from Seth Godin- The marketing guru allows his genius to show.
3. WetheChurch.org - This is a unique prayer website created by Scott from Updatable.cc. I like its simplicity. Good idea Chad.
4. Sweet Collection of Wallpapers- From the gang at Smashing Magazine.
5. Pete Wilson - I’ve been tracking his blog for a while now. Really digging it. Especially this post. Pete is a cool guy but now as cool as this dude.

Filed under: Blogs, Websites, church | 1 Comment

Yes, we’re launching a new church, but I thought I would share some questions that I would ask when selecting a church to be a part of. There are some goofy churches out there, so it’s important to make this decision wisely.

I hope this guide will be helpful to some readers who may find themselves searching for a church to plug into.

1. Are they all about Jesus? If not, RUN!!! A church not centered on Christ is no church at all.
2. Are they on a mission? - Without a mission, a church turns into a swamp.
3. Is the pastor real? - Beware the perfect, plastic, poser pastor.
4. Do they have safe and clean environments for my kids? - Because I love my kids!
5. Could I bring a buddy here and not totally weird them out? - Or weird me out.
6. Do I agree with their essential beliefs and are they based on Scripture? - We need to be flexible on secondary matters but there are essentials that all Christians must agree on.
7. Is this where God wants me to be? - This question ensures I don’t treat selecting a church like I would shopping for a car or some other consumer good. The bottom line is it’s not just about my personal preferences but about where God wants me to be.

Filed under: Church Planting, church | 1 Comment

Reflecting on Exodus Nine

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” - Exodus 9:16

Out of context, this verse could be mistaken for God’s words to Moses. But in reality, God was speaking to Pharaoh. The guy who was on the receiving end of a beat down of biblical proportions.

God hardened Pharaoh’s heart- repeatedly. Because of this, Pharaoh would not free God’s people. But Pharaoh was still held responsible for it and God smacked him upside the head with all kinds of freaky plagues from his mighty hand.

The condition of Pharaoh’s heart was determined by God. We can’t explore the Exodus story without pausing to deal with this fact. In doing so, we’ll discover the truth about destiny and the sovereignty of God.

How do you feel about the fact that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart yet held him responsible for it? Was it fair to Pharaoh? Was it fair to Egypt? Is God unjust?

Here’s what Paul, the writer of a good chunk of the New Testament wrote about this:

From Romans 9:14-21:

“What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!

For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?”

When we say that God is sovereign we are saying that he is the Potter and we are the clay; that he is the Author and we are the novel; that he is the Savior and we are the saved.

We love to say that we have a destiny- but do we truly believe it?  Everyone should wrestle with this. It’s not easy- but it’s necessary.

A belief in destiny requires ultimate trust in God.

Here’s what the great theologian, The Tick, says about destiny:

“Destiny’s powerful hand has made the bed of my future, and it’s up to me to lie in it…And you don’t fight destiny. No sir. And, you don’t eat crackers in the bed of your future, or you get all… scratchy.” ~ The Tick

Pharaoh’s destiny was determined by God yet he was still responsible for his actions. The same is true of our lives. God has written our stories in eternity yet we still are held accountable for how we live it out. This coordination of God’s sovereignty and our will is a profound mystery that I can’t fully comprehend. But I trust God.

I believe the Bible:

I believe that while I plan the course of my life it’s God who determines my steps. I believe God has plans for me. Plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Plans that give me hope and a future. I believe that God is the Potter and I am the clay. I believe I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do.

I believe in destiny.

What about you?  What do you believe?

Even more- who do you believe in?

That may be the most significant [and most difficult] question you will ever ask.

Filed under: Christianity, Jesus | Post a comment

This video, created for David Ramsey and hosted by Ken Coleman makes a lot of sense to me.

[HT: Mike Foster]

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If you are on Facebook and dig what Project Church is all about- become a fan.

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We received our Certificate of Incorporation yesterday approving Project Church as an official entity in the eyes of the state.

I gotta tell ya, that felt good to hold in my hands.

Filed under: Church Planting, church, project church | 5 Comments

This weekend my wife received a Mother’s Day card from a friend. How cool is that?

Whatever happened to thoughtfulness? What was the last thoughtful thing I did or said?

If your life is like mine, it resembles “Speed Racer” more than it does “Driving Miss Daisy.” I’m often go-go-go and I wonder I’ve lost the art of the personal touch in the midst of it all. I assume people know how I feel about them but shouldn’t I tell them? And I can’t even remember the last time I have hand-written a letter to someone. Yet if I received one, I’d be elated. In fact, there’s still that part of me that loves to check the mail just in case someone thought of me. Is it possible that other people get the same feeling when they check their mailboxes?

Thoughtfulness goes beyond saying encouraging words and writing hand-written notes. It’s showing another human being that they are valuable. That their existence matters to someone else. That someone cares.

It’s also a reminder that the world does not revolve around me.

Just a thought.

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I’m playing in a dodgeball tournament today. My strategy is to stick to the five D’s of dodgeball as taught by Patches O’Houlihan.

This is my training regimen as I prepare to relive my middle school years throwing balls at people- thus feeling better about myself.

Dodge

I have two kids. Both about waist level. Both like to punch their dad. So yeah, I’ve gotten pretty good at moving out of the way of a lethal blow. Risk is important in dodgeball.

Dip

I couldn’t figure out how to train for this one so I put away some Fritos with bean dip. Nutrition is important in dodgeball.

Duck

I try to make snide remarks to my wife in hopes that she would throw a Campbell’s soup can at me. So far I’ve been effective and as a result, I’ve gotten pretty good at ducking. Although our marriage has taken a hit. Sacrifice is important in dodgeball.

Dive

I find that lunging for the remote control before another member of my family gets to it has been very useful. I’ve been able to fine-tune my timing with the added bonus retaining power over the television. Control is important in dodgeball.

Dodge

Walking into busy traffic and avoid being hit is just sound strategy. This translates well to the turbulent world of dodgeball. Dodging 1 out of 10 vehicles is like batting .900. Odds are important in dodgeball.

I hope these tips help you become a world-class dodgeball player.

Filed under: Funny, Humor, Sports | 1 Comment

Here’s the soundtrack of my life right now.

• I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab For Cutie
• Viva La Vida - Coldplay
• (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
• Pork and Beans - Weezer
• Godspeed - Anberlin
• Run (I’m a Natural Disaster) - Gnarls Barkley
• March (A Prelude to Spring) - Jon Foreman
• Infiltrate - Worth Dying For
• Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens
• Love is Here - Tenth Avenue North
• What Do You Think About That - Montgomery Gentry
• Something To Believe In - Poison
• See the Sun - The Kooks
• I Miss You Now - Stereophonics
• Make Some Music - Ziggy Marley
• Rapid City South Dakota - Dwight Yoakam
• Breathe In Breathe Out - Mat Kearney
• Everyday - Buddy Holly
• My December - Linkin Park
• Fa-Fa-Fa - Datarock
• Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
• The Maker of Noses - Rich Mullins
• With a Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker
• I Want a Broken Heart - Derek Webb

Filed under: Music | Post a comment