Slumdog Millionaire - Not Cheap Entertainment

I finally got to see Slumdog Millionaire. It was emotionally gripping from the opening scene & never let go. It was all great - music, drama, cinematography - but the story is in a league w/ few others. It's intense & Beth about squeezed my hand off, but she loved it …

What A Really Horrible Commercial Says About A Company

I watched the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. There were some awful commercials starring the CEO of Pacific Life. He couldn't have looked more stiff & uncomfortable. You could see him thinking things like, "Now I should move my hands..." It was painfully bad.
I'm taking a …

Need A Little Help Here

On Sunday we are beginning a series called, "Churchy: Myths, Metaphors & A Girl Named Molly." Each sermon has a movie title that relates to the movie. This Sunday, the title is "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly." We'll be talking about how all three of these adjectives can …

Churchy

We are starting a series on Jan 4 that I've spent the past 3 months preparing for. The series is called "Churchy: Myths, Metaphors and a Girl Named Molly." I'm excited about pursuing the question, "What did God intend for the church?" I hope you can be there to join the …

The Best Christmas Movie of All-Time

Last night, after building-up excitement for several weeks, I allowed my boys to watch one of the greatest movies ever made - Remember the Titans. Yes, I realize that this isn't a Christmas movie, but this is the time of year where we have a little bit of extra time to …

2 "New Years Resolution" Ideas

My friends Kenneth & Amy have both blogged about the best Resolution and they can count me in. See Kenneth's blog
I do have a lesser idea to suggest. Why wait until Jan. 1 to get in shape? I decided to up the ante and just get in shape before Jan. 1. I realize it takes …

Out on Video

The movie Traitor is now available on video. I don't think there is such a thing as a "must see" but I did find this movie to be of value to me. Not only is it a good movie, but it helped me think through some important issues. I wrote about it when it first came out.

It's hard to trust if you don't...

Matthew 1:24 sums up Joseph's attitude, "When Joseph woke up from the dream, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded." This is remarkable because Joseph had to have many questions. It's hard to obey someone if you don't trust them. And it's hard to trust someone …

She Rocks

Took a quick study break to call my wife. She was in the middle of teaching a friend and her daughter how to knit. This friend has a husband away on military duty, and I know that she appreciates adult interaction and concern. My wife is so cool. We all have talents and …

Using New Muscles

I split wood for my Father-In-Law this weekend (who is usually on the other end of good deeds). I stay active, but never do anything like this. After 2 afternoons, my back and legs were a little sore, but my hands were just shot. My wife had to button my shirt for me. …

Anyone Have Some Hope?

One of the saddest thoughts I've ever heard came from the mouths of several students this summer.

My friend & coworker, Lane, and I were having a discussion with about 25 Sr. High girls and a few other sponsors. We were talking about what they communicate to guys by …

Celebrity Christians

I think that Christian leaders who become famous are often met with extremes. Both are dangerous. But both come from from people who also identify themselves as Christians.

One extreme comes dangerously close to replacing Jesus with whoever the famous Christian …

A New Kinda Christmas

Have somebody in your family that honestly doesn't need another sweater?
This Sunday I'm going to challenge people to consider a new kinda Christmas. Especially as it relates to gift giving.

So I'll let the cat out of the bag. WorldVision has a fantastic Christmas …

Growing Urban Experience

I seem to be having an increasing number of urban-related opportunities & challenges. By "urban" I mean things are normally associated with the urban experience. Is that too vague? Sorry. Let me give you a few examples:

-I was able to help quite a few people with …

When Meetings Go Deep

Yesterday I got to be part of a really good meeting. Yep, I said it - "good" and "meeting" in the same sentence. I actually like some meetings, but others drain the life out of me. (sidenote: if you lead many meetings, you should read Pat Lencioni's …

A Little Celebration

I recently completed something that took a lot of work for me.

I recognized a few months ago that I wasn't not filling my head, heart & soul with enough of God's Word. Memorizing Scripture has probably been the primary way that God has spoken to me in my life. I …

I'm back from our trip. It's cold, rainy & I have on a hideous suit coat.

Why do I have on such a hideous suit coat? It's cause it's rainy & cold outside today - and I forgot a jacket. But I had an old suit coat in my office from the mid 1970's. Not all suit coats from that era are hideous. This one is. I'd appreciate if you wouldn't ask why …

10 year anniversary

God gave me a gift in my wife.

We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this week. We are celebrating a little bit early because when we made plans, we were unsure of when our adoption stuff would be going down.

I'm so looking forward to the time away this …

"Listening to the Young" redefined

In the last blog I talked about "listening to the young." One friend sent me a message with a different angle that is so good that I asked her if I could quote her. She said yes, so here it is...

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I think in talking about the "young" maybe they're not just …

Listening to the Young & Old (Thoughts from Catalyst)

There seems to be common theme that I keep reading, hearing and witnessing. There must be something to it.
I've heard it or read it from people of different occupations and ages (I'm gonna guess on their ages):

Andy Stanley (preacher in his young 40's)
Jim Collins …