So I started Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell last night. I am about half way through it and it is a thinker. For different reasons Rob Bell rubs me wrong, but he does have some interesting things to say in this book. He loves to question things. I am afraid that he enjoys questioning things more than he enjoys proclaiming the truth, but he does bring a new perspective. I am reading this book so I can really know more about this guy and what he is saying. He seems to be a pretty big deal in Christian circles right now and so I thought I better find out why. Anyway, this is what I am reading right now. I'll let you know what I think about it when I finish.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Velvet Elvis?
So I started Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell last night. I am about half way through it and it is a thinker. For different reasons Rob Bell rubs me wrong, but he does have some interesting things to say in this book. He loves to question things. I am afraid that he enjoys questioning things more than he enjoys proclaiming the truth, but he does bring a new perspective. I am reading this book so I can really know more about this guy and what he is saying. He seems to be a pretty big deal in Christian circles right now and so I thought I better find out why. Anyway, this is what I am reading right now. I'll let you know what I think about it when I finish.
Monday, March 05, 2007
A Disappointing Week
Last week was a huge let down when it comes to tv land. It all started with me choosing Heroes over 24 and really went down hill from there. Sure Heros and 24 were both really good and I can't wait for tonight's shows, but the rest of the week was a flop. The biggest disappointment was getting home late after D-Groups just in time to see Acie Law hit one of the most ridiculous shots ever over the outstretched 7 feet long arms of Durant and then watching him do it again at the end of the first overtime just to watch them lose in the end. I couldn't sleep after that game. Man, we were so close. Then on Thursday night The Office was a re-run. Ouch. The Office is my second favorite show just after 24. It kills me when it is a rerun, even though I could watch the old episodes over and over again. I just like new things. Give me some new funny, that is all I ask. Then Krista's favorite show Grey's Anatomy was a rerun as well and so was CSI. It was like tv took a vacation last week. Oh well, I got a lot of reading done.
Now you may be asking how we manage to watch so much tv and that would be a good question. The answer is dvr and it is incredible. Nothing like watching tv on your on schedule like on a Saturday night instead of renting a movie and getting to fast forward through commercials. I am telling you the dvr might just be the greatest invention since the cell phone or the ipod or the flat screen television or the wii. No the wii came after dvr. Anyway, just saying the dvr was a good idea. Way to go on that one.
I am hoping this week's tv will leave me a little more satisfied than last week. One thing is for sure I will be watching 24 tonight instead of Heroes.
Now you may be asking how we manage to watch so much tv and that would be a good question. The answer is dvr and it is incredible. Nothing like watching tv on your on schedule like on a Saturday night instead of renting a movie and getting to fast forward through commercials. I am telling you the dvr might just be the greatest invention since the cell phone or the ipod or the flat screen television or the wii. No the wii came after dvr. Anyway, just saying the dvr was a good idea. Way to go on that one.
I am hoping this week's tv will leave me a little more satisfied than last week. One thing is for sure I will be watching 24 tonight instead of Heroes.
The Gathering Review: March 4th
Every Monday I am going to jot down a few thoughts I had about The Gathering. My hope is that you will do the same. I would like this to become a sort of forum for you, as the students, to let me know what you connect with and what you wish we could do differently. Since the whole point of The Gathering is to provide a time where students are challenged to grow in their relationship with Christ and provided the opportunity to worship God in an environment that is welcoming and accepting I need to here from you if that is happening or not. So, I will tell you what I think each Monday and, like I said, I hope you will tell me what you think as well...just don't try to hurt my feelings.
Personally, I am really enjoying the current series. Anytime I get to talk on a topic that I feel the vast amount of the world has wrong it is fun for me. In this case I don't enjoy it because I get to be right, but because this topic really affects our view of God. If you see God as someone always restricting you and holding His authority over your head you are not going to be drawn to worship Him. On the other hand, if you see Him as someone who loves you so much that He has taken the time to point out the best way for you to go then that realization alone is enough to cause you to want to worship.
Having said that, I thought I went a bit long on Sunday. I tend to do that when I get excited about what I am talking about. For those of you who come to first service and second service I am sure it can get old just sitting there and listening. So, I am sorry I went long. I hope you still got what I was saying and it has stuck with you.
Speaking of the talk sticking with you, that is one big thing I would like your feedback on. If you find yourself listening to me and then walking out of the church and already forgetting what was said I need to know that. If that is happening I am really going to need to change some things. The point of the talk is not fill time, but to lead to life change and you being challenged to grow. If you can't remember how you have been challenged then that isn't working so well. So let me know if you are retaining what I am saying.
As for the rest of The Gathering I really appreciate Jake, Zack and Devin filling in for Jason while he has been out pulling a Wedding Crasher. I thought it was very cool how most of you worshipped along with them. Leading worship in front of a good group of people can be hard but what I really liked with those guys is they brought God the best they had. And God loves that. I hope to see that attitude grow within our youth ministry. That every week we would come to worship God with the best we have.
As for the welcoming environment I think you guys are doing a great job with that. I love getting to see you hanging out before we begin talking with one another and chilling. I also heard that the Sr. High girls group did a little more talking in the Pink Room this Sunday. Krista promised it was true but I'm not sure I entirely convinced yet. But I was glad to hear that. It is on you, as the students, to really determine how welcoming the group is. So keep up the good work.
Anyway, that is some of my thoughts from Sunday. I would love to hear what yours are. You don't have to write a book or anything, but do give more than, "it was great" or "it was fine." Tell me what you like and don't like and tell my why if you can figure that out. I would love your help in making The Gathering the best we can for God's glory and your spiritual growth. So talk to me.
Personally, I am really enjoying the current series. Anytime I get to talk on a topic that I feel the vast amount of the world has wrong it is fun for me. In this case I don't enjoy it because I get to be right, but because this topic really affects our view of God. If you see God as someone always restricting you and holding His authority over your head you are not going to be drawn to worship Him. On the other hand, if you see Him as someone who loves you so much that He has taken the time to point out the best way for you to go then that realization alone is enough to cause you to want to worship.
Having said that, I thought I went a bit long on Sunday. I tend to do that when I get excited about what I am talking about. For those of you who come to first service and second service I am sure it can get old just sitting there and listening. So, I am sorry I went long. I hope you still got what I was saying and it has stuck with you.
Speaking of the talk sticking with you, that is one big thing I would like your feedback on. If you find yourself listening to me and then walking out of the church and already forgetting what was said I need to know that. If that is happening I am really going to need to change some things. The point of the talk is not fill time, but to lead to life change and you being challenged to grow. If you can't remember how you have been challenged then that isn't working so well. So let me know if you are retaining what I am saying.
As for the rest of The Gathering I really appreciate Jake, Zack and Devin filling in for Jason while he has been out pulling a Wedding Crasher. I thought it was very cool how most of you worshipped along with them. Leading worship in front of a good group of people can be hard but what I really liked with those guys is they brought God the best they had. And God loves that. I hope to see that attitude grow within our youth ministry. That every week we would come to worship God with the best we have.
As for the welcoming environment I think you guys are doing a great job with that. I love getting to see you hanging out before we begin talking with one another and chilling. I also heard that the Sr. High girls group did a little more talking in the Pink Room this Sunday. Krista promised it was true but I'm not sure I entirely convinced yet. But I was glad to hear that. It is on you, as the students, to really determine how welcoming the group is. So keep up the good work.
Anyway, that is some of my thoughts from Sunday. I would love to hear what yours are. You don't have to write a book or anything, but do give more than, "it was great" or "it was fine." Tell me what you like and don't like and tell my why if you can figure that out. I would love your help in making The Gathering the best we can for God's glory and your spiritual growth. So talk to me.
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