Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Recommended Reading

Yesterday I finished up "Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell, (solid book) which means I need another book. I went through my bookcase and didn't find anything that caught my eye. So I'm asking you, what book (fiction or non-fiction) should I be checking out?

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Does This Excite You?

I can feel my spirit come alive when I watch this.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

American Idol Is Finally Good For Something

No matter what the outcome in tonight's American Idol finale, I am a fan of both guys.

Ann Powers wrote a fantastic LA Times article about AI's "Bigger Message" this year. In it she talks about how Kris Allen and Adam Lambert are about as different as 2 singers can be. Kris is from Arkansas while Glambert hails from San Diego. Adam likes to rock, Kris turns rap songs into ballads. What I like most is how Kris and Adam have interacted with each other.


If you subscribe to the old guard's views on how Christians should deal with people who have differing beliefs, Kris should be marching outside Adam's hotel room with a sign condemning his behavior. It's good to see Kris is above that sort of hate mongering.


Instead of butting heads, the 2 roommates have become friends. Treating each other with respect and dignity. Imagine that! It's good to see. Warms the cockles of my heart.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Whatever Happened To Second Chances?

Read a story today that made me sigh in disappointment. Cross Movements Records has dropped The Ambassador from their label. (Read the story HERE)

What upset me is the way it was handled. We as Christians should be the most gracious people on earth, but once again we are the first to throw someone out with the trash when they screw up. I'm not saying that what he did was ok, or that Ted Haggard's actions were justified. What I'm saying is that we should extend some grace their way. How about a second chance?

What does it say about us as believers when people like Donald Trump is the shining example of grace and mercy?

If I Were Boss

If I ran my own company, I'd run it like Google or Chick-Fil-A. I'd treat the employees like they were valued. Like the company cared about them. We need more companies like this.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

What Is "The Blob"?

You guys have been asking me what "the blob" at Camp Widjiitiwin is... so here's a video.  YOU could be experiencing the magic of the blob on the Wonderdog's Wakeboard Weekend in a couple weeks.  



Listen for the cue to call and be caller #7 to qualify!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Bathroom Reader

I never check my mailbox. Not because I don't want to, I don't really HAVE to check my mailbox. Once a month my Mastercard and Rogers bills appear, but other than that it's usually junk mail. But not today. I got the latest edition of Relevant Magazine today! Why is this exciting? Because I love the magazine! They are unlike a lot of "Christian" publications in that they cover current culture, but from a Christian point of view. I think they do a great job of "being in the world, but not of the world" as the cliche goes. Unfortunately I read it cover to cover in the first couple days and then I have to wait another 2 months for the next edition.

So I'm asking you in the blogosphere to help me out. What's on your must read list? What other publications (online or in print) should I be adding to my bathroom reader list?

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

LOVE THIS!

My birthday is coming up in September... Here's an idea for you.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

One Question

What if the church wasn't a building, but 10 thousand doors? Each of them opening up to a different concept or experience of church - and a journey that could change our world. Would you come?

Click HERE to accept.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Release Valve

I had been waiting for this day since the weekend. I scouted the 5-day forecast on Saturday and noticed Wednesday was supposed to be sunny and warm. Now it was the extendo forecast, so odds are it would be wrong. But I held out hope that Wednesday might actually be a nice day. Guess what? IT WAS!

Started off the day with the first skim sesh of the year, and conditions were epic! Long, fast lines with no one around. It was awesome.

Seeing as it was the first outing of the year, my stamina was pretty weak. So after about an hour of running along the beach I packed my gear into the car and continued north to the cottage.

The sun was shining down on the palace on pennorth, welcoming me to my mini-retreat. I unloaded my gear and continued on my mission: Splitting firewood. I grabbed our chopping stump, moved it to higher (less mushy) ground and started to hack away.

It was so good for me. No tv, no radio, no noise. Just me, nature and some wood that was about to meet it's maker. What a great release!

I haven't been sleeping well lately, not sure why. Maybe it's because I have a brain that doesn't turn off. I'm always thinking, creating and wondering "what if we did it this way." Maybe I'm stressed about something. Maybe I've been ingesting too much caffeine? Anyway, today was a release day. From skimming to splitting firewood, it was so nice to be able to clear my mind and just be. To feel the sand between my toes. I feel the warmth of the sun on my face. Man, It's good to be alive!

What's your release?

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Buckets For Bullet Wounds

Anyone who knows me knows I love to travel. I love to experience new places, new cultures and push myself out of my comfort zone. Which may be why I love the show Departures on OLN. I would love to do a show like that. Maybe I'm unusual, but I think I'd rather sleep in a tent, or in a hammock than in a 4 or 5-star hotel. There's something about living a minimalist lifestyle that appeals to me. Being one with nature, no tv, no radio, no internet. It excites me!

Now I realize this is not very realistic given that I am married, have a house, have a job and have repsosibilities, but I'd like to think that one day I can take 6 or 8 (maybe even 12 months) and tour the globe. It's on my bucket list.

What's on your bucket list?

Friday, May 1, 2009

Portal or Prison?

Great quote from Erwin McManus: "The church has become like a prison, when it should be a portal."

Thoughts? Feelings?