This book changed my life a few years back and I can only imagine how the movie would impact culture and lives around the world. Go and support this cause HERE: … [Read more...]
TELLING A BETTER STORY
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A few months ago I read Donald Miller's book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." Very rarely do I read 200 hundred plus page books in one sitting, but this was one of those rare moments. Every page I turned was full of highlighting and underlining. I wrote things in the margins. I was transformed by the words and thoughts that Mr. Miller had brought to life for me. It provoked thought about my story. The entire book was about just that. It was continually asking, "What kind of story are you living?" I got to the end of the book and that question lingered in me for days, maybe even weeks. But I did what I normally do with a book that I am finished with. I closed it, glanced one last time at the cover and then put it on the shelf with the countless other books I have finished. This book that was so impacting on me was now just a distant memory. The thought of living a better story was just that...a thought. And now that very thought was fleeting. That was until a week ago. I had a … [Read more...]
BLOOD, BEASTIALITY, AND HOLINESS?
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Some of you are completely and utterly offended right now at at least two of the three words above. But please keep reading. At first glance those three words do not belong together. Immediately my mind runs back to my adolescence where a big yellow bird, a brown elephant looking creature, and the whole clan of a street would sing in unison, "One of these things doesn't belong here, one of these things just isn't the same." However...all three of these things show up right next to each other in scripture. Right now some of your just shook your head and condemned me for saying that such things might be in scripture. Don't believe me...? Turn to Leviticus 18, 19, & 20. You will find very quickly that it does in fact deal with all the above and more. For some reason we read those words together and get offended, yet God makes a point to talk about all of them. In fact, God sings a similar song as the Sesame Street crew above. The exception is, is that God is saying that in fact all … [Read more...]
THE STARBUCKS SYNDROME
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I like Starbucks. It is not my coffee place of choice, but I like it here. In fact this morning I am enjoying the warmth of my local Starbucks. It is a cool 55 degrees outside. The sky has blanketed today's bed of life with a gray quilt with hints of white. The jazz plays in the background and I am getting cozy with Donald Miller and his new discourse on story telling. As I sit I here each person walks through and tries to make sure that their unique voice is heard. They order tall's and venti's, grande's and short's. Some want room and some do not. Some want whip and some want splenda. Announcing to the world that they would prefer quad shots to double shots. One guy decides not to support the "Meals for Wheels" donation here because the Empire of St. Arbucks does not support our troops. Yet ironically he is in here spending his hard earned money on their caffeine drips for his soul. I chuckle to myself watching all theses interactions. Even as I type, my favorite personality just … [Read more...]
PERMISSION TO SPEAK FREELY
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My friend Anne is working on a book that is going to be released a little later this year. It is called Permission To Speak Freely. You may have read her first book called Mad Church Disease. Anne has a way of taking things we have all dealt with and felt like we could never talk about them, and speak openly and honestly about them causing us all to breathe a sigh of relief that someone finally said it. This book is going to be no different. Not only is this book her story, but it is your story and my story...and that guy over there's story. Click the link below and find out more. I hope that you will enter the conversation and speak freely. … [Read more...]
WE EXPECTED TO DIE
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"I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us. He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us. As a result, many will give thanks to God because so many people's prayers for our safety have been answered." Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 What more would I want to add to that. Powerful Stuff!!! What does this mean to you? … [Read more...]
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"WE ARE GOOD AT TEARING DOWN AREAS OF OUR LIVES THROUGH RULES, REGULATIONS, AND RELIGION TO THE POINT THAT WE BECOME KNOWN FOR WHAT WE ARE TEARING DOWN RATHER THAN WHAT WE ARE BUILDING." //SHAWN WOOD "200 POMEGRANATES AND AN AUDIENCE OF ONE// … [Read more...]
AND REST…
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Today I took a little four hour drive and hike up the Boreas Pass here in Colorado. It is this beautiful winding dirt road through the mountains. I drove slow, stopped often, and took many pictures. I packed a lunch, brought my journal, a good book and rested today. More pics to come when I get home because the internet is super slow here. For now... … [Read more...]
*THE QUIET SPACE IS SCREAMING AT ME*
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I wonder how much longer I will do this. It is almost comical at this point. I pursue I slip I stop pursuing I regain my footing I climb my way back I get ready to turn the corner and then... I SLIP AGAIN!!! I would love for my journey to be a continual incline that I am ever increasing up. However, a lot of times I make my journeys hill steeper than it really is or has to be and I slide back down to places I should have gotten well past. The words of Jesus kicked my teeth in today. In John 5 he talks of how the approval of the religious elite and pious means nothing to him. The reason he says is, "Because I know you don't have God's love within you." I began to wonder today if Jesus wasn't screaming that out to me. I mean... I love him I really do It is just that my actions don't always reflect my heart. I do the same thing to Jesus that I do to the ones that I love the most. I deeply love them, but again my actions towards them do not truly reflect my heart towards … [Read more...]
39/365curl
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Daily Photo Journal March 5th, 2009 Today seemed to be that day where it was constant movement. Movement from my bed to the shower. From the house to my kids school. From school to the chiropractor. From chiropractor to meeting. From meeting to meeting. From that meeting to meeting. From meeting to kids school. From kids school to home. From home to mens study. From mens study to friend at Starbucks. From Starbucks to gas station. From gas station to home. I walk through the door tonight and all I really wanted to do was curl up on the couch and read. Laura was in bed asleep. The girls were dreaming of the things that little girls dream of and I need to unwind. So I grabbed my book, curled up on the couch and drifted into slumber reading all about grace. … [Read more...]
LET'S SOCIALIZE