I can’t say I have polled an official amount of people concerning this ideology of people who Fear Church. What I can say is there are a whole slew of men and women around the world who are absolutely petrified to let their clean, crisp converse enter the doors of a church. Many won’t admit it up front but if you sit down with them for a bit of time you will be able to complete an inception extraction. Hate, fear and prejudices pour out of em like an episode of Jerry Springer meets Cops meets Celebrity Rehab. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: ecclesiophobia, fear church, fear of the church, phobia —

photo by Willow Creek Media

Last night my brain got the better of me. I completely confess to my utter foolishness concerning Bill Hybels. As many of you may know, my mouth and brain  run (bolt) fast. Not only do these gifts work fast but are equally blunt. While these characteristics can be extremely advantageous (which they are), they can also be disastrous (which they also are). Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: apology, bill hybels, online apology, repent, twitter apology, willow creek organization —

I have shot off a few things recently concerning mentors/coaches in life but after reading the book of Acts some thoughts shook me up. Before we discuss Acts, ask yourself the following questions.  Who have you identified in your life as a mentor? Who do you contact when an important decision is made? Who are your counsellors? Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: apostle paul, barnabas, coach, mentor —

Rick Renner took the stage last night at the Connect 2010 conference at Family Harvest Church. He brought his usual big smile which would be greatly needed.  Rick’s opening statement described the famous Jewish exile known as Daniel and how he was gruesomely castrated.

I found my mouth drop, my legs slowly cross and my right hand grab my crotch (since I am right handed). It wasn’t a crotch grab a-la Michael Jackson or one of those brief re adjustments you see on the baseball diamond, this one was of thankfulness.

Yes folks, Daniel, the famous Jew in the Bible who was stolen away from his family and forced to work for the Babylonians was in fact castrated. Castrated … castrated … castrated!! Isn’t it weird when a man reads that word his arms instinctively move lower toward this region. His palms start to get a bit moist and forehead squeezes in discomfort. Legs and lower extremities become motionless and your future vanishes like smoke.

The following notes are directly from Rick Renner. I will not post all of them because it is enough information to write an incredible book and make a fortune. I would suggest for you to check out a few additional things from Rick Renner. He will blow your mind with all things considered in most areas in the Old and New Testament.

1. Find Rick on Facebook

2. Tell Rick on Facebook why he should be on Twitter. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: castrated, castration, connect 2010, daniel, eunuch, family harvest church, rick renner —

Because I am created in the image and likeness of God my words bring life to my day. My day is remarkable because I have the joy of Christ which is the juice in my bones. I do not sway to the right or to the left but continue to ascend the steep, treacherous hill of the Lord. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: poem, prayer, psalms —

Beautiful Exchange 2010, Hillsong Music

Beautiful Exchange Review
This review is not authorized nor in conjunction with Hillsong, Hillsong Music or its affiliates. In addition, no monetary exchange has been or will be authorized for this post. Thanks in advance for reading.

I just took the Beautiful Exchange album for a 4 mile run amidst a discolored, purple big toe. I should not have strapped on my vibram shoes on this perfect, summer day in Chicago, but I did. I am paying for it now as my left, big toe is throbbing hard enough I can feel my pulse. So what happened you asked? When I receive new music, especially new Jesus music, especially something from the land of oz … I won’t lie … I get a wee, bit excited. Swollen, purple, left big toe couldn’t hold me down to experience A Beautiful Exchange on the pavement. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: a beautiful exchange, album review, christian music, darlene zschech, hillsong, hillsong music, Joel Houston —

Ninja Prayer

You avoid it like the plague and  when you participate, you have music blasting, cell phone buzzing, kids screaming or your brain is on life’s merry go round. When was the last time you shut everything down to pray? And why is it when we pray we inevitably want to fall asleep? Weirdest thing, I could have slept for 10 huge hours and still … I open my Bible or kneel and WHAM!!! sound asleep. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: abraham, abram, ninja prayer, prayer —

courtesy of C Ray Dancer

If you are like me you collide into heaps of people who Hate Church or Hate what church represents. What I love about these encounters is their perspective and personal story attributed to their disgust. Here are 5 Hate Church quotes that have helped me understand those who truly Hate Church. How would you respond? Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: agnostic, atheist, hate church quotes, quotes —

At age 14, in poverty and famine, a Malawian boy built a windmill to power his family’s home. Now at 22, William Kamkwamba, who speaks at TED, here, for the second time, shares in his own words the moving tale of invention that changed his life. Click below to watch video in its entirety.

WINDS OF CHANGE

• 2002: Drought strikes; he leaves school; builds 5m windmill
• 2006: Daily Times writes article on him; he builds a 12m windmill
• 2007: Brings solar power to his village and installs solar pump
• Mid-2008: Builds Green Machine windmill, pumping well water
• Sep 2008: Attends inaugural African Leadership Academy class
• Mid-2009: Builds replica of original 5m windmill

Now speaks at TED Conference, Ideas worth spreading.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: african boy inventor, african inventor, alternative energy, boy who harnessed wind, how i built my family a windmill, ted speaker africa, water energy, william kamkwamba, wind energy, windmill building —

Jump into incredible facts about the Beatles with none other than one of the greatest authors of our day, Malcolm Gladwell. I showed this clip during a presentation and the reaction alone is worth taking a quick look.

I love challenging human thought process and nothing burns my ### more than when church folk behave like morons. For more information to the leading church guy on this topic, check out JesusNeedsNewPR.

When I say church folk behaving like morons, I refer mostly to awkward social situations. These situations can be but are not limited to:

• Turn a simple conversation into a religious debate … then find a way to win the debate.

• Wearing horrid Christian tshirts to express their faith.

• Using church words … (outside of church, ie, hallelujah, blessed, minister)

• Only talking about stuff related to church …. when you are not at church.

• You abhor the thought of a CD labeled (sexually explicit content)

• Forge your opinions from Fox News (so original).

• Rooting for the team/person who says they are a Christian. (Sorry, I don’t buy it)

• Say you love/pray other churches but never work with other churches.

• Anything North Face, sorry, it just sucks. Horrible choice and overplayed.

• Praying for your food in public knowingly people will see you and thus gaining favor with God.

Tags: 10000 hour rule, beatles, flora tv, malcolm gladwell, practice —