Sunday, May 22, 2011

A Media Imperative?

Do followers of Jesus have a media imperative? Brian Solis from briansolis.com thinks so. He says 65% of the emerging "Millenial Generation" is disconnected from online stuff less than an hour a day! So if you want to reach them, that's where they are! And when we try, he says the acronym to keep in mind is not Keep It Simple Stupid. It's KISS = Keep it significant and shareable!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Obsessed With Church?

This vid reminds me of a quote from a book I'm reading right now. "This ecclesiocentric obsession means that primarily we mine both Scripture and culture for our own needs. We're so preoccupied with church questions that neither biblical narratives nor culture can become the places where God addresses us and challenges us to be converted" (Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood, Baker Books, 2011) p.48. What do you think? Are Christians obsessed with church, money, and members? If we are, what can we do about it? What will you?

A Godly Sacrifice?

Stories like this one about Francisco ‘Paco’ Rodriguez remind me that God loves us like crazy and has a plan for your life—even after sin and brokenness often threaten [and sometimes] take it. Save 17 minutes to watch this vid some time. It moved me.

Monday, May 02, 2011

Can Christians Change the World?

Mother Teresa said, "Small things done with great love change the world." James Hunter, author of To Change the World might say it this way: "Small things done by networks of individuals and their institutions faithfully partnering with others over time change the world."

This book isn't an easy read because the first half undermines the "small things." Remember the Chicken Soup for the Soul story about the little boy on a beach littered with stranded starfish that picks one up and tosses it back into the ocean? That one was saved, but Hunter's point in the first half of the book is the vast majority of the "starfish" left on the "beach" [my analogy not his] prove Christians haven't really changed most of it. And never will if we continue to think the world primarily changes simply by altruistic individuals in power whether they're liberal or conservative.

As much as I hate to admit it (because I detest self-serving institutions and the hierarchy that runs them), if Hunter is right, individuals in institutions willing to make sacrifices so others flourish can change the world (so maybe there's a place for some of them)! IF Christians change the way they think about and pursue change. That's the good news you eventually reach if you read the rest of this book. Click pics for more info.

Best Rendition of 'How Great Thou Art'?

Millions of Americans have heard Carrie Underwood sing this stirring rendition of How Great Thou Art. Have you?