Face-Off With a Deadly Predator

The Hole in the Gospel - Review

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Richard Stearn's book The Hole in the Gospel is a convicting, intense look at the state of the western church. Stearns gives a powerful argument that ought to revamp our understanding of what it means to follow Christ and represent Him to a broken world.

Backing his thoughts with some powerful statistics like the fact that if you make more than 25K a year you're richer than 90% of the worlds population, Stearns makes it well known his belief that the world will not hear our message of Jesus Christ if we don't balance proclamation with demonstration.

This book is a bit long, challenging, intense, and almost overwhelming. At times I wanted to set it down and give up because of how bad everything seems. Other times I was moved to tears and torn up inside about my priorities in life. I believe that the themes in this book must be dealt with, not just in the American church, but in my own life. This book has changed my perspective of what I'm calling people to as I ask them to follow Christ

Bottomline...I recommend it. It's a tad bit long and it could've been about 3 different books, but it's a great place to start the conversation on these themes. If you want to understand the brokennes of the world and how we as followers of Christ can have a part in fixing it, this book is for you.

A Million Mile in a Thousand Years - Review

This book is good!

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is the best book by Donald Miller since Blue Like Jazz. This book is an easy read and I caught myself laughing out loud multiple times and then reading sections to my wife. I can still picture his roommate Jordan getting pulled around the snowy streets of Portland, Oregon in a kayak and running into a tree.

In this book Donald Miller is awakened from a slump in his life by the chance to edit his own life for a movie. The process leads him into a greater understanding of what makes a life great and worth living. We follow Donald on his adventures hiking Machu Picchu as well as meeting his Dad, who he hasn't seen since childhood. Through these events Donald is forced into greater appreciation of how God wants to shape his story into something great.

This book challenges the current status of life. It’s honest, challenging, thought provoking, hilarious, inspiring and moving. I loved it. You’ll want to go out and ride your bike across America or dig wells for clean water in Africa after reading this. Donald Miller has grown up and I recommend reading this book.

This is a where we're moving this spring!

Apparently in this video it never rains in Portland. Oh well, it looks nice. Wanna join us in Portland next year!

Pure awesome

Look how awesome my wife is.

MAtrix Ping Pong

Use this for a metaphor on working as a team.

Ridge Run

The crazies were out running the 20+ mile Bridger Ridge Run yesterday. We have some of the most hardcore people in the world living in this town. Photo by Erik Peterson of the Bozeman Chronicle.

Another thing for me to do on the interweb

I started another blog over here. It's exactly what it says it is. I'll be posting specific leadership thoughts I'm digesting and insight into leveraging technology to help fulfill the Great Commission.

Flutter: The New Twitter

Christianity and the Culture

Some crazy stuff is going on as the Church interacts with the city of Portland. Read the article in the USA today from a few weeks ago.

And then watch this clip from a Portland city council meeting.

How Technology is changing the world

The voice of God

I saw this in person today at our National staff conference. Except the voice over was live from Tim McKenzie without notes...all memorized.

Challenge your thinking

Robert Murray McCheyne on giving and the poor

Now, dear Christians, some of you pray night and day to be branches of the true vine; you pray to be made all over in the image of Christ. If so, you must be like him in giving. A branch bears the same kind of fruit as the tree…An old divine says well: “what would have become of us if Christ has been as saving of his blood as some men are of their money?”

Objection 1. “My money is my own” Answer: Christ might have said, “my blood is my own, my life is my own”…than were should we have been?

Objection 2. “The poor are undeserving.” Answer: Christ might have said the same thing. “They are wicked rebels against my father’s law: shall I lay down my life for these? I will give to the good angels.” But no, He left the ninety-nine, and came after the lost. He gave His blood for the undeserving.

Objection 3. “The poor may abuse it.” Answer: Christ might have said the same; yea, with far greater truth. Christ knew that thousands would trample His blood under their feet; that most would despise it…yet He gave His own blood.

Oh, my dear Christians! If you would be like Christ, give much, give often, give freely, to the vile and the poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy and so will you be. It is not your money I want, but your happiness. Remember His own word: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843) Sermon 82.

Priority List

Hilarity!!!

Please note the typo in priority #3

Read more here in deadspin.