ROB BELL COMES CLEAN
We’ve been on vacation this past week and I missed this coming out. It’s an excerpt from a sermon that Rob gave at Mars Hill in the last week weeks. Watch the video then read a few of my comments on the book.
WHY DO WE SING?
“Why do we sing?” This question has been the foundation of the David Crowder*Band Fantastical Church Music Conference (CFCMC for short) that just wrapped up a few hours ago. I couldn’t think of a better reason to gather, discuss, and learn than over a question as vast or profound as this one. Wrestling with this [...]
UP TO SOMETHING//
Tonight for this journey we’re doing at Crosspoint, we went on a field trip with our LTG (small group for you non-XPTers). Pretty simple idea. Show up. Get handed a CD. Insert it in the CD player in your car. Listen & drive. We went to the school where we meet now, then to the [...]
A CHALLENGE, PROMPTINGS, & A GIFT CARD
So, last week at CROSSPOINT we were given a odd challenge. Actually, the challenge wasn’t weird, the method was. About halfway through Curt’s teaching he asked everyone to reach under their seat and pull the envelope taped to the bottom of the chair out. Every now and then we have these moments where we’re told [...]
BUSY TIME//
There are a couple of times a year that are CRAZY busy for those of us whose occupation entails church work. Church work is a weird term… really we all do church work if we say we believe and have faith. Belief is a weird thing. We all believe in something… even Atheists believe that [...]
A REALLY COOL REMINDER//
Yesterday at Crosspoint we introduced a “new” song to our crowd. I say “new” because it’s a couple of years old and we’ve not added it previously. We’re constantly adding new music to our rotations of worship and from time to time a great song slips through the cracks and we miss it. The one [...]
DRY SPELL//
You ever have those times when you’re dry? Just kind of flat? Maybe discouraged a little? That’s where I’ve been the last few days… a week or so. I’ve been reading this book called “Forgotten God” by Francis Chan. It’s blowing my mind right now. It’s all about how the church as a whole has [...]
I NEEDED THIS TODAY//+Fact
The last 2 weeks have been particularly difficult for me & Angie. It’s not what you think. We’re not having issues with each other at all. In fact, we’ve grown closer in the last year to each other and to GOD (individually and together) than we’ve even been. But, last week started with us both being [...]
POWERFUL STORIES//
I love stories. I think you can’t really know a person without knowing their stories. I have a story. I tell it every time I write here. You have a story. Every time you read mine you chose if you make it part of yours. That means that WE have stories. These are two good [...]
THE ART OF CHANGE//
So, we entered a new phase in life last week. Isaac started rolling over last week. He was starting to make us nervous not showing much interest in it all then someone flipped a switch and he’s everywhere now. Literally over night he figured out all directions: left & right, front to back, back to [...]
AND…//
So, you know those days when you’re super-psyched about what you have planned. Work, school, family time, whatever… Then it kind of goes south… Sucks doesn’t it. + This morning @xptonline we had one of those moments… er … hours. It was tough to stomach, but logistically, it was just one of our worst services [...]
NARCISSISM IN WORSHIP//
A friend recently sent me this article. In it speaker, author, writer, youth pastor Walt Mueller speaks of hearing Dr. Phil live in Philly speak on how our culture has created a narcissistic youth culture. Here’s his thesis: “Without ever saying the word, Dr. Phil kept pointing the conversation back to ‘narcissism’ and the behaviors [...]
CROSSPOINT LOOKS AT HOW PURE SEX CAN BRING HEALING//
We know what you’re thinking: “Oh, great! Here we go again. The church wants to talk about sex.” Hey, at least give us a chance! If you’re expecting a bunch of tips to get your moral merit badge… that’s just not going to happen. If you envision three weeks of polite euphemisms about the birds, [...]
OH MY, HOW TIME FLIES…
This evening after we both came home from work and before I had to jet out to rehearsal… (did I just use the term “jet?” Hey the 50′s called… they want their slang back!) we were sitting on the bed and Angie was holding Isaac. She said, “I don’t remember what he was like when [...]
JUST THINKING//
If you didn’t know, I’m have another blog… it’s called ISAAC365. It’s a daily photo of my son. It looks like this: I know, I know… “Another one of those ‘pictures of your kids’ blogs.” NO! Well, Yes. But, there’s a reason. About 14 months ago, we were told that the only way we could [...]
NOT A LOT TO SAY//
Anyone that knows me, knows that there are few people out there with more extraverted tendencies than myself… I know a couple, but not many. I can only think of 2 after giving it some thought… I like noise. I don’t like to sit still. I HAVE to be going somewhere. I’m the guy that [...]
The Unexpected Goings-On of the Towle's for the Last Few Days//
Wednesday morning at 9am, I received a phone call that I had been expecting for sometime. My grandmother had been in a 13 year battle with Alzheimer’s and it ended early Wednesday morning. It’s an odd thing to think that death is a blessing. But, in this case, it’s healing. As Christians we find hope [...]
THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY//
I think the church is more than just a once a week event in an auditorium. It’s more than just songs and preaching. It’s not about what you get out of it. Church should be about change. It should be about what we can give back. About life, love, devotion. Faith, belief, mystery. I see [...]
WHERE DO YOU SEE THE CROSS?
I was driving this evening to DQ for a humid evening cool-down treat, when I stumbled upon some amazing cloud work following the tonight’s mid-west storms. I just happened to have my camera with me, so I pulled into the newspaper parking lot and started snapping pics. As I looked at them after, I noticed [...]
THIS PAST SUNDAY//
We started a new series at Crosspoint on Sunday called INTEGRATE. It’s looking at how GOD is more concerned with you than just your “spiritual life.” Sunday, Curt looked at how your physical state plays into your spiritual state and vice versa. The rest of the month will focus on the other 3 non-spiritual parts [...]
FATHERHOOD//
I had this thought the other day. I’m a dad now. Not in the sense of a “daddy-o” (apparently, 60′s jazz lingo is making a comeback). But, in the sense of it’s now after 1am and I’m simultaneously watching TV and a baby monitor. It’s still very surreal. We’ve only been home for the hospital [...]
A COUPLE OF THINGS BEFORE I GO TO BED//
#1. We know a lot of people are praying for Isaac and for us. It’s down to the last issue. As previously stated, he’s had some heart rate drops that are keeping him from passing his car seat test. Tonight was no different. I talked to the nurse about 15 minutes ago and he made [...]
BEST SHAVING STORY EVER//
Everyone should read this: http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/05/the-beard/. Thanks, Los. I needed this today.
