Grad School Here I Come

I got the phone call today that I was accepted to the Master of Arts in Theology and Culture program at Northwest University.  Woo-Hoo!  I had a feeling I would be accepted but now I know.  Hopefully I can get the money together some way or another.  Prayers and donations are appreciated.

One of my strengths is Learning.  When I am in an environment where I am constantly learning I feel like I can thrive in other areas.  I know this is going to be a huge time commitment but when am I not going to be less busy than I am right now?

Vintage Jesus – Review

Mark Driscoll is one of the most influential pastors in the Seattle area, and arguably the country.  As he says he puts the fun in fundamentalism.  I’ve been listening to his sermons for years and I have read his blog and his books as they are available.  I have posted about some of my disagreements with Driscoll, but by and large I appreciate what Mars Hill has accomplished in our city and the focus that they have brought to church planting.

Mark’s latest book Vintage Jesus is a fresh, witty, and at times combative Christology.  Driscoll and Breshears have taken the Study of Jesus and made it fresh and accessible to a whole new generation.  That is the great thing about this book.

However I did feel a little cheated because I listened to this sermon series when it was first preached, and I hoped the book would be a little more, but it wasn’t.  So if reading isn’t your cup of tea you can catch the content here.

Either way this book is good to have in your library.  I believe it will prove to be a valuable resource in my ministry, and I will probably turn to it many times when I need a scripture reference on Prophecy of Jesus, or what Jesus accomplished on the Cross.

You can buy Vintage Jesus at amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any christian retailer.

Monday Morning Thoughts

I spoke again yesterday at Creekside.  It was fun.  But if I’m completely honest it wasn’t my best prepared message.  I had a terrible time writing an ending.  All week that was my biggest struggle.  But I also feel like I had too much content.  But I was talking about teenagers and adolescence and parenting.  So it’s a pretty big topic.

But, I did get some great feedback from people.  So it was encouraging to hear.

Youth group went well too I thought.  Particularly afterward when we were all hanging out.  There was some really great conversation.  So that was cool.

Saturday Night at Starbucks

It’s been a long time since I have spend a saturday evening at Starbucks.  Judah is with Nana (brenda).  Kathy is at work.  I mowed my back yard before my mower pooped out on me.  And now I’m chillin’ at starbucks listening to the Relevant Podcast and going over my notes for tomorrow morning.

After this I am going to go home, fold some more laundry and try to clean up the house a bit.  So that’s my friday night.

Preaching again this Sunday

Wow, got a back to back thing going on at Creekside.  This week I am talking about living with Teenagers.  I think it will be helpful and encouraging.  I don’t really have a lot of opportunities to talk specifically about students with our church.  I am praying that my heart for our students will be heard, and that parents will know that I am there to support them.  It should be good times. 

Simplicity is Worth It.

Read this post at 37signals. About Alaska Airlines and their improved check-in flow.  This process has the potential to save millions and millions of dollars for the airline and for SEA-TAC.

I flew down to California at the end of May and it was the first time that I had seen their new and improved check-in system.  And I must say, it was awesome.  It made the whole process easier and smoother.

Simplicity is the best solution.  That’s why I love Apple products.  Everything has always been so simple and easy to use right out of the box.  It took longer to get the product to the market, but it’s a more reliable and fun to use product.  Simplicity Rocks.

it’s probably a lot harder to figure out in your context what you need to simplify but in the long run it’s so much better.