The excitement is building!

One of the things I am enjoying the most about pastoring is watching people get excited about being part of our community. In fact, you can almost see people's hope increasing on a weekly basis.

We've decided to start video taping the services, and I want to show you a clip from last Sunday. I think you will see just what I mean. Our folks are really getting into worshiping together:

Word cloud of this Sunday's sermon...

I'm not sure why I like Wordle so much, but I really do enjoy the site. It makes word clouds of any document or web site you plug in. The words are sized according to the number of times they are used in the document. I think the word clouds that get generated are interesting, and sometimes beautiful.

Anyway, I put one up based on my sermon notes for this Sunday. Here it is. Enjoy!

Review of "Daily Message" iPhone app...

I downloaded the christianaudio Daily Message app last week for my iPhone. So far, I like it. It’s a great idea: an audio Bible that is broken up into short daily hearings, which allows you to hear the entire Bible in one year.

There is a lot to like about the app. It’s very simple to use. The narrator has a pleasant enough voice. The daily segments are relatively short, meaning that someone with a short attention span (like me, for instance) can get through it easily. The app also allows for a time of reflection on the reading you just heard. It’s a nice feature, since sometimes I am so busy that I don’t take time to soak in what I’ve just read (or heard).

My only complaint with the app is that it is only available in the Message paraphrase of the Bible. I would love to see an app with the same features as this one, but with a real Bible translation, like ESV or NIV. Once christianaudio puts out an ESV or NIV version, I will recommend this app without reservation. As it is, I think it’s of limited value for daily Bible study, although it might be good for lighter devotional time.

I’m reviewing this app for the christianaudio.com Reviewer’s Program. It’s available for purchase right here...

Audiobook review: Just Do Something

Hey everybody! I took advantage of the opportunity to review audio books for Christianaudio.com (http://christianaudio.com) because I love audio books. The first book I’ve had a chance to review is Kevin DeYoung’s Just Do Something. The book itself is a look at how we determine God’s will for our lives. DeYoung’s premise is that we spend too much time waiting for a supernatural feeling from God, and not enough time following God’s revealed will in the Bible.

The premise is challenging, and DeYoung presents his case convincingly. But this review is more about the audiobook that I got from christianaudio.com. It’s a high-quality work. The book is unabridged, which I like a lot. The sound quality is perfect. If I have one complaint, it would be with the person they chose to read the book.

He reads it well—good diction, all that stuff. But his reading of it is a bit dry, almost like he was reading a textbook or a recipe. The subject is interesting (it could even be life-changing), and it could have used a little more excitement in the presentation. But that should not keep you from hearing this really important book.

My recommendation: if you want to dig deeper into how you can really know God’s will for your life, this is a good place to start. And this audiobook is a handy way to take the book with you. The audiobook is well-produced, easy to download, and it’s a good deal also. Go get it here: Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung.

Now I know what the Mighty Mrs. J is getting for Mother's Day...

I'm a sucker for book giveaways...

I'm not ashamed to admit it: I love books. And I love free books best of all. And the fine folks at SBC Voices are giving away some books. Not just any books, mind you. These are high quality books, printed on sturdy paper with solid binding.

The books in question are:

Calvin's Institutes
Sailhamer's The Meaning of the Pentateuch
Marshall & Payne's The Trellis and the Vine

If you went to Brethren High School like I did, you'll want to check out some literacy courses, then go enter this contest. Otherwise, just go enter: http://sbcvoices.com/kicking-off-2010-right-100-book-giveaway/#comment-7469

Finally caught up on sermon uploads...

Finally got the sermon from last Sunday uploaded. It's about putting God first in 2010. It's available for your dining and dancing pleasure at the church blog.

Sermon notes are there also. I know, I am almost too generous...

Nothing better than self-promotion...

I know that for many of you, there's been one thing missing from 2010 so far: a sermon from me.

Well, now that has all changed. The audio of my December 20 sermon, "3 Things Christmas Reveals about God, " is up at the church website. Click here to get to it.

And yes, I know that Christmas was almost 2 weeks ago. I've been busy...

Homeschool perks: combined lessons in football and spelling

This is from the New York Times: a picture taken from a football field where homeschool families have put together a high school football league. One of the coaches put up some inspirational signs:

Spelling isn't my strongest subject either...

Introducing, the new owners of General Motors...

In fact, I think these two might be designing the next line of cars:



Actually, Maxine Waters is twice as smart as most Kobe fans...

You only turn 500 once...

...so be sure to get him something nice!


Get the John Calvin birthday clock at Calvin 500

Webcam frenzy!

3 video notes...

Here are the 3 kids, giving you their video greetings:






Abby's is a little loud, so be warned:

The people I hang out with...

I don't know who your close, personal friends are. But for me, living in the hotbed of celebrity that is southern California, famous people are just part of my life. I can't tell you how often movie stars and famous musicians stop by the house to enjoy grape soda and ping pong. Well, a few days ago, it was Duff McKagan, former bass guitar player for Guns N Roses. Here we are together:



OK. Duff wasn't actually at my house. He was at a seminar I went to, presented by a client of mine. Has some amazing stories to tell from being on the road with GNR, as you might have guessed. Now, in addition to playing in the band Velvet Revolver, he's a family man. Plus he writes a syndicated column on finance.

Now, I'll let you go back to your hum-drum lives. I think I just heard Brad and Angelina at the door, they're bringing their kids over for a playdate...

Most beautiful picture ever?

Yes. Yes it is...

Some people really shouldn't have laptops...

I know they are supposed to increase your productivity, but in my case, having a laptop is really an excuse to do stuff like this:

This explains a lot...

Now I understand why this morning has gone the way it has...

10 reason public schools are better than homeschooling...

From the Detroit Examiner...

NFTW #021--A "Kingdom of God" perspective on the election; Are you a Christian atheist?

The election is over! How do Christians put everything into the right perspective?


Also, are you a Christian atheist?


Listen here:



Or download this episode by right-clicking here.

Here’s a link to Wyman Richardson’s very thoughtful blog post.

Read 1 Peter 1:17-21.

The real election day decision...

Finally, a look at the real issues/candidates:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

(Not every video at Funny or Die is family-friendly, so browse at your own risk!)