Funny Friday | Exponential Videos

Since I've posted about Exponential all week I figured I should end it with some funny videos from Exponential. Here you go...

Francis Chan Intro at Exponential 2009


Francis Chan Intro from Exponential 2010


Next year's conference is called "On the Verge" (Exponential 2011 - Register Now)

What video games and the Church have in common!

I saw this video when I was away dreaming about our church plant.
This brilliant talk is about how video games could save the world!

My jaw dropped when I watched this because what she identified from video games are central to the vision of the church I am dreaming about.  Then at Exponential one of the speakers said that everyone is living in virtual community, removed from reality.

The Four Values of Gamers Are...

Urgent Optimism - Act immediately because we have a reasonable hope that we can win!

Social Fabric - We like people when we play together. Build trust and add value!

Blissful Optimization - happier working hard when we are working in the right area.

EPIC Meaning - in the game we can solve the problem of the virtual world. 

= SUPER POWERED HOPEFUL INDIVIDUALS!

As the Church, our calling, is the hope of the world. To love God, love others, and change the world. Our mission is EPIC!  Won't you join us?  We don't need a stinking video game!  ;)

Exponential 2010 Recap

I took tons of notes at Exponential, but I will just boil it down to what I personally took away

• Do I really Know Christ?  Do I really love those around me?
• Know Christ, follow the Spirit on Mission, and then Plant a Church. (In that order)
• Christology -> Missiology -> Ecclesiology*
• Be in the city planting mustard seeds to the exile (the outsider)

Below are the photos I took at Exponential.

*church nerd speak

Music Monday | Regina Spektor

You either love or hate Regina Spektor's music. There is little room to waffle.

Me... I love it!

Sister Saturday | Back from Exponential

Here are two videos I filmed of the girls when I arrived home from Exponential.

Tickling Aliyah!


On the Golf-cart with Selah!

Blackout Tuesdays

I have recently identified a few things I need to work on in my life.  One is unplugging from Technology.  On Tuesday, my Shabbat, is now my black out day.  I turn off my computer, I turn off my phone, I turn off anything that my wife thinks need to be turned off.  She is a better judge of my heart and my soul.  If she gives me the look, off it goes!

I have done it for two weeks now and what a difference!  I listen, love, laugh, play, and care more.

Do you ever unplug?  Flip the switch off.  I highly recommend it.

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Out with Mr. and Mrs. Smith

I’m at the Exponential 2010 Conference with Mr. and Mrs. Smith. No, not Brangelina. Dan and Shannon Smith who started Momentum Christian Church. The church I currently serve.

Exponential is the largest gathering of church planters in the world. Dan and Shannon are doing a breakout session and I am here taking in the experience. This is the second time I have come to Exponential. Last year Sondra and I had a God appointment here. Sondra won tickets so we knew we had to go. When we got there it was evident to us that God was calling us to plant in the City which has led us to Cleveland.

I enjoy Exponential for many reasons; great speakers, networking opportunities, and innovative ideas. But more than any other conference there is anticipation and expectation that God is going to do something through each and every attendee when we leave. I love those moments!

God is up to something in Cleveland, our nation, our world. Won't you join him! If you aren’t getting our newsletter go to www.planterinthemaking.com and sign up today!

Funny Friday | Chickfila

Digging it!

Music Monday | What Matters More

Do we take a long look at our hearts? Do we really look at our motives? Does being right come before being loved? Or do we love because we are loved? Do we confront because we love, or because we desire righteousness in and of ourself? Are we people of grace or people of religion?

Thank you Derek Webb for your art and your heart.

Live the Resurrection! Happy Easter!

RESURRECTION BY ROB BELL
Jesus is standing in front of the temple in Jerusalem
the massive gleaming brick and stone and gold house of God
and he says destroy this temple
and I’ll rebuild it in three days

the people listening to him said how are you going to do that?
it took 46 years to build this temple!
but he wasn’t talking about that temple
he’s talking about himself
he essentially says, listen
I’m going to be killed
that’s where this is headed
because you don’t confront corrupt systems of power
without paying for it
sometimes with your own blood
and so he’s headed to his execution
if you had witnessed this divine life extinguished on a cross
how would you not be overwhelmed with despair?

is the world ultimately a cold, hard, dead place?

does death have the last word?
is it truly, honestly, actually dark
and so whatever light we do see
whatever good we do stumble upon
are those just blips on the radar?
momentary interruptions in an otherwise meaningless existence?
because if that’s the case then despair is the
only reasonable response

it’s easy to be cynical

but Jesus says destroy this temple and I’ll rebuild it
he insists that his execution would not be the end
he’s talking about something new and unexpected
happening after his death
he’s talking about resurrection

resurrection announces that God has not given up on the world
because this world matters
this world that we call home
dirt and blood and sweat and skin and light and water
this world that God is redeeming and restoring and renewing

greed and violence and abuse they are not right
and they cannot last
they belong to death and death does not belong

resurrection says that what we do with our lives matters
in this body
the one that we inhabit right now
every act of compassion matters
every work of art that celebrates the good and the true matters
every fair and honest act of business and trade
every kind word
they all belong and they will all go on in God’s good world
nothing will be forgotten
nothing will be wasted
it all has it’s place

everybody believes something
everybody believes somebody
Jesus invites us to trust resurrection
that every glimmer of good
every hint of hope
every impulse that elevates the soul
is a sign, a taste, a glimpse
of how things actually are
and how things will ultimately be
resurrection affirms this life and the next
as a seamless reality
embraced
graced
and saved by God

there is an unexpected mysterious presence
who meets each of us in our lowest moments
when we have no strength when we have nothing left
and we can’t go on we hear the voice that speaks those
words

destroy this temple and I’ll rebuild it

do you believe this?
that’s the question Jesus asked then
and that’s the question he asks now

Jesus’ friends arrive at his tomb and they’re told
he isn’t here
you didn’t see that coming, did you?
he’s isn’t here
there is nothing to fear
and nothing can ever be the same again
we are living in a world in the midst of rescue
with endless unexpected possibilities

they will take my life and I will die Jesus says
but that will not be the end
and when you find yourself assuming that it’s over
when it’s lost, gone, broken and it could never be
put back together again,
when it’s been destroyed and you swear that it could never
be rebuilt

hold on a minute
because in that moment
things will in fact have just begun