The Dark Knight

I am about to get to watch the new Batman movie. I'm stoked. Even cooler is that it only cost me $5.25. Real matinée prices. So awesome.

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Story Night

Tonight's theme/topic was story and it was a huge struggle for me. I just don't feel like a did a good job. I had good stories to tell, but there wasn't a connection with the kids. It's been so long since I preached to Middle School kids - I hope that tonight was my stinker that will be out of the way and we will move on tomorrow night. I'm gonna spend the day refining my "Love" sermon to try and do better. It should be easier because it has a full Scripture text to work with (luke 15). On the positive side, the Know Sweat people are classy people and fun to work with. It will be cool getting to know them over the next few days.

The Summer of Travel Continues...

I'm writing from a Starbucks in Beckley, West Virginia. I'm up/over here to preach a week at a CIY Know Sweat Conference. Know Sweat is an awesome thing and in my opinion, one of the best things that CIY does. Check it out here It's going to be an interesting week as we go through the book of Luke and dissect the story that we find ourselves in - the story of God's love, justice, and mercy.

I get to stay in the dorms - with no A/C - so I'll probably be at this Starbucks an awful lot. I won't have a whole lot to do this week other than preaching, so I'll probably be posting several times. AT&T Wi-Fi is awesome - Thank you Starbucks for switching!.

Post-Sermon Thoughts

It always amazes me just how wiped out I am after preaching three times in the morning - I'm a zombie right now. Overall, I think it went fine and I'm sure that there will be more reflection over the next couple of days. The only thing I'm afraid of already is maybe I overloaded the group with information.

This makes me jealous...

Pre-Sermon Thoughts

So I just finished my sermon for tomorrow on Luke 18.9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and I am just wondering how it will go.  It's an interesting parable, and it is one that is misunderstood by many.  I think most people think that this is a parable about the right ways to pray before God, but I don't think that's the case.  There's something more there and I think it has to do with who's in and who's out.  One of the things that Luke has done in "his" section (all from 15-18 is only in Luke) is draw out the way that those who think they are in are in danger of being out.  In this parable, Jesus seems to be saying that if we think that we are impressive on our own, we've got another thing coming.  If we think that we are "in" because of who we are or what we do, we will not be justified by God in the end.  It is only the one who authentically realizes that it's about God and not us that will be justified.  It's the ones whom we don't expect.  

It's frightening, really, to think that if we who call ourselves "in" could be out if we somehow begin to believe that it is about us.

This could be interesting

Here's something I came across today.  Pretty crazy...I wonder how it will work and where it will be...

Giglio and Tomlin to plant a church in Atlanta

This is pretty cool...

Here's an awesome video of John Mayer covering Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" Hope you enjoy.

Resting Thoughts

Before I go to sleep after a long day of driving, a couple of thoughts:
1. Hospitality is an underrated spiritual gift. It's amazing to meet people who have it and love to use it.
2. It is a small world - you never know who you will meet that thinks that your dad singing in the Gospel Lads is a cool thing.
3. 860 miles is a long drive.

It's cool to be out here and to catch up with old friends and make new ones...

Summer of the road trip continues

The road trip that is known as summer continues on. We will have driven 5,700 miles by the end of next week. Things I have learned so far:
1. I get grumpy when I am tired
2. Transmissions are expensive
3. Myrtle Beach has the worst roadways, ever
4. Sermons on an iPod help pass the time

N.T. Wright and Stephen Colbert

For my first post, here are two of my favorite people: N.T. Wright and Stephen Colbert. Watch how the Bishop of Durham holds his own with Colbert. It's a funny clip.