Branches

Billy Graham and Steven Furtick (What a flattering comparison!)

2011-08-13T06:09:00.000-07:00

What is the difference in Billy Graham's Crusades of the past, and Elevation Church's McDonald's Drive Thru approach to baptism of the present. Not a whole lot really. That is why John MacArthur stirred up a whole hornet's nest of debate about thirty years ago of whether repentance and change is directly linked with salvation in his book The Gospel According to Jesus. In it, he makes an argument for something coined a Lordship Salvation. The general idea is that you have to do more than believe, you have to also turn from sin. I don't believe that personally, I believe that you have to believe and a product of that belief will be repentance and right living through a process of growing in your knowledge of the truth, but I can honestly say I believe that because I am an American Southern Boy! Its like a semantic argument because you are really saying that if you follow Jesus you will do what he says, but if you don't know what He said yet because you haven't been taught, then does that mean you aren't a Christian...that argument could go on forever!

My point in bringing this up is because I love the approach that we take in Starting Point Groups at Browns Bridge. If they were to load people into Baptism pools like cattle being sprayed off before slaughter, I would never return. Instead, they allow for people to explore what they think in a small 10 week discussion group (something like Sunday School) where people get their questions answered and wrestle with the ideas. Some have said a prayer, others have yet to take that step. Some have been in church forever. And it isn't a requirement to do this group before you get baptized, but it is what is encouraged.

Both Billy Graham and Steven have done the same thing that is admirable: they have encouraged people to go out and find a local body of believers that can help them out in having their own Starting Points so to speak. So what is the next step for people getting saved or baptized in mass...probably counseling, but I digress. More than likely, getting into a small group or house church if they dare that will help them process what it means to walk by faith.

2011-08-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

Follow from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

I watched a very interesting movie the other day that was a documentary about an art dealer in Los Angelos. This guy followed street artists around the world filming them as they painted pictures that were commentary on the culture or just interesting art. He made hours and hours of film, but in the end, he never made a movie. Instead, when this art scene became lucrative, he took on the persona of a street artist and became Mr. Brainwash. Mr. Brainwash started making mass duplications of street art, and the people of LA bought it in made organized group thinking mobs.

It reminded me of something else. Bill Hybels created an effective model of seeker friendly church and Rick Warren used the same research to copy him. Then Andy Stanley copied these guys. They built substantially business like organizations that had church as one component of what they do, then came their Mr. Brainwashes. People like Steven Furtick above.

But they have gone to far. They aren't selling art. They are selling religious experiences, like relics and indulgences that were sold to build Vatican City (lovely place, but not very theologically sound). In the sermon preceding Steven's baptism of over 1500 people in mass, people crowd around the stage with signs that say, "I Was Baptized At Elevation Church."

Oh dear. If you have to say, "This isn't emotional manipulation," well, it most probably is.

The way the mega church with multiple satellites is working is a mega personality is surrounded by multiple satellites and then this guy teaches or preaches. Its good in that you can get some really good teaching (like Andy Stanley), but its bad when you start seeing folks doing mass things like this.

I was reminded of this by my friend from Russia when we visited a Mega Church in Seattle Washington. His words still ring as a forewarning, "Doesn't this seem sort of like the idea of what the prophet would be like with the anti-Christ?" Yes, all it would take would be replacing that teacher up there with another person saying something different. And its only a matter of time when that will happen. Creating Mega means creating momentum and all of this is psychological and sociological. It doesn't really matter if what the Mega Teacher is saying is theologically true, wise, or good, apparently.

It just matters that the mega man is relevant, hip, fashionable, enigmatic, and can create systematic hype. It just so happens that the original "artists" are still out there and you can find some original stations of creativity, but as the Mr. Brainwashes keep popping up, the true art is quickly being diluted.

Be the People: A Review

2011-07-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed Dr. Carol Swain's book, Be the People. Dr. Swain has written a thoughtful manifesto of conservatism that is fair to all people groups in America and is also a Biblical assessment of the situation. I often support Barack Obama's decisions, and I also believe that he is representing the American People to the best of his abilities. I believe that he is the elected President, and I personally think that he is one of the most intelligent and enigmatic presidents we have seen in a long time. However, Carol Swain outlines why Obama is not for what my own personal views are. You see, although I support Obama and hope for his reelection, I don't agree with probably 45-60% of his policies.

Swain outlines some of these beliefs in a powerful way: 1. I believe in the sanctity of life. 2. I believe that marraige should be a monogamous relationship between a man and a woman. 3. I believe that people have taken a dive off the deep end and lost much of the ability to have nonobjective moral reasoning based on eternal principals and truth. 4. I believe that people clamor way to much for personal rights, when they have done things to others that are lazy or reprehensible.

Swain seems to be advocating that the religious right could do something about any of the above, where Obama is just adding fuel to the fire. I seem to think that if the religious right couldn't do much during George W.s terms, then there must be a substantial part of the U.S. population that have generally turned against conservative values and as such need to be heard and advocated for in a democratic society. I am essentially saying that while I think Christians should behave one way, I don't think Christians can force the rest of the world to act that same way too through government means.

Carol and I agree on one major point: The world is going to Hell in a hand basket. We disagree on what to do about it. I say, "Its a democracy; we must be creatively winsome and instructive to our families, while at the same time advocating for the rights of all mankind, whether Christian or non Christian." Carol says, "Yes and we must elect somebody other than Barack Obama to the presidency." O.k. Carol, well you run for president and then I may think about it.

Fasting

2011-07-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Mega Churches abound in my neck of the woods. I am a member of one actually! But one in our area really gets under my skin. Having a large gathering of people, they have a focus on Fasting at the beginning of the year, and attached to the fast is the idea of a very public unified prayer for a move from God, based on some slapped together scriptures that are taken out of context. Then, as if this weren't enough, the leader has declared himself to be America's expert on fasting and has a flock of books for his following.

Not so fast, I want to declare! Have you read the scriptures in a real way? Before I get to riled up, I have to say that a much smarter and more seasoned view of fasting is very much available. Scott McKnight's book on fasting is fantastic. It goes back to the roots of the ancient practice, in sound exegesis of the scripture. Fasting is quiet a profound and personally touching spiritual discipline that is more about a private relationship to God in scriptures, rather than a public announcement of faith or political statement. In Fasting, McKnight lays all of this out in a real way that is simply an explanation of the various ways that fasting can be personally powerful and even the very practical discussion of the physical repercussions of the fast.

In a world where fasting has become hyped up, McKnight offers a very thoughtful analysis of this ancient practice.

2011-01-08T19:41:00.000-08:00

Andy Stanley's new book, The Grace of God, gives an outstanding summation of God's Grand Narrative. When we look at the Bible as one big story, we find a lot of themes, but one theme is definitive. That is grace, but grace is one of those things that people argue about and extremely conservative Christians emphasize that Grace should not be cheap while more progressive believers accentuate the freedom that is found in Christ. The beautiful thing about the narrative of the Bible is that it isn't conservative or liberal, but all about transfoming people's lives with the message that they are worth a lot and part of a bigger story that isn't all about them or even just one group of people.

Andy's emphasis on this narrative incredibly brings out the best of many of his sermons. In fact, it is a book with a ghost writer because he dictated some of his best expositions of scripture into a recording and then the writer wrote the book. As a member of one of churches that is in the North Point Ministries cluster, I have heard a lot of what Andy says in this book from Andy. But the thing about it is, it is really just the best of everything I studied in two phenomonal courses that I took at Columbia International University.

At Columbia, I took The Progress of Redemption, and Bible for Teachers. In both, the Biblical Narrative with the stories of the Bible standing on their own two feet was central. And grace poured from those stories. What Andy said, made complete sense, and it was enlightening as well as exciting to see that the story we read in the Bible has us as characters in it. We are recipients of God's grace, and we have the ability to be released by God to love and serve others in amazing ways.

Beyond Opinion Book Review

2010-09-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

Ravi Zacharias and his band of apologists hit it out of the park with this one! It is a synopsis of the world views and individual analysis of many of the arguments raised by those who disagree with orthodox Christianity found in the Apostle’s Creed. It also gives an intellectual as well as diligent rhetorical analysis that can be used to refute scholars in debates as well as the common lay person.

Beyond giving argumentation for a Christian Worldview, it also gives support for the personhood of Christ and Divine Revelation over the importance of just arguing a point. This is very important in any apologetic because at the end of every argument is a decision to either follow a specific person or to follow specific ideas. It is in the following the person of Jesus Christ that then leads to a right perspective of apologetics. This of course seems like a circular logic, but in turn it is really the fundamental argument of trying to find what is and what isn’t reality. Choices have to be made and arguments have to be settled after a thorough analysis of facts.

Topics analyzed include: Evolution, Science, the different World Religions, and the trinity.

Facilities for Branches

2010-07-25T06:54:00.001-07:00

Here are some artist renderings of the facility we want to build for Branches:

Architectural Renderings for Branches

Just kidding!

When I was little, I would sit on the playground and draw. One project was a church. The daycare workers asked, "What are you drawing?" I said, "I am drawing a church that I am going to build one day." They walked away amazed, but I was nine and terribly bored.

I've come a long ways since then :) :). Branches has a commitment that is uncommon in what I am used to in Church Planting world. It has a commitment to stay a non facility church. I have found that every classic church plant I have been involved in went way wrong when they tried to build a building. If they were huge like New Spring, well thats a different story. Or if they were gathering large momentum like Barefoot in Myrtle Beach, that too is a horse of a different color. I am talking about small church of less than 200 trying to build buildings.

I like rapidly multiplying house church, and the idea of these is no building! Rent out spaces, maybe even an amphitheater, community center, movie theater, or college, but don't jump into a building program until you break a thousand--I would like to split the gatherings way before then!

I do wish I had a cool tree house though!

Church Planting Movements

2010-07-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Branches is all about reaching those that haven't heard. In travelling and studying different church models, as well as participating in church plants, I have been able to go literally all over the planet. The coolest thing by far that I have found are what we call Church Planting Movements. This is where we go in and start a house church that intentionally starts another house church that intentionally starts another house church ad infinum. I have seen this with my work in Russia, and with my best friend Volodya who is over in China helping do this very thing as he works bivocationally as an engineer.

The unique thing about Branches is that it won't just have a big church service with small groups. It will have a big church service built around the needs of seekers, but it will also have a House Church Network in the place of small groups. The whole thing is to help inform people about Church Planting Movements and to get people involved in a House Work Movement instead of just splintered off house churches that aren't networked effectively.

If you are a part of our core, you don't necessarily have to buy into house church, thats why we want to have the regular service with children's programming as well.

As I have spoken with people interested in being a part of a launch team, I know the fear that it is too much work to commit to. Believe me, I hear ya. I have been here before, but this is the first time I have been here while doing another job that I don't want to quit (aka teaching!). It won't be any more work though than volunteering to help with youth or children in a bigger church.

The vision right now is for us to get the core group built around the ideas above, and then launch the big service when the core is established. Paper work, logos, all that jazz is to be handled by Aaron (who has yet to find a teaching position so hey, why not make her a job?)

We need you to come on board with the core if you live in or near our target area (Oakwood or Flowery Branch), and if you don't we need your prayers! We would love to have some sponsoring churches. But we aren't set up just yet for that. We are in the process of applying for that with the SBC North American Mission Board. I would love to hear from you!

Branches Church

2010-07-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Why would we need another church in Hall County, Georgia? Answer: We don't. We have a lot of choices available for anyone that wants to go to church, but in Flowery Branch and Oakwood, we don'thave a church for people who don't want to go to church. That is why I want to help start one.

Drum roll please...this is why I am working with a group of people to start what for this new stage is called Branches Church. It is an environment in the spirit of North Point Ministries where you can invite your friends, thinking and non to a gathering of people and have them introduced to a growing relationship with Christ.

Now, we just need a launch team. A launch team is a group of people from area churches that are willing to come help launch the church for a decided period of time. Positions are: 1. People to just come, be friendly, tithe for a season, and have fun. 2. People to help with the Children's Ministry (affectionately called The Treehouse) 3. We don't have any thing to set up as of yet, but we will need a set up team. 4. A worship team because I personally can't sing or play any instruments!

So, pray about it, think on these things, and come on, it will be fun :).

The Book of Eli

2010-07-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

I watched a fantastic rated R movie tonight. The Book of Eli. It was like watching a classic western/course in apologetics(the defense of a Biblical Worldview)wrapped into one. I've spent the last five years scratching my head, watching friends make interesting decisions that a younger me would have shouted loudly at them for, and trying to figure out why people get a way with doing the wrong thing while I still plod along sometimes less than blissfully thinking that Biblical Worldview + Moral Absolutes is right even if it costs me. Please don't take that last phrase as self righteousness because it isn't intended that way. But I just want to know if I am stupid or not for doing the right thing when it costs a whole lot!
The Book of Eli really was outstanding because it coincided with several hard hitting books on apologetics that I was reading. Eli, Denzel Washington as a kick butt protagonist, follows a voice across a fallen post apocolyptic America, running from the bad guys. It turns out that the book he is carrying is actually the last copy of the Bible on earth. Eli takes a licking and keeps on ticking, all in the name of preserving this text!
It was even more amazing as a history buff, because Eli faced crazily similar situations that Martin Luther faced when he was originally making the Bible accessible to the masses. Luther unknowingly insighted revolts resulting in mass losses of life, ran from murderous Catholics (not to be confused with the nice ones I know), and even hid out in disguise. All for the sake of the Bible.
Knowing the reliability of the Bible, how to read it and apply it contextually, and holding on to grace and truth is the challenge of living a Biblical Worldview. This has been very hard for me in the last few years because I have found that the more I see what the text actually says, the less republican I am. The more I read what it actually says, the less compelled I am to be happy go lucky in the Christian Bubble. And the more I read what it actually says, the more I wonder why life is harder when you do the right thing!
At least I don't have to chop anyones head off or shot them to protect the last copy on earth like Eli, but like Eli, I want to have a passion to stick to that voice inside that guides and protect the book with passion. Its a journey for us all, costly, yet worth it.

The Selfless Gene

2010-06-27T18:17:00.001-07:00

Charles Foster's book "The Selfless Gene" has a unique approach and title. However, it's ability to reach the scientific layman ends abruptly there. He is a talented writer with words that flow well enough, but not being in his mind left me very incapable of figuring out what he was saying. And that is saying a lot. I can handle difficult texts, yet this one left me with only the vague idea of its premise, that evolution could be possible and coincide with Christianity at the same time. I need a text that explains the circumstances and arguments while giving me the definitions. If you want a book that you can understand, don't purchase this one. If you want one that will give you 1000 explanations that leave more questions than answers, then "The Selfless Gene" is your book!

The White Horse King

2010-01-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

I love all things British—all things traditionally British. Picking up Benjamin Merkle’s The White Horse King, I really didn’t know what to expect. I had never heard of a King Alfred, much less one that involved the British Isles. To my delight, the book was really good! I learned all about Viking and Anglo-Saxon’s warring development. I also saw the way that England was formed as a singular nation-state. The in depth, yet basic descriptions brought to my mind the ever present need for quality, educated leadership. I was left impressed and inspired.
As with most nation’s pre-formal unification, the Anglo-Saxon area had many divisions. There were multiple regions with no standing army, leaving the areas wealth easily attacked. Alfred faced the onslaughts of raging Vikings, lost his throne, fled to the woods, and came out in secret attacks. He then arranged the armies in a large enough way to take back his throne, organize for a standing army and unofficial police force ensuring proper defense.
In the years of peace that followed, Alfred was able to use his studies of the humanities to spear head education and to raise the first navy. All of this in feudal times with viking threats!
If you are looking for an exciting, fast paced read that will cause you to think about leadership, this book is for you!

Fearless by Max Lucado

2009-10-31T13:38:00.001-07:00

Max Lucado in his typical sing songy style brings to life poetically the phrase, "Be still and know that I am God" in his latest book. Fearless drives home the point with vivid illustration that casting our cares and concerns on Christ as all we need is better than living life driven by fear. He drives us with his encouragement to look to Christ.

Lucado's style is very much the same as his writing in other books. He classically includes another story similar to the story of Punchinello and the wemicks. It is poetry all about a place called stiltsville and he drives home the point that behind much of the desire for fame and success is fear.

This book is great for the new believer that is trying to understand their place in this world as they embrace the redefining message of Christ. It is also great for the seasoned believer as a reminder that we can face this world's problems with trust.

Everyday Greatness

2009-09-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

The guru of principle centered living, Stephen Covey, has designed a great resource! Its called Everyday Greatness, and it is a wonderful description of all of the principles that Covey has shared with us over the years through a lot of short stories. Stories from great writers like: Maya Angelou, Jack Benny, and Henry David Thorough are coupled with excellent commentary by Covey. The book inspires us to live by three simple choices each day: 1. The Choice to Act 2. The Choice of Purpose 3. The Choice for Principles. The idea of living by positive choices is nothing new here, but the stories are simply amazing and inspirational. This would be a great addition to any classroom teacher's collections, minister's library, or employee's human resource library!

The Hole in the Gospel

2009-09-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

Is their something missing from modern day American Christianity? Richard Stearns, CEO of World Vision International, shares why he thinks this is so through his compelling new book, The Hole in the Gospel.

Part biography, part theological treatise, and part rally cry, Richard tells the story of how he came from being the CEO of a Dinner Ware fine China sales company, to the top position at World Vision. Beaconing this story of change and self realization, he invites us all to reexamine our ethos for living.

Why do we get up in the morning? What decisions do we make as we interact with the world beyond our own familys? Are we working towards the goal of facing the world's poverty head on, or do we believe ourselves to simply be on a collision course with the world's end, needing to only wait until Jesus fixes it all? These questions and more need to be asked and reflected upon as you are invited to think about the least of these.

It is an excellent read and you can really understand the plight of the world's scope and problems with real world solutions that are more than simple rhetoric but a call for action.

Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions

2009-06-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

I have watched a few documentaries on cults recently. They intrigue me in that people are drawn to religious leaders as much as they are or even more than to any religious principles. This is one of the major arguments I often get against Christianity. Why isn’t classic Christianity little more than what it began as, a cult? I also am asked, “Why compare religions to one another,” or as one insightful little boy said as he noticed I was reading a book on World Religions, “You can read about them, but don’t join them.” It’s like saying, “You can look, but you can’t buy.” As with all things, I think thoughtful scholarship is the best approach to understanding the power of religion in the lives of people.
Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions analysis scholarly the impact of religions of the world as a textbook written from a Christian Worldview and perspective. James A. Beverely explains 19 different religions ranging from Baha’I to Witchcraft in a respectful way. It is written as informational text with little to no commentary. At times you can hear the Christian slant, but it is no more than a secular slant would be apparent in a regular textbook. This volume is precisely what would be helpful in a class on comparative religions at a Christian School or University. It would also be helpful to anyone that wants to really understand the nuances and influences of religion on sociological issues.
For me, it has helped me sort through the confusion of the offerings of what teachings on Universalism would propose. Clearly, there are distinctive differences of each world religion that many times override their commonalities. I see that Christianity is most certainly no longer a cult because it is mainstream, but it is little more than false without the distinctive of a death and resurrection that actually happened- a choice in the myriad of choices. And it is simply a virtual world that can destroy people if it is not countered with reality, thought, and Scholarship.

Man Power Group?

2009-06-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-u-of-c-mens-groupmay19,0,4707353.story

I was watching Parks and Recreation via HULU, when an interesting episode came on. In it, Lesley Knope, an overly zealous women, decides to invade the "Men's Club", a group of her fellow male coworkers drinking beer outside and hanging out. She thinks they are planning their take over of the world, while they are shooting the breeze, talking about their crummy jobs and family messes.

In the end, she decides to break company protocol by drinking wine and eating cheese from an off limits gift from a contractor. This leads to the underage drinking of the intern. All of this ends up being posted on a FACEBOOK group accidentally. And thats how Lesley ends up in front of a bunch of old white men in business suits acting as an ethics committee.

Lesley in an effort to break the glass ceiling, bumped her head!

The media is saturated with this preponderance of the role of men and women. I was confronted by it in Target as I looked at all of the advertisements where men and women alike were running around angrily. I was faced by it on television with Lesley Knope. And daily as a male in a very female job setting, teaching, I am always wondering how in the world my coworkers organize things more quickly, count papers more quickly, and do everything super fast. Its not that I can't organize or count, its just that I am slower at it!

Marraige is allways a fun place to analyze the battle of the sexes. I rarely fold towels straight, arrange dishes correctly, and I am pretty much impaired when it comes to straightening the house. I live in an apartment, therefore theres no yard, place to wash the cars, or change the oil. Not that I have ever been good at any of those things, but it would be easier to share roles that way.

The problem is, the things that I am very good at, well I don't spend most of my time excercising from those areas. And I am left wondering, is this time in history where the sexes are socially equal in all areas of life, leaving some males adrift.

Obviously. I have it a bit easier because I have to high of an I.Q. and its acceptable for me to have the absent minded professor problems, but what about the jocks? Its easy for me to see what is happening. They are trapped in boring marraiges, jumping from relationship to relationship, or partying hardy!

As usual, I am left with my Biblical Worldview to fallback on. I always think the assumptions of those who haven't read the Bible on the issue or somewhat funny. I have heard that Christian Men are mysiogenistic or control freaks, true I have meet some of them, but they really aren't very proned to actually reading or interpreting the Bible on any of this. They are usually the type that believe that what Daddy said is what the Bible said, and they find proof texts to support their arguments. Proof texts are never very likely to be contextual. To be continued...

Man Power Group

2009-06-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Apparently, they have created a great group for Jon from Jon and Kate Plus 8 to join.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-u-of-c-mens-groupmay19,0,4707353.story

This is an issue that I have thought about a lot lately. Check in later for more thoughts, I have to get going this morning!

Really? "The American Patriot's Bible" Thats Crazy

2009-05-06T16:30:00.001-07:00

“You have to be kidding me! The American Patriot Bible? What will they create next, The Former Soviet Union Bible: How Communism and Acts Chapter Two Work Together?” This was my first thought when I read the title. I was also terrified that when I opened the book, I would have a giant picture of an icon from the religious right beckoning me to examine how all of the founding fathers were Baptist preachers or something frighteningly revisionist like that. I am a social studies and language arts teacher with a Bachelors degree in Bible, so I understand the right and the left, but I don’t see the need for the Bible to side with either.
However, I was truly amazed by this Bible. It wasn’t extremely partial at all. It wove virtue and historical fact without revision into a great work of literature that begs to be read if one is to understand American History. I loved how I could truly see the interaction of the concept of God and our history. I also loved that Civil Rights and the rights of humanity were aptly included in it’s analysis. It made me want to actually encourage others to get and read the notes.
I would greatly recommend this book to anyone that wants to be challenged to think about how the Bible interacts with American History. I do have one suggestion for the publisher. I would create another one called “The Bible as Literature”. I would put historical facts along with notes on how great works of literature have been influenced by particular passages of scripture. This would be usable in courses that evaluate the Bible as literature. It would also not alienate potential buyers.

A Review of The Noticer

2009-04-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Imagine Morgan Freeman dispensing wisdom from books he has gathered from works by Gary Chapman (Marriage Expert), Andy Stanley (Life Coach), John Maxwell (Leadership Guru), Les and Leslie Parrot (Relationships) and autobiographies of famous leaders in seemingly random places and random people. This is what you have when you read The Noticer. The main character shares bits and pieces of wisdom and perspective as he meets people struggling with issues in life and marriage. The book closes with a memorable object lesson and a remarkable revelation.
The purpose of this book is to cause you to pause, reflect, and take stock of where you are going in life. It is an excellent read for those who need to stop and think about their purpose in life. At times, I found it very sappy and unrealistic, but as I also found it’s interactive application of wisdom to life, I realized that it was an excellent example of what many of people need to see. Wisdom applied to real life.
If you are looking for a fast and easy read that can also cause you to pause, then this book is for you! Wisdom is always best when applied, but getting there always takes perspective.

The Principle of the Path

2009-04-20T18:15:00.001-07:00

I’m a twenty something. And wherever I go, I am faced with plenty of peers that have given up on marriage, live with one another, or any other multitude of things. They all have a basic argument. This is that scripture, or even traditional conservative principles, are outdated. On my worst days, I see the validity of their points. I mean, commitment didn’t seem to pay off for others. Life is more complicated than it seems and there is always a justification for the wrong (or just advantageous behavior) that we do. Simply put, my friends and I both need Andy Stanley’s book, The Principle of the Path.
In a contemporary way, Andy brings home three thousand (or older) year old Biblical principles. He clearly makes the connection between our choices and their consequences, and shows why it only makes sense to do the right thing. With humor, wit, and good writing, Andy brings home a message that is currently needed for us today. He does so in a relevant way that draws your attention and makes you want to keep reading.
By the way, Andy’s series that this book is written from is currently online at www.northpoint.org. You can watch this series and hear him as he explains it. Then, run out and buy as many copies of this book as you can, get them to your friends, and maybe, just maybe, they will avoid disaster. Disaster can be avoided if you simply follow, the principle of the path.

In the Footsteps of Paul

2009-04-02T18:36:00.001-07:00

In the Footsteps of Paul by Ken Huggins takes you on an exciting adventure to the sights of Paul’s missionary journeys with very informative commentary from a variety of scholars and great thinkers. As I read the book, I was able to understand the journeys of Paul in new ways as I read the thoughts about them. These thoughts gave me insights into the process, understanding of the reasons, and the dedication that came from Paul’s life. The pictures were very pretty as well and brought fuller meaning to the text. I was able to the journeys of Paul in a whole new way. The book itself is bound very well, and it looks like a coffee table book. It would be great for anyone who is interested in a mixture of art, photography, and Biblical thought.

2009-03-15T12:23:00.001-07:00

Max Lucado is very gifted with words. If you are looking for a very nice centerpiece for your coffee table, or if you need a gift book with wonderful pictures in them, a compilation of some of Lucado’s best books is now available from Thomas Nelson Publishers. It is called His Name is Jesus.
Excerpts from 21 of Lucado’s books combined with beautiful pictures and excellent font graphics, bound by a giant rectangle book with a sheath to hold it in, make this the perfect gift giving book for people over forty. The words themselves bring you into the very life and story of the gospels. They bring to life all of the scenes from the Bible, highlighting the humanity of it all. The grace and love of the person of Jesus Christ seep from these stories and bring to light the person and function of Jesus Christ.
Quotes from Lucado’s books, sections from the books, and Bible verses are on each page. One of my favorites is this one, “Christ’s resurrection is an exploding flare announcing to all sincere seekers that it is safe to believe.” The book is filled with beautiful thoughts to bring to mind the words and actions of Christ, concluding with the decision to accept or reject this belief.
If you are looking for powerful words and a powerful presentation of the gospel that is life like and love filled, this book is for you! “He invites us to love Him. He Urges us to love Him. But, in the end, the choice is yours and mine.”

2009-02-25T19:23:00.000-08:00

I signed up for an awesome program with Thomas Nelson Publishers where you can request some of their newest products for free. The stipulation is that you type of review of their book on your blog and another place like Amazon as well. So here is my review of a movie that I ordered for my little boy.

Read and Share DVD Bible

Media is a very powerful thing in the life of children today. As a teacher and a parent, I am picky about media. I don't like tacky things that look more like Nickelodeon than Biblical yet relevant stories. I don't want to watch a Bible Story that looks like Blues Clues. This happened to us at church, and I realized that its effect was more of a dumbing down effect than a building up one. The minister in me thinks that it is very important for the word of God to stand on its own two feet, especially in the teaching of children.

This is why I really like the Read and Share DVD Bible Volume One. It is 13 three minute segments of cartoons that are not tacky or scary. It is the right size to spur discussion and teaching with children in ministry or at home. It also has a wonderful wealth of bonus materials that make it more interactive for the child.

I also love how it can fit into a child leveled discussion of the progress of redemption or the idea that God has a plan and a love for His creation. It is the right size and design to help spur on needed discussion has parents take on the position of spiritual leaders of their homes.

As a teacher, I recommend getting the Read and Share Bible with this. The narrator speaks at a rate that is slow enough for children to read along with the DVD and get into the pattern of literacy. I think it is very important that parents read with their children, but I think it also important that we teach them to manage all forms of media with their minds. Exploration of the Bible and Bible stories is the best place to start.

So, if you are looking for a non tacky way to help children learn basic Bible stories and build literacy skills, get the Read and Share DVD Bibe today!

Eagle Ranch

2008-01-19T11:52:00.001-08:00

I love this place. Send all of your money to it :) Really, if we could get this model up and running in more places, I think that would be amazing.

www.eagleranch.org

How I ended up in Georgia

2008-01-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

When I finished Columbia International University, I was in love. The girl I was dating was that girl that only the luckiest of guys have the opportunity to marry. You have this girl that if she even showed the least bit of interest, you would drop everything for and marry. Well, my wife happens to be that girl for me. She is brilliant, beautiful, and a regular Proverbs 31. But our marraige was pretty much surrounded by drama because she has a little boy, and the perspectives of my in-laws of me at the time was that I was one of those Bible tottin, male chauvenistic, control freak, preacher boys. They really had no conceptual framework for an intelligent thinking young man that for the lack of a better word happened to be labeled a Christian because of his relationship with God. Couple that with the fact that being slamed with the blessing and responsibility of this little boy we were both very overloaded. I felt like Joseph introducing Mary to people, "Yes, this is my fiancee, and yes she is pregnant, but God did it."

Need less to say, I wasn't really crazy about living in my hometown after college because I didn't think that our marraige could survive lovely but over concerned in-laws, my allready overly dramatic redneck family, and a giant struggle with my little stepson's biological father who is a descent young man, yet not highly motivated to quit making excuses and take responsibility (a.k.a. get vocational training and an actual job).

Plus, the coolest thing ever happened. I had this dream back when I was little that I wanted to build a ranch for kids that had struggling families like mine. So I had designed the whole thing. I named it Eagle Ranch. In college, I even flew to Vermont to see a model of what I thought I may one day build. What I found out was that they had build it allready an hour and a half away. I went to see it, stopped at a Chick-fil-a where I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be cool if I ended up moving here." And then cried as I looked at the place that I had dreamed about for so long. The next day, I went to an interview at the YMCA for a management job. This was a big deal because I had been working for the Y for five years allready, and this town actually had an opening right by Eagle Ranch. I couldn't get a job at the ranch because you had to be single to work there in the only job opening they had, so I took the job at the Y when they offered it to me.

This is how I ended up in Oakwood, GA. It was like God said, "Brandon, this is your city of refuge, your Egypt. Pharaoah will try and get you, but hang tight and you'll be safe here."

My wife and I really do like it here. Our little boy does too. And I got the opportunity to get my Masters degree to teach, so that has given my a great position where I work with this guy who actually worked at Eagle Ranch for five years. He is awesome and the principal is really good about trying to build a school that is about helping the students the most. Truelly. My wife works at the church and is finishing here degree too. She is helping plan all kinds of incredible things.

A long time ago I decided to do this: "Trust God to Provide and Go Along for the Ride!" When I came up with that, I had no idea how many curve balls life could throw!

How I ended up at Columbia International University

2008-01-19T10:47:00.000-08:00

I had no money, no car, and I had this itch to leave my hometown. I was going to college in my hometown at the time, but I knew that I had to go on some kind of epic journey. Maybe I had read to much Wild at Heart, watched to many movies, or just maybe, just maybe I was taping into that world of the truely unknowable. Whatever it was, I found my self lead towards Columbia International University. To me, this is the Hogwarts of the Evangelical World. Where places like Liberty University declare themselves the world's largest Evangelical institution, CIU was different. More like a secret tucked a way.

I needed a secret tucked away. I was exhausted from trying to much to fast in my hometown. And I was exhausted by family issues as well. So I took a leap of faith. My friends drove me to the school with all of my belonging, donated to me by the way, in a plastic garbage bag. I got out with my two bags and was hoping they could find a room for me.

On the way there, I stopped to meet with this youth pastor. He was a great guy that had graduated from Columbia International. He talked to me, but one thing that he said stuck in my mind as he handed me two hundred dollars. He said, "I want to give this to you as an investment. But promise me this. Don't become so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good."

I've thought of this often as I go to church and see the disparity between what the Bible declares to be the life of a believer and what the church has become. It has a lot of amazing things going for it. It is a place where people can come and grow, but it is also a place where a lot of people carry massive misconceptions about how God looks at them and others. It is a place where victims of spiritual abuse sometimes bash the life out of each other with Bible verses and a model of perfection that even Christ couldn't attain (A giant house, perfect clothes, up to date fashion with matching vehicles). It is the only place where the work acoholic is praised, exalted, and lifted high to dispense both judgement and helpful advice to the transparent.

That two hundred dollars was a huge blessing in the end because it was the exact difference between my financial aid package and the cost. The journey taught me to listen to what this veteran youth minister was saying.

How is a young idealistic leader to survive the harsh realities of helping careers?This was where the rubber meets the road. I realized that the power of the University and Bible Study in general was in giving a critical thinking mind into the very heart of this idealism. Taking the heart of a warrior and giving it ample wisdom was where the application of heavenly mindedness would lead.

The two years that I spent at Columbia International prepared me by giving me the world. I was able to travel internationally to thirteen different countries, interacting with an amazing array of cultures and people while learning the history of the world. And when I found my calling in teaching I was able to take this into the hearts and minds of the students. Helping them gain Critical Thinking while the world begs them to turn off their minds and buy stuff.

This is where the rubber meets the road. A Christianity that shuts up and puts up. Not driven by programs and feel good environments, but driven my wholistic pursuit of knowing God, in failure and in triumph.

Mission Statement

2008-01-19T07:37:00.000-08:00

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator or all you can see or imagine.

He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.

And He knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,
young folks in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

THEY SPREAD THEIR WINGS AND SOAR LIKE EAGLES,
THEY RUN AND DON'T GET TIRED,
THEY WALK AND DON'T LAG BEHIND.

Isaiah 40: 28-31 The Message

The World of Blogging

2008-01-18T21:59:00.000-08:00

I really have no idea how or why to blog anything? But I guess I'll figure it out. Yep. Welcome to the wide open world of randomness!