mark braye's blog

i've moved

2010-02-13T18:26:00.000-08:00

i've moved.

blogspot has been great to me.

i'll never forget my first post.

but it's time to move on. it's not blogspot, it's me.

i gave wordpress a try and find it easier and faster.

wordpress is a better fit.

blogspot, you'll always be my first blog. i'll always remember you.

www.markbraye.wordpress.com.

Super Bowl XLIV

2010-01-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

the teams for Super Bowl XLIV are set. the Indianapolis Colts are the AFC champions and they will face the NFC champion New Orleans Saints. the game takes place in Miami on Sunday, February 7, 2010. many are predicting scoring, scoring, and more scoring; these were the two best teams and among the best offenses during the regular season. i, however, see the defenses playing a bigger role than most. the scoring is not going to be out of control and the team that wins will have a defensive touchdown. i'm picking the Colts to win. that being said, it would be great for the city of New Orleans and that region if the Saints won. i will not be rooting against the Saints, just for the Colts.

AVATAR

2009-12-29T16:13:00.000-08:00

the tagline in the commercial states: "movies will never be the same again." maybe. however, what's for certain is that Avatar is one of the most entertaining films you will ever see. i loved it. James Cameron didn't hit a homerun; he's hit a grand-slam. Cameron takes you to Pandora and you may never want to leave. this colorful world is like nothing you've seen before. the acting is great. the characters are classic. the direction and cinematography are amazing. aside from the fun, Avatar asks some important questions and presents some interesting food for thought. that's something not every action/sci-fi/fantasy/adventure film can say. Avatar is worth twice the price of admission. see it.

it's the most wonderful time of the year

2009-11-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas is now less than a month away. i love Christmas; it's the most wonderful time of the year. i love Christmas movies and Christmas specials. i love Christmas music and Christmas lyrics. i love Christmas stories. i love to give and receive gifts and cards. i love spending time with family and friends. i love the food associated with Christmas. however, like the Grinch learns, Christmas means more than these elements. Christmas is the yearly celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus truly is the reason for the season. the purpose of Christmas is Christ. have a merry Christmas!

True Compass

2009-10-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

Senator Edward M. Kennedy passed away this past summer. before his death he was able to complete his autobiography True Compass. it's a great read. the book is full of wonderful stories and insights, as well as honest and open feelings about the ups and downs; the victories and defeats; the mistakes; the sins, and ultimately, the redemption Senator Kennedy experienced throughout his life.

gospel shots

2009-09-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

Micah's stats

2009-08-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

Micah William Mark Braye
August 12, 2009, 12:22 pm
8 pounds 9 ounces
20 inches

PUBLIC ENEMIES

2009-07-06T18:15:00.000-07:00

the new film from Michael Mann Public Enemies rocks the screen it's shown on and the audience watching it. it's based on the 2004 true crime book Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-1934 by Bryan Burrough. everything about this movie is classic. the performances, from the leads to the extras, are great. the writing is excellent. the direction and cinemetography are perfect. this is another crime epic from the mann who gave us Heat and Collateral. see it. rob a bank to pay for it if you have to.

Love, Love, Love

2009-06-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community by Andrew Marin could be the most important book you read this year. Marin and his wife live in Boystown, a neighborhood in Chicago which is predominately GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) populated. the organization he founded, The Marin Foundation, is conducting the largest-ever research study on religion in the GLBT community. Christians have gotten so much wrong in the name of God. why are we so concenred about being correct? why are we so concerned about winning arguments? we know we can be accused of judging and being intolerant. however, i cannot see God saying we were too loving and kind to people, regardless of their orientation. read Love is an Orientation.

April showers bring May films

2009-05-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

summer comes early for Hollywood. forget June 21, with big summer movies being released, the official start of the season is now May. last May saw Iron Man and the year before that Spiderman 3. this year there are four big ones.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine. not the worst movie i've ever seen, but i was a little disapointed. do not see it unless you like the X-Men movies.

Star Trek. AWESOME!!! i've never been a trekkie. the older films i've seen are ok. however, this reboot is just what Dr. McCoy ordered. if this team can live long and prosper with more films in the future, beam me up. (i am officically a nerd).

Angels and Demons. very good. the parts of the book i thought were lame and would slow down the film were taken out. a very good quick-paced thriller.

Terminator Salvation. off the hook! at first, i have to be honest, i was skeptical. Mc "Charlies Angels" G was directing. those movies weren't the worst ever, but not the material you want to see someone doing before a Terminator film. that being said, it was excellent. i hope this team can make another film or two as well.

The Way of the Heart

2009-04-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite writers is Henri Nouwen. his book The Way of the Heart was first published in 1981. it's inspired by the writings and teachings of St. Anthony and the Desert Fathers. the text speaks of three steps of connecting with God: solitude, silence, and prayer.

solitude is not simply being alone; it is being alone with God. Nouwen writes: "Solitude is the place of purification and transformation...the place of our salvation."

silence is not simply being quiet; it is listening to God. for Nouwen, silence "makes us pilgrims...guards the fire within" and "teaches us to speak."

prayer is not simply talking to God or requesting tasks be completed or hurts be taken away; "The prayer of the heart opens the eyes of our soul to the truth of ourselves as well as to the truth of God." Nouwen also writes: "And before we speak any words, the Spirit of God, praying in us, will make his presence known and gather people into a new body, the body of Christ himself."

Henri Nouwen's The Way of the Heart is wonderful. it's the perfect devotional book for an afternoon or evening of solitude, silence, and prayer.

Baby Update

2009-03-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Hannah is going to have a baby brother this summer. Nancy and i will have a son this summer. we are all very excited about the addition to our family. we have photographic evidence of the tell-tale appendage.

NO LINE ON THE HORIZON

2009-03-05T16:21:00.000-08:00

get on your boots, turn up the volume, and press play for NO LINE ON THE HORIZON, the new album from U2. it's getting mixed reviews and it may not create a new U2 following. however, it does rock and it does roll. U2 fans will enjoy the disc very much. check it out.

Hollywood Stories

2009-02-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How The Sex-Drugs-and- Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood by Peter Biskind is a great read for movie fans. it tells the stories of Coppola, Spielberg, Scorsese, Lucas, Friedkin, among others, and their most respected films. Biskind, a journalist and author of other books looking at Hollywood, writes with clarity and tells these stories, informs, and educates readers with ease. the book is a must read for film lovers.

Super Bowl XLIII

2009-01-19T11:04:00.000-08:00

after a great regular season with new faces, big hits, and amazing plays, Super Bowl 43 is finally here (well, almost. two weeks yesterday, on Sunday, February 1, 2009). the game takes place in Tampa and has the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals going to battle with the AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers. the early line has the Steelers as a 6.5 favorite. i've picked against the Cardinals in every game this post season; i have to again. i love everything the Steelers do on the football field. Arizona's defense has played great these playoffs and their offense has blazed a trail to Tampa for them. however, the Cardinals are going to fly into the windshield of an eighteen wheeler that is the Pittsburgh defense. for most of the season they were number 1 in the three main defensive categories; against the run, the pass, and total. they ended the season number 2 against the run, number 1 against the pass, and number 1 in total defense. the Steeler offense is too much for the Arizona defense. the Steeler defense is way too much for the Arizona offense. the Cardinals will not be shut out, but with Big Ben and that offense controlling the ball and scoring when they need to, and that defense getting 2-3 turnovers and directly scoring with one, Pittsburgh wins this game big. Steelers 34, Cardinals 13.

Christmas Classics

2008-12-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

read How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol sometime this Christmas season. you'll be glad you did. How The Grinch Stole Christmas was first published in 1957. it inspired the classic cartoon and the Jim Carrey live-action film. you'll find it in the children's sections of libraries and bookstores, but there is nothing childish about it's message. the classic A Christmas Carol is from 1843, and has been retold many times in many ways. Dickens' tale is another beautiful tale of transformation. Christmas would not be the same without these stories. alongside the Gospels accounts of the Christmas narrative, these two books are Christmas essentials. so much so that the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge have become more than literary characters. they have become symbols of the wonderful transforming power of Christmas.

Quantum of Solace

2008-11-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

"Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years. Rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear. Makin the tears rain down like a MON-soon. Listen to the bass go BOOM. Explosion, overpowerin. Over the competition, I'm towerin." ok, i know what you're thinking. these are the opening lyrics to LL Cool J's classic "Mama Said Knock You Out," what do they have to do with the new James Bond movie? well, first J stands for James. and second, don't call it a comeback. with Casino Royale the 007 series is back and rebooted. the story is getting started again. Solace picks up where Casino left off. both films are new classics. in Time Richard Corliss pointed out that this is not your grandfathers Bond. the old movies still play. however, these last two are overpowerin, towerin. what Nolan and team have done for Batman, the folks behind Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace have done for 007. Marc Forester directs the action and Canadian Paul Haggis was a writer. both have been rockin their peers for years. 007 puts suckas in fear. the players are great. the locations make me want to go see a travel agent. see it.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T14:48:00.001-07:00

NFL Kickoff

2008-09-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

the 2008 NFL regular season starts today. i'm pumped. i geek out for the NFL. the New York Football Giants played an awesome game in the Super Bowl last year and allowed countless t-shirts commerating the Patriots perfect season to be sent overseas, spoiled the ending to sevearal books, and let the '72 Dolphins pop the champagne. the Giants were a surprise last year. expect surprises this year. look for a team off the grid to go big. i love the Jags. they work hard, play hard, and know how to smack a team in the mouth. don't sleep on Baltimore either.

Super Bowl prediction: Jags vs. Bucs. battle of Florida.

I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!)

2008-08-19T19:02:00.001-07:00

from the author of I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!) comes the recipient of the Stephen T. Colbert Award For The Literary Excellence I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!) by Stephen Colbert. if you're a fan of his show you'll love the book. if you're not a fan of his show you'll hate the book. i loved it. it's funny. it's smart. it'll warm your heart and make you laugh out loud (warning: do not read I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!) while your wife, and or baby, are trying to sleep). Colbert covers parenting, marriage, the media, politics, faith, sports, hollywood and much more. it's been on the New York Times bestseller list and is getting excellent reviews. Stephen Colbert writes: "A great read! I laughed, I cried, I lost 15 pounds! I cannot recommend this book highly enough." i didn't lose 15 pounds reading I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!), but you should read it and give it a try. what have you got to lose? if the answer is 15 pounds, read I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!).

The Dark Knight

2008-07-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

hero? check! villians? check! action? check! adventure? check! special effects? check! thrills? check! fun? check! ethical turmoil? check! really? The Dark Knight is the best movie you'll see this summer. yes, it's based on a comic book. but that doesn't stop this team from breaking your heart, making you think about right and wrong, and getting you out of your seat faster than the Batpod. don't be fooled by the toys you see in stores. everyone involved in this film is an artist at the top of their game. see The Dark Knight. it'll put a smile on that face.

Kodak Moments

2008-06-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

The Living Church

2008-05-19T07:11:00.000-07:00

two metaphors the apostle Paul used to describe the church were a plant and the Body of Christ. two living, breathing, growing, maturing, developing organisms. in The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor, John Stott writes about God's vision for the church. the essentials for the church are to be a learning church, a caring church, a worshipping church, and an evangelizing church. he elaborates and explores other areas of the church in this well written and accesible book. there needs to be some element of organization to the church, but not to the point of forgetting the fact that we're an organism, a living church. anyone who serves in or attends a church will get something out of this book. read it.

Shine a Light

2008-04-16T06:16:00.000-07:00

there is no rock band like the Rolling Stones. there is no filmmaker like Martin Scorsese. together they've created a concert film that is one of the best times you'll have at the movies. i wish i could have seen it in IMAX. Scorsese cuts the concert up with footage of Mick, Keith, Ronnie, and Charlie from back in the day to creating this concert. see this movie, and "may the good Lord shine a light on you."

Jesus For President

2008-03-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

read Jesus For President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw. it's provocative, insightful, engaging, funny, and heartbreaking. Claiborne and Haw tell stories, write about Scripture, and speak prophetically to our times, our culture, and the church. it's written from an American perspective, the title is Jesus for President not Jesus for Prime Minister or Jesus for Queen/King. however, it can still challenge you to think about whether Jesus is your ultimate leader or not. it can still challenge you to think about life, relationships, and the gospel. it can still challenge you to think about people, all people, who were created in the image of God. it can still challenge you think about how we're treating our neighbors, whether they live around the block or around the globe.

Oscar Fever

2008-02-23T09:04:00.000-08:00

the above posters represent the five films nominated for Best Picture at this years Academy Awards. i've seen There Will Be Blood, No Country For Old Men, Atonement and Michael Clayton. i loved all four. i have not seen Juno. i wanted to, i just didn't get around to it. i would pick No Country For Old Men for Best Picture because it was my favourite of the four films i've seen and the Coen brothers channelled Cormac McCarthy and brought the book to life. however, all five films have been given great reviews, so they may have to flip a coin to pick the winner. "Call it friendo."

Hannah Kathryn Sarah Braye...

2008-02-22T12:01:00.001-08:00

... is four months old today. just over a week ago i got a new haircut and now they say the resemblance is even more so. what do you think?

The End of Religion

2008-01-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

"...the primary mission of Jesus was to tear down religion as the foundation for people's connection with God and replace it with himself - the Divine coming to us in our context and our form. This is what Jesus called 'the Kingdom of God.' It is God and his people, living together the way he originally intended." (Bruxy Cavey, The End of Religion, 23).

the above quote is Bruxy Cavey's thesis in his book The End of Religion: Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus. this book is an awesome read. if you read it, you will not be the same when you're done. i could go on and on about how great this book is. i could go on and on about how much it has sharpened my thinking. i could go on and on about how Cavey has shown me new things among passages i have read a dozen times. but i won't. read this book and you'll see what i mean.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-02T18:46:00.001-08:00

They Like Jesus But Not The Church

2007-11-28T10:45:00.000-08:00

They Like Jesus But Not The Church is an awesome read. there are people out there who, as the title suggests, like Jesus, but not church, and probably not Christians. why? because the church, and Christians, can be stupid. i know i've been stupid, and i haven't always shown the love of Jesus Christ. the Black Eyed Peas sang and asked "where is the love?" is it in the church? is it in the hearts of Christians for everyone? sometimes? Dan Kimball, a key figure in the emerging scene, wrote the book and it is an honest and open look at what people think about Jesus, church, and Christians. read it. last word goes to the material girl who likes Jesus but not the church and said: "I don't think there's anything wrong with the teachings of Jesus, but I am suspicious of organized religion."

touchdown!!!

2007-10-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

did you watch MNF last night? pretty good game between the Colts and the Jags. well, while Manning was throwing touchdown passes in Florida, Nancy and i had the biggest touchdown of the night here in the Windsor/Essex area. last night, Hannah Kathryn Sarah Braye was born. everyone who's seen her has said what a cutie she is. not a surprise though, look at her parents.

Everything Must Change

2007-10-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

"... you better start swimmin', or you'll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changin."
Bob Dylan

"I don't know if anyone else here sees it, but I do. I see it. Today, for the first time, I see what Jesus meant by the kingdom of God. I see that it's about changing this world, not just escaping it and retreating into our churches. If Jesus' message of the kingdom of God is true, then everything must change. Everything must change."
Justine

author/speaker/activist Brian McLaren has written over ten books that have been read by thousands, maybe millions of people. tomorrow, October 2, 2007, marks the publication date of Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope. i was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy to review, right here, where you're reading. i have read, enjoyed, and learned from McLaren's work over the past two years. what Tiger Woods has done to the game of golf, and what Michael Jordan has done for the game of basketball, Brian McLaren has done to my thinking, understanding, and passion for ministry and the Christian faith. after reading Everything Must Change, everything has changed. i will not look at and think about politics, economics, the environment, terrorism, faith, Jesus Christ, and other global issues the same way again. as a start, and a framework, for EMC, McLaren asks two questions: "What are the biggest problems in the world?" and "What do the life and teachings of Jesus have to say about the most critical global problems in our world today?" Everything Must Change is a book anyone and everyone should read. i, you, we can make a difference and make things better in our communities and our world. Jesus told His disciples, in Matthew 17:20: "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." referencing these verses, McLaren writes: "Mountains can be moved and everything can change, beginning with our stories, beginning with believing, beginning with us, beginning now." (Brian D. McLaren, Everything Must Change, 311). buy, beg, borrow, but don't steal, to read this book.

Thursday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday Night Lights

2007-09-06T05:55:00.000-07:00

the NFL regular season kicks off tonight in Indianapolis, with the Colts hosting the Saints. i love football, and i especially love the NFL. this is the most wide open and competitive league in professional sports. teams go from worst to first, and the play is faster, bigger, smarter, and hits harder than any other sport. i really like the Colts. Tony Dungy is a great guy, the Manning/Harrison/Wayne/Clark/Addai connection is amazing, and that D made the Super Bowl run possible in the playoffs. however, we will see a new Super Bowl Champion this year. the league is too good. the competition is too good. i think the Dolphins will surprise some people this year. Tampa Bay will also be in the mix in the NFC. the Cowboys will be in the playoffs, the Eagles will be in the hunt. New England was a play away from the Super Bowl last year and they've improved, at least on paper, over the off season. the Cowboys, the Saints, the Bears, the 49ers, the Bucs, and the Eagles will represent the NFC in the playoffs. the Patriots, the Bengals, the Colts, the Chargers, the Dolphins, and the Jags will represent the AFC in the playoffs. i'm so undecided this year i'm going to make two Super Bowl predictions: 1. Cowboys vs. Patriots 2. Bucs vs. Dolphins. a lot of other teams have a shot and every team in the league could play spoiler and keep a very good team out of the playoffs.

Messy Spirituality

2007-09-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

Messy Spirituality was written by the late Michael Yaconelli. he was in ministry for forty-two years as a pastor and minister to students. Yaconelli asks the question: what if genuine faith begins with admitting we will never have our act completely together? Mike knew this to be true, and so do i. there are days when, like Mike, i have to admit that my life is a mess. i try to follow Jesus, but i trip, stumble, pause, or get off track. Messy Spirituality is a must read for all Christians, and anyone on a spiritual journey. my favourite quote from the book reads: "According to his critics, Jesus 'did God' all wrong. He went to the wrong places, said the wrong things, and worst of all, let just anyone into the kingdom. Jesus scandalized an intimidating, elitist, country-club religion by opening membership in the spiritual life to those who had been denied it. What made people furious was Jesus' 'irresponsible' habit of throwing open the doors of his love to the whosoevers, the just-anyones, and the not-a-chancers like you and me." (Messy Spirituality, Michael Yaconelli, 65). you'll laugh, smile, and cry. sometimes from the same page. a new edition includes discussion questions that could make for a great group study or book club. read this book.

watch...read...listen

2007-08-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

watch Hotel Rwanda. the 2004 film was on over 120 top-ten lists and was nominated for several Golden Globes and Academy Awards. it's the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who opens his hotel to over 1200 refugees in conflict torn Rwanda in 1994.

read Not On Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond by Don Cheadle and John Prendergast. great read. interesting, informative, and inspiring. the book offers history, insight, and ways we can help right now.

listen to Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. this CD is a collection of John Lennon songs performed by various artists including Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, U2, Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Black Eyed Peas, and many more. great music and a great cause. really bad karma if you steal this music.

Madden 08

2007-08-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

Madden 08 is off the hook. buy this game if you like video games. buy this game if you like sports games, and if you've played a Madden game before you probably allready have it and you don't need me telling you how great it is. the one complaint i have is over the roster issues, and this is not even EA Sports' fault. the game came out last week, August 14, so it was ready to come out a while ago. who could see Vick being dogged by the feds? the Bucs cutting Rice? Culpepper going to the Raiders? etc. besides the roster issues, this is another classic. the Madden franchise is, has been, and hopefully will be a definite buy for years to come. it's in the game.

we're having a baby!!!

2007-07-23T08:30:00.001-07:00

i know, old news. if you know Nancy and i you've known that for months. well, we now know the estrogen levels in the Braye household will be rising in November. we're having a baby girl. buy stock in pink fabric now. with our family, it's price will be higher than oil.

droppin' names, tryin' to look smart

2007-07-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

and now a word from Walter Brueggemann: "Faith is not easy. It calls for a persistence which is against common sense." Interpretation: Genesis, 152.

Transformers

2007-07-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

seeing Transformers last night was the most fun i've had at the movies in a long time. this is Michael Bay at his best. Bay makes fun movies: Pearl Harbor, The Rock, Armageddon, The Island, Bad Boys (1&2). the special effects are out of this world, the action is amazing, and the set pieces are awesome. this is not an art film. this is not a "make you think" movie. i love these films as well. however, like the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote: "There is a time for everything..." there is a time for artistic films, thinking films, and a time for action/explosions/robot fun movies. Transformers is the latter. i give it the all spark out of the all spark.

Ocean's 13

2007-06-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

Ocean's 13 is awesome! the acting is great, as you would expect with all the talent returning, minus Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta Jones ("It's not their fight!!), and Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin joining the gang. the directing is amazing, as you would expect from Soderbergh, one of my favourite filmmakers, and the writing is excellent, from the guys who wrote Rounders and wrote and directed Knockaroud Guys. Ocean's 13 is funny, stylish, hard hitting, and very, very cool. it's a bank breaker, i give it 13 out of 13.

chanelling Jordan and it's June

2007-06-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

did you watch the Cavs/Pistons game last night? Lebron James was outta control. he played 51 minutes and scored 48 points in the double OT win over Detroit. the Cavs now lead the Eastern Conference Finals 3 games to 2. watching James these past 5 games there are shades of Jordan. i usually hate comparisons and talking like this, but it's hard to deny the Jordan-esque play.

on another note, it's June. which is crazy. this month we HGNs are commissioned and take our first apointments. exciting, intimidating. i'm not sure which one more than the other, but that's what makes it fun and challenging.

mission thinking remix VOL. 3

2007-05-30T13:27:00.000-07:00

"...love will not have us merely proclaiming and celebrating the gospel. The only way a broken world will see that 'God so loved the world' is if 'the Church so loves the world.' We've got to be more than a voice; we've got to be hands at work."

James Cantelon, When God Stood Up, 131.

mission thinking remix VOL. 2

2007-05-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

back in September i posted a quote from Matthew Paul Turner's The Coffeehouse Gospel and titled the post "mission thinking remix." another great quote has spoken to me, so here's VOL. 2. keep it locked for VOL. 3 and on in the future.

"...every Christian is a missionary and every place is a mission field."

Brian D. McLaren, a Generous Orthodoxy, page 119.

the mud vs. the masterpiece

2007-04-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

in his chapter "The Emerging Church and Incarnational Theology," from the book Listening to the Beliefes of Emerging Churches: Five Perspectives, edited by Robert Webber, John Burke asks: "Do you see the mud or the masterpiece?" the question is framed around, what i'm calling, the parable of the mud on the masterpiece. Burke writes that if we owned a Rembrandt covered in mud, we wouldn't focus on the mud or treat it like mud. we would seek out an art restoration expert and try to bring the masterpiece out from under the mud. when our lives, or the lives of others, are covered in the mud and muck of sin, we should not focus on the mud or treat ourselves or others like mud. we should seek out God the Father, His Son, and Spirit about the restoration of life. we shouldn't try to restore the painting ourselves, we might destroy it. we shouldn't try to restore life ourselves. we might destroy it.

going further: Matthew 13:24-30 & Ephesians 2:8-10

Organic Church

2007-04-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens is an awesome read. it is well worth picking it up if you see it, it is well worth seeking out or ordering it, and it is well worth asking a loved one for a copy. Neil Cole tells of his experiences as a church planter and pastor: the things he's learned, the mistakes he's made, and insights he has to share. he writes about movies, shares stories, comments on scripture, and gives his insights on what all this can say and do in the Kingdom of God. one story Cole shares near the end of the book is of his 15 year old daughter and her friends starting a church. in California, where they live, there are plenty of choices for a church, especially a varitey of mega-churches. the teens there said they could not start a mega-church, but felt they could start a church like this one in a home. Neil tells them: "I assure you, Satan is terrified by this." i assure you, Satan does not want you to read this book. the Spirit will work with Cole while you're reading this book and will enrich, enlighten, and inform you on your spiritual journey and what you/we can do for the Kingdom.

The Cross of Christ

2007-04-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

John Stott wrote The Cross of Christ when Flock of Seagulls were rockin' and Sonny Crocket and Rico Tubbs were livin' large in prime time. however, it still speaks prophetically about the importance and centrality of the cross to our salvation, faith, and lives. i just read this and thought i would post it since we just mourned and celebrated the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"All inadequate doctrines of the atonement are due to inadequate doctrines of God and humanity. If we bring God down to our level and raise ourselves to his, then of course we see no need for a radical salvation, let alone for a radical atonement to secure it. When, on the other hand, we have glimpsed the blinding glory of the holiness of God and have been so convicted of our sin by the Holy Spirit that we tremble before God and acknowledge what we are, namely 'hell-deserving sinners,' then and only then does the necessity of the cross appear so obvious that we are astonished we never saw it before.

The essential background to the cross, therefore, is a balanced understanding of the gravity of sin and the magesty of God. If we diminish either, we thereby diminish the cross. If we reinterpret sin as a lapse instead of a rebellion, and God as indulgent instead of indignant, then naturally the cross appears superfluous. But to dethrone God and enthrone ourselves not only dispenses with the cross; it also degrades both God and humans. A biblical view of God and ourselves, however - that is, of our sin and of God's wrath - honors both. It honors human beings by affirming them as responsible for their own actions. It honors God by affirming him as having moral character."

(John Stott, The Cross of Christ, 111)

Man of Sorrows!

2007-04-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

Man of sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim;
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned he stood,
Sealed my pardon with his blood;
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Guilty, vile and helpless we,
Spotless Lamb of God was he;
Full atonement - can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Lifted up was he to die;
It is finished! was his cry;
Now in Heaven, exalted high;
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

When he comes, our glorius King,
All his ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Phillip Paul Bliss

Children of Men

2007-03-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

Children of Men = AMAZING!!! there are not a lot of movies that i refer to as perfect. however, the list has grown by one more with this film. it is brilliant. i know i sound like a geek, but i don't care. rent it, buy it, watch it. somehow you need to see this movie. the elements of film making and acting are out of this world. nothing in this movie is wasted. Children of Men is epic.

yes, that's two lines!!!

2007-03-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

the Braye's, Mark and Nancy, are expecting a bouncing baby ____, but not until Novermber. we just found out, so keep Nancy, the baby, and i in your prayers for health, happiness, and patience for the next 8 or so months, especially for me. i kid, i kid.

99 problems

2007-03-09T04:56:00.000-08:00

"if you're having girl problems i feel bad for you son. i got 99 problems but commissioning ain't one"

today is an exciting day. we're into double digits untill our commissioning, 99 days, and we're only 49 days away from finding out where we're going. so get ready. Heralds of the Good News are gonna be rockin' and servin' in a community near you.

the new Classics

2007-03-06T17:08:00.000-08:00

i love movies. i love all kinds of movies. i'll watch any movie once. if i like it, i'll watch it again, and maybe again, and again, and again. if i don't, i won't. i dig old movies, the classics (Star Wars, Citizen Cane, Casablanca, The Godfather 1 & 2, King Kong, Alien and others) and i dig stuff from the past twenty years or so (Goodfellas, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Awakenings, Die Hard, Back to the Future, Aliens, Unforgiven and others). however, i get a little frustrated when critics and media types say movies nowadays aren't up to Classic standards. i totally disagree. it's not that the quality of filmmaking has gone down, the quanity has gone up. therefore, there is more flop among the fantastic. looking at the past few years, here are some films that i love and suggest as the new classics: Miami Vice, The Departed, Seabiscuit, Road To Perdition, Minority Report, Signs, Jarhead, The Constant Gardener, A History of Violence, The Aviator, Domino, Traffic, North Country, Million Dollar Baby, Good Night and Good Luck, Syriana, Walk the Line, Erin Brokovich, Ray, Batman Begins, Collateral, Cinderella Man, Munich, The Proposition, Gangs of New York, Finding Neverland, The Interpreter, The Passion of the Christ, and others. however, maybe i'm out to lunch with these. maybe i'm biased, because i do love these movies. either way these are the films that quickly come to mind when i think new Classics.

Simply Christian

2007-02-24T09:51:00.000-08:00

Simply Christian by N.T. Wright is one of the best books i have ever read. for me, this text is up there with Tutu's God Has a Dream, Lewis's Mere Christianity and Miller's Searching for God Knows What and Blue Like Jazz, which are some of my favorite books of all time. in fact, Anne Rice, author of a zillion vampire novels and Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, has a blurb on the back jacket and said this about the text: "Simply Christian goes beyond C.S. Lewis's great classic Mere Christianity... this will become a classic." time will only tell, but i do know this. i loved it. it can be read by those who are interested in apologetics. it can be read for spiritual formation. it can be read for the pure joy of great writing, and it can be read as a book dealing with scripture, the Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ, the spiritual disciplines, ethics, and a whole lot more. i highly recommend this book.

Jesus Camp

2007-02-07T14:57:00.000-08:00

have you seen the documentary Jesus Camp? it's the Academy Award nominated film that looks at Pastor Becky Fischer and her "Kids on Fire Summer Camp." once you start watching it you cannot take your eyes off it. it is one of the most thought provoking films i've ever watched. Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, the filmmakers, let the cameras roll and Jesus Camp is what they captured. watching it, there were times i was uncomfortable, there were times i was freaked out, and there were times i thought these people were out to lunch. however, is this because of my lens and my experiences not matching theirs, the people captured on film, or is it discernment? i don't know yet. i need to keep watching the film, thinking about it, studying scripture, and listening to other peoples thoughts on the film. this film could generate great conversations and thought sharing. watch it! write about it! let's see what can be captured on blogs and in conversations. however, where ever we fall on the subject and however we feel about it, let's respect and love our brothers and sisters in Christ. we can disagree about methods, styles, and paradigms, but in the words of Christ, let's "...love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." (John 13:34, NRSV)

Smokin' Aces

2007-01-26T19:49:00.000-08:00

writer/director Joe Carnahan blew critics and audiences away in 2002 with Narc, a gritty and dark cop drama/thriller. with Smokin' Aces, he blows up the world. Pete Hammond calls it "...Oceans 11 meets Pulp Fiction and sooooo much more." i wouldn't disagree. however, i say it's Ocean's 11, The Wild Bunch, Scarface, Pulp Fiction, Domino, Goodfellas, and Man On Fire thrown into a blender with Tobasco Sauce and Jack Daniels. the characters are twisted, the action doesn't stop, the laughs hit hard, and the bullets hit harder. the cast is great. Alicia Keys, Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liota, Peter Berg, Common, Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, and Jeremy Piven as Buddy "Aces" Israel bring their A game in this film that is off the chains. warning! Smokin Aces is rated R, even in Canada (actually 18 A in Canada. but that means violence. for some reason nudity and sex doesn't bother the Canadian ratings folks, but violence does) and for good reason. get a baby sitter, or do not see it if you don't like violent movies or some of the stories in the Old Testament. i loved it. i don't know if that means i'm out to lunch, or i can appreciate different styles of art. i give this film all four aces in the deck.

love relentlessly...

2007-01-15T13:47:00.000-08:00

is the title of chapter eight in Matthew Paul Turner's book Provocative Faith: Walking Away from Ordinary. here's a line i like, and i thought i'd share it with you: "Jesus wants us to show love with complete abandonment." (page 130) Turner is ultra-honest about his faith journey in this book. he also includes some interviews in some of the chapters with people. he tells his, theirs, and other peoples stories that we can relate to and learn from. it's an easy and enjoyable read. pick it up and read it. thinking about love, here are a couple things that have come to mind:

"...all you need is love. all you need is love. all you need is love, love. love is all you need..." (the beatles)

"...'love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength... Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Jesus in Mark 12:30-31, NIV)

"...i love you like a fat kid loves cake..." (50 cent)

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us..." (1 John 3:16, NIV)

Dreamgirls

2007-01-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

the biggest compliment you can give a movie is that nothing was wasted. every shot, piece of set design, lyric, piece of music and dialouge, costume, look, movement, and interaction of characters in Dreamgirls helps tell the story. this is an amazing movie and is at the top of great filmmaking. Bill Condon wrote the screenplay and directed the film from a Broadway musical written by Tom Eyen loosely based on musical artists like Diana Ross, The Supremes, and James Brown. Jamie Foxx, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, and the rest of the cast turn in awesome performances that light up the screen. the Oscar buzz around this film is no joke, it deserves nominations in all the categories i can think of. this is the biggest competition i've seen for The Departed. that being said, i still give Marty and his crew the nod for Best Picutre. even with that being said, Dreamgirls is definitely one of the best films of the year.

Rocky Balboa

2006-12-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

thirty years ago Rocky won the Academy Award for Best Picture. today i saw Rocky Balboa. if you haven't seen the film i know how you feel. when i first heard Sly was going to make a sixth film in the franchise i laughed and felt a little sad for him. however, after seeing the trailers i thought it was worth checking out. then it was getting some of the best reviews of the year. i don't normally listen to critics, but in this case they did push me over the edge to go to the theatre. Stallone was sad at how the story of Rocky Balboa ended in Rocky V, with this film the story ends beautifully. the music will never get old, the writing was great, Stallone starred, wrote and directed the film. great acting from all players. you'll laugh, smile, be inspired, and you might shed a tear. go see this movie. also, this movie has one of the greatest movie quotes of all time, straight from the Italian Stallion's mouth: "It's not about how hard you can hit. It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep movin' forward."

a grand time and a night at the museum

2006-12-23T15:47:00.000-08:00

merry Christmas! i know, it's still two sleeps until Christmas but it's never inappropriate to say, write, or hear merry Christmas! i hope you all have a grand time.

our winter assignment in Grande Prairie was awesome. we were involved in so much, we learned so much and the Sobools and their team there are just wonderful people. we had a grand time. we met a lot of people, you know who you are, and they're wonderful folks as well. there were many great ministry opportunities and we had an amazing time.

now we're on holidays, which is amazing. seeing family and being home is great. i'm not going to shave, wear pants, and i'm going to read and watch movies and eat all day long. add some shopping, sleeping in, partying, and family, and you get a couple weeks of great holiday time. we're going to have a grand time.

we went to A Night At the Museum today. this movie is fun!! parents, looking for two hours that your kids will be glued to the screen, go see this movie. parents, looking for a good laugh, go see this movie. this film is fun for the whole family and filled with great laughs. it's a grand time.

searching for God knows what

2006-11-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

Searching For God Knows What is an amazing book. the biggest compliment i can give it is the fact that i wish i had written it. ninety-nine percent of people reading this have read something by Donald Miller, or at least know someone who has. if you haven't, read his work. his honesty, openness, insights, thoughts, and comments will make you smile, laugh, think, and want to follow Jesus closer. i loved Blue Like Jazz, and yet i'm feeling a tension here. when i read Jazz a few years ago i thought it was the new Mere Christianity, a classic by all definitions of the word. however, Searching might be a better written and more insightful book. either way, Donald Miller can straight up write.

it's not a glitch

2006-11-24T19:42:00.000-08:00

deja vu; it's not a glitch in the matrix. it's the new film by Tony Scott starring Denzel Washington, Val "The ICEMAN" Kilmer, Jim "THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST" Caviezel, Bruce "JFK" Greenwood, and Elle Fanning. it's a trip. this is an action film that delivers the action and the funny, with heart, romance, thrills, some science fiction and a pinch of spirituality. the reviews are mixed, but i loved it. it was awesome! great acting, well written, and amazingly directed. deja vu; it's not a glitch in the matrix.

"...persecuted, but not abandoned"

2006-11-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

today at CFOT Cadet Karen Holland lead us in a chapel service for the persecuted church around the world. it was an awesome service. it was a great time of quiet and reflective moments with God in our community here at college. there were prayers offered up in five different languages, which was amazing. we watched three video clips from around the world and saw the persecution that was happening in each context. scary and upsetting stuff. pray for the persecuted church.

check this out: www.persecution.net

red and blue God, black and blue church

2006-11-13T11:19:00.000-08:00

Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church: Eyewitness Accounts of How American Churches are Hijacking Jesus, Bagging the Beatitudes, and Worshipping The Almighty Dollar is a book written by Becky Garrison. Garrison is an editor and writer for The Wittenburg Door, America's "...oldest, largest, and pretty much only religious satire magazine." think The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, or This Hour Has 22 Minutes, only with a religious spin. in her book, Red and Blue God, Balck and Blue Church, Garrison "...leaves no sacred cow untipped." it is an insightful, hilarious, and thought-provoking read. i don't agree with everything she's written. i'm not informed on some of what she's written about. but i do reccomend reading it. she also refers to some great web sites that have added to her spiritual journey. the web sites and the book are definitely worth checking out.

the mountain manifesto

2006-11-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

the gage Canadian dictionary defines the word manifesto as "a public declaration of intentions, purposes, or motives by an important person; proclamation." working with this definition The Sermon on the Mount comes to mind. "When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying..." (Matthew 5:1-2 NRSV, the rest can be read in Matthew 5-7). in these chapters are some of the most radical and innovative words ever recorded. through His teaching here, Jesus comments on ethics, community, matters of faith and religion, and life in general. people listening to these words at the time must have been turned on their heads. i read them now and find them challenging and thought-provoking. how can i live out these words? how can i add these insights, thoughts, and commands to my Christian journey? this is difficult material to read/hear/live. John Stott wrote: "To my mind no two words sum up its intention better, or indicate more clearly its challenge to the modern world, than the expression 'Christian counter-culture'." (John Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), page 15). he wrote this in 1978 and the thought rings true today. turning the other cheek, loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you, not making a big deal of your faith expressions, and being non-judgmental goes totally against the grain of our humanity. we want to point out that speck. we want people to know how great we are at praying or fasting. we want to judge. we don't want to love our enemies. we don't want to pray for those who persecute us. we don't want to turn the other cheek. the Sermon on the Mount is about our relationship with God and with others. a children's chorus comes to mind: "J - O - Y, J - O - Y, Surely that must mean. Jesus first, yourself last and others in between." the Sermon on the Mount is like this. Jesus taught His disciples, and is teaching us, about others and the Kingdom of God.

apples and oranges

2006-10-30T17:13:00.000-08:00

this is kinda weird. i'll always eat an apple over an orange, but i'll always drink orange juice over apple juice.

St. Ignatius' style

2006-10-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

i'm reading Red Moon Rising by Pete Greig and Dave Roberts right now. very cool. very good. it's an excellent read. it's the story of 24-7 prayer and how people are rocking it and lovin' it. one thing that really spoke to me and is cool to do is "examen", which is an approach to prayer that comes from the prayer traditions of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Examen prayer has people look at the last 24 hours and do three things: first, express gratitude. second, reflect on how God's presence might have been made tangible in that time, and third, confess failure. try it out. Richard Peace, in Meditative Prayer, wrote this on examen: "In the end the prayer of examen is about noticing: noticing the good gifts God gives us, noticing the prescence of God in our lives, and noticing the ways we fail God. When we notice, we become more concious, when we become more concious we grow."

check out www.redmoonrisingbook.com for more

the departed or Martin Scorsese vs. Oscar the Academy Award

2006-10-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

do you know how many Academy Awards Martin Scorsese has been nominated for? i think 7. do you know how many he's won? i know 0. i lose faith in an Academy that awards the song "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" an Oscar, and a filmmaker with Scorsese's talent has none. hard to comprehend. anyway, with the release of Scorsese's The Departed comes one of the few movies so far this year to start whispering Oscar about. the only thing is, you don't have to whisper, you can scream it. The Departed is the best movie i have ever seen. it is my new favorite movie of all time. the cast alone is out of control. Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, Ray Winstone, not a huge name but a great actor, see Sexy Beast, and others. the love interest is Vera Farmiga and she's awesome as well. Scorsese and William Monahan, screenwriter, tell a story that rocks the screen and the audience watching it. the acting, writing, sets, shots, and directing add up to a perfect movie. it's heavy on the cursing and the gunplay, so leave the kids at home. besides that GO SEE THIS MOVIE! Oscar predictions: Scorsese for Best Director, Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and anyone on the cast for Actor/Actress categories.

the basin and the towel

2006-10-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

...is a song by Michael Card. as an introduction to the song in the CD jacket he writes: "John records none of Jesus' parables because for him Jesus' life was a parable. The footwashing was just such a moment of meaning." for us, something to note is that John 13 is the only place in the Gospels where Jesus is so intentional as to say "For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15 NRSV, emphasis mine). everything Jesus said and did is an example for Christians, but He is so explicit in John 13. as Card sings: "...the call is to community." Jesus wants us to serve each other, and our communities. how do we translate that in 2006? next time i'm eating supper, i'm going to get up from the table, clear the dishes, and put them in the dishwasher. doesn't sound like a lot. but it's helping out around the house, it's serving in my own little way.

snakes on a plane

2006-09-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

...slitered and flew its way into theatres in August. i saw it tonight. i loved it. it has FBI agents, gangstas, snakes, and a plane. it is a fun movie. sam jackson brings the noise, as he always does. its funny. it has some real cool action sequences, and its a great thrill. WARNING: do not bring the kids and do not go see it if you think it sounds dumb. it really is about snakes on a plane. however, if you want to have 2 hours of fun after a days work, go see it. i give it 5 snakes out of 5, as well as 5 757s out of 5.

best laid plans

2006-09-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

reading, i have recently come across an old Yiddish saying that states: "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans." at first glance, this is a clever soundbyte about the peril of ambition and making our own plans. reading/thinking about it more, it's so true. it's not about me. there may be things i want to do, and there may be places i want to go. however, God has plans. will i roll with them, or will i try to make it on my own? being at CFOT obviously half answers that question. will i always be as willing to follow God and what He has planned for me? i hope so. i think a lot of us here at CFOT are thinking like this lately. why? i'm guessing because very soon our first appointments are going to be discussed. where will we go? what will we do? when will we know? these and other questions will be answered. the answers will come faster than we think. exciting. interesting. stay tuned.

mission thinking remix

2006-09-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

"...if you know Jesus, then you should no doubt consider yourself a missionary. Your home, church, community, workplace, campus, or grocery store is your mission field."

Matthew Paul Turner, The Coffeehouse Gospel, page 47

www.matthewpaulturner.com/books

invincible

2006-09-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

run!!!! do not walk to the theatre to see this film. it's great. if you like football, it's a must see! if you like a good movie, it's a must see. men and women of all ages will enjoy it. i give it five footballs out of five. the only negative thing i can say about it is that it ends.

"you've got mail"

2006-09-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

"For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:19-23, NRSV)

this is a great message for the Church today. i know, i know. Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth thousands of years ago, and he had no idea that you, or i, would be reading his outgoing mail in the year 2006. putting that aside, read it again. i think, and correct me if i'm wrong, we can adapt this style to ministry in our context and make some great connections. to folks who like sports, i play and talk sports with them. to folks who like movies, i talk about and watch movies with them. to kids who like video games, i play video games with them. i like brass and hip hop so i can connect with brass heads and hip hop fans. i dabble in all styles, because i like it, and to share the Gospel through developing relationships with all kinds of folks.

madd about Madden

2006-09-09T16:08:00.000-07:00

the title of this post totally gives away that i'm a dork. but that's cool. i have madden '07 for PS2, and i love it. it's out of control. the images are sharper, the play is faster, the features are better. in fact, i am probably on my way to play a game now. so to cut this short, if you play video games and you like sports, buy Madden. if RPG's are more your thing, you may not dig. i totally recomend it, but i'm a geek. i'm madd about Madden.

any given Sunday (or monday, and somtimes thursday and saturday)

2006-09-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

Any Given Sunday is one of my favourite movies. it's an Oliver Stone film, one of my favourtie filmmakers, and it's about football, my favourite sport. the line is: "On any given Sunday you can win or you can lose, but can you win or lose like a man." that can be used in life too. but no thinking with this post. this post celebrates the NFL season kicking off. the scheldule looks very cool and i am real pumped about it. prediction: the Super Bowl will be the battle of the Manning boys, Colts vs. Giants.

school day!

2006-09-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

back to school tomorrow. kinda nervous, kinda excited. i don't know which one more. it is great to get back to school and see everyone. meeting and getting to know new folks, new cadets and staff, will be real cool. it will also be awesome to learn and grow more. as cheesy as that sounds, i mean it.

hey while i'm here, check out The Journey by Billy Graham. i know what you're thinking. baby boomers read Billy Graham. however, this book is a great read.

and check out the soundtrack to Syriana. i love that movie and the music is addictive.

also, check out chocolate milk. it tastes great, and it's good for you. nutritious and delicious.

talk to you later.

summer jams '06

2006-08-31T21:54:00.000-07:00

this past summer was awesome! we went to Newfoundland for congress, it was kodak moments, a real great time. Nancy and i spent some time with family and friends while we were down there, which is always good for kicks and giggles. our summer assignment in Windsor was amazing. i could not have asked for a better learning experience and place of growth. learning from, and working with, Major Brenda and her team was a treat. God placed us in Windsor and used the summer to teach us a lot about ourselves, Himself, others, and ministry. we also spent some time in Toronto with family and friends which was real cool. other highlights of the summer include going to a Tigers game, taking up golfing, i suck but i love it, being shot into the air, at Cedar Point on this mad drag car racing type roller coaster and so many more it would bore you to read it all.

step up

2006-08-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

watching the trailer and previews for this movie i vowed never to see it. i thought it was going to be another cliche filled teen dance movie, boy gets in trouble, meets girl, finds something in life to hold on to and work for. i was right. however, it was fun. pretty faces, elaborate dance sequences and terrible acting, like a two hour music video. but music videos are fun. if you thought it looked terrible, you will probably leave feeling that way. if you like Save The Last Dance and other teen dramas, this is the perfect date movie. i give it 2 "yeah"s out of five.

"you can't handle the truth!"

2006-08-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

...that's the well known line from A FEW GOOD MEN, the military/court room drama starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. i think it's true in the Christian/religous world as well. a devotional i read recently drew me to 2 Timothy 4. in it, Paul writes to Timothy about always speaking and teaching the TRUTH, and not just what people want to hear. another portion of scripture that connects with this thought is John 14:6, where Christ says: "I am the way, and the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."(NRSV, emphasis mine). this is crystal clear. truth is not relative, Jesus Christ is truth. this is hard to handle, and even harder to express. i still don't know the right way to say that Jesus Christ is the only truth that matters when it comes to religious issues. this is where it gets tough. lots of people will say Jesus was a great guy, a teacher and a philosopher, but they don't want to accept the fact that He was God and He is the only way to God. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias, and But Don't All Religions Lead to God by Michael Green are books that look into this issue, and these are three that i'm thinking about now. i'm sure there are more. let's take Paul's words to Timothy for us as well: "...be prepared in season and out of season..." to speak and teach truth (2 Timothy 4:2, NIV).

heeerrreee's johnny!!!!

2006-08-12T16:53:00.000-07:00

the man in black is back rockin', ipods and cd players that is. American V: A Hundred Highways was released on July 4, 2006. i've been listening to it since. this disc rocks! you need to check it out if you're a music fan, and if you're a johnny cash fan, it's a must own. it contains the last song he ever recorded, "Like the 309," as well as covers of Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Sprigsteen, Ian Tyson and many others and the traditional "God's Gonna Cut You Down," which is Johnny Cash at his rawest and best. this album is from his final recording sessions before his death in 2003. this may not be the last we hear from him, i mean biggie smalls and tupac still have material released, but it will be among the best music that John has made. Rick Rubin, super music producer who has worked with audioslave, the red hot chili peppers, LL cool j, and the beastie boys, said "...this is the music that Johnny wanted us to hear." Cash and Rubin had been working together since 1994. the American recordings are my favorite of Cash's albulms and among my favorite albulms of all time. buy this cd.

"everybody's working for the weekend"

2006-08-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

this past weekend was a blast! it was a long weekend here in Ontario, so that was very cool. we went to Point Pelee National Park on saturday. the very tip of the park is the most southernly point in Canada. we could walk out on it. it was great. Sunday was a great day, great service. great lunch, swiss chalet, and a great dip in a pool. monday was awesome. we went to cedar point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. i went on some stellar rides. i was twisted upside down, slammed against my seat, shot into the air, dropped down, and at one point going 121 miles per hour. it was crazy fun!

following jesus

2006-08-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

i've recently read this awesome book FOLLOWING JESUS, by Dave Roberts. it's great, you should definitely check it out. and yesterday this came to mind: in John chapter 5 Jesus heals a man by a pool, and throughout the Gospels He spends time with folk around breakfast, lunch, and supper. i did not heal anyone, but i did have ministry oppurtunities by a pool and over lunch yesterday. i went swimming with the day care kids in the morning and Nancy and i went out to lunch with a couple. these were two great oppurtunities for ministry and getting to know people. now i will try to hang with some tax collectors.

to blog, or not to blog? that is the question.

2006-08-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

if you're reading this, it means you know. i've officially jumped on the blogging bandwagon. i admit it. i am now a blogger. i didn't think i would ever do this. but i can't help it. i'm obsessed!!!!! and i blame you, all my friends and people i don't know. i read your blogs, your thoughts, your posts, and now i want to be apart of all the fun and games. so here it is. for better or worse.