Not that I have any money to spend on more Apple products, but always interesting to see what they come up with. Let the salivation begin.
Monday, January 14, 2008
For all of us Mac Geeks...
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Made to Stick :: Video Download
You should definitely get the book, but until you do, may I suggest this video. Good overview of some very helpful insights and thoughts.
Download video by clicking here. Video is approximately 30 minutes of presentation by author Chip Heath.
On Retreats, Birthdays and Broken Mirrors
The past week has been quite a blur, but wanted to capture a few thoughts...
Spent last Sunday-Thursday with the CrossPointe staff on a retreat to Hilton Head Island. In addition to the cool location (my first trip there) it was such a helpful experience to be part of the process of planning out 2008. I learned much in the way of organization, vision casting, intentionality, etc., but was especially challenged and encouraged by the amount of time spent in prayer for the mission of the church. We spent much time doing prayer walks down the beach. Pretty nice backdrop for prayer. I was reminded of the majesty and goodness of God. However, I must confess...I always am thankful for a time of prayer in retrospect, but I rarely look forward to it. Not sure why that is. I definitely think God uses it, I just struggle with conjuring up the desire at times. I am challenged by this staff to get before God in prayer. It is good for me.
As good as the retreat was, I was very thankful to get back home to Heather and the girls. It's increasingly harder to be away. I'm glad I don't have to travel without my family much. So cool to have Sydnie running out the front door yelling "Daddy!" Hard to beat that. I was also thankful to be back home in time for Heather's 32nd birthday which was on Friday. We got to kayak in the morning with the girls which was fun...Mackinley's first time. It had been too long since we used them. Random caveat...in loading the kayak on the Xterra it dropped off the side and took out the passenger side mirror. Fun. Just what I wanted...to spend $240 to fix a mirror. I have a hard time not letting that kind of stupid stuff get to me.
Anyway, after kayaking and fixing the mirror (great birthday gift for Heather), I got to take Heather out to Season's 52. I am so thankful for Heather. She is such a gift and "help-mate" to me--I mean that term in the best possible sense. I love getting to spend time with her and just talk over dinner. Our lives are increasingly crazy and these times together are of utmost importance. I need to guard these times.
All of this to say it was a full, but good week. I am looking forward to getting back into the church planting work this week. Two day seminar on "first steps" in church planting starts tomorrow. Should be good. I need a healthy dose of the pragmatic.
Peace.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Devotional Materials :: 2008
I don't mean this in an overly-pious way, but I have come to love my morning devotions time. In fact as 2007 came to a close I couldn't wait to pick out my 2008 materials. I have linked them off to the right for future reference.
I am doing a Bible read through program again, but changing up the translation and the plan...
Heather got me the ESV Journaling Bible as a Christmas gift. Way cool in my opinion. It has lined margins in which to write your notes and is sort of fashioned after a Moleskine. As for the reading plan I am following the one outlined in D.A. Carson's book, For the Love of God. It will take me through the OT once, the NT twice and the Psalms twice. Plus he gives a page of commentary on one of the passages. Very cool set up.
I have also chosen two devotionals. One is compilations of quotes and selected writings from C.S. Lewis for each day. The other is a book that gives a short history of someone in Christian history. All of the selections correspond to the month and day they occurred. Some are well known, others more obscure. All point to the sovereign work of God in all situations, cultures and time periods.
And because I'm a big dork, I couldn't use just any pen that might bleed through my new Bible pages. So I bought this.
Regardless of what you use, I hope you are intentional in 2008 about pursuing your journey with Christ. Devotions are not the end all, and they certainly can become rote and mechanical, but I have found this time as a whole to be extremely beneficial.
Peace.