Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

The First Hobbit Trailer

Here is the first trailer for The Hobbit.  It is scheduled to be in theaters December 2012.

Favorite Books of 2011

Here are 10 of my favorite reads of 2011 in no particular order.

• Ephesians, Clinton Arnold

• Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson

• Great By Choice, Collins & Hansen

• The Peacemaker, Ken Sande

• Wise Counsel, John Newton

• The Forgotten Ways, Alan Hirsch

• The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien

• Carry On, Jeeves, P.G. Wodehouse

• Rawhide Down, Del Quentin Wilber

• The Captain, Ian O'Connor

That's 10...I'll mention two more...

The first is Desiring God by John Piper.  I enjoyed reading this with my Dad.  The second is Doctrine by Driscoll and Breshears which I read with my oldest Son.

One more thing...The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.  We used this with our family devotions.  Excellent!

What books did you enjoy in 2011?

Book Lover Ideas

Ideas for the book lover.  First, a shelf to help with reading goals.

Second, a design idea if you have stairs.

The Importance of Giving

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."  


                                                           -Winston Churchill


What are you making of your life?

Book Christmas Tree

Cool and Creative idea:

The Gospel, Thanksgiving, and Family Grace

The Gospel, Thanksgiving, and Family Grace

Into the Wild

At Explore Church we started a new series last week titled "Into the Wild."  Here are a few shots of the set.

Another amazing job by the Creative Team!  I Love My Church!!!

Painting Steve Jobs in 6 Minutes

Artist Aaron Kizer paints a portrait of Steve Jobs in an intriguing performance piece put on at the 11th Hour Live Music and Arts Show in Owensboro, Kentucky.

A PLAN for Giving Generously

A PLAN for Giving Generously

3 Questions to Ask When Reading from the Bible

3 Questions to Ask When Reading from the Bible

Advice for Reading Theology Books Even Though You're Busy

Advice for Reading Theology Books Even Though You're Busy

Write to Understand

Write to Understand

Calvin & Hobbes on Creativity

"X"

2012 marks the 10th year of Explore Church.  January 1 marks the beginning in our living room.  Easter 2012 marks our move to Purfoy Road and the second Sunday in September will mark our launch to the public.  Over the years our vision and mission has become clearer.  When we started, we narrowed the focus by identifying several things we did not want to be known for as a church.  Here is a list of some of what we did not want to be known for:

1. We did not want to be known as a church on mission to reach churched people.  We wanted to go after folks not involved in church or connected to God.  To reach people that no one else was reaching meant doing things no one else was doing.
2. We did not want to be known for what we were "against."  (like--Halloween, Disney, War, or the Lottery).  We wanted to be known for what we were for--A BIG GOD...who has provided a way to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
3. We did not want to be known as a church driven by religious rituals and traditions.
4. We did not want to be known as a church that was dull and boring.  
5. We did not want to be known as a church that was a functional club geared to members only.
6. We did not want to be known as a church that was a drain on the community.  We want to be a blessing to the community.
7. We did not want to be known as a program-driven church.  If other churches or ministries were doing a ministry well, like AWANA, we were not going to do it.  We were going to limit what we offered as a church so people will have time to be on mission in their neighborhood.
8. We did not want to be known as a church that tolerated sin and allowed folks to enjoy a marginal, mediocre Christian life.  We feel that it is our responsibility to equip, train, stretch, and challenge people toward their potential in Christ.  

More on this in the future as we approach 10 years of Explore Church!!!

Pause &

When it comes to making decisions...it is good to have a plan.  Decisions determine the course and trajectory of our lives.  Therefore, we must choose wisely.

Before making a decision:

1. PAUSE & REMEMBER:  Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
2. PAUSE & ASK:  Is this a wise thing for me to do?
3. PAUSE & DETERMINE:  What's best next?

Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms

I love this scene and this movie!

John Piper on Halloween

Being Missional on Halloween

Being Missional on Halloween

Motive Reminder

Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action

Steve Jobs

Just a few thoughts on the recent passing of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs...actually a few notes on my  experience with Apple products and a thank you to Jobs.

Our first family computer circa 1984-85.

I typed my 12th grade term paper on one like this!  Thanks SJ for making is easier to correct typing mistakes!

My first computer class at UNC--Comp 4, used one like this...

Pretty cool...drop and drag and easy to use spread sheets!

Then there were several dark days of PC use and frustration...until my wife got me an iPod for my 40th birthday.  My initial thoughts were:  "great...what am I going to do with this?  Could be complicated; could kill my already sputtering PC; I don't listen to much music anyway...I'll just return it and get something else."  Well it stayed in the box for over two months...past the opportunity to return window.  Soooo, I finally opened it.  Tried it.  Loved it.  It was easy to set up and use and instantly became a valuable tool in my life.  Additionally, it served as a reminder:  Apple = Useful + Simple.

Today I use multiple Apple products everyday.  They make work fun and make me more productive.  In sum, Apple products set me up for success.  For that, Steve Jobs, I say thank you.


To everyone else:  Life is short.  Don't waste it.

My current workhorse.  Basically all my work is done on and through one of these.

Currently Reading

My family and I greatly enjoy reading.  Even if my job did not require me to read a lot, I still would.  Here is a sampling of what I have going right now.

• Ephesians by Clinton Arnold.  Makes sense as I am currently preaching through the book of Ephesians.
• The Pleasures of God by John Piper.  I usually have a book by Piper going.  I have also recently picked up his new one, Bloodlines.
• Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp.  
• The Making of a Leader by Robert Clinton.  I usually have a leadership book or two going all the time.
• The Great Bridge by David McCullough.  Great writer who has twice won the Pulitzer Prize.  His biographies on John Adams and Harry Truman are fantastic.
• Building Below the Waterline by Gordon MacDonald.  A ministry leadership book.
• Wise Counsel edited by Grant Gordon.  This is a collection of letters sent by John Newton, of "Amazing Grace" fame, to encourage and guide a young pastor named John Ryland Jr.  The time of the letters is the late 1700s.
• The Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges.  Ministry guidance from the 1800s.
• The Captain by Ian O'Connor.  This is a baseball book about the Yankees and Derek Jeter.  Go Yankees!
• Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath.  This is a book about how to better communicate your ideas.
• In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen.  This is a brief book that captures some of Nouwen's reflections on leadership.  Very good.
• Five Who Changed The World by Danny Akin.  Inspiring book about five missionaries who impacted the world.  The five are William Carey, Adoniram Judson, Bill Wallace, Lottie Moon, and Jim Elliot.  The is a brief book and is well worth the investment of time and money, especially if you are considering how to be on mission for God.

Expand your perspective.  Expand your world.  READ!!!

Another Sunday Picture

This one courtesy of Jeff Rolan.

The previous one was courtesy of Emily Gelzinis.

Sunday Shot

Community

Edit Your Life

Nike CEO, Mark Parker says that shortly after becoming CEO and working on Nike+ with Apple he talked with Steve Jobs on the phone.  "Do you have any advice?"  Parker asked Jobs.  Here is what Jobs had to say:

Time is limited.  You cannot do everything.  You cannot even do several things well.  But you have the potential to do a few things great.  What do you need to focus on?  What do you need to give your life to?  To achieve maximum impact you may have to edit your life.  Make some cuts.  What matters most?  Pour your energy into that.

As you consider your life...what do you need to cut?

Five Reasons to Memorize Scripture

Five Reasons to Memorize Scripture

I Love My Church

New series coming Sunday at Explore Church!

John Stott: An Appreciation

John Stott: An Appreciation

If You Can Only Read One of John Stott's Books

If You Can Only Read One of John Stott’s Books

John R. W. Stott (1921-2011)

John Stott died earlier this morning.  He is one of my favorite writers and commentators.  His books and insights have impacted me greatly.  My favorite book of his is The Cross of Christ.

For more about John Stott and his life and ministry you can start with this link.
John R. W. Stott (1921-2011)

A Return to Swimming

It had been well over a year...maybe two...maybe more, hard to say, hard to remember.  But as my youngest son was signed up to participate in a basketball camp this week at the gym, it seemed like a good opportunity to get back to regular workouts.  Which brings us to Tuesday morning.  Following "drop off" I made my way to the pool to try a few laps.  It is supposed to be good for you.  Again, it has been one...maybe two years since I have last attempted this.  Remembering how it used to be...one to two years ago--it should not be too hard.

I entered the water, which was a little cloudy but not too cold.  I adjusted my goggles and pushed off the wall...if Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps is a jet in the water, then I'm a helicopter--slapping and flapping in the water in a desperate attempt to stay afloat.  Not pretty!  After what seemed like an hour I grabbed the edge of the pool with much puffing and blowing...light headed.  Half a lap done.  I don't remember it being so hard.

Push off and back toward the other end...

Several laps later--a man asked, "How are you doing?"  I replied, "I'm trying not to drown!"  He said, "I understand."  Push off toward another lap.

Thirty minutes later I had flapped and slapped my way through eleven laps.  The results, or at least what it felt like to me:  torn rotator cuff, torn ACL, ear lavage, bruised or broken ribs--maybe both, brown lung, black lung, iron lung, hey!--aqualung!  I crawled up the ladder and flopped on a nearby chair...it took some time to regroup.  Muscles were shaking and quaking.  Hurling is not out of the question.  Oh, what was I thinking?

Then it dawned on me, you have to swim more than once a year...or two, in order not to suffer complete body systems failure.  You must vigilantly practice.  You must discipline yourself regularly to grow and become proficient at anything.  Neglect will cause regress.

Not surprisingly, the same principle applies to our spiritual growth.  You must discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.  You cannot drift towards holiness.  It takes hard work.  Regular hard work, otherwise you will be slapping and flapping around spiritually and you will fall short of your potential in Christ.

Jeter Reaches 3000

DEREK JETER GETS HIS 3,000th HIT! 
With a third-inning home run on Saturday, Derek Jeter became the 28th player in Major League history with at least 3,000 career hits. Tampa Bay’s David Price surrendered the hit on a 3-2 count. Jeter is the first Yankees player to accomplish the feat and the 11th player in history to get to 3,000 hits while playing for one team during his career. He is also just the second Major Leaguer to get his 3,000th hit on a home run. 

Luther on Five Actions for Struggling Believers

Luther on Five Actions for Struggling Believers

Speak With, Like, Conviction (?)

Beach Evening

Ronald Reagan--Some Observations

While on vacation last week I read a new book about Ronald Reagan titled Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan.  As indicated by the title, this book primarily covers the day in which John Hinckley, Jr attempted to shoot President Reagan.  In author Del Wilber's telling of the events leading up to and around that day, I noted several observations regarding Reagan the man.  I will share them with you here.

1. He was self-confident.  He was "not bothered by criticism that he was lazy or followed a script crafted by advisors."  He was a secure man.
2. He was humble.  He was "never overly impressed with himself."
3. He was a perpetual optimist.  He "did not dwell on the negative."
4. He was simple, not simplistic.  Being "simple" means being clear as in dealing with the Russians:  "we win; they lose."
5. He was funny.  He used humor often.
6. He connected with others using stories.
7. He had a sense of service.  I think he understood that impact comes through selfless service.  

Wage Love Recommended Reading

Here are four great books to consider when seeking to resolve relational conflict.

• God the Peacemaker, Graham A. Cole

• Resolving Everyday Conflict, Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson

• Humility, C. J. Mahaney

• The Peacemaker, Ken Sande

I hope you enjoy these as we closeout this series on conflict resolution.  

Good Preaching

According to Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears in their book Doctrine, "A good church will always have good preaching."  The preaching will be:

1. Biblical--focusing on what Scripture says;
2. Theological--teaching what Scripture means;
3. Memorable--practically speaking to the lives and culture of people;
4. Transformational--leading to repentance, response, and spiritual maturity;
5. Missional--explaining why this matters for the mission of God and the salvation of lost people; and,
6. Christological--showing how Jesus is the hero-savior.

Recommended Reading:

Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe

Tornadoes and the Trustworthiness of God

Here are some good points about the recent storms we encountered.

Tornadoes and the Trustworthiness of God

Cool Pic From Sunday

Eric Schreier captured this image Sunday at Explore Church.

Easter Sunday Pics

Sunday was a big day at Explore Church.  We not only celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but we also set a new attendance record!  Here are a couple pictures from the day.

Record attendance, warm weather, and a poor performance from the A/C unit led to a HOT time in the worship center.  It was a two bottles of water morning.

...but the root cause could have been... "the tie."  Don't look for a repeat appearance anytime soon.

Wage Love continues this Sunday and the text will be James 4:1-12 if you would like to read ahead.

Wage Love

New series starts tomorrow!