What are Your "Hard Thing" Goals?

by The Rebelution

Thought this was an interesting list for students to "Do the Hard Things."  

If we were to ask ourselves what we desire or aspire to accomplish in this life, what would our list include?  It is interesting how our priorities take new shape when we develop a "Life/Purpose Statement" or a "Things-to-Do" list.  

How much stress would be eliminated from our lives if we focused primarily on God's checklist everyday?  

I know for me, a list as such, might be quite convicting.  It would definitely force me to simplify. 

Ironman: The Amazing Armor

 I caught the amazing Ironman movie the other evening.  Great movie and effects; however, I was disappointed in the first quarter of the movie.  Why is it that all these new movies have to include trash and innuendos to make it to the top?  Those of you who have seen the movie know what I am talking about.  The trash was not needed.

The Armor scenes were totally awesome.  Great correlation between the details of Ironman putting on the armor and Christians putting on the armor of God.  Good stuff.  Love to see the last three-quarters of the movie again.    

The Go-Green Mustang

My son and some friends have just designed the new Go-Green Mustang out of recyclable cardboard boxes. This beauty has kept them busy for the last 4.5 hours. You would think Ford could come up with something as fast with all their technology. If gas prices continue, we might really have to put wheels on this box-style Ford to drive to church.

NES Controller Coffee Table the Works

Kyle Downes has modded the coffee table into its best version ever: a retro-tastic NES controller. Just look at the sleek lines, the high quality finish and classy glass top. And then giggle at the fact that it actually works. This is a must have for the ever serious gamer!

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Only thing that would make this funnier is building a Taco Bell in the center of the desert scenes and making it the dating hotspot.

Jason Castro is "Going Home"

Dreadheaded folkie Jason Castro spoke with reporters Thursday after being eliminated from American Idol's final four.

USA TODAY listened in on the conference call.
Q: Simon (Cowell) said last night on the news, 'I think he forgot his words on purpose. I think he just wanted to go home.' What's your reaction?

A: I definitely did not do that on purpose.

Q: So you still wanted to win?

A: I wanted to win. I think what it came down to was my inexperience. Once we doubled up on songs, I wasn't able to focus on both of my songs. My mind was just split. I just couldn't deliver either/or.

By Luz Elena Avitia, USA TODAY

What Does it Mean for Us to Surrender?

Matthew 16:25

For whoever wants to save his live will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Surrender: Freely giving up something for something totally better!

What guarantee does Jesus give us if we surrender our lives to Him?

What do you think He meant by what He said?

How will we gain our life if we surrender it to Him?

Jesus promises us real and true life. 

The God who sees all, knows all, and controls all has told us that if we want to truly live, the first step to that is surrendering completely to Him.

In light of that promise, besides your iPod, is there anything that’s not worth surrendering? (Just kidding about the iPod--I'm just a little addicted to Podcasts)

Lord, help me daily to take up my cross and follow you.  Give me the courage to surrender my WHOLE life to you.  Do what You will!  Not what I desire!  

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Don't you wish you had this strength?  I may not, but God does.  "Where I am weak, He is strong!"  And, God does have the whole world in His hands.  I sure am glad He does, because we sure seem to make a mess of things sometimes.

Doug Field's Office

I commented on Doug's twitpic that "I get nervous just looking at this creative haven.  But, as you all know, I am a little OC or AR."  I suggested he make a call to Clean Sweep!  I must really be a neat freak.  Maybe my priorities are a little off balanced.  

Cards Over Cubs 5-3

Skip Schumaker hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning, taking struggling closer Jason Isringhausen off the hook in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Rich Hill hangs his head on the mound as Cubs manager Lou Piniella comes out to pull him from the game during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, May 2, 2008, in St. Louis. Hill was pulled out of the game in the first inning after loading the bases and walking in a run. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

By Jeff Roberson (AP)
Published: 2008-05-03 00:05:03
Location: ST. LOUIS

The Real Garfield

Came across this photo on Marko's Blog.  Thought it would be a thrill for my friend Joshua, who is the biggest Garfield fan I know.  This cat weighs 35 lbs.  I cannot imagine the cat food bill or the size of litter-box needed to maintain a cat of this size.

Change

One of the greatest problems associated with church growth is that we as leaders often fail to move forward or challenge direction based on our fears and the fears of other leaders behaving as bureaucrats, not creative thinkers. so, the question we face is, "How open to change are we and our leadership team in today's ever changing church culture?"

The first step to any change involves a personal and team examination.  We can begin this examination by evaluating our response and reaction to any and all of the following questions.

Do we avoid change, not seeing or acknowledging the need for it?

Do we often resist change and defend the status quo?

Do we cooperate, going along with change, even if reluctantly?

Are we out in front as someone who anticipates and sees the need for change even before others do?

Are we leaders in creating change, taking action to bring it about?

Following the results of our actions, we and our leadership team must uncover the reasons for our resistance or the losses we fear, and determine how much those losses may prove advantageous or destructive to our mission and us.  Many times our churches fail in the mission because of personal and leadership fears.  Let us understand that God has placed us in leadership to stand up, be creative thinkers, take risks, try new things, and not to be obstructionists satisfied with complacency.

 

Black and/or Gus

I love the way the News Anchor throws the Script Writer under the bus.  Evidence that newscasters are puppets and are not in touch with the farm communities.  What would have happened if the news report was about a Jersey?

Distractions Lead to Larger Brain Capacities

A resent report stated that people who are distracted during the process of learning large amounts of information stand a better chance of learning, retaining, and dispelling that info.  Research actually says that we can expand our memory capacity with a life of distraction.  If this is the case, Youth Pastors must be the smartest people on earth, with the exception of a few like myself. 

Miley/Hannah Writes a Book

According to the Art section of the New York Times, Miley is writing a book about her family. Having dominated cable television and the concert circuit, and coming soon to the cineplex, Miley Cyrus, the 15-year-old star of the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana,” has agreed to write a book about her early life in Tennessee, her move to Los Angeles and the influence of her parents — especially her mother — on her success.

In a seven-figure deal, Disney Book Group acquired the rights to Ms. Cyrus’s book, to be published by the Disney-Hyperion Books imprint in spring 2009, when the Hannah Montana movie is also scheduled for release. Jeanne Mosure, global publisher of Disney Book Group, said the company had already sold 15 million copies of some 60 Hannah Montana-branded titles worldwide, including novelizations and gift books about the show. She said the new book would have an initial print run of one million copies.

“It’s rare that you hear from someone her age that they want to talk about their family,” Ms. Mosure said. “How she sees her family in light of everything that she’s exposed to on a daily basis is pretty incredible.”

By MOTOKO RICH; Compiled by Lawrence Van Gelder
Published: April 22, 2008

What the Presidential Race is Beginning to Look Like!

This was posted on Marko's blog today. Sorry to copy your thought Marko, but I thought this was extremely funny. We still have 6.5 months left. I am sure Shimp will enter the pic at some point. I am just thankful that no matter what happens in November, the One True God is soverign--in all and over all!!!

The Whole House Shook

No, I did not fall out of bed! It was a magnitude-5.2 earthquake, centered at West Salem in southern Illinois, which struck at 5:36 a.m. our time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenter of the earthquake was about three miles below ground, six miles northwest of Mount Carmel, Illinois, and 38 miles north-northwest of Evansville, Indiana, according to the USGS. I am very familiar with the fault line that meanders through this area. My Dad was a coal miner in this area and spoke often about this particular separation in the rocks. I have actually been 900 feet below the surface and have seen this fault line which goes under several rivers. Amazing!

People as far north as southern Michigan and as far west as Des Moines, Iowa, reported feeling the quake according to The Associated Press. Air traffic was halted for an hour at Indianapolis International Airport while the control tower was evacuated. At least 30 people reported feeling the quake in Clarksville, Tennessee -- 227 miles south of the epicenter -- according to the USGS Web site. Buildings swayed in Chicago's Loop and people were shaken awake in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the AP reported. People as far away as southwest Michigan and northeast Georgia e-mailed CNN to say they felt the tremor.

In response, I just have to ask, “Isn’t God’s protection great?” I feel safe that He is still and always will be sovereign and in control.

What makes you think your god is better than everyone else’s god?

Because the God I worship . . .

. . . is before all things.

Col. 1:17, Ps. 90:2, Rev. 1:8, 1 Tim. 6:16
. . . created all things.

Gen. 1:1, Jn. 1:3, Col. 1:16
. . . upholds all things.

Heb. 1:3, Col. 1:17
. . . is above all things.

Eph. 4:6, Isa. 45:5-12
. . . knows all things.

Isa. 46:10, Ps. 139:4, 6
. . . can do all things.

Jer. 32:27, Lk. 1:37
. . . accomplishes all things.

Isa. 14:24; 46:10, Eph. 1:11
. . . rules over all things.

Dan. 4:34-35, 1 Ch. 29:11-12
. . . is in control of all things.

Job 42:2, Ro. 8:28

He Controls the following:
earthly kings - Pr. 21:1, Rev. 19:16
human events – Dan. 2, 7, Ps. 33:9-11
good angels – Col. 1:15-16, Rev. 4:8
Satan & bad angels – Job 1:6, Eph. 1:21, Php. 2:10
Human decisions – Eph. 1:11, Ro. 8:29-30, Acts 2:23; 13:48

No other god makes these claims. My God, the one true God, not only claims, but fulfills His Promises. Choose Jesus.

...Chip Ingram

Skateboardin' with Extreme Pete

Caught this on Fox News this morning. Thought to myself, "There is hope for me yet! You can teach an old dogs new tricks." I just wish that this statement would apply to the technology struggles I often face.

Audience Response Technology Tells the Story at Rebelution Conference

How important is the Word of God to you? Why? Is it important enough for you to read everyday? Are the decisions you make based on your preferences and desires or based on the Truth of God's Word? Truth is not truth because we believe it... it is truth. The Word of God is Truth. We cannot pick and choose to accept part of God's Word. We either believe all of it or none of it. Do you desire the Truth? Then Read His Word!