Jesus Meets Bigfoot

My friend Tommy Hiler told me about this artist, Jeremiah Palecek, and his website.
We were at lunch talking about oddities in art and Tommy referred me to Jesus Meets Bigfoot.
Who hasn't wondered what that encounter would look like?

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Gen Y & the American Flag

Here is an interesting CNN report on a photo essay where the photographer asked young Americans to pose with the American flag.
I think this has some interesting insights into the culture of today's younger generation.
Plus the images are beautiful and intriguing. Click here for more images.

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Sermons I've Recently Heard

Here are the sermons I listened to over the past couple of weeks. 

Obviously I am a fan of my former Bible college professor Mark Moore, who recently served as an interim pastor. 

Who are you a fan of and what preachers do you listen to?

 

Series – Behind the 8 Ball (Southland Christian Church)

Jon Weece – The Transformed You

Jon Weece – The Redeemed You

Dan Hamel – The Victorious You

 

Series - The Name (Christ Church of Oronogo)

Damien Spikereit – Jesus (Savior)

Mark Moore – Immanuel (God With Us)

Mark Moore – Christ (Anointed King)

 

Mark Moore – A New Thing

 

Series – Soul Food (Christ Church of Oronogo)

Mark Moore - Prayer

Damien Spikereit – Simplicity

Adam Scott – Communion/Community

Mark Moore – Self Study

 

Series – Vantage Point (Christ Church of Oronogo)

Mark Christian – Thomas

Chad Monahan – Mary Magdalene

Shane Wood – John

Jayson French – Peter

Chad Ragsdale & Mark Moore – God & Satan

 

Series – ABC’s of Financial Freedom (Christ Church of Oronogo)

Mark Moore – Attitude

Mark Moore – Bondage

Damien Spikereit – Choosing the Centrality of the Tithe

Mark Moore – Decisions

Mark Moore – Encouragement

 

Series – Imagine (Christ Church of Oronogo)

Mark Moore – Imagine if no one was hungry

Mark Moore – Imagine if no one was sick

Mark Christian – Imagine if no one was naked

Mark Moore – Imagine if no one was a stranger

Scott Ensminger – Imagine if no one was lost

 

Series – I Can Do That (Journey Fellowship)

Steve Dye – He Gave Himself

Mario Gallegos – Jesus Pushed Pause

Randy Larson – Jesus Embraced Doubt

Steve Dye – Jesus Pushed Stop

 

 

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Song In My Head: Call Me Al

Ever have Paul Simon stuck in your head?
Play this video and you will.

I spent some time searching around the internet looking for what in the world this song actually meant. I found nothing affirmative. A few theories though. Some were interesting.
Do you have any clue?
Nevertheless it's a fun song, and the video with Chevy Chase is great.

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Is There An Illustration Here?

Firefighters 'chagrined' by station blaze

A team of firefighters were called back to their station after responding to an emergency because the station was on fire. Apparently in their rush to respond to the emergency one fireman left something cooking unattended.

I think there is some application here for Believers to glean.
Obviously I believe that we as Christ followers have been called to take the gospel message to the all people.
I also believe that The End is sooner rather later, so I attempt to passionately make Him know. Which means I understand the seeker sensitive churches, with seeker sensitive services and outreach ministries. I understand that and support that completely.
But this news story is a gentle reminder that there are certain responsibilities by Christ's followers to take care of before we can rescue others. In fact scripture teaches us that it is by our love for one another that we known.
Compassionate outreach ministries will be, and should be, always apart of what it means to follow Christ. But I'm curious if the church's compassionate ministries are getting lost or out shined by Extreme Makeover, Bono's work in Africa and just in general compassionate service by people, organizations and nations not tied with the church. (Which I'm certainly not advocating those cease by any means, please don't read that).
But if the church fails to love and serve within the church as well isn't anything we do outside the church negated? Yes Jesus stopped and fed the 5000, but when I read the book of Acts I see the church feeding the widows within before I read about the church feeding anyone outside of the community.
And I'm not talking about the health and wealth gospel here. That by joining the church we should see believers flurish financially and physically. Rather I'm suggesting that inclusion into the Kingdom should find a person cared for so that they capable themselves of caring for someone else.
I suppose I would try and summarize my thoughts in this way: Outward compassion without inward care is like polishing a car that won't start.
That's what I'm thinking about today.
Can anyone help me in my thought processes? Either correct or confirm so thoughts?

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Youth In The News: Early Deaths?

Many teens believe they'll die young

 

This is an interesting study.  Up to 15% of students believe that they will die at a  young age (by the age of 35).  This information challenges the notion that teenagers engage in dangerous or risky behavior because they think they are invulnerable.  Rather it suggest that teenagers might actually see life as fragile and fleeting.

 

This is further evidence of teenagers needing a message of hope and purpose and passion for their lives now. 

 

Life may be short, but we have hope in an everlasting life to come.

Life may be short, but we have a mission from God to pursue with vigor and passion.

Life may be short, but we can entertain the notion of joy nevertheless.

 

Because life is fleeting we need not fear death it is coming anyways.

Because life is like a vapor why waste it with worry, rather let’s embrace trust.

Because life is passing we must pursue the Commission now.

 

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Detention Slip

Okay, just because I think this is possibly the greatest detention slip ever doesn't mean that I think the joke is old and tired. Sure I laugh whenever Michael Scott says it, but that's because when he says it it's awkward, which of course is the actual joke.

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When Does Creativity Cross the Line?

A North Carolina State student was arrested this month for creating a "monster" out of construction cones.

It's actually really clever and creative and I probably would have, had I been driving done the road he displayed his creation, given the construction zone more respect and caution.

So why an arrest over the creative output?

Well he did steal the construction barrels.

I love creativity. I believe it is a God-inherited quality.

But when does creativity cross the line?

Specifically in our churches when does creativity cross the line?

I ask myself this question because ask much as I'd like to be creative I'd give up creativity for clarity.

I want to be known more for clear presentations of Christ, more than creative ones.

I'd rather be known more for my passion for Christ than for my creativity.

But somedays creativity for the sake of creativity...well...that's just plain fun.

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I was daydreaming today about how I'm so glad that I do not live in a world with comic book superheroes. So I decided to make a list of why.

1. There are no superheroes in San Antonio, which means just like with MLB baseball I'd be living in a city without all the perks. Also I don't know of any superheroes who live in Texas.
2. It seems that those who live in the same cities as superheroes live with the constant threat of danger and death. And not the normal threats that you and I live with, but threats of nuclear warheads on a direct path to the vicinity of where you live and you have no time to escape or falling or broken building pieces from the flying battle royal between a hero and villain.
3. Also think about the car insurance. Cars are always being destroyed by superheroes as they save the day. So much so that it's probably not even worth owning a car.
4. It's bad enough living in a world with John Cusak, Tom Brady and the Brawny towel guy (gentlemen that the ladies think are so handsome), but throw in superhero dudes and myself esteem plummets to devastating levels.
5. If we had superheroes walking around in tights and capes it would probably be the expected fashion. I just think a cape would become burdensome throughout the day and that tights would be way to constricting.

Well that was some quick daydreaming I had so it's not a long list. Feel free to add to it.

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