So.. the other day on his blog, Stephen had a post about the "Emergant church"... well, I found a few articles a couple of months ago that I just thought I would put out there to see what you all think. So if you have a little extra time, and want to exercise some critical thinking, check these out and let me know what you think~
Getting Beyond 'Whatever': What the Church Can Learn from Emergents
But... Pitfalls the Emerging Church Needs to Avoid
Ok... so I'm just a LITTLE excited today... two of my favorite authors--Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti-- are teaming up to write a book AND it just happens to come out near my birthday! woohoo!! It's called House...
"In rural Alabama, two couples find themselves in a fight for survival. Running from a maniac bent on killing them, they flee deep into the woods and seek refuge in a house. They soon realize the killer has purposely lured them to this house and that they are now trapped. As they huddle around an old fireplace, a tin can falls through the chimney. Scrawled on its side is a message from the killer, establishing his House Rules. The rules call for their deaths unless they kill at least one of the four.
They have less than 12 hours to find a way to survive. At sunrise the game is over and everyone dies if the killer's demands aren't met. What they quickly learn is that the only way out . . . is in. But going further into this house--where unknown challenges await them--is equally deadly."
For any of you who are looking for a very interesting, well written, on the edge of your seat book-- I would highly suggest checking out any book written by Ted Dekker. Three, Blink and the Circle Trilogy(starting with the book Black) are a few of my favorites. I got really into this author a few years ago and have yet to be dissapointed by any of his books-- infact I like them enough that I personaly own about half of them-- and for me that is amazing since I don't usually buy a book unless I REALLY like it (to "feed" my book hunger I have my wonderful local library) I love books that can grab you and wisk you away to another place....
I could rant on and on... but really... you need to check these books out yourself.. and then tell me what you think.
PS- if you aren't a big reader-- I know that Ted Dekker's book Three is currently being made into a film, although honestly I'm not sure how great it is because most of the time when these sort of amazing book to movies come out I am let down... but I guess only time will tell.
so... random site of the day (until I have some quality time to actually POST something deep... sorry.. I have been swamped at work since I have gotten back from Nashville... and equally busy when I get home helping the gang get ready to go back to school... but more "real" Jen stuff coming soon) yeah.. random site.. What Would Jesus Blog? um... all I can say is "yeeaaaaaaah....." Crunch on that for awhile.
Ok.. I know it is after the holidays... but THIS is just tooooo cute not to show you. Maybe you can keep it in mind for next year!
TIP: Try all the different options just so you can see all the funny expressions/actions of the snowman!
Can somebody just put me out of my misery PLEASE!?!?! I feel like I've been run over by a semi or something.. head hurts, bones ache, and I think I am getting a fever-- but maybe I'm just imagining that part. I want to crawl in a black hole.... but I have 3 more hours left to work... and yeah.. I NEED to be here. *sigh* Thank goodness for the weekend. Seriously.. if I didn't have that sliver of hope I would run and jump over the balcony (not really...)
Hmmmmm... maybe I'm allergic to work?!
PS-- I got my hair cut!!!! 10 inches to Locks of Love-- yeah buddy. Nice way to start of the new year... with a new look! Will post pictures later perhaps
Howdy folks... from the music capital of the world.. Nashville, TN. I'm sitting here at Rockettown. Started by I think Michael W. Smith, this is a cool place for people to just hang out and be real with eachother. A coffee bar, internet cafe, pool tables, and big comfy chairs are all over the place. Sorta like a hip Starbucks coffee feel to it. If you go out back you can follow the sidewalk to the sweet indoor skate park where they have Skate church ever Thursday nights and chicks skate for free (sweetness!)
I'm here for the Passion 06 convention... with about 18,000 other people my age. It is simply amazing. I have a lot of stuff that I have been taking in, and a lot I want to process... but when I get home I hope to share with you some of the stuff I've learned... and some of the stuff I want to change in my life...
Keeping this short. People are waiting in line to use the computer. Just wanted to say hi.... and let you all know that I miss you. :)
see ya soon.
Just in time for a little after the holiday FUN. (seriously.. this is awesome!)
Hope you all had a great Christmas! Mine was really busy, but good-- full of family, multiple table games and good old National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. *sigh* oh good times had by all.
What were some of the highlights from your Christmas weekend??
So-- a guy who's blog I regularly frequent (hey, he updates like 3 times a day.. it is AMAZING!) is Corey Mann. He is the Director of High School Ministries at Granger Community Church. Anyway, a few weeks ago he had students write down on a 3x5 card what they are struggling with and had them turn those struggles over to Christ. He was overwhelmed at the response he got, and so in response to what the students shared he made this video.
I think it is amazing. It hits home that we all struggle with stuff in life. We aren't alone in this fact no matter what Satan tries to get us to believe otherwise. We can try lots of things to try and fix our problems, but ultimately, the only one that can truly fix us is Jesus. Yeah.. just watch the video..
This past weekend we had our company Christmas Party. Good times indeed. Just thought I would share some photos with you. Might elaborate more later..
My boss (left) and her daughter (who just happens to be dating one of my co-worker-designers!)
Me and my HOT date for the night! (my brother) He made a wonderful date... opened doors, good conversation--even with people he didn't know... and he even danced! (proof below)
My brother getting his "groove" on.
View of the party from above
There are sometimes when little things can really make you happy..... like free coffee from the vending machines all day long. woohoo!! I am seriously OFF my rocker... and you thought I talked fast normaly... dude.. you should see me under the "influence" of coffee!! I will plow you over. I think they are trying to up production rates just before the holidays.... they know we are all draggin.
So I was reading an article today on relivantmagazine.com (shameless plug here) and there was a quote on there that really hit me...
"Most of us focus our attention on finding the right one instead of becoming the right one. The fact is that God cares more about who I am and who I become than who I end up with."
Ok... so.. this is the time of our lives where many of us are looking for "the One" but maybe we need to change our priorities a little bit. Just a thought.
Getting ready to party all weekend long....
Yeah, it's gonna be that good.
Tonight- dinner and pouring into the lives of friends.
Saturday- Charissa and Karhim come home. Yeah, Dan came home last night. Our house is once again a hotel.
Saturday night- company Christmas Party. Can we say lots of sweet door prizes, free food and drinks and "mystery" entertainment anyone? YES PLEASE!
Sunday- church... and then a trek up to Mars Hill with a whole bunch of those "youngin" college kids... and my siblings. Good times.
Hope you have a good weekend too.
If you need a little cheering up today, go to this totally pointless site. Hey-- it made ME smile.
