I stumbled into a conversation with some friends of mine the other day based on the popular Coexist stickers found on the back of so many cars.  The conversations followed loosely like this:

V: I can’t stand those Coexist stickers.  They are so annoying and are antithetical to the Christian message.

R: Really? Antithetical to the Christian message? Jesus didn’t speak of peace and loving your neighbor? I think Jesus would actually put that sticker on his K-Car (because Jesus is practical).

V: You don’t feel they promote the many paths to God theology?

R: Maybe but I’m not sure that was the intent.  Wasn’t it more religious tolerance and the idea that we should quit killing each other over religious ideals and ideologies.

V: Maybe, I don’t know it just feels like it’s pushing an agenda.

R: I don’t know if the bumper sticker is pushing the same agenda as the people putting it on their cars.

(the conversation continued but I’ll spare you the terrible strange and twisted turns it took – let’s just say somehow we ended up on the topic of ice cream versus frozen yogurt.  I have strange friends.)

So what do you think?  Do you find the Coexist campaign offensive the the Christian faith? In line with it’s teachings? or something else?  Here is some information on the Coexist foundation – the originators of the idea that has since seen many forms and more ideologies being considered within the Coexist logo (again maybe now its get’s offensive or maybe it’s still in line with the teachings of Jesus).

So i’m interested to know what you think.  Would you put one on your car and pull into your church parking lot week after week?  Do you think there is more behind it than just “let’s be happy and all get along?” Is it antithetical to the teaching of Jesus or would it fall in line to where He might wipe off a spot on his bumper and cruise around town in one (terrible metaphor by the way but you get the idea).

Hymns are making a comeback. Well you could argue that they have never really gone anywhere to begin with. But with the praise and worship craze that swept across the evangelical nation the hymn was something that was replaced with the praise chorus and relegated to the insignificant in many churches. The seeker service saw better results with more contemporary language and sounds. That is not to say that they disappeared all together but the shift from hymnbooks to powerpoint and beyond has seen the decline in hymn use.
Cue a new generation looking to connect the contemporary worship they were brought up in while desiring to learn the roots in which the church took shape. Now you have re-presented hymns introduced as new worship to a generation who didn’t necessarily know them growing up. Some have contemporized language (some thankfully with more gender neutral language others just to present hymns in a language the worshippers are speaking). Drums, pads, guitars, banjos, and more added to bring a new life to wonderfully written theological songs.
I have fallen in love with some and others prefer the more traditional. Here is a list (by no means extensive) of some groups re-presenting hymns for the next generation.

Resolved Muisc: The Enfield Hymn Sessions – Absolutely have fallen in love with There is a Fountain as well as many others on the list.
Bart Millard: Hymned No. 1 and Hymned Again: The MercyMe front man released a couple great Hymn compilations that have inspired my song selection.
Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern: If there is one group associated with the desire to reach the next generation it’s Passion
Jars of Clay: Redemption Songs – this group has been one of my favorite for a long time so when they released an album of hymns, I jumped on it.
Covenant Life Church: How Sweet the Sound: Good collection of hymns to spark your creativity.
Page CXVI: Hymns I, Hymns II, and Hymns III: One of my most recent favorites. Wonderfully thought out remakes that just inspire you to sing a new song.
Red Mountain Church: More great hymns presented beautifully
Indelible Grace Music: Another group that just keeps coming up with creative ways to re-present music.

These are just some groups that I have been listening to as of late to be inspired. What else is out there? What are you listening too?

I remember watching the cartoon over and over and over and over as a kid.  It was one of my favorite books and still to this day is as well.  I was beyond excited to hear that they were going to film the movie!  Here was what got my geek flag flying today – a sneak peak into The Hobbit.

We have known about this move for a little while now. But it’s honestly just felt like talk. I have been so focused on rehearsing for our Easter Production that the new job talk has been just talk. It wasn’t till I got home from rehearsal last night that I had that first real moment. I saw the for sale sign in the front yard of what is honestly our dream house that we built. I pulled into the driveway, stopped short of pulling in the garage and audibly sighed as a multitude of thoughts ran through my head. Memories of living here for 9 years, thoughts of what’s to come, and fear of trying to sell a house. I’m sure I will have many more of these moments as time goes on.

We are excited about this new season in our life and so happy to join a faith family in Denver who wants to see their community know the Love of God. We are thankful for our time we have spent here with our friends and family. Even still a sign in the front yard floods the mind with every thought imaginable. The audible sigh was one of joy and sadness, excitement and bereavement.

It’s easy to let things get in the way of our goals, our hopes, our dreams. When insurmountable odds are stacked against us we just as soon bow out than continue the course. Below is the true story of a group of children who wanted to play football. They saw what no one else did and persevered in the midst of unbelievable odds to achieve their goal (pun intended). Don’t let anything get in your way today. Be bold and go big. Always be winning.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35).

Sometimes I think we get too caught up in the almost militant mission to convert people.  We just assume this should be a light bulb moment rather than a process (remember even Saul’s conversion happened over a few days).

When that takes priority over loving people and walking with them, this (photo above) can become how we are seen and understood, how Christianity is seen and understood.  Proselytizing or providing for a hurting nation, not mutually exclusive sometimes a choice between the two needs to be made.

My prayer today is that we show God’s love by our response and our love.

I came across this video on youtube and had to literally pick my jaw up off of the floor after watching it. It amazing to me how people can rationalize and justify just about any belief with biblical teaching – even hatred. It’s a shocking response to say the least. I wanted to share it with you and get your take on the video.

How would you respond to this video? Is there truth in it? Or is she just a product of the Pat Robertson School of Natural Disaster Response? It reminded me of a book I recently read called Jesus Loves You This I Know by Craig Gross and Jason Harper. I was championing every point of the book with great enthusiasm till I got to the last chapter “Jesus Loves the Religious.” So what’s your reaction to seeing something like this?