Sanctuary Tonight

As always, we had a great sanctuary together. I wanted to point out two things that really stuck out to me.

1. Emily shared this amazing analogy that I know that I am going to butcher as I try to put it down in written form. She said that she had always felt that her spiritual journey in other faith communities had been like a small, pre-potted seed that only had a small space to grow into, and that would only ever become one type of plant. When she found Missiongathering, she said that she had found her "meadow" in which she could grow into herself and where the soil was rich. Where she could "hide out" if need be, or shine in the light of the sun. I just think this is a beautiful and brilliant analogy.



2. We were talking about why people are so attracted to churches that constantly make people feel guilty. I think the core reason is that people (especially in Western culture) get accustomed to a God that is only found in guilt. That we feel closest to God in our sin because it reminds us that we are in need of grace. It can almost become a ritual like practice to be told how terrible we are and how disappointed God is in us. Although I agree that we all need grace, and that it is good to be reminded of that... I think that God meets us in much more than just our guilt and that God sent Jesus Christ to no longer make us live in the shadow of our guilt and judgement... but instead to embrace grace and walk daily in that grace.

Bsidemix.com

So I bought the domain "bsidemix.com" hoping to be able to customize my blog and give it a really cool feel and look... but man this is tough.

I designed the website in iweb... but iweb and blogger dont really get along. I really would like to make my blog look and feel like I designed... but I just can't figure out how to really make it happen.

Any ideas?

Recommended Reading

This is a book I picked up in Orlando that I am about halfway through. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who is looking at how a movement of faith (missionally based) can look like.

I especially have appreciated the chapter on discipleship.

For more info, go to theforgottenways.org

AE Love... MG PROMO 1

I had a spare hour or so, and wanted to practice some AE stuff. Here is a promo for missiongathering.com.

Let me know what you think.

Adobe After Effects

I know Im probably behind the curve... but I started using After Effects yesterday to put together a promo / intro video for our upcoming "Heroes" series. I am really excited about what this program can do, and what it will bring to the table at Mission.

Any experienced AE users out there? I could definitely use some tutelage.

Here is what I put together for this Sunday:



Let me know what you think...

Exponential Conference #7: The Journey Home

I hate Southwest Airlines. "Hate" may be a strong word, but our last flight from Orlando to Las Vegas was torture. It wasn't just the fact that I was stuck on the end row where people constantly bumped into me on their way to the restroom. It wasn't just the larger lady that sat next to me who took half of my seat and didn't smell great. It wasn't the 5 kids that surrounded me throwing their respective fits in succession. Those all helped my distaste for the airline...

But the kicker (and if you have a weak stomach I suggest you stop reading now)...

There was puke... not cleaned up and smelling up the whole plane.

Home in two hours.

Exponential Conference #6: Need a Little Blog Love

Hey Everyone... I need a little blog love. So...

post a comment leaving a little love...

and then send my blog (bsdiemix.blogspot.com) link to at least three other friends...

love.

Exponential Conference #5: Divine Appointment?

As we were watching the reenactment of Jesus' crucifiction, I noticed a guy who had some awesome hair, chucks and some rolled cuffs and looked like he didnt belong (much like I didn't). I saw Rich talking to him, so I headed over, and it turns out, it was Dan Kimball. How random is it that we ran into Dan all the way out here in Orlando and at the Holy Land Experience.

So we all got to talking about the park, and about our respective churches, and then we all went together to "meet" Jesus and take a photo.

Classic... Vintage... Experience.

Only at Missiongathering.

I found Jesus:



Dan found Jesus:



Happy Guys full of Jesus:

Exponential #4: The Holy Land Experience

So today after the conference we got a chance to head over to TBN's "The Holy Land Experience." Here is a brief explanation brought to us by our friends at "Firth in the USA.":



Here is how I would describe it:

Exponential Conference #3

Alan Hirsch brought the noise. I just got out of a main session where Alan Hirsch was sharing about what it truly means to be exponential. Man, it was good stuff. I am so thankful that someone is having the strength and the passion to stand up and say that we need to truly put CHRIST back into the center of CHRISTIANITY. The way he put it was this:

Christology > Missiology > Ecclesiology

Another way of putting it:

Church (minus) Christ (equals) religion

Church (plus) Christ (equals) Christianity

Thank you Alan for having the courage to challenge the way in which we start our churches here in the west. I think that stood out to me most was the way in which he broke down the old accepted thought of "Jesus standing outside the doors of our hearts (and our churches) and we only need to let him in" by asking why Jesus was outside in the first place!

Good stuff... couldn't have said it better