ORIGINS/ Catalyst

Good times and good people. Some highlights...

• "The raging Mississippi River has no effect on the Pacific Ocean. Is what we're doing having an effect on what matters" - Erwin McManus
• "I left the passionate pursuit of God's Presence and became a pastor." " I wanted a big-ass church!" - Naeem Fazal
• Alan and Debra Hirsch's book is coming out about Untamed Jesus followers vs. Domestic disciples. Can't wait!
• The Origin's Project: Jesus, Humanity, Innovation
• The higher up in leadership you are the more complexity and uncertainty. "I will always be uncertain, I'm certain of it". In uncertain times, have clarity and flexibility. - Andy Stanley
• "Pleasing everybody creates mediocrity." "Don't let the bozos grind you down." - Guy Kawasaki
• Line #1 Christians: Believe enough for the benefits. Line #2 Christians: Believe enough to comfortably contribute. Line #3 Christians: Believe enough to give their life for the gospel. - Craig Groeschel (the guy with big guns!)
• Culture's foundations and pillars: Eternity, Morality, Accountability and Charity - Ravi Zacharias (brilliant!)
• "I'd rather be a church builder than church critic." - Brian Houston (sorry bro, I'm really trying)
• There are 27 million people in slavery today! More than anytime in history. What to do??? make it unprofitable, enforce laws, after care shelters
• Churches are either "come and see" or "come and die". they need to be both. God wants faithfulness and fruitfulness. You need a process for discipleship. - Rick Warren
• The Acts Church was unstoppable. Our church is easily stoppable (pastor, style, time, location, music etc.) - Francis Chan
• "The size of the vision God gives you is directly related to the amount of pain and discomfort you are willing to endure." - Perry Noble (looks like a hillbilly serial killer but the man brought the Word!)

Blog Stalkers

For those who follow blogs and like to comment...
I've googled blog etiquette and added some of my own.

• Comment, don't blog on my blog. If you have that much to say buy me a cup of coffee!
• Post comments that are related to the entry.
• If you have your own blog, don’t blatantly promote yourself on other’s blogs. Especially if the entry is unrelated to you.
• If you don’t like it, move on. If you don’t share a blogger’s opinions, don’t make it your mission to spam his/her blog with your vile personal attacks. There are so many blogs to choose from in the blogsphere, find a new one to frequent.
• If you’ve accidentally posted repeat comments, apologize to the blog owner, preferably via email. You could post the apology with another comment, but be careful not to have it posted multiple times again.
• Rude and childish behaviour just because you’re an anonymous commenter or are behind a pseudonym is unacceptable. As much as good manners is required in the real world, it works the same in the blogsphere.
• If you’re emotionally riled by a blogger, pause before you hit submit. You might regret what you wrote.
• Before you write...think, read, converse, think again.

Jesus Followers and Church Goers

Church used to be simple. People who followed Jesus went to church. They shared a common life and weekly routine. They would laugh about the CEO (christmas and easter only) attenders and cry over the occasional "hypocrite". Church isn't simple anymore.

Jesus and Church don't always mix. I've observed 4 kinds of people...

1. Do follow Jesus, Do go to church.

The good ol' days! People follow the life and teachings of Jesus and unite with a group of others to do the same.

2. Don't follow Jesus, Don't go to church.

I respect these people's honesty. They don't follow the life and teachings of Jesus and don't waste their time pretending like they do.

3. Don't follow Jesus, Do go to church.

These people give me ulcers and adrenal fatigue. They are involved in the organization of the church but don't or half-heartedly follow the life and teachings of Jesus.

4. Do follow Jesus, Don't go to church.

The next generation. People are leaving church to follow Jesus. This is a call for us as the church to follow Jesus again in a kick butt fresh expression kind of way.