This past weekend was SO MUCH FUN! For those ‘out of the saddle’ we discussed how to approach the Bible in a different way. I challenged Keystone to ‘EAT THIS BOOK’. Below you can ‘link’ to a couple of books that were very, very influential to me for this talk.
The first, EAT THIS BOOK (I’m not that original!!!), was one of the books I devoured on my Study Break. It was most helpful. The second, Praying the Bible, came to me late in the game upon a recommendation from a good friend. I haven’t read it through, only briefly. But, it was very helpful as well!
This weekend I can’t wait to be at Keystone! While I was on my STUDY BREAK, God gave me a message I’m anxious to deliver this weekend. I pray that we will become more PASSIONATE after hearing from God’s word.
This talk addresses one of the more ESSENTIAL aspects of the Christian walk. In a way, I’m picking up on the HUNGRY talk that kicked off the ONE PRAYER series.
In August, we’re launching a new series called YOU ASKED FOR IT. It’s going to be incredible. You’ve been submitting some amazing questions! This week we’ve already began the process of creating a list of questions that represent the overwhelming feedback from you!!!
Obviously, so many of you asked similar questions. Others asked very detailed questions that fall within a category of questions from others. In order to aid the voting process, we’re re-writing and categorizing the questions in an ‘easy to read’ format.
Also, some of you asked questions that I believe could be better answered in this format. Therefore, during the series I’ll also be answering some of your questions here in the blog-world!
Everyone deals with distractions. I must admit, I am SO EASILY distracted! For example, during my study break it took me almost 2 days to really get my mind clear of all the DISTRACTIONS that flood my mind. Ultimately, I had to DISCIPLINE myself away from the DISTRACTIONS.
There’s a great example of DETERMINATION in the face of DISTRACTION… the Radiohead concert!
OK, computer, it’s been a bit long to keep discussing this concert… Truly, I could have stopped long ago. Yet, I have to keep thinking of stuff to write about for you guys!!!
All jokes aside, I think this video shows a really funny moment in the concert. It’s right at the 1:16 in the song…
DISTRACTIONS: how do you deal with life’s distractions? They’re inevitable. They’re real. Sometimes you feel like the entire world is trying to ‘heckle’ you and send you off your game. How do you respond?
This week is my yearly study break. I get a hotel room, lock myself away, and speak to almost no one. It’s very, very helpful. I take a bunch of books and try to get to as many as possible.
I even have an agenda for myself! Here’s a pic of my desk this week.
You will LOVE hearing Kerry Shook, pastor of the Fellowship of the Woodlands. Kerry was very, very kind to me as we began Keystone Church… He gave me invaluable advice.
Please remember to bring your gift items for the COMMUNITY STOREHOUSE as we will help take care of single mothers during the BLAZING HOT summer months! For more info, check out our website.
Just a PEAK into the future:
July: ‘All in the Family’ Series is coming! You’ll hear all about it next week.
August: ‘You asked for It!’ Series. Time is slipping away for you to post some of your interesting questions… during the month of July we’ll vote for the hottest topics!
For so many of you ‘Keystoners’ who are enjoying your first ‘Summer of Fun’ with us, you may have noticed that I was nowhere to be found this past weekend!
One of the painful things I do each year is take some time to learn from other churches. You would think this is refreshing, exhilarating, and lots of fun… but it feels more like I’m in EXILE. It is SO beneficial to learn from other churches. I get great ideas, and am exposed to different philosophies of ‘doing church.’
Yet, I sincerely WANT to be at Keystone! This is much more than a job or a career… it’s a CALLING. It’s a FAMILY. YET, I believe in this process – I know it stretches me and ultimately helps the home-base.
P.S. If you see me ducking into a STARBUCKS for my iced-venti-sweet-green-tea-no water, you may notice that I’m sporting some ‘Jack from LOST’ scruff… Just remember, I’m in exile!
As I write this I realize I’m wearing the same shirt in the pic… woa. Anyway.
A couple of times at Keystone I’ve shared my ‘BT FAN PIC F/ MAVS FINALS LAST GAME WE WON AT HOME’… remember?
So, when at the concert I heard many songs that were very unfamiliar to me… I didn’t know them. There were other songs that I had heard before, but just didn’t really like. After seeing them performed and experiencing the songs personally, I rushed to itunes and downloaded them. I’ve been listening to songs that are 13 years old this week as if they were just released!
This inspires me to tap into God’s creativity and create various experiences at Keystone. From the first time you enter our campus, to the kids, and especially in worship… may God grant us experiences that give us a hunger to share Him with others!
