Eric Gagne and Seth Rogan Separated at Birth?
Mar 31, 2008 Uncategorized
We’re watching the Cubbies opening game right now and I realized that the Brewers pitcher is Seth Rogan’s doppleganger.
Too Cute
Mar 30, 2008 Uncategorized
This is very cute (via MarkO). Both my wife and I were tempted to stop watching this after the first minute or so. It’s definitely worth watching it all.
Punctuation Snob
Mar 29, 2008 Uncategorized
I was so delighted when I saw there are other punctuation snobs out there.
Help Wanted
Mar 27, 2008 Uncategorized
Several people have emailed me expressing interest in the positions Riverview is hiring for right now. I figured I’d slap the job descriptions and applications up, so if you are interested you can apply.
Here are the details:
Riverview is currently accepting applications for four part-time positions. Two are part-time administrative assistant positions, including some receptionist duties, at 20-25 hours per week each. The other two are part-time facility and grounds maintenance positions, at 10-12 hours per week each. Job applications and descriptions are available at RivWarehouse, in the office, and by emailing shel...@eriv.net. We look forward to hearing from all who are interested, and appreciate all who apply. We will acknowledge all applications received via email, however, only applicants whose qualifications and experience most closely match the job requirements will receive an invitation to move on to the interview phase via phone. Applications are due by the end of the day on Monday, March 31.
You can download the full job descriptions and application here.
IJM Benefit Concert
Mar 27, 2008 Uncategorized
Last year, Riverview hosted a benefit concert for International Justice Mission and it was amazing. This year, we’re doing it again.
Oh, and it is tomorrow night.
I’m stoked, both for the music and for the fact that we can support such a great organization. Here’s the info:
Men
Mar 25, 2008 Uncategorized
Brett took some great pictures of some of the men in my family on Easter. Here’s a collage for your viewing pleasure. Click on the picture for a larger image.
From left to right the models are: Me, Ethan (my 7 year old), Kite (my quasi-brother), Hans (my brother), Jesse (my 9 year old), and Coley (my 4 year old). Missing men are Daryl (my brother), Patrick (my brother in law), Brett (my quasi-brother), and my Dad. Don’t know how they escaped the camera.
Praying
Mar 25, 2008 Uncategorized
This weekend, during our services, we asked if there was anything we could pray for everyone about. Here was the answer:
So this morning the pastors and a few others prayed for every single request. Praying through these cards, I was reminded of this verse:
Acts 6:2-4 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Sometimes, it is so easy to get distracted with the business of “doing church,” that prayer for everyone in the church can fall by the wayside. If it happened to the Apostles, it can happen to anyone.
That’s why I am so glad we have amazing people helping out with so many areas of ministry. It helps the pastors spend more of our time on prayer and the Word.
BTW, did you know we are hiring right now for some part-time administrative and facility help?
Easter at Riverview
Mar 24, 2008 Uncategorized
(picture via NateKlan.com)
I’m sitting at my counter at home right now chilling with my two youngest boys, Ethan and Coley. It’s nice to rest after a very long weekend. Long, but great. The services at Riverview went very well and I met a ton of new people. Very cool stuff.
Last week we asked everyone in the busy services to consider spreading themselves out amongst the lighter services so there would be more room for visitors. And the cool thing is they did it! Our services were very well balanced.
But what really made the whole weekend for me were all the little conversations I had with people. So many people I talked with were struck with how much they need to focus on Jesus instead of on themselves.
Glad that message stuck.
OK, back to play Webkinz with the boys.
Improv Everywhere
Mar 24, 2008 Uncategorized
Grace and I have always wondered what real life would be like if it was a musical.
Now, thanks to this Improv Everywhere clip (via ysmarko), we know.
Easter
Mar 22, 2008 Uncategorized
I am sitting in my office right now, looking out at the 4 inches of snow we got and I have decided to add a verse to my Easter sermon.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.”
And with Jesus’ work on the cross, he settled it.
The snowstorm is a beautiful metaphor for our salvation.
Please pray for me this weekend. I am very excited about the message and I am praying that the hundreds of visitors we will have this weekend will be drawn into a friendship with Jesus.
I keep thinking of this verse:
Colossians 4:5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
Every weekend I preach at Riverview is an opportunity. Easter is a bigger than normal one. Please pray that I make the most of it.
JabbaWockeez
Mar 22, 2008 Uncategorized
Grace and I have been watching America’s Best Dance Crew on MTV the last several weeks and I am continually amazed by the JabbaWockeez. I have never been a fan of liturgical dance (with the exception of one routine), but if these guys ever want to perform at Riverview, I may have to make an exception.
Fast forward to 1:25 to just watch the dance routine.
I think I actually used the phrase “that was sick” when that performance was done.
The “One Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song”
Mar 20, 2008 Uncategorized
Thanks to Franny for this brilliant love song.
My New Research Assistant
Mar 19, 2008 Uncategorized
OK, I have always struggled with an easy way to collect and access all the research I am constantly coming across for my messages. I think I just met my new research assistant.
I’ve applied to be a part of the Beta program, so we’ll see how I like it.
This could be really sweet.
Riverview Building Update
Mar 17, 2008 Uncategorized
As promised, here is the update video we showed at Riverview this weekend. Thanks to everyone (except Paul…ahem) for being patient.
Quote of the Day
Mar 17, 2008 Quotes
“I don’t want to be blind because then Jesus will have to rub mud on my face.”
-Coley (my 4 year old)
Stuff White People Like
Mar 15, 2008 Uncategorized
OK, I have a new favorite site. And I suspect if you are white like me (and my sister who is in this picture with me), you will too.
Maybe my wife and kids should read it to identify more with me. Please click on this link to learn more about my wife and pay close attention to the last paragraph.
The site is called Stuff White People Like. Here’s an excerpt from a recent post on “Bottled Water.”
Water seems like a fairly simple concept. You turn on the tap, put glass underneath, and drink. Sadly, it is not this simple for white people.
On the whole, they are unable to put a glass under a tap and just drink. In fact, this is such a strange concept that the city of New York had to launch a rather large PR campaign to show white people that it was possible to actually drink the water that comes out of the tap!
Jack Bauer and Jesus
Mar 14, 2008 Uncategorized
Here’s a great quote from this book:
…the sixth season of the hit television show 24 was preceded by online trailers showing the main character, Jack, Bauer, “sacrificing” himself by laying down his life as a substitute to defeat evil and save the lives of a multitude. Without being blasphemous and saying anything that makes Jack into Jesus, it is curious to note the parallels that the show makes between the two. Both are healthy, young men who work in construction, tell the truth, accomplish t heir mission, oppose evil, are betrayed by a close friend who dies as a result of sin, are saviors who lay down their life to save people they love, and both resurrect from death (Jack having been essentially brought back from death in one season in an effort to escape capture).
The first episode of season six opened with Jack, imprisoned by the Chinese, with long hair and a scruffy beard that made him look like a lot of the images of Jesus in pop culture. Taking off his shirt, Jack revealed that his entire back was scarred like Jesus’ from brutal flogging. Returning to the United States, Jack was asked to “sacrifice” himself by dying at the hands of terrorists in exchange for their promise not to unleash a nuclear attack on civilian targets. In so many ways, 24, like many other popular cultural stories, echoes the true story of Jesus the hero substituting himself to be our savior by suffering in our place.
