The iPhone 3G Interview
Aug 29, 2008 Uncategorized
What could be better for an Apple Fanboy than to be interviewed about his new iPhone 3G for the paper?
You can read the whole article here: AT&T’s latest network rolls out | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal. But here’s the important part:
AT&T Inc. has rolled out its faster 3G data network in the Lansing area, something that should let new iPhone users tap into some of the device’s new features…
The upgrade was great news to iPhone user Noel Heikkinen.
The pastor at Riverview Church uses his phone for e-mail, his calendar and contacts when he’s out at meetings or traveling.
“As I’ve been traveling, I’ve loved 3G. It’s way faster,” he said. “In Lansing, it’s been killing me that I haven’t had it.”
That changed abruptly last week when Heikkinen was surfing the Web on his phone.
“It kept flaking out on me,” he said. “I was getting all mad, and then suddenly, ‘blip,’ it was 3G. I was ecstatic.”
Final Night of Baseball
Aug 29, 2008 Uncategorized
This year, I have been to more baseball games than I can count between Jesse’s two leagues, Ethan’s league, Lugnuts, and Tigers. In fact, I would hazard a guess that if you added up the number of all the games I have been to up until this year, it would not match this year’s number. And it has been a blast.
Last night, we hit the final game of the year, which was also the Lugnuts final home game. The game was extraordinarily boring, but three things made it a blast: Ethan got a trophy for his Championship win, there were really good fireworks, and the kids got to get autographs from the players afterward. Here are a few shots from the game:
Oh, and I forgot to post this from the last time we were at a Lugnuts game, but my friend Kathy snagged some video of our kids at the game. Here’s her edited footage…you gotta love minor league ball.
Awesome Shirt
Aug 29, 2008 Uncategorized
I just laughed outloud when I saw this shirt from CafePress. I must have a sick sense of humor. Prerequisite for a Riv pastor, I suppose.
My Final DNC Post
Aug 28, 2008 Uncategorized
OK, next week I’ll have to do the same amazing coverage on the Republicans as I have done for the Democrats this week. You know, fair time and all.
I wrap up this week’s coverage with a link to Don Miller’s Blog. He posted an amazing set of emails between him and Senator Obama. I was laughing and crying all the way through.
Here’s his preamble. You’ll have to go to the site to read the letters:
I want to share with you a correspondence that has taken place between myself and Senator Obama. People have asked whether I know the Senator and whether we’ve met. Barack Obama and I have had an ongoing e-mail correspondence for several months, the bulk of which I have posted as a first entry to my blog.
It all started when I attended a rally here in Portland at which more than 75,000 people showed to support the Senator. Somehow, I managed to get a spot close to the stage and during his speech the Senator pointed at me and told me Yes, I could, something I think he might have stolen from the Black Eyed Pea’s, but oh well. Anyway, I was moved by the speech, but I had questions. I can do what? At the time, I was trying to pick paint colors for the living room, but was frozen between Icelandic Blue and Mossy Rock Green.
To my amazement, Barack e-mailed me shortly thereafter. I don’t know if it is appropriate to share our personal correspondence, but I offer it to you anyway. On my blog, I’ve posted Barack’s e-mails followed by my responses.
Good and Bad News About Credit Card Use
Aug 28, 2008 Uncategorized
Via The Institute:
Financial research firm Javelin Strategy & Research (www.javelinstrategy.com) released today its latest report on credit cards and consumer spending, which shows that Americans are cutting back on credit card use and having difficulty paying off balances. The report indicates conservative spending behaviors as a result of the economic downturn and the ramifications of the mortgage crisis, soaring fuel costs and rising food prices.
“The sharp decline in credit card spending challenges the popular belief that Americans are charging basic goods in order to sustain their quality of life,” said Jim Van Dyke, president of Javelin Strategy & Research. “Consumers are making deliberate cutbacks like shopping at superstores, eating out less and watching what they charge. We believe this is because most people have already been impacted by the downturn or they’re anticipating that we haven’t seen the worst of it. It’s very cautious behavior.”
The good news is Americans are slowing down on their use of credit cards. The bad news is they can’t pay off the ones they have.
Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”
Odd Ads
Aug 27, 2008 Uncategorized
Interesting that these two ads would appear together on Facebook. Except that they’re both places many guys look for a wife, I suppose.
Another Obama Moment
Aug 27, 2008 Uncategorized
Continuing today’s DNC coverage, I give you my favorite quote of the day from an article entitled Obama Modifies ‘Yes We Can’ Message To Exclude Area Loser.
‘Yes We Can, Except Nate Walsh,’ Obama says.
Barack Rolled
Aug 27, 2008 Uncategorized
In honor of this week’s DNC, I present to you something that makes me smile everytime I see it. (This version via Certified RANDOM):
The Shack
Aug 26, 2008 Uncategorized
“The Shack” (William P. Young)
Every once in awhile, I feel compelled to post something a specific topic. Today is one of those days.
I am going to post about the book “The Shack.” I don’t really feel strongly one way or another about this book, but it seems like I get 1-3 people a week either giving me a copy or asking me what I think about the book. Because of this, I’m just gonna throw my thoughts out there. Take them for what they are worth.
My Summary
I thought it was an average book both in its literary merit and its content. It was predictable and didn’t flow well. For me, that probably kept me from really getting into it. I seem to be in the minority on this one, but that’s OK with me. I think there are a few times and places I would use “The Shack,” but quite honestly not many. For instance, I gave it to a Native American “holy man” I met on a plane. I thought it was perfect as an introduction to Christianity for him based on our conversation.
My Concerns
The goal of the book was not to be theological, but in many people’s minds it teaches theology. That concerns me a bit.
The first concern I have is that I believe Scripture should always be our “filter.” I have concerns that the book leans a little heavily on “personal experience” and feeling than on what the Word teaches. Of course to be fair, he was trying to write an allegorical tale, but because of the subject matter the subtle digs on the church / those who find direction in the Word alone are a little concerning. I agree with the book when it talks about seeing God in creation (he is after all the creator), but not at the expense of the Bible.
Another concern I had was the authority issue. If I remember right (it’s been awhile since I read the book), it downplays God’s role (and corresponding authority) in the Trinity. That subtle message begins to cause us to not see the value and importance of God given authority in the church, family, and government.
Things I Liked
The author of “The Shack” clearly states in interviews that this was a book written to his children to tell them about God and was not meant for wider distribution. I don’t know his children, but I know that as a father I want my children to know God. Each of them are in a different place in their journey and the stories I would use to tell them about God would differ. That helps me to offer him grace on some of the issues I have problems with because he knows his children and I don’t.
I love the picture painted in this book of God relentlessly pursuing the main character. I need to be reminded of that again and again in my life.
The picture of forgiveness and how important it is not only for those who have sinned, but those who have been sinned against was cool. Too many people I know stay chained to other people’s sin and can’t see that forgiveness is the way to break that chain.
Final Thoughts
Great and godly men and women disagree with me on this and I’m OK with it. If you liked the book, cool. If you didn’t, fine. Just make sure that you examine everything you read through the lens of Scripture. Of course, you should do that with anything you read…including Scripture.
Monday iPhone App Review - ??
Aug 25, 2008 iPhone Ap Review
OK, so I have tons of Apps to review but I’m still pooped from last week and Riv’s amazing weekend.
I promise to review something next week…but I need your help, first
My friend Pat hooked me up with $10 to spend at the Apple Ap Store. So, what should I buy? Leave me a comment with your recommendation on what App I should buy and I will buy it and review it next week.
Cool?
Thanks.
Snakes, Birds, and the Truth
Aug 22, 2008 Uncategorized
This is my favorite time of year. School gets in session and in many ways it is the beginning of the ministry season at Riv. This year, it’s even bigger because we are in our expanded Holt Venue and we are launching our new East Lansing venue.
Make sure you hit one of our four services this weekend as we launch our new series: Snakes, Birds, and the Truth.
Holt Service Times: Saturday 7:00ish, Sunday 9:30ish and 11:30ish
East Lansing Service Times: Sunday 11:00ish
See you there!
My Wife is Awesome
Aug 21, 2008 Uncategorized
This week I have been all by my lonesome. My wife and kids are in Chicago visiting family until Saturdayish.
While I have gotten a lot done, I realize how much I miss them while they are gone, especially Grace. Last night we talked on the phone for a long time and I realized what I miss the most is just talking every day about all the “stuff” going on in our lives.
It seems silly that conversations about what stores she shopped in, how I captured 30 boxelder bugs, the construction she is facing in Chicago, etc etc are so important, but they are.
These little things add up to a significant part of our lives.
(Oh, sorry to Grace for posting the picture above. I just think it perfectly describes us in so many ways.)
Fun Times
Aug 19, 2008 Uncategorized
My wife is out of town this week visiting family in Chicago with the kids. During this season each year, I do two things:
1) Eat weird things at weird times
2) Work a ton
This week, my extra time has translated into doing something I haven’t done in a long time: working on the set and lights at Riv. That’s right, I have been working on the set crew…in fact, a few of us were at the church until 11ish last night.
And it has been a blast.
I used to do this stuff all the time and I forgot how fun it is and how much work it is. Mad props to Nate, who is the set and lights guru at Riv. The guy is insane.
Make sure you come to Riverview’s Holt Venue this weekend to check out his latest masterpiece. We are launching a new series called “Snakes, Birds, and the Truth” and Kristie has outdone herself again on the artwork as well.
I am stoked.
Pray for us Today
Aug 18, 2008 Uncategorized
Today, we have our annual Riv planning retreat. This is the one day each year that all of the staff and ministry leaders spend the day together. If you think of it, please pray for us today.
Here are some specific prayer requests:
1) That we would be “of one heart and mind.” As we are getting bigger as a staff, it is harder and harder for us all to row in the same direction. Pray for unity on our team.
2) For huge dreams. It is so easy to just get into maintenance mode. Please pray that we will dream dreams that are so huge that God would have to show up if we are to achieve them.
3) For good plans. It is kinda late in the year for us to have this retreat. Through my bad planning, instead of meeting in the spring we are literally meeting 5 days before our big fall rush begins. Please pray that this would not hinder us making great plans.
There are many other things to pray for, but that should get you started. If you would like to follow along with our retreat, check out my Twitter page where I will be twittering updates all day (assuming I have phone access in our remote location). Also, if you would like to type out your prayers here, that would be cool so we can know you are praying!
The Next Jonas Brothers
Aug 16, 2008 Uncategorized
My boys are working on becoming the next big brother group following in the footsteps The Jackson Five, Hanson, and of course their idols Jonas Brothers. They have been performing many concerts for us, writing their own tunes, and of course singing all the time. And when I say “all the time,” I mean ALL THE TIME. In fact, while I am typing this Ethan is singing his new song on the stool next to me.
And so, to bring you into my world, may I present Coley’s rendition of “Burnin’ Up,” which was performed shirtless and a cappella.
Is my wife right?
Aug 15, 2008 Uncategorized
Grace (my lovely wife) says people who post videos on the internet have too much time on their hands.
Don’t know if she is right or not…
9 Days
Aug 14, 2008 Uncategorized
9 days until the official start of our fall craziness at Riv! This is going to be an amazing fall.
- We will be fully into the new facility, including the remodeled section
- We are doing an ad campaign (which we haven’t done since we ran out of space several years ago)
- We are launching our East Lansing venue
- We are offering a ton of new RivU classes on theology and practical living topics
That’s just the stuff that’s visible. Behind the scenes we are planning some crazy big huge things that will only be successful if God decides to work through us on them.
And it all starts in 9 days.
Bush or Batman
Aug 13, 2008 Uncategorized
I don’t like to get political on this site, but I do like batman.
