Poets, Prophets, and Preachers – Part 1

Yesterday, July 4th, Tom and I hit the road for Grand Rapids, Michigan after we got off work (which was around 4:30 p.m. ET). It’s a 13 hour drive from Burlington to Grand Rapids and we wanted to make it to Sunday Morning service at Mars Hill Bible Church so we drove through the night…

North through New York and then Canada. We traveled west through Canada and into Michigan. It was a really long drive. We got held over at the border on our way into Michigan for about a half an hour at 5 in the morning. That was a pain as well. I don’t really like Canada

We arrived in Grand Rapids 30 minutes before service, brushed our teeth and headed for church. Shane Hipps (author of “Flickering Pixels”) taught on the spiritual discipline of feasting (a play on fasting). It was an interesting teaching. You will be able to hear it soon on the Mars Hill podcast (http://marshill.org). When I have more time, I’d love to share my thoughts on the sermon and some of the notes I took.

Now for the real reason I am in Grand Rapids. The “Poets, Prophets and Preachers” conference. Which starts tonight at 7pm. Rob Bell will be giving the opening lecture on: “The Original Guerilla Theatre: throwing ourselves into this ancient, sacred art form with the absurd, naive, antiquated belief that the world needs inspiring, provocative, comforting, dangerous, healing, great sermons now more than ever.“

The conference will run through July 7th and I am hoping to update this blog throughout the conference on insights and commentary on the conference.

Grace and peace be with you.

“From Death to Life”

06.28.2009 Ian Bailey – From Death to Life

If you guys want notes, just ask.

Songs I Like – Part 4

“What This World Needs” by Casting Crowns

What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society
What this world needs is not another sign waving super saint that’s better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them in their time of need
A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That’s what this world needs

What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can’t see
God’s gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can’t see the difference
And it’s the difference that sets the world free

Jesus is our Savior, that’s what this world needs
Father’s arms around you, that’s what this world needs
That’s what this world needs

Check this out

A new music video by Rootbeer, a new group featuring Pigeon John and Flynn Adams from L.A. Symphony

What people say about what Jesus says II

Psalms 111:9 says of God, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.” Of this passage Ben Witherington says “The Corinthians have a chance to be like God by giving lavishly to those who are in need. The connection here between material giving and righteousness is important. For both Paul and the OT, righteousness is not simply an inner quality of purity or right heart. It also involves justice and generosity toward others. It is not righteousness unless, as with God, it is demonstrated in deeds.”