All posts in Media

Lose Your Plastic Jesus

I found this video compelling (and clever).  It also brings up a subject that I think about a lot: the oversimplification of the gospel.  I wonder if the Church, in an effort to reach more people, have presented a “plastic Jesus” to potential converts.  A Jesus that is a caricature of the real thing.  Jesus get misrepresented as either unconcerned about sin, hell and rebellion or as loveless, angry and breathing fire out of his nostrils at all sinners of the world.

By the way I hear some preachers talk, you’d think Jesus is disinterested completely in the fate of the world that He came to save as though He’s a petulant child.    Still others make Him seem powerless and worried.  All of them 2-dimensional.

How many times have we reduced Him to a sound-bite at the end of a meeting or only displayed a 2-dimensional version of Him to our friends?  Perhaps that’s, at least in part, the reason why so many people simply fizzle out into mediocrity.  And maybe that’s why we so often find it impossible to trust Him.

Toss your plastic Jesus in the trash can and seek out the real one.  See Him healing the sick, touching the leaper, calling the Pharisees dogs, displaying His glory at the Mount of Transfiguration, dying in humility and victory at the cross.  Imagine Him returning for His spotless Bride at the end of days.  See Him as the hero of this great story of the gospel.

Is Social Media a Fad?

If you know me at all, you know I don’t think so.  But why take my word for it?  Check out these stats.

Jesus Wants the Rose – Matt Chandler

This is a snippet of a message from Matt Chandler. Let it rock you.  It did me.  This should be our message!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-zR3h2UsR4

The Most Interesting Man in the World

Love these commercials.  I laugh, but deep down I still want to be that guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2SSZA0CjdQ

Phil Keaggy: While My Guitar Gently Weeps (with Jason Truby)

I haven’t put any Phil Keaggy on here in a while.  I just discovered this gem of a jam session.  This is PK doing his rendition of the classic George Harrison tune “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.  That’s Ian Keaggy playing acoustic guitar.

The jam at the end is amazing because out of nowhere Jason Truby (from P.O.D.) appears with a Strat, plugs in, and rips it back and forth with Phil Keaggy.

Awesome stuff.

Link to Video

Uncovering the Image of God in Creativity

I discovered a cool new blog today, and consequently this TED Talks video. This is author Elizabeth Gilbert talking about the source of our creativity, that denying that there is a “divine source” to our creativity actually stifles the creative mind of the artist and may be at the heart of why so many of our most talented artists have self-destructed.

Obviously, this is not coming from anywhere close to a Biblical world view. However, I think the application here is obvious.

I loved what she said at the end about the performer who “transcends” in the moment as though there is something (Someone…) divine being displayed through that person. My opinion: Art for the Christian ultimately is about uncovering the image of God in us, and then displaying it in such a way that God is glorified and the artist is all but unnoticed. The artist (Christian or otherwise) feels angst when he/she gets confused about who gets glory.

I would love to hear your reactions in the comments.

Rocking Spring Folly 09

We got a last minute opportunity to play at the annual outdoor festival in Kernersville called “Spring Folly”.  I took a quick video from my camera.  I was trying to keep track of my 3 kids at the same time (Heather was singing) so the video is cut short and the quality isn’t as good as what you’d get with a video camera.

Next year we’ll get a proper video camera out there, but this will give you a taste.

I’m just so proud of our band that I wanted to share the love.  Thanks to Jessica Cotten and the band for pulling it together on such short notice and managing to be yourselves up there.

Rock on. Love you guys.


Link to Video