Extra Hour

I got an extra hour of sleep today! I woke up... looked @ my clock: 9:10. Ugh. Gonna be REAL late for work AGAIN. I couldn't believe that I actually hit snooze from 7:30 'till then!! Got out of the shower, etc., and put on my watch: 8:30AM. Huh? Did my shower somehow time-warp me backwards 40 minutes?? Looked @ my cell phone: 8:30AM. Looked at the alarm clock again: 9:30AM. Now, the scientific method worked surprisingly quickly for my sleepy brain without any coffee on it. I realized I had accidentally hit a button on the alarm clock and put an extra hour onto the time! What a blessing. I was immediately happy... I had planned to eat pop tarts on my way to work, and now I could have a bowl of cereal and brew a pot-o java!

The sad thing is this will be a reality on Saturday/Sunday. Curse Daylight Savings Time! Wouldn't it make sense just to "spring forward" 30 minutes and then never touch the clock again? I mean, this way, the "additional" 30 minutes that would be "lost" will actually be "made up" in the fall when the time will no longer need to change.

It makes sense in my head.

Green

Literally closed the book on my "black" journal today. Finished it up! Beginning the "green" one this afternoon...

Thanks. Thanks a lot. Part 3

Although I'm completely embarrassed for all of Christendom that "the church on Hwy. 92" has "oh my goodness" signs like this, I'm also quite pleased. For, if it weren't for their church sign, what would I blog about!?

I saw this yesterday: "Don't make me come down there. God." (What's worse is that they plagiarized the phrase from the infamous God Billboards.)

Oh my goodness.

Thanks. Thanks a lot. Part 2
Thanks. Thanks a lot.

Sorrow/Victory... two sides of the same coin

Yesterday's service was a mixed bag of the "good" and the "bad" of life. Two of our music team members were in car accidents this past week. At the beginning of the service, our pastor asked the congregation to pray for a member's father who had suffered a head injury and "took a turn for the worst" that morning. We celebrated the re-sending off of our missionaries to Ukraine after their sabbatical here in the States. The pastor who was preaching that day shared the gut-searching story of how he and his wife found peace after they lost their first child shortly after child birth. Shortly after the service we had a meeting to discuss our mission trip to South Africa this summer--interfacing with a church there and conducting Bible schools for children, AIDS awareness seminars, baseball camps, bringing materials to meet practical hygiene needs...

I just sit here and think... if there's anywhere on this planet where we can come and openly share our wounds and our celebrations... and through it all, find some common thread of grace that brings meaning to the highs and lows of life... it should be the within the gathering of believers in Christ... the Church. Yesterday, we experienced the Holy Spirit in this mosaic of pain and joy. Once again, we experienced Church.

It's true.

Yeah. The Bou is closing at 8PM on weeknights and 9PM on weekends. Last night Kim and I drove by the Bou at 9:15... the lights were off. It was depressing. I guess the only other option for late night java is the new Waffle House down the road... I'm definately not going to "that other place."

Spring Songs

Okay. There's nothing like rolling down your windows and driving around town when the weather is as great as it has been this week. (Obviously, the only hindrances being metro-Atlanta stop-and-go traffic and Georgia pollen.) In honor of said weather, I'd like to suggest a few "Spring songs" that go along with the mood and weather of this time of year. These are songs I enjoy listening to with my windows down... and the scenery just breezing on by. This list isn't comprehensive (I'm leaving off many that just haven't come to mind yet), so if you have any to add to the list, bring 'em on!

Beautiful Day, U2
Bigger Than My Body, John Mayer
Dreams, The Cranberries
Go Your Own Way, Fleetwood Mac
God's Country, U2
It's My Life, No Doubt (remix)
Jessica, The Alman Brothers Band
More Than a Feeling, Boston
Sabatoge, Beastie Boys
Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
The Boys of Summer, Don Henley and/or The Ataris (I like their remix)
The Middle, Jimmy Eat World
Where the Streets Have No Name, U2
Why Georgia, John Mayer

P.R.

Got my java in hand, and my laptop packed... ready to go to our all day pastors retreat @ the lake!

NCAA Basket-whaaa?

Totally missed filling out a tourney bracket this year. I feel so... so... behind the times... so... "out" of the "in"... I feel so... well... silly.

Update...

Updated my blogroll today. There are 3 other blogs that I read daily, but have not added to my list. So, um, I added 'em...
maggi dawn
Theophany's Theojournal
The up-the-sleeve blog

r-u-n?

weather... too nice... must finish work... get outside... and run...

Hangover.

No. It's not what you think. I'm fine. I'm actually referring to my running into someone at the pub last night whom I haven't seen since September of last year. I met her at said pub last summer. We talked about life, God and the church over a few pints (she's actually a bartender there). She doesn't go to church--left it when she was a teenager because they said "everyone who drinks beer goes to hell." And, frankly, she liked the taste of beer. (So do I, but that's a different story.) Anyway, there were many open doors to talk about freedom and salvation in Christ, but I never really followed up on them. Partly because I am extra careful in developing relationships with the opposite sex so I don't accidently "lead them on." (Sometimes this is a hindrance, but I feel I honor both the gal and myself in the process.) And, partly because I simply stopped going to that pub and went back to sole-patronizing of my favorite pub in the area (The Harp Irish Pub).

So, why the title of this post? Well, because I've let the relationship "hangover" for several months. I'm encouraged that she remembered me and was actually open to hearing me blab on and on about St. Patrick last night. (BTW, St. Patrick pretty much paved the way for all of Ireland to be "evangelized" within the generation after he died. Pick up a copy of Hunter's "The Celtic Way of Evangelism" for a good historical survey of him.) The funny thing is that last night I was actually hanging out with another friend of mine with whom I've been sharing my faith with for several months. It was kind of like: "Okay, God, I get the point. I'll be more intentional..."

Proost!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Gonna celebrate @ ye 'ole Irish pub tonight...

Back in the game...

Going running! My first time since my knee injury back in the fall. Wish me luck!

Old friend

Had a great visit with my brother in Birmingham this past week. I traveled there with my mom and dad, and enjoyed the "family" time spent with all four of us. While we were in Birmingham, we visited the McWane Center in downtown Birmingham. Experienced a moving exhibit on the Titanic, and watched an IMAX film on the subject. While we were in the museum section of the Center, I ran into a friend of mine from Carson-Newman. I hadn't seen Lauren since I graduated in December '99. It was a great "reunion" to see a familiar face, and to reminiscence on some memories. When I consider the immensity of the variables involved in our "chance" meeting, I can do nothing but chalk it up as a "small-miracle," a gift from God. What an encouragement!

Trip!

I'm in Birmingham, AL now... visiting my bro...

Me... in a nutshell

Welcome to [ex]changed.life! My name is Adam. I've been on journey with Jesus for most of my life, and have decided to devote my life to his work. I'm currently serving a church in the metro-Atlanta area as Pastor of Worship and Arts. (That basically means I get to sing and play my guitar, work with drama and audio/visual teams and put together multimedia projects for our worship services.) I believe that for the most part Christianity has neglected the raw spiritual medium of artistic expression over the past few centuries. My hope is that in this small corner of the world I can help reintroduce people to their imagination, and, more importantly, reintroduce them to the Great Artist: our Creator.

[ex]changed.life was born in April 2003. The name refers to my faith in Christ--the idea that Jesus has exchanged my life for his life... that he's changed me from what I used to be into who I am today... and that my ex life is my past, my future is bright! Jesus Christ said: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." (Matthew 17:25)

I have a BA in English & Communication Arts (Carson-Newman College) and a Master of Divinity (New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary).

When I'm not blogging, I'm usually reading, writing poetry and/or drinking copious amounts of coffee.

Thanks for stopping by! I do hope you join in the conversation...

Yeah... I know her

So, this totally rocks. Kim is published on Relevant's online zine! Check it out HERE.

Deceptive

The weather outside is cruel today. It's sunny... and clear. Yet, it's in the 50s. Cruel, cruel not-yet-spring weather... Dangling the carrot of wanting to be outside, but delivering the chill of late winter transitional weather.

I've had too much coffee already today.

Yesterday's Post

Some of you are having problems viewing the pics I posted in yesterday's post. This morning when I loaded the page, I couldn't see them either. Then I hit refresh and was able to view them. Anyway, I'm trying to figure it out why they don't load each time... Thanks for your patience...

Learning to Listen

What a blessed service on Sunday! The theme for the worship service was "prayer." I chatted with Greg (emerging minister) last week about this service. In particular, some of my concerns of how folks would receive it. I'm excited to say that the overwhelming response was positive. Unfortunately, there were a few folks who left as soon as they found out that the service was "different." There were a few non-believers present as well. Present were a Buddhist gentleman who was "in shock" and a Jewish gentleman who was extremely touched--both overwhelmed at a body of believers who were weeping, receiving comfort and communing together in the name of Jesus.


After I introduced the topic and the nature of the day, the congregation was "dismissed" to migrate throughout the room. There were 8 prayer stations set up around the room as follows:
image (pictured) - opening myself to God's perspective of me
others (pictured) - learning to intercede for others
heart (pictured) - more than a song, a lifestyle of worship
table - communion with Jesus and other family members
how? - "Teach us how to pray..."
impact (pictured) - more than just words in a prayer (focus: action)
gifts (to & unto) ("to" pictured) - given to me and given back to God
vision (inward & outward) - community on a local and global scale

Response
It was beautiful to see brothers and sisters in Christ weeping on each other's shoulders--a friend carrying a burden to the cross. There were times I saw women and men laying face down on the floor at the communion table or before the cross. Some folks sat quietly in their chair, reflecting on the day and watching others engaging with the Lord.

I received some feedback from folks...

One woman in her late 50s called me this morning and said something to this effect: "This service was great for those people who may not pray often or who are just learning how to pray. However, I've been a believer for several decades. For me, it was a powerful tool to shake me out of routine of praying. It meant a lot to me."


I also heard today of a woman who has been very guarded and closed off emotionally. She and her son went around the room together, and he was weeping. They got in the car to go home, and she broke down. They literally drove around our small city for the better part of an hour, crying and communicating with each other. Some major walls and burdens being lifted off their backs...


Here are some other feedback responses written and handed in after the service:
"This was a very worthwhile service. I hope we can do it again sometime."
"What a profound experience--Thank you."
"Thank you, I was one on one with the Lord. He knew I needed to ask the questions. I asked, He listened. We talked."
"Thanks for the freedom and the 'nudge' to let loose before God."
"So thought provoking. What a blessing to reflect on what my Lord has done for me."
"Very powerful service! Truly God inspired worship. Praise be to the Lord & His home at Crosspointe."
"My first visit here and it was about prayer. Just what I needed to hear. Thank you God!"

So, thank you to all who prayed for this service. If God didn't show up, it would have been just a creative novelty. Praise God--He did show up! All the praise to Him alone...

BIG Weekend...

It's a big weekend for me.

Worship and Arts Spring Conference
Starting off tomorrow AM hosting our first ever Worship and Arts Conference @ Crosspointe. I'm kind of nervous, kind of excited. It's the first convergence/gathering of all our worship and arts ministries (i.e. music, drama, audio/visual, host) in one place.

Learning to Listen
Secondly, I'm "preaching" on Sunday. I say "preaching" because I'm really providing a brief homily (10-15 minutes) before we engage in a participatory element of the service. The element consists of 8 prayer stations spaced around the room. Folks will migrate between the stations, offering prayers and learning how to pray about various things: such as other people, social/world issues, self-image, impact on the world and giving. I experimented with something like this around 4 years ago when I was student minister @ Crosspointe. It went over "okay" with the community at large, and I learned a lot from the experience (such as, keeping all the people in one place at one time! I had people floating around the entire 3 story building our community owns... it was a major distraction). I also created a couple participatory-environments with the students. They seemed as receptive as the adults, which surprised me because I thought they would have a greater excitement. I learned from that experience that just because some folks are "older" than us Xers/Millennials, it doesn't necessarily follow they aren't as willing to try something new! Anyway, I'll post some stuff--maybe some pics--when it's all over.

Would appreciate your prayers for both things...

BABIES!!

Oh, my goodness. Check out Turnpike Films. Odd, hysterical commercials. Turn up your volume and watch away. Some of my favorites:

Nutrigrain (feel great) (BABIES!!)
Starbuck's Movie (the cure) (Coffee... for all! *Yawn*)
Budweiser (n.e.b.o.b.) (Every beer drinker's dream...)

Site Feed

For those who know what I'm talking about and are interested in reading my blog on their PDAs or newsreaders, I've added an XML site read link to my blog (see left frame).

Just under a month

Yup. In less than a month, my blog will be 1 year old (April 2)! *sigh* They grow up so fast.

Why Anti-Semites Will Hate Gibson's Passion

I receive a newsletter from Mosaic Church as a result of registering to attend their Origins Project Conference in May. Anyway, I thought their most recent newsletter was interesting. Alex McManus talks about reasons why anti-semites will not like The Passion. A pretty interesting perspective becuase most of the talk about the movie centers around a possible anti-semitic message in the movie. This brief list affirms the Jewish community, the Jewish heritage of Jesus Christ and dispells any remotely anti-semitic concerns about the movie:


5 Reasons Anti-Semites will Hate Mel Gibson's Movie, The Passion of the Christ (Alex McManus)

I wanted to offer some comfort to those who believe that a movie about the death of Jesus might be a rallying point for all those anti-Semites out there. So here is a short list that I've titled: "Five (5) reasons anti-Semites will hate Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of Christ."

1] The hero of the movie is Jewish. With all the buzz in the evangelical world, the frenzy among some in the Jewish community, and the droning of a secular but biased media, regarding the soon to be released movie, The Passion of the Christ, you would think this basic fact would be highlighted for balance.

2] The main audience will be millions of American Christians who all already want their children to grow up and be like Jesus the Jew.

3] Hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions, will become followers of a Jewish rabbi.

4] No Jewish teacher in all of history has turned more hearts towards the God of Israel than Jesus of Nazareth and the numbers continue to grow. Even in the most remote parts of the world, wherever the gospel of Christ has been told, there are followers of Christ who pray for Israel. If Jesus is not the Messiah of Israel, he ought to be.

5] Most anti-Semitism today comes from within Islam not from within Christianity, from within the Muslim world not America. Many Muslims believe that God would not have let one of his prophet's die on a cross. Gibson's the Passion of the Christ will shatter that illusion.

TGS5!

Yee-haw! Teen Girl Squad (Homestar Runner) now has 5 issues! Click HERE to see issue #5.

March!

It's the first day of March... and what a beautiful day it is! Wow! Unfortunately, with the sunshine also comes every excuse known to mankind to get out of the office and be outside...

I think I need to, um, "study" at Caribou Coffee today. Um, yeah. That's why I brought my laptop to work...