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In this inaugural edition of Ad Ad (that's an advertisement for an advertisement), we feature the new 2010 Prius ad. Ad Ad nominees are chosen based on the following: creativity, style, and overall effectiveness. In short, these ads are sometimes better than the shows they interrupt.



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Ever need a do-over? Me too.

CLEAN SLATE: PEOPLE OF THE SECOND CHANCE from Deadly Viper on Vimeo.

The Great Beard Bonanza

So I shaved the beard this morning and I'm a little sad about it. I was going for big. Really big! I had let it grow longer this time than ever before. I wanted to let it grow until at least Christmas. Oh, well. So after lunch I was sitting in the office, still kind of bummed out about the whole thing when I checked in on a blog that I keep up with regularly. Lo and behold, check out Carlos' latest post...I like the table next to the wall of windows on the east side of my neighborhood Starbucks. The big table. The one with the little blue handicap sticker on the bottom right corner. I’ve never seen a brother in a wheelchair in there but the second I do, I’ll give him my seat. ‘Cause it is the most brilliant seat in the cafe. Close enough to the door to catch a glimpse of everyone entering and far enough from the noise of the espresso machine. When a storm rolls in you feel like it is going to swallow you whole as the windows are thin enough to feel their vibrations as the water hits the glass. Sometimes I go in just to watch a storm roll by. I also like that I can watch the baristas do their thing. “Hey! Welcome to Starbucks!” Every freaking time. Like clockwork. And it’s not only the ambiance of this corporate facade of a local grind that captures me. It’s also Adam.

Adam is a barista in his early thirties with a beard that would make Kimbo cry mercy. This thing is on. Maybe a foot long. Manly. I’m sure smelly. It just plain dominates. Adam’s face is dominated by that beard. It is him. He is it. I only know Adams forehead, cheeks, nose and eyes. The rest of his face is beard. So needless to say when I walked in tonight to grab my venti skinny hazlenut latte (I know, not really a manly drink), I did a triple take when I saw Adam. Without his beard.

Dude. It was freaky. I smiled, gave some really horrible word of affirmation, and walked quickly to my seat. Adam chuckled his 6′3″ chuckle and said…”Different huh?” I was like…” Woah. Dude. Why? I mean, cool. But wow.” By this point Adam knew I was officially out of words and one more “dude” would have Keanued me. “I had that beard for 12 years. Not many people have seen me without it. My wife has never seen me without it. My 2 kids have never seen me without it. I just thought it was time for a change.” “You ain’t lying dude”, I said. Once again resorting to my Southern California safety net of a 4th grade noun.“What about your kids? Did they freak?” “You know Carlos, I thought really long and hard about that. I mean they are 4 and 6. They have only known their father with a beard yet that is only one way of looking at me. I am still me without my beard. They have just never experienced me this way. So you know what I did? I had them shave my beard off for me. Never looking away from me. That way they could see that my eyes were still my eyes and I am still their dad. About half way through my oldest got a bit bored and wanted to go finish his movie. I didn’t let him. I told him he had to finish. By the time they were finished, well, they never flinched. It was as if they had always seen me this way.”

When he got done I think my mouth was 1/4 the way open and my lips were dry from being entranced. I quickly snapped out of it and told him something about how much younger he looks and how I wish I could grow a beard like his but the bald spot on my middle left cheek would do me in. I was mumbling words but all I could think about was the amazing word picture he just painted me of my relationship with my Savior King. How when I look away from him in times of chaos, then look back up and the sun is hitting Him from a different direction, I freak and think he’s changed. I doubt. I run. I fear. I’m confused. All the while He is telling me, “Carlos, it’s Me. Don’t look away son. Stare at Me through this crap in your life and you will see My never endings. I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. I may look different because of the way I am painted by sermon series, worship songs, Bible translations, and consumer Christianity. But I promise you son. Stare into My eyes and know I hold you and will never leave you and never change.” All that went rushing through my head in a matter of seconds. “Carlos? Los?”, Adam brought me back into ventiland. “Oh. Yea. Man. Dude. Wow. Yea. That’s rad. I like it Adam. And I’m glad you had your kids see that through with you. You’re a smart man” Just then what seemed like 13 Jr. High cheerleaders came in and all ordered 12 dollar drinks while talking on their cell phones. Adam just smiled and served them graciously.

I got up and left as soon as I could before this guy could represent Jesus to me 3 times in one night. 2 was all I could take. On the way home I glanced in my rear view mirror. My beard is so poser. So loser. So metrosexual. But don’t think I’m not going to have my kids shave that bad boy off before the end of the week.

Staring at His face.
Los

[The article, "The Beard," was written by Carlos Whittaker. You can check him out at http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/.]

Disturb Me. Ruin Me.

A couple of years ago I heard Craig Groeschel speak at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta. He asked us to pray for God to disturb us. He asked us to pray for God to ruin us. What he said messed me up. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what to do with it.

This is the end of the message. It starts as he describes the events following the OKC bombing. (He's the pastor of a church in OKC.) The audio quality is not very good, but I think you'll get it.


This song is not directly connected, but it fits.

Rich Indeed

Have you ever said, "Boy, if I just had a little more money I would be able to help _____________." Or maybe, "If someone left me a million dollars THEN I would give $X to charity." I have too.

Go check out http://www.globalrichlist.com/.

We Are God's Stewards

Richard Foster said, "In our day heaven and earth are on tiptoe waiting for the emerging of a Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered people. All of creation watches expectantly for the springing up of a disciplined, freely gathered, martyr people who know in this life the life and power of the kingdom of God. It has happened before. It can happen again..."

May we all be good stewards of life, the gospel, and the earth; for the glory of our Savior, Jesus, and for the good of humankind. AMEN.

Stewardship of the Earth

We are also stewards of the earth. This seems to be a little more difficult for some Christians to grapple with because somewhere along the line it became politicized. Nevertheless, it is our responsibility to care for God's creation.

READ THIS...

Genesis 1 & 2

Psalm 24:1 & 2

Isaiah 45:12

NOW READ THIS...

WOW! Serve God Save the Planet is one of the latest books I've read. The author, Matthew Sleeth MD, was the former chief of the medical staff at a large hospital in New England. He left it all after becoming convinced, and convicted, that the life he and his family were living was not what God desired. "Turning to Jesus for guidance, Sleeth discovered how the scriptural lessons of personal responsbility, simplicity, and stewardship could be applied to modern life...Sleeth shares the joy of adopting a healthier, less materialistic lifestyle, which led to stronger relationships and a richer spiritual life." (quote from book cover synopsis)

WATCH THIS...
In addition to making you feel the joys of childhood again, Disneynature's new movie Earth, does an oustanding job at giving you a glimpse of God's amazing creation.

Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth won the Academy Award for Documentary Feature in 2006. (No, you probably won't agree with it all. Yes, that's OK.)

Stewardship of the Gospel

Before leaving earth, Jesus told His followers to, "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Jesus still desires for His followers to make Him known in all the earth.

READ THIS...
1 Corinthians 9

NOW READ THIS...
"Missions exists because worship doesn't." So begins John Piper's book, Let the Nations Be Glad. It is the most compelling call to missions ever written. (No, I haven't read them all. Yes, I'm biased.)

Stewardship of Life

"Only one life twill soon be past;

Only what's done for Christ will last."

How true it is. We have been extraordinarily blessed with life, but we only get one. It is important that we steward our lives for the glory of God.

READ THIS...
1 Peter 4:7-11
Matthew 25:14-30

NOW READ THIS...
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper is the single most influential book I've ever read outside the Bible.










WATCH THIS...
The movie Luther, about the life of reformation leader Martin Luther, tells the story of a life not wasted.

Who Me? A Steward?

If you loaned me your car, in what condition would you expect me to return it? No gas? Dented or scratched? Flat tires?

If you allowed me to stay in your home while you were away for the weekend, how would expect to find your home upon your return? Broken windows? Dirty dishes? Clogged toilets? Food and clothes strewn about the floor?

If I was asked to care for your children for the evening, in what state would you expect to find them following your appointment? Bruised? Battered? Bleeding? In tears?

Webster's dictionary defines steward as a person morally responsible for the careful use of money, time, talents, or other resources, esp. with respect to the principles or needs of a community or group.

There are three things about stewardship that are helpful to remember.
1. Stewardship is expected.
2. Stewardship is more than mere maintenance, it is the care, protection, growth, help, and health of a particular person, place or thing.
3. Stewardship involves every area of life.

For the next few days, we will look at three specific areas of stewardship.
1. Stewardship of Life
2. Stewardship of the Gospel
3. Stewardship of the Earth

Have you prayed for him today?

Kids Praise - A Heart for the World

Thanks to the Adult Leadership Team, the Student Leadership Team (The LaDeeDa's) and all the kids for another FANTASTIC year in Kids Praise! Check out these pics from the Spring program.

Lessons from a Shoe Company