Did anyone notice that a presidential election is about to happen? I know, right? Did you know there’s a presidential election right around the corner? You couldn’t have guessed. It’s not like it’s in the news/ads/television/radio/blogs/internet or anything. I just wanted to write a note real quick about a great podcast that you should be listening to called “Stuff You Should Know.” I’ve been listening to it for about six months or so and it has some great material. I listened to one yesterday about the electoral college and how it affects the presidential elections. I had no idea. I...
The summer staff eats dinner together every night. We talk about the evening program and our days with the groups. There comes a breaking point where laughter erupts and the conversation devolves into mindless rumble. Last week, this laughter evolved into playful criticism towards me. I lead the music for the evening program and I am not ashamed to say I pick songs that are indie. You know, songs from bands that no one has ever heard of or songs originally sung in different languages? The staff complained of hearing the same songs each week, although the youth love the songs that I play and every week sing with a different group. They called me a pseudo-hipster, which infuriated...
This is probably the most powerful video I’ve seen this year so far. Via Business Insider: “As the war over income inequality wages on, super-rich Seattle entrepreneur Nick Hanauer has been raising the hackles of his fellow 1-percenters, espousing the contrarian argument that rich people don’t actually create jobs. The position is controversial — so much so that TED is refusing to post a talk that Hanauer gave on the subject. National Journal reports today that TED officials decided not to put Hanauer’s March 1 speech up online after deeming his remarks “too politically controversial” for the site…”....
Women are typically infinitely more creative than men. I think that can be proven through the dreams we have. Allison and I try to share our dreams each day from the night before. Here’s the conversation we just had. Be warned. Her dreams go on for a long time. And feel free to analyze it. Ray: Hey, sweetie, I had this amazing dream last night. You ever… Allison: Oh, let me tell you about my dream. I dreamt we had adopted a little girl from Fiji, but we hadn’t legally adopted her. The courts were letting us have her until...
This week we talk with Rev. Eric Elnes, Ph.D. about his weekly interactive webcast, Darkwood Brew. Elnes hosts the weekly show and is also the pastor of Countryside Community Church in Omaha, Nebraska and has published several books along the way, including the Phoenix Affirmations. Eric shares how three (seemingly) separate events in his life all came together to not only take his passion for small groups to a new level, but also bring the show to fruition....
This week we talk with television and film editor and director Matt Barber. Barber has worked on a number of projects including television’s The OC and Chuck and on the films Weathered and Not That Funny. He’s currently directing the documentary, Jesus Don’t Let me Die Before I have Sex. During our interview, Barber shares how he became interested in the topic and how you can help see the documentary be completed....
This week we talk with Bruce Epperly. He’s a theologian, ordained minister, blogger and author of several books, including ‘A Holy Adventure’ and ‘Process Theology: A Guide for the Perplexed.’ During our chat, he shares his thoughts on process theology and what it means to live a holy adventure....
This week we talk with Christian activist and Occupy DC lay pastor, Jeremy John. John shares what led him towards activism and then towards faith and how the occupy movement has become a huge focal point for his life. things to consider while listening :: What does “Christian Anarchy” mean to you? Should Christian’s protest and take part in civil disobedience? What issues are you passionate enough about to risk imprisonment?...
It seems we’re hearing a lot about “Christian values” in this campaign season, so it might make sense to take a look at what seemed to be the values that Jesus actually cared about…This video is my short (3 minute) take on “Real Christian Values.” ...
Recent comments by presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann have stirred up the discussion about gay marriage once again. While speaking to a group of high school…
The parable of the talents, we have been told, is a parable about personal responsibility, a warning of the terrible consequences of squandering our God-given…