I like netflix. I'm a fan. I quit using their DVD service this fall and lately I've been streaming the content instead. I was a bit concerned about lack of access to new releases (especially since Blockbuster seems to have vanished entirely from the face of Long Island) but the truth is, I've been trying to read more lately anyhow and there's a LOT of content available for streaming.
So I'm cruising through the menu a few weeks ago when I saw a Bruce Lee movie I had never seen. It's called Game of Death. Fans of martial arts movies are ...
James Bond Obsession
** Heads up: there is absolutely zero spiritual content in the following entry.
Unless discussing James Bond somehow brings you closer to God.
Which is decidedly possible.
I got a couple of gift cards for Christmas this year, which I used to complete my collection of James Bond films. I now own all of the 22 movies in the series, plus the extra non-canonical 'Never Say Never Again,' which is basically a remake of Thunderball.
There are many of the films I haven't seen yet and I'm having a great time slowly working my way through the set. I intend to stretch this out ...
Lin-Sanity Reloaded
Even if you're not an NBA fan, you've probably heard the name 'Jeremy Lin.' And you've probably suffered through many of the bad puns that his name has given birth to. But you may not know the back story.
Simply by virtue of the fact that he's one of the few Chinese players in the NBA, Lin has a huge following in the Asian community. Earlier this year, he was thrust into the limelight after leading the Knicks on a 7 game winning streak.
Lin had been cut by the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. He was sent down to ...
First World Problems
This past Sunday at True North, we wrapped up a message series called "How to Be Rich." If you missed it, you can check out the audio here, at our message archive.
It was a pretty heavy three weeks and I got a ton of positive feedback on it, which really encouraged me because talking about money always sets me off balance.
We talked at length about how blessed we are and how no matter what, we're all convinced that we're broke and that "rich" is a title for someone else. The truth is, if you live indoors, you have indoor plumbing, ...
A few thoughts that I didn’t get to flesh out in this week’s message…
I’ve never been much for New Years’ Resolutions. I used to make a few each year and for a significant portion of my life, was undeterred by the fact that I usually violated my resolutions within 48 hours of making them.
It didn’t matter. I’d just tell myself I’d do better next time and wait another 363 days.
Obviously, New Years Day is not the only good day to make resolutions. Birthdays, anniversaries or really any old time you feel like making some changes works just fine. But there’s something about New Years Day that draws us in. It’s kinda like the start of the school year, but for grownups.
As far as I can tell, houses fall into three categories when it comes to Christmas lights:
1 – Just enough to get by. These people know that it’s not cool to do NOTHING, so they slap up the basic minimum requirement for saying that they have some Christmas lights.
2 – Keeping up with the Joneses. These people watch their neighbors carefully and make sure that what they put up for the most part matches or keeps in step with what other people on their blocks are doing.
3 – Completely Psychotic. These lineal descendants of Clark W. Griswold have fallen over the edge into the abyss of insanity. Propriety and good taste are out the window. They are hated by their neighbors, subsidized by LIPA and gawked at by passers-by.
There are several houses like this in my hood. One or two of them have a donation box out front with proceeds going to a worthy charity. But I suspect something else is afoot. Good causes notwithstanding, I think these people just enjoy the sheer insanity of it. The reckless abandon; the absolute undiluted over-the-top-ness of it all.
We all spend time and effort decorating the outside. Both of our houses and of our lives. Some people go absolutely crazy working out, or picking out clothing or in other ways creating the identity which the world sees as “them.” But an intact exterior identity is no more a sign of a healthy life than a million bulb Christmas light array is a sign of a healthy family. The exterior appearance does not speak truth about the interior conditions.
Somebody said something once about a book and it’s cover. Seems to make sense.
How about you? How are things on the inside? I know you’re looking good on the outside. Got yourself all put together, Christmas lights all in place. Heck, I bet you even have a tan in December. But remember peoples, especially at Christmas time, remember – it’s what’s going on inside that counts.
It’s my sincere hope for each of you that as the year winds down you’ll take a little time to be still and listen for what God may want to whisper to you. I’m praying that each of you will find 2012 to be a year when you grow closer to God and grow more in his likeness. Both inside and out.
I had breakfast last week with a couple of friends and we had some conversation that proved to be pretty beneficial and provocative for me. Talking with these jokers got me asking the following question: What does it cost me to follow God?
My friends, Joe and Amy Flammer, are missionaries to New Zealand. Joe’s born and raised right here on Long Island and Amy’s from the midwest somewhere but we’ll forgive her.
These two jokers have left the comforts of home and family to follow God’s call to reach out to the people of New Zealand. Interesting place, New Zealand. One of the most un-churched places on Earth. Stress and suicide rates extremely elevated. Great place to plant Re:Church - a church plant which we at True North are supporting.
