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So, I quit watching MTV after Puck moved in, but they have made a wise move now.

MTV has posted almost* every music video ever in high quality here.

I said almost* every music video because they don’t have Michael W. Smith’s “Secret Ambition”, a total classic.   Awesome.

Oh look, I found it at another site:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BRUsSztA44

Can you just imagine how much better his mullet would look if it was high quality?

Before we all go “get our democracy on” next Tuesday, here are 3 things that I think are important:

1. Remember: ANYTHING you got forwarded to your inbox is a lie.  This is true for both sides.  People don’t forward the truth.  Before you vote based on some information you got from an email, check its truthiness at factcheck.org or snopes.com (both reputable and fair reporting sites).
2. Be kind to your neighbor on Wednesday morning.  This is an important election and both democrats and republicans have been playing with our fears and angers.  There will still be a lot of leftover emotion even after the ballots have been counted. The reality is, no matter who wins things will not be as Good/Bad as they are hyped up to be.  Happens every time, so remember what your mamma said and don’t be a sore Loser/Winner.
3. IF you are still undecided on next Tuesday morning, please just STAY AT HOME.  This campaign has been going on for like 40 years or something.  If you haven’t taken some time to weigh out the issues and make a decision by November 7th, then you are doing more harm than good.  Don’t become that guy I saw in an interview during the last election who said, “I didn’t know who I was going to vote for in the shower this morning, and I didn’t even know who to vote for when I got to the polling place.  I just picked one when I got in and pulled the lever!”  I know undecided voters are glorified every election cycle, but take your freedom seriously and use your head.  Read the candidates’ website (here and here) or find a trustworthy voter’s guide and make a decision.

I have a new internet buddy.  His name is oliver and one of his many hobbies is visiting churches and blogging about it.

Oliver is one of a few contributors for the Mississippi Atheist Blog and last Sunday he came to the Orchard in Oxford.  Here’s 99% of it (read the whole post here):

The Orchard (not to be confused with The Orchard in Tupelo) is a small Methodist church that meets in The Powerhouse, which is the community center for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. The sign in the front of The Powerhouse says that The Orchard is “A Church for Everyone.” That’s a pretty lofty goal once considering that “everyone” includes people from non-Christian religions as well as non-believers. (more…)

If I had only had this book:

Is that He-Man?  At the teen United Nations?

“I’m gonna pour one out for my boy Clark.”

T minus 3 seconds to a total claustrophobic meltdown on the Arch Tram.

A beautiful fall day at sunset in the big city.  I took this picture just before I realized that I was walking all alone in one of the most dangerous cities in America…and the sun was setting. (more…)

Randy Nabors – Lead Pastor, New City Fellowship in Chattanooga

City Leaders: Creating a heart for the poor in your neighborhood.

2 Timothy – “Keep your head in all situations.”

When Jesus changes our life, he doesn’t bring the moving truck to take us out of our current situation.  He moves in with us.

The whole Old Testament was a system of Mercy. (more…)

Eric Mason, Darrin Patrick, Dr. Chappell talk about contextualizing the Gospel to speak into culture:

How do you find your own voice in preaching?

• Listen to more than just a few other preachers. Ask for feedback.  Reveal your sources so people can learn from other people too.  ”Some people at the Journeyused to think Tim Keller was the 4th person of the Trinity because I would mention him so often.” (DP)
• It isn’t wrong to reflect our preaching influences.  It is wrong to be captured by them.  (Dr. C)
• Balance is important.  Filter it through scripture and who you are…and then let it come out (DP)
• E.V. HIll preaches his wife’s funeral is amazing (EM) http://tinyurl.com/69chu3 (more…)

Eric Mason, Round 2.  Hybrid Leaders.

In Star Wars,
How do they make apprentices on the Dark Side and in the Jedi Order?
The apprentice works closely with his mentor…and then is sent out to find an apprentice of his own.

Hybrid defined:
A hybrid is a combination of 2 or more different things aimed at achieving a particular objective or goal.

Our goal as church leaders is to see the world transformed by the Gospel of Jesus.

Leadership defined:
The willingness to take the initiative for the benefit of others.

Acts 16:1-5

Timothy was discipled IN the local church.

Darrin Patrick, Lead Pastor of The Journey here in St. Louis.

Random Notes:

Be willing to pay the price for young leaders.  They will help you understand your context better than anything or anyone else.  They will keep you honest.

Gospel-Centered Repentance.

2 Cor. 12

2 Words: Reluctance and Repentance.

In conference world, we rarely see reluctance as a good thing. (more…)

Stream the conference LIVE here.

Eric Mason and his friends from Epiphany Fellowship Church in Philly lead the evening’s session.

Some scattered notes:

Collectors want whatever they collect to arrive perfect and stay untarnished without bends, wrinkles or dents.  We should be that careful and meticulous with God’s Gospel in our churches.  

Take pains to make sure it stays in pristine condition.

(more…)