Austin, Texas is by far the weirdest town I’ve ever visited…and not by accident (as if any place could arrive at weirdness by accident), Austin’s people specifically seek new levels of weirdness. Illustrated by the businesses, homes, cars, and even their slogan to “Keep Austin Weird”, there is an endless supply of oddities within this city.

Austin’s search for oddity has contributed to its lively music and restaurant culture. In addition to being the state capital, it is known as the live music capital too.

I recommend sampling the food at ZTejas (mexican), Homeslice Pizza, and the Whole Foods headquarters.

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See All the Pictures Here…

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Living in an environment where a lot of people are preparing for a career in pastoral ministry, I hear a lot of ambitious plans for the church. I myself have a lot of ambitious ideas for the future of the church…but I have never considered the one I saw on the news recently.

Meet The Strip Church, one ambitious pastor’s ministry to change the lives of visitors to Las Vegas. I personally like it. He has a clear and simple strategy, a proven record of ministry in this context, and a deep love for the lost in this regard.

I wouldn’t recommend the ministry everyone, and I would not pursue it myself, but I recommend that you have a look at the ministry of:

www.stripchurch.com

ABC recently hosted them for an interview which can be viewed here.

You can also view the ministry plan here.

In Disney’s latest release of the Chronicles of Narnia, the writers and directors take a large departure from the storyline of the original author, and in doing so, destroy the reason he wrote the story.

C.S. Lewis is well-known and criticized for writing clear allegories to the spiritual lessons of the Bible, especially in reference to his popular Chronicles of Narnia. His engaging stories teach people, young and old, just as parables in ancient times hoped to do.

Unfortunately the God of the Chronicles of Narnia movies is not the God that C.S. Lewis portrayed. Gone from both movies is the Emperor across the sea and the majestically sovereign Lion. Instead we find a Lion who works more as the magical king of the region of Narnia, than as the creator of the world in which Narnia resides. Instead of hearing of power of God, we are told of “deep magic”, which appears to be more reflective of George Lucas’s Force, from Star Wars.

In the lastest addition, Prince Capian, we are met not with the Lion who brings the four Pevancys into Narnia and leads them to Aslan’s How in correlation with Prince Caspian’s blight, but we find them struggling to it’s location on their own, aided by a dream and a momentary vision, rather than by the walk of faith that Lewis portrayed.

In a greater departure from the original story, we find the characters of the Chronicles to be very different from Lewis’ intent. We find the children raiding the castle of the Talmarines at the bequest of a prideful King Peter, rather than defending Aslan’s How at a humble and sacrificial Peter’s request. We further see a King Peter tempted by the White Witch, rather than destroyed by Him. And we fail to see King Peter humbly raising up Narnia’s new king through an understanding and submission to the plans of the true king…Aslan.

Finally…and saddest of all, We miss C.S. Lewis’ glorious conclusion to the story of Prince Caspian, and the greatest spiritual metaphor of the book. For after the battle of Aslan’s How, we read through the liberation of the faithful Narnian people and lands(including human men and women) and the judgment of the unfaithful. We see the sovereign Aslan lead more than the kingdom to a new ruler, we see him reward those with faith in Him.

For a similar opinion, read the following article:
http://www.anglicanjournal.com/100/article/narnia-film-long-on-action-short-on-faith/

“Stocks tumble”
“Dow falls to record low”
“Unemployment at a 3 year high”

The news seems to have a new angle on the same old economic message every day…I wonder sometimes, do they enjoy pushing people toward depression? Is it really necessary to throw the statistical “alarm” out there day after day?

Better yet, what should our views regarding the economy really be? Seriously…what should the stock markets really be telling us? I grow more and more bitter everyday, but not toward the president, or the mortgage lenders. I grow bitter toward the entire “publicly-owned” company philosophy. Sure, the stock market has made a lot of people rich, but isn’t there a greater business pursuit than improving the profits of investors? Shouldn’t our minds and focus be on the companies that make a consistent profit, but spend their money and their focus on improving the employees they have, rather than on companies who are more likely to cut employee benefits to show greater and greater profits.

I just grow tired of the stock market system…and wonder if there is a better way to channel our business abilities.

“Stocks tumble for second day”

It is quite an extraordinary parallel to me to view the presidential news after the election. Outside of the hundreds of African’s Americans who have been inspired by this historic occasion, the biggest news now centers around the appointment of Barak Obama’s new staff.

The news is reminiscent to me of the New Testament occasion where Jesus’ disciples began arguing over who would be the greatest in His kingdom. Jesus uses this setting to make His model of leadership clear by washing his student’s feet in the role of the lowest servant in the home. The message: “leaders are servants.” Read the rest of this entry »