awaken, o dreamer

this past sunday i was flipping through the new issue of relevant magazine, one of my favorites, and came across an ad and review of erwin mcmanus‘ new book, wide awake: the future is waiting within you.

as i skimmed the short interview about the book with mcmanus, i read this:

“relevant: do you think people ever feel guilty about pursuing the life they want?

mcmanus: yes. absolutely. i think strangely enough, most people live under obligation.  they’re doing what they think other people expect them to do or want to do or demand that they do rather than what they really would have done.  i meet with people whose only goal is to pay their bills, because they think beyond that is greedy and they forget that they don’t have to keep it all.  most people in the western world don’t really understand that to optimize your opportunity is to create hope for the rest of the world.  you can actually provide housing and find cures for diseases.  to me, one of the greatest and most selfish acts among people is to just make enough to survive.”

wow.  after reading that i could not get in my car fast enough and drove to barnes & noble to buy this book.  i’ve been in it for a few days now and it is rocking my world, and it is so right on time for me.  you can check out a sample chapter here.

here’s a great excerpt from the book:

“for centuries now, Jesus has been a focus of every kind of research, from theology to history to philosophy.  his approach to ethics left an undeniable mark on humanity.  what has been significantly underappreciated is how Jesus changed the way his followers actually engaged life.  he launched a movement that unleashed previously untapped potential in those who believed in him.  he created an environment where his disciples began to believe the impossible and soon found they were turning dreams into reality.  his became a movement of dreamers and visionaries called and compelled to dream of a better world.”

there is also a dvd release of wide awake:the short films coming next week that has several short films along the themes of the book. can’t wait to get that!

** dig my blog? Subscribe in a reader or get email updates! **

jon and kate plus 8

i am currently watching jon & kate plus 8 on tlc.  this show is incredible.

i don’t know what took me so long to discover it, but i am completely captivated… and worn out.  i have watched 3 episodes back to back tonight, and have already set up a series recording on my dvr to record them all.

I am currently watching the episode where “hannah pooped in her underwears”.  in just the hour and a half that i have spent with the gosselin family, i can already tell that kate has some significant control and abandonment issues and jon needs to grow a pair.    even so, i love this show!  i also love how the producers are not editing out the faith aspect of the gosselin’s family life.  the kids are adorable and so full of life!

speaking of tlc, they have some pretty dope new shows.  in addition to the aforementioned jon & kate plus 8, they have new shows like rock the reception and the singing office.  very cool.

** dig my blog? Subscribe in a reader or get email updates! **

dangerous men

“all men dream but not equally.  those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible.” – t.e. lawrence

worship in jakarta, indonesia

i am sitting in the hong kong airport, waiting to board my plane headed to los angeles. i have been in indonesia for this event since last thursday, june 5. it was an absolutely amazing experience. i have a lot of stories and pics to share, but in the meantime, i wanted to share a couple of videos from our time in jakarta, indonesia. i’ll tell you what, there are some Jesus-loving people in indonesia! more coming soon… enjoy!

i am here

… for this event. indonesia is comprised of over 17,000 islands.  there are close to 250 million people living here, made up of around 300 ethnic groups, approximately 80% of which are muslim.

it took 30 hours and 4 flights to get here. the jet lag is strong. it is presently 1:35pm on friday, june 6 here… 12 hours ahead from my home in houston. i’ll be back home next thursday, june 12.

we’re pretty much sitting right on the equator, and it’s quite hot. this is my first visit to asia, and the 4th continent i have visited… all in the last 19 months. word.

the price is wrong!

i am laughing so hard at this right now!

… the best!!!

** dig my blog? Subscribe in a reader or get email updates! **