I say I believe in God, that I believe in Jesus His son. I say that I believe so much that I would give my life for what I believe in, but do I really?

I ran across this video by Francis Chan and it made me really think. Do I truly believe, or are the words, “I believe” the answer I give myself so I don’t have to ask myself the hard questions? And if I do believe, what evidence is there in my life? If I took my “belief” out of my life, would there be a difference? Would anyone be able to tell?

If the answer is no, then I have some decisions to make.

Found this silly awesome video, “God is Not a White Man” by the Michael Gungor Band.

Click to buy

Generally I read a book on the way to work (I walk), today I walked out the door checking Twitter. My friend Kelly Stone (@KellyMarieStone) reTweeted: “RT @michaelgungor: A bit of a fiery rant about Christian media, wine, and yes, zombies. (http://bit.ly/t3Zfzz). Compelled by curiosity I followed the link.

Wow. Amazing. It turns out its the blog of Michael Gungor, who I have previously never heard of, and his post is a few of his thoughts on “Christian” media.

By “a few of his thoughts,” I mean 2,969 words of awesomeness!

You have to read it (click here).  I know you’re thinking, “3000 words? really?” But you know, it’s worth it.  Some things can’t be packaged into tiny 250-300 word capsules. Maybe that’s part of the wonder I felt when reading it, that Michael didn’t care to shorten his thoughts, or abbreviate his point into separate posts. He just put it out there: Ready or not, here I come.

And that’s also the point of his post, that “Christian media” has become more a marketing machine than culture of artistic impression, and God forbid, creativity.

His focus is music, but I would also agree this point is true with books.  I read quite a bit, maybe more than the average Joe (my bookshelf), but most of the fiction I consume is not Christian, as it generally annoys me in the first few pages.

I am writing a novel and in doing so have read the “bibles” on writing, and the “what not to do” sections could be filled by many “Christian” novels written by the higher selling authors. They have a “feel” to them that’s easy to pick out, much like Christian radio stations, which are easily distinguished even before the “Jesus loves me” lyrics can be heard.

Not that it’s entirely bad, but the eerie feeling is one of inadequacy, of missing the empirical standards set by many secular authors like Stephen King, Philip Roth, Dan Brown, and John Irving.

I know my ideas may never be bought into by the larger marketers (oops, publishers), but that’s why I must create it. That is why I cannot settle for the subpar, call it “Christian” and expect people to like it. The Christian public may buy it, but like me, they are likely tired of the same old crap they get handed.

And so I raise my Guinness and toast to writing the way I want, to making my posts 2,969 words if I must. *chug chug*

For those of you still reading, Gungor’s music is amazing, and I leave you this video.  If you want to buy their album, as I did, click here: Gungor – Ghosts Upon the Earth.

I found this video about the power a simple smile can have to change your life. Smiling more everyday can even extend your life 7 years! Oh, and even fake ones count a little.

Most amazing to me is that kids smile as many 400 times a day. Adults? Most smile about 30 times a day.  So I encourage you today, no matter your circumstance, find a way to smile today, it will improve your life!

What always brings a smile to your face? For me, it’s when I come home from work and all my kids rush to me screaming “Daddy’s home!”

EDIT: I just found out that Gutman has a book on this subject you can get by clicking here: SMILE!

I love to read and I love to write, but no matter how hard I try when I write, I always feel like my ideas and words are mediocre at best, and every one else is a brilliant literary savant.

I frequent Jon Acuff’s blog, made famous by his comical and witty book “Stuff Christians Like” (my review here) and more recently “Quitter” (great book!), and I was blown away by a recent post titled “The talent we have the hardest time recognizing is our own.”

He posted a video by a guy named Derek Sivers which sums it up pretty well.

Derek asks at the end of the short video, and I would like your thoughts as well, “Are you holding back something that’s too “obvious” to share?”

Mine is writing.

The talent we have the hardest time recognizing is our own.

On July 8, Christopher Hopper posted a blog (here) about a company he found at Creation Fest.  First attracted by their merchandising table, he soon found that by spending a few bucks on an awesome watch and a hoodie, that he helped to feed 400 kids.  See, Hello Somebody is a non-profit whose mission if to feed the hungry.  So far they’ve helped the people of Honduras, Haiti, Pakistan, Mexico and Japan.

Inspired by Christopher’s blog, I decided to make Hello Somebody the recipient of my blog earnings for the month of August (more about giving through my blog here). The total earned was $31.84, so today I made a donation of $32 to Hello Somebody.  It doesn’t sound like much, but Cat (the kind lady who took my money), informed me that the donation would provide about one hundred meals.  That’s right, one hundred people will have something to eat because people clicked through the Amazon book links on my measly blog and bought something.

So a big thank you from me to those of you that helped me to give!

See, it doesn’t take something huge to make a difference. A lot of people giving even a little can make a huge difference in the life of another person.  I’m sure Cat and the people would love even a donation of $5.  Here is their story, and if God moves on your heart to give, please click the logo at the beginning of the post (or here) and give what you can.

The Hello Somebody Story from Hello Somebody on Vimeo.

Love this tune, and when your band is named “Payable On Death” you know it’s going to rock!  For those of you who maybe aren’t into the genre so much, there’s no growling and the lyrics are clear.

Click here (or the pic) to get the album.

Lyrics below.

Verse 1:

I wonder how clear it must look from there to here
No obstruction, this selfish corruption
All in this atmosphere
No fear, less tears, only time to catch my breath
I fail to inhale
Your love constricts my chest
Confusion blinded me, mental and physically
And it’s because of you that now I can see
So now I can run. I follow the Son and ride on to Zion
And dance this last song of freedom
But only time will tell, if it’s truly for real
Can’t change your mind, all I know this is what I feel
Whether I’m wrong or right, please keep my life in sight
And never take you eyes off me

Bridge:

As I look up to the sky today
Well I can see you looking down on me
It brings a smile to my face again
S-S-S-Satellite

Chorus:

Satellite
Satellite

Verse 2:

It’s truly one of a kind, like star shine, beyond night time, are you there
My eyes stare to find, just what’s behind this blind notion of mine, is it
genuine
Cause sometimes, it plays tricks with my mind, some call it asinine
But it’s like love or hate, now is that real or fake?
Cause it’s a real thin line, but that’s your choice to make
The question at hand, help me understand, is this your plan?
I think I can, can I think, then I think I can
Because I won’t break (nah), and I won’t shake (nah)
With lifted hands to this Man (Jah), I’ll stand in faith
I’ll make it through, my trust in you
Close my eyes, make a wish, kiss the sky
Hey there…I see you

Shining Light
Shining Light
Blinding Light
Blinding Light
Shining Light
Shining Light
Blinding Light
S-S-S-Satellite

Chorus:

Satellite
Satellite
Satellite (When I look up to the sky today, I can feel you looking down on me)
Satellite (It brings a smile to my face again, satellite)

Sometimes, you want to help feed the homeless, but you really don’t have the financial means to do so.  Comedian Tom Mabe offers his way of helping to feed the homeless. While effective, I think it may be a misdemeanor.

 

This song by Keith Green, wow, it gets me. Am I asleep in the light? I hear a lot about what state the church is in, but you know, the church is made of many individuals, so any change has to start with me and my house.

And then this one. Humbling. He starts speaking at about 6 minutes into it.  If you don’t like the music, at least skip to there and listen.

I can’t get this song out of my head.  I think I’ve listened to it fifty times in the past few days.  it’s about how we as the church need to repent on behalf of the nation, and pray for mercy on our country.  It’s clear through the Bible that the prayers of the righteous can postpone judgement and the negligence of the righteous can hasten it.