« September 2009 | Main | November 2009 »
Up-down, up-down, left-right, left-right, b-a........some other actions that I can't recall at the moment and shazaam you have eternal life or at least all you need to eventually beat the game Contra. I must say that I'm no where near a gamer. Besides Contra the only other game I ever got into was Duck Hunt. My Duck Hunt days ended when my older brother threw the gun at me one day...in short season over.
My day today got off to a rough start. Ya know those days where you feel immensely discouraged and can't seem to identify why. You begin to go through you're check list. Ok is it because the Bears are showing signs of really sucking again....hmmm. Well that's not it because I'm use to Chicago teams breaking my heart each year. Is it because I pulled potentially both glute's last night doing P90X, nope Kelly told me that would happen. Well maybe it's because I just really miss the show Webster. No thats an impossibility..so what is it?
I did go through a check list this morning, a real one. And yes the P90X was on my real list. After going through a list of why I'm feeling so down I came up with zero answers. So I turned to a place that usually provides me with hope; the Scriptures.
I've been reading through 1 & 2 Corinthians for months now. Today I found myself in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 that says, "for though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, the have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ."
I ready through this a few times and my warped mind found itself on level two of the video game Contra. How my mind went there only my therapist could tell you.
I began to think of as a kid the ultimate was playing that game and acquiring the most powerful weapons. My favorite weapon of the four (machine gun, laser gun, fire gun, and spread gun) was without question the "fire gun".
I loved this one because the more powerful your weapon was the more life you had and the more life you had well then you could brag about what level you made it to the next day at lunch time while eating your lunchables or hot pockets.
I then began to realize that today I woke up with the most powerful weapon one can imagine, the "divine power" given to me by God through his Holy Spirit. A weapon that is grossly being un-used. It's like having the "fire gun" and choosing to use the "rifle"...who would do something like that?
I then thought to myself how will I use this "divine" weapon today? How will I steward the power of the Resurrection that is within me?
Am I the only one who struggles to remember Truth like this? I'd love to hear your thoughts or ways you find victory... or other favorite Nintendo Video Games but just know that nothing compares with Duck Hunt or Contra.
-Jon Peacock
Just so we're clear I'm not advocating for the company Dos Equis not am I advocating for drinking, however I love this company's commercials and am thankful for the fact that each time "the most interesting man in the world" commercial comes on I'm usually dying of laughter.
This is some amazing humor and for a while I've been wondering what is your favorite quote of "the most interesting man in the world"? Below are the many statements that have been said about him. Share your fav!
-He has been known to cure narcolepsy, just by walking into the room.
-His organ donation card, also lists his beard.
-He’s a lover, not a fighter, but he’s also a fighter, so don’t get any
ideas.
-When it is raining, it is because he is sad.
-His beard alone has experienced more than a lesser mans body.
- His blood smells like cologne.
- He has amassed an amazingly large DVD collection, and has never once alphabetized it.
- If he were to mail a letter without postage, it would still get
there.
- The pheromones he secretes effect people miles away… in a slight, but
measurable way.
- He once punched a magician. That’s right, you heard me.
- His hands feel like rich, brown suede.
- He lived in the hills of the Serengeti for a summer after being gifted
a wife by a local tribes men.
- He owns 4 sports cars, and rents 5.
- He taught a horse to read his email for him.
- He almost broke the land speed record in 1977, popular opinion among
his team was that is beard caused to much wind resistance. He would have shaved
it… No, no he wouldn’t have.
- He was the featured man at a bachelorette auction he brought in over
13 million euro, under the table.
- His personality is so magnetic, he is unable to carry credit cards.
- Even his enemy’s list him as there emergency contact.
- He never say’s anything taste like chicken… Not even chicken.
- He speaks fluent French, in Russian.
- His charm is so contagious, vaccines we’re created for it.
- Years ago, he created a city out of blocks. Today over 600,000 people
live and work there.
- Alien abductors have asked him, to probe them.
- If he we’re to give you directions… You would never get lost. And you’d
arrive at least 5 minutes early.
- His legend precedes him, the way lightning precedes thunder.
- His reputation is expanding, faster then the universe.
- He once had an awkward moment, just to see how
it feels.
- He lives vicariously through himself.
I know its a bit strange to want to be a tree, but then again I'm a bit strange. The fall is without question is my favorite time of year. A time where football watching is a constant, a time of carmel apple indulging, a time for pumpkin bashing, and a time where I often stand amazed at Sugar Maples.
I'm not in a botany club and really don't know much about trees in general which is why I had to stop someone yesterday at Willow and ask them if they knew what kind of tree that was; referring to this amazingly orange reddish tree that catches my eye every day I pull into the parking lot. My friend, Wes Wilson who might be in a botany club and is without question on the edge of knowing a bit too much about trees, responded bro that's a Sugar Maple.
It was then that I thought to myself, I want to be a Sugar Maple.
Here's what I mean. Every day when I pull into the beloved parking lot here at work this tree stands out from the rest. It glows with beauty, it reminds me of the things I love, and each time it point my heart toward God. I say things like "God thank you for the beauty of your creation" and "God how did you do that" or "pour some sugar maple on me". Ok maybe not the last part but God has used this tree to make me more aware of his presence and beauty.
That being said I walk away feeling challenged by a Sugar Maple wondering if I do the same. Wondering if in any way I'll point people toward God today or stand out from the rest for the right reasons, or help people stand in awe of who God is.
Am I weird or does nature speak to you? In what ways? I'd love to hear more about the Sugar Maples in your life.
Blessings.
-Jon Peacock
When asked in a recent forum at Cal Long Beach what has recently been playing in his collective consciousness, music pioneer Brian Eno gave a curious answer: a six-disc wooden box set entitled Goodbye, Babylon featuring a collection of rare and undeniably powerful religious music from the early 20th century. Perhaps that sheds light on Eno and David Byrne's coined phrase "electronic gospel" dubbed to describe their 2008 record Everything That Happens Will Happen Today. Nevertheless, Eno is not alone in his obsession. Bob Dylan and Neil Young have also praised the 2003 release which features more than 150 songs from the likes of The Carter Family, Washington Phillips, Hank Williams, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Mahalia Jackson, Skip James, and Flatt & Scruggs. The box set is arguably the most complete anthology of early American gospel music ever compiled. Goodbye, Babylon was the inaugural record for Dust-to-Digital, a record label from Atlanta, GA whose mission is to revive the dead and dying recordings. Each record is a research project of epic proportions, with extensive . Other notable releases from the label include I Belong To This Band, a compendium of sacred harp recordings, and The Art of Field Recording volumes 1 and 2. Dust-to-Digital is doing us all a service. Doing something so simple as unearthing these recordings (before they are inevitable absconded within the auto-tune oblivion we are currently enduring), proves to be one of the most rogue musical pursuits imaginable. It also happens to be a service that should preserve inspiring for many future generations. __________________ Another new record to devour is The Mountain Goats' The Life of the World to Come. Each song therein is a haunting narrative informed and/or inspired by a certain Biblical passage. It's the latest subject in singer John Darnielle's ever-fluctuating religious persuasions, which are, if nothing else, very sincere and equally poignant.
Other music of note with a decidedly spiritual flavor includes "Come O Spirit!" Anthology of Hymns, and Spiritual Songs Volume 1. The compilation comes from Great Comfort Records (Danielson, Lenny Smith) with artists such as Dave Bazan, Damien Jurado, Rosie Thomas, Denison Witmer, J. Tillman, The Welcome Wagon (with Sufjan Stevens), Leigh Nash, Liz Janes and more.
Dave Browning: Deliberate Simplicity: How the Church Does More by Doing Less (Leadership Network Innovation Series)
Pastor Dave Browning writes not of theory but of practice in this must read church leadership book "Deliberate Simplicity." The idea that "Large churches have demonstrated for the past three decades that “more” can be “more.” Deliberate Simplicity demonstrates that “less” can also be “more” and in this way is a “new equation” for church development." An Axis Staff Book Review of 4 stars. (***)
Ed Stetzer: Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series)
I learned a while ago to read anything that Ed Stetzer writes. The truth is everyone of us is a church planter in some way shape or form. Where ever your feet take you the church is! Check out this book to further glean findings and thoughts that can lead to Kingdom Movements. An Axis Staff Book Review of 3 stars. (***)
Michael O. Emerson: Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America
This book was the catalyst for Bill Hybels in his "2nd Conversion" that has forever changed his view and commitment to Racial Reconciliation. I recently picked this book up as well and it has wrecked me in much needed ways. If Racial Reconciliation is an area of growth and development for you we highly recommend you picking up a copy. An axis staff book review of 4 stars! (****)
Darrell Guder: Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America (The Gospel and Our Culture Series)
If you are part of Axis or wondering why we are doing what we're doing then give this book a read.
An Axis Review of 4 stars (****)
Gary Hamel: The Future of Management
"The Future of Management" provides case studies of Gore, Google, and Whole Foods as well as tons of insight into how "we're" still leading like we did during the industrial revolution. CRAZY!
That said pick this book up if your into business, leadership, future of the Church, or mustaches.
An Axis Review of 4 stars. (****)
Josh James Riebock: mY Generation: A Real Journey of Change and Hope
This book is a must read! Coming in October at the Axis Experience Josh will release his book to the public starting with the Axis Community. Josh is an incredible friend, amazing writer and communicator as well as practitioner of what he teaches in Austin, TX where he resides. (****)
Scot McKnight: The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible
A distinguished theologian, teacher, and writer, Scot McKnight also happens to be a long time Creeker, good friend of mine, and father to my old college roomie Lukas. The Blue Parakeet is an incredible book and a must for those looking to further understand how to interpret scripture. An Axis Staff review of 4 stars. (****)
Chip and Dan Heath: Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
If your a fan of "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell then you'll most likely really enjoy this read. A recent guest at the Leadership Summit Chip and Dan Heath offer compelling insight around making ideas stick. A 4 star rating review by the Axis Staff. (****)
Gary Hamel: Leading the Revolution: How to Thrive in Turbulent Times by Making Innovation a Way of Life
Gary Hamel not only has one of the most amazing mustaches that I've ever seen, he also happens to have an incredible mind and thoughts on leadership. A 3 star review and one you'll enjoy. (***)
Dave Gibbons: The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church (Leadership Network Innovation Series)
This book was written by a friend of mine named Dave Gibbons. Dave is a hero of mine and a prophetic voice for this generation as well as how to lead the future of the church. A recent Summit speaker Dave is the founding pastor of Newsong Church in Irvine, CA. (***)
