I can’t stop staring at this photo. Think of all the things left uncreated in this world:

“Simplicity is the heart of the universe.” A quote that is credited to the ancient Christian mystics.

Do you believe it?

Reggie McNeil shared this with those of us at Faith Lift in the Twin Cities these past few days. He was making the point that “church people” (his words) make it do difficult for people to get to church.

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For the true multi-sensory experience, listen to this song while reading today’s post.

The show is over. LOST is complete. Everyone is okay.

That’s what I took away from last night’s LOST series finale: they were all okay. That was my thought as the curtain closed on LOST. “They all made it.”

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Cynthia Ware is a pro. I’ve been privileged enough to collaborate with her on a few projects recently and I’m consistently impressed by her expertise and care. She knows church. She knows new media–for pity’s sakes she has a degree in it! She gets it.

I was researching for a workshop I’ll be leading at Faith Lift in the Twin Cities next month and I came across this gem from Cynthia. The title of the article is “Technology and the Virtual Church”, but it focuses on the very fabric that makes up the clothes of the Body of Christ. It’s all-encompassing. The vision that Cynthia lays out is compelling. Superb.

Here’s a portion of the article that struck me. Cynthia contrasts the culture of the church with the mindset of the “rest” of the world:

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I’m not sure what to make of the church sign below.

On one hand you have a church that’s willing to take the risk and use a clearly identifiable piece of pop culture in their branding.

On the other hand, well, the sign looks like it was drawn by the church youth group.

I’m torn. What do you think?

I had a refreshing conversation with a friend recently. So wonderfully refreshing.

We were talking about how Christians in this culture have come to be known as the people who hate abortion and homosexuals. Forget the life-giving relationship with our Creator, we want to make sure people know what we’re against. We’ve painted ourselves into a corner and there doesn’t seem to be a foreseeable way out.

My friend then shared the most vivid, truthful analogy I’ve ever heard regarding the mess we Christians have put ourselves in. He said:

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Whenever I see people at a Christian concert or conference make the “Satan” sign, I wonder to myself, “Do they know what that means? Or maybe they’re from Texas?”

Either way, here’s a chart that decodes the thumb-index-finger-pinkie sign, once and for all. If you don’t know, now you know. (And maybe you’ll think twice before flashing the “fingers” at the next TobyMac concert.)
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Sunday mornings have come to be know as “Scrambled Egg-stravaganza” in the Wise household. I make eggs (my wife says they’re the best she’s ever had). We watch the news and generally enjoy the morning.

This past Sunday, I saw a news story that hasn’t left my mind. It was about the next generation of Iowa farmers. As older farmers begin to reach retirement age, younger farmers are rising up and take their place. To make this process more efficient, farm co-ops are starting a “farmers mentorship” program, of sorts.

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This site is unabashedly Team Coco. I think Conan O’Brien is a class act. This interview proves it.

Despite all the turmoil, disruptions, uncertainty and doubt, Conan remains focused on what lies ahead.

• He got a huge lump of dough from NBC after his departure.
• He’s got a brand new show coming this fall on TBS.
• He’s got the love and support of his wife.
• And, in his own words, he “sleeps well at night.” (I wonder if Jay Leno can say the same?)

This interview from 60 Minutes is worth the watch. (And pay attention to the last minute for O’Brien’s take on Lutherans!)

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I’m reading a book called Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky. As the title suggests, it’s about, well, making stuff happen.

The book primarily has its application in the entrepreneurial/business world, but I’ve found a few spiritual applications already. The first one? Spiritual inaction. Yeah. Sitting on your spiritual duff while the world passes you by.

Here’s a quote from Ideas,
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