“So, I’m trying to find Jesus in the tangled mess of ministry and Christianity. I feel lost in the forest of institutionalized BS, religious culture, judgmental Pharisees and those that are lost but think that they are found. Sometimes it’s just way too easy to lose Jesus in the religion.”

-someone I know

When I head this, I connected with it. I’ve been here (and frequently visit this place). How about you?

This is how we keep cool on a hot summer day!

I always looking for real world examples to back scripture.

Revelation 21 – “Behold, I make all things new”

Now I know in the history of Christendom this will be seen as a pretty communion wafer thin example, but nonetheless I like it.

Do you remember back in the 80′s? The band INXS? Well remember the song, “Never Tear Us Apart”? You know the one with the over the top orchestra and that “cheesy is good” vibe that permeated that decade…

Here’s your reminder.

The band Record Club (put together by Beck) has redone the song. I love how you can find beauty in making things new. The Lord continues to make things new in us. And I like anything that remotely reminds me of the newness that He’s working in me (2 Cor 5:17).  So what is God creating new in you?

FYI: I’m not dead… yet. I’ve just not posted in a while.

My apologies. I’ve just been on the go and away from the computer.

No, really… I’m serious. Hiking, rafting, beekeeping and more!

I’ll tell you all about it… soon. I promise.

Next week, we’re taking a group of students backpacking up the coast of the Olympic Peninsula. And right now, I’ve got a beard.

Two unrelated topics, you may say? Not at all.

I’m seeking some festive facial hair for our backpack trip. I’m willing to cut, shave and trim the gruff into a festive expedition stache.

And here’s where you come in. I need some input, advice, opinions…ect.

So, he’s what you’re working with:

And here are the festive options [note: that some are not possible either due to genetics or beard girth/length]:

So pick one! Vote! And you’ll see the outcome later this week!

It’s like pin the tail on the donkey, only there’s not tail… but I have been called something similar to “donkey” on many different occasions.

Here are a few I snapped with my phone during backcountry training (near Clark Mountain in Eastern Washington). We It was absolutely gorgeous.

[HT CatalystBlog]

This is a pretty fascinating video. If you get past the ADD visuals of the presentation, the content is pretty profound. It’s worth a watch.

This is a presentation from Daniel Pink’s book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.