Good Stuff

You have GOT to listen to this! Go to itunes RIGHT NOW and cough up $2.99 for the EP (here’s the link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/carlos-whittaker-ep/id351374920). Then, got to www.ragamuffinsoul.com and watch the EPK (also the link: http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/01/the-story-behind-the-carlos-whittaker-ep-my-epk/)

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text Book Reading

Somewhere during the past 8 years or so I lost the desire to read. I used to love to pick up a book, and just fall heart-long into its pages. I still do that on occasion, but now it is usually a cookbook from a celebrity chef that captures my attention (yeah, I like to cook, so what?).

For Christmas this year I received a book written by Brennan Manning (author of The Ragamuffin Gospel) entitled The Furious Longing of God. In the opening pages this verse from Song of Solomon Chapter 7 Verse 10 is quoted:

“I am my beloved’s, And his desire is for me.”

That wrecked me.

As a pastor I have told people countless times through sermons and conversations that “God loves them.” I have said it time and time again, but seldom really, truly believed it for myself. I have always imagined God as an entity of cruelty ready at any moment to pull the rug out from underneath me and ruin me. I have even thought that about God recently. This verse, this one simple line, has started to crack the shell of my perception about God in relation to me: I AM my beloved’s, And HIS desire is FOR me.” That is powerful beyond comprehension.

To think that the God of the universe desires me. He longs for me. He loves me.

I hope that in 2010 I can really, genuinely, wholeheartedly believe that to the fullest.

link Favorite Christmas Song - In the Bleak Midwinter

One of my favorite Christmas songs performed by James Taylor.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

link What if Target operated like a church?

From TonyMorganLive.com…

After spending a little bit of time in the store, it struck me how different Target is from most churches I’ve visited in the past. That led me to wondering how Target would be different if it operated like the typical church.

link Seth Godin's FREE ebook, "What Matters Now"

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"A lot of people would say that they wished they had spent more time preparing to be a successful adult and less time trying to be a successful youth."

NIKAO (blog of Vince Marotte)

link 16 Daddy Christmas Tips

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"The message of the church should be consistent, but we should always be constantly changing the way we deliver the message."

Clay NeSmith, Lead Pastor, Barefoot Church