I was given an early copy of this new book to read and review on my Blog.  I’m very excited to read it because I’m a big fan of Pastor Mark Batterson.  I follow his blog regularly and really connect with him.  I’m getting ready to read this book and wanted to encourage you to do the same.  Let’s read it together and let me know what you think.  The book comes out on August 19th.

Here’s some info about the book:

Summary:

Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect. 

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” –from the introduction.

Author Bio:

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

You can pick it up at any of these places:

www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

www.borders.com

www.cbd.com

www.familychristian.com

www.parable.com

Happy Reading and check out this website devoted to this great book  www.chasethegoose.com ! 

M

Posted: August 14th, 2008 under Check This Out.
Comments: none

Can I be honest?…I’m not a huge fan of “Christian movies”.  I am a huge fan of big budget movies and love to be “blown away” by Hollywood.  I’ve been a Christian since I was a tiny kid, so I’ve seen my share of “Christian movies”.  There have been a few that have been classics and have “blown me away” (Jesus of Nazareth, The Passion of the Christ) and there have been a few that I had to stop half way through (no movies will be named). 

That bring me to the point at hand…the new Billy Graham movie coming out. I sure hope it doesn’t suck.  My hope is that it is done in a way to honor a great man of God…a testimony to a life that’s sold out to serving Jesus.  I’m not expecting great CGI effects or some comic book hero to show up half way through the movie.  I am expecting great acting, a proper portrayal and a good story.  

With that said….check out the trailer and let’s cross our fingers.

www.billytheearlyyears.com

M

Posted: August 12th, 2008 under Check This Out.
Comments: none

You know why I like this Video…because it’s got T-Mac, Family Force 5 and my homeboy Dave Wyatt.  Check out about 1:46 into the video….that’s FRESH D-Dubb!

Posted: August 11th, 2008 under Videos.
Comments: none

Some of you have been linked back to this blog in search of www.southviewcommunitychurch.com .  Trust me…it’s coming soon.

In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any questions regarding our Sept 7th start date.

M

Posted: August 9th, 2008 under Church info.
Comments: none

Let me explain the “Preview Season” of our church and what it means. Each month, for the next few months, we will be doing a once a month service. The objective of this “preview time” is to show people what our church is about. It’s a time to give people a taste of how we do church and the way we hope people will feel when they come to our church. Doing it once a month helps us to tweak things that aren’t working and to make sure no one gets burned out in this time. I think the worst thing a new church can do, is take on too much too fast. It’s more important to go at it in God’s timing then try to force anything before it’s time.

We will also follow each preview service with a “Come Back Event” a few weeks later. This will be a social time to get to know each other and have people experience the spiritual family we desire to have. This is also a time to invite out neighbors, friends, family and people that might not attend a normal church service. Here at SouthView, our desire is to be evangelistic. We know this world is desiring a Savior and our hope is that we can help direct people to the One. If it means doing worship out in the streets of a neighborhood and going “to” the people, than that’s what we will do. We remember Jesus went to the lost, and didn’t necessarily expect them to come to him.

We really value fellowship. We desire to have an activity once a month for the men and one for the women.  Building relationships with each other is key. Our slogan is “People Helping People Follow Christ”. That pretty much explains it all. Accountability and Relationships are key to walking this life out. Jesus demonstrated the importance of this when he walked with the 12 disciples each day. Our hope is that people find it a lot easier to live this Christian life, when they have people to help live it with them.

We ask for your prayers as we walk this “Season of Preview” out in the next couple of months. This is the time where God can direct and lead us in the ways to best reach this community. Pastor Jed and I don’t kid ourselves and think we have all the answers. Infact, we are drawing on God’s guidance more than ever.  Unless our God builds this, we labor in vain. We don’t want to start another church just to start another church. We want to help build a place were people experience Christ. Where lives are forever changed.  Where we listen and follow God’s voice. SouthView’s view on life is God’s view on life. We are here to show this community that experiencing a life with Christ, is the only way to truly experience life.

M

Posted: August 7th, 2008 under Church info.
Comments: none