When I got an opportunity to receive a copy of John Eldredge’s new book, LOVE & WAR, I was very interested. I had done the WILD AT HEART book study with our men’s group a few years ago. My wife is currently doing John & Stasi’s book, CAPTIVATING, for the women’s group. The one thing I like about the Eldredges is that they are generally very sincere and very passionate. I like that in a person and a writer.

LOVE & WAR is a marriage book and they candidly discuss their marriage and insights with the reader. You can clearly see that relationships and marriage is something that the Eldredges desire to help. Let’s face it, that’s something all of us need to work on. I recommend this book…

Here’s the book summary:

Summary:

What the Eldredge bestsellers Wild at Heart did for men, and Captivating did for women, LOVE & WAR will do for married couples everywhere. John and Stasi Eldredge have contributed the quintessential works on Christian spirituality through the experience of men and the experience of women and now they turn their focus to the incredible dynamic between those two forces.

With refreshing openness that will grab readers from the first page, the Eldredges candidly discuss their own marriage and the insights they’ve gained from the challenges they faced. Each talks independently to the reader about what they’ve learned, giving their guidance personal immediacy and a balance between the male and female perspectives that has been absent from all previous books on this topic.   They begin LOVE & WAR with an obvious but necessary acknowledgement:  Marriage is fabulously hard.  They advise that the sooner we get the shame and confusion off our backs, the sooner we’ll find our way through.

LOVE & WAR shows couples how to fight for their love and happiness, calling men and women to step into the great adventure God has waiting for them together. Walking alongside John and Stasi Eldredge, every couple can discover how their individual journeys are growing into a story of meaning much greater than anything they could do or be on their own.

You can purchase the book HERE.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Posted: February 11th, 2010 under Check This Out.
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The Sci-Fi geek in me can’t wait to see this. Check out this article about James Cameron and this movie from Wired Mag.

M

Posted: November 23rd, 2009 under Check This Out.
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As we get ready to meet this morning for our first Membership Class, I’m just reminded as to why we do what we do. So many churches lose the “vision” of why they started in the first place. I pray that we continue to come back to the beginning of why SouthView was formed and never forget God’s Vision for us.

This vision gets me excited every time I read it:

Imagine a diverse group of people…

• …who are surrendered and transformed, who love God and love people.
• …who whole heartedly worship God in everything.
• …who are mesmerized by the idea that this is not about them, but all about Jesus.
• …who are transfixed by His story and His heart for their city.
• …who are seedthrowers, firestarters, hope peddlers, grace-givers, risktakers & dreamers.
• …who link arms with anyone who tells the story of Jesus.
• …who empower the poor, strengthen the weak, embrace the outcast, seek the lost.
• …who serve together, play together, and live life together.
• …who truly believe that their city will change because God sent them.

…They are us.

I love this line “who are seedthrowers, firestarters, hope peddlers, grace-givers, risktakers & dreamers“… sounds like a bunch of superhero, God-loving people to me! We got a lot to do, but IN CHRIST we can do all things.

Come on…time to get to WORK!

M

Posted: November 7th, 2009 under Check This Out, Church info, Leadership, Sports.
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I’m a big fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s films. Ever since The Sixth Sense came out, I loved his writing, filming and storytelling style. My favorite of all his movies is definitely SIGNS…still love watching that and there is one part in that movie that still give me chills.

Can’t wait for his next movie, The Last Airbender, to come out. I will make a point to be there for opening weekend.  Here’s my thoughts on each of his major release movies (warning - spoiler alert):

1. The Happening (2008)  - HUGE disappointment. LeeAnn and I walked out of the theater in amazement that we essentially watched a commercial for treating plants kindly. Plus I thought all the acting in this one, was some of the worst I’ve seen. Definitely my least favorite movie of his. But I will give him another shot.
2. Lady in the Water (2006) - Strange at first but after a 2nd viewing it was actually a lot better. He based this off of a child’s story so you have to figure that into the movie. I love how it all came together at the end. His acting in this was pretty bad as well.
3. The Village (2004) - I was hoping for monsters…but the acting in this movie was TOP NOTCH. Kind of made up for the crazy ending, which I thought was cool. Although I wish those monsters were real!
4. Signs (2002) - My absolute favorite movie. Love the spiritual story line behind it. So powerful. Mel Gibson was great. Perfect balance of horror and drama.
5. Unbreakable (2000) This movie seemed to get a bad review. I guess people wanted The Sixth Sense part 2. After watching it a few times, I really liked this movie. It takes a few times to understand what he is trying to say. Mainly it’s a dark everyman superhero kind of movie. Totally different than The Sixth Sense…but very cool none the less.
6. The Sixth Sense (1999) - Wow…I remember watching this movie in the theater and people all “getting it” at the same time. Despite what you or your friends say, nobody figured out that ending. PLEASE…be honest!

I love how he can really put together some great endings and make you want to watch his movies again to really understand them. I think that’s where The Happening went wrong. I also don’t think trees and grass make really good “bad guys”. You also have to give it to him for writing, producing and directing them. Although I guess when they suck, you have no one else to blame.

I hear there is a possibility of Unbreakable 2. If they get Bruce Willis again, I’m there…

M

Posted: November 6th, 2009 under Check This Out.
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1- Matt Papa – Your Kingdom Come

2- Matt Redman – We Shall Not Be Shaken

3- David Crowder Band – Church Music

4- Jeremy Riddle – The Now and Not Yet

5- Ken Reynolds – One World / One God

6- Jesus Culture – Consumed

7- Fred Hammond – Love Unstoppable (not out yet, but I KNOW I will love it)

8- Alisha Powell – Consider

9- Audra Lynn – Vow

10- Matt Maher – Alive Again

11- Jeff & Suzanne Whatley- Dawn of Zion’s Glory (local worship leaders)

12-  Hillsong – Faith+Hope+Love

13-  HIllsong United - A_CROSS // The _EARTH: Tear Down the Walls

Posted: September 24th, 2009 under Check This Out, Worship.
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