March 2011
10 posts
My Wife Is A Jehovah's Witness...
…or at least that’s what my Grandma believed.
___________
On March 13, 2011, my grandmother, Margaret Vaughn, left Earth for her Heavenly dwelling. I had the privilege to speak at her home going.
What follows is the text from my message. ___________
My grandmother, Margaret Vaughn lived by faith. It never failed. Every single time I saw my grandmother, Margaret Vaughn, she...
WatchPole Dancing for Jesus. Now why didn’t I think of that?
Idea Tourism
Seth Godin stated,
“It’s possible for a tourist to visit Times Square in New York City, see nothing new or unexpected, and leave the city unchanged.”
How often does this happen in our spiritual life? - How many times do we attend a church service and leave unchanged? Thus, we don’t return. (Or we only return for Easter and Christmas.) - How many times do we read our...
Is Our Church Worthy of Spreading Via Word of...
From Seth Godin’s Blog:
Mark Twain said that Wagner wrote music that was better than it sounds.
It’s an interesting way to think about marketing. Is your product better than it sounds, or does it sound better than it is?
We call the first a discovery, something worthy of word of mouth. The second? Hype. ________________ So what do we have at Renaissance Road Church? Is it worthy of...
WatchDo you have this kind of love for the Bible? For God’s Word?
Honestly, I don’t.
Forgive me Father for taking Your Word for granted. Speak life to me through the pages of Scripture.
QUESTION: What Is The Most Important Number A...
Quoting Seth Godin:
Is something important because you measure it, or is it measured because it’s important?
In the Church (BIG “C”) there are many items that get measured.
Attendance Tithes / Offering / Giving Salvations / Baptisms Number of People Impacted By Community Outreaches Number of “UnChurched” People Within A Geographic Area
But I’m curious...
My Wife Looked At Another Man's "Package"! And Got...
My wife, Jade, just finished her fourth quarter of Physician Assistant School at Wake Forest University. (Only one more quarter to go before she begins the year long practicum part of her experience!) To celebrate the completion of the fourth quarter of school my wife is vacationing in Nashville, Tennessee, this week with her mother and grandmother. While in Nashville they have enjoyed a...
INFOGRAPHIC: The Power of Porn
Via: Online Psychology Degree
Who Was Most Influential When You Were Growing Up?
When you were younger (elementary through high school age), who were some of the most influential adults (outside of your parent(s) ) in your life?
I was listening to Reggie Joiner share on the Catalyst Podcast some thoughts from his latest book “Parenting Beyond Your Capacity”. In the interview Joiner states two key principles:
1) No one has the potential to influence a...
February 2011
5 posts
Books I've Read So Far This Year
My goal for this year is to read 25 books.
I knocked out four in the past 6 weeks.
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick
Everyone Communicates Few Connect by John Maxwell
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
What have you read recently? What are you reading currently?
I Am Overwhelmed...
by the power of God.
by the love of God.
by His willingness and desire to use a nobody from nowheresville for His glory.
To say, “I am overwhelmed” by Him
is simply a gross understatement.
Ensuring More Valentines
No chocolates. No roses. No wine and candles. No stuffed animals.No fluff. Just a couple hours of deep, meaningful, intentional conversation with my bride. That’s how I’ll spend my Valentines. An hour with a professional marital counselor helping us become…better communicators…better helpmates…better supporters…better lovers…better friends And several...
How Do Good People Respond When Bad Things Happen...
Why do bad things happen to good people? That’s an incredibly tough question to answer. But maybe an even tougher question to ask is this: How do good people respond when bad things happen to them? Check out THESE TWO VIDEOS about Mandy and Erik that were showed at NewSpring Church this past Sunday during their message series entitled “Make War: Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good...
“Turning around self-defeating practices can be done over time with a lot of...”
– John R. Ryan, president of the Center for Creative Leadership, writing at The Washington Post’s On Leadership blog
January 2011
7 posts
Are You Teachable?
John Maxwell offers 10 questions to gauge whether you are open to different ideas and change. Ask yourself the following.
Am I open to other people’s ideas?
Do I listen more than I talk?
Am I open to changing my opinion based on new information?
Do I readily admit when I am wrong?
Do I observe before acting on a situation?
Do I ask questions?
Am I willing to ask a question that will expose...
“We were created continuously outpouring. Note that I did not say we were created...”
– In his magnificent book on worship, Harold Best describes the Trinity as the uniquely Continuous Outpourer who continually pours himself out between the persons of the Godhead in unceasing communication, love, friendship, and joy.
I can’t begin to wrap my head around this…
[RT: The...
The Blind Men and the Elephant
Different people can have different perceptions of the same thing.
Take this old folk tale for example.
“The Blind Men and the Elephant”
It was six men of Indostan, to learning much inclined, who went to see the elephant (Though all of them were blind), that each by observation, might satisfy his mind.
The first approached the elephant, and, happening to fall, against his broad...
From Being In Your Community, To Being In Your...
This morning I was afforded an extra two hours (because inclement weather) to sit in my classroom and reflect and pray. I decided to look over some seminar notes I took exactly one year ago today. It was a Worship Planning Seminar directed by Nelson Searcy. The first part of the seminar identifies the 5C’s from Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Church.” I’ve...
Watch“It’s a BIG BIG house!”
That's Quotable
Here is a great little quote from James Spiegel and his book Gum, Geckos and God. In this part of the book he is discussing the correlation between knowledge and trust—we trust those who have knowledge. Read what he says about this…
The other day I was sitting in a faculty meeting, trying not to doze off during some committee reports. As I looked around, I mused over how much each of my...
My 3 Words 2011
For the past two years I have opted to identify 3 words that will guide my thoughts over the next 12 months.
Here are my 3 words for 2010. Here are my 3 words for 2009.
Create. Create opportunities for myself and others to grow professionally, relationally, spiritually, and mentally. Produce. Write. Shoot. Create. Make. Edit. Contribute. Collaborate. Execute. Produce. Remember. I don’t...
December 2010
16 posts
Be The Connector
I grew up in Redneckville, Georgia. Population: I can’t even count that high! You knew you were entering my hometown miles and miles before you got to the city limits. (We prided our selves in calling our 1 stop light town a “city”.) Because of the large population of cattle, chicken, hogs and horses, and who knows what else, you could smell my hometown from the next state over....
Pursuing What Jesus Was Passionate About
Had my wife not been so passionate in pursuing me, I honestly do not know if we would have ever dated, much less married one another. Jade was very passionate about seeing me in college. During her sophomore year (my senior year) Jade knew my schedule better than a librarian knows the Dewey Decimal System. She would purposely wait outside my classroom in the middle of the hallway, clutching books...
When Church Becomes A Tourist Attraction
It was Thanksgiving of 2005 and I had just flown red-eye from Atlanta to London for a week’s stay and to visit my bride-to-be at Queen Mary University. Because I was so excited to see Jade and visit London I could not squeak out an ounce of sleep on the flight over. However, Jade was kind enough to allow me an hour long nap before we began our adventures through one of the most magnificent...
Snowflakes Under A Microscope →
Check out these pictures of snowflakes under a microscope! They are seriously AMAZING!
Merry Christmas
Today is proof that God loved you enough to come and get you.
You are that valuable to Him.
Don’t ever doubt.
Emmanuel - God. Here.
via: murphy24p
What We Tell Our Kids About Santa →
This is an incredible piece worth considering. Written by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, the article discusses how we can reject, receive, or redeem the idea of Santa.
Man Officially Cured of HIV →
Interesting read. No matter your political view on stem cell research, the road to full eradication of this horrible disease is long and arduous, but potentially promising.
Pastoral Narcissism →
Self-promotion and worldly definitions of significance seem not only to be tolerated among pastors but even expected and encouraged. How many people are following me on Twitter? How’s the traffic on my blog? How many Facebook “friends” can I count? How’s our church’s “brand” value? The opportunities for self-promotion are proliferating.
This is an...
Two Tensions A Leader Must Manage →
Excellent read for all LEADERS!
Have You Ever Had A "Price Is Right" Moment?
One of my all-time favorite television game shows is “The Price Is Right.” From the announcement of the show contestants, to the Showcase Showdown, “The Price Is Right” is chock full of fabulous prizes and magical memories. Like this one (fast forward to the 6:00 minute mark!) The expression on contestant’s faces is PRICELESS!!! Especially when their name is called!...
A Creative Writing Assignment
So here’s a creative writing assignment I recently issued to my class.
Students were given 4 minutes to write an eight line poem about some topic (of my choosing) related to the Christmas season. The rules were simple.
#1) Write down the first thing that comes to your mind. #2) No erasing!
The topic I gave my first period class was “food”.
Here’s what I came up with.
...
Obedience Among All The Stress
You know what’s stressful!?! Standing in line in Target for 3 hours on Black Friday to save $50 on a Christmas gift. Working 40 hours a week and still having to count change to pay the bills. Planning a wedding (in a foreign country). Going back to school at age 40. The guy who has been tailing you for the past 2 miles. Being unemployed for almost 2 years. Teaching 98 hormonal 8th graders. ...
When you hear this song what thoughts that come to...
WatchJesus and Santa. There’s so much in common.
November 2010
27 posts
Waiting On My Wife With Anticipation And...
At about half past four every day Jade comes home from a long day of school. (Jade is a student at Wake Forest University in the School of Medicine studying to be a Physician Assistant.) She parks her car in the lot in front of our condo and walks, with a large bookbag in tow with books on Pathophysiology, Psychopharmacology (and other 14 syllable words that only the Ancient Greeks can pronounce),...
Are Your Friends Leaves, Branches, or Roots?
Can I be honest about two things? - I really don’t have many CLOSE friends. - And, I’m a big fan of Tyler Perry and ALL his work. I know what you’re thinking. This is the most stupidest list ever! Don’t check out yet! Hang with me for a minute more! The reason I don’t have many close friends is because, well… - I’m a guy. And in general guys are dumb...
100 Mile Bike Ride: How I Did It
Background:
Time is quickly running out. There is just a little more than 1 month remaining until the Disney Marathon on January 9, 2011. 26.2 miles, through all the theme parks! WOOT!
Unfortunately, I fell victim to overtraining. The result: Achilles Tendinitis. Officially my last run was on October 16th. So since then I have had to substitute my running with cycling.
Thanks to my friends...
Black Friday! OH! What A Wonderful Day!
What’s your favorite thing about Black Friday? Black Friday. OH! What WONDERFUL day!!!
No work! (for me at least! YAY!!!)
The first official day ANYONE should be allowed to listen to Christmas music.
The day we all get to enjoy leftover turkey and ham, sweet potatoes, dressing, and greens (I’ll just have some extra turkey and ham, please).
Probably the one day of the year that...
5 Reasons To Be Thankful This Thanksgiving
Today, millions of people across this great land will celebrate Thanksgiving with their friends and family. So as you celebrate, consider these 5 reasons to be thankful.
Be thankful because…
of the joy Jesus has set in your heart. (Psalm 95:1-6)
of the strength He provides. (Psalm 28:7)
of the love He so freely gives is unending. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
He hears us. (Philippians 4:6)
of...
My B Flat Favorites
Play all of these videos at the same time. This my favorite combination from the “In Bb 2.0” collaboration.
HT: danieldemoss
32 Things To Do Before My Next Birthday!
Complete a Marathon (or 2)
Purchase a road bike
Ride road bike 100 miles in one day in less than 6 hours
Travel to another continent
Take a picture or video everyday for one year
Find a mentor
Learn how to ice skate
Ride a mechanical bull
Read 25 books in the next year
Learn Adobe Photoshop / Premier / After Effects
Go to the opera / ballet
Write everyday for 365 days
Visit a Jazz...
“The church is the most important organization in the world. It is the target of...”
– RC Sproul
Wild Find When I Googled My Name
I was commenting on a blog post earlier today when I was prompted to leave the address for my website. So, instead of posting my Tumblr address, I decided to post my About Me address. But I couldn’t remember it off the top of my head. So I googled “about me mrjacebreeback” and immediately found the address in the listing of search results. However, what shocked and surprised me...
