Here is a video of me trying to do 100 push ups. How many did I actually do?
Watch the video below:
This was part of my initial test on hundredpushups.com. They have a training schedule that shows you how to do 100 push ups in 6 weeks. Quite an ambitious goal, but I’m an ambitious guy so I’ll go for it.
In all the running around getting trash thrown out and such, it was hard to find a spare moment to focus on Billy’s birthday before he left. In all the house cleaning frenzy, I know there were times that he felt like I loved cleanliness more than I love him.
But now, with the house spotless and Billy gone, there’s not much to do but think about being apart for his birthday.
So, Eve and I put together a little something for you, kiddo, in hopes of making your birthday special.
The next Nooma, entitled “Name,” will premier on the Nooma Myspace Page this Wednesday, October 31st. The full length video will be available to watch free for 48 hours.
Noomas are a series of short videos that feature Rob Bell, the pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan and they rock. Name is the 18th video in the series and it speaks to our struggle with identity.
Here is a preview clip:
You can find more exciting Nooma news, such as updates on the Everything is Spiritual DVD on the Nooma Blog.
This past week has seen a blogging frenzy* erupt over Reveal, a spiritual growth conversation headed by Bill Hybels and Greg Hawkins of Willow Creek Community Church. These two leaders have each posted videos on the Reveal website admitting that their previous model of doing local church ministry has flaws. Through the Reveal conversation they are seeking to create a new, more effective ministry model. While some have taken a critical attitude, many have pointed out Hybel’s humility.
Personally, I’m very excited to see what will come from this conversation. Willow Creek has always been committed to helping other local churches. They are on the right track with Reveal and I believe the results of their research will produce helpful insights that the whole Church can benefit from.
The Videos
Hawkins video is candid and earnest. When he speaks of the distraction a church leader feels on Sunday morning I felt as though he was pulling thoughts from my own mind. Skip the short version and watch the 13 minute one. It’s worth it.
Hybels brought a welcome humor to a serious situation. I laughed out loud several times throughout his presentation.
The Frenzy
*Some of the more content driven posts from this last week include:
All Dads suffer from the common lower-back pain of “stooping down to hold your child’s bike seat so they don’t fall over while they are learning to ride” -itis. After many months of this ailment my daughter took her first bike ride with out Dad’s help today:
We promised her that she could have a girly basket for her bike when she learned to ride it, so we did an awards ceremony for the bike-riding princess with all her royal subjects around as she was awarded her shiny basket of accomplishment:
I love how Doug makes a classy move at the end and gives some encouragement.
I totally agree with the sarcasm of his statements on pushing the limits.
Taking strategic risks is one thing. You need to go out on a limb to get the fruit right? At the same time the guy who always lives on the edge eventually falls off. We need to be compassionate and loving as we encourage people forward in their spiritual walk.
“Everlasting God” by Brenton Brown has become a staple in the worship community. If you’d like to learn how to play this one you can check out New Song Cafe and now you have a choice as to who you’d like to host the session while Brenton teaches you how to play:
Everlasting God by Brenton Brown hosted by Vicki Beeching
This TV commercial for Biaggi’s aired on a local station. The dapper waiter who walks into the first scene is yours truly. My hands and belt buckle are also prominently featured.
The thing is I’ve always loved baptism services. I just get fired up about my faith when I see people getting baptized. Once the service started today I was so energized by the 22 other testimonies I totally forgot it was my baptism service too.
Here is a video recorded by Sarah, my wife, and Ashlyn, my 6-month-old daughter. (If you think a 6-month-old might not be extremely adept at handling a video camera you would be correct. Props to Sarah for actually catching the moment after Ashlyn bumped the camera.)
Here is my baptismal testimony:
I’ve been a Christian all my life.
It’s like David says in the psalms, “From my mother’s womb you have been my God.”
I was born in a Christian household, my parents baptized me as an infant and I was raised in the Church.
It’s like it says in the proverbs, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
So here I am 28 years old, and I’ve never departed from faith in God. My entire life I’ve been identified with Christ even though I’ve never made the choice myself to be baptized. Today is not about doing something new or starting over it’s about continuing in the amazing adventure that God has always done in me.
I’ve wrestled for many years with what it means to be baptized as an infant and what it means to be baptized as an adult. I’m not done wrestling yet, but I have come to a point of action.
My infant baptism will always be meaningful to me. It’s part of my heritage. It’s who I am.
But for me, being baptized today is about obedience to Christ and an open show of repentance.
When Sarah and I were planning our wedding we decided we wanted the event to be first and foremost a service of corporate worship to God and only a wedding on secondary level.
This is the 7th of 7 sections of video from our wedding on March 11th, 2006 to show what that looked like.
Part 7 – The Kiss:
Exit Tune: Beautiful Day – U2
Eve-Marie was so cute. Her job was to drop rose pedals on the way in so she thought she’d pick them up on the way out.
When Sarah and I were planning our wedding we decided we wanted the event to be first and foremost a service of corporate worship to God and only a wedding on secondary level.
This is the 6th of 7 sections of video from our wedding on March 11th, 2006 to show what that looked like.
Part 6 – Lighting the Unity Candle:
Flame – Nooma, Rob Bell
Sarah and I sifted through tons of music to get the best picks for our wedding. We couldn’t seem to find a song that fit with the lighting of our unity candle. We though this was more representative of what we wanted to convey.
When Sarah and I were planning our wedding we decided we wanted the event to be first and foremost a service of corporate worship to God and only a wedding on secondary level.
This is the 5th of 7 sections of video from our wedding on March 11th, 2006 to show what that looked like.
SARAH!! I take you to be my wife, confident in my soul that you will be my lifesaving helpmate, true friend and loving companion
Today, in the presence of God, our family, and our friends, I give to you my sacred vow that as your husband and Eve-Marie’s Daddy,
I will always protect you, cherish you, and sacrifice myself to love you as Christ loved the Church
Not only in health but also in sickness,
Throughout our laughter and our tears,
Whether we are blessed with abundance or struggling with want.
I promise to
Love you completely
Giving you my heart, my body and my commitment
And to lead you in the adventure that God ordained for us
As long as we both live.
Sarah’s Vows:
Billy, I take you to be my husband and Eve-Marie’s Daddy, confident in my soul that you will be my faithful protector, true friend and loving companion.
Today, in the presence of God, our family, and our friends, I give to you my sacred vow that as your wife,
I will always help you, respect you, and submit to you as to the Lord–
Not only in health but also in sickness,
Throughout our laughter and our tears,
Whether we are blessed with abundance or struggling with want.
I promise to
Love you completely
Giving you my heart, my body and my commitment
And to join you in the adventure that God ordained for us
When Sarah and I were planning our wedding we decided we wanted the event to be first and foremost a service of corporate worship to God and only a wedding on secondary level.
This is the 4th of 7 sections of video from our wedding on March 11th, 2006 to show what that looked like.
Part 4 – Processional:
Not to Us – Chris Tomlin
We had our bridesmaids/groomsmen/parents walk in during Not to Us. At around 1:30 on the video you see my brother, Al, walk in my mom-in-law and then see my best man, Kevin, raising his hands. Al’s not much of a church kid so not really knowing what Kevin was doing he gives Kev a high-five.
When Sarah and I were planning our wedding we decided we wanted the event to be first and foremost a service of corporate worship to God and only a wedding on secondary level.
This is the 3rd of 7 sections of video from our wedding on March 11th, 2006 to show what that looked like.
Part 3 – Worshiping God through Song 3:
Better is One Day – Matt Redman
One of my favorite moments from that day is at the end of this video when I let the people at my wedding lead me in worship.
When Sarah and I were planning our wedding we decided we wanted the event to be first and foremost a service of corporate worship to God and only a wedding on secondary level.
This is the 2nd of 7 sections of video from our wedding on March 11th, 2006 to show what that looked like.
When Sarah and I were planning our wedding we decided we wanted the event to be first and foremost a service of corporate worship to God and only a wedding on secondary level.
Over the next 7 days I’ll be posting 7 sections of video from our wedding on March 11th, 2006 to show what that looked like.
Part 1 – Worshiping God through Song 1:
No One Like You – David Crowder
Indescribable – Chris Tomlin
The band:
Billy Chia – Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals (Indescribable), Harmonies (No One Like You)
BJ Barnes – Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals (No One Like You), Harmonies (Indescribable)
Willow Creek Reveal Frenzy
Published October 26, 2007 Blogging , Books , Church , Video 21 CommentsTags: , , Bill Hybels, Blogosphere, Blogs, Christian, Christianity, Christinaity Today, Church Growth, Commentary, Conversation, Frenzy, Greg Hawkins, Humility, Links, Model, Reactions, Religion, Reveal, Seeker Sensative, Vidoes, Willow Creek
This past week has seen a blogging frenzy* erupt over Reveal, a spiritual growth conversation headed by Bill Hybels and Greg Hawkins of Willow Creek Community Church. These two leaders have each posted videos on the Reveal website admitting that their previous model of doing local church ministry has flaws. Through the Reveal conversation they are seeking to create a new, more effective ministry model. While some have taken a critical attitude, many have pointed out Hybel’s humility.
The blogosphere began to see posts regarding the Willow Creek’s new direction in August when Hawkins’ book Reveal: Where Are You? was announced during The Leadership Summit. A recent influx of posts has been prompted by Christianity Today’s Out of Ur article. To help sort the mass of information Greg Hawkins has offered some clarifying points on the Reveal Blog.
Personally, I’m very excited to see what will come from this conversation. Willow Creek has always been committed to helping other local churches. They are on the right track with Reveal and I believe the results of their research will produce helpful insights that the whole Church can benefit from.
The Videos
Hawkins video is candid and earnest. When he speaks of the distraction a church leader feels on Sunday morning I felt as though he was pulling thoughts from my own mind. Skip the short version and watch the 13 minute one. It’s worth it.
Hybels brought a welcome humor to a serious situation. I laughed out loud several times throughout his presentation.
The Frenzy
*Some of the more content driven posts from this last week include: