Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

Holy – Matt Gilman

I know you’ve heard many songs called by this name, but you may have never heard a singer tear it up like this. Let this play as you continue to check all your blogs. And twitter. And facebook. And myspace. It’s worth it.

Current Reads

Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs – Bill Hybels

Bill is such a wise man and leader. This book is great because the chapters are two pages and very practical. Almost done!

Servolution: Starting a Church Revolution Through Serving – Dino Rizzo

Just got this book off of my friend, Nick Poole. It comes highly recommended from some great leaders. I love the theme as well. Should be good.

The Cross & Christian Ministry – D.A. Carson

I’m revisiting this one because I never finished it. This is a hardcore exegetical work that is said to be one of the best theological books on ministry…ever. Don’t read this when you’re tired. You probably won’t make it.

The Living Church: Convictions of A Lifelong Pastor – John Stott

Loving this. John Stott is a hero to so many pastors and his perseverance as a pastor over many years is awesome.

Living to Please God

I don’t think about pleasing God enough. In my day to day busyness you know who I’m more concerned about pleasing? People. You mind if I get a little vulnerable today? I am more concerned about maintaining other’s opinions of me than radically living for God’s attention. As long as people are talking about me, like me, and are blessed by me, I feel good.

Do I pursue the pleasure of God in the same way?

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

That is a convicting verse. If you are like me, here are some questions I am asking today. I pray they are a help to you as well.

  • Am I spending personal, alone time with Jesus apart from the crowds?
  • Am I directly applying Scripture to my life on a daily basis?
  • Am I just blogging/facebooking my thoughts or truly internalizing God’s Word to me?
  • Do I live more self-aware or more God-aware?
  • Do I pray consistently? Or are my dreams too small where I can just ‘get them done’?
  • Am I asking God to make me aware of the lost every time I step outside my front door?
  • Does my life reflect a passion for Jesus Christ above all other things?

Would you add any others?

Fanfarlo

Just discovered this brand new band, Fanfarlo. They are making their debut album available for $1 over the next month. I discovered them because they come recommended by none other than Sigur Ros, one of my top 5 bands. I don’t know much about them other than they look dorky, are from England, and make music that sounds like Arcade Fire and Sigur Ros – a combination that could equal awesomeness.

What do you think?

Do you have any questions?

Last night at APEX, our young adult group, we had a special guest, Jeff Leake, join us for a great learning experience. Everyone was able to ‘text’ their questions in and Jeff tackled them. Many questions came in dealing with issues such as evolution, speaking in tongues, dating, movies, why God seems to hide himself, and many others.

If you were there, what are your thoughts? Would you like to do this again?

Any other questions you’d like to see addressed?