J.R. Briggs
Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep
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Archive for December, 2008
Hanging Out with Sparky’s Flaw
Last night my friend Kyle and I went down to The Fire, a music venue in the city, to hear an up and coming band called Sparky's Flaw.
They're young guys with a great sound (and a memorable band name, for sure).
They sound a bit like Maroon 5 and Starsailor with a little bit of Cartel thrown in there – and the lead singer has a falsetto that hints of Chris Martin, Coldplay's front man.What's interesting is that the last time I saw the lead singer (Will Anderson) and drummer (Johnny Stubblefield) was when they were scrawny seventh graders in my youth group when I did a summer internship in college at the church I grew up in.
They used to goof around on their instruments after Tuesday night Bible study.
Last night was so surreal seeing them up there on stage.
I felt so old.It was great to hang out with the guys after the show and hear what they've been up to, where they are at spiritually and get an update on their families.
If you get a chance check out their website and listen to their hit song "Under Control."
Also check them out on facebook and myspace.Statistics on Volunteerism in America
A little while ago I was reading Starbucks' monthly brochure/newsletter. December's newsletter topic was Volunteerism. Here are some interesting statistics regarding volunteering in America in 2007.
-Americans served 8.1 billion hours in volunteer work ($158 billion in donated time)
-26% of the adult population volunteered (60.8 million volunteers)
-more than 3.7 million Americans volunteered 120 miles or more from home
-top volunteer activities: fundraising/selling items to raise money, food collection/preparation, general labor and tutoring/teaching.
-the top 10 states for volunteering are: Utah, Nebraska, Minnesota, Alaska, Montana, Iowa, South Dakota, Vermont, Kansas and North Dakota [interesting fact: no states from the south].Men: Beware of the Doghouse
A little Monday humor…
A friend sent me this high quality, hilarious, satirical four-minute video produced by JC Penney informing men how to stay out of the Doghouse this Christmas (thanks, Carl!)
Men: we've been warned.
Advent Readings: Week 3
We enter into Week 3 of Advent in preparation of the coming of the Christ child.
Monday 12/15: Matthew 11:7-10
Tuesday 12/16: 1 Cor 4:1-5
Wednesday 12/17: Matthew 11:11-15
Thursday 12/18: 2 Peter 1:19-21; Luke 3:2-6
Friday 12/19: 1 Peter 1:8-11,13
Saturday 12/20: Psalm 50:1-6Humility
Writing is hard.
Having that writing published brings out some of the deepest insecurities.
Writing makes you humble.I thought the worst thing as an author would be to one day see one of my books in the bargain bin at the local bookstore or for sale at a thrift store.
But I was wrong.
Last week I experienced something far worse.I was at a party where we played the infamous White Elephant gag-gift exchange and someone picked a present, opened it up…and it was my first book.
Even more humbling, the one who brought the gift to the party was my mother.
Serious obedience: Reflections from Jesus’ Kingdom Manifesto
I've been reading Jesus' Kingdom Manifesto in Matthew 5-7 – most famously known as the Sermon on the Mount – in the Message.
Fresh language and expression. It sets our kingdom imaginations running. I'm challenged by Jesus' costly but worthwhile invitation to step into his way of life.
Here are some excerpts from Matthew seven:
"Don't look for
shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing
formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare
time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The
way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention."What is required is serious obedience - doing what my Father wills.""These
words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life,
homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are
foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words
into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on
solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but
nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But
if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your
life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy
beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like
a house of cards."An interview on Al Jazeera
Last week my father was interviewed by a television network on the topic of the rising number of churches that are teaching people about finances in the midst of the economic downturn. Since that's what my father does at Willow Creek the media thought that would be a good fit.
What made it interesting was the fact that the interview was with the English speaking branch of Al Jazeera, the international television network based in the middle eastern country of Qatar. The interview was on yesterday's broadcast throughout the Middle East and Europe.
Here's the YouTube link to the interview.
It's short, but well done.Advent Readings: Week 2
As we participate in selected Advent readings together here are the passages for this week:
Monday 12/8: Luke 21:25-28; Psalm 40:1-5
Tuesday 12/9: Romans 15:4, 13
Wednesday 12/10: Luke 12:35-40
Thursday 12/11: Hebrews 10:37-39
Friday 12/12: Luke 17:20-25
Saturday 12/13: James 5:7-10Carter and the iPod
Carter loves my iPod.
Seriously.Here he's enjoying U2…
…and then is a bit confused about the music style of Radiohead…
Henri Nouwen: A Prayer
Dear God,
I am so afraid to open my clench fists!
Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to?
Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands?
Please help me to gradually open my hands and to discover that I am not what I own, but what you want to give me.
And what you want to give me is love – unconditional, everlasting love.
Amen.
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