Chris's Musings

Andy is doing a new series at Buckhead Church (either live or on HD), about (as if we need to be made fun of any more for being relationship-obsessed :-) - Ha!) "The New Rules of Love, Sex, and Dating."  It should be an interesting series, not because I haven't heard a thousand talks about relationships (that's what it feels like) but because Andy did some field research on The Bert Show a few weeks ago.  The Bert Show is a very popular morning radio talk show for Q100 in Atlanta that focuses on pop culture news and gossip; and is not a Christian program.  I'm interested to learn how he's going to use that "call in and talk to Andy" session he did a few weeks ago. So, I posted the link to the series on my Facebook page earlier today and have gotten a few comments about it; including a comment from one friend of mine that asked that I give her the "cliff notes" on what Andy's new rules are.  That got me to thinking, given all that I...

Interestingly enough, where I am in my quiet time through Hebrews today happens to be very relevant with the significance of what we remember today.  A verse in this section that I vividly recall says this: "... because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." - Hebrews 10:4 Now, in our 21st Century non-Jewish world, this verse may make no sense to us.  But to the Jewish believers that this person was writing this letter to, it was rich with meaning. You see, ancient Judaism was a religion that was deeply entrenched in a sacrificial system that, in the minds of many worshippers, equated the sacrifice of a bull, goat, lamb, dove, pigeon, etc. for a sin offering (Leviticus 4:1- 6:7) and the yearly sacrifice of a lamb on the alter of the temple on the day of atonement (Leviticus 16) with the covering of sins that they and the nation has committed.  These sacrifices were commanded by God for the people to conduct when they sinned (I left ...

I first started to believe this is a publicity stunt, but from the appearances of the polls it looks like this time he may be serious. The Donald is considering running for president.  He is in fact, speaking at a Tea Party event in Boca Raton today.  My first question is:  if the attendance is really huge, how many people are there because they believe in small, limited government and low taxes and how many are really there to see Trump? But, he is polling evenly with most of the other GOP contenders, so perhaps in this crazy political environment he should be taken seriously this time.  In light of this, and having been a fan of The Apprentice in the beginning, I do have a few questions that I will pose. My Top Ten Questions about the Alleged 2012 "The Donald" Presidential Campaign 1.) Donald is going to bring up the birth certificate, will "The Obama" bring up The Donald's three failed marriages to Supermodel women? 2.) Will The Donald say "Pres...

Yesterday when I was out with some friends watching baseball, somehow the topic of my achilles injury has come up, and I mentioned that I have a couple of bags of frozen peas (one at work and one at home) that I use as regular icing devices to treat the achilles tendonitis that I developed before (and during) my half marathon in October... they retain their shape and evenly distribute the cold - they are wonderful!  Yes, I in fact have a bag of ORGANIC peas that a friend gave me when I had my miniscus surgery that still serves as a therapy pack to this day.  They are, as my friend mentioned: my "feet peas."  I think I'm going to keep that saying. I haven't run since my 1/2 marathon, and I have to tell you that it's driving me a little crazy.  I don't really enjoy stationary workouts, and without running this hasn't made my cardio workouts as much fun (except for spin, but that's mainly because of the music).  Unfortunately, achilles injuries are pesk...

Man, I had some fun talking with friends about that post I made yesterday, and it spawned some more ideas, so I thought that instead of coming up with a new "surprise" post, I'd just "complete" the list. More signs you may have been at NorthPoint a long time :-) 11.) You've used any of the following words in your normal dialogue Guardrails Communicator Listen, listen, listen Wisdom Church Person/Church People 12.) You believe that Chick-Fil-A and church are somehow mystically connected. 13.) You have at least two of the following books on your bookshelf: The Best Question Ever The Grace of God Visioneering The Deity formerly known as God by Jarret Stevens Any Boundaries book by Henry Cloud (or any book by Cloud, period) Wild at Heart by John Eldridge if you're a guy -or- Captivating by Staci Eldridge if you're a woman Crazy Love by Francis Chan 14.) You have seen the water ballet at Labor Day Retreat, and wish they'd bring it b...

I've had this on the brain for a while... I need a mental candy break though. For myself, or for any of my friends who are members of one of the NorthPoint Ministries campuses (that means Buckhead, Browns Bridge... you know who you are), there are (admit it) signs that you've been going to this church for way too long.  And now, like any person that needs to get out of their denial, I'm going to point out a few :-) Top Ten Signs You've Been at NorthPoint for Quite Some Time 1.) You commonly use any of the following words in your daily conversation: Margin Life-giving Give, Save, Spend Environment CG Big Idea Virtue Bottom Line Safe 2.) Something that Andy Stanley said in a sermon inevitably makes it into your Bible study discussion. 3.) You don't see anything wrong with wearing the same T-shirt every Sunday for 30 Sundays in a row (a shout out to all of us UpStreeters!), and in case you haven't washed "this year's" shirt, you have...