I had a great chat with Alise Wright and we talked about her upcoming book project Not Afraid. Plus, we talk a bit about a few other things like marriage equality and Mark Driscoll’s new polemic book “Real Marriage” (and I may need to offer some bonus video material on that insightful stuff); can men and women be friends (best of friends, even when they are married to other people); and Alise’s upcoming personal work in keeping with her calling.
Here’s Janet chatting with me about courage and hope. Find out at her website how you can get her book FREE.
(by Chris O Brien click for CC source)
You can’t die of a broken heart. It’s despair that kills you.
Having a broken heart, means you are alive. It means that something matters, and you haven’t gone numb (which is what usually happens to people after a while…or escapism, which is sort of the same).
Having a broken heart means that risk was rewarded with pain. But not pain unto death. Pain that gives way to experience you can’t find another way.
I used to think God was trying to kill me of a broken heart. Dashing my hopes and dreams. Allowing my son, or my father, or me to suffer until I couldn’t take it anymore. It felt like the beatings wouldn’t end.
At the end of that bit of brutality (as I perceived it) I realized I could be borne out of it, like a phoenix. And that was the point. To come to a resurrection. On the other side was life, not death. All the scars would be a kind of beauty, not a pitiable shame.
Don’t worry about your broken heart. It has to break apart to get to the fleshy part. The part so tender that only God can hold it…and be the only one who can and will protect it in a way you never could understand before. In a way that you can never do alone. You are brave enough for that. You. are.
Do. not. despair.
The themes of Dr Brown and the things she speaks on could change your life to the better. No kidding.
May you enjoy this gem as much as I did.
Mike just went pro, taking his message of hope and inspiration to youth in schools, church, and community groups. In this short video we talk about his message, his new book, and teenagers. Also Mike is not Slim Shady, but he did pimp this Ninja experience.
Infographic on 2012. Are you optimistic?
Share your predictions.
2012 Predictions:
1. Mit Romney will accidentally expose the battery pack that gives him life, and grey hair confined to the temples.
2. 8% unemployment will be seen as “the glory days of old”.
3. Obama will sustain another basketball injury. This time a ligament, and a foreshadowing of things to come.
4. The London summer olympics will give us a jolly good overload on all things British.
5. The Mayan focus will renew interest in corn…as a killer.
Free to use and distribute. Creative Commons (when credit is given to creator)
…it’s so hot that…
I can’t think of a good joke for this right now. (Feel free to use your wit in the comments section, if you feel inclined.)
The reality of Heaven (that we’ve been discussing in recent posts) pulls into question the validity of the bible’s portrayal of Hell as well.
I think the scorching flames, pitchforks, and undying worms have actually undersold the idea of Hell.
Not that isolation and burning hot sulfur would be fun, but the reality of choosing death over life and the separation from God cannot be caught up in amputated descriptions we ordinarily have.
Who better to elucidate the topic than arguably the foremost New Testament scholar alive today.
Below is the statement not about real keys, or master locks. It’s about the victory of God, and about the hope we have that death is truly conquered.
New International Version (©1984)
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Rev. 1:18
This was not a Christmasy post, was it?
Okay. Time to pull from the archives!
First, remember that Christmas is a time of giving. Here’s my project to give things away (public domain style). There are just a few days left to leave your mark on the world during Advent.
Second. Some needed Christmas humor…okay, it’s semi-dark humor.
Three selections:
1. Funny Santa photo
2. Funny Santa photo 2 (I did a whole week of this last year)
3. (suspicious holiday songs)
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