I haven’t been able to stop thinking about something I read earlier this week.  Just kinda chewing on it, I guess.

I like to tell people about good things though, so here…maybe you can enjoy it’s flavors too.

“Distractivity is what you’re doing when you get distracted from what you should be doing. It’s generally what you want to do, often what you need to do, and arguably, what you’ll do best.”

I found it here whilst surfing through the web.

~chris

A Cypher, Wrapped In An Enigma, Smothered With Secret Sauce.

That’s what Justin Timberlake is to me.

I really can’t stand about 98% percent of his music, but he is an incredible performer.

He hasn’t been in any good movies, but he is a decent actor.

He comes off kinda doofy, but he’s pretty hilarious and doesn’t care if he looks like a fool. (proof, proof, and proof.)

In fact, there is an entire website dedicated to his SNL skit videos:

Anyhoo, I stumbled across this video of him performing at the Hope For Haiti Now event, and it kinda blew my mind.  It’s him and Matt Morris doing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”  And I really love the ending.

~c

It’s been pretty cool over the last week to see some articles about The Gateway Church and our involvement there.  I just thought I’d share a couple of them with you guys.

Des Moines Register (link to online version)

Veritas Magazine

God is doing incredible things around this city.  It’s so amazing to be allowed to be a part of it!

~chris

(Thanks to Bob Stewart for this ammo.)

I am so incredibly heartbroken that people are using the devastation and turmoil that is taking place in Haiti right now for their own profit.

It’s taking everything in me to word this appropriately, but I am so furious with the sick, sick people that are going to hospitals and buying children to sell into sex trafficking and human slavery.

The most recent example I read about this was just a bit ago via the Twitter account of Shaun King.  (You’ll have to search back a page or two to see this episode unfold in full.)

There are confirmed reports of employees of  Hopital Espoir in Haiti are selling children to the black market.

Hopital Espoir means Hospital of Hope.  I can’t imagine how terrified these children must be.

Please take a minute now, whatever you are doing, and pray for those children, the leaders and authorities that can help prevent this, and the people involved with this heartbreaking business.

~c

Today is not a day like any other.

Sorry, Jack’s Mannequin fans.

First off, this will be the first day in over 15 years that I don’t know when the next time I will see Conan on TV is.

I stumbled across this today on Twitter and thought it was pretty cool.

Conan can do no wrong in my mind, but I was really surprised and impressed at some of the things he said on his final show.  Team Coco 4 Eva.

Anyhoo…

Unfortunately, although I believe there is basic truth in what Conan said, I don’t believe you are asking anything special from yourself to ‘work hard and be kind.’

I mean, I’d be willing to bet that you could find those two concepts in your neighborhood McDonalds employee handbook.  And I’d also be willing to bet that you aren’t mysteriously drawn to your neighborhood McDonalds employees.  (Actually, it’s more likely the opposite.)

I have a confession to make.

I think that my faith and spirituality have been watered down to these basic elements as of late: work hard and be kind.  I mean, I’ve become pretty comfortable.  Coincidentally my relationship with God has become pretty boring.  (But I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that it’s probably not an issue on His side of things.)

We have talked about the idea of discipleship multiple times at church over the last few weeks, along with being part of a community and many other things that all play into our lives as Christians.

I’ve had to ask myself some difficult questions:

What is it about me that represents Christ to the people around me?

Do I actively live with the love of Christ, or do I just love people?  And yes, there is a difference.  One of the most loving people that I know is an atheist.  So I guess I could change the question to ‘Do I have the love of Christ or the love of an atheist?’

What am I doing to love my wife the right way?  What am I doing to love my neighbor the right way?

In the way that these people deserve. Or maybe even in the way that these people don’t deserve.

What am I doing to love God the right way?

I don’t know…I could go on and on, but let me try and wrap up and get to a point.

I have been making some very intentional steps to live up to my name.  Christopher = Christ bearer or to bear Christ.

All through the Bible we read about people and places being named because of who they are or what happened there.

I want that to be true with my name too.

I want my gravestone to say “He was called Christopher because everywhere he went, he went bearing Christ.”

I have made some great friends out here…and now it’s time to become more vulnerable and accountable.

I’m not ok being comfortable.  I’m not ok with that. I know there is more available.  There is always more available.

I don’t want to be greedy for the sake of being greedy.  It’s not like I’m trying to get all grabby for selfish reasons.  I just remember times when I have been the least important thing to me, and it was beautiful.

I’m greedy for less of me.

I’m pretty sure that doesn’t make sense, but I think you might get it.

I started reading books again. Starting off with this one.

I realized I need someone that will laugh with me, cry with me, tell me when I’m being a moron, and push me further on.  So now I have an hour blocked out every week to talk on the phone with one of the greatest dudes I know.

I actually have a whole list of things that I am working on and commitments that I have made.  I’ve shared them with a close friend and he shared his with me.

(This is a really long post.)

I just…

I just don’t want to be average. Or boring. Or complacent.

And I don’t want to be Andy Stanley or Louie Giglio or United or Coldplay.

I want to be me.

I can’t remember who said it, but I read somewhere that (and I’m paraphrasing here) ‘God created who I am, and I am on a journey to find that person.’

~chris

I don’t have a ton of things to say right now, but I have a million thoughts.

I’ve stopped writing, which essentially means I’ve stopped thinking.

The majority of my posts are videos that I think are hilarious or pictures from various things.  All these different things that I am taking in, and nothing that I am pouring out.

I don’t have a ton of things to say right now, but I have a million thoughts.

“Dwell in me, dwell so richly in me” – a song from Trinity Grace Church – keeps playing in my head over and over again.

That best describes my prayers right now, I suppose.

I’m going to start writing next week.

~chris

Another fun video for you fine folks that are trying to not do anything productive