However, let me provide a quick member's commentary on the three ministerial staff who took the stage today.
1. Student Pastor: Joseph Kinnaird. Yeah, that's what he looks like.
His "homeless-vet-living-under-the-interstate" bit is prompted by raising money for a team to do summer missions in Belize. When they raise all the funds, he'll shave. Good intentions paved the road to animals living on your face. He wrote an excellent blog post all about The Beard.
2. Minister of Worship: Shawn Stinson. Yeah, that's what he looks like. Although, I don't think he owns a home in Boca Raton.
Shawn said "Peace out" at the end of the closing song today. Most people didn't notice, but I did. I fully expect the next 3 weeks' farewells to be "Holla,""Deuce out the roof," and "Smell you later." Respectively. You can follow Shawn's outbursts at Tales from Street Road.
3. Pastor: Dr. Steve Potts. He's the one on the right.
Today, Steve was referencing the Alameda County Study which tracked the lives of 7,000 people over 9 years. Researchers found the most isolated people were 3x more likely to die than those with strong relational connections. My PhD pastor summarized the study with this: "It's better to eat Twinkies with friends than eat broccoli alone."
Transcript of work email regarding an event invitation being sent to prospective participants.
Coworker A to Coworker B: I love that you changed the font on this letter. I'm guessing in response to Jamie's reply that she would not attend the group because the font was in Times New Roman.
My Reply: We all know that Serif fonts incite anarchy.
Each week I post a readable or watchable and/or a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens after my recommendation. Ignore, embrace, debate.
Earlier volumes of The Rabbit Recommends can be found here.
Listen Adele. She's 22-years-old on the outside, but surely 48 inside. At least when it comes to that voice. I gave her first album 19 3.5 stars but her newest release 21 is an out-of-the-park 5 stars. I guess 2 years of being in a tragic relationship produces some phenomenal music.
This clip is my fav-o-rite Turning Tables.
Might I also suggest the tracks Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain and a super duper cover of The Cure's Lovesong.
I've found kindred spirits on this blog in terms of music. Some of you have high fived my suggestions, even those artists with a history with Disney or Matthew Knowles. And some of you have introduced me to even better and brighter picks.
I didn't think I'd like Ping on iTunes, but I'm wrong more often than I care to admit.
Check out my own personal Ping (sounds like a medical diagnosis) for artists and other stuff I adore. It includes 2 of my real-life current playlists. 1. Clean the House: Songs by which to tidy your humble home. 2. Nice and Quiet: When you need to calm thyself.
I wouldn't be angry if you added your own song picks to either of these playlists. I'm always looking for delightful music.
Disclaimer: I don't benefit in any way if you check out Ping or enjoy a few of my song selections. Other than the possible warm fuzzy of being liked.
If iTunes makes you mad or you don't need another social media outlet, please post your favorites right here in the handy comments section.
My conversation with God on Saturday. Me: What should I give up for Lent?
God: What do you think you should give up for Lent?
Me: Umm... What about soda?
God: Whatever you think is best.
Me: Well, my struggle really is with caffeine, but giving up caffeine would be crazy hard.
God: Sending my Son to die on the cross was crazy hard.
Me: True. I'm still going with soda.
God: Whatever you think is best.
So that was the plan. No soda for 40 days. However, I'd already concocted my increase in coffee and tea consumption to counter the lack of Diet Dr. Pepper. So much for a challenging fast.
And then I went to church.
Sidebar: If you're trying to sneak in the side door of spiritual obedience, church is probably the last place you should go.
I talked to Sabrina, an adorable teenager who loves God and Law & Order. She is giving up texting for Lent.
Didn't Jesus say something about little children coming to Him? With their smart phones?
I was busted. God had resorted to a 16-year-old girl to serve as my accountability.
My conversation with God on Sunday. Me: So I think I should give up something more difficult than soda for Lent - like TV.Do You think I can do it?
God: You can do all things through Me.
Me: Yeah, yeah, but seriously...do You think I can do it?
God: We'll see.
I'm on Day 2 and holy moly. No DVR, no Matt Lauer, no Modern Family, no Daily Show.
And I've decided not to break the fast on Sundays. Because I'm crazy. Or obedient.
Or a little of both.
How about you? Are you fasting this Lenten season?
