There are only a few more hours left in 2005. For me, 2005 was a year of learning and discovery. Of course learning and discovery can often be a painful thing. Despite the growing pains I experienced it was a good year and I hope that 2006 will be even better.

My prayer for you is that 2006 will be a wonderful year for you and your loved ones. Thank you for spending time with me here. Your feedback and emails of encouragement have meant so much to me. Thank you.

Tomorrow I am heading to Nashville for the National Confrence on Youth Ministries. I will be there until late Tuesday night. Maybe I’ll run into a few of you there.

I hope everyone has a happy new year. Go with God!

Peace,
Micheal

One day you’ll look back, and you’ll see
Where you were held out by this love
Why could you stand there
And not move on this moment
Follow this feeling…

Lift my days, light up my nights,
Lift my days, light up my nights,
Love

Merry Christmas Everyone! Here are some old words for this new day.

THIS morning being Christmas, and, as the Roman superstition would have it, the nativity of man’s Redeemer; assuming it as true, my thoughts naturally lead me to Bethlehem, Calvary, and the sepulchre of Joseph. And what mysterious, sublime, and animating associations cluster around those three places! How near the point of distance! Eight short miles measured the whole space from the manger to the cross! And how short the interval of time between the first birth from Mary, and the second birth from Joseph’s tomb, of Arimathea! Not quite the half of three-score-years-and-ten completes the labors and the life of Heaven’s and Earth’s First Born! And yet what scenes and transactions crowd this narrow space of earth, and this short interval of time!

Other children, earth’s noblest sons, her proudest benefactors, were born to shed a few scattering rays of science over the benighted mind of man; or to wipe a few tears of sorrow or of anguish from the cheek of human woe; or to rescue man from some heartless tyrant that doomed his victims to abject slavery; or to confer some transient honor on some little circle of kindred friends and favorites. But this blest child of a thousand hopes and promises–this wonderful offspring of [30] Divinity and humanity–this Son of God and Son of Man, was born to be a light of all nations, and of all ages–to scatter night away from all eyes within the realms of mercy–to break forever its dark sceptre and annihilate its power over all his friends and brethren–to dry up the tears of a weeping world by washing away its sins and sorrows in a fountain filled with his own blood–to deliver man from that fiercest of all tyrants, Death; and to bestow honors on a ransomed race, bright as the throne of God and lasting as the ages of eternity.

And how was all this accomplished! Born in a stable–circumcised the eighth day–dedicated on the fortieth, at Jerusalem, in the Temple–persecuted into Egypt–nursed in the land of Ham–brought back to Bethlehem–removed to Nazareth, where he lived subject to his parents till he completed his thirtieth year, living so obscurely, too, as not to be mentioned but once after his return till about the time of his immersion; and at that time he is found in the Temple amongst the teachers, listening to their discourses and propounding to them questions.

After his baptism, commenced his public life. And what a period was that between his two baptisms! Did ever so many deeds of renown, so many demonstrations of divine eloquence, majesty, and power, cluster together in such a bright interval around the person of any son of woman! What temptations and triumphs! What miracles of mercy! What words of grace! What acts of condescension fill up the moments of this brightest epoch of Time’s career! A busier or more active life was never spent. “He went about continually doing good.” What multitudes were instructed, healed, relieved, fed, feasted! How many discourses, both public and private–how many questions answered–how many parables spoken–how many controversies and debates decided–how many triumphs gained–and with what travails, privations, fatigues, exhaustion, fasting, praying, and personal consecration! If all that he did and all that he said had been fully written, the world could neither read nor remember it.

But yet the two greatest victories were not won during his life. He had, indeed, foiled and vanquished Satan. But Death still reigned over all, and the Grave devoured all. The former he killed by dying, and the latter he vanquished by rising out of it and carrying with him its gates and bars up the hill of God.

‘Tis here that immortality lifts its matin ray over a slumbering world. ‘Tis here, a second time, that light is the offspring of darkness, and from the sorrows of death spring up eternal joys. What a plot! The Prince of Life submits to be killed, that he might destroy [31] him that had the power of death! He is carried into Death’s strong prison, which, till that moment, held secure all that ever entered it. But it was not possible that the Prince of Life could be long held under its sway. Like Samsom with extinguished eyes, he stretched forth his hands to seize the pillars, that he might once more try his strength. The third morning came, and with it his almighty power. It was the operation of God. What a victory! The light of the upper world entered the grave–the shrouds of death were lifted up–and a bright ray gleamed through all the charnel-house. But the dead knew it not. It was consolation to all the living saints. It healed the wounds and dried up the sorrows of six thousand years. It promised a bright day of immortality to all the saints. Its shout of victory was heard by the ear of faith. It echoed through all the regions of the dead–Grave, where now thy victory!

The whole earth is sown with men. Sea and land make but one extended burying ground. What treasures lie hidden in the dust! Diamonds of the richest ray are but ashes compared with the remains of saints incorporate with the soil. What trophies has Death gained in six thousand years. But he will soon be divested of them all. The grave will be left without a tenant before many centuries shall have run their rounds.

Bat the most pleasing reflection of all is, that all that sleep in Jesus are to be awakened by the noise of his coming. He has many reasons to hasten his return. The earth is yet the receptacle of the bodies of his friends. Its precious mines of precious metals, its richest minerals of every species, with all its varied tenantry–its living beauties, vegetable and animal, when summed up fall infinitely short of equalling, in his eyes, the ashes of a Noah, a Daniel, or a Job.

We have many strong pledges of our Saviour’s return to this planet, but none that strikes more forcibly so many feelings of our nature than that the earth retains so many of our Lord’s dear kindred, whose ashes are still mingled with its soil. We have not only David’s sepulchre still with us, but those of the grandees Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, Daniel, Job–all the Prophets–all the Apostles–all the Saints and all the Martyrs. They are yet with us; and precious is their dust in the eyes of our kinsman Redeemer. Come he will–come he must.

How far my musings have led me from my first design! But now when I think of retracing my steps, the cock’s shrill clarion admonishes me that the hour of worship is near; and here I must lay down my pen for the present.

Alexander Campbell
Millennial Harbinger
January 1844

Link
Via

Good Morning! I am blogging live from the McDonald’s Location #03606 in Corinth, MS. I am here visiting family for Christmas and ran into town for some errands. I stopped by this McDonalds for some internet access and a Coke. Technology rules! I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday.

Peace to you and yours!

McDonald’s Wireless: Mississippi

Time Magazine announced their annual Person of the Year this week. The honor went to 3 people on behalf of their work with the world’s poor. Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono were named Persons of the Year for 2005. I know that I talk an awful lot about Bono here but I wanted to call attention to his determination and his strategy for speading the word about helping the poorest of the poor.

As I read the article on Bono I couldn’t help but think about the apostle Paul. Paul tells us in Corinthians that he became all things to all men in order that the Gospel might be heard and accepted. Here is what the Time article tells us about Bono’s strategy to bring his message of debt eradication and developmental aid to the men and women of the US:

When he lunches with President Bush, as he did in October, Bono quotes scripture and talks about small projects in Africa that have specific metrics for success. Then he asks for more money to fund them. In the office of Sen. Dic Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, he speaks of multilateralism and how developmental aid reminds the rest of the world of America;s greatness. Then he asks for more money. In stadiums, he tells people that if they join together, they have a chance to make poverty history. Then U2 plays One.

Bono’s great gift is to take what has made him famous- charm, clarity of voice, an ability to touch people in their secret heart- combine those traits with a keen grasp of the political game and obsessive attention to detail, and channel is all toward getting everyone, from world leaders to music lovers, to engage with something overwhelming in its complexity. Although it is easy to cast his global road show as the vanity project of a pampered celebrity, the fact is that Bono gets results.

Know thy audience! Know thy message! Know how to tell that message to thy audience!

The rest of the article is great and gives you a real backstage glimpse at Bono’s “global road show”- briefings, meetings, days without sleep, concerts, and manilla folders. The article takes you from Live Aid through Live 8 and to today. A must read for U2 fans, ministers and leadership strategists.

Good on ya, Bono!

Time Person of the Year Photo Essay: Bono

Last night U2 performed in Nebraska for the first time. According to one fan review, Bono took a moment to apologize for something that he has been criticized about quite frequently over the last few years. During Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own, Bono apologized for his use of foul language in the past. According to Shaun Grantski’s review on U2tours, Bono told the crowd

I’ve been known to use colorful language in the past…and I’m really working on stopping it. I do not mean to offend anyone; it’s just the way I grew up and the culture we’re in…it’s all around us.

Bono’s “colorful language” caused quite a stir at the Golden Globes when he and the Edge accepted an award for the song The Hands That Built America from the film The Gangs of New York.

Everyone of us deals with different struggles and shortcomings and celebrities are no different. It takes a big man to admit that he isn’t perfect. Good on ya, Bono.

This year was a good year for great music. My three favorite bands all released albums and I was able to catch a couple of them on tour this year as well. For what it’s worth I wanted to live out my small fantasy of writing reviews for Rolling Stone here on my site. So with out further ado, Here is a list of my favorite albums of the past year. They are listed in no particular order because that wouldn’t be fair to any of the bands that don’t have The Edge as a guitarist. Enjoy and feel free to let me know what you think.

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
U2

The boys from the north side of Dublin do it again! If this isn’t the best album of the year it sure is the most fun. Unos, Dos, Tres, Catorce! Top Tracks: Original of the Species, Crumbs From Your Table, Yahweh, City of Blinding Lights

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard
Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney released a wonderful album this year that hasn’t gotten much attention. Instead of being backed up by George, Ringo, and John, Sir Paul’s back-up band is— Sir Paul McCartney. On the first song alone, Paul plays 9 different instruments. Although there are no “radio-friendly-Top-40” breakout hits this album showcases Paul’s musical and lyrical prowess. The album stays with you long after you have placed the disc back in its case.Top Tracks: Fine Line, Jenny Wren, Too Much Rain

X&Y
Coldplay

Chris Martin and Co. came back with a vengance this past year and brought with them a great album. Nothing I could say here could capture the places that this album can take you. Stop right now, buy this album and listen to it! Pure genius. I believe that in the coming years this will be one of those definative records that everybody owns. Get yours today. Top Tracks: Fix You, Square One, A Message, Talk, The Hardest Part, Kingdom Come

Jagged Little Pill-Acoustic
Alanis Morrisette

I can remember listening to the original Jagged Little Pill back in high school. Alanis Morrisette decided that the best way to re-release this classic album was to reunite with uber-producer Glen Ballard for a thorough re-telling of every song, note for note. I bought this CD at Starbuck’s thinking that it would be the usual “unplugged” album. I was wrong. The songs were re-crafted to work within the acoustic setting. The sounds were just as fresh as they were back in ‘95. A few misses but still one of my favorite albums of 2005.

Live at Stubb’s
Matisyahu

A Hasidic Jew who sings Reggae in the vein of Bob Marley and the Wailers. If it wasn’t real it would be a terrible, off-color joke. Well, it is real and it rocks! Matisyahu spent a summer as a Phish-head traveling around the country. He got in touch with his Hasidic roots and began to lay down some heavy beats. I loved this live album. Recorded in Austin, TX, Live at Stubb’s showcases Matisyahu’s deeply spiritual lyrics and captures the raw, enigmatic vibe of this blistering set. Check this album out.

Stand Up/ Weekend on the Rocks
Dave Matthews Band

An ambitious album from DMB followed up by an end of the year live release. Nine tracks from Stand Up are featured on Weekend 2 CDs and the live concert DVD proving that the only way to experience Dave Matthews Band is live. The live album highlights of Stand Up’s hip-hop heavy beats show that the new stuff can stand side by side old standards like “Everyday,” “41,” and “Crash Into Me.” The CDs and the DVD are actually the best of Dave and Co. four day stand at Red Rocks Amphitheater. You can purchase the Complete Weekend on the Rocks from the Official DMB online store (8CDs and 1 DVD) for $59.00. Top Tracks: Stand Up: Dreamgirl, Everybody Wake Up, Hunger for the Great Light. Weekend on the Rocks: American Baby, Time of the Season, Bartender (16+ minutes of pure jam bliss).

Late Registration
KanYe West

Right up front: Micheal Felker cares about KanYe West! Everybody’s favorite conflicted rapper released his second album in the fall of 2005. Much like his comments concerning the Hurricane and the Pres., Late Registration is filled with socially conscious lyrics (”Diamonds from Sierra Leone”) and socially irresponsible lyrics (”And I know that the Government administered AIDS”). Much like the artist himself, this album is full of contridictions but it is still one of the best albums of 2005. Top Tracks: Heard ‘Em Say, Diamonds From Sierra Leone, Bring Me Down, Hey Mama

Honorable Mention
Get Lifted
John Legend

Redemption Songs
Jars of Clay

In Between Dreams
Jack Johnson

A Collision
David Crowder* Band

or, How To Rock an Awards Ceremony.

U2’s latest release, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb has been nominated for 6 Grammy Awards. Way to go guys!

BTW, next week my end of the year Best of 2005 lists will be posted. This year I’ve chosen to highlight my favorite albums and books. Keep your eyes open for the lists.

Song of the Year - Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal - Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Best Rock Song - City of Blinding Lights
Best Rock Album - How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Producer of the Year - Steve Lillywhite, for How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Album of the Year - How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

This month’s charity is the Keep a Child Alive Program. Please read the foundation’s description below and then click the banner at the bottom of this post for a better idea of why this organization exists. A word of caution: You will be changed by the video. The banner will also direct you to how you can make a donation. Thanks everyone.

Keep A Child Alive is a unique campaign that offers you the opportunity to provide life-saving AIDS medicines directly to children and families with HIV/AIDS in Africa and other impoverished countries. For just a dollar a day—or a monthly contribution of $30—you can help save the life of a child or a parent who can’t afford essential treatment and care. Probably less than you spend on coffee each morning.

Contributions to Keep A Child Alive go directly to children and families in desperate need of AIDS medicines. We provide regular updates on Keep A Child Alive’s treatment sites and the kids and parents receiving ARV treatment and support. Most of all, you’ll receive the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a real difference in the lives of children and families who have nowhere else to turn—helping them live longer, happier lives.

I have been working through George Barna’s latest book Revolution for the last few weeks or so. I have probably given the book more time than it required but I have really be chewing on it and intentionally taking my sweet time reading and re-reading it. Barna argues that the Church is in this midst of a forever-altering Revolution. This revolution involves an exodus from church as we know it. Accoring to Barna 2/3 of the nation’s adults are currently experiencing and living out their faith within local church congregations. By 2025, the Barna Group expects that number to be halved.

We estimate that about one third will have their dominant experience and expression of faith through alternative forms of the Church: house churches, organic churches, marketplace ministries, cyberchurches, stratigic faith events, and more. Close to another third will experience and express their faith mostly through forms of media, ranging from outside-in forms, such as television and radio, to inside-out forms such as podcasting and filmaking. Family will be the locus of faith realities for a relative handful of believers.

Some of those faith expressions, like House churches, I applaud. Some of those other potential forms quite honestly freak me out a little bit. Thankfully, Barna spends the bulk of the book, not discussing each of these forms, but reminding the reader that he/she will have to make an educated stance on this Revolution. Over and over Barna tells us that we can’t make a stance based on what we personally find comfortable or uncomfortable. Instead we should look to the Lord and “evaluate everything in light of what the Bible teaches.” Using Acts 2, 4, and 5 for his research as to what comforms to biblical guidelines, Barna lays out the seven characteristics he believes are the marks of authentic spiritual fruit:

INTIMATE WORSHIP OF GOD
INTENTIONAL SPIRITUAL GROWTH
FAITH-BASED CONVERSATIONS
KINGDOM-ORIENTED INVESTMENT OF RESOURCES
CAMPASSIONATE SERVANTHOOD
SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIPS
FAMILY-BASED FAITH

This was what I loved about the book. It wasn’t a triste on destroying church as we know it. It was all about becoming the Church Christ intended us to be. Take some time to read through these passages from Acts. Instead of proof-texting what you already think you understand, seek to read them with new eyes and a new heart. Personally, I am recommitting myself to learn how to be the Church “every day, everywhere, and every way.” I want to live out these characteristics within my own life. Not just on Sundays but every day. Peace.

I logged on to the iTunes Music Store this morning and was pleasantly surprised to see that NBC is now offering content for the iPod Video. Now you can watch shows like The Office, Surface, Law & Order, and (Woo-Hoo!) Conan O’Brien in the comfort of your nearest Starbuck’s in quality sound provided by your white earbuds. NBC is also offering “classic” episodes of Alfred Hitchcock, Dragnet, Adam-12, and Knight Rider. If you have iTunes, click here to veiw the iTunes/NBC store. Shows are $1.99 a piece.

As soon as the iPod Video was announced I knew that this was a viable option for the future of television. Networks have seen failed properties whose initial run on prime-time television showed dismal ratings become DVD darlings in the home market. Freaks and Geeks in merely one example (Also from NBC). When networks can quickly and easily get content into the hands of consumers they can build brand recognition and brand loyalty. It is just that simple. I applaud ABC and NBC on taking this bold step on a new technology. This is a risk that I believe they will be well rewarded for.

Update: I found these links on iLounge.com after I posted this story. The first link offers a little more information on the NBC deal and the second discusses an ESPN/iTunes deal (ESPN is owned by ABC).

NBC deal with iTunes
ESPN and iTunes

From Preaching re-Imagined by Doug Pagitt:

Speaching: the style of preaching that is hardly distinguishable from a one-way speech. (11-12)

I use this word to distinguish speaching, which I believe to be a form of speaking that is inconsistent with the outcomes we want to see arise from our preaching, from the act of preaching, which I believe to be a good, right, and essential calling of the church. (48)

The whole point of preaching is to help people grow in their understanding of God and how we are to live as God’s people and to empower the church to live out God’s mission. (162)

The church can be the place where we move from “cover versions” of the faith of prvious generations to living, breathing theological communities who articulate and generate new understandings of God, life, and faith. (168)

I imagine churches that see themselves as being for both the new convert and the experienced Christian. This kind of life asks us to expand our understanding of conversion. Rather than seeing it as a one-time event, we ought to think of conversion as a lifelong process, one in which all of us are engaged all the time.

I imagine churches that see themselves as more than the context for speaching. The idea that church is a once-a-week event dismantles everything the gospel calls us to be about. When the worship event centers on speaching, the message to the people is clear: The focus of our life together is this 20-minute segment; the rest is gravy. But when preaching becomes an act of community formation, there is an implicit invitation for participation in the full life of the community. It’s a clear signal that we are about more than teaching, telling, and learning about God. We are about living in the story of God in all times and in all places. (168-169)

On Friday, the much anticipated Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe opens in theaters nationwide. I am pumped! Last week, I posted a recently uncovered letter that C.S. Lewis had written concerning his thoughts on a live-action movie based on his beloved stories. Lewis told a then BBC producer that he would be oppossed to a live-action TV version. Of course, there was no such thing as CGI back in 1959. The illusion and mystery of Narnia would have been lost on the small screen back then. Today that is not the case. I am quite postitive, based on what I have seen and heard about this production, that Lewis would be delighted with this adaptation. We shall see on Friday.

While I was perusing the internet this weekend, I came across a rather humorous picture. I decided to again post the letter that Lewis had written to the BBC concerning a live-action Chronicles and place a link to the picture as an example of what Lewis may have been oppossed to. I don’t think that Disney/Walden Media have anything to worry about. Enjoy.

Dear Sieveking,
(Why do you ‘Dr’ me? Had we not dropped the honorifics?) As things worked out, I wasn’t free to hear a single instalment of our serial [The Magician’s Nephew] except the first. What I did hear, I approved. I shd. be glad for the series to be given abroad. But I am absolutely opposed – adamant isn’t in it! – to a TV version. Anthropomorphic animals, when taken out of narrative into actual visibility, always turn into buffoonery or nightmare. At least, with photography. Cartoons (if only Disney did not combine so much vulgarity with his genius!) wld. be another matter. A human, pantomime, Aslan wld. be to me blasphemy.

All the best,
yours
C. S. Lewis

I had a great time at TobyMac’s Winter Wonder Slam concert last night. There were a whole host of up-and-coming Christian artists such as Barlow Girls, Grits, Matthew West and, my favorite, John Reuben. For the banner pic this week I used a picture of a Fender Stratocaster and a line from one of Reuben’s songs, Do Not. (The link is for the video. Please give it a few seconds to load) The whole evening was great and a lot of fun. Below are a few of my favorite pictures from last night. Enjoy.

If you have followed this site since the summer, you know that the ONE Campaign has been very important to me. This morning I recieved this message in my inbox. Please read this and prayerfully consider what you can do to help alleviate suffering around the world.

Today is World AIDS Day, and right now, over 350,000 people are alive because Americans like you asked our nation to do more to fight AIDS.

Thank you.

Together, we can and must do more. This is what an emergency looks like: every day in Africa, HIV/AIDS kills 6,600 people, 8,800 people are infected with the HIV virus and at least 1,400 newborn babies are infected during childbirth.

This World AIDS Day, we are fighting back-and we know what works. We can prevent, educate and treat. Right now, the U.S. is providing life-saving medicines to kids, mothers, fathers, farmers and teachers who hold the key to their nations’ futures. Together, we have much farther to go. At the G8, leaders listened to your call and pledged near universal access to AIDS medicines by 2010. Let’s keep up the positive pressure and make sure we keep the promise.

You can continue the fight against AIDS and poverty right now by adding your name to the ONE Big Noise letter and ask America to do more to save lives around the world.

Whenever difficult topics such as AIDS relief come up I know that we get a little uneasy. For some reason, we tend to forget about the people who are suffering and focus only on the disease. I am constantly prodded by the words of my Savior:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

  “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

  “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

  “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

For what it is worth, check out ONE.org and see what you can do to help the helpless, clothe the naked, and feed the hungry. It is the least you can do.