I met Dan King (perhaps better known as @bibledude) through the Idea Camp, a unique tribe of idea-makers who collaborate for good in their neighborhoods, and around the world. Dan’s love for his family and for the church to rise up and become the force for good that God intends stood out to me as we shared a meal together.

The title, The Unlikely Missionary: From Pew-Warmer to Poverty-Fighter, captures the essence of what Dan seeks to do with this book — to move people from lukewarm church attending to passionately following Jesus to serve those He loves. For a more in-depth conversation on why Dan wrote this book and what he hopes to accomplish through it, read this interview I conducted with him for ChurchLeaders.com.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m not sure what it is, but I’m a total sucker for the banjo.

I just came across Seryn [h/t: Paste Magazine], and I’m loving their eclectic, joyous music which features, yes, banjos amidst their multi-instrumental approach.

Download a free MP3 of their take on Go, Tell it on the Mountain at their Bandcamp site.

Read the rest of this entry »

I was out at dinner with my eight-year old daughter earlier this week, when some generic, Nickelback-ish schlock-rock started playing over the restaurants’s speakers. She turned to me and asked, “Daddy, is this praise music?”

Simultaneously, I was beaming with pride at her discerning ears (she’s a Kings of Convenience kind of girl) and horrified at the state of CCM / praise & worship music (for cranking out so many bland soundalike “hits”).

Read the rest of this entry »

Is it possible to enjoy the opening title sequence of a film more than the film itself?

Well, maybe not, given the high caliber of films below, but these title designs by Saul Bass are stunning in their own right:

Reverberations of the news of Steve Jobs death are being felt throughout the media, Twitterverse, and blogosphere, with heartfelt tributes pouring in about his influence on so many lives.

I was caught off guard by how deeply his passing affected me, as someone who did not know him personally. I’ve seen numerous tweets and status updates reflecting a similar, unexpected sadness at the news of his death. Much grace to his wife and children, and those who knew him, through this sorrow.

Read the rest of this entry »