Josh Young

Craig Groeschel is coming out with another book on October 2. This one’s called Going All the Way: Preparing for a Marriage That Goes the Distance.

Craig has already written several great books, including Confessions of a Pastor, which really made me think about a lot of things, and I know it has spurred a lot of change in people across the world.

I’m also working on his book Chazown, which so far has been great (although I probably need to start over since I haven’t read it - or anything else - in a month or two).

I’m really looking forward to this new one. Marie and I just celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary this past Monday, so it comes at a great time for us.

You can pre-order on Amazon.

A good friend of mine sent me this article posted by Perry Noble (pastor at NewSpring Church), and I couldn’t help but post it. He is discussing the misnomer some people have that wearing a suit or dress to church actually makes you “more godly.”

Man, I could not agree more with what he is saying.

Just an excerpt:

What I am wondering is where in the world did the modern day church ever get the idea that somehow dressing up in a suit OR wearing a dress equals godliness…and those who would wear jeans and a T-shirt, or even (GASP) flip flops just are not as godly. Can we all say “insecurity” boys and girls?

Now I’m not a theologian or a scholar…but it seems to me that someone who would look down their nose at someone else for not dressing properly–when no dress code is mentioned in the Bible–is PRIDE and ARROGANCE…you know, the things that got satan kicked out of heaven!

Now, I’m not saying that you’re wrong to wear a suit or dress by any means (and neither is Perry). I know several people who wear suits every week that are some of the most godly men I’ve ever met. But I’ve also met many on the other extreme. I’m just saying that what you wear on Sunday (or any other day, for that matter) doesn’t define you in God’s eyes.

Go check out the whole post.

Perry Noble dot com - Superficial Sunday in the South

Church Marketing Sucks also had a good post on this a few years ago: Sunday Morning Dress Code

As did Monday Morning Insight: Church Dress Code Still an Issue for Many

Last Sunday, we didn’t have a “sermon” at Amelia. The last message in our Decibels series was brought by four individuals in our church family via video testimonies or stories.

I finally got them posted last night, so you can see all four of them on our website.

Go check them out when you have a few minutes. Several of us put quite a bit of work into them (including the four people who gave their stories, Mike, Brian, and myself), and we hope they affect you as much as they did us. One of them is even from my wife, Marie.

It was an awesome weekend, and people are still continuing the discussion even today, which is a great sign.

Great things happen when God’s people are real.

Amelia Church of Christ - Shouting With Your Story

Amazon has launched their new MP3 Downloads store where you can download 256 kbps DRM-free MP3’s for as low as $0.89 per song or $7.99 per album.

This is awesome news.

However, the selection is a bit limited (at the moment). For example, I did a search for “Leeland,” and it didn’t produce any results in the MP3 Downloads store. But they do have Crowder, Tomlin, Bethany Dillon, and lots of others.

Pretty impressive.

Amazon.com MP3 Downloads

via Lifehacker

My brother, Joel, just posted about a book he recently read called Reveal. We were talking about it some as I was visiting with them and my new nephew this weekend.

It’s written by Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson, and it takes a new look at the ways in which we measure the spiritual growth of people.

Check out what Joel had to say about it and visit their website for more info. Looks like an excellent book.

Joel Young

Reveal

Yes, another Google post. I know, I know…I have other stuff to post, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. Soon.

I was doing some Google Reader-ing, and I came to a post by my favorite productivity blog, Lifehacker, where I learned that Google has officially added presentations to their docs suite.

I took it for a quick spin, and it’s not too bad. You can even have people join you online for the presentation. And it has chat built in to the side panel for just that.

Looks like an excellent way to collaborate on presentations or show some slides to an online audience (public or private).

Give it a try, and let everybody know what you think in the comments.

EDIT: Check out this great video that summarizes the benefits of using online document management services like Google Docs.

Google Docs (now with presentations)

Lifehacker - Launch: Google Docs Adds Presentations

Official Google Blog Announcement

Hallelujah! Google finally added a search function to Google Reader! RSS junkies rejoice!

There are even options to search all items, starred items, shared items, or items in a specific folder/tag or from a specific blog that you’re subscribed to.

This is a huge benefit if you’re ever searching for something that you know you’ve read before.

Kudos for Google to finally giving us what we’ve been asking for!

Google Reader