What Would Jesus Do dominated wristbands in the 90s (but it’s hard to give much credit to 90s trends when dressing like the Fresh Prince was cool and wearing backwards pants was totally acceptable). In reality, the WWJD bands caused people to pause and ponder what Jesus would do in their shoes. It’s a great question for analyzing situations and (hopefully) making good decisions based on how we think the Messiah would respond. ...
Isn’t it funny how those who clean houses for a living have dirty homes? Or how repairmen have all kinds of broken things around the house? It seems backwards, but I’m an offender myself. I’m a missionary who isn’t missional.  Talking with college students about Jesus is my day job, and I’ve recently realized I have a tendency to leave my work on campus. I have a heart to reach Ohio University for Jesus, but I’ve managed to forget my duty to share my faith outside of my vocation. ...
I’ve never been in a fight, but from what I understand, the biggest group with the toughest guys normally wins. Except in the case of Gideon. He is the self-proclaimed weakest person in his family, and he comes from the scrawniest family around. But God promises to win a battle with him and his 32,000 men. That is, until God decides that’s too big of an army. Judges 7:3 Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight. ...
“I would probably believe in God if he showed himself to me. Or if I had a near death experience and had some vision. If he came down to me and said, ‘I am God. Believe in me.’ Then I would start believing” In my encounters, visions and near death experiences top the charts in what it would take for those who don’t believe in God to place their faith in Him. ...
I’m not comfortable asking people for money. I’m especially uncomfortable when I’m offering something of little value. When I was growing up, I hated pushing candy bars. I hated book orders. I hated “selling” anything in fundraising form. I could never quite nail the approach of the sale… “Would you like to buy a [fill in the blank with crappy product] for only [an unreasonable price] so our school doesn’t shut down?” ...
[This post is a transcript of a Toastmaster’s Icebreaker speech I gave Wednesday, November 10, 2010. If you’re a reader, scroll down. If you’re a listener, press play. If you like sing alongs, press play and then scroll down. If you’re about curious what I look like when I give speeches, well, that’s taken care of too. I’ve found togas command respect.] My Life According to Water by jshirk Water is life’s mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water. – Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Albert and I are on the same page. I think water is incredibly important. More than just being the precursor to the “ice” of an ice breaker, water is life. I’ve identified three key dimensions in my life that revolve around water. Drinking water helps me complete my daily activities. Living water, my faith in God that guides me, and charity: water, an organization that has inspired me to help people gain access to clean water on the other side of the globe. ...
Over the past few days, I’ve encountered a number of questions about my campaign to raise $5,000 for charity: water for my birthday. First, thanks for asking. I’m blessed to know you care. Here are the questions. If you have more, I’d love to answer them. Why? I’d love to be a hipster and just say “Why not?”, but that’d leave us both feeling a little empty. ...
To make a long-story short: I’m asking you to donate $22 for my birthday to save lives by providing clean water. If we raise $5,000 by the end of the year, I’ll run a marathon (and you’ll get a shout out on my shirt). To make a short-story long: On November 22, I turn 22, but this year, I’m giving up my birthday. No gifts. No cards. No cakes, pies, or presents. ...
My brain feels like a Stretch Armstrong. It’s been effectively pulled into 20 directions, and I’m working on reshaping it so it’s not flowing out of my ears. I’m in Atlanta for the Catalyst Conference–a two-day event that inspires young (and certainly old) leaders in The Church to “stop doing church and start being the church” (Thanks, Christine). The sheer content of yesterday’s six sessions reminding us that “Tension is Good” was enough to go home with and mull over for weeks (probably more like months). Today we’re going back at it again. ...
This week I’ll be posting about the top five lessons I learned from the Rock ‘n Roll Arizona Marathon, easily one of the most exciting days of my life. Today’s entry is a post of the events of the day. Sunday, January 17th, 2010 3:57 am Wake up after a great night’s rest. Ready to roll in fifteen minutes, but the race doesn’t start for three and a half hours. I twiddle my thumbs for roughly two of those hours. ...