Anonymous

For many of you in the blogosphere, you have probably received a blog comment from "Anonymous". This "everyman" or "everywoman" often challenges a thought or a post you have and does so in a very unloving and uncaring way. And this isn't one person only. There are many "anonymous" commentors on the prowl. I often have deleted these comments because they simply attack with apocalyptic jargon and provide very little as far as helpful conversation. But lately, these have popped up on my blog more frequently.

Therefore, I must have said and/or commented about something that "anonymous" doesn't like. I am sorry and not sorry about that. You see, we are all on a spiritual journey. Blogging is a kind of spiritual journaling for me. I hope to look back and reminisce on the CD's I listened to and shows I was watching. I hope to laugh at silly comments I made or even shake my head in disappointment at the struggles or frustrations I once had. I hope to remember my journey, where I've been and how far I've come- not forget it.

So, this is where I have a problem with "anonymous". For those of us with blogs, we value openness and honesty. We truly want to live an integrity-filled life. Are you that fearful of someone finding out who you are? Posting as anonymous feels like you are lurking in the shadows waiting to devour someone. Its hard to have a conversation with a faceless, nameless scathing statement. Jesus was about relationships with people. Real people. This lurking in the dark seems to ring with a passage about a certain lion if I recall correctly . . . .

Also, "anonymous", I pray you spend half as much time out saving the lost (I use the term "lost" here meaning those who have not heard the Christian story at all) as you do reading people's blogs, judging them, and then writing vengeance on them. As I look though scripture, I see that we are to live and act and speak like Jesus. I firmly believe Jesus wouldn't say the things you have said to me or the other bloggers out there. The only times we see Jesus speaking judgment toward anyone is toward the religious leaders of his day who were dogmatic and legalistic in their faith. To those who were withholding grace or changing money in the temple, Jesus had a harsh response. I pray that God would grant you peace from whatever troubles you and that Satan would lose his foothold of anger in your heart. And that He would give you a spirit of grace.

Bottom line. Are you acting like him? Are you speaking like him? Are you loving like him? I'm sorry "anonymous", but you don't sound like Jesus when you leave those posts, you sound like a religious leader. Now, I am not perfect myself. As I said before, I am on a journey myself. There will be slip-ups and blunders. I don't claim to be Perfect, but I do claim to be a student of His. I don't have time to watchdog over others. I have to work on myself and spend the rest of the time to "win as many as possible". I pray that Jesus softens your heart, and that he will conform you more and more into the likeness of Him. And finally, that he fills us both with forgiveness and compassion.

- chris

Quote and Predictions

A quote from one of TV's funniest show's "The Office":

"There are 5 stages to grief . . . and it's my job to try to get them all the way to acceptance. And if not acceptance, then just depression. If I can get them depressed, then I'll have done my job."

-Michael Scott

Next,

Who will be voted off tonight: Castro or Syesha,

Who should be voted off tonight: Kristy Lee Cook

My vote for final two: David Cook and David Archeletta!

Idol Gives Back

It's no secret that I am a fan of American Idol. But I grew to love it even more with the addition of "Idol Gives Back". It is a night that focuses on social injustice and global relief efforts. My man Bono even makes an appearance! I teared up after every mini-documentary telling the story of the poor, the broken, and the marginalized in our world. And before you write it off as another sappy Oprah show, (who has made some pretty polarizing comments recently) I'd invite you to see Idol Gives Back. Last night was a powerful and moving evening. Dare I say worship service?

They closed the night singing Shout to the Lord. And yes, they changed the words "Jesus" to "shepherd", but they sang a worship song to close American Idol! I don't know who got that "OK'd", but it was . . . .well . . . . all I can say is WOW!

Watershed and Mandisa

Here's a little impromptu audition with Mandisa from American Idol fame.

We're on Itunes!

If you haven't heard already. Watershed is now on Itunes. We only have "I Know You Love Me" and "Let Go" up, but it's a start! If you don't have them, go download them already!

-chris

EASTER SUNDAY

We had a great Easter Sunday this year. Easter was the pinnacle of our "I Live" message series. We had a 16 member choir, which is always special, especially in a Church of Christ! We took communion "family style" in all three services- which means everyone went to stations as family and friends to take the elements together. Two of our members, Paul Shinsky and Mike Hover, performed a drama entitled "Wineskins". It captures a conversation between two Jewish priests and their questions about their decision to crucify Jesus.

As you can see, we had an awesome set built, complete with a stone that could "wheel" away. Both my wife, Vicki, and Jodie Anspach built this awesome set. Originally, it was a cave and jungle scene with vines, trees, and plant life. It all faded into an ocean scene for last week's youth conference: Illuminate. The theme was "LOST" . . . after one of my fav TV shows! Anyway, with a few quick changes, it transformed into an empty tomb and was backlit for a glowy morning effect! Not bad, eh?

One of things that was very special to me was being able to arrange the song "Hosanna" by Hillsong. It is currently one of my favourite worship songs (I even added the "u" for our Aussie friends). If you haven't heard it yet- look for it on their latest CD "Saviour King"- it is an incredibly moving and passionate worship song! Teresa Graney did the solo and rocked it! It was one of the highlights of the day!

Overall, it was a powerful and moving Easter. Every year, the pressure is on to communicate, in the most creative way possible, the power of the resurrection. And sometimes, we try TOO hard. This was a Sunday that we didn't have to try- we simply let the story speak for itself. And I believe that made all the difference.