Polyphonic Spree

Polyphonic Spree may be the most aptly titled band in the history of music. I saw them on the MTV music awards several years ago but never gave them a chance because it just seemed like kitsch because there were so many of them.
A couple of days ago, though, I watched one of them free concerts on DIRECTV and they really aren't that bad. I might even call myself a fan. JM

Matthew 26:26-35

Why do we always look to get offended. Peter and the other disciples are told that they will stumble in their faith on account of Jesus, and they all react like no way. It wasn't even that bad of a thing that he said. It's not like he was like you'll all kick a puppy. He was just saying that they would struggle with their faith because their leader would be dead. Who wouldn't be disheartened and disenchanted.
In general, I think we are far too easily offended. People will say things to us that they may not even mean to be bad, but we look at it like somebody just shot our mom. We need to toughen up. JM

Constructive Criticism

I hope I'm always open to criticism. I want to constantly improve how I function and how I perform. If I'm not able to listen to objective criticism, then I'm refusing to grow. I like showing my messages to people. Not so that they can be like Josh, you're so cool, but I want to hear what they didn't like, what they didn't get, and what didn't connect with them. We always have room for improvement. JM

Matthew 26:17-25

Morale is a tricky thing. You want to encourage your team and make sure that they are pumped up. But at the same time you need to face the reality that sometimes you must make difficult decisions and address grave situations. It's interesting to see Jesus handle this. I love the reaction of Judas when he's like, oh not me. Uh..... JM

The Big Idea

Finished The Big Idea by Dave Ferguson today. Great book. Great ideas. If you're unfamiliar, the main thought is that each week your church should strive to communicate one big idea to your people. This one idea is touched on in every aspect of the large group gathering, in small group curriculum, and anything else your church produces.
Love the ideas on collaboration. Definitely check it out. JM

Conversation

The conversation went well yesterday. I'm excited about the opportunity, but remain ignorant of what my involvement with it will be. Exciting to hear what is going on, though. JM

Matthew 26:14-16

Judas is one of the most interesting people in the Bible to me. He hung out with Jesus constantly. He witnessed it all. He was there just like the rest of the disciples. And yet he didn't get it. Experiencing the same events as everyone else, he had a radically different reaction. It's kind of refreshing that someone that close to Jesus didn't get it. I look back at all of the students that have come through my ministry and didn't get it and I wonder what I did wrong. How did I not communicate God's love and truth in a way that changed their life. Seeing Judas helps me to realize that some people refuse to get it for whatever reason.
This is also an interesting little passage. Judas was taking money from the treasury bag of Jesus ministry. If he turned Jesus in, then he would be losing his source of income. So he would have to turn Jesus in for a large sum to make up the difference. But he didn't get a large sum, so there must have been something else Judas was looking for. Either he wanted to be accepted by the Pharisees or he didn't like Jesus. That's going to take some research to figure out. JM

Meeting

So pumped about my meeting tomorrow. Hopefully it will go well and soon I will be able to talk about it here and the adventure that will start. I know that's vague, but pray for me please. JM

Matthew 26:6-13

We're called to give. It's fun to give. People like it. But if nobody will receive, then nobody can give.
I think there is huge ministry in receiving, especially in the right way. Jesus was given an incredible gift. He didn't go "oh, you shouldn't have" or mumble a thank you, instead he received the gift with humility.
It is a humbling experience to receive something that someone sacrificially gives. I think that's probably why so few people do it well. JM

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

I finished book 6 tonight. The last 150 pages or so were great. Pretty exciting, intense stuff. I just keep thinking these books would be a lot better if she cut out about 100 pages from each one. But, yeah, book 6 was great. I'm now ready to finish the series.
As I've read the Harry Potter books, I've taken about a 6 month break after each one, but I may try to read the last one fairly soon. I just don't normally read a lot of fiction, in fact I don't read any at all.
I've heard that book 7 is great from several people. I'll have to borrow it from somebody fairly soon.