Never heard of this young man, but let me know if you don't cry when you watch this.

Posted by Eddie Rester at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

A friend called me this week, because we share the same favorite hymn - "Be thou My Vision."

It's a hymn that's not even known to all Christians (unfortunately). But, it's been discovered by the creators of Saw V.

I'm not going to see this movie. I don't do blood and gore. Tell me what you think of the merger of the hymn and this trailer.

Posted by Eddie Rester at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

I've always said that I wanted a shoe deal. Maybe Nike or Cole Haan.  Maybe even Birkenstock.  I wear a wide array of shoe brands.  I figure if Kobe Bryant can sell shoes, so can I.  Though my market would be a bit smaller.  At first.

Looks like I won't be the trail blazer on this one. 

Check out the video on Jay Bakker (yes, he's Jim and Tammy Fay's son) who got a Kenneth Cole shoe contract.  http://www.kennethcole.com/content/index.jsp?page=advertising/bio2.aspx&h=550&w=898

Posted by Eddie Rester at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Over the past couple of months, I've really enjoyed the Pandora music player. Haven't heard about it?

It's a web-based application that'll work on your computer or iPhone. Here's what it does: you give it the name of a band or a song you like and it comes up with a list of songs/bands you like that are like that one. So, if you're a big Flock of Seagulls fan or if Cowboy Mouth really works for you, then this is definitely the site for you.

How does it do it? No idea. But it's amazing.

You can set up lots of channels. Then if a song/band comes on that you don't like in the list you just hit the thumbs down sign.

Best part? It's free. Just sign up at www.pandora.com. Tell 'em Eddie sent you.

Enjoy!

Posted by Eddie Rester at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of my wife's favorite movies (definitely not mine!) is The Princess Bride.  It is the story of True Love.  This is the best scene in the whole movie, with Miracle Max, played by Billy Crystal. 

Why do I offer this to you? Because you can find anything on YouTube?  Partially.  But really it's because it highlights what we'll be talking about this week.

This Sunday, we're going to talk about the symbol that identifies follwers of Jesus.  For those that weren't listening this past Sunday, I'll tell you what it is:

Love.

Plain and simple.  But is there any word more misused in our day?  A word less understood? Everyone knows what love is.  It's that warm and fuzzy feeling you get for that special someone.  Or your children.  Or your dog.  

But actually living that out in such a way that is healthy and whole is tough.  

So, we'll tackle that this Sunday.  

Posted by Eddie Rester at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

More than the actual events, I like to see stories about athletes. Michael Phelps is getting all the press in swimming (and rightfully so--he's scary good), but I've been very impressed with Cullen Jones. From almost drowning at age 5 to winning a gold medal. Here he talks about the devotion of his parents and other issues.

This is one guy I'd like to meet. He's always smiling, has a great perspective on things, and seems like he'd be an awesome person to get to know.

Posted by Eddie Rester at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Everyone knows what good hospitality feels like. Those are the restaurants, hotels, stadiums we go back to.  Bad hospitality?  Well lets just say that people only get one chance to make a great first impression. 

This week we continue our conversation around Life's Primary Element focusing on the first habit of community: hospitality.  We'll look at how we're supposed to life with people we don't know, don't trust, maybe even with those we don't like.

Our scripture for the week is from Hebrews 13.1-3, 15-16: 

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.

Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

We'll be looking at what it means for us to live hospitable lives individually and collectively as the Body of Christ.  

And, I'll explain why people are walking around Parkway Heights in Aprons on Sunday mornings now. 

Posted by Eddie Rester at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

While I'm on the topic of documentaries, I came across this one in Relevant Magazine (www.relevantmagazine.com), a GREAT magazine about faith, culture, and life.  Dan Merchant has written a book and created a documentary that is causing quite a stir.  The name of the documentary (and book)?

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers.  That's right.  Immediately I liked it.  Even though I hadn't seen it.  As a pastor I love Jesus and I love followers of Jesus.  But sometimes I cringe at the way we present the gospel.  I cringe at the way we allow ourselves to be perceived by de-churched, non-churched people.  I argue that most of the hate we receive is well-deserved. 

But back to the documentary . . . 

Dan Merchants documentary has been featured on the Today Show and USA Today.  Here's a bit of the synopsis from Merchant's website (go check it out: www.lordsaveusthemovie.com):

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers is the energetic, accessible documentary that explores the collision of faith and culture in America. Fed up with the angry, strident language filling the airwaves that has come to represent the Christian faith, director (and follower) Dan Merchant set out to discover why the Gospel of Love is dividing America. Utilizing a broad array of expert interviews, man-on-the-street bits, hilarious animations and “I’ve never seen that before” stunts, Lord, Save Us From Your Followers brings everyone into the conversation that this country is aching to have.

Here's what I want you to do.  Go to the website.  Check it out and then let me know if you want me to bring the movie to Parkway Heights.  I really want to but would prefer to have others go down in flames with me.  At the very least, I'm buying the book and getting some folks together to read it. 

Posted by Eddie Rester at 6:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm not a big fan of independent documentaries (I haven't even seen "Inconvenient Truth). But this one really caught my eye.

The problem is that it's not going to play in Hattiesburg. Or Mississippi. Or anywhere in the south. Anyone want to fly me to New York to see it? Or you could buy it for me for Christmas.

Posted by Eddie Rester at 9:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

There are things in life that we know we need: food, shelter, clothing. 

Scripture shows us that finding authentic community and friendships is just as vital to a full life as anything else.  Through the month of August, we're going to talk about Community.  We've forogtten what that word means in our culture.  Community for us involves email and text messaging, friends on Facebook.  Finding old pals through websites.  But the truth is that we're woeful at actually creating and sustaining deep relationships.  One theological claims that we're suffering "Social Malnourishment."

Why do you think we have such a tough time? We move more. We feel less safe. We have less job security. The list is long.

What role do you think the church could play in reversing the social malnourishment?

Let me know.

Posted by Eddie Rester at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)