Reading 2.15.12-4.15.12

This was our latest read in media club and another book I would not have picked up without a little outside pressure. And I am so glad I did. It is about changing the tone of the political conversation in our country and even broader than that, how to respect each other so that we can have the strongest possible society. The highlight with this read was the chance to meet with the author and spend a couple hours over dinner asking questions and listening to stories about what healthy democracy looks like.

My wife and I have been slowing going through this book for months. I did not love the writing or even the content at points but I have to give it credit for prompting some great conversations while traveling in the car.

For years I have been wrestling with how to better engage male students with their faith or just engage with them in general and this book has been the best thing I have read yet. It is also great as a father but at this point in my life it is an excellent ministry tool even though it is about male development.

Films #6-8 - if I had a film fest 'Beauty, Hope, Justice and Redemption'

The Tree of Life is a film that I will remember as having moments of wonder, moments of boredom and moments of 'what the hell?'. I would include it because nearly every frame is a work of art and it engages the viewer in life's biggest questions of meaning, origin and God vs Nature. I am sure it would not be enjoyed by everyone but is entertainment the point?


I love the idea of what sorts of conversation this film might create. A Christian worldview is not represented here but I believe there is a lot of common ground that could be found. There are interesting thoughts on the creation, economy and value of our goods.


One of the most moving stories I have ever seen. I do not cry easily but the power of friendship, overcoming odds and finding joy in the midst of hardship got me. Both my wife and I wept and laughed throughout this story.

Reading from 12.15.2.15.12

I read the two versions of this book as homework for being part of a Sticky Faith cohort out at Fuller. I would not recommend reading both but I would recommend reading one of the two. The book is based of the concern that too many teens leave the Christian faith after HS and the chapters offer ideas based on stories and developing reseach on what might help change the statistics so that more students continue being part of the church.



The Sojourn was recommended to me by my wife and it was a good read. It is the story of a boy, his 'brother', father and his journey into manhood. It is set in the context of WWI which I realized I know little about that period in history.




Four Ways to Forgiveness was my latest media club book and I went into it with high hopes. I completed it a little disappointed. I think if I had read other books by LeGuin first I may have enjoyed it more as I would have better understood the characters and context. I would not recommend this as an introduction to LeGuin.

Middle School Volunteer Team Thank You!

Reading from 10.15-12.15.11

This book took me a bit to get into to but the style and story have stuck with me since. The atmosphere of the book has haunted me since finishing. One of the best books I have read in a long time.



This book is full of good reminders and was a different pace and tone from the books I have read like this the past couple of years. It took me back to my crusade days in a good way.



This was the UW-Madison Go Big Read. It follows Enrique, a young Honduran boy, as he journeys to find his mother. I personally connected with the book because of all my trips down to Honduras and was surprised to see pictures of the dump our team visited two years ago. It is a great discussion starter about immigration policy.

Films #2-5 - if I had a film fest 'Beauty, Hope, Justice and Redemption'

This film is a bit old now but still is a moving story with a glimpse of hope. It is also amazing to discover the movement that has come out of this flim and the power that can be behind telling a moving story.



This film wrestles with justice from the point of view that a white person is experiencing the injustice. After watching a number of films about more obvious minorities experiencing injustice I found my experience with this film very interesting. I think it would provide a great discussion about racism and injustice.



A great debate about whether or not Christianity provides overall good to the world. There seems no debate that in the name of Christ people have both done good and evil but does one outweigh the other? This film is an example of healthy debate and create the potential for all kinds of good conversation.



Most is a short film that tells the tale of a father making an impossible decision. This film is beautifully shot and communicates the emotional impact of the gospel and the power of grace.

Film #1 - if I had a film fest

I have dreamt of putting together a film fest for a few years now with films that pointed to 'Beauty, Hope, Justice and Redemption'. I want to post films here that I show in case this dream ever becomes reality.



Waste Land tells the story of social justice being done in a way that gives respect and hope in a place where it would be easy to believe there is none. While I do not believe it was its intent, this film has one of the best expressions of the gospel that I know.

Reading from 8.15-10.15.11

I loved this book. It was a bit wordy at times and maybe overused poetry and art as descriptors but very much worth the read. It challenged me to think differently about viewpoints I disagree with and I wish any and all people in church leadership would engage with Dark's book. Not that church leadership is the only intended audience.



We are giving this out to students within the MS ministry so I have been reading through it. I have been impressed but as with anything like this I wish they did not take such care to clean up the stories.



I have wanted to read one of Frederick Bueckner's books in a long time and I'm not sure this was the one to start with. I did love the prose. It imparted surreal feeling upon every reading.



Even better than book one.

books 6.1-8.13.11

I started this book with high hopes but I give it a mixed review. It had some helpful reminders to people in leadership roles but also described leadership in such hard terms that it came across a bit depressing. I think I would only recommend it to someone who has been leading for quite some time as a way for them not to feel alone. I went through part of it with one of our interns and it was not a great fit for her as a new and developing leader.




Finished off the Hunger Games series and have to say the first book was my favorite by a mile and it is only because of how well it was set up in book one that carried me through the next two.



Game of Thrones book 1 is not a book I would recommend to the students I work with nor my mom due to sometimes graphic content but it was a good summer read and really came alive after the first 60 pages.



Kingdom Called Desire paints a great picture of what the kingdom of God could look like. McKinley has a gift for reshaping and rewording tired ideas and church cliches and bringing them back to life. While his writing is only okay, his ideas make this a worthwhile read.

picture of influence

A Picture of Influence from Blackhawk Church on Vimeo.

jalen's story

My Story: Jalen from Blackhawk Church on Vimeo.

you are my influence

You Are My Example from Blackhawk Church on Vimeo.