Junk Drawer Spirituality

The Temple in Jesus' Day

 The Gospel Coalition posted this really helpful blog post with drawings describing what the Jewish Temple might have looked like in Jesus' day.  Truly one of the most remarkable things I discovered when I went to Israel about 5 years ago was the sheer size of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  Of course, the Temple of Jesus' day (the building itself) is no longer standing, so any speculation as to what it looked like is just that . . . speculation.  But the artist that drew the following designs seems to be pretty close, based on the Biblical information, and extra-Biblical information that is provided to us, and you can get the sense of how stinkin' huge this thing was . . .

The final picture is pretty cool, giving a glimpse into Jesus' final views from the cross. . .  The thief on one side, and a spectacular view of the temple mount on the other. . .

Why Lassie Was a Dog, Not a Cat

Cow Creek Ranch Video

Last week, I took a little trip down to New Mexico, and met up with my family for a fly fishing trip.  I caught more fish than I ever have in my life.  Had a great time!  This morning I edited together a video commemorating the trip for my family.  Hope you enjoy!

"Earn More Sessions by Sleaving"

This classic scene from Steve Martin's 1987 movie "Roxanne" popped into my head today.  I found it on youtube, and laughed just as hard as the first time I saw it.

The Trustworthiness of Beards

A nIce guide to help you determine whether or not the facial-haired chum sitting next to you on the train is someone to be trusted or feared.  I think my beard is fairly trustworthy (Goatee + Mustache), but I'd like to work my way to a "werewolf" or "Joe Jackson."

   

Irony

This is what you call "irony."  Picture taken at a local BP gas station . . .

  

Are Cool Church Names Really That Cool?

I have to admit.  When we first talked about planting a church 2 years ago, I got very excited about the possibility of having a really cool church name.  Naming your church after the street you sit on or your denomination seemed so lame when there are churches named "Paradox" and "Epicenter" down the road.  I wanted the kind of name that only sounds right if it's spoken like Macho Man Randy Savage as he's snapping into a Slim Jim.  

When we first considered the name for our new church we originally landed on the name "Water's Edge."  I liked it because it sounded "edgy."  Unfortunately, a church located about 3 miles south of us thought it was edgy too, and they beat us to it.  So we had to keep looking.  Since Jim really wanted a name that brought to mind the feeling of being on a lake shore, I started searching thesauruses and Google, looking for catchy synonyms.  I stumbled upon "Waterfront."  I was only familiar with the word because of the Marlon Brando movie.  Jim thought it sounded like a real estate development.  But in the end we decided to go with it, naming the church "Waterfront Community Church."  And it was a nice name, but I'll be honest . . . I didn't think it had the same bite and "reach out and grab ya" power of a church name like "Mosaic" or "Mars Hill" (both very large, popular churches).

That was 2 years ago.  And now  "Waterfront" has become a community and a family, not just a name.  And I've begun to realize a few things about church names. . .