en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1277433 Comments by ChadEJohnson http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/03/17/4-reasons-why-i-don%e2%80%99t-care-about-the-rob-bell-book-controversy/#IDComment135657778 During the live interview on Monday night, a guy asked Rob: "If hell isn't a real place of torment, then what does that do for motivating people through missions?" First off, Bell doesn't say there isn't a hell, just that he is more concerned with life here on earth than guesswork on heaven and hell and those terms could be used to describe behavior on earth (point #4). But the controversy, I think, comes from the camp that feels life is merely a spiritual battlefield between good and evil, heaven and hell, and we need to get more for our side to win. So the idea that the eternal torment or the eternal paradise is no the primarily contributing factor in a person's faith is shocking and offending to some people. To me, I'm with you, we'll see when we get there. Until then, I'm gonna try and live life like I should. Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:36:13 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/03/17/4-reasons-why-i-don%e2%80%99t-care-about-the-rob-bell-book-controversy/#IDComment135657778 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/02/22/the-things-ill-never-be/#IDComment129890097 I can give up on the car and big house and financially stable...but not vacationing on a secluded island? I'm gonna hold on to that one for a while. Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:06:07 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/02/22/the-things-ill-never-be/#IDComment129890097 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/02/21/monday-morning-is-for-the-random-53/#IDComment129642975 That waterfall trick is awesome! Messes with my mind but awesome! Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:16:39 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/02/21/monday-morning-is-for-the-random-53/#IDComment129642975 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/02/01/is-social-media-helping-community-and-family-values/#IDComment125532990 I have an issue with too many friends through social media (and by too many, I could probably only handle about 10) that I can't keep track of anyone, much less a small community. And I think to make it work, people have to be completely immersed in order to post/tweet and read other's post/tweets. Then it becomes the guy/girl at a party stuck on their phone and missing the real life action. I will say this, following CNN on Twitter has kept me up to date on the news! Wed, 2 Feb 2011 23:42:46 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/02/01/is-social-media-helping-community-and-family-values/#IDComment125532990 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/26/downtown-christian/#IDComment123929751 I live in a city of 5 million people, and I certainly don't think community is inherent in the city. I barely know my neighbors and I don't ever communicate with anyone while I drive 10 miles to work on the ever-expanding maze of streets. I suppose in a downtown setting, where you walk places and find your basic needs met by others within a few blocks radius, community might be naturally fostered because you rely upon others in your daily life. But I think that can also be the case in the rural areas. Community seems to be more about experiencing life with others, no matter where you are. In other words, I don't think proximity of people always equates to community. Where I'm at, all proximity of people, goods, and entertainment does is insulate and distract me from truly needing authentic community. Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:16:33 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/26/downtown-christian/#IDComment123929751 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/25/beauty-in-repetition/#IDComment123927873 I appreciate the constant nature of communion. It is the fact that everything else changes and goes crazy that makes me appreciate how Jesus is a constant, loving Savior. No matter how bad things get , communion is the celebration of how the Living Word of God is always beaconing me to a greater life. It is basking in the love of God. Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:08:28 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/25/beauty-in-repetition/#IDComment123927873 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/17/monday-morning-is-for-the-random-48/#IDComment122111541 Don't think I want to see 3D that bad. Crazy how his eyes keep spasming after. Freaky. Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:17:02 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/17/monday-morning-is-for-the-random-48/#IDComment122111541 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/07/the-christian-market/#IDComment120967389 A lot of art is compromised by becoming mainstream. Both in the "Christian" and "secular" world there are always art that appeals to the masses but is rejected by others. There is a terrible over-arching tendency to let the love of money affect true artistry and as a result a lot of good "Christian" and "secular" art gets ignored. Would The Blindside have been ignored if it didn't have the story of Michael Oher and instead a football player who never made it to college/NFL or a lesser known actress other than Sandra Bullock? Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:34:23 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/07/the-christian-market/#IDComment120967389 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/04/a-post-christmas-gift-idea/#IDComment119665692 It is good to hear that is it okay to not care about everything. As I got older, I was under the impression that to be an adult meant caring about politics, world events, and actively involved in local debates. When our church was out feeding the homeless, I asked "an adult" about a world event I heard in passing the night before, she looked at me and said: "How do you expect to minister to people if you don't know what is happening in the world????" I didn't say anything, but I thought, "er, how 'bout I give the starving guy some food and tell him about Jesus?" I think you have a good idea here, give us the stuff we care about and don't waste my time with the stuff that just isn't important or relevant to me. I suppose it is great if others want to freak out about the monetary exchange rates in Europe but that just isn't my cup of tea, er, can of Dr. Pepper. Wed, 5 Jan 2011 17:29:26 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2011/01/04/a-post-christmas-gift-idea/#IDComment119665692 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/11/03/the-day-after-my-least-favorite-day/#IDComment107628672 I share your frustration. I also get extremely annoyed how easily Christians pass off responsibility to the government. Instead of owning our faults and doing something to correct them as a community of believers, we think voting once a year alleviates us from acting like we should the rest of the year. Our children are poorly educated and mass media is corrupting the moral fabric of the country, but I don't read to my child or demonstrate appropriate ethics and morals...the government needs to cut spending and pass legislation!!!! Sheesh...... Wed, 3 Nov 2010 18:00:05 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/11/03/the-day-after-my-least-favorite-day/#IDComment107628672 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/10/26/warehouse-s/#IDComment106455683 That is a fantastic idea! Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:37:58 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/10/26/warehouse-s/#IDComment106455683 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/10/26/warehouse-s/#IDComment106455619 Day 1. Flashlights and spray paint to decorate. Day 2. Skate park(Day); Murder Mystery set in 1800s, only candles for light (night) Day 3. Airsoft Capture the Flag (Day); 2-Story Dodgeball by construction light (Night) Day 4. Bicycle Polo (Day); Halo/Call of Duty Lan Party (Night - generator required) Day 5. Massive Battle of the Bands/Christian Rave/Glow stick paint party followed by an indoor bonfire (Night) Day 6: Shoot an artsy video Nooma style (Day); Stay overnight making a "Paranormal Activity"-esque movie and get pledges of $$ for each hour you spend there and donate $$ to community center (Night - or just dare some cocky high schooler to stay there and mess with them!) Day 7: Pre-Demolition demolition (Day- bring and hammer and crow bar); Rest (Night) Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:37:37 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/10/26/warehouse-s/#IDComment106455619 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/10/19/running-tips-dont-forget-your-perspective/#IDComment104819361 Great post Bruce. It reminds me of the things Brother Lawrence writes about. The idea of doing chores for the sake of doing them, so that they can be respected and fulfilled, is a vastly different perspective than doing something to just get to the next thing. Doing dishes for the sake of the dishes being clean opposed to cleaning just to get to the couch. It is in the act that life is lived and experienced. Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:24:25 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/10/19/running-tips-dont-forget-your-perspective/#IDComment104819361 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/10/12/is-church-to-be-consumed/#IDComment104025640 I go to Church to celebrate the Sacraments with the community of believers. I want to hear the proclamation of the Word, the worship through music, participate in the Sacraments, and participate in giving. But I want to do this shoulder to shoulder, or nose to nose, with the community. I also use it as an opportunity to engagepeople who still function under at Sunday Christian or "consumer" mentality in hopes that I can get involved in their life. I met some guys at church and now we play softball together, and it is while playing together we get into real life conversations and have those "ah ha" moments about God. But the end goal is always the same - gathering together with the community of believers to truly celebrate the Sacraments. Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:40:00 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/10/12/is-church-to-be-consumed/#IDComment104025640 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/09/30/top-10-secular-songs-with-christian-themes/#IDComment101693169 The Linkin Park song off the first Transformers movie.....um, "What I've Done" I think... Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:06:50 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/09/30/top-10-secular-songs-with-christian-themes/#IDComment101693169 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/09/22/turn-around-occasionally/#IDComment100450493 Good luck guys! I once said I was gonna run a marathon. After two training sessions of running 2 miles...I gave up. Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:28:43 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/09/22/turn-around-occasionally/#IDComment100450493 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/09/21/judge-a-man-by-his-questions-rather-than-his-answers/#IDComment100221893 1. Dreamers often do not produce results. The world hates that. 2. Henri Nouwen. 3. Infinity for me too, but specifically how God has always existed. Infinite chain of casual effects doesn't make sense. 4. 5%. But 25% on how much they watch. 5. Man versus Wild. Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:00:24 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/09/21/judge-a-man-by-his-questions-rather-than-his-answers/#IDComment100221893 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/09/07/top-10-christian-weasel-words-why-im-done-with-the-word-emergent/#IDComment99292088 This isn't so much as a word, but I think the intentions of "church marketing" are often "weasel motives." In a city with a plethora of "seeker-friendly" churches, we are bombarded with church marketing series, buildings, programs, etc. I once visited a church on vacation and they were giving away a car in their lobby. People signed up for the drawing by committing to memorize 5 verses. Are we trying to help people on their spiritual journey towards holiness or are we trying to put butts in the seat? Sometimes I think our promotion material is sometimes just a guise for self-preservation. Fri, 17 Sep 2010 02:54:44 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/09/07/top-10-christian-weasel-words-why-im-done-with-the-word-emergent/#IDComment99292088 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/08/24/stepping-away-from-facebook/#IDComment95025486 I once worked with a younger guy who needed a little "guidance." The conflict made him uncomfortable and he could not talk directly to me. But then he went in the other room and he chatted with me on IM. That was a clear and quick indication that our younger generation is missing out on learning how to communicate. While my childhood wasn't all "little house of the prairie," how far will we continue to go before we don't ever truly communicate? Of course I say this while I comment on a blog. Ironic. Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:23:06 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/08/24/stepping-away-from-facebook/#IDComment95025486 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/08/06/10-reasons-to-live-in-intentional-community-anyway-2/#IDComment92290389 I think the phrase "intentional community" can be confusing. I've heard it mostly associated with "small groups" or "authentic community." It wasn't until I read most of the blogs that I realized you guys were talking about a Shaine-Claiborne-esque missional community. As most of the blogs assumed the marginalized, disenfranchised, poor, and needy would come to these intentional communities, what can be said to get the average Joe Christian Church-goer into intentional community? Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:32:12 +0000 http://www.thehousestudio.com/wp/2010/08/06/10-reasons-to-live-in-intentional-community-anyway-2/#IDComment92290389