The Threads Blog

You may have seen some things changing around here over the past several weeks, but allow me tp officially announce the new version of of threadsmedia.com.

One of my new favorite TV shows is “Eli Stone.” You can watch it on ABC Tuesday nights, or you can DVR it like I do and watch it later because I hate commercials and our small group meets on Tuesdays. If you’ve never seen “Eli Stone,” here is a quick summary of the first season: Eli is a lawyer rising up the ladder and is engaged to the boss’s daughter. He’s destined to become a partner and probably make tons of money representing less than respectable people. But then he begins having visions and those visions help him to see the world differently. He starts helping the people he has visions about and his life changes. Season One ends with him having his brain aneurism removed, oh I forgot to tell you about that but everyone is blaming his new crazy actions on the aneurism. Season Two begins with a healthy Eli, the aneurism is gone, trying to return to his old life. He is meeting with a therapist and she later reveals she is actually a messenger from God. Her message is simple—Eli’s life is meant for something more.

Here is a quick, video teaser of a book that I am co-authoring. The book, which releases in early 09’, is written by myself, Ed Stetzer, and Richie Stanley. The purpose of the book is to help churches more accurately understand and reach the younger unchurched. The book is written with a heavy emphasis on application and will hopefully be recognized as an important resource for ministry leaders. I would encourage you to check out the video and the go ahead and order the book.

Here are a few snapshots from a photo shoot we just wrapped for next summer’s issue of Collegiate. We’re running a story about unique summer jobs to help put you through college, so for the cover we’re using shots from a makeshift photo booth, with people dressed up in summer job garb. Of course we had to get a few good staff pictures in while we were shooting. Here we are goofing off. Oh and the guy in the clown wig is Micah, the photographer for this shoot. We’re big fans: micahkandrosphotography.com

In this week’s Threads e-newsletter, we are featuring a story about Operation Christmas Child through the eyes of David Thompson, Regional Director of Russia, Europe, and Central Asia. Below are some excerpts. If you aren’t signed up for the e-newsletter, click here to get plugged in with Threads and hear more inspirational stories like David’s.

Earlier this week, the Threads team brought in over twenty collegiate leaders for our National Collegiate Week planning meeting. We talked about what worked and what didn’t at the ‘08 event and brainstormed some great ideas on how we can make Collegiate Weeks 2009 the best event yet.

We often mention the freedom we have in Christ. I don’t think I fully understood that, and I’m sure I still don’t, but I’m much closer now than I used to be. I’m finding great freedom in living and walking with the One who created me. Even though is seems freeing to live any way you want, living the way you were created is much more enjoyable. Not battling against the Spirit who lives in you is great. There will always be a battle between the flesh and the Spirit, but the joy comes in that we can live according to the Spirit. We GET to obey the King, not we HAVE to. We have the ability to live satisfied content lives rather than running from one fix to another.

We’re very excited to let you know that Red Revolution is ready for you to order today. I think you’re going to find that Adam Thomason and our Threads editorial team did a great job of producing this resource. We did not pull any punches with this study, and I think the content will challenge your walk with Christ.

Romans 7:9-11 shows how beautiful ignorance is. If you never found out how terrible of a sinner you were, you would never have to face that reality. I was faced with areas in my life this past week that I would have rather not had to deal with. It is tough when you know you are not working your hardest or leading your best. It is tough when you get called on the carpet but it is also wonderful. It is painful yet liberating, scary yet exhilarating.

On the second day of the Catalyst Conference, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers placed 12,000 Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes under the seats of all attendees in the arena. Outside the arena at Catalyst, the team set up a huge tent, in which attendees could fill the shoe box from beneath their seat with toys for a girl or boy in need. It was the biggest packing party ever!