Recital

Tonight Nathan has his first piano recital. He's a bit nervous, but is going to do a great job.

I think nervousness is a good thing. It motivates us to practice, and when we move forward and do what we need to do, in spite of our nervousness, growth occurs. Our character is developed. We realize that we can do more than we thought we could.

All new

I feel like it's Christmas. I just got my internet and phone services switched, set up and good to go. Went with Charter for internet and vonage for phone. I didn't even have my vonage phone set up when I got an email telling me I had a voicemail. I was then able to listen to my voicemail in itunes. How cool is that!?!

I'm glad to be done with AT&T. But FYI, my new email is jonathanseverette@gmail.com. If you send anything to bellsouth.net it'll come back to you.

New Website

Frankie's been working hard on redesigning Hub City's website. It went live today and he did a great job. I love it. Just in time for the Movies in the Park promotion to begin.

Twouble with Twitters: SuperNews!

Hilarious. This one's for Frankie who forced me to drink the koolade.

10 Dumb things Smart Christians Believe

Got your attention? I was hooked on this book from the title. Why? Because we believe some dumb stuff as Christians. This book exposes 10 of the most dangerous things that we believe.

There are a number of reasons why I enjoyed this book. It's easy to read. It's practical. But the main reason I love this book is because it takes us back to the Bible, to examine what the Bible actually says. It even goes so far as to say to examine the Bible to make sure that what the book is talking about is true. I love telling people to go to the Bible (we way too often take somebody else's word for what the Bible says instead of reading it for ourselves).

There may be a future Hub City series that comes out of this book. It's worth your time. Read it.

My Dream

I had a dream last night. I was standing in my kitchen, next to the pantry, when I got a phone call from John Ortburg (in case you're wondering who he is, he's an author and his book, If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat, is a must read). He wanted to post a link to my blog on this website he was setting up. I was blown away. He chose me!

Then I woke up.

But just in case you're reading this, John, feel free to give me a call.

Bit the bullet

I couldn't handle the pressure from Frankie any longer. The guy's a slave driver. I'm on the twitter wagon. Fellow twitterers, you can follow me a jonathane.

Don't you feel better now?

Today is the day

That's right, after three and a half weeks, it looks like I'll be getting high speed internet access again. I can barely contain my excitement.

On another note, Frankie thinks I should twitter. What do you think? Any comment?

I want this book

Tell me this doesn't sound good. I want Hub City to be like this.

Frustrated

It's been almost 3 weeks without internet at my house. I am frustrated. We've decided to ditch AT&T. I've been very disappointed with them since it's all their fault and they just have a whatever attitude. Gonna go with Charter, but come to find out, there's no cable from the box to our house, so they've got to come lay a cable.

I guess God doesn't want us to have high-speed internet... or he's laughing at me.

Thoughts on Easter

Yesterday was a big day. Nathan no longer believes in the Easter Bunny, and as you know, it was our first Easter as Hub City Church. Honestly, I did not know what to expect. I'm doing a series that invites people to consider what makes Christianity great and to become Christians, which is way out of my comfort zone (but is an important first step to becoming a disciple of Jesus). We moved to a larger theater to create more space. We switched sound systems. We switched lighting. We had a lot of new stuff happening.

It was a great morning. Three people prayed to become Christians (that we know of). Not that numbers matter, but we had 104 people... 79 of them adults in the gathering. That's our largest crowd ever. That was encouraging. Now we just need to get those peopIe connected into a hub group. It was a really cool morning.

I am so thankful to everybody who helped make yesterday a success. Thanks to all the people that invited folks. Thanks to Chris for making the new light and projector stands. Thanks to Josh and the band for doing a great job.

Now all we need is a sound guy to come help us out for a few weeks. I'm not that good. We need someone who knows what they are doing to help our guys have a better blended sound.

Experiencing the Spirit

When you think about books on God and Jesus, there are a bunch of titles that come to mind, but to find a book on the Holy Spirit is a bit difficult. Actually, most books on the Holy Spirit are a little far out there for me (which probably says more about me than those books). But, Henry Blackaby's book, Experiencing the Spirit is a must read. I am always challenged by anything Blackaby writes, but reading this book has reshaped the way I pray and given me a new perspective on my part in what God is doing in the world.

What I find so incredible about this book is it’s completely different take on the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. At one point in the book Henry Blackaby asks, “So what is my spiritual gift? The Holy Spirit.” I love that.

I wish I had copies of this book to give to everyone I know. Now stop reading this, click the link above, and order this book.

Top Ten reasons to come to church at Hub City on Easter

Top 10 Reasons to come to Hub City on Easter
10. You don’t have to dress up.
9. You get free coffee and donuts
8. The seats are really comfortable
7. You can stay after and watch a movie
6. You get an hour long break from your kids
5. The person that’s been nagging you for months to check out Hub City will finally shut up.
4. You might find a date.
3. It’s Easter, for crying out loud. You have to go to church.
2. What other church can you go to where jerks in the audience heckle the Pastor on stage. :)
1. You’ll find out What’s so Great About Christianity.

What's so Great about Christianity?

Find out this Sunday. 10 AM. Spartan 16 Movie Theater. Click here for directions.

Top Ten ways to get someone to come to Hub City with you on Easter

Top 10 Ways you can get somebody to come with you to Hub City on Easter:
10. Trick them: Say, “Hey, wanna go to the movies?”
9. Guilt Them: It’s Easter, for crying out loud.
8. Bribe Them: Promise to buy them lunch afterward.
7. Force Them: It’s amazing what you can do with a ski mask and a bread truck.
6. Date Them: That guy that’s been asking you out for months, now’s your chance to turn him off for good.
5. Pay Them: People will do anything for money.
4. Peer-Pressure Them: Everybody’s doing it.
3. Offend Them: You’re a no good, rotten loser if you don’t come.
2. Tickle Them: Unless they’re Elmo they’ll come just to make you stop.
1. Ask them: Take a risk and invite somebody.

Funny story

Last night at supper Liz, Nathan and I were finishing up eating and talking about Easter, what it means and it's significance to us a Christians when Nathan says, "I know all about Easter... the Easter bunny brings presents and candy... wait... (and he paused)... you guys are the Easter bunny aren't you? You trick us into thinking there's an Easter bunny so you can sneak us presents."

It was like a light came on. I thought his follow up sentence was going to be about Santa, but it wasn't. We're "sneaking" presents and candy. Nice.

The Treasure Principle

I cannot say enough good stuff about The Treasure Principle. This little book is all about giving (which is turning some of you off right now). But it is most definitely the BEST book I've ever read on giving.

Basically, here's the Treasure Principle: You can't take it with you--but you can send it on ahead. Alcorn gives 6 keys to the treasure principle (these came from pg. 95):

1. God owns everything. I'm his money manager. We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted--not given-- to us.
2. My heart always goes where I put God's money. Watch what happens when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things.
3. Heaven, not earth, is my home. We are citizens of "a better country--a heavenly one."
4. I should live not for the dot but for the line. From the dot--our present life on earth--extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in heaven.
5. Giving is the only antidote to materialism. Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. It dethrones me and exalts Him.
6. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving. God gives us more money than we need so we can give--generously.

There is so much I could write about this book. It has reshaped how I think about giving. So what are you waiting on. Go get the book.

PS. I was able to give a copy of this book away during our "I Need a Bailout" series a few weeks ago. If you got that copy I would love to hear your thoughts on the book.

Saturday's commentary

It's an enormous honor to be able to write a commentary for the Herald-Journal. You can read this past Saturday's commentary here. I'd love to hear your thoughts/comments.

6 Days and Counting

I am really, really pumped about Hub City's first Easter. There's a lot to do, so I would appreciate your prayers (so would Frankie and Josh).

I'm really thankful for all the hard work people have put into moving into the new theater. Thanks to Chris for designing some new lights and divider curtains. Thanks to the band for learning some new songs. Thanks to everyone who's inviting folks.

We have reason to celebrate. Jesus is Alive!!!

Good stuff

Still no Internet at home, so I'm in the library. Just finished reading this book. It was OK. Not sure if I would recommend it or not, but here are some quotes from the end that were good.

God is about giving the good gift. Jesus is God’s good give for the healing of the world. The church is Jesus’ body, a good give for the healing of the world.

It’s for the benefit of others.

For the good of those who look different from us.

A church is an organization that exists for the benefit of nonmembers.

If our church was taken away – from our city, our neighborhood, our region – who would protest?

Only the people who are members?

Only those who are a part of it?

Only those who attend its services?

Houston, we have a problem

So check this out. AT&T made a blunder. They canceled my DSL service accidentally last Friday. And supposedly, there’s only a limited number of DSL connections that run to my neighborhood and as soon as they disconnected my number they hooked up somebody else and they’re not sure if they’ll be able to fit me back in. On top of that I can’t dial up because it says my computer isn’t compatible. Very frustrating.

So in order to get email or get online I’ve got to drive somewhere. That’s why there’s been no post or update in a while. If you email me or message me it may take a while for me to get back to you.

I'm sitting in a parking lot, outside of a coffee shop sending this... I know, it's sad.