Shawn Stutz

Recently I have had such a hunger for the Word; it’s been borderline insatiable actually. There seems to be this deep soul resonation with everything I read too. It’s not that that the text needs to be radically moving, but rather that each passage just seems to be defined by a true connection with Christ Himself.

I’ve been studying from the book of John, whom I love, and he seems to write in such a deep metaphorical way that you can’t help sensing the rich sense of faith he himself has in the Lord.

Here are a few verses I’ve enjoyed from John’s work:

• John 4:28-30; 39-42
• John 1:10-12
• John 1:15-18
• John 2:6-10

How’s God stirring in you lately through His Word? What scripture has been challenging, stretching, or blessing you lately?

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This an interesting interview with actor Tony Hale about what it means to be a Christian in Hollywood. Some it lands in the realm of controversial or commercial. I’d be interested in your thoughts…

Any Arrested Development fans out there? Tony Hale, who played the hyper-nervous character Buster on that show, was recently interviewed by the Burnside Writers Collective, an online Christian magazine. In the interview, he discusses what it’s like to be a Christian in Hollywood. Interesting stuff. (The discussion of faith begins page 2)

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Interesting thoughts posted on thinkchristian.net about Christians are cheating and plagiarizing with the best– no wait “worst” of them. Anyway, what do you think? Is cheating at school as a big as a problem as we are led to believe here?

Interesting post at The Culture Beat about college student plagiarism and cheating, and whether or not Christian colleges are better equipped to curb it:

…my plagiarizer wasn’t alone, even though Milligan is a Christian college, one of several in this region, one of scores across the country. Shouldn’t a religious environment make a difference? “You’d like to think so,” said Michael Arrington, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Carson-Newman College, a Southern Baptist university in Jefferson City, Tenn. “But Christians are exposed to the same temptations as anyone else. We’re still human. I haven’t seen any studies that show Christian colleges have any lower incidence (of academic dishonesty) than state schools.”

A bit disheartening, but no huge surprise there: Christians sin about as much as anybody else. The article does suggest, however, that some Christian schools can legitimately boast lower cheating rates due to stricter honor codes, smaller and more close-knit school communities, and a focus on redemptive (rather than strictly punitive) handling of cheaters. The last element sounds particularly intriguing.

Any readers have experience with Christian college students caught cheating? Do, and should, Christian schools handle this sort of thing differently than their non-Christian counterparts?

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Want to hear something wonderful? How about a violin? It will change your life! It changed mine for about 2 hours last night. Click here!
I love my daughter, and so the Spring Concert made the calendar. She played a recorder– which was actually better.

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Have you ever wondered why we have a genre of music called “Christian”? What makes music Christian? Who defines it? Is it the music that got saved? What lyrics have to be present to earn a spot in the genre?

CCM, Contemporary Christian Music, Magazine has actually been wrestling with the same questions. Take a look at their thoughts and conclusions here.

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The other day I was chatting with a friend about life and for whatever reason I began to think about the ocean. People travel hundreds of miles to reach the ocean every day… and why? Well, mostly to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy the serene calm of the ocean.

What’s interesting to me is that the ocean itself appears calming from the shore and yet a couple yards under the surface the ocean is full of food-chain death. Yes, it’s “still-ing” from without but there are turbulent undertows within.

Similarly, if we were to take a big jump into space and look back on the the great big blue ball of dust we call earth we would marvel at it’s great beauty. Yet, this 3rd rock in the solar system merry-go-round ride is full of wretched undertows and “food-chain” deaths.

I understand these are weird thoughts, but I was struck by our ‘wonder’ at the ‘outside’ of stuff– while the inside is often dangerous, dark, and even dying!

Read a scripture passage connected with these thoughts here.

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I am currently reading two books. Dan Kimball‘s new book while reading the newest work of John MacArthur. They come from two very different viewpoints, but definitely seem to have the same goal– to glorify God and produce fruit that will last. However, the route each takes places them in specific ‘label camps’. You can read more about routes, labels, and goals here.

I hope to post a dual review of these books as well as describe the title a bit more…

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If music is a true expression of the heart, then my heart falls into the musical genre of Leeland. I just returned home from the Leeland concert sponsored by Calvary Chapel, Modesto. I was greatly encouraged by the whole experience; especially after a rousing rendition of The Wondrous Cross.

I appreciate a band that has a heart to worship Christ as King verses indulging the Christian sub-culture celebrity rock icon-ness. A band with an opportunity to lead others to praise the Lord… it’s refreshing!

I love Tears of the Saints, Carried the Table, & Yes You Have. Take a listen for yourself here.

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I was driving home today when I realized that there are four ways to get to my house. It’s funny because I often think one particular way is better while my wife likes another route at times. Then I got to thinking. Isn’t it odd how you can be headed to a destination with a friend and yet he or she will critique your choice of avenue or intersection.

I have even found myself doing that at times. Part of me is just engrained with what’s familiar {I guess} and the other part wants to assert some sort of dominance. However, in the end, I’m in the same car. I’m heading to the same place. Why critique a certain crossroad or pivotal point when I could be enjoying time with my friend in the car? Isn’t that the greater part of the journey anyway? We are funny creatures us humans!

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There is a blog site that I have been following lately called Think Christian. It’s truly a great site to see how faith and culture meet. That intersection is sometimes red-light regulated; however, more likely it’s a car wreck waiting to happen.

For example, check out this crazy flash-based game, Bible Kombat, with a strong Mortal Kombat flair. Read the post and let me know what you think. And let me know if you can beat the game (ugh)!

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