heyrobkelly.com

I'm Back... I think

It has been a while since I have regularly entered the blog world. It was not a self imposed "fast" or anything like that, just a break from reading and writing in the blog world.  But I am back and looking forward to sharing a thought or two.

What have I been doing with this "extra" time?

• Research and writing for our current series through the book of James.
• Research and writing for our upcoming series on Ruth. Can't wait to preach the thing!
• Reading through the book of Daniel to go along with our weekly chapel service for the staff.
• Running - 100 miles over the last six weeks.
• Attended the smokin awesome Northern Hills Men's Retreat.
• Listening to this.
• Laughing at this.
• Considering this. Dan is encouraging me to participate.
• Sleeping more.
• Doing a couple D2S Podcasts
• Eating Less - dropped 17 pounds since the Maui trip.
• Praying more. Not trying to prop myself up here as being super spiritual, but I was challenged recently by a friend about my personal prayer habits. It was a good challenge that I am taking to heart.

The list could go on, but that helps you catch up a bit. I'm back... I think!

Take a Look

Here are some blogs that are new on my radar.  I encourage you to take a look.

Prodigal Jon - When I grow up I want to write like this guy.

Worship Trench - Helpful, insightful, and interesting.

Debb Bresina - Great Leader with important Thoughts and Prayers.

Grammar Anxiety?

Sometimes I have grammar anxiety. Not so much as it relates to writing on my blog, but for certain writing projects. I fear dangling a participle (no one wants to see that),  misplacing quotes,  using too many commas,  or not controlling shifts in verb tense .   In some ways the fear is irrational, but real none the less.

I have found some help. If you suffer from grammar anxiety I suggest the following:

40+ Tips to Improve Your Grammar (Very helpful info and exercises)

Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation (Makes punctuation fun and funny!)

Big Mo's Presidents

I really dig history and lately I have taken a greater interest in presidential history. One of the individuals who reads my blog occasionally, has his own site called Big Mo's Presidents. It is his examination of each president in the context of his times. Big Mo is doing all 43, and he is currently up to number 13 - Millard Fillmore.

Some really good stuff and a great project. Here are a couple to get you started: Andrew Jackson, John Adams

Sounds about Right

67%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Time for a New Design

This past year I have written less here than I did the previous year. This is mostly because of all the changes that have taken place at Northern Hills that have placed new demands on me. However, I have been storing up a ton of stuff in the old brain and heart and I am looking forward to engaging more with those who stop by the site.

To that end it seemed like a new design was in order. I created my first ever banner. Now this is not a big of deal for many of you, but it was significant for me. It cost me two bucks for the photo, then I used this. It was a big help for someone like me. I still may experiment with a few things, but I will probably stick with what I have.

The phrase "improvising on the edge of catastrophe" is from the book Founding Brothers. This phrase is used by the author to describe those who were leading during and after the American Revolution. It is probably a really accurate description.

In my mind, the art of improvisation is in no way linked to being lazy or unprepared. I believe that improvisation is indelibly linked to preparedness and passion. The people who are best at improv comedy are usually brilliant, well read, and very very prepared. Beyond making people laugh, those who are well prepared and planned and also passionate about their cause, seem to be able to improvise when life hits, or when the unexpected occurs. They use everything available internally and externally to respond to the situation at hand. The have the ability to improvise in a way that maxes out the present opportunity, or effectively deal with the looming crisis.

I want to be that way for Jesus! I want to be equipped, and planned and prepared. I want to live out my passion for the one who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life! When I am living this way, I am convinced that I am most sensitive to God's leading. Now following this leading looks and feels a whole lot like improvising on the edge of catastrophe. However, the opposite is true because it is really all part of God's design and part of allowing God to be in control.

The best part of this kind of living is that God gets all of the glory!

Blog Drought

In case you hadn't noticed I have not posted in a while. I just decide to take a break with so much going on and the need for me to do a ton of writing beyond this blog. However, I am now somewhat caught up and I anticipate coming back in full-force. Maybe even a updated design and some other surprises.

Stay tuned...

Cerebral Cortex Awards for 2006

I am a bit late on this, but here are my second annual Cerebral Cortex awards.  These awards are for those things that I read, viewed or experienced in 2006 that made me think deeper, differently or extensively. Receiving the award does not mean that I completely agree with the item, or that it was excellent (although most were), it just means that my thought was provoked in a significant way. Enough explanation, here are the awards:

Books

• The Missional Leader (Alan Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk)
• Confessions of a Reformission Rev. (Mark Driscoll)
• Mayflower: A story of Courage, Community, and War. (Nathan Philbrick)

Music

• Sound of Melodies (Leeland)
• United We Stand (Hillsong United)
• A Collision or 3+4=7 (David Crowder* Band)

Movies (Movies I viewed in 2006, not necessarily released in 2006)

• Munich
• The Prestige
• Maria Full of Grace

Blogs

• Jesus Creed
• God's Politics
• Kem Meyer

TV

• Lost

Magazines

• Relevant
• Fast Company
• Wired

My 2005 Cerebral Cortex Awards

Coolest Blog Ever?

This gave me blog envy.

In Search Of...?

It is always interesting to see what searches end up referring people to my blog. Here are a few form the past couple days.

• "You Never Let Go" Lyrics
• Describe appetizers using the adjective big
• Carbon Leaf Christian Band
• Rob Kelly
• Christians dealing with criticism
• Kelly God
• Discussion questions for Mayflower by Philbrick
• Facts about church attendance
• 100 questions for guys you like
• Rob Bell soccer balls
• 10 Reasons to love Jeff Gordon
• Really smart and good looking pastors

OK, one of these is a bit fictitious.