Review: The God’s Aren’t Angry

I can’t say I’ve ever been to anything like this before. Which only makes me appreciate what Rob Bell is doing all the more. For three guys to hop in a car and drive 2.5 hours one way to hear basically a story we’ve all known for years says something about his appeal. Rob has a style about him, engaging stage presence, and a gift for story-telling. Last night was well worth the time.

The stage began black with a blue light shining down on an alter. When it was go time, the stage lit up and Rob entered. He allowed the crowd to applause, even acknowledging them with an applause of his own. Then he began to tell a story. And he continued that story for the next 100 minutes.

Rob took us down paths of cavemen and cavewomen, chronicled the histories of ancient gods, and told stories of people acting the same today as they did thousands of years ago. But he also told stories of people stepping out and embracing the new reality. The fact that we no longer have to live in fear and trepidation, wondering if we are appeasing the gods, because there is a God that actually stepped into our existence and not only said he doesn’t need our blessings, but in fact wants to bless us.

Some would call that good news.

Rob wrapped it up by telling a quick series of instances in which people were living out that new reality. Stories of love and mercy and acceptance. He hammered them home as his trademark music (á la Nooma) started playing in the background. He ended by blessing us with a benediction.

It was a great night and I didn’t look at my watch once. I love a good story told well. Especially one that’s true and offers that sort of hope. You can truly come out of that one saying Love Wins.

Filed under: God, Hope, Jesus, Love Wins, Nooma, Religion, Rob Bell, Story Telling

Rosco’s Return

After a long vacation, Rosco enjoys the prospect of getting back to work. It was nice to have the time off, but putting in a good day’s work always gives him a sense of purpose and accomplishment. His only concern is that his coworkers will look at him with distain after he was granted a full month off, with pay, to deal with some personal issues. Surely, they would understand.

So Monday morning Rosco gets up early and eats a quick bowl of Cheerio’s, then hops on his bike for work. Feeling spry he decides to take a different way today. One he’s never taken before…

Filed under: Choose Your Own Adventure, Rosco, Story Telling

A-Rosco

The recently hired manager of the Chicago Studs, Lou Cansmellya, is encouraging the team to actively pursue the New York Stankee’s third baseman, A-Rosco. Lou Cansmellya and A-Rosco go way back and are said to have a quasi father/son type relationship. After hearing of this news, the Chicgo Studs general manager quickly got on the phone and called…

Update: New Rule – Comments will be shut down at the first mention of any flying elk. Thank you. –Management

Filed under: Rosco, Story Telling

Rosco Returns

Driving in to work Rosco recounts the past weeks excitement. His rugby team had just finished second in a hard fought battle with their across town rivals and he’s now nursing a sore shoulder. They were so close to winning that game, if only Jamal would have…

Filed under: Rosco, Story Telling

The Blog Step-Father

I leave for a few days and Doug breaks the record for all time comments on one post. We’re not having any of that! I’m out to shatter that wimpy record and reset world order with this post. I’ll start a story and you add to it, leaving a cliff hanger for the next commenter. Once the record is shattered to my liking, I’ll make a comment and wrap it up. I’m not going to let the record be tainted by any frivolous comments, so the only comment from me will be the one I use to wrap it up. You can comment as much as you’d like, but no back to back comments by the same person. Aliases don’t count as a different person. The second comment of back to back comments will be deleted. Alright, here we go…

Staring at the blank screen, Rosco has no idea what to write about. He has just returned from a little holiday with the family to find out that his position as top blogger in his field has been stolen out from under his feet. He came back with tons of ideas to write about, but the knowledge that he is now second fiddle has left him speechless. He was just about to shut off his computer for the night and sleep on what to do next when he heard a strange thump on the roof. The family was sleeping and although the thump didn’t wake them up, it was still too loud for anything ordinary this late at night. So Rosco decided to venture out and see if he could find the source of this thump.

*Rule Update: If two posts are made by different people at virtually the same time, the first post in line will remain.

Filed under: Blogging, Comment Records, Rosco, Story Telling