Author: Jonathan Dodson

Tightboards.com

Posted on April 21, 2009

Every once in a while, you meet someone so cool, so noteworthy, you just have to tell others about them. Luke is one of those people. He is a forward thinker, an Oxford Blue (played basketball for them), a gospel-centered missional hipster, an entrepreneur, and an all-round great guy. He started numerous businesses. I’ll highlight a couple: TightBoards.com.

Tight Boards has been newly redesigned and carries sand, skate, surf, and snow gear. He specializes in Burton Snowboards and sells some of the coolest watches out there, Nixons. Also, check out his SandalSuperstore.com which carries almost very imaginable sandal around, at good prices.

Yeah, if you haven’t figured it out by now this is a shameless plug for my brother and his businesses. He’s a great brother, friend, partner in ministry, basketball player, and businessman. Oh, and if you need better search engine placement, SEO is his main gig. Check it all out, better yet buy some stuff and hangout with him!@

The Gospel in 3 Dimensions

Posted on April 20, 2009

On Sunday we launched a new series called The Gospel and the Gospel as a follow up to our previous series on The Gospel and Character. The gospel is both simple and complex. We affirm that it is simple enough for a child to grasp but complex enough to ponder for all eternity. This new series focuses on some of the complex, doctrinal content of the gospel in order to come to a greater appreciation of its simplicity. In this article, Tim Keller lays out three perspectives on the gospel (Doctrinal, Personal, Social). We have taken his observations and worked them out quite a bit in order to set up a holistic, gospel framework. We use the word “dimensions” instead of “perspectives” to emphasize that each dimension is non-negotiable. If we receive and reflect only one-dimension, we distort both the gospel and our lives. Very often, Christians pick one or two dimensions and end up dishonoring Christ and his gospel. Our hope is that in understanding the fullness of a three-dimensional gospel, we will more profoundly live it out. If you want to grow in your comprehension and reflection of the gospel, I highly recommend that you take advantage of these resources:

Sci-Fi Recommendations

Posted on April 18, 2009

I love Sci-Fi, especially philosophical Sci-Fi like the Blade Runner, Matrix, Equilibrium, THX 1138. Here are two newer films I’d recommend:

Primer – Sundance winner I saw a few years ago that is the opposite of Chrysalis. This film is disjointed, confusing, with no special effects or action but an amazing storyline. This one will get you thinking for some time.

Chrysalis – this French, Sci-Fi film noir has remarkable sound, lighting, cinematography and a decent plot. The fight sequences are reminiscent of the Bourne Identity films, and the themes probe beyond the depth of our need for relationships into idolatry of relationships.

Feel free to share some of your Sci-Fi recommendations!

Planting, Counseling, Visioning & Fighting

Posted on April 17, 2009

Sorry I’ve been so quiet lately. A lot of things have been happening, which take priority over blogging, like counseling, preaching, teaching, studying, being on mission, writing a book(let) and board meetings. A few things I’m excited about:

PlantR: The continued growth and direction of PlantR, our local cross-denominational church planting network, is generating cross-denominational partnerships, missional impact, equipping and gospel advance! We will be posting video clips from George Patterson’s insightful address very soon.

Acts 29: We are currently developing an official Acts 29 Regional Network for Texas. The provisional vision statement is: The Texas Region of the Acts 29 Network exists to develop reproducing gospel-centered churches that engage the peoples of Texas. The Regional vision will be shared with all Acts 29 planters on May 11-12 at the Village Church in Dallas.

CCEF: I am currently taking the second of three courses for a certificate in Biblical Counseling. The course Counseling in the Local Church, is deepening my understanding and ability to apply the gospel to all situations and to create a culture of shared counseling in Austin City Life.

Fight Club: I am finishing up the book(let) Fight Club: Gospel-centered Discipleship. Thanks to all who voted on covers. I have also posted a table of contents here.

The first chapter lays out a brief biblcial thelogy of fighting leading us to the hope of having the Divine Warrior fight with and for us in the fight of faith. The second chapter shows how we have fought incorrectly as the church, fighting as wimps or bullies via cheap grace or legalism. A gospel-centered approach to following Jesus is offfered that emphasizes the role of the Spirit in making us like Christ. The final two chapters emphasize the role of community and actual practice of forming a Fight Club.