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Tonight I went to the Vic Theater in Chicago to see Rob Bell on his “The gods aren’t angry” tour. I’ve been following Bell’s teaching for several years now and I was excited to be able to hear him tonight. This is his second tour and it’s really odd because you have a concert venue completely packed out with people who are there to listen to one guy talk for an hour and half.

I’m always challenged by his messages and tonight was no exception. The main idea of the teaching was that ancient cultures’ approach and worship of the gods was one formulated out of ignorance and appeasement. Things aren’t going right? Then just sacrifice something else to whatever god affects that area and hopefully he’ll respond. Abraham, and eventually Moses, enter the picture, we begin to learn about a deity that says that we can know where we stand in relationship to Him. The guesswork and the fear of the unknown become unnecessary and we can enter into real meaningful, intimate relationship with Him. God is not angry, in fact, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, he has brought peace between us and Him.

Anyway, this is barely scratching the surface of what he covered, but it’s late and I’ve got to get up early tomorrow.

I’m a big Seinfeld fan, though I never really watched it with any regularity until it went of the air. I still find it funny after all these years.

Jerry Seinfeld was on Larry King recently to promote his new film, “Bee Movie”. Larry King has made it clear that he doesn’t prepare for his interviews because he wants to ask the most obvious questions. Maybe he should have at least glanced at some information before this one because he set’s Jerry Seinfeld off on a bit of a rant. Hilarious.

My grandma was one of those people who watched Jeopardy. Every day. She was incredibly intelligent and very cultured. Before she passed away several years ago, she once told me something about toasting. According to her, when someone gives a toast, you should raise your glass up and out, but never actually touch glasses with other people. Otherwise, she said, you could damage the glass.

I was at a wedding today and I mentioned this as everyone around me was clinking away after the toasts. I thought I’d look it up to see where that came from. The web has a lot of information about writing a toast and how touching glasses is a part of this process. These all came from random sites with varying degrees of convincing authority. I did come across one site, however, that offers real etiquette classes and training (not just generic wedding advice).

According to their website, “Raise your glass in a toast but do not touch glasses; it may chip the glassware.”

I suppose in the end, it doesn’t matter because our society has come to accept the fact that one should clink the glass and their going to do it anyway. But until I find something conclusive from another professional etiquette trainer, I’ll be keeping my glass and my sparkling grape juice to myself.

Tonight we went Laser Tagging with the Junior High students. This is always a fun event for us. It’s three rounds of running walking around in a dark room trying to tag the other players before they tag you.

I played well tonight. I came in first place on the first and last games we played and fourth on the second game. (I love bragging about beating Jr. Highers at a game!)

Playing laser tag tonight reminded me of the 80s Lazer Tag game and the cheesy commercials they made. I found one on youtube for your enjoyment.

Tonight Bethany and I went with some friends to the Phil Wickham and David Crowder Band concert tonight at the House of Blues. After cutting some people in line and Bethany getting verbally assaulted for it, we finally made into the concert about a half hour late. This wasn’t too bad because we weren’t really there for the first act.

This was my first time at House of Blues and I’ve got to say that I’m not too impressed. It grew on me, but the problem was that it’s a standing room only venue and it was absolutely packed. Packed to the point that it was nearly impossible to stand still and not be brushed up against by someone else.

Anyway, Phil Wickham had an amazing set. The guy can sing. He didn’t have a band–just him and his guitar. I hope this concert tour increases interest in his music because, in my opinion, he’s one of the best Christian artists out there. After he was done, Aldo, Jason and I ran to the back so we could meet him and take the above picture.

I can’t leave DCB out of this. Their set was great as usual. They played several songs off their new album and a good number from older albums. They have a great balance of entertainment and worship in their shows. From the “keytar” to the megaphones, to the Guitar-Hero-controller-turned-into-a-guitar, their creativity and musicianship are clearly evident. Every time I’ve left a David Crowder Band concert, I’m left with more than just a night of entertainment, but a challenge to engage God in a more meaningful way. Tonight it was a challenge to be the remedy for the world, just as Christ has been our remedy.

All in all, it was a great night. Do yourself a favor and pick up Remedy by David Crowder Band and Canons by Phil Wickham.