Disqus - Latest Comments for azuspeak

Re: 10 Reasons Even Committed Church Attenders Are Attending Church Less Often

azuspeak — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 02:15:32 -0000

It's interesting that a lot of these points are geared toward married people and families. I know several single people who are attending church less, myself included. As a matter of fact, none of my Christian friends attend church on a regular basis. I think it all boils down to one thing: if someone feels as if no one will care or notice if they don't show up for awhile, church becomes less of a priority. Unfortunately, many churches don't see building deep, genuine relationships as a priority.

Re: Our BIG Adventure: South Africa, Going for It, Exciting New Book Deal, and a Few Questions for YOU!

azuspeak — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 11:26:00 -0000

No problem! Just let me know.

Re: Our BIG Adventure: South Africa, Going for It, Exciting New Book Deal, and a Few Questions for YOU!

azuspeak — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:35:51 -0000

Wow! This is amazing!! You guys truly are an inspiration to me. All the best to you on this adventure. I can't wait to see the pictures and read the updates!

Re: Confessions of a Black Seminarian

azuspeak — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 02:57:06 -0000

Thank you for this article. I am a current student at Fuller and can relate to this very well. I have grown tremendously in my faith over the course of this past year after coming to realize that it is ok to hold faith and reason in a good, healthy tension. And to that point, and to the points made in the comments, one of the main reasons that I chose Fuller over other seminaries is that it is non-denominational, and therefore there are people from many, many, many, different backgrounds and beliefs about Christianity. I often joke and say that in that sense, the think I love about Fuller is the thing I hate about Fuller. With so many different opinions, it can be hard and frustrating to discern the truth. But what good would it do me to be in a room full of people who think just like me? Part of the joy that I have experienced here is being able to have meaningful conversations with my brothers and sisters about where we differ and why. I am not afraid to learn from others, and I'm not afraid to say maybe I got it wrong. I'm also not afraid to say I don't know, I'm still processing that...Also, Fuller has gone through some major leadership changes in the past year--new president, new dean of intercultural studies, and they have different ideas. Maybe things will change, maybe they won't. Either way, I think Fuller is not a place to give you easy answers and I think that's a good thing. I also think it's good to wrestle with the ideas that I disagree with...

I agree with your point about the lack of commentaries by black theologians. And as a filmmaker, I would love to see other artists besides rappers embrace a more robust form of theological reflection within the black community.

And by the way, I know what TULIP is, and I even knew it before I came to Fuller...lol :-)

Re: African-Americans, Culture, and Reformed Churches

azuspeak — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:26:38 -0000

Can you name some reformed black churches? I only know of one. Do you know of any in the Los Angeles area? I've been trying to find one and have been coming up short...

Re: African-Americans, Culture, and Reformed Churches

azuspeak — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:25:38 -0000

Lisa--thank you for your insight on this. I, too, had to make a cultural leap into a more reformed church and out of my own cultural heritage. My concern with the lack of inclusion in PCA or reformed churches is that African Americans continue to stay in churches with bad theology for the sake of identification. I've written about my struggle with black church/white church (http://myconvergence.wordpr..., and some of my arguments have developed since I joined a Reformed church while I lived in Washington, DC about a year ago.

Re: Halle Berry Is Fed Up With The Paparazzi Snapping Unauthorized Photos Of Her Kid, Reportedly Fighting Back Legally

azuspeak — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:23:20 -0000

I'm in full support of her suing their asses. It's ridiculous.

Re: The Gift and Captivity of the Black Church

azuspeak — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:15:49 -0000

Amen!! I, too, am a product of the black church but it's shift in focus has made me leave and go to a white church. I'm deeply concerned for the black church. How do we hold onto our legacy but embrace the new things that God is doing in this generation? I'm afraid if we don't address this as a body we will continue to lose out in more ways than one.

Re: Your First Job

azuspeak — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:46:41 -0000

My first job was 10th grade at Newark Airport as a Go-Getter for Continental Airlines. I used to tag people's luggage, manage long lines, and help people that needed assistance (elderly, children traveling alone, etc). It was a really cool job and I got the flight benefits, too! :-)

Re: Set Tear Down In 2 Minutes

azuspeak — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:39:46 -0000

You guys rock! I can't wait to see the new set!!

Re: Can you see?

azuspeak — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:48:00 -0000

A Town down!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » You…today. In One Word

azuspeak — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:35:36 -0000

sleeeeeppppyyy.....

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » BMP3 // Velvet Underground

azuspeak — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:26:05 -0000

I wish I would've used my usual spaghetti sauce for my dinner guests tonight, rather than trying to get all healthy and stuff and go organic. It just wasn't as good.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » My New Love - Tye Tribbett

azuspeak — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:55:45 -0000

I love Tye Tribbett and GA! It's been a long time since I've seen them. But at the top of my playlist would be Mushaboom by Feist. Followed closely by Home by Zero 7.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » God Help Us

azuspeak — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:28:34 -0000

Ha! Yeah, I got a call from my uncle in NJ last week (who, by the way NEVER calls for ANYTHING) and said he was worried about us down here in Georgia because he "heard about all the tanks and stuff."

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Were You There? - Night Of Worship

azuspeak — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:02:01 -0000

I was sick last night so I was able to watch it online. It was awesome! My favorite songs were the whole second set! I've been singing God of this City all night and all morning. I always love Lift High, The Stand, and Jesus Paid It All--we haven't sung that one in awhile.

My favorite parts of the evening were the announcement of the BMP, the prayer, and when the camera panned out to the crowd and I could see people lifting their hands right in front of the stage! I could see people jumping and heard people singing. That was probably the one image I remember most in my head. I wish I could have been there in person.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Love It When My Worship Leader

azuspeak — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:52:02 -0000

I love it when my worship leader GOES THERE...I mean, when they're authentic and passionate about what they are singing. I love it when worship leaders forget who's watching and get lost in worshipping God for themselves. I also may be a minority here, but actually like it when the worship leader shares stories about how God has been working in their lives. :-)

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

azuspeak — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:47:13 -0000

I don't mind so much when WL tell the congregation to lift their hands and things like that. I used to be a worship leader so I know it's only coming from a place of trying to get the congregation to join together in worshipping God. But as an audience member, I just feel like if I don't feel like putting my hands in the air or if the Spirit doesn't lead me to do that, I just don't do it. I'm not there for them, I'm there for God. Not trying to be disobedient or anything but I also don't want to give God any fake praise.

But what I do hate is when the WL BADGERS the congregation by making them feel guilty when they're not as enthusiastic as they'd want them to be. My old church was good for this. They'd just scream at the top of their lungs: "COME ON!!! YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT! DON'T JUST STAND THERE AND GIVE GOD A PITTY PAT PRAISE! HE'S BEEN TOO GOOD TO YOU!!" and all that. It feels kind of abusive sometimes. Give it a rest. Just go ahead and worship God. Passion is contagious. They'll catch on.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Best Sermon Ever

azuspeak — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:48:28 -0000

Jeff Henderson when he spoke about finding your holy discontent. That was the first time I ever attended Buckhead Church and that sermon changed my life.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » C’mon On Down!!!

azuspeak — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:23:43 -0000

Ha! That's funny! And Drew holds the mic to her the second time as if he wants her to explain why she made such a dumb move. Poor lady. I love The Soup.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » That One Song

azuspeak — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:01:08 -0000

How He Loves Us -- I've been singing that song all day...

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Please Pray…Like Now

azuspeak — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:29:17 -0000

God, please give the Chapman family grace enough to deal with what has happened. Never let go of them while they process through their grief. Please love them and comfort them no matter what. In Jesus name, Amen.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Top 5 Reasons My Job Is Better Than Yours

azuspeak — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:56:04 -0000

Ok, let's see...

1) Part of my job as a media production professor is I have to do faculty development that's related to my field. So I get to make movies on the side and call it professional development.

2) None of my classes start before 1:30 pm so on most days, I get to sleep in.

3) I get to pour into the lives of young, aspiring artists and filmmakers. Every now and then I see the light bulb come on and that makes me feel like my whole life is worthwhile.

4) I only work 3-4 days a week, depending on my class schedule, and I get part of the summer off (and still get paid).

5) My students make funny spoofs of me like this one: http://youtube.com/watch?v=....

Re: Ragamuffin Readers…What’s Your Day Job?

azuspeak — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:57:17 -0000

I teach Media Production at a local college and I make my own movies on the side.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Good Friday Service - Buckhead Church - A Town Down

azuspeak — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:06:55 -0000

My favorite part is the audio from Mary's perspective. It was just as chilling watching/hearing it on the computer as it was being there that Friday night. It's very rare that we get a glimpse of what it must have felt like to see her son die. It reminded me of the fact that sometimes we really just don't understand God's plan and that sometimes His plan makes absolutely no reasonable sense. But if we just trust in Him, he always knows what is best for us.

It was a great service. Thanks for posting!