The Nativity Story

So it's not a book review, but.... Jon and I went to see The Nativity Story this past Sunday and were amazed. We entered the theater with popcorn in hand and left having truly worshipped. I highly recommend this film. It's got drama, a love story, tearjerking moments and even a bit of comedy from our Wise Men (who by the way, look strikingly familiar to the three wisemen from my parents' nativity set when i was growing up-- coincidence???). I shouldn't be surprised really, it was of course, our Creator Father who wrote the original story anyways!

I am particularly taken by Joseph's humanity and the humble shepherd. Joseph is rarely mentioned in the Bible and so liberty was taken in his character I'm sure, but I have to think that he was just as honorable in real life for God to choose to use him. I love how he held his head high as he and Mary walked through their hometown while all ther friends and family shunned them, in the movie. What a worldview, to be concerned only with how God saw him and not worrying about his reputation with his peers. My very most favorite character was the elderly shepherd-- maybe because that's who we focused on this week in Kid's Church. I was telling our kids how the shepherds probably smelled bad and didn't have many friends, but that God cared enough to invite them to see His Son's birth because of how much He loves even the meekest. What a lesson to my heart, a few hours later to visually see that love portrayed in film. I cried--shocker.

Oh God, this Christmas hold my focus on you alone-- that I might not be concerned with my reputation, but how you alone see me. Humble my heart in knowing that my righteousness is but filthy rags, smelling like a forgotten shpeherd except that you have invited me to your Son and it is You who have made me worthy. Make me like Mary, treasuring up in my heart the story you have written for me. I'm so baffled and grateful that you would choose to make me your own and see righteousness in place of rubbish. In my own little Nazereth, be pleased with my day-to-day living as worship. Amen.

December Oops

So... this past weekend, Jon, Beau and I trekked out to the park behind our home to take our annual Christmas picture. Beau was great and posed the whole time I set up the camera and adjusted the self-timer (Jon too!). I hit the button and ran into the shot; when low and behold, Beau (forgetting of course that he was on a leash)caught sight of what must have been a very appetizing squirrel. Beau tugged hard, Jon wobbled a bit, Jen hit the mud, Jon slid in, and Beau stood watching and wondering why we weren't as interested in his squirrel! We had the greatest moment laying in the mud laughing at the picture we knew we'd captured. This isn't the picture you'll find in your Christmas card this year, but it certainly is the one going in our scrap book! We hope that as you get ready to celebrate the birth of our Christ, God blesses you with moments of sheer hilarity and joy too.

Appol

EMG

Supermoms

Bealls BDS 2

Bealls BDS

Bealls and Burke Pic

Our Dog Beau

Wow!!

If you liked the video with the bouncy balls, you will definately like this one!!!

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Newest Book Review

Love is the Killer App, by: Tim Sanders
A-

I really enjoyed reading this book, I finished it in 3 days because it is such a good read. To sum it up Tim suggests the business world has changed and is changing. The old "mad dog" mentality that says just keep pushing, and tell your partner, prospect, or client, everything you can do for them, just doesn't work today. Instead Tim has become a "love cat". The opposite of a "mad dog", someone who implements these three tenants. Share your knowledge, network and love(compassion).

He divides the book simply into these three sections. The biggest part in the knowledge section is not what your product or service can do for your client or partner, but centers around knowledge you have gathered from books, articles, magazines. This may or may not be directly related to the business deal. Example: You are conversing with a prospect and he/she mentions they are going through a lot of change at the office right now. You could recommend a book on adapting to change or depending on the situation buy it and send it to them.

A person's network has become a golden calf in the business world nowadays, and Tim says that your network will do more for you if simply share it with everyone. This the one area of the three, where Tim warns to be smart with how you give it away. He cites an example of losing a huge multimedia deal because his prospect connected with the contact he recommended and in turn shared with the prospect another contact that closed the deal.

Compassion was the most interesting to me. He makes the case that the workplace has "lost that loving feeling", and that this can create community and close relationship by sharing love and compassion with both peers and clients. He gave examples of becoming so close that clients expected hugs when they met. This seems very awkward and he stated it is not the same compassion with everybody, but nonetheless everybody needs love.

I would recommend this book to you regardless of if you are in the business world or not, because it is really about interacting with people. In some arenas that interaction can make you money, in some arenas that interaction can get you things that money can never buy.

My friend Branden

I love this guy. I don't where he might have learned this from.

Favorite Hymn

My friend Mark was in town this weekend and we were talking about some of the old hymns that are so rich in meaning and in the Word of God. I was introduced to a new one that is simply amazing. I wanted to share, and hopefully you can add to the list.

Words by: Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

The Chronicles of Narnia

Rating A

I know it has been a long time since my last book report, and here is why. I made it through all 7 books in the Chronicle of Narnia series. It was a great read, but did slow down towards the end of the series. This is a fantasy that moves very quickly from trouble to a rescue, and has a great message of redemption all the way through. I would highly recommend a read from the first book to the last, because you go from the creation of Narnia, to its end.

This will be a series that Jen and I will read to our children because of the great themes that it teaches. Aslan is a great lion, that is just, merciful, and all knowing, and you see how he interacts with Narnia, and its people. Here is a link to Amazon, if you wanted to purchase the set. It is well worth it. A rating, a must read!!!

Our Sweet Beau

What a dog!!! A post that has to make you smile.

Locks of Love

So... today was the end of a long journey that began over two years ago. A friend from Atlanta told me of a Christmas where everyone in her family gave of themselves instead of giving gifts one year. She had learned of an organization that accepted donations of hair and would then create beautiful hair pieces for children with diseases that caused them to be bald, Locks of Love. What a wonderful gift! To be able to sacrifice something of yourself so that someone else can feel a little less 'odd.' I was in-- I just didn't know it would take so long for my hair to reach a length long enough for a donation! So today, thanks to a great friend and amazing stylist, I chopped off my locks and got a new do too. Here is my first pic sans inches and what feel like pounds of hair. It's a little weird-- I've never had short hair before and I keep reaching back to put it in a ponytail, but I would recommend the experience to anyone able to give. :) Read more about the opportunity to give and see the finished product at locksoflove.org

We had a baptism service at the beach!!!

Evangeline

Lowell

Pilar

Mike

Jen and I have never been to a beach baptism, and it was a great day. 4 lives changed by our great Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Emerging Church - vintage christianity for new gnerations

Grade: B-

I have had this book on my shelf for about two years, sort of afraid to read it. Why? I thought it was some reinvention of how we must make christianity relevent in order to reach people with the Gospel. I was wrong. Very important that I note this book addresses all throughout the "seeker sensitive church". He defines as a "strategy of designing ministry to attract those who feel the church is irrevlevent or dull, often involving removing religious stumbling blocks or displays of the spiritual (extended worship, religious symbols, extensive prayer times, liturgy, etc.)" On the inverse we learn that the post modern emerging church, is going back to the ancient traditions, dimming the lights, reading lots of scripture in the services, and experiencing prayer stations. I am making it simple because he spends 11 chapters laying it out, so I can not do it justice no matter how many parts I list.

Overall the first halh of the book uses a lot of words and chapters to make a point that I don't think needs to be made. He uses Judges 2:10 to prove that there is a generation now that is "post-christian," meaning that they do not have a Judeo-Christian worldview. This verse has nothing to do with an "emerging generation." As I read I began to draw a line in my mind between the church and the emergning church. He makes a few statements about building the "emerging church", which creates the idea of two churches.

Two chapters later he points out "how open the emerging generation is to God," and that "God is very much in the thoughts of todays generations." This sounds a bit different than the point he was making about the "post-christian culture." At the end of this chapter he talks about the eraly church being filled with an environments of sorcerers, gods, goddesses, and different spiritual cults and says we are not facing anything new.

As he moves to the values of the emerging church I will say that I thought it sounded a lot like the values of Grace Church of Sun Valley California, where John Macarthur is the pastor. Minus the dimmed lights, and prayer stations I think Dan's church body would enjoy a service at this very traditional bible church. The second half of the book was a very good read.

If you want a long look at a perspective of the younger (emerging) generation's views, and a case study on a unique church service this is a great book for you.

If you have questions or want to start some dialogue on this I am more than happy to. It was very hard to review 254 pages in one post and get into all of the areas I wanted.

Add to my list of things to do

Between seeing the world from the top of the eiffel tower, sitting in a pool of jello, and writing a childrens book this is definitely on of the things I need to do before I die.

My friend Mark

I am not sure why...if you know him you will appreciate it.

Quoting his email "Okay, I know I'm missing the brown-tinted aviators, the mullet, and the IROC-Z, but I got the 'stasch' down pat!"

Book Reviews

Jen gave me an idea, that I thought was a good one. Since I am riding the train everyday and am now reading about a book every 3 days, I should review the books I complete on our blog. This will give my blog some new material, and may be worthwhile if you are looking for a book to read. So for what it is worth I am going to complete a book review for every book I finish. Probably not great reading material, but I will give you my honest review. It probably will not have much of an attitude but I just found this picture on the net. My first review to come.......Humilty, true greatness by: C.J. Mahaney ....

Our House!!

The last few inside.

Our House!!

Here is the inside....one more post should get it all.

Our House!!

Here is the outside

One week at the new job

I really have enjoyed my first week here. I have basically been sitting with the different partners on my team. Learning how to talk to the companies that I will be calling on soon.

I work in the city...did I mention that yet? I also got to go to the Yankees game on Wednesday night by myself. Jen wasn't feeling good, but is much better now.

I can say this has been the most eventful last month in my life second only to my marriage and move to the Northeast. A month full of ups and downs, but God has remained constant and faithful.

tonight I am off to the Davinci Code...hmm blasphemy...probably

New Job at yahoo

I started my new job today and it was a great first impression. I am working at 45 West 18th St NY, NY. I cannot believe I am working in New York City. Praise God for a great job two weeks after my departure from Wells Fargo. I am working as an account executive for our clients using Hotjobs.com a company aquired by Yahoo a few years ago. Massages on Tuesday, casual dress, and flat screens all over the office.....it is a great job!!!!

Jen and Jon

Jen and Jon
Originally uploaded by jonathanzila.

Here is a great picture of us celebrating Christmas 2005 in the Poconos.

More Beau

So as you can tell we do not post too much. We are just figuring out the world of blogging. All we have to show for it is a bunch of pictures of our dog.

I promise we will have house pitures up this week. Check back.

I am starting my new job with Yahoo tommorrow and am very excited!!!

Until next post,
Jonathan

Pic

Testing Pics

Testing out how to do pics...this is me and my mom in NYC!!!