My weekly FFF edition returns this week with an Internet offer for all of you who like things that are “free.” Interested? Then read on…
Christianaudio.com offers a free monthly audio download for anyone. 
We’ve reported on this site before and many of you have taken advantage of similar offers. This month any of you who went to Exponential ‘09 in Orlando or are familiar with Francis Chan will be interested to know that his book, Crazy Love, is the audio item they are giving away. You can download it at no cost by going to the site from here and following the online instructions.
For those of you who did not see it on my Facebook page this week, here’s an article published in the Baltimore Sun newspaper about some of our church planters and their ongoing efforts in the city for Jesus. It’s a positive article, emphasizing the difference these churches are making in the lives of many people. You can read about it here.
The Baptist Standard NewsJournal in Texas recently wrote a telling research article regarding megachurches–of which there are many in the Lone Star state–and their appeal to younger generations. The conclusions from their study are intriguing, if not wholly surprising, especially to those of us who live in the world of church planting.
The Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) has received a lot of attention in my denomination over the past few months. This focused emphasis was overwhelming approved by the Southern Baptist Convention 
at its annual meeting in June. The framework document is in place and an organizing group of leaders are now working on specific applications that will be shared with us in the months ahead. The following writer, however, thinks that there may be a “hole” in the GCR plan. You can check out what Tom Cocklereece of Simple Discipleship finds “missing” and what he suggests for consideration here.
On the popular culture front, in the past month we’ve seen a re-engagement of interest in the Star Trek franchise, with the surprisingly successful release of the “prequel” movie of the same name. Lawrence Krauss, director of the Origins Initiative at Arizona State University and author of The Physics of Star Trek, suggests, in his own opinion, why that is the case. Here’s a hint: it has more to do with our current world situation than you realize.
On the family front, my dad, Jimmy Jackson and I are co-hosting a 
European tour next September. It will be centered on the Passion Play held every ten years in Oberammergau, Germany, a full day experience steeped in rich tradition and spiritual impact. But the tour will also include overnight stops in Wittenberg, (Martin Luther gravesite and “95 Theses” church) and Berlin (Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s house), among other cultural, historical and spiritual experiences along the way. If you are interested in joining us or in simply knowing more about the trip, send me a “comment” and I’ll respond with more information.
Podcast of the Week
This week’s featured podcast is with church planter Jim Goforth (seen here with his wife Lori), planter and founding pastor of New Life Church in Inwood, West Virginia, about the work and impact of his church. New Life is now the largest church plant we’ve planted since 1995 and is a leader in evangelism annually. You can download or listen to it here.
Church Planting Website of the Week
Disciples Fellowship International is a multicultural church plant in the Gaithersburg, Maryland. Led by planter and founding pastor Paul Mulani, the church has grown and now has established a church plant of its own in Baltimore city. Check out the their church and its many ministries here.
Video of the Week
Finally, the passing of two years since the shootings and tragic deaths of the students and school officials at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia, this spring has been commemorated in a variety of ways. One such way is a video that has been circulating on YouTube about Mary Karen Read, one of those who lost her life on that day. This video chronicles her journal entries on “forgiveness” recorded just days before the shooting. It’s a powerful message for all of us today.
