oh flo no...

Because the plastic fish isn't quite getting the point across...

a friend from dallas sent this to me...

what i did last night

I was at the same NT Wright lecture as these guys: Pete, George, Cameron, Stephen, Phil, and Thomas. But I feel dumb because I can't put into words what I thought about it. I loved it. It was awesome. But those sentiments sound stupid and cliche. But it's all I got right now.

Everybody else has been able to blog about it... (they are not on a book deadline, but still).

Wright spoke about his book, Surprised By Hope. The topics included Heaven, Paradise, the Church, Jesus, "life after life after death," which he believes is the TRUE meaning of resurrection.

So go read my friends' blogs...

I'm on deadline, so I am processing it all... slowly... and it is giving me hope and something to write about.

somebody stole her jesus!

another 'hokey' review

From my friend Matthew Paul Mewhorter. I'll be talking a little more about Matthew when my new website debuts!

church video (starring pete, my pastor)

My mother thinks my pastor is hot.

I guess he sort of is. But don't tell him that. We don't want him to outgrow his Britney mic.

Check out his blog here.

is it just me or is there a resemblance?

(I know. I'm going to Hell.)

lessons from my first birthing class...

Jessica and I had our first birthing class last night. Our class is being held at Vanderbilt University, and it's an "all natural" class about giving birth. Yes, we're "one of those couples"--using a midwife, forgoing all medications unless it becomes absolutely necessary, and if it at all possible, will give birth in a tub.

Here are a few things I learned last night.

1) Birthing class was sort of hot. Yeah, hot. I won't go into explaining all of that on my blog, but trust me, there was a lot of breathing.

2) Women once gave birth standing up. I saw pictures of women doing just that. Um, yeah, not so hot.

3) My job is a lot easier than my wife's job, yet somehow, I am deemed "just as important." Hot.

4) If I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth over and over again, I am able to trick myself into thinking I am feeling no pain. Yeah, they'd be sticking that needle into my spine.

5) I can't wait for Elias Jude's arrival.

new review of hokey pokey...

This time, from TitleTrakk.com...

my interview with christian retailing...

The funniest part of the interview is the ad below. Life squared? Wow.

my first hardback!

Well, here's the cover design for my very first hardback--Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite A Holy Mess--which releases on Waterbrook/Random House in October 2008. I am so excited about this book. Seriously, this is the book I've always wanted to write, but quite honestly, wasn't ready to before now. This is by far the most honest, funny, human, controversial, poignant book I've ever written. My publisher seems to have high hopes for it. Of course, in the publishing world, you never can tell what will happen. But a boy can dream, right? I will say this: I do feel like this is the first book I've written that a Buddhist or an atheist or a Christian (actually, almost anybody!) could read and enjoy.

I am currently working on the edits, aiming to be finished by the end of April. Please pray that I am successful at doing that!

Here's the book's description: Churched is the compelling narrative of life inside the walls of the local church (building) and what it means to "be" churched, relevant to any and all who are familiar with the evangelical culture, either through first-person experience, or through association with close family or friends, or simply by peering curiously at churchgoers. Matthew Paul Turner's story is one of a regular American kid growing up in the late seventies and early eighties in a small town. He attended church on Sundays and had to cut the grass every Friday afternoon. His voice will resonate with fans of writers like Anne Lamott, Donald Miller, or David Sedaris, who may not relate to exact demographical upbringing, but connect with the writing because of the candid humanity, the wit, and the compelling storytelling. Readers will easily identify with the relationship dynamics between Matthew and his loving-but-firm parents, dogmatic teachers, fear-inspiring, passionate pastor, and supportive, if sometimes misguided, friends. Gen X readers will also connect with the musings and misadventures of a pop culture-loving, music-appreciating boy trying to grow up in the eighties, in a home where even contemporary Christian music was proclaimed to be "of the Devil."

Sounds sort hot, doesn't it?

Happy Friday! I'm going back to editing...

pray even more...

Thank you for your prayers, and I hope that you will continue to pray.

Audrey Caroline lived for a little more than two hours. Precious moments for Todd, Angie, and the girls.

Nothing further to say...

For an update, go here...

pray...

Will you please pray for my friends Todd and Angie Smith?

Many of you have been following their story through Angie's blog.

But today the story will take a dramatic turn--Audrey's delivery is this afternoon.

Thank you.

well, it's official--the lineup for the tcu tour is set...

This fall, I'll be going on tour with The Afters and Matt Maher! More details to come. Hopefully, I'll get to see some of you out on the road...

goodbye ccm magazine

CCM's April issue is the final print edition. People keep asking if I'm sad, and the truth is, I am sort of sad. Even though my final days as the editor were very difficult, I still consider my two years working there some of the best years of my life.

I'm still trying to decide whether or not I like the final cover (are Amy and Smitty in heaven?). And the scarfs... what's the deal with the scarfs?

I had a lot happen in those years...

-I met and interviewed Amy Grant in her home. As a longtime Amy fan, that was a dream come true. I'm pretty sure my parents thought I had "made it" then! But the experience was kind of bittersweet, most because my publisher demanded that I ask Amy again about her divorce (CCM had covered it a couple years prior). Seriously, I was sent into the interview with this mission: "Get her to say she's sorry." I was so nervous about bringing up the divorce again, not because I was chicken, but because it was OLD news. I think I posed the question like this, "Amy, please forgive me for having to ask this question again, but I have no choice..." Amy's quotes didn't satisfy the publisher, so basically "made up" the quotes. (The politics were ungodly.) But Amy... she's a magical person, thought-provoking and kind, and so comfortable in her own skin--one of the most amazing individuals I have ever had the pleasure to meet. If you care to read the "interview," go here.

-My interview with Jaci Velasquez caused a huge mess. USA Today quoted me as saying, "All hell broke loose." Quite honestly, I think that was a misquote. Anyway, we got more hate mail for that interview because of its title: Crazy! Sexy? Christian. That was the title on the inside; it was supposed to go on the cover, but the publisher wouldn't allow it.

-I met Jessica because of CCM. While she was a senior at the University of Wisconsin (studying PR), she wanted more than anything to come and work in the Christian music industry. Out of the blue, while I was online under my CCM "screename," she said hello, and we've chatted every day except one (I was Nicaragua that day). Crazy story though: That summer she interned at Sparrow Records, but was let go because she was dating me. I got fired two weeks later. We laugh about it now.

-The people I worked with. All of the editors taught me something. Some of them taught me about writing and others taught me about life and God. We certainly had our disagreements and weren't afraid to voice our frustrations, but at the end of the day, we had fun. Gosh, did we have fun. I miss those days. Most of the people who I worked with are gone now, and I do keep in touch with a lot of them.

Oh well, enough with the sentimental stuff, cheers to CCM...

good memories from last year's tour with bethany dillon and future of forestry

they didn't kill his dream...

Martin Luther King died 40 years ago today. Rest in peace, Dr. King.

kite runner

Jess and I watched Kite Runner tonight. I highly recommend you see this movie. Powerful story.


Trailer for The Kite Runner from Afghan 2216 on Vimeo.

oh, the things pastors say (or in this case, write)

Pastors say the craziest things. Especially the super "manly ones" like Pastor Elrod. He's a pretty well known preacher in Florida with a blog. Here's part of a recent post...

"Recently I had someone tell me I was the Simon Crowell (MPT comment: He means Cowell) of praise music…always being pretty hard on the fact that the majority of it is pretty wimpy and lame (MPT comment: I'll agree with the lame part). It’s true…most of today’s praise music is a HUGE turn off for me….mainly because the guys writing it and singing it sound like…and dress like…they bought their underwear from Victoria’s Secret. (MPT comment: WTF? I have been to Victoria Secret and I've never seen a male praise and worship leader look anything like a Victoria Secret model. Just saying.) That’s why I call much of it “panty praise”. I’m a male…singing to God…who is a male (MPT comment: So does God have a penis? It's just a question.) …and I feel like a big girl when I have to sing words like, Beautiful One, I love, Beautiful One, I adore, Beautiful One, my heart must sing..." (MPT comment: So King David was a girl? And Jesus a boy? This is getting confusing.)

"However, last week I discovered a cure for panty praise…”A Match Light In The Dark” by Lee McDerment. It’s dude rock for…well dudes. (MPT comment: Well, dude, let's rock dude-style together with Lee singing in the background! Just an idea.)"

And then later our Panty Praise Pastor went on to say...

"My advice…peel off those silky drawers…run commando through your office (MPT comment: I vote no.)…and make a web-enhanced beeline for CD Baby to order this album. I promise this is not your wife’s praise music…file it under “wup your butt worship”…my laptop caught fire three times upon the first listen. Lee and his album definitely get the “Elrod Stamp Of Approval” that comes with my exclusive “no panty guarantee”!!!"

(MPT comment: Overcompensation? A little Elrod perhaps?)

**Amendment**

A reader sent me the following picture of Lee "the say-no-to-panties" worship leader. I'm sure it's just an unfortunate picture, but I did fact check it, and it is him. I like him better already!

three ACTUAL emails that I received because of yesterday's post (adventures in missing the point)

1) "Paul Abdul is NOT a pastor in California!"

2) "What's the point you're trying to make? That Christians are too showy or American Idol is too Christian? I don't get it."

3) "Mr. Turner, are you OK with people having sex outside of marriage?"

stereotypical christians! (american idol style)

The pastoral staff at The Holy Rock Church in Costa Mesa, California.

Oh boy, looks like somebody just won a Dove Award.

Join us on Sunday morning for a new sermon series "marriage equals one flesh."

"Let me tell you why I'm voting for John McCain..."

Joel Osteen's very first book cover. Even the title is perfect.

"I'm going to Passion 06. Joshua Harris and Louie Giglio rock, bro!"

Which one of these is a visitor at the Adult Singles' Sunday school class?

"If you call right now and support my ministry with a $1000 pledge, I am gonna bless you!" (Pastor Paula White in her one of earlier ministries.)

The forty-year old youth pastor saying goodbye to one of his college-bound "dudes."

"Let me tell you why I regret having sex before marriage. It's just bad news, guys. Bad news. But Jesus saved me."

The sinner that even Jesus can love. Jesus saves!

Nashville's newest pastor.

Hosts of "The Holy Ghost Youth Hour" on TBN!

The worship team gathering for a picture at their annual Christmas party!

We're going on a mission trip to Haiti! Buy our baked goods today after church. (The tall guy in the back is their leader.)

Future church secretary and token virgin who will still be single at age thirty-two! And probably dating Jesus.

Before Christ/After Christ

(Jesus works miracles, people. Miracles.)

run, do not walk...

And purchase Jars of Clay's new song "Love is the Protest" at iTunes! It's on their brand new greatest hits album. And it's amazing!

Get it.

hokey pokey is in stores today!

Please tell everybody you know. Seriously. It's a decent book. Some people might even say good. If for nothing else, do it because I've got a baby on the way and my wife needs maternity clothes! Haha!

BUY IT HERE AT AMAZON.COM
And write a review on Amazon.com...

I'll have that MySpace ad very soon!

Thank you.