Napkin Scribbles

Len does some verbal scribbling on Hell, and shares reasons why he believes we should be mindful of it.

A Red Lobster Restaurant in Toronto sparks a lament from Len Sweet: too many people do what other people are doing just because other people are doing it.

Len is on his way back from Stroudsburg, PA, thinking about the richness of marriage and the heavenliness of long-time lovers.

Len calls in from Richmond, Virginia, relating a memorable animation of the Easter message.

A rare chance to stay at a bed & breakfast in Eastman, Georgia introduces Len Sweet to an amazing woman, Ann Dobbs, who blessed him greatly.

From his book-lined study on the beautiful Orcas Island, Washington, Len Sweet recaps themes and thoughts from his Water Advance gathering, where Reggie McNeal was the featured visitor.

Getting back to what matters most and resisting the residue of life...that's what is on Len Sweet's mind as he called in from Pennsylvania.

Len Sweet pronounces a diagnosis on the church. We are addicted to floccinaucinihilipilifaction: being down on ourselves and negative about everything.

From Atlanta, Len Sweet considers the different shades of green and blonde.

Leonard Sweet calls in from Atlanta, Georgia where he has just experienced what may be the best sermon he's ever heard.

The progressive spirit and mindset of the people of this mid-western state is on Len Sweet's mind as he visits Hutchinson, Kansas.

From Houston, Len Sweet highlights a church that is taking the lead in supporting the arts among high school students.

From an annual Santa Lucia party in Boulder, Colorado, Len Sweet appreciates how attendees are freely giving away their seasoned wisdom.

Losing luggage reminds Len Sweet of our ability to do without our stuff and our symbols of authority.

From Orcas Island, Len speaks of returning unkindness with kindness and of ambushing those who are unpleasant with grace and love.

Len Sweet scribbles about criticism and finding fault in our current culture.

Len introduces this first gathering of 32 people in the Africa bush to learn the art of tracking wild game and Spirit.

More the African Desert Advance and the five fundamentals of physical and spiritual tracking.

Memories from Johannesburg continue as Len appreciates a young pastor and a creative approach to marriage counseling.

Len Sweet shares final thoughts from the African Advance, where he realizes the importance of contextual intelligence in tracking the movement of the Spirit.

Lost podcasts, Eucharist in Greenwich, and the need for experts, are some of the things on Len Sweet's mind today.

From DePauw University, Len Sweet questions how and where men stand in our culture.

Fresh from an Advance in the Canaan Valley of West Virginia, Len shares reflections on his time with Alan Hirsch and thoughts on topics from pilgrimage to religion to house churches.

Leonard Sweet experiences being "loved-up within two different church communities. He encourages the Church not to lose touch.

"The Church only has half a brain and it's the wrong half!" Len Sweet regrets the left-brain orientation of the Church, but is encouraged by what he sees in Red Oak, Texas.

From Ashland, Ohio, Len Sweet calls in to remind us to put Christ back in Christianity.

Len is at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, relating memories of John D. Gladstone and musings on Bibles and cell phones.

Liquid, inverse roles, church planting…Len Sweet covers the bases from the Dublin Pub in Morristown, New Jersey.

From the Memphis Airport, Leonard Sweet observes the tension of change within the worship environment, calling for new expressions and calling out those who oppose them.

Len Sweet checks in from Phoenixville, PA, remembering all the things that can whirl us away from our major business at hand.

Alabama is the origin of Len's call this week. He reminds us to make sure we're properly feeding and re-feeding those in our churches.

Why are there about the same number of strip clubs and truly healthy churches? Could it be that the Church has its own junkie problems? Len Sweet elaborates from New Jersey.

Does the reaction to Miss Teen South Carolina's flubbed response say something significant about our culture? Len Sweet comments from Portland.

Leonard Sweet calls in from Orcas Island. Hear his thoughts on Michael Vick and the rest of our culture's treatment of animals.

From Colorado Springs, Len scribbles about publishers, poets, personal saviors, and R&D.

Len Sweet is at Ocean City Tabernacle in New Jersey. He passes on the wisdom shared by his host: the preacher brings the sermon, but we all bring the message.

Len Sweet is in Brownsville, Tennessee, drinking in the Taylors of Tabernacle Camp Meeting where, since 1826, the descendants of the Rev. Howell Taylor have gathered at the Tabernacle Methodist Church campground to worship, swap tales, and feast. Len reminds us that the more things change, the more some things like this gathering need to stay the same.

From the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta, Len Sweet illustrates how the buzz of the church can enhance its biz(ness).

Our purpose is more than changing the world. Len Sweet takes a break from his writing to explain.

While waiting seven hours to take off on Flight 370, Len Sweet finds and reads a book on hats. Leave it to Len to find an interesting parallel between hats and and the things the Church clings to.

Len Sweet in in Toronto, marveling at the impact of words and thoughts upon water, based on Mararu Emoto's book, The Miracle of Water.

Len Sweet is enjoying the interplay of diverse Christian perspectives at his home on Orcas Island. At the same time, he is troubled by the anti-Christian response around the world.

Leonard Sweet checks in via cell phone from Seoul, South Korea. He compares jet lag and church lag, which both require acclimation to new surroundings for recovery.

As a member of the "New Order" bound to the rigors of flying, Len Sweet laments butts, bucks and other penance paid while traveling via commercial airlines.

What can Lutherans learn from Arcade Fire? Len encourages these leaders of reformation to hear God's call to authentically indigenize itself into the Postmodern culture.

Len Sweet is at the Cathedral of Joy in Tri-Cities, Washington. He passes along his excitement and encouragement of spiritual "archologist" Dr. Dale Caleb White's integration of the indoors and outdoors into a truly compelling worship space.

From Chattanooga, Tennessee, Len Sweet shares a powerful metaphor for the perfectly balanced meeting of truth and love. This metaphor flashes from the pages of Dr. Christopher Peppler's book, Truth is the Word.

Len is back on Orcas Island, enjoying an Advance with Greg Paul and sharing his embarrassment over rats!

Len Sweet is in West Virginia where he accidentally leaves his Bible behind, and is concerned that our culture is doing the same.

Len Sweet calls in from Minneapolis freshly stinging from dissent on the meaning of absolute truth.

What do some churches, tea cake residue and dead air have in common? Len Sweet comments from Madison, New Jersey.

Len is in Tyler, Texas randomly taking part in someone else's randomizing ritual.

It may not be our place to tell God that He's worthy of our praise. While in Waco, Texas, Len's conversation with a missionary helps him find the right words to explain his feelings on the subject.

The beauty of a message is truly in the ear of the beholder. Len Sweet ends his week on a high note after a cool reception at the NRB Conference.

In the middle of our worship is a proposal. Len shares his experience with a real-life metaphor from Abilene, Texas.

One ingredient that great leaders have always shared is the ability to know the times and know what to do. Len Sweet comments from Phoenix.

Len Sweet is in Dallas, enjoying his time at a Presbyterian gathering.

Len is in his study on Orcas Island, WA. Last week, he shared his thoughts on receiving his new book "The Gospel According to Starbucks." This week, he continues the Starbucks doodling by relating the four things Dan Kimball would change about Starbucks.

Recently, Len Sweet received his new book, "The Gospel According to Starbucks" in the mail. Experience the moment with Len and hear his thoughts on the book.

Leonard Sweet shares more of his disappointment with Wal-Mart. He is calling in from from Joplin, MO.

Len Sweet is in Joplin, MO, revealing reasons for his recent distaste for Wal-Mart.

Len Sweet is once again in his study on Orcas Island, doodling with words about boxing. Napkin Scribbles is brought to you by George Fox Evangelical Seminary.

Len Sweet is in his study on Orcas Island throwing-away two books and explaining why.

Len shares an old tradition and a new question from Boulder, Colorado.

Len is in Madison, New Jersey, sharing wisdom gleaned from a conversation about life's stages.

Len is in Ashville commenting on our culture's need for "little" things that make life bigger. Sponsored by George Fox Evangelical Seminary.

Len Sweet is in Kansas City noting the cultural differences of two very distinct Church environments. Hear his encouragement to embrace the very best of of Christ's character when it comes to living as a Body.