I heard the word "riveting" today and really liked it, so started thinking of ways to use it in different sentences and contexts immediately. I even looked up the word "riveting" on dictionary.com because I actually didn't know what it truly meant...just knew that I liked it enough to make an effort to use it.
Definition (source: www.dictionary.com):
riv⋅et
[riv-it] Show IPA noun, verb, -et⋅ed, -et⋅ing or(especially British
) -et⋅ted, -et⋅ting.–noun
| 1. | a metal pin for passing through holes in two or more plates or pieces to hold them together, usually made with a head at one end, the other end being hammered into a head after insertion. |
–verb (used with object)
| 2. | to fasten with a rivet or rivets. |
| 3. | to hammer or spread out the end of (a pin, bolt, etc.) in order to form a head and secure something; clinch. |
| 4. | to fasten or fix firmly. |
| 5. | to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly. |
Don't know about you, but those definitions created a very distinct visual picture in my head.
I wanted to do a special entry about this, because lately, I've heard many of these types of riveting speakers. I wish I had time to sit here and explain what I appreciate about every single person on my "riveting speaker" list, but the clock is ticking on a big paper due for Econ class, and I only have about 10 minutes! So, here it goes!
Riveting Speaker #1: Jon Weece, Senior Pastor of Southland Christian Church - Lexington, KY. I bet some of my blog friends are not surprised by this at all. In fact, I bet when they read the title of this entry, they predicted Jon's name would pop up in here somewhere. It's true. Jon Weece is riveting! I attended Southland Christian Church during my college years at University of Kentucky and can honestly say that at that time, Jon was the biggest influence on how I grew from viewing Christianity as a religion to a relationship. His ability to be transparent, relative, humorous, and objective in teaching God's Word just plain amazes me. I will go out on a limb and say that Jon is probably one of the best storytellers I've ever heard. All his messages come with a story, which captures the audience, and cuts to the heart of the lesson. Even with this gift, every message he presents is dripping....soaking with humility, which is what I think makes him so interesting. You won't waste any time checking his messages either on Southland's Website under the Media section or on iTunes, search under "Southland Christian Church."
Riveting Speaker #2: Erwin McManus, Primary Communicator & Cultural Architect of Mosaic in Los Angeles, CA. It only makes sense that I talk about Erwin next because, who of all people "introduced" me to Erwin? Yes, you guessed it: Jon Weece. At Southland, Jon referenced much of Erwin's work. It was nothing but a pleasant surprise to me when I was talking with a friend (from L.A.) over dinner about different churches and she told me she attends Mosaic, where Erwin McManus is the pastor. My antennas went up immediately, because I knew this was the same Erwin whom I had heard about at Southland! So, I did what any curious person would do. I googled him and found Mosaic's website and some of the messages on iTunes! The series at that time was called "Falling Forward," based on Biblical teachings of relevant topics like: Failure, False Starts, Fear, Fatigue, and Finishing Well. Can I just say, "wow"? Riveting speaker #3, Erwin, has the uncanny ability to connect and relate with the audience in a way you may not think is even possible. I'm totally serious! His messages delve deep, and I mean deep, into the hearts and minds of people....into humanity. Hurting, broken, joyful, angry, hopeful, scared, confused people....all kinds of people. He can relate. Even if he hasn't been through it, he relates. His authenticity is what I admire. How can someone in such an influential position, be so authentic? Personal opinion: I think it's humility.
Riveting Speaker #3: Beth Moore, Teacher, Speaker, and Founder of Living Proof Ministries - Houston, TX. For those of you (male or female!) who haven't heard Beth speak, may I suggest you do so soon?! (I have a wide variety of samples you can borrow). Hands-down, this woman can communicate the Word of God in a way that it penetrates to the deepest part of your soul, even to your joints, bones, and marrow (Heb. 4:12). Her energy and enthusiasm for God's Word is inspiring. I recently completed one of her character studies on "Daniel." I have never had a flame burning this severely, for the Old Testament. Beth's presentation style, and her ability to connect the Old Testament dots to our modern (chaotic?) generation today is a gift. How she does it year after year...month after month...day after day....beats me! Maybe it's her humility. I'm starting to see a pattern.
Riveting Speaker #4: Larry. Teacher at Common Ground Christian Church - Indianapolis, IN. I can't write too much about Larry - I don't even know his last name, actually. I heard him for the first time at church this morning. He has long, curly red hair, and a little white, fuzzy, round-shaped goatee. Larry was riveting. I wasn't expecting that this morning, but God surprised me, yet once again. I can tell that Larry is comfortable in his own skin. He is not afraid to be himself or transparent with people. I hope he speaks again soon, because he was riveting indeed!
You could consider me a "fan" of Jon, Erwin, Beth, and Larry. I am just thankful for them. For someone like me who is (possibly) borderline A.D.D., I need teachers who will hold my attention firmly (see "riveting" definition above)...teachers who will challenge me, motivate me! So, just my two cents on who some of those teachers are in my life today. Like I said, there are many more on this list, but it's now been 45 minutes since I started and since I only "budgeted" 10 minutes for blogging today, I'm 35 minutes "over budget."
Guess I better finish that Econ memo. (Is it graduation time, yet?!)
Happy Sunday!
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