MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT

April 21, 2014April 21, 2014 / Rev. Evan Dolive / 3 Comments

A little over two years ago I started this blog. I had started writing a religious column for the local paper and I wanted to share those posts with people outside of Southeast Texas. Over time I began to add my sermons in audio form and even write more article that were only ever published on this site. Every once and a while someone would comment or like my post which was nice but it was for my own edification and sharing my understanding of the faith I hold so dear. I loved hearing from people (even people who disagreed with me); it was a good outlet for me.

In March 2013, evandolive.com got a little busier when my open letter to Victoria’s Secret went viral (to the tune of 4 million+ people). It was during this time that I had the idea for a book. I began thinking about how in all of marketing there is an element of fantasy and perfection and somewhere along the line society began to blur the two together. Don’t believe me? Try to find a Middle School aged boy who does not think that Axe Body Spray will attract the opposite sex. Why? Because this is the core of their marketing campaign. On top of that, how do people of faith respond when the image of God is being distorted to only encapsulate one body type or the so called “ideal body type”?

After working on a proposal, a detailed outline, numerous sample pages and various edits, I am happy to announce that I have entered into a contract with the Pilgrim Press, the publishing house for the United Church of Christ, to publish my first book!

I am very happy, excited, nervous and scared all at the same time.

As of now, the working title is The Distortion of the Imago Dei.

I have been busy getting my idea down on paper (via Google Drive) trying to synthesize it all.

I want to thank you for all of the support you have shown me over this past year; if my letter had not gone viral I am not sure I would be making this announcement today.

Thank you for all your support as I embark on this new journey!

Stay tuned for more updates!

OK… back to writing… I have a deadline to keep.

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

Photo Credit: “Baby You’re A Firework: Fireworks at Disneyland, Anaheim, California” by Kevin Dooley via Flickr. Used Under Creative Commons License 2.0

The Next Step: Board Certification

March 13, 2014 / Rev. Evan Dolive / 2 Comments

Nine months ago started a new (sorta) ministry path and accepted a position as a chaplain in Southeast Texas. Having completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) I had the training and skills to begin this new journey. At first it was a bit of a “culture shock” from church based pastoral ministry but I am enjoying it.

As part of my position at the hospital I have worked for the last few months on completing my application to become a Board Certified Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains. Last week after a couple months of writing off and on, I submitted a large stack of papers, reflections and critiques as part of my application.

My goal is to sit before my certification board at the national conference in Anaheim, CA this June.

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

Sermon: “Blessings For All”

February 8, 2014 / Rev. Evan Dolive / Leave a comment

Below is a link to a sermon I preached on February 2, 2014 entitled “Blessings For All” based on Matthew 5:1-12

http://k007.kiwi6.com/hotlink/dnfs7b7rna/blessings_for_all.mp3%20
(Recorded by Voice Record Pro by Bej Bej Apps for iOS)

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

14 Books In 2014

January 6, 2014 / Rev. Evan Dolive / 6 Comments

My new year’s resolution is one that I think many people make: to read more.

I enjoy reading and I even have a Kindle.

I have an ever growing list of books that I want to read, should read and have been recommended to me but by consequence of having a full time job, preaching on Sundays, a wife and two kids, time is scarce.

So this year I am going to make a goal to read 14 books in the year 2014. I know to some avid readers out there 14 is the standard quota for a week but I am taking baby steps here.

I hope to write reviews on the books I read during this challenge and you never know maybe I will surpass my goal of 14.

If you have any recommendations for me feel free to comment below!

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

I've pledged to read 14 books for the Goodreads 2014 Reading Challenge! bit.ly/Ktj1Hn
—
Rev. Evan Dolive (@RevEvanDolive) January 06, 2014

2014 Reading Challenge

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Picture: “Books HD” by Abeee via flickr. used under the Creative Commons License 2.0.

Sermon: “Hope Realized: Jesus The Light of the World”

December 26, 2013December 27, 2013 / Rev. Evan Dolive / Leave a comment

English: Orthodox Christmas decoration Српски / Srpski: Православнa Божићна декорација,Храм Васкрсења господњег у Ваљеву 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Below is a link to a sermon I preached on Christmas Eve entitled “Hope Realized: Jesus The Light of the World” based on Isaiah 9:2-7.

(Recorded by Voice Record Pro by Bej Bej Apps for iOS)

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

Sermon: “Treasured Words”

December 21, 2013December 26, 2013 / Rev. Evan Dolive / Leave a comment

Virgin Mary (Photo credit: MichaelHDJ)

Below is a link to a sermon I preached entitled “Treasured Words” based on Luke 2:1-20.

http://k007.kiwi6.com/hotlink/5oalx1lf7f/20131215-112106.mp3
(Recorded by Voice Record Pro by Bej Bej Apps for iOS)

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

Sermon: “The Kingdom of Heaven Has Come Near!”

December 18, 2013 / Rev. Evan Dolive / Leave a comment

Below is a link to a sermon I preached entitled “The Kingdom of Heaven Has Come Near!” based on Matthew 3:1-12 on December 8, 2013.

http://k007.kiwi6.com/hotlink/s3evmwgbjh/20131208-112407.mp3
(Recorded by Voice Record Pro by Bej Bej Apps for iOS)

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

Conspiracy!

December 4, 2013December 4, 2013 / Rev. Evan Dolive / Leave a comment

Advent Conspiracy

Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have all come and gone; whether we like it or not the “holiday season” is upon us. For many of us the holidays are filled with shopping, lights, trees and parties. It is a busy and often cheerful time of the year. For others it is a stress inducing, budget stretching and even frantic time of the year. Why is it when we get through with Christmas we are more thankful that its over than it actually happened? Have we replaced the notion of Christmas with another excuse to spend money to show our love to others? For the past few years my family and I have participated in a conspiracy. What if we looked at Christmas in a new way? What if we looked past the stores, the shopping, the mountains of gifts and looked at how Christmas can change the world?

Americans spend $450 Billion on Christmas EVERY YEAR… let that sink in for a minute. $450 BILLION DOLLARS EVERY YEAR for Christmas. Now, did you know it would only take $20 Billion to ensure that all people in the world could have access to clean drinking water? Something seems a bit incongruent here. This is where the Conspiracy comes in. (Everyone loves a good conspiracy right?) The Advent Conspiracy is a different way of looking at Christmas and the in-breaking of God into the world. Advent Conspiracy (or AC) is based on four primary tenets:

Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All.

The focus of Advent Conspiracy is centered around the notion on how Christmas can change the world. The very first Christmas 2000+ years ago was radical and counter-cultural The idea of a God (of any religion) coming to earth to dwell, live, serve and teach was something that never entered into people’s minds. However, because of this indwelling of God, we now put ourselves on trajectory to be in communion with God for all times. The creators of this movement sum it up well when they write:

“The time of year when worshiping Jesus should be the easiest is often the hardest. The invitation to join the Advent Conspiracy is a call to remain in the gospel of Jesus and worship him—no matter how strongly the cultural demands of Christ pull at us. The transformation initiated by Jesus I no different today than it was the day he was born—the source of joy, peace, and hope hasn’t changed.” (Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder, Advent Conspiracy: Can Christmas Still Change the World? (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2009), page 34.)

AC doesn’t advocate not giving gifts, but they do advocate giving meaningful and thoughtful gifts. Does Uncle Steve really need another tie? Instead of rushing through the aisles or online if we took some time and gave thoughtful gifts, then the gift would equated with love, not with the notion of “the heftier the price tag the more I love you.” Why go into debt to show that you love someone? One of the most memorable and meaningful gifts I was given was a group of 3 x 5 note cards held together by a simple ring. My wife’s aunt, uncle, niece and nephews had all taken the time to write things that they loved about me. It wasn’t the newest piece of technology, it wasn’t my favorite movie; it was a paper note cards and a metal ring. It meant so much because they took the time to think about me instead of buying something just to buy something.

That’s the power of the Advent Conspiracy.

AC gets back to the heart of the Christmas story, not the flashy gifts of the Magi but the humility of Christ and the love poured out by God to all of humanity. Imagine what we could do if we chose this Christmas to share our love in ways that can not be wrapped and placed under a tree. What if we took some of the money that we would have spent on each other and gave it to people who were in need– then Christmas could change the world. Advent Conspiracy allows us to think about how we celebrate Christmas in a new and exciting way.

Below is a video from AC and some of the organizations that you could give gifts through this Christmas. Let’s make this Christmas one to remember!
Join the conspiracy!

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

[vimeo 47546099] [vimeo 50320595] iPhone App Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBZIWZWomYc Organizations That You Can Support During The Conspiracy!