Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A Real Bookstore
Sometimes even the instant gratification of buying online isn't enough.
About once a month since I've moved to Joplin I have found myself wanting to buy a particular book only to find out that the (insanely) lame bookstores of Joplin don't have it. One would think in a town with roughly 295 different restaurants and 3000 different places to buy smokes and lottery tickets that somebody would carry books people actually want.
I am rarely one to complain about Joplin. Truth be told I enjoy it here. Granted I am on the road quite a bit and end up buying most of my books in real bookstores, ones that carry books printed since 2005 and often also possessing the sacred smells of Starbucks, but nonetheless just because I can buy them elsewhere doesn't mean I always want to. Paying $5 for shipping and waiting for 3-7 business days also doesn't cut it.
Sure, I admit that there are some unread books on my desk right now. Sure, a good steward would read those before spending more of said stewards hard earned money on more books but that isn't fun. Or impulsive.
So, tomorrow I leave for the 'Nati and you can bet your bottom dollar you will find me across the river sipping a sacred cup of something hot and expensive while I put my grubby mits on the book I MUST HAVE.
And in case you are wondering this moments must have book is The Shack by William P. Young.
About once a month since I've moved to Joplin I have found myself wanting to buy a particular book only to find out that the (insanely) lame bookstores of Joplin don't have it. One would think in a town with roughly 295 different restaurants and 3000 different places to buy smokes and lottery tickets that somebody would carry books people actually want.
I am rarely one to complain about Joplin. Truth be told I enjoy it here. Granted I am on the road quite a bit and end up buying most of my books in real bookstores, ones that carry books printed since 2005 and often also possessing the sacred smells of Starbucks, but nonetheless just because I can buy them elsewhere doesn't mean I always want to. Paying $5 for shipping and waiting for 3-7 business days also doesn't cut it.
Sure, I admit that there are some unread books on my desk right now. Sure, a good steward would read those before spending more of said stewards hard earned money on more books but that isn't fun. Or impulsive.
So, tomorrow I leave for the 'Nati and you can bet your bottom dollar you will find me across the river sipping a sacred cup of something hot and expensive while I put my grubby mits on the book I MUST HAVE.
And in case you are wondering this moments must have book is The Shack by William P. Young.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Rob Bell
Ever since the Nooma's came out (thanks for the tip Schaff) I've been facinated by Rob Bell. A little quirky, sometimes controversial but always engaging and challenging. For the record I'm a bigger fan of Sex God than Velvet Elvis though both are great.
Tuesday night thanks to the generosity of the Mo, he and I had the opportunity to drive up to Kansas City and check out Bell's new speaking tour, The God's Aren't Angry. Now to be fair, I'm sure I had pretty high expectations but I came away from the evening thinking it was one of the most enjoyable things I'd seen and with a sense of encouragement. Mo says this one wasn't as academic as his first tour, Everything is Spiritual, but great nonetheless. Bell speaks for 1 hour and 45 minutes straight and the time flies the way it does during a good movie or on date night with your wife.
Some general observations and reflections:
*Rob Bell is an amazing communicator. He makes it memorable both in an entertaining way and in such a way that you can replay in your mind the first 15 minutes almost by word even after the whole journey.
*I think Rob weighs about 85 lbs.
*The last 20 minutes are worth the price of admission.
*I was suprised by the crowd that was there, it wasn't what I expected. It also wasn't very interactive with him. They laughed at the jokes and really tracked with him but I half expected more random,spontaneous applause at times.
*I came away with so much to chew on but also encouraged in my faith.
*Rob became one of us and shaved the head. Bald is truly beautiful.
So check if he's coming to a city near you and if so and its not sold out, go check it out. If you don't like it, well, let's worry about that later.
Oh, and if you see me in the next few weeks and I like you, I need to tell you about dinner.
Tuesday night thanks to the generosity of the Mo, he and I had the opportunity to drive up to Kansas City and check out Bell's new speaking tour, The God's Aren't Angry. Now to be fair, I'm sure I had pretty high expectations but I came away from the evening thinking it was one of the most enjoyable things I'd seen and with a sense of encouragement. Mo says this one wasn't as academic as his first tour, Everything is Spiritual, but great nonetheless. Bell speaks for 1 hour and 45 minutes straight and the time flies the way it does during a good movie or on date night with your wife.
Some general observations and reflections:
*Rob Bell is an amazing communicator. He makes it memorable both in an entertaining way and in such a way that you can replay in your mind the first 15 minutes almost by word even after the whole journey.
*I think Rob weighs about 85 lbs.
*The last 20 minutes are worth the price of admission.
*I was suprised by the crowd that was there, it wasn't what I expected. It also wasn't very interactive with him. They laughed at the jokes and really tracked with him but I half expected more random,spontaneous applause at times.
*I came away with so much to chew on but also encouraged in my faith.
*Rob became one of us and shaved the head. Bald is truly beautiful.
So check if he's coming to a city near you and if so and its not sold out, go check it out. If you don't like it, well, let's worry about that later.
Oh, and if you see me in the next few weeks and I like you, I need to tell you about dinner.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Can Win 'Em All
There were times on Saturday night I wasn't much fun to be around. However, this years Ducks seem to have an ability to win the big game, something we've only been able to do with cheating refs to this point......
I found out tonight we're actually on ESPN again next week, on Thursday actually in a game that makes me nervous. Okay, so every Ducks game makes me nervous. I'm not one that thinks we should play for the national title. I'll just be happy if we win out. Let the polls take care of things. And hey, as long as we're better than USC and Washington who really cares? And yes, I did think the Ducks uniforms on Saturday were majestic.
As for my Colts.......
Friday, November 02, 2007
A Duck AND A Christian???
See the itty-bitty seventh grader. He's 5-foot-3, maybe 135 pounds in his football uniform after a good Northwest drenching, just a spot of a shy child whose mother calls him "Snootie Pie."
Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart was known for his pure speed coming out of high school.The itty-bitty seventh grader isn't smiling. He's no longer the star of his football team, no longer the running back whom no one could take down. Suddenly, he's hitting the ground quicker and harder.
"Everybody had just started growing and I was still a pip-squeak," Jonathan Stewart recalled. "All my friends were bigger than me. I was like, 'Man, I'm not as good as I was in youth football.' It was kind of discouraging for me.
"But things changed."
That's for sure.
There are growth spurts, and then there's what happened to Stewart. Perhaps it was something in the water in Lacey, Wash., but that itty-bitty seventh grader transformed into a 5-foot-10, 200-pound high school freshman two years later, at which point he began gaining huge chunks of yardage -- a state-record 7,755 when he was done -- that made him the nation's top prep running back by 2004.
The itty-bitty seventh grader became a physical marvel, a chiseled 5-11, 230-pound mass of speed and power and potential, with eye-popping measurables -- the most celebrated recruit in Oregon history.
This season, however, he's become something else: A running back.
The conversation about Stewart used to focus on his 4.34 40-yard dash and his 402-pound power clean, but that never entirely muzzled whispers that for all his physical ability he wasn't an instinctual ball carrier.
Consider 2007 another sort of growth spurt, only this one expanded his patience, vision and decision-making. Stewart no longer tries to go the distance every play or run over every approaching defender or twist and turn for every extra yard and thereby risk the injuries that hampered his first two seasons.
The end result is this: He may be the best running back in the nation, apologies to Michigan's Mike Hart, Rutgers' Ray Rice and Arkansas' Darren McFadden.
"He's scary," said Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson, who's been fretting over film of Stewart and Oregon's ludicrous-speed offense this week in preparation for the Pac-10 game of the year between his No. 4 Sun Devils and the No. 5 Ducks. "He reminds me quite a bit of [St. Louis Rams running back] Steven Jackson."
Stewart ranks seventh in the nation with 130.4 yards per game, but his per-carry average (6.69 yards) is tops among the top 25 running backs. He's also caught 14 passes, ranks 19th in the nation in kick returns and has eclipsed 100 yards rushing in each of Oregon's biggest games -- Michigan, California and USC.
Those numbers, combined with the Ducks' extended nesting in the nation's top 10, suggest that Stewart should be a Heisman Trophy candidate. But quarterback Dennis Dixon, the maestro of Oregon's spread offense, is presently the one with his name on the marquee.
No reason to gripe about that. Dixon, after all, does rank sixth in the nation in pass efficiency and 14th in total yards while leading the nation's best offense.
Still, this tandem is far closer to Lennon and McCartney than Batman and Robin.
So who should be the Ducks' leading Heisman candidate?
Oregon coach Mike Bellotti hems and haws on the question, calling Dixon the "triggerman" before adding that Stewart "carries this team on his back at times."
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
Stewart has rounded out his game in his three years at Oregon."I'm probably a little too close to the situation," he said. "It's hard to pick between those two."
USC coach Pete Carroll lauded Dixon's mobility as the difference-maker following his Trojans' defeat last weekend at Oregon, but also called Stewart the critical component of the Ducks' offensive rhythm.
Few would argue with 6-foot-7, 340-pound offensive tackle Geoff Schwartz, who gives the edge to the senior Dixon over the junior Stewart because of age, but his sentiments might be biased because Dixon unexpectedly pitched him the football against the Trojans, allowing Schwartz to rumble for 3 yards and rank 11th on the team's rushing list.
Schwartz hastens to add that he and his mammoth offensive-line mates certainly enjoy busting open holes for Stewart.
"The stuff he does is pretty amazing," Schwartz said.
For many reading this, the debate is purely academic, and not just because it's prudent to wait and see what Dixon and Stewart do against the Sun Devils' defense, which, statistically at least, is among the nation's toughest.
Many are still stuck on the fact that Stewart admitted that his mother calls him "Snootie Pie."
Those raised eyebrows present an opportunity to correct a mistake -- his nickname "Snoop" -- that has hounded Stewart for years. "Snootie Pie" became "Snoot" among Stewart's close circle of family and friends, but that erroneously transformed into "Snoop" in high school and college.
So those aspiring for an insider's spot in Stewart's posse should go with "Snoot" instead of "Snoop."
Of course, Stewart isn't much of a posse guy. He's quiet and religious, a political science major who has always wanted to be a state patrolman. He fires himself up for games with contemporary Christian music.
If he did have a posse, it likely would be large, though, considering that the general consensus is he'll bypass his senior year for the NFL draft, and he figures to be a first-round pick.
Not that he's dwelling on that while the Ducks eyeball their first Pac-10 title since 2001.
"I'm not really a person who tries to speed things up," he said.
After all, patience has paid off for him, first with a prodigious growth spurt, then with his development as a ball carrier.
Perhaps a Heisman or, failing that, a national championship is next?
Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart was known for his pure speed coming out of high school.The itty-bitty seventh grader isn't smiling. He's no longer the star of his football team, no longer the running back whom no one could take down. Suddenly, he's hitting the ground quicker and harder.
"Everybody had just started growing and I was still a pip-squeak," Jonathan Stewart recalled. "All my friends were bigger than me. I was like, 'Man, I'm not as good as I was in youth football.' It was kind of discouraging for me.
"But things changed."
That's for sure.
There are growth spurts, and then there's what happened to Stewart. Perhaps it was something in the water in Lacey, Wash., but that itty-bitty seventh grader transformed into a 5-foot-10, 200-pound high school freshman two years later, at which point he began gaining huge chunks of yardage -- a state-record 7,755 when he was done -- that made him the nation's top prep running back by 2004.
The itty-bitty seventh grader became a physical marvel, a chiseled 5-11, 230-pound mass of speed and power and potential, with eye-popping measurables -- the most celebrated recruit in Oregon history.
This season, however, he's become something else: A running back.
The conversation about Stewart used to focus on his 4.34 40-yard dash and his 402-pound power clean, but that never entirely muzzled whispers that for all his physical ability he wasn't an instinctual ball carrier.
Consider 2007 another sort of growth spurt, only this one expanded his patience, vision and decision-making. Stewart no longer tries to go the distance every play or run over every approaching defender or twist and turn for every extra yard and thereby risk the injuries that hampered his first two seasons.
The end result is this: He may be the best running back in the nation, apologies to Michigan's Mike Hart, Rutgers' Ray Rice and Arkansas' Darren McFadden.
"He's scary," said Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson, who's been fretting over film of Stewart and Oregon's ludicrous-speed offense this week in preparation for the Pac-10 game of the year between his No. 4 Sun Devils and the No. 5 Ducks. "He reminds me quite a bit of [St. Louis Rams running back] Steven Jackson."
Stewart ranks seventh in the nation with 130.4 yards per game, but his per-carry average (6.69 yards) is tops among the top 25 running backs. He's also caught 14 passes, ranks 19th in the nation in kick returns and has eclipsed 100 yards rushing in each of Oregon's biggest games -- Michigan, California and USC.
Those numbers, combined with the Ducks' extended nesting in the nation's top 10, suggest that Stewart should be a Heisman Trophy candidate. But quarterback Dennis Dixon, the maestro of Oregon's spread offense, is presently the one with his name on the marquee.
No reason to gripe about that. Dixon, after all, does rank sixth in the nation in pass efficiency and 14th in total yards while leading the nation's best offense.
Still, this tandem is far closer to Lennon and McCartney than Batman and Robin.
So who should be the Ducks' leading Heisman candidate?
Oregon coach Mike Bellotti hems and haws on the question, calling Dixon the "triggerman" before adding that Stewart "carries this team on his back at times."
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
Stewart has rounded out his game in his three years at Oregon."I'm probably a little too close to the situation," he said. "It's hard to pick between those two."
USC coach Pete Carroll lauded Dixon's mobility as the difference-maker following his Trojans' defeat last weekend at Oregon, but also called Stewart the critical component of the Ducks' offensive rhythm.
Few would argue with 6-foot-7, 340-pound offensive tackle Geoff Schwartz, who gives the edge to the senior Dixon over the junior Stewart because of age, but his sentiments might be biased because Dixon unexpectedly pitched him the football against the Trojans, allowing Schwartz to rumble for 3 yards and rank 11th on the team's rushing list.
Schwartz hastens to add that he and his mammoth offensive-line mates certainly enjoy busting open holes for Stewart.
"The stuff he does is pretty amazing," Schwartz said.
For many reading this, the debate is purely academic, and not just because it's prudent to wait and see what Dixon and Stewart do against the Sun Devils' defense, which, statistically at least, is among the nation's toughest.
Many are still stuck on the fact that Stewart admitted that his mother calls him "Snootie Pie."
Those raised eyebrows present an opportunity to correct a mistake -- his nickname "Snoop" -- that has hounded Stewart for years. "Snootie Pie" became "Snoot" among Stewart's close circle of family and friends, but that erroneously transformed into "Snoop" in high school and college.
So those aspiring for an insider's spot in Stewart's posse should go with "Snoot" instead of "Snoop."
Of course, Stewart isn't much of a posse guy. He's quiet and religious, a political science major who has always wanted to be a state patrolman. He fires himself up for games with contemporary Christian music.
If he did have a posse, it likely would be large, though, considering that the general consensus is he'll bypass his senior year for the NFL draft, and he figures to be a first-round pick.
Not that he's dwelling on that while the Ducks eyeball their first Pac-10 title since 2001.
"I'm not really a person who tries to speed things up," he said.
After all, patience has paid off for him, first with a prodigious growth spurt, then with his development as a ball carrier.
Perhaps a Heisman or, failing that, a national championship is next?
Monday, October 08, 2007
How About Those Cubs
I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend in Chicago meeting with some amazing youth pastors and youth coaches. I really enjoyed hanging out with good, good people who really care about students and the conversations were challenging to me and reaffirmed some of my own values about youth ministry.
We spent a lot more time than I had anticipated we would talking about Emo culture and cutting. I confess these things really showed up after I got to CIY so my experience with them is rather limited. We had a great discussion about how/if Emo and grunge culture from the 90's were similar. A rebellion against the rebellion essentially. I had to smile thinking back to my high school years rocking the Doc Martens, jeans and a flannel. I'm glad most pictures from that era of my life are safely stored away.
On my drive home yesterday I was convicted that I'm not praying enough for my brothers and sisters in youth ministry. At times I forget just how important and overwhelming their ministry is.
We spent a lot more time than I had anticipated we would talking about Emo culture and cutting. I confess these things really showed up after I got to CIY so my experience with them is rather limited. We had a great discussion about how/if Emo and grunge culture from the 90's were similar. A rebellion against the rebellion essentially. I had to smile thinking back to my high school years rocking the Doc Martens, jeans and a flannel. I'm glad most pictures from that era of my life are safely stored away.
On my drive home yesterday I was convicted that I'm not praying enough for my brothers and sisters in youth ministry. At times I forget just how important and overwhelming their ministry is.
Monday, September 10, 2007
How 'bout it
I'd be remiss if I didn't herald the mighty Ducks effort over the weekend.
Ducks hand Michigan worst loss since 1968
Ducks hand Michigan worst loss since 1968
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Proverbial Lightbulb
I like good ideas. Someday I hope to have more of them in rapid succession.
A week ago or so, I was made aware of a guy who had a vision to sell affordable shoes that would help other less fortunate. His idea was simple, sell simple canvas shoes at an affordable price and when somebody buys a pair, donate another pair to someone who doesn't have shoes. The idea is simple, he started the company out of his apartment. Now they are getting ready for their second trip to deliver the shoes, this one involving 50,000 pairs for Africa. Brilliant.
Check out the website.
Tom's Shoes
A week ago or so, I was made aware of a guy who had a vision to sell affordable shoes that would help other less fortunate. His idea was simple, sell simple canvas shoes at an affordable price and when somebody buys a pair, donate another pair to someone who doesn't have shoes. The idea is simple, he started the company out of his apartment. Now they are getting ready for their second trip to deliver the shoes, this one involving 50,000 pairs for Africa. Brilliant.
Check out the website.
Tom's Shoes
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Dad, Why Don't You Wear Hair?
This continues to be Carter’s big question to me lately…..
So the other night we were sitting in the living room watching the Cardinals game and other Christian activities when Carter came up behind the couch and we had the following conversation:
Carter: Dad, when I was in heaven I asked God to give me a daddy with hair but he gave me a daddy without hair instead.
Me: Really. Does that make you sad.
Carter: No, its okay dad.
Pause where young mind comes up with new sentence…..
Carter: I thought maybe I would have a dad like Matt (Coghill).
Me: Yeah? Why is that?
Carter: Well, we both play guitar and we are both rock stars.
Not really sure how one should respond to something like this but to laugh. I did ask him if it was okay that I was his dad and if that made him happy and he assured me that I was a great dad. I have to say the man child keeps us on our toes these days.
My one saving grace these days is that Albert Pujols is also currently bald and that is a cool thing to him. Therefore, Albert and I have something in common and that makes me cool.
He is really putting this world together and it is fun to see. Scary at times. He all about letters and spelling and numbers and school is just around the corner. Heaven help us!
So the other night we were sitting in the living room watching the Cardinals game and other Christian activities when Carter came up behind the couch and we had the following conversation:
Carter: Dad, when I was in heaven I asked God to give me a daddy with hair but he gave me a daddy without hair instead.
Me: Really. Does that make you sad.
Carter: No, its okay dad.
Pause where young mind comes up with new sentence…..
Carter: I thought maybe I would have a dad like Matt (Coghill).
Me: Yeah? Why is that?
Carter: Well, we both play guitar and we are both rock stars.
Not really sure how one should respond to something like this but to laugh. I did ask him if it was okay that I was his dad and if that made him happy and he assured me that I was a great dad. I have to say the man child keeps us on our toes these days.
My one saving grace these days is that Albert Pujols is also currently bald and that is a cool thing to him. Therefore, Albert and I have something in common and that makes me cool.
He is really putting this world together and it is fun to see. Scary at times. He all about letters and spelling and numbers and school is just around the corner. Heaven help us!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Les Miserables
Going through some old files here in the office I found a page of quotes and on it was one that struck me as particularly insightful.
"Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees."
--Victor Hugo, Les Miserables, 1862
"Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees."
--Victor Hugo, Les Miserables, 1862
Monday, August 20, 2007
H2O
As a guy who spends a lot of time drinking water, I found an acticle lately that reminded me of some things and also brought to light our obsession with bottled water in some new ways.
For instance, did you know:
*Americans spent more money last year on bottled water than on ipods or movie tickets?
*24% of the bottled water we buy is tap water repackaged by Coke and Pepsi?
*Fiji water produces more than 1 million bottles a day while half the people of Fiji don't have reliable drinking water?
*In 1976 ( a very good year) the average American drank 1.6 gallons of bottled water a year. Last year we drank 28.3 gallons. We drank more water than milk, coffee or beer. We still managed to keep pop (or soda for some dorks) number 1 at 52.9 gallons.
*We pitch 38 billion water bottles into landfills every year. Over $1 billion worth of plastic.
* If the water we use at home cost even what cheap water costs, our monthly water bills would be over $9000.
*1 billion people worldwide have no reliable drinking water; 3000 children die each day from diseases caught from tainted water.
I'm off to refill my nalgene. Here at the office I can only drink the water out of the fridge. The water out of our drinking fountains is fine if you are standing there, but if you put it in a cup, it tastes like you are sucking on a nickel. Happy drinking.
For instance, did you know:
*Americans spent more money last year on bottled water than on ipods or movie tickets?
*24% of the bottled water we buy is tap water repackaged by Coke and Pepsi?
*Fiji water produces more than 1 million bottles a day while half the people of Fiji don't have reliable drinking water?
*In 1976 ( a very good year) the average American drank 1.6 gallons of bottled water a year. Last year we drank 28.3 gallons. We drank more water than milk, coffee or beer. We still managed to keep pop (or soda for some dorks) number 1 at 52.9 gallons.
*We pitch 38 billion water bottles into landfills every year. Over $1 billion worth of plastic.
* If the water we use at home cost even what cheap water costs, our monthly water bills would be over $9000.
*1 billion people worldwide have no reliable drinking water; 3000 children die each day from diseases caught from tainted water.
I'm off to refill my nalgene. Here at the office I can only drink the water out of the fridge. The water out of our drinking fountains is fine if you are standing there, but if you put it in a cup, it tastes like you are sucking on a nickel. Happy drinking.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
A Bakers Dozen of Sentence Statements
1. I am in St. Louis and it is so, so hot here.
2. David Crowder writes strange books.
3. One of my best friends who I've not seen in ages was here Friday, I was even in the lobby of his hotel, but we didn't know each other was here.
4. Thinking about #3 makes me sick.
5. I got angry last night, I was grateful for the company and wisdom of another of my best friends whose wisdom is always a gift.
6. Cincinnati has a downtown that is infinitely more enjoyable than St. Louis.
7. I am resigning myself to finishing second in fantasy baseball this year and relinquishing the champions trophy.
8. I think the Cubs may finish ahead of the Cardinals this year.
9. I feel somewhat like a wet cardboard box today.
10. Why does a bakers dozen have 13?
11. Midway through the writing of this post, my internet connection was lost and when I went to post this here post, much of it was lost (the remaining 4) which means what you will read from here on out was not the original thinking and I feel badly because I felt as though those were the real gems of this post and now it lacks anything good or profound or worthwhile but nonetheless I will press on with the remaining 2 statements I owe you.
12. That last sentence was very long and left me little room to tell you of other things of importance such as the discussion we had last night on how best to move on after a summer of eating out and cafeteria food to which our best solution to date is a 2 month fast.
13. I am grateful that blogger now saves my drafts automatically though I wish they'd saved it one more time before all my brilliance was lost and you were left with this.
2. David Crowder writes strange books.
3. One of my best friends who I've not seen in ages was here Friday, I was even in the lobby of his hotel, but we didn't know each other was here.
4. Thinking about #3 makes me sick.
5. I got angry last night, I was grateful for the company and wisdom of another of my best friends whose wisdom is always a gift.
6. Cincinnati has a downtown that is infinitely more enjoyable than St. Louis.
7. I am resigning myself to finishing second in fantasy baseball this year and relinquishing the champions trophy.
8. I think the Cubs may finish ahead of the Cardinals this year.
9. I feel somewhat like a wet cardboard box today.
10. Why does a bakers dozen have 13?
11. Midway through the writing of this post, my internet connection was lost and when I went to post this here post, much of it was lost (the remaining 4) which means what you will read from here on out was not the original thinking and I feel badly because I felt as though those were the real gems of this post and now it lacks anything good or profound or worthwhile but nonetheless I will press on with the remaining 2 statements I owe you.
12. That last sentence was very long and left me little room to tell you of other things of importance such as the discussion we had last night on how best to move on after a summer of eating out and cafeteria food to which our best solution to date is a 2 month fast.
13. I am grateful that blogger now saves my drafts automatically though I wish they'd saved it one more time before all my brilliance was lost and you were left with this.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
5,000 Words
Currently Listening To: Saviour King by Hillsong from All of the Above
So it's been another good week. Tomorrow we load up trucks and begin the journey back west towards Joplin. Our final stops will be Mountain View and St. Louis and I will find myself tomorrow night reunited with the gray team. It has been good to be with the blue team. They are a hard working crew and the 3 weeks of Know Sweat with them have been a lot of fun.
One of my "jobs" for the past 3 weeks has been to snap some pictures of the groups as they serve each day. I confess that I'm no photo journalism major but I found myself tonight going through some photos to see a quick re-run of the summer to date.
Back in Joplin, I have some cork boards on one wall in my office. I've put some pictures from my trips with CIY, pictures that have a story behind them. I've taken better pictures, there are a number of shots I love but those are the ones that each time I look at them, they take me back to a specific thought or moment on my own journey.
Tonight I pulled 5 pictures I'm considering for the wall. Each has a story, too long to tell here but fun to look at nonetheless. So I submit to you a quick and scattered look at what I've seen in the last 6 weeks....
So it's been another good week. Tomorrow we load up trucks and begin the journey back west towards Joplin. Our final stops will be Mountain View and St. Louis and I will find myself tomorrow night reunited with the gray team. It has been good to be with the blue team. They are a hard working crew and the 3 weeks of Know Sweat with them have been a lot of fun.
One of my "jobs" for the past 3 weeks has been to snap some pictures of the groups as they serve each day. I confess that I'm no photo journalism major but I found myself tonight going through some photos to see a quick re-run of the summer to date.
Back in Joplin, I have some cork boards on one wall in my office. I've put some pictures from my trips with CIY, pictures that have a story behind them. I've taken better pictures, there are a number of shots I love but those are the ones that each time I look at them, they take me back to a specific thought or moment on my own journey.
Tonight I pulled 5 pictures I'm considering for the wall. Each has a story, too long to tell here but fun to look at nonetheless. So I submit to you a quick and scattered look at what I've seen in the last 6 weeks....
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Talk To The Hand
Many months ago I was at the National Missionary Convention in Indy. It was a very good time, complete with all the fun that comes with travel. I always come away from those things feeling small which is quite cool.
On this particular trip I was able to teach an elective for the Indiana Christian Teen Convention dealy-o in this facinating little room. <>
Right before my little shindig, an adult session had occured in the room which was taught by and attended entirely by hearing impaired people. Obviously they used sign language and since the class ran a little long and I showed up a little early, I "listened in" on the last few minutes of the class and then watched all the customary post-class conversation.
Tonight in the midst of the singing at Know Sweat I noticed a girl who was using sign language as she sang. I find myself finding sign language mysterious and beautiful.
I remember when Ang and I lived in Quincy and the church was signing all the services and a good friend of ours would do all the signing and I would find myself watching this happen out of curiosity and facination.
It got me to thinking about something we tell students at Know Sweat all the time, that you can speak without using your mouth or your voice. Both literally with your hands or literally, with your hands.
Today I saw a group painting the home of a muslim woman, a group serving the city of Cincy by repairing and rebuilding a city park, a group serving a woman who's not liked by her community because her house is a mess--and the city is literally driving by thanking them and watching.
A local TV station is filming at a couple sites this week and have done some interviews because they are doing a series on teens and money and can't get over the fact that kids would pay money to serve in a city other than the one they live in.
So I guess I'm sitting in this subpar dorm with a nice internet connection wondering why we don't shut up and start talking more often. I wonder why it is so amazing when students do it and so unremarkable when adults stop.
On this particular trip I was able to teach an elective for the Indiana Christian Teen Convention dealy-o in this facinating little room. <
Right before my little shindig, an adult session had occured in the room which was taught by and attended entirely by hearing impaired people. Obviously they used sign language and since the class ran a little long and I showed up a little early, I "listened in" on the last few minutes of the class and then watched all the customary post-class conversation.
Tonight in the midst of the singing at Know Sweat I noticed a girl who was using sign language as she sang. I find myself finding sign language mysterious and beautiful.
I remember when Ang and I lived in Quincy and the church was signing all the services and a good friend of ours would do all the signing and I would find myself watching this happen out of curiosity and facination.
It got me to thinking about something we tell students at Know Sweat all the time, that you can speak without using your mouth or your voice. Both literally with your hands or literally, with your hands.
Today I saw a group painting the home of a muslim woman, a group serving the city of Cincy by repairing and rebuilding a city park, a group serving a woman who's not liked by her community because her house is a mess--and the city is literally driving by thanking them and watching.
A local TV station is filming at a couple sites this week and have done some interviews because they are doing a series on teens and money and can't get over the fact that kids would pay money to serve in a city other than the one they live in.
So I guess I'm sitting in this subpar dorm with a nice internet connection wondering why we don't shut up and start talking more often. I wonder why it is so amazing when students do it and so unremarkable when adults stop.
Friday, July 20, 2007
No Way
What? The NBA is fixed? No way, shut up. That is crazy talk.
Next thing you know they'll start saying that colleges are slipping their athletes cash to play. Do they really think I'm so dumb as to believe that?
Next thing you know they'll start saying that colleges are slipping their athletes cash to play. Do they really think I'm so dumb as to believe that?
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Back in the 'Nati
I'm back from Memphis and ready for 2 more weeks in Cincy before heading to St. Louis. Ang and the kids will head up here tomorrow which will mark the first time I've seen them since I left for the summer. I guess you could say I'm looking forward to seeing my family.
The "trade" of interns went quite well and Memphis was an amazing week. The projects turned out great and the blending of our team went quite well. We had some extra hands on deck thanks to the finest OCC camp team one could imagine and some old friends from Rocky who flew to help the band and pitch in on projects. Nathan Head threw down as only Nathan can and spent much of the week in the truck or on work sites with us which is always a meaningful thing. I feel confident saying he is good people.
Yesterday was my next to last trip in a box truck for the summer and the trip included a pit stop in Nashville to eat lunch with Shaver.
This weekend the blue team will get some well earned rest and enjoy some of the finer things in Cincinnati. Well, we'll at least have fun. Well check out UCC tomorrow and I'll get to do some long awaited reading while waiting for the family to arrive.
Remind me to tell you about Memphis at some point, right now I need to go fold my clean laundry and find a band for one of our interns who had his debit card stolen.
The "trade" of interns went quite well and Memphis was an amazing week. The projects turned out great and the blending of our team went quite well. We had some extra hands on deck thanks to the finest OCC camp team one could imagine and some old friends from Rocky who flew to help the band and pitch in on projects. Nathan Head threw down as only Nathan can and spent much of the week in the truck or on work sites with us which is always a meaningful thing. I feel confident saying he is good people.
Yesterday was my next to last trip in a box truck for the summer and the trip included a pit stop in Nashville to eat lunch with Shaver.
This weekend the blue team will get some well earned rest and enjoy some of the finer things in Cincinnati. Well, we'll at least have fun. Well check out UCC tomorrow and I'll get to do some long awaited reading while waiting for the family to arrive.
Remind me to tell you about Memphis at some point, right now I need to go fold my clean laundry and find a band for one of our interns who had his debit card stolen.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
There's Nothing To See Here
Things I've enjoyed in the last few days:
-A drive to Milligan in a box truck. Especially when the engine died and the steering locked. Going downhill.
-Sweet tea and the Canadian Mounty at Poor Richard's (Ryan, I tried to eat at Makado's but they were closed, I really tried to get the sweet carrots, I hope we can still be friends)
-A divine appointment with a hero/friend. He's more hero than friend because I really have nothing to offer back.
-Getting to see my friends the Hedgers, Hills,Snows and others.
-Some amazing Rob Bell sermons.
-A smooth flight to Memphis with the man the myth, the Allmoschlecher.
-Some amazing Memphis BBQ(with more sweet tea), a stroll down Beale Street and hanging out with the new crew of interns, my buddy Golubski and all that is the blue team.
-A reunion with my friends the Coghills.
-Inside Afghanistan, an amazing read.
-Stripped--a book you have to read just to figure out what you think about a few things.
-Currently, some great Elton John and Paul McCartney, Derek Webb and John Mayer and the fact that I'm about to crack open a book I've been waiting for: Simply Christian.
Things I'm looking forward to:
-Seeing my family
-This week in Memphis with a lof of old friends, our old student ministry band and some freaking awesome service projects
-Returning to Cincinnati
-Listening to Nate Head preach for a week
-Sunday morning at Community Bible Church in Memphis, the church I would attend every week if I could
-The things I'm not aware of yet that will make this another fabulous week.
-A Memphis Redbirds game tomorrow afternoon.
I leave you with a quote: "The failure of Christians is not primarily a loss of love for God but loss of love for people."
Or maybe two: "A sense of entitlement robs us of our joy when it comes to serving others."
Goodbye Norma Jean.
-A drive to Milligan in a box truck. Especially when the engine died and the steering locked. Going downhill.
-Sweet tea and the Canadian Mounty at Poor Richard's (Ryan, I tried to eat at Makado's but they were closed, I really tried to get the sweet carrots, I hope we can still be friends)
-A divine appointment with a hero/friend. He's more hero than friend because I really have nothing to offer back.
-Getting to see my friends the Hedgers, Hills,Snows and others.
-Some amazing Rob Bell sermons.
-A smooth flight to Memphis with the man the myth, the Allmoschlecher.
-Some amazing Memphis BBQ(with more sweet tea), a stroll down Beale Street and hanging out with the new crew of interns, my buddy Golubski and all that is the blue team.
-A reunion with my friends the Coghills.
-Inside Afghanistan, an amazing read.
-Stripped--a book you have to read just to figure out what you think about a few things.
-Currently, some great Elton John and Paul McCartney, Derek Webb and John Mayer and the fact that I'm about to crack open a book I've been waiting for: Simply Christian.
Things I'm looking forward to:
-Seeing my family
-This week in Memphis with a lof of old friends, our old student ministry band and some freaking awesome service projects
-Returning to Cincinnati
-Listening to Nate Head preach for a week
-Sunday morning at Community Bible Church in Memphis, the church I would attend every week if I could
-The things I'm not aware of yet that will make this another fabulous week.
-A Memphis Redbirds game tomorrow afternoon.
I leave you with a quote: "The failure of Christians is not primarily a loss of love for God but loss of love for people."
Or maybe two: "A sense of entitlement robs us of our joy when it comes to serving others."
Goodbye Norma Jean.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Cincinnati in July
God really does have a sense of humor.
Tomorrow marks the end of my first 3 weeks in Cincinnati. It will be a full 21 days since I've seen my family and another 11 or 12 before I see them, that time will hopefully go faster now that I'll be changing cities on Friday.
Cincinnati has been really, really good. The projects have been great, working with and seeing old friends has been a lot of fun. Shaver continues to be a good man, the band continues to rock and we've had 3 unique and amazing in their own way guys come drop the Word on the students. There was some stuff that happened last night with one of our interactive elements that I wish you could have seen. It was cool.
And in the midst of it, it rains at least every other or 3rd day here, but never when we work. Right before, right after all the time but when the kids at the work site, it "miraculously" happens to not rain. We sure are fortunate. and Lucky. ha.
Friday I roll to Milligan to meet up with the blue team and say goodbye to my friends that have been the gray team. Saturday I'll be in Memphis to say hello to my new friends and start the last 4 weeks of the summer.
In the midst of it, I currently find myself immersed in a book that is really teaching me--stripped. I continue to search out my theology and develop my understanding of who God is and the stuff I'm supposed to understand. And all the while, I watch kids live out their faith in a way I didn't at that age.
So I hope you saw fireworks, it seems Cincinnati has a show every night and each morning the city greets us not with the crowing of roosters but the familiar sound of police sirens. Ahh, urban life. Much like what I enjoy on the mean streets of Oronogo.
Tomorrow marks the end of my first 3 weeks in Cincinnati. It will be a full 21 days since I've seen my family and another 11 or 12 before I see them, that time will hopefully go faster now that I'll be changing cities on Friday.
Cincinnati has been really, really good. The projects have been great, working with and seeing old friends has been a lot of fun. Shaver continues to be a good man, the band continues to rock and we've had 3 unique and amazing in their own way guys come drop the Word on the students. There was some stuff that happened last night with one of our interactive elements that I wish you could have seen. It was cool.
And in the midst of it, it rains at least every other or 3rd day here, but never when we work. Right before, right after all the time but when the kids at the work site, it "miraculously" happens to not rain. We sure are fortunate. and Lucky. ha.
Friday I roll to Milligan to meet up with the blue team and say goodbye to my friends that have been the gray team. Saturday I'll be in Memphis to say hello to my new friends and start the last 4 weeks of the summer.
In the midst of it, I currently find myself immersed in a book that is really teaching me--stripped. I continue to search out my theology and develop my understanding of who God is and the stuff I'm supposed to understand. And all the while, I watch kids live out their faith in a way I didn't at that age.
So I hope you saw fireworks, it seems Cincinnati has a show every night and each morning the city greets us not with the crowing of roosters but the familiar sound of police sirens. Ahh, urban life. Much like what I enjoy on the mean streets of Oronogo.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Why I Hug Trees
I finished Serve God, Save the Planet today. I sat on the edge of "the hill" here in Cincinnati overlooking downtown. CCU has a nice little gazebo with a swing which was my vantage point and it offered a unique perspective as I read.
I won't say it was the best book I've ever read. I did thoroughly enjoy it but it awakened my understanding to something. Sitting there swinging, I realized I hug trees not because I necessarily give a rip about them or because I truly think we share the same mother. Sure, we come from the same Father, but it isn't really a spiritual issue to me in the way I might have expected.
The thing Sleeth does in the book is drive the thought of enviornmentalism back repeatedly to something I do give more than a rip about: missions. Though the reality that the fossil fuels I don't use acutally help my friends in the Sahara out, is the thought that what I do and don't do echoes back to materialism, greed, selfishness and a connectedness to the dark side of my only-childness: selfishness. I give a rip about the environment to care about others, because if I could get this under control, I could actually use that money to support actual things of value. I care about it because I think it sucks to be an average American. I hug trees because as much as I love an air conditioned stadium and a good game, as much as I love sitting in my family room and watching a great movie, I feel so much more alive in a park around nature, even if I am a mosquito magnet. (Sidelight, if you come see me in Cincinnati, I'll blow your mind with beauty and peace in some parks that even people who've lived here for years didn't know about).
The last few pages of the book summarize what I am not explaining well with one word. Love.
Love of God and nature and others create this cycle that affects so much of where I am at and frees me to care about things that matter and provide a life worth living.
Environmentalism, much like service and the poor, is a pretty popular i.e. cool subject right now. That sucks because it is on a course to be antiquated in a few years. It will go the way of all the other fads in Christianity.
A number of years ago I heard a sermon by Leonard Sweet. I find that if I read or listen to something he did about 3 years previously, it makes a lot more sense. He, like my friend Lowery, is too prophetic and sees things much earlier than the rest of us. Anyway, Sweet went through this sermon about all the things the church was too ashamed to admit or acknowledge that society has taken and championed and then the church has come back much like the punk playground kid saying something along the lines of "hey, that was mine first". Societies response? "Uh, when I found it, you'd left it laying in the gutter for the past few days so I figured you didn't care about it anymore."
What hacks me off isn't that we want back in on these ideas, its that we don't care about them until they become popular. If we would spend as much time "marketing" what God had written thousands of years ago instead of trying to chase down society and make it fit some verse, I think we might actually make a difference.
Okay, I'm done for now.
I won't say it was the best book I've ever read. I did thoroughly enjoy it but it awakened my understanding to something. Sitting there swinging, I realized I hug trees not because I necessarily give a rip about them or because I truly think we share the same mother. Sure, we come from the same Father, but it isn't really a spiritual issue to me in the way I might have expected.
The thing Sleeth does in the book is drive the thought of enviornmentalism back repeatedly to something I do give more than a rip about: missions. Though the reality that the fossil fuels I don't use acutally help my friends in the Sahara out, is the thought that what I do and don't do echoes back to materialism, greed, selfishness and a connectedness to the dark side of my only-childness: selfishness. I give a rip about the environment to care about others, because if I could get this under control, I could actually use that money to support actual things of value. I care about it because I think it sucks to be an average American. I hug trees because as much as I love an air conditioned stadium and a good game, as much as I love sitting in my family room and watching a great movie, I feel so much more alive in a park around nature, even if I am a mosquito magnet. (Sidelight, if you come see me in Cincinnati, I'll blow your mind with beauty and peace in some parks that even people who've lived here for years didn't know about).
The last few pages of the book summarize what I am not explaining well with one word. Love.
Love of God and nature and others create this cycle that affects so much of where I am at and frees me to care about things that matter and provide a life worth living.
Environmentalism, much like service and the poor, is a pretty popular i.e. cool subject right now. That sucks because it is on a course to be antiquated in a few years. It will go the way of all the other fads in Christianity.
A number of years ago I heard a sermon by Leonard Sweet. I find that if I read or listen to something he did about 3 years previously, it makes a lot more sense. He, like my friend Lowery, is too prophetic and sees things much earlier than the rest of us. Anyway, Sweet went through this sermon about all the things the church was too ashamed to admit or acknowledge that society has taken and championed and then the church has come back much like the punk playground kid saying something along the lines of "hey, that was mine first". Societies response? "Uh, when I found it, you'd left it laying in the gutter for the past few days so I figured you didn't care about it anymore."
What hacks me off isn't that we want back in on these ideas, its that we don't care about them until they become popular. If we would spend as much time "marketing" what God had written thousands of years ago instead of trying to chase down society and make it fit some verse, I think we might actually make a difference.
Okay, I'm done for now.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Hooray for the Trailblazers.
I've had some good conversations lately. Some happen in the chapel, some have happened in the truck, some have been at Starbucks. All have been good.
A couple nights ago Shaver and I disappeared downtown to a quiet Starbucks and talked honestly about what we've been reading and about what God has been teaching us. The night before I recieved some Godly wisdom that still makes my head hurt.
Today I finished another amazing book, Samson and the Pirate Monks. That too got me thinking. This time about authenticity and accountability. I spent some good time thinking about those I've been honest with in the past and about the honest relationships I look forward to when this summer of service is over and the other part of my normal life returns to me.
In case you wondered, the week was a good one. All the big screw ups were my fault and I fixed errors from last week while managing to create new mess ups in the process. I think I have a spiritual gift for that. At least most of my frustration lands at my own feet which is fine.
It seems like I should have more to say to you at this point but I don't. I still find Furthermore from Jars of Clay to be amazing and Good Monsters is growing on me thanks to Shaver and BJ.
I'm off to call old friends and catch up.
Oh, and I'm happy with the new Blazers. I'm officially back on the bandwagon. Just a little sad we drafted a guy from Duke. Guess you can't win em all?!
A couple nights ago Shaver and I disappeared downtown to a quiet Starbucks and talked honestly about what we've been reading and about what God has been teaching us. The night before I recieved some Godly wisdom that still makes my head hurt.
Today I finished another amazing book, Samson and the Pirate Monks. That too got me thinking. This time about authenticity and accountability. I spent some good time thinking about those I've been honest with in the past and about the honest relationships I look forward to when this summer of service is over and the other part of my normal life returns to me.
In case you wondered, the week was a good one. All the big screw ups were my fault and I fixed errors from last week while managing to create new mess ups in the process. I think I have a spiritual gift for that. At least most of my frustration lands at my own feet which is fine.
It seems like I should have more to say to you at this point but I don't. I still find Furthermore from Jars of Clay to be amazing and Good Monsters is growing on me thanks to Shaver and BJ.
I'm off to call old friends and catch up.
Oh, and I'm happy with the new Blazers. I'm officially back on the bandwagon. Just a little sad we drafted a guy from Duke. Guess you can't win em all?!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Sell Your Soul To Santa
I saw that on a bridge today on my tour of Cincinnati. Week 2 is underway and it is going awesome. The groups are doing some amazing work and I was able to have some conversations that have me thinking.
My real reason for the post though is to let you know of my book of the year. This weekend I took saturday morning and finally met a new friend, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day.
Seriously, I've read Bell, Tozer, McManus, all them types and this book met me in an amazing way. I'd give you some quotes but basically I'd say everything between the first sentence and the last is worth your time. And you know me, I like books, but I love this one.
I share with you only one quote that dovetails so nicely with our theme for this summer of Know Sweat:
"Seeing and seizing opportunities is an overlooked and underappreciated dimension of spiritual maturity. Every day is filled with countless God-ordained opportunities. Not a day goes by that we don't have an opportunity to love, an opportunity to serve, an opportunity to give, or an opportunity to learn.......Most of us want our opportunities nicely packaged and presented to us as a gift we simply have to unwrap. We want our lions stuffed or caged or cooked medium well and served on a silver platter. But opportunities typically present themselves at the most inopportune time in the most inopportune place.....Now let me take some pressure off. You don't have to manufacture opportunities. In fact, you can't manufacture them. That's part of God's portfolio. He is preparing good works in advance."
And finally:
"Embrace relational uncertainty, It's called romance. Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It's called mystery. Embrace occupational uncertainty. It's called destiny. Embrace emotional uncertainty. It's called joy. Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It's called revelation.
May your day be amazing. May you get off your butt and change the world you are a part of. There are over 175 students, most of them middle schoolers, who are doing just that this week. They showed up to step into a God-ordained moment. After all, as I heard at church Sunday, "we proclaim the God who continues to show up."
Blessings.
My real reason for the post though is to let you know of my book of the year. This weekend I took saturday morning and finally met a new friend, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day.
Seriously, I've read Bell, Tozer, McManus, all them types and this book met me in an amazing way. I'd give you some quotes but basically I'd say everything between the first sentence and the last is worth your time. And you know me, I like books, but I love this one.
I share with you only one quote that dovetails so nicely with our theme for this summer of Know Sweat:
"Seeing and seizing opportunities is an overlooked and underappreciated dimension of spiritual maturity. Every day is filled with countless God-ordained opportunities. Not a day goes by that we don't have an opportunity to love, an opportunity to serve, an opportunity to give, or an opportunity to learn.......Most of us want our opportunities nicely packaged and presented to us as a gift we simply have to unwrap. We want our lions stuffed or caged or cooked medium well and served on a silver platter. But opportunities typically present themselves at the most inopportune time in the most inopportune place.....Now let me take some pressure off. You don't have to manufacture opportunities. In fact, you can't manufacture them. That's part of God's portfolio. He is preparing good works in advance."
And finally:
"Embrace relational uncertainty, It's called romance. Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It's called mystery. Embrace occupational uncertainty. It's called destiny. Embrace emotional uncertainty. It's called joy. Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It's called revelation.
May your day be amazing. May you get off your butt and change the world you are a part of. There are over 175 students, most of them middle schoolers, who are doing just that this week. They showed up to step into a God-ordained moment. After all, as I heard at church Sunday, "we proclaim the God who continues to show up."
Blessings.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
I'm Sure I Already Knew This
I've been having a lot of conversations lately, and not all of them have been with myself.
It seems that in the midst of the summer kick off, God is teaching me a number of things through a number of people.
Last night our staff headed to the Levee for dinner and some book shopping. Off on and on over the next few hours it led to discussions about a number of topics mostly regarding prayer, discipliines and all sorts of other matters. The really cool thing was, none of them had anything to do with Know Sweat or "work" related matters. It was just about where we were with God.
Last night, I sat down to read for a while and came across a line that has been bouncing in my head all morning. It's from a book I've been wanting to read for a long time and finally found last night.
"God wants you to get where God wants you to go more than you want to get where God wants you to go."
I find that incredibly freeing. The reminder that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. So may we find those things, or better yet, may we quit looking and start working.
It seems that in the midst of the summer kick off, God is teaching me a number of things through a number of people.
Last night our staff headed to the Levee for dinner and some book shopping. Off on and on over the next few hours it led to discussions about a number of topics mostly regarding prayer, discipliines and all sorts of other matters. The really cool thing was, none of them had anything to do with Know Sweat or "work" related matters. It was just about where we were with God.
Last night, I sat down to read for a while and came across a line that has been bouncing in my head all morning. It's from a book I've been wanting to read for a long time and finally found last night.
"God wants you to get where God wants you to go more than you want to get where God wants you to go."
I find that incredibly freeing. The reminder that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. So may we find those things, or better yet, may we quit looking and start working.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Week One
What a week. I really, really wish you could have seen it.
Schaffner absolutely knocked it out of the park and Shaver was phenomonal. The comments have been positive and the kids did some really great service work.
The nature of this ministry is that we spend 10 months looking forward to these 2 we are living in right now. It is so cool to see God bring things together and watch this thing gain traction.
I had to laugh as I woke up this morning and it was pouring rain. God is so amazing every summer not just by blessing us with safety but also with a lack of rain. Continue to pray for those things but I find it more than ironic that it rains the day after we're done working. Nice.
Schaffner absolutely knocked it out of the park and Shaver was phenomonal. The comments have been positive and the kids did some really great service work.
The nature of this ministry is that we spend 10 months looking forward to these 2 we are living in right now. It is so cool to see God bring things together and watch this thing gain traction.
I had to laugh as I woke up this morning and it was pouring rain. God is so amazing every summer not just by blessing us with safety but also with a lack of rain. Continue to pray for those things but I find it more than ironic that it rains the day after we're done working. Nice.
Monday, June 18, 2007
A Father's Day
Father's Day became something new for me today. The evolution has gone from the first time I said it to my dad, to the first time I called him to wish him a good day and he was able to say it back to me, to yesterday, the first time my son called me and we had a conversation during which he said Happy Father's Day. We talked about how he'd been swimming, about how I was in Cinseeatee and was going to a baseball game and how we missed each other. It just keeps getting better. I missed out on a milestone of his as he started swimming around a little on his own but got another one that will never go away.
It's now Monday and Know Sweat is under way. Schaffner is here, Shaver is here, they both knocked it out of the park and the projects start tomorrow. It feels so good to get off to a start and the interns are doing a phenomonal job. More updates and pictures to come.
It's now Monday and Know Sweat is under way. Schaffner is here, Shaver is here, they both knocked it out of the park and the projects start tomorrow. It feels so good to get off to a start and the interns are doing a phenomonal job. More updates and pictures to come.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Breaking the Silence
Hello world. I am back.
Not that you cared.
I currently reside in Cincinnati and have been here for the past 2 days. I won't be back in Joplin till August 3rd which right now seems like a long, long time away. It is Know Sweat season and I couldn't be happier. I am spending the first 3 weeks in Cincinnati. It is going to be a great run here with some amazing projects and some great guys leading us in our time with the Word and celebration.
I guess by ways of an update I don' thave one all that much. There is a great group from Chicago already here on campus and its good to finally start to see the students who will serve with us. I don't know if you know this but I love this job. Love it.
The family will be coming to visit in a few weeks and that will complete heaven on earth for me. I promise to start blogging more often and hopefully they are worth something.
I will tell you the same thing I told our interns tonight: Read Micah 6:8 and try to live into it all summer. That would be amazing.
Not that you cared.
I currently reside in Cincinnati and have been here for the past 2 days. I won't be back in Joplin till August 3rd which right now seems like a long, long time away. It is Know Sweat season and I couldn't be happier. I am spending the first 3 weeks in Cincinnati. It is going to be a great run here with some amazing projects and some great guys leading us in our time with the Word and celebration.
I guess by ways of an update I don' thave one all that much. There is a great group from Chicago already here on campus and its good to finally start to see the students who will serve with us. I don't know if you know this but I love this job. Love it.
The family will be coming to visit in a few weeks and that will complete heaven on earth for me. I promise to start blogging more often and hopefully they are worth something.
I will tell you the same thing I told our interns tonight: Read Micah 6:8 and try to live into it all summer. That would be amazing.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
2 Posts In A Row About The NBA
I must be sick. I can hardly stand the NBA.
I guess by default I've always had a favorite team in the NBA. I find I follow certain players more than a certain team. When I was young I loved these guys because they were the only thing in my hometown.
When they began selling drugs and being evil criminals, I had to withdraw my support or quit going to church. I quit cheering for the Jailblazers sometime in high school. After Drexler, Porter,Kersey and the boys were long, long gone.
But oh how the ping pong ball bounced our way and I fell back onto the bandwagon.
So now they have the #1 pick, a future and I'm back in the fold. Since they are from the old hometown I say you can come and go as a fan however you want.
Like say for instance we draft Sam Bowie instead of Michael Jordan again......
In an unrelated note that might be a "had to be there" moment, we were talking in the office the other day about projects for one of the summer locations. We recieved a late addition of a name of someone to help. I was asking this persons name and I was told her name is Anita Hand.
We do service projects for people who need help and I found (maybe because I'm odd, or from lack of oxygen) this project to be worthy of help but the name ironic. Maybe its just me.I wonder if one day we might serve someone named Coulduse Somehelp
I guess by default I've always had a favorite team in the NBA. I find I follow certain players more than a certain team. When I was young I loved these guys because they were the only thing in my hometown.
When they began selling drugs and being evil criminals, I had to withdraw my support or quit going to church. I quit cheering for the Jailblazers sometime in high school. After Drexler, Porter,Kersey and the boys were long, long gone.
But oh how the ping pong ball bounced our way and I fell back onto the bandwagon.
So now they have the #1 pick, a future and I'm back in the fold. Since they are from the old hometown I say you can come and go as a fan however you want.
Like say for instance we draft Sam Bowie instead of Michael Jordan again......
In an unrelated note that might be a "had to be there" moment, we were talking in the office the other day about projects for one of the summer locations. We recieved a late addition of a name of someone to help. I was asking this persons name and I was told her name is Anita Hand.
We do service projects for people who need help and I found (maybe because I'm odd, or from lack of oxygen) this project to be worthy of help but the name ironic. Maybe its just me.I wonder if one day we might serve someone named Coulduse Somehelp
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
I Miss David Robinson
I remember a day not so long ago when I liked the San Antonio Spurs. They were cool, they were fun to watch, they were led by a stand up guy. Now they are thugs. Big Shove Bob and the rest and just playing dirty. Bruce Bowen is just plain scary. I now officially cannot like them. They have decended to the place usually reserved for the Yankees and Duke.
As far as something positive, I have rediscovered a Dave Matthews album I wasn't that crazy about at first, Stand Up. You should check out Louisiana Bayou. Great tune. I heard it at Starbucks last night and its been stuck in my head since.
As far as something positive, I have rediscovered a Dave Matthews album I wasn't that crazy about at first, Stand Up. You should check out Louisiana Bayou. Great tune. I heard it at Starbucks last night and its been stuck in my head since.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Done
I finished the book on my flight home this morning. For those curious, it was Hurt by Chap Clark. I enjoyed it very much.
Now the earth can keep rotating.
Now the earth can keep rotating.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Book Recommendations from a Music Guy?
Last Friday I had my manhood challenged and a qualifier put on a friendship if by Friday I don't have a certain book read. Oh, and I was told I'll be removed from said friends blog should I fail to man up to this challenge.
Okay, if you say it like that it sounds really scary. Actually a guy I trust recommended a book he thinks I should be ashamed to not have read yet. So I'm reading it. I can't do anything about not eating the carrots in Johnson City but I can fix this one.
Consider me reading.
Hope your Tuesday is a great one. I spent my morning thinking about the summer and specifically the evening times we get at Know Sweat. I'm excited. Not excited enough to wish it was here tomorrow because we wouldn't be ready. But excited enough to be anxious to see how God moves.
Now enough, I must get back to reading.
Okay, if you say it like that it sounds really scary. Actually a guy I trust recommended a book he thinks I should be ashamed to not have read yet. So I'm reading it. I can't do anything about not eating the carrots in Johnson City but I can fix this one.
Consider me reading.
Hope your Tuesday is a great one. I spent my morning thinking about the summer and specifically the evening times we get at Know Sweat. I'm excited. Not excited enough to wish it was here tomorrow because we wouldn't be ready. But excited enough to be anxious to see how God moves.
Now enough, I must get back to reading.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
It's May
It's raining. Another good day for me since it reminds me of my homeland. The only downside is my grass will once again need to be cut. Just how old does Carter have to be before he can drive the mower by himself.......
I thought I'd share a couple things I'm excited about.
1. We have a new front page on the ciy website. This brings me great, great joy. Our new web ninja (his title not mine) is going to be a huge blessing. Plus I like calling him ninja now. Ninjas are cool. You should check it out right here.
2. While you are surfing the web, you should check out my fantasy baseball league I'm in. Oh, did I mention I'm the defending champ! Finally after all these years I somehow managed to topple the dynasty that is Matt Wilson. You can check out our league right here. Oh, did I mention I'm in first place today?
3. I really dig the Mat Kearney itunes ep. It's just 4 songs but they are 4 of my favorites and they are worth your money.
4. Brynn rolled over for the first time this week. These are bittersweet moments of joy for an accomplishment and a touch of saddness that I'm not ready for my kids to really grow up. At least Ang's beauty is timeless.
Well, hope your Thursday is a good one. I'm a little sad because I just took my last sip of my new Starbucks coffee--the Tarrazu blend from Costa Rica. I recommend it highly. Now get back to work.
I thought I'd share a couple things I'm excited about.
1. We have a new front page on the ciy website. This brings me great, great joy. Our new web ninja (his title not mine) is going to be a huge blessing. Plus I like calling him ninja now. Ninjas are cool. You should check it out right here.
2. While you are surfing the web, you should check out my fantasy baseball league I'm in. Oh, did I mention I'm the defending champ! Finally after all these years I somehow managed to topple the dynasty that is Matt Wilson. You can check out our league right here. Oh, did I mention I'm in first place today?
3. I really dig the Mat Kearney itunes ep. It's just 4 songs but they are 4 of my favorites and they are worth your money.
4. Brynn rolled over for the first time this week. These are bittersweet moments of joy for an accomplishment and a touch of saddness that I'm not ready for my kids to really grow up. At least Ang's beauty is timeless.
Well, hope your Thursday is a good one. I'm a little sad because I just took my last sip of my new Starbucks coffee--the Tarrazu blend from Costa Rica. I recommend it highly. Now get back to work.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Grande Triple Soy Caramel Macchiato
Yeah, its as good as it sounds. Right now its going down real smooth.
We're back in Johnson City after an enlightening and moderately productive time in Beckley. I feel confident in saying that week is going to rock up there and once the word gets out, people are going to want that week. I don't think we were quite prepared for the "Appalachian Pride" that we encountered at times but it is going to end up being a great, great place with some amazing people.
We fly home tomorrow. I'm really ready to be home. Its been a long week, a lot of meetings and travel and it wears on you after a while. Its exciting to see some of the stuff the crew out here will do this summer. I won't get to be a part of these weeks but I know the groups showing up will make a difference and be blessed by what they do.
I finished Divine Nobodies last night. Solid. I'd recommend it to just about anybody. A good dose of perspective for me. I've jumped into a re-read from Giglio "I Am Not..." They are combining to give me a great deal of peace as I'm reminded just how big God is (no clue on that really) and how insignificant my piece is or can be when I am off point. It has led to some real soul searching and I trust the time of reflection and conversation and my best attempts to be still and know are for a reason.
Right now though, I'm finishing off the drink and anticipating the weekend with my family. It will be the best thing I've done in a long time.
We're back in Johnson City after an enlightening and moderately productive time in Beckley. I feel confident in saying that week is going to rock up there and once the word gets out, people are going to want that week. I don't think we were quite prepared for the "Appalachian Pride" that we encountered at times but it is going to end up being a great, great place with some amazing people.
We fly home tomorrow. I'm really ready to be home. Its been a long week, a lot of meetings and travel and it wears on you after a while. Its exciting to see some of the stuff the crew out here will do this summer. I won't get to be a part of these weeks but I know the groups showing up will make a difference and be blessed by what they do.
I finished Divine Nobodies last night. Solid. I'd recommend it to just about anybody. A good dose of perspective for me. I've jumped into a re-read from Giglio "I Am Not..." They are combining to give me a great deal of peace as I'm reminded just how big God is (no clue on that really) and how insignificant my piece is or can be when I am off point. It has led to some real soul searching and I trust the time of reflection and conversation and my best attempts to be still and know are for a reason.
Right now though, I'm finishing off the drink and anticipating the weekend with my family. It will be the best thing I've done in a long time.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
I Think I'm Gonna Pee My Underwear
What a weekend.
Maybe it was the good weather or maybe it was because I'd been home for a few days but it was a good, good weekend. I took Friday afternoon and we enjoyed a lunch thanks to a gift certificate from my parents and then headed to Lowe's to reinvest some of our tax return in the house.
I spent Friday evening putting up new miniblinds in the downstairs which totally changed the feel of our living room and kitchen. Later that evening our friend Nathan Davenport came by to spend the night on his way to some fundraising for PBT.
Saturday morning started early with a good book, good conversation with Nathan and some good coffee. And and Carter went on a special trip for Saturday morning donuts which thanks to Carter (no, seriously) didn't last the day. It then transpired into one of the best days I can remember in a long time. Lots of work outside, Carter and I mowing the lawn and him helping me with projects in the garage(all sorts of tasks he called "man work") with his newly purchased red and black tape measure. (His part of the tax return, the least we can do for him providing our only child deduction of the year.) It now stays in my tool box right next to daddy's tape measure.
Around lunch time, Carter and I were watching some basketball while I fed Brynn a bottle. Carter and I were finishing off the last donut when Carter asked me, "Daddy, do you know why donuts have holes?" "No" I replied. "Because God wants the to have holes." was his answer. It may not have been a conversation on justification or baptism but it was another sign of how aware of God he's becoming.
After a fulfilling day working around the house as a family, we settled down for a nice relaxing dinner. After dinner Brynn slept, Carter played his leapster and Ang and I played some cards.
Carter ended up having a bath seeing as it was church the next day. He and Ang were sitting on the couch, she was cutting his nails and I had Brynn who was falling asleep after her 5th bottle of the day. Carter was a little ticklish and he and Ang were laughing when he uttered the line of the day. "I think I'm gonna pee my underwear."
It was sometime around there that I realized that a day like that was the best thing about my life. My family, us hanging out, the fact that the joy I felt there and the fun we had was better than anything else. I also realize the more I am around our kids that they are all the beautiful things about us in their purest form. Not that Ang and I are all that beautiful (well, Ang is) but personality, little quirks, sensitive hearts, they are there. Even Brynn in her simple beauty brings a joy we were lacking before. She's at the point where she smiles and giggles, where she watches Carter wherever he goes. It's beautiful.
Carter walks around the house singing songs now. Lately its been the only line from his new Veggietales movie which simply states, "We are the pirates who don't do anything." Beautiful.
He's also learned some lessons from the Lone Stranger, he even quotes a line about how he can't do things by himself but he can do anything with God's help. I find him putting more and more things together and its intimidating but amazing.
I think my favorite moment of the day came after Carter was supposedly in bed for the night. He came back downstairs, I think he didn't like how big his t-shirt was and wanted a smaller one. I got him outfitted to his happiness and was walking out of his room when he left me with this: "Hey dad, do you know what is so cool about when I wake up tomorrow?" "Nope." "We get to go to church!!!"
Could it get any better than almost peeing your underwear and getting to go to church?
Maybe it was the good weather or maybe it was because I'd been home for a few days but it was a good, good weekend. I took Friday afternoon and we enjoyed a lunch thanks to a gift certificate from my parents and then headed to Lowe's to reinvest some of our tax return in the house.
I spent Friday evening putting up new miniblinds in the downstairs which totally changed the feel of our living room and kitchen. Later that evening our friend Nathan Davenport came by to spend the night on his way to some fundraising for PBT.
Saturday morning started early with a good book, good conversation with Nathan and some good coffee. And and Carter went on a special trip for Saturday morning donuts which thanks to Carter (no, seriously) didn't last the day. It then transpired into one of the best days I can remember in a long time. Lots of work outside, Carter and I mowing the lawn and him helping me with projects in the garage(all sorts of tasks he called "man work") with his newly purchased red and black tape measure. (His part of the tax return, the least we can do for him providing our only child deduction of the year.) It now stays in my tool box right next to daddy's tape measure.
Around lunch time, Carter and I were watching some basketball while I fed Brynn a bottle. Carter and I were finishing off the last donut when Carter asked me, "Daddy, do you know why donuts have holes?" "No" I replied. "Because God wants the to have holes." was his answer. It may not have been a conversation on justification or baptism but it was another sign of how aware of God he's becoming.
After a fulfilling day working around the house as a family, we settled down for a nice relaxing dinner. After dinner Brynn slept, Carter played his leapster and Ang and I played some cards.
Carter ended up having a bath seeing as it was church the next day. He and Ang were sitting on the couch, she was cutting his nails and I had Brynn who was falling asleep after her 5th bottle of the day. Carter was a little ticklish and he and Ang were laughing when he uttered the line of the day. "I think I'm gonna pee my underwear."
It was sometime around there that I realized that a day like that was the best thing about my life. My family, us hanging out, the fact that the joy I felt there and the fun we had was better than anything else. I also realize the more I am around our kids that they are all the beautiful things about us in their purest form. Not that Ang and I are all that beautiful (well, Ang is) but personality, little quirks, sensitive hearts, they are there. Even Brynn in her simple beauty brings a joy we were lacking before. She's at the point where she smiles and giggles, where she watches Carter wherever he goes. It's beautiful.
Carter walks around the house singing songs now. Lately its been the only line from his new Veggietales movie which simply states, "We are the pirates who don't do anything." Beautiful.
He's also learned some lessons from the Lone Stranger, he even quotes a line about how he can't do things by himself but he can do anything with God's help. I find him putting more and more things together and its intimidating but amazing.
I think my favorite moment of the day came after Carter was supposedly in bed for the night. He came back downstairs, I think he didn't like how big his t-shirt was and wanted a smaller one. I got him outfitted to his happiness and was walking out of his room when he left me with this: "Hey dad, do you know what is so cool about when I wake up tomorrow?" "Nope." "We get to go to church!!!"
Could it get any better than almost peeing your underwear and getting to go to church?
Friday, April 20, 2007
Nothing Substantial Here
Currently Listening To: Mat Kearney: Acoustic EP
I had Starbucks with 2 youth ministers yesterday.
Just that statement fills me with joy.
I really, really like youth ministry. I believe in it.
We need more people who will step up and be great youth leaders. We don’t need more lazy ones who live for events. We don’t need programmers. We need people who minister to and with youth.
I finished my reread of Velvet Elvis last night. I think I enjoyed it more and found better stuff the second time around. I found more I disagreed with and some thoughts that I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around but I like nonetheless.
Here are a couple lines that I’ve been chewing on for the past 24 hours.
“Missions is less about the transportation of God from one place to another and more about the identification of a God who is already there.”
“Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be and anything else you do is sin and you need to repent of it.”
This has been a nerve wracking time for me. I hate the registration deadline. I know it’s not all about the numbers but I find myself tying my self worth and ego to how many people like Know Sweat. Some of it is a frustration to me when I sit in people’s living rooms and want to help them but don’t know if enough people will sign up that we can help them.
We were talking in the office the other day about ego. Ego sucks. How we allow ourselves to take the wrong things personally, how we worry so much more about what other people think than even what God thinks. Forget that, we worry more about others than what our spouse might tell us at times.
And somewhere in all this rippling of life, I was reading about a peace that transcends understanding. And I liked that thought.
I started a new book last night that comes recommended from my buddy Wilson. I find that if he recommends a book or a CD, it is usually worth my time. I’ll put it this way, I can’t remember a time he told me to check something out and after doing so I thought I should send him a flaming bag of poo.
It’s about shedding religion to find God.
I’m finding a tension between two thoughts. One is all about numbers. The other is all about maintenance and status quo. Materialism and maintenance. Maybe that is too harsh. I find it in my own personal life.
I have 5 things in my Moleskine right now that are written under the heading “thoughts to explore”. One of them is the last 10 minutes of a sermon I heard recently while I was traveling. One of them is this idea that “perfect love casts out fear.” Actually, that isn’t an idea it’s I John 4:18 which means I need to do more than think about it. I’ve been fascinated by this word fear. What do we really fear and what is fear really all about. And in the midst of this is the challenge of Philippians to live up to what we’ve already attained. Being holy namely.
Right now I’m watching a squirrel dig up my grass. Actually he’s either looking for where he buried nuts last fall or he’s burying some. The way he is acting, I’d say he’s hungry and a little TO’d because he can’t remember where he buried dinner for Thursday night.
I wonder what it would be like to bury nourishment all over the place and then be able to go dig it up when I needed it.
I had Starbucks with 2 youth ministers yesterday.
Just that statement fills me with joy.
I really, really like youth ministry. I believe in it.
We need more people who will step up and be great youth leaders. We don’t need more lazy ones who live for events. We don’t need programmers. We need people who minister to and with youth.
I finished my reread of Velvet Elvis last night. I think I enjoyed it more and found better stuff the second time around. I found more I disagreed with and some thoughts that I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around but I like nonetheless.
Here are a couple lines that I’ve been chewing on for the past 24 hours.
“Missions is less about the transportation of God from one place to another and more about the identification of a God who is already there.”
“Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be and anything else you do is sin and you need to repent of it.”
This has been a nerve wracking time for me. I hate the registration deadline. I know it’s not all about the numbers but I find myself tying my self worth and ego to how many people like Know Sweat. Some of it is a frustration to me when I sit in people’s living rooms and want to help them but don’t know if enough people will sign up that we can help them.
We were talking in the office the other day about ego. Ego sucks. How we allow ourselves to take the wrong things personally, how we worry so much more about what other people think than even what God thinks. Forget that, we worry more about others than what our spouse might tell us at times.
And somewhere in all this rippling of life, I was reading about a peace that transcends understanding. And I liked that thought.
I started a new book last night that comes recommended from my buddy Wilson. I find that if he recommends a book or a CD, it is usually worth my time. I’ll put it this way, I can’t remember a time he told me to check something out and after doing so I thought I should send him a flaming bag of poo.
It’s about shedding religion to find God.
I’m finding a tension between two thoughts. One is all about numbers. The other is all about maintenance and status quo. Materialism and maintenance. Maybe that is too harsh. I find it in my own personal life.
I have 5 things in my Moleskine right now that are written under the heading “thoughts to explore”. One of them is the last 10 minutes of a sermon I heard recently while I was traveling. One of them is this idea that “perfect love casts out fear.” Actually, that isn’t an idea it’s I John 4:18 which means I need to do more than think about it. I’ve been fascinated by this word fear. What do we really fear and what is fear really all about. And in the midst of this is the challenge of Philippians to live up to what we’ve already attained. Being holy namely.
Right now I’m watching a squirrel dig up my grass. Actually he’s either looking for where he buried nuts last fall or he’s burying some. The way he is acting, I’d say he’s hungry and a little TO’d because he can’t remember where he buried dinner for Thursday night.
I wonder what it would be like to bury nourishment all over the place and then be able to go dig it up when I needed it.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
A 100 Calorie Post
Okay, okay, I know it is time for something substantial. I continue to put out these posts that give you enough that you feel like you read something but nothing that really seems quite worth the time and leaves you wanting more. I vow to leave something of significance at least to me by the end of the week. In the meantime here are a few things I think you should hear.
Last week I was off doing some set up for the St. Louis week. A week I might add that I think is going to be a phenomenal one. Anyway, in the midst of the days I/we had the opportunity to stop at a couple Starbucks. Now, I have to admit to you that one of my favorite things to do at a Starbucks besides order drinks is to check out their bathrooms. Almost every Starbucks out there has a unique bathroom. A lot will use tile, some will have some cool material on the wall, they are always a little dark and mysterious but in a clean way and they always leave me wishing I could go home and renovate a bathroom in our house using the bold colors and free spirited design. Alas, Starbucks is no longer doing this with new locations. They now all come boring with white and beige tiles and paint. The stink. I hope it is not a sign of the new Starbucks. My friends in Quincy tell me they are getting a Starbucks and my hope for them is a colorful and unique bathroom that inspires and doesn’t disappoint or look like a gallon of steamed milk exploded all over the walls.
That may be too violent of a phrase to use when speaking of a bathroom.
On an unrelated note I had an amazing evening that began with sidewalk chalk and coloring on our driveway with the entire family. Ang is such a good mom and amazing wife and little Carter and her drew the CRV with our whole family in it, each color coded to their name written on the sidewalk. The middle of the night was a little disappointing as the unthinkable happened, Pujols up with the bases loaded, 2 outs in the ninth and the Cards down by one. Yeah, that’s not how I remember that playing out.
The Pirates?
We are 1-5 at home this year?
Brynn had a doctors appointment last week. She’s in the 97th percentile of weight—13lbs 1oz. She’s smiling and eating like a little hoss. I can’t wait to see those chubby legs hanging out of shorts this summer. I do fear that Ang and I will develop chronic back problems from carrying her though.
That is all for now. Enjoy the 100 calories.
Last week I was off doing some set up for the St. Louis week. A week I might add that I think is going to be a phenomenal one. Anyway, in the midst of the days I/we had the opportunity to stop at a couple Starbucks. Now, I have to admit to you that one of my favorite things to do at a Starbucks besides order drinks is to check out their bathrooms. Almost every Starbucks out there has a unique bathroom. A lot will use tile, some will have some cool material on the wall, they are always a little dark and mysterious but in a clean way and they always leave me wishing I could go home and renovate a bathroom in our house using the bold colors and free spirited design. Alas, Starbucks is no longer doing this with new locations. They now all come boring with white and beige tiles and paint. The stink. I hope it is not a sign of the new Starbucks. My friends in Quincy tell me they are getting a Starbucks and my hope for them is a colorful and unique bathroom that inspires and doesn’t disappoint or look like a gallon of steamed milk exploded all over the walls.
That may be too violent of a phrase to use when speaking of a bathroom.
On an unrelated note I had an amazing evening that began with sidewalk chalk and coloring on our driveway with the entire family. Ang is such a good mom and amazing wife and little Carter and her drew the CRV with our whole family in it, each color coded to their name written on the sidewalk. The middle of the night was a little disappointing as the unthinkable happened, Pujols up with the bases loaded, 2 outs in the ninth and the Cards down by one. Yeah, that’s not how I remember that playing out.
The Pirates?
We are 1-5 at home this year?
Brynn had a doctors appointment last week. She’s in the 97th percentile of weight—13lbs 1oz. She’s smiling and eating like a little hoss. I can’t wait to see those chubby legs hanging out of shorts this summer. I do fear that Ang and I will develop chronic back problems from carrying her though.
That is all for now. Enjoy the 100 calories.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Ahh, Baseball
I'm wondering where spring is.
I'm settling nicely into a routine of watching baseball each night. I am such a junkie for this stuff. Currently I'm watching young Felix Rodriguez chuck a no-no in Fenway. I love this.
This week I'm in St. Louis doing set up for the summer. No, the Cardinals are not in town so I'll not be heading down to Busch anytime during this trip.
So, not much to update here, just feel like you need to hear from me. For pictures of the family head over to the lovely Angela's blog.
Other than that, I've moved to a new drink at Starbucks. Cafe con leche with soy. Big fan, better than milk.
I currently reside in first place as I defend my title in the White Castle Sportsmans Association.
I'm finishing re-reading Velvet Elvis and finding it better than the first time.
I wanting to buy the new Nooma's I don't possess.
I'm anxious to find out about my taxes. So is Ang.
Enjoy your Wednesday, it's time to see who's getting voted off American Idol.
I'm settling nicely into a routine of watching baseball each night. I am such a junkie for this stuff. Currently I'm watching young Felix Rodriguez chuck a no-no in Fenway. I love this.
This week I'm in St. Louis doing set up for the summer. No, the Cardinals are not in town so I'll not be heading down to Busch anytime during this trip.
So, not much to update here, just feel like you need to hear from me. For pictures of the family head over to the lovely Angela's blog.
Other than that, I've moved to a new drink at Starbucks. Cafe con leche with soy. Big fan, better than milk.
I currently reside in first place as I defend my title in the White Castle Sportsmans Association.
I'm finishing re-reading Velvet Elvis and finding it better than the first time.
I wanting to buy the new Nooma's I don't possess.
I'm anxious to find out about my taxes. So is Ang.
Enjoy your Wednesday, it's time to see who's getting voted off American Idol.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Post # 130
I got lost in a song this morning. I realized I’d told a number of people I’d be praying for them all day and I’d gotten too busy. It was a lot of stuff that seems really big and gives one the opportunity to feel powerless. Which is actually a good thing to embrace and not shun I’m finding. I’ve got the old itunes on a playlist I’m particularly partial to and the timing was just right.
So I haven’t written much lately. Lots has happened. A couple of incredible spring break trips to Dallas and Memphis, my Ducks almost made the Final Four, Carter started playing baseball in the backyard again, Brynn started smiling, Ang continued to be amazing in every way.
I was late getting to the office this morning because I got lost in a great book. I picked up Rob Bell’s most recent book Sex God and its been very good. I stayed up too late last night watching Blood Diamonds which is an incredible movie. I guess that’s about all for me.
This weekend is the draft for the White Castle Sportsman’s Association fantasy baseball league. I am such a geek about the thing but it is just so much fun. Plus this year I get to claim the traveling trophy and will try to defend my title. I wouldn’t hold your breath over the thing but I’m pretty happy about it.
So I haven’t written much lately. Lots has happened. A couple of incredible spring break trips to Dallas and Memphis, my Ducks almost made the Final Four, Carter started playing baseball in the backyard again, Brynn started smiling, Ang continued to be amazing in every way.
I was late getting to the office this morning because I got lost in a great book. I picked up Rob Bell’s most recent book Sex God and its been very good. I stayed up too late last night watching Blood Diamonds which is an incredible movie. I guess that’s about all for me.
This weekend is the draft for the White Castle Sportsman’s Association fantasy baseball league. I am such a geek about the thing but it is just so much fun. Plus this year I get to claim the traveling trophy and will try to defend my title. I wouldn’t hold your breath over the thing but I’m pretty happy about it.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
The Queen City
Ahh, Cincinnati. Home of a criminal football team, a baseball team that dreams of being (or beating) the Cardinals and the finest chilli ever invented.
I'm here for set up, Believe and to get my bearings so I'm not a total moron this summer when Know Sweat rolls in for 5 weeks.
It's been good to see old friends, reconnect with some great projects, meet some new people and start to see the projects for this summer. This is quite honestly the part of the year where I get the most excited. I love the summer, being in the midst of the effort but my personality especially enjoys seeing things in their beginning stages and trying to capture just a glimpse of what God has in store for all of us this summer.
Last evening my travel partner was done in by a fever so I had the opportunity to head over to Newport and enjoyed some quiet times.
I checked out a movie (I think my first in a theater in months--many, many months--like when did the last Lord of the Rings movie come out time frame). I decided upon Breach which is about that shameful spy that hosed the US. I didn't hate myself to check out Norbitt or any of the other painful movies currently showing. I thought the movie was very good, very well done, well casted (even the dude formerly known as Reese Witherspoon's husband was good). I recommend it.
Afterward I headed over to the Barnes and Noble where I enjoyed a Java Chip Frap (the finest drink ever) and a good book The Starbucks Experience . I rather liked it, especially since I finished the thing and didn't actually have to buy it (that's not considered stealing, is it?)
I then headed back to Cincy only to realize I'd left my cell phone in my chair at the bookstore. So, I drove back and found it just where I left it, hooray for honest people.
It was a good evening. Not as fine as sitting on the couch watching American Idol with my family, but better than it could have been.
I'm here for set up, Believe and to get my bearings so I'm not a total moron this summer when Know Sweat rolls in for 5 weeks.
It's been good to see old friends, reconnect with some great projects, meet some new people and start to see the projects for this summer. This is quite honestly the part of the year where I get the most excited. I love the summer, being in the midst of the effort but my personality especially enjoys seeing things in their beginning stages and trying to capture just a glimpse of what God has in store for all of us this summer.
Last evening my travel partner was done in by a fever so I had the opportunity to head over to Newport and enjoyed some quiet times.
I checked out a movie (I think my first in a theater in months--many, many months--like when did the last Lord of the Rings movie come out time frame). I decided upon Breach which is about that shameful spy that hosed the US. I didn't hate myself to check out Norbitt or any of the other painful movies currently showing. I thought the movie was very good, very well done, well casted (even the dude formerly known as Reese Witherspoon's husband was good). I recommend it.
Afterward I headed over to the Barnes and Noble where I enjoyed a Java Chip Frap (the finest drink ever) and a good book The Starbucks Experience . I rather liked it, especially since I finished the thing and didn't actually have to buy it (that's not considered stealing, is it?)
I then headed back to Cincy only to realize I'd left my cell phone in my chair at the bookstore. So, I drove back and found it just where I left it, hooray for honest people.
It was a good evening. Not as fine as sitting on the couch watching American Idol with my family, but better than it could have been.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Times Flies When You're Sleeping
What a week. It has been good. Brynn continues to sleep well, we stayed up too late watching The Guardian the other night and somehow I find myself on Friday a little tired and wishing my now empty cup of coffee had a twin.
I had the distinct honor of sushi yesterday. A random appearance of my sole sushi buddy Nathan Shaver led to an impromptu trip to the Japanese Steakhouse for a lunch of eel, tuna and salmon. Man, it was so good. I'm coming to realize Shaver is a wise man, likes to read and has an amazing heart. I guess I knew all those things before but was reminded of them again. He'll be with us for Know Sweat for 6 (count 'em) 6 weeks this summer which makes me exceedingly happy. It will be simply great.
I heard a line on the news a few weeks back (the last time it snowed, though I do admit that time was much worse). They were trying to teach people how to drive in the snow and ice (they failed miserably) and the instructor said these words: "Remember the hands and feet always follow the eyes". He was reminding people that if they are looking at that huge tree to their left, they'll magically find their car careening into said tree. So to avoid the huge tree, you would need.......that's right, to look someplace else. Sounds almost like the same thing you'd need to do to avoid sin.
It did get me to thinking about what we're looking at though. I'm convinced that the church in general has a pretty weak response to poverty and need because we aren't looking at it. I'm sure certain neighborhoods and neglected because we choose not to drive through them either because it is too scary or simply because we all know deep down if we saw it, we'd want to fix it. So maybe there is something to that little song be careful little eyes what you see.....
On a final note, I am incredibly excited about tomorrow. First, my family arrives from God's country. Secondly, the manchild and I are headed to Tulsa early to pick them up so we can swing by Believe. Carter went when he was less than a year old and we lived in Denver. But this time will be different. I think the Daddy/Son time will be great but I can't wait to see him watch the thing and since he's an amateur song leader, I think the singing part will really capture his attention. Should be amazing.
Have a good weekend.
And for your moment of zen, head over to Ang's blog for more pics of Brynn.
Click Here
I had the distinct honor of sushi yesterday. A random appearance of my sole sushi buddy Nathan Shaver led to an impromptu trip to the Japanese Steakhouse for a lunch of eel, tuna and salmon. Man, it was so good. I'm coming to realize Shaver is a wise man, likes to read and has an amazing heart. I guess I knew all those things before but was reminded of them again. He'll be with us for Know Sweat for 6 (count 'em) 6 weeks this summer which makes me exceedingly happy. It will be simply great.
I heard a line on the news a few weeks back (the last time it snowed, though I do admit that time was much worse). They were trying to teach people how to drive in the snow and ice (they failed miserably) and the instructor said these words: "Remember the hands and feet always follow the eyes". He was reminding people that if they are looking at that huge tree to their left, they'll magically find their car careening into said tree. So to avoid the huge tree, you would need.......that's right, to look someplace else. Sounds almost like the same thing you'd need to do to avoid sin.
It did get me to thinking about what we're looking at though. I'm convinced that the church in general has a pretty weak response to poverty and need because we aren't looking at it. I'm sure certain neighborhoods and neglected because we choose not to drive through them either because it is too scary or simply because we all know deep down if we saw it, we'd want to fix it. So maybe there is something to that little song be careful little eyes what you see.....
On a final note, I am incredibly excited about tomorrow. First, my family arrives from God's country. Secondly, the manchild and I are headed to Tulsa early to pick them up so we can swing by Believe. Carter went when he was less than a year old and we lived in Denver. But this time will be different. I think the Daddy/Son time will be great but I can't wait to see him watch the thing and since he's an amateur song leader, I think the singing part will really capture his attention. Should be amazing.
Have a good weekend.
And for your moment of zen, head over to Ang's blog for more pics of Brynn.
Click Here
Monday, January 29, 2007
The good, the bad
Here she is. Another pic for you "outoftowners" and any others interested. She's been pretty much sleeping through the night. She eats, poops and sleeps, the trifecta of babyhood. Pretty amazing. Big brother continues to be so concerned for her and thinks she is something "cool". Ang is doing well and is such an amazing mom.On another note, I've been gripped by something I saw on the news friday night. Something about it has struck a chord in me, I think it is because I talk to Carter about being a big boy all the time and this little guy is really trying. I disagree with ABC that there is extreme poverty in America. We have very bad poverty in the US, very bad, but not extreme. I wish you could have seen the actual one that aired on Friday because it showed his home but take a few moments and watch this. All I am wondering is what is the church doing or what can we do. There has to be something.
Ivan on ABC
Friday, January 26, 2007
Something Very Profound
Okay, I lied. Nothing profound here. Not even any new pictures. I have completely wasted your well intentioned click over the the tantrums blog. I am deeply grieved by your disappointment.
By way of update,we are all home. Ang and Brynn were cleared yesterday so we spent our first night at home as a family. Luke did very well with Brynn, I think he's just happy everybody is home. Ang has succeeded in getting her on a schedule so she was able to get a little rest last night.
Last night after Carter went to bed and Ang was watching Grey's, Brynn and I headed upstairs and watched An Inconvenient Truth. I'd been wanting to watch it for a while and I thought it would be a decent place to start in the education of a young treehugger. Unfortunately Brynn slept through the whole thing. I guess she wasn't impressed with the great Al Gore. My general reflection was that the movie was good, had some good information and certainly raises some legitimate issues. His own political failures and some odd interjections made it seem a bit strange. That and the part where we can know the carbon dioxide level on the earth for the past 650,000 years seems amazing. Those cavemen were really smart. Geico better watch their back.
But it was worth the time and a C+ movie on global warming is better than nothing. Especially when it has cool graphs and fun pictures. Have a good weekend.
By way of update,we are all home. Ang and Brynn were cleared yesterday so we spent our first night at home as a family. Luke did very well with Brynn, I think he's just happy everybody is home. Ang has succeeded in getting her on a schedule so she was able to get a little rest last night.
Last night after Carter went to bed and Ang was watching Grey's, Brynn and I headed upstairs and watched An Inconvenient Truth. I'd been wanting to watch it for a while and I thought it would be a decent place to start in the education of a young treehugger. Unfortunately Brynn slept through the whole thing. I guess she wasn't impressed with the great Al Gore. My general reflection was that the movie was good, had some good information and certainly raises some legitimate issues. His own political failures and some odd interjections made it seem a bit strange. That and the part where we can know the carbon dioxide level on the earth for the past 650,000 years seems amazing. Those cavemen were really smart. Geico better watch their back.
But it was worth the time and a C+ movie on global warming is better than nothing. Especially when it has cool graphs and fun pictures. Have a good weekend.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
More Brynn Elizabeth
They beat her up a little on the way out but man, she is a keeper. Enjoy and thanks for the calls, visits and flowers!
Brynn Elizabeth Gilchrist
Here's the proud big brother with his new baby sister.Mommy and baby are doing great. Here's the details.
January 23,2007
7:40 AM
7 lbs 14 oz
20 1/4 inches
Thanks for the prayers and
Friday, January 19, 2007
Book Review #2
In my opinion, you should read this. It doesn't take long, is well written and has some great, great questions at the end. You owe it to yourself if for no other reason to have a little more respect for the people who have these jobs that we interact with on a daily basis. You can even borrow my copy if you want.Thursday, January 18, 2007
Hope This Isn’t Cheesy
Currently Listening: Playlist entitled "office"--Song currently playing: Stars by DCB
My recent reading has got me to thinking. That’s usually a good thing and often dangerous. Many times it leads to boring posts on the blog. Consider yourself warned.
Here at the CIY offices I have the good fortune of not one but two windows that look out into the enchanted forest. To be fair one looks across at the administration wing and the other, which sits directly in front of me looks into the forest. It’s a pretty fascinating view, usually at least once a day I see some sort of wildlife, such as the turkeys that are digging below my window.
As we are all aware, there has been a lot of snow and ice here in Joplin (and the Midwest) and since the trees have lost their leaves, we can see quite a ways into the forest. On a “good” day you can almost see OCC. I digress. Since the ground of the forest is white and the background has more depth than normal, I’ve been noticing a lot more wildlife. Tons of deer and turkeys, a cat, squirrels and birds. It’s quite fun to sit here so close and watch them do their thing (walk around; look for food, nothing perverted). It has had me wondering how much happens say within 150 feet of me on a daily basis that I don’t see because it is so camouflaged.
And then I started thinking about Christians.
Everything I’ve been reading. No, everything I know about my own life is that we blend in much too well. We look so much like our surroundings that we move around, even coming close to those different than us and we never catch their eyes. Sometimes we venture out of the forest and they can’t help but notice us. But usually, we go unnoticed.
So when are the moments when we don’t blend in? When are the times when people see movement, even if it is out of the corner of their eye and they stop and watch out of interest and even holy awe? I know we don’t do the right thing so people will notice but since people are watching (not as much as we’d like to think they are) shouldn’t we be motivated to do the right thing. And since God always sees…
So maybe we (church) need to quit only coming out of the forest when we want to and doing special things so people can’t help but notice. Maybe we should be more visible on an everyday, normal basis. The thing I’m realizing is it’s still just as eye catching and a lot more powerful. Imagine it, everyday normal life drawing attention to the One who deserves it. That would be like Biblical or something.
My recent reading has got me to thinking. That’s usually a good thing and often dangerous. Many times it leads to boring posts on the blog. Consider yourself warned.
Here at the CIY offices I have the good fortune of not one but two windows that look out into the enchanted forest. To be fair one looks across at the administration wing and the other, which sits directly in front of me looks into the forest. It’s a pretty fascinating view, usually at least once a day I see some sort of wildlife, such as the turkeys that are digging below my window.
As we are all aware, there has been a lot of snow and ice here in Joplin (and the Midwest) and since the trees have lost their leaves, we can see quite a ways into the forest. On a “good” day you can almost see OCC. I digress. Since the ground of the forest is white and the background has more depth than normal, I’ve been noticing a lot more wildlife. Tons of deer and turkeys, a cat, squirrels and birds. It’s quite fun to sit here so close and watch them do their thing (walk around; look for food, nothing perverted). It has had me wondering how much happens say within 150 feet of me on a daily basis that I don’t see because it is so camouflaged.
And then I started thinking about Christians.
Everything I’ve been reading. No, everything I know about my own life is that we blend in much too well. We look so much like our surroundings that we move around, even coming close to those different than us and we never catch their eyes. Sometimes we venture out of the forest and they can’t help but notice us. But usually, we go unnoticed.
So when are the moments when we don’t blend in? When are the times when people see movement, even if it is out of the corner of their eye and they stop and watch out of interest and even holy awe? I know we don’t do the right thing so people will notice but since people are watching (not as much as we’d like to think they are) shouldn’t we be motivated to do the right thing. And since God always sees…
So maybe we (church) need to quit only coming out of the forest when we want to and doing special things so people can’t help but notice. Maybe we should be more visible on an everyday, normal basis. The thing I’m realizing is it’s still just as eye catching and a lot more powerful. Imagine it, everyday normal life drawing attention to the One who deserves it. That would be like Biblical or something.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Immanuel
Call it the stress of a new baby on the way, call it a child growing up but Carter has been having a hard time sleeping in his own room over the last week.
He has been coming down scared with the tried and true excuse that it is scary in his room or that he's afraid. Apparently our inept dog sleeping in the room doesn't provide the necessary security so I decided to remind Carter that there is a higher power.
As we were trudging up the stairs to his room I reminded him that God loves us and Jesus is always with us (I am trying to not say Jesus will protect us or not let anything bad happen because that's bad theology and certainly the easy way out) and that he has nothing to be afraid of. The dialogue goes something along the lines of
Me: Jesus is here and he is watching over you and so you can rest and not worry.
Carter: Dad, Jesus isn't here, he's at church.
So I have now opened another can of theological worms. I thought about a discussion on the indwelling of Holy Spirit, when a child reaches the age of accountability, God's soverign will, and other things but settled for something about how Jesus lives in us and not in a building.
I got home from work last night and as I'm in our room changing, Carter is watching Larry Boy on our TV. He's jumping at the head of the bed and says randomly, "He is here!". What? I ask. "God is with us! Larry Boy says so." Apparently my Bible College education didn't equip me to have a conversation that convinced him. I needed the help of an animated vegetable. I wonder what else Larry Boy could help me communicate...
On the other side of the coin, Carter has helped me remeber something that I spent much of my time at the monastery and the Christmas thinking of, this whole God with us thing. Not sure I got anywhere but I came away with a greater sense of peace and a knowledge that was communicated to me that I had to quickly forgotten. I'll leave you with the lyrics of an old Christmas song that got this whole thing going, culminating with this deep animated revelation. I continue to be conviced that the immanuel isn't happening because I'm not giving him a place to be born. Like I said yesterday, I admit I'm not doing enough.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Immanuel
He has been coming down scared with the tried and true excuse that it is scary in his room or that he's afraid. Apparently our inept dog sleeping in the room doesn't provide the necessary security so I decided to remind Carter that there is a higher power.
As we were trudging up the stairs to his room I reminded him that God loves us and Jesus is always with us (I am trying to not say Jesus will protect us or not let anything bad happen because that's bad theology and certainly the easy way out) and that he has nothing to be afraid of. The dialogue goes something along the lines of
Me: Jesus is here and he is watching over you and so you can rest and not worry.
Carter: Dad, Jesus isn't here, he's at church.
So I have now opened another can of theological worms. I thought about a discussion on the indwelling of Holy Spirit, when a child reaches the age of accountability, God's soverign will, and other things but settled for something about how Jesus lives in us and not in a building.
I got home from work last night and as I'm in our room changing, Carter is watching Larry Boy on our TV. He's jumping at the head of the bed and says randomly, "He is here!". What? I ask. "God is with us! Larry Boy says so." Apparently my Bible College education didn't equip me to have a conversation that convinced him. I needed the help of an animated vegetable. I wonder what else Larry Boy could help me communicate...
On the other side of the coin, Carter has helped me remeber something that I spent much of my time at the monastery and the Christmas thinking of, this whole God with us thing. Not sure I got anywhere but I came away with a greater sense of peace and a knowledge that was communicated to me that I had to quickly forgotten. I'll leave you with the lyrics of an old Christmas song that got this whole thing going, culminating with this deep animated revelation. I continue to be conviced that the immanuel isn't happening because I'm not giving him a place to be born. Like I said yesterday, I admit I'm not doing enough.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Immanuel
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
I've Been Thinking
I admit, I’m not doing enough.
While I was at a pretty amazing conference over Christmas break, I was made aware/more aware of some stuff happening and about 30 seconds from any of us. I know that I seem more biased with poverty in America than the world—we don’t have any horrible poverty here. I mean, its bad in the US but not compared to the world. And yet I find myself thinking about what I see or don’t see on a daily basis.
As part of an “assignment” at work I’ve been doing some research and doing some personal study into poverty and those in need in America. My problem isn’t what I’ll eat tonight, its which of the meals in my pantry, fridge, freezer or deep freezer will I choose today. And it really gnaws at me. Not my hunger pangs mind you, I haven’t really had those probably ever. Not the fact that it was way cold here last night and without really thinking I simply head to the thermostat and kick up the heat a little.
And sure I have debt, a house payment, a nice hospital deductible to meet here in the coming days. But I have insurance. A steady job. My wife doesn’t have to work to pay bills.
And I read and think about what is going on and feel so selfish. And I don’t know what to do with myself some days.
I recently got a book which I’ll probably dive into after the one that is currently beating me over the head. It’s called Nickel and Dimed and it’s the story of a lady who couldn’t make it living on minimum wage. And she’s considered rich in America. Actually the stats say there are a lot like her, 28.4% of the households living in poverty are a female householder, no husband present.
Ironically my friends at Sojo sent an email to all the people on their list and an article caught my eye. You have to read this. It’s lengthy but I’m begging. And as you read, I think we all need to realize the approach has to be mercy, not judgement. But I’m willing to bet they aren’t the folks we want bringing kids to our youth group or sitting by us in church. We’ve got all our reasons why it is this way, we’ve got our list of how they got there. But seriously, who cares about all that—we, church, have to care about them. I need to start with me. I hope you’ll take the time. And somewhere else in the back of your mind, remember this guy is still making around $15K a year--that's a lifetimes wages and then some for millions of people around the world.
While I was at a pretty amazing conference over Christmas break, I was made aware/more aware of some stuff happening and about 30 seconds from any of us. I know that I seem more biased with poverty in America than the world—we don’t have any horrible poverty here. I mean, its bad in the US but not compared to the world. And yet I find myself thinking about what I see or don’t see on a daily basis.
As part of an “assignment” at work I’ve been doing some research and doing some personal study into poverty and those in need in America. My problem isn’t what I’ll eat tonight, its which of the meals in my pantry, fridge, freezer or deep freezer will I choose today. And it really gnaws at me. Not my hunger pangs mind you, I haven’t really had those probably ever. Not the fact that it was way cold here last night and without really thinking I simply head to the thermostat and kick up the heat a little.
And sure I have debt, a house payment, a nice hospital deductible to meet here in the coming days. But I have insurance. A steady job. My wife doesn’t have to work to pay bills.
And I read and think about what is going on and feel so selfish. And I don’t know what to do with myself some days.
I recently got a book which I’ll probably dive into after the one that is currently beating me over the head. It’s called Nickel and Dimed and it’s the story of a lady who couldn’t make it living on minimum wage. And she’s considered rich in America. Actually the stats say there are a lot like her, 28.4% of the households living in poverty are a female householder, no husband present.
Ironically my friends at Sojo sent an email to all the people on their list and an article caught my eye. You have to read this. It’s lengthy but I’m begging. And as you read, I think we all need to realize the approach has to be mercy, not judgement. But I’m willing to bet they aren’t the folks we want bringing kids to our youth group or sitting by us in church. We’ve got all our reasons why it is this way, we’ve got our list of how they got there. But seriously, who cares about all that—we, church, have to care about them. I need to start with me. I hope you’ll take the time. And somewhere else in the back of your mind, remember this guy is still making around $15K a year--that's a lifetimes wages and then some for millions of people around the world.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Book Review #1
I promise to not become tedious or annoying. But one of my goals for 2007 is when I read a book I think is worth recommending, to write a quick blurb about it and at least explain why I think it is worth reading. If you choose to, great and if not, well, that too is an option.
Oh, and I won't do it with every book I read, that would expose just how little I read.
So, book number uno: The New Friars
Very good book. Intriguing principles and for the most part he does a great job of giving some historical perspective and sharing what these people are doing without automatically knighting them. This idea of taking a vow of some sort to live with the poor, to become marginalized, to reject so much of what Christianity today is striving for is both radical and challenging. I too often found myself questioning how somebody could do what they folks are doing and then I was disappointed with myself for it. Safe, easy, comfortable, I'm a big fan of those words.
Here's a few snippets which taken at face value may or may not do anything for you:
-Of the over 2.8 billion workers in the world, over half can't earn enough to move over the $2US/day poverty line
-"Everybody wants to change the world and nobody wants to change themselves." -Tolstoy
-"Sin is more expensive in poor communities."
-5 Reasons why the 20th Century was a disaster
1.Globalization of Poverty
2.Destruction of the Environment
3.Neglect and Exploitation of Children
4.Runaway Urbanization
5.Scale of Self-Destruction
I leave the stories of the book out, they alone are worth the time. If you are in a bookstore, I'd encourage you to simply read the 2-page afterword, I promise it will leave you unsettled.
Finally, I like the 5 values these new friars are living: incarnation, devotion, community, mission and marginalization--not sure enough of us are doing this.
If I could legally do it, I'd post the first paragraph of page 89--it is simply powerful.
Final Rating: On a scale of 1-10 (poo-divine)
8
Monday, January 08, 2007
It's A Boy!!!!?!
Pictures coming soon!
What a weekend. For all of you I failed to call, I apologize, you really mean something to us, we simply have been exhausted. Thanks for all your calls and support, everything went very smoothly except the surprise that it wasn’t a girl. Now what to do with that pink room…
As far as actual details he weighed in at 6 lbs 19 oz. He’s 34 inches tall with a red Mohawk.
Okay, jokes up. No baby yet, just thought the look on your face as you frantically read the post was worth it for all who are around you. Sorry for the mean joke.
On with real news, no news. Lots of contractions and heartburn. I guess that means baby’s will have hair (all things having to do with hair are a mystery to me). Ang’s line last night had something to do with “I’d better be able to braid the stuff when she comes out.” Which does lead me to a thought I’ve had. I don’t know how to braid, use hair thingys or whatever. This shall be an adventure I’m looking forward to. I do want to be a capable father and not send my little girl headed out to the world looking like she just woke up. I shall have to get in touch with my feminine side. Maybe a class from men who have succeeded in this should be available online or something.
At the most, we are 15 days away from arrival. The room is painted, the furniture is in, the decorations are on the way and we were still discussing names over Mexican food last night. (Maybe that led to the heartburn). One thing we know for sure, it will not be named Thelma after a relative you know under another name!! Sorry for the mean post. Truly, I shouldn’t capitalize on your care for our family like that. I’m just that shallow.
What a weekend. For all of you I failed to call, I apologize, you really mean something to us, we simply have been exhausted. Thanks for all your calls and support, everything went very smoothly except the surprise that it wasn’t a girl. Now what to do with that pink room…
As far as actual details he weighed in at 6 lbs 19 oz. He’s 34 inches tall with a red Mohawk.
Okay, jokes up. No baby yet, just thought the look on your face as you frantically read the post was worth it for all who are around you. Sorry for the mean joke.
On with real news, no news. Lots of contractions and heartburn. I guess that means baby’s will have hair (all things having to do with hair are a mystery to me). Ang’s line last night had something to do with “I’d better be able to braid the stuff when she comes out.” Which does lead me to a thought I’ve had. I don’t know how to braid, use hair thingys or whatever. This shall be an adventure I’m looking forward to. I do want to be a capable father and not send my little girl headed out to the world looking like she just woke up. I shall have to get in touch with my feminine side. Maybe a class from men who have succeeded in this should be available online or something.
At the most, we are 15 days away from arrival. The room is painted, the furniture is in, the decorations are on the way and we were still discussing names over Mexican food last night. (Maybe that led to the heartburn). One thing we know for sure, it will not be named Thelma after a relative you know under another name!! Sorry for the mean post. Truly, I shouldn’t capitalize on your care for our family like that. I’m just that shallow.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Pink
Currently Listening: Tracing (Acoustic) by John Mayer from the album As/Is (Live: Mountain View, CA)
Pink
Aerosmith said it was their favorite color, I guess it will grow on me too. At the very latest, baby girl will be here in 20 days. I simply can’t wait and my spidey-senses tell me neither can Ang.
I’ve been painting in baby girls room the last 2 nights. Not because I’m good at it but because its not good for pregnant women to breathe paint fumes. At this point it is just primer because our wall colors are so dark. It has got me to thinking though. I brought the speakers up and plugged in the Ipod and have listened to hours of John Mayer and some compilations while working. I realized my parents used to listen to some music while they were working on my stuff as a kid. Not on an ipod however, old school vinyl. I grew up marinating in John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond and some other stuff I consider amazing and classic. I wonder if baby girl will consider John Mayer a classic at that point. It seems hard to imagine a time when my kiddo would have her futuristic music carrying device and she’s listening to John Mayer and somebody would react the same way a teenager would today to John Denver. But it happens. I guess at some point my music tastes stop changing and I listen to much the same music over and over to the annoyance of my children. Another perk of parenthood.
Time to go, big brother is on his way to hang out with daddy while Ang heads to the weekly checkup. Maybe a trip to Starbucks is in order.
Pink
Aerosmith said it was their favorite color, I guess it will grow on me too. At the very latest, baby girl will be here in 20 days. I simply can’t wait and my spidey-senses tell me neither can Ang.
I’ve been painting in baby girls room the last 2 nights. Not because I’m good at it but because its not good for pregnant women to breathe paint fumes. At this point it is just primer because our wall colors are so dark. It has got me to thinking though. I brought the speakers up and plugged in the Ipod and have listened to hours of John Mayer and some compilations while working. I realized my parents used to listen to some music while they were working on my stuff as a kid. Not on an ipod however, old school vinyl. I grew up marinating in John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond and some other stuff I consider amazing and classic. I wonder if baby girl will consider John Mayer a classic at that point. It seems hard to imagine a time when my kiddo would have her futuristic music carrying device and she’s listening to John Mayer and somebody would react the same way a teenager would today to John Denver. But it happens. I guess at some point my music tastes stop changing and I listen to much the same music over and over to the annoyance of my children. Another perk of parenthood.
Time to go, big brother is on his way to hang out with daddy while Ang heads to the weekly checkup. Maybe a trip to Starbucks is in order.
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