The other night I got done mowing and noticed some of the boys on our street had turned a pile of dirt, cement and stuff that sits over in an empty field across from our house into a fort. Each of the boys was carrying some sort of a plastic gun, from what I overheard one had a pistol, one an assault rifle and I never caught the other two. They were different ages, the oldest being around 13 and the youngest probably 7.
What caught my attention was the fact that they were in an argument. It seems everybody in the army wanted to be General and nobody wanted to be a soldier. “I have to be on the assault team, I’m the only one that has an assault rifle.” “No, that rifle is the most powerful thing we have, you should stay and guard the fort and we’ll go attack the other fort.” “I’m the oldest so I need to lead the charge, otherwise you guys won’t know what to do.” “He can’t stay behind, he’s the youngest and if we only leave him, his gun isn’t powerful enough to defend it.”
I think by the time they figured out what they were doing, the “enemy” had long since moved on.
I had forts when I was a kid. From the ones build with a blanket over the dining room table to a couple in my backyard. My favorite one was in the back corner of our property and sat against the back of my neighbor’s garage. It had a tree that provided an umbrella of cover as it spilled down and the walls were made of stacked chunks of old concrete. From my crows nest, I could see my whole house, almost all of the back yard, into my neighbor’s yard and out to the street that ran in front of my house. Sometimes I was at war in the fort, sometimes I was there to hide but no matter what it was mine, I was safe and you weren’t allowed in without my permission.
Oregon is full of forts. Early settlers and folks who traveled the Oregon Trail (not the computer game, I’m sure it was a little more difficult than that) built them for protection. Every year we’d go over to Vancouver, Washington for 4th of July fireworks and watch them at Fort Vancouver. It is a magnificent fort made of out of the tallest and straightest trees you can imagine. Each shaved of its bark and pointed at the top like a brand new, freshly sharpened pencil. I loved those forts as a kid and tried to imagine what it was like to live there. Truth is the fort wasn’t built so much to inspire everyone outside the fort to greater heights, it was for protection. It was a symbol that life as you knew it was changing. In some crude form it was the earliest gated community. You were either welcome or you weren’t. People either smiled when you came in or glared when you dared get close.
George, that character I told you about who has a fire burning in his soul and in his front yard, said something during our lunch that caught my attention. In his opinion, the church has become too interested in building forts instead of servants. Those were his words, not mine.
If I were to throw in my two cents, it would be to remind myself that I’ve spent much of my time building forts. I’ve called them other things, kingdoms, programs, youth groups. But many carried the same characteristics of the aforementioned forts. I just don’t want to see the church go that route. If I could go undue my fort building, I would. If you are building forts, you should stop. No matter how inviting you make the front lobby of your fort to visitors, it’s still a fort. The church ought not to be about what is happening inside the fort but what its doing outside whatever walls it has to build.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Standing at the intersection of Babylon and God's Kingdom
It struck me a few weeks ago that my view on the kingdom of heaven might be completely screwed up.
For as long as I can remember, it has been about the coming of the kingdom. It was something far off, something that would happen after the second coming and something that I really had no control over. What is funny to me is that I have also thought often about bringing heaven to earth by what I do. Nonetheless I think I fell a little short.
In conjunction with this thought has been my own personal wrestling with the church. I have had this sinking feeling that we are giving up our God-given right to impact the world. Sure, it is happening at times and with a few people but mostly we sit silent while celebrities stand at our pulpit. As a people pleaser, I certainly understand the fear of offending someone. I even understand not speaking up when we are supposed to out of fear. I do it personally because at times I doubt I have the right to say something. But not the church. She is strong. She has power to change the world or at least to usher in a new kingdom.
I have friends who are passionate about this. Most of them are still fighting this fight but every once in a while one drops by the wayside. Tired. Defeated. Frustrated. Bored with meetings and discussions. Confused. Hearing a call for something...different but unsure what the first step should be.
I met a guy today. His name is George. He lives in West Virginia in a town you have never heard of. He works at a Baptist church and is in his 70's. He retired a few years ago from a job in D.C. and moved back to the country. He is one of those facinating people who fluctuate between brilliance and insanity. A conversation with him is one that requires a seat belt or at least a strong stomach. My favorite phrase from him was, "Now this will blow your hat in the creek."
George was reading his Bible a while back and got stuck in the book of Nehemiah. He was convicted by Nehemiah's story, how he was broken over the walls of Jerusalem and did whatever he could to rebuild them. George said he was gripped by the fact it only took 52 days to rebuild the walls. He decided it was time for a personal revival. His first action was to build a fire in front of his church that will burn for 52 days to symbolize to the community his fire to do something. He has decided to do service work around his city and somehow word has leaked out about this old dude. When our lunch was over he was headed back to check on a work crew that was putting a bathroom in. Right now he is in the midst of 52 days of doing service in his city because he got bothered by a devotion in Nehemiah.
I've read Nehemiah before. I thought it was a cool story. I really liked how the built the wall with one hand and carried a sword in the other.
One of the things I like most about what I do is it doesn't allow me to become too callous. I hope.
Yesterday I met two sisters. They live here in West Virginia as well. They live together in a little house and help each other out. One is completely blind and the other is a double amputee who lost both of her legs. They were on my list of people who might need some help. What they need is somebody to spend a day moving stuff out of their closets downstairs because they can't reach it anymore. Oh, and they need their windows cleaned since the hose doesn't reach the top windows from her wheelchair. It is almost comical. It is completely frustrating.
This afternoon I met Kim. She lives way out at the end of a road where the pavement ends, deep in a hollow (holler). She is divorced and was a victim of domestic abuse. He has two kids she's trying to take care of while she goes through chemo. When I got out of the car her first words were, "I used to have a haircut like that!". In case you are wondering, we will be working for her this summer.
My best friend from high school has cancer. He first found out a couple years ago and they did surgery to remove the tumor which was the size of a football. A football. After a year or so of good days, he has relapsed. Hospice is there now. A few weeks ago he recorded a video for his family to watch after he's gone. Two weeks ago he recorded audio of his voice so his kids could remember what their dad's voice sounded like and so "they'd know how much I love them."
I was reading last night about lenses. This phenomonal book ,which is to blame for the post you are reading, was talking about how we view things in our spiritual life. It was making the point that everything is viewed through our eyes, with our perspective and ultimately with our best intentions in mind, you know, how it benefits me. I like a verse on grace because it is good for me. I like a verse on forgiveness because I certainly need it. The author was saying he and his small group met for a period of time and simply read scripture with someone with a specific need in mind. As best they could they put on the lenses of the abused woman, the dad with cancer and kids who haven't even reached 8 years old, the blind woman who has never actually seen God's creation. They said it completely changed scripture. He, being a preacher, realized how many times he was putting his personal biases into scripture and was interpreting instead of studying. He was putting himself into the text rather than putting the text into him.
So what I have been realizing is that even though I knew it was wrong, I have been guilty of seeing scripture within the context of a building. What I am grateful for is that this "job" forces me to take scripture deep into a hollow, into a conversation, into a living room.
I realize this is extremely thin ice I'm skating but I this is why at this point in life I cannot see myself working in a church again. I just cannot handle conversations about buildings, programs and the appeal of the lobby. My friends who are fighting that fight can. That's why I love them. That is why I pray for them. I pray that they can make that body more alert.
I fear many of us show up on Sunday morning expecting to be entertained, not filled. We want to walk out with a buzz rather than a burden. We see that gathering as something for us, something catered to our needs since our life is hard. We look for popular and relevant rather than satisfying and disturbing. I too often find myself focused on my little pain rather than thinking of those who know little beyond their pain.
A few weeks ago the History channel ran a special to remember Martin Luther King. Ever since I've been to Memphis his story has caught my attention and so in the evenings I watched the retelling of his story.
One thing about the documentary has really stuck with me. It was during an interview with an old rapper, I think he was from Run DMC or some other amazing group. He was talking about the legacy of MLK and said the thing that saddened him the most was that the longer MLK has been dead the more mild he becomes. He fears that people no longer see him as the revolutionary that he was. He no longer is seen as a bold, fearless and peaceful resister of the status quo. The sad thing is I heard the same thing said about Jesus a few weeks ago. I fear it might be true of the church too often as well.
"While we are highly attuned to avoid a faithful peculiarity that might offend, we also avoid a faithful peculiarity that might redeem."
"The power that defines us is not the power of God we meet and know through worship; it's the social power of being "normal", accepted, popular, tolerant."
"Our unwillingness to live as faithful exiles explains our capacity to chase culture rather than transform it." (The Dangerous Act of Worship)
Do I love the church. Yes. Do I believe in the church. Definately. Is there any better way to bring about the kingdom than through the church. No.
I simply long for us to wake up.
I.need.to.wake.up.
"The church is asleep. Not dead. Not necessarily having trouble breathing. But asleep.
We are asleep to God's heart for the poor and oppressed, absorbed with our own inner life, wrestling with our own dreams and traumas that , for all their vividness, are unknown, unseen and largely unreal to the world around us." (The Dangerous Act of Worship)
The kingdom is not in the sweet future. It needs to be now. People need to see it. I/we need to stop settling for comfort and application that meets our needs. We strive for relevance and yet are viewed as antiquated or detached or out of touch with the needs of our community. Maybe it is time we build our own bonfire.
For as long as I can remember, it has been about the coming of the kingdom. It was something far off, something that would happen after the second coming and something that I really had no control over. What is funny to me is that I have also thought often about bringing heaven to earth by what I do. Nonetheless I think I fell a little short.
In conjunction with this thought has been my own personal wrestling with the church. I have had this sinking feeling that we are giving up our God-given right to impact the world. Sure, it is happening at times and with a few people but mostly we sit silent while celebrities stand at our pulpit. As a people pleaser, I certainly understand the fear of offending someone. I even understand not speaking up when we are supposed to out of fear. I do it personally because at times I doubt I have the right to say something. But not the church. She is strong. She has power to change the world or at least to usher in a new kingdom.
I have friends who are passionate about this. Most of them are still fighting this fight but every once in a while one drops by the wayside. Tired. Defeated. Frustrated. Bored with meetings and discussions. Confused. Hearing a call for something...different but unsure what the first step should be.
I met a guy today. His name is George. He lives in West Virginia in a town you have never heard of. He works at a Baptist church and is in his 70's. He retired a few years ago from a job in D.C. and moved back to the country. He is one of those facinating people who fluctuate between brilliance and insanity. A conversation with him is one that requires a seat belt or at least a strong stomach. My favorite phrase from him was, "Now this will blow your hat in the creek."
George was reading his Bible a while back and got stuck in the book of Nehemiah. He was convicted by Nehemiah's story, how he was broken over the walls of Jerusalem and did whatever he could to rebuild them. George said he was gripped by the fact it only took 52 days to rebuild the walls. He decided it was time for a personal revival. His first action was to build a fire in front of his church that will burn for 52 days to symbolize to the community his fire to do something. He has decided to do service work around his city and somehow word has leaked out about this old dude. When our lunch was over he was headed back to check on a work crew that was putting a bathroom in. Right now he is in the midst of 52 days of doing service in his city because he got bothered by a devotion in Nehemiah.
I've read Nehemiah before. I thought it was a cool story. I really liked how the built the wall with one hand and carried a sword in the other.
One of the things I like most about what I do is it doesn't allow me to become too callous. I hope.
Yesterday I met two sisters. They live here in West Virginia as well. They live together in a little house and help each other out. One is completely blind and the other is a double amputee who lost both of her legs. They were on my list of people who might need some help. What they need is somebody to spend a day moving stuff out of their closets downstairs because they can't reach it anymore. Oh, and they need their windows cleaned since the hose doesn't reach the top windows from her wheelchair. It is almost comical. It is completely frustrating.
This afternoon I met Kim. She lives way out at the end of a road where the pavement ends, deep in a hollow (holler). She is divorced and was a victim of domestic abuse. He has two kids she's trying to take care of while she goes through chemo. When I got out of the car her first words were, "I used to have a haircut like that!". In case you are wondering, we will be working for her this summer.
My best friend from high school has cancer. He first found out a couple years ago and they did surgery to remove the tumor which was the size of a football. A football. After a year or so of good days, he has relapsed. Hospice is there now. A few weeks ago he recorded a video for his family to watch after he's gone. Two weeks ago he recorded audio of his voice so his kids could remember what their dad's voice sounded like and so "they'd know how much I love them."
I was reading last night about lenses. This phenomonal book ,which is to blame for the post you are reading, was talking about how we view things in our spiritual life. It was making the point that everything is viewed through our eyes, with our perspective and ultimately with our best intentions in mind, you know, how it benefits me. I like a verse on grace because it is good for me. I like a verse on forgiveness because I certainly need it. The author was saying he and his small group met for a period of time and simply read scripture with someone with a specific need in mind. As best they could they put on the lenses of the abused woman, the dad with cancer and kids who haven't even reached 8 years old, the blind woman who has never actually seen God's creation. They said it completely changed scripture. He, being a preacher, realized how many times he was putting his personal biases into scripture and was interpreting instead of studying. He was putting himself into the text rather than putting the text into him.
So what I have been realizing is that even though I knew it was wrong, I have been guilty of seeing scripture within the context of a building. What I am grateful for is that this "job" forces me to take scripture deep into a hollow, into a conversation, into a living room.
I realize this is extremely thin ice I'm skating but I this is why at this point in life I cannot see myself working in a church again. I just cannot handle conversations about buildings, programs and the appeal of the lobby. My friends who are fighting that fight can. That's why I love them. That is why I pray for them. I pray that they can make that body more alert.
I fear many of us show up on Sunday morning expecting to be entertained, not filled. We want to walk out with a buzz rather than a burden. We see that gathering as something for us, something catered to our needs since our life is hard. We look for popular and relevant rather than satisfying and disturbing. I too often find myself focused on my little pain rather than thinking of those who know little beyond their pain.
A few weeks ago the History channel ran a special to remember Martin Luther King. Ever since I've been to Memphis his story has caught my attention and so in the evenings I watched the retelling of his story.
One thing about the documentary has really stuck with me. It was during an interview with an old rapper, I think he was from Run DMC or some other amazing group. He was talking about the legacy of MLK and said the thing that saddened him the most was that the longer MLK has been dead the more mild he becomes. He fears that people no longer see him as the revolutionary that he was. He no longer is seen as a bold, fearless and peaceful resister of the status quo. The sad thing is I heard the same thing said about Jesus a few weeks ago. I fear it might be true of the church too often as well.
"While we are highly attuned to avoid a faithful peculiarity that might offend, we also avoid a faithful peculiarity that might redeem."
"The power that defines us is not the power of God we meet and know through worship; it's the social power of being "normal", accepted, popular, tolerant."
"Our unwillingness to live as faithful exiles explains our capacity to chase culture rather than transform it." (The Dangerous Act of Worship)
Do I love the church. Yes. Do I believe in the church. Definately. Is there any better way to bring about the kingdom than through the church. No.
I simply long for us to wake up.
I.need.to.wake.up.
"The church is asleep. Not dead. Not necessarily having trouble breathing. But asleep.
We are asleep to God's heart for the poor and oppressed, absorbed with our own inner life, wrestling with our own dreams and traumas that , for all their vividness, are unknown, unseen and largely unreal to the world around us." (The Dangerous Act of Worship)
The kingdom is not in the sweet future. It needs to be now. People need to see it. I/we need to stop settling for comfort and application that meets our needs. We strive for relevance and yet are viewed as antiquated or detached or out of touch with the needs of our community. Maybe it is time we build our own bonfire.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Something I Don't Understand
My dad was an only child. I'm an only child.
It happens almost daily that I look at my kids (plural) amazed at the bond that is already there. Whether it is walking around the house, playing in the yard or sitting at the dinner table there is a bond there, a connection that I've not ever experienced. I've had good friends, I've got the greatest wife ever but I can't fathom the bond of borther and sister.
Right now Carter is outside riding his bike and whenever he rides by the window Brynn seems to sense it and with a high pitched squeal makes a beeline for the window. Buh-Buh! Buh-Buh! Then there are the moments where he's on one side of the window and she's on the other. Sure, he drives her crazy (he is a boy after all) and she takes his toys and messes up his puzzles but man do they love each other. Every morning Ang can sit by the monitor and hear Carter go wake his sister up. They sit in her room talking and laughing until chubby gets hungry! I will admit there were times that I only wanted one kids. Man am I glad God knew better.
If he thinks I'm crazy enough for three however....
Monday, March 31, 2008
Another Top 5 and the view out my office window
So we had a tornado warning this morning in Joplin. I found the rain and the storm amazing and though they made us get to the middle of the building for a while I guess the fact that I've never actually seen a tornado made me less than interested.
So its been a quiet morning catching up on email and the like, listening to Coldplay and loving the rain. Rainy days make me happy. I thought I'd throw in what it looks like outside my office right now. I simply love the colors and how stuff is starting to wake up.
Thrown in on this here post is the top 5 people I'd love to meet who aren't alive anymore. I'm excluding Bible characters only because they'd probably be 4 of them. My last perameter is that I'd get to hang out with them in their time period, observe them and have some level of conversation with them.
Honorable mention: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., A.W. Tozer
5. Lenin
The dude freaks me out. Just to watch him talk, lead, be a jerk. It would be facinating.
4. Vince Lombardi
Love this guy. I read his biography and was facinated by him. Just to watch him coach, listen to him throw down and see it in action would be pretty cool.
3. Bob Gibson
I love pitching. When I grow up I want to be a pitcher. To hang out with one of the best, see the preparation. There are a lot of great ones out there but I just think he'd be facinating.
2. JFK
Another guy I've read a lot about. The classic American contradiction. Good leader, charismatic person, lots of shady stuff going on, I just think he'd be one that would be amazing.
1. Hitler
My history facination with this guy is huge. Captivating speaker, motivator of people, strong leader. Hate what he stood for, but still intrigued by the personality. My grandpa gave the better part of his hearing up chasing this guy across Europe in a tank and wouldn't talk about him but to observe someone who got so close to ruling the (almost) modern world.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Top 5 Part...I can't remember
Top 5 places I want to see before I die.
5. India
I'd love the see the Taj. I'd love to see the culture, it has always held some type of intrigue for me.
4. Moscow, Russia
I want to see the Kremlin, and see the sights of history that I grew up being so afraid of. Red Square, all of it would just be amazing.
3. Australia
Surfing, snorkeling, not getting eaten by a shark. I think the country looks beautiful (the parts by the ocean). I'd love to head down under for a nice, long relaxing vacation. As long as I didn't have to fly Oceanic airlines home..
2. Germany
The history nerd part of me wants to see Germany. The nazi history, the concentration camp my grandpa helped liberate, the countryside.
1. Scotland
Since I'm Scottish, I want to see where my ancestors are from. I think the country is beautiful and full of so much history (more than just William Wallace). My parents went there and loved it. Someday....
5. India
I'd love the see the Taj. I'd love to see the culture, it has always held some type of intrigue for me.
4. Moscow, Russia
I want to see the Kremlin, and see the sights of history that I grew up being so afraid of. Red Square, all of it would just be amazing.
3. Australia
Surfing, snorkeling, not getting eaten by a shark. I think the country looks beautiful (the parts by the ocean). I'd love to head down under for a nice, long relaxing vacation. As long as I didn't have to fly Oceanic airlines home..
2. Germany
The history nerd part of me wants to see Germany. The nazi history, the concentration camp my grandpa helped liberate, the countryside.
1. Scotland
Since I'm Scottish, I want to see where my ancestors are from. I think the country is beautiful and full of so much history (more than just William Wallace). My parents went there and loved it. Someday....
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Another Top 5
For fear of offending someone by leaving a name off or for fear of offending someone because the name is on the list, I'll only say a short sentence or two. Here goes.
Todays Top 5 is my Top 5 preachers.
5. Jayson French: I love this guy. He expends more passion in one sermon that I show in a decade. Love it.
4. Chuck Sackett: Didn't realize how spoiled I was I lived in Quincy. Ang and I miss that. The dude can bring it.
3. Bob Lowery: He preached a sermon on Easter YEARS ago that I've never forgotten. He brings such wisdom and depth to something in a way I can understand but don't always comprehend.
2. Brian Lowery: Funny. Wise. Pointed. Self-aware. Humble. Articulate. When I grow up, I want to preach like Lowery. Did I mention how hilarious this guy is?
1. Rob Bell: Call me what you will I love this guy. Love the way he preaches, love his personality don't always jive with his theology but still will listen to him anytime I get the chance. He should think about making videos or something.
Todays Top 5 is my Top 5 preachers.
5. Jayson French: I love this guy. He expends more passion in one sermon that I show in a decade. Love it.
4. Chuck Sackett: Didn't realize how spoiled I was I lived in Quincy. Ang and I miss that. The dude can bring it.
3. Bob Lowery: He preached a sermon on Easter YEARS ago that I've never forgotten. He brings such wisdom and depth to something in a way I can understand but don't always comprehend.
2. Brian Lowery: Funny. Wise. Pointed. Self-aware. Humble. Articulate. When I grow up, I want to preach like Lowery. Did I mention how hilarious this guy is?
1. Rob Bell: Call me what you will I love this guy. Love the way he preaches, love his personality don't always jive with his theology but still will listen to him anytime I get the chance. He should think about making videos or something.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Not a Top 5 Post
Yes Woody, U2 should have probably been on the list. However, I'm going off of a lifetime of music. If I were to list everything, John Denver would have been on there as well. Thanks for being the only person reading my blog though.
Rarely do I ask you (person reading this) to read anything else besides my inspired writings, but every once in a while I actually read something and I'm a better person for it. I submit to you this story, this stuff messes me up. I'd say enjoy but that wouldn't make sense.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=conley
Rarely do I ask you (person reading this) to read anything else besides my inspired writings, but every once in a while I actually read something and I'm a better person for it. I submit to you this story, this stuff messes me up. I'd say enjoy but that wouldn't make sense.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=conley
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Top 5 Part 2
Okay, I've put this one off as long as I can. This is a tough list. I may disappoint myself or disagree with myself later but here goes.
The top 5 bands or artists I can't live without.
Consolation: Counting Crows, Augustana, Snow Patrol
5. Boys Like Girls:: Favorite Song:: Holiday
I found these guys like last summer and cannot stop listening to them. I know, give me a hard time but they are amazing. If only they had more than one album.
4. Hillsong United:: Favorite Song:: Devotion
Simply awesome. By far my favorite group putting out Christian music. When I grow up, I want to be in HU.
3. Ellery:: Favorite Song:: A Thousand Lies
Thanks to Coghill I found out about this married couple from Cincinnati. 5 seconds into the first track I loved them. Once I saw them in concert at UCC I had a whole new appreciation for them, their musicm, the lyrics. Simply great. I'm telling you, if you don't own their live album you should be angry with yourself. Because I'm angry with you.
2. Jimmy Eat World:: Favorite Song:: Here It Goes
Holy smokes these guys rock. I've never hearda Jimmy Eat World song I don't like. I love their vibe (that was for you Woody). Each album seems to get better than the first. Simply amazing.
1. John Mayer:: Favorite Song:: Tracing
This might be a lot of peoples number one but I love this guy. Live stuff is better than studio albums in my opinion. Again, Coghill opened my eyes to the As/Is albums which are by far my favorite. There isn't a day that goes by I can't listen to some Mayer. Too bad Samtron couldn't get me tickets last year.
The top 5 bands or artists I can't live without.
Consolation: Counting Crows, Augustana, Snow Patrol
5. Boys Like Girls:: Favorite Song:: Holiday
I found these guys like last summer and cannot stop listening to them. I know, give me a hard time but they are amazing. If only they had more than one album.
4. Hillsong United:: Favorite Song:: Devotion
Simply awesome. By far my favorite group putting out Christian music. When I grow up, I want to be in HU.
3. Ellery:: Favorite Song:: A Thousand Lies
Thanks to Coghill I found out about this married couple from Cincinnati. 5 seconds into the first track I loved them. Once I saw them in concert at UCC I had a whole new appreciation for them, their musicm, the lyrics. Simply great. I'm telling you, if you don't own their live album you should be angry with yourself. Because I'm angry with you.
2. Jimmy Eat World:: Favorite Song:: Here It Goes
Holy smokes these guys rock. I've never hearda Jimmy Eat World song I don't like. I love their vibe (that was for you Woody). Each album seems to get better than the first. Simply amazing.
1. John Mayer:: Favorite Song:: Tracing
This might be a lot of peoples number one but I love this guy. Live stuff is better than studio albums in my opinion. Again, Coghill opened my eyes to the As/Is albums which are by far my favorite. There isn't a day that goes by I can't listen to some Mayer. Too bad Samtron couldn't get me tickets last year.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
5 Posts You HAVE GOT TO READ
Okay, so if you still are crazy enough to check this blog thinking I might actually write something, I'm about to drop 5 posts in the next, um, let's say 2 weeks on the top 5 of 5 things that are important to me. Before we begin let me make a statement, if you don't own an Ellery album yet, preferably the live disc, I'm not sure we can still be friends. They will influence my top 5 in just a minute. Without further ado, here's list number 1.
My Top 5 Favorite Cities in America
5. Johnson City, Tennessee
This one was the toughest ironically. I thought about Chicago, but I haven't been there enough. I thought about Dallas but that was too safe. I'm going with Johnson City, Tennessee. What?! Are you kidding? Nope. I love it there. I am a sucker for the mountains, for the beauty of that part of the country and for the food. Seriously, if I lived there I'd weight 400 lbs. Cootie Browns, Poor Richards (and the sweet tea Ryan), Bucs Pizza, the Japanese Steakhouse, Zaxby's Chicken and many others. Milligan has a beautiful campus, I just dig the place. Like it or not, Tennessee made the top 5.
4. Memphis, Tennessee
This is starting to sound like a Know Sweat tour commercial. But its not. Memphis has this vibe that really connects with me. It is by far my favorite Know Sweat city (maybe this is a commercial). Again, I'm a big fan of the food, Celtic Crossing, Lenny's Subs, Interstate BBQ, Central BBQ, Corky's BBQ, they've got a Pei Wei. I think it is Beale Street, Community Bible Church, the city. I don't know, it is just such an amazing place. I really like the history and fell fo the city too. Bonus, I'm headed there this weekend.
3. Cincinnati, Ohio
Okay, this is ridiculous. Here's what I've learned about myself. I'm a big city guy but I dig the big city that isn't so huge that its overwhelming. I'm not an LA or NY guy. I'm not even a Chicago guy like that. I like a town that's got a ton of culture but isn't so huge that you can't really define it. Cincinnati wasn't on my list until after last summer. I guess if you spend 5 weeks anywhere you are bound to like it to some extent. I have to thank my boy Matt Coghill for part of my love of the city. I'm a big fan of places where you have to know the city to know the good places. I don't like tourist traps, I like authentic vibe. Cincy has that. The river feel connects with my childhood, the food is amazing ( you are suprised by this?). Camp Washington Chili, Currito, Penn Station, First Watch are all a staple when I'm there. I love the downtown, all the shops, the Scottish Pub are great as well. I'm a little shocked to admit I like Reds games too. Kentucky ads a bonus to Cincy since my favorite view of the city (other than the one from my dorm room at CCU last year) is the one from the balcony of Starbucks at Newport on the Levee. Call me untrue to my West Coast roots but I love this town.
2. Denver, Colorado
If I could live anywhere (money obviously being no object) it would be Denver. I loved our time there culture wise. When you factor in Longmont, Boulder, Fort Collins and other surrounding areas, its amazing. Denver isn't too huge but has such a vibe that I love. Plus you factor in the mountains, the perfect climate, the accesability and the people and its easily number 2. Plus Know Sweat isn't there (until 2009, you should come). Food wise, I'm giving a shoutout to Wingman, the finest wings on earth. The 15th street mall is amazing, Flatirons is great, Rockies games in right field watching a game and a sunset over the Rockies is all but untouchable this side of heaven.
1. Portland, Oregon
Okay, so I grew up there. Know Sweat isn't there (until 2009, you should really come check it out). Yes, it is my hometown and maybe that is why but it is the one place on earth where I feel truly at home. I love the people, the city, the vibe, the food, the weather (if you want to believe it rains there all the time, go ahead). It is the perfect example of the small big town. Downtown is the best in America. The views are insane, you can see so many great peaks from there. Growing up in the city taught me it was so accesible, and so clean. I love the fact that last fall when I wanted to watch the Oregon football game the best party was in a coffee shop. I love the climate, the fact that you are within 2 hours of skiing, the ocean, amazing hiking and the desert. Oh, and you're just a few hours from Mecca aka Autzen Stadium in Eugene. Sometimes I find it funny that God's never put a burden on my heart to go back there to live since I love it so much. Nonetheless, its easily number 1.
Okay, there you go. I could have said more but words are expensive. Check back for my other 4 lists. The next list: the 5 bands or artists I couldn't live without.
My Top 5 Favorite Cities in America
5. Johnson City, Tennessee
This one was the toughest ironically. I thought about Chicago, but I haven't been there enough. I thought about Dallas but that was too safe. I'm going with Johnson City, Tennessee. What?! Are you kidding? Nope. I love it there. I am a sucker for the mountains, for the beauty of that part of the country and for the food. Seriously, if I lived there I'd weight 400 lbs. Cootie Browns, Poor Richards (and the sweet tea Ryan), Bucs Pizza, the Japanese Steakhouse, Zaxby's Chicken and many others. Milligan has a beautiful campus, I just dig the place. Like it or not, Tennessee made the top 5.
4. Memphis, Tennessee
This is starting to sound like a Know Sweat tour commercial. But its not. Memphis has this vibe that really connects with me. It is by far my favorite Know Sweat city (maybe this is a commercial). Again, I'm a big fan of the food, Celtic Crossing, Lenny's Subs, Interstate BBQ, Central BBQ, Corky's BBQ, they've got a Pei Wei. I think it is Beale Street, Community Bible Church, the city. I don't know, it is just such an amazing place. I really like the history and fell fo the city too. Bonus, I'm headed there this weekend.
3. Cincinnati, Ohio
Okay, this is ridiculous. Here's what I've learned about myself. I'm a big city guy but I dig the big city that isn't so huge that its overwhelming. I'm not an LA or NY guy. I'm not even a Chicago guy like that. I like a town that's got a ton of culture but isn't so huge that you can't really define it. Cincinnati wasn't on my list until after last summer. I guess if you spend 5 weeks anywhere you are bound to like it to some extent. I have to thank my boy Matt Coghill for part of my love of the city. I'm a big fan of places where you have to know the city to know the good places. I don't like tourist traps, I like authentic vibe. Cincy has that. The river feel connects with my childhood, the food is amazing ( you are suprised by this?). Camp Washington Chili, Currito, Penn Station, First Watch are all a staple when I'm there. I love the downtown, all the shops, the Scottish Pub are great as well. I'm a little shocked to admit I like Reds games too. Kentucky ads a bonus to Cincy since my favorite view of the city (other than the one from my dorm room at CCU last year) is the one from the balcony of Starbucks at Newport on the Levee. Call me untrue to my West Coast roots but I love this town.
2. Denver, Colorado
If I could live anywhere (money obviously being no object) it would be Denver. I loved our time there culture wise. When you factor in Longmont, Boulder, Fort Collins and other surrounding areas, its amazing. Denver isn't too huge but has such a vibe that I love. Plus you factor in the mountains, the perfect climate, the accesability and the people and its easily number 2. Plus Know Sweat isn't there (until 2009, you should come). Food wise, I'm giving a shoutout to Wingman, the finest wings on earth. The 15th street mall is amazing, Flatirons is great, Rockies games in right field watching a game and a sunset over the Rockies is all but untouchable this side of heaven.
1. Portland, Oregon
Okay, so I grew up there. Know Sweat isn't there (until 2009, you should really come check it out). Yes, it is my hometown and maybe that is why but it is the one place on earth where I feel truly at home. I love the people, the city, the vibe, the food, the weather (if you want to believe it rains there all the time, go ahead). It is the perfect example of the small big town. Downtown is the best in America. The views are insane, you can see so many great peaks from there. Growing up in the city taught me it was so accesible, and so clean. I love the fact that last fall when I wanted to watch the Oregon football game the best party was in a coffee shop. I love the climate, the fact that you are within 2 hours of skiing, the ocean, amazing hiking and the desert. Oh, and you're just a few hours from Mecca aka Autzen Stadium in Eugene. Sometimes I find it funny that God's never put a burden on my heart to go back there to live since I love it so much. Nonetheless, its easily number 1.
Okay, there you go. I could have said more but words are expensive. Check back for my other 4 lists. The next list: the 5 bands or artists I couldn't live without.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Breaking the Silence/Things That Make Me Happy
So Brynn is one. Carter is another. He turns 5 in March and is becoming such a little man. My wife is more beautiful than ever. We are discovering a new stage in life which has been amazing. Work is splendid. My car needs to go to the shop because the front is jacked and the back bumper is falling off. I'm starting to travel more again and I'm very happy.Other than that, life is pretty usual. I do plan on saying more, today though, I need to ease my way back in.
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