Toy Box Gang

From CIY.
Enjoy.

#1 "One Way"

#2 "Voices"

#3 "One of Us"

#4 "Cold Hooves"

#5 "Bon Voyage"

Contemplating My Potential for Evil

I just read this in Mark Batterson's "Wild Goose Chase":

"I'm afraid that our therapeutic approach to faith sometimes causes us to
minimize our sinfulness in a human attempt to feel better about ourselves. But
all that does is short-circuit our understanding and appreciation of God's
grace. We can't appreciate the full extent of God's grace until we realize the
full extent of our sin. Then, and only then, can we chase the Wild Goose (the
Holy Spirit) and His will for us with passion."

Reflecting on this I was reminded of a conversation I had with a friend once, confessing my struggle to faithfulness and holiness. I had been dealing with some sin my life and wasn't seeing God bring about healing and restoration in my life. I was then doubting whether I should even claim the promises of God and just return to Him the distance coldness I assumed of Him. Would just indulging my sinfulness be easier than pursuing God's righteousness? Wouldn't that at least offer me that which God was holding from me?
My friend wisely recognized that these were just my emotions and moments of despair and didn't panic to "fix" me or correct my theology. Instead he encouraged me to pursue the evil in me. To honestly see how unrighteous I could be.
I scoffed at him thinking he was mocking my personal pains. But he looked me in the eye and challenged me to indulge all my pride, lust, greed and wickedness.
I tried to sleep that night considering the permission granted me to engage in all that I spent a lifetime wrestling to avoid.
Batterson quotes C.S. Lewis in his book:

"When a man is getting better he understands more and more clearly the evil that
is still left in him. When a man is getting worse he understands his own badness
less and less."

My God's grace when considered in light of my potential for evil is more and more unfathomable. There is no sin so great that God wouldn't dare remove the burden of it's weight from you and flick it off to the most distant galaxy.
If God's grace seems small today, maybe your sin is small. To which I grant you permission to pursue your sin.
As I just considered my potential for evil I rediscovered a God who's is holy and wild and greater and worth more than any other pursuit.
I trust you will too.

p.s. i was originally typing this on my phone and when i tried to save it for further editing it published...sorry to those you read the incomplete version first...

The Church at its Best!

Florida Churchgoer Allegedly Pulls Knife on Congregation for Refusing to Give Him Butter

 

Our capacity for loving and being loved is overwhelmingly great. 

If this story can’t inspire you to a greater sacrifice…well you just may have a heart of stone.

Congratulations

Way to go Hawaii! I honestly think Little League Baseball may be the greatest sport ever.

And it is the source of so many people's greatest sport achievements.

Breathe it in Hawaii!

Congratulations.

Future Yankee?

I'm sure the Yankees and several other MLB teams are not only scouting this kid, but are secretly offering his family some signing bonus cash. Also with a name like Jericho Scott, well it just sounds like a major league name.

9-year-old boy told he’s too good to pitch

For Fun Time...

Go HERE

Just figure it out. You'll love it and waste a few minutes of your life.

This is No Joke!

This is an honest to goodness product. And this is the actual name of the product. I want to purchase a bunch and give them away as presents....

Have You Pre-Ordered

I am really anticipating this album. You can currently purchase 2 for $15 HERE. Buy one and share one.
Curious why it's called Volume II when there hasn't been a Volume I, well read this hysterical interview of Andrew Peterson (the musician), conducted by Andrew Peterson (the interviewer), interrupted by Andrew Peterson (the author) and a brief appearance by Andrew Peterson (the clown-like children's song writer).

Why You Don't Showboat

Does anyone know if this is real?
I found it labeled at Why You Don't Showboat.
I really hope it's real.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Boom Goes the...Veronica

So recently I purchased the three seasons of Veronica Mars and quickly went through them. Then I went about sharing it's crack cocaine addictiveness with my community of friends. Currently the dvds are making their rounds.
Here is a small clip from season 3 (don't worry no spoilers here)

I show this to you, because at the end of the clip Veronica uses the phrase "Boom goes the dynomite". Maybe you've never heard this phrase before, in which case watch this dreadfully pain-filled youtube classic.

I love so many things about this clip, but just a couple to point out would be these: First: "boom goes the dynomite"...awesome! Second: he refers to Reggie Miller as "the man". And third: The non-reaction by the other news anchors, and his reaction to them.
I was listening to Dan Patrick's radio show yesterday morning on my way to work, when he interviewed this guy, who current does investigating reporting in Waco, TX.
So glad I'm not him, but I do love his catch phrase.

I Object...

...I don't care about what pace they maintain, or that they do it in the rain...Walking should not be an Olympic event.

And just because some collapse and fall to the ground, doesn't mean I'll ever change my mind.

photos from cnnsi.com

Birthday Gift

Yesterday The Gang, my community group, gave me an awesome gift for my birthday.
This is a great gift as I stop in there about once a week. Sometimes I roam the thousands of CD’s searching for that rarity album that I must have.

Side Note: Once I found Can You Hear Us Now by David Crowder Band at this CD Exchange. This was back in 2000, I think. I didn’t even know it was out yet. So I quickly purchased the album and began playing all the time. About a month later I’m at a youth leaders convention that DCB was leading worship at, and I caught the boys during a break and asked them to sign my album. The guys began to freak out. What I failed to realize was that the album wasn’t even due for release for at least another month. They asked me where I got it and I told them, “at a CD Exchange in San Antonio”. A couple of the guys shoulders just sank. They had passed the CD out to local Christian bookstores in hopes of getting them to prominently displaying them upon their release. We concluded that some moron at the Family Christian bookstore took the CD and just sold it. David and the boys signed the album, “first copy ever!”. Please don’t ask me what
happened to that album…it makes me cry.

Anyways. This is a large gift from such a cool group, so I thought I should make a public declaration to use this for good and not for evil. I will also try to use it for the better-ment of the group. I’ll most likely get some TV series with it which we can pass amongst each other, and a CD or two depending on what’s left over.

Here are the albums I promise not to purchase: Click HERE.
And here are the TV shows I promise not to purchase: Click HERE.

If you have suggests on what to purchase and what to avoid, PLEASE leave your comments.

Birthday Cake

This is my birthday cake. My mom made the cake and dropped it off at Rachel's house, knowing that I would be attending my community group. Then my princesses decorated it...I'm amazed that there was "tink" cake decorations available somewhere. I've had that little nugget in my mind for a few years. When I wink at someone it always felt as if a small sound was needed. It had to be something delicate, yet not un-manly, reflecting the wink.
I came up with "tink"... I've thought it for a long time, but only recently shared it...suddenly it's a hit. Weird birthday treat.

Great Commercial

This is great. I love the way EA Sports is interacting with fan video and playing along with the obvious flaws of their previous game.
Great discussion tool as well.

Songs of My Day:

Three songs have dominated the disco in my head today and I thought I'd share them with you. I italicized the lyrics for you that were really hitting me difficultly. I have to apologize, because when I have mind dumps...the crap tends to hit the floor. Watch your step.

First: The Silence of God by Andrew Peterson

There are some YouTube video out there, but they were attached to some slide show so I didn't want to post on here, but if you want to hear the song, you can find it here.

It's enough to drive a man crazy; it'll break a man's faith

It's enough to make him wonder if he's ever been sane

When he's bleating for comfort from Thy staff and Thy rod

And the heaven's only answer is the silence of God

It'll shake a man's timbers when he loses his heart

When he has to remember what broke him apart

This yoke may be easy, but this burden is not

When the crying fields are frozen by the silence of God

And if a man has got to listen to the voices of the mob

Who are reeling in the throes of all the happiness they've got

When they tell you all their troubles have been nailed up to that cross

Then what about the times when even followers get lost?

'Cause we all get lost sometimes...

There's a statue of Jesus on a monastery knoll

In the hills of Kentucky, all quiet and cold

And He's kneeling in the garden, as silent as a Stone

All His friends are sleeping and He's weeping all alone

And the man of all sorrows, he never forgot

What sorrow is carried by the hearts that he bought

So when the questions dissolve into the silence of God

The aching may remain, but the breaking does not

The aching may remain, but the breaking does not

In the holy, lonesome echo of the silence of God

I've been making some big decisions lately. And then reneging on those decisions and starting all over. I think I missed my quarter-life crisis and opted for a third-life one instead.

Numerous people have encouraged me to listen to God, but I can't decide if He's not speaking to me or that there is just too much raging around me. And when you're counsel can not come to a consensus you can often feel like a dizzy child who's spun around a bat.

I love that this song reminds me that "the aching may remain, but the breaking does not". If you know this album of AP's then you might know that the following song decides that after the last tear falls it is God's love that remains.

Second: Welcome Home by Shaun Groves

Take, me, make me
All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

Welcome to this heart of mine
I've buried under prideful vines
Grown to hide the mess I've made
Inside of me
Come decorate, Lord
Open up the creaking door
And walk upon the dusty floor
Scrape away the guilty stains
Until no sin or shame remain
Spread Your love upon the walls
And occupy the empty halls
Until the man I am has faded
No more doors are barricaded

Chorus:
Come inside this heart of mine
It's not my own
Make it home
Come and take this heart and make it
All Your own
Welcome home

Take a seat, pull up a chair
Forgive me for the disrepair
And the souvenirs from floor to ceiling
Gathered on my search for meaning
Every closet's filled with clutter
Messes yet to be discovered
I'm overwhelmed, I understand
I can't make this place all that You can

repeat chorus

I took the space that You placed in me
Redecorated in shades of greed
And I made sure every door stayed locked
Every window blocked, and still You knocked

repeat chorus

Take me, make me
All You want me to be

That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

Have I cluttered my life with so much of my own wants, and must haves, and sentimental burdens, and all the crap that prevents me from loving like Jesus loved? Does this stuff rule my space and time? I haven't removed Jesus, I've just pushed him into a corner.

I've been wrestling with the need to find change in my life. Maybe it's part of turning 30 this month, and maybe not. Maybe it's just that life didn't turn out like I had it mapped.

Or maybe it's just that I need to have a little "come to Jesus" conversation...well...with Jesus.

There was a time in my life when I had confidence in the Spirit and took bold risks. And lately I feel like a spiritual dwarf.

Which makes me consider that maybe I'm not the one who's too small, but rather maybe I've secured for myself a God who's too safe and small.

and Third: Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade

The best thing about tonight's that we're not fighting

Could it be that we have been this way before

I know you don't think that I am trying

I know you're wearing thin down to the core

But hold your breath

Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

Over again

Don't make me change my mind

Or I won't live to see another day

I swear it's true

Because a girl like you is impossible to find

You're impossible to find

This is not what I intended

I always swore to you I'd never fall apart

You always thought that I was stronger

I may have failed

But I have loved you from the start

Ohhhh

But hold your breath

Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

Over again

Don't make me change my mind

Or I won't live to see another day

I swear it's true

Because a girl like you is impossible to find

It's impossible

So breathe in so deep

Breathe me in I'm yours to keep

And hold onto your words

'Cause talk is cheap

And remember me tonight

When you're asleep

Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

Over again

Don't make me change my mind

Or I won't live to see another day

I swear it's true

Because a girl like you is impossible to find

Tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

Over again

Don't make me change my mind

Or I won't live to see another day

I swear it's true

Because a girl like you is impossible to find

You're impossible to find

Yeah, a little sentimental, background music for a WB show...or EW....or whatever they're calling themselves. But I like it. I bought the cd based on the band name and the album cover only to say, "oh I know this song."

Not Cool

Crap. I hate reacting to cheap scare tactics in movies and on tv. That would also include stupide videos that get e-mailed to you which include screaming witches at the end of a slide show.
But I cannot deny the fact that this video got me. Thanks...

Man Up

I swear I learned more from this than the church's last 5 Men's Breakfasts...

...(No not really)

Couldn't remember if I had posted this before, but it's worth it again.

Religulous

Wow...I need to see this one, but am afraid how I'll feel after I've seen it. Not because a loss of faith but rather embarrassment or shame.

Question Answered

Finally!

The answer to one of life's greatest questions has been solved.

The Question: Why do divers shower off after a dive?

The Answer: http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/The-mystery-of-the-showering-divers?urn=oly,100472

Divers shower in between each dive to keep their muscles warm after getting out of the pool. The temperature of the pool water and the air are usually different (the pool is usually around 80 degrees, with the air temperature between 68 and 72 degrees). This difference can cause muscle tightness. To combat this, divers warm up in either the showers or a hot tub.

Improving Thyself

On a recent road trip a couple of ladies decided to create a list of things I could do to improve myself. How generous of them huh? And while I often, almost to a neurotic nature, worry that there are elements of me to be improved I welcomed their list. What I was unaware of was that this was in actuality a list by the girls to improve me for their own benefit. In fact these ladies just now refer to this list as My Princess List (meaning how I can serve and support the princesses in my life).

I’ll let you decide on what you agree with and what suggestions of theirs am I doing well with and should just ignore.

And please feel free to add any additional suggestions…

THINGS TO IMPROVE ABOUT MYSELF

aka My Princess List

[Thoughts in the parenthesis are my thoughts]

- Try not to make Jamie or any woman feel insecure about her feet. (Even though she often wears flip flops and sometimes walks around with bare feet resulting in dirty, dirty feet)

- Be more mindful of the needs of princesses (Remember, princesses will blame you for anything, including when others lock their keys in their cars)

- Be more interesting (“What…what….what…what..be more constructive with your criticisms”)

- Pay lots of compliments

- Audibly demonstrate compliments given (A smile or head nod is not enough, the words “Thank You” must be spoken, even when the compliment is given back-handedly)

- Find more male friends (as an outlet)

- Bear the princess’ load when needed (via piggy back rides, carrying their ridiculously large purses, etc.)

- Don’t be around Taylor, she’s engaged which is practically married (I don’t remember the context of this suggestion, other than Taylor having just gotten engaged)

- Believe everything Rachel and Jaime say (Now that just seems excessive, right? But they said it so it must be true)

- Learn to…(this suggestion was rather crude so I’ll PG it up by saying)…appreciate toes. (you see I tend to think feet are usually dirty and gross, but they did offer their own toes for me to practice on)

I really like this commerical

Boba Fett's Flashdance

Hopefully you've seen this:

Mandalorian Dance @ Yahoo! Video

Quote

Here is a couple of quotes that I read today, from this book I'm currently reading entitled The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph M. Marshall III.

After Crazy Horse has his heart broken by Black Buffalo Woman.
"...the fickleness of yong women was always difficult to understand... so too were the ambitions of grown men."
Which is somewhat comforting that even years ago, despite time and culture woman are still a mystery.

Also...

As Crazy Horse's legend began to grow among his own people, some were content to wait and see...
"The reckless die young," the old men advised, "and their only legacy is their brief moment of glory, but over time it is forgotten. It is the steady and steadfast that prevail."
The old ones said, "so while it serves the heart and the imagination to hear the exploits of a new young warrior, one's who's quiet ways in camp contraditcted the stories of daring on the battle field. The old men puffed on their pipes as they sat around the evening fires and nodded knowingly. "Over time young Crazy Horse would give up his reckless ways," they said, "everyone does."
I can't help consider this quote in the context of the numerous up and coming baseball players that have been highlighted over the past couple seasons. And in the context of ministry, and the numerous young pastors who are rising lately.

Anyways. I am enjoying this book.

Understanding Men

Just because some of us grow old and out of shape doesn't mean we don't still have the drive for competitive sports. It's just that sometimes our sore backs and weak knees dictate this:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Caption Needed

Question

What qualifies as having "read a book"?

• a quick skim?
• 1/2 the book?
• 3/4 the book?
• several paragraphs from each chapter?
• each word?
• each word understood?
• listening to the audio version?
• reading a book review?

How do you define "I read a book".

Looking for answers here, so make sure you leave a quick reply.

Thanks!

Quote

"The biblical fact is that there are no successful churches. There are, instead, communities of sinners, gathered before God week after week in towns and villages all over the world. The Holy Spirit gathers them and does his work in them. In these communities one of the sinners is called pastor and is given a designated responsibility in community. The pastor's responsibility is to keep the community attentive to God."

- Eugene Peterson

Thanks

I Want This...

and what man wouldn't?



Letterman's right. Jon deserves a national salute.
However mine will be full of Dr. Pepper (come the New Year of course).

John Mayer Trip

Saturday began around 9:15. I rolled out of bed, showered, dressed and packed for my overnight trip to Houston. The objective was the John Mayer concert.
Taylor should up with a special surprise. Frankie was with her and they spent their morning getting engaged.

So I travel I-10 with Rachel and Jaime.

These chicks are nuts. Seriously there was a boat load of laughter on this jaunt, thank to these two ladies. I posted a couple times some updates on the travel conversations (HERE and HERE). There was additional discussions, but I like to keep this blog with a sensible rating.

Taylor and Frankie led the two vehicle caravan, newly engaged.

Brett Dennen opened the show, and I think we all agreed that he was just okay. He didn't even play the one song that some of us knew.

Colbie Caillat took the stage next...she's purrr-ty.

I think Taylor was most excited about seeing her.

Johnny Boy held the stage for about two hours. Here's the set list:

Waiting on the World to Change
Why Georgia
Crossroads
I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)
Wheel
Bigger Than My Body
Mercy
Free Falling
Good Love is On the Way
Find Another You
Stitched Up
Belief
Gravity

ENCORE

Vultures
Say

I think this was the first Mayer concert for all of us and I can safely say that none of us were disappointed. There was some surprises about what was not included in the set, but by no means did anyone feel like something was missing either. It was a little awkward (at least for most men at the show) that John played the entire two hours without his shirt, and that the cameras continued to pan back and forth between his guitar and his face. However, the ladies loved it.

While hanging out after the show waiting for some of the crowd to dissipate we were taking photos of each other. In one I pretended to be passed out (drunk like many of the other attendees), and apparently I do a great drunk guy. Because these two drunk chicks walked by, one saying "look at this one he can't even wake up". Then she practically straddled me and attempted to wake me up.

Yep just a typical Saturday for me. I was glad others were finally able to experience it with me.

We wrapped up the evening with a visit to some all night pie place. Jaime had to walk in with only one sandal, having lost it somewhere between the pavilion and the restuarant.

I had some biscuits and gravey with hash browns. It wasn't great, but having skipped dinner I was hungry.

So there you go...I need to go to bed now...

Congratulations

Taylor and Frankie are engaged!

I don't know about you, but this one came straight out of left field for me.

Did anyone see this coming?

John Mayer trip

I really want to spend some more time posting some photos (maybe a sweet 5 minute solo by the man himself) and retell some stories but bed time is a callin', so I want to promise that tomorrow I'll definitely do that.

However throughout the trip Rachel and Jaime felt it was their calling to help me give and receive compliments. I was unaware that either of these were a problem, but as any guy will tell you, spend any time with a gaggle of girls and your perceived flaws will soon be pointed out.

Nevertheless, to these amazing (and extremely open) women:

You are an incredible joy!

Thank you for the hours of laughter and your pure child-like enthusiasm for life.

Two Girls and a Guy (pt.2)

Here is some more updates from the road fiasco to H-Town ("dark-town" - Jaime), this trip is blowing my mind:
- our Buc-ee's wraps for lunch
- Jaime's $14 fudge (wink wink...I don't even know what that means)
- just in case list (um...no explaining)
- Jaime's dance party/seizures (does anyone have singles?)
- "that what she said" (sorry the Deuce)
- Jaime and I dated for 5 minutes (my barely legal babe...we decided to waited 10 more days)
- I'm worried about Jaime's high turn over rate
- at the Journey/Heart/Cheap Trick concert their was some expensive ladies escorting some elderly gentlemen
- JT just rocks socks
- my reading in the car just makes me seem old
- apparently I am now referred to as Big Papa or Big Papa C
- Taylor Swift reminds us of Tim McGraw who reminds me Faith Hill
- halter tops are awkward (trying to ignore "conversations")
- "i'm kinda big deal" & "my apartment smells of rich mahogany" & "you have a breath taking hiney" & more Anchorman quotes

more to come...isn't that scary?...

Two Girls and a Guy

I'm on my way to Houston for the John Mayer concert, hopefully Jennifer Aniston will show, fingers crossed...
So I'm riding in Rachel's 4 Runner with her and Jaime. So far the topics of discussion:
- Taylor and Frankie's engagement (yea!!)
- Buc-ee's rest stop
- Katy Perry & Adele
- "burnt vagina" (girls talk about strange stuff)
- Chinesee animal symbols (we three are all horses)
- joining nudist colonies (I just want to carry around my membership card and Jaime just wants an even tan)
- giving and receiving compliments

more to come...

A Great New Look

This is really humorous. Enjoy.