Downtown

Today was a incredibly long, busy, yet joy-filled day.


It began this morning at 10:00 (which is early for me...at least on a Saturday). First the Deuce, his friend from Midland named Philip (visiting for the weekend, but is considering a move here) and I helped Chris moved all his larger furniture and things to our new apartment.

I guess I haven't mentioned it here on the blog, but Chris, the Deuce and I are moving in together. There is a lot of intention behind this. I don't think any of us need a roommate situation, but in our smaller single room apartments we weren't able to be as generous people nor create the community enviroments that we want to be about. Hence the larger apartment. The complex we are moving into has a CARES team that attends our church, and we want to be the ying to their yang. The CARES couple, Adam and Lindsey, create community among the residents and model the Christian lifestyle.

So after moving Chris' things, the Deuce and I went and signed our part of the lease. Then while Philip checked out an apartment in the complex and submitted his application and deposit, the three of us began to move the Deuce's larger stuff.

We'll tackle my apartment next weekend, and hopefully be completely in by next Sunday.

After setting up the Deuce and Chris' bedrooms, I returned to my apartment to shower and get ready for a night on the town.

After numerous calls inviting everyone we knew (almost), our outing consisited of Philip, Chris, the Deuce and I, plus Kristi. Kristi is somewhat new to us, but she lives in our new apartment complex and recently attended our community group for the first time. Kristi is a teacher, and it was a blast to hang out with her and see and hear her humor. Plus she thought we were funny, which we all agree is about the only qualification we need in a friend.


We began our evening by having a great dinner at the Blue Star Brewery. The Blue Star is the art/brewery/restraunt/bike shop that sits in the King William district of San Antonio. The King William district has many of the more artsy establishments and old colonial type homes. Very cool place.

Back to the Brewery...We enjoy it for their amazing batch of rootbeer. Their beers are awesome too, but that rootbeer is out of this world. On their walls local artist display and sell their artwork. Check out the website for some of the artist who have been on display there. Another section of the Blue Star complex has a gallery and art studios. I'm curious if all the artist are associated with the complex.

While eating there was a couple seemingly on a date at the table next to us, against the wall. For no apparent reason during their dinner this fella pulls his leg up onto the chair. I don't know if this discription will do the scene justice, but I'll try. He had his foot flat on the chair with his knee bent and up around his shoulder. Are you getting the picture?...very strange huh? That's what we thought, especially on a nice date. We all agreed to try it out on our next date opportunities.

Also before we left, I took a photo of this guy. Talia, who spent some time in that magical make believe place called Canada, says she loves Canadian beards...their her favorite. I sent this picture to her via text messaging, to let her know what she missed by not hanging out with us tonight. On another side note...every male waiter and bartender in the restraunt had a full beard...it must be a requirement. The amazing feat is I've never had hair in my food there... so there you go.

After dinner we decided to work off dinner by walking around the Riverwalk. We parked near the Alamo. As we approached the Alamo, Chris pointed out to Philip (this being his first trip to the historic site) that "this is the backside of the Alamo." Always the helpful guide I told him that the correct terminology for it is "the Alamo's ass".

We then aimlessly walked up and down the Riverwalk, enjoying the sites, sounds and people. While walking Philip had me share with Kristi a story I told earlier in the day. Apparently it's his favorite story about me. He called it "the bird story". Here it is:

The summer after fifth grade coming home from church one Sunday afternoon, my dad parked the family van in the driveway. Suddenly he and my mom noticed a woodpecker in our backyard. They tried to point it out to everyone, but I had trouble seeing it. I couldn't figure out exactly which tree it was on, where on the tree and what the heck a woodpecker looked like if it didn't look like Woody Woodpecker. Both parents tried desperately for me to see, even trying to get me to look down my dad's arm as he pointed out the bird. Their desperation, in my mind, began to turn into frustration and anger. Finally I said, "oh I see it". Unfortunately the bird had flown off and I was caught in my lie. As punishment for lying I was grounded from playing baseball that summer. A punishment that was kind of a cop out plan of my parent's not to pay for baseball since we would be moving early in the summer to Germany...I think. They may have a different take on it all.

My friends laughed at me all night, saying that I have some of the most sad and pathetic stories ever.

We ended the night walking to Ruta Maya's coffee shop and each had a tea. I'm not much of hot tea drinker, and didn't drink all of mine tonight. Mainly because it was liquid magma with just a touch of lemon.

On the journey back to the Deuce's truck, we passed the Hall of Horns. A saloon/restraunt place that has over a thousand mounts of deer, buffalo, elk and just about every big game animal you could think of, including a mammoth (obviously a fake). However when the Deuce saw the mammoth he exclaimed, "Wow a mammoth."

All in all a great day.

Answers (Part 1)

Julie asked a bunch of questions on her blog this week in an effort to spur on her blogging friends. I thought I would try and give my answers to them. Probably in several different post though.

In no particular order:

2. My favorite cartoon/comic is…
Calvin and Hobbes

Foxtrot








and Spider-Man of course!











5. My favorite smell/aroma…
My favorite smell is opening day at a baseball park. The crisp air, leather gloves, fresh foul line chalk, popcorn, peanuts and a fresh mowed outfield. That’s what heaven must smell like.

Now that hard to find in candle form, so usually I purchase sandalwood for around the house.

8 Something I love to do but I’m not very good at… and vice versa.
This is actually most of what I do, but for the sake of specificity: photography, music, blogging, preaching/teaching, sleeping. Just to list a few.

20. What I always wanted to be when I grow up
In this order: An Air Force fighter pilot (until I realize you couldn't have asthma and join the military), A Baseball player, and a youth pastor.

26. Best/worst smelling lotion/perfume
I worked with this girl in high school named Angie who always smelled great, and I loved when we could work close together. She wore something from Bath & Body Works that I always thought was apple scented, but in actuality was pear...I think.

34. where I’d start touring the world…
Um...I think I'd start from home, that way I'd have something to return to. Maybe going east until I arrived back where I started.

65. someone I wish I said I love you to
Jamie Johnson. You can read my tragedy HERE.

70. how I lost/gained 10 pounds
I gave up Dr. Pepper for the year. Yep in only less than 6 weeks I've lost 10 pounds.

41. My tattoo parlor experience
No tattoos for me.

24. First thing I ever bought/sold on EBAY
I've never sold anything on EBAY. And the only thing I have ever bought was a collective photo of Nolan Ryan for a $1. I'd show it to you but it's packed away with some other baseball cards and collectables.

19. Foods that make me puke
I hate mushrooms, olives and vienna sausages. I'm sure there is plenty more I could list (I'm kind of a picky eater), but this is what instantly came to my mind. My dad made my two older brothers and I a vienna sausage sandwich one time that we all threw up. My dad hates that story, because we never told him until years later and now he doesn't believe us.

23. The best video game ever
Pac-Man or Ms. Pac-Man. Nuff said.

68. having breakfast in bed
I don't usually eat breakfast, but if I were to make myself breakfast I might as well eat it somewhere other than in bed. Eating a meal in a bed is awkward to me.

63. my favorite “hip” saying
Is okie dokie "hip"?
If not then I say "that's how I roll" a lot.

11. Why God made bugs/rats/cellulite
So we could have awsome movies like...









I'll answer the rest at a later time....
TSH

Christian, two years of age, somehow managed to lodge his head into a chair today and found himself stuck. Now if one was so inclined as to hurt a child they could ahve jerked his head back through which it came, but another means was pursued.
Since the chair was incredibly well made, using rivets instead of bolts or screws, just taking the chair apart was not the solution. Rather, calling the local fire department proved to be helpful. Using large bolt cutters 5 firemen, 2 security men three teachers and one mom were able to been the frame of the chair enough to give Christian room to slide his poor little head out.

I laughed and laughed. Patty seen holding Christian and the chair said, "I've had these chairs for 25 years and no child has ever stuck their head in there."

Shaved Bumblebees?

I happened across this strange but glorious website today. It has all this interesting digital artwork. Here's my favorite from it.

Two Year Old Lessons

I was watching some two year olds play today and had several thoughts:

1. It's weird how a child can be incredibly revolting one minute and cute and cuddly the next. Adults are probably the same, you just can't pick them up as easily.

2. Children are immensely capable of greed and selfishness. Is this a result of nature or sin nature?

3. There was a little girl playing with a toy truck and I couldn't help but wonder what it was that was captivating her attention so much. Was it the way the object rolled? Or was she creating imaginary characters in her head?

4. Children can pick a wedgie with no pretense.

S.W.Y.P.

Wanted: Wife For Benton Youth Pastor

First off this is just another reason to hate the signs in front of churches and their clever words. But if my church were to post this I think I would have to turn in my resignation.
Watch the news feed HERE.

Zachary Taylor

I know I'm video heavy lately, but please enjoy this magical treat.
My friend Zach in Harlingen made a ESPN highlight worthy basket last week. Check it out.

Foreknowledge

Here's how I knew the Giants would win...


When in doubt...hold a turtle race!

If you were an apple...

Hardcore Baptist Pick-up Lines

Some of these are pretty bad... but really funny. Enjoy.

Eat Mud

I was informed of the follow article from a friend's blog.

Haiti's rising food prices drive poor to eat mud

This is just another daily reminder of God's lavishness on my life which provides me with more comfort than I deserve. And yet at the same time it's a reminder of God's desire for me and His church to actively respresent His love which forces me out of my comfort. God's love is uncomfortably comfortable.

If I can read a article like this and feel and do nothing about it, it's as if I'm saying to these people "Eat dirt and die". That's not who I want to be.

So...thoughts before conviction...conviction into action....

My initial response I suppose is a three fold:

1. Set aside time to pray. Not just casual prayer but down on my knees engaged in spiritual struggle that is unseen.

2. Fast. I need God to speak to me from a place of hunger and desire. Maybe from a place of empathizing God can teach me the plight of the these Haitans.

3. Discuss with some friends. What would God want us to do to bring about order in the chaos of their lives? I know our church sends teams to Haiti.

Foot in Mouth Disease

Back in Week 3 I predicted the firing of Tom Coughlin, the current SuperBowl champion coach, after the 0-2 start of the Giants. Go figure.

What the hell do I do?

Congratulations

18-1
Way to go Eli Manning! You've secured yourself in the family business.

Halftime

The Superbowl should start in about an hour. Alicia Keys is singing right now and it got me remembering the greatest Superbowl preformances.
- Michael Jackson's halftime show

- Whitney Houston's National Anthem preformance

- and most of all U2's halftime show in 2002, the first after 9/11...watch and listen as Bono opens by quoting a Psalm (from the Message)


What are you favorite Superbowl preformances?

Lord of the Deuce

Tonight the Deuce introduced Rachel, Chris, Todd and I to a favorite game of his called Wahoo. Wahoo is kinda the poor man's Sorry, just with a wooden board, marbles and a dice (how the heck do you spell the singular word for dice?).
Anyways the Deuce announced early that his goal was not to win, just to make sure that I clearly did not.
Well my blogger friends I must inform you, and with all humility, that I, T S Harrison, strolled to victory. While Rachel challenged me near the end, my superiour intellect and stragetic manuevering ensured the crown of victory.
I wish I had pictures but it would have been rude of me to gloat such a victorious win by having pictures taken with the losers. Instead I just humbly accepted their congratulations (which was laidened with spite and envy) without mention of the crushing defeat!

Inappropriate

Last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live Sarah Silverman presented Jimmy (her boyfriend) with a gift of this music video. It's incredibly inappropriate, but really really funny. Completely everything you'd expect from Sarah, but Matt Damon surprised me.

Becker

When I was sick this week I did only two things (well three, but nobody wants the details of me hugging a toliet). The first thing I did was sleep for about 24 hours over a 36 hour perioid. The other thing I did, in and out of sleeping, was watch recorded episodes of Becker.

Becker was a great show and I was curious if anyone else watched and loved this show like me.

"Lost"

I watched this season's premiere tonight with the Deuce, Chris, Talia and my brother Todd and all I can say is, "Frikin', freak, friking, frik, frik...freaking, frikin' frik, frik!!!" Argh...so many questions...

Quote

Just saw this quote over at Mark Waltz's blog...







Had it not been for Mark Buchanan's book, The Rest of God, I may not even care about this quote. Seriously go buy and read his book.

Sick

Home in bed. Only enough energy to type this post.
-tsh-

Totally Worth It

Saw this tonight with the Deuce and MyScott. Loved It.

A Good Post

Thanks Shaun for this very thought provoking post.
CLICK HERE
"What will you do to feed curiosity and starve fundamentalism in yourself?"

1994 "24"

An unaired 1994 "24" pilot


(thanks MarkO)

Heard This?

Here's the story.

I have no clue what to think of this. On one hand I think, "Good for her.", and on the other hand I think, "Wow, that was unnecessary." I wish I could hear the message he left on her machine.

Confessions

I like saying beverage. And not just saying beverage, but giving it an extra syllable. Bev-ver-age.

I also really, really like to chew on toothpicks.

Risking It

I know that when someone passes there needs to be a certain level of tact and compassion and respectable grievance, but because this is where I put thoughts down I'm going to risk something here.

News articles and television stories, as they typically do, have begun canonizing the life and career of Heath Ledger.
Now I didn't know Heath, or his daughter or anything about who he was, I just watch movies.

But isn't it a little pretentious to start immortalizing him with comparisons to James Dean, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrixs and other unfortunate famous people who died too early.
The fact of the matter is that Brokeback Mountain was no Giant and 10 Things I Hate About You was no Rebel Without A Cause.
Not to say that Heath wasn't talented or that his death isn't a loss in the acting community. I really do feel for his family and friends and I wish our strange media obsessed world would remove the cameras from their faces and let them grieve in peace.
I don't want to glorify someone just because they did young and/or tragically. I want to honor someone on how they lived.


I guess I'm just annoyed that when I received a rare communication, via text message, from my sister (which is fine because she's a college student and that's what I expect of college students), it was to inform me of the passing of someone we've never met and had little to no influence in our lives.

Great News!

They're back. How amazing is this news? Leigh Nash could sing a phone book and I'd buy the recordings. And a tour is being planned for sometime in April.
Now if Leigh can help resurrect PFR I could have my much of my high school years back.

Cool, Me Want

Buy HERE, turn your TV into a Giant Etch-A-Sketch.

Tonight #2

I led youth group tonight and tried to mix things up a bit. This really put a stress on the time allotted, but I'm hoping the students were able to engage fully and enjoy and learn.
We've been speaking to students about the responsibility of taking personal ownership in their own spiritual development, particular how to feed themselves using Scripture. Tonight I taught on how to use Scripture in our worship, using Colossians 1:15-23 as a base camp.
To begin with I had Nathan, a student who volunteered to lead worship, playing and singing as students arrived so that students entered into worship, instead of beginning worship. We never begin worship, we only enter into the worship that is before God day and night. By the way, because of a last minute absentee, Nathan had to wing a lot of things and I'm really proud of him handling it all and still engaging himself in the midst.
Then we wove (really is this how it's spelled?...seems weird), the music and singing, with the teaching and with break out activities. We had several new songs, choosen by Nathan, that I'm hoping the students knew. From where I was I couldn't really tell how much participation there was.
The teaching outline was simple. Four 3-4 minutes (maybe longer, I don't know) sections. One section being Who We Worship. Another being What Is Worship. The third was Why We Worship. And the last was When, Where and How We Worship. I know super creative huh?
And the activities we did in four rotations with groups were as follows:
1) finger painting a portrait [two good works of art were a result. the point with these were that the God who created us in His image delights in our creativity. and that our small efforts combined with the whole can produce masterpieces.]
2) positioning and meditating on Col. 1:15-20, [the scriptures instuct us to meditate on God's word day and night. by positioning scripture we can double the impact of this meditating. by physically positioning or bodies to reflect what the scriptures are speaking we engage the words and meanings on a entirely new level. suddenly you feel scripture and God can speak through the positions. if you've never done this you really should try it. let's get together sometime, and i'll help lead us.]
3) communion using milk and cookies, [Jesus never closed his Passover meal, according to the traditional practices of the meal. (there are four significant cups to drink, one upon entering, two that we read about in Luke, and a fourth to close...there was no fourth, not until he returns) therefore whenever you and i enjoy a meal we are still involved in that last supper. so cookies and milk and communion with Christ and His church are significant and everyday parts of our worship.]
and 4) Scripture memorization. [each group memorized a verse from Col. 1:15-23, reciting later in our public reading]
Later in our combined group we did a symbolic hand washing and confession (Col. 1:21-23 speaks of how God reconciled us and presented us without blemish), as well as a public reading of Scripture.
I told you there was a lot going on. It was fun.
Ultimately I wanted to get across, with the help of Romans 12:1 (the Message version is great!) that everything we do is worship, with God at the focus or not. That we need to take every normal typical day activity and turn...er...realize it is worship.
The Celtics used to call the moments when the spiritual rubbed up against the physical the Thin Places.
The challenge was to create opportunities and recognize the Thin Places in our lives.
I'm hoping the students have a lot to think about and questions to ask. I'd love more dialogue with them.

Wow I didn't even get into the teaching that I did, but that's all you get 'cause I'm tired.
Night.

Tonight #1

Crap! I said Celtic (as in the Boston basketball team) and not Celtic (an in "kelt-ic") tonight. And apparently enough times for people to come up and say something to me. I seriously read it properly and hear myself say it properly, but heck if my mouth would cooperate.

Lisa Loeb Saved My Marriage

Mark, who's living in IKEA, was having some marriage problems (due to living in IKEA I think), and...well just watch...

Someday I hope to get married, screw things up, plan a personal concert with Lisa Loeb, jump on beds together, and of course save the marriage. Awesome!

May 22, Will You Ever Arrive?

Can't Wait!

Dream a little dream...

Bill Clinton had some trouble staying await during a MLK remembrance service. My favorite part is the wake-up-nodding-in-agreement maneuver. (Been there before!) And at the end the glance at the watch.
Brillant.

Warning: Graphic

This video is not easy to watch. But it's images that are haunting and heart breaking. Please be careful watching it and showing it. (I really wish there was another image displayed below even.)

MLK

Here is Martin Luther King Jr's famous I Have A Dream Speech. The famous pat begins around 12:20, but in light of today the whole should be watched.

Three thoughts from this video:
1. This was almost 40 years ago, and while we've made improvements, we have to continue to ask and evaluate whether or not racism is still an issue in our society. These past few years would tell us it is. With Mel Gibson, Don Imus and Golf Digest making headlines, I think we have to say yes. And it's not just a black and white issue anymore.
2. MLK's speaking abilities are amazing. His cadence, his vocabulary, his passion and his building of tempo (using the repetition) is incredible. This has to be one of the greatest speeches ever.
3. I heard someone say that it should only take you 18 minutes to say what you need. Any longer and you've gone on too long. And I don't mind long sermons. Driscoll and Bell preach just around an hour each week. I know Robin Sigars preached almost two hours one time, and I was engage throughout it. But if you can't say it in under 18 minutes you really should try and think through what you need to say. MLK's speech here is under 18 minutes, and it changed a nation! Amazing.

Click HERE for his final sermon, I Have Seen The Promised Land. Powerful and prophetic! He was killed the next morning.

Quotation from Today

During our gathering this morning Mario, an assistant minister, announced the upcoming 6:00pm serivce launching February 10th. As he attempted to describe the purpose of the service he really said a head scratcher. This service will be even more laid back than the two morning services and hopefully will garner an crowd of Saturday evening partiers and Sunday morning sleepers. Mario said, and I have to apologize because this isn't quite word for word:

"This will be a service for those who don't normally come to church, people we refer to as Those Who Don't Normally Come To Church."

Or as the Deuce and I refer to them; TWDNCTC's.

Cloverfield

Loved It. Except that the waitress never brought me my beer. She took my order during the credits. She came back halfway through the movie and I asked for my beer again. And then she came back toward the end of the movie and asked if I still wanted the beer...right as the lights went up and the credits rolled. I told her no and that it was okay.
But the movie was really good. Exactly what I was expecting and hoping for. I didn't get motion sick like I did in the Blair Witch Project. And there were actually moments where I flinched (jumped).

Stryper

Growing up I didn't really listen to a lot of music. I listened to Rich Mullins and Michael Jackson. Seriously what other music was worth listening too. But eventually I began to branch out. I never ventured too far into the heavy metal world, but my parent's did let me buy a Stryper album.

Well thanks to my friend J-Mac I bring you this...



I remember the day I stopped listening to Stryper. My dad was not too impressed with them and in order to demonstrate why they and their music was bad he lectured my brother Todd and I..
It' wasn't because better music could be found. Or that their lyrics were really evil. But he said they wore their spandex pants to reveal their packages.
It was such an awkward conversation that I think I just gave in and just threw the album away.

Killer Eggs

I think these are amazing, and I don't know why.

Looking for Answers

How do you use Scripture in your worship?
What Scriptures speak to you about worship?

A Funny Read

Conan O'Brien's Strike Diary Revealed!

My favorite day is either Day 2 or Day 60.

Question

Why do we call a wrist watch a watch? Shouldn't it be called a wrist clock.

We don't ever say "grandfather watch" or "cookoo watch".

I'm sure there has to be an answer.

Either way I don't wear a watch. The last one I wore was destroyed in a 15 man battle royale in a college dorm room eight years ago. (FYI - A wrestling match I'm sure I won. )

Quotation Again

G.K. Chesterton: "Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese."

This is still true today.

Does anyone have or would create a poem about cheese and post it for me?

-tsh-

Quotation

"Close proximity between giver and receiver created a sense of investment on the part of the giver and a feeling of obligation in the receiver."

John Ratzenberger stated this in his book, specifically speaking about the relationship between factory owners and factory employees, and the community they built together (while building a product).

It's been on my mind this week. I've been placing this in several different context, considering how it applies. Context like:
- My relationship with God
- My spiritual community
- My job
- My parents
- My past relationships
- My future roommates.

I curious if anyone has any thoughts on the quote and how it might apply to one of your relationships.

Great Clip

Sometimes when a student is pouring their heart out and are revealing the deepest wounds I struggle not to laugh. I really do love them though. Which is why this clip is so funny.

Steven Delopoulos

I feel the need to constantly promote this guy. I love his music, partly because there isn't much like it out there and partly because it's awe- wait for it - some!
Check out Steven Delopoulos (formerly of Burlap to Cashmere).

New Beginnings

I started two new TV series tonight.

Earlier the Deuce and Talia came over and we watched last night's and tonight's episodes of Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles. This is going to be good. I wasn't expecting the time traveling element that was apart of the show and trying to fit the movies into the series is going to be interesting. I'm going to have to watch the movie trilogy again. And I have heard that a new Terminator trilogy is in the works, so how cool is that? It looks like there is at least 3 to 6 years of this series, depending on which time they continue to operate in. Judgement day is in 2011, but Sarah dies from cancer in 2005. If that confuses you at all...well you should have watched it already...hurry up.

As the first episode began the Deuce began to go nuts shouting, "I thinks that's River. Yes that's River. It's River from Firefly." River is a character in the TV show Firefly, which I have borrowed and had sitting on a shelf, just waiting for the right moment to start. Apparently the Deuce felt that moment was tonight. Firefly lasted only one season on the SciFi channel, but was given a movie reprise in Serenity. A space western, yeah this is going to be a good show. Talia...I'll finish it soon and pass it on to you.

Developing Deep

I love the community that I'm apart of right now. Certainly nothing good can come out it.
At the end of good day with a few moments of extreme pissed-off-ness, having some close friends call and talk and listen and pray for you is nothing short of being blessed.
Nothing was solved, nothing was planned, even my pissed-off-ness was still boiling under the surface.
But knowing some care to travel with me is joy.
I know you're reading this my friends, so.... "Thank you, I love you, and I can't wait until I can be there for you."

-tsh-

Enjoy

This blog is delightful.

This is Shiny

Watch the whole thing.

Film Night

Tonight I watched two movies. Waitress and then Once. Two incredible beautiful tragically happy movies.

I've known some people who were the pie maker that Keri Russel portrayed and were stuck in a life that brought them no satisfaction or joy. Hell, sometimes I've been that person. My heart was so sad though as you watch her try to find an alternative to the life she was living. But she eventually finds that which she didn't know she was looking for in the new life of her child and the gift from a dying friend.
[I had a preaching professor that would often say in daily discussions, "That'll preach". I think you could work something here.]


Once is somewhat a love story of two people so perfect for each other and so compatible, but for just a short moment in time. The music of this movie is brillant. There is this scene where the two have dinner with a huge gathering of people, and the price of dinner was to sing. Reminds me of Caedmon and his call. But the gathering, that's what we long for. Maybe not with music but some other shared interest. It's connection, purpose and significance. Some to sing, some to play, some to sit around and listen.
[That'll preach]

Organizing

Thanks to Rachel who came over to my apartment today and helped me narrow down my wardrobe.
Maybe you remember one of my New Year's Resolutions was to organize and minimize my closet. We didn't quite get to my idealistic goal, but I feel really good. Later we dropped off five trash bags off at Goodwill. I had a lot more than I thought. I haven't thrown away or gotten rid of an article of clothing in over 8 years apparently, yet I was only wearing about 10% of what I had hanging in the closet.
Now the continued idea is that I will only buy new clothes when necessary and get rid of an article for every new item purchased. Except for the new suit which is somewhere down the road.

Also in my closet is a large collection of Spider-Man comics as well as few other titles. They do have some value, but lately not to me. The value is purely sentimental, which if I was to unload the collection I would like to know that it went somewhere and to someone who would really appreciate it, read it, treasure it and share it. (I suppose if that's you let me know).
Somewhere in the back of my mind I would like to be at a place in life that if I was called to something which required me to go all Elisha on my things that I could.

"So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. The he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant." - 1 Kings 19:21

Death Race 2000

I just watched Death Race 2000 on TCM. What an amazing film. The movie stars David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone. I don't even know how to describe this movie. But I did hear that this was some of the inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse flick Death Proof.

Here is how IMDB summarized this movie:

A champion of a brutal cross-country car race of the future where pedestrians are run down for points has a change of heart while being hounded by rivals and a conspiracy seeking to stop the race.

I'm thinking that there had to be some overt political message that was trying to be conveied in 1975, but here in 2008 I could imagine what it would be. There is some edit worry scenes but I can't help but recommend you watch this movie.

I love this man...

I've never met Shaun Groves, but through his music and his words he has a huge impact on my life. Every time I hear him I'm convicted, encouraged and challenged. Check out this video. Its about 14 mins. so find some time to sit still first.

Go on now. Check out this video, then come back and you can read what else I have to say. I'll wait.

-----waiting-----waiting-----waiting-----waiting-----waiting-----

Okay you're back.

God saves us from...and...God saves us for. That's huge, and I hope you understand that and believe that. It's one of those truths that is new every morning, where you're in awe of the fact that the God of the universe would dare to rescue and reuse a chubby cheeked and tousled haired man like me.

We could talk all night about what God has saved us from. Trucks, and sin, and hell, and evil, and selfishness, and loneliness, and emptiness and on and on and on. God has saved and saves us from so much. He is savior.

But I'm curious what God has specifically saved you for.

And I'm curious what God has specifically saved me for.

Fifteen years ago I have a pretty good idea what that was going to be. And ten years ago I was absolutely certain. But the last five years....

The last five years. Life unscripted is hard for man who always likes to have a plan.

I understand the generic, every Christ-follower answer. But personally. Specifically me. I losing confidence in the things that I once was so confident in.

And if you're like me then I want you to know that I'm doing some late Friday night praying and pleading to know the will of God in my life. And I'm praying for your's as well.

Mark's Crazy...

if by crazy I mean awesome...and I do!
Mark lives in IKEA

Shopping Guide

Here's a great shirt. Buy it HERE.

Video Post...

...require little words. This one took a long time to make. It's a little long (about 8 mins.) but worthy I think.

I've gone video mad....

Sorry about all the videos. But I've been thinking about learning to cook for sometime and this is my kinda cooking.

Beatbox Fame Game
Uploaded by loranger

HIlarious

Bill Gates presented this video at the recent Consumer Electronic Show. It's a demonstration of Bill's upcoming last day as Microsoft's CEO.

I'll take 1

Make me laugh

Yeah I know it's juvenille, and the man should get a ticket or a night in jail, but it really makes me laugh. Here's the headline...

California Man Arrested for Digging 50 Holes in Bike Trail

Rude bikers annoy me too.

-tsh-

Drooling

Panasonic Unveils 150-Inch Set, First Portable HD DVR PlayerNow if I can just figure out how to get it through the front door.

-tsh-

My nephew loves cars. He will sit for hours playing with them, lining them up again and again.
I wonder if he would like these?
Urban Collectibles.
But since all Matchbox and Hot Wheels eventually look like these I think I'll save myself $49.95 and just beat up some new ones.

No Comic Left Behind

Superman Finds New Fans Among Reading Instructors

Researchers at Columbia University have found through a recent study that comic books have the potential to aid young readers in the literary development.
Click on the above headline to link to the story.
There has been previous understanding that comics, with their paneled pictures and dialogue had the potential to harm young readers.
I have always struggled reading. I find myself having to reread words, sentences, paragraphs, even whole chapters numerous times until I really was able to grasp what was being communicated. I really notice this at church when singing along to songs using the hymnals or projected lyrics. I constantly mix up the words or phrases. This results in me saying/singing some major theologically inappropriate things. Perhaps even blasphemous.
But I would contribute any reading success that I have partially to having read comics growing up. Not Superman like the above story link, but a real superhero like Spider-Man.

Soul Cravings - Day 1

I posted earlier about how I had given away my copy of Soul Cravings by Erwin McManus and how much I was bummed about that. Well everyone's friend Taylor tried to anonymously give me a copy for Christmas. (Thanks Taylor!)

As I skimmed the book at my original purchase I thought the book might make for an interesting daily devotional read which I could post about daily, or as I had correlating thoughts to express.

Today I read the introduction.

Erwin is inviting us on a exploration of the human spirit, to be a sojourn with him as we search for that which can satisfy the insatiable desires we all long for. The book is divided into three quest. One in search of intimacy (love), another in search destiny (hope) and the third in search of meaning (faith).

"If we're not careful, we might find ourselves with everything this world has to offer and later find we have lost ourselves in the clutter."

"If we are not careful, we will lose our ability to see such things as beauty, truth, or even affection. More importantly, you may close your eyes to what your soul needs you most to see."

So in early reflection moments here are my questions (that I'm asking myself) and my thoughts:

• What in your life is cluttering your ability to find what you most need.
• Do you really believe that your life has an insatiable craving that can be satisfied?
• Which do you long for most? Intimacy, destiny or meaning?
• How have you seen in others these cravings?
• This book is challenging you on a journey of soul exploration. Are you prepared to open you eyes and remove the clutter in order to discover the Kingdom of God with you.
• I find it amazing that God has wired me to be lost without him. He deemed me worthy, despite my chubby cheeks and lack of fashion and myriad of other reason not to love me. Just knowing that, reminds me of how much I need that. Crave that. Imagine that.
• If bitterness is an enemy of our trilogy quest, then how do we avoid bitterness?