indiana

I finally went out and picked up Jon McLaughlin's album indiana at Target this week, for $9.99 (a great deal). And have really been enjoying it. If you haven't heard it, I would suggest it. Click on the album pic for his website.

I probably could say more, but this is all I'm going to say right now.

Something Everyday

I drive about 30 miles to work everyday, and then back of course. A drive that should take about 30 minutes, I've done it quicker, but because of weather, accidents and idiot drivers, usually takes 40 to 60 minutes.
As I move at the snails pace I get to see something exciting everyday. Today was no different. And I've decided to start sharing these.
So my first commute experience that I get to share with you is....(drum roll)....

That's right, the Oscar Mayer WienerMobile!

I'm not a huge hot dog fan, but who can't smile when you see this driving down the road. I know I couldn't. I was driving so I couldn't get my camera out in time. But seriously this is like a once in a year kinda thing. You have to stop, take notice, and thank the Lord God for blessing you with such an opportunity.

Gotta Have It

Already selling my individual seasons.

I really need to get married. So I can have the excuse that the wife is the reason I would own this.

5 Seconds

These are hysterical and I hope whoever makes them keeps it up.
ROCKY I-Balboa

300

BACK TO THE FUTURE

All the BATMAN movies

TITANIC

LORD OF THE RINGS

Passion

Tim Schmoyer on his blog Life in Student Ministry (which recently has experieced some major changes and why I think I've seen this before) posted this clip of Steve Jobs and inquires if Steve is talking about ministry with youth. What do you think?

Enjoyable

Tonight I attended a sparsely attended concert of Kevin Max (of DC Talk fame). The show was opened by Chris Taylor and Rueben V.

There may have been 50 people in the small outdoor patio, but the music was delightful despite the lack of attendance. I was actually impressed that the show was still held despite the low ticket sales. It showed some integrity that honestly I wouldn't have been surprised not to see.

Kevin still has it. I don't care what your opinion of him or DC Talk is, but this man was given an incredible set of pipes. The control he has over his voice is amazing.

Paul, who I went with, and his son Alex recorded the show and I can't wait to get the bootleg copy. Also I might post some photos once Paul forwards them to me.

Kevin is somewhat of a hero of mine. His refusal to conform to the status quo or to the expectations of the majority demonstrate a quality that I'm still trying to acquire to my satisfaction. I had him sign my Canticles of the Plains album (with Mitch and Kevin down all I have left is Michael Tate and Leigh Nash, of course Rich has passed) and my copy of At The Foot Of Heaven.

Thanks Kevin for you life and music.

Horrified!

The #1 song the day I was born was Grease.
http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

NFL Picks...Week 9

San Fransico at Atlanta = San Fran

Cincinnati at Buffalo = Buffalo

Denver at Detroit = Detroit

Green Bay at Kansas City = Green Bay (I'm starting to believe!)

San Diego at Minnesota = San Diego

Jacksonville at New Orleans = Jacksonville

Carolina at Tennessee = Tennessee

Arizona at Tampa Bay = Tampa Bay

Washington at New Jersey = Washington

Seattle at Cleveland = Cleveland

New England at Indianapolis = The hardest choice of the week...Indianapolis

Houston at Oakland = Oakland

Dallas at Philadelphia = Dallas

Baltimore at Pittsburgh =Pittsburgh

Time On Your Hands?

Yes, for this of course I do!

Check out this site for the history, methods, rules and physics of shooting rubber bands.

Awkward

http://view.break.com/393393 - Watch more free videos

Another reason I hope I'm never arrested!

Flickr Fascination

One of my favorite websites is Flickr.com. Unfortunately it is through Yahoo and not Google, but sometimes you have to make concessions. But some people have an amazing talent with camera and photo programs. I really want to build photograph as a hobby, but I struggle remembering to snap the camera. But I can literally spend hours parusing people porfolios and admiring their work.

Here are a few photos that I really enjoy:

If you have a Flickr account let me know so I can check out your work.

Instruction: A Follow Up

I learned tonight that the break out session that I was supposed to teach this coming Sunday is actually a main session. In addition the main session material I'm to create the break out discussion questions as well.
No I didn't hear things wrong at the beginning. This was all sprung on me tonight.
Looks like I have some work to do this weekend.
Pray for me.

I'm thinking of opening with this; "Parent's, in this session I'm going to tell you how to better love your children, since you haven't done a good job so far."

Gots a nice ring to it...eh?

Engagement: A Follow Up

So this past weekend my sister and her fiance came and had lunch and spent the day with my parents. Apparently my parents were able to help guide them to, my opinion, a wiser decision of a longer engagement.
I believe the wedding date is now in the spring. And the Marine commitment by the fiance is a not yet a commitment and has some clearer and better circumstances surrounding it.
So I think I said this before, my only problem now is that I have had a chance to meet the young lad.
Oh, that and my sister still hasn't told me yet. Yep I may officially be last on her list of people to tell. I thought we were closer than this.
What do you do?

Recommendation

By way of Brain Seay's blog, A Simple Journey, I read a hilarious post entitled "Why I Am Not Emergent." As emergent continues to become a buzzword we'll see it stray from its roots and become a trend.
Read the post for yourself. But a couple of his points are:
1) I can't afford the clothing
or
5) ECM people eat their young.

Instruction

This coming Sunday I am participating in an awareness seminar at my church. Using much of the materials from Chap Clark's book Hurt and from the Parenteen organization we want to expose parents and adults to the world beneath.
Using two main sessions and two breakout sessions we want to introduce the adults to the reality of teenagers lives today, creating attitudes that empathize and then hearts willing to bring the hope and love of Jesus to students.
That last part is where I'm involved. I get to deal with the praxis portion of the afternoon. Taking our intellectual understandings and fleshing out practical steps of action.
Now anyone who has worked with students knows that youth ministry at its core is simple; connecting students with caring adults. That's the relative easy part. How does that look though?
How does that look for parents? for adult mentors? for student leaders?
I like how Richard R. Dunn in his book Shaping the Spiritual Life of Students refers to it. He calls this response by caring adults "pacing"? And I like the imagery. An experienced runner who controls his steps in order to train an novice athlete. Gradually the experience runner ups his tempo and rhythm bring the novice to his superior level.
What I've been wrestling with the last few days is confidence. I often doubt the authority that God has given me. I don't trust that God has placed gifts and a passion for students in my life that peers and other adults respect and appreciate.
Who am I to tell parents how to better love and care for their child?
Who am I to tell peers of mine, who I look up to, better methods of discipleship?

Anyways...
I've been rereading Dunn's book and I came across this passage that I really like.
Leading adolescents toward loving obedience rather than dutiful obligation requires walking alongside their hearts rather than simply teaching them to manage their external behaviors.

Quotation

"I fear, wherever riches have increased, the essence of religion has decreased in the same proportion. Therefore, I do not see how it is possible, in the nature of things, for any revival of religion to continue long. For religion must necessarily produce both industry and frugality, and these cannot but produce riches. But as riches increase, so will pride, anger, and love of the world in all its branches."--- John Wesley (1703-1791).

Ben Witherington III posted this on his blog today as a memo for Joel Osteen. A little underhanded unless he knows Joel, but humorous and insightful nonetheless. Good quote.

Anticipation

According to Andy at the Andrew Peterson and the Captians Courageous blog the new CD Ressurection Letters Vol. 1 will be available soon. The gang has been posting throughout the recording thoughts and videos. Actually some of the most humorous videos out there.

I first heard Andrew Peterson play at the University of Arkansas the summer of '98, opening for Bebo Norman and Caedmon's Call. The venue maybe held 150 people, but who could tell when you have front row seats. Instantly I connected with his music and lyrics. In Andrew, I dare say, that I had found someone who replaced the abrupt loss of Rich Mullins influence in my life.

And while things have changed in Andy's music career, Jamie (his wife) is not as active, and Gabe Scott has moved on as well, The Captians Courageous seem to be adequate replacements.

If you've never heard any of Andrew's work I recommend his album Love and Thunder, actually I recommend any of albums, but especially Love and Thunder and the song After The Last Tear Falls.

However recently on the blog Andrew posted the lyrics for a new song Hosanna. Check them out, I can't wait to hear them with music.

Hosanna

I am tangled up in contradiction

I am strangled by my own two hands

I am hunted by the hounds of addiction

Hosanna

I have lied to everyone who trusts me

I have tried to fall when I could stand

I have only loved the ones who love me

Hosanna

Oh, Hosanna

See the long awaited king

Come to set his people free

Oh, Hosanna

Come and tear the temple down

Raise it up on holy ground

Hosanna

I have struggled to remove this raiment

Tried to hide every shimmering strand

I contend with these ghosts and these hosts of bright angels

Hosanna

I have cursed the man that you have made me

I have nursed the beast that bays for my blood

I have run from the one who would save me

Hosanna

Oh, Hosanna

See the long awaited king

Come to set his people free

Oh, Hosanna

Come and tear the temple down

Raise it up on holy ground

Hosanna

We cry for blood

We take your life

Hosanna

We cry for blood

We take your life

It is blood and it is life that you have given

You have crushed beneath your heel the vile serpent

You have carried to the grave the black stain

You have torn apart the temple's holy curtain

You have beaten death at death's own game

Hosanna

Hail the long awaited king

Come to set his people free

(We cry) Oh, Hosanna

Come and tear this temple down

Raise it up on holy ground

Oh, Hosanna

I will lift my voice and sing

You have come and washed me clean

Hosanna

NFL Picks...Week 8

Detroit at Chicago = Chicago

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati = Pittsburgh

New York Giants at Miami (at Wembley Stadium in London) = New York

Philadelphia at Minnesota = Philadelphia

Cleveland at St. Louis = Cleveland

Indianapolis at Carolina = Indianapolis

Oakland at Tennessee = Tennessee

Houston at SanDiego = San Diego

Jacksonville at Tampa Bay = Tampa Bay

Buffalo at New York Jets = Buffalo

Washington at New England = New England (although this is a game they could lose)

New Orleans at San Fransico = San Fransico

Green Bay at Denver = Denver

Competition

While everyone is thrilled for the budding relationship of Jim and Pam, I say that they had better watch out because there are some possibilities out there that may become more topical around the water cooler. For instances

Leonard and Penny from The Big Bang Theory

Chuck and Sarah

Ned and Chuck
and

Ted and the Girl with the Yellow Umbrella

Eight Dollar Hot Dog

Be careful, this video may cause conviction.