Vocab

I was reading today and came across some new words:

• vainglorious
• haranguing
• addlepated

Then later I was watching 10 Items or Less (a scripted improve comedy) and they introduced two new phrases into my life:

• bromance: a plutanic friendship between two men (a combo of brother and romance)
• tonya harding'd (hiliariously used out of context, as it was nancy kerrigan who was whacked in the knee)

Seriously tonights episode was great. I loved it when they were trying to kill the cow. Watch it online...

Marketing Works

so funny...maybe the first time I can remember "pinch a loaf" made it to television.

still laughing

8 seconds of glorious-ness!

Answers (Part 2)

I'm going to answer a few more of Julie's questions. This time I hope I get more than a post reply, but actually land on her "Good Bloggers" list.

18. What I really think of the electric slide
I hold to the belief that the electric slide, much like the electric fence, should not be peed on.

51. People who I should call/write/delete from my cell phone

Call - I need to call Brooke Asbury and see if she can recommend any DJ's for my sister's wedding.

Write - I don't understand. Do you mean e-mail? Or text?

Delete - I just went through this weekend deleting every phone number that I don't need or have been changed, there was several.

71. How I met the love of my life

Still to be written... at least I hope so. Wouldn't that suck if I've already met her? Maybe when we were in the 7th grade together we met and moved on never to meet again. Yep that would suck because I only remember a few people from 7th grade and we all played baseball together... and I don't date dudes.

6. The best meal of my life

This is hard to say. I'm going to go with the current one. Unless it happens to have something in it I don't care for, in which case then meal after that.

Honorable mentions: This five star restaurant in Izmir, Turkey. Any one of my birthday dinners ever (hamburgers and chocolate cake). Any dinner at my parents (except when they stuff mushrooms into dishes), Thanksgiving, grilling steaks, mom's taco salads, etc. A box of Mac & Cheese.

14. If I could be anyone in the world

I feel a Freaky Friday lesson comin' on, so I'm just going to say me.

33. How I'd make the world a better place

Quickly and permanently.

40. Here's pictures of my garden, house, kids, golf clubs, car, most expensive pair of shoes

My arm back in October of '07 after I fell climbing over the fence to get into my apartment. I had walked out of my apartment to check out the Deuce's new truck and forgot my keys. When trying to go back through the complex gate I realized my error and decided to hop the fence like I've done numerous times before. This time I slipped and slashed my arm and landed face first. Pure grace, I know. There's still a scar today that I wonder if other people assume was me trying to kill myself.

27. Favorite poet/author/artist

Poet - Allison and friends HERE and HERE

Author - Mark Buchanan

Artist - Van Gogh

Community

The church today is obsessed with small groups.

Here are statements that I have heard in some fashion:

- "for the church to grow larger it must grow smaller"

- "at this church we do community in small groups"

- "if you are not in a small group you are missing out on community"

- "true community occurs in homes"

I could go on and on I think, but you get the point. These are things I have said, and have preached, and have believed.

But what I'm curious about is this: Why can community not be experienced in the mass?

- Have we declared ourselves so bad at loving one another that we have to regulate our intimacy in order to possibly experience community?

- Are we limiting God by declaring the mass community a nonviable means of intimacy?

- Can I experience true community in a large gather on a daily basis.

I think for that last question there might be those who say, "No". That in our world today logistically it's impossible. Again I think that's limiting God, the God of Scripture. My scriptures tell me that "nothing is impossible with God."

I want to be careful here. I don't want people to hear me saying that I think smaller community groups are bad, or wrong, or unbiblical. I'm in a small group. I meet with a limited gathering every Thursday evening. I just don't want to say that through my Thursday evenings, because I eat dinner with others, pray and gloss over some Bible questions, that I've experienced community.

I believe that community occurs, despite the numbering of people, when we are aware of the movement of God in our lives and the connectivity of Christ as displayed through our authenticity and interdependency.

I've stood in the old Mile High Stadium with approximate 50,000 other men and felt the same communal relationship as I have with a group of 5 men in a dorm room. Community is not limited in size.

The moment we begin to put the understanding of community into a box, we've in essence limiting the church, thereby creating a framework in which to place God. I was singing yesterday that my God is limitless. And I believe the church needs to have visions of limitless possibilities.

Certainly I don't declare myself an expert. These thoughts are somewhat ramblings that I prefer hope create dialogue. I'm honestly just asking questions and considering possibilities. So please tell me:

- What do you think?

- Am I completely off base?

- Would you alter my definition of community in anyway?

Churched Batman

I just really think this is funny. See more HERE.

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!