Photos of 2008

Did you seen some of these year in reviews by means of photos?

First go HERE.

Then go HERE.

Finally go HERE.

Someone Please Tell Me If This Is Real

Boy Scouts Offer to Give Breast Exams?  With this kinda public service I think we could certainly see an dramatic increase in the the young boys joining the Boy Scouts.  

Boy Scouts Offer To Give Breast Exams @ Yahoo! Video

2009 Goals

Last year I shared with you my goals for 2008 and I actually accomplished some of those. So I thought I should try this again for 2009. And this year I’ll try and give more regular updates. In a couple of days I’ll also do a recap of my 2008 goals.

Now I should list my 2009 goals. Some of these goals are being made for me. Some of them are second attempts because I failed at them this year. Some of them are repeats because they were challenging enough that by repeat them I’m not necessarily making it easier on myself. Some are really simple goals, these hopefully will give me confidence to complete the ones that require more discipline. All are measureable, because I like to know if I succeed or not. And hopefully all will make me better: a better man, a better Christ follower, a better youth pastor, a better potential husband (wink wink ladies), etc.)

Oh…and I suppose I should say that I still don’t like the term resolution. It seems incredibly cliché. But then again so does the term goals, so what do I know.

Here are my 2009 goals

1. Find a new job. - Again, some of these goals were being made for me, and this one comes care of the United States Air Force. Due to the closure of the base I work at I will be out of the job sometime in the fall. Now the USAF will do what it can to find me another position within the system, but I want to use this opportunity to get back into full time ministry. This is where my passion is anyways.

2. Read 40 books. - This is a repeat goal, but I thought it was the right amount of books to challenge myself with. This is somewhere in the neighborhood of 3.5 books a month.

3. Memorize Colossians. - Another repeat, but this is because I failed to accomplish this last time. This time I am going to set some sub-goals in order to really achieve this one.

a. January – Read once a day.

b. February – Create flash cards with each paragraph and put them in order once a day.

c. March – Create flash cards with each sentence and put them in order once a day.

d. April & May – Create flash cards with each word from chapter 1 and put them in order once a day. Once a month write out the chapter.

e. June & July – Create flash cards with each word from chapter 2 and put them in order once a day. And once a week do the same with chapter 1. Once a month write out chapters 1 & 2.

f. August & September – Create flash cards with each word from chapter 3 and put them in order once a day. And once a week do the same with chapters 1 and 2. Once a month write out chapters 1 -3.

g. October & November – Create flash cards with each word from chapter 4 and put them in order once a day. And once a week do the same with chapters 1-3. Once a month write out the book from memorization.

h. December - Recite the book twice a week.

4. Visit some friends. – Whether it be in Kansas City, North Carolina or out in California. Get away from where you are and spend a week of enjoying where someone else is.

5. Visit two baseball stadiums. – This was suggested by a friend, and certainly this is a great goal. Actually she suggested I visit two baseball stadiums that I’ve never been to before.

6. Visit a Doctor. – while I went to an asthma and allergy specialist in 2008, I haven’t seen a general practitioner in years. Just for daily health stuff. I start my allergy shots next week, so life/health should start improving. But I ignore so many other things in my life, who knows if I’m healthy or sick.

7. Sign up for some kind of class. – I’ve been thinking how I need to discover something else. Maybe karate, or a dance class (in case I ever get married I can dance with my woman at the reception), or photography…something. Let’s work on this together.

8. Prep for a mission trip in 2010. – It was suggested by a friend that I visit Africa, which is something I would love to do. But I would also love to visit Southeast Asia or South America. But more than just visit one of those places I would love to find something I could do while I was there. So I officially starting a search for my Mission Trip 2010.

I feel like I'm forgeting something, and because I've chicken stratched these on napkins and loose pieces of paper for the past sevearl weeks I'm going to have to look around or rethink of what they were. Maybe I can figure it out and add to this list tomorrow.

What are some of your goals for the new year?

Leaders are Readers

This is an interesting article by Karl Rove about his and the President's reading list, which was turned into a contest.

On average Bush reads close to 50+ books a year.  I'm really impressed.  And apparently this would be an even higher number if he didn't have all thos presidential responsibilities getting in the way.

And because of this prolification in reading I'm anxiously awaiting his memoir upon his retirement.  This certainly goes in the face of the portrayal of Bush by the media as an poorly educated man.  And I expect to find a facsinating read.

The article lists many of the books that Bush has read to, just in case your curious as to what the President of the United States reads.  

Shocking News

Broncos fire Shanahan after 14 seasons as head coach

This headline took my by surprise.

Of course I think he'll land on his feet quickly anywhere he wants to go, if he wants to go anywhere else.

I hated to see him leave my 49ers after their last SuperBowl win, and I'm shocked that Denver let him go.  This is one head coaching change I wasn't expecting.

My Neighbors

Joe and Lisa are back.  I saw their huge 5th wheel trailor in the parking lot of our apartment complex tonight.  Joe and Lisa are awesome.  Joe is retired military and now the two of them use their apartment as a home base for the annual travels around America.  For anyone who loves to travel, Joe and Lisa are your type of heroes.

A little over a week ago I got an e-mail from Lisa.  It was really out of the blue.  But because I found it really cool and a great encouragement I asked her if I could share it here.  Here is our e-mail conversation.

Lisa

Hi Trevor,

Lisa Culfa here - in case you didn't gather that from my encrypted email adress.
I'm ashamed to admit that I finally got around to checking out your blog this evening for the first time (my head is truly hanging in shame).  Anyway, I simply had to write you a short note and tell you how GREAT it is!  It is really great - but I guess I just said that.  It was hilarious (the story of the white elephant gift exchange - and especially the subway sub) and touching (the story about the military family with the injured husband).  I probably could have (or at least should have) guessed that it would be a really good representation of you.  You seem to be equal parts sensitive (in the best way) and funny.  I enjoyed seeing what's on your book list and what your favorites are - gives me more ideas for future reading.  As for your music playlist I've got to get out more or at least turn on the radio more often.  I scarcely recognized even half of the artists.  I better quit just constantly going back to my favorites (mostly country and jazz) and expand my musical palette (I hope that's the correct palette I'm using and not palate).  Anyway, I'll keep checking in and enjoying you and write a bit more often when I do - it's kinda sad not to see any comments posted to your good stuff.  We're all just scared our comments will pale in comparison to yours.
Joe and I are currently in Tucson AZ at the Family Campground on Davis Monthan AFB.  We love this location - to visit only, not to live.  We'll be back home on December 30th and look forward to seeing you and Chris again.  Hope all is well there at Chelsea Place and that you're enjoying the Christmas season to the fullest.
Oh, and by the way - not to worry about the being single thing like Kate Hudson.  You'll meet your perfect person when you least expect it - that's always the way it works.  Besides, anyone would be truly blessed to have you in their life - can't imagine ever being able to say the same about Kate or Matthew :).
Take good care, keep up the blogging and tell Chris and Phillip Hi for us!
Lisa and Joe Culfa (#630)

Me

Hey Lisa

Thank you for your message.  It was incredibly encouraging, you may never know.  I almost posted it on the blog but thought I should probably ask you first if that was okay.

Be safe in your travels, I hope that someday will come along where I can experience a similar season in life like yours.  

Have a Merry Christmas.

Trevor

Lisa

Hi Trevor,

It was really great to hear back from you!  You may certainly post my email message to you on your blog if you'd like. Again, it hardly seems like anything at all to me after reading your stuff.
You hold a unique greatness within Trevor.  You know the power of thoughts and words - let them be the magnets they are and attract all the things your heart desires and make them manifest in your life.
Almost time for some eggnog (not really one of my favorites - I'd much rather drink hot chocolate) and Christmas music.
Enjoy all your friends and family as you gather together.  We'll see you soon!
Lisa neighbor

It's good to have great neighbors.

Buzzwords

Did you use any of these this past year? Story HERE.

Gone Fishing

On Saturday my dad, my brother Todd, my brother-in-law Mickey, my nephew Jacob and I went out to the lake for some fishing. The lake was packed for the weekend and it seemed as if all along the shoreline there were lines in the water. Eventually we found a corner of the lake and cast away.
We didn't catch anything.

Actually I think my dad and Mickey did most of the fishing. I was never the fisherman type. I always preferred catching fish to actually fishing. Plus I'm just not very good at the whole thing. Once when we lived in North Dakota my dad, Todd and I went out. I had cast near this spot by the bridge. When my line got stuck, for the fifth or sixth time that day, my dad had become frustrated and told me to figure it out. I yanked on that line and reeled and reeled. Eventually something came loose and when I brought the hook back up attached was a fish. I swear that fish was not the reason I had trouble.

My brothers and I all share our birthdays in the month of August. And one year my dad took Todd and Trent out to fish on their respective birthdates. I was so worried I was going to have to spend my birthday fishing. But my parents knew me well enough. Instead they skipped church with me and we went out for breakfast.

That being the case, Jacob and I spent more time checking out the ducks and throwing sticks in the water.
I got ahead of Jacob at one point and he came running after me with his Gatorade blue tongue waving in the air.

No-o-o-o-o-o!

Today I read some horrible, terrible, no good, very bad news.

Zooey Deschanel is Engaged

I thought we had a connection, her and I, and she goes off and breaks my heart. All those times I watched her movies and sighed at how pretty she is and listened to her sing in Elf. And she acting in more movies just for me to watch.

I don't know if a clearer definition of a relationship can be defined.

But Zooey I forgive you. And I wish you and this jerk...er...fellow of yours have a happy and blessed marriage.

Questions Wanted

One of my desires over the coming year is to actually write more on this blog, and embed less videos (or a better video to writing ratio).  Therefore I am asking you the readers to submit your questions for me about me.  

I will answer 52 questions next year, one for each week.  Hopefully these weekly self revelations will be posted on each Monday in 2009.

I don't want to hide or limit any part of my life, therefore your questions can be on literally anything pertaining to my life.  These questions can be about any area of my life; career, personal, goals, past, faith, etc.  My goal is to not avoid any questions submitted, and to answer all questions openly and honestly.  

I would make these questions up myself, but how would I know that the information is what you would want to read.

So friends, let's have them.  What do you want to know about me?

MOVE

Hey if you work with youth this is an event you may want to be aware of and take advantage of this summer.

Here is a video explaining the concept of MOVE:

The Foundations of MOVE from CIY Move on Vimeo.

You can find out more about MOVE here.

And you might also want to check out their junior high program called Believe, one of the best junior high/middle school events in the nation.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Incarnation Day!

Dwell in Joy today my friends.  Today we celebrate our great Emmanuel!  Our God dressed himself up in bones and muscle and flesh, and began his journey towards wooden beams and piercing nails.  This baby that we cuddle and coo today will die a brutal death on a cross so that we might become the righteousness of God.  

Certainly if we believe that, we could go tell in on the mountains with a little more enthusiasm and excitement that this:

Christmas Eve 40 Years Ago

This is a message from 40 years ago, and 238,857 miles away, today.

Thanks to Al Carter for creating this video.

Al Carter attended high school with my dad at South Houston High School, they were juniors in 1968. Al, a former sports reporter and editor, created this tribute page for the class of 1970.
Some of what's really amazing about this site that he created is that I can watch all my dad's high school football games to the '65 concert recording of The Beatles at the Sam Houston Coliseum (which my dad attended)

Merry Christmas!

Countdown 1 Day

Merry Christmas!

Behold the Lamb of God - Andrew Peterson

Countdown 2 Days

Merry Christmas!

Silent Night - Sixpence None the Richer

Great Tackle

Referee Garth DeFelice made a strong forearm tackle on St. Louis Ram running back Kenneth Darby.  As a 49er fan I was especially grateful.  

Countdown 3 Days

Happy Incarnation!

Better Days - Shaun Groves

Gloria! Christmas Tour 2008 (Better Days) from Shaun Groves on Vimeo.

Countdown 4 Days

Merry Christmas!

Love Came Down at Christmas - Jars of Clay

Happy Incarnation

I listened to this sermon recently entitled The Left Brain of Christmas by Andrew Kirschner, and it is absolutely great!.  I really want to encourage you to carve out 32 minutes this week and give this a listen.  I'm sure if will only enhance this time of year for you.  

Also I think by the end of it you too may just be blessing people a Happy Incarnation!

Sharing Christ

Penn (from Penn & Teller) has some challenging words for us Christians.  

I want to be like this man that he speaks of in this video.  Compassionate towards the lost.  Passionate about what I believe.  Confident enough to do something about both.

Thanks Los.