And No Al Gore

I finally got around to watching the video below.  I'm not sure why I found this interesting, but I watched all of it, so I must have.  If you're not interested I suppose I could understand, in which case just ignore this blog post. 

History of the Internet from PICOL on Vimeo.

Remembering: Jim Elliot

"Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me. "- Jim Elliot

53 years ago today (Jan. 8), Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were killed in Ecuador seeking to meet and evangelize the Waodani people.

I love his prayer. There is danger in that prayer; it's always dangerous to ask God to consume your life. What if God were to grant that request? My prayer tonight is for God to mold my heart into a heart that can honestly pray that prayer.

John Smoltz

I just read that John Smoltz will pitch for the Red Sox next year.  I think John Smoltz is great.  One of the greatest pitchers of his time (along with Roger Clemons and Greg Maddox).  Not many players can make the transition from an elite starting pitcher to an elite closer and back to an elite pitcher.  In fact I am having trouble recalling any other pitcher to do so.

But to leave the organization you have spent your entire career with and join the dastardly, despicable Red Sox.  Well that may just be unforgivable. 

Some things are just not right. Babe Ruth in a Braves uniform.  Joe Montana taking snaps for the Chiefs.  Michael Jordan playing in anything other than a #23 Bulls jersey. 

But Smoltz-y in Beantown, that’s just wrong.

You Asked For It: Part 1

You can review all the questions you asked me here.  I'll start with these three.

19. Polka dots or stripes?

If I had to choose between the two I suppose I would pick stripes.  I don't think I've ever owned, let alone wore polka dots.  I tend to purchase plain colors or plaids, but just saying that makes me sound very boring.  However, that's probably the look I am trying to project.

36. Fries from In-n-Out or McDonald’s?

I've never been to an In-n-Out, therefore I've never had their fries before.  I could not give them an honest shake.  In high school I was a manager at a McDonald's and have had my share of those.  People always ask me if I'm sick of them; I can honestly say that I'm not.  However, I rarely eat at McDonald's anymore.  Not because I'm tired of their food.  If I'm going to have fast food I'm going to choose Chick-fil-A.  And if I can open the In-n-Out vs. McDonald's fry debate I will always pick Chick-fil-A's waffle fries!

43. What is your favorite beverage?

This is no secret.  I believe that the rivers in heaven flow with Dr. Pepper.  I also like Dr. Pepper.

Allergy Shots

Today I began a series of injections that, I'm told, should dramatically improve my health. Not only will improve my reactions to these San Antonio allergens, but it will improve the stress these allergies put on my asthma.

My family will always share with people about how scared I am of shots. My parents will tell you that I would throw fits when receiving my immunizations.

I, of course, would say that they are exaggerating. But even if I wasn't, what the big deal. I would think my parents would be encouraged that I would never become a crackhead.

I will confess though that whenever I do roll up my sleeve, preparing myself for the needle's impending prick, my heart rate does pick up and my palms do begin to sweat.

This was true today as well.

One shot into the back of my right arm. A second followed into the back of my left arm.

After each shot I make the same response to myself: "That was it?"

One down. Five to seven years to go.

You Asked For It: Questions

Recently I asked for your help. I was in search of questions. Questions you had about me. Questions that I could answer every Monday. Questions that would hopefully encourage my writing on this blog. Questions with answers that consisted of words and not Youtube clips.

Below is the list of questions you have asked. If you have any additional questions you can add them at any time. I figure some answers might spark more questions. Just because they are numbered I don't think I'll be answering them in order, in case you were making that assumption.

Here are the questions you have asked so far:

1. what do you do when you are depressed?
2. where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years?
3. do you like to get flowers? give them?
4. what lesson of love took you the longest to learn?would you ever adopt a child?
5. Do you like throwing parties? having them thrown for you?
6. Have you been in love?
7. do you remember names of people you meet?
8. What are three things you think you need to be happy?
9. What hobby would you like to make a career?
10. If you could be anything, & you knew you wouldn't fail, what would you be?
11. What did you want to be when you were 5?
12. You just won an all-expense paid vacation anywhere, where do you go?
13. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
14. What was your first concert?
15. What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
16. If you could ask God one question, what would you ask Him?
17. What is your favorite snack?
18. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
19. Polka dots or stripes?
20. What word or phrase do you use the most?
21. How did you become a Christian?
22. If you could have any super-power, what would you choose?
23. What reality TV show would you like to be on?
24. You are going on a date…where do you go?
25. Where did you go to college…what was your major?
26. If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?
27. Where were you born?
28. What is your favorite joke?
29. Who was your first crush?
30. Where do your parents live?
31. What is your favorite state capital?
32. If you had a pet giraffe, what would you name it?
33. What is your favorite CD right now?
34. What was your favorite band when you were a freshman?
35. What is your favorite Bible story?
36. Fries from In-n-Out or McDonald’s?
37. What have you always wanted to buy, but can’t justify the cost?
38. If you were having a party, which 3 celebrities would you invite?
39. What is your favorite dinosaur?
40. What is one way you can see God working in your life?
41. Can you speak any languages other than English?
42. You are spending the entire day alone…what do you do all day?
43. What is your favorite beverage?
44. How many of the US States have you visited?
45. What do you like on your Subway sandwiches?
46. How often do you see your brothers and sisters?
47. What US President do you think you could take in a fight?
48. What was the last movie you saw?
49. Tennis shoes or sandals?
50. If you were a book, what genre would you be, and what would your title be?
51. The funniest joke you ever heard.
52. Books and or artists that have had a major impact on your life and why.
53. Favorite recipe/dinner.
54. Embarassing moments (I have more of these and more embarassing than anybody I know - I think I am suggesting this one hoping someone else might have this issue, too.)
55. What are your dreams, and do you think you will ever really fulfill them, or do they just motivate you?
56. The stupidest youth group games you have ever played.
57. Reviews of the places you have lived - what you liked and didn't like about them.
58. Your favorite verses and why they mean so much to you.
59. What are your nicknames, what do you wish they were.
60. What do you think of alternative medicine (ex Acutpucture)?
61. Describe your perfect Saturday.
62. What is your biggest success/failure?
63. Would you ever grow your hair long?
64. Describe your perfect girl (I know some of this but more than short & low self esteem)!
65. What one person was your biggest influence/inspired you the most?

Bush's Legacy

As Bush's presidency comes to a close I'm sure we are going to be seeing more and more summations of his time in office.  I personally am really excited for a year or two from now when his autobiography comes out.  I think the media, despite whether or not you (or they) agree with Bush's decisions, convictions and policies, has painted a very limited portrait of a rather interesting figure.

I found this brief article really interesting and thought I'd point it out to any of you who would be interested.

Analysis: Bush's personality shapes his legacy

Book Review: Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight

I received this book in the mail this week. And despite it's pink cover I gave it a quick read. That's right...I'm not afraid of a little pink. Just don't think it makes my manly skin tone, so I refuse to wear it on that basis alone.
Okay that's a lie. I really don't like pink. Maybe it's a reaction to childhood memories of Pepto-Bismol.
I digress.
I thought the title was clear so I agreed to read and review this one.
Let's see...how could I review this for you. I hate reviews that try too hard to sell a book. You either trust me and you are in search of a book like this. Or you trust me and you are not in search of a book like this.
Seriously...who wouldn't trust me. I know what's good.
Also a review should tell you everything in the book.
So I need to use words that sell without selling and yet are succinct.
So I'll review this book by saying this:
1. It's good.
2. It's easy to read.
3. It's easy to identify the 52 Amazing Ways to Master the Art of Personal Change she suggest, based on how they formatted the book.
4. It's a quick read.
5. It's a short read...coming in just under 200 pages.
6. It's written primarily for women, but confident men will appreciate it to.
7. It's easy to put into practice.
8. It's got great questions at the end of each chapter.
9. It's entertaining.
10. It's a witty title. (okay I just wanted to have a 10th point)

Seriously if you are looking for some help to make a change in any area of your life go buy this book.

NFL Playoffs: Week 1 Predictions

I believe all the road teams are favored this week, something that isn't typical.  But I always believe in at least one upset.  That being said, here are my week 1 predictions:

Indianapolis at San Diego

San Diego has caught fire recently.  Indianapolis is winning despite...well...despite everything.  I don't think they will go very far, but I'm picking San Diego in this matchup.

Baltimore at Miami

Baltimore is playing tough football.  Miami is a pleasant surprise to these playoffs.  But Miami's season should end this weekend.

Philadelphia at Minnesota

This is a tough game to call.  Minnesota is got a great ground game, but without a solid passing game will they be shut down by Philadelphia?  Can Philadelphia put together to consistent good weeks of football.  I always doubt McNabb.  Minnesota runs Peterson to a win.

Atlanta at Arizona

Atlanta is a solid team, both on offense and defense.  And they have a better running game than Arizona.  Arizona despite host their first playoff game in a long time won't have enough in their tank to hold off Atlanta.  But it's hard to cheer against Kurt Warner.

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.