Social Networking

So I broke down today and got a Facebook account.
I haven't had a myspace for about a year, and I was desperately longing for cyber friends.
We'll see what happens. If it takes more than 3 minutes out of my day it probably wont be worth it. Come find me and make me feel like we're really close even though I haven't seen you in 13 years :)
I do like finding people from high school. Found a couple of my baseball buddies from back in the day.
Is Facebook worth it?
It seems pretty cool.
Is it going to suck my will to live?
So many questions.

Too much

My mind is being blown on a regular basis these days.
I always want to have the posture of a learner.
That makes things interesting when part of your job entails teaching others.
God is so good and he is teaching me so much about his story and how I enter into it.
At some points I feel like it's too much.
Mind has been blown too many times.
So many holes in my mind, that it can't hold everything.
It's all spilling out.
I need brain band-aids.
Do they have those at Rite-Aid?

My prayer this week

God...let me believe what is possible because I have Christ in me.

24 might ruin my life

Crap.
So good.
8 episodes in 3 days.
Is that healthy?
I had fair warning.
We're hooked.
Jack Bauer owns Chuck Norris!

Anytime...anywhere

I own people in Scattergories. It's all about Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer when you roll an R and you're listing animals. 3 points. Unbelievable. Can't believe I just gave that one away.
You guys can have your D & D parties (I mean Settlers of Catan parties) while you're trading your Pokemon cards but I'm stickin' with Scattergories.
Best game ever!

The fall to Babel

Narrative group tonight was out of control.
So much good stuff.
Genesis 3-11
The Fall to the tower of Babel.
Seeds. Serpent crushers. Shalom broken. Fig leaves. Sacrifice. Covering. Two trees. Two brothers. One acceptable offering. Noah. God closed door. No ruder. Baptism. Covenant. Covering. Exposing. Bricks instead of stones. Gathering instead of filling. Making a name. Tower. Confusing. Scattering.
So good.
Seriously...Tuesday nights...good times.
We are entering the story!

We're a little late

Alyssa and I don't have cable or anything but we have a sweet set up with Hollywood video that lets us rent a lot of videos whenever we want. Tonight we picked up the first season of 24. I know there's 87 seasons out but we've never seen an episode. I've heard a lot of hype. Is it worth the commitment. I told Alyssa if she didn't like the first few episodes we would try something else. Please weigh in.

The joy of speaking

You prepare all week to say something.
Friday you put the finishing touches together.
You say it out loud and realize you have no idea what you're talking about.
You pray. You get up Saturday and change everything you prepared.
You put finishing touches together. Say it out loud.
This time you're ready to go.
Why does God have you spend a ton of time preparing a message through the week that you'll never speak to another person. I'll never know.
It's humbling.
I'm speaking about honor.
Maybe I should of expected that!

Speaking on Sunday

I'm speaking on honoring each other this Sunday.
Romans 12. This passage of scripture blows my mind.
Honor is humility in action.
Honor is loyalty when it's tested.
Honor is a posture that brings life.
In a world that fights be the greatest, Jesus says, not so with you.
I asked a random guy at Starbucks today what someone could do to make him feel honored. We talked for over an hour.
What could someone do for you to make you feel honored?
It might just end up in a sermon.

Dear J.J. Abrams

No one close to you has the guts to tell you so here goes...
Stop your shows after two seasons!
Learn how to land the plane my friend.
Alias...amazing...less amazing...suck my will to live.
Lost...amazing...less amazing...moving islands, and skipping through time...lame
Make another Cloverfield...that was entertaining...handycams suit you!
Bring on the hate mail!

Can't wait

Dos Dunlaps leaked the newest single from U2's upcoming album.
So excited. March 2nd.
Planing on a sick day to just stay home and put it on repeat...don't tell Nate!
There has never been a more talented foursome to ever craft a song!
Challenge that statement and I will eat you for dinner...try me.

One of my favorite times in the week

7am
Fridays
Cypress Starbucks
Eric...Brent...Bible
Look forward to it every week
Wouldn't miss it for the world
We've been puttin' together this narrative theology study
Are there any things in your week that you look forward to doing even if it means getting there at 7am?
If there isn't, maybe you should start doing something you enjoy
Just a thought

Thoughts on Honor

We started a new series at the Stirring.
Honor...the lost virtue
Posted some thoughts here
I speak in a couple weeks about honoring each other
Romans 12:9-16
If we could only read 7 verses out of the bible these would be my 7.
Don't think you know it all...classic!
What's your favorite passage of scripture?

Terrified

I start my narrative theology group in two days.
Genesis to Revelation...no big deal.
I've pretty much got the bible nailed.
Every time I open the story I realize how little I know.
Perfect position for a leader...terrified.
I'm really exited but definitely...terrified!

Zeke vs. Electricity

This is a story for those of you that know my son. He is 5 and he has already become an electrical engineer. Lights, fans, engines, wires...he's into it!
This week Zeke has blown the power in our house twice.
One instance came with a huge popping noise and Zeke screaming. I came into the front room to find this night light that was fried from ridiculous overuse. (Thanks for the nightlight Nana :)
Then last night Zeke comes screaming into the front room. The kids were supposedly sleeping but we go back there...the lights are blown...Sofia is screaming in a closed closet...and Zeke refuses to go back in the room. When I flip the breaker the little box fan in their room is still on.
We still have no idea what happened. I think it's better that way. I really want a nanny cam in their room but at this point I think ignorance is bliss.
I need to get to know some firemen in Redding...I'm not sure how long our house and Zeke can co-exist.

God and sleep training

So God showed me something the other night.
We are sleep training Moses. (Letting him cry at night without getting up to feed him every three hours). It's good times...if you don't have kids just program your alarm to go off for 30 minutes every 3 hours...repeat until you feel insane...then do it two more times!
We know what's best for him.
We don't want to him to be 14 and still needing mom every three hours for a snack.
We didn't abandon him...we heard every cry...we were deeply concerned...but we're more concerned with who our son will become then with his instant gratification.
After a half and hour of screaming that sounded like someone was poking him with spears, Alyssa went in, patted his back, and reminded him we were here.
She didn't feed him...that's not what he needed. He fell back asleep when he realized that we were still here with him.
I was talking to Christian about this today. I think we get addicted to feeding times and when God decides to start shaping us and let us "cry it out" we don't know what to do.
Part of maturing in Christ is realizing he is with us even when he's not giving us baby food every three hours. We get those pats on the back at different points in life that remind us of his presence and we are able to rest again knowing our father is with us and hears us when we cry.
He knows what's best.
He's concerned with who we're becoming.
He knows that adults drinking breast milk usually don't get invited back to parties.
Jesus likes to party.
Our kids teach us the coolest stuff!

Worst news of the year

This is my friend Mark.
He passed away today at 5:30pm.
He was an amazing guy.
He was in a terrible motorcycle accident a month ago and has been fighting desperately for his life. We have been praying for a miracle.
He left behind an amazing wife and son and tons of friends and family.
I don't have any words.
Being 10 hours away makes it all feel unreal.
I haven't seen him since I left a year ago and I still imagine him laughing just like this picture.
Our prayers are with you Angie and Nolan. I can't imagine what you are going through. We are with you in prayer.
In the short time I knew you Mark, your life impacted me.
You are greatly missed.

New book

I'm half way through...really like it. Go buy it here.
I'm gonna use some stuff for my narrative class.
Scot's got a great blog...check it out.
What are you reading lately?
I've been reading a ton of Paul's letters for our series called "Honor" coming up...that Paul guy...he could draft quite a letter.

The Mentalist

Alyssa and I were switching stations and came across this show called the Mentalist.
I'm voting that the worst name for a television show ever.
Seriously...what were they thinking.
That name went around a table of a bunch of people with lots of money and they all agreed that the Mentalist was a sweet name...unbelievable.

What's your vote for worst name of a tv show?

Sabbath

Chillin with my son strapped to my belly.
Did some readin' today
Did some sleepin' today
Alyssa's puttin' together a sweet dinner
Gonna get a movie on later
Nice relaxing day

A couple goals for 09

I'd like to get the rough draft of my book done...that's gonna require that I actually start writing again.
Record some music...that's gonna require that I actually start writing some music
Fit comfortably into these size 33 jeans that fit before I gorged myself at Christmas...that's gonna require that I stop eating like someone is paying me to do so.
I got some work ahead of me.
There's my goals.
What are yours?

I'm alive

Longest blog silence ever...sorry
10 days in Riverside
Didn't open my computer once
Lots of time with friends and family
Gained 87 pounds
Played 3 rounds of golf
Three great Christmas celebrations
Ridiculous amount of gifts for our kids
New years celebration...three words...if you were there...you know!
Drive home...8 hours 15 minutes...I didn't drive the speed limit...I own the grapevine...I'm gonna write a book on traveling with kids...it's gonna be called, "the art of ignore." pretty catchy don't ya think?
I'm back...It's good to be home!