It's been two weeks

My last weigh in I was at 182.0
Two weeks...
No change!
I saw 181.6 for a brief moment in time but I'm back at 182...bummed.
I told Billy on Sunday that I've gotten away from writing things down and that I was going to start on Monday. Didn't do it. I'm going to start today...someone call me at the end of the day and ask me.
For me to lose weight I have to write down every single thing that goes in my mouth through the day. The problem with doing weight watchers for a long time is you know it really well so you think you can calculate everything in your head. The problem is I can keep track of points that way but I always cheat when I don't write it down. Writing gives me discipline. I'm back on it.
I said 175 by the end of summer and I will achieve that goal. I'd like to be 170 but I'm gonna shoot for something that is doable. Feel free to ask me how I'm doing when you see me. Thanks Billy!

Creepy floating baby is freakin' me out...

Does it seriously say 19 days!
I think he's off by about 3 or 4 days based on what our doctor says because she says Alyssa is due on the 13th. But who cares what the doctor says...I'm trusting babystrology.com
Creepy floating baby is always on the money!
The doctor said Moses was pretty low on Monday. I have no idea what that means but supposedly lower means he can't wait to jump into the heat and smoke of Redding...so we'll see!
Any tips for the last couple weeks that I'm not thinkin' about?
I've done the kid thing a couple times but none of them have shot out of Alyssa. Our last kid came with crossing borders in foreign countries and bribing them with lots of American money. I'm new at that whole birth thing and I feel like I have no clue what to do. I'm pretty good at wingin' stuff but I'm not sure if that's the best policy when it comes to having a kid. Help!

Lonely week

Nate and Meg are on vacation this week so I got the office to myself. It's usually a mad house in here with Nate and I sharing an office and Meghan right next door. I find that I'm talking to myself because no ones around. I'm sharing through Ephesians 5:21-6:9 this week. It matters how we treat each other, act in our homes, and carry ourselves at work. The world is watching! Paul tells us to live worthy of our calling. Put off the old, put on the new. Be light in a world of darkness by living a spirit filled life. Then he gets as practical as he possibly can. Here are the most basic relationships you find yourselves in: friends, husbands and wives, parents and children, and work. The way you conduct yourself in your most day to day relationships really matter.
It's crazy that the submission piece is the thing that everyone gets hung up on in these verses. The whole passage is pointed at men. It wasn't any big news in that culture that women needed to submit, that kids needed to obey or that slaves needed to work hard. The revolutionary piece is that Paul was calling the men out to submit and love their wives, treat their kids with respect and treat their slaves fairly. Women, kids and slaves were property in that culture. The verses that would have blown peoples minds were all the ones pointed at the men not the women. I'm gonna unpack it a little more this weekend. Any thoughts?

Sabbath plans

Sleeping in
Taking walks
Reading books
Swimming
Talking to family through a computer...thanks Skype!
Playing baseball (in the house...while moms out...ssshhhh...don't tell)
Naps
Good eats
Hangin' with friends
Can't wait!

More politics

Shane Claiborne is out talking about his book "Jesus for President." Here's an interaction that happened at one of his gatherings. I liked it. What do you think?

Reporters often ask folks leaving our presentations funny questions like: "Young evangelicals are the swing vote in this election... has this evening affected how you are going to vote in November?" I heard one person say beautifully, "That's the wrong question... the real question is how can we become the change we want to see in the world TODAY and not just hope that every four years we can elect politicians to change the world for us." May it be so. May we continue to become the change we want to see in the Church and in the world. Enough donkeys and elephants - Long live the Lamb

My thoughts: It wasn't legislation in Rome that turned the world on its ear in the first century. It was a bunch of crazy followers of Jesus, led by the holy spirit, living out radical community and generosity, moving willingly into persecution and martyrdom. A handful of people that held up a different "way" to the world. The world was forced to listen. No guns...No abuse of power...no lobbying to special interest.

Just found our image

We are doing a series in October and don't be surprised if you see this picture again...amazing!

Let's test the power of RevRock

I've got a good handful of you comin' to hang out on my blog on a daily basis now...I enjoy the community, the back and forth, the spewing of ideas. I'd like to see if we can actually use the muscle of this blog for good.
Our church, the Stirring is launching its first church plant, hopefully in the fall. We are funding the whole plant ourselves. We'd like to cover all the start up costs by raising money from friends and family. We have 30 of us that are doing a fund raiser called Hack Fest. It's 30 dudes, golfing 100 holes, and asking people to sponsor per hole. Each person has committed to raise $1,000.00
I've already got more than that but I haven't even tapped the power of the blog world yet. There's over 100 of you out there that are going to read this today. If you each sent me $10 we'd have another $1000. If you each sent me 2 million dollars we'd have 200 million dollars!
We believe this is how God is calling our family to grow in Redding. We don't desire to grow bigger under one roof. We want to spread out through the city, empowering more leaders, sharing space, and making more disciples in the way of Jesus. One vision, different campuses. WE LOVE. WE MAKE DISCIPLES. That's what we're about!
Sound interesting...start praying for us...send money!
Make checks payable to The Stirring at 3468 Bechelli Ln. Ste E - Redding, CA 96002 and put Hack Fest in the memo. All contributions are tax deductible.
Please pray about supporting us. Thanks!

Weight watcher must haves

I thought I would start a series of posts for my blog buddies that are battling the bulge. (I promise I'll stop using words that start with B...I don't know what just happened!)
I am a weight watchers guy myself. It's not a diet, you just learn to eat good portions. The things I look at in nutritional facts are calories, fat, and fiber. They have a point calculator that takes those numbers and turns them into points. I am allowed 24 points a day for my age and weight. When you are active during the day it gives you more points to work with.
So here's my thought...I've been doing this for over two years now and I've come up with quite a few must haves. You know, the food you can eat that is awesome and low points. Well I just stumbled across Skinny Cow. They have a whole line of deserts but I really like the ice cream sandwiches and they are only 2 points. I love ice cream and the slow churned stuff is pretty low in points but I don't trust myself to just scoop 1/2 a cup. I only give myself a small mug but I find a way to pack a pint in a mug! Now it's your turn. Help a brotha out. Got any low calorie, low fat, high fiber goodness? Hook me up! More to come.

Contentment

I'm working on being content in every situation but its difficult. Here's the things on my list that I'm realizing right now I'm not content with.
1. My town house. Not because its not nice enough or big enough. Its awesome. Its almost too awesome. I'd rather be in a place that frees us up financially more to help people and buy food that isn't so crappy. (side note: why is it more expensive to eat healthy?)
2. My phone. The iphone has officially done it to me...I've got at&t envy!
I keep all my own appointments and am constantly scheduling and getting back to emails so I broke down when I moved up here and got a Blackberry. It's awesome. I could probably be getting by with my old Razor and a little organizer but how cool would that be? The iphone at this new price has me wanting to put my Blackberry on ebay and drop Verizon like a bad habit.
3. My weight. I guess its ok to want to be healthy but I'm not content in my own skin right now and that kind of sucks.
4. My job! Just kidding Nate...just wanted to make sure you were still reading this thing!

Areas I've grown in contentment
1. I love my bucket of a car! 2o00 Toyota Echo (sea foam) The air gets cold 5 minutes after you arrive at your destination...love it!
2. I love my guitar gear! That's a first. I've spent my whole life trying to acquire that next thing with guitars...I'm satisfied...my tone rules!
3. I love my family, my friends, my church and Redding. Totally content with where God has me right now...I love that!

What are you not content with right now?

Bush visits Redding

The prez is comin' to Redding tomorrow. I'm gonna make my way to Air Force one and see if he'll sponsor me for Hackfest. I heard Bush is pumped on the Stirring's first church plant so I'm thinkin' I can get at least 20 bucks out of him. Keep your fingers crossed!

Loving rebuke

Today I was reminded of my tendency to be a ding dong. I made some remarks in the last couple days that sat wrong with a friend and they let me know. It was brought up intentionally...it was straight to the point...I left understanding how I made this person feel...and I was given a chance to talk about my feeling on the subject.
I love the community I'm surrounded with at the Stirring. Everything is current. I piss you off and you let me know, I have a chance to apologize and we get over it and move on. No built up bitterness towards anyone...no walking on egg shells...it's how things should operate!
Staying current and being honest should mark every Christian community but it doesn't. As we are being transformed more and more into the image of Christ we need to be speaking the truth in love to our brothers and sisters that have signed up to follow Jesus. It should just be a normal part of community. Why do we shy away from confrontation? Thoughts?

RevRock got its 40,000 hit tonight!!!

I can't imagine what Joel Osteen feels like getting to talk to that many people every week. It's taken me a couple years to get this voice. I'd probably be trying to do something big like stop the wars in the world and start feeding hungry people and maybe getting some folks to care about the earth...just a couple ideas. When my blog is reaching 40,000 a week it's on like Donkey Kong!
And Joel while your at it...use your influence in Texas to get the Astro's back in those jersey's from the 80's...classic!

Zeke's back

Drove to Sac this morning to pick up Zeke after 10 days with my folks in Riverside...he had a blast. My mom got his hair cut and he kind of looks like Loyd from Dumb and Dumber but it's all good. It's awesome to have him back. We picked up a bed for Sof at Ikea because the crib is going to Moses. Sofia and Zeke are officially sharing a room. Sofia fell out of her bed tonight...glad we got that out of the way in the first night.
The countdown is on...27 days...crazy!
I put the 3rd car seat in our Vue tonight so we would start feeling the weight of what the heck is happening to us. It's starting to become real...wow!
I'm a dad with a car that has three car seats...when in the world did that happen?

Pastor superhero's

This guys blog is awesome. He pairs up some well known pastors as superhero's. Thought it was fitting with the conversations we've been having at the Stirring.

And the rollercoaster continues...

So yesterday morning I got a call from the manager from the place we're moving into and she tells me we don't qualify! Five days of jumping through every hoop on earth to get in...she says the whole time that everything is perfect...she actually told me she'd call in the morning just to tell me that everything was ready but instead I got the shut down phone call. She fought for us but the person that owns the place wasn't havin' it for some unknown reason.

SUCKS!!!

Felt like someone kicked me in the teeth. Alyssa and I had both really come to agreement on moving and we were stoked. Alyssa's mom was flying out to help us pack up the house. We down scaled a bunch of stuff and started putting things in boxes. Super frustrating. I guess we are supposed to be here longer for some reason. Oh well.

Greed and isolation

I was talkin' to some dudes about Ephesians 4 and 5 yesterday and we got on the topic of greed. God is really calling us to be a family that is marked by generosity. Somewhere along the line that distinction has been really blurred in the church. When the church is really living out its call in the world it is always subverting the predominant trends in culture. When the culture is calloused and immoral sexually, the church should be showing the world through our relationships and marriages what God is like. When the culture is angry and hates and demeaning towards segments of society we should be a refuge of reconciliation and love. I think the one that's really hard for us is greed. When the culture around us is bent on more and is never satisfied we should be sharing our stuff, balancing injustice, bringing people into our homes, not living in excess, and living out of contentment.
I gave the example of the goal of our living situations in the US.
If you're poor and living in the ghetto you are most likely living in an apartment. More than likely you've got some extended family living with you to lower the bills. People are always around and in your business because of the close proximity. The goal is to move out of that situation and get into a house and to lose the extra family or friends living with you. Preferably a house with a garage that's attached to the house so you can pull in and not have to deal with neighbors. The goal after the first house is the second house that is bigger and further away from neighbors because you need your space. Then you're looking for the huge house in the gated community and now someone needs to know 4 digits to come see you and a guard gives you the "once over" if you look a little shady.
Greed breeds isolation. Our desire for more drives us further away from people. The American Dream is a joke and has nothing to do with living in the way of Jesus. Jesus said he's going to prepare a place for us in his fathers house. (John 14:1-4) That is wedding language talking of a groom that goes to add a room onto his fathers house to bring his bride back to. Only the Father can tell the son when the room is ready. Then the son goes and brings the wife to live with him and his family. Living in real community is what eternity is going to be like. I have a feeling "mansions" are going to have no place in the new heavens and new earth. I'm pretty sure we'll know our neighbors and be close to each other. Wouldn't it make sense for us to start practicing for eternity now? Just some thoughts. What do you think?

So what do you talk about for your 666th post?

Satan
The anti-christ
Kirk Cameron and bad eschatology
The nature of evil
Hell
Nah...Let's tackle "the rapture" that'll be fun. Ok so I might get into some Kirk Cameron stuff.
If anyone starts getting crazy on this post I will shut it down...fair warning. I just want thoughts...not attacks.
For those of you that read my blog and aren't steeped in church culture...the rapture is a made up name that the church came up with to describe what will happen at the second coming of Jesus. There's some trumpets, Jesus appears, (I Thes. 4:16-18)we are zapped up to heaven in the twinkling of an eye (I Cor. 15:51-53), and people that don't know Jesus are avoiding un-manned, out of control cars on the freeway and then the world blows up. There are some variations to that train of thinking such as: tribulations, 1000 year reigns, I'm not gonna get into all of it. I have been refining my thoughts on this subject for my whole life.
Ultimately I believe Jesus is coming back!
How he decides to do that is his business. If I've got it all wrong I'm ok with that. If I end up chillin' on some clouds with a harp but I'm with Jesus...I'm good. I don't think that's what the Bible teaches but I'm not arrogant enough to think that everything I think about God is spot on. I've refined my positions on a ton of things so I'm open to growing and refining more.

I really like what N.T. Wright has to say about "life after life after death." Revelation 21:1-5 talks about a new heavens and new earth that we look forward to and God's dwelling with his people. He's written two amazing books that get at this. Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope. Here's a little taste from Surprised by Hope (122)

Most first-century Jews, and virtually all early Christians believed that history was going somewhere under the guidance of God and that where it was going was toward God's new world of justice, healing, and hope. The transition from the present world to the new one would be a matter not of the destruction of the present space-time universe but of its radical healing.

That's the hope that I'm looking forward to. What are your thoughts? Be nice.

Alright...here's the news...

I THINK WE'RE MOVING!
Not back to Riverside...sorry mom.
About a block down the street.
We're ironing out the last details.
We qualified for some apartments that hook you up based on your income...God bless America!
We will save a bunch of money a month which will be awesome.
The only problem is I can't find a pause button for creepy floating baby.
We're moving in the last month of pregnancy...at least it wasn't 118 degrees today...oh wait...it was!
It's a three bedroom...smaller than our place now but all we need.
No garage...that will be interesting.
We've been married for 9 years and lived in 8 places...my wife is amazing!
1. Parkwest apartments (much love to Azoulay ct. Good times with the Yoders)
2. Grandpa's house (during the Ember days)
3. Linwood (built in 1914...hands down coolest house ever)
4. Rangpur (stupid house...way too big...trying to build my empire...learned my lesson)
5. Palm (lived on a freeway next to tweekers...killer fireworks show...added 800 square feet...good times)
6. Mt. Diablo (great house...still renting it out)
7. Sunset Oaks townhomes (it's been a good 6 months...we'll miss the pool...Thanks for getting us in Don)
8. Shadowbrook apartments (here we come)
Stay tuned for details of when. I will put out a shameless announcement to get people to help. Don't worry...it's supposed to be really cold in a week!
My life is hilarious.

Weekly weigh in

182.0 this morning
That's down 1.4 pounds since the last weigh in...12.4 total pounds down
It's going slow but I'm stoked that it's still comin' off
I didn't write anything down the last couple weeks, I'm gonna get back on that.
Sean and I passed up some rice crispy sample thingys this morning at Starbucks.
It's easier to say no when you're with a friend that's trying to say no too.
Gotta get back on the bike. Next week is supposed to be less hot (and smokey I hope)
Here I come 175...I'm gonna own you!

Is picking your nose contagious???

I was driving to work this morning (refuse to bike when it's 115 degrees outside) and I saw this guy in a huge truck with his finger in his nose up to the knuckle. He was really going for it. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. As a turned the corner I felt this strange urge to jam my finger in my nose...it was weird. It was like my finger just knew what to do when it saw another finger serving its whole purpose being thrust into a nostril.
So here's my question...I know yawning is contagious, but what about picking your nose? Anyone else ever experience this? Am I alone?
Side note: There's a lot of crazy stuff going down right now with RevRock and I can't get myself to blog about it yet so I'm leaving you with everything my brain can handle...fingers, knuckles, and noses.
Side note...I've used the word knuckles more in the last few days then I have in my entire life time.
Pray for us...we've got some decisions to make...all good stuff...don't worry!

Watch out world

The Dunlap's have officially entered the blog world. Go give them some blog love.
When we left Riverside these were two of our hardest goodbyes.
Love you guys! Keep the blogs comin.

Grooming day part II

This is part one if you're late to the conversation.
Here's the final question you have to ask yourself when you enter the realm of shaving your arms...what do you do with the knuckles???
I shave my arms because my arm hair is like Sherwood forest and my tattoos become unrecognizable under the fury coat.
I usually shave my arms about once a month with the clippers. You always get to the end and ask yourself...do I leave the knuckle hair?
It looks kind of weird to have baby smooth arms and fury knuckles so I went for it today!
I am also now convinced that I should never make important decisions when I'm grooming because I think of the strangest things during these moments in my life.
Until next Sunday...

Ephesians 4

Tonight we are getting into Ephesians 4.
Last week Nate started the chapter but spent the whole night talking about verse one. We talked about three words in the verse: live, worthy, received. Podcast should be up soon. It was awesome!
Tonight we are going to talk about the type of church we want to become.

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Everyone's a minister. God has placed you in your family, your neighborhood, your job, your city for a reason. Live out that calling in every way possible. The only reason we have leadership in the church is to empower and equip all the other ministers through the week. We spend a good portion of our week trying to replace ourselves. We want to be known for our team, our community, not our superstars. (Maybe that's why God hasn't given us any superstars but a bunch of messed up, goofy followers of Jesus!) If you had to give us a grade at the Stirring for our "teamness" (an amazing word that I just made up) what would you give us and why? We are trying to grow in this area and we'd love to hear your feedback.

Anyone else sleeping like this yet???

Our fan is two feet from our bed cranked on high.
Our ceiling fan is on high.
I now share my bed with a body pillow and an almost 8 month pregnant wife.
I had a dream last night I was in the Wizard of Oz and my house was being taken away in a tornado but I woke up and it was just the wind storm that I now call my bedroom.
What's awesome is that Redding hasn't even shown its full fury yet. Bring it on July and August!

Single Mom Saturday

Saturday July 12th, 11-1:30pm
Mom's show up with their kids at 11am at the Nazarene church.
We're taking portraits of the moms with their kids that we will print off and give as gifts.
Mom's leave the kids, we have a crew that will spoil the kiddos.
Mom's carpool with another crew that is taking them to Tierra Oaks for lunch...our treat.
While they're gone we got a crew that will be washing and detailing their cars.
We have 6 moms right now and we can take around 10. Know a single mom that needs some love? Send em' our way.
I can't think of a harder job in the world then raising your kids by yourself. We want to be the kind of community that takes care of our single moms!
Our hope is that this one event will turn into long term investment in the lives of these families. We want to be a church that is known for our love...anyone down to help?

10 days with one kid...weird

My mom leaves tomorrow at 6am and she's takin' Zeke for 10 days.
He's gonna be rockin' swim lessons, VBS, chillin' with family and Riverside friends.
He'll get spoiled out of his mind.
It's gonna be really weird just havin' Sof with us. She's gonna be super bored. No one beating her up every five minutes...what will she do?
It's gonna be the longest that we've been away from Zeke...it will be strange...quiet...and not as much fun!
In just over a month we'll have 3 so we will take a long deep breath for 10 days and prepare ourselves!
My parents are driving up and we'll meet them in Sac on the 14th.

<---------Creepy floating baby

Does that countdown seriously say 39 days till the baby comes???!!?
I just threw up in my mouth.
Tasted like bloomin' onion.
At least there's no other stress in our life right now :)
I don't know if that smiley conveys sarcasm but it should!
I'm starting to take sign ups for baby sitting.
Our kids are super easy :)
There's that smiley again.

Ephesians 3

If you'd like to hear the podcast it's right here. Paul shares his story then prays that we would understand God's love that surpasses knowledge. Thoughts???

Weird realization

Alyssa and I realized something weird as we were out at coffee last night. We were actually having time to talk and think without kids and it was amazing. We realized we should probably finalize the name for the baby and we are going with Moses. Unless Jesus wakes us up and tells us we have to name him something else.
While we were on the subject of Moses we started talking about the amount of people that are so excited to see who he will look like. We've had countless people ask us, "aren't you so excited to see who he's going to look like?" It's weird but neither of us have thought about that at all. This might we the weird piece of having two adopted kids but it hasn't crossed our minds at all that there is a pretty good chance that this kid is going to look a lot like both of us. Is that weird?
Most people are like, "oh I hope he gets my eyes, and her hair, etc..."
We just honestly thought about it for the first time last night and thought that was kind of strange. The only thing I hope for my son is that he gets my wifes looks (without lookin' like a chic) if that's possible, and that he gets my hair, my height, my humongous forehead, my two bottom front teeth that are yellow because they got the enamel knocked off of them when I was a baby, my crazy chest hair, and has good skin for tattoos! If he gets all that I'd be stoked.
What's funny is that both of our kids already look like me.
God is pretty hilarious though...I bet Moses comes out and is the one kid in our family that looks nothing like us...what if?

Time away

Today Alyssa and I got away to Chico.
Lunch at the Pita Pit...awesome
Went to see Get Smart...really funny
Nap
5th street Steakhouse...awesome
Hour of conversation at Starbucks with my wife...priceless
Thanks for watching the kids mom...we really needed this.
Be back tomorrow

9 months clean

This is a picture of me 9 months ago...September 12th 2007.
That was the last diet coke on record to enter my body.
I realize it's a coke zero...don't get hung up on the details...it's what I had at the time.
I was severely addicted to Diet Coke.
It helped me lose a lot of weight because I was drinking them for snacks in the middle of the day. Usually 3-5 cokes a day...sometimes more.
I decided I did not want any more of that crapito in my body and I gave it up cold turkey...not one more...I got all straight edge on it!
Still aspartame free today...livin' the good life!
It's harder to lose weight...I'm not gonna lie...but it's worth it.
Do I get a coin to carry around after a year?
What do you need to give up?

Mom's comin' to town

Tomorrow my mom shows up after the Stirring.
She's staying till Thursday then she's flying with Zeke back to Riverside for 10 days.
My mom and dad are going to drive back to Sacramento after the 10 days and we will meet them there, hang out, then drive Zeke back.
It will be good seeing mom. We really do miss our family. My mom is crazy about our kids and it's hard to get surrogate grandparents with that amount of craziness!
Alyssa and I didn't really get a chance to get away for our anniversary so we are sneaking away on Monday to Chico to stay for a night while my mom is with us...can't wait!
Tomorrow I'm leading worship at the Stirring...Ephesians 4...Nate's gonna bring it!

Getting too serious...

Chuck Norris has a unique gift to bring balance to a blog when it gets too serious.
Go check out the facts here...good times.
Which one's your favorite?
Here's mine: There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist!

Great interview on church's involvement in politics

Christian sent me this a while ago. It's a great video with Chuck Colson, Greg Boyd and Shane Claiborne talking God and politics. If you know me I lean heavily on the Boyd, Claiborne side but there is some great discussion. Love to hear your thoughts.

Is this cool?

I came across this today. I would never pay that kind of money for something like that but I wonder if this type of this is going to make books obsolete. It would save a lot of trees, and my backpack would weigh a lot less. It seems like the books version of moving from cd's to an ipod. I love the feel of a book and I highlight everything and write notes all over in the margins. Would you read a book like this?

Weigh in and new wardrobe

Since the last weigh in I'm down another pound...183.4
What's cool is I have a whole new wardrobe that is waiting for me when about 5 more pounds come off. I have about 4 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of jeans and a bunch of shirts that are getting close to becoming wearable again. I could care less about clothes or fashion (as most of you already know) but it will be something tangible to work towards. I tried to put a pair of the shorts on today and I'm not quite there yet. I could pull it off but my legs might turn purple and fall off because of lack of blood flow! Soon!

I'm goin' for it

I'm riding my bike today.
I know by the time I get to work it will feel like I've smoked at least a pack of camels (not lights)
There's still smoke everywhere but I think I'll survive.
If you see me laying on the side of the road be a good Samaritan and put me on your donkey and pay for my medical bills and a couple nights at a hotel. Preferably something in the Super 8 range...those are classy!

Classic Life Group moment

Last night we are closing our Love and Respect group in prayer. Alyssa is praying and as the word amen is coming out of her mouth Tracy's phone goes off and it's Marvin Gaye's "Let's get it on." I started dying laughing, it was the greatest ending to a prayer in the history of prayer.

This is the only small group moment that tops that one...

We are sitting around in a circle in our first house in Riverside. We open our eyes from prayer and our dog Jonas has laid a hot piping loaf right in the center of our circle.

And weeks before that Jonas ate Philippians 2 out of Kyle's Bible...classic! I hated that dog.

Share your best small group moment...

Podcast is up from last week

if anyone cares. You can grab it here. I covered Ephesians 2:11-22. Love to get feed back.

Coffee, Cohiba's and Newcastle

Here's another excerpt from my book. It comes from the chapter: Coffee, Cohiba's and Newcastle

These are my thoughts. They don't represent any of the places I've ever been employed.
I get at the whole issue during the chapter but this is just to give you a taste. I'd love to hear your thoughts though. When I get the book blog set up I'm sure this will be the chapter with the most attention. Here goes...

My point is that if you are of age and you act responsibly and you’re not smoking something against the law I do not think there is anything wrong with drinking or smoking. Doing either in excess can be bad for you. But to be honest eating cheeseburgers in excess is probably worse for you. I think its funny that pastors can be morbidly obese and have completely unhealthy stress levels, neglect their families and have a ridiculous work-load but that’s considered part of the job. But if they have a beer with dinner or smoke a cigar with friends on occasion they are skating on the fringe of the dark side. It just seems to be pretty hypocritical.

I say lets try to be adults. Let’s start making grown up decisions. The issue is not black and white. There are times that it totally makes sense to refrain from doing something that would make others uncomfortable. There are other times were it would make all the sense in the world to celebrate or hang out with friends in this way. For some people like my parents the tension has caused them to totally abstain and I respect them greatly for that.

It’s just really weird to me that the most natural and deepest community I’ve ever shared with a group of people usually entailed doing all the things the church told me to stay away from growing up. Is that weird to anyone else?

Can of worms officially opened...any thoughts?

Great Sabbath

Slept in
Family time
Good food
Read
Nap
Movie
Friends
More good food
Time with the wiffy
How was your day of rest?

Running forward while juggling

This was the analogy that Nate gave me for what life looks like right now. I think that sums it up better than anything else. I feel like I have 28 crazy things in the air right now but I'm running forward and hoping they all stay in the air. There are a lot of loose ends and a lot of decisions that need to be made. Not a great combination. But I'm trying to spend a lot of time with Jesus and hoping he can juggle too! No complaints...God is awesome...I love what I'm doing...just trying not to get clocked in the head with one of those bowling pins!

Teamwork

We need to get walkie talkies!

Back at it on Sunday

Preachin' Ephesians 3
Love that surpasses knowledge.
Paul had all the knowledge in the world. Damascus changed everything.
Read it...give me some more ammunition.

"I know...but what do you really do for a living?"

I've been asked this question about 30 times over the course of my time being a pastor. I think it's pretty funny. People ask me what I do for a living...I tell them I'm a pastor...then they say, "I know you're a pastor but what do you really do for your job?" Hilarious!
I think I'm gonna try this out on some people. I'm going to ask teachers what they really do for a job. Hey mr. electrician...I know you play around with those different colored wires all day but what do you really do for a living?
Being a pastor is a people job so when people are around they get our attention. So I guess it could be easy to assume that all we do is hang out all week. It probably doesn't help that I do all of my studying at Starbucks because I don't function too well in an office.

So here's your chance. There's a handful of you that read this blog everyday. I'd love to hear what you do for a living...even if people don't think it's work. Sometimes I feel like I'm spilling my guts out into an empty void so this would help me get a better picture of all of you when I'm writing. Lets hear what you do...I want to hear from all of you!

Sorry Mike

My brother is a huge Laker fan. I can't stand them, but I gotta give it up to Mike...he never gives up on a team. He has been a fan of the Lakers, Chicago Bears and Dodgers since we were little kids. Maybe next year the Lakers will square off against my Pacers!

Pray for me

I'm watching "The Golden Compass" with my wife. I actually found myself dead asleep half way through it. It was probably Jesus making me sleepy to solidify my salvation and keep me away from the world's poison :) Too many things to keep up with in the movie. My brain already hurts with the amount of stuff I'm thinkin' about. I don't think it has room for Satanic movies right now!

Weekly weigh in

So last week I ride my bike like crazy every day. This weekend I eat 3 slices of pizza for the first time in forever...get on the scale...lose 2 pounds!
184.4 pounds
Exactly 10 pounds less then what I started at, I'm stoked!
I have no idea how weight loss works. My new theory is lots of pizza!
Thanks for keeping me accountable.
175...here I come.

Poem from this weekend

I've had some people asking about a copy of the poem from this week. For my old school Porch peeps this will sound real familiar.

EVERYONE is welcome inside

the sinners and saints
the frail and the faint
the rich and the homeless
the happy the hopeless

the red and the yellows
the hyper the mellow
the blacks the whites
the ones that start fights

the gays and straight
the true the fake
the simple the scholar
the open the follower

the addict the abused
the forgotten the used
the liar the cheater
the gossip the stealer

the shorts and the sandaled
the dockers and pleats
the tattoos and piercings
the prudes and the freaks

the punks and straight laced
the old and baby faced
the jocks and geeks
the timid and meek

the married and single
the ones that just mingle
the widow the divorced
the one’s flying off course

the atheist and skeptic
the one’s that don’t accept it
the muslim and mormon
the believer in God’s son

WE ALL NEED GOD’S GRACE
WE ALL NEED A FRIENDLY FACE
WE ALL NEED A PLACE TO FEEL SAFE

I John 3:18
Let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. NLT

The new humanity

Last night I spoke on Ephesians 2:11-22 at the Stirring. Talked about the church that God has in mind. No divisions. No walls. I'd love to hear if there were any ways you were challenged. Not lookin for props...I'd just love to hear what God was speaking to people about. The podcast will be up soon.

Happy Father's Day pops!

I didn't get you a card so I hope this post cuts it. This is the scene at my parents house almost every time we get there. Zeke is in my dads chair and it's wrestle time. My dad is an awesome father and papa (what Zeke calls him). Not many kids have the privilege of seeing their parents truly love each other and follow Jesus for their whole lives. My mom and dad are awesome. In a life with tons of uncertainty they were always constant. Dad, I know you hated having me leave staff but I appreciate your support of what we are doing in Redding. You've taught me so much about what it means to be a man, a husband, a father, and pastor. I love you!
And mom, I'm pretty sure I forgot about mothers day all together. I'm a dirt bag. You win the award for grandma that's the most coo-coo about her grandkids. Thanks for the talks over Skype and way you encourage us and pray for us. Can't wait to see you in a couple weeks. I love you! Happy fathers/mothers day!

Clenchin' my butt cheeks!!!

I'm in child birth classes with Alyssa tonight and tomorrow.
They're teaching us how to breathe, clench our butt cheeks, and I'm pretty sure she was trying to hypnotize us at the end...good times.
Can't believe it's 58 days till we do this...what the heck!
Tomorrow I get to see the video of the woman going through labor with all the juicy details. (probably could of found a better word than juicy!)
Dad of three...still can't believe it's happening...God is awesome.

Starbucks should pay my benifits

Yesterday I spent a majority of the day with my buns in a chair at the east Cypress Starbucks (that's my bucks). I'm pretty sure I know everyone that works there. Here was my day.
Alyssa got a haircut early so I stayed home with the kids...side note...my wife is hot!
Got to the bucks about 10am
Got my drink. Tall americano...no room...in a mug
Worked on sermon till noon
Walked next door to Togo's...lunch with TJ

Back to the bucks in time for Christian to get off...discussed The Secret Message of Jesus...he just finished it...it's money!

As we were wrappin' it up I was meeting up with Ryan and Darion till 3pm.
Darion bought me one of those iced double shot energy thingys...I'm stickin' with the Americano!
I felt like I should sweep off the patio or clean the bathrooms or something.
I feel like I work there.
I saw people come on and finish shifts while I was there...hilarious!
Then I rode to work for a couple hours before I rode home.
FYI...my car is still parked at the office. Hasn't moved since I bought my bike. I'm gonna see how long I can keep it up.

What a game!!!

I've only got to see one whole basketball game this season which is pathetic but it was definitely the one to watch. Holy cow. Boston was down by 24 and they came back. I'm not a Boston fan or anything but I love that the Lakers are going down. Sorry Mike, Aaron and Mikee!

New twist for my book

I'm thinking about having a "weigh in" section at the end of some of the chapters in my book. I'd like to set up a blog for my book with the topics that I bring up throughout my story. I'll let all of you "weigh in" with your ideas on each topic. The ones I like the best I'll use in the book. I will have the blog address for each topic at the end of each chapter. So if people want to hear the ongoing discussion of what all of you think, they can go to the blog and hear your ideas. I think all of you have great stories and I'd love to share the love. It will also give people a more rounded look at each topic I bring up. What do you think of that idea? I just thought of it so I'm sure there are things I'm haven't thought of yet. Anyone want to set up the book blog?

Here's some of the topics you can weigh in on:

The Christian music scene in the early 90's (Hagquist and Adam have to go to town on this one)
Drinking and smoking (this one's all you Steve)
A culture of honesty in the church
Your youth group experience
Identity found in what you do (sports, music)
Share your crazy drama when it comes to relationships
Marriage, kids
Infertility
Miscarriage
Adoption (I need some Ivey and Los stories for this one)
Church Planting (this one's all you Nate)
Mega-church (I need to hear from pops and Giovannetti on this one)
Working with your dad
Kingdom life
Moving away from family
God surprises

Can't think of a post...

All creative juices at this point are going into the book and what I'm going to say out of Ephesians this weekend. So feel free to ask any question you've ever wanted to know from RevRock. Personal, spiritual, off the wall, whatever...I'm game.
I've already got all my reformed answers down for Jeff and Josh. I'm a carminiest.
And just to get this one out of the way...boxers!
What else...bring it on.

I'm speaking this week at the Stirring

Ephesians 2:11 - Chapter 3
I'm either calling it "The New Humanity" or "Where the streets of no name."
Paul is talking to two sets of people that formally hated each other: Jews and Gentiles. Now they find themselves sitting next to each other in little house churches. Paul is saying that what Jesus accomplished on the cross made these two groups that despise each other, one new humanity. The church should be the one place with no dividing walls...streets with no names. When the world looks at the church they should be blown away at the way we love people. The world should look at these relationships and be able to see what God is like. That's a quick preview. That dividing wall of hostility was a very real wall between Jews and Gentiles and the church is the one place that should be knocking it down. Is that happening? Tough question.
That's just a taste. Show up Sunday. Read Ephesians this week.

First week on the bike

Got my bike on Thursday. Rode it home and took it for a spin that night.
It's 3 miles from my house to work...6 miles roundtrip (figured that out in my head)
It's 3.5 miles to the Stirring from my house...7 miles roundtrip (don't let my math overwhelm you)
I didn't realize how hot it was yesterday till I stated riding to church. I'm really gonna try to get as much riding in as possible before the road turns to lava in a month.
In just a couple days I think I've put 30 miles on my bike. For just starting I'm pretty pumped about that. I didn't lose any weight this week even though I did good with my eating. I think it's because my legs feel like rocks and I'm assuming rocks weigh more than my previous jello legs. But you know what happens when you assume.
In gas terms 30 miles saves me about 5 bucks in gas.
In environment terms my car has been sitting at work since I bought my bike.
Feels good!

Another preview from my book

I've been writing like crazy this week. I've got the outline for the 23 chapters I'm gonna write and I've written really rough drafts for 4 of those chapters. Here's an excerpt from my chapter called "Jock turned Rockstar."

As soon as I could drive we started going to concerts like crazy. The early 90’s was a beautiful time for the Christian music scene in Southern California. The Prayer Chain, Plankeye, Mortal, MXPX, The Violet Burning, Starflyer 59, The Killing Tree, Sometime Sunday…I could go on forever. Over a period of 2 years I recalled over forty Prayer Chain shows that I had gone to. There was a great community that was built at these shows that I have never seen since. These bands played every weekend and they always played together. You would see the same people at every show and an amazing music scene was built. And it wasn’t about what you wore or how tight your pants were. (I’m starting to sound old!) Nine out of Ten shows you would find me with my shirt off, sportin’ my semi man boobs in the mosh pit screaming at the top of my lungs with every lyric.

The circle pit was a beautiful thing that was the source of every great story after a show. I don’t know why but it wasn’t a real pit unless there was a 450 pound dude with no shirt on in the middle. His job was to keep the pit going in a direction and rough up the dudes that were getting a little too crazy. The amazing thing about pits at these shows is that if you fell down people actually picked you up. I recall a Prayer Chain show in the summer of 91 or 92 when things got a little crazy. I was caught up in the song and the pit was going off. I literally got thrown into the air and then everyone decided to change directions. I came down on a guys shoulder with my nose. As I whipped my head around I remember blood shooting from my nose and spraying this girls white t-shirt from top to bottom…oops. When you are on the edge of the pit, this is the price you pay and the collateral damage that you are willing to accept as being part of the show if you want to be that close.

Those concerts shaped a huge part of my high school experience. These guys were writing powerful songs that thousands of people were all singing to in unison. The amazing part was that the music didn’t suck! When people think of Christians doing music they usually think of artists like Carmen and the Gather band. (For your sake I hope you have no idea who those people are.)

I remember watching Mortal’s final show. It was over fifteen years ago but I remember it like it happened yesterday. Two thousand kids in a wharehouse on our knees as they ended their set with an amazing rock and roll rendition of “As the Deer.” I was hooked. I knew I was going to do that someday. I couldn’t really play guitar and I couldn’t really sing but I could feel the jock slowly being pulled out of me. I was turning into one of those music guys.

That's all you get for now. The book is going to be called "Born in the pew." The sub title is going to be something like: Pastors kid, turned rock star, turned Pastor, in search of something real. I'm going to end each chapter with a section titled: In search of something real. I'll wrap up each chapter by talking about how in each part of my journey I can see how God was pushing me towards a better understanding of who he is. I'd love to have some more creative elements like that in the book. Any ideas?

A night out with the wife

Alyssa and I got to go have dinner tonight, just the two of us. It was awesome. We had an Outback gift card that was burnin' a whole in our pocket so we put it to good use. It's definitely been harder with the kids and not having any grandparents around to watch them. Nights like this used to be super easy but they've become few and far between lately. I'm not complaining, we had a great time. I just realized we need alone time every once in a while for us to stay sane. Anyone else freaked out by that number under creepy floating baby...what the heck!

Keepin' it real at Starbucks

So I'm spending my usual morning ritual at Starbucks. I rode here this morning and I'm sweatin' like a stuck pig! Back to my point.
I love people that have no clue what they are doing at Starbucks. This lady is in line in front of me and she asks for a small hot chocolate. The guy behind the register says, "one tall hot chocolate comin' up." She says, "No, you didn't hear me...I said a SMALL hot chocolate." I love it...keepin' it real. That's right arrogant Starbucks barista dude...not everyone in the world speaks Italian when they're ordering coffee!
Nothin' but love to Starbucks and their employees. Your tall Americano with no room has stolen my heart. You just need some ordinary folk that come through every once in a while and keep you in check.

I got some butt pain!

I finally got my bike yesterday and it's safe to say that my butt is not ready for the world of bikes. It took me about 15 minutes to ride home from work. I'm stoked because that will give me a great 30 minute workout just getting to work and back. I'm gonna try to get a bunch of riding in before it becomes hell on earth here in Redding. I'm pretty sure my butt will recover...it will just take a few days...I hope. Biking around town is my way of giving the finger to these gas prices. I think I might actually give the finger to the three gas stations I pass on the way to work for a while till everyone really knows how I feel.

The fellas

Could you imagine what life was like with all five of us on the same staff...scary.
(from left to right)
I am actually in the process of pinchin' a deuce in this picture.
Aaron's using me for leverage.
Sam is classic on the ground.
Seconds after Trav put his arm up like that it knocked him out because he hadn't smelled his armpit in three days.
And Adam isn't jumping...he was actually dropped from a crane (not seen in the picture)
It was a blast boys! Thanks for the pics Adam. Miss you guys.

Decided to jog tonight...

...bad idea!

Started my book today

I finished the rough draft of the intro to the book I have been talking about doing for about a year. It's going to be called Born in the Pew.
Here's a sneak peak...

As I read scripture I see how my story is connected to God's story and to so many that have struggled to follow him. I connect with Abraham when God asked him to leave his family and everything that made sense to follow him into the dark. I sink into David's psalms of joy and lament. God has given me so many songs that help me connect to him in a deeper way. I feel so close to Moses when I hear about his feelings of inadequacy. I struggle with Joseph and his feelings of betrayal. I feel Sarah's pain in her struggle with infertility. I totally identify with Peter when he gets pissed because people are messin' with Jesus and he chops off some dudes ear. I feel like I am a part of their stories.
My hope is that you will read about my journey and realize that we are all part of a much larger story. God is writing his story into existence through his children. He is present in a very real way in each of us....we were all created in his image. As we share our stories of love and heartache and joy and doubt, we are reminded that we are not alone. We are also comforted to know that God has chosen the foolish things of this world to put his great love on display.

It's really rough but what do you think? Somethin' you'd read?

Sabbath

Slept in
took Zeke to school...his last day is tomorrow...then kindergarten...what the heck!?!
watched a movie...Reservation Road...depressing
picked Zeke up
made lunch for the kiddos, Alyssa made us these veggie wraps...awesome
kids nap...I work out
take Zeke swimming
talked to my friend Trav
hang with kids
go shopping...always an adventure
pizza
had some family from Alyssa's side driving through come and visit
look at homes in Redding on the internet
blog
great day of rest...have you had a day lately to enjoy God and family?
side note...got on the scale this morning...186.8
started out 2.5 weeks ago at 194.6
stoked!
my goal is 175 by the end of summer
i think I'll be under that
i'll post where i'm at once a week for accountability!

Ephesians 1 adoption video

We showed this video at the end of our first night talking about Ephesians 1 at the Stirring. If we understand the language of adoption in the Ephesus culture, what Paul is saying for us that are in Christ will blow your mind. I love that we have video's like this that we can save to show our kids later.

Throwin' down!

My buddy Nate has become quite the preacha man. He spoke this morning at the Vineyard church in town...he threw down. I just got back from 2 gatherings at the Stirring tonight...he threw down. I love being a part of the team at the Stirring. I love having leadership that all says the same things. If you weren't there tonight, go grab the podcast. If you're in Riverside or living in remote areas of the world but just can't get by without my daily banter on this blog, you should follow us through this series. I'd love to have some feedback. I'm gonna tackle Ephesians 3 in a couple weeks. What are you reading right now in the Bible?

I've got to start writting

So I brought this movie home tonight because my wife eats these stories up. I will fully admit that I've sat through every chick flick ever produced in the last 10 years but that is because I am completely in love with my wife. I am into enough weird things like blogging and guitars that I can put up with the occasional romantic comedy.
What I realized as I was watching this movie is that I need to write one of these. I called all the scenes in this flick...literally I knew what was going to happen in every scene. I've sat through so many of these that I know the recipe like it was my grandma's chocolate pie.
Anyone up for writing one of these with me and making a quick million dollars??? Billy???

How pumped am I...

...that the NBA finals are on ABC...the only channel I get with my HD antenna...word!!!
There are two reasons a person should have cable tv...NBA playoffs and Man vs. Wild. Outside of that, cable is useless. The Celtics are going to mop the floor with the Lakers...and after it's over Garnett's gonna poop on Kobe's MVP trophy...can't wait!
What's your reason for cable tv?

2 men and 5 kids in Red Robin

No...it's not a pilot for a new sitcom this summer.
It was mom's night out tonight...so the ladies took off for dinner and a movie.
Nate and I think to ourselves...Red Robin.
Go to a really loud crowded place were no one will care if your kids are screaming.
They all did remarkably well...we left throughly impressed with our kids.
I'm pretty sure I left my aviator's on the table Emily...if someone turned them in can you bring them to the Stirring?
A grandma came up to us at the end of dinner and said she was really impressed with us having the courage to bring out the kids. She said they were really well behaved.
I think it's funny that most people think fathers have absolutely no idea what they are doing when it comes to actually being fathers. I admit...I'm a moron and my wife is amazing...but I shouldn't get a brownie for taking my kids out to a restaurant. Have I talked about this before?

Blogger is killing me

I've been trying to load pics of our camping trip but it's not letting me...maybe tomorrow.
Camping was a lot of fun...really cold...8 hours of driving to get there...good times...great to hang with old friends.
Note to self...don't ever fill up your gas in Big Sur...$5.39 a gallon...that's not a type-o
Most romantic anniversary of all time...I wake up on an inflated mattress, fully clothed with a beanie on, no shower in three days and my wife whispers...happy anniversary. We celebrated 9 years of marital bliss by driving our kids back home from camping...good times.
I'm hopin' to take Alyssa out sometime this week to actually celebrate...anyone want to watch our kids?
We're back!

Goin' camping

The time has arrived for the annual camping trip. We leave tomorrow for Big Sur to hang with some great friends. We've been doin' this trip for years and now our destinations are becoming more creative. This trip started when we were the young pastors on staff at the Grove. The Osbornes, the Boones, the Foors, the McIntyres, and us. Now three of the five families are no longer at the Grove but the trip still lives. We have traveled north along with the Osbornes so San Clemente is a little harder to get to now. So we decided on a spot in the middle of California...Big Sur...should be awesome.
No blogs from Dan for a couple days. Start mentally preparing yourself now because just going cold turkey without one of my posts to get you through the day has been known to leave people pretty screwed up!
I'll take pictures. See ya Wednesday.
I think I found the bike I'm ordering...thanks for sending me that direction Ian. Can't wait to start ridin'!

Anyone know how to...

...get rotating links on blogger? I'd like to have 5-10 links for people that rotate on the side of my blog. I feel like I have an overwhelming amount of people in my blogroll. I know you can do it on wordpress. Can you do it on blogger? I'm also trying to hook up the category cloud, but I am html dumb. Give me some love Ian.

Tomorrow is the day...

...I'm becoming a bike man. I've looked at quite a few bikes now and I've saved up my pennies from my b-day. I'm pretty sure I'm getting a Lager like this one. I took one for a spin today and really liked it. I really want a road bike that I can take to work and get around town on. Let me know if you've seen any sweet deals around. I've been checking Craigslist like crazy but nothin' so far. I know you can take an old 10 speed and turn it into a fixed gear or single speed but everyone knows I'm not that smart. If you see me around town make sure you honk, point and laugh at me. I'll be the sweaty bald guy with really weird facial hair. Anyone up for a ride?

I've only been gone for five months...

...and Riverside is experiencing the apocalypse. Today at 4pm a tornado touched down at March Airforce base which is a couple miles from the church I used to work at. Plus my dad told me they've caught 4 snakes in the last week trying to get into the facility. I say watch out for locust and frogs. Today was 75 degrees and beautiful in Redding. Hope I didn't just jinx it! If some of my Riverside crew could run by our rental on Diablo and make sure the roof is still on top of the house I'd really appreciate it.
There's no place like home...click, click.

couple days with Trav

Trav came up for a couple days to hang at our District Conference for the C&MA. So good to see him...great talks...got to talk about family and dreams and what God is doing in us. He will always be an amazing friend. I love the way Trav follows Jesus...it makes me want to do it better. Great friends are hard to come by. Thanks Travis.

I really like my week

Sunday's I hang with the fam all morning. Head to the Stirring around 2pm. Get home in time to talk to my wife and chill for about an hour.
Monday is my Sabbath. I think I took three naps today. Monday's are awesome.
Tuesday is staff day. Nate, Meg and I meet. Nate, Derrick and I meet. We have staff meeting. Tuesday night are my Life Group nights.
Wednesday I get up early. We pray with the advisory team. Nate and I go work out. Then it's off to downtown Starbucks. One of my favorite times of the week. We study, laugh, argue, talk vision and ask them to turn the music down for hours.
Thursday and Friday I spend a lot of time with my Life Group leaders and other peeps. Phone, email, coffee.
Saturday I chill. Hang with friends and family.
I've realized that showers are optional Monday and Saturday...I like it that way...these are the days I get refreshed with my family.
I really like my week. I feel like I've got a pretty good rhythm in Redding. There are weeks that are crazy but it's a good crazy. I don't feel overwhelmed.
I'm telling you...when I start eating right and exercising, everything in my life makes more sense.
BTW...I lost 3 pounds this week...WORD!!!

May is moustache month!!!

I've only been in Redding for five months and the inner hick has already surfaced. Alyssa can't get enough of it. I need everyone's opinion...who do I look more like???
1. Wyatt Earp
2. Cereal killer
3. Hulk Hogan
4. Member of Village People
5. You decide

Death cabs new album

do yourself a favor and grab it.
$10 bucks at amazon. i scooped it up at Starbucks for $13
picked it up a couple days ago.
really like it.
way more distortion and electric than your typical Death cab album.
don't go into it with old assumptions and I think you'll dig it.
love the song "Grapevine fires"
if you know me that won't surprise you.
i always skip the pop radio hits and gravitate to the drawn out dark songs that turn into crazy anthems that want to rip your face off...i'm a sucker for it every time!
Any other reviews, or other albums people should be picking up this summer?

600th post

That's pretty crazy.
Can't think of too many things I've done 600 times and still enjoy doing.
I'm pretty sure I've played the chord progression...D...A...Bm...G 600 times and that never gets old.
In the past 3 years I'm pretty sure I've ordered 600 tall Americano's with no room and that will never change!
So I guess I like this blogging thing is what I'm trying to say.
Honestly I just love the blog crew that has surfaced in Riverside and Redding. I feel like I've had a little bit to do with that and it makes me smile.
Keep blogging.

What month is it???

Farmers market this morning at 7:45am...80 degrees.
Yesterday at 3pm...105 degrees.
What happened to spring?
Thought my allergies were gone in Redding...they aren't!
Sorry for the Debbie Downer post

Random pics from vacation

Good times had by all!

The Aftermath

Both our kids got shots today. They each got four to be exact. I had to hold Zeke down straight jacket style...it wasn't fun. We hate giving our kids shots but they won't let Zeke into Kindergarten without them. These are pics at our house at 6pm tonight. It was a long day for our little ones.

Good times

After my 45 minute walk this morning I thought it would be a good idea to go out and play hours of ultimate frisbee tonight. One problem...I built up some crazy chaffing this morning because I never walk that long...couple that with running after a frisbee till I can't breath and you got the perfect recipe for a guy who now walks around like he's been riding a horse for 2 1/2 months on a sandpaper saddle...too much information...sorry...the best blogs always involve details...are babies the only ones that can use diaper rash cream? Just wondering.
Until next week...

God cares about my health

So yesterday I decide to get serious about getting back in shape. This morning I wake up to an alarm...go outside for a walk...have no idea where to go...turn left out of my house....then right...seven minutes of walking through new housing development...stumble upon Clover Creek preserve (a beautiful 30 minute paved walk through a huge clearing and around a couple ponds)...I love being out in nature when I hang with God on walks.
As I was coming back to my house I just thanked God for caring enough about my health to give me a sweet place to walk and meet with him that is right around the corner from my house. Sometimes you need some sweet incentive like that when you're starting back into a routine. God is good...my legs are burning.

The notebook of shame is back

I have officially gained back more than half of the 55 pounds I lost a year ago...sucks.
The notebook of shame is back. I write down everything I eat and every time I exercise in this bad boy. This is the only way I stay disciplined with what I eat...call me weak but it works. No crazy gimmicks, no detox cleansing, just good old fashioned smaller portions. It's a novel idea but when you don't eat like a horse you can stay at a healthy weight.
175 by the end of summer is the goal. If I don't reach that goal I give everyone in the blog world permission to come up to me at will and slap me. If you don't live close feel free to berate me over the internet or hurl insults at me with reckless abandon.

What kind of idiot forgets Mothers Day?

Oh wait...that's me!
Sucks.
Alyssa just reminded me.
Gotta go.
I've got some makin' up to do.
If you're reading this and you forgot but you haven't been caught yet...there's still time...do something nice for your wife or mom.

Made it back!

Last night was great. Bunch of friends a the Spaghetti Factory...money! Came home...packed...took off this morning...kids did awesome on the plane...drove to Redding...suckiest drive on earth...made it. We're back!
Thanks to our families and friends that made vacation awesome. Love ya'll!

Best Office moment of the week

Andy taking the golf cart and flying into the sand trap...classic!
The blisters on his hands were pretty funny too.

Last night in the time share

This vacation has been awesome.
Great times with my wife, my kids, friends and family.
Tons of rest.
Lots of great food.
Lots of reading.
4 movies in 4 days.
And I bought a new hat today. Life is good.
You become a hat guy when you're bald and you live in a place that gets up to 187 degrees in the summer. I'm preparing myself.
We'll be back for the Stirring this Sunday!

Things you only see in Newport Beach

Today at Fashion Island we saw a woman with a Maltese dog strapped to her chest in one of the baby sling backpack things that you throw your kids in...unbelievable. I'm so mad I didn't have my camera. Last time I checked dogs like going for walks and not being strapped to people...only in Newport.
This place cracks me up. I can't look in any direction without seeing a Mercedes, Land Rover, or Hummer. I'm pretty sure my Echo wouldn't feel at home here. We are definitely a little out of our element. It's nice to visit but I could not survive down here.

Justice in the Burbs

Just finished this book...really enjoyed it.
I like how it was set up.
It was written by a married couple. They share a personal story about their journey to living justly...then they give you some application to how this can work out in your context...then they have some third party contributers offer a meditation based on the chapter.
Here's the benediction at the end of the book:
May the God of peace, justice, and hope lead you on the pathways of mercy and compassion. May you have the heart of God, the eyes of Jesus, and the leading of the Spirit as you seek to join with the work of those who have gone before you. and may you grow in grace.
That's my prayer for all you RevRock readers today.
Shalom

Alone with the wife

I love my kids...but I LOVE my wife! Today is the first day that we got to spend just the two of us at the beach. It was amazing. It's been a long time since it's been just the two of us for the day. The only weird part was how quiet it was. No one repeatedly asking us the same questions or grunting and doing sign language for "i'm hungry." Here was the itinerary for the day:
Sleep in
Chill
Lunch
Chill
2 hour nap
Yard House
Black and Tan
Movie
Starbucks
Chill
The perfect day

100 days to go till Moses shows up

creepy floating baby says so. What the heck...i'm gonna be the father of three...still hasn't set in.

Vacation is on!!!

we made it.
I've already taken a nap
played a round on golf
watched some playoff basketball
eaten at Sub Station (chilled with Sam and Mike)
saw my life group homies over coffee
spent time with family
chilled in a timeshare (thanks moms and pops) with three flat screens...totally necessary
shopped at TJ and eaten some sushi
tomorrow the beach!