The good ol' days

Prepare yourself for a nauseating trip down memory lane...Don't worry, I don't do this very often!

Everything in my life right now costs a lot of money.
- I'm overseeing a 2 million dollar project at the Stirring, getting us into our new space.
- I'm building teams for a 5K run and walk fundraiser that we are looking to raise $50,000.
- I have a monthly grocery bill that's inching toward $500.
- I just spent $30 on a haircut for a dog that I don't even like.
- I own a aqua blue Toyota Echo that has a salvaged title :)

I just found myself reliving the days that we would put $2 of gas in Aaron's bug and drive to Newport for the day...eat a budget meal at Bakers for $2 and go see the Prayer Chain that night for $3. Seems like a long time ago. Livin' in my parents garage, eating all their food, mowing lawns so I could scrape together enough money to go to shows and buy crappy guitar gear.

Now I have 2 mortgages and 9 columns in a ledger for my savings account (thanks mom).
Just a different time in life.
Trying to enjoy every season!

17 years

Valentines Day marks the first date for Alyssa and I 17 years ago.
I was 17 she was 16.
I came straight from baseball practice to a Valentines party our church was throwing.
It was one of those random throw people together nights but I rigged the system to spend the evening with Alyssa.
The rest is history. We were on and off for 5.5 years before the wedding bells rang.
We've shared a lot of these days and I've gotta say the last two days have been tough to beat.
Alyssa is the best...period.
I could write a book about it but that says it all.
I could not love her anymore than I do!
Thanks for 17 unforgettable years babe!

The Sunday Takeaway

I started a consistent Monday post last week about my Sunday Takeaway.
I spoke this week so I'm not going to do a takeaway on myself...that would just be weird.
Emily wrote a blog with a pretty sweet recap...check it out.

So here's some behind the scenes madness from the day:
- if you didn't notice we crammed 3,498 things into each gathering
- worship, offering, covenant, Barbers, Kingdom Healing conference, We love campaign w/ video, me speaking, and Aaron sending out. It might not seem like it but we work really hard to be clear and flow. We cut 17 things out. It's a busy season for us.

Funniest moments:
- Luke came up to me at the end and told me it wasn't my sweatband or orange shorts that were distracting...it was my crazy white legs! Amazing.

- Comments my beard left about my message on Facebook. I have no idea who started a profile as my beard. Little creepy, kind of hilarious.

- Giving a message on stage with a "Club Cougar" sign behind me...awkward.

Greatest moment of the day:
- Got a facebook request from someone I just met yesterday. This was her status today: "I made a public commitment to God, Jesus and The Stirring today! I feel so fantastic and I’m so excited to be part of this family!"

I'd love to hear your takeaway! Long live the roosters!

Moths and Rust

Today we had another garage sale. Crazy that we accumulate enough junk to constitute one of these a year!
The last post in my blog before I started it back up a couple weeks ago was on Sept. 26, 2009 and it was about our last garage sale. Here's what I posted:

There's somethin' about garage sales that always brings you back to reality.
You're giving away a driveway full of crap for quarters...and these are items that had great value to you at one point in time.
Today we made $75 and baked in the sun for hours as we watched our treasures slowly make their way into the back of pickups and minivans.
We should all have garage sales to remind ourselves that it's all just stuff...and at some point a weird guy with a fanny pack is gonna bargain you down to $1.50 for an item that you paid $100 for five years ago!
Here's to moths and rust.

I ran a marathon

It took me 2 weeks but I did it :)
Mon, Wed, Fri, Mon, Wed, Fri:
4,6,4,4,4,6 (those were the miles in case you wondering)
28 miles in 2 weeks.
Don't know how anyone does that in a day.
Gluttons for punishment.
Amazing to me that I had never really run over a mile a couple months ago.
I'm actually enjoying this at times...don't tell anyone.

Speaking on Sunday

So I went running by myself on Wednesday morning in the complete darkness on the Clover Creek trail. I was terrified.
God showed me some things.
I talked about those things with Nate.
Now I'm gonna share those things on Sunday at the Stirring.
Here's a hint in the form of key words...
Friends, elderly women with dogs, roosters, machete's, 9 irons, and experience
Come to think of it, that's a great title for the message.
If you want to know more...show up Sunday.
Life Together.
Running in the dark...

My buddy Sean...

You ever have those moments that you wish you could jump into someone's shoes for a few days to give them a break from crazy pain or a situation they are going through?
Over a week ago my buddy Sean Gafner got a brutal surgery to fix his crazy sleep apnea. I just got through a series of text with him and he's still in incredible pain. I'm feelin' pretty good right now and I would totally pull off a switch-a-roo for a few days if given the chance. I hate seeing him so hurt and discouraged.
Sean's one of those once in a lifetime friends that was a gift from God when I came to Redding. God knows what you need when you move 10 hours away from all your family and friends to take on a new job in a new community. He's one of those guys that I would do anything for but when there are things that are out of your control, like painful surgeries, it makes it hard.
So for now I'm setting an alarm on my phone for 90 minutes after every time he takes his codeine. That's the time when the meds start to wear off and then there's 2.5 hours of hell. I told him I'm sending inspirational texts that will rival the speech from the movie Rudy.
Anyway...before this post gets too weird with man love, thank God for the family and friends that God has placed in your life that you are willing to bear burdens with. Because you know sometime in the near future you will need the support of a great friend!

I like blogging

I'm finding the value in discipline.
Most things of value take time.
Our world is in the business of quick.
Blogs take to long to read...Facebook
People can write a paragraph in Facebook...Twitter
When 160 characters gets to cumbersome...prepare for grunts
I should market that now...could be worth millions.

I like blogging.
It forces me to be aware of my day.
And if I wasn't aware through the day it gives me a moment to look back.
I'm convinced that days and weeks and months and years can be forgotten.
Write in a journal...start a blog...get it on paper or electronic equivalent.
God was always telling his people to remember.
Don't forget...don't let you kids forget...set up some stones...eat some bread...drink some wine...do something to trigger your memory.

I'm glad I'm back at blogging.
I'm going to find a way to finish my book.
I don't want to forget.
God is good. He's good every day.
It helps to chronicle the journey.

Don't run with dogs!

Today I hit my normal 4 mile run with Sean Baxter on the flat side of the Diesel Horse Bridge.
One added element in the mix...Sean's crazy dog Gunner.
Sean was pushing his daughter Stella in the jogging stroller and I was holding on for dear life.
It didn't help that there were 94 people on the trail with 58 dogs that Gunner wanted to get to know better. My biceps got a bigger work out than my legs because I was pulling with everything I had the whole time. Double work out.
Moral of the story. Run really early in the morning when you can let your dog run free and scare the insides out of the one other person on the trail that is up at that time. There's really nothing like a white object coming at you at 30 mph in the dark and hearing the dog's owners yelling something that sounds like "gun."
Good times.

The Sunday Takeaway

I'm working through consistent posts that I'd like to become staples for the new blog.
I'm thinking about a weekly post about our Stirring gatherings...don't hold me to it.

- The Sunday Takeaway: I sit through 2-3 gatherings every week for the Stirring. We put a lot of time and prayer into what happens on a weekend. The Sunday Takeaway will be the notes in my moleskin that have stars next to them, or something special that God did, or a behind the scenes look at something that went down, or something hilarious that happened that most people didn't see. Here's my takeaway from today...

Jenna and Ashley did a great job leading worship. Ashley shared a testimony of God healing her legal blindness at the 11am gathering...super powerful...felt like it built a ton of faith in our family.

The funny moment of the morning was Nate backing up and almost bailing over the stool that we always set up in the middle of where we speak. I sit up front and watch Nate dance around it every week. This week his calculation was a little off. He played it off nicely :)

Nate taught on hearing God's voice in community. Encouragement, wisdom, words of knowledge, and prophecy. He's taught on spiritual gifts before and I think he has given the most solid teachings on the subject that I've ever heard. Here's the quote in my moleskin with the star next to it. It context of talking about words of knowledge, Nate said, "God gives us words of knowledge for people because He wants them to know that He knows." That was really powerful for me. Something I shared at the end of the gathering is a prayer that I made at the beginning of the year. I told God that I wanted to be faithful with every word that he gives me this year. Even if it terrifies me I want to be obedient when God gives me his heart to share with others. One thing I know about the kingdom of God is that when you are faithful with a little you can be entrusted with more. I want to be faithful with every prompting of the spirit in my life.

At the end of the gathering I prayed for a man that I met last week that is deaf and has brain cancer. It was an amazing moment to join his wife in tears and translation as we brought his situation before the God of the universe. Nothing is impossible with God.

Great Sunday.
I'd love to hear your takeaway.
Until next week...

My life right now

Schedule....schedule....schedule.
Times, dates, subs, volunteers, meetings, design, budget, finishes, sound, lights, video, kitchen, seating, concrete, toilets, sinks, colors, lights, signs, landscape, communication, fundraising, strategy.
Lately I feel like I'm going a little crazy.
I just feel like someones going to come into my office one day and I'll be covered in sticky notes, with string and notes posted over every square inch of my office like in Beautiful Mind. I'll be in the fetal position in the corner sucking my thumb.
If that happens please don't take a picture and post it on Facebook...that would be a bummer.
What's your life like right now?

Questions I'm asking myself and my team

I saw some questions on someone's blog earlier this year. Grabbed a few and thought they were great. I asked our staff these today. Thought they were really helpful.
I'd love to hear some of your answers:
- What's one thing this year that you are asking for that is impossible without God?
- What is one skill that you would like to improve on this year?
- What are some goals you have for yourself this year? Physically, spiritually, relationally, and creatively

Here's some of my goals:
- Experience life weighing in the 150's (159 will do...I have 12 pounds to go)
- Run 600 miles this year (about 12 a week)
- Read through the bible, and my six C.S. Lewis books
- Reclaim a sabbath every week with God and family
- Lead well into our new space
- Take a fat vacation with Alyssa after the church moves into our new space
- Record on album
- Finish a first draft of my book

I have more but some are a little more personal. What are some things you want to accomplish this year!

First Impressions

So if you read one of my last tweets you heard about my interaction with some kids at Zeke's school. I went to pick up Zeke at the playground and a kid pointed at me and said to his friend..."look, it's a hobo!"
I thought it was amazing and laughed harder than I have in a long time but it got me thinking about a few things. What parents talk to their 2nd graders about "hobos?" It's not like I was carrying a stick over my shoulder with a bandanna tied around it with my 3 earthly possessions inside of it. Hobo...hilarious...who uses that word.
Then I started thinking about first impressions and what the world sees when they see homeless people. If a kid on a playground can look at me with my amazing facial hair and think I'm homeless I can only imagine the looks and stares a person on the street gets every day. Not things you think about all the time but it definitely got me thinking.
There's a person made in the image of God with a story and a family behind every sign and probably deserves more than a finger point and a snap judgment....
Or it could just be your short bald pastor with tattoos with a beard that a squirrel could live in!
You never know.

Leadership

After starting the day off with framing at the new space, I headed over to Risen King for a training on leadership. Dave Kraft is the man...check out his book.
It's an interesting season of my life but I find myself consumed with issues of leadership.

Here's a list of what I know in no particular order:
I have a lot to learn.
I really need to grow as a leader.
I have an amazing wife that supports and encourages me.
I desperately need God.
I have a great team around me.
I wish it was clearer.
I get overwhelmed with the great responsibility that I've been given at times.
I need to read more.
I really value the input of those that have been further down the road then I am.

In the midst of all my insecurities there are moments of great spirit-filled confidence when I know I am operating out of my God given passion and competency. I'm trusting as I grow in my leadership that these moments will become more frequent. For those of you that are on this journey with me I thank you for putting up with the craziness and messyness of figuring all of this out. It's a wild ride and I plan on enjoying every minute!

Sacred moments

As a pastor you're brought into the best and worst of peoples journeys at key points in their story.

Marriage crisis
God moments
Death
Birth
Sin
Baptism
Testimony
Spirit filling
Tears
Healing
Sickness
Decisions
Dreams
Vision
Discouragement
Breakthrough

It's new every day. But I consider all of them to be sacred moments. Opportunities to bring God into everyday situations. I love what I do.

Too pretentious?

So I'm getting the first looks at the new danlance.com and it's gonna be sweet.
Here's my question. Does having myname.com make you want to punch me in the face?
I used to do the revrock thing but someone stole that url.
I want a place that is a hub for all the stuff I'm working on but I kinda feel like a ding dong having a website that is my name.
Do I need to get over it or should I come up with something clever?
Beardedbaldwonderland.com :)

Legacy

Saturday seemed really significant to me.
I sat in the Simpson gym...packed with people...some new faces...a ton a familiar faces from the past.
All of us there to honor the legacy of a life well lived.
Mike Gower would of loved the crowd he pulled together for his memorial.
Looking at the impact his life has had on the kingdom in the faces of the ones he poured his life into.
My mentor in college...Jim Bailey was there with his wife Amy from Kansas City.
Jim saw something in me when no one else did.
He took a chance on me and I can say with confidence that I am the man I am today because Jim poured his life into me.
Mike and Jim stand as two people in my life that I will never forget.
I don't remember all the conversations or the advice but I remember the men and that they let me into pieces of their lives that shaped me forever. They knew Jesus in a way that was contagious and put me on a pursuit to know him in the same way.
Saturday was a significant moment in time for me.
It was a reminder to what's important. God and people.
I want to be remembered in a gym someday with people that I poured my life into.
Thanks Mike.
Thanks Jim.

Last notch

Today feels like one of those defining days in my journey of getting healthy.
Put on the Levi's this morning and cinched up the belt to the last notch.
That's right folks. The next step for me is a new belt...feels good.
I also realized that I have a whole new wardrobe...
Well...two years old but haven't been worn since...hello again medium shirts!
This cleanse I'm on is crazy...only raw fruits and veggies.
But the day you reach the last notch is a good day!

The band

Headed to band practice tonight.
I'm really getting excited for where this is headed.
2011 will bring live shows and an album...promise!
I love playing live music. It's something in my bones that has to come out!
It's been hard not having an outlet for that in the last few years.
I want to write the greatest music that I've ever put in front of people this year.
It always starts in a weird little room with a bad p.a. that smells a little like feet.
Off to practice!!!

Content. Let me have it.

I'm putting the details together for my website.
Here's my thoughts...
Twitter feed
Super clean
3 buttons...band. blog. book.
A few epic shots of my beard.
The end.
Thoughts?

What kind of content are you looking for?
What did you like or hate about revrock?
Kids, adoption, music, God, politics, snippets of the book?
I'd like this website to rule.
I'd like to get back to comments and really try to foster a community up in here! (hee-yah)
Ok...one shot of the beard....

It's 2011...Could the blog make a comeback...we'll see

It's been over a year since my last post. Facebook kind of killed my blog and now I'm thinking about killing Facebook! I like Twitter for quick stuff and I love hearing from other leaders around the world, but I think I can do without Facebook. There's this pressure to get back to everyone and I don't do well with pressure. Plus I miss my blog. I really like Donald Miller's website. I'd like to set up something clean like that. I want a central place to talk about my family. I love having archives that chronicle our story. Plus I like an outlet to talk about ministry and the random stuff that rolls through my brain all day. On top of all that I want to have a central place that I can talk about the book I want to write, and a place to share the music that I'm writing. Sound good?
Anyone want to set up a website for me for cheap?
I'll give you add space and mad props and smiley faces every time I text you :)
No promises...but let's see what happens.
Anyone still out there?

Garage sales

There's somethin' about garage sales that always brings you back to reality.
You're giving away a driveway full of crap for quarters...and these are items that had great value to you at one point in time.
Today we made $75 and baked in the sun for hours as we watched our treasures slowly make their way into the back of pickups and minivans.
We should all have garage sales to remind ourselves that it's all just stuff...and at some point a weird guy with a fanny pack is gonna bargain you down to $1.50 for an item that you paid $100 for five years ago!
Here's to moths and rust.

Who's ready?

I'm starting a band that sounds like the Left and Leaving album by The Weakerthans. If you've never heard it you need not apply :)
I keep listening to this album and it bums me out that I'm not playing music. 2010 is the year Dan starts rockin and rollin again! Stamp it! Tell your friends! Prepare yourselves.

Golf

Went out this morning with Pete for the first time in months.
I grew up golfing...love it.
Something me, my pops, and my brother could always do together.
When I go to Riverside it is always on.
I think it's funny because I have the best gear in the biz because I always get my dads hand-me-downs which are amazing.
But I never play...bummer.
Gold Hills is a cool place.

Mo

Love it.

18 peeps in my living room

I love the first night of a Life Group.
Who's gonna show up?
How many awkward moments?
Is anyone gonna show up?

18 amazing people came through the door tonight...I'm stoked.
This next season of my life will include getting to know these peeps more.
We have singles, students, engaged, married, married with kids, and a retired couple.
Community. I can't wait to see what happens.

We just wrapped up a series on discipleship at the Stirring.
I asked our group how many of them are in discipleship relationships right now and almost all of them said they were. Amazing.
WE LOVE. WE MAKE DISCIPLES.

It doesn't get better than this!

I'll let you in...

If you're not ready to have your life changed then quickly close this tab. Here's your assignment for tomorrow. Go to Los Gordos on the corner of Tehama and Pine. Order two pastor tacos "el jefe" style.
Much thanks to Jeff Humbert for going to Los Gordos so much and ordering your tacos in such a way that the entire restaurant now excepts "el jefe" style as an actual way to order your tacos. Was that a run on sentence?
They melt chesse between the two corn tortillas before they pound on the pork, onions, and cilantro. $5 that will change your life. You can thank me later. I realize this picture is probably from a weird picnic and there is an anglo handling the plate so you can bank on it not being authentic...but it's the best google could come up with. The chips with pico top it all off. Jeremy and I were there today. It's a once a week staple. Meat, grain, dairy, fruit, vegetables and Los Gordos!

Wireless

Anyone else have their router set up in the bedroom on one side of the house because it's the only room that has a phone jack in it and have their computer on the other side of the house and use the internet with wireless and it goes from 0 bars to full bars every 5 minutes?
Was that a run on sentence?
Steamed right now!

It's official...

...Mo is walkin'! He walks down the entire hall now without falling. Crazy. Now if we could just get Sof talkin'! This year is gonna be intense. Zeke in first grade. Sofia turning three, getting potty trained and talking. And Mo is officially mobile. It's exciting times to be a dad. All the kids were wrestling in the play room tonight and I was lovin' it. Of course that was minutes after Mo had grabbed Sofia's potty that she had just peed in and poured it on himself.
It's my life!

Blog face lift

Anyone out there want to hook a brotha up with a sweet new look for my blog? I could use a sweet new banner.
Ian...I love the banner you made for me but it's been a couple years and I've gotta get the revrock out of the banner since I'm danlance.com now.
Don't have a lot of money, but I have a surplus of respect, hugs, and admiration for anyone that would work with me :)
Let me know.

It's been quite a summer

Today is Labor Day...my last post was Fathers Day...oopps
Sometimes you need two and a half month breaks from things in your life...like exercise!
Here's my summer in bullet points
- In-laws visit Redding...got a ridiculous amount of projects done
- Lake Siskiyou with the Gafners...amazing
- Mom came to town...Alyssa and I got away to Sac to celebrate being married for 10 incredible years.
- Camping in San Simeon with great friends that are now spread up and down the coast
- Went to Indiana for a week to hang at a lake house for a huge family reunion. All of Alyssa's side lives out there.
- Came home...Zeke started first grade
- Staff retreat on a house boat
- Mo's almost walkin'...Sof is almost making sense when she talks
- It's a good time to be alive
- See...now you're all caught up.

In the midst of all this my job has changed significantly. I now oversee our staff at the Stirring and define most of the systems that we operate under as a church...I love it.
I still speak about once a month and lead worship here and there but I also hire and fire and figure out how we will retire. I've also been known to change a mean tire :)
In the midst of the job switch the Stirring was presented with a building that we are praying about purchasing. Because I've owned more homes than anyone on staff I'm the "experienced one" when it comes to these matters so I'm leading the way in figuring all that stuff out...it's been an adventure.
I love my church...I love our team...I love what God is doing in Redding and around the world.

It's been a great summer...I'm back.

Fathers Day

Thanks for the picture Emily.
We dedicated Moses on Fathers Day this year. As I was praying for him it all hit me again that this kid was an unbelievable miracle. It's crazy how you can forget that kind of stuff when you're not sleeping and changing an ungodly amount of dirty diapers.
If you don't know my story...my wife and I adopted our first two kids. We always wanted to adopt...just thought it would happen after we had our own biological baby. We struggled with infertility for 7 years. Then out of nowhere when we are finally settled and content with our two kid life, God gives us Moses. What the heck...God is funny.
Being a dad of three is awesome. I love the chaos of my life. I long for quiet moments at times but I could not ask for a better life. It was a great Fathers Day!

Sofia's not so sure about photo booth

Next few days

Leave tonight for camping...Lake Siskiyou (ridiculous amount of vowels)...Gafners...smores...amazing!
Get back...Lead worship at Stirring...mom comes into town.
Leave kids with moms...Alyssa and I head to Sac for 1.5 day to ourselves...celebrating the 10 year anniversary...a little late but much needed.
Getting ready for all this to happen with 3 kids can send you to the loonie bin!
Cya in a few days!

Zeke lost his first tooth!

Zeke's cousins are in town and they gave him some gum. An hour later he comes over and his tooth is gone.
He had no clue.
I think he swallowed it!
Unbelievable.
I can't believe I have kids that are loosing teeth.
He said something about a dollar from the tooth fairy. I told him the tooth fairy has been hit like everyone else in the economy.
Be happy with a quarter!

Back to the clean face

There's a possibility of me having to talk to some important city people this week and I figured the handlebars might be a little much for them.
I like to keep a new look just long enough for people to start thinking..."Is he seriously going to keep that thing on his upper lip forever?" When I reach that point...I keep it for 4 more days...then...something new.
It's the curse of the bald man. I gotta switch it up.
I think the eyebrows might go next time!

My blog life

I used to be the man with blogs.
Pumped em' out on a daily basis.
One to two a day.
Kept the blogs current from the Stirring.
Then...Moses.
Blogs became shorter...more like bullet points.
But I still got them out there.
Then...Facebook.
Perfect solution to the short blog.
I could upload them through Twitter on my phone.
Quick...easy.
So what to do with my blog?
I'm still thinking about it.
Any ideas?

Good advice

Eric and I meet every Friday morning...have been for a long time.
Every Friday is great...today was really meaningful to me.
After a french press and a lot of good advice I went into the office.
Closed my door...locked it...sat in silence...then picked up my guitar.
Not to put together a set...not to work on a new song.
Just started playing some chords and began to worship.
It was awesome and very needed.
Psalm 42- As the deer panteth for the water...so my soul longeth after thee. You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship thee.
Couldn't even get through it...tears.
Thanks Eric...your friendship this year has meant the world to me!
God is good...Get alone in his presence...It changes everything!

No longer in kindergarten

Wow!

Shoes

Thanks for the pic Brent...I stole it.
Today we finished off the last of the handing out of shoes at Cypress Elementary School. If you didn't know we raised money with a music, art and film festival called Erase the Dark, and we took the proceeds to put shoes on all the kids at the school. We handed them out last Wednesday and the kids flipped. When we left we got an order for 28 more shoes. Kids that had transferred in late. We got those to the kids today. All in all we handed out over 250 shoes! As we walked through the halls today I saw our shoes everywhere on kids feet and I couldn't stop smiling. Thanks to everyone that helped make this happen.
This is my 900th post. I've been doing this for a while.

It's official...

I grabbed www.DanLance.com as my domain.
Right now I'm forwarding my blog there until I have the full website running.
I know it's a pain but if you could update your readers I'd appreciate it.
I bought it for a few years so I promise you won't get another switch from me soon.
Thanks.

Hello again...

I realize it's been a month since my last post and that's really weird for me. I haven't stopped reading your blogs, I just haven't felt the need to blog for myself. I guess I kind of got the wind knocked out of me when someone stole my domain name. But I believe now that all of that happened for a reason. It forced me to dream about some new possibilities.

www.DanLance.com

I haven't bought it yet but it's available. I want to have a central hub where I can keep all the things that are going on in my life. Social networking, my blog, the Stirring, my book, and my album. The website would be motivation to get on those last two parts...my book and my album. I have about 6 rough chapters to my book that I haven't looked at since Moses was born, and I have about 10 songs rolling around in my head that I'm dying to get recorded. So hopefully this is motivation.
Yesterday I spoke at the Stirring about wanting to live my life loud. The blogs, and books, and albums that stay locked up in my head and room have no chance to change the world. So here goes...we'll see where this goes!

Easter

Amazing

Have you seen my nephew yet?

Joshua Thomas Lance
He's got the Lance forehead for sure.
I was leaving Costa Mesa at the conference we were at right when he was born. We were hoping it would happen when we were down there but he decided to chill for a week past his due date...bummer.
Can't wait to give him a noogie and hype him up on sugar...you know...good uncle stuff!
Congratulations Mike and Becky...he's amazing!

Lawn mower

Got a new mower today.
It' electric.
You can hear yourself think when you're mowing...it's awesome.
We had someone give us a mower which was a huge blessing but it only had one height setting and our yard grows like it's taking steroids.
I'm learning how to maneuver the whole chord thing but I like it.

Lame

Someone hacked my domain. Revrock.org has officially been stolen.
Godaddy is gonna get slapped!
I didn't get any notifications...it just expired...then some dude jumped on my url and is holding it for ransom.
Pissed!
What do I do?
In the mean time I've redirected my url back to www.reverendrockstar.blogspot.com

Answered prayers

So Alyssa made the flight with the three kids safely.
I was praying for God to send someone that would sit across from them that would help them out.
Alyssa just called me.
A bald guy with tattoos that looked like me sat across the ailse from them and Moses watched him the whole time and was calm.
God's awesome.
He sends bald, tattooed guys onto planes to entertain my son.
Thought I'd share.

Tomorrow

It's Alyssa and the kids last night in Riverside.
They leave to go back to Redding tomorrow.
Here's the scenario:
Alyssa, Zeke, Sofia, Moses, no dad, on a plane back to Sac.
Then a 2 hour drive back to Redding. Pray for my family.
I'm stickin' around for a couple days and then going to the Catalyst conference in Irvine.
Redding peeps...Do me a favor and keep an eye on my family while I'm gone...life of a single parent with three kids is intense.

When home stops being home

It's happened before.
I'm fourth generation Riverside, born and raised.
But I went to Simpson college in Redding almost 10 years ago...wow, I'm old.
The first two years I was there, Riverside was always home.
I just went to school in Redding.
But the third year something happened.
When I would come to Riverside on break, things felt weird.
I missed my Redding friends, Riverside skies looked extra brown, and catching up with friends here wasn't as easy.
Right when Redding started feeling like home I moved back to Riverside...it was weird...it took a while for Riverside to become home again...but it did.
Well, a year and a half ago we moved back to Redding and it's happened again.
Redding is my home.
I love Riverside but it's not home.
My family is here and I miss them, but I miss my family in Redding.
I'm wondering what's going on and what I'm missing. I love my church. I love the blue skies. I love the pace of life. Redding is my home again...weird.
When we would go home last year to visit Riverside I would say I'm going home for vacation. Now I just say I'm going on vacation.
I love seeing friends and family here. Riverside will always have a special place in my heart but Redding is home now.
Anyone else experience this...it's weird.

Vacay

Next couple weeks:
Tomorrow- practice with worship team...enjoy time with fam
Sunday- Easter: 30-40 baptisms at the Stirring...unbelievable!
Monday- Sabbath...playin' some music that night...stoked
Tuesday- Work...all day staff stuff
Tuesday night- leave for Riverside
Wednesday - Wednesday- chill...hang with friends...family...hopefully see my nephew if he decides to be born while we're there...golf...chill...nap...turn 33...chill!
Wednesday - Friday: Catalyst conference with some Stirring homies
Friday night: Drive back to Redding...get home about 4am!
Saturday: Back at it!
It's gonna be a good couple weeks.
I'm might even blog a little more than I have been...don't count on it.
Shalom.

You're welcome

Every parent needs a poop machine!

Well Alyssa left last night for women's retreat so it's just me and the kiddos for a couple days.
Moses was up last night at midnight, 1am, and 4am...yippee.
Zeke and Sofia were up playing forever in their room till 10pm.
That didn't stop Zeke from waking me up this morning at 6:30am...good times!

On to the poop machine...
Every morning we feed Moses and stick him in this weird jumper type contraption.
He poops instantly. It's amazing.
There are times he just looks at weird jumper type contraption and poops.
Every parents dream.
Scheduling poops is a little slice of heaven.
You're running out to the store...quick 5 minutes in the poop machine.
The play room actually has a moment that it doesn't smell like Satan's underbelly...to the poop machine.
It's the greatest thing ever.
They should make an adult version!

Busy weekend

Sorry for the blog silence.
Saturday was an amazing day.
Got up...helped Patrick and Bethany move...came home...dug out 5 stumps in my backyard...went to Sean's house...climbed a 75 foot tree in his front yard with a chainsaw and cut it down.
Not gonna lie...some of the most intense moments of my life...I captured some pics on my phone that I put up on Facebook.
Yesterday I led worship with an amazing team for all three gatherings...the Heaven series has been great!
We also finished up the caulking and painting of the pantry...Thanks Eric...it looks awesome!
More to come. I'm gonna enjoy a Sabbath with the fam today.
I preach this weekend at the Stirring...Salvation is the door...that's all you're gonna get...you gotta be there or grab the podcast :)
Shalom.

Thanks Josh!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

I'm intrigued

I want to read this.

Did you see this?

Jason sent this to me...amazing.

Sabbath

Got out of bed today after 11...unbelieveable.
Haven't done that since pre-Zeke.
There were a couple times I was up to help out but the sleep was much needed.
My wife is a superstar.

Today it's been a lot of baseball with Zeke.
That's been the routine lately.
Here's the interaction we just had...

Hey Dad
Yeah Zeke
I want to hit the ball at your face and crack your head open!

I don't know if I've ever been more proud

Here's my short U2 review.

First off...Erase the Dark ruled...that post is coming later.

Hagabeefy has some good thoughts about the new U2 album.

I like the album a lot more than he does but he'll come around in a couple weeks...just wait.

Here's my quick review:
- Really like the title track. Love the weird little pull off thing the Edge plays. Riff reminds me of Even Better Than the Real Thing meets The Fly.
- Magnificent blew my mind...love the lyrics...great!
- Moment of Surrender sounds like a great gospel song with the Edge playing Pink Floyd riffs in the background.
- Unknown caller. Love the music. But I'm a little weirded out by the monotone vocals in the chorus. Sounds like they're all drinking the cool-aid during the chorus.
- I'll go crazy is my favorite. Almost the Miracle Drug lick at the beginning. Love it. It's not a hill it's a mountain...love it...did I say I loved it.
- Here's the lull in the album: Boots and Stand seem like filler. You don't get that much with U2. A little disappointed. Both the songs have moments...but only moments.
- Fez is cool. Starts off a little shoe gazer.
- White as snow is great. Love the melody to O come O come Emmanuel.
- Breathe is epic. Love the cadence in the verses.
- Ceders is really cool. Mellow.

I really love the album as a whole.
You can definitely tell Lanois and Eno were writing with them...real different vibe.
It doesn't have your typical soaring anthem that you look for on a U2 record but I like the direction they went.
Every time I hear it I like it more.
I love albums that grow on you.
There aren't many bands that will get me out to the store on the release date but I will be at Best Buy when the doors open if U2 puts out an album when Bono is 98.
There the best ever and I will cyber punch you if you have somethin' to say about that.
Go buy the album and let it soak in.
It's like a great marinade!

Erase the Dark

This is my life for the next two days.
Please come out and support.
The films will blow you away.
The performing artists are the best Redding has to offer.
And bring money because you will want the art that is being auctioned off in your house.
Let's raise a ton of money for Cypress and put shoes on half the kids in Redding!
Can't wait.
There's new surprises this year that I can't tell you about yet...you've gotta come to experience it.
Friday, 7pm, 10 bucks.
Come early...we might have to turn people away because of lack of oxygen in the room.

No excuses

U2's new album comes out today.
If you don't buy it today you can no longer read my blog and we have to end our cyber friendship...plain and simple...I hate to get extreme but this is U2 people.
No excuses.
Album review coming shortly.

Yellow shirt Mondays

Mondays are my Sabbath.
If you ever run into me on a Monday (and most Saturdays) you'll see me in a yellow shirt.
I have this one: The 2001 Jog-o-thon shirt, with kids standing in a row with shirts that spell Jesus loves you.
And I have a yellow Walk your talk walk shirt that was raising money for adoption.
I just came to this revelation this morning. I have no idea why I do this but these weird shirts bring a sense of normalcy to my life...something I can count on.
The only time I switch it up is with the red CUSH shirt that I've had since 1999. Steve and I still sport this shirt whenever possible.
I'm a pretty simple dude...
Mondays...yellow shirts...
Coffee...gray flannel sweats...and my 10 year old moccasins that you can smell 2 minutes before I arrive.
Do you guys have any weird habitual outfits?
Am I the only one?

Lent

I'm switching it up this year because I pretty much suck at giving stuff up.
I'm gonna read N.T. Wright's Surprised by Hope in the next 40 days to prepare my heart for the reality of the resurrected Jesus. I know I can stick to that.
Can't think of a better book to center my thoughts. (if someone says the bible, they will get cyber punched in the neck :)
Anyone else want in? I'd love to talk it through with someone. Let me know.

Moving weekend

Tomorrow we move into our new office.
Downtown baby!
Right above Nathan's tattoo
I'm gonna trade indulgences for free ink...brilliant
If anyone wants to help us move meet at the old office at 2pm
3468 Bechelli Ln. Ste E (Just south of Yaks on Bechelli)

Then we are moving Jeremy and Meg on Saturday at 9am.
Go here for the deets.

My back hurts just thinking about it. I need to start the advil cocktails now!

New tunes

Got the new Listening ep in the mail today. Do yourself a favor and go check it out. I'm throwing a show with them and a couple other locals on Thursday April 9th. Their live show is unbelievable. We toured with these guys way back in the day when they were the Rock and Roll Worship Circus. Gabe rocks the leather pants like no ones business!

The silence

It's been almost a week.
I never do that.
I'm still trying to figure out facebook but I have to admit that it has stolen some of my social networking affection. It's quick and I can manage it on my phone in seconds...I'm lazy...sorry.
God is teaching me a ton right now.
Don't know if I could really articulate it in a blog so I wont.

This week...
Nate had his baby
My in-laws came to town
I spoke at the Stirring about Jonah.
God uses Jonahs...and Dan Lances...unbelievable!

I'm having a great Sabbath.
Life is good.
Shalom!

Staff meeting today

Nate and Erica had their little baby girl last night...amazing
so staff meeting went a different direction today.
We contemplated the normal christian life...
Matthew 10:7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' ⁸Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
What the heck?!?
How did normal become showing up to church and going to small groups?

Happy Valentines Day dear

Our first date was Valentines Day 14 years ago.
I was 17...you were 16
I had hair...kind of
I was the baseball dude with the big attitude
You weighed 27 pounds and wore spandex hot pants for your volleyball games...hubba hubba
Look at us now...unbelieveable
The hair is long gone...the baseball days have been replaced with guitars and tattoos...you weigh 37 pounds now and spend your days with the three greatest kids to ever grace the planet...and you rock the hottest tattoos a female has ever rocked!
You are more beautiful every year babe.
I laugh more with you than anyone else.
So many memories...go many great times...so many hard times.
There is no one else I'd want to share this life with.
I'm the luckiest guy on the face of the earth.
Can't wait for the next 14 years.
Happy Valentines Day!

Cypress Elementary School opportunity

In April, the 5th graders from Cypress are going to camp---2 nights, 3 days- April 22-24. The school is looking for people who are over 21 and would be interested in being cabin counselors? Ideally, they would love 4 ladies and 4 men to be counselors. If anyone is interested please comment on the blog. This could be another great opportunity for us to deeper our relationship with this school. Thanks.

Sabbath

Slept in...thanks babe!
Omelet's
Genesis
Went to the gym
Played with the kids
Lunch with Jason (Yuet Bistro...amazing)
Hang with the fam
Madagascar...dinner...baths for kids...
Alyssa headed off to book club
Chillin'
Great day
How was your day of rest?

Thoughts on Sunday

Go here to check it out.

The Archiver

Legit! Go check out Jeremy's stuff...amazing.

Don't miss Sunday

trust me.

The office this week...

I know I'm a little late.
We watch the office on line because our antenna lost the ability to pick up nbc.
But the first five minutes of the Office this week was tv royalty. When Dwight started the fire in the office and Oscar fell through the ceiling tiles I almost peed myself.
Well done Office...
Just when I thought it couldn't get more awkward you find a way to have people in the office slamming and destroying a copier against the door to escape a fake fire.
Well done indeed!
Hang in there Stanley...we're prayin'.

Conversations with Zeke

Me: Hey Zeke...did you get a card change today at school?
Zeke: Don't talk to me about that stuff!
Me: Zeke...did you get a card change???
Zeke: You don't worry about me dad!

Awesome.

I'm back

Got in at 5:30pm from our conference.
Added an hour to our trip home because I missed the 505...good times.
Listened to some insane Kris Vallotton message in the car...need more brain band-aids.
Our friends Jason and Kim Day are staying with us for a couple days...they're out from New York.
My wife went to bed at 9:30pm...something about taking care of three kids for a few days all by herself...doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me :)
Thinkin' about going to Lynk tomorrow and Jesus Culture this weekend.
Anyone else gonna be there?

why...

do I stay up till 2am every night at conferences?
it's the one time a year I can actually get some sleep.
I get less sleep then when my son is screaming through the night.
I'm not very smart.
I should go to bed.
Maybe I'll check my google reader.
I'm not very smart.
Did I say that already?

Long day

Do most people go to church on Sunday's from 7:30am -10:30pm? Is that weird? There's a feeling my feet have at the end of every Sunday that is hard to put into words. Does my chin really look like that or is it just folded because of my hand? So many questions.
I'm leaving for our district conference with Nate tomorrow for three days. Goin' to bed.

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!