in the year 2525

Quite thought provoking. How 'bout that 2041. Nice.

short stature linked to...wait I forgot

I saw this story as I was trying to catch up on the latest news. This just seems ripe for one of those funny on accident headlines, but good for them for not adding insult to an already bummer situation.

Also, it's now Day 2 of Divisional Staff Meetings in Fresno. Last night was kicked off with a great celebration of what God's been doing on the campuses in our division. Awesome stories abound, joy is on the rise, hope is in the air, and now it's back to our western analytical planning debriefing evaluating brainstorming goodness. Well we'll see at least...

come forth!!

Spoken with authority, new life flowed and from the depths of the grave came....


Yes, so here's the rest of the story, the short version: Apple = -1361.40 bones. Homeowners Insurance from Allstate = $+0. Landlord's insurance = $+500 (cheapskate adjuster). American Express (the real hero's) = $+1000 (or = Apple + Cheapskate adjuster).

Also, this is pretty cool, and yes, my macbook pro is smackable. Actually, I imaging this is basically what happened in the first place to cause the problem, but the hand was a chandelier.

of stories and being myself

Here's a short post about a lecture that I went to that Donald Miller gave (author of Blue Like Jazz). He talked about story and real meaning comes from it and how we need to be able to tell a better story, or maybe be better story-tellers, even dare to live better stories so that others and ourselves will be able to find meaning in truth and have our moral compasses affected.

Apparently he was convincing because I want to tell better stories and I want to live a better story. I want to be the better character who has the better thing that he wants that he can only get by overcoming painful conflict in order to get. But at what cost do I want this?

Today we did "outreach" on the campus. We set up tents and have boards that people can put stickers on and write notes and messages. We hope for conversations, we hope for conversions, we hope for meaning. But secretly I hope for success and from that scale or definition disappointment is all I'll find. No, I do want meaningful conversation, but secretly I'm pessimistic about the whole thing mostly because I'm so arrogant and in the end I figure I'll just settle for success but we know where that gets me.

I struggle so much with understanding the difference between me changing my perspective about things and my going through things which change my perspective. I'm hopeful, almost excited that this week can, if I let it, be a thing through which my perspective changes.

Also, in full nerd fashion I've reserved all the books Donald Miller mentioned during his lecture in my library queue.

the good Lord giveth and the good Lord taketh away

I want to begin this tale with a series of images. I'd love to think of myself as a great writer, a poet of sorts, but I realize that I have one major character flaw that prohibits my talent; that is, laziness. Mix in a little perfectionism and you have a tasty recipe for procrastination. It goes something like this: I don't really have (won't make) the time to do this the way I want (perfectly, that is, in my opinion) so I'll just come back to it when I do (never).

I've wanted to tell this sad little story for some time now, but I was waiting on some last details and some pictures. So here you go, laugh, smile, gasp, cry. Shoot, maybe I'll write a little after all...

Once upon a time there was a small little apple. Now our hero wanted this apple very bad. But our hero was also a patient person and knew that, like all good things, waiting made the moment of receiving even sweeter. So he waited, and waited, and waited. He waited until January when it was known that the apple would be most ripe. However, January came and went, and although there were many other apple-like things blossoming, the little apple remained elusive. Then came February and our hero was certain that the apple would be ready, yet after each Tuesday there was no announcement. Until the last Tuesday of February. Then it happened! The little apple was finally ready. It was polished, completely ripe, and supported a multi-touch track pad. Our hero contacted the huge orchard where the little apple was grown and requested it be sent at once to him. The little apple traveled for many days, all the way from Shanghai CN, which probably stands for Connecticut. Finally, the little apple arrived:







For many days our hero looked upon the apple with such affection and care. He always made sure to put the keyboard protector back in place before letting the little guy sleep. He was also sure to keep from letting his affections grow to an unhealthy level, and therefore was diligent to only spend moderate amounts of time with his new friend. He didn't take it to school with him or show it off to others, except for one night when it just made sense to use it for a slide show at a leadership meeting, and our hero did get many complements. But overall, there grew no inappropriate attachments, no fits of prideful possession, nor arrogance towards those less fortunate without their own marvelous fruit.

Then, two days later, tragedy struck. Not just any run-of-the-mill tragedy, no, no, we're talking totally freakin' unbelievable, come on you can't be serious tragedy.



Wait for it.




Now, whilst our hero lay reclining and reading in his chamber he heard from the dining hall a monstrous sound, one that might be described as a microwave being pushed from it's rightful place atop the refrigerator to it's entirely wrongful place upon the floor. But alas, our hero's microwave does not reside atop the refrigerator so what beast doth such a sound make? Rising courageously from his reading position and rushing headlong into the unknown danger that lurked mere paces ahead our hero came upon a most ghastly sight, one that once seen, will render the seer aghast. He saw....

**Warning: Images of Brutality and Violence Below**










What the???? Impossible....The mighty Lord of Heaven had sent his angel of death to forever darken the vision of the apple.

Let's see that a little closer:


And now the screen...


Forever blind. Forever without sight. Forever blank to the world around it and to it's hero. Oh the humanity, oh the machine!! Oh the titanium case (not bad).

The apple, although completely sightless, because of it's superior materials, hath withstood the force of such a vile attack and remaineth semi-entirely operational. It's entire contents kept safe by it's skin of shininess.

And here the curtains must close on our beloved fruit deprived hero. Although the apple lives on inside it's skin, without it's vision it is irreversibly damaged and therefore, in the process (I'll keep you updated) of being replaced by the wonderful insurance agency of the landlord's at the brick building of 19th and B.

The small little apple is survived by a still mournful Canon Prixma, Kingston 4GB flash drive, and a Bamboo Graphics Tablet. Although both narrowly escaped what would have for sure have been, uh, certain death, the scars of loss and trauma will remain.

As for our hero, he too will survive, and perhaps some new apple will catch his eye.

Rest in peace Fierce Granny Apple (March 10th, 2008 10:17am - March 22nd, 2008 3:02pm), may your new IP in the great network upstairs be filled with bandwidth and free of firewalls.

best quote from FUMP

As we we're parked at the Arco AMPM gas station about to leave for FUMP (Fresno Urban Ministry Project) one overheard this gem (paraphrased below) which perfectly encapsulates the reality of our students:

Student One: "I was riding with this girl, my girlfriend, and this other guy..."

Student Two: "Wait, you have a girlfriend, what? Who is she?..."

Student One: "Well...it's complicated."

yeah...and sometimes 'Y'

And the winner of my favorite new t-shirt goes to this one which my wonderful wife graciously gave me for my birthday. I've decided that I like random shirts, so much in fact, that I wanted one for myself. What would be amazing is if I had some cool incentive for all my friends to get me random t-shirts (size Large) and I took pictures of myself wearing them in super spots around Bakersfield. Just an idea...

ode to the beard of my face

So I've titled this "As good as it got / As bad as it got - Decision 08 - The Beautiful but often Sorrowful Beard Story"

buenas noches

It's our last night in Mexico City. We fly back to the states tomorrow evening arriving in good ol' Bakersfield around 9pm. It has been a good stay (no digestive issues, yet). The weather has been in the very comfortable mid-70's and for the most part I've gotten some good sleep and rest. I do wish that I could spend more time exploring the city on my own. I really wanted to walk over to the Monumento a la Revolución (picture to come) tonight as a group of us bought some ice cream from a local 7-Eleven-esque retail shop, but "one shall not go off by one's self in the dark in a foreign city." I understand this rule, yet I often wish to experience being alone in a completely unfamiliar city... something about facing my fear of isolation.

This week I have been blessed to hear John Luc Krieg speak about the theology of the justice gospel. That's my description, not his. Many thoughts and hopefully beneficial conversations on the horizon.

riding to school

So last Tuesday I rode by bike all the way out to Bakersfield College. First I baught a bus ticket, but I missed the bus, so I started riding thinking that I would either catch up (all ego) or at least go for a while and hop on the next bus that caught up to me. But neither happened. Actually, I got to campus about three minutes later than if I had ridden the bus. Lessoned learned. As long as the weather is good (not over 80 or raining) than I might as well ride my bike to school. It feels good, it's good for me, it's cheaper, it's better for the environment, and gosh darn it, I like it.

Sabbath Reflections

Here's my reflections from this months mandatory Surf and Turf Division InterVaristy Sabbath.  (It takes half the day just to say that.)

1.What did you do for your time?

I started the morning by listening to some Derek Webb in the car and then went to the gym to play some racquetball. Then I ate lunch and went for a bike ride. I went to the library and read a few chapters of the book Authority to Heal. While I was there I wrote in my journal and then I wrote a song. I then rode my bike around downtown and stopped at a bakery. Mmmm. Then I came home and worked on chords and a melody for the lyrics I had written. Next, I went through the journal questions in the retreat guide. I'm also hoping to watch some Lost later this evening.

2.How were you challenged by God?

I feel challenged by God to look for him working. I got a text message from one of the student leaders who led their very first bible study today and she said she loved doing it. I think God has plenty that he is prepared to show me but I just don't look. I do not expect him to do very much. I don't know if it's more because of my disbelief or my fear of being disappointed. Either way, God is challenging me to look more and to hope for His power to be displayed in real ways and not to settle for only the non-miraculous.

3.How were you encouraged by God?

I am encouraged when I am able to do something creative. I always get the sense that God has moved, stepped in, or spoken when I am able to finish something creative and be content with what I have made. The finishing of the song was an encouragement. Whenever I can put into words the passion of my feelings, whether positive or frustrating, I feel blessed. There is something about the creative process that is always stifled by my perfectionism, and when completion comes it must be an act of divine intervention.

4.Any questions for your supervisor?

I'd like to look into going to the Pastoral Care Ministry School in Wheaton, IL, June 15-20, 2008. I think some other people in our division might be interested in going as well. I have no idea what the cost / travel / anything is. The website is archaic at best. I'll keep checking it out.

NSC 08 so far...

Unfortunately I'm currently sitting at the keyboard in the room in the hotel in downtown St. Louis during National Staff Conference. I'm sick. It's the yearly winter head cold that decided now was the appropriate time to attack. I had dreams of keeping a daily blog of what was happening, but the fatigue and headaches, along with a strong dose of Nyquil, has limited me to this single post.

So far, there has been some quality seminars that I attended. I've missed all but the first main session gathering as well as the hoped for random hang outs (excluding the regional party which was pretty fun).


Anyway, HBO has nothing on that I haven't seen or is worth watching, and the TV sucks the soul out of me anyway. So here I am posting my high score on a simple little game I found on digg. It took me a few tries to figure it out and try to get a good high score, so top it if you can.

Now, let's see if I can get this ABC.com Streaming HD player to get me some Lost episodes.

blogger images

Just a little frustrated with blogger image formatting / my lack of html skill. It took about 10 minutes to get those stupid images to line up on the right like that...

some good movies

Here are two gems that I have had the pleasure of seeing this last week: Brick (2005) and Waitress (2007). Both were excellent. I have been starving for a good movie and was disappointed at my recent I Am Legend experience. I was riveted by Will Smith, but, as everybody is saying, the film can't float solely on Smith's performance. Brick's vernacular was fascinating and witty, providing the path into the "noir" character of the film as much as the setting. It's a great tale of revenge and redemption. Waitress is equally compelling but much more joyful and light. While Brick's momentum is carried by under-the-surface anger and frustration that only gets expressed in a few moments and is never fully released, Waitress' is carried by hope in escape from the under-expressed pain. Unlike Legend, these two films end satisfyingly without being conventional or intentionally unconventional.

So there's my first (minute) attempt at actually writing a film review (not for credit). Keep it coming.

the day after

**about 48hrs ago, our internet has yet to be hooked-up, we'll get to that...**

I'm not so good with these. My life, well everybody's, is perpetually filled with the day after: conferences, meetings, big events, holidays, trips, and the list goes on. Today was the day after. It wasn't pretty. I got less than expected, or even hoped for, accomplished. I had practically no interaction with people. I slept in way too late.

The day after officially sucked. Worst, I can only blame myself. I can't even begin to think about how poorly I steward my time on the day after. I need rest, sure. I need to recoup, fine. But really, I think the world got gypped today and deserves it's 24 hours back. Somebody else could have used it much better. If I believed in purgatory, I'm sure there would be weeks of me to serve to make up for all the days after that had been wasted on getting my act back together.

Better luck next time.

derek webb during service??

Today we an amazing church day. You heard me right. I know those words have probably not come from my lips (fingers in this case) in over 2 years. At our RiverLakes church (you can download the sermon if you want), home to countless white middle-to-upper class peeps (like myself) the service was ended with the worship band singing "I Repent" by Derek Webb. Holy crap!! Let me just take a minute to sit in silence and praise Jesus. The message was on humility and service. How can we say we are Christians, people who are following Jesus, when all our efforts seem to be to climb the latter of success (wealth, comfort, pleasure) when Jesus is going the opposite direction? This was basically the thesis of the message today. I was shocked, what's next? Promoting social justice? Keep it coming.

Next, we have what I've been listening to the last couple of days. This band is incredible. I really like every single song that they play on this album. Thanks to PasteMusic.com for this one. From Like Castanets

"The city silver in the moon.
The mountains heaped with sugar spoons.
The click and clatter of my feet along the crooked, cobbled street like castanets."

The first song on the album is the story of the Monitor versus the Merrimac. Excellent. Come on.

Also, notice the Apple Reflection style image on the above? That's all GIMP baby. I've been learning more and more how to use GIMP and am seriously loving it. Look out Photoshop, there's another Image Manipulation Program (GNU I.M.P => GIMP) in town and what's that...it's free? Brilliant. The latest release of 2.4 is very awesome and after a few hours you can get acclimated from the Photoshop environment. Previous versions have been decent, but this last update is fantastic.

Finally, I wish to point out an update to the box.net widget on the right side of the blog. There are two mp3's that I added of this guy Conrad Gempf. It's amazing storytelling that I heard about a year ago but just recently located in download-able format. Check it out! You can listen directly from the box widget, or you can visit the Emergent UK website and download them for yourself.

what happened??

I posted a bunch of images but some of them disappeared. What happened? Perhaps the content was too explicit. Or maybe I just don't know how to work this thing...

Well, let's try again, this time I'll leave out the butt tree shot.

photography

Here's some shots I took on a super nice camera (thanks Brian and Tammy). Well, all except the last one...

good testimony

"InterVarsity is how I get through my day." Well, at least that's the gist of it. This coming from a student who only months ago came to our group because she was forced to by her friend. Of course, it's not InterVarsity, it's the community that's accepted and loved her with the name InterVarsity that is what really gets her through her day.

Jesus has been trying to teach me how to think about success in ministry. I'm looking for massive intellectual revolution, (or at least conformity to my intellectualism) for cutting-edge discourse and philosophy, and yes, actual outpouring of the Holy Spirit (but in forms that encourage the intellectual and philosophical). I think those things would be success too, but there is more. It isn't "all about the small things" but it is about the small things too. It isn't just about the huge things, but it is about the huge things too.

I understand the concept of the "it is, but it is also" intellectually, but I am in desperate need of testimony to define, expand, and enlighten me. I know for this student, God is not just bringing a social club for her to be accepted in, but an actual community where for the first time she isn't constantly reminded to think about how others are seeing / judging / condemning her. Instead, she is free to feel loved, enjoyed, validated, not by other people, but by a community that recognizes her for who she really is, beautiful.

new music from the library

Have I mentioned that I love the library? If you haven't noticed the new sidebar on the right that's keeping track of the CDs I currently have checked out...uh...take notice.

Today was a big one. Eight CDs, 1 (5th) season of Scrubs, and a Thousand Splendid Suns (the book, sheesh, get to a Barnes and Noble...)

Anyway, in order of my excitement-

1. Alexi Murdoch - Time Without Consequences (uh, Jose Gonzalez meets Jack Johnson, yeah)
2. Something Corporate - North (heard one song on Pandora or iTunes, lets check the rest out.)
3. Daniel Powter - (self titled) (Pandora or iTunes?)
4. The Flaming Lips - Transmissions from the Satellite Heart (Thank you Ryan Miller)
5. Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Like Bad News (after ...Before the Ship Sank, I was hooked)
6. Fairfield Four - I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray (O Brother Where Art Thou, anyone?)
7. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (thanks Craig Weber)
8. Coldplay - X&Y (well, they had it too)

Still waiting for:
1. Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
2. Wilco - Kicking Television
3. Shins - Oh Inverted World
4. Coldplay - Parachutes
5. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
5. Wilco - Summerteeth
6. Amber Pacific - Truth in Sincerity
7. Bayside - The Walking Wounded
8. Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Any suggestions? (I await the sarcasm...)