Quote of the Day
Apr 30, 2006 Quotes
//MOOD: Great
//ITUNES: Cry Love from the album “Sundance Film Festival” by John Hiatt
“As I studied the Bible, I found more warrant for a church led by unicorns than by majority vote.”
-Mark Driscoll
Technorati Tags: bible, leadershipnetwork, markdriscoll
A Long Awaited Update
Apr 30, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Grateful
//ITUNES: The Perfect Kiss from the album “Low-Life” by New Order
The song playing in iTunes is perfect for Amsterdam, because it seems like most of the music played here is American music from the 80’s. Apparently that was the pinnacle of music.
Anyhoo, I have been incredibly remiss in posting to the blog (which I have been hearing from a lot of people via email). Therefore, I am going to post a super huge update. If you don’t care about the words, just pretend like this is a children’s book and just look at the pretty pictures. I have also only taken one or two pictures with my camera, so all of these photos are from my phone. So, here goes. A daily update from the last day in Amsterdam.
SATURDAY
We flew out from Detroit. Most of the team was in the middle of the plane together. However, Dan and Jeff got stuck toward the back and poor Kelly was ALL THE WAY in the back. I sat next to a woman from the states who works for Cummins doing Human Resources. She has a Catholic upbringing, but had bailed on her faith years ago. This last Christmas, she and her hubby checked out a church in their town that sounds pretty cool. Since then they have been going regularly. Very cool stuff. Sounds like she is really piecing her own faith together for the first time. Pray for them.
On this flight, I actually slept a lot (ear plugs do the trick) so by the time we were in Amsterdam, I was awake and ready to go.
SUNDAY
We landed, met Naomi and Patricia, and headed into the city. After settling into our little apartment, we toured the city. Very fun. I am learning my way around this place after 4 trips, so it all feels familiar. That is a welcome change, for sure.
Then, Sunday night, we checked out the services at Zolder50. Very cool. Todd did a great job teaching a chapter in Mark and his heart came out big time. I am very impressed with the caliber of people in this church. Brandon and Laura opened the service with some bluegrass, which apparently is a novelty in Amsterdam (go figure).
I also tried to get my phone to work for about a half hour, but gave up.
MONDAY
Monday, I jetted to Germany for the day. I already posted about that, so I will leave it be.
TUESDAY
We got up early to pray with some people from the church. I jetted out early to try calling T-Mobile for the second time (my phone still wasn’t working).
The highlight of this day was working with de Kleft, which is a YWAM outreaching to the Red Light District. We hung out on the bridges talking with people about whatever. Often it turned into talking about the whole RLD thing. One particularly telling conversation was with a few Brazilian men who were here for business. We had a long conversation with them about prostitution in Brazil. Here is a transcript of the end of the conversation:
DUDE: There is so much prostitution in Brazil because the women there love sex so much.
ME: So what does the average housewife or mom in Brazil think of the prostitution?
DUDE: They think it’s fine because they love sex too and understand.
ME: So what does the average wife think about her husband going to have sex with a prostitute?
DUDE: We’re going to go and walk around now. It was nice talking with you. Goodbye.
WEDNESDAY
This was our day off in the city. We shopped, ate good food, etc. But the highlight of this day was I got to hang out with my friend Roel. We met two years ago and finally got to catch up. Dan and I hooked up with him and his friend Nilo around 7:00. Later on some friends joined us and we ended up staying out until 1:00 or 2:00, I can’t remember when we got back. It was awesome to catch up with him. He has some great theology, as well. Here’s his most profound nugget of truth:
“God is like a dad. If you are a dad, you love your kids so much and want your kids to have fun even if they hurt themselves. You want your kids to skateboard if they want to, even though you know they will fall and hurt themselves. That is God and freewill. He let’s us do things that will hurt us, because he loves us and has granted us freewill.”
Of course Roel stole that from Dan Brown (admittedly), and he thinks God is nuts for giving us freewill and may not even exist because that makes him nuts, but it’s decent theology nevertheless. Here are some pics from that night. This is Roel:
This is Nilo:
This is Roel and his future wife. Although she doesn’t know it. I’m going to do their wedding for them:
THURSDAY
We were up in the wee hours the next morning to watch Olivia Asp. Brett and I chilled with her in the morning, walked to a park, and took her to a coffee shop (she ate a banana and crossaint). Here’s her cuteness:
Here’s her and Brett chillin’:
This is her brother. His name is Elliot and he has his own blog:
THURSDAY
Again, we spent the day at de Kleft, in the Red Light District. Then, we went out at night to meet some people. Brett, Melissa, Kelly, Rick, Sander and I went to a place called Bitter Sweet (in English). We didn’t get into too many good conversations, except the one Sander and I had. So, instead we stayed and danced until 3:00am. Of course, Rick and Brett don’t love us so they wouldn’t dance and left early. Oh, and Kelly and I protected each other from creepy people of the opposite sex.
FRIDAY
A final day to meet people and talk. Brett, Rick and I headed first to the World Press Photo to try to talk with people, but it was way to somber. There were three photos that made me cry. This is my favorite:
Please don’t copy it because it is copyrighted. Please link only to their site which is here: World Press Photo. I think you have to be a dad to have this really affect you the way if affected me.
That night was Queen’s Night, so we stayed out late and it was pretty fun. I did something else that, but I can’t remember what it was. That’s Amsterdam for you.
SATURDAY
Queen’s Day. That’s all I can say. The city was packed. Here’s a picture that does not do it justice:
The city dresses in orange and celebrates the queen’s birthday with music, food, flea markets, and drink. It is a blast.
I wandered the city with Roel and his friends. That was quite the event. In the City Center, people were packed like sardines. Insane.
And considering that some in our crew were pretty doped up, that made for an interesting time. Roel said we should all pray for Daniel, and I think that is probably true. He had a gram of hash in a brownie, some magic mushrooms, some Ritalin, some pot, and lots of alcohol. I was praying last night that he would live through the night. Seriously.
Then, last night we had a bluegrass night at the Zolder. Some Americans we met at the crazy slingshot came. It was very cool. One of them (Erica…who is Korean, by the way) is from Michigan. Small world. Anyhoo, they came and hung out til midnight or so. By the way, this video of the slingshot was already posted on the Riv blog, but I thought I would toss it up here again. It’s freakin’ awesome. This is Dan and I in the thing. You’ll hear me yell out props to Michigan from up there.
Also, I found out that T-Mobile finally unlocked my cell phone. Great. I can use it for one day.
Anyhoo, that’s about it. It has been a long week. Very different from the first time we took a team here, but worth it, nonetheless.
I gotta go now.
Love you all.
Really, man, I do.
I Am Stupid
Apr 21, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Smart
//ITUNES: The Perfect Kiss from the album “Low-Life” by New Order
Just posted another podcast. It’s the track to this video:
Amsterdam, Here We Come
Apr 21, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Behind the Gun
//ITUNES: My Michelle from the album “Appetite For Destruction” by Guns N’ Roses
Well, we take off for Amsterdam tomorrow! Please pray for our team and check the Amsterdam Short Term Mission Blog frequently for updates from the field. I will also be blogging and podcasting from the trip.
Just in case you were wondering, this year’s team is:
Laura Bates
Brandon Foote
Noel Heikkinen
Brett Maxwell
Melissa Newell
Rick Peterson
Dan Price
Kelly Schaeffer
Jeff White
Thanks for your prayers!
Technorati Tags: amsterdam
24palooza
Apr 20, 2006 Uncategorized
Because you know you want to…I am providing a link to some of the best 24 tributes on YouTube. Enjoy.
First off, a great soundtrack on this tribute to “Pain”
OK, this one brings us back old school to when Keifer first hit the scene (at least the music brings us back there…it’s essentially the same clips):
Dramatic Jack that ends too early:
Someone likes their new iMovie effects:
Hold the phone! This one is worth watching. If you don’t watch any of the others, watch this one. It combines 24 with the effects of Sin City.
Mac Lust
Apr 20, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Lustful
//ITUNES: Riffs And Variations On A Single Note For Jelly Roll, Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Baby Dodds, And The King of Swing, To Name A Few from the album “Come On Feel The Illinoise!” by Sufjan Stevens
This is awesome. It’s from smays.com. Especially note the brilliant metaphor I have bolded.
Do people still get what we once called “new car fever?” A completely irrational, irresistable desire to buy a new car? I buy a new Toyota every 10 or 15 years, so I don’t suffer from this particular affliction. I am, however, suffering from Mac lust. I want one of the new MacBook Pros. I have a couple of computers at work; a year-old Dell here at home; a perfectly good ThinkPad. I do not need another computer. But I want one. I have never used a Mac. Don’t look forward to having to learn a new operating system or move back and forth between Mac and PC.
I want a Mac because they are cool. And all the cool kids have them. They are sexy. There is no logic or reason at work here. This is happening in the lizard part of my brain. I’ve thought about sneaking over to St. Louis to the Apple store and putting my hands on one of the new MacBooks. But that’s like saying I’ll just lie down on the bed next to the super-model, but we won’t “do anything.” If I walk in that store, I’ll walk out $2,500 poorer. So I’m holding on. Like a junkie trying to survive the shakes and chills and maybe in the morning I won’t want that fix.
Technorati Tags: apple
Easter
Apr 19, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Decent
//NOISE: Kids avoiding sleeping
We always get the best Easter pictures. Grace wants serious pictures, but it never quite works out that way.
Here’s last year’s:
Here’s this year’s:
Technorati Tags: easter
The Da Vinci Code
Apr 19, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Good
//ITUNES: Rag Doll by Maroon 5
With DaVinci Code about to be released (a month from today, to be exact), I thought it would be good to link to my previous thoughts on the book.
Thoughts on other people’s thoughts on Davinci Code
Also, here is a great list of resources if you want to dig into the Davinci Code a bit more: Suggested Resources for The Da Vinci Code.
Peace out, homies.
Technorati Tags: davincicode
PostSecret
Apr 17, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Yes
//ITUNES: Somewhere Out There from the album “Gravity” by Our Lady Peace
I enjoy ready PostSecret when they update each week. I have never been motivated to re-post any of their secrets, though. Until today.
Technorati Tags: 24, jackbauer, postsecret
Quote of the Day
Apr 15, 2006 Quotes
//MOOD: Very very good
//ITUNES: Mammal from the album “Apollo 18″ by They Might Be Giants
From Overheard in New York: The Voice of the City:
Dude #1: It’s not that I have a moral objection to the death penalty. I just don’t think it should be the government making the decision.
Dude #2: Would you prefer an angry mob?–122nd & Amsterdam
Happy Easter
Apr 15, 2006 Uncategorized
I Love Originally uploaded by CATeyes.
Romans 4:24-25
God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Podcasting Frenzy
Apr 15, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: On Fire
//ITUNES: Perfect Blues from the album “Sticks and Stones” by The Seventy Sevens
I have posted two podcasts in two days. I am on fire! You can check them out at DailyJeezit.com.
Technorati Tags: dailyjeezit, jeezit, jesus, stepford, resurrection
24 at Work
Apr 15, 2006 Uncategorized
From Aziz Ansari, via Aaron.
7 Ways to Use the Lessons of ‘24′ at Work.
1. If your boss catches you shooting heroin in your office, just say its part of your cover. If he says, “What cover?” Yell “Federal Agent!” and tackle the crap out of him.
2. If you are sleeping with a beautiful European woman, be careful - she is probably a terrorist/assassin that is using you to get information to kill her next target. Continue sleeping with her, you may be able to uncover valuable information that could stop the assassination from happening!
3. Sometimes you have to kidnap your co-workers kids to get stuff done -
Lazy Co-worker: “Look Aziz, I can’t get the report done by Tuesday.”
Me: “Oh really? Well my men* are holding your children.”
Lazy Co-Worker: “OKAY! I’ll have it on your desk first thing!!”
*This reminds me, you should probably hire “some men,” they are quite a useful asset. You can find great ones on Craigslist for an affordable rate.
4. If you get arrested, no matter how large or small the crime, just pretend like you have some valuable information and agree to give it up only under the condition you are given full immunity signed by the President. Don’t worry they’ll get him on the phone.
5. Don’t be afraid to go rogue - if you think your bosses orders don’t make any sense, ignore them and obey your own. In the end, your actions will be proven correct and you’ll be praised for having the balls to break protocol. And not only that, at some point you’ll get to steal a co-workers car!
6. If your bosses orders REALLY seem ridiculous, then chances are he’s working for the enemy and your workplace has been compromised. This is when you want to inform everyone in the office that you are carrying a loaded gun. You may also want to bring “your men” into the situation at this point.
7. Is there a secure room in your office that you want to access, but can’t? Find someone who does have access and cut off their thumb. (Note: Only use this tactic when the room in question is locked by a thumb scan. Actually do it anyway, its good to practice.)
End women’s suffrage!
Apr 14, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Smart
//ITUNES: Crumbs From Your Table from the album “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” by U2
I have seen this before, but it never ceases to amaze me. Thanks to Chris for bringing back a classic.
Technorati Tags: suffrage
He’ll be back …
Apr 14, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Outstanding
//ITUNES: Instant Pleasure by Rufus Wainwright
Sean is my hero. For years, I have been looking for my favorite MadTV sketch of all time. Today he posted it on his blog. I am so happy!
Happy Easter!
Technorati Tags: christianity, easter, jesus, resurrection
Friends
Apr 13, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Forever Yours
//ITUNES: (Who Discovered) America? from the album “Street Signs” by Ozomatli
From LarkNews.com:
Friends not friends forever, even if the Lord’s the Lord of them, former pals say
SALEM, Mass. — Two former “best buddies” from Saratoga Nazarene Church say they learned the hard way that a lifetime is too long to live as friends, despite the claims of a popular Christian song.
Theresa and Dalia, both 13, became best friends the day they met in third grade. They soon realized they were the only serious Christians in the school, and both had major crushes on Michael W. Smith.
“We used to bounce on my bed using hairbrushes as microphones and singing ‘Friends’ to each other,” says Theresa. “I’d sing Amy Grant’s part and she’d sing Michael W. Smith’s part. Then we’d laugh and roll around. We knew our friendship was forever, like the song said.”
But at the end of eighth grade, things hit a rough patch. Dalia quit wearing her Amy Grant Hearts in Motion Concert Tour T-shirt to school on Fridays, as she and Theresa had done for years.
“That felt like betrayal,” Theresa said. “I was totally alone.”
Then both girls developed a crush on the same boy, Brad Loudermilk, the only decent-looking Christian in the school. Out of spite, Dalia switched her crush to a non-Christian guy, and the friendship with Theresa was effectively severed.
Theresa went home after school and ripped the Michael W. Smith poster from her wall, then crumpled onto her bed and sobbed.
“I guess friends will say never and the welcome does end,” she said bitterly.
Quote of the Day
Apr 13, 2006 Quotes
//MOOD: Good
//ITUNES: thinkinboutliftingyou by Moby Vs Londonbeat
Here’s a quote from the last weekend’s One service. Someone emailed me and wanted it, so I thought I’d post it here:
“Christianity is always just one generation away from extinction. If we fail to reproduce ourselves and pass the torch of life into the hands of the next generation, Christianity will be over in just one generation. Yet because of the power of multiplication, we are also one generation away from worldwide fulfillment of the Great Commission. The choice is ours.”
-Neil Cole
Technorati Tags: christianity, evangelism, greatcommission
Mountain Biking
Apr 12, 2006 Uncategorized
//MOOD: Good
//ITUNES: In The Air Tonight from the album “Recoil” by Nonpoint
Yesterday I hit the bike trail for the first time this year. It was awesome. Some of the trails are still flooded out, but it was worth it.
I like to listen to music to help set my pedaling cadance so I thought I would open myself up to ridicule by sharing my first riding playlist with you. Enjoy.
99 Problems - Jay-Z
Beautiful Stranger - Madonna
De-Lovely - Robbie Williams
Don’t Cha Rock My Milkshake Mashup - Zoe vs. Pussycat Dolls & Busta Rhymes vs. Kelis
In The Air Tonight - Lil’ Kim feat. Phil Collins
In The Air Tonight - Nonpoint
Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
Technorati Tags: mountainbiking
Quote of the Day
Apr 12, 2006 Quotes
//MOOD: Alive
//ITUNES: Had A Dream About You, Baby from the album “Down In The Groove” by Bob Dylan
“Persons in the Victorian era had a morbid fascination with death, but never spoke of sex, while in our contemporary generation obsessed with sex, death has become the great unmentionable.”
-John Stott
Technorati Tags: death
