The Obligatory Halloween Post
Oct 31, 2008 Uncategorized
Here are some snapshots from our night o’ fun…
Here are the kids showing off their costumes. You’ll notice Jesse went as himself.
Coley’s BFF Jaden always Trick or Treats with us.
Dan and Suzanne went as terrorists from the 1940s.
Here’s our whole crew. It’s become a tradition that the Prices and Carrillos join us because our neighborhood really gets into the Halloween thing.
Now I can publicly release the purpose of the beard I’ve been growing. I went as my neighbor Pete. I know it’s hard to tell us apart in this picture–I’m the one on the right.
(The Other) Sophia looks better than I do in my Pete hair.
Don’t Vote
Oct 31, 2008 Uncategorized
Polaroid
Oct 30, 2008 Uncategorized
Thanks to ZADI DIAZ for the link to this Polaroid generator. I realized I had the perfect picture to Polaroidize.
Troublingly Common Sins
Oct 29, 2008 Uncategorized
Thanks to my friend Michael for an awesome post on sins we have grown to accept in our lives. You should read the whole post, but here’s one paragraph and the list (he expands on each on his site).
These are the sins we have quietly voted to accept. They’re OK. They have an exemption. They are either compatible with some version of what we think it means to be a Christian, or they are just so essential to the way we’ve decided to operate that we can’t really see them as wrong.
1. Not keeping promises.
2. Lying.
3. A lack of integrity.
4. Cruel speech about those with whom we differ.
5. No grace for ordinary failure.
Zombies
Oct 28, 2008 Uncategorized
I love zombie movies.
That may be why I loved this so much. (ht: Triablogue)
And on that note, check this out:
Created by Mingle2.com (Dating for non-zombies)
Gary Vaynerchuk
Oct 27, 2008 Uncategorized
Thanks to Ciney for sending this video to me. I have to warn you that there is a crapload of profanity it it. So, if you are offended by the phrase “crapload,” you really really really are going to hate the words on this video.
For everyone else, this video actually dovetails nicely with my message on “Dropping the Anvil of Laziness” from this weekend. If we could harness this guy’s energy for the Gospel there would be no stopping us.
Now this would have been a debate
Oct 25, 2008 Uncategorized
John McCain would be doing much better in the polls if he had let this guy debate for him.
Beards
Oct 23, 2008 Uncategorized
Since I am a week or so into my new beard, I was thankful to Todd Rhoades for linking to 10 very good reasons why you should grow a giant beard. Check them out here:
“What does your taste in art say about you?
Oct 23, 2008 Uncategorized
What does your taste in art say about you? (via vacheestfachee):
Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test…
Non-conformist, Visionary, and Independent
16 Abstract, 0 Islamic, -12 Ukiyo-e, 8 Cubist, -18 Impressionist and -18 Renaissance!
Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which exists independently of what may appear to others as visual realities. Western had been underpinned by the logic of perspective and an attempt to reproduce an illusion of visible reality. It allowed the progressive thinking artists to show a different side to the world around them. By the end of the 19th century many artists felt a need to create a ‘new kind of art’ which would encompass the fundamental changes taking place in technology, science and philosophy. Abstract artists created art that was diverse and reflected the social and intellectual turmoil in all areas of Western culture.
People that chose abstract art as their preferred artform tend to be visionsaries. They see things in the world around them and in people that others may miss because they look beyond what is visual only with the eye. They rely on their inner thoughts and feelings in dealing with the world around them instead of on what they are told they should think and feel. They feel freed from the tendancy to be bound by traditional thought and experiences. They look more toward their own ideas and experiences than what they are told by their religious upbringing or from scientific evidence. They tend to like to prove theories themselves instead of relying on the insight or ideas of others. They are not bound by common and mundane, but like to travel and have new experiences. They value intelligence, but they also enjoy a challenge. They can be rather argumentative when they are being forced or feel as if they are being forced to conform.
Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy
Dancing with the Stars
Oct 22, 2008 Uncategorized
Thanks to Don for this screenshot from next season’s Dancing with the Stars.
Bullet Ice Cube Tray
Oct 21, 2008 Uncategorized
I’m seriously bummed that the Bullet Ice Cube Tray is not available in the States.
Other Duties as Assigned
Oct 20, 2008 Uncategorized
I just read a great post on TonyMorganLive.com about job descriptions and one particular line in almost all of them:
It’s the line after all the specific responsibilities of the role that indicates you are also responsible for “other duties as assigned.” Jake asked the question, “When you see that in your job description, does it fire you up or piss you off?”
I hope it fires you up. If it does, it’s an indication that you absolutely love the mission and vision of your organization. It means you have complete trust for your leaders. It means you know sometimes you get to do something that’s outside the ordinary that’s going to add value to your team.
On the other hand if that part of your job description pisses you off, you should do yourself and your organization a favor and resign. If you can’t do whatever may be required to fulfill the mission and vision of your organization and love it, you’re probably in the wrong organization.
That really stuck me because we have some amazing people on staff at Riv who excel so much at the “other duties as assigned.”
One of them is Kristie, our Creative Director. I can’t even begin to describe the number of tasks that have fallen onto her plate in this category, especially as we have put up our new building. In addition to her normal duties (which are essential on a weekly basis), she basically coordinated all the interior design of the building, all the signage, the new “corridor gallery” and tons more.
Then there is Jim (our facilities / handyman guy). It really doesn’t matter what has to be done, he does it. In addition to those things people ask him to do, he seems to always have his radar up for things that need to be done so he can do them.
Paul, one of the pastors who has been around Riv since the beginning back in 1977 is the king of this. In a lot ways, he serves as the “Riv safety net.” There are always more things to do around these parts than anyone can imagine and so often, Paul quietly takes care of them. He does a ton of our counseling and oversees more ministries than anyone else. I’d list the other stuff he does, but I can’t because I don’t know half of what he does to keep us moving.
There are many other staffers who live in this world of “other duties as assigned” as well and I just don’t have time to type out all of their stories. However, there is one more category of staffer that blows my mind in this arena: the volunteers.
So many of our volunteers are ready at the drop of the hat to do whatever needs to be done. I would start listing people, but since we have literally hundreds of volunteers I just want to throw out a huge “thank you.” You guys (and gals) rock. Seriously. It’s amazing how things get done.
Fear and Vettes
Oct 19, 2008 Uncategorized
My friend John and I decided to make this video about an hour and a half before I taught at Riv on fear. We shot it with my fancy Kodak Digital Camera’s video feature and edited it in iPhone. The whole process took about 15 minutes and we showed the video this weekend.
Several people have asked to see it again, so here it is. Enjoy.
BTW, it was ridiculous how close John came to me when I was getting one of these shots.
I Need This
Oct 18, 2008 Uncategorized
Obama and McCain Roast Each Other
Oct 17, 2008 Uncategorized
OK, this is awesome. I just found myself laughing outloud quite a bit at both of these speeches.
It was a nice relief after watching all the debates.
Enjoy…
Here’s McCain’s Speech:
And Obama’s:
Keep Your Penis In Your Pants!!!
Oct 16, 2008 Uncategorized
I am not even going to post an excerpt from this post because you have to read the whole thing (especially if you are a pastor).
If you are not a pastor, read this and then pray for your pastors.
Another Way To Die
Oct 16, 2008 Uncategorized
As a fan of James Bond, Jack White, and Alicia Keyes, there’s almost nothing I don’t like about this (via Certified RANDOM):
Here we go
Oct 14, 2008 Uncategorized
This weekend we launched our new series at Riv: Acme Anvil Co.
We asked people to write down the things in life that are weighing them down and keeping them from running hard for Jesus. Wowza. This morning, the pastors and a few others from the church poured through the 1000+ responses to pray and look for big themes. The remainder of the series will be based on the big themes we saw.
Here are the biggies:
Fear (this is the biggest one by far so I am going to try to tackle it this weekend)
Pace of Life / Busyness (good thing James just did a series on this one)
Finances
Letting Go of Control
Regret
Laziness / Lack of Discipline
Selfishness / Pride
I have to decide which 4 I am going to hit the next four weeks. Please pray as I figure out what to do.
One of the most encouraging things is that over 200 people took my memorization challenge! I better get to memorizing.
Zero Skip
Oct 14, 2008 Uncategorized
As I was playing around with iTunes today, I stumbled on a quasi-scientific way to figure out what some of my favorite songs are.
Here’s what you do:
1) Open iTunes
2) Click on “File” then “New Smartlist”
3) Match these settings:
4) Click “OK”
Basically, this will give you a list of the 25 most frequently played songs on your computer that you have never skipped. This is huge, because it means when these songs pop up, you NEVER skip past them.
In the spirit of full discloser, I give you my unedited list:
- Darker With The Day Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
- My Stupid Mouth John Mayer
- Gotta Get Through This Daniel Bedingfield
- Don’t Know Why Norah Jones
- Not Coming Home Maroon 5
- Harder to Breathe Maroon 5
- This Love Maroon 5
- She will be loved Maroon 5
- Everywhere Michelle Branch
- Must get out Maroon 5
- Wish Your Where Here Incubus
- Sweetest Goodbye Maroon 5
- Pride (In the Name of Love) U2
- Adrienne The Calling
- Flake Jack Johnson
- Don’t Dream It’s Over Sixpence None the Richer
- Through with you Maroon 5
- Shiver Maroon 5
- Rag Doll Maroon 5
- Babylon David Gray
- We are the Champions Robbie Williams
- In My Place Coldplay
- She’s the one Robbie Williams
- Angels Robbie Williams
- Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps Cake
Great Weekend at Riv
Oct 12, 2008 Uncategorized
Launched into our new series this weekend at Riv. Really cool conversations with people already.
For those of you who wanted to take my memorization challenge, here are the verses we are memorizing:
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.Hebrews 12:12
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
I’m super excited to read the “My Anvil” cards on Tuesday so I can see what I’m teaching the rest of this series!
