the thin places

Exciting Opportunity

2012-01-22T18:01:00.000-08:00

So...this has been brewing for quite some time, but I feel like it's finally time to let the proverbial cat out of the proverbial bag. Love146 - the organization that I and some people in the Dayton area partner in to help fight child sex slavery - has invited me and Elizabeth, one of the other co-founders of the task force, to go on a Partner trip with them this year to go to Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines. We will be visiting some of the places that Love146 works with in both prevention and aftercare. What an amazing opportunity!

But I'm afraid.

I'm not afraid of the trip itself. I think it's going to be incredible.

I'm a little afraid of all the shots I will need to get. And those shots I need to get need to start soon. But that's not the main reason I'm afraid.

I'm afraid that this trip will change me in such a way that I will never be the same again.

And I know that is probably a good thing, but let's be honest. The things I will see, the people I will meet, and the experiences I will have will change me. And I'm afraid that once I go on this trip, I will never be able to go back. And I don't mean coming back to the USA. I just mean that once you're faced with all that heartbreak and the actual issue that you've been wrapping your head around and talking about and fighting for the last few years is no longer off in a remote country but that you are actually face-to-face with girls who have been sold, who have been held against their will, who now have a chance to rehabilitate their lives and be restored to who they were before all this mess - it will no longer be an issue. It will be my issue and I will stop at nothing to end child sex slavery in my lifetime.

And for that I'm afraid. Because that means things will have to change. And that I will actually have to...no, that's not right. I will be compelled at all cost to fight with everything I have to see this through to the end.

If you could pray for me and for this trip, I would greatly appreciate it.

Swan Song.

2012-01-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

David Crowder's that is. Not mine! Heck, no. I have a lot of stuff to still say in this blog. When I can find the time. :D

The David Crowder Band released their final CD yesterday. 34 songs! A few of them are the typical Crowder fillers, although as opposed to what other bands do sometimes, these fillers feel like they belong on this album.

It's always sad when a band that you really like says their goodbyes. In this case, it is doubly sad because their debut big-label release Can You Hear Us? was released the same time I became worship minister for the very first time (I had done youth ministry for the eight years prior). So in a sense, I feel like I've been following David Crowder's worship music the entire time I've been doing worship music as a worship minister. Over the years, I've used several of his songs in worship services, although the last few years their songs have gotten so progressive (read: amazing) that they are hard to imitate with a amateur worship leader and an amateur band.

I thought I would do a top ten list of my favorite songs of David Crowder to pay my respects to this great band. By the way, I got to meet Crowder one time at a conference. Straight-up nice guy. Here's my list:

10. Every song that wasn't David Crowder's but felt like his.

- this would include Like A Lion (Daniel Bashta), O God, Where Are You Now (Sufjan Stevens), How He Loves (John Mark McMillan), Obsession (Deliriou5) and Thank You For Hearing Me (Sinead O'Connor). Even though he didn't write these songs, they are amazing.

9. Let Me Feel You Shine (Give Us Rest)

8. Sometimes (Passion/Give Us Rest)

7. Never Let Go/Remedy (Remedy)

- yeah I'm cheating again. But I feel these two songs are flip sides of each other.

6. Our Love Is Loud (Can You Hear Us?)

5. SMS (Shine) (Church Music)

4. No One Like You (Illuminate)

3. Only You (Illuminate)

2. All I Can Say (All I Can Say)

1. Stars (Illuminate)

Pretty good list, I think. I guess you can say that my favorite album of his would be Illuminate, since 3 of my top 4 are from that album. And if you asked me today, I would say yes. But tomorrow I might say A Collision, Friday Church Music, etc. David Crowder has created a great body of work, a great tapestry and I'm thankful for his contribution to worship music and music in general.

Top 10 Albums of 2011: #1

2011-12-28T18:05:00.000-08:00

#1: Cool Hand Luke - Of Man

Concept albums are hard to come by these days. And generally that's a good thing: most of the time, concept albums are bloated, self-indulgent albums that fail due to at least two reasons: (1) most of the time, even a double album doesn't give us enough time for us to fall in love with the characters or the plot of a concept album. It's hard enough for a movie to do so - to have only ten songs to develop a concept leaves a lot of holes; and (2) usually at some point of a concept album, the music just isn't dramatic and compelling enough to hold our interest.

Cool Hand Luke has been a favorite band of mine since I first heard their album "The Fires Of Life". And when I heard that they were disbanding for good, I was a little sad because really good music by Christians is hard to come by sometimes. Plus - besides The Juliana Theory, Cool Hand Luke was really the only band in the last decade who was making music that I would like to make if I was in a band.

Of Man tells the story of Jesus' final days: from the Last Supper, through the trials and crucifixion up to when he ascended to heaven. This story is told through the perspective of the people in His life and who witnessed the Passion of His final week. Cool Hand Luke through music and lyrics recreates this well-known story so vividly that I can almost see it happening in my mind as I listen to these songs. Each song is so well-crafted, so haunting, that it has honestly changed me. And that is what the number one album each year should do: change you.

It is a dark retelling which isn't for everyone. Perhaps though because it is the same story we have heard a thousand times, that this version will be compelling for some people because it is different. I will miss Cool Hand Luke but am thankful that their final album is truly their masterpiece: hypnotic, mesmerizing, brutally honest, compelling, life-changing, ambitious, and hopeful.

Standout singles: all of them, but especially Are You Coming, His Eyes, Two Versions

The Top Ten Albums of 2011: #2

2011-12-28T07:38:00.000-08:00

#3: Gungor - Ghosts Upon The Earth

A lot of creative types - myself included - have latched onto Gungor as the "band that will save worship music from its bloated self-indulgent mediocrity." With David Crowder stepping down after ten years of writing creative, thought-provoking worship tunes, we need another band to rise to the challenge, and Gungor is that band. After their last release "Beautiful Things," I thought Michael Gungor and company had reached its limit of creativity and out of the box musical composition, but I was wrong because Ghosts Upon The Earth surpasses its predecessor.

Upon first listen I was honestly a little disappointed, because I felt the music was that disjointed and that different. It was like this band had decided to balance the worship music scale by stepping as far away from the stuff you hear on K-Love as possible, and it unnerved me to tell the truth. But the more I listened to this CD, the more I began to appreciate the lengths that Gungor was willing to go to give a gift worth giving to God with this music. Even the song that unnerved me the most, "Wake Up O Sleeper" has become my favorite song on the album, because I love how it takes what seems to be disjointed acoustic instrument playing, adds some poignant lyrics and a sweet melody and melds it into a beautiful song. It's almost like they decided to take the idea of the song Beautiful Things and express the same idea musically.

I almost put this album as number one because it is so ambitious, so audacious in fact - but #1 to me seems to be even more ambitious if not as musically compelling.

Standout singles: Wake Up Sleeper, Brother Moon, This Is Not The End

The Top Ten Albums of 2011: #4 and #3

2011-12-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

#4: Jason Gray - A Way To See In The Dark

I feel like Jason Gray has taken a look into my own life and written songs that either perfectly describe how I'm feeling/have felt, or that have been written to encourage me to find hope in those times when you feel like giving up, using lines such as: "After awhile in the dark your eyes will adjust/In the shadows you will find a hand you can trust."

Brutally honest and raw, the songs on Jason Gray's 2011 release vacillate between Gray's own admission of his struggle with fear and pain, and reminding us all that we have a God who can not only help us in the darkness, that he came into our darkness to be the Light of the World. I had the opportunity to hear Jason Gray speak and sing on Andrew Peterson's "Behold The Lamb Of God" Christmas tour, and it gave me a little glimpse into the man behind these songs. As for the music, it's really good too, alternating between soft acoustic numbers and rousing full-band anthems. This is a CD I find myself returning to time and time again, one of the reasons being that his song "Without Running Away" has become one of my life songs, because it really describes the way I feel a lot of the time.

Standout singles: Without Running Away, Remind Me Who I Am, Nothing Is Wasted

#3: Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

I have been waiting since Coldplay released "A Rush Of Blood To The Head" for an album that excited me about the band as much as that one did. X&Y was a mixed bag, no doubt; Viva La Vida had some incredible tunes and much ambition, but felt a little disjointed as a whole album. Heck, even one of the songs on that album felt like an amalgam of three different songs.

I listened to Mylo Xyloto on repeat pretty much the whole time I was in Dallas for a technology convention. Each song on this album is rather amazing and contributes to the album as a whole. Whereas their last CD emphasized death, this CD to me is a vision of what Chris Martin and company feel about life after death: heaven, the afterlife, paradise - whatever you want to call it - these songs offer a definite opinion.

The addition of electronica courtesy of Brian Eno has polarized fans on this album. However, as someone who loved U2's last CD No Line On The Horizon, I love this addition and believe it adds to what Coldplay is trying to achieve on this CD. Even the Rhianna guest spot on Princess Of China - something I would normally not appreciate, because I am not a fan - works.

Standout singles: Paradise, Us Against The World, U.F.O.

The Top Ten Albums of 2011: #6 and #5

2011-12-27T12:42:00.000-08:00

#6: The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow

It seems like this CD has been out forever, but it was released in 2011. I first heard this duo - made up of John Paul White and Joy Williams, two Nashville singer-songwriters who came together during a writing session (and the rest is of course history) - when I downloaded their two song Christmas EP for free last year. (If you haven't downloaded free music from NoiseTrade, I would suggest doing so. I have found many bands/artists that are under the radar before they make it big.) I was immediately intrigued by the intricate yet soft acoustic guitar, and the incredible harmonies that come out of these two people. Then I got their "Live at Eddie's Attic" (also free on NoiseTrade) and was blown away. White and Williams get mistaken as married often; they are that comfortable with each other on and off stage.

Barton Hollow is a wonderful CD. You may have heard the haunting piano song "Poison and Wine" on several TV shows this past year, or perhaps you saw them perform "Barton Hollow" on Conan or another talk show. I'm not sure there has been a more critically lauded musical act this year than The Civil Wars. They definitely deserve it, because this CD is amazing.

Standout singles: Barton Hollow, Poison and Wine, 20 Years

#5: The City Harmonic - I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home)

You may not have heard of The City Harmonic. It's a shame because this up-and-coming worship band has put out two of the best worship CDs of the past several years. Their first one, which was a six-song EP, was an incredible collection of piano-driven tunes, amazing melodies, and soaring background vocals. You may have heard their biggest hit so far, called "Manifesto" which is basically the Apostle's Creed plus the Lord's Prayer put to a driving beat. (Here's the video)

I thought it would be hard to top their EP, but I was wrong. Their full-length debut album is incredible. Taking the idea of Martin Luther King, Jr's speech "I Have A Dream", The City Harmonic expands on it and takes it to the next level through song. There is not a single song on here that I skip - and that is saying a lot, because there aren't very many albums that I can say that of. If you like piano-driven rock music a la The Fray or older Coldplay put to great worship lyrics, look no further than The City Harmonic.

Are you amazed that all this adulation is for an album I have as #5? That tells you how much I like the top 4 albums.

Standout singles: Yours, Mountaintop, Wake Me Up

Top Ten Albums of 2011: #8 and #7

2011-12-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

#8: Owl City - All Things Bright And Beautiful

Not only does Owl City have the coolest name ever - Adam Young - but he puts out some really great music. If Ocean Eyes was just the icing on the cake of what Owl City could do when it comes to creating music in your basement, All Things Bright And Beautiful is the actual cake. Creative, whimsical music that soars with memorable melodies, electronic sounds, and even some traditional instruments, All Things Bright And Beautiful will make you rethink musicians who were discovered on MySpace. This album is that good.

Standout singles: Galaxies, Deer In The Headlights, Dreams Don't Turn To Dust

#7: John Mark McMillan - Economy

Yes, he used to be known as "that guy who wrote How He Loves, and I'm really uncomfortable about that sloppy wet kiss line so I'm going to change it," but John Mark McMillan now is comfortably lodged into the worship music scene. John Mark McMillan is different than most worship leaders and songwriters, however, because the music isn't formulaic, and when I'm listening to his CDs, I feel like I'm driving down Route 66 in the heart of America, driving by once-shiny towns now battered and bruised by the interstate system, and McMillan is sharing his heart with me as we cruise down the road together.

I love his honesty. I love his scratchy, unpolished voice. It certainly isn't worship music for those who like easy Psalty book answers and your standard G C Em C chord progression. It is for those who have more questions than answers, who like their music tinged with some Southern rock or a simple acoustic, and who listen to lyrics like "Chase me down like a lion, like a bird of prey, Lift me up from the ashes of my heart's own shallow grave, 'Cause I know that I love you, but sometimes I'm afraid" and know that John Mark is telling their story too.

Standout singles: Daylight, Love You Swore, Seen A Darkness

The Top Ten Albums of 2011: #10, #9

2011-12-27T06:53:00.000-08:00

#10: Know Hope Collective

2007 was a tough year for Christian music as the band Audio Adrenaline said goodbye after a long career. I remember when I was in college when a friend of mine bought their first album (on cassette, that tells you how long it has been) and raved about them. When I listened to them for the first time, I thought they were actually terrible. And if you talk with the original members of Audio A, they will admit as such. However, their next album was better, and by the time Bloom hit, Audio Adrenaline was a band that wrote fun songs and started having radio hits.

When I heard that two of the founding band members were forming a worship band, I was a little skeptical. In fact, I didn't buy the album at all until our worship intern this summer let me listen to their CD. And I immediately liked it. Mark Stuart and Will McGinness have put together a great group of songs (including a couple of Audio Adrenaline favorites) that direct your thoughts towards God. And this album wasn't written in a vacuum, but out of the time, money and energy that Mark and Will give to their mission to Haiti. I highly recommend this album.

Standout singles: Attention, Build Us Back, Ocean Floor

#9 - Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Who would have figured that Dave Grohl would have a more successful (and in my opinion, a better) career with Foo Fighters than with Nirvana? I know most music afficionados believe that some FF albums are better than others; personally, I can find something great about every album. I happily make the claim that Foo Fighters are the best rock band out there right now, period. Something that happened this year that made Foo Fighters endear themselves to me even more was their counter-protest song they did in front of the protesters from Westboro Baptist Church.

What I love most about this album is the different guitar sounds that are used for each song, and I wonder how these songs would be live, because it just seems like there are so many great things going on musically with each song. This is just a fun album to listen to - Taylor Hawkins has never sound better on the drums, and the harmonies that are used on some of these songs are just incredible.

Standout singles: Bridge Burning, Rope, These Days

Top 10 Albums of 2011

2011-12-27T06:37:00.000-08:00

I am really behind in movies, so that list is going to have to wait. 2011 was a great year for music, at least for the music I like to listen to. It was hard to rank them all, but on my road trip to Maryland, I had plenty of opportunity to listen to all of them and rank them all. In the past I have just listed them all in one post; this time I am going to do two albums for each post until the last two. Agree or disagree with my rankings? Let me know!

Next post: #10 and #9.

Isn't There Anyone Who Knows What Christmas Is All About?

2011-12-22T12:04:00.000-08:00

"True Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about."

Christmas Carol Devotion #4: O Come O Come Emmanuel

2011-12-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

Love what the devotional guide I've been reading has to say:

Time after time, the Israelites found themselves separated from God - always by their own doing. And God would eventually deliver them, only to be betrayed by His chosen people again. So we find two constant themes in the Old Testament:

- The Israelites, no matter how hard they tried, were unfaithful to God.

- God remained faithful and fulfilled the promises He made to them.

Through His prophets, God made many promises. Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and you shall call His name Emmanuel." The name Emmanuel translates as "God with us." It's a remarkable promise - the Ultimate Being and Creator of the Universe promising to make Himself physically present with the people who have proven themselves unworthy.

In one of the most somber Christmas songs, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," there is an embraced tension within Israel. They are in exile, separated from God yet again. With a somber perspective, they choose to rejoice in the promise God has made to them. With nothing else to cling to, in the midst of desperation and loneliness, they recall and proclaim the promise that God would be with them - knowing that, in spite of their unfaithfulness, God is faithful to His promises.

--

So much to chew on here. I've liked this song for a long time and we always do it at least once at Christmas. My personal favorite is the Future of Forestry version, although I really like the Chasing Furies one too. I was going to use this song for our Christmas day service, but it really doesn't make sense to do so. On Christmas Day, the hopeful expectation of the Messiah isn't an expectation anymore, it happens and we celebrate the Messiah's birth, not the hope of His birth.

I've always loved the idea of Emmanuel, too. "God With Us." (For a great video about God With Us, check out this one.) At the beginning of Jesus' birth, we are told that His name will be Emmanuel, which means God With Us. At the end of Jesus' life, He told us that He will be with us always..." So from the first of His life to the last of His life on earth, Jesus promised that He would be with us.

But it gets better.

Because in Acts, when Jesus leaves His disciples, the promise of God With Us becomes something even greater, even more special. Why? Because God With Us has now become God In Us. The Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, we tend to kind of ignore The Spirit. We don't talk about him/her much, we tend to downplay their role in our lives, and that's a shame. Because Jesus said that we would do greater things than He did while He was on earth. Because He was sending someone to be our helper, our advocate (John 14).

Okay, I'm off track. This song reminds me of what Adam, our student minister, said in his message during Thanksgiving weekend. That it's easy to give thanks for the good things that have already happened to us. It's a lot hard to give thanks for the good things we are praying about and expecting to have happen. In the same way, it's easy to rejoice that the Messiah is coming when He is already here. It is much harder to rejoice in the Messiah who is yet to come.

Christmas Carol Devotion #3: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

2011-12-06T19:02:00.001-08:00

Really, I'm just following the order of the YouVersion devotional plan. I would not have put this song into the list, personally. I like the song okay, but I have a feeling I'm going to be upset down the road when one of my favorite carols is missing (like O Holy Night or The First Noel).

Anyway, I like most of the sultry female voice versions of this song that I've heard on the radio, but I also really like the Relient K version of this song - I used it as the background to our announcement video this past Sunday.

I want to focus on the first three lines of this song:

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight

Did you know that these lyrics were not the original lyrics? This song was written for a musical starring Judy Garland called Meet Me In St. Louis. Garland and the director of the musical criticized the lyrics as depressing. I don't blame them, look at the original first three lines:

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
It may be your last
Next year we may all be living in the past

Depressing, huh? Did you know that another line in this song was changed at an even later date, after several versions became popular? The original line "From now on we'll have to muddle through somehow" was changed to "Hang a shining star upon the highest bough."

Can you imagine this song being popular at all with the original lyric? No way. We want our Christmas to be merry and bright. Which I definitely agree with, although I think sometimes our desire for a merry Christmas blinds us to the fact that the first Christmas had some merriness to it; yet it also had a lot of pain, a lot of confusion, etc. Two songs remind me of this. One is a song from the CD Behold The Lamb Of God by Andrew Peterson. Just two nights ago I got to see A.P. and friends perform this entire CD in concert, it was amazing. Anyway, one of the songs is called Labor Of Love and it starts out like this:

It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David's town

And the stable was not clean
And the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother's hand to hold

Another song, which I'm contemplating doing this Sunday for special music, reminds us of the forces at work - both spiritual and human - when Christ was born and how it is the same today as it was then.

If You were born today
We'd kill You by age eight
Never get the chance to say
Joy to the world, peace on the earth
Forgive them for they know not what they do...

By all means, let's have a merry Christmas. But let's not forget that a woman had labor pains, it was cold in the stable, babies were killed by the insane king Herod, a family had to flee to Egypt, and a baby would grow up to one day die on a cruel cross for things He did not do.

Song List - December 4th, 2011

2011-12-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

Want to restart this as well so if you didn't get a chance to come to Miamisburg Christian Church on a Sunday, you can see what songs you missed! Of course this Sunday we started our Christmas stuff. Here is what we did:

Glory To God Forever (Fee)/O Come Let Us Adore Him

All Creation Sing (Joy To The World) - North Point version

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Mercy Me version

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Kutless version

Glory In The Highest - Chris Tomlin

special music (myself and Kim): Give This Christmas Away - Matthew West

Christmas Carol Devotion #2: Angels We Have Heard On High

2011-12-05T09:11:00.001-08:00

True story: in the summer of 1991, I was on a camp team for Pacific Christian College. Our job was to go to Christian camps all summer long, promote the school, and do whatever the camp directors needed us to do. It was a tough summer in many ways - driving from camp to camp (this was before cell phones and GPS devices), pouring your life into high school students for a week, and then having to say goodbye to them and then do the same the next week, etc. The last four weeks of the summer were even more difficult because my camp team partner had some health issues, so she had to return home while I went out on my own. Thankfully the last four camps I was part of were incredible - one in northern California, two weeks at Wi-Ne_Ma in Oregon, and one week up in Washington, just north of Tacoma.

At the California one, I was asked to be the "sponsor" for the kids who came without youth groups, so I hung out with them all week long. One night everyone broke into their groups outside, and my smaller group hung out at the campfire. Nobody was really in any mood to talk about stuff that happened that day, so someone suggested singing some songs around the campfire. Now mind you, there were eight of us at the most around the campfire. We sang for about an hour and had one of the best worship times I've ever had. The best part of the story is this (and remember, it's true): later that night I was talking with a youth minister, and he was telling me that although he had a good night talking with his students, that he wished he could have gone over to the campfire to sing songs, since everyone else at the camp went over there. I told him that actually there were only eight of us at the campfire, and with an incredulous look on his face, he told me that from where his group was, it sounded like there were 200 people around the campfire singing songs. Another talk with a different youth minister confirmed this.

Ever since then, I have attributed it to angels singing with us. At the time, I wasn't really that "into" the idea of angels or demons or the supernatural. But it opened my eyes to the fact that the spiritual world is out there, and things happen that can only be explained by "other" forces at work in our world. Just thinking about that night at the campfire brings me to a sense of awe, of being grateful that for a brief moment in time, it was like God pulling open the curtain so I can get just a glimpse of His glory.

Angels We Have Heard On High has been a favorite carol of mine for some time. I'm not sure what my favorite version of this song is, although I've always liked Michael W. Smith's Gloria on his first Christmas album. I've loved that album for a long time - one of the reasons is that it is the last really good memory I have of my stepfather. When I was in college, he flew out to California from Florida, and then we drove up to see his daughter in Merced. I happened to have this Michael W. Smith Christmas cassette with me, and we listened to it all the way up and all the way back.

One of my favorite Bible stories as it relates to Christmas is the story of the shepherds being visited by the host of angels. I love it because it reminds me of how ludicrous it sounds, that God didn't announce the birth of his Son to Caesar or the heads of state or to the chief officials. He announced it to a bunch of lowly shepherds, smelly dudes out in the fields who had no power, no royalty - just a bunch of sheep. It reminds me that God doesn't care about prestige or position or pedigree. He cares for all, and gives his most important announcements to those who are willing and ready to hear.

I want to close with an excerpt from the YouVersion devotional on this carol:

"It seems like people tend to have fewer experiences these days of complete awe. Technology has brought so much of the world to our living rooms and fingertips that we can see anything we want and feel like we are at anyplace we want to be. Unfortunately, most of us probably have fewer awe-inspiring moments with God like we should. Our relationship with Him often becomes too comfortable and even ordinary.

This Christmas, make an attempt to regain those awe-inspiring moments with God. Strive to make your relationship with Him something so inspiring that it causes you to rejoice like the angels did. Don't let your relationship with Him be ordinary, but rather make it extraordinary."

Christmas Carol Devotion #1: Joy To The World

2011-12-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

Have I told you how much I love the YouVersion app for the iPad? Lots of translations, you can highlight, you can add your own notes, etc. There are also some really good daily devotionals that can help you in your daily Bible reading and walk with God. I am presently doing three of them, including a Christmas Carol Devotional that takes a Christmas song each day and talks about them.

I love Christmas songs. And being a worship minister has some great advantages in this department because you can start listening to Christmas songs and no one will think you are loony (at least not completely.) My favorite Christmas song has been documented in this blog (that would be O Holy Night, I am sure it will come up in this devotional), but I am excited to look at other Christmas songs and glean a deeper truth from them.

First up on the docket is Joy To The World. I have two favorite versions of this song right now. One is called All Creation Sing (Joy To The World), originally done by Fee but the North Point version is awesome. The other version is Future of Forestry's version, which throws in a little bit of All Creatures Of Our God And King and just has a cool sound.

I think sometimes in the Christmas season, it is hard to find people who are joyful. I read several different stories of crazy Black Friday incidents, including a lady in California who pepper sprayed other shoppers so she could get to the good stuff first. I watched a video of what seemed to be a thousand people pour into an Urban Outfitters store. We are often tired from shopping, tired from Christmas festivities and school plays and holiday office parties and opening cards and getting pictures with Santa and hearing those Salvation Army bells ringing incessantly and more...to actually stop during this craziness and think of things to be joyful about seems almost anti-Christmas season, right?

One way I try to be joyful is thinking about the little things that go on in our lives in December: my birthday, my grandmother's birthday, Debby and my anniversary, cookie and goodie baking (and collecting) with our brother-in-law's huge family down in Cincinnati, Christmas eve services at our church, finding new versions of songs to try out this year, etc. Today I experienced a joyful moment as I helped set up our worship center's stage to look like the movie set of It's A Wonderful Life. Taking time to find joy in the little things this holiday season is a great way to have a joyful spirit this time of the year. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. EGG NOG.

What are some things that remind you to stay joyful during this time of the year? Ultimately, reminding myself of why I do this stuff every year - because our Lord was born, because our Savior reigns, and that He rules the world, not through force and demands, but through truth and grace is the best way to keep a joyful spirit now and any time of year.

41...

2011-12-02T21:22:00.000-08:00

I turned 41 twenty-two minutes ago. Actually, that is probably not true. I think I was born at 10 in the morning or something, so I haven't officially turned 41 yet. Some thoughts about 41 and aging one more year (day):

- my mom never got to see her forty-first year; her life was tragically cut down at age forty from lymphoma.

- when I think about my mom and stepfather and when they hit their late thirties/early forties, it just seems so bizarre. I just don't feel as old as I thought they were when I was a teenager. I don't feel as responsible as I assumed they were. I do know I have made some better choices than they have, which makes me feel slightly better. Perhaps it is because my daughter is ten years younger than I was when my parents hit forty that makes me feel younger.

- I think about death a lot more now that I am in my forties. Not in a morbid way, but more of a "what legacy will I leave my daughter and what mark will I make on this world" type of a way. I have to admit, death kind of freaks me out.

I have been thinking about what I would like to experience in my forty-first year and who I want to become in this year. Some glimpses:

- I want to be a better friend to those who have been great friends to me. One of my problems is that I am one of the most non-observant people in the history of the world, and I just don't notice when someone needs help or is hurting or whatever. God, increase my discernment in this area.

- we are in the process of helping a couple of people who are struggling in life, and although it is challenging and frustrating at times, my hope is that we can not only continue to help them out but also perhaps we can help more people.

- my passion for fighting human trafficking has been rather hot and cold as of late: I believe some of it is a lack of time to devote to this cause; but I also sense some discouragement through the second half of 2011 because we have seen a large number of task force members just disappear on us. God, please help us connect and network with others who have this passion and who will stand with us.

- I need to spend more time in the woods, on a bicycle, climbing a hill, skiing (even if it is Ohio style skiing) and adventure seeking.

- help me Lord to apply these Dave Ramsey principles to my life now that I don't hear him talk for 45 minutes every week for 13 weeks.

- I need to pray more, journal more, blog more, and express through writing what I am learning, what I am frustrated with in this world and with myself, and what God is showing me. I need to be quiet more, to listen to that gentle whisper, to cling to the Vine that sustains, strengthens and ignites me.

That about does it for now. As my 45th minute of being 41 quickly approaches (it takes more time blogging with an iPad I have found), I hope that as you read this post that you find yourself wondering how God is going to use you in whatever number of year you are in right now.

I might get back into this...

2011-12-01T20:54:00.000-08:00

Strange world called blogging. I am extremely busy these days: between working long hours at church, co-leading an anti-trafficking task force, spending time with my family and going to see my daughter at her cheer competitions and now seeing her cheer at third grade boys basketball games (wow are those games exciting...), not to mention the time suck that is the iPad, I just don't seem to find time for blogging. But I am going to try to find time. Reasons? First, blogging is an outlet for me to put my thoughts down. Right now they just kind of float around in my brain, doing me no good, and certainly no one else too. I honestly think I have a couple of good ideas each day that never get put to use because I don't write them down. They may be good ideas about the books that I am going to write someday. They may be about creative things we are thinking of doing at church. Writing them down and talking about them will help me hopefully utilize these ideas. Third, I have had a few people ask me why I don't blog anymore, and since I feel like one of my skills is writing, I should probably do more of it.

So...expect some posts to come from me soon. No, really this time.

5K For 50 Days: Day 5

2011-05-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I could hardly walk from running a full 5K the day before (I have been doing a combination of running and walking) but did it anyway. Today I felt better, but I still just walked the full 5K. I know this isn't a shock to anyone, but walking a 5K takes a whole heck of a lot longer than running a 5K. I know, breaking news and all.

Anyway, I was trying to think back to when I last ran a 5K, and I think I narrowed down to either 10th or 11th grade at my hometown festival. (Last month I walked 6 miles in New York to get from the rental car company place to my brother's condo, but I'm talking about actually walking fast/running) That means (yes, I'm getting old) that approximately 25 years ago was the last time I participated in an actual 5K run.

Why am I doing this? Because I want to raise money for Love146, an organization that is devoted to ending child sex slavery. Because I'm looking at these 50 days as a journey with physical and spiritual ramifications. And because I want to raise awareness about what goes on in the world today: the exploitation of children sexually.

Will you support me in my endeavor? You can go here.

5K for 50 Days

2011-05-13T11:36:00.001-07:00

So I never got around to blog about that book. Maybe later.

I am, however, doing a lot of running/walking these days. I have decided to join my fellow task force leaders in being part of "Tread On Trafficking" this May and June. Tread On Trafficking is a virtual run/walk that is talking place all over the U.S. and Europe where participants walk/run/exercise in order to raise money and awareness for Love146 and what they are doing.

At first I decided to run/walk 150 miles in 50 days. However, I decided that wasn't very catchy. So now I am running/walking a 5K every day for 50 days. If you are interested in sponsoring me, you can go to my personal Tread On Trafficking page which can be found here. Below you will see a humorous commercial for Tread On Trafficking starring my new (and only) favorite golfer, Ben Crane.

Tread on Trafficking from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

Hello...is it me you're looking for?

2011-04-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

I really am planning on getting back into the blogging routine. I've been overwhelmed by church stuff and Love146 Dayton task force stuff. I need to start blogging in my other blog about human trafficking as well.

Starting this week, I will be talking in this blog a little bit about a book I've been reading that has really helped me understand more about who I am and why I do things the way I do them. This book is about being an introvert in the church and how being an introvert in an extroverted world can be challenging. The first blog post I think I will write is concerning how extroverts view introverts wrongly and what being an introvert really means. So expect to see something coming soon. If you even check this any more. Which you probably don't. That's okay. I don't check it either.

Song List - March 27, 2011

2011-03-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Been a long time...

Awesome Is The Lord Most High - Chris Tomlin
All To You - Lincoln Brewster
From The Inside Out - Hillsong United
Overcome - New Life (new song)
All To Us - Chris Tomlin

Song List: October 31st, 2010

2010-11-02T09:23:00.001-07:00

Should have thought about doing the song "Skeleton Bones" by John Mark McMillan since it was Halloween on Sunday, but thought about it after! Grrr!

Anyway, we did an unplugged set with candles and stuff.

Song of Hope - Robbie Seay Band
Cannons - Phil Wickham
Lead Me To The Cross - Brooke Fraser
Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill version
How He Loves - John Mark McMillan (original lyric version)

Song List - October 17, 2010

2010-10-20T06:58:00.001-07:00

All Because Of Jesus - Steve Fee
Glorious One - Steve Fee
Our God - Chris Tomlin
We Crown You - Steve Fee
Everything - Tim Hughes

New Release Tuesday! - October 12, 2010

2010-10-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

I have decided that if I'm really excited about a CD coming out, that I would highlight it when it is released (which usually happens on Tuesdays). Today I actually want to highlight two albums that are released today.

The first is Flags by Brooke Fraser. Brooke is a musical artist from New Zealand. If you have paid attention at all to the last few Hillsong United albums, you have definitely heard her songs and her voice. Some of the worship songs you may be familiar with that are hers are Hosanna, Lead Me To The Cross, and Desert Song. However, she is more known in her home country of New Zealand as a best-selling solo artist. Her last CD is called Albertine and was my favorite album of that year.

Flags continues her excellent work. At first listen it seems a little less dark than the last album - both musically and lyrically. My favorite track so far is the last one, called "Flags." If you get it through Amazon, you get a bonus track, which is an acoustic version of Flags and I think even better than the original. Here is a snippet of the lyrics from that song:
You who mourn will be comforted
You who hunger will hunger no more
All the last shall be first
Of this I am sure

You who weep now will laugh again
All you lonely be lonely no more
Yes, the last will be first
Of this I'm sure

I don't know why the innocents fall
While the monsters stand
I don't know why the little ones thirst
But I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first

I am looking forward to listening to this album over and over again over the next several weeks.

---

Although, the same day that Flags is release, another favorite artist of mine, Sufjan Stevens, has released an album - so I guess I will have to alternate between the two.

Sufjan it seems has abandoned his quest to write an album for every state in the U.S. Which kind of makes me sad, but it's probably not a very realistic goal. Unless he's planning on doing this at age 95 or something. Anyway, not only is his new album The Age of Adz not a state project, it's also different musically than the last several of his albums, which have leaned more towards what I like to call "Americana quirky folk," filled with banjos, flutes, Sousa-type musical numbers, and cheerleader background vocals. (Don't worry, the flutes and cheerleader vocals seem to still make their appearances on this one.) Musically, The Age of Adz adds some electronica to the mix. So far I've really enjoyed it, although I've heard there's a song with some "surprising" lyrics coming from Sufjan, a professed Christian. But I'm okay with that.

Song List - October 10, 2010

2010-10-12T06:52:00.001-07:00

One outdoor service. 625 people. Awesome day!

Happy Day - Tim Hughes
Sing Sing Sing - Chris Tomlin
Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Lincoln Brewster version
God Of This City - Chris Tomlin version

The song that Tiffany Kelly sang was "Your Hands" by J.J. Heller.

Song List - October 3, 2010

2010-10-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

All Because Of Jesus - Steve Fee
Not To Us - Chris Tomlin
Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman
Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King - Gateway Worship
The Wonderful Cross - Chris Tomlin/Matt Redman

Chase The Lion Testimony Video

2010-09-29T13:41:00.001-07:00

I would much rather speak live than on video, but I thought this video turned out pretty well. I guess I could say that one of my fears is that when I open myself up like this, especially when it's about my brain surgery or whatever, that people will look at me differently. But I'm glad for the opportunity to talk about my past and what the future looks like with fighting human trafficking.

Chase The Lion

2010-09-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

Miamisburg Christian Church is starting up a new message series this coming Sunday, and I think it's going to be a great one! Join us for Chase The Lion!

Sept 19 - Defying Odds

Sept 26 - Facing Fears

Oct 3 - Overcoming Adversity

Oct 10 - Embracing Uncertainty

Oct 17 - Taking Risks

Oct 24 - Seizing Opportunities

Oct 31 - Looking Foolish

Miamisburg Christian Church Live Out Video

2010-09-14T11:22:00.001-07:00

This video makes me proud of our church and the impact we have in our community and around the world. We may do some things wrongly, but in this area - we are doing it right!

My article on human trafficking

2010-09-07T07:36:00.001-07:00

Things are really ramping up for me in the area of fighting human trafficking, which is exciting and scary at the same time!

I was asked to write an article for a cool online magazine called Circle Six as they are spending all week long focusing on human trafficking. Yesterday they "published" my article, so here is a link to it:

A Crime So Monstrous

Permission To Speak Freely

2010-09-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

Anne Jackson, author of "Mad Church Disease", has a new book out called "Permission To Speak Freely." It's a book that looks similar to what Frank at PostSecret has done for some time now - collecting people's anonymous "confessions." Anne's book deals more specifically with the struggles and confessions of Christians. She has a few examples at her book's website, and I thought that this one was really interesting:

Through September 3rd, you can get Anne Jackson's new book in audio form for only $2.99 by going here and putting in the promo code JACKSON7210 when prompted to do so.

Song List - August 29, 2010

2010-08-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

I haven't done this in awhile, so here is the song list from this past Sunday:

Indescribable - Chris Tomlin (this was only done first hour)

Salvation Is Here - Hillsong United

From The Inside Out - Hillsong United

Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle

It Is Well - Todd Fields version

The background song on the baptism video was the song "Beautiful Things" from the worship band Gungor (on their Beautiful Things album, I highly recommend it!)

Baptism Video - August 29, 2010

2010-08-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

I have neglected this blog greatly over the last month, but my hope is that I will post more frequently in September!

Here is the baptism video that I put together that we showed this past Sunday. Thanks to all of our media team members who for the most part filmed each baptism video!

New Arcade Fire album

2010-08-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

I'm not the biggest Arcade Fire fan (I think I mentioned that below), but I like them and definitely appreciate their creativity and approach to music. At NPR, you can listen to the new album in its entirety, which is pretty cool.

If ever there was a video and song...

2010-07-14T06:55:00.001-07:00

that could be created that would take my thoughts on God, religion, politics, society - whatever, it would look like this.

Thank you once again Gungor.

Gungor

2010-07-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

I really like this worship band's new CD, called Beautiful Things. They call themselves a "liturgical post-rock" band. Very cool stuff.

Here's an explanation of the band itself as well as an introduction to their new CD.

Here is the title song from their new CD. Enjoy!

EDIT: Here is an acoustic version of Beautiful Things. LOVE LOVE LOVE

My Daughter Runs To Grandpa's Camera

2010-06-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

I love this video. Just found it again, so I thought I would share!

VBS Slideshow

2010-06-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's the last one - it's a slideshow of last week's VBS!

VBS Slideshow from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

VBS Announcement Video

2010-06-21T10:55:00.001-07:00

I thought this was great!

VBS Announcement Video from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

VBS Recap Video

2010-06-21T09:58:00.001-07:00

VBS week was last week, and it was so much fun! Great to see kids get excited about Jesus and grace. Here's a two and a half minute recap video.

2010 VBS Recap Video from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Song List - June 20, 2010

2010-06-21T08:33:00.001-07:00

Hour #1:

Happy Day - Tim Hughes
Rise And Sing - Steve Fee
Salvation Is Here - Hillsong United
Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle
Jesus Lord Of Heaven - Phil Wickham

Hour #2:

Rise And Sing - Steve Fee
Salvation Is Here - Hillsong United

Preschool kids sang This Little Light Of Mine and You're Powerful

Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle

Then the elementary kids joined us for:

Happy Day - Tim Hughes
Amazing Grace (Woo Hoo) - no idea

It was a lot of fun!

Song List - June 13, 2010

2010-06-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

Rise And Sing - Steve Fee
Cannons - Phil Wickham
Mighty To Save - Hillsong United
Beautiful Jesus - Kristian Stanfill
The Stand - Hillsong United

We also did Jesusland by Ben Folds as a special music. Nathan you will be missed!

If you've never heard the song, here is the music video of the song.

2010 VBS Training Video

2010-06-09T05:21:00.001-07:00

I did not film this video, but I did edit it. I thought it came out pretty well.

2010 MCC VBS Training Video from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Lost In Translation

2010-06-08T10:01:00.001-07:00

I thought these were awesome - some of them I had heard before, but I thought I would share.

----

Coors put its slogan, "Turn it loose," into Spanish, where it was read as "Suffer from diarrhea".

Clairol introduced the "Mist Stick", a curling iron, into Germany only to find out that "mist" is slang for manure. Not too many people had use for the "manure stick".

Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following in an American campaign: Nothing sucks like an Electrolux.

In Chinese, the Kentucky Fried Chicken slogan "finger-lickin' good" came out as "eat your fingers off".

The American slogan for Salem cigarettes, "Salem-Feeling Free", was translated into the Japanese market as "When smoking Salem, you will feel so refreshed that your mind seems to be free and empty".

When Gerber started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as in the US, with the beautiful Caucasian baby on the label. Later they learned that in Africa, companies routinely put pictures on the label of what's inside, since most people can't read English.

Colgate introduced a toothpaste in France called Cue, the name of a notorious porno magazine.

An American T-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market which promoted the Pope's visit. Instead of "I saw the Pope" (el Papa), the shirts read "I saw the potato" (la papa).

In Italy, a campaign for Schweppes Tonic Water translated the name into "Schweppes Toilet Water".

Pepsi's "Come alive with the Pepsi Generation" translated into "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave", in Chinese.

We all know about GM's Chevy Nova meaning "it won't go" in Spanish markets, but did you know that Ford had a similar problem in Brazil with the Pinto? Pinto was Brazilian slang for "tiny male genitals". Ford renamed the automobile Corcel, meaning "horse".

Hunt-Wesson introduced Big John products in French Canada as Gros Jos. Later they found out that in slang it means "big breasts".

Frank Perdue's chicken slogan, "it takes a strong man to make a "tender chicken" was translated into Spanish as "it takes an aroused man to make a chicken affectionate".

When Parker Pen marketed a ball-point pen in Mexico, its ads were supposed to have read, "it won't leak in your pocket and embarrass you". Instead, the company thought that the word "embarazar" (to impregnate) meant to embarrass, so the ad read: "It won't leak in your pocket and make you pregnant".

The Coca-Cola name in China was first read as "Ke-kou-ke- la", meaning "Bite the wax tadpole" or "female horse stuffed with wax", depending on the dialect. Coke then researched 40,000 characters to find a phonetic equivalent "ko-kou-ko- le", translating into "happiness in the mouth".

Probably the most famous of all is John Kennedy's announcement to the people of Berlin, "Ich bin ein Berliner!" JFK thought he said, "I am a citizen of Berlin!" What he *really* said was, "I am a jelly doughnut!" ("Berliner" is German for "jelly doughnut".)

Some friends from England visited us a few years back. Their teenage daughter got a huge laugh from the name of an airline back then: The Trump Shuttle (Donald Trump's airline). They said in England, "Trump" translated into "fart"!

No wonder macs are the best selling computer in Japan, Microsofts Windows '95 ad slogan, translated into Japanese: "If you don't know where you want to go, we'll make sure you get taken."

June 6, 2010 Song List

2010-06-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

Song Of Hope - Robbie Seay Band
Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster version
Glorious One - Steve Fee
God Of This City - Chris Tomlin version
Only You - David Crowder Band

Decision:

You Are My King - Billy Foote

Song List - May 30,2010

2010-06-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

Your Grace Is Enough - Chris Tomlin
Because Of Your Love - Paul Baloche and Brenton Brown
Awakening - Chris Tomlin and Reuben Morgan
Meet Us Here - Mike Hornholz
He Knows My Name - Tommy Walker

No Words

2010-05-27T14:24:00.001-07:00

Here's the new commercial for the Stanley Cup Finals. Awesome. Also great to see Ray Bourque in there after winning with Colorado.

New Arcade Fire single

2010-05-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

I'm not the biggest Arcade Fire fan, but I do like them, and certainly like them more when I'm in certain moods.

Here is the new single, I really really like it! (And the spinning record thing is awesome)

A. The Suburbs

AA. Month of May

Song List - May 23, 2010

2010-05-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

O Worship The King - Chris Tomlin version
Shine In Me - Caleb Clements
Awakening - Chris Tomlin and Reuben Morgan
Everything - Tim Hughes
You Hold Me Now - Hillsong United

Teacher Appreciation Sunday

2010-05-25T15:06:00.003-07:00

Here is the video I put together using two different videos (and some editing of words) for our Teacher Appreciation Sunday we had this past Sunday.

Teacher Appreciation Sunday Video from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Swagger Wagon

2010-05-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

I love this video - still have never owned a mini-van, but I have driven one and like them! But since we're a family of three, I don't see us ever getting one. But if we do, I'll be rapping away like this family.

How Great Is Our God done with iPhones

2010-05-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

I thought this video was absolutely amazing. Using technology to create art is cool.

Law Enforcement Recognition Sunday videos

2010-05-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

Here are two videos I put together for the Law Enforcement Recognition we did this past Sunday. I hope that the officers were touched by the videos, the words of appreciation and the prayer at the end for them.

Law Enforcement Recognition Sunday Video #1 from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Law Enforcement Recognition Sunday Video #2 from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Song List - May 16, 2010

2010-05-18T09:21:00.001-07:00

Sing Sing Sing - Chris Tomlin (I got to play electric guitar, hooray!)
Love The Lord - Lincoln Brewster
You Alone - David Crowder Band
Lead Me To The Cross - Brooke Fraser

I also led the classic service, and we did:

Come Now Is The Time To Worship
Be Thou My Vision
Fairest Lord Jesus
Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King
It Is Well (new version)
Joyous Light
I Stand Amazed

2010 VBS Promo Video

2010-05-12T08:29:00.001-07:00

It was fun putting this promo video together! (And certainly not as time-intensive as last year's video!)

2010 MCC VBS Promo Video from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

The Greatest Leadership Lesson

2010-05-11T10:26:00.001-07:00

The greatest leadership lesson is not learned from a book.

It's not learned from an instructional video.

It's not learned from a peer.

It's not learned by watching TED videos.

It's not learned by sitting at John Maxwell's feet.

It's learned from a shirtless dancing doofus.

Mother's Day Videos

2010-05-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day at MCC, we showed a video that was broken down into three sections. It was neat to hear messages to moms not only from kids, but also from adults.

In case you missed them, here they are:

Mother's Day Video #1 from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Mother's Day Video #2 from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Mothers' Day Video #3 from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Song List - May 9, 2010

2010-05-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

I Am Free - Desperation Band
All We Need - Charlie Hall
Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing) - Brenton Brown
I Will Sing - Matt Boswell
Only You - David Crowder Band

Help For Haiti

2010-05-07T09:54:00.001-07:00

Next Saturday, Miamisburg Christian Church is hosting a Haiti Relief Tour. This is a community event to bag food for Haiti. Invite your family, your friends, neighbors to work a two-hour shift bagging nutritious meals to help hurting people. The cost per person is $40 which pays for all the food, shipping it to Haiti and a cool t-shirt!

You can register by going here. For more details, contact the church office or see our website.

Help For Haiti Video from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Contemporvant

2010-05-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

The below video is so awesome, I'm still laughing at it. Unfortunately, it's also true for a lot of churches. It reminds me of the foundation graphics that I posted in my blog a few years ago about how most churches focus on Sunday morning so much that it becomes the foundation of their church and everything that happens during the week is geared towards the Sunday morning services. If that's our focus, if that's our foundation, then the video is basically what happens. Sunday morning becomes a well-designed show that is all about having people come to church on Sunday morning.

However, if our focus is on the mission that God has called us to, then Sunday morning is important, but it's not the most important thing.

So check out the video - you'll laugh, probably painfully, because you know it's true.

(I've also included the graphics from my past post.)

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

The Prayer of St. Fursey

2010-05-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

The arms of God be around my shoulders,
The touch of the Holy Spirit upon my head,
The sign of Christ's cross upon my forehead,
The sound of the Holy Spirit in my ears,
The fragrance of the Holy Spirit in my nostrils,
The vision of heaven's company in my eyes,
The conversation of heaven's company on my lips,
The work of God's church in my hands,
The service of God and the neighbor in my feet,
A home for God in my heart,
And to God, the father of all, my entire being.
Amen.

Song List - May 2, 2010

2010-05-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Song Of Hope - Robbie Seay Band
Salvation Is Here - Hillsong United
Glory To God Forever - Steve Fee
Jesus Lord Of Heaven - Phil Wickham
Only You - David Crowder Band

AWESOME.

2010-04-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

I do not endorse the comic that inspired this short video, but I do think this video is rather hilarious.

New Love146 Video

2010-04-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

If you want to know what I do for a living, I will tell you that I'm a worship minister.

If you want to know what my calling is, I will tell you that I'm an abolitionist and I work to free child sex slaves from their horrible lives and to help them rediscover their lives as children of God.

Love146 Overview from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

Song List - April 25th, 2010

2010-04-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

Let It Rise - Big Daddy Weave
Love The Lord - Lincoln Brewster
Everyday - Hillsong
God Of This City - Chris Tomlin
It Is Well (new version) - Todd Fields (North Point)

Broken Is Beautiful

2010-04-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

A new video by People Of The Second Chance has come out. I love what this video reminds us. My favorite quote: "You really can't experience happiness until you've experienced pain, because then you are able to compare the difference."

Check it out here:

BROKEN IS BEAUTIFUL from PEOPLE OF THE SECOND CHANCE on Vimeo.

Bittersweet Songs

2010-04-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

In preparing for a memorial service that took place last night, I pulled out of my iTunes songs that I felt were appropriate to play as people were coming in and leaving. What I noticed with these songs was that they were some of my favorites. It made me realize that some of my favorite songs are what I would call "bittersweet" - honest expressions to God through despair and disappointment that ultimately point to God as our hope and the One we cling to in time of need.

Here is the playlist from last night, perhaps some of these songs resonate with you as much as they resonate with me.

The Valley Song - Jars Of Clay
This Road - Jars Of Clay
Healing Is In Your Hands - Christy Nockels (2010 Passion CD called Awakening)
Hymn - Brooke Fraser
Calmer Of The Storm - Downhere
Dear God - Grover Levy
You Hold Me Now - Hillsong United (we do this one at our church)
Still Is My Soul - Jill Phillips
Won't Back Down - Mat Kearney
The Love Of God - Rich Mullins
If I Stand - Rich Mullins
Only Hope - Switchfoot
Be Thou My Vision - Pedro The Lion version
By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North
Hold My Heart - Tenth Avenue North
O God Where Are You Now - Sufjan Stevens (David Crowder version)

Song List - April 18, 2010

2010-04-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

I was reminded yesterday that I hadn't posted the song list from this past week (I'm glad someone still reads this blog!), so here it is:

All To You - Lincoln Brewster
Your Grace Is Enough - Matt Maher (Chris Tomlin version)
Enough - Chris Tomlin
Draw Me Close - Kelly Carpenter
It Is Well (New Version) - North Point Community Church (Todd Fields)

We also showed a great video from Dan Stevers that used the song "Broken" by Lifehouse. Here is the video:

J.R. Smith's Alley Oop Dunk

2010-04-17T10:47:00.003-07:00

How this dunk didn't make the NBA.com's Top Ten List of the Year is beyond me, but it is certainly amazing:

Song List - April 11, 2010

2010-04-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

Salvation Is Here - Hillsong United
Sing Sing Sing - Chris Tomlin
Glorious One - Steve Fee
You Alone - David Crowder
Here I Am To Worship - Tim Hughes

Avs Clinch A Playoff Spot!

2010-04-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

Song List - Easter (April 4, 2010)

2010-04-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

We had a great Easter - lots of people, lots of craziness! We added another service to the mix, which was a bridge between contemporary and traditional (it was called Celebration)

Celebration Service:

My Redeemer Lives - Hillsong
I Am Free - Jon Egan
Come Thou Fount Come Thou King - Gateway
Mighty To Save - Hillsong
It Is Well (new version) - Todd Fields

Contemporary Service:

Happy Day - Tim Hughes (Fee version)
Song Of Hope - Robbie Seay Band
Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle
Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill

We also did I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin as a special in all three services.

The Choice

2010-03-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

I'm not much of a traditionalist by any means, but there is one tradition during the weeks leading up to Easter that I try and follow each year: reading through the book Reliving The Passion by Walt Wangerin Jr. He's the guy who wrote the short story Ragman, and I recommend pretty much all of his books. But especially his devotional book about the Passion of Jesus. Each chapter is a day of Lent, and he does an incredible job of putting different thoughts and words together concerning the last week of Jesus.

I'm behind in my readings, so I'm trying to catch up, and one chapter I read last night really hit me for some reason, so I thought I would share.

---
The Twenty-Third Day
Monday

Mark 15:6-11
Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he was wont to do for them. And he answered them, Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.

Behold the people! Though they think themselves the force of the morning, in charge of things (by virtue of their numbers and their noise), they are in fact being put to a test which shall reveal the truth beneath their words, the reality beneath their self-assumptions and all their pretense.

Behold the nature of the breed!

A crowd has gathered at the Praetorium, a rabble, an obstreperous delegation of Judeans whose presence complicates Pilate's inclination to release Jesus. These crowds are volatile. Instead of a simple release, then, a choice is offered the people. Let the people feel in charge; let the people decide. The Governor will, according to a traditional Passover amnesty, free one prisoner. Which will it be -

Jesus of Nazareth? - whom they have falsely accused of treason against the Empire?
Or Barabbas? - treasonous in fact, one who committed murder for the cause?

If they choose the latter, their loyalties to the Empire (which Jesus is supposed to have offended) are revealed a vile sham, and these are no more than temporizing hypocrites, pretending any virtue to satisfy a private end.

But the Governor will release only one prisoner. Which will it be?

Jesus - who is the Son of the Father, who is the Kingdom of God come near unto them?
Or Barabbas - whose name means "the son of a (human) father," flesh itself, the fleshly pretensions to god-like, personal power in the kingdoms of the world?

This, precisely, is the timeless choice of humankind.

If they choose the latter, they choose humanity over divinity. They choose one who will harm them over one who would heal them.

If they choose Barabbas, they choose the popular revolutionary hero, the swashbuckler, the pirate, merry Robin Hood, the blood-lusty rake, the law-flout, violence glorified, appetites satisfied, James Bond, Billy Jack, Clint Eastwood, Rambo, the celebrated predator, the one who "turns them on," over one who asks them to "deny themselves and die." They choose (voluntarily!) entertainment over worship, self-satisfaction over sacrificial love, getting things over giving things, being served over serving, "feeling good about myself" and having it all and gaining the whole world and rubbing elbows with the rich rather than rubbing the wounds of the poor -

The choice is before them. And they think the choice is external, this man or that man. In fact, the choice is terribly internal: this nature or that one, good folks or people essentially selfish and evil, therefore. It's an accurate test of their character. How they choose is who they are.

Behold a people in desperate need of forgiveness.

---

Wake Up - Arcade Fire

2010-03-22T07:15:00.001-07:00

I've heard this song before. Many times. And I don't know if it's because it's in the trailer for Where The Wild Things Are, or if it's played every day at the end of the Dan Patrick Show, but for some reason, now...just now...it's becoming my favorite song.

The first minute needs to be my ringtone, gotta make that happen.

Set List - March 21, 2010

2010-03-22T07:09:00.001-07:00

Salvation Is Here - Hillsong United
Glory To God Forever - Steve Fee
Everything - Tim Hughes
You Hold Me Now - Hillsong United
God Of This City - Chris Tomlin

Announcement Video - March 21, 2010

2010-03-22T06:17:00.001-07:00

If you've never been to a Bass Pro Shop, you need to check it out! We were treated so well there as we filmed our announcement video, it was great!

032110 announcement video from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Set List - March 14, 2010

2010-03-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

Salvation Is Here (A) - Hillsong United
Everlasting God (Bb) - Lincoln Brewster
God Of Wonders (Bb) - City On A Hill
Wonderful Maker (C) - Chris Tomlin
Hungry (C) - Kathryn Scott

St. Patrick As Told By Veggietales

2010-03-17T06:44:00.001-07:00

I don't think this is exactly how it happened, but Veggie Tales does a good job of explaining the life story of St. Patrick, as told through a puppet with an Indian voice...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I've been attacked by Glenn Beck!

2010-03-10T19:38:00.001-08:00

First, Beck railed this week against churches who preach "social justice." Now he's attacking individual church leaders, including me!

March 7, 2010 Message Bumper

2010-03-10T13:24:00.001-08:00

March 7 2010 Message Bumper from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Song List - March 7, 2010

2010-03-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

The asterisked songs were only done during the first hour, since we had Girl Scout Sunday and two baptisms second hour.

Sing Sing Sing - Chris Tomlin
* Not To Us - Chris Tomlin
Mighty To Save - Hillsong
* Lead Me To The Cross - Hillsong United
Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill

My Daughter and Other Girl Scouts Do The Announcements.

2010-03-08T20:07:00.001-08:00

How awesome is this video? Very awesome.

March 7 Announcement Video from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Earthquake In Chile Affects A Brother In Christ

2010-03-03T20:05:00.001-08:00

Raul Concha is a chaplain at Sycamore Hospital, only a mile away from my church. We see Raul almost every month at our Miamisburg Ministerial Association meeting, except for the past month, because he was on vacation in his home country of Chile. Yes, that same country that was just devastated by an earthquake. Thankfully, Raul left the day before the earthquake hit, and his family is okay as well, but we need to continue to pray for his family, that they can get water and other necessities, as well as the people of Chile who are now beginning to rebuild their homes and lives after this massive earthquake.

Here is a local news story on Raul and his family.

My Favorite YouTube Videos

2010-03-03T06:58:00.000-08:00

After I clicked on a link that brought me to another really funny YouTube video, it made me think, what are my favorites of all times from the YouTube world? Well, here's what I came up with:

- Russian Man "Sings"

This is the one that was sent to me today.

- John Daker

- Omazing Grace

- O Holy Night

- Praise Brothers

- Kid Hits His Head On Counter

- Reporter Gets Hit By Snow Tube

- News Anchors Laugh At Model Falling Down

I'm sure there are more, but that's a good start.

02/28/10 Relationslips Bumper #4

2010-03-01T11:48:00.001-08:00

One more to go...

Relationslips Message Bumper #4 - 02/28/10 from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Miamisburg Christian Church 2009 Recap Video

2010-02-26T11:34:00.003-08:00

I like how this turned out. It was a lot of effort, but fun to do!

Miamisburg Christian Church 2009 Recap Video from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Song List - February 21, 2010

2010-02-24T07:28:00.000-08:00

Glorious One - Steve Fee
Famous One - Chris Tomlin
I Will Sing - Matt Boswell
We Crown You - Steve Fee
How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin

Message Bumper - February 21, 2010

2010-02-22T07:26:00.000-08:00

February 21 2010 Message Bumper from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Song List - February 14, 2010

2010-02-15T07:14:00.001-08:00

I have decided to get rid of the blog that I have for church, and just have it link to this one. It's hard enough to keep track of one blog, let alone three (I have another blog about human trafficking here.)

Of course, on my "work" blog, I really only posted what we did the Sunday before, because I had some people at church ask what the songs were after we did them. So, this will now be an addition to this blog as well.

02/14/10

Cannons - Phil Wickham
Everyday - Hillsong
Holy Is The Lord - Chris Tomlin
Everything - Tim Hughes
How He Loves - David Crowder Band version (special music)

Message Bumper - February 14, 2010

2010-02-15T07:10:00.000-08:00

We're in this message series called "Relationslips" and I thought it would be fun to put together four bumper videos to coincide with each week's theme. This last week's one was much better than the week before (although I didn't have much time to do it, being in Savannah and all). I'm already starting to think about what next week's is going to look like.

February 14 2010 Message Bumper from Miamisburg Christian Church on Vimeo.

Letting Go Of "The Dream Job"

2010-02-11T11:15:00.000-08:00

I was talking with one of my fellow staff members here at MCC, and somehow the subject of our dream jobs, i.e. dream ministry positions came up. We both had good stories.

For him, in the early 90's he had the opportunity to be the student minister at a church in Huntington Beach, CA - which would have been a great ministry, I know the church and the town well - but he and his wife decided that since they had young kids, the beach wasn't the best place for their kids to grow up.

My dream opportunity happened when I was in Dallas as a student minister there. My wife and I knew that although we liked the church a lot and had some great times there, it just wasn't a good fit for us (or for them, really), and so I started putting out some feelers to see what was out there. And then I found it: an open youth ministry position at a church in Steamboat Springs, CO. This church had an incredible retreat facility that my home church, when I was youth minister there, took great advantage of. (the above picture is of a fall retreat at that retreat center) If you know me, you also know that growing up I wanted to become a ski instructor and as a matter of fact was able to do so for a couple of years before going to college.

This youth ministry position had everything I wanted: (1) it was in a ski town. (2) it had an incredible facility. (3) I would have hung out with ski bums like myself.

I applied for the position, went out there to interview, and waited (im)patiently for them to call me and tell me I was hired. The call came, but it was to tell me that I was #2, and they had hired the #1 guy. I was extremely upset, to say the least.

In my conversations with fellow ministers, I've noticed that it seems like most of us don't settle down in one place for long. Back in the day, a minister would stay at a church for a lifetime. Of course, back in the day as well, our fathers would stay at their job for forty years. It isn't that way any more. Even if we're happy at our position, we have an eye open for the next big opportunity, the next happening church, the "dream job".

I'm done with that. Experience has taught me well, and it hasn't been an easy lesson to take. God is calling His workers to grow roots and thrive where He has planted them. I love my church, and although I haven't been there long, I've decided that my dream job is where God has me now. I get to work with some incredible men and women of God, both on staff, and those who volunteer. Our eldership takes care of its staff and has our backs. I'm ready to develop roots and grow where God has planted me.

Blake's Story

2010-01-27T05:56:00.001-08:00

Well, here is my first post of the new year. I thought I would start posting more often, but it's actually been less often. Oops!

Here is a testimony by a pastor named Blake. I don't personally know Blake, but we do have a couple of things in common:

1) I was the youth pastor at my home church for six and a half years. Blake was the youth pastor at my home church a few years after me.

2) I was deeply hurt by some things that took place at my home church. Blake was also deeply hurt by the church as well.

I have heard things have gotten better, but this church is known for eating up youth ministers and spitting them back out alive, but barely. In fact, in the ten years since I've been there, that church has gone through I think seven youth ministers.

Blake's testimony hit home with me. I'm sure that everyone can find some similarities with their own stories.

God's Restoration in Ministry Burnout from Anne Jackson on Vimeo.

Albums I Enjoyed In 2009

2009-12-29T06:09:00.001-08:00

Well, here comes all the year-end best of lists. I've decided this year not to rank my favorites of 2009, but just list them out. Here are the albums I enjoyed the most in 2009:

U2 - No Line On The Horizon

Sherwood - Qu

David Crowder Band - Church Music

Silversun Pickups - Swoon

Phil Danyew - Danyew EP

Jars Of Clay - Long Fall Back To Earth

Paper Route - Absence

Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane

Owl City - Ocean Eyes

Weezer - Raditude

Phil Wickham - Heaven and Earth

Kristian Stanfill - Attention

I Fought The Law...

2009-12-22T13:15:00.000-08:00

So every once in awhile in my life I've been kind of hounded by law enforcement. Sometimes it's my fault, sometimes it isn't. I guess it's time for it to happen again, because I received a ticket on my car for "expired plates." The interesting thing is that the tags say they expire Dec-09 which to me means they're good until the end of December. But oh no, not in the state of Ohio. It means they're good until your birthday, which in my case is December 3rd. I of course didn't know this because I don't know anyone in law enforcement, and the government did not send me anything letting me know that this new law had taken effect.

It reminds me of my last run-in, when I lived in Dallas and I received a letter saying my license was going to be suspended because of something that happened in Arizona. So I called Arizona and after several tries, I finally found out that I had a ticket in Mississippi that I never paid for, so they were suspending a license I never had in Arizona which meant that Texas was going to suspend my Texas license.

I have never been to Mississippi. I wonder if it was the Owl City guy back then? Because now I get confused with him, so maybe he messed my life up back then. Of course he would have only been like thirteen or fourteen or something like that. But it could have happened.

After paying a fine for something I didn't do, my license was reinstated and it was all good.

The time before that, I was interning in Arizona and couldn't get back to Colorado to renew my license because I was having brain surgery. Guess what happened when I got back to Colorado? The police had set up one of those drunk driving stops where they pull everyone to the side of the road to make sure no one is drunk. I wasn't drunk, but I did have an expired license. So I had to call my grandparents to come and get me, because my explanation, even showing the officer my shaved head and my scar, didn't get me anywhere.

So I wonder what will happen when I go to court to fight this ticket? The law will win, and I will be out 150 bucks. Merry Christmas to me.

Is Social Media A Fad?

2009-12-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Kem Meyer's blog, I found a very interesting video on social media. I'm thinking about the possible ramifications social media has on the church and how we do things and "market" ourselves, but for now, here's just the video.

REVIEW:The Search For God And Guinness

2009-11-24T06:34:00.000-08:00

So I'm part of this cool "we'll give you a free book if you post a review in your blog" dealy-o with Thomas Nelson Publishers. The first book I picked was something that immediately piqued my interest - a book about the Guinness brewery. It has been a dream of mine for some time to take a trip to Ireland, and one of the places I would definitely visit is the place where Guinness is brewed. I don't drink very often - and at my latest position, I had to sign something that stated I wouldn't - but I've always liked the way Guinness tasted and have had a few of them in my life.

It's interesting because a few months ago I was having a "conversation" online on a message board about a story I had heard concerning Guinness - that the founder of Guinness looked around his Dublin neighborhoods and saw fathers who were drinking away their money rather than spending it on their families, so he decided to create a drink that would be good for them, be filling so that they only spent a little on alcohol and that they would support their families. The problem in this conversation was determining the validity of this story: googling it produced nothing, so we assumed that since we couldn't find any sources denying it, that it must be true.

It's not. That's one of the first things you discover reading The Search For God And Guinness. Which for me was kind of disappointing; after all, we all love good stories, especially those heart-warming stories about incredible people (not to mention it's always a good thing when you can find some justification for drinking a beer: "Hey, I'm drinking Guinness because it will fill me up and I won't spend as much money on beer.")

However, The Search For God And Guinness is a fascinating tale of the Guinness brewery and the family who founded it: starting with Arthur Guinness, who was quite the man. Although generations of the Guinness family grew the company to what it is today (a beer empire), it was Arthur Guinness' vision that started the whole ball rolling.

To me, one of the most fascinating aspects of Guinness was the way from the beginning the company took care of its employees. These days (well, maybe not so much "these days", since a lot of companies are cutting health care benefits and other things because of the economy, so let's say "in recent times"), we take it for granted that a company would want to take care of those who work for it, but back in the early days of Guinness, that was a rarity. Arthur Guinness understood that if he wanted his employees to work hard and be loyal to his company, he had to provide them with benefits that would keep them happy and their families taken care of.

Guinness also not only cared for its own employees, but also for the community around the brewery. Arthur Guinness started the first Sunday School program for kids in Dublin, which showed how religion played an important part in his life. Several of the Guinness family throughout the ages have decided to forgo the brewery business to enter in the ministry, and church was a staple in most of the Guinness families' lives.

Another fascinating part of this book was the description of the life of Dr. John Lumsden, who was brought on board as the chief medical officer. Lumsden was a man of deep conviction and compassion and helped improved not only the lives of the Guinness worker and family, but also the lives of the underprivileged and poor of Dublin. He was the one who urged the Guinness brewery to champion the cause of the poor and needy. The amazing thing was not only the compassion of this man, but also that the leaders of Guinness decided to do it! From the book:

It is a tribute to the enduring benevolence of the Guinness firm that the board that convened in 1901 was eager to follow Dr. Lumsden's suggestions. It might have been otherwise...They might have felt themselves bullied and manipulated by this upstart, this fresh-faced young doctor with his novel ideas of corporate duties to the poor...instead, they threw themselves into the vision Lumsden had set.

Lumsden offered nine suggestions for improving workers' lives:

1. Technical education for the younger generation
2. Popular lectures of educational value
3. A program of athletics and exercise
4. Literature encouraging hygiene and the prevention of disease
5. Courses in cooking for mothers and young women
6. Education regarding the feeding of infants
7. Recreational opportunities in the form of concerts or social
8. Opportunities for management and laborers to meet and socialize
9. Housing

Like most biography type books, there were certain sections that I felt were a little too detailed, but for the most part The Search For God And Guinness kept me intrigued throughout the book. Here were two issues that I think resonated with me the most:

1. Corporate Responsibility

In today's age, with all of the corporate scandals and greed, and the ever-increasing gap between the CEO and the workers under that CEO, it's refreshing to read about a company who cared for the well-being and development of its workers over making money. We all understand that a company's main focus is to make money, no one is debating that. But to make money at the "expense" of the workers who are making it happen is a travesty. Now, I know that there are many "secular" companies who are doing good things for their workers, and good things for the community and such - however, we mostly only read about the "bad stories", after all bad sells (Enron-World Com-nameyourmessedupcompanyhere). However, I believe a generation is being raised up right now of people who are demanding that companies exist for more than just the bottom line: the almight dollar. And they aren't just demanding it, they are using their buying power to make changes. I think we will see this movement grow throughout the next decade, and it would be beneficial for corporations to look in the past and see what the Guinness brewery did and emulate their corporate responsibility code.

2. The Divide Between "Secular" and "Sacred"

Guinness helped break down the wall between secular and sacred by showing that a person didn't have to be a minister or a missionary to make a difference spiritually in the lives of people. Good things can happen outside of the walls of a church, it can even happen inside a brewery (gasp!). Stephen Mansfield, the author, showed his distaste of other biographies on Guinness, because too often they branched the Guinness family into three groups: the brewery Guinness family, the banking Guinness family, and the God-following Guinness family. To do so, argues Mansfield, is to lessen the impact that the other branches (brewery and banking) had spiritually as well. This type of thinking is one of the reasons why we as ministers feel like we have to do everything in a church: because our people don't recognize (either because we've told them or because that's their expectation) that no matter what they do as a career, it can be used for God.

I really enjoyed this book and it gave me new appreciation for the lasting impact a company, even a brewery, can have on the world. My hope and prayer is that we will see more companies take the example of Guinness and show more corporate responsibility towards its employees and the community around it.

Three Halloweens.

2009-11-19T07:27:00.001-08:00

I have to admit, I haven't really even thought about my blog in more than a month. It's been hard finding time to write down thoughts, let alone think them! Hopefully I'll be able to spend more time here in the next few weeks as 2009 winds down. I'm sure at least one new post will be a reflection on this past year and how crazy it has been. On Halloween, I thought about the last three October 31sts and how different each one was:

10/31/07 - On the very day of Halloween, I had sent out my resignation letter to the elders and staff of the church I was working at in Springboro to let them know that I had accepted an opportunity to plant a church in my home state of Colorado. I remember I was a little nervous about going trick or treating in a certain neighborhood because I wasn't sure if I was going to run into one of the staff or elders and didn't know if they received the letter or not. I didn't really want to have one of those awkward conversations while my daughter was wanting to get more candy from other houses. Thankfully it didn't happen. I remember being very excited about the chance to return "home," if you will. I had regretted leaving Colorado when we did in 2000, and I thought this was a chance to stay in Colorado for the rest of my life. Little did I know that on...

10/31/08 - I was planning on moving back to Ohio. 2008 was even wackier than this year was. We moved back to Colorado and the entire year we were there, we never felt any stability or reassurance that we were supposed to be there. By the time Halloween had rolled around, we had decided to move back. Our house had never sold, my position at the church plant had been reduced to part time, and to be honest we were discouraged because we wrongly assumed that we would be welcomed back to Colorado with open arms. We wrongly assumed that the people whose lives we had touched and impacted over the years we served at my home church in Colorado would be interested in us being back and would want to help support us - if not financially, at least by encouraging us. That did not happen for the most part. And yes, I am still bitter and trying to let that go. The night of Halloween I was with my brother because my family was already back in Ohio, so we ended up going to a U2 tribute band concert, which took my mind off what I had been struggling with during the time (besides the bitterness I just mentioned). I was moving back without knowing what I was going to be doing. I was getting burned out on ministry and churches, so I wasn't sure if that's what I wanted to continue doing. I was angry and confused.

10/31/09 - A year later, I can look back and see God's plan, at least part of it. I still don't fully understand why we moved away from Ohio, but we have seen God bring us through this year with much blessing and we are thankful to be back where we are supposed to be, in Ohio. We got to move back into the house we love. Our family got to be back together again (we were apart for 5 months in late 2007/2008). We found a great church to do ministry in again. We were able to reconnect with many of our friends we had developed relationships with in Ohio. Through generous people here in Ohio, as well as a family member, we survived not having a job for four months relatively unscathed (although we are still feeling the financial effects of paying for most of our ministry expenses in Colorado with our own credit card and then only getting reimbursed for a fourth of it, which was not what was promised).

Three Halloweens. Three entirely different situations. We have learned our lesson and are growing roots where God has planted us - here in Ohio. We look forward to another year of stability and growth.

Advent Conspiracy

2009-11-19T07:25:00.001-08:00

I love the above graphic - it illustrates how we have turned a special day to honor the birth of Jesus into a marketing tool to buy a lot of crap we don't need.

For more information on Advent Conspiracy, go here.

Forgotten God

2009-10-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

Forgotten God Widget testgreat free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

I cannot wait...

2009-10-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

to see this movie. I loved the book as a kid. I love Spike Jonze. I can't wait.