Randomness

I saw a church whose permanent sign had the church's name and the line underneath said...
"Fundamental-Independent-Old Fashioned-KJV"
must be an interesting place...


Found a website... If you want to find out where free wi-fi is available in your city, go to this site.


Like I said........ random today

Home repairs and risotto

We've been very blessed to have several days without the kids to focus on our last home repairs in prep for selling our house. Our old carpet and water heater are now in the dump and the last big building materials are now in the house. We also got the trickiest part of the house (high above the stairs) painted plus misc other things. Thanks Mom and Dad for keeping the kids for us!

On Friday night I tried making risotto. I had seen the recipe on food network... looked good. It's an italian rice dish. Arborio rice, chicken stock, butter, onion, cheese. it turned out pretty good along with some chicken fried in a little EVOO and garlic. (I love saying EVOO... that's what they say on the Food Network :) I might make risotto again but it wasn't THAT amazing... of course that may have been the cook's fault.

twitter is TOO much

I love online community, but www.twitter.com is TMI... not as in too personal, but TMI as in information overload... and boring!

But hey, I joined anyway. So... if I devote my life to posting mini-posts on twitter you can know what I'm doing at any moment of the day.

follow allentexas at http://twitter.com

The Tipping Point

I'm finally getting around to reading "The Tipping Point". I should have read it the moment it came out. Fascinating! Now, I just need to figure out how to best apply it.

If you want to make a serious impact in the world or if you just like learning more about how the human mind works, this book is for you.

New verse whatever

For anyone who is still following this... here is this obvious rest of the story. I stopped at about 2:6... will pick it up again hopefully when my life calms down. (or maybe that would HELP my life calm down) .... anyway.

Add the next verse, Ephesians 2:9.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write out Eph 2:9 on your 3x5 card with verses 1-8 or add a second 3x5 card if needed.
2) Read through verse 2:9 several times and try to get where you can say it once today without looking.
3) Say verses 2:1-8 with our new verse, 2:9, a few times today trying not to look (but it's ok if you do look today). This helps reinforce our prior verses as we work on our new verse.

Add the next verse, Ephesians 2:10.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write out Eph 2:10 on your 3x5 card with verses 1-9 or add a second 3x5 card if needed.
2) Read through verse 2:10 several times and try to get where you can say it once today without looking.
3) Say verses 2:1-9 with our new verse, 2:10, a few times today trying not to look (but it's ok if you do look today). This helps reinforce our prior verses as we work on our new verse.

What is it with my kids and mannequins?

My kids are always fascinated with mannequins.





If you notice Alex behind... he's probably more fascinated than he should be.

New Verse Thursday

For those memorizing Eph 2:1-10, this is New Verse Thursday.

Today we'll add the next verse, Ephesians 2:8.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write out Eph 2:8 on your 3x5 card with verses 1-7 or add a second 3x5 card if needed.
2) Read through verse 2:8 several times and try to get where you can say it once today without looking.
3) Say verses 2:1-7 with our new verse, 2:8, a few times today trying not to look (but it's ok if you do look today). This helps reinforce our prior verses as we work on our new verse.


1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

Memorizing

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2.


TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:8 on "New Verse Thursday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:7 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-6 together with 2:7 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-6 while learning 2:7.

New Verse Monday... on Tuesday

For those memorizing Eph 2:1-10, this is New Verse Monday... on Tuesday.

Today we'll add the next verse, Ephesians 2:7.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write out Eph 2:7 on your 3x5 card with verses 1-6 or add a second 3x5 card if needed.
2) Read through verse 2:7 several times and try to get where you can say it once today without looking.
3) Say verses 2:1-6 with our new verse, 2:7, a few times today trying not to look (but it's ok if you do look today). This helps reinforce our prior verses as we work on our new verse.


1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Together with all the saints

I've been familiar with this passage for along time and I at one time even wrote a song about it. But, I had missed the importance of one key phrase.

Eph 3:17-19
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

I guess I had thought "together with all the saints" meant "together as the global body of Christ, with all its races and ethnicities in congregations all over the world." That's fine for all over the world, but what about the people of different ethnicities just down the street?

I've come to believe that we can "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ" better when we are actually sitting in a room "together with all the saints".

Wal-Mart is the place for moving boxes

Just got back from Wal-Mart. It's a pain to have to go there after midnight, but man you can get good boxes quickly as they are stocking the shelves. I just loaded up on the cereal aisle. General Mills boxes are kind of weak... they have a hole on the top and bottom. Kellogg's, on the other hand, now those are some boxes. Can you tell I'm getting excited about this move?

Turkey Tip

Wait! Before you cook the turkey tomorrow! If you always wish the white meat were more moist, consider cooking your turkey upside-down so that the dark meat juices run down through the breast meat. Yum!

OR...

Maybe you are more the tofu-based tofurky type... NOT ME!!

Heading for Atlanta

I'm heading for Atlanta tomorrow morning through Tuesday night to shoot a video. Should be fun, but we've got a really tight schedule for shoots all over the Atlanta metro area. I won't have a computer with me so I'll talk to you again on Wednesday.

Memorizing - Am I the only one behind?????

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2.

I'm still behind... Let's keep reviewing through verse six. I want to catch up and I intend too!!!

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:7 in a week on "New Verse Monday" since "New Verse Thursday" will be on Thanksgiving Day.
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:6 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-5 together with 2:6 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-5 while learning 2:6.

Wow... IM'ing with Los over the Pacific Ocean

I was just IM'ing with Los while he is over the Pacific Ocean on a Korean Air flight traveling to pick up his newly adopted son. Our internet connectness these days always amazes me.

Pray for Los and Heather.

Be praying for Los and family

Please be praying for my blog friend, Los, and his family. They leave tomorrow morning for Korea to pick up and bring home their adopted baby son.

It was cool... they had a prayer time at their home in California tonight. I joined in from Texas and IM'd in some prayers for them. I love the internet.

New Verse Thursday

For those memorizing Eph 2:1-10 with me, this is New Verse Thursday.

Today we'll add the next verse, Ephesians 2:6.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write out Eph 2:6 on your 3x5 card with verses 1-5.
2) Read through verse 2:6 several times and try to get where you can say it once today without looking.
3) Say verses 2:1-5 with our new verse, 2:6, a few times today trying not to look (but it's ok if you do look today). This helps reinforce our prior verses as we work on our new verse.

Ephesians 2
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Our Big Announcement!

For many years, God has been growing our hearts for worshiping and growing spiritually in the company of diverse people. We are very excited to begin to live out this desire of doing local church with all people. After several months of searching, praying, listening, and thinking, we have been "officially" invited and have accepted the invitation to join the staff of Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, an intentionally multiethnic church in Little Rock.

First, Mosaic is about reconciling people to God through Jesus Christ. But, secondarily, they are about being a local church body that is ethnically and economically diverse. In heaven, people from every nation will be worshiping together. Through working with Mosaic, we'll be helping to make that a reality "on earth as it is in heaven".

One difference from this and most other church jobs is that we'll be raising our own support like a missionary would. This is the normal mode of operation for staff who are joining Mosaic. Mosaic is a relatively new church, but it has grown quickly. Because of this growth, there is a need for more staff and leadership. Since Mosaic reaches a diverse population of new Christ-followers and not-yet-Christ-followers, the financial resources just are not there to support the things that need to be done. Mosaic isn't satisfied to simply exist as a small multiethnic body. It has the vision to do excellent ministry with people from all walks of life and all economic backgrounds and to propel forward the movement of multiethnic churches. Because our family is seeking support from our connections outside of Mosaic Church, we'll be able to work as a part of this ministry without being a drain on the finances of that local body. The multiethnic church movement is in its infancy and, like any new mission, requires support from the outside to sustain and grow.

We'll be building a team of people to support us financially as we work under Mosaic's leadership. We are excited about this support-raising aspect. We see these supporters as partners and co-laborers with us in this ministry which we believe is dear to the heart of God.

In the next few days we'll be setting up a family website and blog. We'll be sharing our heart for multiethnic ministry, our progress toward moving to Little Rock, and about our impact once we get there. Our site will also be the hub for our support-raising and for pastoring/informing our support team.

We hope to find financial backing relatively quickly, so that our work at Mosaic can begin by Feb 1, 2007 in time to help prepare for the church's 5 year anniversary.

Please pray with us about these requests as we begin this journey...
1. That our house will sell quickly and for a great price
2. That our support team will be raised up swiftly
3. That God will order our steps...so that we are not overwhelmed with all that has to happen in the next few months
4. That God will continue to provide for our family financially as we wait for our move to Little Rock.

Thanks for reading and praying!
Allen

Alex's 6th Birthday

I usually take my kids out for a one-on-one birthday lunch with dad on their birthdays. Since we were traveling on Alex's birthday on Thursday, we went to birthday dinner instead.

First, we went to CiCi's.


Alex listening to something with his new spy gadget...


Who wouldn't like seeing the whites in the bottom of Alex's eyes? Move that teleprompter lower!! (ok... that's an inside joke)


Then we went to Northpoint Mall to let him spend his birthday money from his aunt at a cool toy store (well... after he climbed on the sculpture)

Half way there

See this great post on using graphics to convey your point.

Memorizing - getting back on track

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2.

I'm still behind on this after my crazy week last week. Let's keep reviewing through verse five and add a new verse on Thursday.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:6 on "New Verse Thursday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:5 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-4 together with 2:5 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-4 while learning 2:5.

Very tough week

Man... this has been quite a week. We are close to a new ministry opportunity coming together in Little Rock, Arkansas and I think the enemy is taking notice. We are being hit on several sides personally as we get closer to finalizing that decision. So many doubts, fears, pains, great stresses, questions all surfacing at once. Awful...

I'm just trying to keep my eyes on what we are called to do and trying to do one thing at a time to knock through the barriers to doing it.

Gwen and others... needless to say, I'm behind on memorizing. Let's take a breather over the weekend and we'll start another run at it on Monday.


Please pray for us.

New Verse Tuesday

Sorry I missed posting on what should have been New Verse Monday... shot video all day Monday.

Anyway...

For those memorizing Eph 2:1-10 with me, this is New Verse Tuesday.

Today we'll add the next verse, Ephesians 2:5.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write out Eph 2:5 on your 3x5 card with verses 1-4.
2) Read through verse 2:5 several times and try to get where you can say it once today without looking.
3) Say verses 2:1-4 with our new verse, 2:5, a few times today trying not to look (but it's ok if you do look today). This helps reinforce our prior verses as we work on our new verse.

Ephesians 2
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Big week coming up!

Monday and Tuesday will be big video shoots for some freelance work I'm doing.
Wednesday will be a meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas to discern whether I should come on staff with a church there.
Thursday we'll be back to Texas for more video work.
Friday will be video work and Alex's 6th birthday party.

Please pray for us for efficiency, safe travel, clarity, and wisdom as we work this week and as we talk with the church in Arkansas.

Ephesians dos:quatro - Do you know it yet?

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:5 on "New Verse Monday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:4 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-3 together with 2:4 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-3 while learning 2:4.

Online Photo/Video Montage Maker

I'm testing out an online tool I heard about...www.onetruemedia.com

these are some pix from the recent multiethnic church conference Debbie and I attended...

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

My wife the baker

Deb has been experimenting for a while to make great bread in an old bread machine. Usually it tastes good but often the loaf is kind of short and many times the top looks like Tegucigalpa, Honduras (bowled out city with encircling mountains). This always reminds me of the time my Namaw (my grandma) made an angel food cake, which we all made fun of, that looked like a nuclear reactor's cooling tower.



Anyway... today's bread machine bread was the best yet. Thanks Deb for all you are doing to help us eat healthy and at the same time save money.

Pumpkin Pix 2006

We found this little photo spot outside of grandma's home...

Saturday walk to a new coffee shop

Today the kids and I walked to a new local independent coffee and donut shop. Unlike the non-independent shops it has real handcrafted art, live music sometimes, and FREE internet. It's a nice long walk for the kids... about 1.5 miles.









Debbie drove and met us there... (I could make fun of her for that... but since she's worked out SO much more than me lately I think I'd better keep my mouth shut)

How to memorize anything fast

PRACTICE!!!!!

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:5 on "New Verse Monday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:4 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-3 together with 2:4 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-3 while learning 2:4.

What is "pissed"?

That's, sadly, the question I got from my eight-year-old daughter near the end of the last episode as we watched "The Biggest Loser" this week. You can't watch much of evening TV these days (even a silly reality show about losing weight) without having to counsel your kids.

Why does our language in this culture have to keep degrading? Where will it end? How can we as adults set a high standard for cleanness in our kids' language when we feel our own language slipping?

The most creative blog post I've seen

Check out this creative post I saw.

Thank God for love and mercy

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2.

Think about it... the God of the universe, the creator of all, the one who could get fed up with us and wipe us out in an instant instead has decided to have great love for us in his rich mercy.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:5 on "New Verse Monday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:4 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-3 together with 2:4 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-3 while learning 2:4.

Here's the text are are learning so far...

Ephesians 2
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

Everyone needs a big but

For those memorizing Eph 2:1-10 with me, this is New Verse Thursday.

Today we'll add the next verse, Ephesians 2:4. In verses 2:1-3 we concentrated on how we used to be dead in sin, how we had an evil spirit working in us, how we followed sinful desires and thoughts, how we were objects of wrath.

Verse 2:4 turns the corner and begins to show God's great love and mercy.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write out Eph 2:4 on your 3x5 card underneath verses 1, 2, and 3.
2) Read through verse 2:4 several times and try to get where you can say it once today without looking.
3) Say verses 2:1-3 with our new verse, 2:4, a few times today trying not to look (but it's ok if you do look today). This helps reinforce our prior verses as we work on our new verse.

Ephesians 2
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

Memorizing - Practice Day

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:4 tomorrow on "New Verse Thursday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:3 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-2 together with 2:3 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-2 while learning 2:3.

Here goes my try without looking...

As for you, you were dead in you trangressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit that is at work in those who are disobedient. All of us have lived among them at some time, gratifying the cravings of the sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

Close but no cigar!

Keep working and I will too!!

Tomorrow with verse 4 we turn the corner with a big "but".

Reunion Church

I said a little about Reunion Church yesterday but I wanted to say some more.

I think that is a beautiful group of people.

1. They are so friendly; when people have decided to defer to others and to intentionally reach out to people of all races, classes, backgrounds you naturally have a very warm congregation.
2. They interact authentically every Sunday as they pass a mic around the congregation to hear praises and prayer needs. (This is a large theater with probably 200 in attendance.) One lady praises God that her nephew is feeling better, a man tells of his car accident and how God is getting glory through the trial, a couple announces thev've set their wedding date. It's raw and real and up-to-the-minute.
3. The meet-and-greet time is 7 minutes long so that everyone can get to know new people and catch up with friends
4. Their pastor is truly blown away at what God has done for him personally in saving him and it shows
5. After the service I was standing in the hallway with my parents while Debbie went to get the kids. Evidently my mom must have not looked overly happy because an African-American woman wearing a very happy face came up to her and said "Oh honey...honey... SMILE!" and gave her a kiss on the cheek and a hug".

Ministry to people of diverse ethnicity, age, and socio-economic level is hard. It is messy. It is an attitude of constant service to others instead of constant comfort for self.

But, it is right. It is fun. It is interesting. It is life-giving. I was alive in church yesterday.

Memorizing - NO New Verse Monday!!

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2. I know I'M behind and it's fine sometimes to take a break to catch up.

So........

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll wait and add Eph 2:4 on "New Verse Thursday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:3 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-2 together with 2:3 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-2 while learning 2:3.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom or the air. then... ummmmm... something about all the bad stuff we've done with our yucky sinful nature.

AAAAAAAAA!!! I've got to work on this! I'll know it by tomorrow.

Stoked

We heard a great message today at Reunion Church. The talk was called "Stoked"... as in "are you stoked about your relationship with God?" Sometimes we can feel like the fire is gone and all that remains is ash. But............ there are still embers faintly glowing... if only we can remEMBER all that God has done for us in Christ and stoke the diminishing fire back into hot flame!

How do we keep the fire burning everyday? I think one way is to be in God's word and to memorize it... to internalize it... to act on it.

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2. So far the verses are about looking back at our dead existence before meeting Christ. Once we think back about our pre-Christ lives, we'll then (through the subsequent verses) be able to remEMBER the great distance Christ has brought us and be stoked about another day with Him.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:4 tomorrow on "New Verse Monday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:3 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-2 together with 2:3 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-2 while learning 2:3.

Is your church made up mostly of one race?

If so, why do you think that is?

Memorizing - Practice day

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:4 on "New Verse Monday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:3 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1-2 together with 2:3 a few times today so that you keep reinforcing 2:1-2 while learning 2:3.

I have to admit I'm behind on learning 2:3... but I'll catch up. How are you doing?

Memorizing Scripture - New Verse Thursday - Eph 2:3

For those memorizing Eph 2:1-10 with me, this is New Verse Thursday.

Today we'll add the next verse, Ephesians 2:3.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write out Eph 2:3 on your 3x5 card underneath verses 1 and 2.
2) Read through verse 2:3 several times and try to get where you can say it once today pretty much without looking.
3) Say verses 2:1-2 with verse our new verse, 2:3 a few times today trying not to look (but it's ok if you do look today). This helps reinforce our prior verses as we work on our new verse.

Ephesians 2
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

Memorizing - Practice Day

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesians 2.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:3 on "New Verse Thursday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:2 a few times without looking. Make sure to say 2:1 and 2:2 together a few times today so that you keep re-enforcing 2:1 while learning 2:2.

Random Art

Funny kids

My kids and Em's friend, Yasmine, are cracking me up. They've been decorating the front of our house.

Memorizing - Practice Day

Several of us are memorizing in Ephesian 2.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:3 on "New Verse Thursday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:2 a few times until you can say it without looking. Make sure to say 2:1 and 2:2 together a few times today so that you keep re-enforcing 2:1 while learning 2:2.

Here... I'll give it a shot from memory...

Ephesian 2:1-2
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in the way you used to follow the ways of the world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is at work in those who are disobedient.

How did I do?

Memorizing Scripture - New Verse Monday - Eph 2:2

For those memorizing Eph 2:1-10 with me, this is New Verse Monday. (If others want to join in and memorize with us, it's not too late. Start here and let me know you're in!)

Today we'll add the next verse, Ephesians 2:2.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write out Eph 2:2 on your 3x5 card underneath verse 1.
2) Read through verse 2:2 several times and try to get where you can say it once today pretty much without looking.
3) Say verse 2:1 with verse 2:2 a few times trying not to look.

Ephesians 2
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Interesting New Blog

http://headrush.typepad.com is a very interesting blog I was introduced to via Ryan's blog.

The author of the headrush blog is a highly technical woman, but she is also very attuned to the creative side. In today's post she writes about how to grab a audience's attention whether you are a filmmaker, novelist, technical presenter, or anyone with a message to convey.

Entertaining and helpful... check it out.

Memorizing - Practice Day

Memorizing group: Just keep practicing Eph 2:1 and say it today a few times without looking. We'll add a new verse on "New verse Monday". It may seem like this is silly practicing just a few words for so many days, but as we add verses we'll be glad for the extra days.

Others can still join in. Start here and let me know you're in!

Memorizing - Practice Day

Memorizing group: Just keep practicing Eph 2:1 and say it today a few times without looking. We'll add a new verse on "New verse Monday".

Others can still join in. Start here and let me know you're in!

Memorizing - Practice day

Welcome Sally, Beth, and Debbie to memorizing Eph 2:1-10.

Others can still join in. Start here and let me know you're in!

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
No new verse today. We'll add Eph 2:2 on "New Verse Monday".
For today, just work on reciting Eph 2:1 a few times until you can say it without looking.

Memorizing - New Verse Thursday - Eph 2:1

Welcome Gwen and Kimberly to memorizing Ephesians 2:1-10. Kimberly, how did you get connected to my blog?

Other readers?? You can still jump in if you want. Start here and let me know you're out there!

(I suggest that we memorize in NIV but if you prefer another version go for it! NIV reads more narratively which I think makes it easier to memorize than something like the NASB)

Today we are memorizing Eph 2:1.

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,"

I'd suggest writing it small at the top of a 3x5 card. Read it through several times until you can say it once correctly without looking. Carry the card with you. Repeat a couple more times today reading it through and trying to say it once correctly without looking.

That's a short verse for today... but a powerful statement! We WERE dead.

That's all for today! Any questions/comments?

Invitation!

I've been talking again with some people about memorizing Scripture, so it thought I'd resurrect an old old post I made last year on that subject.

The only change I would make now to that plan is that I think I was a little aggressive in that post to suggest learning a new verse every day. Now, I'm thinking that a new verse twice a week is a better pace.

HERE'S AN INVITATION!!

Who is up for memorizing Ephesians 2:1-10 over the next five weeks?

awarriorprincess has expressed interest and a couple of others might join in as well. Everyone is welcome. Just comment back to let me know you are in.

Each Monday and Thursday we will learn a new verse. On this blog I'll lead us through tackling new verses on Mondays and Thursdays and I'll remind us how to be practicing the other days of the week.

Let's also share via comments the riches that God is showing us in His word as we memorize together. Also share in comments how the actual memorizing is going.

WE'LL START TOMORROW! GIVE IT A TRY!

Simplicity

Seems like there's lots of talk these days about simplicity...

Sam
Steve
Ryan

Why always NO?

I may have posted this before but I was reminded of it again this week.

I'm not a big listener of James Dobson, but something he said years ago comes to mind often.

Why can "no" not sometimes be "yes"?

My kids are always asking... can we read on the front porch? can we play with boxes from the garage? can we make a habitat for "buggy"?

In my busy life I often want to answer with "no". It would be easier for me if the kids didn't get dirty outside, didn't mess up the house with boxes, didn't intentionally bring bugs into the house. But Dobson is ringing in my head... "why can 'no' not sometimes be 'yes'?" When I manage to put down my scheduled and anal agenda, it feels good to say 'yes'.

Of course I'm not talking about a willy-nilly "yes" to things that contradict your family's values or direction. Parents have to protect their family's values and purpose and direction. But most small kids' ideas for fun don't fall into trouble there.

Been struggling with this verse

Romans 12:3 - "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

That's all for today...

Video Memory Lane

Spent a lot of today gathering up and converting old videos I've made in order to create a "reel" of my work so that I can drum up some more video production freelance business. It was fun to look at all the old stuff, but it is like memory lane and makes me miss some old friends that I used to work with on video and other creative endeavors.

Steve D - I still think your "Voice of Truth" text video was anointed.... and your detail work on "I'm doing fine" was flawless. You are most definitely gifted in video.

Nathan - Thanks for the tip on rotating still pix instead of just zooming or panning them. Your "Today" video is so great. Wish it were mine so I could put it on my reel!!

Kris - lots of good memories... Amos on Easter: "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praaaaaaaiiisse the Looooooooooooord!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Easter music with the Passion clips

Carol - I'm still amazed at those carrots!

Reed - T3 and eggs... outstanding

Gene and Harry - your concept, words, and video vision came together in an amazing way on the miner video

OK... enough memory lane.

Need your creative brains

They say that 92.5% of protestant and Catholic churches in the U.S. have one race representing at least 80% of the congregation. We've become acquainted with some people who are trying to change this by creating more churches where people of all ethnic backgrounds can come together.

I'm possibly going to be helping these people with producing a vision-casting video and I need to find a great song for it. So.... question for you...

What's the most powerful song you know about racism, coming together, and love? It could be directly about racism or it could be a song that paints a picture of diverse people joined. I'm looking for something on the edgy side.

Speaking of videos... I was looking at this again this week and I still think this Invisible Children Global Night Commute video is one of the coolest videos ever.

Tourist in Space

Do you know that a woman from Plano, Texas paid $20 million to fly into space as a tourist on a Russian mission? She's in space now at the international space station and is blogging from space. Pretty wild...

Check out her blog at http://spaceblog.xprize.org/.

Creating Culture

For the past few months, we've been concentrating on what our values are as a family. We are still fleshing those out but we know they include: respecting and honoring all people, loving God's Word and following Jesus, and sticking close together as a family.

This week I started thinking about another aspect of leading my family. One of the functions of a leader is "culture creator". So... what kind of culture am I creating in my family? What kind of culture should I be creating? What attributes of family life fall into the "culture" category and what falls into the "values" category. I'm thinking that maybe culture is the "soft" stuff or the fertile ground where values can become increasingly strong.

I'm just starting to think about this. Anyone have insight on the relationship between culture and values in the family or elsewhere?

It's been a while

Man... things are busy. Someone told me this week... "you need to find a job so that you won't be so busy!" :)

It's late, so I won't write much. But I would ask you to pray for me. I had a phone interview today with a church I'd REALLY like to work for and the job is REALLY something I'd like to do. I knew the role there was solidly in my interest area but during the interview today I realized that it is even more in line with my passions than I had thought it would be.

Early to mid next week will be the critical time for decisions on their end concerning whether to continue with me to the next step of the interview process.

Appreciate your prayers for God's direction and for the right doors to open.

Emerge City Church

Our family attended a brand new church plant today... Emerge City Church which meets off Custer in McKinney, TX. It's a cool group. The pastor and his wife moved here from Brisbane City Church in Australia to plant the church. Lots of life and passion. Being from Australia, his message related Steve Irwin to Jesus' disciples. Very cool.

It's great to have these missionaries from Australia coming here to help move the kingdom forward. But, I hope increasing numbers of established local churches will also join in and plant some of these new high-energy, high-influence communities. Churches have life cycles -- we must reproduce ourselves!

The Tower of Babel ---- and cheese dip!

Continuing to look at the stories of the Bible. Yesterday was the tower of Babel - Genesis 11:1-9

The people were building the city and tower for two reasons:
1) to make a name for themselves
2) so that they could have a strong place to live and thus not be scattered

God said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." I don't think God was saying "Oh my God :) ... if I don't do something they are going to get too powerful." I think God wanted to rescue people from thinking that they could do things without Him.

Someone might use this Babel story to argue against having ambition or drive. I don't see it that way. I think ambition is fine. It's the motivation that was the problem here. These people wanted to make a name for themselves and a place of safety. I think ambition is good if our goal is to make a name for God in our culture and to "be scattered" wherever He leads.

Jesus was certainly driven but it wasn't to do his own will but the will of the Father.

------------

On another note...
A while back our favorite favorite favorite Mexican restaurant of 30+ years closed it's doors and the owner passed away. We didn't think we'd ever get that chili con queso (in Arkansas it's called cheese dip) or salsa (in Arkansas we call it hot sauce)again. Well... a few weeks ago my dad's friend gave him a recipe for the cheese dip and hot sauce. So... when our whole extended family converged on central Arkansas for a mini-reunion last weekend we made a big deal out of cooking the dip and sauce and trying it together.









Stirring flour and butter into roux...


Stirring in milk...


Melting in Velveeta and adding spices...


Stirring... stirring.... stirring... heating.... turn up the heat.... stirring... stirring... will this stuff ever thicken up????

YES! Finally thickened up!!

We bought chips from a local mex restaurant and heated them in the oven to simulate the restaurant experience.

And............... it was GOOOOOOOD!

I wonder how I would have felt on the ark

For personal Bible study lately I've just been revisiting the stories of the Bible and doing SOAP on them (read S-cripture, Observe, Apply, Pray)

Yesterday I was on Noah and the flood.

I wonder what it would be like to be floating on a big boat for months with family and a gazillion animals. I would imagine that everyone was ready to find some land and get off of that ship. The thing that caught my eye upon this reading of the story was that Noah didn't disembark on the first muddy hill he saw sticking up out of the water. He waited until the "earth was completely dry" and until "God said to Noah, 'Come out of the ark'."

Noah did his part. He kept an eye on the situation outside the ark and he did his part in sending out the dove three times to gain intelligence. As much as he probably wanted to rush things, he must have been tempered by a weight of great responsibility. He was in charge of getting the remnant of God's living creation back to safety on land. He wasn't hasty. He wisely waited until the land was completely dry, and then he heard the confirming voice of God.

How does this apply to your life?

----------------

On another note... Getting into tennis again! I've played a few times lately and I'm loving it. This morning I rented a basket of balls and worked on my pathetic serve for about an hour. Getting better... need to find some people to play.

Busy............

No time to post much... but here's a quick update.

-- We are heading back to Arkansas for the second weekend in a row. Some extended family decided to fly in this long weekend so we're going back up there to see everyone.

-- I believe God wants me to find a place of impact working on a church staff again instead of searching for a job in the secular marketplace... looking for a role as media pastor or community outreach pastor... more on this soon.

-- I'm having a fun week shooting and editing a video for a company where some of my good friends work.

Gotta run... have a good holiday weekend.

Vacation

We're in Arkansas for the weekend at my parents' in Little Rock. Fun except I've got just about the worst stuffed up head and nose I've ever had. Blahhhhh!

We're going to the circus tomorrow. Should be great for the kids.

Have a good weekend...

Thanks family!

Flash Slideshow

Leadership Summit - 2006 - #4

Peg Neuhauser spoke about "Tribal Warfare".

Here are a few highlights for me in regard to resolving conflict:

1) Think a lot BEFORE a meeting aimed at discussing a conflict. Before the meeting, work to be able to state the other person's position or feelings as clearly (or even more clearly) than he or she can.

2) Each time there is a conversation aimed at conflict resolution between two people or between groups of people there are four possible impacts to the relationship. You are either:
- building it
- maintaining it
- repairing it
- damaging it

Those are the only four choices. Ignoring that a conflict exists is in the "damaging it" category.

3) DISCIPLINE yourself to LISTEN

A Dad Moment

OK... so my daughter is out walking around several streets of our neighborhood with her friends selling something for their school's fundraising campaign. She's supposed to be home at 5:30pm but at 5:37pm she wasn't home. I'm not worried but just feeling the foreshadowing of things in years to come.

Dinner was ready at 5:30pm so I had to decide whether were we going to wait on her and eat as a family or go ahead with our meal.

Should I "ground" her for missing "curfew"? Should I sit in the living room chair with arms crossed waiting for her to walk in LATE?

So weird... feels like I've fast forwarded to the teen years.


(In case you are worrried... she's home fine... at 6:02!!!)

-----UPDATE-----

So she had to eat cold dinner and got no dessert.

Imagine an angry, whiny-voiced daughter...

her - "I don't see why it's such a big deal" pout pout

me (fatherly) - "Keeping track of the time and getting home when expected is a skill you need to learn"

her (more animated and whiny) - "But how can I know what time it is?"

me (semi-sarcastically) - "You look at your watch."

her - "But it's easier for you... your watch is on your wrist... mine is in my pocket where I have to reach in and dig it out!"

Stomps upstairs...

Alex tattles giggling: "She had 'whatever' eyes."

Turkish Delight

After a great lunch at Cici's (visiting my friend Donnie who is training for his new marketing job there and eating Cici's yummmmy new buffalo chicken pizza dipped in ranch dressing) we went next door to the India Bazaar. Cool to look through all the Indian spices and foods (as long as I don't have to eat them!!) We bought a candy bar of Turkish Delight, since we remembered it in the Narnia movie. We cut it in five bites and each tried a piece. Interesting... that's all I'll say... interesting.

Anyone have a Hershey bar?

Leadership Summit - 2006 - #3

Andy Stanley spoke about what he calls the best leadership decision he ever made. He had always been plaqued by the following fear:

"I'm afraid that if I don't _______, then ______".

If I don't work 70 hours a week, then the church won't make it.
If I don't visit the lady in the hospital their family will leave the church.
Or whatever...

Stanley realized, though, that Matthew 16 in the Bible says "and on this rock I will build my church". It is God's responsibility to build the church. What a relief!

He also saw that Ephesians says "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church". Men and women need to work on marriage and family; loving the Church is Christ's specialty.

When Stanley planted North Point Community Church he decided he was going to work no more than 45 hours per week. He felt that God would have him cheat the job... cheat the church... rather than cheat his family. He's stuck to that and led his staff to do the same.

When you limit your work and your staff's work to a certain number of hours per week you do several things:
- you focus on your strengths... there's no time to mess around with your weaknesses
- you prioritze the things you do as a person and learn to say 'no'
- you focus the organization and learn to say 'no' to new opportunities
- you create incredible loyalty from staff and the people you lead (because they are healthy, focused, and protected from overwork)

One final Andy thought...
Never violate the principles of God in order to gain or maintain the blessings of God.

Reunion Church

Today my family visited Reunion Church which meets in downtown Dallas at the convention center. What a refreshing time! I love meeting people of different cultures and backgrounds. This church is such a diverse group. Their vision is to have lots of races, ethnic groups, colors, social backgrounds, etc worshipping and growing together now... not just to wait for that to happen in heaven.

As the pastor said today, there is no "South Heaven" or "East Side" of Heaven. We'll all be together in a beautiful crowd. Why can't that start here and now?!

The other refreshing part about Reunion was their authenticity. Though some would think the congregation is too large to do it, each week they pass around a microphone for people to share about their life and journey. The pastor said basically "If you came just to hear a message, listen to it on the radio... we are here to care about each other." People shared about their lost friends, their search for direction, their sister desparately needing wisdom in a tragic situation, their friends who started back into drugs and alcohol. I started to think... man, these people have some serious problems. Then I quickly realized... these people may have different problems... but they don't have worse problems than anyone else. It's just that they know they have problems, they are willing to share their problems, and they know God can handle their problems.

Leadership Summit - 2006 - #2

Session 2 of the Summit was James Meeks. He is the pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. He talked about church growth.

One of his biggest points for me was when he said, "You've got to preach the annoucements."

We can't expect a great food collection or evangelistic push or service day in the community to happen just through a plain annoucement made at the end of the servvice. We have to PREACH the annoucements. Passionately put the annoucement in terms of a great biblical story and make the sermon application be "MEET US TOMORROW OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!". Words written in all caps is the best I can do at capturing the intensity of this great African-American preacher, leader and visionary.

Also... before I forget to say this... if you are having any type of difficult times in your life, go buy the song "Call on Jesus" by Nicole C. Mullen and listen intently to it at high volume on a great stereo system. She sang it live at the Summit... amazing.

Leadership Summit - 2006 - #1

I'm attending the Willow Creek Leadership Summit today, Friday and Saturday.

Thought I would post some of the things I noted...

Session #1
Bill Hybels talked about the Life Cycle of a Leader

Hybels believes a leader who changes and grows can continue increasing impact until his/her dying day.

In your 20's you can lead with mostly heart and passion.
Soon, though, you need to develop skills.
Next comes raising up leaders to take on significant roles... but don't stop there, or your best leaders will leave!
Elevate a few great leaders to lead at the top with you... give them huge responsibilities... morph your role to accomodate new leaders.

Good leaders aren't power hungry, but they are impact hungry.

Pointers on learning:
1) Read all you can on leadership (always have two leadership books in your briefcase)
2) Go where leadership is taught
3) Be around great leaders and ask questions
4) Keep leading something or you'll lose your edge

Random thoughts

I had a lot of fun playing tennis today (for the first time in ages) with the boyfriend of Kris' daughter. He beat me 6-1 in the first set. In the second set we went to 6-6 but opted not for a tie-break. The set ended up 10-8 David. I'll get him next time.

Lots of mixed emotions today. I was listening to a song that we had done at our church a while back -- "Stained Glass Masquerade" by Casting Crowns. I was wishing all of the people who were together then were still together now. But at the same time I was also gaining a peace that we are all on the right path.

I continued today to reflect on who I am. I am seeing big revelations on how to categorize my work and clarify what it is I want to do.

On networking with people... two things I'm learning are these:
1) Work hard to get a meeting with people, but don't be aggressive using the meeting to ask for a job or for job connections. First of all this takes the pressure of the person you are meeting with. Today, I saw another side to this though. I think this approach, one genuinely based in learning and seeking wisdom, instead of moving toward a job "ask" retains our humility and leaves room for God to work and bring about his plans. Humble yourself under God's hand and he will lift you up in due time.
2) Think before you meet with anyone! The meeting will go much better. (not just in networking but anywhere)

Like I said... just random thoughts

Not seeking a job... but a place of impact

I know that title may sound naive or irritating or dizzy with spin. As I make this transition in my career, I don't want to just get a job that I can do. I can do lots of jobs. I want to find the place that is right. The place I'll care about and be passionate to improve. This is not to say I would not be thankful and content wherever God takes me, but I do think God made us with a purpose. If I'm going to spend 40+ hours and a large part of my energy at a place, my desire is to be operating in my purpose -- helping people and organizations create and deliver excellence in places where creativity and technology meet.

That's just me... others may look at the job/purpose thing differently. Do you think we are just spoiled Americans if we seek to earn a living doing what we love to do?

Strange Day

Wow. Interesting day. I'm not sure if I've written it here but yesterday was my last day officially working at my church. When I decided to move on, the end date I was shooting for was Sept 1. The church is honoring that date, but they were gracious to allow me this month to just focus on my job search. (for those not in church work: churches are weird... they let you resign and process for months) :)

So.... today I didn't get up and drive to church... very weird... Instead went to Starbucks... Met a great friend there (comment on his blog so that maybe he'll start posting again) and then spent most of the day working on what's next.

I'm very excited about this process. I'm talking to lots of fascinating people and believing that I am going to find a great place to make an impact.

My days this month are going to look like this:
A good amount of time in the Bible and prayer
A lot of time meeting with people and thinking about my direction
A little time working on getting our house ready to sell since we don't know if we'll stay here or move far away

Bug Catching with my dad, niece, and nephew

Flash Slideshow

Testing Cool Flickr Flash Slideshow

Found some code to put on a Flickr flash slideshow... then the slideshow was too wide for my template so I got a new template. I want to get my own webspace, use wordpress and design my own blog... but no time... so for now... blogger templates.

Flash Slideshow

Practical Machinery

I've started reading a fascinating book called "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" recommended on a blog I read by Harold Burson. The book is about Lincoln's relationship with his cabinet during the Civil War... and interestingly how three of his top cabinet members were three of the men who had contended with Lincoln for the Republican party's presidential nomination.

So far in the reading, the author has been giving great background about the men who would vie for the nomination.

The background on Lincoln is fascinating. One thing that sticks out to me is that it is very hard - it requires intense engagement and discipline - to do something great. The author writes, "Lincoln engaged in every aspect of the political process, from the most visionary to the most mundane... The practical machinery of the party organization - the distribution of ballots, the checklists, the rounding up of voters - was as crucial as the broad ideology laid out in the platform."

I think it's easy to neglect the "practical machinery" or at least to question the need to spend a lot of energy on it. The vision guy may not have to attend to the practical machinery himself. But, without someone attending to it, the vision won't be realized.

This weekend

Couple of things today...

1) This weekend I'm running sound for a conference at our church by Growing Families International. These are the people who put out the "Growing Kids God's Way" material and the Baby Wise, Child Wise, etc books which are popular. Deb and I went through "Growing Kids" years ago when Emmaleigh was one. It's been good to be at this conference and hear some of the material again. One interesting talk was about the temperaments of us as parents and the temperaments of our children. They did some role playing about the interaction between different temperaments. It made me realize that I should look further into the temperaments of my family.

2) We went as a whole family to take Deb's mom to her doctor appointment and then we went to lunch. My friend, Doug, had told me about a year ago that Potbelly Subs is a good place. Today we saw one and decided to try it. Very good! I love crispy toasted bread on a sandwich. This place is like Firehouse subs but is run much better (I'm always aware of whether things are clear and easy for first time customers). There was a musician playing guitar and singing at the lunch hour. Cool... fun... kids were dancing and enjoying themselves. Highly recommend Potbelly!

Gazebo Blend

I don't go to Starbucks much anymore these days. If I do it's just for drip coffee. The days of white mochas everyday are over... ($4 a day -- what were we thinking Sharon?) Anyway... I went in for drip coffee the other day and saw a new blend called "Gazebo". If you know me you know that I don't try new foods or drinks often. The coffee blend tag line "bold and citrusy" almost scared me away but I was brave and tried it. I loved it. Now I go everyday hoping they'll have Gazebo on tap. Here's something funny... today I actually (briefly) considered calling my two starbucks near work to see which one was serving Gazebo today. I didn't call but I went to one of my Starbucks... and they were serving it. Yea! Then... I heard the bad news... Gazebo is only a seasonal offering.

Call your Starbucks... heck call your congressman... we need Gazebo to stay!

Played tennis today (well sort of)

I've played tennis on and off most of my life. Since we've had kids, it's been mostly "off", but today instead of just working out at the boring gym I decided to go hit balls against the wall at the tennis center. (OK some might say that's boring too, but I think it's more fun). It was good to hit balls again. I'll switch up the workout... sometimes I'll hit at the wall in such a way as to purposefully alternate forehand and backhand shots. At other times I'll hit balls purposefully angled away from reach so that I have to run make the shot.

Man... this is a really boring post... but I'm trying to post more... so there you go!

Emmaleigh turns 8

Emmy turns 8 tomorrow. Today we went for our traditional dad/child birthday lunch-- this year to Fuddrucker's. Great place... they bake their own buns... yum

It's amazing how conversation with our kids changes over the years. On the way to lunch I was telling Em some things that have been happening to show me that God is taking care of us even though these are crazy times...... on the way home we were being really silly. She's big enough to have some mature conversation...but small enough to still giggle uncontrollably at Dad's silliness.

Here are some pix...

Ups and downs

These days are such roller coasters with my job transition. I'll be depressed or discouraged or lazy... but then something will happen to turn the day around.

Today I got connected with some pastors that I hope to seek some wisdom from.

Also, a bizarre thing happened today. If we end up moving far from Dallas I'll probably sell my car that I just bought in February. When I bought it, the dealer guy said he'd have bought my car for himself if I hadn't decided to buy it. Today, I saw that guy in the grocery store. I was surprised to see him since I've just been wondering if he would still like to buy my car. But it was even weirder than that... he told me that earlier today he'd seen a car just like mine (but black) at Sam's Club and he'd been thinking of ME. I told him I might want to sell him my car... he gave me his card.

Not trying to make too much of that... but it sure was nice to have that guy come across my path again if he'd be a quick and easy sale of my car soon.

Cool thing last week

I wanted to tell you a cool thing that happened to me last week.

The used car I bought in February came up for safety inspection recently. Since it is a 1998 model, I figured that the emissions might be a problem. The check engine light was on and it turned out to need work on the EGR valve (emissions related). I had that repair done. Drove the car around for a day and then went to have safety inspection. The car computer was showing another emissions related failure -- one that doesn't cause the "check engine" light to burn. Back to car repair shop. They told me the repair related to this other failure code in the car computer would run about $650. I had them just clear the computer codes again to see if maybe the failure was just a residual problem from the prior repair. They cleared the codes and I drove the car around town all day to see if the code would come back.

The next morning I was heading toward the car repair shop to have them read the computer (and probably, I figured, do the needed repair to a faulty sensor). But.. on the way, I was sitting at a certain intersection. One way was the direction to the car repair shop... the other was the direction to the shop that does safety inspections. I quickly thought about how I'd been praying that God would take care of this car problem so that I wouldn't need to spend over $600 on a repair. I had a decision to make. I could either take the low-faith path toward the car repair shop, or I could trust God with the problem and turn right toward the safety inspection shop. I decided to have faith. I turned right toward the inspection shop. The car passed!

I know this is a small thing and maybe not worthy of prayer or much rejoicing. However, the big thing for me in this was sitting at that intersection. When we pray, do we really believe God will do something, or do we (in the back of our minds) assume that we'll still have to take care of things ourselves?

God may not always answer things just as we'd like. This was, though, a good reminder to believe Him for our requests.

Each Day a Step Forward

First... our computer is fixed! Apple's free repair of the video/power defect did the trick.

In our household these days we are trying to make a step forward each day. This goes for my job search and for getting our household ready to move wherever God takes us. Last week we were working on the downstairs... this weekend the upstairs... garage cleanup and house repairs will follow until we are ready to move.

On another note... I took Alex out with me this morning. We got donuts and Starbucks. Then, we went to look at motorcycles (we both like them and want one someday). Last time we went to the Yamaha store, but this time it was the Harley store. Man, that is a culture within itself... the customers mostly drove their Harleys there. The customers are all wearing Harley clothes and looking at more Harley clothes to buy. One guy was pushing a baby in a stroller. Sure nuf, the baby was wearing Harley overalls. Loads of cool motorcycles.

Alex sat on several bikes and then tried on some helmets and two size 5 leather motorcycle jackets.

On the way out of the Harley store we saw that next door was a brand new Honda motorcycle store. We'll have to visit that one next time.

After the Harley store we weren't quite done hanging out so we just had to go to Sonic for a slush and Coke.

Proud of my boy... he's growing up.

eMac Problems

We took our eMac into the store where we bought it for repairs under warranty. Of course... it came back doing exactly the same thing it had been doing before.

This time we'll be going to the Apple store and hopefully this will help.

Thanks Steve for keeping up with this mac geekery and for sending me the info.

Visited Ebenezer's

We're back from vacation. It was a great time. One of the cool things we did was visiting Ebenezer's coffee house in DC. For a while I've read Mark Batterson's e-votional blog. He is pastor of National Community Church. A couple of years ago the church decided to transform an old and very run down building into this great coffee house, the church's only building.

The church meets both at the coffee house and in movie theaters.

While we were there, I was blessed to get to spend some time with Mark. Very cool time.



Check out National Community Church at www.theaterchurch.com.

Going on vacation

We'll be in Virginia, DC and New York the next 10 days. I'm trying to get back to posting here much more often, but for these ten days I'll be pretty unplugged.

Meeting bloggers face to face

Thanks Flowerdust, Chris, Breathefire, Parke, Kris, Tom and Deb for the great conversation tonight. It's always fascinating to meet people in person after lots of online discussion.

Thanks Kris and Tom for your sneaky picking up the tab too.

Journaling

I was reading back through some old journals tonight. I used to write a lot about what was going on in my life, my job, and my family. I have probably 20 notebooks full from about 1992 through 2004. Since 2004 I've done little journaling except what I've done here on my blog. I guess some people have let blogging replace journaling in a notebook, but I think I'd like to regain the art of doing both. Blogging allows for community and idea sharing; journaling is intensely personal as you write your own words for your own reflection and for future remembrance/reference.

For a while after my kids were born I was journaling often... each day I'd write some about what the kids were up to, some about Debbie, and some about me. I think I may try (once again!!) to pick up journaling.

Do you or have you journaled much?

If so, has blogging replaced journalling for you or do you also still like to type/write thoughts just for your own eyes?

What will I do on Monday nights?

Tonight was the finally of The Apprentice on TV.

The final project was especially interesting to me.

Lee was the politician. He picked a team with low potential but people who loved him.
Sean was a smart businessman. He picked a smart, multi-talented team.

Lee's strategy might have worked except that his task was very difficult. No matter how much his team wanted him to win and no matter how hard they worked, Lee's team just did not have what it took to win. Sean was a better leader with a better team and he won.

This last project also had another interesting aspect. The project involved charity fundraiser events. Lee seemed to think that he could wing it on this task. I wonder if he thought it would be a cakewalk since he was working for just a leader of a charity. What he found was just the opposite. This woman who led the charity of Lee's project was tough. She was leading them instead of the other way around.

As Jim Collins says in his new small monograph to "Good to Great" regarding greatness in the social sector, those in social sector leadership have to be better leaders than those in business. This played out right before our eyes on the apprentice.

Incredible!

We planted a small garden this year mainly to show the kids (and see for ourselves) God's amazing creation blossom before our eyes. It's been a lot of fun.

I'm really making a big deal about this to the kids. I've been saying this little deal over and over and always getting an eye roll and an exasperated "Oh Dad"... but I think the kids are starting to get it. I've even caught Alex saying it...

"Hey kids... did you know that ALLLLLLLLLLLL the information for these plants to grow came from the TINNNNNY little seeds we planted? INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!"

Another Zoo Day

You'll see a lot of these zoo days here since we recently got an annual membership to the zoo. For anyone in the Dallas area, the Dallas Zoo continues to improve... lots of fun.



Click the photo for more photos on my flickr.

Planting a garden this year

My grandparents on my dad's side were farmers. In there home on the wall hung a tiny little poem I've remembered for years...

Who plants a seed beneath the sod
and waits to see believes in God.

This year I decided to plant a garden. I love to let the kids see things grow. It's amazing to put seeds in the ground and then see life burst out. We planted just a few of each of these to let the kids experience variety... radishes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, corn, and watermelon. We also planted a couple of beds of flowers... marigolds and impatiens.

Dinner with friends

Last night we had dinner with some good friends, the Vo's. They are new to our area and are planting a church. It was a great time eating (they are great cooks) and talking about inspiring people to own the ministry and advance the kingdom.

Commercial about you

My same friend from my 3/28 post challenged me to another interesting exercise. In 30 seconds, state what it is that makes you the best at what you do. It's great for refining who you know you are and who you want to become.

Try it!

Purpose

I've been working with a new friend of mine on my purpose. It's been facinating to muddle through the clutter of life and try to nail down my purpose... a purpose that really resonates at my core. This isn't a purpose like... "to glorify God" or the Rick Warren purposes. It's a more focused statement about what I am meant to do.

Here's an exercise... can you state your purpose in eleven words or less?

Park Day

Today Deb was getting ready for our garage sale so I took the kids to Krispy Kreme and then the park to give her space to work.



Emmaleigh started getting into shooting video. Maybe I'll see if she wants to try some editing in iMovie soon.



More pics at my flickr.