I have made some changes in my links over the last couple of weeks and just wanted to drop a note about some of the stuff that's going on in the sidebar........
The bulk of the blogs I read are friends from UBC, my church, they include:
Tom, Craig, Adam, Amanda, Janalee, David, Jen, Jordan, Blair, Ben, Harris, Singleton, Carney, Katy, Meg, Candace, and Scott. Actually the last two I had the privilege of meeting at a BBQ at the Browning....read their Blogs, enjoyed them, and added them to my list. Hope you guys don't mind!!
The other ones are pretty random, but I thought I would tell you why they are there.
Cory is a great friend and former classmate at Truett that is currently in ministry in Lufkin, TX. He always has something to challenge me on his Blog, and so I hope you acquaint yourself with Cory. He's a good man!
Ann is a former UBCer and Truett alum. One of the best preachers I have ever heard. She has a background in music and theatre and she knows how to capture an audience/congregation. She is another person that I am constantly challenged by. Check her Blog out as well!
Zach, is....well, Zach Braff. I don't know Zach Braff, but he is my favorite young Hollywood type these days. Not only for Garden State, which has become the UBC movie mantra (for many reasons), but because of Scrubs. MY FAVORITE SHOW ON TV!! That and Lost. And Alias...still.
Shaun, is Shaun Groves. Recording artist and friend. He and I were in BRH, Baylor Religious Hour, together along with Solley from the Crowder band. I don't mention these things, because it makes me any cooler.....it clearly doesn't. I do mention it because I am one of the people that can say....."I knew them when....."
Leo is a great friend and mentor whom I met while working (can you call it that?) at the Compass Bookstore in Waco. He is a professor at Liberty, but don't let that fool you. He's no fundy and I love that about him. We talk about postmodernism, Calvinism, and any other "ism" you can think of. He's one of my heroes!
Teresa is another great friend that I met while working at the Compass. She is a true artist. She is a painter, flower arranger, writer and all around crafty woman! She is one of the most sensitive hearts you'll ever meet......and she needs to write more!!
Joell is a former, FORMER, compass employee! Wooohooo! She is a Truett student and another amazing writer.....she is privileged enough to be going to Kenya in the summer. I am so jealous!
Lauren is Lauren Winner. Author of such books as Girl Meets God and Mudhouse Sabbath. Amazing writer and historian. Friend to the Emergent crowd. I have met her once at a conference in San Diego. Sweet woman and amazing thinker!
And finally Erin. Erin is a former UBCer and member of Mosaic Austin. An amazing Artist she is funny, clever, irreverent (which I love), and energetic. I miss seeing her at UBC, but I can "catch up" with her on her Blog....which is nice.
Well that's it. Maybe next time I will do introduction to all the UBC folks. That might take a while!
30.3.06
What's Your Story?
the Blog edition
So I spoke at the Hub on Wednesday night. I had a good time...I'll be honest, I started off a little shaky, but then I found a rhythm and began to feel like my old self again.
I found this poem that began as my inspiration for a reflection on Lent. It goes a little something like this:
I am a story
hoping to unfold
as my future meets my past
I am a tale
waiting to be told
with the right words, now, at last
During my talk I made the analogy that we often present ourselves as personal resumes, with only the highlights brought to the surface.
"What's your major?"
"What do you do?"
"Where are you from?"
These are all pieces of information that you can find on somebody's resume. This doesn't make up the wholeness of me. But sometimes we let it slide, don't we?
At one point during the talk I said that community only happens insofar as we are open, vulnerable, willing, and courageous enough to share our stories with each other. Our long, winding, epic Novels. Not our single sheet resumes.
I also mentioned that we have this nasty habit of censoring ourselves, don't we? But when we choose to edit our story and leave out integral, but perhaps embarassing, parts...we leave out part of us. Perhaps it's something that makes sense of something else. This is where courage and vulnerability come in. It's hard....this is the part of being in community that sucks! Because when you are in a community like ours, that has gone through some difficult times lately, you don't have the luxury of having shallow relationships. We should be digging deeper than we had before.
So, I guess to 'splain. No that will take too long. Let me sum up.
Enjoy each other. Eat meals with each other. Make sure you invite Singleton, he loves food. Play games with each other. Laugh with each other. Cry with each other. Do all the things that make up life with each other. Because as Kyle said it.....it's a gift. But don't let that be a gift that you keep all to yourself. I did that with my Erector Set when I was 10....I wasn't very social. Make it a gift that you share.....
------------------------------------------
The poem and the reading that I used at the Hub is from a book entitled, plainly enough:
Story by Steven James, check it out. It's really good.
So I spoke at the Hub on Wednesday night. I had a good time...I'll be honest, I started off a little shaky, but then I found a rhythm and began to feel like my old self again.
I found this poem that began as my inspiration for a reflection on Lent. It goes a little something like this:
I am a story
hoping to unfold
as my future meets my past
I am a tale
waiting to be told
with the right words, now, at last
During my talk I made the analogy that we often present ourselves as personal resumes, with only the highlights brought to the surface.
"What's your major?"
"What do you do?"
"Where are you from?"
These are all pieces of information that you can find on somebody's resume. This doesn't make up the wholeness of me. But sometimes we let it slide, don't we?
At one point during the talk I said that community only happens insofar as we are open, vulnerable, willing, and courageous enough to share our stories with each other. Our long, winding, epic Novels. Not our single sheet resumes.
I also mentioned that we have this nasty habit of censoring ourselves, don't we? But when we choose to edit our story and leave out integral, but perhaps embarassing, parts...we leave out part of us. Perhaps it's something that makes sense of something else. This is where courage and vulnerability come in. It's hard....this is the part of being in community that sucks! Because when you are in a community like ours, that has gone through some difficult times lately, you don't have the luxury of having shallow relationships. We should be digging deeper than we had before.
So, I guess to 'splain. No that will take too long. Let me sum up.
Enjoy each other. Eat meals with each other. Make sure you invite Singleton, he loves food. Play games with each other. Laugh with each other. Cry with each other. Do all the things that make up life with each other. Because as Kyle said it.....it's a gift. But don't let that be a gift that you keep all to yourself. I did that with my Erector Set when I was 10....I wasn't very social. Make it a gift that you share.....
------------------------------------------
The poem and the reading that I used at the Hub is from a book entitled, plainly enough:
Story by Steven James, check it out. It's really good.
21.3.06
revolver
*I have had one interview (was offered the job) and another invitation to sell DirecTV with an old friend of mine since I have been back in Waco. Another interview to go at Dell....keep your fingers crossed.....still looking.
*Went down to my Dad's last week to spend some time with him and my sister and the nieces. Went fishing. Lost my glasses to the depths of Lake LBJ....oh well. Bought new glasses for exorbitant amount of money.......but they look cool!
*Saw my first NCAA tourney game live last Friday! Adam got a sweet deal on Ebay and invited me to go and see NC State and Cal play. I had the Wolfpack winning over my home state Bears....part of me secretly wanted Cal to win. Nevertheless State won in a very good game. We stuck around to watch Texas struggle with Penn, but it was the Longhorn's night. Damn you Bevo!!
*I spent approximately 7 hours straight in my car yesterday driving around Waco looking for a house to rent. AAAAAaaaaaagggghhhhhh! I just have to say I love my car, but I am getting sick of it. Justalittle.
*So, Craig will be happy to know that after two episodes of Grey's I am hooked. I am going to have to borrow someone's copy of the first season and get caught up. Meredith is Hot!!
*Finally.....I love being back at UBC. I only wish my wife were here already. We have the greatest friends that you can ask for. Church people that aren't "church people." Real, funny, honest, and loving. Everybody has been so great and hospitable. Helping me out with a place to crash for a while (thanks Jana and Horton's!). This is why we came back. It's for this.
*Went down to my Dad's last week to spend some time with him and my sister and the nieces. Went fishing. Lost my glasses to the depths of Lake LBJ....oh well. Bought new glasses for exorbitant amount of money.......but they look cool!
*Saw my first NCAA tourney game live last Friday! Adam got a sweet deal on Ebay and invited me to go and see NC State and Cal play. I had the Wolfpack winning over my home state Bears....part of me secretly wanted Cal to win. Nevertheless State won in a very good game. We stuck around to watch Texas struggle with Penn, but it was the Longhorn's night. Damn you Bevo!!
*I spent approximately 7 hours straight in my car yesterday driving around Waco looking for a house to rent. AAAAAaaaaaagggghhhhhh! I just have to say I love my car, but I am getting sick of it. Justalittle.
*So, Craig will be happy to know that after two episodes of Grey's I am hooked. I am going to have to borrow someone's copy of the first season and get caught up. Meredith is Hot!!
*Finally.....I love being back at UBC. I only wish my wife were here already. We have the greatest friends that you can ask for. Church people that aren't "church people." Real, funny, honest, and loving. Everybody has been so great and hospitable. Helping me out with a place to crash for a while (thanks Jana and Horton's!). This is why we came back. It's for this.
10.3.06
Happy Birthday Mom........
In the months following my mom's death back in 2001 I made a decision.
That we, my wife and I, would celebrate my mother's life, not her death.
In the past 5 years my wife and I have done a number of things to commemorate her life on her birthday:
We got fried chicken (a favorite of my mom's) and had a picnic on the Suspension Bridge in Waco.
We ate at sandwiches from the local deli in Ocean Beach and sat at Sunset Cliffs overlooking one of her favorite sites, the Pacific Ocean.
We rented one of her favorite movies (Somewhere in Time) and watched it while thinking of her.
Tonight we had dinner at Red Lobster (another favorite.....she loved the cheesy biscuits and cheese sticks) with my sister and her family.
The two little girls that my sister and brother-in-law have adopted, neither of which my mother knew, have called my mom "Grandma Heaven" ever since they learned how to speak english.
Tonight Deana, the three year old, while praying for our meal said - "Ding ding (she doesn't say thank you, it comes out as "ding ding") for Grandma Heaven. Ding ding that she is in heaven with God and she's not lonely."
Kristina, the seven year old, said later that since "Grandma Heaven" was with God that she's "perfect now."
I almost lost it.
I love these little girls and I am so grateful for the work that my sister puts into them never forgetting their "Grandma Heaven."
This day will always be about being with family and remembering the times we had with my mother...."Grandma Heaven."
I still miss her.
A lot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A quick little note about the next couple of days.
I haven't been a daily blogger, so if I don't update for a while it wouldn't be too noticeable.
But this time it is because I am leaving for Waco in the morning.
Can't wait to see y'all.
I will blog soon........
In the months following my mom's death back in 2001 I made a decision.
That we, my wife and I, would celebrate my mother's life, not her death.
In the past 5 years my wife and I have done a number of things to commemorate her life on her birthday:
We got fried chicken (a favorite of my mom's) and had a picnic on the Suspension Bridge in Waco.
We ate at sandwiches from the local deli in Ocean Beach and sat at Sunset Cliffs overlooking one of her favorite sites, the Pacific Ocean.
We rented one of her favorite movies (Somewhere in Time) and watched it while thinking of her.
Tonight we had dinner at Red Lobster (another favorite.....she loved the cheesy biscuits and cheese sticks) with my sister and her family.
The two little girls that my sister and brother-in-law have adopted, neither of which my mother knew, have called my mom "Grandma Heaven" ever since they learned how to speak english.
Tonight Deana, the three year old, while praying for our meal said - "Ding ding (she doesn't say thank you, it comes out as "ding ding") for Grandma Heaven. Ding ding that she is in heaven with God and she's not lonely."
Kristina, the seven year old, said later that since "Grandma Heaven" was with God that she's "perfect now."
I almost lost it.
I love these little girls and I am so grateful for the work that my sister puts into them never forgetting their "Grandma Heaven."
This day will always be about being with family and remembering the times we had with my mother...."Grandma Heaven."
I still miss her.
A lot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A quick little note about the next couple of days.
I haven't been a daily blogger, so if I don't update for a while it wouldn't be too noticeable.
But this time it is because I am leaving for Waco in the morning.
Can't wait to see y'all.
I will blog soon........
7.3.06
Albums I am taking with me as I drive to Waco:
*Synchronicity ~ The Police
*The Joshua Tree ~ U2
*The Essential Johnny Cash
*The Essential Willie Nelson
*The Garden State Soundtrack
*My Spymix (Songs featured on Alias including:Blur, Wyclef Jean, Peter Gabriel, and Depeche Mode)
*My Valentine Mix (including Aqualung, Tristan Prettyman, Lyle Lovett, and Elvis Costello)
Things I intend to think about as I drive to Waco:
*Why do I not have a job yet.....am I really this big of a slacker/loser?
*I can't wait to go to church on Sunday morning @ UBC!
*Seriously, why don't I have a job yet....I've sent out a million resumes!
*Billiards and beer with the guys at Crickets........anyone?
Books I intend to read in the next month (in Waco):
*Finally finish Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
*On The Road by Jack Kerouac (bought it for $4 at the local used book store, never read it)
*Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson (because when I saw it I imagined Kyle would have wanted to read it)
*Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller
Things I intend to accomplish in the next 2-3 weeks (in Waco):
*Get a job.
*Find a house.
*Move the wife to Waco (Priority number one, actually)
We are very excited to be in Waco.....it's the moving that sucks. Click here for more thoughts.
*Synchronicity ~ The Police
*The Joshua Tree ~ U2
*The Essential Johnny Cash
*The Essential Willie Nelson
*The Garden State Soundtrack
*My Spymix (Songs featured on Alias including:Blur, Wyclef Jean, Peter Gabriel, and Depeche Mode)
*My Valentine Mix (including Aqualung, Tristan Prettyman, Lyle Lovett, and Elvis Costello)
Things I intend to think about as I drive to Waco:
*Why do I not have a job yet.....am I really this big of a slacker/loser?
*I can't wait to go to church on Sunday morning @ UBC!
*Seriously, why don't I have a job yet....I've sent out a million resumes!
*Billiards and beer with the guys at Crickets........anyone?
Books I intend to read in the next month (in Waco):
*Finally finish Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
*On The Road by Jack Kerouac (bought it for $4 at the local used book store, never read it)
*Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson (because when I saw it I imagined Kyle would have wanted to read it)
*Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller
Things I intend to accomplish in the next 2-3 weeks (in Waco):
*Get a job.
*Find a house.
*Move the wife to Waco (Priority number one, actually)
We are very excited to be in Waco.....it's the moving that sucks. Click here for more thoughts.
1.3.06
Home
or: Where you lay your head is a pillow not a metaphor for something that is a lot more philosophical in nature than practical.
I personally like the alternate title, even if it is lengthy.
So here's another quote from Donald Miller:
"Everybody has to leave, everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons." (from Through Painted Deserts)
So I am coming home. Waco, that is. I gave my 2 weeks last week and will be on the road on the 11th of March. Perhaps an all nighter to make it to UBC on Sunday. I don't know yet. Regardless...I am coming home.
I don't know why we left in the first place, but I don't regret moving to Phoenix.
This last year has been full of stress and angst, primarily from financial struggles, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I have been able to get to know my little nieces, Kristina and Deana, and will miss them terribly.
My sister and I have been able to reconnect...which has always been important to me.
Kristin and I have waded through financial struggles and stressors only to come out more resolved on the other side.
I experienced the personal dream of going to Culinary School only to realize that your hobby can't always put food on the table, even if it is cooking.
All of these things were important, and perhaps even necessary, to get us to where we are right now.
My wife has said it more eloquently than I have, so I will rip this off from her.
"Family will always be there. Friends can leave."
Sounds depressing, doesn't it?
But true.
So we do our best by cultivating friendships.
Creating and maintaining our "other" family.
Doing everything in our power to be better friends than we've been in the past.
Calling more, writing more, doing more for the people that we love.
So we choose Waco. UBC, and all of our friends there.
Can't wait to see you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jen tagged me....if you want to see my responses (some of them are kinda funny) go here.
or: Where you lay your head is a pillow not a metaphor for something that is a lot more philosophical in nature than practical.
I personally like the alternate title, even if it is lengthy.
So here's another quote from Donald Miller:
"Everybody has to leave, everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons." (from Through Painted Deserts)
So I am coming home. Waco, that is. I gave my 2 weeks last week and will be on the road on the 11th of March. Perhaps an all nighter to make it to UBC on Sunday. I don't know yet. Regardless...I am coming home.
I don't know why we left in the first place, but I don't regret moving to Phoenix.
This last year has been full of stress and angst, primarily from financial struggles, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I have been able to get to know my little nieces, Kristina and Deana, and will miss them terribly.
My sister and I have been able to reconnect...which has always been important to me.
Kristin and I have waded through financial struggles and stressors only to come out more resolved on the other side.
I experienced the personal dream of going to Culinary School only to realize that your hobby can't always put food on the table, even if it is cooking.
All of these things were important, and perhaps even necessary, to get us to where we are right now.
My wife has said it more eloquently than I have, so I will rip this off from her.
"Family will always be there. Friends can leave."
Sounds depressing, doesn't it?
But true.
So we do our best by cultivating friendships.
Creating and maintaining our "other" family.
Doing everything in our power to be better friends than we've been in the past.
Calling more, writing more, doing more for the people that we love.
So we choose Waco. UBC, and all of our friends there.
Can't wait to see you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jen tagged me....if you want to see my responses (some of them are kinda funny) go here.
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