Aidan won the costume contest for his age and spent the whole day with his balloon. This is a great picture!
Ava congratulating Aiden on his victory and most likely trying to steal his balloon.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
My Niece and Nephew
Aidan won the costume contest for his age and spent the whole day with his balloon. This is a great picture!
Ava congratulating Aiden on his victory and most likely trying to steal his balloon.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
a weary mind
My brain is officially 1/2 way to fried as a direct result of seminary from all this darned thinking! That's not a good start. I have just realized I have about 7 weeks left and about 50-60 pages worth of papers to write! Is that bad???
I just want to thank Widmer Bros. brewing for helping me cope with the stress. You've made one of the smoothest stouts I have ever had and it is delicious. If you get a chance to buy their Snow Plow Milk Stout, DO IT! Little piece of heaven right here on earth.
Also found out the guy I work with tonight has been brewing his own beer for about 2 years and has even won some awards. He said he would be happy to brew with me and show me how it's done. How can I pass that up??? I can't!
I also want to thank Starbucks and Peets Coffee for making me way more productive than what I would have been alone. You have allowed me to read mind-wrenching crap I could have never read alone.
I just want to thank Widmer Bros. brewing for helping me cope with the stress. You've made one of the smoothest stouts I have ever had and it is delicious. If you get a chance to buy their Snow Plow Milk Stout, DO IT! Little piece of heaven right here on earth.
Also found out the guy I work with tonight has been brewing his own beer for about 2 years and has even won some awards. He said he would be happy to brew with me and show me how it's done. How can I pass that up??? I can't!
I also want to thank Starbucks and Peets Coffee for making me way more productive than what I would have been alone. You have allowed me to read mind-wrenching crap I could have never read alone.
Out of Context 4
"For all you preachers out there, what you need to do is to find a good joke and build a text around it."
-Counseling professor.
-Counseling professor.
Cops, Weed, and a Marching Band
Last night we were living in bizarro world. Kelli and I met up with our friends Jon and Natasha Irvine who will hopefully be moving here from Tampa in the coming months. On the way home I got pulled over for “driving dumb.” Those were the literal words of the officer. After arguing with him a bit and getting nothing resolved it was clear that he pulled us over because he was bored and just wanted to talk to someone. As he left he said, “I’m going to let you guys go, but stop driving dumb.” Hilarious.
So then I went to the Doug Fir to meet the guys and there was a hipster marching band playing in the showroom. Strange, very strange. It was immediately clear to Jon that everyone was on X seeing as they were rubbing themselves and each other and dancing around like no one else existed. Strange but unique show.
Then we were sitting outside in the courtyard when a guy sat down and introduced himself as Brent. He just wanted to talk because he apparently knows everyone and he just kept saying, “man, there is some REALLY good stuff going on here at the Doug Fir.” He was a passionate Doug Fir evangelist. I still can’t figure out what he was really trying to tell us. We did meet him again on the way out however and he said, “hey guys, I’d stay and talk but I’ve got this great bud here that I’ve got to smoke, come on smell this *$&#.” I took a smell and it was strong. I humored him and said, “yeah that smells like some great stuff.”
So then I went to the Doug Fir to meet the guys and there was a hipster marching band playing in the showroom. Strange, very strange. It was immediately clear to Jon that everyone was on X seeing as they were rubbing themselves and each other and dancing around like no one else existed. Strange but unique show.
Then we were sitting outside in the courtyard when a guy sat down and introduced himself as Brent. He just wanted to talk because he apparently knows everyone and he just kept saying, “man, there is some REALLY good stuff going on here at the Doug Fir.” He was a passionate Doug Fir evangelist. I still can’t figure out what he was really trying to tell us. We did meet him again on the way out however and he said, “hey guys, I’d stay and talk but I’ve got this great bud here that I’ve got to smoke, come on smell this *$&#.” I took a smell and it was strong. I humored him and said, “yeah that smells like some great stuff.”
Monday, October 23, 2006
Did Green Day Steal Songs?
Medford man claims alt-rockers, Green Day, stole his tunes
Posted by The Oregonian Newsroom October 23, 2006 10:33
Paul McPike thought Green Day's album "American Idiot" sounded familiar.
As he listened to the title track, he said it dawned on him that the alt-rock band was singing his song.
"It came back to me," said the 32-year-old Medford grocery store checker. "That's my song. I sang that song way back in high school."
In fact, McPike claims he didn't just pen "American Idiot." He says he wrote every song on the album and sang them for his classmates at Independence High School in Amador County, Calif., more than a decade ago.
"I went and listened to the whole album, and there it was: my songs right there. They hadn't been changed a bit, except for guitars and drums."
So now McPike is suing Warner Bros. in U.S. District Court in Portland. He's claiming copyright infringement, and he wants a cut of the profits from "American Idiot."
Trouble is, McPike couldn't find a lawyer to represent him so he's doing the legal work himself. He wrote to Warner Bros. and Green Day, but he hasn't heard back from them yet.
A representative of Warner Bros. was not available for comment. Green Day's publicist at Creative Artists Agency also could not be reached for comment.
He said he's a fan of Green Day and likes what they did with what he says is his work.
"I am really happy with the job they did with my songs actually," he said.
He says the band's made millions from his tunes. He's not holding out much hope for getting "a bunch of money."
"It's more the principle," he said. "Those were my songs and I want credit."
Posted by The Oregonian Newsroom October 23, 2006 10:33
Paul McPike thought Green Day's album "American Idiot" sounded familiar.
As he listened to the title track, he said it dawned on him that the alt-rock band was singing his song.
"It came back to me," said the 32-year-old Medford grocery store checker. "That's my song. I sang that song way back in high school."
In fact, McPike claims he didn't just pen "American Idiot." He says he wrote every song on the album and sang them for his classmates at Independence High School in Amador County, Calif., more than a decade ago.
"I went and listened to the whole album, and there it was: my songs right there. They hadn't been changed a bit, except for guitars and drums."
So now McPike is suing Warner Bros. in U.S. District Court in Portland. He's claiming copyright infringement, and he wants a cut of the profits from "American Idiot."
Trouble is, McPike couldn't find a lawyer to represent him so he's doing the legal work himself. He wrote to Warner Bros. and Green Day, but he hasn't heard back from them yet.
A representative of Warner Bros. was not available for comment. Green Day's publicist at Creative Artists Agency also could not be reached for comment.
He said he's a fan of Green Day and likes what they did with what he says is his work.
"I am really happy with the job they did with my songs actually," he said.
He says the band's made millions from his tunes. He's not holding out much hope for getting "a bunch of money."
"It's more the principle," he said. "Those were my songs and I want credit."
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Friday, October 20, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Christian Rock Band Cleans Up Hotel Room
October 16, 2006 | Issue 42•42
WAYCROSS, GA—Hotel staff at the Highway 82 Best Western found the suite occupied over the weekend by members of the Christian rock band Ruggid Krøss swept, dusted, scrubbed, and readied for immediate occupancy. "Bands have come through here before, but I've never seen anything like this," said housekeeping supervisor Maria Konieczna, who was called to the scene after maids expressed alarm at the carefully mended furniture, retouched bathroom-wall paint, and hospital corners the five-member evangelical group inflicted on the hotel's property. "The television was lifted up, dusted under, Windexed, and placed carefully back in the cabinet. Plus they apparently had our towels professionally laundered at their own expense. There's nothing in the manual about dealing with this type of propriety." Hotel staff are attempting to contact Ruggid Krøss' manager to return the six extra Gideon's Bibles they left in the suite's nightstands.
Ht: The Onion
WAYCROSS, GA—Hotel staff at the Highway 82 Best Western found the suite occupied over the weekend by members of the Christian rock band Ruggid Krøss swept, dusted, scrubbed, and readied for immediate occupancy. "Bands have come through here before, but I've never seen anything like this," said housekeeping supervisor Maria Konieczna, who was called to the scene after maids expressed alarm at the carefully mended furniture, retouched bathroom-wall paint, and hospital corners the five-member evangelical group inflicted on the hotel's property. "The television was lifted up, dusted under, Windexed, and placed carefully back in the cabinet. Plus they apparently had our towels professionally laundered at their own expense. There's nothing in the manual about dealing with this type of propriety." Hotel staff are attempting to contact Ruggid Krøss' manager to return the six extra Gideon's Bibles they left in the suite's nightstands.
Ht: The Onion
Our True Identity
MLB Fans Can Now Take Their Team Devotion to the Grave.
Click on the headline to read the story.
I'm a huge Cubs and Bears fan but this is a little disturbing. It's a sad day when the largest thing that defines your life is what team you root for. This looks like a case of mistaken identity. I think this article brings up a good question however that needs to be asked by everyone at some point. Where do we find our identity?
Some find their identity in the clothes they wear, the cars they drive, the career they work, the sports teams they root for, the success they achieve, but is there something deeper to our identity than what we DO or what we LIKE? Doesn't our identity have to do more with who we ARE?
Then we have to ask ourselves the question: Who am I? That is a question that cannot be answered with what you do or what you like unfortunately. Those things do not define a person. So what does?
How would you answer the question: Who Am I?
Click on the headline to read the story.
I'm a huge Cubs and Bears fan but this is a little disturbing. It's a sad day when the largest thing that defines your life is what team you root for. This looks like a case of mistaken identity. I think this article brings up a good question however that needs to be asked by everyone at some point. Where do we find our identity?
Some find their identity in the clothes they wear, the cars they drive, the career they work, the sports teams they root for, the success they achieve, but is there something deeper to our identity than what we DO or what we LIKE? Doesn't our identity have to do more with who we ARE?
Then we have to ask ourselves the question: Who am I? That is a question that cannot be answered with what you do or what you like unfortunately. Those things do not define a person. So what does?
How would you answer the question: Who Am I?
Monday, October 16, 2006
Rex????
The First half is in the books and Rex Grossman has 4, count them 4 turnovers! What is going on here? The Cardinals look like a Super Bowl contender right now. The Bears have decided to stop playing defense and Grossman looks like a third stringer for the Lions. I'm hoping that I come back to this post later and have to retract my statements but Grossman is sucking it up all over the place right now and I'm mad. I'm not trying to take away from what he's done this season so far but if you can't handle the Cardinals. Crap.
Brian Urlacher - Our HERO! What an unbelievable game! Rex did everything he could do to lose it, 0 offensive touchdowns, 6 turnovers and somehow the Bears pull off 2 defensive touchdowns and a punt run back in the 2nd half. The craziest and most memorable game I've ever seen. I was screaming my head off like a little 2 year old girl. Just ask Kelli. I can't even describe how exciting this game was. Thank God for Chicago's defense. It was clutch! And of course, thanks to Neil Rackers for missing the field goal that would have won the game for Arizona.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Out of Context 3
"Take your marijuana and take it somewhere else, smoke it up, blow your brains out, I don't care."
-10-9-06 Counseling Professor.
-10-9-06 Counseling Professor.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Damn You Credit Cards
As I look back upon the last 4 years and see how I have established a credit card debt that add up more than the price of a new SUV I can't believe it. It's amazing how little purchases here and there can amount to enormous balances. I feel awful that I myself am particularly responsible for putting Kelli and I in this tough situation. Granted moving twice in the last two years, going some months without paychecks, going on an amazing honeymoon (which I don't regret) etc. have not helped but I have spent a lot of money on things I didn't really need just because I don't have the discipline to say no.
I realized this partially yesterday when I was about to put another 3.00 dollar latte charge on my credit card when Stumptown Coffee told me they didn't take credit. I didn't have any cash so my friend Jason just bought us both a 1 dollar coffee and you know what I realized? It was just as good. And two dollars cheaper. I started to consider the fact that I was about ready to put 3 more dollars on the credit card that was totally unnecessary. And then I thought about ALL the times I have done that in the last three years. Damn. I wish I could take that back.
Having a minimum payment on your credit cards that equals your rent really puts strain on your life and your marriage. And for that reason I am going to change and start spending more wisely. No more 3 dollar lattes, no more concerts when we don't have the money (goodbye Joseph Arthur, we'll catch you next time), and even no more beer when we can't afford it. That's not easy for me but it is necessary. I'm splurged for too long. It's time for some good ol' fashion discipline. Not to mention what this all says about my theology of money. I don't even want to share any thoughts on that.
Sometimes I catch myself blaming the credit card companies. And I talk about how they are evil but in reality I am the only one to blame and I take full responsibility. I am the one with evil inside that tells me that I have to keep spending, I need that coffee or that beer or that book (hurts to say that) and keeping up with everything. The companies certainly don't make it easy to get out of debt but they did not make me spend in the first place.
Where did all this start? My junior year of college my friends and I didn't have any money but were obligated to take our annual spring break trip to Clearwater, FL and decided to get credit cards. While I wouldn't trade that trip for the world, what I would change is that once I got home I would have paid it off, cut it up and never touched another one. If I had just done that life would be so much simpler right now. Some of you know exactly what I'm talking about. And some of you are probably in the place where the credit card bills are just starting to come in. Take my word for it: pay it off and cut it up now! For those of us that are already in deep debt, lock the cards up somewhere, make the payments and press on! Someday, some day long long in the future we will be free of our stupid mistakes of early adulthood.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Wet and Wild Weekend
This past Saturday Kelli and I took a trip to Bagby Hot Springs which is a few hours drive from Portland. We were both told about the hot spring on the exact same day by a co-worker of Kelli's and for me it was the Fed Ex guy so we thought it was fate that we should visit. The drive was beautiful and the 1.5 mile hike to the bathhouses was even more beautiful. It was nice to do something outdoors, it was the first time we have since we've moved to Oregon.
So here comes the fun part.
What we didn't known was that clothing was optional and weed was practically mandatory! Luckily (or so we thought) there were some private rooms with baths (you can see pictures of all of this HERE). We get inside one of the rooms, pop the stick that is holding the water back and start to fill up the tup when we noticed that there are holes in the wood of the walls which you can safetly see the people in each of the rooms next door. I went out to get a bucket of cold water to balance out the 136 degree water from the spring and when I came back Kelli whispered to me, "well, i just saw that old man's penis." Oh geeze. What was worse was that the older couple next door was not sexually inhibited like I had waished.
It was a strange place, but would be peaceful minus all the nudity, or perhaps minus our self-consciousness over nudity. As we left the bathhouse to start our hike back to the car we looked down a hill where there were some public baths and that didn't even stop people from being naked or acting out all their public sex fantasies. People here amaze me!
Also, we got back to our car and had a 75 dollar ticket because we forgot to pay 5 dollars to park. Crap.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Out of Context
I've decided to begin this as a regular treat for you to laugh at because one of my professors says some stuff that sounds pretty insane out of context. Actually, sometimes it sounds pretty insane anyway, but he's a hilariously great dude and I think you will enjoy this. Keep in the mind, this is in the context of pastoral counseling.
"If you have a heart attack, no i won't pray for healing, you've eaten horribly your whole life, it's the principle of reaping and sowing, you deserve to die." 10-2-06
More soon. I've got plenty!!!
"If you have a heart attack, no i won't pray for healing, you've eaten horribly your whole life, it's the principle of reaping and sowing, you deserve to die." 10-2-06
More soon. I've got plenty!!!
One of the most amazing things i've ever read
Click here
There's nothing you can even say about this. It's the Kingdom of God on earth.
ht: Drew Moser
There's nothing you can even say about this. It's the Kingdom of God on earth.
ht: Drew Moser
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Friday, October 06, 2006
Randon Notes
Watched Lucky Number Slevin last night because I have unlimited free rentals (which is the only reason I will bring home Click tonight). I was disappointed with Slevin. It was slow moving, fairly uninteresting and only sparked my interest at the end when the story finally unwinds and then abruptly ends. I thought it was an awkward film overall and certainly disappointing considering the huge cast.
We also watched Thank You For Smoking last week and it was great. Very clever and funny. By the end I was thinking to myself, "man, they've really duped me, why am i rooting for this guy? he's a terrible human being." Fun movie though, i highly recommend it.
Having a hard time processing and thinking creatively with information and ideas lately. I'm not sure why. I feel like my brain has hit a wall. It might be because of my schedule or I'm just blank right now. I guess we all go through those spells.
Kelli and I are taking a little road trip this weekend to Bagby Hot Springs (i guess we're obligated with a name like that). As the name implies they are some natural hot springs that you hike about a mile and a half to get to and then hop in (they say clothing is optional).
Going to see Joseph Arthur next Friday at the Doug Fir. I'm cranked (trying to find new adjectives for the word excited) for that.
I saw a blurb in Newsweek about a gun range in Las Vegas called The Gun Store that rents all kinds of machine guns and automatic weapons to you to shoot. How freaking unreal would that be? You could feel what it would be like to shoot guns like they have in the movies! I told my friend Bob that this morning and also told him that I pretend sometimes that I'm packing heat when I walk around the neighborhood (doesn't anyone else do this?). I'm pretty sure he thinks i'm insane now. I may have watched too many Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Sylvester Stalone, etc. movies as a kid. I think this is the kind of post that police come back to and say, "see this is where he first started talking about guns" after some absurd criminal behavior. I'm going to stop talking now, i'm not crazy, I promise. Actually, the exact opposite, i've always had the fantasy to be the hero like Chuck Norris in Forced Vengeance, or Missing in Action, to take down the bad guys.
Ok, back to the real world. i'm out like Ryan Secrest.
We also watched Thank You For Smoking last week and it was great. Very clever and funny. By the end I was thinking to myself, "man, they've really duped me, why am i rooting for this guy? he's a terrible human being." Fun movie though, i highly recommend it.
Having a hard time processing and thinking creatively with information and ideas lately. I'm not sure why. I feel like my brain has hit a wall. It might be because of my schedule or I'm just blank right now. I guess we all go through those spells.
Kelli and I are taking a little road trip this weekend to Bagby Hot Springs (i guess we're obligated with a name like that). As the name implies they are some natural hot springs that you hike about a mile and a half to get to and then hop in (they say clothing is optional).
Going to see Joseph Arthur next Friday at the Doug Fir. I'm cranked (trying to find new adjectives for the word excited) for that.
I saw a blurb in Newsweek about a gun range in Las Vegas called The Gun Store that rents all kinds of machine guns and automatic weapons to you to shoot. How freaking unreal would that be? You could feel what it would be like to shoot guns like they have in the movies! I told my friend Bob that this morning and also told him that I pretend sometimes that I'm packing heat when I walk around the neighborhood (doesn't anyone else do this?). I'm pretty sure he thinks i'm insane now. I may have watched too many Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Sylvester Stalone, etc. movies as a kid. I think this is the kind of post that police come back to and say, "see this is where he first started talking about guns" after some absurd criminal behavior. I'm going to stop talking now, i'm not crazy, I promise. Actually, the exact opposite, i've always had the fantasy to be the hero like Chuck Norris in Forced Vengeance, or Missing in Action, to take down the bad guys.
Ok, back to the real world. i'm out like Ryan Secrest.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Preaching Vs. Plagiarism Pt. 2
This is just one example of the problem that I was talking about in the previous post on this issue delivered straight to my email.
New Research Tool and a Special Offer
Streamline your study time
CreativePastors.com is thrilled to announce a new research tool for pastors that will allow you to explore the complete text of more than 600 sermons that Ed has delivered during his sixteen years at Fellowship Church - and it's all available within our simple search bar.
It couldn't be easier to use. Getting ready to preach a message on anger? Type anger into the search bar on the left hand side of the site. At the top of the search results page, you'll see the number of times that word is mentioned within the text of the transcripts on the site. Click the link and you'll find every series and message where that word is mentioned, along with a short sample showing the reference in context.
Whether you're looking for different perspectives on a book of the Bible, a unique approach to a much-used topic or a specific cultural reference, you'll find your results in the blink of an eye. And this month, every sermon transcript on CreativePastors.com is available for 15% off. So go have fun with our new search tool and stock up on your favorite sermon transcripts!
New Research Tool and a Special Offer
Streamline your study time
CreativePastors.com is thrilled to announce a new research tool for pastors that will allow you to explore the complete text of more than 600 sermons that Ed has delivered during his sixteen years at Fellowship Church - and it's all available within our simple search bar.
It couldn't be easier to use. Getting ready to preach a message on anger? Type anger into the search bar on the left hand side of the site. At the top of the search results page, you'll see the number of times that word is mentioned within the text of the transcripts on the site. Click the link and you'll find every series and message where that word is mentioned, along with a short sample showing the reference in context.
Whether you're looking for different perspectives on a book of the Bible, a unique approach to a much-used topic or a specific cultural reference, you'll find your results in the blink of an eye. And this month, every sermon transcript on CreativePastors.com is available for 15% off. So go have fun with our new search tool and stock up on your favorite sermon transcripts!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Congrats Drew
My friend Drew Moser got his article published by Lark News. A feat that takes quite a bit of time! It's not easy to come up with an idea that will make it in the big leagues like Lark but he's done it!
Check out the exclusive: Dobson endorses family for president in 2008.
Nice work man. I really loved the "Pastor works diligently to keep people from his home" article too.
Check out the exclusive: Dobson endorses family for president in 2008.
Nice work man. I really loved the "Pastor works diligently to keep people from his home" article too.
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