What I've Been Waiting For

This is the excerpt from the brewers blog.

"What do you get when you blend Organic beer and Organic coffee? Well, to quote a candy commercial from my childhood- simply "Two great tastes that taste great together."

Organic Portland Roast Espresso Stout is a collaboration between the our brewery andPortland Roasting- a fantastic local coffee producer. The beer features a blend of Ethiopian and Sumatran coffees specially selected by myself and the roasters at Portland Roasting. The Organic and farm friendly coffees blend nicely with their smooth and mellow organic stout. The roasted character of the this beer is nicely complimented by the coffee flavor and aroma.

We're bottling Portland Roast in 22s on Tuesday the 17th. And despite what you may have read elsewhere, it will be on draft at 51st and Sandy on Wednesday. Sorry for the confusion- the overwhelming nature of the coffee and beer combination have put my head in the clouds."

Is this a dream???

NPC Day 3

Another good day, but starting to get conference weary. Best things...

1. Chip and I had a nice chat with J.P. Moreland and after a year of living in wonder and curiosity J.P. was kind enough to expound on what he said last year, "I am more confident that I have three angels surrounding me than that George W. Bush is our current president." Seems like a strange comment for one of the foremost Christian philosophers in the country to say. I'll type up the story in full soon. It's very interesting.

2. Good discussion at the on-site pub last night after the conference. I loved that the bartender Ron, had a button on his shirt that said "Welcome National Pastors Convention." Very fitting.

3. Christopher Wright after a long week was difficult to listen to after hearing the likes of Bell, Hybels, Willamon and others but it was worth it as he said a few things that have stuck with me and I will think about again such as when Paul talks about the gospel he starts with what it is doing in creation and then invites us into what is happening. It doesn't start with us and leave us wondering what will happen to everything else.

4. Skipped the panel discussion yesterday to go shopping with the boys at the mall. Seriously.

5. Bible study yesterday morning with Ben Patterson. He recited the first three Psalms from memory and told us how they ground the book of Psalms and inform our prayers.

6. Ruth Haley Barton spoke of the loneliness of the leader. A LOT of content so I was tuning in and out at times but what I received was important to think and pray through. I really appreciated what she had to say and am excited to read her book, "Strengthening the Soul of the Leader."

About ready to head to early morning bible study with Christopher Wright....

NPC Day 2

A good day...

1. Starting the day with bible study by Gordon Fee from Revelation (mostly his commentary notes, but still good). I love hearing guys who have been studying scripture at the most intense level for this many years but still have a clear love for God. Gordon Fee is to me what Phyllis Tickle is to Chris Leonardo.

2. Getting a phantom photo with Rob Bell. Rob Bell fanboys were out in numbers yesterday during his session. There was a line to talk to him and many things signed. Will never understand the Christian celebrity thing.

3. The nerdiest shirt I've ever seen: I heart hermeneutics. Yeah, I really saw it. I think it was another Rob Bell fanboy.

4. Cigars and 8 dollar beers down at the Gaslamp District.

5. Will Willamon's quirky, hilarious, and memorable sermon.

6. A 10-minute chair massage. Brought tears to my eyes it was so painful but i feel great now.

7. The band Sons of Korah from Australia. By far the best music of the conference so far.

8. Chris punched me in the back of the head while sleeping.

NPC Day 1

Yesterday started off kind of shaky and left me wondering, "Maybe we should go somewhere else next year" (Because I'm an optimist). But then Efrem Smith got up and preached Ezekiel 37 to us. I think Chris or Chip described it as listening to Metallica before a wrestling match. Great stuff.

Shane Claiborne was pretty good. It was a good challenge assessing the role and power of money in our lives. I think Bob described it well:

"I'm looking forward to hearing Shane in 20 years when idealism, the wisdom of experience and 2 more decades of following Jesus like he is all meet to make him even more rad."

One of my favorite parts of the day was a seminar with Don Everts who wrote Jesus with Dirty Feet which I read and loved about ten years ago. He was speaking of what he has experienced about people's journey's to faith under the framework of five thresholds that people generally cross to get there. It made a lot of sense to me and I'll share it in more detail later.

Also got to have a quick chat with Michael Jr. last night, the comedian I opened for in Philadelphia. Surprisingly he recognized me and came over to talk. I wouldn't have imagined with as many shows as he does that he would actually remember me so that was cool. And what he said next made my night: "Are you going on tonight?" He actually thought that I was one of the comedians for the event last night. Nothing like a good ego stroke before bedtime!

Alright, well i'm off for early morning bible study with Gordon Fee! He's the man!

Headed to the NPC

Once again this year we're headed down to the National Pastors Convention in San Diego. This year I'm more committed to blogging while I'm there but we'll see what happens.

Some of whom I'm excited to hear include:
A.J. Jacobs
Andy Crouch
Don Everts
Christopher Wright
Will Willmon
William Webb
and several others...

One of my goals this year is also to ask J.P. Moreland what the heck he was talking about when he said, "I have more proof that three angels surround me at all times than I do that JFK lived." Or something to that effect. I didn't even have to embellish that but I probably didn't get the exact quote. Still don't know what he was talking about. We'll see!

Also, the comedian I opened for in Philadelphia in November, Michael Jr. is going to be doing comedy for the main session one night. That will be interesting to see.

I'm also excited for all the nutballs to blog about how this pastors convention is leading people astray from the "truth" and we're all going to burn in hell. You wouldn't think you'd read those kind of things while you're at a pastors convention but you'd be surprised! Go Ingrid!

It seems like...

...like Republicans are always one step behind.

Dems have Hillary Clinton, Pubs respond with Sarah Palin.

Dems have Obama, Pubs respond with Steele.

I'm noticing a trend developing.

This could be promising...

Beers of the Week

Deschutes Abyss Imperial Stout

This is a description from the brewer I believe...

"This exceptionally popular imperial stout, aged in French oak and bourbon barrels, has immense depth with its rich and complex flavors. True to its name, subtle notes of coffee, chocolate, molasses and licorice pull you in deeper and deeper."

This was indeed rich and complex. Very thick. If you can find it, I would try a glass.

Cascade Lakes Skookum Creek Strong Ale

Made with 4 varieties of hops and 7 malts, this is a smooth refreshing Ale that I never would have known is a strong ale. This would be nice in the summer.

Alaskan White Ale

I'm a sucker for a good white ale made with orange peels and coriander, even made one myself last summer with Travis that turned out fair. This one is another prime summer beer.

Top 20 Worst Foods To Eat

Here's an interesting read from Men's Health.

I didn't think Chipotle Burritos were that good, but I also didn't know they were this bad! Yikes! Most of the other things are pretty obvious but still fun to check out.

New(er) beer releases

Widmer '09 Belgian Style Ale

I always look forward to Widmer's brewmaster releases. I loved their '07 Pale Ale brewed with Summit hops, last years Crimson Wheat left a little to be desired but they're back strong this year with a Belgian Golden Ale. Brewed with spicy hops (I'm guessing Saaz), this is a refreshing Ale, probably not as heavy as more traditional Belgian style ales, but just as enjoyable to drink. I highly recommend it.

Lagunitas Brown Shugga

You cannot drink many of these (and it was not intended that you would) as they are almost 10% ABV due obviously to the overload of Brown Sugar used in this brew. Thick and malty, very similar to having a filling meal. A little too sweet for me, but it was definitely better than the Brown Ale that Chris, Devin and I brewed with brown sugar!





Widmer Drifter Pale Ale

Reverting back and reformulating the '07 brewmaster release Widmer put out this beer brewed partially with Summit hops (which are fantastic), this beer is worth a try. Very full of malty flavor and citrusy goodness. I was actually amazed at how much flavor they were able to squeeze into this beer. It's almost too much. I loved the first half of the pint, but this one will wear down your taste buds.

Laughing Dog I.P.A.

I met briefly the brewmaster at the Laughing Dog brewery from Idaho on Monday night at the Belmont Station for a tasting. I thought their Cream Ale was good, their Pale Ale had a strange sour taste, but their I.P.A really stood out to me. The strong floral aroma of this brew is incredible. I asked the brewmaster what aroma hops he used and he said they dry hopped with Simcoe, Cascade, and a third hop that I cannot remember now. In any case, this was a beer worth trying.



Beers on my list to try:
Full Sail Black Gold Bourbon Imperial Stout
Laurelwood Pub Hop Monkey IPA
Amnesia Porter

Is this really "news"?

A new book proposal, submitted by the admittedly estranged brother of Mark McGwire, claims the former major league slugger used both steroids and human growth hormone during his career.

In the proposal, first reported Wednesday on Deadspin.com, Jay McGwire alleges that Mark used Deca-Durabolin and that he introduced Mark to performance-enhancing drugs in 1994.

According to the report, Jay McGwire writes in his proposal that his brother "began to use, but in low dosages so he wouldn't lift his way out of baseball. Deca-Durabolin helped with his joint problems and recovery, while growth hormone helped his strength, making him leaner in the process. I became the first person to inject him, like most first-timers he couldn't plunge in the needle himself. Later a girlfriend injected him."

the rest here.

When's Sammy's brother going to write a book?

Another Incredible Provision

All throughout my life God has provided again and again sometimes in minor ways, sometimes in more miraculous ways. Kelli jokes about it because some of the things that have happened in my life can be explained in no other way but favor from God. The feeling I get when these things happen is always, "Why me?" It's humbling to say the least.

When we were desperate for money in Tampa, Fl and wondering how we were going to pay our bills I got an email asking me to write cover copies for Thomas Nelson publishers (which I have no experience in) which paid way more than I deserved.

When were were struggling to make ends meet when we first moved to Portland and were wondering how we would be able to make it, Jason Siemer offered me a job painting some apartments, then Brian Goff asked me to paint his house, which enabled us to make it.

Every time we have been in need and have asked God to provide, over and over again something has come up and He has proven faithful. And over and over again I wonder how we could be so blessed by Him.

Today was another story of God's incredible provision. Kelli and I were at my cardiologist (because while my heart health is fantastic in terms of blood pressure, pulse, and eating habits...well, I guess that's about it, i've been dealt a pretty bad hand in the cholesterol department.) In any case, after drastically changing my diet and losing 200 points on my Triglyceride count I was put on a medication to help lower it the rest of the way. Unfortunately, the news we received today is that this medication barely made a dent in my levels. It was fairly surprising and discouraging and she again reminded me that I have inherited some seriously tough Triglcerides.

What this means is more costly medication in addition to the already costly meds I'm on. Unfortunatley since I have student insurance I only have a prescription discount card (which takes off almost nothing) so the last medication was about as much as we could afford which I told my doctor (who is awesome). She went to make a few phone calls and see what she could do and when she came back she said something like, "You'll never believe what just happened."

When she went out to the front desk to do a little research, a drug representative who just happened to be from the company of the drug that I need but can't come close to affording just arrived. Keep in mind, in this medical center, drug reps aren't even allowed anymore! But this woman didn't know it because it had been a long time since she had checked in. In any case, she asked my doctor, "hey, could you use any samples of such and such (which is the medication I need). I have a whole case I could give you." And the doctor obviously said, "Yes I could use those." After telling us about this exchange she said if I come back tomorrow she would have a bag waiting for me at the desk with my name on it with the entire case of this medication which will last for quite some time! Unbelievable! She told me she would be glad to give it to me and would help in any way she could and then said, "This is why I'm always in trouble around here!"

What are the chances of a rep from the drug company, who is not even allowed on the premises anymore, showing up at the front desk with a case of the medication I need at the exact moment my doctor went up to do some research about how we could make it work and then have my doctor give it to me for free? Absolutely amazing! It's so encouraging when things like this happen.

This is worth a read

Ten Years Out: A Retrospective on the Emerging Church in North America by Stephen Shields

January of 2009 finds us at a crossroads for the emerging church in North America. There’s increasing discomfort with the term “emerging church” itself, with a number of leading lights in the movement expressing hesitations about the term. Andrew Jones, who was an early leader in the conversation, recently announced that he would no longer be using the term “emerging church” as “the word no longer communicates what i want it to.” Prominent emerging church blogger, and Next-Wave Contributing Editor, Bob Hyatt, a pastor with The Evergreen Community in Portland, OR, recently posted his frustration over both the term and the identification of the movement itself, commenting, “I'm more often than not now answering a question about what we aren't than what we are about- and that saddens me.” Bob also shares, “I do have some deep concerns about some of the things I see in the movement as a whole- and to be honest, though I once spent a lot of time defending the emerging church, I want to be about the Gospel.” Theologian and author Scot McKnight, who has vigorously participated in the emerging church conversation through his Jesus Creed blog, expresses his reservations: “I like the diversity of ‘emerging’ but the problem is that the term has been so abused by its critics that embracing the term leads to endless discussions of just how one is part of that emerging conversation. I've basically given up on using the term except in audiences where I think it is understood.” Dan Kimball also limits when he uses the term saying, “I don’t use the term too much anymore because of the confusion and also that it means so many things, depending on who you ask.” Then there is the cyclical parsing of any difference there might be between the term “emerging church” and “emergent.”

Read the rest here.

Rush Vs. Ray

In speaking of the Steelers/Ravens game this weekend...

During his daily radio show last Monday, the patriarch of the right-wingers bloviated about attending the Steelers playoff victory at Heinz Field and predicted that Pittsburgh will beat "the Crips and the Bloods," his description of the Baltimore Ravens, in the AFC Championship Game.




Wow, I don't know Rush, I wouldn't want to get on Ray Lewis' bad side. My rule has always been that you don't talk bad about a guy who has probably in all reality murdered another dude.

Hudson River Landing

It is truly amazing that everyone survived this water landing in the Hudson yesterday. I have no idea how 150 people get out of a sinking aircraft that is being filled up with 20 degree water and make it. Remarkable to say the least. The pilot's calmness as well is incredible. Apparently all he said was, "brace for impact." How terrifying that would have been.

A "made for TV" movie if I ever saw one!

It makes me happy...

...to see (to my knowledge) that Christians aren't raising a stink about these signs here in Portland and playing into the hands of this silly organization.

Why couldn't we have done that with The Da Vinci Code or Eminem records?

Two Artists that....

...I'm Over:

M. Ward
Loved a few albums, but after listening to his latest (Hold Time), I realized that it sounds exactly like everything else he's done. I'm not sure it's possible for M. Ward to create any other sound than what he's created.

Andrew Bird
Listen pal, enough with the whistling already. At first I liked Andrew Bird, now he just irritates me.

...I just don't get:

Animal Collective
I don't understand Pitchfork's Radiohead-esque review scores. 9.6? 9.6! To me this just sounds like a jumbled, obnoxious, irritating mess. I can listen to it for about 3.4 minutes before I have to change it.

TV on the Radio
I've given their last two albums plenty of tries, but once again, just can't get into these guys. I get a few songs in and I have no idea what's going on.

...give me hope in music:

J. Tillman
This is the drummer from Fleet Foxes who has apparently been doing solo albums for quite some time now.

Anthony Da Costa
Now that Ryan Adams is apparently giving up music (we'll see), this is an up and coming songwriter that is worth a listen.

AC Newman

The frontman of the New Pornographers has put out another solo record and honestly, if it would have been half as good as his last The Slow Wonder, which was phenomenal I would have been pleased.

But this delivered beyond my expectations.

You can check out the first song on the record here.






Here's a video of the first single:

Unnecessary Quotations

I hadn't seen this yet, it's The "Blog" of Unnecessary Quotations.

Funny stuff.

ht: Mandy

Your Dose of the Onion

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

How Creepy Does This Look?

Good Bye 2008

2008 is long gone (2 days now) and so is list December. We kind of fizzled out at the end due to traveling and such but we'll be back strong next December with plenty of more lists. I've already got a few ideas.

This past year has been truly amazing. Back in May we started a second gathering of Evergreen in SE Portland and I've been the main teaching elder/pastor there. It's been exciting to get in a routine of speaking a majority of Sundays. I look forward to even more this year as well as finishing up my MDiv program in April (which hopefully will give me more time to write better sermons!). I've been off the past four weeks due to bad weather and spreading out the preaching with other elders at Advent and I can't wait to get back in the swing of it!

I got another great opportunity to do a 15 minute set of stand-up comedy to a sold out crowd of about 350 people in Philadelphia in November which was one of the highlights of my year. I thought after I left NYC my comedy career (what there was of it) was over but this show was really exciting to be a part of and one of my favorite moments of this past year. I wish Kelli could have come with me. I also got offered the gig again for next November. Woohoo!

Another highlight was Kelli and I becoming the new face of hiking with an overly ambitious hiking plan this past summer. While we didn't get to complete near the amount of hikes we wanted to, we did finish the Rock of Ages hike which almost killed us and made us hate even the thought of hiking. After recovering the past three months though I feel like i'm ready to go again this next summer. Time to start planning.

We got to go to a wedding in Florida and two in Illinois and spend time with family and friends, go to many Beavers games this summer when it was 90-some degrees, visit my friends in Chicago and go to a Cubs game (as well as get taken out to a great steakhouse by my friend Jeff), hang out at the Pastors Convention in San Diego last February, had a great birthday celebration with about 20 people at Buffalo Wild Wings, got to hold an African Lioness Cub and a Black Panther Cub on a trip to Southern Oregon which was another HUGE highlight for me as most of you know.

While all of the traveling with my fun wife, preaching at Evergreen, and drinking the best microbrews in the world was a lot of fun, I think my number one highlight of 2008 was probably finishing Hebrew! I got out alive and that was one of the biggest reliefs of my seminary career! I'm amazed as I reflect on all the things Kelli and I were able to do and take part in this past year. Sure, we don't have a ton of money in the bank and we're far from being slaves to the American dream but the experiences we have had this past year far outweigh giving up our lives to make a buck. I wouldn't trade them for the world.

We're incredibly blessed with these opportunities and we look forward to a great 2009 where God willing I will be full-time with Evergreen, finish my MDiv, and quite possibly take on the greatest responsibility I have yet known! Who knows what will happen?

List December #20

Top Ten Candies at a Junior High Basketball Game:

10. Butterfinger

The only thing I didn't like about this candy bar is that you had compacted bits of candy impacted in your teeth for a few days.


9. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

An old standby...


8. Sprees (chewy or regular)

I think hard Sprees are the reason half of my teeth are chipped. Well-worth it in my book.



7. Twix

Ohhhh Yeeaahh.




6. Rolos

I could see this pick getting made fun of. Not sure why but that's the feeling I get.



5. Sour Gummi Worms

These things were like crack.





4. Airheads

The texture of hardened wax. But so good.







3. Tangy Taffy - Cherry
I remember when they started putting sprinkles on the tangy taffy which is when I walked away.


2. Shock Tarts
One of my favorites of all time. Sour, chewy, wonderful.


1. Snickers
How can you ever, ever go wrong with a Snickers. I have never met one person who didn't like Snickers and I don't want to.

List December #19

Top things to do when stuck indoors because of a BLIZZARD!
-devin

Please, oh please, add to this list!

5. Eat Lots of Food without going to the store (because you can't) -
here's what you end up eating:


4. Follow the Wikipedia trail! - Pick a topic of interest - learn about it, follow
various other links that look interesting. One night i spent a few hours learning
about cop stuff and serial killers, which led me to Charles Manson, which lead
me to Jonestown, which led me to Cults, et. Kinda weird and creepy, but
entertaining nonetheless. (If you really want to be weirded out, look up
Charles Manson on YouTube...the guy is NUTS! - ok...i provided an example...)





3. Settlers of Catan online - this site may be the best ever.
challenge your friends from the warmth of your living room,
or just play the evil BOTS.

Current devin vs. dustin game count: Devin - 10, Dustin - 1

Check it out

2. Watch every movie you've never seen. - Dustin's seen Good Will Hunting,
Scarface, The GodFather 1-3, and total recall in the matter of a few days.
Nice work Dballs.

1. SLEEP - because there is nothing else to do.



anyone got any other ideas?
What have you been doing to pass the time?

List December #18

Best Music of 2008 Pt. 4
#'s 1-5

5. Adam Randall - Bodies and Souls Were Meant to Be Together

The title track to this album may be the best song I heard this year. The whole record is really impressive. You should check it out.



4. Damien Jurado - Caught in the Trees

The one time I saw Damien Jurado in Brooklyn he was reading Henry Rollings poetry book.



3. AA Bondy - American Hearts

I'm surprised this record didn't get more respect.




2. The Everybodyfields - Nothing is Okay

I couldn't listen to this one enough this year.




1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

I think this may be two years in a row that I've had the same number 1 as Pitchfork. I'm not sure what this means but it's somewhat disturbing.

List December #17

Best Music of 2008 Pt. 3
#'s 6-10

10. Jessica Lea Mayfield - With Blasphemy So Heartfelt






9. Peter Bradley Adams - Leavetaking






8. Doug Burr - On Promenade






7. Horse Feathers - House with No Name






6. Anthony Da Costa - Typical American Tragedy

another break in the list action....

Apostrophe Fail...

This is from Kelli's workplace. I love that it is really large and it is the first thing you see when you walk in. Perfect!

List December #16

Best Music of 2008 - Pt. 2
#'s 11-20

20. Earlimart - Hymn and Her






19. Brown Bird - The Bottom of the Sea






18. The Streets - Everything is Borrowed






17. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - Cardinology
Fix It MP3





16. Aaron Espe - Songs from a Small Town






15. Human Highway - Moody Motorcycle
Sleep Talking MP3





14. Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane
City of Electric Light MP3





13. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Furr MP3





12. Grand Archives - S/T
Sleepdriving MP3





11. Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream...
Ships MP3





#'s 1-10 coming tomorrow!