My Worship Revolution

So this past weekend, we head down to San Diego for my ten year high school reunion.  Yeah, I decided to go.  Figured it would be interesting and a great excuse to visit family.  And besides, I couldn’t afford to get to Michigan for the Young American Boyne Reunion and Milt’s 75th birthday celebration, which is where I would have really loved to be!

Of course we had to stop and see friends in the LBC on our way down though!  So we first rolled over to Bellflower Kaiser to see Eric and Ashley who just had their new baby, Audrey.  We caught them on the way our the door (close call) and went to the farm with them (where they live) to catch up a bit.

Then it was off to Jenny and Darrenn Platt’s pad to meet Emma.  It had been way too long and I still hadn’t met my son’s apparently future betrothed.

Then we went to Charlie’s pad in Belmont Shore, where the Garrison’s let us crash for the night.  A bunch of friends and life group peeps came over to hang out and eat pizza.  This included our old roomies, Stephen, Stephanie, and Kaelyn Corns, and their new addition, Kaden.

So, three new babies down!  The crazy part is, we weren’t able to complete the tour, really.  I can still think of 4 more babies I have yet to meet!  Lytles, Youngs, Colaninos. and Boisverts.  Babies, babies everywhere!  In fact there were so many kids at the Garrison’s tiny apartment, I think Charlie almost had a heart attack.  Here’s a few more pics from that night:

It’s been kinda quiet around here.  Busy weekend.  Posts to come on our "SoCal Reunion Tour" this weekend.  But, in the meantime, here’s the Worship Confessional for the week.

Like I said, I was down in San Diego this weekend, so I didn’t lead, but I still got to play.  I played with my good bud Steve Eller at Rancho Vista Church.  It was nice to play along instead of lead for a week.  I think I’m sick in the head.  I have a week to relax, and I still want to play!

I think it’s good for me too, to follow someone else and be reminded of what people are dealing with when they are following me.  Anyway, it was a blast.  Check out our joint confessional this week (and thanks to Steve for doing all the editing!):

Click To Play

Currently I am in my Honda Civic with my wife and child somewhere between Santa Cruz, CA, and Long Beach, CA.  That being the case, here’s a little info I figured I’d set to post for you while I’m out drivin.

It’s a little personality test I took the other day.  Another one.  This one is fairly in depth though.  And apparently, I’m an Animated Inventor.

You should be able to see my DNA map above and scroll your mouse over the colors to learn more about them.  To learn more about what my profile has to say, check it out here.

Do you agree?

Take the test yourself.

HT: Anne Jackson  (And speaking of…if your involved or have been involved at a church before and you haven’t taken this quiz yet, go now!!!  What in the world are you waiting for?!)

These are a couple shots I took of the creek right down the road during my jog between writing papers yesterday.

I must say, although I still love and even, at times, miss SoCal…it’s freaking gorgeous where we live now.  Perhaps one day I’ll return to the smog, but in the meantime I’ll enjoy not chewing my air. 

And by the way, my legs still hurt!

Week 7, and weigh in day falls on the fourth of July.  I’ve always been a very patriotic person, and I am way proud to be an American.  At the same time, I know we have our issues…everyone does.  This year, I want to celebrate the gifts and privileges I have living in this country, but at the same time remember the millions around the globe who are not quite as fortunate.  Who don’t have freedom at all.  Who can’t openly and freely worship.  Who are oppressed.  Who are in the middle of war.

Anyway, that being said, here is the latest video update on our Tri To Lose Challenge.  And thanks again to all of you who are supporting me and making a difference in other’s lives.  And if you’re new to the blog and don’t know what this is all about, check out the original video here.

THE UPDATE:

                          make a pledge – make a difference

current pledges = $25.01 per pound

weigh in:      173.2 lbs
week1:        168.2 lbs    total loss:  5lbs         =    $125.05
week2:        166.6 lbs    total loss:  6.6 lbs     =    $165.07
week3:        163.6 lbs    total loss:  9.6 lbs     =    $240.10
week4:        165.8 lbs    total loss:  7.4 lbs     =    $185.07
week5:        164.4 lbs    total loss:  8.8 lbs     =    $220.09
week6:         ummm…
week7:        163.2 lbs    total loss:  10 lbs      =    $250.10

Oh yeah…

I’ve been reminded by a few of you that there was never really an update on my CPU situation.  Well, it’s definitely stolen.  Police Report was filed.

Fortunately, the Church insurance will cover it.  Unfortunately, there is a $1000.00 deductible.  Fortunately I bought in with my American Express card which has theft and damage protection up to $1000.00 within 90 days of purchase.

So I went ahead and replaced it this past Monday before heading to Saddleback, allowing me the opportunity to bring you all of those informative posts last week.  And the bonus?  Got a free iPod Nano with the mail in rebate along with it.  Great upgrade from my Shuffle, and a great tool to have when you’re doing worship ministry.  Woohoo!

Still lost all that info though. 

Hehe.  Apparently my blog is rated PG.  I’m actually a little bummed.  I was hoping for a PG-13.  And the reason for the PG rating?  Apparently the use of the word hell twice and porn once did it.  I’m surprised pissed didn’t show up too.  Then again, maybe that post isn’t on the front page anymore.  Maybe I should check again now that I wrote that.

What’s your blog rated?  Find out here.

HT: Pied Piper

So I was gonna edit more of my talking out of this one, but I decided not to after reading this.  So enjoy my ramblings!  Here’s the set:

There’s a pretty big issue in a number of churches today.  Ive seen it.  I’ve experienced it.  I continue to see others experience it.  It’s called burnout.

Why do I bring this up?  Well, some of you may be familiar with a fellow blogger and author, Anne Jackson.  I recently learned that she is in the process of writing a book titled Mad Church Disease.  And she needs your help!!  Here’s a little bit about her and about the book:

Anne Jackson is a twenty-seven year old writer who lives in the Dallas area with her husband, Chris. Chris and Anne both are on staff at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas. You may have read some of her writings in Relevant Magazine including one of the most discussed articles on their site: Dirty Girls: The New Porn Addicts.

Mad Church Disease is a book which will discuss the epidemic of ministry burnout in today’s contemporary church.  Currently, anonymous surveys are being conducted at MadChurchDisease.com for those who are on church staff, those who are family of church staff, and those who are volunteers.

By analyzing these surveys, as well as conducting interviews with pastors, families, and volunteers world-wide, Anne hopes to bring this touchy subject to light using real-life stories of not only tragedy, but redemption and healing for those who have been affected by this disease.

So that is where you come into play.  Apparently there has been little to no research done on the effects of burnout do to ministry among staff and/or volunteers.  So Anne will be  conducting anonymous surveys over the next month to learn more.  She is hoping to get at least 5000 responses in an effort to get the best cross section possible.

So please take a few minutes of your time, check out the survey and help her out!  I too am excited to hear the results of these surveys and am looking forward to the info that will be in this book.

And the last thing you can do to help.  Send other people over!  Send e-mails to your contacts asking them to check it out.  Blogger?  Post it.  Add a graphic to your sidebar.  You can get them here.

So I’m gonna go now and take a survey to help out.  Anyone else?

Clearly it’s been a busy week, and I don’t have time to weigh and update this week.  Besides, the eating hasn’t been so great with the conference and all, so I could use a couple days to get back on track.

So instead of a weight loss update, I thought it would be a good time to remind myself and all of you why we chose to do this weight loss deal the way we did.  To be reminded of the "Invisible Children" in Northern Uganda that we are trying to raise money for by asking you to sponsor us.

Here’s a recap of a recent event Invisible Children held to raise awareness of the displaced citizens of Uganda.  Please do me a favor.  Take 4 minutes and watch this video.  And if you feel so inclined to join in this small attempt to make a bit of a difference, feel free to click the link below and join us.  Let’s try to do a small part in helping to end a war.  Thanks.

                            Make A Pledge – Make A Difference