Caleb’s prayer:  God, today was a bad day, but I guess it was a little good.  Thank you for the things that we have that other kids don’t have.  Please help all those kids and keep them safe.

My prayer: God, thanks for glimpses of you at work in our kids.

(Especially to keep us encouraged at times like now when Micah’s still awake, getting out of bed, and whining way too much!)

Been thinking I need to get to blogging again.
Apparently it took a #fail at the drive in to get me to do it.
It’s sort of a long post, but I don’t know how else to do it.
Here’s my story and I’m sticking to it…

On Friday, I thought to myself (around 3:30pm as Rachel was about to be heading home from a day of meeting with students in Monterey) that it would be fun to go to the drive in with the kids, an activity we enjoy as a family.  I throw the idea by Rachel when she gets home, and we decide to head out after dinner, driving over the hill to see Nemo and Ice Age 4.

Now here comes fail #1.  Nemo is released again because now it’s in 3D.  Being that it’s the main movie for that screen, and it was advertised that you could see it cheaper than your friends at the normal theater, I guess I must have just assumed it was 3D.  So after we pay, I ask, “Do you guys have 3D glasses up here?”
The look on the gals face said it all.  “Is this guy an idiot?”
Her manager is right next to her and says, “We don’t have the technology to do 3D here.”
Seriously?  They can broadcast an episode of Chuck in 3D in my living room but you can’t do it at the drive in?  Whatever, it’s all good.  So we paid to see a movie that’s sitting on our shelf.  We’ll have fun anyway.

We get all settled with pillows and blankets in the back of our Swagger Van.
The sound starts off fine, until half way through the second preview it drops out of one speaker and is low.
So I go to find out what the deal is.
They tried to fix it, but really just made it louder.

Enjoyed the movie.
Started the car a few times so the battery wouldn’t die.
Ran the car for a few minutes in between that and the next movie to charge it up some.
A big pick up truck (Ford F-150? Ram 2500? Something like that) pulls really close right up next to us for the second movie. (This will come back into play in a minute.)

Now that we’ve seen Nemo for the umpteenth time, Rachel and I are looking forward to seeing something new.
Until our battery dies and we lose the radio about 15 minutes in. <sigh>
Luckily I know they have those battery powered jumper cable things for people like us.  So I go to get those so we can start it up and see the rest of the movie.
Except someone has it out.  And somebody else is waiting for it.  Apparently there’s a lot of us out there.
Guy brings it back and let’s us know it wouldn’t work.  It’s dead.  Apparently didn’t work for the lady before him either.
The couple who was waiting for it just need a little juice so they’re gonna try anyway.  OK, I’ll keep waiting and see how this pans out.
More waiting, and they come back with no success.  Turns out they have a big truck, though.  I just have the mini-van, so maybe it’ll work for me.  Mind you the battery tester says it’s good…until you connect it to a car.  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.  Yes. I’m insane.  What else was I gonna do?
No…it didn’t work.

I took it back in where someone else was waiting for it.  I let them know that’s four times in a row it hasn’t worked.
They too needed to see it for themselves.

By this time the kids are asleep, Rachel is mostly asleep, and we need to just wait out the movie and then look for a jump.
Although I did Facebook that we might need a jump and had 3 or 4 offers almost immediately.  It’s good to have friends.  I almost said yes just so I could see some of them I hadn’t seen in a while.

Movie ends.
I ask a few cars around and no one has cables.
Remember the truck that pulled up next to us?  I figured a truck like that should have jumper cables.  But I also remember it’s a fairly young guy and a chick in the passenger seat.  I notice her lean over to kiss him and figure I’ll check with a few other cars.
Still, no dice.

I see em both just chillin in their seats, so I decide it’s time to approach the truck.
I look at the girl in the passenger seat who gives me an uncomfortable look back.  I kinda make a motion like, can y’all roll down the window?  The guy either doesn’t see me right next to him or is trying hard not to make eye contact.
After another few seconds, I notice her kinda pull her had from under the bottom area of his shirt.  He raises his seatback to a more upright position, and i think buckles his pants.
Awkward moment.
I walk away.
Don’t think they’re anxious to help us.
They took that as their cue to leave.
*Sidenote: I get that someone might go to the 10:15 kids movie for that sort of thing, but if so, wouldn’t you think you’d find a fairly secluded spot rather than pull up right next to the family mini-van? Just sayin.

Finally we found some cables and a guy in a truck who saw our hood up and stopped to help.
And we returned home after keeping our kids out late to see a movie we had at home and another one with no sound so we have a vague idea what happened…just enough to ruin the movie when we actually watch it.
#fail

This part of a 5 part series I’ve been posting on some thoughts and learnings I’ve had through The whole Kony 2012 phenomenon.

Part 1: Facebook sucks…
Part 2: Don’t make it personal.

Today…

If you have an idea, go for it…you never know what could happen.

I was watching another video of Jason being interviewed on Today Show in Australia.  I found it interesting that in it he mentioned that their goal for the video was to have 500,000 people see it over the course of the year.  As of me writing this almost 80 million people have seen it.

Too often we are moved by something, perhaps even want to do something about it, but figure we couldn’t really pull much off.
9 years ago when these guys came across an issue that moved them in Uganda, they probably imagined that they would ever reach the level of impact that they already have.
But they did something.
And it became bigger then they would have ever imagined.
And even before they got news out to millions of people, it was with it for those who they were able to help.

Recently my brother-in-law shared this news story he saw that hit him like a sledge hammer to the chest.
It’s about a Syrian baby that dies in the hospital while they are there.
It’s kinda graphic.  You’ve been warned:

He knew he had to do something.
Doesn’t know what that looks like, but for now, he’s putting together a website to at least share it and gather intercessory prayer.
I can’t wait to see what God does with it.

I talked to a good friend and mentor of mine the other day.
His name is Boomer.
He and his wife are in the process of starting a non-profit for global social justice issues.
The idea is to commission and gather artists to use their talents to make a difference.
Another one I’m excited to hear about as it comes together.

So what has moved you lately?
What ideas and dreams do you have that  you’ve pushed aside?
What cause or issue have you come across that you felt like you had to do something about?
Go for it.
Cause it’s better to try something than to do nothing.

I posted Lesson #1 yesterday.
Already failed.  Apparently I hadn’t successfully separated Twitter and Facebook.
They are now divorced.

Second thing that came to mind was less of a learning and I guess more of a reminder…

When people disagree with you, they seem to insist on making it personal.

What’s up with that?!
Some of the almost direct quotes I read (cause I’m not going to go look them all up)…

“… hipsters making themselves feel better…”
“…using this horrible situation to increase their own influence and finances.”
“…white people in acid washed jeans talking about Africa…can’t get their own priorities straight.”

So at the risk of sounding like I’m doing some form of name dropping…cause I’m not…I would call Jason Russell an acquaintance.
Nevermind, I call everyone a friend.  Even people I know less than him.  He’s a friend.
We did some theater theater together at CCT down in San Diego when I was in high school.
His dad, Paul, is the founder of CYT, an organization I grew up participating in and now work for and I would call Paul a friend.
Point is, I know several members of the family.
All that to say it’s easy to make generalizations and negative comments when you don’t know somebody.  I know them well enough to confidently say that they are great people with great hearts doing the best they can to make a difference.  And in the process, doing a lot more than most others.

Perhaps that’s why it bothered me so much and I kept feeling this need to defend them.

Landing point today…
I can live with people disagreeing with methodology.
Don’t think a movie is the best way fo raising awareness?  Fair enough.  Find a better way and do it.
Think there are bigger fish to fry?  Fair enough.  Go champion those causes.
But today when you come across someone you disagree with, there’s no need to slander them or their character in the process.
Have a discussion about methodology and principles, but don’t assume to know the intentions of someone else’s heart.
Be nice people.

Unless you were living under a world wide web rock, there’s a good chance you heard about Kony 2012 last week.
If you missed it, here’s the video that caused quite a stir.
I recommend checking it out.  Well worth the 30 minutes.

This week, I decided to share a blog series on some things I learned or reflections I pondered as a result of the video and all that surrounded it.
And the first one has absolutely nothing to do with kids in Africa, Invisible Children, or Joseph Kony…

Lesson #1: Facebook Can Be Toxic To My Soul

For reason’s I’ll get into later in the week, I liked the video, I liked the cause, and I am a supporter of Invisible Children.
As with anything that happens these days, everyone has their own opinions.  And they aren’t always friendly in how they communicate them.
I spent a good portion of my online time last week commenting on negative posts about the video.  I felt like I had this need to defend them.
Not every post that disagreed with them was rude, so don’t assume that cause I commented on your status I think you’re a jerk.  Different opinions are OK.
Again, I’ll get into that later in the week.

But with all that it became clear how emotionally taxing something as stupid as being on Facebook was for me.
Now don’t hear what I’m not saying!
I’m not saying that Facebook itself is toxic.
As with most any tool, it can be good, or it can be negative, and most of the time it’s a little of both.
But for myself, I kinda reached my limit.
So I decided I’m gonna get kinda crazy.

I didn’t give anything up for Lent or anything, but hey…better late than never.
So I’m gonna take a break from Facebook til after Easter.
Would probably be smarter this year if I just took a break til November 7th!

Now there are a few small exceptions…

• Messages
  There are people who contact me through Facebook or that I can only reach by Facebook.  I’ve reconfigured my notifications so I’ll get an email of any messages I get through Facebook.
• Blog Posts
  I’m not taking a break from social media, just Facebook.  That’s the one for me personally right now that seems to suck my time and energy away.  I may still Twitter on occasion.  I’ve disconnected my Twitter from Facebook for this time so you won’t see them there.
  I plan to return to being a better blogger during that time, and the reality is hardly anyone comes over here from the RSS feed anymore.  So I’ll keep it posting on Facebook to let people know when I post.  But I’ll mention on each one, don’t comment on it at Facebook.  You won’t get an answer, at least not til April 9th.  Comment right here on the blog and let’s chat together here.
• Work/Ministry Pages
  I may use it on occasion just to update things I need to for Missio Dei Community and CYT.

There ya have it.
Facebook, see ya in about a month.

Every Thursday for the next couple months I’m teaching an Improv class for CYT.
Basically I get to laugh, have fun, and play improv games with 25 13-18 year olds every week.
This class serves as an audition for the Improvathon team, which I will most likely be coaching in the Spring.  Then we get to go to San Diego in the summer to compete against teams from other CYT’s across the country.

So it occurred to me as I was getting ready today to include you in the class every so often to keep it interesting.
Today we’re talking about creating a character.
One of the exercises I will do with them is Worlds Worst… (you may have seen a version of this on Who’s Line Is It Anyway and that should hopefully help a little).

So here’s where you come in.
Leave me a suggestion of a verb, hobby, or profession.  They then have to act out a character that is the world’s worst example of said whatever.
Remember, they are 13-18.  So keep it clean.
I’ve got a coulpe hours, so ready…go! 

I’m a firm believer that we live in a culture that communicates through stories and images nowadays.
One of the problems when we just try to get our message and mission across by spitting out facts.
Saw this link of the 45 most powerful images of 2011.
WOW!

Which ones are your favorites? 

Every so often an event happens that gives me perspective.  Reminds me about true priorities.
One of those happened last weekend and it’s been on my mind all week long.
It didn’t happen to us, but a family we know who grew up at the church we came from here in Santa Cruz.

Early on after having Caleb I remember thinking about what it would mean to really hold him and my family open handed.
I wanted to be able to trust God no matter what, but when I saw that kid and fell in love with him I knew how hard that would be.
I asked myself if I could fully surrender him to God.  Would I be OK if God took him from me.
Last weekend some friends of mine had to actually come face to face with that reality.

That’s Scott and Stephanie.
And their daughter Eisley.
Eisley turned 3 a couple weeks ago.
Then last sunday morning, she just didn’t wake up.
The memorial service is in Costa Mesa today and they have been on my mind all week.

It is a sobering reminder that NONE of us are promised tomorrow.
Several times this week I’ve hugged my kids a little tighter.
The other night I checked on them before going to bed, and took a moment to feel Caleb’s breath on my face and breathe in the smell.
I’ve taken a little extra cuddle time with Micah on the couch watching Umi Zumi, even though I knew I should get back to work.

It’s also been pretty awesome to see the outpouring of love for their family from their faith community.
There has already been over $25,000 collected to help them pay for all the expenses that are coming.
Click here to check it out, and consider helping them out too.
And if you’re the prayin type, please say a couple for them this week.

And go love harder, hug more, and appreciate the people around you.
They’re worth it.

There used to be a time when Rachel would reference people to my blog or grab my pictures to post.
She is now way more diligent on her posting so I’m having to flip that around.
Oops.

So if you don’t follow her and didn’t catch her post on the house (you can go there for more pictures & details) we ended up buying back in April, here are some fun before and after pics of some of the work we did before moving in:

BEFORE                                                                         AFTER
 

  
  

      

Some future projects…

Most important one in order to get the house ready for adoption, and likely now an exchange student next semester – knocking out a wall to expand the downstairs bedroom and add a closet:

And this is the man-cave/brewhouse.  I will definitely get you some before and after pics inside, cause my future abode is gonna rock:

 

Oh yeah…and gonna do some work to turn that weed area into an actual lawn someday too.

So who wants to come over to do some drywalling, painting, and/or landscaping?!

Every so often I get emails asking if I want an album to review.  I often say no.  Partially because it’s just not what I want my blog to be all about.  Partially cause one of the things that drives me nuts about ‘Christian music’ (aside from the delineation in the first place, but that’s another post) is that it is just often sub-par.  (We do keep up better in music than in movies, but again, a whole different post.)

But when I got an opportunity to review the new Gungor album, Ghosts Upon The Earth (released today, 9/20), and have some giveaways (hint, hint…foreshadowing) I jumped on it.  Some of you may remember me posting about the first time I heard Gungor.  They play “liturgical post-rock” and blew me away as great musicians with great music and an incredible presentation.  So….after a such a great album before, I must admit I was a bit concerned that I might be disappointed, that they may not be able to live up to it.

I’m happy to say that wasn’t the case.

The day I got the CD, I jumped in my car to go some where and popped the disc in as soon as I could.  Right off the bat the album opened with beautiful, haunting guitar and piano notes, the female vocal adding the perfect added layer, followed by a choir building in.  I knew with half a minute that I was gonna dig it.  I love Gungor’s use of orchestration and interesting, progressive instrumentation.  Also, I’m not sure if they intentionally through compose their albums, but it is amazing how it all fits together and should really be listened to straight through as an entire movement.

One of the things I enjoy about Gungor is the use of great lyrics that communicate an abstractness that pushes envelopes of the typical, that are poetic, and that seem to contain an inherent depth.  The second song, Brother Moon, opening with some cool sounding woodwinds, “Brother Moon, shine down you light on us tonight / show us the love of God / Sister Sun, you bring out the day / you shine in the light of God on your face today…” and building to the chorus – “In you we live, in you we move, in you we have our being…”

Anyway, I’ll spare you going song by song, but there were a couple highlights for me as I listened through the album several times over the past week.  Church Bells is this haunting lullabyesque sounding proverb that forces me to stop and listen everytime, sometimes skipping back to the front of the track to take it in again.  “Let church bells ring / let children sing / even if they don’t know why let them sing / Why drown their joy / stifle their voice / just because you’ve lost yours.”  Love songs that make me think, and I must admit, I feel like each time I listen to this song I’m confronted with my own jadedness.
It then transitions perfectly into a tension filled opening of Wake Up Sleeper, a more prophetic proclamation of the Kingdom type of song – “Rejoice all you who are poor / the Kingdom is yours / the kingdom is yours / Rejoice you jaded and torn / both sinner & saint for the Kingdom is yours / Woe to you religious teachers rich and worshipping your book / woe to you who use His name to justify the souls you took / Wake up…”  video below

Finally, the end of the album builds to a very hope filled sound and heart, the highlight for me being You Are The Beauty.  The upbeat traditional folk sort of sound is awesome, with a killer banjo.  Kinda reminds me of an upbeat Irish bar song and is a celebration of creation and beauty.  Makes me wanna dance.

The Bottom Line

I love the versatility of Gungor and all the different types of songs that come in this one album.
They did a great job having that same sound I loved from the last album, but not being a copy of it at the same time.
The lyrics are inspiring, the artistry is impressive, and musicianship and instrumentation is crazy interesting and fun to listen to.
I wouldn’t call their music super accessible for most churches to use in a worship context, but that’s not really what I’m looking for these days.  I prefer listenability and musicianship.  (I realize those things don’t have to be mutually exclusive, but often times they are right now.)
Honestly, the first album I’ve heard in a while that I don’t have any sort of critiques or anything negative to say about.
Just go buy it…

OR…

I have 2 copies to give away!
I’m trying to get more in the habit of blogging, but it’s not that I’m so back on it that I just wanna drive a ton of traffic here.
So let’s try and do something useful.
It’s always nice to have some good music, and discover good stuff.

Leave a comment here or on the FB link to this post and let us know what you’re listening to that we need to hear.
Better yet, if it’s on YouTube or anything, leave us a link.
Any genre, any style, just give us all some stuff to check out and enjoy.
You have until 7am tomorrow morning.
I’ll pull some names from that pool of people tomorrow morning.
Then the rest of you can go buy it.

So…
What new music are you digging on right now that we need to check out?