Saturday, January 31, 2009

Desktop Fashion


After reading Luke Mundy's blog, I thought I would show you my desktop fashion. I cleaned it up and redesigned it over Christmas when I was sick in bed all day. I have the Celtics' opening show as the background image. I also use Object Dock. It let's me pretend that I have a Mac for a few seconds.

What does your desktop look like?

Thursday, January 29, 2009

LOST Theories


LOST is, in my opinion, the greatest show on television, and last night they threw us another bone in our journey to answering some questions. So...

What's your big end theory about LOST?

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Word Wednesday .::30

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

Matthew 3:12 ESV

"His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

In this passage, as John the Baptist is preparing the way of Jesus, he tells of a Savior who is not only a God of mercy, but of justice also. One of my prayers birthed out of this week's scripture has been "Refine me". The fire of God reveals more about us than anything else can. He will burn the chaff in our lives, and that is such a necessary and defining moment for us all.

What's your Word?

Monday, January 26, 2009

Movie Monday XII

This is a post that you can participate in on every Monday. I'm a big fan of the cinema, so I decided to break up the Monday blues by talking about movies.

I'm in sports mode this week. We've got the Super Bowl coming up and I am heavily into the NBA right now. So...

What's the GREATEST sports movie you've seen and why?

Without a doubt, most definitely "Hoosiers". I have never cried in a movie. That's right, never. I'm not proud of that. My wife says I'm way too insensitive, and I guess that's why, but "Hoosiers" has probably taken me to closest point of tears. Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper are amazing in this movie. Now I want to watch it.


your turn...

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Worship Confessional 01.25.09



Set List w/itunes links:
Creation Praise - mine
Unchanging - Chris Tomlin
Healer
- Hillsong
Everything - Tim Hughes

This is also contribution to Sunday Setlist.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

My Kids...

....I have no words. Just watch:

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Word Wednesday .::29

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

Malachi 1:10-11 ESV

10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.

11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

I love the fact that God does not depend on our worship for His praise....nuff said.

What's your Word?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Jade's First Birthday

A Savior on Capitol Hill

"A Savior on Capitol Hill"
by Derek Webb

I’m so tired of these mortal men
with their hands on their wallets and their hearts full of sin
scared of their enemies, scared of their friends
and always running for re-election
so come to DC if it be thy will
because we’ve never had a savior on Capitol Hill

you can always trust the devil or a politician
to be the devil or a politician
but beyond that friends you’d best beware
’cause at the Pentagon bar they’re an inseparable pair
and as long as the lobbyists are paying their bills
we’ll never have a savior on Capitol Hill

[Bridge]
all of our problems gonna disappear
when we can whisper right in that President’s ear
he could walk right across the reflection pool
in his combat boots and ten thousand dollar suit

you can render unto Caesar everything that’s his
you can trust in his power to come to your defense
it’s the way of the world, the way of the gun
it’s the trading of an evil for a lesser one
so don’t hold your breath or your vote until
you think you’ve finally found a savior up on Capitol Hill

listen to the song here.

I stumbled onto this song this morning, and thought it was interesting. I'm still processing the lyrics, but on this historic day, it reminds me that my Savior never is, was, nor ever will be a politician. Jesus is my Savior and my God.

So, are you watching the inauguration today?

Monday, January 19, 2009

Movie Monday XI

This is a post that you can participate in on every Monday. I'm a big fan of the cinema, so I decided to break up the Monday blues by talking about movies.

I asked my wife what I should do for this Movie Monday, and not to my surprise, she suggested "date movies". So...

What's the best movie you've seen on a date?

I would have to say "The Sixth Sense". That was just an incredible flick to see in the theater, before you knew anything about it....and yes, it was with Jennifer.


your turn...

Worship Confessional 01.18.09



Set List w/itunes links:
Today is the Day - Lincoln Brewster
Everlasting God - Brenton Brown
My Peace - Gary Durbin
It is Well with my Soul - HYMN


This is also a contribution to Sunday Setlist.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Night of Worship - Scripture Songs

Last Sunday night, we had a Night of Worship at Bethany. We had our people bring scripture to read over all of us, and our Pastor did a short talk on the Bible. Every song we did was directly from scripture. Before each song we read the scripture together. It truly was a powerful night.

Here was the set list w/scripture references & itunes links:
Now to the King - mine - I Timothy 1:17 (not on itunes)
Not to Us - Chris Tomlin - Psalm 115
I Will Boast - Paul Baloche -Jeremiah 9:23-24
Better is One Day - Matt Redman - Psalm 84
If I Have Not Love - Matt Redman - I Corinthians 13
Restore to Me - Mac Powell - Psalm 51:9-12
Let My Words Be Few - Matt Redman - Ecclesiastes 5:2
Today is the Day - Lincoln Brewster - Psalm 118:24
Today - Brian Doerksen - Joshua 24:14-15
Forever - Chris Tomlin -Psalm 136

Friday, January 16, 2009

Big Songs

The last few years, I've really defined, for myself, what I look for in worship songs for our church. They've got to be theologically correct, simple and God-led. Some big songs that I introduced for our church in '08, were:

Healer

Glorious Day

God of Justice

Everything Glorious

Jesus Messiah
Beautiful Scene

Our God Saves
Shine
If I Have Not Love

If you're a worship leader, what are some big songs you introduced in '08?

If you are a church attender, what are your favorite worship songs to sing in church?

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Organizati-own

This week has been a very productive week for our staff at Bethany. Monday we had 3-hour planning meeting for 2009. Very intense and productive. I'm very excited for this coming year at our church. We all met off church grounds and brought our computers. Our Outlook calendars are now very colorful. My Outlook is now my brain. It's one of the most important things that I make sure to back up every week. I backed up my Outlook with a USB stick at the meeting in case my computer exploded on the way back to the church.

So, what your big organization tool?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Word Wednesday .::28

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

19
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.

As Habakkuk is aware of the Lord's impending wrath, he holds fast to the promise of God's faithfulness. I love this passage. There's actually an old book called Hinds' Feet on High Places that I read several years ago, which is great and inspired by this passage. We're actually dealing with this topic of crisis this Sunday, and I think it's very relevant for this time in life. There's a lot of Christians that are worried about America and the economy. It's ok to be discerning and efficient, and make sure that we're taking care of ourselves, but we have to remember that if God will feed the birds, then He will most definitely take care of us, so we must rejoice in the Lord.

What's your Word?

Monday, January 12, 2009

Movie Monday X

This is a post that you can participate in on every Monday. I'm a big fan of the cinema, so I decided to break up the Monday blues by talking about movies.

We had an amazing Night of Worship at our church last night...a lot of music. So, I thought I'd open up the discussion of music in the movies.

What's your favorite score in a movie?


There's a lot of amazing scores in movies. It's what makes a movie greatness. It brings so many different emotions to a setting. I'm gonna say my favorite is an old 90's flick, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I've always loved that movie, and I love the musical score. I guess I should buy that some day.


your turn...

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Worship Confessional 01.11.09

I got the morning off! It doesn't happen too often, and I really, really enjoyed just being in the crowd worshiping today. I actually hid in the balcony out of sight of most of the crowd. It was awesome just to be out of sight for once.



Set List w/itunes links:
Hosanna - Hillsong
Here I Am to Worship - Tim Hughes
Center - Charlie Hall
The Heart of Worship - Matt Redman

This also a contribution to Sunday Setlists.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

I was in Barnes & Noble over the holidays and ran across this book in the Christian section. It's called Becoming a Millionaire God's Way. I have not read this book at all, so I'm definitely not downing it or bashing it. I just took a picture of the cover, because it just struck me so weird. Here's a write up on it from Amazon.com:

"This newly revised and expanded edition decries the myth that Christians must be poor and gives readers the keys to financial prosperity. Dr. Anderson combines biblical principles with expert financial advice, equipping readers with the tools they need to attain the riches they deserve. An invaluable resource for current or would-be investors or entrepreneurs, this book not only inspires readers to become educated about finances but also spurs them on to action and compels them to move forward confidently to achieve their financial dreams."

I personally, don't have any kind of drive to become a very wealthy person in society's terms, so maybe that's why it sounded strange. I know people who are Christians and are millionaires, so I don't think it's a sin to be financially wealthy, but I wonder about that title. I'm just not sure. So, I thought I'd ask all of you...

Should we make it a goal to become a millionaire?

Friday, January 9, 2009

Drug of Choice

I rarely get sick. I got real sick during Christmas, and yesterday I started to feel the very slight symptoms of a cold coming on. Not good, because we have Night of Worship this Sunday night, so I took some Sudafed and my ultimate remedy....Nyquil. Nyquil just works for me. It knocks me out, and I usually wake up feeling better or at the very least, not any worse.

What's your drug of choice when you get the sniffles?

Thursday, January 8, 2009

ilove my new ipod

I cannot begin to tell you how undeserving I feel of everything in my life. One of the things I am undeserving of is my praise team at church. I have very gifted, dedicated, and humble musicians and singers that make our worship services amazing experiences. On top of all that, they all chipped in and bought me an ipod touch for Christmas...I am still overwhelmed at this gift. I know how much it costs, and I am definitely not worth that, but I am grateful and humbled at their love.
This is my favorite gadget right now. For one, it's a video and music ipod, it has Wi-Fi, it has all these cool applications to download, and last night I configured my email to come to it. It's a mini computer. It's great. Just wondering...

What is your favorite techno gadget thing?

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Word Wednesday .::27

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

Amos 5:21-24 ESV

21 “I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

22
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
I will not look upon them.

23
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.

24
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

This one stuck out, because I've been enjoying a new CD called "Limbs and Branches" by Jon Foreman. There's a song called "Instead of a Show", which is taken from this scripture. Worship is such a broad subject and a multi-dimensional act, and it seems that the church sometimes acts as if it only should happen in a church building on Sunday, and though that happens, it's got to be more. It's got to be a 24-7, genuine lifestyle with the sole purpose of pleasing God....not a show.

What's your Word?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

What do you wear when you sweat?

So, I've been working out pretty consistently the last month and a half or so. It's my first time really going to a gym in my life. I've usually ran and done stuff at home. I can honestly say that I'm addicted to the gym now. One thing I've noticed is the different attire people choose to wear when they work out. One consistent thing I've noticed is the clothes of the elderly. I have seen several old men wearing jeans. As in DENIM! That strikes me so weird and uncomfortable. To each his own. I generally wear shorts and a t-shirt. I'm crazy like that. So, for all my workout peoples...

What do your wear when you workout?

Monday, January 5, 2009

Movie Monday IX

This is a post that you can participate in on every Monday. I'm a big fan of the cinema, so I decided to break up the Monday blues by talking about movies.

So, I saw Valkerie this past week. Pretty good flick. I watched the documentary as well, and the movie was spot-on. So...

What's the best war movie, in your opinion?

I'd have to go with Saving Private Ryan. That was just an incredible cinema experience for me. It made it all very real to everyone, I think.


your turn...

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Worship Confessional 01.04.09



Set List w/Itunes links:
Holy - Brenton Brown
Holy, Holy, Holy - Hymn
O Praise Him - DCB
Everything - Tim Hughes


This is also a contribution to Sunday Setlists.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Ringtone

I was just thinking about ringtones. I would love to hear what everyone's ringtone is. I change mine every once in a while. Mine is Human by the Killers. Let's hear it.

What's your ringtone right now?