This is a video I made for our church's Christmas Eve services.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
World-wide Premiere
If you pay close enough attention you can hear Evan quite easily. Ashlyn and Aaron also make brief audio cameos.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
40 Motivational Speeches
I'm not a morning person and it's nice to receive something to pick me up and get me pumped up for the day. ladies and gentlemen, i give to you...
Monday, December 15, 2008
wha????
Did anyone else watch "heroes" tonight?
How on earth did the african guy suddenly come back to life and appear in suresh's apartment?
He's dead and they totally played the scene like he was really there, not some kind of vision or apparition. And it wasn't a "he got shot in the stomach, but didn't really die" situation... because he died of getting his head torn off of his body. It's pretty hard to come back from that one.
Can anyone explain this to me?
How on earth did the african guy suddenly come back to life and appear in suresh's apartment?
He's dead and they totally played the scene like he was really there, not some kind of vision or apparition. And it wasn't a "he got shot in the stomach, but didn't really die" situation... because he died of getting his head torn off of his body. It's pretty hard to come back from that one.
Can anyone explain this to me?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Daddy Daughter Day
Ashlyn and I connected today. I picked her up from her nap this afternoon and we sat together on the couch for about 10 minutes with no crying! Then we played on the floor for another 10 minutes and she smiled at me alot. It was sooo great.
Some of you may be asking "what's the big deal, isn't she like 5 months old"? That's true, but Ashlyn is very much a Mommy's girl and doesn't let me hold her for more than a few moments without crying. I think the breakthrough began last night.
Last night was not a good night for sleeping. We had some friends spend the night with us (which was great). Since they are a family of 5 we gave them our room upstairs to make space for everyone without banishing anyone to the freezing cold basement. Becky, Ashlyn, and I slept in the playroom together. Becky and I slept on an air mattress and Ashlyn in a pack 'n play. Ashlyn rarely sleeps in a pack 'n play and did not take to it well. Becky tried everything to get her to fall asleep for a couple of hours to no avail. I took over around 2am and held her until almost 3. She was fine with me holding her, but she refused to fall asleep.
Sharing a common challenge brings people together. Maybe our shared sleepless night brought us closer. In that case... it was worth it.
Some of you may be asking "what's the big deal, isn't she like 5 months old"? That's true, but Ashlyn is very much a Mommy's girl and doesn't let me hold her for more than a few moments without crying. I think the breakthrough began last night.
Last night was not a good night for sleeping. We had some friends spend the night with us (which was great). Since they are a family of 5 we gave them our room upstairs to make space for everyone without banishing anyone to the freezing cold basement. Becky, Ashlyn, and I slept in the playroom together. Becky and I slept on an air mattress and Ashlyn in a pack 'n play. Ashlyn rarely sleeps in a pack 'n play and did not take to it well. Becky tried everything to get her to fall asleep for a couple of hours to no avail. I took over around 2am and held her until almost 3. She was fine with me holding her, but she refused to fall asleep.
Sharing a common challenge brings people together. Maybe our shared sleepless night brought us closer. In that case... it was worth it.
Monday, December 08, 2008
my second calling
We had our annual Church Christmas Party tonight, but it was very different than past years. Previous church "parties" were basically an hour and a half of testimonies and reports punctuated with snacks. They were nice, but very dull. Don't get me wrong; testimonies of what God is doing in our lives are a great thing, but that can't be the only thing that we do together as a fellowship of believers.
Tonight's party was a great time of singing, laughter, creativity, fellowship and snacks. It wasn't a perfect night, but I think it was a real step in the right direction. And I had a blast co-emceeing the evening. I've often thought that I could have a second career as a game show host. I enjoying making a fool of myself on stage (to a certain extent), and making people laugh and have a good time. I liked hosting events at SAU and this was the first opportunity for me to do that here at Dearborn [outside of youth events; i have plenty of opportunities to make a fool of myself there].
If you could have any career other than your current one... regardless of skill, experience, or education... what would you do?
Tonight's party was a great time of singing, laughter, creativity, fellowship and snacks. It wasn't a perfect night, but I think it was a real step in the right direction. And I had a blast co-emceeing the evening. I've often thought that I could have a second career as a game show host. I enjoying making a fool of myself on stage (to a certain extent), and making people laugh and have a good time. I liked hosting events at SAU and this was the first opportunity for me to do that here at Dearborn [outside of youth events; i have plenty of opportunities to make a fool of myself there].
If you could have any career other than your current one... regardless of skill, experience, or education... what would you do?
Saturday, December 06, 2008
First Snowfall
When do you consider the first snowfall has taken place?
The first flake you see...
The first snow that stay on the ground...
The first blizzard...
For me, it hasn't really snowed until you shovel. And I shoveled for the first time today. The snow wasn't too deep, but just enough that it wasn't going to go away on it's own. It was also a precaution to help in case there is a deep snowfall overnight. I had to dig myself out on Sunday mornings a couple of times last year and it's not fun when you are crunched for time and have a ridiculously long driveway. Even moving a little bit of snow can make it much easier.
We've had snowflakes fall on us earlier this year, but this is the first snowfall of the year.
The first flake you see...
The first snow that stay on the ground...
The first blizzard...
For me, it hasn't really snowed until you shovel. And I shoveled for the first time today. The snow wasn't too deep, but just enough that it wasn't going to go away on it's own. It was also a precaution to help in case there is a deep snowfall overnight. I had to dig myself out on Sunday mornings a couple of times last year and it's not fun when you are crunched for time and have a ridiculously long driveway. Even moving a little bit of snow can make it much easier.
We've had snowflakes fall on us earlier this year, but this is the first snowfall of the year.
Friday, December 05, 2008
a boy and his hat
A Hat is a very special thing for a man. Sure, every guy has a collection of hats, but he only has one Hat. Once a man finds a Hat, it seldom changes. It grows better with age like a fine wine. Every rip and tear, each stain and spot is a mark of pride. A badge of honor.
I have a dozen hats [Baseball Caps and Old Fedoras from my Grandpa], but my Hat is the one I wear most frequently, the one I identify with. You may have a picture of me wearing it. It's black, it's fitted, it's got my name on it.
Aaron has found his Hat. It's plastic, it's orange, and it's always worn backwards. He wears it all the time. Everyday when I come home from lunch he greets me at the door wearing it. I'm sure he would wear it out of the house if we'd let him. It's irresistibly cute.
I have a dozen hats [Baseball Caps and Old Fedoras from my Grandpa], but my Hat is the one I wear most frequently, the one I identify with. You may have a picture of me wearing it. It's black, it's fitted, it's got my name on it.
Aaron has found his Hat. It's plastic, it's orange, and it's always worn backwards. He wears it all the time. Everyday when I come home from lunch he greets me at the door wearing it. I'm sure he would wear it out of the house if we'd let him. It's irresistibly cute.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
Intersections
Our Church has been focusing on intersections for a couple of months now. By "intersections" I mean those times where your life connects with someone elses. Intentionally or by chance, intersections happen constantly with your family, friends, coworkers, and everyone you interact with on any given day. It's been a good reminder that living your life for Christ isn't just about serving in a ministry within the church walls and that God wants to use our lives to show Himself.
Tonight I had an intersection with my neighbour Dane. Dane is about 22 yrs old and lives in the house next to us with his extended family that includes anywhere from 8 to 12 people [we aren't sure how many of them live there because it seems like it's not possible to fit that many people in a tiny cookie- cutter Dearborn house.]
As I was taking the garbage out in the rain Dane walks out to his car and calls me over. He asks "what Church do you go to?" So i told him and he proceeds to tell me about how he went to church until his mid-teens and hasn't been back since. Dane became a dad several weeks ago with his live-in fiancee and has been interested in returning to church. He knew we went to church (I don't know if he remembered I'm a pastor) as we talked he said that he would come to church on Sunday. I have no idea if he'll actually come and even if he does it doesn't mean that he's found Christ, but it was a moment that I didn't shy away from and I hope that it will provide opportunities for the future.
Let's pray for more intersections with Dane.
Tonight I had an intersection with my neighbour Dane. Dane is about 22 yrs old and lives in the house next to us with his extended family that includes anywhere from 8 to 12 people [we aren't sure how many of them live there because it seems like it's not possible to fit that many people in a tiny cookie- cutter Dearborn house.]
As I was taking the garbage out in the rain Dane walks out to his car and calls me over. He asks "what Church do you go to?" So i told him and he proceeds to tell me about how he went to church until his mid-teens and hasn't been back since. Dane became a dad several weeks ago with his live-in fiancee and has been interested in returning to church. He knew we went to church (I don't know if he remembered I'm a pastor) as we talked he said that he would come to church on Sunday. I have no idea if he'll actually come and even if he does it doesn't mean that he's found Christ, but it was a moment that I didn't shy away from and I hope that it will provide opportunities for the future.
Let's pray for more intersections with Dane.
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