Darn: Google buys YouTube for $1.65 billion.
Oh..Well!!!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Hey World
So we headed out this morning to the Texas Wildlife Festival. I had no clue it was going to be such a huge event. It was free, so that was cool, but it sucked so I'm glad it was free :)
Then we headed over to Shady Grove for lunch. Great burgers, great vibe.
After spending a few hours at home, we headed down to Mozart's Coffee Roasters. I got a tell ya, this was a great place. 3 huge decks over looking the water. Add some live music, coffee and some cheesecake, yummy! So many people, the line was way out door. Plus the weather today was amazing. Really great day.
So pumped the Yankees lost, they suck. 200 million dollar payroll and they lose 3 straight? LOVE IT!!!!!
Texas took down OU, and Notre Dame beat Stanford. Also, my fantasy football team should win this week.
Man, what a weekend, next week is going to be better when the Ashdown's roll in from H-Town.
Peace & Love from Austin
Then we headed over to Shady Grove for lunch. Great burgers, great vibe.
After spending a few hours at home, we headed down to Mozart's Coffee Roasters. I got a tell ya, this was a great place. 3 huge decks over looking the water. Add some live music, coffee and some cheesecake, yummy! So many people, the line was way out door. Plus the weather today was amazing. Really great day.
So pumped the Yankees lost, they suck. 200 million dollar payroll and they lose 3 straight? LOVE IT!!!!!
Texas took down OU, and Notre Dame beat Stanford. Also, my fantasy football team should win this week.
Man, what a weekend, next week is going to be better when the Ashdown's roll in from H-Town.
Peace & Love from Austin
Saturday, October 07, 2006
EPIC SPORTS DAY!!!!
Today is a simply great sports day:
2 baseball playoff game, including the Yankees losing 7-0 to the Tigers...YES!!!
Way to many good college football games.
TX is beating OU 21-10 (I'm still nervous)
Notre Dame already downed Stanford
Florida is beating LSU
Michigan is up 17 to 0 on Mich St.
Plus, Tennessee and Georgia tonight.
What a day!!!
2 baseball playoff game, including the Yankees losing 7-0 to the Tigers...YES!!!
Way to many good college football games.
TX is beating OU 21-10 (I'm still nervous)
Notre Dame already downed Stanford
Florida is beating LSU
Michigan is up 17 to 0 on Mich St.
Plus, Tennessee and Georgia tonight.
What a day!!!
Friday, October 06, 2006
Weekends Are Crazy
Well another busy weekend ahead. Necole's parents are coming for the weekend. And of course Bailey has a birthday party to attend tomorrow.
Looking forward to the Texas/Sooners came, its going to be nuts!
Next weekend the Ashdown's stroll in town. We are going to hit a concert and hang in the city, should be fun. Then Saturday Asdown is in concert in Houston. So, we are going to head that way and take in the show.
Of course the following weekend, we will go to Dallas for the purpose of work. The cool thing is we pay our rent only working one day, but I hate going to Dallas once a month to work. We do not get a chance to hang with the family and friends.
Of course this is fun and all, but it makes life tough trying to connect with a church and all, so we will see how that goes.
Looking forward to the Texas/Sooners came, its going to be nuts!
Next weekend the Ashdown's stroll in town. We are going to hit a concert and hang in the city, should be fun. Then Saturday Asdown is in concert in Houston. So, we are going to head that way and take in the show.
Of course the following weekend, we will go to Dallas for the purpose of work. The cool thing is we pay our rent only working one day, but I hate going to Dallas once a month to work. We do not get a chance to hang with the family and friends.
Of course this is fun and all, but it makes life tough trying to connect with a church and all, so we will see how that goes.
When Good Things Go Bad
Is google planning on taking over the world? While I like google and all, it seems like they are getting a little to big for my comfort zone!
Google 'in talks to buy YouTube'.
YouTube, JUST SAY NO!
Google 'in talks to buy YouTube'.
YouTube, JUST SAY NO!
For My NC Peeps
When I moved to NC we established a beautiful community of friends. Most of these "friends" were HUGE NC State fans. After a few heart-breaking losses in football and basketball, I begin to wonder if they would ever win. My friends begin to wonder if I should stop watching. Because when I watched, NC State seemed to lose.
So, last night I begin to watch the game. It was a really good college football game. Of course I was rooting for NC State. But I thought once again, maybe I was a curse when they could not get the touchdown on the 4th & 1, and Florida St romped 99 yards to score.
Then NC St begin to make a comeback. But, I had to go and I could not finish the game. I awoke this morning, and lo and behold, NC State won. Was I the curse, did I break the curse? I dunno, but at the end of the day, they won. So congrats to NC State and to my peeps in Raleigh. I love and miss all of you!
Peace & Love from Austin!
So, last night I begin to watch the game. It was a really good college football game. Of course I was rooting for NC State. But I thought once again, maybe I was a curse when they could not get the touchdown on the 4th & 1, and Florida St romped 99 yards to score.
Then NC St begin to make a comeback. But, I had to go and I could not finish the game. I awoke this morning, and lo and behold, NC State won. Was I the curse, did I break the curse? I dunno, but at the end of the day, they won. So congrats to NC State and to my peeps in Raleigh. I love and miss all of you!
Peace & Love from Austin!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Scary Thinking?
Bob has some great stuff to say about Spencer Burke's latest book, you can check it out here.
Now, I have not read the book, but I've heard nothing but great things about Spencer as a person. That being said, the statements that he is making/claiming/discussing etc, are scary to me; like this one:
______________________
This does not make sense to me. I'm an open-minded dude, but...If this is the case, and if Spencer's argument rings true, then should not ALL of the Bible be thrown out also? Could we not include some other key elements like the life, death and resurrection of Jesus? Why then should we love our neighbors? Or "go" preach the gospel...? Hmm, why should I do that? Who do I preach to, who do I tell them about? To me, this type of thinking really pulls the rug out of the "authority" of the Bible. And if this is true, then Jesus and his story is great and cool. Kind of like Gandhi, or Martin Luther King Jr, or Desmond Tutu or some other great dude who lived a great life, but that is far from being God, and forgiving sin, and over-coming evil.
But, it has nothing to do with forgiveness of sin, the state of man, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
This is why I continue to distance myself away from the emerging conversation. About a year ago, I began to re-think the word emerging and I decided to use the word missional, because I'm still an Orthodox Christ follower and I still believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. And I do believe heaven and hell exist.
Now I differ on much of my belief system I had from the 90's, and I'm culturally more liberal. And I would say I'm not a "fundamentalist" Christian anymore.
But I do believe in foundational Christian theology. Like the fact that there is "One true God," the Bible is "inspired" by God, and I have a calling to tell the world that Jesus died a bloody death on a cross because mankind messed up. And that Jesus came to remove our guilt and teach us a better way to live.
Now, I have not read the book, but I've heard nothing but great things about Spencer as a person. That being said, the statements that he is making/claiming/discussing etc, are scary to me; like this one:
"Institutional Christians tend to have a very narrow and literal interpretation of the Bible. Christianity is the only way to reach God, certain Christians argue, because the Bible says so. It tells us that Jesus said, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'... So how do I interpret this particular Scripture? In the next chapter, I'll explore it more fully, but I don't believe it can be used to argue that Christianity is the only true religion. First, Christianity as a religion didn't exist when Jesus spoke these words. Compounding this point are two additional facts: no one actually recorded Jesus' words at the time he spoke them, so we have no proof that they are indeed his words, and what he did say, he said in Aramaic, which means that nothing in the Bible as translated into any other language can be taken literally anyway... to read this as a literal statement requires that I take the other statements about he makes about himself as literal. For example, Jesus declares that he is the bread and the vine and the Good Shepherd. Does that mean he is literally a loaf or a bread or a plant? Of course not! These are metaphors, clues to something about his character and person."
______________________
This does not make sense to me. I'm an open-minded dude, but...If this is the case, and if Spencer's argument rings true, then should not ALL of the Bible be thrown out also? Could we not include some other key elements like the life, death and resurrection of Jesus? Why then should we love our neighbors? Or "go" preach the gospel...? Hmm, why should I do that? Who do I preach to, who do I tell them about? To me, this type of thinking really pulls the rug out of the "authority" of the Bible. And if this is true, then Jesus and his story is great and cool. Kind of like Gandhi, or Martin Luther King Jr, or Desmond Tutu or some other great dude who lived a great life, but that is far from being God, and forgiving sin, and over-coming evil.
But, it has nothing to do with forgiveness of sin, the state of man, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
This is why I continue to distance myself away from the emerging conversation. About a year ago, I began to re-think the word emerging and I decided to use the word missional, because I'm still an Orthodox Christ follower and I still believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. And I do believe heaven and hell exist.
Now I differ on much of my belief system I had from the 90's, and I'm culturally more liberal. And I would say I'm not a "fundamentalist" Christian anymore.
But I do believe in foundational Christian theology. Like the fact that there is "One true God," the Bible is "inspired" by God, and I have a calling to tell the world that Jesus died a bloody death on a cross because mankind messed up. And that Jesus came to remove our guilt and teach us a better way to live.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
New Review Blog
My buddy Ken has created a new website called I Radio Heaven.
Basically, he is reviewing all the fun things to do in life, like drink beer, listen to music, read books, eat at restaurants, and watch cool movies and TV shows.
Plus, he is a great writer, and I'm assuming, hoping and praying that he is doing some writing and he will also add that to his site in the near future.
So, check it out, read it, blog it, RSS it, and leave a comment and let him know your thoughts.
He just posted a review of "The Killers" new album. I'm waiting for him to review "Amos Lee's" new album. If you have a request, leave him a comment,I'm sure he will oblige.
Basically, he is reviewing all the fun things to do in life, like drink beer, listen to music, read books, eat at restaurants, and watch cool movies and TV shows.
Plus, he is a great writer, and I'm assuming, hoping and praying that he is doing some writing and he will also add that to his site in the near future.
So, check it out, read it, blog it, RSS it, and leave a comment and let him know your thoughts.
He just posted a review of "The Killers" new album. I'm waiting for him to review "Amos Lee's" new album. If you have a request, leave him a comment,I'm sure he will oblige.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Weekend Reflections
Someone forgot to tell mother nature that fall starts in late Sept. So it's still rather hot right now.
Notre Dame won, which is good.
Last night we hung out with Tony & Candy who are planting a church in Cedar Park. We grubed at the Texas Road House, good food and it felt good to get out of the house.
This morning I got up and felt horrible. Allergies were beating me down. But I mustered enough strength to head out to Austin Java to grab some brunch. They had some killer breakfast tacos. I feel at home when I'm in downtown Austin.
Then we headed over to Austin City Church to check our their gathering. Which was cool. Very Sacred (ish), felt good.
They also do some GREAT things in the community. It almost felt like they were doing more cool things outside the four walls of the church then inside. Pub theologies, school of theology, festivals, art shows, teaching Greek & Hebrew etc.
Now it's time for another week. Looking forward to it!
Notre Dame won, which is good.
Last night we hung out with Tony & Candy who are planting a church in Cedar Park. We grubed at the Texas Road House, good food and it felt good to get out of the house.
This morning I got up and felt horrible. Allergies were beating me down. But I mustered enough strength to head out to Austin Java to grab some brunch. They had some killer breakfast tacos. I feel at home when I'm in downtown Austin.
Then we headed over to Austin City Church to check our their gathering. Which was cool. Very Sacred (ish), felt good.
They also do some GREAT things in the community. It almost felt like they were doing more cool things outside the four walls of the church then inside. Pub theologies, school of theology, festivals, art shows, teaching Greek & Hebrew etc.
Now it's time for another week. Looking forward to it!
New Book Alert
Mark Batterson, who serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, and is a daily blogger @ Evotional.com, (which has been one of my favorite reads for the past 3 years) Mark lives on Capitol Hill with his wife Lora and their three children.
Mark has a new book coming out: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars.
Book Description
Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase. You will regret the risks not taken, the opportunities not seized, and the dreams not pursued. Stopping running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path.
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is inspired by one of the most obscure yet courageous acts recorded in Scripture: Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it (II Samuel 23:20-21).
Unleash the lion chaser within!
I would encourage you to pick up a copy, read it, blog it, share it and pass it along to your friends. When i read my copy, I will do a review.
Peace & Love from Austin, TX
Vintage Jesus
Mark Driscoll had a great post on Vintage Jesus.
Below are a few quotes about Jesus from various famous folks:
Below are a few quotes about Jesus from various famous folks:
Mark Twain:“If Christ were here now there is one thing he would not be—a Christian."
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: “Socrates died like a philosopher; Jesus Christ died like a God.”
John Lennon: “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first—rock and roll or Christianity."
Friday, September 29, 2006
Sick Sick & Sick of Being Sick
I'm sick, which sucks. Hate being sick. Thank God for Golf, vodcast, podcast and books.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Gordon Conwell Rocks!
If you are looking for an in-depth theological study look no further. The good folks at Gordon Conwell have created this.
I must say that I'm highly impressed. They even offer you a certificate of completion. What is the charge? NOTHING, that is right it's free.
I love how the church is becoming more open-source. Free graphics, messages, bible studies etc. That is a good thing for the Kingdom of God.
HT: emergesque.
I must say that I'm highly impressed. They even offer you a certificate of completion. What is the charge? NOTHING, that is right it's free.
I love how the church is becoming more open-source. Free graphics, messages, bible studies etc. That is a good thing for the Kingdom of God.
HT: emergesque.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Hostage in school standoff dies
This story is to sad.. Freaking unbelievable.
I can vividly recall an erie phone from my buddy Rawd when I was a youth pastor in Dallas. He told me I needed to head to the office quick, one of our youths cousin was killed in the columbine incident. So sad, later that night, this couple was all over the national news. Crazy!
An innocent young girl is dead because some reckless dude. Sad, Sad, Sad!
I can vividly recall an erie phone from my buddy Rawd when I was a youth pastor in Dallas. He told me I needed to head to the office quick, one of our youths cousin was killed in the columbine incident. So sad, later that night, this couple was all over the national news. Crazy!
An innocent young girl is dead because some reckless dude. Sad, Sad, Sad!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Kids Rule Parents Drool
Spent the weekend in Dallas, doing our monthly work that we do up there. Fun, I guess. Good to see the family and play some poker.
I was reflecting on parenthood these past few days. Now that Bailey is in first grade, we have more restrictions on our schedule. Necole and I are free spirits, so it's been an adjustment. Bailey has close to an hour of homework per night.
Of course, school is never enough, parents have to try and keep up with other parents, so their little one "don't fall behind." How lame is that? Of course we are looking at outside school activities; like cheer-leading, soccer(gag), tennis, and gymnastics. Plus, every freaking Saturday is another b-day party to attend. So far we have gotten 4 invites in six weeks, enough already! It kinda sucks, I want my kids to be involved, I know that their is value in these activities. But sometimes I wonder how healthy it is for the whole family structure? Maybe mom's and dad's should spend more time together, that way they can still be married when their kids grow up, go to college, get married and have their own little ones.
Kids rule the roost, I love it, and I hate it. Parents can easily lose their soul to work and kids activities. As for me, I refuse to be one of those parents who live their life for their kids. If you know me, you know I love my girls more then anything, I would literally kill someone if I had to in order to protect them. I'm pretty much a pacifist...But, you got draw the line somewhere.
In the meantime, if you don't have kids, go make a baby :)
I was reflecting on parenthood these past few days. Now that Bailey is in first grade, we have more restrictions on our schedule. Necole and I are free spirits, so it's been an adjustment. Bailey has close to an hour of homework per night.
Of course, school is never enough, parents have to try and keep up with other parents, so their little one "don't fall behind." How lame is that? Of course we are looking at outside school activities; like cheer-leading, soccer(gag), tennis, and gymnastics. Plus, every freaking Saturday is another b-day party to attend. So far we have gotten 4 invites in six weeks, enough already! It kinda sucks, I want my kids to be involved, I know that their is value in these activities. But sometimes I wonder how healthy it is for the whole family structure? Maybe mom's and dad's should spend more time together, that way they can still be married when their kids grow up, go to college, get married and have their own little ones.
Kids rule the roost, I love it, and I hate it. Parents can easily lose their soul to work and kids activities. As for me, I refuse to be one of those parents who live their life for their kids. If you know me, you know I love my girls more then anything, I would literally kill someone if I had to in order to protect them. I'm pretty much a pacifist...But, you got draw the line somewhere.
In the meantime, if you don't have kids, go make a baby :)
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Notre Dame Is Killing Me
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Notre Dame is killing me. Hanging in Dallas for work this weekend, and I just got home and fired up the tv in hopes that ND would be spanking Mich St butt.
Well, I guess not...They are spanking our butt. Last week I thought Michigan was THAT good. This week, I'm starting to think that ND (defense) is THAT bad.
Man we need a freaking miracle. C'mon touchdown Jesus!
BTW-If I lose in fantasy football tomorrow, I'm going to quit.
Notre Dame is killing me. Hanging in Dallas for work this weekend, and I just got home and fired up the tv in hopes that ND would be spanking Mich St butt.
Well, I guess not...They are spanking our butt. Last week I thought Michigan was THAT good. This week, I'm starting to think that ND (defense) is THAT bad.
Man we need a freaking miracle. C'mon touchdown Jesus!
BTW-If I lose in fantasy football tomorrow, I'm going to quit.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Alcohol use and the believer
There has been an on-going debate within the Southern Baptist circles in regards to alcohol consumption by it's clergy.
I personally call this extra biblical teachings. Don't dance, don't smoke, don't drink etc. Of course, very few times do you hear these denoms talk about over-eating, or what the bible would describe at gluttony.
I think it's sad that we pick & choose which issues are more important. I mean, at the end of the day, I think it's wrong for any believer to be addicted to anything. Like money, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, FOOD, etc.
If we will not allow planters to pioneer a church if they drink, maybe we should not allow them to plant if they lack the discipline to eat a proper diet. Of course I would be in trouble. But for real, how many times have you seen a fat pastor tell his congregation that drinking and smoking is wrong, yet the buttons from his shirt is about to pop out. I call this hypocrisy!
Also, it seems to me that Jesus did not mind drinking some wine. And for those who say it was non-alcoholic wine, well they should study history. Although to be fare, the alcohol content was not quite what it is today.
The Pathway: Home: Alcohol use and the believer: Theology on-tap
HT: Steve McCoy
I personally call this extra biblical teachings. Don't dance, don't smoke, don't drink etc. Of course, very few times do you hear these denoms talk about over-eating, or what the bible would describe at gluttony.
I think it's sad that we pick & choose which issues are more important. I mean, at the end of the day, I think it's wrong for any believer to be addicted to anything. Like money, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, FOOD, etc.
If we will not allow planters to pioneer a church if they drink, maybe we should not allow them to plant if they lack the discipline to eat a proper diet. Of course I would be in trouble. But for real, how many times have you seen a fat pastor tell his congregation that drinking and smoking is wrong, yet the buttons from his shirt is about to pop out. I call this hypocrisy!
Also, it seems to me that Jesus did not mind drinking some wine. And for those who say it was non-alcoholic wine, well they should study history. Although to be fare, the alcohol content was not quite what it is today.
The Pathway: Home: Alcohol use and the believer: Theology on-tap
HT: Steve McCoy
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Tim Keller
DJ Chuang posted some great (dangerous) thoughts on his blog:
Why I like Keller more than Piper.
Tim Keller is by far one of spirtual hero's. I love this dude, he is wise, smart, and urban. He loves church planting and he walks with incredible humility. Which is something I need to learn :)
Go enjoy DJ's thoughts. As for me, I'm going back to study systematic theology and it's not even for a degree. It's because a friend unknowingly spoke wise words that left me convicted. So I'm spending an hour a day studying theology. NT Wright trilogy is next:)
Why I like Keller more than Piper.
Tim Keller is by far one of spirtual hero's. I love this dude, he is wise, smart, and urban. He loves church planting and he walks with incredible humility. Which is something I need to learn :)
Go enjoy DJ's thoughts. As for me, I'm going back to study systematic theology and it's not even for a degree. It's because a friend unknowingly spoke wise words that left me convicted. So I'm spending an hour a day studying theology. NT Wright trilogy is next:)
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