Don’t Waste Your Life

Took the family down to OKC to see live and in person the Don’t Waste Your Life tour. (You can find all the details here.) Awesome concert. I had heard Lecrea’s song Don’t Waste Your Life on another website and eventually ended up downloading the entire Rebel album from iTunes. Then my daughter got hold of it and asked if I could burn a copy of the CD for her to listen to in her room. The lyrics, on EVERY song, are solid. In fact, the concert left an impression on me that I hope won’t soon wear off. 2 maybe 3 times during the concert they stopped the music in the middle of a song and reiterated that they were not rap stars and that they were not there to exalt themselves, but they were there only to bring glory to Jesus Christ. The reason they stopped to say this? Because there was a group of young girls up front who would scream at the top of their lungs anytime one of the artists would lean over them or come close. Why was this so impressive to me? 1. I’ve seen this behavior at other Christian concerts before and I’ve never seen the artist stop to address it for what it was. 2. All these artist rap about Jesus being first and only in their lives…AND THEY LIVE IT! At times I felt like I was at a rap concert put on by seminary professors because of the depth of their words.

These guys are gifted. They are leaders. They are focused on Christ. And it all came together for a powerful night.

Let’s Go Crazy

Me: “I’d like to buy 2 rolls of postcard stamps.”

Post Office: “I’m sorry we no longer sell stamps here.”

Me: (confused look on my face)

Post Office: “I know. We should sell those here, but if you go to the store around the corner you can buy them there.”

————–

Me: “I’d like to buy 2 rolls of postcard stamps.”

Store: “Sure. That will be $56.”

Me: “Sweet!”

Store: “Sorry, we don’t take Discover.”

(That’s my afternoon in a nutshell. How’s your afternoon?)

Why?

Why do I think that if I just had a big enough talent the world would be a better place?

Tulsa Documentary

While Tulsa is all abuzz about a current film being shot in downtown, I got exciting news about another Tulsa film project today. The trailer for Burn: The Evolution of an American City is now up on youtube. You can watch it below.

After posting a series of entries on the Tulsa Race riot (here here and here) I was contacted by the filmakers about my interest in the events leading up to and out of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. Eventually it lead to me being a part of the documentary and I have been awaiting the final outcome of their efforts. So to see the trailer I am very excited about the release of the film.

As soon as I find out anything else about the project I will post it here.

Defocus on the Family

Do Christian’s place too much emphasis on the family?

Reading through 1 Corinthians 7 I get the feeling that American Christians have defined themselves as married couples with children and anyone not there yet is still maturing. It’s a blanket statement with absolutely no scientific support. But it sure feels true. Paul states throughout this passage that it is better to remain unmarried. That married people have their attention divided between serving God and serving their family. Can someone serve God by serving their family–no doubt. But Paul seems pretty adamant here that it is God first and starting and serving a family second. He admits that he is speaking from wisdom and not a command from God and can hear people gasping at the thought of not being “fulfilled” by getting married and raising a family.

But I have to ask the question: Do we place too much emphasis on the family as Christians in America?

Father’s Day Part 2

So it was indeed a grand day. Perhaps one of the bestthe second best of 2009 so far (there was that flyfishing trip to Taneycomo back in May).  Of course, the day started like most Sundays for me. Off early to the church to set up and prep for the morning service. Service went well. Eve helped me on stage raffle off some prizes to the father’s at church that morning. (I’ll post that video later). So after church we had lunch, the place of choice was up to me so I chose a taco stand. You know those trailers/trucks that pull up on some corner lot and park serving tortas and tacos? Never had one and we found one at 31st and Garnett. Father’s Day special: Taco’s $1 each. So I ordered three. Didn’t realize how small they were, but delicious! Definitely going back that route sometime. Then we got home and they had made a banner and hung it on the garage door. Felt like I’d just come home from war or something. Blew me away! Inside on the kitchen table was waiting for me a sunday paper and a gift basket. Inside the basket: 1 20oz Dr. Pepper, 1 copy of The Dark Knight, 1 bag of David’s Jalapeno Salsa Seeds, 1 “Learn French” CD, 1 decopauge rock made by Eve at VBS, and the basket itself was decorated by Eve with all kinds of wonderful sayings and scriptures. Then I got a call from my friend Jeremy and we decided to go play disc golf at Riverside Park (41st street). It was SOOOOOOOOO hot! But we had a great time nonetheless. Then back home in time for dinner ordered from Marco’s Pizza (this pizza is totally off the hook!).

It was a perfect day! I love being a dad to the best little girl in the world! I love being married to her mom!

How was your father’s day?

Father’s Day Weekend Part 1

So it’s Father’s Day weekend and I am a big gift whore. I love receiving gifts. I know. It’s better to give than it is to receive that is unless you are me. (a little Dr. Seuss moment for you) So the other night Missy (my wife) is on the phone talking to a friend going on and on about all the wonderful gifts she had planned for me. So I had to go into the other room and let her know that I could hear every word! Father’s Day fail #1. Then the next day my wife and my daughter and I are all sitting on the couch having some nice wonderful family time, when Eve (my daughter) starts snooping through Missy’s purse. She pulls out an item and holds it up and asks out loud “What’s this?” Father’s Day fail #2.

Now if you know my wife much at all, you know she’ll pull this out yet!

What are you doing for Father’s Day?

My New Mantra

“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)

Not that talk is all bad, but I often replace or usurp God’s power by my own “clever” words.

Shame.

What’s your mantra?

Sermon Graphic

Thought I’d share my latest design with you all. We started a new series this past Sunday titled “The Nature of Things” (you can catch Pastor Mike’s message here). This short 2 week series is actually part of a broader summer emphasis we are calling “Made in the Shade” based on Psalm 121. So I found a very nice tutorial once I had an idea of what I wanted. I creat it in Illustrator and we are using various elements of the overall image as we work through each subseries.

So for “The Nature of Things” we are using the tree and its elements to visually help us.

Love to hear your thoughts and feedback.

PS I am still using Adobe Production Studio CS2 if you would like to help me upgrade to CS4 that would be awesome!

SCREAMING KIDS HEADACHE

This morning is focused on our upcoming Backyard Bible Clubs (July 6, 7, and 8). I am going through the Oriental Trading Company catalog looking for cheap stuff to buy for our crafts and giveaways. I feel like I just tried to sit down and eat PBJs with Barney. 

I need an adult moment now.

What brings a headache faster than lightening for you?