One Scott Mind

Bearded Wonder

2011-01-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

My kids figured I should grow a beard until I got a job. Launched one attempt before Christmas which was quickly squashed by a certain non-child living in our home and wanting a "normal" Christmas. How that relates to a stud muffin beard I am not sure.

Alas, no beard.

New Year. New Day. Threw down a little 3 day-er, low and behold, the certain 'nay-sayer" thought it looked hot. Cha-ching (told you it was studly).

Alas, all good things must come to an end.

Kids went from "Dad it feels so cool" to "Dad... really??"

Wife went from "How you doing big fella" to "It was great until you got near me with all those hairy flinky things."

And hey, I got a job... or two.

So I decided to shave.. and kick the stud up a notch...

And then a whole notha' level

Probably would have gotten a job sooner if I threw this puppy down a long time ago.

Bearded Wonder.

Rhymes with Regina

2011-01-14T10:21:00.000-08:00

Regularly just right around bedtime, our middle daughter Megan, asks for our youngest, Caedyn, to sleep in the same bed. This is usually met with incredible excitement and anticipation of joyous celebration.

Yet with said regularity it ends up being a gong show. Screaming and makeup and lost teddy bears and cramping and someone typically requiring first aid. So, a few weeks ago, Carla and I decided enough. Banned. But being the ruggedly handsome incredible wise parental units, we threw a little caveat in there. Be nice for a week. Don't torture the dog or each other and we'll give it another go.

Unbelievably, it worked (okay, who am I kidding, we are incredible parents. I am blushing.)

Well, the evening fast approaches with much anticipation. Teeth brushed, PJ's on, feet under the covers. Carla and leave to allow a few minutes for reading a book. So we head downstairs and go check emails.

Enter blood curdling scream. Relentless. Someone has gotten stuck in a meat grinder kind of scream Carla whips upstairs and finds herself entering the door of Megan's room. Before her lies Megan uttering, by now, unintelligible noises, mixed with tears and snot and flailing. And there sits Caedyn, in complete silence, naked, with her panties affixed to her skull. Not knowing quite what to say, Carla begins to move towards the bed, when Megan opens her eyes and realizes Carla is now within earshot.

She bellows, "Mom, Caedyn took her clothes off and now it smells like vagina in here!!"

Same room sleeping has been banned for 17 years.

Slim Pickins

2010-12-14T01:12:00.000-08:00

It was late Thursday night. I had just finished dropping one of Brady's friends off at his house. They had just come back from a night at youth being pulled while sitting on tubes, behind ATV's, while holding on to a ski pole.

I don't know either.

Alas, the night had been a tiring one. so the conversation was not prolific. Okay, I realize we are talking about two guys here, so it is never prolific, mostly just grunts and farts but I digress. (I know, sorry mom, I mentioned "farting" again. My mom was a little worried that I might not get a new job if I talk about "farts" in my blog because a potential employer might read this and not hire me. It's not the farts mom, it's pretty much the entire deal. And I have not even mentioned the "Poo Log"). Honestly, I am trying not to mention "windies", but they just happen to fit in with this post.

Oh, who am I kidding, farts fit just about anywhere. Seriously, even funerals.

A few years ago we were at the graveside of my mother-in-law Marilyn. She had recently lost a four year battle to cancer. Loved "Mars." We had a sweet relationship. Only a few nights before she passed away, I had traveled up to Edmonton from Calgary to visit her in the hospital. It had been a number of weeks since I had been up to see her and things were going down hill. At this point, she was not able to speak and fairly weak, although she was still fairly aware of her surroundings.

When I entered the hospital room our eyes met, and I said, "Mom, listen, you don't need to say anything. Honestly we can just keep it between us, but I know I have always been your favorite son-in-law. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. It's just between you and me. My lips are sealed." I figure I got the biggest eye roll I have ever seen. I am pretty sure she tried to utter, "Yes you are" but if I were to be honest, it closer to "Who let him in here."   But potatoe patatoe...

Well, a number of family and friends are at the graveside service.
It is April in Alberta and therefore it is a snowy muddy mess. There is a rather small area directly around the grave, so the immediate family (Carla's 2 brothers, sister, spouses, dad, and kidlets) are up close, and the rest of those attending are about 15 feet or so behind. It has already been an exhausting day for the whole family. Many tears were already shed at the memorial service. The graveside service is nearing an end, emotions are high and it is coming close to the point where the family are going to put some flowers on the casket, as the final act of saying goodbye. Everyone is feeling it. At this point, as the pastor begins to share some final thoughts, I am standing beside my brother-in-law Paul (married to Carla's sister Shauna), who is holding his young son Joel's hand. Joel has been a trooper, yet we are all aware that he is edging extremely close to capacity for sitting still. Paul is doing his best, but knew he better take the kid out quick or something is going to blow. He was a little late. Joel let's a huge fart rip. Like huge. Loud enough that Carla's entire family could hear it. Well, Carla's two brothers start to lose it. They can barely contain themselves. And let's get serious, that sets us all off. We are crying with laughter. To boot, the rest of those gathered have no clue what has happened and only see the entire family sobbing. People are so overcome with our apparent grief that they start crying. Unbelievable.

So yes, farts can squeeze in nicely pretty much anywhere.

Anyway, B-man and I were finishing the last few minutes of the ride home catching up about the day, when our convo took a turn.

"Dad, I was thinking that you could sell my snowboard stuff."

"Why do you say that buddy?"

"Well, I don't think we are going to go up to Big White anytime soon."

"I don't think you can say that Brady I..."

I clued in to where he was going with it.

"Does this have anything to do with me not working?"

"Yea. It's just that I know money is tight and I don't want you to feel any pressure, and I know snowboarding is really expensive, and I can always learn next year."

It was at this point I considered stopping our van, jumping out, lying down in front of it and telling my son to drive over me. Twice. It was like my heart was ripped out of my chest. Man, when your life as an adult starts to impact your kids at that level, it sucks. Plain and simple. As you walk whatever journey you are on being an adult, I think you try and maintain a certain level of hope and promise for your kids, so as to somehow shelter them from the reality of what is going down sometimes. When that facade breaks, the darkness comes running.

It's not easy being unemployed for obvious reasons. It's harder for the unexpected ones. Like telling your kids that you really do believe God cares enough to take an active role in your life. That he can be trusted. That he will show up. That he has already showed up. But that Christmas is gonna look a little different this year. That we have to be extra careful about spending money. That...

I think too many "that's" started clouding the picture for Brady.   I told him we were not going to sell his gear and we most certainly will go to Big White this year.    What else do you say? I would buy that kid the whole mountain. But sometimes, the doubt creeps in for me too.

Do I doubt God? Nope.
Do I doubt my capacity to fully trust him all the time? Yep.

I found some respite in a little story tucked into a book of the Bible. Luke. Chapter 7 verses 18 - 21. John is one of Jesus' best friends. They are tight. Yet John is not having a good day. So much so, that he is just a wee bit uncertain about this whole life commitment deal to Jesus. So, being a man, John asks two friends to go and talk to Jesus on his behalf. Unreal. Alas, the two dudes find Jesus and ask "John was wondering if you are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" Beautiful. So, Jesus, are you being tricky or what? Like can I really believe you are the Messiah, the guy who came to redeem his people or am I just kidding myself. Cause you know what? I am freaking out here Jesus!"

Jesus drops the hammer.   Giddy up boys.

(Verse 21-23)
"At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

"John, it is all good. I am the real deal. But dude, don't let me trip you up. If your trust is fickle your faith will be futile."

Again Jesus gently, graciously, powerfully, precisely responds to his friends doubts.   And in turn responds to mine.

Scott you can freak out, you can struggle, you can wonder why your kids have to endure this journey with you, you can try and figure out the timing but if you believe. Believe. Cause I am who I say I am and I can do what I say I can do. And frankly, you can take that to the mountain.

Let me tell you, the money might be slim, but the journey is rich.

Naughty or Nice

2010-12-06T23:08:00.000-08:00

Earlier today I asked my daughter Caedyn if she had been "naughty" or "nice" this past year with the perspective of her hoping to illicit the benefits of a positive relationship with Santa. She replied like so:

"Umm, not so nice."

"What does that mean Caedyn?"

"Well, I would say I have been naughty."

"Really. And how have you been naughty this past year?"

"I say bad words pretty much everyday."

Instantaneously I have a flashback to a few months ago when I had to dive for cover as the f-bombs were flying out of her mouth faster than when... well, when you are in a store, oh, let's just say, The Real Canadian Superstore for example, and you are minding your own business walking each incredibly freaking long aisle, and you turn the corner to go down the next huge aisle of despair, and yep, you run straight into... fart.

Thick fart air.

Completely disgusting. The problem is you are so intent on getting that huge jar of pickles for cheap (sorry, that is if you buy 6 of them with purple labels before 4:00pm with your left hand on odd days of the week) that you can't avoid it. And no matter how fast you sprint out of the aisle it somehow follows you and the odor attaches itself to your hair. So every like 3 minutes you whip around, trying to figure out where that wretched smell of hot foot mixed with sweaty bum is coming from. Brutal. And it's always left by some dude where jogging pants. I have no clue what the correlation is there but it is not pretty.

Anyway it's that fast, even if speed is not mentioned in that story.

Needless to say my interest was tweaked with my daughters apparent analysis that she is naughty. "Caedyn, what bad words do you say?"

"Well, dad, I say 'hate' and 'stupid' all the time."

"Wow, honey, why would you say those things all the time?"

"Cause things are stupid."

This is where parenting gets a little tricky. Cause all I am thinking is, I know who is stupid. Dude who dropped a bomb in Pooperstore. He is completely stupid. Alas I do not say this, instead I say what any good parent would, "Well, Santa keeps the list and he pretty much knows who is naughty and who is nice and gives presents accordingly."

Apparently that was not the right thing to say because we now have a 5 year old bawling her eyes out.

Lovely.

So I grab Caedyn, give her a hug, and tell her that mom say's those words all the time and that Santa would really like her to finish her spaghetti.

My parenting tips are free.

The Unemployed

2010-11-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it is incredibly hard to blog. When you get a few readers, your thoughts start to drift in a new direction.

This better be funny.
What if I say too much.
How many people am I going to offend today (and yes I have received emails)
Why won't my wife let me tell that story.
Should I use the word "nipple"

It's crazy. So at times I get a little more wrapped up in me than in you. I know completely selfish. Alas, you see, I don't have a job right now and wherever I go, those little demons of insecurity walk right with me.

"You are such a loser Lanigan."
"Who in their right mind stops what they are doing for nothing."
"People are staring at you cause they can tell you don't have a job. Well, that and let's get serious, your pants are a bit tight."
"Yea, friends tell you that they know something good is coming, it was the right move, blah, blah, blah. But you don't have a job yet do you. And who is kidding who, they are all thinking glad it is him and not me."
"How are you gonna pay that bill sucker."
"One step forward 2 steps back baby. Keep it up."

It's hard shaking those guys. They go through walls, hop in your car, sit down beside you for coffee, hop on other people's shoulders and inspire them to say stupid things. And they are relentless.

Daily I am confronted with discovering, debating and despairing about what God would have me do. I took a step of faith God. There has got to be a little something something doesn't there? And the reminders of where I am at and what I am not doing come come calling everyday as I run into another person at Costco. Or Safeway. Or someone emails or calls... So I gotta ask Scott, 'What's up? What are you doing?'

And sometimes you make it sound like more is happening than it really is.

"Well I had 4 incomprehensible meetings this week. Talking about some incredible opportunities which are on the cusp of exploding with possibility. Totally jacked about them."

That or you squeeze out a fart and clear the area (just point at the lady who just walked by and shake your head)

There are moments of exhilaration and moments of terror. Moments where you feel like you can literally take on anything, and moments where you afraid to take the next phone call. Tears and high fives.

Here I am, almost 40, almost at the last dollar, almost "there" but not quite.

I ran into a quote from Gail Sheehy in the book by Richard Stearns "The Hole in our Gospel" (story of how he became the president of World Vision USA).

"Growth demands a temporary surrender of security."

One of those quotes that causes you to pretend you didn't read it. Problem is I read it. The word that comes screaming at me from that quote is "surrender." It is so not a word we like to use. That means I have to give up, let go, release, free, open my hands, step out of the boat, walk into the darkness, listen to the beckoning of my soul.

I feel like I have ended up on that train whether I like it or not. But I am choosing to like it. I am not doing this for kicks. I am not doing those so I can write a book about it later or call in a favor.

I am doing this because.

Because this life, as much as I want it to be, is not about me. Because if the reality of God is in my heart it has got to go to my hands and feet. Because I strive to reject instant gratification. Because I have 3 kids watching me. Because I want to live.

I realize that I am going to fail. Take yesterday for example. Fear ran in and gladly took the place of surrender. But today is different. Today is tender. For a lot of reasons. Today is a day of growth.

Check these out for some better words...

Stuff
Wisdom
Surrender
Because

Amen

2010-10-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

My friend Lawrence East claims that the first time he met Mother Theresa in person (and yes, there are many more stories like this one and no, I haven't a clue if they are true either) she blessed everything in his life from that day forward.

Therefore bringing light to the fact that he dives into every meal like only every male slobbering Brit can... without using a napkin nor saying a blessing. And how this video ended up in my aresenal.

Oh the mall

2010-10-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Went to the mall.

It was me and the girls power shopping. Now when you are with a 9 year old (and yes I must footnote that Megan did indeed let me know that I mind as well say '10' because she is '10' in less than 30 days and therefore basically '10') and a 5 year old, serious shopping involves the following:

"Dad, we are totally starving."
3 minutes in and apparently we hit a wall of starvation. Incredible. And against all my instincts, values and sense of manhood I digressed to the whims of my girls and spent way too much money on one little bag of this. I am still bitter.

"Dad, I have a gift card for jewelry."
Sigh. I am convinced that my 9, er. 10 year old will never grasp the concept that gift cards are not an eternal fountain of money. I pray for her husband.

"Daddy, let's go here but we'll just look. I know, I know we are not buying any unless they are a super good deal and really cute. "
They should rename the store "Paylessmoretimes"

"Daddy my legs hurt so much. Hey, ice cream!"
I have no explanation either.

"Dad! Dad! I have to pee right now! I'm shaking."
Stunning since 3 minutes previous we passed a washroom and unless I am going insane (which I must admit is quite possible) I remember stating the phrase "Does anyone have to piddle cause we are right by the washroom and I don't want to pass the lovely opportunity up as I am quite certain that if we don't, in three minutes someone is going to wet their pants."

"Dad I totally need some makeup to look beautiful."
I know. That's when the whole 'beauty comes from the inside' talk unleashes again but slightly difficult to contextualize as I had just finished trying on some skinny jeans. Having the entire store gasp was not as bad as hearing your daughter say "wow."

"Daddy, everyone I know already has a shirt from this store and it just opened. Like we never get stuff first."
Yes, I do it on purpose to torture my children. Actually now I just say, "Honey your dad doesn't have a job." Works pretty good until Megan chirps in, "Wendy's is hiring."

"Daddy both of us cannot feel our arms or legs we are so hungry."
I couldn't feel my legs either but I wasn't complaining. It's like impossible to peel those skinny jeans off.

To end off an incredibly relaxing trip to the mall I decided to pop into one store. They were having a sale and thought hey, maybe I could find a little something something. No sooner did I enter the store, Caedyn disappears. Gone. Not hiding in the racks. Not in the kids section. I didn't hear anyone singing Beyonce. Nothing. I am calling, no answer. Not completely at the edge of panic, I launch into an in-store scan from one end to the other and just as I am heading to a store employee, the corner of my eye catches something...

To this day. I have no clue about the salute.

Just another day in the life...

I could so do that.

2010-10-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

Since finishing my job on October 15th, I have only found myself rolled up under my desk in the fetal position, about twice a week. Besides that I am cooking.

Well, okay, maybe the last time I found myself there wasn't that pretty, but it's not like I was totally naked.

After picking up my daughter Megan and her friend from their jazz class last week, Megan hopped into the car totally jacked.

"Dad. Dad! I know what you can do. You can totally work at Wendy's."

I look in the rear view mirror and I have a daughter who is beaming. Stoked that she thought of a job that I could totally do. Like so good. Before I started weeping out of sheer depression, 3 things whipped through my skull:

1. I powned McDonald's back in the day, this is nothing. Crew Person of the Month 2 times baby. Plaque and everything. I can do this.

2. I could look hot in those poly pants. What am I thinking. This is not happening.

3. If I had to choose, I am so going to Home Depot first. At least there are manly tools there and I don't have to ask anyone if they want a Hot Stuffed Baked Potato with their order. Plus you would get to say "screw" and "tool" a lot.

Okay, I thought of four things. Like seriously, my daughter went through all the possible jobs I could do in her head, and #1 was firing on the polyester pants and working at the big W. Really? Not even like landscaping guy or pilot boy? Nope. You are so wendy's dad.

But there is hope. Hope that my daughter thinks I am awesome enough to serve Frosty's for a living. And hope that I don't end up serving frosty's for a living.

I just upped the average. Now it's three times a week you can find me under my desk. And I'm starting to hum lady gaga. This is not going to be pretty is it.

The Day After

2010-10-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

So what does a "former" pastor do on his first Sunday off?

Well, he goes here.
(and runs into people he knows - of course - who are skipping this. Which really makes him laugh).

Packs the family into the van, decides to live free and wild (I know, very difficult to equate "free and wild" with a van. Alas, us "Sick" Dad's totally picture ourselves in the swagger wagon).

He takes the kidltets here. (Sorry, that should read 'follows his wife's precise instructions after being threatened that he will be riding a scooter the rest of his life even after he argue's about how "sick" he is to said wife. To which his wife points out that he needs to trim his ear hair because it looks disgusting)

Attends church.
He and his wife are highly impacted and therefore attend a second service held in a lovely grape garden. Consider attending full time.

Drives home. Makes these puppies to be dunked in left over turkey soup.

Let's get serious, I have incredibly nice biscuits.

Plays b-ball with his son (and dominates).

Watches this.

Hits this.

Loves this.... although pretty sure he is going to need this very soon.

VHF - Liquid Genius

2010-10-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

This ad earns the title "embarrassing" without even starting. Literally, when I watch this commercial I curl up in the fetal position and start whimpering. And all I can think of is "Why?" I am still at a loss.

Conversely, this ad leaves me speechless. Liquid Genius.

Solidarités International: Water talks from La Boite Concept on Vimeo.

Fly Free

2010-09-29T23:06:00.000-07:00

Struggling for words has never been a major issue for me (Okay, most of my friends are collectively shaking their heads at this point and saying, "No kidding Sherlock." Mind you, I picture them saying something more along the lines of, "No kidding Lanigan. But we still think you are like so totally super funny and incredibly good looking so don't worry about it because you are awesomer than awesomeness." And frankly, I am pretty sure my friend Jon says that all the time. Primarily because he grew up in Saskatchewan.  Not that growing up in the flatlands is bad, it's just that he still struggles in his attempts to describe what a combine does, never mind the fact that he wears toque's with his name stitched into them.  And yes, I can see how my description may lead you to lean heavily in the direction that he is special needs.  He is not. Really.)

Today words are a bit of an issue (unless I am describing friends who may no longer be my friends). Mostly because I made a pretty big leap in my career and putting it to words just doesn't feel adequate.

I quit my job.

And I have got zip waiting in the wings. Nothing.

To be fair, the story is long, eventhough the journey has been short. Earlier this summer I sensed a major change coming yet struggled to make it happen.  Well, hesitated to make it happen. Fear of my circumstances overwhelmed my faith in the supernatural.

Silly. Stupid is a better word but we are not supposed to say that in our house. Apparently, we are allowed to 'sort of' say words though. Caedyn helped us understand this point the other night when she proudly exclaimed "I still know what the 'F' word is" Here's the whole story.

Eventhough I knew deep down that I needed to make a change, I was overwhelmed with the here and now. I desperately wanted to get some things in order first. And who wouldn't if they figured on making an occupational change in the near future. There was one problem. God was calling me to step out into the uncontrolled, unseen, unfreakingnerving unknown. To trust him above my circumstances.

Leave the details to me Scott. It's time to Fly Free.

After all my worry, all my failed attempts at controlling, I finally relented. I allowed that Big God to show up. And amazingly, supernaturally, profoundly I sit here today, completely at peace. In the midst of having no clue where any money is coming from after October 15th (which is less than 3 weeks away).

When I get a little tense thinking about the future these words beckon me to remember who is in control.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;

and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Give ear and come to me;

hear me, that your soul may live.

I will make an everlasting covenant with you,

my faithful love promised to David.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

(Flying Free)

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

will clap their hands.

-Isaiah 55

I will share the whole story in the near future. For now, check out my sermon from a number of weeks ago. It was smack dab in the middle of my battlefield.

Big Idea was: Big Faith in the midst of Big Fear allows and even Bigger God to show up.

The Vid of My Sermon

VHF - Departures Ecuador

2010-09-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

Today my offering is a bit different but probably one of the best VHF's. It is taken from the OLN show "Departures" which highlights 2 Canadian boys endeavouring to "find themselves" by traveling the globe. Check out their website to understand a wholistic view of the show, and then check out this clip to understand the beauty and comedy of encountering an entirely different culture.

Unfortunately I could not cut the clip to where I wanted it.... so you'll have to put a little effort in. Drag the bar to start the clip at 37:45 and ride it out until 42:50. Enjoy.

http://www.oln.ca/?bclid=34540927001

Post Supper Showdown

2010-09-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

Post supper in the Lanigan household usually consists of the following:

Shock and awe from our children that dishes need to be cleared from the table. This is somehow a completely stuning revelation every night.  How as parents, could we not understand that we should just be thankful that we have the incredible privilege to make them supper each and every night.   Like come on. This results in an extremely quick revelation by our children that they are about to be sold to gypsies, which is going to be followed by a huge party they are not invited to, the conversation typically turns to whining:

"Dad, like, you ask us EVERY DAY.  So not fair.
"I already got out of the van and walked in the house after school and now this?"
"I am not touching Caedyn's plate there are boogers on it."
"My hands are cramping."
"I have to go poo."

To combat the gong show. We came up with a trivia game.  With the winner recieving the golden "I am so awesome card." Which apparently is a very popular ticket because it means you don't have to do dishes.  We have 5 rounds. Winner is the one with the most points after the five rounds. Each round, the kidlets get to choose a 1 point, 2 point or 3 point question. 1 being easy and 3 being like "super hard." We allow for steals after a wrong answer. If another kid gets the answer right on a steal, they recieve half of the original points.  We do not kid around people. The topics flip flop between school subject trivia and bible trivia. Needless to say the humming and hawwing is intense. Well, a few nights ago, after everyone went poo, the hand cramps were massaged out, and caedyn ate the boogers of her plate, we dove into it.

After a hard fought battle we had a three way tie at the end of 5 rounds. Out came the Free For All question. First one to answer it right wins the game. I tossed out an easy one cause someone had to go poo again.

Which book of the Bible in the New Testament starts with the letter 'H'?

Brady pipes up immediately with, "Dad, I am pretty sure I know what it is but I don't know if I want to say it in case I get it wrong." I laugh because he knows as well as I do that if he gets the Q wrong he is disqualified and loses the competition. Like I said people, we do not kid around.

I say, "B-man, if you don't take the risk, you'll potentially lose the competition. Gotta take the shot pal."

"Okay I am going to do it...   Hepatitis."

Incredible. Carla and I lost it.  We could not stop laughing. Hepatitis?? Brady figured he had gotten the question wrong yet couldn't quite figure out what the right answer was. Megan popped up with, "That's in the Old Testament Brady."

Okay, let's get serious, that does sound like an OT book of the Bible. With Habbakuk, Zephaniah and Leviticus out there, Hepatitis is not that much of a stretch. I know, if it wasn't for the fact that it's a disease.   In the midst of Carla and I almost doubling over, we suggest to the kids to sing the NT Books of the Bible (yes, we have a song) and within seconds, out of nowhere, Caedyn pipes in, "Hebrews."

Unreal.

And guess who had to do the dishes? That's right me. Apparently, Hepatitis gets you out of doing dishes. Who knew.

VHF - Wipeout Wipeouts

2010-09-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

This is beautiful and horrible. Similiar to everytime I put on a wetsuit. Beautiful that I get the chance to wakeboard. Horrible because my back hair never fails to get caught in something and I start screaming and flailing like a girl. Most of the time it is mid-boarding so unfortunaltely, everyone in the boat thinks I am having the time of my life. That's it. I am going mankini from now on.

The Nines

2010-09-09T08:57:00.001-07:00

The Nines returns today. An online conference featuring 100+ speakers from around the world summarizing their thoughts into 9 minutes or less. Sweet. Theme this year is "Game Changers."

Check it out here for free.

Clenched Fists

2010-09-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

Victor knocked on my window just as I put my '97 Accord into Park. Starbucks was calling and I was answering.

I hopped out of my car and said "Hi, what can I do for you?"
With a strong Ukranian accent Victor launched into it.

"My name is Veektor and I from Europe. I needa lunch. You help me eat?"

Didn't take long for me to realize that I had this coming.

You see, I have battled something my whole life... Generosity.  Not the regular kind of deal like taking a friend out for coffee or having people over for dinner or giving to charities or tipping 11%. No, it's the controling power of money. Or should I say, the incapacitating influence of money. I have never earned a high salary in North American terms.   Therefore my life month to month is typically hoping to make ends meet.  Tough when your oldest hits Grade 7 and is not impressed with the Transformer Velcro shoes you just got a sweet deal on. There were like super cool colors. And lit up when you walk,. Like come on. Back in the day we had those mesh slip on shoes. Not even cool on any level.

So I live always questioning, always wondering how we are going to make all the payments.   And with precision timing every two weeks the "What if''s" start to lurk. What if my car needs new brakes? (which it does so that's more of.. lovely, my car needs new brakes, "use both sides of the toiler paper kids!")   What if we can't afford the monthly payments for my son's $6500 braces?   What if I don't have enough to pay my mortgage? What if...

I mentioned a few weeks back that Carla and I were launching into a new book called Big God by Britt Merrick. It stemmed from the conviction that God had been tapping on my shoulder for months (years) about faith. Trusting Him to provide (period). Sounds all trite and wonderful and exactly what a pastor should do and say. Yet I read it and it doesn't even sound easy.   Today, in this country, and this culture, there is very little we have to rely on others for.

(Okay I absolutely have to interject right now. As I was typing the sentence "Today, in this country..." I looked up for a moment because a lady walking by caught my attention. 50ish years old, trench coat and I kid you not, I am not making this up, she was casually strolling along smoking a joint. So I sit corrected, I rely on people for freakishly crazy stories. Which totally reminded me of another great marijuana story that will have to wait.)

It's true isn't it? Think of your day to day life? What do you rely on others that is a necessity for you to survive? Not much beyond a paycheck I am guessing.

Victors knock was God's hand.

I had come to a point where I was sick of not trusting God the way I should. Loving so many things about Jesus but falling short of loving Jesus. When I love Jesus. When I understand his love for me. Love becomes the fuel for faith. \It fuels my capacity to lean into Jesus. It propels me to peace, to extend hope, to ecnourage joy. When I am tight fisted that becomes impossible. When I clench my hands around my paycheck I am holding on to the tangible not the supernatural.

Victor was stunned when I clenched my fists around his arm and starting dragging him to the nearest restaurant and said "We are going right now wherever you want and we are buying whatever you need."

3 weeks before Victor knock I heard another knock. That one was in my head. I was taking a break from doing some hosting at a Conference. So I took a stroll for a few blocks and hit the nearest Timmy's. Got my large coffee one cream and started heading back. As I exited the joint, I saw a huge drive-thru line up. Thankful I was on foot, I started passing the cars one by one, looking to cut through to the sidewalk. It was then I saw her. She was in a beat up old Chrysler. Off-white. Seems a car wash was not top priority. 3 kids in car seats filled up the back seat. Her head was held up by her hand, window open, elbow on the door. Her head kinda of dropped. Tiltied to one side. I sensed she was clenching on to the tangible. As I was about to pass her car, my head and my heart tweaked. Be generous. I stopped. Our eyes met. I smiled and walked away. I cannot express to you how much I have thought about that moment ever since.

I blew it.

The clincher is that I had been asking the God of heaven, the God who promises to show up to show up and he did. He chose me in that moment to be an extension of him and I clenched my paycheck. I suck so bad.

I thanked God for hearing me and begged him to forgive me.

And Victor knocked.

To be honest, I hesitated a fraction of a second when I heard the knock.   It wasn't a clench. It was a thank you. I thanked God for second chances. And third chances and grace beyond what I will ever deserve or ever have the capacity to earn.

I am pretty sure God was smiling cause Victor chose KFC. For real? Kentucky Fried Chicken are you kidding me? If I had to choose between KFC and gum under a bus stop bench I would gnaw it off the bench. I tried to get him somewhere that didn't leave you smelling like foot when you left. To no avail.

I smiled regardless. Victor was pumped.  Smelling like a foot and all.

Crunchies

2010-08-18T15:34:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, late on a Saturday night, my wife and I drive up to the school we lease for our church gatherings, to drop off some supplies. We pull up and hello, about 40 kidlets are sitting down outside under an incredibly clear starry night smoking a bong. Kid you not. Seriously, 98% of them have yet to hit puberty. Never mind the fact that they have never experienced the incredible lip syncing music of Milli Vanilli (ah, girl, you know it's true). Apparently our diggs are a very hot spot for the local "can't afford a car and have no friends who have one either" kiddies to hang out until the wee hours of the morning. Mind you, we do have a history together. Multiple times in the last couple years I have arrived at the school to find lovely pictures of male anatomy graffiti'd on the walls. Enormous pictures. Like, I kid you not, 20 footers. Let me tell you, if feels quite odd painting over one of those puppies. You are sweating and trying to look cool, which is completely impossible, and then you rush through it and you know people are watching and you are fairly convinced that you missed a spot but you don't want to look. Crazy. Anywho, these lovely children decided to kick it up a notch by taking out a few windows with a pellet gun.

This kinda pushed the neighbours over the edge so on top of being grossed out, they are now a little freaked out, so they asked me to do something about it. Which, if you think about it, is quite logical, because I am very intimidating to Jr Highers and small children in general. Well, okay not all small children. Like 5 yr olds who are related to you. No intimidation what-so-ever. Caedyn, my very soft-spoken timid child (who am I kidding) has not graffiti'd (yet) but I am certain a tattoo is coming before 7, loves scrounging through my hair. I have no clue either. Well, the other night, she says "Dad, you've got crunchies in there." No love. No grace. Not fearful of me what-so-ever. Not gentle at all, just called it out. "Crunchies."

I have no clue what a "crunchie ' was but it still does not sound good.   And frankly who wants that advertised? Mind you, I am going to say that I will take crunchies any day as opposed to painting over anatomical imagery larger than you, on the side of buildings. Any day.

Anyway, I figured it was time to call the cops. So called the local Police dispatch and rather expectedly, I had to wait for a call back.  About 20 minutes later Officer Woohoo (can't remember his name for love nor money) from the RCMP calls back. I give him the deets, address etc.. and figure we are off and running. How silly of me. What was I thinking. Officer Cel Phone called back.

Lost.

I kid you not.

Seriously, how do you get lost with a GPS and a computer in your car?  For real?

At this point it dawned on me, that the RCMP on Corner Gas may actually be real.

Anyway, I walked him through the directions once again and finished noting the fact that firemen never get lost. Oh, slow down, I didn't say that, and yes I am aware that firemen are slow too. That was horrible. Tomorrow, I am getting arrested in the midst of my house burning down.   (Don't worry, it's all good.   My bro-in-law Steven, is a fireman in Edmonton and I am his hero so it's all good - well that, and the fact that he never reads anything I write, so...)

He finally arrives and, let me interject for a second here, I know he is an officer of the law and everything and I should be respectful, but literally, when Officer Gas emerges from his vehicle, he stands up and... flood pants. Floods. Not even joking.   I could not believe it. Pants and hairy leg. Come on, you cannot be taken seriously when you are wearing floods. Am I right? Impossible.  Mainly because there is ALWAYS tightness where no tightness should be.  Therefore making it completely impossible to even look at the person seriously.

He had a gun and I was giggling.

So now I have Officer Addresses are Super-Confusing walking around with a real gun and flood pants and I am looking for the film crew.

As I try to regain composure, he takes a few pictures, let's me know that it looks like an airsoft gun, and begins to leave. We spent more time on the phone than that. I walk him to his vehicle so he won't trip, and chat him up about the fact that vandalism has been escalating lately, the neighbours are getting worried, so would it be possible to schedule in some regular drivebys. (And might have added for future reference, that white socks do not go well with black pants).

He replied with, "Well, we need people to call in and register complaints in order to make that happen."
To which I replied, "I am pretty sure that has been done. Since oh, I don't know, like the time I called in and let the station know that there were 40 KIDS SMOKING A BONG in front of the school."

Officer pants decided to take a look on his computer. "Wow, there are quite a few complaints. Looks like there are 3 pages from all sorts of people. Fires, rude graffiti, and looks like they broke in too eh?   Oh, and here's the complaint you registered."

"Yep, there it is."

"Okay, well, keep them coming."

Okay... keep them coming??? Yes, we want more trouble. Tons of it. Bong away kids, bong away.

Like how many more super doodles inspired by the benefits of bong smoking pubescents do I have to see before we get a little action here?

I am taking a shot in the dark here but thinking when the pants get hemmed properly.

Awesome. That worked out just great. Glad I spent my afternoon clearing that whole deal up.

As I watched Officer Flood-a-roo drive off into the sunset, two thoughts came to mind....
1. Betcha there was crunchies in his hair.
2. Think I am just going grab my 5 year old and 3 of her friends and after driving them around for 6 hours in a vehicle on a diet of slurpee's, tim bits and syrup and only listening to Justin Bieber, drop them off one night in the middle of those youngun's and I've got a very strong feeling problem solved. Those girls will lock and load on the bunch of them that they won't even know what hit them.   There will be screaming and running and dirt and swinging and all sorts of 5 year old goodness, and that is the first 8 minutes.   Best thing is that they look so cute and angelic to start off.

Got a name for them too:
CUTE
Caedyn's Unit of Total Energy

That or
SWEET
Sudden Whirlwird off Extremely Energetic Turmoil

Yep, calling them next time.  And to boot, they'll find all your crunchies.

PS.
And yes, I am very thankful for Policeman. I know way too many great police officers that I needed to put some sort of disclaimer in here, so I don't end up getting pulled over every time I leave work. And yes, that has happened to me.

Stupid

2010-08-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

As one foot emerged from the shower this morning, the door bursts open and I encounter a 5 year old with a hot and bothered agenda: "Dad!"
"Yes, Caedyn. I am right here. Should you not be finishing your breakfast?"
"Megan called me 'stupid'."
"Okay, obviously you are not stupid, conversely you are rather cute. So, why don't you lock and load your miniwheats and let me dry off because I am dripping wet and mom typically prefers that I put on a towel before we handle problems."
"But Dad, Megan called me 'stupid'."
"Ah yes. I realize that she..."
"Aannnddd... she's not supposed to say 'stupid'."
"Again, I understand..."
"I love you daddy."
"Thank you Caedyn, I.."
"Bye daddy."

Done. Gone. I was still frantically trying to get a towel out of the cupboard because in the midst of my profound conversation with Caedyn, Carla noticed I was lacking coverage of any type and yelped "Scott, she can see your area." Mind you, by the time that 5 year old Prime Ministeral candidate presented her platform and left the building. On top of that, since I was delayed in my drying off ceremony and slightly stunned at my lack of ability to acquire a towel in time, the dog saw his window off opportunity and started licking the water off my toes. I am still vomiting in my mouth over that one.

After dabbing myself with some toilet paper and Q-tips I found some clothes and started the fretful...
I ran into Megan at the top of the stairs.
"Megs, did you call Caedyn stupid?"
"Yep."
"Okay. Um, are you supposed to call her stupid?"
"Nope."
"Megs. I don't call you stupid."
"No but sometimes you call Koda stupid."
"Okay. But that's because he licks my toes when they are wet and barks everytime a blessed leaf blows by the window."
"That's not what we are talking about sweetheart. You are just not supposed to call your sister that. You know better."
"Daddy, you just don't understand."

Tears start flowing down the cheeks. I kid you not. Flowing.

"Oh Megan. What is wrong?"
"It's just that I did call her stupid, but it was because she was on top of the counter and she almost knocked her cereal off the over and spilled milk everywhere and she always does that and I told her to get down and she wouldn't and then I told her she was going to fall and then she just jumped and fell on the floor and she started crying and holding her leg and she got up limping and I thought she broke her leg and I was so scared because she is my little sister and I just love her so much and so I told her she was stupid."

"Please hug me daddy."

Typically I am not known to have difficulty with words. But this one.... I kid you not, as I sit here typing this, I still have no clue what to say. Nothing. Zip. And the next moment they were hugging and jumping and helping each other get ready for kids camp.

Apparently I am super awesome at solving things even if I have no clue what they are.

Mmmm.. sausages

2010-07-29T23:56:00.000-07:00

Today, in a period of 4 minutes (yes, I timed it) I just saw a lady walking down the street in a "moo-moo of many colors" dress topped off with a fire engine red hat, followed by a guy pulling a dolly with an old school blue recliner chair strapped on to it with duct tape, followed by shirtless dude pounding a slurpee, smoking a cigarette and looking like he had just escaped daycare. More odd the funny I admit. The thing is I don't toss out laughs that easily. I did when my bro-in-law Paul proudly labeled me with the title "Pasturd" cause "pastor just didn't do me justice." That was funny.
This girl makes me laugh regularly. And not just because she posts pictures of large sausages.

She is a missionary in Costa Rica and drops it like it's hot. I have no clue either...

Enjoy

I sort of tan-ish

2010-07-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

I have always been a bit of a renegade when it comes to reading. Reads like I am trying to sound cool doesn't it? But hey, let's get serious, when you are epitome of cool you don't worry about that stuff you just know. That being said I have never tanned well at all... "Whitelegslani" has been a tag that has followed me for years. My wife has sent me to a tanning salon, nothing. They called it "reverse bronzing" - I came out whiter. Kid you not. I was like the Star of David walking out of that joint.  Carla then tried that tanning cream stuff. She even bought the "good" kind. The result was a skin tone that resembled off-orange mixed with prune juice. That is just not a handsome color. Not even close. It gets a lot of stares mind you. Might have seen a couple people throwing up. Combine that with a hairy back and coolness just spews from you. It's a gift.

I would call myself a book renegade cause I am willing to try any book.  Yep I do read some of the latest and greatest. But typically I find my most profound moments outside of that arena.  Here are a few:

Between the Dreaming and the Coming True - Robert Benson

Blogged about this puppy...

I Became a Chrisitan and all I got was the Lousy T-shirt - Vince Antonucci

The Brand Gap - Marty Neumeier

Walking on Water - Madeleine L'Engle

It's Your Ship - Captian D Michael Abrashoff

How to Break Into Pro Wrestling - Gene Lebell

Sometimes it's a book which captures my imagination for the space I am in. My latest spacial moments have been in the area of Faith. Who and what do I trust?

"One of the moral diseases we communicate to one another in society comes from huddling together in the pale light of an insufficient answer to a question we are afraid to ask." Thanks for that Thomas Merton.

I don't consider myself to be a rock star of any sort, well okay, sometimes I do. But that's usually when some cyclist blinded by the sun reflecting off of my legs, goes careening of the road into a group of small children. There were only 2 broken arms and a minor severing of a leg, but generally not that serious.
It's just that I don't want to be one of those guys who is satisfied with surviving.  Or like somehow I have arrived. I don't care if you have been a pastor for 20 years or you were the starting QB in 1987 or your golf handicap is single digits or you were Tupperware Seller of the Decade or you lost 30 pounds or miraculously God somehow chose not to give you a hairy back. Get a grip.  Humans cannot remain stagnant. We can convince ourselves that we are but it ain't reality. You and I are always moving. Closer to God or farther away. The Spirit is in constant movement contricted by neither time nor space toward God.  Creating, changing, growing, inspiring, providing, giving, seeing...   As soon as we stop moving forward.. well...

I bought Carla a book for her birthday. It was one that caught my eye. And one of those renegade moments of decision. It spoke to the moment I/We are in.  Faith. It's called "Big God" by Britt Merrick. Just started it and pretty intrigued.

We are gonna take turns reading a chapter and talking about it. Why don't you join us? Maybe it's time for a little digital kick in the pants.

Check it out.

Big God Book - Britt Merrick

Here is the website dedicated to his daughter Daisy's battle with cancer.

VHF - Harvard Sailing Team

2010-07-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

Harvard Sailing Team has been around for awhile. They are a sketch comedy group and typically knock it out o' the proverbial park. Check out one of their offerings - Boys will be Girls - Night Out... beautiful.

I do not want to hear it.

2010-07-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

I am not a big fan of loud eaters. Okay, they drive me nuts. Nothing drives me crazier than loud found inhaling. Seriously, give me poopy diapers, jello vomit, canker sores or grandma with a bad limp crossing the street, no problem. But crunching or chomping or teeth clicking or mouth open gag inducing slurping, I go nutbar.  Terets.  My leg starts twitching uncontrollably, I start sweating in odd places it's not pretty. Never mind that I start to gag. Hey, i'll take sitting in a dentist chair anyday - just keep your mouth shut when downing your bag of cheezies and stop licking your fingers.  Yes, that bugs me too.

Here's the deal. Anything associated with grotesque eating habits is banned in my house.  Lip smacking, aggressive spoon movement, continuous tongue licking... banned.  My kids are not allowed to chew within 3 feet of my ears.   Zingers go flying down my spine when I hear the slightlest slurp. You know those kind you get in your nether regions when you are on a roller coaster or when Tim McGraw looked your way at a concert and like totally stared at you (Shauna). It's like ants have made a nest just below my skin. I just got shivers thinking about it. There is no room for end of the beverage bottom of the cup loud straw suckage. Banned. If I had the opportunity to eat meals in a sound proof bubble I would seriously consider it.

I kid you not, if I sit beside one more dude reading his farmers almanac with BO and slurping his hot coffee, I am going to lose it. Like really, who wants to endure that?  If I were to be honest I sometimes pray that they will find a huge hair in their coffee. Like huge and crusty. I do. I know it's horrible but I do. I am sorry but it helps.

Last night Carla and I had a hot date at the movie theatre. The A-Team. It was all we expected to be. Little cheesy, little over the top, little "back in the day".  Beautiful. So we sit down and are THE ONLY ONES IN THE THEATRE. It was cheap night to boot, needless to say we were a little stunned. So we totally starting making out.  Okay like that would ever happen. PDA (Public Displays of Affection) - above temporary hand holding - and Carla are about as synonymous as hot dogs and meat.  Eventually about 20 other people come into the theatre. 2 who sit like 3 chairs away from us. I don't know... 27 other rows that were completely empty, but no, you have to sit close to us because you will never have any clue about social graces will you.  And of course, movie starts, dude pulls out the bag of popcorn and starts incrementally eating one piece of popcorn at a time. I kid you not, one piece at a time.... mouth open. I start to weep. Carla cannot contain herself anymore and bursts out laughing.

My leg starts twitching like a rabbit in heat.

Moustache boy continues this display for 20 minutes. I am in stunned silence. He then takes his popcorn bag of horror and starts shaking it like crazy. I have no clue but let me tell you he did not need anymore salt to lick off his individual pieces of popped corn terror. Freddy Krueger proceeds to re-engage his eating insanity until every single kernel has been inhaled. By this time I have lost all control and am lying in the fetal postion on the floor buck naked with napkins hammered into my ears.  Carla gives me a boot to let me know that my nightmare has ended and just as I drop into my seat, death eater claps his hands together repeatedly to shake off the oozing butter and salt which have formed a brown paste on his fingertips ending his diatribe with the shirt flick and napkin brush. I was officially incapacitated.

I am in the process of inventing intravenous everything.

I am not in the laughing mood

2010-07-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

There are days when humour escapes me. When I get overwhelmed with stuff. I would say "life" but frankly life is not overwhelming. It's the things that make said life up which can be suffocatting. Or should I say, the stuff I add to my life which renders itself to be just that, stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I still laugh. Like when I saw these two elderly ladies walking across the street 2 days ago and one of them had blue polyester pants hiked to her armpits. Not the nice blue either. Ugly blue. And to boot, it caused the pants to be floods. Armpit floods. Love it.

Or the truck that just drove by me called the "Schwing 36x." Like who would not want to drive that around all day. What do you drive pal? '97 Honda Accord. How about you? Schwing 36x. You don't even need to say anything else. I am sure that guy always gets free coffee at Tim Horton's.

Or when my youngest decided to let us know whe was going to say a bad word while we were driving the other day. Much to our verbal denial of her proposed actions she let er rip.  Kind of hoped to hear "stupid" or "bum" or something of that magnitude. Nope. 9.0 on the richter scale. F-bomb. And to boot, she tripled it. Bomb, bomb, bomb-o. Needless to say, chaos ensued. My son was sitting beside her and started losing his mind. Carla chanted "Caedyn... you cannot say that." Caedyn replied by gleefully dropping a few more bombs. Our vehicle was in an uproar so I told everyone to chill out.  I calmly proceeded to tell Caedyn that she was not to say words like that. That worked wonders.   She replied with... "You mean 'bomb' daddy?"   (Let me interject for one moment here: With the complete knowledge that my 5 year old cannot read enough words to make sense of this blog (yet) I will admit that it was a brilliant reply. Crazy good. Which in turn makes me fret the 6 birthday and frankly every birthday after that...)  It was then we got pretty serious with the, "Caedyn, if you continue to talk like that, mommy and daddy will have to wash your mouth out with soap." My first born, absolutely astounded boy, Brady did not take kindly to that response and replied with, "Are you kidding me? She needs to have a huge spanking... with a bible!" It was at this point in the episode that Carla and I lost all control. We could not help but start killing ourselves laughing. Cause yes, that's what pastors do, pull out the old KJV, open it up to Leviticus (cause it is super boring) and spank their children with it. Unreal. Brady continues his tirade and starts flailing his arms. I attempt to keep the vehicle on the road, Carla is trying to figure how in the world Caedyn would have come up with that one, and there sat Caedyn.... giggling and smiling and proud as punch that she said a bad word.

How she found out it was some sort of bad word, I have no clue. But was it coincidence that my parents were visiting the week before... Okay I am in so much trouble for actually posting that. Let it be known that I have never ever heard my parents use that word or anything close to that word in my entire lifetime. We weren't even allowed to use "uck" words growing up, never mind words containing "the other word" for donkey. Which made it a little difficult whenever my brother and I played hockey.  Asking someone to "launch the disc I am open" may have been the reason I scored only 2 goals in my entire minor hockey career.

So yes, I can still laugh. But I just don't feel like it sometimes.

You see I have this tendency to get overwhelmed by situations. Some that I put myself into and some that I find myself in.  They suck the laughter right out of me. I want to be joyful. I want to make people's day. I want to be in the moment. But the moment, the day is taken from me. I think it is that place of being caught between the dreaming and the coming true. The hope of something not yet realized.  It's then that I start to panic. I attempt to control. I use my words for effect rather than for breathing life into a person or into the moment. 2 Timothy 2:22-25 compels me to be gentle and kind in my language. To pursue faith, love and peace. And here's the kicker... "out of a pure heart." I don't like that part. You see when I find myself overwhelmed I tend to only find myself. I become ego-centric.  I don't want to get out. I rapidly move into survival. The tyranny of the urgent overtakes the purity of the motive. And when I find myself there, my ethics become subjective rather than objective.  It becomes all about me.   It is in those moments when the air seems so thin. I can't get enough oxygen into my viens. Everything starts looking dim.

And laughter becomes no medicine at all

But I know better. So today, I forced it. I made myself look up.  I examined my heart. And when you take an honest look there you will find your motives. And I was soon reminded it can't be about me. A pure heart doesn't allow that.

And so it is... then I look up from my computer screen and out the window and see a dog pulling a guy wearing a yarmulka (said, 'Yamaka" thank you Adam Sandler) in a wheel chair. Crazy.  Yet somehow everything seems just fine.

Just One of Those Days

2010-07-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

My friend Jason reminded me that yesterday was a special day in movie history. July 6, 2010 was the day Marty McFly flew in his Delorean from the year 1985 to discover a completely different world of hover boards and a geeky dad.

So maybe you aren't convinced of this whole blogging, twitter, social media deal. Check out the stats below to see how convinced you might become. That being said, I do believe that Social media cannot and will not replace face to face relationships. It is interesting how many more people are shopping locally. Checking out farmers markets. Planning block parties. It seems that the more technologically advanced we become the more our hearts long for "real" facetime.

Joydar

2010-06-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

I gotta be honest when you work in "church world" for any amount of time, you soon discover that "churchies" take themselves way too seriously. And in turn they take you way too seriously. Somehow whatever you just thought, just said, or just did was completely heretical or unbibilical or showed off your pecs too much or was not honoring to someone or something from the year 1976 or you released fireballs from heaven because you used The Message to say it. And of course, the comments are always followed up with supporting documents, but not from The Message.

And if you preach.... woah nelly. That's when the radar gets kicked up into "special mode". I had a "churchie" confront me one time with the fact that I had used the term "hooked up" in my sermon which, when googled by said individual, was found to mean "engaging in pre-marital sex" .... of course.  Therefore, it was completely unacceptable and very disturbing because I was promoting this type of action from the pulpit. Conversely, I was thrilled that this individual understood the entire point of my sermon... Heavenly hook ups. Cause I always like to be tricky. Like one time when I spoke on rolling all that makes up our life into the hand of the God, which really was code speak for smoking doobies.  What most people don't realize is that pastors have competitions to see how much they can do this.  Our latest challenge is to subliminally promote Harry Potter and skinny dipping.
Laughter, comedy, and sarcasm are beautiful things (especially when you are skinny dipping).

Most often, within the church world, we deal with the serious far more than the satire. So maybe when you run into the lighter side it can be debilitating rather than refreshing. In Matthew 14 we find one of those conundrums. Jesus is chilling out after rock climbing for a little bit.  He had been teaching and healing and pretty much doing what Jesus does, and needed to refill the tanks. So he's maxing and relaxing and see's the disciples floating in their little boat on their way to the other side o' the lake. And He get's to thinking... Oh yeah, I gotta get to that side too.  How am I going to get there?

Well I would submit, the disciples probably figured he was swimming or finding another boat. And to be honest, not sure if Jesus took swimming lessons. Hey, it took my 2 older kids 6 times each to get through Otter or Beaver or Horse or whatever that stupid level 1 is called. And is there anything more frustrating than paying for the same lesson 12 times? Apparently getting water in your face is extremely traumatic if you are swimming. Alas, Jesus figures he mind as well kick it up a notch and totally freak out those dopes in the boat. So he just starts walking on the water. Beautiful. To boot, he was probably smiling and waving as he neared the boat. And he gets the reaction he was looking for... "It's a ghost!" Beautiful. "Boys, relax, it's me." Peter is so jacked he wants to get out there too and Jesus says have at er. Except Peter sinks, Jesus saves, the disciples shout, the boat lands, the story ends.

Was there a deeper point to this story?  Yep. Was this another example of the power of Jesus? Yep. Was Jesus intentional with everything he did? Yep. Was a memory created for the guys in the boat? Yep.
Was Jesus doing what he always did? Yep.

And what was that? Bringing joy to people lives. Whether it was bringing hope to a place, peace to a tragedy, calm to a storm, or forgiveness to a life. He was and is and always will be the essence of Joy.

So next time you feel the urge to confront flip flops in church or verbage in a song go climb a mountain. Pull out the "Joydar (Joy Radar people)" and you never know how your perspective might change or what you might find yourself doing instead.

And if by chance you are looking for a swim teacher, give me a call, we know them all.

VHF - VW's Turn

2010-06-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

Threw out a little "Swagger Wagon" a few weeks ago. Today letting VW have their turn. Pretty sweet. Enjoy. Have a great Friday!

Morning Glory

2010-06-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

So this happened already today...
Got woken up at 6:15 cause bobcat boy at the lot behind us, thought he would get a head start on smoothing sand that was already quite smooth if you ask me (I got up and looked, okay, not completely true, might have started yelling at him too.. something about contracting a bad rash or nipple chaffing not quite sure it was early.)
Upon waking up, had the dogs woohoo right in my face. Apparently that was the warmest spot on the bed at the time.
All 3 kids woke up shortly after and proceeded to start initiating havoc. Megan burst into the room because she desperately needed nail polish because it was team day and she wanted to look "cool".   I proceed to my washroom, only to hear our 5 year old. Caedyn, start screaming about the fact that she is going to wet her pants. I half wet my pants because I jumped so high off the pot that I lost control. I rip out of the washroom to inquire about the wetting problem. My other daughter Megan is sitting on the toilet in the other washroom, and apparently told Caedyn to "go somewhere else because she is doing her team nails." I ask Megan if that is true, to which she retorts, "You told me to do my nails in the washroom dad so that is what I am doing.  It is your fault if she wets her pants." After 6 sighs and a rather stern look, Megan apprehensively leaves her toilet perch and allows young Caedyn to releave herself.
I walk downstairs to find my son eating breakfast. I experience a little shock and awe that he is actually eating breakfast on his own accord and that no issues seem to be apparent. Stunned. Normally, breakfast is when we discover that he has some sort of project due that morning usually along the lines of inventing biodegradeable pit stick. I walk downstairs slightly gleeful when I discover the gong show left by my daughters in the play room. Not that this is a surprise mind you. It is the adventure of what I am going to discover as part of the gong show. Today it was pencil shavings. I kid you not, there must have been a pencil sharpening convention that I was unaware of. There were shavings everywhere. On the floor, in cups, in the oven of the play kitchen, groovy girls were propped up with shavings, and I swear they formed a crop circle on the floor.
After cleaning up that deal. I plugged in our lovely air cleaning, floor drying, vomit inducing, sewage machines. Yea.  Our Sewer backed up inside the house last week. Restoration dudes were coming back this morning to do another clean because apparently our poop is resilient. Little bit of pride there.
So we commence packing lunches only to find my daughter has not emptied her lunch kit from the night before (not a surprise here people) and of course we discover infestation.
Which brings me to our homemade fruit fly trap. I had checked it last night and counted 11 fruit flies in that puppy. Not bad for only a couple hours. This morning I look in it. 4. All 3 of my children are eating breakfast at this point (well, to be fair, 2 were eating, Megan had just arrived after freaking out with tears and stomping and huffing and head flicks and general disgruntledness about the fact that no one was helping her finish her nails for her team day at school. That is until Carla gently reminded her team day was Thursday...) so I casually inquire, as to the whereabouts of the other 7 fruitflies. Caedyn pipes up with, "I had to put my finger in the top to look at it." This would explain the gigantic hole in the saran wrap on the top of our trap.
The kids finish breakfast. Megan burns upstairs to finish getting ready (the nail episode put her back at least 15 minutes). Brady is ready to ride and does not want to wait for Megan. I tell Brady to let her know he is going in 2 minutes and she needs to be ready. Brady asks me to start a timer. Brady gleefully runs upstairs to put Megan on the clock. Megan arrives with 30 seconds to spare. Brady starts riding upon first sight of Megan in the garage. Megan runs inside bawling because Brady left early and hates her and she doesn't know the route to get to school. Brady arrives back home. Stomps in and states "all I did was start a bit early and then cry baby runs in the house. See dad, this is what I have to deal with all the time." I pretend to ignore any of this is going on by closing my eyes and mumbling softly like I am in a very important prayer time. They get the hint and leave. I whip upstairs to have a shower. Hop in the shower only to find my 5 year old wanting to hop in too. She does. Try to wash her hair because she failed to wash anything in her bath from the night before. I am not allowed to apply shampoo.  I am instructed that she can do it and that she does not like any shampoo on the front of her hair. Back only. I retort with the fact that bugs will infest her hair and start laying eggs in there if she does not wash the front. She is not amused but slightly concerned that this could possibly happ.en.  Therefore she dabs the front of her hair and quickly rinses. I am then told to get out of my own shower. I towel off, go to shave... no water. Seems the restoration dudes are already at my house to clean the carrot poop out of my basement (again) and neglected to warn us they were turning off the water. Lovely.   I look at the clock. 8:25am. I am sure this is going to be a wonderful day.

Baby Gap

2010-06-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

So yes I apologize. 2 weeks is too long to post. I will spend the next few days highlighting those 2 weeks starting with my sewer story. I kid you not. In the meantime, take some time to enjoy with me, my sister Jana's first kidlet born June 17 @ 6:03am. Weighing in at 6 pd 5 oz. His name is Bryan Samuel Hollinshead.

Megan proud as punch to have another Cousin

Brady was fairly pumped to get another boy in the clan

Hot stuff in the middle with the kiddies

The man himself

As usual, stolen camera by youngest child, resulted in about 15 pictures of roofs, bed's, other patients

and of course, 13 close ups.

Ruggedly handsome, I know... stop it.

VHF - I do this all the time

2010-06-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

Thought I would give you an idea of what I do in my free time. Happey Friday.

Great Expectations

2010-06-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

There seems to be so many people yet so few minutes. Too many cups of coffee, too many missed lunches and never enough glasses of water. Too many books launched but never landed. Too much people pleasing so little understanding. It seems the longer the meeting the shorter the results. So many ideas so many obstacles. So much ambition so little resolve. So much joy, yet so much fear. Too much work too little reward. So many requests so little chance.

Heaven waits
Twilight has a Saga
and Dancing needs stars
Twittered and faced
Skyped and spaced
Eagle shirts
Boxer Shorts
Jugo Juiced

Too busy or too lazy. Time management or more time?

Space
Whispers
Open hands
Quiet heart
Hearing
Straining
Humble

Hope.

New mercies, new day.

Great expectations.

Little Known Facts

2010-06-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Since 1939, when the NHL moved to a Best of 7 format for the Stanley Cup Finals, the team that has won Game 1, went on to win the title 54 times.

The Top 5 Banks in Canada collectively made over $5 billion in profits in the 2nd quarter. This fell short of forecasts apparently.

Rafael Nadal was given a watch to wear at the French Open. It was crafted by the watchmaker Richard Mille. It's price tag? $500,000

So... What can $500,00 buy you? Well, this or this or this or try to live here or 30ish of these or this

The 2010 World Cup (Soccer) is taking place this month in South Africa. This event takes place every 4 years. In 2006 games were televised in over 214 countries. Total viewing audience was 26 billion+ people over the course of the tournament. With an estimated 607.9 million people watching the final match between Italy and France. And I thought they had a marketing problem calling it "soccer" and "football." Check out the facts here.

The latest Barna Group stats on charitable giving.

Number of times this past weekend I was asked if I was a cyclist because of the lack of hair on the bottom of my legs - 2.

Swagger Wagon "Meet The Parents"

2010-05-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, so had my brother-in-law and sister-in-law here this past week. Whoops, supposed to give a shout out to Shauna, because apparently, I have failed to mention since the inception of this blog, that she is my favorite sister-in-law. Maybe a little pushy, but I digress (and now, because of that last comment, just completely lost the coolest brother-in-law title). Being a reader of the blog (one of 6), Shauna loved the Swagger Wagon vid from awhile ago, and while visiting us this past weekend, loaded up a new clip from the same series that is pretty sweet.
I am gonna link it, instead of embedding this puppy so you can watch the whole array of ad's if you want to be cool and be the best parents cause you feed your kids. We do by the way which makes us awesome.

Out of the mouth of babes

2010-05-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

We have Carla's sister (Shauna) and fam here for a visit. They wanted to see the new digs. While I was driving Megan and her cousin Taryn home from being out, Megan suddenly proclaimed, "Dad, dad, look back here. We can both lick our armpits!"

There literally is nothing to say.

VHF - OK GO

2010-05-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

OK GO is the band who sky rocketed to the youtube stratosphere with their now infamous treadmill video. They have released a new vid, and they do not disappoint in the ability to "wow" you with their capacity be creative and have fun. Happy Friday.

6 Things in my brain today

2010-05-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

1. Because I think this kind of stuff is interesting. Like way more interesting than any season ever of the Bachelor.

2. Whatever your opinion, whatever your understanding, whatever your personal life holds, you can't miss this event.

3. Most likely all of us have done this at some point with no success.... until now. Success lies at the edge of your lips. Shout it out people.

4. Read this article first so that you will undertand why I like this article second.

5. This is almost too difficult to post it is so lame.

6. 18,000,000 Hits

It's 2 am somewhere, well, right here

2010-05-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

So, a couple nights ago, I was in that beautiful deep sleep point of the night (REM apparently, or at least that's what they told us health class in Grade 6 - you know, it's where your eyeballs are going schizo back and forth. That being said, to this day I have no clue why eyeballs do that. Like does your arm twitch uncontrollably at some point in the night too?) dreaming about walking in my mankini on the beach in Hawaii. When I was awoken by an attrocious (how do you spell that anyway?) noise. I am talking an airhorn built for hard of hearing giants who wear ear muffs kind of noise. My youngest, Caedyn, is so freaked out, she decided it was critical to scream louder than the siren of doom. She comes shreaking into our bedroom, dives on the bed, pancakes the dog, and buries herself under the covers in less than 4 seconds. I had no clue what hit me. My wife says something to the effect of "stop farting" and shoves Caedyn over to my side. As quickly as the noise began, it stopped. Well, the siren that is - Caedyn was still howling like the woman I saw at Costco the other day, who, and I kid you not, somehow completely missed seeing the large bump on the road painted bright yellow and built to easily maneouver as a human, and tripped over that puppy and had the shopping cart she was pushing land squarely on top of her, trapping her in it's wire mesh death trap. It was not pretty yet beautiful in the same moment. At his point I still had no clue where the noise came from. I immediately struck out to find the source of this chaos. Nothing. No red lights indicating trouble on my fire alarm/carbon monixide detectors. Checked all four. No emergency vehicles. No car alarms. Zip. I even checked the curb to see if Costco chicky pants happened to fall on my driveway. Zip. I decided it must have been a horrible dream and that I actually was wearing a mankini in Hawaii and forgot to shave my back. I check on my other two kids. Megan was still sleeping when I went in to her room, and when I bent over her, she opened her eyes and said "my leg is cramping." I have no clue either. My son Brady, was completely buried in his pillow with the sheets pulled over his skull. I peeled back the covers only to have him shriek in terror and start crying. He thought Ironman had gone evil and was jack hammering through the roof into his room to kidnap him and force him into slave labour making Barbie Movies. The poor kid. I had to sit with him for 15 minutes just to get his breathing controlled. I finally crawled back into bed only to receive a head butt from Caedyn the moment I put my skull on the pillow. Lovely.

Oh the memories.

VHF - Sunday's Coming Mock Movie Trailer

2010-05-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

Love to hear your comments. Happy Friday!

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Today

2010-05-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

I want to be a better listener.  Don't get me wrong, I can listen with the best of them. I've got three kids chanting with regularity, "It's not fair" or "Do I have to?" or "Daddy help! I can't feel my armpits." Well, okay, if I were to be honest, I don't listen all the time. There is the odd time, and I am talking like 1 in 2, where I pretend to be asleep when the kids wake up in the middle of the night with the squirts.

It's the listening to God that gets a little more difficult. Especially when it comes to figuring out what God wants me to do. How do I know what I should plan on doing? It's seems like that is the point I feel misdirection creeping in.   When I try and decipher the "will of God." Yes, I believe in vision and goals and feel it is very appropriate to "count the cost before building the tower" but, the big BUT... too often I find myself leaning more heavily on those things than straining to hear God's voice today. So I strain to look into the future anticipating, hoping for, relying on God's provision of something or someone to help me with my decision today. And more often than not, I wait, I fear, I do nothing.

As I have looked through scripture, I searched for how people were intent on "leaning in" to what God's will was for them. What struck me, were the exceptions.   The exceptions were individuals knowing all the details. The pattern was completely different.

Abraham being told to get up and go. No plans for where he was going to stop or what he was going to do. Moses being directed to leave Egypt with a couple million people.
The disciples told to go find a guy in a town, go hop on a boat, take only what you can carry with you.

The discipline each displayed was a listening to God's voice each day. No matter the risk, no matter the consequence, no matter the foggy details.

As I looked over my life for the past 5 years I noted that there were many times when I let fear, opinion or a 5 year goal direct me more than listening to what God wanted me to do that day.   So sad. I wonder what incredible mysteries I missed out on. I wonder what God had in store for me that I never was able to capture. I wonder.

May we not only be great listeners but great models of what God is calling us to in this time. I want to encourage you to be faithful to God today. I am not implying a disregard of future consequences to present decisions, nor to flippantly make a decision only looking at the next 24 hours.   I am encouraging a "leaning in" to what God is saying today. What is he asking you to do today?

Stock Photography Gone Wild

2010-05-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago a friend of mine forwarded an email to me. It was from a "Canadian Pharmacy" offering incredible discounts on Viagra. To be fair, I cannot comment on whether they really are offered at a great discount or not, as I have yet to purchase said blue pill. Regardless, it got me to thinking, do you really want to buy the discounted version of those puppies? Like really? (I kept going on this one and repeatedly deleted what I typed which made me realize that I need to stop right there.)

Initially I was a little cheesed cause I don't need anymore spam email's than I get thankyou very much. And it's not like you don't get these puppies all the time too. Except this email was unique. What was incredibly "special" about this spam email, was the picture of the couple featured as being "well healed" by the product. My friend highlighted to me that it was the same couple featured as a lovely family on the South Campus Website of Willow Park Church (Lady with glasses and sweater guy).

No this couple does not attend our church and I have no clue who they are, but when you lean into the stock photography market, you sometimes get burned. Well, at the very least, cheap placebo.

Gametime

2010-05-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

I love the "self-checkout" counters that are popping up at so many stores lately. Okay, that's not true - most of them. Sorry Save-On Foods but I would rather have an ingrown toe nail removed than use those puppies. And yes, I have had one removed. Extricated might be a better term. And yes it was completely disgusting. Puss and blood and fluids you have never witnessed exit your toe. I kid you not, the needle is about the size of an ice pick, and it feels just a wee bit less painful than slamming each of your fingers in the car door. You soon realize why it was necessary for the curtain to be put up to make it impossible for you to witness the procedure when the physician hammers the needle into the base of your toe so far that it makes contact with the bone. Awesome memory. Anyway, I am certain Save On had their system designed by Podiatrists (that is the official name for toe torturer's). If you even look at the scale wrong, it goes into lock down mode. Never mind if your kid happens to sneeze on it (thank you Megan). On top of that, when lock down mode is engaged, and it will friends it will, you beget a visit from the attendant who has to scan their special card, enter four passwords, and then frisk you just in case you were trying to harbour some asparagus in your socks. Unreal.

At the other very cool self-check outs I have been to, I play a little game. Maybe it's because I laugh at silly things or get bad cramps when I have to spend money, or maybe it's just that I like little games. I talk back to the machines. The nice computer girl is always making comments, telling you about discounts, asking hoe many bags you want, all sorts of great questions. So I politely carry on the conversation. Like today when I was at Home Depot. After completing the transaction, the nice computer girl said, "Thank you for shopping at Home Depot." To which I replied, "You are very welcome. And I hope you have a great day."

In case you were wondering, yes I do say a few different things to the Save-On Foods Self Check Out computer FBI.

VHF - Toyota Sienna "Swagger"

2010-05-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

This video is a shout out to all your boyz who have somehow lost a little swagger with the invention of the "perfect" family vehicle called the mini-van. Yes its economical... yes its roomy... and yes, it completely eliminates any sense of manhood from your repertoire. Mind as well shave your legs.

This video brings it all back baby.

Hiatus

2010-05-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

My apologies on the hiatus.

We moved.

Probably don't need to utter much more than that. We sold our last house June 30, 2009. So it has been almost a year that we have been out of a house. I don't know how many times in the last couple days I have opened a box and said, "Oh there's my mankini!"
On top of that we had no internet/phone until yesterday so connectivity was lacking. Alas, all is well. Mind you not so much for my daughter Megan. 2 nights ago we are tucking the kidlets in for the night, and I finish my rounds by stepping into Megan's room. Two of our kids went down very well - one not so much. If you know anything about my life I am pretty sure you can guess who decided to re-enact the video "We're not going to take it" by Twisted Sister. As I enter Megan's room, She is just finishing up a journal entry in her diary. So I ask her if she would be willing to share. She said of course dad, and here is what she wrote:

"Today was an awesome day. Well, until the night came and the screaming began."

VHF - Catalyst West

2010-04-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

Catalyst West is happening right now. The weather is not bad in Kelowna, but this puppy is happening in the big OC, and like who would not want to be there. The conference is future forward and in that light, my video for today is their online live webcasting of events during the conference. Enjoy.

Catalyst Webcast

Those aren't my gloves

2010-04-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

My youngest daughter found a pair of those whitish medical gloves in our house (I have no clue how they got here either but I am worried it is a sign indicating my yearly medical is fast approaching). She put them on and exclaimed, "Hey, daddy is a dentist!" To which my lovely wife responded with "I wish, but we got a pastor." Nice.

Head Count

2010-04-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Fascinating new(er) social networking forum.

Like honestly, thank goodness this worked out or there would be a throng of individuals struggling to use their arms.

Next time you are in Seattle do not miss eating here. Unacceptable.

I won't tell anyone that you really couldn't wait until I posted this website. Oh stop, I am getting embarrassed now.

I just don't know if this is completely lame or if I am going to buy a 4 pack.

I am saving the best for last. 2 vids you have to watch. I can feel the heat rising already. Check out the reason why first, and then watch the first couple minutes of this video to see it play out. Killer. I gotta know what do you think cause I am still on the fence...

It's Only Monday

2010-04-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

I was locked and loaded in the pulpit this past weekend. If you missed it and desperate to see it, like I know so many of you are (clear throat here), check out all the deets here.

In my prep, I came across a little vid from Francis Chan's Blog. I haven't been able to shake it. Mostly because I am right there.

We are in the end stages of building a house, and it has been a rough ride. (specifically relating to finances). It was a tough decision for us to begin with, but it was the most cost effective way to get into a house with a suite. You know you are on the cheap when every supplier you walk into starts off with, "So, you're the Lanigan's. We understand that we aren't doing any upgrades. Well, let's get serious, we aren't really doing anything are we." Or as my incredible wife penned it, "A Pottery Barn look with a Walmart budget." Come on, most suppliers figure it out before you get in the door when they see you drive up in a 2003 Honda Accord. We cut some cost by doing all the cleaning of the site and taking care of all the interior painting. (Note: I have banned the words spackle and dapping for the next 7 generations of our offspring. You know you've painted just a wee bit too much when an elderly woman in a wheelchair asks to cut in line at the drugstore and you utter the phrase "I'll show you cutting in sister" and kick her chair over - it's okay, she was not injured badly) Let me tell you, painting is not for the feint of heart. But the question keeps rattling around in my head, 'Did we do the right thing?' What was our motivation anyway? There have been many sleepless nights wondering, worrying and begging God to show up. What is my expectation of him? How much am I trying to control? Watch the video and let me know what you think.

As a 5 Year Old World Turns

2010-04-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

This pic needs a caption... anyone?
Best caption will be posted (I know... "no expense spared")

VHF - Hockey's Second Season

2010-04-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

In light of the Stanley Cup Playoffs kicking into high gear, here is a fresh take on playoff beards.

The Big 3

2010-04-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

I don't remember if I heard it at a seminar, read it on the internet or made it up myself (okay, pretty confident I didn't make it up myself) but I have never forgotten it. I am going to credit Walt Mueller from CPYU for it because it seems to me he was the one who penned it.   I try to live it out in real time. A few weeks ago, in my prep for a speaking engagement, I wrote down the phrase "Journey with a purpose." It has rang in my head ever since, and these 3 statements give fuel to that engine:

1. Know the unchanging Word
2. Know changing people in a changing world
3. Take the unchanging Word to changing people in a changing world

Pretty straight up. Purpose to spend time marinating in God's word. It's truths are unchanging, eternal, right. Purpose to understand your neighbor, your co-workers, your friends, your community, and your world.   Don't let the latest technological advances freak you out.  Purpose to engage those people with unchanging truths that breathe life, hope & joy.   That means creatively and relevantly communicating to your community. What works in your context. Downtown Vancouver is going to look a lot different than MooseJaw, Sasksatchewan.

So how are you doing with those 3? I'd love to hear stories of how you live this out.

(FYI - Moosejaw was my birthplace and I kid you not, the name of the physician who helped out with the birth, Dr. Gas - I know, there are so many places to unleash with that one. Okay, let's stop because, seriously, this whole thing has the potential to back fire. I don't want to float any air biscuits here or we will never recover from the explosive nature of all the crop dusting comments about being from Saskatchewan. For the record, people no longer live in covered wagons, Dutch ovens are used only for special occasions, and breaking wind is almost impossible. There is no point dropping bombs about being from the SK.   So please everyone, don't bother squeezing out cutesy little catch phrases or trying to ignite a hot debate about the thunder being louder in BC than SK. I would rather you be silent than deadly. I am not pulling anyone's finger here nor serving up any air bagels.  I want this blog to be a breath of fresh air. So here's my one gun salute to igniting a conversation about the real theme of this\posting.)

I don't know about you, but I just had to open a window... for some reason it is getting really hot in here.

Pant Rant

2010-04-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

Received some feedback this weekend about how I dressed. At Willowpark church, we have weekend gatherings in 5 different locations. This past weekend, on the heels of finishing up a series called "One" stemming from the book of Ephesians (which oddly enough talks about those people who call themselves Christ followers to be "One Team" even with all it's weird, wild and stuck in the mud types - I know aren't we tricky). Not gonna get preachy here, but check out Eph 4:4-6 in the Message:

(vs 4-6) “You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with oneness.”

That seems to cover it nicely.

Anyway, we decided to have all 5 campuses gather at one site as an exclamation point to the whole series. It was a pretty sweet deal. All the pastors were in full effect during the services. The comment came after the second of three services. "I guess the dress code for pastors is jeans." Comically not all of the pastors were wearing jeans and one even had his shirt tucked in which was completely revolting... but I digress.  Interestingly, this caused me to check out the literal greek translation of the passage above. Incredibly it reads "You were all called to wear spiffy pants but not too tight."

Before you call Billy Graham for an intervention, let's get something straight here.   I get a little fiesty when comfy church going folk get so caught up in "nicing up" the church and the gospel and how we look and how we act. My non-church going friends aren't looking for nice-ities, they are screaming for authenticity.   This contrast exploded from the tv this past Sunday when Phil Mickelson tearfully embraced his wife Amy who has been battling breast cancer for the last year, and who did not have enough strength to make it out of bed until those last few minutes of watching her husband clinch his 3rd Masters Title. He had not been winning nor was he spending much time away from his wife and kids. To boot, his mom was diagnosed with the same disease within months of his wife. And then they interview Tiger who's statement, although not directly relating to his off course antics, was "people are just making too much out of this deal" when asked about his first 5 holes and how cranky he was. Now, I do not know either one of these guys, nor do I dare put forward the allusion that I somehow understand what it is to live in their shoes, but the contrast between those 2 atheletes was stunning. We desperately want authenticity.   People are desperately looking for an authentic people following an authentic God.    Listen to Isaiah 53 talk about Jesus...

"He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

Jesus was not known for his dress code, his hair gel or his picture perfect golf swing. He was known for his gritty, passionate, faithful, relentless, tough, beautiful, authentic love.   Love for those who's mistakes are found out, who's lives remain hidden, and who's hopes are lost.   Love for those who long for tradition and those who push the envelope.   Love for champions and for losers.  Most stunning of all, is that he is depending on this ragamuffin group of mistake ridden, jean wearing, 18 handicappers to live that love out as aunthentically as possible.

For the record, my shirt was untucked.

Wedded Bliss

2010-04-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I mentioned the photographers my bro-in-law Steven hired for his wedding (Stone Photography). Well, they (Dan & Kat) posted a bunch of shots from Steven and Sara's wedding on their blog. Proof is in the pudding people. Enjoy.

Straight up pics

Slide show with musicah

Gotta throw a little love out for Keith. He is one of Steven's best friends. In the black and white fish eye pic of the groomsmen, he is second from the right, SINGLE, and a studly fireman type (Note: this is very similar to a studly pastor type just in case people were confused)

VHF - Fav #1

2010-04-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

This is one of my all-time fav vid's - the moaning like a deranged cow is priceless. Happy Friday.

Leadership Chops

2010-04-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

I am always looking for my leadership envelope to be pushed. I really do not want to be satisfied with the assumption that somehow I have "arrived" at being a complete leader. Let's just say I am 96% there. Take a joke people. So here is some beefing up for your Leadership (parenting) chops.

I listened to a podcast from Andy Stanley today. Pastor boy from North Point Community Church in Atalanta. His focus was the principle of "Do to one what you can't do for all." He reminded leaders that you cannot possibly do everything you want to for everyone in your staff. And he challenged the value of "fairness." Suggesting that "fairness" gets in the way of "rightness." I would fully agree. When we try and be fair, we de-value individuals. I struggle with this everyday in parenting. I fail when I try and treat every one of my kids the same. My 11 year old boy has way different needs than my 5 year old girl. On top of that, who they are and what they enjoy is completely different - so what does fair look like in that context? You will never succeed as a parent if you try and treat every kid the same "fair" way. More often than not, you don't do something for any of your kids because all is not possible. Too much money, too little enjoyment... whatever. What is right, is valuing each kid for who they are and what they like and meeting them at those junctures.

"Do to one what you can't do for all."

Stanley challenges the leader (and parent) to not let the fact that you can't so something for everyone hold you back from doing something for one. Make that person's day today, and aim for someone else the next day. Be in the moment with each conversation, each individual and the value will be huge.

To often I have been running on the value of fair and not the value of right. I gotta make a change. How about you? How are your values lining up?

6 Things in my Brain Today

2010-04-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

I must say, when your team is officially eliminated from the playoffs in November, it tends to leave a mark (which sometimes turns into a rash and that is just not good). On top of the mark and rash, you are tormented by friends and family alike for weeks. But you put up with it because they don't know you are secretly cheering for another team. It's not a happy cheer mind you, nooooo, not by a mile. I love cheering.

My bro-in-law flew these guys out from Vancouver to photograph his wedding. They are that good. Love the photo booth.

Monday and Tuesday were days that make you say, if I could I would buy this.

It's like the 80's just don't want to disappear. Maybe we really were coolish.

I kid you not... If you aren't careful this website will get you typing for hours.

You know you are getting old when you see a movie trailer for a tv show you used to watch and it is like infinitely better than the original, which makes you realize how pathetic tv show graphics were back in the day and also wonder how in the world acid wash jeans ever became a fad.

Castanet Classifieds Ad of the Week

2010-04-07T00:20:00.000-07:00

This one is pretty tempting. For all you closet McDonald's lovers. Like seriously, does a Big Mac really taste that good? Like what exactly is in the special sauce? I am just asking.

McDonald's Pins & Hat

The Last week of Jesus

2010-04-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

In any occupation, when you have a project to complete by a certain date, the enjoyment of the process can get lost very quickly. The completing becomes more important than the experiencing.

Sometimes when writing a sermon, it is no different. You can get lost in "just getting it done." As I endeavored to complete my task of writing a sermon for this weekend, oddly enough, it was the doing that get lost in the details. I was captured by the Passion Week. Jesus' last week on earth. As I read the words again, I found myself entering in. Smelling, feeling, seeing, hearing what was going on. Maybe you can too.

Jesus with his friends telling stories of tenants, sons, and hired hands. He spoke of wedding receptions, talents, wise and foolish young girls.

Telling his friends of his upcoming death.

Dealing with a mom who said "Jesus my boys need to be beside - they need to be elite!"

Giving blind men sight.

Walking from Jericho and entering Jerusalem to the accolades of a King.

Clearing his true home, the temple, of all that had gone wrong.

He spoke of how to pay your taxes and how to live love out:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbour as yourself.”

Warned those in leadership, those who know better, not to lead others away from the truth.

Warned those who follow him to be careful not to be led away. He expressed to hiw followers not to spend time on predicting dates or times but to follow his lead.

He told a story of people who claim to know him but really don’t

He was blessed with an expensive gift of perfume by a woman

He was traded for 30 silver coins

He shared a special dinner with his friends. At that dinner Jesus told one of his closest friends, Peter, that although he has walked the last 3 years with Jesus, he would turn his back on him when it would hurt the most.

He prayed. He prayed hard enough to sweat blood while his friends slept.

He was handed over in a Garden

He healed a soldier

He watched his friends run away

He endured a fake trial

He spoke little

Peter disowned him.

He was mocked and tortured.

He was spit upon and hit

He walked a long road carrying his own means of death

His death a cross.

His clothes were stolen.

His hand nailed

His thirst unquenched

His side pierced with a sword

His mother was watching

A criminal dying beside him asked for life another mocked his death

He exclaimed it is finished.

The temple veil turn in two

He was buried

An angel appeared. An earthquake shock. A tomb empty. An Emmaus road walked. An upper room visited. Wounds touched, A doubter loved. His disciples commissioned. His victory over death secured. His return promised.

Hope for you and me given and guaranteed.

What a week.

Mmmm... ulcers

2010-04-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

I have another Corneal Ulcer. Lovely.

Just in case you were wondering..

From Wikipedia:
A corneal ulcer, or ulcerative keratitis, or eyesore is an inflammatory or more seriously, infective condition of the cornea involving disruption of its epithelial layer with involvement of the corneal stroma.

Thought you would like a picture too.

VHF - Friday is Here

2010-04-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

We are showing this video in our weekend services this Easter Weekend. I think it is a perfect fit for VHF. Listen. Experience. Think.

Sorry, I have been trying to upload this puppy all day (hence the post delay). So have to watch it through this link.

The Bad and the Good

2010-04-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

THE BAD

Really? So this is what the gospel comes down to. This is the best way these church going folk figured they could express to the world that they love Jesus. I wonder what they would have picketed about to the criminal hanging beside Jesus on the cross when Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in paradise."

Considering their lifestyle choices, I wonder what their idea of love would have been to many of Jesus' family tree - Rahab, Issac, David, Uzziah, Tamar. I wonder how many times you have to use the word "hate" before people realize it's love.   I wonder if Albert Snyder, the father of the soldier whose funeral was picketed, will ever be able to erase the image "God is your enemy" from his psyche. I sadly wonder.

"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

I wonder if I create barriers in my life instead of bridges for people to meet Jesus. I wonder if I harbour prejudices, opinions and perceptions about people who need to experience the love of Jesus and not the hurtful expression of an opposing value. I wonder if I love more than I hate. I wonder if the fruit of my spirit is more evident than the Spirits fruit... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

I wonder.

THE GOOD

Carlos Whittaker blogs on his site Ragamuffin Soul. One of his recent offerings went viral and is pretty sweet. Probably cause I can relate to my kids loving the song "Single Ladies" just as much as his. Oh Beyonce. He was recently featured on The Today Show and CBS because of it.   Check it out.

Of meatballs and ice cream cones

2010-03-31T09:43:00.000-07:00

I don't know why, but it seems like I have never ending "adventures" (yes, let's call them "adventures", cause if not, I would be calling them "trips on the highway to insanity." Although, come to think of it, I am not waking up at 6:00am ready for another day of being a proctologist. Let's get serious, what causes some of the most intelligent people we have going to choose that specialty. Are they paid a handsome bonus in Med School? If you become a Procto Docto we'll kick in podiatry for free. Foot and bum, could you imagine that? Mind you, being a urologist might be worse. I could not do that. Just couldn't. I believe I would cry myself to sleep... why, why didn't I become a pediatrician???? I digress.)

After all that, believe it or not, I am not going to be telling the story from this past weekend about West Edmonton Mall, the wedding I performed, the hotel I passed called "Tell-a-Frend," nor the tale of Caedyn (another one I know.. but I'm not a proctologist - said with a high cheery voice...) being awake from midnight until 4:30am for no reason and with no apparent side effects the next day. Unreal)

The other day Caedyn is having a play day with one of her best friends Ava. We are on the way back from picking Ava up to bring her over to our place. Caedyn requests to watch Cloudy with a chance of meatballs... and this is the conversation which ensued:
Caedyn: "Watch this Ava, this is where the ice cream cones come out of the sky!"
Ava: "I love ice cream cones!"
Caedyn: "I am going to jump into the movie and eat them Ava"
Ava: "Me to! But we better not eat all of them or we'll get a tummy ache."

I love it. "Better not eat all of them or we'll get a tummy ache." Priceless.

Childlike wonder mixed with great advice... The worlds of reality and fantasy fused together seemlessly.

Got me to thinking about that fusion. How often I get caught up doing what an adult is supposed to do. I can get so wrapped up in being responsible and efficient that I forget to dream, forget to create, forget to enjoy the moment. Spontaneity becomes a bother rather than a thrill. You start to look for God only in what you can see or control rather than in the unexpected.

When is last time you allowed childlike wonder to jump into your day?

Here is where the beauty of Ava's analysis of fantasy world living arrives. Stay too long in a dream world, ignore the realities that are hard to face (or that ones you don't want to face), and you'll usually end up getting a tummy ache.

I don't know about you, but it's sunny outside and I am thinking it's a good time for a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone (or 2 but only 2 or I get really bad gas.. was that too much information?)

VHF - Casual Friday

2010-03-26T07:50:00.000-07:00

I saw this Career Builder commercial during the Superbowl and laughed audibly. Might be a fun trend to start at your work place. This is lovely proof for all you fella's who go around thinking... "Boxers, whatever, I am so the bomb wearing tighty whities." Nope, Jr High was the last time you should have dawned a pair of those puppies. Happy Casual Friday.

Night Time Terrors

2010-03-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

This morning did not start off on the right foot. I have no clue what that means but apparently that's what people say. I am a right foot forward kind of guy (because everyone is wanting to know...)   After the kidlets got out of school yesterday, we packed the van of love and hit the highway. Well, that is not completely true, we followed Willy & Margeet who were traveling at about a snails pace, down the only hill leaving our lovely community. This only took approx. 16 hours, at which Willy decided to turn off (without using his blessed signal) and not quite leaving enough room for anyone to slid around him as he waited to turn (with no attempt to move his hand toward the signal light indicator at all). Nothing. Yes, I do know I said that twice... Back off (told you I was a little cranky).

We arrived in cow town (giggle - that is a really funny way to say Calgary) after about 7 hours of travel including stops (had to make up a little time after Willy & Margeet's pleasure cruise). Now it was late (midnightish) and being efficient parental units, we had already made the change into PJ's mid travel - getting my feet into those built in slipper pants was tough but accomplished while only mooning 3 people. Actually, it was only 2 people but I threw an extra one out there for W & M's midafternoon drive-a-thon.   So we shipped the kiddies off to bed, chatted it up with my bro-in-law and hit the sack.

I have mentioned previously that my youngest, Caedyn, cares less about sleeping and adores yelling at night. Attempting to usurp that nightly adventure, Carla and I agreed, that she will sleep beside me in bed and Carla will take her sleeping arrangement. Fine until about 4am (that's 3 am my time - building the story here people) when I get a left hoof into the solarplexes. I was able to recover, shove Caedyn back over to her pillow and close my lids. 5am I wake up sweating like a horse, only to realize that there is probably a pretty good chance it is due to the fact that my daughter has so tightly arranged herself next to me that she mind as well be an appendage. My hairy back provides enough warmth for six small people, never mind a 5 year old in wooly pants, draped over top of me. Unreal. Again, I shuffle her over to the farthest point possible of the bed, strap her down, and close my eyes. 6am arrived shortly after as did my daughters yelp for having to pee. I believe it was then I came to the conclusion that, I am dropping my daughter off at the zoo, no, I am going to make her walk to the zoo.

Because it was dark and apparently there were large ogre's in the hallway I provided an escort. I will say, this arrived with a bonus.  I had tried to "Roll Up The Rim To Win" about 6 times on the trip (no one ever wins those fat Tim Horton liars) with no success but 4 litres of fluids. Arriving back to the room, I counseled Caedyn that she could indeed survive the next 3 hours with only pajama pants and no panties on. Did I fail to mention that Caedyn didn't quite make it to the toilet and might have, oh I don't know, created the only wet spot on my side of the bed? After cries of "Daddy my bum feels weird" I was able to convince her to at least put her head on the pillow and that I would pray some panties would appear, we, er, I closed my eyes.

Sleep finally came at 7:30am but it was to no avail. Apparently the first time you go sans panties at age 5, you cannot control leg twitches. I kid you not, 30 minutes later Caedyn wakes me up to ask for another escort out of the room.  Wearily, I somehow responded with, "Sweetheart, I will hold your hand to the end of the bed and from there I am sure you can make it." This was not acceptable. The tears started flowing, yelps of "but Daddy, I can't do it," and sheer panic ensued. Let me be abundantly clear here people: There is exactly 4 steps for big people, to get from the bed to the door, and for some unknown, mind-blowing, blood boiling, other worldy, roll up and start to whimper in the fetal position reason those 4 steps were full of trepidation . I lost it. I threw her blanket to the door and said go get it, covered my head with a pillow and made a vow to move to another country when she reaches puberty. The crying would not stop. I launched out of bed, whipped open the door, lovingly shoved my daughter out the door, slammed the door shut and dove back on the bed landing squarely on the wet spot.

Today is going to be just lovely.

6, er.. 7 Things in my brain today

2010-03-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

1. I am continually challanged/inspired/amazed at what Michael Hyatt (CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing) offers up on his blog. It is a must follow.

2. I have received emails from these guys for a couple years. Every now and then there are some sweet deals to be had.

3. If you have trouble getting stuff shipped to Canada, no problem. This solution is awesome. I have had one for 3 years and to boot, you only pay for it when you use it. Like come on.

4. Hard to explain this website, but if you are a creative force (okay, you can just be a "normal" person too.. meaning you don't live in Quebec...) this will get you tweaking and humming for awhile.

5. He goes by the tag "Los" (formerly known as Carlos Whittaker) which is way cooler than my tag... "whitelegs" but like, let's get serious, I would work him over at Wii Ping Pong. Great post on Creativity.

(Warning: If you are my mother, might want to sit down for this next one)

6. My wife thinks I should get inked - thoughts? Mmmm.. something like this puppy on the left forearm. Whoops, that was gross. Something like this but with a little more grit, as I am known to be fairly toughish.

7. Latest offering from Tripp and Tyler.

Just a bit outside...

2010-03-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

My 4 year old Caedyn, came back from Kids Church this past Sunday holding a piece of paper she had colored from her class. It was the "take home" from their lesson time. Her teacher was a late substitute and therefore had to put the lesson together rather rapidly. Upon sending all the kids to their parents and finishing for the day, she reflected to my wife Carla with a smirk, "I think I might have done the craft incorrectly."

I do know what do you think?

"Yes kids, whenever you get discouraged in life, or when things just seem to big to handle, just remember what we learned about today... sometimes it's impossible. God bless."

Video Hit Fridays

2010-03-19T08:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, indeed, it is Friday again. I know that because yesterday was Thursday.

Today's offering may not bring about gut laughter, but it will bring a smile. Enjoy.

Juicy Flow

2010-03-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

It's lyric week. Just setting the record straight for you homies (I am so down with rap). Well, considering today's offering I am. I know you are thinking... "this coming from the guy who has the whitest legs I have ever witnessed." It's not like Carla has not tried... tanning cream, tanning salons, Free Willy Fridays (whoops that was something else) oven baked, nothing. I do not tan. But I am okay with it now. At least there is some hair on the legs which helps. Better that than ape boy.

Well, let's get serious here, it's not like I do not have any rap experience. There is even a hotly contested video to prove it on Youtube (unfortunately I am the background dancer on the left... wow).

Speechless I know.

Well, today's lyrical sweetness comes from none other than Toby Mac off his latest Record "City On Our Knees." The tune is Funky Jesus Music.

"Funky Jesus Music"

Rock, rock
Give me that rock
That hip, that rock
Give me that funky

Yo stick it in red
We got the cred
No need to say what's already been said
Don't need to please
When we got the proof
We be on our knees
When we raise the roof
'Cause we got the
Wow pow mix of flavor
We got the funky Jesus blazer
No equal
Diverse people
Come get it now
Won't be a sequel

None of that mumbo jumbo
Give me that hip hop funk soul
Give me that funky Jesus music
Give me that soulful gumbo

Give me that funky
Funky Jesus Music
Give me that hip, that rock, that funky soul
Give me that juicy flow
Give me that funky
Funky Jesus Music
Give me that hip, that rock, that funky soul
And watch this party grow
Let's go

Look at them freaks, they fashion loud
Makin' that hotness, movin' that crowd
Bumpin' that jump with a life injection
Sweet to the ears like the candy section
Hits to the eyes
Feels so fly
Fashion that just won't subside
We got this winner's ball
So check it out
Gonna' watch 'em fall
We're goin' back
We're goin' way back

From coast to coast
This is the most
We got beats and rhymes
And aftershows
We got funky people on the highs and lows
MC's like Wiggy they call us pros
So, sure shot, I could take stock
Of this
I'll play the post in the b-boy bliss
See, we bum rush with no discussion
A red hot show with freak production

I cannot express how much I love that chorus:

Give me that funky
Funky Jesus Music
Give me that hip, that rock, that funky soul
Give me that juicy flow

"Supreme awesomeness" as our dear friend Kung Fu Panda would say. I just don't think I have ever heard someone toss the lyric "juicy flow" into their song. Money.

Today my hope is that you are "makin that hotness, movin' that crowd" and "bumpin' that jump" this with a little "life injection." Boom Boom Pow.

Is it too late to post?

2010-03-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

Okay I know it's late. Today was a gong show. Cry me a river blah, blah, blah.

So let me share a quick story about my 4 year old daughter Caedyn.

We are sitting in Quiznos getting a little sub action, when a dude comes walking in sporting a pony tail. Caedyn dawning her own very cute pony tail, with her favorite pink shirt which proclaims "Not for the faint of heart" yells, "Daaaad, look at that silly boy... (insert big eye roll) he has a girl's pony tail is that ever stupid." It was nice to have the whole restaurant looking at us.

Lost

2010-03-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

When Katheryn (Katy) Hudson was 15 years old she wrote the lyrics to this song called “Trust in Me.”  It was the first track released off her first album.

“Trust In Me”

How could I see you when I was so blind
How could I grasp you when I was far behind
How could I hear you when I was so deaf
How could I get up when I had been left

But You said, "don’t worry"
For I’ve healed the blind man
And I’ve set the captives free
And You said, "don’t worry"
For all you’ve gotta do
Is put your trust in Me

How could I be clean when I was so dirty
How could I be made whole when I was torn apart
Make me whole, make me whole
Make me whole again

Although the album was musically and lyrically strong, and the critics loved what she offered, it didn’t translate into sales. That was not Katy's style.

Katy grew up in a home of pastors. Both her mom and dad were ministers. She grew up singing cause, as Katy shares, "Her dad would pay her $10 to sing for them at every function, potluck and picnic. Conversely, during my childhood, my parents gave me $10 to be quiet and not do something embarassing again. Katy didn’t have a lot of exposure to what her parents called “secular” music. That is until one day when she found a “Queen” album at a friends house. It was at that moment, Katy says, “The heavens opened up and saved me.” The lyrics and musicality of what they were all about has guided her to today. 10 years later. A new name, a new persona. Her first single, “I kissed a girl” shot her to the moon in the land of popular music – helping her sell 2 million albums with the single itself downloaded over 6 million times. Other songs like “Hot & Cold,” and “Waking up in Vegas” ring in your head. Katy is a true artist, penning the words to her own songs. Not scared to put her life story to words, she says that “Every single one of my songs is drawn 100% directly from my life.” And based on albums sales, apparently it's how many people feel.

It’s amazing what 10 years of life can do… On her platinum album “One of the Boys” Katy Perry, wrote these words to the song “Lost”:

“Lost”

I'm out on my own again
Face down in the porcelain
Feeling so high but looking so low
Party favors on the floor
Group of girls banging on the door
So many new fair-weather friends

[CHORUS]
Have you ever been so lost
Known the way and still so lost

Caught in the eye of a hurricane
Slowly waving goodbye like a pageant parade
So sick of this town pulling me down
My mother says I should come back home but
Can't find the way cause the way is gone
So if I pray am I just sending words into outer space

Have you ever been so lost
Known the way and still so lost
Another night waiting for someone to take me home
Have you ever been so lost

Is there a light
Is there a light
At the end of the road
I'm pushing everyone away
'Cause I can't feel this anymore
Can't feel this anymore

I wonder what happened in those 10 years? What made Katy say I just can’t handle this anymore – God can’t handle this anymore. She had 14 years of learning about God. I wonder if that was just it. I wonder if it just stopped there.

Maybe you find yourself somewhere in the honest words penned by this poet. Maybe that is exactly your struggle today. God where are you? How come things didn't work out the way I planned?

Have you ever been so lost

Known the way and still so lost

My mother says I should come back home but
Can't find the way cause the way is gone

Maybe the truth still lingers in your head and heart but it seems gone.. lost.

But if you say them, you have to be willing to accept the answer.  In her own words, Katy is having a difficult time doing that. That's just it. Sometimes it takes putting ego side. Sometimes it's just a matter of taking some time to check the spiritual tanks. Have I been running on empty but expecting fuel? Sometimes it means accepting that there is a God and that he loves you.

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
(Psalm 37:1-7)

Where are you at today?

Lyrical Poetry

2010-03-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

I am an awesome dad. Well, that's what I always tell myself when I have to take my 3 kids to the wave pool without my wife. Kind of a "we're here to pump you up" type of deal. (I completely realize I dated myself with that phrase and that 66% of the 7 people that read this blog have no clue what I am talking about...but you know what? I am an awesome dad so there)

I love our local wave pool/leisure centre but I hate the family change room stalls. Frankly, you mind as well be hanging out in the breezes with the amount of privacy those things provide. The door gaps are so big that you could literally fit a small child through them. So you have to use like 7 towels to cover yourself as you change, and one always falls on the floor which is completely revolting (are change room floors not the most vile thing ever?) You are trying to be descreet and everyone is staring at your hiney pointing and laughing.

Anyway, as I was driving my kids to the wave pool peep show this past weekend, I heard this song on the radio.

I am student of culture. I love listening to its creative voices. Art, film, photography and song. The heartbeat of society is so oftern found within these creative voices. Today's generation speaks so clearly within these mediums. Got me to thinking that it would be sweet to focus a week on some of these voices.
The vid above is from Young Artists For Haiti. All Canadian musicians, most of them under the age of 40. It is K'naan's song "Wavin' Flag." He rewrote the lyrics specifically for earthquake relief in Haiti. In the video, Drake raps the following lyric:

"Uhh – well alright
How come when the media stops covering
and there’s a little help from the government
we forget about the people still struggling
and assume that its really all love again, nahh
see we don’t have to wait for things to break apart
if you weren’t involved before it’s never too late to start
you probably think that it’s too far to even have to care
well take a look at where you live what if it happened there?
you have to know the urge to make a change lies within
and we can be the reason that we see the flag rise again."

I was prety challegend by the line, "You probably think that it's too far to even have to care, well take a look at where you live what if it happened there?" Man, there are so many times I separate myself from tragedies that are far away. I don't know if it is just a coping mechanism or if I am too caught up in surviving my own life or maybe it's just easier that way. I am reminded again and again that because I live in this global village I do not have that luxury. I am not an island unto myself. I have got to enter into people's lives right here on my street or whatever street, or country or village they are from.

Lamentations 3:22-23 interjects hope for my day - hope that I can pass on in the midst of whatever I am confronted with (from The Message):

"God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left."

C.S. Lewis said it so well in his book The Problem of Pain: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

So for today, what do you need to wake up to? Are you listening to the voice of culture or would you prefer to be deaf?

Today is the day to be an active participant in a world desperately needing hope.

Video Hit Friday - Windies

2010-03-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's because I witnessed the digital numbers 2:58am before my eyelids joined together to create a blackout. Or maybe it was the fact that my eyes were suddenly re-engaged with the wee hours of the morning, 3 painfully bright times (I thought I was trapped in a Gremlins time warp... "Bright Light! Bright Light!"), as my youngest daughter burst into our room. Apparently, she needed some makeup to sleep better.

Let's get serious, I have no concept what time of day it is and my feet are really itchy. Regardless, I am posting 2 classic "fluffing" video's. ("Fluffing" was the appropriate term in our house growing up. Gotta be honest, I would pick "farting" every time. "Fluffing." Just say it out loud a couple times. Inherently, it just has a gross, smelly, claustrophobic elevator feel to it, doesn't it?)

These vid's are not the highest quality as they are fairly old school, but the content is like sweet smelling rain.

Things that make you go hmm...

2010-03-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

Threw on my IPOD this morning on the way to work, and tuned into the Passion podcast with Louie Giglio. It was an episode from October last year and a challenging one at that. Louie was highlighting his message from the Catalyst conference he had most recently spoken at. His springboard for the message was the following quote:

"Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire."
Thomas Merton

Louie asked each person to consider what their focus was at the beginning of each day... turning your cell phone on, checking email, dealing with family, schedules, whatever... and how, what you put your mind to, what you just kind of naturally do, set patterns into motion and a focus for your day. It's what really drives you. And the inherent danger that brings of things becoming subversive idols in our lives. They may not feel like idols, probably don't even look like idols, and most likely they are probably the last thing you would call an idol. Yet they receive our primary focus, they set our perspective in motion for that day.

And that perspective is wrong.
Take a look at Merton's quote again.

What do you have set before you today? Where is Christ in that picture?

Maybe you need to reset today. Maybe you need to just back up a couple steps and put the face of Christ in front of you right now. Dial the rest of life down for a moment. Talk to Jesus, tell him that He is the reason you are on this earth today. He is the reason you are in this time and space on planet earth. There is stuff in you today Jesus that I cannot get from my job, through any meeting I am going to have, or any relationship, any texts or emails. I want to live for you today. I love you.

That was a fresh start for me today. Hope it is for you too.

One Question

2010-03-10T15:20:00.000-08:00

As I was gleefully driving away from my last Wednesday meeting, I flipped on the radio and heard an interview with the author of a book talking about growing up in Britian. Apparently, his characters were quite edgy while being slightly cathartic (I have no clue what that means just typed it in here to sound super smart, which I realize now I completely blew, because I just used the phrase "super smart"). Therefore, the author was asked the question, "What made you develop characters like that?" To which he replied, "I guess when you pass the 40 mark you tend to reflect on your life. As I did that, it made me think of the question... If when I was 15 years old, I would have met myself today, what would I say about who I am and what I have become?"

That is a great question, I thought to myself. Well, that was until I just about took off the back bumper of the guy hammering his brakes in front of me. Apparently there was a large group of invisible children crossing the road in front of us. After passing him and giving him the sign that I was praying for him, I decided to throw down some of my thoughts.

I would be completely relieved that I made the switch from briefs to boxers
I would realize farily quickly that I had married up.
Probably spend a serious amount of time contemplating why I had indeed decided not to get my back hair lasered at 32.
Secretly disappointed that I had never sported a mankini at the wave pool.
Extremely glad that I stopped listening to the Nylons
Like when did wearing "thongs" move from your feet to a small thread between your butt cheeks?

I am pretty sure I would also think out loud...

I wonder why I have not stepped out and taken some more risks?
How come I have never traveled as much as I have wanted to?
Why is my relationship with Christ not deeper?
Why did I sometimes sacrifice family for work?
What do I not give more?

That's just me, but what about you... What would you say?

6 Things in my brain today

2010-03-09T16:12:00.000-08:00

1. My blog looks lame. The more I check out the blogging world, the more I am confronted with the fact that my blog is about as exciting as singing the chorus of "I'm trading my sorrows."
Non-lame blogs:
Ragamuffin Soul
Church Relevance

2. Avatar was lame. I'll give you cool graphics, but come on, re-birthing as a freakishly tall blue gremlin with a pony tail?

3. "Christian" t-shirts are lame. Like come on.

4. Love Andy Stanley, but I am not sure what I think about this.

5. I want to read this book, just because of this intro. (scroll down to March 6th post)

6. I cannot figure out if this is totally great or completely brutal.

What going on in your brain?

Monday Musings

2010-03-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

My family can sing.
That is a very plural statement intentionally excluding the singular. The singular being me.
I can vividly recall, the time my dad wanted to lock and load the "Von-Lanigan Family Trio" consisting of himself, my brother and I. Unfortunately, there were no other males to use in the family so his hands were tied.  Knowing I could knock the melody of Happy Birthday out of the park, and sometimes even throwing out some harmony for special birthdays, I was kind of hoping for something short and somewhere hidden behind a curtain. Nope, my dad shot for the moon, picking the song "I have seen the Light" by Philips, Craig & Dean. I know, who are PC&D (I shortened it cause let's get serious it won't make this worse). Well, they are of the male persuasion and a trio. That is pretty much were the comparisons end. They all sing 6 octaves higher than me, they are tall, and they understand key changes. Both my dad (Dave) and brother (Brent) have singing experience. My dad being old school legit singing on the radio, barbershop quartets, and throwing out his sultry tones at Easter Cantata's (just wanted to say 'canata'). My brother has always been known to be musically inclined. That being said, I am proud to say that I did not tour with Mandate, my brother's chorale singing group, which brought new meaning to the term "hand expressions." They did more grasping at air and elbow pumps, that you weren't sure they all struggled with terets.  Oh yeah, and they sang with matching outfits.

It was all looking great until we sat down in front of the piano. We start singing and they soon realized I had about 6 notes in my range. That and I tended to sing flat.   With the glory of the "Von- Lanigan Family Trio" waving in the distance, there were no obstacles too large for my dad. He adjusted the melody here, dropped a key there, and launched into attempt #2.   It was not pretty. I could not find the key if I was paid,  and Brents arms were twitching. By the time attempt #6 arrived my dad had changed the key so many times we were now singing Jingle Bells.  Somewhere between attempt #4 and #5, Brent had rounded up his Mandate cumberbun and ressurected his "Fins 68" special double hand, air grab, palms out, over-the-head meet and clasp move.  My dad lost it. Now I could go into an explanation as to what it looked like, but let's just say Peggy, my dear mother, had to initiate an intervention.   Dad got a time out, I was asked to leave the house for a couple days and Brent was on the phone planning the Mandate reunion tour "Fired Up" throughout Saskatchewan.   Needless to say, The Light was not going to be seen ever again.

Believe it or not, that story birthed from the fact that, this weekend, I noticed the band "Newboys" has a new lead singer, namely, Micheal Tate.  Tate used to be part of the famed "DC Talk."  Kind of bizarre. Especially since you can check out the video with, special guest, Toby Mac (former member of DC Talk as well) singing the DC Talk jingle "Jesus Freak" with the Micheal Tate of the Newsboys, here. Again Bizarre.

Enjoy Monday.

At the Red House baby

2010-03-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

How awkward is this... I launch "Video Hit" Friday's last week and I almost forget to post one today. Sigh. Stupid Price is Right threw me way off today (I was just reminded by my son that I am not supposed to say "stupid").

Admittedly this commercial is way out in left field but I laughed hard, loved the singers, and especially loved the last line. Carla watched it, didn't crack a smile, and after it was done, stared at me as if to say, "That was stupid." Well, okay she did say that. I told her she wasn't supposed to say that word. Might not have been the smartest move ever. That did not end well. As we, okay I, mend the fences, enjoy my One Scott Mind.

EMBED-The Red House Furniture Store - Watch more free videos

Seriously, I cannot stop singing... "At the Red House..."

Price is Right(ish)

2010-03-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

I still have in my possession 4 tickets to a taping of the Price is Right from 1995. Frankly, I am not sure which part of that statement is the lamest, that I still own things from 1995, or that I truly desired to appear on the Price is Right. Regardless, every time I look at those tickets I get a little misty. You see, when we arrived in Southern California for the taping, TPIR ended up taking an unscheduled break from filming and therefore we were out of luck, no show.

And all that after I had spent hours making my "I neuter all my pets Bob" t-shirt. It looked really hot.

Low and behold, just now I got the kids out the door for school... (intermission: Is it just us, or does it seem that every morning there seems to be some new tragedy or lost form or forgetting to change underwear or stomach cramps or torturing the dog. Unreal.) Well, today my son forgot his water bottle upstairs four separate times - that is, after bringing it downstairs three times. I have no clue how that is possible either. And I kid you not, as I remind him for the 4th time to get his water bottle he says, "It's still up there?"

"Yes it is son, and you had better come get it right now because my arm is in the throwing motion, and I am about to release my ferocious grasp on this bottle so it flies out my bedroom window and lands in the middle of the road and gets run over by the gravel truck turning the corner."

The kids are gone, the water bottle is sitting on the steps so I plop into a chair to see why the tv was left on, and wouldn't you know it, The Price is Right is flashing before my eyes.

I had heard that Bob Barker retired awhile ago and that Drew Carey, of The Drew Carey Show fame, was hosting. Sorry Drew, but from the first second I started watching the show, all I could think was, this is the last place Drew wants to be. I have never witnessed someone so not wanting to be doing what they were doing. Like he wakes up each morning, looks in the mirror and debates himself... they are paying me lots of money to do this.... I am such a loser... I get to be on tv.... I hate wearing suits.... it just never ends.

The contestant that was just on pops up to give drew a kiss and says, "I wore this Cleveland Indians shirt for you, cause I know you love Cleveland!" To which he replied, with about the same excitement he would have while getting a planters wart burned off, "Oh sure, Cleveland has lots of great things." That doesn't even make sense.

Reminded me of the very reason I started blogging. It is an odd process let me tell you, especially if you don't represent something or you are not a famous author etc... (I'll pick that topic up next week) At the end of the day, I needed an avenue for some creative expression, blogging was intriguing, and therefore figured I would give it a shot.

As John Piper says, "Don't waste your life." Do what you love to do. Take the risk. Don't settle for the pay cheque or the status. Do whatever it is that inspires you. Start small like I am doing with this blog. Give yourself a chance to have success and it will do amazing things for your psyche and your life.

And who knows what is just around the corner.

Pathetic Attempts

2010-03-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

I wrote this in my journal a couple months ago:

"Discipline before anointing, obedience before inspiration." - Mike Bickle

Lord you spoke to me today about the practive of prayer that I have controlled close handed and fearful in my life. That I do not have a practice rather a pathetic attempt.

I believe Bickle's quote above has so much truth leaking out of it. Since writing that, I have endeavored to make prayer a practice. A natural "reset" button if you will. Where it is not something I endure but something I look forward to. It has been an up and down journey, but as I was lying awake last night, I was challenged once again that it all comes down to a heart issue. What do I long for? Better, who do I long for? If I am longing to connect with Christ, prayer is not an issue.

I hope you find that longing today.

Loud Talkers

2010-03-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

As I was typing up my post yesterday, I was sitting beside another group of people having a meeting. Within that group was a loud talker. Now hey, I can get a little ruckus myself once in awhile, but he was seriously loud. No loud loud. Like you want to runaway flailing and yelling so you can't hear him loud.

And to be honest, I can deal with eavesdropping on a loud talker, but when the topic is completely boring, throw me a bone. I was so bored listening in, that I truly have no clue how the rest of the people in the meeting faked being awake. There is no possible way they could have been interested in hearing about how this dude's foot problem was hampering his ability to teach - I kid you not that was the topic.  They were trying to re-organize a budget for his dry land training clinic (based on lack of teenage attendee's) because they were not meeting budget. That's a hard one... boring loud talker with foot scabies. Like come on.  You could pick any other teacher scenario and you would have more kids show up. Grandma with alzheimers but good feet - totally fun. Large man with small neck and tight shorts - laugh a minute. Skinny dude with hairy arms who only speaks in haiku - beautiful. Seriously, they would all succeed. But no, that would be mean to tell foot rash loud speaker boy that people would rather be stuck in a confined space with someone farting uncontrollably than hear him describe running around cones.

One friend of someone at the table (Chris apparently) stopped by, got asked to join the meeting (it was getting ugly by this point), and declined so fast that he literally vanished. Did not see him leave the coffee shop. Gone.
As I scrounged for me headphones, which I found after 3 long minutes of pure panic, it lead me to consider how I have strived to develop the skill of fierce conversations. The "what are you thinking but not saying" type of conversations. Susan Scott author of the book "Fierce Conversations," describes them as this:

"A Fierce Conversation is one in which we come out from behind ourselves, into the conversation, and make it real."

When you develop the skill of that type of conversation, it not only is inspiring for both parties, it becomes a point of refreshment for you.  As I was learning this, one of my former co-workers exhorted me to "always do the hardest things first." Whether it was the beginning of the week or the work day, always make the hardest phone call, the hardest decision, or the toughest meeting a priority.  We waste so much time and energy mulling the scenario's over, assuming, considering the 'what if's' - all things that are out of your control. I am still learning that lesson, but it has been a rich process.

So if you are lagging on a phone call you have to make or sitting in a meeting with megaphone boy, fierce it up.

Olympic Recaps

2010-03-02T11:19:00.000-08:00

I am an explorer by heart. I love discovering cool hole in the wall restaurants, or going off the proverbial "beaten path." So here are a few links to some interesting things you might not have known otherwise, or you did but you are just being nice by clicking anyway.

Our family checked out the Olympics last weekend. It was a pretty cool experience. Specifically the Yahoo Sports Pavilion in Yaletown. Free pics, hot chocolate, pins and the cool little interactive game experience. Basically, you were given a playing card that resembled an IPHONE, which you held up in front of a screen. It had a sensor that would control your character in the game based on how you moved your card. It was sweet.

Check out a take on the Olympics from athlete bloggers and a whole bunch more by clicking this word.

Phil Sheridan (From Philadelphia) is the one who broke the story of the post win beer drinking on the ice celebration by the Canadian Women's gold medal winning hockey team, but thought it was actually a very cool deal not a controversy. His blog has some pretty interesting takes on Vancouver and the Olympics.

Google earth kicked it up a notch for people to get a better grip on what the Olympics look like from ski runs to the back country in Whistler, and this is how they did it.

Japadog. Hottest eats at the olympics. My friend, yes I have friends, who lives in Richmond, has tried them out and admits they are pretty incredible, well, if you want to spend $6 on a hot dog that is. Gotta see it to believe it here.

Enjoy Tuesday.

Weekend Recap

2010-03-01T22:47:00.000-08:00

Had the Watoto Children's Choir sing this past Sunday. I have heard them over the years, but the group touring Canada this year is tight (and by "tight" I mean, they can rip a tune, which I realize is not much clearer but work with me). They have 22 kids and 4 adults singing tunes. The adults harmonize like crazy. Plus they are a lot of fun to deal with as well.

After the morning, I asked if we could throw a little freezie love their way. Ahh, yea. They are from Ughanda and did not have a hot clue what I was talking about. Comedy. After the incredible description of "it's like frozen juice but not really juice" they took me up on the offer. As I was handing out the freezies, out of nowhere all 22 kidlets in unison say, "Thank you for the freezies pastor." Startled, I replied, "my pleasure, thank you." And without missing a beat they replied again in unison, "yes, pastor." Seriously, it was stunning. Most likely due to the fact that, the only time I have ever heard my 3 kids speak in unison, was when I said "Yes, I know 'everyone' has ipod touches but you will not be receiving an ipod touch from your parents today because we are mean..." and the triple threat whine fest began.

I sermonized this past weekend as well, and because everyone wants to know (just a second..getting my tongue out of my cheek here, okay) here are some of the gold medal moments (that was really funny).

Ephesians 4

Big Idea: We are called to be a single cohesive Unit of Christ followers armed with purpose, confidence, single mindedness and love. Ready to take on anything and anyone at anytime.

Kicked it off focusing on the phrase in vs 1 "...live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Love that line. Challenged everyone to consider what that really means. How that statement makes no ordinary day, just an ordinary day. Each day is great, each day is wide in God's kingdom.

Used this clip from "Remember the Titans." Had a sweet tie in. Give it some time, this copy is hard to see at first.

This means we aim for a goal, which we always keep in perspective, and we don't miss that goal. Or, as my son Brady noted after Canada locked down their 14th gold, 'We powned the podium.'

If you are interested in checking out the whole deal, you will find it here.

Go tell it on another mountain

2010-02-26T01:08:00.000-08:00

Okay, "special" announcement for the 5 "special" people who actually spend time reading this puppy. And by "special" I am more or less referring to people who grew up in Saskatchewan. They are always just a wee bit behind. Oh wait, I was born in Moose Jaw, SK. Need I say more. Well, yes, I do actually. My good friend Jon was born in Saskatoon, SK and still has a difficult time pointing out a combine. "Special."

Moose Jaw claims to be the "Band Capital of North America - I kid you not. I have never seen a band come from there, play there, or rehearse within 5 miles of the place. I even think trooper skips it on their tour. I cannot even think of one person who is part of a band who comes from MJ.

Yet, I do know there is a large moose statue on the edge of town, but I do not believe he is carrying an instrument of any kind.

I am launching "Video Hits Friday's" (affectionately named after Canada's best ever music video show "Video Hits"). This latest piece of video goodness came from one of my Moose Jaw fans - who amazingly plays in a band but sadly, recently moved to Eyebrow. So no luck with the whole "Band Capital of the World" deal. Enjoy the Neudorf's.

Inner Thighs

2010-02-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

The Canadian speed skating team unitards, okay "speed suits". Whatever you call them, let's just face the facts that 98% of us would not look hot in one of those puppies. And no, you do not look good in bike shorts either. As a matter of fact, if I talking to someone wearing said bike shorts I tend to get umcomfortable for them. Maybe it is the butt padding. That doesn't even sound right does it... "butt padding."

Their onesies are scientifically designed with "energy returning patches on the inside of their thighs." Who would not want that? When I was huskier than today (yes that really means "fat" but "husky" makes you think a bit like... does that mean he had big shoulders? Rather than, yea, that guy lived at Arby's) I could have used a little energy return on my inner thigh. There was enough friction there to start a fire on Survivor. Never mind the rash.

That was too much information wasn't it.

Alas, when you are dealing with hundredth's of a second, and your power is derived from your legs. No friction is a good thing. Well, unless you are stranded on an island with no fire of course.

Check out the article highlighting that fact and some other pretty cool scientific stuff.

Stephen Colbert & Bloxes

2010-02-24T22:54:00.000-08:00

2 things that bring me copious amounts of joy, innovative idea's and witty retorts (seriously, when is the last time you used "retorts" in a sentence, I am guessing never, or it was very close to the last time you kicked it off with "copious") In that light, here is a link to Bloxes and Stephen Colbert's Olympic interview with Ujjal Dosanjh (BC Liberal MP). And yes, I had to look up how to spell Colbert. Kidding.

S

Sermon Play by Play

2010-02-23T10:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, for the possibility of flogging a dead horse, I will cover the best moments of my sermon from this past week. Well, I can't think of any so, I will just highlight the content...

Text: Ephesians 3
Big Idea: We are all One at the Cross

Had this video in the Q but didn't work, so I had to read the lyrics instead. Video was better. And for you trivia fans, this song was written by the late MJ and Lionel Richie.

"The gospel is completely, absolutely, profoundly, marvelously inclusive. Therein lies the beauty of the gospel. It does not take into account if you are a man or woman, asian, or latino, organic or have a fast food death wish. It doesn't care if you live on the lake or live in your car. Whether you are a dentist or a truck driver. It does not care if this is your first time in church or you have been here 20 years. “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, (known as the widlest of barbarians – or people living in Lake Country) slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” (Col 3:1). The gospel cares about you. It invites you in. Yet, Jesus never forces his way onto the scene. He is always available, always ready, always wanting to enter in, but we have a choice. We can welcome him or not."

That's about all I have to offer apparently. My beautiful wife is a great sounding board for analyzing my sermons, hence I regularly inquire about her thoughts. So upon the conclusion of this puppy she said "You finished strong." Lovely. That sounds like a winner doesn't it? And today she noted, "the rose doesn't bloom every Sunday." It just keeps getting worse.

Admittedly, this might be the worst post ever as I was reminded of a chat I had with another preacher type o' guy. He surmised that preachers are probably the only ones who have flashbacks about their sermons, and then obsess over the next week about what they said. I sadly agreed. I am pretty sure Monday morning most people are more concerned about whether or not they have matching socks on. So don't feel bad if you ended up here and you bale so you can go through your sock drawer. My wife went looking for socks Sunday at noon. And because everyone is asking (ahem) I am wearing Skecher ankle high socks. Short legs short socks. Let's get serious, most people can't tell were my socks end and my legs start. If I was running naked through a Saskatchewan winter no one would be able to see me.

Monday Musings

2010-02-22T10:42:00.000-08:00

In the Men's Alpine Skiing competition @ the 2010 Olympics, the top 27 finishers had less than 2 seconds separating them. Gold, silver and bronze were decided within less than .10 of a second.

After racing 5.8 km's (4 heats), the Men's 2 man Bobsled competition, the top 10 finishers were separated by 2.75 seconds.

In the ladies 1000m Speed Skating final, all 35 competitors were within 2.97 seconds of each other.

Seriously #35 probably lost cause she had gas on the last lap, farted, and the clench made her tense up. Done. Talk about the absolute commitment and dedication needed to succeed at a highly competitive level, and on top of that not forgetting your Beano pill. Literally years of training and money and living out of a suitcase and frankly very little media attention or pay. Mix all that together with the knowledge that at the end of the day, you could lose by less than half a second... and I typically cut back on my daily push up regimen so as not to sweat. Well that's not true, I don't actually do push ups but I have thought a lot about doing them. Okay, the real deal is that I tend to hit "Restart" on Wii Resort if I am about to lose in Basketball so I don't drop down in my rankings. I don't want to lose my pro status. It's very hard to get you know. Seriously, really hard.

Yes, I am completely pathetic. But I am totally comfortable with the fact that I am never going to compete at the Olympics. Now, let's just say I was incredibly athletic, muscular, ruggedly handsome, svelte (oh stop this is getting a little embarrassing), I would want to be in one of the unitard events. Just cause. Like when do you get to wear a unitard and not have people not look at you strangely?

And finally, the Canadian Women's hockey team have outscored their opponents, 41 - 2 in 3 games, winning their first game 18 - 0. Maybe that half a second doesn't look so bad after all.

Of course, after all this training, and typing this stupid thing up, forgot to hit restart button. Totally lost 6 spots.

The Way

2010-02-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

There are very few words that can be used to describe this video. Well, very few good words. Okay, actually, nope, I am sticking to "very few words" in general. To support this theory, I will use a 2 word sentence that describe my thoughts, the first time and every time I watch my favorite church conference co-ed dance video of all time... Awed silence. I do not believe there has been any other video in the history of mankind, that captures the essence of the entire dance, as this one does, in the first 9 seconds. Awed silence.

Blogs of Note

2010-02-18T23:21:00.000-08:00

As the HighSchool Musical hit proclaimed, "We're all in this together." And for some reason, when I blurt that phrase, my head kind of whips to the left in some sort of peculiar Night at the Roxbury way. There is something definately not right in that whole deal. Alas, yes, today I am calling myself the "bigger man" cause I am throwing out some links to a couple other great blogs/websites. Hey, just because I am in the top 486 blogs in Western Canada (not including Alberta or Saskatchewan), it doesn't mean I have to get all haughty. I can share. Hope you enjoy them.

Out of Ur - churchy focused blog. Lots of content. Might love it might not.

Church Marketing Sucks - what do you say to that one?

Relevant Magazine - sweet take on culture, life and God.

Life Church - okay, so you went skiing on Saturday and Sunday for the past 2 months. Missing church? Check out these guys. They have an online campus that is um... gnarly (just throwing out boarding lingo ya know.. oh sorry, someone just told me to stop wearing acid wash jeans. Okay let's go with "wicked" but in a non-wicked way sort of deal. Now this is getting completely awkward)

Jonathan Acuff - great blog. Surviving church as a single adult.

That should be enough to keep you away from this blog for awhile. Oh wait, no come back, I just mean, this is not going well.

10/4 Little Buddy

2010-02-17T21:46:00.000-08:00

Let's be honest here, intimidation does not result from wearing your bold lettered 2001 Celine Dion World Tour SECURITY t-shirt and a walkie-talkie. Never. Not even if it was still 2001. Really. Alas, weekly I seem to encounter another well worn SECURITY t-shirt on a dude who used to be a size L, during the concert security days, but is now a size XXL yet wearing the same shirt, but now with the odd scent of mustard. Doesn't help that all the letters except "ITY" have fallen off. Mind you, I kind of like it cause if I want to bring a smile to my face I look for SECURITY people. Why that is, I am not certain. Maybe it's the air of "Look at me people, these boots are B-Force 930's from Army Surplus," or maybe that they still use fanny packs, or just the fact that it is very hard to take someone seriously when the arrive on rollerblades.
How come, when I see Mall Secruity peeps 10-4ing, my mouth utters a giggle. Not a laugh, a giggle. Okay, for one thing, McDonald's "Employee of the Month" hats are not that fearsome. At least they should get a tattoo or something. Well, no, let me restate that. At least they should get a real tattoo. Scooby-Doo in a unitard just doesn't have the same penache as headless cavemen ripping unicorns apart.

At the Vancouver 2010 Olympics this week, VP Biden was caught in a tough situation when a dude who was stalking him breached security. Walked right through boo boo bedoo. And this is my favorite part... with a homemade security pass. That is awesome. Best story of the Olympics so far. Like nothing is better than that. I can see him prepping... 'I am so in. Just gotta sign in an official way here and color that in with red, yes, red is sweet, I am so awesome! Fire on this picture of the Olympic Rings, scotch tape and oh man, I am in'. I would love to see what that puppy looked like. Maybe it had Miga, Quatchi, and Sumi stickers all over it (don't worry I have no clue what those names mean either. Nor do I have a clue why we couldn't have at least one beaver as a mascot) or maybe he posed as Stephen Harper. I don't know but it's beautiful none-the-less. The best part, is that I am pretty sure if Mall Security was on the job, they would have smelled that one a mile away.

Vanoc Security, betcha they don't even have a t-shirt with SECURITY printed on it.

Between the dreaming and the coming true

2010-02-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

Author Robert Benson wrote a book with that title many years ago. In it he penned his struggle coming to grips with God, and his long held faith in the midst of a significant struggle with depression. To be honest, not much stuck with me from the content of the book, maybe a sentence or two. What has never left me is the title of the book, "Between the dreaming and the coming true." I do not know how many times that phrase has erupted from my memory vaults. There is something surreal, potent, and terrifying in those words. Yet somehow I inevitably end up at hope. I don't know how I get there, maybe it's the fact that I haven't arrived, and all my struggles and valleys and mountain tops can be regarded not as stuck in a moment rather from the eyes of an eagle. Watching the whole picture unfold - realizing that these moments, this moment, will pass. Today I am caught in one of those moment where I want the coming true right now, I need the coming true right now. Yet here I sit in the dreaming, the worrying, the valley.

Benson says "When I was younger, I worried a great deal whether or not I was going to make it home to God.... What I fear now is that I will somehow miss what I am supposed to learn heresomething important enough that the Dreamer dispatched me, and the rest of us, here to learn. What I fear now is that I will somehow miss the point of living here at all, living here between the dreaming and the coming true."

I don't want to miss that either. That there is a God who chose me. Me. Well, not just me, he chose you too. I so easily can choose not to remember that He is here in this moment too. That He wants me in this moment for some reason. Eventhough I can't see it coming true. Eventhough it involves pain, fear, regret. Eventhough I feel lonely. He has my here, today. And I can deal with today.

I think this is where hope begins to heat up in me, where it starts to push through my viens. Somehow it takes over my clenched fists and tired heart. Where hope inspires the fretful moments. Hope deals out peace.

"The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I come that you might have life and have it to the full."
John 10:10

Well, if you are like me, you have walked this journey too. I am going to seek the full life by hoping fully today. Maybe you can too.

Valentines No No

2010-02-14T22:26:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, my hot smoking wife is not a big fan of Valentines Day. I know most of you non-believers are saying, "Yeah whatever Lanigan, she just says that because you are a dope." Alas, I will admit, the "dope" tag tends to ring true when I try and shave my own back. And especially since, just this morning, my wife made a retching noise when viewing said hairy back.

And Valentines brings similar sentiments (the throwing up noises are saved me, this, more of a shoulder shrug). She really figures we can do better than spending $5 on a card that you look at for 18 seconds and keep for 2 months so that the giver things you really appreciated it. To that end, I post a lovely "What not to do" music video for the real male "dopes" who don't have a hot clue about romancing their ladies or picking up their tighty whities after they take a shower. A shout out goes to my sister in-law for sending this to me. I had watched it a few years ago but had forgotten the beauty of this video. Enjoy.

The Don't Song from Igniter Media on Vimeo.

PS: And just maybe my "dope" status will go down when you consider that tonight, I locked and loaded some NY Steaks on the bbque, dropped some fresh Prawns on top and then capped off the evening with a Bernard Callebaut Chocolate Fondue... thank you very much. But don't get too excited, cause the romance was at about a -6. With two of our kids screaming because they somehow got chocolate covered kiwi in their eyes, another kid with foot odor that could knock out a small horse, and our dog munching on partially eaten steak from the garbage, the potential for a long kiss was not even in the solar system.

And Happy Valentines Day to you too.

Olympic Family

2010-02-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, we will have to live vicariously through our children if the Lanigan name has any chance of athletic glory. Don't get me wrong, not like there aren't some abilities (okay, I'll be honest, I was tested one time and the results showed I could probably come off the bench on a co-ed community basketball team in Pilot Mound, Manitoba). Alas, Brady may have heard the phrase, "Dude you need to make pro in something, seriously, or we will have to move in with you when we retire. That or pray hard the housing market in Saskatchewan becomes affordable, or an opening comes up with the Pilot Mound Pilons."

Enjoy the pic and enjoy the Olympics - we'll be cheering hard for the 2 man luge.

Moments

2010-02-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

Came home after a long day at work and had an even "longer" night at home. My wife was already spent cause the kids, specifically our youngest, had not been her typical angelic self (clear throat here). It was also the end of the power hour every parent endures just before supper, and I tripped over shoes in the doorway. Supper was complained about, the dog was tortured, and it quickly became apparent, that it would have been easier to force feed the kids haggis than have them complete their homework.
It was then that I decided to give myself a time out. Didn't work. Came out fiestier than before. My kids felt the brunt of my head space. Man that never feels good. As a parent I am supposed to be the one in control. Bed time couldn't come quick enough. Well the evening passed without much repreave.

As I went to bed, I laid there eyes wide open and mind racing. Music would help so I popped on my IPOD. Started listening to some worship tunes and almost immediately started regretting my actions. And were they relentless. I thought back through the years of how I have screwed up as a parent, the "I wish I had done this or that" moments. How fast my son has grown up, how at times work had taken precedence over family. Then my mind kicked into overdrive. Brutal. On and on I considered my regrettable actions, my "lack of's", my capacity to be a complete jerk in one moment, a "wonderful" leader in the next and worse, not think twice about it. Hello tears. They came almost faster than the stunning memories.

I called it.

I said, "God I am a pitiful man. I cannot do this. I want to be the best dad, best husband, best leader, but I keep screwing it up. I am so sorry for disappointing you and for disappointing my kids, my family."
I wasn't sure what to expect, well, I should say, figured it was going to be a long night. What I didn't expect was God's voice. Audible no, profound yes.

"I am for you"

"But..." Didn't get to complete my sentence.

"Scott, I am for you. I know you are sorry. I know you are human. I get it. You are never going to the perfect anything. I forgive you. I love you. Walk in grace brother, tomorrow is a new day."

Peace, hope, contentment starting piling in the mental elevator. Man was that sweet. Sleep came soon after. So I share this today, cause maybe you just need to hear the same thing. It's not exclusive to pastors, parents or the male gender. It's inclusive to you. So hear Jesus' words to you today,

"I am for you."

Okay, so I like Cooking

2010-02-10T21:30:00.000-08:00

Yep, there it is. I said it. Cat out of the proverbial bag. Gotta be honest. I love it because cooking has a start, middle and finish. The end result might taste like a pile of leg hair but at least you know if it was good or bad. In my line of work, I am dealing with people every day. And if you are a people, you know, there is always something going on in someone's life that equates to chaos. Might have a great stretch, but there is always another mountain. It's the climb people (my daughters will be thrilled that I just gave a shout out to Hannah Montana).
Wow, that was close to my "jump the shark" moment wasn't it. Now I am sweating. Let it be said, that if it was, I was not wearing a leather coat while typing this nor have I ever cooked in anything leather for that matter - and for those born after 1985 who do not have a hot clue what I am talking about, watch the video.

So off and on, I will post a famous recipe from the Lanigan House O' Love and you can let me (us) know if it becomes famous for you too:

Morning Glory Muffins
(from "Muffin Mania" by Prange and Pauli)**
**With some Lanigan substitutions

In a large bowl mix:
1.5c all purpose flour
.5c whole wheat flour
1.25c white sugar
2tsp baking soda
2tsp cinnamon (kick in a little more love if you want)
.5tsp salt

Stir into that mess:
2c grated carrots
.5c raisins (suck it up they are good in there)
.5c chopped walnuts (or any kind of nutty deal you like)
.5c coconut
1 - 2 apples peeled, cored and grated

In a separate bowl:
beat 3 eggs
.5c oil
.5c apple sauce
2tsp vanilla

Stir this whole deal into the flour mixture until the batter is just combined. Lube up a muffin tin and fill to the top.
Bake @ 350 for 20 mins.
Makes 12 big muffins. Lock and load baby.

Of Jawbone's and Juxtapositions

2010-02-09T11:57:00.000-08:00

"Jawbone" in case you were wondering, is the name of my new blue tooth device. It was that or "Blue Ant." Couldn't see myself responding to those inquiring minds asking, "What are you wearing?" and having to say, "Ahh.. Blue Ant". Not cool. So went for the gritty, manly one. JAWBONE - When I say the name I kind of picture one of those movie announcers dudes voices... Works for me

Had to buy one because in our lovely province of British Columbia a new law was passed (effective Feb 1) that you can no longer text or talk when driving unless you have a hands free device. Ticket is $169 big ones and 3 demerits if you are caught.

Let me interject this little discussion with something that needs to be said. It is totally and completely not cool, in any form or fashion, not even in Saskatchewan, to wear your blue tooth device in your ear outside of your vehicle. Never. I have no clue why I see so many dopes standing around, with this little thing hanging from their ear, when their phone is 5 inches from their hand attached to their belt loop. And let's get serious, belt loop holders should be banned in general, especially if you tuck your shirt in to boot.

I am just saying. To walk around with what looks like a growth on your hairy ear, when you are shopping for tighty whities, eating KFC in the food fair, or waiting in line to watch "The Tooth Fairy" with your best friend, it is just not right. Never. Take it off and leave it in your Ford Taurus. I kid you not. I am in Costco the other day, and Joe "I am so hot with my Blue Ant earpiece" Sidebottom is walking down the aisle, and that little blue flashing light is going off every 3 seconds totally blinding everyone in the aisle, including me. So much so, that people are running into poles, diving for cover, and surrendering. And Blue Ant boy is so totally unaware of the situation, cause he is piling into the free snacks, that when his phone rings, he misses the call. Unreal. The law only applies to vehicles people. And what happens in your vehicle stays in your vehicle. I digress.

Believe it or not, I think it is a great law. Mostly because I was tired of following dudes who had no capacity for driving and answering a phone at the same time, without accidentally hitting their brakes and honking .

I also speak of Juxtapositions, as I was unsure whether or not to post a video which speaks to the issue of texting while driving. It is an extremely graphic video displaying the results of a single regretable action, specifically, texting while driving. It is disturbing yet profound. Profound because it led me to consider the times in my life where something "almost" happened and how thankful that in the midst of my stupidity nothing tragic took place. And now, how I need to consider the difference between the tyranny of the urgent and the necessary things.

If you are interested in seeing the commercial mentioned above, I want to give the premise so that going in, you are aware. It is the story of some teenage girls driving, talking and texting who tragically, get into a significant car accident and the ramifications there after.

Here is the link

Monday Musings

2010-02-08T12:43:00.001-08:00

Ken Hitchcock was recently fired as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Last week, he was interviewed by Bob McCown of Prime Time Sports fame, and frankly it was a striking interview. First and foremost, Hitchcock did not speak negatively of the Blue Jackets. He spoke candidly and practically. He understood that his team was underperforming, and that he had to carry that responsibility in the form of losing his job. You could hear how much he cared about the organization. Not only from a coaching perspective - the incredible job that coaching is - helping individuals reach their greatest potential in the context of a team effort, but also that he had been a primary factor in developing this NHL expansion team from the beginning. His vested interest was great. He ended off the interview by suggesting that he would rather participate in this organization in a different capacity than move onto another coaching opportunity.

Having been fired once before myself, it got me to thinking about a few things. So I'll share couple thoughts with you:

1. Have much do you invest in what your job is today? If you cannot give your full passionate investment into what you do, either you are doing the wrong thing or you need a kick in the hiney.

2. No matter the situation, do you finish well? Whether you have been fired from a job (I have) or you are developing a project, whatever, do you finish as strong as you started. Do you move on with grace? Intergrity? Honesty?

3. If you have been fired, and whether or not the organization handled the situation poorly and as good as could be expceted, have you restored the relationship to the point that you could partner again in the future? In other words, do you live trapped by the experience or free from it? Traumatic experiences are the like the tentacles of an octupus. You free yourself of one and there are a bunch more arms sucking you in. Hence a lot of people go with the idea of "coping" (which is a pretty way of saying, "I am 2 seconds away from freaking out"). One by one you've got to work through those puppies to be free.

4. There has got to be a better name than the Columbus Blue Jackets. Like seriously. Alas, if you go back in their history you'll find out that pre-NHL they were call the Columbus Chill. But no, they wanted to change the name because, and I quote "the franchise will be the Blue Jackets, celebrating patriotism, pride and the rich Civil War history in the state of Ohio and, more specifically, the city of Columbus." Aka: we are super proud to have fought our fellow Americans. Gotta be honest, I would have stuck with "chill"

Here's the full Ken Hitchcock interview

And here's the full Columbus Blue Jacket history

Unplugged

2010-02-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

There are days when floppy discs are appealing. For you twenty-somethings, that is an old school flash drive... really old school. It could hold up to one picture.

For the last day or so our family has been unplugged from phone and internet. It all started when we attempted to order a movie through our digital cable box. Error code: 16559. Which apparently means, "Good luck trying to rent a movie any time soon". As I chatted with our provider, it came to his attention that we our system was on the wrong server. That's what I figured. Alas, he said it should only take a moment. I waited on hold.... as Tim came back on the line, it appeared that the problem was going to take a little more effort and would it be okay if we had no phone or internet service for a few minutes? If only I had just gone to the Movie rental store. Alas, what could I do but agree. Well, 18 hours later still nothing. So called this morning (on my cell phone). Or should I say, called 4 times, was hung up on twice, and waited on hold for over 40 minutes. Alas, when I finally got through I was told, that it looked like a dude was going to have to come out and fix our easy problem on-site. Great. Paul (Tim was off shift apparently) asked if we had time today for a repair guy to come. No, not really, I don't want it fixed. The silence on the phone was deafening. I cleared my throat and said, of course. To which Paul stated, "I cannot give you an exact time so, he'll be there any time between 8:00am and 5:00pm, so please be available." At this point I was in the fetal position on the floor whimpering. Well, okay, if I were to be honest, it was the result of inhaling caeser salad last night, which was hopped up with enough garlic to cause people to check their own breath while I walked by. I am not kidding, my pores were firing that stuff out so fast it's like I put on garlic pit stick this morning. It wasn't pretty. Anyway, 4 hours into the day, no repair guy. And then, like it was not big deal we receive a call that the problem had been fixed, and I quote "but at a whole new level". What that means I am still not certain but I am guessing they just got back from smoke break. All I know is, I am not cooking with garlic until 2015 and we are going back to VHS.

Okay this is rich, what are the chances, that this fateful story could come full circle but here. An internet provider called "Garlic". Unreal

Flexing Your Creative Muscles

2010-02-04T09:50:00.000-08:00

Since I don't have too many other muscles I gotta go with this. Admittedly, it has been awhile since I have performed improv. But come on, let's get serious, there is enough spontaneous chaos having 3 children.

Like the other day, when I couldn't find my 4 year old girl daughter. As I called her name to no avail, I got that funny feeling this was not going to be pretty. That feeling turned to reality upon discovering my ensuite bathroom door closed with the lights on. As I opened the door, there my lovely 4 year old sat, pants off, legs in the air, half covered in lotion. I leaned down and asked, "So Caedyn, what are you doing?" To which she proudly replied, "I am putting cream on my bum." Nice.

Well, maybe that was the inspiration to think of all things spontaneous once again, or maybe it was the fact that I regular laugh audibly when I watch Improv Everywhere in action. Check out there website here, for all their missions, and check out the one below for a little bit o' joy on a Thursday. Well, that is, unless you child likes to put cream on their bums too... there's a laugh or two lathered up in that one.

GMAC Song O' The Year 2009

2010-02-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

Okay, the GMAC's are just a wee bit less popular than the Grammy's. Hey, come on, they are important too. Just like the fact that you probably didn't have a hot clue, that when you wash your pits everyday with soap, it most likely was a product of Saskatchewan - the World's largest producer of Potash (which is a major contributor to Soap among other products). I know, just a wealth of knowledge here.
I digress. This tune was written by Joshua Seller, who by the way, was a top 10 finalist on Canadian Idol 2004 - I know, like I said, a wealth... Okay hotshots, little trivia for you: Name 2 other Top 10 contestants from 2004. Yes, I will help you. Here is the curly haired winner you probably forgot about. And here is the dude who didn't want to win and you hear at a lot about.
Oh yeah, Josh baby. Here is the tune that won the GMAC song of the year. Oddly enough, he has curly hair and didn't win Canadian Idol.

Artistic Expression

2010-02-02T10:10:00.000-08:00

At it's peak, over 28 million people were watching the Grammy's. Alas, I was one of them. Although the Grammy's are inherently an awards show, do not be mistaken, they are all about the performances. And I found it extremely interesting while watching Sunday Night, the extent to which each individual artist took their craft. Some were failed attempts at one "uping" while others were incredible displays of talent. Here are a couple peaks - you decide.
Beyonce "If I were a Boy"
Dave Matthews Band "You and Me"

Whether you love or hate what these artists did, from Pink to the Zac Brown Band, they did what we are all called to do... The best with what you are given. Most of us will never have a full-time posse to plan our every move, or an opportunity to perform before 28 million people (and lets get serious here people, most of us should never wear a full body leotard or mankini of anykind) but we all have something to give. Today, I am not sure how you feel about the whole, "I've got something to give" deal. I am pretty sure some of us are having a bad beginning of the week, or worse January was a complete right off, as I am also certain there are many that are kicking off the near year with an incredible vigor for life. Regardless of where you are at, start today. It is never too late to start. These Grammy winners had to start somewhere. Maybe it was a grade 2 talent show, or a College Glee club. Don't start worrying about the audience either. They are always going to be fickle. We all are at times. Do what you are born to do today, you will never regret it. (Well, okay, you may regret wearing a Hypercolor t-shirt the day you had PE but I digress)

Monday Musings

2010-02-01T13:01:00.000-08:00

Blogging takes diligence, time and lack of "cheese." Diligence requires discipline, time is fleeting and cheese comes in many forms (let me tell you that Valarosa Foods here in Kelowna makes a killer Guiness Cheese). I will therefore regulary attempt to dutifully create non-cheese.
This Monday I want to kick off the week by directing you to an insightful & challenging article, written by the poet and front man of Switchfoot Jon Foreman. So I leave with this quote from Jon as a springboard to start your week, "The human story is still unfolding. We are telling it as we speak. The human song is still weaving its way towards a chorus, through the suffering, through the fear. We need each other. We need heroes. Let your life be a beautiful song. We need hope. Tell a good story with the way you live."