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
Showing posts with label Monday Musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monday Musings. Show all posts
Friday, April 23, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
It's Only Monday
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.
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.
Friday, April 2, 2010
VHF - Friday is Here
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.
Sorry, I have been trying to upload this puppy all day (hence the post delay). So have to watch it through this link.
Friday, March 26, 2010
VHF - Casual Friday
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.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Video Hit Fridays
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.
Today's offering may not bring about gut laughter, but it will bring a smile. Enjoy.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Video Hit Friday - Windies
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.
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.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Monday Musings
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.
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.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday Musings
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.
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.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday Musings
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
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
Monday, February 1, 2010
Monday Musings
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."
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."
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