Leadership Tip

The data used to make a decision are not always the same as the data used to explain a decision. For instance, you need to confront an individual about an issue that has become known to you as you investigate several red flags. It is not necessary to list out each of the red flags. This will only lead to an argument over inconsequential side issues. Instead, identify the one main problem and confront the issue with some focused data. Of course, before doing anything like this, search your own heart to purge any hint of pride, fear, or anger.

Gothic Architecture

I’ve always loved Gothic architecture. It breathes and soars. It seems to grow up out of the ground. Today I learned that my very favorite piece of architecture is the Palazzo Ducale aka Doge’s Palace. Here are a few photos that I hope will inspire you.

On the Trail

Why does it feel like Obama is still campaigning?

Cake!

One of my favorite bands is Cake.  That is not what this post is about.  This week, I made two cakes.  The first turned out to be one of the worst ever and the last turned out to be my personal best.  Here’s a photo of the white one.  It is white silver cake with vanilla lemon buttercream icing.  

 

Book Review: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

Gnomic and quotable, The Prophet will guide you to question your assumptions about life and especially about community.  Good poetry does not set one straight with simple corrections to the reader’s understanding but rather draws one into a different picture of the world.  The Prophet accomplishes this with excellence.  

While reading this short book I often questioned my own understanding about corporate responsibility, silence, love, and even faith.  At times I found myself disagreeing with the truth statements of the poet but wishing I were able to agree fully.  Such was the charm of the writing.

Gibran’s most celebrated work is wonderfully modest and keen.  The subject of the writing, Almustafa, is a temping allusion to Christ for those who are accustomed to hearing Jesus in every hero’s voice.  However, Almustafa more closely resembles the voice of the post-Christian era’s pluralism, embodying humanism, hints of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Greek philosophy, Hinduism and New Age thinking.  

I ask that you read this book not because I agree with the author’s universalist approach to spirituality, but because I admire his ability to relay a fine story, his ear for open-line poetry, and his desire to explore the human spirit.  Perhaps, like me, you will find yourself agreeing with much he says and wishing you could agree with more still.

Webapps

The last post reminds me to tell you about two things you just can’t live without: Pandora and Google Reader. Pandora.com plays all of your favorite music for free and lets you create stations. Google reader reads all of your favorite blogs for you and lets you know when there is a new post. What other awesome webapps are out there do you love?  Wesabe?  Aviary?  

I really wish I could get Google’s Grand Central Station.  They’ve been in closed beta forever.  If anyone knows a way…hook me up!

Favorite Music

Here’s a random list of all my very favorite artists. Who are yours?

Joanna Newsom
the narwhal invastion
Andrew Bird
mewithoutyou
Black Keys
White Stripes
Alela Diane
Beck
Arcade Fire
Cake
Coldplay
Damien Rice
Dave Matthews
David Crowder
The Decembrists
Emiliana Torrini
Iron & Wine
Johnny Cash
Keb Mo
Laura Gibson
Lead Belly
Modest Mouse
Nora Jones
Radiohead
Robert Johnson
Steven Delopoulos
Switchfoot
U2
Regina Spektor
Fiona Apple
Franz Ferdinand
Ray Charles
Robert Johnson
Jolie Holland
Sufjan Stevens
Outkast (we all have one we are ashamed of)

Even more snow!

Snow!

So these are the mountains just outside of town near where I often mountain bike.

On Christmas, we are planning on driving up to some larger mountains North of these to go sledding!

Delicious Holiday Food

Made a rack of lamb last night. I actually split it into chops but it was a rack when I started. It was cooked to medium well in skillet and was topped with a Sherry-Parsnip-Apple sauce. Wonderful. By the way…Sherry is a wonderful liquid to cook with. It adds a nutty sweetness to the food. We also had skillet fried red potatoes tossed in sea salt, cracked pepper, garlic, onion powder, and parsley. Mmmm.

We plan on cooking quite a bit over the holidays. I’d love to have some new meat or bread recipes. Post ‘em here!

Bad Coffee`

I have tried to quit coffee before but have always crawled back to its earthy warm goodness. This week, I switched to decaf. Does anyone know of a good Decaf coffee that doesn’t taste like old burnt popcorn kernels?

Story (or how to share your faith in a loving way)

I am sure most of you share my frustration with popular media’s portrayal of Christians.  Somehow, almost every person tagged “Christian” who gets airtime is either a Universalist or a hateful bigot.  I am surrounded by believers who love God with all of their hearts and love the people around them, yet I don’t see this represented in my cultural environment.

I want to show you two videos that do not come from popular media.  I want to see people like this being open about faith by simply sharing their stories.  These two are great examples because they are both musicians, but that is about the only thing they have in common outside of faith.  These two stories placed next to one another demonstrate how God can use the extreme and the seemingly mundane to build the Kingdom.  

Some of you who are reading are scared to share your faith because you have had so much drama and struggle.  You don’t want people to know that dark side of you or you feel like you messed up so badly that God cannot redeem your story.  Let the story of Brian Welch give you courage and challenge your pride.  Some of you feel like you have no compelling story because you never experienced such a drastic rebellion.  You wonder, “Why would anyone want to hear about someone who grew up in the church and in a Christian home and is now a person of faith?”  Let the story of Jason Castro inspire you to see the story of transformation and mission in your life and share it!

Worst Idea…Ever

I usually don’t randomly attack ideas, but this company left an ad on my front porch so I feel justified in critiquing the product.  Here it is: Green E’co Towel (that’s right, there is a trendy French style accent mark in there).

Here’s the problem.  It is a compressed paper towel the size of 15 dimes stacked together.  In the photo, as you can see, in order to dry your hands with it, you must first wet the towel.  I was graciously left a sample of this item and was thoroughly amused to find that in order to use the towel, it must be soaking wet.  There is a flaw in reasoning here.  Secondly, these compressed towels take up more space per 100 than a roll of paper towels, not to mention that they cost 50 cents each!  Whoever allowed this product to end up on the market needs a psych eval.  The worst part is that I fear people will actually buy these.  If you have already bought this product, please don’t tell me or I may be forced to defriend you. 

Also, I have begun selling solar powered flashlights if anyone is interested *-)

Short Holiday Season

Over the last few days, I have heard several people in the media bewail the fact that there are fewer days than usual between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.  They say retail sales numbers will be down because people do not have as much time to do Christmas shopping.  Really?!  Are people going to spend less on Christmas this year because they have a few less days to shop?  

The only thing I can think of is that all of those everyday purchases (clothes, food, soap, etc.) that would have gotten lumped into the “holiday shopping season” will now just stay on the “pre-holiday shopping season spreadsheet.”  Don’t we have better (or worse) things to worry about?

Let’s have a sensible discussion here

Drugs, guns, gay marriage, abortion, welfare, war.  I’m going to ask you to share about it.  Wait…hold on…take it easy!  I don’t want your opinion on why one is right or wrong, we’ve all heard it and we’ve all made up our minds.  In fact, I don’t want opinions at all, only well-crafted arguments using verifiable facts and ending in viable conclusions.  The question is not about the morality of these issues.  Here is the question: what should be the role of government when it comes to these issues AND WHY?  

Should the government be the morality police?  Should the government be laissez-faire when it comes to morality?  What about fiscal policy?  How does a government view on fiscal policy/international policy affect your view of the government’s moral responsibility?  What is the job of our government!?  Let’s figure it out and put it to work for us!  Give me references: the constitution, John Locke, Jefferson, Hamilton, Plato…let’s do this right!

I am not going to post or respond here for a few reasons:

1. I’m still trying to figure it out and haven’t heard much in the way of reasonable argument.

2. I’m a pastor and so will fly a little low because I don’t want to allow politics to distort my role as a leader in a much more important battle.

3. I’m tired.  I’d love to come back in a few hours and see a great debate taking form here.

Men’s Retreat

Had a great time at the Men’s Retreat in Zion National Park.  If your church does a men’s retreat, here are a few learnings:

1. Provide free time
2. Have a guest speaker that rocks
3. Don’t freak out if a few things go wrong.  God works in those moments. 
4. Don’t be afraid to bring the Truth hard.  That’s what these guys came for.
5. Spend as much time as possible with men you do not know.
6. Don’t overspiritualize everthing.
7. Follow up!  Provide opportunities for men to serve or get in groups.

Here are a few photos I took at the retreat.  I used a Canon Rebel XT and Photoshop for resizing and levels.

Mormon Tea

While I was riding today, I made a point to keep my eye open for some mormon tea (ephedra nevadensis I think).  I saw quite a lot of it but most of it was scruffy and dry.  While I was in the creekbed, I spotted a nice bush and grabbed some to take home.  

 

I took the needles home, cut them into 3 inch pieces, washed them, placed them in a coffe coffee cup, added boiling water, and stirred the water with the needles for 1 minute.  The water turned a brownish amber color.  I removed the needles (to prevent a bitter taste) and took a sip.  It was wonderful.  It tasted like a mixture of black tea and green tea and was a bit sweet.  I really did not expect such a pleasant experience.  

Panorama

I went riding again today for a few hours.  A few small crashes but nothing major.  Here’s a panorama I made in photoshop using 24 individual photos.  The exposure, etc is not consistent because I used a low end camera but I think it still gives a pretty good sense of the place (a dry creekbed in the middle of the desert).

Another sign

Here is another ridiculous sign sent to me by a friend.  I also learned that another friend who is an Oklahoman has attended this church on more than one occasion.  Now I must make fun of him.

Cyber life

I love the way blog comment managing works.  People comment on your post.  You can allow it or block it.  You can even go back later to remove it.  I really wish that real life worked that way.  Let’s say you are standing around with a group of guys.  You start a conversation about cars or dogs or work or whatever.  Others join in.  After a while, someone says something completely inappropriate or annoying.  At that point, you could simply say, “I’m sorry.  I started this conversation and that comment will not be allowed here.  If you’d like to start a conversation of your own very far from here, you are welcome to do so.  In fact all future comments by you will be blocked automatically.”

One of my favorite websites.

Ridiculous church signs:

http://crummychurchsigns.blogspot.com/

Google Chrome

Google has a new browser called Chrome.  I love Google’s products (especially the freeness factor).  I have been a pretty solid Firefox guy for a while but I’ll give Chrome a shot.  It’s in beta, but if you want to try it, click here.  If you are running Mac or Linux…sorry; you’ll have to wait.  If you don’t want to get this browser because you like yours just fine, good choice.  Wait and see if it’s any good.  If you are avoiding this browser because you think Google is the FBI gathering all of your personal information…get a life and stop sitting around all day wondering when aliens will abduct you again and groaning about how we never landed on the moon.

Mountain Biking

This morning I set out on my first mountain bike ride since temperatures got out of control.  It was pretty cool outside, so I gave it a go.  Here are some photos:

The bike.  A Marin Muirwoods designed as a commuter bike but has been modified to withstand cross country trail riding.  Love this bike.

The rider.  Feeling confident and impatient.

The tunnel.  I have to ride through here to get to the desired trail.  It gets shorter toward the other end.  I scraped my helmet on the top on the way out.

The dark green plant in the center is called Mormon Tea.  You can soak it in hot water for a refreshing drink.  The other plant is a mean cactus.  A few months ago I was riding with my friend Kyle in the same area when I heard him yelling substitutions for curse words (dang, hooey, etc.)  He had a broken-off piece of this type of cactus hanging off his knee.

I think this is a barrel cactus.

At the top of my run, looking back down into the valley.  Still feeling confident and ready to burn it all the way back.  Should be lots of fun.  Should have noted in my mind any rough turns but oh well…

My body lying in a tangled mess after my first endo crash (end over the handlebars.)  Statistically speaking, I should have a broken collarbone right now.  No damage done.  What a fun ride.

Any other options?

Are we going to have a third-party option?  I am starting to hope so.  Who would it be?  Bob Barr?  I don’t know anything about this guy except for what I learned on The Colbert Report.

Panorama

A panorama I took of vegas with a tiny camera.

Rebellion

I have rejected the notion that I am required to carry a large, leather wallet in my back pocket and that the said wallet should contain all manner of useless junk.  I am a rebel.  Today, I fashioned out of 4 playing cards a new case which holds my cards and cash quite nicely.  It is scarcely thicker that 1/8 of an inch thick and fits quite nicely in my pocket next to the ipod touch.  Here are some photos:

Update

Here’s what is going on:

–No foster kids this week.  Haven’t heard from Child Haven in few days.

–Starting school today…for those who don’t know, I am attending DTS online.

–HomeGroups groundbreaking for our re:build study is next Tuesday.  Nervous and excited.

–Kristy loves her new class.

–Took up racquetball.  Haven’t quite mastered the basics.

–If you are still reading, you care about me a lot or you are really bored.

Postmodern Worship

I had a quick discussion with our Worship Pastor today about Postmodern Worship.  We discussed what Postmodernism is and also what worship is and what one means to the other.  Without telling you what we discovered, I’d like to hear your thoughts.  Should our cultural shift in thinking change the way in which we worship?

Trinitarian Community

This week my pastor mentioned in passing while preaching about community, the text in Genesis that states, “let us create man in our image.”  He paused briefly to acknowledge that this is a reference to the trinity.  I have been thinking a lot lately about the idea of the trinity as our model for community.  God eternally exists in a community of three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit.  We are created in the image of God.  We are created for community.  Our communities should emulate the community of the Trinity.

The most intriguing takeaway for me is regarding the idea of authority.  While there does exist some heirarchy among the persons of the Trinity, each always defers to and glorifies the other members.  The Father has placed all authority under the Son.  The Father and the Son send the Spirit.  The Spirit Glorifies the Father and the Son.  Christ honors the Father.

How should we emulate this model of authority in community?  I believe we as husbands, fathers, mothers, pastors, mentors, and leaders should always seek to honor those we lead.  We should pass our authority to them whenever possible and empty ourselves of glory for their sake.  What other thoughts come to mind when you think of the Trinity as our model for community?

Tiny PC

Dell has a new PC out that is so tiny.  Check it out here…http://tinyurl.com/5dfrp5. I was thinking that it would be fantastic if you could use your ipod touch (or similar non-mac item) as a monitor and carry around the tiny cpu with you everywhere.  You could also plug into a normal screen at work or home…but c’mon..that would be sweet.