I'm truly at a loss for what I should be giving up for Lent this year. Considering we are already into day two, I am admittedly behind on this. In previous years, I've adopted the concept of "taking up" something rather than "giving up" something. I think that started the year I gave up drinking tea. I was such a crab without the caffeine that no one, including myself, wanted to be around me.
Not the purpose of Lent, I don't believe.
Which is probably why I'm stalling this year. I've been asking around, and here's a sample of things other friends are giving up:
A father I know said he's "giving up yelling at his boy." All righty then.
A girl I know said she was "giving up Facebook." So, what would I do during work? KIDDING!
Several people have said "they're giving up giving up things." Really? Remind me again exactly when we went back in time to the 7th grade?
All of which leaves me more confused than ever. So I turn it over to you, dear blog reader, ask: what should I give up for Lent?
And if you say "blogging" I WILL cry. :)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Brian Wilson Black Cab Session
The video will make you dizzy but the harmonies will blow your mind. Amazing!
Monday, February 23, 2009
New U2!!!!
Happy Monday! To start your week off with some serious awesomeness, you can check out the new U2 CD today! No Line On The Horizon is streaming today on the band's MySpace Page. Enjoy!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Drops Like Stars
An enormously tough, challenging week was made brighter for me with news that Rob Bell has a new book and tour coming out. Drops Like Stars I'm sure will achieve Rob's usually level of awesomeness. Here's his description of the new work:
We plot, we plan, we assume things are going to go a certain way
and then they don’t and we find ourselves
In a new place, a place we haven’t been before, a place
We never would have imagined on our own,
And so it was difficult and unexpected and maybe even
Tragic and yet it opened us up and freed us to see
Things in a whole new way
Suffering does that—
It hurts,
But it also creates.
How many of the most significant moments in your
Life came not because it all went right, but because
It all fell apart?
It’s strange how there can be art in the agony…
The Drops Like Stars tour is a two
Hour exploration of the endlessly complex
Relationship between suffering and creativity—
And I’d love to see you there.
I hope to see him there, either in the ATL or Nashville. Road Trip!!
In reading up on Rob's new work, I also came across this profile of the "hipper than thou" precher on Time.com. Good read.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
John Ellis
John Ellis had an unforgettable smile, a servant's heart and a full life that was cut short suddenly last Sunday. I do trust that God had a plan and it was John's time to come home. But for those of us who knew him, it hurts. My Wednesday night ritual of playing basketball at the church will just not ever be the same without's John's smile and warm welcome. To see our sanctuary packed yesterday at his service, I know that so many people feel the same.
Eaton, John Ellis
EATON, JOHN ELLIS - age 62, of Knoxville, passed away suddenly Sunday, February 15, 2009 at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center. Mr. Eaton was born June 8, 1946 in Bellflower, CA to Bernard Eaton and Mildred Plunkett Eaton. By trade Mr. Eaton was a faithful and devoted employee of Church Street United Methodist Church for more than eleven years. He was an avid fly fisherman who truly enjoyed the outdoors and was a member of the Fly Tying Association FLOA. Preceded in death by his brother, Frank Eaton; and mother, Mildred Eaton. He is survived by his wife, Renee Eaton; children, Bryan Kerbow, James Kerbow, Christie Williams, Devon James, John Eaton II, and Kendra Suzanne Eaton; step-daughters, Bonnie Flemming and Donna Knox; grandchildren, T.J. Williams, Rebecca Eaton, and Matthew Eaton; step-grandchildren, Joey Knox and Riley Knox; longtime companion, Rosemary Sledge; father, Bernard Eaton; and a sister, Eileen Aredondo. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Church Street United Methodist Church with Reverend Andy Ferguson, Reverend Darryll Rasnake, Reverend Jan Buxton-Wade, and Reverend Sarah Moody officiating. Interment will follow in Tennessee Veterans Cemetery with full military honors presented by the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's name to Church Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1303, Knoxville, TN 37901-1303. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Church Street United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.
Eaton, John Ellis
EATON, JOHN ELLIS - age 62, of Knoxville, passed away suddenly Sunday, February 15, 2009 at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center. Mr. Eaton was born June 8, 1946 in Bellflower, CA to Bernard Eaton and Mildred Plunkett Eaton. By trade Mr. Eaton was a faithful and devoted employee of Church Street United Methodist Church for more than eleven years. He was an avid fly fisherman who truly enjoyed the outdoors and was a member of the Fly Tying Association FLOA. Preceded in death by his brother, Frank Eaton; and mother, Mildred Eaton. He is survived by his wife, Renee Eaton; children, Bryan Kerbow, James Kerbow, Christie Williams, Devon James, John Eaton II, and Kendra Suzanne Eaton; step-daughters, Bonnie Flemming and Donna Knox; grandchildren, T.J. Williams, Rebecca Eaton, and Matthew Eaton; step-grandchildren, Joey Knox and Riley Knox; longtime companion, Rosemary Sledge; father, Bernard Eaton; and a sister, Eileen Aredondo. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Church Street United Methodist Church with Reverend Andy Ferguson, Reverend Darryll Rasnake, Reverend Jan Buxton-Wade, and Reverend Sarah Moody officiating. Interment will follow in Tennessee Veterans Cemetery with full military honors presented by the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's name to Church Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1303, Knoxville, TN 37901-1303. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Church Street United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.
Friday, February 13, 2009
I Am Second
Wow. Wow. Wow. If you haven't already, check out iamsecond.com. This site blows me away. A collection of first hand stories from some people you know, some people you don't. What they all share are their personal testimonies of their walk with God. Struggles. Heartbreaks. Addictions. Victories. Doubts. Fears. There is something on here that will strike a chord with your personal journey. I promise you.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sesame Street 4Ever
While researching music videos for my "real gig" (I know, cry me a river...) I came across this bit of Muppet Awesomeness. Compare this to the original Feist video and it's just more proof of why there will never, ever be a show cooler than Seasame Street.
And here's more proof. But could Mike Mills look more unenthused to be there?
And here's more proof. But could Mike Mills look more unenthused to be there?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
My 25
I'm still a newbie in the world of Facebook. It's been tons of fun reconnecting with both old and new friends alike. One thing that seems to be all the rage is to post various lists of "25 things about yourself." While I've read plenty of these by other people, I haven't done one for myself. Instead I thought I'd post this...
My 25 Reasons I Believe in God
1. I believe in Jesus because He forgives me of my past, helps me with my present and assures my future. I read that thought in a devotional several years ago, and it changed everything. It's just too true, too promising, too awesome not to want to believe. The fact that Jesus loves me, despite all the mistakes, failures and mis-steps I've made in the past is humbling. The fact that he cares about my daily struggles is reassuring. The fact that He has a place for me in eternity is joy beyond any words I can cobble together.
2. My mom. The woman is an angel here on earth. No one has done more to help me on my faith journey, or put up with more BS from me (see ages 13-17, specifically) along the way. Plus she is the greatest cook on the planet, which doesn't hurt either.
3. My kids. Ever since they've been born it's made more sense to me about how God must feel about us as His children. No matter how crazy my two wild things might drive me on a given day, I could never, ever stop loving them. And I believe that's how God feels about his kids, too.
4. The Book of Psalms. Definitely my favorite book in the Bible. It began to mean so much more to me when (at the suggestion of author Bo Cox) I began to read it in terms of my internal demons. It makes all the bits about "killing my enemies" and "gnashing of teeth" much more meaningful. It also shows the incredible highs and gut-wrenching lows of one of my favorite people in the Bible, King David. A man whose failings and struggles I can identify with all too well.
5. Church Street UMC. It's where I married my wife, baptized my kids and play hoops every Wednesday. Whether I am welcoming a new child or losing my job someone from that Church has been there to help me, support me, pray for me and make me laugh.
6. The Story of the Prodigal Son. It's like the North Star, if you get off track you can always read this story and get back on course. I'm amazed at how God still loves me no matter how many times I go off the rails and end up in the ditch.
7. Johnny Cash. Bono once said that "Every man knows he's a sissy compared to Johnny Cash." How true. And, to me, what makes him a real man isn't the deep voice, the wearing of black, or the bad-assness of "Folsom Prison Blues" (although all those don't hurt) it's his foundation on faith and a God that loves those who have made a mess of things.
8. "By the Mark" - by Gillian Welch. A song so beautiful, it about brings me to tears even though I've heard it 1,675 times. And I could listen to it 1,675 more. I want this song played at my funeral.
9. My Silas. In the Bible, Silas was the ultimate wing man. He kept Paul in check (no easy task) by helping him through his various trials and tribulations. My Silas helps me make sense of my life (no easy task) by talking me through everything from getting fired, being a good dad and the disasterous 5-7 season the Vols had last year (much more troubling to me than it probably should be.) My Silas is a tremendous man of faith that gets me through everything life throws my way.
10. Matthew 6: 25-34. One of my favorite expressions is "no worries." This passage is why.
11. Basketball. It's my favorite sport, to quote the great Kurtis Blow. And for me it has become a type of mission. Not that I'm doing any great things because of my game (my J is way too broke for that to happen) but because of the incredible friendships and shared experiences I enjoy every week in my weekly pick up games. We compete, share each others burdens and joys, and try to perfect the art of the high pick and roll. Sweet!
12. Manna from Heaven. The story from the Old Testament that always inspires me is the one about the Isralites complaining about the wilderness. It kinda reminds me of Goldilocks (this one is too hot, this one is too cold) but none of them are ever just right. Despite their nagging, er, complaining, God is faithful and promises to give them exactly what they need to get through that day. A promise he keeps for us today.
13. Silent Night. Is anything more beautiful than the singing of "Silent Night" at a Christmas Eve service?
14. Rob Bell. Simply the most gifted and engaging preacher I've ever heard. If you don't know his stuff start with nooma.com and his first book Velvet Elvis.
15. Psalm 34: 5. Words I aspire to be...
16. The Ocean. It's beauty and power are and endless source of inspiration. Especially the little slice of it my family visits every year in Tybee Island, GA.
17. Amazing Grace. A song hundreds of years old that's been sung thousands of different ways that never ceases to inspire.
18. The Alps. For those who would say there is no God, I would suggest you take a train ride through the Swiss Alps at daybreak as my wife and I did several years ago. Witness that level of natural beauty and then try to convince yourself that it was all created by a "big bang." I don't think so.
19. I'll Fly Away. Another classic song that means more after each listen.
20. Max Lucado. Simply a fantastic writer. I have a dog earred daily devotional of his that I have read and re-read too many times to count. His book Just Like Jesus is a must read. It had sentence that changed my life: "Jesus loves you just the way you are. He just doesn't want you to stay that way."
21. Dr. James Flemming. A Biblical archeologist that has given a yearly presentation at my church for the past 10 years or so. A wealth of information about how things were in the times of Jesus. While he's ALWAYS the smartest guy in the room, he never comes off like it.
22. Easter Sunrise Service At Radnor Lake. This was a yearly tradition in my hometown of Nashville, TN. I don't get back for them now as much as I'd like. That needs to change.
23. The Lost and the Least. Time and time again in the Bible you see Jesus having compassion on those whom society deemed unacceptable at the time (prostitutes, the poor, the diseased, children, etc.) while he reserved some of his harshest criticisms for the fat cats of the day. I love this.
24. Psalm 23. You can't go wrong here...
25. February 12, 1994. My "road to Damascus" moment. They say God will do what it takes to get his wayward childrens' attention. He went pretty far to get mine. But I'm so thankful he did. Eternally so.
My 25 Reasons I Believe in God
1. I believe in Jesus because He forgives me of my past, helps me with my present and assures my future. I read that thought in a devotional several years ago, and it changed everything. It's just too true, too promising, too awesome not to want to believe. The fact that Jesus loves me, despite all the mistakes, failures and mis-steps I've made in the past is humbling. The fact that he cares about my daily struggles is reassuring. The fact that He has a place for me in eternity is joy beyond any words I can cobble together.
2. My mom. The woman is an angel here on earth. No one has done more to help me on my faith journey, or put up with more BS from me (see ages 13-17, specifically) along the way. Plus she is the greatest cook on the planet, which doesn't hurt either.
3. My kids. Ever since they've been born it's made more sense to me about how God must feel about us as His children. No matter how crazy my two wild things might drive me on a given day, I could never, ever stop loving them. And I believe that's how God feels about his kids, too.
4. The Book of Psalms. Definitely my favorite book in the Bible. It began to mean so much more to me when (at the suggestion of author Bo Cox) I began to read it in terms of my internal demons. It makes all the bits about "killing my enemies" and "gnashing of teeth" much more meaningful. It also shows the incredible highs and gut-wrenching lows of one of my favorite people in the Bible, King David. A man whose failings and struggles I can identify with all too well.
5. Church Street UMC. It's where I married my wife, baptized my kids and play hoops every Wednesday. Whether I am welcoming a new child or losing my job someone from that Church has been there to help me, support me, pray for me and make me laugh.
6. The Story of the Prodigal Son. It's like the North Star, if you get off track you can always read this story and get back on course. I'm amazed at how God still loves me no matter how many times I go off the rails and end up in the ditch.
7. Johnny Cash. Bono once said that "Every man knows he's a sissy compared to Johnny Cash." How true. And, to me, what makes him a real man isn't the deep voice, the wearing of black, or the bad-assness of "Folsom Prison Blues" (although all those don't hurt) it's his foundation on faith and a God that loves those who have made a mess of things.
8. "By the Mark" - by Gillian Welch. A song so beautiful, it about brings me to tears even though I've heard it 1,675 times. And I could listen to it 1,675 more. I want this song played at my funeral.
9. My Silas. In the Bible, Silas was the ultimate wing man. He kept Paul in check (no easy task) by helping him through his various trials and tribulations. My Silas helps me make sense of my life (no easy task) by talking me through everything from getting fired, being a good dad and the disasterous 5-7 season the Vols had last year (much more troubling to me than it probably should be.) My Silas is a tremendous man of faith that gets me through everything life throws my way.
10. Matthew 6: 25-34. One of my favorite expressions is "no worries." This passage is why.
11. Basketball. It's my favorite sport, to quote the great Kurtis Blow. And for me it has become a type of mission. Not that I'm doing any great things because of my game (my J is way too broke for that to happen) but because of the incredible friendships and shared experiences I enjoy every week in my weekly pick up games. We compete, share each others burdens and joys, and try to perfect the art of the high pick and roll. Sweet!
12. Manna from Heaven. The story from the Old Testament that always inspires me is the one about the Isralites complaining about the wilderness. It kinda reminds me of Goldilocks (this one is too hot, this one is too cold) but none of them are ever just right. Despite their nagging, er, complaining, God is faithful and promises to give them exactly what they need to get through that day. A promise he keeps for us today.
13. Silent Night. Is anything more beautiful than the singing of "Silent Night" at a Christmas Eve service?
14. Rob Bell. Simply the most gifted and engaging preacher I've ever heard. If you don't know his stuff start with nooma.com and his first book Velvet Elvis.
15. Psalm 34: 5. Words I aspire to be...
16. The Ocean. It's beauty and power are and endless source of inspiration. Especially the little slice of it my family visits every year in Tybee Island, GA.
17. Amazing Grace. A song hundreds of years old that's been sung thousands of different ways that never ceases to inspire.
18. The Alps. For those who would say there is no God, I would suggest you take a train ride through the Swiss Alps at daybreak as my wife and I did several years ago. Witness that level of natural beauty and then try to convince yourself that it was all created by a "big bang." I don't think so.
19. I'll Fly Away. Another classic song that means more after each listen.
20. Max Lucado. Simply a fantastic writer. I have a dog earred daily devotional of his that I have read and re-read too many times to count. His book Just Like Jesus is a must read. It had sentence that changed my life: "Jesus loves you just the way you are. He just doesn't want you to stay that way."
21. Dr. James Flemming. A Biblical archeologist that has given a yearly presentation at my church for the past 10 years or so. A wealth of information about how things were in the times of Jesus. While he's ALWAYS the smartest guy in the room, he never comes off like it.
22. Easter Sunrise Service At Radnor Lake. This was a yearly tradition in my hometown of Nashville, TN. I don't get back for them now as much as I'd like. That needs to change.
23. The Lost and the Least. Time and time again in the Bible you see Jesus having compassion on those whom society deemed unacceptable at the time (prostitutes, the poor, the diseased, children, etc.) while he reserved some of his harshest criticisms for the fat cats of the day. I love this.
24. Psalm 23. You can't go wrong here...
25. February 12, 1994. My "road to Damascus" moment. They say God will do what it takes to get his wayward childrens' attention. He went pretty far to get mine. But I'm so thankful he did. Eternally so.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Thought o' the Day
"The one sure way to avoid criticism is to do nothing, say nothing and be nothing."
— Aristotle
— Aristotle
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