After worship with my church this morning, then talking about an outline for teaching on how guys and girls see each other (and what influences these views), I went to Elizabethtown with Preston and Ashlee to meet my parents for lunch. It was great to see them (and get contacts, my new debit card, and to give them my tax information). I guess this is the last time my taxes will be done with my parents' taxes.
After hanging out with Ashlee for a while and working on wedding plans some, I moved on to work on Hebrew. It's hard! It has taken me like 2-3 hours to do one assignment, and I have a sinking feeling that I have many errors. Hopefully it will come easier.
I'm growing fascinated with the topic of church planting. I've been listening through the Acts 29 church planting network's Bootcamp conference.
I guess Mark Driscoll, co-founder of Acts 29, isn't often accused of not speaking his mind:
"those men who do go to church are effiminate, worthless men"
"there's nothing sexier than a woman who can parse a Greek verb"
"it takes 25-30 hours of study to speak on a Sunday for one hour"
...
Monday, February 27, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
Autistic Basketball Team Manager "Catches on Fire"
Check out this news broadcast
In short, an autistic high school basketball team manager is granted the opportunity to suit up for the last game of the season. With four minutes left to go in the game, the coach put the kid in. Enter human highlight reel.
There are other videos there covering the same story, but this one seems to be the best.
HT: SBCOutpost.com
Thanks to Chris for his bandwidth.
In short, an autistic high school basketball team manager is granted the opportunity to suit up for the last game of the season. With four minutes left to go in the game, the coach put the kid in. Enter human highlight reel.
There are other videos there covering the same story, but this one seems to be the best.
HT: SBCOutpost.com
Thanks to Chris for his bandwidth.
Facelift
Let me know what you think about the new template. Give me any suggestions for improvement. In addition to an aesthetic change, I've also added more links. The sick, twisted truth is that I subscribe to over a 100 blogs, and I'm not going to link to all of them here. But I will link to a few, which you can find in the left sidebar.
Life's kind of crazy right now. I'm really tired, and school is overwhelming me once again. I already feel like I'm behind in all three of my classes. Thanks to my friend Brad I'm carpooling now, and that gave me some time to prepare for my Hebrew quiz before I took it this afternoon. I'm so glad! You don't want to go into Hebrew quizes blind.
Speaking of blind, I have either run out of spare contacts or I can't find them. Sunday I'm meeting my parents in Elizabethtown for lunch. I plan to give my mom tax return information, and she plans to give me contacts. I'll be so thankful - my glasses have been making my head hurt. The prescription is not up to date and they're too small for my big head!
We have about three weeks left of the Upward basketball season. It's (almost) comical to see how one kid will just yell the name of whoever has the basketball, seemingly regardless of where he is or even if the bearer of the ball is having any sort of trouble.
One thing that is cool, is to see the kids that actually think about other players. I saw one of our better players tonight, with the basketball under the goal, and he kicked the ball out to another player. I'm pretty confident it was just to let someone else shoot. And then he called down one of the players on the other team (another one of our better players) for not passing it to an open teammmate.
I've really enjoyed coaching Upward with my friend Patrick!
Life's kind of crazy right now. I'm really tired, and school is overwhelming me once again. I already feel like I'm behind in all three of my classes. Thanks to my friend Brad I'm carpooling now, and that gave me some time to prepare for my Hebrew quiz before I took it this afternoon. I'm so glad! You don't want to go into Hebrew quizes blind.
Speaking of blind, I have either run out of spare contacts or I can't find them. Sunday I'm meeting my parents in Elizabethtown for lunch. I plan to give my mom tax return information, and she plans to give me contacts. I'll be so thankful - my glasses have been making my head hurt. The prescription is not up to date and they're too small for my big head!
We have about three weeks left of the Upward basketball season. It's (almost) comical to see how one kid will just yell the name of whoever has the basketball, seemingly regardless of where he is or even if the bearer of the ball is having any sort of trouble.
One thing that is cool, is to see the kids that actually think about other players. I saw one of our better players tonight, with the basketball under the goal, and he kicked the ball out to another player. I'm pretty confident it was just to let someone else shoot. And then he called down one of the players on the other team (another one of our better players) for not passing it to an open teammmate.
I've really enjoyed coaching Upward with my friend Patrick!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Top 4
I've been tagged by Tim Sweatman, a pastor in Bowling Green who I have not yet had the pleasure of actually meeting. Given the flattering reason for which he tagged me: "Just about everyone else I know online had already been tagged, so I had to tag you...", I knew I had to respond.
4 Jobs I Have Had in My Life
Student Ministry Associate -- Currently I have the pleasure to minister to middle school students at a Southern Baptist Church in central Kentucky. They're crazy (and a lot of fun). I have loved my experience in this role. I have been learning about relating to middle schoolers and relating to parents as well. Juggling work with seminary and relationships has proved a tall order!
Federal Government Worker -- I previously worked as a programmer and researcher for the federal government. This was a really cool job!
Pizza Deliverer -- My most stressful job ever was in the employ of a mom-and-pop restaurant in western Kentucky where I grew up. The food was great, but it was so demanding. It seemed like customers always thought you should be faster, coworkers also thought you were slow, and other drivers on the roads thought you drove like a maniac. When you can't win, it's hard to feel good about what you're doing!
Future Business Leaders of America Leadership Camp/Conference Assistant Director - In high school I was actively involved in this student organization, and after I started college I continued my involvement by returning to help lead some of their programs. This was a fun job for me, allowing me to work behind the scenes with the state director and also with state officer friends. I didn't always get a lot of sleep, but I enjoyed my time in this job!
(I just realized I ended each paragraph with an exclamation point. I don't know what that means!)
4 Goals I Set for This Year
1. Begin setting goals? Sorry I didn't make any resolutionsl
2-4. See 1.
Maybe I'm supposed to make up some goals now? I don't know about that though. I'll start with, successfully get married on May 13!
4 Movies I Could Watch Over and Over
* The Shawshank Redemption
* The Negotiator
* Napoleon Dynamite
* Forrest Gump
4 Places I Have Lived
My hometown in Western Kentucky (population 300)
Washington, DC area
Lexington, KY (Both while a student at the University of Kentucky and current residence)
Hopkinsville, KY (2 Summers as Youth Ministry Intern)
4 TV Shows I Love to Watch
Honestly I have very little commitment to consistent television watching. I'm not schedule-oriented enough. (It's kind of sad that I'm not schedule-oriented enough to watch a tv program consistently, I guess, but it's true.) But I'll list some that I have enjoyed when I've seen them:
* Mythbusters
* Trading Spaces (or any of those home makeover type shows)
* CSI (I don't know enough to choose which CSI, but I have enjoyed watching it)
* Family Guy (I appreciate witty humor, although I know it can also be crude)
4 Places I've Been on Vacation
Badlands, South Dakota -- One of the most fascinating places I've ever been. I was awestruck by what I saw there. I'd love to go back some day.
Charleston, South Carolina -- Beatiful Historic Downtown area. I was there on spring break and was able to help paint some lady's house. I'm plan to head back there for my honeymoon in May!
Florence, Colorado -- My ancestors had some role in the founding of this small town near Colorado Springs. I have vacationed there many times, including a summer I spent with my grandparents. It's near the Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the world, as I was told.
Jamaica -- I spent a week in Jamaica visiting my brother, who was serving there in the peace corps. We went around the island. It was beautiful! I went snorkeling, went climbing on the rock face of a waterfall, and did a little spelunking. I was sad that the sky was overcast for my one sunset in Negril (on the west coast of Jamaica). I also became infected with Campylobacter while I was there. :-(
4 Websites I Visit Daily
Statcounter.com - seeing who you are and where you came from!
Gmail
Bloglines - my RSS aggregator (this is kind of cheating because I read many web sites using this tool)
Missional Baptist Blog
(Others sites I would probably reach each day that they had a post would include blogs such as: Ashlee's, SBCOutpost, Chris', Steve's, Wes', and Wade Burleson's, and Slashdot.)
4 of My Favorite Foods
Biscuits-n-Gravy (plus all the other fixin's of a country breakfast)
Ashlee's Secret Family Recipe Meatloaf (I'll be family in 3 months???)
Monte Cristo from Cheddar's Casual Cafe
Buffalo Wild Wings
4 Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
* Skiing
* With Ashlee
* Somewhere tropical on a beach
* In Bed
So Now I'm Going to Tag......
Chris
Jeremy
Wes
Kevin
4 Jobs I Have Had in My Life
Student Ministry Associate -- Currently I have the pleasure to minister to middle school students at a Southern Baptist Church in central Kentucky. They're crazy (and a lot of fun). I have loved my experience in this role. I have been learning about relating to middle schoolers and relating to parents as well. Juggling work with seminary and relationships has proved a tall order!
Federal Government Worker -- I previously worked as a programmer and researcher for the federal government. This was a really cool job!
Pizza Deliverer -- My most stressful job ever was in the employ of a mom-and-pop restaurant in western Kentucky where I grew up. The food was great, but it was so demanding. It seemed like customers always thought you should be faster, coworkers also thought you were slow, and other drivers on the roads thought you drove like a maniac. When you can't win, it's hard to feel good about what you're doing!
Future Business Leaders of America Leadership Camp/Conference Assistant Director - In high school I was actively involved in this student organization, and after I started college I continued my involvement by returning to help lead some of their programs. This was a fun job for me, allowing me to work behind the scenes with the state director and also with state officer friends. I didn't always get a lot of sleep, but I enjoyed my time in this job!
(I just realized I ended each paragraph with an exclamation point. I don't know what that means!)
4 Goals I Set for This Year
1. Begin setting goals? Sorry I didn't make any resolutionsl
2-4. See 1.
Maybe I'm supposed to make up some goals now? I don't know about that though. I'll start with, successfully get married on May 13!
4 Movies I Could Watch Over and Over
* The Shawshank Redemption
* The Negotiator
* Napoleon Dynamite
* Forrest Gump
4 Places I Have Lived
My hometown in Western Kentucky (population 300)
Washington, DC area
Lexington, KY (Both while a student at the University of Kentucky and current residence)
Hopkinsville, KY (2 Summers as Youth Ministry Intern)
4 TV Shows I Love to Watch
Honestly I have very little commitment to consistent television watching. I'm not schedule-oriented enough. (It's kind of sad that I'm not schedule-oriented enough to watch a tv program consistently, I guess, but it's true.) But I'll list some that I have enjoyed when I've seen them:
* Mythbusters
* Trading Spaces (or any of those home makeover type shows)
* CSI (I don't know enough to choose which CSI, but I have enjoyed watching it)
* Family Guy (I appreciate witty humor, although I know it can also be crude)
4 Places I've Been on Vacation
Badlands, South Dakota -- One of the most fascinating places I've ever been. I was awestruck by what I saw there. I'd love to go back some day.
Charleston, South Carolina -- Beatiful Historic Downtown area. I was there on spring break and was able to help paint some lady's house. I'm plan to head back there for my honeymoon in May!
Florence, Colorado -- My ancestors had some role in the founding of this small town near Colorado Springs. I have vacationed there many times, including a summer I spent with my grandparents. It's near the Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the world, as I was told.
Jamaica -- I spent a week in Jamaica visiting my brother, who was serving there in the peace corps. We went around the island. It was beautiful! I went snorkeling, went climbing on the rock face of a waterfall, and did a little spelunking. I was sad that the sky was overcast for my one sunset in Negril (on the west coast of Jamaica). I also became infected with Campylobacter while I was there. :-(
4 Websites I Visit Daily
Statcounter.com - seeing who you are and where you came from!
Gmail
Bloglines - my RSS aggregator (this is kind of cheating because I read many web sites using this tool)
Missional Baptist Blog
(Others sites I would probably reach each day that they had a post would include blogs such as: Ashlee's, SBCOutpost, Chris', Steve's, Wes', and Wade Burleson's, and Slashdot.)
4 of My Favorite Foods
Biscuits-n-Gravy (plus all the other fixin's of a country breakfast)
Ashlee's Secret Family Recipe Meatloaf (I'll be family in 3 months???)
Monte Cristo from Cheddar's Casual Cafe
Buffalo Wild Wings
4 Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
* Skiing
* With Ashlee
* Somewhere tropical on a beach
* In Bed
So Now I'm Going to Tag......
Chris
Jeremy
Wes
Kevin
Creative Band Names
About a year ago I posted a few names for non-existent bands. It has quickly became apparent that my my latest post of vocabulary words merits a new mythical band name.
Soon-to-be climbing up the alt rock/pop/jazz/bluegrass charts, it's... Salient Ensoulment!
Anybody else got any good (or exceptionally bad) band names?
Soon-to-be climbing up the alt rock/pop/jazz/bluegrass charts, it's... Salient Ensoulment!
Anybody else got any good (or exceptionally bad) band names?
Robust Vocabulary
Here are a few words that escaped me over the years, until more recently. For the benefit of all, I am sharing them here.
Source: Dictionary.com
Source: Wikipedia.com
salientadj. 1: having a quality that thrusts itself into attention;
Source: Dictionary.com
ensoulmentEnsoulment refers to the creation of a soul within a human being or other creature.
Source: Wikipedia.com
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
IMB Executive Board Plans to Retract Burleson's Removal
This Baptist Press article has Tom Hatley, Chairman of the IMB Board of Trustees, giving new information about the effort to remove Trustee Wade Burleson.
Excerpts:
IMB trustee chairman Thomas Hatley of Rogers, Ark., told the Southern Baptist TEXAN the committee determined that the matter of disciplining a trustee can be handled internally. Meeting Feb. 10 in Atlanta, the committee reviewed the Burleson matter and acted unilaterally to offer the new plan.
*****
In several weeks, Hatley said he will release a comprehensive explanation of the board's earlier decision to assess missionary candidates regarding private prayer language and baptism, giving the historical and theological framework. Misinformation disseminated through informal weblogs caused confusion in the minds of some Southern Baptists, he said. He hopes a more detailed accounting of the timeline and rationale for those standards will help separate those issues from the matter of Burleson's personal conduct as a trustee and answer questions that have arisen.
*****
Burleson said he used the weblog to express his concerns to a broader Baptist constituency, believing potential missionaries could be held back due to the new criteria and accusing certain trustees of “political power plays” and private caucuses.
Since November, Burleson’s weblog and several others have maintained frequent discussion of the issues. Many of the weblogs include feedback from online readers rallying to the embattled trustee’s defense and calling for a large turnout at the annual meeting of the convention in Greensboro, N.C., June 13-14 to vote against his removal.
*****
With the initial wave of e-mails and letters opposing the action against Burleson subsiding, Hatley told the TEXAN that he was beginning to receive many letters expressing appreciation for the stand taken by trustees.
If one opposes Burleson's removal, this may seem to be a great thing. However, this may also prevent the public from learning more about the circumstances surrounding the move to remove Burleson. This may also diminish the opportunity to have a platform from which to learn more about allegations that have been made against actions and motives of some trustees.
Excerpts:
IMB trustee chairman Thomas Hatley of Rogers, Ark., told the Southern Baptist TEXAN the committee determined that the matter of disciplining a trustee can be handled internally. Meeting Feb. 10 in Atlanta, the committee reviewed the Burleson matter and acted unilaterally to offer the new plan.
In several weeks, Hatley said he will release a comprehensive explanation of the board's earlier decision to assess missionary candidates regarding private prayer language and baptism, giving the historical and theological framework. Misinformation disseminated through informal weblogs caused confusion in the minds of some Southern Baptists, he said. He hopes a more detailed accounting of the timeline and rationale for those standards will help separate those issues from the matter of Burleson's personal conduct as a trustee and answer questions that have arisen.
Burleson said he used the weblog to express his concerns to a broader Baptist constituency, believing potential missionaries could be held back due to the new criteria and accusing certain trustees of “political power plays” and private caucuses.
Since November, Burleson’s weblog and several others have maintained frequent discussion of the issues. Many of the weblogs include feedback from online readers rallying to the embattled trustee’s defense and calling for a large turnout at the annual meeting of the convention in Greensboro, N.C., June 13-14 to vote against his removal.
With the initial wave of e-mails and letters opposing the action against Burleson subsiding, Hatley told the TEXAN that he was beginning to receive many letters expressing appreciation for the stand taken by trustees.
If one opposes Burleson's removal, this may seem to be a great thing. However, this may also prevent the public from learning more about the circumstances surrounding the move to remove Burleson. This may also diminish the opportunity to have a platform from which to learn more about allegations that have been made against actions and motives of some trustees.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Johari Says What?
I just found this interactive personality assessment tool called a Johari Window. It maps your perceived personality characteristics against what others perceive as your characteristics.
If you know me, go choose some descriptors for me and aid me in my assessment!
If you know me, go choose some descriptors for me and aid me in my assessment!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Thoughts from a middle school midweek program
Is anyone making the new girl feel welcome?
How old should students be before they can hear about the reality of the evil of forced prostitution?
Who on earth brought popcorn to Bible study, and who is going to sweep it up after everyone has thrown it and stepped on it?
Should I go rush home and call my fiancee?
Why do curriculum-producers sell VHS tapes with no DVD option?
Why are these kids talking instead of listening to their teacher?
Where did that kid get a softball?!?!
It's a quarter after our 'official start time', where are all of our leaders?
Why don't we have a monitor to aid in re-queueing video tapes when I mess up the counter?
Does this student just want attention or is something really deeply wrong?
Should I be thinking about all of these things or simply be hanging out with and loving students?
How old should students be before they can hear about the reality of the evil of forced prostitution?
Who on earth brought popcorn to Bible study, and who is going to sweep it up after everyone has thrown it and stepped on it?
Should I go rush home and call my fiancee?
Why do curriculum-producers sell VHS tapes with no DVD option?
Why are these kids talking instead of listening to their teacher?
Where did that kid get a softball?!?!
It's a quarter after our 'official start time', where are all of our leaders?
Why don't we have a monitor to aid in re-queueing video tapes when I mess up the counter?
Does this student just want attention or is something really deeply wrong?
Should I be thinking about all of these things or simply be hanging out with and loving students?
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