Archive for the ‘mind dump’ Category

Sunday Night Mind Dump

Nov 16th, 08 / Comments Off
  • Had a great time at church with friends tonight.  It is an honor to serve with friends.
  • I still need ideas for Mel’s birthday party… send me good ones…
  • My mom came up for the weekend.  It was good to spend time with her, and Shay loved it for sure.  Thanks again mom for all you did. :)
  • Mel and I went out Friday night for our 7th dating anniversary (we don’t usually celebrate it, but it was fun to this year).  We went to Ruth’s Chris‘, and I definitely love that place.  I can’t wait to go back in a few years (that’s about how often we can afford it!  Plus, THIS is the best place to eat in town… we’ll be there for my birthday!)
  • 2 years ago Mel came home talking about this book called Twilight with vampires and werewolves.  I gave her a hard time, jokingly of course, about her reading such silliness.  All 4 of the books are on Amazon’s top 10 list now.  Apparently a few more people joined the cult.  The movie is coming out this weekend and honestly it looks super cheesy.  The soundtrack however has Mute Math, Collective Soul, and Iron & Wine on it…. hmm….
  • I like The Unit, but for some reason (sports?) it starts 30 minutes later than it should, so I have to set my DVR to record the News after it just to catch it all.  I’m sure there’s some old people who feel equally frustrated with their Cold Case episodes.
  • I’ve got another busy week ahead of me.  But I like busy.  I need to hear a few good things this week.
  • I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving.  This year we’ll be at my grandparents house at the beach.  The Gillen’s are an interesting bunch to hang out with, and it’s always fun.
  • I’ll finally get to see Quantum of Solace while at the beach too…. I can’t wait!
  • Also, next Sunday night is the special for 24.  It’s been a year and a half since it’s been on TV… and it will be cool to watch Jack Bauer save the world yet another time.
  • I am really looking forward to our Journey Group tomorrow night.  Good friends, food, and Bible study – a recipe for a great time.
  • I got some news today that made me sad.  A good friend will be moving soon.  I’m really kind of bummed about it, but I know that it is for the best.  
  • Anybody got a good delay pedal for sale for cheap? :)

Early Tuesday MInd-dump

Nov 10th, 08 / 3 Comments
  • I am excited that our church now has a warehouse, but there is a lot of work to be done!  It will be great to be able to get back to Sunday mornings.  We’ll have room to grow, but we’ve got a good situation there as well.
  • Taylor Swift’s (iTunes link) new album comes out today, and it’s already downloaded!  It’s weird, I don’t like Pop… except for Taylor Swift.  I think technically she’s considered country, but we all know she’s pop with an accent.
  • I usually grow a beard around Thanksgiving, and I started late last week.  I’m sure nobody cares, just thought I’d share.
  • I am really liking my new guitar!  I promise to post some pictures soon.  In fact, I think it’d be cool to share pics of all of my guitars.  I’m an addict.  Currently I have 5.  (not counting 2 not-so-great ones)
  • Baby Shay is getting so big lately!  His body is finally catching up with his head!  He’s crawling all over the place and it won’t be long he’ll be saying ‘Da-da’.  I love that he is loved among our friends!  He even spent a ton of quality time with Bob-o last sunday night!
  • I’m going to the Coldplay concert tonight with my bro and I can’t wait.  It will be really cool to spend some time with him!  I’m meeting up with a Powerplant Summer staffer there too.  He’s definitely much cooler than me.
  • To say that I’m jacked up about Quantum of Solace, the new Bond movie, is an understatement.  I grew up watching Bond almost every summer at my grandparents house.  They were great memories for me, and Casino Royale definitely revived the franchise completely.  Daniel Craig is tied with Connery in my opinion.  I’ve been catching up by watching old Bond movies.
  • In case you want my order of favorite bonds, it goes: Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and Timothy Dalton.
  • I’ve been bumping my work out up even more.  I’m up to 50 minutes on the elliptical, going about 4.5 miles.  Hopefully by the end of the month I’ll reach my goal of 1 hour and 5+ miles.  I do this MWF.
  • I have a HORRIBLE habit of snacking late at night.  I have a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios every night around 10:30pm.  But around midnight I still get hungry.  Anyone have any ideas on something that’s filling and not horrible for you?  I have to get rid of this habit.
  • Mel and I are already about halfway done with our Christmas shopping!  It’s a great feeling.  I’ve already got her presents picked out, and some of them bought.  We’ve still got a few more to get, but I’m feeling good about it.

Hiatus Over (yet again)

Nov 1st, 08 / 1 Comment

It was an unexpected hiatus, but the past week has been ridiculously busy.  I had a morning off this week, but have been going non-stop every other day.  So let me catch you up with a mind-dump.

  • ‘Tis my habit, it’s of course late getting started with my blog.  There’s a lot to catch up on… this might be a long one.
  • It’s too late by now, but hopefully you set your clocks back an hour.  We gain an hour this weekend!
  • This week we have finished some details on our churches location.  For those who don’t know, we signed a proposed contract after a year (or more?) of conversation with Cinemedia regarding meeting in a local movie theater.  Cinemedia didn’t do their due diligence to learn about the theater in spite of our long-term interest… so it ended up falling through because the owner of the town center the theater is in refuses to let churches in.
  • A few weeks ago, God opened a door for us to possibly have our own space.  This week we looked over several details about getting into our own warehouse space.  It will require a little work, but minimal build out.  It’s not huge, but we can double while we’re there and if we went to 2 services we could quadruple.  More on this coming soon, but I’m excited we’ll finally have a place to meet.
  • I’m excited to get back to Sunday morning services.  It’s been weird meeting on Sunday nights, and way too easy to get lazy.
  • We have had a little staff changes this week getting ready to prepare ourselves for effectiveness.  It’s still a work in progress, but I’m excited about it!
  • Halloween was lame this year.  It was good to hang with friends, but next year I’m sure it will be much more fun with Shay!  Mel did take him trick or treating… but I called it ‘too-cold-for-baby & treats-for-mom-and-dad’.  Horrible title, I know.
  • Anyone know someone who wants to get rid of a tmobile blackberry?  A friend lost theirs and needs to replace it!
  • We had a block party today in our neighborhood.  It was great to meet some neighbors we haven’t had a chance to yet.  You HAVE to create an excuse to meet your neighbors… it’s worth it.
  • On that, you know your neighborhood is redneck when you hear someone say “I have to have a cigarette with my beer!”  Even more so when they bring both to a block party. :)
  • Tonight we went to my Uncle and Aunt’s in Marietta for my grandparents 60th Anniversary celebration.  They are an awesome example… they still love each other a ton!  They communicate on a whole ‘nutha level.  Last year was the big party… for the 59th… I know, odd – but that’s how we roll.
  • We had lobster tonight for the anniversary celebration.  I LOVE lobster.  That’s lobster and crab both 3 times this year – you’d think we were related to Bill Gates!
  • How in the WORLD did Ben Affleck get to host SNL this week?  Did he pay them off?  I don’t think anyone still likes that guy…
  • Next week Kings of Leon will be on SNL.  SNL jumped the shark years ago (if that phrase applies to this type of show), but they’ve had some good acts on.  Except for the American Idol winner…
  • Going to see Coldplay with Teddy in a few weeks.  It’ll be a lot of fun hanging with my brother.
  • The new Hillsong London really bummed me out.  I was looking forward to it.  Taylor Swift’s album is coming next week… Taylor won’t let me down!  Lincoln Brewsters album is awesome!  Go pick it up… if for no other reason than this track!
  • Taylor Swift is great… probably the only pop music I like. :)  I don’t think she classifies as country anymore.
  • Speaking of new music, U2 and Mute Math are coming out with new albums.  I keep waiting on Hillsong United to release a new one. 
  • I bought a Fender Telecaster this week.  It’s a white nashville telecaster with highway one pickups.  I won’t be spending a ton on my rig, but I’ve got a Crate tube amp, a tube screamer, and I may pick up a delay.  I got a great deal on Craigslist.  I’ll probably post a pic with all my guitars soon.
  • I spent the first part of the week at NAMB helping with some World Changers/Powerplant stuff.  I should say observing instead… those guys were studs.  I just watched them do their thing!  On a positive note, I get to go to Barbados as a PC for World Changers International.
  • If you are a youth pastor and haven’t made mission trip plans for next summer yet… you HAVE to sign up for either Powerplant San Francisco or World Changers International to Barbados.  They will be AMAZING weeks that will transform your students lives, and make a huge impact for the kingdom!
  • Next week is another busy one, but I should be back to my regular blogging nonsense!
  • I can’t wait for the new James Bond movie this Thanksgiving… Daniel Craig is tied with Sean Connery as the best bond.  :)  I’m on a Bond kick right now.  I was tempted for a few minutes to pick up the complete 21 disc set… as if I’d ever have the time to watch them all.
  • I’m positive nobody made it this far, but if you did – leave a comment with your favorite Bond and Bond movie!

Sunday Night Mind Dump

Oct 12th, 08 / 1 Comment
  • Tonight we had a GREAT service at church!  I am looking forward to getting back to Sunday mornings, but I also like the laid-back feel of the evenings.  I feel like God is working on something BIG with us!
  • I love that we have a large group of people interested in hanging out after church.  Tonight we had 23 trying to get tables together.  We ended up splitting up, but still it’s awesome.
  • Tonight Geoff Miller helped me move some junk (most of it is just that) out of the storage unit we had at the High School.  They have wanted it back for a few weeks… but it’s not been a priority.  Seriously, Geoff went ABOVE AND BEYOND!
  • I beat out Keith this week with my Fantasy Football team.  That’s saying something, that dude is a sports freak! In fact, by some stroke of luck (seriously) I am now in 2nd place… if it goes like I think it will.
  • We have a new pet at our house… well, kind of.  There’s a red frog that seems to always be in or near my driveway at night.  He just chills there.  I actually stepped on him after putting mail in the mailbox one night.  Any ideas for names?
  • We were blessed to have Nate (sting)Ray in our service today.  Nate is a church planter in Minneapolis on the campus of U of M.  He’s doing a great thing at Jacob’s Well.  Nate and I have just started really getting to know each other through Powerplant, I’m closer to one of his key leaders.  We had several Powerplant folks tonight (Bob-o and Wingo rock!)
  • I pre-ordered the new Call of Duty (seriously, CoD4 is the best game ever made) and got the Beta the other day.  I like it, but it still doesn’t hold a candle to CoD4.  I’ll play it, but whether it stays on my shelf is yet to be seen.  
  • Perry posted the top 10 worst movies on his blog from data he gathered through twitter.  I haven’t heard “Howard the Duck” in a long time… I put it on my netflix, but it’s not out yet on DVD.  That brings back some memories.
  • I ordered some t-shirts for the church… I can’t wait for them to get in!
  • Had a great time at Catalyst.  I hope I get to go next year!
  • Yesterday I got pulled over for going 35mph.  Thirty freaking Five miles an hour!  The cop told me “you were going a little fast weren’t you?”… my response, “no sir, I was only going 35.”  I got a warning.

Saturday Afternoon Mind Dump

Jun 21st, 08 / Comments Off
  • This has been a low-blog week.  It seems to be going around.
  • Next week I’ll probably blog even less… we’re going to Myrtle Beach with Mel’s family.  I’m praying Shay travels well!
  • So thankful that Steve and Kirstin are able to watch Bora – I know they’re busy folks!
  • We had a GREAT night last night.  We invited a bunch of friends over for game night… played Cranium/Kabookie on the Wii and Scene it on the Xbox 360.  It was a lot of fun!
  • Geoff’s brother Korey played a great prank on Kristen.  He hid in the back of her 4-Runner before she left and halfway out of the neighborhood he perked up and said “A little fast for a residential neighborhood, isn’t it?”  I wish I could have been in that car!  She was a great sport about it!
  • I cannot wait for vacation.  I love the beach, and as soon as the wheels leave my driveway I am already happy.
  • Today is a lazy Saturday.  Dig it.
  • The more I listen to the new Coldplay album, the more I like it.  
  • I’m trying to work out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  I do 2 miles/30 minutes on the Elliptical and some upper body stuff.  My goal is to get to an hour on the elliptical by the end of the summer.  I can burn almost 600 calories at my THR if I can reach that goal.  Maybe I could get rid of this weight I acquired after I got married.
  • I’ve sold a bunch of stuff on Craigslist and eBay; and together with change we collect through the year, we have a little over $500 for spending money for our vacations.  I hope they will be fun.  The cash is rolled up on our desk in the kitchen.  It looks like I’m a dealer or something.
  • Yes, I said 2 vacations.  We’re going to Myrtle with Mel’s folks, and we’re using our stimulus check for Mel and I to come to San Francisco for a few days before my work with Powerplant out there.  
  • Sorry, Geoff and Vanessa – Ellie is going to have to wait one more week to come until we get home from the beach!
  • We’re possibly about to make the biggest change in the history of our church at the end of the summer.  I am praying hard about this one.
  • Helping Geoff with his basement has got me inspired to work on my own.  I just need to save up a little bit.  It would be nice to have my office down there and possibly a play room.  
  • My vacation will afford me some time to work on 3 things that I haven’t been able to get done lately: (1) my 12-page application to the DMin program at NOBTS.  (2) Prepare for Labor Day weekend with Central Baptist Church, and (3) Grab some more thoughts down for next year’s Powerplant material.  

Saturday Afternoon Mind Dump

Apr 19th, 08 / 3 Comments
  • I no longer have a badge of honor, and it feels soooooo good.  No badge, but now a little pride.
  • Is it still considered sympathy weight if you get it after your child is born?  I lost weight during Mel’s pregnancy, and now I’m promptly putting it back on.  Getting slimmer as she was getting bigger made me feel good – now I feel horrible.
  • I still need to get to the range and shoot my new revolver.  I hope to get some free time soon.
  • Sneak peak for tomorrow: ‘Your current relationships (and how you treat people) directly reflect your relationship with God.’  If you are rude and obnoxious to others, it’s a good sign that your relationship with God is not too far off from that.  How you treat your spouse or parents (if you’re a student!) exposes other relationships.
  • I gave Mel 2 weeks on a plant she got from her school.  She has the opposite of a green thumb… 2 weeks were up yesterday (and it looked fine).  Today it looks like it was hit by a truck. :)
  • I got to sleep in this morning.  Man, I loved that.  Mel took Shay and went shopping so I could have a quiet house all morning.  She rocks!
  • Got to take Shay to Mel’s school yesterday.  She freaked at the airport because of germs, but somehow 50 middle schoolers didn’t phase her.  I think the kids enjoyed seeing him.
  • Mel’s out at the Melting Pot with the ladies tonight.  Kirstin is getting married soon, and its too bad we can’t go.  I’m glad she gets to spend some time with them though!
  • Saturday TV stinks… only sports on.
  • Sometimes I wish I liked sports more.  It definitely brings people together (and does its share of separating).
  • I already got a birthday card from my in-laws.  They are on top of it, a week early!  I’m not a big ‘birthday’ guy.  The prospect of having an event to celebrate me is awkward to me.
  • If I get a decent summer load at Liberty this summer semester, I’ll probably start working on getting the basement finished.  I’ve already got several contractors ready to call for some quotes.
  • I am LOVING the weather!  I could live where there is NO cold weather.
  • I’m really needing some new music right now.  Gnarls Barley is offering their new cd for free… the catch is that its backwards.  Thanks Audacity for helping me un-reverse it.  It’s really not my cup of tea though.
  • Got a lot done this week, even with watching Shay during the day.  I am NOT discounting people (mostly mothers) who stay at home with their children, but it’s not as hard as I thought.  In fact, I’ve still got a lot of extra time on my hands to get work done.  Maybe it’s because Shay is such a great kid. :)  I love the feeling of getting things done, and I hate the feeling of being behind.  I’m still not caught up 100%, but I’m getting there.
  • Spent a good bit of today cleaning out the garage and the cars.  Mel got the kitchen, and tomorrow we’ll hit up the upstairs.  I love a clean house.
  • My dad calls me randomly now.  I can count on one hand how many times my dad has called me in the past 10 years, but since he’s been a grandpa I hear from him more often.  I love it.  Today I got a random call, he was with his old college(?) roommate Big Bob.  It was great to talk to him too.  Though we don’t see him much, my dad regains his youthfulness when he’s around Big Bob.  

Sunday Night Brain Dump

Jan 6th, 08 / 1 Comment
  • Church Planting makes for a long day!  After getting there at 7:30 to set up, running through the set (I play bass), playing for worship, preaching, then tearing down — I’m worn out!  
  • We’ve got a new guy helping with sound and it is the best its ever been.  He’s a pro and knows exactly what he’s doing!
  • On a similar note, we just got a donation for some new sound equipment.  I’m thinking it will be a digital soundboard.
  • Today we announced some changes we’ll see in the coming weeks.
  • I can’t wait until next Sunday – I’ll get to baptize my next door neighbor.  He’s bringing his whole family!
  • God has blessed us with some amazing friends.
  • We’re in the home stretch for Shay — and I’ll admit, for the first time I’m getting a little nervous.  Dad-hood is going to be great though.
  • Is it weird that I’ve been pumped up about watching American Gladiators?
  • The first contestant on American Gladiators twisted her ankle, and a Gladiator twisted his arm.  What?!  I don’t remember such lameness.
  • American Gladiators again, I’m glad Hulk Hogan isn’t narrating the events, I thought I’d get tired of that.
  • My wife is amazing, I am seriously blessed.
  • The past 4 months have been some of the hardest of my life – but from what God has taught me, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.