LEAD Conference

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Image1On October 22-24 the LEAD Conference begins in St. Louis.  From the website...

We are gathering some of the best leaders to equip, encourage and employ up and coming urban leaders.  Our focus will be on the theological and practical implications of ministry in an urban context. There will be three breakout tracks for leaders to participate in: Church Planting, Mercy, and Arts. ...We will learn together, grow together and change the world together. 

The conference coincides with an Acts 29 Boot Camp, and the list of speakers is top notch: Bryan Chapell, Darrin Patrick, Daniel Montgomery, Eric Mason, Randy Nabors, and Matt Carter. Breakout tracks include church planting, arts, and mercy.  Should be great.  If things are ok at the time with my wife's "illness," I hope to go.

Music Monday 8.4.08

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I know I sing the praises of Bon Iver like every week.  But it just keeps getting better!  No joke.  Watch this video of Bon Iver and Bowerbirds covering a Sarah Siskind track (via)... 

Like the Bowerbirds and want more? I hear you. How about a Take Away Show. Here's "Dark Horse"...

This is cool, even with a degraded video quality. Gnarles Barkley does Radiohead's "Reckoner"...

What? You need something "old school?" I'll give you two. Slaughter's "Fly to the Angels"...

And Skid Row's "Youth Gone Wild"...

The Big 5: Short Books

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Tiny_book_largeI love short books.  Really love them.  I think too many times authors write "book-length" books because that's what you do.  But when I find a good short-and-to-the-point book I not only get something worth reading, but also giving away.  As a pastor, finding shorter books that are quick reads to give away is something I search out.  So...

What are your Big 5 short books/quick reads? (Please list exact # of pages)

I almost called this the books under 100 pages, but that's too narrow.  For example, Mahaney's Living the Cross Centered Life is about 150 pages.  But it also has small dimensions, so it would read like a wider & taller book at 100 pages or so.  Pick books that feel like quick reads, that you might give to someone who isn't a reader.  Get it?  Go!

Lots-o-Links & Molly Update 7.29.08

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Quick update on Molly & Chiari.  Her MRI's haven't happened yet as our local hospitals don't have the equipment to do the specialized ones she needs.  So we either have to go closer to the city or wait until her appointment with her surgeon in September.  Dunno what's going to happen just yet.  I'll let you know.

Some days are better than others right now.  The last few have been pretty bad, though the worst of symptoms from last year haven't shown up yet.  Glad about that.  Thanks for praying for her. 

Here's David Ford's "Song for the Road," which I put up here as a tribute to my wife who is in constant pain, hourly frustrations.  Should she ever wonder if I will be there when she needs me...

Now I know someday this all will be over
And it's hard to say what most will I miss
Just give me one way to spend my last moments alive,
and I choose this, I choose this, I choose this.

Recently on sub•text...
Neighborhood Diversity | Smaller Cities and Towns
Male, Middle Class, and White | Suburbs vs. Christianity

Other links...

Joe Thorn is rebooting his prayer life.  I'm actually planning some extended prayer in the near future.  Good thoughts from Joe.

Al Hsu points to more Andy Crouch Culture Making stuff.  Excerpts and more.

New Wendell Berry short story in The Atlantic.

David Powlison on Breaking Pornography Addiction.

Jonathan Dodson: Dark Thoughts from The Dark Knight

Ben Arment: How to Attract High-Caliber Leaders to Your Church

William Willimon: Pastoral Wisdom

Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat audiobook FOR FREE!  Get it now, only a few days left.

Kay Ryan is the new U.S. Poet Laureate.

JD Greear: Writing Stuff Down

Paul Tripp has a potty mouth, and he's right on the money...

Lots-o-Links & Molly Update 7.29.08

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Quick update on Molly & Chiari.  Her MRI's haven't happened yet as our local hospitals don't have the equipment to do the specialized ones she needs.  So we either have to go closer to the city or wait until her appointment with her surgeon in September.  Dunno what's going to happen just yet.  I'll let you know.

Some days are better than others right now.  The last few have been pretty bad, though the worst of symptoms from last year haven't shown up yet.  Glad about that.  Thanks for praying for her. 

Here's David Ford's "Song for the Road," which I put up here as a tribute to my wife who is in constant pain, hourly frustrations.  Should she ever wonder if I will be there when she needs me...

Now I know someday this all will be over
And it's hard to say what most will I miss
Just give me one way to spend my last moments alive,
and I choose this, I choose this, I choose this.

Recently on sub•text...
Neighborhood Diversity | Smaller Cities and Towns
Male, Middle Class, and White | Suburbs vs. Christianity

Other links...

Joe Thorn is rebooting his prayer life.  I'm actually planning some extended prayer in the near future.  Good thoughts from Joe.

Al Hsu points to more Andy Crouch Culture Making stuff.  Excerpts and more.

New Wendell Berry short story in The Atlantic.

David Powlison on Breaking Pornography Addiction.

Jonathan Dodson: Dark Thoughts from The Dark Knight

Ben Arment: How to Attract High-Caliber Leaders to Your Church

William Willimon: Pastoral Wisdom

Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat audiobook FOR FREE!  Get it now, only a few days left.

Kay Ryan is the new U.S. Poet Laureate.

JD Greear: Writing Stuff Down

Paul Tripp has a potty mouth, and he's right on the money...

Music Monday 7.28.08

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Bon Iver (YET AGAIN!) with "Skinny Love" live.  This is awesome...

Please go watch Sera Cahoone's (MySpace) Tiny Desk Concert (about 20 minutes of video). She is really talented. I very much enjoyed her first album. From her first album...

Vampire Weekend is good stuff. I've really enjoyed their album. My favorite song, without a doubt, is "Oxford Comma." It's intelligent, literary and playful (oh, did you see what I did there??!!). I've been trying to find a bleeped out version for the blog for the choice word they use, but I can't find one. Here are three unbleeped versions of "Oxford Comma." First, the official video which at least appears to be one take. Second, a good quality live version. Third, an A cappella college group covering it. Enjoy!

Music Monday 7.28.08

in

Bon Iver (YET AGAIN!) with "Skinny Love" live.  This is awesome...

Please go watch Sera Cahoone's (MySpace) Tiny Desk Concert (about 20 minutes of video). She is really talented. I very much enjoyed her first album. From her first album...

Vampire Weekend is good stuff. I've really enjoyed their album. My favorite song, without a doubt, is "Oxford Comma." It's intelligent, literary and playful (oh, did you see what I did there??!!). I've been trying to find a bleeped out version for the blog for the choice word they use, but I can't find one. Here are three unbleeped versions of "Oxford Comma." First, the official video which at least appears to be one take. Second, a good quality live version. Third, an A cappella college group covering it. Enjoy!

Phriday is for Photos 7.25.08

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Say hello to Dr. Punch!

At the pool.

The first is Danny at Dairy Mart in Huntley, IL after Elijah's All-Star game last night. The second is my legs at the Woodstock pool a few weeks ago. I forgot to take off my leg-sweaters.  Both photos taken with my trusty Sprint Centro. All my photography is on Flickr.

Phriday is for Photos 7.25.08

in

Say hello to Dr. Punch!

At the pool.

The first is Danny at Dairy Mart in Huntley, IL after Elijah's All-Star game last night. The second is my legs at the Woodstock pool a few weeks ago. I forgot to take off my leg-sweaters.  Both photos taken with my trusty Sprint Centro. All my photography is on Flickr.

15 Years of Grace

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Mol good things happenAnyone who really knows me knows I don't deserve to be married to my wife, Molly.  It's was foreshadowed in the pre-wedding photo on the right.  Click for larger view.

Molly is a woman of integrity, sacrifice, love, laughter, intensity, grace, forgiveness, thankfulness, hope, humility and long-suffering (especially long-suffering).  She is a Mom who deeply loves our kids and would (and does) do anything to give them what they need.  Here's the understatement of the year: She is a wife who accepts me as I am, despite what I do or don't do, despite the sanctification that I resist.  AND she is freaking hot, I mean the Queen of Hotness hot, I mean more attractive now than ever hot (especially with her summer tan, hubba hubba). 

After 15 years of marriage I am still astonished that God put such a wonderful woman in my life.  But He did, and my life is so much better because of His goodness and grace.  I love you Sweetheart.  You are my best friend.

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15 Years of Grace

in

Mol good things happenAnyone who really knows me knows I don't deserve to be married to my wife, Molly.  It's was foreshadowed in the pre-wedding photo on the right.  Click for larger view.

Molly is a woman of integrity, sacrifice, love, laughter, intensity, grace, forgiveness, thankfulness, hope, humility and long-suffering (especially long-suffering).  She is a Mom who deeply loves our kids and would (and does) do anything to give them what they need.  Here's the understatement of the year: She is a wife who accepts me as I am, despite what I do or don't do, despite the sanctification that I resist.  AND she is freaking hot, I mean the Queen of Hotness hot, I mean more attractive now than ever hot (especially with her summer tan, hubba hubba). 

After 15 years of marriage I am still astonished that God put such a wonderful woman in my life.  But He did, and my life is so much better because of His goodness and grace.  I love you Sweetheart.  You are my best friend.

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The Big 5: Books You Haven't Read

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Homer_simpson_doh_02Who doesn't love a little humiliation? 

What are the Big 5 books you are ashamed to say you haven't read?

Admit what you haven't read, books that are supposed to be awesome or "required reading."  You should feel some shame in admitting it.  It should confound your closest friends.  Sure, we know you haven't read a few classical novels that many people have read.  But who cares?  Give us the scoop on the MOST embarrassing books you have neglected.  Who knows?  Maybe it will light a fire under your butt to get'r done.

The Big 5: Books You Haven't Read

in ,

Homer_simpson_doh_02Who doesn't love a little humiliation? 

What are the Big 5 books you are ashamed to say you haven't read?

Admit what you haven't read, books that are supposed to be awesome or "required reading."  You should feel some shame in admitting it.  It should confound your closest friends.  Sure, we know you haven't read a few classical novels that many people have read.  But who cares?  Give us the scoop on the MOST embarrassing books you have neglected.  Who knows?  Maybe it will light a fire under your butt to get'r done.

Music Monday 7.21.08

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I put off getting the new Coldplay until I really felt like I had to have it. X&Y just didn't work for me. But now that I have Viva la Vida and I'm really enjoying it.  How about you?  Do you like it?

A new She & Him video: "Why do you let me stay here?"

If you haven't heard the Avett Brothers sing "Murder in the City" yet, you need to. Here's the MP3. Pitchfork thinks there are some overlooked 2008 albums you should check out. Odds are some of them will be quite weird. But I know some of them are wonderful.

Can't remember if I put up this great Bon Iver video before. It doesn't embed correctly (too wide), so just go watch it. 

Radiohead continues to do weird 'n' wonderful things. Like in their new "House of Cards" video...