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.
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.
Anyone 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.
Anyone 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.
Who 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.
Who 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.
Tim Keller has a new article out in the latest edition of the Vineyard's Cutting Edge magazine. It's called "Process Managing Church Growth" (HT: Jonathan Dodson).
Tim Keller has a new article out in the latest edition of the Vineyard's Cutting Edge magazine. It's called "Process Managing Church Growth" (HT: Jonathan Dodson).
Daytrotter has released a free, 4 track download from Bon Iver. Ahh, the goodness of it all.
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...
I failed to mention that a couple of days ago I posted an article at sub•text: "Redemptive View of Suburbia."
I know people will probably go all over the redemption map on this one, but that's fine.
What are your Big 5 books on The Cross?
Go!
Two quick family updates.
Molly & Chiari: Molly has received a prescription to get some MRI's done and now has an appointment on Thursday of this week. These will be sent to her surgeon to see if they note any significant changes or problems. They are also going to check her CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) flow to see if/how much it's blocked, I believe through another MRI. If there's anything I know about Molly and her Chiari issues it's that laying still in one position for long at all is very painful and frustrating for her. Getting the MRI's will be an ordeal.
Her symptoms have been pretty bad. Every day is painful and she often feels nauseous (a symptom she never felt before with Chiari). The one thing we are happy about is that she isn't struggling much with balance issues. A few bad stretches, but not like last year. Thanks for your prayers. I'll update when something happens.
Elijah the All-Star: We finally got the schedule for Elijah's all-star games, not that you care. But we were very surprised to find out the first game is this Sunday morning at 9:30am. We knew he could have a Sunday game, but we never assumed it would be in the morning. We felt compelled to have him play since they only have a 12 player roster and at try-outs they said you have to be able to play all games (that was before the schedule came out). But we also felt compelled to show our son and those on the team that we have priorities that trump baseball.
So I pulled Elijah in to my office and showed him the schedule. He looked at me puzzled by the Sunday morning game. I asked him what he thought he should do. He said, "Go to church." No fight, no tears, no depression, no struggle, no whining. He has his priorities in order. I'm very, very proud of my little boy, and this Sunday we will be missing an all-star game in order to worship the one who made the stars. Geez, that was cheesy.
Yeah, that's right. It's time to pour yourself and your significant other some Courvoisier and warm up in front of 120 minutes of pure romance...
What are your Big 5 romantic movies?
It's ok. I know some of you will mention cheesy stuff. No worries. Others will mention movies that don't seem all that romantic. But this is YOUR Big 5, no one else's. And sure, mention a romantic comedy if you like. But just because there is a relationship in the movie doesn't make it romantic. It should sweep her off her feet or shine a light on her Prince Charming. It may find her in need of rescue! It may find him fighting for her life! Please, nothing steamy. Let's leave that for after the movie (pre-married couples not included).
I'm really digging Cut Copy's (MySpace) In Ghost Colours lately. Fun music, play it loud and dance. "Feel the Love" is a favorite. Here's "Hearts on Fire"...
and "Lights and Music"...
Need to see some new Death Cab for Cutie? I knew it! Here you go...
One last piece of video goodness comes from the really wonderful Fleet Foxes (MySpace) off their self-titled album. Here's "White Winter Hymnal"...
Joe Thorn and I have launched a new blog and ministry called sub•text, on the preaching and practice of the gospel in the suburban context. The blog includes new articles we are writing on suburban mission, quick hits on the latest relevant news and information, interviews with pastors, theologians, church planters and authors concerning suburban mission, and more. We are also planning a forum for fall 2008 with Al Hsu, author of The Suburban Christian. More forums are in the works for early 2009. Head over to sub•text and join the conversation.
You have beliefs, doctrinal convictions, mission convictions, and much more. Some of those are different than what they used to be. Maybe someone helped to change your mind. At times there's a book that challenged us and helped to change our minds.
What are your Big 5 books that changed your mind?
This won't work unless you give us a phrase or two on what actually changed about your thinking, beliefs, doctrines, whatever. You may not have 5, and that's fine. Oh, and if you want to cheat and use a book of the Bible, I'll let that slide here. Please only do that once, though.
Joe Thorn and I have an announcement coming on Friday. Stay tuned.
Justin Childers has some great questions from John Bunyan. Do these characterize your life?
If you haven't found it yet, Re:Lit (Resurgence Literature) has a new site.
In sports news, I'm enjoying following the Tour de France, though it doesn't come close to the Lance years. And good news for the Cubs comes in a trade for two pitchers.
I remember years ago hearing Mark Dever talk about the book The Gospel Blimp by Joseph Bayly, a book on how to do and not to do evangelism. The author's sons have put up the comic book version for your enjoyment. Well worth checking out.
Andy Davis talks "Dangers in Reforming a Church." Thoughtful.
How can you encourage expressiveness in worship? Some thoughts from Bob Kauflin.
Jonathan Dodson: Help on leading an organic church and Driscoll on movements.
Chuck Lawless on evangelistic goal setting.
Jeremy Pryor: 3 powerful tools for discipleship.
Craig Groeschel: 10 lessons on developing people.
Matt Chandler audio: Creating pathways for spiritual formation.
Quite coddling your kids. Please! And don't miss the excellent TED video in the article.
Tony Morgan: 9 do's and don'ts for ministry growth.
Prepare for Keller's book The Prodigal God by listening to his sermon The Prodigal Sons.
I was hoping this post would never come. It has.
My wife, Molly, has started to see symptoms from her Chiari I Malformation again. It's pretty close to as bad as her pre-surgery days. Her surgery was July 13th, 2007. She is having great tension in her neck and shoulders. Her hands and feet become numb if she sits for long at all, like a 5 minute car ride. She is having some balance issues and minor issues with thinking and completing thoughts. She feels all day long like she has chugged a bunch of coffee and is jittery and tense. I watched her on both Sunday and Monday barely able to hold a bottle of contact solution as she tried to get contacts in her eyes. Her last remaining symptom from last year, a kind of body jolt, has multiplied and become more severe. So far the symptoms have only gotten worse day by day.
I know many of you prayed for Molly and our family last year. For a year she has been nearly symptom free. Things have changed, and we don't know why. And we don't know what this means for the future. She could see her symptoms go away on their own. We've been told that can happen. We also know it isn't odd for someone like Molly to have multiple surgeries. The doctor has asked for new MRI's to check her Chiari and CSF flow. After he views those we should know more. We aren't sure how fast we will get the prescription and hear from him. I will keep you posted. Please pray.
Here are my posts about Molly & Chiari from over the last year.
