i can't believe this kid is 2

http://smilestore.picturepeople.com/my/images?tk=5560f321-c9bf-4688-a517-ceffe28875eb

mase counts to ten

Apparently this freaky-looking bird was in my parents yard yesterday trying to eat the fish and turtle out of their pond. There's no point to this story, except to show you what a freaky-looking bird this was. What the crap kind of bird is this?

review - the altar and the door, casting crowns

One of the most common complaints I hear about a band like Casting Crowns is that nobody wants another band/artist like MercyMe. There are just too many out there that all sound the same (see Downhere, Michael W. Smith, Shawn McDonald, Shane & Shane, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Aaron Shust, Tree 63, Jeremy Camp, blah blah blah). I'm with you. Other than for 3 or 4 songs, MercyMe (and most of those others) is just way too overrated. On some level I can understand putting CC in with this group. I'm talking mostly on the musical and general style level. On the lyrical level, I'd strongly disagree.

I think it is very difficult to combine good quality sound with creative & theologically sound lyrics. There are too many artists out there who write Christian lyrics at the expense of making a good quality song (the current examples are Todd Agnew and Matthew West - absolutely horrible). Most have captured a decent sound but lack any creativity in their lyrics (see most of the bands originally listed). It's here where CC sets themselves apart from the others.

This album does not disappoint. I'm not convinced that they've surpassed the genius of their previous album Lifesong, however this one certainly isn't far behind. The best songs are #3 Slow Fade, #4 East to West, #7 Somewhere in the Middle, #8 I Know You're There.

what i call "pulling a Shawna"...

...since she did this twice as a kid (bit through her tongue). Thankfully this one didn't require stitches, or at least the doctors just didn't want to attempt to hold him down. =)

EEK!

No, "EEK" is not in reference to my new nephew's initials, it is an expression of my excitement about the new Radiohead album In Rainbows being released on October 10th!!! Most of you could give a flying leap about this band, but perhaps you will change your mind after they are all dead since they are artistic genius'.

The band: Radiohead. The genre: Genius Rock.
Genius Rock, people. Genius Rock.

decisions decisions decisions

Boy am I tired of making decisions that affect the rest of our lives. My current quandry is once again in relation to school. To make a long story short, I am currently in the Counseling Licensure program at D Sem, but strongly considering making a slight change to the Counseling Ministries program. I'd be shorting myself the ability to counsel in a clinical setting (the mental health arena), but availing myself to be trained more deeply in spiritual health, the arena where my heart truly lies. The logical advice I receive is to go for the licensure anyway and keep my options open. The "heart" advice I receive (and am most drawn to) is that Kari and I have taken leaps of faith to even get to this position, and to take one more small step and follow my passion. The downside: I'd be less marketable. The upside: I'd be on the road to doing what I truly feel called to do. Is this a trusting God issue? or a taking-the-easy-road-out issue? I await the Holy Spirit's direction. In the meantime I covet your prayers and welcome your words (since that is often how the Spirit manifests his own voice).

lunchtime | naptime

Make sure your sound is on...

moving out

Well, we're moving out of our apartment this weekend, only to go back into my in-laws basement. =) The plan is to be there for 3 months or so, save up some sweet mulah with Uncle Rico, and look for a house to purchase in Parker (about 10 min. east of where we live now). Parker is close to our beloved church, as well as to some family.
Also, I finally sold my sweet Chevy Cavalier and bought my boss' old truck for work. From one beater to another...but at least the truck is a bit more manly. Plus now I'm more official as a window and door installer guy. It wasn't much fun showing up to construction sites in my tupperware-mobile.

weekly schedule

My family (ok, so it's just my mom) likes to know my schedule and I'm not sure I ever shared it because it's just stablized. So here's an average week for me.

Sun: Church (am), homework/rest/prep for the edge (pre-teen youth group), the edge (pm), family time, homework, bed

Mon: Work, basketball with church guys (every other week), bed

Tues: Work, family time, homework, bed

Wed: Work, family time, homework, bed

Thurs (class day): Take Mason to Elgards, Counseling Theories, lunch, Psychopathology, break, Intro to School Counseling, family time, bed

Fri: Breakfast with church guys (every other week), work, family time, bed

Sat: family time/errands, homework, family time/church friends time

linkin park concert

So I recently found out that a friend from church is related (thru marriage) to David the bass player for Linkin Park. Last week he offers me a VIP ticket he got from David to last Monday's concert here in Denver. Let me just say it was all I expected it to be: it freakin rocked.

The strange part was that I was listening to a lot of f-bombs standing right next to my pastor. The sweet part was that my pastor was standing right next to me during a Linkin Park concert. We got there in time to see a little bit of Taking Back Sunday, and then My Chemical Romance. MCR is one of my favorite secular bands right now, but the concert made me a bit less of a fan. Not that I should have expected much from the lead singer, but he was freakin strange and a whole bunch of scary. The music was still good. But then Linkin Park closed out the show and aside from the barrage of f-bombs, they were freaking sweet. Great show.

message

I spoke at church today on loving God through loving others. You can download it from www.hillsidechurchfamily.org (under the "Sundays" and "Audio" links) if you're interested or just bored. I'd love any feedback from anyone who listens to it.