Heartsick for NOLA and the Gulf Coast
Aug/31/2008 10:11 PM Filed in: Angels and
Pins
I'm heartsick tonight.
Watching the ominous sight of Gustav, and knowing what I know about NOLA and all of the Gulf Coast?
It's just heartbreaking.
The past three summers, we've taken our mission trips to the Biloxi/Gulfport area. I know I speak for many in our church when I say that we've fallen in love with the people there. They have such good hearts, and are the kind of solid folks anyone would be proud to get to know.
Tonight, I am thinking about them. I am praying for all of them. And I am asking you to pray too. What I have learned in the last three years along the Gulf Coast is that everyone there has a story about the storm. Everyone. You hear stories form waitresses and hotel clerks. Tonight, I feel like sharing a few of the stories I know best, so perhaps you can put a face with your prayers. (Read the rest. Click here)
Watching the ominous sight of Gustav, and knowing what I know about NOLA and all of the Gulf Coast?
It's just heartbreaking.
The past three summers, we've taken our mission trips to the Biloxi/Gulfport area. I know I speak for many in our church when I say that we've fallen in love with the people there. They have such good hearts, and are the kind of solid folks anyone would be proud to get to know.
Tonight, I am thinking about them. I am praying for all of them. And I am asking you to pray too. What I have learned in the last three years along the Gulf Coast is that everyone there has a story about the storm. Everyone. You hear stories form waitresses and hotel clerks. Tonight, I feel like sharing a few of the stories I know best, so perhaps you can put a face with your prayers. (Read the rest. Click here)
Why Did McCain Pick Palin?
Aug/30/2008 11:44 AM Filed in: Thoughts
from Purple Land
I mean the above question this way:
What does this pick say about his
judgement?
It's an important question, because for months McCain's been crowing about how judgment and experience are important. So, given what we know --or rather, what we don't know-- about Sarah Palin, why this person? why this woman? and why right now?
The reason I ask is that the more I learn about her, the less I understand the answers. (Read the rest. Click here)
It's an important question, because for months McCain's been crowing about how judgment and experience are important. So, given what we know --or rather, what we don't know-- about Sarah Palin, why this person? why this woman? and why right now?
The reason I ask is that the more I learn about her, the less I understand the answers. (Read the rest. Click here)
"He's The Best I've Ever Seen"
Aug/29/2008 01:49 PM Filed in: Thoughts
from Purple Land
Last night was historic in many ways. Many of those
ways have been duly noted in papers and
blogs
around the nation today.
But last night was historic in one intensely personal way too. It marked the first, and only, time in my entire life that my favorite candidate for President actually came away with his/her party's nomination.
I've been a political junkie for years. Never before, in all my years, have I backed the right horse right from the starting gate.
Back in 2005, Dennise and I got something perhaps a lot of other folks didn't get: an early, albeit brief, glimpse at the phenomenon that was to become Barack Obama.
I write this blog today not to endorse a candidate, since neither Dennise nor I ever would ever do that. But I'd like to tell you about that brief meeting, why I believe Obama won the nomination, and why --discounting the genuine novelty of actually being *right* for once-- I am not surprised he is the Democratic nominee.
(Read the rest. Click here)
But last night was historic in one intensely personal way too. It marked the first, and only, time in my entire life that my favorite candidate for President actually came away with his/her party's nomination.
I've been a political junkie for years. Never before, in all my years, have I backed the right horse right from the starting gate.
Back in 2005, Dennise and I got something perhaps a lot of other folks didn't get: an early, albeit brief, glimpse at the phenomenon that was to become Barack Obama.
I write this blog today not to endorse a candidate, since neither Dennise nor I ever would ever do that. But I'd like to tell you about that brief meeting, why I believe Obama won the nomination, and why --discounting the genuine novelty of actually being *right* for once-- I am not surprised he is the Democratic nominee.
(Read the rest. Click here)
How to Save $13,636 While Driving 100,000 Miles
Aug/23/2008 06:38 PM Filed in: Thoughts
from Purple Land
Did I get your attention with that headline?
Hope so.
Because I'm not kidding, and I've done the math to prove it. I am about to tell you how Dennise and I saved $13,636 by driving 100,000 miles.
Let me raise the stakes.
Driving that same 100,000 miles, we also reduced dangerous greenhouse gases by 78,875 pounds, roughly the equivalent of a highly polluting car's five-year output.
"Wait," you say, "there must be catch. This is like one of those commercials on late-night TV, right? Nobody gives you money for driving a car. Nobody saves greenhouse gases by driving that much."
Ah, dear reader, but that's where you'd be wrong. Because you see, there's a very simple answer to how it's very, very possible...possible for just about anyone, really.
The answer is this: You can drive 100,000 miles, save $13,636, and eliminate the greenhouse gases equivalent to the average car all by doing one simple thing:
Drive a Toyota Prius.
(Read the rest. Click here)
Hope so.
Because I'm not kidding, and I've done the math to prove it. I am about to tell you how Dennise and I saved $13,636 by driving 100,000 miles.
Let me raise the stakes.
Driving that same 100,000 miles, we also reduced dangerous greenhouse gases by 78,875 pounds, roughly the equivalent of a highly polluting car's five-year output.
"Wait," you say, "there must be catch. This is like one of those commercials on late-night TV, right? Nobody gives you money for driving a car. Nobody saves greenhouse gases by driving that much."
Ah, dear reader, but that's where you'd be wrong. Because you see, there's a very simple answer to how it's very, very possible...possible for just about anyone, really.
The answer is this: You can drive 100,000 miles, save $13,636, and eliminate the greenhouse gases equivalent to the average car all by doing one simple thing:
Drive a Toyota Prius.
(Read the rest. Click here)
Where The Wild Things Are
Aug/22/2008 05:47 PM Filed in: Life Happens
In our North Dallas suburban neighborhood,
apparently....
(Read the rest. Click here)
(Read the rest. Click here)
Why I Hate Email
Aug/22/2008 09:02 AM Filed in: Life Happens
Over the past few years, I have come to a growing and
inescapable conclusion:
I now hate email.
Given the fact that, among my close family and friends, I am still probably the most wired-in person they know, it may sound as if I've gone off some deep end. Maybe you're thinking this makes me a cultural luddite.
I don't care.
But the facts of the matter are that I have grown to hate email for three basic reasons:
1) There's too much of it, and
2) People don't know how to use it, and
3) It can be so easily misunderstood in ways that face-to-face communication almost never is.
For months now, I believed I was alone in this growing distaste. But then, several weeks back, I stumbled on blogger and time management guru Tim Ferriss, author of the book "The Four Hour Workweek." Tim hates email so much that he's all but eliminated it from his life. And he's the most "wired" guy that most of his friends know. Inspired by him, I quickly used some of what I'll write below in a sermon.
Then, yesterday, that hip and happenin' cultural barometer known as the Dallas Morning News (turn on your sarcasm detectors) posted a story, titled "Overloaded in boxes lead to email backlash." And I suddenly knew that email-hate was a true current phenomenon in our cultural zeitgeist.
So, dear readers, if you feel the same growing anger about email that I do, know this:
-- You are not alone.
-- There are things you can do about it. (Read the rest. Click here)
Given the fact that, among my close family and friends, I am still probably the most wired-in person they know, it may sound as if I've gone off some deep end. Maybe you're thinking this makes me a cultural luddite.
I don't care.
But the facts of the matter are that I have grown to hate email for three basic reasons:
1) There's too much of it, and
2) People don't know how to use it, and
3) It can be so easily misunderstood in ways that face-to-face communication almost never is.
For months now, I believed I was alone in this growing distaste. But then, several weeks back, I stumbled on blogger and time management guru Tim Ferriss, author of the book "The Four Hour Workweek." Tim hates email so much that he's all but eliminated it from his life. And he's the most "wired" guy that most of his friends know. Inspired by him, I quickly used some of what I'll write below in a sermon.
Then, yesterday, that hip and happenin' cultural barometer known as the Dallas Morning News (turn on your sarcasm detectors) posted a story, titled "Overloaded in boxes lead to email backlash." And I suddenly knew that email-hate was a true current phenomenon in our cultural zeitgeist.
So, dear readers, if you feel the same growing anger about email that I do, know this:
-- You are not alone.
-- There are things you can do about it. (Read the rest. Click here)
Goodbye, Stratopastor
Aug/20/2008 08:42 AM Filed in: Balcony
People
Last Saturday, Rusty King and I were honored to sit
in on a little "family time" at First United
Methodist Church of Sachse. It was a time of prayer
and grieving that the church had shaped, as people
began to deal with their shock and grief over the
death of Russ Noland two days before.
Those who had gathered had set up a beautiful make-shift altar to Russ at the front of the chancel area. It had all sorts of momentoes of Russ' life. There were religious object, as you might expect. But there were also things like a vinyl copy of the Blue Brother's album, an Elmo puppet, and some Ray Bans. And, of course, Russ' stratocaster.
Brady Waters spoke (btw: he's another in a long line of fine ministry products to come out of fumcr. I'm just sayin') and did a nice job balancing the sense of grief people were feeling with the message that those left in life will continue on in their work. The most amazing thing of all is that Stephanie Noland, Russ' wife, spoke for about 15-20 minutes. She talked about Russ. She joked about Russ. She tenderly and beautifully addressed the Sachse Church, and even some individuals there, telling them how much they meant to Russ and to her. Frankly, I don't know how she did it, but it was beautiful.
Russ was a blogger. Somedays I think, "Isn't everyone?" But Russ had blog-fans scattered out around the country....folks who've been going to his Facebook page to leave their condolences this week. They talk about how, even though they never met him, they felt like they knew him through his blogs. The name of his blog was "Stratopastor."
IMHO, this is one of the best blog names ever. Not only is it catchy, it really describes Russ.
Russ WAS the Stratopastor. (Read the rest. Click here)
Those who had gathered had set up a beautiful make-shift altar to Russ at the front of the chancel area. It had all sorts of momentoes of Russ' life. There were religious object, as you might expect. But there were also things like a vinyl copy of the Blue Brother's album, an Elmo puppet, and some Ray Bans. And, of course, Russ' stratocaster.
Brady Waters spoke (btw: he's another in a long line of fine ministry products to come out of fumcr. I'm just sayin') and did a nice job balancing the sense of grief people were feeling with the message that those left in life will continue on in their work. The most amazing thing of all is that Stephanie Noland, Russ' wife, spoke for about 15-20 minutes. She talked about Russ. She joked about Russ. She tenderly and beautifully addressed the Sachse Church, and even some individuals there, telling them how much they meant to Russ and to her. Frankly, I don't know how she did it, but it was beautiful.
Russ was a blogger. Somedays I think, "Isn't everyone?" But Russ had blog-fans scattered out around the country....folks who've been going to his Facebook page to leave their condolences this week. They talk about how, even though they never met him, they felt like they knew him through his blogs. The name of his blog was "Stratopastor."
IMHO, this is one of the best blog names ever. Not only is it catchy, it really describes Russ.
Russ WAS the Stratopastor. (Read the rest. Click here)
The Reach
Aug/18/2008 08:10 AM Filed in: Balcony
People
It's been a strange couple of days filled with life
and death. My Treo says that today I'm having lunch
with Russ Noland. I plan to be there. I'm having a
hard time believing he won't.
In the midst of that sadness, a beautiful story of the beginning of new life and hope. August 13 was Dan Fogelberg's birthday, and the story below comes from his wife Jean. Since his death, she's written several moving emails to his fans about Dan's legacy, music, and the honest struggles she's going through coping with his death.
I will note that this email was written on the day Russ died. Which she could not have known, of course. Everyone who loves Connections cannot not help but note it. "The Reach" has become one of our favorite Dan Fogelberg songs in our live tribute to him. It's the next-to-last song before the obligatory "Gambler." It features just about the whole band, and you can hear our version below, as you read this beautiful story from Jean Fogelberg. (Read the rest. Click here)
In the midst of that sadness, a beautiful story of the beginning of new life and hope. August 13 was Dan Fogelberg's birthday, and the story below comes from his wife Jean. Since his death, she's written several moving emails to his fans about Dan's legacy, music, and the honest struggles she's going through coping with his death.
I will note that this email was written on the day Russ died. Which she could not have known, of course. Everyone who loves Connections cannot not help but note it. "The Reach" has become one of our favorite Dan Fogelberg songs in our live tribute to him. It's the next-to-last song before the obligatory "Gambler." It features just about the whole band, and you can hear our version below, as you read this beautiful story from Jean Fogelberg. (Read the rest. Click here)
Russ Noland
Aug/15/2008 10:00 AM Filed in: Balcony
People
I've just returned from San Antonio, and several days
there, to some shocking news: Russ Noland died of a
massive heart attack last night. Russ, as many will
remember, was one of our guitarists in Connections.
He was also my colleague, serving as minister of FUMC Sachse for many years now. The unfolding news is that Russ died even before reaching the hospital, after suffering the attack at about 11 pm. (Read the rest. Click here)
He was also my colleague, serving as minister of FUMC Sachse for many years now. The unfolding news is that Russ died even before reaching the hospital, after suffering the attack at about 11 pm. (Read the rest. Click here)
Obama's Plane (An Impressive, Mid-Campaign Smear)
Aug/07/2008 08:31 AM Filed in: Thoughts
from Purple Land
As some readers know, every so often I get an email
smear that is so over-the-top, I feel the need to
correct it here. I did it a couple of months ago,
with an email that, incredulously, claimed more
soldiers had died under Clinton and Carter than under
President Bush. Of course, it wasn't true. And if you
missed that entry,
knock yourself out.
The mid-season smear-de-jour (does that make me sound too French?) is about Obama's airplane, and the ominous and unpatriotic assertion that he painted over an American flag.
But as with every email smear, just because something is literally true doesn't mean you have the whole context. And so, I'd like to give it to you. (Context, that is...) (Read the rest. Click here)
The mid-season smear-de-jour (does that make me sound too French?) is about Obama's airplane, and the ominous and unpatriotic assertion that he painted over an American flag.
But as with every email smear, just because something is literally true doesn't mean you have the whole context. And so, I'd like to give it to you. (Context, that is...) (Read the rest. Click here)
The New Website is Here! The New Website is Here! We're SOMEBODY!!!!
Aug/06/2008 08:02 AM Filed in: Music News
Hey Everybody:
I've got fun music news about Connections Band for you:
1) Our website is now official
2) We want your vote for your favorite songs
3) We're calling it $40K
4) Upcoming Shows (Read the rest. Click here)
I've got fun music news about Connections Band for you:
1) Our website is now official
2) We want your vote for your favorite songs
3) We're calling it $40K
4) Upcoming Shows (Read the rest. Click here)
Homestretch
Aug/05/2008 02:55 PM Filed in: Balcony
People
My longtime friend, Sheri Bylander has produced and
directed a marvelous documentary that I hope you'll
check out. It's called "Homestrech" and it tells the
story of two groups --prisoners and outcast horses--
and the hopeful things that happen when they get
together.
Here's what the website says about it: (Read the rest. Click here)
Here's what the website says about it: (Read the rest. Click here)
A test post
Aug/04/2008 04:03 PM Filed in: Life Happens
OK. I've now tried twice to post a blog, and had
something go horribly wrong both times.
So, for my own sanity, I need to see if I can do a normal post. Sorry for the clutter. (Read the rest. Click here)
So, for my own sanity, I need to see if I can do a normal post. Sorry for the clutter. (Read the rest. Click here)
I'm All a-Twitter (Yes, That's Horribly Cliche. Sue me.)
Aug/03/2008 04:22 PM Filed in: Life Happens
In my shameless efforts to stay hip and current, I
thought I'd let you all know I've joined Twitter.
I've also joined Facebook. As I said when I joined
Myspace, this probably marks the moment when both of
these things become officially un-hip. Which, of
course, has been an un-hip way to describe un-hip
things for about two decades now.
So the truth is, I'm not that hip. But for those of you where are, here's the scoop... (Read the rest. Click here)
So the truth is, I'm not that hip. But for those of you where are, here's the scoop... (Read the rest. Click here)