A New Home

My new blog home on the web.

It's been a fun two years here at Blogger, but it's time to move to a new home.

YouTube's Version of "Soon"

When YouTube says something will be posted on your site in a few moments, it could be up to a week (as you can by the three that showed up last night).

Chris Tomlin arm wrestles Charlie Hall

You really have to see this to believe it!

Happy Birthday

Trying this for the second time!! I want it known that I did not forget Chris Tomlin's birthday. YouTube just ate my post.

Here's Chris and Israel Houghton from Passion 07 singing Friend of God.

Happy Birthday Chris!

How Could I Forget???

Happy 34th Birthday to my very favorite worship leader.

Here's Friend of God from Passion '07 with Chris and Israel Houghton.

Bye Bye Blogger?

I haven't been totally happy with Blogger for a while. Too few templates. Not enough flexibility. The beta changes helped, but I was still looking for something more. Along came WordPress. I've been checking it out this weekend and I think it will do everything that I need it to do and give me room to grow.

Here's the link. No word yet on whether the move is permanent, but it's looking promising.

Not for Lack of Trying

I'm feeling really bad because it looks like I totally forgot Chris Tomlin's birthday. On the contrary. I have tried TWICE to post a YouTube video of Chris and Israel Houghton performing Friend of God at Passion '07. So, if multiple versions start showing up.... sorry..

Happy birthday to my favorite worship leader!

Something Different

I'm tired of whining about being tired. Need to talk about something else for a change.

American Photo magazine has a great feature right now on Heroes of Photography. At first I wondered what on earth it could mean, but looking through the bios of the people they chose, it's a mix of people who have shown personal courage in continuing their careers despite obstacles and those who have used their cameras to expose injustice in the world.

The one who caught my eye is Hazel Thompson, a British photojournalist who recently shot the conditions in Philippine children's prisons. The images are striking and heartbreaking. The picture at the top of this blog is hers (and yes, those are kids in prison).

What kept my attention longer was a set of photo essays she's done called "Modern Day Crusaders". This series includes Christian Bikers in the US, cowboy church, surfer outreach projects, hip hop church and the 24/7 prayer team doing outreach in the clubs in Ibiza, Spain.

How very cool to find someone who blends their faith with the passion for photography to expose injustice and to record some of the most interesting areas of missions in our world.

Definitely check out her pictures. She's now among my top 10 photographers.

Nothing to Do But Pray

Remember that amazing opportunity I mentioned last week? Well somewhere between "is this really what I should do?" and "gosh that's a lot of money" I realized, "heck yeah, this is what I should do". Possibly because someone else showed me another option for the summer that was way inferior and possibly because I remembered that I told myself last year that if something like this ever came up I was going to do it no matter where in the world it was.

So, last night, tired as I was, I completed the application. Luckily I had written the essay pieces a couple of days earlier, so that was just cut and paste. I was pretty brain dead while filling in the application. I actually forgot the name of my pastor (I know, I know) and then was stumped at how to describe my relationships with my reference people. Friends? Co-conspirators? Fellow eaters of taco salads? She who regularly slaps me around (my accountability person)? The usual descriptions seem so inadequate.

It was a huge victory to get it out the door. I really had a bad day yesterday. Very physically and emotionally draining. By the time last night came I just wanted to sleep for days. It's a weight off my shoulders to get the application in.

Now there's nothing to do but pray. Please pray for the people reviewing the applications. I really really want to be accepted and get to go on this adventure!!

One More Time

I'm off in a few minutes to what I hope is my last doctor's appointment for a while. I've been feeling a little less exhausted since Sunday. By that I mean I get winded and need a nap after walking 5 minutes, not two. I'm not sure what my doctor's going to do with that, especially since I still have my lovely cold. Yes, after 10 days of anti-biotics and 7 days of Singulair, I'm still sick sick sick. And tired of being sick. I just want to curl up in a ball and sleep for a month or so.

At least 25% girl

You Are 28% Girly

You are a pretty hardcore tomboy, and a very free spirit. Gender roles be dammed, you like to do things your way.

How Girly Are You?

I guess this works with my job, huh?

After More Thought

A friend pointed out to me this weekend that I don't really believe what I wrote in my Sheep Stealing blog a few weeks ago.

So, to clarify...

I think in a local context Bible believing/Bible preaching churches should not be competing for existing sheep, nor should they see local para church organizations (such as IV or the Navs) as competing for the existing sheep. If we're all in the business of the Kingdom of God.

However...

I do have a problem with para church organizations taking leaders away from local churches with the claim they are going to train them, only to get them out of their communities and teach them that they have to stay in this central location. I think this severely damages the local church and is unethical.