Sasquatch Festival

Probably one of the best festivals in Washington (or the country), the Sasquatch Festival released their line up this week. Brad talked a little about how excited he is for it, but after seeing this years line up I know that I must be there this year. It got me to reflecting on the best concert I’ve ever been to. Looking back, it was probably Pantera and White Zombie. I felt my life was in danger because skin heads don’t usually like brown kids, but i just kept to my own and enjoyed the show. I think another one of my favorites was Metallica’s “Poor Touring Me” show in Vancouver B.C. because I got to meet Jason Newsted. Yes!

What are some of your favorite concerts?

American Idol, Degrassi High and Being Sick

Well, I have been out for the past week or so. I’ve been sick as a dog. That’s pretty sick! So as I lie on my sick bed, I’ve been reading my missional church books, keeping up with my stories (American Idol and Lost), reading my friends blogs and not blogging at all myself. I’ll bring life with the brown kid back back now that I’m feeling better. 

The video above is that of David Archuleta, the front runner on American Idol. This kid will win if people aren’t sickened by his “Golly-Gee-Whiz-is-this-really-happening-to-me” persona. It is quite sickening at times. For more on Theology and American Idol, go to Wayne Park’s Blog.

Check out Monkey’s blog if you want to go to see a speaker within the next couple of months who will change you life. Go to Brad’s blog if you want to know what he has found to be the best of 2008 so far. Also, go to Knox’s blog if you want to read about Christine Gregoire visiting his work…oh wait, that’s been on there since valentines day.

It’s been a bummer being sick because it’s been sunny and in the 50’s here in Bellingham. Perfect conditions for walking or longboarding. I am so ready for the spring/summer. I hope that it is actually sunny this year for the summer. Last year it rained a lot and was averaging the 60’s. Stupid Washington weather.

I did watch a movie during this sick time that was worth a one time viewing. It was the Brothers Solomon with Will Arnette (Gob from Arrested Development) and Will Forte (the Falconer from SNL).  Think Dumb and Dumber wanting to make a baby. Trust me, it’s a little funny.

As I was sick I also started watching “Degrassi: the New Generation”. How did I get sucked into this one? Stupid sickness. Speaking of girls who say “aboot”, I saw “An Evening with Kevin Smith”. If you are fan, this is a must see for you.

How is life in the outside world? What’s going on in your life?

The Missional Church

I am going to audit a class called “The Missional Church” in Seattle at Bakke Graduate University from March 10-13. My Church is sending me and Cameron Garcia to audit the class in hopes of gripping a little more of what we are about as a church and also expanding my job  description beyond the Creative Arts.

I am really excited for the class because I thought that after Trinity I wouldn’t be able to learn in this capacity any more due to expenses and such. Luckily I work for a church that appreciates education and is really willing to take thier chances on sending us down to this class to learn more about how to reach the marginalized of our local communities through “current practices of evangelism, reconciliation and justice”(according to the syllabus). I’m really excited for the reading list that I’ve been given:

Theology as Big as the City – Ray Bakke

Sub-merge – John Hayes

Shaping of Things to Come – Michael Frost

Exploring World Mission – Bryant Myers

Missional Church – Darrel Guder

I’m already reading the first two, and I’ve skimmed through “Shaping of Things to Come” so I think I am doing pretty good. I’ll be sure to keep you updated with thoughts and such from my readings.

peace,

ron

Wednesday Weigh In

I couldn’t weigh in this week, because I am sick. I’m talking sick sick. Coughing up lungs and nasty sh*t. I slept most of the day. Didn’t eat much, but I did go to breakfast with Matt Martinson at the Old Town Cafe. That ruled. Thanks Monk!  I started Plato’s Republic and A Theology as Big as the City by Ray Bakke when I was awake. My throat hurts and I have such a big headache that my teeth hurt.

In the mean time, here are some treasures for you to check out: 

If you are interested in becoming a rock star, here is an article I found to help us achieve this dream. If you are wondering WWJB (What Would Jesus Blog), I found his blog here. Also, Check out Monkey’s video’s he made for his Youth Group on their blog here.

Friday Mix Tape

Here is my Friday Mix Tape for this weekend. Lately I’ve been striving toward my goal of losing weight and so I’ve made this mix to pump me up. I like to work out to “angry” music but I like to balance it out with music that doesn’t make me hate my dad for not buying me those parachute pants. Here’s the mix for today:

Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution – AC/DC. Ever since I saw the Nike commercial, this song usually begins my workout.

Cold Hard Bitch – Jet. I wish Jet made another album like this first one. I love this album.

Superstition (live) – SRV. Stevie Ray Vaughan is good for any time. Including workouts!

Judith – A Perfect Circle. This is a song that makes me angry at my dad.

Love Buzz – Nirvana. This is one of my favorites from Nirvana.

Do the Evolution – Pearl Jam. From my favorite Pearl Jam CD. This song is absolute chaos.

Paradise City – Guns n’ Roses. Yes.

Times like this – Foo Fighters. The Foos will be on mixtapes for a long time to come. If not, they should be.

Ground on Down – Ben Harper. This song makes me want keep going.

Dig – Incubus. I just really love this song. My favorite Incubus song. Makes me keep running.

Anythings Possible – Johnny Lang. Good finisher song. Helps me remember that I can lose weight.

What songs help keep you going in the gym? In life?

Indiana Jones 4

Here is the newest trailer for the next Indiana Jones movie. I can’t wait!!!

Rick Warren Buys New Orleans

I found this article skimming around and found this on www.larknews.com . It looks as though the Saints are turning into a Purpose Driven team…and it’s not the Superbowl. 

***Note lark news is a satirical news site***

NEW ORLEANS — Pastor and author Rick Warren has signed a deal to purchase the New Orleans Saints football franchise for $320 million from current owner Tom Benson, and has pledged to pour his time and energy into helping the city and team rebuild.
    “This is the start of the Saints’ turnaround,” a Warren spokesman said. “America is going to see what a purpose-driven team can accomplish.”
    The Saints have desperately needed a home and a vision since Hurricane Katrina devastated their season. They were keenly disappointed with the NFL’s response to their plight.
    But Warren took an immediate interest in the team on visits to the damaged city, and he surprised his church in November when several Saints players joined him onstage. The church prayed for the team, which won its next game. Warren took this as confirmation of his plan to buy the franchise.
    “I like the guy,” says one player who met Warren at a practice in San Antonio. “I was skeptical about a minister owning a team, but he wants to win, just like us.”
    The centerpiece of Warren’s purchase will be Purpose-Driven Field, to be located just north of New Orleans. Stadium construction will create thousands of jobs for the local economy, and will give Warren’s ministry a foothold in the South, where he hopes to gain greater influence. During the week, Purpose-Driven Field will host conferences, outreaches and short-term missions groups stopping over on their way to Central America, or helping to rebuild New Orleans. Warren already refers to the New Orleans location as Saddleback South, friends say.
    The Saints will now operate differently than most NFL teams. Players will be required to go through the 40 Days of Purpose program. Alcohol will not be served in the stadium, and every attendee will receive a copy of the Purpose-Driven Life. Halftime shows will offer “edgy, cool” evangelism and worship concerts, says a spokesman. Warren intends to be as visible as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who often walks the sidelines during games.
    “We’re marching into New Orleans,” Warren told partner churches recently to rousing applause.•

Weigh In Wednesday

Well, I gained a pound…I’m up at 218. It must be all that muscle that I’m building, right? Maybe I’m bloated or retaining water. I don’t know. Hopefully next week will be better.

I have a funny story for you actually. This past weekend as I led worship at RCC, there was only one guy in the congregation. Granted we are a small church, but to be leading 20 women in worship and you being one of the only guys in the room…it’s a little intimidating. I thought it was a learning experience and quite comical at the same time.

peace,

ron

Obama, RCC, Steroids, and Thriller

A lot going on in the world lately. We had the caucuses run through washington, I spoke about a Christ counter to the Culture at RCC, there is a crime spree running through bellingham (8 store/bank robberies in 6 days!), Roger Clemens is on trial, and Michael Jackson has released the 25th anniversary of Thriller. 

 My thoughts on these:

Obama and Washington: It was a no brainer that Obama would win. He was speaking in the Key Arena (15,000-20,000 capacity) where as Hillary was speaking at the University of Puget Sound (2,000-5,000 capacity). I spoke with a lot of the “older” people during the caucuses and they were telling me that they had never seen a turnout like they were seeing. So many of the younger generation people were coming and showing genuine interest in politics. It’s very encouraging to see the youth taking interest in the future and to begin to care about the world and who is running it and how they are running it. What do you Youth Pastors think?

Giving the word at RCC on Feb 10th: I was very uncomfortable because I didn’t have any funny stories to tell or life applications. This message was a breath of fresh air for me, but I saw a few heads tilted to the side when delivering this.

Take a bite outta crime: One guy hit LaFeens! The same guy also hit the Yorky’s up the street from me and a travelodge over by Western and then a Brewed awakening coffee stand across the street. Another guy hit a Banner Bank and then another guy hit a Walgreens. Crazy times. Does this mean housing prices will go down?

Roger Clemens is an a$$: I don’t care how great he is. Whether he took steroids or not, he’s still a jerk.

Michael Jackson: I don’t care what people say about him, this album was and still is genius. Michael is the Jimi Hendrix of Pop Music. He has inspired so many with his inovation in music, dance moves, and music videos. If he came in concert, it would sell out in minutes…although the remixes on this CD are not as good as poeple may think. The Akon duet on “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” is really good but the others are not really what you would call mindblowing.

Valentines Friday Mix Tape

**I’m hanging out with Cynthia tomorrow so I am posting this early. It is thursday but I want to hang out with my wife and not blog tomorrow.**

I know that it is next week, but in honor of Valentines day, I thought that I would do a friday mix tape for the lovers out there, but instead of a “music to make love to” mix I am doing the “break up” tape. This is for people who have been broken up with and are tired of it. This mix will go in the stages of the break up (Life sucks. why? what now? I don’t care. I really do).

Aint No Sunshine – Bill Withers. The Classic I need her in my life song. It hurts my heart listening to this song.

Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison. This is the song declaring that you are back on the market even though you are not ready to be.

99 Problems – Jay-Z. “If you’re having girl problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a b@#ch aint one.”

Black – Pearl Jam. You are sad again. The lyric that gets you here is in the end when eddie sings, “I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life, I know you’ll be the sun in somebody else’s sky but why can’t it be mine?” AAAHHHHH! kill me now.

Be without You – Mary J. Blige. How did this get in the mix? Oh yeah, she keeps talking about how she can’t be without her lover. **Mental note** Turn this one down when people are around.

White Daisy Passing – Rocky Votolato. This song is about memories and brings back so many of you and the one who dumped you.

Here’s a Quarter (call someone who cares) – Travis Tritt. Your mad again. He/She calls you even though they need their “space”.

Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix. This song is a little extreme but you know how he feels to an extent. Not to the extent of murder but to the extent of being angry.

Never again – Kelly Clarkson. It was either this or anything off of Alanis Morrisettes “Jagged Little Pill” CD.

Irreplaceable – Beyonce. You begin realizing that there are others out there. “I can have another you in a minute, matter of fact he’ll be here in a minute…baby.”

Used to Love You – John Legend. Your questioning yourself again. What could have I done to make it better?

Love song for no one – John Mayer. Your looking at the market and wondering how to reconnect. How do you put yourself out ther again? “I’m tired of being alone. So hurry up and get here”.

No Woman, No Cry – Bob Marley. This has to be on any idiots mix of lovers lament. It’s cliche and it’s obvious. But still it speaks to every guy’s soft side.

Best of You – Foo Fighters. No one will get the best of you. You’ll make sure of it. This one pumps you up before you go out clubbing.

There’s no home for you here – The White Stripes. You’re trying to make steps away from the girl/guy. Forget about them.

Honorable Mention: Babe, I’m Going to Leave You – Led Zeppelin. Matt told me a story about a friend who dumped his girlfriend to this song. Classic. Since this is a dumping song, then it doesn’t make the list.

What are some songs that you have listened to or would listen to while having your heart ripped out and handed back to you with a smile?