cow tipping: wrestling with youth ministry

Picture Pages

I added some picture pages to the blog. You can view the photos from my ordination and Junior High Summit.

My Ordination

Should I get a Blackberry?

I think it's time to upgrade my phone. I would love to move to a PDA/smartphone so I can simplify my technological world. I'm thinking about going to Blackberry. I want a strong reception, e-mail, text messaging, ability to sync with MS Outlook, and access the internet.

Anyone want to share their experience with Blackberry? Any specific model you would recommend? Maybe you have something better you want to pitch me. My carrier is AT&T - and I'm pretty happy with them - so switching companies is not an option.

I made the ATLA Religion Index!

I am hanging out in the Wheaton College library today and thought I would search my name in the ATLA (American Theological Library Association) Religion Index. It's basically provides citations of journal articles, essays, book reviews, and dissertations in the field of religion broadly considered, and the religious aspects of other disciplines. My journal article is finally listed! Forever available to researchers of youth ministry for decades to come.

Lost Pet (project)

Ever since grad school (2003-05) I have had a pet project. I had this amazing idea for a ministry book. I did tons of research and spent many hours in conversations with friends, family, professors, and even publishers. I think it would be fair to say it consumed me at different points in the past 5 years. I won't go into details, but after a few major mishaps I decided to put it to bed a year ago. This past month I have felt restless, at sometimes even a little burnt out. I have come to realize that I have shut down my creative outlet of researching, reading, and writing. I would love to resurrect my writing project, but there are some wounds attached to the project that I'm not sure if I can reconcile. One of the exciting aspects to the project was a creative partnership - one that is no longer possible. I love creative partnerships - especially when writing - but I don't really have that kind of relationship in my life. I guess that is the roadblock to resurrecting this project, I don't want to do it without a partner, it just wouldn't be the same. I don't know why I decided to write this post today, it just seemed to be on my heart.

When Worlds Collide

In one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes, Elaine befriends Susan (George's girlfriend). George gets very worried that Elaine wants to get to know Susan and that his "two worlds will collide!"

Kramer: That's gunna be trouble.
Jerry: Why?
Kramer: Jerry, don't you see? This world here, this is George's sanctuary. If Susan comes into contact with this world, his world's collide. You know what happens then? (Kramer raises his hands into the air and slowly brings them together in an explosion.)

My worlds collided last week. Two people here at my church found my blog. Not that I ever say anything that I am embarrassed or ashamed of, but it is my sanctuary. I guess people picked up on my blog when Googling the name of our children's pastor who passed away last week. That's probably why it is called the "world wide web". Well, for any new readers from my church, welcome to my world. I hope I don't disappoint you with my ramblings or my support for Barack Obama.

I'm a Bigger Loser than Marko

I am ashamed to admit I as diagnosed with GOUT yesterday. Just days after my 34th birthday. There is a lot of fancy medical lingo I could use to cover it up, but basically I am fat ad have a horrible diet. I was pretty bummed to get the news - actually pretty down in the dumps. I knew I needed to to lose some weight, but hearing that I was unhealthy was a kick in the gut (the disgusting fat gut). Then I checked out Marko's blog today and I found my inspiration...

Be a Bigger Loser Than Marko
Yeah, I'm a loser…but not as big a loser as I wish. The reality is, I need to lose weight, and I need HELP! I figured a little competition might motivate me to really do what I need to so I can take off the pounds. The contest will officially start on February 4 and will last for three months, and there are great prizes involved for the biggest losers, including a FREE registration to the National Youth Workers Convention this fall. Not only that, youth worker and former Biggest Loser contestant, Matt McNutt, has agreed to provide support and encouragement to our contestants. If you're interested in joining the contest, shoot us an email. Complete rules and prize info will be available next week. So come on...help me be an even bigger loser!!

I'm totally entering the contest. My BIG buddy Sean Meade is already talking trash! Here are a few other fellow fattys who are bloging about the constest: Ken Lawson Terrace Crawford

Like father - like daughter

Emma broke her right foot over the weekend. She was running around the house, as usual, and took a nasty spill. She turned her foot weird when she fell, but it didn't seem to bother her. She limped a little and pointed to it, but went back to running. When she woke up the next morning, the foot was swollen and she refused to let Kathy put on her shoes. We took her in to the ER, and sure enough, she had a "buckle fracture". We saw the pediatric orthopedic specialist today and they decided against the cast and gave her a really cool boot. I guess this fracture is the most common for little kids and the fastest to heal. She'll be out of the boot in 3 weeks.

Ironic Tid-bit: I broke my leg when I was 2.

In the news...

News from the Casting Couch

My brother, Brian, will have a speaking role in a scene with Mr. Depp. From what I understand, it is a 1920's gangster movie. The movie is being shot here in Chicago this spring. Just a little news from a very proud brother.

UPDATE: The movie is "Public Enemies." The period drama, one of many pre-actors strike projects revving up at Universal, focuses on the government's attempts to stop some of the most famous criminals of the Depression era. Depp will play Public Enemy No. 1 John Dillinger in the film, which will also feature real-life characters including Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd, as well as FBI head J. Edgar Hoover. Director, Micheal Mann wrote the script based on the 2004 book by Bryan Burroughs.