I have posted my first official amazon.com book review today. I reviewed the book “Organic Community” by my good friend Joe Myers. Here is what I said, “Joe’s first book changed the way I look at community and how people belong in my community. Joe’s second book continued to help me do that by giving some very helpful, effective and “common sense” approaches to leadership of this kind of community. I have found that many pastors who read Joe’s books find themselves uncomfortable with the ideas he presents. But, I have found that many “lay people” (for lack of better word) read his stuff and say, “yeah, duh. isn’t that the way its supposed to be” or “man, I wish I could find a church...Read More →
Archive for August, 2007
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August 30, 2007
“Official” Review of Organic Community by Joe Myers
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August 29, 2007
Watch My Hair Grow
I shaved my head. Now I am growing out my hair. I’m like a Chia Pet. Watch it Grow. Why would you want to watch my hair grow? I don’t know. What else is there to do with your life? You read my blog don’t you? And no, I don’t have too much time on my hands. It takes me about 1 minute a week to do this so get off my back! Jeez! Why do you care? I dunno. But I do know my mom likes to know I actually have hair so I guess I am doing this mostly for her. Click on the image (or this link) to see all the images
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August 28, 2007
What’s the 1st Photo In Your iPhoto Library?
So, I have been doing some organizing of my photos since getting the new iLife 08. One of the fun things with this is going through all my old photos and seeing some young looking people (yeah, i am talking about me and my wife. Both of us are now 30 – It’s my wife’s 30th today!) So, in honor of the wife of my youth, here is the very first picture in our iPhoto gallery: My iPhoto Stats: #of pics: 3612 pics Date of First pic: 9/19/2001 So, what about you, what’s your first photo in your iPhoto library? I’m going to try the tagging thing again: Matt Heerema David Congdon Mark Licitra John Chandler Drew Moser Eugene Cho Lawrence Tom JR Briggs If...Read More →
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August 27, 2007
Why I Don’t Read Your Website
I spend a good amount of time each week designing websites. As I do I am beginning to realize more and more that copy writing is as much a major part of the project as the design itself. I can do my best to create a site that is visually pleasing, guides the reader and helps promote the website’s cause, agenda or business as best that I can. But, if the copy that is put on the site is poor…the site will be ineffective no matter how pretty my design. So, I’m trying to learn as much as a I can on this stuff so that I can help my customers better. The problem comes when they just don’t believe me that the only person...Read More →
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August 23, 2007
They Like the Church But Not Jesus?
Recently I read the book “The Like Jesus But Not the Church” by Dan Kimball. I enjoyed it and it gave some great thoughts and insight on the large number of people who are into Jesus but (for whatever reason) don’t trust the Church. This got me to thinking…Is the opposite true? Is it possible that there is a large number of people inside the Church who like the Church but not Jesus? Now, before you write me off as nuts, hear me out. Take The Well for example (to be fair I’ll pick on my church). We do have a great thing going. For example: We have a great community that really cares for each other (my family has felt the truth of this...Read More →
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August 22, 2007
Come and See
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August 22, 2007
Ecclesia Network.
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August 22, 2007
Ecclesia Network Website…
I just launched the website for the Ecclesia Network. This site is excited to see live for a few reasons: 1)I am proud of the design. 2) I am really excited about this network. For the past 7 years or so I have been meeting with a group of pastors. We have all become close friends and partners in ministry and have dreamed of starting up an official network of churches that focused on relational, missional network that is very focused on joining together to be part of what God is doing in the world. What is Ecclesia? “Ecclesia is a relational network of churches, leaders, and movements that seek to equip, partner, and multiply missional churches.” If you are a church that is not...Read More →
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August 21, 2007
Quick Book Review of “Proper Confidence” by Lesslie Newbigin
I just finished reading the book “Proper Confidence by Lesslie Newbigin. As the title suggests, this book deals with the concept of how we can have proper confidence in the Christian story. The thing I appreciate about Newbigin is the fact that his writings have 36 years of missionary experience in India to back them. He isn’t some highbrow academic (though he is an academic) who has no experience writing for reality. In fact, his book, while immensely deep, is highly practical. This is perhaps because for him, as he lays out in this book, there can be no separation between faith and practice and theory and action. These are false dichotomies. Anyway, here are the few things that stuck out to me as helpful...Read More →
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August 17, 2007
A Special Future & Redefining Greatness for our Children
Tonight, my parents hosted a little get together for all of their friends (many were friends who have known me since I was just a little weasel) to come and welcome Mason into our family. It really was a neat time and we were excited to have so many people be so excited about this kid. One of the things that I often hear now is the statement that “God must have such a special plan for Mason.” This is great statement and I do believe that it is true. In fact, I can’t believe that after a year and a half of waiting we find ourselves parents of someone who seems like such a perfect fit to our family. God’s finger prints are all...Read More →
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August 15, 2007
Hey, How Do You Use Your Screen Space?
As a designer, I am working on my computer pretty much all day long. After a while, all the little movements it takes to change windows can get annoying so I usually try and set up my screen space in a way that let’s me switch as few windows as possible. The above screen shots are images of my primary and secondary display when I am coding css/xhtml. If you click on the thumbnails it will take you to my Flickr page where you can notes on the page. So, the main reason I did this was because I am actually more curious about how other designers use their displays. I am guessing some people take a free-for-all approach while others are more anal about...Read More →
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August 14, 2007
In Chicago This Weekend
Melanie, the two boys and I are headed to Chicago this weekend to introduce Mason to our family and friends back there. I grew up in Chicago and my two brothers and their families all live in the area still. It is always great to be in Chicago (if for nothing else than the food!) and it will be even better for my family to meet Mason. My parents are throwing a welcome home party on Friday night so if you are in the area and we forgot to invite you (my mom did the inviting so i am not sure who we may have missed), let me know and I can get you directions to my parents house in Des Plaines. Of course, if...Read More →
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August 12, 2007
Future of Web Design Conference
Most of you who know me know that I make a part-time living as a freelance web designer. Those of you who know me know that I love this work and enjoy it a ton. I got into this with the help of a few good and talented friends (thanks Jim and Matt) and besides their help have been pretty much self taught through reading some books, blogs and seeing how the “experts” built their sites (my degree in Bible didn’t give me a whole ton of knowledge for this field). While I feel fairly confident in my skills I have always coveted some more official training and experience. That is why I am really excited to be able to attend the Future of Web...Read More →
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August 10, 2007
Resource: A (Quick) Walk Through the Bible
Before we left for Guatemala I ordered a few Lesslie Newbigin books. One of them is a small little book called “A Walk Through the Bible.” The great things about this book: Its only 85 easy to read pages. Seriously, where else can you get a quick summary of the Bible from an experienced and highly respected missionary theologian who has not only done his research but spent more than his fair share of time “in the field.” You can probably read it in one sitting fairly easily. It teaches how the biblical narrative is in the context of world history. This is perhaps the most helpful part of the book. He quotes a Hindu friend of his, “I can’t understand why you missionaries present...Read More →
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August 9, 2007
Adoption Trip #15 – Cole, Meet your little brother
So, we got home last night after a long 12 hour day of travel. But, it was way worth the trip! It was awesome to see Cole again. Its funny, after you have been holding a child who weighs just 14 pounds, you realize just how big your four year old really is! We’re settling in here as best we can. I am taking the next day or so off and trying to get a play room set up for Cole in the basement (where my home office is, which should be interesting!) Cole is so proud of his little brother. The priceless moment of the day so far: After taking these pictures of them on the sofa Cole says with a smirk on his...Read More →
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August 8, 2007
Adoption Update #14 – In Dallas
We are officially in the good old US of A. We got through immigration with no problems and we’re sitting in the D concourse at Dallas / Ft. Worth waiting for our flight to Philadelphia. Since I had been sick on Tuesday, I hadn’t eaten anything at all. Mostly because i was scared to… It seems strange to say this, but I can’t tell you how excited it was to see a McDonald’s! Well, we’re almost home…
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August 8, 2007
Adoption Trip #13 – Headed Home…
So, sorry for the lack of updates that last two days. I’ve been laying in bed since Monday night at 8:30 with some kind of food poisoning.  I threw up four times Tuesday. Yeah, that was a good time.  But, I think I finally have it out of me so I should be good for the ride home. Our flight leaves Guatemala City at 8:40am and then after we fly through Dallas and then make our way to Philadelphia. Hopefully we make all of our flights and there aren’t any delays because its going to be a 12 hour day already. Off we go….
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August 6, 2007
Adoption Trip #12 – Embassy Appointment Is Done
So this morning we woke up at 5:00 am and headed down for an early breakfast. After that we found our ride to the US Embassy to get approval for Mason’s Visa (no, not the credit card – the document he needs to be able to travel back to the US). So, long story short, the Embassy was easy. Went through security. Waited. Went into door number 10. Answered three quesitons or so. Waited. Went to window number 8 and answered some more questions. The nice lady behind the counter approved his visa. We went back to the hotel. We are now done with the last hoop to jump through for this adoption. All that is left is clearing customs in Dallas which we understand...Read More →
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August 5, 2007
Adoption Trip #11 – Write Mason a Note!
So, I was thinking, here I am writing all these letters to Mason and I know that there are a bunch of people reading this blog who are so very excited about him being part of our family lives. So, I wanted to invite you to write something to him as well. Just click the “comments” link under the title of this post and then write Mason a message that way. I know you want to, and I know that he’d appreciate it (someday!) So go ahead, and let him know just how much he is loved…
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August 5, 2007
Adoption Trip #10 – Dear Mason #4
Dear Mason, So, today is the third full day we have known you. It still doesn’t seem real. When I look at you I can’t believe you are with us and we are here and that we don’t have to give you back. So many of the other families are down here to visit their children. Then they have to leave and wait till the adoption is done to be able to bring them home. I am not sure I would be able do that. From what I hear, its quite a hard thing to do! Anyways, today we had a fun day. Though, most of it was just sitting around with a few other parents and their children since it rained outside. But, you’ve...Read More →
