Happy Little Trees

Hello again on this beautiful Thursday afternoon! I know you all love getting ideas about how you can kill some time, so here's one comin' atcha now! This website offers a personality test based on the picture that you draw. Below is my not-yet-ready-for-the-Louvre attempt at artwork...drawing with a mouse is an additional challenge (even for the artistically inclined). The results of my personality test are below.


You tend to pursue many different activities simultaneously. When misfortune does happen, it doesn't actually dishearten you all that much.
Meh...half of this is true. I DEFINITELY am a multi-tasker/over-worker. I'm also SUPER anal, which doesn't cooperate with the latter part of the statement. I am easily jarred when things don't go as planned. Yeah, I'm working on that.

You are a thoughtful and cautious person. You like to think about your method, seeking to pursue your goal in the most effective way.
Yes, I'd agree with this. Actually, this aligns perfectly with my top two strengths according to StrengthsFinder: Maximizer and Strategic. I'm not spontaneous at all and enjoy a well planned itinerary. It makes me happy when I can check things off the list.

You are creative, mentally active and industrious.
Creative...check! (Uh, did you NOT see my picture above?? ha ha) Mentally active...check! (Especially now that I'm a college student/teacher) Industrious...check! (I'm very diligent in all the projects I undertake)

You have a sunny, cheerful disposition.
Well, duh! :)

Confessions of a Pharisee

I see them often. They're usually disheveled, dirty and nonsensical. They sit on street corners and roam parking lots, gathering attention from those who either mock or elude. And they are everywhere...especially here in L.A. There is a man who preaches crooked "Christian" theology in his underwear- the kind that has elements of truth (regarding heaven and hell), but is overshadowed by outrageous ideas of planets colliding and aliens taking over as the end of the world approaches...and the fact that he is only wearing underwear. I saw another such crusader last night, on a streetcorner holding a large sign that simply said "Jesus Saves." He was wearing a cape and shouting angrily. I don't know what the cape had to do with anything. Personally, I would have left that at home along with my angry rants.

I don't know what has made me so sensitive to people's perspectives of Christians recently. It's made me aware of the image that I project to the world, and the way that I interpret situations around me. Moving to Los Angeles has certainly challenged my ideas of normalcy in ways for which I was unprepared. It's almost embarrassing when I think about how sheltered my life has been, usually surrounded by people who are like -minded and, consequently, safe to know. I've been convicted by my quickness to judge. That's why the following song ministered so strongly to me as I listened to it this morning...and thought, how would I react to Jesus if I'd met him in Los Angeles?

Check it out:
"Wide Eyed", by Nichole Nordeman

When I met him on a sidewalk
He was preaching to a mailbox
Down on 16th Avenue
And he told me he was Jesus
Sent from Jupiter to free us
With a bottle of tequila and one shoe
He raged about repentance
He finished every sentence
With a promise that the end was close at hand
I didn't even try to understand

He left me wide eyed in disbelief and disillusion
I was tongue tied, drawn by my conclusions
So I turned and walked away
And laughed at what he had to say
Then casually dismissed him as a fraud
I forgot he was created in the image of my God

When I met her in a bookstore
She was browsing on the first floor
Through a yoga magazine
And she told me in her past life
She was some plantation slave's wife
She had to figure out what that might mean
She believes the healing powers of her crystals
Can bring balance and new purpose to her life
Sounds nice

She left me wide eyed in disbelief and disillusion
I was tongue tied, drawn by my conclusions
So I turned and walked away
And laughed at what she had to say
Then casually dismissed her as a fraud
I forgot she was created in the image of my God

Not so long ago, a man from Galilee
Fed thousands with His bread and His theology
And the truth He spoke
Quickly became the joke
Of educated, self-inflated Pharisees like me

And they were wide eyed in disbelief and disillusion
They were tongue tied, drawn by their conclusions
Would I have turned and walked away
And laughed at what He had to say
And casually dismissed Him as a fraud
Unaware that I was staring at the image of my God

"Set Apart" or "Set Above"?

An interesting article in Relevant magazine addresses the ever-so-popular comedy, "The Office", and it's stuffy, judgemental Christian-stereotype character, Angela. It's caution is warranted; is THIS how the secular world perceives Christians? How do we distinguish between living a life that is "set apart" from the world, as opposed to living as one who is seemingly "set above"?

Read the article here.

A Memorial Day Tribute

It was easy to remember the significance of today, especially driving by Forest Lawn cemetary multiple times and seeing the sea of American Flags staked in the grass. One family had brought lawn chairs to the gravesite and seemed to be playing card games together. Another elderly couple sat solemnly on the ground and arranged flowers at the base of the headstone. Thank you, Lord, for days like this...to be thankful for the health and safety of those we know who are serving in our military, and to mourn with those who have lost friends and family. I hope your Memorial Day was peaceful.
cams military tribute

Teamwork

As the team was setting up for Worship this morning, I was humming this tune (which somehow was dislodged from my subconscious) from my FAVORITE epsiode of Reading Rainbow...and Kevin recognized it! We had a brief jaunt down memory lane, and I was determined to find the "music video" on YouTube. Of course, it was there. SO, perhaps this will bring back some memories for YOU! Or...maybe it's your first time experiencing the teamwork phenomenon. Either way, you're in for a treat. (Where else can you see LaVar Burton in a fire uniform, or ballet-dancing basketball players?) Enjoy.

Jack Attack

Awww....just more fun with Jackson this weekend. Brought to you today in Black and White, for your viewing pleasure.

Kisses for Jame Jame!

My nose seems to be of some fascination...

Showering Stephanie!

Several laaadies joined Stephanie in celebrating the upcoming birth of little KADEN...due to arrive very soon! Thanks, Bridget, for hosting the mayhem!


Always drama when Jessie and Brandy show up.

Just before Sarah fell in the pool.

Jessie enjoyed being taller than me for about 5 seconds.

Jackson had a good grip on the pole.

See?!

Jackson is clearly still thinking about the pole.

A new wardrobe for Kaden!

Commencement Weekend

Once every spring, the white chairs surface on Metzger lawn and parking becomes...impossible. That was Friday at Biola!

The Wonderful World of the Video Chat

Providing today's midday entertainment was Bobby...who disappeared mid-conversation, and was replaced by the following...

Aloha, strange hula dancer!

Let the party begin!

And then, a video chat with "Suresh."

Yes, yes...very funny. Now...both of us BACK TO WORK!

Hale YEAH!

What the HECK is happening on the view!? Elisabeth Hasselbeck may have the most stressful job in America, sitting across from Rosie O'Donnell...but she holds up like a champ! Case in point...

Your thoughts?

Why does my right arm feel like it's burning?

I have very few words for this, other than I think SOMEONE's publicist has gone a tad bit overboard.

Randoms

Hi friends. Welcome back.

If you're looking to read an introspective and/or wildly entertaining posting today, read no further. I'm functioning at a capacity that ranks slightly above comatose, so my entry today will be....well....I have no idea. We'll see where it goes from here! I'll attempt to catch some of my butterfly thoughts for you.

1. Last night, I finished a paper on brain research theory and it's role in the cognitive development of children. I SHOULD say, rather, that I finished it this morning....at 2:00 a.m. Hmm. If someone researched MY brain right now, they would find that it now utilizes the Starbucks Caffe Mocha solely as fuel.

2. Today, I'm wearing heels for the first time in a few weeks. I've really been a champion of the ballerina-slipper type of flat lately. When walking to my car this morning, I felt like a baby horse (or...insert any animal with legs, I guess) taking it's first steps. Sheesh. So out of practice!

3. Why do I close the bathroom door when there is clearly no one home? Additionally, I LOCK the door every time. Is this just a habit, or do I have some crazy fear subconciously underlying my actions? Please don't spend too much time thinking about that one. I'm kinda embarrassed that I typed it in the first place.

4. I hate Senior Petitions. Eric...you can empathize with me here.

5. Tonight is the final installment of Jack Bauer's Day 6 adventure, and I'll MISS IT. Because I'll be playing Pomp and Circumstance on Wednesday for Biola's MA ceremony, our Downey worship rehearsal was moved to tonight. In the words of Jack Bauer, "Dammit!" Have fun tonight, all you 24 lovers!

6. Aw, crap. I need to learn Pomp and Circumstance.

7. Yesterday was super fun times at Downey. Baptisms, a hilarious video of two girly men (ahem...Trotter and Lytle) facing their fears of snakes and spiders, and a wicked awesome worship set that included Salvador's "Those Who Trust" and Tomlin's "On Our Side." Aw, yeah- throw your hands up in the air, church.

8. I turn the big 3-0 in 19 DAYS, people! You may start sending presents now. : )

9. It's been too long since I've seen my Nor Cal friends. You guys seriously need to start taking some vacations to Southern California!! And, yes. It's NOR CAL, not "NO CAL". I see where you're coming from with that argument, but I refuse to embrace it. So there.

Well, I suppose I should go. I have 70 folders that need to be stuffed with Livescan Instructions. What would they do without me here? : ) Have a lovely Monday, you beautiful people. Feeling generous? Leave some love (or add to the randomness of this posting) here!

The Shrutebuck and the Stanley Nickel

For you "Office" fans out there...

Dwight Schrute: When you have done something good, you will receive one Schrute buck. One thousand Schrute bucks equals an extra five minutes for lunch.


Dwight: Don’t you want to earn Shrute bucks?
Stanley: No. In fact, I’ll give you a billion Stanley nickels if you never talk to me again.
Dwight: What’s the ratio of Stanley nickels to Schrute bucks?
Stanley: Same as the ratio of unicorns to leprechauns.

So, in summary...
Conversion to Schrutebucks: 1 stanley nickel = (schrutebuck * leprecaun)/unicorn
Cash Value: 1 stanley nickel = $ (leprecaun/1000)/unicorn

The Bone and Marrow of Worship

"The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth."


I was reflecting on that verse in my devotional time today, and remembered reading about this in John Piper's book called "Desiring God." In it, he makes the following profound statements...just some thoughts for you to chew on.

"Worshiping in spirit is the opposite of worshiping in merely external ways. It is the opposite of empty formalism and traditionalism. Worshiping in truth is the opposite of worship based on an inadequate view of God. Worship must have heart and head. Worship must engage emotions and thought.

Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full (or half full) of artificial admirers (like people who write generic anniversary cards for a living). On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought. But TRUE WORSHIP comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship." (Piper, 81-82)

If I Was a South Park Character...

This is what I would look like. I don't really see the resemblance (okay...maybe the fact that my skin is nearly transparent is somewhat of a likeness). You can waste time making your OWN character here.

P.S. Major holla to my friend Phil, whose own South Park character sparked the idea for this fine post. Check out his super cool blog sometime!

Welcome, Amigo!

A new amigo joins the blogging passe! And, although he is using the pseudonym "Enriqe," I'm sure you Revolution-goers could piece his real identity together... for now, it remains a mystery (*wink*)! Anyway, drop by "Enriqe's Casa" and let him know ya care! (And....he's really great with witty comebacks, for those of you who enjoy an occasional comment on your blog...)

I Love John Wayne.

Not the western/World War 2 epic star sort, but the John Wayne Airport, located in Orange County. It was there that Chris had to catch his flight back to Minnesota, so we parked and went to check in about an hour before his flight. He was travelling first class on the way home, so we made our way through the first class line to the ticket counter. Just as he had grabbed his boarding pass from the kiosk, Mary (the ticket counter associate) asked me if I would be flying also. I told her "no," it was just him. She then stunned me by asking me if I wanted to go to the GATE with him. I didn't even know this was a possibility, so I asked her to repeat herself...and again, she told me that she could get me a complimentary gate pass since "it appears that he has stubbed his toe very badly and needs assistance...(*wink*)" OKAY! I'll go! I promptly provided her with my I.D. and off we went through security! It was such an unexpected treat to get to stay with him until boarding. Thank you, MARY!

Taco Time

On Saturday night, Chris cooked up some "Minnesota Tacos," of which he had to make-do with all our "California Ingredients." I'm told they could have been better, but....WHATEVER!! If someone is cooking for me, they're fantastic!

Scrubbing In.

While Chris was in town, we busted out the old favorite: "Operation". Seems that credential analysts have pretty steady hands- which is odd, especially since my fierce competition was none other than a Physician's Assistant. (sorry Chris....I had to do it.) I will admit...the margin of victory was small, but a victory nonetheless!

Careful, buddy, caaaaaareful!

Extraction of the Charlie Horse successful! Good work, C!

"You Just Gots To Get Your Freak On"

Good episode last night- watching Andy float away in his sumo-suit may have been the highlight of my week.
Here are some more memorable quotes from The Office, "Beach Day":

Michael: It was never my intention to ruin a life. But you know what? Sometimes, you just gots to get your freak on.

Michael: I would like you to take notes. And I want you to find out about people’s character. Not their hotness, per se, but their humor, and their charisma, and the indefinable quality that makes you all glad to follow me.

Michael: Today, we are not just spending a day at the beach.
Stanley: Oh sweet mother of god.
Michael: If you don’t like it, Stanley, you can go to the back of the bus.
Stanley: Excuse me?
Michael: Or the front of the bus. Or drive the bus.

Michael: We are situated on the northeast corner of scenic Lake Scranton. America’s eighth largest indigenous body of water.

Michael: Jim Halpert. Pros: smart, cool, good-looking. Remind you of anybody you know? Cons: not a hard worker. I can spend all day on a project, and he will finish the same project in a half an hour. So that should tell you something.

Pam: There’s nothing better than a beautiful day at the beach, filled with sun, surf, and uh … diligent note-taking.

Stanley: I would rather work for an upturned broom with a bucket for a head than work for somebody else in this office besides myself. Game on

Jim: Oh my god, I have never seen that look in a man’s eyes … ever. I thought that I might die. On beach day.

Andy: Go tell them I’m floating away, obviously!
Angela: I don’t understand what you want from me.
Andy: Angela, it’s pretty simple. Look at what I’m doing, and go tell somebody it!
Angela: Sorry! Bye, Andy!
Andy: Angela!

Michael: The mind has to wrap around … the foot.

Life (Group) on the Farm

Finally, our Norwalk Life Group is underway, meeting at the home of Eric and Ashley Lapointe (which is also a peacock farm in the middle of Southern California). We were all very familiar with the mating calls of said birds by the end of our time together- somewhat distracting, but quite humorous. Good food, good peeps...what more is there to say? Here are a couple snapshots from the evening:

Howdy, Roxeanne! (Contrary to picture documentation, there WERE boys in our life group, too!)

Looks like our group is going to be needing child care soon, with Ashley and Steph both prego.

"Let there be cupcakes," thus sayeth the Lord.

Wind Vs. The Winged

If you are a central valley resident, then the above picture looks very familiar. It's what you drive past on the way to San Francisco or the surrounding Bay Area. Known as "the Altamont," the hills here are riddled with windmills that provide power to thousands of homes statewide.

Today, the Stockton Record featured an article that questions the ethics of this energy-gathering strategy because- and I kid you not- "turbines kill more than 1,000 birds a year".

I have examined the pros and cons here, and my analysis of using WINDMILL generated power is as follows: I'm all for it. If those birds aren't flying themselves into blades as large as airline propellers, they'd be flying into your windshields.

Bird lover or energy lover?
What say you?

Sorry, But I Had To Do It.

Oh...merciful heavens. Laughed till I cried. Literally, laughed till I cried.
Everybody, sing along now!


Amen.

She's got "THE LOOK"

This Sunday was the kickoff to a brand new series at Revolution called "David: Man's Man, Ladie's Man, or God's Man?" A new series means....a new "look" for our worship spaces. I think this one is particularly impressive...way to go LOOK TEAM!!! You are amazing! (Included here are pictures from the Revolution DOWNEY location)



One communion station...

I guess I can take credit for some SMALL part....

But THESE girls are the real geniuses! Beth, Jessica, and Jen....

Open Mouth, Insert Foot (Wait....how many "points" is a foot worth?)

Hello, all of my bestest friends!

I had an AMAZING time at the Leeland concert last night, despite some mixing problems they were having...but definitely recommend the live version of their songs. Totally worth it.


However, I am currently blogging from a friend's computer, that of Christopher Lytle, Downey Campus Pastor extraordinaire. Christopher is still writhing over a conversation we had a couple of days ago. As penance for his commentary, I have asked him to write a "guest blogger" entry for me. I'll let him tell the story.

And now, without further ado, Mr. Christopher Lytle....


Christopher:


I write to you with great sadness and embarrassment on this spring evening as I relive a tragic use of words that from here on out shall be referred to only as...

"The One with the Incident".

It began with laughter and fun (like most evenings that I am involved with). Several friends gathered together at T.G.I. Fridays for a late dinner before we headed off to see the midnight showing of Spiderman 3. As I sat in the middle of the table listening to Butka on the left of me share his excitement over his plastic sword and Lori and Rachel on my right recounting how they almost died while hiking I noticed my friend Jamie coming around the corner.

I did not know Jamie was going to grace us with her presence that evening so it was with much surprise and joy that we welcomed her to our table. She took her seat at the table, ordered some food, and began chit-chatting with the other ladies at the table.

As I sat in the midst of the cacophony, that was our T.G.I.Fridays experience, my mind began to wander. I began to think about Disneyland, vacation, church, my daughter, and dieting...then it happened.

Jamie had just taken a bite of her parmesean crusted quesadilla, suddenly, without warning, without thinking...my mouth opened...and out came the words that will forever haunt me..."Are you going to go to Weight Watchers?" Which I am pretty sure was taken as, "Hey Fatty! As you stuff your face with the cheese crusted cheese I hope you are thinking of how to burn that off."

I know, I know...I'm a horrible person.

As soon as I said it I knew it did not come out the way I meant it to.

You see Leanne and I are starting Weight Watchers on Monday...we are actually joining two of our friends who are already attending...and I thought it would be fun to get a bunch of people to go so it would be like a Revolution Weight Watchers meeting. I was just trying to find a few more people to go. I was not trying to insinuate that Jamie needed to lose weight, nor was I trying to offend her in anyway...it was merely a poorly thought out suggestion to aid me in my own weight loss needs.

So with the above being shared for all the world to see I feel it is only right for me to offer my apology to my friend Jamie Petersen. Jamie, can you find it in your heart to forgive me?



Jamie:

Um, okay. Does that mean I can't tease you about it indefinitely? It's such good material!