Nor to the Cal

Just some more pictures from our many stops in Northern Calfornia. THANK YOU SO MUCH to all my wonderful friends who joined us for some of the action!

Chris' first glimpse of the UOP Tower.

We enjoyed a fun dinner at Garlic Brothers on the Delta with the Conner family (that's Scott, Aiden, Kim and baby Conner on the way!)

Mi familia was there, too.

Off to First B on Sunday morning. Praise God for the blue skies that came out to join us!

Grandma and Cliff came up to visit with us on Sunday afternoon.

We had lots of company at Valley Brew!

Here's some more of my favorite people!

At the State Capitol in Sacramento, I did some tree-hugging...

...and some Chris-hugging before we were off to the airport.

Not Your Mother's Religion

An interesting article appeared in this month's issue of Worship Leader Magazine. It was hinged on the characteristics of the Millenial generation (born 1978-2000) and their approach to religion/spirituality. In light of my previous studies with Millenials (the students in my classes fall into this category), I found the following bulletpoints interesting:

*They perceive religion to be a choice and not an obligation

*Religious labels, including denominational identifications, are relatively unimportant to them.

*They are typically tolerant of other people's beliefs and, in fact, enjoy the variety of different religious practices they see on campus. (ummm...obviously they aren't talking about THIS campus.)

*Religious authority is internal rather than located in some external source, such as the hierarchy of a church.

*They see more value in religious experience than in a codified set of beliefs.

*They affirm the idea of being on a religious journey rather than embracing a static set of beliefs and practices.

*If they join a religious group, they are more interested in the authenticity of people- their honesty, openness, and humility- than they are in an authoritarian presentation of the truth.

*They have no problem being eclectic in their religious taste, which sometimes includes creating their own hybrid religious identities.

*They want to make a diffference in the world and therefore believe that religion should address issues of justice and equality.

Can you relate to this generation?

Pastor Jim celebrates 20 Years

I saw many of you Stockton-ites this weekend as I joined the festivites in honor of Pastor Jim's 20th year of service at First Baptist, Stockton. Pastor Jim has been an influential part of my life, from baptizing me in 4th grade, to offering wise counsel and entrusting me with leadership. Under his guidance, I came to know the Lord and practice disciplines that have grown me spiritually.



It was also good times introducing Chris to my friends and family back home. If you missed out this time around, we'll be back soon!

(Above: Daniel, Karen, Chris, Jamie and Randall.)

"Michael, 5K means 5 kilometers, not 5,000 miles."

THE OFFICE runs tonight.

Throw some tennies on...it's gonna be a fun run!

Balancing on Suspended Pianos

It was a little tune from the group "Cool Hand Luke" that reminded me of my control issues as I was sitting in my office, meditating on these lyrics. They resonate with me. Perhaps, you too. (Incidentally, that's some wicked awesome cover art going on.)

"THE BALANCING ACT"

I've got to climb to the top
Never stop, until I reach it
Until I feel that I'm gold
And that I'm in control
Of life and my thought
When I'm not, I still preach it
Because they're all going to see
if I start to fall or lose control.
I'm losing control...of this

I've been balancing on suspended pianos
And trying to look composed
It makes the loudest noise when they begin to crash
With eyes on me, I force a laugh
You come to me and set me free

I cross my arms across my chest
This is not a gift I can accept
But I appreciate the sentiment
I've worked too hard for rightousness
To just lay down while you hand me this
And put my faith in something you call grace...from you.

I've been lost inside a cave without a lantern
At every sound I start to run
I feel my way around the dark without a pattern
If I would wait you'd come
to rescue me and sail away

I've been trying to learn what is from you.
Because I've been trying to learn what is freely given.

Get ready, S-town. I'm coming home.

I miss my family. I miss my friends.
And I miss this:



I need a good infusion of autumn in my life.

Getch'er hugs on!

Renovation.

On Wednesday, I had the privilege of hearing Joni Eareckson Tada speak at chapel as part of Biola's centennial celebration. Later in the day, I attended a Biola Business Women's luncheon, at which she also delivered a message. The verse she wrapped her message around at the latter was Philippians 2:3-4:

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

This verse really spoke to my heart as I wrestled with how I often pray. When a situation arises that I'm disgruntled over, I pray for God to CHANGE or FIX that situation. This is especially true with other people...."Lord, I don't like what this person is doing or how this person is acting. Please change them." Yet, more often than not, when I pray for God to change a situation or a person, God changes ME instead. It seems so backwards...but isn't that the way God chooses to prove himself over and over again?

If I'm Gonna Exercise....

...I might as well be working on my tennis skills!

Now HERE'S an exercise program that would motivate me!

Ah, ha, ha, ha, Stayin' Alive.

Ok- I'll admit that I'm a little embarrassed after leaving the last post at the top of my blog page for so long. Just forget about the fact that I blogged about my fingernails. It's true...inspiration has come slowly lately. That's probably why I've been abusing my friends with random bios lately. And, so, todays contribution along those same lines....
I saw these two nerds on my turf last week:

They were at Biola, spreading the word about our new Downey satellite service (which is just up the street from the Biola campus). I saw them on the way to class, as I was toting my old-school overhead projector. I got harassed for toting an old-school overhead projector. I'm not tech savvy. So sue me.

THIS is Christopher Lytle. AKA Topher. AKA Chandler.
He is Downey Campus Pastor by day, superhero by night.
When you see him, he'll be quick to give you a big hug, or challenge you to a game of Friends trivia. (You will lose.)

THIS is David Trotter. AKA That Tall Guy.
HE is the Lead Pastor for Revolution campuses worldwide.
He is always well dressed. He has weird robot pictures in his office. Oh...and he won't watch The Office because it makes him feel "uncomfortable".

Anything I'm missing, guys?
The rest of you can contribute fun facts about these two if you feel so led.

Ain't no party like a Revolution party...

More Fun with Appendages!

To curb my boredom on Saturday, the amazing, artistic Shauntelle Sposto (also responsible for the portrait at the top of this blog) visited my humble abode (which wasn't a big trip...she lives in the same complex). What does a night of cool girl-fun include? Singing some songs, eating some chips and guac, watching Jennifer Aniston movies, and HENNA-tizing our feet! That's right...you'll find my footie adorned with her masterful artwork. BUT WAIT! I'm not the ONLY one who smelled like henna at the end of the night...yours truly gave-it-a-go, and I think I did pretty darn well for my henna debut. Here's a couple pictures...one is of MY foot with Shauntelle's design, and the other is her foot with MY design. Can you tell which is which?



Four out of five dentists recommend henna.

1 cm every 100 days.

That's how fast your fingernails are SUPPOSED to grow. However, do you ever look down and feel like you JUST cut them...yet they need to be cut AGAIN? Such is my nail "situation" right now. I think my nails grow freakishly fast. Not good for a piano player.

If you need a good back scratch, now is the time.

Have a Happy Weekend!

For all my wonderful readers...
This is my gift to you.
Just for smiles :)
Love ya!

Things That Don't Make Sense To Me

As I approached my apartment this evening, I spotted my oh-so-annoying bachelor downstairs neighbor lifting weights on his patio. "Well, there's a deviation from the endless hours he spends watching football," I thought to myself. I was almost proud of him for a moment until I caught a whiff of the distinctly pungent smell of cigarettes. Sure enough, dude had a cig hanging off his lip as he grunted his way to a better body...and black lungs simultaneously.

Call me crazy, but I don't think that's working for him.

"When I was young, I played with sticks and rocks and stuff..."

Are high-tech, fancy (expensive) toys even worth it?


Just remember how entertaining a spatula can be.

Ready to Clock In?

Two weeks, people. Two weeks.

A New Day Has Come

"By the glory of the Father, we walk in newness of life."
~Romans 6:4

Today's Affirmation
Today is a new day and I AM blessed.

Today's Meditation:
Dear God,

I am ready to begin this day with positive thoughts about who I am and who I can be.
With Your Divine Essence within me, I can meet all the day's challenges.
I become one with the Father and grow strong as I walk the path of life.
Open the eyes of my heart, Dear God, so that I may see the goodness You have in store for me.
Thank You God.

Amen

Now go do what you do the way He made you to do it.

Fargo-Moorhead...Don'tcha Know.

It's been a couple weeks, but I finally got around to throwing a few pics in a slideshow for ya. Not much to do in Fargo-Moorhead aside from sampling some exceptional buffalo wings, but I enjoyed the company during my brief stay there!

It's a Small World After All

I took Kaelyn out on Saturday for another Jamie date...this time, we visited the glorious Lakewood mall (note sarcasm) for some CPK yummies, a scoop of ice cream from MELT, and some fun at the Disney store.

"Hmmm...I'll take one of each."

"I'm especially fond of these guys"

"But Flounder is my favorite!"

"CANDY!!!!!!!"

Oh, to be a kid again.

Awwwww!

A student came in today and brought me this bag of goodies.


The academic advisor feels loved.

Give 'Em A Few Years...

Think you're getting old? Hollywood is getting older, too. Perhaps this is a glimpse of Hollywood, come the year 2045!

Hosanna in the Highest

An exclamation of God's greatness. Fervent and worshipful praise.
I love the following song (and all my fellow Hillsong United fans will agree). So...press play and let the soundtrack fill up your office/room for a moment. Sing along with your mouth or with your heart.


The people sing...The people sing...

Never Thought I'd Ever...

...visit here.

More to come on this adventure.
Oh suuure, you betcha.

Like To Drink Your Pumpkin Pie?

It's that time of year again...and what a great time of year it is. We're rocking the Pumpkin Spice Latte full force*. Now we just need the weather to cool down a bit (er..a LOT) so it feels like fall. (*this drink is not recommended for those who have an intense dislike for pumpkin, or spice, or a combination of the two. Your loss.)

Nevermind that it's 460 calories. (shhhh...)
Long live St. Arbucks.