Happy Birthday to this blog!! December 26th, 2006 was the day. And to celebrate... I'm shutting it down. Well, that's the plan, at least. I'm trying my hands at iWeb and seeing where that takes me. I knew blogger was doomed from the start (glitchy and limited, are we?), but I just wanted to try the whole blog thing out. And tried it has. So now to what will hopefully be bigger and better... I introduce:
My New Blog
It is a part of my whole new site that I have launched. It's not done yet, but you can have a look for yourself and tell me what you think.
Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I got too busy and was without a computer for a month. By the time I decided to reorganize my life and make room for things such as blogging, I decided to relaunch altogether. Therefore, all my energies of late have been put into getting that site off the ground. Hope you understand?
You should start seeing regular updates at the new site soon... If you would be so kind, please change your links to: http://web.mac.com/tim.harms/My_Site/Blog/Blog.html
Blogger, it's been fun. See you at the other site :o)
Friday, December 28, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Life of Late
Sometimes taking life too seriously is a disease that eats away at your soul. Fortunately, only about a quarter my soul was gone this time before I decided to take antibiotics.
Friday, September 14, 2007
The Second September
A September ago now I had a wonderful trip. There must be something magical about that little ex-church in the center of Nashville... it somehow pulls you and throws you into a place somewhere quite far away actually. Last September, it was away from the hell of a new life that I had found around me. From the groans of my soul and the constant lump that burrowed in my throat. And then he came out, dressed in those colorful wings, as if he knew exactly where he would take all of us and was merely toying with our sense of stability. "What the water wants is hurricanes," Sufjan humbly spouted to the crowds on his opening lines. "I have a red kite; I'll put you right in it. I'll show you the sky." And that's exactly what happened.
This September another escape occurred, though one of slightly different dynamics. My soul was not rotting; my times have not been hard. My times have just been nonexistent. I sit here and I honestly cannot remember the last time I had the ability to sit and think, not worrying about a meeting I had in five minutes or a paper that was waiting to be written. But yesterday, a Irish man once again used the Ryman as a portal to access another world. It was a world where time didn't really seem to flow at all, where my busyness was drunken away. And it was incredible. What an experience. Even without his beloved Lisa, his vocals that soared from one extreme to another made up for the difference. Clocking in at an hour and 45 minutes of straight playing time, unsupported, it was a gem of a night. The famed drunken "Cheers Darlin' " finale couldn't have been done better, and I don't think I've ever seen an exit from the stage as masterfully executed and as appropriate to the evening as the one that played out before my eyes there, bringing me back to the present world a new and freed person.
Two different Septembers and two different circumstances, yet the same effect. September at the Ryman has brought me into the year once again. I wonder what will greet me for the next one.
This September another escape occurred, though one of slightly different dynamics. My soul was not rotting; my times have not been hard. My times have just been nonexistent. I sit here and I honestly cannot remember the last time I had the ability to sit and think, not worrying about a meeting I had in five minutes or a paper that was waiting to be written. But yesterday, a Irish man once again used the Ryman as a portal to access another world. It was a world where time didn't really seem to flow at all, where my busyness was drunken away. And it was incredible. What an experience. Even without his beloved Lisa, his vocals that soared from one extreme to another made up for the difference. Clocking in at an hour and 45 minutes of straight playing time, unsupported, it was a gem of a night. The famed drunken "Cheers Darlin' " finale couldn't have been done better, and I don't think I've ever seen an exit from the stage as masterfully executed and as appropriate to the evening as the one that played out before my eyes there, bringing me back to the present world a new and freed person.
Two different Septembers and two different circumstances, yet the same effect. September at the Ryman has brought me into the year once again. I wonder what will greet me for the next one.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Bongo vs. Smile
As much as it has felt like home, upon returning to Belmont a few weeks ago, that is, I have realized that I have been deceived. But as I finish up my first (of many) Bongo porch happenings of the year, I realized that I am now, truly, home. Belmont could not exist without this quaint porch, as so many of my friends have earlier stated, probably in ways much more eloquent than myself. But this Bongo trip was marked by a peculiar occasion. Smiles. Yes, I was quite taken back really. Not that I was never given smiles by the wonderful baristas and such, but the overwhelming "I don't give a (fill in expletive as according to your degree of hard core-ness)" attitude is a hallmark at this place. And now, I stand at the coffee prep table getting all the my precious toppings with which I am about froth my coffee, and smiles are invading my personal space from everywhere. From all the employees -- one of which are even humming and another even taking the time to ask my how my day was thus far. Just now one came up to me, offered to take my plate, and then had a conversation with the chap sitting next to me about how he loves his dog. To top it off -- wonderful friends that give some the best good morning hugs I've known just made their presence known as well. I really don't know what just happened. I am not sure to be happy at the sudden turn of happiness or not. Peculiar dilemma. humpf
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Summer 07, A Playlist
Uh-hum.. *clears throat*... My summer playlist is finally here. A little late, but hey, it's only Labor Day, right? I thought about pulling out a quote from each of the songs like I did last semester, but quite frankly, I'm too busy and tired to do that this time 'round. Let me know if you wanna hear the songs and I'll figure something out. Hope you enjoy. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Control Room
Tonight in my Mass Media and Society class, I was hit over the head. For the second part of the class, we watched Control Room, a documentary of Al-Jazeera in the early days of the present Iraq War. It is one of those films that I believe every American should be required to see. It's a documentary, so naturally, there is a bias involved. I can't name a documentary where there isn't. But it does a great job of showing both sides of the spectrum while asking the question, "Does objectivity even exist?"
As J. Hoberman of the Village Voice puts it:
This absorbing, significant, and shamelessly entertaining movie not only goes through the looking glass but, no less significantly, turns the mirror back on us.
Personally, after seeing the film my heart is once again quite broken over the state of our world and the state of humanity. I am both revolted and devastated. Please do yourself a favor and, maybe for just a moment, lift the veil of Americanism up from over your eyes. Watch the documentary. See what some people's world is really like. See the suffering, see the various perspectives, see the people trying to find the white and black in a gray world. It will be worth it. Check out the documentary below:
Friday, August 24, 2007
A Reprieve and a Return
Thank you for allowing me the break from this addiction/burden that I needed. Starting my second year at college and getting everything lined up that needs to be lined up has been more taxing on me than I thought it would, though I feel great about where I am. I took this Friday night, after some casual Wii playing with some friends, to spend with God and reflect on where I am and find guidance for where I am going. In my journal gazing, I ran across some timely words:
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."
-- John Shedd
"Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn't really matter."
--unknown
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Thoughts, Sunday, August 12th, 2007, 11:47pm
Staring, hoping, into the dark chasm hanging up above, that some of those lights will flash before my eyes again, leaving its tail behind for a few seconds for dramatic effect. Mesmerized is a good word, I think. It's things like meteor showers that have opened me up again lately.
And it's things like gliding, flying even, above what almost seems like glass while that golden orb takes its final bow to complete its performance in yet another act of the story of the cosmos. Standing on the edge of that big boat, admiring the Caribbean water, which really is quite as transparent as your imagination would have dreamed of but never quite hoped for in fear that it could never live up to the expectation. On this day there are no waves, and even the subatomic particles only God is small enough for remain fixed and calm. You really are soaring above a sea of glass. And to make it that much more impalpable, untouchable, sacred, just as you thought it was already too much, a creature, a magical creature, a dolphin, makes her dramatic appearance. And then another. And another. And there's a family of them--all dancing as the sun sets gently over the waters.
Or how it turns into the great abyss. Completely dark in every directions. It's really no wonder they thought you could fall off the edge of the world. I almost believed it myself. The tiny lanterns hung up above are magnificent. There must be a million of them. Almost. You could try counting, but I'm pretty sure you'd never get to an end. New ones always seem to slide out from underneath their cover, only very dimly at first. And the longer you stare, the more you see. But never to be outdone by the Old Man himself, shining down quite pompously to his subject Earth. His rays getting wider and wider as they approach on the water. And however fast your vessel is moving, on the water, the rays never cease to follow, the moon with a sly grin at your futile attempt. Impressive he is, though. The guardian of the night sky, keeping all in order in stead of the now resting sun. What a portrait set before you. What a symphony of colors and emotions. The wind in your hair reminds you that you are alive. Not in a metaphorical, adolescent kind of way, but solemnly alive, taking a breath and then one after that. That you have blood running underneath that flesh of yours. That you exist in something bigger. That your life is connected, even to the wind in your hair that will inevitable continue and rush into another innocent admirer's hair on the next ship 25 miles behind. Connected in those rare occasions that lights are seen somewhere on the horizon. Connected to the life it mandates. Some lighthouse, some village, some fisherman in his boat... some soul that is breathing along with you.
All of these things I have experienced in the last week have been a growing signal to me. A wise high school English teacher once tried to teach me about life--and against my arrogantly futile internal attempts to stop her (my 17 year old mind was obviously much more aware of my world than she was)--apparently she succeeded. I'm not sure if she even tried to teach me about life, come to think of it. I think it just happened out of her passion for it. For the gritty, raw, aspects of it. But as Mr. Camus rightly screams from his pen, so she screamed from her living, the utter importance of action and reflection. The gravity of doing and then being what has been done. And strangely enough, it has made a lot of sense of life lately. The coming of April and Displace Me marked a new chapter in my life. I moved past the cage that had become reflection into the freedom of action. And that path took me out of my wallows, out of the rut, and into summer. Honestly, I haven't looked back.
Until the meteor shower. Until the sunset. Until the night at sea. It crept back into me. And the more and more as I clutch this pen, I know. It's here again. A new chapter, a new reflection. Even as my life is inevitably going to erupt into busyness, responsibilities, deadlines, and events, it won't stop my pen. It feels new, it feels fresh. I feel that this chapter is going to be positive--one of new realizations, of forming into the new man that I am becoming. And I am gladly welcoming this positive spirit that has seemed to have invaded me. You are welcome any time.
The kiddos (said in presumptuous nose-in-the-air because I'm a cool college kid tone) are sleeping now--waking up in only a few hours to find the first day of school staring them down. A chance for new beginnings, new somethings, new anythings. And I would be lying to myself in some small sense if I did not say that at least part of me were jealous. I mean not really--but the excitement of seeing those familiar faces again, of the opportunities the year would bring, of figuring out how I would define the new year: the semester's play, model UN, a new girlfriend, my AP classmates as we battled for that coveted 5, the campus ministry; of the prospect of another season of friday night football, of before school/after school hangouts, of youth group times, of merely growing up, experiencing life, and understanding more of my world. Oh, the innocence of it all. I had life too well.
It is hard to look ahead when such fond memories are all around, though I feel as if it is my time now. Different, that is for sure, but this stage will be one I look fondly back upon as well. Here's to a good one.
And it's things like gliding, flying even, above what almost seems like glass while that golden orb takes its final bow to complete its performance in yet another act of the story of the cosmos. Standing on the edge of that big boat, admiring the Caribbean water, which really is quite as transparent as your imagination would have dreamed of but never quite hoped for in fear that it could never live up to the expectation. On this day there are no waves, and even the subatomic particles only God is small enough for remain fixed and calm. You really are soaring above a sea of glass. And to make it that much more impalpable, untouchable, sacred, just as you thought it was already too much, a creature, a magical creature, a dolphin, makes her dramatic appearance. And then another. And another. And there's a family of them--all dancing as the sun sets gently over the waters.
Or how it turns into the great abyss. Completely dark in every directions. It's really no wonder they thought you could fall off the edge of the world. I almost believed it myself. The tiny lanterns hung up above are magnificent. There must be a million of them. Almost. You could try counting, but I'm pretty sure you'd never get to an end. New ones always seem to slide out from underneath their cover, only very dimly at first. And the longer you stare, the more you see. But never to be outdone by the Old Man himself, shining down quite pompously to his subject Earth. His rays getting wider and wider as they approach on the water. And however fast your vessel is moving, on the water, the rays never cease to follow, the moon with a sly grin at your futile attempt. Impressive he is, though. The guardian of the night sky, keeping all in order in stead of the now resting sun. What a portrait set before you. What a symphony of colors and emotions. The wind in your hair reminds you that you are alive. Not in a metaphorical, adolescent kind of way, but solemnly alive, taking a breath and then one after that. That you have blood running underneath that flesh of yours. That you exist in something bigger. That your life is connected, even to the wind in your hair that will inevitable continue and rush into another innocent admirer's hair on the next ship 25 miles behind. Connected in those rare occasions that lights are seen somewhere on the horizon. Connected to the life it mandates. Some lighthouse, some village, some fisherman in his boat... some soul that is breathing along with you.
All of these things I have experienced in the last week have been a growing signal to me. A wise high school English teacher once tried to teach me about life--and against my arrogantly futile internal attempts to stop her (my 17 year old mind was obviously much more aware of my world than she was)--apparently she succeeded. I'm not sure if she even tried to teach me about life, come to think of it. I think it just happened out of her passion for it. For the gritty, raw, aspects of it. But as Mr. Camus rightly screams from his pen, so she screamed from her living, the utter importance of action and reflection. The gravity of doing and then being what has been done. And strangely enough, it has made a lot of sense of life lately. The coming of April and Displace Me marked a new chapter in my life. I moved past the cage that had become reflection into the freedom of action. And that path took me out of my wallows, out of the rut, and into summer. Honestly, I haven't looked back.
Until the meteor shower. Until the sunset. Until the night at sea. It crept back into me. And the more and more as I clutch this pen, I know. It's here again. A new chapter, a new reflection. Even as my life is inevitably going to erupt into busyness, responsibilities, deadlines, and events, it won't stop my pen. It feels new, it feels fresh. I feel that this chapter is going to be positive--one of new realizations, of forming into the new man that I am becoming. And I am gladly welcoming this positive spirit that has seemed to have invaded me. You are welcome any time.
The kiddos (said in presumptuous nose-in-the-air because I'm a cool college kid tone) are sleeping now--waking up in only a few hours to find the first day of school staring them down. A chance for new beginnings, new somethings, new anythings. And I would be lying to myself in some small sense if I did not say that at least part of me were jealous. I mean not really--but the excitement of seeing those familiar faces again, of the opportunities the year would bring, of figuring out how I would define the new year: the semester's play, model UN, a new girlfriend, my AP classmates as we battled for that coveted 5, the campus ministry; of the prospect of another season of friday night football, of before school/after school hangouts, of youth group times, of merely growing up, experiencing life, and understanding more of my world. Oh, the innocence of it all. I had life too well.
It is hard to look ahead when such fond memories are all around, though I feel as if it is my time now. Different, that is for sure, but this stage will be one I look fondly back upon as well. Here's to a good one.
Attention all School-Goers (and Non-School-Goers too)
Tomorrow's the big day...
Make sure you lay out your clothes, make a sack lunch, get your books together, set your alarm....
...and prepare to shoot your friends to end a war.
We're talking laser tag for Invisible Children. You may have your first day of school tomorrow, but what could be better than Laser Chase for a cause in the afternoon?
Just come into the LC anytime between 1 and 9 pm to play one, two, three, or why not even ten games of laser tag?
Remember, 50% of all profits made tomorrow will go straight to Invisible Children. We will also be showing the newest media out of IC at the event. Can you think of anything better? I can't.
Check out laserchase.net for directions. See you there...
Lasers > Guns
Make sure you lay out your clothes, make a sack lunch, get your books together, set your alarm....
...and prepare to shoot your friends to end a war.
We're talking laser tag for Invisible Children. You may have your first day of school tomorrow, but what could be better than Laser Chase for a cause in the afternoon?
Just come into the LC anytime between 1 and 9 pm to play one, two, three, or why not even ten games of laser tag?
Remember, 50% of all profits made tomorrow will go straight to Invisible Children. We will also be showing the newest media out of IC at the event. Can you think of anything better? I can't.
Check out laserchase.net for directions. See you there...
Lasers > Guns
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Shoot Your Friends To End A War
So blogosphere,
I am organizing an Invisible Children benefit on Monday, and I would really appreciate your help. Here's the deal:
Come in to Laser Chase in Cool Springs, TN anytime between 1pm and 9pm on Monday, August 13th. Play a normal game (or games) of laser tag, and at the end of the day, Laser Chase has agreed to give 50% of their profits to the nonprofit Invisible Children. It's that simple. We will also be showing some new Invisible Children media at the event as well. The media alone is worth stopping by the event.
It's a nice, family environment, so it's safe and fun for the whole family. In fact, working at Laser Chase, I see that it's usually the adults that have more fun than the kids they bring! For those of you who unfortunately have your first day of school on the 13th, cheer up! It's only a half day, and the second half you can spend with you friends having fun and playing laser tag, all while helping to end the war in Uganda. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?
You can get directions and information about Laser Chase through their website, or you can visit the benefit's facebook event page here.
So please make every attempt possible to bring all of your friends and families to this event this Monday. You won't regret it. And if you are feeling especially nice, I would love for you to repost this on your blog and try to help me spread the word. I would love to see hundreds and hundreds of people all playing laser tag for a cause on Monday!
Just remember, shoot lasers, not guns!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Return
I have returned from my great saga and am quite pissed that an ocean isn't outside of my window anymore :o). There has been much contemplation and consideration of life and cruise-endom in my little brain in the last few days, and in time hopefully I will share all of these thoughts and various perspectives that I had on this relatively new phenomena. But for now, I must sleep, as I have 12 hours of hungry customers to please tomorrow at my wonderful job that is a server at The Franklin Chop House. Maybe I'll see you there?
Friday, August 03, 2007
An Absence
I am currently in Montgomery, AL, sitting in the dark while the rest of my family is counting sheep, staring into this bright light to inform the world that I will be unavailable for the next week. I will be on quite a large boat, stuffing myself with as much food as I can fit into my body, and soaking in the warm sun. It's my first cruise, and I am quite excited. I'll be sure to update everyone when I get back!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
40 Day Fast: Get a (few) Goat(s)
The mastermind behind the 40 Day Fast, Kat, has another brilliant idea to wrap up the 40 Days: Get a Goat.
The idea is that everyone donate 5 minutes and 1 dollar and we come together to purchase a goat through World Vision to help a family in need. A goat can help to provide cheese, yogurt, milk, and a source of income for a family, and it only costs $75. Learn more from her post.
The response has been so great that she's already been able to purchase one, and she's over halfway to a second one. She's taking donations until 11:59 tonight.
I hope you have enjoyed the 40 Day Fast as much as I have. And not only enjoyed it, but have been heartbroken as well. And hopefully you've discovered some incredible blogs and writers out there as well. I know it has been something I feel honored to be a part of. It's exciting to see this new age of connectivity being used to make a difference.
The idea is that everyone donate 5 minutes and 1 dollar and we come together to purchase a goat through World Vision to help a family in need. A goat can help to provide cheese, yogurt, milk, and a source of income for a family, and it only costs $75. Learn more from her post.
The response has been so great that she's already been able to purchase one, and she's over halfway to a second one. She's taking donations until 11:59 tonight.
I hope you have enjoyed the 40 Day Fast as much as I have. And not only enjoyed it, but have been heartbroken as well. And hopefully you've discovered some incredible blogs and writers out there as well. I know it has been something I feel honored to be a part of. It's exciting to see this new age of connectivity being used to make a difference.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Church Mafia in Action
Shaun posts:
Can any reader help??
Lately I’ve been talking about what the Church could be in a different way. We could be like the mafia, I’ve been thinking. If anyone in the “family” needs something - just imagine - someone else in the “family” pipes up with, “I Gotta Guy...”
I gotta a guy that can fix your back, put in a hot water heater, mow your yard while you’re out of town, help you cover your kid’s college tuition...do what you need done.
Well, I need a guy and I’m hoping you are one or you know one. We’re family afterall.
A friend of ours, Judy, has been told she has only a few months to live. She wants to try to extend her life with chemotherapy to six months. Before the chemicals make it impossible for her to travel, she’d like to take a trip with her kids and husband, to Disneywhatever in Florida. Our church and friends have already taken care of Disney tickets and hotel accomodations but they need our help with airline tickets.
Brian and I fly a lot and are donating the American Airline miles we’ve accumulated to them. They’ll need a total of 125K American Airlines advantage miles to cover the five airfares. We need to make this happen quickly. If you have some miles or would like to donate some money toward a ticket, please email my friend Brian at bseay@us.ci.org
I need a guy. Can you help?
Can any reader help??
Saturday, July 28, 2007
End of Year Shenanigans
And yes, that is the proper spelling of "shenanigans."
The time required for amnesty, as well as my personal safety, has finally elapsed, and I can now with ease of mind post these scandalous pictures. That's right, this is what happens when you are an RA at Belmont and have loving friends.
The full slideshow has been posted on my facebook. Befriend me if you have yet to already!
The time required for amnesty, as well as my personal safety, has finally elapsed, and I can now with ease of mind post these scandalous pictures. That's right, this is what happens when you are an RA at Belmont and have loving friends.
The full slideshow has been posted on my facebook. Befriend me if you have yet to already!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Wes Anderson's Newest
The Darjeeling Limited:
Oh man.... September 29th can't come soon enough...
In addition to Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, and Adrien Brody, Bill Murray and Natalie Portman will also grace the cast list.
And a little trivia information for you as well: Wes Anderson, the director, and Owen Wilson were actually roommates together at the University of Austin, TX. This will be their 4th movie together. Small world, eh?
Oh man.... September 29th can't come soon enough...
In addition to Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, and Adrien Brody, Bill Murray and Natalie Portman will also grace the cast list.
And a little trivia information for you as well: Wes Anderson, the director, and Owen Wilson were actually roommates together at the University of Austin, TX. This will be their 4th movie together. Small world, eh?
40 Day Fast
Today's post for the 40 Day Fast takes a look at North Korea. Very interesting and dire situation. Take a look.
CNN YouTube Debates
I watched the CNN YouTube Democratic Debates last night, and was thoroughly impressed by the process, if not the candidates.
The entire debate is posted by question on YouTube here, and I would really encourage you to check it out. It makes a big difference when people get to ask personal questions directly to the candidates like this (check out the first question. Strike one, Obama). Plus, it simply adds some humanity to the whole thing. Whatever your opinions, it certainly can't be denied that technology isn't constantly changing the way we do things. It's exciting to see all the opportunities this brings...
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Words
It's been far too long since the words of Frederick Buechner graced this blog. This one's from Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation, page 93.
Words--especially religious words, words that have to do with the depth of things--get tired and stale the way people do. Find new words or put old words together in combinations that make them heard as new, make you yourself new, and make you understand in new ways. "Blessed are the meek" are the words of the English translators--words of great beauty and power--but over the years they have become almost too familiar to hear any more. "Heureux sont les debonnaires" are the French words--blessed are the debonair--and suddenly new beauty, new power, flood in like light. Blessed is Fred Astaire in white tie and tails. Blessed is Oliver Hardy in rusty black suit and derby hat as he picks his dapper way toward the unseen banana peel on the sidewalk. Blessed is my old friend as she tries to let me win at Aggravation, rattling her dice in the cup which the pills that keep her alive come in. Arrange the alphabet into words that are true in the sense that they are true to what you experience to be true. If you have to choose between words that mean more than what you have experienced and words that mean less, choose the ones that mean less because that way you leave room for your hearers to move around in and for yourself to move around in too.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Mr. Rice, Meet Tim... Tim, Damien.
September 13th, this man will be in front of my eyes:
(warning... profanity alert)
Ah yes...
September and the Rhyman have treated me well thus far. Sufjan, now Damien.
And yes, that is Glen Hansard, star of Once, playing guitar behind him in the video. If only...
(warning... profanity alert)
Ah yes...
September and the Rhyman have treated me well thus far. Sufjan, now Damien.
And yes, that is Glen Hansard, star of Once, playing guitar behind him in the video. If only...
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
TOMS Revisited.
When it rains, it pours, so they say.
I never really got that phrase. Partly because I like rain so much. So if its pouring, all the better, I say!
All that arbitrary introduction to tell you that since I posted about TOMS on Sunday, I've been seeing the company pop up everywhere, including on the good ol' blogosphere.
Seth Godin, the marketing guru, has a post about it here. Which raises some interesting conversation, I think.
I personally don't think Blake has set up his business model this way to be able to create a market buzz. I believe he genuinely cares about the cause, partly because I have a friend in NYC that knows him personally.
But I do think it's interesting how attractive it does look to the world when Kingdom ideals are put on display. It's so revolutionary it's something that people WANT to talk about. And THAT makes great marketing, even if it wasn't completely on purpose.
I wonder at the potential of the kind of buzz that would result in this world if we all put Kindom ideals on display.
Just a thought.
Some GOOOOOOD posts have been put up in the last few days from the 40 Day Fast. See the links on the sidebar to the right!
I never really got that phrase. Partly because I like rain so much. So if its pouring, all the better, I say!
All that arbitrary introduction to tell you that since I posted about TOMS on Sunday, I've been seeing the company pop up everywhere, including on the good ol' blogosphere.
Seth Godin, the marketing guru, has a post about it here. Which raises some interesting conversation, I think.
I personally don't think Blake has set up his business model this way to be able to create a market buzz. I believe he genuinely cares about the cause, partly because I have a friend in NYC that knows him personally.
But I do think it's interesting how attractive it does look to the world when Kingdom ideals are put on display. It's so revolutionary it's something that people WANT to talk about. And THAT makes great marketing, even if it wasn't completely on purpose.
I wonder at the potential of the kind of buzz that would result in this world if we all put Kindom ideals on display.
Just a thought.
Some GOOOOOOD posts have been put up in the last few days from the 40 Day Fast. See the links on the sidebar to the right!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
40 Day Fast: The Trendy Poverty
First of all, it would be a bit presumptuous of me to assume that most readers of this post today have visited this blog before. In that case, I must begin with proper etiquette: Greetings, and welcome to my small corner of the internet. It is a modest corner, I am aware, but I like it, and I hope you enjoy your stay as well.
Today is my turn in the 40 Day Fast. For those that know me, I am sure they are expecting some post about Invisible Children and the ways to get involved. And while I do love the spirit of that organization and must admit they are up to some pretty neat stuff lately, I decided to spread my wings a wee bit and learn about something else, something that I think fewer people know about but that more people should.
But to get there, I will start with a friend I have who works at Invisible Children. He was staying at my house in Franklin, TN, one day because he was in town doing some promoting for one of their events, the Global Night Commute, in 2006. When he came downstairs for breakfast, I was a little taken back by the words that were written across the shirt he was wearing:
"Africa is the new pink."
It really made me stop and think. Poverty and suffering are not new phenomena. They have been around for thousands of years. One only needs elementary sunday school and a few Old Testament stories to know this. I saw this poverty and suffering first hand when I visited Kosovo a few years ago and saw the devastation left behind from the Balkan genocidal conflict in 1999. I worked with Invisible Children and understood the barbarity of children much younger than I was (at the time 17) being forced into the violence of terrorist rebel groups. And perhaps what had the most profound and sobering effect on me was a course at Belmont I took in the fall called "Confronting Genocide." What an introduction to the real world. Despite my previous experiences with the issue of genocide and suffering, I think I am still just recovering from the shattering effect that had on my perspective of the world.
But if poverty and suffering are so ancient themes, then why is it now, just now, that they are getting so much attention? Why has the picture of Africa become so... so trendy lately?
As I sat at that kitchen table, I had to quickly examine my heart. Why was I focusing my energy on this activist cause in Africa? Was it because I genuinely cared? Was it because I wanted to take care of the least of these? Or was it because an Irish rock star told me to and I wanted to look cool, hip, and "trendy"?
There are a lot of debates right now about this whole topic, but my opinion is, even if the Africa and poverty are the cool wave right now, let's ride that wave and get as much as we can out of it while we can. If "Africa is the new pink," let's take advantage of it! We can argue that the RED campaign is misguided because it is using consumerism to fight the nasty effects of... consumerism, but the fact is that in its very first year, it contributed five times more money to the Global Fund as the private sector had in the previous four years. And that will make a difference to poverty. And perhaps, after some initial "trendy" exposure, the whole Africa theme might just transform hearts as well, as I believe it did for me.
As a business student in college, that gives me hope. I believe it is the redemption of capitalism. I can be a business owner and make a difference in the world in which I live. That is why the organization I wish to highlight today is TOMS Shoes. It's a business founded by Blake Mycoskie with a simple, yet revolutionary idea. For every pair of shoes purchased, Blake will personally donate a pair to a child in need. It's that simple. Buy one pair, another gets donated. The shoes are stylish, the website is glossy, and the cause is legit. For only $40, you can be incredibly cool AND provide a kid in need with a new pair of shoes (not to mention you are already cool for helping out a kid in need). I bought the olive pair, why don't you consider buying your own? If you don't feel like you need another pair of shoes, if nothing else, they are a great conversation starter and a way to spread the word to others about this great company.
Here's a clip that showcases what they call "Shoe Drop '06." It is definitely worth a watch:
Click on the banner below to bring up the designer's/Chief Shoe Giver's blog. It's got a lot more info on TOMS Shoes that I left out, as well as some of his really interesting thoughts.
I pray today for those in need, yet I also pray for those who are able to empower. I pray that we will be courageous enough to make a difference, even when it may seem foolish, and have the perseverance to keep with it. I thank God for people like Blake, who creatively find a way to bring the Kingdom to earth in the context of the world they find themselves in. I pray that we all may find a way to do this with our lives.
Today is my turn in the 40 Day Fast. For those that know me, I am sure they are expecting some post about Invisible Children and the ways to get involved. And while I do love the spirit of that organization and must admit they are up to some pretty neat stuff lately, I decided to spread my wings a wee bit and learn about something else, something that I think fewer people know about but that more people should.
But to get there, I will start with a friend I have who works at Invisible Children. He was staying at my house in Franklin, TN, one day because he was in town doing some promoting for one of their events, the Global Night Commute, in 2006. When he came downstairs for breakfast, I was a little taken back by the words that were written across the shirt he was wearing:
"Africa is the new pink."
It really made me stop and think. Poverty and suffering are not new phenomena. They have been around for thousands of years. One only needs elementary sunday school and a few Old Testament stories to know this. I saw this poverty and suffering first hand when I visited Kosovo a few years ago and saw the devastation left behind from the Balkan genocidal conflict in 1999. I worked with Invisible Children and understood the barbarity of children much younger than I was (at the time 17) being forced into the violence of terrorist rebel groups. And perhaps what had the most profound and sobering effect on me was a course at Belmont I took in the fall called "Confronting Genocide." What an introduction to the real world. Despite my previous experiences with the issue of genocide and suffering, I think I am still just recovering from the shattering effect that had on my perspective of the world.
But if poverty and suffering are so ancient themes, then why is it now, just now, that they are getting so much attention? Why has the picture of Africa become so... so trendy lately?
As I sat at that kitchen table, I had to quickly examine my heart. Why was I focusing my energy on this activist cause in Africa? Was it because I genuinely cared? Was it because I wanted to take care of the least of these? Or was it because an Irish rock star told me to and I wanted to look cool, hip, and "trendy"?
There are a lot of debates right now about this whole topic, but my opinion is, even if the Africa and poverty are the cool wave right now, let's ride that wave and get as much as we can out of it while we can. If "Africa is the new pink," let's take advantage of it! We can argue that the RED campaign is misguided because it is using consumerism to fight the nasty effects of... consumerism, but the fact is that in its very first year, it contributed five times more money to the Global Fund as the private sector had in the previous four years. And that will make a difference to poverty. And perhaps, after some initial "trendy" exposure, the whole Africa theme might just transform hearts as well, as I believe it did for me.
As a business student in college, that gives me hope. I believe it is the redemption of capitalism. I can be a business owner and make a difference in the world in which I live. That is why the organization I wish to highlight today is TOMS Shoes. It's a business founded by Blake Mycoskie with a simple, yet revolutionary idea. For every pair of shoes purchased, Blake will personally donate a pair to a child in need. It's that simple. Buy one pair, another gets donated. The shoes are stylish, the website is glossy, and the cause is legit. For only $40, you can be incredibly cool AND provide a kid in need with a new pair of shoes (not to mention you are already cool for helping out a kid in need). I bought the olive pair, why don't you consider buying your own? If you don't feel like you need another pair of shoes, if nothing else, they are a great conversation starter and a way to spread the word to others about this great company.
Here's a clip that showcases what they call "Shoe Drop '06." It is definitely worth a watch:
Click on the banner below to bring up the designer's/Chief Shoe Giver's blog. It's got a lot more info on TOMS Shoes that I left out, as well as some of his really interesting thoughts.
I pray today for those in need, yet I also pray for those who are able to empower. I pray that we will be courageous enough to make a difference, even when it may seem foolish, and have the perseverance to keep with it. I thank God for people like Blake, who creatively find a way to bring the Kingdom to earth in the context of the world they find themselves in. I pray that we all may find a way to do this with our lives.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
On Rain and DJs
Rainy days are keen to me. Especially when spent in a local coffee shop by a window. And in this particular one, the rain on the outside is being matched on the inside by the rain of some hip-hop beat of sorts falling from above. And listening to it reminds me of the newly discovered yearning in my heart to become a DJ. Yes, I said it. Or typed it, rather. It's a bit odd for me, I know, but it's true. I've had two very fateful encounters with DJs this summer, both of which left a lasting imprint on my heart. Followed by the stunning admission by one of my best, equally un-DJ-esque, friends, who knew nothing of my hidden desire, that he, in fact, too would love to be a DJ. And so, I ponder at these quickly evaporating puddles how long I will actually entertain such silly ideas, and when I will actually grow up and become boring and stale. Because that's what you're supposed to do, right? Hah.. how bitter I can choose to be. I'm really not like that. Or at least, I hope I'm becoming a person not like that. Because that's what is important, right? Not the person you are, but the person you are becoming. And that's why I will someday be a DJ and not boring and stale.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Confession
I did it.
And I feel the need to come clean. And to provide some sort of proof of a logical thought process over mindless ho-hum hype.
And so, ladies and gents, I did, in fact, purchase an iPhone.
No, it is not like me to buy the newest and slickest, but in this case I crumbled. It was the perfect storm, if you will. I had been holding out on buying an iPod for about a year in order to get the next generation. I already had AT&T/Cingular, and my current phone had put in its 2 years and was due for a replacement. And his Highness King Steve announced the phone 6 months ago, allowing for ample saving time. And thus, the wee gadget became mine. And I walk around, listening to cool new tunes, browsing the internet, and talking on the phone with by nose in the air, sneering at the "inferiors" that aren't as cool, hip, savvy, etc. as I am. Because I have arrived. iArrived.
For what it's worth, I have had it for a few days now, and the complaints are null. It does live up to the hype, and I am still incredulous at what I am able to do with these metal pieces I hold in an orderly contraption in my hand. The battery won't die and the screen won't scratch. I still don't really believe that I really own it. But BAH, it's just a machine. Treat it like more, and that's when ye get in trouble.
So I guess that makes me cooler than you now? Something like that right? Or just a glutton for consumerism... you pick...
And I feel the need to come clean. And to provide some sort of proof of a logical thought process over mindless ho-hum hype.
And so, ladies and gents, I did, in fact, purchase an iPhone.
No, it is not like me to buy the newest and slickest, but in this case I crumbled. It was the perfect storm, if you will. I had been holding out on buying an iPod for about a year in order to get the next generation. I already had AT&T/Cingular, and my current phone had put in its 2 years and was due for a replacement. And his Highness King Steve announced the phone 6 months ago, allowing for ample saving time. And thus, the wee gadget became mine. And I walk around, listening to cool new tunes, browsing the internet, and talking on the phone with by nose in the air, sneering at the "inferiors" that aren't as cool, hip, savvy, etc. as I am. Because I have arrived. iArrived.
For what it's worth, I have had it for a few days now, and the complaints are null. It does live up to the hype, and I am still incredulous at what I am able to do with these metal pieces I hold in an orderly contraption in my hand. The battery won't die and the screen won't scratch. I still don't really believe that I really own it. But BAH, it's just a machine. Treat it like more, and that's when ye get in trouble.
So I guess that makes me cooler than you now? Something like that right? Or just a glutton for consumerism... you pick...
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
40 Days Wages On
I survived my first camp counselor experience, and I actually loved it! Such an incredible time of fellowship with other leaders and a chance to pour myself out into some younger guys. I had no idea what was about to hit me..
But now, I got some catchin up to do.
The 40 Day Fast still wages on, and here is what I've missed:
June 29 -- Stephen writes about Blood:Water Mission
June 30 -- Jeanine writes about The International Justice Mission, War Child, and Christian Children's Fund
July 1 -- Truevyne writes about Compassion International
July 2 -- Ryan writes about Living Water International
July 3 -- Jeremy writes about the local church
July 4 -- Steven writes about inner city ministries
And today it's Susanne's turn. There's been some incredible posts. I encourage all of you to read em!
But now, I got some catchin up to do.
The 40 Day Fast still wages on, and here is what I've missed:
June 29 -- Stephen writes about Blood:Water Mission
June 30 -- Jeanine writes about The International Justice Mission, War Child, and Christian Children's Fund
July 1 -- Truevyne writes about Compassion International
July 2 -- Ryan writes about Living Water International
July 3 -- Jeremy writes about the local church
July 4 -- Steven writes about inner city ministries
And today it's Susanne's turn. There's been some incredible posts. I encourage all of you to read em!
Once
I finally saw it. Once. And it fulfilled most of my expectations. It's quite a paradoxical movie. Heartbreaking yet soothing. Simple but not simplified. All the magic of a musical with all the elements of realism cinematography. Rough around the edges yet incredibly innocent. Complex characters yet we don't even know their names. The best of Irish culture yet transcending nationalistic boundaries. The perception that the movie could be made by any amateur with a camera yet the subtle knowledge that such a perception is only a testament to the complex detail and tactfulness the director must have employed. The fact that this low budget film shines in its brilliance as the big bucks flicks of Evan, Pirates, and Spidey leave much to be hoped for. The ability to connect with the characters yet have no idea where the next turn will be or how it will end.
And through the paradoxes, about three quarters through the movie, I decided that I liked it. It took me that long, but I can say now that it will not soon fade away from my list favorites. You should see it.
Friday, June 29, 2007
My Immediate Past and Future
My time in the mountains and Maryville (pronounced Murvul :o) ) was fantastic, and I'm sad to leave those people behind. These last three days of work have been tiring, and here I am typing this post at 2 in the morning when I have to be ready to greet hundreds of kids anxious for camp at 6:30 in the morning tomorrow. It's gonna be another long day tomorrow, but worth it. For the next 5 days, I will be a camp counselor, and thus, there will be no life on this blog. Feel free to leave your gamut of comments for me to sort through when I return, as I've left enough posts tonight for you to have some options :o). I will be back in full swing by the 4th of July, and I can't wait to see all that happens until then.
As for the 40 Day fast, Stephanie has today's post. I'll be sure to link to all the posts that I will miss by being at camp when I return.
Be good without me, blogosphere. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.
iDay: coming soon
Tomorrow is it. The day we've been waiting for. The day history has been waiting for. It's iDay. At 6pm across the country, the iPhone will be released. People have been lining up since Monday morning for the release. Thousands are lining up now. The iPhones are being delivered under armored guard. Apple has posted several videos on how it works, etc. They have announced the rate plans. They are even giving every single one of their employees a free one. Now we can only wait. Unless Apple decided to pull a last second announcement to put icing on the cake. As if the icing isn't already there. But I wouldn't put it past Apple.
CNN puts it best here, referring to the Apple store in NY: "Genius sits in a glass house," the Swiss artist Paul Klee wrote. It's on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, and anyone can wander in.
I can't wait to see what happens.
Also of special note, tomorrow is the release date for the movie Once in Nashville. If you read this blog, you know how excited I am for this moment. What a day~
Displace Me: The Aftermath
Check out the new video for Displace Me. It brings back so many memories and reminds me of the fire that is burning in me.
I love it! Some Belmonters are shown as well, but only if you look hard for em. A new website is up as well, and it's pretty well done. Worth a look, if nothing more.
I love it! Some Belmonters are shown as well, but only if you look hard for em. A new website is up as well, and it's pretty well done. Worth a look, if nothing more.
And Add One More
St. Vincent, how could I forget you? Another one that has collaborated with Sufjan of late. Her first solo effert, Marry Me is wonderful. Her soothingly jazzy voice and eccentric/eclectic style blend wonderfully together in this refreshing masterpiece!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Summer Won't Stop Giving
And by the title, I mean gooood music. So much, in fact, I've decided to dedicate a blog post to it.
Spoon's newest, unfortunately named Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, is incredible. Think ancy younger brother that won't stop making you smile...and just feel good. And there you have Spoon.
The New Pornographers, featuring AC Newman and the gang, have some summer music, Challengers, that is sure to turn heads. Odd, quirky, eccentric, brilliant. All words that apply.
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova nearly have a monopoly over my ears these days. They are the stars of the indie-Irish film Once, which has only been getting better than superb reviews. Their music is raw, original, and quite seamless. Hansard has previously toured with fellow countryman Damien Rice, and it's easy to make a connection in their music. Check out the movie's site to hear the soundtrack.
Tegan And Sara are soon to release The Con, and it can be said to be the close, female, slightly more The Killers-esque relative to The New Pornographers.
Ryan Adams has new biz this summer as well, taking the form of Easy Tiger. It's a bit more bluegrass than some of his other works of late, but I am overwhelmingly a fan. Definitely could end up playing at every Starbucks across the nation.
The Polyphonic Spree JUST released their newest effort, The Fragile Army, and it is quite in line with some of their other stuff. I.E. You need to check it out. Too bad the white robes are gone though...
Wilco certainly carried me into the summer, so Sky Blue Sky had to make it onto the list. New guitarist means a slightly new sound, but it's a good mix of energy and chill. But in the end, it's still Wilco. I don't think I need say more...
Rosie Thomas brings us These Friends of Mine, featuring Sufjan Stevens and Denison Witmer, and even though it was released last spring, I just discovered it and it's too good to leave from this post. Thus, I cheat. But after you hear it, you probably won't blame me.
Spoon's newest, unfortunately named Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, is incredible. Think ancy younger brother that won't stop making you smile...and just feel good. And there you have Spoon.The New Pornographers, featuring AC Newman and the gang, have some summer music, Challengers, that is sure to turn heads. Odd, quirky, eccentric, brilliant. All words that apply.Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova nearly have a monopoly over my ears these days. They are the stars of the indie-Irish film Once, which has only been getting better than superb reviews. Their music is raw, original, and quite seamless. Hansard has previously toured with fellow countryman Damien Rice, and it's easy to make a connection in their music. Check out the movie's site to hear the soundtrack.
Tegan And Sara are soon to release The Con, and it can be said to be the close, female, slightly more The Killers-esque relative to The New Pornographers.
Ryan Adams has new biz this summer as well, taking the form of Easy Tiger. It's a bit more bluegrass than some of his other works of late, but I am overwhelmingly a fan. Definitely could end up playing at every Starbucks across the nation.
The Polyphonic Spree JUST released their newest effort, The Fragile Army, and it is quite in line with some of their other stuff. I.E. You need to check it out. Too bad the white robes are gone though...
Wilco certainly carried me into the summer, so Sky Blue Sky had to make it onto the list. New guitarist means a slightly new sound, but it's a good mix of energy and chill. But in the end, it's still Wilco. I don't think I need say more...
Rosie Thomas brings us These Friends of Mine, featuring Sufjan Stevens and Denison Witmer, and even though it was released last spring, I just discovered it and it's too good to leave from this post. Thus, I cheat. But after you hear it, you probably won't blame me.
YouTube Goodness
...straight from Zach Lind.
Some serious, but inspiring:
Some more light hearted, via the incredibly artistic Fiest:
Some serious, but inspiring:
Some more light hearted, via the incredibly artistic Fiest:
The 40 Days Continue...
My travels have prohibited me from keeping up to date with the 40 Day Fast. Sorry all, but I promise to back track and link to them anyway. Shaun Groves posted about his cause on Monday, and as always, his thought-provoking words pushed to status quo. He is never one to just do something like everyone else does, is he? Tuesday's post by Kristin continued the Compassion International streak to five days in a row. What an incredible testament to how the organization is actually saving lives. Today's participant is The Chaotic Hammer, so make sure you give him some lovin.
Soon enough, my friends, I will get around to posting pictures and stories and such from this weekend. Soon enough.
Soon enough, my friends, I will get around to posting pictures and stories and such from this weekend. Soon enough.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Day 3
Day 3 of the 40 Day Fast is today, and Sam has the goods. Fortunately, I find myself typing this message from a town called Maryville, TN, 30 minutes outside of Knoxville. A wonderful time with some friends from Belmont, but not the best condition for blogging. Therefore, today's message will be short, and more will come tomorrow. Make sure you read the post today!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
40 Day Fast: Day 2
Day 2 of the 40 Day Fast. Today's post can be found on Brant Hansen's Blog. It is an incredible post, I must admit.
Here's a little bit of what he had to say:
The wall is very, very thin. The wall divides a bloody temple from Mother Teresa's home for the sick and dying, and it's a very thin wall. For the children I've met in central America, Africa, Asia -- the wall between hope and hopelessness, between smiling young engineer and disfigured beggar, is a very thin wall.
And, borrowing from Solzhenitsyn, that wall runs through me, and my checkbook, separating life and death, mercy and darkness.
The Challenge of Jesus
Today one could find my body at both of my jobs depending on which hour you looked, but my mind was elsewhere. After my first shift ended, I headed straight to the park to be able to devour a few pages. After my second shift, downtown Franklin was my destination, enjoying the tunes from a street band outside of McCreary's while I focused on the task at hand. And I did it. I finally finished N.T. Wright's The Challenge of Jesus, and all I can say is wow! 
Anyone unfamiliar with N.T. Wright's should become familiar very fast. He has certainly given me a new picture of Jesus and his mission in relation to the first century. And consequently, my reading of Jesus in the bible has come alive lately. I'm so intrigued by this Jesus. I want to know him. And he is radically more complex than the Jesus I grew up knowing. But the best thing about the book is not the history lesson that Wright gives, but the last two chapters where he applies the first six chapters to today's postmodern world. You really need to read it for yourself, but I will leave you with a poem that Wright leaves his readers with. It was penned after visiting the Louvre and being incredibly disappointed at the Mona Lisa being behind thick glass due to recent security concerns. He was unable to view the intricate eyes of the portrait without seeing the eyes of all the other onlookers -- including his own -- in the glass's reflection. He thought that the scenario could be seen as a great metaphor for postmodernity: "What seems like knowledge is really the reflection of your own ideas, your own predispositions or inner world. You can't trust anything; you have to be suspicious of everything." To this idea, though, he offers a challenge:
Anyone unfamiliar with N.T. Wright's should become familiar very fast. He has certainly given me a new picture of Jesus and his mission in relation to the first century. And consequently, my reading of Jesus in the bible has come alive lately. I'm so intrigued by this Jesus. I want to know him. And he is radically more complex than the Jesus I grew up knowing. But the best thing about the book is not the history lesson that Wright gives, but the last two chapters where he applies the first six chapters to today's postmodern world. You really need to read it for yourself, but I will leave you with a poem that Wright leaves his readers with. It was penned after visiting the Louvre and being incredibly disappointed at the Mona Lisa being behind thick glass due to recent security concerns. He was unable to view the intricate eyes of the portrait without seeing the eyes of all the other onlookers -- including his own -- in the glass's reflection. He thought that the scenario could be seen as a great metaphor for postmodernity: "What seems like knowledge is really the reflection of your own ideas, your own predispositions or inner world. You can't trust anything; you have to be suspicious of everything." To this idea, though, he offers a challenge:A Paris newcomer, I'd never been
Followed by those dark eyes, bewitched by that
Half-smile. Meaning, like beauty, teases, dancing
In the soft spaces between portrait, artist,
And the beholder's eye. But now, twice shy,
She hides behind a veil of wood and glass;
And we who peer and pry into her world
See cameras, schoolchildren, other eyes,
Other disturbing smiles. So, now, we view
The world, each other, God, through prison glass:
Suspicion, fear, mistrust--projections of
Our own anxieties. Is all our knowing
Only reflection? Let me trust, and see,
And let love's eyes pursue, and set me free.
Friday, June 22, 2007
In the headlines...
This really makes me want to vomit.
Fortunately, we're at least making progress. Albeit slowly. As in 2020. But progress, nonetheless.
And how bout them apples:
Fortunately, we're at least making progress. Albeit slowly. As in 2020. But progress, nonetheless.
And how bout them apples:
 | ||||||
| June 2007 | ||||||
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 22 Kat | 23 Brant Hansen | |||||
| 24 SAM | 25 Shaun Groves | 26 Kristen | 27 Chaotic Hammer | 28 Stephanie | 29 Stephen | 30 Jeanine |
| July 2007 | ||||||
| 1 Truevyne | 2 Ryan G. | 3 Jeremy Thiessen | 4 Steven | 5 Susanne | 6 Valerie | 7 William Guice |
| 8 Todd | 9 Scott | 10 Transition Pete | 11 Marianne | 12 Mark Jaffrey | 13 Michelle | 14 Lucas Parry |
| 15 Tim Harm | 16 Andrew Osenga | 17 Shawn | 18 Lorijo | 19 Euphrony | 20 Brody Harper | 21 Amy |
| 22 Erin Mount | 23 Dray | 24 Jessica | 25 Los | 26 Mom | 27 Ted | 28 Charla |
| 29 Rick | 30 Tressa | 31 Toby | ||||
Isaiah 58:6-7
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
The first post is up.
Why don't you join us by placing a logo or schedule on your blog, or even starting your own. I'll do it!
The Good/The Bad
The Good:
Rob Bell has new tour dates. This one's called The Gods Aren't Angry Tour.
The Bad:
I must wait till November 29th and drive 3 hours. Don't think I won't be there, though.
The Bad:
Shane Claiborne's The Simple Way, as well as the houses and belongings of many in his community, tragically burned down on Thursday.
The Good:
People are generous.
The Good:
The U.N. reached a reasonable peacekeeping deal for Darfur that was actually accepted by Khartoum.
The Bad:
The U.S. might jeopardize the whole thing by failing to pay our pledged money.
Rob Bell has new tour dates. This one's called The Gods Aren't Angry Tour.
The Bad:
I must wait till November 29th and drive 3 hours. Don't think I won't be there, though.
The Bad:
Shane Claiborne's The Simple Way, as well as the houses and belongings of many in his community, tragically burned down on Thursday.
The Good:
People are generous.
The Good:
The U.N. reached a reasonable peacekeeping deal for Darfur that was actually accepted by Khartoum.
The Bad:
The U.S. might jeopardize the whole thing by failing to pay our pledged money.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The 40 Day Fast
A few days ago, I read about an incredible idea. It was thought of and implemented by Kat. And I get to be a part of it.
It's the 40 Day Fast:
Who:
40 bloggers who will each fast for 1 day.
What:
They will blog about the experience as well as an area of need in the world (either a cause or a country) and an organization that strives to meet that need.
They will also link to the blogger who is fasting on each day of the fast and encourage their readers to join the fast on the 40th day.
Why:
The purpose behind it is to give people an opportunity to:
1. Experience a bit of need
2. Learn about the need in the world
3. Do something about it
When:
The fast starts on June 22, 2007 and ends on July 31, 2007
Where:
The blogosphere.
So, as you can tell, it starts today. For the next 40 days, I will be linking to the blogger that is fasting so you can read up on their organization or cause and their experience. What a tremendous thing this will be!
It's the 40 Day Fast:
Who:
40 bloggers who will each fast for 1 day.
What:
They will blog about the experience as well as an area of need in the world (either a cause or a country) and an organization that strives to meet that need.
They will also link to the blogger who is fasting on each day of the fast and encourage their readers to join the fast on the 40th day.
Why:
The purpose behind it is to give people an opportunity to:
1. Experience a bit of need
2. Learn about the need in the world
3. Do something about it
When:
The fast starts on June 22, 2007 and ends on July 31, 2007
Where:
The blogosphere.
So, as you can tell, it starts today. For the next 40 days, I will be linking to the blogger that is fasting so you can read up on their organization or cause and their experience. What a tremendous thing this will be!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Spinal Tap Together Again
Legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner has just brought a little more of heaven to earth... again. The director of This Is Spinal Tap has just released a new 15 minute short simply entitled Spinal Tap. And best of all, you can view the comedic genius here for free.
All this in preparation for an event that has even more monumental implications: the reunification of Spinal Tap for a live performance at Live Earth. They even are releasing a new song -- Warmer Than Hell -- specifically for the occasion.
Live Earth a great cause to bring attention to the problem of global climate change, and it will feature 24 straight hours of music from over 100 artists in concerts on all 7 continents. It's all happening on 7/7/07. 1 million people are expected to be in attendance at the concerts, with another 2 billion people having access on TV, radio, or internet. It should be good.
I may just have to turn my TV volume to 11.
All this in preparation for an event that has even more monumental implications: the reunification of Spinal Tap for a live performance at Live Earth. They even are releasing a new song -- Warmer Than Hell -- specifically for the occasion.
Live Earth a great cause to bring attention to the problem of global climate change, and it will feature 24 straight hours of music from over 100 artists in concerts on all 7 continents. It's all happening on 7/7/07. 1 million people are expected to be in attendance at the concerts, with another 2 billion people having access on TV, radio, or internet. It should be good.
I may just have to turn my TV volume to 11.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Thoughts, June 17, 10:45PM
This summer feels like no summer I've summed before. It's good, albeit confusing in its unidentifiability. My body was dragged home after work by my soul, not because it didn't belong there, but because it was simply too exhausted to move. I plead guilty to not having the energy I should have during a wonderful dinner with my dad to properly celebrate the hero he has been to me, and promptly afterwards I moved myself to the hammock for a warm nap. Waking up 20 minutes letter, I decided the Spirit told me to move inside, and two more hours of dinosaurs, flying, and interesting mashups of friends visited me in my dreams. And when I woke, there was much rejoicing. And thus I've been sitting on my bed, catching up on blogs I've let pile up in that digital cloud. I'm ingesting some incredible chocolate cake that my mom made for my dad today alongside a trusty glass of my skim milk, and come to think of it, metaphorically speaking the cake is actually icing ON the cake of the horrid diet I have graced myself with today: 2 slices of cold pizza for breakfast, an ice cream oreo pie from The Chop House for lunch, and a feast from the good ol' Famous Dave's for dinner. Perhaps it will help as tomorrow I yet again will lift a little bar over and over again in hopes of making my wee arm a little less wee-like. I had no idea how hard it was to gain weight. Jeez... But no worries now, I am indulging in the gift of new music that summer has bestowed -- Ryan Adams, The New Pornographers, Immaculate Machine -- letting the notes gracefully flood my ears. And I am wondering if I have enough of that creative juice, energy, force, whatever you would like to call it, etc. to actually start AND finish one of the creative endeavors that are spinning around between those neurons and synapses. I have a nagging tendency to get halfway through before that aforementioned "stuff" runs out. Hmm... Perhaps we'll see. Looking at my list of "Summer To Do's" I made the last week of school is depressing. I'd rather blog instead. Or watch another masterpiece of this man:
Wes Anderson, release your next one already!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
The Trusslah
This is Mark.
Mark also goes by T.Russ.
Mark is one of my good friends at Belmont.
I posted some of his music here on my Semester 1 Playlist. He really does make good "normal" music too.
Well, Mark is at it again. Him and a friend have been working on a project they call Whitehouse Productions. Being home at Memphis must have done something to him, because he now thinks he is a rap artist. Check out their myspace for some amazing work. I doubt you will regret it. And I'm sure he would love it if you left a comment of appreciation as well. Do it for Mark...he's a pretty swell guy :o).
Mark also goes by T.Russ.
Mark is one of my good friends at Belmont.
I posted some of his music here on my Semester 1 Playlist. He really does make good "normal" music too.
Well, Mark is at it again. Him and a friend have been working on a project they call Whitehouse Productions. Being home at Memphis must have done something to him, because he now thinks he is a rap artist. Check out their myspace for some amazing work. I doubt you will regret it. And I'm sure he would love it if you left a comment of appreciation as well. Do it for Mark...he's a pretty swell guy :o).
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Andrew Osenga's Newest
Andrew Osenga has a new EP out, "Letter to the Editors, Vol. 1," and it's up for a free download here on his blog (though a paypal donation is strongly encouraged). I'm listening to it right now and it's some good stuff. I love the guy and all of his projects (The Normals, Squarepeg Alliance, Caedmon's Call), and I can honestly say I never fail to thoroughly enjoy what he has to say on his ol' blog. So if you're looking for some great music or reading...look no further.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The Day Before...
WWDC07, one half of the two conferences that make a Mac-nerd's heart beat a little faster every year, is almost here. Tomorrow, during the Stevenote, as it has come to be called among his cult followers, there is much that is to be expected: news on the new iPhone, all the details on Leopard (the OS X update), new iMacs, new thin notebooks, Google and .Mac integration, and possibly even movie rentals from iTunes. There's a lot to hope for...
But make sure you check out the keynote bingo tradition that has started. First one to shout "Bingo" loud enough for the audience at home to hear wins...
For more links and info about how to keep up to date with the updates coming from the conference tomorrow, check here.
Enjoy!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
What Are You Eating?
Normal Rockstar has an incredible post. Lend me your thoughts on it, if you don't mind :o).
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Dissension Between Pro-Life Groups
As pro-life groups gear up to take on the new Supreme Court and try to change the Roe v. Wade decision, it seems there seems to be some dissention among their tactics and money. It's an interesting argument: should they take the incremental, saving more lives by slowly making it harder to have abortions route, or should they take the all out ban on abortion route. Before you pick your camp, I suggest you read this article, it may just make you take some things into consideration that hadn't crossed your mind.
Either way, I, for one, think it's pretty apalling that 1 in 5 pregnancies in this country end in an abortion, which translates to an estimated 1.3 million abortions a year.
Either way, I, for one, think it's pretty apalling that 1 in 5 pregnancies in this country end in an abortion, which translates to an estimated 1.3 million abortions a year.
AIDS Pandemic...Still a Pandemic
"For each sub-Saharan African who was placed on anti-AIDS drugs last year, experts say, five more were newly infected. The region’s rate of new infections has not budged since the late 1990s, experts say."
Full NY Times Article here
Full NY Times Article here
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Bah!
Things that are utterly unfortunate, as experienced by Tim:
1) Uncertainty.
2) Adults acting more immature than their kids.
3) Yellow stuff pouring from a limitless (and quite efficient) factory somewhere in your nose.
Well, thats all I got.
Sleep well, blogosphere.
1) Uncertainty.
2) Adults acting more immature than their kids.
3) Yellow stuff pouring from a limitless (and quite efficient) factory somewhere in your nose.
Well, thats all I got.
Sleep well, blogosphere.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Invisible Children Screening at Rcktwn
Saturday, June 2nd, I will be on hand at Rocketown during the Southern Hospitality Jam to screen the documentary Invisible Children: Rough Cut. I know most of you have most likely already seen the moving documentary that without exaggeration changed my life, but if you haven't, I urge you to make it a priority to be at this event if you are able. It's an all day thing, but we are screening the movie at 5:30 pm. All details can be found at the myspace page I linked above. Or, if you merely want to lend a brother some support, it would be much appreciated! Seeing as the festival features graffiti artists, freestyle rap-offs, and pro skateboarders, I think I may be a little out of my league... I may need all the familiar faces I can get!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
What's a boy to do?
Being at "home" makes a college boy appreciate so much.
...like dishwashers, for instance.
...or showering without the insistent tunes of Radiohead pouring in from my suitemate (no offense Andrew)
...or not having to share the hall with black widow spiders.
But alas, when this happens:
there is no soul staring into the same screen in our modest room to empathize with the nerd that lives in my heart.
How will life go on?
...like dishwashers, for instance.
...or showering without the insistent tunes of Radiohead pouring in from my suitemate (no offense Andrew)
...or not having to share the hall with black widow spiders.
But alas, when this happens:
there is no soul staring into the same screen in our modest room to empathize with the nerd that lives in my heart.
How will life go on?
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Save the Preds!
Normal Rockstar alerted us to the real threat that the Nashville Preds might be leaving. The team has an offer to be sold to a man from Canada, who has recently just backed out of a deal to buy the Pittsburg because the NHL was making it very difficult for him to move the team to Canada. I don't know about you, but I think hockey is one of the best things about Nashville. I absolutely love it! Please join us as we try to rally to save the Predators. Here's several links for you to help out.
Normal Rockstar's Preds Post
Save the Predators Facebook Group (2,700+ members)
Save the Predators MySpace Group
Official Online Petition (1,700+ signatures)
Preds Forum (including info on a Rally to Save the Preds on June 16)
Email the League Commissioner: gbettman@nhl.com
Call the NHL: 212-789-2000
Thanks, and help spread the word!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Brian McLaren on Worship
Several people have posted this, and my blog felt left out. From the progressive himself, McLaren has some interesting thoughts. Let me know what you think...
Saturday, May 26, 2007
LeaderShaped
Some pictures from my week at LeaderShape Tennessee. Our group was called "The Dance Party," which may help you understand some of the pictures :o).
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Jim Wallis at Georgetown University
The following is an adaptation of Jim Wallis' commencement speech at Georgetown University on May 20. It is here courtesy of God's Politics, where a full version of the speech and an audio recording are also available. This is really worth taking the time to read, and I am so grateful for Jim Wallis' words. Read and comment away.
Each new generation has a chance to alter two very basic definitions of reality in our world - what is acceptable and what is possible.
First, what is acceptable?
There are always great inhumanities that we inflict upon one another in this world, great injustices that cry out to God for redress, and great gaps in our moral recognition of them. When the really big offenses are finally corrected, finally changed, it is always and only because something has happened to change our perception of the moral issues at stake. The moral contradiction we have long lived with is no longer acceptable to us. What we accepted, or ignored, or denied, finally gets our attention and we decide that we just cannot, and will not, live with it any longer. But until that happens, the injustice and misery continue.
It often takes a new generation to make that decision - that something that people have long tolerated just won't be tolerated any more.
So the question to you as graduates, as ambassadors for a new generation, is this: what are you going to no longer accept in our world, what will you refuse to tolerate now that you will be making the decisions that matter?
Will it be acceptable to you that 3 billion people in our world today - half of God's children - live on less that $2 per day, that more than 1 billion live on less than $1 per day, that the gap between the life expectancy in the rich places and the poor places in the world is now 40 years, and that 30,000 children globally will die today - on the day of your graduation - from needless, senseless, and utterly preventable poverty and disease? It's what Bono calls "stupid poverty."
Many people don't really know that, or sort of do but have never really focused on the reality or given it a second thought. And that's the way it usually is. We don't know, or we have the easy explanations about why poverty or some other calamity exists and why it can't really be changed - all of which makes us feel better about ourselves - or we are just more concerned with lots of other things. We really don't have to care. So we tolerate it and keep looking the other way.
But then something changes. Something gets our attention, something goes deeper than it has before and hooks us in the places we call the heart, the soul, the spirit. And once we've crossed over into really seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting the injustice we can never really look back again. It is now unacceptable to us.
What we see now offends us, offends our understanding of the sanctity and dignity of life, offends our notions of fairness and justice, offends our most basic values; violates our idea of the common good, and starts to tug at our deepest places. We cross the line of unacceptability. We become intolerant of the injustice.
But just changing our notion of what is unacceptable isn't enough, however. We must also change our perception of what is possible.
In that regard, I would encourage each of you to think about your vocation more than just your career. And there is a difference. From the outside, those two tracks may look very much alike, but asking the vocational question rather than just considering the career options will take you much deeper. The key is to ask why you might take one path instead of another - the real reasons you would do something, more than just because you can. The key is to ask who you really are and what you want to become. It is to ask what you believe you are supposed to do.
You do have great potential, but that potential will be most fulfilled if you follow the leanings of conscience and the language of the heart more than just the dictates of the market, whether economic or political. They want smart people like you to just manage the systems of the world. But rather than managing or merely fitting into systems, ask how you can change them. You're both smart enough and talented enough to do that. That's your greatest potential.
Ask where your gifts intersect with the groaning needs of the world - there is your vocation.
The antidote to cynicism is not optimism but action. And action is finally born out of hope. Try to remember that. At college, you often believe you can think your way into a new way of living, but that's actually not the way it works. Out in the world, it's more likely that you will live your way into a new way of thinking.
The key is to believe that the world can be changed, because it is only that belief that ever changes the world. And if not us, who will believe? If not you, who?
Each new generation has a chance to alter two very basic definitions of reality in our world - what is acceptable and what is possible.First, what is acceptable?
There are always great inhumanities that we inflict upon one another in this world, great injustices that cry out to God for redress, and great gaps in our moral recognition of them. When the really big offenses are finally corrected, finally changed, it is always and only because something has happened to change our perception of the moral issues at stake. The moral contradiction we have long lived with is no longer acceptable to us. What we accepted, or ignored, or denied, finally gets our attention and we decide that we just cannot, and will not, live with it any longer. But until that happens, the injustice and misery continue.
It often takes a new generation to make that decision - that something that people have long tolerated just won't be tolerated any more.
So the question to you as graduates, as ambassadors for a new generation, is this: what are you going to no longer accept in our world, what will you refuse to tolerate now that you will be making the decisions that matter?
Will it be acceptable to you that 3 billion people in our world today - half of God's children - live on less that $2 per day, that more than 1 billion live on less than $1 per day, that the gap between the life expectancy in the rich places and the poor places in the world is now 40 years, and that 30,000 children globally will die today - on the day of your graduation - from needless, senseless, and utterly preventable poverty and disease? It's what Bono calls "stupid poverty."
Many people don't really know that, or sort of do but have never really focused on the reality or given it a second thought. And that's the way it usually is. We don't know, or we have the easy explanations about why poverty or some other calamity exists and why it can't really be changed - all of which makes us feel better about ourselves - or we are just more concerned with lots of other things. We really don't have to care. So we tolerate it and keep looking the other way.
But then something changes. Something gets our attention, something goes deeper than it has before and hooks us in the places we call the heart, the soul, the spirit. And once we've crossed over into really seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting the injustice we can never really look back again. It is now unacceptable to us.
What we see now offends us, offends our understanding of the sanctity and dignity of life, offends our notions of fairness and justice, offends our most basic values; violates our idea of the common good, and starts to tug at our deepest places. We cross the line of unacceptability. We become intolerant of the injustice.
But just changing our notion of what is unacceptable isn't enough, however. We must also change our perception of what is possible.
In that regard, I would encourage each of you to think about your vocation more than just your career. And there is a difference. From the outside, those two tracks may look very much alike, but asking the vocational question rather than just considering the career options will take you much deeper. The key is to ask why you might take one path instead of another - the real reasons you would do something, more than just because you can. The key is to ask who you really are and what you want to become. It is to ask what you believe you are supposed to do.
You do have great potential, but that potential will be most fulfilled if you follow the leanings of conscience and the language of the heart more than just the dictates of the market, whether economic or political. They want smart people like you to just manage the systems of the world. But rather than managing or merely fitting into systems, ask how you can change them. You're both smart enough and talented enough to do that. That's your greatest potential.
Ask where your gifts intersect with the groaning needs of the world - there is your vocation.
The antidote to cynicism is not optimism but action. And action is finally born out of hope. Try to remember that. At college, you often believe you can think your way into a new way of living, but that's actually not the way it works. Out in the world, it's more likely that you will live your way into a new way of thinking.
The key is to believe that the world can be changed, because it is only that belief that ever changes the world. And if not us, who will believe? If not you, who?
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