Where has Jeff been in the last week?

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:11

Part one...check.

Part two...check.

Part three...Boo-Yah!

The List

Ok. Time for a list.
I've been contemplating this for a while, but there are some things I want to do this sumer and year. So, with out further ado, here are some things I want to do this year.
1. Go fishing with my boat at least six times: One of those with my dad.
2. Go golfing at least three times. If I go, its usually only twice.
3. Make it to a cubs game at Wrigley Field: never been there.
4. Head up to Chicago again to go see Wicked, Stomp, Blue Man Group, or something of the like.
5. Sell my car. I'm tired of it sitting in my drive way. As soon as I put an alternator in it, its go time.
6. Learn to play guitar.
7. Take more time to spend more time alone with God time. This one will happen. I'm tired of being shallow in my relationship with Christ. Along with that, I want to work on my journaling. I suck at it, so really there is either only room for improvement, or no change at all. I want the former over the latter.
8. Speak less. I want to be able to learn from those around me and not just say thing to say things.
9. Go wake boarding at least once.
10. Ride jet skis at least twice.

So long, Showplace

Last night I was hanging out with a couple of gentlemen, both of drinking age. We were going to go see Prince Caspian, a rated PG movie. Apparently after 9pm on Friday and Saturday, anyone looking under the age of 25 has to show i.d. I suppose we'd be ok if everyone had their i.d.'s with them, but they didn't. Still, a stupid rule.

I won't be going back anytime soon.

The Name Game

In the past months, I've been introduced to The Office on NBC. I am no Steve Carell fan, but I do like the show. If you don't know me, I'm kind of a sci-fi nerd. It just so happens that I share a lot of of the same entertainment interests of the one and only Dwight Schrute. Dwight is known to like movies and shows like Star Wars, LOTR, 24, Heroes, Lost, and Battlestar Galactica.

I stumbled across the NBC video rewind, and saw that you can watch the first season of The "A" Team online. In high school, I went on a mission trip to Florida. While we were down there, we got on to the subject of that t.v. show, and so we started giving each other nickname from that show, and others. I was dubbed Murdock, because he was the crazy one, and apparently everyone thought it fit me.

The character of Murdock is played by Dwight schultz.

Jeff's nickname is Murdock, Murdock is played by Dwight Schultz, Dwight Schultz -> Dwight Schrute?

I've officialy spent to much sitting in the coffee house.

Frustrating.

I love Christian music. When I first entered into a relationship with Christ at the age of 16, I dived into the Christian music hardcore. I listened only to Christian music, (except for Country, when I had to ride the bus to and from school) went to as many concerts as I could, and had a wardrobe composed heavily of band t-shirts. A.D.D. moment: My shirts have been moving on to their final resting place, one by one over the years. Its been a sad transition.

As of late, it has been difficult to make it to the concerts as time progresses. I'm older, I don't listen only to Christian music- so i don't hear the announcements, (rock, talk radio, etc.) and all around I'm always busy when the concerts happen.

Several months ago I heard about two of my favorite bands are going to be in the area:David Crowder Band is going to be @ the Elco on June 19. I will be on the DCGO trip.

Delirious?, with lead singer Martin Smith (second on right) Have written songs including "I could sing of your love forever", "Shout to the North", "My Glorious", "Did you Feel the Mountains Tremble?", "Majesty"and "Rain down" They will be playing in Ft. Wayne on July 12. This is during Sr. High Summer Camp.

Observations from a coffee house

I like hanging out at coffee houses. I have done it in Kansas City, St. Charles, and Nappanee. Ok, so I don't do it much, but there is something about it that allows me to slow down, collect my thoughts, and post stuff on this blog. My main observation that is spurring this post is this: Do you ever get slightly annoyed by something, which is not a big deal? So what happens when you start to think about the small annoyance? Well, if you're anything like me, it get really annoyed by it, or them.

This instance is brought to you by the ladies who are taking time to connect and talk and talk and talk... nonstop. To be honest, its not a bad thing, it has reminded me of something... do I talk the time to actually listen, or am I just wanting for my turn to jump into a conversation?

Harty Boys

You might find this amusing:

The problem of Red Bull

I don't know if it the cause or the effect... maybe its just the typical run of the mill miscreants of Nappanee, but I just watched as a adolescent disposed of his spent can of Red Bull outside the Coffee Shop door. Let the discussing the spiritual meanings of this begin...

A tale of text messaging.

So, two Sundays ago, I was minding my own business as I was heading to service in The Connection. During service, I received multiple text messages.

Text message number one was from, a Jr. High pastor wanting me to get the attention of the person next to me.

Text message number two was from a youth who not thrilled about the lyrics on the side screens during worship...

 I just got off the phone with jesus and he said to put the words on the middle
screen. Or you shall be shunned!

I had ran Shout during the On Fire Rallies, but that was the last time. Why this is my responsibility, I don't know

Text message number three was a pic from another person in the youth:
With the artistic help of the one and only Carter Ammerman, I replied with this:

I then got a response of ... Touche.

Maybe I should turn my phone off more often.

Remember me?

Hello Blogging world, Its been a while. I'm Hanging out at Main Street Coffee House and its time to return to blogspot...

Really cool stuff

Ok, I'm still up for some reason I don't know. I stumbled across something on the internet, and its awesome. This guy has discovered some really cool things you can do with a wii remote:

Here is where I got the video.
Here is his website.

The five dollar bill

So yesterday as I was meandering around the summit city, I noticed something. The new 5 dollar bill got a make over:What is with adding purple to the dollar? Is purple the only solution in the war against counterfeit money?

Greetings from a land far, far away... or several counties anyways.

What a glorious day today. There is just something about getting away that breathes life back into one's soul. Kinda sad that I have to get away from church to do so. Anyways, the whole plan is do take it easy these next days. I'm just making stuff up as I go.
Between last night and this morning, I realized something through observing my nieces. There is no filter on their minds. They aren't afraid to ask many questions and they will speak their mind. Maybe it is the innocence in their inquiries of life, but something about them reminded me of a passage of scripture in Matthew 18.

1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Now, I'm not saying I want to be the greatest in heaven, but verse 3 is what struck me. How often do I try to have everything figured out, and act like I have arrived at the destination of being a "Christian". I need to continuing pursuing a child-like faith, and keep from having the mindset of having figured this whole thing out.

Okay, now for a random story. Until this morning, I have never been served breakfast in bed. Ellie, the 8 yr old in the middle of the pic is the reason for the end of this "I never...". Coupled with that, I do believe this is the first time I ate cereal with milk in it. Call me crazy, but I've never been keen on that concept. What am I going to do, not eat it? My niece took the time to prepare it for me.

Two wonderful situations

When it comes to work, there are always two situations that haunt me.

Situ #1. You remember that you forgot something important, and its way too late to take care of.
Situ #2. You remember that you forgot something important, and its not too late to take care of, but its either too late at night, or right before a vacation, or both. You still feel obliged to take care of it.

I just fell victim to #2.



He he he... don't take that out of context.

So long, Moses, Judah Ben-hur

84 years old.

And...

I can see a light
that is coming
for a heart that holds on...

Cat Herding

Don't mess with a sleeping bear...um, I mean Jeff

I love sleep. There are times when the world around me wants to communicate with me, while I'm sleeping, and I try to communicate back.

The results aren't pretty.

I don't always know what I say, and sometimes I slip back into the world of slumber, only to realize that I probably wasn't coherent.

On this occasion, I think I remember something about an alumni reunion. I think I also hung up on the poor guy.

Oops.

Wanna fight?

Ah, yet something else I can thank my multiple years as a volunteer youth worker for:

27

Gut Check

I had a conversation with someone tonight that is messing with me. A question was posed to me that I can't get out of my head. How would I come up with that much money in a short time? Is it logistically possible to be ready that quick? Why would someone like me go?

Now, I'm not even sure that is was a serious question, but it has rocked me. Made me fearful, even.

In my life it seems like it would be a complete God thing.

Ultimately I guess I need to stand back and look at my life and evaluate why haven't I looked at the God sized opportunities in my life, and seized them.