Car Rally pics from last weekend...

Last weekend we had a great student ministry event that we have done the last couple of falls called the "Car Rally."

Basically, we put middle and high school students together in teams and then match them up with an adult driver and send them out with a digital camera to answer questions, collect clues and take pictures in a huge scavenger hunt.

It really is a lot of fun. This year's winners for Middle School were Sarah Ray and Sarah Pierson. The High School winners were Nate Nasralla, Will Deuerling and Brooke O'Neal.



The picture above is Mary looking awesome on that Harley...


Here, Kayla, Rebekah and Shelby are moving on to another site and having a blast...







Here are the Middle School winners... Sarah and Sarah... looking buff!!!













Here's our last middle school team pumping some iron... and Lucas is showing it off while Will gets ready to work out.











Here's one of our high school teams... Bailey, Natalie, Clayton and Paige are fighting it out in the parking lot of our old church building in Batavia.










Here is the winning high school team... Will, Nate and Brooke...

Congrats!!!


It was a great event. We had about 25 students participating and had some great adult drivers. Thanks Jeff, Craig, Becky, Andi, Betsy, Carolyn, Mark, and Gary. It was a great event. And especially thank to Sandy and Ann who put it together. It was truly great!!!

Jim

Transformers DVD... interesting 'warning'

So...

The other day, I picked up my copy of the Transformers on DVD... which I just finished 'ripping' for my iPod and iPhone.

As I was putting the DVD back in its case, I noticed this contest to win a 2008 Chevy Camaro like the one featured in the movie. So, I thought... why not?

As I was looking over the flier and entering, I noticed this 'warning' in the lower left corner of the flier:
"Cybertron law forbids these vehicles to be equipped with Energon-powered alien technology of any sort. These Camaros will not transform into 18-ft-tall Autobots. If they did, they would not do so in your presence. (It goes against the whole 'robots in disguise' directive thing they do.)"

I just made me chuckle...

Jim

24 Season 7 Trailer Looks AWESOME!!!!

Sorry... low blogging turn-out

Hey all...

Sorry that I haven't been blogging as much lately. It's not that I hate you... It's that I'm working on a big paper for school. Once that is done, I'll be back to my normal blogging patterns.

More blogging beginning next Tuesday afternoon. I promise.


Jim

Cat enjoying some TV

Yesterday I snapped this picture as my cat, Spot, was watching Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet. She seemed fairly interested!!!

She loves her TV.

Jim

Apple iPhone Ad: Ken - My Show

These Apple Ads are great!!

Check out the website here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng8Vyg8vlKY

Jim

Webapps Rock!!!

I just want to go back and say this again...

"These webapps for iPhone ROCK!!!! And rock hard!!!!!"

Apple has released a ton of Webapps for iPhone and iTouch users. The set up is formatted perfectly for iPhones/Touches and they are great. And they are adding more all the time. To check them out, grab your iPhone or iTouch and head HERE.

You won't be disappointed.

Jim

Mac OS X Leopard...

Apple has officially releasing the date for Mac OS X Leopard...

I can't wait. Everyone has said how incredible it's going to be. It should be awesome.

Jim

Pizza with a GREAT friend...

Last night, Jackie and I stopped by and had pizza and conversation with a GREAT friend... Chris Genders. Chris was the executive/teaching minister here at Fox Valley for the 2 1/2 years that I have been on staff here at FVCC. About 6 weeks ago, Chris relocated to Metamora (outside of Peoria) IL.

It was great to sit down... talk a little face to face (we've talked over the phone... but it just isn't the same)... catch up on life... and the pizza was pretty good too!!!

Jim

New iPhone TV Ad / Stephano

#3 of the new commercials...

Sweet!!

Jim

~Apple iPhone - Elliot Meredith. Commercial

The mobile web is awesome... I use it all the time!!!

Jim

~Apple iPhone - Doug Mankind. Commercial

Visual voicemail rocks!!!

Jim

iPhone webapps!!!

Wow!!!

If you've got an iPhone or an iTouch, you are going to want to check these out. Apple just released a ton of web apps for iPhones and iTouches. Click HERE to check them out.

I bookmarked several!!!


Jim

I'm still here...

I just realized that it's been a couple of days since I last blogged.

No... I haven't forgotten about you... nor do I hate you. It's just been a busy couple of days...

Hopefully over the next couple of days I'll get a chance to catch up on my blogging.

Jim

Friday Night Football

Jackie and I took in a little Friday night football on Friday night. We went to West Aurora High School's homecoming game against Naperville North.

I'm sorry to say that for West, it wasn't much of a homecoming. (They lost 37-0.) But the band was good!! And that's why we went.

Way to go West Band!!!

Jim

Weekend Outline

This weekend, for High Voltage, music returned to the line up. It was scheduled for Live Wire (Middle School) as well, but a schedule conflict came up.

We're hoping that this marks the return of regular music to the High Voltage and Live Wire line ups.

This is a quick picture I grabbed from the back of the room as it was getting started with my iPhone. Doesn't it take good pictures for a phone?

Here's the weekend outline:
Week 2: Better Together
Live Wire/High Voltage – Jim Clark – 10/7/07
What is 40 Days of Community?
“Community”… a reference to deep relationships
“Relationships”… you are better together

What are we doing during this series? We’re going to…
∑ Teach it Everyone
∑ Talk about it Small groups
∑ Live it out YOU (in community)

Why care/why listen?
Because solitude stinks
∑ Happiness isn’t shared
∑ Sadness is magnified
∑ Experience life through a filter
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. Eccl 4:7-8

What are my relationship options?
∑ Don’t care superficial community
∑ Buy in artificial community
∑ Give up unofficial community
∑ Get it together genuine community
Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:2

What is genuine community?
A group of people who are characterized by faith in Jesus
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

What can I do to be part of this action?
∑ Identify the relational option you’ve chosen
Don’t care--Buy in--Give up--Get it together

∑ Pursue Biblical community
*Attend the weekend services
*Read the daily devotional
*Memorize the 6 Bible verses

∑ Practice genuine community
*Get in a small group
*Participate in our community food drive

The Bottom Line: Don’t settle for the superficial, artificial, or unofficial when God has created opportunities for you to be known and experience genuine community.

-------------------
Discussion Questions:
1. Which of the relationship options do you find yourself doing most? (Don't care... Buying in... Giving Up... Getting it Together)
2. What is the hardest for you about developing genuine relationships? Why?
3. What specific steps do you need to take to build more intentional and genuine relationships?

-------------------

Overall, it was a good weekend. Attendance was up, despite a lot of people being out of town. So, overall, it was good.

Jim

Cubs... Oops...

Maybe next year...



That's what being a Cubs fan is all about right?



Jim

Keeping the faith... Go Cubs!!!

I'm keeping the faith...

I'm hoping that since the Cubbies are back in town for 2 games vs. the D-Backs at Wrigley... with the home fans and Chicago behind them...

They're going to win tonight!!!

5 pm...

Go Cubs!!!

Jim

Starbucks Song of The Day

Well... I've pretty much been on a Starbucks run everyday this week picking up Song of the Day coupons. They are pretty awesome. If you buy a drink and pick up one, it will get you a free music download.

Tonight, I walked into Starbucks and picked up Keith Urban's "I Told You So" off his newest album. It's on the radio currently!!!

Score!!!

Jim

Paintball Tank!!!

I'm not into the whole paint ball thing. There's just something about shooting a projectile at someone at another human being that I have a little weird feeling about it. (I'm not saying it's wrong... I'm just saying I'm not into it.)

But if I could get one of these "Paintball Tanks" I think I could get into it. (Christmas alert!!! Jeff O'Neal!!!! Christmas alert!!! )

Click HERE to check out the full story!!!
Here's a snipet:
"That's because a mini-arms race may be about to break out after the introduction of the first paintball tank.

The Paintball Panzer is armed with a 60cm (24in) gun that can pepper opposition players with 15 paintballs a second."

Sounds like fun...
Jim

Shuffle Up and Deal

I realized this morning that I haven't done a Shuffle Up and Deal in a while. So, I thought I would:

Rules: Turn shuffle "on" on your MP3 player than then hit play... and list the songs in order that they come up without skipping to a "cooler" song.

Here's mine... (and I was really tempted to hit skip... but I didn't)
1. "Piano Trio No. 4 in B flat Major, Op. 11" by Beethoven off the "Chill with Beethoven" album
2. "My Generation" by Starfield off the "Simply Great Music" album
3. "The Only One" by Caedmon's Call off the "Wow 2001 - Blue Disk"
4. "Have You Ever" by Shawn McDonald off the "Live In Seattle" album
5. "Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer" by Andrew Lloyd Webber off the "Phantom of the Opera" movie soundtrack


Also...
As a freebie... My last iTunes Store purchase was 3 songs purchased from my iPhone:
1. "Take Me There" by Rascal Flatts off the new "Still Feels Good" album
2. "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by Chris Tomlin off the "Amazing Grace Movie soundtrack"
3. "Rock of Ages" by David Crowder Band off the "Amazing Grace Movie Soundtrack"

There are some good tunes for listening!!!

Jim

Good Article on Myspace

One of my Cali friends, Josh Griffin, wrote a great article on Myspace/Facebook/online community sites. You can check it out HERE. Here's a brief snipet:

"The simple fact is that, like it or not, your students are online. They are going to be gathering where their friends are. They will log into MySpace, Facebook or AOL (and whatever’s next) before most of you have had your morning coffee. With that in mind, how can you help students navigate the world of online social networking?

Here are the three commitments I ask students to make when I teach when speaking with them about the time they spend online:
1. I will stranger-protect my MySpace profile.
2. I will limit the use of personal information online.
3. I will open myself up to my parents and accountability."

Good article Josh!!!

Jim

Guitar Hero III - Legends of Rock playlist...

I stumbled on THIS website today that had a listing of the GHIII songs that are confirmed. Looks like a pretty cool list.







The new tracks are:

1. Same Old Song and Dance (by Aerosmith)
   
2. Helicopter (by Bloc Party)
   
3. Stricken (by Disturbed)
   
4. Monsters (by Matchbook Romance)
   
5. Before I Forget (by Slipknot)
   
6. Kool Thing (by Sonic Youth)
   
7. When You Were Young (by The Killers)
   
8. Devil Went Down to Georgia (as made famous by Charlie Daniels Band)
   
9. Sunshine of Your Love (as made famous by Cream)
   
10. Holiday in Cambodia (as made famous by Dead Kennedys)
    
11. Cliffs of Dover (as made famous by Eric Johnson)
    
12. Hit Me with Your Best Shot (as made famous by Pat Benetar)
    
13. Black Magic Woman (as made famous by Santana)
    
14. Story of My Life (as made famous by Social Distortion)
    
15. Pride and Joy (as made famous by Stevie Ray Vaughn)
    
16. The Seeker (as made famous by The Who)
    
17. Black Sunshine (as made famous by White Zombie)"

Looks pretty cool that a little "Charlie Daniels Band" made the list. That will be a fun one!!!

Jim

Go Cubs Go lyrics

I thought I would go ahead and throw out the lyrics for "Go Cubs Go" so that everyone can get ready for tonight... I have mentally been singing this song all day...

Hopefully (if Big Z pulls one out tonight) I'll be singing it around midnight tonight!!!

The lyrics can be found HERE:
" Baseball season's underway
Well you better get ready for a brand new day.

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They're singing ...
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well this is the year and Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field

We're singing now ...

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So stamp you feet and clap your hands
Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans.

You're singing now ...

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today."

Jim

Go Cubs Go!!!

Tonight... 9:05 CT... is the first pitch of the NLDS in Arizona. I'm hoping and will be watching for the Cubs to put a hurtin' on the D-Backs!!!


Go Cubs Go!!!!

Jim

iTunes at Starbucks!!!

Yesterday was the day for the roll-out of the the Exclusive Starbucks store on iTunes when in a Starbucks. I can hardly wait until March when it hits the Chicago market. It makes me almost want to hop on a plane and fly out... just kidding... but kinda...

Here's a clip of a story found HERE complete with pics!!!
" As promised Apple and Starbucks started their rollout of the Starbucks WiFi Music Store in select cities. Gear Live is lucky enough to be in Seattle, the first city to get the special version of the iTunes Music Store in our Starbucks. The service allows laptops, iPhones, and the iPod Touch users to connect for free to the iTunes store while sipping lattes without having to pay for for a T-Mobile Hotspot account. Click through for our full impressions on Apple’s new partnership with the coffee mega-store Starbucks."

Very cool... very cool...

Jim

iTunes on my iPhone!!!

Monday iTunes downloaded a new firmware update for my iPhone.

This was pretty exciting because this was the first time that this had happened since I bought my phone about two months ago. It took a while to download... but it gave me two totally excellent things.

First, they changed a couple of the icons. Now, that might seem like a little thing. But just the fact that they could change that means that the iPhone will continue to change and adapt as new ideas come out. Very cool... unlike most phones where you're stuck with what you're stuck with when you buy it.

Second... along that same idea... they finally have iTunes available on the iPhone. Now, from my phone I can purchase music (I bought a couple of songs yesterday and today trying it out) directly on my phone and it syncs back automatically to my iTunes on my computer when I plug it in. Very cool.
**Two potential downsides which I hope they rectify in the future. 1. You can only use the iTunes store from a location where you have access to a Wifi signal. No Wifi... no iTunes. That's a pretty big bummer because you don't always have Wifi... Plus, the whole idea, from what I understand, is that you can download music on-the-go because "music happens." Well... not if you don't have Wifi... Maybe the "Edge" network from AT&T can't handle it... yet. Maybe they will get it going soon.
#2. There isn't any access to podcasts. My thought was... "Hey, I can download my podcasts directly onto my phone without having to waste the space on my computer in iTunes." At this point... no such luck... unless I haven't found the location yet.

But hopefully Apple will fix these two little oversights and give us faithful iPhone users complete access to iTunes. We'll see.

As for now... Maybe I'll go download a song or two...

Jim

I hate mornings...

I really hate mornings...

Not necessarily because I don't like mornings... but because I like sleeping more.

This morning was another early morning... 4 am up... 5 am out the door to class. And for the most part, this stinks. But this morning, as least as I drove down I-55 I had the opportunity to enjoy this sunrise.







It makes it a little bit better.



Jim

Weekend Outline - Sept 30 - Get Connected, Week 1

This weekend was a great weekend as we kicked off a new series called "Get Connected." This series is designed to go hand-in-hand with the adult series "Get In the Game."

This weekend we launched the series with a general teaser about having healthy relationships. Check out the outline:
------------------
Get Connected
40 Days of Community
Live Wire/High Voltage – Jim Clark – September 30, 2007
Week 1 – Get Connected
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12

Things work better when connected.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

God created you to connect.
The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ Genesis 2:18
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

These are called relationships.
Key Areas: 1. Father
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Future
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:18-20

Connections require work.
Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24

Connections require time.
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Exodus 33:11

God’s plan for the church is to be a place for disconnected people to reconnect.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. Ephesians 2:19
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Eccl 4:10
Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Proverbs 27:10

Action Steps (Easy as ABCD…)
1. Be Here.

2. Connect with your small group.

3. Discover daily devotions.

The Bottom Line: God wants you to build healthy relationships in your life.

------------------
Questions for Discussion with your student:
1. How many 'healthy' relationships do you have with friends, family?
2. Would you say your relationship with your 'Father' is healthy? Why or why not?
3. Why do you think the church is a good place for the disconnected to find a connection?

------------------
Jim

I just posted on the new PDYM Community blog...

I just posted on the PDYM Community blog... Click HERE to read it!!!

I love this... Great idea Josh!!!

This picture isn't moving...

Check this is out... It's not moving... but...

It's official!!! Rock Band for $160 on PS2!!!

I saw this post today HERE:

Rock Band on PS2!!! Awesome... I'll only have to wait a couple of weeks after it's released on XBox and PS3. But that will just give me a few weeks to practice on a buddy's system before getting my own...

Check out the snipet:
"t's official folks, Rock Band will be $170 for Xbox 360 and PS3 and release Nov. 23. A Friday ... wait, Black Friday? Yes, more on that in a second. The PS2 version will release Dec. 10 for $160. Our spidey sense started tingling that something was up when we received info that Amazon was listing Rock Band for $169 -- a $30 reduction from the $199 they've had listed for months. Turns out that they received the official price today. The bundle includes the game (reg. $60, $50 on PS2), the guitar (reg. $60, but wired on Xbox 360, wireless is separate and $80), the wired drums (reg. $80), and wired microphone (reg. $30)."

Looks awesome!!! Can't wait!!!

Jim

Markus Stoeckl Speedbike - World Record for Fastest on a Bike... WOW!!!

130.5 miles per hour on a bike...

Wow!!! That's fast.

Jim

Cubs win the division!!!

This is my first season as a Cubs fan...

Maybe I'm their lucky charm. Last night, the Cubs clinches their division!!! Man... what awesomeness.

This picture was a live shot outside of Wrigley last night.








This next one is of the growing crowd outside of the stadium after last night's announcement...


Now, to find someone who has a playoff ticket that they don't want... anyone? anyone?





Jim

Free Starbucks Music... on iTunes!!!

Last week, I posted a blog HERE about a free iTunes music offer from Starbucks.

Well... I have the inside scoop... from a Store Manager...

All that you will have to do is walk into Starbucks and order a drink. If they are still available, you will receive a "Song of the Day" coupon for a free music download from iTunes. That's it. Go to redeem in iTunes and redeem them.

This thing at Starbucks begins on Tuesday!!! Enjoy some Starbucks and get some FREE music!!!

Jim

Finally... It's official...

I don't want anyone to think that I believe that Brian Greise is the hero of the Chicago Bears... But I do believe that just about anyone... including me... could do better than Rex.

And it's official...

Rex is out (for now... and hopefully for a while)...

Check it out:
"The Chicago Bears have seen enough of Rex Grossman. Now it's Brian Griese's turn.

The much anticipated quarterback change became official Wednesday when the defending NFC champions announced Griese would start this week at Detroit."

HERE'S the rest of the article!!

Now, if I could just win a fantasy game... I'm 0 and 3 and I don't even have Rex...

Jim

David Crowder Band's Remedy is AWESOME!!

I picked up a copy of David Crowder Band's new CD "Remedy." It's incredible!!!

If you are a DCB fan, you've got to pick up a copy. If you aren't or would like a free listen, click HERE and visit iTunes' DCB listing.

It's great... a little low on tracks (only 10)... but high on quality!!!!

Jim

It's about time... Rex might be out...

I saw this this evening HERE...
If this is true... this will be incredible. At least we might have a chance to win...

"Brian Griese will start at quarterback this weekend for the Bears, according to NFL.com.

Griese will replace Rex Grossman, who has thrown one touchdown and six interceptions in six games.

After giving Grossman a vote of confidence after last week's 34-10 loss to Dallas, Bears coach Lovie Smith was a little vague when the topic came up on Monday."

Hopefully...

Jim

Starbucks to give away free music...

This will be pretty sweet...

And I've got my wife on the lookout for the lowdown... As soon as I've got it, I'll post the lowdown here!!

Check it out:
"In order to promote its new partnership with Apple and the Wi-Fi Music Store, Starbucks plans to give away 50 million iTunes songs to US customers. Between October 2—the launch date of the Wi-Fi Music Store capabilities at select Starbucks locations, according to a separate announcement of the company's today—and November 7, the coffee kings at about 10,000 stores will hand out roughly 1.5 million free song downloads per day. That's a lot of songs... and coffee."

HERE's the rest of the article.
If it's a free download with a coffee purchase, I'll be a regular Starbucks junkie every morning!!!

Jim

First shot at a podcast!!! Live on iTunes right now!!!

If you haven't heard of a podcast, maybe you should come into the modern era. Podcasts are a pretty big deal... especially if you have an iPod and iTunes.

Basically if you don't know, it's basically a radio show that is recorded, placed online where you can subscribe (and iTunes downloads automatically) or you can choose which ones to download.

While I was out in California, I got to do my first podcast with a buddy of mine... Tony Steward... It was great fun. If you would like to listen... Click HERE and download away! We talked about 2 tips of being a mentor and 2 tips for those being mentored. It really was a lot of fun.

Tony has promised that if I download Skype (and exercise more regularly), he'll have me on as a guest again. I'm looking forward to it... and listening to me on a podcast for the first time!!!

Jim

Transformers on DVD!!!

Very rarely do I buy videos that come out on DVD the week, or even the month that they come out.

But I think I will have to make an exception come mid-October. That's the scheduled release date of Transformers on DVD... October 16th!!!

I'll have to pick that up... I'm a huge fan. But about a month late for our series...

Oh well!

Jim

Grossman's Got to GO!!!

I'm sitting here on the couch watching the Bears lose to Dallas... 10 to 27... 4Q... 11:44 remaining...

As a Bears' fan... I'm tired of Rex.
-He can't throw with any accuracy.
-He's got receivers... Moose... Berrian... good targets!
-He can't scramble... any time he tries, he trips over his own feet.
-He makes bad decisions... consistently.
-He's got an incredible defense... Brian Urlacher and Briggs... but they can't hold an offense to 7 or 10 points when they are on the field 75% of the time.

It's time for the Bears' organization to cut him loose... I can't stand Griese... It's a Michigan/Ohio State thing... but I would take Brian over Rex any day. Cut Rex loose!!! Please Lovie!!! Wasn't the Super Bowl enough???

Jim

Maybe the Gathering highlight...

I grabbed a copy of this picture off of Josh Griffin's blog. Shortly before Josh left for Australia, Doug gathered us all around Josh to pray for him. Tom, one of the guys from the week, snapped this picture.

It was a great moment!!!

Jim

Back home...

Man...
I am wiped out. It's now about 9 pm on Sunday night... and we're finally back home. We left Aunt Barbara and Uncle Charles' in Alamo at 5:35 am (PST) and after connecting through San Diego, arrived at Chicago Midway at 4:30 pm (CST). After some dinner, a shower, and a walk... I'm finally relaxing on the couch watching the Bears (lose at this point... 3Q... 10 minutes to go...)

But I'm home.
It was a great trip... It really was... and I will have more on this tomorrow. But right now, I'm just wiped out.
I'm home.

Jim

Alamo... a beautiful place to relax

I thought I would take a second and post a couple of photos from Jackie's Aunt Barbara and Uncle Charles' place in Alamo.

It's a very comfortable and enjoyable place to relax. With an incredible view!!!!











I'm looking forward to hitting their hottub and pool!!!

Jim

PDYM Community... brain full!!!

We are on a break before dinner.

I love my time out here... I really do... but about 2 o'clock on the first day, my brain is a little full. So, I'm back here in the hotel... we're going to Dave n Buster's tonight for some hang out time, games, food and more conversation. But right now, I'm looking forward to laying on my bed... watching a few innings of the Cubs game... and maybe taking a cat-nap.

Brain is full!!!

Jim

PDYM Community Gathering Day 1

Today is an awesome day.

We working through our afternoon session on Day 1. Right now, we're talking about posting on the new PDYM Community page... Check it out... it rocks. One of my articles is on there. Surf over and check it out.

More later...

PDYM books!!!

I'm currently working on getting this sweet stack of books!!!

At this point, I've got four or five of them... It's a sweet stack. I'm looking forward to tearing into them and reading through them.

Jim

Leavin' on a jet plane!!!

Tomorrow, Jackie and I are flying out to San Francisco for a day. Then we're driving down to Orange County for a couple of days. Then we'll be heading back up to San Fran for a couple more days.

I'm looking forward most to just spending some time with my wife... driving... hanging out... not worrying about work or school or anything else... just hanging out.

Plus, it will be great to see some great friends that I only see a couple times a year... Doug... Josh... Neely... Jana... Chris... Joby... Neal... It will be a great time.

So............
If you stop by regularly and it seems that posts have slowed down, it's because I'm out of town. I will try to blog some from California... maybe post some pics... but no promises. It will be a great trip and I will give my faithful blog readers a full update when I get back.

Jim

Article posted on PDYM's Community Blog!!!

Recently I posted an article HERE... It was about our start up of small groups and the difficulty that I had this year with the realization that I'm not leading a group of students as in year's past.

I also emailed a copy of that article to my friends at Saddleback and the PDYM Community thinking... "My learning is someone else's learning."

My good buddy Josh Griffin posted it on the new PDYM Community blog. Feel free to check it out HERE.

I'm so humbled that anything I would write would be published. Thanks Josh.

Jim

zunePhone ad

This is hilarious...

I love my iPhone... but it's only a matter of time before Microstinky tries to imitate it. But this is pretty funny!!!

Jim

6 inches and 52 pounds!!!

This morning Jackie and I went out and did our little "day-off-walk-in-the-morning-thing" that we usually do on my days off.

I love it.

When we got back, we did our little work out and then before breakfast, I grabbed the measuring tape to check out my diet progress.

At this point...
I've lost 52 pounds...
And 6 inches!!!!

That's awesome...

Just 11 more inches to go!!! (ugh!)

Jim

$100 back from Apple!!!

I've been waiting all week to see if I could get a $100 back from my iPhone.

It seems that the cut-off for the whole $200 refund was August 22nd. I bought mine on Aug 16th. But I did get my $100 back. It should be nice for landing a little Apple toy in the next couple of weeks. Now... Airport Express... Charger... something totally different... We'll see!!!

Click HERE to check it out and get your $100 back... if you are eligible. I just got mine!!!!!

Jim

Stinkin' cold...

Fall is definitely here.

It's funny. Since we moved out to the Chicagoland area a couple of years ago, I seem to notice that fall arrives here earlier than it did in PA. That's okay. I like fall... trees changing colors... brisk temps...

But it's supposed to be stinkin' cold overnight...

37!!!!

I'll have to turn the furnace on to keep warm.

But fall is nice!

Jim

Post 500 baby!!!

This is officially post 500!!!

Wow... It's been a great run... I wonder what blogging wonders the next 500 will hold on the way to 1000.

But I just thought I would take a moment and officially declare that this is post 500!!!

Jim

Guitar Hero 3 on MAC!!!???

This looks pretty sweet. It seems that they are working on a portable... if you have a laptop... version of Guitar Hero 3 for Mac and PC. That means... Guitar Hero anywhere... and playing anyone online anywhere...

Rock on!!!

Check out the story HERE:
"Rocking out with a big plastic guitar will soon no longer be purely the privilege of the console owning masses, as Aspyr announces an exclusive deal with Activision to develop and publish Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for the PC and Mac platforms this fall. Not only does this open up the game to a whole new segment of players, but if you've got a nice gaming laptop it essentially makes this the first portable version of Guitar Hero. On top of all of the regular features of the game, Aspyr's version will allow PC and Mac users to battle against each other in online multiplayer, perhaps allowing us to settle the Mac versus PC debate once and for all in glorious rock combat! Bring it on!"

Looks sweet!!!


Jim

Oreo Pizza Moustache

This commercial is pretty darn funny. This guy posted it about a year ago... I only started seeing it last week in our area. This pretty funny.

Jim

44 degrees!!!

It was 44.1 degrees this morning at our apartment in St. Charles!!!! I'm sure if you live in the country, it was colder... but it was chilly this morning!!!

Fall is in the air!!!


Jim

A little bit of me died...

A Little Bit of Me “Died” Tonight…

At 7:25 pm, I walked out of Jeff and Megan O’Neal’s house. Jeff is one of our middle school leaders. He and his family are hosting our middle school small groups this school year. Tonight was the first night of this school year’s small groups. Our middle schoolers met at the O’Neals’ while our high schoolers met about 4 miles away at another house.

But tonight… I’m not leading a group.

Instead, I am leaving our Tuesday night small group program (5 groups in all) in the very capable hands of two high school leaders and three middle school leaders. I have all the confidence in the world in Mike, Becky, Candy, Mark and Kathy. They are incredible leaders. They have an incredible heart for students. I could see it in their eyes tonight as they gathered.

But I “died” a little bit tonight as I walked out that door. You see; I want to be there with those students. I want to hang with them… I want to laugh with them… I want to lead them… all of them. And that’s not healthy.

Even though, it was painful to turn those groups loose without “my presence,” it is healthy. It’s healthy for the ministry to be bigger than me. It’s healthy for these small groups to grow bigger than what I can handle personally. It’s healthy for me to turn loose five groups of students with five leaders who love them and have committed to take care of them and pastor them for this school year. “Why is it healthy?” you ask.

It’s healthy because our student ministry needs to be bigger and broader than I am and what I can handle. I’m all for health. Health is… healthy. It’s healthy for me to get out of the bottle neck and allow our groups to do something awesome without my hand in it, on it or holding it back. It will be healthy for Mike, Becky, Candy, Mark and Kathy to lead their group as the Holy Spirit leads. It will be incredible to see what God does through these groups as these awesome, incredible youth workers begin to care for their students.

That doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard for me. I’m an in-the-trenches-kinda-guy… I want to be in there with the students. This is the first time since I’ve been here in three years that I haven’t been in there with the students… especially in small groups.

This isn’t a whining session. I’m not asking you to feel sorry for me. I’m sharing part of my struggle. Healthy youth ministry can’t be dependent on one person. Healthy youth ministry is dependent on a lot of people using their gifts to God’s glory.

Health is good… hard... but healthy… and necessary.

Jim

Fall...!!!???

Tonight was the first night of the year where there was a distinct feeling of fall in the air.

It was a little crisp... It's raining outside... it's about 59 degrees here in St. Charles. Feels like fall.

Jackie made some pocket things tonight for dinner that she baked some fresh bread dough for. As the oven was finishing up the baking, we were in the kitchen getting ready for dinner and there was some heat coming out of the oven. It just kinda struck me as fallish.

Maybe I'm crazy... But it just seems that way to me.

Jim

Weekend Wrap - Transformers Week 1 - Sept 9, 2007

This weekend we launched our new middle school ministry... called Underground. It was GREAT!!! We had 23 or 24 middle schoolers show up. It was incredible.

This weekend we also launched a new 3-week series called "Transformers." We're using some of the old school cartoon clips... It should be a great series.

Tonight we talked about how God wants to change us to be more like him. Here's tonight's outline....
-------------------------------

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

4 Truths about Change:
1. No one likes change.

2. Change is hard.

3. Change is uncomfortable.

4. Change is necessary.

God designed you to change.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

The change that God planned is both physical and spiritual.
-We’ve all messed up.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

-The fix is free.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

The eternal change that God has for you is available.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

Unless you change, you can’t become the person that God designed you to be.
I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. John 3:3
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Galatians 6:15

Action Steps:
1. Realize the need to be new.

2. Surrender yourself to God’s changing power.

3. Take steps to grow more and more like Him.

The Bottom Line: God wants to transform you into something new… will you allow him?

------------------
It was a good night.
Here are a couple of discussion questions for furthering this conversation with your student(s):
1. What is the scariest thing about change for you?
2. If you could change anything about your physical appearance, what would it be and why? If you could change anything about yourself spiritually, would you change and why?
3. Are you allowing God to change/transform you into the person that He designed you to be? Why or why not?
4. What is standing in the way of #3 happening?
------------------

Jim

New David Crowder Band CD... Remedy...

I almost can't wait until the end of the month...

There is a new DCB CD on the way out. It's supposed to hit stores on Sept 25th. (It would be great if I could get a copy before I head to Cali on Sept 17th so I could enjoy it on the plane.) HERE's a link to Crowder's Xanga site... and a LINK to DCB's official site...

But everyone that has heard it is saying that it's great.

Can't wait. Looks great!!

Jim

Underground launches!!! Frontline returns!!!

This weekend is a big weekend in the student ministry of Fox Valley Christian Church.

This is the weekend that we are launching our new middle school ministry called "Underground." We're kicking it off with their very own worship time called "Live Wire" on Sunday mornings. This is a huge change that's been needing to happen for a while and it's very exciting!!!

Sunday also marks the return on Frontline, which is the new name of our high school ministry. In the past, Frontline was the name of the entire student ministry, but we've shifted the name to just the high school ministry. Frontline has it's worship time on Sunday nights from 6 - 7:30 pm.


So... It will be a very busy... But very awesome weekend for both Underground and Frontline.

Jim

Home Shopping Blooper

Horse...??? Butterfly...??? Moth...???

This guy doesn't know what to think...

Jim

diet update!!!!

This morning was a great morning...

Jackie and I got up and went for an early morning walk... then I got back... grabbed a shower...

Before I hit the shower, I weighed in...

250.0!!!!!!

That's an all new low!!!! That's 50 pounds since the beginning of 2007!!!

Jim

Weird Al Yankovic -Another One Rides the Bus

Some good ole' craziness from Weird Al... This is a classic!!!

Jim

Doug Fields Invitation to the Gathering

I'm going!!!!
It's awesome!!!
I can't wait!!!!

Jim

Lower iPhone prices... No problem... but awesome!!!

With the release of the new iPods and iPhones, there has been a price drop in the iPhones... mine is only 3 weeks old. And several people have asked me what I've thought about being able to save $200 if I would have waited...

I've said... "No biggie."
That's what happens when you buy something like that. It could happen with anything... computers... cars... houses... and especially phones. I bought what I bought and I wasn't worried or upset.

But they are saying they are going to offer a refund!!!

Take a look:
"Therefore, we have decided to offer every iPhone customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T, and who is not receiving a rebate or any other consideration, a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on Apple's website next week. Stay tuned."

Click HERE to read the rest...

I'm not disappointed in Apple... I'm not selling all my Apple stuff...

But I will TOTALLY take $100 of free Apple stuff.

I say... AWESOME!!!

JIM

New Apple iPods and Starbucks... AWESOME!!!

As part of the new iPod/iPhone lineup set to come out this fall, there is a joint venture planned between Apple and Starbucks... two things I love by the way...

iPod/iPhone users will be able to access songs at Starbucks!!!!

Check out a bit of the story HERE.

Here is a small snipet:

iPhone users will also be able to access the wireless iTunes store. And, as part of a new deal between Apple and Starbucks, Starbucks customers will be able to log on to iTunes for free wirelessly to buy songs and find out which songs the Starbucks store has recently played."

I must say... that's stinkin' awesome!!! I can't wait to walk into Starbucks and have my iPhone recognize the song, tell me what it is and where I can buy it on iTunes. Sometimes Starbucks has some pretty great music. (Now if Starbucks would only allow iPhone/iPod users to turn down the volume and change the track... but that might get out of hand!!!)

HERE's what Apple has to say about it:

"Walk into a participating Starbucks with your laptop, iPhone, or iPod touch and buy whatever’s playing — along with millions of songs on iTunes — while your latte cools."

The only downside to this is that it won't be here in the Chicagoland area until March 2008. It will begin in Seattle (of course) and New York in October and San Fran in November (about 10 weeks too late for me). But it will still be pretty awesome when it gets here.

Jim

new iPods!!!!

In case you were under a rock all day...

I thought I would announce it here (with trumpets)!!!!

Apple released new iPod designs today!!! Click HERE to feast your eyes.
But they are incredible. A new iPod Touch (left) with some of the same technology as the iPhone with Wifi access. An iPod classic with up to a 160 GB memory!!! And a revamped Nano!!!

They look awesome!!!
Way to go Steve and crew!!!

Incredible.
Jim

Rock Band looks awesome!!!

Rock Band looks awesome!!!!

This is supposed to be coming out in the next couple of months on PS3 and XBox... later for those of us still wasting away on a PS2... But I can't wait. It looks incredible!!!!

Jim

9 am and Labor Day...

Man...
This weekend has been awesome. The weather has been incredible. Yesterday it was in the low 80's without a cloud in the sky... Just incredible holiday weekend weather.

But one of the best things for me, is that 3 out of the last four mornings I've slept in past 9 am. This morning I got up about 9:20 am (don't pay any attention to the time stamp on this message... It seems to be locked on mountain time and I can't seem to get it to change to central time permanently). Both Friday and Saturday mornings I slept in past 9 am!!!

Awesome!!!

Tomorrow will be a different story as I'll have to be up at 4 am to go to class. I guess it can't last forever. But the last couple of days have been nice.

Jim

Phil Collins Gorilla Ad Cadburys Dairy Milk

This just kinda made me chuckle...

College Football!! Michigan stinks!!!!

I have to admit...

I spent most of my day today watching college football, with the Cubs mixed in...

I didn't get to watch my beloved Buckeyes... although they did win 38-6. But thanks to the blasted "Big Ten Network..." the first couple of games aren't televised.

But I do have to say that hearing that Michigan lost to Appalachian State was awesome!!! If you didn't know that, surf on over HERE and check it out... 34-32...

HAHA!!!

That's awesome... #5 Michigan falls to a Division I-AA team that they didn't have any reason to be playing. In fact, I'm betting you couldn't even find Appalachian State on a map... Take guess... where do you think the Mountaineers are from???


Click HERE to see if you're right.

Way to go Appy State... Beatin' those Wolverines.

Jim