Congrats Jason Munday...

... on being featured today on youtube!

The indirect connection to Adoleo: Jason's link to Ryan Seiler's youtube channel, Seiler's link to Adoleo's youtube

It's a jungle out there in cyberspace!

Spotlight

On The Rise: Jason Munday

The votes are in, and you've chosen singer, songwriter and producer Jason Munday as August's On The Rise winner! Jason was one-third of YouTube faves Ministry of Magic and a self-described "nerdy musician."

The Plague, Cousins, Advice

We had the plague hit our house a couple weeks ago. If you were to walk onto our back porch, you would be instantly attacked by these little specks you can see on the tape...

They almost completely covered our kids, looking like mud moving up their bodies, biting and embedding themselves in the skin. It was terrible. Under a magnifying glass they looked like baby ticks. But our doctor sent them in and an entomologist at Iowa State concluded that they were bird mites.

Lesson: Never let a bird's nest anywhere on or around your house.

After spraying and getting rid of the nest, the plague cleared right before we welcomed family visiting from the other side of the globe. First time together in 2 years!

The cousins loved meeting each other for the first time...

Makai wears his baseball glove at all times. It comes in handy for such a time as this...

The garden is ripe...

Our connection group went to help out a family in our group clean up from the wind storm that swept across central Iowa and hit their town with 130+ mph WINDS. It looked like a tornado hit Vinton...

What would a blog post be without evidence of kids sabotaging a perfectly good batch of banana bars? Imagine me looking down to see this and then yelling, "JETT??!!!!!!" We then go on to play out the scene from Genesis 3:9-12...

Who knows how long this headless star wars figure has been riding with us? Good thing we didn't rear end anyone. He would've been dead...

I mentioned before the challenge of where to find Rob Bell's new book at Barnes&Noble, but the truly formidable task was finding a home for it on my book shelf. I think I'm happy with my decision...

...Lodged between Idiot's Guide to World Religions and Jesus Under Fire. And yet not too far from church history, as a reminder of the nugget of wisdom my friend David Churchill bequeathed upon me the summer of '98...

"When I was a teenager, I never listened to anyone over 30. Now that I'm over 30, I don't listen to anyone under 300."

Filmed in Iowa City?

I deleted this post. See the comments...

Words

This year my blog has been mostly neglected. Here's the pathetic stat... 12 posts in the last 5 months.

For the first time in a LONG time I felt like I had some "creative" space. No visitors, nice back porch weather with a perfectly placed breeze, and a thought provoking book (Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln) are the ingredients that led to this epiphany...

I love ideas, and I love the words needed to communicate them.

In fact, that's what inspired the metropuritan blog a few years ago. I started blogging to sharpen my writing skills, share excerpts of my life, and hopefully bring a little encouragement to others on the journey. I'm sure there was a little narcissism mixed in. Me and everyone else with a blog, FB and Twitter account.

As I read on this utopian day, some phrases jumped out at me, renewing my desire to read and write more...

"[Lincoln] read and thoroughly read his books whilst we played. Hence he was above us and became our guide and leader." (a childhood friend's recollection of Lincoln) p. 49

"Books became his academy, his college. The printed word united his mind with the great minds of generations past...It was through literature that he was able to transcend his surroundings. He read and reread the Bible and Aesop's Fables so many times that years later he could recite whole passages and entire stories from memory... With remarkable energy and tenacity he quarried the thoughts and ideas that he wanted to remember...once he obtained paper, he would rewrite it and keep it in a scrapbook so that it could be memorized. Words thus became precious to him, never...to be lightly or indiscriminately used." (p. 51-52)

In Lincoln's own words, in some advice to a law student, he said, "Get the books and read and study them...The books, and your capacity for understanding them, are just the same in all places...Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other thing." (p. 54)

Well, hopefully I've found enough inspiration to churn out a few more than 2.4 blog posts per month for the rest of 2011.

In other news related to "words"...

I got my tweeterfeed updated and therefore these blog posts will be synced to my FB and Twitter (not sure why it ever stopped...). I had to tell the world on FB about this important news and nearly hit "send" when I noticed the "w" missing from "twitterfeed". As a pastor, I could've been fired for a status update with "ti..." Nevermind.

Another word debacle came when Ava kept leaving the "r" out when she was telling me about this new book she was reading, "Little Britches". She had no idea what she was saying, and I was left wondering what kind of books Leatha had put on the kids' summer reading plan.

Speaking of bad words...I'm determined that my kids hear every bad word in the book from my mouth before they hear it on the playground. That's another blog entry for another day...

For now, I'm resolved to get back to the basics... reading and writing.

Errrr...wait a minute... the NBA finals start tomorrow. Shoot. Go Mavs.

Huge Win for Veritas Church

I'm not spiritualizing here when I say "Huge win."

We're talking literal win for our church. 29-27.

The Veritas softball team was in a bad way. As I understand it, there are 4 city wide softball divisions. There's the A league all the way down to the church league. Scott Chandler, a guy in our church, cajoled me into rounding up some guys to play softball this summer. He assured me he would sign us up for the church league. The next day he came back with the good news that "we got signed up" and the bad news "the only spot was in the A league."

We were 0-3 heading into last Thursday's game against the undefeated dental students.

After some shuffling of personnel, manager Chandler put us in a position to win. The shuffling involved getting me into a position where my inept softball skills could cause the least damage.

You see, my greatest softball skill is that I take the game from being "fun" to "funny". The first night I threw the ball in from center field and literally hit the unsuspecting cutoff man. What's wrong with hitting the cutoff man- aren't you supposed to? Well, I was aiming for 3rd and hit the short stop (Thune) in the back. Some of you are thinking, "If you're playing center field, how would the 3rd baseman ever be the cut off man?" Softball is 99% boredom and 1% sheer terror. In that moment of possessing the ball as people are rounding the bases, my eyes blur, my mind is in a fog, and I just throw it... wherever. That's what I'm saying- it's terror out there- one percent of the time. In another center field debacle, I almost got hit in the face with a fly ball to center.

So Chandler moved me to catcher, where I'm known for occasionally skipping the ball back to the pitcher. The "yips" happens to everyone at some point in their career. As a fellow catcher, Mackey Sasser's inability to throw the ball back to the pitcher ended his major league career with the Mets. I tell myself I'm in good company. It happens to the best...or worst, however you want to look at it.

But Thursday was our moment of glory, and we chalked up our first win for the Veritas Church softball team.

Veritas Church, you can hold your heads high this week, knowing that your church has posted a win in the A division. And also rest secure that your pastors are hard at work, refining their skills on the diamond.

Here's to being thankful in all circumstances, especially after such a sweet victory...

In other sporting news...

I busted out the clubs and showed off my sweet skills on the golf course. Dale Mullikin commented on my clubs, "I haven't seen wood drivers in forever... wait... those aren't wood, they're plastic!" It turns out my Wilsons are a step way below TaylorMade and just above Fisher Price. But the clubs were hot... just ask Dale to tell you about my putting.

Here's Thune putting with an apple in his mouth.

Congrats to Jeff and Ashley with the birth of Kota Ryan... what a sweet baby girl!

Boom, I'm out.

Vacation, Naked Barbies, and Sex Talks

It was a long, cold January. And a challenging one for us, so I did what I haven't done in 11 years of marriage...

I took Leatha (without kids!) on a vacation. It was a week of sun, ocean, reading and relaxing. I was working my way through Leviticus and didn't expect it to be the oasis for my soul that it was. Leviticus 25 reminded me that it's my pride that keeps me from not resting. Workaholism is another manifestation of self-reliance and idolatry. God seemed to think there needed to be a rhythm to rest- 1/7 days, 1/7 years, 1/50 years, and a few extended vacation/parties in between.

I almost didn't post anything about our vacation because it's easy for people cooped up their rooms reading this to struggle with jealousy and perhaps get the wrong idea ("Why can't I...?"). At least that's what goes through my mind on occasion. But I went ahead and posted this because I think in general we need to hear that it's not a sign of weakness to rest...
There was something really funny that happened on the trip- you can read about it (click here for iloveshelling.com). There was a popular shelling blogger that stumbled upon me stumbling upon this treasure on my first ever shelling exploration... (Don't get distracted by my muscles- I'm getting ready for a body building competition)
This sums up the last day of our trip, "Awesome...best day of the year"
Here's downtown Chicago from our plane. I was singing Rich Mullins in my mind, "We are not as strong as we think we are."
Last night Troy Nesbitt came to speak to Salt Company in the bar. The topic- "Sex". As always, he did an awesome job. You can find it here (it should be up sometime today on the saltiowacity.com website- click media). I also just finished listening to the brilliant Peter Kreeft on the topic of "Sex in Heaven". This is exercise and worship for the mind. Here's Troy at the Blue Moose...
I guess my kids could've used a sex talk. This is our junk drawer. At least someone colored a (Janet Jackson) bra on Barbie. She's getting ready for a half time show or something.

Troy joined us for our "Elders in Training" meeting this morning. Here's Troy in all his glory at 5:45 a.m. Troy is in a competition with a Cornerstone staff guy to see who will cave first on getting a hair cut. I guess we'll all get an idea of what Samson looked like (minus the muscles)

Here are the elders in training, minus Jeff Allgood and me (L to Rt: Jeff Thune, Aaron Hill, Dave Graber, Eric Bodin, Dale Mullikin, Rod Reinertson) on our first retreat.

Only 16 days between blog posts. I'm getting back on track to my 5x/week pace!

Sabino, everybody wantin mo

Thanks to Jeff Thune's hidden talent, Sabino got quite the intro on the retreat...

Sabino on the Dance Floor from Veritas Church on Vimeo.

If you're a Republican, you can't help but be proud

No way. This made my day. Thanks Paul Sabino (via Joel Vint) for the vine.

This is reminiscent of Matt Foley.

Some idiot in the projects

How have I not seen this until just now?! (Thanks Spaid and Lance). The epitome of viral...

No way

A 60 mile, 9 day traffic jam in China- projected to go until after our Veritas kickoff (Sep 12). This is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard (click here).

Mike, Emily and Laurie, I hope you're not stuck in traffic.

Hilarious

Thanks, Julie, for the vine on this blog that cracked me up. The very worst missionary: Click here

Dang that's funny. I'm still laughing.

Jeff Thune's blog

So my friend and partner in ministry just started a blog: http://witnessthecorridor.blogspot.com/

I commend it to you- it's already been cracking me up. I was especially enjoying the 80's post.

Add us to the list of reckless bloggers that will probably be posting things to the world that we shouldn't (probably me more than Jeff- he's already told me about some restraint he's had).

Stay tuned.

This is Church?

So we reinvented church and this is what came out...

Thanks, Tim, for the vine on this. It cracked me up.

Dad discovers the internet...

My parents are in town and dad just figured out google images... with the kids.

Beck: "Papa Jack, what's that snake doing eating that baby?"

Cameron: "Go back to the one of the fat guy"

Makai: "I want to see the big lion eating the..."

Ava: "No, the snake eating the baby!"

March Madness and Other Randomness

I've been having a hard time keeping an eye on Jett when Leatha's been gone. Last week he rolled off the bed after I fell asleep. Two days ago he rolled down the stairs. Good thing for Psalm 121.

But I decided to declare war. There's no way he'll escape my sight now. Everyone's happy...

One of my greatest discipleship tools is what I call the "fantastic voyage." It basically involves getting in the car, finding a road I've never been on, and talking with the passengers about life, God, etc. It usually also involves some craziness.

Like trying to bust through a snow drift...

Signs of spring: Ava teaching Makai how to ride a bike. We're going to get some training wheels on that bad boy...
I was skating with Makai and we took a spill. Everything is soaking wet and muddy this time of year.
I was with some guys who decided to use the bill as an evangelistic tool. I actually had the audacity to ask the guy who was paying if he left a good tip. I was worried. My worries proved true. You've got to go at least 20% if you're going to throw down a tract. In my opinion, go 20 regardless.

Nothing says "Christian wack job" like...

65 degrees yesterday, which means the skatepark is thawed out!

The ipod was rockin' with the "speed of sound" (coldplay). I love spring.
Too bad it's snowing right now.

Blueberries and Heaven

I have a problem. A big problem.

I realized it as I was eating blueberries this morning.

My problem, like most Americans, is that I like blueberry flavoring better than the blueberry itself.

Preferring the synthetic over the real thing is the problem.

Other things we prefer over the real thing (I'm including you so I won't feel all alone)...

Jiffy over real Peanut Butter

Bartles & James over a Chardonnay

Fruity Pebbles over Oatmeal (which I blogged about: click here)

Hershey's over Baker's (click here...who said Switzerland had the best chocolate?)

Velveeta over Cheddar

Aunt Jamima's over Maple Syrup

Eggos over Hearty Oatmeal Pancakes (click here)

McDonalds over Farmer's Market

White over Whole wheat

Fruit snacks over Fruit

And the list goes on...

What is the reason for replacing the real with the synthetic?

Corn syrup is more addicting than the actual sugars in the fruit. And corn syrup is in EVERYTHING. Fruit is good on top of the dessert, but can never be considered the dessert itself. That's my problem. I wish for the day when the strawberry looks better than the cream and cake on which it sat.

Will my taste be more refined when I get to heaven?

Isaiah 25:6 even describes the food and beverages in heaven as "rich food" and "aged wine."

For all the non-drinkers out there, you'll have plenty of time to develop your palate.

For all the fruity pebbles eaters, we can only hope. Maybe Fruity Pebbles will be considered a "rich food."

Back to the Biblical Basics of Marriage...a Parody

Last weekend at Cornerstone this little Branson parody preceded one of the best messages I've heard on marriage (click here for Paul Sabino's message on Ephesians 5).

Here it is y'all. JB and Linda showing their creative brilliance again with a little "Back to the Biblical Basics of Marriage"...

Ass

This is probably a post you'd expect a middle schooler to write.

But it's really about parenting in a non-King James English world and the quandary Christian parents find themselves in.

My kids are memorizing Exodus 20 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. It's a long story why they're doing it in the KJV, but that's not the point of this.

Leatha was going through it with the kids when I heard from the kitchen, "You shall not covet your neighbor's...ass." It's a natural reflex to laugh when you hear that from your 7 year old child. But I quickly got my composure and decided to interrupt the verse with a conversation about this vocabulary word "ass."

"What's an ass?" I asked.

"I don't know." Cameron said.

"It's a donkey, but in our day, it... [cut off by Leatha]"

"It's a donkey" Leatha interjected.

I pressed the issue because our homeschool kids need to know what they might be missing on the playground.

"It's a word that's inappropriate for kids," I said. "It's a mean word to call somebody."

Cameron jumped in, "Yeah, it would be bad to call someone a donkey because donkeys are kind of stupid."

Leatha clarified that it's also an inappropriate word for adults, too.

Well, I wouldn't say it that strongly.

If there's one word I would take off the Christian contraband list, this would be the one. It's such a handy and versatile word. (I've already written briefly on this topic- click here)

We should never do something stupid, and yet we all do. What's wrong with referring to yourself as a stupid donkey every once in awhile? Sometimes other people are stupid donkeys, too.

You tend to see a lot of them in traffic.

Conversation with Beck

Beck: "I don't want to go to Iowa City."

Leatha: "Why not?"

Beck: "I don't want to learn Mexican."

Leatha: "Mexican? What do you speak now?"

Beck: "I speak White. Trey [Nesbitt] doesn't speak English, he speaks White. He's black, but not that black."

Leatha: "Beck, you and Trey speak English."

Beck: "I guess I could learn Mexican."

For some context: I think Beck is troubled by stories of his aunt and uncle, who are currently in Central Asia and in the arduous process of learning another language. Turkish, Mexican, English... to him are all foreign languages you have to learn when you go to another place to tell people about Jesus.

He prefers his native tongue...White.

But for the sake of the Mission, he's now open to learning Mexican.

The Dreaded Call

It happens to all of us, but especially pastors in college towns.

It was my day off when I got The Call, "Hey, Mark, this is ____. I was supposed to have a bunch of guys helping me move today, but they all bailed on me..."

I texted all my pastor friends who also had the day off just to make them join my dilemma. I was all set to play ball and get some much needed exercise when The Call came.

I knew what I had to do. After all, I'm supposed to be a professional servant. "Sure, I'll be there."

Why do I broadcast this story of my good deed? Self-righteous boasting?

Maybe.

But it got me thinking about a couple things.

First of all, I've had many conversations with people wondering, "How do I know I'm called to go to Iowa City?" When Christians think of The Call, they think of God calling them to some sort of occupation or location. Like the call to be a missionary, youth pastor, worship leader, lead pastor, engineer, or ____. Or the call to go to Africa, Asia, or Iowa City. But I've found that God's call is most often not to an occupation or location, but to love and serve people right now.

The Call is most often a literal call from someone saying, "Hey, I need some help."

It's not always someone who needs help moving. That's easy to help with. It may be someone who needs someone to walk with them through their loneliness, brokenness, bitterness, hatred, lust, anger, or greed.

Those that are going to Iowa City are receiving The Call. Not just the call to go. But the call to love and serve lost (and found...) people. As we live out the way of Jesus, it will be compelling. It's the Church, the hope of the world.

But the second- and primary- reason I tell this story is because you may be getting the same dreaded call from me sometime late May..."Hey this is Mark. Some of our friends bailed and we need your help moving..."

It will probably be on your day off. You probably won't want to help.

Please say "Yes."