The Spent Penny

2008-02-22T18:20:00.000-08:00

I saw this performed live in Hamden, CT. One of my favorite personal live musical moments. This is just phenomenal.

Her Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles

2008-01-27T09:25:00.000-08:00

LOVE this song. Don't really dig the video someone made for it. But I finally found the Captain Beefheart version of this song that I originally had, and loved so much.

I'll blog more later..like..real stuff.

Dramatic Chipmunk

2007-11-15T10:42:00.000-08:00

Oh, Lord it's hard to be humble

2007-11-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

Mac Davis must be proud.

2007-09-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Finally, folks. Racism is over. This children's TV show is the cure. I'm sure of it.

2007-08-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

Feist performing with Grizzly Bear, members of The New Pornographers, Broken Social Scene, The National and Mates of State.

I watched this today, and it made me happy. the end.

God In "Creation"

2007-07-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

Don't you love it when God meets you seemingly out of nowhere? I'm sitting on my back..err...front..err...the stairs leading to the main entrance of my apartment with my laptop.

We've been talking in my homegroup's smaller small group (affinity group) About God in creation, and "creation care" and what it means, as Christians to be stewards of the world the Lord has created for us.

I needed. I stress the word needed here...to just sit outside, hear the birds instead of my air conditioner, and even if not in a state of full fledged focus on God, to begin to train myself to do what my soul and body so desperately need.

I look at our lettuce, tomatoes, peppers etc. growing in pots outside our small apartment here and God seems to finally be speaking.

Let me clarify. By speaking, I mean revealing himself and his character. I have no new clear direction for my live, vocation, kids? when? I have no clue. But through the medium of even some vegetation overgrowing in pots ouside in my "backyard" (read...driveway) The Lord is faitful to come and meet with me. For which I'm incredibly grateful.

I really dug this post...you should read it. k,thx bye.

2007-07-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

Vanguard Church Blog Post on Presenting the Gospel...Good stuff!

Seek first.....

2007-07-11T06:31:00.000-07:00

Seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added unto you

I think I found me some Jesus...

2007-07-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

It's about time...lol.

Now, just to see what he's up to. But I bet I'll get a clue once it's starting to happen..even afterwards...that's just kinda the way my God Rolls.

Patience

2007-06-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

I suck at patience. I feel stuck right now, I just can't make up my mind, nor do I feel a clear calling to any particular church or area. I'm burnt. I don't know what to do.

So I'll post a Fugazi song that someone else made a video for.

It's a good night.

2007-06-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

I feel mentally and physically I'm gaining ground again. Thanks be to God! Who knows what my next step will be, but I trust that the Lord will be guiding my steps as I step out and attempt to do his will. Some old "callings" seem to have been re-instated, and it seems as if the Vineyard in Hartford might soon be my church home. But again, we shall see.

It's a good night. A Nick Drake Pink moon kinda night.

2007-06-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Lord, give me the grace to leave my self-centeredness. It's exhausting.

Where is my mind....

2007-06-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

Church Planting
Moving to PA
Finding a Second job
writing music
finishing my telecaster all the way
not being pissed off.....

Today...

2007-06-09T08:41:00.001-07:00

I choose to worship.

I don't know what to say....

2007-06-08T21:14:00.000-07:00

So much for an informative blog...

Not really my night, though. I can't wait for my brain cells to wake up. Surrounded by geniuses, I feel a feel as if I'm not quite the sharpest tool in the shed. Caffeine has me awake tonight, but unfocused and agitated.

I'm just glad the move to PA is coming to reality. The only real question is September or January. I'd honestly want to root for September tonight, tomorrow may be a different story.

I feel I need to be located somewhere else almost to be taken seriously, or maybe I'm just having a bad day.

An (almost) finished Tele

2007-06-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Vineyard Pastor Jeff Heidkamp on Emerging church

2007-05-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.vineyardusa.org/ministries/nationalconference.aspx

2007-05-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

You are a God of mystery. I hate and love that about you. I want to know, but Love the fact that I don't have the priveledge to know all.

And who am I to say what I need to know as far as my future.

Lord, speak as you will, through who or whatever you will, whatever you have to say.

2007-05-30T17:16:00.001-07:00

as Performed by Jerree Small, folk artist now living in Minnesota, who I knew back in the days of The Space before we were legal.

I love it.

2007-05-27T05:09:00.000-07:00

Group Hug, confession website
Some of these confessions are kinda graphic, maybe inappropriate for some. Just a heads up.

I've been more and more convicted about our need to confess as a community of Christians. It's very key for the health of the community in general when we look at how our sin affects the community as a whole.

I think it's a desire we all have to a point...as scary as it is to be "found out" or at least "get something off your chest.

The link above contains people just anonymously "getting stuff off their chest." But how sad that there's no means for true forgiveness. I find the side strangely intriguing, the concept mostly.

2007-05-24T17:51:00.001-07:00

Sheep are sweet!

2007-05-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

I want a happy sheep farm like this one, with happy sheep...and cheaper rent, and a simpler life. I really hope it works out.

2007-05-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

Lord, show us how we can worship in the context of our culture. That people might see and understand our passion for you.

Let us be a church that focuses on those "outside"

Forgive us for focusing too much on the internal of the church, for the interal's sake. But let us be whole as a community, so that we can be Jesus to those around us who have not yet met you as you are.

The state of my brain in video form....

2007-05-10T20:22:00.001-07:00

2007-05-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to Criterion Cinemas in New Haven to see a movie, "Into Great Silence" about a group of monks who have taken a vow of silence.

"Into Great Silence" Website

While all in subtitles, I found it very powerful. It was a great window into the monastic life, particularly of this order. It was wonderful. It was a great worship experience for me, just to see them in their daily work, and how Christ was a part of every little thing they did, from gardening to washing cutlery.

I would love to put some of these things to work in my life. I'd love to be able to worship while greeting people at IKEA, or even having to discipline the children (or parents....) Who are not behaving well.

It's a real challenge. I'm really in awe of the monastic life, If I weren't the semi-protestant that I am, and thought I could take a vow of celibacy, and didn't find Carolyn who I married..haha, I would be so drawn to such a life.

I'm also curious to see how we can work monastic ideas into all of our lives as a community. It's tough, but, I believe, Important.

"Do Not Postone Happiness"

2007-05-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

~Jeff Tweedy

Listenign to Wilco's Webcast from 4/21/07. During the song Kingpin, he says something to the effect of "I've always said this, I'll say it again.

"Do Not Postpone Happiness"

I like that principle.

Lord, teach me ways in which I can actively engage in happiness in the ways you inspire it today.

Divorce is Sad

2007-05-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

So, I got my bike, gonna give it another go in a little bit. Once we finally got it put together, it was late and dark out, so I just went for a short ride around the neighborhood.

But that's all as far as that.

Divorce is sad.

I went to interpret for a co-worker this morning for a contempt case, where her husband wasn't paying sufficient child support. Sadly, she had to wait an hour and a half for a court certified translator to come and help her out (not being certified, they couldn't use me) But I was honored to be asked.

So, I ended up waiting with Blanca (my co-worker) for moral support. What an awkward experience, seeing Blanca walk by her ex husband without even acknowledging his presence, having been married to someone, and then to not be able to bear the sight of them. I'm not saying, necessarily that I blame her, or that I judge her for her reaction. But still, the sadness remains.

When finally, an interpreter came, I waited outside for the opportunity to sit in on the case for, again, moral support. But my parking meter ran out, and I just had to leave after 3 or so hours waiting with her. Anyway, it's that I saw countless couples going through divorces, fighting with each other, who gets what, etc. As well as seeing fathers stressed as anything, trying to figure out how they're going to afford to pay child support and like...eat.

What is this monster that has taken over so much or our culture? It causes so much pain, to so many people. It's so sad to see so many families go down the tubes. All the tears, enfuriated soon-to-be ex spouses, and broke and pissed off fathers has left me emotionally drained.

(BTW, Blanca won her case!!! And her ex husband is now going to have to pay all he owes her!) And she, now..has VERY little money, works part time at IKEA in the dishroom, and is the only one who works in her family (is pregnant) and wouldn't let me turn down the $50 dollars she offered me for the help in paperwork and everything I did to help her out.

It's been a taxing day. It's really just now that all of that's sort of hitting me. And making sense as I'm almost in tears this evening.

Lord, protect my family, protect marriages all over this country. Let the church know the correct way to stand up against this work of the enemy.

2007-04-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

Isaiah
Chapter 55

1: ¹ All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!
2: Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare.
3: Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.
4: As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations,
5: So shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, Because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.
6: Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.
7: Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; Let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
8: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9: As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.
10: For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats,
11: So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
12: Yes, in joy you shall depart, in peace you shall be brought back; Mountains and hills shall break out in song before you, and all the trees of the countryside shall clap their hands.
13: ² In place of the thornbush, the cypress shall grow, instead of nettles, the myrtle. This shall be to the LORD'S renown, an everlasting imperishable sign.

Lord, let your will be done.

2007-04-23T05:10:00.000-07:00

In honor of really high gas prices, my need for exercize, and the simple fact that yesterday was my birthday, I bought a simple, but funky bicycle.

I hope to also be able to buy the parts to finish my Telecaster with the money I got from my sister and parents.

"All I know is, I was crazy, but..this man, he made be less crazy"

2007-04-20T05:02:00.000-07:00

Today is the 20th of April,

And as I sit here in my buttowndown from Express, And BDG Corduroy pants (from Urban Outfitters) with a wedding ring on my finger, "intense auburn" dyed hair with 2 gauge holes in my ears with black earlets, I remember 4ish years ago when I was a "hippie" and what God's done in my life.

Insane cycles of mania and depression are also wrapped up in my former "hippie" persona. My dreads (all three of them that actually locked) My handmade (by mom) Corduroy patchwork pants, and hemp "man-sack." Things change, and change a lot, for the better.

I'm not bashing the "hippieness" of my former years, of the music, dreads, pants, man-sack...(well, maybe the dreads a little) But moreso just making a written altar of the ways in which the Lord has changed me on this "hippie" holiday that causes me to remember.

God is good, and he draws all things even closer to him. I'm, as of yet no great theologian. I don't know that I'll ever be.

However, I CAN say for certain, especially as I sit here waiting to leave for an interview for a new job, that, "All I know is I was incapacitated, lost in my own self-pity, and now I'm free!"

Lord, thank you that you've given me such a story. Give me the grace and boldness to let people know why I am not who I used to be, and never to forget your goodness and faithfulness in my life.

Postmodernism 101

2007-04-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

If my addiction to YouTube isn't totally obvious, let me make it clear with the video at the end of the written portion of this blog.

I'm beginning to get tired of hearing about postmodernism and the church etc. at the same time, wanting to know how the church can "emerge" and exist in a Postmodern era. I found this clip, which does a good job of summing up what postmodernism is about, outside of trying to talk about how it affects the way we "do church" I found it interesting and weird, which is true how most things postmodern hit me, and I like it.

Jolene, and stuff.

2007-04-15T19:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, raw "garage band" style rock guitar done well, and super emotional just gets me. I love Dolly Parton, but I really love The White Stripes take.

Here's Dolly:

If anyone is actually reading this, lol, pray for me. I really want to get started with this new church service, and am at a real block spiritually/mentally. I have the desire, but no fresh ideas, maybe I just need a fire lit underneath my butt.

2007-04-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

Danny P

Children's songman extroardinaire

Good times in my new position at IKEA. I played for Bring Your Child to Work Day yesterday, and HR loved it!! They want me to play more often for the kids at work, special events, etc.

I'm also applying for a job at Gymboree in Hamden, doing the same, playing sing-along type music for children ages 1-4, interview next friday, after sitting in on a class, 2 days a week, would very well supplement my current job, and the few hours available right now (I have to work my Birthday on Sunday April 22nd, however, I have the following tuesday through Friday off, just to return at 5pm-9pm on that Saturday.

I totally feel I made the right decision with the department move. It was totally a God thing, the hours just need to straighten out.

I tried to find a video clip of someone like Raffi, or some cheesy children's artist to post and further animate the silliness and fun that I get to have with my new position, however, only parody videos, and "Kill Barney" "Barney Gets Shot" etc.

So, that's me today. I've been in a bloggy mood, so..there well may be more later.

UPDATE!!!

here's a video. She's my idol.

2007-04-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

More to come

2007-04-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

Christ, as light

illumine and guide me.

Christ, as a sheild

overshadow me.

Christ under me;

Christ over me;

Christ beside me

on my left and my right

This day be within and without me

lowly and meek, yet all-powerful

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;

in the mouth of each who speaks unto me,

This day be within and without me,

lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light;

Christ as a shield;

Christ beside me

on my left and my right

~A morning canticle from Celtic Daily Prayer-Prayers and readings from the Northumbria Community.

2007-04-10T21:16:00.000-07:00

It's a desert night.
Open my eyes Lord, speak to me.
In my dreams.

If my food is to do your will,
I'm starving.

Speak to those around me,
let me not seek your will alone.

Oh, for deep thoughts again, in their place, a dog, with a licking problem.

2007-04-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

So, I've been wanting re-start this blog again, and could not come up with anything of depth to add today, but in the discipline and spirit of blogging, I will post this video of a dog with a licking problem.

Welcome!!

2004-11-25T18:21:00.000-08:00

Spurred on my my friend Amy, I've decided to start a blog. I've wanted to for some time now, and in many caffeine-induced late nights, I know I've registered with many hosts, then promptly forgot my username and password. Oh, if I could find all those old singular posts written somewhere between 3 and 5 am. I'm sure it would be rather interesting.

I don't have anything especially interesting to say tonight. It was pretty much a normal Thanksgiving. I went to my folks place (which was hardly a trek, they live right down the street from me) where I had my thanksgiving dinner with my immediate family, with the addition of my Grandparents, and our friend Tricia (who actually pretty much counts as family.) Turkey, mashed potatoes, a crapload of orange vegetables, you know the drill.

This year, however, I found myself a little more emotional than usual. It kinda hit me by surprise. I'm not going to go into all the things that I'm thankful for tonight. But, I will say that it's just incredible to look back on myself even a year ago. And then to take a snapshot of myself tonight. The pictures just don't match up!!! Literally and physically. Now, I'm working again, planning on moving soon, and excited and optimistic for my future.

Thankful is not the word. It goes way beyond that.