Head Explodes

Me: It's really time to start weeding out songs the little one's ears shouldn't hear. 

iTunes: But you like all that I have to offer. I'm sure of it. You wouldn't want him missing out on great music.

Me: But I don't even remember half of what you have. I just keep moving you from computer to computer. This is the fifth computer to which I've moved you.

iTunes: But even the music I have you don't listen to every day is great for the memories. C'mon, music is great! What about  your old softball team's unofficial theme song?

Me: Fair enough, I won't delete your music, I'll just make a "Safe for Kids' Ears" playlist

iTunes: Thanks man.

Me: No problem.

The Interwebs (interrupting like a drunken neighbor): Hey, HEY! I've got musics. I like musics. Let me in on this, here's a cover of it from a band you listened to at the same time

Me: Softball, late nights, college, overwhelming nostalgia convergence [head explodes]

Stop the Internet Blacklist Bill

Help stop this ridiculousness.

Info to know:
SOPA = House Version
ProtectIP = Senate Version

Watch this video:


Check out this infographic:
http://americancensorship.org/infographic.html

Sign up to do something about it:
http://americancensorship.org/

Why so Contentious?

In May I walked across the stage, took the pictures and received the congratulations on graduating from Seminary. But I knew I wasn't finished. No diploma resided in the handsomely apportioned case handed me as I confidently strode across that stage. No, inside was a single sheet of paper that read, "Return this case. You will receive one with your diploma when you finish your graduation requirements." This sentiment was underscored when my theology professor whispered, "now remember, you're walking by faith." as I shook his hand before leaving the stage.

What was left for me to do? Well, I still needed to pass my seminary orals.As part of that process, I've been working in fits and bursts on a 2 final papers for my Seminary degree. The first on Pre-Tribulation Rapture and the second on God's sovereignty (you know, the whole Calvinism/Arminism thing).

Both of these topics have knowledgeable and thoughtful scholars who disagree on how to interpret scripture. The tenor of the disagreements are quite different from each other. In the timing of the rapture debate, people are civil and their critiques have an attitude of "Well, I probably can't get the other guy (or gal) to change his (or her) position, but I sure can have fun with it by poking a little fun at them."

On the other hand the sovereignty debate is vicious. Both sides are playing for keeps. throwing down gauntlets as requests for proof and then refusing to accept what proof is offered. (And please note, I did say BOTH sides.) It's hard to even consider entering into a debate where arguers are routinely accused of ignorance and stupidity in interpretation and intentionally misleading Christians in this "most important of all doctrinal issues." (As if they would just read the right book or article and go, "Oh my! I've had it all wrong. Now I get it!")

I find this particularly frustrating in that I hold to parts of both traditions, but adhere to neither in its entirety. So, my question is this: Why is this issue such a contentious one? Why would people say that Arminians and Calvinists shouldn't even work together (as one friend of mine was advised)? I haven't come across this advice over End Times theology or many other theological issues. Why is this the common response for this one?

Summit 2010 - Session 6 - Dr. Zhao Xiao

.:Beyond Economy: China's Transformation with the Cross
Four Stages or Platforms that Countries can have Influence
1 - Economics Stage - China was everywhere
2 - Political Stage - China is on U.N. Security Council
3 - Sports Stage - China hosted Olympics
4 - Faith Stage - Rarely see Chinese influence

Leadership is not just about influence. It also must be about thgoing the right direction

We must recognize, accept change.

What is the significant change between now and 500 years from now?
The most significant thing in the 20th century is not the two world wars or the rise and collapse of the soviet union. It is the rise of china because it will influence generations centuries into the future.

Summit 2010 - Session 5 with Adam Hamilton

.:When Leaders Fail
This is not an inspirational talk. But I think that for some of you, this may be the most important talk and could save your ministry or your church.

A study that was done in 2005-2006 of 1050 pastors had 30% admit to some sort of sexual impropriety during their ministry life.

Though there is not a one size fits all approach, our story might help.

I want to talk about three things

1. Share about how my church handled a situation in this area
2. Why Church leaders have a hard time in this area
3. Five "Rs" for resisting temptation in your own life

Summit 2010 - Session 4 - Craig Groeschel interviews Tony Dungy

.:The Mentor Leader
"Stubbornness is a virtue - if you're right."
Being a pastor is similar to being a coach:

• What do you do the rest of the week?
• People watching can call better plays from home (or the pew)
• You can work yourself into the ground.

Known for encouraging a life of balance

• We are going to win, but you can't make football your life.
• You can be passionate about it, but you need to have other interests.

Summit 2010 - Session 3 - Christine Caine (Founder of the A21 Campaign)

Leading from a Place of Hope

I'm sorry that it took me so long to respond to God hearing your cry that I didn't come sooner.

The Cry of the World to Us:
If what you believe is true, then where are you? Because we live with no hope.

This is Our Time of Greatest potential
Ephesians 5:14 - wake from the dead, you who sleep.
Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and His church is still the best vehicle to bring that hope to the world.

It is our Job to Lead from a Place of Hope.
If we don't have hope, then how on earth can those without Jesus have any hope at all?

Summit 2010 - Session 2 - Jim Collins

Never, Ever, Give Up

5 Stages of Decline

Step 1 - Hubris Born of Success
It is not success that leads to failure, but outrageous arrogance that inflects suffering on the innocent
Bad decisions taken with good decision are still bad decisions

Three very different leaders
Darwin Smith - Kimberly Clarke
Had a charisma challenge
Funky looking guy, socially inept introvert
"I was just trying to be qualified for the job."

Anne Mulcahy - Xerox
She was magnetic
She did not expect to become CEO, but was determined to fix the company
She was surprised that she became CEO and never sought it
"I was an accidental CEO."

Herb Kelleher - Southwest Airlines
Not normal
Rents a stadium and resolves a trademark dispute with the CEO of other business with an arm wrestling match.
"When the going gets weird, the weird become CEO."

What do these three leaders share in common?

1. It is not about them
2. They never, ever give up
3. They are level 5 leaders

(What separates the Level 5 Leaders from the Level 4 Leaders is humility of a very special type - it is an absolute commitment to do whatever it takes)

Summit 2010 - Opening Session with Bill Hybels

I though I'd give blogging through Willow Creek's Leadership Summit this year.  We'll see if I actually make it through the whole thing.

From HERE to THERE
 
Getting stuck in a leadership slump
Half-a-dozen problems around Willow Creek that he just couldn't seem to resolve and right about this time, his secretary came in and dumped half-a-dozen new leadership books on his desk.
Then he started looking at the books and thinking about the problems and thought, "Maybe I've come to the end of my run."

Then had a wedding to do, and thought, "This will be good, because I know I can do weddings. Not my favorite thing to do, but I know I can do them. I've done hundreds of them."

Went through the whole wedding and everything went fine until the very end when he gave the nod to the vocalist to sing the final song, but she shook her head no.

"I can't even do a wedding right!"

He was in a slump.

Told God, "I need help. I don't know anything."

God told him, "Bill, you've been leading for 3 1/2 decades. You know a few things."

Leaders move people from Here to There.
We are HERE (current reality), but someday we are going to wind up THERE (preferred future) and we will all love life, our church will be stronger and better and more like Jesus.
He used to think the first step was to just describe "There"

Our Favorite Five

Our little guy Eli is just past the 6 week mark and there are a few items that we have come to love.

#1 BumGenius 3.0 diapers

They’re more expense up front than disposables, but save a ton in the long run.  We’ve got the one-size and plan to adjust the snaps out as little man grows.  Eighteen is the magic number for us as it allows us to have a couple in each of our diaper bags and still have rotations of seven. With a nighttime insert that protects from those massive night pees, they work great. We just toss them in the washer every night and haven’t had a problem yet.

#2 Prince Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer and Natural Flannel Baby Wipes

this is an awesome idea.  Working in a daycare, I always felt bad for the poor kids’ bottoms getting wiped with the ac-temped wipes.  The warmer takes care of this for our guy and we can toss the flannel wipes in with the diapers

#3 SwaddleMe 3-Pack

I was a little skeptical of these at first, but after Rachael explained them to me and showed me how to use them, I’ve become a believer.  They are perfect for swaddling at the shoulder or under the arms. But the best part about them is the design that lets you set one in a car seat, snap the little one in and swaddle around both baby and straps.

#4 Boppy Feeding Pillow

I know my wife love this as it puts Eli at the perfect height for breastfeeding (Full disclosure: My wife is short.  Okay she’s very short – with one of those small strike zone torsos. Taller women might need an extra pillow to make the Boppy hit the perfect height). I like the Boppy because I can use it to snuggle him up to me at night when Mommy is tired and just needs some sleep.

#5 bumGenius Diaper Sprayer

This sprayer is easy to install (I think it took a crescent wrench, a pair of scissors and about 4 minutes), works great and is useful for far more than the makers intended.  Trust me, you’ll be really glad for it the first time your little one drops a deuce in the baby bath or decides to display the projectile spit-up trick they learned from their baby friend or if Dad is just a hairy beast that needs to hose down the shower after using it. Seriously – lots of uses. Oh, and it makes spraying out cloth diapers pretty simple too.

So those are our most useful, awesome favorite baby items so far.  I'm sure we'll have more to come. What are yours?

We are safe at home.

Full day: Rachael's done w/ surgery & in recovery. My sister & brother-in-law walked out of the hotel this morn to a guy breaking their car's driverside window.

Rachael's surgery is scheduled for this 2:30 or 3ish this afternoon. She will need to be kept overnight. I hope I can take her & Eli both home tomorrow morning.

Eli received a clean bill of health earlier today, but Rachael is the one they won't release. She's getting her gall bladder out tomorrow. Hope to go home after

Eli's billyrubin test this morning showed his level back down at 10. Another test at 2p will let us know if we're heading home or spending another night.

So it turns out that parenting is supposedly easier if at least one of us gets some sleep. Since they won't let Rachael leave, I'm heading home for a nap.

Wish I could say we're on our way home, but it looks like it'll be at least 1 more day, maybe 2.

Eli's bilirubin level is at 12 so they've set up a light kit to shine on him tonight to combat jaundice. We'll be here for at least 1 more night.

Eli's here and healthy. 2:22a on 4/26/10

Still pushing