And I’m not feeling motivated to do much of anything today…
So what about you? What’s on your to-do list?
Reba Kennedy at Everyday Simplicity suggested this past week that everyone needs a laugh list.
I’ve found that all the bad stuff stops me from laughing, and if I start laughing, with even a mild giggle, then those bad feelings evaporate away. Poof! And I’m free to enjoy the rest of my day. Getting stuff done — instead of spending wasted energy on bad emotions/bad attitudes. Casting my cares.
So, as a matter of preparedness, I offer…
So that’s my brief list. What about you? What’s on your list?
Artists always have a great way of bringing out theology through their art.
I always love art that makes me asks questions. That helps me wrestle with life and the tough stuff, the muck and the mire.
Art forces you to re-consider. To look at all of life differently.
Continue reading 22 songs about Heaven
While many of these bloggers may (or may not be) new to you I have a feeling they’re gonna be some folks really worth reading and watching this year… I know I’ll be reading!
And just so you know, I’m not a fan of ranking folks — especially folks who I would consider friends.
I believe everyone has a story and everyone’s story is important.
So here’s my list, only in the order they came to mind in…
What’s a fellow to do after getting let go just before the start of the new year? Well Johnny is already suggesting it’s the opportunity he’s been waiting for to really jump out into his passions — full steam ahead.
We feel this is gift of God (perhaps more accurately a hefty kick) to make myself more available to Jesus stuff in whatever form that takes. Expecting that there will perhaps be more time than before, I’ve already stepped out and started to take the initiative to get involved in a few things that I have a passion for, and are close to my heart.
It’s time to recalibrate.
Early signs seem to be focussed towards authentic missional discipleship, connection and some kind of increased & enhanced online activity – influenced in part because I have been inspired by those over the last little while who by their living, writing, sharing, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, grace and love have impacted me more than they will ever realize.
Johnny and I have had several chats via email already and I can’t wait to see where 2010 takes him!
Thomas has been blogging regularly since before I began – 2005. As he says, he blogs to share the whole of him. His blogs might include the latest indie beats, cool design, or a funny improv video he found surfing YouTube. Along with joining me on the podcast, he’s got a couple other projects up his sleeve this year and I’m looking forward to seeing where they take him.
I “met” Mike through The Idea Camp in DC and our common interest in JustOne and Laundry Love. I later got to know him even better through the podcast. He’s truly a great guy with a great heart. He co-founded the Cobblestone Project in Northwest Arkansas and is off this week to pick up his newly adopted daughter in Ethiopia.
Steve’s another guy who’s employment was lost near the end of 2010. As someone who’s been very active in media, journalism, missions and ministry over the years, he’s always brought a unique perspective to the table. He also started a new missional network in 2009 – The Transform Network. (And if nothing else, he’s who I stole the Kingdom Journalist idea from.) I hear he might have a couple job interviews coming up — so let’s hope it doesn’t slow down his recent blogging splurge.
I got to know Charles this year through my involvement with Laundry Love, JustOne and the Idea Camp. In 2010 he’s already planning at least one more Idea Camp event as well as starting a new conference experience, !deation. Charles is a definite idea guy and is always inspiring me with his blogs and tweets and his heart for compassion and justice.
@hardlynormal @invisiblepeople
This guy forces you to pay attention to those we’ve chosen to look past so many times before — the invisible people who walk and live on the streets around us. His video blogs force you to come to grips with the stories of the homeless who live among us. No longer can they be a statistic. After spending a day or so with him, Kevin Hendricks had this to say about Mark:
I really value Mark’s perspective on the homelessness issue because he’s been there before and understands it in a way many people don’t. He also understands the practical realities. Frankly, it’s devastating to walk out here and talk to people, knowing I have a cozy warm bed and home, plenty of blankets, sheets and even a spare room. Whatever I’m doing to help the homeless, there’s always more I could do. I realize inviting a stranger into my house isn’t always practical (nor approved by my wife), but tell that to the person sleeping on the sidewalk. I don’t know how Mark has traveled the country doing this. He always talks about it wrecking him, and now I can understand why.
And speaking of Kevin Hendricks…
Kevin’s always bringing a fresh perspective to things. I don’t know of anything big Kevin’s got going on this year but I’ve always enjoyed his blog and his unique perspective so he deserves to be on this list regardless. Especially with great posts like this… http://www.kevindhendricks.com/2010/01/13/reflection-on-the-earthquake-in-haiti/
In all fairness, Stewart actually came to mind at the same time Thomas did, but I didn’t want to seem too impartial to my podcast co-horts. Stewart had an amazing 2009 – a trip to Israel, a trip to Cuba, his wife getting her Master’s degree. It might be tough for him to top last year. But I hear he may be focusing on his own Master’s degree this year — so hopefully it will inspire many more great blog posts along the way.
It would be hard to make a list of Kingdom bloggers without mentioning Andrew. He’s been a major player for a number of years and has helped inform and shape a lot of my views along the way.
And with his recent disassociation from the emergent label (aka Emergent Village) to the focus on “something different – locating and equipping missional entrepreneurs around the world that God loves” it will definitely be worth watching his blog in 2010.
(Listen to more of his story on the podcast.)
As I’ve mentioned recently here on my blog – I love all that Jason is doing with his various adoption & orphan related ministries.
Jason’s recently moved to Austin, Texas and (as I understand it via Twitter) will be working with some of the great folks at Austin Stone. I’m looking forward to seeing how his ministry grows even further as he raises awareness and understanding for his passion groove.
In 2009, Eugene Cho and his wife launched a non-profit organization, One Day’s Wages.
In one paragraph: One Day’s Wages (ODW) is an international grassroots movement dedicated to ending extreme global poverty. ODW promotes awareness, invites giving, and supports sustainable relief through partnerships, especially with smaller organizations in developing regions.
The non-profit has over 1 million fans on Facebook and is continuing to gain momentum.
Eugene also pastors Quest Church and is the executive director of the Q-Cafe, a non-profit coffee house in the Seattle area. He continues to put out great stuff and I anxiously look forward to his new posts and to see how he’s used to build the Kingdom in 2010.
Looking for more bloggers to watch in 2010? Check out the comments on ProBlogger.com for a variety of lists and bloggers.
Back from our cruise (BTW – not a big fan of the US Customs process and Houston traffic) and uploading LOADS of photos to Flickr right now. In the meantime I’m catching up on some emails and other online fun. In the meantime, here’s a fun 44 things list to distract you while you wait for all these photos to finish uploading…
1. Do you like blue cheese? yes
2. Have you ever been drunk? Yes
3. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? strawberry or cherry
4. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? not normally
5. What do you think of hot dogs? they’re good – the cheaper and bigger the better
6. Favorite Christmas movie? the Grinch or the Christmas Story
7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? coffee
8. What is your favorite food? steak and potatoes
9. Can you do push ups? not many
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I only wear my wedding band
11. Favorite hobby? computers or reading
12. Do you have A.D.D.? I don’t think so
13. What’s Your Weight? 230 give or take
14. Middle name? Deryl
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? lots of waiting tonight, glad i had a great week off and now there’s lots of catching up to do
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, coffee, soda
17. Current worry? no waiting – just waiting
18. Current hate right now? waiting
19. ?
20. How did you bring in the New Year? we lit sparklers in my friends backyard
21. Where would you like to go? UK
22. Name three people who will complete this? Laurie, Thomas, and that’s all I can bet on — prove me wrong! share a link to your list in the comments…
23. Do you own slippers? nope
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? red
25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? sure
26. Can you whistle? not without a whistle
27. Favorite color? green
28. Would you be a pirate? I was a Poteet Pirate in high school
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? depends on what’s stuck in my head
30. Favorite Girl’s Name? Not sure
31. Favorite boy’s name? Not sure
32. What’s in your pocket right now? pocket lint
33. Last thing that made you laugh? “I can’t get out of my room. There are two doors – one leads to the bathroom and one has a sign on it that says – ‘Do Not Disturb.'”
34. Best bed sheets as a child? soft
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had as a child? Styrofoam stuck in my nose?
36. Do you love where you live? yup – but wouldn’t mind having a couple acres
37. Do you like your job? no
38. Who is your loudest friend? Gaylan
39. How many dogs do you have? one
40. Does someone have a crush on you? I hope Laurie does
42. What is your favorite candy? payday
43. Favorite Sports Team? Cowboys
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? We’ll Meet Again and It is Well. I had a couple others but I can’t think of them right now 🙁
Well, Sara posted a list of 100 things about her on Myspace a couple years back. I followed suite and did it as well.
She just posted an updated/shorter list on her blog. Guess that means I should post a Jan. 2, 2009 version as well?
1. I tend to find things to complain about related to work too easily, but I am super thankful I have a good job.
2. I’m envious that my Life, Laurie really loves her new job.
3. I started using Uni-ball vision pens over the last year or so – I love them!
4. I’ve been carrying the same purple and green one in my pocket for a couple months.
5. I hate when you find a great pen and it turns up missing.
6. I love a great cup of coffee.
7. I have a french press at my desk so I can make a great cup whenever I choose.
8. I used the last of my Columbian coffee here at work this morning.
9. I loathe buying things based on a brand name or because they’re the “cool thing” to have.
10. Despite #9, I’ve only owned Chevy trucks and don’t plan to buy anything else.
11. I will buy a “brand name” if I think the cost:value ratio is right (hense #10).
12. A pack of Starbursts in our vending machine at work now costs $1! (see #1).
13. I used to sell candy and Little Debbies at school, usually with at least a 100% markup.
14. I may need to start a new side-job at work :-).
15. I’ve been designing websites for nearly 15 years now — self taught.
16. I think I’ve actually been paid to build 4 or 5 of them.
17. Looking back on my old designs, they suck.
18. I’m not thrilled with the current design/layout on my blog.
19. Starting the something beautiful podcasts likely tops the list of my favorite things in 2008.
20. Writing a novel is within the top 5.
21. I’d do a daily podcast/radio show if someone would pay me or I could find a couple more hours in the day.
22. I wonder if I can find someone to sponsor me, just living life and doing the things I love.
23. I’d be willing to sellout and wear a “brand name shirt” from 8-5 everyday if someone wanted to sponsor me to the tune of $40-$50k a year.
24. I have almost as much fun putting together an hour of “indie” music for the podcast as I do chatting with very cool folks like @kevinhendricks, @truckerfrank, @frankviola, @knightopia, @tallskinnykiwi and the 20 or so others I got to chat with in 2008.
25. My favorite part of editing a weekly podcast is adding Laurie’s closing statement at the end of each podcast.
26. The older I get, the worse my allergies seem to get – especially at night.
27. I think we’ve found a combination of meds that seem to really work – but I hate using nasal sprays.
28. Laurie says she can tell a big difference at night between when I use the new meds and when I don’t.
29. I used to sleep with music on almost every night.
30. Now I fall asleep to the sound of a fan.
31. I wish I was a better wood-worker.
32. My greatest achievement in wood-working thus far is a shelf I built for the garage.
33. It took me a year to finish building/staining a keep sake box for Laurie.
34. It was a wedding gift. I think she got it around our one year anniversary. :-(.
35. I don’t remember being very popular while I was growing up, but somehow I have over 400 friends on Facebook. What’s that about?
36. I would love to have kids.
37. The idea of having kids still terrifies me when I start thinking about it too much.
38. Love playing with them and enjoying them when they’re behaving. Not a big fan when they start acting up.
39. I’d secretly be thrilled if we had a baby by next Christmas.
40. Some days I feel like a walking contradiction.
41. I’ve been riding the DART bus to work for more than a year now.
42. It’s probably one thing I do that I get asked the most questions about.
43. I’m amused that riding public transportation is still so foreign to Texans.
44. Many people think the bus and rail are full of lowlifes that should be avoided no matter how much money it might save you.
45. Even though we can park for free at our new office building – I’d still rather ride the bus most days.
46. I often give Laurie a hard time about her wanting to buy nice things for me and/or our house, like a dining room table, or painting the walls.
47. Secretly I’m glad she’s doing it all and I love all that she’s done so far.
48. Laurie always gives awesome gifts.
49. I hope to one day do the “Hotter Than Hell” bike race in Wichita Falls.
50. I’d like to go skydiving and bungee jumping at some point.