HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Let me introduce you to the Stanley Hotel ...

This place is probably more known as the hotel were the movie "The Shining" was filmed back in the early 80's but it also known as one the scariest hotels in the country. It's located in Estes Park, Colorado (about 80 miles north of Denver) which is right outside Rocky Mountain National Park.

While I was out in Colorado last year I took the above picture. The place just looks creepy with all the dark clouds and such in the backround. I took a brief walk around the place and it had an eerie feel about it. They also had some interesting postcards that had "red rum" and "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Proabably should have picked one up.

I can not stand scary movies and haunted house type things. But it's Oct. 31 so I thought I would share something scary that I could handle. This is a very cool hotel but I will not be staying there anytime soon. I wouldn't mind watching this movie again. One of the few horror flicks I'll watch.

SWITCHFOOT IN CHICAGO

"MUSIC BRINGS ALL OF US TOGETHER"

- Jon Foreman

Oh man, what an amazing evening! Not enough adjectives in the english dictionary to describe the concert. First here's the set list:

Lonely Nation
Ammunition
Dare You to Move
More than Fine
On Fire
Easier than love
This is your Life
Happy is a Yuppie Word
Gone
Politicians
24
Shadow Proves the Sunshine
Meant to Live

Encore:
Stars
We Are One Tonight

(Deep breath, this gets a little long ...)

Not one of their songs sounded bad. Not one! The Vic Theatre was the perfect, and I mean perfect, place to watch these guys! Granted I have never seen them before but it was tight, intimate, older place were maybe 2500 people were crammed into. The place had so much energy it was just flat out awesome.

The anticipation before they came felt like it took forever. But once I heard the first few cords of "Lonely Nation" I could just feel that I was in for a great evening. Jon Foreman's energy from start to finish was unlike anything I have ever seen in concert, ever!! It was a flat-out mesmerizing performance. That guy is an amazing lead singer. He sounded fantastic all night.

There were a few things that I have to touch on that just were jaw-dropping:

DARE YOU TO MOVE
Before the song, Foreman was said "This song is about moving forward." I wasn't really moving forward per say but I was screaming out the whole song at the top of my lungs and couldn't hear myself. Somewhere around this point in the concert I couldn't hear from my right ear. Yet it was strange because I didn't notice it all the time til basically the concert was over.

EASIER THAN LOVE
Perhaps my favorite song on the "Nothing is Sound" album. Once again just screaming at the tops of my lungs with the entire audience. They did not disappoint.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE
At a few points during the song Foreman picks up his guitar flips it toward his mouth and just starting screaming into the thing. Absolutely Amazing! Just woah!

HAPPY IS A YUPPIE WORD
Ok, not really a favorite of mine but during the bridge portion of this song, Foreman just screams "Nothing is Sound" at least 5 times into the microphone. Just flippin' stunning!

SHADOW PROVES THE SUNSHINE
Maybe, for me, the highlight of the entire concert. First Foreman introduces Sean and Sara Watkins from Nickelcreek and I was flipping out because I love their music and they accompanied the band during the song. Then Foreman talks about how they played this song first in South Africa and says, "While I was over there, it was probably the closest to God I have ever been." Wow!! Then the song just was jaw dropping and I just got chills. I mean, every hair on my arm, just chills! I can't even describe it!

MEANT TO LIVE
They were playing some guitar cords for about 30 seconds and I couldn't figure out what song they were about to play. THEN, everything went crazy! Enough said.

WE ARE ONE TONIGHT
After playing "Stars" I wasn't sure they would play another encore song. But this really was the perfect song to end the evening with. Everyone in the crowd singing and arms raised. They left me wanting more ...

Ok, did it sound like it was awesome?!? I go to about 3-4 concerts a year and I have never, ever seen anything better. Never. Granted I have yet to see U2 or Coldplay but that setting, the crowd, the bands energy will be tough to match.

I will never forget this night!! (Thanks for reading til the end!)

The above picture is during "Shadow Proves the Sunshine" with Jon Foreman (left) and Sara Watkins from Nickelcreek playing the violin.

The Crazy Crew (and fellow bloggers): Jon Keim, Me, Angela Keim, Corey Mann (Left to Right)

NOOMA #11 - RHYTHM

Oh, what a good day it was when I saw the GCC bookstore had NOOMA #11. In fact this is how excited I was. I bought it and luckily my friend Beth was at the bookstore and I just popped it into the DVD and watched it there on the spot.

Without going into the too much detail. This was an interesting one. All of them are interesting so that should come as no surprise but Bell doesn't go into a whole lot a great detail on the subject. I was expecting a little more of an in-depth look at the topic of "God is Ultimate Reality" but he didn't.

Certainly, I would recommend anyone picking this up. It should wrestle up a couple of questions in you mind ...

... "Living in the Questions"

ALMOST HERE!! ...

My friends, it's all almost here!

I'm like a kid in a candy store because--

Nooma #11, Rhythm, is coming out in less then a week!! If anyone see this in stores before Sunday, let me know!

Less than 100 hours til the group from neaveH goes to Mars Hill to hear Rob Bell speak!

And the countdown that's almost at zero: SWITCHFOOT IN CHICAGO!!

Waiting for the countdown to be over ...

LOVING GOD & OTHERS ...

Just something I have been wrestling with in my mind ...

From Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus is answering a question from a Pharisee, "... which is the greatest commandment in the law?"

Then Jesus replies, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."

I've posed this question to numerous people and I have gotten numerous responses. If we love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, strength and soul then how can we love others if ALL of our love should go to God? Do we have any love left to give?

I have my thoughts. Just wanted to give a glimpse in my warped way of thinking.

COUNTDOWN SAYS ...

Man, I have been backed up on not getting this up here. So here's a brief look at ...

MY FAVORITE BOOKS
(ok, first and foremost the bible but that's assumed ...)

1) Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

This book has taken on more critiquing than it probably deserves. From my perspective I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I could really go on and on about this book but Bell's method of writing makes your wrestle with your own mind. Sounds strange but it works for me!

2) Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

This is probably a book that I'll read again sometime soon. I am sure that it will bring up a fair amount of questions for those who really read this book; which to me is awesome. The book will help point you in the direction that God wants it to go.

3) Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus

Oh yeah! I love this book. I could give you example after example that just freakin fires me up but I don't want to ruin it for some one who is reading it or might read it.

4) Boundaries in Dating by Cloud/Townsend

Although I have never be in a dating relationship in my life, this book is just awesome. It just makes so much sense and really helps you realize what this "dating thing" is all about. Well, at least I think so.

5) Uprising by Erwin McManus

Now I know that I'm a huge Erwin McManus fan but this is a challenging book for any strong follower of Christ. I would almost say that this book should make you feel uncomfortable and make you strive for more.

This list is VERY subject to change.

HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Who would have thought that 30 years ago this past weekend when just over 100 people gathered in movie theater in NW Chicago to meet for the first ever church service for Willowcreek that it would become what it is today?

Yesterday I took the little over 2 hour drive up to South Barrington, Ill. to take part in the 30 year celebration service and really just to say my little "thanks" to that church and what it has done in my life. They put an amazing celebration service together that was very inspiring as several handfuls of people walked across the stage with their story of hopeless-ness and because of Willowcreek Community Church their lives are now point towards God. Really words can't describe how inspiring that was.

I often think about that church but more importantly the main leaders of that church. I'll never forget the first time I met founding pastor Bill Hybels. The guy doesn't know me from Adam but that 60 second conversation with him so I could tell him how his messages, books, conferences, etc. have made such as positive influence on my life was unforgettable.

The list of leaders goes on: John Ortberg, Mike Breaux, Gene Appeal, Jim Tomberlin ... I mean I am just in so much "awe" of what God has done there. Just one big "wow" ... Like Bill Hybels often says - "Only God"

WORLD SERIES

After much delibration I have made my prediction for the World Series. And just for the record I have correctly picked the winner in all but one series so far this post-season!

Houston Astros - 4
Chicago White Sox -2

It's hard not to call the White Sox "team of destiny" but I think Houston have a little better pitching staff. In addition both Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite have won a World Series before so that certainly goes in the Astros favor.

This is either going to be an amazing "Fall Classic" or an absolutely terrible one. And by terrible I mean lots of errors and just generally ugly play all around. If it ends up being a good series to watch, it's because both teams pitched well.

Really, I just hope Roger Clemens wins another championship.

INDESCRIBABLE TOUR

Last night was just an absolutely amazing evening. I had the privilege, and really honor, of seeing Matt Redman, Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin in Grand Rapids, MI.

As apart of the "Indescribable Tour" the three of them combined for an evening of praise, reflection and, as I like to say, "mind messing stuff." The event took place at sold-out Sunshine Community Church and I don't think I have ever been at a louder church environment in my entire life.

What struck me most about the evening was the 30-minute talk that Louie Giglio gave after Matt Redman's set. Aside from the absolutely mind-blowing imagery he showed, which in and of itself was worth the trip, he just drove home a point that was so clear but so often forgotten amongst Christian and non-Christian circles.

God is so freakin big and so much bigger than any problem, concern, worry and just whatever that we may have. So this got me thinking and I'm still processing!! - How often did I go to God when I need him most? Do I give him the credit He rightly deserves when guides me through a rough moment in life? If God can create the entire universe, don't you think He can help in any situation?

Then Chris Tomlin came on and just amazing. I got to experience one of my favorite songs, "You Grace is Enough" by the person who wrote it! Oh yeah! Good times! Hope the pictures turn out!

Chris Tomlin (far right) rocking out Sunshine Community Church

Me and John "Ladies Man" Pauley. All around good guy!

Me and Senior High Director at GCC, Corey Mann

ODDS ARE ...

So some person in Oregan won the powerball last night and before taxes that winning lottery tickets is worth $340 millions.

The odds of winning the powerball are 146 millions to 1. That's insane. I think what is even more crazy are the people who buy powerball tickets by the hundreds. Furthermore, some of those individuals buying those tickets are waiting in line for an hour (or more!). More insanity! Seems to me that there are better uses for your time and money.

I did get to thinking what the odds of some other crazy things are:

Dating a supermodel: 88,000 to 1
Becoming at pro athlete: 22,000 to 1
Becoming President of the United States: 10,000,000 to 1
Being possessed by Satan: 7,000 to 1
Drowning in a bath tub: 2,232 to 1
Spotting a UFO today: 3,000,000 to 1

AND FINALLY

Odds of Meteor Landing on your house:
182,138,880,000,000 to 1

So good luck finding a supermodel!

COMMANDER IN CHIEF

Is anyone watching this new show on Tuesday evening's on ABC? Of course the last thing I need is to be watching another TV show.

Quick overview - MacKenzie Allen (play by Geena Davis) is the first female President after she was VP but the the President dies and she is sworn into office. Ok, maybe far fetched but deal with it.

What interests me the most is watching Geena Davis' character lead (Ok, I'm a sucker for shows about leadership). She leading a family of three children, a husband, a country and, maybe most important, backstabbers in high positions on capital hill. Of course, this goes back to the age-old argument of, "Can women lead?" I won't go into that question in great depth but like I always say "truth is truth no matter who tells it."

So if you get an hour on Tuesday evening just check out the show. You may not like it as much as me but the creativity of it is pretty cool.

THE WEEKEND THAT WAS ...

I got my pictures back from the all the pre-game excitement that surrounded the Notre Dame-USC game this past Saturday. It just was one of the best college football games I have ever seen. It was great to be apart of not only the game but all the hype leading up to it.

FRIDAY MORNING
(Oct. 14, 2005 from 8 - 9:00)

These pictures are from ESPN2's Cold Pizza morning show that broadcast live. Both Woody Paige and Skip Bayless picked ND to win the game and with Touchdown Jesus in the backround it was a fun morning that me and fellow ND fan Laura woke-up a little earlier than normal for!

FRIDAY EVENING
(October 14, 2005 from 6:00-7:00)

This picture from the pep rally is just amazing. It wasn't the best pep rally I have been to at Notre Dame but there was an excitement in the air that night. I mean freakin 45,000 people showed up for the thing! Normally these pep rally's draw about 10,000! It was pretty cool.

SATURDAY MORNING
(October 15, 2005 from 10:00-11:30)

I've been to other ESPN College Gameday shows but this one just really had an extra sense of excitement about it. I really enjoyed the one sign that someone made about Matt Leinart and his Ballroom Dancing class he is taking at USC. The only class he is taking! Fun times!

LIFE IN SLOW MOTION

So I got David Gray's new album "Life in Slow Motion" ... It took me a month but it is finally in my hands.

He is not the most well know artist in the music business but his stuff is second to no one. Obviously his style of music is something I enjoy a great deal and this album does not disappoint me. His song writing abilities are really good and enjoyable but more importantly the way he uses the piano is just about perfect.

I would classify him some where under the umbrella of goldfield, Van Morrison, Bruce springtail. His style is just really all of his own. If you get a chance, next time your out Barnes and Noble or Border just find his CD and listen for 5-10 minutes. Especially just out the songs, "Alibi", "Slow Motion" and "Ain't No Love"

This is definitely a slower album but not so slow that it will make you fall asleep! It's just good stuff.

BIG GAME HYPE CONTINUES!

Just got back from ESPN2 "Cold Pizza" show which just set up shop in front of Touchdown Jesus! It was some good times! Both Woody Paige and Skip Bayless picked ND to win the game and you can just feel the growing excitement on campus!

Digger Phelps made an appearance as did "Rudy" ... So that was some cool stuff!

I started my photo album for the weekend with some cool pictures that I will post sometime next week! The pep rally this evening should be interesting with rumors of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and others scheduled to be there!

JOY LEVEL?!?

What is the joy level of my life?? Not something that I excepted to hear but it's a great question. How often to I find myself full of joy or for that matter, joy-less?? Interesting.

This scale has been used for other things but it's good here as well.

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If the top line represents 100% (i.e. life's going perfect) and the bottom line is 0% (i.e. you basically hate life), where is my joy? where is your joy level?

I think that it is really safe to assume that no one puts there joy level at 100% ... Then the question becomes, what are you doing to bridge the gap between were your line currently is and the 100% mark??

How much of a factor does attitude play? Are you friends helping you and your efforts for further joy? What simple things can I change to be more joyous?

What is the joy level of your life?

SAME TEAM?!?

Somethings in life just flat out confuse me and I may never get a grasp on it. Things like women, God's love and terrorism amongst other things.

Yet after reading the blog "Granger Community Church - An Evangelical Disaster" (LINK); It just confuses me how "church going individuals" can just hurl insults toward churches and one another. We are all serving the same purpose and have the same goals. It's about getting people connected to God. Every person is wired differently and draws closer to God in their own unique way.

Churches and Christ-Followers ARE on the same team. Let's not forget that before the most beautiful story ever created is totally destroyed. It's not about being seeker sensative, or a mega-church, or Methodist, etc., etc. ... It IS about drawing people closer to God and advancing HIS kingdom.

Matthew 11:12

ESPN'S GAMEDAY

The hype continues! This Saturday the ESPN college football preview show will be on-campus for the Notre Dame-USC game! Just fun times for a college football fan to be living in South Bend.

The show kicks off at 9:30 a.m. local time and will be set-up at Touchdown Jesus! Let's just hope the hype matches the actual game!

MLB ROUND 2

Well, unfortunate as it is the Yankees lost in the first round. I'm taking it rather well. I mean there are certainly worse things in life then the Yankees losing in the playoffs. So here are my prediction for the League Championship Round:

NLCS

Houston Astros - 4
St. Louis Cardinals - 3

I'm sticking with my prediction for the Astros to make the World Series. That's a close series to predict. Should be an interesting one. I think however I might be picking with my heart since Roger Clemens is one of my favorite players.

ALCS

Chicago White Sox - 4
L.A. Angels - 2

I never, ever thought the White Sox would find their way to the World Series but the Angels are too beat up and the starting pitching is in serious trouble. I would really be surprised if the Angels win this series since the White Sox have been comfortably relaxing.

PLAY BALL!

LET THE HYPE BEGIN! ...

Well, after Notre Dame started 2-0 I started thinking that at the very worst they would be a one loss team heading into the USC game. Although that one loss was a surprise at the time, none the less the game that has a lot of intrigue is this week.

Can the Notre Dame defense stop (or shall I say contain) the USC offense? Is Brady Quinn going to be able to put up 300+ yards (or more) passing? How much does the extra week of prep help Notre Dame? Will Notre Dame finally get a "home field advantage (ND's is 6-7 at home since 2003)??!?

Should be a fun week of extra hype ... If you want to go, a pair of tickets on Ebay is just $700 or so?!? Fun stuff!

MEN'S RETREAT

Well, good times. Good times indeed! Just got back from my 2nd ever Granger Community Church men's retreat. There's something about having out with a bunch of guys that is just cool.

Dr. Bob gave one of the best reasons on why he enjoys being a guy (I am para-phrasing a little):

"You can go into Target before Christmas and buy 15 gifts in 15 minutes and have all your Christmas shopping!"

Each of the three messages were pretty amazing. Mark Beeson kicked the whole thing off on Friday evening and then Mark Waltz teamed with Ted Bryant for a Saturday morning session then Dr. Bob just rocked it out that night. While the messages were great as were the small group times, the best thing to me was just the one-on-one time with other guys.

I love having individuals my life that will pick you up when you need it and be willing to listen when you need that as well. More over it is so freakin' great to have friends that trust me. It just is. Nothing like building into each other.

There are plenty of more details to go into about crazy cow-bells, camp fires, football but I leave that out ;-) ... See you next year!

COUNTDOWN SAYS ...

MY FAVORITE MOVIES

These are the movies that I enjoy watching for a variety of reason. There not necessarily the "best" movies but I just like them.

1) Beautiful Mind

I was just taken by the story of John Nash. I remember leaving the theater and thinking, "that's the best movie I have ever seen." The relationships between him and his wife along with the way he communicates to his "made-up friends" is just amazing.

2) American Beauty

This movie is just borderline perfect. It is so well thought out and developed you can't help but like it. It's kind of a love or hate deal. There's really not much middle ground with this movie. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

3) Braveheart

If for no other reason to watch this movie, just watch William Wallace's leadership abilities. I still contend that this is the best movie to watch for leadership. It's an awesome story about an amazing leader.

4) Gladiator

This movie just freakin' fires me up. The imagery is flat out stunning. Not a bad scene in this movie.

5) Field of Dreams

Here's a thought - what if people followed their dreams & "promptings" like Kevin Costner's character? No matter how crazy people thought they were.

Honorable Mention (no specific order) - Airplane, Something about Mary, All the Presidents Men, Return of King (Lord of Rings Pt. 3), Bull Durham, Crash

FINALLY!

Admist everything that was going on Wednesday I totally forgot that hockey season started - finally! Another major sport starting its season is probably the last thing I need but hey, after the lock-out of last season it's time to get the NHL playing again!

Being a New York Islanders there hasn't been a whole lot to cheer about but I will stay loyal none the less. I really believe that the Islanders have a chance to do something in the Eastern Conference. I mean they probably aren't going to make a legit run at the Stanley Cup but they won't "lay down" for anyone.

Here's what else to be looking forward to this season:

1) Wayne Gretzkey as a head coach
2) 18-Year Old Sidney Crosby (being called the next "Gretzkey")
3) Shoot outs when the games are tied
4) The Olympics in a few months

Ok, that's enough for now. I need to get my cable TV hooked back up! (of course that would seriously hurt my "study" time - HA!)

DROP THE PUCK! - EH!?!

ON THIS DATE ...

Ok, most importantly I was born in 1978 in Highland Park, Ill. And all those who have come in contact with me have never been the same since; hopefully that's a good thing ;-)

So check out what else happens on Oct. 5 --

ENTERTAINMENT -- In 1961, "Breakfast at Tiffanys" opens nationwide

FOOD - In 1902 the birth of "Burger King" (that's pretty cool!)

MISC. - 1989 the Dalai Lama win the Nobel Peace Prize (for those "Caddyshack" fans, Bill Murray anyone?!?)

ALSO BORN ON THIS DATE - Kate Winslet (1975), Ray Kroc (1903, the guy who opened McDonalds fast food in the 60's), Mario Lemeiux (1965), Patrick Roy (1965) Grant Hill (1972) AND Nikki Hilton (1983)

Finally, when I turned 21 some one told me that Oct. 5 is the most popular birthday in the world. I have yet to confirm this but to everyone celebrating a birthday around this date ...

... Have a great day!!

THE "SECOND" SEASON

This is when being a baseball fan is the most exciting. Although this season I haven't given much attention to Major League Baseball as I usually do, none the less the playoffs begin today! It is so fun to watch playoff baseball.

As a Yankees fan I am certainly bias to the team in pinstripes but I don't think this team has a good chance at winning the whole thing. I'm not even sure they can even win their first series against the Angels! Here's my predictions for the Divisional Round:

NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis Cardinals - 3
San Diego Padres - 1

Houston Astros - 3
Atlanta Braves - 1

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston Red Sox - 3
Chicago White Sox - 2

Los Angeles Angels - 3
New York Yankees - 2

It really pains me to pick the Angels over my team but I'm not really feeling to confident right now! Enjoy the "second season"

PLAY BALL! ...

STATUE FOR A CRITIC?

NOTE: This is from one of my devotional books - "God's Little Devotional Book for Leaders"

In a closer walk, Catherine Marshall writes: "One morning last week He gave me an assignment: for one day I was to go on a 'fast' from criticism. I was not to criticize anybody about anything." ...

... For the first half of the day, I simply felt void, almost as it I had been wiped out as a person. This was especially true at lunch. I listened to the others and kept silent. In our talkative family no one seemed to notice. Bemused I notice that my comments were not missed.

The federal government, the judicial system, and the institutional church could apparently get along fine with my penetrating observations. But still I didn't see what this fast on criticism was accomplishing - until the afternoon.

That afternoon, a specific, positive vision for this life was dropped into my mind with God's unmistakable hallmark on it - Joy! Ideas began to flow in a way I had not experienced in years. Now it was what the Lord wanted me to see. My critical nature had not corrected a single one of the multitudinous things I found fault with. What is had done was to stifle my own creativity.

A STATUE HAS NEVER BEEN SET UP IN HONOR OF A CRITIC

My thoughts:

How has criticism stopped my joy that God wants to give?

What if I replaced complaining with gladness?

How has my criticism held up growth in my relationships?

There is a vast difference between complaining just to complain AND being loving in criticism. It really boils down to "what is the right thing to do" & "what is the loving thing to do"

Try a fast from complaining and criticism for just 24 hours. Just one day. The conversations you have may just surprise you.