Like father, like son.

After a long day of helping a buddy move, Noah and I then went to visit all of the clients in our group-homes. Now we're sitting down for some pizza. Naomi has been at a conference all weekend so we're bach'ing it and eating out more than we should. Tomorrow we're seriously contemplating skipping church and zipping off somewhere to enjoy this blazing ball of fire in the sky that has suddenly arrived. Well, better get ready for food to arrive!

Traffic post.

So I'm sitting in traffic. Nutzo traffic. Its a holiday weekend and everyone wants to get home. Thought I'd blog about it from my phone since I don't have anything better to do and I now have the technology! Have a great weekend everyone. Happy Canada day.

Feeling a little old today...

Just a quickie here,

Spent a few hours on a real live college campus today. We went to the "parent" portion of the Freshmen orientation at Illinois College (Not U of I - but I C - totally different head, ...totally). Us parents (yes I know my grammar is incorrect) were wandering around aimlessly from room to room feeling old, gray, fat and unattractive (except for me of course), wilst the Freshmen who were being orientated were busy trying to look cool.

Here's the thing though - I'm too young to have a kid in college!!!!!!!! Aren't I????? Guess not.

Oh, and here's the funny part - we took our son (Darian) to lunch afterwards and he hit me up for some $$ (half-jokingly of course) - ....I'd better get used to it.

We're freaking out a little bit (at least I am). He'll start school in about a month and a half. Some things will never be the same....

From my phone.

Just taking it up a notch in the tech/blogging category.

(Nice half-eaten carrot heh?)

Thoughts for Thursday.

The hot weather is coming. I can feel it.

Right now though, it is windy and overcast. I think I might actually miss this when we are sweltering from heat waves and sleeping on top of the covers. I'm so wishy washy.

I'm kind of busy at work these days. I will be celebrating one year at this job in a few days. Didn't I mention something about time flying yesterday?!? Weird. Maybe God is trying to communicate something with me. It reminds me how Francis Chan speaks in his book about how all we really are in this life are like extras in a movie with about 2/5ths of second in a scene. We're excited to be in the movie yet we can't start thinking the movie is about us. It's about God.

In other news...
I was doing some pruning of this out of control bush in our little back yard/area last night when I was reminded of something I had heard a long time ago. When the vine dresser is pruning, they prune the branch that produces the most fruit the furthest back... Then I remember a friend of mine talking about how if you don't the branches will start to grow lots of leaves and look full, yet produce less fruit and actually steal water from the other fruit bearing branches. Hmmm... That's reassuring.

So, I guess I should get back to important stuff. Pray for me if you have a second. I'm a bit flustered right now in my heart. I'm trying to be obedient and change some stuff yet am being pulled back into some internal battles of the mind. It's a hard thing for me. I tend to start getting excited about new things God is teaching and then over do it by trying to do to much to soon and take in more than I can handle. Then I usually burn out. I don't want to do that again. Thanks...

Staying between the lines.

Summer is here. I think... We have had like 4 consecutive days of sunshine in British Columbia over the last week. Should I get excited? Things are plugging along.

Tomorrow is my sons last day of kindergarten. Crazy. I was watching him color last night. He was doing such a good job staying between the lines. I have a distinct memory of being a kid and having this weird revelation while coloring that I too should stay in the lines. It would make the picture look nicer. I was in Sunday school at a church in the San Fernando valley. I remember we sang "Jesus loves me" that morning. Strange how we remember such stuff... Anyhow, as I was watching Noah color and write his name, I took a moment to create a new lasting memory. In about five minutes from now he'll be 17 and finishing his last year of high school (by God's grace.) Just like 5 minutes ago it seems like we were living with my in-laws having just returned from the hospital in Langley with this little person.

Life's a trip.

5 things I am grateful for today...

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalms 100:4-5

(In no particular order...)











1. The Daily Audio bible podcast. I can't recommend it enough. Listen to it in your car on the way to work.

2. Samson and the pirate monks. Sounds goofy, but it's changing my life. Seriously, I think I will buy a copy for all my friends. Not kidding. The best book on authenticity I've ever read. It's Ok to be authentic without needing a license to sin.

3. Crazy Love. Two books in a row that go into my top 5 of all time?!?! What favor from the Lord. I'm very thankful to for God is using Francis Chan to speak some deep things into my heart.

4. The fact that I own a car with better than average fuel economy.

5. That my wife loves God, and is excited to learn to hear his voice daily. And that she's listens to all my crazy musings.

My iBook is back.

Well well well, look who has a fully functioning keyboard and screen again. the wife and I were pondering getting something new because it looked like our Mac was done for. The good thing about Mac's is they are quite stable and reliable. The bad thing is that when you have to fix them it kills the pocket book. But lo and behold, I was checking out Craigslist when I came across a guy who fixes iBook's out of his house. And his house is only about two minutes from where I work. He did a ton of stuff and sold me a new chord for my computer for what it would cost just to have Apple crack open my computer. Not bad. And the best part is, I don't have to live in fear of my Mac breaking down and thinking it'll be impossible to fix if I can get repairs done without having to sell the boy.

Waiting for the riots to start...

So, there are levees breaking, bridges being washed out and the river is rising just north of us (in Iowa). There are large parts of towns literally under water right now. Just more evidence of a failed government. So, there should be riots, looting and gunfire.......right? Isn't that what we're supposed to do - cause, the government has failed us again. We need the right people in the whitehouse so they can fix everything for us....... cause they've failed us.....we need to elect people who CARE for a change or... we'll start rioting in the streets! Isn't that what they're doing right now in Burlington Iowa? The government isn't doing enough to keep the water from rising so they're taking to the streets aren't they? I guess not.

Blogging again on a Saturday morning for the third time.

So this morning it's little robots that Noah's watching. Up next is Aurthur, I like Aurthur. Still have a messed up computer. Also these Saturday morning posts will be ending anyway as we are turning off the internet and cable for the summer. That is going to be awesome. It is amazing how much time our family spends doing those two things. We'll have a good time doing other actual family stuff. Blogging will still occur from my job though. No worries there!

For today, I don't now what to do with myself. Both Naomi and Noah have plans and will be away from the house. Free time on a Saturday? No way... I'll probably just go to the gym, but maybe I could do something really creative like go for a walk. What an exciting life I lead. Anyway, gotta go, this computer is driving me nuts again. Think we'll go buy a new one today! ;)

I thought this would be cheezy...

But it kind of blew me away.

Witnessing To Westboro

Check out this interesting post in which Josh Buice describes a recent experience of witnessing to the people of Westboro Baptist Church (i.e. the "God Hates Fags" people).

Dream weaver.

So I've had a bunch of dreams lately about dying. Last nights involved Dave injecting me with something as he was my anesthesiologist as I was going into surgery. But he didn't sedate me enough I was awake as this asian guy operated on me. Then somehow the next day in my dream I was playing bass for P.O.D in a concert but didn't know any chords to their music.

Hehhhhh?!?!?

Where did that come from?

P.O.D?!?! What is this, 1997??

And a bass player?
(Ok, maybe occasionally at church when I'm needed to, and don't tell Steve, but I use a pick..)

A good kinda bling.

This is kind of cool. There is a ministry in Bangkok, Thailand that helps women get out of the sex trade by giving them a different job making jewelry. You can buy that jewlery here. This is definitely worth your money...

Returned from Bend.

So we are home. Don't have use of the letters that's sounds "eye" or "cay" or the number after "7" and before "9" on my keyboard. Or the arrow buttons. (i am cutting and pasting the letters "i" and "k" in)

Anyway, a while ago i blogged about this housing development in Bend, Oregon designed after the Shire from the Lord of the Rings. i'm serious. So while we were there they were showing us around the town when it occurred to me that if i visited Bend and didn't see the Shire i would be crushed. So we went. And were disappointed. it appears to be a flop. There was just one home built 1n the entire area and one that was half built while the rest of the project seems to be abandoned. Lots of weeds everywhere. And cats.

They did manage to build a little town square replica from the first movie. The one where Gandalf shows up and shoots off fireworks. So we shot some camera phone of the wife, Rachel and me dancing like goofballs. Any way here it is.



i also got this picture of me standing next to a little hobbit house that is actually a storage for some water hoses.
















Thanks Ben, Rachel, Titus and Mama and Papa for a great weekend!

Great Commercial

This post is sponsored by the letters "K,I,J" and the Number "8".

We are visiting our friends in Bend Oregon this weekend. And my computer is kind of toast. And this post is being written from a PC. Running Windows Vista.


Yep. On the trip "someone" was watching cartoons on my Mac in the back seat when "someone" accidentally poured water onto my computer. After running lots of recovery stuff on the computer and fixing a bunch of errors and issues it kind of works. Except the letters "K,I,J" and the Number "8". They just don't work. So I guess I'll have to do something about that back home in Canada.

Other than that, at least it's not raining here in Oregon. Unlike back home in BC where there is some natural law that it has to rain everyday of the year. But Bend is a nice city. Situated in the center of Oregon it's a sportsman paradise I'm told. I totally believe that too. I'm not a sportsman myself (i.e. hunting, fishing, canoeing...) but my friend that I am visiting is. He took me to some Costco sized sportsman superstore yesterday. I feel sorry for the deer, elk and trout of Oregon, because this store ensures their demise. There are enough guns and camo in that place to outfit half the national guard.

Anyway, we are super happy to be spending time with our beloved friends and encouraging each other in the things of the Lord. We're heading out in a bit to there church so I'm going to cut this short. Hopefully there is favor for my Mac when I try to get it fixed back home. If not, looks like I'll have to be creative and post with every thing without the letters "K,I,J" and the Number "8".

Oh yeah, Happy Pentecost everyone! Come Lord!

The un-named Levite and some weird bible stuff.

So... This morning to my dismay, I was not able to download my podcast for todays edition of the 1-year daily audio bible readings to listen to on the way to work. I started doing it the past few days and love it. But this mornings edition just wouldn't download. So I played some "bible roulette"and decided I would pick out something from last month to listen to. I saw that the May 3 & 4 editions were from John chapter 3. Nice I thought, nothing like some positive John 3:16 loving on the way to work. What I didn't clue into was the OT passages we're from Judges chapter 17-20. First it starts out with this guy Micah living in the hill country of Ephraim stealing silver from his mother, but feels bad and returns it to her. She is so thrilled he did this she consecrates the silver to the Lord, and then has a local silversmith fashion it into a graven image and household idols. ?!?!?!. Micah is so blessed he makes one of his sons a priest. Then the story talks about some restless young Levite guy from Bethlehem who leaves home and wonders until he bumps into Micah. Micah then has this confusing thing to say to young un-named Levite,

Judges 17:10-11 Then Micah said to him, "Live with me and be my father and priest, and I'll give you ten shekels of silver a year, your clothes and your food." So the Levite agreed to live with him, and the young man was to him like one of his sons.

So what is it? Is he your dad or your son??

Then the story continues with the people of Dan looking for a homeland, they find Micah's house, long story short, come back, steal the young un-named Levite and the household idols, and slaughter the peaceful people of Laish and settle in. Then it gets interesting. Fast forward a bit, it mentions a Levite living in the hill country of Ephraim again in chapter 19. It might or might not be our young un-named Levite friend of before. He has a concubine who gets fed up with him and goes home to her parents in Bethlehem. He misses her, takes off after her, her dad doesn't want him to go home, keeps throwing parties for two days to keep him there. Finally he leaves with his concubine to return home late in the afternoon. His servant wants to camp that night with the Jebusites but the Levite says "Oh no, we need to head onto Gibeah, they are fellow Israelites and stay there." So they do, only to have the towns leaders surround the house he is staying at and demand the Levite be sent out side so they could rape him. (Sodom and Gamorrah reprise anyone??) He and his host instead say "No, please take the hosts virgin daughters or the Levites concubine"
They end up throwing the Levite's concubine outside where it says she is raped all night until she dies. The Levite responds by chopping her into 12 pieces and sending her to the 12 tribes of Israel. Israel responds by going to civil war with Gibeah, and the tribe of Benjamin, where they almost lose roughly 100,000 men and almost the battle before wiping out the ENTIRE tribe of Benjamin including livestock and family, expect for 400 who escape to the rock of Rimmon.

All because the Levite left in the afternoon instead of the morning. The misery of sin. The wages of sin is death. The people in that time who had no king truly did what they saw was fit in there own eyes, Judges 21:25.

This story is just nuts. Nuts. Nuts. Crazy and difficult. It is no where within my realm of thinking to understand it. Not exactly preached from the pulpit like John 3:16.

I wonder why in God's sovereignty did he have me listen to this difficult and hard to understand passage? What is he trying to teach me through it? I am again reminded of Proverbs 16:25:

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

While we were still sinners Christ came and died for us.

While this mess was going on in Judges.
Sinners like these.
Sin like this.
He still came.

Amazing.

So often with our post-enlightenment morality and western hemisphere sensibilities we think we are immune from the savagery and barbaric ways of these biblical times. Yet, we still worship our household idols and do what is right in our own eyes. It will surely lead to death as well.

They look so happy.

Re: MIA

Soo,

Yes, I have been absent for awhile. Busier than usual at work - which is where I would check in from time to time. As for my evenings - my mom has been out from CA and I haven't spent much time in front of my monitor - probably a good thing if you ask me. I have needed to detoxify a bit. The exciting news is that she is moving out here permanently in a couple of weeks and finding her own place.

On the political front - I am just apathetic. Yes, the Ron Paul crowd needs to leave me alone for a change, but what can you do - you can't choose your family. (Just kidding Charles - if you are reading this.) It has been interesting to watch Hillary and Barak go at it. Any thoughts from the rest of you on this one?

On a lighter note, we have been occupied with graduation season. Hmmm.....I will post later about some thoughts on the subject.

Idols by Pete Gall.

"Idols are good for two things: making us feel important and making us feel loved. Importance and love are good things, but you know they've become idols when the evidence of importance or adoration is something that you try to control yourself. My job makes me feel important, and I work hard to prove how important it makes me. Ask my cab driver, or the friends and family who get to hear me drop names or brag in cocky, matter-of-fact tones. And when I feel important I feel as though it is right for others to love me. And when I feel I understand what makes people love me, then I feel a control over that love. "

From Pete Gall's book My Beautiful Idol

What the Team Polycarp'ers are up to....

Roy- Roy is in Lakeland, Florida for the big outpouring-revival thing that is happening. He is also blogging about it over at his blog.

He mentioned this morning that while at the conference they announced the 18th report of someone being raised from the dead...

WHAT!?!?

I'm sure that news will go a long way to either bringing much legitamacy to this happening or a whole lot of controversy. I hope it's the former... For lot's of reasons...

Terrence - Well, if you had Facebook and were his friend, you would know why he never posts here. He is smitten in love. Really heavily. I just looked at like 6000 kissy-huggy engagement pictures and his daily status is always something about how over the moon in love he is. (P.S. I am sooooo happy for you Terry!)

David - He's blogging some great stuff over at his blog. We had coffee time the other night and solved some century old theological debates. I also recommended to him to buy a second home in Louisville, KY. because he seems to go there every other week for another conference.

Steve- He is missing in action. Other than his cryptic post from a week ago with a photo of a hot dog shaped into the form of some Hebrew syntax. I think he is sending us warning messages from the state of Illinois about the condition of the Republican party.

Cryptic internet message to Steve

"Steve.. where are you!?!?

ARE-YOU-OK!?!?

Has the Illinois Libertarian party got you trapped in a vietnamese corrugated metal hot house forcing you to continue to campaign for Ron Paul?? We are here to help!

/Cryptic internet message back to Steve

Jason- I am happy and enjoying my job and posting at least once a day here at the blog. Still wishing for an occasional post from my cyber-buddies. ;)

one last thing...

TEAM POLYCARP activate! Form of a ice glacier! Form of an Octopus!"

Blogging again on a Saturday morning.

I had crazy dreams all night long last night. The old "I can't find my homework, I'm late for school" have now been replaced by "I'm leading worship in five minutes and I can't find my chords sheets in the key I need them". Awesome.

Noah is once again watching cartoons. This time it's Tom and Jerry, waaaaaay better than George shrinks. The wife is sleeping in again. She loves to sleep in. Loves it. I also had weird dreams about feeling guilty cause there are a few people that keep asking to be my friend on Facebook but I'm not accepting them...

Every Saturday for the last month I've been feeling I needed to get out into our little micro-front yard and do some micro-gardening. It is a small patch of land, yet needs some up- keep. A family member I will not name recently commented that our little front space/yard was the tackiest and most unkempt in the whole complex. That is quite a feat. Having only about 10 square feet of space and ensuring it's tacky. Bravo to me! I was thinking this morning of kicking it up a notch and getting some old auto parts and strewing them around my little space with some crushed beer cans.

I just watched a Saturday morning commercial on cyber-bullying. Are you kidding me? Man, that sucks. At least in the past you could go home and have respite from bullying for 10 hours in between school days. Now these losers invade that sanctuary. How hard it is to be a kid these days? Whoever thought growing up in the bloods and crips, gang invested 1980's and 90's would have been the golden years. My kid is never ever EVER having a public internet profile. Ever. Just decided that. (and here I won't accept certain people as my Facebook friends... hypocrisy...?)

Well. I guess I should get to the gym this morning. The only problem with that is it will push the rest of the day away from the doing something with the tacky and unkempt micro front yard/space. Hmmmmm. But then again, I ate poorly yesterday and need to hit the gym. I'd rather my personal "front yard" is looking good... ;)

Three good words.

From the Internet Monk on Humility with theology and scripture.

From the author the "stuff Christian like" other blog about the prodigal son and Michael Jordan.

and from Francis Chan in Brazil.

Que Dieu te garde Luc.

Wow, the frailty of life. Like a vapor, like grass that whithers in the field. Here for a moment.

In hockey mad Canada we love and follow our local team. Here in BC that team is the Canucks. The team and sport have aggressively been climbing up my sporting priority ladder over the last 6 years.I'm beginning to live and die with the team like I was born here myself.

The Canucks lucked out with the 10th pick of the draft following the lockout in 2005 and used it to take a young french speaking defenseman named Luc Bourdon. I remember Bob Mckenzie's excited voice as he warmly gave his stamp of approval for the Dave Nonis pick. Immediately I was hooked and a fan. My fandom only grew as a short time later my buddy Dave took us to the world jr. hockey championships here in Vancouver (for Americans, think the Rose bowl for hockey). Luc was on the team that took gold and I remember every time he would touch the puck or check someone the Vancouver crowd would erupt with a deafening "LUUUUUUUUUCCCC!!!!" letting him know that he belonged to the city of Vancouver.

Luc made it up to the team for training camp over the next few seasons and had a few cups of coffee with the squad during the regular season. Again I remember the anticipation and reaction of the crowd as we were waiting for our prized prospect to come into his own. My lasting memory is Luc chasing down the all-world Alexander Ovechkin in the corner and stripping away the puck from him and the crowd responding with another cheer of "LuuuuuuuuCCCC!!!".

The news today is that Luc was killed when his motorcycle collided with the trailer of a semi-truck. He died instantly. I'm amazed once again how fragile life can be. Here was a young man who was just beginning his life. I'm sad for his family and friends. Sad for his team mates.

I was really a big fan of Luc. He was mostly an unknown to everyone except the roto-geeks like myself who follow the transaction wire and minor league stats of the prospects as close as box scores for the big team. I was following and rooting for Luc to make it. Now I just pray God's grace for those that loved him and knew him best.

Here's to you Luc Bourdon, #28.

John Piper and the prosperity gospel.

Would you mind watching this video and responding in the comments to a few of the questions I have below...?


1. Do you think Dr. Piper is off base in his critique of the prosperity gospel?

2. Do you think he is just unfairly attacking a generalization or caricature of the prosperity gospel?

3. Is there anything we can learn from the prosperity gospel?

HT: Supersimbo

Missions bracelets turn unsightly.

SPRING HILL, Fla. — As part of a new missions push, Discovery Church gave each member of its congregation a bracelet to remind them to pray for the Ecuadoran village they are sponsoring. But the bracelets, handcrafted from jute by the villagers, began smelling and looking repulsive after just days.
"I know we committed to wear them for a year, but mine already stinks to high heaven," says one man. "I poured cologne on it, and that just made it worse."
People say the foul odor, which is exacerbated by wetness, is interfering with their business meetings, social lives, even marital intimacy.
"We can’t go near each other without sticking our hands in plastic bags," says one couple.
Worse, the bracelets have dulled from their initially attractive bright colors. After one week the woven bands appear "brown, ratty and embarrassing," says one woman who now wears a larger bracelet over the top of hers.
A local businessman who attends the church says he wears his high on his arm so his employees won’t see "this twisted ugly string on my wrist," he says. After it slipped down during a formal presentation, and some people complained of the odor, he fashioned an arm garter to keep it riding high.
"We’re supposed to pray for this village whenever we think of the bracelet, so I’m praying for them all the time," he says.
When the congregation gathers for worship on Sunday mornings the sanctuary "smells like a hog farm," says another man. "It’s hard to focus on the Lord."
The bracelet is indeed a reminder for many, "but not of anything good," says a woman. "It’s getting harder to think of the Ecuadorans with any fondness."

Love the Larknews.com

Is this the new breed?

I am thinking this may be the new breed of Christian media for the 21st century. What do you think, Jason?

Watch live video from jesustvin's channel on Justin.tv

Blogging on a Saturday morning.

Sitting here with the boy watching the Saturday morning cartoons while the wife sleeps in. She loves to sleep in. Thought I'd drop in and write something profound. It's hard to be profound when "George Shrinks" is on. This show drives me crazy. But the boy likes it.

It was a tough week. I know I sound like I always whine, but it kind of was. Mostly in the parenting division. We have a ball of energy on our hands who is figuring out boundaries and emotions. Sometimes that is a combination for chaos. We had a huge public blow up at school, at the baby sitters after school. A few more times. Enough to make me want to crawl into the fetal position and go to bed at 6pm at night. Enough for the wife and I to go out and buy a new parenting book. Hopefully we will be able to hit restart before the next week. We'll see.

Anyway, I think I'll get to the gym. Run for a few miles on the treadmill. Sweat out a bunch of stuff. I've started to get out of the routine of the gym with recent scheduling stuff. I can see for the first time after dropping a ton of weight how people start to put it back on. I no longer get up at 5 to go to the gym. I'm ordering the fries now instead of the salad... So time to re-prioritize health and wellness again. To get up from blogging on the couch to get to the gym. Gotta go!

Just so I could say I contributed...

Redneck Calamari Dinner!

No words can describe.

Back in my youth pastor'n days there were lots of kids coming through. Some I remember just feeling so perplexed, intimidated even, that I could never seem to make a dent in. Tough kids. Tonight I was surfing around a social networking site when I came across, really randomly, a comment about one of those kids. The commenter mentioned "him being the worst person she knows, into crack and stuff..."

No matter what water has flowed under the proverbial bridge, how hard I tried, or didn't try, how well I really knew those kids or was never given a fair chance to, it still rips my heart out. To see young peoples lives being destroyed by Satan. Destroyed before they ever got a chance. Destroyed even after they had a chance to hear the good news of the gospel.

I remember feeling so powerless against the apathy and cold stares of indifference. I'd pray and pray. I'd lay my hands on them every week and declare, prophesy and speak life and truth into the voids. A lot of them as I check their facebook's and stuff seem to be firmly either: a)seriously investigating or b) immersed in the kingdom of the world. That's not being judgmental, it's just the truth. I know my role in their life didn't end when they graduated or I quit "the job". Proximity and time are starting to dull those old ties more than ever. I feel like, and am probably a stranger now. But I will always pray for them.

I wish they were all in bible school and on DTS's somewhere. But they're not. Who knows how God is working this all out. If I knew then what I know now, I'm not sure I would do it all over again. Sorry to be dumping this here but I'm just trying to process through it a bit...

Professional Agronomists.

When I lived in Mexico I had a wonderful friend named John. John is legendary in my circles for his faith, joy and Christ-like heart. One of those guys that you just shake your head when you hear him mentioned. The kind of head shaking that you do when your too impressed for words.

John used to take the Greyhound monthly from from northern California all the way to five hours south of the Tijuana border crossing. He' d come to check on the garden that he'd started. It had hundreds of different varieties of fruit trees, grape vines, nut trees. There was one fig tree I remember that had been cultivated to have 17 different kinds of figs grafted in. His master vision though was the 70 acre macadamia tree orchard he had planted. He had figured out from his garden that a certain macadamia tree trunk and another species of macadamia tree branch when grafted together would thrive in the arid, yet agriculturally rich farm lands of the northern Baja California peninsula. John, all 80 years old and barely 5 feet tall of him helped to plant the huge orchard as a way of helping our orphanage and outreach create an economically viable way of supporting ourselves. John is one of my heroes. That's not hyperbole.

Whenever John would come to the Baja he would also take lots of time to share stories from his fascinating life. He was Charismatic in every sense of the word. In theology and deed. We had many a night where he would pray and prophesy with and over us. He had this knack where whenever he would pray or prophesy over you he would do it in rhyme. Not kidding. It was amazing. We would have these great, nutso, home group nights that anyone from the outside looking through a window at us and probably run away screaming to call the bible answer man. But the reality is that there was so much love and community. John just exuded Jesus to everyone. It was always Christ-centered and we always felt safe and secure with John. That's not hyperbole.

John knew plants. John knew fruit. As I observe around the world the interesting things that are happening, sometimes I'm afraid now. I don't know what to think. So all I can do is remember to be like John and follow what Jesus told us, watch for the fruit. No good tree bears bad fruit and likewise, no bad tree bears good fruit. The tricky part though is we aren't nearly the professional agriculturalist or agronomist that John was.

As I observe (and am confused), everyone has there own way to determine what is good fruit. I'm reading around the Internet and there is a lot of talk about what is happening in Lakeland, Florida. Some is absolutely visceral and explosive. Some is glowing. I look at these different groups and wonder at how they judge the fruit. Each of their own reasoning is important and meaningful to them yet, the two sides seem to be at odds with their different value systems and theological priorities.

I think of my little, strange, legendary friend John and remember how Jesus always just flowed out of him everywhere he went. How he had a vision to see a seed become an orchard. God bless him for teaching us a little how to judge what is fruitful.

I am a master prophet.

Saw this over at TSK.
Spent the afternoon and evening kind of addicted to it. Good ole' bible trivia. You should try.
I am most proud of (besides being #2 temporarily) my streak of 34 straight correct answers. If your ever in doubt and Ezekiel is a choice, pick it. The guys that created the game must be studying it in the home group or something...

Funny goats.

So my wife who really isn't impressed at all by the internet, (except for the Facebook) pointed out this funny video to me. There are all sorts of funny charismatic jokes just waiting to be birthed from the video.


(I personally think Roy should over dub this with some audio of Lakeland... BAM!)

Bummer of a weekend.

Not as bad as what Steve encountered but I don't think I will be placing in money in Vegas on my fave sports team any time soon.

The Dodgers. They have now lost three straight after winning a bunch. The killer: They lost yesterday after they had a no-hitter into the 7th. Not good.


The Lakers. Have now lost 2 straight in the second round of the playoffs. And Kobe is battling injuries.


The Canucks. Fired the GM a couple of weeks ago. Everything is kind of in limbo after missing the playoffs. Who knows if the new guy keeps the coach either...


The Raiders. Well, they have won like 7 games total over the last 5 years. So thats not good.


USC. Major stories about star players receiving cash gifts. Not good. Not good at all.



Only the Lakers appear to be a team with any simblance of championship material. And if Kobe is injured then that is history too.

More from "Stuff Christians like"

I know, I know, I keep going on about it. I kind of wish I could just cut and paste every one of his posts over here.

This one is about "the first-time visitor to a church" greeting/warning. Look at me, guilty as charged.

Here's a snippet of what we should probably say. I think I will this next Sunday.


"If this is your first time, thanks for coming. Church is kind of weird, isn't? I mean today we're going to sing songs to the person we feel breathed into existence the universe and the sea horse. We're going to learn about the person who we feel is most important but we've never actually seen. We're going to tell you how a book that is thousands of years old can help you have a better day tomorrow in your cubicle at work. And then we're going to cut you off in the parking lot after church cause we're still pretty messed up. It's going to be a little weird today but we hope you'll come back next week. Because even though it's weird, it's also wild and wonderful."

And then we're going to fire WWJD bracelets into the crowd using those t-shirt guns they have at sporting events. It will be a good time. Promise.

Some sites to visit... Some have been mentioned before.

Stuff Christians like. Funny, funny stuff.

Letters from Kamp Krusty. Funny thoughts from one of Steve's old friends.

A very powerful moment with Francis Chan. (From shawnw.org ((who also posts interesting stuff)))
(As a matter of fact it just occurred to me how much I love Francis Chan. The funny thing is I don't remember where I came across his sermons. Usually I come across a speaker because they are apart of some theological camp/idea that I'm excited about. But as I listen to Francis I have no idea what his theology is other than Jesus. I have no idea if he is a Calvinist or an Armenian, a charismatic or a... non-charismatic... you get the idea. It is really refreshing.)

The plow. Interesting stuff. I usually click on it when I see it in my RSS feed

What's new with Becky. A Christian TV producer who follows around the President of the USA. Or POTUSA as she refers to him. She talks a bit about bread pudding, but for some reason I find it fascinating.

Stone made Flesh. Dave's new blog. Be forewarned though. Dave gets you excited with a new blog for about a month but then deletes it.

Evangelical Manifesto

So I didn't even know this happened but a lot of important guys like Os Guinness, Jack Hayford, Dallas Willard, Jim Wallis, JP Moreland, Loren Cunningham and others are charter signatories of a new 20 page document being called the "Evangelical Manifesto".

It states it is for:

For those who are Evangelicals, the deepest purpose of the Manifesto is a serious call to reform—an urgent challenge to reaffirm Evangelical identity, to reform Evangelical behavior, to reposition Evangelicals in public life, and so rededicate ourselves to the high calling of being Evangelical followers of Jesus Christ.

There seems to be a bit of controversy over the section in how the faith shouldn't be politicized by either the right or left. In reading some of it, I think it could be a very important foundation for solidarity and a definition for some to describe their faith eloquently to non-believers.

Ed Stetzer says in USA Today that "Christians need to speak prophetically to all parties, not be beholden to one. Evangelicals need to be known for what we are for: showing and sharing the good news of Christ, not only what we are against on public policy."

"You cannot stand for justice and be afraid to speak of Jesus," he says.

This might end up being the refreshing outlook and diagram I have been looking for to answer some of the questions I've been struggling with about a believers role in society.

The other positive is from now on when people ask me for my core beliefs I can just refer them to page 5 of the Evangelical Manifesto.

Take a moment to download the Manifesto and sign on with others if you are so inclined. In true Evangelical fashion it even comes with a study guide.

Kind of funny.

Way back in 2003, 5 years ago I wanted to start a blog. I thought up a great name, and posted a couple of riveting posts. Then that blog got lost. Anyway, through the magic of blogger it reappeared in my list of blogs recently. So I decided to post there for the first time in 5+ years. Not bad heh?

You can check it out here. Got to love technology. Now if I could just find my blog that I started in 1998 before I went to Mexico on Angelfire.... That would be cool. That is like 10 years ago...

Y' All

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

So... "You" in this verse refers to a collective group of people and not just to me individually...

That causes me to think...

Tim Keller speaks at Google

Props to TSK

Questions for accountability

I got these from Ed Stetzers blog. I thought they were good. Now if I only had a small group to ask them in!

John Wesley’s Small Group Questions:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

3. Do I confidentially pass onto another what was told me in confidence?

4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work , or habits?

5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

6. Did the Bible live in me today?

7. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?

8. Am I enjoying prayer?

9. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?

10. Do I pray about the money I spend?

11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

12. Do I disobey God in anything?

13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

16. How do I spend my spare time?

17. Am I proud?

18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?

19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?

20. Do I grumble and complain constantly?

21. Is Christ real to me?

Wesley’s Band Meeting Questions:

1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?

2. What temptations have you met with?

3. How were you delivered?

4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?

5. Have you nothing you desire to keep secret?

Reference: John Wesley’s Class Meetings: a Model for Making Disciples, by D. Michael Henderson, Evangel Publishing House, 1997, pp. 118-9

Funny church/worship team video.

New Blog

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to let you know that I started a blog....

Feel free to check it out:

www.stonemadeflesh.com

Enjoy!

True Prophetic Danger

Through this latest season of political entertainment, I am learning the word prophetic has a different meaning for those outside of the charismatic (usually right-wing) church.  Prophetic for us is getting personal words about a person's destiny, or getting a dream from the Third Heaven, or ushering in revival.  Prophetic for the left is Martin Luther King.  Prophetic for the left is taking up the cause of economic justice, and speaking to political powers-that-be to get that justice.  It's Ghandi, it's Farrakhan, it's the old testament prophetic stance.  

Before my Regent University conservative republican-contract with america "democrats are devilcrats" days, I was a left wing liberal.  I dug Cuomo before I dug Jesus.  Not that I am a left winger now, I'd never vote for Hillary or Kerry, but I do thing Obama is the man of the hour and can make historic choices for the betterment of the USA as president.  

Check out this video-- I like the part where he speaks about the Pope calling Iraq an immoral war.  

I wonder if God would bring the left-wing and right-wing prophets into one camp, what would happen? 

Jason, that's not danger, THIS is danger

Try this one out my friend. 

You want dangerous Roy? I can deliver danger...

Time bomb.

So, I have this weird cyber disorder where I can't stand to look at stagnant data. Allow me to translate. If a blog is not being updated... drives me nuts. If there are a bunch of people that are my friends in some social networking site and I never communicate with them, delete. If I am a part of a group blog that is only updated irregularly by just one person most of the time...

So, it's probably part of my sin nature dealing with inpatients, but this ole' Team Polycarp thing will probably meet it's demise fairly soon.

So let me know in the comments your thoughts. Any ideas, people we could invite to build up the content. I know each of the other guys on here have their own blogs that require your inspiration and attention so no worries...

Don't be afraid to speak the truth. Make your voice heard via the comments, or , make your point via your silence on the subject.

We'll need a majority to keep this thing going. Let me know. Please, have mercy... It really is a disorder.

If you wanted to add a bit of gravity to your day...

Check out this blog.

History is working itself out.

Read about it here.

Friday morning thoughts from Jason.

• I sure wish I could drive our new Ford to work everyday (It's my wifes) It has a snazzy Mp3 jack that lets me plug my iPod into it and I can listen away. This morning I heard an amazing sermon from Francis Chan of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, Ca.
  
• You to can listen to this sermon, and everyone that reads this blog I know, and think you would be blessed by it. Go to the link above for Cornerstone Church, click on media, then sermons, then select 2/24/08 "Reviving our hearts for worship". I think you will be blessed.
• Did I mention you'd be blessed by it?
  
• I was praying yesterday about some stuff (stuff not meant for public knowledge as of yet) and I was talking to God about my needs in this issue. I then felt a bit convicted that I should be praying for the others involved and not so much for my needs. Then I started to think about the old, spiritually healthier, excited Jason and how he would have handled it by trying to get involved and help solve problems and right the ship. I then started to think about how now, I am horrified by the thought of getting involved . I have zero confidence n in an area I once thought was my strength. So I prayed "God, I'm sorry I can't offer anything... just my broken little prayers." Then the revelation, or reminder, or maybe just a thought came to me saying "and you thought that anything you offered before was more than a broken little prayer?" Even if I felt I was at the top of my game, an iron man of faith and prudence, a victor over sin, I would still need God to handle every single moment of my life 100% of the time. The old, "spiritually healthier", excited Jason thought he would, and could handle some of the load for the big guy upstairs.
• So that leads me to wonder, is this prolonged valley of complexity, depression and desperation a healthier place for me to be than when I thought I was "on track"? Or are they just two different eras of my life?
• Oh, I was just kidding a couple of posts ago about not believing in hell anymore. Just a foolish way to start some controversy on the blog. Oh yeah, I still believe in hell! How pleasant that is.
  

Yep!

My new favorite daily read.

On the train to Vancouver the past few days I enjoyed getting caught up on some of my RSS feeds of blogs I mean to read but don't always. One that I will be sure to now is Stuff Christians like. Kind of a parody of funny things we do or enjoy as believers. It is well written, not mean spirited, and actually has a morale to most of the stories. Good stuff, check it out!

Back from a conference.

Well, I'm not back from the conference Dave is at right now in Louisville, KY. The Together for the Gospel one... I was at a work conference in Vancouver talking about outcome measurements and so forth. Very compelling stuff. I was able to ride the train in which was really nice the first time but yesterday was a bit of a drag as it was filled up with high schoolers headed to the big city on a field trip. They have no concept of train etiquette! They were talkative and excited. Alas, I was not able to immerse myself in crowded seclusion with my iPod and book. To think, I used to be a youth pastor...?

There are no really interesting observations from my conference to share, well maybe one... There were lots of different human service agencies there including womens shelters, teen justice centers, community living agencies, rehab centers. The conference was about measuring the success rates of our programs. A lady who runs a food bank kind of broke down yesterday frustratingly admitting that she didn't really see how they were having success in the food bank when no one seems to be improving. There is no real measure of successes she explained, when all you are doing is feeding someones belly temporarily and helping them continue in the cycle of poverty by giving them handouts. The rest of the group chimed in with advice and agreement to her points. The general consensus was that she was correct, but it was a still necessity. All this to say the different world view believers have than others is highlighted a bit here. Acting benevolent isn't confined to Christianity. This said, as believers we recognize an eternal value and purpose of God's love that propels us to good deeds. Obviously frustration with poverty isn't ignored by Christ followers, but I rejoice in the hope of the gospel that replaces it.

John 6
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

Cool post fit for a Monday moaning...

Since we've been talking about "religion" as opposed to how we should "live" in this world, I thought it amusing to link to a post that seems timely right now.

Somewhat in response to Jason's recent posting (and in addendum) Here are some thoughts. I don't know where all of us are on this journey called Christianity (or being a disciple, or seeker, or whatever you call it), but I have been struggling lately to come to grips with who I am, what I believe (and no longer believe), without my usual kneejerk reaction. (I used to be proud of that - in fact, I have even had several e-mail addresses with the name Kneejrk@***.com).

While I think it's healthy to question what we believe - and more importantly WHY we believe what we believe, we should avoid the usual "rebellious" attitude and tone that sometimes accomapanies these exercises. I speak from experience - I myself can be an arrogant jerk when I get around less "informed" and "enlightened" people who still blindly still believe such and such.

So what is the answer? I don't really know. I'm still unergoing this same process, and I think I'm better for it, but I'll admit, I'm still confused. What I'm left with is a bunch of questions and observations:

What is the difference between being "doctrinally orthodox" & simply being "Indoctrinated Orthodoxically" (Say that 10 times fast while chewing gum!)

How much damage have I inflicted in the past while Indoctrinating others Orthodoxically on stuff I no longer believe?!!!???? [Sincere and humble 'mea culpa' to Jason and the rest of you "Chosen" ones, wherever you may be. I did the best I could with what little I had at the time:) ]


I don't think my theology will ever "line up" with another group - if so, fine. The thing is, I'm o.k. with it, whereas a couple of years ago I would have lost sleep over it.

So what am I left with? I'm on a journey, so to speak....

Any other thoughts? Sound off.

This is not a parody. Scouts honor.

This woman is a mystery. Taken from an article on how she is trying to appeal to gun owners now.

I think we now know who shot to the lead in Steve's polls...

Clinton stood by the bar and took a shot of Crown Royal whiskey. She took one sip of the shot, then another small sip, then a few seconds later threw her head back and finished off the whole thing.

Clinton later sat down at a table and enjoyed some pizza and beer, and called over Mayor Tom McDermott of Hammond, Ind., to come join the table.

"Every time I get around you we start drinking, senator," the mayor exclaimed.

Clinton nodded and raised her glass.

"It's Saturday night, though, Tom," she said.

Theology

Currently listening to: Hail, mighty man of valor
Currently watching: David's mighty men
Currently thinking about: How I am seven feet away from a crisis of faith.

To be more precise, seven feet past. And I'm wearing it on my sleeve like a cuff link. This can happen when theology takes a vacation and theophanies are too few and far between.

Can we conjure up for a moment the place where things were a little more effortless and innocent? Before paid pastors purposefully disqualified themselves from ministry by downloading filthy images onto the church computer. The same computer in the sanctuary that controls the power point presentation of the Sunday morning worship hits.

The time I am referring to was called idealism. It was absolute and sure. As solid as gun-ship gray paint and obsidian. When a man could both speak in tongues and have the proper interpretation without causing a ruction. When you could play an acoustic guitar through a chorus pedal whilst rocking a neon yellow nylon guitar strap in tapered jeans. In the age of prudence the word "revival" meant something else entirely and you could count on a slide show when the missionaries came to your church. This assurance confessed a disdain for Mormons, profane cartoons and the new age in a simple and soft cadence.

I remember idealism with great fondness. Bible memorization was a lot easier then. The outward signs of an inward grace told everyone that believers had the market cornered on good works stricter than the roman siege at Masada. I remember commenting to my father that even should a non-believer perform a noble act of mercy it would only actually glorify their father the devil. He looked at me with both disappointment and trepidation as I'm sure he was wondering what they were indoctrinating me with at the Pentecostal church's youth group. The entire parade of the unfaithful was easily characterized. They had an affection for secular music and recreational drugs.

A desert be no desert if Christ is there with him - Matthew Henry

She was tall like a broomstick and didn't trust the septuagint. Although, she didn't know about the septuagint, Jerome's vulgar latin translation or even Martin Luther hiding out from the Pope and turning the gospel of Luke into German. She certainly didn't know about John Wycliffe and his posse the Lollards. Or that the Morning star of the reformation having already been martyred and buried, was exhumed so they could torch him all over again. I don't really even remember this girls name but I do recall how I felt when she confided that she could never believe because that the words of the bible certainly lost their luster and perfection as they were changed from one language to the next. An argument not based of her strong volition or the want to sin without remorse, but born in thoughtfulness and a naive etymology. I on the other hand was an evangelist charged with conveying a gospel not much more complex than what my t-shirt might say. I explained to my gangley friend that although there might be some textual issues in the book of Psalms, and a thing or two different between the KJV and the NIV it was a actually quite a masterpiece of precision. The Pentecostal church's youth group* had taught me that even if a cyclone had attacked a junkyard and the debris miraculously built a printing press, those were still better odds than the bible evolving into what it is. She did not seem to follow this logic nor my clever illustrations and remained unconvinced. I sometimes think that today, besides having tall children she is probably comfortable in her agnostic understanding while I continue to reel in my uncertainty.

Mark 8:34-35 (NIV) Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." - Jesus of Nazereth

Intellectual suicide. Now I blog about what could have been. If I'd gotten out my thesaurus years ago and hadn't spent so much time reading about Carl Erskine and the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers I might have come to grips a lot earlier with my theology (or how I think about God's relationship with me and the rest of the galaxy.) I'm stuck. My crisis is mine alone and not answered by someone with a patent on exegesis or some guy with clunky glasses, the midrash and post-modernism. I'm stuck beyond certainty. I need signs and wonders and scientific foundations. I need a visitation and to lose all my self-interest. I'm vain and totally defeated. I want my friend idealism to come walking off the plane into the terminal. Fresh with souvenirs to remind me where he went. This isn't going to happen. He died in the crisis. Now I'm left with something much more uncomfortable; reality, revelations and relativism. I think about my disciples and if they need to know these truths to... But I don't know how to break it to them. Do you?

Jason lives with his wife and son in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. He enjoys running and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His first book, "Songs about my dreams" will be released independently in 2009.

* All above references to the "Pentecostal church's youth group" do not necessarily reflect the authors true experiences.

Songs about my dreams.

I used to live in a bus.
A geriatric, green one that at one time belonged to the Air force.
It was heated by a wood burning stove that I didn't know how to start a fire in.
I remember always seeing my breath in that bus.

I remember I used to share a bed with my sister in that bus.
We watched 1980 come alive on a black and white TV.
I remember looking down at a shot gun, half way out of it's case.
Still steaming from having blasted away the divorce settlement.

I remember being woken up in the middle of the night in that bus.
To patrol the perimeter of the property looking for the punk who slashed our tires.
Ready to defend the green bus, six crappy cars and a pile of scrap metal with my life.
I was 7.

I don't have many more memories from that bus.
Except there was this book about karate and flying side kicks in that bus.
After all it was just the prime of my life.
When I lived in that bus.

Jason lives with his wife and son in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. He enjoys running and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His first book, "Songs about my dreams" will be released independently in 2009.

Correction.

Sorry, I made a mistake. Hell exists, it's a place called Haiti.

Hell?

You know, I've been thinking about it a lot, and I just don't understand or think anymore that a loving God could send people to hell.

The latest sign of the apocalypse.

Amazing. Words can not describe.

being religious vs. everything that is really good

So something I have been thinking about is all the bashing of the word "religious". I know that it has become the end all be all to everything wrong with Christianity, however in it's purest form it means following and acting like Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I'm really not trying to make to big a deal about it, (why are you blogging about it then??)I guess I'm just commenting on how trendy it's been for Christ-followers to wear their "I hate religion as much as you, brother athiest" t-shirts and separate themselves from the phrase. All that to say, on my drive to work this morning I was pondering this and thinking that a better way for me to express what I don't like, or want to separate myself from is from "church-ianity". The idea that our true love is following the structure and nuances of being part of a social-organization and it traditions then following Pastor Jesus. Just a thought.

In conclusion, I was listening to Matt Chandler from Village church this morning and he said "what really makes religious people angry is when the virtue of their faith is questioned and they are told they need to grace of Jesus" (or something like that). That got me to thinking, firstly, about the term "religious", and secondly, how true that has been to me. I pray my heart is always soft enough to continue hear that.

To make this post longer and completely unbearable to read, he brought something out of scripture that I thought was fascinating. As he was teaching out of Luke 6 where Jesus is speaking of loving your enemies, and turning the other cheek, he mentioned that in the early church, to be slapped across the face was a high insult when being kicked out of the synagogue. Fast forward to Jesus trial in front of the pharisees and what do they do at the end of it? Have him slapped across the face. Then in Luke 6 he talks about giving up your shirt if they take your cloak, and we fast forward again to Stephen, demonstrating the teaching of Jesus in the book of Acts as they ripped off his garments as the stoned him and his response being "Father, don't hold this against them". Wow, the early church following Jesus teaching and here we sometimes try to make it into some allegorical philosophy... you know, "Jesus didn't really mean to say, give them your coat..."

I thought it was good at least!

Spoiler!

Well, I guess all the fun of the 2008 presidential elections is gone now that the winner has been leaked... L-A-M-E.

Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election Early

Vacation photos.

So if your interested and are not part of the Facebook galaxy, you can check out the photos from our vacation to California the last part of March.
Check them out:
Here
and
Here

Loss.

Loss.

It is everywhere.

From my favorite hockey team

to the scalp that holds my hair.

There is no use trying to fight,

because we were designed to lose

but If I didn't tell

you wouldn't believe

that I have lost my melody

and now I sing the blues.