I have 50 G-mail invites. If you (or someone you love) wants a g-mail account, just email me.
Gmail is pretty sweet. You have to check it out for yourself.
2.09.2005
2.08.2005
Because of Winn-Dixie
I got the opportunity tonight to take in a new movie called "Because of Winn-Dixie" at a special pre-view showing sponsored by CBN.com.
I must say... I enjoyed the experience.
A few quick thoughts:
1. Failure of Pastors- This movie was honest in its look at Pastors (mainly from previous generations). We (ancestors of the ministry) in many ways have been amazing and used by God in great ways but we must be honest and admit that in many situations the Pastor's families have taken a hit for the sake of the congregation. We have to admit that Pastors are afraid to admit their own shortcomings because of what others would say. Pastors of the past have lived in slums because they consider being poor materially equality with being abundantly rich spiritually so as to show their poverty like a badge of honor. By doing this they let their families scrape along as they chase grandures of spiritual depth in the eyes of a few men. We shouldn't seek limelight to shine in our glory and we shouldn't seek poverty as a means to the same end.
2. A great quote from the movie-- "He doesn't howl any more because he's not lonely."- We howl when we're lonely. We're all lonely inside to some degree. We have a burning desire to be completley known. So often when people howl through their actions and we in the church howl back trying to get them to shut-up. We cannot do this.
3. We all need friends. In the ministry especially we can try and pretend we can make it alone. We can hide behind titles or prestige or the afore mentioned poverty. We can do all of these things and lack intimacy with other people and intimacy with our creator. One lesson this movie points out (sometimes subtlely and sometimes not so) is that we are better when we're surrounded. I think scripture has a few things to say about this...
WRAPPING UP:
See the movie. It was worth the time and the cash. Your kids will enjoy it and mom and dad can learn a few things too. If you do see it, email me and tell me what you thought.
I must say... I enjoyed the experience.
A few quick thoughts:
1. Failure of Pastors- This movie was honest in its look at Pastors (mainly from previous generations). We (ancestors of the ministry) in many ways have been amazing and used by God in great ways but we must be honest and admit that in many situations the Pastor's families have taken a hit for the sake of the congregation. We have to admit that Pastors are afraid to admit their own shortcomings because of what others would say. Pastors of the past have lived in slums because they consider being poor materially equality with being abundantly rich spiritually so as to show their poverty like a badge of honor. By doing this they let their families scrape along as they chase grandures of spiritual depth in the eyes of a few men. We shouldn't seek limelight to shine in our glory and we shouldn't seek poverty as a means to the same end.
2. A great quote from the movie-- "He doesn't howl any more because he's not lonely."- We howl when we're lonely. We're all lonely inside to some degree. We have a burning desire to be completley known. So often when people howl through their actions and we in the church howl back trying to get them to shut-up. We cannot do this.
3. We all need friends. In the ministry especially we can try and pretend we can make it alone. We can hide behind titles or prestige or the afore mentioned poverty. We can do all of these things and lack intimacy with other people and intimacy with our creator. One lesson this movie points out (sometimes subtlely and sometimes not so) is that we are better when we're surrounded. I think scripture has a few things to say about this...
WRAPPING UP:
See the movie. It was worth the time and the cash. Your kids will enjoy it and mom and dad can learn a few things too. If you do see it, email me and tell me what you thought.
Real Estate Agents, Martha Stewart and Dairy Queen
Driving back from the post office today I made an impulse decision to grab an ice-cream sundae. I pulled into Dairy queen and placed my order. As I waited for the lady to fix my treat I got to thinking about Real Estate agents.
Real Estate agents basically show you property. They don't own it they simply describe it. Although for the most part you could walk around alone and see the property, a good agent will lead you to positive features and point out amenities the home offers (based on getting to know your desires). The agent will use words like a paintbrush and your ear is the canvass. Descriptive words like 'beautiful' and 'wonderful' paint a second picture of the home. The agent gets paid for knowing what is on the market and then making the right connection for you, the buyer.
Martha Stewart is another example of a person who has made a living of painting with her words. Yes Martha Stewart is creative and yes she gardens but that is not why she's a multi-millionaire. Martha Stewart is a valedictorian of the school of adjectives. You cannot watch her shows or read her magazines without reading descriptive elegance. "This flower has a wonderful and delightful texture." "Look at these candles, aren't they so amazing!" "How terrific is that scarf!"
Even my dentist has a hang on this. I recently had a wisdom tooth removed that had grown in completely. I joked with the assistant that I arrived to have my "tooth yanked". The dentist laughed as he towered over me with his torture devices and said "We like to call it wiggled. No yanking today." (BTW: I have a great Dentist and it actually was painless.)
And then there is an average visit to the local church. We (in the church world) spend so little time thinking about exactly what we're saying. We spend little time walking people through the "house of God" (figuratively, not the building) and we act more like demanding overlords than real-estate agents, Martha Stewart, or even a nice dentist.
Use words. Use descriptive words. Use beautiful, wonderful, awe-inspiring words!
Real Estate agents basically show you property. They don't own it they simply describe it. Although for the most part you could walk around alone and see the property, a good agent will lead you to positive features and point out amenities the home offers (based on getting to know your desires). The agent will use words like a paintbrush and your ear is the canvass. Descriptive words like 'beautiful' and 'wonderful' paint a second picture of the home. The agent gets paid for knowing what is on the market and then making the right connection for you, the buyer.
Martha Stewart is another example of a person who has made a living of painting with her words. Yes Martha Stewart is creative and yes she gardens but that is not why she's a multi-millionaire. Martha Stewart is a valedictorian of the school of adjectives. You cannot watch her shows or read her magazines without reading descriptive elegance. "This flower has a wonderful and delightful texture." "Look at these candles, aren't they so amazing!" "How terrific is that scarf!"
Even my dentist has a hang on this. I recently had a wisdom tooth removed that had grown in completely. I joked with the assistant that I arrived to have my "tooth yanked". The dentist laughed as he towered over me with his torture devices and said "We like to call it wiggled. No yanking today." (BTW: I have a great Dentist and it actually was painless.)
And then there is an average visit to the local church. We (in the church world) spend so little time thinking about exactly what we're saying. We spend little time walking people through the "house of God" (figuratively, not the building) and we act more like demanding overlords than real-estate agents, Martha Stewart, or even a nice dentist.
Use words. Use descriptive words. Use beautiful, wonderful, awe-inspiring words!
Love Me Some Google Maps
I just checked out Google Maps and I must say Google has done it again.
I think I've found a new place to go for my directional needs.
[via: Brian Bailey]
I think I've found a new place to go for my directional needs.
[via: Brian Bailey]
E-family?
Tonight I finished the BEGINNING of our new family website.
This will be a site dedicated to all things Wilgis. Kristy and I are expecting our first child in July and we both have family all over. By having a dedicated site to give updates and share pictures and video of the baby we hope to keep everyone better informed as well as keep somewhat of a diary for the future. I'll think of it as an electronic scrapbook.
This site isn't intended to be a substitute for personal touch as there are obviously a lot of things we cannot/would not share to the general public. It should be a neat experience.
Stay informed at WilgisFamily.com
This will be a site dedicated to all things Wilgis. Kristy and I are expecting our first child in July and we both have family all over. By having a dedicated site to give updates and share pictures and video of the baby we hope to keep everyone better informed as well as keep somewhat of a diary for the future. I'll think of it as an electronic scrapbook.
This site isn't intended to be a substitute for personal touch as there are obviously a lot of things we cannot/would not share to the general public. It should be a neat experience.
Stay informed at WilgisFamily.com
Time I could have Wasted!
I discovered Stupid Videos today. How did I ever miss this? Just think of all of the time I could have wasted here. There are times when time is wasted and then there is StupidVideos.com.
It's almost as good at killing productivity as the great AddictingGames.com or even the wonderful and all too funny HomeStarRunner.com.
Thank you for allowing me to type. Hopefully some productive thought will make it to the web tomorrow (later today).
It's almost as good at killing productivity as the great AddictingGames.com or even the wonderful and all too funny HomeStarRunner.com.
Thank you for allowing me to type. Hopefully some productive thought will make it to the web tomorrow (later today).
2.04.2005
Delayed Reaction
At this weeks State of the Union the country was able to witness an incredible moment. One that John and I agree should go down in history as a remarkable if not providential moment.
An Iraqi woman, Safia Taleb al-Suhail, who recently voted in the Iraqi election was seated in front of William and Janet Norwood who had recently lost their son in Iraq. What a moment when the Norwood's were introduced and the two women leaned over and hugged one another. I'm not very emotional but that one started to get to me. But then, did you notice the dog-tag of Sergeant Byron Norwood (Marines) who was killed in Falluja? As the women embraced one another this dog-tag --which was being held by the soldiers mother,-- wrapped around a button on the cuff of the Iraqi woman and breifly attached these two women.
These women were both figuratively and literally connected by the life (and death) of this brave Marine.
As they hugged, that image burned into my mind. How powerful!
An Iraqi woman, Safia Taleb al-Suhail, who recently voted in the Iraqi election was seated in front of William and Janet Norwood who had recently lost their son in Iraq. What a moment when the Norwood's were introduced and the two women leaned over and hugged one another. I'm not very emotional but that one started to get to me. But then, did you notice the dog-tag of Sergeant Byron Norwood (Marines) who was killed in Falluja? As the women embraced one another this dog-tag --which was being held by the soldiers mother,-- wrapped around a button on the cuff of the Iraqi woman and breifly attached these two women.
These women were both figuratively and literally connected by the life (and death) of this brave Marine.
As they hugged, that image burned into my mind. How powerful!
2.03.2005
Interesting...
Being an expectant Father, this quote stuck out for me. I can't tell you how many people I've come across that battle with this issue in their adult lives. With the absence of the Father in many homes this quote becomes all the more telling as to how a child develops.
Check out this serious thought over at the blog of Eloy Ramirez.
Check out this serious thought over at the blog of Eloy Ramirez.
2.02.2005
Get On Mission
Last night I had the great opportunity to speak at Point Harbor Community Church during their 4-day Mission Conference. The Pastors at Point Harbor took a pretty cool twist on the Conference by having local ministries come in and do much of the sharing.
I spoke about church planting: vision, importance, church-involvement, etc. It went well. Met another Pastor who spoke after me. His name is Rob Lamarre. He is the former pastor of The Anchor Church in MO outside of St. Louis.
The Pastors over at Point Harbor are great guys. Each time I talk with them I appreciate their ministry even more. It's so important in ministry to find those people with whom you connect. They've done a good job with their conference and are doing their best to change the face of what is usually a 'sorry I missed it' event among churches.
Congrats Point Harbor.
I spoke about church planting: vision, importance, church-involvement, etc. It went well. Met another Pastor who spoke after me. His name is Rob Lamarre. He is the former pastor of The Anchor Church in MO outside of St. Louis.
The Pastors over at Point Harbor are great guys. Each time I talk with them I appreciate their ministry even more. It's so important in ministry to find those people with whom you connect. They've done a good job with their conference and are doing their best to change the face of what is usually a 'sorry I missed it' event among churches.
Congrats Point Harbor.
2.01.2005
Baby Got Book
This video came from Annie's Blog. It's so funny.
You'll have to be old/young enough to remember Sir-Mix-A-lot to enjoy this one. Very funny.
[click here to laugh]
You'll have to be old/young enough to remember Sir-Mix-A-lot to enjoy this one. Very funny.
[click here to laugh]
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