Sound Beating

This is great! You've got to listen to this phone call from a man in Texas who witnessed a car accident that involved 4 elderly women. CLICK HERE to check it out!

Why Hillbilly Graham Crackers?

Some of you who didn't get the original email have asked what the heck "Hillbilly Graham Crackers" is all about. Well, here's the story:

Because I'm strange, I have always thought it would be a hilarious name for a band, if I ever were to start one. I mean, you've got hillbilly, Billy Graham, and graham crackers, all in one spot! What could be better?!

The scary thing is that I did a search a couple months back on Google, and there's actually a band named this. It seems frightening that someone else would/could share my odd sense of humor, but I guess that just means I'm unique, just like everybody else!

Worship complainer - the REMIX!

Worship Band Complaint!

Apparently this is a REAL voicemail left at a church complaining about a gal in a worship band. You can listen to it by clicking here:

Concerned Attender Voicemail

But then the genius worship pastor (or some other clever soul!) took the phone message and made a remix dance version of it:

Concerned Attender: The Dance Remix

This is just hilarious, and I needed a laugh today!

They'll know us by our...?

I'm a big fan of singer Derek Webb (formerly of Caedmon's Call). He's got two solo albums out, the 2nd of which, "I See Things Upside Down" I just got yesterday. He does a great job, in my opinion, of challenging the church in our complacency. I wanted to share the lyrics to one of the songs off of his last album, as I think it's a great reminder and challenge to us as Christians to stop being so judgmental, and instead to be about the business of Christ: loving people into His kingdom!

"t-shirts (what we should be known for)

by Derek Webb

they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear

they'll know us by the way we point and stare

at anyone whose sin looks worse than ours

who cannot hide the scars of this curse that we all bear

they'll know us by our picket lines and signs

they'll know us by the pride we hide behind

like anyone on earth is living right

and isn't that why Jesus died?

not to make us think we're right

when love,love,love is what we should be known for

love, love, love - it's the how and it's the why

we live and breathe and we die

they'll know us by reasons we divide

and how we can't seem to unify

because we've gotta sing songs a certain style

or we'll walk right down that aisle

and just leave 'em all behind

they'll know us by the billboards that we make

just turning God's words to cheap cliches

says "what part of murder don't you understand"

but we hate our fellow man

and point a finger at his grave

they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
telling 'em their sins are worse than ours
thinking we can hide our scars

beneath these t-shirts that we wear

If you find it easier to judge people than to love them, as I am definitely guilty of at times, I hope these words are an encouragement to you. Christ can transform our hearts and our perceptions of each other, if we continue to seek Him out and ask for His heart and mind for people.

Love in Christ,

Carl

Nonsensical Disclaimers

Here are some random thoughts & nonsensical disclaimers:

• Children, get your parent's permission before reading.
• Not for internal use.
• I love escalators because they can never break - they can only become stairs.
• Not to be consumed with shellfish.
• Rinse, lather, and repeat.
• Not for use while sleeping.
• Really, don't you have work you could be doing?
• I like refried beans, but I wanna try fried beans 'cuz maybe they're just as good and we're wasting time.
• Apply generously, then wait ten minutes.
• I saw a subliminal advertising executive, but only for a second.
• Why is it, "A penny for your thoughts," but "Put your two cents in?" Someone's making a profit on that deal!
• This blog not to be used as a flotation device.
• I like rice. Rice is great if you're really hungry and you want 2000 of something.
• Individuality--great in everything but police line-ups.
• The trouble with being punctual is that no one's there to appreciate it.

Long live Antonio!

A link to a fun video I starred in last year for Vanguard - my church here in the Springs...

http://balloonballoon.com/pastacontest/

Look at my pretty bonnet!

Here's our most recent shot of our beautiful 3-month old, Aubrey!