10.30.2007

sidereel.com

This is an amazing website with tons of good shows that are free streaming. Check it out. www.sidereel.com

10.29.2007

Back in the Office

Im back... crazy last week... but Monday has arrived.

10.26.2007

SD Fires... A Lectio

This is a lectio for Missiongathering on Sunday. Love Remains. If you would like to use this video for your worship gathering... please email me at jay@missiongathering.com.

10.24.2007

Love Remains

This is the only way I know how to process these fires. These are lyrics from a song I wrote and will play on Sunday at Missiongathering.

Love Remains

Oh the world did change
As the skys all filled with grey
And the ground scorched with pain
Took our lives away

But love remained
Oh love remained
How love remained
Our love remained

And here we are
With sill beating hearts
And eyes to see us through
Oh here we are, Here are you

Love remains
Oh love remains
How love remains
Our love remains

Let this love, get you through
Let this love, get us through
Let your love, get us through
Let our love, get you through

Love still remains
Oh love still remains
Oh how love still remains
Our love still remains

10.23.2007

SD Fires

some images from my office.



San DIego Fires... How To Help

http://helpsandiego.blogspot.com/

click on the link.

You can also sign up with volunteersandiego.com.

10.18.2007

Preview: Beauty Is Hope

This is a preview of a vid for Missiongathering this upcoming Sunday... be there... or be... um... ummm... not there.

Anger... So Much Anger

I am struggling with this right now. I cannot see how anyone can look at the gospel of Jesus Christ and justify excluding certain groups of people based on their humanity. I am really struggling right now. I didnt know just how angry I really was until last night, as I processed on my drive home and my drive to sanctuary, this sick.. stomach anger swelled up in me and overtook my very physical being. I am so angry right now with the church... with christian leaders that choose to exclude... with people who say they are about the "ministry" of Jesus Christ, but rationalize their judgement and ignorance with selected readings of scripture. I cannot imagine a world where the message of christianity would be a message of exclusion, judgement and behavior modification.

I am not an angry person. I do not get angry often, quickly or over silly things. In fact, for the most part people typically call me "non-confrontational." But this has really pissed me off. This has made me confrontational. I am not so much mad at specific people... but upset with the fact that there are so many people that will be marginalized and judged based on rationalizations of the gospel. My heart is burning with honest sadness for those that I see will be left out, and told that their pursuit of healthy spirituality is not valid by men that have no idea what it is like to walk in the shoes of the very people they exclude.

As I sat with a friend last night and talked about what I was feeling, she told me that there is a reason. That this issue will be the issue that defines our time right now. And that God is stirring me and putting an immense passion in me right now that can only be preparing me for His use. I am trying to have compassion. To view the "other side" of the argument with understanding and grace, but as I sit right now, that is extremely hard.

Christ came so that none would be left in the dark. Christ died so that all could have ownership in the Kingdom of God. Christ rose to commission us into being disciples of his love and grace and hope. Christ has asked us to extend His hands of caring... His eyes of understanding... His legs of mercy and His heart of LOVE. Love never excludes... never.

I am not sure yet what to do with this anger. I am not sure how to express it or how to use it for productive means. I am praying. I am praying hard that there is clarity in the path in front of me. This passion is for a reason and I am here, in this unique time and space... for a reason.

If you are reading these words... please pray with me. Please take up the cross of love... unconditional love... and carry it to those that are marginalized and outcast. Love extravagantly with me and help to paint a new vision of faith. A faith that includes... a faith that hopes... and a faith that loves. Without that.. we only have ignorance... and ignorance breeds fear... and fear breeds hate... and hate leads to things that are much worse than the darkest places of a persons heart.

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (msg)
" 12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."

George Bush????

"An era that has seen an unprecedented number of nations embrace individual freedom has also witnessed the stubborn endurance of religious repression. Americans cannot look to the plight of the religiously oppressed and closer our eyes or turn away." GW, SD Union Tribune, October 18, 2007.

I think this is the smartest thing I have ever heard GW say. Too bad we won't look internally at the "religiously oppressed" sitting in our church pews and altars every day.

We Own The Night

Joaquin Phoenix, Marky Mark, Eva Mendes and Robert Duvall. Definitely not what I expected this movie to be at all. I went into the movie last night with a few friends thinking that it was going to be an action packed battle between two brothers who found themselves on opposite sides of the "law." Instead, what I got was a great period piece that told a deep story of transformation for a family who was controlled by "the law." I think I am still figuring out what I "got" out of the movie, but I can honestly say that I really enjoyed it. The storytelling was done really well and led me down a path of discovery that was deeply invested in the characters in the story.

I still cant get over Joaquin Pheonix though. I just wanted him, in the middle of the movie, to break out into just the chorus of "Ring of Fire." If there was a disappointment.. that was it.

Some MG Press

Click Here... City Beat's Sheep & Goats.

10.16.2007

Turf Supper Club

Alex and I have had a standing Turf Club appointment for about the last year on Tuesdays at 8:30pm. Turf Club is by FAR my favorite restaurant/ bar in town. The decor hasn't been changed since like the 60's and the atmosphere puts out a real retro vibe. It is usually packed full of artists, musicians, and crazy kids that live in the surrounding areas of Golden Hill, South Park, Logan Heights and North Park. The food... well, lets just say the food is what you make it. My personal favorite is the Beef Kabobs with a side salad w/ ranch. This place, if you've never been, will be a great experience. Plan on a night of retro fun, culinary challenge and rat-pack beverage consumption. How can you not love a place that has Dave Brubeck and Lady Dottie in the same juke box...

You are always welcome to come and join Alex and I... we will always be there as long as we are in town. On 25th between "B" and "C" street.

Bad Chinese

Ever had a hangover case of bad chinese food? Well... thats what today has been for me. I think its almost out of my system... thankfully. Oh the beautiful way Kung Pao Chicken can make you smile and make you frown. haha.

10.15.2007

Now Listening #5

Radiohead's new album "In Rainbows." This band continues to amaze my musical brain. Honestly, they nailed this album musically with a perfect blend of programming and great guitar work. I haven't had too much time to interact with the lyrics, but I am loving this stuff. Once again, Radiohead proves why they are my favorite band and the best live concert I have ever been to.

Hanging With Brian McLaren

10.14.2007

Intensity: In Four Parts

The last week of my life has been an extremely intense time. God is definitely speaking to me and opening my eyes through four very specific experiences in the last 6 days: Seattle, David Crowder, Brian McLaren, and the movie "For The Bible Tells Me So." So in an attempt to really document this, Im going to break these down. If you don't like long posts, or tire easily from reading long things... read one at a time... haha.

Seattle
What a wonderful city and what a wonderful experience. I can truly say I fell in love with the city of Seattle and with the people of Seattle. Throughout my four days there, I was overwhelmed by the sense of community and collective responsibility that seemed to spill out of every conversation and street corner I engaged. From my conversation with Frankie, a street kid in the Capitol District, to my time with an ecumenical gathering of Pastors and leaders from around the U-District... there was a thread of hope and collective love for one another that came through louder and clearer than anything else I heard. It seemed that there was a spirit of authentic compassion and desire to be connected to neighbors and people living in proximity to one another.

On top of all that, I got the chance to hear from leaders of the church that has come before my time. I saw the compassion and desire to live out the gospel in love and truth that refreshed my young soul in a different way. it let me know that I was not alone in my pursuit of love and hope. it let me know that I was connected to a heritage and tradition of love... and that the church truly has a message that is not necessarily new... but is taking on new life and new relationship to the world at large.

I have immense hope for a new kind of church in Seattle. One that contextually communicates the message of love and hope for those that so desperately need to hear it. I pray that I get to be a part of that. That Missiongathering gets to be a part of that new narrative that will be told. God taught me that my story is not new... but the way that I tell it will be new. God showed me that I am so connected and supported by those that have been there... and God refreshed me by giving me hope for a new future... not disconnected from our past...

David Crowder
What struck me most about my time at the DCB concert was the honest truth that I heard. This sums it all up for me:

"When all the love in the world
Is right here among us
And hatred too
And so we must choose
What our hands will do

Where there is pain
Let there be grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Help them be brave
Where there is misery
Bring expectancy
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Something"

God pushed me to write. God told me that its okay to write this album in the truth that he is showing me. God released me to write.

Brian McLaren
One phrase: "an epistemology of love." It was great to have Brian join us this morning at Missiongathering. I felt honored to share the stage with such an influential and honest man that is trying to help us understand what it means to have faith today. Once again, I found myself soaking in what God was surrounding me with. Letting me know that It is alright to go forward in my thoughts and convictions... and to live out my epistemology of love. That my view of the world, and my view of others is rooted in the way in which I love.

As we chatted after the gathering, Brian took me aside and said, "Thank you for the music this morning. The music was just wonderful. The songs were right. And its not often that you get really good music... and a really good mix together." (Holla Erik, soundman extrodinare). Which lead me to think... that just like good music and a good mix... there can be good music written through the epistemology of love.

Again, I feel released to write. Released to communicate in my way the love that is deepening in me.

For The Bible Tells Me So
If you have not heard about this movie or have not seen it... Head to your local indie film house and sit your butt in the seat. What a great piece on what it means to love. I am still processing everything that I saw and heard tonight, but ultimately it isnt a film that is arguing for the "rightness" of homosexuality nor the "wrongness" of it. Instead, it is saying that there are marginalized people that have been segregated by a book that was never meant to segregate. That the message of Jesus... and the message that we as christ followers should be so fixated on... is a message of inclusion. And not just inclusion... but love. I am sure tomorrow I will have more thoughts on the movie...

Wrap Up
God is showing me that the purpose in my life... the purpose of my music and my creative craziness is to communicate a love for all and a love for the marginalized and outcast. That God is screaming that message through many different mediums and is asking me to join in collective voice that the world needs to hear. I know that I haven't really been able to summarize in these few paragraphs the true swelling of my heart and soul over the last few days... but its there. Pray with me.. pray for me.. journey with me as we find out what it means to love.

10.13.2007

Missiongathering: Brian McLaren

Come... Join... Listen...

Quick Update

Alright all. I am back in San Diego and believe it or not this is the first chance I've had to sit down and say "what up" to my internet homies. What a crazy couple of days. So the last I left you, I was in Boise, Idaho for a few hours waiting for my flight. I spent the flight chatting with the guitar player from Anberlin and a few ladies from Canada on their way for a "Jazz Cruise" down to Mexico.

As soon as the wheels of my plane hit the tarmac, I found myself at the David Crowder Band concert downtown at the House of Blues. Great music... and I will DEFINITELY elaborate later (good music, great band opening, good times). After the show, I found a ride home, but made a pit stop at a good-bye party for a friend. Hung there for a while, gave hugs, and headed home to unpack and wash some clothes for the upcoming day. Today, I've been in the office all day helping get our Ray @ Night folks up and running and finishing the media for tomorrow.

I am now heading to Ray @ Night for a quick hello.. then off to dinner with Brian, Rich, Alex and a girl I have yet to meet... then we are going to a few galleries, to the hotel.. sleep... wake up early.. and (the best part) do church in the morning.

Crazy times... but I am loving life. Seattle was amazing. (I owe two posts: DCB and Seattle). Hope to see some of you tonight.
grace.

10.12.2007

I DA HO...

Im hanging in Boise, Idaho... yeah, you read that right. I had some tacos from a place called "Maui Tacos." Lets just say, I cant wait for some Seguaros. Ill be home soon... YEAH!

10.10.2007

Seattle Update #2

Hey all... This is the first time I've gotten a chance to sit down write. I am sitting in a Tully's on Fourth & Union in downtown Seattle. This city is amazing. I have really fallen in love with the few areas I've been to the last day or so. Im gonna post some pics up of the trip so far. The meetings are going well. We have another one in about an hour or so with the core leadership of the Church. Keep praying for us and for God to be in the midst of what is happening here in Seattle.
Tully's: all fair trade coffee and compostable cups... very cool:

Rental Car... no insurance please...

cool building downtown:

The Pink Door, an underground bar experience... very very very cool:

great image:

10.09.2007

Alaska Flight 593... Outtie!

We are off... The storm has subsided just enough...

Alaska Flight 593... Delayed

We are kicking it at the airport. Got some Rubios in me... and settling down for our flight... WHICH is LATE. Matt and I are having fun though.

Off To The Home of the 'Bucks

I am leaving in less than an hour for Seattle. It should be a great trip... we have a crazy itinerary planned out for us already. We are headed up there to discuss the possibility of planting a Missiongathering: Seattle right in the heart of what they call the "U-District." There is a beautiful church right in the heart of the village that is wanting some re-vitalization. I am stoked about the potential there... a little nervous... and a little tired. Overall, I think this will be a great trip.

Much love my SD peeps. Dont you fret... Ill be home on Saturday.

10.08.2007

Now Listening #4

Guster. Oh what a name. I know I am a little bit behind the curve in discovering their music... but it is really cool stuff. Right now I am listening to the song "Either Way." Really cool lyrics over the top of some good sample work. The song "Satellite" has some great key work in it too. guster.com

Potato Salad

Thats right.. I had potato salad for dinner tonight. Packing for Seattle... Trying to finish up some work I can't bring with me... Meetings... Interviewing people... DC planning meeting.. goodness gracious great potatos of fire.

Urban Solace

I just had a working lunch at a new restaurant that just opened up here in my hood called "Urban Solace." It was really really really good food and a cool new atmosphere. If you get the chance, definitely go and give it a try. Support local business... Eat local food... and get really really fat doing it. Smiles all around.

I Am Free...

Yesterday at Missiongathering was a great time. We introduced a new song called "I Am Free." It was pretty rad (and yes I used the word RAD) to see our community really engage. The lyrics speak to where we are in our life of our community. So I figured I would post the lyrics up here... so here they are:

I Am Free
Through You the blind will see
Through You the mute will sing
Through You the dead will rise
Through You all hearts will praise
Through You the darkness flees
Through You my heart screams, I am free!

I am free to run
(I am free to run)
I am free to dance
(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you
(I am free to live for you)
I am free
(I am free)


Through You the kingdom's come
Through You the battle's won
Through You I'm not afraid
Through You the price is paid
Through You there's victory
Because of You my heart screams I am free
I am free

Who the Son sets free, Is free indeed
Who the Son sets free, Is free indeed
Who the Son sets free, Is free indeed
Who the Son sets free, Is free indeed

Bakersfield HO!

So yesterday after church I jumped in the car with my good friend Casey and we trucked it all the way up to good ol' Bakersfield. Casey needed to trade trucks with his family and I was along for the ride. It is amazing how such a long drive can be quite enjoyable. Good conversation. Had a great dinner at CHUYS'S! And ultimately I am really glad I went.

10.05.2007

From Letters To Peace

I sent out fundraising letters today to close friends and family regarding TBR's new album. I prayed over them as I walked them to the post-office and placed them in the mail box. It was cool realizing what I was praying for. I found myself praying not for success, but that God's will would be done through these letters. I think I am getting to a place where I know that if this album is supposed to happen, then God will see it through. And if it isnt, then God will see that through.

Its crazy that I am finally in this place. And I have a weird and almost surreal sense of peace about it.

We will see what happens... but for now, I invite you to journey with me. Its gonna be a rollercoaster!

10.04.2007

Sneak Peak...

Ray @ Night is on October 13. Our "Artist In Residence," Sarah Cusey, has been putting together some great things for this event working with her team of local artists. I got a sneak peak of some of the stuff that will be displayed. We are asking the question: What is beautiful? Check out these sneak peak photos I stole:



Attack Of The Hand


What a terrible way to have your tea interrupted...

Our Sanctuary

What a great group. I got a chance last night to hang out with my sanctuary for the first time (sans a few missing people) and totally loved it. It was great to hear that everyone is basically in the same place... wanting authentic and true community around them. I couldn't help but smile as each of us shared our thoughts about what we wanted out of the group and why we were there. Ultimately, I am really excited about what this group has in store for all of us.

Group - Thanks for sharing all of your hidden talents. Now if we can find a way for Julia to hum (in tune) the ABC's backwards while beat-boxing... we will have perfect transfusion. haha.

much love

10.03.2007

Miracles

"Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle." -Marianne Williamson, A Return To Love.

Street Gatherings #3

Tonight's "Street Gathering" is brought to you by the good folks at Mountain Dew... Mountain Dew, keeping people up way past consciousness.

Tonight I got the chance to meet Dante (in the black Metallica shirt) and Raymond (in the hat) at rehearsal. They rolled up pushing shopping carts full of bottles and cans and stayed through the whole rehearsal. Tonight we were working on some new material for Sunday morning, playing two great songs: "Everlasting God," and "I Am Free."

After rehearsal we got a chance to chat, and the guys really were so uplifting to us. They said some people "have it" and we "ABSOLUTELY have it." I haven't yet figured out what "it" is, but I am reassured to know that we found it. In any event, these guys were real nice guys. We talked old time vinyl from Zepplin to AC/DC to Warren Zevon and even got to rap about some pretty crazy concerts Dante had been to. Ultimately, great guys and were extremely gracious to us.

Raymond took one of my cards and wants to give it to his sister who he says is an MTV producer. He said that she has to put too much "crap" on the air that when she finally sees real talent, she will fall in love with us. Everyone knows someone whos going to make you famous.. huh.

Great night of rehearsal... Great getting to know Dante and Raymond. I hope our paths cross again.

It Finally Happened... Chargers 49... Raiders 34

Chargers 49. Raiders 34. Madden '08. I finally beat my buddy Troy tonight. Troy has never.. NEVER... EVER been beaten as the Raiders in ANY Madden game... until tonight. Yeah... I feel pretty good about myself. Hopefully this is a good omen for our San Diego Chargers.

10.02.2007

Hello...

sometimes this is how it feels to be me:

New Sanctuary

I just got my sanctuary group from Pastor Matt... boy am I stoked. I am a little (A LOT) nervous about leading a group again, but I really feel like this is something that I should be doing. I really dont think that Ill be the one leading though... I think I will have a lot more to learn than to offer. In any event, I am stoked about the next season of our sanctuary life.

10.01.2007

Now Listening #3

I hooked up my vintage Scott speakers to my vintage Scott tube amplifier (all courtesy of TubieClaus) and spun my first vinyl in over two weeks. It took a good 30 minutes to fine tune the sound but... Oh the sounds of the B-side of U2's Joshua Tree. Amazing sound. Amazing clarity. Amazing... amazing... amazing. I will post some pics of the new set up tomorrow.

1/5 of the Way!

Hey all. Here is a quick update on the new album. As of today we are about one fifth of the way to having the money raised for the new album. After just a week of fundraising, I am pretty stoked. We haven't sent out letters yet, and we havent promoted beyond Mission just yet. So my hopes are up that it is going to happen. THANK YOU COMMUNITY!

Street Gatherings #2 - My Friend Dave / Isaiah 43

Last night, on my way from some dessert with some friends, I crossed paths with a local man named Dave. Dave has been coming to Missiongathering for a while now, but I have yet to really have a conversation with him. Dave also lives on the streets and is a self-proclaimed "Bum Theologian." He asked me if I had a minute, and we sat and chatted for a good 45 minutes. In the midst of hearing a little of his story, he pulled out his bible and started talking about worship leading with me.

He asked if I could write a song for him and then opened to Isaiah 43 and told me to start reading.

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, Ill be there with you. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it wont be a dead end--Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. " (msg)

We finished up our conversation over a good laugh at the old school rockers like Zepplin and Bowie and said good-bye for the night. I cant shake those verses. Talk about hope... and talk about the new TBR album. Thank you Dave. I hope I can write a song that tells your story.

Eyes of Understanding

On Sunday we talked about having "eyes of understanding" and were given black and white photos of something to have eyes of understanding for. As I opened my envelope, I found a picture of Michael Vick. At first, it really didn't strike me as something that I needed to have eyes of understanding for. Although I completely disagree with what he did, he is definitely not at the top of my list of things that I dont understand.

But as I really started to think about it, and what God was trying to communicate to me through my photo, I came to a cool revelation of sorts. One of my friends really, really struggles with Michael Vick. I mean REALLY struggles with him and the sub-culture he represents. And I think that God was challenging me to start to see the world through the eyes of my friend. Not on the Michael Vick issue, but on his life, and his struggles and his soul.

It was cool to be challenged like that yesterday. I hope that there are others who were challenged yesterday too. May we all learn to open our eyes.