Bsidemix.com

And the time has finally come to say goodbye to blogger.com. It has been a good ride, but I am moving on up to better and greater things.

If you are a regular on my blog, you can now catch me at my new site:

www.bsidemix.com

from now on, that will be the only site I am blogging on.

A Tough One

Sunday was a tough day for me. I know that with leadership comes failures, and Sunday I felt like I was let down by a friend and in turn, I let down my community. On the personal side, I can apologize for allowing my leadership to distract our community from what was otherwise a great Sunday. On the professional side, I learned a lot and will never let that sort of thing happen again.

It still stings... although with each storm comes new rain, and new soil is uncovered. I am praying that this new soil is rich with nutrients and commitment to the building of Missiongathering.

A Good Day

I had a good day today. I got to sleep in and then get up, get ready and head to pick up my new glasses that I ordered so I can see again! Then I went and picked up Laura, and headed to the new Chipoltle in Mission Valley for lunch. That place is huge! Then we headed downtown to Urban Outfitters and picked up some new digs for us both. Ladies and Gentlemen... on my OWN ACCORD... I will be officially wearing color. I know its hard to believe, but the black t-shirt will not be my only means of fashion statement from now on.

Then off to the grandparents house and some amazing mexican food (spinach and mushroom, corn enchiladas). Then I got to watch the first two quarters of the Hornets / Spurs game. I came home, ran a few miles... spent twenty minutes catching my breath and now I am going to watch some Nacho Libre to go to bed. Overall... a good day.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

So Curtis and I went to some Thai food at Bangkok Spices (good digs if you like Thai) and headed to the AMC with full intent of seeing Iron Man... but there was an incredible line to get in, so we decided to switch our plans up. Instead, we saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." I have to say, I had no clue really what this movie was going to be all about, but I ended up enjoying myself. Funny movie... just dont bring the kids. Mature content all around. But then again, what else would you expect from an Apataw production.

Movin' On Up

So I found out that I have to be out of the studio I live in by the 10th of this month because the owners are moving back to san diego... Suck. I am glad to be heading out and finding a new funky studio / 1br, but it has been really tough so far, and especially on a limited schedule.

Keep your eyes out for a place in North/South Park, Golden Hill, Normal Heights, or Hillcrest. I know I am craigslisting it every day.

Movin' on up.

Sanctuary Tonight

As always, we had a great sanctuary together. I wanted to point out two things that really stuck out to me.

1. Emily shared this amazing analogy that I know that I am going to butcher as I try to put it down in written form. She said that she had always felt that her spiritual journey in other faith communities had been like a small, pre-potted seed that only had a small space to grow into, and that would only ever become one type of plant. When she found Missiongathering, she said that she had found her "meadow" in which she could grow into herself and where the soil was rich. Where she could "hide out" if need be, or shine in the light of the sun. I just think this is a beautiful and brilliant analogy.



2. We were talking about why people are so attracted to churches that constantly make people feel guilty. I think the core reason is that people (especially in Western culture) get accustomed to a God that is only found in guilt. That we feel closest to God in our sin because it reminds us that we are in need of grace. It can almost become a ritual like practice to be told how terrible we are and how disappointed God is in us. Although I agree that we all need grace, and that it is good to be reminded of that... I think that God meets us in much more than just our guilt and that God sent Jesus Christ to no longer make us live in the shadow of our guilt and judgement... but instead to embrace grace and walk daily in that grace.

Bsidemix.com

So I bought the domain "bsidemix.com" hoping to be able to customize my blog and give it a really cool feel and look... but man this is tough.

I designed the website in iweb... but iweb and blogger dont really get along. I really would like to make my blog look and feel like I designed... but I just can't figure out how to really make it happen.

Any ideas?

Recommended Reading

This is a book I picked up in Orlando that I am about halfway through. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who is looking at how a movement of faith (missionally based) can look like.

I especially have appreciated the chapter on discipleship.

For more info, go to theforgottenways.org

AE Love... MG PROMO 1

I had a spare hour or so, and wanted to practice some AE stuff. Here is a promo for missiongathering.com.

Let me know what you think.

Adobe After Effects

I know Im probably behind the curve... but I started using After Effects yesterday to put together a promo / intro video for our upcoming "Heroes" series. I am really excited about what this program can do, and what it will bring to the table at Mission.

Any experienced AE users out there? I could definitely use some tutelage.

Here is what I put together for this Sunday:



Let me know what you think...