BabuLife

Found it!

After much searching I have finally been led to a couple of great worship leader podcasts.  When I began listening to podcasts, I was desperately looking for a place where other worship leaders were sharing experiences, ideas and practical tips on leading.  Well now through a couple of comments on other sites and this one, I've found a couple of podcasts worth listening to.

• Phil Ayers (AKA BaldWorshipLeader.com) has a podcast on pracitcal tips and other stuff regarding the worship leading arena.  Listened to podcast No. 5 today and was pleased to hear the format.  Pretty cool.
• RagamuffinSoul.com - Carlos Whittaker hosts a podcast that has just started.  I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.  In his intro podcast, he lays out the vision and plan.  Should be good.  I like how he's looking towards much audience participation.  Very cool.

Gotta say these two podcasts have given me some refreshment in the area of leading worship.  Looking forward to hearing and sharing experiences with other worship leaders through these podcasts. 

Anyone else know of any good podcasts?

Updates

• Mom and Dad made it safely to Jerusalem.  Thanks for your prayers!

• Sheri (Sherity) has completed the "Survive it to Drive it" competition.  You can cast a vote now for Sheri here.  Sheri is going to give the car to a family in need.

What Happened?

Right now my parents are in Gaza picking out a home where they can settle and minister to the needs of Palestinian people.  If you haven't heard, there was an election yesterday that just inserted a new government majority.  Hamas has successfully played to the fears and needs of those who are poor and without hope and have won power in an extremely volitale region.  Very sad news.

My folks are planning on coming home from their trip over the next few days.  Would you all mind praying for a safe return?  You can visit their ministry website at: hopeforishmael.org

Here's a photo they sent from the streets of Gaza during the rush to vote. 

Cliff Claven Action Figure

Did you know that John Ratzenburger (AKA Cliff Claven from Cheers) was in The Empire Strikes Back as Major Bren Derlin?  Yeah, Cliff Claven fighting the evil Galactic Empire alongside Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.  Doesn't quite fit does it?  Well there's going to be an action figure to prove it.  Here's his famous line from the movie "Your Highness, there's nothing more we can do, the shield doors must be closed."  I think they dubbed his voice with someone with a bit more grufness and respect a Rebel Major deserves. 

Anyway, I think I'll buy this action figure if I see it.  Too funny!

Emergent/Mega Church

Check out this conversation between an emergent blogger and Andy Stanley, author & pastor of the Northpoint community church in Atlanta.  I love it that Andy Stanley is out in the blogosphere taking part in the "Emergent vs. Mega Church" conversation. 

I found this link through Scott Hodge's post.

The Iron Giant

Right now as I type this, I'm sitting with my oldest daughter watching Iron Giant.  I had forgotten how great this movie is.

I love the animation of this film (is that what real movie reviewers call movies or flicks?).  While the new digital animation revolution ushered in by Pixar is still incredible, I find it refreshing to see classically drawn animation in this great film.  The art is fantastic.

The story is just as incredible. The giant and the boy relate so well to each other as they learn that they don't have to be who people think they are.  The boy a social misfit/outcast and the Iron Giant a walking war machine created to destroy anything in it's path.  It makes me think about how we (people in general) have a tendancy to live our lives worrying about what others think of us. And yes, it even gives me that big lump in the throat when both characters are redeemed in the end.

It's a great film and if you haven't seen it, rent it.  I bought my copy for $6 at Target.  I don't think my daughter has left the room since it started.

Deathmetal Help

In case any of you musicians were thinking about dabbling in the world of death metal.  Here's some advice from Strongbad over at Homestarrunner.com.

Watch Sheri win a Car!

Here in Kansas City an FM radio station is doing one of those sit in a car with 5 people and the last one remaining wins a free car competitions.  Well the group is down to 4 people since last Saturday January 14 and Sheri Lopez is one of them.   Sheri is a member of Grace Church and is right now, at this very moment, sitting in a car that she is trying to win so she can donate it to a family in need.  She's been sitting there now for 6 days.  If you live in the area and would like to show some support, swing by Bob Sight Mazda at 135th and State Line.  I'm sure she could use a friendly face.

You can logon to MIX 93.3's live webfeed from the car to see and hear Sheri and her current neighbors.  Here's the link.

***Clarification***Sheri is wanting to donate the car to a family in need, or a charitable organization or to Grace.  Whoever she donates it to if she wins, it'll be an awesome blessing!

10,122 Pages Viewed

Wow.  I just noticed that I've had 10,122 pages viewed on this blog. While I'm only a Multicellular Microorganism according to the TTLB Ecosystem, I'm amazed that many folks have visited.  Of course about half of those are probably my wife. :)  I've read on a few blogs this week that it was national Delurking week.

If you've hit this site, would you mind dropping a comment here?  Leave your website.  I'd love to check out some of your blogs.

Thanks!

End of the Spear

There's a movie coming out this weekend that many folks aren't aware of.  It hasn't been discussed much in the media.  End of the Spear will be released this Friday, January 20.  I had a chance to view the media package they sent our church and the story is amazing. 

It's the story of five missionaries killed by the people they were trying to reach for Christ.  Soon after this event, one wife and the sister of one of the missionaries moved to live among the very tribe that killed their loved ones.  It's an amazing true story of forgiveness, grace and courage.

Go visit the End of the Spear website for more details and check out the movie.

You can help promote this film by visiting DareToMakeContact.com for web tools and print material.