A new fence for the front yard...

Thanks to the help of Chris Sexton, Danny K, Ricky Rick, and Jon Halfway I was able to get this sweet fence up before I leave to go to Africa. My wife and Emily Alden also get props for driving to Lowes with a trailer to pick up extra pieces...

I was worried about it looking like "stay away from my stuff" but i think it looks rather pleasant. With Jeff's kids and the new puppy it should prove itself very useful.

The only glitch was when I kinda, ahhmmmm, cut the cable, phone, and Internet line with a chainsaw (while removing a stump out of the line of the fence.) But Jon Gould had one of his employees come over today and hook it back up. Jon Gould has magical powers!!!! I even got the line buried back (if I can only remember next time I am using a chainsaw where I buried it...)

Thanks fellas for the help. Couldn't have done it without you. I finished it up today around 11:15am. No way I could have done it by myself.

Here's some pics of the final project.

view #1
look at that straightness...

from straight on... (yes that is my finger in the top left)

the doggy area...

the view from the front porch...

other direction...

Mr. Gould even assisted my in getting the bannister back up on the porch...

Okay.. that's all for now. It is now time to pack for Africa.

peace,

-J

Well the house is pretty much finished being painted... here are some some pics. I am very pleased with how it came out. As they were finishing up the job i was thinking... "I wonder if the people who built this house over 80 years ago would by happy with what we've done to it. Even with as much work as we've done to it we have tried to keep it true to original form... Anyways, just something cool about living in something that has been shared by many a person.

Here is some shots...
Front of house...

Front porch...

Right side of house... (kinda)
Right side of house... up close...


Left side of house
Left side of house from the back...

back of house... straight shot...

Back of house... side view

Hope the Ramseys like it when they get back in town... :)

peace,

-J

Tanner Update

He is now 9 weeks and 2 days old. He is growing. His ears are standing higher. He is a stud. He also has a white spot on his fur on his right side (left side of picture) that he recieved while walking into the freshly painted cement on the side of our house ;)

Diana and I like him alot. You can tell he misses chasing the kids around the back yard.

peace,

-Jason

A lot happens in a day

Still have to do windows and trim but here is what things look like so far...

front of house...

close-up of front porch...

right side of house...

close-up of right side of house...


left side of house
back of house...

more later,

-J

our house is being painted over the next few days...

a lot of work has gone into this house over the last 6 months... We have torn off siding, replaced siding, replaced trim, replaced some roofing... and now the painting (which we have someone else doing. We thought about getting our friend Nate to do it but we also didn't want to inject business into our relationship... so we decided not to.

I will be posting over the next few days as things progress...


front of house...
back of house... The newer stain at the top is the reddish color...

left side of house...
right side of house (and some of the front)...

more to come tomorrow. They are moving really quickly.

peace,

-J

a healthy blend...

So I was reading a friends blog here and he was talking about how right it felt to have someone else leading worship with him in a given "corporate worship environment". It just got me thinking about how amazing it is to have so much leadership in this area within our church. As a worship leader I have long felt this "uneasiness" regarding worship leading when it comes to one person in the spotlight. That uneasiness is not because I feel it is bad or wrong (leadership is necessary) just because it seems it should be more community oriented. I believe it is impossible for me (or any one person) to have the life experience, relational ability, or giftedness to lead each person in our community more specifically than anyone else in any given moment. We all can lead differently and probably have our own consistent ways of going about it. I am willing to bet communities benefit from a fresh perspective on things. It's also good to help keep pride from jumping up if there is more than one person leading on a consistent basis.

I couldn't imagine our "corporate worship" without any of the folks that are around right now. Each person brings so much to what we do and their hearts for seeing our Church connect with God in those moments are beautiful.

just some thoughts... any others?

-J

Young Tanner....

Well we are now the proud parents of a little baby German Shepherd who we have named - Tanner. We got him last Friday and he is 8 weeks old. He is growing like crazy and it seems like he is getting bigger every day (prolly cause he is.)

For those of you who don't know, I have wanted a German Shepherd since I was a kid (my dad used to raise them when I was younger) and the timing has never been good. My Lab that I had since high school (which my mom wouldn't let me take when I moved out ;) died last year in May an we just bought a house a couple months ago so the timing seemed right (this is true due to a small statement my wife made when we first got married - "we can get a dog when we get a house with a yard" ;)

I have definitely been the one driving the idea of getting one but I think she is falling for him pretty fast. After being around him for 5 seconds you could see why...

So here are some shots of the little stud.

After his first swim in Lake Johnson...

Exhibit 2 of previous mentioned caption...

After a long day... snuggling with Diana (he is moving in on me already)

I am sure there will be many updates here on this subject matter. For the majority of you who bring no concern for this subject... my apologies.

But seriously... He is a stud...

peace and love,

-J

A small hike we took...

While away on our anniversary Diana took me on a tiny hike in her hometown.

Actually ended up at about 6.2 miles of hiking but totally worth it...

Another shot of the view from the top...

For now... good evening.

-J

4 Years!!!!

So today is our 4 year anniversary. Seems like time has flown by. We have so many memories... a few tears, some smiles, and way more laughs. I feel we are living an adventure far greater than I could have written out 4 years ago. Thanks to all of you who have played a role. You probably know who you are (if you don't I hope you'll know someday.)

More appropriately... thanks also to the beautiful girl who has shown me unconditional love, given me hope, and believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. You are a true picture of God's grace in my life. You are the reason I am a helpless romantic and why I hate being away from home. My heart still warms up and feels funny when you walk in a room. I want to love more because of you. Thanks for loving God with all you have... thanks for living what some would call a crazy life... I pray we continue to find love beyond our wildest dreams.

I love you Diana. It is an honor to love you and live life together with you.

-J

Studying Eph 4

I am blown away by the idea and beauty of what the Church could be. If we could somehow realize our giftings and calling as a body and live them out the way it seems to be painted... oh, how the world would be.

I am grateful and encouraged by the hope God seems to have in humanity... may we continue to move towards what were created for...

Lord be with us... Lord lead us...

It's 9:50pm on a wednesday night...

I am at the Raleigh Times... in a corner... drinking a beer by myself... working on my brother's wedding ceremony... and life is good.

Smithwick's Ale was introduced to me by my good friend Tyler. For that I thank him.

ps - I am really stinkin' proud of my little brother.

love and peace,

-Jason

The Miami Dolphins

Have signed QB Trent Green... we all know what this means. It's Super Bowl times for the Miami Dolphins. I know, I know.. many of you are thinking.. what about Tom Brady and and Randy Moss... Well, What about Trent Green to Ted Ginn and Chris Chambers... CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

In all seriousness the Dolphins have tried really hard to get a good QB since Marino left in 1999... here is the summation (thanks to Pro Football Talk for the organization)

In 2000, they dealt a seventh-round pick for Jim Druckenmiller.

In 2001, they sacrificed a 2002 sixth-rounder and a conditional seventh-rounder in 2003, and received in return Cade McNown and a 2002 seventh-rounder.

In 2002, they gave up a 2003 seventh-rounder for Sage Rosenfels.

In 2004, they sent a 2005 second-rounder to the Eagles for A.J. Feeley.

In 2005, they shipped Feeley and a 2006 sixth-rounder to San Diego for Cleo Lemon.

In 2006, they sent a 2006 second-rounder to Minnesota for Daunte Culpepper.

In 2006, they sent a sixth-rounder to Detroit, which upgraded to a fifth-rounder, for Joey Harrington.

Now, in 2007, the Fins have sent a fifth-rounder, which could move to a fourth-rounder, for Trent Green.

We should have just kept Jay Feidler.... Can you imagine what Feidler and Wes Welker could have done together?!?!?!?!

for now... that is all.

-Jason

A small need...

So most of you, as my friends, know I am going to Kenya in August for a couple weeks. I am going with a friend of mine by the name of Corey Paxton (he is also moving here to be apart of our church community when he graduates from Fuller - now). I am stoked about the trip as I have been wanting to go to Africa for the last 3 years.

The purpose of our trip is really multi-faceted:

--- see the situation of extreme poverty firsthand so we can raise awareness for the real needs of people (over 4 million AIDS orphans in Kenya alone/20 million in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2020)

--- connect with two grass-roots orphan care sanctuaries in Nairobi, Kenya that are caring for the holistic needs of orphans from AIDS (www.africahopecenter.org and www.theshepherdshome.org)

--- learn how to achieve solid/stable western partnership and development work with established and experienced Christian development organization
(www.discovertheworld.org)

--- form genuine relationship with Joseph Wamititu for future partnership based on prayer, trust, and real relationship (director and pastor of Africa Hope Center, doing PHD at Fuller on how the church in Kenya can care for orphans of Aids)

---- go on a safari where we wrestle lions and alligators and race cheetahs (this part is a joke but I am excited about spending two weeks with Corey in Africa and serving together there - He is an amazing guy and I am stoked he and his family are moving here to be apart of our church family - prolly will be some good connecting time on the other side of the globe)

____________________

Here is the need:

We are trying to raise $10,500 to help Joseph (see above) buy property outside Nairobi to develop an orphan care sanctuary for kids who have lost both their parents with AIDS.

We (Corey) have already raised $8500 so we need just $2,000 more. Honestly - that is 10 families/people at $200 a hit. Or 20 people at $100 a hit. (I am good at math!!!! :) - Not a lot of money for most of us.
____________________

If you are interested in helping, please let me know ASAP. We are just crazy enough to believe if we are willing to take big steps of faith God would do amazing things... We would love for you to be able to share in this with us!!!

Peace and Love,

-J

Is it because I winned?

My name is Jason... and I have a problem.

Why do i like to play John Madden 05 on my Play Station so much. I am in my 14th season and I haven't lost a game in 10 seasons (except for one preseason game 4 seasons ago when my 3rd string QB threw an interception with a minute left and I was down by 2). I have averaged close to 47 points/game for the last 10 seasons and my defense has always been in the top 5 only allowing an average of 10 points/game.

So.. why do I enjoy playing so much??? I mean - I give it my all. I work hard every play. I want to win. I love scoring points. I love knowing I did something right.

Maybe it's cause I have a "job" where I may never know fully if what I am doing is "good" or "working". I don't think I would like to be in a top 5 Pastors list. I don't want to score more points than Vintage 21 or Hope Community Church, or Mars Hill.

But - I love to play.. and win at John Madden. I love to do my job and accomplish. I love to see results.

Why???

Prolly a deeper reason than I care to really know... but maybe not... possibly more to come.

Maybe I am just a nerd...

sincerely,

-Jason

Jogging this morning..

On my iPod... Amazing... Please enjoy...

I want to trip inside your head
Spend the day there…
To hear the things you haven’t said
And see what you might see

I want to hear you when you call
Do you feel anything at all?
I want to see your thoughts take shape
And walk right out

Freedom has a scent
Like the top of a new born baby’s head

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I’ve had enough I’m not giving up
On a miracle drug

Verse 2
Of science and the human heart
There is no limit
There is no failure here sweetheart
Just when you quit…

I am you and you are mine
Love makes nonsense of space
And time… will disappear
Love and logic keep us clear
Reason is on our side, love…

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I’ve had enough of romantic love
I’d give it up, yeah, I’d give it up
For a miracle, a miracle drug, a miracle drug

Bridge
God I need your help tonight

Beneath the noise
Below the din
I hear a voice
It’s whispering
In science and in medicine
“I was a stranger
You took me in”

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I’ve had enough of romantic love
I’d give it up, yeah, I’d give it up
For a miracle, miracle drug

Miracle, miracle drug

-U2

peace,

-Jason

I read this quote today...

Says, Rodney Stark, who is largely considered to be the prevailing expert on the church during the beginning of "Christendom" (Edict of Milan - when Constantine made Christianity the official state religion - AD 313)

"Far too long, historians have accepted the claim that the conversion of the Emperor Constantine (ca. 285 - 337) caused the triumph of Christianity. To the contrary, he destroyed its most attractive and dynamic aspects, turning a high intensity, grassroots movement into an arrogant institution controlled by an elite who often managed to be both brutal and lax."

Interesting thought... (Thanks Rodney)

I feel it... I know in many ways it's true. I know in some ways our "institutions" get in the way of "movement". I pray we encourage, empower, and unleash the world around us to live the gospel.

I also bet the guy was just doing what he thought was best. Whether it was best for him or best for the Church I dont know but who knows what I would have done. I have trouble ordering at a drive through.

anyways.. just an interesting thought that could have an impact on how we view our faith.

peace,

-J

pause

A beautiful day...
Given freely.
Recieved truly as a gift.
Thank you.

Shalom.

Fun Weekend is a comin'...

Tonight Diana and I are driving to Asheboro at go camping and tomorrow we are going to spend the day at the zoo. I am soooo looking forward to it. I can't wait for fire tonight... the cool morning air tomorrow morning... and the monkeys in the afternoon... YES!!!

peace,

-J

ps
in other non related weekend news... props to Traci Rowe who graduates Sunday with her Masters from every one's favorite local university... NCSU

I have linked to her blog which she has not yet written in an attempt to get her to write... in her own timing of course... I only do this b/c she is borderline genius, well thought, loves God, and has much to say for which we should listen...

pss
Congrats to Julie and Genevieve who are also graduating from Meredith this weekend

pss
what have I started... congrats to everyone else who is doing something exciting this weekend

Any thoughts form someone smarter than me?

My current vehicle gets ~12 mpg. It's a 1999 Ford Explorer. I live in the city and do not need 4 wheel drive vehicle that drinks the petroleum out of the earth as I would devour a Peanut Butter Fudge shake from Cook Out.

I am planning on selling it for ~$6,000. I am considering buying a road bike and just using that for a while. Most everything I do is within 5 miles of where I live and my wife has a car.

I am thinking of getting another vehicle but cannont decide what route to go. I thought maybe Hybrid. I know the arguements about they dont pay for themselves but this is a "use less gas" decision as much as a financial one. I also am very interested in a 2002 VW diesel that gets around 40 mpg. The Honda Hybrid I am looking at and this VW are both around $11,000. That is quite a bit of money - but would really cut down on the gas consumption - I spend around $200 - $230/month in gas currently. The money I save in gas would be close to what I would be paying monthly on the extra $6,000 in car payments.

The other option is to buy an old beater for ~$5,000 that gets decent gas mileage. But I am very interested in diesel and that will be hard to find for that price. Also long term diesel cars are convertable to run on "veggie oil" which is something my brother is currently doing.

Of course a car is a luxury item... no need to remind me of that... so is $12,000 car... all things of coarse are relative.. i could just get a beat up ride but this i snot just a money decision.. it's a "what is best for the earth" given my living requirements...

any thoughts from the well informed?

-J

This morning

I went to the gym and lifted weights with Alan Wilser (who just got back from the Nicaragua.) We were joking around with one of the women at the front desk for sometime while he was joining the gym and everything seemed normal... Ya know, people laughing... telling jokes, etc. Then for some reason Alan mentioned that I was his Pastor and that apparently was the funniest of all the jokes to this young lady. "Now you guys are really the funny guys!" she shouted... I wasn't sure how to take this and honestly am still kind of iffy about the whole thing. :)

So then that got me thinking about how I (followers of Chirst) should be percieved within the community I live in (downtown raleigh.) I guess there is no "right way" to be perceived but I was thinking after I left about a quote I read in, I believe, Blue Like Jazz where someone made the statement... "How come every time I meet a Christian Pastor, I feel like I have met a CEO and every time I meet a Buddhist I feel like I have met a holy man...?"

Don't get me wrong... I know we should connect with the world around us as Jesus did and sometimes appearing "holy" could be reason to keep a distance... but I wonder... Maybe there is nothing wrong with being a bit "what ever it is" that allows someone to feel they have encountered a "holy man". Not for the sake of being something that you're not but at least being what you are. For a while I felt like it was only acceptable to be a "professional" or a "hand shaker and a winker" if you wanted to "lead something"... but maybe there is something to embracing peace that could be a bit more attractive than having everything together...

that was a rant... I am trying to keep the posts short... hard to get all of this out in a short post... I am just saying - I dont want to be the norm. I dont want to be a professional Christian that shakes hands and kisses babys. I want to be a revolutionary the way that Jesus was... I find myself wondering how he would be perceived. I gotta believe people followed him around for reasons other than nice clothes, nice cars, or a great smile...

(please don't post a comment saying something like "Just be yourself.."

thanks for listening... feel free to say/write anything else...

peace...

-J