death by ministry

mark driscoll has an article on his blog called death by ministry. i'm not really surprised by the stats he sites and the effects of the ministry on many pastors and their spouses.

read it here

the homeless game

A video game designer created a video game where the player is a homeless woman in Vancouver. I guess it’s his way of having people experience what it means to actually be homeless.

“Congratulations: you’re living in one of the most desirable cities in the world,” the instructions say. “Unfortunately it’s also one of the most unaffordable cities and you’re out on the street with no home to call your own.”

The game involves moving the woman around the simple 2-D map trying to forage for items and opportunities that will boost her esteem rather than reduce it. Her hunger and bladder levels also come into play. I played it and my esteem was 12, my bladder full and I was hungry for most of the 24 hours. When the game ended, I was informed that I had lost.

Checkout the article here, and actual game here.

props to LA's homeless blog.

stolen bike, kids and longboarding

Got home from work and was promptly informed that Matt had his bike stolen from the skate park. He left it alone for about 20 minutes while he was perfecting his latest move. Matt has been back into the skate park scene. When we were in Bellflower, he started skateboarding, then began tinkering with inline. In Chilliwack he bought a bmx style (the one that was riped off) and has been doing that. Lately, he's been interested in longboarding. Check out the video marc made by our house.



Raising kids is a huge challenge, and I find myself often feeling what they feel. Like when Matt saved up his money and we drove to abbotsford to purchase this bike. I was so excited for him. Every trick he'd pull of, I'd be like "YES!"

When I got news of his bike being stolen, I was upset. I had to do something. After I heard the whole story from Matt and the other kids, I packed James into the van and went looking. Our first stop was the skatepark. I asked some of the regulars there if they saw anything. One of the kids said they saw about 3 kids near the bike and then later saw them biking away heading west. So, I jumped back in the van, James had a million questions, and headed west.

I started driving through neighborhoods and didn't see anything. I found a road I hadn't been on and was enjoying the sites when I saw a group of kids driving their bikes towards me. One of the bikes looked like Matt's, so I turned around and drove next to the kid on Matt's bike. He was quite cool and began chatting with me. I didn't know what to say and I didn't want the kid to dart. So, I said, "Nice bike." The kid said, he just got it from Henry (Henry just pulled up). Henry and him traded bikes. So Henry was the one who stole Matt's bike. Henry was busted. I looked at him and could identify with the feelings of being guilty. So I said, "Hey Henry, thanks for finding my son's bike. Stay out of trouble."

I got the bike and put it in the van and drove home. Matt was very happy and said thanks about a million times.

This was a disturbing experience for me and it brought up a bunch of questions. Like what could I have done in that moment with those kids that could have affected their lives for the positive. I was standing there, not knowing what to say. Fortunately for them, I'm not the type to "teach them a lesson" - but I wanted them to learn. Where will they be in 10 years? Bikes now, what about later? I felt totally helpless. It kept me awake last night seeing the face of the kid who took the bike -- he had the look of someone who was just found out. Sheepish, shameful and scared. I felt sorry for him. I wanted him to experience grace and peace. Better yet, a way of life where he doesn't have to grasp and claw his way through.

Welcome Anneke Jade!

On Wednesday, Jackie and Kevin welcomed Anneke Jade into their arms! Both mother and daughter are doing great (Kevin is doing good too :-)! 

Pray for Dorothy

Please pray for Dorothy, a friend and member of Heartland, who was just diagnosed with lymphoma (non-hodgkins mantle-cell lymphoma).  Pretty difficult news. 
Tags: non-hodgkins mantle-cell lymphoma

More On Confusing Theological Language

My brother gave me this link to an article in Soujourner's magazine by Brian McLaren. Brian talks about trying to re-word some theological words into other words or phrases that capture the minds/hearts of people in this day.

Read his article here