This is SWIFT's school year 08 09 video
Monday, May 4, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
MLB Predictions 2009
After reading James' post, I figured I would need to post something so that way one could either be spot on, one could be off, or we both could be way off. Feel free to enter your predictions as well, but these last three days of baseball were pretty good, so here is my predictions....
American League
East- Tampa Bay Rays
Central- Kansas City Royals (I believe anything can happen in this division this year)
West- Texas Rangers
Wild Card- Boston Red Sox (I'd love to pick a wild card out of another division, but I don't think that's going to happen).
National League
East- Atlanta Braves- (This kills me to say it because I do not like them, but I believe they're back)
Central- Chicago Cubs
West- Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Card- Houston Astros
(Yes I believe the Mets will collapse AGAIN and lose not only the East Division but also the Wild Card)
AL Playoffs
ALDS
Tampa Bay beats Kansas City in 4 games.
Boston beats Texas in 5
ALCS
Tampa Bay beats Boston in 6
NL Playoffs
NLDS
Cubs beat Braves in 4 Games
LA sweeps Houston
NLCS
Cubs get revenge on LA, but it will take 7 games.
World Series (AL wins All Star Game, Tampa gets home field)
Cubs win game 6 in Tampa to win series. The drought ends.
I hope I'm right except for the fact that I hope Chicago wins at Wrigley.
Let me know what you think.
American League
East- Tampa Bay Rays
Central- Kansas City Royals (I believe anything can happen in this division this year)
West- Texas Rangers
Wild Card- Boston Red Sox (I'd love to pick a wild card out of another division, but I don't think that's going to happen).
National League
East- Atlanta Braves- (This kills me to say it because I do not like them, but I believe they're back)
Central- Chicago Cubs
West- Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Card- Houston Astros
(Yes I believe the Mets will collapse AGAIN and lose not only the East Division but also the Wild Card)
AL Playoffs
ALDS
Tampa Bay beats Kansas City in 4 games.
Boston beats Texas in 5
ALCS
Tampa Bay beats Boston in 6
NL Playoffs
NLDS
Cubs beat Braves in 4 Games
LA sweeps Houston
NLCS
Cubs get revenge on LA, but it will take 7 games.
World Series (AL wins All Star Game, Tampa gets home field)
Cubs win game 6 in Tampa to win series. The drought ends.
I hope I'm right except for the fact that I hope Chicago wins at Wrigley.
Let me know what you think.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thoughts on spending/saving with wisdom
I confess that I have not kept up on this blog really at all. I am trying to figure out the purpose of having it, or even needing it. I don't post about family updates, and I really don't post at all on my theological thoughts or anything. So, I will attempt to try to blog again a little more frequently- mostly on thoughts about God and how we as Christians should live them out to advance the cause of Christ. So, I will start with a topic that has been on my mind (and most likely others) a lot...
Thoughts on spending/saving with Godly wisdom.
When I first received my full time paycheck, I was like, "Whoa! That's a ton of money (how many youth pastors say that?)" I was honestly overwhelmed. I didn't have a clue on how to create a budget, maintain finances, or save at all. In college, I worked part time, and my three or four bills equaled what I made. Anything left over went to Buffalo Wild Wings (Sad, I know). So, I did something that may have been smart. I prayed for wisdom. I just began to pray that God would give me wisdom on how to handle these finances properly.
Almost two years later, I am thankful to say that we have not accumulated any more debt, have paid off credit cards, and are working to lower more debt and start saving. We've met with guys to help us begin to plan out, and if an extra expense comes, we have enough saved up to take care of it.
However, we know that the global economy is struggling. I've been wrestling with this. My natural reaction is that we (everyone in general) should save save save because you never know if a spouse will come home saying they lost a job. However, economists say that consumers need to start spending again. I get letters from Christian ministries everyday asking for more support because giving to them has been cut drastically. Churches are having to be very smart and really examine their budgets to make ends meet. I've seen churches not rehire after a staff person has left, churches freeze their budget, and other churches even do layoffs because the giving has dropped drastically to them.
These facts concern me because ministries do need resources to do ministry. Every week I pray for our youth ministry that God would give us 1) students to minister to 2) resources to minister with 3) fresh ideas and visions and 4) that we are in line with God's will.
After some prayer and discernment, we (my wife and I) have been looking to 1) make sure we make our financial commitments to ministries a top priority 2) continue to save as much and try to save even more than we did last year and 3) when we do decide to make a major purchase, see if we can make it in Freeport (are where we live that is struggling financially) in a non super chain store (like Wal- Mart) to help keep other business afloat.
Here are some thoughts that we came across and some plans that we are implementing....
1) Never skip on tithing. I know the debate out there that the NT never describes a tithe, but this is the amount that God has laid on our heart. 10% of our income to our church regardless. If comments say they're interested, I could do some future posts on my views of giving to the church.
2) Never give up on our Compassion child. We support a child, and we don't see this as a $32 bill every month. We will make other sacrifices if that needs to happen.
3) Create a list of what will go if you get into financial trouble. I know the first and second thing we will cut if our finances get in trouble. Sad to say it, but it is our subscription to Dish Network and Netflix. But, if things became hairy, they would go first.
4) Don't go into debt. Save up for the next thing you want, and then get it. We worked to save up for a new TV. We ended up paying less than if we put it on our card and paid interest. Yeah, we waited longer for it, but it is still here.
5) Creatively cut costs- I read articles that come up with ideas like this on MSN. One new thing that I read yesterday that we'll start is with your laptop, take the battery out while its plugged in to the wall, so that the battery doesn't constantly recharge- draining battery life and extra costs. Turn off power strips when you go home. I am excited to see what new things will come out to help cut some cost.
6) Support local economy. Sometimes, we are quick to drive off to a mall or somewhere else to get something when I could get it only ten miles away. Not only is the sales tax in Rockford ridiculous (I think I paid $8 sales tax on $50 game for my brother's Christmas gift) but it also keeps jobs closer to where I live.
What thoughts do you have about this? Any other ideas? Interested to hear what you have to say....
Thanks!
Thoughts on spending/saving with Godly wisdom.
When I first received my full time paycheck, I was like, "Whoa! That's a ton of money (how many youth pastors say that?)" I was honestly overwhelmed. I didn't have a clue on how to create a budget, maintain finances, or save at all. In college, I worked part time, and my three or four bills equaled what I made. Anything left over went to Buffalo Wild Wings (Sad, I know). So, I did something that may have been smart. I prayed for wisdom. I just began to pray that God would give me wisdom on how to handle these finances properly.
Almost two years later, I am thankful to say that we have not accumulated any more debt, have paid off credit cards, and are working to lower more debt and start saving. We've met with guys to help us begin to plan out, and if an extra expense comes, we have enough saved up to take care of it.
However, we know that the global economy is struggling. I've been wrestling with this. My natural reaction is that we (everyone in general) should save save save because you never know if a spouse will come home saying they lost a job. However, economists say that consumers need to start spending again. I get letters from Christian ministries everyday asking for more support because giving to them has been cut drastically. Churches are having to be very smart and really examine their budgets to make ends meet. I've seen churches not rehire after a staff person has left, churches freeze their budget, and other churches even do layoffs because the giving has dropped drastically to them.
These facts concern me because ministries do need resources to do ministry. Every week I pray for our youth ministry that God would give us 1) students to minister to 2) resources to minister with 3) fresh ideas and visions and 4) that we are in line with God's will.
After some prayer and discernment, we (my wife and I) have been looking to 1) make sure we make our financial commitments to ministries a top priority 2) continue to save as much and try to save even more than we did last year and 3) when we do decide to make a major purchase, see if we can make it in Freeport (are where we live that is struggling financially) in a non super chain store (like Wal- Mart) to help keep other business afloat.
Here are some thoughts that we came across and some plans that we are implementing....
1) Never skip on tithing. I know the debate out there that the NT never describes a tithe, but this is the amount that God has laid on our heart. 10% of our income to our church regardless. If comments say they're interested, I could do some future posts on my views of giving to the church.
2) Never give up on our Compassion child. We support a child, and we don't see this as a $32 bill every month. We will make other sacrifices if that needs to happen.
3) Create a list of what will go if you get into financial trouble. I know the first and second thing we will cut if our finances get in trouble. Sad to say it, but it is our subscription to Dish Network and Netflix. But, if things became hairy, they would go first.
4) Don't go into debt. Save up for the next thing you want, and then get it. We worked to save up for a new TV. We ended up paying less than if we put it on our card and paid interest. Yeah, we waited longer for it, but it is still here.
5) Creatively cut costs- I read articles that come up with ideas like this on MSN. One new thing that I read yesterday that we'll start is with your laptop, take the battery out while its plugged in to the wall, so that the battery doesn't constantly recharge- draining battery life and extra costs. Turn off power strips when you go home. I am excited to see what new things will come out to help cut some cost.
6) Support local economy. Sometimes, we are quick to drive off to a mall or somewhere else to get something when I could get it only ten miles away. Not only is the sales tax in Rockford ridiculous (I think I paid $8 sales tax on $50 game for my brother's Christmas gift) but it also keeps jobs closer to where I live.
What thoughts do you have about this? Any other ideas? Interested to hear what you have to say....
Thanks!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Wordle.net
Here is a neat way we learned to express Scripture at YS One Day today. Just plug in Scripture, and see it is a Word Cloud. It's neat to see what is expressed and what sticks out. This is Psalm 23.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Best Christian Album Countdown of 2008
Jesusfreakhideout.com released theirs, so I will release mine. This is entirely my opinion, so let me have it. This is based entirely on Christian releases, so sorry, no Coldplay here (that is a great cd though). A lot of people usually ask me for different Christian music ideas, so here it is, my best for 2008. We'll begin with honorable mentions. BTW- POD's new cd is not on this list and I only hope it serves as an encourager that they should've stopped after Satellite.
Honorable mentions.
1. Jeremy Camp- Speaking Louder than Before
2. Stellar Kart- Expect the Impossible
3. Sanctus Real- We Need Each Other.
The Countdown.
15. Superchick- Rock What You Got
14. Family Force Five- Dance or Die
13. Pillar- For Love of the Game
12. Underoath- Lost in the Sound of Seperation
11. Kutless- To Know that You're Alive
10. Ivoryline- There Came a Lion
9. Hawk Nelson is my Friend.
8. Chris Tomlin- Hello Love
7. Relient K- Birds and Bee Sides and Tennesse EP
6. Capitol Lights- This is an Outrage!
5. Fireflight- Unbreakable
4. Disciple- Southern Hospitality
3. Leeland- Opposite Way
2. Anberlin- New Surrender
1. Run Kid Run- Love at the Core.
I may have missed some. Sorry. I realized I almost forgot Leeland until halfway done, but that def deserved top five. Looking back, I think it was a year of fun punk and rock alternative. Hard stuff was really low this year. Pop was ok but still had the same sound for the past several years. Rap didn't even enter my radar, but Lecrae is probably the best Christian rappist out there, so if that's your style, check him out.
Things to look forward to in 2009- RED has a new one coming out in February, and Skillet is back in the studio in January, which is great because I think Comatose may be the best Christian rock cd of the decade. We may even be blessed with a new John Rueben cd. I think I heard about a new Switchfoot one soon too.
tyler
Honorable mentions.
1. Jeremy Camp- Speaking Louder than Before
2. Stellar Kart- Expect the Impossible
3. Sanctus Real- We Need Each Other.
The Countdown.
15. Superchick- Rock What You Got
14. Family Force Five- Dance or Die
13. Pillar- For Love of the Game
12. Underoath- Lost in the Sound of Seperation
11. Kutless- To Know that You're Alive
10. Ivoryline- There Came a Lion
9. Hawk Nelson is my Friend.
8. Chris Tomlin- Hello Love
7. Relient K- Birds and Bee Sides and Tennesse EP
6. Capitol Lights- This is an Outrage!
5. Fireflight- Unbreakable
4. Disciple- Southern Hospitality
3. Leeland- Opposite Way
2. Anberlin- New Surrender
1. Run Kid Run- Love at the Core.
I may have missed some. Sorry. I realized I almost forgot Leeland until halfway done, but that def deserved top five. Looking back, I think it was a year of fun punk and rock alternative. Hard stuff was really low this year. Pop was ok but still had the same sound for the past several years. Rap didn't even enter my radar, but Lecrae is probably the best Christian rappist out there, so if that's your style, check him out.
Things to look forward to in 2009- RED has a new one coming out in February, and Skillet is back in the studio in January, which is great because I think Comatose may be the best Christian rock cd of the decade. We may even be blessed with a new John Rueben cd. I think I heard about a new Switchfoot one soon too.
tyler
Best of 2008
This will be my awards to best of 2008. I'm holding off on music (albums) for my next post, as I will count down the best Christian albums of 2008. Ok, here we go...
Best Movie of 2008- The Dark Knight
Best TV Show of 2008- The Office
Best personal moment of 2008- Vacation to Mexico.
Best book of 2008 (read, not copyright)-UnChristian (very eye opening)
Best Wii Game of 2008- Mario Kart Wii
Best Cub of 2008- Mark DeRosa
New adventure looking forward to the most in 2009- Beginning grad classes in graduate school. Hon mention- mission trip to New Orleans.
Best Movie of 2008- The Dark Knight
Best TV Show of 2008- The Office
Best personal moment of 2008- Vacation to Mexico.
Best book of 2008 (read, not copyright)-UnChristian (very eye opening)
Best Wii Game of 2008- Mario Kart Wii
Best Cub of 2008- Mark DeRosa
New adventure looking forward to the most in 2009- Beginning grad classes in graduate school. Hon mention- mission trip to New Orleans.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
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