My new playground
the Austin Skatepark finally opened and it is epic. Just thought I’d share….have an awesome father’s day.
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127 Defining Moments. What’s yours?
A few months ago I was sent a link to a writing contest that ran in conjunction with the film 127 hours. You know, the film about the guy who had to cut his own arm off in order to get out from under a boulder.
So I submitted my moment of near death experience in nature which was a blog post from a while back. Read it here.
Long story short I won, or at least I was one of 10 winners and I scored a Camel Pack, a down jacket and a massive case of Larabars that we are still working through.
Do you have a defining moment? Do you have a near death experience?
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Chasing Roller Coasters
I’ve said it before; I don’t like amusement parks. It’s only now, at 33 years old, that I understand why.
A roller coaster is artificial excitement. It’s completely safe and you know it. It’s why we get on them.
We want excitement…as long as it’s safe.
My life is an adventure. I’ve been skateboarding for 23 years. I lived in Kaua’i and took chances in the middle of God’s creation. I climb mountains. I planted churches. I’m blazing trails literally where no one has gone before. I married an amazing woman and have two kids and we go on these adventures together.
My life is full of excitement…and it’s not safe.
I have scars, physical, emotional and mental. I have titanium parts in my body. I have memories that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I have friends and people in my life that are priceless.
Why would I pay 60 bucks to wait in line for hours for a few seconds of excitement?
Sounds boring to me.
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God fathering | hey daddy
I was 4 hours into a lego build with my son on Christmas morning and I was really wearing down. The kids were jumping on me at 6:15 in the morning amping and ready to tear into some gifts.
The reality was that I was doing all the building and he was doing the playing. I didn’t mind, it was Christmas and he was having a blast.
My son talks a lot. I’m sure every 6 year old boy talks a fair share, but for real, Steele can rattle on endlessly for hours I promise you. Sometimes it gets to me, especially when he gets in a mode where he is demanding my attention before each monologue with a series of; “Hey daddy”. You know the kind:
So back to Lego building. I’m trying desperately to pay attention to very intense directions on how to build an AT-ST Walker and just about every 8 seconds Steele pipes up; “Hey daddy…”. Literally.
Truth is, it didn’t bother me. We were having a blast. In the middle of it I thought of all the times that he was actually driving me nuts and I remembered why he was like that. He’s young and the world is so amazing and beautiful and around every corner is a brand new exciting experience.
Each one of these experiences is remarkable to my little dude…and it’s me that gets to hear the remark.
I never want to take that for granted.
Beautiful.
True_
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An epic week
This last week was one for the books…in a good way. If you follow along with my adventures than maybe you were ‘along for the ride’ this last week as Justin, Rick and myself drove to Chicago by way of Nashville. We hit the road to get the word out about Gateway Church and The Intersection and each day brought something even more amazing than the next and I thought I would put some names down here and thank a few of the people that made this week so flippin’ rad!
Pete Wilson
Pete was our first interviewee…is that a word? Pete is the pastor at Cross Point Church in Nashville. Cross Point has been making a genuine impact in Nashville and I wanted to hear Pete tell the story. Pete was a gracious and accessible host and it was great to sit with him and hear some cool stories. Look for video from the interview on the No Perfect People Allowed blog and here. Check out Pete’s blog.
Randy Elrod
Where do I start? I have been keeping up with Randy on his blog and twitter and I have always really connected with what he has to say and I had a hair brain idea of bringing in our crew and live streaming dinner at Randy’s house. He jumped on the idea so we invaded and had an epic evening that I think you will see more of. Video of that will be posted all over the place…stand by. We also got to hang out in Chicago for an incredible meal at Terra Gusto followed by en Ed Kowalczyk concert. I cannot wait until Recreate.
Ken Davis
Ken Davis was around a lot of what I was involved in with youth ministry in San Diego in the 90′s. Ken is a communication guru; you may know him as a comedian/speaker at conferences and the like. I’ve always loved Ken and looked up to his skills and passion. It was cool to chat with Ken and break bread at Randy’s house. Video from that coming soon.
Patsy Clairmont
I’ve heard of Patsy and my mom was always reading one of her books but other than that I didn’t know much about Patsy. This lady is awesome! Les and Patsy are a a really fun couple to hang out with…video coming soon also.
Michael Hyatt
I have been a reader of Michael’s blog for a while now and he always has a great point of view on leadership and communication. It was great to finally shake the man’s hand and tell him I’m a fan.
Alece Ronzino & Mandy Thompson
I name them together because they were always within arms reach of each other. Alece is doing some incredible things in Africa that you must check out and get involved in. Mandy is a songwriter that I have bantered with on Twitter in the past and it was cool to finally meet her.
Chad Jarnagin
I met Chad over an incredible 8 course Italian feast and then our crew went to the Ed Kowalczyk show. Chad is a talented musician and worship leader and a great guy to hang out with. Check out Chad’s blog for more.
I met so many more people during the week and I’m probably going to have to drop another post.
Thank you everyone for being cool and sharing the love.
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On the road again
I have mentioned in a few blog posts and tweets here and there that we are planning a road trip around The Intersection and on Wednesday we will be bringing some fresh content to The Intersection site and announcing the road trip.
I’m excited to let you know that my good friend Rich Kirkpatrick will be joining Justin Girdler and I as we head out of Austin in the early morning hours of September 2oth. Details to come on Wednesday; watch for Tweets and posts.
A little about The Intersection
When I first was tasked with formulating a vision and a strategy for the Internet Campus at Gateway Church one of the first realizations I had, and the others around me confirmed, was that an internet church experience was not something that a non Christian was going to be into as it doesn’t line up with what they are used to on the web. Internet culture is fast paced and sound bite oriented and not one that is geard toward sitting through an hour long church service online.
We have decided that offering a more sound bite based experience that works within the realities and limits of internet culture rather than serving up a normal church service on the internet could have a deeper impact in the internet culture and The Intersection is the first step in this strategy.
We are starting with a blog and using a lot of video content, some we’ve create, some repackaged and some pulled from around the web. As we start to develop a community we will begin more live experiences and looking to deploy even more websites that are even more targeted.
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10 Years | If you are strong then I am strong
Ten years ago today I married the most incredible woman.
I have to be honest with you, all things considered it hasn’t been hard. In fact it has been one awesome adventure after the next. Sure there have been some trials along the way, but being together through the tough times only makes us closer.
Together we continue to shape each other into one inseparable being along with the two most precious gifts, Ashtynne and Steele. I literally can’t remember what life was like without Tami and our family…and that’s a good thing.
We continue to remind each other; If you are strong then I am strong.
I love you Tami
I love you Ashtynne
I love you Steele
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