Dreams Unlocked

Top 3 Bob Dylan albums: 1. Bringing it all Back Home 2. Blood on the Tracks 3. Time Out of Mind But also - no collection is complete w.out: Blonde on Blonde Highway 61 Revisited Another Side of Bob Dylan Infidels (or maybe not this one) Spent most of the day returning a pile up of e-mails and phone messages. Also started charting out the fall. Going to be focusing on Genesis 37-50: the narrative of Joseph. Saw "Friends with Money" on video tonight - it was cool.

This is Bob Dylan's latest album. It came out today. I bought the deluxe edition that comes with a 4 song DVD. Bob Dylan is my all time favourite solo artist. I own over 25 of his cd's. I have the Martin Scorcese documentary "No Drirection Home" and also have the first installment of his autobiography "Chronicles." I have seen him in concert twice, and will probably see him again this fall. I am a fan. His career has seen some peaks and valleys. At this time he is making the most exciting music since his stellar string of albums in the 60's. From the late 70's to mid 90's he was only putting out the occaisonal flash of brilliance. In 1997 Daniel Lanois produced the album "TIme Out of Mind". This is one of my top 3 Dylan albums (and one of my favourite albums by any artist). Lanois managed to spark a renaissance in Dylan. This album won a couple of grammies and was followed up by "Love and Theft" which was good, but did not rea...

Everybody's getting Mercedes I was reading another blog and there was a post about this pastor of a church of 5000. His name is Clint Brown and apparently is a well know worship song writer. I have never heard of him. He is getting or just recently was divorced. There has been some criticism due to his excessive lifestyle - I think he made a lot of money from some of the songs he wrote and albums he sold. The church recently bought him a 500 000 "parsonage" in a gated community. Now half a million sounds like a lot of dough and it is, but in Vancouver it is basically an average (and almost entry level) price for a home. But check out what else this guy spent his money on: 3 mercedes benz porche carrera hummer ford f-150 pickup vw beetle 2 harley davidson motorcycles $8800 spent in a jewelery store in NYC $1000 - victoria's secret $10000 - shoe store in Dallas $1000 - wine shop in Dallas $70 000 - in one year on women's clothing In comparison I own the following: b...

Adam turned 2 yesterday. We went to the PNE - it is like big exhibition or state fair for Vancouver. We saw some kids program called "Hi-5" I'd never heard of them before but I guess they're pretty big. Adam doesn't watch tv so he waswn't that impressed with them either. Then we saw the "superdogs". These are dogs that jump over things and run around things. They sure are pretty super. first@night was amazing tonight. We had our smallest turonout ever, but Brent, Caroline and Felicia all shared some personal stuff. Brent shared how he came to faith. Caroline shared about her accident that left her paralyzed on the left side of her body and Felicia shared about the death of her brother. Heavy stuff - I closed out the night talking about the power of our stories - the Samaritan woman went back to town and told everyone about Jesus. The whole town came out to see Jesus. Here was a woman who ethnically, morally and her gender would discount her from hav...

A pedestrian was hit by a bus in front of our building yesterday. Had the boy this morning - man he is one never ending bundle of joy. Read the last two comments from yesterday's post about hatred and gays. Interesting stuff. Was reading "The Face of N.T. Studies" - fairly academic survey of what is currently happening in new testament studies. Now I've cracked a book by Gordon Fee - "Listening to the Spirit in the Text" - collection of essays on the interplay of spirituality and exegesis. Great stuff.

From a comment on resonate's message board earlier today (posted by me) Are we spreading hate? hmmmmm - I think there are segments of our society that actually hate those who are not like them. In the Christian world - do Christians at Focus on the Family actually hate homosexuals, abortionists etc.? I don't think so - but I think that when we use the term "culture war" which Focus and other right wing groups do, we have set up negative and unhelpful contextual terminology that creates barriers, rather then bridges. Do you remember in Yancey's book on grace, he talked about asking people next to him on planes what came to mind when he said the word "evangelical christian" - it was always negative or political - right-wing, anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-women. It was never love, grace, sacrifice or service. Yancey asks the question that was first posed in this discussion - what happened? We have now entered the most polarised political time in our culture...

Vancouver has a lot of street people. By that I mean there are a lot of people who live, sleep and sit on the streets. The pan handling has gotten to a point that businesses on Granville Street have hired a private security firm to patrol a few blocks of the streets. It was in today's Sun. SOOOOOO.... I had planned on seeing the movie The Descent (really gory horror flick - DO NOT go see it). I was waiting for my buddy Phil and was sitting in a little entryway near the theater. When lo and behold, 2 behemoth security guards come up and tell me there is no loitering. (To loiter means to remain in an area for no obvious reason). I had a reason. When I informed these 2 pituitary cases that I was waiting for a friend, I was told that I was blocking a fire exit. Now, some of you have seen me - I'm a bit overweight, but you would be hard pressed to build a case that I have the ability to block an ENTIRE fire exit. So I got up and leaned against the wall and consequently made the str...

Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised as he was. Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also share his new life. We are sure of this because Christ rose from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. He died once to defeat sin, and now he lives for the glory of God. So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.

Took a diversion from our regular Saturday brunch spot. We have had Saturday brunch almost every Saturday at the Yaletown Milestones. We recieved a 2 for 1 coupon for a restaurant (also in Yaletown) called Browns ( http://www.brownsrestaurantbar.com/ ) The place was empty when we walked in. The brunch menu only had about 5 items - compared to Miletstones which must have between 20-25. I settled on the Eggs Benedict and Felicia had the French Toast which she was going to share with Adam. Despite the place being empty, it took a full 25 minutes for our food to arrive. Milestones, we have never waited more then 15 and they are always busy. The service was fairly mediocore. My Eggs Benedict were average and Felicia said the french toast was just like what she makes at home. Food: 5/10 Atmosphere: 7/10 (it does look pretty cool in there) Service: 3/10 In summary, I would not eat here again, even with a coupon. Browns better kick it up notch if they hope to compete with M ilestones in the br...

The Cappello's are in town! Mike, Asha, Mira and Jacob - the coolest family in Regina are in Vancouver for a week visiting friends in Coquitlam (and us). Today we went to the Aquarium and a water park in Stanley Park. It was fun fun fun. Adam loves his cousins and had a blast. Then we were treated to Thai food which was tasty. Peace.

Some business related stuff with first@night needs to be dealt with. It's a drag that I wish I didn't have to deal with it - but this is life. Felicia and I have been looking for a new dining table set - all the stores in Yaletown are REALLY expensive - like 3-4000 just for the table - not including chairs. We finally found something nice that was reasonably priced - so we are pretty excited to get it - although we won't get it until October - its on order. This sales guy was amazing - he brought water for Adam, when Adam was getting restless and he was just really attentive to us. So this took up most of our day - which is not really my idea of a good time. On Resonate, I have been getting some good feed-back on the book the "Papa Prayer" by Larry Crabb. I am re-reading his book, "Inside Out" right now. I read this book in college and remember being quite affected by it. He is quite an astute observer of the what western Christianity has become. Selfish...

(Our future church?) First staff/pastors meeting in a couple of weeks. Nice to see everyone again. Came home to take care of Adam so Felicia could catch some zzzzz's between 2 ngiht shifts. Hope she makes it through the night. Tonight I went out w. Spencer and Dale - I wanted to check out this club in Yaletown that is closed on Sunday nights - I would like to have first@night meet there starting in September. Check it out here: http://www.donnellyhospitality.ca/ Please please pray we get this place - I am going to contact the owners tomorrow. This place would be totally perfect. We can comfortably seat 50 on really nice couches. Anyways - nice chatting w. Dale and Spencer - both fine fellows, highly gifted in their respective art forms.

Man - what an amazing day - Vancouver rules. Jeremy Bell spoke this morning - what a fantastic guy. He is the president of my denomination. We're having lunch next week. Tonight was interesting. We had a TON of tourists. There were 3 pastors there! One from South Korea from a church of 20 000. A retired minister from Kentucky and a black pastor from Sacramento with a church of 6000. When I heard that these guys were from such big churches - I said well, you can see we're on our way! I spoke on the Power of Vision and what our vision for first@night was. We also had communion - it was a nice night. Saw the movie Tsotsi tonight. It is a gritty South African film. i liked it - Felicia didn't. Decide for yourself.

Well, my hard drive is now full - I have been deleting old word files, but I think I'll have to delete some of the 2000 phtotos I have on I-photo. The title of this post refers to an incident I had as I was heading into the bike room to get my bike.As I was walking in, another guy was walking out I brushed by him as I tried to get in the door. At which, he turned to me and with some kind of accent said, "Why can't you f-ing wait?!?!?!?" I stared at him in disbelief and then said "What is your problem, man?" I thought it was going to get physical but he kept walking away and we kept yelling back and forth. I got to my bike and i was SO FREAKING ANGRY. Went for a walk around the science center and up to Kits Beach. it was nice but my bike felt wierd. Islamic terrorists - why do they do what they do? They feel the West is against them. They are lonely and alienated - they feel like strangers in the west. They find acceptence and affirmation among radical Muslim...

(Guard in Pakistani airport) Finished up most of the sermon - "The Power of Vision" . Found it hard to concentrate today - mind kept wandering - i have these kinds of days form time to time. Goodfella's was on tv tonight. i just caught the scene where Joe Pesci taunts Ray Liotta by asking him, "funny, how?" It's one of the great scenes in film. It's also a great film - with the exception that they drop the "f-bomb" a million times and it is pretty amoral. I think it was Warren who once commented that Dances with Wolves won the oscar that year for best picture. Dances looks so dated now, while Goodfellas really stands up. I will have something to say about the recent terror arrests, maybe tomorrow. If you're flying leave your bottled water and shampoo at home.

(Abigail Breslin as Olive in "Little Miss Sunshine). I went for a run yesterday - first time since injuring my left calf in the half marathon. The run went well - I iced after. Saw Little Miss Sunshine - this is the greatest film of the year. The lead character is played by an actress called Abigail Breslin - she was the cute kid in Signs. Abigail attended our church a few years ago when her older brother - Spencer was filming "Santa Clause 2" - Spencer is an actor who has been in a lot of Disney films (Cat in the Hat, Shaggy Dog, etc) Abigail, Spencer and their mom attended First. Both Spencer and Abigail were involved in the children's ministry. Spencer sang on Easter Sunday with the kids choir waving Palm Fronds. I didn't recognize Abigail in this new role - she looks much different then any other role she has ever had. She is amazing in this film. Reading "Organic Church" - I like the basic thrust of it - take Christ to where people are at - don...

Last night I had one of those quintessential times that could only happen in Vancouver.Spent the better part of the day at 2nd beach taking in the heat and going into the water w. the boy. Got home - Mark had called. He and Trevor were at Watermark at kits beach. This is the best deck in the city. So after a shower and an attempt to put the boy down for a nap I took a cab over. It was awesome - perfect weather, overlooking the crowds on the beach, enjoying a corona, chatting w. two great guys. AHHHHH - Vancouver - i love ya. what was all that complaining about not feeling at home? WHA HAPPENED? well, Saskatoon is still home but we are called to Vancouver and we will work here until God calls us elsewhere.

I have a confession to make: this is not like home. We got in last night. Hitched a ride with the friendliest taxi driver we've ever had. He regaled us with tales of his trade, including the unfortunate night when he was robbed of his money, his lunchbox, his sunglasses and then even his taxi. I alluded to the fact that Saskatoon always feels like home when I got back there. This last trip was especially nostalgic for some mysterious reason. Also this was the first time we came back to Vancouver and I realized this is not home. I am mystefied as to why this place that I have lived in for 5 years, this city that I love and want to see God's kingdom extended still does not feel like my home. I feel like a tourist. I am still technically on vacation this week, although I have a service to prep for on Sunday. Coming home makes me get back into work mode. Saw Taladegga Nights - the Will Ferrel movie - all the funny parts are in the trailer - 2 stars out of 5.

i am writing this post with thge screen projected onto my parent's living-rom wall. We are about to watch V for Vendetta on the projector, so I thought I would update while waiting for Felicia. Today - went into downtown Regina! It was awesome. I bought a bunch of Rider gear in support of the bad news bears of the CFL - the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Also saw the house I used to live in when I went to Bible College here - it is smack dab in the middle of the 'hood. It still is. This afternoon I went swimming with Adam, Felicia, my sister and her 2 kids. There is this incredible pool close to theisr house. I've never really seen one this nice before. Then had some amazing Indian food cooked by my mom - who is sitting here watching me type all this right now. Also had a discussion about the theology of the cross with my brother-in-law who is quite a bright chap, which explains why he is doing a PHD and I am not. That's it, I am too hot to write anymore. Be kind to each oth...

True story - I was in a restaurant in Saskatoon called the Granary - it is shaped like a grain elevator. I went to the washroom and I heard a guy ask another guy, "So, who's taking care of your cows this weekend?" Only in Saskatchewan. The trip to Regina was uneventful. Nice to see my parents and my sister and her family. My nephew and niece are two bundles of energy. Adam is quite mesmerized by his 6 yr.old cousin Mira - she is so active - I don't think he has ever seen anything like her before.

Nice shirts guys! On Sunday I celebrated my 36th. b-day - 13140 days I have walked this planet. One Step Closer... Finally get to update this thing. My in-laws have dial-up and it moves at a snails pace. This is the first time that I actually felt like staying on in Saskatoon! It felt like home - It is and always will be my home. I have a psychic (mental/spiritual) connection there. It is comfortable. Even after living in Vancouver for 5 years, I still do not have the same connection as I do to the city that I grew up in. Is this true of the rest of you? You cannot shake the connection to the place of your birth or formative years? Had a great time in Saskatoon. Saw a few old friends. We felt like parolees on the loose - squeezing all the movies, meals and starbucks visits we could while having the luxury of free child-care! Saw Devil Wears Prada (I wore my Prada sunglasses) and Miami Vice (I wore my pink t-shirt, white linen jacket with rolled up sleeves and sockless feet). Prada - go...