amusing

unfortunate

ARGH!

I just got an e-mail from the dude leading worship this sunday...and he's changed things. I now have 2 different songs to learn. And the 1 song I was having a little trouble with, we're not even doing any more! AHHHHHH!!! I have 2 days!

post-interview jitters

I went for an interview today with this mechanical company here in town. They do work on conveyor belt systems, and forklifts, and other forms of material handling equipment. The interview went really well. I think I quite impressed the guy. The job involves a little of both worlds for me. I'd be doing a lot of electronics, and PLC (programmable logic controller) programming, which my computer program prepared me for, and pulling wrenches and fixing things, which my millwright schooling and experience gave me. The pay is awesome, with lots of room for growth, and he's even willing to send me to night school in the fall to take courses on PLC programming. I'm pretty sure as long as the last 2 people he interviews aren't better suited than I, I'll get the job. That would be really awesome.

And when I was in the shower tonight, I was thinking...the thought of taking this job really scares me. Things would be expected of me, I'd have to know things. This notion makes my stomach jitter. My mouth is really good at getting me into things, and I'm not always sure that my actions can get me out of them. He wants me to be a fast learner, pick up concepts quickly, for example, watch the sub-contractor that comes in, and learn what he is doing so we don't have to bring him back and I can just do it.

I think it comes down to me being scared of owning my decision. Of taking hold of that which is offered to me, and that which is asked of me, and going with it. No more taking menial jobs, like this one, where they don't really expect much of me, where I can lose myself in the group, though I kind of stick out b/c I know what I'm doing. I'm just scared. I know what I want, it's just the steps needed to get there that I have trouble with.

Musical Debut

So this Saturday I will be making my big debut on the music scene in Calgary in front of 1500 people. Granted it's only at my church, and only with the worship band, and only really 500 at a time, but still.
This will be my first time ever playing with someone else, up until know it's just been playing along with CD's. My first time playing in front of people, with any musical instrument. And I'm scared shitless. Well not so much scared, as nervous that I'm going to fuck up. That's a lot of people to mess up in front, and granted the guys on the sound board can just turn me down so that no one hears me if I screw up too much, I don't think that'll happen. I've played these 4 songs enough, and I have been practicing a lot lately.
But, If you are in town this weekend, I'll be playing Sat night, and 2 services Sunday morning. Oh, and I play again in 2 weeks. So then too. :)
I'm on my way to becoming a rockstar! The bass player that has no...errr...little rhythm. (i'm learning)

The Jesus Creed

The Jesus Creed
This creed was originally shared at the Emergent Convention, Nashville, May 2004.

By Brian McLaren

We have confidence in Jesus
Who healed the sick, the blind, and the paralyzed.
And even raised the dead.

He cast out evil powers and
Confronted corrupt leaders.
He cleansed the temple.
He favored the poor.
He turned water into wine,
Walked on water, calmed storms.

He died for the sins of the world,
Rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father,
Sent the Holy Spirit.

We have confidence in Jesus
Who taught in word and example,
Sign and wonder.
He preached parables of the kingdom of God
On hillsides, from boats, in the temple, in homes,
At banquets and parties, along the road, on beaches, in towns,
By day and by night.

He taught the way of love for God and neighbor,
For stranger and enemy, for outcast and alien.

We have confidence in Jesus,
Who called disciples, led them,
Gave them new names and new purpose
And sent them out to preach good news.
He washed their feet as a servant.
He walked with them, ate with them,
Called them friends,
Rebuked them, encouraged them,
Promised to leave and then return,
And promised to be with them always.

He taught them to pray.
He rose early to pray, stole away to desolate places,
Fasted and faced agonizing temptations,
Wept in a garden,
And prayed, “Not my will but your will be done.”
He rejoiced, he sang, he feasted, he wept.

We have confidence in Jesus,
So we follow him, learn his ways,
Seek to obey his teaching and live by his example.
We walk with him, walk in him, abide in him,
As a branch in a vine.

We have not seen him, but we love him.
His words are to us words of life eternal,
And to know him is to know the true and living God.
We do not see him now, but we have confidence in Jesus.

Amen.

Wake-up Call

This morning I received a bit of a wake-up call as to why I have not been receiving any callbacks from all these job applications, at least for Millwright jobs. My resume is too intelligent. Do not use words like proficient, or academic achievement. Oh, and DEFINITELY do not have a manager of a hair salon as one of your references.
My dad took my resume into work with him, as they are hiring right now, and had the head of the maintenance department, so is doing the hiring take a look the my resume for me. He had lots of people far more qualified than I applying, so there was no way I'd get the job, but he looked over my resume, and was very critical, and pointed out everything I should change. As a result my cover letter is half the length it was before, and my resume about the same. We'll see if this works for me.

Why don't people understand this?

"We distort the gospel when we focus on the long-term effects of sin at the expense of forgiveness."
- 3 Fibs and a Truth About Sex
Help for married pastors when talking to single adults.
by Lauren Winner

An excellent article by the way.