Got a Napkin?

I've always felt the best sketch pad is a napkin. Finally there is a virtual napkin.

Update:
The cool thing is drawing with others and playing your sketch back from start to finish.

Countdown to Doxology

Houston is just a week away from Doxology. What is Doxology?

Take one artist, one vision, and one story, add a whole lot of conversations, and a diverse group of people, mix them up...and you get Doxology.

Rob Pepper is the artist. His vision is one that continues to look up. And the story, well, it is the greatest ever told.

To pull all of this off is a major undertaking. Help is needed, and that is one thing we Houstonians do best!

Shannon Hopkins has graciously asked the community for a couple of things:

There is a need for housing "some of the creative team." Folks will be coming in from cali, germany and the UK. I don't have any numbers, they are still working it all out.

Also, we need to do what we can to help promote the show.

Finally, they could use some help hanging the show on Wednesday (5th) and Thursday (6th). I don't know a time, but that will be determined and I will pass it along.


So, who is invited? Everybody. Drive in. Fly in. Don't miss it!

This from Shannon,

"And whilst this is a series of drawings of Jesus it is not Christian Art for a Christian worldview, it started w/ Rob going to a place (church) that was the place of the majority of his prejudices and trying to break those down and find out if there was any meaning and truth there. So we are hoping that it will also attract others that are not yet engaged in church as well as those in emerging church situations."

More info to come.

A Message - Video

About a month ago I was talking about Coldplay's song, A Message. I was really taken with the lyrics. I wanted to put together a little video, but I didn't give it the time it deserved. I had planned on using it for a worship gathering but I kept it on the back burner and the clock kept ticking.

For better or worse I threw something together. I wouldn't call it a video. I really wanted to emphasis the words from the point of view that they were written by God to us. I did add a couple of pics, but kept it minimal. (The original concept called for 100 dancing girls, but they are hard to find on short notice.)

Use your own interpretation for the song, but do me a favor, try it once as a love letter from God to you.

Click here to see the video.

From Pearland, With Love

Maybe it was cabin fever or just sick of beanie -weenies, but we decided to head out in search of fast-food. It was dead out there. Just like Christmas, except all the Chinese places were closed.

We turned up 35 and couldn't believe when we saw folks at the Wal-Mart Supercenter gas station. The new Supercenter opened just two days before folks started leaving to escape Rita.

On TV today I kept seeing reports from the few stations that were open, but had lines for miles. This line looked really short, maybe a dozen cars.

We got in line and only waited 15 minutes. Can you imagine? I was excited to only wait 15 minutes to get gas. It was the only time in the last few months I didn't care what it cost.

Which was actually cool. They only had the supreme grade but charged us the same as the lowest grade...$2.65.

They said they thought they would be out within the hour and weren't sure when they would get more.

So we set out to fill 'our' tanks. We drove a bit and saw another line of cars but this wasn't for gas. It was for Sarpino's. They have great pizza and a drive thru which they had open. So we got in that line. It is like Russia. You see a line and you go get in it.

The pizza line took much longer. Oh, but it was worth it. I don't think I would have waited an hour for gas, but for pizza, no problem. I have my priorities.

Lucky?

No, I didn't Photoshop the name on the sign.

Just back from checking on things.

Tim & Amanda - Your house looks great. I assume you have power since everyone else in the hood does.

James & Holly - I tried calling you on your cell, but the circuits were busy. James, remember that tree you were worried about? Some large branches came down. Not on your house, just on your power lines. The line from the house to the pole is still intact, but stretched a bit. The cable line must not of had much give because it snapped. I'm not sure if you will still get power. The power is out in your area. The light at 518 and Mykawa is out. And you know, the Lucky store is just down from you.

David & Amy - House looks good. I don't think you have power. I tried plugging your outside lights into the socket, but nothing. A neighbor came home about that time and couldn't get his automatic garage door to open.

I can't go too far since I'm not sure when gas will return and my truck drinks like a fish.

Weathered It

Just got up. I slept through the night. The power never went off. Everything looks fine around the house.

I'm off to check on my parents and friends homes.

Hits

I keep getting power hits. Lights dim, I hold my breath, DSL gets messed up, lights come back to normal.

Still not much rain. Wind picks up from time to time. Reports that Galveston is losing power. Pasadena is losing power. Could P-land be next?

Confessions of a Former News Idiot

I've gotta come clean. I love watching this stuff on TV. There is something about seeing bad weather. I'm a junkie. I watch and I keep thinking...those news folks, what a bunch of idiots!

It also has been giving me flashbacks.

I think about all of those times, standing out in the elements to feed the TV god.

Once I was in Florida, or Alabama, covering a hurricane. The satellite truck was parked against the hotel to block the wind. We were right on the beach. It was still very windy. But, instead of 110mph it was more like 65-70mph. After a few live shots, we were going to break down and go somewhere else. The only problem is the dish would not come down. The wind was too strong for the motor to bring it down. So the only remedy was to climb up on the truck and 'help' it down. It worked.

At the time it seemed like the thing to do. Now I think, what an idiot.

The funniest part of hurricane coverage is when the reporters start yelling during the live shots. They can't hear because the noise is so loud from the wind. They can't hear themselves but they forget their handy-dandy sound enhancing microphone can.

Oh, yeah. Let me address one thing. Yes, some of them do fake it. Not many. But when it looks like they are being blown about and can barely stand up, sometimes they give it a little more, shall I say, emphasis. Reporters and photographers alike. Not everyone. I never faked it. Well, not that I would admit to.

Sunset

Colors cooling a bit. You can see a couple of rain drops.

Losing Power?

My lights have dimmed a couple of times as the winds have picked up. I may be without power soon.

As I was outside I snapped these...

It Takes a Hurricane

I've been wanting to give you a photo update for a while now but there really isn't anything to see. Still no rain here. It is breezy, but not bad.


A month ago our neighbors had their house wrapped. They got most of it down, but there were hundreds of pieces of toilet paper stuck in the top branches of their tree. I thought that stuff would never come down. Now I think it will never stop. So I guess it is raining...toilet paper.

Good News?

I keep feeling better and better as this thing looks like it will go east of here. I'm not disappointed. It's funny though, I'm not sure if some of the weather guys are getting tired or they are sad it isn't coming full force here. I can hear it in their voices.

View Outside

Pearland at 3:15 PM.

Wind picking up a little more.

I Scream, You Scream...

There isn't much to do now except wait. Waiting gets old so I've been looking for something else to keep me busy. Which is not a good thing.

I've discovered a Blue Bell carton in the fridge that I would hate to go to waste if the power went out. I'm on my third brain freeze in the last couple of minutes.

Noon update

I stepped outside to walk around the house. A light breeze has picked up. Very light, but after not having anything the last few days it feels good. Right now it is actually nice. The calm before the storm, as they say.

I can hear circular saws still buzzing off in the distance.

Hunker Down

Latest track shows Rita coming in a bit more to the east. Good news for us. Bad news for those folks.

I've lost count regarding the number of times I've heard the phrase, hunker-down from the weather guys. But when you are on for hours on end, what else can you say?

Stories

Houstonians blog...at Chronicle's site.

Before & After

This is the "before" picture of our house. Hopefully the "after" will look similar.

I still have a few things to do. I need to fill up the bath tub with water. Not to drink, but in case we need water to flush the toilet or whatever if the water stops.

Here is the view from the back of the house. We have a large field behind us. The tree in the center of the picture is an old soul. It is hard to see in this picture. It has Texas character. It has been my stand-in for many a picture. I hope it makes it. I hope it doesn't move in!




My connection to the outside world.

Got Gas?

I just got home from work. I've been free-lancing at Channel Two this week. I'm done until the storm is over. I've covered more hurricanes than I can remember. Nothing like this, however.

And I've never seen anything like this hit Houston and nothing has even hit Houston. I know so many have been stuck in all the traffic. Fortunately, everywhere I had to go today was smooth sailing.

My folks left Pearland and made it to Cleveland, TX. This trip should only take 1 hour, 12 minutes. They left this morning around 8 or 9 am and made the 63 mile trip in just under 13 hours.

I did a live shot from the George R. Brown convention center. They were loading up folks from Louisiana to send to who knows where?

Also, I have never, ever seen so many gas stations without gas. It is so bizarre.

As Rita comes in (and I still have power) I will post some pictures and updates. Of course, if it keeps moving away from us, there may not be much to show.

Rita

Well, I guess we are in for an interesting weekend. I've talked to a few of ya'll that are packing up and moving out or have already moved out. I hope ya'll have a safe journey. I know you will keep an eye on what is going on from where you will be. We will be staying and I hope to give you some updates on conditions and things.

For those staying, I hope you stay safe as well.

One of the tv stations called me to work this week. I said yes, but Thursday will probably be it for me. I plan on being secured by Friday. In the days before having kids, I lived for this stuff. Isn't that sick? I would chase tornadoes and hurricanes, too. Ah, well. Youth.

I imagine we will lose power here sometime since it goes from time to time during those big summer thunderstorms. But, I will check in here when I can.

If anyone needs anything, don't hesitate to ask.

Doxology

Andrew Jones is coming to Houston, to help with Doxology which appears to be some kind of cool art thingy. Anyone think we should try and hold a cohort meeting to coincide with his trip and/or have a cohort meeting at/after the doxology event?

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised...

But it is on the internet.


George Barna's new book, Revolution, will not be out until late October, but it is already developing a buzz.

Here is a bit from it...

The United States is home to an increasing number of Revolutionaries ...Some of them are aligned with a congregational church, but many of them are not. The key to understanding Revolutionaries is not what church they attend, or even if they attend. Instead, it's their complete dedication to being thoroughly Christian by viewing every moment of life through a spiritual lens and making every decision in light of biblical principles. These are individuals who are determined to glorify God every day through every thought, word, and deed in their lives.

Spoken Word Praise

When you get a chance, check out Spoken Word Praise. Jason Tomlinson is the poet, artist, musician and all around nice guy who praises God in ways we don't hear enough of.

Nearly every week he posts a new poem and sometimes he records them so you can feel it a little more like he does.

Emergent Gathering

Nate wanted to let folks know that he and Josh are going to the Emergent Gathering in Glorieta, NM. It is scheduled for October 10-13.

They are looking for anyone interested in going, carpooling and possibly sharing a room with.

You can email Nate at: n8whnp@gmail.com

More on Miller

Christianity Today has an interview with Donald Miller.

Subservient Chicken

I'm still trying to figure out a spiritual application for this. You must see it.

He can even pat his head and rub his belly!

Update: He does a pretty good 'robot'.

Another Hurricane Video

Because there aren't enough Katrina videos out there I created one to fill the void. I'm kidding, of course.

I really wasn't planning on doing one, but after I started thinking about Green Day's, Wake Me Up When September Ends, I couldn't stop myself. The creative urge took over my body. And when that happens I drop everything. I am a slave to my creative side. When I get the bug, everything else fades away. Which is not always a good thing.

You can see it here. If anyone wants to use it, I can upload a better quality version. It is around 10 or 11 MBs.

Donald Miller in Big D

Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz, is not scheduled to be speaking in Houston anytime soon, but will be making several appearances in Dallas.

Back to the Worms?

When I started writing about Emergent Worship last week, I intended to continue the next day, but Katrina pulled me away from it.

I imagine many of you have spent much of your time thinking about the disaster, watching it on TV or becoming involved in helping out with the relief effort.

During the middle of this I started thinking how strange it would be to consider the differences in modern and postmodern worship or any kind of worship.

I mean, who cares?

Does anyone who lost their homes, their families, whatever, care about how I think worship should be?

"Hey, before you pluck me off this roof surrounded by water, do you use Coldplay in your worship gatherings? I'm not leaving until I know for certain."

No. They had been through a hurricane and needed help.

I caught a lot on TV. Didn't once hear, "Infant or adult baptism? Instruments or a cappella?"

Just, "Help!"

(Yes, you can easily say, "I can point you to were the Bible says this or that regarding baptism or anything else, but would you really do that to someone in need? Would you say to the person on the roof, "You knew you should have evacuated. It was very plain. Sorry, until you admit fault I'm not sticking out my hand to lift you up.")

Like I said, I didn't think much on it. I just wanted to help.

And it is not that we can't talk about those things. It is not that I am no longer interested in the conversation. I am.

I just think, what if that was our conversation? I mean, with the same intensity we are asking, "How can I help?"

I'm not simply talking about this disaster.

Think of all those who have a hurricane running right through the middle of their lives. Think of those who are stuck in the attic with the water rising fast around them. Those who are struggling to keep their marriages together, to keep away from a drink, or a hit, or from hitting. Are we sending in everything we have to rescue them?

Does our worship style still seem significant?

Yes, I'm sure I will continue to talk about worship styles. But hopefully, more of my conversations will include how to get others to shelter.

Before/After Picture

Check out this picture from Mississippi.

Hurricane Video

I've loved hearing stories from friends of how they are helping folks. The news stations have also shown some amazing stuff.

I was down at the Dome Friday and it is really beyond description. Yeah, you can see all of the people on TV, but it feels so different walking among it.

Andrew Jones writes about and links to a video coming out of Ecclesia. (The video is just under 50 MBs.)

Open Your Home

I'm not sure who set this up. I'm not endorsing it but it could be a starting place.

There are folks already offering places to stay.

Just heard..

I just heard on Channel 13 for the call for adult undergarments, wipes, hand soap. Take them to the Fannin entrance of the Dome.

They have volunteer links.

New Orleans from Space

Before and after pictures from space.

More Thoughts...

Andrew Jones has some great ideas on helping out.

Need for Workers

This from Andreia,

Didn't know if you might know someone who could use a job and could do this. Contact info is below.

(From an email she received)

Sagemont Church is putting together a team to go and help in the disaster areas. Martha Sides sent me the following info. If y'all know of anyone who can use some temporary work or even refugees who need work, pass along the info. They are also looking for volunteers I think

New Orleans needs 100 men to inspect damage. 12 hour days and the pay is $32.50 per hour or $2,300.00 per week. Possibly a 4 week job! You need to have a little knowledge of construction.

Please email your resume to sray@upml.net They have the contract to line up these people up and hire them.