Pot Calling Kettle

Change o' venues

2010-12-28T19:56:00.001-07:00

This week The Town Church will be meeting at the Black Home. Starting on January 9th we will be back at Peak Community Church at 500 Mathews Street in Fort Collins. Join us, eh?

Facebook page for The Town Church

2010-10-03T09:33:00.000-06:00

If you are interested in "liking" things then The Town Church would like your "liking." Click the image below to start "liking" us.

MISSION

2010-09-02T14:50:00.000-06:00

Last week we finished a series on Jesus words to his followers in the mountains. This Sunday (September 5th) we will begin a series on the mission of The Town Church. As a church our mission is to worship God in community - loving others, engaging the culture and seeking to transform lives with the gospel of Jesus. Each Sunday we will discuss a different aspect of the mission.

September 5 - We Worship God in Community

September 12 - We Love Others

September 19 - We Engage Culture

September 26 - We Seek to Transform Lives with the Gospel of Jesus

If you are interested in hearing more about and being a part of our mission in Old Town, Fort Collins and beyond - join us at 4 PM each Sunday in September. Looking forward to being with you!

We meet at Peak Community Church (500 Mathews Street) in Old Town, Fort Collins.

www.thetownftc.org

970.237.2427

Psalm 119 - pt. 9

2010-07-18T09:30:00.000-06:00

Are you looking to connect to a community? Join us this evening at 4 PM. We meet at Peak Community Church (500 Matthews Street / Fort Collins) - just two blocks from the CSU campus.

As a church we've been reading through Psalm 119 together. We read a section every Sunday evening and I've been encouraging everyone to be reading and meditating on the next section of the Psalm throughout the following week. Today we are reading Psalm 119:65-72.

If you are unable to gather with us this evening, join us in reading this passage where ever you may be.

Psalm 119:65-72

TETH

You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

119 - pt. 8

2010-07-11T07:33:00.000-06:00

Over the last several weeks we've been reading portions of Psalm 119 together as a church. Here is the passage for Sunday, July 11th.

Psalm 119:57-64
HETH
The LORD is my portion;

I promise to keep your words.

I entreat your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

When I think on my ways,

I turn my feet to your testimonies;

I hasten and do not delay

to keep your commandments.

Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget your law.

At midnight I rise to praise you,

because of your righteous rules.

I am a companion of all who fear you,

of those who keep your precepts.

The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;

teach me your statutes!

Family Worship

2010-07-08T10:20:00.000-06:00

The Resurgence posted an article by Tim Smith (Worship Pastor at Mars Hill) about family worship. In this article he suggests 7 practical tips on how to lead your family in worship.

I would fully recommend everything he says in this article - whether you have children or not. Set aside time every day to worship with your spouse and anyone else who may be in your house.

In this article he mentions The Jesus Story Book Bible. I would also highly recommend owning this book. If you don't have it and you want it for FREE - join us on a Sunday and I will give it to you.

Below is the article in full. Be sure to check theresurgence.com often for articles like these.

1. Keep it short

I would recommend 15-30 minutes, as a general rule. If things are going well, you can always keep the conversation going, but the goal should be brevity. If you make a discussion too long, it will become tedious and can actually turn your kids away from God. This time should be an overflow of all the Scripture, prayer, and discussion going on in the rest of your lives—not the only place where it happens.

2. Read

Most importantly, family worship is a time for Scripture. Make sure to read small chunks, maybe only a verse or two, at a time and then unpack it together. You can go through a book of the Bible, pick a verse that applies to the day’s events, or choose something topical. The important thing here is connecting Scripture to life in a way that your kids can understand. For younger kids, the The Jesus Storybook Bible is pretty hard to beat.

3. Pray

Everyone should pray together. Thank God for what he has done and how he has provided. Take requests. Pray for each other. Pray for your city and specific lost people in your lives. Remember that you are building a rhythm, which is just as important as any specific prayer.

4. Sing

It doesn’t matter if you can play an instrument or your voice curdles milk—we should all sing songs to God. Scripture is full of song, and our families should be as well. Truth be told, you are probably more of the problem with this than your kids. Young kids naturally sing all the time without any self-consciousness. Get over your hang-ups and desire for perfection and just sing together. My girls and I are making family songbooks as a creative project, and they’re stoked.

5. Keep it regular

The sum is greater than the parts. You will have off days. You will miss days. You may even question your call to ministry. Whatever happens, just keep at it and God will make you equal to the task.

6. Older kids set the example

If your oldest kid is not engaged, your younger ones will follow. Challenge your oldest children to set the example for their siblings. Give them a bit of ownership and a role in how you structure these times, and it will be a huge help.

7. Limit TV

I’m not saying kill your television completely, but there is no doubt in my mind that excessive TV rots the attention span. If your kids, or you for that matter, can’t pay attention to anything for more than two minutes, then think about what other entertainment might be captivating your senses.

119 - pt. 6

2010-06-27T08:31:00.000-06:00

Today is part 6 of our reading through Psalm 119. Read this portion of text and join us in praising our God for His Word!

Psalm 119:41-48

WAW

Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,

your salvation according to your promise;

then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your rules.

I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever,

and I shall walk in a wide place,

for I have sought your precepts.

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings

and shall not be put to shame,

for I find my delight in your commandments,

which I love.

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments,

which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes.

119 - pt. 4

2010-06-13T06:39:00.002-06:00

For the past three weeks we have been reading a portion of Psalm 119 together as a church. This evening we will be reading verses 25-32 together. I've encouraged our people to be reading and meditating on the section of the Psalm for the week during the week. Care to join us prize the Word of God together?

Psalm 119:25-32

DALETH

My soul clings to the dust;

give me life according to your word!
When I told of my ways, you answered me;

teach me your statutes!

Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word!

Put false ways far from me

and graciously teach me your law!

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I set your rules before me.

I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;

let me not be put to shame!

I will run in the way of your commandments

when you enlarge my heart!

119 - pt. 2

2010-05-30T09:41:00.000-06:00

This evening we will be discussing honesty (or truth-telling) from Matthew 5:33-37. If you are a follower and learner of Christ then you must be marked by honesty. You must be one who resists lying to others. Your desire must be to tell the truth in all things. We could all work on this area, eh?

God's Word, on the other hand is always true. Unlike His followers, every time He says "yes," He means yes. Every time He says "no," He means no. This evening we will continue our reading of the sections of Psalm 119. Read this section and you will see that God's Word is trustworthy - even when we are not.

Psalm 119:9-16

BETH

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you;

let me not wander from your commandments!

I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

Blessed are you, O LORD;

teach me your statutes!

With my lips I declare

all the rules of your mouth.

In the way of your testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches.

I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways.

I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

119

2010-05-25T08:43:00.002-06:00

Last night at our weekly gathering we discussed Matthew 5:27-32. It's a passage that deals with adultery, lust and divorce. I know what you are thinking - "that's a great way to grow a new church!" I understand that discussing sticky issues is not the most appealing thing for visitors to a church - especially a new, small church. As much as I understand that, my conscience and my calling will not allow me to skip difficult passages.

Over the last five weeks we have been looking at Matthew 5-7 - commonly called "The Sermon on the Mount." The more we look at Jesus' words to his disciples on this mountain, the more I realize that Scripture is quite counter-cultural. If you are a follower of Jesus, though, you are called to be a student of this counter-cultural book.

Last evening I encouraged people of The Town to begin reading Psalm 119. We read the first section (ALEPH) of Psalm 119 as we began our service last night. We plan to read one section every week so that we can join the psalmist in a deep love of the Word - God's Word to us. Wanna join us?

PSALM 119:1-8

ALEPH

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD!

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart,

who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways!

You have commanded your precepts

to be kept diligently.

Oh that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes!

Then I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart,

when I learn your righteous rules.

I will keep your statutes;

do not utterly forsake me!

I heart Kirsten

2010-02-14T15:05:00.002-07:00

Long time no post...

2010-02-03T14:59:00.001-07:00

I know I haven't been posting anything here but I have at the blog for The Town Church. Come on over and join the conversation!

All I want for Christmas

2009-12-05T16:14:00.003-07:00

Our second son Asher has always been able to stop his falls with his front teeth. He's chipped them, loosened them and knocked them up into his gums. The dentist finally said it was time for them to go. A little goofy gas and some good dentistry...and they are gone. He's only 3 so it may be 3-4 years before he gets more teeth. We still love him.

Bookshelves

2009-11-23T21:36:00.004-07:00

I finished constructing the bookshelves for my office this morning. They are floor to ceiling shelves. I loaded them this evening.
Now...if I only knew how to read.

I'm in love...

2009-11-23T12:44:00.003-07:00

...with this woman. We celebrate 10 years of wedded bliss in January. I can honestly say that I love her so much more now than I did 10 years ago. She's a fabulous woman, wife, friend and mother. God has been good to me.

Tribute on 11.22.09

2009-11-22T16:02:00.002-07:00

I'm 22 days into a 120 day beard event called Whiskerino. The participants are not to shave for 120 days and post a picture every day. Today I posted a tribute picture of two very important men who died on this day in 1963.

Garden "Harvest"

2009-09-05T16:55:00.000-06:00

Ezra's 1st Soccer Game

2009-08-29T16:00:00.001-06:00

Solomon Hosea Black

2009-08-16T18:41:00.004-06:00

Solomon Hosea Black was born at 4:39 AM on Saturday morning. Mom and baby are doing well and the big brothers are excited for the boy to come home...unless he cries a lot.

Lesson Learned

2009-07-31T10:15:00.003-06:00

Name recommendations?

2009-07-27T09:41:00.002-06:00

Greetings Kids! Many of you know that we have a baby coming any time in the next month. We know that the baby will be a boy. We are looking to you all for name recommendations. We don't know what to name this child...so please help us!

Submit your name recommendation to us in the comments section.

*We have a name picked out. Your recommendation is for your own satisfaction. Thanks for playing.

Young@Heart

2009-07-17T08:40:00.005-06:00

Last night we watched the documentary Young @ Heart. I'd recommend it. Coldplay, the Clash and Jimi Hendrix will never sound the same once you've heard the Young@Heart chorus, a group of Massachusetts senior citizens who thrill audiences worldwide with their unusual -- and unusually poignant -- covers of rock songs. Stephen Walker's humane and heartwarming documentary follows the elderly ensemble as they prepare their new show.

Check out THIS VIDEO from one of the performances. Fred Knittle, the man who sings the song in this video, died in January of this year.

Trip to FTC...good.

2009-06-17T18:57:00.003-06:00

Kirsten has been keeping up with pictures on her blog. Check out pictures there...if you are interested.

This is what student loans are all about...

2009-05-27T09:05:00.000-06:00

Riding a bike with St. John

2009-05-23T17:08:00.003-06:00

Riding a bike with St. John from Family of Blacks on Vimeo.

Yes, that's snot.

2009-05-19T11:42:00.004-06:00

That is snot and dirt. You can read why this mixture has occurred HERE.

Birthday Bowling

2009-05-13T08:15:00.003-06:00

We went bowling on Ezra's birthday. The shoes were sweet and so far none of us have any foot fungus.

Ezra Jude - 5 years young!

2009-05-11T10:50:00.005-06:00

Five years ago our first son came into this world. I cannot believe it has been 5 years. He is by far our favorite oldest son!

May 11, 2004

May 11, 2009

NEW at The Town

2009-04-28T18:51:00.003-06:00

There are a few new things on The Town blog.

1. We will be posting our prayer updates (Tuesday for The Town) every Tuesday.

2. I have started a new series called "A Walking Tour of Old Town." I will post information about the businesses on College Ave. to help us understand our future home and mission field.

Things I never expected to say...

2009-04-24T11:42:00.005-06:00

Context: Asher is sitting at the table eating a peanut butter and jelly samich. He drops peanut butter on his sock. I look over and see him doing something and I say:

"Asher, please don't lick peanut butter off of your sock."

Another one

2009-04-15T13:26:00.004-06:00

We found out on Monday that our newest child will most likely be a boy. We also found out that he has a face and a foot. We have pictures below to prove it. My wife is a good woman. She has to put up lots o' Black boys (me and the dog included).

Great Gadgets!

2009-04-10T15:46:00.005-06:00

I recently found a neat little gadget that makes days like today great! It is a one cup coffee masterpiece.

Step 1. Grind enough coffee for one cup and place it in the filter.
Step 2. Grind more coffee and place it in the filter.

Step 3. Place gadget on top of a mug.

Step 4. Pour hot water over the mound of ground coffee.

Step 5. Remove gadget and prepare yourself for yummy goodness.

Step 6. Stare lovingly at the product of the gadget - the yummy goodness that is coffee.

This just in...

2009-04-08T20:07:00.000-06:00

We received word that The Town was added to the Acts 29 site this week. Click here to see its listing as well as the other future church plants.

A good friend!

2009-04-08T10:30:00.003-06:00

I've been hinting for a while that someone should buy a new album for me. Stephen proved to be a good friend and picked up on my not-so-subtle hint. He "gifted" the album to me on i-Tunes. The Decemberists are an interesting band out of Portland. Their new album is a concept album. The music does not stop. Each song leads into the next song. The entire album is a story told through 17 tracks. It is different and I am learning to appreciate the story. Thanks Stephen.

It's here...

2009-03-28T16:43:00.004-06:00

The blog is ready and the web site is under construction!

It's coming...

2009-03-23T20:35:00.003-06:00

Ouch.

2009-03-23T09:50:00.000-06:00

Here's to Saint Patty

2009-03-17T13:05:00.003-06:00

Do you know anything about Patrick? Yeah, me neither. Read a brief history of the man HERE!

“I am a servant of Christ to a foreign nation for the unspeakable glory of life everlasting which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Patrick

Philosophical Phootball

2009-03-16T14:39:00.001-06:00

Garbage Days (Kirsten's blog)

2009-03-13T08:10:00.002-06:00

My smokin' hot wife has a blog. She does a fantastic job of documenting the goings-on of the Family of Blacks. Check it out HERE! Below is one of her recent posts.

Tuesday and Friday mornings are exceptionally happy times in the Black house. Why, you might ask? Well, those are the mornings the garbage truck passes our house, not once, but twice! Usually, shortly after breakfast, we hear the low rumble of the engine of the garbage truck. All three boys race to the back window, climb up onto the bench, and wait in eager anticipation for the garbage truck to pass down the alley. Then, the second the truck is out of sight, they race to the front window, going through the same process to watch as the garbage truck passes by the front of the house. Now, I'm not absolutely certain that Obed actually understands what all the excitement is about... but he does get excessively excited - mostly spurred on by the excitement of the brothers. The greatest joy comes when the garbage men riding on the back wave back. It doesn't happen every day... but when it does, much celebrating occurs!

Mary Poppins Trailer

2009-03-12T10:13:00.003-06:00

HT: Burly

2 things I don't understand

2009-03-11T18:25:00.002-06:00

1. Why the radio chooses to play the worst song from an album of otherwise good songs.

2. Why movie previews show the best clips from an otherwise bad movie.

Bedhead submissions

2009-03-06T12:48:00.006-07:00

As many of you know we have a page on our family web site that is devoted to the great styles of bedhead. We have always been open to submissions from others who believe they have great bedhead. There are two rules to keep in mind when submitting something to the gallery of bedhead. 1.) You must be willing to have your image posted to our site. 2.) Your image must be of you or of someone who has given you permission to submit their photo.

Last week we received three submissions for the bedhead page of our site. Only one of the images has been accepted by our qualified team of bedhead specialists.

The Henry

The two images above were not accepted because we did not receive permission from Nick Nolte or Michael Jackson.

Please keep in mind that we are always accepting submissions for the Bedhead Hall of Fame - if you think you have what it takes.

Happy 77th Birthday to John R. Cash

2009-02-26T09:18:00.001-07:00

# 4

2009-02-24T12:47:00.004-07:00

Projected due date: August 27th
Projected gender: girl or boy

Projected name: __________?

24 Things that are about to disappear

2009-02-13T07:52:00.002-07:00

I read an interesting list a few days ago about 24 things that may disappear from American culture. You can read the detailed list HERE. Below I have simply mentioned the 24 items. Read the rationale at the original site. It's quite fascinating.

24. Yellow Pages
23. Classified Ads
22. Movie Rental Stores
21. Dial-up Internet Access
20. Phone Landlines
19. Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs
18. VCRs
17. Ash Trees
16. Ham Radio
15. The Swimming Hole
14. Answering Machines
13. Cameras That Use Film
12. Incandescent Bulbs
11. Stand-Alone Bowling Alleys
10. The Milkman
9. Hand-Written Letters
8. Wild Horses
7. Personal Checks
6. Drive-in Theaters
5. Mumps & Measles
4. Honey Bees
3. News Magazines and TV News
2. Analog TV
1. The Family Farm

Recent Conversation #2

2009-02-10T19:53:00.004-07:00

*Context is helpful for this conversation. Last week the Black house was in the midst of stomach funk hell. We all had the stomach flu and were releasing data from portals 1 and 2. One morning we were sitting at the table for breakfast talking about how terrible it was that we were all sick.*

Ezra: Daddy, do you think Warnie will get sick next?

Daddy: I don't think dogs can get sick from humans.

Asher: (with confidence) Ezra, Warnie won't get sick. He doesn't have a bottom. Just a pee-pee.

Recent Conversation #1

2009-02-07T17:42:00.008-07:00

Asher: What's that daddy?
Me: That's a new restaurant that just opened.
Ezra: What's it called?
Me: Ruby Tuesday.
Ezra: Are they only open on Tuesday?
Me: No, but that's a really good question.

The Worth of Pollock

2009-01-28T16:48:00.007-07:00

Today is the birthday of Paul Jackson Pollock.

Interestingly enough I just watched a documentary on Monday called - Who the #$&% Is Jackson Pollock? It is about a tough-talking truck driving woman who bought a painting at a flea market for $5. She bought it as a joke for her friend. It wouldn't fit in the double-wide trailer door so she decided to sell it at a yard sale. Someone approached her at the sale and said "I think that's a Pollock." The owner didn't know anything about Pollock (hence the title), but she thought she could get rich on the painting. The documentary follows the next ten years of research from forensic scientists and art historians. It was never decided if it was truly a Pollock or not but the woman was offered $25 million for the painting. She is holding out for more money.

I began to wonder if there was anything in my life that I held on to like this painting. What is of worth to me? Who decides the value of such things? Did Pollock believe his "art" was of any value? Would he be shocked that his "mess" would be worth $25 million? Today he would have been 97 years old and as one great mind says, "he knows better now."

When I am in my painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It is only after a sort of 'get acquainted' period that I see what I have been about. I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well. - Jackson Pollock

Books

2009-01-26T13:17:00.003-07:00

At one time I had a blog called Partially Read Books. The intent of the blog was to write brief reviews of books I had been reading and to hold me accountable to actually finishing books I had started reading. It didn't work so I deleted the blog. Below is a list of popular books I have read (actually cover to cover) over the last few months. I won't write about any of the books but if you have questions about any of them please ask in the comments. I may answer. I will tell you this - all of the books below are books I would recommend - some more than others.

Still snowing...

2009-01-13T10:40:00.003-07:00

This picture was taken on January 3rd. The chainlink fence is three feet tall.

This picture was taken today (1.13.09). The chainlink fence is under the snow and still three feet tall.

New bedhead

2009-01-12T15:48:00.005-07:00

January 11, 2009 was a good day in the Black house for bedhead. Click HERE to see all of the entries. Send us a picture if you think you have what it takes to enter the bedhead hall of fame. There is one new entry of an "unknown" entry. See if you know who it is.

Anniversary - 1.8.2009

2009-01-08T06:43:00.006-07:00

It has been the best 9 years of my life.
It has been the best 108 months of my life.
It has been the best 469 weeks of my life.

It has been the best 3289 days of my life.
It has been the best 78,936 hours of my life.

It has been the best 4,736,160 minutes of my life.

It has been the best 284,169,600 seconds of my life.

I love my wife. She is a gift from God.

On our way to a record

2009-01-03T11:23:00.004-07:00

The chain link fence in our back yard is three feet high. We now have 30 inches of snow on the ground and we are well on our way to an all-time winter record. Do you want to come visit?

From Us to You - BONUS TRACK

2009-01-02T21:26:00.002-07:00

I hope you enjoy the bonus track. I know many of you have downloaded the entire Christmas album and we are glad we could help make your holidays so much more enjoyable.

Please enjoy the BONUS TRACK.

From Us to You - Song #12

2008-12-24T19:39:00.004-07:00

It is Christmas Eve and this is the final song to finish out The Best of the Black Christmas. We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Song #12 - We Wish You a Merry Christmas

From Us to You - Song #11

2008-12-23T20:54:00.004-07:00

We really love you all and want to give you the very best. We held nothing back for this song and truly hope that you savor every note.

**Please make sure you have your crystal insured before playing this song. We will not be held responsible.

Song #11 - A Chipmunk Christmas

Family of Blacks Christmas Film - 2008

2008-12-22T19:37:00.006-07:00

Instead of Christmas cards we send out a video. It is our ongoing attempt to be green and cheap. If you are seeing this video for the first time it probably means that you weren't on our email list. That was our ongoing attempt to save time. Enjoy.

From Us to You - Song #10

2008-12-22T19:26:00.002-07:00

Ring 'em if you got 'em.

Song #10 - Jingle Bells

From Us to You - Song #9

2008-12-21T17:24:00.002-07:00

Even though the snow here is too powdery to pack into a snowman you may have the right kind of snow for such a personified winter creature. If so, be warned. The thing may come to life.

Song #9 - Frosty the Snowman

From Us to You - Song #8

2008-12-20T09:41:00.003-07:00

Sorry for the delay. We were piled under snow again yesterday and I was unable to get to my computer (maybe). I hope this has not caused any trauma for our fans. Because of the delay we will release one bonus track on the final day.

I thought this song was appropriate due to the silence of songs yesterday.

Song #8 - Silent Night

From Us to You - Song # 7

2008-12-18T08:50:00.004-07:00

This song goes out to our good friends - The Carrolls.

Song #7 - Carol of the Bells

More than we expected...

2008-12-17T13:05:00.005-07:00

The popularity of our Christmas album has been much greater than we ever expected. Who would have ever expected that we would have received such publicity. This will certainly help the sales of our album (and future albums).

From Us to You - Song #6

2008-12-17T09:48:00.006-07:00

Ring-a-ling, hear us sing
Soon it will be Christmas time
And you will have to pay for these downloads.

Song #6 - Silver Bells

From Us to You - Song #5

2008-12-16T08:28:00.001-07:00

Simply Classic!

Song #5 - Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer

From Us to You - Song # 4

2008-12-15T09:28:00.002-07:00

As the weather forecast indicates, the next several days will not go above zero. The likelihood of a White Christmas is nearly 100%. The free download of the day is quite appropriate.

Song #4 - White Christmas

From Us to You - Song #3

2008-12-14T07:24:00.005-07:00

The entire realm of Nearly, Canada is under a Blizzard Warning and we have been advised not to travel. As law-abiding citizens, the leaders of our church decided to postpone church until next Sunday at the same time. Never fear though because the free download today includes the very best of CyberHymnal. So, whether you are stuck at home or on your way to church count yourself blessed to be able to sing along with the churchiest of songs.

Song #3 - Angels We Have Heard on High

From Us to You - Song #2

2008-12-13T09:29:00.002-07:00

We are preparing for a blizzard here in Nearly Canada and it seemed only appropriate to give you the gift of this song today. Please pass on the joy to your friends and family.

Song #2 - Let it Snow

Lookin' for good music...?

2008-12-12T19:07:00.005-07:00

My friend Bryan just posted some information about a new album he was enjoying. If you are anything like Bryan or me for that matter, you are often looking for new music for your listening enjoyment. Kirsten and I feel your pain and would like to assist you this Christmas season. We recorded a Christmas album and we would like to give you an early gift. Over the next several days we will be releasing one FREE download each day. Please feel free to download each song and share them with your friends and family. Be sure to snag your copy every day because on December 26th these songs will be going to ITunes for $.99. Enjoy!

Free Download #1 - Feliz Navidad

Parents - please talk to your kids!

2008-12-10T14:28:00.001-07:00

Ezra Picasso

2008-12-02T11:30:00.002-07:00

Ezra is starting to put together faces and bodies when he draws. This is a picture that he drew of me. You will notice that it is in fact me because of the dark hair and beard (the black circle around the mouth is the beard). He is also beginning to perfect the artist signature. I'm not sure why he chooses to spell his name "EZrA." I think that is his signature signature so that you know it's a genuine EZrA masterpiece.

I'm thankful for...

2008-11-27T09:31:00.001-07:00

...my family.

Warnie

2008-11-26T08:45:00.003-07:00

Last Monday we had to put Clive to sleep. He was a good dog. Yesterday we got a new dog. He is a German Shorthaired Pointer. We got him from a GSP rescue in Montana. He is a fantastic dog. His name is Warnie. We named him after the brother of C.S. Lewis (Clive). His name was Warren but he went by Warnie.

Mailbox

2008-11-22T09:55:00.003-07:00

Black Gold

2008-11-18T12:01:00.006-07:00

I received my Starbucks Gold Card in the mail today. I was excited...why? I'm not sure. The Gold Card gives me

10% off of every purchase
A complimentary birthday beverage
Exclusive offers and discounts
Free Wi-Fi access for 2 hours each day
Access to a members-only web site

I don't go to Starbucks often enough to make up the $25 annual fee for the Gold Card...BUT...I received one year free because I have the Starbucks Visa card that gives me back 1% in Starbucks cash. I only drink black coffee from Starbucks. When I spend $1.61 on coffee I get a return of $.016. After I purchase 100 cups of coffee I will have enough on my Visa to pay for one cup of coffee. Now that I have the Gold Card I get 10% off of every transaction - which makes my total for a cup of coffee about $1.45. My dilemma is this - now that I get 10% off of every transaction with my Gold Card I actually get less money back on my Visa. What will I do??!! These are the struggles I face.

Do you have what it takes?

2008-11-14T05:20:00.003-07:00

Kirsten and Ezra have similar hair texture. This causes them to be bedhead rivals. Do you have what it takes to compete? Submit your picture and we will upload it to the hall of fame.

Spork

2008-11-13T18:22:00.002-07:00

Snow Shovel

2008-11-09T14:45:00.002-07:00

The 1object posts are back...and better! Please feel free to discuss. This object is sometimes referred to as a snow scoop as well as shovel.

Maybe this will help you decide...

2008-10-31T13:35:00.003-06:00

...and happy halloween (or harvest day for some).

Practice NOW!

2008-10-14T13:59:00.002-06:00

If you would like to begin practicing on your gourd click here. You are able to carve out images to get a preview of what your cadaver may look like when the autopsy is completed. This is fun for the whole family!

Jump!

2008-09-29T20:33:00.004-06:00

As Kirsten has already noted on her blog - the season has already changed to fall here and we had a good time in the front yard this evening. I was pretty impressed with Ezra's jump into the pile of leaves.

Asher didn't seem to get the concept of jumping into the leaves. Instead he just ran through the leaves. Although, as I think back about it - I am glad he didn't jump. He would have probably knocked out more teeth.

Asher eat your dinner!

2008-09-17T19:07:00.002-06:00

There are new pictures of our boys on September pages of our Family of Blacks web site.

Rake

2008-09-17T08:41:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Obed

2008-09-11T07:57:00.004-06:00

It's hard to believe that Obed was born one year ago today. Happy Birthday Obed Elijah.

I love my wife for...

2008-09-03T14:12:00.000-06:00

...this.

Leather Fanny-pack

2008-08-30T09:02:00.000-06:00

I'm back alive...

2008-08-24T20:10:00.012-06:00

Yes Mom, I am back and I am safe. Bryan and I were in the back-country of Glacier National Park for 4 days. After our first day of hiking we were resting at the head of Red Eagle Lake when a small grizzly bear walked out on a sandbar. The bear then entertained us with 45 minutes of swimming in the lake and playing with a stick.
After we were certain that the bear was gone we went out to the sandbar to check out the tracks.

Our second day was a long day (nearly 11 miles and climbing over a pass). Our last opportunity for water was the runoff from a glacier (Sorry Mr. Gore).

This is the final push to the top of Triple Divide Pass. The mountain off to the right is the central watershed of the continent.

The difficult climb was worth the view - both sides of the pass were spectacular. (Bryan is the mountain-sized guy on the right.

The next day was certainly restful as we had no option but to sit in our tent for 9 hours and wait out the pouring rain. After the clouds broke we tried to dry out our belongings.

The next day was even worse so we decided to cut our itinerary short and hike out of the back-country. We met a ranger on the way out and she advised us to head out quickly as a storm producing strong winds, low temperatures and snow was on its way. We made our way to a gravel road and...don't read this part Mom...and stuck out our thumbs for two rides - one from two Native Americans and one from an Irish guy and his girlfriend. They were nice people to get us back to our car at Two Medicine Lake - about 30 miles away from the trail. It was a memorable trip and probably the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. God's creation screams of His majesty!

Here's the church, here's the steeple...

2008-08-12T14:38:00.001-06:00

I recently read that the reason church attendance is declining in some churches is because those who attend on a regular basis are not inviting their friends, neighbors and family members.

What do you think? If we are not inviting people to church - who is? Who or what are we relying on to bring people through the doors of our church?

Fingernail Clippers

2008-08-11T09:18:00.000-06:00

Clamp

2008-08-07T12:25:00.003-06:00

Cotter Pin

2008-08-06T09:44:00.002-06:00

Nature-Deficit Disorder

2008-08-05T07:44:00.006-06:00

In less than two weeks I will be heading off into the great outdoors of Glacier National Park for a time of retreat. I enjoy backpacking, hiking and anything else that has to do with mountains. I have jokingly said that my responsibility as a father is to teach my boys what to like at an early age. Out of responsibility I am trying to teach them how to enjoy backpacking, hiking and anything that has to do with mountains. They will come around eventually.

All joking aside - I do believe it is my responsibility as a father to train our boys to enjoy God's good creation. This happens best in the context of being out in God's good creation. I don't want our boys to grow up with the understanding that all good and fun things happen inside with electricity.

Albert Mohler recently wrote on this topic. He says

The troubling development is that many children never play outside. They prefer to play computer games, surf the Internet, or update their Facebook pages. Their parents are increasingly afraid to let them play outside, scared by the constant barrage of news stories about crimes against children. These children and teenagers are accustomed to air conditioning, sophisticated entertainments, and lack of physical activity. They are aliens in the outside world...

...God reveals His glory in creation. How can we read the Psalms with insight if we never look and see that the heavens really are telling the glory of God? Something precious is lost when children -- or adults -- are alienated from the created world. This choice for alienation is a choice to cut ourselves off from what God has given us to enjoy and to appreciate.

Here's some good news. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to provide your children with experiences in nature and outdoor play. Just open the door and point them into the back yard or take them to a local park. Take a walk in the woods or go fishing in the lake. Go where the light does not obscure and see the wonder of the night sky.

Who knows? Your children just might forget to look for the nearest electrical outlet.

So here is my challenge. Go outside. Stay outside. Enjoy, or learn to enjoy being outside and worship God for His unique work of creation!

Are you a member?

2008-08-04T19:33:00.002-06:00

Several months ago my friend and I started a series about the importance of church membership. The blog series was about as consistent as the attendance of many church-goers and like many church-goers it stopped showing up altogether.

Church membership is an important part of the local church. If you consider yourself a regular attender of a local church and still have yet to become a member - it's time. I have yet to hear a good reason for NOT becoming a member of a church.

Up until now there weren't many resources on church membership. I recently finished reading Thabiti Anyabwile's book - "What is a Healthy Church Member?" I plan to give this book to everyone who becomes a member at our church. It is a simple encouragement and challenge to church members about how to be a healthy support to your church. As a member, do you want to serve your church and the leaders in your church? Read this book. It is a short book with ten short chapters. Buy the book. Read the book. Give the book to someone who should be a member and encourage them toward this commitment for the glory of God.

New Church Blog

2008-08-04T19:27:00.006-06:00

Our church has started a new blog. It is a means of communication for our congregation - but it is also open to everyone else. I am learning that not many people in our church know about the blogosphere and so many of the comments have come from outside of our church. Please feel free to read, participate and comment. The current post is about tipping the wait staff at restaurants. Join the fun.

Man

2008-08-03T13:47:00.002-06:00

Waffle Fry

2008-08-02T09:01:00.000-06:00

Potato

2008-07-31T19:17:00.005-06:00

I really enjoy blog post series. I don't post to this blog much and I thought it would be fun to begin a series of posts. Over the next several days I am going to post single images that, in my opinion, are best when viewed as a single image. My hope is that, as you view these images, you will appreciate the image for what it is. Don't take it for granted. There are things in life that we need to appreciate more.

Bibles

2008-07-28T12:16:00.004-06:00

*UPDATE* - I do have a friend.

A friend of mine asked me what bible(s) we use for the discipleship of our boys. I have posted this information in the past but I will post it again for your reference. I would highly recommend both of these books. Unlike many children's bibles which simply point out the moral lessons of Scripture, each of these books gets to the heart of Scripture. One reveals how the bible is tied together from the sin of the garden to the Revelation of John. The other shows the common thread of Jesus running throughout the Old and New Testaments. On a side note - the illustrations in each are pretty spectacular!

We have used both for about two years now and recommend them to everyone who has children or will have children or once was a child.

It wasn't worthless

2008-07-22T07:31:00.004-06:00

Many of you know that I graduated with the very useful degree of Sculpture. Some of you have asked - "do you still do any artwork?" I don't. I don't have a lot of time and sculpture can be an expensive hobby.

In June our eldest sons were painting with some cheap watercolors during our visit to my parents. While they were painting I took a piece of paper to see what I could do. Below is the product of 4 years of study in art. I left the masterpiece at my parents and my dad sent me a scanned copy. I think he was overwhelmed with pride for the greatness of his son.
Please don't flood my inbox with requests for portraits. I simply do not have the time.

She's back

2008-07-17T17:25:00.004-06:00

She's back! Some of you may be reading her blog but it has been quite some time since you have seen her bedhead. Check the previous entries here. Send your submissions to me for the Bedhead Hall of Fame and I may post them - if they come close to this queen!

Face it - She's hot!