Matt Chandler Video Update

Here is another video update from Matt Chandler on his health.

Unexpected Gift

Ashleigh and I just received an unexpected gift this afternoon.

Some people dropped by a thoughtful card and gift and it really encouraged us.

I know I am risking sounding “pay-it-forwardish”, but this unexpected gift really got me thinking about how fun it would be to give an unexpected gift or two over the next few days.

HP Computers Might Be Racist

This a funny video by an HP Customer showing how the face recognition program is not working for all skin colors. You have to watch till the end to catch the funniest part of the whole deal.

Thanks Herman

Kids Searching for PORN

My friend Chris sent me this story about the top search results for kids.

Surely this is a mistake???  I mean I can’t imagine JAC, who is 5, searching for porn on the internet. (Or anywhere for that matter!)

But how sad. I didn’t know what porn was till my cousin showed me one of his father’s videos when I was about 11. I remember being amazed and scared all at the same time. I didn’t see porn again till I was 13. My mom caught me watching an HBO Real Sex in my bedroom. I stumbled upon on accident. That same cousin’s mom told my mom it was on and she should check my room because she just caught my cousin watching it. I was just sitting above the bed on top of my covers….again I was amazed and scared…and now caught.

Those introductions to porn were the beginning of what has now been a 20 year battle with temptation. I wish a man would have taught me about porn before I “found” it. I truly believe that I never understand it’s danger and destruction.

Seeing these findings today makes me even more interested in educating my children early on about pornography.

Matt Chandler Update

Many of you are following updates directly from The Village, but after a dozen or so people asking, I thought I would go ahead and share Pathology Results they posted Wednesday….

Dear church,

In the first chapter of Philippians, the Apostle Paul writes that whatever imprisonments, beatings and trials he may have suffered, they all “serve to advance the gospel” of Jesus Christ. We implore you to keep the gospel of Christ as the main focus as we walk with Matt and Lauren through this trial.

On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated. The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it.

Matt, who is being released from the hospital today, is meeting with a neuro-oncologist this week to outline the next steps of the recovery process. There is a range of treatment possibilities but the exact course of action has not yet been determined. He will continue outpatient rehab.

The Lord is calling Matt and Lauren and The Village Church body to endure this trial. It will be a challenging road for Matt, his family and our church body. The gospel is our hope and the Lord is our strength. Matt and Lauren continue to find solace and hope in Christ. They weep facing this trial, but not as those without hope and perspective. The gospel clarifies their suffering and promises more of Christ through it all.

You have done a wonderful job respecting the family, and we ask that you continue to do this. They are processing all of this together and need you to give them precious space. Please do not visit them at their house unless personally invited by the Chandlers. The best way to serve the family is to continue to be faithful in prayer. Specifically, pray for the following:

• Wisdom for all the coming decisions
• Strength and peace to endure
• The kids’ (Audrey, Reid and Norah) hearts; pray the Lord is merciful as they process and that their little hearts do not grow embittered
• The Chandlers and The Village would suffer well because of the gospel and for the sake of Christ’s name

As you hurt and weep for the family, do not do it alone. Gather with your home group and with other believers in homes and pray together. This is a time to walk together with others and to endure this trial in community. If you wish, send cards and letters to Matt and Lauren at 2101 Justin Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028.

We will continue to keep you informed as new information is made available. Please be patient with the frequency of the updates. May God strengthen us all and may His glory shine brightly through this.

Silent Monks

Some creative high school students figure out how to sing as silent monks….

False Start Mornings…

What do you when you are having one of those mornings?

• When you wake-up at 3:00am already feeling stressed about the day, but knowing you need sleep…
• When your three year-old comes to you at 4:45am wanting to get up for the day….
• When you oversleep your 5:30am alarm to go exercise….
• When you forget your breakfast at home and have to go back and get it….
• When you get all set-up to work and realize you don’t have your computer’s power cord….
• When you get your computer on and get notified about a lunch appointment you forgot about….

What do you do when you have a morning like this?  You praise the Lord that you have only tiny little problems. You praise the Lord that you have a job. You praise the Lord that you have wonderful and healthy kids. You praise the Lord you are not begging for food.

You praise the Lord….and then get after it.

This Sunday at Fellowship

Sam Adams Utopia of Beers

This looks like an amazing, and extravagant, Christmas gift!

Meant to be savored and sipped at room temperature, Samuel Adams Utopias ($150) is only for the most daring of beer connoisseurs. The 2009 batch is the strongest yet, with a staggering 27% alcohol by volume rating (a standard beer is about 5%). The rich, dark, uncarbonated (and world’s strongest) beer is brewed in small batches, blended, and aged in the Barrel Room at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, where you’ll find only 53 barrels of the stuff. The limited-edition 2009 batch of Utopias is bottled in numbered, ceramic brew kettle-shaped decanters.

Further details straight from the horse’s mouth:

Samuel Adams Utopias is brewed with several different strains of yeast, including a variety typically reserved for champagne. A blend of two-row Caramel and Munich malts gives the beer its rich ruby-black color and the blend of three kinds of Noble hops; Spalt Spalter, Hallertau Mittelfrueh, and Tettnang Tettnanger give the beer its floral character and spicy note. The 2009 batch of Samuel Adams Utopias is a blend of liquids, some of which have been aged in a variety of woods, including Scotch whiskey barrels in the Barrel Room at the Boston Brewery for up to 16 years. This longer aging gives the 2009 batch of Utopias a level of complexity not seen in earlier releases. A portion of the beer was also aged in hand-selected, single-use bourbon casks from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. The extended aging process enhances the distinct cinnamon, vanilla, and maple notes in the beer’s flavor. This year’s batch was finished in sherry casks from Spain and muscatel and port casks from Portugal. The sherry casks add nutty, oak, and honey notes, while the muscatel and port casks contribute slightly more elegant, dark fruit aromas and flavors.

8 Questions and a Why

Seth Godin presented 8 Questions and Why on his blog yesterday.  They are so worth your time.

Not worth your time to read, but worth your time to actually wrestle with for yourself, ponder, dream about, discuss with others, and ultimately answer and then live out.

Check them out…

Who are you trying to please?

What are you promising?

How much money are you trying to make?

How much freedom are you willing to trade for opportunity?

What are you trying to change?

What do you want people to say about you?

Which people?

Do we care about you?

(and after each answer, ask ‘why?’)