Eva Cassidy - Yesterday

You've Changed

Save the Dates: May 21, 2011 - October 21, 2011

Family Radio's Harold Camping took out 40 billboards in Nashville announcing that...

The first day of judgment will be May 21, 2011; and the end of the world will occur on October 21, 2011.

Yep...this year. In September 1994 he made a similar claim, however since then he has ironically admitted that this former claim did in fact allow some room for error?! This time he is sure, and he wants you to know. I thought I would share this claim with you and point you to a few places he has spoken of this day. Whether or not his claim is sinful, crazy, or prophetic, one thing I do hope this post communicates is the urgency with which we need to be prepared.

As for me, I am learning that the opportunity to serve Him is the gift he has given me, and obedience and discipline are the fruits. I'm moving forward with an even deeper desire to live every day—every minute—as a more disciplined, thoughtful, spirited and humble servant, as I try to see and then stay on the path He would have for me. This has become the sole focus (and one of the few joys) in living, having otherwise found myself walking in the darkest valley of my life. So I wait. Quietly. For His voice. To be able to see the work He's doing in those around me. Loving others even when they, including the church, let me down, and appreciating the encouragement I see from others. And in so doing, I'm learning that His mercies are new every day. And that living for Him is in fact the point. Not how the events and circumstances fit my desires, dreams, or timing, rather, how the work of my hands, the thoughts of my heart, and the words from my lips bring Him glory and honor. I pray that God will see me fit to use me to share His glory with unbelievers, and stir the urgency in current followers of the Lord, for surely He is coming, as the signs of His return are increasing. God used a donkey to speak, so he could surely use an 88 year old man who, frankly, sounds nearly as wacky, to do His work. Either way, we are right to study God's word and what is said regarding His return.

Whatever side of the fence you land regarding Harold Camping's claim, I ask you to reflect on the promises made in John 14: 1-4 regarding His return. You might even choose to begin studying the bible for yourself. I have started a daily devotional on the encouragement Mark Taylor, the president of Tyndale House Publishers, who is doing the same. I have chosen The Message paraphrase of the bible by Eugene Peterson as my tool for the year, but will also be using the NLT, and ESV for further study. Below is one of several places in the bible where the coming of the Lord is mentioned.

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-8

I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other—"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"—suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.

But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. - The Message (Paraphrase)

I feel the need to sheepishly share in full disclosure that I recently threw out several cases of murky bottled water bought on or around December 31, 1999. Having said that, understand  that this post is not intended to reflect my personal take regarding the accuracy of Harold Camping's claims, rather, I hope you will take this as an opportunity to, like myself, reflect on the insights of the Bible, and with foresight listen and discern what God might have you to do in these uncertain times.

Alan, Alan, Alan, Alan, Alan, Al, Alan

Haeger Pottery Day Trip

Haeger Pottery is in East Dundee Illinois, not too far from my residence. Until today, I had never made the trip to see it in person. I must say, it was thrilling to see where so many of my great pieces were made, and to learn more about the designers and ceramic engineers in their modest but interesting museum. I was one of only three people there, and the generous staff gave me full access and permission to shoot and share photos. Unfortunately I did not bring my real camera, so I used my iPhone camera for this post.

Enjoy the Haeger Pottery factory from my point of view.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

And a lousy quality video I took using my old 3G iPhone, with the help of iVideoCamera.

She was on top. Now novelist Anne Rice is Second.

Anne Rice is one of the most successful novelists of our time, and has been on top of the world for 38 years. But now, Anne is Second.

BOOKS: Moving Forward

Nathan Chud is a university student who follows Jesus

What Can I Do? Where Can I Hide?

Love. Forgiveness. Belief. Hope.

“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.”

- G. K. CHESTERTON

Looking for a Senior Level Graphic Designer

UPDATE: No longer looking, and grateful to God for His timing.

Looking for a Needle in a Haystack was a post I wrote in 2008 as the company I work for was looking to bring on a new staffer. I post this today because we're once more looking to add a position. If you know someone who might be a solid candidate, send them here to read what I said then.

The teammate we're looking to add is a communication design thinker, who adds at a senior level. In the world of design, a title can mean different things depending on where you work. This position is called Senior Designer, but as I just suggested, in many independent agencies, this might also be called Art Director, or something else. Regardless of title, this candidate would possess strategic planning and execution skills and would be passionate about both the creative and business side of design. More specifically, the position requires swift and thoughtful design solutions for internal clients (mostly), under the leadership of a senior art director (that would be me). The position and the opportunity is broad—and includes brainstorming projects with an impressive pool of fellow creatives, and at times clients; strategic and creative development; design execution of all your projects; and design presentations. In other words, this position has a ton of autonomy for the person with the right mix of thinking, communication ability and tact.

A couple other important things I like to point out is that we're looking for someone with what I call a "voice"—that is, someone who has an interesting perspective on how best to develop work that gets results. Someone who adds uniquely to a discussion. Also, someone who understands what it means to be a servant leader. That is, someone who cares about growing everyone around them. A servant leader grows trust and value within our company.

We work on Macs, and are getting all new ones this Friday (can you tell I'm excited).

All that to say, filling a position at Tyndale has always been challenging, so if you would pass this on to people you know who are truly at a senior level (not just people you like a whole lot, and would love to see get a job), I would very much appreciate it.

So why do the wicked prosper?

Streetlights - Psalm 73 - Boogalu from ALERT on Vimeo.

I only shine close to you.

The Sun (feat. Nili) - Villeneuve from duriez jérémie on Vimeo.

People who are easy to overlook

My neighbor is suddenly all alone. Her daughter recently moved away, she has had three heart attacks, is on public assistance, and has no car. She also gets winded just walking across the street. God blessed me Sunday morning with a knock at 6am. She had been awake since 4 am and wanted so badly to go to the store. Ultra foods is open 24 hours and she asked, could I take her? What an honor and a privilege it was to take her and spend that time doing something remarkably productive, and surprisingly fulfilling. Thank you God. For all the Deb's and Ian's of the world, I see you in a way that touches my heart. Do you know someone who is struggling that could use a friend? Or a word of encouragement? I bet there are people who would cherish the time you spend with them as they live in isolation.

Ian's Story from Hillsong Church on Vimeo.

Solomon Burke - None Of Us Are Free

Music lost a big, big talent today. Solomon Burke. RIP.

On Quitting

“Pain may last a minute, a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." -Lance Armstrong

Come into this broken dream and breathe

u n l o v e d

Adj.

1.

unloved - not loved unwanted - not wanted; not needed; "tried to give away unwanted kittens" loved - held dear; "his loved companion of many years"

Words

WORDS from Everynone on Vimeo.

via Tim's great ONE+INFINITY blog

Are You Okay?

Something's on my mind, sleep won't make it right.
Are you ok? Can we talk tonight?
Wouldn't you agree we're on separate pages?
And I care too much to be ok with this.

Can you look me in the eye, tell me everything's alright?
Stay awake until we find a resolution.

This might hurt a bit, hearts were made to feel.
Is it worth it, to finally be real?

Can you look me in the eye, tell me everything's alright?
Stay awake until we find a resolution. (2x)

We were meant for more than this, to have a true relationship.
We were meant for so much more than this.

Can you look me in the eye, tell me everything's alright?
Stay awake until we find a resolution.
So just look me in the eye, tell me everything's alright?
Stay awake until we find a resolution.

via Rachel Scott. The beautiful niece of my father's pastor.