try not to blink.
I knocked on Eva’s door.
“What’cha doing Cho?”
[Pokes her head out the door].
“Nothing Dad.” [Big grin]
[Dad pokes his head in the door].
I’m able to hold still long enough to take this picture of her Barbie Rock Band outfits. When Luik brings in his addition (below), I lose it completely. My face still hurts from laughing.
KISS would be proud (and most likely ask them to open for them). ch:
Among other things, I’m a coffee snob.
Most people raise an eyebrow when I tell them how I take it.
Whole bean; ground.
Cream.
Honey.
Not only is it more natural and better for you than refined sugar or (dare I say it?) artificial sweeteners, but it’s tastier than drinking it black (even though that’s a very legit option) as the honey brings out the coffee’s flavor more.
I like to call it Promise Land Style. ch:
If you’re over the age of 30, you probably remember shopping at a particular store simply because your family were “faithful patrons.” A locally owned grocery store, hardware store, deli, or toy store. It meant you drove out of the way to buy from a trusted vendor, worked on a first name basis, and even purchased products knowing full well you could find them a few cents cheaper somewhere else. To those that remember, it was the way “things were done.” To those who don’t, it’s a foreign concept entirely.
But today, I primarily think about just two things when purchasing anything in 2010: 1) Where’s the cheapest place I can buy it? 2) How quickly can I get it without spending too much for the acquisition?
So how did I get from seeing my parents build 30+ year relationships with certain business owners to not eve caring what name appeared at the top of my receipts?
I have a theory.
The Internet taught me that online providers can sell products far less than I could find them in retail stores (low overhead, greater volume), and further still, Google taught me I can search among those multiple virtual market places to find the best price. Because in the end, it’s all about me. Everything caters to my needs for expediency, customer experience, and price. Amazon saves my searches and recommends products; iTunes is so genius it tells me what songs I’ll like next; and Wal-Mart won’t even charge me shipping if it kind find what I want in their retail store.
Sure, their might be some semblance of brand loyalty hidden in the recesses of my heart, but more likely manifest in the need for desiring community with the “store closest to my work place” then true brand loyalty to a store owner’s benefit. Shoot, even my perceived brand loyalty to Apple would change the day their OS felt more like Windows than I was comfortable with.
I’m really just a shallow shopper.
As a result, retail stores learned they needed to make their prices more competitive, create franchises rather than one-of’s, provide online versions of their chain stores, and use eye-catching marketing to secure trendy buyers. With a few exceptions, mom-and-pops die off and price becomes king.
But is that where it ends? Has this new era of me-economics affected our morality as a culture, too?
Admittedly, I am not a basketball fan. But not even I could avoid the headlines of LeBron James‘ highly controversial switch from the Cavaliers to the Heat. And if you caught any version of any part of his interviews, it was apparent it really all came down to one thing: LeBron winning championships. For himself.
Forget the team that took a chance and made him the superstar he is today. It’s not about loyalty. It’s about me.
And then there’s employment. Ask the average teen or twenty-something how many jobs they’ve had in the last three years, and then what their plans are for the next ten. I know older Americans who’ve spent their whole lives working for an employer simply because their company helped put food on their table and kept the lights on. To them, to even think of changing jobs was tantamount to blasphemy.
Even the Church is fair game. Don’t like how you feel? The Pastor is too dressy, too casual? The worship not hip enough? A particular message offended you? That’s OK, you can shop around for the right church. And shoot, if you don’t find it, there’s church online.
And yet, there were basketball fans that cried faux pas when LeBron made his announcement…not just Cav fans. And I do know people that won’t set foot in an FYE, opting to for a crusty, hole-in-the-wall record store. And I’ve even had the privilege to meet congregants who stayed on through pastoral changes in leadership, opting to value the whole church above their personal desires.
Even I, while on tour, much prefer visiting the restaurants that make a city special than eating in the national chains with microwaved food.
But is this sort of person the exception, or is a possible return to the values of our parents’ and grandparents’ approaching?
Is it too idealistic to believe the general public lives above the power of the almighty dollar? Do you shop somewhere simply out of principle? Or has the trend of self-driven purchasing power even affected our loyalties to our employers and our churches? ch:
Did you sponsor the Hopper Tribe for the Michelle Salisbury Memorial Walk? Then you might want to make sure your money is being invested well, so we thought we’d attempt to broadcast live from our walk in Sackets Harbor, NY (tomorrow) Saturday, August 21st at 10am EST. Stop in and say hi! If the connection is finicky, stay with us and keep checking back, but everything should be cool.
Didn’t get a chance to sponsor us yet? Don’t worry, it’s not too late. I’m asking people for between $1 and $5 per mile (x5 miles). Just leave a comment below saying “I’m in!” and then send your check (or pay online) to:
New Life Christian Church
1222 Arsenal St.
Watertown, NY 13601
Memo: Michelle Salisbury / Hopper Family
Enjoy the freak show! ch:
Most of my readers know I don’t often delve into politicking here, as this is not a political blog in nature. However, when faith and policy meet, I feel obligated to chime in. How much more so as a Christian Pastor who lives in NY State when being asked about a proposed mosque in lower Manhattan.
While I think there are noteworthy points of interest raised up by both factions (those that think there’s no problem with building a mosque, and those that think it’s an outrage), I do have some very strong opinions.
First off, in defense of the mosque, I think it’s worth noting two simple points:
1.) There is an existing, operating mosque literally just down the street from the site of the proposed build. If you don’t want one, then you’ll have to close the other; that’s just consistent freedom-loving logic.
2.) If we tell someone they can’t build a mosque today, they could be telling us we can’t build a church tomorrow. So you’ll have to do better than just saying, “I don’t like mosques.” And sadly, while I think sensitivity plays a huge factor here, our culture is way beyond sensitivity and tolerance when it comes to anything Christian.
For the record, I live in America. And we have responsibilities long before we have rights. Or at least that’s what our forefathers believed. That includes the responsibility to build a religious place of worship that holds to the same principles that makes our nation great. So in that regard, I am most definitely not against the presence of a mosque in lower Manhattan (including the existing one just down the street).
But I am against Shari’ah Law and the teaching of it. And any mosque erected to proliferate it.
Quite frankly, I’m baffled why so may Liberals are not screaming against this. After all, unlike Conservatives who merely want to keep homosexual marriage from happening, those among the Muslim community who endorse Shari’ah Law also endorse the stoning of homosexuals; husbands divorcing women for any reason (but not the other way around); amputating limbs as penalty for stealing; stoning for the sin of adultery; and not to mention their caustic views toward infidels. (I’m guessing I fall into that category).
Please note, I have close friends and relatives who have committed their lives to reaching the Muslim world for Christ and are seeing amazing results. In fact, I know of a few ministers, who must remain nameless for the moment, who are leading unprecedented numbers of Muslims to Jesus in Pakistan as you read this. They are souls, period, and very important to God. But I’m not talking about evangelizing Muslims right now: I’m talking about the NY State Government allowing a Shari’ah disseminating mosque to be built in Manhattan.
Hold up. What’d you say?
If you haven’t been introduced to Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf yet, perhaps you should read up on him here, here, and possibly here. Sure, it’s kinda’ strange that he’s gathering millions of dollars from outside the US to build the highly controversial Ground Zero Mosque; heck, if I wanted to build a church somewhere in Manhattan, I might ask friends in Europe to help invest in the project. But what Imam Feisal says to news networks in English is definitely not what he says to Arabic news agencies. From his views on Hamas as not actually being a terrorist organization, to his promotion and emphatic endorsement of Shari’ah Law within the United States, he is one of the last people on the planet I would trust with educating the young minds of future Muslim leaders in one of the greatest and most influential cities on the earth.
I suppose I’m also deeply alarmed that NY State has voted against an even more important rebuild (besides the 911 Memorial; it’s been 9 years folks): St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Unlike this “new” place of worship that’s getting all the press, the one that was there in the shadow of the towers and whose congragation has since been displaced has been conveniently forgotten. And in regard to faith, exactly what faith is actually irrelevant: this place of worship has been a keystone in the community with a proven track record of promoting Constitutional albethem Christian virtues. That’s more than I can say for an institution and a leader that promotes Shari’ah Law.
So it’s not the religion, or even the location that bothers me professionally (even though it definitely bothers me personally), it’s what’s going to be preached. And I would think the same of any Christian church that taught that homosexuals should be stoned. Don’t build it, and give the permission and money to someone who’s actually going to value all human life.
Do you think the mosque should be built? Why? Why not? I’d love to hear from you. ch:
EDITOR’S NOTE 08-20-2010 9:57pm EST: I just heard a quote from one of the “unnamed ministers” I mentioned above who is speaking live in Sydney, Australia right now, and as I see it, making it OK to share his name and the quote. This is one man I will not argue with, and just leveled the playing field with one line. I stand speechless. Regarding mosques being built in the US: “…you are not going to them so God is bringing them to you!” -Leif Hetfield
I know what all you men are thinking: “Where are ways #1-#138?”
Let’s just say this is a family friendly blog, not a “family making” blog.
Today we’ll cover Way #139: iPhone 4 Wonderment
Step One: Secretly plot to buy your wife a new iPhone 4 (or whatever generation is currently “in” at time of reading this article). Please note this may involve months of saving, and in the event that your wife keeps the books, accruing a stash of cash that she won’t notice*.
[*Refer to Anarchists Guide to Money Laundering for Dummies when necessary.]
Step Two: Make a stop to your fast food joint of choice to acquire a brown paper bag. Please note that you may wish to purchase food substances to ensure realistic grease spots and true-to-life fast food smell. For best results: Choose a night which your wife previously mentions** she wants to cook a “big dinner.” The adjectives “large,” “fancy,” or “special,” may also be used; when “special” is used, it is suggested that all offspring are “conveniently” removed from the home as this particular surprise may merit merriment not suitable for anyone else but you and your wife.
[**Listening skills required.]
Step Three: Insert activated iPhone 4 into brown paper bag. For best results: Have AT&T activate phone as close to intended delivery as possible so iPhone is “user ready” when she removes it from the bag. This ensures maximum wonderment effect.
Step Four: OPTIONAL – Assume patent-pending “Fast Food Drink Cam Grip” (or simply FFDCG for short) to accurately record the surprise, and yet hide that fact that you’re doing so. Please note that perspiration on cup’s exterior may inhibit recording device’s functionality; it’s best to drain cup of liquid prior to recording.
Step Five: Walk into house casually, faux-surprised at the “big dinner” she’s making and offer her a burger and fries. (Utilizing the FFDCG here only adds to the illusion that you’ve “forgotten” about dinner).
Step Six: Enjoy whatever happens next. Watch my experience below.
PS :: I love you, Jenny Lee. ch:
For a guy who doesn’t like being surrounded by big crowds of people, and loathes the sticky feeling of cotton candy and soda on the bottom of his sandals, this sure has been the summer of festivals.
The CHB received yet another momentous invitation to lead worship at Kingdom Bound 2010 last week in Darien Lake, NY. After a wonderful (and much needed) rehearsal the night before in Rochester, we took the stage under the immense Integrity Music Worship Tent and turned up the volume. Teaspoon had to stay in Orlando last minute, so veteran and long-time-friend Robbie Tyler sat in; solid!
Like all venues, there are pros and cons with a festival setting.
The major con is that people tend to be very transient; they migrate from one stage to another like a swarm of light-bulb driven house flies with ADD. Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m in that crowd, too. I’m just saying. But I think it’s legit. There’s simply so much to see that people tend to be over stimulated and lose interest easily unless something’s really good. And as such, it’s sometimes hard to read an audience, and likewise have a building (or even consistent) momentum with a festival crowd in worship.
The major pro is that–unlike church gigs where the general rule is to play 80% of material people know (the kinds most worship bands dread ever playing “one more time”) and 20% original–in a festival the audience kind of expects the “artist” to play his or her own stuff. So that percentage was flipped. And my band loved it. It gave us a chance to play a ton of the material off our new record (Editor’s Note: Coming out shortly; approving the final master and art work this week! Thanks for your patience!). And I think people really dug it. (And a big shout out to my ASL interpreter, Anne Marie Sureau, for doing a stand-up job!).
I not only got to make memories with my band, but with my little tribe, too. Eva, Luik and Judah loved the rides, the sugar, and the sites and sounds. Needless to say I think they were “out cold” within the first 30 seconds of the car ride back to the hotel. We also got to reconnect with some of our dearest friends from yester-year, including two of Kingdom Bound’s head honchos, Wendy Menter (pictured above with Jenny), and Danielle [Pelletier] Rose (not pictured because the one shot I got she’d kill me if I posted. You’re welcome, Danielle). (Big love to Steve, Jacqui, Payton and Amber Lee Grabowski).
My last appearance in the public eye was on the Park Stage just after Fireflight and just before Superchick. (How such pretty ladies got picked to sing for such hard bands I’ll never know; but I was definitely a thorn between two roses [@superchicktrish, Dawn Michele]). I preached on Luke 15 about the 3 ways people get “lost” in life, and how the Lord loves looking for and rescuing hurting people. While it was too crowded to get any sense if anyone benefited from the message, I’ve been getting emails, phone calls, and posts ever since of how the Lord changed peoples’ lives. Without Pastor Samme Palermo believing in me enough to “get on his stage,” I wouldn’t have spoken. Thanks Poppa Samme.
I’m honored to have been asked to contribute to such a rich event in which Jesus was truly lifted up, and I rejoice that He is preached in every possible way with every possible motive. ch:
Michelle Salisbury was an incredible girl in our church who died in a car accident on October 5th 2009 at 21 years old.
Her greatest dream?
Get married and have children.
So we’re dedicating our entire children’s wing to her, LIFEtown, at New Life Christian Church as a memorial.
I’m looking for friends to help sponsor me, Jenny, and the kids for the Michelle Salisbury Memorial Walk on August 21st. I’m asking for pledges between $1-$5 per mile (total $5 to $25 for the entire walk). Obviously more is appreciated, but I’m trying to make it feasible for as many people as possible.
If you’re willing to contribute, please make a comment below, and I’ll email you privately with instructions. Then pass this on to all your friends; I’d like to get a few hundred sponsors personally.
Thanks for considering investing in her legacy! You all are the best bloggies a guy could ask for. ch:
I’ve officially visited 9 airports in less than 8 days on two different trips on 3 different coasts. Needless to say, without a MacBook Pro, blogging is a bit inhibited. (Though the WordPress iPhone App is certainly handy, it’s not as functional as my iMac).
Things finished up at “Radikal for Jesus” in Longuyon, France just smashingly, with guest speaker Ricardo Solano of Mexico taking the final Sunday morning service and yours truly closing out the weekend Sunday night. Building memories with youth from around the world is truly one of the jewels that I will take into paradise with me, as it is one of my desires to present nations to the Lord on the Last Day.
After a day of personal ministry to some of my dear friends who are going through a difficult situation, my father and I took a day off and hit the road with my French-bro Manu. It’s not often I get a chance to sight-see while abroad, but this was an expedition I’ve been waiting to do with my dad for over a decade.
Normandy was our direction, and Omaha Beach, our destination.
To say it’s a historically significant locale would be an understatement. Abounding with monuments, museums, and restaurants like “The D-Day Hotel,” one gets the impression that the boys that laid their lives down nearly 65 years ago would never have imagined we’d be dining on the beach they bled over. But as I waxed melodramatic, my dad–son of a WWII Marine Corps Col.–spoke aptly as he ate his steak: “They’re saying, ‘you better dig in boys; this one’s on us’.”
After wandering the sands of Omaha Beach, we drove up to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. I can honestly say it’s one of the three most sobering locations I have ever been to on the planet, paired with both Pearl Harbor and Auschwitz.
The biggest surprise, however, was receiving the honor of a lifetime. While walking the hushed pathways through the manicured gardens, a strong American voice behind me asked, “So where are you boys from?”
Without so much as turning around I said, “New York.” It’s not often you here a strong US accent in France, so meeting a fellow American at this memorial seemed likely.
“Well, would you both like to retire the colors?”
As my dad and I turned around, we both realized we were standing face-to-face with the head curator for the national cemetery. I think a “yes” came out of my mouth, but I really don’t remember. In fact, I think I was floating up the rest of the walkway, turning up to the two flagpoles with thousands of crosses now in view; and further, my knees weak as we stood for the lowering of the flags with the color guard to the playing of taps.
Both my dad and I wept as we folded the two flags, the entire cemetery now freezing at attention, watching two pastors from New York retiring the colors.
I thought of my grandfather and his first landing on numerous Pacific Theater islands.
I thought of the over 4,000 men that gave their lives on D-Day.
I thought of the freedom my children so richly enjoy.
And I thought of the privilege it is to be an American, truly blessed by the Living God.
But more than that, I thought of the anointing that I felt on the grounds. An unexplainable presence of the Lord that, in fact, caught me completely off guard. Only later would I learn the reason.
The pastors who live in the north of France consider Omaha Beach their nation’s greatest revival. “I don’t understand,” I said to Pastor Vincent Fernandez. He went on to explain a little known fact about the Normandy Invasion. In an unprecedented move not replicated in any other moment in the war, the clergy on board the incoming ships–cross denominational, and without regard to theological bias–insisted that each young man give their heart to Christ, knowing that their deaths were imminent. Not only was there a mass conversion of thousands of young allied forces soldiers on those shores, but the cemetery stands as what the French pastors believe is a cemetery of Christian martyrs, dying for the cause of freedom, and that of Jesus Christ. It was a story I had never heard as an American, but is fairly common among believing Christians in that region. And it is a story I will never forget. ch:
So the iPhone rang and it was Nicole from the Sean Hannity Show for the second night in a row. Last night it was to inform me my “Pictures” video had made the top 25; tonight it had made the top 4.
Yeah. Pretty stoked.
But even more stoked our troops are getting so much positive attention.
If you would, please go to:
http://www.hannity.com/pages/Vote-for-your-favorite-video
…and vote, once per day, starting today (Monday, August 2nd) through Thursday (August 5th).
And if you wouldn’t mind, please pass it along to your friends and family.
God bless America. ch:
