jason evans

music: greatest Depeche Mode cover ever

2012-01-31T07:26:00.001-08:00

In middle school, I was a huge Depeche Mode fan. I had a disturbingly large poster of the band on my wall back before punk and metal captured my attention. Since then, I've heard many DM covers but this here has to be the best. Not only is it incredibly cute but it is equally as creative. I love the dad's excitement of their accomplishment at the end.

BTW, this comes via The Kids Should See This, a wonderful resource for any geeky dad and his kids.

dontbesheep: a time for everything

2012-01-26T15:03:00.001-08:00

As the wisdom of Ecclesiastes states, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” And herein lies a principle that all good leaders ought to appreciate: you can do anything… for a season. Whenever we take on a new role, a new project or a new team we have to take this into consideration. To explain, let me share a little about myself.

via dontbesheep.wordpress.com

My latest contribution over at DBS.

learning seasons... or mug shot, either way pretty darn cute

2012-01-26T08:47:00.001-08:00

Taken at First Presbyterian

Alabama Shakes

2012-01-24T22:49:00.001-08:00

Taken at Belly Up Tavern

music: gonjasufi

2012-01-24T10:46:00.001-08:00

via warp.net

If you head over to Warp Records right now, you can get a free download Gonjasufi's "Nickels and Dimes." He's an interesting character to say the least, but its a good laid back hip hop track. This San Diegan was recently featured on the cover of The Reader.

the lake

2012-01-14T14:39:00.001-08:00

Taken at Lake Arrowhead

DANGER: Bears

2012-01-14T14:37:00.001-08:00

Taken at Arrowhead Village

DANGER: Bears

2012-01-14T14:32:00.005-08:00

Taken at Arrowhead Village

DANGER: Bears

2012-01-14T14:32:00.003-08:00

Taken at Arrowhead Village

DANGER: Bears

2012-01-14T14:32:00.001-08:00

Taken at Arrowhead Village

senior highers @ breakfast [before and after]

2012-01-14T10:45:00.001-08:00

Taken at Lake Arrowhead

old school star trek pinball @ the boys lodge

2012-01-14T08:29:00.001-08:00

Taken at Lake Arrowhead

my view for the weekend

2012-01-14T07:25:00.003-08:00

Taken at Lake Arrowhead

my view for the weekend

2012-01-14T07:25:00.001-08:00

Taken at Lake Arrowhead

um... wow.

2012-01-11T04:55:00.001-08:00

2012 Music | Most Anticipated

2012-01-09T08:34:00.001-08:00

There are a few releases slotted to come out in 2012 that I am already getting excited about. Three in particular.

The first of these is The Evens. The Evens is a duo comprised of Ian MacKaye of Fugazi and Minor Threat fame and Amy Farina from The Warmers. Through Dischord Records, they have released two albums so far and late last year they released a 7". All have been solid releases and I very excited to hear what these mature musicians offer us on their third full-length.

I have a long standing relationship with punk and hardcore. As a teenager, I found something unique and invigorating in this music genre that I found nowhere else. But as I get older, I grow easily bored with the lack of innovation or creativity. It's when bands like Refused or Snapcase come around that I get a renewed interest in this genre. That's why I am looking forward to Ceremony's first release on Matador Records entitled Zoo. This West Coast hardcore band has broken away from the standard hardcore equation and are doing some interesting things. The first single from the record has me eager to hear more.

Lastly, as I shared late last year, I have high hopes for Sleigh Bell's forthcoming Reign of Terror album. Their first album came with a lot of buzz and a lot of praise. But many said that they thought it would be a one-off. The melodic cacophony that Treats delivered was thought to be irreproducible. I hope those folks are wrong. I wore out their first album, playing it almost daily for months and months. Reign of Terror's first single delivered some doubts, but I am still eagerly anticipating their sophomore release.

How about you? What music are you looking forward to in 2012?

You can listen to 2011's year-end music mix on Spotify here.

2011 Music | Near Misses

2012-01-07T13:36:00.001-08:00

Coming up with a list of the best music for any given year is tough for a music fan. Especially today when so much music is so readily available. I always end up with some regrets ("Oh yeah, I forgot about that one!"). There were three releases that I wrestled with whether or not to leave out.

1. Coliseum, Parasites

2. Lucas Santtana, Sem Nostalgia

3. Alabama Shakes, s/t (listen link)

In the end, I didn't feel I'd spent enough time with these. But they have to be noted. They're really good releases.

First up: Coliseum. I've known of Coliseum for some time but were always drawn a bit more to their label mates, Young Widows (who also had a decent release this year). But this EP is incredible; taking hardcore punk tradition seriously while adding their own dose of creativity. Parasites was recorded with the J. Robbins (of Jawbox and Burning Airlines) at the legendary Inner Ear Studios. If you enjoyed Trash Talk or F****d Up, consider checking out Coliseum at their best with Parasites.

In a completely different musical direction: Lucas Santtana. Santtana is an innovative Latin American guitarist and acoustic guitar player. If José González played on the beaches of Brazil and mixed some electronic noises and beats, you might have something close to Santtana. "Cira, regina e nana" is one of my favorite songs of the year.

Alabama Shakes surprised me this year. I avoided checking them out for quite awhile simply because Ann Powers of NPR's All Songs Considered recommended them and Powers kind of drives me crazy. But I happened on a YouTube clip of Alabama Shakes playing live at the end of December and was thoroughly impressed. This band has a ton of potential and I look forward to hearing more from this southern blues rock outfit.

Okay, that's it for 2011. I promise. I did add these albums to my 2011 year-end playlist on Spotify. Hit "shuffle," listen to something you haven't heard of before and make sure to come back here and tell me your thoughts.

Next up--in the music category at least--I'll clue you in on some artists I am looking forward to hear from this year.

tee's for the camp I'm speaking at

2012-01-06T12:32:00.001-08:00

Taken at First Presbyterian

2011 Music | A Return To Rock

2012-01-06T10:41:00.001-08:00

Sometimes music just captures due to being in a certain place, at a particular time in your life, the people you were with or the mood you were in. It's as if you have no control over its pull on you. Certainly, some music is just so good that it is fawned over by millions. U2's Joshua Tree is like that for millions of people. I've had countless conversations with people who have confessed to coming to tears the first time they heard that album, just as I did. It is that good. But I felt the same way the first time I heard Fugazi's In On The Kill Taker and Quicksand's Slip. And, clearly by the fact of how many of you that are now thinking, "Who?!", not as many people would equate those other two albums with Joshua Tree. I confess that I am quite opinionated about music. Posts like this one expose this (and many of you took great offense and let it be known to me). But while I have particular tastes and interests, I admit that I have as little objectivity as anyone else.

Three bands that made releases this year were comprised of artists whose previous music had a great impact on me earlier in life. These three releases almost made my year-end lists. But ultimately, their history impacted my decision to exclude them. Was it that they just weren't as good? Or was it just sentimentality? Who know's?! But Sleater-Kinney, Drive Like Jehu and Pavement are three bands from the alternative, post-punk archives that you should look into. And here's a little about artists that returned to rock in 2011 from these bands but with new bandmates.

Pavement would be the most well known of the three. Pavement singer and guitarist, Stephen Malkmus has made a return to the rock world with his newest musical enterprise, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks and their album Mirror Traffic. It was a good release but it just did not equal Malkmus previous work and this probably has a lot to do with what happens to memories the further they descend into our history. Was Pavement all my memory makes them out to be? Maybe no, maybe yes.

Drive Like Jehu is one of my all time favorite bands. I never had the pleasure of seeing this incredible group live and that is something I regret. Rick Froberg's vocals led an passionate, chaotic post-punk offering from this fine city that rivaled what was coming out of the East Coast. Both their self-titled and Yank Crime albums are a must. Years later, Froberg returned with John Reis from Jehu (but more well known from Rocket from the Crypt) with a new band, Hot Snakes. They weren't Jehu, but they rocked! But something is lost with Obits. Moody, Standard and Poor is good but it doesn't rock like Hot Snake or bring the innovation that Drive Like Jehu did. I would argue its all due to San Diego. Froberg now hails from New York and that seems to have taken something out of him... or maybe its just age.

Lastly, Sleater-Kinney was the female post-punk band of the 90's that we'd needed. They were creative, ground-breaking and broke a male-dominated genre (which musical genre's aren't male dominated?). Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney have returned with others to make up Wild Flag. Their self-titled release this year got a lot of attention and it should have. It is a solidly rocking album. More straight forward than any of Sleater-Kinney's work. I can't resist noting Brownstein's being a former staffer of NPR--and the success of her show Portlandia with Fred Armisen--seems not to have hurt for the publicity of a release that would have otherwise gone unnoticed by many. Still, its fair that they do get the attention. Its a good album. But I miss the quirky, awkwardness of Sleater-Kinney.

I'm adding these three releases to my 2011 year-end playlist on Spotify. So click on the link and hit "shuffle." Enjoy.

Creepy findings in the ol' church library

2012-01-04T22:10:00.001-08:00

Taken at First Presbyterian

A Common Humanity author Lane Van Ham in San Diego

2012-01-02T15:17:00.001-08:00

via amazon.com

A new book on the subject of faith and immigration has recently come out entitled A Common Humanity by Lane Van Ham. Lane's father, Lee Van Ham has been an advocate for biblical justice and economics in San Diego for a long time. Lee is working with Friends of Friendship Park to bring Lane to San Diego this Thursday, January 5. Event information is here. See you there?

materials for 2012 resolution

2012-01-01T21:04:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

2011 Music | Top Ten

2011-12-31T22:24:00.001-08:00

1. Tune-Yards, W H O K I L L

2. The Dodos, No Color

3. Pygmy Lush, Old Friends (listen link)

4. F****d Up, David Comes To Life

5. Thao & Mirah, s/t

6. St. Vincent, Strange Mercy

7. Radiohead, The King of Limbs

8. Battles, Gloss Drop

9. Colin Stetson, New History Warfare 2: Judges

10. Trash Talk, Awake

You can listen to my top ten and twenty on Spotify here. Discover all of these if you haven't so far. Listen and see why they're on the list!

2011 Music | Top Twenty

2011-12-31T22:10:00.001-08:00

11. Los Campesinos, Hello Sadness
12. little hurricane, Home Wrecker
13. Beastie Boys, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
14. TV on the Radio, Nine Types of Light
15. The Roots, Undun
16. Adams & Eves, Dear Professor
17. La Vida Boheme, Nuestra
18. The Tree Ring, Generous Shadows
19. Mariachi El Bronx, II
20. Thrice, Major/Minor

Festivities are getting underway. Further commentary is only a possibility at this point. But here is my Top 20 song list on Spotify for your listening pleasure. 1-10 still yet to come.

Paige working on a self-portrait

2011-12-31T15:39:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

2011 Music | Overrated

2011-12-31T14:27:00.001-08:00

Dear Bon Iver, please take your falsetto and go away. It works for TV on the Radio most of the time. But not for you. Gayngs was cute. But we already lived through Kenny G and Miles Davis’ face says it all.

This may be to the chagrin of my friends, as the latest Bon Iver release has shown up on so many lists here. But I hope we are spared from any Bon Iver releases in 2012. I don’t get the hype. No more, thank you very much.

2011 Music | The “I Salute You, Sir” List

2011-12-31T14:06:00.001-08:00

There were three releases that came out this year that didn’t make as many lists as I would have thought. To be honest, I was a bit shocked they didn't show up as often and by the "meh" commentary offered when they did. Beastie Boys, The Roots and Radiohead all released great albums this year. The Roots' Undun came out so late in the year that many felt they didn’t have enough time to absorb it and therefore excluded it. Beastie Boys' Hot Sauce Committee Part Two showed up on few lists that I've checked in on and didn't even receive mention of any kind. Radiohead's The King of Limbs got the classic, "It's good, but no [fill in your fav' Radiohead album title here]."

But I have a theory about all three of these groups. They’ve spoiled us. That's right. With their musical, creative genius over the years our appreciation has waned. All three of these artists have produced such quality work for so long that we’ve grown accustom to them. The truth is, these albums, especially Beastie Boys and Radiohead, stand strong in comparison to all other releases this year.

Beastie Boys and The Roots clearly created albums that were far beyond what anything else in hip hop produced this year. Whether Lupe Fiasco or Lil' Wayne, most rap and hip hop releases this year were lazy. And why in the world does Kanye West and Jay Z get so much attention for such an unoriginal, self-absorbed work when these two albums came out this year?! While most rap and hip hop mimic the same studio tricks everyone else has been using for the last three years, Beastie Boys and The Roots continue to push boundaries. At the same time, they retain a sound that is unmistakably their own. I think they each offered strong releases this year.

And in the rock genre, only releases like Tune-Yards’ compares to the innovative work of Radiohead. For certain, we all have our favorite Radiohead album and their have been past albums of theirs that pushed musical boundaries HARD. Still, The King of Limbs is a consistent album that shows that these fellas make good music even when they're not trying to blow our minds. Some artists this year, such as Wilco for example, tried to return to some strong innovation but were unable to carry a whole album in that direction. When has Radiohead failed us in that regard?

So to these musical veterans, I say, "I Salute You, Sir." I hope they continue releasing such quality work.

2011 Music | Local Love

2011-12-31T10:15:00.001-08:00

San Diego remains a vibrant place for good music. Some of favorite bands of all time come from America’s Finest City... And, no, I’m not at all biased. But this year, Adams & Eves, The Tree Ring and little hurricane are the only San Diego bands on my list. Much of this has to do with the fact that I’m a dad of three. I just don’t get out to as many shows as I used to, unfortunately. But these albums are solid and stand solidly with the others on my list.

Adams & Eves’ Dear Professor is smart, cute--even silly, and brilliant. Okay, I confess my bias, here. The Powell’s (Adam plays guitar and sings, Chelsea plays bass) are friends and Adam recorded the Snake Babies EP (a short-lived band I played in). But my personal connection aside, this is a great album! Amongst all the folk-tinged music coming out these days, Adams & Eves do so in a unique way that does not take themselves too seriously--which makes all the more enjoyable. Like so many artists, it is their live show that wins you. They are all together original, energetic and witty when playing live. The album is solidly produced, displaying all of the unique instrumentation this band holds. You can check out the album on their website.

The Tree Ring’s Generous Shadows offers up beautifully sad soundtrack. Ironically (as they are a band from sunny San Diego), they are to me the band perfect for a rainy day. West has a solidly good voice. I think his is what Foreman of Switchfoot fame wishes he sounded like. And Bennett’s strings add so much to the emotion of each track that I don’t what it would sound like without them. You can listen to their album on the band’s website.

Lastly, little hurricane’s Home Wrecker is the roots rock album we’ve all been waiting for. Jack White, take note: this is what happens when you have a decent drummer. This is some sexy, gritty music! Both players sing wonderfully and play well. You can check out Home Wrecker on Spotify.

guest music post: Luke Perkins

2011-12-30T17:03:00.001-08:00

NOTE: You can listen to Luke's play list on Spotify here. He has also included his own links in the post.

This is truly the most wonderful time of the year. If you let it be. The stress, the cramming, the things I forgot about, trying to figure out what other people like. Obviously I'm not talking about Christmas shopping...I'm talking about the end-of-year music list! But why settle for just one list? This year in music for me contained several dominant themes, which I will try and briefly recount for you here. If you want one quick simple list...you've come to the wrong place.

First, ROADTRIPS. Alix and I have spent an awesome first year of marriage. Seriously. The word is abused but it's appropriate in this case. Awesome. Spartanburg sent us out with a bang and San Diego has treated us right. I am very grateful for the experiences we've shared and the places we've been together (and with our dogs). When we made the big move West last February, with 4 days of highway and 2314 miles ahead of us, we decided to make it an experiment in musical discovery. We each brought 4 albums from 4 artists neither of us knew, but wanted to learn. Although I haven't yet read Alix's list and blog yet, I'm pretty sure she's going to go into depth about this topic so I won't belabor it (please read hers too!). This musical education has already become a wonderful tradition, a great way to spend time together and engage in something for which we both share a passion. We repeated the exercise several times during 2011, and I can't wait for more opportunities soon. Here's my short list of favorite discoveries.

Flying Burrito Brothers: Burrito Deluxe. Graham Parsons and the Burrito Bros. make THE soundtrack to the mojave desert and Joshua Tree.
Patti Smith: Horses. Just Kids was also the most memorable book I read this year. Very cool insight into the 60-70s music and art scenes in New York.
Ibrahim Ferrer: Buena Vista Social Club Presents. Finally saw the movie this year. I'm looking forward to that roadtrip to Cuba.
Sex Pistols: Never Mind the Bollocks... I will always think of driving thru Texas hill country when I hear this; makes sense, right?
Television: Marquee Moon. You've heard this band even if you don't think you have; their sound influenced many that followed.
Ali Farka Toure: The River. My first foray into African guitar music, which was a big part of my 2011 (following this would come Bela Fleck's movie Throw Down Your Heart, Tinawiren's new album, and Khaira Arby at SXSW).
John Coltrane: A Love Supreme. Second step in jazz education, after Miles Davis+Dogfish Head Bitches Brew in 2010.
Elvis Costello: Armed Forces. What IS so great about peace, love and understanding?!
Fugazi: 13 Songs. A favorite of Jason and also my boss Mark (who's band actually opened up for Fugazi in Flint MI back in the 80s). Finally ventured there and it was worth it.
Adam & the Ants: Kings of the Wild Frontier. Gotta listen to these guys more.
Primus: Pork Soda. A Refshauge family classic. Wicked bass and themed on the excess of Americana. Scary title for even the most pragmatic of vegetarians.

Second, CONCERTS. I've seen more shows this year that's ever before. It's been super special having a partner in crime with Alix. My brother Grant even humored me and helped a dream come true by meeting me for an afternoon at SXSW. We've seen good ones, and not so good ones. Below is a list of the most memorable ones.

Joy Formidable + WILD FLAG + Tune-Yards + Antlers + Colin Stetson + Khaira Arby @ SWSW (with Grant): last-minute business trip led me to Austin right in the middle of SXSW--I promise it wasn't planned! Grant took a long lunch and joined me at the NPR showcase for a series of free shows. Being there at this mecca of indie rock and up-and-comers was a dream come true, and I'm super grateful to Grant for helping to make it happen. It's no coincidence that several of these bands made my final year-end list. Ritzy from JF writhing on the floor, banging on her pedals, swinging her guitar = #1 show.
Okkervil River + Titus Andronicus @ Belly-Up (with Alix, Matt/Brooke): best double-bill of the year; was totally surprised by Okkervil's energy, and Titus did not disappoint..
Dodos @ Casbah (with Alix, Matt/Brooke): most hipsterish show of the year, but despite that a favorite; never-ending guitar solo with dude wallowing on the floor for about 10 min was quite memorable.
Wye Oak @ Casbah (with Alix): powerful and surprisingly nerdy duo with good melodies and powerful chords.
Bon Iver @ Spreckels (with Alix, Matt/Brooke, Lars/Bethany): beautiful venue with very tight seats for long legs. Big band, big sound, and big changes for Justin Vernon & co. They pulled it off. Favorite moment was Re:Stacks...closest I came to crying at a show this year.
F****d Up @ Casbah (with Matt): my first hardcore show. Fun. Last minute tickets for both Matt and I to blow off some steam. Matt also left with bloody toes. Lesson: don't mosh barefoot.
Devotchka @ Belly-Up (with Alix, Matt/Brooke): danced my face off to the siduki and trombone.
TV on the Radio @ 4th & B (with Alix): strong show in a not great venue. Sound was the worst of any show this year--muffled and way too loud. A little sound engineering please! A lasting memory is Dude throwing his double-jointed arm around like a nunchakus, like he just didn't care.
BB King @ Belly-Up (with Alix and work friends): the man, the legend, in a great intimate venue. He's 73 or something, and obviously not as sharp, but it was amazing to experience him live.

-1. Thurston Moore @ Casbah (with Alix): sonic youth is obviously awesome, and I enjoyed his record this year. But this show went downhill in a hurry. Jerkwad next to us wouldn't stop recording the show with his flip video and then his iPhone. Lame. I don't give a hoot about watching your crappy youtube tomorrow! Are you here to watch the show or what? Didn't help that Thurston was a bit of a pretentious hipster. We left early.
-2. Explosions in the Sky @ SOMA (with Alix): didn't really know these guys, but thought I'd like them, and still think I would. But SOMA is a horrible venue, and they were destructively loud. We forgot our earplugs in the car, and after three exceedingly painful 3 songs we bailed. Opportunity costs...

Third, ALBUMS. I love albums. Whole albums. The flow, the cohesiveness, the intentionality. Shuffle is fun sometimes, but mostly I listen to whole albums, front to back. In 2010, inspired by Alix, my cousin David and the general desire to be more "analog" I went vinyl.

This year we continued this trend, which was complemented by NPR's First Listens, and Spotify. I'm a firm believer that you get way you pay for, and if you value or cherish something you should pay for or invest in it (money is not necessarily the only currency here, but that's another topic). Picking this year's favorites was especially hard with a lot of good music. I hate leaving some off the list, but you gotta make hard decisions in life. Worth noting is the unusually large number of females on my list this year...coincidence? There were lots of surprise bands in here for me too: at the start of the year, 5 of these I could've predicted with the rest totally from out of the blue, including 4 out of the top 5. Without further ado, here is my list of favorites.

Joy Formidable: The Big Roar. Could not stop listening to this, it was on repeat in the car, at the office, at home; worked for just about any mood. I saw them 2x live. My favorite album and my favorite shows. Period.
The Dodos: No Color. Their best album, in my opinion, after a middling second one. Start to finish greatness. Banging rhythms, infectious licks, shouting, melodic singing, grungy guitars. Heck yeah.
Wye Oak: Civilian. When Alix pulled a record out for us to listen throughout the year, it would more often than not be this one. I was never disappointed when she did. Could easily be #1 in some years.
WILD FLAG: Wild Flag. Strong women, strong tunes. If Alix were playing guitar in a band this would be it. I just can't figure out if she's more the style of Mary Timony or Carrie Brownstein.
Kathryn Calder: Bright and Vivid. Poppy and artistic (yes it's possible FM radio people). Loved the sounds and layers in this album. A good stand-in for Neko and New Pornographers this year. Rarely tired of this on repeat.
Bill Callahan: Apocalypse. Smart, folky, rocky, chill. This guy is always under the radar but I consistently love his stuff. Don't spoil my little secret. (Not on spotify, but here's a pretty cool video for your pleasure.)
Tune-Yards: W H O K I L L. Eclectic and surprisingly fun.
Bon Iver: Bon Iver. That cabin in the woods is long gone. Love it or hate it. Big amazing sounds. I have no problem with evolution.
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks: Mirror Traffic. The godfather of indie rock remains a uniquely talented artist. His best work since Pavement?
St. Vincent: Strange Mercy. Really jonesing to see her live. If Alix had said "no", Annie Clark would've been my next choice (until Neko puts out another record). Good thing Alix said yes.
Alexi Murdoch: Towards the Sun. Spent hours listening to this on the couch with Alix after moving to San Diego--great memories of our first days of marriage, mancala games...and boxes everywhere.
TV on the Radio: Nine Types of Light. Catchy record, slightly less loved than their previous outings. But still pretty darn good.

Honorable mention: King Creosote & John Hopkins: Diamond Mine. This one's on a lot of people top 3 list, and the only reason this isn't on mine is because I just now started listening to it. Too amazingly simple and beautiful to leave off. This became the soundtrack of my December commute and will be a mainstay thru 2012.

Good but missed: Fleet Foxes, My Morning Jacket, Radiohead, Abigail Washburn, Antlers, Okkervil River, M83, Tinawiren, My Brightest Diamond, Decemberists.

What I'm looking forward to in 2012: finally listening to the new Black Keys. NOT listening to Sleigh Bells' next one.

Thanks to all for a great 2011. 2012, you've got a lotta work to do. Since it's a leap year the deck is stacked in your favor. Can't wait to see what discoveries, experiences and surprises you've got in store. Bring it.

people profile: Matt Reece

2011-12-29T07:42:00.001-08:00

Before the year is up I am going to share one more guest music post, and of course, I will share my own year-end list as well. But I realized that some of those that read my blog may not be familiar with some of the people I've asked to share their music lists. This is purposeful for a couple of reasons. First, I decided to do this as an extension of music conversations that already exist in my life, not to boost traffic to my site. I wanted to document the music being shared somehow.

Secondly, I'm a bit of a music snob. What I mean is that I'm pretty opinionated about music. I'm okay with people and their particular tastes in just about anything but music. I don't care what sports team you like, what your favorite food is, what movie genres you prefer or how you dress. But I'll tell you if I think you listen to crappy music. Those I've invited to share are people whose taste in music inspires me, impresses me and has exposed me to new music. Most importantly, these are people I treasure. I am wholly proud of my friends. And I'm happy to share this space with them.

Thirdly, when I went into ministry more than a decade ago I realized that there weren't too many church leaders that liked the music I did. I wasn't a jock or academic turned pastor. I was an artist, musician and music fan called to this work. So, the few people I meet with a spiritual kinship and similar interest in music were gold to me.

So, I decided to do "people profiles" on folks I think you should know, or that I at least want to document their unique work in ministry and/or opinions in music. Who knows, maybe I'll go outside of those categories eventually. These will be short interviews both playful and serious. The last guest post was from Matt Reece. So, I'm starting with Matt. Matt is co-conspirator with the Ecclesia Collective, a friend and digs good music. So, without further delay, let me introduce you to him...

Did you have a beard in high school?
Yes. I played water polo and swam, so grew it out off season, during the summers of my Jr. and Senior year. Basically looked like a long hair, bearded, grungy hippie surfer type… scary I know!

What’s your earliest music memory?
My earliest music memory is from being really sick as a child. I had to be in the hospital a lot. One of the only things that would calm me down is singing. The song that worked the best? ‘Amazing Grace.’

My next memory would probably be as a kid listening to AM gold radio on headphones, under the covers at night. This eventually led to my first concert… The Beach Boys (after a Padres game), when I was 9 or 10 years old.

You’re not only a music fan but a musician yourself. Tell me a little about your background as a musician.
I play guitar and sing, as well as write songs. I started in music pretty early, taking keyboard lessons and playing violin. But I wanted to play rock and roll, so guitar it was!

I got really involved in music in church. For a few years I was a music/worship leader, and spent most of college, at Point Loma Nazarene University, in touring choirs.

Then, what started as basically a garage band with my brother and a friend became a full-fledged band called Via Satellite. We played sorta dreamy, melodic indie rock, starting back before that was ‘cool.’ I feel like it took a few years for people to get what we were doing… but we played out a lot, developed a bit of a following, recorded several albums, and eventually even received a San Diego Music Award. Most of the band has gone on to be ‘rock stars’ and tour the world, most notably with Sub Pop band The Album Leaf. I chose a more simple life I guess! Since then I’ve played in the SD acoustic scene, and done various other things.

These days, it’s just me and a guitar… but I still play, and hope to have a new recording out there in the not-too-distant future.

I have lots of great stories and memories from music… shows big and small, and playing with some amazing musicians, even guys from bands you might have heard of (like, Mortal and Megadeth).

If you could jam with anyone, who would it be?
Hmmm… maybe, mid-sixties Dylan. I would love to just be in the room with him when he was writing those songs. Or I’d rock out with ‘London Calling’ era Clash, or maybe late 70s Elvis Costello and the Attractions.

In what ways does your musical interest or identity as a musician cross paths with your faith and identity as a faith leader?
For me, there are so many intersections between music, faith and leadership. As a spiritual leader, I want to be an artist. There are skills that come from the business world that one definitely needs. But a big part of leadership, for me, is being able to articulate the heart of a people, as well as creatively look forward to where we need to go. Now we’re heading into the territory of poets, artists and musicians. And this is what the prophets of old did; they used poetry and symbols to call the community of faith into a preferred creative future.

And on another level… I remember when I was a kid in the 80s going to see a punk rock band, and my Mom being a bit nervous. But when she picked me up, she was so surprised to see all the kids out front, peacefully hanging out and talking with the band. Music, for me instinctively was something I wanted to not just observe, but try and do. And some of the indie bands I loved showed me this was possible. They tried to break down the walls between the ‘artist’ and the ‘audience.’ The history is well documented here.

So when I picked up a guitar, I almost immediately started writing music and started a band. This DIY aesthetic has carried over into how I try to live my life and lead a community. What we need, now more than ever, are communities that draw from the DIY punk rock aesthetic. The culture of mega-churches with big budgets run by big celebrity personalities, is not only unsustainable, but has basically plateaued in impact. No more passive religious observers at a big ‘glam rock’ stadium show, instead we need people passionately participating in their local ‘scene,’ like the old school indie rock stuff.

Tell me about Blvd. Abbey.
We are a faith community in the University Heights/Uptown San Diego area. We’re called Blvd Abbey, because the area we’re in has a big vintage neon sign that says ‘The Blvd.’ And an abbey is a spiritual community that centers itself around intentional common spiritual practice. We respectfully borrow a bit from that tradition, and want to help people all across the spectrum- from those who are spiritual seekers, to those who strongly resonate with the Jesus story- to be shaped by spiritual rhythms and practices that lean towards God, and God’s beautiful dream for the world.

We are small and very relationally structured, and believe faith community should happen ‘from the ground up.’ And we want to be a community that cares about our neighborhood and city. We try to find simple/do-able ways to partner with the good that is already happening, as well as embody God’s love and grace where there is need.

We are connected with a unique church planting network called ‘Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO).’ C4SO has started communities all up the West Coast and beyond that are; rooted in Anglican tradition, and both spiritual formation and missionally shaped.

Why did you want to start the Abbey?
A few friends and I started dreaming together, and they said ‘if you start something, we’ll join you.’ And it just kind of grew from there.

I have seen several things that we, as the church, have yet to truly take seriously: 1. Creating space for real community, 2. Spiritual formation (as a community, not just individually!), and 3. Seeing ourselves as a tangible expression of God’s love and mission in our neighborhood. So, for me, Blvd Abbey is really an experiment in community… trying to take all of that seriously, and start there- structure a community around that- before all the stuff people think of as ‘normal’ church.

What are your dreams for the Abbey?
My hope and prayer is that we continue to do what we’re doing, and grow that even deeper, while building sustainable community.

Ultimately I would love to be a community that holds two things in tension… First, to be a community that at it’s core is made up of ‘urban monastics.’ Though we don’t all live together, we all live in and care for the same area, and see all of our lives- work, play, relationships, compassionate action, creative endeavors- as spiritual and connected to a larger story. And secondly, I’d love to be a community where we interact and build friendships with those who aren’t people of faith, and they say, ‘that community really, genuinely cares.’

I would eventually even love to be kind of a formation/training center. To create space where leaders, or potential leaders, from other places can come for spiritual re-centering, to experience life in the city or how we do community, and maybe learn some practices they can take back with them.

How can people find out more about Abbey or get involved?
To find out more about us go to blvdabbey.com.
Join us on Facebook.
Every once in a while I post on our blog.

And to find out where we meet and get involved, email me: matt@blvdabbey.com

Merry Christmas from the Evans!

2011-12-25T18:28:00.001-08:00

guest music post: Matt Reece

2011-12-23T16:01:00.001-08:00

NOTE: You can listen to Matt's play list on Spotify here.

Best Albums of 2011

2010 was a big year for music. Off the top of my head I could easily list half a dozen amazing albums… from the hardcore punk classicism of Off!, to the beautiful songs of Frightened Rabbit, the tension groove of Spoon, the strange beauty of Deerhunter, the noise pop of Sleigh Bells, and soul and hip hop by The Roots and Kanye. This year… maybe it’s my mood, or maybe I wasn’t listening as well, but it was a little harder to choose. Looking through my Itunes and Spootify playlists however, several stood out. Here’s my top ten, in no particular order.

1. The Dodos- No Color
Just two guys, guitar/vocals and drums. Featuring tight junkyard African influenced rhythms. And for guitar players, listen closer, there’s some good stuff going on. The musical interplay between these two here blows me away… And all of this with (most importantly) great melodic indie/punk songs. If my list were in order, this might be right where it is now, at the top.

2. David Bazan- Strange Negotiations
I’ve been a fan since the early Pedo the Lion days. His last album was a ‘break up with God’ masterpiece. This one is a bit rawer and more striped down, and a few songs remind me of Pedro. Great lyrics paired with Neil Young meets Fugazi music. Bazan playing with just an acoustic guitar, in front of a select few at The Habitat House, was one of the shows of the year for me. True story: several years ago I had Thanksgiving dinner with David and his extended family… I remember talking about both of our favorite recent movies (Memento and Magnolia, so that will date me!).

3. Radiohead- The King of Limbs
I’ve been a Radiohead fan from back in the day, and seen them live several times. I have to admit, this is one of the first Radiohead albums that was a grower. But King of Limbs has been slowly unraveling for me, revealing it’s dark slinky beats and even some left-of-center yet tuneful songs underneath (like ‘Little by Little,’ ‘Codex,’ and ‘Give Up the Ghost’).

4. Ry Cooder- Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down
Protest album of the year, including the protest song of the year, ‘No Banker Left Behind.’ Rootsy Americana spiced up with Vaudeville, and Tex-Mex flavors. With great guitar (this is Ry Cooder, after all) and a soulful carnival barker voice, Cooder comments on the state of the nation in 2011. From bank bailouts and economic disparity, to immigration and war, it’s all here. But this is no mere political lecture… or if it is, it is the most passionate and fun I’ve heard in a long time.

5. Thao & Mirah- s/t
Two solo artists come together, and it works surprisingly well. Great grooves and I dig the vocal interplay.

6. Wilco- The Whole Love
It’s Wilco, what can I say? Their albums usually end up in my top 10. At this point, you either like ‘em or you don’t! ‘The Whole Love’ seems like the distillation of their last several albums in one: Folky, melodic, experimental rock. Except this time I hear more of the Beatles influence coming out. And if you haven’t caught them live yet, probably one of the best live bands in America, no joke.

7. F****d Up- David Comes to Life
In a year where I’m hard pressed to name many albums that really RAWKED me (and no kids, the Foo Fighters don’t count), the band with the name you can’t say on the radio did just that. I thought their last album, ‘The Chemistry of Common Life,’ was a genre game changer. Their latest has some story line that I can’t really follow, but it doesn’t matter. These guys are post-hardcore punk geniuses; mixing buzzsaw-yet-often-layered-and-ethereal guitars, an amazing time signature bending drummer, with shards of glass shredded vocals by a shirtless angry bald guy. In my alternate universe, this is what people would mean when they say ‘pop punk.’

8. Mariachi El Bronx- II
A hardcore band that plays Mariachi music?! Way better than you think it would be. This album was one of my top summer jams. Saw them live, and they’re just as fun, dressed in legit Mariachi outfits! If you like this, then check out their last one too.

9. Dead Rock West- Bright Morning Stars
Former San Diegan (Loam) Frank Lee Drennen and spouse Cindy Wasserman (yes, sister of renowned bassist Rob Wasserman) conger beautiful, sparse, Americana rock. Most of these are old country gospel tunes and spirituals re-imagined by the band, with a few of their own, and even a Jesus and Mary Chain cover (‘God Help Me’) thrown in. This was produced by Peter Case of The Plymsouls, features both John Doe and Exene from legendary punks X, and great vocals and harmonies from Frank and Cindy. Full disclosure, my old band played a show with these guys, and Frank recorded some amazing harmonica on one of our songs… so I may be biased, but still, I dig this album.

10. Kurt Vile- Smoke Ring for my Halo
Smoke Ring for my Halo is a beautiful, strange haunting-yet-joyful (sorta) low-fi masterpiece. This is great late night ‘chill’ music. Maybe Kurt Vile’s most fully realized album yet.

Honorable Mention

The Roots- Undun
Just recently released, so haven’t really had time to hear all of it yet. But the Roots are a consistently amazing band, they always deliver.

The Violet Burning- The Story of Our Lives
Over twenty years into his music career, Michael Pritzl comes out with an artistic-statement-making triple album! Still doing what he does really well.

Action!- Friends Weakend
This is technically a 2010 release, but not enough people are into them yet, so I’ll include it here. This husband-wife duo makes great dreamy, melodic, lo-fi indie-rock, with killer harmonies and creative arrangements. One of their best songs, ‘Sandpiper,’ is free on bandcamp, but I love the whole thing, and even have it on vinyl. Support (real) indie bands… go buy their music!

street art in east village

2011-12-21T15:26:00.001-08:00

Big oops. Need new glasses.

2011-12-20T14:15:00.001-08:00

Waiting for the (un)King: Advent Week Four

2011-12-19T22:25:00.001-08:00

via kidsumers.ca

While we wait, we prepare.

This last Sunday's Advent readings have a lot to say about houses. There is an over-arching sense of preparation; getting our "house" prepared for what is to come.

We love having people over at our house. My wife is an incredible cook and we really enjoy getting to know others over meals in our home. But with three kids and a busy schedule, whenever we do host people we usually spend a couple hours cleaning up the messes we've spent all week making around the house! While we wait for our guests, we prepare for them. But sometimes when we rush and fuss over things we find it difficult to unwind, decompress and really present to our guests once they arrive. Have we then prepared appropriately?

The scripture readings seem to allude to something like this as well. We are to be making things ready for the arrival of the King. Yet, in our anticipation do we prepare the right things in the right way? All throughout these reflections, I've pointed out that the (un)King comes in unexpected ways, in unexpected places. This naturally means that Christ comes with hopes different than what we may have anticipated. Does he come looking for splendor and magnanimous reception. Nope. Read the story as told in Luke 2.8-18. His Father brings those things to the party. Not us. Rather, he comes to those that have prepared through the practice of humility and availability. Maybe not intentionally or desired. Certainly, shepherds probably would've preferred less humble and mind-numbing work. But these are who had prepared, who were ready.

What does preparing our "house" mean, then? Maybe it means we cease comparing ourselves, our house, to everyone else's and be the house of our own that we are. Throughout these Advent readings from Sunday, scripture does not concern or compare itself with other houses. Rather, it is concerned with preparing the home through which God will commune with his people. In a rushed and hurried culture, in an even more frenzied season, maybe it means we slow down, make space and practice availability. Maybe it is then that we will truly be able to notice, to appreciate, the coming of the King we await.

In your anticipation this week, practice availability and see how God arrives.

unexpected early xmas present, complete w/ a chpt. by my prof' Dr. Downes

2011-12-19T19:55:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

Sammy getting his first school award!

2011-12-16T09:37:00.001-08:00

Taken at First Presbyterian

1st single from the new Sleigh Bells album

2011-12-15T14:10:00.001-08:00

Below is the first track to be released from the upcoming Sleigh Bells album Born To Lose. What do you think? Our house is divided. The first Sleigh Bells album had us all hooked; a family fav'. Paige and I aren't that into this track and hope the sophmore release has a lot more to show. Matt likes it but he admits to just liking it because its Sleigh Bells. Paige and I think he likes it because of how "metal" the track is... and Matt's a complete hessian-in-training.

what we can learn from occupy « dontbesheep

2011-12-15T12:50:00.001-08:00

There’s something to be learned from the Occupy Movement for people in leadership across organizational types and sizes. There is something about this movement that speaks to postmodern milieu of the West. But it is not limited to the west at all. Indeed, the occupy movement certainly derives some inspiration from the Arab Spring, as well as what we’ve seen online through groups such ‘anonymous.’ The way we organize is changing. What I’ve referenced to above may be drastic examples. Still, leaders ought to pay attention to them and what they say about leading organizations of the future.

via dontbesheep.wordpress.com

Some further thoughts of mine on the Occupy Movement can be found in this excerpt from my latest contribution to the Don'tBeSheep.com blog. Read the rest here.

Read my initial post on #occupy here.

the devaluation of music

2011-12-14T22:21:00.001-08:00

via nsfreepress.com

Radiohead and Spotify are busy teaching us that, as consumers, we aren't responsible for compensating our artists. In fact, we're being conditioned to feel inherently entitled to the fruits of their labor.

Interesting article on the impact of de-commodification of music.

What do you think?

out and about, come say "hi"

2011-12-14T16:20:00.001-08:00

I'm going to be speaking at a few places in the next few months. If you happen to be at any of these, please come hang out and say "hi!"

January 12 - Horizon Christian Academy High School | speaking at chapel on homelessness in San Diego
January 13-15 - First Pres' Senior High Winter Retreat | guest speaker (theme: Being A 'Sent' People)
January 28 - San Presbytery Leadership Day | workshop w/ friends on church and social media
February 10 - San Diego Episcopal Diocesan Convention | workshop w/ friends on evangelism
February 11 - HAT Training w/ Presbyterian Urban Ministries
February 16 - commencing 6-week class on evangelism at First Pres'

I've added these to my public Google calendar as well. Hope to see you.

start 'em young

2011-12-12T14:52:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

Waiting for the (un)King: Advent Week Three

2011-12-12T07:21:00.001-08:00

via images.piccsy.com

NOTE: Sorry for being 24 hours late this week. Yesterday was... full.

Like most of the passages read during Advent, there is something about them that says, "Something good is coming!" Indeed, that is certainly the case. But He who is to come, comes in the most unexpected of ways. And He comes with expectations upon us that often are unexpected as well.

One of the readings this week is from Psalm 126. It cries out for restoration. Restoration of what, though? The psalm longs for the restoration of fortunes. Uh oh. Is this some kind of "health and wealth gospel" nonsense? Are the people of Israel, in this prayer, asking God to secure a certain lifestyle for themselves?

I don't think so.

In verses five and six it reads, "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." This psalm is prayed by a people longing for basic sustenance. They walk with seeds out to the fields prepared for famine. But they long to feed their people.

This isn't an individual thing. This is a communal thing. Those who prayer this long for the sustenance of their people, not just themselves. But while the need is for the whole, it is neither the whole nor the individual that provides what it is needed. This prayer (for that is what this psalm is) is prayed next to the reading of Isaiah 64 in which God brings justice to the weak and broken. (Jesus would later read this same passage from Isaiah in a synagogue to commence his ministry.)

The people of God, here, realize that they cannot bring the restoration needed on their own. Only God can. Certainly, they are to participate in his justice, his mercy, his restoration. But they know that it cannot be done without God.

Thus, in the end, Advent is about a kind of waiting that is reflected in how we live. We Christians do not seek our own benefit, we consider--and prayer for--the whole. And this is reflected in how we live. Our fortune are not for the benefit of one but for the sustenance of the whole. In so doing, we reflect our hope. A hope in a Savior that will restore all things and not just the little we can do in our life time.

So, this Advent may your waiting be reflected in your living... in your lifestyle.

guest music post: Alix Refshauge

2011-12-10T22:21:00.001-08:00

NOTE: You can listen to Alix's play list on Spotify here.

2011 offered a lot of change, and boy did it deliver. A year ago I was living in my hometown of Spartanburg, SC, working my face-off for a small non-profit that I loved, surrounded by friends and family, and in a long distance relationship with my now-husband who lived in San Diego. Today I too live in San Diego, I work from home (I make art for a living, although I don’t really get paid), my family and closest friends are far away, and I get to see my husband everyday. It’s quite an adventure.

Music has always been an integral part of my life. It’s been a huge bonus to be married to a man who approaches listening to music with as much passion and dare-I-say pride as I do. A big part of our relationship has been about discovering and listening to music together. While music has always shaped my life, it wasn’t until I met him that I started making playlists. What a great way to reflect on the year and to intentionally reconnect with the music that makes up our annual soundtrack.

Like my overall lifestyle, my way of finding new music has changed. In the past, I relied on one of the greatest listener powered radio stations in the US to find new music. WNCW out of Spindale, NC offers some of the most diverse and quality music programming I’ve come across. I would listen at home, at work, in the car, and after hearing a song that caught my attention, I would track down the artist to hear more. I’ve found that I only stream WNCW now when I feel sentimental. Instead, I often turn to NPR.org and see what they’re promoting as a first listen. It feels like less of a discovery somehow. Another big change has come thanks to Spotify which has enabled a lot of desired listening and discovery, especially during roadtrips.

I don’t want to dwell on 2010, because this post is about 2011. But, I believe that a very important tradition was born in 2010 when I made my first end of the year and decade playlists and my husband and I listened to these songs on our Christmas roadtrip. He was living in SD but flying to Mississippi to see his family. The plan was for me to drive to Mississippi to see them and then for the two of us to drive back to SC together. The roadtrip was 8 hours, filled with songs that made up our 2010/decade playlists and the stories to go along with them. It’s a great way to hear stories about someone you might not otherwise, and to get to tell a few of your own.

Now, back to 2011. After getting married in January, we packed up my house in SC and my husband and I drove to SD. It was a four day trip and we planned an epic soundtrack for the drive. Our approach was to each choose four albums (one for each day on the road) by an artist who we wanted to get to know for some reason. The artists/albums had to be new to us and something that we thought the other hadn’t heard either. We’ve been on several roadtrips throughout the year and have continued this tradition - one new album per person per day on the road. We toss the album names in a hat and draw to see what we listen to next. We’ve discovered artists who we love and have learned about the time and places they were making music. It’s been a music education and one I hope we continue throughout the years.

Now for my playlists, (lists because I’m gonna give you two): my 2011 new releases playlist and my pre-2011 music education/roadtrip playlist. I’ll keep it to a couple sentences each for why they made the list and hope if you’ve read this far that you’ll be able to continue to the end. Now, without further adieu...my playlists for 2011:

2011 Releases Playlist
10. Kathryn Calder, Bright and Vivid. NPR find. This is a solid album all the way through - dreamy, campy, melodic. A good drive-down-a-country-road album if you like that sort of thing.

9. Alexi Murdoch, Towards the Sun. NPR find. This is folky, slow guitar pickin’, Nick Drake reincarnation, goodness. Try it with a glass of wine on the couch with the one you love.

8. Bill Callahan, Apocalypse. Vinyl purchase. I love Bill Callahan’s lyrics, as Bill Callahan and as Smog. This album is clever and curious. Short though so if you go vinyl, don’t sit down.

7. Kate Nash, Made of Bricks. I discovered Kate Nash (meaning that after hearing a Kate Nash song somewhere I knew I wanted to hear more!). It surprises me how much I love this album considering two things: 1 - it sounds a lot like Regina Spektor (who I do not like) and 2 - the lyrics are all about hatin’ on her man (which I also don’t like). This album beat all odds with me, I like the piano and the sound of her voice; this is a good dance around the house album.

6. The Dodos, No Color. Luke introduced me to the Dodos and I liked them okay until we saw them at the Casbah. Yeah! These hipsters have more energy than most. If you’re looking for something fun, drummy, and energetic, look no further.

5. St. Vincent, Strange Mercy. Vinyl purchase. I like this whole album, every single song. The songs are fun, lyrics are catchy, and its a bonus that St. Vincent shreds like its her job. Which, I guess it is.

4. Bon Iver, Bon Iver. Vinyl purchase. This is just a beautiful album. It makes me wanna cry. His voice is so versatile, you would never guess he was a lumberjack.

3. Wye Oak, Civilian. NPR find. This two-person band is intriguing - he is a Nerd who can seriously rock out on the drums, she is a bleached blondy who whales on the guitar and has a haunting voice. This has been a go-to record for me all year and may make the decade list in 2020 - check back with me.

2. Joy Formidable, The Big Roar. SXSW find. There are some bad-ass women playing music out there right now! For reals. A few of the 2011 albums make me wanna travel back in time and pursue rockin’ out with a vengeance. The lead singer/guitar player for Joy Formidable is at the top of that list. If you haven’t seen her, go to YouTube, now. This whole album is fun.

1. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Worlfroy Goes to Town. Vinyl purchase. This album is number one for me this year. It’s as beautiful and dark as you might expect from BPB, it will kill the mood fast. The tunes are melodic, the tone drab, except for in “Quail and Dumplings” where you get to hear Angel Olsen sing. Her Voice, ma gawd, it is lovely. So, sit down and listen, read the lyrics while you do, you’ll think about them later.

Music Education/Roadtrip Playlist:
10. Sex Pistols, Nevermind the Bollocks, 1977. Alix choice SC to SD roadtrip. This was our first introduction to UK punk rock and the overwhelming influence of this band. Johnny Rotten lives up to his name.

9. John Coltrane, Love Supreme. Luke choice SC to SD. This album is not higher up on the list because we really haven’t listened to it as much as I would have thought. This was a great listen on our adventurous trek to SD and one that we’ll revisit as our jazz education continues.

8. Fairport Convention, Unhalfbricking, 1969. Luke’s choice SD to Vegas roadtrip. Iphone battery died too soon so this became a vinyl listen at home.

7. Primus, Pork Soda, 1993. Alix choice SD to Santa Barbara roadtrip. Historically, I like the funk, the quirk, and the skills of Les Claypool. This album is all that and a can of pork soda.

6. Tom Waits, Small Change, 1976. I’ve listened to Tom Waits in the past but was inspired to reconnect with him after listening to a Radiolab podcast that talked about how he finds inspiration to write music. The man is from SD too so, seemed like the right thing to do.

5. Ibrahim Ferrer, Buena Social Club presents, 2001. Alix choice SC to SD. Traveling to Cuba is on our bucket list. While listening to this album I have visions of drinking cuba libres on the beach, of my hair blowing in the wind whilst riding around in a pool blue 1958 Ford somethin'-or-other, and wearing an overly revealing dress in a jazz club in Havana.

4. Patti Smith, Horses, 1975. Alix choice SC to SD roadtrip. I chose this after readingJust Kids - a must read. Horses is a classic too that will transport you to CBGB's in the 70's where you'll find yourself sitting next to Robert Maplethorpe and Andy Warhol, listening to Patti, anticipating the Velvet Underground, going to hang out with Jimi Hendrix later. That's why you should listen to this album.

3. Fugazi, 13 Songs. Alix choice SD to Santa Barbara. I’ve heard so much about Fugazi, it was time to hear them for myself. We had fun listening to this album en route to Santa Barbara and its surprisingly good music to cook dinner to.

2. Adam and the Ants, King of the Wild Frontier. Alix choice SD to Santa Barbara. Something tells me I shouldn’t be putting Adam and the Ants above many of the others on this list. For starters, the cover of this album is a close up of the lead singer’s face which is covered in war paint and framed like a Topps baseball card circa 1980. The music is silly, Tarzanistic almost. To be honest though, this album gets a lot of play from me and this is where it truly belongs.

1. Flying Burrito Brothers, Burrito Deluxe. Lukes choice SD to Vegas. Luke and I got married in Joshua Tree National Park which is coincidentally where the ghost of Graham Parsons (lead singer and FBB pretty boy) lives. We first heard this album on a roadtrip to Vegas - it’s a great desert soundtrack. Months later we found ourselves peering into the lobby window of the Joshua Tree Inn at the posters and t-shirts that commemorate Graham’s life that was lost there. I’ve enjoyed this album throughout the year and our connections to JT make it my number one.

Alix is an artist from SC who has about a year of San Diego livin’ under her belt. She and her rambunctious yellow dog moved to California in February after a long distance courtship ended in marriage. Currently she makes art from home, is developing her culinary skills, and exploring the many fine things this coast has to offer.

Visit her paintings online at: www.AlixRefshauge.com
Her new artwork at: www.alixart.tumblr.com
And if you still want more: www.boccimomma.tumblr.com

Thanks to @MIHOgastrotruck for hitting up @FirstPresSD tonight! Good eats!

2011-12-10T20:06:00.001-08:00

jazz vespers @ first

2011-12-10T17:23:00.001-08:00

Taken at 4th Ave. Chapel at First Presbyterian Church

lovin' the rock 'n roll stance Matty takes when receiving an award

2011-12-10T14:37:00.001-08:00

2011 music

2011-12-09T18:35:00.001-08:00

As I've done in the past, I'm planning on posting my year-end list of music releases I enjoyed this last year. One of the best things about music is that is something we can experience together. I love sharing music with friends and getting exposed to new music through others as well. What I'm really excited about this year is that several of my friends have agreed to offer some guest mixtapes of the year here on my blog.

Stay tuned!

In the meantime, check out Anthony Smith's year-end list.

#geekhumor

2011-12-07T20:53:00.001-08:00

music: the ghost of a thousand "black art number one"

2011-12-06T15:32:00.001-08:00

WARNING: Not for the faint of heart

In the vein of bands like The Bronx, Cancer Bats and Trash Talk, The Ghost of a Thousand is a UK band that hearkens back to the best of 80's era hardcore punk, good ol' fashion rock n' roll and metal ala Guns 'n Roses or AC/DC yet still make a sound that is all their own. I love this band! Speaking of AC/DC, Matt and I are eager to hear The Ghost of a Thousand's cover of AC/DC's "Back in Black" as well.

Buy your loved ones this blanket for Xmas. They'll love it. I promise.

2011-12-05T16:12:00.001-08:00

Taken at Pancho Villa Farmer's Market

Waiting for the (un)King: Advent Week Two

2011-12-04T08:04:00.001-08:00

via brooklynstreetart.com

Advent is all about remembering. Remembering a story. Phrases that start with, "Remember that..." and "Don't forget..." are found throughout Scripture. What is it that we are to remember? In short, the story of the cosmos as told through the lens of Scripture. The Bible provides a particular way of looking at the world. It provides a particular narrative. Like all stories, this story begins in a particular place with a particular people. But it moves out from there, spreading across the globe. It is a story that begins in the particular yet moves towards the universal. That is to say, it is a story meant for all of us.

In the West, we are each taught that we can craft our own stories. And to a certain extent, this is true. We are each individuals, choosing how we will live and responsible for the outcome of those decisions. But we are, as well, always participating in grander stories together. Stories of consumerism, democracy, nationalism, globalization, etc. Some of these narratives are more subtle than others. But they each say something about how we imagine the world to work and how it ought to be and how we believe it will turn out in the end.

During Advent, Christians remember the story of a Creator. A Creator that intends to work with that which he has created to renew, revive and re-imagine all that he has created. And he has gone to the greatest lengths to make this agenda possible. Yet it seems that greatness is defined differently in this story than in many others. Greatness in this story does not come to us loud or dominant. Rather, it comes gentle and quiet. We have to listen and look carefully to find. The lectionary readings during Advent reflect this.

So, this Advent season we choose our story. The story that will define us and shape us. And we attempt to remember that story rightly.

Christmas decorating has begun...

2011-12-03T20:41:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

jazz vespers @ first

2011-12-03T16:56:00.001-08:00

Taken at 4th Ave. Chapel at First Presbyterian Church

Matt's latest creation: the "stegohorse"

2011-12-03T08:41:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

music: yellow ostrich "whale"

2011-11-29T21:51:00.001-08:00

Digging this band, Yellow Ostrich as of late. This track "Whale" in particular is fabulous. If you head over to their site you can download a couple free songs as well.

Matty Boy: "They've gone mad!"

2011-11-29T19:43:00.001-08:00

New Dodos and Pinback singles

2011-11-29T15:35:00.001-08:00

via earmilk.com

So, what do you think of the new Dodos and Pinback releases? Digging the Dodos but feeling like Pinback's been a bit of a one-trick pony as of late.

Whaddaya think?

this is me... every morning.

2011-11-29T14:16:00.001-08:00

via laughingsquid.com

Waiting for the (un)King: Advent Week One

2011-11-27T09:04:00.001-08:00

via cache2.allpostersimages.com

Warhol was right. There is something about the celebration of Advent that makes Christmas.. more exciting! The acknowledgement of this season in our home has made Christmas more special and certainly more centered on Jesus.
Otherwise, in this season many of us simply fall into the fray of the rabid consumerism.

As usual, I'm going to post a few of my reflections each week during Advent this year. It is one of my favorite times of year. As I have before, I use the term "(un)King." Two years ago, I wrote this about the term:
"Why do I call Jesus the (un)King? Because in all but title, he is unlike any human king. As you read the story of his arrival in the Gospels, you will find a very unkingly story; his first cradle a feeding trough, poor farm hands to announce his arrival and so on. "

Isaiah 64:1-9 is one of today's lectionary readings. It speaks of God's silence and the impatience of God's people for him to show up. It seems a short attention span and a lack of patience is more timeless than we might think. But the Isaiah passage, along with the remainder of today's readings, say something about the kind of King we await as Advent begins today. He is a God capable of the incredible but who loves to work in the quiet, in the shadows and in the mundane.The incredible and sensational is certainly what we would desire, as the writer of this passage does, "Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend, make the mountains shudder at your presence." Yet it seems that God chooses not go about his redeeming work in the world in such a way most of the time. Why would the maker of the universe work in such humble tones? Because that is where most of us hide. It's where we hide our brokenness, our woundedness, our inability to make the world what we wish it to be. Isaiah writes, "We're all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags." Still, it is us he chooses to work with.

In the Isaiah passage, it says, "You meet those who happily do what is right, who keep a good memory of the way you work." As we enter into the Advent season, remember the Story of redemption, of restoration. Let this story drive us to the quiet places and shadows of our own hearts and in the world around us. May we wait there faithfully. God will meet us there. Maybe not in the ways we expect. He has an affection for the humble and broken, for barns, feeding troughs and day laborers. But he does arrive. And the good news is that his arrival is not based on our patience. The happiness of she who Isaiah writes about in the quote above does not find joy in the fact that she does what is good and remembers well but in the confidence that God will arrive no matter what. That, in and of itself, is good news indeed.

Paige's sketch of her brother

2011-11-27T08:08:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

missional discernment

2011-11-27T04:43:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking at Madison Street Church in Riverside. My friend and mentor, Jeff Wright is the pastor there. It is a wonderful group of people doing some great things in their part of the world. I preached on the subject of discernment and drew from St. Paul's letters, which I've been reading and thinking a lot about lately. No different than any other point in history, Christians today are face with the challenge of discerning how we engage cultures, our place within them, etc. Now, some would say that this is already defined for us in Scripture. Yes, I agree with this in general. But we fall somewhere in between Acts and Revelation and the details have to be worked out in real time. What are we to do with stem cell research or factory farming?Or what about the issue that almost every N. American denomination is deliberating over, sexual orientation? This is where discernment plays into this. How did Paul, and the other church leaders for that matter, know what was permissible and what wasn't as the Gospel touched more and more cultures further away from the Jewish norm of their day? As you read the Epistles I think there are a few rules that run through Paul's writing regarding discerning and making judgments on such issues. Here's what I think he offers:

1. These issues arise due to mission. Are we making judgments on issues because as we embody and proclaim the Gospel among all cultures (and sub-cultures) we are approaching groups that function outside of our norms? If the debate of the issue is our primary engagement are we missing the (biblical) point? Circumcision, food, gender roles, etc. arose for Paul because he was on mission. Not because he was looking for a debate.

2. Discernment requires a grasp of Scripture. Not proof texts. Paul knew his Bible inside and out. He got the over-arching narrative and this shaped his worldview. We ought to be doing the same. What shapes your worldview more? Culture (norms, rituals, practices, news outlets, media, etc.) or Scripture?

3. Our view of Scripture is shaped by Jesus. Paul saw the whole of Scripture through Jesus. Everything he knew of Scripture was now shaped by everything he knew of Jesus. Think of Jesus as the lens through which we read Scripture. Paul would be horrified to hear of someone interpreting Scripture through his writing. To do the work of missional discernment Jesus has to shape how we read the whole of Scripture. Know the Gospels.

4. Missional discernment requires community. Paul was rarely alone and he almost always writes to a community, not individuals. Discernment is a collective process. It happens as we ruminate over Scriptures during meals together, as we worship and pray together, as we laugh and cry together, as we go about God's mission together. I think Paul's letters assume that this kind of together-ness was happening in the churches he wrote to who were approached with such issues.

5. The presence of the Holy Spirit is assumed and engaged. It could be said that Paul is totally dependent on the Holy Spirit. He is confident that the Spirit is with him and with those he addresses. He is therefore confident to say and do the bold and wild things he does. In a pain-adverse and safety-idolizing culture I think it's safe to say that we do not assume the presence of the Holy Spirit. Quite to opposite: we think we're on our own. But Paul made decisions and encouraged discernment in a manner that did not assume that God was simply "watching from on high." Rather, he did so assuming God's presence was immediate.

How does this match up with how we discern the "issues" of our day? Thoughts?

Jazz Vespers @ First

2011-11-26T16:06:00.001-08:00

Taken at 4th Ave. Chapel, First Presbyerian Church

Resurrection Explained via Dr. Who

2011-11-25T21:31:00.001-08:00

via shop.boingboing.net

Hey, Mom, I found your yarn!

2011-11-25T14:19:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

the return of #makesomethingday

2011-11-23T16:24:00.001-08:00

Steve Knight and I--and hopefully some others--are trying to see if we can get an online presence for Make Something Day back up and running again. Go "like" the new Facebook page, follow MSD on Twitter and spread the word (use #makesomethingday). A website is in the works. But more important is whatever you choose to do on MSD. I hope you'll share with us what you make.

For those of you wondering, "What is Make Something Day?" The idea came about several years ago. Here's an article I wrote for Sojourners magazine a few years ago that tells the story. (And it looks as though others have had the same idea independent of our endeavors.)

Make Something Day is back!

la posada sin fronteras 2011

2011-11-23T12:54:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year again. Fliers for your distribution pleasure below.

I have so much affection for this simple poster. It's all the memories it represents. I love the line: "Que brille la estrella seguimos pidiendo posada." or "The star still shines the search for shelter continues." What a loaded phrase!?

See you there?

11posadaflyerfront.pdf Download this file

11posadaflyerback.pdf Download this file

Not a fan of a cluttered desk! Crunch time.

2011-11-23T11:43:00.001-08:00

Taken at Office of World Domination

music: cldscp "encanto"

2011-11-23T07:08:00.001-08:00

this is how the boys watch movies together

2011-11-21T17:08:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

TV On The Radio cover Fugazi

2011-11-21T15:58:00.001-08:00

via stereogum.com

Wish the whole song had been captured.

Paige's acrylic painting of the @MissionSLR

2011-11-20T20:35:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hidden Meadows

jazz vesper @ first

2011-11-19T17:16:00.001-08:00

Taken at First Presbyterian

pics from Sammy's year 2

2011-11-17T08:19:00.001-08:00

Happy birthday to my Sammy!!

2011-11-17T07:24:00.001-08:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

Putting the “Protest” back into Protestant | What Christians could learn from #OWS

2011-11-16T11:42:00.001-08:00

via occupytogether.org

In a recent conference call I was asked about my opinions on Occupy Wall Street and the other occupations arising after that. To my surprise, I had a lot more in my head about this than I would have thought. So, here's a bit of a brain dump on the subject.

It has been easy for many to write off what has been happening with the #occupy movement across the world. But are things we could, or should, learn from this phenomenon? I think Christians, or at least Protestants of all stripes, should pay attention to protests. Spiritual, ethical, moral and theological protest is a historical distinction for Protestants within the Christian family. What follows is not an attempt to wholesale validate these “occupations.”Rather, it is simply my reflection on what this movement has exposed.

Naming the problems
JR Woodward has made good points about what the #occupy movement has brought to bear and how it relates to the Christian faith. Wealth inequality is increasing. All of us know more and more people who are struggling or terribly nervous about what lies ahead. Economics and poverty are central themes within Scripture. We ought to be wrestling with these texts and living out what the Scriptures require of us regarding the poor and injustice. As Woodward puts it, “This ought to concern us as Christ followers. Jesus had much to say about wealth inequality, just check out the not so popular Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6.”

Everyone has a voice, everyone has a role
From my perspective, one of the reasons why the Occupy movement is hard to understand for most people has something to do with the fact it does not flow with the typical consumer narrative. There is not a clear leader(s), there is not just one product or agenda and there is not a clear timeline. This is often what happens when everyone has a voice. The occupations have been intriguing in the fact that a multiplicity of gifts and abilities are able to participate. It reminds me a lot of what the punk rock scene was like when I was exposed to it. As Christians, we believe in the “priesthood of all believers.” What can we learn from the creative inclusions of the many in our own work?

It is (for the most part) non-violent
David Fitch has already mentioned this point here. Still, it is my conviction that fundamental and radical convictions that do not require peacemaking and resistance against violence as core aspects of that conviction will ultimately result in violence. For much of Christian history--and in the mind of its thinkers and teachers throughout time--peacemaking has been a central theme. Now, what the occupy movement has displayed is nonresistance or nonviolence, not peacemaking necessarily. That requires more than occupation of public space and more direct exchange with the “powers”. Nonetheless, these occupations have accomplished much without the use of violence. And as Fitch writes, they are “nonviolently opting out of polluted democratic structures”. Where does violence corrupt our work of sharing the good news of God’s love?

Becoming a peculiar people, or being in yet not of the world
The movement has made a clear distinction in its efforts. It internally functions and externally displays something clearly different than the status quo. This is done in great part to make a statement; the statement that the status quo is broken. We, as Christians, often go to great lengths to be culturally relevant and inoffensive. This, in most cases I think, comes from a good conviction. But it is often poorly exercised. We end up being indistinguishable from the rest of the culture we are within. What might we learn about this movement that reminds of our protest-ant roots?

On Movements:

Don’t call it a movement until it’s a movement
I’m increasingly annoyed by folks that call their new Christian work a “movement.” From my perspective, Christians don’t start movements. We believe the Holy Spirit does. The “movement” begun at Pentecost was ignited by the Holy Spirit. Not Peter or the disciples. The other thing that troubles me is that we call things a movement before they really are a movement, something in which the ideals and values of something move beyond its leaders and initial context and become cross-contextual, based on those ideals—not leaders and resources. #Occupy became that. Most “missional movements” are small networks, not movements.

Real movements often have slow starts and quick endings
From a Western perspective, the #occupy movement owes much of its impetus to the work of Adbusters and its founder Kalle Lasn. (BTW, Lasn’s Culture Jam,/em> is a worthwhile read) Adbusters coined the “occupy” term last summer but obviously didn’t see it realized until months later. And the kind of thing now happening with these occupations is something they’ve long imagined in their work. All this to say, that movements frequently have small and long beginnings that suddenly, and unexpectedly, take off with a life of their own. But the opposite is often true of their endings.

What #OWS could learn:

Listen to yet don’t idealize your elders
So much of what is currently happening comes from high ideals. I applaud high ideals. I’m an idealist myself. But high ideals often repeat history. When I look at this movement I want to know what kind of dialog is happening with the previous generation of protestors. Obviously, many of those protesting during the 60’s grew up and became a part of what they were previously protesting. Is the question being asked what to learn from that movement? What can be avoided? Etc. I see the same problem in many progressive, and “emerging” Christian circles. They are doing the same thing that another generation did. Are you sure you want to do that? Visit most mainline churches today and you will find a lot of dying churches. Are you asking what happened, what went wrong and are you willing to be critical enough of yourself to determine whether or not you are taking steps than will commit you to the same errors? That may be happening. I’m just asking because it does not seem evident to me.

Know who you are
Part of the reason why the Civil Rights movement worked in many respects is because they trained, knew what they wanted and went after that. Its so postmodern to have no agenda, but all agendas. (Sorry, that was snarky) But at the end of the day, I don’t know what results will come of that. It’s okay to not let every agenda co-opt a movement. It seems important, to me at least, that folks involved in this to know what they want and how they imagine getting it. Christians, in particular, who find themselves to be a part of this movement need to know when this fits within their understanding of the Christian narrative and when they go separate ways. Its not an easy decision to make. But it still has to be made, in my opinion. Its okay to say, “I’m with you on [fill in the blank] agenda because it aligns with I see the Father doing. But I cannot participate in [fill in the blank] because it does not fit with the Father’s agenda.” In fact, its not just okay. I think we have to do that.

Nonviolence is only half-way to peacemaking
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus didn’t just teach a way to resist non violently, he taught a way to make peace with enemies. I applaud the urge to go about things without violence (where that has been the case). But there is more excluding the option of violence than avoidance. I recommend Glen Stassen’s Just Peacemaking for starters.

“Occupation” means much the same as “colonialism” in many parts of the world
Just a thought, does “occupy” neglect the terms historical implications in many parts of the world? I would not want to live in an territory occupied by someone else. As a Christian, I would not want my enemies to either.

Today, it frequently doesn’t start in the West
It seems to me that is a bit naïve if one were to think that the protests, and revolutions, that arose in the Middle East had nothing to do with the #occupy movement. Locked deep within our Western imaginations we tend to think that everything begins with us. In truth, the marketing and consumerism of the West does have global impact. But due to globalization it’s a two way street now. And it would seem likely to me that much of the imagination of what we now see was sparked by what we saw in the Middle East. Which leads me to my next thought.

We are not the 99%
As a visual shared by Anthony Bradley makes clear, those protesting are not the 99% of the world suffering from abject poverty. This should be taken into consideration. Is this being brought to the forefront simply because the economic crisis is now impacting those of us in the States? Because it has effected many more--mostly in the southern hemisphere--for much longer. How does such an effort as #occupy impact their dire situation? Especially when considering the situation in many other parts of the world, are we grateful for what we do have? This is not to disregard the high unemployment and growing number of those below the poverty line in the States. I am well aware of that as I see the face of homelessness in San Diego change. I simply want to point out that we much more than we often think when we consider the global community. This leads to my last thought.

Protest in the real world
Let me be clear before I make this next point, protestants can, and have been, very impactful. The demonstrations during the Civil Rights movement, for example, were critical to draw attention to the injustice of racism. Yet, the “living protests” of Clarence Jordan and those of the Koinonia Farms was just as critically important as the demonstrations. Why? They envisioned another way to be human after the protest was over. How can the current critique being articulated and demonstrated be shaped into tangible, sustainable ways of living differently?

rockin' out

2011-11-14T15:04:00.001-08:00

the ambidextrous organization

2011-11-10T19:40:00.001-08:00

The Roman god Janus had two sets of eyes—one pair focusing on what lay behind, the other on what lay ahead. General managers and corporate executives should be able to relate. They, too, must constantly look backward, attending to the products and processes of the past, while also gazing forward, preparing for the innovations that will define the future.

via hbr.org

We're at a point in Church history where much of our classic methodology is highly questioned. I was once one of the young whipper snappers taking cheap shots at the church, easily forgetting that she was my Savior's bride. I've grown more practical but my love for the Church still leaves me to hope for constant improvement

In my studies at Fuller, our cohort has talked, studied and read a ton on ecclesiological issues. The bottom line is this: conversations of change have to take into consideration that such changes impact people, for they, not the institutions, are the Church. When we take this into consideration we quickly realize that there are many that are tightly bound to the legacy, the heritage of any local congregation. The traditions shape them and mold them even as those younger or more entrepreneurial want to move on.

How might we honor the old, while exploring the new? The truth is most experimentation with church forms that are attached to a traditional congregation are not set up to survive without the "mothership." If you "kill it," you lose your resources. So, it isn't in the best interest of many young Christian leaders to burn down the proverbial house. A balance has to be found.

The Harvard Business Review (follow link above) published an article some time back that discussed the "ambidextrous organization." And I think this concept might give some imagination to the conversation of ancient/future church or at least some practical thought-starters. Here's a few principles I draw from the "ambidextrous" idea in the western church context:

- Both the "old" and the "new" must have value to the whole
- There is only a "new" for the sake of mission; not relevance, reaction or whatever else might compel us
- The "old" has value as it holds within it a legacy, a history and a narrative that informs the whole (if not more)
- Mission brings life to all (the HBR article authors talk about "incremental," "architectural," and "discontinuous" innovations or changes)

What are your thoughts?

wha?

2011-11-09T21:09:00.001-08:00

street art in la

2011-11-09T16:53:00.001-08:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

Jason Evans
o: 619-232-7513 x1027
m: 619-808-9985
f: 619-232-8469
fpcsd.org
digitaljasonevans.com

MAGL Urban Exegesis starts... now!

2011-11-09T10:37:00.001-08:00

Taken at Metro Gold Line Lake Station

No Such Thing As Atheism - David Foster Wallace

2011-11-08T08:50:00.001-08:00

Because here's something else that's weird but true: in the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And the compelling reason for maybe choosing some sort of god or spiritual-type thing to worship--be it JC or Allah, be it YHWH or the Wiccan Mother Goddess, or the Four Noble Truths, or some inviolable set of ethical principles--is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things, if they are where you tap real meaning in life, then you will never have enough, never feel you have enough. It's the truth. Worship your body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly. And when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally grieve you. On one level, we all know this stuff already. It's been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story. The whole trick is keeping the truth up front in daily consciousness.

Worship power, you will end up feeling weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to numb you to your own fear. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. But the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they're evil or sinful, it's that they're unconscious. They are default settings.

They're the kind of worship you just gradually slip into, day after day, getting more and more selective about what you see and how you measure value without ever being fully aware that that's what you're doing.

And the so-called real world will not discourage you from operating on your default settings, because the so-called real world of men and money and power hums merrily along in a pool of fear and anger and frustration and craving and worship of self. Our own present culture has harnessed these forces in ways that have yielded extraordinary wealth and comfort and personal freedom. The freedom all to be lords of our tiny skull-sized kingdoms, alone at the centre of all creation. This kind of freedom has much to recommend it. But of course there are all different kinds of freedom, and the kind that is most precious you will not hear much talk about much in the great outside world of wanting and achieving.... The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them over and over in myriad petty, unsexy ways every day.

That is real freedom. That is being educated, and understanding how to think. The alternative is unconsciousness, the default setting, the rat race, the constant gnawing sense of having had, and lost, some infinite thing.

via moreintelligentlife.com

Thoughts?

an external focus...

2011-11-02T22:23:00.001-07:00

via externallyfocusednetwork.com

My buddy, Brian Mavis, has a similar role as mine at First but he works for LifeBridge Christian Church in Colorado. He also runs the Externally Focused Network. Through this network, Brian has just released a free report that profiles some of the best "externally focused ideas" to come out of their network of churches. One of the things I love about this is that it shows the potential when churches determine the assets of both their congregation and community and then work together. Take a look. It's free. And if this is something you're just getting started in considering, Chris Smith's Growing Deeper In Our Church Communities is really helpful in getting you started down this path too (it too is a free download).

Bradley on Ladd on Kingdom

2011-10-31T21:13:00.001-07:00

Jesus teaching on the Kingdom (Matt 6:33) helps condition us to embrace long-term thinking and delayed gratification. This is not only good theology but it's also liberates us from the short-term thinking that dominates low-income communities that keeps people from making wise decisions.

via bradley.chattablogs.com

Kids' school photo proofs are in...

2011-10-30T11:29:00.001-07:00

... and they are adorable! Sammy's "who are you and why are you taking a picture of me" face is awesome!

Occupy London could be protected by Christian ring of prayer

2011-10-30T09:59:00.001-07:00

via guardian.co.uk

Intriguing response from UK Christians. What are your thoughts? What role--if any--should Christians play in the Occupy movement? (And it certainly has become a movement)

BTW - this reminds me of that.

winter shelter at First announced

2011-10-30T09:22:00.001-07:00

2011/12 Winter Shelter
We are happy to announce that FPC will once again host a temporary winter shelter starting the evening of December 16. Our goal is to provide more than a roof over the head of some of the most vulnerable that Ladle Fellowship serves. We intend to offer a “Next Step” program for those committed to transitioning off the street. To do this we will need the help of those who are willing to build relationships with our guests and mentor them. We will need volunteer help in the following areas:

(1) providing security and supervision each night
(2) packing bag breakfasts or bringing in evening meals
(3) participating in a time of fellowship with our guests
(4) providing financial sponsorship to offset the costs of the shelter.

Volunteer training will be offered on Saturday, November 19.

Email us at outreach@fpcsd.org to learn more. To volunteer, sign up at the Welcome Center or Usher’s Table or here.

via fpcsd.org

First is hosting a temporary winter shelter again this year. We learned a lot last year. We're weaving this together with a few other projects to hopefully provide the best opportunity for this to be a permanent transition off the streets for our guests. The most exciting, to me, is the "Homeless Assistance Teams", which will be spearheaded by the Downtown Fellowship. Training for the teams and the shelter volunteers will be offered on November 19. Sign up here. We need your help!

books: Street Crossers

2011-10-30T08:33:00.001-07:00

via streetcrossers.com

Yesterday, Rick Shrout's new book Street Crossers showed up in the mail. Chapter Two profiles yours truly. But don't be discouraged to pick it up because of that. It also profiles several people in the missional/organic/emerging church planting world that I highly respect and they have wonderful stories to tell. You should pick it up. I'd love to hear your thoughts and I'm sure Rick would too.

(That's now four books that I'm written about in... maybe I should think about writing my own.)

music: pygmy lush

2011-10-30T08:05:00.001-07:00

via vimeo.com

My buddy Be Rad recently introduced me to these guys. Knowing of their roots in the east coast screamo, hardcore scene, I was surprised at the sleepy, sweeping tunes of Pygmy Lush. But I've really fallen in love with their two latest releases. This fellow beautifully captured video of a set of theirs in Tulsa. Check 'em out.

Found this book. Anyone read it?

2011-10-30T07:28:00.001-07:00

Taken at Hawthorn House

Celebrating Paige's 10th Birthday!

2011-10-29T18:47:00.001-07:00

Taken at Lucha Libre

Loft: done

2011-10-29T11:48:00.001-07:00

first time mowing the yard

2011-10-28T17:26:00.001-07:00

music: la vida boheme

2011-10-27T11:31:00.001-07:00

via youtube.com

Love these guys. You should too.

dontbesheep: blame

2011-10-27T08:19:00.001-07:00

Ever since society began, we humans have engaged in the fine art of scapegoating. We know that each of us make mistakes. But we don’t want to pay the price. So, what we do we do to avoid the consequences that come with our error? We blame someone else.

Sure, we’d like to convince ourselves that only children engage such blame-avoidance. But the truth is that we adults have mastered the craft. In most industries, it is known by the technical term: CYA.

Good leaders don’t blame others. Sure, leaders are usually easy targets and are often told, “Don’t take it personal.” But I say the opposite; good leaders take it personal. They are self-aware. They know their errors. They know when they make mistakes. They can withstand being held responsible for errors of the whole. And yet they still lead.

This does something for the person following. They see the risk the leader is willing to take, even risking herself for the sake of the cause. This kind of leader gains a respect and devotion few others will.

While one may perceive this as weakness, lacking cunning to avoid blame, the truth is that this proves strength. This kind of leader can absorb blame. It doesn’t effect this leader long term. Why? Because this kind of leader will be one of the few that has come to terms with human frailty and still thrives. This kind of leader has left the rat race of scapegoating. And as we all know, an exhausting race it is.

If you’re at fault, accept the blame. Humbly. But with your head high. This is a faster track to being a successful leader than typically gets credit.

- JE

via dontbesheep.wordpress.com

My latest over at dbs.

music: lucas santtana

2011-10-19T09:20:00.001-07:00

via youtube.com

When I get really busy I tend to listen to lots of music. It keeps me simultaneously calm and motivated. That's been life recently as I prepare our loft for rent and plan to be out of town for a couple weeks coming up. So, you'll be seeing a bunch of forthcoming posts on music. Thanks to the recommendations of some friends and NPR shows Alt Latino and All Songs Considered, I've recently discovered some new favorites. Lucas Santtana is one of them. Good stuff. I like his mix of acoustic, classical guitar work and electronic bits. This song in particular is a nice mixture of those elements.

Don't listen to much Latin music? Be prepared! I got more coming.

music: river city extension

2011-10-17T09:35:00.001-07:00

via youtube.com

Lately, I'm really getting into this band, River City Extension which hails from New Jersey. From the live material I've watched or listened to online it seems that their live show is high energy. Would love to see them in person at some point. I know I'm gonna get if for saying this, but when you think of River City Extension, think Mumford & Sons only better.

updated pics of our loft...

2011-10-15T11:49:00.001-07:00

I mentioned before that our loft is available for rent. We're just about finished with some serious renovations and I am very happy with the outcome (took a bit longer than initially anticipated). Compare these pics with those in this post and you can see some of the changes. If you or someone you know is looking for a great place to rent, get in touch. We'd like to get someone up there right away.

Here's our listing on Craigslist.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Experiment II

2011-10-15T11:04:00.001-07:00

Experimenting w/ cause and effect...

2011-10-15T10:40:00.001-07:00