Bruce Reyes-Chow

A little Top 10 Friday link lovin'

I have been meaning to blog some more here but alas twas not to be this week.  So, here are a few posts and things that you might be interested in if you have some clicks left in ya before the weekend.

ONE: Mark needs some feedback on his Bible Study on Blogs.

TWO: Abbykk leaves tomorrow for a Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic.

THREE: DJ needs help making an iPhone decision.

FOUR: My spouse has caved under the pressure and is now accepting FB friends, but unlike her husband who has zero friend discernment - sorry -  she will only only accept you if she really knows you . . . but feel free to try ;-)

FIVE: Dr. Mark Roberts is having an interesting discussion about the future of the PC(USA) -  Can we, Can We All Get Along? - and while we may land in different places on some theological issues, he is doing a great job at framing the issues and conversation.

SIX: I may have one of these by next week.  Oooo ahhhh.

SEVEN: I have a bunch of movie reviews that I want to write: Shanghai Kiss, Unflinching Triumph, 27 Dresses, Hellboy II, P.S. I Love You and TITANIC, yeah you heard right, "I am king of the world!!!!!!!"  "

EIGHT: American Born Chinese pastor has been posting some great posts on pastoral leadership and authenticity.  Check out Being Ourselves and Should I Stay or Should I Go?

NINE: My mom is not my wife.  Good Golly.

TEN: Oh no he didn't.

Sorry about that last one.  Couldn't resist doing this.
 

Kontent, Emergent V and a little hip-hop

In order to avoid getting into some of the mundane Monday tasks, here are three quick links that greeted me the morning.

1. I love when people I know in person get some visibility for good work and creativity.  Imagine my surprise to open the paper this AM - yes, I still like reading and actually hand-held paper - to see fellow parent Mark Decena of Kontent Films, featured in the article Directors Make Ads to Engage, Entertain.  Mark made the film Dopamine a few years back and is in the process of releasing the mockumentary, Unflinching Triumph.
2. For those of you who have any connection to the Emergent Village, they are asking for some input about the future of the organization.  Honestly struggling with the future of a postmodern movement that seeks some kind of sustainability, kudos for asking for some input.  It is three questions, so head on over and [TAKE THE SHORT SURVEY].
3. If you need a little hip-hop this AM - and who doesn't? - take a look at this one from Eldest and Middle's dance recital.  Middle in the one on the left with the hat and gloves.  About a minutes in she has a little solo and the crazy lady screaming through the whole thing is my mom.

Have a great Monday!

Canadians can sing and Presbyterians can walk

Quick, here are three ways to let your voice be heard in some very random ways.

VOTE FOR LAURELL
A few months ago, MBCC and The Rock had the pleasure of hosting Laurell Hubick for worship and a little hanging out time.  It was a great deal of fun, she was a joy to get to know AND she could SANG!  I was most impressed by her lyrics which touch upon some great themes and make bold statements.  We still listen to your CD's and hope that she does well.  This AM I received a note from her Facebook Group asking for us to vote for her as part of a Canadian unsigned-artist thing.

laurell is currently competing for a $25,000 prize on redpipe.ca and needs your help! every day you're allowed to vote for her to continue in the competition... by voting you're not only helping her, but also entering yourself to win prizes for yourself as well! win-win, that's what we like! so tell all your friends and family to get on board too, the more the merrier . . . remember to vote every day and help laurell :) . . . voting lasts until may 31st.

VOTE HERE
Laurell's Website

SF AIDS WALK
As you know many of us have been part of the "Presbyterians Fighting AIDS" team representin' the Presby's at the the annual event.  This year it takes place on July 20th and we are hoping to get 100 people registered so we can get one of the BIG tables for the BBQ and gathering space.  Please take five minutes to register even if you may not be able to walk.  Register every member of your household, family pets, etc. as we know people will tend to show up late in the process so may not be counted by the time they assign tables.  Also please pass this along to your churches and get them connected with this great public witness.  If you have any questions you can contact the main organizer, Marcus Jung, [marcauditor at juno dot com]. Okay so what are you waiting for, please REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!

There are a couple of "Mock Elections" as part of my Moderator Journey.  They don't really mean much in the end, but if you need just one more excuse to let your voice be heard - or waste just a few more minutes online - feel free to play.  Not sure what we get if we win these elections, but I am hoping for one of these.  Also, if you are going to be a General Assembly and want to be part of the on-site team or can take a shift in the booth, please let me know.  The more the merrier!

• Presbyterians for Renewal GA2008 Site [VOTE HERE]
• John Shuck's Blog [VOTE HERE]

This is just not right

[h/t: Sparkwood & 21]

When Resourceful Goes too Far

If you have not picked up on this blog by Bay Area newbie Brittany Gilbert, add her to your reader.  What are you waiting for?

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality

[h/t: Presbymergent]

Always a willing participant in the viral nature of community building, let me pass along this note from Susan Baller-Shepard, from the www.spiritualbookclub.com.

I am a Presbyterian minister, social worker, and writer, and I’ve facilitated www.spiritualbookclub.com for nearly ten years now. I am a parish associate pastor at First Pres-Normal, IL. We also have a local spirituality book club group that meets in Barnes & Noble once a month, makes meals for the homeless, collects items for women in prison, etc. We now have a new blog www.spiritualbookclubblog.blogspot.com which I think would be of interest to the Presbymergent crowd.

We’re collecting interviews to highlight the spiritual lives of real people on this blog. If you’d like to be highlighted, please email me your responses to the below questions and a photo, and we’ll post them. Enjoy reading what’s already posted. We hope to get diversity both of opinion and geography, and so far we have responses from friends in India, England, Australia, etc.

Peace,
Susan Baller-Shepard

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality…

Your Name (you can choose, you can put your full name or just first name):
Where you live (vague as you wanna be):
What you do as a vocation or avocation?
Your two favorite books:
Your two favorite CDs:
Why you are interested in spirituality?
Your favorite quote:
Your favorite web sites:
Your hero?
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn?
A place in the world where you feel spiritually “connected?”
Please include a photo of yourself, or something that represents you, so we can upload it to the blog.

Unintentionally Rick Rollin'

Thanks to Shawn, I was made aware of the term Rick Rolled. 

Sorry, again for the Rick Roll.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahah!

Ramblings from Rambledonia

After my post about Too old for an identity crisis, someone sent me this one, What Asian People Like.  I have decided that I am not White.

A few nights ago our youngest crawled onto my lap and fell asleep.  Being the whirling dervish momma's girl that she is, she hasn't done that in a while.  She can be so so so sweet.   I still remember when each of them fit head-to-toe on my chest and we would nap together.  The drippy dad in me is sad that we are seeing the youngest leave behind life stages that we won't have again in our children.  There have been a few of those moments as of late in each of our children as we truly see our girls growing up right before our eyes.  I went back and read my post, A Letter to my Daughters, and yep, still mean every word.

I love the church I serve.  They push me to think about what church and community means and I hope to do the same.  Plus they are just freaking funny.  Some think that my running standing for Moderator is totally ridiculous - which I need to hear - while others think it is pretty awesome - which I also need to hear.

Was just on a podcast on The Phoenix Journal; three guys, a mic and mad editing skillz.

I was trying to purge my google reader - good luck - and stumbled upon these blogs that I had not read or linked to in a while.

MetroDad - poppycock from a cocky pop
8 Asians - 8 Asian Americans/Canadians Blogging
MLB Trader Rumors - If it's whispered, we hear it
The Creativity Exchange - Richard Florida on the creative class
Racialicious - the intersection of race and pop culture
Wittenburg Door blog - From the Wittenburg Door Magazine

And for those that need another Rick Astley flashback fix, here is the VH-1 Pop-up Video version on "Never gonna you up."  You're welcome.

Schrute Buck?
Stanley Nickle?

Cool Neighborhood Website

Not sure how I first heard of this neighborhood site, Every Block.  I think it was The Corner - the guy who is my supplier for all things new and cool -  but I was hit today with a google alert because someone reviewed MBCC.  After poking around a bit, I was immediately impressed with the amount of info, the layout and the feel for the site.

So here is what you do . . . type in an address, any address, and Every Block produces a list of things such as: Building Permits, Business Reviews, Crime blotter, etc.  It grabs info from all over webland and brings it to your doorstep or eMail or RSS feed, whatever you prefer.  While I am not sure that I REALLY want to know how much crime is in my outwardly safe neighborhood, at least I not have the choice not to pay attention ;-)

More rambling, blah blah blah, yada yada yada

Today I was in Ab's classroom to help with reading and since it was raining filled in for Ms. V. during recess so she could take a break.  Too fun hanging out with 20 first-graders.  The best part was watching a group of them build a castle and then spend 10 minutes passionately and animatedly discuss the merits of the fortification and whether it really could stand up to an attack.  This is important stuff.  Gotta love first graders!

Props to Shawn who came clean as he discussed the upcoming General Assembly on the monthly DAIO Podcast.  I was wondering how long he was going to let the charade go on.  If you have not subscribed to this podcast, it is well with the listen.  Some good folks out there.  Plus David Ealy finally joined Facebook. 

Somewhat disappointing is the Chia Pet that Ev has been nurturing (And I REALLY mean she has been taking good care of this thing.) because, well, just look at it.  Plus, it is kinda stinky.  I am not even sure what it is supposed to be.

Less disappointing is that today, I also took a break and did a little thrifting at the local places here in the city.  Treasure were a plenty my friends!

Lastly, if you like Yelping as well as Twittering, then PlaceShout might be for you.  Because there is ALWAYS time to share your opinion.

[h/t: Mashable]

Blog Map 10 - V

This week's installment of BLOG MAP 10.

Starting Blog:
One of the very first church/religion/culture bloggers that I really got to know was DJ Chuang.  I don't even remember now how we met, but he helped me get settled and moving as I began this blogging journey.  I think it was a couple of years before we actually met face-to-face in the DC area.  My plan is almost complete as he has relocated to California, albeit, Southern California.  NorCal is calling my friend, bwaahaahaa!  DJ's blog is worth subscribing because he artfully navigates the places where church, culture, technology intersect.

Here it goes . . .

• Starting Blog #1 // www.djchuang.com 
  
• Blog #2: // IndyChristian // Indianapolis Christian site.  Cool concept, but wait for the dude that starts talking to you.  Kinda freaked me out a bit.  A TON of content.
• Blog #3: // Wireless Coffee Tech // Couldn't resist.  Another Indianapolis-based blog.  This one gives some tech advice.
• Blog #4: // U.B. Bloggin // I am stuck in Indianapolis and I can't get out ;-)  This blog seems to be about the ministry of a cool little Indy bakery.
• Blog #5: // Damita // The blog url is addictedtochrist.blogspot.com.  My first reaction was , "Really? Should we be addicted?"  But interesting that this blog is one that is addressed towards thos with addiction issues. Still in Indianapolis. Dead end, no outgoing links.
• Blog #6: // Brothers Brick // RESTART - Switch gears for all you Legoheads out there.
• Blog #7: // Ty // And just like that, back to Jesus.  Man, we're EVERYWHERE!
• Blog #8: // Karl Bastian // AKA the Kidologist, an interesting post on the Golden Compass.
• Blog #8: // Top Left Pixel // Great name and some nice images.  A blog that gives you a Daily Dose of Imagery. I like this one, not sure why. And a dead end.
• Final Blog #10: // Savage Chickens // RESTART - Because chickens on post-its are ALWAYS funny, especially when playing Scrabble.

Happy wanderings