The Ultimate Match Up

VS

Bottom Line:  I'm going with Monk

Information Vs. Transformation

About a month or two ago I was rocked with a statement that stunned me into a deep thought process in which I fully examined my current method of operation against that statement.  After a couple months of reflection, discussion, and adaptation, I think that I have begun the process of being aware of the statement.  The statement was as follows.

"We as followers of Jesus should value transformation over information."  I'm not sure if that was the word for word quotation, but it came from Chuck Mingo in a sermon series at Crossroads studying the book of James.  Also at the same time of that series I happened to be reading through "Present Perfect" by Greg Boyd with my small group.  A part of that book pretty much highlights that whole idea from James about intentional application of information leading to or translated to transformation.

I was stunned for several reasons.  One being that as of late, I have turned into an information junkie.  I have been  soaking up information from so many sources.  I've read 15 books since January, I've been reading through the Old Testament on a year reading plan, Music, TV, Movies, you name it, I've been sort of obsessed with gaining information.  I've even been known to spend hours on Wikipedia just reading and clicking relatable links in an endless forward progression of gaining information.  Too bad I didn't have this passion when I was in school.

My big realization was that I was inputting all kinds on information, but not much was being outputted. I was learning and gaining information, but there was no action.  In a spiritual sense I was understanding more things, but not obeying.  I really took this realization to heart in my faith.  A previous realization for me was being congruent in my life by living and being the same in all facets of life.  Now I realized that I had read the book of James what felt like a million times, yet I wasn't doing anything.  If faith equals belief plus action, I was only at a 50% on faith.  I realize that I can be hard on myself, and that I'm sure that I was doing things in response to my faith, but I just realized that it may have been a little too much auto pilot instead of being fully aware and present.

The response has been varied.  I am now more selective at what information I am inputting.  This does not mean that I only read the Bible and listen to Christian music and do not watch TV or movies.  I think that inspiration comes from all things around me, and can be turned into action.  I have just started paying closer attention.  For example:  Earlier in the year I read a biography on Jim Brown (Football Player).  He had a great athletic career, had some off field issues, and struggles, but what I most pulled out from the book was his dedication to making his community better.  I in turn was inspired to make my own community better, but not having a clue how to do so.  In short, I started with availability.  Now I'm drifting, but that was an example of taking information and turning it into transformation with the value of importance being on the transformation in lieu of the information.

I find myself taking more notes, making more plans, and most impact full has been discussing the information with others.  Talking to people both one on one or in groups about what we are reading, watching, or listening to has become a passion of mine.  Finding out what is inspiring others, and sharing what is inspiring me, and what the plan of action based on this inspiration (information) can look like together or individually ultimately leading to transformation and growth.

Bottom Line - What you put into your mind and body, usually comes out through your actions and personality.

Craigslist Shenanigans

I have always been skeptical of Craigslist, and after my first six encounters on Craigslist I realized that I should probably remain skeptical about Craigslist. I think it is a great tool if used correctly. I want to share the stories of my first six encounters because they are fun and interesting.

 Encounter #1

 I was selling my Sitar that I impulsively bought from Ebay before I was married. I maybe played it a total of 5 times and finally decided that Craigslist was the way to go so I created an add. Within two hours three different people contacted me saying they wanted it and had cash and could meet right away. I was shocked, so I met the first lucky responder in the Kroger parking lot near my house. The guy was in a psycadelic band and wanted the sitar to add to the vibe of the band. I was so nervous about the meeting, but he seemed to be a Craigslist veteran and talked me down off of my price, but end of day it needed to go so it went for more than I was expecting it to go for.

 Encounter #2

 This time as a buyer I was seeking a mandolin and decided to check one out that was pretty close to my house. The add had a phone number to text so I went ahead and made contact. He gave me some info and an address and I was going to look at it but the price seemed way high. So after awhile I texted him back and said that I wasn't interested anymore. Then he sent me three texts in rapid succession begging me to come look at it and in the last text he dropped the price $90. So reluctantly I agreed to go look at it. When I got there and met the guy, he had an interesting story. He was visually and hearing impaired and used a walking stick and could not communicate with me unless he saw my lips. The first thing I asked him was how he came to play a mandolin? He said that he wanted to try it, but couldn't hear it and ended up breaking a string and was ready to part with it. So I asked him to cut another 10 off, paid and was on my way.

 Encounter #3

 I needed a bag or case for my newly aquired mandolin so I found someone in Amelia who had a brand new bag for cheap, so I contacted them and told them that I wanted the bag but was not going to go all the way up there to get it, so I told him where I lived and he recommended that we meet halfway and he determined that halfway was Tri County. So I had a 20 minute drive to his 45+ minute drive, but I got the bag on his terms.

 Encounter #4

 Becoming inspired I decided to become the seller. My mom brought over this old busted up beat up starting to rust up trumpet that was completely non functional. I threw it on Craigslist and to my surprise got a response to it rather quickly from someone is Colorado Springs. It turns out that the busted up trumpet had a soulmate in Colorado. The guy who is in the Airforce revealed to me that as a hobby he refurbishes and fixes up busted up and messed up trumpets and that he really wanted this one and wondered if I could ship it to Colorado if he paid. Since I was excited about connecting them together I said yes, he sent me the money and I shipped it. He emailed me to let me know that he received it and he was excited to get started on it. I asked him to email me a picture of it when he was done.

 Encounter #5

 My mom also had 2 old busted up banjos in which I was determined to find their soulmates. I believe that I succeeded on this one because I met the third guy who was interested, because he was the first one that could meet, in a Walgreens parking lot and he told me that he plays music with his family and that his two sons are pretty good fiddle players. He was interested in the 4 string banjo because they all play Irish music together. He ended up buying both the 4 string and the 5 string.

 Encounter #6

 By this time I have become my mom's selling agent and she had an antique samsonite suitcase for sale. I got a response from someone who said they were just in town visiting their son, but left to go home and they wanted the suitcase for the price I had on there and that they would send me a check and arrange a pick up. They also stressed to me to be honest because they were "a God fearing man". So being inspired by the trumpet guy from Colorado I gave them my address and waited for the money. Today I got a FedEx package with a check made out to me for $2,125. The item was only $40. So I googled the company name on the check, got the phone number and called them to see what the story was. They said that i was the 150th person that called them today who received a check. It was a SCAM. Someone had gotten into their accounts and printed out checks and were sending them to various people across the US from Craigslist. Lesson learned, no more giving out my address, the Colorado guy was great, but obviously he was an exception.

This has turned into a very long post and I would be very surprised if anyone has made it all the way down to this sentence.

 Bottom Line - One man's junk is another man's treasure.

Top 3 - Artists you should be listening to

3. James Vincent McMorrow - This Irish singer songwriter has the falsetto voice like Bon Iver, but more soulful with better melodies. He also has better meaningful heartfelt songs than "the head and the heart" whom I call, "all head and heartless".

2. Andrew Bird - Dude is a stellar talent who sings, plays guitar, plays violin, and whistles all at the same time. His Noble Beast album is what got me hooked, but he just came out with a new album yesterday. I'm excited to check it out.



1. Allen Stone - This guy is the future of music. His throwback soul style is what the music industry needs to get us through this electronic pop phase. Just watch this video, and if you don't agree with me, please tell me why.



Honorable Mention - The Staves, St. Vincent

Bottom Line - Music can be saved if we put the computers away.

January Resolution Grades

Each Month I am forcing myself to review my original resolutions for the year and give myself a grade instead of forgetting them completely. Here are my original resolutions, http://www.jsteg.blogspot.com/2012/01/2012-resolutions.html and here are my self accessed grades for January.

Stop Signs (B-) My awareness has increased drastically, and I find myself in the middle of the crosswalk a lot less than before. I am doing much better in the Escape than I am in the F150. I still think that I am doing above average, but can still improve.

Thinking of God 3 times a day (C-) This was going to be the hardest, and I feel like I am only average at this so far. Not counting meal time prayers was tough, but I think it is possible. My new strategy for February is to associate the beeping of my watch hourly as a reminder. We'll see if that can bring me at least up to a B.

Long Walk (A+) Being January I always come out of the gate strong on some things, then slowly fizzle. I went for 2 laps at Winton Woods on one of the nice days. Check.

24 Hour Fast (A-) I completed it with 3 major initiatives of focus (which I plan to do monthly). I felt like just when I started defeating the hunger and started to focus on my initiatives, my 24 hours was up. This month I'm going to try a lunch to lunch instead of a dinner to dinner which gives me more focus time and the option to flex bonus time to dinner if I feel the need to go longer.

Board Game (C) I did play 4 player Tetris Party on an unplanned night to fulfill my obligation for the month. Although it is a video game and it was spontaneous and not planned, my wife says it still counts. We had tried to plan playing with others several times, but couldn't make it happen. I also say that Tetris counts in 4 player mode. Especially when it is in Battle Mode.

Creating Family Vision / Mission (F) Haven't done anything. I'm trying to read this first. I'm about half way through. http://www.pathsofreturn.com/refamily-the-bibles-blueprint/

Children's Book (F) Haven't done anything

Compassion Letters (F) Haven't done anything

Journaling (C) I have written but I'm still trying to get the hang of it in an organizational way that is beneficial to tracking and retaining my thoughts.

Reading (A-) Although I have read 2 books, and am on my Old Testament pace, I am not keeping up with my "Face to Face" daily readings.

Bottom Line - Overall Grade (C) I'm off to a good start with a good pace and not over doing it like I typically do.

The Civil Wars and The Staves

Last Saturday night Jess and I got rid of the kids, had dinner at Arthur's and then went down to Covington to Madison Theater for a concert. We had missed The Civil Wars last time they were in town because it was a Thursday night (Biggest Mistake of our lives). We redeemed ourselves not only by going, but also by getting a spot way up front.

The show was refreshing for me. The all acoustic show at the large venue was perfect. The crowd was respectful and in control, the sound was amazing, and the bands were even better. The Staves were the opening band. They are 3 sisters from England who harmonize and take turns leading songs while one sister plays guitar, and another sparingly plays ukulele. I thoroughly enjoyed them.

Next up were The Civil Wars. Wow, they were amazing. They had command of the stage and the crowd, they were classy, and humorous. They took it right where The Staves left it and took it to the next level. They played every song that they have ever recorded along with all the covers that they have ever done with the exception of two songs, which equals about an hour and a half of them on stage.



This easily moved into my top 5 concerts of all time, maybe even top 3 (I'll have to review my stubs).

Bottom Line - Great Company + Good Music + Good Food = Great Times

Jim Brown

I completed Book #1 of the year. "Jim Brown: The Fierce Life of an American Hero" By Mike Freeman.



I enjoyed this book. Before reading it, I never knew much about Jim Brown other than hearing that he was a great running back. The book is a pretty good profile of his life mainly through stories that are not necessarily in chronological order. At first that bothered me, but as I progressed it worked out to be a good flow. Jim Brown is a complex man that had a lot going on in his life. Some highlights were the stories of his football days, quitting football in his prime to be a movie actor, he was probed and watched by the FBI for several years, he went to the gangs to promote peace and change. There was also a lot of information about Paul Brown, when he coached Jim Brown on the Browns. A lot of Browns. Jim Brown is a smart guy who chases change with action. For those who don't know here are some football highlights.



Bottom Line - Jim Brown is the greatest NFL running back of all time.

2012 Resolutions

My take on New Years resolutions isn't far from what the world perception usually is. To me, it is about selecting a few areas of my life to try to improve on. This is important to me each year because it gives me an opportunity to look in the mirror. As the great Bob Marley says in one of my favorite and slightly overused quotes, "Open your eyes, and look within. Are you satisfied, with the life you're livin?" For me if I am not challenging myself to become better, then I am most likely sleepwalking through life. For me it is an awareness issue. If I don't make resolutions, then I am most likely not aware and not looking within.

Throughout my resolution career I have learned to make the resolutions attainable. By doing that, the success rate increases. I never really complete my resolutions 100% every year, but I know that by increasing awareness, improvement is there. I usually make my resolutions after the first of the year, after I have had time to reflect on the past year. So without further ado, here are my official 2012 resolutions in no particular order of importance.

-I resolve to correctly operate the vehicle I am driving at stop signs. It has been brought to my attention (by my wife) that when I stop the vehicle and the stop sign is past my door while looking out the passenger window, then I have committed a crime.

-I resolve to think of God and His surrounding presence 3 times a day, not counting meal times. This seems easy, but it is actually probably the hardest one that I have ever tried and will be the one that I fail the most.

-I resolve to go on at least one long walk a month. I've given up on the exercise resolutions, I never do them, so for me 12 walks is attainable.

-I resolve to do a minimum of one 24 hour fast a month. This is about boosting my prayer life, and is definitely attainable.

-I resolve to play at least one board game a month. You can't play board games alone, so this is about boosting community.

-I resolve to complete and cast a vision and mission for my immediate family. My wife and I have talked about doing this for some time now, and this year we will get it done and put it into action.

-I resolve to complete the Children's Book that I started writing. "Tuesday Night Jazz" is the title, based on my Tuesday nights with the kids while Jess is at her girl's group.

-I resolve to write at least 2 letters to my Compassion kid David Ni Quei who resides in Ghana. I've been sponsoring him for about 6 years now and do not write him enough.

-I resolve to journal. Not blog, but journal. Last August I started keeping a journal of events and things that I did. I want to keep that going, but also add personal notes, thoughts, and prayers in a handwritten book.

Feel free to hold me accountable on these throughout the year. Like writing on my facebook, "How are the stop signs?" or "Hey want to get together to play Settlers of Cataan?".

Bottom Line - "The future's uncertain and the end is always near" - Jim Morrison (another overused quote by me)