Category: My So Called Life (Page 3 of 7)

Three Free Books

03/08/2009 / Blake

So this week I got three free books. Looking forward to each of them.

The first one is Mad Church Disease. It was written by Anne Jackson. She grew up in the home of a pastor and has worked as a staff member of a church for quite a while. And she’s witnessed and experienced first hand the dangers of burnout related to ministry jobs. And in Mad Church Disease she explored those dangers and pitfalls closely. I was able to get this for free because I won the contest on the books Facebook page. I won it back in the fall of ’07. Seemed that it would take forever to get my prize. But it’s here now.

The next two were because of a gift card I’d received for my birthday. But I got Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll and Crazy Love by Frances Chan. Both came highly recommended.

Mark Driscoll is pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Interesting city. Interesting church. And it’s quite a conservative church when compared to the local culture of the Northwest. Mark Driscoll says somethings sometimes that really have rubbed some people the wrong way. But I usually appreciate the heart from which he communicates from. He can make you crack up now and then too. Vintage Church is his look at the Biblical model for church, how it is structured and effectively in action.

Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, is about what a life that is truly and passionately in love with Jesus would look like. How would that love affect the person and the way they lived their life. Francis is pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA. Great communicator with a heart for the scriptures. I’ve heard him speak a time or two and get his podcast sometimes too. Check him out.

So..those are my new free books. Hopefully I’ll spend some time reading them soon. When I do I’ll give a quick review!

Do you ever…

03/01/2009 / Blake

Do you ever have a handful or projects in your mind that you think could be successful but know it would take a little bit of work to get out? I think I have a handful in my head right now. I think they’re each doable. I think they each possess a good deal of marketability. And each would be fun to embark upon.

Of course they each would take a little bit of time. But though it’s not necessarily the goal of these projects, I think even a little bit of money could be made from them. At least to pay for the effort and time put into them. But I always get caught up in making little decisions about details to actually launch them. Little things that, while they’re “big deals”, really won’t affect the outcome. It’s like if I were trying to build a dog house to go in my back yard, but I’m standing in Home Depot trying to make the decision on the “right hammer” for the job.

In the end, the dog house will probably look and work just the same as long as I have a good plan in place and do good work. The make and model of the hammer probably wouldn’t matter too greatly. But it’s things like this that I stumble over and get caught up in over analysis.

So…that said, I think I’m typing this to give myself a boost. Give myself a public calling out of sorts. Either move forward with the idea(s) or drop them.

There….

Sunday Hodge Podge

02/01/2009 / Blake

Sunday is the end of the week. End of new thoughts, right? We’ll see. But here are a few things on my mind.

The last two days the girls have been out of town. This means the family dymanic is much different around the house. I actually slept later yesterday that I have in years: 9:00am!
Got to go see a movie last night too. I hope it earned me some good “husband points”. Because I took my wife to see Bride Wars.
We almost saw Rachel Getting Married instead. We’ll see it sometime, if not on DVD. Anne Hathaway seems to play a wide variety of characters these days.
MSU lost to UM yesterday in basketball. I can’t explain how much that stinks. And I got to go to church with a lot of UM fans today. Lucky me.
Friends are having babies left and right around us it seems. But I don’t think we’re feeling the itch for a 4th just yet.
The Super Bowl is less than an hour away. And this might be the first year I am not really into it. But it will be the first time in many, many years I’m able to watch it and not feel I’m “in charge” of anything at all.
If I ever watch a movie set in a foreign country of even a big domestic city…it makes me want to experience that place. I think I might want to live internationally sometime. Live. Not just visit.
I think it’d be cool if my wife were from London or Sydney or Johannesburg. I’d like her to talk that way all the time. But maybe we can move to Auckland or something and then our children can talk like that.
I’m reading a book. I’m just over 1/3 of the way through it. Around 300 pages. A few friends said it was one of the best books they’d read. So I checked it out. Almost bought it for my grandmother for Christmas (before I’d started reading it). My friend seemed to think it might not be a good book to give to a grandmother. Now…he might be right.
Yesterday I made my first solo hospital visit as a pastor.
I’ve been tagged about 5 times to write one of those “25 random facts about me” things on facebook. I’ll write one soon.

This week in Tweets

01/25/2009 / Blake

You could make a pencil with erasers at both ends but honestly… what would be the point? #
I just saw Hurley’s imaginary friend Dave from LOST turn up on 24 – Day 4. #
@ylimewitt @aepolsgrove Batman and Clint Eastwood sound alike. Agree? in reply to ylimewitt #
@tapdraw Didn’t she play the voice of the Squirrel in Doctor Doolittle 2? in reply to tapdraw #
@JeffRodgers I had to switch to foxnews.com. cnn.com wouldn’t load the live stream for me. in reply to JeffRodgers #
I’m wondering the crowd reaction to George and Laura… Any predictions? #
Dick Cheney is in a lowrider. #
Still snowing in Oxford. If it keeps up like this it might actually stick. Right now melts as it hits the ground. #
JT and Dave just said the George handed POTUS the football. A 24 reference. #
I think @tapdraw got cable today just to watch #LOST #
My luck that LOST is on the same night as my small group. Oh well, it was a great meeting. #
Why did Jack shoot hurley? WHY!? #
I think JT and Dave hate the new traffic cams. They call them traffic scamras. #
@jcchurch So do you have a race on the calendar you’re training for? I need to get consistent with running again. Keep it going, man! in reply to jcchurch #
@GodsMac How do I get a pair of those glasses? #
@chandeleur Bryan K Trochessett! welcome to twitter . Like Aladin said….there’s a whole new world! #
@tapdraw Because of frozen yogurt? http://tinyurl.com/djhwu9 in reply to tapdraw #
@shaunking My watch band broke. I keep thinking I need a new watch. But it broke back in October. I’ve been without since. in reply to shaunking #
The UM Disc Golf Course is hopping today. Lots of students out. #
@cameronstrang What software do you use to edit your podcasts? in reply to cameronstrang #
Saturday morning came earlier than expected. But started easier too. Is that possible? #
Twittering about technology talks at leadership team meeting. #
Twitter seems to be getting a lot of shout outs here at the leadership team meeting. Wonder if it will catch on w/ The Orchard. #

Sunday Hodge Podge

01/25/2009 / Blake

More random thoughts to finish out the week.

This week was a big one because of the innaugration. I streamed it on my computer while sitting in my office. I could have gone to watch it with Pat on campus at Ole Miss. But I had a lunch meeting instead that would complicate the schedule. But I did watch. I liked seeing the former presidents and their families. And Obama seemed quite confident. Though I didn’t vote for him or the nations 2nd choice either, I hope the best for this presidency.
Pat wrote a little something on his blog about watching the festivities of Tuesday from Ole Miss on his blog. It made it into the Oxford Eagle as well. I encourage you to read it if you get the chance. Justin also wrote about his feelings watching it from Starkville. Both are great reads.
But the real event of the week happened the next day when LOST began again on ABC. I watched it online the next day. But I didn’t watch the recap episode. I should have. LOST has to be careful. They are close to stretching the plot a little too far, even by their standards. For now, FNL is the best tvshow in the world.
I hate situps. But I’m realize more and more how they will help me grow older more effectively. Total body fitness would help as well.
We’ve entered into our first (and prayerfully hopeful last) situation in dealing with a lying child. But it seems we’re on the upswing. But sometimes it’s absolutely baffling what you experience with your own children.
I love online communities. They can be a chore, they can be a pain, and they can be a joy.
A little over a year ago my family and I began a transition to a new city and a new ministry. There were a lot of unknowns with it. There still are. But God has continued to impress upon me the importance of what we’re doing here in Oxford with The Orchard. And He continues to reveal to me the type of leader and man that my pastor is. And with all those things combined….I’m glad I’m where I am.
Having said that, being a Bulldog here amongst the Rebs isn’t as bad as some might think. But it doesn’t mean it’s the easiest thing in the world either. Maybe I can expound upon that later.
Music can truly transport your mind to different times and places through memories. Sometimes it’s almost a tease the nearly tangible glimpse you get with a remembered song.
Small Group started back last week for us. We’re going through Andy Stanley‘s book It Came From Within. Looking forward to the book, but the time with the people too.
One of our toilets is messed up. Won’t flush right. Won’t overflow either. So that’s good. Even ran a 3′ snake down that sucker.

Sunday Hodge Podge

01/18/2009 / Blake

It’s the weekend. And it’s almost over. But why not throw up some random thoughts?

MSU football recruiting is making me a happy man. Four big announcements this weekend. Hopefully a few more to go. Scout.com has them with the #15 recruiting class in the nation right now with a few more weeks to go. We’ll see what happens.
MSU basketball is making me happy too. After a good start to the season, then a bit of a stumble it seems they’re back on their feet. I thought the season was going to stink. Now we’re 3-0 in the SEC. Even beat Arkansas @ Bud Walton Arena.
LOST starts back this week. I’ve been ready. It’s tied for my favorite tv show ever (maybe.)
Friday Night Lights finished season three on DirecTV this week and then started season 3 on NBC Friday night. I know that seems strange. But rest assured that I think FNL is maybe the best tv show ever. Amazing. Now we gotta see if it gets renewed for a new season or not.
Now since I’ve been thinking of making videos I have been researching good video cameras. I’ve realized that “good” to some people means “astronomical” to me. I’ve had cameras recommened to me that are about the same amount of money as what I made my first year working at a church. Wow. But I know there are some good ones out there.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but sometimes I wonder what it would be like to try to sell my Canon camera and buy a Nikon. As in the D90.
I want a new theme for my blog here. Might it make me post more?
A friend of mine just started a blog. He also just went back to MSU after working in Jackson for a couple of years as an engineer. Give him a look when you can. Head First.
We don’t have cable. And the rabbit ears don’t pick up much of anything. That’s why we love Netflix and Hulu.com. But my mom thinks since we don’t have cable we can’t figure out what the weather is. So she goes to a weather website to email me the forecast if it’s going to be cold or rain or something. I guess she doesn’t think computers in Oxford can get that info w/o her finding it first. But she’s just looking out for me.
Do any of you ever visit Pandora or Last.fm‘s sites? You can discover some cool music through them. Give them a shot. That’s where I found Owl City. [and if you’ve not found Owl City….then you should.]
Spring semester starts back for Ole Miss on Wednesday. So that means the busy roads and crowded restaurants and hopping night life are all about to return. But to be honest, I do like the buzz of the place when school is in session. I like it when it’s calm too. I think you can find a good rhythm there.

That’s all for now…

This week in Tweets

01/11/2009 / Blake

2009 officially starts for me today. Looking forward to the day and the year. #
@iFroggy This is why God made Macs, right? Just kidding. I know it’s frustrating. Hope it starts working again. in reply to iFroggy #
@dmerrix Still on season one, right? It keeps ramping up steadily. What was the major drama this ep? in reply to dmerrix #
@neiltullos Welcome to the conversation. I see you finally drank the Twitter KoolAid. Are any other Clintonians in the mix yet? #
@dmerrix Maybe he’s scouting some for Tim Riggins. Might Riggins become a Red Raider? #Friday Night Lights in reply to dmerrix #
When i can’t find anything good on the radio it seems classic rock is always a comfortable fall back. #
@patgiblin No, but twhirl can. in reply to patgiblin #
@iFroggy Yall use tape to record your podcasts? Wow, retro. in reply to iFroggy #
@neiltullos Are you going to get iLife/iWork09 ? in reply to neiltullos #
@willRambo Did you eat at Solomon’s Porch? in reply to willrambo #
Decisions decisions. I think some times I epitomize paralysis by analysis. #
It’s amazing how a sun can clear your head, make you tired, and energize you simultaneously. #
oops… sun = run #
@abedis Gone Baby Gone in reply to abedis #
Mr. MetroCast is drilling something into the side of my house. Soon… I’ll have high speed net inside. Yet no tv cable. #
Trying to get the no wire internetz working in my home. I’m not cussing yet. #
Wings Fanatic is about to get some of my money. Hope it’s good stuff. #
Just used this (http://is.gd/1ep1) to make a new twitter background. Thanks, @tapdraw! #
I just bloodied my 7 year old’s nose with a Aerobee SuperDisc. Wiped the blood/tears away and she wanted to keep throwing. Thats’ my girl! #
Friday Night Lights + Explosions In The Sky = Greatness. 2nd to last episode was (yet again) golden. And way to go Lance. #

Small Groups video for The Orchard

01/11/2009 / Blake

My wife is always wanting to be helpful. She wants me to be “successful” too. So sometimes she realizes I need a little bit of a boost to get rolling. So we talked about different ideas for a video to make for the church about small groups. But she went ahead and and started calling people setting up interviews to get feedback about why people at The Orchard here in Oxford, MS enjoy small groups.

She kept telling me she was “helping me” when really she was nudging me to help myself. But I appreciate her a ton for it. It turned out to be fun and makes me ready to do the next one…what ever it happens to be. But with a few interview appointments spread out over a few days and some friends in town over the weekend too, I pushed back the editing of the video til last night. Like really got started at about 11:30pm. And then the re-edits and tweaks that no one else would probably notice kept me going back over it. So I finished around 3am [aided by the fact this was my first time to use iMovie08] so we could show it in church today. But I’m all good.

Anyhow, here it is. It’s not perfect. But it was fun and a learning experience. I hope for more to come soon. Tell me what you think in the comment.

Small Groups (@ The Orchard) Promo from Blake Thompson on Vimeo.

This week in Tweets

01/04/2009 / Blake

@tonymorganlive Followed me twice today, huh? in reply to tonymorganlive #
@JeffRodgers Yes, Tweetdeck is quite nice.I like the groups & searches you can have set up in different columns & I replied on Fbook longer in reply to JeffRodgers #
Just finished half a day with Jack Bauer in Season 4. #
One more day of the year. What to do with it? #
My 2008 with Twitter: http://twurl.nl/2vv4o3 #
Good morning 2009. Breakfast is done. Kids are fed. Now we’ll see what else happens. Maybe Barnes & Noble. #
@tapdraw Are you sure it wasn’t the best cup of the year? in reply to tapdraw #
Went on my first run of 2009. Took Addie with me. She had a lot more energy than I expected. 7 year olds have lots of energy. #
@aepolsgrove Indeed, it was good. You should have brought your new camera. Meant to tell you Bev read that Manning book you’re now reading. in reply to aepolsgrove #
My 4 year old is watching the Rose Bowl like it is Veggie Tales. Lots of questions. I like it. #
@dmerrix It wasn’t forced. But she soon wanted to switch to Tom and Jerry. in reply to dmerrix #
“Don’t get caught watching the paint dry!” : Shooter. #
@justinhjones There is tweetdeck and twhirl; both pretty cool. There are a few others as well, but I’ve settled on T’deck for now. Or web. in reply to justinhjones #
@stephenbond I am disappointed in you. in reply to stephenbond #
@willrambo Would you hire Coach Taylor to be on staff at MSU? Let me know when you’re done w/ S1. I gotta evangelize w/ it again. in reply to willrambo #
@abedis Throw some Ed Young Jr and Craig Grochell in there too. Maybe mix in some Steven Furtick for spice. in reply to abedis #
Buying Christmas wrapping paper at Walmart at a substantial discount. 11.5 months early. #
@bradlocke If only we could play Houston every game. in reply to bradlocke #
Friday Night Lights to air on Friday this fall makes me think that NBC doesn’t care if it succeeds. That stinks [I think]. #
@AdamCGore Ahhh. I meant this spring. Either way, bad decision on NBC’s part I believe. Might be the best show around. Do you watch? in reply to AdamCGore #

Happy New Year!

01/01/2009 / Blake

Well, it’s another year. I woke up and didn’t really feel any different. I still wondered if Jack Bauer was going to find Habib in time (watching season 4 right now). I didn’t feel any older or wiser. I was still as inflexible as I was yesterday. But I decided to do a little something about my inactivity over the past year.

While living in Clinton I went to the YMCA at least now and then. But I was no stranger to the place. And I ran some now and then around the neighborhood too. Even ran a few races here and then. But since moving to Oxford in late May I’ve been a sloth. And I’ve noticed a difference the past few days. So I’m not one into resolutions and all, but I realize something needed to change. So I decided I’d wait til January 1 to start running again. And I did.

I didn’t run very far. But I took Addison with me so I wouldn’t have to make an excuse for going short and slow. But she impressed me. She looked like she was going to get tired, so i told her if she ran alllllllll the way to the next stop sign w/o stopping she would earn $2. I didn’t think she’s make it, but she made the corner. There was no stop sign there, but I assured her she’d get the two bucks. But as we were walking the rest of the way home catching our breath (she seemed to be racing me to the corner) she all of a sudden said “I’ll beat you home!” and took off. Wow!

I caught her and ran with her all the while encouraging her. I want her to see some things that she can enjoy and be good at. I don’t know if she likes running or just beating me at something, but I let her do both. Funny thing is she almost didn’t go running at all because we made her wear her sweat suit in the cold wind. She thought her clothes looked silly and thought people would be watching out of their windows at her running in “silly clothes”. But I convinced her to drop that concern and just RUN!

So as 2009 starts I realize that I need to just go forward with some things/ideas of my own and not worry about if anyone is watching or if they think I’m silly or goofy … but if there’s something I want to do or feel called to do … then GO FOR IT. I know that there are so many cliches I could give to try to spur me on, but safe to say …I know I should.

So, there are a few specific things I might reveal soon that I want to get better at in the coming days. Also a few “best of ’08” posts as well. But safe to say that blogging more regularly is something I want to get better at as well.

Peace.