The Global Night Commute

On April 29th in over 130 cities across the country, thousands are lying down to demand that our government take a stand and put an end to child abduction, the need for night commuting, and war in northern Uganda.

Franklin has more than 2000 people committed to being a part of the event this coming Saturday night.

I hear that Oprah had the film makers on her show yesterday. Good lovins guys!

FACTS:

Northern Uganda called the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today because of the lack of attention
1.7 million people forcibly displaced
AN estimated 20- 50,000 children abducted to fight as soldiers
tens of thousands of children commuting nightly
130 people die per day in Northern Uganda due to violence

We ask two things:

President Bush and The United States Government should press the United Nations and Yoweri Museveni to do everything in their power to:

End the conflict and protect the civilians in Northern Uganda.
Ensure adequate humanitarian assistance to the Invisible Children (in the internally Displaced camps and beyond)

For further information please refer to:

Invisible Children

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

International Crisis Group (ICG)

Amnesty International

The W.C. (Williamson County)

So guess what....I just found out that we are poor. No really, as far as the area we live in is concerned my wife and I are poor. I have never thought of myself as poor, broke maybe, but not poor.

When I think of poor, I think of the parts of the world that literally live on $1 a day or something. People in third world countries are poor. For real though, there are a few thousand that live in our area that really do have a hard time living on what they make (or don't make), but for the most part WE don't have a frikin clue to what POOR really is.

It's all about perspective. With the W.C. being the most wealthy county in Tennessee and 8th wealthiest in the U.S., things are not reality around here. One day last week from my office (my 1/2 office that I share w/ Nate) to my house, which is about 2 1/2 miles, I noticed 4 Mercedes, 4 BMWs, around 17 SUVs (including 5 Land Rovers and 3 Escalades), 1-2 Jaguars, and 1 Farrari looking-Acura sports car thing.

Sometimes it's hard to keep perspective around here. I have known several people that have moved from the W.C. because they didn't want the pressure of raising their children in an area like this. To each his own.

In Williamson County, where median household incomes are $72,188 in the Cool Springs area and $110,142 in Brentwood, a household income of $60,000 is considered to be on the low end.

I'll just say that my wife and I aren't even close to being IN the low end. BUT, we are happy, healthy, and blessed. One day though, it would be cool to crack that low end bracket. ;)

Read one of the stories in the Tennessean HERE.

Humility

"Humility is a manner, a viewpoint, an all-encompassing thing...Humility is expressed through actions;...it can be demonstrated simply by stopping and listening to someone. It's essence is putting others ahead of yourself.

...A real test of humility is how you handle criticism. The natural reaction is to throw up an immediate defense, a quick excuse, a spontaneous rebuttal. The humble way to handle criticism is to try to understand the reasons for the criticism, to look for what truth there might be in it."

-Mark Hatfield

Guilty Before Proven Innocent?

It seems like everyone has already decided that Barry Bonds is guilty of anything that anyone wants to accuse him of. Everywhere I look...Barry...Steroids...Guilty...Perjury...

It is a crappy thing if you ask me. Let the guy play baseball!!!!!!!!! I still LOVE to watch this guy swing the bat. IF he is proven guilty, THEN do and talk...

If you get the chance to watch "Bonds On Bonds" on ESPN Tuesday nights. Pretty cool TV I must say. You get to see a lot more of Barry Bonds than the media would like for you to see.

I guess I am just sick of hearing about how Barry is a sinning scum of a person. But, hey don't listen to me...I like Pete Rose, Kobe Bryant, and the music of Michael Jackson.

Nashville...Hockey Town?

The Nashville Predators are in the playoffs for the 2nd straight season.

It looks like Nashville might be becoming a hockey town eh? We do have a lot of canadians. ;)

I love going to these games. It's a great sport for a great city. Nashville is becoming.

APRIL 29th: Invisible Children's Global Night Commute

The SITE.

The BLOG.

We are expecting 2000 here in Franklin.

Biggest Rabbit I have EVER Seen

I believe this is real....my wife doesn't. You?

KT Tunstall

One great "new" artist...KT Tunstall. I haven't stopped listening to her CD "Eye To The Telescope" for about a month.

United (Hillsong) v.s. Passion

United's latest release "United We Stand" is one of their best so far. United is definately geared for teenagers (obviously since it comes from Hillsong Church's youth ministry). The music sounds like mainstream mondern rock, but the lyrics are usually not as mature as something like Passion. On THIS CD however, there are several new, fresh, insighful tunes. Joel Houston and Marty Sampson are becoming great songwriters.

The DVD that comes with this release is pretty sweet. Other than the beginning of it looking like Coldplay's latest tour....but I am not so sure that is a bad thing really...if you can pull it off. I was suprised that the video production wasn't a distraction but rather enhanced the experience.



Passion's new release "Everything Glorious" is another good effort. I am finding that I now enjoy the hymn remakes that Passion does more than the original tunes that the Passion regulars churn out. (PLEASE, no hate mail after these comments).

Crowder is refreshing on occation, but not very singable for most peeps (I'm a good one to talk). I like what Hall does with loops and what-not (that was one of the "cool-factors" Among Thorns used to have).

Our God Reigns is a nice way close. I am NOT EVEN going to talk about "Party". Uhhh....

For the record, I never thought I would see the day that a "worship leader-artist would win "Male Vocalist Of The Year". Congrats Chris.

One day I would like to see a recording land in the middle of what United and Passion both respectfully do. Hmm...maybe I'll get to work on that. Shaun, you in?

TPC Spring Hill

APRIL 16 (Easter Sunday) will be the first ever meeting of The People's Church of Spring Hill. This is the second campus of The People's Church of Franklin. One church in two locations. There will be 2 services: 9:15AM and 11AM at Spring Hill High School. Child Care? YES!

Read Tennessean Story HERE.

TheBlogstar.com

You can NOW go to TheBlogstar.com to get here.

Wait....that sounds weird.....you wouldn't be here if you didn't get here....I mean, you have to know how to get here to find here.....why would you need TheBlogstar.com if you already come by another address? Then you don't need another one....b/c the one you used evidently works fine, right?!?

TheBlogstar.com just sounds cooler.

My head hurts.

Nashville's Latest Tornados

(Hail)

Read about it HERE.

Donald Miller At TPC Franklin Recap

My boy Don brought a good word last Sunday. Watch it HERE. 4-2-06

Donald's new book "To Own A Dragon" is in stores now. Donald Miller

Americans Were Stupid Tonight

Sorry for sticking with American Idol (believe me I am sorry...last time, I promise).

WARNING!!!!! The content of this entry will consist of wining, frustration, disbelief, musical styling opinion, and a good abrasive rebuking to the American public.

Country music night on American Idol?!??! Honestly...."Good" country music doesn't even sound good. Sorry Nashvegas, but you know it's true.

Mandisa was voted off WED night. I know I am bias, but with the "talent" that is left....my bad....with the lack of "talent" left on the show, what are you going to do now America? Let the record show that Mandisa's song choice for the evening was "horrible" as Simon called it, but she has soul and vocal abilities beyond normal women. I think I will be talking about my girl Mandisa again soon. She is a strong women with a calling from above.

America!!!!! Anyone but that Pickler girl from NC. Is she a fembot?

Vote for the bald rocker guy.

American Elder?

You cannot tell me that this guy is 29 or younger!

The American Idol cut off age this season is 29.

Even if you don't watch the show (I've seen 3 episodes total), you just have to look this picture....and this one make him look youngER. Am I alone on this one?

Shhhhhhooooo.....now that I have got that out of my system. I hope that in some little way this helps your case of the Mondays today. ;)