pwned or n00b? What the heck....

Some students school me on the old school/new school language barrier. Quite interesting.

John Mayer on turning 30....

Rolling Stone:

You turn 30 in October. What will be the worst part about seeing your 20s go away?

J.M.:

There are lots of very invasive tests that doctors like to administer to men in their thirties. These tests usually result in a ride home with the radio off and very little blinking.

Some thoughts....

We have been fasting TV for a few weeks. To be quite honest it has been kinda hard, especially knowing there is a new episode of House MD on. Dang, I love that show!

I appreciate everyones support over the past few days following the news of our continuing adopting. Its so cool that the Lord has so many people that genuinely care. We ask for your continued support in prayer.

I have rigged my MacMini to run similar to the new AppleTV. I will post a video of the coolness soon.

I have discovered a really cool old school jazz radio station. Its out of Costa Mesa, Ca. Good stuff. Nothing like a little Coltrane, Mingus and Miles to chill you.

After playing on a Nintendo Wii console a couple of weeks ago at our friends house I have been obsessed with locating one. They are NO WHERE to be found! If you havent had the opportunity to play with one of these Wii's yet, stop slepping!

On my iPod this week: Hillsong United "All of the Above", Eric B. & Rakim "Dont Sweat the Technique", Mark Dricoll "Nehemiah", Dan Plourde "Genesis", John Mayer "Continuum"

Speaking of John Mayer, he is coming back to West Palm Beach in August. We have our tickets already. He will be solo, no second rate acts to take away from more of his greatness.


These verses from my q.t. this week have really blessed me. God has a purpose for the desert. Dont forget it!
"...the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." Deuteronomy 8:2-3

Good Movie.

Penny and I watched "The Prestige" the other night. It was a really good movie! Kind of crazy though....Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Batman (Christian Bale) and Batmans butler, Alfred (Michael Caine) all star in this. If you like twists, turns, some suspense and oh yeah, a little bit of magic, you'll definitely dig this movie. We decided we are going to have to watch it again to catch some of the little details that we missed. Worth the watch.

Adoption Update.

We got a call from our family coordinator this afternoon. We were told that we lost our referrals. They are no longer available to us as the children are being pursued by Russian familes. As sad as this news was, I was not surprised. I believe that the Lord has been preparing us for this day for quite some time. I've felt a sort of disconnect from the photos we had of our children and now we know why. It doesn't make it any easier though. It still hurts but I am so thankful for the incredible peace He has given us. We trust that God has the perfect children for us somewhere in Russia and we will wait for them as long as it takes. Hopefully it won't take much longer! Our agency said that we will be at the top of the waiting list for referrals and they should come soon after reaccreditation. I've learned not to hold my breath. We have also asked that they do not send us any photos of our future children, having faces to fall in love with has made this loss all the harder. Please pray for us, for the children we lost, the children that will one day be ours and for reaccreditation. Thak you all for your prayers and support.
We will " trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways we will acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths".

Heroes: Herb Newsome

I first met Herb, aka, Proverb in 1991. I was at a club named "Horizons" in downtown West Palm Beach, Fl. There was a hip-hop group named 1Way that performed that night. I was totally blown away by the excellence of the music and passion behind it. I had the honor and privilege of talking with Proverb, the unofficial leader of the group that evening. That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship that I value to this day. Proverb has always been someone I admire. Whether it was his humility after performing before hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of hip-hop fans or his tireless dedication at his place of employment. Proverb is a man that challenges me to be a better man. He has spear headed ministry to inner-city teenagers and young adults for almost two decades now. This blows my mind. I have rarely seen the commitment and dedication from a human being towards a desperate and self destructing culture. Proverb has brought a voice of hope and unwavering truth to many lives in South Florida. Many people have been touched by this man, including mine. It has been an honor and privilege to watch him grow in ministry (check his MySpace here) and in life (he has a wonderful wife, Pam and amazing son, Micah). This man has been an incredible example to me and those around him to dedication, consistency, humility and hard work. I am blessed to say he is a friend, a mentor, a Hero.

From Lakeland, Fl.

Penny and I are in Lakeland and thats where I write this from, high atop our 7th floor hotel room! We brought 9 of our upper classmen to Southeastern University, a small Christian college right here in Lakeland. They are having "Preview Days" so we thought it would be a good opportunity to expose some of our students to college life and a Christian college environment. So far I have been blown away by the staff, the students, the campus and most impressivly the university president. His name is Mark Rutland and he is quite a dynamic leader. Last night he shared with our students the importance of dreams and to pursue them with urgency and caution. Just an incredible leader. I'm anxious to hear from our students their thoughts on the whole experience. (Written at 8 AM, Posted at 9 PM)

TPS Report

We have all seen the classic Mike Judge film "Office Space": Get your own TPS Report, print it out and pass it around the office.



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Jesus is the product....

After you watch this you will feel dirty or maybe not. Interesting MSNBC story about Evangelicalism in America or corporate Christianity. Seems like the news media is a little behind on the story, but it is still interesting. Honestly, I kinda like TD Jakes (his personality and style) so this isn't a drive by. But Joel Osteen is just a creepy dude. Anyway......

HT IndependentConservative

Student Ministry blog.

We have had a Student Ministry blog for a while now. It has been a nice spot to communicate info to our students as well as use it for other "stuff". This week our DJ (Dylan) announced a give away to our students. The winner has to post the best comment. Needless to say, students have responded. Do you work with students? Do you utilize the blogosphere? If no......why not? Its free and effective!

How creative!

I knew it would happen, someone "would be led by God" to rip off YouTube and make it "Christian". I don't know about you but his just rubs me the wrong way. Why cant Christians be the creative ones? Why are we always copying and ripping off "the world". Why cant we just be a light in the world? Why cant we be creative in the world? Just a thought.

Heroes: Dan Plourde

Dan has been my pastor for 7 years. This man has given me more opportunity than any person has ever dared give me. He saw potential in me when no one else did. Pastor Dan has believed in me, well, when there really wasn't a whole lot to believe in. He has shown me what it is like to mentor and disciple without being all up in your junk, yet do it effectively. I have been in and around the church for about 25 years and I have never seen a human being understand grace like this man. He gets it and this shows by the way he leads his church. It was probably 2 years ago or so and some things started to shake up in our church. I made it a point to closely watch how my pastor handled severe criticism of himself, his family and of the church itself. Although he wasn't perfect (as none of us could ever be) he showed me how a Godly man handles difficulties. When some folks tried to make issue of his families adoption of a baby girl from China, he didn't flinch. None, nada. I know how I would have reacted. He has taught me what its like to navigate through ministry, good times and bad times. I can always count on Pastor Dan being tactful with me. When he sits me down and reminds me of my time management priorities and tells me to spend time with my wife, he does it in grace and love. Not only does Pastor Dan have grace, tactfulness and love, he is a world class Bible teacher. I'm not just saying this to toot my Pastors horn, but the dude can bring the Word like few pastors. You wanna try me? Listen to one of his latest teachings from the book of Genesis. You will be blown away by the gift that the Lord has given this man. Of all of the nice things I can say about my "Heroes" there is one that I know is considered a great honor. That is when a man is commended for his fathering. Pastor Dan is the second most committed father I have ever seen (of course after my Dad!) Pastor Dan loves his 8 kids like very few men. He spends time with his kids, he nurtures his kids and is an amazing example to his children of what it is to be Godly. I love this man. He is one of my Spiritual Heroes. He knows grace, love and tact. He is a man who is incredibly gifted and is building a family legacy, right before their eyes. He's my pastor. He's one of my "Heroes".

One of those.

I have one of those eye head aches. You know the one that you get right behind the eye. It really stinks. I'm drinking some coffee, maybe that will help.

The Real Story of St. Patrick.

Don't know the history if St. Patrick? Ever wondered who St. Patrick was and why a day is set aside for him? Here's a concise article that gives you an idea of who the man known as St. Patrick really was. Pretty incredible man with an amazing sacrificial story!



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Obama & Islam: What's the real story?

Obama's campaign aides have emphasized his strong Christian beliefs and downplayed any Islamic connection. The Illinois senator was raised "in a secular household in Indonesia by his stepfather and mother," the line was. Now it's a little different...a good article from the Baltimore Sun.





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The original gamer.

This video is amazing. I know its a total mockumentary, but the fact is that there are people really like this in the world. I do not take responsibility for the content of the video. Watch at your own risk, but please watch. Notice the mullet, fingerless gloves and fanny pack.

My take on TV ratings...

Miami Heat coach Pat Riley speaks out on troops, Bush.

Pat Riley takes a stand for Commander in Chief and US troops after proclaiming his support for President Bush several weeks ago.



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I preached yesterday.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to fill in for my pastor as he was at another church (one of our church plants) to be a part of an ordination. I had a blast, even though I was still battling laryngitis. I preached on Trials out of James 1. As most of you know my wife and I are in the adoption process. 17 months in it has become a real trial! So I was preaching from my on going trying experience. Here are some points from my message:
James 1:2-8,12
The Subject: Trials
The Initial Result: Patience
The Purpose: Maturity
The Gift: Wisdom
The Expectation: Faith
The End Results: Blessing for Us and Praise to God!
After the message Jeff closed the morning with a wicked praise "Reckless". Over all it was a great morning. I had a blast and felt like I delivered the message that the Lord wanted. I know the church will be very happy to have our pastor back in the saddle on Sunday.

Heroes: Joyce Goeppner

I have the privilege to be able to say that my parents are still together after 40 years of marriage. Amazing. Marriage as we all know, is based on commitment. This is some thing my Mom, Joyce Goeppner knows plenty about. When I think about people in my life who I consider "Heroes", Mom is at the top of the list. She has exemplified commitment like very few. She stuck around in the early days of a rocky marriage. She put up with me as a teenager and as a fledgling young adult. She has been committed to her church, her family and her friends. She always stays connected to be people, even when they have moved away. Her heart is concerned with those she encounters. Lovely and unlovely. I have seen my Mom serve those which no one else would dare touch with a ten foot poll. She's there. Because of her authentic concern for others, I have learned what it is to love people unconditionally, to be hospitable to everyone and to be committed, no matter the circumstances. My Mom is the true definition of a Godly woman. Always starting her day off spending time with her Savior, Jesus. He is her priority and because of Him she sacrificed for the family. Growing up I remember her patiently baby sitting a 3 year old brat and putting up with his obnoxious family, just so our family would have extra cash so I could go to the local Christian school. Godly, committed, concerned, hospitable and sacrificial. She knows these. She has lived these. That's my Mom. My Hero!

Bush Bashers.

I voted for President George W. Bush twice. I'm proud of it. I admit, he has been pretty sketchy when it comes to communicating to the American people. He is just not a good communicator and depends too much on the good ol' boy network that his dad developed. That's okay, he's still our elected leader, and I support him AND our troops, 100%. One thing that is a big warning sign to me is when the left of the Democratic Party and all of Hollywood align themselves inadvertently (or on purpose) with the likes of Hugo Chavez (dictator of Venezuela), Fidel Castro and the leaders of terrorist harboring nations like Syria and Iran. All of these leaders have held anti-Bush rallies, hate the direction of America. Bottom line: the leftists in America (you fill in the blank) are aligned with world leaders that would be satisfied to see our President be assassinated. They have the same values and world view. Interesting.

Some thoughts...

Florida is a really boring state to drive in. As I write this I am sitting in a van driving on the Turnpike. Flat land, small trees and black water canals.

When I travel without my wife I just don’t like it! I have missed her.

I have laryngitis. I wonder if someone has been praying for God to shut my mouth.

I sat in a breakout session with Thom Rainer, co-author of “Simple Church”. Good stuff. If you haven’t read it yet, buy it here. You wont regret it.

I can’t get MC Pee Pants song “I Want Candy” out of my head. You too can join me in my recent fixation.

NBC has made a brilliant decision by making 1 hour episodes of “The Office” re-runs. I cant wait to see all of the “deleted scenes” added to the original run of the show.

I am preaching this Sunday at my church. I can't wait and I’m so blessed that my pastor would entrust me. Those are some big shoes that I could never fill.

Football season starts in 6 months.

I think Shaq has it in him to lead the Heat to a playoff run. The question is, can his body take it. If his 35 year old body feels anything like mine, no way.

No adoption update. Things are at a stand still, still.

Hip-Hop in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame?

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five have been inducted into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the organization announced today..R.E.M., The Ronettes, Patti Smith and Van Halen were also inducted into the hall of fame today. Question: does hip hop have a place in the Hall?



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In O-Town.

I'm in Orlando, land of boy bands, Mickey Mouse and a bunch of horrid tourist attractions. Every year First Priority, a ministry that empowers students to lead campus outreaches, sponsors student pastors for a 2 day getta way to the Youth Pastors Summit. The Summit is sponsored by Student Leadership University. It's a real cool opportunity to get away and hang out with a bunch of guys that are doing the same thing I'm doing. George Barna is main speaker, always interesting stats and figures for us to chew on. Another cool thing: we get a FREE park hopper pass to the Universal parks. Wicked! Props to Chris Lane and Nathan Mac for their servants hearts and willingness to flip the bill!

Best weather in America!

SoFlo has the best weather in the country! I love it down here,
especially this time of year. The sun is blazin'!

Navy Researching "Vomit Beam" - Point, shoot, and ralph!

A new weapon uses beamed radio frequency energy to excite and interrupt the normal process of human hearing and equilibrium. It shoots an invisible wall-penetrating beam that makes people so dizzy they fall over and puke. I wonder if it will ever go mainstream?



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Heroes: Randall Goeppner

The person who has had the most influence on my life is my father, Randall Goeppner. I can remember knowing that everything was going to be all right if my Dad was there. Whether it was a scary ride at an amusement park or fast ride on a motorcycle, my Dad was my protector. I will never forget the time when he gathered the family in the family room. He had something to tell us. I was like 7 years old at the time and this was not the norm. My Dad called us together in what would be our first "Family Meeting" of many, many more to come. He wanted to tell us something that had happened to him. He told us that he was now a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ and that things will be different from now on. I don't know if he had accepted Jesus that day, but I did know that things would be different, because he said it. What my Dad says, I believe. Whether it is politics, or car manufacturing or even music. He says it, I believe it. He is such a source of trust in my life. This trust was not manufactured, but earned through consistency and integrity. My father is the spiritual patriarch of the Goeppner family. When he became a Christ follower in 1979, my whole family followed soon after. This man has worked his whole life. I remember him taking a "menial" job in a small town. It was a job that he was WAY over qualified for. His pride could have easily said "I'm too good for this menial job" but no, he did it anyway. He worked this job because he knows that's what a man does, he earns a living, no matter what. What an example to a 10 year old boy that was. Then there was the time he sold his Harley Davidson motorcycle, just so my I could go to Bible college. This man knows sacrifice, he knows hard work, he knows humility. I could go on an and on. Needless to say my father is a true Hero to me. He is the Godly example I want to be to the people that I serve and minister to, whether it is family or people around me.
Protector, Trusted, Consistent, Integrity, Sacrifice, Hard Worker, Humble, Godly. Thats my Dad. Thats my Hero.

Heroes.

I have been contemplating writing a series of posts about Heroes. Not the brilliant NBC show,or even the conventional comic book Heroes, but people who have been Heroes to me in my life. We all have real Heroes in our lives. Some are family, some are spiritual mentors, some are just friends that have been there. People that qualify for my Heroes posts are people I know personally, not just someone that has written a good book I like, or a character from a film or something like that. They must be someone that could easily read this blog. I think those are the only real qualifications. So sit back and enjoy getting to know some people who I consider real life Heroes. People who have touched my life in a very special way.

Dixie Chicks, "Taking the Long Way"

Lets get something straight. I'm not a big Dixie Chicks fan or even a country fan. I do like good music though. I was sitting in Starbucks the other morning and this music was playing. I found myself fading from the conversation to listen to the melodies that were playing in the background. I knew it was the Chicks. That afternoon I got the album. Wow. No wonder the big mouths won Grammy for the album of the year. It is phenomenal. Truly spectacular. Its true that when you are bitter and mad you do your best work (at least in the music indusry its supposedly that way), and this simply holds true for the Dixie girls. If you are still protesting them from their Bush gaffes from a few years ago, get over it and get this album. You will not be disappointed.

If You Want to Run for President, You Better Meet With U2's Bono

Barack Obama is the latest in a string of candidates that includes Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, John Edwards, and John McCain. Bono is reportedly trying to meet with all of the candidates for the US presidency. Bono is now a certified campaign stop.



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