even with ramsay, i was able to watch the matrix reloaded last night with my friend. his wife volunteered to watch the little 'un. thoughts on the matrix- not as good as the first. serious philosophical blah blah blah throughout. i'm not sure what the wachowski brothers are trying to say if anything. they definitely did NOT in my opinion build on the first. i think they actually detracted from neo's character. also, there was some serious over the top cheese parts as well. and what was the orgy seen all about? is this what freedom looks like? a bunch of 20-30 year olds who are half naked bumpin' and grindin' in an underground city? explain that to me. but the action scenes alone make the movie worth seeing. they didn't take special effects to a new level in this one but they did add some nice tricks. even with the action, i dont' think i will be anticipating #3 quite as much now.

my wife and daughter are gone for the weekend. that leaves me all by my lonesome with my sweet 7 month old, ramsay. i have a newfound respect for my wife. i had forgotten just how much your life revolves 100% around the life of a baby when you are soley the one responsible for the child. i'm going to add another gift on top of my mother's day present. actually i already have. i am taking her to one of her favorite spots in the world nyc! it is our 12th anniversary and i thought it would be nice to get away for a change. and no, ramsay will not be with us. ;-)

my sister deb is in town from california. i love her. she is fun and the eccentric aunt that every child should have. my nine year old daughter thinks she hung the moon (my mom's expression). we have had a great time. a little rushed though as she only stayed for a day and a half.

just got back from our "denomination's" district council. it was a positive experience overall. a chance to connect with other ministers and find out what is happening within the assemblies of God movement.

it is also a frustrating experience as well. i try not to engage in too much of the political business at the councils. but. but. yes, that is two buts. when there is an issue that strikes at a principal that i believe in, it is hard for me to just bite my tongue. and so i didn't. the issue had to do with something seemingly insignificant- allowing associate pastors and not just senior pastors to be allowed to serve as the secretary of their section. the secretary does nothing more than take minutes (sometimes, although i have yet to see any in 10 years of ministry) and they send out postcards reminding everyone of when we are meeting. to me, this is a no-brainer and it allows younger ministers and those who might not have been called to be a senior pastor the opportunity to serve their section. but in the AG, there is a long history of a top-down mentality where you haven't arrived until you have become a senior pastor. it is a little bit of an old boys network and that sort of thing dies VERY hard (a la Augusta national). anyway, i spoke and was belittled for one of my statements. the resolution failed and the status quo won out.

i don't feel animosity but i do feel a sense of sadness. i am sad because times like these show you what you are made of. what i saw at this council was a segment of the council who desires to move forward and realizes that it will take a plurality of giftings for this to happen. many privately congratulated and say "keep the fight" and "change will come about, you are just the prophetic voice". but the majority still desires a return to the golden age when what the pastor says goes and where command and control is the choice of this generation. the problem is that the world has passed them by and any missional impact is lost on this romance of the past. but i wait, hopefully with patience for the day when we will not even debate such issues. when they will become the no-brainers that i believe God thinks that they are.

many of you will have no idea what this rant is about. that is ok. this was a rambling journal rant for me. and i needed to get it off my chest. thanks for reading.