Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Concert Songs!

There are a number of things that I wanted to pass along, so this is my attempt to catch up.

First, The Good Shepherd Band, just posted some new songs from the recent concert with Matthew Smith & Indelible Grace. I can't recommend just one song, or even two. They are all amazing, each in their own way. If you're a pop junkie, you'll want to start with their rendition of "The God of Abraham Praise". If you more of the alt. rock persuasion, try the original "The Voice of the Lord". More of a hard rocker? You have to hear "Son of God Goes Forth to War". For the hymn fan, see the amazing concert version of "Deep is the Mystery." And if you're a dude, you have to hear, "Hiding Place". Believe me, you're never heard praise music like this. Yeah, just listen to them all over and over and over @ www.myspace.com/thegoodshepherdband. If you're into worship music or have any questions, their "About" section below the music player is really clear and helpful. Enjoy!

Because I said I would and I would rather say more about the GSB, I'll give just a quick review of Jack Johnson's "Sleep Through The Static". First, it's a different kind of Jack CD. He went through some tough times and it's not as happy as previous albums. Second, I'm starting to believe you have to be in love to really love Jack. Oh well. Third, I'll give it 3.5 stars. Yeah, I was that disappointed.

Speaking of disappointments, Season 4 of LOST started off really slow. I'd have to say it's picked up, but I want more Island. I will say I am extremely happy for my boy Jack and my girl Juliet. Too bad it's almost assured they don't end up together. As usual, the Desmond-centric episodes are the best ever, especially when he and Penny are on good terms.

Yes... I'm just rambling because I can't think of what I really wanted to write about...

Posted by Lane at 20:08:46 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Peter Caleb

Among the many exciting things happening in my life, which I'll get around to sooner or later, I wanted to gladly announce the birth of Peter Caleb Mentzel! A long-time friend and fellow Pastors College student, Jacob Mentzel is now a proud father. His wife Amanda had been joyfully carrying their child for nine months, two weeks as of Wednesday, March 19th when she was induced into labor. At 9:10 PM, 18 minutes after I called Jake to find out what in the world was going on, she finally gave birth to their beautiful, healthy son.

However, they had done a very good job at concealing his sex from everyone. There was even a Facebook conspiracy group trying to theorize if it was a boy or girl. My strong vote for girl was obviously wrong, and had I thought about it more I would have come to the right conclusion. I figured if it was a boy that Jake in his joy would have spilled the beans when I should have realized he'd be all the more careful so as not to slip. Jake's a guy; he wants a son. What father wouldn't?

But if you'd like to hear more and see tons of newborn baby pictures, check out the Mentzel Family blog. We're glad to have you, Peter.

Posted by Lane at 20:20:24 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Friday, March 21, 2008

FL '08

Last week I had the special privledge of hitching a ride down to Florida with a few guys, James, Ben, and the infamous Bob. I went to visit family and had a great time. I can't share about the whole trip so here are some one-liners to define it.

Traveling with Bob is really a blast. It's enjoyable to go with him wherever, the food is usually pretty good, and I would have never listened to the 12 CD audiobook of The Godfather otherwise.

I've always wondered what my Grandpa does with his time. Visiting daily, I now know that the U.S. Postal Service will never go out of business.

The wildlife in Florida is amazing, and it's so cool to see beautitful butterflys, tons of turtles, and enormous alligators. Yeah, the biggest gator was about 10 feet long.

The Goodwill's in Florida have tons of awesome "Grandpa" shirts in bright, tropical colors.

The East Coast is the best place to catch a sunrise and the wavey shores of Crescent Beach provided a nice backdrop.

The BP is more than two miles from the river house. And that's a long walk.

Among many others, I caught the biggest fish of my life - an 8 1/2 lb. catfish that could swallow my fist.

Also, I learned how to clean a catfish. Knock it over the head with a hammer, nail its head to a board, cut it open, pull off the skin with a pair of vice grips, clean out the guts, chop off its head with a hatchet, and wala! A wonderful catfish dinner.

There's really not much other than shirts and peanuts to give Grandpa on his 83rd birthday. Aside from love, of course.

I'm sure there's a bunch of fun stories I'm missing, but this is a pretty good summary. I hope you enjoyed your Spring Break if you got one and Happy Easter (I'm so far behind...). He is not the God of the dead, but of the living!

Posted by Lane at 09:58:54 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Mummy

A friend and fellow Indiana Alum '05 has gone on to pursue an acting career. And she's hiLARious. So I wanted to share one of her just-for-fun YouTube videos.

alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/3jjrW13X1U4&hl=en

Check out some others here, especially the Chin one.

Also, if you're looking for some wedding tips, Kirby can help you out as she hosts The Daily Bride, Chicago's only online wedding TV show.

Posted by Lane at 19:27:41 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

A Well-Suited Sickness

This post was originally written on Saturday, February 24, but was never posted due to the importance of sharing my Uncle Bub's condition.  I have a lot to catch you up on so I'm sure there will be a few posts this week.

My mentor, "Archie" shares a lot with me. He shares his life and family. He shares his wisdom and discernment. He shares in my sufferings and temptations. On Thursday he shared his lunch with me, some tasty DiGiorno Pizza. Unfortunately, he also shared the Bubonic Plague. He was halfway healed of one of those nasty flu strains going around, and apparently, still contagious. Within a few hours, I was coughing up a storm and on my way to getting worse. I awoke Friday with the usual fever, cough, headache, body ache, runny nose, and cold shivers. No surprise. 

But before meeting with Archie, I had an interview with Chase for a part-time Sales and Service Associate position. The interview went... ehh... okay. As with my last interview a year ago, they talked 80% of the time and I didn't get to say much. But maybe that's a good sign because I got the last job. So Friday morning I wrote my interview thank you letter, got cleaned up, put on some nice clothes, and personally delivered the envelope. I went on to Marsh for a couple gallons of Florida's Natural Premium Orange Juice with pulp and on my way I realized how contrary my dress was to what it was covering. My dress would have indicated a well-ordered, sharp man with a bit of sophistication. However, I felt like a sloppy, sluggish bum with death hovering beneath my skin. I remembered Jesus words in Matthew 23:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness."
As I pondered these words more, I realized that these feelings of overwhelming sickness covered by a sharp appearance was probably as close as I would personally get to a similar description. This was hypocrisy. Instead of lounging in some elastic band sweatpants I was pursing a job position in proper attire. This was an acute realization of our attempts to look good when we are simply evil. And of this sin, I am the worst. I have come to recognize my innate ability to put my best foot forward, accompanied with a charming smile and modish dress. Even as I write this I am thinking about my family members, in particular, who are so impressed with me and think I'm such a great kid. How far is this from the truth.
O, that the Spirit of God would remove my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh; may my iniquities be cast as far as the east is from the west! 
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions! 
Would you create in me a clean heart, O God; restore in me the joy of your salvation!
The sacrifices of our God are a broken and a contrite heart. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned.
Posted by Lane at 22:28:50 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |