In an attempt to be more man blogger than mom blogger in 2011, I give you a numbered bulleted list without a single picture of a child, a recipe or a mention of The Bachelorette.
- 1. My sister-in-law Amy is all better now. After The Cancer was removed from her eye, she healed up nicely and her scans have all come back clean. Thank you for praying!
- 2. While we’re on the subject of health: My cast is off and my hand is working well enough for me to beat small children at Madden Football ’09 for PS2…as a form of physical therapy. I still can’t play anything all that difficult on the piano – just tunes by Coldplay and Tomlin.
- 3. If you missed it over the holidays, thank you for funding my next record. Now I don’t have to walk the tightrope anymore. And here’s the shirt those who gave $50 or more get along with their other rewards. Affordably designed by Ron Roark at Mindpunch and voted on by everyone who gave. Gave? What on earth are you talking about? Go here…in the next 14 days.
- 4. This is the worst Wikileak yet. Thanks to Abraham Piper for passing it along.
- 5. Mark Driscoll confronted Francis Chan, asking why he resigned as senior pastor of a megachurch. The resulting conversation was respectful and educational – especially the part when Mark struggled to understand why Francis thinks simplicity is good for us. Fascinating disconnect. Watch at The Gospel Coalition.
- 6. Under The Radar published their year-end list of 2010′s best “Christian” albums and I agree. Congrats to my friends Robbie and Jars and the rest of the list toppers.
- 7. Speaking of music…It’s that time again to beg for the opportunity to come make music for your church or school for FREE. That’s right, folks: There’s no charge to you or the public to have me come speak or sing if I can mention Compassion International in the process. All I ask is that you buy me and Ben a meal and a hotel room. For more information just e-mail Ben at booking AT shaungroves DOT com
- 8. And while we’re on the subject of Ben the webguy/roadmanager/booking agent…He’s added dad to his long list of skillz now! And the story of how that happened is incredible. Not the conception part but the actual delivery part. Though, I can’t say that I actually know the conception part of the story, nor do I want to, but regardless, I’m fairly confident the delivery of Adeline Stewart into the world is far more incredible. No offense, Ben. Read all about it here.
- 9. Ben and I will be riding around in a tour bus with Selah and Aaron Shust this Spring on the Shelter Me tour. You can bring that tour to your church for, um, not free by going here. Or you can just show up and enjoy it. So far we’re slated to visit Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska. For the latest dates go here.
- 10. This will put the nail in the coffin of my mancred for sure, but I’m excited to announce that I’m now an official contributor to SimpleMom.net – that well-known behemoth hack site for “home managers.” It’s an honor to be writing for such an established reputable media company and to be working for Tsh “I’d like to buy a vowel” Oxenreider. I’ll let you know when my first writing pops up over there…and also when my breasts come in.
- 11. Lastly, I will not be going to Haiti after all. I was supposed to be headed that way next week with earthquake survivor Dan Woolley and some other folks from Compassion. I was supposed to report via video and blog on the progress of Compassion’s recovery efforts over the last year. But security concerns have led Compassion to reduce the size of the group going. Pray for those who will be traveling and for the people who call Haiti home. Thanks.
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Rick-rolled? Really?
“just tunes by Coldplay and Tomlin”…I’m still laughing at that line!
Me too!
me three.
Um, did you just mention the bachelorette while vowing not to mention the bachelorette?
P.S. Last line of bullet ten made me laugh. Out loud.
Ditto!
The video with Driscoll and Chan is really interesting. Driscoll thinks “everyone” believes Francis Chan is crazy for stepping down as a pastor and doing something new. I think Mark just can’t imagine himself ever being in a place where obedience to God would mean stepping down from his own ministry.
I’ve got a post brewing about this…
For now, what surprised me most was Mark’s phrasing of a couple questions. He seems to think that Chan thinks simplicity and poverty are necessary for sanctification instead of powerful tools in the process. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard or read Francis making that claim – that we cannot be sanctified unless poor or living simply? Never. Where’d that come from?
For the record, when I heard about Chan moving overseas, I felt like I’d been hit my a Respect Mack Truck. I’d be more inclined to think people that don’t go are crazy. But that’s just me. And people sometimes think I’m crazy.
I completely agree. I have rarely heard someone preach like he does about suffering and poverty, and I totally respect him for living the talk.
I agree with your comment it was “respectful and educational”. I guess I don’t see where he was “disconnected” or as Matt said “he couldn’t step down from his church”.
What I saw in this interview was Iron Sharpening Iron. Mark functions the way God made him and so does Francis. They both have room to grow and learn and I believe each probably took something from the conversation.
It is hard for me not to put Francis on a pedestal, because I love and admire him so much, but I do think Mark’s questions were valid. “What about your flock?” “Are you doing this because you feel like you have to be in poverty?” Even Francis said, “he didn’t know for sure, but didn’t think so”. I think it is a valid question that those of us that love to take up social justice issues should at least ask.
Mark isn’t perfect, but his frank converations about Biblical Manhood and other topics are what many men need to hear. I see it every day in my life…. Men not taking responsibility for themselves or families.
I guess I am rambling, but my point is, I hope that people don’t start throwing Mark under the bus just because he isn’t like Francis. When this interview was posted, Mark was the first one to say that He loves his brother Francis. I think his questions are valid. What about the church that God has given you? Do people need to hear from you and are you running from that? Am i doing X (social justice) item because it makes me feel good…..or i think i “have” to ….or because I simply Love Jesus.
Sorry….couple of other things.
I think Francis does what he is doing because he loves Jesus and because he has been convicted to do so. I also think he is right that many will learn from him stepping down.
God used Francis and his book Crazy Love to literally change my life. I have also become a better father because of the “in your face” preachings of Driscoll.
Jason, that’s a lot of refutation, my friend. To a lot of stuff that wasn’t even said here…yet. ; )
Hey, what I meant by “disconnect” what Mark thinking that Francis believes poverty and suffering and simplicity are necessary to sanctification. As far as I know Francis has not stated that before. But, admittedly, I might have missed it if he did.
My only point was that I didn’t see how he was that disconnected and that I hope Mark Driscoll isn’t bashed. Everything else I was saying was centered around how I understood his line of questioning. It’s the same way i would question one of my buddies. I don’t think he was doing it to be harmful.
I don’t think Mark was saying that Francis’s believes that being poor was necessary for sanctification. I just think he was posing the question because of the circumstances.
I never thought Chan was crazy, I actually thought, FINALLY someone gets it. He just wants his life to look more like those in the Bible.
A video that explains a little better…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYhU0QHBixU
I want my life to look like the Bible too!
I saw that video some time back, and it was pretty hard for me to watch for several reasons. a) I guess I don’t really understand why it almost feels like Chan is being interrogated because he is being called to something different. b) I don’t really get why something like this is so strange. Jesus didn’t say “blessed are you who lead big churches and lead large amounts of people”. Not to mention that God calling people to leave comfort and security is a pretty Biblical concept. and c) if this is where he feels that God is leading him, then why would anyone want to try to convince him to do anything other than that? Anyway, like I said, it was a bit hard to watch. Just my thoughts.
Thoroughly enjoyed this post. Made me smile more than once.
Okay, #10? I seriously spit water all over my desk. You, Shaun, are FUNNY!!
“In an attempt to be more man blogger than mom blogger in 2011″….I got all excited after this first line, but alas, let’s face it….you’re a mom blogger. Which is fine, i just can’t tell many people i like reading your stuff
#2 BWAAHAAAAAAA…
#5 Very interesting, i have to say i love what comes from Chan’s heart. I do think he is nuts, but something inside me says “that is what i want”
#6 What, no Skillet?!?!?!? Seriously, I can’t fathom how Needtobreathe won’t be included on that list.
I don’t know about you but I like my singer to be able to, well, sing. So Skillet’s out.
Needtobreathe didn’t release a full album in 2010.
OUCH! and is The Outsiders that old already…time flies!
Praise God for Amy’s healing…a big “YAY, God!” (Miss Pattycake says that’s Three Year Old for “Hallelujah!!”) for Ben’s baby story. Love it, love it!
And yes, yes, yes—I’m soooooooooooo glad somebody in SOUTH Georgia (vs. “Hotlanta”) scheduled a concert for your gig with Selah! That’s on my calendar for sure–only 45 min. from my house! Oh, and by the way, some of the best Mexican in Georgia (which may come close to Tex-Mex because real Spanish-speaking Mexicans cook it) is just 20 minutes outside of Valdosta in a tiny little town called Quitman–it’s right downtown on Hwy. 84, which runs from Valdosta to Quitman. I love me some Groves, of course–my little brother has worked with Shust before–and Selah brings back memories of bouncing around on a birthing ball @ 41 weeks preggo 6 years ago, listening to “In Jesus Name, we press on………!” Are you looking for a gig near Valdosta for that weekend to speak for Compassion? I’ll be glad to assist.
I’m about 2 hours from Valdosta, so you can bet I’ll be there, too!!
SO excited!!
I’m only an hour from Valdosta! Whut whut.
Correction–my brother informed me at dinner tonight that he has PLAYED FOR and “jammed with” (not merely “worked with”) Shust.
And that he’s super-cool. I apologize for the misinformation.
When I laughed out loud at the last sentence of #10, my daughters wanted to know what was so funny. At 6 and 4 they are still waiting for their breasts to grow in also, so they don’t understand.
So glad Amy is better.
Laughing out loud! Thanks, Shaun!
I want you to meet our new (Compassion) son. We are so blessed and excited!!
http://ekmekvarmi.blogspot.com/2011/01/baby-4.html
Thank you so much for all that you do to get the word out about Compassion!
Congrats! And thank you.
Someone buy the man a training bra…or a bro (Does anyone else remember that Seinfeld episode?)
So glad Amy is better! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
It’s called a “Man-ssiere!”
When you mentioned that you are “waiting for your breasts to come in,” I threw up in my mouth a little bit. That was simultaneously the best and worst thing I have heard all week. Props to you “she-man.”
I’ve begged for you to come back to ND for two years now, but I guess you really are allergic to winter!
Beth
But you did have a baby picture…in a form of a link..but still a baby picture..
Praise the Lord for Amy!!!
10…so funny.
By the way, I LOVE the shirt design.
You make me laugh!
Just watched the interview with Francis Chan. Thanks for sharing. I hadn’t heard (probably because I mainly converse with my preschoolers. The world could implode and I would be watching Elmo…clueless). I look forward to seeing how the Lord leads him in the coming months.
And number 10. Hilarious. (And exciting.)
I wondered the same about Mark Driscoll in that interview with Francis Chan. Actually, it had me really bothered for a while after seeing it – how you sum it up in the comments here, that disconnect, is dead on to what I was feeling.
Totally planning to come out and see you all play/share in McMurray, PA! I’ve gone to see Aaron play 3 times, he’s awesome. I love Selah’s stuff as well, and yours isn’t too bad either! ;0) What a great combination. I have no doubt that God is going to move mightily in and through you guys during that tour! I am praying you all and for all who come out to hear you now! Hopefully, I’ll have the opportunity to meet you in person. :0 Blessings!
I donated a week or so before you did the thing with Kickstart and I would love a t-shirt. How can I increase my donation to do that?
Okay, I got completely tickled at #10 and immediately thought of the Manzier as well.
So, I have been meaning to stop by and say WELCOME to the Simple Mom contributing team. I’ve been writing about kids for Tsh for about a year and half now, and I think the SM audience will be thrilled to have a fatherhood perspective. Looking forward to reading more from you very soon!
Likewise. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you join the group. Not just because you’re upping the testosterone, either. I’m excited to read what you’ve got to share!
Man, you have been busy. If I just did bullet points in a blog like this I would have maybe 5 points and it would include doing laundry and going for a run. I love the shirt! Can’t wait for the album!
Love the t-shirt! Looking forward to the album. I have many thoughts about the other items, but I think most of them have been said here. Great news about your sister-in-law!
“I still can’t play anything all that difficult on the piano – just tunes by Coldplay and Tomlin.”
That made me smile.
LOVED, LOVED the story of the accidental home birth! As a former L and D nurse, coming to the hospital too early really does slow down labor. Hooray for the clean up mom as well! And I signed up for the SimlpeMom.net too.
#9 – I am really hoping you guys come somewhere near Knoxville, TN. Nashville (not far away for you guys
), Chattanooga, Atlanta….somewhere. Hey, I am willing to drive for a couple of hours. 
Hi Shaun, Came here by way of Tsh, where we write together on InCourage. Seen you in the TwitterSphere, and now had to come say hi.
So glad I did. I loved the video with Driscoll, Chan and Harris.
The gem for me — when Mark said:
“Poverty theology is same error as prosperity theology– that holiness comes from have or have not, not who is.”
Along the same line of thought… It is also true that we get wrapped up into the what we’re doing rather than who we are becoming.
Loved your odds & ends..