tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56788522012-02-16T04:48:13.108-08:00This is an insignificant blog from a middle-aged man's perspective.TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.comBlogger6921100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-72884970419182463502011-05-22T07:51:00.000-07:002011-05-22T14:01:22.119-07:00

For the second time, a few months back, some radio preacher decided to raise his spot on Warhol's 15 minutes of fame by declaring yesterday the day the second coming would take place, the beginning of the end times. It wasn't a miscalculation, he calculated that he would make a lot of money from his advertisers because of the increase of people tuning in to hear what he was going to say. The

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10920836577977434478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-58961597911161852862011-03-08T15:30:00.000-08:002011-03-08T20:00:02.066-08:00

After much thought and a lot of accusations, I am changing my mind... again. No, I am not going back to the Dodgers. In my previous post's comments on FaceBook one of my dear friends said, "You're abandoning the team (Dodgers) of Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax, and Kirk Gibson for the team of Juan Marichal and Barry Bonds?" (Did you know that Marichal played for the Dodgers his final year and that

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10920836577977434478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-33178092756802447142011-03-06T17:02:00.000-08:002011-03-06T17:15:35.049-08:00

I believe there comes a time in everyone's life when they need to stop and assess what is it that they believe, what they stand for, and what do they feel matters. I realized that I have been angry for many years and not sure what was the root of my frustration and bitterness.I know that I have alienated many of my dear friends over the years with my view on the church and christian institutional

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10920836577977434478noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-21777399754839368382010-09-25T07:58:00.000-07:002010-09-25T08:09:31.918-07:00

Last night, my son, Simon and his wife, Natasha, gave birth to an 8 pound, 22 inch, healthy baby girl, Paloma Michael. We were very excited to greet her.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-47818365327975171862010-09-11T12:09:00.000-07:002010-09-11T15:18:03.397-07:00

I am not sure which is more evil, people who plan to kill people in the name of God or those who plan to burn the Koran in the name of Jesus Christ.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-2628468026668464412010-09-05T20:08:00.000-07:002010-09-06T01:54:44.313-07:00

Enjoy this Labor Day, remembering that many people pick our fruits and vegetables, pack our beef and chicken, drive our food to market, bake our bread, and care for our children who have no voice, make minimum wages, are without health care, and live below the poverty line.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-25248428983487259602010-05-04T18:45:00.000-07:002010-05-05T08:11:26.099-07:00

Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of The Kent State shootings – also known as the May 4 massacre or Kent State massacre – occurred at Kent State University in the city of Kent, Ohio, and involved the shooting of unarmed college students by members of the Ohio National Guard on Monday, May 4, 1970. The guardsmen fired 67 rounds over a period of 13 seconds, killing four students and wounding

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-15625804845891317062010-04-29T20:13:00.000-07:002010-05-02T06:59:11.844-07:00

I have male pattern baldness, my back goes out, my beard is gray, I need my tri-focals to see. I am growing old. But wait... I am not feeling bad, because I am growing. I know things today that I didn't know I knew. New things I know which are really old things. Things that have been around but I was too young to notice. Now I notice. Now I know.I had a conversation today, which a few years ago,

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-56615962227869681852010-03-20T08:54:00.000-07:002010-03-21T03:59:28.325-07:00

At first I thought they were telling children "pull up your pants." You know, No child's left behind. Maybe people were tired of seeing children and youth's left cheek. Oh the Department of Formulation, I mean, Education. I wonder a lot. I wonder more now that I am out of school than I did when I was in school. I was a terrible student. I spent a lot of time in the principal's office, vice

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-25420414762498260442010-03-06T04:03:00.000-08:002010-03-06T05:20:52.084-08:00

Early yesterday morning, I drove up to Stockton to visit a pastor and friend of mine. I was enthralled by the beauty of the rosy sun rays emanating through and over the slate gray mountains, black skies morphing into Dodger blue and the colors of the fields, so fresh and viridescent after the previous rains showing a new array of mustard colored flowers. Admiring the flowers planted along the

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-58968042183116987232010-02-20T07:03:00.000-08:002010-02-21T09:30:13.416-08:00

"Yeah, we just take a few tokes and get mellow and watch a movie or just hang out... I don't see any difference between a few tokes of pot and a bottle of beer or a glass of wine... What do you think?"Went the conversation with a young christian friend. What did I think?I began telling him about a guy who wrote the book, 3 Cups of Tea... In 1992, Greg Mortenson attempted to climb K2, the

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-39557196069906916522009-12-10T08:06:00.000-08:002009-12-10T08:59:09.877-08:00

AN OPEN REPLY TO A QUESTION...My dear friend, Thanks for the post and the concerns. I know you care about Calvin Crest and all the changes that are taking place. The craft/first aider position is only a craft position who will help out the nurses on Sundays and Saturdays with check-in and check-out. They will not be taking people down the hill during the daytime but may, just like the program

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-19373503673967000602009-10-25T01:24:00.000-07:002009-10-25T01:28:45.415-07:00

What a wonder. Such beauty. I am very small.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-83782787464912329352009-10-24T10:55:00.000-07:002009-10-25T00:29:05.512-07:00

Alright I know that I haven't written much lately but I gotta say that I am very concerned about the state of youth today. Drugs, promiscuity, AIDs, low educational test scores, economic impact, demonic possession, alcoholism, sagging trousers, texting while driving, or even adolescent obesity... are all things I could write about but I don't think matter as much as what happened to me

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-14022340811929643432009-09-30T07:03:00.000-07:002009-10-01T21:03:47.399-07:00

Matthew,I wanted to blog the response to your email, not to expose you but to answer a question I get asked quite often. I don't think that it is your faith that is falling apart but that it is not made of the kind of substance that can hold much weight. Let me explain...In sunday school, the institution gave very easy answers to very complex issues. It is easier to teach that "Jesus loves me

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-72403554206574233742009-09-06T08:34:00.001-07:002009-09-07T18:16:15.339-07:00

I know I have said this before but I don't take Labor Day to be a day to rest but to remember (isn't that suppose to be done on Memorial Day...) those who labor so I can live. I am thankful for those who plant, harvest, ship, and market all that I eat and drink as well as wear, buy, etc.I work at 5000 ft. elevation, in the most beautiful site on earth where people are willing to come and reflect

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-42755614626404439312009-07-16T16:08:00.000-07:002009-07-16T16:11:14.515-07:00

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-85029565653347146742009-02-21T19:29:00.000-08:002009-02-22T10:31:48.920-08:00

I am usually pretty tired this part of the year. I have been interviewing many people. I really have enjoyed many of the people I talked to, as is the usual, which is why I love my job so much.I met one woman, who has been a christian for five years and in that time has been to communist Asia for an extended time to help equip the believers, share the truth of Jesus with her family and now they

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-15280019361326234042009-01-18T18:02:00.000-08:002009-01-18T18:05:38.840-08:00

This gets my head churning... What do you think?

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-41305896827897643932009-01-08T07:46:00.000-08:002009-01-08T08:19:29.443-08:00

Masturbation. I was raised hearing that if I did that I would: 1. become blind; 2. grow hair on my palms; 3. go insane. No one ever talked about the truth.It separates and isolate. It causes the focus to be drawn on to an image instead of to another. It reduces people to things that are there to satisfy the flesh and cause momentary pleasure instead of relationship that can create a lifetime of

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-30916355500918926562009-01-07T09:25:00.000-08:002009-01-07T09:29:06.093-08:00

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-81164650287230777462009-01-06T19:13:00.000-08:002009-01-06T19:21:44.496-08:00

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-30822415938250441312008-12-21T13:01:00.000-08:002008-12-25T12:21:22.896-08:00

I was thinking about Cosby's question to me about what I thought about the difference between 3rd world and Western christianity. (Cos, I have been thinking about it a lot.) It got me started thinking about baseball.I use to love baseball. I was 8 years old and I started watching baseball with my father who was a SF Giants fan. They were playing the Dodgers, who just moved to Los Angeles. Sandy

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-11878873679952836862008-12-01T14:17:00.000-08:002008-12-01T14:19:04.987-08:00

...it is still an amazing thing. South Africa elected Mandela which was incredible, this is significant.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-52130212382448591002008-11-13T10:36:00.000-08:002008-11-13T10:46:21.330-08:00

I have been at a retreat at Lake Tahoe and am realizing what is missing in my soul is liturgy that reminds me of the majesty, power, love of God. Not empty words and form but life giving truth from scripture as told through story and verse. Being led in song and responsive reading engages my mind, heart, and soul. The thought that goes into the planning and design brings inspiration to me. I have

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-64996567337371957862008-11-01T13:54:00.001-07:002008-11-01T14:49:08.936-07:00

I am not sure I want to do this anymore. I think I have said everything I need to say. I don't think it is making any difference except irritating some people, of which I seem to have done much. I I don't trust anymore in the church-institution as it now stands but I believe in the followers of Jesus who are seriously following the way, truth, and life of Christ as written about in the Holy

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-53616909374163041802008-09-05T03:35:00.000-07:002008-09-07T20:23:57.566-07:00

Well, I was afraid that this was going to be a boring election and as I said yesterday, a fresh wind blew into the arena. Some thought that I was supporting Governor Palin was endorsing her. I was not, I was excited to see that there are debates going to happen that will be fun. They have not been. Old politics seem to be the continued soup d' jour. The easiest thing is to put the opponent down

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-42693683502617067252008-09-03T19:53:00.000-07:002008-09-03T20:00:54.037-07:00

Sarah Palin has some spunk! The election just got fun again...

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-44151138151769019142008-09-01T09:25:00.000-07:002008-09-01T11:22:06.434-07:00

I was studying Genesis this past year and spoke on it during the summer and one of the things that caught my attention was the curse on Adam. Genesis 3:17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-752056847545769432008-08-24T07:54:00.000-07:002008-08-25T08:01:46.898-07:00

I am sorry that I haven't written for a while but... I didn't want to. Now I do. I have been thinking about what the church is about and what it hasn't been about. Redemption and worship. The place that Jesus calls us to is redemption. The place that God, the creator calls us to is worship. And the Spirit leads us in both.When the worship service is about self gratification and the kind of

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-11662224635000104042008-08-01T22:03:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:41.429-08:00

We lost a dear friend tonight, Bill Paup. Thank you for sharing your life with us...

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-47626791065912582082008-07-31T15:33:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:41.717-08:00

Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-65686995182171637742008-07-29T18:20:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:42.212-08:00

To Cos

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-46081641314146312322008-07-17T09:48:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:42.543-08:00

I was looking in my mirror this morning and I saw a lot more gray and a lot more tan. The gray was in my hair and beard and the tan was on the top of my head where their is no gray or hair. I went out to my office which overlooks the road down the middle of camp and saw a number of staffers who were Sherwood campers (4th - 6th graders), not so long ago. I then began to ponder how many people have

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-51820969274475341302008-07-06T18:10:00.001-07:002008-11-15T08:42:42.823-08:00

Jack not happy, Ben in the back having a good time.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-6398283832770722962008-07-05T12:51:00.000-07:002008-07-06T20:41:08.968-07:00

I wonder if those of us who live in relative easy lives really understand the redemptive message of the Good New of redemption in Christ Jesus. Not that it is really complicated, but that it is in relationship to people who are living outside of an intimacy with God.I bought the assurance policy back in 1974, April 19. I was headed to heaven because of a free gift from God through the Beloved Son

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-43893961451192849482008-06-21T14:22:00.000-07:002008-06-21T14:24:26.266-07:00

I am starting to put my thoughts about camping on a blog other than this one. If you are interested, you can check it out at by clicking here.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-76917366845850489172008-06-17T20:23:00.000-07:002008-06-17T20:39:21.737-07:00

Dear Penny,You have been asking what is God doing with us and I have been putting it off for a couple of reasons. First, I am not sure that it is the Creator or me and second, I do not want to speak for anyone else but I can try to give you my perspective. My heart is tired of being disappointed by leadership so I might have a bit of a chip on my shoulder and I am trying not to let that influence

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-33452379017533100952008-06-10T21:38:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:43.295-08:00

No controversy, you say? Then you have never read Genesis 1-3. This makes the Revolution into a tea party.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-73971666477873778152008-06-05T18:22:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:44.100-08:00

Ben & Jack

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-34006683113440561732008-06-01T07:28:00.000-07:002008-06-03T16:57:47.828-07:00

When I was in eighth grade, my teacher, Mr. Stone, gave us an assignment as part of our U.S. government curriculum, to research those men (there were not any women running for President in 1968) who are the candidates with who we most identify. There were many who were running that year:Democrates:Roger D. Branigin, Governor of IndianaJohn G. Crommelin, retired US Navy Admiral from AlabamaPaul C.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-92162835362726952302008-05-28T06:11:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:44.349-08:00

We are in fairly typical May weather as we are getting some rain and some beautiful clouds hovering in the area. It really brings out the peace and beauty of the trees.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-23668435481150229822008-05-16T05:53:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:44.769-08:00

We are only here for a moment. Times remembered, dreams hoped for.Apples eaten, seeds planted for first fruit only the grandchildren to taste.This is not the end, but we are a long way from the beginning. All I have is today, so that tomorrow will be available for them. New friends come, time enjoyed,old friends leave, heart grown.All we have is memories for first fruits for the next._____Stained

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-73497470281497772292008-05-14T23:17:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:45.358-08:00

Ben and JackNo Controversy, just pictures...

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-18027827844757618132008-05-14T05:58:00.000-07:002008-05-14T09:26:07.260-07:00

It is clear that I am not communicating well. I am not against Denoms, I am calling for a deep, soulful, prayerful, look at what we are gathering together to do. What are the possibilities that can take place with a group of people who follow after Christ, believe in some of the same things, are in close proximity to each other, and have a building and means, to meet the needs of the people in

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-60378821580105343822008-05-13T14:54:00.000-07:002008-05-13T14:59:28.657-07:00

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-45930099811161204092008-05-13T05:45:00.000-07:002008-05-13T19:54:01.354-07:00

In the last series of posts and comments, I noticed something. There is a glass with only half the water in it. Several times I read, "That we live in a fallen world..." That is bad theology. And what is worse it is only half true. The keepers of the truth say we live in a fallen world are only giving half the message. It is the same message that when you die you will be saved and go to heaven.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-62705693194662882492008-05-11T18:31:00.000-07:002008-05-12T13:21:45.179-07:00

This morning, Scott and Julie Henderson and I traveled to Corcoran a good hour and a half trip from home to attend a church (iglesia) with a group who will begin coming to camp this summer. The church's name was, Centro Cristiano Agua Viva.I loved it!!! (¡¡Lo amé!!! )Let me tell you why. First, we were welcomed. Not just by the pastor but by everyone. First it was the pastor and the young woman

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-9254422089458451012008-05-10T06:43:00.000-07:002008-05-10T11:46:05.576-07:00

In two of the key songs of this past year in hit movies were very simple tunes. The movies were low budget and filmed quickly and without special effects or any enhancements. Juno and Once were about story. About things that happen in real life. Sure there have been other stories but these were different. Moral choices were prevalent in both films. "Anyone Else But You" and "Falling Slowly" are

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-1200781816950270922008-05-08T19:39:00.000-07:002008-05-09T17:09:54.258-07:00

Timbo, Al, and Tyler, and others,I really enjoyed this this time together. When I was growing up, my father and I would talk about politics at the dinner table and get into some pretty wonderfully intense conversations. I was working for the McGovern campaign and he was a stanch supporter for Nixon. He would let me take his Toyota Land Cruiser to school and let me put a McGovern sticker on the

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-321245285455342822008-05-07T07:31:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:46.284-08:00

Taylor and the boys...

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-30264961815427604232008-05-06T23:50:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:46.401-08:00

I was driving home from work, when my phone rings. It is from a friend whom I haven't heard from in a long time. He was asking me why I pick on the church so much. He wanted to know if I still believed in Jesus. He asked if I was hurt by the church or what was it that was making me so angry. What did the church do to me that was so bad?So I thought for a while, hmmm maybe I was wrong. I mean

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-26179483063364931632008-05-05T00:23:00.000-07:002008-05-07T10:25:20.556-07:00

Boy, did you miss the point.You assume that I am against denominations, I am not. I am for people who are passionate about the living God who is at work today. Yes and many denominational churches are involved in wonderful, dynamic ministries to the poor, oppressed, outcast, disenfranchised, etc. Many have food pantries, clothe closets, soup kitchens, etc. for people in their parish. Many go to

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-74824431099547202772008-05-03T09:54:00.000-07:002008-05-03T11:05:06.431-07:00

I am sorry that I do not write more. Some have told me they appreciate my writing, pictures of Ben and Jack, etc. I am in the midst of a lot of thinking about somethings that are better not published until thought through more. I don't want to be a heretic but I also don't want to continue on in the same old same old as before. There is reformation in the air. Because the other reformation has

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-58335053152814957132008-04-27T12:33:00.000-07:002008-05-03T11:12:56.970-07:00

The singing was incredible. Women who were raised in the church, knew the hymns, remembered the harmonies, lifting their voices in praise like a choir of angels. Except one. She was out of tune, off rhythm, not blended, and clashing against the three part harmonies of the others. She sang at full volume. On Friday night when we first started singing, women kept turning around to see who was it

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-84123322683333584472008-04-05T10:03:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:46.806-08:00

One of my favorite times at church when I was growing up was the once-a-quarter Potluck dinners. Sometimes there would be a speaker, a missionary or a pastor visiting; a special event like a talent show, christmas pageant, game night, hymn sing, etc. No matter what the program it would be kicked off with a potluck. I was talking to a high school student the other day and he had never gone to a

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-37996865011765428212008-03-22T11:41:00.000-07:002008-03-22T17:32:49.261-07:00

My old school chum Mas Masumoto is a farmer and a writer, living on his farm in Del Rey, California, just outside of Fresno. In his book, Epitaph for a Peach, Mas wrote about how he was going to need to pull up some of his peach trees, the Sun Crest, to make way for a new variety that has a longer shelf life at the market, but does not taste as well. Let me just share a little from Mas' website.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-50287081246696534082008-03-21T20:48:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:47.261-08:00

Jack and Ben

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-74463455605810834582008-03-19T19:03:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:47.420-08:00

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-45380446244921645132008-03-13T06:36:00.000-07:002008-03-13T07:01:04.476-07:00

A friend of mine and I were talking about being called into ministry. I was still thinking about that even a day or two later. "Being called into ministry." Was I called into ministry? Was there a setting apart this life and time to do ministry? Can you even do ministry or do you just minister. It is more than doing but more of ministering. I have been thinking about my friends Nancy Donat, Phil

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-82536689076123833082008-03-10T06:53:00.000-07:002008-03-10T07:21:22.866-07:00

Last Saturday night I attended the fundraising dessert for Fresno Institute for Urban Leadership. The guest speaker was John Perkins who spoke on being the righteous who effect change in the community. I have heard him many times in the past 30 years, and he is still a very powerful speaker. But then I looked around the room to the listeners and there were just as powerful people, who have

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-19639881215738896872008-03-04T06:03:00.000-08:002008-03-04T12:14:40.871-08:00

PLEASE NOTE: This is not directed at Michael (I have much love and respect for him as someone who is sincerely and deeply trying to follow after the way, truth, and life of Christ) or any particular way of viewing scripture with which I might disagree. I told the story instead of using scripture to fight scripture because I was sickened by the use of scripture to put people in their place. Yes,

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-50902381564644385792008-03-01T06:47:00.000-08:002008-03-03T06:51:26.435-08:00

A year went by and Sophia never brought her dog to worship. No one did. The memo was successful. Or was it. Was the intent of the memo to not bring dogs to worship or was it to train up a dog in the way that they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it?I asked Sophia into my office, which freaked her out, because she thought she did something wrong and was going to be

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-76043682038870962302008-02-24T07:29:00.000-08:002008-02-24T11:37:14.135-08:00

I haven't let off some steam lately and thought I would this morning. I was interviewing a dear friend's daughter the other day and I asked her about what it was like to be the daughter of a mom who was a pastor. And she said that she hadn't thought about it until she came this year to the christian university where she is a student. I asked her to explain. She said that when she was a kid

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-3704204576307422362008-02-21T07:28:00.000-08:002008-03-01T16:00:07.535-08:00

There are days I forget that I am bald and fill my hand with shampoo.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-22171507966293090532008-02-14T19:37:00.000-08:002008-02-15T18:20:52.474-08:00

Calvin Crest Conferences is pleased to announce the addition of NICK MASTEN to the staff, as the new Program Manager. He will start March 17. Nick has served on Calvin Crest staff in many positions such as Guest Group Host, Lead Counselor, and Food Service Assistant. Nick has been serving as Camp Director and Program Director for the past two years at Templed Hills Camp & Retreat Center in

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-84525782412314181732008-01-26T13:32:00.001-08:002008-11-15T08:42:48.144-08:00

We will be opening up a new position at Calvin Crest, the Program Manager, this next week. I will post the job description on the www.calvincrest.com website, hopefully on Monday, January 28. The position is planned to start the beginning of April or sometime in March.If you are interested and wish to discuss this position with me, you may email me at tony@calvincrest.com

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-15988876742293095612008-01-23T18:50:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:48.279-08:00

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-29983389774204631142008-01-13T11:31:00.000-08:002008-01-14T20:08:40.772-08:00

Your last letter poised a great question and one that held me accountable for my critical nature. I do not try to be critical, I didn't have a critical nature when I was in college, in fact, I was quite the optimist. I enjoyed the diversity and insight of many, even the ones that I didn't agree with. I felt they had something to teach me and give another facet to this stoney heart of mine. I

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-41650847486667849642008-01-12T00:58:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:48.548-08:00

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-81062425106924896132008-01-09T07:51:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:48.847-08:00

A while back I bought my wife this mirror that has two sides. One regular and the other side is magnified. The magnified side is a bit distorted so that it magnifies but also it makes me look skinnier. I like this mirror. I now use it to brush my beard and mustache. I don't have much hair, but i like how it makes me look. Sure it shows the gray in my hair and beard but I am alright with gray as

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-82652448626409806772008-01-01T12:57:00.000-08:002008-01-01T13:21:56.238-08:00

Last night, New Year's eve, I was invited over to Susanne and Dan Kimball's home for a great dinner. Christel was invited as well but came down with what has been going around here and keeping people on the couch for a few days. I was commissioned to make some appetizers and a bottle of wine. So I came up with a lime and jalapeño marmalade shrimp, a kosher dill spear and swiss cheese wrapped in

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-39281713469125212492007-12-22T16:00:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:48.977-08:00

Photo by SimonBen's first solo walk.(See Coffee Table blog for more detail...)

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-17029840451025329322007-12-21T23:01:00.000-08:002007-12-29T11:55:21.839-08:00

Ok, I love my Mac Powerbook, I love my iPod, I love my Newton. But dangit Apple, don't jack my blog!

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-55102111370420521282007-12-16T10:11:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:49.185-08:00

There is nothing more adorable than little boys, tractors, and pajamas.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-58432614964909365152007-12-15T09:46:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:49.359-08:00

These past few months I have been trying to examine what do I believe, why do I believe, and from where did I learn to believe it that way?! I do that periodically just like I clean out my garage in the spring. I think many of what I believe came from strange places different places than scripture. Some were by omission and some commission. Some were from reactions to strange phenomena and some

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-43800728588249552202007-12-07T06:13:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:49.432-08:00

It started with speculations. No one really knew but they knew where to look to get some information.The more others looked and spoke the truer it became. There is going to be a storm. A big storm. Two feet in the higher elevations, maybe eight inches here within 24 hours or less. We began to live as if there was a storm. Bryan and Jeremy prepared. The Plow was gassed up and so was the grader,

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-79057511124339705772007-12-06T21:02:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:49.628-08:00

Jack and Ben in David's new lightweight stroller.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-88183757091246917692007-12-05T16:06:00.000-08:002007-12-05T16:09:32.888-08:00

Looking forward to seeing this on Sunday, Dec. 9.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-5228680475483989362007-12-03T21:18:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:49.816-08:00

It isn't that I am getting old (ok, I am but not old old) but I am starting to do and buy things that old people do and buy. I am getting hair cuts that are easy to maintain. I drive an old truck because I feel more manly because my manly isn't as. I have routines so I remember where I parked my car in the parking lot at Von's. I bought these sunglasses that you see in the picture, not because

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-1103206275086802212007-11-27T07:37:00.000-08:002007-12-02T22:16:21.069-08:00

Mother Teresa said, "We can do no great things, only small things with great love." I think about the heart to which Jesus gave Himself, and it was to the small things not the great things. He said "Consider the lilies..." "The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed..." "If you look upon another woman..." "blessed are the meek..." "Someone touched me..." etc. These are little things that make up

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-35576333894197770092007-11-25T19:56:00.000-08:002007-11-26T08:02:41.077-08:00

Not since 1979 has the Eagles come out with a new album with new materials. Yes, they wrote Hole in the World in 2003 but it was only a single release. I think these guys have gotten better as they aged and quit doing drugs and alcohol. Now it seems the music is central. Some of the greats are still great and still have a few years left in them. The number is dwindling...Cos, I would see these

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-45466056983889228062007-11-15T13:02:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:42:50.022-08:00

The forest around Calvin Crest is getting logged and brushed out which will make it healthy again and not a timberbox. As the picture above shows the forest is overgrown and not very healthy. Some were saying that it won't look the same, but it will look healthy, which is better. We are seeing some change already in some of the areas where the responsible logging is taking place. It feels like

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-80881391016142124262007-11-08T14:31:00.001-08:002008-11-15T08:42:50.183-08:00

photo by Natasha Biaselli

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-1184740924691632402007-11-08T08:12:00.000-08:002007-11-08T08:13:49.394-08:00

“On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-48633965694930064202007-11-08T06:46:00.000-08:002007-11-08T06:47:14.935-08:00

I make a lot of assumptions out of hurt, fear, insecurity, and ignorance.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-30808152378331242392007-11-06T12:41:00.000-08:002007-11-06T12:46:08.741-08:00

...without a car. And I am getting email, comments, and other forms of communication telling me of some of the best places to go in Atlanta and I am just far enough out of town so that I cannot get into town and it is driving me nuts. I can smell the BBQ, the mint julep... Pray, please pray...

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-4067414351043845892007-11-05T09:14:00.000-08:002007-11-06T06:53:32.651-08:00

I am at the Presbyterian Church Camps and Conferences (PCCCA) Gathering in Atlanta, GA.There are some people, that I didn't know before this, who are asking the same questions that I have been. We connect quickly in the seminars that we attend. Some of us are on the same track and give opinions and ask questions that bring out a perspective that is more Kingdom oriented than denominational bound.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-15877916938156453792007-11-01T16:17:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:50.592-08:00

I love living in this community where they have Tarantula Festivals, Chocolate Festivals, Chukchansi Pow wows, Peddlers Fair, School Carnivals, Mountaineer Days Parade, Honorary Mayor (who is elected by raising the most money for a local charity), Art Tours, Car Shows in the park, and many more. Above is an article on the Tarantula Festival, which received front page, above the fold placement in

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-48708161538170056442007-10-30T11:12:00.000-07:002007-10-30T11:22:09.459-07:00

Bill Ekhardt came up with a great idea to have the first week of family camp be an alumni family camp. You don't need to have a family to come, you just don't need to be in college anymore. The week for the camp is June 15-21. Would you be interested in attending? Please comment and let me know.Great idea, Bill.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-82031872329330992002007-10-23T15:09:00.000-07:002007-10-23T15:13:35.163-07:00

I was invited by Dan Kimball to attend a luncheon put on by the Fresno Met in Fresno today with speaker, Scott McNealy, Chairman and Co-Founder of Sun Microsystems. Who's quote is in the title bar.Wow. I am still processing many of the things he spoke about. It was a great gift from a great friend. Thanks, Dan. You continue to teach and nurture my thoughts in many ways.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-71802954940537209712007-10-19T09:39:00.000-07:002007-10-19T10:48:40.893-07:00

Painting by Benedictine Priest, John B GiulianiThis picture tells the story in the culture of the people. I don't think it is meant to be perverting anyone's view of Jesus' ethnicity. But rather to bring the story to the culture. Storytelling is one thing when it is in and of itself. To bring the story to a single people group using the same ethnicity is understandable but to continue to create

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-84969385700334368052007-10-09T07:24:00.000-07:002007-10-09T07:30:29.693-07:00

I am thankful for the discussions we have here. I wish it was in person over a cup of coffee, tea, shot of Jameson, whatever. I am an external processor and appreciate the feedback and understanding that this is not a cemented thought but fluid and eyes and ears open to hear and know the truth. I do appreciate the contrarians who really do make me a better person by giving me an alternative

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-8084371241907750782007-10-07T09:40:00.000-07:002007-10-07T10:00:21.944-07:00

In continuing the conversation started in, Jesus loves me this I know..., by showing the characters in the Bible as something other than real men and women that have predominate features that are characteristic of middle eastern men and women, are we creating an inadvertent form of racism that we are really not intentional about? (Or maybe we are intentional?)I know there are a few out there that

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-61526222848686532072007-09-30T10:18:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:51.215-08:00

Ben and Jack

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-54187254018712946812007-09-29T09:29:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:51.562-08:00

When I was in fourth grade, once a week I would go to Carol Reimer's house after school for a flannel presentation of the stories of Jesus. Two missionaries would come and tell us about Jesus and at the end, before the graham crackers with chocolate icing and punch were served, they would ask, "Who would like to invite Jesus into their hearts and go to heaven after they die?" They would have this

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-43752931613900038832007-09-27T17:17:00.000-07:002007-09-27T17:59:46.475-07:00

After a while, it is time to reevaluate this road and check out a new path...To some, "Sorry."To others, "Thanks."

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-12736387869980863472007-09-17T22:18:00.000-07:002007-09-17T23:03:37.846-07:00

I think about loving God and I do love God. But I am not sure what that is suppose to look like.I think about worshipping God and I don't know what that is suppose to look like either. Is it something that I am suppose to do with music and what kind of music is best? Should the worship music be the kind of music I like or what God likes? After all we are worshipping the Creator. So if we don't

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-14969375261110777412007-09-16T09:00:00.000-07:002007-09-16T09:27:10.341-07:00

Lately, I find myself on the other side of myself.I am reading scriptures, mainly Matthew's gospel, and it is quite disturbing my harmony with myself. First Jesus tells us to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Then he goes on and tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. He also tells us to love our enemy.I am not doing well at this. First off, I think I am barely loving God with

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678852.post-91478202230587111832007-09-13T22:43:00.000-07:002008-11-15T08:42:51.839-08:00

We will begin again for Time & Space (a worship service), this Sunday, September 16, 2007 at 6:00pm at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, in Oakhurst, CA.

TonyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16790598639653325139noreply@blogger.com0