Whenever someone I know gets an iphone they always ask me what my favorite iphone apps are. So, I will grab my phone and scroll through and demonstrate the mind melting awesomeness of each app.

Unfortunately, it is often lost on people because they need to mess around with the apps themselves. Here is my list of my favorite iphone apps

YouVersion: Bible
A really great Bible app from Lifechurch.tv. You can read all sorts of different versions of the Bible, read notes, and interact with Live events. I set up live events for the youth to follow along during youth.

Catan
Settlers of Catan for the iphone. I have spent more time settling the Isle of Catan on my phone then settling it in real life. FUN!

Evernote
Keeps track of everything I need to write down on little scraps of paper. You can also do photo notes which is awesome.

Facebook
Well…you can check your facebook anywhere.

ProPresenter
I use this to control and set up my worship slides for church. Works over the wireless network.

Shazam
Listens to music and tells you who it is. Very useful in an argument over who such and such a band is.

Things
Keeps track of every thing I need to do with my life.

Timmy Me
Helps me to find a Tim Hortons anywhere (in Canada)

Penguin Toss 2
Addictive game where you fling penguins at polar bears

Planning Center Online
Helps to plan worship services

Remote
Control your itunes on your computer over itunes.

I am T-Pain
Turns white boys from Canada into international rap stars. Auto tune for the iphone.

Guitar Toolkit
Chord dictionary and tuner

Air Sharing
Read pdfs, documents, and apple files on your iphone. Upload them to your iphone wirelessly and read stuff…

i.TV
I use this to find out when the office is on

I have been gone for a while and I thought that this video would be a great way to come back:

This book was very good. A great Canadian author and a very moving story.

I have lived in Canada for almost 2 years. I have my landed immigrant status. I have experienced a lot of Canadian culture but I have neither seen nor pet a beaver. Canada please allow me the opportunity to do both - I am one of you now.

This is my new favorite youtube star!

David Crowder’s drummer built a giant MPC for the band Family Force Five. I think that it is awesome! It looks like a lot of fun to play too. I am going to see both bands at YC in a couple weeks and hopefully one of them plays the Giant MPC.

Where Am I Wearing
Kelsey Timmerman

Where Am I Wearing is author Kelsey Timmerman’s journey throughout the world visiting the factories and people who made the clothes he wears. Kelsey traveled to Cambodia, China, Honduras, Bangladesh, and Perry, NY to find out where what we wear comes from.

Kelsey was not as interested in finding out the economics behind the factories, as he was about the people working in them. He shared many meals and conversations with real people who worked in the factories that made his clothes. He traveled to a small village in China to meet the family that two factory workers were supporting with their meager salaries and played a strange game in Cambodia with a group of factory workers there. It is a very inspiring journey that Timmerman takes his readers on and I am thankful I could travel around with him in his book.

He leaves the decision of whether or not shop to the reader based on the readers values or morals. He offers alternatives to buying sweatshop produced clothing and encourages the reader to become an engaged consumer. Follow his twitter.

The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini

I may be late in the game reviewing a book that has already been turned into a movie, but I finally read The Kite Runner. It is the story of two boys growing up in Afghanistan and the journey of life, friendship, betrayal, and redemption in the midst of the war torn country. Khaled Hosseini’s novel is a gripping portrayal of a life marked by a moment of fear and shame. The main character, Amir, has to come to terms with the mistakes he has made and ultimately finds redemption and forgiveness, though not in the way the reader would assume.

I have not seen the movie yet, but I plan on watching it. Malora is reading Hosseini’s new novel A Thousand Splendid Suns. Although, I enjoyed (I was more gripped by then enjoyed) the book I would not read it again. It is worth a read to gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding the war in Afghanistan and the plight of the Afghan people. Be prepared for a dark emotional journey that eventually leads the reader to the heights of hope and redemption.

via Slashfilm

Under the Overpass is the story of two young men who make the decision to spend 4 months living on the streets of major cities throughout America to gain an accurate picture of homelessness in America and how the church should respond. The decision came about because author Mike Yankoksi saw more talk about homelessness then actual action and compassion. Reading the words of Jesus Mike felt compelled to respond to the needs of the least of these in a dramatic way. To experience life as a homeless person by becoming homeless himself. It is an eye opening experience for both Mike and Sam, as well as for the reader.

This book was very challenging to me because it encourages the reader to respond to the needs of those who are on the streets by incarnationally loving the less fortunate. It is reveals the gritty reality that homeless people face on a daily basis from hunger to rats to prejudice to desperation. Along the way Sam and Mike meet many interesting people who challenge many preconceived ideas about Christianity, life on the streets, and faith.

This book was given to me by one of my Jr. high boys (John Toews) and I am so glad that I read it. It makes me want to go and do something to help those in need. I am not sure what yet - but this book is a definite read for anyone interested in working with homeless people or  for those who need to be inspired to make a difference in the lives of those in need. It gives an intimate look into the lives of homeless people across America that can only be gained by becoming an insider and living the life of a homeless person.

It is also very convicting to read how terribly the church responds to the homeless with a lack of concern or even a self righteous prejudice.  Although there are some beautiful examples of Christians responding with love and compassion, often the church responds in the exact opposite way. I think every Christian ought to read this book and rethink they way that they respond to those in need. We need to respond with love, care, provision, and compassion just like Jesus did.

This book comes highly recommended if you want to moved to action to reach out to those in your community who are in need of a loving presence and friendly compassion.

For more information check out www.undertheoverpass.com

I have no words to say how much I hate the snow storms we have been getting this spring so here is an album of photos from our adventures today. I shoveled from 7-9:30 and still got stuck in the drive way. Thankfully I had help from Malora’s parents and the neighbors with a tractor.

I also got stuck in the ditch this afternoon when I was going into town. The neighbor pulled me out. I am so through with all of this stupid snow and it better melt away and stay away!

This is why I love Canada - even the beavers are friendly!

I hate people who go on ticketmaster and buy all of the tickets for a concert and then 2 seconds later sell them on craigslst for double the ticket price. They take all of the tickets making it impossible for fans to buy two tickets together.

I was going to take Malora to the coldplay concert in June for our 6 year anniversary but there are no tickets available. I was on the site the moment the tickets went on sale and still could not get any tickets.

Ticket buyer scalper people should be put on an island and left to rot. Why do they steal my tickets just to make money! This is my marriage people - give me a break!

I guess we will just listen to the CD instead. Cheaper and we can drink slurpees.

This is seriously the life of a youth pastor! Props to more than dodgeball for the video.

This month I started reading Jesus for President by Shane Clairborne. This is a great book about faith, politics, social isssues, and Jesus. However, half way through the book I got side tracked by Save Me From Myself by Brian “Head” Welch. Shane will have to wait - he will be there when I get back.

Save Me From Myself is the story of how Brian Welch left the band KORN because of his life altering experience with Jesus Christ. It explicitly (and he describes in full detail and F-words) shares his experience of being addicted drugs, alcohol, money, and fame until Jesus came and messed everything up. His battle with drugs ends when he finally submits everything to God. He moves with his daughter to Arizona to pursue a new life and mission that he feels God has given him.

The message of the transformed life very powerfully displayed throughout Brian’s journey from Hell to Heaven. God takes a broken shell of a man and redeems him and restores everything that was lost. He is definitely not perfect but his honesty and journey are very inspiring. He released a tamer Christian version which hopefully cuts out some of the explicit content (it’s hard to give Jr. Highers books with the F-word in them).

Overall I would recommend the tame version of this book. It is an amazing story of a life that has been changed by God. If you are a fan of KORN check out his CD.

Here is his story (iamsecond.com)

I didn’t watch the Grammy’s but I heard that Radiohead was playing. Thanks to the internet I was able to catch the best part of the Grammys without having to watch the actual show. Radiohead is by far the greatest band of my generation and this performance shows the intricately simplistic genius that is Radiohead.

I have resisted this for a while but I think that it will be fun. If you get tagged you have to write it too. So, here are 25 Random Things about Tom:

1. I hate getting shots or seeing needles, but I desperately would like to get more tattoos

2. I love watching chick flicks with Malora and often comment on a particularly girly movie in front of other people - guys hate it

3. I would like to find a green choir robe and join The Polyphonic Spree as a part of the choir or a guitar player in the band (or even the seamstress for the band and be the tiny dancer)

4. I love coffee but do not like the taste of black coffee. I will pay the extra money to buy Fair Trade and you should too!

5. I would like to learn how to play the banjo because I have been told I have a voice for bluegrass music - not sure what that means

6. Gilmore Girls is one of my favorite shows to watch on DVD. I sometimes wrestle with the truth that I might like it more then Malora

7. Once I was on a plane from Billngs, MT to Denver and the plane hit really bad turbulence. Malora and I were both really scared so I closed my eyes and went inside my head and battled the fear of turbulence. It was kind of like meditation mixed with brain karate. I opened my eyes and have never been afraid to fly since, even when we hit really bad turbulence. Noah and I just laugh!

8. I still freak myself out about aliens (the pale faced, big black eyes small nose and mouth skinny human looking ones). When I was a kid I pretended to fall asleep during the abduction part of “Fire in the Sky”

9. When I was a kid I watched a movie about killer bees and was so freaked out that I used to close my vents, put a towel under my door (so the bees couldn’t get in), and sleep under my covers.

10. I have a deep desire to travel but I am too cheap to spend money on traveling. It’s hard for me to pay thousands of dollars for a plane flight but I want to go to: Africa, Tibet, Hawaii, Fiji, Thailand, and back to Europe

11. I love Canada more then I ever loved America. I believe that Noah is the perfect human being half Canadian / American.

12. I think that the Reuben sandwich is the perfect sandwich. Toasted with sauerkraut and a pickle on the side. I would like to go to NY and get one at a deli there…yummm.

13. I can not drink beer out of a can - it’s gotta be out of a bottle or tap. Cans are too white trash. I also like microbreweries or small local breweries.

14. I strongly believe that middle children are divinely endowed with special gifts and abilities that we choose to use when we need to

15. When I see basset hound puppies it makes me want to cry. I miss buster (our old basset) but know we made the right decision to adopt him to a retired couple who have another basset and a grandson with disabilities (sounds like a Disney movie).

16. I could eat Mexican food for every meal for the rest of my life and be mucho happy. I miss Chipotle

17. I do not finish the majority of the books that I start reading. Even if I love the book I get 3/4 of the way through and then get side tracked to another book. I love to read but am easily distracted.

18. I am terrible at remembering people’s names. I also hate admitting that to people so I usually do not call people by their names. I need to learn a trick or something.

19. I want to develop my circus skills - specifically juggling and magic. I am terrible at both of these, but I can impress Noah with my meager skills.

20. I love making list. Check out the list of 50 things I want to do before 2012 on my blog. I enjoy the thrill of having a goal, completing it, and checking it off. I also make to do lists every week on a special “to do pad” I got at Chapters.

21. I am a conspiracy theorist - sparked by my brother David. I do not believe that man has walked on the moon. There is a slight possibility the world will end in 2012. If time travel is possible it is highly regulated by the government of the future and that is why we don’t have any proof yet because you loose your time travel license if you spill the beans.

22. I do not watch sports. I don’t care who wins the superbowl, stanley cup, or what ever basketball and baseball people play to win. I like watching with friends or attending a game (especially Calgary Flames for a pocket dog and a Canadian)!

23. I love my Fender Telecaster guitar. I have dreams and aspirations of being a rockstar when ever I listen to bands that I really like. I think, “I could do that” but TopDeadCenter may be my only rockstar legacy.

24. I really enjoy being a youth pastor. It is so rewarding seeing youth engage with God and grow in their faith.

25. I love my family! I love Malora and Noah and Baby Bean on the way. I love my brothers and parents and Malora’s family. I think that family is the most important thing even though I live thousands of miles away from mine.

So that’s my list. You should do one too so we all have a list of our own!

4.2/5 rating

Rob Bell’s latest book Jesus Wants To Save Christians is passionate manifesto for a church who seems to be asleep and needs a major wake up call. Throughout the book Bell traces the ancient story of Israel’s fall and exodus from Egypt, how Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all of the longings of the nation of Israel, and how the church fits in the story today. He also looks at the disparity between the many global crisis around the world and the state of the North Amercan church and how we are to respond. Bell also traces the roots of Empires and looks at the faulty ground in which the empire of America has built itself upon.

It was not my favorite Rob Bell publication (Velvet Elvis and NOOMA / Everything is Spiritual are much better). I felt like he spent too much time focusing on the ancient and not enough time focusing on the present situation for the church. His discussion of the history of Israel is definitely relevant but I felt he could have given more practical application for the church.

The last 2 chapters are the manifesto for the church. I found this section very insightful and practical for the ministry context I am working in. Overall I would recommend this book to a friend and also point them to Rob’s other stuff as well. Read it if you get a chance

I made it through camp with most of my dignity and sanity in place (although many people made fun of my man scarf). It was a really great weekend and I know that the youth and leaders who went had a really great time. They especially enjoyed the underground church night game that we did.

I also learned an important lesson: Don’t do too much! It was exhausting being both the worship leader and the youth pastor to my group. I don’t think I was able to give enough attention to either role and so both roles suffered. The worship was rushed, the sound was not great (lots of feedback), and we didn’t get a chance to practice the whole weekend. It wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t great.

I also didn’t get to fully engage with all of the youth because I was being stretched in too many directions. I was late to the small group time and always running around. I can’t do everything - and I especially can’t do everything well.

I think pastors often think they are invincible and can handle anything and everything that comes their way. We can’t. We need boundaries and balance. The weekend was a lot of fun and I can’t wait for next year. Let’s just hope they get a different band to lead the worship.

I am getting ready to take a bunch of rowdy jr. higher students and leaders to winter camp at Camp Evergreen. This is an annual event and I love going up there for the weekend. I think that getting out of the city to spend time with a bunch burping smelly jr. high kids is one of the funnest things to do on a weekend. Well, maybe there are some things that are funner but I gotta stay positive right.

They have a great speaker coming who doesn’t know how to pronounce coyote (he pronounces it KEY-OH-TEE) and there is a really fun night game that involves the underground church. I did it at sr. high camp and our team was the first team to leave (10:00pm) and the last team back (2:30 am).

In addition to bringing the group up, I am also bringing a worship team up to lead worship. We were asked last minute to help and I am super excited to be a part of the band. The camp band is always the coolest group at a camp and I will finally be part of the cool kids. Maybe we can be like an exclusive club or something - we all have really cool scarves so that could be our “thing”.

Pray for the youth and leaders while we are up there. Jr. high camp in Big Bear is where I made the decision to follow Christ and I hope that all of the youth coming will be changed by this weekend. Now I just need to find my earplugs, air freshener, and a large bottle of Aleve.