The Dot, Dot, Dot...

New email address due to hack

2010-07-07T06:28:00.001-06:00

Hey all. My new email address is calcallison@gmail.com. Please change my info in your systems. I got hacked in this yahoo account and it is spamming people...sorry. Thanks.

In His Grip,

Cal Callison

Make the best of it

2010-06-29T12:51:00.001-06:00

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God is powerful

2010-06-25T07:47:00.001-06:00

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Year End Reflections Coming Soon...

2009-12-24T09:45:00.001-06:00

...stay tuned...

Just Pray...

2009-10-14T14:16:00.001-06:00

please...

(I wanted a longer entry but this is it for now)

Heavy Heart

2009-10-06T00:18:00.002-06:00

Tonight my heart is heavy. It's after 1am and I should be sleeping. I can't shake this feeling.

My hope is built on nothing lessThan Jesus’ blood and righteousness;I dare not trust the sweetest frame,But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;All other ground is sinking sand,All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,I rest on His unchanging grace;In every high and stormy gale,My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His bloodSupport me in the whelming flood;When all around my soul gives way,He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,Oh, may I then in Him be found;Dressed in His righteousness alone,Faultless to stand before the throne.

Ug...

2009-09-24T16:15:00.002-06:00

I had the best of intentions of writing something today...something meaningful... Either I had nothing to say...or I got distracted...both of which are really true. I will shoot for later tonight...maybe I'll have something to say then...who would think I would be one to be at a loss for words... oh well.

Another Shot

2009-05-29T11:33:00.002-06:00

Today is a new day. It started off VERY good with an early morning up, some great time in the book of Romans and a long walk with God. It was cool. I think I went for between 2 and 3 miles. It was just good to get out, get excercise, and spend some time in prayer.

I've started Phase One of the South Beach Diet again. This time I will go all the way to my goal before I slip into phase 3. My current goal is 185 pounds. I'm currently just under 240 according to my scale at home, though I think it weighs in a little heavy...at least on me. : )
This morning Bethany made me some AWESOME scrambled eggs and for lunch I was in Jacksonville so I tried Subway's new Tuscan Chicken Melt but I had it as a salad instead of a sandwich. I highly reccomend it for a decent lunch...and it was only 5 bucks!!! I currently find myself sitting in the Three Legged Dog enjoying a second cup of bourbon-pecan coffee. It's nice. A little splenda and I'm a happy camper. For those interested in my listening experiences, Moby's 18 album is in my earbuds.

I've been going through some things lately personally, just in wanting to be as effective of a Christ-follower as possible. I don't want anything to get in the way of hearing and following God as closely as possible. Because of my personality (a bit obsessive...a bit...)I have to really watch the time I spend on "not as important" things such as Facebook and other people's blogs. It's good to connect with people and good to get some of the solid learning that I get from places like the Resurgence and other places but if I was honest, I'd have to say that the majority of the time I spend "online" isn't currently making a positive impact on any part of my life. It's a crazy thing. Take a social butterfly like me and a need for more information and it's like a gaping hole that the internet has gone into. I'm not dropping off the digital planet or anything like that, I'm just going to temper the time I spend on such activity. I want to be more productive... and I would hate to think that the (however long) I spend on facebook was time that I wasted when I could be reading a book that would help me grow spiritually or spending actual, real world time with someone that I hope to minister to. Most of my students are not "hard core" facebook kids yet so a little involvement there is enough to be in that part of their world. I'm not speaking here of what I do ministry wise online, but the parts where I am just killing hours. I hope this makes sense.

I've also come to the conclusion that I own a bunch of stuff that I don't need or use. In order to clean out the house, simplify my life, and hopefully make some extra money, I'll be getting rid of some of it. I'll probably list everything on here just in case anyone wants to purchase something. I spend too much time with my music...some of it will go away. Not all, because I don't think it's bad or anything, I just need to do this for me to make sure my priorites and time is in a better situation. It's like a safeguard for now. We'll see where that takes us.

Let me clarify this post for a few people: This is in no way one of those get rid of it all cause it's bad for you things... But it is a time of looking at my personality and seeing where I need to make cuts for the Glory of God. Where can I be a better follower of Jesus, a better husband, father, son, and youth pastor? I'm looking at these things.

I couldn't sleep last night and all of this has been ricocheting around in my brain...and heart.

I talked to an old friend yesterday expressing some frustrations with ministry that I have been having. Nothing new to anyone...common stuff amongst youth pastors and other guys...I was looking for someone to pray for me that I would be able to reach the kids...that they would follow and serve and passionately worship Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It was a good conversation and one thing inparticular stuck out to me. He told me that the first thing we have to do is ask, " Do I believe what I am preaching?" Of course I do. But follow that with me for a minute. If we believe that God is in control, that He is Sovereign, that He calls people to Himself and it is He who does the saving, not us then that should RADICALLY effect how we act, minister, and even how we think about our ministry "results". It is our job to be the faithful messengers, to make the appeal to people, to reach out, to love, to preach the Gospel. God's Word accomplishes exactly what He wants it to. You and I can therefore minister with the full knowledge that His Word will not return void. It will accomplish all that He wants it to. The results are up to God. He gives the faith, we can with full confidence, then tell the good news!

I wonder if these posts would be shorter if they were happening more often? Maybe, maybe not. God seems to be up to something big right now...and I just want to be right in the center of it. "I want to be like that lightening rod, where the only thing I fear is God Himself".

Why don't I...

2009-05-05T12:45:00.001-06:00

own any Sting albums?

The Long Haul

2009-05-04T09:23:00.002-06:00

So...I haven't blogged in a couple of months. I actually have started a Word Press blog but have not switched over yet. I might not. It really all depends. It's not that I don't have things to write about, it's just that most of what comes into my head never makes it to the computer. Sometimes I get a feeling or an idea but don't want the general public to be able to access it.

I've started playing a little bit of Star Wars Galaxies Online. It's a good time. I just don't have much time for games.

This summer is going to be packed. I have a lot of youth goings-on planned. I'm hoping that the our students will grow closer to Christ and closer to each other over the course of the summer. We still need to pray for and work to raise a little more than 3,000 dollars for our mission trip. The deadline is looming but God is faithful and has not ever let us down. I remember last year when we were at the deadline basically, and we prayed for God to provide. Someone walked up and handed me a VERY large check that took care of almost the entire rest of our bill for the mission trip. We were blessed in this way last year. Please be praying with us that the money is provided in whatever way God has planned for it to be provided.

If anyone is curious, I'll post our summer calendar here:

Similarities???

2009-03-07T22:17:00.004-06:00

So, do you see any similarities between these two???

I have given Asher a nickname...It's Boss Hogg. And yes...I am a very loving father.

Updates on life...

2009-02-13T09:30:00.012-06:00

It has, once again, been quite awhile since my last blog post. I have a lot on my mind to write about but for whatever reason, I don't immediately write it. I guess that's not the way this is supposed to work. I didn't used to have that problem.

Let's see...what has gone on in the last few months...

We had a baby! Asher Rhine was born on January 24. He's not too big but he sure is cute and we really love him. He is another blessing from God. My quiver is full.

And... I shaved.

And I got new sunglasses...

Liscense and registration please...

A few posts ago I was talking about deciding on some music to purchase and a very nice man named Bob Kauflin commented on my blog. For those of you who don't know, he's the head dude over at Sovereign Grace Music and as I found out, incredibly generous. He offered to send me the SGM cd of my choosing. I chose the Come Weary Saints cd. To my suprise, he also included their newest album, Psalms, with the cd I had requested. I really appreciated this. The Come Weary Saints cd is so good and hit me right where I was so much that it stayed in the car cd player for about two weeks straight. It is awesome. Here are some pics:

I have some things that I have been thinking on as of late. I have been reading some and have been VERY inspired to start back to writing on my novel. I am working on being self disciplined in this. It seems like with most things in my life, they kind of fell apart last fall with all of the pregnancy complication stuff. I quit doing some things that I had been doing well, such as working out. I have gotten up to 235 pounds, still a far, far cry from when I was huge but still larger than I want to be. My goal is to weigh 200 by the time school is out. I hope my body can do it again.

Bethany and I have been invited to be a part of a couples Bible study this spring and we're pretty excited about it. I think I may have even found someone to babysit the older two kids during these times.

Thanks to all of our friends who have been praying for us. Please keep it up. We love you all.

Inauguration Speech Generator

2009-01-20T09:25:00.002-06:00

This morning I read about an Inauguration Speech Generator over at marko's blog. You should check out this link:

http://www.atom.com/spotlights/inauguration_speech_generator/

It works like a madlib... Below is the speech that my students came up with this morning in pre-class... pretty funny.

My fellow Americans, today is a sparkling day. You have shown the world that "hope" is not just another word for "cheese", and that "change" is not only something we can believe in again, but something we can actually shoot. Today we celebrate, but let there be no mistake – America faces fluttering and skanky challenges like never before. Our economy is hairy. Americans can barely afford their mortgages, let alone have enough money left over for babies. Our healthcare system is crazy. If your tibia is sick and you don't have insurance, you might as well call a painter. And America's image overseas is tarnished like a Bob Ross's afro rabbit. But pooping together we can right this ship, and set a course for The New Gym.Finally, I must thank my insane family, my saucy campaign volunteers, but most of all, I want to thank little people like Mrs. Shinall for making this historic occasion possible. Of course, I must also thank you, President Bush, for years of hanging the American people. Without your spicy efforts, none of this would have been possible.

Wii Little Entry

2009-01-19T11:07:00.002-06:00

It's Monday...but it's a holiday... that means that I have more time to recover from the weekend of youth ministry...by doing more youth ministry. I love it. Today I'm supposed to be catching a movie with some dudes from the group. I don't have school today so we should be able to catch a matinee of Paul Blart: Mall Cop. I hope it's hilarious.

I've been shopping on emusic and iTunes for some new music. I love Red Mountain Church and am trying to decide between one of their albums that I don't have, an Indellible Grace album, and a Sovereign Grace Music album. I guess I could just get them all...

God has been working on me the last few weeks. He is using the people around me to mold me into the kind of youth minister that I need to be...one that acutally ministers to kids.

Unfortunately I Can See Myself Too...

2008-12-08T11:51:00.002-06:00

The following is an article by C.J. Mahaney from the Sovereign Grace Blog. Read and see where it hits you. I needed to reflect...and repent.

Cal

Sovereign Grace Blog
C.J. Mahaney's view from the cheap seats
& other stuff

The Sluggard
by C.J. Mahaney 03/12/2008 09:13:00 My study in the book of Proverbs began shortly after my conversion in 1972. And it wasn’t long after this that I began reading and learning from Dr. Derek Kidner’s little commentary. For decades now Dr. Kidner has been one of the scholars holding my hand, leading me through the book, and helping me to discover what he calls “the neglected wealth of the Proverbs” (p. 9).

One of the most distinct features of the commentary is his brief subject studies. In these summaries he covers the topics of God and man, wisdom, the fool, the sluggard, the friend, words, the family, and life and death (see pages 31–56). I wish all Christians could read these brief and pointed studies and experience the grace and wisdom I have derived from them.

When I began my Christian life, I held to a narrow and limited understanding of laziness. Then I read Kidner’s subject study on the sluggard.

I’ll never forget it.

As I began reading, I saw my face in the picture. My definition of laziness was expanded, and its subtlety was exposed. I discovered that I could be—and often was—a sluggard.

Here are the words I read:
“The sluggard in Proverbs is a figure of tragi-comedy, with his sheer animal laziness (he is more than anchored to his bed: he is hinged to it, 26:14), his preposterous excuses (“there is a lion outside!” 26:13; 22:13) and his final helplessness.

(1) He will not begin things. When we ask him (6:9, 10) “How long…?” “When…?”, we are being too definite for him. He doesn’t know. All he knows is his delicious drowsiness; all he asks is a little respite: “a little…a little…a little…”. He does not commit himself to a refusal, but deceives himself by the smallness of his surrenders. So, by inches and minutes, his opportunity slips away.

(2) He will not finish things. The rare effort of beginning has been too much; the impulse dies. So his quarry goes bad on him (12:27) and his meal goes cold on him (19:24; 26:15).

(3) He will not face things. He comes to believe his own excuses (perhaps there is a lion out there, 22:13), and to rationalize his laziness; for he is “wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason” (26:16). Because he makes a habit of the soft choice (he “will not plow by reason of the cold,” 20:4) his character suffers as much as his business, so that he is implied in 15:19 to be fundamentally dishonest…

(4) Consequently he is restless (13:4; 21:25, 26) with unsatisfied desire; helpless in face of the tangle of his affairs, which are like a “hedge of thorns” (15:19); and useless—expensively (18:9) and exasperatingly (10:26)—to any who must employ him…

The wise man will learn while there is time. He knows that the sluggard is no freak, but, as often as not, an ordinary man who has made too many excuses, too many refusals and too many postponements. It has all been as imperceptible, and as pleasant, as falling asleep.”

-Derek Kidner, Proverbs (IVP, 1964), pp. 42–43.

What's Up...

2008-12-07T17:33:00.002-06:00

I've been away from blogging for a good long time. It's not that I haven't had anything good to say, it's just that I haven't taken the time to sit and actually write it. As with most of my deep thoughts, something else gets in the way...usually my desire to do something else. It's amazing how much I let get robbed from me by not just following through with my passions. I read something just a few minutes ago about this that scares me. Perhaps more on that later...

I've been doing some serious mental retooling of how I think about youth ministry and sort of recasting the vision to myself. I learned in college that Jesus led by example and that therefore, relationships were key. I spoke very highly of this when in view of a call at various churches which I have served at. But somewhere along the way, my relational time shifted and gave way to more program based ministry...It happened subtly and I didn't notice it until one day I looked up and realized that the majority of my ministry time was spent preparing lessons and messages and not actually doing ministry with my students. I have taken immediate steps to rectify this situation and continue to do real, meaningful ministry, just like my first year here. As youth ministers, we must not get caught up in gathering a large number at the expense of the small. It seems that what I have been suspecting is true: some of the best ministry happens in one on one types of settings where you can really invest in someone's life.

I'm sorry that this blog has fallen by the wayside a bit. I've had a lot going on and have been sick for a few days. Hopefully I am on the mend. I've been jamming to some Christmas music of late. I've also been wanting to read more. It seems that this is always a desire but most times it stops at desire. It's time to put my money where my mouth is...so to speak.

Bethany is doing as well as can be expected under the given circumstances. We have another doctor's appt. on Tuesday. In the interest of conserving my time off, someone else will take her to it. This isn't optimal but it will help us save my paid time off from school for when the baby actually comes. We're getting things ready for Christmas. We have a good old cedar tree up in the living room with all the trimmings. I have most of the shopping done and have just a few more things to pick up.

I've been catching up on the new season of Friday Night Lights online and really liking most of it... (spoiler warning) I don't like what they have done with Lila's character and I was hoping that Riggins would finally straighten out. I am also really bummed about Saracen getting benched.
I watched the Mark Walberg version of Planet of the Apes today and though it really was not good, I would still like to see a sequel. They left it so open.

Since I've been laying in bed sick, I got out the old Gameboy Advance and played some Final Fantasy I. That is still one of the greatest video games ever. I also checked out U2's new Christmas single on YouTube. As you might imagine, I had plenty of time to cruise the net as well as talking with a good friend to round out the day. I'm feeling a little better and I think I'm going to try working tomorrow. I feel like a big bum for missing church today but it was better for me to be in bed and try and rest the sickness away.

Well, there you have it...your update. For those of you who have been waiting...pretty much just Dave and Jed...(and their legion of protesters)... I hope you have enjoyed... See you next time.

Still Kicking...

2008-12-04T13:10:00.001-06:00

I've been gone from this blog for almost two months.

The Rest of the Few Things (from the 90s)

2008-10-07T19:47:00.003-06:00

It occurs to me that there are quite a few albums in my life that have been very important to me but that the general public may have missed out on. Some of these are out of print and only available if you can find them used online, in a used cd store, or through a friend who will make you a copy. Others of them are not out of print and may still be obtained at your local record shop.

1. Ephemere by Rose Blossom Punch

After the demise of Poor Old Lu, prolific producer Aaron Sprinkle got together with some friends to form Rose Blossom Punch. This, their only full length, was a truly amazing post grunge, late nineties, rock offering. It still stands as one of the musically strongest albums ever to emerge from the Christian market.

2. Hooray for Now by Viva Voce

Viva Voce to this day, is still making music and to this day, they refuse to acknowledge that this album ever existed. It's sad because I prefer this to any of their modern day music. This is another must have.

3. The Hunger by Seven Day Jesus

I really can't say enough about this band musically and lyrically. Honest, good, dudely... Another must have.

4. This Beautiful Mess by Sixpence None the Richer

Before "Kiss Me", before the hype, and before Tess left the band. In 1995 Sixpence played a show in my hometown at our fairgrounds. It was incredibly hot and I'm pretty sure multiple members of the band were sick. My church fed them spaghetti and Tess threw her guitar down and kicked it. This is the album they were touring on and I'm pretty sure it was their best.

5. Love is Against the Grain by Dimestore Prophets

Some of my favorite songs are on this album. The songs, "Baby's Got a New Dress" and "Hitler's Girlfriend" have been in my head for many years.

This concludes part one...

A Few Things For Thought

2008-10-07T19:31:00.003-06:00

I have recently realized that I'm not as smart as I'd like to be. Somewhere along the way I traded reading and learning for electronic distraction...(read internet, internet, tv, internet) I log in and check my email seemingly mindlessly... sometimes multiple times within a few minutes, as if in the last thrity seconds I may have missed that oh so important email. It's silly. I recently read a blog post over at Matt Chandler's blog about inspiration and things that make us less inspired. It's a great read and you can read it here. Definently food for thought. What inspires you. I'll be working on my list. Perhaps I'll post it when I'm finished. I'm making the effort to read and study more. I want to increase my ability to answer people's questions and that won't happen by staring at an empty inbox...

I'm just not sure I can do this anymore...

2008-10-02T20:47:00.002-06:00

It's a crazy mess. Al Davis ruins teams. I'm on the verge...

Rough Day Back

2008-09-18T19:38:00.004-06:00

Well, it was a rough day back at school. The whole building is overturned with the recent flooding and sewer back up in the basement/gym. Many students and staff are displaced.

I'm sitting here watching The Last Samurai. I remember liking the movie and have been hearing and seeing references to it, so I decided to watch it again.

I'm pretty sure we implanted Americans were jerks to the native Americans. We should apologize.

Some Photoshop Fun

2008-09-10T13:19:00.005-06:00

So, we're having student council elections at school and some of the candidates asked me to help them by making posters. I say yes to everyone so as not to look as though I'm endorsing any one candidate. Here's some examples of my quickly done work for them:

Personel Decisions Can Make A Team... OR Break IT

2008-09-08T22:33:00.009-06:00

19 - 62 from 2003 to present

Last in the division every single year...
______________________________________

Dear Mr. Davis,

Please sell the team and get out of the way. Let the coaches coach.

Love,

Concerned and Disgusted Fan

Home at Last

2008-09-07T20:54:00.002-06:00

I'm wore out from a full day. Voltage went well tonight. I started a series called Welcome to the Planet: What On Earth Am I Here For? It went pretty well. I hope I was able to communicate the material in an accessable and understandable way. We'll be in this series for the next 5 weeks. After youth I had a ministry team meeting. I'm getting very tired so this is going to be a short entry...

...maybe I'll write more tomorrow...I'm tired.

Looking into self-publishing.

Sorry about the redundancy.

JJ Heller

2008-09-05T21:06:00.002-06:00

So, in Europe I found out about about three cool artists/bands that I hadn't heard much about. One of them was J.J. Heller. She's an acoustic/folk performer. I have one of her albums that I purchased from Itunes. She has recently released a new album and it's free online. I urge you to check out her tunes and see what you think.

ADD THIS BANNER CODE TO YOUR PROFILE/SITE/BLOG!

Class

2008-09-03T21:30:00.003-06:00

Today I taught my first session of Creative Writing. It was so much fun. There's just something about writing that makes me sit up and get excited. I haven't been writing like I'd intended to for some time and this new class has once again motivated me to restart old projects and perhaps start new ones. I'm very excited. It has been a dream of mine to be a published author. I'm going to aim to make this dream a reality. It's going to take time and work...but it's worth it. So, you can pray for me about that. I think I've got a lot to say.

5 years goes by so quickly...

2008-09-01T19:09:00.002-06:00

My son starts kindergarten tomorrow. He's grown up so fast. I'm happy that he gets to go to school with me everyday. Today Bethany and I were remembering funny quotes of his as I looked through a journal that I keep things like that in. This little boy is so smart. I love my son very much and that is making this new journey very emotional.

The Update - Kind of stream of consciousness...

2008-08-22T21:00:00.005-06:00

I'm 30 years old.

I have two children and one on the way.

I just celebrated my 8th anniversary.

I am a youth pastor.

I am also a teacher at a Christian school.

I recently also became the high school class Sunday School teacher at my church.

I am busy.

This morning I spent some time freeing a small plastic pig from the belly of a plastic mechanical fish. (You know you're a dad when...)

Today Bethany alphabetized my physical cds for me. They should be much easier to find now. I think I have room on my shelves for about 83 more jewel cases. There are currently 7,290 items in my iTunes library... I listen to about 120 of them.

I have probably never heard about 2,000 of these songs.

Bethany pointed out that I own more physical albums by Starflyer 59 than any other artist. Over the Rhine came in second with U2 and Jars of Clay tied for third most.

I own many books that I have not read yet but still want to buy new ones.

I have never backed up my laptop computer.

Perry Noble and pretty much everything at Newspring Church is big for me right now. God has got His hand on these people. I want to be used like that also.

I'm trying to figure out what to do for Bible class at school as well as Sunday School at church.

I'm going to miss the Olympics being on every night but at the same time, I'm going to enjoy watching something else without feeling like I'm missing history.

I may have been wrong about Kobe Bryant.

I have really been digging this band called Future of Forestry...

I am so ready for football season. My teams: Iowa State, West Central, and the Oakland Raiders don't neccesarily look to win any championships this year but I'm always hopeful for something amazing. Actually, cheering for the Raiders year after year is getting a little depressing due to their lack of positive results and our ownership's decisions.

Anyway, as you can probably tell from the above, I could use your prayers. I will not make it through this school year without God's strength. I can't do it on my own. So, your prayers are appreciated.

That's it I guess...

Still callin' a spade a spade,
Cal

Test post

2008-08-14T21:03:00.001-06:00

I'm testing this post by email thing to see if it works.

2008-08-14T14:24:00.000-06:00

Back from Winterset

2008-08-14T14:15:00.003-06:00

We're back from vacation and we had an awesome time. We filled up the time with trips to the zoo, the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, time with friends, fishing, and a visit at the new (to me) Winterset Aquatic Center. We also had the privillage to see my brother graduate from Iowa State University. We have many great memories from our time back in my hometown. It actually was hard leaving. I miss being there with family and friends. I had a great time with my bro. during our time hanging out. It was a great week.

This week is a short one for me but full of work to be done. I have a wedding this weekend and Voltage 110 on Sunday night where I am starting a new series based on who we are as a group and using our mission/process/motto as topical material. Sunday is Plug In, the following week is Charge Up, and the final week is Shine Out. I really think we are at a crucial time in the life of our youth ministry here where the students are going to have an opportunity to really take this thing and run with it. Please be in prayer for the students, the leaders, and myself.

Bethany has been having pretty constant headaches and there's not much she can take due to being pregnant...so there's another prayer request.

The boys are good except for the fact that Kbomb had a fever today, possibly connected to some bug bites, according to the doctor. We'll see how he does tonight and tomorrow. He seems to be feeling better.

I'm also looking at trying to record my messages using Audacity. It's pretty simple I guess but it might work for putting it onto our website. Just another way to make us a little more accessable to outsiders.

Well, that's about it. I hope all of you are doing well.

A Delicious Bass...

2008-08-02T09:43:00.002-06:00

A couple of pictures from our little fishing excursion yesterday morning.

Saturday

2008-08-02T08:42:00.006-06:00

It's boys weekend here at the Callison hacienda. "B" took off for a women's conference in Kentucky and so the boys and I are bachin' it. Yesterday we woke up and went fishing. We caught 9 fish, bluegills and bass. It was a lot of fun. We had to cut out after a little over an hour so we could get the boys to Jacksonville for their haircuts. We got home, ate lunch, and the boys went down for their naps. When they got up I made us all some chocolate milk shakes.

Later that evening I cooked them some goulosh and we watched Monsters, Inc. It was a fun day.

When I was putting sunblock on the boys for the fishing trip, I noticed that Jbird's ear was really red and swollen. It stuck way out from his head and made him look all lopsided. He said it itched and hurt when I touched it. After some phone calls with Bethany I gave him some benadryll and some anti-itch cream. As of this morning it seems to be getting better. It was so much bigger than the other one. I took some pictures:

In other news, I'm very excited for our vacation. It should be a lot of fun.

I've mentioned this before but the ministry of Perry Noble is really awesome for me. I have been listening to the podcasts from his church and I really think you would benefit greatly from listening to his "no holds barred" preaching. It's awesome and God is really using this guy. You can check it out via Itunes or you can watch video on the website at www.newspring.cc or you can check out his blog at www.perrynoble.com. Be blessed!

Section of blatant honesty

I've been dealing with some stuff for a few weeks within myself that's just been kind of a bummer for me. I'm going through one of those "where am I at" times. I suppose lots of people have these times. The good news is that hopefully on the other side of it is some amazing ministry. We have a lot of great things planned for this coming school year with Voltage and I'm really excited to get things going. Please pray for me personally as well as our ministry here. I have seen God working in my life over the last year and in the life of my family getting us into certain things and forming circumstances to put us in the place where we need to be. It's pretty awesome to look back and think about it. The thing that blows my mind is that Jesus knows exactly who I am, what I do, and what I will do...and HE still chose to save me. What a great GOD!

Ok...

2008-07-30T20:08:00.001-06:00

I just don't know...

Back in Action

2008-07-28T16:07:00.002-06:00

Hey there. I'm back from World Changers. Our internet has been down so I don't have the pics up just yet. I'm looking forward to sharing them with the internet world. I'm still pretty tired. We have a week until vacation. Hopefully I will be able to get everything done that needs to get done before we leave. It will be good to get some time away to reconnect with old friends.
I am in the process of planning out what the next year or so looks like for our student ministry here at Cornerstone. It involves small groups in some fashion and I'm trying to figure out all of the ins and outs of that.
I met some really cool people at WC and am looking forward to communicating with them regarding student ministry. It was definently a recharging and revisioning time for me. I was able to be recharged and refreshed by some of the things I experienced. As usual it was the people that I encountered that made the week special. I got to have some good conversations and that makes me really happy. The worship services were great as well. Please pray for my students that they would live boldly for Christ in light of what He has done for them.
My book reading has fallen a bit behind and I'll be trying to catch up some on vacation. I haven't cracked some of my new stuff yet and am looking forward to getting into them.
Well, it's about time to head back home. I've been holed up in the church building trying to get a few things done.

Sleep

2008-07-19T01:59:00.002-06:00

I should be sleeping. It's 3am. We leave for World Changers tomorrow. I'm not sure why I'm not sleeping. I started packing and watching movies and just ended up staying awake. I want to make sure I have everything ready for the trip. We're leaving at 1pm so I have a few hours to get things finished around the house and make sure I have everything.

I hope and pray that this coming week is life changing for our students. I'm also hoping that they will show up big time for each other. I want them to grow together as a group and experience the unity that Jesus calls us to.

Seriously, www.perrynoble.com has been a big blessing for me.

I'm excited about the new ESV Study Bible coming out. I really would like to have one. I think it would help my personal study as well as my preaching and teaching.

This could be my last blog for about a week. You can keep track of the World Changers project on www.worldchangersspringfield.blogspot.com

Link to Cstone pics...

2008-07-18T11:51:00.002-06:00

I posted some pictures of our trip to Cornerstone Festival over at my youth group blog site...

www.voltagestudents.blogspot.com

check em out...

I'm back...and really random

2008-07-10T21:30:00.004-06:00

So, we got back from Cornerstone Festival and somewhere along the way I caught a bad bug. I've been to the doctor but things aren't getting much better...possibly worst. I will probably have to go back tomorrow. I'm sitting here listening to the Hillsong service on t.v. I love Austrailian accents.

A few things going on with me:

I'm at the point in life where I just really want to reflect Christ's love to the world. I want to love my family with Godly love and show the world that love. I want to make real strides in my spiritual life and not plod along like so many seem to do. I want to continually be TRANSFORMED into what He wants me to be. I have a real desire for students to worship and for them to see the need and have a desire to serve.

I want to write some songs and then record them.

I have about 30 new cds from Cornerstone but at the moment I only want to listen to something worshipful that points me toward God.

I wish I could loose some more weight... it seems to have slowed down.

I am really digging these things right now:

Matt Chandler and Perry Noble on podcasts... Great preachers... check perrynoble.com for his blog. Chandler is a Driscoll buddy... I love those Acts 29/Missional guys.

Flatfoot 56-they preach unity in the body at their shows and are really great to watch... there is an amazing youtube video from Cornerstone 2008 of them at mainstage... you should look it up.

Taking notes in church...opens up new avenues of listening and understanding for me

Being able to hang with people this summer

Things I need prayer for:

My sickness...don't know what's wrong
Our upcoming mission trip and the Bible Study preparation meeting tomorrow night
That I would take lots of real time for my personal spiritual life amidst all of the ministry going on.
That God would continue to show up big in my life.
That my kids would do well with me being gone for another week.
We are needing to buy a bigger vehicle (minivan) due to baby number 3 coming... we have an offer on our car and need wisdom with what to do.
We are hoping to take a vacation back home to Iowa in August... pray we can do it financially...would love to have a van by this time
that I would be sensitive to the Spirit's leading in all things

If you would, please pray for me. Also, pray for my friend Glen and his family. Thanks.

Off to Cornerstone Festival

2008-06-30T06:12:00.000-06:00

Well, we're off to Cstone. See you all when we get back!

Father's Day and Updates...

2008-06-18T21:03:00.002-06:00

On Sunday I found out this news:

I'M GOING TO BE A DAD AGAIN!!!

That's right, we're having a third baby. It was a good day.

Monday morning I took a group of five of my youth guys and headed for LaGrange/Canton, Missouri for some sandbagging and help with the flood fight. It was two days of tough work but it was so great to be able to help try and save these communities that are filled with people that I love. I'm home now and very tired. Perhaps I'll give a bigger update later... and maybe some pictures.

Have a great one!

Late Night/Early Morning Post

2008-06-06T00:02:00.002-06:00

I'm still awake. Bethany and the boys are in Missouri till Saturday. I'm hanging out watching the weather channel. It looks like we have some more severe weather on the way for tomorrow. I think my sump pump finally pumped all of the water out of the crawl space from two nights ago.
Today I took a couple of the guys from Voltage and headed to Springfield. We had a great time. Later, we headed for the Smith compound to watch game one of the NBA Finals. I'm stoked to say that the Celtics won. It looks to be a really good series. I thought for sure that Paul Pierce had broken his leg during the game but he came back out just fine.
I haven't updated this in awhile so I'll let you know that our soccer season is over. I think we ended with a 4-1 record. I'm not really sure if we won that last game or not but another guy and I decided that we probably ended up with more points. Javan said he wished that soccer went forever. He sure likes playing that game.
Today I went to Walmart to get some groceries so I don't wither away while the wife is away. Lately I've been reading again. I finally finished a Mark Driscoll book I had been reading for a long time, read the first 19 chapters in Hood by Stephen Lawhead, started The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis, and read some in Here I Am to Worship by Tim Hughes. so far all these books have been fantastic. I'm hoping to get finished with the Narnia series in time to get my Lawhead books back (loaned them out) and finish them. I also found out that I can get a sticker on a Winchester library card that allows me to check out books from the Jacksonville Public Library. That's exciting and means that I'll have more reading material at my disposal in the near future.
Youth is going along as normal. I'm pretty excited because it looks like we have some people really looking at where God wants them. He is definently working on people. I can feel Him working on me as well...even in the midst of times when I mess up. God is so good.
Well, this is just a bit of an update for the two or three of you who will actually read this. Peace to you.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T13:07:00.002-06:00

To all the moms out there I'd just like to say, "Happy Mother's Day".

My wife is such a good mom to our boys. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing partner. God always knew exactly what I needed and was faithful to provide. Our boys are probably far too young to realize how great of a mother they have. One day they will and I'll do everything I can to teach them.

This is what we got for Bethany:

http://www.costsaving2u.com/images/34.jpg

Violet Hill

2008-05-08T11:49:00.004-06:00

So, in recent music news, Coldplay made their first single from their new album available for free on their website last week (I believe). It's called Violet Hill and is a bit of a change for the guys. It almost reminds me of a little Sunny Day Real Estate (in places due to the vocals being reminiscent of Jeremy Enigk).
I still need to dig deeper into it but as of the first listen and a half...I dig it. I think Coldplay, like U2 before them is one of those bands that in today's culture are making great music but it's unfortunately lost on our youth driven-fast excitement culture. They still sell millions of albums but most of the students in our local high schools probably prefer the latest jam from 50 cent or Panic at the Disco. It's a deeper audience that this music reaches out to... it looks for those interested in lyrical content and artistry...not just a "phat beat" and danceable hooks (not that there's anything wrong with that). Food for thought. I'm sure this same principal could be applyed to other points in culture...

Last night we had a pretty decent discussion about sin at youth group. If you're the praying type, pray for my students from Voltage. Pray they would take God at His Word and that their lives would explode with faithfulness, worship, and service.

Diet again

2008-05-05T08:03:00.004-06:00

So, I started back on Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet on Thursday. Over the course of the last year I have gradually recessed in my eating habits. I began treating myself more and more rather than the occasional time. At my lowest known weight I was down to 208lbs. I was happy there. However, once we moved to Winchester, I started eating all of the tasty, "not so healthy" foods available here. So, I'm back on the Beach. Since Thursday it appears that I've lost 8lbs. Hopefully this pace will continue and I'll be down below 200 lbs by Cornerstone Festival. That's my goal. That's 40 lbs in two months. I'm not sure my body will do it that fast but we'll see. I'm doing it healthy and not starving myself or anything stupid like that.

My problem was that I didn't do the maintanence stage of Phase 3 very well. Instead of splurging once in awhile, I did it all the time. Eventually, (and a couple of weeks in Slovakia didn't help) I was eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted...even late at night.

Another benefit is that I think I'm more active now. I coach my son's soccer team and play basketball with my students at church. Hopefully this increased activity will add to the pounds lost. I'm hoping to be doing some walking/jogging also.

In all of this I have been praying that God would help me and be my strength. It might sound trivial to some (to spiritualize a diet) but I have learned that I need to trust God even in seemingly small things because I know that I can't do it on my own... but I can rely on God as my strength. It is only by Him that I was able to loose the first 81lbs a couple of years ago... see www.xanga.com/butterneverbleeds (my old blog) for details on that.

I weighed in a few days ago on Thursday at 238 lbs. I am currently at 230. Only 22 lbs to go till I equal my lowest weight. Exciting!

Anyway, have a great week!

Club Beyond Service Project 2008 - Post #1

2008-04-30T12:57:00.003-06:00

Below is a video explaining the ministry of MCYM/Younglife/Youth For Christ. This is the organization that I was working with while in Slovakia over Spring Break. Hopefully, this video will give you a little knowledge about the students that I was directly working with while in Europe. I am hoping that my next few posts can describe some of the awesome things that happened on Service Project 2008 - Presov, Slovakia.

When I watch this my heart breaks for these students who go through everything our students over here go through with the added stress of being in a foreign country, having your parents go down range, and moving around all the time.

Today's Thought

2008-04-21T11:42:00.002-06:00

To be considered a sport, the activity must use a ball AND have a defense.

Anything else is merely an athletic competition and not a sport.

Discuss.

Daddy, I just had supper...

2008-04-18T20:54:00.003-06:00

Warning: Strong stomaches only.

Tonight after dinner, I got Kenan ready for bed. He wanted to sit on the potty so I, of course, obliged and let him try being a big boy. He didn't do anything so I changed his diaper and put his jammies on. I carried him in and we sat down in my big recliner. He was kind of laying sideways in my arms (baby like) and gave me a very strange look. Then he started vomiting. He threw up what appeared to be green slime from "Double Dare". For supper we had chicken fajitas and then he had a piece of Laffy Taffy for dessert. The LT was green. The next yak came right after the first and this one landed right in my lap. So for the record, my two year old son threw up Christmas colors in my lap. It was green and red and had bits of tortilla in it. My lap immediately became warm. It was DISGUSTING! The poor little guy felt fine after that. Bethany changed him and I hit the showers. I even had to clean puke from down in the crevice of my recliner. NASTY!

This story brought to you by fatherhood.

A Picture

2008-04-11T23:33:00.001-06:00

This is a picture taken shortly before I left for my trip to Slovakia. (I think it was the night before)

An Explanation and a Request

2008-04-11T23:23:00.004-06:00

I know some of you are waiting for pictures and a write up of my mission trip. I will work toward this end in the near future. Right now, we are focused on our oldest son, Javan who has been hospitalized with pnemonia. Please pray for his quick healing and rest for our family. Thanks. I'll write more soon.

Twas the night before "30"...

2008-03-07T22:02:00.003-06:00

I sit here on the eve of my 30th birthday, not quite sure what it is that is making this birthday loom larger than any in recent memory. It's caused me to look back over the past decade and wonder what happened in (or to) my 20's. Below is a not so brief list of some of the big events that defined my life in the last ten years. These are in no particular order:

I got married.

I had kids. (see previous point)

I became a youth pastor.

I got liscensed to the ministry.

I performed at Youthlink 2000.

I graduated college.

I had a distended colon.

I saw U2.

I lost 81 lbs.

I gained 20 lbs.

I went to Europe. (1998)

Bethany was put on bed rest with a tough pregnancy. (for more on this see www.xanga.com/butterneverbleeds historic posts)

I experienced some of the best of Christian behavior and service.

I experienced some of the worst church experiences.

I got paid to do what I love.

I moved 6 times. (since being married)

I read all of the Bible and kept track of my progress. (finally)

I attended the funerals of my final two living grandparents.

I spoke at my uncle's funeral and read scripture at my aunt's.

I performed my first weddings.

My parents got divorced.

I decided I'm neither cool nor punk rock after all.

I realized kind of who I am.

After realizing this, I decide I don't like myself very much and begin to change and let God change things about me.

I realize that I still need help with all of this.

I got my first acoustic guitar.

I directed 4 youth camps.

The last ten years have been very busy. They've often times been uneasy and difficult because things seemed so uncertain. The more I think about it, the more I can see the one constant through all of those years. God was fathering me. He was letting me spread my wings and He was also clipping them where they needed it. In all of my life I have never been more amazed by God than right at this moment in life. I have agreed with my friend John that once you become a father, you understand God's love for us much better. It's like I can feel what it's like to watch that child take a first step and then start to run. I can also feel what it's like when that child looks up at you and raises their arms for a hug. Sometimes I think we forget that we just need times of saying "here I am Daddy", and letting God love us. It is my hope for you that you would experience God's love today and everyday. I'm so grateful for the last ten years and look forward to what God teaches me in the next ten.

"Ace"

2008-02-23T21:09:00.003-06:00

I only knew one man as a grandfather growing up. My papaw, C.C. Cannon, or "Ace" to his friends and flying buddies sure liked to keep things interesting. I can remember how much fun it would be when he would drive me home from staying at his and Mamaw's house in Greenfield. When Papaw would take me home, we'd sometimes get to go "the fun way". It was a collection of back roads that had more drops and rises than the best roller coaster. He was used to flying airplanes, and he drove just like he was flying. It was a lot of fun. Looking back, there are so many lessons that I can say I learned from this man.
He was a staple around our home church. His handlebar mustache was always present and for many years he served as a deacon. Many in the church respected him as an older man in the faith. I remember spending time at their house and seeing him studying the Bible, intent on teaching a good lesson. Papaw was strict and expected good behavior, but he had a generous heart and an incredible sense of humor. One of my favorite pictures is a computer printout (pretty high tech in the 80s) of Papaw and me from when we went to the county fair together and I got to ride the ferris wheel. They had this little booth where you could get your picture made right there on the spot! (yeah for technology) There are so many other stories to tell about my papaw. But the most important story he would want to tell you would be about his Savior, Jesus Christ. There was never a doubt in my mind how Papaw felt about God and his pride in the fact that I went into the ministry was always apparent and voiced. He taught me to love people and to pray for God to make me love the ones I didn't. He was quite a man.
On Thursday Feb. 21, 2008, my papaw C.C. Cannon went home to live forever with his Lord and Savior. I can't begin to tell you how much I miss him, but the indellible imprint he left on my life will remain until the day I too make my transition to my eternal home. So often, we don't realize the impact that those around us actually have on us. I encourage you to look around you for people who are making a positive impact on your life and are directing you to Jesus. Thank God for them and feel a freedom in telling them what they have meant to you.
We also have the opportunity to be the impact on the lives of those around us. It is my hope for you that you would look around you to those lives that you can impact for Christ and that your heart would burn with a passion to see those lives changed by the One who can really change them: Our Lord Jesus Christ.

May God bless you.

Blogospondence

2008-01-30T13:07:00.001-06:00

I started writing this yesterday:

It's been a long couple of days for those of us around the Callison house. I've been sick for about a week and last week the whole family was sick. Javan has been coughing so bad, even after the doctor's appt. that they sent us to the hospital for some chest xrays and bloodwork. Anyone who has ever been with a 4 year old getting bloodwork done knows this is not a great experience. I feel so bad for the little guy. He was up all night again two nights ago coughing and we gave him nebulizer treatments every 2-4 hours or so. I took the 2 am shift and Bethany covered the rest.

Continued today:

It turns out that Javan has a little bit of pnemonia. The new breathing treatments seem to be helping him. We are going to be doing this for a week with treatments every few hours. My medicine makes me feel like throwing up unless I eat something with it. I'm hoping to finish my income taxes tonight. I still need to pick up a couple of w2s.
I had a lot to write about yesterday but not a lot today I guess. Maybe I'll add more later...

Did you ever...

2007-12-17T22:12:00.000-06:00

...just feel like the biggest jerk ever to walk the face of the earth?

New Hotness

2007-12-14T08:39:00.001-06:00

So, we had a bit of a huge ice storm last weekend/the first part of this week. Schools were out and tree limbs came crashing down all over town. It looked like that movie, "The Day After Tomorrow". I could go into more detail than this but let me just say that a limb hit our car...actually, a few limbs hit our car. Here's one:

It also hit the house which messed up a bit of siding and some of the soffet/shingles. Here's the other one that hit the car:

Needless to say, we're going to meet the deductible on our insurance. Other than that, things have been swimming right along toward Christmas.

Dirty and Left Out

2007-11-29T10:03:00.000-06:00

I've been listening to a lot of Dave Ramsey lately. He's a financial genius. His book is on the way to me in the mail. I'm trying to figure out how much sooner we can get our house paid off and all of that. We're still dealing with a lot of medical bills from our ordeal of a couple of years ago as well as stuff that has happened since.

Work is good. The semester is winding down and I'm trying to keep up with the pace of the classes and help the students at the same time.

We've done a little Christmas shopping but still have a lot left to do. We pretty much know what we're getting everyone though.

In March I am going on a mission trip to Belgium so I need to send out fundraising letters this week.

My weight is a bit of a concern for me lately. I haven't been gaining great amounts and I have been doing strength training but I had to go up a size in pants since the massive weight loss. I guess some of that is normal but I refuse to go back where I was.

I'm tired. That's enough for today.

Done

2007-11-15T17:07:00.000-06:00

Ok, I finally finished with my plans. I hope I didn't leave anything off... I probably did but I'll have about another month to figure that out and add dollar figures to each point in the plan. For those of you who don't know, our youth ministry is called Voltage. We exist to equip students to Plug In, Charge Up, and Shine Out. Over the next year I will be focusing on hitting the seven checkpoints of youth ministry from the book by Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall. The seven areas we will be focusing on will be:

Authentic Faith
Spiritual Disciplines
Moral Boundaries
Healthy Friendships
Wise Choices
Ultimate Authority
Others First

Of course this could all change. These are the main points for our Sunday evening service. I'm hoping to get small groups going in the near future for Wed nights.

A Prayer for the Future

2007-11-15T15:22:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting alone in my room with a large mug of coffee, my laptop, some relaxing music on the stereo and the task of laying out our ministry plans for 2008 ahead of me. We have finance team meeting tonight and they would like everyone to bring their plans for where they feel like we are headed in 08. We don't have to bring dollar amounts yet. They want us to plan for things based on the direction God leads and not based on trying to meet a certain dollar figure. In my opinion,this a fantastic way to do a budget. It makes people in leadership positions focus on where God really wants to take us and doesn't depend on just figuring a little increase from last year and then figuring where to divide that money. This is yet another thing I love about my church. I've been working on this here and there for awhile now but it's time to put it all together. Please pray for me that I would clearly hear God and would have an obedient heart to follow exactly what He tells me to do. Thanks.

Late Night Jottings...

2007-11-02T23:17:00.000-06:00

It's late at night. Actually, it's quite early in the morning. I'm still up. I'm supposed to be workin on my message but not much is getting accomplished. I'm in Edwardsville for Valerie's wedding. We had the rehearsal tonight and the wedding is tomorrow afternoon. Then we have to head back up to Winchester so I can preach on Sunday morning and run youth on Sunday evening.
I'm trying to put together a plan for our next year of ministry so I can then form a budget from it. I'm really trying not to forget anything so that I can feel like I have a complete plan; at least to use it as a guide.
I really want to edit this page and sort of make it my own but I can't figure out how to. I'm not really good with HTML or anything like that and I don't want to screw up the sort of cool thing I've got going on. I guess I don't have the time to donate to it other than just writing. The writing is the important part for me.
I got the new Emery album and it is fantastic. It's very dark but much of it is just pointing out and admitting our sin as humans. It's musically exciting and fun and quite a deep listen. Check it out.

Writing Again

2007-09-16T22:16:00.000-06:00

Lately I've been having a great time with the youth ministry. Things are going really well. Students are having deep talks and the attendance numbers are continually growing. It's really fantastic what God is doing.
I miss writing in a blog. Maybe I'll be able to get back into it. I figure this one is much better than Myspace and maybe as good as Xanga. I don't think anyone knows how to get to this blog though, so probably no one will read it. Oh well.

This is pretty cool...

2007-02-17T08:52:00.000-06:00

Ok, so this place might not have as many features as xanga or some other places, but it is pretty much integrated with my gmail account, which I'm using more and more. I have to figure out which email account to switch to. I have to decide between my yahoo and my gmail. I only want one account. I'll probably end up using the yahoo accound due to the fact that a lot of people already have that address and it's a bit more professional to have my name instead of calflyer59 as an address.

First timer...

2007-02-14T09:59:00.000-06:00

So, I guess this is my first blog on this particular blog page. I'm seeking to find the best possible blog for free...complete with the easiest address for people to look up. So far, almost all of my blogging has been done on my xanga page. I have also tried Virb, myspace, and very briefly, livejournal. I guess the best possible thing would be for me to just get my own domain name. That would be easiest. Well, that's it for now. I hope all is well.