I just wanted to say a quick thanks to the 33 people who supported our effort to help feed Rochester’s homeless on Thankgiving. Open Door Mission served between 350 and 400 meals that day, so your contributions made a significant impact!

Here’s a link to an article about the Open Door Misson’s efforts, as well as those of other homeless shelters around the Rochester community.

Again, thannks for giving!

Several weeks ago I took Josiah to go hear former NBA star Manute Bol speak at the University of Rochester. He was giving a presentation on his current effort to build schools in the war-torn country of Sudan.

At the end of the talk there was a Q&A session and Josiah asked me if he could ask Manute a question. Curious as to what he might ask – albeit a little nervous about what might come out of his mouth – I encouraged him to raise his hand. When they passed the microphone to Josiah he stood up and asked …

I’m only six. What can I do?

The audience let out a collective “awwwww” while Manute chuckled and scrambled to come up with an answer. He told Josiah that if he wrote a letter to the kids in his village, he would make sure that it got to them. On the way back to the car we talked about what he wanted to say in his letter. Then he said, “I’m gonna put two dollars from my piggy bank in there to help them pay for their school too!” Then he told me he wanted to ask other people to give money to the project as well!

Over the next couple of weeks we talked alot about his ideas. We talked about all the fun ways we could tell his story, and what tools we could use to share his story with the most people. In the end he came up with the vision for JosiahAndFriends.com. It’s a website where he will be able to share his story, and the story of Sudan. He’s going to post videos updating everyone on the progress of the project, as well as sharing everything he is learning about the country and people of Sudan.

Mom and dad are providing the tech support and guidance, but this is definitely all Josiah’s doing. So we hope you’ll check in from time to time and offer him not only your encouragement, but your financial support as well!

Artisan Church is bringing back the flannelgraph!

Their current series explores the story of the Old Testament from Adam to the coming Messiah using the godfather of all visual aids … flannelgraph! They’ve constructed a giant 4-foot-tall flannelgraph board to help illustrate the stories as they go. You can see it in action here. I think it’s a fun and creative idea that other churches should feel free to steal.

I’ve been looking for an excuse to throw a little love their way, so I’m going to post each installment in the series. Feel free to check back and follow the story each week!

Creation and Calling - Pastor Jason Condon

Captives & Wanderers – Pastor Scott Austin

Rulers & Kings – Pastor Jason Condon

Robbie Seay Band – Miracle

I really enjoy the Robbie Seay Band and have been anxious to hear new music from them for quite some time now. Their new single “Miracle” was made available on iTunes today. Hopefully this means a new album is soon to follow.

I’ve never had the chance to see them perform live, but have heard great things about their shows. They’re on the road now if you’d like to check them out in your area. Hopefully they’ll come around sooner or later.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street’s debut on PBS. If you grew up in America, chances are you have watched hundreds if not thousands of hours of Sesame Street. Both as a child and with your own children.

What are some of your favorite Sesame Street memories? Who are your favorite characters? Do any celebrity appearances stick out in your mind?

Thanks for the memories Sesame Street. Here’s to another 40 years!

Have you ever wondered what it would sound like if you took some quotes from two of the most brilliant minds ever to grace the face of the Earth (Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking), set it some trippy synth loops and had Jack White autotune the hell out of it?

Me neither. But this is oddly fantabulous.

I hate to admit it but I’m the absolute worst when it comes to making healthy food choices. In almost every conceivable scenario, when given a choice about what to consume my default selection is always the least healthy option.

For example … Often when I find myself on the road for work, I will order two double cheeseburgers from the McDonald’s dollar menu for lunch. I know it’s awful, but one usually isn’t enough to satisfy my hunger. Besides, they’re easy to eat while driving and dirt cheap. Cost of a full belly – $2.

Today I found myself falling into old habits during my lunch break. I was hungry and wanted a cheap sollution. I was just about to pull up and place my usual order when I called an audible. Instead of the two fist-fulls of greasy death I normally order, I decided to try to eat the healthiest thing I could find on the dollar menu .

After a quick scan I settled on a McChicken sandwich and side salad. It wasn’t ideal because the McChicken is fried, but it was a step in the right direction. When I got back to my office, I decided to see how the two choices stacked up nutritionally.

Option A: Two double cheeseburgers

Calories – 880
Total Fat – 46g
Sodium – 2,300 mg
Carbohydrates – 68 g

Option B: McChicken and side salad (w/ 1/2 packet Newman’s Own Italian Dressing)

Calories – 410
Total Fat – 17g
Sodium – 1,205 mg
Carbohydrates – 52g