For this week’s 5 Things Thursday, I give you:
1. The Cocoa Tree. Two things will grow on trees in Heaven: fruit for the healing of the nations and Bethany Thouin’s chili pepper truffles. Trust me, I know this as a fact. So, if you ever find yourself in Nashville run (or drive), do not walk, to her place in east Nashville. And while you’re there try the Mayan hot chocolate.
2. Layer Cake Primitivo. The art of lingering dinners has mostly been lost in the manic rush of our western ways. Most of our family’s richest memories revolve around three things that inevitably converge on our back patio: slow, late night conversations over home-cooked meals, dear friends, and a bottle of really good wine. There are some wines that almost always call some of those best times to mind. Layer Cake is one of them. Cheers.
3. Seidios Innocase. OK, so you can’t drink it or eat it, but it is awesome. This is hands down the best case I’ve found for my iPhone so far. It’s like the Batsuit of phones. I know, I know, I’m geeking out. It happens from time to time. Did I mention it’s like the Batsuit of phones? OK, yeah, I did. Right.
4. Havah, by Tosca Lee. I made a new friend this week. Her name is Tosca Lee and she can write like nobody’s business. First she starts off with a memoir of a demon, then moves on to a first person POV story about the mother of civilization (Havah). Now she’s researching to write a book about Judas Iscariot. Get her stuff and read it if you haven’t already.
5. Singin’ in the Rain. So we’re almost 60 years late to this party. We got this through Netflix. Not only did my wife and I love it, our 5-year old daughter did, too. They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore. Best part of the movie: the Make ‘Em Laugh bit.
1. You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do. You will only be remembered for who you are, and who you are is defined by what you do not what you dream.
2. Motion and action are not the same. You can look like you’re doing a lot without really accomplishing anything. We all know these people. They’re in our office, our church, our schools. Don’t be one of them.
3. Most of the roadblocks holding you back were put there by you. Self-sabotage is to blame for most people’s aborted dreams. Don’t be your own worst enemy.
4. Inertia works for you and against you. It takes a lot of energy to overcome inertia and get moving. But once you do, your momentum makes it more difficult to be stopped. The trick is gaining traction.
5. The answer to “how” is “yes.” I learned this one from my new friend Blaine Hogan, a creative guru at Willow Creek. My job, like Blaine’s, regularly requires pulling off what other people see as impossible or too difficult to try. By answering the “how” with “yes” the idea moves into the realm of the possible.
1. Whereiwrite.org. Seeing people’s creative spaces always interest me, because it gives you a glimpse into how they tick.
2. The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle. Spiritual discipline sometimes requires the aid of some tools. I use the online version of Divine Hours during certain times of the day to re-focus and re-connect. Thanks to the Ann Arbor Vineyard church for providing it online.
3. The Dangerous Act of Worship by Mark Labberton. I’m starting my second reading of this book. It has probably impacted more than any other this year and addresses some things that I’ve wrestled for years.
4. Viva la Vida, Coldplay. Yeah, I know it’s been out for awhile but every now an then you circle back to an album that you just play over and over and…
5. Tweetie. I’ve tried several iPhone apps and this is one is my favorite so far and offers the most flexibility for my needs. Easy, fairly reliable, and reminds me of Bugs Bunny cartoons from back in the day.
