Chad M. Farrand

We just got home from the Mitchell Musso and Corbin Bleu concert. Not as bad as I thought it would be. We got there two hours early so we could eat at a Mexican stand (pretty good) then let the kids ride a couple of rides. We were waiting to go in, and were able to meet Corbin’s father (who starred in “Jump In” with Corbin)! He was really nice and wished Molly a happy birthday.

We got in and found our seats - second row stage right. We hung out for a minute and Mel noticed that Mitchell Musso was back at the sound board. Right before the meet and greet, he came over by us and took a picture with the kids:

(for those w/out the disney channel, or little girls Mitchell plays “Oliver” on Hannah Montana)

The kids stayed near the meet and greet for a long time, then the show started at 7pm. The opening act was forgetable - I can’t even remember his name - then Mitchell came on. He actually did a really great job for disneyish pop music. After his show, he high-fived the girls on his way to his bus. (they went nuts) Corbin was good for his genre as well. Most importantly, the girls had a great time!

If you want to see more shots, go to: http://gallery.me.com/chadfarrand/100051

Today, my baby turns 7. This is her riding the mechanical horse at the local Meijer (still a penny). Yesterday, we took her and her sister, two friends Hope and Kailey and their cousin Katie to Libby Lu to get makeover’s. Then we went out for lunch at “On the Boarder.” Today, we are taking the girls to go see Corbin Blue (from the Disney Channel’s “High School Musical” and other things) in concert. So, it’s a party time!!

Happy Birthday girl! I love you!!

Yep, this is just about right in our bizzaro-upside down world we live in. (where tomatoes kill you and where Arnold runs california - ht to Patton Oswald) Cnn reports that Simmons said he wants to be taken as serious as a Congressman, and may be considering becoming a Congressman.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Fitness star and effervescence
extreme Richard Simmons is on Capitol Hill today, tackling the issue of
childhood obesity and pushing for increased school exercise programs.
But as he testifies before the House Education and Labor Committee, the
60-year-old is nodding toward that celebrity siren song: political
office.

In a half-serious, half-jocular tone, Simmons described his approach
to the hearing, saying, “I want to have the respect of a congressman, I
want to talk like a congressman, and maybe, someday, I’ll be a
congressman.”

During three minutes of follow-up questions, Simmons displayed an
almost Washingtonian flare for avoiding a direct position. “However I
can be of use,” he said, “If my country wants me, I’ll be there for my
country.”

So has no plans to run?

“Well,” he answered coyly, “I don’t know. I may run for office. You never know.”

washington post

The Washington Post is reporting that Senator’s John McCain and Barack Obama will make their first ever joint appearance at Saddleback Church. Yes, Rick Warren’s (The Purpose Driven Life) church. They will be appearing together on August 16th.

Warren had caught some flack a while back for inviting Barack to speak because he’s a pro-choice democrat. Yet, John McCain still needs to tighten his presence with evangelicals today. So, it’s a good opportunity for both of them politically.  It does seem a strange stage though doesn’t it?  I mean, am I the only one who thinks it is weird that Rick Warren is the first person to bring them together? As far as evangelicals go, while he is certainly popular he’s not really that known for his politics. Why not Jim Wallis? or even for that matter Jim Dobson? They are both known and political. 

Anyway, it’ll be interesting to see how evangelical christians will respond to this.

Well, I’m home! Last night, I was able to switch my flight from 5:00pm to 1:00pm - so I didn’t have to wait in the airport for five hours today! While the plane was much smaller, I did sit next to a really nice guy from Kalamazoo and we shared stories and our political views. Great talk.

This morning, I was still in Minneapolis. Tim and I awoke early again, and packed up. I ran out the door in time for another cup of Caribou Coffee, then we headed back to the church. I tought my last session on structures in the simple church - which was basically an overview of the book “The Starfish and the Spider” along with some of my own thoughts. During the class, I was asked to share the powerpoint, so I went ahead and uploaded them to my “MobileMe” site so anyone can download them: http://www.public.me.com/chadfarrand

You’ll find all four sessions up for your viewing pleasure (or displeasure). Either way, it’s there.

I just wanted to say how great it was to get to know you all at Thrive. I’m excited that more and more people are not only catching the vision for simple/organic church, but equally for all the hearts of the people I met. I can’t wait to see what God has in store.

Grace and Peace.

So, today started off EARLY. Tim and I (I’m rooming with the one and only Tim Vink) got up at 6:45, then again at 7, then again at 7:15. I hopped into my ride with Heidi and Susan we grabbed some Caribou Coffee - thank the Lord.

Our first session began at around 8am. Tim shared some great stories and then I got to go up and talk about “simple church” ideas. It was a fun, interactive time. I took some pictures of the group:

You can see by the pictures just how blown away every one was by my amazing teaching!

(ok, I asked them to pose just like they had heard the most amazing, life transforming message ever)

After this, I was able to give another session on the basics of “Life Transformation Groups” which was another fun and interactive hour. We then had lunch, and enjoyed eating with some new friends Jeff and the Brownson’s (who happen to be related to one of my professors at Western Sem).

After lunch was another worship session, followed by Doug leading a seminar on Worship in the RCA. We then broke into workshops and I did my third and final seminar for the day on “worship in the simple church.” We got a smaller room this time, and everyone I figured would come to it came. We had a great time sharing ideas and asking questions.

Dinner was great. They brought in some locally made Chinese food. We had sweet and sour chicken, white and chicken fried rice, pepper steak, lo main, egg rolls, crab rangoon….amazing. While we ate, the leadership team had a meeting after which I asked if I could come back to the hotel to crash - which I did. It’s 11:22pm, and I’m almost catching my second wind now.

Everyone else went back at 7pm for a special healing service. Tim just got back in and told me about some amazing stories. I look forward to hearing more in the morning. Well, I need my beauty sleep - every second counts!

ok. sorry to disappoint but my next post will be delayed. i am way too tired to post much more than this…but i do have pictures from today!!! coming soon!!

I am here in Minnesota, land of Pagitt’s and Jones’s. (Of course, THEY aren’t here. They are out touring the country side in a rented RV dressed up like 1940’s revivalists) I am here to lend a hand at “Thrive!” which is an annual church planters training week for the RCA.

Tomorrow morning, I am teaching on “Simple Church” and then later am leading a break out group on “Life Transformation Groups.”

What I am REALLY jazzed about is that there’s a Caribou Coffee a block away from my hotel!!! First thing in the morning, that’s where I’ll be.

This afternoon,  I landed around 2:30 and grabbed a cab from the airport out here to Eagan. Man, there is a lot of trees up here. Anyway, I then got a ride to the church and hung out there. Then, some nice simple church friends took me out for dinner (which was really nice, thanks again!). We got to hang out and tell weird stories of simple church life.

Then, I got back and headed to a leadership meeting at some guys house who had a putting green and mini driving range in his back yard. I then hopped a ride back to the hotel in hopes to catch Caribou before it closed - no luck.

That’s it for tonight. I’m going nighty night.

Question:

In a race between the Flash and Superman who would win?

Answer:

Chuck Norris

Ok, one more…
this one brought to you by “Stride” gum (who paid Matt to go around the world again and dance more)