tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90640367572676523742024-03-20T22:54:05.174-07:00b-logbrandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-76729870542740037602007-11-28T22:40:00.000-08:002007-11-28T22:50:56.519-08:00moving on...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p662b437716fe6ebec046d426d180fccc/ea450672.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p662b437716fe6ebec046d426d180fccc/ea450672.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />so after an amazing 6 weeks of blogging here as a "blogger" i am moving on to greener pastures. don't know why...just a wild hair of unrest. change es good...no? this will be the last post on this mighty fine little piece of web 2.0...<br /><br />greener pastures can be found <a href="http://brandonbishop.wordpress.com/">here</a>.brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-60257011347049598082007-11-18T15:13:00.000-08:002008-11-12T21:14:33.760-08:00pic-log<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhxBNd82fl_R_O97CT3opO1CrZEiwLZ8zjEECHpuNf7iT82e31dEDAEAye-XvxqWJrgSX9iGEYVLFlUx4NRV7t3KTungZsruepvI0kcS9y01TanTt77Tmhuzw0oWq0jsd69fvq3z5B1Y5/s1600-h/Photo_111707_004.jpg">just a little bit of the last 24 hours at ys...</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhxBNd82fl_R_O97CT3opO1CrZEiwLZ8zjEECHpuNf7iT82e31dEDAEAye-XvxqWJrgSX9iGEYVLFlUx4NRV7t3KTungZsruepvI0kcS9y01TanTt77Tmhuzw0oWq0jsd69fvq3z5B1Y5/s1600-h/Photo_111707_004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhxBNd82fl_R_O97CT3opO1CrZEiwLZ8zjEECHpuNf7iT82e31dEDAEAye-XvxqWJrgSX9iGEYVLFlUx4NRV7t3KTungZsruepvI0kcS9y01TanTt77Tmhuzw0oWq0jsd69fvq3z5B1Y5/s200/Photo_111707_004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134324105902517362" border="0" /></a><br />worship w/ Tomlin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7eeHXcjl8a8os5lkiidShRCriC9tikLDlXdu9dB2SooxCae1qaVFcSCcuyWivFj6HJumsNy2DoA5YiJS1J2Fx1tR3Vq1kikfQNUuhxxC0bHRFhf_XHh-xOw4lGoF_2v-5D3drXf0-gc7/s1600-h/Photo_111807_014.jpg"><img dragover="true" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7eeHXcjl8a8os5lkiidShRCriC9tikLDlXdu9dB2SooxCae1qaVFcSCcuyWivFj6HJumsNy2DoA5YiJS1J2Fx1tR3Vq1kikfQNUuhxxC0bHRFhf_XHh-xOw4lGoF_2v-5D3drXf0-gc7/s200/Photo_111807_014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134324191801863314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bUsgJ8GZVx_JRICRSjo65cL5Auzj5s05EDOXRrg71Dz0an6c48vTurIIBOM5FfQoAuJTl4WaB161Es4F6eB4R8ff7dyCSuOFJExgxAOjLYpVdUO_IYXtAFJJYI5CvznDSBusFG6j6L9w/s1600-h/Photo_111807_001.jpg"><img dragover="true" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bUsgJ8GZVx_JRICRSjo65cL5Auzj5s05EDOXRrg71Dz0an6c48vTurIIBOM5FfQoAuJTl4WaB161Es4F6eB4R8ff7dyCSuOFJExgxAOjLYpVdUO_IYXtAFJJYI5CvznDSBusFG6j6L9w/s200/Photo_111807_001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134324157442124930" border="0" /></a>spent some pretty meaningful time here<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSWXPZk1ujw3Lp5B9F_ApeDKJH-lzyF_XofB4i6ITPNdNLKNuK08wgeQRsiNbNNybNGgrAcqYfDH3LWxnfiCUeCnK_qptY9L_q-Fqvn2gyOOJLm5UKmzJWEQwdACPbMOyBU0dNjfiOGPs/s1600-h/Photo_111807_020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSWXPZk1ujw3Lp5B9F_ApeDKJH-lzyF_XofB4i6ITPNdNLKNuK08wgeQRsiNbNNybNGgrAcqYfDH3LWxnfiCUeCnK_qptY9L_q-Fqvn2gyOOJLm5UKmzJWEQwdACPbMOyBU0dNjfiOGPs/s200/Photo_111807_020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134324204686765218" border="0" /></a>morning worship - Jeff Johnson<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7lDnB3DNoN5HX7KvgUXHz0s2LaTQ19srXpinxu-GRSpWMzXqcLxosxzCgYqUSUMKdEMXF0rvstrcaoGXbd4-i8TSVo67MhHsirg9JSmQO6YCwqHiDS7PWul-gzAslaleS89XpcNjd6UQ/s1600-h/Photo_111807_027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7lDnB3DNoN5HX7KvgUXHz0s2LaTQ19srXpinxu-GRSpWMzXqcLxosxzCgYqUSUMKdEMXF0rvstrcaoGXbd4-i8TSVo67MhHsirg9JSmQO6YCwqHiDS7PWul-gzAslaleS89XpcNjd6UQ/s200/Photo_111807_027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134324213276699826" border="0" /></a>inspired by the "be the change" author<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyrjp6p_zYKt_foFJMFdw49OM1k6qcaWev0G_f_3VD2p6KYsxrRbM6Ni4PSQanisHg0-pYffOoR0a81U2TO_7Abv2obHJvVm4Q5o81FCLzQDv5JVYnyXeIyVjaa-vtJ_x17oinPcVjhXn/s1600-h/Photo_111807_029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyrjp6p_zYKt_foFJMFdw49OM1k6qcaWev0G_f_3VD2p6KYsxrRbM6Ni4PSQanisHg0-pYffOoR0a81U2TO_7Abv2obHJvVm4Q5o81FCLzQDv5JVYnyXeIyVjaa-vtJ_x17oinPcVjhXn/s200/Photo_111807_029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134325042205387970" border="0" /></a>a little crowder worship...<br /><br />(have decided that i am very unsatisfied with the camera on the new palm centro phone)<br /><br />doug fields was amazing. really spoke to my heart...gotta sort through some stuff after that one.<br /><br />might have a response in a few days on the subject of youth group/life/people envy...we'll see.<br /><br />not ready to go back to work, ready for the sweet embrace of family.<br /><br />anyone reading this back home...? please keep me accountable to bringing this experience back with me, ask me about it, what new ideas were here, what kind of ministry introspectives did i experience. to our ministry team...you're coming with next year.<br /><br />bbbrandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-41333505427512540742007-11-17T21:17:00.000-08:002007-11-17T22:10:27.416-08:00progress of surrenderso today at ys was a pretty good one...yes i know, quite the intriguing opener. didn't do much today. i am finding myself avoiding the actual "training" part of this event. while i recognize the need to continue the education (that is the budget line item) it seems as though god is doing some other stuff through this time. i did however buy what seems like an exorbitant amount of credits to download seminar mp3 which lends at least a little integrity to my presence here this week. i think it'll be an interesting thing to download some good stuff for our ministry team...i suppose this is the beginning of a library dedicated to equipping volunteers. this excites me more than anything i could glean from a seminar while i am here. tomorrow i think i will check out a couple seminars on middle school ministry and spend some time doing some personal reflection and seeking.<br /><br />on another note, it seems there has been a massive invasion of mid-riff bearing, short skirt wearing, blue eye shadow sportin' munchkins that are here for a cheer leading competition. two items of note here...while making the brief stop to partake of the insane acrobatic spectacle through the concourse windows, a buddy happened to ask a certain conservative univ. rep who was winning in the cheer leading match...she blankly responded "i don't know?", which in itself was amusing. some remarks were made about the late jerry fallwell and his relative positioning in the hierarchy of those who might be closest to the divine followed by a brief dating history of said rep and her relation the the late jerry fallwell's son...don't really know why i am sharing this, but i was amused. those who do not fall into the amiable personality category always amuse me in ways that lead me to an envious place, wishing i had the gaul to say many of the things i think. probably best as i would get into trouble if i opened my mouth as often as i'd like.<br /><br />second item of note...in the cnn center for lunch. witnessed two of said cheer leading munchkins get up to leave. the girls did a good thing and began to clean up their trash...to our amazement, the adult that was present stopped them from picking up their mess and said these words: "don't do that...they have people who get paid to do that." astounding...what a tragically beautiful window of explanation into so many of my struggles with youth culture. we are teaching our students some strange behaviors...maybe i am just getting old.<br /><br />long day...pointless post...still seeking surrender...glimpsed it through "worship" this evening with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin this evening. thank you god for hope...my hope is in you alone.<br /><br />last thought...i miss my wife and daughter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b7da00b3127cce98548b2c468800000047100AaMWzFq2Zs2Og"><img dragover="true" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b7da00b3127cce98548b2c468800000047100AaMWzFq2Zs2Og" alt="" border="0" /></a>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-82229925850470855812007-11-16T21:37:00.000-08:002008-11-12T21:14:34.417-08:00where am i...? where i need to be.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/nywc294x60.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 72px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/nywc294x60.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>so i am in atlanta this week at the national youth workers convention. it's a weird mix...part training, part vacation, part free stuff, part connecting, part frustrating and a whole bunch of god just showing up and dealing with me. so far this has been the experience...much walking, close talkers in the exhibit hall, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Stanley">andy stanley</a>, the astounding waste of promotional materials, <a href="http://www.jaredhall.com/">jared hall</a>, 11:30 am wake up (nice treat after 14 months of getting up @ 7 with the baby), feelings of empowerment/inadequacy/conviction/ inspiration, <a href="http://www.desperationonline.com/">the desperation band</a>, the <a href="http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/">georgia aquarium</a>, a really different feeling about being away from my family (baby changes everything) and currently the dog whisperer on my hotel tv.<br /><br />god works through this time away in some crazy ways. as i sat this afternoon, listening to the opening stuff and hearing the same old opening stuff from years past I was moved to a leading that i am currently struggling with. i know this is something i need to do on a daily basis and struggle with on every level of my life and avoid like the plague...because i think i don't need to, because i can handle things, because i want to play god, because my way is better, because i have it all figured out, because...my imperfection leads me to the pride filled idea that i have obtained perfection.<br /><br />i need to surrender.<br /><br />this is a tough one...beyond the reasons i just noted, surrender has been lost in my life for a long while...it's effects have reached far and wide in both my personal life and the ministry i am allowed to play a role in. surrender is necessary and is stirring in my soul, but is a difficulty that i wrestle with until it is bottled up safely, not to be dealt with until the next time it escapes and needs contained once again.<br /><br />this weekend i hope to find surrender...<br /><br />the exhibit hall is out of my system, the worship has begun to soften my heart, the laughter has already healed, and i am ready to seek surrender.<br /><br />until then...here's a few pics<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo_0TrgYejCcND1HD90-2M6l5mS5BaDhUi3oD39Oj0YvitchS-SXMpxKOto6YFEf22pYUQ5UwdR7vx6YN_6hDu3x1Vj9DKlORgelfJ7355fibHzmrOVQCsZAcHS_TY-kaDR7U5wqj5_2y/s1600-h/Photo_111507_005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo_0TrgYejCcND1HD90-2M6l5mS5BaDhUi3oD39Oj0YvitchS-SXMpxKOto6YFEf22pYUQ5UwdR7vx6YN_6hDu3x1Vj9DKlORgelfJ7355fibHzmrOVQCsZAcHS_TY-kaDR7U5wqj5_2y/s200/Photo_111507_005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133691981205826626" border="0" /></a><a dragover="true" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59LoSl9U32DwovQtaqxPh-TMGElnvfHlGehcQE0HwF9pXsDGygYIlaD4TJ5uPZ-3ZTt6Pk0b_OodR31IRjQqwwlWYSudkLU3qZUPQn4ow0F-n9BNkGSTKgrkBzObUOfZL0IIGyUxjT0Fd/s1600-h/Photo_111507_008.jpg"><img dragover="true" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59LoSl9U32DwovQtaqxPh-TMGElnvfHlGehcQE0HwF9pXsDGygYIlaD4TJ5uPZ-3ZTt6Pk0b_OodR31IRjQqwwlWYSudkLU3qZUPQn4ow0F-n9BNkGSTKgrkBzObUOfZL0IIGyUxjT0Fd/s200/Photo_111507_008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133691959730990130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDe5hj8L3xwDaCDSjyS2RrpL-uO4nwwe8Ca4yFMu5KwcFmA3pvwzcbeuBE7UkdCAe_r2qbf6fQT3UJoF-pudPnNG1nI-p01qcqxH_kReSkr4bkxZTwup7ZFvm8-1ECIgChpElZ2ZQblzwQ/s1600-h/Photo_111507_009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDe5hj8L3xwDaCDSjyS2RrpL-uO4nwwe8Ca4yFMu5KwcFmA3pvwzcbeuBE7UkdCAe_r2qbf6fQT3UJoF-pudPnNG1nI-p01qcqxH_kReSkr4bkxZTwup7ZFvm8-1ECIgChpElZ2ZQblzwQ/s200/Photo_111507_009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133691989795761234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5WrQ0jGNtQjyHVWIeyX3rCSXQb_mGRDH5Qyb8YUpSx9cHziZyMxP0KYeXBa3jqBGFkxEfyOcox5QMLSYPO8GeOvPxn-O-E-i9ezypMFeSCDIjZa3f5a7VFSMFWiLuCcKix1dnavRUK1n/s1600-h/Photo_111607_003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5WrQ0jGNtQjyHVWIeyX3rCSXQb_mGRDH5Qyb8YUpSx9cHziZyMxP0KYeXBa3jqBGFkxEfyOcox5QMLSYPO8GeOvPxn-O-E-i9ezypMFeSCDIjZa3f5a7VFSMFWiLuCcKix1dnavRUK1n/s200/Photo_111607_003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133691332665764898" border="0" /></a>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-19040880072466978862007-11-08T07:53:00.000-08:002007-11-08T08:25:36.956-08:00small group heros...i love our community group leaders. i thank god for them and their ministry to our students. i love it when i have the opportunity to sit in on a group and listen to the community and love that is happening. our kids are so blessed. i love it when i have the opportunity to really encourage and build up a leader.<br /><br />this is what i should be doing more of...brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-83020441170868831182007-11-05T21:21:00.000-08:002007-11-05T21:58:43.280-08:00decisions, decisions...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://asbojesus.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/churchbed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://asbojesus.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/churchbed.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>ever feel like this is a really tough call? i love my sleep as much as the next guy...beyond that it makes me wonder why this rings so true with my own perceptions of our church-going culture. does the commentary lie with the church or the go-er? are "we" (read: institutional church) presenting christ in a way that draws us from our slumber?<br /><br />more from <a href="http://asbojesus.wordpress.com/">asbojesus</a> soon...<a href="http://asbojesus.wordpress.com/">this place</a> really hits home.brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-28545104268486305642007-11-01T19:37:00.000-07:002007-11-01T20:56:04.188-07:00ivescrewedup.com<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ivescrewedup.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 131px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/IveScrewedUpcopy.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />a few weeks ago i posted about the <a dragover="true" href="http://www.mynakedpastor.com/">naked pastor</a>. the same <a href="http://www.flamingoroadchurch.com/">church</a> also has a site all about confession that is pretty amazing.<br /><br />for me it's a pretty crazy reminder of how broken and flawed we are and how much we need confession, forgiveness and god's grace in our lives. take a look, pray for some folks and maybe even <a href="http://ivescrewedup.com/">make a confession</a> yourself...they say its good for the soul.brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-78947382460213388512007-10-30T08:11:00.000-07:002007-10-30T08:15:22.013-07:00teamworkthanks to <a href="http://chadswanzy.blogspot.com/">chad</a> and <a href="http://www.simplyjosh.com">josh</a> for this little nugget.<br /><object width="440" height="361"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3083220"/><br /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><br /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><br /><embed src="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3083220" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="always" width="440" height="361"></embed><br /></object>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-41155186619038202622007-10-24T20:01:00.000-07:002007-10-24T20:10:04.953-07:00watch out for the nuzzle...the brits are just funny sometimes...not in a real american way, but a smarter, wittier way. those crazy brits. found this video through this <a href="http://millervillage.wordpress.com/">blogger</a>.<br /><br />i am amused by this because...?<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JUdWApwbudQ&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JUdWApwbudQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-77987758591295223432007-10-23T19:31:00.000-07:002007-10-23T19:59:46.561-07:00perseverance...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/palm-centro-europe-lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 253px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/palm-centro-europe-lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>today was a good day in the petty realm of the consumer...at least in the world of this petty consumer. i decided to make the jump into the world of geekdom, bypass the cool factor of the iphone and go straight to a new smart phone called the palm centro. the decision was easy because of the cost of the iphone, the process of getting said phone was a bit of a struggle.<br /><br />what started off as a simple question of whether or not i could afford to upgrade the ghetto phone i currently have, turned quickly into a quest to conquer the corporate world through convincing our fine friends at sprint to give me a phone. while i wasn't successful at the getting a phone for free thing, after speaking with 7 different sprint representatives i managed to weasel a little bargain. it is amazing what a little "those iphones sure do look nice," will get you when presented to the right people at sprint. i finally got to talk to what they called a "retention representative." i think these are the last lines of defense...sort of a "ok, you win...we'll stop trying to rip you off and actually treat you like a quality customer." in the end i think i did in fact win.<br /><br />this is how i ended up... the palm centro was regularly $400...i convinced them to give me $125 over what my upgrade credit already was...now i pay only $99. in the process i convinced them to give my wife a new phone too. by give i mean "give" my wife a $250 phone for free. perhaps gloating would be inappropriate at this moment but being that this was a magical moment I can't resist.<br /><br />i win.brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-47177933276072393022007-10-21T21:09:00.000-07:002007-10-21T21:17:36.278-07:00slacking...so there's some updating that needs to happen here one of these days...light bar is done, 3rd Sunday/black hole was a good time, get to see a launch up close on tuesday, my phone is officially dead, one year older, my wife has got some crazy funkiness going on in her lungs, got some really great high school guys that love getting destroyed at ping pong...life is busy and good and crazy and blessed and at the moment....very tiring.<br /><br />this week we'll do some updates...brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-60476605959310467042007-10-10T20:27:00.000-07:002007-10-10T20:40:59.307-07:00more "remedy"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/remedycross.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 224px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/remedycross.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><pre style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here we are<br />Here we are<br />The broken and used<br />Mistreated, abused<br />Here we are<br /><br />Here You are<br />Here You are<br />The beautiful one<br />Who came like a Son<br />Here You are<br /><br />So we lift up our voices<br />We open our hands<br />To cling to the love<br />That we can’t comprehend<br /><br />Oh, lift up your voices<br />And lift up your heads<br />To sing of the love<br />That has freed us from sin<br /><br />He is the one<br />Who has saved us<br />He is the one<br />Who embraced us<br />He is the one who has come<br />And is coming again<br />He’s the remedy</span></pre>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-34563059748428666362007-10-10T20:13:00.000-07:002007-10-10T20:49:43.003-07:00what you want from churchso i came across a post on a <a href="http://www.simplyjosh.com/">blog</a> i read on a regular basis that made me think of you...our <a href="http://www.graceyouth.net/">3rd</a> students. if there are in fact any of you that aren't named rebekah and/or sarah that are actually reading this, consider the following and be encouraged to think for a moment...<br /><br />taken from the <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071009/29636_Study:_What_Teens_are_Looking_for,_Learning_in_Church.htm">Christian Post</a> about what teens are looking to get from church...interesting stuff, accurate/inaccurate...? relevant for sure.<br /><blockquote><p style="font-style: italic;">What teens expect most when it comes to churches is to worship or make a connection with God, a new Barna study showed.</p><p style="font-style: italic;">Other important things they look for in a church include spending time with close friends (34 percent); getting encouraged or inspired (34 percent); and volunteering to help others (30 percent). Expectations teens prioritized as less important were learning about prayer (26 percent); listening to religious teaching (26 percent); participating in discussions regarding religion and faith (23 percent); being mentored or coached in spiritual development (21 percent); discovering the traditions of their faith (20 percent); participating in a study class about faith (19 percent); and studying the Bible (18 percent).</p><p style="font-style: italic;">Most teens also prefer a church that teaches how their faith should influence everyday decisions and lifestyle rather than one that teaches the traditions and background of their faith (39 percent vs. 16 percent, respectively). At the same time, 45 percent said they would not care for either type of church.<br /></p><p style="font-style: italic;"></p><blockquote></blockquote>btw...rebekah and sarah amaze me with their blog reading skills<p></p><p></p><p style="font-style: italic;">bb<br /></p></blockquote>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-55419250516785016522007-10-04T21:05:00.000-07:002007-10-04T22:03:38.990-07:00"remedy" is finally here<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://xb3.xanga.com/891c0aea26c34135901789/z99623868.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 205px;" src="http://xb3.xanga.com/891c0aea26c34135901789/z99623868.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>so it's been a few days since i last posted. basically i have been hanging out with the 3rd crowd, doing some midweek stuff, watched the gators really stink it up, went to a jv football game, spent tons of time with the little human we call ayla, and spent copious (great word btw) amounts of time listening, processing, feeling and being consumed by the new David Crowder Band release "remedy".<br /><br />i pre-ordered directly from the band thinking i was ahead of the game and would get it on the release day or maybe even a day early. tuesday came along, i woke up and the first thing on my mind was that <span style="font-weight: bold;">this</span> was <span style="font-weight: bold;">the </span>day. the expectancy was palpable...i checked the office mail, not really remembering where i had it sent. no crowder at the office. i left work a little early just to check at home...took ayla out of the truck, dropped her directly in her crib (aka - the escape proof baby holder) walked to the mailbox hoping for some merriment to brighten my day only to have my hopes dashed at the sight of a box full of junk mail and no crowder goodness.<br /><br />so jump past the long walk back up the driveway, the crushing disappointment...move past wednesday...and thursday. i checked in on the crowder site and myspace and xanga hoping there was some explanation to bring peace to my crumbling trust of the DCB, but no such luck. thursday night i even found myself in this space where i had not only a lack of interest in remedy, but an actual disgust and negative feeling about the whole thing. all the wind was gone...blasphemy!<br /><br />along comes friday...i woke up and don't recall wondering if it would arrive. it is at this point that i have just realized as i write this that i must now let you down...it seemed as though this little journey through my sad obsession with the crazy haired man's new album might end up in a climactic and triumphant telling of the arrival of said album...the reality of the story is that i walked into the office, checked my mail and said "hey, the crowder cd's here..." i do have to admit that there was enough initial excitement that i actually danced a little jig right there in the office (not really that amusing to anyone present) and then I walked upstairs and began to listen and consume remedy, soon to be joined by my very ill friend dubs, who while helping me create a marble masterpiece proceeded to projectile sneeze, contaminating my arm with her infirmity. lovely.<br /><br />anti-climactic...yes. an excuse to write a post on the b-log...barely. a good story...hardly. but remedy is here, the DCB has delivered (albeit a little late) and once again they have not disappointed nor forsaken their fans and fellow worshipers. the point...? go buy remedy, support the DCB, be moved and be the remedy...<br /><br /><pre>Where there is pain<br />Let us bring grace<br />Where there is suffering<br />Bring serenity<br />For those afraid<br />Let us be brave<br />Where there is misery<br />Let us bring them relief<br />And surely we can change<br />Surely we can change<br />Oh surely we can change<br />Something<br /><br />Oh, the world’s about to change<br />The whole world’s about to change<br /><br /><b>surely we can change, remedy</b> - DCB<br /></pre>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-60251811150749807292007-09-24T15:02:00.001-07:002007-09-24T15:27:18.600-07:00remedy is coming...(something to really be excited about)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/remedyentry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/remedyentry.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />as many of you know i am a bit of a David Crowder aficionado. if you are not familiar with the name perhaps take a moment to click this nice little link and read up on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Crowder_Band">David Crowder Band</a> or just take a little skip on over to their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/davidcrowderband">myspace</a> and listen for yourself. now that we're all on the same page here and understand the movement that is DCB, i feel the need to express to you my sheer and utter joy and bewilderment as i impatiently await the release of the latest album called "remedy." so...tomorrow is the big day (along with halo 3, the new foo fighters and a few others) but i actually pre-ordered the cd directly from dave himself to be neatly packaged in bubble wrapped goodness waiting on my front door step tomorrow. bubble wrapped goodness will deliver tomorrow's dose of hope in the world...can't wait.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-25426236992223272042007-09-24T14:49:00.001-07:002008-11-12T21:14:34.862-08:00the excitement abounds on the b-log...yes...i realize that woodworking is not the pinnacle of excitement that we often strive for in our lives. but for some it is a pretty nifty craft i suppose. our little project is coming along mighty fine right about now. just a couple more steps and we'll be ready to paint it and install it in the 3rd room...woo...<br /><br />behold...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefMyjDmlEZCh3GqPmiOFbRCwq5FHFuunoy2Or_BK90aiM7g6Xi0c3PVy3ySXfjEf_z5QwHAq2TZT0hNP6ZFd_thPgovNRxtctplqspTfz_p1ANp8e5DQUvYl-J7rgZisG0v2IUZqG3dp2/s1600-h/BarLatest1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefMyjDmlEZCh3GqPmiOFbRCwq5FHFuunoy2Or_BK90aiM7g6Xi0c3PVy3ySXfjEf_z5QwHAq2TZT0hNP6ZFd_thPgovNRxtctplqspTfz_p1ANp8e5DQUvYl-J7rgZisG0v2IUZqG3dp2/s320/BarLatest1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113893552270153010" border="0" /></a>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-51405975875737907622007-09-20T11:42:00.000-07:002007-09-20T12:10:39.837-07:00so we started a little project for the new 3rd youth room...what started out as a simple idea for a bar has turned into a monumental feat of engineering. by engineering i don't mean we just had to make a couple of changes to get it right...what i really mean is that it is taking a couple of real-life engineers, auto-cad drawings, and revision after revision to build this thing. this whole thing confuses me on so many levels...<br /><br />explaining what we trying to build is pointless...i created the thing but don't even begin to know how to explain it...i will say that it involves about 6000 marbles and a whole bunch of light. so here are a couple pics. we'll update the progress as we get more done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/Base.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/Base.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a dragover="true" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/BaseandPedestal9-13-07.jpg"><img dragover="true" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/BaseandPedestal9-13-07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-12293290147324952342007-09-19T20:53:00.000-07:002007-09-25T11:08:00.107-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mynakedpastor.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/bbishop1414/naked_pastor_banner.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />i figure that if i am going to do this whole blog thing then i might as well try to do it up right...make it interesting and what-not. so...let's start off with a little funny/controversial/potentially create an opportunity for you all to make that little awkward turtle thing with your hands.<br /><br />a friend of mine posted this on his blog and I thought it was interesting. so there's a church just down the road in miami where the lead pastor is going "naked"...not really naked or nekked in the sense of nude, but naked in the sense of open, watched, filmed, exposed, genuine...<br /><br />this is how it works...it started a couple weeks ago, but he'll be filmed 24 hours a day for a number of days, allowing the world to see what the church website calls "the good, the bad and the ugly." Go check it out...might be interesting...?<br /><br />i can't help but wonder how many of us would be willing to be that authentic and open in front of all the world with our own, "the good, the bad and the ugly" of our lives... how about you?brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064036757267652374.post-14891691861570696872007-08-30T08:10:00.000-07:002007-08-30T17:33:40.354-07:00something new...so as part of my feeble attempt to stay culturally relevant i have created a blog...call it peer-pressure, assimilation, social coercion...whatever. while i'm jumping in pretty late in the game, the bottom line is that i am on board with this trend of publishing thoughts, ideas, reflections and musings to the whole world. i am not so sure that my presence here implies that anything i say has some sort of value in this life...in fact, i would tend to think quite the opposite and i would just hope that something comes out that doesn't paint a picture of me as a bumbling stooge, meandering my way through this world, living my little life and trying to create some sort of ripple in someone else's life that leads to a life better lived for all.<br /><br />so here i go...my b-log is born.brandon bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865731998461201702noreply@blogger.com0