sick

I was sent this link by Jared and we both agree - this guy is sick. His name is Khalid Mohtaseb. It was all shot with a Canon 5D MKII using a Kessler Pocket Dolly which makes the videos ooze drama. I have a couple of additions to my wish list.

If your curious to see how he made this video or his HAITI video, click on this link for more info.

Egypt / Lebanon Montage from Khalid Mohtaseb on Vimeo.

something to do with kids

In a recent blog I read, it asked the question "Do you have a personal mission statement?" That got me thinking about what I know about mission statements.

I feel like I know "Mission Statements" well. I have taken multiple courses in college where I practiced writing mission statements, as well as objectives, and goals. Professors crammed it into my head that it is impossible to plan a good program without a well constructed mission statement. I have practiced writing and saying them in school, and even used them at work. For every project I've done at Cibolo, I have written a mission statement. If there is anything in world that I know...it's mission statements.

BUT I don't have a personal mission statement.

I want to change this.


I'm not sure what my mission statement is yet, but I know the theme would have something to do with kids. Possibly pertaining to the quality of life and their faith development. What happens during a kid's childhood affects the rest of their life. It is important to encourage and support kids early on. I recently read a book that said for every 100 people who do not follow Jesus by the time they reach age 18, only 6 of those individuals will commit their lives to Christ as an adult. This highlights for me the need to continue prioritizing the faith development of children.

Does this give me a personal mission statement? Not yet Chris Kinsley. But I am working towards it.

GUEST WRITER

Hello. My name is Jared and I am Stuart's brother. This is a picture of the two of us together. See how happy we are? It's because I just told stuart a really funny joke.
"Knock, knock", I said.
"Who's there?" he replied back.
"Me! Jared! You're brother! Don't you remember me?"
Then we went to the doctor to have him tested for dementia. Turns out, he was fine, just lazy.

Our beards make us look like pirates!
Booty!

Love, jared.

unChristian Wrap-up

When you hear the name Chick-fil-A, what comes to mind?

• The greatest chicken sandwich of all time?
• Excellent customer service?
• Waffle fries & lemonade?

What about when you hear the word Christian? I would like to think you imagine:

• Loving without attached strings
• Advocating for the voiceless
• Genuine
• Compassionate
• Etc.

I just finished reading the book unChristian where it takes a humbling look at what younger generations think of Christianity. It includes none of the preceding thoughts. In fact, through extensive research, it concludes that Christianity has an image problem. Instead of giving you a book review that is a couple years too late, I will pass on some of the striking finds.
* the term outsider is used to denote someone outside of the Christian faith

In a national survey, it found the most common perceptions of present-day Christianity are antihomosexual (an image held by 91% of young outsiders aged 16-29), judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), too involved in politics (75%), out of touch with reality (72%), & old-fashioned (78%).

These statistics are compiled from thousands of people standing outside Christianity looking in. Obviously, I disagree. However, I am on the inside looking out. Their opinion greatly matters. The stats are a honest look at what they think of all Christians...what they think of me. What am I doing to help fix this image problem?

Interesting book to read if you get a second.

Haiti

Want to help Haiti but unsure who to partner with to help?

Try Compassion International.

It "exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults."

Compassion International has been helping Haiti for more than 40 years — teaching, feeding, educating, loving, mentoring, caring and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.



Myself & Devanee sponsor a child through Compassion. If you've got questions, let me know.

Trouble

I have been in this coffee shop music kick for a long time. In fact, my shuffle is full of laid back musics that does everything but motivates me to run. I'm not saying Ray LaMontagne's song "Trouble" is that but it definitely is a song that makes me want to take off my shoes, prop up my feet, and chill. Maybe think deep thoughts...maybe not.

Ray LaMontagne - Trouble from The Staus House on Vimeo.

Only a test...

This is only a test to see if I could post a specific photo set from Flickr in this blog...looks like it worked.