Season's Greetings

SEASON'S GREETINGS
(Get it? Season's...Greetings!)


Merry Christmas
Happy Chanukkah

The Night before the Night before

Hey Blog World (or 5 friends that read this),
Just thought that you might be like me and exiled to in-laws or parents homes and you might have some time to read some blogs. I am here at the Halbert's and looking forward to a few days of rest, stress, and shameful gluttony (both with new stuff and over eating). I think I am ready for the holidays I have gotten Robin something, so I guess that means I am ready. I also helped get her brother and bro in law some their gift and I feel pretty good about that.
I am kinda hoe hum about the holidays. I didn't feel like I got to sing any good carols. I mean, I never thought that singing silly carols helped me get into the Christmas mood, but it apparently does. I miss so much Pittman Park's (P.S. Worst Site EVER! Luke talk to someone on SPR about this, this sucks!) "Come to Christmas" at the beginning of December where we would sing and eat and have a blast. It seems that I don't get off on the right foot any more for Christmas and before I know it I am busy getting crap and I miss the fun. Sadness. So, next year, maybe I will make a trip down to Statesboro for the big night.
Well, in other news. I am ready. I am going to make the jump to the "Big S." I have been waffling about it for a couple of months and I still don't know exactly what I will do once I am their, or Lord willing IF I get out alive!, but I am going to trust that God has lead me to this point and now I need to make the jump. Biblical Scholars call this type of action: Faith. At this point we don't know exactly when or where or how or why...well, I have that part down, but the other three are still up in the air. Per usual, I haven't told a ton (read: anyone) at Trinity (apart from Bill Bagwell, the boss) that I am even leaning this direction, because they freak out when they hear seminary because the last youth guy left them for Duke in 2004. So we will see. I am looking forward to a good summer and I think the youth are in position to have an amazing Fall in 2007. A lot of variables will be determined as we continue to figure out more details.
In more important news, I am still playing Guild Wars and loving it. I am stoked about a youth retreat coming up in January with Ken Cross (dork) and a buddy leading music. It is called Teshuva (get educated in your Jewish history chump!). We are going to have the youth read a book during the weekend by Henri Nouwen "In the Name of Jesus" (so relax, I am not trying to convert the kids. Actually Nouwen was a Catholic priest so mix in some good old Judaism and maybe we might in up Methodist! I don't know...I don't care).
But alias. It is time for bed. Hope things go well for you during the holidays.
KirkOut

Another Christmas

Well, Christmas is upon us. Time for us to begin to hit Wal-Mart and Target and spend more than we have on stuff that people don't really care about. Seriously. Why do we get stuff for our spouses? I mean, it isn't like they couldn't have just gone out and gotten whatever they wanted with OUR (the couples) money in the first place?!? Right? Whatever. I just find it amusing that we have let Christmas be about...stuff. More and more stuff. Sorry...no on cares about that.

Let's talk about me. I am doing well. It is slowly accuring to me that I am never going to talk to granddad (Carlton) and that still sucks. But as we all know time and God heals so I am just letting that happen. It is still just weird to think that he isn't "here."
Work is moving along. Not much major happening beside the normal busy work/Christmas stuff. The church is constantly competing for the student's time and often times we are up against ourselves (i.e. youth programs, musicals, bell prgorams, caroling, christmas parties, etc). Argh. Church, it can save you if it doesn't kill you first! That will be the slogan of my church plant. I am busy trying to get things planned for youth (Sunday School, Winter Retreat, and the 2007 calendar) all while I am getting caught up with "Than Orrin" my Necromancer/Monk on Guild Wars. Yes, I know, it isn't real. But man it should be. Oh, just for the record I like Jim and Karen being together on the Office. I do believe that Jim and Pam will spark back up before the end of this season.
Robin is busy getting ready for the coming week's proformence of South Pacific the musical. She is a nurse and has been practicing every night this week and will be in Macon every evening until the end of the play on Dec. 15th. Nappy is doing well and has almost eliminated his nasty habit of eating his doo doo. We are proud of him.
Ok, enough.
kirkout

Thanksgiving

If you haven't heard, Carlton past away on Saturday afternoon in Brunswick. He was able to spend the last week at home with his kids and wife. My brother and I also managed to sneak down during the week and spend part of Thursday with him. The funeral is going to be Tuesday at 10 am in Brunswick with the grave site service in the afternoon in Bainbridge. If you don't know where Bainbridge imagine driving from one side of the state to the other in an afternoon. Joy. I am doing ok. I know that the most difficult parts are going to be in the coming days and months as I realize that he is gone.
On a much happier note on Saturday Tom and Shelly got married here in Warner Robins. They are off enjoying their honeymoon in Antigua. The wedding was great. Well, I need to hit the road we have visitation tonight in Brunswick. See you guys later.

kirkout

Carlton II

I don't want to leave you folks hanging. Carlton is now back home (I know...what do I know) and going to spend the rest of his time there. He is doing well and is enjoying being with his wife and kids. Their isn't probably going to a miraclious recovery, their has been a lot of damage done to his heart and he is just old. So, we are waiting and enjoying every minute of our time with him. Thanks for the encouragement and prayers. I have told a couple of people, I think that I am having a harder time with this than anyone else.
kirkout

Carlton

So, I am blogging I guess for me as much as maybe to spread the news about my granddad Carlton. He was admitted into the hospital on Thursday afternoon and has been on a ventilator and has had to go through a couple of sessions of dialysis. Over the last 48 hours we have gone from bad to good to bad to good. We have all cried a ton and laughed a ton. At this point it is very unlikely that he is going to leave the hospital. I can't say too much because my emotions have been through the gauntlet the last couple of days. I know that I am ready and prepared for him to get past the pain he has been in the last few years. I believe that he is ready too.
I don't know, you'll are my friends and I want you to know. I am a "withdrawer" so I might be out of pocket for a while (yes, even more than normal) in the next few weeks. Thanks for caring and I hope to see you'll again soon.
kirkout

Ray Vander Laan

Hey Folks,
I know, doing get too excited, two post within a week. I wanted to let everyone know about a GREAT weekend I had this past...err...weekend. I got to go to West Point FUMC and hear Ray Vander Laan. He (most of you know) is a super gifted speaker and teacher who emphasizes the Jewish tradition that Jesus both taught and lived from. For those of you who care (read: Josh and Dan) I am going to try and type up my notes within the week and post a link to them here.
While I had a good Friday and Saturday, Sunday was typically busy with me having to help lead a ministry/service project I didn't know I was going to have to lead until just a few days prior to. (Why do we do this job again church folks?) So I am beat, so I am going to go rest. I just thought I would say hello. Tomorrow I get to go see one of my favorite people, Debra the therapist! See you later.
Oh, attached is a picture of Robin and I from Halloween. Do you watch the Office on NBC? You should. We are Dwight & Angela.

KirkOut

It's November Again!

Hey Folks,

I hope that all is going well for you and yours. I actually already posted a new post tonight, but my computer locked up on me and so I am having to do a second post. Which means it will be short and laced with anger.

Robin and I are good. Work is going well. I am happy.

How about that for short. Oh I am now playing a game called Guild Wars which is another MMORPG that is quite fun. I get to play some online with Ken (Cross) and some other folks from here in town. Um...I am beat. I hope to post again soon.

Wednesday before Thursday

Hello Again,
Another Wednesday evening has past. It is weird. For the first time in a long time my job feels like a job. I mean, I don't hate it and I don't love it. It is almost like I am just showing up and punching a clock. Maybe this is what it is like to have a "real" job. Work stuff is going fine. I honestly don't feel like I have been challenged either personally, professionally, or spiritually in the last couple of months. I am not asking to be challenged mind you...I know who this vengeful God works. But it is just kind of odd. For someone who seems to really want to push themselves and grow I seem to really really love to just stay. I wish my dog knew that trick. But, honestly I think it isn't just having a laid back month. Their are a couple of other factors that are keeping me stuck.
Let's get you updated on stuff you don't care about...
Fantasy Football: Boro League (1-2). A dissapointing lose to Josh Blogham. Sucky Rookie League (1-2) Yes...I am the worst owner ever. But I haven't quit, just re-evaluated.
Maple Story: I am about a month into my addiction. This is normally where I start to wear down. My leveling has been consistent but it is going to continue to slow down as I get into the game. Still having a ton of fun with my couple of friends (some youth and some non-youth) playing and that is good.
Other: Robin is doing well. She is working still which is good. Napolean is doing well. We (my family) built a fence in the backyard so he is the happiest dog in the world right now being able to run around and play soccer to his heart's content.
the end
kirkout

Another Week Down

Crazy to think that we are only a few months away from Christmas!?! Mickey is probably already done with her Christmas shopping. I am nearing the big 3-0. Weird. I am already dreading what will become of my office and car and house and etc etc.
Work has continued to just float along. I haven't had to teach since August so I have been able to rest for just about the entire month. For as much of a hit as I get from teaching/speaking it really takes up a lot of time and energy. I have to get geared back up soon though. We have Youth Week (3 teachings in 3 days, I think we are going to talk about friendships...) and then I am back up for Sunday School beginning in Oct.
Well, I haven't heard any comments from all of the throngs of people downloading my sermon from last month...that makes me sad. I thought that Blogspot would have run out of bandwidth having to host such a hot link. But never fear...I am posting it again, so you can download it now!!! I actually think it is worth listening to which isn't something that I often say about stuff coming out of my mouth.
I managed to lose both of my Fantasy Football games this week!?! I know, sadness. I am 1-1 in each league and have a tough match against Josh (not really, I know that he reads these blog thingys and I want to butter him up) this week.
Oh, I added some things at the bottom of my page called "user bars." Here is an example...their is a cool site you can make your own.
kirkout

My Passion for Stuff

So, It has been a while blog world. I didn't forget about you. I have just lowered you on my list of priorities! (Can you feel the love?). I have had a good couple of weeks here to begin Sept. As I mentioned in my last post, most of my computer waking moments have been taken up by this computer game, Maple Story.
As I have analyzed my video game history it seems that I ultimately want to play video games for what I call "Barbie Dress Up." I remember talking with Robin about a year ago about why I liked to play Tiger Woods so much and I got honest and said, "I like to unlock and purchase all of the cool clothes in the game!" Since then I have been looking at why and how I play video games as a case study about my personality.
What I have discovered about my joy and passion for video games is that I like stuff (work with me...i think this might go somewhere). See, I have been noticing that it isn't just sitting in front of a TV and playing Madden or NCAA or Tiger Woods that I enjoy as much as it is "getting stuff" in the game. Whether it be unlocking a Jersey or a special golf club, or a +3 Ice Sword. It has been interesting to being to uncover my drive to play video games. As I have been looking and working through this (for a number of months) I can see it surfacing throughout my life. I have this weird habit of stacking up my DVDs and games so that I can see them and look at "all that I have acquired." On some levels it feels very Barbaric and on another level I feel a little OCD. I am not complaining and have no plans to change my current "fix" for my "problem," but I do find it interesting to be able to name it. I mean, I feel like I have a lot of things driving me sub-consciously and to be able to find one of them is quite nice (I guess).
I guess my ultimate hope is that by recognizing it, then I can be aware and be able to differentiate between wants and needs. I want to acquire a lot of things (my most recent is football jerseys...weird, i know) but I need very different things (like to begin to get out of debt and learning to live on a budget). I know you might be thinking, "Kirk is nuts!" But my therapist doesn't think I am.
I don't know. Just thought it was something someone might want to read. Maybe you are a guy who is struggling trying to explain to their wife/girlfriend about what you like to play video games. Maybe you need some accountability with your "stuff." In fact. If we could. Just close your eyes...well, open them back up cause you can't read with your eyes closed. But slowly bow your head. Now with every eye clos...well, with your "mind's eye" closed and every head bowed, I want you to ask yourself this question...If you were to die tonight, do you know where all of your video game stuff would go? Because if you haven't taught about it, you should. You don't want your wife/girlfriend to just throw your Xbox (or God forbid you still own a PS2) out with the garbage like she will the rest of your junk (or memories as the ladies call them). I am just saying. You need to know where you internal hard drive is going to go, when your gone.
Ok, that is it. Had to end on a light note. Work for Kirk is going well, I am in a little bit of a restful swing. Work for Robin is going well in one (Preschool) and aaeeennn in the other (Vet). I am undefeated in both of my Fantasy Football leagues (1-0 in each) and looking for another big week (Thanks Chester Taylor!). Nappy is doing well, although tonight he is battling an upset stomach, that is in fact why I am updating my blog at 5:30 am. Oh, as a special treat for reading so far...you can download the latest (and only) teaching from Kirk here. Duct Tape Theology...it is pretty hot.

kirkout

But seriously...if you were to die tonight...

Dinner with Chandler

Hey Peoples,
I hope that life is moving along for you'll. I had a fun dinner with recruiters from Chandler School of Theology. It wasn't anything really impressive. I mean, they didn't seek me out and ask to have dinner, it was just a annual thing they do to get info from perspective students. It was interesting. I honestly haven't thought of seminary in a couple of months. I have been so busy trying to get the fall youth calendar off the ground I haven't thought much about what I want to do in a couple of years. I am slowly moving toward the idea, that I don't think I can be a youth minister for the "rest" of my life. I am just growing too old and weary of lock-ins, talking about drama that is so unimportant, and planning events for kids who only want to play pranks. So, I don't know about seminary or really about next year. Things (work) is going really well right now and I feel like things are going well with the church (i.e. not everyone hates me anymore), but I still don't really feel like I am in the right "fit" for my career. I am looking into taking a vocational test to see where I might thrive...weird.
Besides that, I just took up another passion. Maple Story. It is a MMORPG online that is free. It is fun and I get to "get stuff." Which is my driving passion in life. That is part of the reason I have been lazy with posting any new blog post.
Um...ok. I will be honest. I want to go play some more Maple Story and watch some football, so I am out.
kirkout

Free Is Good

Hey Folks,

As I have been keeping up with my post I have noticed something. It is all about me. Me, Me, Me, Me, Me. Well, enough about me. I want to give back (and isn't that what I am all about, me, me...wait. No, you, you, you, etc). Today I going to offer you a little tip on a couple of places you can get FREE LEGAL GOOD MUSIC (those aren't always the same thing). I am not sure about you, but I have given up my life of crime of robbing innocent artist and record execs from their hard earned stratch. So below are some legal and safe sites you can get some great music on the cheap (free that is).

Pure Volume
This is the mecca. Not only does it have close to a thousand songs you can download, you can also sign up (for free) and you can create your own favorite artist section and create playlist from the songs on the site...super rad. Mostly indie rock, but their is some other music in there too.
Highlights: Mae (just amazing music), Underoath (what all the kids are listening to these days), Emery, Anberlin, Jason Harwell, Jon Black (my peps) and a great Sampler from Tooth & Nail with over 30 songs.

Amazon
I just discovered this site yesterday. They don't have quite as good a selection of good music but they have over 200 songs available. Granted, only 10-ish interested me, they have a bunch of free Christmas music and some other hidden gems.
Highlights: Alison Krauss & Union Station (if you don't know her you should be ashamed of yourself) , Sufjan Stevens (weird fun music), the Hives (not my taste, but they are ok), Matisyahu (just another Jewish reggae rapper...seriously, this guy is great)

Grassroots Music
Some of you might be fimilar with this site. It is a great place to get good music at a good price, but you might not know about the download page. Artist like: Derek Webb, Don Chaffer (of Waterdeep), Jason Harwell, Shane & Shane, and about another 50 or so.

Free Derek Webb
This is another new find. As of Sept 1st Derek Webb is going to be opening a site with mp3's of his most recent CD, Mockingbird. If you haven't spent anytime with Derek Webb, what a sad and pitiful life you live. If you are really clueless, he is one of the guys from Caedmon's Call (p.s. For all of you guitar players out there, here is a link the greatest collection of Caedmon's Call tabs on the net).

Ok, as usually I have given of my self selflessly. You are welcome.

kirkout

One Long Day (Revised)

Hey Kids,
I hope that life is going well for you and yours. Today was the end of the beginning for our youth Fall schedule. Today we had Youth Sunday at our contemporary service. It has been what I have been gearing up for the past two weeks (and actually closer to a month of brainstorming and preping). I preached (we are working on getting the audio available for download...no am I not kidding) and felt really good about it. We had 25 first time possesions of faith, 12 exorcisms, we unbaptized 8 people, had four people leave the Methodist church, and I became Jewish. So, all in all it was a positive in the membership column! Seriously, I thought it went well. Anytime "the youth" are in charge it is always exciting but not always good.

I am back to my NCAA 07 franchise. I am currently into my first season with GSU and working my way throught the SEC West. I have a big game with Arkansas tonight and I hope to finish up the year sometime tomorrow night. I have landed a top flight recruit (#3 ranked MLB) and am working on a Right Tackle. We will see. {Update 8/29/06} I completed my season with a three game winning streak and a Music City Bowl win to end the season 8-4. I am playing on Varsity (2nd skill level of 4) and I think that effects recruiting, as I ended up with a top 12 recruiting class. My overall team rating went from a D to a C which is a huge jump. I got enough players at some key positions (you didn't ask...but MLB, CB, & Satefy) so that I could red-shirt some younger guys and begin building my dynasty. Things seem to be looking up. I also landed three transfers (all were Jr. who had already been red-shirted and thus lost a year of eligability which is stange to me) which will help the team next year (2008 season) but are glued to my bench this season. I won my first game (Hawaii they threw the ball EVERY possession...urr...) handily 37-3 and am working on re-inforcing my O-Line with the in season recruiting.

I also finished my second and final Fantasy Football Draft of the year with excellent results. Unbeknownst to me at the beginning of the draft no one in the league has ever particapated in a fan. football before. My awareness of my leagues unawareness of how Fantasy Football is played became more and more clear throughout the draft. Many of them had been in a baseball league, but it was an auction based league. By the end of the day I was explaining how we keep score, why Bye weeks matter, and why you need bench players. Just to give you an idea...here are some of the more "suprising" draft picks:
The Manning Combo: #5 Peyton Manning not unheard of...but #6 Eli Manning
DEF Run in the first 16 picks: #9 Chicago DEF followed by #16 Carolina DEF
Getting stuck with a So-So backup QB: I managed to get Marc Bulger (arguebly one of the top 3 QB's) in the 9th Round (#81) after top flight QB's like Vick (#43),Green (#61), Clupepper (#71), & Bledsoe (#78) where off the board.

So, back to work stuff. Yeah, we have implimented some changes in the youth ministry (some big some small) and we are almost done with our first month of them. So far I would give us a A- which is really quite good. Now we are going to be going downhill for a bit and I am going to get to take a breathe. One of the adjustments is going to hopefully give me less teaching responibilities on a weekly basis. While I will miss it, I am hoping it will help me provide time to get little things done (like planning trips or cleaning my office) and prepare great teachings instead of just another teaching.
Robin begins school this coming week (28th of Aug) which she is looking forward to. This Labor Weekend my family is coming to help us put up a fence around our house/shack which is going to be a good and long weekend.

kirkout

Catching Up

Hoy Hoy Bloggers,

I hope that all is well in your neck of the woods. I am just starting an "adult" blog. That is one that isn't geared toward the Trinity UMC. So, here you go. If you are reading it, I suppost you care enough to read (at least to this point).
Fantasy Football: Last Sunday night, as many of you were involved in, I was in the third or fourth Boro league I have been involved in. Again with what always feels like not quite enough prepration and too much paper I entered our league draft. I wish I could put some witty comments about it (i.e. Luke or Josh), but I am just not that funny. I feel good about my team. Damon seems to really like my squad. I would have liked to have made some more timely picks late (read: I wish I had been in front of the other owners who drafted players I wanted).

NCAA Football 07: I have also taken back up my obession with NCAA 07 on the xbox. I got it the week it came out, but after a fleeting affair with Hulk: Ultimate Destruction I am back to the pigskin. I enjoy the game but trying to get into football at the end of July is just a little too much for me. I am excited about today's release of Madden 07 but I am commiting to not pick it up until after November. I need to burn myself out on NCAA and the option before I move onto another $50 game.

Let's see...what else...OH. I can talk about things in my life that actually matter. Work (at Trinity UMC, Youth Minister, in Warner Robins in case you forgot) is going better. We are into our first month of our new Fall calendar and programs which is a relief. If you have spent anytime with me in the past few months, you know I have been pretty burned out by everything surrounding work. And if you haven't spent any time with me...too bad. But the kids seem to be responding (that means that they haven't called the pastor to complain, yet) and I know that this is what we need to be doing. Having no orginal ideas in a church for 5 years is no place to try and live (or grow).
Robin is doing well. About to begin her second year at Second Baptist Preschool and she continues to plan on working at the Vet office part time. Napoleon is going well and getting better at soccer. I haven't told him yet that we aren't going to drag our son all over God's green earth to practice and games for the next 15 years (2 1/3 dog years) just so he can awake up his senior year and say "Dad, I don't think that I am ready to play soccer this year." Oh no. I will not have that happen to me!...ok...flashback I just had a Dan Martin. Sorry.
Well, I am out. Sorry this was so long. Rookie bloggers. I actually think you care about what I have to say!

kirkout

Welcome to Blogspot Kirk

Hey World (or Friends),
I am new to blogspot. While I have had a blog for the youth (on xanga: trinityyouthnet) I am going to work on creating one for my "non-youth" friends with more info about me, my wife, and my random ramblings.
KH