robshep.com

Monica's Birthday

2009-11-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

30 years ago today my wife was born. I can't tell you how thankful I am to have her in my life. Without a doubt every day is happy birthday to me because of her.

I love you Monica!

Movie Review: This Is It

2009-11-13T14:20:00.003-05:00

"This Is It" is the documentary about the prep for Michael Jackson's last concert tour. As you probably know Michael never got to preform that concert so all the footage is of rehearsals for the show.

"This Is It" is a great film. Maybe it's because MJ's music is so timeless but the film is very enjoyable. At times you can tell MJ is going through the motions but even at 50 years old it is evident that he is a stellar performer. The sets for the concert are mind blowing, the dancers move effortlessly, and the concert shows why MJ was one of the greatest entertainers ever.

I probably won't own this on DVD but it's such a great theater experience I have to give it two thumbs up.

Rob's Rating System: Two Thumbs up = I loved it, worth paying full price, and I will own it on DVD.
One Thumb up = An OK movie, worth a matinee showing, and I may buy it on DVD if I see it in the $5 bin.
Thumb to the side = Wait and rent it. I wouldn't be mad if someone gave me this DVD, but I wouldn't buy it.
Thumbs down = I hated it, wish I wouldn't have wasted money on it, wouldn't own it on DVD

Catchphrase

2009-11-13T07:52:00.003-05:00

Catchphrase: "A phrase that is recognized by it's repeated utterance and often becomes apart of culture."I don't know about you but I like to know where phrases that people say come from.

Today's catchphrase: "Sorry Charlie."

Origin of Sorry Charlie - according to Wikipedia "Sorry Charlie" comes from a popular tuna commercial that played up until 1985. It was said by Charlie the Tuna after he would escape the fisherman's hook.

Student Group

2009-11-12T08:02:00.005-05:00

Every Wednesday night 8-12 junior and senior guys come to my house for Student Community Group. We hang out, laugh, play the Wii, eat snack, and talk about God. It's a big part of my life and I think it's a big part of theirs as well. One of the students needed some pics for their school yearbook. After taking some I thought I share them with the rest of the world. Enjoy.

Rob's Observatory

2009-11-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Rob's Observatory: A place where Rob observes the world around him.

Observation: I take a men's vitamin called One A Day (Pictured Below).

While taking this vitamin I noticed that it was sponsored by Major League Baseball. I don't know if I was a vitamin or supplement company if I would want to be sponsored by a league that is so known for their use of steroids. Come to think of it I do feel a little stronger since taking One A Day. Maybe it is a good thing for them to partner with the MLB.

Mind Dump

2009-11-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

My brain feels constipated with thoughts. The following is a brain dump of all the random stuff going on in my head.

I can't believe it's November. I love this time of year.
My wife's birthday is this Sunday. She leaves her 20's. I can't wait to celebrate with her this weekend.
We got a new heater for our house. It's been 70 some degrees ever since we got it. It's November...time to get cold. I just want to try this bad boy out!
Next Monday the programming staff at WEC is going to a conference called Catalyst One Day. We are leaving on Sunday after church and we are taking the party bus. Good times.
The Lakers are playing pretty well. Even with two starters injured.
Speaking of Lakers...I watched the Klomar wedding. That's Lamar Odom and Kloe Kardashian. Apparently they got matching tattoos with their names on it. Too Soon! Wait until you've been married for 5 years before you ink yourself.
I feel kind of mean writing that last dump. They both did look happy. I hope they both have a long life together.
I love the Amazing Race. It's one of my favorite shows on TV.
Speaking of favorite shows I also really enjoy Flash Forward. Great new show.
I feel like TV is back. There are a lot of great shows on TV right now. What's your favorite?
Switchfoot has a new album drops on November 10. That's today!

Whew...I feel better now.

The Car Accident

2009-11-09T08:12:00.002-05:00

This past weekend I saw a car accident. What happened after this accident sets it apart from all other car accidents. It was weird.

I'm turning left and a car pulls up beside me to turn right. I'm patiently waiting when all of the sudden a car comes crashing into the car next to me. The driver hit the other car hard enough to move them up a few feet. The car also dented in the back side of the car it hit.

Now I never know what to do when I see an accident. I think I'm supposed to stick around and be an eye witness. My brother was with me and I asked him what he thought we should do. Before he could answer I noticed the driver who hit the other car was smiling like he just heard a good joke.

The driver in front of him then pulls over to the side of the road. At this point I was thinking they were going to get out of their cars and talk about what just happened. While still smiling the driver who hit the car pulls out and starts driving like he's not going pull over to the side of the road. The car who was hit then quickly pulls out in front of him and they both drive on their merry way. It was weird. The weirdest part though was the smile the guy had. Maybe that smile scared the other driver away and that's why he didn't stop. Do you have any theories?

Big News Today

2009-11-07T09:21:00.002-05:00

Today I find out the gender of my lil bro and my sis in-laws baby. This is exciting stuff for us. We are meeting at IHOP to hear the big news. Very exciting stuff.

Japanese Products

2009-11-05T07:21:00.002-05:00

America needs to get on the ball. The following are Japanese products and they are ha-lariously awesome.

Ruin Me

2009-11-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

I love my life. Right now there is a low level of drama and a high level of fulfillment. One of the last things I want to do is ask God to ruin me.

I recently read a book by Craig Groeschel called "It." It has nothing to do with the scary clown in Stephen King's fictional novel. It has everything to do with having God radically move in your life. Some pastors and churches just have it and some don't.

I was really connecting with the book until he said, "Whenever I meet someone who has it - a heart abandoned for Christ - I'm meeting ruined people. I'm not talking about a destructive ruin. Sin destroys and ruins. Burnout can destroy and ruin. Anger can destroy and ruin. I'm referring to the work of a loving God who breaks us and ruins us for his glory."

I'm scarred to ask God to ruin me. I know in the end it will be a good thing but it sure does sound painful. I want God to move in my life. I want to have it. I prayed to have God ruin me. We'll see what happens.

Rob's Observatory

2009-11-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Rob's Observatory: A place where Rob observes the world around him.

Observation: Sketchy people don't know they look sketchy. If they did they wouldn't look sketchy any more.

Pic of the week

2009-11-02T07:42:00.002-05:00

My wife and I were pulling into the grocery store to park and in the car next to us was...

After leaving the grocery store we noticed what the dog was doing with his teeth and he made us laugh. Monica, my wife, suggested we take a picture. She took the picture as I got the car ready to drive away fast in case the owner woke up. She also suggested that I post it on my blog. I hope this pic makes you smile like it made us. Enjoy.

Halloween

2009-10-31T11:05:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween.

I didn't really grow going trick or treating. I think I may have gone once. Each year though we did our own traditions. I remember for a while my mom made a pinata that we would tear up to get our candy. In my later kid years we went to fall festivals at our church. It was never that big of a deal to me.

I married a daughter of a Haunted House owner and operator. Halloween has always been a big deal to Monica. Scary movies, haunted houses, and candy are now a part of my life come October.

To celebrate this October we went to a party to carve pumpkins, visited The Haunted Swamp (Monica's dad's new haunted adventure), and for Halloween, well...I'm working on a talk for church tomorrow. Monica may pass out candy or hang out with friends. In other words we are not doing anything tonight for Halloween. What are your plans for Halloween? Do you celebrate it or have a tradition all your own?

Rob's Observatory

2009-10-29T07:31:00.002-04:00

Rob's Observatory: A place where Rob observes the world around him.

Observation: A common phrase given to nervous public speakers is to picture your audience in their underwear or naked. I'm not sure why that would help make a person less nervous. In fact if the audience pictured the speaker in their underwear or naked it would actually make them nervous. Spouses excluded, I think it's hard to respect what someone says if they are in their underwear or naked.

Pastor Appreciation Month

2009-10-28T07:30:00.003-04:00

When you think of October what holiday do you think of? If I were a betting man I'd bet it's not Pastor Appreciation Day. Oct. 18 was Pastor Appreciation Day, but I've read some things that declare the whole month of October as Pastor Appreciation Month. I'm not sure why, Hallmark or whoever else declares holidays, picked October but they did.

This past Monday WEC celebrated Pastor Appreciation Day by sending in cards to our Lead Pastor Stu Hodges. Over 120 cards were given to Stu. Being one of the Pastors I also benefited from some very encouraging cards and a couple of gifts. I'm thankful that WEC appreciates their pastors. Being a pastor can be lonely, draining, stressful, and can weigh a person down with the the problems at the church. Hopefully pastors don't do what they do for recognition but it's nice to know people care. Thanks WEC!

Make it Rain

2009-10-27T11:43:00.003-04:00

This past Sunday at WEC we made it rain on Phil Poteat (Worship Programming Manager). It was a part of a song/video that celebrated a 100 + people getting baptized two weeks ago during a spontaneous baptism. The video is sick. Check it out below...

"Rain Down" at Waters Edge Church from Waters Edge Church on Vimeo.

Mind Dump

2009-10-26T07:54:00.002-04:00

My brain feels constipated with thoughts. The following is a brain dump of all the random stuff going on in my head.

Yesterday at WEC was sick. We made it rain on Phil Poteat while he sang Rain Down by By the Tree. The song was intertwined with video clips from last weeks spontaneous (122 people) baptism. It was one of my favorite services ever at WEC.
My wife and I bought a new heating unit for our house. We've lived here 4 years and each year we have awful results from our heat. It shuts off for no apparent reason. I'm going to be thankful to have a warm house this winter.
I've been gaining weight lately. I went to the gym 5 times last week and I gained two pounds. I also ate out almost every lunch last week and one breakfast due to meetings. Imagine what I would have gained if I didn't work out five times.
I think I may buy the Shake Weight. Just joking. I did see an infomerical for it right as I started blogging and it made me laugh.
The Shake Weight infomercial was followed up by an infomercial for an ab machine. I flipped channels and the Total Gym sponsored by Chuck Norris was on. I think God might be trying to get my attention and he's using Chuck Norris to do it.
Speaking of Chuck Norris...did you know that Chuck Norris gargles antifreeze? Did you know that if you stare at the American flag long enough, a 3D image of Chuck Norris pops up. Chuck Norris beard conquered Poland three times. And finally Chuck Norris can speak Braille.
Speaking of weight gain...have you ever noticed how on the news when they talk about obesity they show the fatest person they can find walking down a street? It's always a picture of someone's butt. Do they have to get permission from the person to show that footage? If so, that would be an awkward conversation.
I like the song Fireflies by Owl City. I don't have a fat clue what the point of the song is but it's catchy.
The NBA season starts Tuesday! I'm amped.
My wife is awesome! She surprised me with tickets to see the Lakers play the Sixers in January. It's my goal to see the Lakers play in every NBA arena before I die.
This Sunday I'm speaking at WEC. I'm not going to lie...I'm a little nervous following up the last 2 weeks at WEC. INCREDIBLE! Good thing it's not a competition. I also find peace in remembering that it's not about me.
Tomorrow night I'm going to a dessert thingy for Young Life. I don't know what to call it. They are serving dessert...thus a dessert thingy. I love Young Life. Monica met Jesus through going to Young Life. They will always be special to me because of that.

Whew...I feel much better now.

Movie Review - Where the Wild Things Are

2009-10-23T09:45:00.005-04:00

"Where the Wild Things Are" is a classic children's book turned into a major motion picture. I actually never read the book as a kid. I was introduced to it by my wife in our first year of marriage. It is one of her favorite children's books.

Here's the thing...the book only consists of ten sentences. With that being said the movie takes a lot of liberties to stretch ten sentences into a two hour movie. Even though there are a lot of liberties taken I think if you are a fan of the book you will like this movie.

The movie is funny, charming, entertaining, and WEIRD. My wife and I both enjoyed it but we left saying how weird it was. I also don't think it's a great children's film. It could be scary for kids under the age of 10.

"Where the Wild Things Are" is rated PG for a few swears and a lot of angry growling/screaming. I give it one thumb up.

Rob's Rating System: Two Thumbs up = I loved it, worth paying full price, and I will own it on DVD.

One Thumb up = An OK movie, worth a matinee showing, and I may buy it on DVD if I see it in the $5 bin.

Thumb to the side = Wait and rent it. I wouldn't be mad if someone gave me this DVD, but I wouldn't buy it.

Thumbs down = I hated it, wish I wouldn't have wasted money on it, wouldn't own it on DVD

Easy things that are hard for me to remember

2009-10-22T07:21:00.002-04:00

I feel like I'm a pretty smart guy. I'm not a genius but I'm smarter than the average bear (or at least on par with the average). Yet there are some simple things that I know but I have to think twice about.

For example...

My zip code. It's 23692, but my work is 23693...I have to think twice before I say my zip.
The times that our services start at WEC. 8:20, 9:45, 11:10, and 6:00 PM.
I do struggle with grammar. One thing that I know but I often jack up are your and you're.
Making Kool Aid. It's easy. There's only three steps. Yet every time I make it I read the instructions just to make sure I don't jack it up.
East and West. I know it but I have to think about which way is which.
Street names. I give directions by places and landmarks.
Where my address goes on a letter. I know it goes on the top left, but I have to think twice to make sure I don't write it in the center of the envelope.
The numbers on the Lakers jerseys. I know them but I have to think twice about them.
I often print something off at the end of the day at work and then forget to get it. I'll drive a minute down the road and realize it's still sitting on the printer.

What are some simple things that you have to think twice about? Come on don't be shy. Is it which hand is your left or your right, your spouses birthday, your home phone number, or something else?

It's Dangerous to Compare

2009-10-21T11:08:00.003-04:00

Comparing doesn't do you a lot of good. There's two sides to the comparing coin. On the one side it makes you feel better about your status. For example...there is always someone fatter, lazier, stupider, balder, or poorer then you. If you want a quick boost to your self esteem at the expense of others just hang out with someone worse off than you.

The other side of the comparing coin makes you feel worse about your status. There is always someone thinner, harder working, smarter, with a better head of hair, or with more money. If you want to feel bad about yourself compare yourself to someone better than you.

The problem with comparisons is it makes us miss out on who God designed us to be. We aren't designed to be like others. We are designed to be unique. Instead of comparing celebrate others differences. Encourage someone who is better than you by telling them what you appreciate about them. Instead of comparing to what other have or don't have focus on being the best at what you do...being you!

Rob's Observatory

2009-10-20T07:19:00.003-04:00

Rob's Observatory: A place where Rob observes the world around him.

Observation: After going to the gym today I came to the conclusion that some people shouldn't wear spandex. In fact people who can get away with wearing spandex should not wear it just because someone who shouldn't wear it might think they can pull it off as well. I'll go one step further...I think spandex should be banned in all major states.

Sunday at WEC

2009-10-19T08:01:00.003-04:00

Sunday at Waters Edge Church was amazing! The day was simple. No gimmicks. It started with one worship song. Then Lead Pastor, Stu Hodges, gave a simple and clear message. Stu challenged everyone to ask if Jesus was Lord and Christ of their life. His talk was from the book of Acts where in one day 3,000 people became Christ Followers and then were baptized. Stu ended the talk by challenging everyone who asked God to be Lord and Christ of their life to get baptized on the spot. We had everything taken care of so no one could have an excuse. We had two heated tents for changing rooms (one for guys and one for girls). We had shirts, shorts, underwear, sports bras, hair ties, brushes, and towels. We also had a photographer take pictures and we videoed it so we can put it online. That way people can show their family and friends.

On Sunday a bunch of people asked Jesus to become Lord and Christ of their life. It was too many to count. Right afterward 132 people were baptized on the spot. It was an amazing day! Here are some pics from the service my wife went to.

Picture Week: Haunted Swamp

2009-10-16T08:18:00.003-04:00

My camera (actually my wife's camera) is full of pictures. So this week is picture week at robshep.com. Enjoy.

Located in Gloucester VA (about 2 miles once you cross the bridge) is the Haunted Swamp. My father in law opened it and it's a great adventure. If you don't have plans (and live in the 757) it's open through Halloween.

Picture Week: Naked Snake

2009-10-15T07:28:00.003-04:00

My camera (actually my wife's camera) is full of pictures. So this week is picture week at robshep.com. Enjoy.

If you are new to robshep.com then you may not know that snakes live in my front yard. Last summer we had a snake that scared my wife multiple times. I even scared the snake one time causing him to poo himself. Read about that here.

Now we have a new snake and he is taunting us. He was near my front door a few weeks ago. I ran into my house to get a weapon of mass destruction...i.e. a shovel. He was too quick for me and he got away. This past week he shed his skin in our front lawn. He is taunting us. He let us know that he is still around. To make matters worse he is now naked. Sorry animal lovers but if I ever see him I'm going to try to kill that naked snake.

Picture Week: The Office Party

2009-10-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

My camera (actually my wife's camera) is full of pictures. So this week is picture week at robshep.com. Enjoy.

Last Thursday the TV show The Office celebrated a wedding. Jim and Pam got married. What better way to celebrate this great moment in TV history then with a Office party. Last Thursday my wife, Monica, hosted a party...here's the catch...everyone had to wear a bridesmaids dress. My wife is so creative and funny.