Blog Entries

surfin' dem' 'nets again

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Alright, I'm back. We've been sans-internet for a little more than a week here at the house. Our beautiful child (i.e. puppy) happened to destroy our last internet device. Lovely! So, anyways, we're back in action and running with the fastest internet you can get living in the middle of nowhere-- satellite internet. But, anyways, enough of that... I will invite you back around here with this.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAg5KjnAhuU 350x300]
(ht: Ken)

It's the final countdown...

get your crazy face on

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

So, I broke out my camera the other day to document my new nasty face beard I've been working on. I joked about wanting a beard on here not too long ago and decided... why not?! Anyways, here's a shot. For the record, I don't really grow facial hair well or quickly. But, we're going to give it a shot. At least until my wife approaches me in the middle of the night with a razor blade to shave it off... yeah, she likes it that much...

So, what's your crazy face look like?

lazy photographer :: smoke

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Sadly, this isn't a new photo. I took it over a year ago, but it does make me want to set up my lightbox again...

Happy Lazy Photographer Day!

Positive Post Tuesday - Board Meeting

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Ok, so this is my first time jumping onboard the Positive Post Tuesday bandwagon. I've been wanting to join in the positivities for a while and, well, now I am...

One sad thing I struggle with is that I find myself overly critical of churches at times. I mean, it's kind of an occupational hazard for me. I have an undergraduate degree in "church", live for the Church and plan on travelling the world to see the Church expand to unreached peoples of the world. With all of this running through my mind, I often see how we are failing our communities and our people...and it is all to easy to point fingers (mostly at others, but sometimes myself).

This is why I have come to dislike board meetings at our church. I feel like we run through the motions and seldom get somewhere important by the end of the meeting. "Maybe next time" I think to myself.

" So what about those positivities" you ask?

Well, tonight we got somewhere. We discussed the future of our church and its role in impacting our communities around us. We got beyond the run-of-the-mill meeting topics and dreamed. And, honestly, I needed that. I needed to see the passion and hearts of our church leaders. It was a great reminder of the time they have given, the passion they lead with and the concern and hope they have about our church's future.

I sit here tonight proud to serve at the church I do. While we may not have it all together or all pointing in the right direction, we do have good hearts and a willingness to follow Christ. We have leaders who are willing to try something new. We have trusting leadership in our elders who truly care about our church, the Church and the lost/hurting people in our communities. I serve alongside a Senior Pastor who has devoted his entire life to this church and this community. I serve alongside an Executive Pastor who is supportive of new ideas, willing to think outside the box and has an amazing creative talent. I serve alongside a Youth Pastor that is talented in so many areas, has given hours upon hours of his time to helping our church embrace new technologies for use in worship and has an unbelievable heart for missions and helping young people travel the world for the first time in serving Christ overseas. I serve alongside an extensive team of volunteers that believe in our mission at our church and our family ministries and give of their time and money to help families experience Christ in a new way.

I also serve alongside an amazing wife who is 1,000 times better at being a children's pastor than I will ever be. A patient woman who gives sacrificially towards our ministry and is supportive in my half-baked, crazy ideas that sometimes cross my radar. She is simply the most amazing, beautiful person I have ever met.

So, yeah, it's not Thanksgiving yet, but tonight I find myself thankful for the blessings of those around me. Despite my critical attitude, God has reminded me to look at the other side of the coin.

And to those of you reading this, thanks for being a part of this small community. What's God been telling you lately?

100,000 shoes

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

I was reading about this idea over at a buddy's blog this evening. It wasn't all that long ago (just a few weeks now) that we saw young kids running down the streets of Thailand without shoes to wear. It's not that simple shoes are expensive in Thailand...but, without even a few bucks extra to spare on shoes, many go without in order to buy rice or something to drink. That's why I am happy to get involved with this in whatever way I can.

Soles4Souls has a simple mission: To impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes. Now that is something I can get behind. What a great idea!

This organization is currently looking to raise the money for 50,000 pairs of shoes in 50 days...and they are looking for your help. Just $5 will provide two pairs of shoes for kids around the globe. It's pretty simple really. Give what you can to this good cause and watch how people get to experience God's love through the gift of shoes. Please pray and give according to that which you are comfortable with....then, give more! Give sacrificially.... Give to this cause and let's allow people to experience the love of God in a new way...sometimes for the very first time.

If you can't give, help spread the word. Post it on your Facebook, MySpace, blog, send it in mass SPAM text messeages and emails... Whatever you can do, get the word out.

But seriously, just $5 is all that they ask. But, hey, skip that Big Mac, and give a few more pair of shoes... It's worth it... Sara and I have given from what we have been blessed with and please consider doing so yourself. Let's see what we can come together and provide as this blessed body...

AIWFC is a beard?

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

So what do you want for Christmas? I know, I know, it's way to early to be thinking about it, isn't it? I mean, you DO have a little over 49 days and 9 hours until IT happens.

I'll tell you what I want. I want a beard like this guy to the right. I've never had a beard. My face is still pre-pubertic meaning that I have patches of skin between my nasty reddish facial hair that does grow. But you know what? I'm gonna give it a go. I'm growing a beard.... a nasty, scraggly, wife-hated beard.

But, back to Christmas and you, what are you hoping Santa brings? A new tech gadget for you guys? A shiny, new Taylor Guitar for you musicians? A car that gets 100 miles/gallon? A Hello Kitty backpack for the kids? How about something simple for you couples? Say an evening away with your loved one? Or, for those of us who are in the middle of moving or looking for a new home, how about Santa brings a fix to this housing crisis?

So what it is? Live a little...

ready? breathe...

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

I can't deny the fact that I am glad this election race is over. It has been a brutal, divisive, and nasty race. I've had my spirit crushed, argued with friends and nearly lost my job (kidding....kind of) due to this election.

I voted on my convictions and what I felt led to do between myself, God and that voting machine. It breaks my heart today, after a great night with friends last night watching the election coverage, as I read responses on Facebook, blogs and Twitter about how the United States is going to hell in a hand basket. The saddest part is that most of these responses come from Christian friends and collegues who feel led to "speak out"... although it seems they are speaking from emotions and ignorance, which is sad.

I read today on a pastor friend's blog that he had a friend of his come into the church today to announce that he was leaving the church because my friend had voted for Obama and couldn't attend a church where the pastor voted for Obama. This breaks my heart...

I'm glad the election is over. Now, can we stop this nonesense and come together? Can we come together to pray for our next President? Please?

One of the best posts I have read today comes from Brad Ruggles. Please go and read it. It'll mean more to you than this post...

How can we come together?

Live Election '08 Updates

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

(RSS Subscribers click here)

do it...

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TGf2o4qeBo 450x350](ht: Brad Ruggles) With a few hours left on the East coast, please VOTE!

did you know?

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

While enjoying that tasty fast-food meal during your 60-minute lunch break here's what took place around God's globe:

2,738 people died from starvation342 people died from malaria76 mothers died from childbirth issues9,582 babies died from induced abortion8,898 infants and children were abandoned4,650 rural poor people migrated to cities$ 2,088,751,996 personal income was earned by church members$ 2,737,851 was given to global foreign missions (about 0.01% of church members' income)$ 2,966,005 was embezzled by trusted church leaders (nearly $250 thousand more than was given to global foreign missions)20 Christians were martyred

During that same happy 60-minute meal here's what took place in the United States:

78 people died from heart disease64 people died from cancer50 people died from tobacco use42 people died from poor diet or physical inactivity10 people died from alcohol use2 people died from illicit sexual behavior2 people died from illicit drug use(ht: Mission Maker Magazine 2009)Does that break your heart as I assume it does Christ's? My question this political season isn't all that political at all. What are you doing to help those less fortunate than you? What are you doing to help fight these facts? In what ways can we get involved?

(Really) Lazy Photographer :: Bangkok, Thailand

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Alright, alright. I know... Not much has happened here in terms of my Lazy Photographer deal lately. So sue me!

Here is a selfie of Sara and I on top of one of Southeast Asia's tallest buildings, Baiyoke Tower. We had been up there before and this during this last trip we were able to do it again one evening when we stayed in Bangkok. I wish this photo would be able to describe to you the feeling we got on top of that tower but unfortunately I'm sure it doesn't. I love my wife and would want no other person up there with me that evening...

On another note, I have full intentions of stepping up my photography game over the next few weeks. I pray it actually happens... It is a stress reliever, fun and distracting from everyday life (in a good way).

So, what about you? Are you a lazy photographer too?

our tax system in terms of beer

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0100

I came across this little ditty via Twitter this evening. It seems the analogy has been around for a while but I had never come across it. Perhaps you haven't either?

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. "Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes, so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his ‘fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so -

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28% savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

"I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!"

"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"

"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"

"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all we're exploited victims. The system exploits the poor!"

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

original source

I thought this was an interesting analogy myself. I realize this is a over-simplified example of our tax system. And, in many ways I understand why it is the way it is. And, in many other ways, I read this and say "are you kidding me?".

No matter who you are voting for next Tuesday in the election, both candidates have expressed tax reform in some manner. But, I have one question.... How can you continue to cut taxes yet, at the same time, spend more money on all the promises that both candidates have announced? Whether it be health care reform, military spending, or whatever. That is what doesn't make much sense to me...

Anyone got any insights?

jet lag? surely not...

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0100

I sit here tonight having had full intentions of getting to bed as soon as The Office was over. Yet, for the past (nearly) 4 hours I have been sitting here flipping channels on the TV and getting lost somewhere between Gmail and Facebook on the web. I know, how lame is that! Tell me about it! My wife is in bed and would love to snuggle with me (at least I hope that would be the case); yet, for the last 5 days I have yet to get to bed before 2 AM.

It's not that I don't want to go to bed. I have nothing to stay up for... It's just that my body doesn't seem to want to slow down. Somewhere around 7 PM each night I catch my second wind and up I stay until now. I'm still waking up at the normal time. But that means I am just getting less sleep... as if it were really needed?!

So here I sit. Up, at it, awake, tired but not sleepy... for night number 5. Anyone got any pointers?

iphone it up!

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Alright, I've finally done it... I broke down and spent the money on an iPhone. And, I must say, I'm not sure I will ever go back... I mean, I had a data connection in Thailand from a pre-paid cell card. Can't complain about that!

I've been a long-time lover and embracer of new technologies. Be it satellite TV, wireless internet, computers, GPS devices, game consoles, equipment, software, etc... I really think the iPhone has completely redefined cellular technology and micro-processing.

Ok, enough of that tech talk... I've quickly been learning the in's and out's of this device and all that it has to offer. I've seen how it has helped on more than a few occassions, slowly justifying the money I spent on it via Ebay.

But I want to hear from you. How many others out there are holstering an iPhone? What apps are you dependant upon? Any haters out there? Why?

we're home and i'm terrible...

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Despite my best intentions and plans, blogging from Thailand just didn't happen (as if you couldn't tell). To those of you how kept checking back in, thanks! Internet connectivity was a bit hard to come by at times and at other times it was just plain expensive...not to mention the lack of blogging mojo....

So, for that I am sorry. I truly am. We felt your love and prayers as we were there. This trip was really amazing. We had some of the best conversations with our old friends and missionaries ever. We finally felt like we could connect with them as fellow workers/will-be missionaries rather than just as their interns (as we were some three years ago).

Also, as many of you know, Sara and I have had a crazy summer as we built KidStuf from the ground up and continue to learn how to pull off this production each and every week. Our trip provided us some of the best rest/relaxation time we have ever had as a married couple (not to mention that this was our first ever vacation). We, for the first time, visit Krabi, Thailand, and spent two days just relaxing, reflecting and spending time together. To be honest, I fell in love with my wife once again.

It is sometimes tough to admitt that life, stress, work and time forces one to forget what you so loved about someone else, but that has definitely been the case for me. My wife is the best in the world...and somehow I had forgotten that... Two days in Southern Thailand with no distractions allowed me fall back (wildly) in love with my wifey... She's the best!

We finished off our trip with a couple of days running around the bustling SE Asian city of Bangkok...which finished out a wonderful trip. It's hard to explain how Thailand fills us up, excites us and provokes us... Once again, as before, we felt this overwhelming flow of love and desire for the Thai people as soon as we stepped off the plane in Bangkok. Our Thai language came back, our ability to tackle the spicy Thai food came back, and our long term plans to return to Thailand to begin a church planting mission with our denomination were clarified and drawn closer.

Thanks for joining along in this journey. Pictures and video is getting edited and uploaded now. Expect them to be revealed in the days to come...

we're here... to stay?

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0100

I kid, I kid! Well, we are here safely. We've made the flight a few times...but never does it get better. Have you ever sat in one spot for 13 hours? Only to turn around and sit still again, in the same spot, for another 7 hours? It's not fun and towards the end I feel like I am about to loose my mind.

But, hey, all is well. We are getting settled in here in Bang Saen for a few days. We had dinner with our missionary friends briefly last night and have plans for visit with them again this evening. Today's agendy: shot and edit a video of Sara and I for a brief KidStuf showcase, visit the church we were a part of some three years ago now, go explore the fruit and meat market nearby (the smell of raw fish and red meat really overwhelms your body functions), dinner with missionary friends and who knows what else.

We shot a video when we first arrived that is up on YouTube (It's lame, I know, but we were tired!)but for some reason I can't get the video to embed into this site. Hmmm... I'll see what I can do, otherwise I just link you to it...like a good little boy.

Anyways, thanks for your prayers and thoughts. We are here safely and look forward to the coming days. Thanks for being a part of it with us... Oh, and Sara blew up her hair dryer...and the outlets in our room... Well done, world traveler!

By the way, what did I miss during the debate?

doll houses?

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0100

One of the first things I noticed in Thailand was that nearly every building, business and property had a small house our in front of it. Sometimes they were even a small-scale model of the house it was in front of.

This is one of the many intriguing things for me as a newcomer to Thailand, and well, I'm gonna share the backstory....

The Spirit House can be seen at a prominent spot outside every business establishment in the country. It can be seen on a pedestal in Front of every hotel. It dresses the corner garden area of a restaurant, the Front of a bar, disco or put Spirit houses are even seen at outdoor food markets. They are built on the grounds of Buddhist temples. outside caves in the mountains, near Fishing ponds in the valleys, and occasionally in the middle of an otherwise uninhabited forest. Most importantly, however. the Thai Spirit House is built at the yard of every home.

The purpose of the Spirit House is to provide an appealing shelter for the spirits, or celestial beings, who would otherwise reside in the heavens, Find a place in large trees, or in caves, cliffs. waterfalls or other natural surroundings. According to folklore, the spirits themselves are either good or evil, but most are just finicky and mischievous, demanding respect from humans and capable of disastrous interferences if they don't get their way, The spirit of the land, for example. expects to be informed when a human intends to start a business or engage in improvements to an existing business. If the spirit is not informed, and if the human does not respectfully request permission, the spirit can indeed cause the venture to fail.

The style and construction of a spirit house may be as simple as a typical Thai-style shelter or as elaborate as a Thai palace. The exact style often depends on two Factors, which spirit the person wishes to invite and how much one can afford for the spirit house construction. Construction itself is a specialized field and only an expert Spirit House builder would be considered for proper construction. His responsibility, in addition to construction, is to be familiar with all the necessary rituals involved so that the spirit to be invited will find it an acceptable earthly abode.

The house may be permanent or temporary, made of wood, concrete or brick. At certain times the spirits are invited down only for special occasions and this is when temporary spirit houses are built. the size may vary from the very small to a large, walk-in, ground-level affair. The houses are finished with statues, small figures, or symbols of many other sorts in the center within the spirit house. In addition, there may be various animal figures, such as elephants or hones; figures of people, such as a married couple or other images; and even furniture. Outside, around the balcony that usually surrounds a spirit house, incense holders, candle sticks, and vases for flowers are placed.

Taken from Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai.com

There you have it. Honestly, they are wild to see. Some of them are crazy expensive and are really works of art. But, despite their beauty, it breaks my heart every morning when we see families praying to the spirits and burning incense to the gods hoping they bring prosperity, safety and wisdom to them and their families. Thanks for joining my Thai culture/history lesson. Check out pictures of other Spirit Houses on Flickr here. And leave your questions/comments below...

the week prior...

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0100

It would be a great understatement to say we are just excited about our coming trip to Thailand. But, this has been yet another hectic week for us that will surely last until we actually sit down in our seats on the 747 that will take us on our way.

For the first time since we started KidStuf and UpStreet, we will not be there to insure that it will run well. For the first time, it will have to sink or swim without us. Which, actually, is great because the ministry will have to float for good without us at some point as we plan our long-term return to Thailand next Summer.

So, this entire week has been crazy. We've been working on planning three weeks of KidStuf, scripting changes, board meetings, staff changes, our travel plans, cleaning the house so my sister has a clean place to stay for the 10 days we will be gone, purchase supplies for the missionaries we will be visiting, capture voice overs and edit them for this week's KidStuf, bank and pull cash for our trip and much, much more!

I feel as though I am running on emotions right now. Worrying about all that needs done before our leaving and excited about the opportunity we again have. I'd hate to say that I look forward to the 23 hour plane flight, but yeah, I guess I do. At least then we can rest...hopefully...

By the way, does anyone have any sure-fire tips for combating jet-lag from an 11 hour time change? Supposedly it takes a day for every 1 hour change in time. That means (if it is true) we should be getting accustomed to the new daytime about the time we arrive back home in Chicago. Hmm... We got a few things up our sleeves, but do you have any pointers?

Dear Thailand...Part 2

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Dear Thailand,

I can't believe that we are now less than a week from being in Thailand again... We have quite a bit planned while we are there. We are going to reconnect with old friends, colleagues and students. We are going to travel a bit in-country to see parts of you we've never seen. We are going to re-explore your foods, your culture your unwavering heat!

We look forward to speaking your language and seeing your smiles. We look forward to relaxing in your midst and seeing how the God of the universe is working in the darkest parts of Buddhism and mysticism and is changing the lives of your people. And while we only get be there for a few days this time around, we long to be a part of God's future for Thailand.

Brook and Sara

Dear Readers,

Thanks for sticking with us these past few months. I realize via my stat tracker that I have lost nearly half of you over the last several months. And if that's you, thanks for coming back. To the rest of you, thanks for sticking around. We hope you will continue to support my wife and I in our endeavor of returning to Thailand and the future that we have there. We look forward to sharing our lives with you in a very special way.

And, if you are interested in getting a FREE gift from Thailand, we'd love to share a bit of the Thai culture with you. I'm being serious here, if you want a little souvenir from Thailand, leave me a comment below. We'd love to bring you something back. All you gotta do is let me know your interest below!

Peace...

blogs, vacation and life

brook.sarver@gmail.com — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Over the course of the past few months I've managed to lose nearly half of my readers here at two10eleven. It's because I have been crazy busy and have put efforts towards things other than this blog. If you are one of the few left around here, thank you. I really appreciate it.

Today was one of those "God days" for me. As I sat in our Executive Pastor's office talking about the next month's plans, I realized something once again. For the past few months, every thing I have done at the church has been under my own ability...my own talents...my own time...and my own will. Seldom have I truly turned to rely on God to help me.

I now find myself tired, burnt out, pissed, lazy and short with people. I can't deny the fact that God has been molding me the past few years and prepping Sara and I for Thailand. But, I don't believe He ever wanted us to do this alone. So, back to God I squirm... repentant, sorry, ashamed and tired.

God have mercy on us...

One another note, Sara and I are now less than two weeks away from our trip to Thailand...and, honestly, I feel like we need it more than ever. This past weekend we had the opportunity to talk with perspective missionaries at our denomination about the challenges, blessings and craziness of missionary work. And, despite the stress of not having the weekend to last-minute prep for KidStuf, it was sooo refreshing. We can't deny the fact that God has built us for missions work, for traveling and for sharing our hearts with other people...

We so look forward to getting away for a few weeks. We look forward to once again experiencing the land that we love. I look forward to getting to know my wife once again...

It's been crazy lately... But God is at work... Probably as much on us as He is through us... But, hey, I'll take it...