http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog Join Cliff and his friends as they share Tales From The Yellow Brick Road Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:20:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Hey guys I'm working on a short story and would love your feedback or suggestions. I'm going to publish this in various parts so feel free to contribute regularly. ____________________________________________________________ As Victor stepped back from the cold, lifeless body of his uncle, he holstered his weapon and looked around. The gunshot had ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/12/02/hairpin-curve-part-1/ There a few new posts on my Mom's Website that have been posted over the past few weeks. Go check it out and keep us in prayer as the holidays approach. DeborahAmes.org http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/11/17/coping-with-the-holidays/ [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtREqAmLsoA[/youtube] http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/10/30/american-stories-american-solutions/ For the past few weeks as the election gets closer I have found myself defending my decision to vote for Senator Barack Obama. This is probably the first time I have ever defended a Presidential Candidate with logical arguments, personal experience and a sense of urgency to defeat the alternative ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/10/27/you-took-the-words-right-out-of-my-blog/ I don't think they've gone far enough... :-D http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/10/19/has-snl-gone-too-far/ I think I can honestly say we should sing the following song... "Some to Jesus I surrender Some to Him I sort of give I will sometimes love and trust Him In His presence sometimes live I surrender some I surrender some Some to You my blessed Savior I surrender some" Surrendering all to Jesus just hasn't been difficult ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/10/13/i-surrender-some/ Big Announcement #3: I Am Looking For A New Home Church After 16 years at the same church, God has made it abundantly clear that it is time for me to move on to a new church. I have spent over half my life at that church and didn't quite imagine ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/09/20/big-announcement-3/ For the past 7 years September 11th has been a day that has caused many to pause and ponder the fragility of human life. As a nation we have never experienced grief of this magnitude since Pearl Harbor so many decades ago, still fresh in the minds of another generation. ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/09/11/thoughts-on-grief-for-911/ I heard a story once that when Vince Lombardi first took over the Green Bay Packers he faced some real challenges. Legend has it that one day, out of frustration for their poor performance, he stopped practice and had all the players gather around him and a football. He is ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/09/08/back-to-the-basics/ Here are a few of my favorite movie moments (in no particular order)... what are yours? 1. "Elizabethtown" - The phone conversation between Will (Orlando Bloom) and Claire (Kirsten Dunst) while they each go about their lives and talk for hours on end. When they meet in person, they realize the ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/08/25/favorite-movie-moments/ Big Announcement #2: I Will Not Be Returning To The Master's College Okay so maybe I lulled you into a false sense of security when I made my first announcement but to be fair I did warn you a while back. So yeah, this is a BIG announcement and I am going ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/08/11/big-announcement-2/ Here are 10 movies I want to see before the end of the year (in no particular order): Vantage Point 88 Minutes The Dark Night Juno Swing Vote Zodiac Live Free Or Die Hard The Kite Runner There Will Be Blood "12" Have you seen any of these? If you have, leave a comment and let me know what you thought ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/08/09/2008-movie-list/ Big Announcement #1: This Will No Longer Be An Online Journal About Me As someone who has been blogging and podcasting for three years it's really easy to think that because you’ve lasted this long, your blog is the best blog in the world, especially if you don't read a lot ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/08/04/big-announcement-1/ Sunday Coffee Bean with the sister before church near Del Amo Blvd & Hawthorne Blvd # Checking out Life Covenant... in Torrance, CA # Monday I am officially annoyed that it takes so freaking long for iTunes to backup my iPhone!!!! # A quick Starbucks before work... near Bluebell Ave & Erwin St # Tuesday Back home ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/08/03/twitter-updates-for-the-week-of-july-27th-2008/ That's right folks I've got some stuff that I need to sell and I wanted to enlist your help. The following items are for sale on Craigslist and I need your help selling them. If you or someone you know are looking for these items let me know and I ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/08/01/blowout-sale-spectacular/ I just wanted to let you all know that I will be making a few announcements here on the blog over the next few weeks. Most of the announcements have to do with some major changes in my life that will definitely affect this blog, its content as well as ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/07/29/a-few-announcements/ Sunday About to see "The Taming of the Shrew" near Los Angeles Cathedral # Thought the play was "okay" in a good way... # Monday Getting ready to testify in court... in Compton, CA # Lunch with Dad! in Compton, CA # Nap time... # Laying plans for a great escape near Los Angeles Intl # Tuesday Hanging with ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/07/27/twitter-updates-for-the-week-of-july-20th-2008/ Okay so the new WordPress for iPhone application became available in the App Store today. I am now testing it out. This is a test to see how long it takes me to type something accurately. About 44 seconds. This ends the test of the WordPress for iPhone application. This was only a test. http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/07/21/my-first-iphone-blog/ Sunday Taking a Sabbath... # Monday How is it volunteering if you've been court ordered? # Mmmmmmmmm... Lunch time! near Steve's Charburger # Holy cow what a mess! near Indymac bank In Torrance # Tuesday Missing Mom a lot tonight... # Shopping with the sister! near Artesia Blvd & Western Ave # Shaken Ice Tea Lemonade near Starbucks # Costco ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/07/20/twitter-updates-for-the-week-of-july-13th-2008/ Tell me if the following scenario sounds familiar: Over 100 people are standing outside a bank, hoping they can get their money back. The bank had failed and now people were left wondering if everything they had worked so hard to earn and put away for a "rainy day" would now ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/07/14/the-indymac-failure-stories-from-2008-or-1929/ Sunday None Monday None Tuesday Running errands with my sister... # Working on an e-commerce site... # Reflecting on Psalm 34... # Had some great Turkey Tacos... # Wednesday Meetings meetings meetings... # Hunting for food... # Thursday Hanging out with Tyler... # Friday Hanging with Ryan... # In the mall with Tyler and Leanne... I am SOO the third wheel! # We survived the mall... Barely... ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/07/13/twitter-updates-for-the-week-of-july-6th-2008/ Here's passage I'm reflecting on in light of all the events of the past month... Psalm 34 1I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/07/08/psalm-34/ Sunday Feeling like a short road trip... # Monday Heading over to Fuse... # Tuesday - Saturday None http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/07/06/twitter-updates-for-the-week-of-june-29th-2008/ Right now I am having a hard time trusting God with my life here on earth. You see for the past 8 months my faith has been on what could best be described as a roller coaster with no seat belts. I have been facing trials and hardships so evil ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/07/01/thoughts-on-trusting-god-and-finding-the-faith-to-do-so/ Sunday Enjoying all of Mom's favorite hymns at church this morning... # Enjoying the company of Marcus... # Monday None Tuesday None Wednesday Resting up... # Thursday None Friday Saying our final goodbyes to Mom in Riverside... # Saturday Watching Frasier and winding down after a long week... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/29/twitter-updates-from-the-week-of-june-22nd-2008/ Sunday Taking the night shift tonight as Mom's nurse... # Gonna hang out with sister before she takes the night shift... # Lovin the new Mint Mocha Frapp from Starbucks! # Giving up for the day... # Monday Getting ready for a long day... # Going to take a family picture in the park... # Looks like I'll ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/22/twitter-updates-for-the-week-of-june-15th-2008/ Here are a few links to places where you can sign an online guestbook for my Mom. The Daily Breeze LA Funeral http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/21/online-guestbooks/ The Memorial Service for my Mom will be on Tuesday June 24th, 2008 at 11:00am. A light lunch reception will immediately follow the service. The service and reception will be held at: Journey Of Faith Church 1243 Artesia Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 [googleMap name="Journey Of Faith Church" width="450" height="300"]1243 Artesia Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/20/memorial-service/ Dear Freinds- Mom went home to be with Jesus at 6:15pm on June 18th, 2008. Her family was at her side as Jesus ushered into His loving arms. http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/18/deborah-ames-november-23-1955-june-18th-2008/ You were probably wondering when I'd get around to posting my thoughts on the recent unexpected turn of events in my Mom's condition. I guess 3:42am is the perfect time... Right now Mom is sleeping and I am on night watch making sure she takes her medication and is able to stay ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/18/a-new-perspective-on-life-and-death/ Please visit my Mom's blog for an important update on her condition as well as a few prayer requests. DeborahAmes.org http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/16/an-unexpected-turn/ Sunday Going to a Dodgers game! Thanks Shallyn Coco # Got seats behind first base! # 7th inning stretch! # We lost 3 to 1 :-( # Monday Watching the WWDC keynote... # Tuesday Woke up with a stress headache hangover from yesterdays events... # Watching old episodes of Whose Line Is It Anyways... # Wednesday Another day of Doctors appointments ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/16/twitter-updates-for-the-week-of-june-8th-2008/ Sunday Nothing... Monday Wow... what a cool time at 3rd Street in Santa Monica... Good friends and great street talent... What more could you ask for? # It's gonna be a long day... # Double burger at Denny's... mmmmmmmm... # Whew! Bank, Post Office, Office Depot, Albertson's! Time for a quick nap before Mom's Doctor's appointment... ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/08/twitter-updates-for-the-week-of-june-1st-2008/ Dear Thug(s)- Hope you're not offended by the word Thug but then again you committed a crime and broke into my car so I don't really care if you are offended or not. Oh yeah and... YOU FORGOT THE RADIO MORON! Something tells me that you're not too bright. Perhaps you should ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/05/an-open-letter-to-the-thugs-that-broke-into-my-car/ Alright party people! Here is the final version of that Music Video I told you about where I was the Director of Photography. Thanks to my friend Cesar, who trusted me with the camera and with this project. Enjoy! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or0jZ2x6aOc[/youtube] http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/05/paper-box/ The creative geniuses at Sabayenda sent me a link to a radically cool website yesterday. This is one of the cleverest uses of a website I have ever seen... It does take a minute to load and begin, but once it does it'll do all the work for you! Online Goldberg Machine http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/03/online-goldberg-machine/ Normally I like to wait for the official story and direct quote from the source, but I wanted to blog about this while it was still fresh in my mind. Some of you may have heard that Barak Obama "resigned" from his church this weekend. In the circles I run ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/02/why-obama-finally-left-his-church/ Sunday Thanks for the amazing dinner Barbrah and Dave Kushner! # Got a good house sitting job! # Monday Might be catching up on episodes of Lost in preparation for the season finale... # Enjoying a nice informal get together with some friends... # I am full from great food fun and fellowship... # Wednesday Taking Mom to ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/06/02/twitter-updates-for-the-week-of-may-25th-2008/ I've posted an update on my Mom's website: DeborahAmes.org http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/28/put-on-wait/ Is wondering why more people aren't visiting Sabayenda and buying lots of T-Shirts... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/24/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-24/ Please visit my Mom's Blog for an update on her condition as well as some prayer requests. DeborahAmes.org http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/24/a-long-overdue-update/ Back at school to see some freinds and do some work... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/22/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-22/ Every once in a while a friend of mine blows me away with their talent. In this case, my friend has used his talents to build a T-Shirt store that will blow you away with it's innovative designs, it's witty salesmanship and an overall look that soars to new heights ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/22/if-practice-makes-perfect-then-perfect-makes/ Today just hasn't been a twitteriffic day... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/20/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-20/ CBTL then Dr appointment with Mom... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/19/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-19/ I have so much I want to blog about right now but I have to pick the topics carefully. There is a lot going on and each topic is pretty serious. I regret that I am unable to speak freely about one particular trial that is front and center in ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/19/blogguraly-frustrated/ It's a hot lazy Sunday! # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/18/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-18/ I need to blog more... # Why do I like Burbank and Glendale so much? # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/17/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-17/ Writing at CBTL... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/15/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-15/ I had two very different shopping experiences this week. The first shopping experience was at a mainstream, normal grocery store called Albertsons. Back when I was a kid it use to be called Lucky's. Anyway, the first thing that I like about Albertson's is that they have hand wipes at the front ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/15/ahh-the-joys-of-grocery-shopping/ I forgot to twitter... # Grocery shopping with Mom! # St. Arbucks with an OLD friend... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/13/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-13/ Miss Saigon was pretty good... # Waiting at Black Angus... Apparently making a reservation for 5:30pm really means sometime after 6pm... # Finally seated... Sydney is our waiter... # Ahhhh NewCastle... How I have missed your taste! # My Mom just took a sip of my beer... I may faint... # Mmmm Buffalo wings... # So ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/12/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-12/ Got some work to do! # Getting ready to see Miss Saigon in Redondo... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/11/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-11/ The gates for graduation have opened! # Off and running with Majesty rockin' the house... # Congrats Tyler! # Congrats Shaina! # Congrats Ellie! # Congrats Katie! # Congrats Jillian! # Congrats Carley! # Congrats Homoquist! # Congrats Armand! # Congrats Cameron! # Congrats Micah! # Congrats Ryan! # Congrats Juan! # Congrats Jared! # Congrats Matt! # Congrats Daniel! # Congrats Caleb! # Congrats Seth! # CONGRATS SAM!! ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/10/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-10/ [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXS0nEOx_20[/youtube] http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/10/i-wish-i-was-taylor/ Making dinner for the family... To bad I am missing out... Or am I? # Setting up for graduation... Can't wait to be here as a graduate in 2 more years... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/09/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-09/ Went for a walk in the park... No I was not barefoot... # Lunch at Islands! How I have missed their Ceasar Salad! # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/08/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-08/ Got a taste of a new coffee at Starbucks... # Exiled to the Library contmplating the rest of everything... # Sorry the twitters are wrong on the blog... # Going to bed so I can get up in 3 hours or so... # The semester is officially over... # Remembering Alese Coco... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/07/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-07/ Today I am flooded with all kinds of emotions. I finished my last final this morning around 8:30am. Instead of celebrating with my friends, I packed most of my stuff in my car and drove 50 miles south to Green Hills Cemetery to be with the friends and family of my ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/07/fight-2-win/ Its just another late night at Starbex... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/06/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-06/ One final down... One to go... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/05/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-05/ Here are two projects I did this semester. The first is an editing project. The second is a short film I did for one of my comedy calsses. Dravn Training [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2D_diqsRPI[/youtube] ----- A Day On The Lake [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GJGlf02jZw[/youtube] http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/03/show-and-tell/ Today at 12:40pm I was officially finished with my last class at TMC for a while. What a semester this has been. Filled with a lot of unknowns and a lot of curve balls. In fact, this whole entire year has been about adaptation and the art of learning how ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/02/tmc-journal-spring-08-part-7-the-final-class/ It's the final count down! # Having dinner with the family... At Norms! # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/01/twitter-updates-for-2008-05-01/ [ht: los] http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/05/01/this-made-me-smile/ Twitter and Wordpress are fighting... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/29/twitter-updates-for-2008-04-29/ Exiled to Starbex # This morning it paid to get pissed... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/28/twitter-updates-for-2008-04-28/ Had some great food and some great laughs at the Comm Dept party tonight... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/27/twitter-updates-for-2008-04-27/ women's chamber choir was awesome! # Announcing for the final home baseball game of the season at TMC # Saw John MacArthur throw out the first pitch for the final home baseball game at TMC... # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/26/twitter-updates-for-2008-04-26/ I heard the Women's Chamber Choir here at TMC sing this awesome song tonight. It was a great reminder of some things that I need to be focused on right now. Here is a link to a recording* that was done for the TV Show "Life" on NBC. It only has ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/26/sweet-hour-of-prayer/ Rejoicing that the toughest and saddest day in my life so far is over... # Outlining NT Outlines... # Free Starbucks 2 days in a row!! # http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/25/twitter-updates-for-2008-04-25/ Today was probably the hardest day of my life so far. Unfortunatly I now know that there will be a few more to come in the near future. Today I fought in a battle. It was not just a physical battle but it was an emotional and spiritual battle ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/24/the-battle-for-helms-deep-is-over-the-battle-for-middle-earth-is-about-to-begin/ Watch this clip... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1zPNF-Z9I[/youtube] Now watch this follow up... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL-LU0pxBhU&eurl[/youtube] I personally know a lot of churches that would not have this type of response if their stuff got stolen. A church with millions of dollars in assets, a large congregation, a large staff and nice piece of property probably wouldn't take the approach ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/22/theyve-got-it-right/ Wow this year has gone by quick! There are about 20 days left until this semester is officially over. Of course, this time of year the weather is nicer and folks are anxious to be free from the burden of reading, papers and projects. For me personally this semester has ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/17/tmc-journal-spring-08-part-6-the-home-stretch/ The website is officially off and running. We have a few posts on their from all of us in the family and we'll be posting a medical update as soon as we can. Please be patient as we continue to expand and add new features. http://deborahames.org http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/11/i-can-do-all-things/ There was nothing that was going to bring me out from underneath that desk. The teacher had made it clear that she would not listen nor would she be reasonable. My request was not that outrageous, I simply wanted to help the other kids in the class with the assignment. ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/04/05/sovereign-coincidence-part-2a-the-creature/ Okay so I don't think being at TMC is a rat race, but I do think that there is a certain feeling you get when, after a break, like Spring Break, which was las week, you realize that you are going back to the same dorm, the same room, the ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/03/26/tmc-journal-spring-08-part-5-back-to-the-rat-race/ In the next few days I am going to be launching my Mom's website. I am very excited about it and can't wait to share it with you all. It's based on the verse she holds most dear. 13I can do all things through HIM who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13 http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/03/18/launching-soon/ Today I'm on set all day doing green-screen work. I'm the DP for this project which is super cool and a whole lot of fun. This project is a product of our Video Production 2 class however I am not the director. Last semester we each were the director for ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/03/13/tmc-journal-spring-08-part-4-on-set/ AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I have a huge test today, a huge quiz Wednesday and all for the same class! I've been studying non-stop for 2 days after the teacher put the fear of the Lord in us on Friday with his warning. I also have a paper I'm working on that is past due ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/03/10/tmc-journal-spring-09-part-3-mid-term-madness/ I got together with some of my closest friends this weekend to celebrate my 28th Birthday that happened on Monday. Another year has passed and it would be easy for me to share with you a long list of things that have changed. Some of those changes have been good, ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/03/08/another-year-another-chapter/ 2:25pm - Well here we go for the matinée. Two of the understudies are performing because one of the lead actors has a baseball game to play in. At any rate I'm sure they will do a great job and get the energy going to set up the second Act. ----- 2:34pm ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/03/01/the-importance-of-being-earnest-day-3/ 8:02pm - Well it’s a few minutes before round two! We’re back in the green room putting the finishing touches on everything. There’s a rumor that John MacArthur will be here tonight… YIKES! Anyways, time to prepare and get the energy going. ----- 8:30pm - First Act is almost over! Here ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/02/29/the-importance-of-being-earnest-day-2/ 7:48pm - Well it’s a little less than 20 minutes before the play begins. The doors opened 11 minutes ago. From what I’ve heard, people have been out there since 7pm. I’m in the green room. Makeup is still being applied, hair is being sprayed and there is an air ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/02/28/the-importance-of-being-earnest-day-1/   After a 10 year absence from the theater I am once again in a play.   The Importance Of Being Earnest was written by Oscar Wilde and has been made into several movie versions. It is a pretty funny play and I am lucky enough to have a minor role. I am ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/02/22/tmc-journal-spring-08-part-2-the-importance-of-being-earnest/   The Bucket List (2007) Writer: Justin Zackham Director: Rob Reiner The media of film has been called the modern day pulpit. Thousands of people spend hundreds of dollars each year to see films that communicate everything from moral and social change to family values and spiritual ideals. Here Cliff Ames Jr. and ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/02/12/theology-and-film-the-bucket-list/ Since we first found out in October of 2006 that my Mom had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer our family has been through some tough days. Today was probably the toughest yet. As some of you know we found out last week that the Cancer has been spreading ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/02/08/abounding-trials/ Monday was January 28th. On January 28th something terrible happened. It was the culmination of many human errors, lack of judgment for those in leadership and a day that took my breath away. It was a day that an explosion rocked my world. I was just going about my normal ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/30/sovereign-coincidence-part-1-explosion/ Well it has been a long first week here at school. There hasn't been as much syllabus shock for me... I knew I was in for a tough ride this semester. It's all boiling down to this: -18 Units -School Play -Announcing For Baseball -Communications Department Newsletter I'll go into more details about some of ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/26/tmc-journal-spring-08-part-1-the-first-week/ This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/22/a-request/ Follow Me: Session 5 Dr. David Wells "The Character Of Authentic Discipleship" Titus 2:11-14 Dr. David Wells is an amazing theologian. He is way smarter then I will ever be... ever! Tonight's message was one that was defiantly on another level of thinking way above mine. Sorry for the vague intro but here ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/18/tmc-journal-tal-08-session-5/ Follow Me: Session 4 Dr. James MacDonald "The Compassionate Nature Of Discipleship" Hebrews 12:5-17 My friend and I developed a saying about certain chapel messages that left us feeling like we had been taken out behind the woodshed by God. Today we both agreed this was one of those messages... especially for me Notes: "The ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/18/tmc-journal-tal-08-session-4/ Follow Me: Session 3 Dr. James MacDonald "The Cross-cultural Value Of Discipleship" Acts 18:24-19:41 Dr. James MacDonald is a great speaker. He speaks passionately and is very easy to understand. He also was very opinionated. I can honestly say things that boiled down to his opion I didn't always agree with, but the ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/18/tmc-journal-tal-08-session-3/ Follow Me: Seminar Session Professor Grant Horner "Living As A Disciple In A Fallen Creative Culture" This was more of an open forum Q&A with one of my favorite professors. Here are a few of the questions asked and a brief summary of his answers. Notes: Q: Should we imitate or copy pop-culture as ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/17/tmc-journal-tal-08-seminar-session/ Follow Me: Session 2 Dr. David Wells "The Cross-cultural Impact Of Discipleship" John 20:19-23 Dr. David Wells brought a highly intellectual message that reminded made me admire guys that have poured decades of their lives into theology not just for themselves but to teach others. His speaking style may have been dry for ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/17/tmc-journal-tal-08-session-2/ Follow Me: Session 1 Dr. John MacArthur "The Costly Nature Of Discipleship" John 15:14-15 It was nice to have our President John MacArthur at the helm for this opening message. It was certainly one of the best I've heard him preach. What was unique about this sermon was that it only had two ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/17/tmc-journal-tal-08-session-1/ The Truth And Life Conference at TMC has begun. My next few posts will be some brief recaps from the various sessions and seminars that I will be attending. Truth And Life Conference January 16th-18th, 2008 Speakers Dr. John MacArthur Dr. David Wells Dr. James MacDonald Musical Worship Keith And Kristyn Getty http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/17/tmc-journal-tal-08-introduction/ This past Sunday I had the opportunity to visit RockHarbor Church in Costa Mesa, CA. This wasn't my first visit but RockHarbor has developed quite a bit since 2003. Back in the day RockHarbor was doing something that other churches couldn't do... they were appealing to the young adults. Back ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/14/sundays-with-jesus-rock-harbor-church/ I wanted to share an excerpt from a speech I heard recently: We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change. We have been told we cannot do this ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/09/yes-we-can-with-gods-help/ Sorry for the harsh language but I am finally rid of a group of people that have made my life miserable. Who are these people you might ask? They are the (sarcastic) "friendly helpful staff" of Network Solutions. Last year you may remember when my blog went down I reformatted ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2008/01/04/so-long-bastards/ Today I feel a little bit like Dorothy as she was carried away by the Winged Monkeys. She had no choice but to go along, and despite the best efforts of her friends the will of someone Wicked was carried out. I'm sure there was a lot going through Dorothy's ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/12/27/winged-monkeys/ Well it's finally time for the Semester Recap! What follows is a list of each class that I took as well as my grade and my experience in the class. I will also brag about how awesome my teachers were. Here goes... - B201 - New Testament Survey 1 Dr. Daniel Wong Tuesday ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/12/24/tmc-journal-fall-07-part-7-semester-recap/ Here is my first student film for The Master's College. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24dkagwwQ0Q[/youtube] http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/12/14/soccer-momz/ Don't you hate it when you know certain people read your blog and you want to write about them. But you know if you write about them they will know that you are writing about them because if you say, "My friend Stan..." they know you really mean "My friend ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/12/09/shall-i-attempt-to-speak/ The following song has recently made it's way into my life. When I first heard it there were a few names that jumped into my head that perfectly embody these lyrics. By the grace of God theses are guys that have changed me... for good. - Andy, Marcus, Tyler and Jeremy... I ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/12/02/i-have-been-changed-for-good/ Here is day two of our Oklahoma Trip! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMsfI0sFAlU[/youtube] http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/11/29/oklahoma-07-friday-day-2-video/ I know it's been a while since I've posted an update on school but you know things have been very busy since I returned from Oklahoma. (Day Two Video Coming Soon!) At any rate there are exactly two weeks of the regular semester left and then it is finals week. ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/11/26/tmc-journal-fall-07-part-6/ Happy Thanksgiving To All! There is something very interesting about Thanksgiving for me. On my mother's side I have a Cherokee Indian heritage. On my father's side I am a direct descendant of Fisher Ames, the famous author and statesman of the late 1700's. Here in America, Thanksgiving was celebrated ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/11/22/happy-thanksgiving-from-an-indian-pilgrim/ I've recently dived into the world of Egypt around 1450 B.C. when the Hebrews were led out of Egypt by God through His servant Moses. The book of Exodus records a pivotal time in history for God's chosen people. As a result of my study in this book I have ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/11/20/deliverence-the-story-of-exodus-introduction/ I had the opportunity to visit a cool church this weekend. It's called Church At Rocky Peak. Rocky Peak has been around since the late 70's and has about 3000 people that call it their church home. One of the things I first noticed was that the first time guest ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/11/12/sundays-with-jesus-church-at-rocky-peak/ It's been 6 months to the day since my dear friend Alese Coco passed away from Cancer. There are still times when I reach for my phone to send her a text message but realize there's no point. Perhaps hardest of all is when I interact with her family and ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/11/07/6-months-and-its-still-not-easy/ Yes it's finally time for the first of the Oklahoma Videos! It's been a while because I've been waiting for the right kind of software to come out on WordPress. Well it's here and now I can start posting the videos! So here is Day 1! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzY5ZkQzDqE[/youtube] http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/11/06/oklahoma-07-friday-day-1-video/ I've recently rediscovered my love for Middle Earth and all things Tolkien. I've made it a habit to watch the Lord Of The Rings films once a year and to read the book at least once every other year. I've been watching the films lately, as well as all the ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/11/04/journey-through-middle-earth-part-1/ Reposted From: Kem Meyer On Less Clutter & Noise ________ WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN IT COLLAPSES? "This is a man with a history of duty and patriotism. Not as punch lines, but as core beliefs. Some people don't know what to do when their belief system collapses. - Colonel Issac Johnson, Shooter I ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/31/what-do-you-do-when-it-collapses/ Ooops!!! Looks like someone needs to get fired! http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/30/youre-fired/ I've learned a lot about firestorms this week: 1. Firestorms come quickly and with little warning. 2. Firestorms can turn your fondest dreams and ambitions to ashes within a matter of minutes 3. No matter how much you prepare for firestorms are too great for any one person to control. 4. In a firestorm ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/28/firestorms/ The following is a quote taken from a Yahoo News Article about a man who killed his girlfriend, cut her up and ate part of her body. His defense attorney said the following: "He killed her because he was high on cocaine," said defense attorney Humberto Guerrero Plata. "He didn't eat ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/25/this-is-the-dumbest-quote-i-have-ever-read/ The immediate fire danger to Santa Clarita is over. The Buckweed Fire is almost contained and is no longer threatening structures. The Ranch Fire is headed toward Ventura and has burned over 50,000 acres. The Magic Fire is headed toward open country and is 40% contained. This will conclude the updates on the fires ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/24/update-on-the-fires-part-4/ I have temporarily escaped the fires in Santa Clarita and I have spent the day at home. As most of you know almost 1 million people have been evacuated from their homes all over Southern California. Some of those residents are friends and relatives of folks at TMC. Today TMC sent out ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/23/updates-on-the-fires-part-3/ As Of 3:15pm Fire broke out at Magic Mountain Parkway and the Old Road and has burned 300+ acres. The fire has possibly reached Stevenson's Ranch and is headed south-west into the community. (Pictures to come.) The Buckweed Fire is still burning and is only 20% contained and is headed south-west toward ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/22/update-on-the-fires-part-2/ Just so you all know my sister had to leave the home she was staying in, in Canyon Country. The fire was outside her house just up a hill from her. She had no warning to evacuate from any authorities and only had time to grab a few clothes and ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/21/update-on-the-fires-part-1/ The Ranch Fire Near Copperhill at about 12:45pm on Sunday (As seen from Rio Norte Junior High)   The Buckweed Fire in Agua Dolce at about 3:15pm on Sunday (As seen from the Hotchkiss Parking Lot at TMC.) http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/21/it-is-fire-season/ Guest Blogger: My Mom Thank you to all who have been praying and please continue to pray. God is so Awesome! We are all on this journey together, God does not give us the details He only asks us to obey Him, and Praise Him in all things. This journey is of ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/18/god-is-not-defeated-part-2/ Nuff said... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/17/coming-soon-to-a-mac-near-me/ My friend, and fellow Slight-mate, Micah Lugg has posted some thoughts on the I-5 tunnel accident that happened not far from here. It's been all over the news and has snarled traffic around TMC and has affected our commute times since the Freeway detour runs down the main road ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/14/some-great-thoughts-on-a-local-tragedy/ Here is where you can see pictures from the Oklahoma Trip...  http://gallery.mac.com/dnrmusic/100056 http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/10/on-a-slightly-different-note/ Right now I am reminded of the stories of Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra and Nehemiah are two books that take place after the deportation and exile of Israel as a result of their rebellion and disobedience to God. It seems, when their stories begin, that Israel as a nation has ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/10/god-is-not-defeated/ Right now I am blogging from my iPhone. Of course this is nothing new to most of you except I have downloaded a template that allows me to post using a special modified interface that works better with the phone. http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/09/a-new-plugin/ This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/08/sundays-with-jesus-journey-of-faith-church/ Just wanted to let you all know that we made it back safely to TMC!! More updates to come as we defrag and debrief from the trip. http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/07/oklahoma-07-part-15/ We are about 13 miles from the California border!!! One more stop in Barstow for In N Out and then we are back!! http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/06/oklahoma-07-part-14/ We are in Moriarty, New Mexico for the night. We have arrived safely. Please continue to pray for the rest of the journey tomorrow. http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/05/oklahoma-07-part-12/ The recaps for Thursday through Saturday will be posted sometime within the next week or so. The video journals will be release over the next month or so. Check back often for those updates! http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/05/recap-and-video-announcement/ Today was another busy but fruitful day. I spent some time at Shades of Brown again working on some website stuff. Most of it was making a template and figuring out some of the little quirks of how to get a donation system set-up when you don't have a lot ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/03/oklahoma-07-part-12-wednesday-recap/ I started off my day back at Shades Of Brown where the internet is free and plentiful! The rest of the crew started off taking their history test. After that was finished they made signs and decorations for Kids Fest as well as did some work projects around the church ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/02/oklahoma-07-part-11-tuesday-recap/ Hey there! I will be posting some video recaps from our time here in Oklahoma within the next day or so! Check back often for a link to the page! http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/02/video-updates-coming-soon/ Today was a day we spent preparing for Kids Fest. Before that, we had a short Bible study with Brother Andrew, the Assistant Pastor here. Later that afternoon we went to the Apache and Comanche. Apache and Comanche are the names of the two government housing projects that Springs Of Grace ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/01/oklahoma-07-part-10-monday-recap/ I found a little coffee shop with internet so I will be posting as soon as I can! http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/10/01/found-internet/ Here is how things went on Sunday: The girls are staying at a house of one of the local ladies in the church that has moved and has her house on the market. Us guys are staying at Springs Of Grace Baptist Church, the church that we are ministering at while ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/30/oklahoma-07-part-9-sunday-recap/ Right now we are at the youth group playing youth group games. Today has been a great day and I can't wait to tell you about it but blogging ok the iPhone can be pretty hard when you have a lot to say. Internet is sketchy here so I haven't ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/30/oklahoma-07-part-8/ WE MADE IT!!! Time for bed! More tomorrow! http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/29/oklahoma-07-part-7/ We are in Texas about 200 miles from Oklahoma City!!! We should be in Tulsa in about 4 hours or so. Today's trip has been uneventful but long. Keep us in your prayers as we are on the home stretch. http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/29/oklahoma-07-part-6/ Well we are back on the road and are 131 miles from Albuquerque. If I get a chance later I'll post some road trip pictures. http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/29/oklahoma-07-part-5/ Well we are here in Gallup, New Mexico. We've checked into the hotel and we are gonna get up in approxamatley 4 hours. It's been a long night. After my lasst blog we stopped at a gas station in the absolute middle of nowhere and one of our teammates accidently ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/29/oklahoma-07-part-4/ So there have been some set backs and we are just now on the road for real this time. Our main SUV broke down about 8 miles from the college. We were able to get alternate transpiration but it definately took a while and some convincing. You wouldn't believe how ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/28/oklahoma-07-part-3/ Well we are on the road!! More to come! http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/28/oklahoma-journal-fall-07-part-2/ Well it's the night before the big trip and I am doing laundry. The Pelican Case for Iron Eagle arrived and I had fun plucking out the foam. I took a little road trip with my RA to "West Hollyweird" to pickup the tape I needed for the camera. The ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/28/oklahoma-journal-fall-07-journal-part-1/ Two words... FIRE DRILL! http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/26/tmc-journal-fall-07-part-5/ This morning I woke up and enjoyed a beautiful sunrise. I'll post a picture later, but I love mornings after it's been raining. It was a good start to the day. Anyways, Brian Howard is getting ready to wrap up the sermon so I better pay attention. EDITED: Sunday 8:43pm Here is ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/23/oh-what-a-beautiful-morning/ Whew! What a day! My day started off in chapel today. It was quite possibly the best musical worship that I have ever experienced in chapel before! A team of international students did a tremendous job leading us in musical worship this morning. It was very emotional for me to ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/22/moms-oklahoma-parties-coffee-and-rain-oh-my/ Tonight in my Intro To Mass Communications we watch a video of John MacArthur explaining some interesting facts about the Geneva Bible. From what I could gather it is a bloody Bible, sometimes literally. Protestants and those that sought to translate the Scripture into English were burned at the stake. ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/13/tmc-journal-fall-07-part-4/ Since some of you are new to this blog, here is a link to my post from last year on my memories of 9/11/2001. Link To Previous Entry http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/11/my-memories-of-911-redux/ Thank you to all of you who have responded to my previous post. I'd still like to hear from more of you so drop me an e-mail. So one of the things we get to do here as students is participate in 2 church services a week. In the morning ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/10/tmc-journal-fall-07-part-3/ Ever since I decided to relaunch this blog I have encountered problem after problem. I have decided not to go into details right now until I can get a sense from you (the reader) that this whole thing is worth while. So email me and let me know that you actually ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/07/slightly-more-complicated-than-that/ I never thought I would ever say this, but a popular new Apple application has seriously let me down. Suffice it to say that iWeb '08 was not all it was cracked up to be. So I am now using WordPress. I'll be updating things and changing things around but ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/06/i-never-thought-it-would-come-to-this/ Sunday was an interesting day for me. In the morning I ended up going to church online instead of where I was suppose to go. It was a little weird and I’m still not sure if it really counted or not. It really wasn’t what I planned but sometimes your ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/09/04/the-awesomeness-of-an-unplanned-adventure/ What a week it’s been and it’s only Tuesday night! My professors this year once again blowing me away. For example, tonight I met Dr. Wong. He is perhaps the Holiest man I have ever met. Is gentle in his demeanor yet firm in his convictions. He and his family ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/08/29/tmc-journal-fall-07-part-2/ Well I am back at The Master’s College to begin the first semester of my Sophomore year. It’s been exciting to reconnect with my friends and wing-mates. Our wing is SLIGHTly different from last year. A lot of people requested to be on our wing this year and some people ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/08/26/tmc-journal-fall-07-part-1/ After much anticipation I have finally launched the new blog and site. You would not believe the problems and obstacles that I’ve faced trying to get this new site up and running. My hosting service Network Solutions not only deleted all my files from the old Podcast and Blog but ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/08/16/where-to-begin/ Welcome to the new and improved Tales From The Yellow Brick Road! I know that you’ll enjoy the blogs, podcasts, videos and other featured content. Feel free to leave your comments thoughts, ideas, and is some cases, your own projects! As always let me know what you think about the new looks ... http://talesfromtheyellowbrickroad.com/blog/2007/08/15/its-new-its-improved/