On the docks

AN ENJOYABLE DAY

2006-01-15T10:23:00.000-06:00

One of the reasons I don't usually update my blog with a lot of information about what is going on in my life, is the simple fact that there's just so many things to talk about and I'm not the type of person that likes to "paint half a picture". If I were to give it a shot, I'd probably end up spending all of my "me" time just writing about it all. Grin

That being said, I did want to express how much I have enjoyed my weekend so far.

Friday night is bowling night for Laurie and me. We bowl on the Milwaukee Beer Barrels bowling league. The league is one of many that takes part in the American Blind Bowling Association.
I am league president and enjoy my involvement very much.
Laurie started out as a substitute bowler, but is now bowling full-time. We just have a lot of fun. Not only bowling, but also just hanging out with people that we might not end up socializing with much for one reason or another. This Friday, we met with Laurie's best friend Jes and her husband Paul at Las Palmas restaurant, which is right across the street from Burnham Bowl. We had a nice time talking about wedding plans, Jes' upcoming Sea Symphony, among other things.
Jes and Paul stuck around to watch us bowl and even stayed for a while to listen to some Karaoke.
Yesterday morning, Jes joined Laurie and her mom to go dress shopping. Guess what? Laurie has a wedding dress. I called her just as she was getting ready to finalize her purchase. I'll never forget the excitement in her voice, when she told me how strongly she felt about picking out the right one! Grin
Laurie came over at about 2 or so and we spent an awesome time together in prayer. Those times are most precious to me. I can really hear Laurie's heart when she prays.
I will confess and some of you know that my walk with the Lord has not always been the best over the past couple of years, but even so the Lord has answered so many of my prayers. Things I would have thought impossible in the past, due in large part to my lack of faith in the power of prayer and in time spent in God's Word.

After that, we went over to the Sanheims's to watch the Seahawks playoff game against the Washington Redskins.
I brought my Sirius radio, a Christmas gift from Laurie, so I could listen to the Seattle call of the game.
Laurie's dad was nice enough to turn down the sound of the television, so we could hear it. It was pretty weird. A play would happen on the field and we wouldn't actually hear about it until about 13 seconds later, because of the delay from the satellite feed.
Everyone but me had all they could do to restrain themselves from giving away what was going on. So, I could hear it first hand. Boy, that's love-in-action, if I've ever seen it! LOL
When the game was over, Laurie's dad and I went and got Supper from Boston Market. We brought it back and watched the Father of the Bride. We had lots of laugh, and even a few tears from mom and dad. Smile

All in all, I had a blast. I will never forget times like that. I love you my future bride, as well as my mom and dad to be!...

By the way:

Seahawks 20
Redskins 10

Bring on the Bears!

STEVEDORE: TO THE POWER OF 2!

2006-01-13T09:59:00.000-06:00

Got this off of several excellent blogs. Most recently that of my lovely future bride, Laurie Sanheim. Buckled under pressure... Just had to contribute my version!... Enjoy

2 names you go by:
1. Beave: (Mom started calling me that when I would chew on things as a youngster(. Sort of fits, don't you think. In case you missed it, short for beaver? Rhymes with Steve.

2. Stephen Roy: (That's what my lovely future bride, Laura Marie, calls me when I do or say something wrong.) Or, at least not exactly what she expected! Grin

2 parts of your heritage:
1. Swedish

2. Dutch

2 things that scare you:
1. Not spending eternity with the ones I love.

2. Losing my testimony.

2 of your everyday essentials:
1. Quiet time spent alone with the Lord

2. Coffee:

2 things you are wearing right now:
1. Big smile: Thinking of my Laurie!

2. Black cords

2 favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment):
1. Switch Foot

2. Sterling & Brass - The Lake Country Brass Quintet

2 favorite songs at the moment:
1. Dare You to Move

2. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love):
1. Mutual respect

2. Ongoing and consistent encouragement

2 truths:
1. "He who doesn't stand for something; will fall for anything."

2. John 14:6

2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex):
1. Long hair

2. Soft, smooth skin

2 of your favorite hobbies:
1. Singing

2. Sleeping - ha!

2 things you want really badly:
1. To be able to provide for my future wife and family.

2. True forgiveness from all those who I have wronged in the past.

2 places you want to go on vacation:
1. Alaska

2. Anywhere with Laurie

2 things you want to do before you die:
1. Get married - Lord willing, this is slated to happen before I go Home, smile!

2. Have children.

2 ways that you are stereotypically a chick:
1. Hmmm. Don't think this really applies. Someone care to comment?

2. Who wrote this thing anyway? Anybody seen my lip glo'o'o'o'o'o'ss? G'r'r'r'rr'r'r'r'r'in

2 things you are thinking about now:
1. My fiance. That pretty much goes without saying 24/7.

2. I've got so many things to catch up on.

2 stores you shop at:
1. Pick N' Save

2. Wallgreens

2 people you'd like to see answer these questions:
1. Dad: (Come on man, get with it! Smile

2. Anna & Kristin (yes, that's three - so I cheated)

DAVE'S TESTIMONY

2006-01-11T15:00:00.000-06:00

Dave Brown

If you could get just one thing out of life, what would it be? I asked myself that question while I was in my second year with the Seattle Seahawks. I had
been very successful as a football player: I made All-City, All-District and All-State in high school. I was All-Big Ten three years and a two-time All-American
at the University of Michigan.

Despite all these successes there was one big thing I still wanted but didn't have. I wanted the assurance of eternal life.

During my first year in Seattle, I met a linebacker on the Seahawks named Ken Hutcherson. The thing I noticed most about "Hutch" was that he always had
a smile on his face. His joy was genuine. It wasn't artificial. It came deep from within him. Even when he suffered an injury that ended his pro career,
Hutch possessed a joy that was unexplainable.

I observed Hutch for months. I saw how he lived and the way he treated others. One day, we were in standing in the parking lot at Seahawk headquarters and
I asked him, "What makes you have such joy and peace?"

Ken replied, "It's the personal relationship I have Jesus Christ." At first I didn't believe him. But Hutch went on to tell me about Christ and God's purpose
for sending Him to earth. Hutch shared this verse from the Bible: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes
in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Here was the assurance for eternal life that I had been looking for. It was almost a year later, however, that I decided to do anything about it. I knew
that God loved me and had a plan for my life. I knew that I had sinned and that my sinful nature is what kept me separated from God. I knew and believed
that Jesus Christ came to earth, died on the cross for my sins, was resurrected, and that He was the only way to God.

Hutch told me I could believe all those things, but that if I wanted a personal relationship with God and the assurance of eternal life, I would have to,
by faith, invite Christ into my life. Then He would be my Savior and the Lord who would run my life and direct me to fulfill His plan.

A few months later at a Pro Athletes Outreach conference in San Diego, I accepted Christ into my life. I prayed "Lord Jesus, I need you. I ask that you
come into my life to be my Savior and my Lord. I ask you to forgive me of the sin that I have committed. Make me into the man that you would have me be."
I then thanked Him for coming into my life.

Though there wasn't any lightning when I said "Yes" to God, I've never been the same since. As a Christian I've noticed two major changes in my life:

First, God has made me humble. I used to be a very proud man. Often, people would not feel very comfortable being around me. Today though God has made me
much more open to others than I ever have been. I am still proud of my abilities as a pro football player and as a man. I am humbled, however, to know
that my talent, in fact all of who I am, comes from God.

The second big change is knowing that Christ is Lord of my life. He's my reason for living. I just want to be all that God would have me to be. Even when
I fail, I know that God still loves me. My wife, Rhonda, has shown me God's love in this way because she continues to love and accept me even when I blow
it.

I believe you won't really find a satisfying answer to that question unless you look into God's Word. There is no greater reason for living than to commit
your life to God who gave you life in the first place. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord and you will receive eternal life and experience
His peace and joy -- right now.

Original Seahawk Brown dies at 52

2006-01-11T14:46:00.000-06:00

By
Craig Smith

Seattle Times staff reporter

Dave Brown was enshrined in club's Ring of Honor.

Dave Brown, an original Seahawk and one of nine men enshrined in the NFL team's Ring of Honor, died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack while playing basketball
at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

One of Brown's sons, Aaron, was in the pickup game with him, according to a Texas Tech spokesman.

Brown, who would have turned 53 Monday, recently had completed his fifth season as cornerbacks coach on the Texas Tech football staff.

Friends and colleagues were stunned by his death because they considered him to be in excellent physical condition.

"He was in incredible shape," said Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

The Seahawks will honor Brown with a moment of silence at Saturday's playoff game at Qwest Field.

"Dave lived a great life that anyone could be proud of," Leach said in a statement. "He was one of the best people I have ever known. He had a tremendous
impact on our program based on the kind of person he was. He will be missed, but we are honored to have had the opportunity to know him."

Dave Brown

died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday in Lubbock, Texas:

Age: 52

Personal: Born Jan. 16, 1953 in Akron, Ohio. Survived by wife, Rhonda, and sons, Aaron and Sterling. Active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. An outstanding
racquetball player.

College career: At Michigan, earned All-America honors in 1974 and named to all-century team.

NFL draft: Drafted by Steelers in first round in 1975. Picked by Seahawks in 1976 expansion draft.

Pro career: 15-year career included 11 in Seattle. As a rookie, played for Steelers in Super Bowl X win over Cowboys. Played three years with Green Bay
Packers. Finished with 62 career interceptions, tying for seventh in NFL history.

Seahawks career: Original Seahawk made Pro Bowl in 1984. Has club's career record with 50 interceptions. Enshrined in the Ring of Honor in 1992.

Coaching career: Assistant coach with Seahawks for seven seasons, 1992-98. Cornerbacks coach for Texas Tech since 2001.

Brown was selected in the 1976 expansion draft by Seattle from the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he earned a Super Bowl ring as a rookie in 1975. The cornerback
was a Seahawk from 1976 to 1986, earning Pro Bowl honors in 1984, and finished his career with three seasons for Green Bay.

Brown is the Seahawks' career leader with 50 interceptions, and finished with 62 in his NFL career, which ties him for No. 7 in league history.

Brown returned to the Seahawks as cornerbacks coach from 1992 to '98. He was named to the Ring of Honor in 1992.

After the Seahawks' head-coaching change after the 1998 season, Brown was out of football for three years. He joined the Texas Tech staff in 2001. Last
fall, the team had the nation's 15th-best pass defense during a 9-3 season.

Brown was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and held weekly Bible studies for Texas Tech athletes.

"Dave Brown was a leader. Dave Brown was a family man. Dave Brown was dedicated. Dave Brown was a man who believed in God," said Charle Young, a former
Seahawks teammate. "There's no sadness in that. Any person that believes in God is going to a better place. And that was Dave."

Brown was playing in a pickup basketball game with Aaron at the Texas Tech Recreation Center when he collapsed, according to a Tech spokesman. Efforts were
made to revive him at the scene. He was taken to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Brown's other son, Sterling, lives in Seattle and lettered at the University of Washington as a basketball player in 2000-01 and 2001-02. Both sons were
athletes at Woodinville High School.

Brown also is survived by his wife, Rhonda.

The two-time All-American defensive back at Michigan was named to the school's all-century team. He was born in Akron, Ohio.

"He's one of the greatest athletes I've ever seen," former Michigan and Seahawks safety Don Dufek told the Lubbock newspaper. "I was fortunate to play with
him all through college and the pros. ... The remarkable thing is he never got hurt. I never remember him hardly being sick."

Former Seahawks teammate Jim Zorn, now the club's quarterbacks coach, was stunned by the news.

"I'm totally numb. It is really a shock," he said. "We've just lost a really good friend."

Gary Wright, Seahawks vice president of administration, said, "I don't know anybody who didn't love Dave Brown. He stood out as an athlete and a human being.
He will be missed."

Assistant Tech coach Ruffin McNeill told the Lubbock newspaper that the first thing Brown told him was, "I'm a Christian who coaches."

"He lived by The Word and was a man of God," McNeill said. "Not one day did he ever waver from that."

Times staff reporter José Miguel Romero, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and Texas Tech sports information contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company

PERSONAL REVIVAL

2006-01-06T10:10:00.000-06:00

http://www.brooksidebaptist.org/haroldvaughan

"Personal Revival" will be the theme of an outstanding series of special services presented at Brookside Baptist Church in Brookfield,
WI on January 15th - 18th, 2006

Pastor Sam Horn, and his membership have invited
Harold Vaughan
to be the principal speaker for the week.

He will speak at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday, and at 7:00 PM each weekday evening through Wednesday, January 18th.

Having ministered in 46 states and numerous foreign countries, Harold's dominant theme is that "revival is the need of the individual life and in the corporate
life of the church today." He emphasizes the victorious life that each believer can live. It has been noted that "a great hunger is stirred in the hearts
of believers as Harold dynamically shares keen insights from the Word of God concerning the Spirit-filled life.

There will be special music nightly during the crusade. A
nursery
will be provided for small children. Young children ages 4-9 will have a nightly Kid's Krusade provided for them.

Pastor Sam Horn and the congregation of Brookside Baptist Church extend a cordial invitation to the people of our area to attend as many of these meetings
as possible.

ME!

2006-01-03T10:06:00.000-06:00

I got this off of my sister's blog. This is pretty close, if I do say so myself.

A GREAT AND MIGHTY WONDER

2005-12-27T15:48:00.000-06:00

Christmas Concert to air on Wisconsin on Demand

Brookside Baptist Church announces that their Christmas Concert, “A Great and Mighty Wonder” will be available on Wisconsin on Demand from Christmas Eve
through the month of January. The concert, performed December 11th, featured the Brookside Choir and Orchestra performing a blend of traditional Christmas
carols with new texts and melodies, accompanied by Scripture narration.

Viewers in the greater Milwaukee area will be able to access the Christmas Concert by tuning to Channel 1111, selecting 'Season's Greetings', and then selecting
the 'Music' category. The Concert is listed as 'Brookside Church'.

“The Christmas Concert was an exciting event for our church members, and this is a great opportunity to let our church family see it again, as well as invite
the community to experience the wonder of this Christmas season.” said Dr. Sam Horn, pastor of Brookside Baptist Church.

“With Wisconsin on Demand, anyone who has digital cable can watch the Christmas Concert at any time.” said Randy Melchert, technology coordinator at Brookside
Baptist Church.

About Brookside Baptist Church

Brookside Baptist Church is an independent, Bible-centered, family-oriented church in the Milwaukee area. Sunday services feature worship with music, and
expository messages by Pastor Sam Horn. Brookside also produces special events including guest speakers, Christmas programs, music concerts, Easter programs,
Kids and teen activities, and more.

About Wisconsin on Demand

Wisconsin on Demand Channel 1111 uses state-of-the-art Video on Demand technology that makes it possible to view programs on your schedule and to pause,
rewind, or fast-forward with one touch of the remote control. Wisconsin on Demand is free to all of Time Warner Cable’s 200,000 digital customers and available
in all 131 Southeast Wisconsin communities served by Time Warner Cable.

REMEMBER MY BIRTHDAY?

2005-12-01T18:41:00.000-06:00

Just a great reminder before the start of the Holiday Season Enjoy-When I received this ,,, I read it to the end,, and then I stayed in
my seat, motionless,, speechless.......Didn't we all do what those people did.....just imagine how it fel for Him....Please read and pass it on to the people
you care for....so they Don't shut the door again.

Remember My Birthday????!!!!!!
As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be
repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world
everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer. It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me.
As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in
these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning
of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates.
The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest
of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door
in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table.
In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without
making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything.
They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed
drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying : "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor !
At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other ; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and .... do you know .... no one hugged me.
Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was
one for me.
What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one ? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly
left.
Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow
me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on
the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart.
I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined,
a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know
if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list
will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left outside. Do you know how you can answer this invitation? it is by extending
it to others whom you care for...
I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...
See you soon .... I love you !

-Jesus-

WOW! I'M A POPLAR GUY!...

2005-10-30T07:24:00.000-06:00

So, I got this from a maple tree friend back in Seattle and thought it was kind of interesting.
I looked for the trees of some of my friends and family in addition to mine and found them to be pretty accurate.
BTW. Anyone else out there feeling poplar? Figgy? LOL

WHAT TREE DID YOU FALL FROM?

Find your birthday and then find your tree. This is really cool and some
what accurate. Then send it to all your friends, including the one that sent

it to you, so they can find out what tree they fell from, but don't forget
to change the subject line to your tree.

Dec 23 to Jan 01 - Apple Tree
Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree
Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree
Mar 21 (only) -Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree
Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree
Jun 24 (only) - Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25 -Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree
Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree
Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree
Sep 23 (only) - Olive Tree
Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree
Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree
Dec 22 (only) - Beech Tree

YOUR TREE (in alphabetical order)

Apple Tree (Love) -- quiet and shy at times, lots of charm, appeal, and
attraction, pleasant attitude, flirtatious smile, adventurous, sensitive,
loyal in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very

generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate partner.

Ash Tree (Ambition) -- extremely attractive, vivacious, impulsive,
demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented,
likes to play with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable, restless lover,
sometimes money rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much

emotional support.

Beech Tree (Creative) -- has good taste, concerned about its looks,
materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good
leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion,

keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

Birch Tree (Inspiration) -- vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly,
unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar,
loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination,
little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

Cedar Tree (Confidence) -- of rare strength, knows how to adapt, likes
unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look
down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often
impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy
optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Chestnut Tree (Honesty) -- of unusual stature, impressive, well-developed
sense of justice, fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be
irritated easily, sensitive of others feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts
superior, feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very
loyal in love, physically fit.

Cypress Tree (Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life
has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content,
optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection,
hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful,
quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain
knowledge, needs to be needed.

Elm Tree (Noble-mindedness) -- pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest
demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to
obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others,
noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

Fig Tree (Sensibility) -- very strong minded, a bit self-willed, honest,
loyal, independent, hates contradiction or arguments, hard worker when wants

to be, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, few sexual
relationships, great sense of humor, has artistic talent and great
intelligence.

Fir tree (Mysterious) -- extraordinary taste, handles stress well, loves
anything beautiful, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them, hard to

trust others, yet a social butterfly, likes idleness and laziness after long

demanding hours at work, rather modest, talented, unselfish, many friends,
very reliable.

Hazelnut Tree (Extraordinary) -- charming, sense of humor, very demanding
but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression,
active fighter for social causes and politics, popular, quite moody,
sexually oriented, honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment
and expects complete fairness.

Hornbeam Tree (Good Taste) -- of cool beauty, cares for its looks and
condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as
possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and
acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom
happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its
decisions, very conscientious.

Lime Tree (Doubt) - intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out,

but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates
fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is
actually soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family
and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, can
become a complainer, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but
extremely loyal.

Maple Tree (Independence of Mind) -- no ordinary person, full of imagination

and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers

for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory,
learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

Oak Tree (Brave) -- robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting,
independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground,
person of action.

Olive Tree (Wisdom) -- loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable,
balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm,
well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy,
loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

Pine Tree (Peacemaker) -- loves agreeable company, craves peace and harmony,

loves to help others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion

conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but
will leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, low self esteem, needs
affection and reassurance.

Poplar Tree (Uncertainty) -- looks very decorative, talented, not very
self-confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and
pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great
artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable
in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

Rowan Tree (Sensitivity) -- full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egotism,

likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications,

is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate,
emotional, good company, does not forgive.

Walnut Tree (Passion) -- unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often
egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions,
spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon
partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very
jealous and passionate, no compromise.

Weeping Willow (Melancholy) - likes to be stress free, loves family life,
full of hopes and dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything
beautiful, musically inclined, loves to travel to exotic places, restless,
capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with when
pressured, sometimes demanding, good intuition, suffers in love until they
find that one loyal, steadfast partner; loves to make others laugh.

INDIGO

2005-10-09T12:45:00.002-05:00

I don't put much stock into these types of things, but thought I'd just share a bit of vague, useless information with you. By the way. Yes, I did borrow this "power color" thing from some friends of mine.

Those that know me a little bit, may be nodding a little when they read a couple of these! Feel free to shake your head too... or, simply scratch it for that matter!... LOL

Your #1 Match: INFP

The Idealist

You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.
Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.
It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.
But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop.

You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

Your #2 Match: ISFP

The Artist

You are a gifted artist or musician (though your talents may be dormant right now).
You enjoy spending your free time in nature, and you are good with animals and children.
Simply put, you enjoy bueaty in all its forms and live for the simple pleasures in life.
Gentle, sensitive, and compassionate - you are good at recognizing people's unspoken needs.

You would make a good veterinarian, pediatrician, or composer.

Your #3 Match: ENFP

The Inspirer

You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.
You are also unconventional, irreverant, and unimpressed by authority and rules.
Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.
You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're qutie the storyteller!

You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.

Your #4 Match: ESFP

The Performer

You are a natural performer and happiest when you're entertaining others.
A great friend, you are generous, fun-loving and optimistic.
You love to laugh - and you like almost all people equally.
You accept life as it is, and you do your best to make each day fantastic.

You would make a good actor, designer, or counselor.

Your #5 Match: INTP

The Thinker

You are analytical and logical - and on a quest to learn everything you can.
Smart and complex, you always love a new intellectual challenge.
Your biggest pet peeve is people who slow you down with trivial chit chat.
A quiet maverick, you tend to ignore rules and authority whenever you feel like it.

You would make an excellent mathematician, programmer, or professor.

Your Power Color Is Indigo

At Your Highest:

You are on a fast track to success - and others believe in you.

At Your Lowest:

You require a lot of attention and praise.

In Love:

You see people as how you want them to be, not as how they are.

How You're Attractive:

You're dramatic flair makes others see you as mysterious and romantic.

Your Eternal Question:

"Does This Work Into My Future Plans?"

What's Your Power Color?

WHAT A TERP!

2005-10-04T10:36:00.000-05:00

All right! So, I'm long over due for some sort of an update, I know!...
I wasn't feeling all too splendidly this morning, so I decided to just take the day off for once. I had a couple of days that I needed to use up before my anniversary date, so why not... Right?

Today is October 4, but if I didn't know any better, I would have thought it was the 4th of July! They're saying that it's supposed to get up to 86 today. I'm not complaining, because it's only expected to get up to around 50 or so, by Friday. That's Wisconsin for ya!... If you don't like the weather, stick around. It'll change in a day or 2!... Grin

OK. Enough about the weather already. What, if anything does that have to do with the price of gas in West Allis? By the time most of you read this, there will most likely be snow on the ground anyway!...

Moving right along...

...

...

So, most of you may know, but others may not... A couple of weeks ago, I found myself without a ride to choir practice on Sunday afternoon. So, I called a cab. I called that cab quite a bit earlier than I normally would have, because on Friday night I ended up being re'a'a'a'a'a'lly late for bowling and I didn't want that to repeat itself. Especially for something like choir practice. On top of it all, I'm glad I did give myself a bit more time than usual, because the cab driver didn't get word from dispatch that I had a guide dog... Like it really matters!... So, he started thinking about leaving, but I went ahead and yanked open the back dorr, got inside and placed a call on my cell phone... It worked... In fact, by the end of the ride, he was offering to have me call him, whenever I needed a lift..., but I digress...

That being said, I arrived at the church at around 4:05 and choir wasn't scheduled to start until 4:30. All of the doors were locked, so I just decided to stay outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and just wait for everybody to show up.

So, at around 4:20, people started showing up. The first person to greet me was Laurie. She took an immediate interest in Rattan... She told me that she had a German Shepherd named Gracie...

Laurie has her Masters degree from Gallaudet University and has co-authored a book or two. She works as an interpreter for the deaf. She also teaches interpreting at an area University. She is extremely intelligent, has a warm personallity, cares about others and most importantly, we share the same commitment to our beliefs and
doctrine as Christians.

Anyway, to make a long story short, we got together for dinner last Wednesday night and ended up talking until closing time. On Saturday, we went biking and to lunch. We ended up spending around 6 hours together. I went to her place for Bible study on Sunday night. She made some incredible low-carb chili in the crock pot, etc...

I haven't known Laurie for long, but I do know that we seem to have quite a bit in common and that she is a very special person and I hope to be sharing more about her in the future.

It really wasn't my intention to offer quite so much information about one topic, but once I start writing about something good, it's sort of hard to stop! Can anybody identify?

Hope everybody is having a good week.

HAND SHAKES AND WAGS,

Stevedore & Rattan
Romans 15:13

ONE MAN'S VIEW

2005-09-25T20:37:00.000-05:00

I got this from the blind-conservative email list I am on. If nothing else, it's food for thought.

Stevedore and Rattan (Who says: Don't bring me into this. I don't necessarily agree!... After all, I'm just a tree hugger from Yam Hill, Oregon!)

***ARTICLE IS BELOW***

In 1927, a major unnamed hurricane struck the city of New Orleans. It was
actually more powerful than Katrina. The scope of damage was much more
severe because this particular hurricane actually hit the city. Katrina
missed it by 25 miles.

The interesting difference is the response the government gave in 1927 to
those hurricane refugees, compared to the refugees of Katrina, err- I meant
"survivors" ---(sorry Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson). How much aid did the
government dispense at that time? Zero, nada, not one dime. And you know how
much aid the army offered? The only aid from the army came in the form of
loaning the city of New Orleans tents and camp stoves. Ironically, later,
the army sued the city for reimbursement. So what was the big difference
here?

It was the attitude the people had towards the government at that time,
compared to the attitude that Katrina's victims have. The 1927 "survivors"
expected nothing from the government. 80 years ago, people understood that
the government was there to "protect life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness." Today, Americans expect the government to "provide life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness." That's a major difference. And now, a week
later, when the government failed on all three levels of local, state, and
federal to provide for their needs, Americans were sorely disappointed.

Reverend Jackson and reverend Sharpton spend their opportunities arguing
about semantics. "They shouldn't be called refugees, they should be called
survivors" Unfortunately, they missed the boat. It was a perfect opportunity
to deliver a very basic message to their people.

Fact, if you are poor and uneducated in America, this is what happens.
Fact, if you depend on the government, you will be sorely disappointed.
Fact, if you are poor in America, there is no reason for you to be
uneducated. Its free! 12 grades. And if you really apply yourself, there is
enough grants and assistance out there for higher education, which will
raise you above the poverty level. And no longer will you depend on the
government and be disappointed. Its unfortunate that this lesson will be
missed by most of the "survivors".

A couple of other points should be brought to light. G. W. has asked the
congress for 50 billion dollars worth of aid for the "survivors" and clean
up of the city. Interesting isn't it? one million people displaced and out
of work in that city, sitting all day in shelters, waiting for the next
handout. Of course, the thought never occurred to anyone that just maybe,
"hey, we should give all these folks jobs filling sand bags to plug the
levees and clearing trees." (Wonder how many of them would want government
aid if they had to work for it?)

And finally, they haven't hardly begun the task of picking up dead bodies,
and already the finger pointing has started. The congressional hearings and
probes will go forever. Millions will be spent on a wasted diatribe of a
bipartisan "witch hunting expedition"- all of which will be nonsense. If
you're a democrat, you are going to blame the president. If you are a
republican, you are going to blame the mayor and the governor. This is
another case in point of how the government will once again fail its people,
they could have spent the millions educating the poor and misplaced citizens
of New Orleans so that they could go out and get a new and better life,
instead of wasting it on useless blame investigations.

Well, I'm just a dumb redneck joke teller and certainly not educated enough
to run my government. I'm sure that there are plenty of people out there who
will tell me why my ideas and thoughts will not work. Maybe I should just
stick to joke telling, eh?

And He's Better Than Ezra!

2005-09-24T09:59:00.000-05:00

Now listen up yall... This here's part 2 of that very same post! Go figure!

He's Back!

2005-09-24T09:57:00.000-05:00

Just part 1 of an update about some of the goings on in the life of Stevedore and Rattan.

A CALL TO PRAYER

2005-09-16T11:29:00.000-05:00

A Call to Prayer & Worship
What: An evening of worship, praise and prayer for our city, state and country
When: Saturday, September 17 at Miller Park, 6:00-9:00 pm (gates open at 4:30) Free parking, Free admission
Where: Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewer Stadium)
Who: Everyone! – men, women & children
For more information call BASICS at (414) 372-7200 or see their website at www.prayermilwaukee.net.

Morning Blend

2005-09-07T06:21:00.000-05:00

Was Katrina Intelligent Design?

2005-09-06T20:25:00.000-05:00

I got this wonderful piece from dad... Get a lot of excellent, thought-provoking stuff from dad!... Of course I always read them all. The fact that we seem to be drawn to the same authors and similar subject matter, certainly doesn't hurt at all either.

Later,

Stevedore

Was Katrina Intelligent Design?
Editor's Note: For resources on responding to Hurricane Katrina, see the "Today at DG" section on the Desiring God
homepage.

September 2, 2005

On his 89th birthday (August 31) NPR Senior News Analyst, Daniel Schorr, observed that President Bush had "staked out a non-position" on the debate between
evolution and intelligent design. Bush had said that "both sides ought to be properly taught in the schools of America." Then, with manifest scorn, Schorr
linked the devastation of Hurricane Katrina with the concept of intelligent design: “[Bush] might well have reflected that, if this was the result of intelligent
design, then the designer has something to answer for.”

No, Mr. Schorr, you have something to answer for, not God. God answers to no man. Come, Daniel Schorr, take your place with Job and answer your Maker: “The
Lord answered Job [and Daniel Schorr] out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like
a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. . . . Who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, “Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here
shall your proud waves be stayed”?’” (Job 38:1-3, 8-11).

Who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Shall the pot say to the Potter, “This is an unintelligent way to show your justice and your power? Come, Maker
of heaven and earth, sit at my feetI have lived 89 years and have gotten much wisdomand I will teach youthe eternal Godhow to govern the universe”?

No. Rather let us put our hands on our mouths and weep both for the perishing and for ourselves who will soon follow. Whatever judgment has fallen, it is
we who deserve itall of us. And whatever mercy is mingled with judgment in New Orleans neither we nor they deserve.

God sent Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners. He did not suffer massive shame and pain because Americans are pretty good people. The magnitude of
Christ’s suffering is owing to how deeply we deserve Katrinaall of us.

Our guilt in the face of Katrina is not that we can’t see the intelligence in God’s design, but that we can’t see arrogance in our own heart. God will always
be guilty of high crimes for those who think they’ve never committed any.

But God commits no crimes when he brings famine, flood, and pestilence on the earth. “Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?” (Amos
3:6). The answer of the prophet is no. God’s own testimony is the same: “I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am
the Lord, who does all these things” (Isaiah 45:7). And if we ask, is there intelligent design in it all, the Bible answers: “You meant evil . . . but
God meant it [designed it] for good” (Genesis 50:20).

This will always be ludicrous to those who put the life of man above the glory of God. Until our hearts are broken, not just for the life-destroying misery
of human pain, but for the God-insulting rebellion of human sin, we will not see intelligent design in the way God mingles mercy and judgment in this world.
But for those who bow before God’s sovereign grace and say, “From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever,” they are able
to affirm, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:36,
33). And wisdom is another name for intelligent design.

No, Daniel Schorr, God does not answer to us. We answer to him. And we have only one answer: “Guilty as charged.” Every mouth is stopped and the whole world
is accountable before God. There is only one hope to escape the flood of God’s wrath. It is not the levee of human virtue but the high ground called Calvary.
All brokenhearted looters and news analysts and pastors are welcome there.

©Desiring God

September's Finally Here!... DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR CHEESEBURGERS ARE?

2005-09-06T19:26:00.000-05:00

Anybody remember this guy?...

What does he mean there's no red meat in the fridge?... What does he consider red meat? A San Fransisco 49er? An Arizona Cardinal? Doesn't he realize that hamburger is red meat?... He must have a hard time giving it up... I can identify!...

Get well Holmy... "The Hawks are on the verge!"

Stress test: Holmgren focuses on his health

By
JIM MOORE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER COLUMNIST

How can anyone relate to Mike Holmgren?

He won Super Bowls in Green Bay and is trying to win another here as coach of the Seahawks. He also makes millions of dollars and lives in a waterfront
home.

On some levels, a few can relate, but most of us can't -- not until earlier this summer, anyway, when the headlines said Holmgren had health issues.

It's been three months since Holmgren publicly acknowledged that he suffered chest discomfort three times in a 10-day period, prompting a hospital visit
and a missed practice at minicamp.

They put dye in his arteries and found no blockages. They determined his heart was fine.

"Then what's wrong with me?" Holmgren asked.

"Well," the doctor asked, "can you relieve some stress in your life?"

"Do you know what I do?" Holmgren asked in disbelief, giving a roundabout response that basically said, no, as an NFL coach, he couldn't relieve the stress.

So Holmgren has cut back in other areas because he admits it was a little scary when he got that tightness in his chest a few weeks before his 57th birthday,
especially because his father died of a heart attack at 48 in 1974.

A teacher and coach at Sacred Heart Prep in San Francisco at the time, he was only 24 when he lost his dad.

Holmgren is trying to lose weight, trying not to eat late. He might have had two nightly glasses of wine before, but now has one.

"It's all common-sense stuff," Holmgren said.

He struggles with moderation like anyone else, admitting that common sense is sometimes forgotten when it's 1 a.m. and you're hungry on your flight home
from a preseason game in Kansas City.

"I was starving," Holmgren said. So he ate.

At home, Holmgren's wife Kathy cooks healthy meals. There is no red meat in the refrigerator, no candy in the pantry, no cookie jars on the counter, but
that's OK -- Holmgren doesn't care for sweets.

He's not into junk food, either. His food vice? Cheeseburgers. "I love 'em," he said. In the summer, he likes to barbecue them himself. When he buys them,
he is most likely at Burgermaster, down the hill from Seahawks headquarters in Kirkland, just off of 520.

A mountain of a man at 6 feet 5 and 285 pounds, Holmgren would like to be more of a foothill but says: "I've always been big."

He has lost 10 pounds, knows he needs to lose more and says he's "just kind of being careful."

The warning signs started in Green Bay about eight years ago when "minor plaque" was found in Holmgren's arteries, causing doctors to prescribe cholesterol
medicine that he still uses today.

In his profession, you'd think stress might cause weight loss, but if it does it's offset by hours in a room, seated, breaking down film while munching
on whatever's available, usually something high in fat and low in nutritional value.

Partly because of these film sessions, Holmgren said most coaches put on weight during the season.

When it comes to chest tightness, he has coaching company. Before the Chiefs game two weeks ago, Dick Vermeil told him he felt the same thing, and Green
Bay's Mike Sherman has, too.

In Green Bay, Holmgren used to get stomach pains that were so severe he would double over in pain. Those have gone away, and he's not sure why.

The weird chest feelings have, too; Holmgren said he hasn't had one since early June. But the games are about to start, the first Sunday in Jacksonville
followed by many more of increasing importance.

He can't do anything about the stress but fights back with a daily workout routine at home. He stretches and lifts, usually doing military bench presses
and lat pulls. While his wife is on the NordicTrack, he jogs or walks on the treadmill for 35 minutes.

"I'm feeling good now," Holmgren said. "The good Lord every once in a while says: 'Take a look at this. You need to keep things in order.'

"It absolutely gives you perspective."

Of Chimps, Dogs, and Rude Women

2005-09-03T12:36:00.000-05:00

...Or click somewhere else for something more constructive. This is an account of this morning's events at the coffee shop -- and the aftermath thereof.

Pray for New Orleans

2005-08-31T20:13:00.000-05:00

Wow, I just can't believe all that has happened in the past few days!... And to think that I was just in New Orleans on Memorial Day weekend. I simply can't imagine the hotel where I stayed on Canal Street, underwater.
It's really hard to get my mind and heart around the enormity of what has happened. Some of the stories are just so, well, unbelievable...
This might sound sort of crazy, but at times I just feel so guilty that I am enjoying such beautiful weather, when just a few hundred miles away, ther are so many people suffering so badly.
Lumps in the throat don't make for very good blood flow to the brain, so I think I'll just cut this one short...

Please join me in praying for all of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I know you have been, but it's so easy to forget.

Later,

Steve

Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 (NIV)

Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness
1 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:
I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter.

2 And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
who are still alive.

3 But better than both
is he who has not yet been,
who has not seen the evil
that is done under the sun.

Purple Hair Is OK?

2005-08-30T20:19:00.000-05:00

Hmmm. I wonder just how far Paul would have taken it if he were to speak to the intellectuals of today?

From what I can gather, he preached Grace to the world, but he didn't encourage believers to look so much like the world that the unbeliever couldn't even tell the difference.

Would you dump purple paint on the temple of the Lord, or slap some permanent image on the outside walls? What is wrong with the way God made you?

Personally, I feel that there needs to be an attempt to strike a Biblical balance somewhere in between strict unbiblical legalism and indiscriminantly seeing how far you can push the envelope of God's Amazing Grace. For a Christian, lliving in either extreme can lead to major problems. Trust me, I know.

Long article, but an interesting read. I hope!...

At Mars Hill Church, purple hair is OK, but 'dogging it' at work isn't

By
JOHN IWASAKI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Kate Justus recently professed her faith in a public way, getting dunked at sunset by pastors in wet suits as part of a mass baptism organized by Mars Hill
Church.

The 22-year-old heard about the Ballard congregation through a friend who initially considered it "a really weird place," before telling her this: "It is
actually very cool. They are OK with drinking as long as you don't get drunk, they are OK with dancing, and they really like sex as long as you are married."

Niki Desautels / P-I

Erin and Todd Robertson embrace during a song at the Mars Hill Church on Sunday. The Robertsons have been attending Mars Hill for more than four years.
Music worship isn't always sedate. Church bands have a variety of styles: emo, rockabilly, low-key piano, traditional rock and acoustic.

Mars Hill, a hotbed of twentysomethings searching for God and meaning in life, started with a dozen people in a Bible study group almost a decade ago. Attendance
is now nearing 4,000, triple the number in 2003, with people coming from as far as Everett and Redmond. At its current annual growth rate, Mars Hill projects
attendance to reach 10,000 by the end of the decade, if not sooner.

Its growth would be remarkable for a church anywhere, but is especially notable in an "unchurched" city like Seattle, smack in the "None Zone." More people
in the Northwest say "none" when asked their religious affiliation than in any other region in the country, researchers have reported.

The church is renovating its 40,000-square-foot building and recently bought a similar-sized facility a block away, with plans to use both sites for services
by late 2006. The two buildings encompass the first two phases of Mars Hills' growth plans.

"Phase three," pastor Mark Driscoll quipped, "is world domination."

Verse-by-verse teaching, punkish-indie and eclectic music, art exhibits, a coffee bar, cool aesthetics and a subtly lit, high-tech sanctuary are features
that distinguish the church. The name refers to a hill in Athens, the center of enlightenment in the ancient world, where the New Testament says the Apostle
Paul spoke to the intellectuals of his day.

"It's very Seattle," Kari Laurvick, 26, said after the first of four services Sunday. "It very much adopts the culture of Seattle."

But it's Driscoll, 34, who most strongly sets Mars Hill apart.

"I don't leave a lot of things open-ended theologically," Driscoll said. "I believe there's one God. I believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. I believe
we're all sinners. I believe in a real hell and a real heaven. So I'm a Bible guy, for sure. I don't make any apologies about that."

His theologically conservative teaching is delivered in a rapid-fire mix of scripture -- paraphrased to make ancient texts more accessible -- humor and
contemporary application.

For all of Mars Hill's hip appeal, Driscoll "won't budge on biblical issues," said Jodie Wisniew, 27, a member from the beginning. "He doesn't say (you're
wrong) if you dress a certain way, have tattoos or purple hair; that's not a biblical issue."

Driscoll talked Sunday about the life of Joseph, the Hebrew slave who rose to a powerful position and saved Egypt from famine. Modern society tends to equate
the rich with evil and the poor with virtue, thinking "it's good because we've stuck it to 'The Man' and gave it to the other man," he said.

Luki Desautels / P-I

Keisha Brown cools down lunch for her daughter Malia Brown, 13 months, in the designated Cry Room behind the main auditorium of the Mars Hill Church in
Ballard on Sunday.

But Joseph's leadership shows it's not that simple, Driscoll said, teaching that the real issues regarding income and job are righteousness and unrighteousness.
Don't be "dogging it on Fridays," he said. "Don't steal. Don't cheat. Be good representatives of Jesus in the workplace."

By engaging the culture, the church has drawn in artists, musicians, high-tech employees, restaurant workers, college students and others. It also is attracting
affluent empty-nesters who are moving into expensive downtown Seattle condominiums. It is those people who are "floating the boat" financially for Mars
Hill, Driscoll said.

Bake Urban / P-I

Mars Hill pastor Steve Tompkins, left, with the help of pastor Bent Meyer, baptizes his son Sam Tompkins, 9, in the chilly water at Golden Gardens Park.

On Aug. 23 at Golden Gardens Park, pastors in wet suits baptized 57 people following a barbecue attended by several hundred people.

Tisha Sandhop, 31, was baptized with her husband, Marty, also 31. She said the attraction to Mars Hill is simple: "The focus is on Jesus and the Bible."

That, more than the outreach to a young adult audience, explains the church's demographics, said Jeff Keuss, associate professor of Christian ministry at
Seattle Pacific University.

"Mars Hills says, 'That's what the Bible says, and that settles it.' It's appealing to a younger age group that wants boundaries," he said. "The challenge
for Mars Hill in the future is retaining those young people when they're 40 and 50 years old.

"Usually, when you hit a point of crisis -- you divorce, you lose a child to cancer -- all of a sudden, the certainty of 'yes' and 'no' becomes quite complex.
You're willing to move to churches that are larger than 'yes' and 'no.'"

Driscoll said that conclusion ignores the reality of Mars Hill: "Just because people are young doesn't mean they haven't been through hard times."

The church offers recovery groups for younger people who have been sexually abused or addicted to drugs and alcohol. Some attendees have been abandoned
by their parents.

"Joseph comes from a broken, confused home," he said in a sermon. "It may look messed up like your family."

Mars Hill is considered by some to be an "emerging" church, a movement various defined as a protest against institutional Christianity, a desire to be more
culturally relevant and a way to live the Christian faith with greater authenticity.

Members can participate in one of dozens of "community groups" that meet weekly to share food and fellowship.

The church's performance space -- The Paradox -- has been a venue for all-ages concerts for years, mostly for secular bands.

Church worship bands are largely composed of professional musicians who have a variety of styles: emo (Team Strike Force), rockabilly (The Mars Hillbillies),
low-key piano (The BCG), traditional rock (The Parsons) and acoustic.

Older church members are offered earplugs for the high-volume worship music. At the other end of the age spectrum, the church averages two weddings and
three births per week.

"When my 55-year-old folks were all excited -- and my 13-year-old child -- I knew it was different," said Jen Thomas, 34.

Driscoll said he received his calling to ministry while praying during a Christian retreat in 1990. Mars Hill, which has never done marketing, rented other
churches' buildings in different downtown or North Seattle neighborhoods for years before moving to Ballard.

The church's Internet site (
www.marshillchurch.org),
with its free downloads of worship music and sermons -- Driscoll's messages were accessed more than 1 million times last year -- is designed to make Mars
Hill appeal to tech-savvy visitors. The site has "doctrinal commitments, for sure, but the traditional faith seems approached in a more open, hip, creative,
searching way. Even the (wavy neon) graphic on their Web site ... suggests edgy," said Christian Smith, a sociologist at the University of North Carolina-Chapel
Hill, who has studied the spiritual lives of teenagers.

The church has lost some members who have found Driscoll's teachings too limiting when it comes to women, however. Only men are pastors at Mars Hill, a
position Driscoll defended in a 2003 campus debate with Robert Wall, professor of Christian scriptures at Seattle Pacific University. Both men based their
arguments on different interpretations of scripture.

"Women lead worship, women teach, women baptize, women serve Communion, women get paid to be in ministry," Driscoll said. "We have hundreds of women from
SPU who are leaders in our church."

Wall said it would be "a mistake to characterize (Driscoll's) position as one opposed to women in ministry. It's opposition to women in the leadership role
of pastor or elder of a congregation. It's more of a political issue than a spiritual one."

He said his differences with Driscoll should not obscure what is of greater significance.

"The life of Mars Hill is more complicated than what some outside are saying," he said.

"Relationships are happening there. People are finding God in that congregation. Mark speaks with great humor and is a winsome, charismatic person. But
at the root, what he says makes sense to people. He gives them a vision for how to live their lives. At the end of the day, one has to admire what is happening
there."

2005-08-27T18:54:00.000-05:00

Hey, I'm now posting! Well, actually I had a little help from my sis. Thanks sis!
Anyway, I just want to see if this works. Had a little trouble editing.
Expect to hear a lot from me in the near future.

Peace out!

Stevedore and Rattan

2005-08-27T17:59:00.000-05:00

I am now posting. Yes, Yes, Yes, I am.How come it's not saying anything