tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19172727316473196062024-03-13T00:56:28.190-07:00the living roomfaith, hope, love, indie rock.Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-39150603256457043782015-06-18T15:44:00.002-07:002015-06-18T15:48:43.511-07:00Where is God not? Responding to the Charleston church shooting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-PRdWn9IWleqFUckk58C-SH9gXfTlRe_ppZTd3EVwOFV5q_XD8LW1zt5zS0VDEUWCH1I5HwP5ffsODnZ0TAtdx67GX3h1jmF9dGIPpE8gwqOIvWHKrX5qhB7EltVXWUkwcArSC4BgJY/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-PRdWn9IWleqFUckk58C-SH9gXfTlRe_ppZTd3EVwOFV5q_XD8LW1zt5zS0VDEUWCH1I5HwP5ffsODnZ0TAtdx67GX3h1jmF9dGIPpE8gwqOIvWHKrX5qhB7EltVXWUkwcArSC4BgJY/s320/IMG_2287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-top: 6px;">
</div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.<br />
Psalm 34:18<br />
<br />
Even as we grieve the horrific violence in Charleston, a perusal of the homepage of local ABC affiliate <a href="http://abc30.com/" target="_blank">Action News</a> shows at least two local shootings and a man burned alive inside a bus.<br />
<br />
As a Christian, I understand that the role of believers is to emulate Jesus and to come alongside those who suffer, those who mourn. However, even before the facts are confirmed, before the victim's names are released, before we have any chance to sort through the wreckage of tragedy and violence, my fear is that people of faith are lining up to be on the "winning" side.<br />
<br />
I think this is wrong and a misrepresentation of the way of the cross. The good news of the Gospel is not about winning or being right about gun control, hate crimes, American politics or the pathology of violent criminals. The good news of the Gospel is not about assigning blame or piecing together infallible arguments. The good news of the Gospel is not about defending a position against an onslaught of bad news.<br />
<br />
When tragedy strikes, many of us ask the very human question "Where is God?" We wonder how a loving, generous God could allow evil to seemingly triumph. Answers to this question don't come easily. They are ancient and mysterious questions.<br />
<br />
Perhaps an easier question to answer is: Where is God not?
God is not sitting behind a CEO-sized executive desk going "See, I told you so. If the church members were armed this maniac could have been stopped." God is not preparing his comments to be broadcast globally so he can rally support behind his cause. God is not with the winners. In God's love economy, or kingdom, he is with those who have lost. He comforts those who mourn, he joins in the suffering of those who suffer. And he calls us to do the same.<br />
<br />
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'
</div>
<br />
Revelation 7:17<br />
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-3672134468011821072015-05-11T10:36:00.001-07:002015-05-11T10:36:34.495-07:00the overdubs - Blood Test ep<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZN1O7XzdI-M" width="480"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-37943284848080990152015-03-01T12:25:00.001-08:002015-03-01T12:27:39.913-08:00Faith and Football podcast<a href="http://faithandfootball.podbean.com/#.VPN1IQW1-vY.blogger">Faith and Football</a> is my latest media project as part of my work at Northpark and The Way On Campus. Curtis and I have set out to make a show that we are proud of. Eventually it will reach that lofty goal.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="100" id="audio_iframe" scrolling="no" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/bwhs5-541578/initByJs/1/auto/1" width="100%"></iframe>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-56887749750465779672014-12-23T16:21:00.001-08:002014-12-23T16:21:35.028-08:00Color Bears - Joy To The World<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9fxWXwqytKw" width="480"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-86527975671402641902014-11-25T10:47:00.001-08:002014-11-25T10:51:41.444-08:00What can we learn from the MIchael Brown Tragedy?In America, there is a persistent and false cultural assumption that is rarely spoken but widely believed.<br />
<br />
Many people believe that we get what we deserve, economically, socially and vocationally. The idea is that if you are poor, you should work harder and be a better (moral) person. If you are affluent, then you must be working hard and be a good, worthy individual.<br />
<br />
Nothing could be further from the truth. And the worst part is that many of the people in our churches buy into this worldview, maybe only half-knowingly, but buy it they do. Grace for salvation and all of the material and familial blessings we receive are nothing but a gift. But somehow, we often cannot see that we do not deserve what we have.<br />
<br />
Beyond the misunderstanding of why people are poor in the first place, there is an even greater evil.<br />
<br />
Those who profit from and intentionally marginalize the needy. There are whole industries run by people, ranging from payday lenders to slumlords to voter suppressors who have put their collective feet on the throat of the poor.<br />
<br />
And our system of justice is complicit in the situation as it seems to be slanted towards protecting those who have all the resources and power while ignoring those who find themselves left out of the spoils.<br />
<br />
I can't pretend to understand/comprehend the rage that leads to our current situation surrounding the tragic death of unarmed teen Michael Brown. As a believer in non-violence, I grieve the actions of a few criminals souring what could be powerful and peaceful protests.<br />
<br />
But I think that we must listen to our brothers and sisters who are speaking out. We should pay attention to the millions of folks who are fed up with a system of "justice" that is clearly bent.<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-84515954564188649872014-04-30T18:24:00.002-07:002014-04-30T18:24:37.315-07:00What is our response to racism?<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In the midst of all this Donald Sterling hullabaloo, let's not forget that racism and oppression exist in the dark and are rarely obvious. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Before we congratulate ourselves on being united by blatant bigotry, we should each examine ourselves for subtle prejudice and hatred. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Love is a hard road to walk and expressing outrage at hate speech is only one tiny inch of the journey. May we not give up on walking it. </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pray4america" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">#pray4America</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/peacemakers" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">#peacemakers</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR10WB83EK2U83XKjdyRsvylv8OFxqqiUVnwqY1b14YvnuIW9EdPXas399yyj4l872htVrjqG-u3r83asdvBNMLKCdes8X3zsp30uRx-mmpNxrd7xPEa3oGsBlvr_xHrdtFT7azAuT6q8/s1600/large_Picture_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR10WB83EK2U83XKjdyRsvylv8OFxqqiUVnwqY1b14YvnuIW9EdPXas399yyj4l872htVrjqG-u3r83asdvBNMLKCdes8X3zsp30uRx-mmpNxrd7xPEa3oGsBlvr_xHrdtFT7azAuT6q8/s1600/large_Picture_4.jpg" height="215" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-61258934401176685012014-04-27T00:33:00.003-07:002014-04-27T00:33:59.887-07:00NoahOver at <a href="http://thewayoncampus.com/">TheWayOnCampus.com</a>, Curtis and I have been putting out a regular podcast where we discuss scripture, culture, sports, music and other entertainment happenings.<br />
<br />
<script>createPlayerFlash('http://media.podcastingmanager.com/6/6/4/2/3/336112-332466/Media/the%20way%20podcast%20april%2015%20final.mp3');</script><br />
<a href="http://media.podcastingmanager.com/6/6/4/2/3/336112-332466/Media/the%20way%20podcast%20april%2015%20final.mp3">Download</a> | Duration: 00:25:26<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WKyNdDCTMIBZdv-wfJIwrioMYabzr7AcxKRmser-YPliqNKWNvTn7iqDU53pS2qeu6iWAwSCoHsoDR37NO0mUK9PL4rGxdzxPiKs5GIrE22xTaosF0cnT8iJGoQ6ZA7wnCxXSTpKKVE/s1600/noah-building_the_ark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WKyNdDCTMIBZdv-wfJIwrioMYabzr7AcxKRmser-YPliqNKWNvTn7iqDU53pS2qeu6iWAwSCoHsoDR37NO0mUK9PL4rGxdzxPiKs5GIrE22xTaosF0cnT8iJGoQ6ZA7wnCxXSTpKKVE/s1600/noah-building_the_ark.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In the latest episode, we share our thoughts on the big-budget epic telling of the Noah story, directed by Darren Aronofsky. Check it out and feel free to chime in via the comment section! Also, one of my projects this summer is exploring the ancient discipline of haiku poetry and then using it to critique films because, hey, who has time to read a paragraph these days?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSYsbswmB3FQZBvEp5Mmq_ai96KO5FqVsjXAlWHXLd2z30YvpJurDf3h0hGebQQ1g9JpgazICkQIESRcmPt24izVOe_g85VzSlFqOzdSRrXKWuPD8FBlQl-VdpqiAaGjb3FBwbXPieDo/s1600/noah-photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSYsbswmB3FQZBvEp5Mmq_ai96KO5FqVsjXAlWHXLd2z30YvpJurDf3h0hGebQQ1g9JpgazICkQIESRcmPt24izVOe_g85VzSlFqOzdSRrXKWuPD8FBlQl-VdpqiAaGjb3FBwbXPieDo/s1600/noah-photo1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 22.90909194946289px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>Wicked washed away</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 22.90909194946289px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>Fierce flood disaster movie </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 22.90909194946289px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; text-align: center;"><b>Watchers named Treebeard?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 22.90909194946289px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFDds5hx0rHLxu67WfGGL5M2ev5yPPZvs2WEMWwFqTzqEw3EGBKA2QZo-Z1jVrxOtYMD9y0O8agPZibXZqOM4frR_krFuP-l_0imBKJLxCZ7LW-pU-zyRlgNOTJ5urLbj4qVlUgktM90/s1600/noah-photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFDds5hx0rHLxu67WfGGL5M2ev5yPPZvs2WEMWwFqTzqEw3EGBKA2QZo-Z1jVrxOtYMD9y0O8agPZibXZqOM4frR_krFuP-l_0imBKJLxCZ7LW-pU-zyRlgNOTJ5urLbj4qVlUgktM90/s1600/noah-photo2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 22.90909194946289px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji2Zok_ra6w63Gp43yNB0ZcE0MQmGU3ymGGzW0oPeGxTBuD6w-UDXPL0TSOtgBpfwyMKQfzxKLYSzdQlRqk_SpoiDkKUf0RRkl0OF1FejUINQDoVJH_-BPdImFooYNRN_UHD9MU2stBo/s1600/noah-photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji2Zok_ra6w63Gp43yNB0ZcE0MQmGU3ymGGzW0oPeGxTBuD6w-UDXPL0TSOtgBpfwyMKQfzxKLYSzdQlRqk_SpoiDkKUf0RRkl0OF1FejUINQDoVJH_-BPdImFooYNRN_UHD9MU2stBo/s1600/noah-photo3.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHEx8hMsI2qHSKL4IW-zNh2OuteviUbuowokDoblBLOfKXkUt-iM0luD6qEoG921DD_wG22AaVEfQWwGUwOYNuXEYzrvKSkpJJjenTwQ48BBSp5WLu_q6azxTteLoNBlwqYPeJTtUHkU/s1600/noah-photo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHEx8hMsI2qHSKL4IW-zNh2OuteviUbuowokDoblBLOfKXkUt-iM0luD6qEoG921DD_wG22AaVEfQWwGUwOYNuXEYzrvKSkpJJjenTwQ48BBSp5WLu_q6azxTteLoNBlwqYPeJTtUHkU/s1600/noah-photo5.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL33oel5bNoeKkFTXfkTxuW4ohTongU-579OlXMcg7YAohJg8QagRVOhyCOX-NqdUhwuvZtcLpu0MNrdFUbYleSA8AnRxgHU99Xb-4Kzibt9a6CLy6CqVw3mUDhNbrbTgj-jpfHW1u0A/s1600/noah-photo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL33oel5bNoeKkFTXfkTxuW4ohTongU-579OlXMcg7YAohJg8QagRVOhyCOX-NqdUhwuvZtcLpu0MNrdFUbYleSA8AnRxgHU99Xb-4Kzibt9a6CLy6CqVw3mUDhNbrbTgj-jpfHW1u0A/s1600/noah-photo6.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-8743700767175619112014-04-16T19:44:00.001-07:002014-04-16T19:44:33.313-07:00Color Bears - Hold On<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bzQd-MvwqKg" width="480"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-69846572423846019042014-02-13T17:19:00.001-08:002014-02-13T17:19:47.152-08:00Rebekah Townsend - In The Sun<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VCT2Miqyqr4" width="480"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-2047249998792723332013-11-21T14:12:00.000-08:002013-12-08T08:21:41.809-08:00God is in the slumsA couple days ago, I spent half a day with a friend of mine, <a href="http://www.fresnoschoolofmission.com/our-staff/" target="_blank">Dr. Nzash Lumeya</a>, who is a missionary to Fresno. Originally from The Congo, Nzash studied in France, got a doctorate from Fuller Seminary and somehow found himself ministering among the poorest people in our city. As he spent half a day taking us around the neighborhoods he serves, I was struck by the longevity of this humble man and his impact on families. For over 7 years, he has been selflessly reaching out to those for whom he might be the closest thing to "church" they will ever see, touch, or hear.<br />
<br />
One thing he said to me I have not been able to shake.<br />
<br />
"When we help people directly, through meeting the needs of the poor, then God's love for them goes from speculation to reality."<br />
<br />
Most people have an idea of what they think church is about, who they think Jesus is. Many times this impression is overwhelmingly negative. What I heard from Nzash is this: when we put tangible action ahead of rhetoric then people get to see who God's followers are and hopefully, what He is really like.<br />
<br />
This whole business of trying to be faithful to the character of God within the confines of organized religion can sometimes be incredibly discouraging. And yet, where challenges persist, innovations are always possible. Recently, I was at a District Advisory Committee meeting for Clovis Unified School District and we were shown this inspiring story.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jU4oA3kkAWU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
And so we press on to find ways to bring the solution into contact with the people who need it. Since we need the solution (Jesus) ourselves, it shouldn't be hard to share with others. As long as we are looking in the right places.<br />
<br />
<div class="leftContainer" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; float: left; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding-right: 10px; width: 625px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="quote mediumText " style="border-bottom-color: rgb(215, 215, 215); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-size: 14px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 0px; width: 625px;">
<div class="quoteDetails fullLine" style="float: left; margin-right: 12.5px; width: 625px;">
<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56627.Bono" style="color: #666600; float: left; margin-right: 10px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Bono" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1207848868p2/56627.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></a><br />
<div class="quoteText" style="font-family: georgia, serif; padding: 0px 5px 10px 0px;">
<h1 class="quoteText" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
“God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.”― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56627.Bono" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Bono</a></h1>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-12007103286316932072013-10-17T09:05:00.002-07:002013-10-17T09:05:41.747-07:00#HumanRights and Blog Action Day 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR5DDSR2QJyX5trPNab9EScwprQdTL5NMxEAtOUjnHasgEjmgerW_aowTvka6oOF4y-c0L-Rgi83JtobV2JvpK4X2avC-z9qgXnXcqLVm8Kr4pj704cYPEJbtBGx0Xs9_4eOyiBsrCrY/s1600/one+campaign+daughtry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR5DDSR2QJyX5trPNab9EScwprQdTL5NMxEAtOUjnHasgEjmgerW_aowTvka6oOF4y-c0L-Rgi83JtobV2JvpK4X2avC-z9qgXnXcqLVm8Kr4pj704cYPEJbtBGx0Xs9_4eOyiBsrCrY/s320/one+campaign+daughtry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I haven't written too many blog entries this year. But as I heard about this year's topic for <a href="http://blogactionday.org/" target="_blank">Blog Action Day</a>, I knew that I had to chime in about #HumanRights. The <a href="http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/" target="_blank">UN's Declaration of Human Rights</a> is a document that I have studied since college and a vital step forward for millions, even billions of people--if and only if, governments and the people of the world agree to do something about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfcPa6xxQbZBerA7T9RAdXovK13oBN_yNF9xG3BzpQvVbaQ3PBcZNHo0A1JJGz4EKPKZF6XPTvybfoNxUgaETUTodEU8DFDZbifJjJOQbd1AIF5EtsmG-Lzbc5BwLoH8sG_lEmM7OYII/s1600/one+photo+august+22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfcPa6xxQbZBerA7T9RAdXovK13oBN_yNF9xG3BzpQvVbaQ3PBcZNHo0A1JJGz4EKPKZF6XPTvybfoNxUgaETUTodEU8DFDZbifJjJOQbd1AIF5EtsmG-Lzbc5BwLoH8sG_lEmM7OYII/s320/one+photo+august+22.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
While far from a perfect grassroots organization, our efforts here in Fresno/Clovis to shine a light on people who are living in extreme poverty, represents to me a very local and human response to making sure that people, especially women and children DO NOT DIE JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE BORN IN THE WRONG PART OF THE WORLD.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXTvCXqS28wVWUV3b4xGubkqRGRbCEwz7JH-xWFfmPl7hcnm0MoacOBspBbsUGiV9xiM9VUPw-cler9S-78Elhymxtltrq_rAmSYsjfabWYh9Y4HRwz-0FcUpIZX3dMD8AfGF8ouhrEo/s1600/ONE+Starbucks+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXTvCXqS28wVWUV3b4xGubkqRGRbCEwz7JH-xWFfmPl7hcnm0MoacOBspBbsUGiV9xiM9VUPw-cler9S-78Elhymxtltrq_rAmSYsjfabWYh9Y4HRwz-0FcUpIZX3dMD8AfGF8ouhrEo/s320/ONE+Starbucks+photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So today, one day late for #BAD2013 I might add, I am thankful for all the volunteers and supporters of <a href="http://one.org/" target="_blank">ONE</a>. I am thankful to Congressman <a href="http://nunes.house.gov/" target="_blank">Devin Nunes</a> office for consistently listening to our concerns and advocacy and building towards Clovis/Tulare CA 22 becoming a voice for the global poor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPK6OAzINvmKBSE9LmNeDbjtsA2AtDtEiXh1JLGdJHTCdWbf2L5-zpHhPhvxJhcG9P-r-j4RJ3fScAtjZZKW5oioYQrVmQ2GcA_cRxfZmb8v1w5VzJ3jb7X2CLimmouliER8NSWRSEcg/s1600/photo+one+august+22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPK6OAzINvmKBSE9LmNeDbjtsA2AtDtEiXh1JLGdJHTCdWbf2L5-zpHhPhvxJhcG9P-r-j4RJ3fScAtjZZKW5oioYQrVmQ2GcA_cRxfZmb8v1w5VzJ3jb7X2CLimmouliER8NSWRSEcg/s320/photo+one+august+22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In the last several years we have signed up over 1,000 new ONE members through outreach events, concerts and personal sharing. Nearly every basic human right is threatened by extreme poverty and each of us can use our voice for those don't have one!<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-73589263489301642722013-09-10T17:48:00.003-07:002013-09-10T17:48:46.175-07:00Meza Films project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtf4Iga4r1iHilit6DTCLtF2G1-SWL3Xuk-6zUZ464sGKxhDFzrDDbkb5EYysT_KdCrn6OyPRsORIsuma2fFXdrKI4KkDmopaIMPU4APL2RSaSawxQxI_WYYl2Hd6HrbV6LF9ndkvC_dY/s1600/50883c53e4b006c3d7d7df8c.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtf4Iga4r1iHilit6DTCLtF2G1-SWL3Xuk-6zUZ464sGKxhDFzrDDbkb5EYysT_KdCrn6OyPRsORIsuma2fFXdrKI4KkDmopaIMPU4APL2RSaSawxQxI_WYYl2Hd6HrbV6LF9ndkvC_dY/s320/50883c53e4b006c3d7d7df8c.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This past spring, I had the privilege of being profiled by a local photographer and filmmaker, <a href="http://mezafilms.com/about/" target="_blank">Enrique Meza</a>, for a project called "Who Cares?"<br />
<br />
Enrique is not only a very talented artist, but he is committed to showcasing and supporting a more positive and accurate view of the people and communities that make up<a href="http://www.fresnopolis.org/" target="_blank"> Fresno</a>.<br />
<br />
View the whole profile <a href="http://mezafilms.com/latest/2013/4/8/ryan-townsend" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe9DJuL9NkaCDg4CUCgtX7tqksfKYkZaMcGgdCSm-QcfNG6uG_pa82nbNIOREtAIL10td_fW8C_BMycPOjfwxh20wIwHRs6FukX5PLRLCMjn6ydCrShnwpf79WpPAT8LHzZ3ikWoiyTA/s1600/Ryan-009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe9DJuL9NkaCDg4CUCgtX7tqksfKYkZaMcGgdCSm-QcfNG6uG_pa82nbNIOREtAIL10td_fW8C_BMycPOjfwxh20wIwHRs6FukX5PLRLCMjn6ydCrShnwpf79WpPAT8LHzZ3ikWoiyTA/s320/Ryan-009.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-50457141920561453742013-07-02T16:14:00.003-07:002013-07-02T16:14:39.210-07:00Faith Over FearA talk I gave recently that focuses on our response when we encounter situations that seem hopeless.<br />
<br />
How do we have faith when we only feel fear?
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/69568846" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/69568846">Faith Over Fear</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/northparkchurch">Northpark Community Church</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-17270321737805355812013-01-25T19:51:00.000-08:002013-01-25T19:51:24.309-08:0010 Favorite Albums of 2012<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgyuOOkrQn2-2t_9cnDXVY1tuU5I5QlltPWLAqtO1ktYG879tQhTRuIweuuoYy1YNlrb56OMdqEnfKmaKAZLD_5gHgPusTg0qW524Z3PM2qGWP2WGDABt3gxJPRoUGk_pwWMSJ-aVjH8/s1600/hammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgyuOOkrQn2-2t_9cnDXVY1tuU5I5QlltPWLAqtO1ktYG879tQhTRuIweuuoYy1YNlrb56OMdqEnfKmaKAZLD_5gHgPusTg0qW524Z3PM2qGWP2WGDABt3gxJPRoUGk_pwWMSJ-aVjH8/s320/hammock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2012 Top Ten Albums in 140 characters each</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10. <a href="http://reignofterror.tv/" target="_blank">Sleigh Bells</a> - Reign of Terror: surprised by how much I
enjoyed outrageously abrasive production/infectious melodies. Over. The. Top.<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F33106352" width="100%"></iframe> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. <a href="http://steadycraig.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Craig Finn</a> - Clear Heart Full Eyes: All my downtime makes
me nervous, Finn says. Somehow I get that. Pure gut-punch stories via Nashville.</div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XrPNt5ZDhsM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. <a href="http://thejealoussound.net/" target="_blank">The Jealous Sound</a> - A Gentle Reminder: gently reminding us
how needed Blair's heartbroken lyricism is. Heard it before? Yes. Still vital?
Yes!</div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/K1PSN_mxWSc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. <a href="http://kathleenedwards.com/" target="_blank">Kathleen Edwards</a> - Voyaeur: Sounds like spring in the
dead of winter. Folksy, modern, tragicomic songs delivered by veteran
songstress.</div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3vV1J3cQnj0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. <a href="http://www.fromindianlakes.com/" target="_blank">From Indian Lakes</a> - Able Bodies: Making Central Cal proud
with mathpop time-shifts, sharp-edged guitars, AND singable, intelligent songs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cUUhxRj5AHc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. <a href="http://www.ofmonstersandmen.com/" target="_blank">Of Monsters and Men</a> - My Head Is An Animal: many
instruments, voices make a pleasant racket...should sound plastic but instead
is sublime.</div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A76a_LNIYwE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. <a href="http://japandroids.com/" target="_blank">Japandroids</a> - Celebration Rock. If crafting fuzzy,
stadium-sized, 3XL anthems is so easy, ask yourself this: Why am I not in the
Spin Top 50?</div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tALN2S2rINw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. <a href="http://www.thekillersmusic.com/" target="_blank">The Killers</a> - Battle Born: Brandon Flowers is gifted.
Ambitious, soaring, passion-pop songs that tell Our Story, circa '12. Not
trendy but timeless.</div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qok9Ialei4c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. <a href="http://thewalkmen.com/" target="_blank">The Walkmen</a> - Heaven: indie music for grownups...family
vacations, storytime, and bittersweet love (the only kind). And it sounds
amazing.</div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DQ5kYHV4YZY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. <a href="http://hammockmusic.com/" target="_blank">Hammock</a> - Departure Songs: post-rock masterwork.
Sprawling, densely layered double album, sounds like planets spiraling over
fiscal cliff.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F59509139" width="100%"></iframe><br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-56703696663334671902012-11-19T16:12:00.001-08:002012-11-19T16:12:32.313-08:00HomilyLove is a gift from God.<br />
<br />
A chemical, spiritual, burst of emotion that is capable of changing our hearts and minds.<br />
<br />
Love catapults us into a life that we would otherwise not be capable of living.<br />
<br />
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams," wrote the gifted philosopher Dr. Seuss.<br />
<br />
But love is about more than feelings.<br />
<br />
Love is also about choices.<br />
<br />
John Lennon famously said "All You Need is Love" but I think that can only be true if we are talking about Love that finds form in right and virtuous action.<br />
<br />
Our culture tends to be a little flippant about love.<br />
<br />
I love these shoes. I love my iPhone 5. I love burritos. That's not what love is.<br />
<br />
The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."<br />
<br />
And how did Christ love the church, how did Christ love all of humanity?<br />
<br />
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:16 NIV)<br />
<br />
Jesus showed us love, not as a concept or a feeling but as an action.<br />
<br />
He showed us Love IN Action.<br />
<br />
Love is sacrificially giving up one's rights, dreams, preferences, ambitions and natural selfishness.<br />
<br />
When two people become one, it only works when we prefer the other person over ourselves.<br />
<br />
Love is about faithfulness, commitment and friendship.<br />
<br />
Some of you are fortunate to have parents who love each other, who are friends, who embody the values of commitment and dedication that are behind every successful marriage.<br />
<br />
In a world where we are told to do what feels good and what makes us happy, they have chosen to be faithful.
They have chosen commitment.
And finally, they have chosen to be friends.<br />
<br />
There is a Friedrich Nietzsche quote on friendship and marriage, “It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.”<br />
<br />
The best advice I could give today, is after you've built the right foundation and made the most holy of commitments, is to continue to be friends for the rest of your lives.<br />
<br />
That's when the pain, the struggle, the challenges transform into the joy, the fun, and the glory.<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-39158265858576178272012-07-10T22:22:00.002-07:002012-07-10T22:23:11.186-07:00New single "Bleak House" by the overdubs<div style='width:225px; height:165px; margin:0; padding:0; border:0; background-image:url(http://www.cdbaby.com/Images/Links/linkmkr_btn3.png);'><a href='http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/theoverdubs' style='display:block; padding:36px 10px 10px 45px; margin:0; border:0;'><img src='http://CDBaby.name/t/h/theoverdubs_small.jpg' width='100' height='100' alt='The Overdubs: Bleak House' style='border:0; margin:0; padding:0;' /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-69356987121526122272012-05-27T11:00:00.001-07:002012-05-27T11:02:30.662-07:00Latter Days by Rebekah TownsendI am my wife's biggest fan, that's why I decided to try and do her performance of <a href="http://overtherhine.com/">Over The Rhine's</a> heartbreaking masterpiece "Latter Days" justice by creating a music video from footage on my hard drive. We recorded this song live in our living room.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fznvAoTEixo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-1400939689694732642012-05-21T22:26:00.000-07:002012-05-21T22:26:12.534-07:00ONE Summit VideoHere's a video from the time I spent in Washington DC last month. Find out more about how you can make a difference at <a href="http://one.org/">ONE.org</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/41967098" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-20606853779388407622012-04-24T13:06:00.002-07:002012-04-24T13:06:40.742-07:00ONE Power Summit 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhaod6IKJx2AHk9a-78RNddwqihZ-5tc_fLYXZ-X5D5Ah_hM1EXhSXlRHvSUFYpq7ex4scvn1a5gnp9dyaNSzHzdrKLc9k2DCbtHC2vZml4YgdH4FHfGsKvCEuxsuc2aNXe2Uhv0ygS0/s1600/557621_3558753682648_1086943825_33504414_705196576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhaod6IKJx2AHk9a-78RNddwqihZ-5tc_fLYXZ-X5D5Ah_hM1EXhSXlRHvSUFYpq7ex4scvn1a5gnp9dyaNSzHzdrKLc9k2DCbtHC2vZml4YgdH4FHfGsKvCEuxsuc2aNXe2Uhv0ygS0/s320/557621_3558753682648_1086943825_33504414_705196576_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Along with over 150 <a href="http://one.org/">ONE</a> volunteers, last week I traveled from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresno,_California">Fresno, CA </a>to our nation's capital for this year's ONE Power Summit. There,
we had the privilege of learning from leading voices on extreme
poverty and an opportunity to collaborate with other activists to
produce catalytic action on behalf of the world's poorest people.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Throughout the conference, I was consistently
motivated through thoughtful presentations on policy, advocacy and
communications. On Monday afternoon, we heard from Gayle Smith, Special
Assistant to The President of the United States and Senior Director,
National Security Council. Smith spoke about the administration's
commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS, eliminating preventable child deaths
and ensuring food security for the world's poorest people. Particularly
paying attention to the president's Feed The Future initiative, she said
"It's our hope that Feed The Future will last for many, many years
until the job's done." She thanked ONE for continuing to let the White
House know that preserving funding for life saving programs must remain a
priority.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Ebrahim
Rasool, Ambassador of South Africa to the United States. Rasool spoke
about the important role that activists, like all of ONE's membership,
play in our current global community. "Activists have the ability to
imagine a future that hasn't yet arrived," he said. Recalling firsthand
the difference that PEPFAR (begun by President George W. Bush) has made
in South Africa, Rasool concluded with an appeal to stay the course on
fighting HIV/AIDS. He said, "This is not the time to be tired, this is
is not the time to retire."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We finished our time together with preparations for
Lobby Day, a time when a diverse group made up of professionals, clergy,
students, veterans, moms, teachers and more, will head up to Capitol
Hill to let our elected officials know that ONE advocates for people
whose lives are on the line!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-83900440861447214312011-08-15T13:32:00.000-07:002011-08-15T13:43:20.017-07:00Awkward people vs. God has a plan<embed src="http://sermonplayer.com/swf/mvp2.swf" flashvars="clientid=2875&sermonid=2742071&d=http://sermonplayer.com/&autostart=false" wmode="transparent" quality="high" bgcolor="transparent" name="mini_video_player" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" height="480" width="640"></embed>
<br />
<br />The other night my wife and I were at the movies. The previews started but someone forgot (or intentionally hatched a dastardly plan to sell more popcorn) to turn the lights down. We both remarked that it felt very strange and unnatural to be sitting in a room full of strangers watching a large collection of projected images on the wall.
<br />
<br />I sat there thinking, I wonder if that is the experience people have when visiting church? If instead of a we're-all-in-this-together experience, they get a random collection of stranger staring at a stage and two projection screens...
<br />
<br />I soon forgot about my concerns because Captain America: The First Avenger came onscreen and somebody remembered to turn off the lights, thus preserving the illusion of intimacy for us on our date night.
<br />
<br />I hope and pray that our church is not like going to the movies. I want to be part of something bigger than entertainment, something more personal than marketing and something more genuine than made-up superheroes.
<br />
<br />Above is a talk I gave a couple of weeks ago about Paul and Silas in prison in the book of Acts. I don't think anyone who walked into the church in Phillipi could have been considered a stranger...
<br />
<br />What do you think?
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-37118081323295305432011-04-05T08:23:00.000-07:002011-04-05T08:28:45.617-07:00You Are A Tourist by Death Cab For CutieLike most critical thinkers/unfair people, I feel a certain hesitation to praise a <a href="http://www.u2.com">veteran band</a> that is still motivated enough to chase big ideas. I remember back in high school when "I liked their first album, everything after that was lame," was a mantra for anybody cool. All that to say, I am really impressed and swooning over <a href="http://deathcabforcutie.com">Death Cab For Cutie's</a> latest single <a href="http://youareatourist.com">"You Are A Tourist"</a> from their forthcoming lp, Codes and Keys. So much so, that I am embedding the live feed for today's video shoot below.<br /><br /><a href="http://atlr.ec/gw9Pp3" target="_blank"><img src="http://flash.atlrec.com/deathcabforcutie/banners/yaat/d2fbanner.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="utv144575" width="448" height="276"><param name="flashvars" value="autoplay=false&brand=embed&cid=7772520&v3=1"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf"><embed flashvars="autoplay=false&brand=embed&cid=7772520&v3=1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="utv144575" name="utv_n_401544" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="448" height="276"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/Bing" target="_blank"><img src="http://flash.atlrec.com/deathcabforcutie/banners/yaat/bingbanner.gif" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.redlaser.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://flash.atlrec.com/deathcabforcutie/banners/yaat/redlaserbanner.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://metrics.wmg.com/b/ss/wmgyouareatouristembed/5/123456?pagename=embededVideo" alt="" width="5" height="5" /><a href="http://youareatourist.com/mobile.php" style="padding: 2px 0px 4px; width: 480px; background: #ffffff; display: block; color: #000000; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Can't see the stream on your mobile device? Click here.</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-6838522178435591232011-03-27T09:37:00.001-07:002011-03-27T09:37:30.739-07:00Lists, Love WinsNormal things I saw this weekend and/or Signs that the End is Near<br /><br />1. An overturned pickup truck smashed to pieces with both occupants apparently unharmed. This scene caused us and twenty other vehicles to leave snow-buried Shaver Lake at speeds under 25 mph.<br /><br />2. My NCAA bracket in ruins.<br /><br />3. My son terrified of getting out of the "snow boat" sled as we waded through 4 ft drifts in order to "play."<br /><br />4. The playground at Northpark turned into a stew of wood chips and eventually a pond suitable for fish and ducks.<br /><br />5. A blog post featuring me reading a controversial recent best seller that I haven't actually read.<br /><br />Pretty sweet albums in my weekend, mental vacation playlist<br /><br />Bright Eyes- The Peoples Key<br />The Strokes- Angles<br />The Tallest Man On Earth- Sometimes The Blues is a Passing Bird<br />Brandon Flowers- Flamingo<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-63434069378329517822011-03-12T11:58:00.000-08:002011-03-12T12:10:23.677-08:00Lent and FriendshipI have a lot of opinions.<br /><br />Trust me, ask my friends. Speaking of friends, I am blessed to have a bunch of them who are constantly giving me grace as I blather on and on about God, music, politics, bicycles and fashion. Reverse the order of that list and that's probably more accurate. <div><br /></div> <div>These friends come from all over the place, geographically and ideologically. I have liberal friends, fundamentalist friends, post-conservative friends, hyper-critical friends and existentialist friends. My closest friends though are probably the ones with whom I have the most common ground, which I think is natural. Recently Bekah and I and the kids got to spend some quality time with our best friends which was likely the highlight of our year so far. Nothing is more healing to the soul than dinner and conversation with people you share your life with.<br /><br />Jesus clearly articulated the need for close friends and yet, because spending time with people you have most in common with is Natural, he also modeled the SUPER Natural ability to find common ground with all types of people. He also expanded the circle of who we should be willing to lay down our lives for to go beyond family, friends, fellow citizens, to even include our enemies.<br /><br />During this season of Lent, rather than blog on and on about my opinions. It is my hope that I can reflect on what I am thankful for....today, it's friendship. And in a posture of humility, to be open to the work of the Spirit, transforming me to become more like Jesus, to be a better friend to a wider group of people and to love my enemies as much as I do my friends.<br /><br />(During the season of Lent leading up to Easter, when we Christians celebrate the Resurrection, I am following along with an<a href="http://www.worldvisionacts.org/ash_wed"> ACTS World Vision study</a>. You can to!)<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-30746828321071704322011-01-31T11:57:00.000-08:002011-01-31T14:44:22.091-08:00Talking Voice vs. Singing VoiceSince I turned thirty, I think I am starting the process of coming to peaceful terms with the somewhat diverse nature of my job. One week, I may be speaking to high school students, the next trying to hang in there with 19 year old musicians for <a href="http://weareonefresno.com/">We Are One</a>, and the next <a href="http://northparkchurch.org/">preaching to people aged 13 to 93</a>.<br /><br />It's really pretty incredible and I consider it a blessing and a privilege. Here's some footage from some stuff I've been up to. (Clearly I haven't been blogging much)<br /><br /><embed src="http://sermonplayer.com/swf/mvp2.swf" flashvars="clientid=2875&sermonid=2587235&d=http://sermonplayer.com/&autostart=false" wmode="transparent" quality="high" bgcolor="transparent" name="mini_video_player" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" width="640" height="480"></embed><br /><br /><br /><br /><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="utv185877" name="utv_n_41713" width="480" height="296"><param name="flashvars" value="loc=%2F&autoplay=false&vid=11962566&locale=en_US&hasticket=false&id=11962566&v3=1"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="src" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf"><embed flashvars="loc=%2F&autoplay=false&vid=11962566&locale=en_US&hasticket=false&id=11962566&v3=1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="utv185877" name="utv_n_41713" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="296"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://sermonplayer.com/swf/mvp2.swf" flashvars="clientid=2875&sermonid=2548669&d=http://sermonplayer.com/&autostart=false" wmode="transparent" quality="high" bgcolor="transparent" name="mini_video_player" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" width="640" height="480"></embed><div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917272731647319606.post-40316176872743820752010-12-21T08:58:00.000-08:002010-12-21T21:56:40.072-08:00Top Ten Albums 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/2010/08/02/arcade%20fire%20the%20suburbs.jpg?1280760687"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/2010/08/02/arcade%20fire%20the%20suburbs.jpg?1280760687" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://music.is-amazing.com/sites/music.is-amazing.com/files/covers/theholdsteady.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://music.is-amazing.com/sites/music.is-amazing.com/files/covers/theholdsteady.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:wMki12GaPSm_rM:http://http://www.uploadpix.org/thumb.php?url=http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww185/worldisbar/new2/51WB7t6Za4L_SL500_.jpg&t=1"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:wMki12GaPSm_rM:http://http://www.uploadpix.org/thumb.php?url=http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww185/worldisbar/new2/51WB7t6Za4L_SL500_.jpg&t=1" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://racecarspacecar.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/tokyo-police-club-champ-cover-art.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://racecarspacecar.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/tokyo-police-club-champ-cover-art.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/national.jpg?1272975107"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/national.jpg?1272975107" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://berglovespizza.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/hammock-chasing-after-shadows-living-with-ghosts-300x300.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://berglovespizza.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/hammock-chasing-after-shadows-living-with-ghosts-300x300.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.popmatters.com/images/music_cover_art/r/ra_ra_riot-_the_orchard_cover.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.popmatters.com/images/music_cover_art/r/ra_ra_riot-_the_orchard_cover.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.intothehill.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/medicine.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.intothehill.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/medicine.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/Gold_Panda__.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/Gold_Panda__.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.thefrontloader.com/imagesforblogs/album_covers/Sufjan%20Stevens%20Age%20of%20Adz.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.thefrontloader.com/imagesforblogs/album_covers/Sufjan%20Stevens%20Age%20of%20Adz.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />10.Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz<br />9. Gold Panda - Lucky Shiner<br />8. John Mark McMillan - The Medicine<br />7. Ra Ra Riot - The Orchard<br />6. Hammock - Chasing After Shadows ... Living With The Ghosts<br />5. The National - High Violet<br />4. The Choir - Burning Like The Midnight Sun<br />3. Tokyo Police Club - Champ<br />2. The Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever<br />1. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs<br /><br />I feel like I might be getting <a href="http://manolomen.com/2010/09/16/man-in-uniform/">old and predictable</a>. The only real surprise on my list, to me at least, is <a href="http://www.myspace.com/goldpanda">Gold Panda</a>, a nod to the indie/dance/club music that kids like my <a href="http://hypem.com/">hipper-than-gold-chains</a> friend Stephen Di Trolio. And I mean that with all respect. This year with Micah on the road from 1 year old to 2, I didn't see too many shows but two of my favorites were mewithoutyou and sleepy sun with Stephen. The best two though were <a href="http://davidbazan.com/">David Bazan</a> with full band at <a href="http://www.cellardoorvisalia.com/">The Cellar Door</a> and <a href="http://www.justin-jones.com/">Justin Jones</a> at The <a href="http://www.930.com/">9:30 Club</a>.<br /><br />I guess it's appropriate that one of my <a href="http://www.arcadefire.com/the-suburbs/">favorite songs of 2010 and my favorite album</a> are both called "The Suburbs" since I've been living in the suburbs for a while and am now becoming a home owner in the suburbs. Still, this has been a great year and I can't accuse myself of not trying new things. From riding fixed-gear (uncomfortable at times but fun) to wearing raw selvedge denim (uncomfortable), I enjoy things like Sufjan Steven's <a href="http://sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com/">The Age of Adz</a> that require some commitment. Ultimately though the best thing about that album is the live performance of "Too Much" on late night TV.<br /><br />When you turn 30, sometimes the familiar voices of favorite bands start to sound like old friends. See the selections of The Hold Steady, The National, Hammock and The Choir. Maybe it's more important to be a friend than to be cool. And maybe moving to the suburbs requires more commitment to making and maintaining old friendships than living in some great American city.<br /><br />I'm cool with that.<div class="blogger-post-footer">faith, hope, love, indie rock.</div>Ryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06205442040132912463noreply@blogger.com1