Ibrahim Olaiseh

Doing all of these videos for Compassion has been a great privilege for everyone involved. Over the past few years I've gotten to be pretty good friends with some Compassion graduates. These are people who at one time were sponsored by someone like you or me, and as a result were literally released from poverty.

This summer we've got 5 Kenyan Compassion graduates traveling with Student Life speaking on behalf of Compassion.

You and I cannot begin to understand the kind of life/world these people come from. Abject poverty. Hunger. HIV-AIDS. Malaria. All that.

Now, being one of the dudes who's involved with the "messaging for American teenagers" behind these guys stories, I often times have to think "what's the best way to bridge these two worlds for teenagers?" It ain't easy.

So Eric and I talked to Ibe about all this using my phone.

This video is more or less for all my friends and family back home in Texas who I don't get to spend a lot of time with, cause if there's one thing I love talking about, it's Compassion.

For everyone: If you're a Christ follower and you're not sponsoring a kid or fifty with Compassion you are missing out. Click here to do so.

And lastly, I'm aware of how big of an idiot I am in this video. I interrupt, I don't listen, and I'm an all around bad interviewer, I apologize and will try to do better next time.

BTW: I started a new YouTube account for videos I make with my phone. Check it out if you want: http://www.youtube.com/trobmobile

Mustang Sunset

Part of my drive home from Amarillo the other night.

Michael Jackson

So probably everyone who has a blog is going to do a post on MJ in the next couple of days, so I just figured I'd get mine over with.

MJ was awesome. You liked him, at least you better have.

Liking MJ was like liking snack food. If, for some un-known reason, you were to say to me "You know, I really never liked MJ. His music wasn't that good in my opinion." I probably wouldn't even try to argue with you about it. What's the point? You just proved your opinion is invalid.

Now, that being said, I'm not a big fan of pop music. I was, in junior high, but you see, junior high kids (bad music taste) are who pop music is aimed at.

Maybe you can already see where I'm going with this.

So, it may seem as if I've already contradicted my self. Saying, "MJ was awesome." and "I'm not a fan of pop music." Nope.

Every thing that happened in pop world before Mike, and every thing that's happened since has been one big attempt at becoming MJ. It's like a playground full of children playing tag, and one of them can fly.

Pop music is defined (or should be for that matter) by MJ. He is the standard by which all other pop artists should be measured. And to be quite honest, no one has ever come close to the bar he's set. And I try to never say never, but with the state of pop music and the only possible outcome it can have from this point forward, I think it's safe to say that no one ever will.

I guess you could say, MJ is the reason I don't like pop music.

Don't think I'm comparing him to The Beatles, U2, GnR (well maybe a little), Springsteen, or The Stones, because I am not. Although, his library could stand up to any of those listed. MJ is the king of pop, and that's what we're talking about. You'd never say that any of those others give him a run for that throne.

There are two kinds of people in this world:
1. People who used to dance like crazy to MJ's songs alone.
2. People who lie about not dancing like crazy to MJ's songs alone.

I am proud to admit it. You should have seen my moves. On the kitchen tile, with socks but no shoes, my moon-walk was virtually spot on.

I dare you, right now, don't think about the opening bass line of Billy Jean.....See?

People died at his concerts.

Fast forward in to about a minute then he comes out.

Church Discipline Videos

Brook Hills did a series on church discipline. And since CD seems to be a pretty heavy subject they wanted a funny video series to intro the sermons. T5 and I did some creative and voice for the series. Hope you enjoy.

Cast includes: Travis, Mandy Mapes, David Platt, and I

Top Five Lists

Haven't make these lists in a while, bringin' it back! I used to be so afraid to make list like this for fear of leaving out choices I would regret later. It's a new day. Here's my list - right now. In no particular order, of corse.

5 songs:

Readin', Rightin', Rt. 23 - Dwight Yoakam

It Was Just My Imagination - Temptations

God Only Knows - Beach Boys

La Cienega Just Smiled - Ryan Adams

In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel (I know, I know, get off, it's a great song)

5 albums:

Heartbreaker - Ryan Adams

Radiohead - The Bends

At Folsom Prison - Johnny Cash

Moondance - Van Morrison

The Stranger - Billy Joel

5 movies:

High Fidelity

Dr. Strangelove

Jaws

The Big Lebowski

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

They say you can tell alot about a person's taste by the things that they don't like. Here's 5 bands/artist/movies/directors I don't like.

Jimmy Buffet

The Eagles

M. Knight Shamalamadingdong

Moolawn Rooj - or however you spell it

Phish/Widespread Panic/and all those other interchangeable jam bands

Please let me know what you think of my tastes. Be honest and unmerciful. I can take it. Feel free to leave your own lists.