Archive for May, 2010

Stella Update

Posted: May 31, 2010 in Dogs, Family, Life
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A lot of people have been asking for updates on our new English Bulldog puppy – Stella.

Here are some of the highlights…

  • She is growing everyday. She has easily doubled (possibly tripled) in size since we got her. The bigger she gets, the cuter she gets.
  • She is almost completely potty trained except for the occasional “can’t-hold-this-any-longer” accident. She is slowly but surely obtaining more and more freedom everyday.
  • She already has one trick in her arsenal. That would be “sit”.
  • The veterinarian we took her to said that she is a 10 out of 10 on every characteristic of an English Bulldog (flexibility, shape, size, underbite, breathing, etc).
  • She is in the biting stage. She still has those very sharp baby teeth but she’s working on getting those out. Problem is that she’s trying to get them out by gnawing on my hand.
  • Gaby and Stella are getting along great. Gaby does a great job of putting up with her. She let’s Stella bite her long ears and extra neck skin. She will play gently with Stella without hurting her.

Here are some pictures…

The countdown is on…10 days!

Posted: May 27, 2010 in Faith, Life, Ministry, People, Spirituality
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The countdown is officially on…

10 days and counting until Sulphur Springs Workcamp 2010. This year at the 4th annual SSWC, 12 churches from Texas and Oklahoma are coming together to paint and restore 18-20 houses in the Sulphur Springs, Texas community.

Over the past 3 years, Sulphur Springs Workcamp has painted and restored 32 houses. This year our goal is to paint and restore 20, but we cannot do this without you.

If you are a teenager (current 6th-12th grader) or adult and you would like to be involved with SSWC 2010, please contact me as soon as possible. Time is running out for you to be involved in such an incredible, God-sized event. You will have a blast serving, laughing, being crazy, painting, scraping, singing, worshiping, growing, and being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Not to mention, check out our amazing lineup that will be at SSWC 2010…

Don’t miss out.

End of an Era

Posted: May 24, 2010 in Culture, Life, TV
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There is a famous saying that says, “All good things must come to an end.”

I guess that applies to TV shows.

Over the past two days I have watched the series finales of two of my favorite TV shows of all time – LOST and 24. For years we have watched both of these epic TV shows every week. It is sad to know that those two time slots  on my DVR are now open.

No more Jack Bauer. No more Jack Shephard. No more 4 8 15 16 23 42. No more TV shows where events occur in real time.

LOST and 24, thank you for being so stinkin’ good. You will be missed.

__________________

Here’s the next logical question…

Since I have two less TV shows now to keep up with, what TV shows should I check out that I’ve been missing? Any suggestions?

Quote of the Week

Posted: May 19, 2010 in Funny, Life, Ministry, People, Random
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Talking with a guy I’ve never met about my job as a student pastor where I get the privilege to work everyday with middle and high school students, and he says…

“SO…HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO BE A JUNIOR PASTOR?”

Classic.

Letter to Facebook

Posted: May 18, 2010 in Culture, Friends, Funny, Life, People, Technology
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Dear Facebook,

What’s up? How’s life? Things are going pretty well in Brian-world, but there are a couple of things we need to talk about.

We have been friends now for a few years. I have seen you grow up and mature over the years. I have seen you overtake Myspace as the #1 social media website. I have been been there every step of the way as you’ve made changes – some good, some bad. But it’s time we have an honest, one-on-one conversation.

I’ve been patient through these changes. I’ve sat through numerous changes to my wall and my news feed. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that I can invite my 1000+ friends to a weekend cookout using the new events section. I love the fact that I can tell people who I don’t really talk to “Happy Birthday”. However, you’ve crossed the line.

I’ve started hanging out with another social media website. Her name is Twitter. She is pretty cool. We are just friends. I have not totally abandoned you for Twitter, but you’re not making this easy. I feel like you are jealous of our new friendship. If you would just give her a chance, I think you would really like her. It doesn’t have to be a competition. I can be friends with you BOTH. You could even work together like the good ole’ days when I first introduced you to each other.

Remember back in the day when I could update my Twitter and my Facebook status at the same time? One status update on two different social media websites working together to make my life easier. It was beautiful. Now, I update my Twitter and it shows up on my Facebook News Feed but not as a status update. Therefore, people who only look at their friends status updates are not seeing the Internet goodness that I am trying to communicate. You have put Twitter on the same level as Farmville and the Twilight Quizes. What happened between you two? You were working together so well.

We need to get this problem fixed as soon as possible for 2 reasons: 1) To make my social media life easier and 2) People need to read my status updates because I am that important. (Kidding…but really…I am…)

Sincerely,

Brian Cromer

The Bible Tells Me So

Posted: May 17, 2010 in Family, Funny, Life, People, The Bible
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Believe it or not, Heather and I frequently get asked “When are you two going to have kids?”

That’s a reasonable question to ask a soon to be 29-year-old and 26-year-old couple who have been married for almost 6 years. At times we even feel the pressure because of our age, current stage of life, or the always ticking biological clock to start having kids.

Then I read Genesis 5…

  • Adam was 130 when he had Seth (verse 3)
  • Seth was 105 when he had Enosh (verse 6)
  • Enosh was 90 when he had Kenan (verse 9)
  • Kenan was 70 when he had Mahalalel (verse 12)
  • Mahalalel was 65 when he had Jared (verse 15)
  • Jared was 162 when he had Enoch (verse 18)
  • Enoch was 65 when he had Methuselah (verse 21)
  • Methuselah was 187 when he had Lamech (verse 25)
  • Lamech was 182 when he had Noah (verse 28)
  • Noah was 500 when he had Shem, Ham, & Japheth (verse 32)

130? 105? 90? 162? 187? 182? 500?

I am only 28 years old! So back off! I still got plenty of years to jump into the parenting boat. I might just wait until I hit triple digits before little Brian Cromer’s start roaming this earth. After all, as a good Christian I believe in God’s Word.

(Somebody whispers in my ear.) Oh…Genesis 6:3 says that God changed the life span to 120 years? So if you do the math of the average age of those men when they had a kid (117) and compare that number with the average lifespan of those men (847), then they on average had a kid 14% through life. 14% through life when you only live 120 years is 17 years old.

CRAP!!! I better get on this whole-kid thing because I am definitely not 17 years old.

____________________

“If there is somebody that’s constantly pressuring you to have kids, give them a cat.” ~ John Alan Turner, Lead Pastor – Shannon Oaks Church

____________________

***This post is in no way serious. I am in no way saying that people should wait to have kids until their mid 90s. I am in no way saying that people should procreate at 17. I am in no way saying that Heather and I don’t want people to ask us when we are going to have kids. Just having fun today. Smile.

***Also, I didn’t use Noah for those average age calculations. That freaky 500 years old stuff just jacked up all the numbers.

Yet Another Reason to Love the iPhone

Posted: May 12, 2010 in Culture, Faith, Life, Ministry, Music, People, Spirituality, Technology
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“Sing and Celebrate the 80′s” CONTEST

Posted: May 11, 2010 in Culture, Funny, Life, Music, People, Random
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Last Friday I went to watch a couple REVOLUTION students in an 8th grade singing and dancing performance called “Sing and Celebrate the 80′s”. This entire performance featured some of the most popular and recognizable songs for the 1980s.

This got me thinking…It is about time for the first official contest on briancromer.com.

CONTEST: “Sing and Celebrate the 80′s” CONTEST

OBJECTIVE: Name as many of the 25 songs that were on the set list from that performance.

RULES: No cheating (we are going by the honor system). If you were there, you cannot win. You can only submit one guess. You can edit that one guess until the time limit expires. Your guess cannot be more than 25 songs. Going over 25 songs disqualifies you from the prize. You must put song name and artist for each guess (Example – “Help” by The Beatles). Must have 5 different people guess for there to be a winner. All guesses need to be submitted as a comment in this blog. All guesses must be submitted by Sunday, May 16 at 11:00pm CST. Winner will be announced Monday, May 17.

PRIZE: Whoever guesses the most songs from the 25 song set list will receive a $10 Starbucks card. Winner will either get his/her prize in person or have it mailed to him/her.

HELPFUL HINT #1: After doing some research, 6 of the 25 songs were not released in the 1980′s. Not my fault. I will tell you that 3 were released in the 1970′s and 3 were released in the 1990′s. Life’s tough sometimes.

HELPFUL HINT #2: There are no Michael Jackson songs on this list of 25 songs. They did an entire Michael Jackson tribute that included 4-5 songs. However, it would be too easy to fill this list of 25 songs with Michael Jackson songs. Again, there are no Michael Jackson songs on this list of 25 songs.

________________

Name as many of the 25 songs from the “Sing and Celebrate the 80′s” performance that you think would be in that performance. All of you 1980′s music lovers and people, get your guesses in by clicking on the “COMMENTS” link directly below this post. Winner gets a $10 Starbucks gift card.

Have fun!

Happy Mothers Day

Posted: May 10, 2010 in Family, Life, People
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Mom,

I thought you deserved your own personal post on the blog (If you are reading this and you are not my mom, that’s ok, but the intention is for my mom.) I’m sorry that this is one day late, life’s been a little busy. You may have heard these words before, but they are still 100% true.

I just wanted to thank you for being such an incredible mom.  Your unconditional love and support means more than you will ever know.  There are a few things in this world that I have never been able to doubt and my mom loving me was one of those things I could never doubt.

Before I end this letter, I want to thank you for…

  • Changing my diapers when I was a baby.
  • Tucking me in at night.
  • Leaving the door cracked or the nightlight on when I was scared.
  • Buying me Dinosaur and baseball sheets.
  • Reading Bible stories to me before bed.
  • Letting Dad buy all those baseball cards.
  • Letting me get my big sister in trouble.
  • Watching all those soap operas so that I had to go outside, play sports, and be active.
  • Making incredible fruit salad and sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving.
  • Christmas stockings!!!
  • Cleaning up my messes.
  • Letting me use you as the reason I couldn’t do something when I really didn’t want to anyways but didn’t have the guts to say that.  You never minded taking blame in that situation.
  • Letting me read to you after taking Lesley to SSMS.
  • Letting me go on my first date even after the Cutlas was wrecked and we had a rental.
  • Not letting me have a TV in my room.
  • Our Thanksgiving trip to Ensenada.
  • Always getting me what I needed and most of what I wanted.
  • Not making church optional growing up.
  • Loving and accepting my wife as your own daughter.
  • Showing me what it is like to be a hardcore baseball fan.
  • Letting Kate live with you & Dad so she could stay in the family.
  • Being an awesome grandma to Gaby and Stella.
  • Supporting Heather and I in our move to OKC.
  • Most importantly, thanks for leading and pushing me towards to God.  By far the most important thing you have done for me is laying the foundation of faith that has completely transformed my life.

I love you, Mom.  Happy Mother’s Day.

A Must Read Blog Post

Posted: May 6, 2010 in Blogs, Faith, Life, Ministry, People, Spirituality
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If you have time, check out my good friend Jen Hartsell’s new blog post “Top 15 Sights & Sounds From REV Wednesday”.

REVOLUTION last night was incredible as we celebrated the baptisms of seven individuals. We also kicked off the new “Hungry” series. Jen did an amazing job (as always) in her blog of eloquently capturing the humor, emotions, and bigness of the night. It is a must read.

READ JEN’S BLOG POST HERE.

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