My 1 year old's L's

Cutest thing. My daughters L's are are said like Y's.  Every time she talks in her little voice I wanna just stop time.

Here's a few of my favorites:


Yook at me.  (Look at me)

I yike it. (I like it)

Heyyo? (Hello?)

I yove you. (I love you).

Where's my yammy? (Lamby)

Rant: Santa Stance 2.0

I was in Starbucks with my kids the other day. A woman leaned over to our table and made eye contact w/ my 3 year old.

"Is Santa coming to your house to give you gifts this Christmas?"

My three year old was bewildered and averted eye contact to me as if to say, "Help!"

I laughed and told the lady, "Mom and dad give the gifts at our house."

Then she said, "Well.. HE's coming to MY house to drop off gifts."

AWKward. 

Can't you see how this adult perpetuated saga makes for craziness at Christmas. (Why is Santa going to give her gifts and not us? Well, kids...) Thankfully we've had the talk w/ our kids. It's a story, pretend like the princesses of Disney.

I wrote THIS POST on Santa 2 years ago and I still stick with it adding a minor modification. Saint Nick was a real person in history and we should (read in the article below), appropriately reference him. But I don't think it's appropriate to go to all ends to build a child's belief in Santa as necessary part of Christmas because it comes with ramifications. I've heard two stories in the past weeks where preschool parents have had to deal with kids being told (pushed perhaps) at school to believe the story of Santa to the point where it confuses or scares them. (Someone is coming down our chimney? Why does my neighbor get more & better toys from Santa than me?) This brings up the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Leprechaun issue...my kids have enough lies & fears to battle every day I don't need to add to their  thinking that little pixies are flying around their room. (This reminds me a friend made up a story for his toddler to get her off pacifiers. He said a fairy came and took them for other kids to use. Some time later the kid was hoarding her blanket and toys in fear and asked her dad when the fairies were coming to take them to other kids).

This is a must read article. I don't always agree with Pastor Mark Driscoll, but I think he is right on with his (click here) Santa Stance.

S-I-X

I love marriage. Today I honor my wife and in thanks to God celebrate our six years of marriage and 11+ years of friendship.
----
Art that hangs in our room by friend/artist: David Nyquist (painted during our wedding celebration). Inspired by John 15. Our wedding word was: ABIDE. Here's some fave pics of our GTEAM!


11.12.2004 Redwood City Ca


Chicago Dec 2004

London March 2005



Italy May 2006


Hawaii November 2006




Our 1st child is Born. March 2007


Portland April 2007



Las Vegas April 2008




Our 2nd daughter is born February 2009




San Francisco October 2009


Tahoe Summer 2010

Love our family!

Six years, Six amazing years with my wife!
I'm so grateful to have this friendship with Wendy Rose, the most significant relationship of my life!



Here are the vows I said to her on our wedding day six years ago and that I will renew with her this weekend!
I, Anthony James, take you Wendy Rose to be my wife!
I realize God has entrusted you to me as a gift. I commit before God, our family, and friends to love you by first devoting my heart to God, following Jesus Christ, and living in the Holy Spirit.
I love you, and know that I can only do this through God. Because of this, I vow to be your faithful husband to strengthen and forgive you through grace and to give you courage when you need it. I will be your biggest fan. I commit to praying for you and encouraging you to become the woman God created you to be so we can glorify him together (Psalm 34:3).

Me, the Film Critic

Someone gave me a film on DVD and asked me to preview it and give feedback. Man, it was not easy. Here's my response.

Hi __________ thanks for dropping off the DVD.  I appreciate you seeking me out--because film is a huge passion of mine. I did pop it in and watched the first few 15 mins.

Y'know, as a self-proclaimed "film buff, "I  love movies and 1st and foremost I appreciate people trying to make films. It's a lot of hard work to make it all come together. Being a film critic or an American Idol judge is not my intended desire cause I'm more of a pastor and I want to "nurture people." :)--But you asked for some feedback so here goes:I have some thoughts:

-It seemed like the target was teenagers or even younger tweenies---so maybe that's why I hard a hard time jumping into it...and I had a hard time believing the acting, the main girls/boy were big caricatures which serves a point, but maybe is better for something like a youth group sketch--One technical note was that I had was that I had hard time reading the screen during the the online chatting scene. Maybe it was the DVD quality but I'm just saying.

I have to be honest I didn't finish it because my time just feels so precious and can be limiting w/ kids, family, ministry and my own creative pursuits and it didn't grab me in the 1st 15 mins so I didn't finish watching it. I feel bad but I wanted to be honest about my feedback since you asked.

I hope I don't offend you and I don't mean to be presumptuous or arrogant by any means.--but I just read this article passed on by a friend and it made me think of this film:

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/film/features/23250-why-are-christian-movies-so-bad

I hope this is OK and I would be happy to chat w/ you by phone or even talk w/ the producers of it. I'm no expert, but I love films and have my own experiences w/ film making that give me a somewhat biased opinion. :)

Let me know how/where I can get the DVD back to you.

much thanks
tony

------------
I dont' know how Roger Ebert does it. UG!

Dad Life

This video speaks to my life as a dad, especially to being  a dad with daughters. I loved it my wife and I laughed! :). Hilarious.

(Thanks Uncle Jack).

Gas station glasses..
daughters
manscape
water parks
Minivans..
grills
Disney Videos--(of which, yes, I have cried!).
Nigh-Nigh Songs

Validation

Great little short film on something we all need, (Not just free parking), and how when we get it-or don't get it-it effects others. Moving little piece. You never know how your actions impact others.

VALIDATION

My daughter thinks I'm a vampire

It all started last week when my father-in-law was reading a Sesame Street book to my youngest daughter (1.5). As they were turning pages she pointed to The Count and said, "Daddy."

He alerted us from the living room and we all had a good laugh. Then later in the week my wife noticed my daughter was looking in the Sesame Street books for the purple skinned "Daddy"  on her own. Should I be alarmed? Is it the widow's peak? The goatee? Or maybe it's my Transylvania accent or the way I laugh?? I know I have teeth issues but yikes!!AH-AH-AH!!!

Human Trafficking: Myself

Wow. I have barley blogged this season of life. I have an excuse. It's summer. Summer is like living one full year in the span of ten weeks. It's like the crazy "J Term" college thing (what is that anyway?) where in 3 weeks of class you fulfill a whole semester of credits. Summers with PCC are always amazingly life changing, fun, full of new life and people, and for me and countless others in our church family and staff it means full schedules. That's why I haven't made time to blog. I really haven't had enough time to do a lot of things I wished I could. So the other day I laughed to myself wishing I had a clone and had a sci-fi-like day dream.

I dreamed if I could clone myself-- I could do so much more. I could go to every event I wanted to attend and was unable, participate in all the great happenings summer had to offer. I would make TONY#2 do all the things I can't do in a normal day. I'd (Tony#1) stay home with my wife and kids and send my clone out to make appearances at parties, concerts, hospitals, birthdays, weddings, funerals, meetings etc. Tony#1 would get enough sleep, hang out with people, and still be on top of all the bills while Tony#2 would get up early to work-out (somehow both bodies would share the same affect of exercise) and he would stay up late answering emails, returning calls and texts. I'd even make him get another job to earn some extra money-(cause I've got dental bills to pay) maybe waiting tables cause I've got some experience in that.  Life would be great and with out complaint. Than seriously within minutes it hit me...that I was actually coming up with a plan for trafficking myself. I was dreaming of cloning a being in which to force labor upon him. I actually saw images in my head of ME in chains being ordered around be ME and forcing work on me. Wow. It was time to set me free.

It was a deep moment where I realized the twistedness of my brain. I actually needed to apologize to God and change my thinking!  I'm so prone to feel guilt for things in which I can't do or wish I could do more. If it were up to me (and if I refused to take my wife's wise counsel) I'd be burning my candle at both ends, out every night, "doing great stuff" but depleting myself in an incredibly unhealthy way. This is perhaps a theme and challenge of my life, being STILL (my word for the season) and finding value and worth in God and his love alone. I really enjoy doing things, helping people, and serving but I there are too many good things for one person to be able to do them all. And at times I slip often believing that when  I am doing and working (albeit great things) than I have attained or earned God's love and favor. But God created limitations for good reasons. He created me, all humans,  with a need for sleep, dependence on him and others, and the IN-ABILITY to be omni-present so that others would become interdependent on each other and wouldn't be dependant on one person, especially one pastor. I was humbled as I thought of myself "trying so hard to be like God" that I was even stepping over lines TRYING TO BE GOD. My mind is still wrapping around this. I've had to let things go, disappoint people, and say no (to great "godly" things)  even when it hurts to do so. I'm reminded God calls me to sacrifice but doesn't call me TO BE Him, just BE LIKE Him, and even he rested at creation and Jesus found many moments to rest and pray alone. God I'm sorry. God renew my mind. God, thank you for saving me and creating me, only ONE me. Thank you for setting me free..from me.

Bringing together some of my favorite things

Broadway by The Bay Partners with Boys & Girls' Club from Tony Gapastione on Vimeo.

Inspiration

Anew

Dave Shearin, my good buddy, parter in ministry (Street Church's pastor), makes his acting debut in a beautiful little short film by some friends I have through the Academy of Art! Way to go Andrea & Jae.

Somewhere called STILL

For as long as I can remember being a part of my church family, I have been encouraged to pick a word for each season of life. This summer season it was obvious that God was calling me to be STILL.

There are many ramifications for that. Making time to simply rest. Carving out to be be quiet. Intentionally saying no to busyness..just making time TO BE STILL. The past few weeks, the first few weeks of summer have been crazy, good, busy, a whirlwind. I graduated Seminary, welcomed in our 20 interns, kicked off young adult summer groups, celebrated my 4th Father's day and my birthday (whew)..and now I get some time to actually reflect on it all..

God-ronically, this week coming up with be spent recovering from some mouth surgery will have me laid up this week recovering..and being STILL...to which I'm thinking I should just go with a grill. 

Helicopter Hat

"Can I wear your costume & helicopter hat?"

Genesis Film Fest

I would like to invite you to the first annual GENESIS film festival.

Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Santa Clara University, St. Clare Room, Library-3rd Floor
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130423393635645

The Genesis Film Festival will showcase the best student work during the past year. Genesis embraces the gift of storytelling, and students are challenged to create films that revolve around the human condition and social justice.

Short films will be screened from the following categories through faculty selects: Visual Communication, Intro Digital Filmmaking, Narrative, Documentary, Expanded Cinema, and Capstone. Awards will be given to the top film in each category as well as Best Screenwriting and Audience Choice.

Sponsors include: Avid, B&H Photo Video, Final Draft, FotoKem, Keycode Media, Kodak, Pro 8mm, SCU, Snader & Associates, and VMI.

Free Admission
Reception following at the de Saisset Museum
Check out the Genesis commercial, “The Confession” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPqoMz-pkWE

Upper Room Worship Gathering

Had a sweet night of BEING THE CHURCH with multiple churches coming together to worship in music and prayer. 6 different worship leaders from different churches. I loved it!

Thankful for X-Factor
Watch the Video on Youtube here!

Lost: No More (spoiler alert).

My wife convinced me to stay up last night to watch the Series Finale! So glad we ditched our DVR plan for the next day. It was well worth it. From what I am seeing the reviews are mixed. But I don't care, I'm not miffed. There was so much I loved. And it reminded me of the value of my own life and loved ones!

One thing's for sure, I love being able to see God through media, TV, film, art..and it isn't the stuff that we expect nor totally agree with, but we can see God and be touched by him as we brush up against beauty, pain, truth, life..and specially through the mystery of life's unanswered questions in Lost. Watch this Video.

This is big picture that I take away from the message of Lost:
Life is about relationships (living in community), healing (both emotional in reconciliation and physical), finding and embracing a mission (we all have a purpose in life), seeking light (I obviously interpret this for THE light I seek), and overcoming any obstacles (the Island, Smokey, the others) in order to do so! All around...pretty cool and...we truly don't need to die alone..(thanks Vincent).
But I'll be honest. There was one slightly cheesy, over the top, and possibly a jump the shark moment, The Stained glass window in the Church Building. A Cross, A Yin Yang, other religious symbols. Ya, Ok. We get your message. I've seen it on car bumpers: "We can all co-exist now and in eternity."
Since I loved the show so much I'm willing to forgive that :) cause I saw God so much in the story, and was moved in many ways. But I do just want to acknowledge that we can still see God, be touched by him as we encounter truth and beauty in the world even when we don't fully agree with everything theologically (like allocating Jesus to just "a way" among many paths to enlightenment). But with that said, it was great TV in so many ways and touching emotionally and spiritually in so many ways. (I cried yes, and held my wife a little longer last night as we prayed :)!

And least/most importantly...I'm totally fine w/ all the unanswered questions. What about the Dharma Initiative, the Island, the numbers??? There's a lot of room for interpretation and it's good that they didn't give every answer. Does life? Does God? Besides, the writers probably didn't have all the answers either. I like this blog's take.

So, it's time to move on. Let go.

Aloha Lost..
I'm found...... and I'll live like that.

VLOG 18 May 2010 TRT 4:58

Watch May Vlog here

I like to talk about this...a lot.

More Quotes from a 3 year old

These all came out tonight.

5/15/2010

Me: Ok, now lets pray and be quiet so we can listen to hear Jesus talk to us.

(after a minute)

My Daughter: I don’t hear anything I think he’s sleeping.

Me: (deep breath) Well, Jesus actually doesn’t sleep in Heaven.

My Daughter: (Perplexing look)

Me: I know we just finished reading about Jesus calming the waves on the boat & and he was sleeping in that story, but now in Heaven he doesn’t sleep.

My daughter: I think he’s just talking to other people so we need to wait until he’s finished so he can talk to us.

---------------------

My daughter: Lets pretend I’m Mary and you’re Joseph.

Me: Ok, lets get on the donkey and go to Bethlehem to have Jesus.

My daughter: No, we have to get married first and go to Tahoe.

----------------

While praying for our victims of human trafficking, (I call them kid slaves with my daughter), I told her that many of them are orphans so we need to pray for God to give them mommies and daddies.

My daughter: What’s an orphan?

Me: A little kid who doesn’t have a mom or a dad.

Me daughter: Why?

Me: Well, uh, (gulp) because some parents left or some died (gulp)..so we need to pray for them.

My daughter: Dad….don’t die…

Mr. Bill Goes to the Dentist

Remember Mr. Bill? This guy popped in my head the other day and I youtubed him. Funny thing? The first one that came up was his trip to the Dentist. Wow, how I could relate. You gotta watch until the end, it's a good one.

Lighting up Hollywood

Just returned from a great time in SoCal: Studio City at CBS Studios. Four of us spent the day with hundreds of other Hollywood types at Biola's 15th annual conference for Christians in Media and entertainment.

In between workshops on Film Making (one of my faves by Stan Williams), new technology, and good story-telling we were seizing any opportunity we could to pose in front of CBS logos while checking out sets , sound stages, and the scenery lots.



Here I am with my pal Gabe. He directs the PeaPod group (a media/arts academy at the Redwood City Boys and Girls' club) .



Here's me below (looking like Shark boy. I blame the wind for my "hair-fin."), with Paul Skidmore: up and coming film-maker extraordinaire who tweets regularly and gave a crazy good workshop on the future of technology and film-making. (His last film he just used his iPhone pretty much to direct, location scout, produce, etc).


One of the moments that stands out is when I was escorted- like a criminal-out of the conference, while I was sitting in the front row in front of everyone. They thought I was bootlegging some of the never before screened footage in a new trailer for the third installment of the Narnia films: C.S. Lewis' Voyage of the Dawn Treader. No joke. They warned the whole audience that they had to be super tight on security and asked us to have integrity not to leak it out. So I put my phone down and didn't even want to touch it during the three minute clip. After the trailer finished and every one applauded for Walden Media president, Michael Flaherty ... I grabbed my phone to tweet my response and check others who were posting under the twitter hashtag #bmc10. Just then, about 5-10 minutes after the trailer in the middle of the guest speaker Q&A-- a security guard crawled out the front middle row and said, "Sir, I need you to come with me..and bring your phone, too." So funny..I was paralyzed. "Excuse me?"
Here's the pic I took of Ralph Winter and Dick Cooke, minutes before I almost got tazed.


Just kidding, they didn't taze me but I felt like yelling that out. "I'm innocent, don't taze me bro!" I was taken to the back stage area where I was surrounded by an entourage of some tough guys types :) and Biola Media officials: Peggy Rupple and Kathy Cooke. Both women were very kind apologized repeatedly saying it was just protocol and they just needed to take every precaution. Peggy even bear hugged me to smooth it over. Good thing cause I almost wet myself. It was definitely awkward but now makes a great story. I shared it Sunday Night with my Church and they cracked up. (I totally understand they had to crackdown). They made me go through my phone's pics and videos and then set me free. Even though I was completely innocent--it was a weird feeling. My heart was beating fast, I was sweating, and trying not to think of what this could do to my illustrious career but hey..you know what they say in Hollywood-any publicity is good publicity right?Some one later commented--"Now you now how Jesus feels." Well, Jesus was falsely accused for calling himself God, whipped and beaten innocently for the sins of the world, not falsely accused of bootlegging--not quite an equal comparison, but worth a little chuckle. If anything, I'd say after my experience I now have more sympathy for Hollywood rebels like Lyndsay Lohan.

Besides my almost arrest, another highlight was how Twitter was used incessantly during the day. I must have tweeted a quote every ten minutes or more. Then-found a group of people to have dinner with via a "Tweet-up!" Gotta love it! Shout out to the Daily Grill crew!

We topped of our night with in a cool little private CBS screening room watching the film: "Like Dandelion Dust." Quite the emotional roller coaster-see behind the scenes here. Cool story about two families who are intersected and torn apart by the love of one little boy and his adoption, one is his biological family and one is his adopted family. It comes out in September. Bring Kleenex. Here we are with Director Jon Gunn and one of the lead actresses Kate Levering.Overall I loved the conference. Besides some of the cheesy music that played (a Jazz version of "Here I am to Worship,") and a few "oversaved" (in the words of comedian Michael Jr.) vendors tabling their merchandise at the conference, this event was well worth it. And I hope I get to go again. Maybe I'll get a free ticket for suffering the Christ-like humiliation of being forsaken and accused of bootlegging..hmmm...:)

I heart Hollywood. I love the creativity, potential, the stories and most definitely the people! God God! Go Biola! Way to go.
I pray God continues to do great work through his people to tell amazing stories that changethe world and impact those in the theaters, on set, and behind the scenes.

See a review from Christianity today here.