First off, thank you!

Thank you dear reader for faithfully reading this simple blog. Thank you for participating in the conversation and bringing your voice. It matters. You matter.

Today marks an important milestone here at Abraham Chronicles. It’s blog post #100!

On January 6th of this year, I started on this journey not knowing where it will take me. More than eight months later, I am more than grateful for the opportunity to share in this journey with each and every once of you. I’ve had another child, gone through a career change, and learned a lot about living with intentionality. And you have been there the entire time. Thank you!

I do not take your readership lightly. I may click the “publish” button, but it’s you who contributes in to building this community.

To celebrate,  I have a $50 Amazon Gift Card to give away for free! Gratis! Gratuit! 免费!

In addition to that top prize, I’m also giving away a copy of Chasing Daylight (book by Erwin McManus) and Psalms (album by Shane & Shane)!

I first read Chasing Daylight last fall and instantly coded it as one my favorites. McManus writes about ‘seizing God moments’ and following your passions. One of my favorite quotes from the book, “If you’re passionate about God, you can trust your passions.” I am certain you’ll love it too.

In college a friend of mind told me about Shane and Shane – this duo of worship leaders from Texas captive you with their heartfelt lyrics and synchronous melodies. Psalms is one of their early albums that is a collection of songs that are inspired by Psalms in the Bible. You’ll listen to the entire album knowing that the Shanes genuinely poured their hearts and souls into each and every song. Fact: You will put Track 6, Psalm 145, on repeat.

There you have it. Two of my absolute favorites–two resources that have sharpened and refined my faith in countless ways. Even if you don’t win, I hope you will check them out–they will always be on the top of my list.

Now, the contest! Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post with an answer to the question, “What is your favorite book and your favorite album?”

2. Twitter a link to this post mentioning “@dustinv” and this link: http://cl.ly/9lvA . If you don’t have a Twitter account, you can use Facebook. You can write your own or use this example. “Win a $50 Amazon giftcard (and more!) on @dustinv’s blog http://cl.ly/9lvA”.

3. On Friday, September, 2nd  (2:00 PM EST) I’ll will pick the winners (via Random.org). I’ll announce them the on Friday and you can email your address if you’re one of the winners.

***

Update: Contest is over. Thank you for participating. Below are the winners:

1. $50 Amazon gift card: Jason Wert (@JCWert) – http://cl.ly/9oG4
2. Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus: Andy Darnell (@andydarnell) – http://cl.ly/9odR
3. “Psalms” by Shane & Shane: Mo (@mohan37) – http://cl.ly/9oAd

If you won, I’ll be in touch via e-mail and/or Twitter. Thanks again!

Thank you Dear Reader for participating in this little community! In a few weeks, we’ll hit post number 100 here at Abraham Chronicles and I have something special for you. I promise it’ll be something you’ll write home about. Be sure to stick around, okay?

In the meantime, I would like to know a little bit about you, what you like, and how this blog can improve…

1. How did you find this blog?
2. How do you read this blog (RSS reader, mobile device, email, etc.)?
3. What are your favorite types of posts (faith, humor, parenthood, etc.)?
4. What is one “under the radar” blog that we need to check out (not yours!)?
5. If you blog, what serves as inspiration behind your writings?

I’ve really enjoyed this small little community that has formed over the last 5 months here at AbrahamChronicles. Thank YOU for participating, contributing, commenting, and reading! I’ve grateful for the chance of getting to know some of you more through the comments, through Twitter and Facebook, and even through in-person cups-of-coffee. Thank you for being transparent with your thoughts, feelings, struggles, and triumphs. I look forward to what the next 5 months have in store for all of us just as much!

With that being said, I wanted to do a little “role call”. You know the drill. Answer the questions, let us know who you are. Make us laugh!

8 Question Role Call!

1. Name and Twitter handle (if applicable).
2. Blog address (or, favorite website if you don’t blog).
3. Why do you blog/read blogs/comment on blog posts?
4. What “blog topic” do you enjoy reading about the most?
5. Furthest place you have traveled from home. Why did you go there?
6. If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
7. What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
8. What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Thanks for participating.

Cheers!

On Monday, I posed the challenge of guessing which three random facts were indeed true about my my life. My purpose in doing so was to lightheartedly give everyone a glimpse into the randomness of what I like to call “My Life”. Three months ago, I wrote a letter. But this week, I wanted to be even more random.

So, without further adieu, the winners of said “7 Truths/3 Lies” contest are…. Matthew, Michael, John, Donald, Duane, Michelle, Kevin, Jennifer, and David. That’s right fine folks, we have a 9-way tie! While no one was able to guess all three correct “truths”, these ladies and gents guessed 2 of 3. Virtual Fist Bumps (or #KnucklePunches as my daughters would say) all around!

Here is my commentary and explanations:

1. I am so clumsy. I have broken the same toe on my right foot every year for the last 4 years.
False: I’ve never broken a bone in my body. I have, however, stubbed my right foot’s big toe every year for the last four years playing New Years Day flag football due to wearing cleats one size too small. So, yes: every year for the last four years my big toenail has gotten black, fallen off, and re-grown back. It is nasty every single time. (Note: I purchased new cleats a couple months back per my wife’s ultimatum).

2. While in Amsterdam, I was chased by Red Light District police officers at 2 o’clock in the morning.
True: While in college I spent three of my spring breaks on missions in Amsterdam. It was great. One year (2003, I believe), me and a couple folks got chased by a couple Dutch Po-Pos late in the evening. Apparently, video camera recording is frowned upon in that part of town.

3. The band I started in high school, Prehistoric Vader and the Phenomenon, sold 103 albums over the course of 8 glorious months.
False: That would have been a sweet name for a band, right? The closest I got to being a rockstar was performing Oasis’ Wonderwall at a youth center in Amsterdam during one of our trips. I can’t count leading worship as I’ve never worn skinny jeans and a fedora.

4. My great-grandfather was a silent-film movie star from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
True: I remember finding this out at one of our family reunions. Along with being an Assemblies of God minister, he was a bona fide movie star. In other words, I’m practically royalty in the eyes of The Academy.

5. I wasn’t the most popular “Dustin” at my elementary school. That title belonged to none other than Dustin Diamond.
True: That’s right, folks–Screech himself went to Zion Lutheran school in Anaheim, CA. I even have a few yearbooks laying around somewhere in my parent’s attic with his goofy picture in it.

6. I am childhood acquaintances with Jessica Alba. In fact, we “went out” as third graders.
False: I did grow up in California, but I didn’t see or interact with many celebrities. Unless you count the time I met MacGyver (RDA, himself) at a Kings’ game. See, I told you I was royalty.

7. I can recite every single lyric by heart from the Foo Fighters’ iconic sophomore album “The Colour and the Shape”.
False: I wish this were true. This album is Top 3 of all time for me. I remember when it was released at the end of my Freshman year in high school. Loved it then, love it now.

8. Three years ago, my brother and I flew out to New York as part of a final casting decision for The Amazing Race. Sadly, we didn’t make the final cut.
False: Every year I say to myself that my brother and I should fill out an application. I swear we would not only do really well, but I think we would also appeal to the casting directors (opposites, goofy, etc.).

9. I gained notoriety in college for being the guy who wore a bathrobe to class (yes, I was “The Bathrobe Guy”).
False: Sadly, no. We did have a “Bathrobe Guy” in college, though. He was in my Real Estate class. I found his wardrobe fascinating.

10. My second car was a old, restored ice cream truck. Regretfully, I could never get the music to play on the sound system.
False: Now this would have been awesome, but I’m actually still on my second car right now. Had a ’91 Jeep Cherokee in high school, and have a ’01 Jeep Cherokee right now. My next car will be a minivan. Fail.

There you have it folks — a little glimpse into my life. How about you? Care to do a 7 Truths / 3 Lies yourself? Let me know and link up if you do. I love some randomness!

If you had to be childhood acquaintances with someone, who would you choose?

Today we are going to play a little game–a little get-to-know-you game of sorts called “7 Lies and 3 Truths”. My life (as I’m sure yours does as well) has many random characteristics for sure. Below are 10 statements. Three of them are true, while seven of them are false. I’ll share on Wednesday’s post the “answers” and do a little commentary as well.

Your turn: Comment with the three that you think are true… Winners will get a virtual fist bump (or #KnucklePunch as my daughters say) from yours truly. Enjoy!

1. I am so clumsy. I have broken the same toe on my right foot every year for the last 4 years.

2. While in Amsterdam, I was chased by Red Light District police officers at 2 o’clock in the morning.

3. The band I started in high school, Prehistoric Vader and the Phenomenon, sold 103 albums over the course of 8 glorious months.

4. My great-grandfather was a silent-film movie star from Las Cruces, New Mexico.

5. I wasn’t the most popular “Dustin” at my elementary school. That title belonged to none other than Dustin Diamond.

6. I am childhood acquaintances with Jessica Alba. In fact, we “went out” as third graders.

7. I can recite every single lyric by heart from the Foo Fighters’ iconic sophomore album “The Colour and the Shape”.

8. Three years ago, my brother and I flew out to New York as part of a final casting decision for The Amazing Race. Sadly, we didn’t make the final cut.

9. I gained notoriety in college for being the guy who wore a bathrobe to class (yes, I was “The Bathrobe Guy”).

10. My second car was a old, restored ice cream truck. Regretfully, I could never get the music to play on the sound system.

Okay, your turn. Which three are true? I’ll share which three on Wednesday, shed a little light into my life, and hopefully give out a few virtual bumps!

(And family… you know who you are… don’t spoil the answers in the comments. :))

Also… What is a completely random fact about your life?

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper, He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Words and Music by Martin Luther
A.D. 1529

I love to listen to hymns from time to time. The words are strong, moving, and full of meaning.

Do you have a favorite? Do you prefer traditional or modern?

Abraham Chronicles is a little over 6 weeks old (wow!), and I’m loving the small community that is beginning to build around this site. To keep things light today, I wanted to pose ten questions get to know you a little bit more! Feel free to answer any/all of them. I’ll comment first to get things started!

1. What is your name and where are you from?
2. If you could have one song on repeat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
3. Describe your perfect day.
4. What do you value most in other people?
5. What is your favorite TV show of all time? Who is your favorite character?
6. If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you go with?
7.  What was your favorite toy as a child…. and now?
8. If you could give the world once piece of advice, what would it be?
9. If you could trade places with a Hollywood actor for a year, who would it be?
10. Describe yourself in three words.

Answer away! Looking forward to “getting to know you better”.

I created a Abraham Chronicles Page on Facebook. Feel free to click on in and join the fun!

Abraham Chronicles Launches Today!

For the last two months I’ve been brainstorming, designing, and dreaming up what this site was going to look like. Ladies and Gents, I present to you AbrahamChronicles.com! The design side is still a work-in-progress, but its moving forward! Snazzy, huh? Okay, let’s move on.

First off, thanks for stopping by — I really mean that!

If you know me, you know my family is a integral part of my life. I talk about my wife and kids, I tweet about them, and even make silly dance videos with them. I wanted to create space for myself to share my story and learnings with you (yes, you!). Cue… Abraham Chronicles. Why Abraham? There’s a story behind that, so feel free to read about it here. In the end, my vision is for this place to serve as a small community to share, learn, mess up, and grow together — as dads, parents, and followers of Christ.

So, grab a cup of coffee and take a seat! Let’s learn how to do this thing we call parenthood together.