text.soul.culture.

VOTE FOR ME!!! {if you want that is}

2009-09-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I hope you all are well. I am writing you because it appears that my efforts to help people experience a fantastic wedding day has been paying off. I have been nominated for Evening Magazine’s Best Of! I am writing to ask if you’d consider voting for me. The last two years I have won awards from Wedding Wire, Martha Stewart, and Seattle Bride Magazine…what an honor! I sure would love to add this to my list of accomplishments. .

Voting time is from now through the beginning of October.

So, if you are so inclined, please stop by the Evening Magazine site and vote (1x for each email address ;)...and tell a friend to do the same! I know many of you have not seen me do a wedding, but you do know me and my character and could say if you’d recommend me to someone for officiating there wedding. If you feel like you can say that then you can vote and if you know friends or family that could do the same please spread the word!

To vote…just follow the link and click VOTE and follow a long. It should only take a few minutes!

VOTE FOR SEATTLE WEDDING PASTOR

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your consideration of voting for me. I hope you all are well, feel free to call or email anytime if you have any questions about this or if you’d just like to get together.

Most of all, thank you for supporting my work!

mess of me...

2009-09-13T23:46:00.000-07:00

this rocks!

beautiful...

2009-09-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

have you all seen this video yet? it is amazing! enjoy!

for all that love to play the air drums...enjoy!

2009-08-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

2009-08-07T13:44:00.001-07:00

Annoying (but very funny) mom sayings...

2009-05-10T00:44:00.001-07:00

happy mothers day to all the moms!

Treat your momma right!

2009-05-10T00:32:00.001-07:00

happy mother's day to all the mommas!

messy spirituality pt.01

2009-04-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

i find that in my line of work you see the messiness of life coming at you in every direction. and yet at the same time you can enter a church and in general everyone seems to have everything all together and figured out. this always makes me wonder "what's the deal with all of this?" when it comes to being authentic the reality is we(people made in the image of God)are messy. we are people who are committed one day|moment and lazy the next. we serve and we are selfish, we love and we hate, we worship God and we worship ________. we are messy, inconsistent, erratic, lopsided, imperfect, and unfinished.

over the next who knows how long i hope to blog some more of my thoughts on this as i go through this book "Messy Spirituality - God's annoying love for imperfect people" by Michael Yaconelli. It is a book I have read a number of times and have always found it challenging, encouraging, and thought provoking.

here are a couple quotes to leave you thinking...

"spirituality is not a formula; it is not a test. It is a relationship. Spirituality is not about competency; it is about intimacy. Spirituality is not about perfection; it is about connection."

"The way of the spiritual life begins where we are now in the mess of our lives. Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the beginning of spirituality not because the spiritual life will remove our flaws but because we let go of seeking perfection and, instead, seek God, the one who is present in the tangledness of our lives."

"spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God being present in the mess of our unfixedness."

stay tuned for more...

grace and peace,

r

food...it's not fair

2009-03-20T00:04:00.000-07:00

So I don't know about you all, but there was a time for me when i could eat anything and as much of anything that I wanted and had little to no negative effects. my metabolism was great. these days not so much. i've been trying to be wise with the foods i eat and the amounts of it that i allow into my body. the truth is i have a pretty typical italian man body that is moving into a later stage of life which basically means it all goes to my stomach. lame! to all this i say...

it's not fair!

enjoy!

Being Missional in Seattle...a conversation with Eugene Cho

2009-03-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow CC is hosting Eugene Cho for a conversation on what it means|looks like to be missional in Seattle. He is the pastor of a great Church called Quest.

I know for a while I have felt a great need for the church as a whole to start re.thinking how they/we go about doing church. Moving to the idea of being the church vs. doing church. I will save you from my soapbox for now, but all that to say I'd love your prayers for this conversation to go well. And by well I mean that is simple pushes us all in our thinking and helps us ask some good hard questions about what it means to be the church.

Here is a cool video clip about quest that has Eugene in it.

An Invitation to Quest Church from Quest Church on Vimeo.

Enjoy your Friday!

r

i've seen it all...

2009-03-11T23:29:00.000-07:00

so for the last two months the crew has been great at bringing friends to our happenings. one girl in particular has been so cool. asking lots of great questions, energized, eager to learn, and just great at meeting people. anyways, she asked me an age old question that i get asked all the time. especially now having over 15 years of experience in youth work. the question was about "why do you do what you do" and what i would add to the question that is typical is the word that follows the question. "still" well this video is not only funny, but also true. i have seen all of these and so much more and it is hard to imagine me not doing this kind of work.

i hope this video answers some of the questions and provides you with some laughter!

new U2esday!

2009-03-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

so the new u2 album is out if you didn't know! it is very different from other albums, but that is what I love about this band. i think you will find it needs to marinate a bit in your soul as you listen, but in the end you will find some jems.

also if you want to download the album for only $4 then you need to go to AMAZON.COM and hit the "digital download - mp3" section and you can follow the add. I did it already and am currently enjoying!

hope you do too!

peace,

r

a panel conversation at MHGS

2009-02-19T23:01:00.000-08:00

i have the privileged of being a part of a panel conversation tomorrow at Mars Hill Graduate School for a class taught by Dr. Chelle Sterns - an amazing woman, teacher, theologian, musician, and member of CC the church that serve. I feel very honored to have been asked and am excited to be back at the school that has been so influential to my life, ministry, and practice. I will share more about this after tomorrow!

* mhgs photo by Patrick Love

* dr. Sterns photo by Colleen Taylor

thank you all!

2009-02-05T00:03:00.000-08:00

So I know I have been asking for some votes for the local magazine Seattle Bride that is taking votes for the best of 2009. I'd still love your vote for best of wedding officiant. it has to be done by february 15 and it only takes a minute and it would really mean a lot to me and the work that i do.

Just click here to vote! SB.best.of.2009

i found out the other day that another website that i'm on for weddings called Wedding Wire and Martha Stewart Weddings did an internal survey of brides/vendors and I won the 2009 brides choice award!

Thank you all for your support thank you clients and vendors that I've worked with you all have helped make my job a joy!

vote...

2009-01-27T23:51:00.000-08:00

many of you know that I do a lot of weddings well a big magazine in the Seattle area called Seattle Bride is taking votes for the best of 2009 and I'd love your vote for best of wedding officiant. it has to be done by february 15 and it only takes a minute. It would really mean a lot to me and the work that i do.

Just click here to vote! SB.best.of.2009

i really appreciate your vote and you stopping by!

grace and peace,

r

get on your boots...

2009-01-19T15:12:00.000-08:00

i can't wait...

click here for newU2

here is the new video before its release in the USA!

click here u2.video

the glow year glasses...

2008-12-31T11:02:00.000-08:00

Some of you may or may not know this but my Dad [Richard Sclafani Sr.] and his best buddy [Peter Cicero] are the original inventors of the glow year glasses.

Here is one of many great articles on the story...this one from the Seattle Times. Click here to read. They will be interviewed by almost all the major television stations including Dick Clark's New Years Eve Celebration, David Letterman, and others. Sadly this will be the last year that they produce them. So make sure as you celebrate the new year that you keep an eye out for these amazing little novelties that have been around a long time putting smiles on millions of faces!

Oh, and if you are wondering what they are up to now you can go to Brainstorm Novelties to get any kind of novelty you can think of. OR if you like good Italian food with great Italian Music than you should look up my Dad and Pete's band The Tarantellas.

Here's to you Dad and Pete! You two are awesome!

love you both,

r

note: yes that is my wife in the glow year glasses advertisement! she is famous!

what if we loved all...

2008-12-28T16:17:00.000-08:00

here is some kingdom imagination...

love all...sunday's sermon

2008-12-26T15:49:00.000-08:00

i'm working on my sermon for sunday on "LOVE ALL" and I'd love your thoughts...

Here are some questions I have for you...feel free to answer some or all!

* What comes to mind when you first here the phrase "love all"
* What makes loving easy or difficult
* How has love effected your life
* Share a story of in which love moved you
* What scriptures, quotes, songs, etc. that come to mind when you think of "love all"
* What does loving all really look like
* Does the Bible really tell us to "love all"

Here are some biblical texts that I have been playing around with...

[Love all] TEXT…[various]

John 1v1-14 [nlt]
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

Luke 2v10-12 [msg]
The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

Philippians 2v1-11 [msg]
If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

I John 3v16-19 [nlt]
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

Matthew 22v37-39 [nlt]
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Revelation 2:1-5
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.'"

merry Christmas from Coldplay...

2008-12-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

I hope you are well. I woke up early again with Gladys to find that it is dumping snow again. We already have about 3 inches on our foot or so from the last dump. It is beautiful!

I then checked my email and got this wonderful message from one of my favorite bands: Coldplay. I thought how appropriate for this season that is quite cold and full of play that I would get this. So I pass on to you all what has been passed on to me...

I free download of a funky remix version of Viva La Vida and a little video rendition of Jingle Bells from a recent concert in London.

I hope you all enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

r

Ideas for engaging in Advent from home...

2008-12-21T10:27:00.000-08:00

For all those who will not be attending church today due to the snow...

Here are some ways to engage in the season in the comfort of your own home.

As a family or on your own...

* read the Christmas story found in the beginning of Matthew and Luke or listen to sermons online. CC Sermons can be found here
* watch a Christmas movie together...ex. The Charlie Brown Christmas
* light the 3rd candle of advent together and use the CC devotional with it
* listen to and sing some Christmas songs [click here for a free downloadable album] or click here for another free downloadable album
* invite others to join you! your neighbors are probably stuck at home as well!
* rest
* enjoy a good meal
* make something together
* pray
* read a book
* PLAY!

Here is a video that I totally love... it helps me reflect on the real meaning of Christmas in light of our present day cultures version of it. Hope you all have a wonderful, restful, and safe Sunday! Merry Christmas!

love all...

2008-12-18T15:13:00.000-08:00

so my next sermon at CC is coming down the pike. on the 28th of december i will be closing our advent conspiracy conversations that have been going other throughout this advent season. the conversation will be on these two words...LOVE ALL.

I'm finding that much like my last sermon on WORSHIP FULLY that there are so many angles and directions one could go with these two words. so i'd love to hear from you all that pops into your mind when you hear these two words ring in your ear. what scriptures, what songs, quotes, visuals, stories, testimonies, etc. well up within you?

thanks for sharing your ponderings with me!

the song lyric that has been running through my mind since I first thought about this sermon is from a u2 song called "window in the sky" and the chorus has this phrase echo throughout it...

"oh can't you see what love has done"

and it leads me to wonder how one might answer the question...

can you see the results of God's love revealed, shared, accepted, experienced, held, etc. in your life and if so how?

i know...deep thoughts by rich sclafani!

thanks for taking time to share your thoughts!

lovage!

a child dies every 15 seconds due to a lack of clean water...

2008-12-07T12:39:00.001-08:00

more from advent conspiracy!

i am so loving this advent season!

i found this to be very powerful!

Check out (RED)WIRE...great music can change lives!

2008-12-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

so this year i have been thinking a lot about Christmas, consumerism, and our economy. CC, my church is doing something called Advent.Conspiracy which is a movement that challenges people to re.think how they participate in this advent season. As a result I have been thinking about how we spend during this time and looking for ways to give gifts with meaning that also bless others. And today I found this and thought I'd share it with you!

You've hopefully already heard of (RED)products, well they are launching a new digital music magazine, (RED)WIRE. It looks great and I think this would make a great gift for the holidays especially for those you know who are music lovers like me. Not only is it a great price for terrific exclusive music, but you also can help care for those infected with AIDS in Africa. Basically each week you'll receive exclusive music from the world's greatest artists, and people living with HIV in Africa will get the medicine they need to stay alive from a good portion of the cost of the subscription. Anyways, check it out if you are interested!

To learn more and sign up now and get two free issues click here (RED)WIRE

here is a sample of the world premiere's available this one is U2

what to you think about this...

2008-11-20T13:45:00.001-08:00

this sunday at CC we will begin our advent journey. i will be kicking of the sermon series with a conversation on what it means to [worship fully]. i'd love your thoughts on a couple of questions and what comes to your mind when you watch this clip.

Here are some of the questions...
* What is worship? How would you define it?
* How do you worship? What does it look like?
* When do you worship?

And below is the video... UPDATE: [please note in showing this video i'm not implying that i think what is says is right or wrong, or that this is what i'm going to teach. i simply want to know what comes to mind when you see it. thanks all]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and engaging in all of this!

hope | sojourn music | advent

2008-11-18T13:26:00.000-08:00

just in case you didn't know the advent season is close at hand. being a music lover i'm always interested in some new tunes to help me focus. friends at Church of the Beloved have a new album that you can get for free and it is awesome - click here for more details.

i came across sojourn.music the other day and have been really enjoying there stuff. you can get last years advent album for free|pay what you want and it's worth it. they have a bunch of other albums that i have enjoyed as well and they provide sheet|chords for them as well! double bonus in my book.

check out the tunes below...

remembering the joy...

2008-11-17T22:55:00.000-08:00

so i had the privilege of working at a church that is now over 100 years old. one of the best parts about this church community was a group called the "JOY FELLOWSHIP" they were a group of the seniors 60+ in age and some were really old. in fact, the first time i preached to the adult congregation there was a couple celebrating there 75th wedding anniversary! the thing that I loved about them most was that they were still on there faith journey. they had not learned it all and they were true servants. they engaged our culture with there history and faith, and man could they pray! anyways, the church I currently serve at is much younger and sometimes i find myself really missing this group.

this video below is NOT the joy fellowship crew and they probably wouldn't actually do this, but it brought a wonderful smile to my face and made me laugh.

think hip hop meets old school church choir...

enjoy!

advent.conspiracy.2008

2008-11-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

this year my faith community [CC] is going to go about the christmas season differently. we are going to be apart of an advent conspiracy and i'm very excited about it. the video below is just one of many that are out there to help you learn about this project. i'd like to encourage you to check it out. so watch the video and if you are interested in learning more click here --> AC

it's about time...

2008-11-11T21:06:00.000-08:00

hi all,

many have asked me to post some new pictures so here you go.

life at the sclafani house is good and we feel blessed!

enjoy the pictures!

2008-11-11T21:04:00.000-08:00

2008-11-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

the day i suddenly knew kung fu...

2008-10-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

do you ever wake up in the morning and feel like something is different about you? that you suddenly have an incredible ability that you never had before? i often wake up with a wish that i could unleash my inner kung fu. i often joke about it at tg. i even have some nice sound effects to go along with my moves. for many reasons i have needed some reasons to laugh lately and this was something that provided me a moment of joy. here is a video that just cracks me up and hits at the heart of my longings! enjoy!

acts 11v1-18

2008-10-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

so i'm preaching again this Sunday on Acts 11v1-18...which in my opinion is one of the most pivotal sections in all of acts. the bottom line is something that i think is pretty easy for us to say and acknowledge, but not too easy to truly show in life as it happens. it is something that has great potential and yet can be easily and unknowingly squelched. anyways, i'd love your thoughts as you read this text. what stands out and what hits you and how does it look today?

Acts 11v1-18[msg] - God Has Broken Through
1-3The news traveled fast and in no time the leaders and friends back in Jerusalem heard about it—heard that the non-Jewish "outsiders" were now "in." When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old associates, concerned about circumcision, called him on the carpet: "What do you think you're doing rubbing shoulders with that crowd, eating what is prohibited and ruining our good name?" 4-6So Peter, starting from the beginning, laid it out for them step-by-step: "Recently I was in the town of Joppa praying. I fell into a trance and saw a vision: Something like a huge blanket, lowered by ropes at its four corners, came down out of heaven and settled on the ground in front of me. Milling around on the blanket were farm animals, wild animals, reptiles, birds—you name it, it was there. Fascinated, I took it all in. 7-10"Then I heard a voice: 'Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.' I said, 'Oh, no, Master. I've never so much as tasted food that wasn't kosher.' The voice spoke again: 'If God says it's okay, it's okay.' This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the sky.11-14"Just then three men showed up at the house where I was staying, sent from Caesarea to get me. The Spirit told me to go with them, no questions asked. So I went with them, I and six friends, to the man who had sent for me. He told us how he had seen an angel right in his own house, real as his next-door neighbor, saying, 'Send to Joppa and get Simon, the one they call Peter. He'll tell you something that will save your life—in fact, you and everyone you care for.'15-17"So I started in, talking. Before I'd spoken half a dozen sentences, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us the first time. I remembered Jesus' words: 'John baptized with water; you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' So I ask you: If God gave the same exact gift to them as to us when we believed in the Master Jesus Christ, how could I object to God?" 18Hearing it all laid out like that, they quieted down. And then, as it sank in, they started praising God. "It's really happened! God has broken through to the other nations, opened them up to Life!"

and i may even dare to show this as an illustration, but won't go into sharing my thoughts about it. i will just leave you with the pondering of the possibilities.

plumbing or buried treasure?

2008-10-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

so my very old house has been having some serious plumbing problems and as a result I have been working on digging a six foot deep hole with about a 4 foot diameter. lets just say that i'm sore. but what is even worse is that i was supposed to find these two pipes that were meant to be connected, but that had collapsed. instead you can see what i found. it is not one but two gigantic solid cement slabs that are about a foot thick. and it looks like since my house was built in 1928 and the sewer system on our street didn't come till 1948 that I am now the proud owner of a crazy old speptic tank that is literally full of CRAP! am i the only one who seems to find that all the house projects that seem to be quick fixes tend to be HUGE! so all that to say pray that all of the stuff that needs to happen for our plumbing to get fixed would happen quick and in a not to expensive manner! yeah right!

enjoy the pictures of my archeological find below!

2008-10-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

request for review...

2008-10-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

hi all,

I am humbly writing a request to you all. As you know I have been doing weddings, counseling, and pastoral work for quite some time. I was just informed that I am in the running for a reward on one of the websites I advertise on called www.weddingwire.com This potential reward is based on the amount of reviews that I have had in the last 6 months, along with the number of clients that I have been able to connect with, and “clicks.” Basically I have been getting a lot of attention on there site and for it they will reward me if I end up having the most at the end of the month. The reward would be a write up in a number of different websites including Martha Stewart, they would cover the cost for me to be on there site for another year and would keep me first on the list of there preferred providers.

As you know I love working with people be it counseling, weddings, or pastoral work in its many forms. If you feel like you could write a short review about me in this regards that would be fantastic along with simply being incredibly kind. I don’t spend a lot of money to advertise, in fact almost 90% of what I do is through referrals and word of mouth. So if you feel like you could help me in this it would be much appreciated.

It is very simple…all you do is follow this link RE.VIEW.RICH and click on “write a review” – it will only take a few moments and will go a long way!

Thanks for taking the time to consider this and for your partnership in helping me share my gifts, abilities, and talents with others!

Grace and peace!

rich

PS: make sure to bookmark my new wedding site i'm working on... SEATTLE WEDDING PASTOR

perfect symmetry...

2008-10-07T17:09:00.000-07:00

well it has been a while, it is new music tuesday, and the sun is out so why not check out some good new tunes? the new soon to be released album by KEANE is really good. i thought you might like a listen! enjoy...

click here to stream it KEANE.PERFECT.SYMMETRY

re.telling a story...

2008-09-26T00:40:00.000-07:00

as a pastor who is teaching every week i find myself always looking for creative ways of re.telling the biblical narrative in ways that help people "get it." i'm trying to find ways to help people connect the biblical text with life and the here and now...

here is a cool re.telling of the woman at the well...

totally random...

2008-09-22T21:49:00.000-07:00

here is the new worship song i'm hoping to do at CC, tell me what you think! be warned, it rocks and you won't be able to stop dancing!

jk...

Jack Pasquale Sclafani 3.0

2008-08-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

2008-08-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

2008-08-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

2008-08-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

2008-08-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

2008-08-18T10:45:00.000-07:00

Jack Pasquale Sclafani 2.0

2008-08-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures thanks to our friends the Segars! Enjoy!

Introducing Jack Pasquale Sclafani

2008-08-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

Born Saturday August 16, 2008 at 9:07pm

6lbs 13.5oz and 19inches long

Mommy and baby are doing wonderfully!

We can't wait for you all to meet him! Thanks for all of your prayers and support and we will try to keep the pictures coming! Love you all!

2008-08-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

2008-08-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

2008-08-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

getting stoned...

2008-07-28T23:11:00.000-07:00

so the next time i'm preaching at CC will be on the 17th of august and i'm going to be looking at the story of stephen from acts6-8v1. this will be the longest grouping of scripture i've been given to preach on before. the cool thing about it is that it is a story and it is worth the read. than post the full text here i'm just going to give you a link to it. i'd love to know what you think of this story, what you know beyond him getting stoned, what hits you and moves you, what frustrates you, what questions you have, etc. and i'd love you to tell me your thoughts on this video that i might use for it.

here is the link to the text: acts6-8v1

summer wedding fest...

2008-07-20T23:14:00.000-07:00

sorry for the blog silence, but it has been a busy season. i have done a wedding the last 3 saturdays and have another one next saturday and two more after that! i will say that it is a total blast and a honor to be a part of a couples wedding day. i'm working on a new website for my wedding stuff. it is slow in development, but if you know anyone interested in a wedding officiant/pastor/counselor you can point them in my direction...

here is the link... WWW.SEATTLEWEDDINGPASTOR.COM

u2 re.mastered....

2008-07-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

so if you didn't know u2 is re.releasing re.mastered versions of WAR, BOY, & OCTOBER.

if you want to hear all the re.mastered goodies and lots of the extras

brace yourself for the joy and click here...

u2.re.mastered

if you need a sample here's one to enjoy!

I Fall Down - U2

free coldplay...

2008-07-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

for any of you that like coldplay like me, you may be excited to know that there is a free "non album" song download available.

you know you want it...

click here to get it...deathwillneverconquer

enjoy!

miracle.proclaim.repent.bless.[repeat]

2008-07-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

So a couple of posts ago I shared the text that I was going to be teaching at CC. I know I have been slow, but I finally got around to getting you all the link to it. This was a very interesting text for me to teach. If you listen you'll hear the story of how this sermon came about.

I'd love any thoughts on the sermon if you have any...

here is the link to the sermon - acts3v11-26

here is the link to the handout - acts3v11-26

And thanks to Christine Canty for the honest/real words that helped form my thoughts!

thanks for reading everyone/anyone!

worship thoughts..

2008-07-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

today as i'm preparing for leading worship this week i got this email from one of my best friends who is an incredible worship leader and he shared about an experiment he did at his church last week that i thought was interesting.

i comes from 1.peter2v9

[the message]

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

[niv]

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

here is the portion of the email he sent...

Last Sunday we did an “All request hour”, where the congregation shouted out 7 songs for us to lead and then we just went for it after a few minutes of organizing. I used it to serve as a reminder that we are all meant to be priests (I Peter 2:9) – worship leaders before God; and that a worship service isn’t a time for the congregation to be serviced, but a time to offer a service of worship together to God! People got right into it and owned the priesthood.

so this week as i am preparing for leading worship the idea that will be in dialog will be that of power - satan's, man's, and of course God's. i'd love it if you had any song ideas/requests, scriptures, pictures, etc. that you thought might help in the planning of this set. and i'd also love your thoughts on 1peter2v9 and my friends sunday service experiment.

grace and peace

r

think about it...

2008-07-06T22:17:00.000-07:00

and now for something completely different...

after a long week, holiday happenings, and sunday sermons i can always use some laughter. thanks for your prayers and for stopping by to read/comment.

enjoy...

sunday preparation...acts3v11-26

2008-07-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

so here is the text for this weeks sermon that i'm working on. again i'd love your thoughts. here is a little context...

chapter 2 of acts ends with a summary of the beginning of the early church stating that the believers devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, prayer, fellowship, and to the breaking of bread [see previous posts for more on this]. after this comes an illustration of the miraculous signs and wonders seen in peter healing the crippled beggar. it is this story/event that brings us to the text for this week which is peter speaking to the onlookers who witnessed this healing.

i'd love to hear what stands out to you, what hits you, questions you have, etc.

acts3v11-26...

11While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. 12When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. 17"Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ[a] would suffer. 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'[b] 24"Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. 25And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.'[c] 26When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

here it is...

2008-07-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

so some of you have been asking how my last sermon went. personally i would give it a 6 out of 10. i received some nice feedback and some encouraging words which is always nice and i did end up showing the clip below. all in all it was one of those weeks that you know will be cut short on time, but by how much is unknown. it makes preparing difficult. we had a baby dedication and our last goodbye to Bill Glad our beloved sr. pastor and his family all of which were great, beautiful, and right, and as expected all took longer than planned.

as a result i felt very crunched on time but felt i was able to get my main point across. so if you'd care to listen to it feel free and i'd again welcome any dialog about it. it's called "the early church...in summary"

click here to get the outline
click here to listen

and if you want to hear other past ones you can click this link which gives you a list of things i've done. the list is just a list so if for instance you see a sermon and no link it is because you have to go to the sermon section to find it, but it shouldn't be to hard. here is the link.

Acts 2v42-47...

2008-06-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

might use this on sunday...[see previous post and add your thoughts]

coming this sunday...

2008-06-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

so this sunday i am on deck for speaking at CC. We have been going through the book of acts and looking at the beginnings of the church and i have once again found it fascinating and challenging. i also have found it speaking directly to us a church that recently moved to a new location/neighborhood, with a new service time [from mornings to evening], and that also just recently started to search for a new lead pastor.

so the question "what is the church supposed to be about" is a good one for us to discuss. if anything i think our church needs to be re.churched in a lot of ways. so with that said... here is the text i will be looking at. i'd love your thoughts as to what you see, what stands out, and to what hits you as you read this very early description of the church in its beginnings.

ACTS2v42-47 [NLT]42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

hope you have a great friday in the sun! and thanks for your thoughts!

grace and peace,

r

new documentary on american teens

2008-06-17T22:08:00.001-07:00

having spent the last 13+ years working with students i'm always interested in films, media, music, documentaries, etc. on the topic of teen life. this looks really good! even watching the promo brought back memories both good and bad. it is kind of like a real life "breakfast club" which is still one of my all time favorite movies. anyways, it's called american teen and i thought i'd share it with you too.

new music tuesday...

2008-06-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

so two albums i've been waiting for have finally arrived! the first is jon foreman's newest seasonal set called "summer" and it is awesome! if you don't know who he is, jon is the lead singer of switchfoot which is another band i totally recommend. last fall jon decided to do some solo work and came up with an album per season fall winter spring and as i said now summer! all of them are fantastic.

the second album that i will be buying on the way home from work today is the new coldplay. see previous post for more on that. I will keep you updated on my thoughts on it, but if the first two songs that are out are any indicator it could be in my top 10 albums of the year!

here's to good music!

viva la vida...

2008-06-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about the new coldplay album.

If you want to hear the complete album for free click here - vivalavida

it's been some time...

2008-06-02T21:19:00.000-07:00

so i know that it has been a long time since i have been on the blog and honestly lots have been going on. i am hoping to get back into the blogosphere soon. Due to my senior paster leaving i along with the other full time associate are taking up the preaching rotation and I have been loving it. so hear is a link to the last two sermons i got to preach. the first is from the book of acts that we have recently started. it was a text i had never really studied before and really enjoyed what i learned. the second is from missions month and was on the idea of be sent ones.

sermon.01 gettingaheadofgod

sermon.02 uR.Sent.1s
note: the first 7 minutes or so is about a basic history of missions month so know the sermon starts after this.

the trinity in genesis...

2008-06-02T21:17:00.000-07:00

Expelled...

2008-04-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

Check out the website to find out more about this very interesting/powerful movie that comes out this Friday...

GET.EXPELLED

for ekh...

2008-03-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

so it is a very rare day that i do one of these, but for my dear friend ekh i shall...

note: one of the reasons i never do these is because it is near impossible to answer these in the short amount that is typically asked which is the case once again. but i did my best. enjoy.

5 things you can’t live without under 5 dollars:
good coffee, wrigleys 5 gum-cobalt, carls jr – double western burger, my mini convertible cross pen – w/ black ink, chapstick[mint]

5+ favorite movies:
ferris bueller’s day off, all 3 godfather movies, jerry mcquire, matrix, good will hunting, the bournes, shawshank, gladiator, into the wild, les miserables,

5+ songs you could listen to over and over again:
fix you – coldplay, i feel grace – aaron spiro, con te partiro – bocelli, if you’ve been delivered – kirk franklin, this is your life – switchfoot, 1000 yrs. – sting,

5+ people who have had a positive influence in your life:
family, groomsmen, bernd, mhgs, staff96, pvt, jesus

5 things in your pocket you cannot live without:
wallet, cell, itouch, keys, cobalt gum

5 moments that changed your life forever:
jen, gladys, piccolo pete’s, mhgs, visiting the homeland

5 current obsessions:
acts, spiritual disciplines, community, soccer, swell sessions

5 places I would love to travel:
sicily, tuscany, germany, ireland, south africa

Come on up to the house...

2008-03-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

It comes with the job...

2008-02-26T07:47:00.000-08:00

So many of you know that I have worked as a Pastor to Youth for the last 13 years now and one thing I have done almost every year is the "overnighter" or "lock-in" and this year is no exception. I have lots of mixed feelings about these types of events, that I will not go through now, but thought that this clip sums up a lot of it. The other thing this clip does is mock a popular songs chorus, which I have been known to do from time to time. If you have never seen this guy or heard any of his stuff you should, he is hilarious! The bottom line is that April is coming, and so is my next overnighter, and here is what has been going through my head since I put it on the calendar!

Enjoy!

Valentine's Day and More...

2008-02-16T15:05:00.000-08:00

So Valentine's Day has come and gone and it was very nice. Jen and I had a very nice dinner in on the actual day and then on Friday thanks to the grandparents we went out for a nice meal and dessert! Double the pleasure! We also got to have some fun with Glady giving her her first real valentine, continuing a mylar balloon tradition, and her first real backpack which she is crazy about! Jen had Glady make me my own valentine and it is super cool!

The other thing I thought I'd share is that Glady has been doll crazy and just realized that she can get into her doll's cradle. So I took some pictures of that for you to enjoy too. Be warned of the high cutie factor! I hope you all had a great Valentine's and have a wonderful holiday weekend ahead!

Enjoy the picture below!

Valentine's Day & Other Fun Times w/ Glady...

2008-02-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

Great video clip...

2008-02-15T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a call to all to lead! I thought this was pretty powerful.

I can't wait...

2008-02-14T16:31:00.000-08:00

For more info go here IJ

Great people + Dinner out + U23D = AWESOME!

2008-02-10T14:48:00.001-08:00

Last night Jen and I got to go out with a bunch of couples from CC to eat out and see U23D. I love the band, but have never seen them live - I know it is crazy! But man, I got to tell you that seeing this was amazing. It was art, it was story, it was music, it was energy, it was passion. One minute you are in the crowd the next you are within inches of Bono. And you get so close to everyone. I couple of times I actually moved cause it felt like I was going to get hit in the head by Adam Clayton's bass! One time I thought Bono was going to touch my face. And one time I was reaching for the glass of iced tea the drummer had sitting next to him. The screen at the IMAX is six stories tall and 80 feet wide and pumps out some 12,000 watts of stereo sounds that just rocks the house! Anyways, if you like U2 it is a must! And honestly, even if you aren't the biggest fan I think the experience is pretty cool all on its own. It looks like the Rolling Stones are coming out with one too. But in my opinion there isn't one member of the Rolling Stones that I have any desire to see up close!

Hawaii 2008...

2008-02-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

So some of you knew that part of my lack of blogging was due to a much needed vacation that Jen, Glady, and I went on with Jen's parents. Either way, if you didn't know, now you do. We went to Maui for two weeks right after my birthday and it was awesome! I had only been to Hawaii once before for the honeymoon in July and as beautiful as it was it was a little too hot for me. But I must say that going to Maui in January is the BEST! We stayed at a place called the Maui Sunset which is in Kihei and has been a time share in the Richards family since the late 70's. It is such a great place. It's clean, well kept, right on the beach, private, close to everything, and the best thing about it is that every night there was a yodeler! He would come out at 8pm and bust some yodels for all to hear. Everyone would come out on the lanai's to listen and cheer. Glady LOVED it and so did we!

While we were there we went out to lots of great restaurants. One is called "Bada Bings" which was a classic New York Italian place. We went to "Bubba Gumps," and a place called "Da Kitchen" which is one of the best local foods joint around. Besides the food we did a lot of sight seeing, wineries, hikes, the aquarium, beaches, snorkeling, hanging out at the pool, and just hanging out! The two Sundays we were there we visited Calvary Chapel Maui it was right down the street from where we were staying and it reminded us of home. The worship was terrific and the teaching was pretty good too.

Some other highlights...

* Glady playing on the beach and in the water! - She just loved it and we bought her this clear backpack full of sand toys that she carried everywhere - [see pictures below]
* Having time to read some great books
* Phil's wonderful fruit smoothies every night - and yes I did have some pineapple and didn't vomit :) - but for the record, although it was by far the best tasting pineapple I had ever had, I still would never choose/desire to have it. But the drinks Phil was mixing were tasty!
* Long walks along the beach and in Lahina
* Date nights out - especially discovering Bada Bings and the restaurant we went to with the surprise terrific view of the beach luau
* And last but not least CARLs JR. I got to indulge myself with the tasty double western burger - which never disappoints! Oh, if God would only bless Seattle with a Carls!

There was so much about the trip that was great. Big Big Thanks to Jan and Phil for letting us stay with them, for the date nights they provides for us by watching Glady, and for just an incredible time! We love ya!

Hey, make sure to scroll down to check out a bunch of pictures from the trip and thanks again for stopping by!

2008-02-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

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2008-02-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

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2008-02-05T07:53:00.000-08:00

The Birthdays of Rich and Richard Sclafani

2008-02-04T16:01:00.002-08:00

So January is the month in which both of the Richard E. Sclafani's in Seattle Washington were born. I turned 34 this year and my dad turn 59. For my birthday we went to the Seattle Aquarium and for my Dad's we went to the Seattle Children's Museum. Both parties were great and provided some great fun for all - especially Glady. I had Glady help me blow out the candles which she loved. And Glady always has fun with her Grandma and Grandpa. She especially loves pulling on Grandpa's beard! [see pictures below] On top of the family time I also got to spend some time with my best man for some good eats, conversation, and beer at the ram - which was a total blessing. I found myself very thankful and looking forward to the year to come!

2008-02-04T16:00:00.000-08:00

2008-02-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

2008-02-04T15:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas Re.cap...

2008-02-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know it has been a long time since I have blogged so I thought I'd best be getting on it. So this is the official short and sweet Sclafani Christmas Re.cap.

Basically this Christmas was terrific. Glady was fully engaged and loving it and we had a ton of family to celebrate it with.

Highlights include...

* All the time with Family including the Sclafani, Richards, Gasper, Freytag, and CC family. We basically merged all the separate times into a number of big family gatherings with all the kids and in short it was a blast! We love our family!

* Some of Glady's favorite gifts include a cool tea set, a shopping cart with tons of stuff to fill it with, a new doll, and a cleaning cart - see pics below! She loves to shop and clean and take care of her many "babies." Glady really loves to open gifts and even says thank you!

* I got my 16gig iPod Touch which I love and Jen got some great new clothes.

* We got lots of snow on Christmas day which was so cool [no pun intended] and very beautiful!

* Lots of reminders of all the blessings that we have as a family. We found ourselves overwhelmed with the sense of being loved and cared for by so many!

Well thats it for now. Like I said short and sweet, but don't let the post fool you, we loved this years Christmas season in so many ways. We are very excited to see all that God has in store for us in this new year. [see above posts for more on 2008]

Enjoy the pictures below and thanks for visiting the blog!

Peace in Jesus,

r

Christmas 2007 Pictures...

2008-02-04T15:19:00.000-08:00

2008-02-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

2008-02-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2007-12-25T00:09:00.000-08:00

Well, it is a bit after midnight and the daughter is asleep, all the gifts are wrapped, the food has been put away, and it is looking like I am heading to bed myself. But before I do I wanted to send a big Merry Christmas to you all and to wish you the best as you celebrate the greatest gift - the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ!

I also thought that it might be time for some laughter so from one of my all time favorite shows I give you laughter!

Enjoy your Christmas day!

Christmas Greatings...

2007-12-20T12:26:00.000-08:00

LED ZEPPELIN REUNION TOUR...

2007-12-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

Of all the concerts I could have gone to see this year I think this would have been the one. I'm hoping it will kick start a new tour, but who knows. Plant is already scheduled to tour with Allison Krause. Anyways, I have already heard some amazing audio clips from last nights concert and it sounds incredible. For those of you who have been reliving the past and maybe even still the present here are some photos and the set list from the evening! Oh and yes they did play Stairway To Heaven!

Led Zeppelin Reunion Tour Set List:

Good Times Bad Times
Ramble On
Black Dog
In My Time of Dying
For Your Life (never played live before!)
Trampled Underfoot
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
No Quarter
Since I’ve Been Loving You
Dazed and Confused
Stairway to Heaven
The Song Remains the Same
Misty Mountain Hop
Kashmir
Whole Lotta Love
Rock And Roll

SEMI-PRO...

2007-12-10T08:34:00.000-08:00

I know everyone including myself has been crazy busy lately so I thought something to pause and rest from the business was in order. Now I don't know about you, but for some reason I can't stop laughing when I see/watch Will Ferrell. Anyways, he has a new movie coming out called SEMI-PRO in which he is involved in semi-pro basket ball from like the 70's. I'm sure it will be classic WF and if I wasn't sure of that before. Now having seen this I'm sure it will be like all the others. Here is a short clip to tease you with.

Enjoy!

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

2007-11-29T10:43:00.001-08:00

If you like this then check out The Work Of The People

Emergent Church movement PBS Religion and Ethics News Weekly

2007-11-28T11:09:00.001-08:00

This was done a while back, but thought it was well done. You can see the second part of this which is a more focused conversation with/about Brian McLaren by going to this link. PBS.

Thanksgiving Weekend Recap...

2007-11-26T21:08:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I know mine was wonderful! I have so much to be thankful for. I am blessed to have an incredible wife and one amazing little girl, and roof over my head, a job that I love, a community that is welcoming, health, the list goes on and on. What a blessing!

For thanksgiving the Sclafani Family including my mom and dad headed over to the Gasper's House [which is Jen's sisters family: Kristin, Kevin, Matthew, Grace, and Charlotte and also included Kevin's parents Ken and Karen]. We had an incredible time of fun, laughter, fellowship, amazing food, music played by Matthew on the piano, games made by Matthew, watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving just to name some of the good times.

The next day Jen and the Gasper's went downtown to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and welcomed Santa Clause to town [I had a couple of clients to meet with]. This was Glady's first parade and first Starbucks Hot Chocolate - she loved them both! They also got free Top Pot Donuts which is pretty cool too.

On Saturday, we hung out at the house, I enjoyed some amazingly beautiful blue sky while sitting on my favorite leather seat with my little girl as we soaked up the sun. Then we got the house ready for some guests and enjoyed an evening with the Leffel's [sorry I forgot to take pictures]. We enjoyed great conversations, kids playing together, stories of Jer's trip to China, and some good home cooked Italian food! This was a great night!

And then there was Sunday again with a gorgeous day. We hung out again, and then went for a walk with Glady. This time though, Glady wanted to bring her baby and stroller along. I was thinking I was going to end up carrying this all around, but she went almost three blocks totally pushing this stroller around, checking up on her cabbage patch kid, giving it a bottle, and just having a blast! Man was it cute! After that we came home for some more hot chocolate, then my parents came over for some Glady time and Jen and I worked out in the yard. When my parents left, Glady took her nap, Jen and I got ready for Church and soon were off to CC. It was a great end to a wonderful weekend!

I put some pictures for you all to see. I was reminded of many things that I am thankful for and one of those was all of you who faithfully check out this blog. Your friendship means a great deal to me! May you continue to experience all of life's blessings as we step further into the holiday season!

2007-11-26T21:07:00.000-08:00

2007-11-26T21:05:00.000-08:00

Bono commentary...

2007-11-20T23:06:00.000-08:00

Interesting commentary on a new song coming out by U2. It will be coming with the re.release of Joshua Tree. It is pretty cool to hear him share about the meaning of the song in the midst of him singing it.

Hope you enjoy...