How I am spending my five weeks of freedom?

I have a 5 week break between my last two semesters of seminary.  During this break, I normally meet with a lot of people, work on projects I haven’t had time for, read books that I want to read, and watch a ton of movies.

So, halfway through my break, here’s my list of suggestions for your benefit from all of this:

Places to hang out:

1. Cibo – http://www.cibophoenix.com – had dinner with my friend Taylor here this week.  Great place in downtown Phoenix.  We split a salad and a pizza and the prices were very reasonable.  Very accessible from the light rail.
2. Lux Coffee – http://luxcoffee.com/- Lux has been my coffee shop of choice this fall.  The Velvet is amazing, and I normally go with an Iced Coffee.  Great vibes, normally good music playing or a DJ spinning techno.  Right along the light rail route too!
3. Press Coffee, Food, and Wine – http://presscfw.com/ – Press opened this fall at CityNorth up near Desert Ridge.  Steve is the owner and he makes an amazing latte.  Not so sure on CityNorth as a development, but I will make the drive once a month for some fantastic coffee.
4. Buffalo Exchange – http://www.buffaloexchange.com/ – I buy 90% of my clothes here.  There are almost always deals to find and prices are awesome!  Plus it is 5 minutes from my house and my office.  I even have Dani (my wife) drinking the Kool-Aid now too!

Books to Read:

1. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell -Gladwell finishes his turkey with his third strike in a row!  Fantastic book about success, talent, and opportunity.  I read this on the flights home from Buffalo, and I was engaged the whole time.  Well worth your reading and reflection.  http://www.amazon.com/Outliers-Story-Success-Malcolm-Gladwell/dp/0316017922/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231459928&sr=8-1

1. Tribes by Seth Godin – Godin’s little books are packed full of insight and challenge about business, leadership, and our culture.  This book calls out leaders among the rise of social networks which give birth to countless causes and small tribes of people.  I was stirred by this short read. http://www.amazon.com/Tribes-We-Need-You-Lead/dp/1591842336/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231459979&sr=1-1

1. The Fine Line by Kary Oberbrunner – Kary asked Maxie Burch to review this book pre-release.  I got to read an advance copy and enjoyed it.  Kary encourages followers of Jesus to live relevant lives that connect what they believe to how they live.  The incredible story of one pastor and a church plant he led through an incredibly difficult set of events was awesome.  http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Line-Re-envisioning-between-Culture/dp/0310285453/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231460000&sr=1-1

Movies in Theatres:

1. Curious Case of Benjamin Button – epic, beautiful, LONG, amazing.  Must see.

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/23060/trailers

1. Four Christmases – very funny Christmas movie.  Great combo of Vaughn and Witherspoon.  http://www.moviefone.com/movie/four-christmases/25133/trailers

Movies on DVD:

1. Run, Fat Boy Run – gut-busting laughter was created and I cackled and cackled.

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/run-fat-boy-run/27011/trailers

1. The Dark Knight – movie of the year, hands-down.

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-dark-knight/27016/trailers

1. August Rush – beautiful story, incredible music.

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/august-rush/29690/trailers

Things to spend leftover Christmas money on:

1. Moleskine – most of my sermons, ideas, blogs, dreams first see the light of day in my Moleskine.  A must-have.  http://www.moleskine.com/index_eng.php

1. Fossil Sunglasses – bought a new pair over the holidays.  Sunglasses are ESSENTIAL in Phoenix! http://www.fossil.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=12052&catalogId=10052&departmentCategoryId=30001&categoryId=30014&productId=22060700&N=0&Va=46&Ns=p_weight|0||p_order_history|1&rec=16&pn=c&imagePath=MS4755060

1. Sanuks – the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.  I live in these.  But they aren’t shoes – they are sandals.  http://www.sanuk.com/

I start classes on January 26^th, but I am very excited for my last semester.  I am also looking forward to some time away on a personal retreat soon, along with a weekend trip over to SoCal to see my brother at Azusa Pacific, NPBC students attending Cal Baptist, and my friends Matt, Hank, and Eric at Mosaic.

Happy New Year!

-Scott