The Lost Church

Half Off Paint-It-Yourself Pottery

2010-04-19T07:52:00.000-05:00

The Daily Deal for

Nashville

Monday, April 19, 2010

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$15 for $30 Worth of Paint-It-Yourself Pottery at Third Coast Clay Ceramic Studio

$15

worth:	discount:	savings:
$30	50%	$15

Company Information:

Third Coast Clay Ceramic Studio

website

Locations:

The Factory at Franklin
230 Franklin Rd.
Franklin, Tennessee 37064

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Having complete creative control over a project is a right usually reserved for prestigious film directors and self-employed sandcastle sculptors. Feel the power of artistic articulation flowing through your finely tipped fingers with today's deal. For $15, you get $30 worth of paint-it-yourself pottery at Third Coast Ceramic Studio in Franklin.

Artists-to-be needn't have a Guggenheim Fellowship to enter the cozy doors of Third Coast. Walking in, most experience a rush of creativity at the sight of exposed-clay figurines, bare dinnerware, and a fully clothed staff. Once a piece-to-be-masterpieced has been selected-be it a plate, vase, coffee mug, martini glass, piggy bank, Buddha, or bust of Elvis-decorators can begin applying base coats to their evolving ceramic canvas. Those who suffer from painter's block can consult Third Coast's bountiful idea books, stencils, and stamps, or resolve it the old-fashioned way by pacing the studio floor with a corncob pipe. All the finished pieces are then set aside to be glazed and fired later by the studio staff. Your objet d'art will be ready for pickup in a week. Each brushwielder will be assessed a modest $6 studio fee along with the price of whichever starting piece they select ($6-$40 depending on size).

Third Coast's relaxing atmosphere and friendly staff make it a fun, free-spirited activity for families and ladies' nights alike. Paint inside the lines, outside the lines, or go beyond Euclidean principles and paint hyperbolic parabolas into infinity with today's Groupon to Third Coast Clay Ceramics Studio.

Not valid for use toward birthday parties. Call ahead to schedule times.

Ugh!

2009-11-29T10:01:00.000-06:00

Are all women so overly critical of themselves they feel their in-laws see them as unfit?

The Money You Could Be Saving...

2009-09-30T12:26:00.001-05:00

The Best God Quote Billboard

2009-09-29T08:51:00.002-05:00

Despite your personal view on homosexuality, I think this is the best billboard of the series.

Why Boys Don't Talk to Girls

2009-09-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

Identity

2009-09-21T15:23:00.001-05:00

X has been in K for around a month now. His teacher pronounces his name with the Z sound for the X and he said he likes that and wants us to do it too.

spout

2009-09-13T10:51:00.002-05:00

Woe to the fool who looks up and refuses to abandon his broken rope while the stairway is before him.

</spout>

Sometimes we're sitting at the bottom, as low as we can be and have nowhere to go but up. In those moments we can either choose to cling to what drug us there in the first place or let go and trust in what is obviously the way to go.

Sleeping Beauty

2009-09-10T12:52:00.001-05:00

At lunch today. She’s not really asleep, just playing camera shy.

2009-08-16T11:42:00.000-05:00

Its hard to pray when you start dreaming about vacuum sealing bread loafs or playing video games. No more 1am bedtimes on Saturday night unless there's a mainline of Mt Dew the following morning.
RC Martinez
GodFix Productions

Expression

2009-07-12T11:17:00.000-05:00

I feel disconnected, unplugged, disengaged, disoriented and discharged. I feel scared, lost, lonely and confused.
I've learned more about God over the last 5 years than the entirety of the previous 15 years of my life. I've discovered that I suck and I'm selfish. I've learned that He's always reaching out to us while we're too busy holding on to ourselves.
Somewhere along this roller coaster of spiritual highs and lows... Somewhere in this corridor of life... Somewhere along the way... I've lost myself, perspective and focus. I've lost track of what's important and become engulfed in the little things. I've allowed myself to become cut off from friends, family and God.
I don't know how to say any of this. It's in my head, my heart and the tip of my tongue. My lips part and my mouth opens but... Silence. I can put this into writing. I can express myself in prose or music but can't say what I want.
I want to feel whole; Not like an empty shadow.
I want to play drums; Just for myself, not to be a rockstar.
I want to be involved; With my family and friends.
I want to give up control and LIVE KNOWING He's in control.

Political Extremism

2009-05-11T08:23:00.001-05:00

Brazilian Cuisine

2009-04-30T17:59:00.001-05:00

Mmm.........

Digital Home Place

2009-04-25T10:53:00.000-05:00

The computer desk is up now. The kids are watching a Win amp visualization to Sixpence None the Richer while we clean. Ahhh... Home Sweet Home.

My New Home Interwebz Connection

2009-04-24T08:10:00.001-05:00

http://www.godfix.net/speedtest.jpg

The First Meal

2009-04-18T16:10:00.000-05:00

X-Man's first meal in the new house.

Sometimes Even Ice Cream Isn't Enough

2009-04-17T19:37:00.001-05:00

The X-Man and myself at Chik-Fil-A on Day 2 of moving, taken with my new phone. He's eating ice cream but you wouldn't know it from this pic. I love my kids.

OMG

2009-04-15T07:05:00.001-05:00

I'm buying a house today!!!!! Every emotion all at once right now.

AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!

2009-04-01T11:21:00.001-05:00

We could close on the house ASAP!!!!! We have to take a THDA class first BUT CAN’T FIND ANYONE TO WATCH THE KIDS!!!!!!

4096 Mountain Top Trail

2009-03-17T10:35:00.000-05:00

This is the house we are looking at:

http://listings.realtracs.com/Reports/EmailPublicReports.aspx?EmailID=25416313&reportid=3

4kb

2009-03-17T07:52:00.001-05:00

I'm excited and scared right now. We just put in an offer on a house this weekend.

Here We Have A Bunch of Mexicans

2008-11-29T23:56:00.001-06:00

A Bunch of Drunk Mexicans

2008-11-29T16:29:00.001-06:00

The South Does It Better

2008-11-28T19:35:00.002-06:00

As much fun as it was watching these guys play at Glendale Glitters, Glendale, Arizona's Christmas Lighting Ceremony, I think we do this song better in Nashville.

La Familia

2008-11-26T19:32:00.001-06:00

Eating dinner at the family restaurant. Good times.

Mooooo.....

2008-11-26T12:40:00.001-06:00

Extra yummy. Just what you need for some good stew.

Little Mexico

2008-11-26T12:32:00.001-06:00

This is my trip to Little Mexico. Good food.

At the Carneceria

2008-11-26T11:57:00.001-06:00

A delectible assortment of whole (head included) chickens. Yummy.

The Window Seat

2008-11-24T10:18:00.001-06:00

Airport Terminal

2008-11-23T07:09:00.001-06:00

Must be automatic updates.

Foxtrot

2008-11-19T17:18:00.001-06:00

Today

2008-11-17T18:40:00.001-06:00

I had an interview with a publishing company. I was really anxious and would really like to get this job.

Dance your PhD

2008-11-13T16:54:00.002-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Va4zcGyYs0

Corporate America

2008-11-13T16:50:00.002-06:00

I got “downsized” this week. In fact, I’ve heard that they’ve let about 5 dozen people go this week. Crazy. Looking for a new job, but some things have made me wonder about direction.

Pick It Up

2008-11-11T21:27:00.001-06:00

X Man: But it's wet.

Me: You have a fork.

X Man: Good Idea!

You gotta love kids.

The Governator says 'I'll be back'.

2008-11-08T16:04:00.001-06:00

After getting LASIK yesterday.

When Did We Get So Messed Up?

2008-11-01T18:47:00.001-05:00

After Christ came and went... After the Disciples planted the early churches... What happened? Where did witch hunts and anything not fitting "the mold" being a tool of Satan come from?

Ashley Holmertz

2008-10-13T10:05:00.003-05:00

A friend of mine that had been fighting bone cancer for almost 5 years died Sunday afternoon. She was a fighter to the end. She will be missed.

I just passed test 1

2008-10-11T15:57:00.001-05:00

I just passed test 1 of 8 for my CCNA. WOOHOO!!!

IP Host/Subnet Tables

2008-10-06T14:16:00.001-05:00

En-Hakorre

2008-10-05T14:02:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my office. Have a seat on the couch, make yourself comfortale and tell me what's bothering you...

I seem to be a conduit of advice, counselor and shoulder to cry on recently. A friend is going through a tough time right now. They're afraid to love because they said it always leads to them getting hurt. Here's how I replied.

That’s what happens when we let our guard down and open ourselves up to someone. We make ourselves vulnerable. That’s what you do when you love someone; you’re showing them the target, the bull’s eye. You’re saying “I trust you enough to let you know how to hurt me the worst”.

I can’t promise you that there’s a human-being out there that will never do anything that will hurt you. They may not intentionally do it, but to love deeply is to hurt deeply. It’s inevitable in our human condition. And if they truly love you back the way you have loved them, then they’ll see how they hurt you, they’ll hurt along with you and heal along with you.

My Own Personal Hell

2008-09-30T07:45:00.002-05:00

OMG MY BRAIN IS GONNA EXPLODE!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I can do this. It’s been 17 years, but I still remember Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species from 10^th Grade Biology.

More mini-rants to come.

YaWN!

2008-09-29T08:20:00.001-05:00

My brain is fried from studying. It’s not easy trying to study at night and in the early AM. Especially when working weird hours. I need to find a good routine for this. It will pay off big time in the end though.

Why?

2008-09-24T23:46:00.000-05:00

Below is an e-mail I received from my sister tonight and my reply. What I don’t understand is, why is it so easy for me to almost effortlessly respond to something like this for someone else?

From: RC Martinez
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:38 PM
To: My Sister
Subject: RE: [SPAM]

Everything happens for a reason. When we’re so close to the action, we don’t always see the story unfolding. Sometimes we have to take a step back, remove ourselves from what’s going on and then we can see the big picture.

Like when a child asks their parents “Why is the sky blue” or “Where do babies come from”, it’s our quest for answers that ultimately draws us to God. Not in some “old time religion” sense where He is Judge, Jury and Executioner, but in a paternal sense. He wants us to come to Him, share ourselves with Him and crawl into His arms for a good cry.

So maybe the answer to your “WHY” is something as simple as “She had been sick for so long and it was time for her to no longer suffer”. Maybe it’s to draw a wayward child back to Him. I don’t know, but as long as I have my family, friends and faith, the “WHY” doesn’t matter, it’s the time we had that does.

From: My Sister
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:21 PM
To: RC Martinez
Subject: [SPAM]

I was just reading your blog about Mom....I miss her so much...I just can't get over it....the pain is so real and so hard....I'm sorry that I don't have more faith...but I just can't understand WHY????

That was a real turning point in my life....I don't think I will ever heal from it....

Work in Progress

2008-08-23T18:20:00.002-05:00

Today I started a series of co-writing sessions with a good friend. We use to play in a band together a few years ago. This was probably actually the first time he had ever heard anything I had written. After going through a few things I had done and a little goofing off, we picked a song and everything just started flowing.

I'm not sure how long with will be before it's ready for anyone outside the studio to hear, but believe me this... It... Will... RAWK... Your... Face... OFF!!!

The Ranting Mind of Me

2008-08-20T08:17:00.000-05:00

I have this friend. Yeah, hard to believe huh, I have a friend? Anyhow... We've probably known each other for just over a year, but never really talked until almost 2 months ago.

Right now they're going through some crazy life events, stuck in the middle of situations they really shouldn't be but are either hoping for the best or too scared to leave. I'd like to help, and there are tons of ways I could help. I've mentioned it but I'm afraid it would come off as overbearing and pushy if I keep mentioning it, especially since it's such a young friendship.

I'm not sure what more I can explicitly do for them. I know they have other, more involved friends that feel the same, if not more intent, about this than I do. Approaching them feels like I'm overstepping boundaries so I haven't done so.

At The Park

2008-05-18T18:54:00.001-05:00

A cam-phone photo of my wife and kids at the park this weekend.

The Spirit of Mourning

2007-11-23T23:29:00.002-06:00

Over the last few weeks, everyone has asked how I'm doing. Whether it's up front or they are hesitant, everyone asks. I don't want to say, "I'm OK" because I'm not. All I can answer with is, "I'm hanging in there".

It's been about 6 weeks since we found out my mother had cancer. It was weird at first because we didn't know how far along it was. It was hard when she went in for the initial biopsy. I think the group consensus was this could be her last Christmas or even Thanksgiving with us. There was hope, but there was also a downcast spirit.

Now to pause for a brief history lesson...

My mother spent the summer of 1991 in Vanderbilt for Bilateral Chronic Pneumonia. To my recollection, she was sedated the entire time and the doctors were making "best guesses" at her condition. Fast forward to today... On our way back from seeing my mother after having her biopsy in late October, I mentioned something about it. Debra said she was curious if I was ever going to talk to her about it because in the last 10 years, I've probably spoken a handful of words on the subject. Maybe being 14 at the time, my mind blocked out a lot of what was going on at that time. I don't know, but It's definitely not one of the happier times in my life. Being back there again was like reliving that all over again.

As I stated in an earlier e-mail/blog, the day of the biopsy I think I cried more than I had over the last year. Debra later asked me why? Well, without going into any unnecessary detail, I can say that my relationship with my mother over there last 10 years was rocky to say the least. At that moment, I decided to let go of all the crap, resentment and hurt. None of that mattered anymore. None of that matters anymore.

Just over 2 weeks ago, we were eating dinner and getting ready for our Village (aka Small Group) and my sister called to tell me they were rushing her to Vanderbilt because of some bleeding she was having. I think that night is when it really hit me. All the doctors that night gave answers that, to me, meant, "She may not make it through the night".

She spent the next 4 or 5 days in SICU before being moved to a regular room. The plan was to get her well enough to go home and make her remaining time here as comfortable as possible. That Monday, my father and sister were sitting around her bed as she slept. It seemed as if her pain was finally under some sort of control. The nurse came in to give her something to help with the pain and take her vitals. Before she could do anything, my mother took her last breath.

Everything seems so surreal. The visitation, the funeral, none if it feels real. Debra and I talked about how we'd tell Ximen. He's too young to understand, but will still have some memories of her. Phoenix will never know her outside of photographs.

I don't know how long it will be before I've worked through it. The whole time I've tried not to cry around any. I've tried to be strong and the shoulder for them to cry on. One of the biggest emotional breaking points was when my Aunt Vianna told me how my mother said to her that she never thought I'd meet anyone or get married. She said that she told her how proud she was of me that I had found someone and was raising a family. I can't remember the last time I heard her say that, but right then, just knowing that, I lost it. This is my mother, and I miss her.

A friend told me that it's been years since his mother died, and there are still days he just loses it. So when you feel the urge to ask me how I'm doing, go back and re-read this. It will be the same for years to come. It's only through God and all your prayers that my family and myself will be able to find peace and comfort. I have no doubt in my mind that my mother was at total peace with God when she left to join Him.

My Storm

2007-10-30T17:02:00.000-05:00

These past 2 weeks have been odd to say the least. Today was the biopsy on my mother’s tumor. The current results are that it is definitely cancer, and it’s either Stage 3 or Stage 4, they won’t know until tomorrow. She goes back Thursday to work on a Chemo plan. I’m usually the one that keeps it all together, doesn’t break and is there for everyone else to lean on, but I cried more today than I have in the past year. I usually reserve that for in the car, but couldn’t contain it while in her room.

She’s already given up and lost all hope. I think she’s the only one that has. Due to the medical issues she’s had over the last 15 years, I can see why she’s ready to let go.

People often ask, “If God is real and loves us, why do bad things happen”… Everything happens for a reason and to bring Glory to Him. Sometimes catastrophes happen because that’s what it takes to get through to us. If we weren’t so prideful and full of ourselves, we wouldn’t have to wait until someone’s on their death bed to heal that broken relationship.

OTC

2007-09-25T21:19:00.000-05:00

In our crazy, hectic, frantic lives, we're far too important to let something as trivial as a cough, sneeze or cold slow us down. Instead of stopping to rest until we get better, we fall slave to an epidemic that has swept our culture: Over the Counter Medication. Do you suffer from nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head and fever? Need the pain reliever that hospitals use most?

We're all about the quick fix. "If I'm not sneezing and coughing at work, then I must be better". That's the mindset. The actual disease isn't being fought, all we're doing is masking and suppressing the symptoms. Without proper care, that "simple little cold" could turn into something worse, life-threatening or even death. That's why we go to the Doctor, to find and treat the cause.

In our spiritual lives, we do the same. When we sin, we treat the outward manifestation
We ignore the problem and let it fester, hoping if we can just cover it up, it might go away. When we're enslaved and bound, we're quick to cover it up and hope it goes away. We don't try to find the root of the issue. Instead, we'd rather act like nothing's wrong. The whole time, the sin is burrowing its way, deeper into our hearts and souls, until one day, it's the virus that has spread through our very being.

For months, I've been feeling this way. If I can just ignore it, not act on it or keep myself too busy... Maybe it'll go away. The only place it's gone is to the kitchen to get a drink during the commercials. I'm dying inside and for the life of me, can't just say it. I'm dying inside and there's nothing NyQuil that will help me.

Christians Don't Go to Heaven

2007-09-25T21:12:00.000-05:00

I know that will hurt, but it's true. If a Christian is defined as "a member of any of certain Protestant churches, as the Disciples of Christ and the Plymouth Brethren"*. If all it takes to be a Christian is having your name on the membership list, there are going to be lot of Christians in Hell.

*Dictionary.com

Y=? (WARNING: May Contain Offensive Language)

2007-08-28T23:05:00.000-05:00

Why can't I simply share? Why am I such a bastard? Why is it so hard to tell someone what I'm thinking but I can write it down here?

Where NOT to Buy Gas

2007-08-03T20:07:00.000-05:00

I Hate That

2007-07-15T20:08:00.001-05:00

Instead of being happy that I'm home, she has to be all pissy and make me feel bad because I have to work so much.

A Delictable Assortment of...

2007-03-21T11:26:00.001-05:00

Carrots, celery, tomatoes and broccoli. Here I sit, 7:30 in the morning munching away on said veggies. It’s part of my new diet. Well, diet isn’t the right word, or thought. It’s more of my new and improved healthy food and exercise lifestyle.

This past weekend, I hauled the family to the Y and joined. Some friends of ours joined some time back. This inspired my wife, so we took the plunge.

I personally wouldn’t mind losing 30 pounds by her birthday so we can take a nice vacation, say, to the beach. Anywho… I’m also changing my eating habits, er… the foods I eat. More fruits, veggies and water. So begins Day 3.

It’s hard letting go of pizza and cheeseburgers and Mt. Dew and tea, but I know if I’m going to be healthy, I have to give up those things. I’m still having trouble letting go of some other things. I want to be a good example for my children. Those are my dreams, to see them grow and be more than I ever have been or will be. Sin destroys that. It harbors contempt, animosity and hate.

I don’t want that. I do want that. Not that directly, but the cause. I’m weak and need help, but am too afraid, or proud, to cry out and ask.

"Hello? Tech Support?"

2007-03-05T06:47:00.000-06:00

Anyone that knows me has known me as either a drummer or an IT guy. For the last 10 years I’ve been an IT Professional, everything from PC Tech to IT Systems Admin and Network Engineer. I’ve hand built EVERY computer I’ve ever owned.

Over the last couple of weeks, our home PC has been giving us problems. One BSOD after another until finally... "Cannot find C:\Windows\Config\System". I tried Repair Console, Dirty Install and even installing to an alternate HD. Gloom and despair begin to arise. Every attempt ends in a BSOD. I broke down. I went to Best Buy. After of hour of looking, comparing and thinking, I walked out having just purchased a (GASP!!!!!) PRE-FAB SYSTEM!!!

A milestone to put it lightly. I’m just getting tired of putting money into every problem we have with our system. It’s a GREAT computer, don’t get me wrong. We’ve upgraded component after component over the last 6 years of owning in. So much so that the only original parts left were the keyboard and case. I just figure it’s time to start handing my problems over to someone else, someone with the resources to fix the issues without me trying to stay up an extra hour or two to fix it myself.

Life is like that. Not just with computers, cars or houses, but with our very souls and existence. I’ve been spending so much time thinking “I can fix this” that I’ve completely cut off the ultimate tech-support. The one person who not only CAN fix it, but WANTS to fix it. I can see God up there saying, “Just talk to me and tell me what your problems are. You’ll feel better and I can help you through them”.

SO WHY DON’T I?!?!

Pride? Shame? Am I one of those people that can’t exist without having something to complain about? Do I strive on conflict? Am I so reliant on my sin that I won’t know what to do without it? No one wishes their computer would flake out on them. No one wants their car to die on them while on vacation with their family or their house to burn down in the middle of the night.

God, please just help me. I’m tired of it. I don’t want to be insincere. I don’t want to be hollow. I don’t want to be alone. Please, forgive me…

Broken Tree

2007-02-08T07:26:00.000-06:00

There’s a new activity at my church called “Soundtracks”. It’s an opportunity for members of our church family to come and share their stories through music, art, poetry, etc. One of the slogan’s is something like “What does your life sound like” or “What’s the soundtrack of your life”.

It took me years of being a musician and listening to songs over and over before I actually started listening to the lyrics. Yeah, I heard them , memorized them and could pen them out as easily as if they were my own. I never really took to their meaning though until I was in college and typically strung out. Leave it to a psychotics binge to make you realize the things you should have already known.

maybe the limbs of a broken tree will heal themselves in time
or maybe the limbs from that broken tree will petrify......
hard as stone.

as I peel back the layers I find things I never knew were there
and as I listen to my prayers I hear myself confused and scared.
this broken tree feels like it's part of me somehow controlling my destiny.
has the seed of a broken promise decided what I will be?

and I, left to myself can only hope to survive.
and I, left to myself can only slowly die.

how long will I drift? would I not know the difference?
have I weathered so long that I've been shaped by this ocean?
will the legacy live on in me? like father, like son?
I don't believe that what I am is determined by what precedes me.
and now I have to realize that the past is not my future
and in Christ I'm a brand new creature.

and I, left to myself can only hope to survive.
and I, left to myself can only slowly die.
but given grace I know I can,
given grace I can learn to forgive.
in the face of all of this.
given grace I can truly live.
-Broken Tree by Six Feet Deep, from the Album “The Road Less Traveled”

The Lost Church

2007-02-05T10:29:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had an idea, a revelation, some form of “purpose” and you didn’t know what to do with it?