30 November 07 - 11:00Friday Reflections

Well it's Friday morning and our house smells like urine.  Feel free to reread that statement and let it register.  Why you ask?  Did we get a dog and can't train it?  NO! Do we have mice? NO!  Yes I can control myself!  The answer is....we have a son who's learning to potty train.  Oh the joy.  He's getting it.  We started yesterday and he's almost got the hang of it.  The book says in one day but we're on day 2 so it's pretty close.

Just listened to a podcast and wondering what it would take to get our student ministry Wednesday nights available for podcasts.  I don't really know so if you do let me know.  I think that may be cool.  That way I could listen to myself and practice what I preach.

Reading a good book about communication.  Yes, students I am reading it because I see the need to always be working on it.  Yes, students I am trying to practice what I'm reading but I don't know if it's ... (more)

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20 November 07 - 21:41Relaxed

2 of the most relaxing days of my life.

Monday -- leave Atlanta and drive 40 minutes south to my cousin's house.  Chill out, play video games, sleep, play cornhole, eat some good food, good conversation, sleep.

Tuesday -- wake up, play at the park with family, eat some lunch, play some more video games, go over to my Aunt Lucy's house and eat with extended family, get some Cubs (Matt Murton paraphenalia -- baby, gonna be worth millions one day). 

We fly out tomorrow.  I'm glad for the last two days to be ready for a plane trip home to snow while we've been enjoying 70 degree weather the last two days.

Happy Thanksgiving all.  I'll be home tomorrow.

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17 November 07 - 21:40Thoughts on a conference

Well I've been through a few days of the NYWC and it's been a great time of relaxing, learning, resting, and thinking.  There's only a day and a half left.  Andy Stanley has been the high point so far.  Spoke on being the most powerful person in the room and it was a great challenge and encouragement.  You'll have to ask if you want to know more.  Tomorrow I'm going to make the drive up to his church to see the building steal (um, I mean borrow) ideas, literature and anything I can get my hands on. 

Today I took some time to spend with the family and we walked around and went to Chick Fil A for supper, checked out Olympic Park all lit up and had a great time.  Caleb will never cease to make me laugh.  I have joy almost every moment I'm with him. 

Chris Tomlin has been given a gift.  He just invites you to worship right along with him.  It was an amazing thing to see. ... (more)

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14 November 07 - 22:19Travelling with Kids :-)

Well we made it to Atlanta.  We started this morning at about 7:15 (thank you Caleb for waking up early) and got to the airport in plenty of time to get through security, eat lunch, let the food settle so we have no puking episodes, change Kietlyn's outfit (can you say blowout!) and get on the plane.  The kids did fine on the plane.  I just wish the stupid battery in this computer would last longer than 30 minutes so that Caleb could watch a full movie.  I realized just how small airplane bathrooms are (2 feet x 2 feet). 

We landed at the busiest airport in the USA and went to get our luggage. Half a mile later we arrived at our luggage claim.  Yeah, it really was a half mile.  They actually tell you how many feet you have to walk to get there.  Like it's encouraging to see a sign that says 2000 feet till the baggage claim.  Thanks for the inspiration.

We are at our baggage claim and Jenise has Kiet and Caleb and trying to keep Caleb corralled ... (more)

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12 November 07 - 10:18Monday Morning Reflections

My thoughts from my crazy, hectic, fun, busy weekend...

Ministry is relationships.  Thanks for the reminder Bill.  www.cadreministries.com Much appreciated and much needed.  Now if only I can be in the youth room at 6:15 every Wednesday to talk to people.

Jr. Highers continue to impress me.  Thank you for to the 12 that showed up for our retreat.  It wasn't all fun and games but yet you came anyway and you paid attention, listened, didn't distract, and are trying to apply what you've learned.  Thanks.  That makes me proud to be your pastor.  Keep up the good work.

Peyton Manning threw twice as many picks as TD's.  (6 picks, 3 TD's)  I think pigs can fly now or the sky will fall or something like that because I never thought that would happen.

Here's to going 2-3 in Fantasy Football this week.  I was favored to win them all!  Aarrgghh. ... (more)

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07 November 07 - 14:20Effectiveness

Ziploc bags vs. the off brand

Mountain Dew vs. HyVee Hee Haw

Dairy Queen Blizzard vs. McDonalds McFlurry

Apple vs. Microsoft

One is always more effective than the other.  Usually you'll pay more for the one that is more effective.  Lately I've been hit with how effective my prayer life is.  I pray, I desire answers, I believe God can do it, but yet it seems that sometimes God doesn't hear me or answer me.  In order to have an effective prayer life it's going to cost me.  Cost me what?  Pride, selfish desires, hidden sin.  I need to confess.  I have realized recently that I don't confess my sins as often as I probably should.  Confession needs to be a part of my prayer life.  It's not that I've done some heinous sin or anything but any sin comes between me and God.  It just hurts to confess sin.  So let the pain begin.  Today, I will begin to dive inward, take time to search below the surface level and find ... (more)

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06 November 07 - 08:39One week and counting...NYWC

This time next week I'll be packing my bags for sunny Atlanta.  I just hope they have enough drinking water for me down there.  I am pumped because I get to go to the National Youth Workers Convention.  It'll be my second time and it's just a great chance to relax, rest, learn, grow, network, spend time with family, and get some great food.  Why am I excited to go hear a bunch of speakers and music and sessions?  Here's why.

1. Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Doug Fields are all speakers.  I've heard Doug before but I'm really excited to here the other two.  Those are definitely "can't miss" sessions.
2. Tomlin & Crowder are leading worship.  Yeah, I've heard Crowder plenty of times before but he's a really funny guy and Tomlin, what else can you say.  Probably the most recognized name in Christian Music today.

It's not all about the sessions though.  I also get to take in Atlanta and spend a couple of days with some ... (more)

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05 November 07 - 10:57Things that bug me...

Welcome to my blog.  It's my first.  So welcome to the journey and I hope you don't fall asleep at the wheel.  Today I just wanted to share some things that bug me because one of them is bugging me now...

1.  Procrastinators.  People who wait till the last minute to do something.  Can't you just give the common courtesy of telling me, giving me, or sharing with me in enough time so that I'm not rushed.  For example, today I get an e-mail about housing a group coming through.  Now we spoke with them in September and they said they would let us know if we were needed at least 2 weeks in advance.  But alas, here we are 2 days from the event and I get an e-mail saying that they need 7 houses to stay in by Wednesday night.  It's Monday morning.  If I look up the word procrastinator in the dictionary, I'm assuming I would see this guy's picture there.  So I have yet to see how this will play out.  Maybe I'll tell you in another entry. ... (more)

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