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Friday, August 08, 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Fruitcake & Ice Cream
I've been listening to some very good online sermons lately...and I HAD to share this one with everyone. Please go HERE and find the series called "Home Free - Even Me". It's a 2 part series and the 2nd message is entitled "Fruitcake & Ice Cream". Listen to it please.
The whole message is good...it's Louie talking about the grace of God. But, if you are limited on time, skip about 50% in to the message and listen to the real life story of a college student. Louie is reading from her journal. Listen all the way to the end.
Amazing amazing story.
Amazing amazing God.
Amazing amazing grace.
Enjoy.
The whole message is good...it's Louie talking about the grace of God. But, if you are limited on time, skip about 50% in to the message and listen to the real life story of a college student. Louie is reading from her journal. Listen all the way to the end.
Amazing amazing story.
Amazing amazing God.
Amazing amazing grace.
Enjoy.
Thank You! (100 times over)
First day back at school for Bartow County. First day in Kindergarten for my 5 yr old...first day in 1st grade for my 7 yr old. The past 48 hours have been great. Two events have renewed my love and appreciation for teachers. First, yesterday another staff dude (Anthony) and myself took some chicken biscuits and OJ out to a local elementary school. It was just a quick way to say THANKS...we know you are here...we appreciate you...we want to be able to help in any way possible...we are praying for you......
The 2nd event was the open house at my kid's school on Tuesday night. Chatting with other parents and teachers and school officials stirred something inside me (I don't think it was the Rockstar I drank). I'm just praying like crazy that God would allow us, Oak Leaf, to do HUGE things with schools. Yeah, we are still a young church plant. Yeah, we have limited resources. But I think it's possible to show our appreciation and partner with schools and teachers in real, tangible, creative ways.
So, teachers: On your first day back today - please know you are APPRECIATED! Thanks 100 times over for investing in our kids. And while complaints will start flying around shortly...facilities too old, public this, private this, budget shortage on this and that, not enough room, etc...on this first day back let me say that you are SUPPORTED. There's tons of parents in this community that give a rip and want to help - A LOT.
So my challenge to myself and to every parent is this: get involved, say thanks to the teachers every week, make a difference...and if there's something you don't like about the school you're sending your kids to, then help change it.
Ok, I'm off my soapbox now. :-)
Have a great first day everyone!
The 2nd event was the open house at my kid's school on Tuesday night. Chatting with other parents and teachers and school officials stirred something inside me (I don't think it was the Rockstar I drank). I'm just praying like crazy that God would allow us, Oak Leaf, to do HUGE things with schools. Yeah, we are still a young church plant. Yeah, we have limited resources. But I think it's possible to show our appreciation and partner with schools and teachers in real, tangible, creative ways.
So, teachers: On your first day back today - please know you are APPRECIATED! Thanks 100 times over for investing in our kids. And while complaints will start flying around shortly...facilities too old, public this, private this, budget shortage on this and that, not enough room, etc...on this first day back let me say that you are SUPPORTED. There's tons of parents in this community that give a rip and want to help - A LOT.
So my challenge to myself and to every parent is this: get involved, say thanks to the teachers every week, make a difference...and if there's something you don't like about the school you're sending your kids to, then help change it.
Ok, I'm off my soapbox now. :-)
Have a great first day everyone!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
What Do You See?
There is a pond just outside my neighborhood that I pass every day. Last week, I drove past it around 5pm and observed 2 teenage boys fishing. As I thought about them fishing during one of the hottest parts of the day, a big question was stuck in my head: WHAT DO YOU SEE? Here's a few choices that I came up with...perhaps this will challenge you as it did me:
#1 (Chance to Criticize)
What do I see? Um...duh, a bunch of goobers. No, make that idiots. Those neighborhood kids are always out there fishing...don't they know there's probably only 2 fish in that pond?!?! Worst yet, they are fishing at the hottest part of the day? Who taught them to fish? EVERYONE knows you are suppose to fish either early morning or late afternoon. Dumb dumb dumb.
#2 (Chance to Complain)
Great, more teenagers, out alone, near the neighborhood...they probably just vandalized the pool and are now smoking weed, all under the cover of "fishing".
#3 (Chance of Opportunity)
Hmm, interesting. It's 96 degrees right now. Why in the world are they fishing when it's sooo hot? I've seen those kids out and about before, I've never said hello. Hmm, the bigger question: I wonder if they've ever had anyone teach them how to fish? Perhaps the biggest question: I wonder if they have a dad that's around? Statistically, I know the odds on this one - 50/50.
I hope we have more and more professing Christians "seeing" number 3. And when observed, I hope we have more believers acting upon the Spirit's prompting...whether it's praying for the kids or being more aware of hurting kids all around us or having courage to speak up and getting to know your neighbor. So, today, where you are: WHAT DO YOU SEE?
#1 (Chance to Criticize)
What do I see? Um...duh, a bunch of goobers. No, make that idiots. Those neighborhood kids are always out there fishing...don't they know there's probably only 2 fish in that pond?!?! Worst yet, they are fishing at the hottest part of the day? Who taught them to fish? EVERYONE knows you are suppose to fish either early morning or late afternoon. Dumb dumb dumb.
#2 (Chance to Complain)
Great, more teenagers, out alone, near the neighborhood...they probably just vandalized the pool and are now smoking weed, all under the cover of "fishing".
#3 (Chance of Opportunity)
Hmm, interesting. It's 96 degrees right now. Why in the world are they fishing when it's sooo hot? I've seen those kids out and about before, I've never said hello. Hmm, the bigger question: I wonder if they've ever had anyone teach them how to fish? Perhaps the biggest question: I wonder if they have a dad that's around? Statistically, I know the odds on this one - 50/50.
I hope we have more and more professing Christians "seeing" number 3. And when observed, I hope we have more believers acting upon the Spirit's prompting...whether it's praying for the kids or being more aware of hurting kids all around us or having courage to speak up and getting to know your neighbor. So, today, where you are: WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Demolition
This Saturday we will be having a workday at our newly purchased building, The House of Rock. That's exciting. A former bar being used for church. Wanna know what's even more exciting, though? I get to demo the old stage. That's right, it's a perfect fit. Me and a sledge hammer, axe, wheelbarrow...the whole time shouting, "Me, Hulk, Mad...Hulk Smash!"Join the insanity: Saturday, 8am, House of Rock on Tennessee St. in Cartersville. Bring tools, weapons, explosives...wait, cancel explosives.
Coming Soon...
A new post from me.
Topic: Not sure.
Length: Who knows.
Too busy to blog right now, catch ya later.
:-)
Topic: Not sure.
Length: Who knows.
Too busy to blog right now, catch ya later.
:-)
Monday, August 04, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
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