Restlessness

So my wife Dana calls me today and says her and the kiddos are heading up to the gym so she can workout. "Workout?!" I asked, "Honey, on Monday you were in bed all day with strep throat...what are you thinking?" Fortunately I was able to convince her that she needed to just take it easy and let her body fight off this sickness.

She cracks me up sometimes. And what cracks me up about her is what I love about her. She's often restless...never ready to just sit around. She motivates me. She likes change. We are opposite when it comes to this. I'm "loyal" as she puts it. I'll keep working a bad job b/c I'm committed to what's in front of me. She thinks ahead a lot. Constantly thinking. Constantly moving. We make a great pair.

But in this case I'm glad I was able to speak wisdom in to the situation. She later started running a fever. The gym treadmill can wait a day or two.

Hockey and Pancake Battered Shrimp

What a great weekend. It started by having a Good Friday...fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Saturday, I took off work to be with family and do some landscaping. The day included t-ball practice in Alaska-like weather. Seriously, what's up with it being in the 20's in April???!!! After t-ball we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant in C'ville, El Nopal. When the guy brought the food to the table, he was warning the kids, "Hot Plate, Hot Plate." My 5 yr old Braden didn't quite understand him so he turns to me and says, "Dad, that's Spanish for 'the plate is hot.'" Dana and I just looked at each other and starting laughing. I was trying to contain myself in case the guy heard Braden and was embarrassed...but dude, that's just funny stuff right there.

After making 4 trips to Lowe's that afternoon (around the house projects always end up costing too much $), I cleaned up and got ready to attend my first Pro Hockey game. I met my younger brother Justin off of exit 255 on I-75. If you are not familiar with exit 255 off of I-75, then I have sympathy for you...you poor unfortunate soul. Exit 255 is home to The OK Cafe. If you like southern eating (and don't mind spending $11 for blue plate special)...then you MUST stop by there and experience one of the best places around ATL to eat. I've only been twice but I will now make it a requirement of any out of town guests that come stay with us to eat at this fine establishment. My brother Justin ordered the Pancake Battered Shrimp....weird, yes, tasty, YES.

After filling up on turnip greens and fresh corn, we drove down a few exits to see the Atlanta Thrashers finish out their regular season. They had wrapped up the division the previous night, so the game had a celebration feel to it. Overall, I was quite impressed with everything there. They certainly know how to keep you entertained between periods and during breaks. And I was definitely surprised at how the crowd stayed in the game...even when the Thrashers were down 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Did I mention I had free tickets? But forget the multi media stuff and the chants we heard from the cheap seats (where we were) or all the observations I had with it being my first game...there was a HOCKEY game being played on the ice. The Thrashers came back from being down 2, tied it up and sent it to overtime. Nobody scored in overtime so it went to a shootout. It was still not decided after 3 shots each, so it went to a sudden death shootout. FINALLY, the Thrashers pulled it out...but only after a 10 minute break b/c one dude shot the puck so hard it went THROUGH the glass. Fortunately it did not hit anyone.

And yesterday at the Leaf was awesome. Tons of new faces, getting to work with kids and talk to them about Easter and about Honor (the lesson yesterday), and the guest worship leader Jason from Westridge Church was incredible.

Now it's time to take care of Dana, who has strep throat. What? You think we can go a whole month without someone getting sick? Yeah right.

Good Friday

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him

endured the cross,

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

What's It Worth?

2 days a week I work for Verizon Wireless (best wireless carrier in the country...don't even try to argue, I'll put you in the ground - with cold hard facts!...oh, sorry about that). So tonight a lady comes in looking to activate 3 lines of service. She said her credit was not so great and when we ran her application it came back with a $1000 deposit...(wait for it)....PER LINE. Usually that's plenty to scare them away.

But not tonight.

She proceeds to sign up, adding to the sale 3 high end phones with 3 leather cases and 2 car chargers. Grand total of $3545. Pays with CASH. (Yes, customer was verified, not anything shady.)

So, what's a cell phone worth to you? The price of a used car?

300

Fan of the movie 300 + College Football Fanatic + Time to waste =
THIS

Stronger Than Words

Dana and I went to Huntsville this past weekend for my father's retirement party. I had never been to this type of gathering, but I figured they would have some sort of "roasting"...so I prepared. And just so you know, he's not really retired. In fact, he starts with another company mid-April. (But hey, any excuse to throw a celebration!)

So I wrote a few funny (at least in my mind) things down about his career...as seen threw my eyes growing up. I won't bore you with inside jokes, but just know there was a lot of bathroom humor involved. I concluded my little roast by reading a portion of an email he recently sent me. It was an encouragement he felt compelled to send b/c he knows Dana and I are going through a trying time (no, not in our marriage...she knows she's stuck...ha). Just with ministry and job(s) and life overall, it's just one of those times. So through this email he reminded me that God has great plans for us and that He is preparing us for something big. And he said something else that has stuck: He reminded me that God is concerned with my reaction (to our circumstances).

So it was neat standing in front of people that have known my parents for decades - church folk, co-workers, family, friends, neighbors - and saying to my Dad, "Thanks Dad for the encouragement. It was something I needed. But please know that you didn't have to say anything, you have already taught me this BY EXAMPLE."

Actions truly do speak louder than words, don't they? Many of us SAY we are trusting God or SAY we doing this or doing that...but actions reveal a lot, don't they? My Dad is no perfect dude (he would want that to be said), but as I thought back to his attitude and reactions to tough circumstances, I realized what I needed to emulate. When life throws you curveballs (overused analogy) you can stand firm, unshaken, knowing you are being prepared.

Sometimes some things just need to be said. But most often...it seems to me...that your actions (and reactions) say plenty.

Thanks Dad.

El Junko

I can't believe I'm about to stick up for junk mail...well, sorta. I work f/t for a mtg company and part of our marketing is to do mailouts. I'm not crazy about them, but they accomplish the goal. They get the word out there, let homeowners know about a program they qualify for (in my case Reverse Mortgages), and ultimately lead to the best kind of business: Referral Business.

In fact, I don't consider what we send to even be "junk mail" (though that could be debated). Recently, the calls I'm getting from these seniors asking to be removed from the mailing list are just downright hilarious. By some of their words you would have thought we had just shot their pet. Now don't get me wrong...I'm all for privacy and all for respecting their wishes. But I've arrived at a point where I just want to say sometimes (even though I never will), "Is it such a burden on you? Can you not just trash it? Why the hostility? It's not like other crud you receive...this is not a scam. Might I recommend a good counselor for you?"

I think the bigger picture here is how most of Americans are conditioned into isolation...and their RIGHTS...and I'm gonna sit here on my .75 acre and tell my neighbor's to hush their dog and tell the kids to stop bouncing the ball in the cul de sac and watch 7.4 hours of television everyday and shoot you if you come near my property! What a sad way to live.

I do sympathize with them though. I also have my name on do-not-call lists. I don't like 9pm phone calls either. But I'm not filled with rage over a church postcard or joe schmo trying to sell me insurance or whatever.

By the way: Jiffy Lube has $7 off their "Signature Oil Change" right now....Act Fast!

The Power of Radio

2 days a week I have a 45 minute one-way commute to work. I try to mix it up a bit. Sometimes it's a good praise and worship CD and sometimes it's a sermons series....ah, who am I kidding, it's rarely those things. Too often I'm just lazy and flip on the radio. This morning, I'm glad I did.

Q100 is a decent radio station in Atlanta. I sometimes listen to their morning show...even though the topics often cause me to tune out b/c they are extremely immature, etc. Well, this morning they did something really neat (ok, maybe I was being too hard on them...they often do a lot of good in the community.). This college student called in to ask for help. She has a special needs brother who is a high school senior. Last year, she wanted to make his prom special so she coordinated his Prom plans, including renting a Hummer and talking her college friends into being dates for a few of the special needs students. Well, this year she wanted to do it for the whole Special Needs class at his school. That's 15 total students.

The Bert Show got behind the idea and asked for their faithful listeners to call in and chip in where needed. What happened over the next 20 minutes was amazing...seriously, no joke! Within 20 minutes they had:

* A lady called in who works for a charity that specializes in getting free prom dresses for needy girls. (They had over 500 free available dresses to choose from.)
* One young girl called in saying she would be a date for one of the guys. (Props to her. She won't get any "cool" points for doing that...the reward is far greater than that.)
* Somebody called in saying they would cover the $675 it was going to require to purchase each of them a prom ticket.
* A professional photographer's wife called in offering her husband's services for that special day. She said he would serve as their "Personal Paparazzi".
* They had one limousine reserved, so someone called in ready to pay for another one.
* A professional wedding planner called in saying whatever else was needed, she would call her vendors and have it covered in 24 hours.

So within 20 minutes this special needs class had their outfits, dinner, limo ride, prom tickets, pictures,....you name it...COVERED! And it started b/c a caring sister wanted her brother to have a special night at the prom...like the rest of the kids...cause she knew if she didn't do something, they'd probably get left out.

(Just to play devil's advocate: Sure, some of the people's motives who volunteered help may have just been trying to get their business name in there...I say who cares...they are still offering up the service.)

After listening to this thing go down, I had a few thoughts:

>Radio (TV) can be a powerful tool. And it's amazing how it can be used for such good...and such bad.
>I wish it was that easy to get believers at church behind something. (Something that has eternal value!)
>I like how most people really do have a caring heart for those in need...and children...and special needs kids. It often just takes a little coordination to move them to action.

Sad but Oh So Funny

Florida Man Says Ex-Wife's Sex Change Should End His Alimony Obligation:
LINK

Little Says A Lot

I would love to attend THIS conference in May. (Unfortunately I have no vacation time until Sept...argh.) There will be much to learn about from people who have permeated and transformed their communities.

Just looking at their site reminded me of how very little can say a whole lot. The short summary statements they use communicate a ton. And that's what good communicators are doing today. Andy Stanley preaches this like a mad man. He says have ONE POINT to every message and everything must revolve around that ONE POINT (your burden, the one thing they HAVE TO KNOW!).

Mission is why the church exists
Love is the context for all mission
Structure must always submit to spirit
Relevance to culture is not optional
Creativity is a natural result of spirituality

The Sickness Of College Sports Fanaticism (Stupidity)

LINK

T-Ball Report

As my kids have gotten older, it's been fun getting them involved in sports. I grew up with two brothers and we were ALWAYS involved in sports - and I loved it. Sports are good. Healthy. Fun.

So I was semi-excited when Braden got involved in basketball. I was semi-excited when we put him in soccer. But now....oh yes...now, it's that time of year. America's Past Time. By far the favorite.

My 5yr old-Braden- and my 4 yr old-Logan- are on the same team. And as we arrived at practice yesterday, I was asked (duped...just kidding) to help coach. We had a great first practice (as if you can really do much with 14 kindergartners running around playing in the dirt). It's great to be done with winter. It's good to be out on a ball field with kids and then hanging out with strangers in the community.

A few observations from practice ONE:

We think Logan may be left handed; Kids think it's the coolest thing to run around the bases; One kid kept complaining that his hand was "too sweaty" inside his glove; Too many kid's diet consist of chips and soda...lots of it; We are the COWBOYS - each team is assigned a college name---we ended up with Oklahoma State...disappointing for us SEC fanatics, but the kids love it; Parents yell at their kids too much...I'm determined to keep my attitude and anger in check and not vent on my kids----need help in this area yourself? -- visit your local ballpark and watch other parents....sometimes that's the best medicine; This will be tons of fun; I miss playing church softball; Our t-ball team will absolutely CRUSH the competition, in fact, they might as well cancel the season...(oh, sorry, not sure what happened there...) :-) :-) ha ha.

Up next at practice #2: Teaching the kids how to properly spit on the field.

Today in History

I occasionally read these things. Some are interesting. Weird to think back about how different things were not too too long ago.


On this date in:

1882 Congress outlawed polygamy.

1895 In what is generally regarded as the first public display of a movie projected onto a screen, Auguste and Louis Lumiere showed their first movie to an invited audience in Paris.

1933 During Prohibition, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a measure to make wine and beer containing up to 3.2 percent alcohol legal.

1963 The Beatles' first album, "Please Please Me," was released in Great Britain.

1972 Congress sent the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution to the states for ratification.

1978 Karl Wallenda, the 73-year-old patriarch of The Flying Wallendas high-wire act, fell to his death while attempting to walk a cable strung between two hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

1987 A barge carrying 3,200 tons of garbage, left Islip, N.Y., on a six-month journey in search of a place to unload. The barge was turned away by several states and three countries before space was found back in Islip.

Pro Hockey

Me and little brother (ok, maybe he's a grown dude now) are going to an ATL Thrashers hockey game in April. Never been to a pro hockey game. Plenty of minor and college games. Little fun fact: North Alabama is a hockey town. No joke. Saw plenty of it growing up outside Huntsville.

Should be a fun time. Free tickets and hoping for a huge fight.

Whether They're Near Or Far...

...Accept Them Where They Are.

Once again, another Sunday where the principal taught in Kidventure is HUGE (as in mega important, as in gotta get this, as in...well, you get the idea). And once again it reminds me of how God wants that truth to influence my actions (hence why I changed the title of my last post).

The point was this: Whether your friends/family/whoever is near to God or far from God, whether they have a relationship with Christ or don't...accept them where they are. (And just to avoid useless debate with anyone ---- no, that doesn't mean you condone sin or not act when a friend is heading down a horrible path.) But what this does mean is you don't expect a non-Christian to ACT like a Christian. It means you don't work on changing their bad habits and stuff until they have Spirit living inside them.

This is such a hot topic in the Bible Belt for 2 reasons: 1st b/c of what I mentioned above. Some people cringe at a statement like this b/c they think you're not being tough on sin or standing for what is right, etc, etc. 2nd b/c we've overall done a poor job of accepting people where they are (and this is changing thank God!). We've always been quick to kick out the skateboarders from our church parking lots, gossip about the pregnant teen, and when is the last time you invited a homosexual friend to church? Better yet, do you have any gay friends?

I'm stepping on my own toes here too. This is something I'm constantly trying to change in my own life. Making sure I'm hanging around non-believers ALOT, and accepting them where they are...which is not easy.

In a round about way I applied this to our small group last night. We are still in our sex series at the Leaf and one of Michael's points yesterday was talking about sinning with your sex life and talking about God's grace, yet still having scars from it. A point I made in small group last night was no matter your background in this area, GOD CAN USE IT! If you had few struggles with this and kept your virginity til marriage, then God can use your testimony to encourage young people! If you had a completely different experience with tons of struggles and regret, God can use you to encourage others!

So, whether they're near or far, accept them where they are. And let's stop expecting lost people to act found.

Weird & Sad

Click HERE for the news article.

Huge Influence

Friendship is amazing. I take it for granted.

I've always been the type to generally focus on what's in front of me (typical guy). That means when you move out of state or across town or whatever and you tell someone, "Yes, absolutely, I'll keep in touch," the reality is life will be too busy where you go to TRULY keep in touch. But really, that's ok. That's how life works.

But in the past 48 hours I've had 2 conversations with 2 guys that mean a whole heck of lot to me --- two dudes from different parts of my life ---- 2 friends that have both had a HUGE influence on me. And after speaking with them, and them imparting some wisdom on me (whether they knew it or not), I just stopped and realized how thankful I am for people like that. God is amazing how he uses friends in your life. What an amazing thing he created in friendship (won't get overly sappy here). What an encouragement and what a voice of reason and perspective friends can be.

Funny how you can not talk to someone in 6 months or more yet when you talk again, it's like you never left. You just pick up where you left off. You GET them and they GET you.

Scary to think how our society (and the church sometimes) pushes self sustainment and personal willpower. That's not how God intended it.

Not that it's an easy fix. Not that when you meet a fellow believer or another couple you'll "instantly bond" with them and share all your worries and fears. Take our small group (at church) for example. Though everyone has gotten along fine from day 1....it still took a good 6 months for everyone to REALLY start to know one another.

Anyways, I get side tracked. Back to the point. Thank God for good friends.

entrepreneur

def: a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

Some are just born with it. It's their natural inclination - to lead, not follow. To take a ton of risk. To be their own boss. To start the business themselves. Why? Because they can do a better job.

And then some are like me. They grow into it. Through life's circumstances (and trials and frustrations and successes and everything under the moon) they see the need for change and venture out. They learn from others good leadership and bad leadership. They soak it all in to then branch out on their own because doing the norm is boring (and getting me nowhere).

And so it is with me and ministry and sales. This is my Saturday revelation (ok, so maybe I've been pondering it awhile). I'm taking initiative and slapping risk around. I've concluded that you're much better off doing it yourself. Enjoy sales? Good at it? Then figure out how to start your own business. (Dana - wife - don't worry, not doing anything crazy here - stability remains in tact.) God gifted you for ministry? Then do what I'm going to do. Start your own.

For those interested (all 9 people who check in occasionally), I'll keep you updated as I figure out how to best use my gifts in ministry and life. Pray as I figure it all out.

It's An Auburn Thing...

...You Wouldn't Understand.

I know, I know. Ya'll don't get me. Why the obsession? So what, you went to school there. But wow you talk highly of that place! You betcha! Miss it all the time. Can't wait to take the kiddos to football games in the Fall.

Anywho, I say all that to introduce you to a hilarious article I found. This is a great picture of the difference between Auburn people and....well....those other people from the west side of the state.

LINK

Bad Routines, Right Passion, New Gameplan

No, the title of this post has nothing to do with our current Sex Series at Oakleaf. What I'm talking about here is the struggle of getting believers to respond to a call of action.

I've been thinking/talking a lot about this recently and here's a taste of it:

In the South especially you have many many believers who have grown up in a church environment. They were "saved" (some genuine, some not) early in life and grew up attending church and hearing the Word and etc etc etc. Part of this environment was a sheltering. A dissociation from anything non-christian. You just didn't hang out with "those people." The church overused phrases like "they'll bring you down" and misused phrases like "unequally yoked."

So that's the Bad Routine part. Many of us grew up forming bad habits. We didn't hang around lost people. We didn't befriend them. We didn't learn how to build a genuine friendship with them. It was all too often a "us" vs. "them" mentality. Outreach always involved a "mission" through the church or an inner-city VBS, etc. It wasn't the day-to-day.

But then there's the Right Passion part. Here's what I mean: Being involved in this churchplant and being around ministry awhile, I meet tons of believers who grew up in that environment but now have a HUGE heart for the lost. They WANT to make a difference. They WANT to do want Jesus clearly did - hang out with the lost. Go into their homes. Visit their neighborhoods. Be genuine in motive. Share a life changing message.

The problem is many many MANY of them have a very difficult time making that transition. Habits are hard to break. It's not like you just wake up one day and all the uneasiness of being around your lost co-worker who brags about what they did over the weekend goes away. So, the right passion is there. The motivation to reach the unreached is there.

So, I think the challenge for everyone in ministry (especially church plants) is what new gameplan do we implement? What strategy is available? How do take a whole bunch of people who are ready to make an impact but not sure what to do...how do we move them from a burning passion to hands and feet action?

I think it will take more than a 3 day conference or 4 week series. We're talking about an alteration of everything we've grown accustom to.

Dying For Something To Live For

So occasionally I watch a show called Intervention. It comes on A&E. Probably one of the best "reality" shows on TV. They get an addict (drugs, eating disorder, cutting, you name it) to agree to be followed and filmed as part of a "documentary". What the person doesn't know is the show is really called Intervention and they are there upon their families request. The climax of the show is when the family and a professional counselor intervene with the addict during a surprise meeting. I won't bore you with details...just watch it yourself...but just know it's quite interesting and quite cool - you are literally watching people's lives be saved.

Last night I was watching a re-run of the show and they began promoting a brand new upcoming series. During the 30 second promo, you hear one of the addicts say, "I'm dying for something to live for." THAT caught my attention. What an important reality he had come to..and what a deep, spiritual truth that so many people living in spiritual darkness need to realize! Everyone wants hope. Everyone wants purpose and reason. And often we will do whatever it takes to fill that need.

So for all believers, here's your Monday morning encouragement: Be sure you're living a life that illustrates your hope and reason for living...and be on the lookout for those in desperate need of rescue.

Student Truckin'

I've been on the road a lot lately and have made tons of observations. Here in Cartersville, on Main Street, I made another one the other day: Student Truck Drivers are scary. Some new driver dude had traffic backed up as he figured what gear he should be in going up a steep hill. Also, he hadn't quite figured how to completely pull the truck on the shoulder either. Quite the ordeal. Don't they have a designated area for training and stuff? Oh yeah, that's right, the interstate.

Ramblin Wreck

Last night - 7:36pm - just finished helping Dana give the kiddos a bath. Phone rings. It's Greg. Greg in my church small group. Greg the biggest North Carolina fan I've met. Greg the basketball coach. Greg the guy who just got 2 free tickets to see Carolina and GA Tech hoop it up in ATL.

ESPN, 9pm. Hyped up game. We get there right at tip off (after running in the pouring rain 2.5 blocks). Fun times. Never been to GA Tech before. Never seen an ACC game. Nice facility. Small, but very loud. Not a bad seat in the house.

The above picture describes the kind of night it was for the Tarheels and my friend Greg. I was impartial...well, not really...wanted Carolina to win. There was a ton of light blue in that place. Carolina travels well.

Well, one of the best things about college sports is finally here (almost). It's March Madness time baby!

SNL shorts

If you are familiar with the tv show The Office, then you will find THIS funny.

If you have ever been in a business meeting on budgeting/planning, then you will find THIS funny.

Hmmm...that's odd. Not something you see everyday.

The skinny:
Supporters of US Vice President Dick Cheney hold a banner outside the hotel where he delivered his Australian American Leadership Dialogue in Sydney. Cheney on Saturday met Australian Prime Minister John Howard, one of Washington's staunchest allies, for talks likely to focus on troop deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.(AFP/Torsten Blackwood) 2/23/07

Identity

So I'm driving down I-75 in GA this morning and notice a personalized GA tag that read, "BCHES". I understand the appeal of personalizing your tag. Ok, cute, I get it. "Jones2" or "GRNNY1" or "UGA#1". I don't think it's worth the 50 bucks to have your own saying on your tag...but whatever.

But why the anger? Did I miss something? Is it cool to degrade yourself to a "BTCH"? It's like the bumper sticker you see: BACK OFF! Why all the anger? (Yeah, I know I know, being hardened by life.) But still, it really makes you look ridiculous.

Of course, I am absolutely for "BAMASTINKS".

Friday Pic

Pic Of The Day

Cool pic. Kids - unpredictable, creative, weird, funny, lovable.

Aint That Sweet

We're past Valentine's Day, but this is a cool pic. The story HERE.

Fish Food

We are in the middle of a Jonah series at church, so here's a "verse of the day" for you:

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8

Dramamine

I love the power of drama. I love theater. I like how it teaches and how it motivates. I love how it brings simple truths to life...sometimes smacking you in the face.

I didn't grow up artsy. I didn't grow up around theater. For heaven's sake, I grew up in North Alabama! Sports. Sports. And more Sports. (And bass fishing.) I played a few roles in some church plays - small scale. That was it. But my senior year of high school I stepped out of my shell - dude was I ever shy - and played Forrest Gump in a Senior Follies skit. Brought the house down. Hysterical. For one day I had everyone in the school saying hi to me. For one day I felt like a popular kid (never was hung up on that stuff).

That experience gave me enough confidence to join a drama team in college. It was through a campus ministries. It rocked. Couldn't get enough of it. I'll blog more on the experience sometime. The Word of God came alive. Something that God used in my own life to help shape me and something that helped get the Word deep inside. It was also neat traveling around to churches in AL and GA. The majority of our skits focused on challenging believers to be light. It was a God thing...believe me, the talent level was moderate at best. No fancy production. No lights. Rarely props. Just memorized lines. Simple. But soaked in prayer. A heart for God and a passion for His Word. And God used it. We saw lives changed. Youth confronted with sin. Adults confronted with the need to make changes.

I've been thinking lately about how much I miss that. But I've also been thinking about who our audience was. And the norm of Christian drama. The vast majority of Christian drama is geared toward the church. For the believers. And there is certainly a place for that. I experienced it. But why is it so difficult to have GOOD creative arts that reaches the unchurched? Is it being done? Yeah, I know about puppets for inner city kids. And street skits for downtown. But is there a push towards churches using their creative arts for evangelistic purposes? I'll be honest with you. I find it weird that there's national competitions between church (youth) drama groups. I find that to be boring. I saw a clip of one on tv one time and couldn't decide whether I should laugh or cry. I think I did both. It just catered to the believers. No missional aspect. Way too churchy.

So, I'm not sure how it can be done, but I think it needs to: Non corny, non cheesy, done with excellence creative arts (a.k.a. good ole drama for us in the south) that challenges the hearts and minds of non-believers. I know it can be done. Maybe it is now. Perhaps the fact that you have church plants in NY and other places reaching the art communities fits the same vision. It's a start.

By the way, the title "Dramamine" is not a mistake. I was going to make a reference somewhere about how most Christian drama is like the motion sickness drug...but, never fit it in. There ya go.

That's Bull

I've never gotten into these energy drinks. Always considered them overpriced carbonated sugar and caffeine shots. Plus, most I ever tried tasted like cough syrup, carbonated water, and ocean water mixed up.

But, Red Bull is not all that bad. Didn't say it was good, just not too bad. The appeal for me: The package. As with most newer soft drink products, it's how you market it and package it. As weird as it is, I started drinking this junk because of the can. Small, tall, skinny. Goes down smooth.

Ok, I need more sleep.

Just Punt!

Why Punters should probably just punt the ball!

VIDEO

Be sure to watch til the end. You can hear how the Japanese broadcasters called the play. Funny stuff.

How To Lose 7 Pounds In One Day!

Step 1: Catch the stomach virus.
Step 2: Be really really really sick.
Step 3: Lose 7 pounds in one day!

Look for my book this Fall. Look for me to be on Oprah by Christmas.

Family

I was calling a client today and her answering machine message said, "Your family is your strength, love them." Great reminder. Well said. Despite all the goofy family situations people find themselves in (goofy as in really bad or stressful), at the end of the day, family does mean so much. Strength indeed.

Exposed

So the stomach bug is working its way through my family. 4 have/had it, 2 poor souls remaining (Braden & myself). While holding one of my kiddos the other night the word exposed kept coming to mind. Hard not to think about being exposed in that environment! I know I'm going to get this thing. Just a matter of time. Inevitable.

I think it would make a good name for a sermon series. There's many angles to take, but here's a few:

* Exposed: We are all exposed to sin, and since the Fall suffer the consequences. What's the remedy? (Obviously and completely evangelistic in this message.)
* Exposed: "To lay open to danger, attack, harm". Is your faith exposed to those around you? What are you willing to risk in order that All May Hear?
* Exposed: When great people do really bad things. Why/How does this happen? The importance of walking daily with Christ/In the Spirit. (Obviously topical and unfortunately way too many examples to draw from.)

Hopefully that makes sense. (It always does in my head, but communicating it is a whole other story!)

Ignorance

In my mortgage job I work with seniors. I love it. Most days are great. Yeah, it takes a ton of patience but I enjoy earning their trust and truly offering a product that makes a world of difference to them. Quite rewarding. A great ministry.

But allow me to vent for just a sec. Ignorance is such a hazard. Such an obstacle. I see it all the time in this biz (any industry could attest to this). You're the expert, you're the one with the knowledge. You have their solution. You're tyring to help. But because of misconceptions or lack of knowledge or fear, they don't listen. They ignore the obvious. They decide to stick with their current situation, no matter how detrimental it may be.

I'm not addressing the art of sales. Realize in this business, as in many sales jobs, your capture rate is around 10%...or much less sometimes. That's a lot of rejection! I guess what I'm trying to say is for those that have been sold on something, bought into it, but then for one of the reasons listed above, decide to back out midway and lose the best...so frustrating.

Hmmmm...brings up something else to consider...I wonder how God feels when we are ignorant? When we don't listen because of misconceptions or fear.

mOrE vAcAtIOn PicS

R-P-S

Dana and I often play R-P-S, but I think I now have a new strategy:

LINK

AU

It's been too long since I posted something AUburn related (just a few weeks). So, here ya go:

Very Cool Clock!

Be sure to see the whole page, below the picture. Good stuff.