The Olympics: Recap

Over the last two weeks I blogged about the Olympics a few times - Seven to be exact! Here are a few of my thoughts as a recap of 2008 Summer Olympiad:

*I talked about the overall medal count here. It bothered me that, in reality, most don't care about silver and bronze. I think the USA makes a big deal with the overall medal count to make us fell like "WE WON."
*Interesting fact from here: China won 27 gold medals in judged sports. The United States won 4 gold medals in judged sports.
*Michael Phelps' performance was incredible. The 100 m Butterfly Final was unbelievable. The relay where Jason Lezak came from behind was another favorite moment.
*Gymnast Shawn Johnson is cute as a button.
*The hand motions on the balance beam bug me.
*Both US 4x100 m relay teams dropping the baton was disappointing.
*Usain Bolt's wins | records were ... jaw dropping! What makes them more incredible is that he's 21!
*The Opening Ceremonies amazed me in two ways: 1. the organization and precision of so many involved. 2. Li Ning's touch lighting sky walk. (It would be good if all other host cities leave Beijing alone and not try to duplicate what they did). It was what it was.
*I'd like to see more handball.
*Beach volleyball (volleyball in general) seemed like it got the most coverage ... to me!
*I'm a huge basketball fan but really didn't get into the "REDEEM TEAM." I am glad they won, and glad they were respectable ... just wasn't into them. Not sure why.
*Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page were closing ceremony highlights for me.

What were your highlights?

Pastor Stats

I am kind of blown away by these stats. I began thinking of all the people I know connected to ministry that have gone through a divorce. Also, I am not surprised by percent who feel unqualified. It seems (my guess) that some of these stats may be the same in the marketplace work force|society.

50% of pastors’ marriages will end in divorce (Same as US national average)
80% of seminary graduates will leave ministry in the first 5 years
70% of pastors are grossly underpaid (compared to the amount of work they do)
80% of pastors’ spouses believe their spouse is overworked
50% of pastors feel unable to meet the needs of the job
80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with their family
56% of pastors’ spouses have no close friends
80% of pastors’ kids seek professional help for depression
80% of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors
50% of pastors are so discouraged they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
85% of pastors said their greatest problem is they are sick and tired of dealing with problem people.
90% of pastors said the hardest thing about ministry is dealing with uncooperative people
95% of pastors do not regularly pray with their spouses
70% of pastors do not have a close friend, confidant or mentor
66% of pastors and their families feel pressure to model the ideal family to their congregations and communities
5 years - the average tenure of a pastor at a church

1500 pastors leave ministry each month due to moral failure, burnout or contention in their churches

Pastors who work fewer than 50 hours a week are 35% more likely to be terminated

The average church member expects the pastor to be able to juggle 16 major tasks

Approximately 4,000 new churches begin each year while more than 7,000 churches close down each year.

Sources:
http://www.jesuscreed.org/?p=2693
Pastors at Greater Risk, H B London, Jr., and Neil B Wiseman, Regal Books, © 2003
http://www.maranathalife.com/lifeline/stats.htm
These statistics came from across denomination lines, and have been gleaned from various reliable sources such as Pastor to Pastor, Focus on the Family, Ministries Today, Charisma Magazine, TNT Ministries, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Global Pastors Network.
http://www.robpetrini.com/

I am thinking of blogging about the joys of being a pastor. May have to do some straw polling.

Dancing Matt Dude

I saw this dude on Kimmel. Maybe you've seen his dancing vids - His second video has been watched 10,871,835 times on YouTube! Matt Harding traveled the world, after leaving his video game profession, and dances in countless countries around the world.

If you haven't seen it ... I think it's pretty cool.

from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Fun Stuff

I enjoy hanging with my family. We've been doing a lot of fun stuff together lately. One thing is lots of swimming. We play a "homemade" game called creatively "WaterBall." At least I thought it was. You can see a quick sample of how we play this the fast paced, high scoring, make it take it, rough-housing game here.

For board games . . . we do the classic Scrabble (count it as homeschool - haha) and a killer award-winning game called Blokus. It has it's own website! If you have a family and don't have this one - it's a goodie!

There are a couple of websites we frequent for games and such.
Fancy Pants - cool little underground game!
Launchball - we count this as science too! It really challenge the thinking.

Did I mention the Wii & Wii Fit?- Good times!

Not sure what happened?

I think my dates are a little off with my blog thsese days! I am checking to see what the issue is.

Do you have AAADD?

Why do I relate to this?
__________________________

I have recently been diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D.
(Advanced Absentminded Attention Deficit Disorder)

This is how it goes:

I decide to wash the car; I start toward the garage and notice
the mail on the table.

OK, I'm going to wash the car, but first I'm going to go through
the mail.

I lay the car keys down on the desk, discard the junk mail, and
notice the trashcan is full.

OK, I'll just put the bills on my desk and take the trashcan
out, but since I'm going to be near the mailbox anyway, I'll pay
these few bills first.

Now, where is my checkbook?
Oops, there's only one check left.
My extra checks are in my desk.
Oh, there's the coke I was drinking.
I'm going to look for those checks.
But first I have to put my coke further away from the computer,
or maybe I'll pop it into the fridge to keep it cold for awhile.

I head towards the kitchen and my flowers catch my eye; they
need some water.

I set the coke on the counter, and uh oh.
There are my glasses. I was looking for them all morning.
I'd better put them away first.

I fill a container with water and head for the flower pots.

Uh oh.....someone left the TV remote in the kitchen.
We'll never think to look in the kitchen tonight when we want to
watch television, so I'd better put it back in the family room
where it belongs.

I splash some water into the pots and onto the floor, I throw
the remote onto a soft cushion on the sofa and I head back down
the hall trying to figure out what it was I was going to do?

End of the Day: The car isn't washed, the bills are unpaid, the
coke is sitting on the kitchen counter, the flowers are half-
watered, the checkbook still only has one check in it and I
can't seem to find my car keys.

When I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I'm
baffled because I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY LONG!!!!!

I realize this is a serious condition and I'll get help, but
first I think I'll check my email...
____________
Do you?

HOPE

Anne Jackson is good at asking questions. Today (Aug. 19) she asked: What makes the Church different?

We offer HOPE. I think God that I wake up with HOPE. Things aren't perfect - far from it. But HOPE is the anchor in my heart that my existence is not about taking up space.

HOPE is a powerful force that goes way beyond wishing! It's an expectation that secures belief when everything around screams "give up!" Here are a few thoughts of inspiration:

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Ephesians 2:12
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.\

Ephesians 4:4
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—

1 Timothy 4:10
(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Psalm 42:11
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Ephesians 1:18
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Going for Gold

I blogged about if one had a choice between one gold medal (one time) or 2 bronze and 4 silver...in an Olympic games, which would you choose. I asked several people the same question in conversations the last week and the overwhelming response was GOLD BABY!

In light of that...if Gold medal are what matter to us, why such a big deal about overall medal count. As of today the USA lead in overall medal count 79 to 76 over China. Click on Gold medal count ... it's China 43 to USA's 26.

I ask...if all that matters to most is Gold does this mean that China has better athletes then the USA? Do we (the media) keep an overall count to make the USA look better?

What do you think?

Wordle

My friend Dan first showed me how these worked. Then I saw them here and here. I thought it would be cool to see what words popped up in my blog. Here you go...

Check it out yourself.

R E S P E C T

How many times have you been in a restaurant or store and saw a kid meltdown only to have the parent follow suit, jerking their arm here and there, screaming at the kid for disrespect, etc. If only, I had always acted correctly in every meltdown situation. When a kid disobeys their parent, it's easy for the parent to become emotionally wrapped up in the situation, taking personally and such. Guilty!

I read a daily email of ScreamFree Parenting by Hal Runkel. Today Hal addresses some of this in today's email:

This is one of the hardest things about parenting, in my mind. And it seems like I'm not alone. We get emails every day from exasperated parents who are fed up with their children's lack of respect. Here's the truth: You can't control whether or not your kids show you respect. What you can control is whether or not you show it to your kids and whether or not you act respect-worthy – even when they don't.

As with most parenting issues, this has nothing to do with them and everything to do with you. Be the grown up in every situation and then be confident enough to allow your child's immature attempts at disrespect to fall off of you like the tiny arrows of the Lilliputians in Gulliver's Travels. After all, their barbs cannot hurt you without your permission.

So, instead of huffing and puffing with intimidation when they act disrespectfully, smile to yourself and remember that you don't need their affirmation to know that you are a good parent. Set simple and clear cut consequences and follow up without taking it all personally. You'll be showing them what real respect looks like and you just might even earn some along the way.

Hal Runkel, LMFT, author of ScreamFree Parenting: Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool. He's a regular on NBC's Today Show. Click here to view segments.

Olympics on the head!

The Summer Olympics only come around every four years. They only last for two weeks and then it's another four years.

Now I know some may be thinking, don't you have anything better to blog about than the olympics (especially since 4 of my last 6 have been Olympic related). Well my answer is yes I do have other things to blog about:

** I had a great day at church today. It was the first weekend in the last month that I didn't feel preoccupied with Tech related issues.
** I really enjoyed our birthday party for my son Jackson today. It was well rounded, organized and lots of fun! Matched his personality.
** I have a somewhat busy week. I am going to simplify it (only do what is ABSOLUTELY necessary - Man I wish I finished the 4-Hour Work Week book.
** I get to have lunch with a college roommate - Jeff Roberts. He's fun to hang with.
** Looking forward to speaking this next weekend.

How's that for non-olympic blogging! BTW - as I type, I am seeing a Chinese girl cry after a bad performance. You see it all in the olympics - in the words of wide world of sports - "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!"

Seinfeld on Olympics

You've probably heard this before but with all the close races in the Olympics, it's so relevant ... and funny!

I tried to find the video of this. Here is an audio clip.

Seven for Seven

Michael Phelps continues to amaze with his most unbelievable win. I think his win in the 100m Butterfly will be the most talked about coming back from behind winning by .01 second. (.01 SECOND!)

Made me think about how giving something extra when you don't think you have it ... makes a difference. There are other "life lessons" in there I am sure. Watch race here!

What was your take on Phelp's 100m Butterfly win?

Stitches out ...

With a tender knee, Melissa, with some protest, legitimately had to use a motorized grocery cart today.  She was zipping in and out of the aisles like Jeff Gordon by the end of our shopping.  I don't think she need to again, but it was fun while it lasted!

Six for Six with Six

Michael Phelps just won his sixth gold medal in six tries with six world records.  Phe - nom - e - nal!

What if in one of the last two races he finishes second going, say 7-1 Golds vs. No Golds?  Will he lose any appeal if he doesn't go all the way?  Aren't we an all or nothing nation - especially when we expect it from someone?

Thoughts...  

Survey Says .... The Stats!

This past weekend we surveyed The Crossroads regarding groups / service / specific demographic information we requested to better serve. We will run the survey / signup sheet for the next couple of weeks. Here are a few of the results of the first weekend (of 90+ surveys turned in):

STATS:
**36% are not currently in a group, but want to be.
**71% mentioned Balanced Biblical Teaching as the or one of the reasons they attend The Crossroads.
**52% were in the 25-45 age group.
**57% want to know more about discipleship.
**47% were currently serving in some capacity, 27% wanted to find their place in serving some way.

I am looking forward to the follow up with this information. Any advice

What would you choose?

Olympic thought:

Would you rather have 2 bronze and 3 silvers .... or one gold?

Survey Says?

This past weekend at The Crossroads, we included a survey in each bulletin. The purpose of the survey was to get an idea of where the attendees were in relation to Growth Groups, Volunteering, other ways we could more effective minister.

We got a great response this weekend. Here is the survey ... (click on the picture to see larger image).

Any thoughts?

The Crossroads messages now online!

Can you hear me now? 

Listen to a great sermon on the importance of grouping/accountability in our lives (will be posted on Monday).  Click here to subscribe in iTunes (you won't see the logo on this page - FYI).

What other podcast you subscribe to?

The Movie Font!

I ran across this on my cyberfriend - Brad Riggles blog. Funny!



If you can't see the vid - Click here!

Fall Programming

This weekend at The Crossroads we continue our series on "DIY -You can do it, He can help." We will be talking about the importance of community and accountability in our lives.

This weekend begins signups for our 2|42 Growth Groups for the fall.  My hope is that people don't add this to their lives but replace it with something.  We are already busy and our lives are complicated.  The purpose of being involved in a group helps with growth both socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

What are your thoughts about being in a group?  Anything that would keep you from meeting with a group on a weekly basis?

My favorite blogs

Here are a few blogs that I follow. Some make me think. Some make me laugh.

**Carlos Whittaker (He is a blog master) - Ragamuffin Soul
**Seth Godin (marketing Guru and author) - Blog
**Stuff Christians Like (Prodigal John is a cleaver author, with an interesting perspective on all stuff Christian. No sacred cows here!)
**Anne Jackson (genuine, authentic, passionate) - Flowerdust.net
**Deadly Viper (Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite) - Radical grace and radical integrity all wrapped up in the Asian warrior motif.

Happy 08:08:08! Once a century!

Olympics are here!

I am getting excited about the Olympics.  Why?

*The opening ceremonies are pretty cool - for the first hour and half ...

*They only come around every four years.  

*The competition.

*The stories of those who participate and how some have overcome great challenges.

*Bob Costas - he's the best

*This Olympics, in China, has a special tie to our family.  We've traveled there and it will be good to see some of  the places we've seen.  Of course this does not endorse any human rights violations, political stance, or religious beliefs - not sure why I feel I have to clarify that!

*Swimming, Hoops, Track & Field are some of my favorites. 

*Gymnastics is a guilty pleasure .... Strength and grace together!

What are your favorite events at the olympics?

GMA Chapman Family Interview

I watched this on GMA this morning and my heart continues to go out to them - even more then before. Not sure why, but it hit me hard this morning.

They still need our prayers, as one could imagine. What courage. What Faith in the midst of questions!

GMA interview with the Chapman Family (Aug. 6, 2008)

Junky Car Club

The president of the JCC (Mike Foster) was on Dave Ramsey's TV program this week. The interview describes the origin of the club and it's purpose. I joined a couple of months ago with my 1998 Mazda MPV with 185,000 miles! Running great!

I like the mantra: Living with less, to give more! I also subscribe to Deadly Viper's Blog - Living life with Radical integrity & Radical Grace

The video is about 8 minutes long.


Dave Ramsey: Junky Car Club Interview w Mike Foster from Deadly Viper on Vimeo.

Would you join something like this? Why or why not?

The Crossroads messages now available

It's been a long time coming but I am glad to announce that steps have been made to now listen to the Sunday messages from The Crossroads.

Click here to listen now! We will soon be connected with iTunes podcasts. Stay tuned for that!

New Pics

Today, we were privileged to meet Julie Belle and Daley Hake and have them in our home. We met them via internet social networking (blogs, facebook, and the like). Daley and Julie are genuine, likable, and talented in many ways.

If you need photography or a guitarist (especially in/around SoCal) contact him! If you need a pianist/singer/songwriter contact her (She made our piano feel loved and filled our house with beautiful music!) You can see more of Daley's work here.

If you get a chance to hang with them, do so ... it was a great day.

Time Machine is a Time Saver

If you've ever lost any important document or project on a computer disk you can empathize with me.  A co-worker found out today that he lost everything on his computer.  That hurts!

Anywho, today, in haste, I deleted a native file that I mistook for another file.  Hit in the gut. To redo the project would have took about 2 hours.

The good news is that I've been regularly backing up my system (about once a week) and did so this morning.  I never had to use Time Machine until today.  It worked like a charm and restored the project as if nothing happened.  

Thank you Apple for your genius.  Made me grateful in many ways.  I backed up and it paid off. I work in a place that appreciates Apple too.  

APPLE for LIFE!

Any horror "information loss" stories?  Any "information saved" stories?

Happy Birthday

From our times of hangin' in Modesto way back when, he made a lasting impression on my boys and still is their favorite guitarist. Wes is a close second! Happy Birthday Lincoln!

Buys his latest release here.

Doug Lake for President!

"Celebrity" programs

Is it me or do the "celebrity" reality shows bug?  Granted some of the "celebrities" were popular at one time.  But what is the statute of limitations on someone having celebrity status? Seriously! It's not once a celebrity always a celebrity.  Letting go of the 15 minutes is tough.

What is our fascination with people in entertainment?  Come on now - I think it all boils down to the definition of "Celebrity/Star" - Dancing with the Stars - Jason Taylor and Apollo Ono are athletes not "Stars".  Vanilla Ice? Flavor Flav? What about the people that become "stars" from being on reality shows . . . . Amorosa? Can you help me understand this!  

Does being on a TV or a movie qualify?  When I think "Celebrity" or "Star" I think Johnny Depp, Will Smith, or Charlize Theron.  Can't see them doing a reality program.  Just my thought.    

What is your take on all this "celebrity" fascination?  

DIY

We at The Crossroads have started a new series called DIY - you can do it, He can help!  In light of the need (mandate from scripture) to make disciples, we are taking the next few weeks to address some key foundational pillars to being a growing Christ follower.  

This past week we touched on the importance of God's Word in our lives.  There are so many tools out there that aid and support us to get more of God's Word in us.  We played a great tune for communion called, "In the Sun" - written by Howie Day.  It's great to identify messages that God wants to communicate to us ... even in pop culture.  

NOTE:  we are working on getting the messages on iTunes.  More to come there ...

Apple Genius Bar

If you have a computer, some time or another you've experienced problems.  Comes with the territory.  I recently had an issue with my DVD-CD drive in my MacBook.  I know I was close on the warranty expiration . . . just wasn't sure how close.

I took my computer in to the Biltmore Apple Store in Scottsdale around @ 3 pm on Monday.  The person who helped me was not only helpful but considerate of my being one month past the warranty.  Apple replaced my drive (no charge), replaced my keyboard / trackpad - which had a little wear from closing the lid (no charge), and said they could flip it around to me in a day or two!  Great...with the repair being no charge I could be computerless for a day or two.  I got a call at 6:30 pm that same day saying the repair was complete.  

What I learned:  Be gracious, everyone sometimes needs their warranty extended gratis.  AND give yourself margin to deliver beyond customer expectation.  

Thank you Apple!  Thank you Shawn (the genius that helped me!).

Want to feel rich today?

Our concept of being rich is really messed up. Most of us in America, have a "keep up with the Jones'" mentality - although I do think that is early 2000's - and it keeps some of us from truly living in our means.

If you want to feel rich today . . . Check out this site.

I know it's all relative but we all can live with so much less.

The best financial advice I've received: "When your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall!"

What is the best advice you've received financially?

Hope

I read this today and it echoed what I was feeling in my heart. In light of the pain going on in the world - not just hear in America but world wide - We all need hope!

I read this definition of hope ...

Hope = confident expectation in who God is in the midst of any situation.

Confident - how does one obtain confidence?
Expectation - what is the difference between a healthy and unhealthy expectation? 

I am digging into with his definition.

Prayer

I know there are a few of you out there that read this from time to time.  You may not comment . . . but you're out there (I think?).

I've talked to a lot of people going through such rough times these days:  Physical issues, Financial issues, Relationship issues, Occupational issues, Personal tragedy . . . . you name it!

If I could pray one thing for you for the next week, what would that be?  

Perspective

I am doing a message on perspective this next week. 

I am wondering if we view our situations in light of God's work in our life or if some of our experiences are because of "lifeinstance"?  

How does one's perspective on/about life shaped?  Is it a matter of your glass being half full/empty?  Discuss ... 

Not necessarily the direction I am going but just want some feedback.

Adversity

We've all gone through it. Some of us are in over our heads in it! Adversity is not biased. It can touch anyone in any area of life, at any time.

Maybe in school…

Maybe in a relationship…

Maybe as a single mom or dad…

Maybe in your job…

I've had my share. I've learned that adversity reinforces, strengthens. It also challenges who I am at the core. It's been said that adversity doesn't build character...it reveals it!

I have to ask myself: Do I avoid adversity and take that path of least resistance? OR will I get my hands dirty and push…conquer…learn…understand?

Maybe it’s having that challenging conversation that I have been avoiding. Maybe it's procrastinating on a project because I have hit a mental block, challenging circumstances, economic woes, or whatever!

In these times we face, let's find out what we are truly made of. It is in those times that we can see our strengths and opportunities for growth. I would suggest that in those times adversity could serve us well. If we don't like what it reveals, change it.

A comfort in adversity for me is Psalm 91:15 - God promises us that He will be with us in our times of trouble. Sometimes I may not feel that. . . but I trust and know it's truth.

What is our perspective on adversity? Maybe it's to provide wisdom, a teachable moment, or provide us opportunities for compassion and empathy. I am much more empathetic when I encounter others who are experiencing my past / current pain! Finding someone to talk to about the situation helps too!

What adversity have you been avoiding? What are some challenges that you need to face head on this week?
My suggestion: don’t avoid adversity…face it and live!

**Logged for my future use and reference.

Tiger's 14th

I watched the US Open this weekend.  Incredible battle between Rocco Mediate and Tiger Woods.

If a picture is worth 1000 words.... what is the caption?

A little day in your night

We stayed here in Seattle for about two months a few years ago - in the summer time.  We forgot what 9:30 PM looked like!  

If the picture doesn't tell you . . . it looks like about 6:30 / 7 Pm farther south!

A little hard to go to bed when it's light outside.

Planes, Buses, & Boats

We took a little trip to Seattle to celebrate Melissa's sisters High School graduation.  We haven't been to Seattle in about three years and with many of Melissa's family around, should be a good time!

We set off for adventure bright and early - Ahead of us a plane ride, a bus ride (which we volunteered for the sheer adventure of it), and a boat ride!  Here is the day in Hyper speed.  

WARNING:  Take a little Dramamine - the fast pace has know to cause dizziness!

One Year and counting

June 1st came and went. I just realized that I've been a part of the Crossroads team for one year. It went by so quickly! I am thankful to God for directing me and teaming me up with the Roadsters!

After celebrating our third anniversary this past January, we moved into our new office/cafe. As you can see from the pics . . . it's a pretty cool place. The coffee shop will be full service, hopefully in mid-August.

Today - one of our neighbor business owners used our Cafe to conduct an interview. That is exactly what we've been hoping for. I was able to talk with the interviewee . . . whose family is moving here from Flagstaff. I enjoyed meeting Tina and was even more happy we are becoming a third place for our community.

In a funk

I hesitate to write this, but I feel a little funky! Not sure why - just a little out of control with stuff. There is a lot on my mind:

:: Work related stuff to juggle. Outside of maybe accounting (no offense to numbers people) do we ever get a handle on all we have to manage. Maybe it's just me!

:: Am I being the dad and husband my family need. I feel sometimes that I am distracted by what I didn't get done, I have trouble being present for the family.

:: I am not exercising like I should - regularly!

:: My back has been bugging me when I wake up.

:: I don't like my head shaved or fuzzy - Now I'm sounding like a girl.

:: I need to get better at planning our monthly spending (got great tools at my disposal from my FPU class)

:: I want to run another marathon but not sure I want to put in the time and energy!
ARRRGGGHHHH!

I am extremely grateful for so many blessing God's given . . . Man, I am thankful - just feeling funky!

Thanks for letting me get this out of my head. I'm going to eat a bowl of cereal.

What do you do when you are in a funk?

Consoli-da-she-own!

A few months ago I contemplated changing blog formats. I liked what the Typepad offered but didn't like the feeling of once you go there - they've got you for life - feeling. What I mean is all the post on Typepad are non-transferrable to any other blogging site. It's a feature that some of the others offer . . . which is why I have decided to stick with Blogger (Blogspot). For the kind of blogging I am doing and for my "audience" - it's the right format for me.

So as to not lose any of the Typepad posts when I close my account (within a couple of days) - During the next couple of days I will be reposting the Typepad posts to my Blogspot account. If you've already read them, please bear with me. If you haven't it may catch you up as to what was on my mind!

If you want to view all the post from Typepad - Search by typing - Typepad - at the top of this page!

Wii Fit . . . Way fun!

If you've heard about our little compact we started at the end of last year, you probably know that buying anything new (besides the exceptions) is not in our plan this year.  We've been really doing well, although we haven't had much to blog about in that department.  Anyway, in a moment of weakness - we caved!  The Wii Fit component grabbed and wouldn't let go!

Needless to say it's way fun and half way through you don't even realize you are actually working out-breaking a sweat and breathing a little faster, at the beginner level!  This thing is pretty legit if you ask me and we as a family are having lots of fun and hopefully getting more fit along the way.  

A lesson in trust

I am rarely effected by the negative bad news we hear most mornings/evenings. With all the talk about gas prices increasing, the housing market tanking, and the most of our society spending more than they make, it can be a little bit of a downer.

Just a week ago I was in Walmart buying a few items and as I reached into the self check out change dispenser I found a penny with wheat on it! "Sweet, an old penny!" I thought. I looked at the date - 1924. That is one of the oldest I've ever handled personally.

I put it in my pocket and then felt God speak to mind and heart. I began to think of all that penny has been through before it got to my hand that day. In 1924, one could buy a loaf of bread for 5 cents. That penny had seen several presidential administrations, the depression of 1929 into the 1930's. A couple of World Wars, economic turmoil and upswing. How many times have we walked by pennies on the ground, thrown them in a wishing well, or disregarded their value. Countless times!

God reminded me that as this penny has been through good and bad times, it made it through economic struggles, I too will make it through rough times. I read the inscription on the front and it said it all to me - In God We Trust. May sound a little cheesy but it really reset my focus!

Back up outta my grill!

Not sure if this would give most a panic attack but . . . Look how those in the back get low and use the legs! I would need a little space in this situation!

How would you handle this situation?

If you haven't failed, you haven't lived

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

Best thing that's happened to me!

The last couple of days, have been memorable for my wife.  Yesterday she had some sweet oral surgery!  One wisdom tooth - GONE!, One crown . . . ON!, Three fillings - FILLED! All in less than an 120 minutes.  That's the equivalent of a radiator flush, oil change, and new tires.  She woke up doing pretty well considering.

Today she turned 37.  I am proud of her and now she's helping others now achieve their health goals.  She's the best thing that's happened to me.  Happy Birthday Love!

Free Music

Coldplay is giving away a new song from their new album "Viva La Vida" that drops in June.  If you want it click here!

Free stuff is cool.  Good free stuff is even better.  

What do you think of the song?

Exponential Conference Day 2 & 3

The conference concluded this afternoon with Rick Warren bringing it home.  He sat down on a chair in the middle of the stage and talked about ways leaders can build reproducing churches.  That was the reoccurring theme of the conference - Churches reproducing churches.  I believe that is the mission of The Church - to duplicate itself.  Many are doing that with plants or multi-site venues.  Multi-site seems to be a fad right now.  Not sure if it's a trend or full fledge movement.  

Here is a question.  Should all churches reproduce themselves? I am not sure about that.  As much as I would hope and believe our responsibility and call is to disciple/reproduce ourselves.  Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City, had a great point.  "Cell multiplication without a purpose is called a CANCER!" - Does that mean a church plant or a multi-site venue could be a cancer to the body of Christ?  Some churches are planting and multi-siting cause it's popular or the latest trend.  Purposeful?  That's between the pastor and God.

I enjoyed listening to Alan Hirsch.  He challenged thinking and brought some insight into church planting and different things happening in the Body of Christ these days.  

I didn't get to hear Scott Hodge (walked by him) but did like Vince Antonucci - what a great story of what God is doing in VIrginia Beach!  Some amazing things!

I will have to post some pics a little later - My batteries died in BOTH of my cameras!  We had a good time with the Wyatt's and got to hang out at Downtown Disney!

Exponential Conference - Day 1

Andy Stanley is a great communicator. Not just in the books he writes but in his style of communication. He spoke to a bunch of peers today and made his talk clear, helpful, and motivating. Here are some of the thoughts I had during his talk.

Andy Stanley

· Andy's got a cool authenticity.

· China's underground church is looking for models – (Security Model is what they have – "don't get arrested" model.

· It's foolish to allow a ministry thing to divide a family/family member.

· North Pt started with 1500 people!

· North Pt. has two churches 20 miles north and 20 miles south. 14 churches planted.

· The glue that holds it all together: Peter said, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God."

· Vision: a mental picture of what it COULD be fueled by a passion of what SHOULD be!

· Vision begins as a burden. What burden are you carrying?

· The WIN is when the vision is clear and communicated clearly.

State it simply:

· What are you trying to accomplish.

· Memorable is portable! Easy to remember – It's not easy (we assume everyone knows what you are all about)

· Vision doesn't stick . . . It let's us know how poorly we've communicated it.

· "create a church where unchurched people love to attend."

· ONE campaign– to make poverty history (compelling and clear)

· If we are committed to Growth and Multiplication - the statement must be simple/compelling statement in order to last

· Barrack Obama = Change (He will get to explain what it means if he wins)

· What is our one sentence job each day we show up for work.

Cast it Convincingly

· Nehemiah 2 – ultimate vision casting story.

· Wall was down for a while.

· Three components: Define problem, offer solution, why/why now

· People have to feel the problem – Craft the vision as the solution to the problem people connect to!

· What must be don? What would go undone if our church ceased to exist. When we answer that problem we see what our vision statement addresses.

· Businesses have created . . . the idea that we are the solution to your problem.

· Why plant in this community now? A clear vision motivates people to act.

Repeat it regularly

· In every organization there is a rhythm. What is our Rhythm?

· January: A good time to vision cast (or when ever attendance is up)

· Vision leaks . . . We repeat it regularly – recast, recast.

Celebrate Systematically

· When you catch someone living the vision out, living the mission. . . make them a public WIN that is celebrated! "When I say . . . a fully devoted follower of Christ . . . that is what we are talking about."

· Stories clarify vision –

· How do we Celebrate these stories . . . Systematically.

· What happened last week that made you feel successful at what you do here (at The Crossroads).

Embrace it personally and publicly

· Personal stories, celebrated – help others see you've bought in.

· Reiterate that their job was significant.

· Be intentional with sharing those moments. What COULD be and what SHOULD be will be clear on what God has planted in your heart.

Bad Children's Book Titles

There is an article in Newsweek that described a new book out to help kids cope with their parents (Mommy) getting a plastic surgery.  It's called "My Beautiful Mommy."  

It led me to find another list of bad children's book titles.  I am not sure I will be running out to buy one of these anytime soon.

Here is a sample:

"The Boy Who Died From Eating All His Vegetables" 

"Dad's New Wife Robert" 

"Fun Four-letter Words to Know and Share" 

"Grandpa Gets a Casket" 

"The Pop-Up Book of Human Anatomy" 

"Things Rich Kids Have, But You Never Will" 

"Pop! Goes The Hamster...And Other Great Microwave Games" 

"Your Nightmares Are Real" 

"Strangers Have the Best Candy" 

"The Attention Deficit Disorder Association's Book of Wild Animals of North Amer - Hey! Let's Go Ride Our Bikes!" 

Dr. Seuss these are not.  Any other book titles you'd like to share?  

Stuff Christians Like

I came across this blog today called "Stuff Christians Like".  There is some funny stuff on here.  This one caught my eye, cause I dabble with the graphic design.

Here some of my other favorites:  

#157 - Testamints - Sending Bad Breath to hell.

#118 - Slowly turning against Oprah.

#99 - Mixed bathing.

It's OK to laugh at ourselves!  It a sign of a healthy self-image.   Thanks to Scott for sharing this with me. 

If you read the blog, what were some of your favorites?

Back on baby!

I took a necessary break from blogging and my blogroll.  Just felt a little informationed - out!

I am back and plan to blog a little more frequent than once every three weeks.  

What have you recently got burned out on?

Text Questions. Get Answers.

This concept is not all that new - I've heard of a few churches doing something similar - but we are trying something new for us.  

Check out this link and post I just wrote that explains it all.