Sunday, October 25, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

This weekend has been a weird one! Both April and I are in some kind of funk where we just feel like crap. There is nothing specific wrong...just not feeling like ourselves. So Let's dump:
  • We have one more Sunday service...then we are switching to Saturday evenings...maybe for a month...maybe longer. We'll see how things go and what everyone thinks about it.
  • Nice day at church today! Brett really stepped up and took over for his wife this morning. Nice job Brett!
  • Had a really long weekend! Hung out and played some outdoor games with my buddy Stu yesterday. Then April and I took off for Cleveland and the Cheesecake factory! She's been wanting Pumpkin cheesecake for the last few years and we never seem to get it. I made sure it happened for her this year.
  • Terrible day of football today. Not a good game on TV period :(
  • On the plus side my fantasy teams have done pretty well today!
  • See everyone out at the Funeral home for Deb's Dad tomorrow evening.
I am out!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis you'll notice I took a couple of weeks off froem blogging. Last weekend we didn't have an official church service so there was really nothing to mind dump about. I have also just been running around in a crazy busy kinda way. Hopefully, that dies down soon! So, let's dump:
  • Kinda liked that new song Sing to the Lord today. Has a nice swingy feel to it!
  • Announced today that Shelley Myers was taking over the kitchen manager duties. She'll be in charge of all things food, kitchen, and greeter related. So, from now all direct all your questions in her direction.
  • Looking forward to being able to help the hungry and needy in our area via Food For Thought. It's a cool ministry. You can check out their web site at www.freelunchtoledo.com
  • If you could take one thing out of today's message I hope it's this. Each of us are called to be servant leaders. Look at the needs right in front of you and do what you can to meet those needs.
  • Only two more weekends of Sunday services. Remember we are moving to Saturday evenings from 5:30 starting the first Saturday in Nov. Getting excited about the possibilities of that.
  • This weekends gathering is at our house. Looking forward to having everyone over once again. Remember, when I go for my PJ's that's your clue it's time to go home :)
  • Felt like crap all day today. Just one of those days where I am in a complete funk...not sure why other than hoping a good nights sleep will do the trick.
I am out.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Ever Noticed?

Ever noticed that some people just seem to cause problems every where they go? They blame it on others, they say things like "I just call things like I see them," and they just don't seem to fit in anywhere. I don't know why but this afternoon I was thinking about some people I know and have known that seem to fit this description.

Maybe it hit me as I was doing a little reading in the book of Proverbs today....here is what Proverbs 4:16 says: Evil people are restless unless they’re making trouble; They can’t get a good night’s sleep unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody.

We need to understand that there are some people that sow seeds of destruction pretty much every place they go. The go from spouse to spouse because the "other person" isn't meeting their needs, they go from job to job because they see incompetent leaders, they have a hard time keeping friends because we've all let them down, and they go from church to church in search of a pastor or church that does what they like.

Sadly, in church circles, sometimes this group of people are very talented which makes them desirable people to have in church. They are often gifted musicians and teachers (notice I didn't say leaders.) This group of people often comes into a church seeking leadership position and place of influence. All the while they fail to grasp the basic concepts and precepts of the church. They use talent to try and work their way to the top. They fail to understand that in God's model of leadership a person doesn't ascend into leadership they serve their way into leadership.

If you've got people like this in your church get them out of any type of leadership position as quickly as you can. If you don't you're asking for bigger problems down the line. If you have people like this as friends or family pray for them :)

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

Nice day today. So, let's dump:
  • Felt great to be back teaching after a two week break. This might be the toughest series I have ever taught but it's stuff we all need to hear.
  • Nice to have Big John back behind the drum kit today. Don't worry man, it'll all come back to you soon enough.
  • Next week is our second open mic night. I am hoping for a great turnout with lot's of talented people. The last one was a blast and this one should be too! Paul Wise is doing a CD release party as part of the festivities that night.
  • Next months open mic HallowVox is featured, so you know that'll be good :)
  • No Sunday service or Friday Small Groups. We have too much going on with open mic night and the harvest party. Come out and enjoy that!
  • Still looking for someone to take over our kitchen at church. If you're interested let me, April, or Tony know.
  • Some great things coming up. Really good opportunities to bring people to church.
  • I think we are going to change the mythbusters series around a little bit. I am taking some questions and for those that have already sent them my way I'll answer them. I think we are going to change the series and call it "Cow Tipping." I am going to take some shots are tipping some of the sacred cows in church today. Should be a hoot and I will only tick off a few people since most of our people don't have a long church history!
I am out. Looking forward to watching the San Diego Vs Pittsburgh game tonight!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

I Wish We'd All Been Ready

On Thursday I made a trip to Indiana to have lunch with my daughter. On the way out I drove through Neapolis. I had a little time to kill so I drove into this cemetery where my Dad's parents are laid to rest. It was a surreal experience in a few ways. First, I hadn't been to that spot since I was a senior in high school as that's when my grandfather died. So, I was driving around looking for their headstones. I had a general idea which part of the cemetery they were in. After a few minutes I found it.

A I looked at the headstones a few thoughts came to mind. First off, it was amazing to me how quickly time seems to have gone by. It's been 23 years since I graduated from high school. Time goes by way too fast and in a blink of an eye our lives are over. We don't have forever to get things straightened out with God.

Which brings me to my second thought. My grandmother accepted Christ very late in her life. I have no doubts that she is in heaven today. My grandfather never did, at least to my knowledge. I wonder what it would be like to live with someone for all those years and all of a sudden they are eternally separated from you? Love my wife, and I love my children. What would eternity be like if I was there without them or they without me?

Sadly, the Bible talks about the notion that the way to heaven is narrow and there would be few that find it. Which leads me to believe that all of us who are believers will at some day be eternally separated from those that we love. That hurts my heart and I wish we'd all been ready to go. Don't wait to share God's love with those you love. Tomorrow may be too late.