A Day in the Life

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• 14:07 putting playlists together and pondering possibilities… The office is VERY quiet.. I think the day off started early for some people…. #
• 17:08 Really looking forward to hitting the gym tonight… #
• 18:46 Gym is packed and storm is coming… Gym will have to wait until tomorrow… #

My TV has been “Born Again”…

For all of my interest in all things web 2.0 and tech in general, I am decidedly low tech in the “home entertainment” arena.  Though not necessarily providing the best picture, the old rabbit ears have served their purpose.  Although watching LOST through the intermittent snow was entirely disappointing…

I recently received our coupons (yay, $40 off! Get yours here…) and headed to WalMart, picked up the new converter boxes, and installed them.

Just that easily, we more than doubled the number of channels we received. Channels that had been there all the time. But channels that I couldn’t have received.

We’re enjoying being on the other side now. Pictures are clearer. Options are better.

Have you made the jump yet?

A Day in the Life

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• 08:54 15 minutes on the treadmill and worked abs and back… #
• 08:55 morning soundtrack - Robby Seay Band - Give Yourself Away… I LOVE New Day!! #
• 11:10 Headed to an afternoon with the kids… Chick-fil-A, playground, and Matisyahu… #
• 12:56 Sitting here @ Chick-fil-A… Kids on the playground… All of the moms are in a group yakking away… Thankful for BB #
• 13:35 watching Pokemon with the kids… lil girl looks like she’s about to nod off… #

Songs from the Heart

Riffing off of this thought from Mike Foster over at Deadly Viper…

I am a complete sucker for songs about enjoying the simple life. “Butterfly Kisses” or “Cinderella”. It doesn’t take much to get my eyes watery.

Here’s a couple of my favorites:

“Front Porch Looking In” - Lonestar - Not a big country music fan, but I love the chorus…

There’s a carrot top who can barely walk
With a sippy cup of milk
A little blue eyed blonde with shoes on wrong
‘Cause she likes to dress herself
And the most beautiful girl holding both of them
And the view I love the most
Is my front porch looking in, yeah

 

“Little Wonders” - Rob Thomas - I love any song that starts off like this…

Let it go,
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don’t you know
The hardest part is over

 

“New Day” - Robby Seay Band - Had a friend share this with me and this song just jumped out at me…

I’m gonna sing this song
To let you know that you’re not alone
And if you’re like me
You need hope, coffee, and melody

What songs pull on your heart strings?

 

A Day in the Life

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• 07:15 Ready for a great week… #
• 10:22 working in the August Compass meeting… Lots of great events to be promoted… #
• 11:02 just found out George Carlin passed… #
• 13:09 considering several different possibilities… imagining what could be… #
• 13:20 afternoon soundtrack - Coldplay X&Y #
• 20:43 Great first rehearsal for the band formerly known as the Rhema Cafe House Band… What an amazing team! #

A Day in the Life

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• 08:11 mobilizing the troops to head to the gym… #
• 12:11 20 minutes on the treadmill and worked pecs, triceps, and biceps… Didn’t even know I had some of these muscles a week ago… #
• 14:02 Rita’s Sugar Free Root Beer Italian Ice - perfect treat on a summer afternoon without undoing what I’ve done in the gym #
• 14:32 Family fun time @ Pump It Up - Lots of kids and lots of inflatables… #
• 18:18 Behind a vehicle with no less than 8 rainbows on it… They must really like rainbows… What else could it be? #
• 21:57 writing and watching The Mole… Okay, now really just watching The Mole…. #
• 22:24 alright Tweets… time for bed… What a great day… recharged batteries by hanging with the family… tomorrow comes quickly… #

O’Charley’s and Breaking Through the Barrier of the Background

The family and I had a great dinner experience at the O’Charley’s on Atlantic Blvd in Jacksonville this evening. Special thanks to Ashley, our waitress, and Tracy, the kitchen manager, for making us feel so at home.  We really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning soon. 

Just a couple of thoughts from my experience…
 

• We have lived within 3 miles of the restaurant for over 6 years and tonight was the first time we visited there.  The deciding factor was that kids eat free.  Actually two kids per paying adult.  When you are feeding a family on a budget, that is incredibly attractive.  As a church, we can never get into the rut of thinking that people know what we are about or that we even exist.  In a world of thousands of options, and even more everyday, there needs to be something that can distinguish you from the background.  It is just so easy to become part of the ambient noise.  Making the distinctions clear makes it easier for others to choose you.  

• Tracy really put our experience over the top by bridging the gap between the organization and my family.  He always spoke of the restaurant in terms of “we”.  Even as he spoke of the 25 year history and their way of advertising.  It was always “we”.  But when it came to making a difference for my family, he spoke about “I”.  This is an interesting distinction.  When it comes to the organization, “we” speaks to a sense of belonging or unity of purpose.  When it comes to impact, “I” am the one who is responsible.  Does my church give people a sense of unity of purpose but also emphasize their specific need to impact others?

 

A Day in the Life

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• 06:37 hangin’ with the kids… watching cartoons and eating cereal before we get ready for service… #
• 07:20 Changing Face of Christian Ministry - Who do you know who is making an impact? - is.gd/Ddn #
• 10:42 rockin’ I-CHURCH… so glad to see my new friends in Zamberk, Czech Republic joining us… #
• 13:33 looking forward to a LONG afternoon of absolutely nothing… #
• 19:30 always a sucker for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition… #

The Changing Face of Christian Ministry

I am sitting here this morning bouncing around online and something is abundantly clear.

WHAT A GREAT TIME TO BE A PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST!

It is really amazing to see, hear, and read all that God is doing in all the various parts of His church. No one can deny that there has been a major shift away from “Lone Ranger” style of ministry to the local church. It is so encouraging to see all of the dynamic pastors that are committed to building local congregations and still addressing global issues.

And this emphasis on the local church is resulting in more and more people who are being mobilized to make a difference. It seems that the people who make up the church are taking the initiative more in ministry impacting their friends, family, and communities.

I will post again later on some of the churches, pastors, and planters that I have been following.

But I would love to hear from you on churches and ministries that are impacting their communities. Who are you following via blog, podcast, or twitter?

A Day in the Life

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• 07:14 Early AM leader impartation meeting… #
• 09:39 Hitting the mall with my bride then off to the gym… #
• 11:11 Enter Sandman on the radio as I make my way to the gym… This is a good sign… Ready to kick some butt… #
• 12:40 30 minutes on treadmill and worked shoulders and back… Don’t hate me when I am buff… #
• 14:38 getting ready to go pick up my bride and spend some time with the family before our internet campus service tonight at 6 PM EDT… #
• 16:37 officially removing Firefox… Wouldn’t play nice with other browsers… Yes I checked ALL of the settings and preferences.. Sayonara, FF.. #
• 18:09 never ask a three year old if they are behaving… the answer is always "YES!"…. #
• 19:53 focusing on my laptop to avoid the gymnastics on in the living room… can I say that the Olympics hold absolutely no interest to me? #
• 20:07 Arrested Development on hulu.com #