Preparing For The Boat

 

Well it’s almost cruise time. We head out on Saturday and as a result are working franticly to prepare our house for our house/dog sitter as well as to get all of the little odds and ends together. Things such as batteries for the camera, new music on the ipods, magazines and books, etc.

This is going to be an incredible trip and I just can’t believe how fast it has snuck up on us.

Because the trip is so close my blogging make slow down for the next couple days and it probably will cease all together while I’m gone. I don’t plan on blogging during the trip and I’m probably not even going to twitter.

After all it’s vacation.

That’s not to say I absolutely won’t. If I get a good opportunity I might drop a few details, but I’m going to try and save all of the juicy details for a post cruise series when I get back.

Anyway, I’ve got a lot to do so this is all for tonight.

Tim Hawkins - “Kids’ Rock”

MY CONTRIBUTION TO RAGMUFFINSOUL.COM’S “CREATIVE CHAOS”

Let me start by saying that Tim Hawkins is brilliant. If you haven’t seen any of his videos before you need to go to youtube and check them out. He does some incredible Christian comedy.

This particular video stood out to me since I am a Children’s Pastor and I am exposed to a great deal of children’s music. While I didn’t create this video I had to pass it on to all of you and give Mr. Hawkins some more exposure. He is a funny dude and SO creative!

Check out Tim’s Site!

The Push Of A Child

It’s interesting how being around a child can cause you to look closely at your actions. Are you setting a good example? Are you being responsible? Are you being kind and loving?

As adults it is our job to raise up children in such a way that they are prepared for the future and that they know what it looks like to be a Christ following adult.

The following article does a great job of pointing out how kids force us to look at our lives differently and how they cause change in our behaviors because we want to make sure we are doing everything we can to set them up for success as they grow older.

Checkout the article and share an experience when your child or a child you know, caused you to reevaluate how you were conducting yourself.

 

Follow Aslan

This evening I went with my small group to an advance screening of the movie “Prince Caspian” in downtown Seattle and it was incredible. The movie was great. The company was great. The city is always great. Overall it was…go figure…great.

When we were done with the movie we wandered around Westlake Center and then went to the Cheesecake factory for some grub. It was definitely a memorable experiences, but I think the most important thing I took away with me actually came from a line in the movie.

In this particular scene Aslan and Lucy are talking and Lucy tells Aslan how she knew she had seen him but her siblings didn’t believe her. Aslan responded by saying something to the effect of “what difference does that make?”

This sort of profound statement isn’t a shock considering C.S. Lewis wrote the story, but it’s interesting how sometimes it takes a talking lion to bring home such incredible spiritual principles.

For me this dialogue between Lucy and Aslan really resonated. It hit a chord with me and I’m left wondering why I care so much what other’s think and why I can’t simply live out my faith the way I know I should.

Why can’t I follow Aslan even when my brothers and sisters don’t believe?

Granted, I try and make choices pleasing to God and I am in ministry. But, why can’t I live unashamedly for him day in and day out. 24/7. 365 days a year.

Why are there times that I’m uncomfortable talking with my neighbors about my job?

I think that part of it is that I am so wary of offending them or turning them off to God that I fail to present opportunities to turn them on to God.

Instead of trusting the Holy Spirit to move, I worry about whether or not I am saying the right words, or whether or not I am going to lose the relationship because they think I am some weird bible thumping freak.

Hmm, it’s funny how a movie can stir up such thoughts.

Do you ever feel like you fail to live boldly for God because there are people around you who believe differently?

If You Could…

If you could choose the decade in which you were born, what decade would it be and why?

The Future Of Children’s Ministry At New Life

Over the last couple weeks conversations regarding our new children’s facility have really heated up and it is so exciting to think about the future of children’s ministry at New Life.

We currently have a great children’s area, but the future possibilities are mind blowing. A children’s theater, more early childhood space, a great family lobby, the works. This new ministry space is going to invite a lot of children into personal relationships with God via small groups, events, worship, etc.

I truly am blessed to be serving with such incredible people and at a church so passionate about seeing kids come to know Jesus.

“Cletus Take The Reel”

This is incredible!

My Fam

I have a great family. The are loving, thoughtful, funny and so unique.

I just spent the evening with my family celebrating Mother’s day and it was a great time. We talked, laughed and ate some great pizza.

It’s nice to have a family that you can just hang with and not feel uncomfortable or awkward. That’s definitely something I value.

Today I am especially thankful for a wonderful mom who is so loving. 

Happy Mother’s Day Mom! 

Yesterday Review

8:00am Arrive at church and begin preparing food for Serve Day

8:30am Begin setting up lunch booth

10:00am Begin collecting trash, salvation army donations, pass out lunches, wash cars, shred paper.

2:00pm Close down serve day operations

3:00pm Head home to mow the lawn

3:30pm Go to Home Depot to buy an electric trimmer and broom

4:00pm Mow lawn

5:30pm Clean up

6:00pm Dinner with the in-laws

7:30pm Game of “Sequence” with in-laws

9:00pm Try to blog

9:05pm Notice dashboard is down

9:30pm Doze off on couch

10:05pm Write brief post before heading to bed

Quickly To Bed

I am SO tired. It has been a great weekend, but one that has so far left me in need of some serious sleep. For that reason and the fact that my dashboard has been down for the last hour and any desire I previously had to dive into today’s events has left me, I’m going to hit the hay.

I’ll fill you in on today’s events tomorrow. Until then, sweet dreams, and good luck counting sheep.