The Day America Went to Church, Part 2

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I remember that week very well.? It seemed that everyone spent hour upon hour watching the tragedy.? Praying that people would be found.? Praying for those who hadn’t heard from loved ones.? Watching the dedication and honor of the rescue workers.? I can remember one of my first statements in my sermon on 9.16.2007.? I said that I feel totally exhausted from watching the horror over and over.? It was amazing that we would stay up until the early hours in the morning just shocked with the pictures and video.

I remember using Isaiah 25 as the text of my message.? An unbelievably powerful message of restoration and hope.? Here are some excerpts: Read more

Monday Morning Reflections

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kidstuf916.jpgWe had an awesome Sunday yesterday as we had our first KidStuf! It went really well and I think it did all that we wanted it to do and more! We really just wanted it to be a “promo” for our church family to see first hand what it was about and invite people to the next KidStuf. We had a really great crowd about 120 people in the sanctuary, not including those in the nursery! We were talking this morning, I think we are going to have some space issues on October 7th!! What a great problem to have!

All of the actors, hosts, dancers, singers, and kids did an awesome job! I can’t be more proud of the production!!

  • The set looked awesome! Margaret Dollarhite did an excellent job cutting and sewing yards and yards of black fabric for the curtain!!
  • Patrick Chandler and Jim Price helped us frame in the door! Great job guys!
  • Eric and Kris did an awesome job in hanging the curtain and signs.
  • Josh Harrold did a great job running the computer. He came for the tech rehearsal on Thursday night to “watch” and learn for next time! But because of some schedule problems, he needed to do it on Sunday morning!! He did an awesome job in such a short amount of time. The learning curve is quite steep on that stuff and he did a great job.
  • The drama was excellent!! Chris Jones, Mark Wofford, and Kalynn McMurray did their best presentation yet! I was so proud of them!
  • Chris Hatley has grown so much in the past 3-4 years since they have been here at CFC! I was teary when Kenzie was so proud of her daddy! Chris, you did such a great job teaching us the Bible!! Awesome!!
  • Jenny had the singers ready to go–Great job Wes, Jill, Becky, and Jenny. It sounded like the background vocals on a professional CD! I got “ants in my pants” just thinking about it!!
  • Kim Scott and the dancers have worked so hard and it showed! The routines were awesome!! Great job Schawo, Eric, Tracy, Tabby, and Katy (and Wes on one song).
  • It is always great to see people laughing and enjoying being at church of all places. I know that God smiles when His people are telling others about His Son–and having a great time in the process!

A huge thanks to EVERYONE who had a part in making this first KidStuf a HUGE success! I know I am forgetting some people, but I am so proud of EVERYONE! You will want to see next month’s production–it is going to be “off the hook” as the kids say!

One tease . . . Gordo returns to make his actual KidStuf debute! Get your pocket protectors ready and invite your friends and family to the next KidStuf, October 7th!

The Day America Went to Church

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I was reminded of the 9-11 tragedy again last night as MSNBC had the day “as it happened.” I can still remember sitting with Jenny and Taylor (about 5 months old) in the living room before leaving for church. At the time I left for church, the towers had not yet collapsed.

I remember that event quite well because it matches up with my calling to plant this church. We had been struggling with a calling to start a new church that would be focused on those outside of the church–not necessarily ignoring those inside the church, but basically reaching those who don’t have a “place” in the current church landscape. Read more

About 15 seconds of the Tour of Missouri

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Taylor and I got to see just a brief bit of the finish of the Tour of Missouri yesterday. Ibilde-1.jpg taylortourofmo.jpgpicked up Taylor after school and we rushed downtown to the Shrine Mosque to see the finish. I took us way too long to find a parking spot, so we missed the first “pack” and saw the second “pack” from about 100 yards away as a blur of color and motion. It was there and then it was gone in a moment!!? We saw a few stragglers up close and went around and saw all of the teams as they were back at the vehicles. Quite a sight indeed. They made it from Clinton, MO, about 120 miles in about 4 1/2 hours!! It takes taylorlookingon.jpgabout 2 hours to make that trip at highway speeds!! They were traveling about 40 MPH when they “blurred” past us at the finish. Here is a friend of Natalie Nance’s dad’s blog, who has some great pictures of the finish.? Take some time to read the entire post–especially the last paragraph.? Taylor and I saw some guys coming out of the medical tent all banged up–don’t know if it was the armadillo or not that caused their bandages!!

I’m glad we did it and can add it to the list of things we’ve done as a father and son. I think the Tour is coming again for the next 3 years or so, but will probably not be down here next year for sure as they are going to focus on the northern part of the state (north of I-70).? They are having the time trials in Branson today–the race will probably be won or lost today in that 18 miles experts say.

Tour of Missouri comes to the Ozarks

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tourofmo1.jpgThe Tour of Missouri cycling race across Missouri is making its way from Kansas City to St. Louis with several stages in between. They raced in Kansas City in Stage 1 today and then they will race from Clinton to Springfield in Stage 2 on Wednesday. They will then have Stage 3 Time Trials in Branson on Thursday. I am hoping to see a little bit of the race tomorrow in Springfield.

This isn’t a little race, but is quite a bit deal. Actually, this year?s Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain and U.S. Professional Champion and third-place Tour de Francealbertocontador.jpg finisher Levi Leipheimer of Santa Rosa, Calif. are amongst the field of competitors. I have never seen a cycling race up close, but would like to add it to my list of sports events I have attended. From what I can tell and have read, these guys are some of the best athletes in the world. You can check out the Tour website and see how many miles in each stage and it is amazing. 600 miles in 6 days–bad enough in a car, let alone on a bike. Talk about some serious saddle sore behinds!

Are you Ready for some football??

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stones.jpgWell, the official kickoff of the NFL season was last night and the Colts smoked the Saints. Sure looks like all of the hype about the Saints “not being that bad” this year might not be all that it is cracked up to be. They did however keep up with the Colts the first half with a 10-10 tie at halftime.

Our fantasy draft was this past Sunday. I got to pick the 19th round guy–all by myself. I made it late to the “live” draft and the computer picked for me.

Here is the “probable” starting roster for the 07-08 Rolling Stones.

  • Matt Hasselback-QB
  • Anquan Boldin–WR Ari
  • Marvin, already got me 14 points last night, Harrison-WR Ind
  • Lee Evans–WR Buf
  • Steven Jackson–RB Stl
  • Ronnie Brown–RB Mia
  • Kellen”I am a soldier,” not even close to as good as your dad, Winslow-TE Cle
  • Plus the kickers, defense (Oakland & Miami) and defensive position players to round out the 19 spots.

We’ll see how it goes, I made it to the final game last year and lost by a very short margin in the final game. Dan has an awesome trophy to go in his office at Ball Supply–the golden football made by Gary “too much free time” Daily with “Chumpions” on the placard. Wish I would have taken a picture of it! Can’t wait to get my hands on that beauty!!

Unexpected ESPN2 Surprise

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As most of you know, I was a “band nerd” growing up in Junior High all the way through college at MSU. Some of my favorite memories growing up were around the marching band field or specifically, Drum Corps International. I had several friends who went on to be in some of the top corps or Division I corps. One friends was in the Madison Scouts, another started in the Phantom Regiment and then later on in the Blue Devils, and another was in the Cavaliers. I really wished I could have been in the Drum Corps, but it is only “bugles” and don’t have trombones or woodwinds. My friend Mac and I went to KC two years in a row to the World Championships in Arrowhead Stadium “back in the day.” Every so often, they come here to Springfield during the summer. It is really a lot of fun to check out their hard work and talents on display.

It was a tradition with several of my friends that we would get together on Labor Day and watch the DCI World Championships on PBS. I haven’t seen it for several years, but was looking for it this Labor Day and didn’t see anything on PBS. The reason, it has “grown up” and become an official “sport” and was on tonight on ESPN2. There is a part of me that really misses that whole scene of being a part of a musical group that you are depending on every person to succeed. I can still remember walking on the practice field at SMSU when I was a freshman and the band played a B flat concert scale and I began weeping because of the huge wall of sound. There is something about having over 300 people playing together that is really special.

I know, I know . . . let it go man! You’re 34 years old! But I love watching those kids work so hard over the entire summer to play music and entertain people all across the country. If you haven’t been to one of these competitions, they are quite the pageant. One of my favorite times is when the Corps is getting ready to play and face backfield and “warm up.” I love everything about it . . . the drum cadence, the drum major leading the band, the drum line, the big “company front” at the end!! I know . . . I am a total band nerd! Once a band nerd, always a band nerd.

Monday Evening Catch-up

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I intended to get around to this a whole lot earlier, like last Monday, but here’s what’s been going on lately.

  • Taylor headed to 1st grade on Thursday! Wow, I am feeling quite old now! He had a great time. (He didn’t want to go this morning, but didn’t want to leave this afternoon–go figure.)sunday-best.jpg
  • The ol’ alma mater, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is back in the embarrassing news–again. There was a segment on the Today Show on Friday telling about the new “homemaker” degree Paige and Dorothy Patterson instituted. Fellas–need not apply. Unbelievable. And we wonder why people don’t want to come to our churches anymore. Just google “Southwestern homemaker” and look at all of the blog discussions. A really funny post on the degree program here (ladies need not apply for this one). Someone needs to get the idea that it isn’t 1955 like this picture. . .
  • The cable internet is in at the church!! It is WAY faster than the poor DSL. The manager/installer of the contracting company was an awesome guy that really displayed some great customer service after the mother company dropped the ball big-time! Thanks Jason!
  • We gave out journals to everyone this Sunday! I am really excited to see what can happen in our entire church family decides to get on board with God and meet with Him daily to have devotions!!
  • The band was really awesome on Sunday! Great time of worship!
  • KidStuf is really looking great! I’m in on anything with a “dance team”(Kris Schawo included) and a “comedic host.” September 16th is going to be AWESOME!!
  • It was really great to see everyone having a great time hanging out before and after church . . . reminds me of the “old days.”
  • I think I have some guests coming on Sunday!! I am really excited to see them at CFC! They are perfect people for our church–unchurched and overchurched!

Raving Fans

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I got the book Raving Fans, by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles at our garage sale atraving-fans.jpg church this weekend. It is all about customer service. One of the ideas in the book is that “satisfied customers are not enough.” Basically, you don’t want people to be satisfied, but to be more than satisfied–to be “raving fans” for your organization.

It seems that true customer service is really a thing of the past. Case in point is our internet service provider(s) (both our current and future ISPs). Our internet access has been really pretty poor for quite some time, but we always got the “better check your equipment on your end” line when you call for help. Come to find out, the service we had been charged for was literally impossible for them to provide as we are too far away from the “central hub.” In getting down to the bottom of the problem, a guy in St. Louis was totally dumbfounded that they “sold” us the service. He said we need to call and get a refund on the several years of bad service. Of course I called to get the refund to no avail. Nobody ever wants to admit that there might be a problem that needs to be fixed. I have really been working on this in my own life lately, so I guess I am more sensitive to it.

So we decided we needed to make a change in services. The second company couldn’t make it until Monday “morning.” The guy shows up at about 12:30 p.m. to hook it up, but needs another guy to help him install it, so he said he would be back in the morning. Of course morning comes and goes . . . as does the afternoon. Calling the office is useless as they are scheduled to come “any time from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.” Who else could get away with that big of window of time than the cable company? Plus the irony of a “communications company” that can’t (or won’t) simply pick up the phone and call us to let us know they are stuck at another call, need to move the appointment, etc. Customer service matters! It really matters in ministry too! Because eternity hangs in the balance!

Makes me think of our website hosting company, but don’t get me started on that rant!

Friday Night Family Film Fest

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Just got finished with our Friday Night Family Film Festival. We watched high-school-musical-2.jpgHigh School Musical 2 on Disney. I think there was a whole lot of people who were watching it too. You know who you are . . . Heather! Jenny and I were talking about it on the way to get junk food at the grocery store that most parents of kids our age were watching it along with their kids. They advertised the crap out of the thing and it will run all weekend long.? Taylor really loved it. He loves sports and also the dancing and music as well. It is really fun to watch things through his filter.

We had a hodgepodge dinner complete with lots of movie junk food. We had some fettuccine alfredo (Taylor’s favorite), Rotel dip, guacamole, popcorn and Chips Ahoy cookies (again Taylor’s pick). Pretty much not healthy at all, but we all had a lot of fun together. . . cause “we’re all in this together”–couldn’t resist!