Cleared of Spam

I was accused of being a spam blog. I was told by Blogger that they would investigate me. I guess they did and the notice on my blog homepage is gone... so, I'm taking that to mean I'm not a spam blog. Good to know. Thanks.

lawnmowing

I'm not a big lawn mowing fan. Push the mower around a bit and then next week... same thing. SO, since we've been away more than we've been home this summer, I've not mowed my backyard in about 2 months. It's not high, just thick. I did mow it yesterday. Took a long time. I knew it was thick when a group of boy scouts got made because they were on a nature camp out and I'd scared a family if deer.

Anyway, all is mowed... I think I hear it growing again.

Some Regrets

I missed my 20th High School Class Reunion. I've not kept up with many friends from High School, but I've heard from a few since the reunion. I'm regretting missing the fun. I have heard they are thinking to do it again for the 25th. That would be nice.

$Gas$

I bought gas today for $3.44. How is that? Crazy we are getting excited about getting gas that is still over $2. Ahhhh! But still, $3.44.

Lessons from the Kids

I'm home today with Rachel, my youngest. She was running a fever. It is also Sunday. While I'm actually on the "paid" staff, my wife is more "needed" on Sunday mornings. She leads worship. Most of what I do on Sundays is done in advance and then I just ... work on Sunday (help in our Sunday School class - Rhonda leads discussion, help in Kids Zone, hang out with people, etc.). ANYWAY, I told Rachel that I had a surprise for her later and to let me know when she needed a surprise. Well, just about the time I get busy on something, she informs me that she needs her surprise. I told her to wait - which she did. Then I thought, "that was lame." I had told her to tell me when she needed a surprise and then when she did, I made her wait. Lesson learned? NO! I told her she could get on Webkinz when she put away what she was playing with in the living room. She did and again I was in the middle of something and made her wait. Maybe I learned the second time.

Lesson: when you offer something, give it in a timely manner.

She was a good sport. She was very patient.

Can you think of other lessons to be learned?

Sunday Wrap-Up

In Fusion Youth Group Service we looked at a Nooma video, #16 Rhythm. It was extremely good. Part of the point is that we are all part of God's song. The question is are we in tune or out of tune. Good stuff.

The biggest news of the night is that Rhonda Glover announced her engagement to Joe - yea!!! Looking forward to November 22.

Good Sunday (I also took a nap... wearing my CPAP... after a great lunch at home)

Back Home

I've been at Youth Quest - National Talent finals for IPHC. It was in Daytona Beach. Rhonda, the girls and I took Eric for the National Royal Ranger competition. He did a great job and we all had a bunch fun. Swimming in the ocean was great. Reconnecting with Rick and his family was a highlight. Glad to be home!

What to do

First, my last post started with "And my life goes on." That was NOT to mean that I don't want it to go on. I meant, here I still am. I'm alive. I've not posted in a long time, but I'm still alive.

Not sure what to post. I read a bunch of other blogs. Most are inspirational. Not sure if I can be that inspiring. Also, when do you find time to post? Right now I need to be doing many other things. I guess I don't really have anything pressing to post and I don't think I have any readers anyway. Oh well, I read it - that's one!

Maybe more later.

keeps on going

And my life keeps on going. Today I grilled out for dinner. The girls are in Fayetteville with my parents so it is just me and Rhonda. I grilled some GREAT porkchops. I use some dry rubs on them - hot shot, garlic powder, salt, pepper, bbq rub, blackened - and it is awesome. Rhonda made the fixings. Ummmmm, good stuff.

Anyway, busy life. Learning lots. That's what it is all about, right? Learn as you go. So what are you learning?

March - greatest sports month

I actually heard a couple of guys on the radio discussing the best month for sports. It has to be March - March Madness Baby. Duke almost went down tonight - of course that's Duke - almost going down. Too bad - I was pulling for the upset.

UNC - think they can go all the way? I'm hoping so. They have the talent. You also have to get lucky. We'll see.

I think I've found a way for this blog to show up on my Facebook. Odds are I messed something up and it won't be there. No worries - I don't post much.

Sick? Pneumonia? Me?

Ok, I've been hanging out at home... all week... including today (Sunday). That's right - I missed church - stayed home. Caught up on some reading - my mentor group is reading "Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Sprirtual Leaders" by Reggie McNeal. A great book so far. I totally recommend it for church leaders... all of them.

So, back to by "doctor's order" week off. I am the proud owner of pneumonia. Ok, so I'm not so "proud", but it is weird. Pneumonia? Me? Really? That's right. Here is the deal with pneumonia - you have to REST, take medicine, REST, drink plenty of fluids and, you guessed it, REST. I think I'm all rested up.

I appreciate your prayers.

Looking back - looking forward

This past week - Went with our Primetimers (seniors) to Pigeon Forge Tuesday - Thursday. Had a blast. They pulled me up on the stage for a stunt at the "Hoot-N-Holler" - that was a trip. Friday and Saturday I was playing some real catch up in the office (bulletin, SongShow - including the pastor's notes for AM and PM services, my youth message, etc.).

Sunday - we had a good number in Kids Zone, they are really growing. Our new Sunday School Class is doing well - HomeBuilders. We went out to lunch with Chris and Denise, to Ruby Tuesdays. I got the Bison Burger and a salad. Pretty good. Great fellowship with great friends.

Today - stayed home to work on bills (ug). I met Chris (yp at Wilson P&W) for lunch then hung out at Saxon's office (yp at FHCOG).

Tonight - watched MNF! I won week 3 in my Fantasy Football League! ROCK ON BABY!

Looking Forward:

I'll have a tough week. We have a WAYnet Student event Wednesday night and SYATP that morning. I also have my regular stuff to do while looking to improving what is going on at Shiloh.

QUESTION: Do you give yourself a rigid schedule? I try to have a "to do" list, but they gets all goofed up as the week goes on. I've got some projects that I'd like to work on, but I have so many other things to do... first. I get frustrated. I want to work on our "first impressions" team (we don't really have one - we have greeters), a program to help folks share their faith, BE a youth pastor (and children too), and ... Get the picture?

Got any advice?

The Weekend

Took a break Saturday. The family and I went to the NC Farmer's Market. That was fun. We bought some fresh veggies, fresh baked bread and ate at the NC Seafood Restaurant - ummmm, good stuff. I went up to church when we got home - stayed for quite a while. We've made some major changes to Sunday School and children's ministry - had to get that taken care of.

Sunday was good. I stayed in Kids Zone for the morning then to the Glover's home for lunch. We stayed there most of the day then they came over to watch "The Pursuit of Happiness." Very good movie. Don't tell Rhonda I said that - I gave her a hard time about having to watch it. Before it came on I watched the USA basketball team with the FIBA gold medal. Love watching the USA team.

Monday was pretty good - off for labor day. We spent the whole day in the yard... doing yard work. Started about 9 AM and laid down for a rest after a shower about 3:30 PM. Good stuff. I'm still a bit sore.

Sports - Braves are... drifting to the bottom of the pile. Tarheels won their first game. Other teams I watched - Clemson beat FSU (called that one). Georgia Bulldogs won theirs (lived in GA 4 years - college - so I pull for the Dawgs, and my college roomie lives their and pulls for them). NCSU & Duke lost! Other than the Braves, my teams did pretty well.

Time for bed!

In Summary

What's been going on lately? It seems like I get busier and busier at church. Home life is pretty even. My oldest daughter will be going to school, 3rd grade, a week from Monday. My youngest will go to a Christian Day School when no one is available to keep her.

Saw Bourne Ultimatum - great movie. Brings everything to a close. Great stuff. Used the shaky camera - looking like you are right there with the action.

Took the youth group to Busch Gardens Williamsburg - great time there. Rode the new Griffin roller coaster. Big-time fun! If you've not been and can go... get there soon. Stopped at Sonic on the way home.

Restructured our adult Sunday School program. We've had all the adults meeting together in the Fellowship Hall this summer. We've served a light breakfast each Sunday. Now we've combined out two "oldest" classes into one - the PrimeTimers. We brought back our "middle-adults" the Seekers. We are also creating a new class, HomeBuilders. This will be for married folks. We are hoping to pull in some of our couples who don't already come to Sunday School into this class.

Made changes in our Children's Ministry on Sunday mornings. We've really enjoyed the children all meeting together for the Sunday School and Church hours, but it has been difficult for the 3 main workers to keep it together. SO, we are going to have a large group start for the first 15 minutes, then the children go to their small groups - Sunday School. After Sunday School, they come back to the gym for a large group celebration (Worship, prayer, scripture memorization, object lesson, etc.). After the celebration they go to their Kids Zone worker of the day for a craft, Sunday School review, games etc. Our theme will be "God's Training Station."I'll be the Engineer. Our pastor will be the Conductor, of course. Sunday School teachers and Kids Zone workers will be Station Masters. Special helpers will be Porters and the children will be Stewards.

Joined a fantasy football league. This is a first for me. I've wanted to be in one for a while. In fact, I've kicked around the idea of having one at Shiloh, just haven't yet. This will give me a chance to check it out. Found out there are no girls in the league, so that takes care of the whole getting beat by a girl thing. So, there's that.

That's all for now. Getting ready for Fusion Live (youth service). Probably should be looking that over.

Eating in Wilson

I'm starting a new string (is that the right word?). It will be eating in Wilson, NC restaurants. We'll see how it goes.

Tonight, after getting a hair cut, we went to Chili's with Cecil & Ann Lemmons. Cecil cut my hair. They are both GREAT folks. Papa Cecil and Mema Ann. Our kids love them.

Rhonda and I split a couple of dishes. We ordered the Southwestern Egg Rolls off the appetizer menu along with the new Texas Cheese Fries. The Cheese Fries had cheese (of course), bacon and jalapenos on them. Ummmm good. The Southwestern Egg Rolls were great. They are a long-time favorite. We also ordered the Chicken Club Tacos. They were excellent. No we couldn't eat everything. We brought home a couple of boxes. The girls got the kids rib basket with broccoli and the pizza basket with baked apples. We also ordered chips and salsa for an appetizer. The Lemmons both ordered the Chicken Club Tacos. I'd recommend all the above ordered, except the pizza. Just didn't look good, but then it was a kids menu item.

I'll give it a 9 out of 10. The waiter was a bit slow, but he told us they were short handed and he seemed to be working half the tables in the restaurant. So we cut him some slack.

Snip it

Ok, for a snip it of my life...

In the last two weeks:

• I went to see Transformers with some boys from my youth group - great movie, great time with the guys.
• My wife and girls are Virginia visiting my in-laws - be gone for a week.
• I've spent more time reading other peoples blogs than writing my own (obviously).
• Putting the finishing touches on a rafting trip.
• Booked my trip to the National Youth Workers Convention in Atlanta. My wife will be going with me. How cool is that? She's never been interested in that before.
• Been playing with my iPod. I've figured out how to play it through the Kids Zone and youth group sounds systems. So no more burning CDs for music. I'll just play it through the iPod. Very cool.
• Got the church to get a subscription to www.powerpointsermons.com. They do really good stuff. I've been putting our pastor's sermon notes on SongShow for Sundays. A bit time consuming, but worth it. Of course I know what he is preaching before everyone else - that's kind of cool. Maybe I'll offer people a sneak peak for a price. Hmmmmm $$$$

I guess that's all for now. Time for bed.

Post 100

The counter says this is post 100. I've gotten there a bit slower than most folks, I bet. BUT... hmmmm, no real words of wisdom after that comment. Sorry.

Here's an idea. If you read this, then post a comment, anything. Just give me a shout-out that you are there. That would be cool.

I've been thinging what would make a good 100th post. I haven't a clue. So I'll just send a little update...

>>> Anniversary was great. Rhonda and I went to Myrtle Beach for a couple of days. FUN! We stayed at Harbor Lights Resort. One of our favorites.

>>> I sent my wife the last post, the one where I ask for iTunes gift certificates. She already had me one. How cool is that? I'll post what I buy. Anyone else can still send me some. She also bought me an iPod - the 30gig deal. Sweet!

>>> Heading to camp soon. I'm working the 1st - 3rd graders. Not sure this is a good idea. The GREAT thing is that Rhonda is working too AND my oldest daughter is a camper. Should be fun.

>>> I'll be preaching July 1. We have a deal called "Freedom Sunday." It is the closest Sunday preseeding 4th of July. We serve hot dogs/hamburgers, homemade ice-cream, snow-cones, cotten candy, etc. Our pastor already had a revival planned for another church, so I get the nod. I feel like a relief pitcher coming out of the dugout. Maybe I need my own music. What would be a good song to "run out onto the platform" to? Maybe "Bad to the Bone" or "We Will Rock You". That may not go over well. I'm sure "Shout to the Lord" would not work - I don't get too excited. I'll take any suggestions.

>>> Watched my nephew play little league baseball. He will be in the 2nd grade next year. I don't know if it was just me, but it seemed like there were only a couple of kids (especially him and a little girl) that actually knew they were in a game. He did good!

I guess that is it. I'm tired. Time for bed. Busy day tomorrow.

Send me a "Shout" for my 100th post! Thanks

The Latest

The latest what? I guess the latest about me, of course! It's been a while since my last post. I just get busy and then when I sit down to post, something else comes up, usually like ready everyone else's postings. That really eats your time. BUT, I get to read some really good ones.

One I read today compared the fastfood pictues to the real thing. You've got to check this out.

More? Here you go... (this is isn't all, I just don't want you to fall asleep at your computer and drool all over your keyboard - ewwww)

• Sunday (June 10) was Grad. Sunday. I got to preach even though it was our new pastor's second Sunday with us. What a cool honor. I used a bicycle in my sermon: Bicycle of Life: Getting Ready for a Brand New Journey. Here it is in a nutshell (without scripture refs. sorry. If you want them, just let me know). Wheels = Faith (got to have your own and keep them pumped up - I gave each grad a bike pump with "Faith" written on it.) Peddles = Action (get involved, go somewhere, enjoy life) Handlebars & Breaks = Direction & Choices (life is about choices, make good ones) Balance (control your life) The Journey ahead. The we prayed for each grad.
• Sunday night in Fusion Life (youth service) I used each of the grads favorite verse to talk about life. They really picked some good ones. They also submitted some quotes. One of my favorites what by Justin. He said, "God created us all to be superman, we have to choose to wear the S." That is so cool. God doesn't make any junk or mistakes - but we sure can make it look that way when we are outside of his will.
• Mine and Rhonda's anniversary is coming up - tomorrow - 14 years! I've got some special stuff planned - very creative this year (no, that doesn't mean cheap). I'll share more later - Rhonda may read my blog... but I doubt it.
• We went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End on opening night - I thought is was very good - a bit slow at the beginning, but it picked up nicely. Maybe a #4 coming. I hope so. Next big movie: Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer! Maybe taking the youth group boys. And YES, my wife is planning to see it with me too. She is so cool!
• UNC is in the College World Series! Is your team? Did you know that colleges play more than Football and Basketball? UNC is thinking about having a football team next year (ha ha ha). Go Heels!
• Took my 2 kids to the dentist today. No cavities AND the dentist and hygienist are both Heels fans.
• Did some downloading from iTunes this weekend. (hey, someone send me an iPod or at least some iTunes gift certs. - that would be nice). I downloaded some songs to used for the Grad. Picture Show (makes moms cry to see their babies all growing up). Here is my list... don't judge me...

I Still Believe - Jeremy Camp
What If - Jadon Lavik
Raging Sea - Michael W. Smith
How to Say Goodbye - Michael W. Smith
The Power of a Moment - Chris Rice ** This is the song we used**
Where You Lead Me - MercyMe
Follow Your Dreams - Raze
Smellin' Coffee - Chris Rice
8th Grade - Chris Rice
He Believes In You - Aaron Benward
Lifesong - Casting Crowns
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper -- yes, I'm a closet Cyndi Lauper fan, now the word is out --
Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
She Bop - Cyndi Lauper
You're the Inspiration - Chicago

The first two, I'd downloaded several months ago for different youth services. The last few were, well, old memories. BTW: That is my whole iTunes list.

Here's an idea: post your last 10 iTunes downloads! Tag, your it.

That's all for now. My next post will be #100. I can sense your excitement.

Little Update

So much has been going on lately. Here is a short rundown.

We have a new pastor, Rev. T. Elwood Long. He was my pastor in the late 80's at Mt. Carmel and then our Conference Superintendent after that for 11 years. In fact, he was the superintendent when I received my minister's license and then my ordination 2 years later. I'm excited to be working with him. He has much wisdom.

Memorial Day was nice. That was the Sunday the church voted on Pastor Long. We did not have an evening service, so we had some extra family time.

School is almost out and my daughter is VERY excited. We are fixing snow cones for her class Monday.

Graduation Sunday is June 10th. No, I'm not ready. I get to preach Grad. Sunday, but I've got other things to prepare for that Sunday too - senior picture show is the biggest deal.

We start a new Sunday School and Kid's Zone schedule Sunday - for the summer. All the adults will be meeting together for Sunday School. The teachers will rotate through the summer. The kids will all meet together from Sunday School (9:45 AM) through the end of morning worship (about noon). We are using a VBS program and building around that. I will be an exciting summer.

I guess that's enough for now.

Writing a Reference Letter - about yourself

There have been several things I've been planning to blog about, just no time. Our pastor's last Sunday was Mother's Day Sunday and I've got some extra duties (as well as an all day Annual Conference coming up). I still have my own duties (ministry, youth group, children's ministry, the bulletin, etc.) as well as getting ready for some new stuff. Anyway, I've had this one particular verse come to my mind/heart several times and today, HomeWord had it as the key verse in their daily devotion. If you don't get HomeWord devotions, give them a try.

Here is the devotion... very good stuff:

The Reference Letter
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.—Romans 12:3

When I was preparing to graduate from college, I began working on my resume. As a college graduate, I was proud of my education, my honors and achievements, and of the experiences I had accumulated. I was ready to meet the world and for the world to meet me! I had every intention of landing the perfect job after the first interview and beginning my life as a professional. Only one small obstacle was left to overcome: receiving a letter of reference from one of the hardest professors in my department. Because I worked in the department during my college years, I was very familiar with his procedure of writing letters of reference. I watched many highly capable, confident students walk into his office with the request for a reference, only to walk out of the office nervous, frustrated, and a little lost. I always thought it was a little comical until it was my turn. What was it that changed so much in the time it took to walk into the office and turn around and walk out? The assignment. This particular professor was happy to be a reference if the student wrote his or her own letter describing his or her strengths, weaknesses, areas of growth, and personal assessment of future potential. He would read the letter, make any suggestions for change and then sign the finished product. It was a daunting task and one that likely still makes graduates nauseous.

I don’t remember what I wrote in my letter, but I do remember his comment. “You have a good grasp of Romans 12:3.” At the time I had little understanding of what Romans 12:3 was all about, but I quickly looked it up in my Bible, underlined it and put it in my heart as a verse to live by.

Culture today could use a fresh dose of this truth. It only takes a moment to see why. Many athletes pound their chests, talk smack, and dance around the end zones in personal celebration. Actors and musicians seek fame and attention at any cost. Marketers and advertisers shout the mantra “it’s all about you,” and “You’re worth it!” If
you think the church has escaped this poison, think again. Success-oriented ministries abound, and many leaders have fallen hard thinking they were above the temptations that eventually seized them.

Philippians 2: 3-4 reads,
“Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand” (The Message).