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I did just get word from the school that air conditioning has been fixed and we should be good to go for Sunday.   It’s definitely a good thing…I don’t think you were ready for me to be preaching in shorts and a tank quite yet.

• We just got back from PA.  I’m exhausted.  We helped my parents move and settle in to their new home.  It’s a 2 hour drive…so not so bad, but I’ve done the up and back twice now in the last few days so I could be back for Sunday worship…and so my wife (whose calling is interior decorating) could go up and help my parents set-up their home. 
• We did miss the church picnic today although my son stayed behind and represented the Markles.  I think this was the first churchwide event I have missed in 5 years.  It felt weird, but it was great to see things go on without our presence.  I received a great report and heard we had a great crowd of at least 70 people.  I especially missed the softball game!
• We had a great service yesterday although we had the typical low attendance due to the holiday.  Can we count the families who made it back for the picnic today in our count?
• Oh yea…it was extremely hot yesterday at church.  The school’s A/C is broken…I don’t think I’ve sweat that much in preaching before…I guess if it’s not fixed by next Sunday, I might be breaking out the shorts and t-shirts.  Serioulsly!  (The custodian told us they expect it to be fixed on Tuesday…I will keep you posted.)
• Be looking for a separate blog this week on how you can support one of our teenagers - Josh Feehs - on his short-term missions trip to Brazil at the end of June.

• My son and I are getting on the road in an hour to go help my parents move.  They are moving to a home only 10 minute away from their current home, but they are moving to a 1-level living type of situation where they can turn part of the garage into an apartment for my grandparents.  I wonder if I will be doing something like this for them one day…
• I’m still reeling from my trip to the dentist yesterday.  I didn’t realize how much a crown would cost.  I might be looking for side work so I can keep my teeth.
• Glad to see Jordan will Idol last night.  But the show was a bit ridiculous:  Bette Midler was horrible, Taylor Hicks is a joke, The Golden Idols were very dumb, and we had to see Sanjaya sing one of his worst songs.   And what about the show’s timing…running 10 minutes overtime?  A little ridiculous!
• Reading a new book called “Comeback Churches” by Ed Stetzer.  It is about 300 churches that turned around (declining or dead and now on the rise).  Of course LCC doesn’t fit the profile, but there is much to learn from this book.
• Josh asked me today to name my current 5 favorite bands/musicians.  This is a tough one.  In no particular order, I’d say: Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, TobyMac & Hillsong (any variety of Hillsong)  This list could change tomorrow…these are the first ones that come to mind.

I’m a little hyper about keeping my Inbox cleaned out as efficiently as possible.  It’s funny to think about how we did business 10years ago…and now today.  My inbox is basically my “todo” list.  I even email myself reminders.  BUT, I actually took Monday off and I feel like I’ve been just climbing up an inbox mountain ever since….not sure how long it will take to get to the top.  Do you ever want to just delete everything in your inbox and just tell people your computer crashed? 

It’s late and I’m my normal Sunday night exhausted but here are my thoughts on the day…

• Church was fun today…yea fun!  I had a blast worshiping with God’s people, hanging out and talking with the people, meeting the guests and preaching the Word.  Yes…it was FUN!
• I’m really excited about this new series we started today…The Movement.  It was an enjoyable message to study for and to deliver.  And yea…that Hank Williams song, I Saw the Light fit perfectly!
• I did get choked up in the message today when talking about how I was using a Bible that Jerry Falwell signed for me in 1989 while I was at Liberty U.  The man inspired me big time…and I’m so thankful for how he impacted my life.
• My sin of the day…I had 2 Krispy Kreme today…not good…but the sugar rush before the service isn’t all bad.
• E-give is a good thing…it has helped increase our giving.

It’s a cool Friday morning (my day off :-))  My rambling thougths…

• I actually enjoyed mowing the grass this morning from 730-830 am while listening to Hillsong’s latest CD in my iPod.  My son usually mows…I hope he doesn’t read this blog.
• I’m looking forward to The Movement…my new series on Paul beginning this Sunday. 
• I purchased a DVD movie, called “Paul the Apostle” which came out a few years ago.   I thought I might be able to play some clips from it during the series.  IT IS SO CHEESY…I am almost embarassed for the actors in this.  You’ll be seeing this on eBay real soon.
• When are the Baltimore Orioles going to be good again?  They need to fire their manager and hitting coach yesterday.  It’s hard to be a die-hard fan.
• Amazing to continue watching all the coverage of Jerry Falwell’s death.  Even most of his “enemies” have great things to say about him personally.
• Having a blast managing my son’s baseball team…we’re now 7-1-1 after last night’s 13-8 win.
• We have a whiteboard in our garage with 2 countdowns…number of days left til end of school and number of days until we head to Myrtle Beach.  I started this a few weeks ago and my kids are changing the numbers each day…pretty cool!
• My wife is amazing - incredible stamina and character.  She teaches pre-k and has about 2 weeks to go.  She is finishing strong as always.  She is so not-a-slacker …which always challenges me.
• Josh debuts a new song from Matt Redman this Sunday at LCC  - Shine - it’s a great song that you might want to grab today on iTunes.

Ed  Young is one of my “mentors from a distance.”  He’s the pastor of Fellowship Church in Dallas, TX.  His video blog entry from Monday morning was great for pastors.  I’d thought I’d share it here with you.

The news of Jerry’s death yesterday hit me harder than I expected.  I heard the news just as I was getting in my vehicle to drive home from Richmond.  Although many hated the man and disagreed with his politics, he had a huge impact on our lives.  Sherri and I both entered Liberty University in the Fall of 1988.  His preaching, his vision, his character, his love for us…all made an impact on the decisions we made during our college years.  His storytelling of the vision and building of Thomas Road Baptist Church played a big part in me going into full-time ministry.  His sermons were always motivational.  He was full of Godly wisdom.  Too much to say here.   Jerry will be missed.

This is a picture from 1991.  Sherri and I attended a banquet during our Junior year at Liberty.  He always had time for pictures with anybody who wanted one.

Tom & Valerie Einwechter are incredible volunteers at LCC.  Tom is here every Sunday for unloading the trailer at 7:15 am.  He is our head sound man and does an incredible job of running sound for us.  Then he stays til the end for the packing of the trailer.  Valerie does a great job on the keyboard for our band and she volunteers in the nursery during OverTime each week.  David does an awesome job filling in on the drums when he is home from college.  Thanks for all you guys do for the Lord at LCC!