Chick-Fil-A Props

Zac and I had lunch at Chick-Fil-A today.  I gotta give them props:

• All the employees are always courteous
• They were packed today but incredibly fast
• The drive-thru is always fast even when the line is long
• The food is always hot and fresh
• The sweet tea is awesome
• The manager is on the ball
• They advertise Christian music festivals
• They are closed on Sunday so employees can worship (yet they survive financially…how does that work? )
• Their shakes taste real…not like some powdered mix
• I never leave there irritated, frustration or unhappy

Some people don’t like to compare business to the church, but in reality I hope that people feel the same way about LCC.  (except the being closed on Sundays part)

• All the members are always friendly
• There was a good crowd and the service was fast paced…not slow and boring
• The refreshments were great
• The leaders were on the ball
• They advertised upcoming events well and clear
• Their messages/teachings/people were real…not fake
• I leave feeling upbeat, happy, ready to tackle another week

Success & Suicide

Owen Wilson…38 years old…a hilarious actor…millionairre…well-loved, etc.  Suffers from depression and apparantly tried to take his own life this week.  I’ve seen a few of his movies and this guy is incredibly gifted.

Depression is a very real deal.  These types of news items should serve to remind us…that success in the world’s eyes doesn’t lead to happiness and satisfaction.

I read another article on Yahoo today about 6 ideas to lift your spirits when you are feeling down.  There were a few nice ideas…but God, faith, prayer, music was not part of the equation.  People are looking everywhere for happiness and contentment.

There’s a God-shaped hole in all of us…only He can fill it.

Wacky Wednesday

It wasn’t really Wacky…I was just in a mood to alliterate…

• The church planter interviews went well.  Our state convention approved 8 new church planters or church planter apprentices today.  It’s great to see all the diversity in our state.  I love to see the passion in couples whom God is calling to put it on the line and step out in faith and start a new church.  I’m so glad we did it…can’t believe it was 5 1/2 years ago now!
• My son started blogging last week.  He’s a pretty good writer with a nice sarcastic sense of humor.  Not sure where he gets that   Here’s the link.
• Anybody else having a tough time with allergies?  This year is bothering me worse than normal…I’m ready for our first frost…I’m always feeling better after that.
• Looking forward to meeting the newest member of our church.  Maryn Feehs is on a plane right now on her way home from China.  The Feehs family just completed their adoption of Maryn.  I hope she likes LCC!
• Had a great monthly meeting with my advisory team tonight.  God’s blessed me with a great circle of men to support me in my role as Pastor of our great church.
• I’m still very pumped about this Fall.  We just completed our highest average August attendance…and that bodes well for September & October.  We are undergoing a makeover of our image of sorts as well….new service times, new website next week, new bulletins in a few weeks, new signs, etc…  Yea…I like the new!
• Only 8 days until opening night of the NFL season…Colts vs. Saints on Thursday night…that should be fun!

Richmond, VA

On the road today.  I serve on the executive board of the SBCV.  I am on the sub-committee for church planting and I have the priviledge of assisting in the leading of the last stage interviews of church planting candidates.  We have 2 interviews this morning.  It’s always refreshing to see their excitement and passion for what they believe God is calling them to do.

Blog #200

This is my 200th Blog entry…so time to teach you everything you need to know about blogging…

Mark Roach

I just bought this new worship CD today on iTunes. 

If you like fresh, new worship music…you will like this CD.   I believe it’s the first release by Mark Roach…it’s entitled Every Reason Why.  If you like Chris Tomlin and the like…you’ll probably like this.

Here is a link to some 30 second clips.

The Problem with Priorities

I mentioned priorities in my message yesterday.  I gave the standard speech: #1 should be God, #2 should be Family, #3 should be Ministry/Church and so on…  That sounds about right, doesn’t it? 

I was reading the blog of a fellow church planter/pastor and friend this afternoon and he wrote a great post today on this very topic.  Ben is a great blogger…enjoy!

A Quick Quote from Rick Warren

“Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is get some sleep.” - Rick Warren

Sunday Recap

It’s that time again…

• One word to describe my morning: hectic.  I took on the organization side of the smoothie fellowship without recruiting a lot of help on the prep side of things…which caused me to have a hectic morning…and you add the renting the school issues that come up the week before school starts…and you get hectic.  It all went smoothie, though
• The service went well.  Always miss the drums when our drummers are absent, but Josh did a good job of getting the congregation to provide a little percussion.  The music was great and my oldest daughter, Tori, did a great job in helping me as my “smoothie assistant.” 
• A great last Sunday in August crowd…we ended up with our highest August average attendance in the 5 years of our church.  Of course this bodes well for September & October which are typically times of growth and everyone is back from all their vacations!
• Looking forward to a different kind of service next week.  We’re having Communion next Sunday morning and let’s just say it we’ll be throwing a change-up at you next week!
• Also looking forward to our brand new series beginning on September 9th
• School begins tomorrow for my girls.  It’s hard to believe that summer is basically over!  Pray for Sherri as she begins her first year of teaching 1st grade.
• Time for a nice back-to-school family dinner night…I think it’s going to be Cracker Barrel!

Smoothie Recipes

The Smoothies were a great success today.  Here are the recipes that I blended up in the message today:

Smoothie #1 “Strawberry Lemonade”

• 2 Cups Lemonade
• 2 Cups Frozen Strawberries
• 1 Cup Strawberry Yogurt 

Smoothie #2 “Strawberry-Banana”

• 1 Cup Frozen Strawberries
• 1 Cup Apple Juice
• 1 Cup Orange Juice
• 1 Frozen Banana
• 1 Cup Strawberry Yogurt
• ¼ Cup Sugar 

Smoothie #3 “Tropical”

• ½ Cup Crushed Pineapple
• 1 Cup Apricot (or 6 apricot halves)
• 2 Cups Frozen Strawberries
• 1 Frozen Banana
• 2 Cups Milk