Mondays - on Tuesday

Here I am at 7:00 AM on a Tuesday sensing that I need to start my week over and wishing it were Monday. (Thus the video in the post!) We had an incredible day at church yesterday. It has always been a tough for me to elevate one particular worship time over another because when I really ponder what each service brings to the seeker and Christ-follower, how one service impresses an individual may be completely different to another. Yesterday we hosted numbers that are usually reserved for Easter & Christmas. During the worship time one of our Teaching Pastors - Tim Stary, spoke from the Book of Mark. To make a short sermon even shorter - he simply spoke to how the "big" miracle in our lives as Christ-followers is simply the living of our life that shows Christ as God/Savior. Then some exceptionally brave people from our church family wrote a simple statement on a piece of cardboard of their life and how the spiritual journey with Christ has manifested itself. This was simple - not unique, but a first for us at Southside. People had an opportunity to experience the awe and wonder of lives that have been transformed and be encouraged to live a life of purpose and discovery.

Now, here is my Monday - a constant stream of phone calls, emails and personal visits from people expressing their appreciation for the worship time on Sunday. Probably one of the least - and yet most productive days I have ever experienced. I realize that I may sound a bit dramatic but literally all day long people were speaking of worship and what it was to them. Though I was only 1 of a team of no-less than 25 people - I was the recipient of such great encouragement and appreciation.

Well, I still have an immense amount of work to accomplish and need to get 16 hours of work completed on a Tuesday. There is a blessing there - I know it!

The Weepies - Life

It has been such a long time - I will work hard in this post to not lament my schedule. I will admit right up front (and have before in post) that I love to invest time & energy into my wife, kids , church and worthwhile community organizations. I am now to "step 1" in the 12 step process and am admitting that my "energy" is limited especially when it comes to actually being productive in that investment of time. Last night I rolled-off as president of our local downtown organization. During the meeting I had to acknowledge at some level that this past year of my life with all of its dynamics simply resulted in a less-than-desirable tenure as president. We (oops! I need to say "I") often want to rationalize the outcome in relationship to our (my) output and at times I had to catch myself in that rationalization.
Now as I review my work and ministry at church I have to walk that same careful line and manage my time and energy in productive, positive ways. I am so fortunate to be a part of a family of faith that wants to serve and be Christ-followers. Over the past couple of months we have been blessed to see spiritual people in our family of faith willing to minister, lead, serve just very inspirational. I just have to do my part and as Paul encourages "to the best of my ability."
So, now with step 1 behind me (kinda) my youngest man child (Dylon) has hooked me up with this new group The Weepies. I just love their folk-styled music. I am not to hip on this puppet music video, but I do love the words. Get past the puppets and listen with your eyes closed. I think you will love it!

Anderson Cooper and Chicken

Last night I along with my beautiful wife were in the last stages of our day preparing for the much needed sleep that comes from toiling during the sunshine. We are watching Anderson Cooper 360 as I have quickly tired of the "sky is falling" information related to the first 100 days and the NYSE. We both laughed after watching the following clips. I in my subtle under-the-breath-body-shaking and Jill in her boisterous manner. We were remembering a recent trip to the local KFC in which I had a hankering for some fried chicken only to be greeted along with the lunch time rush with "we are out of chicken!" Now, I'll try to avoid the obvious dissertation as to why KFC (which is an acrostic for Kentucky Fried CHICKEN) should never run out of chicken. I suppose I could see why one would want to call 911 and then go home and make some brownies.