Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Fun in the snow
So,
Today it snowed like 10 inches...really, 10 inches. Trust me, I had to shovel it all 3 times. Some people don't like to drive in the snow, but I think I'm starting to like it a little too much. It's so sweet to live right next to a big empty parking lot where you can "practice" your snow driving skills.
We had to make the short trek to church this morning in the midst of the storm and I wasn't quite sure the little red beast could make it all the way and back, but we had no problems. It feels somewhat natural to slide a bit as you round a corner and then grab traction.
It's all well and good until another car comes along!
Today it snowed like 10 inches...really, 10 inches. Trust me, I had to shovel it all 3 times. Some people don't like to drive in the snow, but I think I'm starting to like it a little too much. It's so sweet to live right next to a big empty parking lot where you can "practice" your snow driving skills.
We had to make the short trek to church this morning in the midst of the storm and I wasn't quite sure the little red beast could make it all the way and back, but we had no problems. It feels somewhat natural to slide a bit as you round a corner and then grab traction.
It's all well and good until another car comes along!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Life is a Highway
So we had our first "group" motorcycle ride this past Sunday. It's amazing how one similar thing can bring people together from all walks of life. We had 5/4 bikes ride with us Sunday. Unfortunately one didn't start once they arrived so only 4 made the 30 mile trip to "The Barn" in Springfield. A great little restaurant for pizza if you ever see it.
I don't know what will be next for the group. I'm thinking maybe a prayer ride from one campus to the next. Just being out on the open road is something that's hard to explain. The "freedom" and thrill of feeling the road how it was meant to be felt. The respect of the bike, pavement, and other vehicles that heightens your senses. I don't know what it is that leaves you wanting more but it's something that I think everyone experiences in one way or another. Maybe not on a bike, but somewhere in their life.
Special prayers for the families of Milton-Union tonight.
I don't know what will be next for the group. I'm thinking maybe a prayer ride from one campus to the next. Just being out on the open road is something that's hard to explain. The "freedom" and thrill of feeling the road how it was meant to be felt. The respect of the bike, pavement, and other vehicles that heightens your senses. I don't know what it is that leaves you wanting more but it's something that I think everyone experiences in one way or another. Maybe not on a bike, but somewhere in their life.
Special prayers for the families of Milton-Union tonight.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Today's Teens
So Friday night,
Friday night, we had 100 teens show up to the YMCA Fifth Quarter event. The event was meant for kids in middle school but of course some kids on both sides of the age spectrum showed up. I don't necessarily mind if kids show up who aren't exactly in middle school, but the guys with tattoos, beards, and balding heads probably stretch the age limit. So how do we stop that? I dunno...they tell us they're 14 when they come in, but when no parent shows up to pick them up, they suddenly pull our car keys and say they can get themselves home. What to do?
Then we have the kids who are the right age, but try not to have their parents find out where they are. As many times as some of them come, they never seem to have a ride home. Not only do they not have a ride, they try to hide that fact from us. Of course we also have the kids show up who are high and what are we supposed to do about that? We don't see them do it, just kind of suspect that's the case.
100 middle school teens on a Friday night after a football game are crazy. They are out of control, out of line, and out of their mind (literally)...but we still love them and they still need us. Let's hope we can continue to find ways to reach them and influence them through these chaotic events!
Friday night, we had 100 teens show up to the YMCA Fifth Quarter event. The event was meant for kids in middle school but of course some kids on both sides of the age spectrum showed up. I don't necessarily mind if kids show up who aren't exactly in middle school, but the guys with tattoos, beards, and balding heads probably stretch the age limit. So how do we stop that? I dunno...they tell us they're 14 when they come in, but when no parent shows up to pick them up, they suddenly pull our car keys and say they can get themselves home. What to do?
Then we have the kids who are the right age, but try not to have their parents find out where they are. As many times as some of them come, they never seem to have a ride home. Not only do they not have a ride, they try to hide that fact from us. Of course we also have the kids show up who are high and what are we supposed to do about that? We don't see them do it, just kind of suspect that's the case.
100 middle school teens on a Friday night after a football game are crazy. They are out of control, out of line, and out of their mind (literally)...but we still love them and they still need us. Let's hope we can continue to find ways to reach them and influence them through these chaotic events!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Men's Room
If you were to enter a church for the first time, what would grab your attention and let you know that you are cared for?
I think most people would look at the atmosphere, maybe expect people to say hello, and a whole slew of other typical answers to this question. My answer would be "the men's room." If I were to walk into a church and needed to visit the little boys room and walked into a room of flowers, pink accents, and a small couch, I would probably head out the door running.
So here is my advice to pastors looking to create a welcoming space for the men of their church.
I think most people would look at the atmosphere, maybe expect people to say hello, and a whole slew of other typical answers to this question. My answer would be "the men's room." If I were to walk into a church and needed to visit the little boys room and walked into a room of flowers, pink accents, and a small couch, I would probably head out the door running.
So here is my advice to pastors looking to create a welcoming space for the men of their church.
- Be sure there are dividers between the urinals...very very important.
- I wouldn't mind seeing pictures of hot cars and motorcycles instead of flowers or scripture verses.
- A flat panel tv above the urinal would seal the deal and if a PS2 happened to be connected to that, I'd become a member that day.
- Turn an old trash can into a robot of some sort...I would recommend R2-D2.
- Finally, make everything automatic. There is no sense in having automatic flushers and sinks if then you have to touch a nasty towel dispenser or blow dryer or open the door with your once clean hands.
Technology 2.0.0.8
So I find myself pulled in different directions being 26 years old in 2008.
Apparently my generation is defined as the internet generation. We are expected to be connected to everything all the time. I am informed by my wife that I need a blog, twitter, myspace, facebook, website, text messaging, instant message, sky writing air plane, digital marquee, and whatever else can tell the world what I'm doing at every moment.
So I guess my compromise is starting this blog. I am what some may call an introvert. I like my privacy and I like some time away from the rest of the world. So I choose not to be connected in every way and I'm ok with that.
I feel that while we now have more ways than ever to be connected with everyone we've ever crossed paths with, we are truly the least connected. How often do we actually speak to someone? When is the last time we held a face to face conversation with an old friend. If we are going to find new ways to connect with people, I challenge everyone of us to hold on to those most personal ways such as phone calls, handwritten letters, and even impromptu visits.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against new ways of communicating. I just hope we don't lose the personal touch with all these new ways of mass communicating.
Apparently my generation is defined as the internet generation. We are expected to be connected to everything all the time. I am informed by my wife that I need a blog, twitter, myspace, facebook, website, text messaging, instant message, sky writing air plane, digital marquee, and whatever else can tell the world what I'm doing at every moment.
So I guess my compromise is starting this blog. I am what some may call an introvert. I like my privacy and I like some time away from the rest of the world. So I choose not to be connected in every way and I'm ok with that.
I feel that while we now have more ways than ever to be connected with everyone we've ever crossed paths with, we are truly the least connected. How often do we actually speak to someone? When is the last time we held a face to face conversation with an old friend. If we are going to find new ways to connect with people, I challenge everyone of us to hold on to those most personal ways such as phone calls, handwritten letters, and even impromptu visits.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against new ways of communicating. I just hope we don't lose the personal touch with all these new ways of mass communicating.
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