Nothing vs. Something

I have been looking forward to the weekend, and as it stands right now, I have nothing planned. And that is a good thing. Nothing can be good. I'm not saying that something is bad, but every once in a while, nothing can be really nice.

I take it back. There is something scheduled for this weekend, and it's very important. It's College Football! Yeah! College Football kicked off last night with several games and will continue through until Monday night. But in some ways, watching football on TV is still nothing. But once again, nothing can be really nice.

It's also becoming apparent to me that I have "nothing" to write about today.

Cubicles Video

The first of August we held our annual Leadership Conference at McGregor. Our Ed Team produced a video entitles Cubicles that we opened the conference with. At that time, I blogged I was working on getting the video available online where anyone could watch it (we actually had a lot of requests). Well, it's finally here. So enjoy (video is about 15 minutes long).

Changes...Part 2

I mentioned in an earlier post about some changes coming to our schedule at McGregor. Here goes the "more info" I promised...

Starting January 2008, we will make two major adjustments to our church schedule. First, we will no longer have a Sunday evening Worship Service. Second, we will start a brand new midweek worship service that is designed to help believers grow in their faith. There it is, two changes that have huge implications for those who call McGregor home.

Personally, I am very excited about these changes because of how they position our church for the future. Let me share with you several benefits I believe these changes will bring to our church.

• Focus - I mentioned this in an earlier blog post as being one of the major reasons I am excited about these changes. The new schedule is a way to help us focus our energy on the mission and priority of McGregor - making fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
• Simplicity - As we grow as a church, the tendency is to do more. When in reality, we need to do fewer things better.
• Stewardship - We always want to be wise stewards of all the resources God has blessed us with and this includes people resources. By putting our focus on Sunday AM and Wed PM, we are maximizing member's time by focusing on the two times when the majority of our members are on campus.
• Strategic - Sunday AM is all about connecting. Believer's connecting with God in worship and also providing a place for unbelievers to begin the process of connecting with God. Wed PM is going to be all about helping the believer grow deeper in his or her walk with God. It will be a brand new worship experience that will be totally discipleship oriented. I love the two-prong approach to these two worship experiences!

Let me conclude by saying that I know how hard change is for everyone. I am the first to resist change. But I try to constantly remind myself that without change, I cannot grow. To learn and to develop means I must change. And so while I am excited about the changes, I know for many, this will be a process of adjusting and adapting to. That's okay. As long as we are moving forward, we'll adjust and adapt together.

I can't wait for 2008!

Web Sites I Use Almost Everyday

We talked about this on the Mark and Miller show a couple of weeks ago, but I thought I would put it down for anyone curious. Here goes...

Pandora - Be warned. If you like music, this may become your home page. It is basically a music listening site that your get to customize with your own reviews. That's right. Somehow your feedback on songs it plays creates an evolving custom playlist just for you. Not sure how it does it, but it is awesome.
Google Reader - If you're reading more than 2 blogs a day, you got have a reader! Google's reader works great and it's free! This is how I keep up with Engadget, Steven Anderson, and many other wonderful blogs.
FoxNews - still one of my favorite places to get my daily news.
Facebook - I've not yet submerged myself into the Facebook world/culture. I guess you could say I'm a casual observer, trying to see how this could benefit me.
BibleGateway - I have started using this online Bible Software in place of the regular Bible software I have been using for years. It's faster and doesn't take up any room on my computer.
National Hurricane Center - I live in southwest Flroida anf its hurricane season - need I sway more.

Macy's Favorite: The Food Network - she actually uses this site quite often, looking up recipes and printing them off.

A Few Other of My Favorites:
Kayak - my favorite travel site.
Google Maps - never get lost again
Peet's Coffee - best coffee roasted and sold in the United States. I'm drinking right now Espresso Forte.
Amazon - I'm amazed at how often I still go here when I need something. They just get it done and with no hassles.

Changes...They Are A Coming

Today was an another awesome day at McGregor.

We had a great time in Worship in the AM services. I loved the time spent with my Bible study class this morning. We have an awesome group of young couples who are hungry to grow in their faith. I love being around them.

Tonight was really special. Our worship choir led us in an awesome time of praise and worship. We celebrated as a church family the Lord's Supper. And Pastor Powell shared with us the vision for our church as it relates to our schedule in January 2008. (I'll share specifics of the schedule changes in an upcoming post.) I am personally excited about the benefits the schedule change will bring to our church. We'll be more focused and more efficient with the resources God has given us. Will it be easy for everyone to adjust. No. Just ask my wife. But in the long run, it will position us better for "doing whatever it takes to make fully devoted follower of Christ."

We topped it all off by opening up Studio G (our newest building) for everyone to go over and look around. I've said it before here, but what an incredible space this is for our students, our school and our college and young singles. What a blessing!

Thanks God for another awesome Sunday!

An Awesome Team

I think I have the team to win our Fantasy Football League this year!

Things didn't start out so well. Our draft was a fiasco. We were attempting an online draft, but we ran into technical challenges and had to do the entire draft manually. Which meant Gerald and myself had to enter all the draft results in manually after we finished the draft. But other than that, we had a blast.

For anyone who cares, here's my team:

Leinart, Matt QB ARI

Addai, Joseph RB IND

Maroney, Laurence RB NE

Driver, Donald WR GB

Edwards, Braylon WR CLE

Fitzgerald, Larry WR ARI

Crumpler, Alge TE ATL

Mare, Olindo K NO

Chargers, DST DST SD

Losman, J.P. QB BUF

Henry, Travis RB DEN

Bruce, Isaac WR STL

Clark, Desmond TE CHI

Nedney, Joe K SF

Cardinals, DST DST ARI

Online Banks

I am very intrigued by online banks.

I'm not talking about online banking, but rather a bank that replaces the local brick and mortar building. After doing a little research, it seems that an online bank can now legitimately replace my traditional bank and branch model completely.

What caught my attention initially with online banks were their great rates. A typical online bank's saving account may have a 5% yield. That's about 10 times the return on most traditional bank savings accounts. Some online banks allow you to use any brand ATM and they automatically reimburse any fees that may occur. Now that's pretty cool.

Now don't think I'm getting ready to switch any time soon. I ran this by the family banker (Macy) and she was not too impressed. But at least she listened.

I am intrigued. For more information on online banks, check out this Money Magazine article.

My First Fantasy Football League

I'm excited. This Thursday we have our league draft. I'm working on my strategy. I can't wait. Get ready, you'll hear more about my experiences with fantasy football this season right here.

Thinking Back...

It's been another action filled, awesome week. Sunday evening is a good time for decompressing and thinking back over the week as I prepare for the upcoming one.

• I shared a devotional with our ministerial staff team on Monday entitled "Stretching." The premise: It's actually a good thing when we get stretched, especially as it relates to our spiritual growth.
  
• I had the opportunity to speak to our church's Mother's Morning Out teachers this week as part of their training for the new school year. I was given the assignment to challenge them in their spiritual growth. Awesome group of ladies and we had an awesome time. Thanks Tiffany for inviting me to speak.
• I'm loving being a part of the process with Shawn Bergen and some others on our staff team in dreaming and brainstorming what our church's evangelism strategy might look like in the near future.
• I am so glad football is finally here (even pre-season)!
  
• I have made a ton of progress in filling a couple of vacant staff positions!!! God is so good!
  
• I had my personal best 3 mile run time Saturday morning with 23:40!
• Macy and I had a great time with several young couples over to the house Friday night. I got to fire up the Espresso Machine big time. Man, I'm wearing that thing out!
• Thanks for a great lunch meeting Rob - I really enjoyed the fellowship.
• We had an awesome time in worship this morning at McGregor. I also had a great time in my Bible Study Class this morning (Macy shared a testimony about a physical struggle she went through in 2004 - she was awesome and I was so proud of her and her faith). I love Sunday mornings at McGregor!
• I'm bummed out NASCAR was rained out today. Set you TiVos/DVRs to noon tomorrow.
  
• I'm getting excited about being a part of a fantasy football league (more info on this in upcoming blogs).
• I'm so thankful for Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream!
  

Finally, let's pray for the people in Jamaica and others who will be in the path of Hurricane Dean.

"Difficult Plans"

I read the following quote earlier this week and have not been able to get it out of my mind.

God loves you and has a difficult plan for your life.

That's not the typical message we share with those who do not know Christ. In fact, very rarely do we even share that message with those who are wanting to grow in their faith. It's not something we tend to sing about in worship or study in our small groups. We struggle with the thought of someone who loves us and would allow us to experience difficulties in life.

Regardless of our struggle, it's still true. Paul's life is a great example. He lived out the call of Christ in his life while at the same time experiencing difficulty after difficulty.

Remember, in the midst of your next difficulty, consider first, God's love in your life.

Fighting City Hall Tonight

Well, not exactly. But we did make our presence known in somewhat of a community protest.

That's right. Macy has gotten me involved in the politics of our neighborhood. We attended, or at least we attempted to attend, a Gateway Services CDD meeting this evening (this was Macy 2nd "protest" meeting this week). You see, the board has decided that Gateway (the subdivision we live in) needs a 7.5 million dollar park. Now that's a pretty fancy park! Well, we arrived early to the meeting tonight, but because about 200 other people showed up in protest we couldn't get inside the building. So we stood outside with our "Stop the Park" buttons on, hoping to do something, anything.

Finally we heard over a speaker placed outside someone from the opposition reading a statement of concern. We then heard one of the board members addressing the issue. This is the only time it even felt like a protest, when there were a few boos while he spoke. The whole thing lasted about 20 minutes, the board closed the meeting and the crowd began to disperse. (FYI-This made the local news tonight. Must be a very slow night for local news.)

Finally - congrats to Sabra for winning "So You Think You Can Dance." She was my pick to win starting back about 4 weeks ago.

It's Happening To Me...

I never thought I would say this, but, I'm becoming a NASCAR fan.

It's been building over the last couple of months. I can't really explain it, but I find myself watching more and more racing each weekend. I knew I was crossing a line when I recorded the end of the race a few weeks so I wouldn't miss it. I've actually done that twice now!

Macy cannot believe I'm watching NASCAR. She sees no appeal in watching cars go round and round a track. I'm not sure if I'm getting into it because there is really nothing else sports related on right now or if I'm developing a true love for the sport. I'll have to wait and see.

Can any NASCAR fans out there tell me why I'm getting pulled in?

I'm Doing It Again

One of my own self-imposed rule is "read only one book at a time."

Currently, I am reading three books. So much for following my own rules. My best intentions cannot stand up under the lure and temptation of another enticing book. I love books and love reading. But I struggle with the pull of having more than one book in process at a time.

So what I am reading right now?

I started with Seth Godin's Small Is the New Big a month ago. Seth is a business thinker, marketer, and an idea person. I love reading his blog and his books. The book is a compilation of 183 of Seth's rants, raves, and remarkable business ideas.

I'm also reading Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. Fascinating book on how to better communicate your ideas and how to make them "stick" with your listeners. Highly recommended for those who communicate ideas on a regular basis.

The final book I have started and just could not wait to read is Emerson Eggerich's new book entitled
Cracking the Communication Code: The Secret to Speaking Your Mate's Language. This is the sequel to their incredible book on marriage entitled Love and Respect. If you're only going to read one book on marriage, Love and Respect is the one you need to pick up (Both of these are available in the McGregor Book Store).

There's what I'm reading. What are you reading?

Needed Saturday Rest

It has been a busy week and I needed a low key, non-eventful Saturday. And I got it.

I started off the day with my normal 3 mile run. This heat is killing me. It took me a couple of hours after running before I felt like doing much of anything. Later I spent some time working on my SS Lesson for tomorrow and watched some golf. Nothing says relaxing like watching a little PGA on TV.

The Fosters stopped by the house later in the afternoon and we spent several hours with them. We had not seen Gray, their 7 week old daughter, in a couple of weeks (pictured). It was so nice hanging out with them.

Now Macy and I are spending a quiet evening together. Ah, a much needed Saturday rest.

Staying up until 5am...

That's exactly what one group of girls did last night who were part of our Middle School Camp Spasm.

Last night our Middle School Ministry kicked off McGregor's first ever Middle School only summer camp. Today, David Miller and myself ate lunch with some of the students and leaders and then recorded our podcast onsite. It's awesome to see our new Studio G facility being used like this! Steven Anderson and his incredible team of staff and volunteers are doing an awesome job. Way to go guys. It's going to be cool to see what God is going to do in the lives of those middle school student during camp. This has to be the coolest "camp rules" I've ever seen!

Oh, by the way, they also have one cool worship leader lined up for Camp Spasm. Click here to go and check out his ultra upgraded web site/blog. Gerald, you have definitely out done me this time. Let's hope the content can keep with the look.

An All Day Meeting

For most people, the very thought of sitting in a meeting for 8 hours would send chills down their spine.

Guess what? I was in one of those "most of the day meetings" today.

Someone the other day told me "you must love going to meetings." That's not necessarily true. It depends big time on the meeting. I do believe our best work should get done in meetings (you know, the whole teamwork thing). Instead, most people see meetings as a distraction from getting their real work done.

Well, back to my all day meeting today. It was awesome. We got a ton done. We covered multiple issues, dealt with questions, made assignments, formulated plans, and had a great time doing it. Thank you God for allowing me to serve with these men. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy an all day meeting!

The Perfect Vanilla Latte

I am on a quest to make the perfect vanilla latte.

It's been two weeks since I got my espresso machine. And I have to say, I can already make one awesome vanilla latte. In my own humble opinion, I think I've even surpassed Starbuck's own version of the latte. That's right. Now the scope of my espresso based drink menu is very limited right now, but if you stop by and want a vanilla latte, I can hook you up real good.

The next drink I'm working on is a caramel machiatto [mock-e-AH-toe]. I have been asking folks what their favorite espresso based drink is, and this one comes to the top a lot, so it's next on my list.

Gotta go, more "testing" to do...

Exciting Time of the Year

I love this time of the year. There is always so much anticipation at McGregor as we prepare for the fall and the start of a new school year.

But I'm really excited about this Friday night. We have invited all of our Sunday School leadership to be a part of our annual leadership conference. Our theme this year is all about "team," and I can get real passionate talking about teamwork. To illustrate our theme, we put together a video entitled Cubicles. Actually, it's the opposite of what we hope to see on our ministry teams here at McGregor. It should provide a few laughs, especially since many of our Ed Team are the stars in the video. Click here to see the promo for Cubicles.

Hopefully I can get the video posted some time next week for all to see and enjoy.