I’m glad that’s over! We got killed in the 1st service. I think people could have picked their own row 🙂 2nd service was a decent crowd, but what was amazing was the stories I heard. The most moving was a woman who came up to me and told me that she and her husband just celebrated 10 years of marriage. She then told me that they was about to throw in the towel until they started coming to CF. I was really moved by her story, especially with Carey and I having just celebrated 10 years as well. That … Read More
Time Change!
Yes, it’s that time of year again! It’s time to spring forward and set our clock AHEAD one hour on Saturday night! This means we are going to LOSE one hour of sleep on Saturday night. This means we will probably need an extra cup of coffee on Sunday morning. Our cafe will be fully rockin’ in the morning to meet your needs. Let me say that missing church over the time change is the lamest excuse ever (okay, 2nd lamest. I know a guy who said he missed church because he said he got a bad haircut – true … Read More
What a Night!
I had the opportunity to attend the “American Friends of Ariel” dinner in Aventura last night. My good friend Kelly was one of the honorees, so I planned on attending to support him. A couple of days before the event, I was asked to give an invocation and introduce Kelly as he received his award. I don’t normally get nervous when I speak, but when I was standing next to the mayor of Ariel (in ancient Samaria in Israel), and the former Israeli ambassador to the United States, I was nervous. Plus, the rabbi that spoke before me was off … Read More
Book Gluttony
I’m going nuts! I’m reading this book… Then I started reading this book… But this morning I couldn’t find either of my books, so I started reading this book… Now, this book finally came in the mail, which I’m dying to read… I don’t know what to do. I hate reading more than 1 book at a time.
As the World Turns…
As I read the news about Britney Spears trying to hang herself, my heart sank. I was deeply saddened by this, but was also reminded that people are around us are hurting and need hope and help. I pray that the Christian community doesn’t judge this girl, but instead prays for her. They don’t need people who are going to tell them what to do. They are seeking someone who will show them the way. I pray that as followers of Jesus, our lives model a lifestyle that reflects the way of Jesus: love, grace, truth, forgiveness, courage, generosity, faithfulness, … Read More
“Sole” Mates
I felt good about my Sunday message this week. I felt as though people connected. The Illusions series we’re doing is one where we are debunking a lot of the relational myths that mess up our marriages. We’ve been looking at different couples in Scripture and learning from their successes and failures. This week is was the illusion of a Soul Mate. I don’t if there’s a concept that makes people jump ship on their relationships more than this one. Having taught on Jacob and his relational issues, I’m still gnawing on this one truth from Scripture: Jacob wanted to … Read More
Survey Says…
We did a survey with our church a couple of weeks ago and we got the results tallied. Interesting findings. Median age: 29 (Last year, it was 33. I’m getting older and the church is getting younger. At this rate, by the time I’m 60, I’ll be preaching to a nursery 🙂 Male: 47% Female: 53% (National Averages are 61% female/ 39% male) Marital Status: 57% Single (That surprised me.) Yet the most asked for topic or series was marriage. Most asked for topic amongst guys: Revelation/ End Times. Why are guys preoccupied with the end of the world? Maybe … Read More
Good News and Bad News
Bad News: My church credit card number was hijacked. My credit card company called me when they saw some odd purchases on my account. So they closed the account. I’m impressed with their proactive approach. Good news: I just got what looks like a game-used official baseball from the 2006 All-Star game in Pittsburgh. Totally amazing. I opened the package right after I got off the phone with the credit card people, so it was a definite boost to my day. The baseball came anonymously, so I don’t know who to thank. But if you’re reading, thank you so much. … Read More
What did I do on my Day off?
Nothing! I mean “Make-you-feel-guilty” kind of nothing. I took a 3 1/2 hour nap. I watched some Star Trek re-runs. I read. I spent a lot of time with my daughter. I spent time with Carey. I talked to my neighbor for a while. I’m so glad this book challenged me to get serious about getting into a rhythm of rest. I’m ready to go back to work Tuesday and do what I love!
“The Rest of God” Book Review
Mark Buchanan’s book, “The Rest of God” is an absolutely refreshing look at implementing a Sabbath into our lives. Not in a legalistic, rigid form, but instead, in a way that God intended and Jesus modeled. As I read this book, I realized how much I neglect this principle in my own life in the name of “getting things done.” My life motto many times is “when in doubt, do something”. This has a tendency to get me into trouble. I find Psalm 46:10 an almost impossibility to achieve, while I believe it in my heart. I guess that’s why … Read More
