Isaiah and Seussical

Tonight we got to see the world premiere of Eden Christian Academy's version of Seussical the Musical. Now I will admit the acting and singing were fantastic. The costumes were great. Everything was well done.
Now with all of that being said, that is not my most enjoyable part. I got to sit next to my son, Isaiah. It was fascinating to watch him. His face was just amazing. He sat there in awe. We were told we were not allowed to take pictures so sorry no pictures.

A God idea

I will easily admit I have had tons of bad ideas over the years. Some of my ideas are just plain awful. Then there are the good ideas. These are the ones that leave me saying "that was good" or "that was nice." The good ideas aren't bad but they are not great.

Then there are the God ideas. These are the ones that didn't come from me. God ideas are better then any of my good ideas could ever be.

The other week Mark Batterson was asking about modern day altar calls and wondering what works. So being prompted by the Holy Spirit I wrote:

"Call me crazy, I know I might get myself in trouble here. We know that everyone has a phone in their pocket or purse. Use it! Why not have people TXT a message to a number. Then you have a commitment and contact info to follow up."

Didn't think much of it. Thought it was just one of those things that I was throwing out there. Then I check my email today and someone left a comment on my blog:

"I had the rare opportunity to preach on Sunday morning this past week (I'm a college pastor), and I spoke to about 650 people about experiencing God. I tried your idea, put my number on the screen, and received 48 texts in response! Some people wanted to experience God for the first time, some had not had an experience with Him in a long time and wanted to pursue it again, and some just wanted to encourage me as a guest speaker. I have the whole church staff helping with the follow up! Brilliant idea! Now, our church is talking about buying a designated cell phone to facilitate similar response times in the future."

Wow who would have thought it. With that being said, why not? Why not use whatever you have to advance the Kingdom of God? From what I have heard, people are now breaking up with their boyfriend/girlfriend via texting (good to be married). So instead of breaking up a relationship why not use a text to restore a relationship, a relationship with the creator of the world?

My kids are smart

Tonight we had a dinner with the Salvation Army to honor my dad and Wes Gerrard. Isaiah and Samuel were there too. I have to admit those kids were angels. They were better then angels. They ate there food and did not complain. Isaiah was telling everyone that he was 3 years old and his brother was Samuel. He even said to the waitress "this food is really good." Priceless! I was so proud of those two. Now if they can continue this putting on a good show stuff, they will go far. Trust me, from personal experience, it works!

Getting ready to mow

It is that time again. Time to mow the grass. For all of my faithful readers, you know my mower adventures are, well, legendary. I have not mowed yet this year. Mainly because I have not had a working tractor (though I have 2 at my house). Today my dad came over and fixed the one. Turns out the bolts that we put in last year were missing this year. Not sure how that happens, but it is all fixed now. I sat down on the seat and the seat well got my seat very wet. Not to pleasant. I went to start it, and amazingly it started. I put it in reverse and was going just fine. Then it stalled. I thought I could get it going real easy, no such luck. Argh. Oh well, tomorrow is another day. Another day in legendary mowing adventures that is!

The Soloist

On Friday I had a hot date with my wife. We actually for the first time in about a year went to the movies. Wow!
We saw The Soloist. Good movie. What I liked about it, what I will take from it, is how it showed how hard love is. I am sick and tired of this concept that love is easy. Or that love just happens. Love is tough. Let's be honest, love can be painful.
Good to see a decent movie. With believe it or not, no sex! About time there was a movie without sex.
The best part about the movie though, my date!

Spying on Pastors

I was a our annual district conference for the C&MA this past couple of days. I have some interesting thoughts that I hope to blog out (much like flesh out) in the next couple of days. But there is something that I want to share tonight.
A couple times we were doing something biblical like laying hands on people. Basically though due to the fact that there were about 300 people there, we all can't physically lay hands on the people. So we just extend our hand symbolically.
Now I probably should have had my eyes closed, but I opened them on purpose and looked at everyone. It is quite amazing to see all my fellow pastors praying. Many of them are guys I have looked up to for years.
I was going to take a picture, but I didn't think that would be appropriate.

Wise Guys

One of the things that continues to be important to me is to have older role models in my life. I love having "experienced" people in my life. I need that. I want that.
With that being said I got to hear a good "experienced" friend on Sunday. It was so amazing to hear how he has and still is living out the parable of the sower. He was honest, transparent and open.
Since I met Bill, I have been impressed with him. I have really enjoyed getting to know him, and continue to enjoy him.
This is the part that I love. I know that I do not do everything the way he would like. I know that I am different. Bill knows I am different. But we both have the same common bond: the bond of our love for Christ.
I know that he prays for me. I know he supports me. I value that. I need that in my life and am so thankful when it happens.

How my Dad became so smart

Tonight I was trying to fix my sons bike. Simple problem I thought. The tires were flat. So I thought I could put the air compressor on and have it going in like 5 minutes. Turns out the inner tubes are shot. So I have to replace them. When I was growing up, I thought my dad could fix any thing. Now I am a dad, I realize that out of necessity, I have to learn how to fix everything. So I became the person who can fix a toilet or a bike or patch a whole in the wall. Not necessarily because I am smart or talented, I do because I have to.
Yes I still call my dad for the "how do you fix that questions" or the "what do you think if I ..." And I hope someday that my kids will call and say "Dad, how do you fix..." Then I will tell them. I might chuckle when I realize that I asked my dad the same questions.

An interesting conversation

I had a really interesting conversation with a gentlemen who has been through a lot to say the least. In the course of our conversation, I found out that he has loved 3 women in his life. His wife, his niece, and his "lady friend." All three of them have passed away. He told me that he felt really lucky to have loved three people in his life.
I don't know where I am going with all of this. I know I have loved one girl (well, except for my mom) in my life. I feel lucky to have found that one girl. Just was an really interesting conversation that made me thankful for my wife. (Sorry Heather if this is "cheesy")

What a great Easter

Sorry I haven't blogged in a couple of days. Just been running like crazy. I told you about Thursday (see previous post). So let me begin with Friday. We had our Annual Men's Breakfast. This year there were 162 males there. Ok, let me say it here: it is good for men to be together. Whatever it takes for us men to step up to that plate, it is worth it. Troy Loney (former Pittsburgh Penguin) was the speaker. I think he said something for everyone.
Following the breakfast was the blood drive. You know, a little feed and bleed. In all seriousness I think the idea of giving blood on Good Friday is really significant. It helps me remember in a very small way what Christ went through.
Friday night we had a time of reflection at Bakerstown Alliance. Not really an agenda. We had people singing, and communion set up. That is about it. If you wanted to sit there and pray, you could. If you want to sing, you could. If you just wanted to reflect, you could. Just a nice relaxed intimate time.
Our community has a kind of strange tradition on Saturday before Easter. We have the common fire service. Now at this service the different churches of the community come together and stand around a fire... at the grocery store! We meet in the parking lot, have the fire, sing songs, read scripture, and pray. At the end of the service a representative from every local church lights a candle to place in their church on Easter. This is to represent common bond we have, that being Christ's resurrection. So odd, yet so much fun.
Sunday, Resurrection Sunday. How can you not like Easter Sunday? It was great. We had breakfast at church, and then had church. Just a lot of fun! Celebrating the resurrection, how could you not like that? Then went to my parents for lunch (and ate to much). Had a fun time talking with Blake.
Today, I had the day off. That meant I got to spend the whole day with my family! I like that. We actually went to Cabela's. Now we are not the biggest hunting family or anything like that. But still were able to have a good time. Maybe it is not so much where you go, as it is who you are with. Being with my family, of course it is fun.
Great, great weekend. Tomorrow, back to work!

Blogworthy Communion

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—blog about such things. Phil 4:8 (I changed one work, can you figure it out?)

Today I had a the privilege of serving communion to our food bank volunteers. It is Maundy Thursday and our volunteers could not make it to church. So I was asked if I could serve communion before food bank tonight. I was honored.

I got to talk about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and relating it to serving. How Jesus didn't really care that He was the Son of God, He was still a servant.

We then had communion. Now let me explain. There were about 15 of us. We were all in our jeans or sweat pants standing in a circle. I passed around the bread. And yes it was bread. It was a big loaf of bread (quite yummy if I do say so myself). Then I passed around the grape juice and the disposable coffee cups. Everyone got a cup and we took it together. This was followed by a simple time of prayer.

This is one of the most real, authentic, raw, organic Lord's supper that I have ever experienced in my life. I really enjoyed the experience.

What you doing this summer?

Just thought I would throw a couple of thoughts out there for you all, especially college people. Many of you probably do not know exactly what you want to do. So I have three opportunities to help you decide what you like to do.

#1: Lighthouse Foundation. We can definitely offer a diverse internship that will leave your head spinning.

#2: Bakerstown Alliance is seeking an intern for the summer working with children.

#3: Edinboro Camp is looking for counselors. I have to admit, being a counselor myself many times at Edinboro, it is an experience you will never forget.

So even though it is snowing here, thought you would like to start thinking about some good summer fun!

My productive weekend

Yes folks you read that right. I did have a productive weekend. Though they don't usually happen, it did this weekend. I finally was able to install my "recycled" fence. Somehow I managed to create a 900 square foot play area for our kids. Now we still have to put the finishing touches (painting and fixing the broken slats). Here is the amazing part. I laid about 110 feet of fence for less then $100. Impressive huh?
Not only did I manage to put the fence in but I did my taxes also! Yes this includes the federal, the state, and the local taxes. Now I still have to put everything in an envelope and mail them. But the hard part is done!
On Saturday, get this, I got to eat supper with my wife, and just my wife! Boy was that nice not having to scream and being interrupted every two seconds.
Granted I am a little sore today from the weekends activities, but a good weekend.

Snack Time

I admit I have bad habit of eating snacks every (and even sometimes twice) a night. I don't understand myself. I am a snacker. Because of the boys we have to eat supper around 5 or 5:30. Do you really expect me to make it to 11 without a snack? I didn't think so.
I was sitting here tonight doing a real good job at not thinking about eating a snack. But then Heather told me about some Salsa that we got today. So much for not thinking about it.
I believe I am finished writing this now. Anyone want to guess what I am about to do?

Spring Time

Today, it was a really nice day outside. So after we ate supper tonight, we headed to the park. It was so much fun to be outside with the family. We first went fora walk on the one trail. Isaiah kept running ahead. Samuel just didn't get the whole stay on the path thing. He kept going where ever he wanted to go. It was funny. After the walk we played at the playground. It is getting to the point where we can sit there and just let them have fun. I like that. After the park it was cookie time. We went to this cookie store and we got some cookie. Eating cookies with those two boys is a lot of fun. Then it was home, bath, and bed in 20 minutes or less. All and all great night. I love spring!