mac disciple

If you are going to make a computer purchase this Christmas, I pose this question. Why would you buy a PC? The cute apple commericals are spot on. If you don't believe Justin Long then listen to this guy.



It feels great to finally make a competent financial decision on a quailty product. That's twice in two years.

Stats

Wes Roberts quotes in his book “Support Your Local Pastor” from a survey taken at the CareGivers Forum at Fuller Seminary
90% work more than forty six hours per week, and often more than sixty.
80% believe that pastoral ministry is affecting their family negatively.
33% say that “Being in ministry is clearly a hazard to my family.”
75% have reported a significant crisis due to stress at least once every five years in their ministry.
50% feel unable to meet the needs of the job.
90% feel they were not adequately trained to cope with ministry demands placed upon them.
40% report having a serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
37% have been involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church.
70% have a lower self-image after they’ve pastured than when they started.

Switchers

We own an iMac now!!! Our PC that Justin and Heather gave us a few years back finally crashed last week. So Melissa and I headed over to North Park Center to the Apple store. Not realizing that the Southlake store is much closer, we fought the Ugh boot wearing crowds in one classy mall. As soon as we walked into the Apple store we knew it was going to be an iChristmas this year. Wall to wall people picking up iphones, and ipods, and anything else i they could get there hands on. All the guys in the store were really helpful and knowledgeable, in spite of everything being so crazy and crowded. After a few demonstrations of what you can do on the new Leopard OS our decision was final. My brother -in-law John and my other brother -in-law Mike are huge Mac disciples, and were overjoyed to hear of our purchase.

Out of Town

Sorry to all my faithful blog readers. I have been out of the country and unable to blog for a few weeks. Where was I? On a boat in the middle of the Caribbean! Absolute paradise!

Hey GrandPa, What's for supper?

Friday night menu
Whole Fried Catfish
greens
jalepeno hushpuppies
mac and cheese
white beans
pickled green tomatoes

Saturday night supper
Fried eggplant (picked out of Pop's garden)
Blackeyed peas
cream corn
cornbread
pickled okra

Monday lunch
Chicken and dressing with giblet gravy
cabbage
buttered squash
cornbread
bannanut bread with cream cheese

Tuesday lunch
Pulled pork BBQ sandwich
cole slaw
baked beans

and yes sweet tea with every meal!!!

Out of the Office

I spent most of the day on the road yesterday driving from Fort Worth to Memphis. Staying with the folks for a few days. I love to come up and help them out. I can do a little bit of work and it's greatly appreciated, which is in direct contrast to my regular working enviroment. It seems that I can spend days and hours and months working with little or no appreciation in my current postion, right now. I sound like a little whiny baby!
Today got up early and had a little breakfast. A couple of eggs and the little hammy things that Mom knows I like. Then off to the small engine repair shop to purchase a new belt for the lawn mower and a chainsaw. Yep, life will be good for the next couple of days. Then spent most of the morning cutting down low hanging branches and hauling limbs. At noon we stopped for a ham sandwich and a pickle, ah the simple life. No sushi today. But tommorrow evening we are supposed to meet Bear and Bootsie (life long friends of the family) for all you can eat catfish. I love being home!

Gotta go, I'm about to miss Jeopardy!

The Kingdom

Two movie reviews in two days, yeah I only work one day a week. Loved it!!!

3:10

Went last night to see 3:10 to Yuma with Brandon. Everything I heard, and everything I read, compared this remake to the new classic Unforgiven, which is one of my favorite westerns of all time-- Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Gene Hackman-- come on people! Others include Open Range, Tombstone, Pale Rider, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Young Guns, and True Grit.

This film really does live up to the hype; it featured outstanding performances by Crowe and Bale. Russell Crowe delivers as the likeable but vicious killer Ben Wade and Christian Bale plays Dan Evans, the man we all wish we could be. I really like Ben Foster in this, too; he plays the sadistic outlaw Charlie Price in 3:10 and was in Alpha Dog, Hostage and the season premier of My Name is Earl. He is an up and coming young actor who I think you'll hear more and more about in the next few years.

Two thumbs up for Yuma!!! Let me know what you think.

A Case of the Mondays

Does anyone else spend most of their Monday writing out a resignation letter?

4 and 0 Baby!!!

What a great day, watching the Cowboys win again! Even though I was unable to be in the Stadium today, like other more fortunate people. I was able to enjoy the victory with a small group of friends after scoring a touchdown with today's message. Am I right, ladies?

Thanks Clay, for working out the song to kick off the series. I thought it went over well.

Everyone, let me know what you think about the boys and "Take it to the Limit"!

Troy Gramling @ Innovate 07

Troy Gramling, Pastor of Flamingo Roadhttp://www.flamingoroad.org in Fort Lauderdale, spoke this weekend at Innovate 07 a church leadership conference sponsored by Ganger Community Church. I was not able to attend the conference in person, but I was able to catch several sessions due to My Naked Pastor.com. That's right, I said it! My Naked Pastor.com is the brainchild of Troy and his creative team that takes you into the fishbowl 24/7. Full access to Troy's life as a pastor is available for the world to see. This is beyond authenticity. Check it out @ http://www.mynakedpastor.com .

Troy spoke about Innovated Transformation on Friday as the camera that follows his every move was placed on stage for one of the best seats in the house. Oh yeah, he provided his notes for us on his blog http://www.troygramling.com . They went something like this....


Innovation can sometimes feel like being naked in a public place.

-INNOVATION TRANSFORMATION-

EARS –
Traditional Ears listen to everyone.
Innovative Ears LIMIT who they listen to.

People have equal value but NOT equal priority.

If you listen to everyone you won’t hear anyone.

How do I determine who I listen to…

Do they BELIEVE in me?
Do they LOVE me?
Do they have MORE WISDOM than me?

EYES –
Traditional Eyes broaden my focus and narrow my influence
Innovative Eyes narrow my focus while broadening my influence

Protecting the Vision
Producing the Product
Pushing Out the Values


HANDS –
Traditional hands work on today’s task
Innovative hands are executing for tomorrow

Today’s success or failure is the result of yesterday’s execution

FEET –

Traditional Feet make the next step a big step to prove you love God.
Innovative Feet make the next step small because the goal is to love God.
Always thinking: What is the NEXT step?


BRAIN (OR THINKING) –

Traditional thinking – God blesses a method.
Innovative thinking – God blesses a person.

Do you know who YOU are?

No they went something just like that. Great job, Troy! Encouraging, Vulnerable, and Honest. You brought it home with your closing story about Adrian.

After a long hiatus

After a long hiatus, I've been inspired to pick back up with my blogging. Lots going on and not sure where to start. For the past couple of days my staff has been in Chicago attending Willow's small group conference. So there's lots of solitude around the office. I'll be glad when they get back refuled and recharged and ready for action.
Starting a new series this Sunday. We'll be looking at why our lives are so stressed and that we have no time to truly enjoy life. So if you have any suggestions, comments, or helps please leave a comment.