My Marriage Stinks pt. 3

Yesterday I shared some of the benefits of maintaining a healthy marriage; here are some more reasons...

The studies compiled by the Heritage Foundation found many positive effects on children. For example, they found that: (probe.org)

• Children in married families are less like to: suffer serious child abuse.
• Children in married families are less likely to end up in jail as adults.
• Children in married families are less likely to be depressed as adolescents.
• Children in married families are less likely to be expelled from school.
• Children in married families are less likely to repeat a grade in school.
• Children in married families are less likely to have developmental problems.
• Children in married families are less likely to have behavioral problems.
• Children in married families are less likely to use drugs.• Children in married families are less likely to be sexually active.

("My Marriage Stinks!" is a sermon series that I will be doing at FFC beginning Aug. 3 -Aug. 24)

My Marriage Stinks pt. 3

Yesterday I shared some of the benefits of maintaining a healthy marriage; here are some more reasons...

The studies compiled by the Heritage Foundation found many positive effects on children. For example, they found that: (probe.org)

• Children in married families are less like to: suffer serious child abuse.
• Children in married families are less likely to end up in jail as adults.
• Children in married families are less likely to be depressed as adolescents.
• Children in married families are less likely to be expelled from school.
• Children in married families are less likely to repeat a grade in school.
• Children in married families are less likely to have developmental problems.
• Children in married families are less likely to have behavioral problems.
• Children in married families are less likely to use drugs.• Children in married families are less likely to be sexually active.

("My Marriage Stinks!" is a sermon series that I will be doing at FFC beginning Aug. 3 -Aug. 24)

Tonight Is The Night

Tonight at midnight is the conclusion of our big Flying Hamster Competition. Jeremy Brannon is in the lead right now with a total flight of 3,262 ft. That is a tough score to beat.

If you can beat Jeremy's score you have until midnight Eastern Standard Time to get it posted on your blog or emailed to me. Good luck all, and may the best 'hamster flyer person' win.

Tonight Is The Night

Tonight at midnight is the conclusion of our big Flying Hamster Competition. Jeremy Brannon is in the lead right now with a total flight of 3,262 ft. That is a tough score to beat.

If you can beat Jeremy's score you have until midnight Eastern Standard Time to get it posted on your blog or emailed to me. Good luck all, and may the best 'hamster flyer person' win.

My Marriage Stinks pt. 2

All relationships naturally begin to drift if they are not cultivated and cared for. It is well worth your effort to maintain a healthy and loving marriage. A healthy marriage brings glory to God as well as provide practical benefits.

The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier, and Better off Financially by Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher. Here are just a few of the many findings from the research: (probe.org)

• Married people are much happier and likely to be less unhappy than any other group of people.
• Married people live up to eight years longer than divorced or never-married people.
• Married people suffer less from long-term illnesses than those who are unmarried.
• Married people are less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse.

My Marriage Stinks pt. 2

All relationships naturally begin to drift if they are not cultivated and cared for. It is well worth your effort to maintain a healthy and loving marriage. A healthy marriage brings glory to God as well as provide practical benefits.

The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier, and Better off Financially by Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher. Here are just a few of the many findings from the research: (probe.org)

• Married people are much happier and likely to be less unhappy than any other group of people.
• Married people live up to eight years longer than divorced or never-married people.
• Married people suffer less from long-term illnesses than those who are unmarried.
• Married people are less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse.

My Marriage Stinks pt. 1

This Sunday we begin our new sermon series at church, "My Marriage Stinks!". In honor of our upcoming series I plan on blogging about relationships this week. Let's start with this very public proposal...

My Marriage Stinks pt. 1

This Sunday we begin our new sermon series at church, "My Marriage Stinks!". In honor of our upcoming series I plan on blogging about relationships this week. Let's start with this very public proposal...

Romans 10:14,15

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Rom. 10:14,15

Romans 10:14,15

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Rom. 10:14,15

New Blog Link Added

Our little blogging community has another member! You can now add Brenda Cox to the list of FFC bloggers. When you get a chance be sure to tell Brenda hello.

New Blog Link Added

Our little blogging community has another member! You can now add Brenda Cox to the list of FFC bloggers. When you get a chance be sure to tell Brenda hello.

Countdown Clock

Countdown Clock

Under Pressure

I've had a one cup coffee maker for a couple of years now - you know the kind that you slip the little coffee pod into, push the button and... presto coffee. The other day I was making myself a cup of coffee and while I was preparing all the extras that I put into my coffee. (I don't drink coffee unless it has so much creamer, sugar, syrup, etc. that my spoon will stand straight up in it) Anyway, while I was getting everything ready the coffee maker started to make a strange noise, it got louder, and louder, and I thought "that doesn't sound right"; I looked over and steam was pouring out the sides - the sound grew to a fever pitch and that is when the side blew out of my coffee maker. I heard plastic parts hit different parts of the kitchen but I still haven't found all the pieces yet. My poor little coffee maker just couldn't take the pressure any longer.

I was thinking about my little incident with my time bomb coffee maker and how pressure and anger can build in our lives. Anger and pressure are bound to occur in our lives, it is part of being human. The Bible has made it clear that anger is not sin; "In your anger do not sin" Eph. 4:26. There is a proper and an improper way to deal with anger and stress in our lives. If we continually hold our anger or stress inside without any release the results can be devastating to ourselves and to those around us.

Personally, to prevent 'blow ups' I do my best not to let the pressure build. If I have a problem with someone, I go to them and talk with them. To guard against the pressure and strain of my job, I make sure to take my days off. And when life gets to be a bit too much, I have a network of friends, family, and a loving God that I can "vent" to. When you find yourself under pressure ge sure to find healthy ways of decompressing.

Under Pressure

I've had a one cup coffee maker for a couple of years now - you know the kind that you slip the little coffee pod into, push the button and... presto coffee. The other day I was making myself a cup of coffee and while I was preparing all the extras that I put into my coffee. (I don't drink coffee unless it has so much creamer, sugar, syrup, etc. that my spoon will stand straight up in it) Anyway, while I was getting everything ready the coffee maker started to make a strange noise, it got louder, and louder, and I thought "that doesn't sound right"; I looked over and steam was pouring out the sides - the sound grew to a fever pitch and that is when the side blew out of my coffee maker. I heard plastic parts hit different parts of the kitchen but I still haven't found all the pieces yet. My poor little coffee maker just couldn't take the pressure any longer.

I was thinking about my little incident with my time bomb coffee maker and how pressure and anger can build in our lives. Anger and pressure are bound to occur in our lives, it is part of being human. The Bible has made it clear that anger is not sin; "In your anger do not sin" Eph. 4:26. There is a proper and an improper way to deal with anger and stress in our lives. If we continually hold our anger or stress inside without any release the results can be devastating to ourselves and to those around us.

Personally, to prevent 'blow ups' I do my best not to let the pressure build. If I have a problem with someone, I go to them and talk with them. To guard against the pressure and strain of my job, I make sure to take my days off. And when life gets to be a bit too much, I have a network of friends, family, and a loving God that I can "vent" to. When you find yourself under pressure ge sure to find healthy ways of decompressing.

We Have A New Leader

Whoa! Jeremy Brannon has taken the lead in our Flying Hamster competition. Jeremy's distance of 3,262 feet has catapulted him into first place so far. Good job Jeremy! Just a little over 3 days left in our competition.

FYI: you may want to keep brushing up your hamster flying skills... Mike Messerli has shared with his blog readership about the competition here at changeisgood4u.com so there may be others out there seeking to take the coveted title of Flying Hamster Champ.

We Have A New Leader

Whoa! Jeremy Brannon has taken the lead in our Flying Hamster competition. Jeremy's distance of 3,262 feet has catapulted him into first place so far. Good job Jeremy! Just a little over 3 days left in our competition.

FYI: you may want to keep brushing up your hamster flying skills... Mike Messerli has shared with his blog readership about the competition here at changeisgood4u.com so there may be others out there seeking to take the coveted title of Flying Hamster Champ.

17th Wedding Anniversary

Where on earth did 17 years go?!? 17 years ago Tammy decided that I may not be that bad to be married to... boy did I have her fooled :-) I want to take this opportunity (since it's my blog and I can do what I want :) to thank Tammy for putting up with me and loving me all of this time.

I love you Tammy, and I will continue to work at being the kind of husband you long to have and to fulfill this verse...

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Eph 5:25

17th Wedding Anniversary

Where on earth did 17 years go?!? 17 years ago Tammy decided that I may not be that bad to be married to... boy did I have her fooled :-) I want to take this opportunity (since it's my blog and I can do what I want :) to thank Tammy for putting up with me and loving me all of this time.

I love you Tammy, and I will continue to work at being the kind of husband you long to have and to fulfill this verse...

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Eph 5:25

New Blog Link Added

Casey Vincent has joined her husband Eric and has started her own blog. Be sure to swing on by and welcome her to the community.

New Blog Link Added

Casey Vincent has joined her husband Eric and has started her own blog. Be sure to swing on by and welcome her to the community.

Rob Olson

Today I enjoyed hanging out with my good friend Rob Olson and his family. Rob is a military chaplain and came to our congregation to ask for prayer support. It was great seeing Rob again, it had been about 6 years since we had seen each other but it didn't seem like any time had passed at all. Rob and Katie met Shelby for the very first time and we were introduced to their two boys, Nathaniel and Benjamin.

I'm looking forward to getting correspondence from Rob so that we can continue to pray for his family and his ministry in the military. (This is the point at which I insert a picture that we took of the Olsons and myself -but somehow it got deleted :( Just imagine me smiling real big next to a godly gentleman in uniform outside of Chili's) I'm so proud of Rob and his desire to serve both God and this country.

If you would like to follow Rob on his blog you can check it out HERE.

Rob Olson

Today I enjoyed hanging out with my good friend Rob Olson and his family. Rob is a military chaplain and came to our congregation to ask for prayer support. It was great seeing Rob again, it had been about 6 years since we had seen each other but it didn't seem like any time had passed at all. Rob and Katie met Shelby for the very first time and we were introduced to their two boys, Nathaniel and Benjamin.

I'm looking forward to getting correspondence from Rob so that we can continue to pray for his family and his ministry in the military. (This is the point at which I insert a picture that we took of the Olsons and myself -but somehow it got deleted :( Just imagine me smiling real big next to a godly gentleman in uniform outside of Chili's) I'm so proud of Rob and his desire to serve both God and this country.

If you would like to follow Rob on his blog you can check it out HERE.

Family Outing

Last Friday Tammy and I took Shelby to Conner Prairie Living History Farm. We had a little time to kill before we arrived at Conner Prairie so we stopped off at the new outdoor mall on I-69, "Hamilton Town Center". I loved it. I snapped a couple of pictures of Shelby and Tammy on the playground. Pay special attention to the second photo... what is that in the background? Oh my, yes it is! It is a new Red Robin! It is not open just yet, but when it's doors open it will be the closest Red Robin to us at just 45 minutes away... gourmet burger goodness

Family Outing

Last Friday Tammy and I took Shelby to Conner Prairie Living History Farm. We had a little time to kill before we arrived at Conner Prairie so we stopped off at the new outdoor mall on I-69, "Hamilton Town Center". I loved it. I snapped a couple of pictures of Shelby and Tammy on the playground. Pay special attention to the second photo... what is that in the background? Oh my, yes it is! It is a new Red Robin! It is not open just yet, but when it's doors open it will be the closest Red Robin to us at just 45 minutes away... gourmet burger goodness

You Saw It Here First

We had our first large gathering in the new activity center this evening. It was a wedding reception and we had approximately 400 people at the wedding and the reception. Everything went very smooth. I spoke with the caterer in our new kitchen and asked him how it was working out, and he said that it was great. I heard lots of great comments from the guests about how nice the building was. It is so fantastic when visions become a reality! Praise God. I can't wait to see our youth playing in there, our junior church worshipping, and other ministries within the church taking advantage of our great space.

You Saw It Here First

We had our first large gathering in the new activity center this evening. It was a wedding reception and we had approximately 400 people at the wedding and the reception. Everything went very smooth. I spoke with the caterer in our new kitchen and asked him how it was working out, and he said that it was great. I heard lots of great comments from the guests about how nice the building was. It is so fantastic when visions become a reality! Praise God. I can't wait to see our youth playing in there, our junior church worshipping, and other ministries within the church taking advantage of our great space.

County Fair

I snapped some pictures at the Randolph County Fair the other day, here are a couple of shots...

I think this rabbit needs a bigger cage. It's as big as a dog!

County Fair

I snapped some pictures at the Randolph County Fair the other day, here are a couple of shots...

I think this rabbit needs a bigger cage. It's as big as a dog!

You Saw It Here First

Both basketball goals are now up in the Activity Center.

You Saw It Here First

Both basketball goals are now up in the Activity Center.

Flying Hamster Competiton Update

Steven remains on top, but there have been some developments - Emily has now entered the battle of Flying Hamster fur with a score of 603ft. And I'm sure Audra would appreciate me mentioning that she has moved out of last place. I think she has it in for Jeremy. This battle between Audra and Jeremy is fun to watch. I'm also waiting to see if Bryan, Audra, Jeremy, Emily, or perhaps some "dark horse" will come out of the shadows and beat Steven's score of 2,315. Could that person be you try your hand at the game HERE.

Steven Graft - 2,315 ft.
Bryan Vickery - 1,269 ft.
Audra Sebree - 744 ft.
Jeremy Brannon - 725 ft.
Emily Sebree - 603

Flying Hamster Competiton Update

Steven remains on top, but there have been some developments - Emily has now entered the battle of Flying Hamster fur with a score of 603ft. And I'm sure Audra would appreciate me mentioning that she has moved out of last place. I think she has it in for Jeremy. This battle between Audra and Jeremy is fun to watch. I'm also waiting to see if Bryan, Audra, Jeremy, Emily, or perhaps some "dark horse" will come out of the shadows and beat Steven's score of 2,315. Could that person be you try your hand at the game HERE.

Steven Graft - 2,315 ft.
Bryan Vickery - 1,269 ft.
Audra Sebree - 744 ft.
Jeremy Brannon - 725 ft.
Emily Sebree - 603

Governor Visits Farmland

Our Governor, Mitch Daniels, made his way to little old Farmland today for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the highway that runs through Farmland. Here he is addressing the fine folks of Farmland...

Here he is being very dramatic with our very own Jenny Lee...

Here is the real reason I was up town - free food...

Governor Visits Farmland

Our Governor, Mitch Daniels, made his way to little old Farmland today for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the highway that runs through Farmland. Here he is addressing the fine folks of Farmland...

Here he is being very dramatic with our very own Jenny Lee...

Here is the real reason I was up town - free food...

You Saw It Here First

The gym floor is down now...

You Saw It Here First

The gym floor is down now...

Flying Hamster Competiton

There's a lot of action going on right now in the realm of flying rodents. Jeremy B. posted a very good score over on his blog. Officially he stands in third place right now.

Steven Graft sent me an email this morning with his amazing flight of 2,315 ft.

Here are the standings for our Flying Hamster Competition:

Steven Graft - 2,315 ft.
Bryan Vickery - 1,269 ft.
Jeremy Brannon - 725 ft.
Audra Sebree - 517 ft.

1 week left in our competition; it's not too late to earn the coveted prize of coffee with the pastor and the right to talk smack about how far you can fly a hamster.

You can go HERE for the rules.

Flying Hamster Competiton

There's a lot of action going on right now in the realm of flying rodents. Jeremy B. posted a very good score over on his blog. Officially he stands in third place right now.

Steven Graft sent me an email this morning with his amazing flight of 2,315 ft.

Here are the standings for our Flying Hamster Competition:

Steven Graft - 2,315 ft.
Bryan Vickery - 1,269 ft.
Jeremy Brannon - 725 ft.
Audra Sebree - 517 ft.

1 week left in our competition; it's not too late to earn the coveted prize of coffee with the pastor and the right to talk smack about how far you can fly a hamster.

You can go HERE for the rules.

My Little Helper

Tammy is here at the church leading a Growth Group, meanwhile Shelby has joined me in the office. I can't get a lot done with her in here, so I thought I would take a few pictures of her "helping me" this morning.

My Little Helper

Tammy is here at the church leading a Growth Group, meanwhile Shelby has joined me in the office. I can't get a lot done with her in here, so I thought I would take a few pictures of her "helping me" this morning.

All Or Nothing

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Phil. 4:13

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

It doesn’t get much clearer, does it? On the one hand we’re told that apart from Christ we can do nothing of lasting value in our lives. On the other we’re told that we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength. It becomes our choice, we can do all or nothing. We can chose to remain connected to Christ and experience the life He wants for us or we can chose to be disconnected from Him and accomplish nothing of lasting value.

All Or Nothing

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Phil. 4:13

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

It doesn’t get much clearer, does it? On the one hand we’re told that apart from Christ we can do nothing of lasting value in our lives. On the other we’re told that we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength. It becomes our choice, we can do all or nothing. We can chose to remain connected to Christ and experience the life He wants for us or we can chose to be disconnected from Him and accomplish nothing of lasting value.

Baby Bird

This little bird decided to hang around our house for a couple of days while it learned how to fly. He/she had fallen out of his/her nest and couldn't fly. The momma bird would pick up worms out of the lawn and then fly onto our patio and feed the little baby. We haven't seen it around for a couple days and we think that it started flying. Shelby thinks she heard it chirping in the trees nearby the other morning. (There - that is my touchy feely post for the month!)

Baby Bird

This little bird decided to hang around our house for a couple of days while it learned how to fly. He/she had fallen out of his/her nest and couldn't fly. The momma bird would pick up worms out of the lawn and then fly onto our patio and feed the little baby. We haven't seen it around for a couple days and we think that it started flying. Shelby thinks she heard it chirping in the trees nearby the other morning. (There - that is my touchy feely post for the month!)

Contentment

This Sunday we will be wrapping up our study in the book of Philippians. I will be preaching this week covering Phil. 4:10-23.

We will be focusing on these words: "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Wanting contentment is not wrong or sinful. If it were wrong, then Paul would be setting a very poor example to his fellow Christians telling them that he has learned the secret of being content. Our problem is not that we want contentment, but that we look for it in the wrong places. We pursue prosperity, fame, significance...we seek power & position, we pursue belonging, identity, affirmation, perfect health... and when one of these is out of whack for us we become discontent. In all these things we pursue, we hope to find contentment, but it’s fleeting, and it’s not really in these things.

The secret to contentment is not finding it in things but in a person - Jesus Christ. Staying connected to Jesus Christ is the secret of being content. When you’re living your life connected to Christ, you’ll begin to understand that nothing happens to your life without His knowledge. There is nothing that touches your life that is not first sifted through the hand of God. Nothing that happens, either good or bad, can take you away from God’s love and that knowledge brings contentment.

Contentment

This Sunday we will be wrapping up our study in the book of Philippians. I will be preaching this week covering Phil. 4:10-23.

We will be focusing on these words: "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Wanting contentment is not wrong or sinful. If it were wrong, then Paul would be setting a very poor example to his fellow Christians telling them that he has learned the secret of being content. Our problem is not that we want contentment, but that we look for it in the wrong places. We pursue prosperity, fame, significance...we seek power & position, we pursue belonging, identity, affirmation, perfect health... and when one of these is out of whack for us we become discontent. In all these things we pursue, we hope to find contentment, but it’s fleeting, and it’s not really in these things.

The secret to contentment is not finding it in things but in a person - Jesus Christ. Staying connected to Jesus Christ is the secret of being content. When you’re living your life connected to Christ, you’ll begin to understand that nothing happens to your life without His knowledge. There is nothing that touches your life that is not first sifted through the hand of God. Nothing that happens, either good or bad, can take you away from God’s love and that knowledge brings contentment.

You Saw It Here First

You Saw It Here First

Just Wondering

Does anyone else get annoyed by those stupid perforations that don't completely tear away? I mean would it kill them to develop perforations that were effective?

It is very possible that it is the operator of the tear - I could be doing it incorrectly. If you have any tips on the perfect tear I would be interested to learn from you. If however, it is a conspiracy to drive us nuts by these companies let your voice be heard.

Just Wondering

Does anyone else get annoyed by those stupid perforations that don't completely tear away? I mean would it kill them to develop perforations that were effective?

It is very possible that it is the operator of the tear - I could be doing it incorrectly. If you have any tips on the perfect tear I would be interested to learn from you. If however, it is a conspiracy to drive us nuts by these companies let your voice be heard.

Sorensen 2008

I'm officially announcing my candidacy for the President of the United States today...

Word is spreading fast! Kris Sorensen for president.

Sorensen 2008

I'm officially announcing my candidacy for the President of the United States today...

Word is spreading fast! Kris Sorensen for president.

Flying Hamster Competiton

The flying hamster competition is heating up. Bryan Vickery has posted a score of 1,269 feet over on his blog. It's not too late you've still got time - put together some fancy dancy hamster flying skeelz and you can knock Bryan off the top spot. Trust me Bryan can throw the smack talk around so you are going to want to dethrone him.

Flying Hamster Competiton

The flying hamster competition is heating up. Bryan Vickery has posted a score of 1,269 feet over on his blog. It's not too late you've still got time - put together some fancy dancy hamster flying skeelz and you can knock Bryan off the top spot. Trust me Bryan can throw the smack talk around so you are going to want to dethrone him.

Flying Hamster Competiton

Okay folks, it's on! Audra Sebree has posted the first official score for our Flying Hamster competition. The winner of this little competition gets to talk smack and gets St. Arbucks coffee (with the pastor if you live in Indiana - I will mail you a gift card for a free coffee if you live outside Indiana). Everyone on planet earth is eligible - you just need to post your score on your blog or email me a photo of your score. You can go HERE to play the game for yourself.

As of Saturday (July 19) Audra flew her hamster 517 feet. That's not too bad; when was the last time you saw a hamster fly 517 feet? I've seen a squirrel catapulted about 35 feet though...

Flying Hamster Competiton

Okay folks, it's on! Audra Sebree has posted the first official score for our Flying Hamster competition. The winner of this little competition gets to talk smack and gets St. Arbucks coffee (with the pastor if you live in Indiana - I will mail you a gift card for a free coffee if you live outside Indiana). Everyone on planet earth is eligible - you just need to post your score on your blog or email me a photo of your score. You can go HERE to play the game for yourself.

As of Saturday (July 19) Audra flew her hamster 517 feet. That's not too bad; when was the last time you saw a hamster fly 517 feet? I've seen a squirrel catapulted about 35 feet though...

I Might Be Able To Use My Cell Phone

Verizon is about to hook me up! This big wonderful cell tower is just 1.3 miles from my house. It's a good thing too because the Verizon Wireless signal in this area stinketh! (Stinketh is a scriptural word by the way.) I get one, maybe two bars in P-Town and Farmland, if I'm lucky; many times I get zilch, nada, nothing - and they have charged me for this privilege for quite some time now. If and when this tower actually begins to pump out a signal and I get full reception I will finally be able to actually speak on my cell phone while at home or at the church... I won't know what to do with myself.

I Might Be Able To Use My Cell Phone

Verizon is about to hook me up! This big wonderful cell tower is just 1.3 miles from my house. It's a good thing too because the Verizon Wireless signal in this area stinketh! (Stinketh is a scriptural word by the way.) I get one, maybe two bars in P-Town and Farmland, if I'm lucky; many times I get zilch, nada, nothing - and they have charged me for this privilege for quite some time now. If and when this tower actually begins to pump out a signal and I get full reception I will finally be able to actually speak on my cell phone while at home or at the church... I won't know what to do with myself.

Speaking Engagement

Tomorrow evening (Saturday July, 18) I will be heading up to Dewart Lake, In. and speaking at an all-church retreat for Maple Run Friends Church. I'm looking forward to spending some time with the folks from this church. From what I understand, they find themselves in a position that we were 6 years ago. They are building a new structure, doing most of the work themselves and it is taking several years to complete it. I don't know that I will have any great words of wisdom for this church, but I hope to encourage them in some way and sufficiently challenge them to keep up their efforts in expanding the Kingdom.

Speaking Engagement

Tomorrow evening (Saturday July, 18) I will be heading up to Dewart Lake, In. and speaking at an all-church retreat for Maple Run Friends Church. I'm looking forward to spending some time with the folks from this church. From what I understand, they find themselves in a position that we were 6 years ago. They are building a new structure, doing most of the work themselves and it is taking several years to complete it. I don't know that I will have any great words of wisdom for this church, but I hope to encourage them in some way and sufficiently challenge them to keep up their efforts in expanding the Kingdom.

Ministering In The Sticks

The other day I blogged about small churches and whining about being small; the same thing can be said of ministries that find themselves in small towns. We could complain that our town has less than 2,000 people, or we could get off our blessed assurance and actually attempt to reach people for Christ.

Interestingly enough I stumbled upon (via Ben Arment's post) a conference for churches out in "the sticks" and a minister who echoes much of what I was talking about in my previous post.


the Sticks conference from newhopewired on Vimeo.

Ministering In The Sticks

The other day I blogged about small churches and whining about being small; the same thing can be said of ministries that find themselves in small towns. We could complain that our town has less than 2,000 people, or we could get off our blessed assurance and actually attempt to reach people for Christ.

Interestingly enough I stumbled upon (via Ben Arment's post) a conference for churches out in "the sticks" and a minister who echoes much of what I was talking about in my previous post.


the Sticks conference from newhopewired on Vimeo.

Flying Hamsters & Free Coffee

Last week I posted a challenge, I challenged anyone to beat my "flight of the hamster score". If you beat me and you live in this area (Indiana) I would have some java with ya', if you live away from here I would mail you a Starbucks card for a free drink.

Either the score is too difficult to beat - or no one wants to have a cup of coffee with me - or you all have lives and wouldn't waste it on smacking make-believe hamsters through the air. (Most likely you all have lives and would prefer not to have a drink with me :-)

Here's what we are going to do, since the score is pretty tough to beat, we will say the highest score posted wins. Competition ends July 31 at midnight. Be sure to take a picture of your best score and post it to your blog or you can email me your picture if you don't have a blog of your own.

It's fair game - everyone starts at zero - someone is going to be a winner receiving bragging rights and some free coffee. Go my friends fly like the eagles...

Flying Hamsters & Free Coffee

Last week I posted a challenge, I challenged anyone to beat my "flight of the hamster score". If you beat me and you live in this area (Indiana) I would have some java with ya', if you live away from here I would mail you a Starbucks card for a free drink.

Either the score is too difficult to beat - or no one wants to have a cup of coffee with me - or you all have lives and wouldn't waste it on smacking make-believe hamsters through the air. (Most likely you all have lives and would prefer not to have a drink with me :-)

Here's what we are going to do, since the score is pretty tough to beat, we will say the highest score posted wins. Competition ends July 31 at midnight. Be sure to take a picture of your best score and post it to your blog or you can email me your picture if you don't have a blog of your own.

It's fair game - everyone starts at zero - someone is going to be a winner receiving bragging rights and some free coffee. Go my friends fly like the eagles...

New Blog Link Added

Pastor Pink already beat me to it, but I would like to introduce you to one of our High School students, Sari Lott. I'm sure you will enjoy getting to know Sari.

New Blog Link Added

Pastor Pink already beat me to it, but I would like to introduce you to one of our High School students, Sari Lott. I'm sure you will enjoy getting to know Sari.

Small Church Advantage

I read a great article by Seth Godin the other day titled "Should Small Businesses Whine?" and immediately began thinking within the context of the church; here is what Seth wrote...

"I bought some clothes from a merchant via Amazon. The company that I ordered from shipped the wrong item. I sent it back and was told it will take three or four weeks to process my return. A month!

I wrote back, asking why it would take so long. The response, "Thank you for your inquiry. To answer your question we are NOT an big company like Amazon we are actually a small company, That is why it does take us a little longer than others."

Of course, you'd think a small company could be faster. More important, you'd think the company would realize that I couldn't care a whit about how small they are... I just want good service.

If your small company can't deliver a better experience (in areas people care about) than a big one, why on Earth should someone do business with you? I'm not saying you must have faster service, a bigger website, lower prices and twenty-four hour a day phone support. I'm saying that for some of your customers, you have to be monstrously, demonstrably, better.

The web is a great equalizer. A tiny business can have a better website than a huge one. A tiny business can do better customer support than a big one. A tiny business can write a better newsletter than a big one. Maybe not for everyone, but everyone is for the big companies. The passionate minority is happy to embrace the small company. As long as they focus and don't whine about it.

Small is a weapon, not an excuse."

After reading Seth's post I started thinking about small churches that make excuses because they are small. "We can't run programs like the larger church"; "We don't have enough staff to minister properly"; "We can't attract people like a large church can"; etc. etc. It's almost like the response Seth got back: "You know we are NOT a big church like the one down the road so we can't minister to you properly..."

Granted, there are some things that smaller churches can't do: large productions, big lights, loud booming sound systems, orchestras, etc. But, being a small church doesn't give you the right to whine. There are advantages of being small; one advantage is the ability to provide very relational ministry. Small churches provide the opportunity for more people to do more ministries. In a small church, smaller positive changes make a larger impact.

Just because a church may be small does not mean that they can not be effective. The fantastic thing is that the same Holy Spirit is available to the small church and to the large church. Being a small church is a weapon, not an excuse.

Small Church Advantage

I read a great article by Seth Godin the other day titled "Should Small Businesses Whine?" and immediately began thinking within the context of the church; here is what Seth wrote...

"I bought some clothes from a merchant via Amazon. The company that I ordered from shipped the wrong item. I sent it back and was told it will take three or four weeks to process my return. A month!

I wrote back, asking why it would take so long. The response, "Thank you for your inquiry. To answer your question we are NOT an big company like Amazon we are actually a small company, That is why it does take us a little longer than others."

Of course, you'd think a small company could be faster. More important, you'd think the company would realize that I couldn't care a whit about how small they are... I just want good service.

If your small company can't deliver a better experience (in areas people care about) than a big one, why on Earth should someone do business with you? I'm not saying you must have faster service, a bigger website, lower prices and twenty-four hour a day phone support. I'm saying that for some of your customers, you have to be monstrously, demonstrably, better.

The web is a great equalizer. A tiny business can have a better website than a huge one. A tiny business can do better customer support than a big one. A tiny business can write a better newsletter than a big one. Maybe not for everyone, but everyone is for the big companies. The passionate minority is happy to embrace the small company. As long as they focus and don't whine about it.

Small is a weapon, not an excuse."

After reading Seth's post I started thinking about small churches that make excuses because they are small. "We can't run programs like the larger church"; "We don't have enough staff to minister properly"; "We can't attract people like a large church can"; etc. etc. It's almost like the response Seth got back: "You know we are NOT a big church like the one down the road so we can't minister to you properly..."

Granted, there are some things that smaller churches can't do: large productions, big lights, loud booming sound systems, orchestras, etc. But, being a small church doesn't give you the right to whine. There are advantages of being small; one advantage is the ability to provide very relational ministry. Small churches provide the opportunity for more people to do more ministries. In a small church, smaller positive changes make a larger impact.

Just because a church may be small does not mean that they can not be effective. The fantastic thing is that the same Holy Spirit is available to the small church and to the large church. Being a small church is a weapon, not an excuse.

You Saw It Here First

The block walls are starting to go into the former Family Life Center. These block walls are creating 3 separate rooms on the first floor and a second floor will be added soon spanning the entire former FLC.

You Saw It Here First

The block walls are starting to go into the former Family Life Center. These block walls are creating 3 separate rooms on the first floor and a second floor will be added soon spanning the entire former FLC.