People Watching

I'm a people watcher. I love airports, malls, walmarts, and any other place you can just watch people.

That being said, this is a great time of year for people watching. They're everywhere. Not only that, but most are totally focused on getting stuff done and are really fun to watch. Not only that, but there are so many different styles and personalities. Here are a few I've noticed....

1. The Purpose Driven Shopper......it's all over their face. There is a reason I am here. Please

do not interrupt or try and talk to me until I am done. My face looks like this because

my butt really tight right now.

2. The Sad People........mainly teenage boys that wear girl pants. They wear their hair long

enough to cover half of their face, trying to hide their sadness. They walk around the mall

looking sad, listening to All-American Rejects, and pulling at their hair. They rarely eat

much because it would make them happy.

3. The Pre-People.........junior high kids....'nuff said

4. Hood Rats.........oversized hoodies, and pants that are way too big. When I see these guys I am

reminded why stores are always out of my size jeans. It's because these cats buy pants

10 sizes to big and hold them up while they limp along. Crazy....

5. Why Am I Here Guy......sits on the bench, legs crossed, shoot me now look on the face. I love

asking these guys "how you doin'?"

6. I'm Helping Him Buy Pants........The sad girls that walk around with the boys who wear girl

pants. Sometimes the only way to tell them apart is that this group sometimes smiles.

7. I Wish This Still Fit, But I'll Wear It Anyway...........no

8. The Blue Tooth Group..........not to be confused with The Blue Man Group. Wireless, mobile

communication.....what did we ever do without it? Just don't use it in the bathroom.

9. Sad Dad......Usually found near the "Why Am I Here Guy" trying to come to grips with the

fact that his son is wearing girl pants.

10. Mrs. Claus.......She wears everything Christmas. A very happy person. If spotted, try to

introduce them to one of the "Sad People." Fun to watch.

Happy people watching and Merry Christmas! I'm out.....

by the way...here are some pics from Krunkfest '06 at Springcreek with LeCrae. REPRESENT!

Christmas at Ellen's

Christmas is in full swing at the Schmidt house. The Christmas tree is decorated, the lights outside are rockin', it's all good. I love this time of year. It's just a happy time.

Today was the annual staff Christmas lunch at Ellen's. Great food, even better company, a game or two involving pickles and such.....I just wish I could have gone back to the office and rolled out one of those little pre-school mats on my office floor and taken a nap. Why don't we do that as adults? We need the rest more than those little kids anyway. They can go all day and be worn down at night...when they need to be.

How 'bout those Cowboys!? 8-4 and in control of the NFC East. Look out...playoff time.

I'm out.....

in da hood...

Back from Houston....I was there talking about next summer's camp. We're going to be going to Lake Tomahawk with a few other churches so I was meeting with a couple of them to get some things planned.

As I was heading back to the airport today to come back home I drove through my old hood. So many memories.....It has changed so much. I saw the house I lived in when I was in junior high and drove by my old friend's houses. Some of their families still live there. I stopped and talked to Mr. Briscoe. He was old when I was there, so I can't imagine how old he is now. He still sits on his porch with a guitar and accordion. That's where I found him today. We used to have some fun playing George Jones, some Haggard, and some Hank Williams. Along with cajun songs, and songs that, to this day, I think ol' man Briscoe made up as we went along. Good times...

Then on the flight home I sat by Allie. She is a freshman in college at St. Thomas University in Houston. We had a great conversation about how God speaks to us, her struggles to lead in very tough environment, the state of the church, and stuff like that. She was not even supposed to be on the flight and felt that God had reminded her of just how he does speak by putting her there instead of her planned flight. I was also thankful because it wasn't the elderly lady that fell asleep on my arm on the flight to Houston. My arm smelled like moth balls and old lady perfume for hours. Thanks for the company and conversation Allie.

Glad to be back and glad to have some vacation this week. Oh yeah.....HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!!! 1st place baby.......

I'm out..

rollin' dirty in the ATL....

Back in A-town.....

Flew into Atlanta today with Bob, Gerry, Ray, and Harp for the Northpoint Drive Conference. Bob and I are just hangin' out. The other guys went to eat, but I wasn't hungry. No, that is not a misprint and I am not sick....I'm just not hungry. Reason being.....a return trip to Daddy D'z Barbeque Joynt. Ribs, red beans and rice, fried okra, and cornbread. Not to mention their very unique appetizer, Que Wraps (barbequed pork, wrapped and deep fried).

Toured the CNN center this afternoon. Very cool. Saw a live newscast being sent right to your living room. No pictures allowed though....

Conference starts tonight....updates later. Here's a picture of me and Susanna, aka "the mean island woman" and Daddy D'z best waitress and inside CNN.

I'm out....

pics...

here are some pics from the fall retreat....

I'm out...

lo siento

That's I'm sorry for those of you who don't speak the language of our neighbors to the south. I was called out by a faithful reader for not including news of our incredible fall retreat and halloween party this past weekend.

We took our sr. high to Mt. Lebanon Baptist Camp Friday and Saturday. It was great. We had some good hang time and really concentrated on building relationships. Carlos Montoya was our retreat pastor and did a great job of putting our various relationships into perspective. He's right.....people have to trust you before they trust your God. Good stuff. Movie night Friday night was fun....hangin' out, watchin' "Nacho Libre." Es fantastic!

Sunday night was our visit to the Dallas Scaregrounds. Fun stuff. 57 kids, 3 haunted houses, various creatures and monsters roaming around outside and a big dance circle. Entertainment definitely worth the $12 ticket.

Well....I left my laptop at work tonight so that I wouldn't be tempted to work at home. I need to sleep. I say that because I have some good pictures of the retreat that I will post tomorrow.

Tonight was our 1st Wednesday communion service. I emceed the night while Pastors Bob and Ray answered various questions pertaining to God's will in our lives. It was great. Afterward I met with a few of the students that I'm getting the chance to mentor and we had some good discussion. They are some awesome kids! I love 'em.

Well.....I'm taking tomorrow off from working out in the morning. I'm up to 24 lbs. lost...feeling good. I'm out........

Falling Back...

Things are slowing down finally. The Cryin' Eagles finished up 1-7. There was another 1-7 team, and one 0-8 team, so not a complete loss. I must say....having Tuesday and Thursday nights back will be nice, not to mention Saturdays.

Big Cowboys win last night over the Panthers. Still not convinced that Romo is the best man for the job, but he did well last night. How 'bout them Cowboys?!

Our GPS series is going well. Keith and Scott are deep in Africa right now and from what we've heard...it's pretty awesome! I can't wait to hear and see the work being accomplished there and how Springcreek can have a global impact on the kingdom of God. Exciting stuff!

I love it when we fall back an hour..........i think i'm going to set my clock back again tonight. I'm out....

glad to be back...

Catalyst was pretty stinkin' awesome! Lots of great stuff on what it looks like to "be" the church in our community. I'm pretty pumped about the stuff I heard. I picked up a few books that I'm actually pretty excited about reading. They had a real good lineup of speakers. Leaders from many different cultures, backgrounds, etc....I was very impressed and would love to make this trip again next year.

I am glad to be home though...........there's just something about your own shower, bed, couch and everything when you've been gone for a little bit.

The Eagles' 1 game winning streak came to an end tonight at the hands of the Bison....19-0. Ugly! It was as if we had a team of swinging doors on the offensive line.

I'll upload some pictures from Atlanta tomorrow..........Cowboys v. Eagles tomorrow...I hate the Eagles (Philadelphia that is..). I'm out...

"A-Town"

Just hangin' out in Atlanta for a few days. We're at the Catalyst Conference. It's going great. Heard some great stuff today from Mike Foster, Chris Seay, and Rick McKinley on what doing ministry, and showing the love Christ should look like in today's churches. McKinley had some great stuff to say about how to "be the church" as opposed to "building the church." It was awesome. I'm a big fan of Chris Seay, so it's always good to hangout with him. We've worked together several times over the years at various conferences and stuff, and he always has good stuff to say.

Jay and I went into downtown Atlanta tonight for dinner. We walked around Olympic Park, CNN Center, The Georgia Dome, Philips Arena, etc... It was very cool. My son was pumped that I was actually at the home of Cartoon Network and Boomerang.

We topped the night off by finding the best barbeque place I have ever been in my life. It was just a little shack on Martin Luther King Blvd. in Atlanta. Daddy D'z Barbeque Joint. Unbelievable pork ribs, red beans and rice, cornbread. Our waitress, Suzanne, was awesome! She sat down and talked with us and just hungout.

It kind of made me think about what the church would look like if we just slowed down our lives and schedules to sit down with people and just hangout and form relationships. It could be that we keep ourselves so busy that we miss out on some real opportunities to reach people and form some great relationships that lead to God moments. Just being the church instead of concentrating on building the church.

All that from a great waitress in a little shack of a barbeque place in Atlanta. I'm coming back to Atlanta soon and I'll be heading back to Daddy D'z......

More from the ATL tomorrow.....peace out, A-town down. I'm out...

V is for Victory

Well.....the nation's longest scoreless, pee-wee football streak is over. As is the 4 game losing streak of the mighty Garland Eagles. We are in the win column with a dominant 14-6 victory over the Falcons. There was no whining and crying in the Eagle camp Saturday........nothing but the sweet sound of victory. How 'bout them Eagles?!!

Huge Cowboys win today............45-14. It has been a long time since the 'boys have put those kind of numbers on somebody.

What a great weekend. I gave the kids permission to celebrate until tomorrow.......then it's back to the grind of preparing for next week's battle against the might Bison. I'm going to watch some game film with my son..............okay so we're watching Spongebob, but it's back to work tomorrow. We have a win streak to protect.

I'm out.....

under the skin.....

There are some things that just bug me. You know.......why the Taco Bell by my house cannot get a drive thru order correct...that bugs me. Parents that can't get their kid to practice, but then want to know why I don't play them the whole game......bugs me. But I think the one thing that bugs me most is whining. Granted....kids are going to whine and that's is somewhat acceptable, but adult whining is the worst.

This morning I was reading through some blogs that I occasionally follow and I came across one that just really has a tendency to irk me sometimes. The self-professed "church planter" blogger continually whines about "hypocrisy in church leadership," sermons and series being preached at other churches, dismissal of staff members at other churches, etc......Comparing the ministry of his church and others he has emulated to what he deems to be failing, or not doing things the "right way."

Most of the time the opinions stated on this blog come across as the bitter, whinings of a small individual with an extreme case of tunnel vision and "me"itis.

I have a tendency sometimes.....okay a lot.....to open my mouth for no other reason but to switch feet, but I do try to have facts to substantiate what I am saying. Most of the time I try to keep the writings on this blog light, funny, somewhat encouraging, sometimes reflective...but I try to not run down the ministry someone else is doing.

Different churches approach things in different ways for many different reasons. Staff members change for many reasons. Philosophies are adjusted and teams work together for the good of the church. I'm not seminary educated (some would say I should be thankful for that), but I think there are some things that I can see without that clouding my vision.

I am a church plant. I was planted here to do what God called me to do in the ways that he provides and directs. As churches grow, changes of many kinds occur. But I believe that if you're not changing, you're falling behind. I would never preach that a church should throw biblical teaching to the wind for the sake of not offending, nor would I defend a friend, belittle former employers, cut other pastors, or do anything that may damage ministry being done somewhere that I am not. There is a difference in holding someone accountable for wrong doings, and calling someone out because their way of doing ministry does not match up to yours or your opinion of how things should be done.

I am so happy to be a part of this team at Springcreek. Sure we have disagreements or whatever, but at the end of the day we're honestly searching for what God wants done in the life of his people in our little corner of ministry. Work where God has placed you to reach the people he has put you in contact with, and be thankful that there are others reaching those you cannot.............

I'm out...

New Things....

New restaurant.......J's Catfish....cajun catfish and huge shrimp. done right! plus the hushpuppies and fries. Yes!

Also.....Firewheel Mall added a dine-in Sonic complete with HDTV big screen with Sportcenter. On top of that...it's right next door to the Nestle's Toll-House place. WHAT?!! I hate malls, but this one is on it's way up. I may even go out there at Christmas.................maybe

New cd review......Chris Tomlin's "See The Morning." It's great! I've been a fan of Tomlin's for a long time. The songs are hooky, with simple, but great melodies. I just feel good after I listen to his stuff. This one is definitely worth the money. Get it.

New T.V. season......The Office is sheer GREATNESS! Hilarious. Grey's Anatomy....more greatness.

I love football..........just thought I'd throw that in. The Eagles, and yes I left out "cryin'" on purpose, had the best two practices we've had all year. I'm feeling real good about this weekend, and I can't even be there. High school game tomorrow night, college gameday saturday morning, and the Cowboys v. Titans Sunday.......how 'bout them Cowboys?!! T.O. is not even worth mentioning.

I'm out......

A step ahead...

I love this weather. It's just great outside.

The Cryin' Eagles are now 0-4. It's been a tough season so far, but the boys are learning and getting better. I'm not gonna lie though.....it's tough to take a beating every week. I just keep telling myself.....they're 9. It's fun though.....they crack me up.

The ID series is off to a great start. We're working through the connection group material with our students and it started off great last night. There are a lot of things about identity that teenagers deal with, but one of the things that surprises me is the fact that many of them are oblivious to the other students around them. As we looked at the times we have simply tried to "survive," the times we were "striving," and the times we "thrived," many of our students obviously didn't have a lot to draw from over their brief 15 or so years. However, what surprised me was how many of them couldn't recognize the kids around them that are surviving and striving every day just to make it.

Much of Christ's ministry was spent reaching out to those who were striving to live, and/or just trying to survive. He came to "give life to it's fullest." Look for those around you that don't know what that looks like or how to get it. You only have to be one step ahead of someone to lead them..............look for those who are one step behind you. I'm out.....

"What Car Does He Drive?"

Every once in a while I find myself eating lunch by myself at some fast food place. Tuesday was one of those days. I was at Wendy's......

When I'm by myself at one of these places, I play a little game while I eat my lunch. I like to call it "What Car Does He/She Drive?" Make sure you sit by a window to play. The rules are simple:

1. When someone gets up to leave, you must guess which car they are in before they walk out
of the door.
2. The contestants must already be in the restaurant before you get there. You cannot use
people that pull up while you're sitting there.

I had a great game Tuesday. I batted .700! Yes 7 out of 10 I guessed correctly. .300 is about average, but .700 is unheard of in this growing sport. I had some guesses that were just unbelievable. There was the couple that came in separate cars and I got both of them. There was the young lady that drove a truck. They are sometimes easy to spot, but can fool you if you're not careful. And there was the teenager driving his mom's mini-van. Got that one too.

The three I missed were tough.
1. an older lady (60's).........driving a bug
2. a painter that was not in the work truck that was parked outside of my window, but in a
Kia Sportage
3. and the toughest one of all was the guy I thought was a pastor (had a bible reference book
and his bible with him at the table). I matched him with the rather large car next to my
truck that had the "My boss is a Jewish carpenter" bumper sticker and the "I'm watching
you......GOD" sticker on the other side. He was in the work truck........and another teenager
was in the big car.

Crazy.....but those things happen when you're playing "What Car Does He/She Drive?" Try it out......

I'm going to lunch.......I'm playing doubles today. I'm out....

'86 Kicks......

The class of 1986 20-year reunion......yes, 20 years since high school graduation. The finest group of graduates that Ross S. Sterling High School of Baytown, TX has ever seen are creeping up on 40 years old and we got together last weekend to celebrate oldness.

It was fun. I had not seen most of those people at all over the last 20 years, and it was fun seeing the changes people had gone through........good and bad. Our name tags had our senior picture on it so we would recognize those that had changed the most. There are several that I live within 20 minutes of right now and did not even know it. I'm looking forward to the 25th.

I am so excited about our student ministry. We are seeing new kids every week. Our students are reaching out to their friends and God is proving his faithfulness as they learn to serve and minister to those they come in contact with daily. AWESOME!

Garland Pee-Wee Eagle update:

This week we snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory and lost 6-0 to the Owlets. We looked so much better than last week though........there is hope. If I can just get some of them to stop crying.

I am so pumped about football season. I love high school football and while I was at my reunion I went to a game at Baytown's Stallworth Stadium (The House that Doug built). I had not been in that stadium since I graduated, so that was kind of cool. College ball on Saturdays and all kinds of pro action Sunday.

Of course the Cowboys broke my heart as they too snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. But it is a long season. Tonight may be one of the greatest nights in recent memory..........2 Monday Night Football games. Hold on..........I had to wipe the tears out of my eyes so I could finish this.

Here's a few pics of the 4th Grade Eagles in action.....kind of.....

movin' and groovin'...

so much in so little time. it is crazy around this house. kelly and i said hi to each other yesterday as we passed each other in the hallway. she's doin' good she said.

ashli is busy with drill team.....brooke with cheerleading....and beaux and i with pee wee football.

yes...the pee wee Garland Eagles got off to a rough start saturday afternoon. we got on the wrong end of a 21-0 battle. two punt returns for touchdowns and we were done. we had a good time though...........i hate to lose.

tomorrow morning is the big garland labor day parade. labor day and we have to be in downtown garland at 7:30 a.m. WHAT?

man.......bob did a great job with a tough topic today. the second installment of our "dirty little secrets" series was on abortion and bob did a great job with it. great biblical perspective on dealing with the pain and shame of abortion.

so this coming weekend is my 20th high school reunion. wow....i'm looking foward to seeing some old friends and catching up over some dinner and Lionel Richie songs.

i'm tired and going to bed...........i've got to make a couple of posts this week to make up for the two week hiatus. i'm out.......

It's on.....

School is in session.....that phrase really has a double meaning in my house today.

First and foremost......school started back up for the Schmidt kids today. One in elementary, one in jr. high, and one in high school. CRAZY!! Not to mention the fact that my wife, who is a teacher, went back today too.

Then, they come home with the "additional supplies needed" lists for each teacher. In my 15 years of teaching I never once asked my students to buy red pens, kleenex, hand sanitizer, or any other item that I felt I should probably buy myself. If every kid actually buys and brings that stuff to class, that teacher should have a supply for the next 4 years. I don't understand. For one thing, I know the district supplies copy paper, so why do I need to send a ream of paper. If every student brings one ream, that teacher will have apprx. 120 reams of paper. WHAT? I'm sorry....I just don't get it. Well, that's my soap box right now.

The second meaning of "it's on........"

Our 4th grade Garland Eagles football juggernaut had their first scrimmage tonight. IT IS ON! sort of.........I'm not sure how on, but it was kind of on. We scrimmaged the Sharks and they were huge. It took about one series before we had kids looking for reasons to pull themselves out of the game. We had more phantom injuries than 10,000 dead pirates. I have no idea what that means, but I liked it when Bob said it, so I've been trying to work it in ever since. One kid looks at me 5 plays....5 PLAYS.....into the scrimmage, with tears streaming down his face and said "ty woot huts tus laloose shafight." After taking his mouthpiece out for him, albeit tears still streaming down his face, I clearly understood him to say "my foot hurts cuz my shoe's too tight." When using the Message translation of the football bible that means....that huge kid on the other team just killed me and I need to go sit down now. I've never seen more 10 year old boy crying in all my life. Pray for me.

I'm kiddin'....sort of. It was a lot of fun. We have a practice tomorrow night. I told them to wear shorts, shoulder pads, and helmets and it totally blew their mind. For the life of them, they couldn't figure out why they were not going to wear their pants tomorrow night. I think they think I'm going to make them play without pads in their pants as some sort of punishment. They don't know it's just to give them a little break and work out some of the soreness that you get when "laloose shafight." Sometimes you just have to say bless their hearts.

Well...bedtime. If I'm gonna ride this pee wee train to the Turkey Bowl, coach needs his rest. 2nd day of school tomorrow which means I'll have to go out tomorrow night and get a box of plastic forks and a family size Mac-n-Cheese dinner for my daughter's Geography teacher.

I'm out...........

Getting into a routine....

Well...summer is winding down and things are beginning to head back to normal. There's been quite a few things going on the last week or so....

We took a group of sr. high students to New Braunfels last Wednesday and Thursday. Two days of the Schlitterbahn, floating the Comal River, and eating some awesome barbeque. Since I was in jr. high The Gristmill has been my favorite New Braunfels restaurant. Well...Rudy's Country Store and Barbeque may have made it's way to the top of the list. We also listened to a really good singer/songwriter while we were there.....Dan McCoy. There's nothing like jumping into the Comal River at about 8 in the morning to wake you up and start your day. Stinkin' cold water!

This weekend was the second week of our "Drive" series at church. We found some great new additions to the worship team that joined us this week. James and Angela Dildine did a great job singing this weekend and I am real excited about their involvement in our worship team.

Yesterday, Kelly and I went to see Talledega Nights with our friends Clay and Raelyn. It was our second time to see it, but they had not seen it yet......so we went. So funny! I caught some things that I missed the first time around. There was a small problem. Since we went after church I still had my NASCAR shirt on that we've been wearing as part of the "Drive" series. I was walking across the parking lot with Clay when I realized that I was going to Talledega Nights wearing a NASCAR shirt. I called Kelly since she had to take the kids home first and then meet us at the movie. Fortunately I caught her and she brought me a t-shirt. I did have to wear the NASCAR shirt into the theatre and stand in the concession line wearing a Kevin Harvick 29 shirt. Embarrassing.

The pee-wee Garland Eagles football juggernaut is prepared to blast off. We have our first scrimmage this weekend. Practice tonight. So the Cowboys started the pre-season off the right way. 13-3 over the Seahawks.....but it is pre-season. Madden '07 comes out next week. Good stuff....

Here are some pics from New Braufels........Abracadabra Homes.....

catchin' up....

Well, it was 18 years ago yesterday that Kelly and I were married. It's hard to believe that we've been together for 19 years (dating and marriage). We were so poor in college and then finding out she was pregnant right before college graduation.........man. I've been with her for half of my life........and I can truly say that she's made it the best half.

Now....there were some other cool things that happened this weekend.

1. Wendy's introduced vanilla Frosty's. YES! Chick-fil-A shakes and vanilla Frosty's all in the
same month......hold on and let me go wipe the tears of my cheeks.

2. Pee-wee football has begun and I am the head coach of the Garland Eagles 4th grade
juggernaut. First day of pads tomorrow.........

3. We went over to some friends house tonight. Julie makes awesome meatball sandwiches,
and the two I had were great.

4. Talledega Nights is the funniest movie I've seen in a while. If you ain't first, you're last.

5. 6 days until the Cowboys pre-season opener....how 'bout them Cowboys?!

Here are some pics from the mission trip a couple of weeks ago.....I'm out

It's About Time....

I know....it's about stinkin' time I post something. Bob's threatening to delink me from his blog, both people that read this are getting on to me, it's crazy. It would take forever to catch you up on everything, so I'll try to hit the highlights.

Surely the highlight of the last week was the work we did at Mission Arlington last week. We took 25 high school students to Mission Arlington for 3 days. Lamar Baptist Church was nice enough to allow us to stay in their youth room and use their annex house while we were there. It was a great trip in so many ways. They had us doing work at several of their apartment sights for most of the week. We also had the opportunity to help a young, single mom whose house had burned down get things cleaned up, and salvage whatever she could from the fire.

The big news from home that week was my two daughters finding out that Lance Bass, of NSTINK fame, announced his gayness. They were shocked! They called me with the news. I was not shocked. I couldn't believe there was actually a news conference to give us that news. My buddy Scott likened it to a news conference to announce that he had been breathing oxygen for the last 35 years. Or let's have a news conference that every once in while, I have to eat food.

This weekend Springcreek had Sarah Kelly as a guest worship leader. It was a good weekend. She led a worship seminar on Saturday night after our service which went well also. We had some people that attended that are going to be great additions to our worship team at SCC.

After the seminar I had to hustle over to Smirnoff Ampitheatre for a night with Journey and Def Leppard. I missed Journey, but I just saw them in November at Nokia. My wife and kids were out there and said that it was good, but not as good as the show in November. I got there as they were setting up Def Leppard's stage, so I caught that whole set. I have never seen a crowd that big at that venue. Completely sold out. I haven't seen Def Leppard since I was 14 years old. It was great! My kids loved it.

Well.....lots of stuff to do. I'm preaching our Wednesday night service this week and doing the music.....perhaps a little awkward, but I've had to do it before. Worship team auditions tonight and tomorrow night. My son's first football practice tomorrow. And, it's our 18th anniversary this Saturday.

This blog sight is being stupid right now and won't let me upload pics so I'll try to post some mission trip pics later.....I'm out....

A living sacrifice...

Well...back home. The week at Howard Payne with FBC Richardson's kids was great. But it is nice to be back home and in my own bed.

You know....I was thinking on a verse today. Romans 12:1 speaks about offering our bodies as a living sacrifice as our spiritual act of worship. You know....when we do that, everything else seems to fall right into place.

I look at the times I try to control things and the times I allow God to control....and there is a world of difference in the way things go down.

Worship is truly setting our minds attention and our heart's affection on God for who he is and what he has done. When we make that a daily practice.......what peace and order.

I'm out....

A week at HPU....

I know...it's been a week. A very busy one at that, so forgive me.

I'm at Howard Payne University right now leading worship for a youth camp. The first night was great. I'll have some pics up tomorrow. I do need to talk to their youth pastor though. Their rally each morning is at 8:30. WHAT? 8:30? We have to play songs at 8:30? Camp rallies should never start before 10:00. Oh well.....

I talked to Beaux tonight. He asked when he could have a brother. He's sick of sisters. Too bad it's not gonna happen for him.

I don't know why I'm sitting here when we play at 8:30 tomorrow morning. I'll be back tomorrow but for now....I'm out....

Finding Nemo....

The scream from the back of my house was one that I recognized as my wife getting the crap scared out of her. My kids and I love to scare my wife because she may be one of the most easily spooked people I've ever known. But we had been out of town for a few days and it was about midnight. As I went toward the bedroom to see who had done it this time my wife met me at the bedroom door saying she had heard a very creepy voice in our bathroom. She said all it did was laugh and it sounded like it came from the intercom system. No one claimed responsibility and she was freaked. Of course it didn't help that we had watched an episode of America's Most Haunted that evening.

I looked around but heard or saw nothing. She was not going to sleep until we found out what the voice was and where it came from. I left the room and was not even 3 steps out of the room when she screamed again...she heard it again and again I found nothing. By this time my oldest, Ashli, was in on the search. Still nothing....

By 1:00 a.m. I was laying in bed and fading fast. Just as entered rim sleep, she screamed again and heard the voice coming from our bathroom. This time my manhunt turned up the culprit.......it was Nemo. Yes....the beloved clown fish whose trip through Sydney Harbor and the South Pacific inspired McDonald's toys. It was one of those Happy Meal toys whose voice box began to fail and was randomly lauging in a real creepy, Jack Nicholson type laugh in our bathroom. Funny stuff, but Nemo was pronounced dead at 1:22 a.m. Monday July 10th.

Spent the day today ripping up tile in our guest bathroom and scraping the adhesive off of the floor to prep it for painting. Fun stuff......

I think I'll go make creepy laughing noises in the intercom and see what happens.

I'm out.......

I Do.....

Well...it is finished. The wedding went great. They had a ton of people show up.....way more then they expected. My mom was so excited. I haven't seen her that happy in a long time.

We saw a lot of people that we have not seen in a long time. It's kind of strange because my mom's new husband was married to her second cousin at one time. They were divorced 30 years ago, but his kids (my new step siblings) were always at family reunions and stuff. So seeing them in this setting and being step brothers and step sisters now is kind of weird

I'm happy for my mom...........there were a few points in the ceremony that I wasn't sure about. I didn't know if I should refer to her as Barbara or mom throughout. I just called her mom. It was strange talking about the sanctity of marriage and what the commitment means to my mom. She was married to my dad for 34 years.....she has somewhat of a clue. And then there was the kiss. I didn't want to watch, but I couldn't turn away......so I just told him to shake her hand or something until I was out of the room.

We'll be heading back to Rowlett today with painting, pulling carpet, and putting in floors on the agenda for the next month or so. Ashli got a text message today that told her she was voted most valuable player at pitcher and shortstop for her softball team. She's pumped. Here are some pics of the wedding and of the mvp.

Pewston....

Pewston, TX.....home stink home. Also known as Houston.... I guess when you grow up in a place you become immune to certain smells, weather patterns, flying insects, etc......It is hot, humid, stinky, and I saw a mosquito eat a sparrow this morning. They are huge!!

We're here for my mom's wedding. Yes I do realize how weird that sounds and it feels even more weird. I'm actually officiating the ceremony..........WHAT? After tomorrow night I'll have a step dad, two step-brothers, and a step-sister........all of whom I've know since I was 5.

Tomorrow we'll be hanging out with all kinds of family and friends that I haven't seen in a long time. Should be fun............

Went and saw Pirates of The Caribbean today....Greatness! We had to sit on the second row and there was a 3 year old that would not be quiet behind us. Why do people do that? Bring kids that obviously can't handle being there and disturb everyone around them? Movie was good though......

That's it for now.....should have some good stuff tomorrow. I'm out....

Reflecting and recovering.....

Today was man day. My son and I have one of these days every so often so we can just hang out and be guys.

Today we went and saw Superman Returns. Greatness! The plan was to go see it at the IMAX. When we got there it was sold out until the 9:45 p.m. tomorrow night. Needless to say we just went to the normal theatre for the 11:00 a.m. showing. It was cool.

I've had some time to look back at our camp last week and evaluate some things. God really moved throughout the week. We had so many students make decisions for Christ. Some coming to Christ for the first time and others commiting to walking with Christ and renewing their relationship with Him after realizing where they were in their lives.

We saw sr. high students show compassion and care for our jr. high kids, we saw relationships among our students develop, relationships with the other church develop, and above all, kids and adults coming to grips with their relationship with Christ.

As happy as I am with our camp week, I enjoyed my day off today, and am looking forward to spending some time with friends tomorrow celebrating July 4th. Here are some more pics from camp....

I'm out....

2nd day of camp......

What a great day!! These kids amaze me. The recreation stuff was great. Josh and Drew, our recreation leaders, are awesome! The games were good and the kids are doing a great job of encouraging each other and participating in stuff.

My boy Runks brought it home tonight. His message hit home on so many different levels tonight. Our kids responded in many different ways. We had two more kids make first time decisions to follow Christ, and several that just got some things cleared up that they've needed to clear up for a while.

Walls are coming down and I believe that these students are really at a place in their lives where they are seeing how God operates in and through their lives. I'm excited to see what happens over the next two days and where these kids go from here.

By the way....after the late night stuff was done a big group of our leaders and kids had an impromptu gathering outside the chapel. We stood their for an hour with Matt Caudle beat boxing and the rest of us freestyle rapping. It might have been the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. Doug Fyffe, my wife Kelly, everyone.......our camp pastor Runks and his intern...it was stinkin' hilarious and it's all on video. Word!

Here are some pics from today.....I'm out....

We're Here......

Well we're here. We rolled into Cloudcroft, NM yesterday evening and got started with Freelicious Camp '06.

10 hours on bus went fine. No sleepy bus drivers, or movie watching bus drivers. They were really cool and did a great job.

The worship service was great last night. We had a few technical issues, but it's all good. Our camp pastor, Runks, brought a great message and we saw several kids give their life to Christ the first night. Our worship band, Branch, had to fight through some issues with our sound but those are all resolved now.

The kids were worn out last night, and there were some homesick middle schoolers, but I think with a good night's sleep they'll get back on track this morning.

Perhaps the most mind boggling thing of the day was the fact that a ton of our kids don't know where we are in relation to home, no idea what direction we had to go to get here, and that New Mexico was a state not a new part of Mexico. What? I'll try and have some pics uploaded tonight.

I'm out.....

Full-time Ministry?

So Father's Day had come and gone once again......I must say I enjoy Father's Day. We have a little thing in our house for birthdays, Mother's Day, and Father's Day that the honoree gets to choose to go out for dinner or have their favorite home-cooked meal. I take home cookin' everytime.

I'm talkin' chicken fried stizeak, mashed potatoes, corn, and rolls...........mmmmm! As if that wasn't enough....i got a new x-box game and the season 6 of King of the Hill. Greatness.

We leave for camp in one week. That means a week of meetings, planning, organizing, etc....It's going to be great! Some of my most memorable moments growing up came at camp. As a 17 year old kid, at Lake Tomahawk Baptist Encampment in Woodville, TX, I made a commitment to full-time ministry. I had no idea what area of ministry, where, when, or how...I just knew I was being called to serve.

I think sometimes we spend too much time tyring to decipher exactly what we are to do rather than just answering God's call on our life and allowing him to guide and direct us daily. Since that camp 20 years ago God has led me to several different jobs as a teacher, worship leader, preacher, etc.....each one a different mission field with a different mission. It was 21 years after I committed my life to full-time ministry that God led me to a full-time church staff position. Each one of us can be used where we're at in life and should stay on the lookout for those ministry opportunities.

You know....I found myself watching a soccer match yesterday. I still hate it. Only 54 days till the Cowboys opener.

Here are some pics of a few of our summer happenings.....I'm out.....

Finally...

The boy had his tonsils taken out today. Tonsils, tubes in the ears (3rd set), and any other junk that causes problems up in there. He's doing good.

VBS is going great. Our children's pastors do a great job and the kids are having a ball. Funny moment of the week.....last night we do a couple of songs to start the night off, and then a couple for the 3rd-5th graders during their lesson time. As we finished the last song with the older kids this one kid down front sighs real loud and says "FINALLY." I'm sure he was just caught up in the worship and was expressing the joy he felt as he was ushered into the throne room of God. Yeah right.....

Big Thursday tomorrow...this has turned out to be a lot of fun the last two weeks, so I look forward to Thursdays and just hangin' out with everybody.

Well....It's been a real long day and I'm going to bed.......FINALLY!!!!

A Nasty Spill.....

Okay....so I'm a little gun shy. Can you blame me? Foundation repairs, 5 plumbing leaks, a broken washer, ruined carpet...all in 2 months. Enough to make anyone gun shy.

So it should not have surprised me that a nice, quiet lunch with the family could not just stay that way. We were at McAllester's (sp?), a great place by the way, eating lunch. We were all out shopping for a new washing machine, and Kelly had wanted to go try this place out since I had endorsed it. You see, it's not often that a sandwich place gets my endorsement.

As we finished our lunches and were sitting at the table just having a good family chat.....it happened. Someone spilled right behind my chair and splashed my legs with their mishap. As I turned to see what had happened I realized that it was not a spill, but that this little 10 year old girl and just stinkin' thrown up all over the place. Of course I had shorts and flip flops on and so I could now feel it running down my leg. I started gagging. The look on my son's face as he watched it all unfold from across the table was priceless. He was laughing his little head off. The waitress was horrified. My wife was gagging with me. And my oldest daughter just kept saying....."it's on my leg, it's on my leg." She too had been hit with shrapnel. When the kid that was given the unfortunate job of mopping up graciously asked if I wanted him to wipe off the back of my leg, I just said no I'll get it. All of this while the little puke monster that started this chain of events had come back to her seat and watched.

So please, for the next few weeks, no sudden movements please. I'm a little nervous. It's been 24 hours since anything broke or threw up on me. I'm on a roll and

I'm out

Is it really trust?

We're in the win column.....my daughter's softball team notched a victory in their first game of the season...14-4. Not to brag, but she did go 3 for 3 with 4 rbi's, pitched one inning, faced 3 batters, struck two out and got the other on a groundball back to the mound. She was at shortstop the rest of the game and got two assists.

The boy has been at football camp this week 8:00-11:00 each morning. He's having a blast. He says his favorite part so far is the receiver station. Of course today they got to tackle a big tackling dummy and he said that was real cool.

I heard a good word today at staff meeting. We watched a video and there was some really good stuff said. One of the things that I heard and have been chewing on all day is a word on limiting God. There are so many ways that we place limitations on God or show our distrust is his promises. I know there are ways that I profess my commitment to God, but hold on to things just in case he doesn't come through. What kind of faith is that?

I'm out.....

When it rains....

It shouldn't have surprised me, but there has been yet another crisis. Saturday morning as I was just relaxing a bit, playing xbox with Beaux Brooke walks into the room and very calmly says hey mom and dad....the wash room is flooded.

As I ran down the hall, water splashing up through the carpet, I realized the washing machine that we've had for 14 years was done. So was our carpet in the hallway....a real stinkin' mess. Spent the rest of the day pulling up carpet and padding. We were planning on putting in new floors, but our hand has been forced. When it rains, it pours.....right out of the stinkin' washing machine.

The weekend was great. I've got to give a shout out to my buddy Simon. We had a new drummer, who was also new to the church, that didn't realize we had an 11:30 service, so when we started it, he wasn't there. We started the music without a drummer, but by the end of the first song Simon had climbed up in the throne and didn't miss a beat....literally. Thanks Si....u da man.

Tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. we have a family moment. My son starts a four day football camp. It's a skills and drills camp and he is pumped! He asked if he was going to get to tackle somebody......I teared up. He's got a defensive mentality. I'm tearing up again.

I'm going to go concentrate on my defensive mentality to prepare for something else to break. I'm not sure I can even sleep with the fan on tonight for fear it may fall out of the stinkin' ceiling....wouldn't surprise me at all. Oh well....69 days 'till the Cowboys opener.

I'm out...

Beaches and other scenery.....

I'm up early and getting ready for the weekend.

Our first Big Thursday event was a success. We had 20 or 25 kids out Thursday afternoon just playing beach volleyball, basketball, and ultimate frisbee. It's funny that we still call it beach volleyball in Garland, TX just because we play it on a sand court. The whole day was a lot of fun. We all decided to meet at Double Dave's Pizza to watch the Mavs play, but ended up coming over to my house. Big win.....and a big game tonight.

Yesterday I had the chance to think a little on the ways that God reveals himself to me.every day. I was actually looking through some of the pictures that I took when we were in Colorado Springs when I began to think about these things. It's easy for me to see things like that and be reminded of just the awesome power of God. But when I think of the ways he reveals himself daily, it blows me away.

The people he places in my life, the conversations I have, the family I come home to everyday...there are just so many ways. The view as I drive down Buckingham could resemble the Garden of the Gods with a little imagination. I mean, we do have "beach" volleyball. Seriously, there are so many things I see or hear everyday that serve as reminders of the presence of God in my life. Look for the ways that God is revealing himself to you today as you do your thing. The view is incredible!

Everyone in my house is feeling much better. I got several e-mails from people who could relate to the craziness around here last week. Here are some pics of the Mavs night at my house.

I'm out....

All ears....

Our pediatrician has got to be wondering what we do to our kids. We've been the doctor's office this year more than I've been in my own living room.

Today it was Ashli and Beaux. Beaux is having his 3rd set of tubes put in his ears and his tonsils taken out in a couple of weeks. He's hearing at 30 decibels what he should hear at 5. Last night he complained for the first time that one of his ears was hurting. He also has this persisitent cough and congestion. Well....it's all related. He can't breathe, he's coughing, he's full of snot, and he can't hear. You gotta feel sorry for him. Our tv is so loud and everyone has to holler at him.

Ashli has been diggin' mud out of her ear since her softball team's big mud fight at their party last week. Needless to say.....ear infection. Well....she did not have a good afternoon. She had stuff sucked out of her ear (she actually had mud on her ear drum) that was completely gross. On top of that she had this plantar's wart on the bottom of her foot that the doctor went ahead and burned off since we were there. She hates needles and trying to convince her that the shot she was going to get in the bottom of her foot wouldn't hurt much was like convincing me that I need to eat more greens. Between the ear sucker and the shot, I think she broke my fingers, and she screamed so loud Beaux heard her.

73 Days till the Cowboys opener............

I'm out....

Ready to get started...

Summer has begun....

Friday we had a group of about 15 of our students come up to eat lunch. We took them over to The Butcher Shop in Plano for the best Buffalo Burgers around (they're really good). A couple of our high school girls thought that meant hamburgers with buffalo wing sauce on it. They were horrified when we told them it was buffalo meat.....but soon got over their disgust after the first bite. Highly recommend you try it out...

The weekend was great.....Bob did a great job on the sermon.

I am so ready for this summer. I remember a year ago walking in and looking at a blank calendar. Jay and I have planned a lot of stuff for this year, and I'm excited to get it started.

So I spent my Memorial Day cleaning out my garage. It was an all day undertaking, but it is done. So much stuff............I'm not even sure where half of it came from and when we got it. It is in order and everything has it's place. My back is screaming at me...NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!

Nothing to exciting today.....inlaws came over for dinner. I have a two year old niece that came with them. It's been a long time since we had one that small in our house. I think keeping up with her was harder than cleaning the garage. I'm stinkin' tired.....

I'm out...

One Year......

Last night was the one year anniversary of the first time I spoke to our junior high students at Springcreek. The week of June 5 will be my one year anniversary at Springcreek.

As I look back at the last year there are so many things for which I am thankful.

My family and I have a church family that we absolutely love. The people at Springcreek are incredible. One of the things that God showed us as we were going through the interview process was that Springcreek would be a place that we would go to church even if I wasn't working there.

The reason I stayed in teaching so long was the students. I love teaching students. There are no words to describe the blessing that the Springcreek students have been to us. The spiritual growth we've seen, the excitement the students have for the ministry of our church, the way they reach out to people and serve....it's unbelievable. They are an inspiration to me and have taught me a ton.

Jay.......I can't explain how much I appreciate you and what you do for our students. Our student ministry's adult leaders.....AWESOME!

All of this and God is allowing me to have a hand in leading the worship at SCC too. Our creative team is great. I've never worked with a better group of people than the staff at SCC. Add to that, working with Harper....I've said it before, I'm glad we're on the same team.

There is so much more to say about the last year, but not enough room. I feel so blessed to be included in this ministry. When I look back over the last 15 years or so, I can see the path that God has led me on, and how it has prepared me to be here today. There is no feeling like knowing you are exactly where God wants you to be......and for us it's Springcreek Community Church.

I'm out.....

soap box...

You know those times when you hear some little tidbit of info that just gets right up under your skin and just bugs the crap out of you? I'm dealing with some issues right now that are just bugging me. I understand that personal opinions differ and I do respect that, but there are some things I just don't see. It just seems that common sense, at times, escapes us. And believe me, I am not excluding myself from that phenomenon.

I remember as a kid sitting in church writing notes on the envelopes, talking, whatever and then looking up only to see that my mom had left the choir loft. My head was immediately on a swivel trying to find which direction she was coming from to put a stop to my non-sense. She did not depend on the youth pastor, or any other adult to take the initiative in teaching her son how to act in church. Now, if someone did take on that responsibility they would've had her full support, and things would have been much worse on me because someone else noticed what an idiot I was, and had to call me down. It only happened a couple of times. Oh well, that's a soap box I'll stay off of for now.

American Idol finals and the Academy of Country Music Awards all on the same night. I feel like singin' a little George Strait, how 'bout you Harper?

Here are a couple of pics from my daughters dance recital.....she's the one that's awesome!

I'm out..