Quotes from my kids

Mercedes

“Daddy if you ever think about grilling watermelon again I’m going to remind you of this time and how much I hated it.”

“Some people don’t believe in Family Night.  Why?”

“Sincerity that makes Satan happy and God mad.  It is like you are being Satan’s helper”

“I got your nose!” – me    Putting her hand on my head “I got your mind”

Serity

“Chickfila is closed? Ah nuts!”

Cash

Praying:  “Thank you momma, Thank you sissy. Thank you daddy. Thank you Mercedes. YAY!!!”

Picks up a cheerio off the floor of the gas station restroom. “Don’t eat that!!” – mom . Smiles big and immediately eats it.

 

 

Are Labels Helpful?

I am on a facebook page of people preparing our 20 year high school reunion.  Even though I can’t make the reunion, I’ve kept up with the information and pictures that are shared.  One comment stuck on to me on these post.  A single mom said it would be fun if the popular people didn’t hang out in a clique like they did in high school.

There is a lot I could unpack about that statement.  The major thing that interest me is how long labels stick with us.  Those that were labeled ‘popular’ surely are not popular anymore.  Many of them have struggled with the responsibility of being an adult.  The ‘losers’ in the class have done okay.

It is crazy those labels have stick for 2 decades.

When I was in high school, a youth leader at my church told me that I was pessimistic.  I’d never thought much about that sort of thing so I just accepted it as truth.  Because I know pessimism can be seen as a negative for a leader, I just told me I was a realist.  As time went on something changed in my mindset or those around me just got a lot more negative than me.  One day I remember thinking I might be the most optimistic person that I know.  How can that be since I’m a pessimist?

It just happened that a leadership test was being required of me by our church.  Part of this test would say if you were a realist or optimist.  I expected to be a realist.  The shocking news came that I was an over the top optimist.  What?!?  When did this happen?  This seems right, but really?

Life, God’s word, traveling, the Holy Spirit, and more have a way of changing us over time.  Don’t let labels from years ago keep you from growing and acknowledging that growth.   Labels are dangerous in that they can define us for years.  Be more than those labels that others put on you.  You can change.

I went from an depressing pessimist to an extreme optimist.  You can too.

Kids Stories

I took my 2 year old and 5 year old to a warehouse full of inflatables in Valdosta, GA.  Jennifer, Cash, and my mother in law went to buy birthday toys and I volunteered to take the girls to this inflatable park.  No big deal, right?

I kept up with the girls for most of our time.  Finally I had to sit down on the couch with the rest of the parents and take a break.  I’m on the phone and see my 2 year old dive in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse followed by one of the employees followed by the rest of the employees.  I thought what did she do!

The employee could not get her out of the Mickey Mouse inflatable so I got her out of it.  They said she climbed over the closed door and got to the prizes that they give out for arcade game tickets.  I took off the tiara, the first ring, the first bracelet, the toys in her hand, and the rest of the rings and bracelets.  Every employees was laughing at how many prizes she took.  I apologized and didn’t take any more breaks from watching her.

DiVarsity

In downtown Atlanta there is a restaurant that everyone eventually patrons.  The Varsity is as much an ATL attraction as the Braves, Georgia Aquarium, or the Word of Coke.  Many Georgians love the Varsity and many out of towners aren’t sure why it is so popular.  Regardless of your view on their chili dogs or orange shake, the Varsity accomplishes something truly unique.

When you walk into this place you see all types of people.  I mean ALL types!  You see a homeless man wearing the same clothes for 5 days in a row eating two tables down from a million dollar business man wearing his expensive suit.  You see a high school football team eating together down from an elderly couple enjoying their meal.

This restaurant gets people from every socio economic and racial background.  All at one time eating greasy food together.  United under the purpose of great onion rings.

This is a marvelous example of what Christianity and the church should look like.  People of all races.  People with lots of money.  People with no money.  Coming together, but instead of enjoying a fast food meal they are seeking to glorify God with their lives.

If a restaurant can accomplish this level of diversity with a much smaller purpose than the gospel, surely our churches can do the same.

The Gospel And Kids

I had the honor of presenting the gospel to 3rd-5th graders at a local camp here in Cincinnati.  Preaching the gospel to kids is always a difficult task because how do you make it interactive, how do you add an object lesson, and how can you help them understand such an abstract concept as following Jesus?.  I put several hours of prayer and thought into my sermon.

The kids paid attention so well.  They were engaged throughout the message and many gave their lives to Christ last night.  We put all of them in small group to talk about their decisions and for the small group leader to go more in depth with each child.  I don’t want to hold a child back from Jesus, but we want to make sure children understand the basics of salvation.

My hope and prayer is that they go home, get baptized, and their lives are changed forever because of what happened on the second floor of Woodland Lakes Camp!

 

No Place Like Home

My family and I got to spend a few days in my hometown of Sevierville, TN.  Always a joy to come home.  We got to go to Cades Cove, Dollywood, the Petting Zoo, and ride the giant ferris wheel at the Island in Pigeon Forge.  We love the new build your own donut place and rolled ice cream. In between all of that time was spending time with my mom and dad.  My mom is in a rehabilitation center/nursing home.  I am working on getting her to stay permanently.  As you can imagine, that was a difficult part of our time away.  However, getting her in a healthy place is the most important thing.

Lessons from FC Cincinnati

Last night I stood among 33,000 people watching a soccer game for 120 minutes in downtown Cincinnati.  I confess:  I don’t like soccer.  I’d watch hockey and almost every other sport over soccer.  Yet here I was having spent $30 on a ticket, $50 on souvenirs, and $4 on gatorade standing for almost the entire 120 minutes of the game.  Passionately watching and caring about something that I had no interest in before.  I’d love to see them go MLS – why I don’t even know.  It is weird.

A historic baseball town become a soccer area.  A 2 million plus metro area with hardly any soccer lovin’ internationals has become soccer central for the USA – if just for a moment.

I think I didn’t love it because I’d never experienced it like that before.  The excitement of penalty kicks.  The fun of a full stadium all wearing blue, orange, and white.  The non-stop cheering from The Bailey.

This is just like the gospel.  People don’t love it because they haven’t experienced the power of God’s love and forgiveness.  They haven’t seen the excitement of a changed life.  They haven’t seen people from all backgrounds come together for a cause bigger than themselves.

Many didn’t think soccer would work in Cincinnati, but it has.  Many have given up on the local church and the gospel working in our area too.  It will work – people just need to see it.

Cincinnati Bengals Playground

As a dad of 3 kids and a Kids and Family Pastor of a medium sized children’s ministry – I love playgrounds.  They are either free or cheap.  It gets kids and families outdoors.  They help improve balance, hand/eye coordination, motor skills, etc.  Kids nap better once they play hard on a playground.

This spring and summer I’m checking out playgrounds around Cincinnati.  I thought we’d start with a unique experience:  the playground the Marvin Lewis Community Fund, Cincinnati Bengals, and the United Way built in Cincy!

Name:  Hometown Huddle

Cost:  FREE

Age Appropriate:  Something for all ages including young teens

Water:  Seasonal outdoor pool (may have fee)

Where:  Ryan Memorial Sports Complex and is located at 3324 Meyer Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45211

What I LOVED:  The equipment is brand new and unique.  The obstacle course is age appropriate for 13 and above, but my preschoolers loved it too.  The turf on part of the playground is great for kids to fall on and not get hurt.  The gate around the playground is terrific because I never worried about my kids leaving the area.  The Play60 logo and Bengals themed areas make for good pictures.

NOT my favorite parts:  This playground is not easy to find.  Make sure you use a GPS.  The area around this playground probably isn’t the safest in Cincinnati.  I wouldn’t recommend going by yourself or at night, but overall I felt like it was safe enough.

Overall:  We stayed for about an hour.  We probably would have stayed another 30 minutes if a thunderstorm wasn’t coming through the area.  It was fun and I’m glad we checked it out, but I probably would not go back.  Too far away to frequent and my kids love other playgrounds just as much.  If my kids were older and loved football – I’d would make this a 2-3 times a year trip.  A young football fan will LOVE it way more than my kids.

Orange Conference 2017 Review

So many good messages throughout the day.  No one can possibly remember them all.  These quotes, thoughts, and websites stood out to me.  I know Jud Wilhite, Ryan Leak, and Andy Stanley all gave me a lot to think and pray about in my life.

Busy is the enemy of neighborly – Doug Fields

Instead of seeing busyness as a badge of honor, maybe we should see it as a sign of brokeness – Doug Fields

Something powerful happens when the neighbor who isn’t for the church realizes that the church is still for them – Jeff Henderson

Not the pace of ministry, but the weight of ministry that hurts – Judd Wilhite

Ask ‘how can I pray for you” – Ryan Leak

Jesus doesn’t want your help, he wants your heart – Bob Goff

equip leaders to be great where they are, not at the church – Ryan Leak

People brought others to the marketplace, weddings, and other non church places to meet Jesus – Ryan Leak

Only 8% of Jesus’ miracles happened in the synagogue – Ryan Leak

To reach outsiders, you have to go outside – Ryan Leak

You can download great preaching, you can’t download mentoring – Kara Powell

You can’t dismiss people and be in love with God – Andy Stanley

When considering your volunteer strategy remember that Clarity + Empowerment + Appreciation = Longevity

Create beautiful spaces – it tells people you were expecting them – Reggie Joiner

God never answers the question “How close can I get to sin without sinning” – Andy Stanley

You can’t be right with Jesus and wrong with others – Andy Stanley

If were not careful we will orient children toward keeping God happy  rather than loving people – Andy Stanley

What does love require of you – Andy Stanley

If you give the devil a foothold, he will turn it into a stronghold – Jud Wilhite

Want to know your community?  Government already did the job for you – factfinder.census.gov – Kara Powell

I will forgive and take the high road – Jud Wilhite

prodigalparty.com – Mike Foster (love this idea)

 

 

Christmas Hope at Waffle House

I share this not to brag about what we did, but an idea to bless others.

I grew up with one of my parents typically leaving on Christmas day to go work.  My dad would work afternoons/nights at a local hotel as a desk clerk.  My mom had a few jobs that required her to work the holiday.  Our normal Christmas was to open presents and then go to a restaurant for lunch.  My big Christmas meal was spent at Shoneys, IHOP, Chinese, or another local place that would be opened for the holiday.  When we lived a good amount of restaurants were opened on Christmas.

I often felt bad for the waitress or waiters that we had on that day.  They had to leave their family to come wait a table at Shoneys.  That never seemed fair to me.

As I’ve gotten older I realized that most of those folks needed those hours.  Many are getting the best tips they do all year long during those holiday hours.  Almost all are getting paid time and a half or even double time for those hours.  It is true that those businesses are making good money, but by staying open they are helping their employees not miss a significant portion of income that month.  It is also true that none of them want to work Christmas but most of them need to work Christmas.

About three weeks ago I was thinking of my holiday experiences and all those waiters and waitresses.  I knew I wanted to communicate to my kids how blessed they are that their dad and mom doesn’t have to leave to work at a job.  I  wanted them to know that we are blessed to be a blessing.

I asked Jennifer what she thought of going to Waffle House and giving our waitress a gift. I told her what I wanted to communicate to our kids and the opportunity to bless someone that was working on Christmas.  She loved the idea.

After opening gifts we loaded up the kids and headed to Waffle House.  It was total chaos.  The busiest I’ve ever seen a Waffle House and we’ve been during busy times!  They seated us quickly and we ordered our food.

We had my older daughter give the waitress a Christmas card with my business card and a $20 bill.  My wife started talking to her about her Christmas.  She has 3 kids and is expecting another in the next few months.  She was able to get the lunch shift so she could celebrate Christmas with her young kids early this morning.

My kids were crazy so I was thankful that we gave her a card with money and we tipped too!  It was a good experience and gave meaning to our meal.  My hope is that this also encouraged our waitress as she served today.  We try to treat others as we would want to be treated.  If I were giving up time with my kids on Christmas to work at Waffle House, I’d hope someone would bless me with good tips and cards.