Monday AM Thoughts

Sitting here drinking coffee from World Market. It is very, shall I say...delightful. Trying to think over my weekend. It was a busy one for sure. But a good one.

-Went to Rome, GA on Friday after work to visit Megan's grandparents, as well as many other family members that were there.
-Played Halo 3 for the first time. Actually me, Megan's brother, and Megan's uncle stayed up pretty late playing.
-I actually really liked it, and like the Xbox 360.
-Hmmm...
-Got home to witness our dog Max picking up and eating one of my guitar pics. He's "gone to the bathroom" a few times since then...I guess I'll go look for it when I get home today. Or maybe I'll just go get another one for $.25
-UNC is in the final four...tough matchup against Kansas though. I'm predicting a UNC vs. Memphis final.
-Played electric @ CRCC yesterday. Its a lot of fun. Tele through Fulldrive 2 through Vox AC30...nice tone.
-Probably about to get some in-ear molds made. Then thinking about going with Livewires. Its just a good investment for a musician.
-I got a kick out of a comment my friend Philip left on a blog this weekend regarding twitter. I'll quote him.."when i see people have "twittered" it automatically makes me think of a middle school girl texting her friend to let her know what pointless activity she is doing or about to do. who cares?! don't do it man, as your brother-in-law, i am begging you not to do it!"
-Why do people not respond to emails?
-Why am I so bad at calling people back?
-Hmmm...
-Megan and I ordered some books off of Amazon. Looking forward to seeing that box come in the mail.
-Also bought the new Starfield album. First time I bought an album using my iphone. Cool.
-Went to the gym last night. More on this later.

I need more coffee.

Hmm....

Sorry folks, there hasnt really been much to blog about in the past couple days. I've been doing some work around the house trying to tidy things up a bit, as well as enjoying some great weather. I love being outside. I'd much rather be outside accomplishing something or just for fun than sitting inside staring at my TV or Computer. But thats just me. I think I get that from my Grandfather. He and I(is that the correct way to say that?) have much in common it seems. Anyways, thats what I've been doing the past week or so. I've got a good friend coming over today to take a look at some things around the house and see what he thinks about some ideas I may have.

Oh yea, I know I shouldnt admit this...but I'm falling in love with the show Flip This House on TLC. Thats one thing I'd like to do one day is flip a house. Anyone want to get in on that with me?

We had practice last night @ Crossroads. Real excited about the set this Sunday. Should be a lot of fun. You should come hang out with us if you're in town. Check it out.

Megan in Ghana

This is one of my favorite pics.

Monday AM Thoughts

Had a great weekend, here is a recap for those who care.

-Spent all weekend, literally, planting grass seed, fertilizer, and lime in my yard. We have a decent size yard, and one that has a great layout to it. It took time.
-I like being outside.
-My allergies dont.
-I feel like crap right now.
-Last night, Thomas and I put down "wheat straw"(fancy name for hay) on my entire front yard.
-When I do something, whether it be yard work or whatever, I try to go at it all the way. If I'm going to do it, I'm gonna do it right...hopefully.
-A squirrel attempted to eat my birdseed in my birdfeeder on Saturday. That particular squirrel is no longer with us here on the earth. Target Practice.
-On a more serious note, a whole lot more serious...Elevation Church had 500 people accept Christ yesterday. That is a God thing. Amazing. I get chills just thinking about it.
-CRCC was great yesterday as well. The band had a great setlist, and Steve really had a great message.
-My wife and I are looking forward to the Spring. We've already started making a to do list.
-Havent watched much of the NCAA's this year yet. I dont know. Its weird how it just doesnt mean as much to me this year. Go Tar Heels though, for sure.
-Had two people at Home Depot yesterday ask me about my new tattoo. Who says tattoos cant spark conversations? I got to explain what the verse means to me and it was great.
-Excited about meeting with this guy sometime this week.
-Sold my Nintendo Wii.
-I've been on an Ice Cream diet. Not this week. There are two things of Breyers Ice Cream in my freezer.
-Anyone know how to lay carpet?
-I hardly spent any time on my computer this weekend, and that is a good thing. I need to be more disciplined in this area.

Ghana

My wife went to Ghana a couple years ago to serve at an orphanage. Here are some pics she took. I'll post some more good ones later.

Church Marketing Doesn't Have to Stink

That is the title of a post from my good friend, Jay Hardwick, yesterday on his blog. Jay and his family live in the outskirts of Columbia, and experienced a tornado on Saturday that left many homes in his surrounding area damaged. He wrote a post concerning a local church that came to give out promotional material for the church's easter program...all while bypassing the devastation that had just happened around Jay's neighborhood. Check this post out by Jay.

CHURCH MARKETING DOESNT HAVE TO STINK

As I finished up some work at home yesterday afternoon and the girls were watching their one afternoon show, there was a knock on the front door. This is unusual...normally when people come to our house, they come to the door in the carport. Clearly, this was a "first-timer."

I opened the door and there stands a man in a suit that parked his black SUV in between our house and our neighbor's so his friend, who was also wearing a suit, could visit them. I knew without him saying a word what he was here to do...

He tells me what church he is from, hands me a flyer inviting me to their Easter show, and then his last line sealed it...

"We're handing out these flyers because it's what Jesus wants us to do and we think He wants you to come to our program."
So Jesus called you to ignore the piles of rubble that people used to call homes while you invite them to your Easter show? I'm having a hard time with that one...a really hard time with that one. Did he give the same speech at every visit? I can't imagine that going over very well.

It would have been a thousand times better if he would have at least asked if we were okay...or at least acknowledged what happened less than 48 hours before his visit. Granted, our house is fine and we are fine...but a few houses down is a different story.

The most angering and saddening part of it all for me is that this only cements what so many think about Jesus: He only cares about heaven and hell and couldn't care less about every day life. That perception wasn't formed in a vacuum...it was formed out of experiences like I had yesterday.

I bet if that church sent teams of people into the hardest hit neighborhoods to help collect belongings, clear debris, cook meals, provide gift cards for groceries, and provide ears to listen and shoulders to cry on, they wouldn't have enough seats for their Easter show. And the best part of it all...the people who were served would have already seen Jesus in action and the show would fill in the blanks.

Awareness?

New pics

I've had a lot of fun playing in Photoshop. Im not that good at it yet, but I'm trying to learn my way around. Here are a few things I've messed around with this weekend.


Philip, Me, Thomas at my wedding.

First flower that bloomed at our house.

I think these are flowers from our wedding. I dont know.

Flowers from when I proposed to Megan.

My reflection in window.

Megan and her friend Andie

Monday AM Thoughts

-First off, I'm praying really BIG today for a possible location for Thrive Church, a new church plant in Simpsonville.
-Its amazing how God opened the door for this location. We rode by it on Friday night, saw a janitor working, and she let us in...and it was perfect. We got to pray on the stage and so we'll see what God has for us with this.
-Megans mom was in town on Saturday. She is so cool. I like hanging out with Megan's family.
-Our new dog is awesome. Still havent decided yet, Thomas. haha.
-Spent a lot of time learning Photoshop and just playing around in it. It can get confusing, but I'm learning some things. I'll post some pics I've worked on later today.
-I love Target.
-I love Whole Foods.
-Yes, I just admitted those two things...
-My good friend David Walker rocked out my favorite Phil Wickham song yesterday @ CRCC, called True Love.
-Anybody bought any good music lately? Let me know. I'm in need of some new stuff.
-I bought a Wii last week. I got a steal on it. Trust me when I say steal. I would not have bought it otherwise. I'll post on that too later on.
-I cant wait for Spring.

In need?

Shameless plug...I think. I dont know. But I have some dates(Sundays) available in April and May that I'd love to fill. If your church is in need of a worship leader or musician for any dates, I'd love to help out in any way that I could. Just contact me through the little link over on the right hand side of the page.

Thanks.

Friday at last

I'm glad its Friday.

Had a great time at the Unleash Conference yesterday. I was super glad that my wife could come with me. We really enjoyed hearing Perry speak in the first session(we couldnt stay for the last main session b/c my wife had to go in to work @ the hospital). I went to two breakout sessions. The first was Service Planning, and the second was Music and all things Technical. I enjoyed them both, and took some good notes.

I was really encouraged and challenged by some things that Lee McD said in the breakout session. He's a solid guy, and a worship leader who truly understands the weight of his words from the stage...and a guy that strives for excellence. Great guy.

March Madness is upon us, and I'm stoked. I love me some basketball. Go Tar Heels.

Unleash

My new friend Travis bought Megan and I tickets to the Unleash Conference tomorrow. I'm excited about not having to work and excited to hang out with some great friends from all over. I had a lot of fun hanging out with the Catalyst guys last year, as they were nice enough to provide me with a ticket. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Let me know if you're going to be present.

Just save yourself the trouble and buy a Mac, ok?

First off...reason number 7,692 to own a Mac is you dont have to fool with Viruses. I have spent the last 2 hours here at work trying to get rid of viruses that our secretary opened through her emails yesterday. Its horrible. Its practicly a brand new computer, it now goes sooo slow, and it wont open anything. Its our main computer here at work too, where we do all our invoices, billing, so on and so on. Oh well.

Apple

Monday AM Thoughts

Lists are my favorite thing right now, its the cool thing to do. Right Wes?
Oh yea, Happy Birthday to Wes Johnson...belated of course.

-Church was great on Sunday. Went to Crossroads. I didn't play in the band, so it was great to sit with my wife. Crossroads wrapped up the last message in The Kingdom series. Incredible series, life altering series.
-I'm being amazed right now in my life at Gods timing. Its always so...perfect.
-Had a great time Friday night hanging out with Travis and his fiance Kristin at Longhorn Steakhouse.
-I'm a big Travis Holmes fan. The dude is filled with passion and a vision...not one or the other. Both.
-How about them Tarheels? Loved it.
-Went to the Gun show on Saturday. No, no...the real gun show, as in "bang, bang" kind of gun show, not flex my arms at the beach kind of gun show. Just clearing that up.
-Yes, I did buy a couple things...
-Ok, a few things.
-One of which I may post about at some point this week.
-I ordered online last week a concealed gun holster that I can wear when I'm running. So if you see me running in a neighborhood near you, don't sneak up on me haha.
-Megan and I adopted a dog this weekend. He was on sale at the Humane Society. He is awesome. His name is Max. See pics below.
-Speaking of my wife, and I dont say this enough on this site..but she is awesome and I couldnt ask for a better partner to do life with. She is so supportive and loves me unconditionally. I love you Megan.
-Yesterday was so beautiful outside. Cant wait for Spring.
-Thanks for reading my blog.

Max

Here is the new dog Megan and I adopted this weekend. He is awesome. He just lays around the house and chills out.

So..blog world, meet Max.

Spring Cleaning...kind of

Many folks that read this blog are musicians and so today this is for you. I'm selling a few things that you may or may not be interested in...or you may or may not know someone who may or may not be interested in them. That was awesome. Anyways, here are some things that I'm selling at the moment. All of which are in great condition. Please email me for any questions you may...........or may not have. Ok, here we go.

1) MPS-9 Pedalpad Pedalboard. This is a great pedalboard with an adjustable tier, as well as a built in power supply for all your power needs. You can go to Musicians Friend or any other site to find out all the specs on it. Cool.

2) Seymour Duncan Twin Tube Classic. Great pedal, great sound...I just dont use it anymore. I didnt use it that much either...its in great condition. Comes with Power Supply.

3) Line 6 POD XT Live. I bought it, like I do a lot of other things, to check it out and see if it was for me. I decided I'm more of an analog pedal type guy. This pedal could come in handy for situations where a room may be too small for an amp. This pedal is in mint condition, used hardly at all. Good stuff for sure.

Just email me for prices and all or make an offer. I will gladly send you pics as well of anything. Cool, thanks for checking it out.

Good Times

A couple weeks ago we had my parents, as well as Megan's mom over for dinner. Oh yea, and Thomas too. We grilled steaks, chicken, and it was a great time of fun and fellowship. My wife, who is an excellent cook by the way, made an incredible apple pie(see picture below) as well as some Heath bar cookies. Both of which look like they belong in a magazine or something. They tasted amazing.

If you recall a post from earlier this week, I said I was on the hunt for a Nintendo 64. Well, we have one. Turns out, Megan had one at her house...we just needed some extra cables/controllers. So my brother and his girlfriend came over for dinner last night and we ate and then played some Diddy Kong. We wanted Mario Kart, but it turns out we couldn't find it. It was a great time for sure. Then we all loaded up and went to Baskin Robbins, which has the most ridiculous prices I've ever seen in my life. I thought Starbucks was high. Gese.

Anyways, Ive posted some pics below that captured some of our fun.

Noticing

My wife showed me this blog recently. Its incredible. I guess its incredible for me b/c of a couple things. First, I'm getting into photography. And so to see these pictures with such great detail is exciting. Second, its amazing how many times I travel through everyday and forget to notice the small things. The things that contain so much detail that it would seem only a perfect Creator could create. The things that make life so special. The little things.

What have you noticed lately?

This blog features a photo a day, for every day represented in 2008. Its called The Noticing Project. Go check it out. The cool thing is you can buy some of the artwork. So go support them.

Enjoy.

Hmmm...

It is Tuesday, its raining outside...and for some reason there isnt too much going on right now. I do know that I had a great meeting with this guy yesterday. He is a church planter looking to potentially launch something here in Simpsonville. Incredibly nice guy with a ton of vision and passion to see revival in the city of Greenville. It was refreshing to hear Travis's heart.

Oh yea, here is something. I've been on search for a Nintendo 64. Reason? Because I'm wanting to play Mario Kart. In fact, my brother and his girlfriend Sarah, as well as myself and Megan have been craving some Mario Kart. I have the N64 system, two controllers. I now need the cable that goes from the N64 to the TV, as well as two more controllers and the Mario Kart game. Check back for updates. Are there any other Mario Kart lovers out there? You know you like it.

Have a great day.

Monday AM Thoughts

-slow blogging weekend, its a good thing. i needed a break from the computer.
-i also wanted my last two posts to be read by as many people as possible. crazy story.
-if you havent read it, you need to. i tried to just tell the story like it happened.
-had a great time hanging out with the in-laws this weekend in NC. good times.
-went to the county wide flea market in NC on Saturday, ended up buying pretty much a brand new recliner(we had been looking for one) for crazy cheap. it even came with a built in massage thingy. i like it. alot.
-for some reason, i enjoy going grocery shopping with my wife, especially when we go to Whole Foods. Thats a cool store.
-Im cutting out ice cream. For the past year, I've been consuming way too much ice cream. No more for a while. Or at least if I do get some, it will be in moderation...not a lot.
-Megan and I went with some friends to see "Vantage Point" on Friday night. It was ok. I'd wait for the DVD to come out if I were you.
-Why does it cost almost $10 a person to see a movie? It doesnt make sense to me.
-I'm ready for Spring.
-Really enjoyed Crossroads this morning. Im loving the series on The Kingdom. I'm really learning a ton and being stretched.
-I like playing electric guitar. Its a lot of fun.
-I've been studying Photoshop like crazy. I will have a post coming soon about my new camera. Its so much fun.
-There are some new possibilites as far as leading worship on the horizon. I really want what the Lord has for me.
-It is Monday, and I like it. New week, fresh start.