Just a reminder...

I'm supposed to leave for Tijuana at 6:00am on Thursday. There will be 5 chuches represented with a total of 37 people. I wish I could say that it was smooth sailing from now until then, but it's not. Lots of little things have popped up and I'm still waiting on 2 more phone calls with more details to finalize.

I think this is God's way of reminding me that this is His trip, not mine. I'll admit that it's hard for me to completely let go. I'm the type that wants to have things under control at all times. But I keep having to remind myself, "He is in control. HE is in control. HE IS IN CONTROL!"

My wife is currently en route back home from the coast. It'll be nice to see her again. I've missed her lots. I miss my kids lots too. I'm just a basket case these days...

Bring it on...

With a new season almost underway (I'm not counting the FA Community Shield), I thought it was time to talk a little football.

It was good to see Rio sign his contract at long last. I'll admit that I was one of the people wondering just what he was thinking. Through his entire ban Fergie and the team stuck by him and then after playing last season he comes back demanding more money! Well, at least this ended well!

It was also good to hear that Ole might be soon making a return. With the most recent injury to Saha, it is certainly great timing, although I wonder if we'll see the Ole of old after such a long absence from the game.

I'll admit that the prospect of having Michael Owen at Old Trafford is more than a little appealing. If Smicker truly ends up playing in the midfield, maybe a move for Owen wouldn't be a bad idea.

Whatever happens in the transfer market, I'm ready for the season to begin. It's just too bad that I'm missing the official beginning as I will be in Tijuana with a group of my high schoolers. Oh well...

There's still only one United!

Leading worship...

I was looking at some video that my wife shot last weekend at Family Camp while my band and I led the worship time. It's always strange when you hear your own voice!

But that got me to thinking about the weekend as a whole. It sure was nice to lead in a relaxed atmosphere where people felt comfortable with one another even though they may not have known each other.

It was also nice to talk with some people after the services and to hear that they actually appreciated what we were doing and to let us know that they enjoyed the worship time. Not a single complaint during the whole weekend. That was a nice change.

Too bad that can't be normal.

Time for a change...

This blog has been in desperate need of a makeover for some time now, and since it's so quiet around here...I'll explain that in a bit...I thought I'd make some changes. I've added a few blogs that I like to read from time to time and I've updated my reading list (which is larger than usual because I'm getting ready for a 2 week missions trip to Tijuana).

My wife and kids left for the coast this morning. The wee lil ones are spending some time at the grandparents while we're on teh trip to Mexico. My beauty of a wife won't be back home until Tuesday and then we leave on Thursday. I won't see my kids until August 26th. I miss them already, although I must admit that the peace and quiet was kind of nice for a few hours tonight. But now I'm ready to hear them laughing and talking and have them running around again.

I've got some other exciting news, but I'm waiting on that for the time being.

On the bandwagon...

Just bought an ipod last week. So far I'm loving it. I might love it more once I have all my music on it. And I imagine that this will come in very useful on our missions trip to Tijuana next month.

Any ideas how many Dave Matthews Band concerts I can fit on this thing?

But...

God is even in this.

I was just reminded if that upon finishing "God is Closer Than You Think". God's got a great sense of timing...

Words cannot describe...

I don't even know where to start, but I do know that I don't like this...I think.

This can't be normal...can it?

It's already Friday...

Ok, so this is a little crazy. In the midst of preparing for a missions trip in the middle of August, I've also found a way to get scheduled to preach this Sunday, and organize a missions trip fundraiser immediately after the service. Then I lead worship on the 24th before heding up to camp with my band to lead worship there over the August long weekend.

And let's not forget about planning for the fall. I'm working on a new proposal for our youth ministry that would see things changed up a fair bit.

My parents are coming on the 24th, which means I need to clean the basement up so they have a place to stay (that's where the extra bed is). And I've also got a long list of housework to do in the very near future. Fix fence gates that won't open, do some painting, patch some holes, fix a sinking sidewalk.

Yikes...it's almost like I have too much to do and too little time to do it in.

I must admit...

I'm usually one of the first to complain about the lack of good TV during the summer months, however I thought I'd take a step of faith today and make a confession. I like watching Big Brother.

I hope you don't lose too much respect for me, but my wife and I regularly carve out time to see what's happening each week. I think the best part about this show is that it finds its way onton my screen almost 3 times a week. That's the way TV should be...new epsisodes every couple of days.

Sweet dreams...

I think I'm falling in love...but don't worry, my wife knows!

Good tunes are coming...

I am absolutely looking forward to the new album by these guys. And the even better part is that they'll be leading worship at NYWC in Sacramento just after the album is released. Woohoo!

So much TV...

Well, I've been sick since Thursday night with a brutal sore throat and I've been running a fever, so I ended up spending most of my time today on the couch. That meant I was able to jump on the Live 8 bandwagon.

While I'm impressed by the sheer number of people that witmessed this event (whether live or on TV) I don't know if it will have a huge impact. I mean, let's be honest, do we really think that world leaders give a rip what multi-millionaire celebrities really think? Or that millions of people showing up for concerts will really have a voice?

I guess it would be nice to be wrong, but here's a few other random thoughts..

*Dave Matthews Band---I had to watch this one via AOL because CTV wasn't showing it, but these guys are always amazing! And ABC did a brutal job of editing when they showed DMB on their highlight show.

*Celine Dion---She got booed by the Canadian crowd because she was making a live appearance from Las Vega. Cruel? Yes! But stinking funny!

*Green Day---Way to wreck a classic Queen song. Oh, and lose the makeup!

*Neil Young---There really was no better way to end the Barrie show than with everyone joining him on "Keep on Rocking in the Free World".

*Motley Crue---Absolutely lame. Who let these clowns on the stage?!?!

*Sarah McLachlan---She has one of the most amazing voices in the industry. I didn't care much for Josh Groban joining in, but I can overlook it for now.

*Barenaked Ladies---It was too bad they were the second last act to take the stage because they only got 2 songs. They definitely deserved more stage time.

*Releasing the doves---I wonder if anyone got hit from above...if you know what I mean.

Well, at least I can say that I witnessed a piece of history, even if it was only on my 27" black box.

This is ridiculous...

Too many times in the past month I have heard things that make me cringe...words that make my heart and soul ache....language that I am sure breaks the very heart of Jesus. I'm not talking about "colorful" terminiology. I'm talking about conversations that come off as nothing more than pure bigotry and hatred.

You know the kicker...it's people who should know better.

I know, I know, I shouldn't attempt to speak on His behalf...

I thought summer was slow...

Apparently not. With an upcoming camping trip, a missions trip, some holidays, planning for the next calendar year, and just trying to sort through life...there's hardly time to catch my breath.

I'm currently working on a sermon for this Sunday about the life of Elijah, so let's just say that I haven't been posting much because I've been working...yeah, that's it...I've been working...

I'm pondering and praying about what the fall has in store for our Youth Ministry. I don't know if I should leave things alone or do another overhaul. We tried a new "setup" this past year which definitely had its pros, but I feel it was far from what it could have been.

It's also crazy when you try and pick people's brains about what they like/dislike/want/need, especially when they all have a differing opinion. JR highs want this, SR highs want that, volunteers want something else, parents want the other things, the board doesn't want any of the above.

It makes my head spin sometimes.

I am Batman...

This morning I get a call from a few of my High School students asking me if I was interested in going to see Batman Begins with them tonight. Since my wife wasn't exactly dying to see the movie I joined them.

And what a sweet movie it was...wow! Definitely the best movie of the series to date and definitely worth watching again. Maybe I can convince my wife to go...

Body parts...

It's completely amazing what science can do. My surgeon wants me to consider using "donor parts" when he reconstructs my ACL in the fall. Yup, he wants to take someone elses ACL and place it inside me. I dunno, but that's a little creepy.

On a lighter note, I just downloaded Riley Armstrong's new cd "LaLoop". And yes, it's legal...

Good tunes so far.

It's part of being a dad...

I can remember my dad sitting patiently at the table slowly eating cold pizza that tasted like cardboard and sipping on a coke while we ran around like maniacs.

Tonight we had dinner (if you can call it that) with family friends. I was the lone male besides the youngens. My responsibilty was clear: stay at the table to guard the purses and keep track of the tickets the kids would come back with every 15 minutes.

I'm left with one burning question...why on earth are there no TV's with sports highlights on them for all us dads?!?!

I guess this is fatherhood.

Wish I could go...

Just got listening to some more DMB tonight and I must say that I love this band! This picture is from a show on June 1. I just wish I could make it to a show this summer.

Just finished...

I just finished reading "The Way I Was Made" by Chris Tomlin. All in all it was an ok read...fairly simple...but an easy read is nice once in a while.

I've always had a great deal of respect for Chris and his ministry. It started when I saw him in Dallas at NYWC and he was taking the time to show a group of us standing in the hotel lobby how to use a cut capo. I've always been impressed by the way he handles himself, the quality of his music and his ability to lead worship.

But, back to the book...Since I'm on the hunt for normal, there was something he wrote that really jumped out at me. "How would my life be different today if I stayed in the comfort of familiar surroundings? Well, more predictable maybe. Yep, more "normal". But a lot more boring too."

Maybe I should be glad that I can't find normal. Maybe it would be boring. Maybe God is doing me a favor by keeping me away from "normal". Maybe "normal" would ruin my life.

The marathon begins...

Tonight we officially begin our training for our missions trip to Tijuana. Every Wednesday evening from now until August will now be spent with 18 students and leaders...and occasionally my own kids (when we don't find a babysitter).

At least my wife will be there for these. She has always helped out with our weekend youth events, but she usually spends Wednesday's with our kids while I'm teaching the youth Bible study. I guess that means that we get to spend more time together!

It's going to be a busy summer. We don't usually have weekly events during the summer months. In fact, I don't envision having an entire week off until after the Mexico trip at the end of August. Hopefully I don't go crazy...