Figuring it all out one day at a time
1. Get a babysitter for Friday night.
2. PIck up tickets for Grasshopper’s game
3. Plan games for camp.
4. Make 3 business calls.
5. Set up sanctuary for praise band practice.
6. Call Tuggle about camp worship songs.
7. Return movies and books to library.
8. Finish SFD Road Trip stuff.
9. Pick up kids for the CHAMP Center.
10. Haircut and workout.
11. Get in bed before 11.
12. Scrap my to do list and enjoy a day with the Drake.
We went to Mi Pueblo, a Mexican restaurant in Lexington on Mother’s Day. We chose to eat on the patio waited patiently for our server. Here’s what happened in the time it took him to actually take our order.
1. Karen took the girls to the bathroom.
2. Drake was in the high chair long enough that he got tired of it so I got him out and took him to the van to get some coloring books and toys.
3. I started sweating since my back was in the sun.
4. Karen and I both needed and received drink refills from our server.
When I got back to the table with Drake I asked Karen if our order had been taken. She said no, but the server came right then. There is usually a point when I put on the “5 minute clock.” If our order hasn’t been taken in that time then we leave. We have left a few restaurants over the years who’ve failed to get the job done. Now, I don’t start the clock when we’re first seated so I’m not being unreasonable. The food was great at Mi Pueblo’s. It was the best burrito I’ve ever eaten. It did not feel like the cookie cutter menu item that many Mexican restaurant’s serve. The kids all cleaned their plates. Then it took forever to get our bill. Dude, when 3 kids get restless, you gotta get moving. The kids had been great, but they had been asked to sit and be still an awfully long time due to our service delays. Bottom line: I don’t know if we’re gonna go back. They had one shot and they blew it. The one thing they have going for them is that they’re the closest Mexican restaurant to us.
Now, this whole episode made me think about the church. How many times have first time guests left disappointed with their experience? How many times have we blown our one shot? People’s souls are far more important than chips and salsa, but are we swinging for the fences every time we open the doors or just mailing it in every now and then? Now, contrast Sunday’s experience with Monday night. I went to pick up some pizza and breadsticks at Papa’s Pizza. I paid the bill and got in the van. Right before I pulled out of the parking lot, the cashier caught my attention. He told me he realized he didn’t give me the special price and owed me money. I followed him back in and he gave me back $4. I hadn’t caught the mistake, but this guy chased me down when he did. Their pizza is not the best every time, but it’s service like that which creates customer loyalty. I wonder if churches offered an “hour back guarantee” if people would come knowing that if they didn’t like the service then they could get their hour back. We’ve got to treat every week like it’s our only opportunity to make a first and lasting impression.
1. As a Trekkie, I loved the new Star Trek. I think it was a succesful relaunch of the series and we will probably see at least 2 more movies with this cast. Hopefully, one of them will involve Klingons.
2. FUEL was great. Matt Rhodes and Scott Simmons did a great job planning. Andy Roy leads worship in a way that puts all the emphasis on God and Josh LeRoy pulled no punches and was very transparent. Great to catch up with the SC crew. Last year, we had 170 at the one at HQ. This year there were close to 300 gathered at the 4 Area FUELS. Though I like the ones with everyone involved, it seems like we need to do what reaches the most people. Wherever and whatever we do, I will be there as Matt’s unofficial assistant and late night activities coordinator.
3. Gonna blog about the Epicenter in downtown Charlotte sometime this week. Somebody had a vision and has turned it into a fortune. I have never seen so many youth pastors get carded in my life, but it was for the bowling alley and movie theater. The night lifestyle costs a lot and not all of it is financial. For many of the people we encountered, their drunken state was the highlight of their day/week. We all agreed that if not for the grace of God, that’s where we would be too.
4. I have to have a hard conversation with someone this week. I could pass it off to someone else, but I feel like it’s my responsibility. It’s about Competence more than Character. They’re just not getting the job done. I will have to get “permission” to have this conversation, but it must be done.
5. Had an interesting experience at Mi Pueblo Mexican restaurant yesterday. Lousy service, but it was the best burrito I’ve ever eaten. Again, it deserves a full blog later this week.
6. Got to make some FHTM business calls this week.
7. I thought Annie Duke got robbed on the Celebrity Apprentice. Personally, Mr. Trump, I think the only role models you could find on this show were Clint Black and Herschel Walker. I don’t remember them cursing anyone or throwing anyone under the bus. Were Joan Rivers 30 years younger and pulling her act, she would’ve been fired much earlier. It was reverse ageism I think. She won because she was old. My son is older than her face though.
8. Red Sox got a big win against Tampa Bay last night. I just hope Pedroia’s injury isn’t that serious.
9. For some reason, my phone’s ear piece isn’t working and I can only hear calls on speaker phone. Also, my txt’s won’t go to Twitter anymore. Not a good thing to happen when you’re out of town.
I’m off to Denton Elementary for lunch with the girls. It’s pizza day!
I’m here in Charlotte for the Southern Area FUEL. So far, Josh LeRoy has presented some hard teaching. It has not been the rah rah pat on the back kind of stuff. He has been transparent about his own personal dealings with the subjects he’s addressed: racial reconciliation and mercy. Bottom line from Josh has been that if we feed people but fail to share the gospel then we have missed the point. Lots of John Wesley references. Appropriate since he is a great example of how to do both effectively. He shared some personal experiences from his neighborhood including various shootings that have occured. Josh does not live in New York City. He lives in Asheboro. Well, Philip Martin scored us some free breakfast so it’s off to facc what is sure to be an interesting one. I’m hoping we have a big group go see the new Trek tonight. We shall see. I miss my wife and kids. I will see them in 24.
Just been gmail chatting-is that what it’s called-with my boy Tim Kirkpatrick in Austrailia. I am excited for his adventure there and hope to partner with him for missions trips and the 2011 International Wesleyan Youth Convention. Lindsay Cameron, if you’re listening, consider this my nomination for Tim to be National Youth President. Here’s what is up:
1. Went to a FHTM event in Charlotte this weekend where the company founder spoke. Got a picture with him and he is a multi-millionaire who actually got my name right. It was an amazing experience. He kept saying that the business is not a sit on your fanny deal, but you have to work at it. The only difference is now you are working your own field instead of someone else’s. The best thing about this whole business thing has been reconnecting with my childhood buddy, Alan McAlister. If we could find our Rednecks in Florida video, we would be rich. The opening scence involved a newspaper, a bathroom, and bass tournament results.
2. Putting the finishing touches on my roundtable topic for FUEL in Charlotte this weekend. Get to hang with F. Matt Rhodes and other youth pastors from the south. Also gonna be working on some Love/Mercy stuff. As unofficial entertainment director, I have already procured our Thursday night activity and it’s a midnight showing of Star Trek. Best time ever was in Orlando in the church van singing the blues with B. Hill and Matty Lee. That was a great night and we met Domique Wilkens and Pervis Ellison. The best times are always unplanned.
3. Excited to start a new series at youth tomorrow night, “Life Between the Gutters.” Can I just say I was disappointed to find out that this two-handed bowler dude is not going granny style? He’s bowling regularly but with two hands. Bowl a perfect game granny style and then you can be on Sportscenter.
4. We have more than twice as many teens going to youth camp than we did last year! Still got a few to sign up so I’m hoping for at least 20.
5. My mission trip plans keep falling like flies. We are on Plan E right now.
6. Karen sold her first wedding coupon books today!
7. Hey, let’s try to spread out the Red Sox-Yankees games next year! They just played a series last week. Sorry Yankee Fans, but the new stadium will be your undoing. Ya’ll have as many empty seats as the Marlins(who have 25% the payroll but a much better record). ARod will return soon, but he will be the “butt” of jokes the rest of his career. Guess his passing Bonds won’t be so celebrated now will it? Come on, Pujois!
8. That’s it. 8 is my limit tonight. Ghosts of Girlfriends past is good. I cried. The last movie I didn’t cry at was Wolverine, but that doesn’t count. I’m actually crying now. There was a Kodak commercial.
We had several couples renew their wedding vows yesterday at church. One couple has been married 56 years and were not believers when they were first married. The way they looked at each other during the ceremony was unforgettable. With that in mind, here’s a video of a couple(married 62 years) putting on an impromptu piano recital.