My Christmas in review

Ok...so it's not tomorrow, it's the end of the week - so here it is!

Most of you know I spent my Christmas in Ohio with my family. Due to a family emergency, but trip came earlier than expected giving me over a week to spend in the buckeye state. Some important observations I made in the last week.

1. Though the benefits of driving 11 hours straight only stopping 2 times to get gas far outweigh the negative aspects, I wouldn't recommend doing it often. It took 2 days to get rid of soreness and pain in my back from sitting so long in one position.

2. The place where I get my oil changed must use blue colored water to fill my washer fluid. Not long after entering Ohio, I met up with some snow. The roads were ridiculously salted like usual and my windshield began to collect the spray from other vehicles off of the road. In no time, my windshield was no longer transparent, but translucent and I discovered that my windshield washer fluid was frozen solid in the lines. After several dicey attempts to spray my windshield, the salt had smeared everywhere causing me to stop for a window wash and a fill up on the good blue washer fluid. That stuff rocks.

3. You don't miss sweet tea the first few days, but then the sugar and caffeine withdraw sets in.

4. Sleeping in is good...very good

5. I visited my home church and discovered that once again, more people remembered my name than I remembered theirs. This is always awkward.

6. I could save a ton of money if I didn't eat out for a week.

For all of you who are wondering, my brother is doing better but could still use your prayers. I had a blast spending time with him.

I also got to see and meet with several awesome friends and fellow people in ministry. The first was Jonathan Herron. We got to catch up and chat a little about his new church plant in Kent, OH. This pic was taken at Friday's where we had lunch.




I also got to get together with Pastor Jeff Miller. He was my youth pastor when I was in high school (and now Sr. Pastor of my home church) and whenever I'm in town we get together.

All in all, I was a great trip to Ohio. I got to see friends, family, and get some R&R. I'm looking forward to this next year and what it has to bring. Perhaps I'll do some year in review thingy before the end of the year...we will see.

I'm home

After 12 agonizing hours, I'm back in good ol' Birmingham. I'll try to post tomorrow with a quick summary of my trip.

Merry Christmas!!!

May all of you and your families have a great and blessed Christmas together celebrating the coming of our King.

Christmas Quiz:

What does the term swaddling refer to in the Christmas story?
(no cheating looking up the passage or word)

For those of you down South

Look! Snow.

I'm here

For those of you wondering, I got to Ohio safe. Snow is on the ground everywhere! My car now looks white with road salt. For those of you praying for my brother, thank you. I have been spending the last few days with him and my family. Continue to pray for him that God would work powerfully in his life.

I am looking forward to hanging out with some good friends in the next few days. I'll try to post some pictures a little later. I found a Panera Bread near hear with free high speed internet so it will be easier to upload then ;)

going home soon

Last night I got to see LWW again (I know it's not LOTR, but I'm lazy typing). I love that movie. My before the movie, Rachael and I exchanged gifts and here's the incredible dorkiness...we got each other the same thing. I just busted out laughing when I saw what she got me and she was like "what? don't you like it?"

I'm heading home to Ohio for Christmas Sunday (going early to spend some time with my brother). I'm psyched to see my family and friends (and snow). I'll take my lapey with me so I'll update some more from Ohioland.

Legendary Nyack Alumna, Betty Knopp, Passes Away

Taken from the Christian and Missionary Aliance Website:

Betty Knopp passed away early December 15, 2005. She retired in August 2005 from her position as Church Relations assistant at the Rockland County Nyack campus and moved to retirement at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Knopp wore many "hats" in God's call on her life but ambassador for Christ was chiel among her roles. Another of Knopp's claim to fame was her handwritten notes of encouragement. She penned nearly 400 notes each year to alumni and friends of the college. Following her retirement, member of the college community rallied to the call to write her each week.

We love you Betty. You will be missed!

please pray for my brother

My brother was walking with a friend today when she was struck by a train and killed right in front of his eyes. He's in shock right now and obviously is taking it very hard.

Please also pray for the girl's father. His wife (and the girls mother) committed suicide last year.

Thank you

feeling festive

Since I don't decorate my 1 bedroom apartment for Christmas, I thought I should at least decorate my blog ;) (Thanks Jonathan for the idea)

For those of you keeping track, we had our Christmas musical Sunday morning. I got to be dressed up like an old man (see picture).

(don't I look so happy...or amish?)

All in all, I think it went very well - our congregation sure enjoyed it. We'll be picking the glitter (from the angel's costumes) out of our carpet for months!

Well I don't know about all of you, but I am looking forward to Christmas. I am really hoping that it will be snowing when I get to Ohio (we don't get much of the white stuff down south).

saw LWW tonight

Don't worry, no spoilers here. I just got back from seeing the Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe.

I loved it. I was really concerned that I may not agree with Holywood's take on the book, but I think they did a great job for the most part. Part of me wishes they caught more of the phenomenal one-liners that Lewis had written, but I realize that you must loose much of the spoken text when you are making a movie from a book.

The digital effects were great and believable. I think they would fall into the category of "fantasy realism" where things are maintained to look more like a childhood dream than something from our world. Also, there was little to no blood and gore. Amazing considering how violent the Lewis books are (albeit children's fantasy violence, wars and the like).

Two of my favorite characters because of their acting were Jadis and Mr. Tumnus. I thought that both of those characters were dead on, horrible and charming respectively.

I really hope this film does well in the box office because I'm looking forward to having the other 6 movies made.

I also am looking forward to seeing the movie again soon ;)

Church on Christmas, part 2

Good points about the Church and being together for Christmas - here is my point:

Most churches have multiple Christmas related activities before Christmas Day. Since we know Jesus was not born on December 25th, I think that a Christmas Eve service, or a Christmas musical the week before would be just as valid as having a service on December 25th.

As churches we often overemphasize special occasions holidays, and our Sunday services. If the church is going to be most effective in the world we are going to have to realize that the Church is far more than what happens on a Sunday morning.

ESL

Check out this artilce I found on relevantmagazine.com. It shows how important ESL (English as a Seccond Language) is becoming in our world. Since September, our spanish ministry and church have started an effort to build a thriving, life changing ESL program at our churches' computer lab.

Here's a clip of the article:

"The world is at our doorstep. Millions of people have been torn from their land due to war and political instability and have found themselves living and working in American cities."
Statistics:

- In 2000, 28.4 million foreign-born people resided in the United States, representing 10.4 percent of the total U.S. population.

- Nearly 32 million people in the United States speak a language other than English.

- ESL programs are the fastest growing component of the state-administered adult education programs.

canceling church on Christmas?

Check out this article:

Is it me, or does this article seem absurd to you? Who cares if a church is closed on Christmas. Everyone wants to spend time with their families, why should the church compete (or interfere?). Just another indication that people think "church" is what goes on Sunday mornings. The 7th day is to be a SABBATH - that means rest, honoring God. What can be more God-honoring than spending time with the family God gave you honoring and remembering Him?

why I like Smoothie Joe's

Yesterday, Marko and I went to Smoothie Joe's for lunch. I've had food there a handful of times before, but yesterday - I discovered another reason why Smoothie Joe's rocks: While our food was being prepared we played x-box live. You see, if you buy something, you get free access to their x-box and all the goodies that come with it (like playing Halo online). Now, if only Smoothie Joe's wasn't uber expensive I'd be there ever day.

This Sunday is the BIG Christmas musical. I'm sorta the star of the show, and I still have a ton of lines to memorize. I think I might try sleeping with the practice CD playing and see if I wake up endowed with the proper lines.

Oh, and if you are feeling extra generous (or rich) this Christmas season check out my Christmas wish list to the right ----------------------------------->