from 30K feet

Everybody shares the victory!

Southside Flippers share the victory with our fans

Our kids had a great time enjoying the day with us. We definately had the greatest fans. This was a video they took as we celebrated our final win!

Message vs Method

So here is my question: Can a great message overcome a poor presentation?

Sherry and I attended a parenting seminar over the weekend with a well known author and speaker. He had great content but his method and quality of communication left a little to be desired.  He used a simple Power Point display that looked like it was created when Power Point first came out. The photos and graphics were horribly dated. (some looked like they could have been scanned in from an old Dick and Jane book)

Besides some pretty weak audio visuals, often his main point would get lost in bunny trails. While it wasn't a complete waste of time, I couldn't help but think about how much better it could have been. His message survived the method.

It helped me realize that we always need to be aware of the quality of our presentation.

Looking for stars

I went this morning for my normal 6 mile run at 5:40.  The air was crisp and the sky was clear and dark. I marveled at the stars that pushed down on me as I headed out. One mile into the run a flash in the sky caught my eye, as I looked up I watched a shooting star streak across the sky!  Whenever this happens it brings me to laughter and finally tears as I soak in the show God puts on seemingly just for me.

It reminded me of a time three years ago. (unbelievable that it has been that long ago) I was doing a marriage event in a small rural town in Orange, NSW Australia. I got up very early to go for a run before the busyness of the day started.  I imagined David sitting on a ridge much like the one that created the valley I was running through, watching his sheep.

I easily could understand the intimacy he felt with God as he laid on his back and saw the vast universe above him.  I that moment, a star shot across the sky right in front of me!  I remember feeling like God flung that star just to show me a glimpse of his power. Even this morning, I realized it is impossible for me to comprehend the speed with which that star must have been moving and I am unable to fathom the vastness of the universe that could hold it! 

As we lead where God has us, we need to remember that He can show up anywhere, therefore we must be watching or we will miss it. And when he does show up, it will be spectacular! 

I came in this morning and read Psalm 102. When I got to verse 25, I just smiled.

"You laid earth's foundations a long time ago, and handcrafted the very heavens"

What's in a Story?

During our normal team meeting on Tuesday, I asked each person to come prepared to share their "story." This provided a chance to know each other on a deeper level but more importantly to praise God publicly for what He has done in our lives. This was a fun but serious time of both laughter and tears.

This was an amazing team building experience that I would recommend for anyone who is trying to bring some connection to the team they lead. When I looked at my watch, we had spent an entire hour sharing the goodness of God and then finished the final 20 minutes taking care of "business." This was an entirely appropriate allocation of our time since God is ultimately the one in control, which was apparent in each of the stories that was shared.

I realized the picture I created with my story was one painted with broad strokes and I felt convicted that I had left out numerous stories of God's greatness in my life.  This morning I was mulling it over again and began thinking through what I should have included.  This opened a flood gate of memories and became a sweet time of personal worship of how awesome God really is. I finished getting ready and set the ideas aside.

Twenty minutes later I sat reading of God's great love described in Psalm 99 and 100.  I then continued my study of 1 Corinthians by reading through chapter 14. Even though Paul was talking about speaking in tongues, his point was when we openly share His truths, others can grow and be strong and experience His presence in you.

Ok God. I get it. Obviously I need to go back and add the "God things" into my story.

...and the story goes on.

God's Fingerprints

Have you ever been in a situation when you feel like you could see God's fingerprints all over something?

One of the things we desparately need in Fellowship Kids is a logo makeover.  But it is more than just that, we need a whole logo system.  As we have created new environments for kids, they have taken on their own identities that need to be "branded" and used to create energy and focus. This means each environment needs its own look and feel. This is a huge task that requires talent and experience. (Something I don't have.)

Months ago, I put the ideas on the shelf and conceeded that now was just not the time. But I tried to continually lay it before God in prayer.

A couple of weeks ago I received an email about a guy who was interested in using some of his graphic design gifts wherever the church might need it.  I met and had lunch with him and shared my  heart and desires for Fellowship Kids.  The next Sunday I toured him around and looked at each environment and tried to paint the picture that I saw from 30k feet.

Last night I talked with him on the phone and discussed some ideas and concepts he created.  While we are still in the early stages, this awesome guy is committed to using his 30 years of graphic design experience to bring to the surface what God has planned.  When I hung up the phone, I praised God for what He was doing.  A smile came on my face as I admired His fingerprints all over the whole thing!

Children are children

Southside Fellowship hosted the Children of the World choir this Sunday.  My family and I had the privilege of hosting two girls who are a part of the choir. 

Rose (9 years old) and Sarah (8 years old) came to stay with us on Friday evening. Both of the girls are orphans from Uganda and were a delight to have.  They loved painting, coloring and playing with playdough. It was fun to watch them physically get on the table so they could knead the dough with their knee and heals.

We found they were also fascinated by the spring door stop in the bathroom as I heard them everytime they went in making it go "boing". We got to spend all day Saturday with them and took them to the Roper Mountain Science Museum where they got to look at insects under a microscope and explore many other wonders.

They loved to laugh, play, sing, dance and just have fun.  It helped me realize that children are children no matter where they are from.