This Week in Thoughts

He has been a great friend.  I'm so glad we met in college. On Dan Weiss while writing him a note for his 35th Birthday.

What is the culture of our Student Ministries right now? While be challenged by a godly member of the NMC family at our staff meeting.

The culture we create will make or break this one.  While working with a think-tank on a significant move we are looking to make with NMC Student Ministries.

It's so good to have her back.  Wednesday when Janelle (my wife just in case you didn't know) rejoined our administrative team one day a week.

This one's all you God.  On Wednesday Night as we had a flooded alter at the close of our Senior High gathering.

I'm really ticked.  My grace bank is depleted on this one.  On Wednesday Night when a gal came up to me to let me know her Droid X phone was stolen from her seat while she was  at the alter.  (Glad to report she got it back the next day).

I would be okay if the Colts could draft Kellen Moore next year.  He could sit under Peyton Manning for 3-4 more years then take the reins. Tonight as I watch the Boise State Broncos against Toledo.

I have one amazing family.  Thank you God.  Thursday while getting our family pictures taken.

5 Thoughts on the The Colts

It was going to be 5 thoughts on the NFL, but with news of another neck surgery and 2-3 month recovery, I thought I'd zero in on the Colts.

Thought #1 - Go sign David Garrard to a one year deal.
He knows the division. All reports are that he is a quality guy.  He's younger and more versatile than Collins. 

Thought #2 - I will still watch the Colts weekly.
There are Colts fans and then there are Peyton Manning fans.  I have no problem with either.  I'm a Colts fan.  I really started cheering for them when "Captain Comeback" Jim Harbaugh (now coaching the 49ers) was the QB.  I can understand how some fans will not watch a Manningless Colts.  The style of offense is thoroughly entertaining.  It may be very painful to watch this season, but I'll still watch.  I love Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Jeff Saturday, Dwight Freeney, and Robert Mathis.  I'll still watch.

Though #3 - I think the Colts could still win the Division.
I'm not saying the Colts will win the division.  I'm just saying they could.  Think about it... the Jags just threw away this season dropping Garrard.  The Titans have a new coach and new quarterback in a severely shortened off season.  Clearly the Texans are the favorites for the division.  If held down and forced to make a prediction, I would predict the Texans to win, but they've had the same talent they now have for the past three season.  They seem to consistently find a way to lose despite.


Thought #4 - Go with Delone Carter.
Joseph Addai drives me nuts as a RB.  He looked fantastic at the beginning of his career. Lately, if he's not injured, he runs as if he's afraid of getting injured.  It's time to move to a new feature back.  If Manning is really out for the season, I say go with a RB by committee setup.  Next season, put Delone Carter in that role.


Thought #5 - This season may help shed light on how great of a QB Peyton Manning is.
In this whole conversation of Manning missing time, I've heard a statement again and again, "No player is more important to his team than Peyton Manning." 
There's plenty of debate on who's the best in the QB position.  It's a 6 person argument in the "current" debate... Manning, Brady, Rodgers, Roethlisberger, Brees, Rivers.  Brady and Manning get thrown into the "all-time" debate with the likes of Montana, Elway, Unitas, Favre and Marino.
Here's my thing... 
IF you take into light the team history with him as QB in 13 seasons (11 winning seasons,  11 Playoff appearances 7 Division Champs, 2 Conference Champs, 1 Super Bowl),
IF the statement that "No player is more important to his team than Peyton Manning
IF the Colts tank this season.
THEN Peyton Manning is the best  Quarterback in the NFL, is he not?
I tend to agree in theory that no player is more important, but we've not had a chance to see that in theory in meaningful action.  I guess we get to see it now.

5 Thoughts on Social Networking

Thought #1 - Although some think it's a pipe bomb, I think it's a knife.
Pipe bombs are pretty much intended to inflict harm or destroy things. 
A knife can inflict harm, but it can also spread butter on bread. 
From it's inception, a pipe bomb has little to no intention for good.
A knife is mostly intended for good yet can easily be used for evil.
It's all in how you use it.

Thought #2 - It's not necessarily made communication better or easier.
It's made communication faster.  It's made availability better.  The problem is that if I want to communicate something to a group of people, I have about 4 different ways I need to communicate it to get the word out.  One person's preferred communication is email while another person no longer even has email.  One person prefers a text message while another doesn't have an unlimited text plan.  We have to work harder and with more layers now than we used to when it comes to getting the word out.

Thought #3 - It's best used for humor or inspiration.
When I pull up my news feed, I love to get a laugh or get a warm fuzzy.  I get annoyed when people choose to preach, condemn or slam. 

Thought #4 - Adults have more to learn than teens.
I get asked if I'm worried about teens and Facebook.  I often respond, "Not as worried as I am about adults and Facebook."  I find myself cringing more often at inappropriate or poorly thought out posts by parents of teens rather than teens.  I find myself wondering, "Does that person have their computer open to anything other than Facebook all day" with adults more often than teens.


Thought #5 - I love that it lets the world be smaller.
While we were in Uganda and in need of prayer warriors to rise up, we received word back from Indiana, North Carolina, California, Florida, Kenya, India, Germany, the DRC, and Mexico that people were praying.  That is just awesome!  I love that I can send a note of encouragement to my brothers in India who I haven't been able to see for 2 years.  I love that I can interact face to face with my son and daughter when I'm 6 hours away.  I love I can stay connected with the world I've interacted with through a tiny computer or phone screen.

5 Thoughts on College Football

*The following are personal opinions.


Thought #1 - It's all about having a team.
I could not get into college football for the longest time.  If I didn't have anything else going on, I could turn a "big game" on and watch it.  I'm surrounded by ND, Michigan, OSU, and Nebraska fans.  I decided to become a fan of a team last year.  I jokingly picked Boise State in light of the pain in the butt they seem to be to the whole BCS system.  In the process of watching their games, I actually became a fan.  I'm much more interested in college football now.


Thought #2 - A full ride scholarship is pretty nice "pay."
Lot's of investigations, recruiting violations, pay for play allegations, and potential sanctions in the offseason.  With all this talk there have been those complaining that colleg players are "exploited" for the benefit of the institutions they play for.  The conclusion many make?  College players should be payed for playing.
Faulty conclusion.  The majority of college players are getting their college education for free.  My years of paying off college debt tell me that's a pretty awesome "paycheck."

Thought #3 - The BCS is indefensible for determining a National Champion.
I can understand the argument that the BCS system makes every game count a lot more than a traditional playoff setup.  I can understand that there is no way to create a clear-cut play off with as many teams are invlved.  I do think it's not that far off from making a much more valid system.  Personally, I like the "and 1" idea where the top four face off in two of the BCS Bowls and the winners play for the championship.  Even better, I'd love to see 6 Super conferences, 2 at large bids, and an 8 game playoff... I know it will never happen, but I'd like it.

Thought #4 - The Games are too long.
It's funny how a major complaint of Major League Baseball is that the games are too long.  College games last 4 hours.  The halftime needs to be cut down.


Thought #5 - I really think this is Boise State's year.
I'm a fan, what did you expect?

5 More Thoughts

Well, the 5 Thoughts are getting me back into blogging; so I think I'll go ahead and continue another week...
Monday - 5 Thoughts on College Football
Tuesday - 5 Thoughts on Social Networking
Wednesday - 5 Thoughts on Summer Movies
Thursday - 5 Thought on the NFL
Friday - 5 Thoughts on ??? Here's the deal... You tell me what you want to hear 5 thoughts on in the comment section.  I'll pick one and write on it.

5 Thoughts for NMC

Thought #1 - The story is much more than the staff.
I met with one of our SOAR intern's college supervisor this Summer.  As we sat in the Fieldhouse, he said, "So you are a church of 2500+ in a small town, tons of ministry and outreach going on, how did this all happen?" I get this type of question a lot.
I will be quick to point out the fantastic leadership of our Senior Pastor and the significant tenure of many pastors on staff (4 at 20+ years, another 5 at 10+ years).  But, I will also say that the greater story of NMC has to be the dads, moms, teens, businessmen & women, teachers, stay-at-home moms, who have leveraged their gifts talents and abilities for the sake or our mission.  YOU are the story.

Thought #2 - We have been blessed, now we are called to be a blessing.
One of the biggest reasons I have sought to lead our Student Ministries to pursue initiatives like Maasai Night, Kids In Need, or Teens and Trafficking is that I want our students to take the incredible blessing they are living under and bless others.
Luke 12:48 - From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Thought #3 - If the building gets taken out, we better still meet.
We are blessed with a pretty awesome facility.  Yet, the church is not the building... it's the people.

Thought #4 -  If your a parent, say thanks to the volunteers investing in your kids/students.
I get a lot of thanks from parents for investing in their student.  I really appreciate those thanks, but the truth is that my investment in students is significantly less than our Small Group Leaders and Youth Class Teachers.  They are the "hands on" people at NMC Student Ministries and NMC Children's Ministry are the volunteers.  When you pick up your kid from the Depot, be sure to say thanks!  When you see your student's Small Group Leader, let him/her know your appreciation.

Thought #5 - If you aren't serving, it's time!
The health of this church inside and outside it's walls is directly proportionate to the amount of people choosing to be participants in God's Kingdom over being spectators of God's Kingdom.  We desperately need Male Workshop and Small Group Leaders in Student Ministries.  Children's Minsitry can always us more teens and adults willing to invest in our kids.  GET IN THE GAME!

You know, I wonder if any of you reading this thought one of my thoughts would be "OUR GREATEST DAYS ARE JUST AHEAD?"  Well, it wasn't, but I do believe it's true.

5 Thoughts for Dads

Thought #1 - It's the most important job you have.
It's a battle to figure out when your work should end and family time should begin.  It's tricky as you seek to be the provider of your family, live out the calling of ministry on your life, and then be the Dad you are to be.  YET, what good is it if you gain all the rest of the world and forfeit your family.  I remember in 2009 as we were working on our Kids In Need initiative with Student Ministries.  I was researching through the "major giants" facing children of the world.  I was driving to lunch and I was struck with a thought, I believe from God... "Be careful that you're efforts to help Kids in Need around the world does not produce Kids in Need in your own household."

Thought #2 - Be Engaged with your kids.
Stoic parenting sucks.  I know you may not be naturally excitable or affectionate.  I'm not necessarily either of those myself.   Get off your butt and play catch.  Get down on the floor and play barbies.  I don't think there's such a think as overhugging, overkissing, or overtelling your kids "I love you."

Thought #3 - Remember your wife.
Now, I know this may not be a thought for all dads.  There may be some single dads out there.  The truth is that some of the single dads may be single dads because they neglected this thought.  My wife is an awesome mom.  She is the glue that holds us together as a family.  She is a support.  She's a riot.  She deserves to be hugged.  She deserves to be served.  She deserves a night out alone and a date night (preferably with me).  She deserves it.  Your wife deserves it too.

Thought #4 - Back off on the sports field.
Not just the sports field, but any place where your kids are involved in an activity.  Support, cheer, encourage, and maybe every once in a while, coach.  Your son or daughter won't become a pro.  You can't go back and play sports through your kids again.


Thought #5 - The greatest gift you can give your kids is your intimacy with God.
Fall more in love with Jesus today than you were yesterday.  They are watching you for cues.  They will model your cues.  I see it all the time in Student Ministries.  Show me a dad who is passionately pursuing Christ above all else, and more times than not, I'll be able to show you a son or daughter who is doing the same.

*By no means am I a pro on any of these.  In fact, I can say each of these are or will be a struggle for me to live out as a dad.