BabuLife

Big Gulp

This past Sunday in our fourth week of the current series "Walking with God", Tim made reference to a story regarding him, a bike and a Big Gulp.  Watch the video below.  If you have a "Big Gulp" story, would you email it to us at Stories@graceks.org?

Bam! Take that!

Started the day with 521 emails.  Who's the man? I owned you today Outlook!

Speed Bumps

"Friendships are like speedbumps...just little bumps in the road causing you to slow down while getting to your intended destination."

There are things I regret doing and saying in my life...this is one of them.

In our lives we experience many friendships that come and go.  Some of us build walls to keep our distances from those we actually care about.  Why do we do this?  For me, I came to a realization in my life that I have a fear of being let down.  I've been let down in my childhood by friendships.  Wounded by people I've let into my world only to have them disappoint me.  The result was a person who always remains guarded, always avoids dealing with conflicts and dismisses friendships easily when they move along.  This isn't healthy.

As I've grown in my personal relationship with God, I've learned that friendships in the Body of Christ are essential to the Christian walk.  We were never meant to walk alone, we were never meant to deal with trials on our own and we were never meant to abandon those who God put in our paths.  People are NOT speedbumps.

Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Just a thought to chew on this Wednesday.  Do you need to rethink your view on friendships?

Go Please...Seriously...It's Your Turn!

I can't take it anymore. I've been avoiding it here on the blog and have talked about posting on this topic since moving to Johnson County here in Kansas two years ago.  Not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings that I might possibly know...but I can't take it.  People of Olathe and Overland Park, KS...PLEASE STOP TELLING ME TO GO AT FOUR WAY STOP SIGNS WHEN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY.

In Missouri there's this traffic rule that is taught, whenever two cars arrive at a four way stop at the same time, the car to the right goes first.  Is that not a known rule in Kansas?!?  After perusing the Kansas traffic laws site, I found from the official handbook the section that clearly explains the right of way laws.  Please click to the left and read #2 if you would like to help spread the word about this nifty little traffic rule.  I think the thing that I'm trying to figure out is if folks who wave me to go first really think they're doing me a favor.  Seriously.  You might be messing up the flow of traffic when you do that and you might cause an accident when you stray from the natural rules of driving.  And when you are waving me to go, please do it a little kinder.  You look annoyed with your hand waving frantically as if I'm taking forever to go.  But if you would just do the right thing and GO because it's your turn you wouldn't have to flick your wrist so hard!  Seriously!  You might actually get carpel tunnel if you continue waving people frantically through stop signs!

There...I said it.  My rant is over...after two years on Kansas roads.  Anyone else driving around Johnson County notice this driving difference from the Missouri side?  Please...spread the word.

Meet My New Computer

It came.  My replacement to an old friend.  No...it isn't a Mac.  Sorry Mac folks...thanks for the emails and comments, but we decided to stick with the Dell family.  And I'll admit...I'm pretty giddy.  Here's what awaited me when I came to the office.  Unpacking the box.  As you can see I added a little personality.  What better color scheme than the Grace blue and grey?

Today our IT man, Jim Williams (aka youth pastor/facility manager/ministry pastor...did I forget anything?) spent the day in my office installing software and prepping it for it's new life in my hands.  I'm back in business!

Hacking Away

I need a remedy.  I need it fast.  What will take away a cough without irritating vocal chords so they can be used to lead worship in less than 12 hours?  Anyone?  Can you help?

A Friend is Gone

R.I.P.
Dell Inspiron 5160
October 2004 - September 2007

I feel as though I barely knew you.  Thank you for the good times.  The late night sessions.  The Photoshop illustrating.  I'll miss your warmth and glow of your screen.

Heading out to See Tomlin Tonight!

To my surprise...someone made a way for me to go to Rock the Light this evening.  THANK YOU!!!  Tonight I'm heading out to see my fave worship leader, Chris Tomlin.

SWEEEEEEETTTT!!!!!

Bic Mac Attack

Uugggh...what've I done?  I ate a Big Mac and some fries for dinner with the kids.  I haven't done that in a LOOOOONG time.  And now I'm paying.  I'm feeling so queezy right now and can't believe I used to eat this stuff on a regular basis.

While I'm feeling nauseous right now, I've realized it's time to get back in the game.  Reconnecting my "Fat Friday Weigh In" starting Monday. This means I'll be staying off the nasty stuff.  Lower carbs, no sugar, and hopefully get down to that weight goal of 200 lbs.  So stay tuned.  Another difference this time around...I joined a gym.  Throwing exercise in hopefully will put me at my goal a little quicker. 

If anyone wants to join me let me know.

Pastors Paint the Town...Blue and Grey

Just a tale of how amazing it is to be a pastor at Grace Church...

Every Tuesday we have our staff meeting and then our weekly Pastor meeting.  As the pastors were concluding this weeks tactical session, a friend stopped by to share with us his newly purchased U2 iPod that he received for his birthday.  (by the way...happy bday Little g!)

While I was drooling over the nifty new toy, Gary (aka Little g) informed us that he wasn't really here to brag about his new toy.  He had an ulterior motive and asked us to follow him to the church lobby.  As Tim, Jim and I rounded the corner to the front doors, a gathering of Gracers and family members awaited us with a Cadilac Escalade stretch limo.  A gift was presented to us from our individual small groups.  That gift was a night out at Dave and Busters along with some tickets to the T-Bones baseball game.  How cool is that?!?

We were so blown away by the generosity and love of our friends and family that I think we were stunned silent.  So many people gave so much to just give us a night to hang together.  It was amazing.

Unfortunately two of our pastors weren't able to make it.  Brian was bedridden with the flu.  Tom was also unavailable.  They missed out on a fun evening together and we missed them.

We jumped in the limo and rode out to Dave and Busters.  Downing Sprite and bottled water tastes much different when drinking in a limo.  We had a nice ride out to KC, KS together talking about each others gifts and what we feel each other brings to the pastoral team.  It was nice chatting outside the context of a staff meeting.

At Dave and Busters we were given a private room with HD TV tuned in to ESPN.  I had the Ribeye...I love me some steak!  After dinner the video game room awaited us with about an hour of gaming.  I came in second on the basketball challenge.  I won't mention who was first and third.

At around 7 we walked over to the T-Bones field to see them play Gary, Indiana.  I've only been to Major League Baseball games so this was a first for me.  I like the T-Bones mascot "Sizzle".  He made me want more steak.

At 10:15 the game was over and the limo waited to take us back home.  We were pretty wiped out sitting in the heat.  T-Bones lost but we won knowing and feeling so much love and appreciation from the people of Grace.  It is a joy and privilege for me to be a part of the work God's doing in this local church and even more so a privilege to serve the community at Grace.  Y'all rock!!!

Thank you small group!