Gatlinburg Thoughts

Today there was some free time before I had to go over to the conference center and sell products. I was so hyped up on the 6 espresso shot Iced Americano from Starbucks that I had that I needed to get out of the hotel. So I walked the streets of Gatlinburg and these are some of the thoughts I had...

1. Why do people pay for ridiculous looking T-shirts with stupid sayings, and why do so many different shops sell them?
2. What the heck makes fudge so expensive?
3. I am pretty sure that the only people who find a Gatlinburg vacation a lively and happening get-a-way are rednecks and old people.
4. Airbrush...is anything remotely cool about that?
5. Old timey pictures....there are at least 20 of these places in a 2 block radius.
6. I hate the Tennessee Volunteers.
7. What does the phrase..."they are a trip" mean?
8. I love Jesus, but I hate "Christian" stuff and "Christian" shops.
9. Even though Todd is relaxing on the beach, I know he and JR are jealous that I can walk down the street and get a Fannie Farkle corndog.
10. The Reagan Inn...probably a really nice hotel in the 70's and before they smelled like stale cigarette smoke...not so much now, but at least I have a bed and clean (I think) sheets.

Gatlinburg, Seniors, and Southern Gospel!!

I am in Gatlinburg, TN to help out at the Jubilee Conference with pastor Johnny. I am pretty sure that the Senior Adults that come to this Jubilee conference think that this is the closest thing to heaven on earth. Gatlinburg, TN and Southern Gospel music....praise the Lord...AMAN!! I am sure they will love it...and I am glad. I am sure they love my music as much as I love theirs. They will have a blast...I just think its funny.

Another Great Night!!

Last night was awesome at the Freedom launch experience. JR talked about genuinely impacting the community of Acworth. Blake and the band did an awesome job. Our volunteers were AWESOME!! Dawn is rocking out the children's area, Teri is tearing it up welcoming people and doing anything else she is asked to do...Justin is making guest services click and making sure that everything is set up and put back in place (amongst a million other things he is doing). Its awesome to see people get behind what God is doing at Freedom Church!!

Since moving to North Star we have had 13+ new people come and check out what God is doing!! We are pumped...and the best is yet to come!!!

What Could Be More Exciting...?

Church planting is unbelievably exciting!! I am so pumped about what God is doing at Freedom Church!! Last week was our first meeting at NorthStar Church and it was awesome!! This week we continue to roll and I can't wait!! We have the best people on our launch team and they just can't get enough...they want to be more involved no matter how much you throw on them!! What is more exciting than watching people get the vision and then running with it!! Thanks to all who have jumped right in and are giving their all to see a city transformed!!

GO DAWGS!!!

Man was it ever close....I must admit that even though it made for a good game to watch I hate being that nervous. We should have played a little better. Too many missed passes and stupid mistakes. We've got the talent we just need to get it together. All that said...I am just glad we left Tuscaloosa with the W. Let's keep rollin' boys....Go Dawgs!!

Ponde-ROACH-a!!

Some of us church planter types went to have breakfast at a place called Ponderosa. It drew us in with its infamous $3.99 buffet. I must admit it was the most fascinating breakfast buffet I have ever seen....baked beans and salad....hmmm...well I have never eaten it for breakfast, but I'm not judging. The most interesting part of Ponderosa was when out of the corner of my eye I saw a roach crawling by my head. It was a good thing I had finished eating, otherwise it would have not been very pleasant for those in attendance. $3.99....what else can you expect?

Orlando

Hanging out in Orlando, FL this week. We are here for pastor Johnny's Timothy Barnabas school for pastors. A couple hundred or more pastors are coming in for encouragement and learning.

I came in a couple days early just to hang out...we have been having a good time. It should be an awesome week!!

Left You Haning...It's A B......

......baby GIRL!! Heather and I are so excited that we have a little baby girl on the way!! Sorry to hold you in suspense so long...for those of you that I haven't already told anyway...She will be here in January and we are so excited!!! Pray for me that I don't go to jail one day for beating up teenage boys who want to date her....its a good thing she will have an older brother!!

Boy or Girl?

That is the question of the day!! But in about 45 min...I will know the answer. Not whether I am a boy or girl...I got a good handle on that when I was in diapers (no pun intended). Heather and I go in just a few minutes to find out if our 2nd baby is a boy or girl!! It is so exciting!! I love being a dad!! Fatherhood is an unbelievable thing!! I will soon let you know............

Phone....Again

My stupid phone is messing up again and I just got it replaced on Monday. I tried to convince them the other day to just give me a different phone...they should have listened. I wish I could just get a phone that works. I am going back today to see if I can make something happen...pray that I don't kill the Verizon people....they are not the nicest people to work with.

Braves Game

Went to the Braves game last night...unfortunately they lost to the Phillies. I am amazed at how much they can charge for hot dog inside of a stadium. What is the difference between the hot dogs in the stadium and ones outside. Unbelievable....but then again I paid for it. It must have been church planter night at the game because I ran into 2....what's up with that?

Hanging With The Giants

This weekend was unbelievable!! Pastor Johnny went on sabbatical in the late part of June until the first week of August. To make up for the lost month of the mentoring program he had Heather and I over at his house for Labor Day weekend. He spent time with us and the other couple in the mentoring program all weekend. It was awesome to spend time with Pastor and ask questions and learn. He is a giant and I can't believe I get to hang with him this year!!

Early this afternoon I stopped by Starbucks with my wife and son and Dr. Jerry Vines was there. Being in the mentoring program with Pastor Johnny has allowed me to get to spend time with Dr. Vines as well. He is an unbelievable leader in SBC life...another giant. My wife, Noah and I sat down with him and had coffee for a little while!! It was awesome!!

FINALLY!!

Verizon finally saw it my way and replaced my stupid LG Chocolate phone. Unfortunately it is the same stupid phone. I really wanted to get another phone....particularly a flip phone that can handle more wear and tear....I am just glad that I have a phone that works properly...at least for now.

SICK'EM!!

I knew my friend Jason loved Jesus!! Good call on cheering for those Bulldogs my friend!! It's already been a good day of college football...can't believe the Michigan upset...unbelievable!! The Gators put up some points on Western Kentucky...but its Western Kentucky...die Gators!! West Virginia is wearing it out with the Slayton-White package...which is good for my fantasy team with Slayton for my running back!! But it all goes down tonight at 6:45pm....it will then be time for the Bulldogs to rip up some Cowboys!!! GO DAWGS......SICK'EM!!!!

Let's Go BULLDOGS!!

I am so pumped that college football is here!! I have been watching ESPN all morning...I love the screaming fans, the sounds of the bands playing, the painted faces, the pumped up players...but most of all....them UGA Bulldogs!!! Let's go BULLDOGS!!