Of course, I grew up watching Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  Yes, I'll admit to not being ashamed of knowing the theme song by heart (I don't recall all of the extended version).  If you don't know the show (welcome to the planet) you can watch the original here.  Or, you can try dancing the Carlton to this:


Kay Pettigrew - The Fresh Prince of Bel Air Theme from rhett butler on Vimeo.

Here's an awesome idea (easily adapted): Extension Chord Built Into Wall.

I'm already thinking where in the house I could install one.

Another idea I should have had first!  Still need a scarf this winter?  Here you go: 12 Unusual Scarf Ideas

Our church recently added a new form of advertising. Oak Haven has an ongoing ad that runs in the weekly Irving Rambler. It carries the church name, website, phone number and worship service time. For our main events we place a special ad (larger space accompanied with a graphic). Pretty basic, pretty ordinary.

Something not so ordinary is the skill some people have at spotting garage sale signs. It’s like a seventh sense. There’s no utility pole to hidden or neon sign too small they can’t spot. Every weekend these signs go up around town redirecting traffic to lawns and garages where quarters are the prime and VHS abounds. Those signs don’t get ignored (until they don’t get taken down after the grand sale).

That got me thinking. We, Oak Haven, have intentionally focused our attention and efforts in establishing ties within the immediate neighborhoods around us. So, I wondered how many people ever saw our ad in the paper. They might not see an advertisement, but I bet more people would see a G-sale sign. Why not make some for the church?  That was the original idea. Once we got started it took a different approach. I’m happy with the results though. We didn’t end up with the infamous neon colored signs, but we do have a resourceful way of communicating with our community.

We bought (25) white, blank currated signs from Lowe’s. Fast Signs generated a footer that sticks to the bottom of each sign. It has the cross and flame, our church name, telephone number and website. They also made dry erase sheets to cover the top area of each sign. So, we always have our contact information visible and easily read. Other information can be written (dry erase marker) about whatever event is coming up.
We’ve used them a few times already. The marker holds out pretty well. The first day we used them it was raining and there were no issues. Don’t put them out if it’s windy; the metal frames can bend. The only problem we had was two of the signs were moved for us (where they are now we have no idea).
It’s an idea.

Maybe it could work for you. Know your city’s ordinances! I wonder if the guys at Church Marketing Sucks would approve. Stay blessed…john

I had never heard of the group before.  Certainly from this video you can tell they are a musical blessing.  Stay blessed...john


Acapella - Outstanding!!! - More amazing videos are a click away

In an ongoing attempt at keeping my bookmarks organized I hereby promise you another Friday linkdump....

In the market for a new ring?
Of course, we all sometimes need a little assurance.





When we need more room at our church I hope we'll at least consider this.
I had always heard about Jay Leno's car collection, but had never seen it. 
Sure, it'd be great if you all left more comments.  Even without them I still like you!

This is probably one of the only Monopoly sets our family doesn't have......yet.

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like
a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food
that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6.. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day and just think.

9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.  Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes from the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others, even if it is only a laugh.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your inner most self is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did.

This is pretty wild. 

Listen to this clip from a TV show from 1997. Who Dat say they gonna come back at halftime? Enjoy the game! Stay blessed...john

+examiner

The Day Music Died. Most of what I know about that day came from the movie La Bamba.

RitchieeeeeeeeEEEE!

Ritchie Valens Singing "Oh Donna" Live




I've been thinking a lot about music lately. First, I wouldn't mind convincing myself I could afford that drum set or keyboard. Second, I've used my IPOD quite a bit more the last several weeks than I had before that time. Some of the goals mentioned at our church's planning session involved our choir and music ministry. I've been trying to select (pre-planning)the hymns for our worship service for the next several weeks. Finally, music in the church is on the syllabus for the next couple of weeks.

When time allows I want to share with you my thought about music as an idol. Stay blessed...john

Part of my schedule this semester includes a course entitled Word and Worship. So far, looking at the reading list and syllabus, I’m digging this class. Sure that’s easy to say when the semester hasn’t even started. Still, I’m ready for this class for other reasons. Mainly, and related to this post, I have missed attending a worship service. Let me clarify.

Ministry is something very important to me and something I cherish my time in doing. Likewise, I have always loved leading worship services. Before I came to Oak Haven most of what I “did” in a worship service was read something or give the senior a break from preaching. It was easy then to assume the place of a participant. And participate I did! Typically, the only time I ever led an entire service was when the boss was away. So, over all, while I have been a part of many worship services I have still been able to appreciate the time I had to become a better disciple by listening to a sermon and singing and all that jazz…or country, symphony, etc.

Of course, that’s different now. People would probably get the wrong impression if I told them I wanted to hear me preach (I’m also taking a preaching class so I’ll probably have to anyways!). What I would mean to say is that I enjoy hearing someone else preach. That’s why, for example, Laity Sunday isn’t a vacation Sunday for me. I want to hear what’s on the heart of someone else and how they relate their experiences with Scripture. And, watch me get down off my high horse, when it comes down to it I need to be encouraged and taught just as much as anyone with the responsibility of listening to my big mouth every week….more than 50 times a year!

The Word and Worship course has a chapel practicum associated with it. So, I’ll be able to attend chapel services again. Last semester was the first time I was not able to. Attending Perkins chapel was my way of demonstrating to my members what I thought about “going to church.” There were days I didn’t feel like listening to whatever presentation was scheduled, or I had a lot of work I could have finished in that hour, and oh the Mezzanine is so not as bright as that chapel. Still, I went every week.

All that considered, I wondered how a church would respond if their pastor(s) participated in a pew exchange. No pulpit exchanges for me. We might get someone in here that far out surpasses me and you know what that might do to my little ego. Let’s say, for example, our Sunday school activities don’t begin until 9:45 am. Surely there is a local church with an eight o’clock service. I haven’t gotten to the point where I have researched worship times in our community, and I might not have to with this course. Let’s say I did. What would you think? I would appreciate your comments. Stay blessed…john

I posted the sermon from this past Sunday. You can here it by clicking below.



Here is the commercial I used as an illustration. It's from Nike; the title is No Excuses. The other video is a story done about the player featured in the commercial.
Stay blessed...john

Nike No Excuses



No Excuses: StoryBridge.TV

If you aren't one of the more than 2.5 million people who have seen this on youtube here you go:
Amazing Grace by 2-Yr-Old


stay blessed...john