busy

busy weekend...black tie event was a great time for pattie and i we had a good night with some friends...pattie and the other gals looked great. it was a long event that had, refreshments, a concert and a 4 course dinner home about 11pm...my back didn't like the experience... better now...

our fearless leader had his surgery and is recovering...i really feel for the guy combine drugs for pain, your second hip replacementt and being under house arrest for two more weeks is a downer...i told him to remember any blue days are normal and to always consider it's the drugs doug, it's the drugs.



Good classes for starting point and beginnings...i had a ball teaching the classes our connection pathway is paying off...always a few tweeks here and there but people are responding, getting connected etc...a good thing...

birthday

well here it is another year passes...boy time flies...a good morning pattie cooked my favorite breakfast poached egg, gritts, bacon and coffee...fun eating and talking...

we are attending a black tie meal Saturday night...art museum of dayton all expenses paid...hard to be on the receiving end...pattie is buying some shoes today for the big event...


yesterday was interesting...two pastors called and want to Kiss their city one in kansas and one on colorado...fun to coach and to do some spinning...i found 4 kingsized Hershey kisses to use on the weekend i speak going to give them away at the end of each service...the kids are bagging 3k tonight as part of their service project for their badges they receive in their wed night classes...helps share the value

Sat we kick off get on the bus for the new year going to landmark apartments...we've been there several times we offer groceries and prayer...lots of energy and fun..

.

here is the direct quote from blue like jazz 'i was addicted to myself. all i thought about was myself. the only thing i really cared about was myself. i had very little concept of love,altruism, or sacrifice. i discovered my mind is like a radio that picks up only one station, the one that plays me: K-DON, all Don, all the time.'

to be honest it's a common problem...those who make a difference have their stations tuned outward not inward.

blue like jazz

Finished Blue Like Jazz interesting read…liked some of the concepts and dialogue in the book…not sure how much liberty was taken for artistic impression, interpretation on some stories but a good read none the less…I liked the authors spin on most of us have one station tuned in …the station of ME…the trick is to turn your station down and tune into other people pod casts.

Speaking of pod casts mosaic and Erwin McManus have some good messages to download and listen to on itunes.

Working on systems or all our outreach projects …each outreach will have a description, how to set up, the components, training, tips and execution of each outreach…it will take time…wrote Get on the Bus! today…hopefully if I pass on, move or am out of pocket someone will be able to read the system add their spin and successfully pull it off. Interestingly an outreach leader just phoned and asked how to set up and execute the bag outreach I’ll be emailing the notes to him.

Received my giving record I was surprised how we did this last year…just a tad bit behind on where I wanted to be…

flu 1 me 0

rats...fighting the flu...on top of the ole back pain deal...things could be worse...my friend has to have a re hip replacement due to the other one popping out of joint...i feel for him...good news he was only one week and a few days into his recovery from the last op so it shouldn't set him back too much...

Our kids ministry is really doing well we have had a ton of adults bringing their kids to the kids area over the last few weeks...the ladies have worked hard to not only have the areas looking great but to have His presence upon what they are producing...this past weekends story time we off the chart...

our services continue to grow weekly and our pathway track is working well...

all in all a good weekend.

my birthday is Jan 27 a big ole 54 wow! that's a lot of years.

later

down but not out

my back pain continues to grow...but feeling some relief think i'm on the mend...at least i hope so. I don't know how people endure constant pain in their bodies pain at times is all consuming it drains your thinking process and drains your energy...i hope i'll be more understanding toward people who have chronic pain...

Pattie and I are invited to attend a black tie event at the dayton art museum next saturday...some good friends are pulling out the stops to bless us...we are gratefully on the receiving end...



been listening to Andy Stanley's new series 'go fish'...a great speaker coming up with the goods...i'll probably use some of the thoughts in what i teach at the vineyard...i'll be speaking the weekend just before valentines day...our Kiss Dayton outreach will be that weekend...5 video clips mainly helping people to think about being bringers and includers...see pixar's 'for the birds' as a clip that is the opposite of being bringers and includers

last week i met with several people and had two phone calls asking for my thoughts on developing outreach within a few churches...i'm still pondering the running track idea and looking how to help people begin and continue to exercise their outward muscles...

Martin Luther King Jr.

what an amazing day yesterday. we served 75 gallons of boston stoker coffee for free to the marchers in the mlkd march...Athletes in Action supplied the man power we supplied the coffee. We set up 3 coffee stations at the gathering points for the march. as people gathered we served coffee and handed out hand warmers. after the march set off several of the team marched with the crowds as we quickly moved the stations downtown dayton...in the nick of time we arrived and hurriedly set up 2 coffee stations...one station just in front of where the speakers for the day spoke the other just in front of the marchers arriving from west dayton.

at our station a huge kind guy, who had just successfully completed rehab, asked if he could help serve when we were setting up. yep, he served hundreds of cups of coffee and brought some street cred to what we were doing...we later prayed for him and thanked him for his service...he replied 'no thank you this made my day.'

we were overwhelmed by the kind vibe, attitudes and the many thanks we received from the people served...we learned one thing...next year we will bring hot chocolate!

whatnots

just been recovering from the back pain. on some good meds that are helping...while driving to West Chester i felt a flood in my back and leg which felt like the nerve was somehow released...



met with an outreach person from a church in mason...learning about helping churches develop their outreach running track...events, kindness to go, projects planned throughout the year...once the track is available it is just a matter of inviting and encouraging people to begin to exercise their outreach skills...

also, pondering the whole environmental aspect of outward focused churches...how to keep the vibe, and focus fresh...

met with a leader of staff development for a large church in cincy...i like what he is developing fit...helping staff leaders connect to the vision values of the church and developing assimilation for new leaders, grow... developing certain growth components for spiritual, mental, and conceptual areas and community/... developing certain relational connections as a whole group, meals together, movies, seminars, fun stuff etc.

Jan 12 was Patties b-day celebrated by purchasing walking shoes...and hanging out at the mall...

My pastor, leader, friend also just had his hip replaced...he should be coming home today...needs some r and r...knowing him he will be back and ready to go sooner than later.

Just been Kissed!

sharing kindness to go with a couple of leaders down in Cincinnati
...something that has worked well here...touching 3000 people with Kiss Dayton 'you've just been kissed' outreach...we have the children's department bag up 4 hershie kisses with the card...people then grab the packs as they leave the church and give them out Valentines week...we make a big deal about it...balloons huge bin of kisses...in fact i'll be speaking about 'making the most of every opportunity' that weekend...

Kiss Dayton is impactful, fun, encouraging and doable...all about creating an environment that embraces outward focus...we tell the people go out and kiss dayton this week...other churches like the idea and are going to be kissing their community that week as well. smooch

environments

Met with the team who made the Christmas party for the poor happen…what a team…it was a pleasure to see 20 people functioning in their gifting…I always like to encourage people who make huge sacrifices in their time to ensure others can serve and play in the game…One of the team commented on the positive attitudes of the 350+ people who served on the day which produced a great environment for all who participated on the day.

Our 2006 goals were well presented by Doug yesterday…we were maxed out with people attending and buying into the Vineyard…

after a year of planning our children’s team launched their new and improved service to the kids…we are pattering what we do with the children after North Point Church in Atlanta…every month there is a value that is imparted to the kids through, story, drama, small groups and most importantly the family unit…again a positive environment produces positive, volunteers and groups…

LEC Launch

this weekend we present the 2006 goals for the vineyard...in the program we will be asking people to move up a level in their commitments in serving, giving, growing, reaching...

Jeff the director of the Life Enrichment Center will be prayed for in all services to commission the launch of the LEC as it's own idenity and self-supported ministry...it has taken 4 years to see this happen and 10 years of growth of ministry to the poor from the vineyard...2006 is the 5th year of the 5 year plan...it is the flying year...good developments are in place...a new three story building...many new contacts and a great board of directors...i believe the best is yet to come.

just when I get going in the workout arena my back gets injured...deep pain really prevents the circuit training...so it's rest for a few days...

workout

bit the bullet and decided to get back to the gym after a 2 mo. layoff. interesting how well muscles remember a workout...mainly attempting to just stay somewhat fit...so I do some circuit training, walk and hit the sauna...sauna is the highlight amazing what heat can produce.

also, getting into the basic disciplines of the Walk...reading, contemplation, playing guitar, praying etc...b. manning is usually where i start each year he always stimulates my thinking in a good way...this book he is pretty straight yet points to life change by grace...being thankful and grateful for grace received.

unity

whew...back i the ole saddle after a weeks down time...good time meeting with the team today...we have come a long way in the last 3 years...good to see the team functioning in a way that is encouraging and up lifting...some good things...the book of philippians is in focus in my thinking...laying hold of what/Who we are layed hold of for...forgetting the past, pressing on to the future...serving like the servant King with a good mindset and attitude...being intent on one purpose, one mind, one spirit...lot's of stimulation and encouragement...sense growth, establishment and unity for the coming year...this week we are laying out the goals for 2006 some whoppers...by the way fixed the car leak...



Well done is better than well said.
Benjamin Franklin

Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?
Benjamin Franklin

welcome to the planet

big fun today o boy...driving home last night i hit a curb and had to go and buy 2 tires...spent the am surfing the web to see if i could find a decent tire...thought i'd subscribe to consumer reports ... useless outdated info... finally purchased two tires from a local area tire place... then when i had the car up on the lift i asked if i could check out underneath the car... i thought there was a water leak and there was so out i go looking for a heater hose...no luck ... having to go later to secure the hose then i'll be the mec and replace the hose...i'm thinking welcome to the planet there goes some needed cash...interestingly if i didn't have a flat i'd never seen the water leak...

safe

one thing i'm grateful for is the sense of being safe...I've been pondering 12am 2006 last night celebrated in cities all over the world...i'm more than grateful people were safe, not blown up, mowed down etc.

however pondering being safe...being safe is all an illusion...being safe is a matter of perspective...safe is only safe when we are within a safe place...in our own personal panic room...you know the place you go when everything seems to fall apart...sometimes my panic room is found escaping into a dvd or some other form of self indulgence to escape pressures, dissapontments, stresses of life...

the movie panic room made the point... being safe is really a relative matter i am only safe up to a point...sometimes what we carry into our room is the very thing that makes us unsafe...

Being in / with/ following Christ certainly helps to make us feel safe in an unsecured world, and following Christ can give us peace even when we are the desperate places of life...when i choose to draw near by faith i can sense his presense...then i am safe

in the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer i have overcome the world Jesus.

i guess i'm grateful for the safeness i have had over the past year, safe in the times when i've felt overwhelmed, safe when i was out of my sphere of safety, safe when holding on for the ride not knowing where the ride was heading and safe when i created environments where it was beyond critical mass i.e. 5k people showing up at our Halloween FunFest, 1400 people at Making Christmas Dreams Come True, or my kids venturing out beyond my direct influence yet i was safe somehow...all because of Him...