I've been married to Allison for 7 years, and we have two great kids. I am the Lead Pastor at Parkcrest Christian Church in Long Beach. When I've got extra time and money, I read a lot, fly airplanes, camp and hike, play around on my Mac, and get beat by my wife on the Wii.
just to make sure it gets said...although i am on staff at parkcrest, what you read does not necessarily represent parkcrest's views. they are solely my own.
Allison and I try to get away at least one night at our anniversary each year, as a way to celebrate. We had planned for a few months to make that night last night. My parents agreed to watch the kids, we had everything set well in advance…everything except for a hotel room somewhere. Totally forgot that. By the time we realized it (a couple of days ago), we couldn’t find a decent room for less than $200 or $300.
So, Allison had a great idea - we would drop the kids off, still do the things we would do if we got a hotel room, but instead sleep at home, but make believe that it was a hotel room.
So, we went to a movie (finally got to see Dark Knight), went out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory, then went to a Hot Tub Resort at the top of a hill in San Dimas, slept in and woke up this morning at around 10am. Then we both got on my scooter and went out for a late morning coffee.
It was a lot of fun, and everything cost us less than it would have just to get a hotel room. Nice improv by Allison.
Oh, and my parents called a couple of hours ago and said, “why don’t we keep the kids for another night.” Um…let me think about that…
Deb Moulton just sent me a link to this awesome Craig’s List posting. It is a service to take care of your pets after the rapture.
Surely without you there, they would be stuck inside your empty house, starving to death with no one to feed them, let them out to potty, or clean their litter box. This is probably not what you envision for your pets after you are gone. This is where I come in…
I am here to offer you pet care service for after the rapture. As an atheist, I will surely still be here on this earth post rapture and would love to look after your pets for a small fee…
They will get adequate amounts of food, water, and shelter as well as plenty of exercise and socialization as I would imagine there will be a lot of pets that will be abandoned by Jesus the pet hater that will need to be cared for.
“I wonder if for many of us, the only thing stopping us from living the life God created for us to live - the life of our dreams - is to let go of a life so good that it betrays the great.”
Tomorrow I’m heading up to UCYC to spend a few days with our Junior Highers at camp. I’m excited to spend a few days just hanging out with the students and leaders. Unfortunately, the weather isn’t looking too exciting…
As our staff processes Mike and Jud’s book, we talked yesterday about creating a feedback culture. Where we’re constantly looking to better ourselves and are open to others expressing truth to us that is both encouraging and constructive.
But, in order to create a feedback culture, we have to be asking for feedback, not constantly looking to give it. If we are constantly looking to be people who give feedback, we will easily become self-righteous Pharisees. If we’re constantly looking for it, it forces us to move towards humility and to listen to other’s voices.
It’s easy to try and force yourselves to become a feedback culture by always trying to offer criticism. But, if you try and force a feedback culture by always looking to give feedback you’re creating a cynical culture with a critical spirit.
Look to receive feedback rather than always giving it.
