10. Mopeds are EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
9. When you need a quick shower, the pool is always a good option.
8. Before marriage, group dates are GOOD. After marriage, "The Firm encourages children".
7. You can have a date call and cancel because they just got engaged to someone else. (This one was submitted by Todd Brooks. I think he is speaking from personal experience. He probably needed to have a "DTR".)
6. Washing dishes by hand from 6am-2pm in a PCB kitchen with no AC for $4/hour is not the best way to make a living. This summer job motivated me to finish college.
5. "You can plan your time or somebody else will." "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." BTW, I currently do not have a Daytimer or carry around a 3 hole punch notebook.
4. To save money, you can schedule an ALL DAY LONG (9AM-9PM) Area Staff Meeting at a fast food restaurant conveniently located between campuses...free meeting place and free sweet tea refills.
3. If you are on a CO summer project and smell something really rank above your bunk bed (bunk beds...I'm not even going to go there...8 guys in one hotel room...you don't even want to know), the first place to check is inside the AC vent to see if the 8 guys from the room next door have left their poop in a zip-lock bag as a little house warming gift.
2. Use abbreviations as much as possible: CO, COB, SBP, PCB, CCP, LDP, SLP, PD, P&P, MDG, DOPE, DTR, O3, DGROUP, ET, LT, AD, CD, QT, TAWG, 3Ms, 3Cs, HS (HIMSELF), CT (himself), PCA, FBC, DSHIP, OT, NT, ACCT, SM, ETC.
1. A "side hug" is the most appropriate way to greet a friend of the opposite sex. I still practice this today. Seriously!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
10 Things I Learned from Campus Outreach
Our family spent the last 3 days in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Jennifer and I spoke on the important topic of dating and marriage to the college students and staff participating on Campus Outreach Florida's Summer Leadership Project. Being on the project brought back many memories...I invested 10 of my summers (many years ago) on projects with Campus Outreach...7 in PCB, Florida and 3 cross culturally: Mexico City (1990), Bangkok, Thailand (1994) and Belo Horizonte, Brazil (1996).
Here are 10 things that I learned from Campus Outreach:
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ...saved by grace, live by grace
2. How to study the Bible and memorize scripture
3. Spiritual Leadership
4. Personal evangelism (How to share my faith)
5. Life on Life Discipleship
6. Living a Spirit-controlled Life
7. Commitment to the Great Commission/ World Missions
8. A daily quiet time (devotional life) through prayer and God's word
9. Support Raising
10. Importance of marrying a godly woman committed to the things of God (Jennifer and I actually met in Gatlingburg, TN at a Campus Outreach Christmas Conference in December 1992.)
***Check back tomorrow for 10 Humorous Things I Learned From Campus Outreach
Here are 10 things that I learned from Campus Outreach:
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ...saved by grace, live by grace
2. How to study the Bible and memorize scripture
3. Spiritual Leadership
4. Personal evangelism (How to share my faith)
5. Life on Life Discipleship
6. Living a Spirit-controlled Life
7. Commitment to the Great Commission/ World Missions
8. A daily quiet time (devotional life) through prayer and God's word
9. Support Raising
10. Importance of marrying a godly woman committed to the things of God (Jennifer and I actually met in Gatlingburg, TN at a Campus Outreach Christmas Conference in December 1992.)
***Check back tomorrow for 10 Humorous Things I Learned From Campus Outreach
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A GC Church
I am so proud of Graystone Church. I am proud that we are a GC (Great Commission/Matthew 28:18-20) Church. I am proud that we are committed to missions. I am proud of the 2009 DR Team who shared the love of Jesus Christ with their hearts and hands. I am blown away that 145 "graystoners" have been on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic and several others have been to Ecuador, Brazil, Mississippi, and South Africa. I would love to see every member of Graystone GO on a mission trip.
I am proud that we give 10% of our offering to missions and support several ministries and missionaries glocally (both globally and locally). I am proud of Sharon Brooks, Graystone's first long-term missionary. I am proud of Heath and the incredible job he did this morning sharing his heart and passion for missions. I am proud that Graystone in not inwardly focused, and we are striving to DOMINATE our community with the love of Jesus Christ.
I am proud that we give 10% of our offering to missions and support several ministries and missionaries glocally (both globally and locally). I am proud of Sharon Brooks, Graystone's first long-term missionary. I am proud of Heath and the incredible job he did this morning sharing his heart and passion for missions. I am proud that Graystone in not inwardly focused, and we are striving to DOMINATE our community with the love of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Freedom in Christ
Happy 4th of July! It has been a while since I updated my blog. Our family was on vacation in Destin, Florida, so I decided to take a little blog break. I have been updating a little on Twitter and Facebook. I'm still not sure if I am going to stick with Twitter. I do like the shorter updates and how my last 3 "tweets" are posted on the right side of my blog. So, I can say a quick word without logging onto my website. But I'm still not sure how many people really care about what I am doing. I love how Conan O'Brien makes fun of Twitter with his weekly Late Night segment, Twitter Tracker. There are still a whole lot more people who read the blog than follow my twitter (that sounds funny). Although, my twitter does update my facebook status, which is really the best way for me to keep up with my "friends".
One thing I do like about Twitter is following certain people. I follow Shaq. He is hilarious, and I'm excited about the Big Man from LSU joining forces with Lebron. I follow Les Miles, who was twittering from Omaha, Nebraska when LSU won the college world series. The college sports dominance continues. BTW, it looks like I will be cheering for purple and gold this Fall in the NFL as well. Although, Favre is not the twittering type. I follow Andy Roddick whom I will be pulling for to upset Federer in tomorrow's Wimbledon Final. It would be great for Americans to win both the Gentlemen's and Ladies Championships on the 4th of July weekend.
Well, speaking of Independence Day, let me encourage you not only to celebrate our freedom as a nation but to celebrate our freedom in Christ. Because of Jesus, we are not longer in bondage to sin but can live freely in God's grace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5...Freedom in Christ
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let's enjoy our freedom in Christ and "keep in step with the Spirit"...Have a great 4th of July!
Johnny
One thing I do like about Twitter is following certain people. I follow Shaq. He is hilarious, and I'm excited about the Big Man from LSU joining forces with Lebron. I follow Les Miles, who was twittering from Omaha, Nebraska when LSU won the college world series. The college sports dominance continues. BTW, it looks like I will be cheering for purple and gold this Fall in the NFL as well. Although, Favre is not the twittering type. I follow Andy Roddick whom I will be pulling for to upset Federer in tomorrow's Wimbledon Final. It would be great for Americans to win both the Gentlemen's and Ladies Championships on the 4th of July weekend.
Well, speaking of Independence Day, let me encourage you not only to celebrate our freedom as a nation but to celebrate our freedom in Christ. Because of Jesus, we are not longer in bondage to sin but can live freely in God's grace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5...Freedom in Christ
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let's enjoy our freedom in Christ and "keep in step with the Spirit"...Have a great 4th of July!
Johnny
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Finishing Strong
I am enjoying our "Summer Reading Plan" as several men in our church are reading Steve Farrar's book, Finishing Strong. In chapter four, Steve parallels the shipwreck of the Titanic with King David's sin with Bathsheba.
Steve writes....
"Sin can shipwreck your life. Throughout the Bible, there are three inescapable principles concerning sin.
Just like shipwrecks,
- sin will take you farther than you want to go;
- sin will keep you longer than you wanted to stay;
- sin will cost you more than you wanted to pay."
BTW, you can pick up a copy of the book in the Connect Center for $10.
Steve writes....
"Sin can shipwreck your life. Throughout the Bible, there are three inescapable principles concerning sin.
Just like shipwrecks,
- sin will take you farther than you want to go;
- sin will keep you longer than you wanted to stay;
- sin will cost you more than you wanted to pay."
BTW, you can pick up a copy of the book in the Connect Center for $10.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday Morning Download
Good Father's Day Service at Graystone yesterday.
I loved talking about God as our Heavenly Father. He loves, cares, disciplines and has a perfect plan for our lives. Question: Do we trust our daddy?
I felt good about my message other than letting "the cat out of the bag" to a few kids who were in the service that the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy are frauds. We actually have age-appropriate kid worship services for birth-elementary school.
I loved how "Kyle and the Band" opened the service with the Creed song, "Arms Wide Open". That song was a perfect fit for our Father's Day theme, especially with Kyle as the lead singer.
Baseball is finally over for Joelan and me. Our All Star season ended last week after playing 8 games in 12 days. It was fun.
Julia flew to Gulfport by herself on Saturday to visit my parents. She called last night and told me that Poppa took her fishing yesterday afternoon and she caught 6 fish. She is attending an Art Camp all week.
My Father's Day gift from the kids was a new mouse pad with a collage of pictures from our family, a bunch of candy, and a music greeting card with the Rocky theme song telling me that I am "The Champ of all Dads".
Sports watch: US Open Golf Tourney finishes today. I am hoping that Phil and Tiger make a run. Wimbledon began today. In 17 years Jessie will win the Women's title. And tonight, LSU begins a 3 game series against Texas in the CWS Final.
Jennifer is infatuated with the incredible pictures that Wojtczak took of Jessie. She uploaded around 20 on Facebook and has had over 40 comments.
I'm glad it's a little overcast today for Joelan's speed and agility camp at Grayson High School with Coach Conn. I wonder if they have a speed and agility camp for 40 year olds? It is less than 30 days until the big day.
Finally, please keep the Dominican Republic Mission Team in your prayers. They arrive home on Saturday, and we have dedicated the July 5th service for them to share with us ALL that God did in and through their lives.
Geaux Roddick, Tiger/Phil and LSU!
Johnny
I loved talking about God as our Heavenly Father. He loves, cares, disciplines and has a perfect plan for our lives. Question: Do we trust our daddy?
I felt good about my message other than letting "the cat out of the bag" to a few kids who were in the service that the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy are frauds. We actually have age-appropriate kid worship services for birth-elementary school.
I loved how "Kyle and the Band" opened the service with the Creed song, "Arms Wide Open". That song was a perfect fit for our Father's Day theme, especially with Kyle as the lead singer.
Baseball is finally over for Joelan and me. Our All Star season ended last week after playing 8 games in 12 days. It was fun.
Julia flew to Gulfport by herself on Saturday to visit my parents. She called last night and told me that Poppa took her fishing yesterday afternoon and she caught 6 fish. She is attending an Art Camp all week.
My Father's Day gift from the kids was a new mouse pad with a collage of pictures from our family, a bunch of candy, and a music greeting card with the Rocky theme song telling me that I am "The Champ of all Dads".
Sports watch: US Open Golf Tourney finishes today. I am hoping that Phil and Tiger make a run. Wimbledon began today. In 17 years Jessie will win the Women's title. And tonight, LSU begins a 3 game series against Texas in the CWS Final.
Jennifer is infatuated with the incredible pictures that Wojtczak took of Jessie. She uploaded around 20 on Facebook and has had over 40 comments.
I'm glad it's a little overcast today for Joelan's speed and agility camp at Grayson High School with Coach Conn. I wonder if they have a speed and agility camp for 40 year olds? It is less than 30 days until the big day.
Finally, please keep the Dominican Republic Mission Team in your prayers. They arrive home on Saturday, and we have dedicated the July 5th service for them to share with us ALL that God did in and through their lives.
Geaux Roddick, Tiger/Phil and LSU!
Johnny
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
