We went Geocaching today

Gina, Lauren, Brenda, Tye, Jen, Peggy, Angie

Every 5th Tuesday of the month our staff has a party and we often play games like bag-o, team building games, etc. One time we even played tug of war. Today after enjoying a great lunch featuring three different soups and assorted breads and appetizers, we headed over to Noel Ridge park to go Geocaching.

Geocaching is a sport where you use a GPS unit to find hidden containers. We had a lot of fun and even got a little exercise on a beautiful day.

But the best part was hanging out with the gals who I work with in a different context. It was a lot of fun. And I am glad our organization values teamship and helps us do things to bring the team together. Tye out.

My son's video work - Fall Fest Promo

Every year our children's ministry at NCBC puts on an incredible, indoor, festival as an alternative to "trick or treating" and it is always a big hit with our church families. Even though it is classified as an outreach, I am not sure that the unchurched will come to church on this night when trick or treating is the feature. Any how...

NCBC will NOT be having its annual fall fest because Eight Days of hope will be using our entire building as we reach out to families affected by the flood. So, we have to change our strategy, and if you ask me it is time. (but I doubt anyone asked me)

In order to communicate this change in strategy, my son Andrew and our Young Adult Pastor, Erin Bird, did a video and it is REALLY good. I also love this style of video. Check it:

Fireproof - the movie

Someone just sent me this vid from the Today Show about the new movie Fireproof. The star, Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains) was interviewed by two women - I don't know who they are. During the interview I want you notice the women's response to Kirk's comments about his marriage and his integrity. They are practically drooling over these "archaic" concepts of commitment and love. Interesting, especially in light of the current culture. Watch this:


Men's Fraternity kicked off this past week with over 180 men in attendance in three sessions. Our topic this season is Winning at Work and Home and we are going to be talking a lot about a man and his relationship with his wife, or even significant other. This movie, though I have not seen it yet, seems like one that ties in perfectly with what our men will be studying this year. It is my prayer that every single man in our church AND Cedar Rapids could attend this training and then begin applying the concepts that make for healthy relationships. Please join us!

David Sanborn in concert

Sanborn on stage - pic taken with my phone

I had the opportunity to hear saxophonist David Sanborn on Wednesday night in Des Moines (that's in Iowa for those of you in Ohio) thanks to my good friend Dave Kvindlog. And it was an incredible concert. The amazing thing to me was the fact that Sanborn is still playing almost exactly the way he played 30 years ago and even played a lot of the same songs. But it was still incredible.

Back in the early eighties I purchased a Dukoff mouthpiece made popular by Sandborn and pursued a sound similar to his. At one time I could play his style with some success and even today there are times when I am improvising that you might be able to hear his influence in my playing.

The other story here is the band. wow. And that mighty Hammond B-3 organ. If you know me, you know that I love that instrument. It was incredible. Awesome night of jazz. Thanks Dave, both of you. Tye out.

Men's Fraternity Launches with over 180 men!

This past week we launched Men's Fraternity for the third year in a row and we were thrilled to see 180 men show up to three different meetings! This year we are going through Winning at Work and Home which needs no explanation. But in case you have not heard of Men's Fraternity or this curriculum I have posted the weekly topics below.

Click here for days and times for Men's Fraternity.

If you are a man, and was unable to make the first week you can still come on by next week. In fact, you can start at any given time, but of course you would maximize your "investment" by getting on the team and staying all the way through. I sure hope you will seriously consider joining us this week! In any event, here's the topics: (note session #5 guys!)

1. A Man and His Mirrors
2. What Men Need to Know About Women
3. Engaging "Your Woman" Successfully
4. Staying Close to the Woman You Love
5. Improving Your Sex Life
6. How a Man Makes the Money Work at Home
7. The "Good Life" and Where to Find It
8. What Every Dad Needs to Know
9. Dad's Game Plan for Raising Sons and Daughters
10. Maximum Parenting
11. A Man and His Work
12. Two Visions of Work
13. Coming "Alive" at Work
14. Making a Name for Yourself at Work
15. Taking God to Work
16. Launching a Lifelong Winning Streak

See you next week!

Grace 101

As I was reading the New Testament this morning I came across this quote by Jesus in Matthew 11. Many of us carry heavy burdens in the name of religion, or have done it in the past but we don't need to do this. Serving God is a grace thing, not a burden thing. Check it:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

I love that part about "burned out on religion?" and "learn the unforced rhythms of grace." So many people who serve the Lord live in fear and trembling that they will never measure up to God - and they are right!!! This is where grace kicks in. When we live our lives as Jesus taught us we no longer live under the tyranny and judgment of some beneficent dictator, but we are free to serve God in the unforced rhythms of grace.

Good leadership embraces change

Even though I have never been one to enjoy change, I have definitely embraced it over the years because in the end I know that change is inevitable. Back in the day when the "worship wars" were in full force change became a theological issue and those who embrace the hymnal as the "only way" and those who wanted change remained at odds.

It is funny to me that people are quite accepting of change when it comes to lifestyle choices: microwave ovens, new cars, better homes, and information technology. Yet when it comes to the "lifestyle" of the church people prefer not to change. And I'm not talking about the core theological doctrines, but to the forms such as music style, dress code, etc.

No matter what you believe about the above, one thing is for sure and that is change is inevitable whether or not you embrace it. For leaders this is a critical component of good leadership. I read the quotes below over at Leadership Wired, a weekly email on leadership from Maximum Impact dot com:

"Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."
~ John F. Kennedy

"Every generation needs a new revolution."
~ Thomas Jefferson

"The most successful businessman is the man who holds onto the old just as long as it is good, and grabs the new just as soon as it is better."
~ Robert P. Vanderpoel

"If you want to make enemies, try to change something."
~ Woodrow Wilson

"Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him."
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

Busy, busy week!

I'm too busy. I just realized that it has been a week and a half since I last blogged. Life has been extremely hectic around here as we are launching or preparing to launch a lot of exciting ministry here at NCBC. Here's some highlights from the past week and a half:

• Launching two new ABFs - GPS and ABF@Wash
• Men's Fraternity launching September 23/24.
• Men's Tailgate Party
• Alcoholics Victorious is launching September 18
• Coordinating the launch of our small groups as well as providing training for the hosts.
  
• SWAT team - we are working on the arrival of Eight Days of Hope.
• A couple of bands here in CR are in full swing - no pun intended.
• ABF conference this past weekend with Josh Hunt.

Since the church (and me too!) highly value teamship, I have the awesome privilege of working with these awesome teams and seeing a lot of ministry take place that I could not do otherwise.

Governor Sarah Palin speaks the truth - in style

Wow! What else can you say after hearing this hockey mom tonight at the Republican National Convention? Wow. Here's my thoughts:

It's about time someone told the truth about Sen. Obama. His tax and spend ways are going to drive our country into deeper debt and the worse economic condition in years. He says that he identifies with the middle class, all the while planning to tax them into oblivion. And has anyone visited a government health care facility? Let me know how it goes.

My choice for President/Vice President is John McCain/Sarah Palin. Tye out.

Getting high on a Labor Day Weekend - in an AirCam

This morning I headed out the Cedar Rapids Airport (CID) where I met Ed Wischmeyer who graciously offered me a ride in his open cockpit AirCam. I think we flew for around an hour and it was awesome. You can click on the pic for a slideshow. The reason I am all bundled up is Ed had warned me that it would be cold once airborn, but it wasn't! It was actually quite pleasant. I posted a short video of our take off. The AirCam takes off in about 7 seconds.

Also, I spent a few minutes with Randy Hartman of Alpha Omega Aircrafters and you can see him in the last pic or two.