Monday Morning Update

Well, it's Monday morning, and I have a lot to communicate. I really need to start making smaller, more regular posts instead of building up these massive blogs. Oh well, here goes:

PARENTHOOD Series - I thought the PARENTHOOD Message Series was a huge success. One mom told me that she failed all 5 sermons. Well, we all did. None of us is perfect and we are all on this parenting journey together. But hopefully, through the grace of God and teaching our kids God's word, we can be the best parents that God has called us to be. In summary, children are a gift from God and we are to receive them, raise them, and release them.

New Message Series: CALLED - This Sunday we begin a new message series titled CALLED. We are going to be discussing over the next 5 weeks what God has CALLED us to do a Christians and as a local church. This also happens to be the 5 things that we expect of every Graystone member. In this series we are partnering with Life Is My Movie and they are producing videos to go with each sermon topic. If you have been a cast member in any of these videos, THANK YOU SO MUCH for volunteering your time, energy and patience. Shooting short films takes a lot more time and work than I thought. I cannot wait to see the videos, and I know that Nathan/Vincent are going to work their magic. If you were in any of the shoots, here are the dates that your video will premiere on the Graystone Big Screen:

Feb 17 Megaphone (downtown Lawrenceville shoot) starring Bodie Dickerson Family

Feb 24 Little League Baseball starring Coach Billy Brice and Nick Clarno

Mar 2 Clone Your Pastor starring several Jonathan Howes clones

Mar 9 Carry the Load (Graystone property shoot) starring many people in white T-shirts

Speaking of videos, with football season finally over, I have now turned my sports fan attention to basketball. Here are three of my favorite motivational basketball videos:

1. Cable Guy (This video reminds me of my last pick up game when I went "Old School" on some high school kids at the church property last weekend.)

2. JMac

3. Pistol Pete

Here's a video that motivates me to be a better speaker/preacher:

Brother Barry (If you have time, you might want to watch all three parts. The third one is the best.)

Weight Update: Another stalemate this week (212 pounds). 12 miles jogging was balanced out by Fago de Chao (my good friend, Ashley Hodge, was in town), Longhorn (Jenn's birthday), and Mellow Mushroom (Large House special and a Greek salad). Losing weight tip: eat less food (I have confirmed this theory with Jim who has lost 40+ pounds and considers himself the perfect weight for a 5'7" human male.)

Softball/Baseball - Softball/Baseball kicked off this week. Joelan is on the Major League Baseball Florida Gators (one word description of team: Sandlot). Julia is on the Pee Wee Softball Purple Power (one word description of team: Cute and Loaded...well, that's two words).

Check back tomorrow for a shorter, more "spiritual" post.