TOP 10 Hurricane Wilma Observations

10. It was a stronger hurricane than expected.

9. If you are going to live on the coast, South Florida is the place to be. We have incredibly strong construction…the best building codes in the US.

8. For the most part, people view hurricanes as routine. As soon as the winds slow, people start dragging debris to the street corners for pick up.

7. Cash is king. Debit and Credit Cards are worthless when there is no power.

6. Getting hit by a hurricane is better in the fall than in the summer. 57 degree nights with no power is better than 90 degree nights w/o power.

5. People are creative when it comes to their food. It’s amazing the gourmet dishes you can make on a propane grill.

4. There is no world outside of the disaster area. News consists of press releases read over the radio from FPL, city officials, and reports from junior reporters interviewing people in water and ice lines outside of the Orange Bowl.

3. Storms bring out the best and worst of people. (Watch out for the Cambell Drive/US-1 intersection)

2. Cell Phones make a decent flash light when you are in a pinch.

1. Gas is priceless (the 7 miles to empty indicator actually means 23 miles to empty)

I will continue to vent with “Top 10 Most Visible Hurricane Personalities” tomorrow.

Status Report, Assistance for Business, Schedule, and Help

SCHEDULE
Due to the 7 PM curfew, there wil be no Life Groups this week. The offices will re-open Thursday morning and will resume regular hours (8:30 AM- 4:30 PM). The regular Sunday schedule will resume this week.

Power is back on at the church thanks to the quick work of the City of Homestead. If you are on FPL at home like me, it looks like you still may be in the dark for up to another couple weeks.

HELP AT THE CHURCH
There is debris to be removed from the church property. We have had several crews over the last 2 days working. We will take one final push on Saturday morning @ 9 AM. When people pull into church Sunday, things should be very organized and a refuge for them away from their personal issues. So, your help is needed to do everything from washing windows to stump grinding. Bring any tools you have (sledge hammers, chain saws, etc…).

HELP FOR NEIGHBORS
If you have finished clean-up at your home and would like to go on a help list for your neighbors, please contact the church office @ 305.247.0889.

ASSISTANCE FOR YOUR BUSINESS
If you need to access a phone, email, or the internet, you may do so at the church during regular office hours. If you have a business and you are unable to work from your office or home, you may set up temporarily at the church.

Retreating into My Cave

After a few days of prep and hanging shutters around town with some of the best people in the world, I am retreating into my dark cave while Wilma passes by. I will grab a little rest, some uninterrupted time with family and a few friends, and take the time to read.

I am expecting that we will do fine. One thing I know, the God that created that storm is the same God in my house. No worries. Plenty of memories made this weekend.

I will say that after this I don’t want to see another hurricane flag except on Saturdays heading toward the Orange Bowl. Peace!

THIS Sunday: "Trust in the Navigator"

Storm winds, rains, downed power, trees in the road, fender benders
VS.
Clear Skies, clear roads, cold a/c, smooth sailing, light traffic, and high speeds

I know which I would pick. But, unfortunately, we don’t get to choose what kind of weather and road conditions we face in life. As Christ followers, we must come to the place that we do our best in life, yet, remain calm in the face of difficulty- fully trusting the guidance of our navigator, the Holy Spirit.

This Sunday, we are going to see exactly how His map, voice, and guidance is necessary for us to live and drive through life like champions. We’ve got the best Navigator in the world. So, why be afraid. See you Sunday @ 11 AM.

Hurricane Wilma: Office & Service Schedule

-Life Groups meet for prayer in Auditorium Wed. 7:30 PM
-Office is closed Thursday & Friday (phone calls are still received)
-Sunday services continue as scheduled

Contact 305.247.0889 for more info.

Hurricane Wilma- Storms Come and Storms Go

Has anyone ever heard the term “hurricane fatigue?” What can you do? You can sulk or you can prepare. Storms come and there is nothing you can do to make them go away outside of prayer. Prepare and then get out of the path. It works the same spiritually as well as “tropically.”

So, if you came here today looking for some pastoral words of advice, here they are. Watch this thing for a bit more. Pray. If it looks like it is coming close, put up your shutters. If you need help, call the church office @ 305.247.0889. If you’ve gotten your own stuff taken care of and can help others board up, call the church office and we will match you with those needing help.

So far, all church services for the weekend are still on. As long as conditions are safe outside, we are going to worship! You won’t be able to keep me out of that place on Sunday morning as long as it is safe to drive.

9 Kinds of Difficult People

Here is a snippet on difficult people from Todd Rhodes site. The material was orignially lifted from Lifeway.com.

Can you identify any of these folk in your church? Or, should I say, “which one are you???”

1. The sherman tank will run right over you.
2. The star performer is entitled to your preferential treatment.
3. The megaphone will talk your ear off.
4. The bubble buster deflates everyone’s enthusiasm.
5. The volcano has temper like Mt. St. Helens.
6. The cry baby is a chronic complainer.
7. The nit picker is an unpleasable perfectionist.
8. The backbiter is a master of calculated rumor.
9. The space cadet is on a different wavelength.

Check out Todd’s site. It gives some great tips on how to deal with challenging people, yourself included.

Congratulations to Jon and Emily Stone!

Congratulations to Jon and Emily Stone on the birth of a beautiful baby girl, Lillian Grace Stone. Jon and Emily are college friends of ours and are missionaries to Prague, Czech Republic.

You can see more pics and read about what Jon and Emily are doing in Prague here.

VIDEO: "Turning Knowledge into Instinct"

Here is a sneek peek of the video intro to the 3rd week of the Velocity series. The message is “Turning Knowledge into Instinct.” We will pick up with Ephesians 6:18 and check out the vehicle called “prayer.”

Click here to watch ‘Turning Knowledge into Instinct V3′

Why I Quit Watching Network News

I guess Michelle Kosinski of NBC’s Today Show thought it would be a good idea to exagerate her LIVE report on flooding in Wayne, NJ until two holy men came by walking on the water. Case in point for why I quit watching network news.

VIDEO HERE

Turning Knowledge Into Instinct

I turned 14 and started working at Chic-fil-a at Southland Mall (then Cutler Ridge) to save money for a car. It was all I could think of and I eventually got it, a white ’87 Mazda 323. When I turned 15, I got my “restricted license” and had to be accompanied by an adult when I drove.

I aced the written test. I couldn’t have been happier. I had a card to prove I “knew” how to drive. However, the head knowledge and the application were very different. I could tell you what I would do in any given situation. But, the first time I passed oncoming traffic, I was scared senseless.

As Christ followers, we MUST transition from simply having a head knowledge of Christ to INSTINCTIVELY following Him. This Sunday @ 11 AM, we will pick up where we left off in week 2 of “Velocity” and explore the vehicle of prayer (Eph 6:18) to develop our instincts as we roar through life!

Nuns With Guns

If you think we have some cool invite cards, you haven’t seen The Refuse’s “Nuns with Guns” handbill. How’s that for an unconventional church invite?? Effective or no?!?!

Pimp My Church

If you are are a Christian and a technology junkie, you will love this new blog…some great cues for podcasting from your blog.

Lewis and Michelle Opening Life Pointe @ the Movies

I want to introduce my friends, Lewis and Michelle Wilkerson. Lewis and Michelle have 2 sons, Luke and Logan. Lewis and Michelle live in Charlotte County, FL where they are starting a church at the Regal 16 Cinemas. Presently, they are having meetings in their home and in an office space in Port Charlotte while they build their core group.

Both Lewis and Michelle have secular jobs. They are raising funds for the church plant and are recruiting volunteer leaders to help in key positions. Take a moment to get to know Lewis and Michelle. Stop by their blog and encourage them. Let them know you are praying for them. If you are able to, consider a financial gift toward specific items (1 month of rent at the theater, staging, microphones, projector, a direct mail campaign, etc…). For more information, visit Lewis’ blog or email him directly.

Buckle Up 4 Safety Sunday during "Velocity"

Everyone knows, as I’ve confessed, that I have a need for speed. It’s no secret. But, that’s how God made us. He made us to go fast, to live life, and to handle pressure and the stresses that life piles on us.

Of course, that is no excuse to put the hammer down on the Turnpike. Stay within legal speeds. Let’s just acknowledge that some of us can get to those speeds quicker than others.

Now, as with driving and the real dangers associated with our “Velocity” and others, it is important to “buckle up for safety.” We need to trust in the equipment given to us. Unfortunately, during life, we don’t “click” the belt of truth, we disengage the airbags of faith, and feel like since all is well, no helmet of salvation is even needed. NOT SO!

This Sunday @ 11 AM, we are examining the very best equipment given to us by God and how it not only improves life but, how it essential for getting from our plan to God’s plan for us! See you there!

My Money Is Always on the Gator (Unless They Play the Hurricanes)

Ok. So, I’m not a betting man. But, if I were, my money would always be on the gator. This past week, not far from my house and at one of my favorite spots in the world, Everglades National Park, this happened:

What is that?!?! Well, that’s called “biting off more than you can chew.” And that’s what happens when you mess with the wrong fella as this 13 foot Burnese Python did just inside the Shark Valley entrance of the National Park here in Miami. Bottom line? There’s no Rolaids that are going to spell relief for that stomach.

So, does it always turn out that way? Pretty much…at least from where I see it. It takes a 13 foot python on a 6 foot gator to score a Pyrrhic victory at best. What happens when quasi equal opponents square off? Hors d’ourves for a fat and happy four legged reptile!

Lesson learned: Choose your battles wisely. And, I know that my money is always on the gator, unless they are playing the Hurricanes, of course!

Lee University Professors As Ranked by the Students!

According to Wired Magazine, this University Professor Rating website is pretty much an unmentionable in most University administrations. I checked to see if Lee University (my alma mater) was there. Yes it was….butterflies….continued checking. Are there rankings? YES!…Lots of them. It’s got to be one of the coolest websites I’ve ever seen.

I was really glad to see that a few of my favorite professors ever were ranked very well. Melton, Laney and Jasso you owe it all to me! Upon further investigation, you will find that all of your 4.9 and 5.0 rankings came from my IP. To my cousin, Em Powery, “Way to pull that 4.9!” Eddie Brown, you were robbed. Matt Robinett says you are the man even though he cried himself to sleep everynight while taking organic chem from you.

By the way, if anyone feels like slamming some “1″s on a prof, email me. This one guy hooked me up with some ridiculous grades that I am bitter about to this day. Vengeance is finally mine!

P.S. I will be in town for Homecoming. Dinners will be accepted from any prof wishing to buy a vote from me. I am for sale.

Pastor Picard here! Who are you?

In seminary, I took a Meyers-Briggs personality test. It was helpful in understanding why I am the way I am. The test is also a good indicator of extreme areas that may need to be tempered a bit. Over the years, my personality type has stayed roughly the same though I am a bit more sensing and a little less judgmental than several years ago (probably because I have made so many mistakes between now and then).

Needless to say, I really got a kick out of some of the famous ENTJs out there (Bonaparte, Shaw, Steve Jobs, FDR, Harrison Ford, Newt Gingrich, and Jim Carrey). Steve Martin was also on the list…no surprise since I have been called a “jerk” several times in my life.

I hope the Greenspan in me does not come out during a church service. I could just hear me now, “due to mixed economic data, the church is raising tithe rates and instituting a policy of bake sales for youth group funding.” As I finished that analytical offering plea, Pastor Jean Luc Picard (the character of Patrick Stewart- Stra Trek: the Next Generation and another ENTJ) would step up and say, “Make it so!”

Blogging Thoughts, a Recap, and New Horizons

In the past couple weeks, I have had some great conversations with people all over and it has lead me to consider some new blogging venues. First, I am now a guest blogger on the Keys Gate Blog (which I have not yet posted to) and have started the edge church think tank blog to discuss church marketing, innovation, church planting, church transitions and other opportunities facing the church. I am looking forward to opening that door to some great folks that have some excellent insight regarding forward ministry.

My personal blog has been a lot of fun, slightly addictive, and well worth the little bit of time I’ve put into it. Presently, I am ranked # on Top Sites in the Religion category. I am a Lowly Insect on the Truth Laid Bare which measures unique inbound links, and have had 525 unique visitors in the last 6 days (thank you for stopping by). After 4 months of doing this, I wish I had started much sooner.

Word Verification for Comments

Massive amounts of used car salesmen and love connection spam have forced me to turn on “word verification.” So, there is your free permanent advertising on my blog. Now, leave me alone.