Need an Insult?

This site is great for the next time you need a witty comeback.

Here's a great example:

You're friend says, "Did you see the way that girl was looking at me? I think she likes what she sees."

You say, "Listen, O ye love-child of Methuselah, for you will be pursued into the mountains by sex-mad baboons!"

Straight from the Old Testament!

There's a snake in the way.

It's always interesting at the offices of Seacoast, but today we had an extra surprise. After lunch, I was talking to Kathy Ford about some travel arrangements for a trip that I am taking next week when I heard some screams outside. Sure enough a 4 ft. snake decided to greet some guests at the front door. We called our facilities team to the scene and a battle of epic proportions ensued. The serpant hid, coiled, and struck several times (Kathy and I watched from BEHIND the glass window) After a tough fight, Kent from facilities emerged victorious and carried the snake by the back of it's head and released him in the woods behind the church. WHEW...we were all spared from the viscious fangs of the black racer. (I'd post pics but I still haven't figured that out yet.

I immediately started to think about the parallels between this incident and our role as a church. The snake was clearly a roadblock keeping any guests from entering our doors. We obviously wanted to get rid of the barrier as quickly as possible no matter the risk. Are there any other "snakes" that are making it more difficult for guests to enter our doors? What about are "member's only" Christianese language? Are we relevant to the people we are trying to reach?

It's worth thinking about.

We're Better Together

I have had the opportunity to interact with a countless # of people in my spiritual journey. I hope to post occasionally about people that have influenced me in a positive way. The first person that I want to introduce you to is my wife, Lisa. Lisa is an amazing woman. She is incredibly smart, beautiful, and she loves God with all of her heart. She somehow manages to balance her strenuous schedule at MUSC, leading a Small Group of about 20 of her classmates, keeping our house clean, and supporting me and the ministry that God has called us to. She knows exactly when I need encouragement and she knows exactly when I need a kick in the butt...and she gives me both.

One of my good friends summed it up nicely for me several years ago when he said, "Brother, I don't mean any disrespect, but when it comes to marriage you definitely outpunted your coverage!" I couldn't agree more! I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

Eatin good in the Neighborhood

I just want to give some props to Applebees Restaraunts. The last time I ate there was as a nervous 20 year old asking my future father-in-law for his daughter's hand in marriage. (that worked out by the way) But my reason for this post is to say that I will be back soon.

I mentioned earlier that I am a part of a medical mission team that is going to Nicaragua in August...well, we have been putting together some fundraisers to help us pay for the trip. Not only did Applebees let us use their parking lot and water supply, but they offered a 10% discount to anybody who let us wash their car! What a great deal! Then to top it off at the end of the day, the manager fed everyone on the team a free lunch.

Thanks Scott and the rest of the Mt. Pleasant Applebees team! Not only are you a smart businessman, but you have now joined this team in making a difference in the lives of the Nicaraguan families.

For the rest of you, next time your stomach starts growling, consider dropping by Applebees and supporting this great restaraunt.

Tell me a little bit about you

Be Careful - you could spend a lot of time here.

Oracle of Starbucks


My results:
Personality type: High Maintenance
You pride yourself on being assertive and direct; everyone else thinks you're bossy and arrogant. You're constantly running your mouth about topics that only you would find interesting. Your capacity for wasting other people's time is limitless. Your friends find you intolerable, that's why they're plotting to kill you.

Also drinks: Water. Bottled, chilled, with four ice cubes, a twist of lemon, in a crystal glass.Can also be found at: Trendy martini bars

Tell me how you did!

A Man of Hope

I posted recently about some movies that I have seen recently. I don't plan on making a habit of that...I hope to have some more substance than the latest movie that I've seen. With that said, I'm going to have to do it again. Lisa and I saw Cinderella Man tonight.

I am not a great writer, yet...that is one of the reasons I started this blog - to get some practice and get better. However, I don't want to do this movie any injustice by trying to tell you how great it is. Let's just say I will own it...and I only own about 5 movies.

So to both of you that will read this post, take your spouse and go see it.

Thoughts from an Alien

I picked up Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller the other day. I don't read a whole lot of these types of books, mainly because I am pretty well-rooted in my faith, but I really connected with his style of writing. In one chapter he imagined that an alien came to earth and observed for a few days and then reported back to the other aliens his findings. Here's what he found:

"Humans, as a species, are constantly, and in every way, comparing
themselves to one another, which, given the brief nature of their existence,
seems an oddity and, for that matter, a waste. Nevertheless, this is the
driving influence behind every human's social development, their emotional
health and sense of joy, and, sadly, their greatest tragedies. It is
as though something that helped them function and live well has gone
missing, and they are pining for that missing thing in all sorts of odd methods,
none of which are working. The greater tragedy is that very few people
understand they have the disease. This seems strange as well because it is
obvious. To be sure, it is killing them, and yet sustaining their social
and economic systems. They are an entirely beautiful people with a
terrible problem."

Upon reflection on these words, I am embarassed about how much of what I do is influenced by this disease of comparison. Do you agree with Miller's assessment of how an alien would see the world? Why do we compare ourselves to others so much?

An Interview With God

I am going on a medical mission trip to Nicaragua in August and we had a team meeting tonight. We were talking about the importance of preparing your heart for missions through prayer and journaling.

I have always seen the value in journaling, but I have never been very consistent. I love looking back at some of the thoughts and prayers that I have jotted down and remember what God was teaching me and how I have grown since then. One of the women in our group had a great approach to journaling - do an interview with God. She carved an hour out of her schedule and interviewed God. What a cool idea. If you were to interview God, what would you ask Him?

Some of my thoughts:

What are some of the most exciting things that you've been up to lately?

Are you happy with me?

Am I doing everything that you want me to be doing right now?

Why did you make mosquitos?

These are just a few of mine. What about you? What have you learned about journaling?

Football and Marriage

I saw 3 movies this week - 2 in the theater and 1 rental - which is very unusual for me. Here's my take.

1. The Longest Yard

My favorite of the 3. I am a sucker for Adam Sandler movies and you throw in football and I am in movie heaven. Great movie!

2. Ray

This one surprised me. I went to Hollywood Video and nothing jumped out at me so I picked up this one. Great feel-good story of a music legend.

3. Monster In Law

I'm embarrassed to say that I watched this movie. With J-Lo and Hanoi Jane starring, I should have known better, but hey, it was a rainy afternoon and I thought it may gain some points with Lisa. Stay away from this one.