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Heroism at its finest...

Here's my take on the Tiger Woods crash - which is coming from the perspective of a firefighter having responded to more crashes than I can count AND from what I (and 99% of America) am reading and hearing via the media.

Tiger Woods leaves his house at 2:25 AM (probably to go stand in line at Target for the Black Friday sales).  He hits a fire hydrant and tree at a speed too slow to deploy the airbags.  His wife, who is inside the house, hears the crash, grabs a golf club (they are probably laying around the house like dog hair in mine), rushes out, breaks the back window of the car with the golf club, climbs from the back of the Escalade over the back seat to the front seat and pulls her husband out of his front seat back over the back seat and out the back window to safety (probably because all four doors of his Escalade had been crushed and jammed from the impact - which didn't deploy the air bags - and could not be opened requiring extrication through the back window).  She then drags him to the street (he is incoherent from the impact) where she begins to render first aid.

Amazing story of heroism.

THAT'S funny from my disjointed sense of humor.  And something tells me this is NOT what really happened.

Oh wait... this just in...

Tiger Woods:  Injuries Caused By Wife, Not SUV

Got an hour? Come help with the expansion!

Thanks to Dennis, Earl, Jeremy, Gary, Tim, Pat, and Mike - we made MAJOR progress today on our new Family Center expansion.

Here's what's still on the "to do" list.  If you have an hour or two tomorrow, come on in!  If you can't make it during the day, we are planning on being there tomorrow evening - come on in!

• Sheetrock taping, mudding, and sanding
• Vacuum carpet  (bring your vacuums)
• Dust entire office area  (bring your cleaning stuff)
• Patch & glue strips of carpet

AWESOME Day!

Today...the wall came down (actually 3 walls)...900 square feet of sheetrock and steel studs!  Plus a door was moved to a new location, another door ready to be moved, a dumpster was filled, blood was spilt, the mall floors were coated with dust...but best of all was the awesome time we had with a FANTASTIC group of Meadowites!  I am so proud to be part of this church and people!

Thanks to Gary Oliver, LaVern & Char Johnson, Brandon Butler, Pat Laeger, Sandy Laeger, Shawn Manisto, Rob Anderson, Gary Jones, Dennis & Kelly Enennga, Jeremy Tindall, Tim Cline, Tim & Rachel Carlson, Katie Mitchum, Mark Flickenger, Mike Fox. Earl Blake - for getting us this far!

What's left?

• Install one more door in a new small wall section.
• Finish mudding, sanding, and prepping walls for painting
• Sheetrock, tape, mud both new small wall sections.
• Run electrical and computer wiring
• Paint
• Install the projection screen and system
• Install sound system
• Patch carpet
• Clean and clean and clean and clean and clean and ...
• Vacuum and shampoo carpet

Here's the plan!... if you have an hour or maybe several hours you can come to the offices on Monday - there is something you can do and help with to finish this out! Come in during the day, or come Monday evening after work!  If you have a vacuum and/or carpet shampooer - bring it!

Roll Up Your Sleeves

"Roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready. Be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life."

The Christian life is not a life of laziness but one of action, alertness, energy, expectation. It's rolling up your sleeves, putting your mind in gear, being totally ready.

It's being active, working, serving, watching, expecting. Watching & expecting the return of Christ with anticipation - like a young teen watching out the window expecting her first love to come get her. Watching & expecting God to show you today how you can do His good works and serve others. Watching out for those thoughts, words, and actions that will easily trip you up IF you are not thinking.

The more you watch and expect and are alert to the coming of Christ and to what God has for you to do today - the less likely you will be to become lazy and allow sin to grab your thoughts, your words, your actions. The more you watch and expect and are alert - the more you step forward into a more holier life.

Imagine a day - an entire day - where you rolled up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, and you were always totally ready. May that be on the forefront of your mind today.

1 Peter 1:14-16

When someone dies...

Doesn't matter if I know them or not.  The fire calls where there is a death are always tough.  I know, admitting that is probably not very manly.  After 15 years, they still bother me.  Mostly because I know there is a family and friends that are now dealing with the painful grief of losing a friend or loved one.

It's always interesting too how God works in my life on these days.  It seems on these days, I get those emails and communications that encourage me.  God knows I need it. (Probably not very "pastorly" to say that there are times I am wounded and I need encouragement.)

Sometimes I wish these calls wouldn't be do what they do to my emotions and thoughts for the day.  But then...I hope they always do.

BIG Announcement!

I'm so proud of our Meadow Youth!  They are setting the pace for the rest of Meadow and because of them, we are launching into an expansion that will allow us to do more ministry and reach more people.

BIG Announcement from Meadow Spring Community Church on Vimeo.

What's Going On?

Something is happening at Meadow.  Something unlike ever before.  It's been slowly developing over the last several months, but it has really been noticed just these past two.

• Our youth ministry has more kids coming to regular weekly Bible study than EVER before.  We've had this many kids come to activities before - but never this many coming on Wednesday nights!
• Last week's Sunday attendance was the highest - maybe since Easter - for sure since Mother's Day!
• At least 34 people have received Christ since the end of July!
• 16 people were baptized at the end of August and already we have 8 who want to be baptized on November 22!
• There is a new sense of vision and partnership with Marcus Theatres!
• Over 80% of our adult attendance signed-up for Growth Groups (this has NEVER happened before!)
• Over 20 families completed Financial Peace University over the summer and eliminated over $106,000 in consumer debt!
• Several people have taken a MAJOR step of faith and have started tithing a full 10%!
• New people have stepped up to serve and volunteer!

And tomorrow we are making a HUGE announcement!  What we are going to announce will literally change the way we are able to do things and what we will be able to offer for kids, for teens, and for adults!  And this is not something in the future.  This is something that will start tomorrow and will be fully working by Christmas!!  The more I think about what we will be doing, how our current ministry will be strengthened, and the new ministry we will be able to offer - is mind-blowing!

I am worried

Something happened this morning that created a level of anxiety in my life that I just don't know if I can overcome.  I know we are not supposed to worry, but in this situation, I can't help it.

Here's the deal...

This evening we will be picking up our new puppy.  She is a six week old Goldendoodle.  We have given her the name Bailey.

For those who have had puppies in a home where this is another older dog, you realize the new puppy will learn from the older dog.  Training a puppy in a house where there is another dog that the puppy can watch and follow is a big plus.

This is where my anxiety starts.  You see, we have an older dog.  Her name is PJ and she is soft, cuddly, doesn't shed, is fun to play with - but ... you see ... she is ... well ... she's totally stupid.

Just this morning PJ was standing at our sliding glass door looking out the back.  A squirrel came walking by right on the other side of the glass.  The squirrel was less than 2" from PJ - just separated by glass.  PJ didn't see the squirrel.  She was looking over the top of the squirrel and NEVER saw it!!!  2" away and this dog NEVER SAW THE SQUIRREL!!

And as if this wasn't bad enough, moments later there was a cat on the far side of our yard.  PJ DID see the cat.  I let her out to protect us and scare the cat away.  First, she just stood on the deck barking.  Finally, she ran down the steps and charged out into the yard ... halfway and stopped!!  Why did she stop?  Because the cat turned and looked at PJ!!!  PJ almost turned and hightailed it back to the house!!  A cat (how embarassing!) just looked at my dog and my dog stopped in her tracks!!!

And this doesn't even take into consideration:

• When PJ is eating and her dog tag swings and goes "cling" on her dog bowl, she jumps and runs and will not eat anymore!!!  She is afraid of her dog dish!!!
• When she is playing with her small bright yellow tennis ball and it drops and rolls a few inches underneath her...she can't find it!!!  She is standing right over the top of this bright yellow tennis ball and cannot find the ball!!!

I'm sure by now, you are sharing my unavoidable anxiety!  Our new little impressionable puppy will be learning life from ... PJ!!

The Product of Pain

Pain. Life pain. It's real.

We often ask, in times of pain, "Why?" One reason might be because it is due to something I did or said. Pain is often the by-product of stupid choices I've made. But the pain that comes due to situations I have no control over or are not a by-product of choices I've made - maybe a by-product of a choice someone else made...why that pain?

While pain often seems forever while I am in the middle of it, it is actually temporary...for the follower of Christ. Remember v. 5 and that God shields us. Our faith and life WILL endure. Pain will not get the best of us.

Pain can produce a greater level of worship. Pain refines worship. Pain focuses our worship. In the midst of pain, everything is stripped away except God and you find yourself crying out to God, seeking God, reading scripture, listening to worship music - you are so so focused. That is a level of worship that would not happen without pain. And then when the pain is past - you are now more refined in your focus and faith. Your love for Christ and His strength is stronger than before the pain.

In other words, the goal is not to get through the pain - but what is produced in your life during the pain and the strength you will possess when the pain is over. Of course, this is easy to say AFTER the pain is over.

1 Peter 1:6-7

Leadership in Light of Yesterday's Election

In light of yesterday's election, I dug up a post I did a couple of years ago after going to a MN Wild hockey game. Good reminders - especially to leaders but also to those being led.

Leadership Lessons Learned From A Wild Hockey Game

Hockey season has started.  Reminded me of a Wild game Sandy & I went to a year ago and as I watched the refs...some key leadership lessons came to mind - especially when making decisions.

1.  When you make a call, you will be booed and cheered at the same time.  Thousands of people will watch as you make the call and they will immediately let you know if they like the call or not.  There will be no private decisions when you are a leader.  Every decision will be seen and evaluated.  Some will love it and some will hate it.  Some will even be angry and get up and leave.  And when they leave, they will call you all sorts of names.  But, you don't make the call based on who will like it or not.  You make the call based on playing the game right.

2.  There is no Hi-Def, Slo-Mo, Instant Replay from 17 different angles BEFORE you make a call.  If there were, you would never make a mistake - right?  I have lost count of the decisions I have made in strategy, marketing, staffing, budgeting, and even teaching series that had I knew then what I know now AFTER the decision, I would not have made that decision.  When you make the call, you make it on what you see at that moment in time and you make it with confidence.

3.  You follow through on your call and then keep going.  Regardless of getting booed or cheered, you keep going.  You keep focused on the game.  You stay doing what you are good at doing.  You don't second guess your call in the middle of the game.

4.  Decisions are best made when there is wild rock music playing, teeth are getting knocked out, and human bodies are flying and crashing into the wall.  Okay, maybe this one doesn't have much of a connection to decision making as a leader - but hey...

Relentless About Voting Today

I don't think I have ever been this persistent (some would say "over the top") about getting out and voting today. I will use every means I can ... blogging, Twitter, Facebook, face to face, from the stage last Sunday, etc., etc., etc. - to remind people and remind people and remind people to GO VOTE.

Let me get on a soapbox for a few minutes and explain a few reasons why?

• Local elections like this tend to see the lowest turnout. One vote CAN completely shift the results! I remember a mayor race right here in Shakopee that was decided by one vote ... ONE vote!! If there is an election where your vote counts - it is today's election. Go vote!!
• I am tired of people - unfortunately many who call themselves Christians - criticizing and complaining about our elected leaders. Not only does it divide our community. Not only does it model to our children that criticism is okay. Not only does it prove our selfishness and pride (I criticize because I think I know more and I have a better way). But it is a direct violation of what the Bible says! The democratic process - including its weaknesses - is the process in this community that God will use to bring into leadership those men and women He has sovereignly chosen. And He will use your vote TODAY to carry out His sovereign will. Go vote!!
• This is one election where Christians in this community really can have a major effect on who leads with what priorities. Again...getting back to the low turnout factor... I am convinced that if every follower of Christ in this community were to get out and vote - there would be a HUGE ... no wait, let me restate that ... there would be a MASSIVE shift toward a better stronger community. Go vote!!
• I often hear the day after a local election (and sadly, as persistent as I am - it will happen again tomorrow)... "I forgot." You "forgot"? The home you live in. The roads you drive on. The garbage that's picked up from your curb. The snow that's plowed in winter. The education your kids are getting. The response and quality of fire protection of your home and family. The response and quality of police protection of your home and family. All of that is dramatically affected by those who are voted into leadership.... and you "forgot"? Forgetting to vote is pretty much telling your family, your neighborhood, and your community ... "It's really not a priority to me." (But suddenly it becomes a priority to you when your taxes go up or teachers are laid off and THEN you want to have a voice.) Go vote!!

So...as I step off my soapbox, let me just make sure you hear what I'm saying ... Go vote!!

Tonight's Shakopee Mayor/City Council Debate

This is my personal opinion.  Let me say it again - this is my PERSONAL opinion.  And it does reflect my approach to leadership, my value for this community, my personal values and priorities, and probably my sarcastic sense of humor (which I will try and turn down so I sound semi-intelligent).  And for the record, this is not the position of Meadow Spring Community Church - because Meadow Spring does not have a position on this election.

K...ready?

Oh wait...I don't blog often on political issues.  In fact, this one is my ... hmmm - let me count all the times I have blogged on political issues.  Just a minute.  I think - maybe one other time - MAYBE.

Oh...and I won't be mentioning any names.  I do not publicly say who I am voting for.  Never have.  Never will.  (However, Dairy Queen and Famous Dave's gift cards could change my mind.  And I welcome every attempt to do so!!)

Oh...and one other thing - the Vikes rock!

Now...about tonight...

• Great turnout!  Really was.  I totally believe there is a lot of potential for how a movie theatre can be used.  Church is one (obviously) and this is another one.
• It was interesting which candidates were there.  It was also interesting who WASN'T there.  Now maybe there was some unavoidable issue preventing a candidate from coming, but if running in an election to lead this community is really important to you - you need to clear your schedule and bust your buns for a couple of months and get face to face with as many people as you can.  It says a lot to me when a candidate does not show up.
• It was great that questions were taken from the audience.  But...if a question is asked anonymously - you don't look at the crowd and ask who asked the question?  Sheesh!
• There are two definitive paradigms in this election.  One is from those who have lived in this community for many many years and the other is representative of those who are newer.  I believe we need BOTH to bring balance and health to this great community.
• For the most part, the wrong questions were being asked and the wrong issues were being addressed by the candidates.  There is too much talk about "ideas" and not enough talk about how someone leads, builds teams, works with staff, builds and carries out vision.  We need "leaders", not just people with great ideas.  Too many politicians get into trouble because they voice great ideas before an election that gains them support, but then can't lead the teams and staff - (or worse didn't do their homework before and their "idea" really wasn't so great or even relevant!) to see that idea become reality.
• We need leaders who will allow the ideas to come from the people and then lead the people to accomplish great things.  Leading this community is not about the mayor or the city council, it is about the people of Shakopee.
• We need leaders who do not condemn and dig up past controversy or even bad decisions.  (Yup, there have been bad decisions - but the only way to avoid this would be for them to be omniscient and that belongs only to God...although some critics seem to believe they ARE God).  ANYBODY can find fault!
• We need leaders who will lead "forward" and see beyond WHAT happened and instead see what COULD happen and create the momentum for the people to make it happen.
• When you have a pile of horse manure you can 1) plug your nose and complain about the smell, or 2) start digging because there has to be a pony in there somewhere!  We need leaders who are going to dig!
• You NEED to vote.  It is your right.  It is your opportunity.  And it is your God-given responsibility.  God will use your vote to carry out His sovereign will.
• Finally...when the election is all said and done - regardless of whether the person you voted for won or not - your (and my) responsibility now is to respect and pray for our leaders...NOT criticize them.

Oh...and one more thing.  I REALLY feel bad for the Packers.  NOT!!!

So...who am I voting for?  Well, I'm not totally decided yet.  However, I do know who I am NOT voting for (And just a reminder that Dairy Queen and Famous Dave's gift cards just might get me to blab!)