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Sunday Mind Dump

• Vikes beat the Pack (if you haven't heard)!
• In other news... :)
• After all the Christmas stuff going on, it felt so good to have a more "normal" Sunday!
• Found this 70 second video of the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert last night. I'm not kidding when I say this is my dream of what we want to do to our auditorium when we remodel! (Scaled down of course!)
• Speaking of remodeling, I got a sneak peek this week of one of the design/build firm's idea on design for our facility and I would be lying if I didn't say it has me STOKED to get going on making it happen!
• Solid attendance this morning in spite of having a lot of people gone.
• I'm totally looking forward to next Sunday and starting the new series "Zombies Among Us"
• This series is going to bring life to a lot of people who are living half-dead, half-alive relationships with Jesus!
• Yes...it really is FREEZING outside. Can you say "below zero"?
• Pray for John & Michele Pennucci and their kids. Michele's grandpa suddenly passed away and they are traveling to Wisconsin on Tuesday for the funeral. John is speaking at the funeral.
• Had several new guests this morning. LOVE that!!
• Rumor has it that I got a banjo for Christmas. Rumor is true. But I'm a long way from pickin and grinnin!
• Sandy & I are taking on a "no spending no frills" challenge in January. We are only spending money on essentials - no frills. This will be interesting. Anyone want to join us?
• Really good offering this morning. Takes some stress off my shoulders.
• Sign lights were installed this week so now when you drive by the church after dark, you can see "Meadow Spring Church". Go check it out!
• Meadow was featured on page A15 of the Chaska Herald this past week. That's two weeks in a row we were featrued in a local newspaper.
• These next 4-6 weeks are critical for our next phase of remodeling as we discuss our capital campaign and finalize which design/build firm we will partner with to do the construction. - Really need your prayers!
• Went to see Les Miserables this past week. Lots of talk about this movie. My opinion? ... Not enough explosions, gun fights, blood, and high-speed chases.
• Got my preaching calendar all set up through Memorial Day. Now I get to start writing and making it all reality! I LOVE my job!
• These last few weeks have been intense weeks for our volunteers. Some have gone way above the call of duty and I am so appreciative of each one of them! We have the most awesome volunteers!
• My plans for New Year's Eve? I'll probably be in bed by 10 and celebrate in my dreams. Yup...I am a real partier.
• I'm really fighting the battle of too much routine. I never want my ministry to be routine. I want it to be fresh and vibrant. I would appreciate your prayers.
• Well...that's about all my mind can dump tonight.
• Later.

The Serious Side of Rockin' Christmas Eve

In all seriousness, I really am pumped for our Christmas Eve services. You see, at Meadow, we believe Christmas is to be a party not a funeral. Think about it, when was the last time you went to a "Birthday Funeral". No, you go to "Birthday Parties". Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Savior and we intend to reflect that celebration.

What exactly will be happening at our Rockin' Christmas Eve services? You will hear some great music. You will be able to sing along with songs you are familiar with. You will hear the timeless and inspired story of the birth of Christ. You will be challenged to make this Christmas different than any Christmas up to this point by basking in the forgivenss and grace of our Savior.

I can't find strong enough words to encourage you to come AND to invite someone to come with you. This is a party we want to share with as many people as possible.

Services are at 4 & 5 and each will last 45 minutes allowing you to celebrate Christmas at Meadow and then celebrate Christmas with family and friends later.

See you tomorrow to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Sunday Mind Dump

• Wow...NEVER had that happen before in 28 years of ministry!
• Prepared the wrong set of notes and switched it up 60 minutes before the service started!
• Stumbled through the message - as I was speaking I kept thinking, "Where is this going?"
• I am SOOOO looking forward to Christmas Eve at Meadow!
• Trust me ... you don't want to be one second late. The opening number performed by the band will rock your Christmas socks off!
• For some reason, several people didn't think we were having services today. Hmmm...wonder if we miscommunicated something?
• Met some new Meadowites today - that's always a ton of fun!
• I so love out tech team. They pulled off a great service today in spite of a couple speed bumps.
• Three words ... "Zombies Among Us". It's gonna be awesome. Check out the trailer HERE.
• Vikes won today. Good game.
• I am already stuffed with Christmas goodies. Wow! And its not even Christmas Day yet!
• Got word today that a friend accidentally shot himself in the shoulder. Bullet went all the way through and he will be alright, but it was pretty scary for him and all the others in the house.
• Got a few decorations up at the church this week. It's a few weeks late. Between me not having a decorating mind and first time having our own building - I'm glad we got this much done!
• Had meetings with five construction companies this week about Phase 2 of our remodel. Every meeting went well and I'm looking forward to them sending in their proposals.
• Heads up ... 2013 is going to be an intense, packed, and AWESOME year at Meadow!
• My personal goal is that one year from today, we will be in the middle of our Phase 2 remodeling - THAT would be so freakin awesome!
• Giving has been down lately. Yes...it stresses me out.
• Lately, I've watched a few friends turn their backs on the solid Biblical understanding they grew up with. That always saddens me.
• Sandy & I celebrated our 31st anniversary this past Wednesday! I still wonder when the honeymoon will be over.
• What did we do? I went to the doctor and had a spot literally froze off my face. Dr said the chemicals were -315 degrees. That's cold even for someone who loves Minnesota!
• Next Sunday I'm speaking on crazy things God asks us to do and yes, I have the right set of notes to prepare ... I think! :)
• We are helping several families with food for Christmas. It's always a lot of fun to give people something they aren't expecting!
• If you haven't invited someone to come with you to our Rockin Christmas Eve services - do it NOW!!
• Well...I hear the chocolate covered peanuts calling me.
• Later.

Sunday Mind Dump

• Before you read the rest of this, go and RSVP to our Rockin' Christmas Eve service! When you RSVP, it will be posted on your wall for all your friends to see. This makes inviting them one step easier!
• Thankful for a church and leadership that allows us to call an audible and switch things up last minute to address a relevant issue like the CT school shooting.
• Thankful for a staff that can pull a service like today together in less than 48 hours.
• Thankful for a wife who understands when God nudges me to switch up my message last minute and gives me the space and time to write.
• Today was truly a great day at Meadow. I can honestly say it was one of the best ever!
• Rachel so nailed her words that I almost just closed the service when she was done. I wasn't sure how I could follow what she shared from her heart.
• LOVED the video that Pat put together. If you missed it, you really missed a great moment in our history.
• Here's the link to watch and share it ... My Soul Cries Out: A Tribute to the Victims of the Newtown School Shooting
• We'll continue our "Merry Family ChristMESS" next Sunday. Gonna be awesome!
• Stop what you are doing right now and go to the event page for Rockin' Christmas Eve and RSVP!!
• We will be doing a little advertising in the local newspapers for our Rockin' Christmas Eve services, but the primary way people will hear about it is by YOU inviting everyone you know!
• I'm meeting with several construction companies this week. They want to walk through our building and hear more about our desires for Phase 2 of our remodel.
• I am really looking forward to the next phase of remodel. It won't come for several months, but it won't come too soon!
• Trust me...you don't want to be one second late to our Rockin' Christmas Eve. The opening number of the band will rock your Christmas Eve stockings off!
• You are reading my second attempt at my Sunday Mnd Dump. The first attempt was almost done and my computer froze!
• Had several new guests this morning and it was awesome to talk with them.
• I am convinced we have the absolute best team of volunteers! They serve with so much dedication, heart, and excellance!
• (Have you RSVP'd yet for our Rockin' Christmas Eve service?)
• Several have asked when the video of today's service will be ready. It should be done and posted by Tuesday on the Meadow Facebook Page.
• Attendance today was "comfortably full" even though we had a lot of people gone.
• One of my favorite time periods of Sunday morning is getting there early and sitting in on the sound check of the band. I am so impressed with their skill and heart for leading worship!
• Well...I think that's it.
• Oh...don't forget to RSVP and invite ALL YOUR FRIENDS to our Rockin' Christmas Eve

Rockin' Christmas Eve at Meadow

Are you tired of the same 'ol, same 'ol Christmas Eve service? Looking for something new and fresh? Something that will put a smile on your face? Something that will, without question, put you in a MAJOR Christmas mood?

You are invited to come to "Rockin Christmas Eve at Meadow" where you will hear outstanding music, laugh, smile, and hear the Christmas story maybe like you've never heard it before!

We are having two 45 minute services. Both identical and both for the entire family. Times are 4:00 and 5:00 pm in our new building.

Here's what I'm asking you to do right now...

1. If you are on Facebook, go to this link and "Join"! This will help spread the buzz that you are coming and your friends will see it too!
2. "Share" the Facebook event to your page and invite all your friends!

Our Christmas Eve services in the past have been packed out because you invited and brought your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Let's pack out our new auditorium again this year! This is the birthday of our Savior! Let's celebrate and party by having a "rockin' Christmas Eve"!!

 

Sunday Mind Dump

• Guess what? It snowed.
• Storm took its toll on the attendance today.
• If you missed the service today, you missed a really great morning at Meadow.
• I didn't sleep well last night at all - had visions of no one at church because of the storm.
• Taught through a very awkward passage but I think it went really well!
• At least the single guys learned a new pick-up line.
• We've had a very full house since Wednesday but it has actually been good to hang out with my parents, Sandy's mom & aunt, and all the kids.
• We submitted our Phase 2 Remodel "Request for Proposal" to several construction companies and some have already called and expressed interest in our project.
• Offerings have been down recently and yes, it stresses me out - especially with now being in our new building and not knowing what to actually expect with winter expenses.
• Attended my daughter's senior voice recital this past Thursday. I knew she could sing but WOW...what a voice!
• I'm trying to use my notes less and less in my teaching. I think I rely on them too much. I need to have better eye contact with everyone.
• So PUMPED about how Jesus is changing lives at Meadow! Real...eternal...change!!
• Really looking forward to our two Christmas Eve Services - 4 & 5 pm. Here's the link to the Facebook event page. "Share" it to your page and use it to invite your friends.
• I'm really tired tonight - looking forward to hugging my pillow for the night.
• Had a really good turnout for our Family Movie Night. We'll be doing these more often.
• Next Sunday, we will have displayed all the food we've been able to purchase with your giving to our Food Drop Special Offering.
• Had an awesome Meadowite come and snowblow our driveway! I so LOVE my church!
• Man...my mind is just drawing a total blank on this mind dump...which means my brain is either all dumped or fried!
• I better shut this down before I hurt myself.
• Later.

Sunday Mind Dump

• Three people gave their life to Christ today! THAT never gets old!
• Felt great to have a VERY full auditorium.
• Stage/screen set was maybe one of the best ever!
• Several new guests which is always is refreshing!
• I am so proud of our First Impressions volunteers. Today they went way beyond the call of duty to help people find seats and make everyone feel welcome!
• Vikes lost but it wasn't the blow-out that many were predicting.
• The challenge is to provide a Christmas meal for 100 families in need. After today's offering we are at 71!!! Wow! That is awesome!
• Did I mention that there are three people who's eternal destination was changed today? Still amazed at what God is doing!
• No doubt lives are being changed at Meadow!
• If you want to get a head's start on next week's message, read Genesis 37 & 38.
• We will be submitting our "Request for Proposal" to design/build construction companies this week.
• My parents, mother-in-law, and one of Sandy's aunts are coming to stay with us this week. Our house will have 6 adults and 4 dogs for 4 days!!! Pray for us!!!
• My daughter's (Jessica) senior voice recital is this Thursday. I am so proud of her.
• If you haven't heard, my son's contract with KS95 is not being renewed due to the station wanting to take a different direction. Pray for Pat and his wife (Brittany) as they explore what the next step in life is.
• Oh...and if you know of anyone looking for a videographer or sound/light tech - let me know!
• Christmas Eve services are at 4 & 5. I am already pumped about them! I love Christmas Eve at Meadow!
• One of the things I love doing is seeing all the Facebook pics and posts on Sunday afternoon from people who were at Meadow - it is SOOO encouraging and exciting to see the buzz being spread!
• Yesterday's Abby Olson Benefit was a total success. I should know the total of what was raised later this week.
• Before I forget to mention it...there were three people who gave their life to Christ today! That is why Meadow exists!!!
• Not sure if you noticed but the band was totally on the mark today! I am more and more impressed each week!
• We FINALLY got the heat figured out in each area of ministry! No more frozen kids in MeadowKIDS!
• Family Movie Night is next Saturday. I can't publicly say what the title is due to copyright laws, but I can be privately persuaded - and all bribes are accepted!
• This year we ARE having our regular service on the last Sunday of December (December 30). In the past, we have not had services on the last Sunday of the year. It will be a CRAZY Sunday and my message will be about the crazy things God does and sometimes asks us to do.
• Well...I think my mind is about dumped for now.
• Later.