Sunday Nite

This morning was an amazing morning at hyde park as we officially kicked off the Christmas Season. The tree was trimmed, the wreaths hung, the lights were in full-effect. I'm tired and ready to snuggle up with the prettiest woman I know and watch a movie (by the way, just in case you're wondering, that would be Keyna ). Before I do...

• I am one person who was affected by today's message (even If i did preach it!).
• My message this morning was titled, "I'll Do Better Next Year". As I've prepared this week for the message I was really challenged. Above that though, I thank JESUS for allowing me to journey down this road this week. For the past few years I have found myself disappointed at the end of Christmas because I knew that I didn't make a spiritual difference with my Christmas. I believe this weekend's challenge/reminder is gonna change the direction of many people's Christmas this year.
• I thought the stage looked great this morning.
• Rhonda and the band did such a great job this morning leading worship! We had a pretty smooth morning especially taking into account that we were experimenting with a new in-ear solution for our singers. Not only should our worship leaders be able to hear better it also brings our stage volume WAY DOWN, allowing us a better mix in the house.
• I had fun teasing Rhonda this morning . She was telling the congregation that Christmas is her favorite time of the year. I asked her after the comment during a welcome segment in the service, "is that why you chose to sing NO Christmas music today? (she put the set together). She made it a point to tell the congregation that we'll start singing Christmas next Sunday
• For today to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving (traditionally a down day for us) we had good crowds in all three services.
• Unfortunately, it took me until the 3rd service to really connect the message. I felt that the 1st 2 services I didn't really make the point as strongly as I was feeling it. Guess the 3rd time's the charm, huh? Sometimes you're thankful for multiple services just to get it right
• Ya'll pray for Bree. She's having to take it easy for a few days as a result of a blood pressure problem which is related to her pregnancy. Definitely missed her with us today.
• I wonder how many of you actually took part in the Gratitude Project?
• Speaking of gratitude... i am so thankful for the friends that God has placed into my life.
• And speaking of friends... on Thursday nite I hung out with my old buds Herman and Joey from Grindhouse. We all are following Jesus today. This was the 1st time that we've all been together since we became believers (isn't that crazy?). Anyway, as we were together, catching up they pulled out the guitars. As Herman, Joey, our wives and myself lifted our voices to sing "Shout to The Lord" together I thought how surreal this actually was. It was kinda weird (but in a good way, of course). Also hung with my bud Chris Crain from the Louisville, Ky region. You know, thanksgiving for mike p this year was ALL ABOUT some friends.
• Got some slammin' ideas about Christmas... I'm thinking that the Sunday before Christmas is going to be CRAZY! Definitely begin now to invite those people who need to be reminded what Christmas is all about!
• I love twitter. If you aren't twittering yet, what are you waiting for? I love sharing the incidental things of my friends lives. Those of you who are twittering, you know what I'm saying. It doesn't take much time.
• Did I tell you that Christmas music starts Sunday? It's gonna be slammin'! For real!