Way to go Cornerstone Women! You pulled off an incredible conference… over 200 women from 11 different churches, dear-knows-how-many teenage moms were ministered to through the giving to the Alpha Center, two women honored for their service with a day of pampering, lots of time to connect with God as well as relax and have some fun with friends. An incredible couple of day, tons of people volunteering to pull off an environment and venue where people could experience God for themselves. Way to go Cornerstone team!
Okay I realize that the post have been a little sporadic of late… but between sickness, Liverpool giving away an own goal to Chelsea and the Women’s Conference starting today I got to tell you it’s been crazy! But here’s the most amazing thing that I’ve witnessed over the past week… are you ready for it? TEAMWORK. So much creativity, hard word and innovation has gone into pulling off the conference with a tiny little budget and a group of people who want to create a relevant environment where lives can be touch by God’s presence. Everything from cleaning windows, tuning drum kits, hanging fabric adjusting lights, making videos and graphics… I love team. Together we’ve accomplished more than we could have ever imagine on are own. I so believe there are going to be hundreds of women’s lives touched by the presence of God over the next couple of days. Way to go team!
But what a week (see the pictures below as proof)… it’s been spring break here and t-minus one week until the women’s conference – so it’s been a crazy time. Managed to squeeze out all the pressure of getting things ready for the women’s conference and spent some great time creating great memories with my family… Jennie, the kids and Grammy went to Vermont on Monday (sounds like a big trip, but it’s actually an hour away from the house) – they explored covered bridges, moose crossings, Robert Frost grave (Jack Frost according to Sophie). Aidan, Sophie and I hung out with Chico and Brandon on Monday evening (fun times).
Tuesday we all headed down to the Bronx Zoo… Jennie drove (major props to Jennie driving through the Bronx! When she left she got lost in the Bronx and found her way out). Had a great time hanging with Heather and the Schefter kids. Aidan and I rode the 5 train to Time Square and then the 7 train out to Shea Stadium (home of the Mets) and hooked up with a bunch of folks from NYCC to watch the baseball game.
Wednesday, Aidan and hung out in Manhattan all day and caught the 440pm train home. As I left the Apple Store by Central Park (Aidan’s choice) and I’m walking down 5th Avenue I couldn’t believe the fact that I’m doing one-on-one time with my 8 (almost 9) year old in Manhattan – who would have thought. Just had an incredible time hanging out… no agenda, no have to’s, just whataya want to do’s? Time Square, Central Park, the Apple Store, the NBA store, ESPN Zone for lunch, Punk Rocker Pants at H&M (see pictures below)… and talking! As we’re getting on the train Aidan looks up at me and tells me, “dad I loved hanging out with you!” Words I’ll never forget!
This weekend I’ll be speaking on complaining and encouraging. It’s been an incredible couple of weeks of preparation… I’m constantly amazed at how much our words create our environment. Just tonight I stumbled (how could I have missed this guy – over 10 million people have watched the video on You Tube) across the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. If there was ever a man who could have complained, but chose to encourage it’s this guy. Take the next 76 minutes of your life and allow Randy to change your perspective. It might change the rest of your life.
Post have been a little sporadic lately. Been crazy with the women’s conference coming up and speaking a few times on top of all the usual and normal stuff going on. Lots of late nights and early mornings. It’s spring break next week and I’m looking forward to trying to take a day or two off and hang with my kids. Bronx Zoo and a Mets game look like they’re on the cards.
Okay, so if you’re in the Northeast this is going to mean nothing to you (except if you ever travel to Oregon or Washington). But to all my Northwesterner friends you know the best place in the northwest to get a fresh “homemade” burger and milkshake is Burgerville. Used to go there with my old boss, R–b—t Ja-e-on (blanks to protect his identity – anyone associated with me may have had their street credibility impacted). Hung out at the Mill Plain restaurant as well as the one on MLK (that’s enough details just in case anyone is connecting the dots). Anyhow, now it looks like our good friends at Burgerville are taking it to another level. Part of Portland’s culture, and indeed the Northwest’s culture, is to use technology and make it available to the masses… for free. And Burgerville is no different. That’s all I’m saying for the moment. But needless to say when I head to Portland in a month, I’ll be able to enjoy a great burger, milkshake and communicate with you at the same time.
I serve as the campus pastor at Cornerstone in Albany, NY. While I'm the campus pastor, I'm not immune to an occasional "oops should I have said that?". Cornerstone doesn't pay for or approve this message. My thoughts are my thoughts, but don't let that scare you.
