I need your help
I am running out of movies in “my queue” on blockbuster online. What I need for you is to give me some suggestions. Now, I know you have some amazing picks, but try to give me something that you think I would not have seen yet [and should].
I am looking forward to the movies I am going to get introduced to!
Now Recommend Away!
Oddly Enough: HOT DOG!!
PHILADELPHIA (AP) –
Hours before the Phillies-Atlanta Braves’ game on Wednesday night, a film crew shot a commercial of the mascot shooting heavily wrapped hot dogs from a launcher.
But someone inadvertently left three of the duct taped hot dogs outside the ballpark, sparking security fears. Stadium employees were evacuated and the bomb squad was called in.
Thirsty Thursday: Maintenance
Many of you know I have a house with a pool. Now that sounds like it would be a blast, but it is not all peaches and cream. This is where I draw my thoughts for today. I see owning a pool much like owning my faith.
You see, there are many components to what makes a pool work correctly. You have water, chemicals, pumps, filters, sweepers and other maintance tools. I believe there are 3 ways to maintain a pool. 1: Do nothing 2: Do the once a month treatment 3: Do constant maintenance.
It is easy in my walk with God to feel I am doing good and I don’t really need to be in the word (maintenance). It works for a week or two. Then the little issues begin to grow and just become bigger the more time I just let it grow. Before you know it the pool is green and I need God again. Not the recommended course of action; for pools or life.
Second option is to get my fill once a month. This might extend the length of the collapse, but the end result is imminent. In this example the water in my pool will look ok. It won’t turn green, but the walls of the pool begin to show dirt and scum. Once again, without constant maintenance, the surface of my life will look good. All you have to do is look beneath the surface and you will find the mess.
Finally, to maintain a clean pool the key is constant maintenance. I need to be outside brushing the walls and steps. Checking the waters chemical balance and cleaning the filters. Much the same is my walk with God.
I can do my weekly or monthly maintenance to make the outside look good, but what is important is what’s inside. We all know that what’s inside will make its way out eventually. So my encouragement to you today is enjoy the work you put into your faith. It will show!
There Is A Correlation
I was looking at my stats for Wide World of Mike and it is very clear that posting = traffic. This is truly evident by the chart below.
But I have to say I am impressed by the people that still viewed my site a few weeks back when I was posting every other week. Kudos to you all.
What’s Your Blog Saying?
This is for you Gene!
What’s Your Blog Saying? Weekly series from Your Love Is Extravagant
Now it’s your turn. Find out what your blog is saying.
Is It More Than Just Chikin?
Yesterday evening on my drive home from work, I decided I would go try Chick-Fil-A. I knew the lines would be long, but I was prepared to wait it out. The drive through was ridiculously long so I went inside, which ended up only being about 20 min. Here is my review of that experience.
When I walked up I was greeted by a large friendly owner. He had a big smile and had a bit of that southern charm. I got the recommendation to try #1, which is the basic chicken sandwich that “started it all”. I will now break down the individual pieces of the meal.
Main Course: Chicken Sandwich
I choose to upgrade to the “Deluxe” which included: Lettuce and Tomatoes. I choose NO tomatoes. In preparation I spread the Chick-Fil-A Honey Roasted BBQ sauce on the bun for added flavor.
My first bite was delicious. The chicken breast was still hot and juicy. Flavor was good. Not too much spice, but just enough so you know it was there. I would definitely choose this chicken sandwich over any other from McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr or even KFC. The only competitor in the fast food chains would be the Wendy’s spicy chicken.
Next Item was the waffle fries.
I was pleasantly surprised. They were cooked perfectly [crispy but not over fried]. Flavor was good. I just used a little bbq and ketchup for compliments. Oh, one of my big things in fries is over saltiness. I’m not sure if these had salt and they were solid the way they were.
Finally, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade.
I was sceptical when I heard “fresh squeezed” coming from a fast food joint. But once again, my scepticism was called out when I took the first sip; I got a seed! Maybe they just put seeds in there for effect, but along with the taste it made me a believer.
So overall, I will give my first experience at Chick-Fil-A Fresno a solid B+. Now you might say, ‘Why not an A?’. Well if this place is as good as advertised it will get better each time I eat there so I am just giving it room for improvement.
Oh and I read an article in the Fresno Bee about the opening of Chick-Fil-A. They are a Christian company and it is clearly stated in the Corporate Purpose Statement:
“To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-Fil-A”.
Thirsty Thursday: First Love
The other day I was reading through Revelations 2. In this chapter the 7 churches are addressed. Of this address I want to highlight one in particular; The Church in Ephesus.
“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance…You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.”
From this text you know that the Church in Ephesus has the heart and desire to do the will of God. This is an encouragement of what the Church is doing; they are doing good things. However, this is not where the text ends.
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!”
This is a challenge to me in the season I am in personally with my involvement with The Well. As many of you know, The Well SouthEast will be launching on October 5th. I will be serving alongside an amazing group of people that have a heart to serve the people in SouthEast Fresno. But we must not forget “our first love”; which is worshiping Jesus with everything we do.
The role I will be serving in is lead engineer, which will incorporate the audio, lighting and video. I have a strong sense of responsibility to make sure that the presentation every Sunday is perfect. I think that desire is important, but it is not more important than building relationships with the people I am serving and serving with. I must continually “remember my first love” so that I don’t get caught up in just doing things at church. But rather, I want the things I do at church to glorify my Jesus.
In closing, if you think about it throughout the week, pray for the SouthEast launch. Pray that the people serving will have servants hearts. Pray for the people we will come in contact with. Just pray for Fresno.
What Do I Have That God Can Divide?
Once a month the staff at Fresno Pacific have a meeting called “staff caucus”. This a time to get together as a staff and hear from different programs around the university. Today we had the pleasure of receiving a devotional from our campus pastor, Angulus Wilson.
He spoke from Mark 8 on the feeding of the 4000. He noted that the 12 disciples had nothing in the manner of food to give to Jesus when He asked for food. They took 5 loaves and 2 fish from a boy in the crowd. With this, they began to go out and serve the people. They would take baskets out to the crowd and then come back to take more out to the crowd.
In this turn of events, Jesus divided the little food the disciples brought and multiple it to feed the entire crowd. The application Angulus explained was in this current economy of finances, family struggles and political uncertainty what do we have that Jesus can use to divide and then multiply?
In the current economy; God is still on the throne.
In our personal finances; God is still on the Throne.
In our government elections; God is still on the Throne.
In our family units; God is still on the Throne.
This was very encouraging to hear. I know I often times try to do a lot on my own terms and by my own power. But, this reminded me that I don’t really have anything to give. Yet, God is still good enough to provide and use me in amazing ways when I just give Him me.
