Going off road…the weekly 4×4

1.   i’m a gmail guy.   i started using it right after it went public in 2007.   it has worked amazing.   i’ve recommended it to everyone i interface with.   there has never been a problem.   until now.   apparently,  google couldn’t leave well enough alone,  so they did something to improve it.   and they totally screwed everything up for me.   too complicated to understand.   even logan fumbles his words trying to nurse me through it.   not that you care.

2.   how can i go from bowling a career best 572  (220-150-200) three-game set…to a pathetic,  miserable,  embarrassing 326  (113-113-100)…in one week?   it’s good the season’s over.   my thumb hurts.   my ego is wounded.   must be the ball…

3.   i’ve decided this whole budget crisis thing in the texas education system is really a secret conspiracy with the makers pepcid AC.   i have about as much trust in the TEA as i do in jerruh jones or texas weatherpeople.

4.   we’re pretty far removed from this,  but nearly three weeks ago,  bryan stow was savagely beaten in the parking lot of the los angeles dodger’s stadium,  after a game between the dodgers and the hated san francisco giants.   from first-hand reports,  he  was beaten by a couple of dodger-fan thugs, because he was wearing the colors of the opposing team.   hundreds saw the beating.   the thugs got away and no one has found them.   bryan remains in a medically-induced coma.   incredibly sad.   the incivility is overwhelming.   no resolution.   here’s a good article on how the family is coping.

1.   all of my thumbs up are about north point today.   i could probably write forty of them…but i’ll keep it to four!   we have a genuine space problem.   so many children are coming it’s starting to feel chaotic.   the youth group has outgrown their weekly spot.   we need adults to step in as youth and children’s workers badly.   we could have legit overflow problems this sunday.   wow.

2.   it was great to have drums again for our music yesterday.   it was like a long, lost friend had come home.

3.   it’s no secret that the economy has taken its toll on the north point budget over the past couple of years.   we have always been experts at trimming and keeping first things first.   to say that we have always operated on a lean budget might be the biggest understatement i make all week!   in the last eighteen months,  the constant trimming turned to slashing ,  as we responded to the financial difficulties so many in our church family were struggling with.   in spite of the continuing struggle of many,  we had a really solid first quarter of giving…and the second quarter is continuing the trend.   this is awesome.

4.   we have seventeen people…seventeen…most who have stepped up in the past couple of months,  to lead ministry teams of people for the good of north point and the kingdom work we do together!   can’t wait to see how all of this unfolds.   can’t wait to see who all of the people are who will join these teams and put their interests and giftedness to work.

i’m looking forward to a great week.   are you planning to invite a friend to join you for easter at north point this sunday?