Look… Up In The Sky…
…it’s a bird… it’s a plane… wait… it’s a helicopter dropping easter eggs!
Mariners Church took a cue from these guys and ordered up a helicopter to add a little bit of fun to our traditional easter egg hunt. One of the most unique things about our campus is the large lawn that we have situated between our Worship Center and Port Mariners Kidzone. In previous years we had about twice as much lawn, but with the current construction of the Student Center and Chapel, much of the previous lawn is now dirt… headed towards being a lake! So what is a church to do? Rent a helicopter of course!
There were 2 drops this year. My family was at both drops, and I was amazed that there were nearly as many people at the 7pm drop as at the 3pm drop. In all there were thousands of people who participated… pretty amazing really. Oh, and the best part… the helicopter pilot is also a member of the church. At 21 years of age he has over 1500 hours of flight time, and he trains local police helicopter pilots. He did an amazing job of coming in and circling a few times before lowering over the target and dropping the eggs.
So much fun… and such an amazing tool to get people to come and hear the message of Christ’s resurrection. Of course the helicopter drop was just the prelude to the amazing services on Saturday and Sunday. Kyle Zimmeran and Kenton did an amazing job of leading worship and teaching. We are so blessed! And Tim Timmons rules. If you have not gotten his CD yet.. stop what you are doing and get it! I am honored to be part of this amazing staff at this even more amazing church.
Check out the news video…
You Can’t Control Your Message Anymore.
One of the most important lessons that we can learn in communications, is that we no longer have the ability to control our message. One need look no further than this current political season for a decent illustration of this. John McCain is an honorable man, who has served this country with distinction. He prides himself on “straight talk” which means he tends to entertain questions from reporters or citizens with (shockingly) accurate answers. I will leave it up to you to decide if you agree or disagree with his message, but the fact is, he says a lot of stuff. Given the proper context and thorough explanation, it probably even makes sense. The trouble is, when someone else takes your speeches and mashes them up into a parody video, then you look like a downright war monger. Obama has successfully stayed on message this entire campaign season, by only saying one thing… “Yes We Can”. He has inspired hope and optimism with this slogan. How will it unpack and convert to the business of governing is still somewhat of a mystery. Hillary has criticized Obama for being an “empty suit,” and I tend to think she is right. No doubt we know what she will do to run this country if elected.So what is the lesson? Keep your message simple and stay on track. Let those around you flesh out the details of the vision that has been cast. And if at all possible… don’t turn something like bombing Iran into a big joke.
Still wondering how to vote?
Jharp pointed out a really cool tool to help you select. Link
Wonder who I am voting for?
1. Theoretical Ideal Candidate (100 %)
2. Hillary Clinton (70 %)
3. Barack Obama (63 %)
4. Joseph Biden (withdrawn) (62 %)
5. Al Gore (not announced) (60 %)
6. John Edwards (withdrawn) (60 %)
7. Christopher Dodd (endorsed Obama) (55 %)
8. Wesley Clark (not running, endorsed Clinton) (54 %)
9. John McCain (50 %)
10. Michael Bloomberg (says he will not run) (50 %)
11. Duncan Hunter (withdrawn, endorsed Huckabee) (47 %)
12. Rudolph Giuliani (withdrawn, endorsed McCain) (46 %)
13. Tom Tancredo (withdrawn, endorsed Romney) (45 %)
14. Alan Keyes (44 %)
15. Tommy Thompson (withdrawn, endorsed Giuliani) (44 %)
16. Bill Richardson (withdrawn) (43 %)
17. Chuck Hagel (not running) (42 %)
18. Mike Huckabee (withdrawn) (42 %)
19. Dennis Kucinich (withdrawn) (42 %)
20. Mitt Romney (withdrawn, endorsed McCain) (41 %)
21. Ron Paul (withdrawn) (40 %)
22. Stephen Colbert (campaign halted) (40 %)
23. Alan Augustson (campaign suspended) (39 %)
24. Fred Thompson (withdrawn) (39 %)
25. Mike Gravel (38 %)
26. Wayne Allyn Root (38 %)
27. Sam Brownback (withdrawn, endorsed McCain) (38 %)
28. Jim Gilmore (withdrawn) (36 %)
29. Newt Gingrich (says he will not run) (33 %)
30. Elaine Brown (22 %)
31. Kent McManigal (campaign suspended) (20 %)
2008 President Selector http://selectsmart.com/president/2008.html Rankings:
Ten on Tuesday (Wednesday Edition)
- This show “Moment of Truth” is really stupid. The ridiculous premise… make people sit in a chair and honestly answer questions in front of their friends and family. Basically, the answers can be devastating to those relationships. Fun. I am pretty sure this show could be blamed on the Writers strike.
- I went to a new dentist this week. He does regular dental work, cosmetic dentistry, endodontics and the best part… he is on Balboa Island. So while I am having my root canals (yes, plural) I will be looking down at the banana stand. There is always money in the banana stand.
- We are gearing up for our leadership conference theLAB at Mariners this weekend. This is also the launch of our Outreach ministry planning. Lots of good conversations and direction this year.
- Global Outreach weekend is not far off, and so we got to meet with Kenton this morning for over an hour. Every meeting feels like a masters course in leadership development. I would hate to play chess with him…pretty sure I would lose.
- My Tahoe has almost 52,000 miles on it, and Christie was going to get the brakes replaced this week. The mechanic (who picks up and delivers at Allergan) did and oil change, rotated the tires and discovered that the brake pads still have 70% remaining. Did I mention the car has almost 52,000 miles and those are the original brake pads. Who says driving like and old man doesn’t have some benefits.
- MacBooks rule. Anyone interested in getting me an Air?
- I talked to Zach on the phone today. I could not be more proud of him!
- American Idol? Ummm… yeah. Auditions were fun to watch, but now we are at the part where I wish it went faster. Sort of like playing Mini-Golf. The first few holes are fun… then I lose interest.
- Sally will be 3 years old in 3 months. How crazy is that? Tonight she sang “You Are My Sunshine”… so cute!!
- March 9th is just around the corner. 36 years old… what??!!?? Still shopping?? iPod Touch, MacBook Air or a 150″ Plasma would work. Read more
