beat you to it!!!!

ok, slam!

Before any of you Windoz PC users out there bash me about the new Microsoft commercial showing that PC's are cheaper than Macs, DON'T!!!

First off Microsoft does NOT sell pc's, they sell an operating system. IF they would build a machine for their os then half of the pc problems would go away. But they don't!

Second off "Lauren"("Laptop Hunters $1000 – Lauren Gets an HP Pavilion">Video: Laptop Hunters $1000 – Lauren Gets an HP Pavilion), our desperate little "uncool" laptop hunter, is not just some girl looking for a computer on the cheap. She is an actress. One who signed a contract not to talk about the commercial.

Third, if she was getting any laptop under $1000 for free, why did she stop at one that was only $699? She didn't play the game very well. I would have had me one chiming in at $999.99!

While I will agree macs are more cash than pc's BUT you go look at the price of antivirus (that you have to update yearly), then look at MS office. Plus when you get a mac, you get a machine designed by the people that made the os for it. kinda like your car(yes it has a computer) and your cell phone, even your Microsoft Xbox. A ton of hardware makers are hard to keep up with and to be compatible with. Thus all of the problems that you guys keep calling me about.

So here are your options: Learn how to use Mac or learn how to reformat your pc!!!

I am Claude, and I'm a Mac! (but I know how to work on an fix your pc!)

Liquid Ministry!

Ok so who said ministry is easy? NOBODY thats who! And nobody should. Don't get me wrong, I still love my job but you cannot easily lay a job like this down for a "day off". Our minds are always occupied with our work. And I don't have a problem with that because our work is to shepherd the flock which we also love. I never want a day off of loving our people. It is an honor to have them.

So my point of this blog: my hours sometimes outlast my energy. I need help! Luckily for me there is that section in the convenient stores right next to the beer, you know the section, it is the one with the HUGE cans with all of the colorful labels on black backgrounds. Names like Red Bull, Monster, Full Throttle, Redline, Rock Star and more. It is in this section I find a little energy boost to get me through set-up and Sunday night youth. Yeap, This stuff is my "Liquid Ministry"

Now I know a lot of people don't like these drinks for their enormous amounts of caffeine and sugar. But only a few of these people are actually by my side during these times of need so they cannot possibly feel my pain.

I honestly don't think it is the caffeine that energizes me, I think it is the terrible taste of these 24+oz cans of carbonated arm pit funk. One sip and you are awake for hours. I really thought that I would acquire a taste for these things BUT NOOOO. As awful as they are, I just cannot resist them. And I drink every ounce. It is a mystery, kind of like the show "Saved by the Bell", nobody likes it but if you see it, you cannot help but watch.

So when times get hard, I have missed my nap and I feel like I cannot go on: There is my faithful Liquid Ministry sitting there faithfully ready to trick my body into doing a little more for the Kingdom

Please don't condemn me with passages like Philippians 4:13 "I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me" or Matthew 4:4 "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God". I know this stuff and fully depend on my LORD and Savior. This post is a joke, I am just making some fun. Sorry to offend.....Nahh, I'm not.

Just a little thought, because that is all I am capable of

Isaiah 55

6Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed.”

Our understanding now is at best blurry. I look forward to the day when we can see clearly and understand wholly. Thanks Dusty, I still remember your sermon on this.

Knock Knock, is anyone still watching my blog?

Yes it has been awhile. An I am sorry. It isn't that I don't have stuff to blog about, it is that I am just lazy. So here are some updates:

Sheila and I have joined the gym again and the trainer is killing us. It is kinda like paying someone to beat you up. I think I can get that free in certain parts of town! We are a week into it and I have muscles hurting that I didn't know I had. Don't like it, Don't like it one bit!!!

The horse is eating EVERYTHING! We are down 2 chair cushions, an Aim N Flame, a box of sharpies and a screen door (oh yeah: and a ton of dog food!) But he is getting along with all the other animals now. Our little rat terrier will put him in his place!

Been thinking allot about areas in my life that I hold back from God. I asked some friends if they ever ordered something at a drive though just to get home and find out something was missing? Well that is what I(we) sometimes do with God. I shorted Him something he ordered from me. He wanted the whole combo deal and I kept the fries! So I have been trying harder to release these areas of my life to God. After all He did pay for me with the ultimate price by Jesus Christ dying on the cross for me.

Crosslink (our youth) is doing great. The boys and the girls are doing separate studies that will go for a few more weeks. They are each praying for ONE person that could use a little more God in their lives. They are all itching for summer time!!!!

The ROCK (our Children's church) has been a total blast. I finally have a few grown ups helping and the kids have been having fun learning how to share God's gift with their friends. We are showing them a few different things that will help them share Jesus with others.

I am looking forward to the huge easter egg hunt we are putting on in a few. Now before you start with me about all that "Easter" stuff...DONT, not here, not now, not ever. I know all about it. BOTH sides. We are doing this to try and bless the community. We are going to feed them lunch and hopefully show them all a great time without asking ANYTHING in return. IF God opens some doors for His message we will (of course) share it. I know our harts and I know our intents. If you don't like this "Easter" stuff, please don't come. Thats all.

And lastly, my wonderful wife never ceases to amaze me. She really does rock my world and I can honestly say that she is my best friend. I am enjoying being in ministry with her. I really don't think I could do it without her. Hey Sheila: I love you.

A little more work done today

Ok here are a few better clues to what the last post was:

Have you been paying attention in church?

Crosslink teens came out on their day off school to work on the new stage set

But they insisted on leaving thier mark somewhere on it to prove they were here.

So the put words of "wisdom" on the back so the band and Jason can see it before they go up on Sundays

Pretty much done here.

We also cut and painted a new sign for "the Rock" our children's church

over all it was a fun day and more teens will be here tonight to do a bible study, watch a movie and the its the girls turn for a sleep over.

I'm not telling!

you what this is! You gotta come to church Sunday morning to see it. The teens (Crosslink) are out of school today and are coming over to finish it. I wil tell you that it isn't one of the most extreme sets but it should look good. And when it is done being used as a stage set, Brad gets a new toy! It will be chopped up into a new rolling box for his ego.....I meant "lights".

our staff meeting?

Where did everyone go?????

I am on a video chat with myself!!!!

Hey guys

do ya'll remember the time when Marcus got ran over by the parked car at Catalyst? Good times, we should do that again.