Going to see Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey tomorrow in Cinci with Phil

Going to see Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey tomorrow in Cinci with Phil

Home Six Mile (Jeff's song about growing up in Boone County WV)

Jake Copley's new church

Jake and Liz are doing great. I just talk to Jake. He's preaching for Artemus Christian Church in Barbourville KY - http://artemuschristianchurch.com/default.htm

Rob Durst is the Best!

Our AV man, Rob Durst, is the best! Rob stays ahead of the cutting edge of technology. When Jeanie and I walked into the Media Center for our Mac training this morning we were instantly blown away. I wish you could have walked in with us. I don't know how to describe it. Two Macs were sitting side by side on a rectangular table facing a big screen. The LCD projector is mounted on the ceiling projected the computer screen image on the big screen on the wall. He had prepared everything - it was perfect - when we walked in we both said "Wow!" Then he started to train us - which was even more impressive. He was so methodical and thorough. He explained the outter surface, the hidden speakers, hot keys, short cuts, magnetic power cords, and every single port - he knew it all. And everything he said was relevant - he could have went on for hours with technical information and high-tech jargon that neither one of us could understand. But he only talked about the things that were helpful and necessary. He showed us video clips. He demonstrated everything as he taught. It felt like we had hired a high priced consultant. Then, when he finished, he unwrapped a hard-cased she to put over my new Mac. All three of us smiled because we all knew that the reason for the hard-shell casing was to protect the machine from me! I am rough with machines even though I try to be careful. Now, the quality of the training he provided this morning is not any different - this was not a one-time- thing. The quality of Rob's work permeates everthing he does. He understand stage and lighting and audio and video equipment. He networks computers, maintains security and administrates systems. He measures outcomes and tracks hits on our website, the number of people who watch Norway live and tracks how many people download our podcasts. He works very closely with Matt and the Praise Band and mixes the sound for 3 guitars, a bass and electric drums and microphones for 5 singers. He understands me! He anticipates my needs - microphones, power point mix with video clips and on and on. He knows what I need before I asked him for it. And his work at the church is his part time job. His full time job is at First Sentury Bank. On top of this he does other things like church camp. That's where he had be the morning he trained us. Can you imagine that? No one gets any sleep at church camp. That was especially true for Rob. Because Thursday night he created the church camp DVD and all the campers took it home. Kids watch those church camp DVDs all year long. The church camp movie that Rob creates, edits and produces is the best advertisement for church camp. My children watch their church camp movies with their friends. So, I just needed to tell you about Rob Durst. He is the best! I never dreamed I would have the privilege of working with an AV guy of this caliber. I remember when my sermons were recorded on an old cassette deck that was stuck in a little room no bigger than a closet. I was grateful for the man who used to record my sermons in a previous church. The song before the sermon he walk back and push the button and record it. He used a high-speed recorder to make copies and I get a call once in a while from people who listen to my old cassette tapes. When I compare what Rob has done with digital recordings and the number of people that download sermons from Norway - Wow! I thank God for Rob! I feel really close to him and I appreciate his work so much - he makes me a better preacher and he makes everybody at Norway better. Rob is spreading the message of Jesus. We are so blessed to have him. The next time you see Rob show him that you appreciate him.

Healthy Church

This Sunday we begin our brand new summer series called "Healthy Church" - it's a study of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus. "Health" is is a major theme in the pastoral letters. Paul used the word "sound" e.g. "sound teaching", "sound faith," etc. The Greek word "sound" actually means "healthy". Jesus wants his church to be healthy, growing and full of love.

Let's get healthy this summer! OK? I'm ready are you? Diet and exercise improves your healthy. I am not talking about physical exercise. I am talking feeding on God's word and exercising spiritual disciplines.

Let's begin with a 30 minute exercise in God's word. Just follow the three simple steps below.

1. Say a short prayer - ask the Father to fill you with his Spirit so you can understand Him.

2. Read the 3 books (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus) before Sunday.

3. Say a short prayer and ask God help you live like Jesus.

See you Sunday Healthy Church!