Memorial Day Weekend Reflections

I had a fantastic weekend! Usually Memorial Day weekend is a challenging Sunday for churches. We bucked the trend with a good attendance, offering and a great focus on God during our service. Several people commented on how strong the presence of God was in our Sunday service.

On Sunday afternoon the family dropped by the Bagwell's farm to visit our two dogs that are staying there. (By the way, if you know someone who would be a loving dog-owner of two great Beagles, both the Allison and Bagwell family would be grateful to pass along these lovable creatures). My family then headed to the Franklin Drive-In to watch Indiana Jones 4. Going to drive-in is like a step back in time. My favorite part of the evening was playing soccer and football on the lawn with the kids. A great night together!

Monday was a nice Memorial Day, and my 33rd Birthday. I know soon I'll be trading "early" thirties for "mid" thirties . . . I will savor 33. We cooked out at my Mom's and enjoyed the fellowship of some drop-by company that evening. A great, long weekend!

48 Hours with no Phone

I am in the middle of our anniversary trip, and we are having a great time! I decided to leave my mobile phone and laptop at home (I am using Beth's computer) - and I don't regret this a bit. I am very relaxed, and I am grateful for this time together. Now, off to another nice dinner!

Weekend Reflections

Friday night was my 10th Anniversary with Beth, and we spent it at home with the kids. It was actually rewarding to have a night at home . . . the seem harder to get. We'll do it up right later on this week when Beth and I will stay at at nice B&B in an undisclosed location in Tennessee. Beth deserves the trip to Hawaii . . . maybe at the 15 year mark?

Dr. Charles Gaulden gave a great message on Sunday. Dr. Gaulden is a professor at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. He holds a special place in the hearts of our members from The Hope Center. His father had been gravely ill, and he passed away during the service. He took the news well as it was expected and his father had lived a good, Christian life. Please pray for him as he joins his family in South Carolina for the funeral.

I had to pinch hit and lead a 2:42 Hendersonville #2 group on Sunday night. It was so nice to get to know some of my church family better - this was a very fun group. Even if the night had been horrible, Beth Barnett's "Buffalo Chicken Dip" was truly amazing!

The Guys From Chattanooga

Today I had a visit from some minister's from Chattanooga. Damon Passons and Doug Simms are two guys I worked with at Cornerstone, and they planted a successful church called Hamilton Life Church (www.hamiltonlifechurch.com) They brought another church planter from Chattanooga named Dana Jenkins to pick up some church plant supplies we no longer need. Dana started a church in March called Embrace Church (www.embracechurch.com). Luke - the youth pastor at Hamilton Life - came also. These four made up a creative and fun group. It's great to be around some young guys who are giving their lives to the local church.

A great Mother's Day

I was very proud of Beth on Sunday. She put a lot of heart in her message, and I got so many positive comments after service. After service I picked up Zaxby's, and we ate our Mother's Day lunch at home with some friends. My Mom was in Dallas visiting my sister. I then took the kids to the park so Beth could crash! What else would a mother rather do on Mother's Day than nap!