like a fire

Cathy worked today so I was back in the daddy vibe. We had a bit of a plan, but I just wasn’t really up to anything big… so we went to the mall. I really miss Orlando’s many places to do something with the kids while it’s hot.

Anyway, we are on our way and Jane says, “Daddy, want to hear a story about Santa and bringing me a telescope and S Skittles?”

“I sure would,” I reply.

“OK! Once upon a time, Santa came and brought me a telescope and a S Skittle.”

Me, “…” (Santa has never brought her a telescope or skittles)

“Was there something else that happened, Jane?” I reply.

She then pours forth with her version of the latest little Einsteins episode. She is actually a pretty good story teller.

I am so glad I’m a dad.

I just came across this great article about how entrepreneurs should be able to work a room. In other words, how to meet people and make them feel comfortable. It got me to thinking about how we should develop the same skills in ministry. We spend a lot of time thinking about how to be welcoming, but I don’t hear a lot about how to do that.

This article has some great tips. My favorites:

2. Avoid permanently joining a “rock pile.” A rock pile is a pack of people in a tight circle. It’s natural to huddle because it makes us feel safe, but it borders on anti-social.

8. Be a good host while you’re someone else’s guest. Say ‘Hi’ to wall flowers. I once saw a tier-1 celebrity work the fringe of the room. He must’ve said ‘Hi’ to 12 wallflowers. Actors don’t get paid
to act, they get paid to promote. As entrepreneurs, we better promote ourselves by being gracious to everyone. This means making introductions, too.

Check it out for some good ideas to boost your community skills.
ht: Lifehack

I am back from a great time in Valle Crucis, North Carolina. The youth ministry at St. Peters spent the past week on a mission trip doing minor construction on houses of needy people in the community. All in all it was a great trip. The first day we got there, though, I sprained my ankle playing ultimate frisbee. So for the rest of the week, and even now, I am hobbling along like a cripple.

Generally I don’t like hammer and nails mission trips as much as other types of mission trips. It is very easy to hide and not really engage the people or the community on these kinds of trips. The programs are what have to provide the introspection needed to add the spiritual element to the trip. In this case, it was very effective and I was glad that we had such great leaders there.

And that was really one of the best parts of the trip. I met lots of leaders from other churches and we immediately became close. The leaders from the Advent will be great people to work with in the future and possible friends since they are in the same city. The leaders from St. Pauls would be too if they weren’t the Panama City. I think that I realized for the first time the huge need for a community of peers. It was just a very supportive and nurturing time and I look forward to the next event we can be a part of.

Today was my first real day working at St. Peters, my new church home. That usually means unpacking books and setting up my office. Generally, it is stuff that doesn’t look a lot like what I normally do in youth ministry.

Not today.

First, I can tell that it is going to hard at times to get things done in the office. It is such a great group of people, and I just want to hang out with them. So I spent much of today talking to people and just visiting.

Second, I was in the middle of unpacking books when the prayer team came by and prayed for me and the youth ministry. What a great thing! I was really blessed by that and hope to be “interrupted” a lot in the future.

Then it was off to lunch after going to the Apple Store to pick a laptop. Lunch BTW was PF Changs.  So after a full belly and more great conversation we go back to the office for a meeting with John, the Sr. Pastor, and Colton, the interim Youth Pastor. We met for three hours straight and I got to hear about every kid we have had in the youth ministry (I really don’t want anyone slipping through the cracks).

So now it is later in the night and I realize several of my regular things didn’t happen.

1. I didn’t check my email all day until I got home.

2. I didn’t read one blog.

3. I got home in time to play with my girls, have dinner and put them to bed.

What all of this means, I think, is that if they ever want me to leave this place, then they are going to have to chase me with a stick.

I love this place!

Today marks an important day in the lives of the Martin family. We are officially homeless. Yes, we finally closed on the estate in Orlando. After several contracts that fell through and much weeping and gnashing of teeth (not pretty between me and Cathy), we are without a homestead.

We owe many thanks to the people who have been praying for us for so long, but we have a special thank you for Cheri Hulke our agent and friend. She has worked very hard for this and has sacrificed much. Thank you Cheri.

So what is next? Looking for a new house of course. II already have a couple picked out.