Bon Jovi @ FC...get ready Chicago & Kenosha-Big Ran is coming into town...

Well, I have already begun, what I call "Hell week", I am no longer in school, but let me tell you all about my week so far, and to come. It goes something like this.... Sat the 10-started to paint my apt in the evening, went to bed at midnight... Sunday 11- got up for 930am service @ FC, then met friends from Fridays @ Grapefest-which lasted 4 hours, then napped, cleaned apt, and went to my other job @ 530pm-930 Chatted with KK till midnight Mondy-12 worked at 630am-3pm, came home showered, at other job 530-till 9pm Tuesday-13 take my car in to rotate tires, LOF on car, work @1130am-3pm possible double? Wednesday-14 work @TGIFridays at 730-230pm, then at my martini from 530-930 Thursday15- wake up, pack, drive 7 hours to dads, go to sleep @8pm, wake up at 330am leave Branson for Chicago-Kenosha @ 4am for a 8 hour drive. Kids I have not even hit the weekend. Yes, you read right, they sang a BonJovi song-"Living on a Prayer" for our brand new series. Love Affair. The service was awesome.

STOP the truck...a day of silence... Handing out awards... "Anyone for a Love Affair?"...Grapevine-means Grapefest

Well, I was trying to get home before my dad and his friends got to the hotel. He calls me and says, "hey we just passed a sign that said, Mesquite 2 miles ahead". Of course since my dad and his friend Herb are total pranksters, they were joking and that was the running joke the two days they were here, and it still is going on even though they have left. "Thanks for the laughs," they said. Silence is golden, I awake to jazz playing, I enjoy Panera Bakery in silence, I drive my car with no radio, I treat myself to a 7 mile hike on the north side of grapevine lake, my soul is complete not letting anyone's noise in, I answer no phone calls today, The tube is dusty, as it is silent today, My life needed to be silent, God filled my void of noise with His breath of continued encouragement, My soul is gratified with the presence of not letting any outside voices in. Be still and know that I am God and I love you in my silence... Well, I have started handing out awards for this new season. The first award I will be handing out, will be going to my new little brother, that I have never had one to pick on, and "Your a Dumbass award" goes to Clint D. from My Martini bistro in North Arlington. Congrats Clint, you know U rock. Marriage is designed by God to be a lifelong covenant, a forever love affair. But how do we keep that covenant from being threatened by another kind of affair? This explosive new series by Ed Young teaches us how to protect our marriages and families from adultery-how to keep the unthinkable from tearing apart the marital love affair. It's said this is going to be the 2nd most controversial series ever done by Ed Young at Fellowship. You don't want to miss this series. I will see you this weekend at FC.

This weekend my friends and I are heading to Downtown Grapevine for a yearly showdown of good old Texas wine. It runs through this Sunday. Game ON!!

Getting closer to my dad... Talking to Hurricane Katrina victims...Your late, OH NO I AM NOT...

***This post is dedicated to Matthew and my father***

Well, my couch arrived safe and sound, it is much bigger in my small apartment, than what I remember it being. I am so appreciative of the 3 amigo's bringing it down for me. Each time I get to hangout with my dad it is sweeter, better, and I get to know him like a son should.

In my opinion, we were not close growing up through high school and college. I did not want to get to know him, and well there was not enough time. Dad and I had a great talk time today and more I hope tomorrow. I am blessed to have been passed on with great genes. He is such a loyal father, husband, friend, and brother. He cares for people and their soul's, hearts and well being. I could never reach his level of love and devotion that he has for everybody else, other than himself. Tonight, I sat and watched my dad cry, and weep over people that are asking for his prayer and support with child rearing, to marriage crisis, to our own family support of cancer on the Thompson side. People pour there hearts out to a man, that just wants to show them love and possibly Christ's heart made real through Him. I continue to struggle to love people where they are, along with myself and my many failed attempts to love people unconditionally through my faults and there own, to only realize, I am not alone. I am weak, I am poor, I am discontent with knowing that I have inherited a family trait of love, faith, and hope that I do not pass on as well as I should.

I left my dad as I tucked him in to bed, wondering if I will see him again, and to be able to share my faith with him and others, not knowing what life lies ahead for the both of us. My dad told me that there are Hurricane victim's staying at the hotel that I put him up in. As I walk past this family saying goodnight to others, I could hear them talking about not ever going home to New Orleans again. My mom physically stopped me in the lobby, and whispered you need to listen. I engaged them in conversation, and my heart broke in tears as it is now, typing. This family of 9 living in a two room hotel, have nothing except what they showed me in their room. I wanted and needed to be humbled, only cause God just blessed me with a expensive couch, and this family lost 3 homes, and everything in them. I tried to encourage them, with my own shallow faith, my sometimes poor lack of hope , and my love that is hard to express outside of my own race. After two hours of opening myself up, I am drawn to more tears, because I am so blessed with everything I have including my friends, and they are just thankful to be alive and living together in a room built for just two.

There are many other people who have poured there lives, time, and energy into my life. You know who you are, and I am thankful, but the other person, who cares for me deeply, not as much as my father, is a very good friend of mine, that I would like to wish a very Happy BIRTHDAY to. You and my father continue to pour into my life, I love you and I am glad you have not ever given up on me. You have secured a love that not many can hold on to,Your hope sustains people daily. Your faith in Christ continues to make you whole, and I pray I can continue to keep grasping onto what you all ready cling to. MATTHEW SMITH have a great BIRTH-day. You don't know how much you mean to me and others. Love you bro. rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

So you have your doubts....

***THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO SHANE KARDEL**


HUMOR ME PLEASE..... I know that some people are wondering why I am so engulfed with FC. Well, if you want me to be brutally honest, I would say for a period of time after my mom passed away, I was very upset with God, and I was in a period of "disliking those damn Christians", I think the whole "Christianity" word and lifestyle is used so fliplantly anyway that it just makes me sick. For example "everybody is a Christian in the South", and my response is, "no, everybody is not a Christian in the south", but that is a whole different post, that I probably will jump on later.

Anyway, I was really not excited about anything Godly until God gave me a fresh start on July1, 2002 when I tried to take my own life, and luckily one of my 5 roommates at the time found me at my darkest point and took me to get the help I needed. Thank you Shane!! I was a mess, I was mental, I was on drugs, sleeping around, and hated Christians, unfortunately. I asked God to please take my life, and if He didn't, I would. He decided that He still loves me, wants the best for me and desires for me to keep falling in love with Him, and to share my past life, with others.

He brought me to Fellowship, that is the one wish I had before I ever passed away, and that wish got granted. This church is not normal, they do nothing that is normal, they have created a church, that is not your typical church type setting. You will not find these items in FC, you wont find stained glass,
pews,
hymnals,
a choir in robes (ok maybe 6 times a year, but rarely),
fire and brimstone preaching,
and anything of old traditional Baptist jargon. You just wont find that stuff.

YOU will however enccounter a church, that I love along with thousands that gives to poor, has missionary's church plants all over Brazil, reaches out to their community with a creative, innovative, bible based credo. A lot of people have emailed me in the past and they just don't understand what is so unique about this church, and I have stumbled (literally) on this webpage.

DON'T LOSE ME HERE, Fellowshipchurch.com speaks to the masses on everyday life, and they have created a type of church that today 800 other church's are trying to model after. From 1998-2002 attendance grew from 6,000 to 13,000 in just 5 years. Just in the last two years FC has more than doubled. When I moved down here, and started attending on Thanksgiving weekend we were running around 13-14,000 people every weekend, now we are at 20,000 every weekend with 3 other satellite campus' Here is one reason why we are the 3rd largest and fastest growing mega church in the nation.
Are you ready? You will not believe your eyes, Here is pictures and proof of why I go to one of the best church's in the nation. SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEWS part, click on FELLOWSHIP CHURCH PAGE and check out our sets and stage designs for the last two years, and remember this is not an ordinary church. These are actual pictures of FC throughout the year. Here is my remarks- "Authority Issues"- it is a castle, and these pics are of the series opener that they kicked off with "Lets Get it Started" by the Black Eyed Peas

Thread Series for Easter check out the 4th picture those arches come down from the ceiling after worship to kind of disguise the band equipment during the message.

Creative Church Conference was in the middle of this series "Retro-Getting back to the Basics" and you will notice the far left and right staging's that the band is on, they turned in circles.

Who's Kidding Who, was about parenting and this was a intense 6 week series and they wanted it up close and personal, so they didn't even use the back stage, so on the first picture with the two pink lit up scrims is where the actual stage curtain is . This was one of my favorite set designs, they really went all out on the light shows during worship, as you can tell.

Easter 2004 was done in part of the Mel Gibson movie, and the actual stage is completely back dropped in a giant curtain. I really liked this one. The cross' you see were huge and they had 3 of them 1 FAR stage left, middle main stage, and 1 FAR stage right.

Cribs, they really out did themselves. as you can see, they had 4 complete stage changes.

Still counting, is a another great favorite, where the band is playing on those half circles, they rotated during worship.

Life is too short, the band and drummers, that were on a movable platform that moved automically back and forth in front of the big white curtain. When Ed is usually preaching they try to hide and or disguise the band, so you can focus on the message.

Just Lust , was another stage set design they rented from VH1, the Oscars, the Grammy's.

That is Fellowshipchurch.com and one more reason why I am inviting all I can to just introduce them to God in a non church way. WHEN ARE YOU COMING????

Dollar Rental or Avis...The couch is on the way...Good-bye our fearless leader

Well I am happy to report that Chris & Michelle Saub and baby Micah made it safe and sound to DFW, and the wedding went off with a good guitar solo hitch. I took them to get a rental car, but oh well for the reservation. We stood in the Dollar Rental line for 15 minutes, and then at the counter for 35 minutes as this Asian could not figure out how to pull her head out of her ass. Michelle kept on saying if they don't have what we want we are going to Avis. I don't think so. Here is what they reserved online- a black 4 door Chrysler 3000 for $ 24.95 a day. They got 4 door Chrysler Silver Charger for $25 more and it's a premium model. The moral of the story is, if you are in line listen, look, and pay close attention, cause in this case that Asian screwed the Saubs, and when momma isn't happy, no one is happy. We are getting ready to go out for dinner, and hit up a few musical bars. Peacceee My dad and his best friend are going to leave Tuesday at 5 in the morning with the couch. We will spend Tuesday night and all day Wednesday together and go to First Wednesday at FC, and then they will head back to Branson. I am trying to gain my composure, due to one of the best general managers I have ever had the pleasure of working under. He just got an immediate move to my old store "Dirty C-30", I will definitely miss Drew.

Just got back in and I am very tired. Have a great Labor Day weekend, and I will see some of you at FC.

2 of 3 couples -Not saved, hanging with a new sister, GO HUSKERS

Happy September Labor Day weekend. I hope all is doing well. I am in my 5th straight day in a row for a cool 100'. Got to love that. Well, I wanted to report since I have gotten a lot emails about my 3 couples I am counseling/encouraging. I am sad to share 2 of the 3 are calling it quits, and going their separate ways. Continue to keep them in your prayers. ****This post is dedicated to my fav new sister KK**** You were brought into my life, and I hope not taken out anytime soon. I wake up realizing each day I am blessed to have you in my life. You are an encouragement to me. You give me/others hope. You continue to keep life a smile away, a laugh is always on your tongue, and your beautiful eyes reflect how much inner beauty you bestow thru all that is thrown your way. So sister, thank you for being you, being fun, being my favorite new sister. Cant wait to take you to the Big O' in October. Please keep my two friends family's in your prayers who are still struggling with a small hurdle-cancer that they will overcome. If you want to help out with the devastation from Hurricane Katrina, you can help out by giving to the AMERICAN RED CROSS or FC is also helping out to the much needed relief for the people in the south. We are two fun filled days away till the 2005 Nebraska season opener where the Huskers will play Maine. Can't wait till the 2nd weekend in Oct. cause I will be there with bells on with my girl for that weekend. You know who you are, save the date.

Oh Diddy Oh... Hurricane Katrina goodbye...Come on down Camel & Co.

It has been a great start to the week, except for some minor bumps in the road. So, did anyone see Diddy's opener for the 2005 VMA's in Miami Sunday night? It was amazing and actually this year has been the best in the last two years for the VMA's. I sit, watch, get filled with emotion, just looking at pictures of New Orleans and the total loss that has occurred from this hurricane. It is just devastating. My prayers are going out to the many that need them. It has been confirmed that Christopher & Michelle Saub with their new 4 month old bundle of joy will be coming to the DFW metroplex to sing in a wedding, see me, and check out Fellowship this labor day weekend.

SURPRISE, sUrPrIsE, surprise... Going HD?... Friends as visitors...

**THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO ERIC ANDREW SMITH AKA MR. DRUMSMITH***

Yes it is true, Eric and Matthew Smith are brothers, (how I don't know) but the parents of both of these boys were welcomed home from Malaga Spain with open arms. (Some sooner than others)
Some of you have asked if I have any pictures of the Grand Opening of the New Lakewood Church in downtown Houston when I went July 16. You can check out the new Texas size sanctuary here or go to my top 10 list. It is truly a great church and such a God thing that is going on in Houston.

Well,. A new church year, new HD sound system, more new lighting, new HD screens, new HD monitors, new HD cameras, means FC has gone completely HD, so let's celebrate with a surprise!!! Ed opened up all 4 services by sharing his passion for music from non-Christian (which his favorite is U2) to Christian. He said, "I thought this would be a great way to kick off the new start of the year by asking my favorite Christian band to come and lead worship this weekend, please welcome the NEWSBOYS", and the show was under way.

I am enjoying my life, enjoying my church and enjoying being a Christian down in the south, for me, it has never been a better time to be alive, being able to move down here, share my Faith, my Hope and my Love, and be apart of the greatest thing going for the local church-fellowship.

Just realized by looking at my daytimer that four friends of mine are coming down to visit me soon, two from Omaha, and two from Missouri, I will pass on more info as soon as I find out. For all of my other friends, you still have time. Well give you a Texas size welcome you won't forget.

Thank you to everybody who has emailed me personally, called with their encouragement, shared comments, and a warm welcome to me letting you into my life in a little bit more personal way.

Missionary parents home from Spain... Last day of freedom... Want to own a piece of Fellowship?

Matthew Smith's parents landed safe and sound in the Big O, late Thursday night, and back at home getting ready for the big family reunion, this year planned in Colorado. They were roughin' it in malaga Spain, one of the nicer parts of Spain. It is known as the L.A. California. It is fast paced, lots of people and a wealthy part of Spain. They were gone for two years, and rented out their house in Waverly Nebraska to a Christian couple. Planning on maybe returning, but not for as long as they did. No more 3 way phone calls every Sunday at 2pm that I have had the pleasure of sitting in the car with, waiting for the chat to finish.

Well I started my new job, and I will indeed love it. The money is great, the martini's are O-wonderful, and the "Live jazz" every night is breathtaking. When I am on the floor, I will let you know, so you will have to come and see me.

This summer, Fellowship went all out for their vacation bible school, that was 3 weeks long. This years theme was around the world thru the bible, to say the least they decorated the CCC and went all out. Well, rumor has it that they are selling the 2 and half story replica of the Eiffel Tower, you can make a bid thru eBay.
If I find the link, I will pass it on.

Tomorrow heading to church for both services, we have a very special guest in, and my source tells me they have 15 weekends in 2006 booked with big well known head-liners, so tomorrow I will tell you all about the #$@%*&^!!!! See you at the big FC!!

I am normal again...

so I think, as I am setting in this space wondering in the back of my mind, do I really want to go back to school?, and I guess I do. Well, I don't want to ever be normal again. So, I get home and my friend Afif and another friend of ours shawn is waiting for me, and as I jump out of my car with excitement, afif said, "no more hanging out?, and I yelled, "No more hanging, sorry bro". So I have been contemplating getting a second job, not that I want one, or need one, yea actually, I do need one. Someone has to pay for these flat screens. (Oh by the way, I got a really great deal. 27" HD Sony Flat screen for $600 you cant beat a deal like that.) So, let me tell you what part of last week, and this week looks like. It goes something like this... last Tuesday up 430am-work 530a-300p, Wednesday-off-late afternoon interview, Thursday up 430am-work 530a-3p, Friday meetings, Saturday up 430am-work 530a-300/, Sunday am FC, 2pm-8pm work, Monday up 430am-work 530a-3p, Tuesday up 430-work 530a, today 3-8pm work, Thursday up 430-work 530a-3p, Friday- morning chat about life with friends, 530pm I report to my new job, Saturday up 430-work 530a-3p, Sat pm 530p new job, Sunday am- church, Sunday night 530pm new job, Monday 430am up-work 530a, then on Tuesday Aug 30 I start a whole new week. So the summer was play time, and so for the next two years I hope I can keep this up sort of. Wish me luck on going back to school, I hate learning new menus, What in the heck is Sushi anyway?. Peace out.

Sizzling end of Summer Fellowship surprise... a Step Back in Time...World Youth Day...Brown-Nosing my best friend!

Fellowship announced a musical surprise for this next weekend??? I wonder who or what it could be? (of course i know, but I cant tell) It will be definitely hot in theerrreee. This weekend, I took another friend for the first time to FC, and the music lineup was smoking-(literally). My friend was very impressed with the whole service, she loved the campus, loved the music, and really thought the message was very deep for being a seeker sensitive church. Listen to how cool this was. One of Ed's illustrations was about diamonds and how jeweler's chips away to get the most precious stone, and how Jesus does that with our daily lives, with the people who He puts in authority over us. The last special during the offering at the close of the service, they had a artist come out and spray-paint on canvas during the song, to reveal at the end that it was actually a beautiful diamond. It was awesome. Well, this weekend was very special to me, after my dad telling me about this couple moving down here, and he thought we went to the same church. I got in touch with this couple that I have not been to church with in over 10 years. They were present at my parents 30th Wedding Reception, and my moms funeral. It was good to meet John and Shelly Ammerman at Fellowship, we went to service together, and a 2 hour lunch catch up. They moved here 9 months ago, they live one mile and one exit from me. They saw me one time at FC, but thought there would be no way I would be here in Texas, and of course not bald, but it was me they saw, but when John turned around to get my attention, I was already gone.

Five million youth showed up for World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne Germany for a week of refreshing of the soul through fasting, prayer, and mass.

I want to thank MATTHEW SMITH, for pointing out (even though he does not care for mega church's), the list of the Top 50 Most Influential Churches, and of course who do you think ranked 4th out of 50? You guessed it.

All in all, I had a relativly quiet weekend, I did go to a little (not so happening) pool party, but didnt really feel like swimming. I did burn the top of my bald -ass-head. Will that be good enough SHANE KARDELL?? Don't even go there!!!!

my heart breaks... what does On The Go mean??

***DUE TO THE SENSITIVITY OF THIS POST, IT IS MY OPINION***I recommend reading a few times... Everyday we have soldiers of all different military branches come in, but the majority are in the army. Believe it or not, I have had some great conversations with them, and not so great conversations, some of just pain and agony. This redheaded guy came in and you could tell he really had something on his mind. If they start a conversation with us, we can chat, but were asked not to start conversations with them about the war. This guy sat in our store for 3 hours, just crying, emotional, and he just wanted to talk, so of course everybody says, "send Thompson, he will like to talk to him," The guy came home for his two week RandR, and caught his wife with his bestfriend obviously in bed. He was just heart broken and pissed, that he had to go back and fight a war that HE BELIEVED they should not be fighting any longer, and wished he could stay home and mend his broken relationships. He kept telling me, "with 1500 soldiers all ready dead, we will be fighting this war a lifetime, and we will be there in this area atleast 3 or 4 more years." "This president has no clue as to what he is doing to the lives of all these people he is effecting by keeping this war going, and just to protect the word FREEDOM," he said son, "we don't have freedom in this country any longer, back in the day-yes now, sorry I don't buy it" One thing that breaks my heart is to see people that don't even know these soldiers, and insist on picking up their tab, these military guys, are just so grateful, when I go and tell them there whole meal has been bought. Most of them don't understand why they don't have a tab, but when we point out that this person or that person picked up their tab, or someone sent over a note thanking them for the great job they are doing, you can see them start to get overcome with emotion with tears, hugs, and joyful, grateful hearts. I love these moments, because you realize life is not all about you, but them. Back to the FIRST paragraph---Now we have to worry about lawsuits from friends, family, and people we don't even know, social security and Medicare that will be obsolete in the near future, shootings, muggings, car jackers, rapist, identity theft, road rage people getting off on murder charges just to name a few. ( Just a side note, after living here in Texas I am grateful that God has seen fit to keep me here, but also, I have had more close calls with death, road rage, and guns pointed to my head here in Texas, than all my travels including Europe, I am thankful to be alive) I probably will touch on this later, but I completely agree with him, that is one reason and the only reason why I do not enjoy or want to live here in the u. s. any longer than I have to. We can not even spell freedom, or realize it does not even exist in America. YES, THIS IS MY OPINION, but I cant wait till the day, when I can give a hug and kiss goodbye to my family and friends, and move to where I know I will be free - in Western Europe to enjoy P E A C E. Free from what you might ask? Take a little break from life and travel to W.Europe, and my friend you will soon realize, we have been striped from our freedom, and dignity in the name of what?? There people enjoy life, hope, peace, happiness, the gift of being alive, time, health, thankful, grateful, and are not consumed with pride, envy, lust, self esteem, and the fact they are they are NOT the only human beings on planet earth. They take long breakfast breaks, long lunches, siesta, 2-3 hour dinners, they are not consumed by me, me, me, or getting a nicer car, larger boat, a bigger estate, and are not in debt. Life is slowed way down to the speed of listening, thinking first, (NOT speaking to interrupt the other person), to listen, and share a shoulder to lean on. Sorry to all my friends in TEXAS, but I have not found those qualities here, a little yes, but not what I would like to have in life.

We have a On The Go? Section in the front of our restaurant. What does those 3 words mean? LET ME TELL YOU, don't buy "on the go food", and then sneak in, grab a table, that people are waiting for (because only this happens when we are on a wait), sit down in my restaurant, and take up seats for people who want to DINE IN, and then expect service, and are rude about it, when we don't give them any, so on the go means O N T H E GO.

If you cant tell I am venting for all the fine airport Fridays people, no not drama, so don't even think about emailing me negative comments like before ...please. LIKE Ed says in the pulpit, I am nipping this in the butt NOW, so if you email me, you are waisting your time.

Finally, I recommend reading it over....

Tommy Lee goes to UNL... Cell phone update... My IKEA remodel

I hope you all are having a great week and the end of summer is near. Again this year it has not been that hot in Texas like in recent years!! All things reality I love, but if you like anything NEBRASKA, you will love this show. Tuned in like many curious minds, and watched the first NBC Reality show, Tommy Goes To College-Nebraska, it was very cool to see how they did this, and of course who loves that hot, blond tutor of his?? It's on Tuesday nights @ 8pm central. IF YOU HAVE A CELL PHONE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION!!! THEY PASSED A LAW STATING, TELEMARKETER'S CAN CALL YOU NOW ON YOUR CELL PHONE. iF YOU DON'T WANT THIS, AND YOU WILL PAY FOR THE PHONE CALL, call THIS PHONE NUMBER AND HAVE THEM PUT YOU ON THE do not call list-888-382-1222 YOU DONT HAVE MUCH TIME!!! Some of you know, many of you don't, I for the first time ever, am decorating my own apartment. I have hired a friend who is a interior decorator, and we have begun the process. I love all things that have to do with MTV the real world, so I am going off of their moto, bold, bright colors, contemporary and simple with a zen feel. The stores I am using are IKEA, Eurway, World Market, PierOne

So anytime after Halloween, come on down, and step into my real world, the pad is going to be off the chain. Here is what I have in mind, I bought a brand new 4 piece mustard-orange sectional contempo couch worth $2500-not what I PAID THOUGH!!ha, black and white lay on the floor bed, my bedroom I am not painting but, I am hanging floor to ceiling curtains on 3 of the 4 walls in different colors. I found this awesome black contempo-zen futon, two bright colored rugs. I am painting my living room every other wall a light lime green, and a soft ocean blue, my dining room will be Asian inspired and dinners will be on pillows on the floor. For the kitchen, I am not painting, but hanging two banners of color, and I got all new appliances, and colorful cookware. (can you tell I like COLOR??) A soft soothing waterfall will be in my bedroom, with of course awesome mood lighting in all rooms. Oh, last but not certainly least, not one, but two 25 inch flat screens-HD of course I cant wait till ya pay me a visit, I will be able to sleep 8, LET'S PARTY!!!!

That is about it, I am in need of a shower, my girlfriend is on her way to take me out for lunch, since she had to talk to her district manager last night for 3 hours, and stood my ass up for dinner, and then a little laundry, and then some much needed r and r. Peace out.

Behind, behind the scenes....

>Check out FellowshipChurch.com's production manager, for more behind the scenes on what it took to get this weekend underway. Read Aug 14, Working with Pro's
Pictures of the stage -coming soon.>

Fellowship -Fantastic.... TGIFridays Bar Champs

Hopefully all of you had a great weekend. Well let me start off by sharing... the summer months at FC are really a slow down for the staff, and they work all summer preparing for the new year. The 2nd weekend of August is when the DFW school systems start back up and summer is officially over. The first week of August is a all staff outing, and the 2nd week all the big wigs of the pastoral staff go on a retreat and cast/catch the vision for the next year from/by Ed. Well I should of known that this was going to be a big series, from the newly designed e-invite and the mega-mass mailing that FC did throughout the metroplex. I picked up my friends who have never been to Fellowship. When I get in the area of FC, all of my stress leaves me and the excitement hits me, like nothing else. I live each day to go to this church on the weekends. Well, after the 4th parker, (and we are not even in the lot,) one of my friends, makes a comment, that was pretty funny, "are they going to park the car for us?", well I said, "pretty close", as the guys was directing us into our stall. (we have 30 parkers per service, in the front/back lots of 30 acres just for parking) We walk in and they hung 8 huge banners in our living-room/atrium, that of course corresponded with the new series. The greeters said a brief hello and give us our worship guide, which they reorganized, and then we found our seats. The set was amazing, the stage was set up as a castle, complete with windows, drawbridge type opening, and it was really cool. It was11:12am and the "service will begin in" count down clock is already going, and then all of sudden, the whole stage fills with smoke. All of my friends eyes got so big, it was quite funny. Right at 11:15, Ed's son EJ started the service with a drum solo on plastic buckets, by the time the prelude was over, and they opened the series, and service with "Let's Get It Started In Here", by the Black Eyed Peas, they had 15 drumsets arranged (like the Blue Man group in Vegas) on stage, they normally only have 2 screens, this series they had a total of 5, and a total of 30 musicians and singers, just for the opening number. IT ROCKED, before the first chorus, the crowd jumped to their feet and the place went crazy. Our new worship pastor Michael Higdon and Yanci Yarbrough-(Miss Texas-2001) wrote a new song "who do you think you are?", which was high power, high energy, it was awesome, this series is going to be very deep, dealing with the Authority figures God puts in our lives. Well the service ended and we were walking out, and they were making comments on the service, one said, "I can't even believe that was church, it was cool", my second friend said, "the worship is like a rock concert, I cant believe this church is so passionate with their music, that they have smoke, foggers, and a set", and the last one said, "Bro, I hate church, but this is nothing what I was brought up in, will you start meeting me here, this is awesome." My friends, I am just merely a clay pot, who is still being formed, but my existence and role in life is to just introduce them to church, God, and Christianity-through the greatest venue-Fellowship-the local church. As the wrap, this is all the new things that Fellowship kicked off for this new year. New cameras, new camera guiding track, 2 new jumbo high-def screens, more lighting, a bigger lighting tracking truss in ceiling, a sound system upgrade, a newly designed worship guide, banners in the atrium, new Fellowship Church logo, signage for the highways, and new interior signage of the buildings, and a lot more to come. Go online and watch the message opener, and realize that video and all the videos we do - in house. It will blow your socks off.

We had our yearly TGIFridays for the DFW Int. Airport Bar Champs competition to see who has what it takes to go to nationals this fall in Vegas. Congrats to one of my old friends from E17 BRAD, you definitely have the "Friday's Flare" as a bartender. I watched all of them, and the 5 rocked.

IKEA BOUND, in a Honda, not a Hummer, ED is back

Well, it is that time again, where we try and tackle the crowds, that they are still reporting of an hour wait to get into that stupid Ikea. It will be a very chill day for me, cause that is what kind of mood I am in, Mo's friends are gone, so no VIP treatment, or security with us, I do have to admit, even though I would love that lifestyle, it was kinda of nice, hanging out with the rich, and viewing life from a different lens, even though people were driving me nuts, and they were not even interested in me or talking to me. Well, this weekend, has marked along time in the waiting. Ed is finally back from a nice sabbatical of preaching at FC for the summer. He has been away since the end of May. He will be starting a brand new series, called, "Authority Issues" . Many people have responded, and asked the question, did Ed really drive a brand new 2005 Ferrari on stage, click on "Ed is finally back and you will just have to see. Belive it or not, I really dont make this stuff up, ask Matthew Smith, he has attended FC, and loved it. haha "Don't tell me what to do!" it's the rebellious cry of our free-thinking, ego-driven society. From soccer moms to CEOs, we all have authority issues. But our defiance breeds discontent-an empty space between us and God. In this series, we will learn that to reconnect with God, we must first recongnize His authority and shed our own authority issues. I will see you this weekend at Fellowshipchurch.com

Off on Wednesday...

Today, I enjoyed a nice relaxing day at home, but let me start off by letting you into my world that started last night. I got off and home by 330pm and I called my Bangladash friend Afif. Well, let me tell you this guy was in a really ccchhilll mood last night. He kept on saying, "you suck man, lets go party, " well this kid does not realize I am 10 years older, and I just cant do that any more. We waited for our other friend named Gemme, he is 100% Indian, and then puffed a little on a cigar from down south, and had a glass of wine on my patio. I decided to take them to Joe T. Garcia's this awesome Mexican restaurant in downtown Ft.Worth. Soon as Afif found out it was Mexican he didn't want to go, I promised him, it would be chill, relaxing, and the scenery would be tantalizing. This place is known around the nation and is famous. They only have two items on the menu, (really there is no menu), chicken or steak fahita's or enchiladas, and both come with rice, beans, and a free appetizer. But, what everybody comes for our two other reasons, their everclear margarita, and the scenery, which is beautiful. They have a small dining room inside, but outside they have 300 tables, amongst pools, foutains, and foliage, their patio is a complete city block long. So, to put in terms you will understand, get a rope, it's a Texas size restaurant! GET EM' Well got back home and found a party at my place, which I was quite surprised, because I didn't even get a invitation. My neighbor Marty invited us over and it was solid wall to wall cowboys, and cowgirls, which was a sight to see. Needless to say, I didn't have too far to walk home, oh lets just say 5 steps at midnight. MICHELLE & CHERYL have fun in Chicago,and remember don't forget the bananas, and chili peppers!!! Be safe, love ya rrrrr

Oh.... I can give you juice.... Can you handle it?

Well, this weekend was moderately low key. Since I have some people asking. Here is what I did, one day, I took a couple hours drive to a town called Pottsville, just to see the country side, one day, I walked in the rain for about two hours in a tee-shirt(white, and my favorite boxers, (that I got from a friend the last time I went to Europe), and Sunday, well of course church, and then I hung out with my friend Afif. I have known this laid back - chill kind a guy from Bangladash for about a year and half. He said to me," I will come over to your house, and we will puff a little, and I will show you how to just chill man, Randall you are to high strung buddy, you need to learn how to just let life be life." So he brought the cigars and we chilled, this is one of the most laid back cats, I have ever met. Nothing phases him, that is what I like about him. Yes oh yes, we have a celebrity in the house, "Randall go get the "Celebrity menu" for him to sign," as my bar manager was scurring me along to do, only cause no one else had the balls, you know I do. Well he didnt want to sign it next to Warrant's signature, but I finally talked the white rapper, Uncle Kracker into signing the back. What else can I tell you, oh I have a couple. FC is installing new sound equipement and other stuff for a more clear picture on the side screens for all 4 campuses. Also Ed Young is returning from a long summer break from preaching since around June 1st. He will be kicking off a brand new series called "Authority Issues" .

Congratulations to NICK & KATIE LARSON for their new arrival of joy, I am still waiting on the profestional pictures. Love you both.

My Great Aunts and Uncle's

This beginning week entry is dedicated to my wonderful AUNT'S & UNCLE'S I hope you are all doing good, I just want to say dad is doing good. He is on the go a lot, and he is trying to help start Raphael singing again, and also tour around the 5 state area. He hangs out with a new best friend called Herb. He is a really great guy, the same age as dad, and owns his own furniture store in Branson, and just like dad is re-married for the second time. They go to church together, and everyday drink coffee at Panera Bread at 9am. That is about all. NOW you know what to do. Love ya randyakathumper

Ice, Ice Baby....Mosaic Community Development, NO IKEA, Fellowship-Live music video

The poll for I HAVE ISSUES, is now over and let me tell you, its a tie, feel free to continue to post your opinions, but the game and point has been taken, thank you shelly. I just want to say publicly, that I will not take responsibility for any comment that you read, view, or feel is in approiate, due to the issues that are around us, the viewers have their own opinion, and I have my own. However, I on the other hand will remain positive, and only post as I see fit, I am not perfect, I do make mistakes, and I do regularly sin, because, I am not perfect. Please, take note and realize I am just a guy, trying to find myself,(I hate that line), open up some new lines of communication, thinking, view points, and possibly cause someone to open theirs to the possibility that it's not all about them, but it's all about what you are doing to make this place a more Christ like world, stonger, more peaceful, accepting of others race, religion, sex, color, nationality, and/or sexual prefrerence. OH YEA BEFORE I FORGET, HAVE A H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y matthew, I AM SO SORRY, I MET TO SAY ERIC SMITH LOVE YA BRO, RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR For all the other birthday's I forget, don'tworry you are not forgotten, however, since you are not the Smith Brother's, they continually remind me who's birthday is coming up. Not to worry. ha ha Dont be mad, maybe just sad your getting older!!!!! ha

Yo, VANILLA-kick it one time booooyyyy,"that's what I said as I greeted his table today, and of course, his manager didn't like it, but he thought it was funny. Check ya later Vanilla Ice, have fun in Odessa.

Wanted to thank Matthew Smith for finally checking out my web page. I am so honored, how long have I been telling you about it?, now, maybe oh lets say a MONTH.
I know people have a hard time comprehending Matthew at work, now that he is married, he has to bust his ass for two, cause his new wifey sure likes her after church communion drinks especially the Irish kind(much love Jenny, I will see you in the fall, no Matthew, we cant surprise you all the time for your birthday.) So back to Matthew working, a hard concept, if you are ever wanting to see him in action or would like to volunteer for their MCD after school program, or if you just want to volunteer and contribute some of your wonderful time to a nonprofit, I am sure the fine folks down at Mosaic Community Development would be willing to share a helping hand. Check them out.

Well, here is the depressing part of my entree, well I met my friends at our location and I was looking for the car they told me to look for, and all of sudden a bright yellow hummer pulled next to my vehicle, and out popped Mo, my friend and said, "hello, lets go", Now only one other time I have ridden in a hummer, and I was parking it, so I got in, and Mo said, these are my friends (sorry I swore I would not tell their name), they are on tour, and scheduled this day off to come back to their home town to check this Ikea thing out, amongst other things. "oh these are their body guards, so and so. I was thinking to myself, I am hanging out with who, and of course, I was the only white guy there amongst the 7. We go to breakfast, and of course everybody, "oh my gosh", "can I get your autograph," it was 8am and people were already getting on my nerves, and they were not even talking to me. So we finally make it to the Ikea after a hour setting in traffic, and pull up to the press and VIP lane to park and go in. Of course, they told us, "I don't care who you are, you are late, all VIP were suppose to be here by 830, and we would work you in," well we got there around1030am and the lines were over 2 hours long. So do you think after all that we would get in line, heck no, Mo's friend, said "Do we have a umbrella in the car?, and the driver/body guard, "said no we didn't think it was going to rain," and her reply was, "my black ass is not standing in no sun, I am just here for publicity, lets go." We left and they were dropping me off and I open the door and bumped something and guess what pops out- the umbrella, moral of the story, when you think your all that, your not, cause the umbrella will prove your NOT.

This one is for MATTHEW and ERIC, I forgot to mention, that Fellowship likes to do music videos, as part of the worship, like they have done a U2 song on the roof of thier worship center, "Good-Bye to you" by Life in downtown Dallas, and their latest this weekend, they did one in Grapevine to"Hold on" by Nicole Nordeman