What tequila conference, SURPRISE

David and I arrived at 1015am on Thursday Sept. 21. But what you don't know is that the Saturday night before which would be Sept 15, I had a bit of a fall. I was chasing my little brother down a flight a stairs and I missed the last two that went to the left, and of course severely sprained my ankle. I was desiring to have a whole week off, but of course not at this expense. At 1am in the morning we made it to David's house and crashed there, while he helped keep my ankle iced and elevated all night. Wow, do I have a good friend or what. Tuesday after I woke up, looked at my foot that was purple on both sides and green on the top, made me decide to go to Care now, and find out what I really did. Luckily the nurse and Dr. were both smoking hot females.
Back in MPLS, and while we were waiting for the bags and Eric Smith to pick us up, David had to ham it up, by jumping over tall trash cans and finding a wheel chair to push his big brother around. I was not thrilled.

Dad got in around 1pm and we all went and picked him up at the hotel, and then headed to the 5.8 club for some good old "Juicy Lucy's" burgers( cheese in the middle not on top) and they were awesome.
Hung out with Patrick Ley my other best friend from Mpls at the Mall of America, went to a concert with Eric and then to an Irish pub for some brews and we hit the sack the first night around 5am.
Friday was the big surprise that we set up at the Mall of America and Victoria was surely surprised to see Dad. Friday night Dad, David, Debra, Andrea and I met 10 other of Victoria's closest friends at 7pm Bucca in St.Paul for an awesome 2 hour dinner. After that we met up with Nick Ritter that is from Blue Mesa @ DFW airport that use to work with us, and we went to hang out with Eric Smith and his friends. David and my niece andrea finally hit it off and hung out since they are in the same age group. The highlight of that night was I got to meet a Roller Derby girl named Mary Gold. She had the most amazing smile and teeth I have ever seen on a woman. She lit up the room when she walked in. That night we got to sleep around 4am. David is night person, I am but not that late.
Saturday was run around and get ready for the big surprise party for Vic, and so Dad, David and I ran errands, which was not all that fun. Got back to Vic's condo so Dad could spend some time with Vic before he headed for Branson and we headed for the party. David took a 2 hour nap in the sun porch as it poured down rain. We left to pick up Ritter, and hit the party. David and I were the bartendars and Nic helped out with the food, which was pretty much done. The karaoke machine was a hit and we stayed until 2am while David and Andrea were chilling together.

Sunday, we went out for a brunch, went to a record store, walked around Uptown a little, and then went to a contemporary art museum. It was harder for some to say good-bye than others. WINK WINK All in all it was a great weekend. David and I really needed to get away and just chill out with no pressure from life. Here is what I just love about our friendship. He took a 0 on a major test to go on this vacation in which we booked the plane tickets a month in advance. Basically his teacher screwed him and changed the test date, and would not let him take it early. I told him not to go and do the test, and he said nope, your little brother is going to support you. That is a true friend.

living for an audience of ONE...

Are you ready for a SEXUAL REVOLUTION??

Whether you are married or single, a parent or not, this powerful teaching promises to revolutionize your perspective on sex and bring a new level of understanding to your life. This I think will be an awesome opportunity to bring someone to church if they are just kicking the tires of Christianity or seeking out God in a new way. You won't want to miss a Fellowship worship experience, it's like no other. This weekend David, Donnie, and I are going to a Grapevine high school football game, if you are not familiar with fall events, you put a high school game on your Friday night calendar of events. Texas high school football is a big deal. I am close to finishing my apt, I bought a futon mattress, a computer desk, picking out my flat screen HD tv, and a new stack able washer and dryer this weekend. I found out that one of my best friends Matthew Smith is possibly coming to visit me in early October. This summer is not over, but we had over 45 days straight of 100' degrees and over in a row. It sucked, but the cool down has begun.

living for an audience of ONE...

Who visited Fellowship? Heading north. Stretched Summer

Summer is over, fall is in the air, college and NFL football has started and the Huskers have been kicking some ass out on green turf. This was a excellent summer for me, lots of growing and stretching. I am trying to get a hold of a computer guy to try and show me how to upload pics into my computer and transfer them from Beta to something else. I have not done this obviously. Sorry to all of my friends who want to see better pics of my friend David Thompson aka my new little bro. I am working on it.

I was talking to a friend on the phone and they asked me if I had the summer to do over, would I ask God to rewind time and do it all over again. I wouldn't, except for my friends suicide attempt in my appt. That part I would like to not do over. God removed a good friend from my life and brought in a an awesome man of God, that continues to challenge me in my view, stants, and relationship towards my God. David always wants me to think in the present and not in the past, only because he says then will I (RANDLL) keep moving towards my future. If you want to hear something really funny, he wants to have a double wedding in about 4 years, he knows God is saving an awesome woman of God for me to get married and both of our kids can play together. I am not sure about the kids part, my heart is slowly being open to think about marriage. In my mind, yuck, but hey it might be worth a shot, if God brings in the right woman.

This weekend was the series wrap up for Clueless, the worship team sang back to back opening numbers of The Fray with "Over my Head", and "Sending out a SOS" by the Police. They also intermingled (between each worship song), an excerpt of a pre-taped group discussion of how to get back into the boat of life, with God rowing the boat with-in their own personal lives while in ministry. The message was reminding us to try and look at our own life and see what stumps have entangled us and our spiritual life, and how not to get stuck in the sea of not moving in God's direction. It was an awesome service.

David and I getting ready to head north to Minneapolis to a Tequila Conference at Le Cordon Bleu in Dinkytown near the Uof M. If you are in the area and would like to see us in the evenings, that would be awesome. I am going to try and take some time to visit my sister once or twice, but I know her time is always jam packed. We will be there Thursday Sept 21 at 1030am arrival on Northwest Airlines and depart at 530pm on Sunday Sept 24. DROP me a line, and lest hook up.

living for an audience of ONE...

When you have time for time and friendship...

When you make time, and have the time for friends, they know it, appreciate it, and desire more of it, you know it is a good thing. This weekend has been a celebration of an exciting summer of beginning with new friends that you just know God wanted you two to meet. David my new little brother and we went to Stand on Thursday, then swimming. Friday I told him to plan what ever he wanted and he raised the bar and we went to a comedy club. The headliner was the bartender from the Drew Carey show. We worked together on Saturday, off to FC, then we tried to go out to eat at the restaurant of his choice, but we couldn't find Remingtons, and it is a funny story in itself. He knew we had to get up at 5am for the big event-surprise and us trying to go to bed and be sleeping by 10pm did not happen. He was too fired up for sleeping so we climbed out of the pool at 1am and then just stayed up and talked. Sunday night he had to work, and tonight we were going to do something outside but it is raining out. This past Thursday at Stand was a bit emotional for me, we have not seen the couple or the leaders of stand due to their daughter suffering a spinal cord injury. This poor girl was partying with friends down in Austin Texas and she attempted to dive into a river, and almost drowned from her injuries. Please pray for David and I, we feel God really wanting us to go show Gods love and forgiveness and we don't even know her, or met her. Her parents completely gave us their blessing with tearful hugs of emotion. " YOU don't know what that would do for bliss, she would really like that." Please pray for us. we will need it, we don't even know where the hospital is.

living for an audience of ONE...

Thompson's initiate in another Thompson???

Well, Debbie our wonderful GM finally got back from a week long vacation, for her great, us it was hell on earth. Welcome back. David and I checked out the MetChurch for the 2nd weekend in a row, and it was getting rid of the past, very fitting for the both of us. We are both trying to get rid of our past, in more ways than one. This past weekend David's parents went to a marriage conference and came home around 9pm and boy were we not ready for what was going to happen. I helped David watch his brothers the last 3 day a little. We got off from FC and picked up the kids, fed them and put them to bed at 9pm. We had just pulled out of the driveway when David's mother called and wanted to know where everybody was, we ran home and his dad wanted to share what he learned that weekend. It was a very moving 2 hour talk, and I was asked to sit in to listen since right now, I am really the only one so much involved in his life. David was extremely glad that I stayed to witness this emotional healing that needed to occur between father and son. David Jr. said that witnessing that was me getting introduced into the family, knew it was coming, but not that soon.This upcoming weekend will be an extreme weekend between brothers. You will have to see the pics on Monday, but it will be well worth it. We are going all balls out. GET'EM.

living for an audience of ONE...

Friendships come, friendships go?.?.?. TIM KASHER-who?

I am not sure how I forgot to tell everybody. But who that in walks- Tim Kasher, one of my friends from way back in the day from Upstream Brewing Co. in Omaha Ne. where we use to work at together. Both very surprised to see each other, but excited to catch up on old times. He was getting ready to start up his long European tour for his band the Cursive How do you, when you know you are supposed to let go of a good friendship of 2 years? What makes a person want to let go, but not want to give up, and of course-betray a friendship? Those are the questions that I have been asking myself and David. I love friendship, building a good strong relationship, but sometimes the cord has to be cut. I am not going to mention any names, but more than likely you will be able to figure it out. Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to a friendship, that I knew would be tough. This kid depended on me for everything. I really don't feel too taken advantage of, but the friendship was a little one sided in my book. This was the first time he ever had a best friend here in the states, and back at home. We started drifting apart, not clicking, not seeing eye to eye around 6 months ago, and eventually the chain had to break. He tried committing suicide on me, and of course I am, have been,and still trying to get him help. I just can't be there for him anymore. When you have an awesome friendship like Davids, that spurs you on spiritually, builds you up, and is always wanting you to raise the bar, (and is in his own life, without the use of drugs, alcohol, and sex) and not always pulling you down, but helping you to get back up, that is the type of friendship that at this particular time-I NEED. I wish my friend all the best. I gave that kid all I had to give that he can use a little each day for the rest of life, but it was never enough. You just keep getting burned out. I sent him a long email explaining everything, and I feel that God really wrote it, and He did, that when I hit send, it was like tons of weight had fallen off my shoulders. You want a good sign of friendship, David was really down in the dumps, depressed and NOT himself those past 5 days, and that is a good sign, you have a really good best friend. "Randall, when you are down, I am down, I don't like to see you depressed like that, because it hurts me to see your heart in so much pain." When I heard that, I knew I made the right decision in a friendship that will last a life time.

living for an audience of ONE...

One wild weekend...Currency, Cops, and Cooling OFF

David and I worked together this past Thur., Fri., and Saturday at the Blue. Thursday we were planning on going to StandUSA.com, but he got out of work late, it started around 7pm and he didn't get over to my place until 7:45p.m. We started talking and then we waited for our friend josh to call us back for us to ride with him, and he called us back when David was using my phone and we didn't get the voice mail back until 9:30p.m. Saturday we all met at David's house at 5:45p.m. and all headed to FellowshipChurch.com for the new fall series CLUELESS. CURRENCY-Dollars. Pounds. Lira Rubels. Euros. Pesos. The value of currency fluctuates daily with the market. But when it comes to God's economy, the market doesn't determine the value of His word to us. This weekend Ed Young taught us how we can cash in on some currency that really matters, currency that has the power to change everything, so that we are not-CLUELESS. We made it in with 5 minutes to spare as the count down began. We heard two girls yelling my name, and to my astonishment it was friends from TGIFridays at the DFW INTL Airport that I use to work with. I of course asked them how they heard about coming to FC, and Cara said well of course YOU. My heart began to really beat, she said, "I told my mom that I really wanted to get back into church and where should I go". Judy Razor replied with, "Well you know Randall moved down to Dallas for this church called FC and it is really close, and you should really check it out." Her sister Amanda just moved back from Phoenix and she wanted to go to and so Cara invited her and it also was the kick off for the new fall series. Deep inside my tear ducks began to fill, and I realized that if I never moved here, they might not of ever been exposed in such a positive way to hear about it, I would of never met Afif, and began a friendship with one of my new best friends David Thompson, that right now is priceless. His two other best friends Donnie and Josh were able to go with us, and it was an awesome service. The series opener was like a movie trailer and then the worship started with a intense get on your feet praise song with an awesome light show. The special song before the message was a drama with no words, just 12 or so people holding quotes, like ( I promise to get my homework done), and then on the back side was a letter that all spelled out "God Stays True while Eric Orson sang a intense song called "Chaos". Josh and Donnie went their separate ways after a little mingle at the house. David's parents took the kids out of town, and so David asked me to crash at his place unlike normally at mine. We both always to do something athletic and adventuresome, he wanted to climb on Trinity High school roof to talk, but I was not really wanting to do that. He said, "We are going to get a movie, but we are going to walk down this scary old abandon road that no one ever uses. On the way back of course, only 3 houses on this 1mile & half road with no street lights, this car is coming up behind us and of course slows down and stops only to reveal that it was the cops. Just lovely, we were not doing anything wrong, and after 10 minutes of them finally realizing that they gave us a ride back to the David's car that he had parked at the end of the road in a subdivision. We watched the movie, crashed, woke up to a nice morning swim, and then we went to check out one of 7 churches to see what else is out there. The MetChurch was really good

living for an audience of ONE...

Brothers gotta hang...

with the brothers. I have been trying to encourage David to hangout with his family a little more than normal for a college student that has 3 other brothers. Tuesday night is date night for his parents and he has to babysit a 7 , 9, 11 yr olds. I decided since we both know we need more patience in my life, I decided to hangout with him. His brothers went and got more friends to hangout with and we all played kickball in the yard, and then David and I took them to Cici's Pizza for dinner and video games of course. We all had a blast and then David and I ended the fun evening of playing tennis from 10:30pm till midnight. This weekend FC will be starting a new series entitled CLUELESS- the promises of God. I am looking forward to this series as it will help me to discover the promises I have in God for myself and David.

living for an audience of ONE...

Saying Goodbye to the past....

Well today is the last day of the weekend, I was able to hangout with one of my best friends David and we had a great time. We did go to the Stand prayer service and God really met me there and I know He met David there. It was a little different and out there, but I know we are planning on going back. This weekend at FC was on "Going Deep" in the area of recommitment and baptism. They had a special video message and a invitation to come forward for baptism, it was awesome. Next weekend Ed will be starting a new series, we get a new set/stage design and David and Donnie are going to start coming on Saturday nights to this series. David and I have been talking and we both realize God wants us to be in ministry together, we are not sure how that plays out, but we are examing the possibility of writing a book together. So please pray as we try to tackle that endeavor. David use to be the manager for the Trinity high school girls volleyball team and there was an alumni volleyball scrimmage Saturday night. He found out about it at church on Wednesday and invited me to go. It said it was very important for me to go, so not to make plans. Ok yea I get it this kid has an 8 pac, an all around great athletic body, but I have never seen someone play volleyball like that. He absolutely was powerful with his serves and spikes, and was a lot better than the girls who he use to manage. We had an all athlete participation dinner, and of course I had to come, it was a free meal. So that brings to my next order of business, David made the comment that he has been going to FC for a while, and "well Randall, you have not visited my church yet", so I went to the two hours service and then we went to Blue Mesa in Addison for a free all you can buffet before I begin to shed my past. David and I are starting a sugar fast for him, and I am doing the Master Cleanse diet for me for the next for 40 days. We also started the 40 Days of Purpose by Rick Warren as well. I am on my way to shedding a lot more weight, plenty of crap that I have been putting into my body and of course trying to better myself spiritually, this time I have a friend who is going along side of me. So far since Easter, I have lost 65 pds, 4 inches of my waist and have gained a lot more confidence, better self esteem, and of course I have been two blind dates and I am seeing a girl who is really interested in me. I am not, but the point is, SHE IS INTERESTED.

living for an audience of ONE...

God works in mysterious ways...

even at 4am inthe morning, that is forsure. I never thought that I would be linked up with such an awesome men of God, twice in my life time, once of course with Matthew Smith but secondly with a younger kid who is still wet between the ears. We are best friends, but we consider each other brothers. We laugh, joke, play sports all the time (volleyball, swimming, tennis, and of course football). He is a sophmore in college and a very active athletic young man, who stretches himself too thin. He does however make time for people who make time for him.

Last night was the first time that I had chatted with David since our vacation. My spirit was really uneasy, we had a pretty intense talk on the way home, and the meat of that was that "I spiritually challenge him to seek God with our nightly talks that (he had thanked me for alot and appreciated) always point David to seeking Him more, but he was not interested in moving along spiritually while going to college. He loves the ladies and just wanted to play the field, so I had a problem with that. I know deep down he did as well, but he has been able to build a very strong wall these last two years that he didn't really want God to knock down, until God put me in his life. I wake up Wednesday morning at 3:45am and was very sick to my stomach, at 4am he sent me two texts saying that he wants to get his life back in order in seeking God, and he wanted my help, support, and encouragement. My spirit was humbled with a smile, so I jumped into my car and went to go talk to him at 430am. He knew deep down I would come, and was thrilled to see me, we talked, cried, prayed and I left his house at 6am, I had to go to work you know.

The out come of that was my life was touched by God also and we are both helping each other by getting back on track spirtitually. I too have been running just like him, but we both know that God wants us to be friends and right now my life would not be the same with out him. We both hang out all the time, and we don't even drive each other nuts, which is a good thing. We are getting ready to start the Purpose Driven Life together and we are going to a non profit ornganization prayer service called Stand. I don't know much about it, we are going with Joshua another best friend of David's.

living for an audience of ONE...

Branson Bound was not a bust...

One of my new best friends David Thompson and I had a incredible road trip and our first vacation that was an awesome time. He was able to meet my two friends Clay Wheeler and JJ Junge which they all kicked it well together. We all stayed at the Falls Creek Resort in Branson.

I finally was able to meet one of my dad's best friend named Danny. This guy is a character and boy is he jokster. He is my dads age and his life has been put threw the ringer. Here is just some of things that Danny has lived threw. He has been struck by lightening, tried to help a girl who was getting gang rapped in an alley, and they beat him up and left him for dead, luckily the girl got away, his heart shut down and he died and went to Heaven and Jesus told him, "no, not yet" and he came back to life, the bottom of his heart does not work, he is diabetic, lastly this guy has had colon cancer for the past 5 years and you can tell he is really suffering, but drives, walks and encourages people to keep living life.
My father called me and humbled me and David to tears. Danny was so excited and thrilled to hangout with us for two days. Dad said, that he didn't feel no pain, he was able to sleep a full 8 hours, and that Dad should be proud that he had one of the nicest sons on the planet. With a list of attributes of me, I was humbled, because this guy was so real, open, honest, fun loving, that I thought I was so blessed to meet him, that he encouraged my soul so much that it was really hard to leave him. Danny told dad that David and I need to be in ministry together and helping young people live a more fulfilled life. I don't know what that means, but I know David is stoked about doing life and ministry with me, his new best friend.

living for an audience of ONE...

a friends first road trip...

I am taking one of my best friends from down here on his first road trip, which I can't believe. David Thompson and I will pull out of D-town around 2pm and head for Branson. He has been wanting to get away and wants to meet my father, and I have a couple of friends that we both need to visit. We are taking a rental car, our football we always toss around, he wants me to learn how to play tennis, so bringing some rackets, and "a lot of big game to flirt with the ladies." That is a direct quote from himAfif is not going, he will be holding down the fort here and watching the apartment.

Life has been so turned upside down after meeting this awesome person that we both agree God certainly wanted us to meet, hang out and establish a great friendship. There are only a few friends that you will meet that you get along and click with so well. We have a lot of people throwing there opinions in about our friendship, (including his girlfriend Bethany, ) but as he says, " I don't tell you who you can be friends with, and you will not tell me that I can't be friends with Randall". He is very protective of our friendship, and I can say that I am the closest to him than any other person I know of , (yes unfortunately) even over Matthew Smith.

Since march we have been hanging maybe once a week, and at my birthday we now hang at least 5 times a week. We both can honestly hangout with each other all day and night and not get sick of each other, and for him that has to be a good thing. He and I are very alike, both think logically, politically, and are spiritually alike in that "Christianity is relational, not so in your face. He is always up for a good time, very athletic, always on the go, and wants us to grow spiritually strong spurring each other on. I know you won't believe this but, I am doing a lot of changes in my life only cause he has challenged me to do so. I am more of a positive person and for some 15 years I was so negative that I have been slowly changing it. When I started hangin with him, my negativity now is not even part of my vocabulary or life. He has recognized a little athletic bone in my body, and that is why now even more, I am so on the go. I don't spend anytime inside hardly any longer, the blinds in my apartment are now always open, my window in my car is always down for fresh air. We love to go hiking, he DOES NOT LIKE FELLOWSHIP, but has been going with me for the last 5 weeks cause he knows, "that is a good opportunity for us to hangout, and I know that is what you want and like." We are always outside throwing the football, swimming and when we get back from the vacation he wants me to learn how to play volleyball better, and tennis, so "we have more time to hangout together." We are both learning how to develop better confidence and self esteem issues with-in ourselves and that is always a good thing. The down side is that since we both agree, we need to be hanging out together, we have both sacrificed a lot with other friendships. I try and encourage him to hangout with his other friends, since he is a sophomore in college, with a straight 4.0 in college, he barely cracks the books, but a good quote from him is, " I really want to hangout with you because you are so encouaging and such a positive role model in my life right now, and he always splits his time between me and then, his girl friend Bethany. He knows and finally lives my motto, "Bros before hoe's Randall."

With that I challenge you to not live life in other people's view points or opinions. We have had our times of trusting that we are making the best decision considering we are in both different age groups. I have always hung out with younger, or older and with this one it is a stretch. He is so confident that this is a good thing, that I don't even care and nor does he to hear so called friends opinions, and when I do, he is very in my face that we both need to be confident in ourselves, and no one else.

living for an audience of ONE...

What is a friend supposed to do

Everybody knows, atleast they should that I fully believe in friendships and the way God places certain people into each others lives. Do you want to see people make bad decisions or risk crossing a bridge that you know is going to have a few planks missing in it? I don't think so. David and I had a long much needed talk until 4 am last night. I had to just except the fact that friendships are a give and take and trust needs to be two sided. Believe in a person too much and later accept the fact that one day you might be right, but no need to rub it in the face. It's really hard when the person on the other side, believes and trust you so much with everything in their life. When you have a great friendship it comes down to sacrifice and hope, and for right now, we both are leaning on each other for that. I did get everything worked out with two friends and we are slowly trying to find our way back to where the friendship should be. This past weekend I witnessed another God encounter, with the take over of First Baptist South Miami by Ed Young and the staff. Fellowship church Miami held it's first services with Ed, Lisa, Eric Orsen, the worship team with the sky being the limit.

living for an audience of ONE...

Ready for a Flashback???

As I was on my way to pick up David for church, I got a call from a 402 area code, that I didn't recognize. It was John and Shelly Ammerman from Omaha that live next to me,letting me know that the family reunion had begun, and that Tim and Carla Ammerman were here in Dallas at Fellowship right now for the 10am service. So I waited for David to get out of the restroom and we made it in with 6 min. to spare. I tried to call them back, but no luck. We walked by the section that we normally sit in, and 6 people stood up and yelled, "Thumper." We sat down and said our hello's and I whispered to Tim and Carla, just remember this not a normal church, and they said, "we know that, just look at the sanctuary."

The count down to when the service begins, hit 5 seconds. The house lights went dim, bellows of smoke filled the stage while an explosive light show began while the worship leader and band exclaimed, "who is ready to worship at Fellowship today?. I wish I could of been quick enough, and I would of been able to catch both of their eyeballs popping out of their sockets. Right before the message, he asked me if this was a special service, and I said, no, it is always like this, but if anything it is little toned down since Ed was gone." After the service, they both said, "well we definitely know why you moved down here to come to this church, FC would never fly in Omaha."

living for an audience of ONE...

Brothers visit the hiding place...Dallas Night Clubbing....

Well, this weekend was definitely an experience I need to talk about. So, if you are one of those straight laced d*** Christians, than you might be let down if you continue to read this. Thursday, night I was able to hangout with a really great friend of mine who is really enjoying hanging out with me, and vice versa. David has been asking for me to take him to my hiding place and go hiking on lake grapevine and we did just that. We started hanging out around 5:300pm with a quick bite at Red Robin, (I just love that place, and it was his first time) then off to lake grapevine around 7:30pish. We started a very in depth conversation about the passing of my mom and everything that I have had to deal with because of that. It was great 3 hour talk that lasted until 9pm when we realized we needed to get back, considering it was almost dark.

Friday we worked together, and Saturday night after work I went to have a few to many rum and cokes at Cool River with one of our cooks Pablo who is 38 yrs old. We quickly run to his house so he can change and then head over to one of his friends house for a Mexican birthday party for a 4 year old. I was the only gringo present, but they took really good car of me, and then he tricked me into going to this "new club" to check it out. It was called Chicas and Bonitas, lets just say we were out of there in one hour flat.

Donnie and David asked me if I would take them to their first club experience. I am the only one both of thier parents trust for all of us to hangout with, so we got to Club Uropa at 11pm. It is the only club that allows for 18-21 year olds to get into in Deep Ellum. It was funny hanging out with operations manager who is 50 and then us. David is definitely the leader of the group, and immediately was out on the dance floor macking with the honeys. He has some pretty big balls, he got shot down a few times, but towards the end, he was the chic magnet. Got to bed around 5am, David spent the night on my brand new futon, and then we went to Fellowship in the morning with another 2 hour in depth talk about his issues during lunch, and how he sees me in his life as a older brother, role model, and friend.

living for an audience of ONE...

Rub the Buddha...

I have had the great opportunity of getting to know my bosses parents over the last several months, Buddha and bear. Bear is from England and I just love her British language. Yesterday bear went in for her check up and they admitted her into the hospital with complications with her heart. Buddha comes to the store twice a week, and we always have a great talk. He is retired, and a fiery pistol at that. He is great great older senior citizen who had 5 boys and 2 girls, a good solid catholic family. My new little brother is best friends with his grandson Donnie and that is where we hangout, play basketball and swim in their inground pool, and also some late night adult swims, of course not with the grandparents.

living for an audience of ONE...

Willow Creek Community Church still going threw changes...

Update on Axis July 2, 2006 www.generationaxis.com/ImNew/axisupadate.asp For 10 years, Axis services have been devoted to helping the Next Gen connect with God through high- intensity weekend services with relevant teaching, worship and art that brings faith into a clearer focus. But, as you know if you’ve been hanging out at Axis for any length of time, it’s about much more than a weekend service. It’s about the heart you have to make a difference. It’s about community. I know that every week there are groups from Axis reaching out to help the homeless, reaching people in prison and serving the under-resourced in our neighborhoods. Whether it’s within the walls of Willow, or out in the world, Axis is devoted to giving back and to getting involved. Axis is real people really doing life together. For several months The South Barrington Leadership Team and the Axis team have been partnering together asking God to lead us to a new vision for Axis. This weekend I spoke to Axis about the next evolution of our church and of Axis. One of the key distinctives we see emerging in our church is a heart for a healthy, diverse church with an intergenerational vision. To live this vision out, we are committed to serve and embrace the 20-something community as well as the distinctives of the Axis services. Axis is not ending, but the weekly expression of the Axis service is. The vision to reach 20-somethings has not changed, but how we reach them is changing. BBQs, gatherings, and events are planned for the summer, built around the Saturday evening service meeting time. So, the next generation of the Next Gen ministry is evolving. But before I go any further, let me assure you that Willow’s commitment to 20-somethings is firm. What will that look like for you? For starters--- Beginning next weekend, (July 8), Axis is invited to do church in the main auditorium. Sections 202 and 203 in the Mezzanine will be the sections where Axis will sit. Axis will have monthly Hangout/Go-out times after the service. (July 8/Aug 19th) We’ll Hang out on the patio and BBQ, and then Go out to participate in different interests or activities. Axis will get together on August 5. House Groups, Interest Groups and Serving Groups aren’t going anywhere. During the summer, they’ll continue just the way they are. Sixty of you have signed up to serve at Habitat for Humanity’s Blitz Build on July 22-29. I’m humbled by your commitment to serve and I think you will bring energy to the rest of Willow as we make the shift to an intergenerational church. I also spoke to a key staffing change for Axis. For the last two years, Darren Whitehead has led the Axis ministry. Starting this summer, he is going to devote 100% of his energies to leading our High School ministry, Student Impact. In the interim, Steve Gillen will lead Axis during through this time of transition. The vision to reach 20-somethings has not changed. How we reach them is what’s changing. I hope you are as excited about the future here at Willow Creek as I am—because you are a big part of it! In this together— Gene Appel Lead Pastor www.willowcreek.org

living for an audience of ONE...

Running 4th in the Nation... 20 weeks of....

For the 2nd year in a row Fellowshipchurch.com has ranked 4th in the 50 Most influential churches in the nation. This summer has and will be another hot summer line up, while Ed takes his yearly break during the summer months. Fathers Day weekend was a sucessfull Papa-Palooza for the family with thousands hanging out with the family on the campus. A couple of days ago the 4th of July was unfortunatley a wash with the weather and they had to move the events inside. The last two weeks have been a little bit quietier around the home front. I have been keeping track for many weeks, and I have had someone or people over at my house, hanging out with friends in the metro, or someone visiting me every single day of the week. Basically what I am trying to tell you, I have not been alone by myself after work or on the weekend for more than 25 weeks straight. I am sure glad God has been developing patience in me. David, my new little brother is/has been gone these last two weeks, the week before last in Delaware at Phi Beta Kappa convention, and this weekend he is on the summer family vacation. Listen to that silence.

living for an audience of ONE...

Here is to 4 good years

of celebrating life, in my honor and my friend Ryan Barnharts life. July 1, 2002 we realized that we both have something in common. God wanted us to both be alive and living well and strong, and for Ryan he found Christ also on this day. Life is special, you make it want you want, and it sure can get better with time.

I have been going through a little struggle in my life, I have been slowly finding out that 5 of my closest friends have lied to me in person on the phone, to and through people. I have been walking around in a daze, going to my hiding place, and asking God-why. I think the closest that has hurt me here in Texas, is my new little brother that I have been hanging tight with since this past march. I always want people to know that I am all about the friendships, relationships and bonding with the boys. I am a very open, honest, and try to be a real-Christ follower, the best that I know how. I guess what I don't understand is why do people have to lie about crap in their life?

The flip side of the coin is that even though I might not have been physically told a fact, my intuition is pretty damn good. I know I live in Dallas, (and hopefully sometime soon that will be changing) but why does life mess with people and time drifts the closest friendships away, when you have always vowed not to let them go, and is just understood that this should be not happening. My heart is hurting, and I don't even want these people to feel like they should tell me, but come on, I already know. So, I ask myself as I lay in bed, why am I left out in the rain, and how many months will it take for my heart to hear it, do I have to wait till Christmas?, if I do, I am not sure this friendship will last.

My friend brought it to my attention that the reason he has lied to me on 3 separate occasions is because he did not want to let me down, or disappointment me. If I had a dollar for every disappointment in my life, I would be ten times wealthier than I already am. I know he looks up to me as a older brother, and wise spiritual influence. "What have I NOT done for you to believe in me, trust me, or prove to you that I am always hear with a listening ear that will not judge you, (like all those other damn Christians out there that judge you before you even get introduced to them)", is what I asked him. He told me, "that I am one of the most intimidating people he has ever met", "are you kidding me, RIGHT?", I looked at him Saturday morning with confusion, and disbelief. So I ask my GM, "am I intimidating?, and she told me, "you are the 2nd most intimidating, next to my boyfriend. If I am, I sure as hell do not know it. I thanked David for bringing it to my attention, and told him, "we both have something to work on", and he said, You bet WE do. Bro, you want me to raise the bar, well Randall I want you to also." Life is always about raising the bar, and striving to reach the mark. I conclude with this...

If your to busy for your closest friends and family to just make a simple 2min call, text message, or email, then you need to stop wasting your pathetic attempt at life to realize you really need to stop and smell the roses and quit letting yourself exercise your excuse that your job is right now your only pathetic attempt to enjoy life. People don't let your friends and family that care about you the most, move on down the road. I guess I am finding out who my true friends really are, be careful it just might surprise you-unfortunately.

peace...

living for an audience of ONE...

Uptown Moves Downtown

Life has often been compared to a race, a roller coaster and a box of chocolates. But no one refers to life as a spectator sport. This weekend Ed Young showed us how we can discover an amazing life of purpose and power when we finally decide to move beyond the bleachers. It was the Grand Opening of the Downtown Dallas for a brand new satellite campus, and we had over 2,000 show up for this exciting event for FC and Town and Country Campaign. You can check out all the pictures and the exciting campus that will be reaching people for Christ in a whole new way. Stepping out of the bleachers, heck I am mowing the grass, watering, and seeding. Sometimes you just got to get a little dirty for God, and right now it's really muddy for me in my world. The New launch is still coming, so stay tuned...

living for an audience of ONE...