Some Help for your Honest Conversations

Just in case you want to wade into this whole honesty thing slowly or if you are looking for a little help. You may want to consider these guys: The Surrogate Sharers.

Honest Conversations

I had a great lunch today. The food was fine and the atmosphere was ok. It was the honest conversation that made it great.  But as I drove away, I wondered out loud how many of my relationships are enjoyable, but may be a bit fake. 

My mom always told me that "honesty is the best policy".

Thomas Jefferson  was fond of saying "honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom".

"Speak the truth in love" is Paul's exhortation for us in Ephesians 4. In fact he implies that if we do just that, it will help us to mature.

So, this week I'm going to focus on honesty in my life. I am going to follow my mom's teaching, Jefferson's quips and Paul's encouragement. I'll let you know how it goes.

Honestly, I will.

Bus Stop Nativity

I found this image to be eerily intriguing.

Are you a part of the action?.

Wisdom from a 9 year old...I can top that...

There is a 9 year old kid named Alec who is currently making big bucks on the book circuit. He's dolling out his advice on dating, and did I mention he is only 9, puh-leeze.

So, in response, I'd like to take this opportunity to give you some advice, not on dating, I gave up dating 20 years ago. But instead here is some solid marriage advice from a guy who's already into 20 years of happy matrimony.  I'm taking my lead from Alec:

-Wives win most of the arguments and have most of the power. Duh?!

-A crush is like a love disease. It can drive you mad, but we still need to foster that crush on  our spouses.

-In your marriage, try to get your spouse to like you as well as love you.

-Control your hyperness. (Cut down on sugar if you need to.) 

-Make sure you have good friends who encourage your marriage.

-Girls always like the smartest boys. It may be too late for some of us. Most of our wives have figured out we aren't the smartest boy. Instead, we should make up for it by loving them like crazy (Ephesians 5:25).

-Class clowns never make a good love story. Huh? In Proverbs it tells us that "a cheerful heart is good medicine." I've got to go against Alec on this one, and encourage you to inject more laughter into your marriage.

Alec is almost right on some of these, but will probably be beating them off with a stick once the royalties start coming in, anyway.

What are you pursuing?

What would it take for me or you to be successful?
What would have to happen for me or you to feel like we've hit the moving target?
What are you and I striving for?

I was convicted by this Catalyst article and wondered if you needed to be challenged as well.

I want to be the guy whose "hope is set on the living God", don't you?

Fun with Name Cards

When you are 8 years old and the youngest at your family's Thanksgiving table, you've got to come up with something creative to do. Here is what my daughter came up with using only the 11 name cards at our table.

Guess Who?: With all of the cards lined up, using yes or no questions the guesser determines who the guessee has chosen. This is a classic low budget version of the original Guess Who? game. 

Guess Who? II:  All the name cards are distributed, being careful that no one gets their own. When it is your turn, you must act out the actions of the relative listed on your card while everyone else guesses who you are imitating.

And finally An Early Christmas:  Cards are once again distributed and once they are, all the players are released to go "shop" throughout her grandmother's (my mom's) house for a gift for that person. Once we all return to the living room, everyone guesses which card you have, based on the gift you pilfered for them. Sadly, we were not allowed to take home our gifts.

What did you do post-turkey?

I'm climbing back on the blog horse...

It is time to saddle up the ol' blog horse. I was not thrown from this proverbial literary equine, but stepped down under my own volition. In fact, I actually enjoyed my time away from areyoudestinized, and was considering extending my hiatus until I read this from Dumb Little Man.

My hope is that you get something out of this blog (spiritual insights, relational advice, or where to get free stuff), but I also know that this writing exercise is cathartic for me. This is a classic win-win. I hope you agree.

Pray Backwards

I'm a sucker for something free... VI

I'm back before the end of the month, because I did not want you to miss this. Follow the link over to restaurant.com, it is awesome. I did it and bought $125 worth of local restaurant gift certificates for only $10. Just use the promo code: TREATS.

Self-Imposed Blog Hiatus

The gaps between areyoudestinized blog posts in September have gotten longer and longer and the depth of thought has become more and more shallow. Meanwhile over in the Twitter world, I have been posting tweets at an ever increasing rate.

Therefore, I hereby declare October as Blog Break Month for areyoudestinized. If you still want a peek inside my brain during this 10th month of 2008, and really, who wouldn't? Then follow me on Twitter where I promise to make my thoughts succint or at least under 140 characters.

See you on Twitter or on Facebook but not here until the day after Halloween (better known as the day after Free Burrito Day at Chipotle).

Just How Much of a Geek am I?

I'm such a geek, that I get excited about free web apps like this one that serves God's Kingdom.


Introducing ChurchMetrics from ChurchMetrics on Vimeo.

I'm a sucker for something free... V

On Halloween this year, all you have to do is "dress up" in a tin foil costume to get yourself a free burrito at Chipotle. This promotion is aptly named Free Burrito Day and as always, I provide this information to you as a public service because I'm a sucker for something free...

By the way, my understanding is that you can simply wear a tinfoil sock, or glove, or hat or perhaps some tasteful tinfoil earrings to score the free burrito. You do not necessarily have to go all out like this guy here.  But, if you do, please send me photos. Enjoy.

Another Reason I Love Twitter...

Follow me on Twitter.


Don't think of it as a time-waster, think of it as a camaraderie-builder.

Blue Tarps

Hurricane season hits the Gulf Coast of our country in a pretty significant way and one of the great needs during the clean up process is very simply: tarps. They need tarps in that part of the country and the Healing Place Church is serving as a conduit of blue tarps for that region of the world. Can you help?

1) Buy one or more tarps at TarpsPlus.com.

2) Send the tarp(s) to the following address...

Healing Place Church
19202 Highland Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225.753.2273


Hurricane Torn Baton Rouge Needs Our Help!!! from Catalyst on Vimeo.

I'm a sucker for something free... IV

Cold Stone Creamery (in a town near you) is helping out the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the entire month of September.

To cap off this special month, you and I are invited to the 7th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social. This is "a special night to join together and share the simple pleasures of life with FREE ice cream and family fun". On September 25th from 5:00 - 8:00pm, you and I will be treated to a 3 oz. serving of a flavor created by two "wish" kids. All donations will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Here are the two creations we can choose from:
Jack's Creation - Marshmallow ice cream with OREO® Cookies, Chocolate Chips and Fudge
Emily's Creation - Nutter Butter® ice cream with White Chocolate Chips, Kit Kat® and Yellow Cake

Just Stop and Think

This is worth the 15minutes. Grab your favorite beverage, sit down and "stop and think".

Facebook Connections

Recently Mo and I have been Facebooked by a few friends from a youth group we led about 20 years ago. These people who we knew as middle school and high school students are now pastors, business people, and parents. I know that we did not know what we were doing then, but were simply trying to love Jesus and asking them to do the same.

I had breakfast with one of these (now much older) folks this morning and was encouraged to see God still very active in his life. The tried and true encouragement found in Philippians immediately comes to my mind:

I thank my God every time I remember you. 

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 

because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you 

will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1;3-6

I'm thankful that God continues to work in my life and in the lives of people God allowed me to know along the way. My hope is that He is fresh in your life today and that God gives you a glimpse into what He is weaving into your life for the next few decades.

3 Sentences

Just yesterday I came across a great time-saving idea on Los' blog. I added it to my email signature and have been immediately challenged to shorten my emails. How much extra time do you think you would have if all of your outgoing emails as well as your incoming emails were 3 sentences or less? I've got my feet up on my desk already... http://three.sentenc.es

Giant Acorn and World Vision

I am 46% of the way toward my goal of raising $1,000 for World Vision as I also train for the Giant Acorn Triathlon in Lake Anna. Take a look at this...

Now scroll down to the First Giving widget in the left-hand column. Click on donate and help me out as we change the world while simultaneously decreasing my waistline.

Not Everyone Can Be Michael Phelps

Confession is Good for the Soul

Today I need to confess something to you. Sometimes  I feel like this.

Saddleback's Civil Forum

If you did not catch Rick Warren spending an hour with Barack Obama followed by another hour with John McCain, then head over here and invest the time. I think you will enjoy the casual atmosphere that allows us all some insight into our two presidential candidates.

Married Life Live

We are making some really cool adjustments to our quarterly Married Life Live event and you are going to love them. For now we are keeping them under wraps, but you are going to want to set aside Saturday night, October 25th as a date night with your spouse. You'll join with others from Destiny as we all strengthen our marriages together.

This is going to be fun.

Standing or Sitting

This past Sunday I finished up my message on obedience from Jonah 1, by asking people to stand if they were willing to pray the following  prayer:

God, whatever you say, I will do.

God, wherever you direct, I will go.

God, my answer is "yes".  Now, what is the question?

It was encouraging to see people throughout the auditorium stand in favor of obedience in their own personal lives. My hope is that this was a moment with God that they will not soon forget. Please pray for these folks.

There were also many who did not stand up this past Sunday. That is a huge statement to make as others rise up around you. Please pray for these folks as well, because they are also on a journey toward Jesus and God desires to meet them exactly where they are.

So, today, whether you are a stander or a sitter God still screams out to each of us:  "I came that (you) might have life, and have it to the fullest!" (John 10:10)

Wild Goose Chase

I've had a full summer of reading and am currently being challenged by some great books by Bill George and Craig Groeschel that I picked up at the Leadership Summit.

I am, however, looking to complete my summer reading with the newest book by Mark Batterson of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day fame. Mark's newest book is called Wild Goose Chase and here is a taste of it from the book's introduction:

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” 

Mark's publisher is sending me two copies of the book, so if you are interested in your own "free" copy,  then just leave me a comment and I'll get my extra one to you to enjoy. Otherwise you will need to head over to Amazon and buy your own...

Learning as I go...

I have just transferred 100 American dollars into my daughter's checking account.

I now have a firm grasp on how my 14 year old is motivated.

A Wise Investment

As I write this, my non-roller-coaster-rider daughter is waiting in line to ride Fahrenheit at Hershey Park. I nonchalantly offered her a c-note if she were to overcome her fear and ride. I'm realizing now that I may be out some serious cash.

This was, perhaps, not my finest hour of parenting.

Friday at the Summit

Today's experience at the Summit was full of challenge including these gems:

"In order to reach the people that no one else is reaching, you must do what no one else is doing." -Craig Groeschel (LifeChurch.tv)

"I respect and value other religious traditions, but follow mine because it is true." -Chuck Colson (Prison Fellowship)

"Get up. Get your instructions (from God) for the day. And then carry them out." -Catherine Rohr (Prisoner Entrepeneurship Program)

Those three are just the tip of the iceberg. If you are looking for a more full synopsis, check out Tim's take.

Powerful Quote

There was a lot of wisdom shooting around the room yesterday at the Leadership Summit. But one particular quote will stick with me for a while. Gary Haugen of the International Justice Mission said

If you want your leadership to matter,

lead in the things that matter to  God.

Does your leadership matter?

Female Speak

The Leadership Summit officially begins tomorrow, but today Maureen attended the women's pre-conference. She was challenged by the discussion and I'm sure she will blog about it over at Moments. One key phrase from the pre conference that she did share with me was:

"Pull up your big girl panties and get over it."

I'm not sure I'm allowed to utter the above phrase or even if I would want to, but I'm still intrigued by it. I think there is a good reason why men are not allowed to attend women's conferences.

The Windy City

I'm in Chicago and have been to the top of the Sears Tower and eaten deep dish pizza. I'm here for the Willow Creek Leadership Summitbut am loving a city that I have not been to in about 20 years.

I'll be sure to pass on some of what I'm learning here at the Summit as well as what I'm eating. Next meal I'm looking forward to should be at the Weber Grill Restaurant.

Blogging Hiatus?

One week without blogging...hmmm? Was Todd on some sort of blogging fast? Did his Mac catch a virus (ha!)? Are his hands in double casts as a result of some sort of street fight gone bad? or Did he simply have a full week and was only able to Twitter his thoughts during the last 7 days?

The answer is affirmative to the last guess and if you, like so many others, don't know what to do when this blog lies dormant, then head over and follow todderickson on Twitter. You might be glad you did (I think?!)

Chicago's Official Food

Mo and I are heading to the Windy City for a conference with some friends next month. Where do you suggest we dine?

New Favorite Spot

My new favorite place for vacation breakfast is hands down The Belvedere Coffee Shop. It's on 36th at the ocean, check it out the next time you head to Virginia Beach.

I recommend the special (2 eggs, bacon, home fries and wheat toast) and my kids love the pancakes.

Why stop there?

Yesterday Mo posted about us praying together for 40 days. We are currently heading into day 4 and have no plans on stopping.

This prayer challenge has caused me to wonder about other areas where we could step up to a challenge...

Could we diet together for a month?

How about managing our finances together for a lifetime?

I wonder if we could exercise together in order to reach a goal?

Can our marriage handle our cooking together?

And finally, my favorite, could our intimate relationship handle 101 days in a row?

What kind of challenge does your marriage need?

My Desktop

Tony Morgan suggests that our desktops tell a lot about us. A pixelated window into our souls (I said that, not Tony). Here's mine:


What does it say about me? What does yours say about you?

All Day Long

Suggest a caption...

Run, Swim, Run

Hello, my name is Todd and I'm a casual triathlete.


Today, I embarked on my first event that involved an open ocean swim. It was set up like this: 1k run on the sand, 1k swim in the ocean, and then a 5k run on the boardwalk. My goal was to complete this event in under 60 minutes and I missed that mark by just 1 minute and 11 seconds. I did not come anywhere close to finishing on the podium but I also was not bringing up the rear. I got pretty much what I trained for.

That adage of "you get what you train for" certainly works for triathlons, but it also fits perfectly for our spiritual lives. In my mind I want to be a spiritual giant but too often I spiritually train to be just a regular guy who happens to know Jesus. Paul reminds us that our spiritual training is important.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
I Corinthians 9:24-26

I left the race this morning with a renewed vision for my physical training and this Scripture encourages me to rethink my spiritual training as well.

Habakkuk 1

I was reflecting back on last week's message from Habakkuk 1 while looking forward to hearing Lathan help us through the "dip" this weekend. I was struck by this verse from the Message:

God, you're from eternity, aren't you?
Holy God, we aren't going to die, are we?
God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work?
Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline?
But you can't be serious!
You can't condone evil!
So why don't you do something about this?
Why are you silent now?
Habakkuk 1:12-13

Habakkuk knows God and this depth of knowledge allows him to ask questions with comfort. The juxtaposition of his knowing God and his questioning God is all too familiar. He has obviously logged the divine relational hours in order to know God well. Sometimes I wonder if my questions are not based on my knowing God but on my ignorance of his ways. Hmm...

Pick Your Nose

This certainly has the capacity to liven up your next party or backyard barbeque.

Don't you just love creative stuff. It all goes back to the we are created God's image thing. What with Him creating the whole world and all, that would make Him supremely creative, don't you think?

Encounters with God

My spiritual life hardly ever includes holding a leather bound Bible in my hands.  More often than not, my connection to the Scriptures is through my 17" PowerBook.  Therefore, I'm thankful to the folks over at Scripture Union for sending me God's Word every day. This keeps me fresh. We're in II Timothy right now.

Would you like to join us? It don't cost nothin'.

Also check out www.youversion.com (now with a cool iPhone app) and www.biblegateway.com.

What's On Your List?

I am heading back down to the beach at the end of this week and I had such a solid stack of books with me last time, that I'm not feeling confident that this week's reading will be up to par. Here is what I may be hauling along with the beach umbrella:

What would you add to my list?

Logging in a Very Good Day

Here is how my Monday shaped up...

-Wake up Clay and Em for a morning commute to Tysons Corner.
-Check 'em in for Apple Camp and then drool over all the uber cool Mac gear.
-Cinnabon. 730 calories!
-Change Facebook profile pic multiple times.

-Answer emails on a big 'ol sloppy 30" Mac Display. I think that thing is bigger than my TV?!
-A good half hour in the Message in the corner of the Apple store.
-Head back down the toll road with the kids wolfing down McD's.

-Destiny Staff Gathering at Moe's. "Welcome to Moe's". It just makes you feel good to walk in the door.
-A few very productive office hours.
-Convinced son to join me on a training run to the pool to log in 1500 yards.
-Dinner with neighbors.

-Making sure you are kept up on all the minutia.

Apple Camp

Tomorrow morning Em and Clay and I are heading to the Apple Store in Tysons for Apple Camp. They'll learn their way around Garage Band while I read in a soft chair at Starbucks. Then off to a lunch staff meeting.

Should be a good Monday.

I'm a sucker for something free... III (apology)

I blew it. Yesterday was not only Free Slurpee and Free Best Buy Gift Card Day, it was also Cow Appreciation Day which is also known as the "Offishul Chikin Eatin Day".

All you had to do was wear a cow costume to your local Chick Fil A and they would have given you a Free Combo Meal. This was an obvious mistake on the part of areyoudestinized and I promise to be more diligent in the future. Please do not drop us from your RSS feeds.

I'm a sucker for something free... III

Today is a big day in the cheapskate world that I live in.

-Rush over to your nearest 7-11 to celebrate the fact that today's date is also 7-11. Nothing is better than a free slurpee!



-Then head over to Best Buy with your kid's report card and for every A they get a designated amount on a gift card (max of $25). This is untested and apparently ends at 10pm tonight....definitely worth a shot.

-Finally, if you are local and are a woman (this is not starting out well) and are interested in the Women of Faith conference at the Verizon Center, email me right away....I've got one free ticket for you. First come, first served.


Have a great Free Friday.

-

Join My Team

Triathlon season is now in full swing. I'm heading to Virginia Beach next weekend to compete with a bunch of Navy Seals in the Allen Stone Run, Swim, Run event. I probably should have noticed that I'd be up against a bunch of guys who swim 5 miles a day when they are not even training. Just looking to finish in the pack on that one!

I'm pumped for the beach event but am really excited about the Destiny Triathlon Team taking on the Giant Acorn Triathlon in October. We, as a team, are not only seeking to tackle this event but are also teaming up with World Vision to help change the world. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for this amazing organization that serves over 70 million people throughout the world every year.

Please head over here and help me help World Vision by sponsoring me in this event. We'll watch the giving grow together on the widget in the left column here on areyoudestinized. Thanks for jumping in with me!

Release Points

This week, I've had the great opportunity to have a few conversations with parents regarding their kids as they step out into new adventures. This is often a difficult process for us as parents. We know we have to let go, but want to tighten our grip at the same time. 

These conversations reminded me of Dennis Rainey's illustration of archery release points.  I first heard Dennis use this illustration at a Family Life Parenting Conference and it has stuck with me for years. 

An archer's accuracy is largely impacted by how the arrow is released. If it is released correctly, the arrow should fly straight toward the target. If it is released incorrectly, the arrow will not fly straight.

It works the same with our kids. Throughout their lives they experience release points where we need to let them go. Whether it is learning to walk, a first sleepover, a driver's license or freshman year away at school, these are all release points where we, as parents, need to let our kids step out  and experience the fullness of life with all of it's ups and (in the case of learning to walk) downs.

How are you doing in releasing your kids?  How would they say you  are doing?

Top Quality Independence Day Weekend

July 4th falling on a Friday this year, really made for some great down time.

July 4th - Morning Swim, Local Parade, Poolside Lounging, Barbeque with Friends, and Fireworks (say it with me "oooo, ahhh").

Today - Church on the Lawn Setup, Dunkin Donuts, Power Napping on the Couch, More Barbeque, this time with Family.

Tomorrow - Church on the Lawn!

I could get used to this kind of schedule.

Minor Prophets

I know you will not want to miss your favorite minor prophet this summer at Destiny, so here is the lineup:

July 6 Amos  (Church on the Lawn)

July 13 Habakkuk I

July 20 Habakkuk II

July 27 Habakkuk III

Aug 3 Hosea

Aug 10 Jonah

Aug 17 Haggai

Aug 24 Zechariah

Aug 31 Malachi

Each of these guys heard directly from God. Although  they are only minor prophets, which means they never made it to the majors  or got the big  Nike shoe contract, the message they carried is very relevant for us today.  Adjust your vacation schedules accordingly.

One of My Favorite Sundays of the Year

This coming Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays on the Destiny calendar. There are 5 reasons for this:

-Three letters: B-B-Q
-Worship under a tent is rather old school, but I really like it!
-Pie Competition provides for some good sweet eats.
-Three Legged Races, Sack Races and Bat Races are just good old fashioned fun.
     and
-This year we have a Mechanical Bull to test our fortitude.

10am at the Greenway Manor House. See you there...

3 Quick Reviews

One of the best things about being at the beach is the extra time to read. No better way to spend an afternoon than to have your feet in the sand and a book in your hand. In the last week I paged through three different books...one a spiritual novel, one a practical ministry volume, and one a bit of an expose. I enjoyed all three but for very different reasons.

The Shack   After a significant loss, Mack, the main character (besides God, Himself) is invited personally by God to a lonely cabin in the woods. His interactions with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are full of theology and completely laced with real-life imagery. This book coerced tears from my eyes as Mack takes steps to minister to one of his daughters after his weekend in the woods. This is a great book that will challenge your preconceived notions about God and will cause you to hug your kids a little tighter.

Pop Goes the Church, Should the Church Engage Pop Culture?

Tim Stevens challenges us all to take a position in our culture. To leverage our culture so that people can catch a glimpse of God through what they are already watching and listening to. "The theology of our day is found in the cineplex" and we, as the Church, need to capitalize on this by sincerely engaging with our culture. This engagement will allow us to understand what is being communicated and use that as our springboard to the truth. This book is practically challenging with some great examples to "borrow" for your own ministry.

The Family, The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power

I once sat down at a dinner table at a conference at Billy Graham's the Cove in Asheville, North Carolina. Once I exchanged pleasantries with the people around me, the woman to my left said in a hushed tone "So you live near DC? Do you know about that secretive ministry with all the houses?" I told her what every good DC suburbanite says..."Yes, I do, but if I told you about it, I would have to kill you." This book is a "supposed" expose (depending on your point of view) of that under the radar group called "The Family" and it is all the more enjoyable when you personally recognize some of the names listed on these pages.

Order these, get a cold drink in your hand, set the umbrella just right and enjoy your reading.

Follow Me on Twitter

This is the image that I hope to be seeing for the majority of my week next week. I won't be looking at a computer screen and therefore will not be blogging. You will have to fast the keen insights and tongue in cheek humor that you have, no doubt, come to appreciate in this little corner of the world wide web.

If, however, you are still curious about all things areyoudestinized, then feel free to follow me on Twitter...I can keep you updated on high tide and sunburns there.

Now, just to keep you in the Destiny loop, we will continue the One Prayer series through the end of June.  Our final week (June 29th) will highlight Scott Longyear of Maryland Community Church in Terre Haute, Indiana with his One Prayer being "Lord, Make us Dead". If you miss one of these dynamic messages, you can easily catch up because each of the 5 One Prayer messages will be available in podcast form at www.destinychurch.info.

Fool's Gold

The kids' swim meet got "thundered out" last night so Mo and I sent the young ones to watch Disney Channel as we settled in for a movie night. I acquiesced and paid for the chick flick "Fool's Gold". The movie itself clearly fits into the "glad-I-only-rented-it-category" but it was a good popcorn-filled evening anyway.

Kate Hudson's character in Fool's Gold keeps her notes in a Moleskine notebook. I'm am an unashamed fan of these trendy books and somehow feel validated because a Hollywood starlet uses one in a fictional romantic comedy. 

Let's hear it for product placement.

One Prayer Week #3

So far, we have prayed "Father, make us effective", "Father, make us one", "Father, make us wake up" and now this week we get to hear from Dino Rizzo of the Healing Place Church in Louisiana. Dino's one prayer is "Father, make us generous." This is also the weekend we will use to focus some of our giving into missions. It is going to be great!

If you have not ventured over to www.oneprayer.com yet, let me encourage you to "join  the conversation" with over 1,000 other churches. This has been a really cool series that is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

One of Our Better (mobile) Staff Meetings

We dropped off some rented speakers at a warehouse in Maryland. This is the only aspect of the day that seemed work-like.


Lunch in Old Town Alexandria at King Street Blues. Try the fish.

No staff meeting would be complete without ice cream. Two shakes, and a couple of cones later, Destiny had a happy and satisfied staff team.

Try taking your next meeting out of the conference room and see what it does for you and your team.