Imagine

Here's our latest Sermon Series Video Opener. The guys did a great job. The series is called Imagine and it will include our annual Easter Production. We wanted to do something that would allow us to get past the limitations we often feel when planning for Easter. The imagination of a nine year old little boy was the perfect vehicle to achieve that and man, are you in store for a treat this Easter! Don't miss it!

Casey Abrams gets saved!

Last week on American Idol, an early-in-the-season favorite got canned! I think Casey Abrams began to believe he was invincible and started making dumb choices. The guy with all the promise had been replaced by someone who seemed to be prideful and taking things for granted. Consequently he was on his way out! That is - until he was saved. That's right, the judges saved Casey Abrams. Steven, J-Lo and Randy unanimously decided to cash in their one opportunity to save a contestant on giving the talented Abrams another chance.

As you know, the contestants are required to perform one last song in hopes that the judges will use the save. Casey was giving it his best when the judges stopped him in mid-verse. Apparently, he thought they were stopping him to say, "There's no need to go on, you're out of here." But the opposite was true. They were stopping him to say, "We don't need to hear any more, we know we want to save you." The guy almost passed out. You could see it all over him. What an emotional moment. I thought he was going to throw up!

Why don't we feel that way about being saved? Lets face it - We've blown much more important opportunities than a singing contest. We've taken what we've been given for granted and yet, the Ultimate Judge has chosen to save us! Why don't we grow faint at the thought that we've been given another chance? Why don't we stagger at the thought that Christ has seen worth in keeping us around? I don't know, but we should!

This week Casey Abrams was back to his earlier standard of excellence. I thought he was the best of the night. Gone was the arrogant "I've got this in the bag" persona. He seemed humble, glad to be there and giving it his best.

God help me to do the same!

Miracle Grow

Chase planted his spring box garden today. Every year he plants a box garden as a 4-H project. We like harvesting the produce and enjoying some fresh veggies on our table through the summer. This year his box is filled with tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and eggplant. He also took over two of my old feed buckets and planted some herbs: parsley, basil and rosemary. (This is the first time he tries his hand at growing herbs.) He uses a half/half mix of top soil and miracle grow for his box garden. It always does well.

Speaking of miracle grow, it seems like God has used a bit of that on my boy himself. It's amazing how fast he's growing up!

My Take On The 2011 Oscars

Best Supporting Actor- Christian Bale (The Fighter): Like last year, this was the best selection of the night. The way Bale transformed himself into the character of Dicky Eklund was nothing short of amazing!

Best Supporting Actress - Melissa Leo (The Fighter): Great performance as a part of a brilliant ensemble cast. I would have chosen Hailee Steinfeld for her performance in True Grit.

Best Actor - Colin Firth (The King's Speech): Well deserved.

Best Actress - Natalie Portman (The Black Swan): Haven't seen it and I'm not really interested but you have to admit she's come a long way since playing Padme Amidala in The Phantom Menace!

Best Director - Tom Hooper (The King's Speech): Hooper did a wonderful job but I would have given the Oscar to David Fincher for The Social Network.

Best Picture - The King's Speech: Wonderful movie - Great acting, directing, cinematography, well written, inspiring, entertaining - Everything you'd expect from an Oscar-winning film!