Pastor Alan's BlogPastor Alan's BlogA relevant , contemporary, funny, and impacting blog for families and children's pastors and children's workers who want to be great at what they do on a weekly basis. This blog is also designed to help good events become great events so that whole f Articles
Family First, Have you Heard of Them?
2007-10-03 05:25:00  Family First is a great organization out of Florida, and their whole purpose is to strengthen the family as a top priority in people’s lives by promoting principles for building marriages and raising children. I first found out about them through chick-fil-a where my wife works. I directed their All Pro Dad program at her store. Which by the way has the largest email blast of great advice for dad’s in America reaching over 40,000 dads per day. I believe this is a great organization for the whole family. They have programs and free resources for Dad’s, Mom’s and the entire family. So if you have’nt checked out Family First I would encourage you to give them at least a quick look at their website. Click the picture above to check them out.
Dr. Oz, who is this guy?
2007-10-02 04:15:00  My wife encouraged me to watch the Oprah show today and of course my first reaction was a big NO. She wanted me to watch it because this Dr. Oz fellow was going to be on the show and the audience would only be filled with men. So I looked up this guy and it turns out he is the real deal, a big time doctor in fact they are calling him America’s Doctor. I did’nt end up watching the show except for the last 5 minutes and from what I heard I wish I would have watched it. The whole premise of the show was they filled the audience with men from all walks of life and of all ages. Then they let these men ask Dr.Oz questions (anything goes) for the whole hour. A lot of the advice he gave seemed to be pretty straight forward and made perfect sense. The thing I liked was that he really did’nt complicate his answers and spoke in laymens terms so anyone could understand what he was saying. Also as a children’s pastor I love visuals and he gave a lot of them. You c...
Customer service and churches what if ?
2007-09-30 03:08:00  This evening I was sitting at a resturant that I love, it is a small chain of local Italian restaurants here in Virginia called Vinny’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria. I started thinking, man they make really good American & Italian food and they serve it at great prices, in a good atmosphere, by a welcoming staff ready to serve me the customer. Then I thought what if the church took these three basic principles (a great product, good atmosphere and a welcoming staff)  that Vinny’s obviously lives by and applied them to ministry, What if ?  My Senior Pastor Rick McDaniel is always saying to us (his pastoral staff) to make our services (our product) as user friendly as we possibly can. This really hit home as I am sitting with my family and saying why are’nt churches all over the nation doing what vinny’s does on a daily basis, simply making their customers (our regular attenders & guests) feel welcome. So I challenge you let’s d... More About: Churches , Customer Service , Service , Customer
The Purple Cow!
2007-09-25 23:08:00  What in the world, I keep hearing people talking about this book The Purple Cow, it is not a new book but a lot of people seem to still be reading it. It is not even a new concept, but it is a concept that a lot of people (churches, businesses etc…) seem to overlook, not even think about or not even try to do. It is the concept of a business standing out from the crowd. Daring to be different and taking that difference and making it extrodinary. I was again reading Ryan Franks Blog today and he mentioned this book about this purple cow concept again and so it made me take notice so I am going to read this book and see how it can apply to my life, family and my ministry. Here is the link to amazon (don’t we just love amazon) where you can buy the book or just check it out for yourself. http://www.amazon.com/Purple-Cow-Transfor m-Business-Remarkable/dp/159184021X/ref=p d_bbs_2/102-2591632-0752926?ie=UTF8&s =books&qid=1180895998&sr=1-2 More About: Purple Cow
Wow, time is flying by!
2007-09-25 03:27:00 I was reading Ryan Franks Blog and he was talking about how time is flying by. I realized my wife and I talked several times just this week about how we couldn’t believe our daughter was in the double digits(10). I know we are not old by any means, but when this hits home you begin to ask the question. Am I spending enough time with my family? Do I really listen to my wife and kids when they need it the most? Is the time that I do spend with my family the real quality time that it really needs to be? These are just a few of the questions that I have been asking myself here lately. I really pray that the answer to all of these questions is obviously yes, but I still have to check myself and make sure in my own heart that I am truly making the most of the time that God has given to me and my family. So I have to ask whoever is reading my blog. How and with who are you spending your time? More About: Time , Flying
THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF HA’S
2007-09-24 19:35:00 An all new family adventure from Veggietales! THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF HA’S Street Release Date - October 6th 2007! Meet Darby, the son of a Kansas dental floss farmer who just wants to have fun! When he learns about the Wonderful Land of Ha’s where you can do whatever you want to do, Darby is determined to go - even against his father’s wishes. But when Darby reaches Ha’s, will he find all he’s searching for…and at what price? Will it be worth everything Darby has given up - his home back on the farm? His father’s love? Harvesting floss? Find out in an all-new family adventure that reminds kids everywhere that there’s nothing like forgiveness and there’s no place like home. Click below for more information! http://bigidea.com/products/shows/shows_t railers.aspx?pid=491 More About: Wizard
Kid Nation!
2007-09-20 13:46:00 A Kid version of Survivor or not? Check out the new show on CBS Wednesday evenings called Kid Nation , I’m not sure what to think of this show! On one hand as a father of three I am thinking, these kids are being made to grow up way to quick. Then on the other hand as a children’s pastor I am saying the extra responsibility factor will be good for them. So I will have to see how this show play’s out. I am not so convinced that this show will be a good influence on kids, maybe or maybe not? I do know that a lot of kids and families are watching, so we shall see will this group of 40 kids of all ages and backgrounds come together and make Kid Nation work or not? Will this show have a positive or negative effect on the kids and families of our time? Check it out for yourself on their website: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/kid_nation/ read more | digg story
Events or Great Events what seperates them?
2007-09-17 21:10:00 As I am finishing up the final advance planning for our annual Fall Fest on October 31. I thought, why not put to words how I plan out a great event that is growing and relavent to the community around us.  Great events don’t just happen they take what I call the three E’s, Energy, Excitement and Enthusiasm. It is one thing to plan an event, but it is a totally different story to plan a great event. At this point you may be saying I plan events all the time. My question to you is do you plan great events? A great event consists of three major components that I call AGI - advanced planning, great structure and impressive follow-up. Maybe you already do these three things and to you I would say great, keep doing what you’re doing. You are making a difference and advancing the kingdom of God. If you are interested in investigating these three concepts further let me break them down for you. A - Advance planning is not related to time it is related to relationships and strat... More About: Events
He’s Alive!
2007-09-15 17:16:00 My 30GB iPod is alive!!!!!!! My little buddy died during vacation several weeks ago and now, HE IS ALIVE AGAIN! I was quite surprised at how quick and well apples customer service was. In fact I was really blown away in a society that is not really customer focused anymore. Apples customer service program rocks and they took great care of my little buddy and now he’s back and as good as new. Take a look! More About: Alive
It was the best of times and the worst of times!
2007-09-14 16:21:00 Well what can I say about this week other than the title of the article itself. I lost a pretty cool follower of God, my Grandma. I know she is in a much better place, but still I will miss her a lot. She was the last of that generation in my family that kind of held the family together if you know what I mean, she was the glue. She always had a smile and an encouraging word for everyone that she came in contact with and that’s pretty cool. I did get to see a lot of family this week family that I had not seen in almost twenty years, that was the cool part of my week. I even got to reconnect with some old friends and see some surprising growth in my old home town. It is so good to be back home I missed everyone especially my family and my church family to. More About: Times , The Best Of
What a week!
2007-09-06 16:24:00 Have you ever had one of those weeks where it just felt like no matter what you did you were still going to end up behind the eight ball? To some it up in just a few words this is my week in a nut shell. Instead of going any further down this path I remembered a phrase that my Senior Pastor Rick McDaniel says from time to time, “schedule your priorities.” So I am doing just that starting today oh yeah it’s Thursday already, Yikes. I also am taking a few ques from a book that I read again on vacation called Today Matters by John Maxwell. I would recommend this book for anyone really serious about finding more time in your day for those priorities that really need to be your true priorities. I am sure that the week will end up on a good note after all this weekend families will grow closer to God and that is a way cool thing. I as a Pastor get to be a part of that 52 weekends a year and that I consider a true privilage. So it is good to know that I don&rsq... More About: Week
Better Music Choices!
2007-09-01 18:29:00 I found this music chart and thought it was a pretty cool chart for kids, tweens, teenagers and maybe even adults. Family Music Chart                             If you enjoy these Alternative bands… Then Try… Buy now! All American RejectsDeath Cab for CutieGreen DayFall Out Boy Linkin Park White Stripes The Killers My Chemical Romance RelientKSwitchfootLifehouseHawk Nelson The Almost Building 429 Kutless Skillet Sanctus Real Amazon iTunesAmazon iTunesAmazon iTunes Amazon iTunes Amazon iTunes Amazon  iTunes Amazon iTunes Amazon iTunes Amazon iTunes If you enjoy these Contemporary artists… Christina Aguilera Britney Spears Pussycat Dolls Hilary Duff JoJo Hannah Montana Then Try… Bethany Dillon Nichole Nordeman Natalie Grant Rachael Lampa Jump 5 BarlowGirl Buy Now! Amazon  iTunes Amazon iTunes Amazon iTunes Amazon Amazon iTunes Amazon iTunes If you enjoy these Urban ... More About: Choices
I Cannot Believe It My Little Buddy Is DEAD!
More articles from this author:2007-08-30 03:44:00 My 30GB iPod is DEAD!!!!!!! Last week during vacation I was relaxing by the pool when the electronic device in question gave up and gave out during a cool TV show I was watching. I tried for days to recharge, reset, and revive my little buddy but to no evail, it was dead. I now have to pay my own shipping and handling and box my little buddy up and send him off to the be fixed or permantly replaced. This is a sad day and don’t know how long I will be able to hold on without my little buddy. Litt le Buddy I will miss you come back quickly! More About: Dead , Anno 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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