Big Is The New Small

Today is my Birthday, I’m 35 and I’m getting old!

God is stirring some stuff up inside of me; leadership stuff, life stuff, family stuff, ministry stuff, I need to do stuff, vision stuff, what Christ is doing through me stuff, not caring what people think stuff, campus stuff, having fun stuff, caring about people stuff, development stuff, future stuff, awareness stuff, pushing the envelope stuff, kid stuff, not playing it safe stuff… I could go on and on and it’s all Good Stuff! 

I’m stirred up with all this stuff; although it’s its all good stuff, it’s difficult to articulate!

Are you there?  Have you been there?  Are you willing to go there?  Do you need to go there?

Where is there?  This is a confusing post…  BigIsTheNewSmall

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I need to set the record straight; I am totally convinced without question that Panera has the best sandwiches, bagels, breads, soups…  I don’t know why I decided to share this, I just did.  You can’t find a better place to have a light breakfast, a good lunch meeting or a place that allows you to get out of the office, use their free wifi and flat out get some work done.  Each time me and this guy meet, it’s at Panera and about 6 years ago my very first lunch meeting with my Senior Pastor Craig was at Panera.

Here is my order: Pick Two- Frontega Chicken Sandwich  minus the onions and Broccoli and Cheddar Soup; Water w/ Lemon ask for the big clear cup, because that baby one they give you doesn’t do anything for me.

What’s your favorite sandwich/eating spot to meet or your favorite place to get out of the office and get some work done?  What do you order?

I tried to post this at the airport; however I had some connectivity problems.

The “Big” Party that I am referring to is BigIsTheNewSmall’s 1st Birthday. That’s right will be one year up and rolling, as of Monday.

We will take a look back at year one on Monday and I want to let you know in advance that the only thing BigIsTheNewSmall.com wants for its birthday is linkluv and comments. This will be Pimp My Blog Birthday Edition. Again any LinkLuv and comments will be appreciated on Monday, tell you readers to even drop by, comment and show some linkluv. Thanks for reading and I”ll see you; or rather hear from you on Monday. Holler!

How long have you been blogging or reading blogs?

Forget receipts today!  Which payment type is your preferred method for your daily purchases?  Cash, Check, Credit Card, Debit Card or Other?  I’m not sure what Other would be; however I just thought it would be a good additional option!

Business or Location:

• Atlanta Braves (Turner Field):   Aramark Sports & Entertainment

The Receipt: Check #4084

• $5.25    Large Soda          
• $7.00    Georgia Dog    
• $6.75    Chili CHZ Fries
• $19.00  TOTAL

The Experience: 

• My wife and I split this meal of course.  The extra-long all beef Georgia Dog was messy and not very good; they need some of that good Oklahoma Beef… “It’s What’s for Dinner!” Obviously Professional Sports food is outrageously priced and our food was definitely not worth the $19.00. 

Special Notes:

• The Stadium was extremely nice relative to the fact that we have only attended two MLB stadiums, this Atlanta one and the San Francisco Giants when Bonds was chasing the record.  I had a guy named Dustin come up to me and introduce himself to me; he attends my campus (LifeChurch.tv’ers are everywhere), he is in Atlanta on Business.  Not only that, my old boss from about 8 years ago when I worked in corrections sat in front of us.  The Braves played horrible for 8 innings and tried to mount a come back in the ninth, but came up short 4-3.  BTW- I found out why the beer, peanuts, cotton candy…. guys are always yelling and hustling so hard; they get a .50-.75 cents commission off of each sale.

The Question:

• Do you generally sneak food/snacks into movie theaters or sports stadiums?
• Who is your favorite sports team: college, semi-pro or professional? 

Business or Location:

• On The Border:   Buckhead  www.ontheborder.com

The Receipt: Check #0099

• $5.39    Brownie Sundae          
• $9.79    Carne Asada Taco    
• $15.18  Subtotal
• $1.21    Sales Tax
• $5.00   Tip
• $21.39  TOTAL

 The Experience: 

• My wife and I split the Carne Asada Tacos and we substituted one of the Carne Asada tacos for a Buffalo Chicken Taco.  We also had some of the hotter salsa made up.  “Shawn” our server said “This is what the people in the kitchen make up and eat themselves.”  It was green and made w/ avocados (it was excellent).  We always try to split meals and sometimes even order off of the kids menu.  The server “Shawn” was excellent, he kept my water and chips full at all times and he had great interpersonal skills.  He even got some extra brownie points; keep reading in Special Notes.  We enjoyed eating on the patio and the overall experience and it was definitely worth the $21.39

Special Notes:

• As we were eating we overheard two ladies at the table behind us talking about the Bible and one lady was trying to convince the other lady how the book of Genisis couldn’t be true because of the dinosaurs, some Oprah stuff and yada, yada, yada.  Our Server “Shawn” engaged in the conversation and just flat broke them off with some teaching and preaching that you wouldn’t believe.  If you are ever in Atlanta or live in Atlanta; go to the Buckhead On The Border and ask for “Shawn.”  He told us that he attends World Changers Church with Pastor Creflo Dollar.

The Question:

• Do you generally split your meal when you go out to restaurants?
• Do you engage in uninvited conversations; with topics like the one “Shawn” engaged in? Thoughts?

There is something about spending your money and the experience/interactions that you have during each and every transaction.  Receipts are often indicators or reminders of those experiences; or at least they are a reminder of how much you are spending.  This week I will be posting some receipts; since I am in ATL w/out a fax and scanner I will just give you a virtual receipt.

Business or Location:

• Eminence Nails and Spa:   3495 Buckhead Loop N.E.  Suite 230; Atlanta, GA 30326; 404.846-1555 www.enailsspa.com

The Receipt: (Grand Opening Sale)

• $26.00 Spa Pedicure w/ French Manicure (Wife)
• $21.00 Spa Pedicure (Me)
• $47.00 Total

 The Experience: 

• My wife and I both got Spa Pedicures and massage chair massages.  The place was new, extremely nice and customer service was great.  We also got some kinda bamboo massages, with some pressure-point foot thing  (highly recommended).  We both enjoyed the overall experience and it was definitely worth the $47.00

Special Notes:

• Apparently some of the Atlanta Braves, Falcons and Hawks go to this place; and the lady who did my feet did Sean “P-Diddy” Combs not long ago.  My wife and I caught the train to attend Buckhead Church and walked across the street from the church to find this place.  We did get to hang with Mr. Ragamuffin Soul himself Carlos Whitaker; he gave us the tour of their “Big Time” Buckhead facility.   

The Question:

• Fellas do you get pedicures/manicures and ladies do you want your guys to get pedicures/manicures?  Comments, thoughts; go ahead, call me metrosexual!

RANDOM BULLETS: Friday Drive-by (21) 

LifeChurch.tv Northwest Oklahoma City Campus: “N-dub”

• Week Three of One Prayer “Ed Young” is Speaking!

• Over 200 People from the “N-dub” are going on the “One Prayer” Oak Grove micro-mission.

• Looking for a new LifeKids Director; my current LifeKids Pastor is going to be my Campus Admin.  If you are interested, you can check out the Job Description here.

My Life:

• Campus Pastor Forum is tonight and tomm. 

• We are going to Atlanta Tomorrow; I’m looking forward to the time off. 

• My boys basketball season starts this coming week.

Featured Bloggers & Frequent Commenters: Check out their sites!

• Dusty: The Randomness of Dusty Takle
• Jonathan: The Little Pastor
• Roger: Roll Mental Camera
• Bert: Men On Purpose
• Mike: Indescript

 Blog Ramblings:

• BigIsTheNewSmall will have it’s 1st. Birthday June 30th.  (LinkLuv and comments on Birthday will be appreciated)
• If you have linked BigIsTheNewSmall, let me know so that I can show you some LinkLuv.  Be sure you subscribe to my blog by clicking the subscribe button at the top right or click here.
• Follow me on Twitter: click here
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Quotes:

You can’t get where you need to be until you recognize where you are.  Me

Get Your Drive-by On!

If you have any random thoughts or comments, please share!

Question:

Do you or your church participate in small groups?  Do you feel that small groups are helpful, necessary, effective… Why or Why Not?

Have a great weekend, I’ll be blogging from the ATL next week!