Meeting a UFC Fighter

Today, UFC fighter Vitor Belfort was at a local K-Mart signing autographs. Why K-Mart? I still haven't figured that one out. But, I was questioning the opportunity to meet him. Even though he recently knocked out my favorite fighter, Rich Franklin, I was still interested in meeting him.

He really seemed like a nice guy. He commented on my daughter, Ella, saying that she was a beautiful little girl. He also said that he was privileged to meet me. I responded by saying "yes, you are." Okay...maybe I didn't say that. But, it would have been funny. After I choked him out in a triangle submission hold, I made him pose for this picture:



Overall, he seemed like a cool guy. I pull for the fighters I like personally. I'm thinking I will be in Vitor's corner from now on.

National Television Appearance

I am going to be on NBC tonight (Tuesday). Make sure that you are watching. "How?" Well, I went to a taping of America's Got Talent on Saturday. The show airs tonight on NBC, so make sure you look for me. I was wearing a light grey shirt. The guy beside me in green is Jody's cousin, Josh. We are sitting over the left shoulder of David Hasselhoff .

I could tell you who is eliminated and who moves on, but I signed a waiver that gives NBC the right to sue me for $50,000 if I reveal anything, so I'll stay quiet. Just watch the show and look for me. Oh yeah....and if Cas Haley gets voted through, make sure to call in and vote for him. He is really the only one there with the talent that would really be worth buying a ticket to see....in my humble, yet accurate opinion.

Movie Night

It is awesome to see the church reaching the community and providing for needs. Every Friday night in August we are providing food and entertainment for the community in our softball field. Each Friday night there will be a free movie and food. The all you can eat food is just $3 and includes hamburgers, chips, drinks, snowcones, popcorn, and cotton candy. One mother said that she brings her family because "where can you find entertainment for your family for so little money?" Tonight's movie was Facing the Giants and it was great. After you get over the fact that the acting is bad, the story takes over and is truly inspirational.

Tomorrow I am going to a taping of America's Got Talent in Hollywood. It should be pretty cool. I love tv tapings.

UFC 7/7/07

Tonight's UFC is definitely lives up to its name - it is STACKED. I have watched one fight and it was off the hook. The second fight is going on right now - I have it paused - I love TIVO. Going now to watch the rest. I just had to post - I love the UFC.

Sorry Todd

A very good friend of mine, TODD LOLLIS, is a die-hard LA Dodgers Fan. The funny thing is that he has never been to LA. However, he will be cheering just as loud as the fans in Dodger Stadium when they win, and mourning every loss as if he were on the team's roster. Todd, as I've told you before, get yourself out here and lets go to a game. Because you are in Georgia, I know you won't make it by tonight's game against the Padres...so I'll be cheering for you. That's right. I will be at the game tonight. My father-in-law is leaving town tomorrow morning and has asked if we could go to a game. It is one of the things he has always wanted to do and now has the chance. So, we're trying to squeeze it in before he leaves. Sorry Todd. I'll call you from the game!

Todd and another close friend of mine, JR LEE, are following God's call to Acworth, GA to plant FREEDOM CHURCH. Please pray for them as God continues to work out the details, provides the finances, and blesses them with all of the people He will be bringing their way. Get ready Acworth - Freedom is Coming!

You've Gotta Be Kidding Me

Every year this happens. Every year. There seems to be that one spark of hope...that one ray of light...that one "true" American Idol..but then this happens. A few years ago it was Latoya London - but she was ousted at #4. Then it was Chris Daughtry - but he was ousted at #4. Now, Melinda. I don't know what else to say. I'm going to bed.

American Idol

After our escapade at Chick-fil-a, our worship staff came back to our house to watch last night's episode of American Idol. It was a lot of fun as we critiqued each vocalist's performance. In the end I took a survey from each person as to who was GOING HOME. Here are the results:

Ellen & Les - Jordin
Sharon & Alan - Jordin
Amy - Jordin
Byron - Jordin
Jody - Blake
Megan - Blake
Brad - Jordin

Alright, now for me. I believe that Blake will be hanging around for the finale. Here's why: I think that Blake will get the little girl and teen votes. I think that any fan of that genre, Maroon 5 types, will vote for Blake. That being said, I believe that Jordin and Melinda are close enough in style that they will split votes. In that scenario, Melinda is going to bring more votes in. Therefore, I believe that Blake and Melinda will meet in the finale next week. Go Melinda!

Click on the comments below and tell me who you think is going home.

EAT MOR CHIKIN

I promised you an update on last night's activities, so here it is. Chick-fil-a was incredible! It has always been my favorite fast food restaurant, and now there's even more reason for it. The cows were out in full force last night and welcomed us to the restaurant with a Polaroid picture with him as we entered the doors. We were taken to our seats located in the very center of a packed out dining room. Door prizes were given away (congrats Brad) and samples of chicken-minis continuously circled our table. I was on the way to being full long before the meals were served, but that wasn't going to stop me.

We had our choice of several value meals (all for free!!!), so I went with the trusty #1 chick-fil-a sandwich with waffle fries and drink. I topped that off with lemon ice-box pie, a slice of cheesecake, and ultimately a fresh hand-spun mint cookies and cream milkshake. No, that wasn't all of the food at my table. That was the food going in my stomach. Phewwww!

It was incredible. What a fun night. We had the opportunity to meet the new owners and operators William and Leigh Crumb. They seem great and are very excited to be in the Highland - Redlands area. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. Go to Chick-fil-a! Wherever you are located. Go. They are a Christian organization whose chief goal is to honor Jesus Christ in all that they do. We need to support that kind of stand.

Alright Immanuel Choir - you have to be in rehearsal tonight. We have free gifts from Chick-fil-a that we are going to be giving away. There are approximately 40 - 50 things to give away, so your chances are good. See 'ya tonight!

Worship Team

Tonight my worship staff and I are going to be doing some hangin' out. My ministry assistant, Sharon, was given an invitation to Chick-fil-a during their training - so, we're hitting the restaurant tonight prior to their grand opening on the 17th. After dinner, we are headed back to mi casa (my house) to watch Blake, Melinda, and Jordin battle it out to see who will be in the finale of American Idol. This is the first year that there have been 3 extremely talented people in the top 3. Most years you can easily guess who's going home. I have successfully picked the ousted vocalist each of the past 7 weeks. So, tonight should be fun. As a worship staff we will rank who we think is going home tomorrow. I'll let you know every one's predictions. Who do you say is going home?

The Battle

A crowd gathered to see the action, hoping that the sheer battle for survival would provide both entertainment and a rush of adrenaline. A cheer unlike any other was heard as the warriors took center stage. The two armies stared each other down as their leaders approached. Their beady eyes locked on their targets as the sounds of the crowd around them were drowned out by the beating of their own hearts. A loud alarm put the event into action.

Dirt was flying, sweat was dripping, the two sides engaged one another with sheer determination, each one hoping to live to fight another day. Like a powerful thundering herd each pounced their prey in an effort to subdue and conquer. Many were drug unwillingly to the ground as their enemy unmercifully laid upon their struggling bodies. Others trampled their opponent as if nothing could stand in their way. Cries of approval were heard from the crowd as they begged for more. However, just as suddenly as it had began, a loud shriek signaled the ending. When the dust had settled, the field laid barren thirsting for the bodies of more victims to trample upon it in an engagement of pure will for survival.

The battle rages on and can be seen by those who desperately seek it. The next battle will take place a week from today on Immanuel's green fields as the Kindergarten League of UPWARD Soccer meets for Week 2. Be there!

Admin Profs

Don't forget, this Wednesday is administrative professionals day. Make sure you honor yours. Today, we had a luncheon in honor of all of our support staff. The Worship Ministry was responsible for putting together the entertainment. We had a Rick James looking (and sounding) version of R.E.S.P.E.C.T., a humorous skit, and a knock-off of a popular t.v. game show called Are You Smarter Than Your Administrative Professional? It was a lot of fun. The theme was Hawaiian, so most wore their tropical shirts and we had an amazing meal. I'll let you know when we have some video footage available. I'll post it online so that we can all get a good laugh.

We are truly blessed here at Immanuel with a great team...all the way from our volunteers up through our Pastor's office. God has blessed this church. Thank you to each of our support staff. Sharon and Amy, we love you guys. You make the worship ministry what it is. We can never thank you enough. Thank you for wanting to serve your Savior and make Him, and His church, look good.

I Like Funny

Jody and I were blessed with a great babysitter tonight, so we actually got to go on a date. We had a blast. We went to a great restaurant called Claim Jumper, and had calamari for an appetizer, along with crab cakes and this crazy dish called Jamaican Sweet Potato. It was pretty awesome....there was the killing of an incredible tasting chicken involved. Then we went and saw the movie Wild Hogs. It was the funniest movie I've seen in a long time. I laughed all the way through it. I always worry that the funniest parts of a comedy are going to be what I saw on the preview, but that was not the case with this one. I really enjoyed the whole thing....very funny! We then went to a self-serve frozen yogurt place. You fix it yourself, choose toppings (as many as you want) from the topping bar, and then weigh your yogurt. You pay by the weight. It is really cool. From there we went to Blockbuster and rented a couple of movies. We stayed up until after 1am watching a movie and are now about to head to bed. But, as most committed bloggers, I had to take the opportunity to jump online and blog about our date. The coolest part of the night? Well, it would have to be the part where I had gift certificates for everything, including the movie rentals. The babysitter was also free...her gift to us. Yep...a free date night....always the best date night! Go see Wild Hogs, it's worth the price of admission.

Melinda Doolittle

Melinda Doolittle has been one of my favorites on Idol this year from the beginning. She came and sang backup for the christian group Anointed a couple of Christmases ago and was very fun to talk with and be around. Thanks for reminding me about that, Renee! I love to see people get what they deserve...especially when it's a positive thing! GO MELINDA!

TV and TIVO

I've never really been the guy to have a bunch of different television shows that I watched. I usually had one or two that were "must sees", but other than that, I just didn't follow many things week to week....until TIVO. No more do I sit and complain that there is nothing on. At any given moment I can go to "recorded tv" and watch anything from throughout the week. I now follow a variety of things such as The Apprentice, The Amazing Race, 24, Prison Break, Heroes, American Idol, House, Lost, ER, Survivor, CSI, UFC....I don't have to miss any of it. And no more crazy plastic tapes to keep up with. (This sounds like some cheesy info-mercial.) I believe that TIVO is the greatest invention since the wheel.

Speaking of shows, American Idol just doesn't have the guys bringing it this year. It definitely looks as if it is going to be an all girl final 4, and Doolittle is gonna bring it home! Let me know what your thoughts are on American Idol. Who's your favorite...and why?

Universal Hollywood

I led devotions at 2 Upward Basketball games this morning. One of them was during halftime of my son's game. I was honored to have my own son see me lead a devotion before a group of his peers. I know that every opportunity I have to be an example of Christ before him needs to be taken advantage of. I want him to not only hear about God's love for him, but to see the love that I have for God firsthand.

After this morning's games, a friend of mine and I went to Universal Studios Hollywood. It was incredible! The most awesome part was the studio tour where we got to see actual working sets on the Universal back lot. We saw the actual sets of Back to the Future, War of the Worlds, and Psycho...just to name a few. I was highly impressed. It is crazy to just look out while there and be able to see down into the valley and overlook all of Hollywood. It blew my mind. I did, however, feel guilty for not having Jody and the kids there with me. So, next week (hopefully) we're going to get the whole family over there. It was the perfect day to be there. It wasn't hot at all, and we waited in no lines. The best possible theme park experience. I can't wait to experience it with my kids. It's one thing to enjoy the park for myself, but it's a whole new experience to see the looks on my kids' faces when they see that magical world just waiting for them to explore. I can't wait!