My Chinese Dad

The following was stolen from my daughter Stephanie's blog. She is so creative. Before this I had placed a link to her blog - but she has posted again - so I thought I would steal this posting for your enjoyment. Her title:

MY CHINESE DAD

Alyse has a collection of Disney Princess books. The other day she was reading the Mulan book. She walked over to my mom and said, "Papa!" as she pointed at the book. My mom looked at it and started cracking up laughing.

Why?



Well because this is the character that she thought looked like Papa:

What do you think? Doesn't he look like my dad?

A trustworthy friend - John Maxwell

Last evening at dinner a good friend asked me if I had heard the news about John Maxwell. When I replied "No", he shared some disturbing news. I asked if he could help me verify the information. Here is the surprising news about John Maxwell:



WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- March 17, 2009

Best selling author and teaching pastor at Christ Fellowship Church, John C. Maxwell was arrested Thursday at Palm Beach International Airport for trying to board a plane with a concealed weapon.

The arrest probable cause affidavit from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says that shortly before noon, Maxwell was going through the TSA screening at PBIA concourse C.According to the report, the TSA screener noticed a hand gun displayed inside a brown briefcase. Maxwell told TSA officials that the gun was given to him by a friend.

Maxwell was charged with possession of a concealed weapon while attempting to board an airplane.John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold over 16 million books. His organizations have trained more than 2 million leaders worldwide. Maxwell speaks to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and audiences as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and ambassadors at the United Nations..... To read more click HERE

John Maxwell has been released from jail on bond.

John has responded to the incident on his blog saying, "Truly, it’s one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done. You can probably guess the rest. I was arrested, handcuffed, and taken to jail, where I was fingerprinted and photographed. Needless to say, it opened my eyes to a world I’d seen only in the movies. I was glad when I posted bail and was able to leave."You can read his complete blog entry by clicking HERE

I have the privilege of personally knowing John Maxwell for over 30 years. We have enjoyed a good friendship during this time. He has stayed in my home and we have eaten many meals together. He is a man of the highest integrity. It is pure John Maxwell to admit his honest mistake and apply it to create a leadership lesson. I feel bad about this blemish upon John's judgement - but I can't help but believe that John will face this with peace in his heart and humbleness of spirit.

Here is the clip he used to describe this event in his life.

I conclude ~ My friend John Maxwell is one of the most trustworthy individuals I have ever know.

A Magical Evening

It was wonderful to have my grand daughter visit for the weekend. Sunday morning we took a short walk before getting into the car to ride to church. She had a fun time at NRN. I was moved by the presence of God during our worship experience. It sensed the clear anointing of God as I spoke. There were several people gathered around the altars in prayer as the our time came to a close. I believe some lives were changed as we encountered God this past Sunday

Sunday evening was a "magical" night as we featured our 5th Sunday Family Event with special guest Bryan Swaringen, an award winning entertainer from Charlotte, NC. The community room was filled to overflowing. A member of the pastoral staff commented to me that it is time we move to the worship center for this event next time. It was great to hear the laughter throughout the evening. I believe everyone who attended had a great time!

We took a few moments to honor Bailie and Glady for reading the complete collection of missionary books in our children's missions club.

We then enjoyed a meal together as Bryan walked around performing magic or as one person said "trickery of hand" at some of the tables as people began to hear the laughter building in the room.

Then Bryan came to the stage and presented an awesome performance the made people laugh - applaud - and even a few ohhhhhhs ...

I believe that James and Janice are still wondering what happened to their watches...

Those who were there will remember the torn dollar bill - the floating table - the newspaper. For me the best comment of the evening came when Bryan began to make it snow in the community room. Children were amazed - adults were delighted - applause broke out ...


... and four year old Grace (who has recently moved to NC from Michagan) turned to her dad and said " That's not real snow."

Bryan responded to an email from me following the evening and here is the comment he said about NRN -

Thanks so much Rick. I had a wonderful time and I loved watching the video of my performance when I got home and just listen to how great the crowd was. I even told the lady at the bank today about the show last night and I told her that the people would've had fun even if I had read the phone book to them. It was a great crowd and I would love to have to face them again. Thank you so much for letting me come to your church. God Bless, ~Bryan

What did YOU think of the presentation Sunday evening? I would appreciate your comments:

A little contest

Get ready to worship at NRN! Will plan to begin the worship experience tomorrow at NRN with this song:



Let lift our voices to the Lord!




- I know - we don't have a person to play an electric guitar at NRN... but I really like this version from Third Day!

There will be a great time of worship and celebration tomorrow at NRN. I am "pumped" about my message from 1 Peter - Chapter 3.

By the way - here is a little contest: the first person to answer this question by posting the correct answer will receive a free gift from me at church tomorrow. The question is simple:

Fill in the blank: At North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene we call people to a _________________ relationship with Jesus Christ.

Bryan Swaringen comes to NRN this Sunday!

Make your plans now to attend the FIFTH SUNDAY FAMILY EVENT

this Sunday (May 31st) at North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene.

We will meet in the Community Room at 6:00 p.m. for a family-style potluck. Bring a family meal, including dessert and drinks to share. We will provide the paper products, tables and chairs.

Our guarantee: A night of laughter!

Our special guest will be Bryan Swaringen, an award winning entertainer from Charlotte, NC.

Bryan is an Illusionist, who has performed in other countries, in multiple TV appearances, on Norwegian Cruise Lines, and at numerous private and corporate events. He's had standing,
weekly performing “gigs” at various businesses throughout the Charlotte area for the past 6 years. Now, having been in this field for over 17 years, he continues to share his passion for
providing fun, positive, clean entertainment.

Here's a taste of what we will experience:

I first met Bryan several months ago at an event in Charlotte, NC. At the conclusion of his show I was so impressed by his talent and his testimony that I asked for his business card and told him I would call him sometime in the future. I now consider Bryan a friend and really look forward to introducing him to you this Sunday evening at NRN.

Family Get-A-Way

Sharron and I arrived back in Raleigh this afternoon. Josh and Steph have allowed Alyse to come home with us to spend the weekend with "Papa" and "Meme". We are thrilled. We spent Thursday playing tourist in Atlanta, Ga.

We began our day in Atlanta by going to the World of Coca-Cola. It was way cool as we heard the history and story of Coca-Cola. The 4D exhibit was fantastic!

It was a fun day as we experienced the world of Coca-Cola.

The tour concludes by letting you enter the "tasting room" to taste Coke products from around the world. We that part was over - we found our way to the station for North America and enjoyed a cold coke. As we departed the room they gave us a bottled coke from that day of production. Then we concluded the experience with a stop at the product store.

Alyse fit right in...

Then we paused for a short lunch break at the food court in the CNN building. Soon we were off to the Georgia Aquarium - the largest Aquarium in the world!

Alyse and her dad enjoyed the opportunity to "touch" some of the animals:

Alyse enjoyed pointing out many sights. We heard her use new vocabulary to say things like "LOOK" and then give her signature pose:

The day seemed long after the hours of walking and seeing so many new things. Alyse knew where to go - in her father's loving arms...

We departed Atlanta after the rush hour traffic and made our way back to Charlotte shortly after midnight. Sharron and I, along with Alyse, made out way back to Raleigh in the late afternoon. Our family get-a-way was over - but many new memories established.

Worship from the inside out

This afternoon Sharron, Josh, Stephanie, Alyse and I arrived in Cummings Ga. to attend the Hillsong concert. WOW! It was fantastic! They began their American tour in Miami over the weekend and tonight was their second concert on this tour. I have several pictures I wanted to post however I am setting in a business center at a Holiday Inn Express and do not have access to the computer to place my memory card from my camera. So disappointed....

It was great to see Alyse raise her hands in worship. I had tears in my eyes as I worshipped the Lord. Josh and Steph shared with me that on Sunday they heard a great message about worship. They shared that our worship to the Lord should begin inward. Then our worship should share outward. Then our worship turns upward to our Great God.

I saw the evidence of this tonight. As the "concert" began the worship leader made it clear they Hillsong was NOT here to entertain or perform but to lead us in worship. The first song spoke to my heart and I sensed the presence of God in a powerful way. There were tears in my eyes before the first song came to a close. As I looked around I was taken back by the large crowd - well over 5,000 gathered in the outdoor amphitheatre. I could tell that our corporate worship was turning to a witness of our common love for the Lord. It is powerful to hear the voices of thousands singing praise to our mighty God! It did not take long for our hands to be lifted in worship and the focus of the evening directed upon the God of our salvation.

I am so glad that we had this opportunity to hear Hillsong live. Since I was unable to post the pictures I had for this evening I will at least leave you with a clip to experience a taste of Hillsong.




Here are the words:
A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Chorus 2x
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out


My prayer is that on Sunday at NRN we will enter into a worship experience as we enter into the worship center. Let us prepare our hearts for God to invade our presence in a powerful way.