Silas at His First Braves Game

Silas (my son) and I, along with Uncle Gilley, decided yesterday afternoon that we would drive up to Cincinnati to see the Braves play. I was a little worried about taking a two year old, but he did GREAT and LOVED the experience! He's a huge Braves fan already :). Here are a few pics from his first major league baseball game.

Town Hall for Hope

Here's a little promo video for Dave Ramsey's "Town Hall for Hope." PCC is hosting this FREE event at The Hyatt Place in Hendersonville on April 23 @ 7 p.m. Come one, come all!

Big Ol' Egg Drop a HUGE Success!

Thousands of people came out for the second annual Big Ol' Egg Drop. I just want to give a "big ol' thank you" to all who participated, especially to all who donated food and money.

At the end of the event on Saturday, I talked with the folks from Second Harvest Food Bank. They were so impressed with the amount of donations they received--over 1,000 pounds of food!! Hundreds of dollars were also given!

Below are a few pics from the event. We'll see you next year!!

Why We're Dropping 20,000 Eggs

This year, PCC holds its second annual Big Ol' Egg Drop. There are several purposes for the event. We want it to be a fun, safe experience for the whole family. With Chick-fil-A food, jumphouses, and the egg drop, this event is obviously going to be a blast for the kids.

There's also an even greater purpose. Last year, this event benefited victims from the devastating tornadoes that struck Sumner County in February of '08. This year, especially as many families have been affected by the recent economic crisis, PCC has decided to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank. All donations (non-perishable foods and monetary donations) will go directly to feed hungry families. As you might guess, the need for food increases as unemployment rises. One recent article in The Tennessean commented that Second Harvest Food Bank is experiencing their "most difficult and challenging period in more than two decades."

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So this Big Ol' Egg Drop is more than just a fun-filled community event. It's an attempt to bring the community together for a greater purpose: to help families who are in need. We invite anybody and everybody to participate. Go to http://www.bigeggdrop.com/ for more info. Look forward to seeing you there!!

To give you a little glimpse of what The Big Ol' Egg Drop looks like, here are a few pics from last year:

Thankful for the Flu

Well, I spent most of today in bed today--sick with the flu. I've never been a fan of being sick. I don't know anybody who is. I would rather be out and about and enjoying the warmer weather. However, there is a plus to resting and taking a break. It actually forces me to slow down enough to catch up on some work that needs to be done, such as reading, blogging, planning, and grading papers.

What's so hard for me tonight is that I'm having to keep my distance from my wife and my son. My wife is 22 weeks pregnant, and the last thing she needs is a case of the flu. My son just turned two years old, and I definitely don't want him to catch what I have.

I did go downstairs for a few minutes during supper tonight, but coughing fits drove me right back upstairs. I pray that I'm better tomorrow because I'd like to get back to my nightly routine: playing with my son, giving my son a bath, putting my son to bed, and spending time with my wife.

It's just funny how I miss the routine that I've grown accustomed to living. I would never wish to be sick with the flu again, but I'm at least thankful for the flu for reminding me to appreciate what I sometimes take for granted: the daily routine involving the most important people in my life.

So if you happen to be reading this blog post, say a little "get well" prayer for me if you don't mind. Also, take some time in the next few days and thank God for the daily routine He's given you. Trust me, you don't want to wait until you have the flu.

Simon's Baptism

I love watching baptisms! Baptism is a picture of a changed life, of somebody who has been given a new life because of God's amazing grace, of somebody who has surrendered every area of life to Christ.

Here's a great clip I showed at PCC recently. The clip is actually from a church in the Atlanta area that shows video testimonies before each of their baptisms. In this case, the video didn't work. But watch what happens instead!

In My Next Thirty Years

It was 32 years ago today when I was born in that hospital room in Nashville, TN. For me, birthdays are always a time of reflection, refocus, and recommitment. On my thirtieth birthday, I wrote down some commitments that I resolved to keep from that day forward. These commitments have not changed. And today, I set aside a few moments to read these words again, reminding myself of the need to make the most of this short life God has given me. In case you're interested, here is the little piece I wrote called "In My Next Thirty Years."

"In My Next Thirty Years "
by Michael O’Neal
March 1, 2007

I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord, have mercy on my next thirty years
(lyrics by Phil Vassar, performed by Tim McGraw)

Whether I like it or not, today (March 1, 2007) marks a new chapter in my life. Whether I like it or not, today I turn the big 3-0. I have never been thirty years old before, so I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel. Should I feel older? Should I feel depressed? Should I feel a sense of excitement about the future? I’m not sure. However, over the past few days, I do know one feeling has consumed me, even haunted me. It is the feeling of personal regret. As I have reflected over my first thirty years, there are so many things that I should have done, but I didn’t. I should have trusted God more. I should have been a better husband. I should have been a better son. I should have been a better friend. I should have made more of a difference with my life. And the list goes on.

Personal regret is a powerful feeling. It can weigh us down, even knock us down. It also has the power to prevent us from focusing on the future and fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives. So on this monumental birthday, I have decided that I will not allow this personal regret to defeat me. Actually, this personal regret motivates me today. It is time to press on to the next thirty years of my life, “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Phil 3:13, NIV).

Relying on God’s grace and pleading for God’s power, I make the following commitments:

IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will make God’s kingdom my primary concern (Matt 6:33). Nothing matters more than living out God’s purposes for God’s glory. I will worship more passionately, love people more selflessly, follow God’s Word more faithfully, serve more willingly, and witness more boldly.

IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will care about the whole world. God’s heart beats for the world, and so should mine. Yes, I will continue to reach out to my family, friends, and neighbors. Yes, I will continue to reach out locally through my church. Yes, I will continue to love America and sing along with “God Bless the U.S.A.” every 4th of July. However, I will not be satisfied until every people group around the world has a chance to hear, understand, and respond to the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. I will go overseas whenever God gives me the opportunity. I will be a part of what God is doing in the world. I will take more risks for his global cause. I will do whatever I can to lead ordinary people like me to get involved with what God is doing in the world.

IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will be the spiritual leader in my home. I will model Christ-like love and service for my wife and my children. I will pray for my wife and with my wife. I will pray for my children and with my children. I will teach my family to believe the Bible and cherish the local church.

IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will spend more time and more money on eternal matters. I’m tired of playing “trivial pursuit.” Throughout my first thirty years, I spent way too much time watching sitcoms and Braves baseball. I also spent way too much money on food and entertainment. With the time and money God has given me, it’s time to focus on what will last forever. As the old proverb says,
“Only one life, ‘Twill soon be past;
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

On my thirtieth birthday, the bottom line is that I refuse to waste my life. Now I ask all who read my words: Will you refuse to waste your life? Will you forget about the past and focus on how God wants to use you in the future? Will you forsake all your distractions, including your personal regrets, in order to make your life count? Will you make God’s kingdom your primary concern? Will you care about the whole world? Will you love your family like Christ loves you? Will you spend more time and money on eternal matters?

I ask that you pray for me as I strive to fulfill these commitments over the next thirty years. Indeed, my prayer for all of us is that we will not waste our lives. Life is so short, and I pray that we will make the most of our years here on earth by no longer living for ourselves, but for the One who died and rose again (2 Cor 5:15). Let me close with the compelling, motivating words of Rick Warren from The Purpose Driven Covenant:

Today, I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Any way. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!”