things that make you go hmmm

I picked up a bag of Frito-Lay's True North Almond Clusters this weekend at Target. The product description on the back of the packaging says:

When a strong passion guides your life, it becomes your true north.
Our TrueNorth is a simple one: to bring inspiration to natural snacking.
Find your TrueNorth.

And while reading the FAQ on the Frito-Lay website, I found this interesting reply:

How did you come up with the name “TrueNorth™”?

• In the process of creating a new kind of nut snacking experience, we found our all-consuming passion—our one “true north.” By naming our nut snacks TrueNorth™, we hope to celebrate our passion for NUTS and inspire other people to find their own true north.

Check out www.truenorthchurch.com
Yeah, we're nuts...

welcome to moe's! part two

If you have been to Moe's, you were probably greeted by the servers yelling 'Welcome to Moe's!' as you walked in. Margie and I noticed yesterday that the servers never missed a beat. How could they frantically make burritos and salads and still acknowledge each person as they walked through the door? It was our goal to figure out their system as we watched the next customer walk in...

They missed him.

We were seated near the serving line, so I got the staff's attention and motioned toward the new customer, who was already in line. 'Welcome to Moe's!', I reminded them. This started a chain reaction from the staff...'Welcome to Moe's! Welcome to Moe's! Welcome to Moe's!'. They knew I had been watching and of course I whispered,

"You missed one."

The volunteers and staff at TrueNorth Church value those who attend on Sunday mornings. It is our intention that each person on campus is greeted as they arrive and that they leave knowing that they are significant. It may be the only genuine human contact they encounter all week.

I pray we never miss anyone.

welcome to moe's!

So. I met Margie for lunch today at Moe's...the only place where you can eat your bowl and enjoy it. We had about 45 minutes to catch up on three months of lost time. When the conversation drifted toward church, Margie made a profound statement:

TrueNorth has changed North Augusta. Even people from other churches are nicer now.

If this is true, then we can only point this revolution toward Jesus, because he was the ultimate revolutionary. He demanded change. And it has been our desire to initiate a change from the inside out in our community. And the next community. And the next.

Stay tuned for Moe's part 2...

TNC Easter 2008 - the next day

Top Ten things I can't stop thinking about from the Easter service at TrueNorth Church:

10. Todd Wilkes' empty tomb display.

9. Flip-flops, ties, tattoos, and dresses.

8. Way over 2000 people attending both campuses to hear a message of how much they are loved by God.

7. "God isn't mad at you. God is mad ABOUT you."

6. Pictures from Mike Adams' blog.

5. Opening the service with Rage Against the Machine's 'Wake Up'.

4. Following Rage with 'Bring Me to Life' by Evanescence.

3. Real tears from real people.

2. The drama/skit/dance/video to Lifehouse's 'Everything'.

1. Jesus was EVERYWHERE!

sorry

To the person whose shopping cart I accidentally stole today at Walmart:

I really didn't mean to take your cart. I probably pushed your cart around the store for ten minutes before I saw those unfamiliar items in it and realized it wasn't mine. Your dog and my dog must have the same taste in dog food because I thought that big bag of Pedigree was mine. Apparently you spent a lot of time shopping before I stole your cart because it looked like you had hit just about every department in the store. I pushed the cart around the store for a few minutes longer, hoping that you would recognize it...but you didn't. So I ditched it near the hardware section since that's where I left mine.

I hope you found it.

things that make you go hmmm

“I don’t know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is first place,”

From Obama to Hillary.

friends in lowe's places

Alan and I are in the middle of a bathroom remodel and I have spent a lot of time at Lowe's these past few weeks. Sometimes I go in, get what I need, and leave. Other times I just stare at stuff, like a deer in head lights. I stare at light fixtures. I stare at faucets. Then I come back in a few days and stare again. Eventually I make a decision and move on to the next thing to stare at.

As much as I have been in Lowe's, it is not surprising that the employees are beginning to remember me. I have new best friends now. Richard from flooring. Sidney from lights. And Cleo. I have made other friends, but we're not on a first name basis YET. I had a conversation about tile grout with another customer on aisle 31 on Sunday and I saw the same customer on Tuesday in the paint department. He looked like a deer in head lights too.

I feel a sense of community when I go into Lowe's. If I need help, I know who to ask. And there are other clueless customers like me who I can relate to. Everybody helps each other get their projects done.

What places do you frequent that give you a sense of community? Starbucks? The gym? Church? How can you build relationships in these places to create that feeling of familiarity?

living like she's dying

Gene's post inspired me to finally get these thoughts out of my head:

My neighbor Mary was told recently that her cancer cannot be cured and that she could expect to live another couple of months. Since then the traffic has picked up in front of our houses with people delivering meals or just spending a few more moments with Mary.

It is difficult for me to look across the street, knowing that my friend is living her last days here on earth. Mary is getting it done though. Making the plans, ordering Ed around, setting up her final bedroom, deciding who gets what, and enjoying her family and friends.

Mary pretty much knows her time frame...the majority of us don't. Are you living today as if it were your last?

Because it just might be.

TNC Easter 2008

Top 10 reasons to visit TrueNorth Church this year on Easter Sunday:

10. Rockin' music
9. Genuine people
8. Relevant teaching
7. Rockin' music
6. Fresh-baked cookies and hot coffee
5. Great stuff for kids
4. Casual dress...no pantyhose or ties required.
3. A getaway from the Easter Bunny
2. Did I say rockin' music?
1. A BIG SURPRISE....I can't tell everything I know!

Go to www.truenortheaster.com to get the 4-1-1 on the big day. And bring some friends!