thank-you day!

Friday morning Andrew woke up and quickly declared the day to be "Thank-you day" at the Bunn house. His declaration was for no particular reason other than the fact that he thought it would be a good idea just to tell people "thank you" all day long.

Jenny was at the gym working out when he got up. Upon her return, as she entered through the sliding door by the kitchen, Andrew greeted her loudly by saying, "Thank you Mommy!" And he continued letting the "thank-yous" fly all day long.

Thank-you day. What a great idea. Do you need to declare a thank-you day at your house?

starting to live

If you were at NewPointe last Sunday you heard an awesome new song called Starting To Live. The song was written especially for the UnTypical series...by Danny with help from four of our interns (Dan, Aaron, Brandon, and Jeff).

What a great song! I've heard positive feedback about it. Some folks are saying, "Wow, can't believe that song is a NewPointe original."

Well...I can believe it...because we've got some incredibly talented people around here. And in case you missed it or you're curious, I thought it would be good to go ahead and post the lyrics to the song here on my blog. Here you go...

I’d like to think that I had good intentions
But I’d settled for a life of status quo
The days I really felt alive Were just too few to mention
And deep inside I knew there must be more

But then You called me deeper
And You caught me by surprise
Since now You have my heart I realize

I’m just starting to live
Starting to love
Now that I’m free to know
You I’m finding that I’ve never really loved before
I’m tired of playing it safe
I’m takin’ a chance
Now that I’ve found myself in Your romance
I’m just starting to live

The sun is rising on this new adventure
And for once I feel my heart beat in my chest
The days of fear controlling me
Are far behind and now
I’m Never going back to yesterday

Now that I’ve surrendered
I’ve never been so free
Lord, You have my heart
And You have me

I’m just starting to live
Starting to love
Now that I’m free to know You
I’m finding that I’ve never really loved before
I’m tired of playing it safe
I’m takin’ a chance
Now that I’ve found myself in Your romance
I’m just starting to live

the dude that fixed my hoover

Meet Bill Theiss. He goes to church at NewPointe. And he works for Hoover. But wait...not only does he work for Hoover, get this--he's the guy who invented the Wind Tunnel vacuum cleaner.

Yeah, that's right...the vacuum cleaner in your closet was thought up by this guy.

So check this out: one of our kids, who shall remain nameless (Naomi), broke our Hoover Wind Tunnel a few weeks ago. So who you gonna call? How 'bout the guy who invented it? Yes, it was Bill to the rescue. He came over, with the part we needed, and fixed our Hoover lickety-split.

How often do you have the guy who invented your vacuum cleaner fix your vacuum cleaner? Thanks Bill!

jenny bunn's mystery birthday

Jenny's birthday was Saturday. It wouldn't be proper for me to tell you how old she is so we'll just say that she's one away from a really big one. :)

For this birthday, I decided to plan a day out...and have it be a complete mystery to her. All she knew was that we were meeting another couple at 2:00 at the Park & Ride. That's it. I helped her with what she should wear but other than that she had no clue.

We arrived at the Park & Ride ahead of the other couple. It was so much fun having her wonder who it would be. After they (George and Lori Zambie) arrived, we jumped into their car and headed north.

It didn't take Jenny long to figure out we were headed toward Cleveland but she still had no clue what for.

At about 4 p.m. we arrived on the East Side in Little Italy. It's a cool place to hang out and eat, shop, and eat some more. And that's what we did.

We ate at a great Italian restaurant (Jenny and I shared a calzone and spaghetti and meatballs). The weather was terrific so we ate outside on sidewalk.

GREAT food. Afterwards we shopped around. Jenny was thisclose to buying a purse (of course, I told her, it's your's if you want it, afterall, it's your birthday!).

After enough walking and shopping we were ready for dessert. So we hit a great Italian bakery for some pastries and gelato.

After a little more exploring around Little Italy we got back in the car to head to the next destination. Jenny still had NO CLUE. Although I'm pretty sure she was hoping we weren't headed to the Indians game. We weren't.

Instead we headed to the Flats...to the Plain Dealer Pavilion.

It was so much fun watching her reactions and listening to her guesses as to what was next. It didn't take long for her to figure out it was a concert. But she still had no idea who was playing.

What made it even more fun was the fact that there was literally no clue anywhere about who was playing. Outside the venue, in the venue, nothing. The only thing Jenny could do was study the crowd. The only thing she could figure was 1. It wasn't a Christian band, and 2. it must be an "older act" based on the age of most of those in attendance.

At 8:15 the band took the stage. No announcements, no nothing...just started jamming immediately. And it got funnier because she knew all the songs but could not think of the name of the band.

Finally she got it. Wanna know who? Check it out: EARTH, WIND, AND FIRE!.

And it was one smokin' hot concert. Hit, after hit, after hit. They delivered the goods for a solid two hours.

We got home about midnight. Jenny told me that she'd be happy to let me plan mystery dates on a regular basis!

Happy birthday babe!

family food drive highlights

The Go '08 Food Drive started for the Bunn family on Wednesday of this week. With ball games, camps, lessons, and (you-name-it) we were a little slow in getting things cranked into gear this year.

So on Wednesday evening I ventured out with the three crazies as we knocked on doors and handed out fliers to 30+ of our neighbors. The way we do it is, we make a flier that explains the food drive. The kids are responsible for knocking on doors, and explaining as much as they can while leaving a flier. And then they tell them we'll be back later in the week to collect the food that they just leave by their front doors.

Yesterday we hit Aldi to fill three boxes of food. And today was neighborhood collection day.

And today was neighborhood food collection day. Jenny drove the van around the neighborhood with the hatch open and the flashers flashing while the kids and I visited everyone's front porches to see if they'd left food out.

The result? 15 boxes of food from our neighborhood!

Here's why I love the NewPointe food drive:

1. Our whole family can get involved.
2. We're able to teach our kids about giving to those who are in need.
3. The kids take the initiative. It builds their confidence AND their faith.
4. We're able to help feed a whole bunch of people who could really use some help right now.

another quotable...

...by one of my favorite guys, author/pastor Craig Groeschel:

If you want to reach people no one else is reaching, you have to do things no one else is doing.

Ever wondered why we do the things we do at NewPointe? There's your answer.

the series that inspired a song...

The UnTypical series has been really, really good (if I do say so myself). We'll wrap it up this Sunday with baptisms, a special story on video, a celebration of all the boxes of food we've collected, a message on untypical ambition by Dave D, AND an original song, written specifically to go with this series. The song is called Starting To Live and it was written by our very own Danny Bunnelle ALONG WITH a few of our summer interns: Jeff, Aaron, Dan, and Brandon.

Anyway, Danny stopped by my office last week to sample the tune for me. And I snapped this pic while he was playing it (I don't even think he knows I shot him).

The song is terrific. I can't wait for everyone to hear it on Sunday. It'll be a great way to wrap up a great series. See you Sunday!

big news!

Danny and I are having our weekly creative/brainstorming meeting at Wallhouse Coffee right now...and the big news is...

COFFEE REFILLS ARE NOW FREE!

Life is good.

miranda's story

This is the video of Miranda Creachbaum shown at NewPointe on July 13, 2008.



Her faith strengthens my faith. She's one of my heroes.

josh wilson pics

Sunday was an amazingly great day at NewPointe. We continued the UnTypical series by looking at what we can learn about untypical courage from Benaiah...but not before Josh Wilson took the stage to do some of his music (including the 3 Minute Song). He's amazing.

Here's a pic I took of him during the pre-service run-through:

After the services we headed to our favorite place to hang out with Christian recording artists like Josh Wilson and Worth Dying For...Daryl and Lee Ann Miller's. Per usual, Lee Ann put out a ridiculous spread. Here's Josh enjoying some of Teddy's famous nachos.

And this is becoming a tradition: Guitar Hero with our guest artists. Here's Josh checking out Natalie vs. Joey.

And here's Josh whoopin' on Big Dan (this, of course, will prompt Dan to leave a comment on my blog)

Later in the day we had an awesome tailgate party (before Josh's concert). And Josh jumped right in, mixing it up with everyone who came. Here's Josh playing catch with the Monkey Boy:

And the highlight of Natalie's day may have been getting to play "pickle" with Josh.

The concert was off-the-hook. Amazing. Afterwards Josh stuck around to meet everyone and sign autographs. He's just a great guy.

And after all that...we headed back to the parking lot for more tailgating...wings, ribs, you name it. Dwight indulged...

As did Josh...and Danny...and Dan...and...

Great day. Great fun. Great ministry. I love NewPointe.

help! i'm going to jail!

The police are coming to arrest me this Thursday. They're sending me to "jail" until I raise enough bail money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Will you help me raise bail money? It's for a great cause.

Here's how you can help:

Follow this link: John's MDA bail page.

What you'll find there is a secure web site that makes it easy to donate. Every little bit helps. So if you can give $5, $10, or $50...it all adds up to help a great cause.

I'm not going to beg...but PLEASE! HELP! :)

this sunday: josh wilson

We've been looking forward to this Sunday for a long time Josh will be here Sunday, doing worship in both services. And then Sunday night he'll be giving a FREE concert at 7 p.m.

Here's a rundown of what's planned:

9 a.m. First Service (featuring Josh Wilson)

11 a.m. Second Service (featuring Josh Wilson)

5 p.m. tailgate party in the NewPointe parking lot (everyone invited...everyone welcome to try to beat me at corn hole--but it's not likely that you will)

7 p.m. Josh Wilson in concert (and yes, he'll be signing autographs afterwards)

Now, if you don't know who Josh Wilson is, you need to get with it. He's amazing. You can find his new single, 3 Minute Song, at the top of the Christian music charts. You can also get a big honkin' dose of JW at YouTube by clicking here.

By the way, this is cool, it's Josh taking a minute to explain what the 3 Minute Song is all about. Have a look:



And in case you're wondering, I received confirmation from Josh's people today...he WILL be doing the 3 Minute Song in both services.

It's going to be a big day at NewPointe. Don't miss any of it.

whose toes are those?

A recent revision to the NPCC dress code now makes a provision for the wearing of flip-flops. I noticed a lot of 'exposed toes' yesterday so I got my camera phone out and decided to have a little fun. Here you'll see 13 sets of toes. Can you match the toes to the NPCC staffer?

1.

Whose toes are those?

A. Mike Conn

B. Barbara Knecht

C. Kayleigh Delk

D. Dave Mast

2.
Whose toes are those?
A. Cindy Colucy
B. Sherry Schie
C. Miriam Beachy
D. Faye Stingel






3.
Whose toes are those?
A. Steve Conn
B. Brandon Bunnelle
C. Kevin West
D. Chad Stutzman








4.
Whose toes are those?
A. Miriam Beachy
B. Jessica Rilke
C. Kayleigh Delk
D. Teresa Raber







5.
Whose toes are those?
A. Jane Miller
B. Cindy Colucy
C. Barb Knecht
D. Dwight Mason









6.
Whose toes are those?
A. Jane Miller
B. Faye Stingel
C. Scott Bell
D. Sherry Schie









7.
Whose toes are those?
A. Mike Conn
B. Danny Bunnelle
C. Dan Liebman
D. John Bunn








8.
Whose toes are those?
A. Miriam Beachy
B. Jean Vacha
C. Sherry Schie
D. Cindy Colucy








9.
Whose toes are those?
A. Teresa Raber
B. Kayleigh Delk
C. Barbara Knecht
D. Sherry Schie







10.
Whose toes are those?
A. Matt Beres
B. Scott Bell
C. Blake Wood
D. Dave D'Angelo








11.
Whose toes are those?
A. Matt Beres
B. Kevin West
C. Chad Stutzman
D. Danny Bunnelle







12.
Whose toes are those?
A. Jean Vacha
B. Jane Miller
C. Miriam Beachy
D. Anita Ballentine








13.
Whose toes are those?
A. John Bunn
B. Chad Stutzman
C. Danny Bunnelle
D. Dwight Mason









Go for it...Toe Identification Championship bragging rights are on the line. Answers will be posted this weekend.

gettting to know the lions

This Sunday I'm going to be sharing about a guy in the Bible named Benaiah. Here's the skinny on him: he chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day and killed it.

In my never-ending quest for knowledge and well-roundedness, I thought it would be good if I learned as much as I could about lions. So...I visited the Akron Zoo and sat down with the zoo's education manager, Patty Villers, to see what I could learn.

Here's the interview.



Oh yes, there'll be more on Sunday. See you there!

andrew wants to know...

Andrew (age 6) spends most of his daily word count asking questions. It's unbelievable how many questions the dude can come up with throughout the course of the day. The questions range from the ridiculous to the thoughtful, hard-to-answer.

I thought I'd give you a sampling of the stuff he asks me...ALL THE TIME. These questions all came up within the span of about 30 minutes last evening:

• Daddy, have you been 94 yet (as in age)?
• Daddy, when I'm bigger, how am I going to remember your cell phone number?
• Daddy, are there creeks in Sugarcreek?
• Daddy, when I get big, what football team am I going to play for?

quotable (untypical uncertainty)

"To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways; we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation." --Oswald Chambers

Yep, I'm working on next Sunday's message right now.

sunday's scuds (july 13, 2008)

The UnTypical series continued with Dave D giving the message today. The theme: UnTypical Faith. Here are the scuds:

• We all have an "I told you so" story. Most of us, if we're honest, when we look back to "I told you so's," we wish we would have listened.
• What if it all comes down to one simple question? Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:15-16)
• It is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6)
• In every single circumstance we face, is an opportunity to respond to who we really think God is.
• God has a way of putting you and I in situations where we can either advance in faith, or retreat in fear.
• Faith that's untypical will always involve risk.
• Every single circumstance involves the unknown. The key isn't avoiding the "perhaps" it's where you place the "perhaps." (1 Samuel 14:6-7)
• We all face a "perhaps." You can place it on your outcome, or you can place it on your God.
• Some of us will never complete our faith because we'll never act on what we believe about our God.
• Faith is never simply a confession of our lips. It's an expression of our life.
• Faith always requires more than a commitment. It requires surrender.
• What's happening TO you in life is never as important as what God is doing IN you.

Next week: UnTypical Courage.

new blog look...

...just because ya gotta keep things fresh. New header...new background...new color scheme. Let me know your thoughts (really, I want your feedback--the good, the bad, and the ugly).

erwin on action

I dig Erwin McManus. He speaks my language. Check out this video short called Just Do Something.



"Sometimes we use prayer as an excuse not to act." Strong.

zoo visit

Jeff Conn and I visted the Akron Zoo on Wednesday...with a video camera...specifically to see the lions. Why?


You'll have to come to church on Sunday, July 20 to find out.

P.S. was it wrong for me to ask the lion keeper, "What kind of operation are you running here? This place is like a zoo!"

can you identify the animal that left this print?

Took the fam to Mohican on Saturday for a picnic and hiking. Andrew, Natalie, Naomi, and I took a three-mile hike through the forest. Along the way, Andrew asked if I thought there might be pumas in these woods. (Pumas?!) I assured him that we wouldn't have to worry about pumas and he was cool with that until Naomi found this paw print in the mud...

We have no idea what animal this could be. The kids put their feet next to it to offer some size perspective. Too big to be a dog. Big claw marks, too. What do YOU think? Bear? In Ohio? Puma? :) Feel free to share your opinion.

untypical kids video

Brandon Bunnelle and Cindy Colucy (and others) did a fantastic job planning, shooting, and editing this video to help us kick off the UnTypical series. Check it out (by the way, these are all NewPointe kids):



Isn't it true...nobody ever aspires to be "typical" but somehow we tend to end up there. Look for more "untypical kids" in the coming weeks at NewPointe.

untypical

Sunday we kick off a new series at NewPointe: UnTypical. Honestly, I'm as excited about this series as I have been for any series we've ever done. I think what excites me the most is the idea of you and me living lives that are anything but typical. God doesn't call us to live typical lives. He calls us to the extraordinary.

It's interesting to me that so many people think that if you "become a Christian" that you're automatically forfeiting fun and and excitement, trading them in for the dull and lifeless. I've found just the opposite to be true. So over the next 30 days we're going to explore the idea of living an untypical life--the REAL Christian life. Untypical courage, untypical faith, untypical ambition, untypical generosity.

This Sunday we're going to discover an amazing dimension to living the Christian life--an untypical dimension. In this untypical dimension, he who would be first will be last. He who would be last will be first. In this untypical dimension God’s power is perfected in weakness…and real life, really living, comes through dying. How's that for untypical?

Don't forget, the Go '08 food drive starts this Sunday. You can start brining in non-perishables now!

Oh, one more thing... Don't be late to church. I'm not kidding. If you miss the opener this week...well, just don't be late!

See you Sunday!

quotable (on risk)

I'm preparing for the message I'm giving on July 20. It's on untypical courage. As I've been preparing, I've been reading this book: In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson. And yes, it's a book I highly recommend.

As I was reading, I came across this quote:

The circumstances vary, but the law of risk is universal and eternal: The more you’re willing to risk, the more God can use you. And if you’re willing to risk everything, then there is nothing God can’t do in you and through you.

Put that in your pipe...

the untypical weekend design team

The weekend design team meets weekly to brainstorm creative ideas for Sundays at NewPointe. Sometimes we're brainstorming music. Sometimes it's video ideas, dramas, illustrations to help Dwight...and nothing is off limits or out of bounds. All ideas are welcome in every meeting. The crazy, unrealistic ideas are often the best fodder for ideas we actually do on stage on Sundays. And when I say nothing is off limits when it comes to ideas, I mean it (you'll see what I mean during the UnTypical series...expect to see stuff you thought could/would never happen in church).

The weekend design team consists of several staff members and several creative volunteers. We sit around and bark out ideas, watch videos, listen to music, surf the 'net, and pray for guidance. Our goal is to create an environment in the big room on Sundays that is going to connect with those who are there. Relevant, dynamic, inspiriting, life-changing. That's the goal.

Of course, when you get creative people together in the same room, crazy stuff is bound to happen. Recently we had a huge, friendly debate about as series title (actually it was for the What Lies Beneath series). We had a couple dozen title ideas on the board and everyone in the room took turns voting until we landed on one. Each person took a turn voting for the title they liked best. Lee Ann decided to go with the secret ballot. Here's a pic of her casting her vote on the conference room whiteboard.




Yep, we're a pretty untypical bunch.