Gilbert Thurston

Random Thoughts About Life, Ministry and Whatever Else Happens to be on my Mind

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Archives for February 2009

This Weekend

February 27, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

This weekend we begin a brand new two-part series called “What If”. After last night’s rehersal, let me just say YOU NEED TO BE THERE!

The music is going to be awesome, there are some new surprises on the stage, you’re going to see a video testimonial that will floor you and as always I’ve got a couple of things up my sleeve as well.

Do whatever it takes to be there and make sure you invite someone along as well!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: invite, What If...

Random Thoughts on a Thursday

February 26, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Andy & G at Caps game

  • The above pic is Andy and I at the Caps game on Tuesday night right before it started.
  • As you can see we had awesome seats!
  • The bad part was the Caps lost the game 4-2 to the Flyers.
  • Wow being that close to the ice gave a much better perspective for the size of the players and the speed of the game.
  • Because of how low we were, when the play was at the far end of the arena we had trouble seeing through the glass clearly so we had to switch back and forth from watching live action on the Jumbo-Tron to watching live action right in front of us.
  • A few times I forgot and just kept watching the Jumbo-Tron.
  • It’s amazing how conditioned we are as humans to watch our content on a screen.
  • This is why I’m excited about some of the things we’ll be able to do via video in United in the future.
  • Funniest thing that night was the lady sitting next to me.  She introduced herself as a Flyers fan, but not an obnoxious one.
  • At one point in the game she turns to me and says, “Well you don’t have to cuss about it”.
  • I assured her that I hadn’t said any swear words.  She insisted that I did and then repeated back to me what she thought I had said.
  • I told her it’s been about 15 years since I said anything like that.
  • She says, “No way, you’re a liar”.  To which I lean over and say, “Seriously I don’t…I’m a pastor”.
  • She was blown away…first with embarassment.  She said she felt like she needed to go to confessional…not sure why people always assume pastors are Catholic.
  • Then she’s tellling all her friends how cool it is that a pastor is 1.  At a hockey game.  2. Has such good seats.  3.  Is wearing Caps gear (guess she thought I was missing one of those little white collar thingies).  4.  Is yelling for the home team.
  • I was able to tell her we cheer louder at United than we do at games though…she thought that was cool.
  • Wish I would have had the new United Promo Video loaded on my phone…that would have really shocked her.
  • Overall been an interesting week so far…
  • Got to share my faith with a Buddahist yesterday…that was cool
  • Last night I taught Earl’s class for him and as always had a good time hanging out with the senior saints of the church.
  • Last night I talked with them about being culturally relevant…at one point I threw out the name Brittany Spears…blank stares back.  Then Kayne West…blank stares.  Ummm…..ummmm….Perry Como…eyes lit up.  🙂
  • Should be a great weekend as we launch our brief 2-part series “What If”.
  • Make sure to invite someone to come out!
  • Filed Under: Random Thoughts Tagged With: Andy Krull, Brittany Spears, Buddahist, Catholic, Earl Mills, gilbert thurston, invite, Kayne West, Perry Como, Philadelphia Flyers, promo video, swearing, United Worship Experience, Washington Capitals, What If...

    QWERTY

    February 23, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

    QWERTY

    I got a new phone on Friday (HTC DIAMOND TOUCH PRO).  One of my favorite features is that it has a slide out QWERTY keyboard.  No longer will I have to do the multiple tapping thing when trying to type….yeah.

    However the whole QWERTY keyboard configuration reminds me of the “Aslan Phenomenon” and I hope by explaining it you will be challenged to change some things in your life.  First here’s what it is…

    1. We make rules or invent something based on reasons that make a lot of sense.
    2. We follow these rules.
    3. Time passes by and things change.
    4. The original reasons for the rules or invention no longer apply or exist but yet we keep doing it anyway.

    This leads to the QWERTY keyboard configuration.  In the 1870’s the leading manufacturer of typewriters was getting a lot of complaints by customers because the keys were sticking when you typed too fast.  The solution was to slow typists down by designing a keyboard configuration that forced you to use your weaker fingers to type some of the most common letters.  Thus the QWERTY configuration was implemented and the problem was solved.

    The only problem is this…that was in the 1870’s…this is 2009…we no longer have a problem of keys sticking together…technology has changed…yet we’re still using the QWERTY system which slows us down unneccisarily.  In other words the rules/reasons no longer apply but yet we still use the old logic.

    I see this same thing happen in churches all the time.  A rule, ministry or method was started for a legitimate reason at one point but now it’s only being done/followed because, “That’s the way we’ve always done it”.  It’s then that unfortunately tradition many times trumps effectiveness and thus the person or entire organization suffers.

    So how about for you?  In your personal life, business or organization, where is the “Aslan Phenomenon” holding you back?

    Filed Under: Church Growth Tagged With: Aslan Phenomenon, HTC Diamond Touch Pro, QWERTY Keyboard, tradition, typewriters

    Inside Today’s Experiences

    February 22, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

    gilbertEarl

  • Remember the episode of Seinfeld where they discovered bizzaro world where they had alter egos who were completely different than they were?
  • The above picture is sort of like that.
  • Wow there was an incredible response to Earl and I swapping places today…wardrobes included.
  • Between the 9:15 and 10:45 Experience, I was walking thru the very crowded lobby and actually had a few dozen people start applauding.
  • I felt bad for Earl…everyone said to me “Oh you clean up nice”.  What could you say to him?
  • Funniest line said to me was from one of the kids who said, “Who are you and what did you do with my pastor?!”
  • I enjoyed my time over in the sanctuary today but nothing is like being with you guys at United.
  • I was able to sit in for the 9:15 and just get to experience the Experience for once.
  • I really enjoyed Earl’s message, although that Burger King dude scares me half to death when I see him on TV…in person it was even worse.
  • Noticed we had quite a few people who came over to the sanctuary from United…oops bet you were shocked to have already heard the “First Things First” message in the past.
  • At the 8:00 service when I did the M&M’s illustration, I saw Kim Mills giving me a look like, “Please don’t squash them in the carpet, please don’t squash them in the carpet.”
  • I did a much better job at 8 keeping them from going everywhere than I did at 10:45…it was like a minefield up there.
  • Actually had someone say to me, “Now that you’re wearing a suit, you’ll be able to preach.”  That’s hilarious, like a suit suddenly gives you super powers. 
  • I had a bunch of family members in today and they got to be in the sanctuary for the first time….they liked it because they only ever see me in a suit at funerals or weddings…come to think of it…that’s about the only time anyone does anymore.
  • Best question of the day was someone asked me what I’ll be buried in.  Great question…I don’t know.
  • Overall it was a fun day…I think it’s good that all 4 services and Experiences heard a fresh voice, but I’m ready to rock and roll again next week.
  • Tonight we’re heading off to the Old South Mountain Inn for dinner…been a few years since I’ve been there…usually very good…can’t wait!
  • Filed Under: Inside Today's Experience's Tagged With: Burger King, Earl Mills, gilbert thurston, Kim Mills, M&M's, Old South Mountain Inn, Seinfeld, United Worship Experience

    1 Sit-up a Day Can Change Your Life

    February 18, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

    sit-up

    In the latest issue of Fast Company magazine, they talk about micro goals. It reminded me of a story I heard awhile back about a man who lost tons of weight by committing to do 1 sit-up per day.

    Now I know you’re thinking, “How in the world would only 1 sit-up change someone so dramtically?” The answer is…it didn’t…it was many sit-ups every day that did. Confused yet?

    The man made a vow to himself that everyday he would do at least one sit-up. What he found that was by doing one he was then more motivated to do more…and then even other exercises. In other words, committing to 10, 15, or even 30 minutes a day to excercise would have been too big for him and he would have easily given up and quit. However, by committing to at least 1 sit-up per day, not only was he able to keep his vow easily, but it led to more.

    So what big goal (lion) that you are chasing overwhelms you? How can you break it down into a managable goal that you can commit to every day? Change can start small, but it will lead to bigger things if you’ll just commit to do something everyday…go for it…you can change your life “1 sit-up at a time.”

    Filed Under: Goals Tagged With: exercise, Fast Company, Goals, sit-ups, weight loss

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