Beautiful Things

Be ready to hear this song (Beautiful Things) in worship at Schweitzer UMC this Sunday by GUNGOR.

Camp Galilee Day 5 Recap

Camp Galilee Day 5 Recap from Tim Smith on Vimeo.

Camp Galilee Day 4 Recap

Camp Galilee Day 4 Recap from Tim Smith on Vimeo.

Camp Galilee Day 3 Recap

Camp Galilee Day 3 Recap from Tim Smith on Vimeo.

Camp Galilee Day 2 Recap

Camp Galilee Day 2 Recap from Tim Smith on Vimeo.

Camp Galilee Day 1 Recap

Camp Galilee from Tim Smith on Vimeo.

BROOMBALL

BROOMBALL!!! from Tim Smith on Vimeo.

The Middle Road

Pool Party

Youth Pool Party

Youth Pool Party from Tim Smith on Vimeo.

Why Sunday?

Do you know why Sunday is called, Sunday?

In the Greco-Roman world, the days of the week were named after the planets. When the emperor Aurelian in 321 made the first day of the week Sunday, "the venerable days of the Sun," the Lord's Day as we know it today became official in the Christian community.

Who knew...

The Extra Degree

At 211 degrees, water is hot.

At 212, it boils

And with boiling water, comes steam.

And steam can power a locomotive.

One extra degree makes all the difference.

And, the one extra degree of effort in life separates the good from the great.

The average margin of victory for the last 25 years in all of Golf's major tournaments combined was less than three strokes.

The margin for victory between an Olympic Gold Medal and no medal at all is extremely small.

In the 2004 Mens 800m race, the margin of victory was .71 seconds.

At the Indy 500, the average margin for victory for the past 10 years has been 1.54 seconds.

On average, the winner took home $1,278,813.

The second place prize was $621,321.

A difference of $657,492.

Where is the Extra Degree in your own life, and will you take advantage of it?

To learn more about this, click here.

Dear Chacos

To my Chacos,

I have left you outside in the rain, sticky with mud, but you did not complain.

I have tromped through sticker weeds, but you protected me.

I have carelessly jumped from boulder to boulder, never once thinking you would cancel your loyalty to me and my safety.

I have walked miles upon miles in you, and you never quit on me.

You are my Chacos, and I love you.

I have worn you to church, smart and sophisticated with khaki pants.

I have worn you camping, dusty with campground dirt and burning embers.

I have worn you hiking, pushing you to your absolute performance limits.

I have never worn you with socks, believing you to have all the style you need in your own design.

You have never failed me.

I bought you 2 years ago. At the time, I didn't know of the beginning of a true, committed relationship.

You have never been re-soled. You have never frayed. You are as pure as the day I brought you home.

From the bottom of my heart,

Thank You.

Hope & Cynicism

The world can change. And Switchfoot lead-singer Jon Foreman believes it, too. Read this article and be inspired!

From the Huffington Post:

"Our fears come from real places of pain. Opposition can create opportunity, true. But the opposition can also demolish us. Sometimes the happily ever after does not come for us in this life. Our heroine Joan, was captured and burned at the stake at the age of 19. Such a horrible, unnecessary ending. Charles VII could have offered ransom. He owed her so much and yet, her king, that she helped to crown, sat idly by while Joan of Arc was captured and tried. It's a brutal end fo a story that was going along so well, certainly not what Disney or Michael Jordan are looking for.

And yet, even in her death, Joan of Arc remained true to what she believed. She didn't try simply because she knew she would win, she tried because she knew that what was right: because it's the noble, moral, authentic thing to do.

"If anything could have discouraged her, the state of France in 1429 should have." says historian Kelly DeVries. She had no reason to believe that she could accomplish anything, let alone turn the tide for France and be martyred for her honorable actions. Joan of Arc is a symbol of audacious hope in the face of difficult times.

Yes, I have my dragons to fight. Yes, I have my fears. But I still have my breath in my lungs, I still have blood in my veins. I cannot sit idly by. I refuse to just let the village burn. I'd rather side with the illiterate farm girl who hears things than the cynics that hear nothing. I want to see beauty come from the ashes around me. Even if I fall, I will burn at the stake knowing that my fumes supported a good cause. Far better to fall at building a magnificent world than to succeed in monochromatic survival..."

For the rest of the article, click here.

Good Business

What makes a great job great?

Here is what Outside magazine wrote, in their article, "Will Work For Good."

Make em’ Sweat

It’s a well-known fact that healthier employees save businesses money.

Destroy the Cubicles

Because inspired people need inspired surroundings. Help create a vibe that encourages a smoother flow of ideas. Management principle: It’s easier to stay calm when your desk sits in a bedroom.

Pay it Forward

Smart business leaders know that community service can inspire innovation and teamwork.

Loosen the Reins

The world needs a company that is built around a set of management principles diametrically opposed to much of modern business orthodoxy. WOrks are encouraged to use half a day per week as “dabble time” to pursue projects. CEO of Great Harvest Bread Co., Mike Ferretti, says, “Giving up control of your business is scary, but doing so will ultimately cement the bond with your team.”

Ignore the Clock

Almost every company on our list (Outside’s “50 Best Places to Work) finds a way to help employees get out of the office. Trusting your team to manage their own hours flies in the face of a trend toward squeezing every waking minute out of your staff, but good companies manage to do it while maintaining high output. As these companies see it, letting workers make time for family or fresh tracks (biking) keeps them energized.

Reduce Your Impact

WIth greenwashing now among the most insidious of corporate marketing tactics, it’s reassuring to see so many businesses adopting honest strategies for environmental responsibility. Basically, going green.

Swag Them

Because nothing shows your staff the love better than free travel, gear, and parties. In addition to free travel opportunities for its staff, Natural Habitat Adventures offers discounted travel (80%) for a family member- to make sure the trip doesn’t feel like work. Parties include bowling night, a Halloween costume party, a Christmas party with fun give-a-ways, etc.