Rob Ketterling

FOUR HOUR TIME SHARE PRESENTATION

Ugh! I'm on vacation and I went to a 4 hour timeshare presentation yesterday! Even though it was four hours I have to say I'm still glad I went because they fed us and gave us $390 cash but it was a long time to sit there and endure for the money!

Now don't get me wrong, I love Timeshares and have a great one, but the presentations can be grueling. We've used our timeshare to stay at the ocean (4 times), in the mountains, in Orlando for Disney World, in Branson, on Cape Cod and in northern Minnesota and we've always been pleased. I think I've mastered the art of timeshare exchange and even how to buy them and pay low maintenance fees so it's a real asset to our family. I just wish I didn't have to sit through the presentation yesterday. (The only reason I went is because the car rental price was double of what I was planning. A $318 quote turned into $608. I guess that's part of the timeshare game.)

Only a few days left of vacation and we'll be back for Easter weekend! I can't wait to get home and celebrate this huge weekend, I'll be rested, tan and ready to preach five times in three days! See you there, I guarantee it will be way more fun than a four hour timeshare!

WHY NOT TRY THE 12:00 SERVICE?

In preparation for Easter weekend why not try the 12:00 service on Sunday? It's actually growing and last week it was bigger than the 9:00 service! Of course, the Saturday night service is always an option as well but it's our second largest service at our Apple Valley location behind the 10:30 service.

Space is also a problem at our Faribault campus and we will be changing the service times the week after Easter. We will be changing the times to 9:30 and 11:00 and hopefully this will even them out in attendance and allow us a little more time to grow in two services.

Man, this is exciting to see all of this growth and to have to solve these problems. They're great problems to have and I hope you can help us out by altering your worship schedule to accommodate the growth. Let me just ask you this, if you had to move to accommodate growth for your family members, your neighbor, your co-worker you've been praying for, wouldn't you do it? So if you'd do it for them, why not do it for someone else's family, neighbor or co-worker they've been praying for? Let's do everything we can to make room for those not yet here!

CHECKING EMAIL ON VACATION

I have a question for you. If you check your email on vacation is it still vacation? I'm just wondering if it still counts if you do that and also if you blog, twitter, text, take phone calls. Where do you draw the line? Also, if you're reading books, if you're reading books that relate to your job, does that count as vacation or ar you just working off site? I'm just trying to see how far people go in staying connected while on vacation.

I know it wasn't vacation when I was in Kenya recently but I thought it was funny when Aaron Cole was checking email in the Masai Mara game park and texting and posting on Facebook right after seeing lions! It got me thinking, are we too connected?!

As we head into spring break, I may slow down my Twitter, Blogging, etc. as I contemplate  my own questions. Right now I'm feeling all right about my connectivity level but maybe Becca will have a different opinion on that!

WHAT I WOULD FIX

OK, I let everyone know what I didn't like about the new Target Field but I just have to say what I would do to fix it. The reason I have to tell what I would do to fix it is because I can't stand it when people only point out the problems without giving solutions so I'm going to practice what I preach and give some of my suggestions to fix the problems I see.

*Make a deal with the Garbage Burner and get advertising or a cool mural on it. This would be much better than just beige paint. Mary's place could also get cool signange, so when people look at it they would be drawn to it. They also could maximize revenue options with parking, concessions, signage and the like. Many of the decrepit buildings could be turned into businesses, lofts, etc. or the city could tear them down for future buildings.

* TV's could be bigger and hung higher, and artwork could be more baseball like and less Westin like. Hallways could be painted and some color added to them. (See first picture on my previous blog!) High lites of past Twins moments could be painted or printed on the walls. The floors could be given some color (Stained concrete or Twins logos or something.) The use of textures could be incorporated, so it's not just smooth off-white walls. Intelligent lighting could be utilized to be shining on the walls and at key points. Lights that could shine images on the wall could also be used. The signage for the concession areas could be completely re-done. They are too small and very cheesy. Concession areas could have some pizazz.

*Find a place for the kids! (The future fans of baseball!) Get something in or near the area. (Tear down a decrepit building and build a cool interactive place connected with a walkway or something.) Try and incorporate some water! After all we're the land of 10,000 lakes. And please, figure out a way to do fireworks! (From what I understand, they will not be able to do them because of problems with the air clearing.)

*Focus everyone's attention on the fact that it's outdoor baseball, over and over again. Remind us that the site lines are WAY better than the Metrodome and that there were no restaurants at the Dome. And lastly, print out where to park so fans don't get unbelievably frustrated by the lack of parking around the park. They are about 4,000 spots short around Target Field if I did my math right and this could lead to huge frustrations if people don't know where they need to get on the Park and Ride Light Rail Train.

WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THE TRUTH

As I look back on the sermon series we just finished on Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible, I wonder what will happen when we read the Bible more. I know we will learn more about God, I know this will be good for us but what I'm really wondering about is what will we do when we're confronted by the truth of God's word? When we read something that convicts us and shows us that we're not living right, will we change or stay the same? I'd like to say that we all would change but unfortunately, that's not the case, many of us just ignore it and stay the same.

I want to know the excuses and rationale that allows us to stay the same. Seriously, they seem kind of ridiculous to me but I'd love to hear what you think about this. Why do people ignore the truth and stay the same? I've thought of a few reasons and I can list them but I hope you can give me more. There's always the "This doesn't apply to me" excuse, and the "This is unrealistic" excuse and of course the "I'll pretend I never read it or at least don't understand it" excuse. There are a lot of them that we use but I pray that when we call Jesus Lord, that we will really mean it and obey what His word is telling us to do and become.

James 1:22-24 Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.  ²⁵But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.  (The Message)

TARGET FIELD LOOKS LIKE A TARGET STORE!!!!!!

I love baseball, I was born during game six of the 1965 World Series between the Minnesota Twins and the Dodgers. I worked at the old Met, I was at the last game at the Met and the first game of the Dome, I've been to Fenway Park, I love baseball and yet, I am not a fan of Target Field! Now don't get me wrong, I'll be going to baseball games there but I think this new Ball Park is poor from start to finish. Perhaps having the terrible Dome caused us to be happy with anything and lower our standards but really, if you've ever been to another ball park, this place is a letdown in so many ways.

First of all, it's tiny, really tiny. There's no play place for the kids, no interactive baseball experiences, no speed pitch! There's no frills like a train at Minute Made Park, no Green Monster, no little leprechaun guy going down a slide into a mug when the team hits a home run like Milwaukee, no batting area like Arlington. Seriously, this place is small and boring. But, it is outside baseball!

Secondly, it's built right next to the Hennepin County garbage burner and also next to decrepit buildings and an orphanage. So while people are enjoying the game, they can see the Minneapolis skyline and also the garbage burner. The garbage burner really comes into play with the legends level luxury as you look out from the deck right at it. You also look directly down on the orphanage and can wave at those less fortunate as you eat your Murray's steak sandwich.

There are no restaurants in which you can eat and see the field, the decor doesn't say outside baseball but rather, Westin Hotel. One rambunctious teen with a marker (or too much suntan lotion on.) could ruin thousands of dollars of artwork in seconds because it's not crowd proof, it's art center proof. While you're eating at the Metropolitan Club, you cannot see the field as you enjoy a $29 buffet and also if you're in the Legend's Club Level, you cannot see the field at all while eating. The 27 inch TV's mounted six feet off the ground should be OK provided you're not too far away from them or that a 6 foot 3 inch guy is not standing in front of it drinking his fifth beer. (It might be awkward trying to ask him to move so you can see the game...)

Lastly, the decor is boring, doesn't look like baseball and seriously, it made me wonder what aisle I'd find juice boxes and paper towels on. (Look at my pictures below and make your own judgments.) All that being said, it's still outside baseball has an amazing HD screen in the outfield and after people make their own judgments on it, it might get a face-lift so it can actually look like a baseball stadium in a few years. Let's hope for good weather this summer so we can make the most of this.

MONDAY MORNING INSIGHTS

Here are a few of my Monday Morning Insights after an amazingly busy weekend. It was a weekend in which I was at RVC to preach for 5 services, attend another one (Girls Night where Becca preached and did a great job.) and I led the Annual Business Meeting. I'm feeling pretty good this morning but my voice sounds like I swallowed a frog!

*Church was amazing this weekend. I loved our Dead Sea Scroll series and felt like the teaching was well received. We need to love our Bibles more. Preaching at Chick Night was a blast! That was an easy crowd to preach to and what an amazing group of ladies! I'm proud of Becca and all of her team that make our women's ministry so great!

*Our Annual Business Meeting went well, no major news except the church paid all of it's bills last year and finished in the positive. As a staff we made due with less and really controlled expenses. I'm praying for the economy to turn around and also for the tithes and offerings to continue to grow but I'm very thankful for the Lord's provision this past year. Congratulations to the following men and women that were installed as Deacons as well. It's so good to add such quality people to our team! Be sure to let them know you appreciate their willingness to serve! (We added Micah Pepin, Becky Herzog, Rick Ketterling, Craig Shaler, Brad McCoy, Aaron Topp, Maria Johnson, Ernie Holmquist and Ryan Decker. We also re-affirmed Rachael Awe.)

* Two sports thoughts. I saw the new Twins Ballpark and I'm wondering who designed it. It's called Target Field and it looks like a Target store inside! Serious letdown. Also, the NCAA March Madness has been mad! At least the Big-10 looks good!

* Some health care thoughts. The only thing bi-partisan about this legislation is that it was opposed by both Democrats and Republicans. It's bad legislation and it possibly violates the 9th, 10th and maybe 5th Amendments to the Constitution. It also may violate the commerce clause and is the largest pro-abortion move since Roe v. Wade. It only "saves" money with deception and gimmicks and will actually cost us billions. I agree we can do better with our nations health care but this is not the solution.

* I'm off to the gym, gotta work off the results of the Enjoy buffet on Sunday!   

WOW, A PRO- LIFE CONVERT

I read this article about a Pro-choice liberal and their eye opening moment because of Obamacare. I think she's getting it! Hopefully this will catch on and people will realize all people are made in the image of God and are valuable. Even if you don't go to the link this statement is worth reading.

As a lifelong liberal, I always assumed that pro-life meant the government controlling women's bodies. But I finally understand the concept. Pro-life means viewing every life as sacred, as a gift from God...and understanding that human beings have no business playing the Messiah. 

But to be a leftist is to live in delusion. It's to misunderstand the place of human beings in the nature of existence. Humans are here to marvel at the world's wonders, not to redesign the world itself. 

Perhaps the biggest delusion is denying that everyone, leftists included, will someday be vulnerable and need the kindness of strangers.

BOOK 13 STEERING THROUGH CHAOS

It's been a while since I've read a book (I have about six of them in process!) so here goes my review for book #13 of my 100 book goal, Steering Through Chaos by Scott Wilson. Let me say this right up front, Scott is a friend of mine but in no way does that mean I give him a free pass!

That being said, I liked Steering through Chaos. It was informative, full of great staff ideas for me and full of stories I could relate to. At RVC I didn't have to turn something around but I've had to hold on as the church grows at the speed of Chaos!

A book like this will help pastors and their leaders to navigate the changes ahead if they have chaos growth or chaos changes. There's tons of practical stuff that I'm going to use and tons I won't give him credit for! If you're a pastor desiring either of the two things, be sure to pick up a copy of my friend's book and let him know I sent you! (He just might pay for lunch next time!)

STANDING ON THE WORD!

I thought this was cool that on Wednesday night our youth group wrote on the floor in the youth space. What they did was write their favorite scripture, their name and the names of their friends they were praying for on the floor in permanent marker. After they did that, they spent time walking through the space and praying for their friends.

What I really liked about it was that the teens were thinking of their friends that need Jesus and also that they were writing verses on the floor of the future youth space. Someday they will be "Standing on the Word!"