Thoughts by Jeff

On Saturday September 25th 2010, Desirée and I will have the privilege of  supporting Choices Resource Center in the 2010 Walk for Life.  This is the 15th annual walk that has been held.  Choices Resource Center is a non-profit in Oak Ridge TN that help women when they face unexpected pregnancies.  Their approach of ministering God’s truth with unconditional love enables each woman to make positive, informed choices for herself and her baby.  Little ones will someday have the chance to thank their moms for choosing life rather than abortion.  Their staff, supported by trained volunteers, have been committed to meeting the needs of our community since 1992.  Some of the free, confidential services they provide are:

• Accurate pregnancy tests and confidential consultation
• Factual information about parenting, adoption, and the risks of abortion
• Ultrasound Imaging
• STD Testing
• 24-hour Helpline (865 483 0099)
• Heart to Heart parenting classes with Stork’s Nest Baby Boutique
• Madre a Madre parenting classes for Spanish-speaking moms
• STEPS Parenting Program
• Second Thoughts sexual integrity education
• Sarah’s Pearls purity support group
• Healing Hearts post-abortion support for women / Missing Arrows for men

Desirée and I would love to have your support as we help support Choices.  To support us, you can either e-mail us by using the ‘Contact’ tab at the top of the blog, or by going to http://crcwalkforlife.org/sponsor/jdlowe You can either support us by credit card (all transactions are secure) or by using the ‘bill me later’ option on the sponsor page.

Thanks everyone!

I don’t often say that I saw something in a restaurant that impressed me, but on Wednesday I did.  Desiree and I went to PF Chang’s for dinner.  While we were sitting there waiting for our dinner, a waiter came and cleaned a table next to us.  Here is what caught me off guard.  They pulled some (what I believe to be) sanitizing wipes out of a zip lock back and proceeded to wipe the table down.  The fact that they recognize that people don’t really appreciate the idea of a rag that has seen lots of action that day, wiping down all of the tables and thus leaving who knows what on the table, I for one appreciate.

Also while there, there was a problem with my meal (something was in it that shouldn’t have been).  So, I had the waiter bring me a new dish and the manager actually brought it back.  Gave us a free appetizer coupon AND removed my dinner from our bill.  Great customer service!!  I didn’t need either of which, but it is nice to know that they are going to make it right, when there is a problem.  We have eaten there many times and will continue to do so for just this reason (that and the food is great)!

What about you, any great dining stories to share?

This year Desirée and I are participating in Choices Resource Center’s Walk for Life and we need your help.

Choices Resource Center is a pregnancy care center that has been around since 1992 providing Biblically based solutions for people facing unplanned pregnancy and other related issues.  All services are totally FREE and 100% confidential.  They have helped over 10,000 people make informed choices for LIFE in their pregnancies and regarding their relationships.  You can find out more about them by going to their website at choicesresource.com.  For the past few years I have helped with with any IT work that they have need.  I can honestly say that everything they do is Christ centered.  They try to be the practical hands and feet of Jesus every day that they have the doors open, simply meeting people where they are and showing them all their options.

Would you help them by sponsoring us in this event?  There’s no “per mile” designation, just a donation for our 2 mile walk.  You can make the gift by credit card, or ask to be billed in October (after the event is completed), by going to http://www.crcwalkforlife.org/sponsor/jefflowe.  Thank you so much for helping us help such a great cause!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I’m still alive.  It’s been a while since I have posted anything, I know..  The past couple of weeks since we got back from Thailand have been pretty crazy.  Today was the first morning that I have been able to sleep in, without setting an alarm, since the day we got back.  It was VERY nice and long over due.

This past week, we started a new book in small group.  It’s “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.  We have been planning this series since before we went to Thailand and this week was really good.  It’s a challenging book, about how we look at God.  We purchased the DVD that goes along with the book as small group material.  Francis seems to be a very good speaker, and I simply love listening to him speak (check out some of the video’s on his website, they are incorporated into the book).

Hopefully I will be able to talk about the book as we go through it, like I did with Experiencing God.  I hope everyone has a blessed day and a wonderful weekend!

A couple weeks ago, I told you that Desiree and I were going to be going on vacation.  While on vacation, I planned on reading, in it’s entirety, the 21 laws of leadership.  Well, I wanted to report back to everyone, I failed misserably in my attempt.  The book is 226 pages, I got to page 42.  I am a super slow reader and even at that, I don’t retain a whole lot, so that hindered my efforts just a bit.  I mainly read while we were on the airplanes and waiting in airports.  Let’s set a new goal, to finish it by the time I get back from Thailand (which would be July 13th).  For me, that is still a pretty good goal, considering that I’ve had it a couple years and never have made it all the way through.  For those that might be interested, we had a great time on vacation, which was long overdue and much needed.

I just wanted to followup with everyone that might have been interested in how far I got and to confess my failure. =)

I hope you have a great day!