Category Archives: weekend confessions

It was a jam-packed weekend of sorts.  Lots going on and very little time to let it soak in.  But overall, it was a very good weekend….

• I loved Friday night!  Denira and I had a sit down dinner toghether on our date night at Red Lobster…the cheddar biscuits, I mean c’mon…and it was nice to enjoy a meal with my wife.  Oh and Isaiah was there too…but he was asleep!
• I had the Ultimate Feast and I was still hungry.  Something about seafood that just does not fill me up….but I love it!
• I’ve devised a plan with Denira to finally get an iPhone this spring.  Unless someone wants to just get their pastor one
• I picked up a copy of NCAA Basketball 09 for the 360…but seriously…I’ll never have time to play it.  Anyone wanna go one on one online?
• Saturday morning I headed over to pick up the AMAZING sound system that was given to our church.  This thing is practically brand new and I can’t believe someone gave it to us!  Actually I can because the guy that gave it is great!
• I DJ’d a wedding on Saturday as well.  It was by far the worst wedding experience ever and I can’t believe that they paid to have a DJ there for what they wanted.
• First, the wedding was outside…it was seriously was in the 30′s after the sun went down.  I could see my breath the entire time.
• The DJ tent and dance floor were away from the reception, and it was cold as….well, it was cold.
• I almost shut down because I was afraid my equipment would get too cold…it was that cold.
• To make it all the better…the bride and groom and wedding party only danced about 30 minutes.  I was there for 6 hours and they danced 30 minutes…wow.  But hey..it’s their wedding…I hope they had fun.
• Yes…I’m a pastor…and I DJ on the side.  Let’s make bumper stickers…”My pastor is secretly a DJ”
• Sunday was such a special day….Operation Never Forget presented the city of Clinton and the family of one my best friends, the late Staff SGT. Daniel Morris, a memorial bust/statue to be displayed at the Anderson County Courthouse
• I was asked to be at the ceremony to speak words of encouragement.  It was one of the greatest honors of my life
• You can read about it HERE
• It’s amazing to see the outpour of love from this community for it’s hero and my best friend
• I wish that my friend Russell could had been there.  Daniel, Billy, Russell and I were inseperable…it would had been fitting
• As I spoke, I had to choke back emotion…it was hard to follow “God Bless The USA” when we’re singing it for your best friend.  
• I was drained after the ceremony but then I had to preach at The Ridge…can you say drained?
• What happened at The Ridge?  You’ll have to wait for Behind The Ridge later this week!

Not a terribly busy weekend, but a good one nontheless.  It went by way too fast, that I can attest to.  Here’s how it went…

• Friday night we went to visit some ole friends Stepehn and Stephanie for Stephanie’s birthday.  It was great seeing them and seeing others that we have not seen in a long time.
• My friend “Gummy” convinced me that I need to buy NCAA March Madness 09 for the 360 so he can kick my tail online.  I think he’s right….
• Saturday was my half lazy day.  It was cold and rainy all day so Denira, Isaiah and I took it easy and spent some quality time together.
• Saturday night I dusted off the headphones and DJ’d my friends Josh and Kelly’s wedding for them.  I had a good time…it was a no pressure deal and those are the ones that I really like doing.  I’ll be back at it this Saturday on the 1s and 2s.
• The wedding was in Telico Tn and I LOVED driving through Telico Village.  Such an amazing place.  I told Denira that I can’t wait til this spring when we can go camping out there.
• It’ll be even more fun to camp when Isaiah is old enough to really enjoy it!  I hope he likes the outdoors as much as we do….
• While DJ’ing I discovered a few new hip hop songs I really dig…I did not realize how hood I can be
• I renewed my love for episodes of Rob and Big while feeding Isaiah at 4 a.m….”Clakittyclakclak Claxton!”
• I am now on Facebook by the way.  Be my friend!
• And Twitter
• As is The Ridge on Facebook too!
• Craziness ensued at The Ridge Sunday night…check back tomorrow for Behind The Ridge

The weekend actually started on Wednesday last week…Yeah it was a long one…so here’s all the goodies!

• Wednesday night, Denira and Isaiah and I went to Ye Old Steakhouse for my birthday….mmm good!  If you’re in Knoxville, you have to eat a steak here!
• Thursday was my actual birthday….31st….and we went to the Dragons Bonfire Rally for Clinton United.  I got to speak about Clinton United to a TON of people…it was great to get the word out!  Oh…and saw some old high school friends I have not seen in Fo Ev A
• Denira always does an awesome job for birthday!  She really knows how to make me feel special!
• Friday night I was in Rhea County for Clinton United to be with the Dragons as they took the field for their first playoff game in a very long time.  The Dragons lost, but it was great season and I’m proud of those guys!
• I love being able to be part of those teams as their pastor!  
• Clinton United starts meeting with the Dragon basketball team in a few weeks.  It should be a better season than last!
• Saturday for birthday, I went to the UT game with one of our worship leaders, Matt, and my brother Jarrett. Thanks to Danesa for the free tickets and to Denira for grabbing them up!
• We sat in the end zone and almost froze before moving to the sun light
• I don’t think I have to say it, but I feel like I must…..I’ve been watching UT football since I was 2 and this is by far the worst team I’ve seen.  The absolute worst…..
• I hate to see Fulmer go to be honest…I think it’s all on the coordinators and lack of effort from SOME of the players..not all
• Saturday night I had dinner with the Hills and Robbins at Red Lobster…endless shrimp! You know I had to indulge!
• Sunday was all about The Ridge.  I took it easy Sunday morning just preparing myself to preach a very hard message on Sunday night
• The Ridge rocked Sunday night!  Each week gets better and better!  I can’t wait to see how everything comes together when we officially launch!

One sometimes gets busy and doesn’t have time to do this thing called blogging…it’s called welcome to fatherhood!  Here’s the skinny from this weekend…

• Friday night was Halloween which made it a scary night for my Clinton Dragons.  They lost to Powell but are still alive with a playoff game coming up this Friday night at Rhea County.  Should be fun since half of my wife’s family is from that area.
• I hate that I missed most the party at the Hills Friday night, but I did get to see my friend Matt as Willie Wonka and Chris “The Thrill” Hill as Dwight Schrute…it was classic
• Isaiah isn’t quite big enough yet to dress up, but we did put the pumpkin shirt on him.  It says I support the cause to party, but I’m just too cool for a real costume.
• Saturday was the BIG day for The Ridge.  We handed out 9v batteries to over 1000 families in Oak Ridge!  It was insane and I loved serving along side those that go to The Ridge!  They’ll be a story in the Oak Ridger later this week…
• Saturday was also my dad’s and Kay Sampson’s birthdays, so we headed out to dinner with them.  I think our entire family got gas from the meal that lasted through Sunday.
• Later that night we settled in, Isaiah, Denira and I, for a nice long butt kicking at the hand of Steve Spurrier and the SC Gamecocks
• Sunday was amazing at The Ridge…but you’ll have to wait till Wednesday for the Behind The Ridge report!
• I think I’ll have to post on Phillip Fulmer’s departure soon too….I’m kinda sad about the whole thing but the Vols will live to play again…like Saturday
• I’m loving being a father!  Denira is an amazing mother too!  She does such a great job!

Ahh…it’s finally fall!  Not only does it look like it, but it finally feels like it!  Here’s this weekends happenings…

• Denira and Isaiah are both doing great and we are adjusting to life back at home.  
• Believe it or not, I have not one time whinced about getting up to take care of Isaiah.  I love feeding him!
• Friday night I went to the Dragons game and loved being in the cool weather for some football!  It was shame that we lost, but these guys are amazing players and will bounce back
• Saturday was a very restful day as I used most to the day to prepare mentally for preaching Sunday night
• We went to TGIFridays for dinner…Isaiah was awesome sleeping through the whole thing!
• Later, I surprised Denira by buying her a gift for just because…just because she’s awesome and doing a great job as a mommy…she got a Nintendo Wii  (ok…I dig it too!)
• Sunday was amazing and crazy at the same time….we held our first Sunday night gathering at The Ridge and it rocked!  More on that later
• UT finally got back in the win column…gotta love that with Bama coming in to town Saturday night.
• Two of my former students Travis and Allie both have blogs now!  Welcome to blogosphere!
• I’m totally exhausted from preaching last night.