Awkwardness Alert

I got a phone call today from someone who I hadnt heard from in years. Her name is Jenny and she is an ex-girlfriend from high school. She is married now so I knew that there had to be a strange reason for her to call me out of the blue. (By the way, isnt it funny how you wont hear from someone for years but as soon as they need a favor they call you. Okay, enough venting.)

She is now a lead singer for a Christian band called Addison Road. They are touring all over the country and found out that I lived in CA, so she called me asking if there was a church they could stay at. Well she dumped me in college so I just went ahead and said no. Im not bitter though, I promise.

The Next Avery Johnson

If you are asking yourself "Who is Avery Johnson?" let me tell you.
He is the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, and I am going to be just like him.
No I am not going to turn black and shrink to 5'5 but I did just enter the wonderful career of coaching basketball.

The opportunity to coach 7th grade boys basketball at a local public jr. high school came to me out of no where last week. The athletic director was kind of desperate for someone to fill the spot and called different jr. high pastors. Now I dont know why I took another job when I am crazy busy with being a youth pastor, but it seems like the perfect opportunity. I thought to myself, I love basketball, I love jr. high students, I love teaching, I love evangelism. You do the math. It just kind of seemed to be a perfect fit for this time in my life and I am extremely excited about it. I just order Magic Johnsons coaching instruction video.

Througout the season I will keep you updated with the progress of the team and me as a coach. Im already nervous about a parent cussing me out because I didnt play their son enough. It will happen, Im sure of it.

Fried Green Avocados

Could it be true? This is a new item that they are selling at the state fair of TX. I guess they will fry anything now days. I personally have not tasted it yet, but it sounds like it could be the most delicious thing on the face of the earth. My sister said it was amazing when you dip it in ranch or salsa.

Im not sure where else they sell this, but I have to find it and find it quick.

Random questions about the avocado.... Is it a fruit or vegetable? And how can something that grows on a tree have so much fat in it?

Dodgeball + 7th grade girls = angry parents.

Dodgeball is the greatest sport on earth and it is one of the greates games you can play for a jr. high event. I ran an event last night where we just hungout at the church and played dodgeball for the majority of the time. The only problem is that I take the game way to seriously and dont think about who I am throwing at. I just want to hit people. There were only 2 injuries and I caused both of them. The first injury came within the first 20 minutes of the night. I hit a girl square in the face and made her nose bleed. She was okay though. The other injury came later on in the night. I hit a girl in the stomach, knocked the breath out of her and left a red mark on her stomach. Part of me feels horrible and the other part of me thinks, if you dont want to get hit, dont play.

I think I might be the most hated jr. high pastor in the world.

Im going through a book right now with my staff that is called "God doesn't believe in atheists. It was written in the early 90's by Ray Comfort. It is really good.
It is pretty much a debate against atheism and shows proof why God exists, and proof why atheist don't really exist. Now you might not know many people that are atheists but it is a great tool to give out to non believers that might have doubts if God exists. It is a quick read and he is very practical. Even if you are a believer, I think it could even help strengthen your faith, as it has done that for me.

If you don't know who he is, Ray Comfort is the British dude on TBN with Kirk Cameron.

My Guarantee:

Tonight is opening night for Preseason basketball.
The Dallas Mavericks head to Oklahoma City to take on the Hornets.
I have been a die hard mavs fan my entire life and watched them every year whether they were horrible and won 12 games or when they were good and win 60 games.

They made it to the the finals for the first time in history last year and unexpectedly choked in the end. But the team they have this year is even better than the team last year. They are stacked. They have 13 players who are good and will get playing time throughout the year. This is the year. Mark my word, remember this post when I say that the Dallas Mavericks will be the NBA champions this year. No ifs ands or buts about it.

Best part of October.

I just wanted to share with the world why I love the month of October so much. No it is not because its the beginning of fall, it has nothing to do with football, and Halloween doesn't even come close to comparing with this event. That's right, you guessed it. It is Fair season!!!! I think the fair is one of the greatest things you can experience in a life time. I grew up going to the Texas State fair and looked forward to that day almost as much as Christmas.

Ever year wherever I am I have to go to the fair. Last night I went to the Fresno Fair. Here are the highlights. Pig races, hypnotists, car shows, exhibit halls, ferris wheels, midway games, carnies, and last but not least, the food. I had a turkey leg, corn on the cob, and a funnel cake. And on my way home, I had the wonderful after fair feeling where you think you are going to throw up. You just cant beat it. Wherever you are, I suggest going to the fair.

Foot stuck in mouth.

I was warned not to say anything upsetting when I spoke at the senior lunch. I failed. I was up there talking about the Jr. High ministry and how exciting it was and then I started talking about making a difference. You never retire, you never graduate from serving. I started speaking about the 76 year old volunteer that I knew from Saddleback. As I was talking about him, the words " you're not dead yet, you can still serve" somehow came out of my mouth. Fortunately, I got some laughs out of it and they knew what I meant. I think I might be the biggest idiot on the face of the planet.

I get to speak to old people

Every month, the elderly in the church have a lunch with a guest speaker. I have the privilage this month to be the speaker. One question though. What in the heck do you speak to old people about? What can I tell them that they have not heard before?
Im excited and nervous at the same time. I have just been reminded by some staff not to refer to them as "Old People" when I am talking to them. Wish me luck!

Twins are on the way!

You might of read a post a couple months back that there will be two new Putmans that will enter this world around February. Is that not the greatest news in the world? And no they are not mine.

I have a brother who lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. Him and his wife just found out that there will be 1 boy and there will be 1 girl. So Im guessing they are not identical.

Anyways, this is an exciting time for our family and I just wanted all of you to know. I will teach the boy everything I know, and I will protect the girl from all the horrible guys out there.