Kendrick Vinar

With the 44th President of the United States elected we have an opportunity to pray and move forward with grace and humility. Below is an excellent article by Albert Mohler. I’d encourage you to read it and take it to heart.

America Has Chosen a President

Secondly, there’s an article on Forbes.com today that is also timely. May we honor and respect President-elect Barack Obama in a way far greater than our current President has been honored and respect.

The Treatment of Bush Has Been a Disgrace

Election day has finally arrived. We will have new leaders in many positions of our government. 

As the winners are declared (those we voted for and those we didn’t), it’s our privilege and responsibility to honor, respect, pray for, and follow their leadership. 

God is the one who puts in leaders. It’s time to put away the boxing gloves and roll up our sleeves so we can get to work. My prayer is that Christians would be infused with a fresh vision for what God is doing in our land. Our hope is in Him. 

I came across this great article today at Forbes.com. The next president will be my president – no matter party affiliation.

Whoever Wins, Chill A Bit

Nana has been following a great organization that is passionately committed to bringing clean water to the billion people who do have this basic human right. 4,500 babies die every day due to water-born diseases. This is a simple one: dig and maintain wells.

We can attack this one together. Scott Harrison is the founder and visionary for charity: water. Here is his September project. He’s shooting big to change the world.

You can learn more at his website. charity:water

The September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.

Our team from Grace Church had a blast serving in Delft, Holland with David Koerts and Levend Water. They participated in a city-wide outreach called “DiverseCity” – bringing God’s love to Delft.

Here’s a video that Michael Fuller put together to capture the time.

A photojournalist from Levend Water put together an awesome slideshow of one of the events: an high tea for the elderly.

DiverseCity High Tea

Kendrick Jr. played a great round of golf yesterday at Wildwood Green Golf Club in Raleigh. It was day 2 of the Jack Ratz Jr. Memorial Tournament. He shot 67 yesterday with a 70 the day before. He took first in age bracket winning by 7 strokes. I was really proud of him. He got his first eagle on a par 5 during a tournament. He did have one other eagle last year when he got a hole in one. He shot in the 60′s for the first time during a tournament. 

Here are a few photos that I took on my phone. They turned out pretty well. 

Kendrick Jr. wins Jack Ratz, Jr. Memorial tournament

Curtis Campbell sent me this the other day. It’s an excellent speech by Art Monk as he receives his induction into the Football Hall of Fame. He’s gracious and yet incredibly open and speaks powerfully about his faith in God. 

If you love football and Jesus, you’ll enjoy this clip – click here.

We finished up a great weekend with GraceMart. We collected a massive amount of clothing, furniture, household items, appliances, books, toys, food, and whatever else for the needy. There was a deluge of people leaving with arms full and hopefully hearts touched with God’s love. 

We had some media coverage:

ABC Channel 11 Report

Chapel Hill News Article

A big huge thanks to all who generously gave time and possessions.

Nana and I spent a week in Delft, Holland visiting David and Melanie Koerts. They are ministry partners reaching their city and nation for Christ. We did a marriage seminar, and I spoke at the church on Sunday. A group from Grace Church came the following week to help with a big outreach to the city. 

You can check it out from their website: Levend Water Delft 

We took the train from Rotterdam to Paris – a three-hour bullet.  We had a blast in Paris. We were their on Bastille Day (their independence day). There was a big parade on the Champs Elysees. Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. The Louvre was open for free. We saw all the major sites. It really is an amazing city.

Here are some photos from the trip: Holland and Paris ’08

Sometimes things just come together. I had a delightful long weekend. Last Wednesday, we had a blast at the church picnic: great music, food, friends, and volleyball. 

On Thursday, Kendrick Jr. shot a 71 at Wildwood Green to win a qualifying tournament for the California Golf Tour World Championship in Myrtle Beach, SC. Steve Young and I won our flight in the member-guest at Chapel Hill Country Club. Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open in a thrilling playoff with Rocco Mediate. 

Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green are all returning for UNC, plus there are three McDonald’s All-Americans in the incoming freshman class. Oh yeah… some guy by the name of Tyler Hansbrough will be on the team too.

And… Sam Storms (Enjoying God Ministries) is here preaching this past Sunday as well as tonight and tomorrow night at Grace Church. You can listen to Sam’s messages at Grace Church’s sermon page.

This past Christmas at our staff party I ended up with the DVD “What About Bob?” It quickly became a family favorite, and I can’t tell you how many times that we’ve watched the movie this year.

We got a fish aquarium last week. All the fish have been named after “What About Bob?” characters: Gill (of course), Betty, Sigmund, Anna, Fey, Dr. Leo Marvin, and Mr. and Mrs. G. Unfortunately, we’ve lost two fish already. Fey and Anna have passed to a better place. We’ll replace them with Fey 2 and Anna 2. When I grew up I think my sister got up to Bubbles the 8th.

On a more upbeat note, here are some of my kids’ favorite “What About Bob?” quotes:

1. Dr. Leo Marvin: “I want peace and quiet in here.” Bob: “I’ll be quiet.” Holding up the peace sign, Sigmund says, “I’ll be peace.” This has become an evening ritual at our house when I put Aliesha and Gabriela down for bed.

2. Dr. Leo Marvin: “Why do you always wear black?” His son Sigmund responds, “Maybe I’m mourning for my lost childhood.”

3. Bob enjoying dinner at the Marvin’s house (eating corn on the cob). “Mmmm… Mmmm… Mrs. M. Mmmmm… is this hand shucked?”

4. As we start the day, we quote Bob: “I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful. I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful.” 

5. Baby steps.

6. Bob: “There are two types of people in this world: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don’t. My ex-wife loved him.”

7. Bob: “I’m sailing. I’m sailing. I am a sailor.”