phillipmccart.com

Should Be the End

This Thanksgiving week has been great.  I've spent a ton of time with my girls and got to see our family.  Not to mention spending some fun times with AJ and Allison and last night at the movies with the Rheaumes.  So how do I plan on ending this great week?  By watching my Irish get demolished.  You see, I'm one of the biggest Notre Dame fans you'll meet (in the South at least).  I'm what true Notre Dame fans call "Subway Alumni."  That's a fan who isn't a Domer (actual alumni).  The difference between most national Irish fans and me is that I'm also a realist.

Tonight the Irish play the annual "Jeweled Shilelagh" game.  Every year Notre Dame and USC (Southern Cal) play.  While we (ND) hold the overall winning record in the series Southern Cal has won nine of the last twelve and will extend the current streak to seven wins in a row. 

My hopes are that ND will hold SC to under fifty points.  I'm also hoping for a touchdown or two.  If either of these two things happen I will be surprised.  The thing I've had to remind myself of this year is that we were 3-9 last year.  Even though the scene was set for a possible ten win season (should have beat UNC, PITT, SYR, & BC), I asked for an even season and the Irish have delivered.  I'd like to remind everyone that we have a Sophomore QB, RB, WR along with a freshman WR and a very young OL. 

Next year I am expecting a ten win season and possibly better with an open date on schedule and competitive games against MSU and USC.  So I say all this to say, come to my house tonight and watch this miserable game with me.  We're odering pizza and at least I'll enjoy the company of friends.  Seriously, come over!

Happy Thanksgiving

Little did I know this time last year that the stress and transition in my life wasn't eve close to over.  So after what was possibly the most difficult year so far, emotionally at least, I find myself unbelievably grateful for where God has placed us.  Here's what I'm thankful for and thinking about today:

1. My very costly salvation through Jesus Christ.

2. My beautiful wife.

3. This beautiful Indian and Gorgeous Pilgrim.

4.  Our extended family that have been such an amazing support system this year.

5.  The difficult lessons learned that have helped me become a better servant, husband, father and man.

6. Our Atlanta/North Point friends that have continued to care for us.

7. Our Elevation friends who still pour into us after such a quick season in Charlotte.

8. Northwood Church.  I really can't express how grateful and excited I am that God has brought us here.

9. My NSM team.  Thanks Kevin, AJ, Brian and Anita.  God has great things in store!

10. NSM volunteers.  You've trusted our team and I believe you will be audience to the most amazing movement Charleston has ever seen.  Thank you for serving with us.

11. Our country.  We have a peaceful transition of power and men and women fighting to protect our freedom.

12. The great things God will do in 2009.  I believe great things are in store.  It's going to be something our children's children remember. 

Turkey Outreach Video

Here is the slideshow we used Sunday night. The band performed Eddie Kirkland's "Sweetest Mystery" while on the screen we used pictures of our students giving out the turkey dinners. This was a very powerful moment at The Avenue. You'll hear Eddie singing on this video. Enjoy.

Holiday Traditions

I'm going to share some of our McCart Holiday Family Traditions over the next few weeks.  Tonight I'm beginning what I hope will become an annual tradition with my children and me.  Savannah Grace and I are staying up late (for her), eating chocolate chip cookies and watching "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."  What are your traditions?

Turkey Outreach

Each year Northwood Church uses the Thanksgiving holiday as an opportunity to show the generosity of God to Charleston.  Because of the compassion and willingness of hundreds of people and dozens of corporations, we were able to deliver over 1500 boxes of food complete with a turkey to people all over the city.  It was an honor to be a part of this ministry and I have never been more proud of my students and volunteers as I watched them reach out to this city with the heart of Christ.  Thank you Rodney, Robbie, Maria and Mikey for all the hard work leading this ministry.  Thank you to our Pastor and leadership for allowing us to be "the Church" to our city.  Thank you to all our students and volunteers for putting feet to your faith.  So the video seems to be non-cooperative. I'll try to post it tomorrow. Sorry everyone.

Life

Here are a couple of things I'm very excited about:

1. THANKSGIVING!!!!
2. CHRISTMAS: decorations, music, food, parties, series, morning.
3. Northwood Academy winning the football State Championship.
4. How much time I've been able to spend with my girls lately.
5. What God is going to do in 2009.

By the way, how stinkin cute are these pics of Rylee?  I'm in serious trouble.

Stomp @ The Element

Last night to end our "RHYTHM" series we brought a little stomp.  I was pretty happy with how our guys did.  We had two rehearsals and then we just went for it.  The first clip is our intro.  For some reason the sounds kind of cuts out in the middle but you can still get the gist of it.  The second clip is the bridge of our first song in the worship set.  We came out of the stomp routine and went straight into the worship set.  After the first song we transitioned with a video and played the rest of the set without the stomp guys.  Hope you enjoy it.  We had a lot of fun. Double click to play the videos.

Don't Miss This

Whatever your plans are for Wednesday night you’re going to want to make sure they include attending The Element.  Trust me, you do not want to miss this week at The Element.  We’re in the middle of a series called “RHYTHM” and we have some incredible stuff planned.  Beg your parents, drag your friends, do whatever you have to and get to Northwood Church at 7:15 pm Wednesday night.

Fun With Photoshop

I've been working on some logo ideas for Northwood Student Ministry.  I love all the free resources.  Maybe I can figure out what I'm looking for and then get someone who knows what they're doing to create one of these for real.  What do you think?  Which one is your favorite?

No-Shave-ember

This is your invitation.  Video below, double click to play.