Waiting Until the Last Minute to Plan Valentines?

According to a new national survey by HeyLets.com — the ultimate mobile app for sharing positive and memorable recommendations — 42 percent of American men who expect to have a Valentine's date do not make any plans for the big day until Feb. 11 or later.

So for all those late date planners out there, what can you do to 'wow' your sweetie even when you've got a master's degree in love procrastination?

According to HeyLets CEO Justin Parfitt — an expert on creating unforgettable everyday experiences and the former founder of a top dating company sold to PlentyofFish— guys should return the chocolates, skip the flower store, and instead plan a unique experience that she'll be bragging about to all of her friends.

Based on the HeyLets national survey, the data backs this up:

* Both men (43%) and women (46%) prefer "something creative that requires thought" as their top Valentine's Day gift.

So how can you plan a memorable date in under 5 minutes?  Justin suggests:

1. AVOID THE NEGATIVE  (TIME SAVINGS: 1 HOUR)
Don't waste your time sifting through low-star restaurant reviews on traditional review sites and apps.  Negative reviews are based on people's personal dislikes that often aren't applicable.

2. CUSTOMIZE YOUR SEARCH  (TIME SAVINGS:  45 MINUTES)
Instead of wading through suggestions by people who have totally different tastes than you and your date, first identify someone who has your same sensibilities — and see what they recommend.  (This takes only one minute using HeyLets.)

3. BE SPONTANEOUS  (TIME SAVINGS:  30 MINUTES)
It's great to have plans in place, but after you've hit your first spot why not do something memorable in the moment?  Using apps like HeyLets, you can see what other daters are doing right now and pick and choose from the best.

What I Learned Running for Political Office

This past election season I decided to throw my hat in the ring and run for a seat on my county's school board.  What an amazing experience!  This is one item that I can definitely cross off my bucket list!

Throughout this process there were a number of things that I learned - about myself, my faith, politics and leadership.  Here are 10 things that came to mind:

1. The people of my county are diverse and extraordinary!
2. I have a better appreciation for the administrators, faculty and staff of our school system and the challenges they face.
3. Run a campaign for your own reasons and not on someone else's agenda.
4. There are certain legalities to running a political campaign - know what they are and how they affect your career.
5. Running a serious campaign takes money. Seeking political office is not cheap.
6. No matter how clearly you communicate someone will always misunderstand you or twist what you have said.
7. Work the DATA! Understand who your constituents are.
8. Surround yourself with prayer warriors and wise counsel.
9. No matter what - stay true to your convictions; you still have to look at yourself in the mirror each morning.
10. There's nothing that can take the place of a supportive family - especially an encouraging wife!
11. No matter how everything turns out, win or lose, God is still sovereign!

There are probably other lessons that I learned during this campaign but these are the ones that really stood out. If you are thinking about running for office I urge to get alone with God and pray it out. Then get with your spouse and pray some more.  Not matter what office you seek it's a big step!

Update at 9pm, July 22, 2014:
I've been watching the returns and I am humbled by the confidence voters of Barrow County District 4 have expressed in allowing me to serve them as their representative on the Board of Education.  With God's help and their input I hope to be their voice.  I want to thank Mr. Dunn for his service on the board and I look forward to his input in the transition process.  Thank you Barrow County for your vote!!

As It Was in The Days of Noah

Last March the movie Noah, starring actor Russell Crowe, hit the the theaters amid controversy and skepticism.  But what can we learn from the biblical account of Noah and what it means to our culture today?  Are there clues to end prophecy found there?  That's what Jeff Kinley, pastor and author, has attempted to do in his latest book, As It Was in The Days of Noah.

Here are some of the clues that Jeff found:

• Rapid economic decline
• Increase in violence
• Compromised personal information
• Uninhibited sexuality
• Persecution of Believers
• Growing departure of people from the church

I had the honor of talking with Jeff about his book and what we can learn from Noah.  To listen to my interview please click here.

Brian Brown-Rescued

A private outing in the family Sessna takes a dangerous turn and what happens in the next 15 hours showed the Brown family that God had other things in mind.  A great read, Rescued: One Family's Miraculous Story, will encourage your heart that God still does miracles and that there are no consequences.



I had the chance to talk with Brian about that weekend and what he and his family learned about God and each other. Click the link and hear from Brian himself and what it meant to him to be rescued - Brian Brown-Rescued

Downton Abbey - A Measure of Excellence

Over the past several weeks I've been able to catch up on my new favorite television show, "Downton Abbey."  Yes - you read that right! I am a huge fan! (I'll return my man-card!) It's only been recently that I got hooked on this show that takes place post World War I in an age where being proper and having a sense of honor and excellence was had by most. I love Maggie Smith's character the most!!

I'm learning a lot about what it means to strive for excellence.  It seems every character in the show instills some type of excellence.  Now, mind you, not every person on the show is someone that I want my kids to model (O'Brien and Thomas come to mind), but even those characters knows what it means to be proper and to do their job well. The show is filled with values and character traits that seem to be missing in out culture.  Let me give you a few examples:

1. Benevloence
2. Chilvary
3. Honor
4. Charity
5. Loyalty
6. Purpose
7. Self-sacrifce

There are many others, but these stand out to me personally.  So the question is - how do you measure excellence? At what bar do you strive for?  I urge to catch a few episodes of the show and begin to look for ways in which you can instill some of these "classic" values in your life.