Travel Archives - Page 5 of 11 - Jonathan's Blog From The Source

Coming to Both Coasts

Posted on: 09/6/12 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I’ve got some great opportunities for many of you on either U.S. coast, and a few places in between:

North Carolina
First, this weekend, September 8 and 9, I’ll be teaching my CONNECT workshop Saturday, preaching, and teaching my PARENTING THE TEXING GENERATION workshop Sunday near Raleigh, North Carolina. Both of these workshops are FREE. Find out more information on this web page. If you’re in the area… don’t miss out.

Michigan
The next weekend, September 15 and 16, I do the same thing. I’ll be teaching my CONNECT workshop Saturday, preaching, and teaching my PARENTING THE TEXING GENERATION workshop Sunday near Detroit. For more information about times, cost and location, click here.

Other Cities
I’m also coming to Continue reading “Coming to Both Coasts”

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A Painfully Empty House

Posted on: 07/1/12 9:52 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Wednesday I dropped off Lori, Alyssa and Ashley at the San Francisco airport with my parents where the 5 of them boarded a big bird headed to Europe where they will spend two weeks hitting Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany.

I’m torn.

Part of me is thrilled that they get to do this trip. It started when Ashley did a report for school, years ago, about Florence, Italy and some of its architecture. My dad told her that they would take her there some day. Last year, they booked it, and Alyssa and Lori wanted in! I had enough airline miles to send all three of them with my parents, so Alec and I decided to stay home.

I know Lori and the girls will have a blast touring Europe with my parents… but the house is so quiet! Alec works and hangs out with his friends a lot, so many days it’s been just me. Continue reading “A Painfully Empty House”

Posted in Family, Jonathan's Rant, Marriage, Parenting, Personal, Travel | | Leave A Comment

A Few Open Spots

Posted on: 05/23/12 10:34 AM | by Jonathan McKee

It never fails…I finish speaking in some city, and two days later I get an email, “I wish I knew you were going to be here! I would have come heard you speak!”

I love meeting my readers around the country, so here’s a glimpse at where I’ll be this coming year, and a few open spots. I’m almost booked full for 2012 and I might be coming to speak near you if you live in the U.S…. furthermore, I’ve got a great opportunity for those of you in AZ or FL who would like to bring me out, because I’m going to be there already and will speak for $1,000 off our normal price.

Let’s start with AZ. I’m going to be between Palm Springs, CA and the Phoenix, AZ area one of the last couple weeks in July (a great time to be in AZ, might I add). So if you’re in that area and would like me to speak to your church, parents or youth group, I’d love to talk with you! Use the CONTACT US button on this blog to contact me.

As for FL, I’m going to there the week of February 18-24, 2013 and could speak anytime that week, or preach and teach a parent workshop on Sunday the 24th. If you’re in FL and would be interested in me speaking at your church, CONTACT me and tell me what you’re interested in.

Last 3 Remaining Open Dates in 2012
In addition to the two specific openings mentioned above, here’s the last three weekends I have available to speak in 2012

August 10-12
September 7-9
December 1-2

Here’s my calendar for the rest of 2012 and the beginning of 2013:

June 3, 2012 (Cleveland, OH)
Understanding, Recruiting & Leading GEN Y Volunteers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Annual Conference 2012

June 17, 2012 (Carmichael, CA)
Preach, Father’s Day, Christ Community Church

July 15, 2012 (Carmichael, CA)
Preach, Christ Community Church

August 19, 2012 (Albuquerque, NM)
Preach, Parent Workshop, Eastern Hills Baptist Church

September 15, 2012 (Highland, MI)
Connect Workshop, Highland United Methodist Church

September 16, 2012 (Highland, MI)
Preach, Parent Workshop, Highland United Methodist Church

September 26, 2012 (Dallas, TX)
Training Workshops, D6 Conference

October 7, 2012 (Boise, ID)
Preach, Parent Workshop, First Baptist Church Boise

October 12-14, 2012 (San Diego, CA)
Training Workshops, Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention

October 28, 2012 (Bluffton, IN)
Preach, Parent Workshop, Hope Missionary Church

November 4, 2012 (Sidney, NE)
Preach, Parent Workshop, Sidney EV FREE Church

November 16-18, 2012 (Dallas, TX)
Training Workshops, Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention

January 18-20, 2013 (East Troy, WI)
Timberlee, WinterXtreme

February 17, 2013 (Raleigh, NC)
Preach, Parent Workshop, Speak to Teenagers, Highland Baptist Church of Raleigh

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BRINGING JONATHAN TO YOUR CITY TO SPEAK, TRAIN, OR TEACH A PARENTING WORKSHOP

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Top 10 Places to Eat in the U.S.

Posted on: 04/29/12 3:09 PM | by Jonathan McKee

I’m a simple man, with simple tastes. You won’t find me eating Sushi, and I’m not really even big on steak. When I’m traveling the country, foods like pizza, wings, and BBQ are what my pallet craves (although I also enjoy good Chinese or Mexican cuisine).

Having traveled quite a bit in the last 15 years, I’ve had the opportunity to taste many of what people describe as the most amazing pizza, the greatest burger, or the best BBQ. Tastes definitely vary. The restaurants that were truly amazing have drawn me back again and again. So it’s time I compile a list of the greatest.

These are the places I’ve discovered that I will drive out of the way just to enjoy their food:

Giordano’s Pizza, Chicago, IL (and in Tampa, FL as well). No other pizza touches Giordano’s. I’ve had all the other Chicago competitors (more about that here), and I’ve tried everything from New York to San Diego. Giordano’s is pure manna from heaven. I have considered leaving the airport on a layover and hailing a cab just to go get me some Giordano’s. My desire for Giordano’s is almost sinful.
Las Placitas, Orangevale, CA. This place is 6 minutes from my house and has the best chicken enchilada in the country. Sorry Arizona, sorry Tex Mex. Las Placitas, a true hole in the wall (it’s next door to a pawn shop) reigns. If I have a really bad day…you’ll find me here in the corner booth drowning my sorrows in a basket of chips and salsa.
Trolinger’s BBQ, Paris, TN. I’ve been to the so-called best BBQ places in Nashville and Knoxville. Honestly, I’ve been to BBQ places from Texas to both Carolinas. Sorry, no dice. Trolinger’s takes them all. Trolinger’s is nothing more than a deli in the back of a feed store in small town Paris, TN. You ask for a pulled pork samich and the lady behind the counter will ask, “Ya want slaw on it?” …and the rest is pure enjoyment. There are definitely some other great BBQ places in the U.S. The noteworthy ones are probably the Famous Dave’s chain and Sticky Fingers (in the Carolinas). But aside from Trolinger’s, the best I’ve probably tasted is Smokin’ Mo’s in Chico, CA.
Alexander’s Famous Fish Co., Kihei, HI. This dive looks like nothing more than a Long John Silvers. The meals are fried, they’re amazingly fresh, and they’re usually ordered to go (so you don’t have to sit on their dirty tables). Best unhealthily cooked fish and shrimp you’ll ever eat!
Leatherby’s Family Creamery Ice Cream Parlor, Citrus Heights, CA. Sorry Cincinnati, but as good as Graders is, I’d rather eat a Leatherby’s sundae off a locker-room floor than Graeters in a china bowl! Leatherby’s serves huge portions, extra creamy…not recommended for the lactose intolerant. Best ice cream in the nation. No comparison.
Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW), nation-wide. Before you criticize me for including a “chain restaurant” in the mix, let me just tell you, I’d be prejudice to not include them, because hands down, they have the best wings. I’ve had Native New Yorker in AZ, I’ve had Quaker State in PA, I’ve even eaten in the restaurant in Buffalo where “Buffalo Wings” were apparently invented. None of them compare. BWW is the best, hands down. My life got one notch better a year ago when one of these moved about 4 minutes from my house (and my belt got one notch bigger).
PF Changs, nation-wide. While I’m mentioning chains, I might as well include this chain of delicious Chinese restaurants. PF Changs and their sister restaurants Pei Wei are both amazing, better than most hole in the wall Chinese places.
Munchies, Ashland, OR. I had to include a breakfast place in the mix, and this breakfast place is the one that sticks out to me. The restaurant is in the basement in the main strip of the artsy little town of Ashland Oregon. My wife and I discovered it one year while at Ashland’s Shakespear Festival. Amazing omelets and a really cute atmosphere.
Legal Sea Foods, Boston, MA (and scattered places around New England). I first came upon this place in the Boston airport. Their amazing clam chowder has been served at the Presidential Inauguration of several U.S. presidents. I’m sure both coasts are full of good seafood places (I have to give a shout out to Brophy Brothers in Santa Barbara, CA, and Doogers in Cannon Beach, OR … both amazing as well), but Legal is probably my favorite.
Barefoot Grill (Part of the Hula Grill) Ka’anapali, HI. This grill is right next to the beach in Ka’anapali, right next to Whaler’s Row. The food is great and the POG drinks are fresh and amazing. I’ve actually never eaten inside, because the barefoot bar allows you to eat at a nice table with your feet literally in the sand. I’ll drive across the island to catch a lunch here (I’d do the same with Alexander’s, mentioned above, and Matteos Pizzeria. Oh man. I wish I could afford to visit that island regularly!)

That’s it!

What about you?

If you’ve eaten at any of these places, what did you think? (Be nice!)

What are your favorite places to eat across the country (Mention the CITY, STATE of the location in ALL CAPS in your comments below if you are recommending a place).

Posted in Food, Personal, Travel | | Leave A Comment

Coming to Your City

Posted on: 04/19/12 3:48 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Here’s a quick post to let you know my travel schedule so far for 2012 (because my fall calendar is already filling up). NOTE: For those of you on the west coast, I’ll be in Cali this coming weekend in Fresno, CA… then again early May at Azusa Pacific University at the FAM Conference (we just posted winners who won free registration for this conference, and you can also still get 50% discounts to that conference)…

HEAR JONATHAN IN PERSON:

April 22, 2012(Fresno, CA)
Preach, Parent Workshop, First Presbyterian Church of Fresno

April 25, 2012(Myrtle Beach, SC)
Understanding, Recruiting & Leading GEN Y Volunteers, SDVSHO Regional Conf.

May 10-12, 2012(Azusa, CA)
Teach the Parenting Track, FAM Conference

June 17, 2012(Carmichael, CA)
Preach, Father’s Day, Christ Community Church

July 15, 2012(Carmichael, CA)
Preach, Christ Community Church

August 19, 2012(Albuquerque, NM)
Preach, Parent Workshop, Eastern Hills Baptist Church

September 15, 2012(Highland, MI)
Connect Workshop, Highland United Methodist Church

September 16, 2012(Highland, MI)
Preach, Parent Workshop, Highland United Methodist Church

September 26, 2012(Dallas, TX)
Training Workshops, D6 Conference

October 7, 2012(Boise, ID)
Preach, Parent Workshop, First Baptist Church Boise

October 12-14, 2012(San Diego, CA)
Training Workshops, Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention

October 28, 2012(Bluffton, IN)
Preach, Parent Workshop, Hope Missionary Church

November 16-18, 2012(Dallas, TX)
Training Workshops, Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention

CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BRINGING JONATHAN TO YOUR CITY TO TEACH A PARENTING WORKSHOP

Posted in Parenting, Travel | | Leave A Comment

Me, Lori… and the Open Road

Posted on: 04/2/12 10:42 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Where is your dream vacation? Hawaii? The Bahamas? …Nebraska?

Yeah, I guess Nebraska isn’t exactly what you’d think of as a vacation spot, but a few months ago when my wife Lori and I looked at the calendar, we realized that my girls would be on a missions trip this week, and my son still down at college, so we’d have this week before Easter to ourselves. I was booked to do a parent workshop in “Welcome to the middle of nowhere” Nebraska (seriously, that’s what the billboard said– some of you saw me Tweet that on the way), and then we had the week to ourselves with nothing but a map and open stretch of rural highway.

So, we decided to make it a Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming vacation… and so far it’s been amazingly better than we expected!

I think the element we’ve liked the most so far is the small town diner. Saturday night we went to Ainsworth, Nebraska’s “D & B’s Diner” with the local pastor and his wife, Mick and Amber. I now realize why some places are called a “greasy spoon.” Aside from the tasty fried food, we loved the authentic small-town feel this place provided. Many of the locals were hanging out together chatting it up about the abnormally warm weather, the Cornhuskers, and some funny new video that their grandkids sent them on Facebook. A table in the middle of the restaurant was known as the community table. If you don’t have anyone to sit with, you sit there. (So awesome!)

The waitress asked Lori and I why we were there and I told her, “I’m speaking at the Evangelical Free Church tomorrow and then teaching a parent workshop.”

She smiled and said, “Oh! You’re him! I’m going to that workshop!”

You would think that Sunday would have been “work” and the rest of the week “play.” But our weekend of ministry in this small church proved to be so much more. Mick’s church brings out about 200 people from this small town of about 2000. The church has two volunteer youth leaders, Mick’s wife Amber and an amazing servant of the Lord named Stan. Both are youth leaders simply because they love kids and love God… the rest falls into place. When Lori and I had a moment to ourselves Lori commented, “You know, it’s amazing. It doesn’t matter where you go. When you meet God’s people there’s an immediate connection. We spend a few hours with them and it’s like you’ve known them forever. God’s work is so evident in people’s lives.”

After preaching in the morning, then teaching my parent workshop in the afternoon (about 80 people from the community showed up), Lori and I hit the open road heading up to Rapid City South Dakota. We stopped at a small town called Valentine and found another greasy spoon. As we sat in our small booth eating soup and cherry pie, an elderly couple stopped to talk with us on the way out. Next thing we know they sat down and joined us. Delbert is approaching 90 and owns a diner in Nebraska. He and his wife seemed to know everyone in the small town.

Soon they said their goodbyes, and Lori and I just sat and soaked in the atmosphere, a picture of a stagecoach on the wall, a rope and a saddle…the smell of BBQ. Doesn’t get much simpler than this… or friendlier.

We hit the road once again with Nebraska in the rear view mirror and South Dakota in the windshield. Rapid City has such high winds today that it’s messing up the presidents’ hair at Mt. Rushmore, but we’re still going to visit so I can take a picture of me picking George’s nose. Then tomorrow it’s off to the unusual monument in Montana known as the Devil’s Tower (think Close Encounters of the Third Kind), then South Montana, and finally Colorado. Running, hiking, picking George’s nose… eating chicken fried everything at small greasy spoons… who needs Hawaii!

Besides… I’m with Lori. We’re having a blast.

Aside from Twitter (which also posts on our TheSource4YM Facebook page), you won’t be hearing from me much this week!

Posted in Personal, Travel | | Leave A Comment

Parenting Workshops in NE, and CA

Posted on: 03/29/12 5:28 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Northern Nebraska, Fresno California, then Azusa Pacific University in Southern California… these are the next three places I’ll be teaching my parenting workshops. Come join us if you’re in driving distance, I’d love to meet you!

NEBRASKA: This weekend my wife Lori is traveling with me to smalltown Ainsworth, Nebraska. I just did a radio interview for one of their stations yesterday– good people. I preach at Ainsworth E-Free Church Sunday morning, April 1st, then do a parenting workshop that afternoon 3-5PM.

FRESNO: A few weeks later, April 22nd, I’ll be at First Presbyterian Church in Fresno, CA speaking in all their services, speaking to jr. and sr. high students between services, and then doing a parenting workshop that afternoon, 3-5PM.

AZUSA: Finally, in May 10-12, I’ll be joining my friend Doug Fields and Jim Burns at the FAM Conference where they have me teaching the parenting track. Take a peek at all the speakers and breakout seminars they have lined up at this conference– and you’ll want to consider joining us! (I’ll be blogging more about this conference soon).

CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BRINGING JONATHAN OUT TO DO A PARENTING WORKSHOP IN YOUR CITY

Posted in Parenting, Travel | | Leave A Comment

Hunger Games, Detroit, and Parenting

Posted on: 03/22/12 1:47 PM | by Jonathan McKee

This week has been a blur, and already tomorrow (Friday) I’m leaving bright and early on a plane to Detroit to teach my Connect Workshop to a network of area youth workers, to watch The Hunger Games and blog about the film, to preach on parenting Sunday AM, then teach my Parenting the Texting Generation workshop Sunday afternoon, all HERE.

If you’re wondering why I scheduled The Hunger Games into my calendar for this weekend… it’s because almost every teenager in America is talking about this film. Many young people are going to be flocking to theaters at midnight tonight (Thurs) to be the first to see the beloved fictional teenage heroine Katniss on the big screen! We’ll have three of our www.TheSource4YM.com writers there too (David, Todd and Jay), so take a peek at our movie review page at about 10:30 AM (Pacific time) Friday for a Hunger Games review! If you’ve missed all the hype about this film so far, just take a peek at my blog about it from earlier this week helping parents decide how to help their kids decide. (Yeah… I meant to say it that way). I’ll also be chiming in with my two cents about the film in my blog shortly after I see the film in Detroit on Saturday.

As for my speaking and training this weekend, if you’re in the greater Detroit area, I encourage you to come meet me at one of the venues:

– CONNECT Workshop for youth workers, Saturday, 9-2

– Preaching about parenting, Sunday morning at First Baptist Church Wyandotte

– Parenting the Texting Generation workshop, Sunday, 2:30 to 4:30PM, same church

Hope to see some of you this weekend!

Posted in Movies, Parenting, Travel, Youth Ministry Philosophy | | Leave A Comment

BBQ, Matt Chandler, LifeWay… and Jesus

Posted on: 03/14/12 4:33 PM | by Jonathan McKee

The following is a guest post from author/speaker David R. Smith after attending The Gospel Project live webcast in Nashville today:

So, I’m finally back in my hotel room, contemplating all I’ve experienced today.

I’ve spent the last 24 hours with the folks at LifeWay Publishing here in Nashville, talking with them about their brand new initiative called The Gospel Project. It’s a multi-generational approach to teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world He loves.

The last few hours have been jam-packed, to say the least. Here are just a few highlights of what we’ve experienced today:

1. Jack’s BBQ. (Yep, if you know me, then you know I search out the best BBQ in every city I speak/train in around the country.) This restaurant is literally world famous, and sits in the shadows of the attractions in Nashville, just two blocks from LifeWay. (Yeah…I’m probably going back there for dinner!)

2. Matt Chandler’s sermon/message to Christian leaders: don’t trade Jesus for the idea of Jesus. He encouraged us to not allow ourselves to get so distracted by our work for the Savior that we forget about the joy of personally knowing the Savior. A good word for anybody in ministry, regardless of the kind of ministry it is.

3. Hanging out with the folks from LifeWay. I really can’t say enough about the kind and gracious people at LifeWay. For the last day and a half, I’ve almost let myself believe I’ve achieved some sort of celebrity status. But that’s just because of the first class treatment I’ve received from them.

4. Being reminded that the Gospel changes everything.

5. Meeting up with some terrific youth pastors who use our tools offered by TheSource4YM.com. You guys are everywhere! We deeply appreciate what you do for God’s Kingdom, and that you take the time to meet up with us when we travel to your city.

6. Seeing Peyton Manning’s motorcade pass by while eating BBQ. Yep, he’s in talks with the Titans as I write this. Sorry Denver.

It’s been a great trip. Not only have I had the opportunity to hang out with Matt Chandler, Ed Stetzer, and J.D. Greear all day, but I’ll meet with a few folks from LifeWay’s publishing division tomorrow morning before flying back home to Tampa tomorrow afternoon.

We’ve spent our time together reminding each other that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is far more than behavior modification or a list of moral codes. Further, proclaiming the Gospel is more than just tagging on an altar call at the end of messages. The Gospel is the basis for the Bible’s entire message which focuses on one Hero, Jesus Christ.

I can’t wait to share that message again.

David R. Smith, co-author of Ministry By Teenagers, writes weekly resources and articles for TheSource4YM.com, speaks and trains at camps and events across the U.S…. and eats a whole lot of BBQ in his home city of Tampa, FL.

Posted in Books, Travel, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

Oh Yah! Dat’s a Good vun!

Posted on: 03/4/12 9:50 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Blame me for stereotyping, but they really do talk that way in the city of Fargo, North Dakota!

I just finished a fun weekend of speaking at a church in Fergus Falls in Minnesota, a small town about an hour’s drive from the Fargo airport. From Fargo to Fergus Falls I was immersed in Scandinavian culture. The weather is cold, the accents are thick, but the people are warm and personable.

As soon as they discovered I was from California, the response was usually, “Oh, California. Nice weather there, eh?”

That’s the thing about this northern country. It’s really easy to adapt to their language. You just need to add any one of these phrases to the end of your sentence

…eh?

…don’tcha know?

…you betcha!

Or if you really want to emphasize something…

…Ufta!

I have know idea what “Ufta” actually means, but I think it is the sound that a person riding a snowmobile makes when he crashes into a snow bank. Snowmobiling is big out here don’tcha know! (At least they aren’t like California where we just end every interaction by exclaiming, “Dude!”)

I think the cold weather here affects electronics. When I first got in my rental car, my GPS started blinking and then went black for three seconds before finally rebooting itself. I kid you not, when it came on again, the voice changed to a lady speaking German or Norwegian. I thought, Even the electronics are swayed to speak Scandinavian out here.
“Ufta!”

All said and done, the trip was really rewarding. I never saw any wood chippers, but I did hear “you betcha” more times than one could count.

Dude!

Posted in Humor, Travel | | Leave A Comment