I'm in Portland enjoying a couple of days with my Dad. I think this is the first time in decades that we've been able to spend this kind of time alone together. It's been nothing short of great!
We're at a conference together here in the Rose City. One of the leaders knows my Pop from previous meetings. They remarked about how great of a guy my Dad is, and how they always look forward to seeing some people, and not so forward to seeing others. They are so right...about my Pop!
Tomorrow he sticks me back on an airplane for sunny Central Oregon. Sunny that is, between the snow storms we've been having this year! Oh yes, I can hardly wait to get the snow shovel back in my hand...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Anxious
I did what we all do.
I'm on my way to Portland for a two day conference. I'm flying, due to circumstances related to the weather and schedule. I figured that I would need to leave the house at 12:45 PM in order to give appropriate time to do all the TSA requirements. So I jumped in the truck and headed out, four minutes late.
I'm anxious, so I'll make up some time with some 'anxious' driving...
It turned out I couldn't even do that right.
I took the back road to north HWY 97 toward Redmond. It generally cuts off about 10 minutes from not running through town. I arrived near the exit onto the highway and that's where it was. Strategically positioned across the road was the new, 30-minute-delay train.
I shifted into park so I could 'anxiously' wait.
It was about this time that I remembered the article in the paper last week about the doubling up of trains due to the weather, and the resulting half-hour delay.
Now I'm really late...
So I turned around and 'anxiously' headed back. I drove all the way back to Bend, then onto HWY 97 and back up toward Redmond. It only took 25 minutes to get back to where I would have been. Of course it was at this point that I looked over and saw the last of the long line of cars released by the train, enter the highway just ahead of me. The half-an-hour train delay turned into 23 minutes.
I started to laugh...as I got hold of my anxious heart...
I was laughing because my anxiety had gotten me nowhere. Well, at least to not a very good place! I was laughing too because I realized what I was doing to myself -- moving fully into stress and the things that come from that human affliction. At this point I had to come to grip with the fact that I was late and there wasn't anything I could do about that.
Let it go big guy, let it go...
I was laughing because I know the Bible has a lot to say about anxiety. Psalm 139 says,
Lord, I think I had a test today...and help me function in the "way everlasting."
Proverbs 12:25 says,
Lord, I sure don't want to weigh anymore...
And then we see this from the depressed guy who wrote Ecclesiastes:
Yup, the anxiousness we put on ourselves leads to being tired all the time...
And lastly we see this in Philippians:
Basically, this passage means we should be in God's presence instead of worrying about stuff. There's nothing like having your heart and mind guarded by God...who helps us see beyond the hard stuff we so often make too big a deal of.
And so, I did make the airport...long enough to 'hurry-up-and-wait'...and write this blog. Go figure.
I'm on my way to Portland for a two day conference. I'm flying, due to circumstances related to the weather and schedule. I figured that I would need to leave the house at 12:45 PM in order to give appropriate time to do all the TSA requirements. So I jumped in the truck and headed out, four minutes late.
I'm anxious, so I'll make up some time with some 'anxious' driving...
It turned out I couldn't even do that right.
I took the back road to north HWY 97 toward Redmond. It generally cuts off about 10 minutes from not running through town. I arrived near the exit onto the highway and that's where it was. Strategically positioned across the road was the new, 30-minute-delay train.
I shifted into park so I could 'anxiously' wait.
It was about this time that I remembered the article in the paper last week about the doubling up of trains due to the weather, and the resulting half-hour delay.
Now I'm really late...
So I turned around and 'anxiously' headed back. I drove all the way back to Bend, then onto HWY 97 and back up toward Redmond. It only took 25 minutes to get back to where I would have been. Of course it was at this point that I looked over and saw the last of the long line of cars released by the train, enter the highway just ahead of me. The half-an-hour train delay turned into 23 minutes.
I started to laugh...as I got hold of my anxious heart...
I was laughing because my anxiety had gotten me nowhere. Well, at least to not a very good place! I was laughing too because I realized what I was doing to myself -- moving fully into stress and the things that come from that human affliction. At this point I had to come to grip with the fact that I was late and there wasn't anything I could do about that.
Let it go big guy, let it go...
I was laughing because I know the Bible has a lot to say about anxiety. Psalm 139 says,
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Lord, I think I had a test today...and help me function in the "way everlasting."
Proverbs 12:25 says,
An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.
but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 12:25 NIV
Lord, I sure don't want to weigh anymore...
And then we see this from the depressed guy who wrote Ecclesiastes:
What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 NIV
Yup, the anxiousness we put on ourselves leads to being tired all the time...
And lastly we see this in Philippians:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Basically, this passage means we should be in God's presence instead of worrying about stuff. There's nothing like having your heart and mind guarded by God...who helps us see beyond the hard stuff we so often make too big a deal of.
And so, I did make the airport...long enough to 'hurry-up-and-wait'...and write this blog. Go figure.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Joe Chotard Memorial Scheduled
Dear Friend,
Last Thursday a beloved member of Faith received the ultimate healing by going to heaven to be with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Joe Chotard was an outstanding example of being a servant of Christ. His memorial service will be held Saturday, February 9th at 10:30 AM at Faith. I encourage everyone to attend.
Joe was a giver in so many ways. He went on numerous missions trips and was a member of Full Gospel Businessman's Fellowship here in Bend. I knew Joe for nine years. He was always quick with a smile and was committed to God and the people at Faith. He was faithful and generous in his tithes and offerings. He served as one of our head ushers along with being a greeter. Joe also counted the offering and made the church deposit. Yes he knew what everyone gave and never said a word. He also served several terms on the church board. It was in one of those meetings that we had to pass a motion that "no one older than 75 could run a jackhammer at the church." Yup. That's exactly what we caught him doing on a project a few years ago! And no, he wasn't happy about our concern for him...or the wrath of his lovely wife Glenva if she ever found out.
Joe was the guy I always found up on a ladder around the church...and would have to scold him about being up so high! He just never quit serving. He was the kind of guy you would find quietly working on the building without being asked or told what to do. His heart was in this place. I can see Joe's handiwork EVERYWHERE.
He's also the only guy I ever knew who was wildly successfully at raising tomato's in Central Oregon. He would bring his overflow to the church for the staff to have. They were the best you've ever tasted.
I think what I will miss most about him are those times he would bring in a letter from a missionary that he supported. I knew it was important to him, and always made it a point to read the correspondence. The overriding issue is that Joe loved the work of God.
I am richer because of him.
He will be greatly missed. I know it to be true, and it's what everyone around me is saying too. But the good news is that for the Christian, we will all see him again soon...
Last Thursday a beloved member of Faith received the ultimate healing by going to heaven to be with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Joe Chotard was an outstanding example of being a servant of Christ. His memorial service will be held Saturday, February 9th at 10:30 AM at Faith. I encourage everyone to attend.
Joe was a giver in so many ways. He went on numerous missions trips and was a member of Full Gospel Businessman's Fellowship here in Bend. I knew Joe for nine years. He was always quick with a smile and was committed to God and the people at Faith. He was faithful and generous in his tithes and offerings. He served as one of our head ushers along with being a greeter. Joe also counted the offering and made the church deposit. Yes he knew what everyone gave and never said a word. He also served several terms on the church board. It was in one of those meetings that we had to pass a motion that "no one older than 75 could run a jackhammer at the church." Yup. That's exactly what we caught him doing on a project a few years ago! And no, he wasn't happy about our concern for him...or the wrath of his lovely wife Glenva if she ever found out.
Joe was the guy I always found up on a ladder around the church...and would have to scold him about being up so high! He just never quit serving. He was the kind of guy you would find quietly working on the building without being asked or told what to do. His heart was in this place. I can see Joe's handiwork EVERYWHERE.
He's also the only guy I ever knew who was wildly successfully at raising tomato's in Central Oregon. He would bring his overflow to the church for the staff to have. They were the best you've ever tasted.
I think what I will miss most about him are those times he would bring in a letter from a missionary that he supported. I knew it was important to him, and always made it a point to read the correspondence. The overriding issue is that Joe loved the work of God.
I am richer because of him.
He will be greatly missed. I know it to be true, and it's what everyone around me is saying too. But the good news is that for the Christian, we will all see him again soon...
Posing for My 'Before' Picture
I'm working on this Sunday's message with an eye on last week. Two days ago we covered what people have been calling, "The Fat Sermon." It was about the whole issue of our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9) and how we are supposed to be good stewards of our bodies so that God can use us in greater ways. God was good Sunday as the message was well received.
And am I ever grateful...!
I wonder what the response would have been if I myself were not a 'big man'? What if we would have left the humor out? What if we would have left all of the 'skinny people' off the hook as well? If I preach this topic again in a few years and have lost a significant amount of weight, will I need to do so with a 'before' picture behind me on the PowerPoint presentation?
I know these are not the smartest questions, but I submit that money and weight are the two hardest topics to share from the pulpit.
Among the numerous positive comments, I received an e-mail today of someone at Faith who was greatly effected by the message. Great change is on the horizon in their life as they've committed themselves to an accountability partner and doing some specific things to get healthy. The person's goals are lofty, but the point is that they just want to get better.
Boy, that one made my week!
This is not a get-thin-or-get-fit-in-seven-days program. It's about being good to your body all the days of your life. This Sunday we will once again have our healthy eating counselors and consultants in the South Foyer, along with numerous ideas and tools you can use to help regain control of this area of your life. This weekend as we talk about "The Biggest Winner" and again return to the issue of the body, we'll be discussing the sins of the flesh. It's just another way we can get healthy, by gaining control over the appetites that so easily entangle us.
The clicking sound? It's just me posing for my 'before' picture...
And am I ever grateful...!
I wonder what the response would have been if I myself were not a 'big man'? What if we would have left the humor out? What if we would have left all of the 'skinny people' off the hook as well? If I preach this topic again in a few years and have lost a significant amount of weight, will I need to do so with a 'before' picture behind me on the PowerPoint presentation?
I know these are not the smartest questions, but I submit that money and weight are the two hardest topics to share from the pulpit.
Among the numerous positive comments, I received an e-mail today of someone at Faith who was greatly effected by the message. Great change is on the horizon in their life as they've committed themselves to an accountability partner and doing some specific things to get healthy. The person's goals are lofty, but the point is that they just want to get better.
Boy, that one made my week!
This is not a get-thin-or-get-fit-in-seven-days program. It's about being good to your body all the days of your life. This Sunday we will once again have our healthy eating counselors and consultants in the South Foyer, along with numerous ideas and tools you can use to help regain control of this area of your life. This weekend as we talk about "The Biggest Winner" and again return to the issue of the body, we'll be discussing the sins of the flesh. It's just another way we can get healthy, by gaining control over the appetites that so easily entangle us.
The clicking sound? It's just me posing for my 'before' picture...
Monday, January 28, 2008
Hallelujah!
I don't know who is more disappointed today, our 16 year-old or my wife and I.
Tami and I were supposed to head over to Seaside for an outstanding pastor's conference. It is an event that is unbelievably excellent, something we look forward to very much. It was also the first time that we were leaving the 16 year-old at home and in charge!
Gulp.
So it started snowing. It continued snowing. There is more snow in the forecast. Did I mention that it has been snowing?
And so, we would have been driving where we really had no business driving, leaving three children at home, whose sole source of transportation to and from school is a 16 year-old who got his license last Wednesday (see Wednesday, January 23, 2008, "Heaven Help Us").
Mom was reeeeeally nervous...
When I canceled the trip, I could see the relief overwhelm my wife's entire body. For me it was about the drive over and back; for her it was about leaving her babies at home alone for the first time. Babies? The boy is 6'2" and gainfully and responsibly employed.
Actually the boy does pretty well, as does the front wheel drive '91 Ford Taurus with a 'seen better days' six banger under the hood. It also has new rubber. Driving in the snow is not a race and I don't believe for a moment that a drag is possible on dry pavement with our 'dentable' find of a year ago. No guts under the hood and no point in spending the money to make it go faster.
It ALL makes my wife shout, "Hallelujah...!"
Tami and I were supposed to head over to Seaside for an outstanding pastor's conference. It is an event that is unbelievably excellent, something we look forward to very much. It was also the first time that we were leaving the 16 year-old at home and in charge!
Gulp.
So it started snowing. It continued snowing. There is more snow in the forecast. Did I mention that it has been snowing?
And so, we would have been driving where we really had no business driving, leaving three children at home, whose sole source of transportation to and from school is a 16 year-old who got his license last Wednesday (see Wednesday, January 23, 2008, "Heaven Help Us").
Mom was reeeeeally nervous...
When I canceled the trip, I could see the relief overwhelm my wife's entire body. For me it was about the drive over and back; for her it was about leaving her babies at home alone for the first time. Babies? The boy is 6'2" and gainfully and responsibly employed.
Actually the boy does pretty well, as does the front wheel drive '91 Ford Taurus with a 'seen better days' six banger under the hood. It also has new rubber. Driving in the snow is not a race and I don't believe for a moment that a drag is possible on dry pavement with our 'dentable' find of a year ago. No guts under the hood and no point in spending the money to make it go faster.
It ALL makes my wife shout, "Hallelujah...!"
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Glenn's Overview
To conclude the posts from our missions trip to Mexico of a week ago, I've asked one of our team, Glenn, to write a synopsis from his perspective. I hope you enjoy this!
Art goes over the do's and don'ts around the pool after we settle into our rooms. He reiterates’ thatTijuana
Art goes over the do's and don'ts around the pool after we settle into our rooms. He reiterates’ that
Our project this year is a continuation of last year's mission. Pastor Jorge and Rosa Ramirez at Bethania Assembly of God in
During last year's trip, an individual who hung around the church because he enjoyed the company, was led to accept Jesus by Troy Dimmit. We were overjoyed to see that La Lo was still there, providing security to the church and sleeping there. La Lo speaks perfect English and has a nefarious background including many years spent in prison. We vow to get him some batteries for his hearing aid because he is deaf without them and does not heed our "look out" cry which resulted in him being nailed in the lower back by a falling piece of plywood. He walks it off and is his energetic self shortly. I give him 5 bucks to eat out and he is very appreciative advising me the next morning that I will surely go straight to heaven by his estimation.
A small note about the
Our evenings are spent together, eating out at familiar restaurants topped by evening devotions.
Our annual outing to the beach town of
Art advises that Raphael (who operates the orphanage with Alejandro, his wife) is a mechanic specializing in transmissions. Raphael will meet us in the morning to make an assessment. Raphael arrives early and advises that the transmission will have to be replaced. We feel that our best option lies in purchasing a new one from the U.S. side and Art takes Mike Sellers and a few of the others across the border to search for one after dropping off the bus at Raphael's shop. The Transmission is located in
During the time that the group was searching for a transmission, the rest of us observed 50 or so policeman arrive in pickup trucks outside our hotel room and disperse on the main street below our room. The police were accompanied by the army equipped with a Humvee mounting a 50
Many other activities and exciting adventures were experienced by our group during this trip. We looked for God and seen Him work, we were recognized by the church in
Awards
I'm closing the book on my blogs from last week's mission's trip to Mexico. I'll post one more, a synopsis of the trip by another team member after this. The following is a list of awards, written last week.
I've been thinking about our bunch and conclude and confer the following awards based on personality and activity during this adventure:
Paul was a tremendous asset to the team this year, his first trip with us. He is a concrete finisher by trade, which was extremely useful the last day when he finished a slab. However, during the week he had one hit and several near misses for getting hurt when working with one of our other guys. Therefore Paul is bestowed with,
One of our trip veterans and a retired law-enforcement officer, Glenn continues to amaze with his range of skills on the job site. While being able to revert back to his former profession in a moment, he also has a heart the size of Montana. Therefore Glenn is bestowed with,
It was Kelley's second trip with us. At home she has an eye for detail and is the one people call when decorating their home. She's a hard worker whose heart is moved by the love of Christ. She also spent the vast majority of her time painting 'I' beams in the present sanctuary, and future fellowship hall of the church. The color was red. Therefore Kelley is bestowed with,
Brian was a newby this year. He was also the one whom it was difficult to get a word in edgewise because he was always talking. His wit and laughter kept us all going in the midst of some very difficult manual labor. He also was the key lifter of concrete buckets, pulling hundreds of buckets up 18 feet to the last pour site. All the guys gave their reverence by calling him, "an animal." In the best tense of course! But the clincher was lobster night. In Mexico it is customary on the Pacific coast to deep fry the lobster whole, and then cut it the entire length. It is served in halves...guts and all. Guess who ate guts and all? Yup. Therefore Brian is bestowed with the,
We were totally grossed out.
This was Tom's second trip. He was also a main hoister of concrete, from the ground to the second floor. Tom is one of those happy-go-lucky guys who is big and strong enough to do about anything, but so kind hearted that he can melt at the sight of a kid selling Chicklets to help support their family. Tom's way of dealing with the language barrier is to speak English and add an 'o' on the end, thereby 'spanish-izing' the word. I think you get it. Therefore Tom is bestowed with,
Kay is no stranger to missions trips. But she generally goes on the youth ones. I think it's to feel younger. She worked so hard this trip, I think she came to an accurate realization of her true age...which will NOT be mentioned here. She worked the ground end of the bucket brigade, working through the pain of a bum knee. Therefore Kay is bestowed with the,
Mike is another long-time veteran of our trips, and also one of our biggest eaters. He's a truck driver by trade whom I think might own a hammer, but that's about it. But he's always a huge help. He steps in wherever he can and always does his best. On our first day we moved 40' 'I' beams. There came a point where he was the only one who could reach the end as the beams were being leveraged from the ground to the second story. Therefore Mike is bestowed with the,
He saved our corporate necks.
Ashley is one of two students who came with us, and all this construction was a new experience. But she quickly found her place as...a bucket catcher. That's right. The concrete would be emptied from the buckets and tossed down from story to story. After a few misses, she caught on quickly and proved quite valuable to the team. Therefore Ashley is bestowed with the,
Trent was our other student who came with us, and was also the slightest built of the team. He mixed concrete and filled buckets among other things. The boy worked hard. But he will be remembered for something else on this trip, having consumed 28 tacos at Los Poblanos. Therefore Trent is bestowed with the,
It was John's second trip with us. He was also the oldest member of our team, and the oldest that our missionaries have ever had on a team. John is one of those guys who is an inspiration to have with us. Everyone loves him, and he remains a steady servant. While the manual labor was beyond him, he was the guy who counted the shovel fulls of sand and gravel into the cement mixer, among other things. Therefore John is bestowed with the,
The last person is Jeff, another veteran of our trips. He's one of those guys who is in the construction industry, is build like a strong horse, and can do just about anything. He first ran the electric jackhammer, and later spend most of his time on the air jackhammer. Therefore Jeff is bestowed with,
That about covers it. It was a great and marvelous adventure. We do these trips, not because of what we're able to do for the church we serve, but because of what God does in our hearts as a result. It makes us see life in a different way, increasing our faith and drawing our hearts toward the fields that are ripe for harvest...both abroad and in Bend.
I've been thinking about our bunch and conclude and confer the following awards based on personality and activity during this adventure:
Paul was a tremendous asset to the team this year, his first trip with us. He is a concrete finisher by trade, which was extremely useful the last day when he finished a slab. However, during the week he had one hit and several near misses for getting hurt when working with one of our other guys. Therefore Paul is bestowed with,
"Remind Me to Think Twice About Working Near Jeff" Award
One of our trip veterans and a retired law-enforcement officer, Glenn continues to amaze with his range of skills on the job site. While being able to revert back to his former profession in a moment, he also has a heart the size of Montana. Therefore Glenn is bestowed with,
"In Between 'Stink-Eye's,' the Long Gaze of Why What We're Doing, Matters" Award
It was Kelley's second trip with us. At home she has an eye for detail and is the one people call when decorating their home. She's a hard worker whose heart is moved by the love of Christ. She also spent the vast majority of her time painting 'I' beams in the present sanctuary, and future fellowship hall of the church. The color was red. Therefore Kelley is bestowed with,
"All I Can See is Red, Red, Red, Red, Red, RED...Oh, I Spilled the Can on Myself" Award
Brian was a newby this year. He was also the one whom it was difficult to get a word in edgewise because he was always talking. His wit and laughter kept us all going in the midst of some very difficult manual labor. He also was the key lifter of concrete buckets, pulling hundreds of buckets up 18 feet to the last pour site. All the guys gave their reverence by calling him, "an animal." In the best tense of course! But the clincher was lobster night. In Mexico it is customary on the Pacific coast to deep fry the lobster whole, and then cut it the entire length. It is served in halves...guts and all. Guess who ate guts and all? Yup. Therefore Brian is bestowed with the,
"Most Likely" Award
We were totally grossed out.
This was Tom's second trip. He was also a main hoister of concrete, from the ground to the second floor. Tom is one of those happy-go-lucky guys who is big and strong enough to do about anything, but so kind hearted that he can melt at the sight of a kid selling Chicklets to help support their family. Tom's way of dealing with the language barrier is to speak English and add an 'o' on the end, thereby 'spanish-izing' the word. I think you get it. Therefore Tom is bestowed with,
"Oh, Oh It's Tom-oh" Award
Kay is no stranger to missions trips. But she generally goes on the youth ones. I think it's to feel younger. She worked so hard this trip, I think she came to an accurate realization of her true age...which will NOT be mentioned here. She worked the ground end of the bucket brigade, working through the pain of a bum knee. Therefore Kay is bestowed with the,
"Loyal Order of the Bucket Brigade" Award
Mike is another long-time veteran of our trips, and also one of our biggest eaters. He's a truck driver by trade whom I think might own a hammer, but that's about it. But he's always a huge help. He steps in wherever he can and always does his best. On our first day we moved 40' 'I' beams. There came a point where he was the only one who could reach the end as the beams were being leveraged from the ground to the second story. Therefore Mike is bestowed with the,
"Long Armed Man at the End of the Beam" Award
He saved our corporate necks.
Ashley is one of two students who came with us, and all this construction was a new experience. But she quickly found her place as...a bucket catcher. That's right. The concrete would be emptied from the buckets and tossed down from story to story. After a few misses, she caught on quickly and proved quite valuable to the team. Therefore Ashley is bestowed with the,
"Construction Princess from Bend" Award
Trent was our other student who came with us, and was also the slightest built of the team. He mixed concrete and filled buckets among other things. The boy worked hard. But he will be remembered for something else on this trip, having consumed 28 tacos at Los Poblanos. Therefore Trent is bestowed with the,
"Venti-ocho" Award
It was John's second trip with us. He was also the oldest member of our team, and the oldest that our missionaries have ever had on a team. John is one of those guys who is an inspiration to have with us. Everyone loves him, and he remains a steady servant. While the manual labor was beyond him, he was the guy who counted the shovel fulls of sand and gravel into the cement mixer, among other things. Therefore John is bestowed with the,
"Most Likely to Breath the Fumes of the Cement Mixer and be the Last Guy to Know that He's Flying Higher than a Tijuana Cat on a Hot Wire" Award
The last person is Jeff, another veteran of our trips. He's one of those guys who is in the construction industry, is build like a strong horse, and can do just about anything. He first ran the electric jackhammer, and later spend most of his time on the air jackhammer. Therefore Jeff is bestowed with,
"He IS the Man" Award
That about covers it. It was a great and marvelous adventure. We do these trips, not because of what we're able to do for the church we serve, but because of what God does in our hearts as a result. It makes us see life in a different way, increasing our faith and drawing our hearts toward the fields that are ripe for harvest...both abroad and in Bend.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Hitting the Wall
This blog was written while on a missions trip to Mexico the week of January 12-19. It is our sixth such trip for Faith Christan Center, working with the same great missionaries, Art & Joyce Stoneking. This entry is from January 16.
It's such a guy thing...
Today we'll have a return to jackhammering the old foundation of the church and have four guys chopping at the bit to grab hold of that thing. But it will also likely be a 'hurry-up-and wait' day for most of the team. The project is at a transition point. Basically, we'll be stripping the forms from 40' in the air, and doing a bunch of straightening up, transitioning for the last day of our adventure. 6:15 AM
It's the end of the day and we've just had team devotions. About half of our group has left for an excellent coffee stand about three blocks away. I don't know how people do it, getting their caffeine fix 20 minutes before calling it a day. On the other hand I recall seeing more frapachino's than of hot drinks.
I think it must be all about the whipped cream drizzled with chocolate sauce...
As predicted, we 'hit the wall' at about 2 PM. We ran out of things to do as the work bogged down because of the need for specialized prep to create the next wave of activity. That means about three people working and nine people looking for something to do. But it was a welcome reprieve after the previous two hard days of manual labor. Basically, if we were working on this project at our home, nine people would have been watching television while the other three worked. It's just our culture. I'm very impressed with our team though; everyone found something to do on their own. Our people looked around and found little, mundane things to occupy time, mostly busy work.
This was also taco night, and the gang has been talking about our annual eating contest all week. At our favorite stand, Los Poblanos, a new record was achieved by our token 14 year old, Trent. Basically how the whole thing works is that the meat is served in large styrofoam containers, the same that you would use to take home leftovers from a restaurant. It comes mounded. You take your six-inch tortilla, lay it on top of the meat and grab what you can. Then you apply your condiments on top. The flavor of the tacos is incredible, the pork cut from a rotating spit is something you just don't get at home in Bend, or anywhere else I'm aware of in Oregon.
Back to the contest. I'd very much like to write his name in stone, that Trent's feat of 28 tacos was surely awesome. But the overall lack of opportunity for access to meat at all areas of the table hampered about half of our big eaters. If you're sitting in the middle of the table, you can reach for food from both ends. If you're at an end, you waited a lot for the food. Trent and Mike were sitting in the middle. They would pile four or more tacos at a time. Those big eaters at the end could only get two at a time.
Needless to say, grown men were depressed and frustrated.
We attended the mid-week service at the church. It was wonderful and full of the presence of God. Every worship song they sang, we've sung at Faith. The church gave our team a number of gifts, mostly hand crafted items. It was great to be with their people.
Mike led team devotions tonight, sharing on what Americans like us all find to be true about Mexican Christians. They have so few material things, but have an incredible wealth when it comes to following the leading of the Holy Spirit. These people work hard for so little, but are rich because of their dependency on God to provide for their daily needs and huge, impossible projects like the church we're working on.
I thought about this simple but disturbing fact, that we Americans busy ourselves so much with our own self-importance that we don't appreciate the leading of the Spirit like our friends. It's scary, but too often we have everything but the wisdom to hear from God. 10 PM
It's such a guy thing...
Today we'll have a return to jackhammering the old foundation of the church and have four guys chopping at the bit to grab hold of that thing. But it will also likely be a 'hurry-up-and wait' day for most of the team. The project is at a transition point. Basically, we'll be stripping the forms from 40' in the air, and doing a bunch of straightening up, transitioning for the last day of our adventure. 6:15 AM
It's the end of the day and we've just had team devotions. About half of our group has left for an excellent coffee stand about three blocks away. I don't know how people do it, getting their caffeine fix 20 minutes before calling it a day. On the other hand I recall seeing more frapachino's than of hot drinks.
I think it must be all about the whipped cream drizzled with chocolate sauce...
As predicted, we 'hit the wall' at about 2 PM. We ran out of things to do as the work bogged down because of the need for specialized prep to create the next wave of activity. That means about three people working and nine people looking for something to do. But it was a welcome reprieve after the previous two hard days of manual labor. Basically, if we were working on this project at our home, nine people would have been watching television while the other three worked. It's just our culture. I'm very impressed with our team though; everyone found something to do on their own. Our people looked around and found little, mundane things to occupy time, mostly busy work.
This was also taco night, and the gang has been talking about our annual eating contest all week. At our favorite stand, Los Poblanos, a new record was achieved by our token 14 year old, Trent. Basically how the whole thing works is that the meat is served in large styrofoam containers, the same that you would use to take home leftovers from a restaurant. It comes mounded. You take your six-inch tortilla, lay it on top of the meat and grab what you can. Then you apply your condiments on top. The flavor of the tacos is incredible, the pork cut from a rotating spit is something you just don't get at home in Bend, or anywhere else I'm aware of in Oregon.
Back to the contest. I'd very much like to write his name in stone, that Trent's feat of 28 tacos was surely awesome. But the overall lack of opportunity for access to meat at all areas of the table hampered about half of our big eaters. If you're sitting in the middle of the table, you can reach for food from both ends. If you're at an end, you waited a lot for the food. Trent and Mike were sitting in the middle. They would pile four or more tacos at a time. Those big eaters at the end could only get two at a time.
Needless to say, grown men were depressed and frustrated.
We attended the mid-week service at the church. It was wonderful and full of the presence of God. Every worship song they sang, we've sung at Faith. The church gave our team a number of gifts, mostly hand crafted items. It was great to be with their people.
Mike led team devotions tonight, sharing on what Americans like us all find to be true about Mexican Christians. They have so few material things, but have an incredible wealth when it comes to following the leading of the Holy Spirit. These people work hard for so little, but are rich because of their dependency on God to provide for their daily needs and huge, impossible projects like the church we're working on.
I thought about this simple but disturbing fact, that we Americans busy ourselves so much with our own self-importance that we don't appreciate the leading of the Spirit like our friends. It's scary, but too often we have everything but the wisdom to hear from God. 10 PM
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Joe Chotard in Heaven
Joe Chotard, long-time member of Faith Christian Center and notable servant of Jesus Christ has gone to heaven. He fell outside his home last Sunday night during the Packer game as he went to feed the wild birds on his property. He never regained consciousness. Please be in prayer for his wife Glenva and the family who have already assembled here in Bend for Joe's home going.
God's best to you. Take some time to tell someone you love them today!
Sore
This blog was written while on a missions trip to Mexico the week of January 12-19. It is our sixth such trip for Faith Christan Center, working with the same great missionaries, Art & Joyce Stoneking. This entry is from January 15.
I don't work like this. I'm a desk jockey, plying my trade with a keyboard and computer screen. Beyond that, I talk to people.
I'm so incredibly sore this morning, more so than any of the previous days in the six previous years of these trips. I can't clench my fist, can't bend over and can't keep my pants up. I'm a big man. Work like this takes a serious toll on the shapeliness of my hips; I lose two pounds and there's no place for the belt to hug. What's worse is that I was sore before I went to bed and woke up sore all night long. Of all nights to leave the ibuprofen on the bus. Right now I can't figure out if I'm more physical sore, or attitude sore...
Nah, it's definitely the body.
However, all is not lost. Today we'll be mixing cement and lifting it by the five gallon bucket load from ground level to 40 feet in the air, all by hand. Where is an elevator when you need it? Did I mention that a jackhammer is coming in on site?
All the ingredients for the perfect storm...
Enough with the power snivel. Really, it's going to be a great day. It was gorgeous yesterday while our families at home were dealing with snow. Glenn said it best last night, walking back to the bus after dinner with a waffle cone in his hand. He said, "Here I am with ice cream on a warm evening when two days ago we were driving through a snow storm."
Oh the bliss of a worthwhile drive!
Wow.
It's evening now and we've had the two hardest days ever of missions work by Faith Christian Center. Missions trips aren't supposed to be like this? At least they haven't been before.
Today we did exactly what I mentioned this morning. But something remarkable materialized. I noticed that we all depended on one another, forming a human chain to move the concrete. Some mixed concrete, others filled buckets, others carried and others 'hoisted.' Some took turns running the jackhammer, and another painted the whole time (Kelley drew the short straw; she wears red paint quite well!). And now we're better for it. It was a great day for Faith Christian Center!
I'm reading in the book of Joshua. It seems like every time God did something incredible in their lives they would put together a pile of rocks or some other marker to help them remember. Each of the twelve tribes would send a representative to contribute to the pile. We don't have enough pillars of remembrance in our lives, of what God has done in us, or in our community.
Hummmmm...
Today we poured and poured and poured concrete. We busted foundation so something new could happen. We painted and painted and painted steel 'I' beams. I think we would all agree that this team has a marker of God's greatness in our lives, the day we joined our hands together for the kingdom...
We will never forget.
I don't work like this. I'm a desk jockey, plying my trade with a keyboard and computer screen. Beyond that, I talk to people.
I'm so incredibly sore this morning, more so than any of the previous days in the six previous years of these trips. I can't clench my fist, can't bend over and can't keep my pants up. I'm a big man. Work like this takes a serious toll on the shapeliness of my hips; I lose two pounds and there's no place for the belt to hug. What's worse is that I was sore before I went to bed and woke up sore all night long. Of all nights to leave the ibuprofen on the bus. Right now I can't figure out if I'm more physical sore, or attitude sore...
Nah, it's definitely the body.
However, all is not lost. Today we'll be mixing cement and lifting it by the five gallon bucket load from ground level to 40 feet in the air, all by hand. Where is an elevator when you need it? Did I mention that a jackhammer is coming in on site?
All the ingredients for the perfect storm...
Enough with the power snivel. Really, it's going to be a great day. It was gorgeous yesterday while our families at home were dealing with snow. Glenn said it best last night, walking back to the bus after dinner with a waffle cone in his hand. He said, "Here I am with ice cream on a warm evening when two days ago we were driving through a snow storm."
Oh the bliss of a worthwhile drive!
Wow.
It's evening now and we've had the two hardest days ever of missions work by Faith Christian Center. Missions trips aren't supposed to be like this? At least they haven't been before.
Today we did exactly what I mentioned this morning. But something remarkable materialized. I noticed that we all depended on one another, forming a human chain to move the concrete. Some mixed concrete, others filled buckets, others carried and others 'hoisted.' Some took turns running the jackhammer, and another painted the whole time (Kelley drew the short straw; she wears red paint quite well!). And now we're better for it. It was a great day for Faith Christian Center!
I'm reading in the book of Joshua. It seems like every time God did something incredible in their lives they would put together a pile of rocks or some other marker to help them remember. Each of the twelve tribes would send a representative to contribute to the pile. We don't have enough pillars of remembrance in our lives, of what God has done in us, or in our community.
Hummmmm...
Today we poured and poured and poured concrete. We busted foundation so something new could happen. We painted and painted and painted steel 'I' beams. I think we would all agree that this team has a marker of God's greatness in our lives, the day we joined our hands together for the kingdom...
We will never forget.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Heaven Help Us
My wife and I have officially passed one of those scary milestones in our married life. I've just received word a moment ago that our oldest passed his driving test. Upon arrival back at the DMV, with his temporary licence in his hand, he asked his mother for 10 bucks so he could take his brother to get something to eat...
Without us.
I think our Faith Journey Adventure just got a little more interesting...
Without us.
I think our Faith Journey Adventure just got a little more interesting...
Just Plain Weird
This blog was written while on a missions trip to Mexico the week of January 12-19. It is our sixth such trip for Faith Christan Center, working with the same great missionaries, Art & Joyce Stoneking. This entry is from January 14.
Strange sounds. Strange bed. Strange feelings. Ah, really, just plain weird.
Isn't that what being away from home feels like?
I woke up wide awake at 3 AM. Fortunately I was strangely refreshed, having hit the hay six hours earlier. The sounds of a new city bustling outside the windows; the drone of my roommate's light snoring in the other bed reminds me that there was a reason why I packed those earplugs...
Where did I put those things?
Today was a hard day of work! It was the hardest day in six trips we've done. The team demolished five walls this morning. You need to think of the project this way: they are building a new church around the existing one, and then sucking the old building out of the front doors. Obviously it's not that simplistic, but you get the idea.
In the midst of our demolition, my roommate Paul was injured as one wall of plaster, chicken wire and concrete came down with some 'zealousness.' So he was hauled off to the doctor. Get this, an exam, drugs, bandages and a tetanus shot, all for $45.
Yes, I know, CHEAP!
But Paul still wasn't out of trouble. He tried twice more to get himself injured while working around the same fellow who was involved in the first incident. And yes, it was hilarious! I'm glad he wasn't severely hurt, just a nasty scrape.
There has been a radical change to this building. The last time we were here we poured the foundation of the second floor. Now there is a massive second story, future home of a sanctuary that should eventually seat 300. There are also two 20 foot exterior walls up as well. What a change!
It has also been great to see the Pastor Jorge and Rosa again. These are precious people who have done so much with so little.
Probably the highlight of the day and the event that will no doubt put everyone to bed early tonight was our lifting four, eight inch steel 'I' beams from the street to the second floor, about 15 feet up.
Did I mention they were 40 feet long?
We did it manually. The guys figured that they weighted about 1700 pounds each. We were already tired, and the exercise took the last bit of our energy. MERCIFULLY, they all arrived on top of the building, awaiting the next group to install them.
They'll probably get to use a crane...
We ate at a trendy taco place called "Salsalito's." It was very tasty as we ate Moxitto's (I've probably butchered the right spelling, but it's pronounced "mo-he-toe-s"). Basically it is a mixture of meat and other ingredients, cooked in a lava stone cauldron, served hot with tortilla's. Tom said that the meal looked "cute" when it came out, and then asked for more tortilla's...
We ate ice cream across the street when we were done. A great way to cap off the day.
It was a great day for us. Even though the work was hard, we are starting to come together as a team. The more we work together, the better we are. The Bible reminds us that two are better than one, and that a team of three are not easily torn apart (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Working this hard together only makes us better...and the same for our church.
Strange sounds. Strange bed. Strange feelings. Ah, really, just plain weird.
Isn't that what being away from home feels like?
I woke up wide awake at 3 AM. Fortunately I was strangely refreshed, having hit the hay six hours earlier. The sounds of a new city bustling outside the windows; the drone of my roommate's light snoring in the other bed reminds me that there was a reason why I packed those earplugs...
Where did I put those things?
Today was a hard day of work! It was the hardest day in six trips we've done. The team demolished five walls this morning. You need to think of the project this way: they are building a new church around the existing one, and then sucking the old building out of the front doors. Obviously it's not that simplistic, but you get the idea.
In the midst of our demolition, my roommate Paul was injured as one wall of plaster, chicken wire and concrete came down with some 'zealousness.' So he was hauled off to the doctor. Get this, an exam, drugs, bandages and a tetanus shot, all for $45.
Yes, I know, CHEAP!
But Paul still wasn't out of trouble. He tried twice more to get himself injured while working around the same fellow who was involved in the first incident. And yes, it was hilarious! I'm glad he wasn't severely hurt, just a nasty scrape.
There has been a radical change to this building. The last time we were here we poured the foundation of the second floor. Now there is a massive second story, future home of a sanctuary that should eventually seat 300. There are also two 20 foot exterior walls up as well. What a change!
It has also been great to see the Pastor Jorge and Rosa again. These are precious people who have done so much with so little.
Probably the highlight of the day and the event that will no doubt put everyone to bed early tonight was our lifting four, eight inch steel 'I' beams from the street to the second floor, about 15 feet up.
Did I mention they were 40 feet long?
We did it manually. The guys figured that they weighted about 1700 pounds each. We were already tired, and the exercise took the last bit of our energy. MERCIFULLY, they all arrived on top of the building, awaiting the next group to install them.
They'll probably get to use a crane...
We ate at a trendy taco place called "Salsalito's." It was very tasty as we ate Moxitto's (I've probably butchered the right spelling, but it's pronounced "mo-he-toe-s"). Basically it is a mixture of meat and other ingredients, cooked in a lava stone cauldron, served hot with tortilla's. Tom said that the meal looked "cute" when it came out, and then asked for more tortilla's...
We ate ice cream across the street when we were done. A great way to cap off the day.
It was a great day for us. Even though the work was hard, we are starting to come together as a team. The more we work together, the better we are. The Bible reminds us that two are better than one, and that a team of three are not easily torn apart (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Working this hard together only makes us better...and the same for our church.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Sometimes I Think All We Do on This Trip is Eat
This blog was written while on a missions trip to Mexico the week of January 12-19. It is our sixth such trip for Faith Christan Center, working with the same great missionaries, Art & Joyce Stoneking. This entry is from January 13.
We've met up with our missionary and have arrived in Mexico. After checking into the hotel, we didn't go to the job site because about half of us have been there before -- about a year ago. We're returning to Templo Bethania to continue the construction of this church in Northern Tijuana.
I was looking around the table at dinner tonight and noted that five of the men on our team were 6'2" or taller. Some much taller. Among the three other fellows of lessor height was an ample supply and display of excessive girth to keep us in the running for the eating war that is likely to commence between now and Friday AM. Yes, we'll be making at least one pilgrimage the renowned-by-the-men-at-Faith taco stand called Los Poblanos. I've even been told that a comparatively diminutive 14 year-old boy who is with us is preparing himself for the coming onslaught of passionate gluttony on this 'special' evening.
And yup, it tastes that good.
The current record for tacos eaten in one sitting stands at 26, held by one of three members of our team who has not missed a missions trip. I suspect that the reason why he has been so faithful to our foreign endeavors is to make sure that someone else won't break his record. It's all about not letting someone else 'eat just one more.'
Such is also the depravity of the human soul...
Why is it that when there is sin in a house, a camp or a church that there often seems to be someone 'in the bunch' who has to do it 'one' bigger? Sin is like that. We allow a little to creep in and soon it escalates into a huge mess. The Bible obviously has a good deal to say about such issues. As I write today, a couple passages come to mind:
We've met up with our missionary and have arrived in Mexico. After checking into the hotel, we didn't go to the job site because about half of us have been there before -- about a year ago. We're returning to Templo Bethania to continue the construction of this church in Northern Tijuana.
I was looking around the table at dinner tonight and noted that five of the men on our team were 6'2" or taller. Some much taller. Among the three other fellows of lessor height was an ample supply and display of excessive girth to keep us in the running for the eating war that is likely to commence between now and Friday AM. Yes, we'll be making at least one pilgrimage the renowned-by-the-men-at-Faith taco stand called Los Poblanos. I've even been told that a comparatively diminutive 14 year-old boy who is with us is preparing himself for the coming onslaught of passionate gluttony on this 'special' evening.
And yup, it tastes that good.
The current record for tacos eaten in one sitting stands at 26, held by one of three members of our team who has not missed a missions trip. I suspect that the reason why he has been so faithful to our foreign endeavors is to make sure that someone else won't break his record. It's all about not letting someone else 'eat just one more.'
Such is also the depravity of the human soul...
Why is it that when there is sin in a house, a camp or a church that there often seems to be someone 'in the bunch' who has to do it 'one' bigger? Sin is like that. We allow a little to creep in and soon it escalates into a huge mess. The Bible obviously has a good deal to say about such issues. As I write today, a couple passages come to mind:
James 4:17 - 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. NIV
1 John 1:8 - 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. NIV
On closer examination we find from these passages that our only comfort is humility. When we get our eyes off of Jesus, we may begin to think in our heart that we can do it better in our own strength and power. It's like making a decision based on the current culture regardless of what the Scripture says. It's like being out on a frozen lake and the ice begins to crack and you don't even know it. When you're inevitably up to your armpits in ice-cold water, you begin to think about how you could have heeded the warnings on the bank and done this whole thing differently...
We have all sinned. We will all continue to sin in some form or another. The key is to make these times further and further apart. For the one who believes they have it all together merely demonstrate that they don't.
If we truly humble ourselves in light of God's Word, I wonder how many of us would sometimes think that all we do on this trip through life is sin? That's the problem with humility. It puts the spin of truth on our souls.
We have all sinned. We will all continue to sin in some form or another. The key is to make these times further and further apart. For the one who believes they have it all together merely demonstrate that they don't.
If we truly humble ourselves in light of God's Word, I wonder how many of us would sometimes think that all we do on this trip through life is sin? That's the problem with humility. It puts the spin of truth on our souls.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Desecration of Sacred Ground
This blog was written while on a missions trip to Mexico the week of January 12-19. It is our sixth such trip for Faith Christan Center, working with the same great missionaries, Art & Joyce Stoneking. This entry is from January 12.
It was horrible.
I can't believe that it happened. I am thoroughly disgusted, and stand in unity with my other brothers and sisters of good conscience. It is time to take a stand, join together with the masses for a common and just cause...
They've closed the Krispy Kreme donut shop next door to the In-N-Out burger joint at the March Lane exit in Stockton, California.
And no, we're not going to take it!
They even allowed the Super Eight in the same parking lot to change hands. At least Home Depot, located in the back of the parking lot is still intact. At least we can pray for its future solvency...
One of the fun traditions at Faith Christian Center is that our Saturday lunch stop on our Mexico Missions trips always feature this key oasis of taste-bud bliss, a veritable heaven for the soul of one's palate. But no, we were put out, turned away, with hunger turned asunder.
Okay, enough melodramatics. But it really was a bummer, and somehow soured the mood of the group. Sometime last year the Krispy Kreme company went sideways, closing all of their locations in Stockton, a natural lunch break for our trips. I know it all sounds silly, the hyperbole and rhetoric, but it was something we always made a big deal about. In-N-Out burgers taste great -- mostly because we don't have one in Bend. It was merely handy that the famous donut maker, Home Depot and the Super Eight all shared the same parking lot. On five of our previous trips we visited at least three of these businesses. One year we counted all four. And you know what? We've made too big of a deal over the past eight years about it too. This year's team was so affected that they could 've cared less if they stopped at another In-N-Out for the beloved 'Double-Double' (menu item #2, two patties, two slices of cheese). Today's bummer messed up tomorrow's expectation of burger and donut bliss...
What gets me is how we make so much out of so little.
Jesus understood this when He talked about not worrying about tomorrow. He said in Matthew 6,
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
What are we seeking? If we think that a burger joint or donut stand is sacred ground, maybe we've set our sights too low? Maybe your burger or donut place has another name that you can't live without. But whatever 'it' is, if our focus is on His kingdom and His righteousness, wouldn't it be better to have what really matters (v. 33) instead of something that lasts for a fleeting moment?
It was horrible.
I can't believe that it happened. I am thoroughly disgusted, and stand in unity with my other brothers and sisters of good conscience. It is time to take a stand, join together with the masses for a common and just cause...
They've closed the Krispy Kreme donut shop next door to the In-N-Out burger joint at the March Lane exit in Stockton, California.
And no, we're not going to take it!
They even allowed the Super Eight in the same parking lot to change hands. At least Home Depot, located in the back of the parking lot is still intact. At least we can pray for its future solvency...
One of the fun traditions at Faith Christian Center is that our Saturday lunch stop on our Mexico Missions trips always feature this key oasis of taste-bud bliss, a veritable heaven for the soul of one's palate. But no, we were put out, turned away, with hunger turned asunder.
Okay, enough melodramatics. But it really was a bummer, and somehow soured the mood of the group. Sometime last year the Krispy Kreme company went sideways, closing all of their locations in Stockton, a natural lunch break for our trips. I know it all sounds silly, the hyperbole and rhetoric, but it was something we always made a big deal about. In-N-Out burgers taste great -- mostly because we don't have one in Bend. It was merely handy that the famous donut maker, Home Depot and the Super Eight all shared the same parking lot. On five of our previous trips we visited at least three of these businesses. One year we counted all four. And you know what? We've made too big of a deal over the past eight years about it too. This year's team was so affected that they could 've cared less if they stopped at another In-N-Out for the beloved 'Double-Double' (menu item #2, two patties, two slices of cheese). Today's bummer messed up tomorrow's expectation of burger and donut bliss...
What gets me is how we make so much out of so little.
Jesus understood this when He talked about not worrying about tomorrow. He said in Matthew 6,
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:5-34 NIV
What are we seeking? If we think that a burger joint or donut stand is sacred ground, maybe we've set our sights too low? Maybe your burger or donut place has another name that you can't live without. But whatever 'it' is, if our focus is on His kingdom and His righteousness, wouldn't it be better to have what really matters (v. 33) instead of something that lasts for a fleeting moment?
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Back Again
I've just returned from a missions trip to Mexico. That's the reason for the gap in my blog. I couldn't risk taking my laptop and having it 'borrowed forever.' I'll be sharing over the next week some of my handwritten journals from the trip. It was a great a fabulous time!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Great Heart and Capacity
The meetings have been piling up as I'm gathering together with the great people who are going to be moving into the void being left by our Associate & Youth Pastors, Brian and Barbara Eno.
I'm so impressed.
The Eno's have done their job, and quite well I might add. The gaps they are leaving are quickly being filled by outstanding people whom they've raised up over the past nine years. It is in part, a defining moment of one's ministry among others when you find out the fruit that you've been producing.
And it's REALLY good.
I'm excited about the days ahead. We're praying for the people that will eventually fill the role of youth pastor here at Faith. But I'm also excited about those who are standing in the gap. We don't have one band-aid in the bunch! Our youth ministry is covered, as is our worship team. I believe that even though we don't currently have "professionals," we're going to see excellence because of the great heart and capacity of these precious servants.
While we're loosing a piece of us with the departure of the Eno's to our state denominational office, the best days of Faith Christian Center continue to lie ahead!
I'm so impressed.
The Eno's have done their job, and quite well I might add. The gaps they are leaving are quickly being filled by outstanding people whom they've raised up over the past nine years. It is in part, a defining moment of one's ministry among others when you find out the fruit that you've been producing.
And it's REALLY good.
I'm excited about the days ahead. We're praying for the people that will eventually fill the role of youth pastor here at Faith. But I'm also excited about those who are standing in the gap. We don't have one band-aid in the bunch! Our youth ministry is covered, as is our worship team. I believe that even though we don't currently have "professionals," we're going to see excellence because of the great heart and capacity of these precious servants.
While we're loosing a piece of us with the departure of the Eno's to our state denominational office, the best days of Faith Christian Center continue to lie ahead!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Wearing Your Belt Somewhere North of Your Belly Button
I think I'm starting to lose my 'youthful exuberance'...
Upon arriving home from work I grabbed the television remote and channel surfed with great diligence. It's a little, no a lot embarrassing, that I felt some desperation in trying to find out the results of the New Hampshire Primary. You know, the Presidential race for both of the major political parties. Once arriving at a major news network, I settled in. I think the scariest part is that it almost felt like it actually mattered...
I'm glad to report that I didn't yell at the television, not even once. It's a habit I've been working hard to break. I can't really pinpoint when or why it started. One day I began yelling at something I thought was 'lacking in common sense or any remote inkling of wisdom' (i.e., someone said something I thought was insanely stupid). I've noticed that the older I get, the more the ridiculous is multiplied on the tube and the radio. My struggle is that I know this is the same disease of retired people who wear their belts somewhere north of their belly button and complain about the government full time...
Here's a harsh reality; on some level those who yell at the television or radio actually think someone can hear them...
I'm sick.
The key indicator that I'm getting old? I enjoyed watching the returns.
And yes, it does matter.
There is an old adage that goes something like this, "People get the leadership that they deserve." I can only pray that we come to our senses, repent and get better than that.
Maybe we'd get a little wiser, a little better, by actually turning off the television?
Upon arriving home from work I grabbed the television remote and channel surfed with great diligence. It's a little, no a lot embarrassing, that I felt some desperation in trying to find out the results of the New Hampshire Primary. You know, the Presidential race for both of the major political parties. Once arriving at a major news network, I settled in. I think the scariest part is that it almost felt like it actually mattered...
I'm glad to report that I didn't yell at the television, not even once. It's a habit I've been working hard to break. I can't really pinpoint when or why it started. One day I began yelling at something I thought was 'lacking in common sense or any remote inkling of wisdom' (i.e., someone said something I thought was insanely stupid). I've noticed that the older I get, the more the ridiculous is multiplied on the tube and the radio. My struggle is that I know this is the same disease of retired people who wear their belts somewhere north of their belly button and complain about the government full time...
Here's a harsh reality; on some level those who yell at the television or radio actually think someone can hear them...
I'm sick.
The key indicator that I'm getting old? I enjoyed watching the returns.
And yes, it does matter.
There is an old adage that goes something like this, "People get the leadership that they deserve." I can only pray that we come to our senses, repent and get better than that.
Maybe we'd get a little wiser, a little better, by actually turning off the television?
Monday, January 7, 2008
Trumping Cynicism
Today has been nothing short of a scramble.
I'm working on Sunday's message for week-after-next. I'll be gone next week with a group of people from Faith on a missions trip to Mexico. At the same time I'm looking for a new youth pastor. With the Eno's leaving, I'm in search of the right person/couple. Pastor Brian and Barbara are such awesome people that it makes this task all the more difficult. I have several meetings set up this week while I'm in the office, basically due to their departure. One of those meetings took place in the early afternoon today. I met with Barb about the future of the worship team. About halfway through the discussion it hit me. I'm here this week, gone the next and then back on the 20th, their last day with us.
Youch!
It was then that I realized that it was the last 'real' conversation I was likely to have with her, as it relates to what she is doing here at Faith, leading the worship team. It was surreal.
When Jesus was crucified, his disciples for the most part, ejected. They were in fear for their lives. That must have been incredibly surreal for them. Here was the Messiah, being crucified? Their hope for the world, having spent the last three years of their lives earnestly following the great teacher and healer from Nazareth. And now this?
And then Jesus rose from the dead and comes back to hang out with them on several occasions, at times appearing to individuals; and other times to hundreds (Mark 16; John 21). Wow - what a mind-blower. These occurrences have to be the definition of surreal.
I'm reminded as well of the Apostle Peter in prison (Acts 12). He was released by an angel and then showed up at the door of his good buddy's mom's place. The rest of his friends, the disciples were inside praying for his release. A girl responded to the knock at the door. Seeing it was Peter, she reported to the others. They told her she was nuts, that it was probably his spirit after his likely execution. They literally didn't believe that he was there.
Surreal...
I would suggest that we need a little more 'surreal' in our cynical lives.
Sunday (yesterday) was one of those days. We had our beginning of the year Holy Spirit emphasis. Our special guest was Anatoly Lastivka, a Ukrainian Missionary Evangelist that we all had a hard time understanding through his broken English. A hard time understanding? I still can't properly pronounce his name as it phonetically doesn't match the spelling. He preached three times yesterday. We even had a tremendous crowd Sunday night in the snow. He preached three very simple messages. We listened hard, leaning in our seats so we could hear. Time and again he butchered the language.
We may not have understood all of his words, but we sure understood what he was saying.
Surreal met cynical. People were healed. Some were baptized in the Spirit. Several were prophesied over. Nearly all were clearly touched by the power of God's presence.
One thing is certain, God's power trumps cynical every time.
I'm working on Sunday's message for week-after-next. I'll be gone next week with a group of people from Faith on a missions trip to Mexico. At the same time I'm looking for a new youth pastor. With the Eno's leaving, I'm in search of the right person/couple. Pastor Brian and Barbara are such awesome people that it makes this task all the more difficult. I have several meetings set up this week while I'm in the office, basically due to their departure. One of those meetings took place in the early afternoon today. I met with Barb about the future of the worship team. About halfway through the discussion it hit me. I'm here this week, gone the next and then back on the 20th, their last day with us.
Youch!
It was then that I realized that it was the last 'real' conversation I was likely to have with her, as it relates to what she is doing here at Faith, leading the worship team. It was surreal.
When Jesus was crucified, his disciples for the most part, ejected. They were in fear for their lives. That must have been incredibly surreal for them. Here was the Messiah, being crucified? Their hope for the world, having spent the last three years of their lives earnestly following the great teacher and healer from Nazareth. And now this?
And then Jesus rose from the dead and comes back to hang out with them on several occasions, at times appearing to individuals; and other times to hundreds (Mark 16; John 21). Wow - what a mind-blower. These occurrences have to be the definition of surreal.
I'm reminded as well of the Apostle Peter in prison (Acts 12). He was released by an angel and then showed up at the door of his good buddy's mom's place. The rest of his friends, the disciples were inside praying for his release. A girl responded to the knock at the door. Seeing it was Peter, she reported to the others. They told her she was nuts, that it was probably his spirit after his likely execution. They literally didn't believe that he was there.
Surreal...
I would suggest that we need a little more 'surreal' in our cynical lives.
Sunday (yesterday) was one of those days. We had our beginning of the year Holy Spirit emphasis. Our special guest was Anatoly Lastivka, a Ukrainian Missionary Evangelist that we all had a hard time understanding through his broken English. A hard time understanding? I still can't properly pronounce his name as it phonetically doesn't match the spelling. He preached three times yesterday. We even had a tremendous crowd Sunday night in the snow. He preached three very simple messages. We listened hard, leaning in our seats so we could hear. Time and again he butchered the language.
We may not have understood all of his words, but we sure understood what he was saying.
Surreal met cynical. People were healed. Some were baptized in the Spirit. Several were prophesied over. Nearly all were clearly touched by the power of God's presence.
One thing is certain, God's power trumps cynical every time.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Pastor Brian Leaving Faith Christian Center
The following is a congregational e-mail sent out this afternoon from our church office. It notes our important weekend services, and the sad news of the departure of our Associate Pastors, Brian and Barbara Eno:
Dear Friends,
This Weekend’s Services – "Moving Ahead With The Spirit!"
We’re ‘full steam ahead’ into 2008 with a Holy Spirit Emphasis beginning during the Sunday School hour and continuing into a rare evening service! We are praying for salvations, baptisms in the Spirit, healings and miracles. Our special guest is Anatoly Lastidka. Anatoly is a home missions evangelist to Ukrainian people living in the
It is with great sadness to share with you that we will be losing Pastor Brian and Barbara Eno here at Faith. Our Youth & Family Life Pastor has been with us for the past 8 1/2 years. He has accepted the position of ‘Generational Ministries’ at our state denomination headquarters in Brooks. Basically, he will oversea children’s and youth ministries for the Assemblies of God on a state level, along with mentoring young pastors within the same borders. Barbara, who has been one of our key worship leaders while here at Faith will be greatly missed as well! Their last Sunday with our congregation will be the 20th of this month. We will have a reception after the service on that day. Pastor Brian will be speaking on Sunday the 13th while I’m gone to
Pastor Mike
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Back in the Saddle Again...
It's my first day back, and it's near quitting time. I still have a hangover from my sick days this past week, and a few say that I sound awful.
I was thinking "pathetic," but hey, "awful" works!
It's been a 'chase' day. I'm chasing a good number of issues that will actually make better sense to me tomorrow. I've been getting ready for our board meeting tonight as well. I really enjoy these adventures in church leadership because we have such an excellent group of people to work with.
I now have an official Mexico briefcase. It's sitting open in my assistant's office, collecting the myriad of paperwork we'll need to keep us on track while we're gone in ten days on a missions trip. I really love these trips, even the rides down and back in our transport. We have in flight movies, lots of prayer (for the ministry we'll do, AND to keep the bus going) and napping. But the best part of these long junkets is being with our own people.
What a privilege to be the pastor of such great people!
I was thinking "pathetic," but hey, "awful" works!
It's been a 'chase' day. I'm chasing a good number of issues that will actually make better sense to me tomorrow. I've been getting ready for our board meeting tonight as well. I really enjoy these adventures in church leadership because we have such an excellent group of people to work with.
I now have an official Mexico briefcase. It's sitting open in my assistant's office, collecting the myriad of paperwork we'll need to keep us on track while we're gone in ten days on a missions trip. I really love these trips, even the rides down and back in our transport. We have in flight movies, lots of prayer (for the ministry we'll do, AND to keep the bus going) and napping. But the best part of these long junkets is being with our own people.
What a privilege to be the pastor of such great people!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
The 'Dumb Stick'
I trust that you've had a great holiday season!
As you've noticed, I didn't write this past week, thinking I would take some time off. Unfortunately I've been under the weather since Christmas. I even missed Sunday (which completely bummed me out). I'm hoping to be back in the office tomorrow.
So much for vacation...
It is a great feeling to get out of my "sick clothes." You know how it works. We wear all the clothes that make us feel the most comfortable. Pajama's, sweats, a robe. Mercifully the change for me came yesterday. I put on my jeans for the first time in a week.
Now I only have to coax my robe out from the corner of the bedroom...it's standing up by itself.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm sick of watching football. It's one thing to look forward to a few games during bowl season, but being miserable AND watching ALL the games is more than any one human can bear. On the other hand I can believe I'm saying this; television truly is a barren wasteland. As I was wasting my life away with the Kleenex box in perpetual use (new record, a box and a half) and wondering when my next hit of ibuprofen could take place, I conducted a scientific experiment to see if watching television could make me better at something. I've deduced that even the Discovery Channel filled my brain with the answers to Trivial Pursuit questions that no one is asking.
And so what are my goals for this year? Actually I'll get to some of those in the next few days. One of them is going to be less television -- especially right away. It's like being hit with the "dumb stick" over and over again, only to continue to go back and ask for more abuse...
As you've noticed, I didn't write this past week, thinking I would take some time off. Unfortunately I've been under the weather since Christmas. I even missed Sunday (which completely bummed me out). I'm hoping to be back in the office tomorrow.
So much for vacation...
It is a great feeling to get out of my "sick clothes." You know how it works. We wear all the clothes that make us feel the most comfortable. Pajama's, sweats, a robe. Mercifully the change for me came yesterday. I put on my jeans for the first time in a week.
Now I only have to coax my robe out from the corner of the bedroom...it's standing up by itself.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm sick of watching football. It's one thing to look forward to a few games during bowl season, but being miserable AND watching ALL the games is more than any one human can bear. On the other hand I can believe I'm saying this; television truly is a barren wasteland. As I was wasting my life away with the Kleenex box in perpetual use (new record, a box and a half) and wondering when my next hit of ibuprofen could take place, I conducted a scientific experiment to see if watching television could make me better at something. I've deduced that even the Discovery Channel filled my brain with the answers to Trivial Pursuit questions that no one is asking.
And so what are my goals for this year? Actually I'll get to some of those in the next few days. One of them is going to be less television -- especially right away. It's like being hit with the "dumb stick" over and over again, only to continue to go back and ask for more abuse...
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