whirlwind week ahead!!

I'm so excited!!! Kendra and I leave tomorrow for five days of action packed adventure!! We are in chicago tomorrow (look out h&m) where we will shop and walk the town. We are staying at a mega-nice hotel (thanks to priceline). Then we leave thursday for appleton Wisconsin where we will once again eat out and shop (are you picking up on our love language here:)

Then I have the huge honor of being the keynote speaker at a youth conference hosted by Believers church in marshfield wisconsin. I will be speaking friday night, sat afternoon, sat night and their sunday services!!! It is alot, but I was humbled to be asked and please pray that God touches the hearts of students this weekend!!

Kendra and I are long overdue for some "no kids" time, so many thanks to the flicks (the most incredible neighbors in the world) and Aunt jane and Uncle lee!! We love you guys!!!

I'll post more when we get back!!

change we can believe in?

I rarely talk politics when I blog because although I always exercise my right to vote, I believe our country/world desperately needs a spiritual awakening that can not be legislated by government. I will also point out that although I did not vote for Obama, I do think it is a great thing for our country to have an african American president and I truly want him to succeed in his role.

However I am deeply saddened and disappointed that after three days in office, our president has already lifted a ban on federal funding for groups who promote or perform abortions, reversing the policy of George Bush originally signed into law by Reagan. I am voicing my opinion because I feel strongly that abortion is a spiritual issue, not a political one. For a president who is supposed to be about "hope" for all people, it would seem that millions of children in our country will not be offered that hope no matter how many times it is mentioned on the campaign trail.

Life is valuable, period. From the convict in prison, to the executive on wall street, to the unborn. It seems incredibly hypocritical to stand on a soapbox and say everyone deserves the right to earn a decent living and have access to health care, but then do nothing to protect the most basic right of the innocent unborn who cannot speak for themselves. I pray my daughters will not grow up in a country that goes out of its way to protect forests, animals, and the climate, while allowing children to be thrown out in the trash.

Life is more important than healthcare. global warming, or the economy, and I pray that our nation will awaken to this fact. I strongly believe that Mr. Obama and millions of others (including christians) who voted for him are wrong on this issue. We have been charged by Jesus to care for the least of these, (matt. 25) and I don't see how anyone could qualify for that title more than a beautiful, helpless, innocent child. Our president has an amazing amount of responsibility, and I pray that God will give him the wisdom and courage to stand for what is truly important.

2 chronicles 7:14--If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray. If they will seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear them from heaven, I will forgive them, and I will heal their land.

Imitating Jesus

I am teaching a class in our school of ministry on the life of Jesus in the gospels. We have been investigating the sermon on the mount (matt.5-7) and the significance of this message. It starts with the beatitudes (blessed are the's) and then moves to Jesus contrasting the O.T. letter of the law, and His earthly arrival to fulfill the law. He does this by stating things like.......you have heard it said that, but I tell you... and Jesus would try to teach them that the real issues in life are not resolved by following christian rules, but thru a "heart" change---see ezekiel 36:26-27 and Jeremiah 31:31-3.

The one that struck me the hardest and seems the most radical is in matt. 5:43 where Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. When we choose to befriend only those who are friendly or love only those who love us, we fail to separate ourselves from those who do not know Jesus.

I have to admit there are times where I feel willing to ignore my enemies, tolerate my enemies, and even forgive them, but I find it very hard to pray that God would bless them!!

Ask yourself what that looks like in your life. Who is God dealing with you about praying for even though you've been seriously wronged or hurt? Why is it so hard to let go? Maybe you need to forgive yourself.

I try to wrap my head around circumstances like this,
---the terrorist on 9-11 that stole your spouse or child
---the parent or relative you trusted that abused you
---books like the "shack" where innocent lives are brutally cut short

Thank God most of us don't have to deal with that level of forgiveness, but what about the annoying person at work, or the guy who cut you off on the way to work? What about arguments with you spouse, do they ALWAYS have to apologize first?

While living out a verse like this is hard, remember the words of our saviour who prayed for His tormentors as they nailed the spikes into His hands and feet. "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do". If the cruel torture of crucifixion could not silence our Lord's prayer for His enemies, what pain or pride could justify the silencing of ours?

ephesians 4:26--be angry, and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your wrath" We cannot afford to not forgive.

getting back on blogging track!

wow!! january is more than half over and I have been extremely lax in my updates!! here are a few things that have happened in my life since my last blog.......

1. global warming was deemed to be all hype and superstition at least in the month of january in michigan
2. my beautiful bride turned 29 (again) jk, this is the first time.
3. my church has initiated a 21 day fast to seek after the heart of God first thing in the new year. My wife and I are enjoying a "daniel" fast which in a nutshell means we pretty much can't eat meat, dairy, or sweets (but we can eat the nutshell) It hasn't been so bad (except for cutting coffee) however lately my flesh has pretty much been demanding an "angry" whopper which is strange because I haven't eaten at BK in years.

Lastly, I have changed positions on staff at my church. After 5 years being directly involved in youth ministry, I am now overseeing the day to day operations at our church. My official title is assistant to the regional manager. JK, its "senior associate pastor" which pretty much makes me Pastor Lee's (my spiritual mentor, brother in law, boss and friend) right hand man. I now strive to make his life at work go as smooth and easy as possible!!:) I will also still find a way to stay connected to this generations pursuit of an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ so all you young people don't think you've gotten rid of me for good!!! It has been a bit of a stretch but I am excited to see what God is going to do at radiant church!! Our team consists of the most amazing people I have ever met and I couldn't see myself anywhere else!!

ps. the picture of kendra and I is of an ugly sweater party we hosted at church. As you can see I made mine from scratch, and my wife is incapable of looking anything but entirely beautiful. she tried though:)