where is my bailout?

In the midst of all the financial chaos in our country, the government seems to want to start handing out entitlements and bailouts to everyone. If your like me, you might be thinking, where is my hook up? Just because I may not be in the market for a new fuel efficient vehicle doesn't mean I shouldn't get some Obama love. There are lots of struggling sectors in our economy besides the auto industry after all. Here's how the government should spend its next couple billion dollars that it doesn't have.

1. bankroll for buckle----Americans should be able to take their mom jeans and Lee's from the 80's, as well as their old tattered shirts and get a new pair of True Religions and a seven diamonds shirt on Uncle Sam. Judging by the MLB all-star game, the president himself could benefit from this.

2. Treasure for televisions----Why should I have to watch tv on a 25 inch console when other americans have sixty inch plasmas? What's patriotic about that? There is nothing more american than football and how can I respect my country when I have a dinky tv? It's about time Congress gets on the ball here.

3. funds for food---I may be on a budget, but I'm tired of packing a lunch. The government needs to start handing out some gift cards so that I can eat out at nicer places. Why should I have to eat at arby's when others get to fine dine? That ain't American!!

I hope you guys can feel my pain here, and I'm so relieved that my government is concentrating more on making sure cars get 50 miles to the gallon, and not wasting their time on things like protecting us from terrorists and other countries.

Now that I've completely inspired myself, I'm going to Listen to Lee greenwood, Peace out.

more pics!

I'm sure by now the eleven people who read my blog are probably tired of seeing pictures of my family, but here are more anyway=) We recently (and for the first time ever) got some professional photo's done of our family to at least attempt to capture a few memories while our children are still young. Check them out at twelve13photography.com, Ashley is amazing and while it took me promising massive amounts of ice cream, our girls actually didn't fight and even occasionally smiled=)

I do have a few rumblings of some content driven posts swirling around in my head, so stay tuned. But in the meantime, have one more look at three of the many reasons I wake up thanking God daily!!!!!

big star lake vacation!!

Last week the Zondervan's rented a cottage on big star lake in baldwin Michigan for a time of family getaway R and R!! It was alot of fun. the cottage was very cute and quaint and the beach we had was the best on the lake. The water stayed very shallow so we never had to worry about our girls (they aren't exactly Michael Phelps, I should probably get them swimming lessons).

Anyways, there were other families there with young children as well, so Ava and Addy made friends too!!

Great to be back in the swing of things and looking forward to some actual warm august weather? I guess we will see!!!

technology

A wise man once said......."I still love technology," This decade has certainly had an explosion of technological advances especially in the world of social networking. Myspace facebook and twitter are literally blowing up especially among young people. Twitter is the latest and greatest of the three (not to sound like 1 corinthians 13, not quite faith hope and love) but i think twitter is my personal fav right now. Some would say it is a bit narcissistic, but I disagree. I have learned some valuable things from the peeps I follow in 140 characters or less to boot!!!!

Where was all this stuff when I was younger? We didn't have any of these "cool" outlets.

Here is my rendition of what tweets would have looked like in the 80's

On my way to a pat benatar concert, she is so totally awesome!
did you see growing pains last night? it was off the chain! mike Seaver is sooooooo dreamy!
rollerskating party tonight, I hope they play Wham's careless whispers!!
just bought a prom dress, shoulder pads too small, i'm bringing it back
tweeting right now from my friends dad's totally awesome new car phone!!
at the store buying more aqua net, these bangs are stressing me out!!

Ok thats all i've got, i'd love to hear any more 80's tweets you can think of, leave them as comments so i can reminisce!!!

Does it matter?

I think every christian if they are really honest has wondered in some way shape or form whether prayer really matters, or is God going to do what He's going to do anyway? Honestly, can we really expect the God of the entire universe to be moved by the feeble prayers of people like us?

That the answer to this questions is a resounding yes provides proof that God has created us to be participants in His kingdom, not just puppets on strings like an N Sync album cover. The fact that we have access to the very throne room of our God and can actually affect the workings of a sovereign God is a stunning revelation.

Try convincing Abraham otherwise. In Genesis 18 we find him interceding on behalf of the city of Sodom. What if there are 50 righteous Lord, will you spare the city the judgment it deserves? What if the fifty are lacking five? ( I love how Abraham tries to make it sound better. 50 lacking five sounds better than forty five don't you think? Maybe he thought God's math wasn't great:)

Anyways, Abraham gets the number all the way down to ten and changes the impending plans God had for the city!!! Here is some insight into why the prayers of Abraham were effective, and how ours can be too.

1. Abraham had a perfect balance of humility, (verse 27 "I who am but dust and ashes"), and boldness, (vs 32"I will speak again once more")----Many people fall into proverbial ditches regarding this balance. We either decide we are not worthy to approach God because of our sin, and therefore don't pray. Or we can become self righteous like the Pharisees and fall into spiritual pride. Remember in prayer that our boldness comes from Jesus, our mediator to the Father, not from our works.

2. Scripture calls Abraham a "friend of God". Ps. 25 tells us that the secrets of the Lord are revealed to those who fear Him. God shared with Abraham His plan because of the relationship he had with him!! (see genesis 18:17) God will do the same for us because John 15:15 tells us that we too are friends of God. When you begin to truly seek God in prayer, He will reveal His heart and plans to you.

3. Abraham knew God's character---vs 25 "shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" Abraham prayed according to what had been revealed to HIm about God's character.

I also believe that the judge of all the earth will do right, He is incapable of doing otherwise. But nothing is more pleasing to Him then when people align themselves with his will and heart thru the incredible privilege of prayer.
We are not powerless to see God spare our generation and move on our behalf. Don't be fooled by worldly statistics. When we pray, it matters. When we pray, God moves. Believe it, live it.

2chronicles 16:9--"the eyes of the Lord go to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal towards Him"
God is looking to enlist prayer warriors, does He see you?

Perspective

Still settling in after being in Nicaragua for nine days and it is amazing the things you forget about that are just givens in America. For instance, I still say a little prayer of thanks every time I can flush toilet paper!!! ( i know that could be interpreted as TMI, but at least I didn't tell you about how I had chinese food and the bathroom smelled exactly like the restaurant for an hour OOPS! Sorry bout that, I guess I just did)

Its kind of like if you fast for a day, you have a TOTALLY new appreciation and gratefulness for food when you resume eating. The trouble is that just like with my TP, it is usually short lived. I don't envision myself gratefully flushing for months to come is what I'm saying. However, I want to change that. I think the blessings of God flow when you are grateful to Him for the "little things" that really aren't that little considering only a fraction of the world enjoys them. What does it look like to be in a constant state of thanksgiving? I don't know, but for me it begins by repenting of the so many things I take for granted and just expect. ie, plenty to eat, water, ac, a job, healthy kids, an amazing wife, freedom to worship, coffee, and a literal myriad of other things.

I sat down in my office and wrote down ten things I am thankful to God for and I found myself not only unable to stop at ten, but incapable of being "down". How could I possible be melancholy when God has given me soooooooooooooo much to be thankful for?!!!!!

Here is a very interesting article I ran across that list what the world would look like if it was shrunk down to 100 people while maintaining all existing human ratios

60 asians
12 europeans
8 latin americans
5 from usa and canada
1 from south pacific
14 africans
49 would be female
51 would be male
82 would be non white, 18 white
67 would be non christian, 33 would be "christian"
32% of the world's wealth would in the hands of only 5 people and all 5 would be us citizens
80 would live in sub standard housing
24 would have no electricity
33 would have no access to safe water
67 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would be near death, 2 would be near birth
only 1 would have a college education
7 would have internet access.

Puts into a little more perspective what we have as Americans. Let's not forget where it came from

Brining it home

Another amazing mission trip in the books. Took a team of thirty two amazing people to Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua. We teamed up with a passionate young man Dominic Russo who has done massive crusades in so many countries, communicating the saving, healing power of Jesus Christ.

The things that took place are literally too many to list, but it is so always so humbling. Not only were many of the beautiful people saved from their sins and healed from diseases, but our team grew so much too. Young people praying with boldness and power, being filled with the Holy Spirit and living out what the kingdom of God is really about.

In the midst of all the amazing things that took place, I could not help having my heart burdened for America. I found myself asking God why these kind of events are so rare among christians in the U.S. Nobody believes that God is a geographical God and will only move in certain countries. Nobody thinks his love is somehow greater or further reaching outside of the states, and yet it is undeniable that more things are happening for the kingdom of God almost everywhere else on the planet. I was hoping God would answer me with a bold handwriting on the wall moment, or at least an email, but no go.

My opinion on why we are not seeing more of the miraculous in America can be summed up in one word. Expectation, or lack there of. Because we are so rich, and have need of so little, it is hard to truly believe God. I know we say we do, but far too often I think those are empty cliches that really mean "I'll handle this and if God wants to get involved too, he can." I'm as guilty as the next person so please don't think I'm railing on others, just observing.

I plan on talking more about this and also having students share their testimonies from the trip this Sunday at Radiant Church
so please come out and we will go after God together!!!

ps. Big thanks to my friend and co-worker Ashley for helping my blog look the best it ever has!!! She is an amazingly talented graphic designer and photographer. You should CHECK HER OUT!!!