A funny thing happened

The other day, I was in my office. And I heard Suzanne say, "Gloria, what are you doing up here?!"

*picture not tied to incident*

Background: Suzanne had put Gloria downstairs with her sisters; instructing them to watch her for a couple minutes. Evidently she didn't feel like they were paying enough attention to her. So, she crawled across the basement floor to the steps. Then, climbed the steps to the top and played by the patio door until Suzanne found her. The sisters were in trouble!

And then everybody had a good laugh:)

Camel-Angels

It was great to have my parents here for over a week. They are back to Ohio again. One evening we drove through a snow storm to see a camel,

 and a bunch of other stuff:) The girls didn't want to get too close to this big guy! This is the second year that we have gone. If you haven't been there, check it out! The Singing Christmas Tree.

Last night, our church put on our own simple production. We performed An evening at the Inn. It went really well; a great opportunity for people to fellowship and eat and take in a great presentation. The actors all did a great job, other than Joseph, who completely went blank and forgot his lines. Well done everybody.

These are good ways to connect our lives with the eternal story of Jesus coming to earth as a baby. God surprises us in amazing ways; ways we don't expect, through people we aren't looking at, and he calls us to faithfulness. 

Be Faithful!

One big breath

(Please take this in the best bit of love.) One crew gone and another on the way!

It was so good to have Christa, Emily, and Sarah here since Thanksgiving! There was lots of rollerblading, a bunch of energy expended, and lots of conversations. Thank you for your sacrifice of time, driving, and sleep:) I think Gloria was more fussy than normal in the Afternoon, because after having finally accepted Christa... Christa was gone!

And now they will give a high five to my parents as they pass on the road. We are expecting them here this evening. May everyone have safety as they travel. I have a feeling the activities will be slightly different:) Less rollerblading, maybe more crafts.

We sure appreciate peoples willingness to cover @1,000 miles to see us.

Welcome Home

What life-giving words! Can you believe it?
This picture greeted me as I logged into my computer. The greater greeting was the hugs and kisses at the door. It is so good to be home with our loved ones.

Yet, many are not able to experience this for various reasons: imprisonment, war, work, death, hospitalization, nursing homes, abductions, choice. And some have no loved ones. That should not be. Where is the church? The body of Christ? To be loved in this life, and to be loved into the next life. Join Jesus.

Nebraska!

I am home again. It is snowing, gently.

Life; precious

Life is so precious!

Yesterday was Suzanne and Courtney's birthdays. My life is enriched by their love, creativity, and humor:)
After a tiring party with 11 girls, I took some rest by participating in a CPR class. I am struck by the simplicity and delicacy of life that can be boiled down to getting breathes and blood flow.
My grandma Nolt died today. May she, and all who love her, rest in Christ's peace.
Friday is Veteran's Day. We remember the loss of life, and those who have lost loved ones.
Celebrate life today!

Slow reading

You may notice to the right ---->
of what you are currently reading, is a list of books that I am reading for personal enrichment, someday:) Yeah! The list hasn't changed in a little while. But that's okay! I've been reading a lot of other stuff too. The Mennonite, Mennonite Weekly Review, Leader, Equipping, Scattered Seeds, and a bunch of blog posts.
I am over half way through The Pastor: A Memoir. A good book on calling, and following, and leading, and getting out of the way. All things that are helpful for me to experience.

Well, keep reading, and writing, and loving, and growing.

Be (dis)content

Have you lost your way? Is a sippy cup your only source of nourishment? Wondering what a cornstalk would taste like? Why are these children smiling?
Are you satisfied in all situations? Do you have a peace that goes beyond your circumstances?
Contentment is a tough goal. It can be a moving target at times. You get more and then just a little more would be great.
Have you gotten good at what you do? Have you hit your groove? Maybe it's time to be discontent again. How about "holy discontent"? It can be a disturbing, yet energizing force in our lives. It has moved me beyond complacency. It has lead to us being in Nebraska, pastoring, growing in the image of Christ.
It has stirred the hope and imagination of oppressed people. It has questioned what is and lead to what should be. It has the power to move the followers of Christ to take on the heart and mind of Christ. It has challenged the church to be the flesh and blood; the body of Christ in this hurting world.

BE

Discontent

Teach your children well

Did you know that you as a parent are the number 1 influence on your children? There are patterns of behavior that we live in that we learned from our parents (and they learned from their parents, etc). 
A couple years ago in a class, we looked at our genograms (family trees), and looked for patterns of behavior. It was unsettling for some to find negative traits carried through multiple generations.
And there is hope here to! If there wasn't I wouldn't be a pastor. Positive traits and experiences can also be passed on from generation to generation. If we are aware and willing, we can reshape our families and bring glory to God! You're not trapped. There is a way forward.

A post about not posting

A silly thing really. How many times have you called someone to tell them that you haven't called them in a while. Or wrote a letter just to tell them you haven't written in a while. Or bought a billboard to let everybody know that you haven't put anything on a billboard in a while.
Well... I haven't posted in a while. If you haven't prayed for me yet today, here is your reminder:)

Looking back, moving forward

I am so appreciative of my upbringing; Christian parents, Christian relatives, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Church, Christian Schools (5-12th grade), Christian College, Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Friends. These have all shaped and influenced who I have become.

In Philippians 3:4-6, Paul lists his credentials or reasons for boasting. Then he says, "I consider them garbage, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him..."

No offence meant to those who have poured your lives into mine, but garbage, compared to the righteousness that comes through Christ! Is it possible that as we find our identity in Christ, that we begin to separate ourselves from our past (even if it was a good past), and look only to the present and future hope of the Kingdom of God?

Pastor Dave's Doodles: Being With God in Silence

A time of silence

Follow the link below to experience what I have experienced similar to my friend Dave. I believe each of us, who claim a relationship with God, needs to practice a similar discipline. If you disagree, then leave a comment on how you communion with God.

Pastor Dave's Doodles: Being With God in Silence: Yesterday I spent my spiritual retreat day in silence at St. Benedict Center in Schuyler. Silence is an amazing thing - mostly scary and unc...

On the road again

We had some visitors at our house for a little over a week. It was good to have my parents here! There was lots of playing, crafts, and catching up. The time goes fast and it is over before everyone is ready. Grandma and Grandpa walked the girls to school and then hopped in the truck to rumble down the road. Blessings as you travel and may you read this from home soon.

Friday, August 19, 11:07pm

I am sitting here at my desk. Reminded that I wanted to post something the last several days. Anything.

Storming the Castle

Wild horses can't be tamed

A moment of rest

Classy ladies

Moods to color a rainbow

Swimming with some women

Resting with the best

There you go. Is there anything better than memories of summer?

Pastor Dave's Doodles: EXAMEN Your Day

This post is a link to a great Pastor friend of mines blog. He says what he needs to say in a clear, simple form. So, if you want to try another Spiritual discipline that can help you know God and be known by God, follow the link:
Pastor Dave's Doodles: EXAMEN Your Day: "One of the things I believe I have been hearing from God on this Sabbatical is my need to really get centered on Him and to see Him in ALL ..."

Taxing

I guess the math was too much for me. You'll notice my last post involved a lot of numbers and it was @17 days ago. We are still here, and it's still good!
The girls head to school on Monday, August 15th. It's hard to believe that it is that soon.
We have been in a heat wave and high humidity for the last several weeks here. The temp and humidity have both been fighting for 100. The pool in town is getting good use. It closes this Saturday for the season.
Suzanne and I had our first date in a while last Saturday. Dinner and a movie:) We volunteered to do concessions at the Movie Theatre in Geneva. It was a great time! Suzanne collected money and did math in her head. I managed a big popcorn machine and scooped bags of popcorn. Then for our service we received a free bag of popcorn, a drink, and a free movie. We "chose" Mr Poppers Penguins. A delightful evening. (Gloria was with us, and the other three were with Matt and Elizabeth T-M.)
How are you? What have you been up to? Leave a comment, or I'll assume you haven't done nothin' :)

Back in NE!

We are home again, in beautiful NE! 19 days, over 2500 miles, 6 different beds, 5 unpackings and repackings, 9 states, 6 pairs of clothes, 2 pairs of shoes, 6 travelers, 3 suitcases, 1 van, 1 horse, 1 pony, 1 mule, 2 tries to get out of Pittsburgh, 3 tries to get from Missouri to Nebraska, and uncountable good connections where ever we were!
Tired! Invigorated! It's good to be home, we are going to miss all of you that we saw and left.

Convention reflect

Convention was a great time for our family. We got to stay in the Omni William Penn Hotel, which has hosted a number of celebrities and presidents over the years. It was good to be together as a family; eating, walking, playing, resting, laughing, tickling, and caring for one another. Convention was also an enjoyable time of making new friends, refreshing prior friendships, and dreaming about the church (Salem, Central Plains Conference, MCUSA, and Christ's wider body).
We are back at my parents house now and enjoying extended family time. It feels like it has been awhile since we have had this concentrated relaxed time.
Looking forward to seeing our Nebraska family again very soon!

Wonderful camping weekend

We had a great weekend of camping with Suzanne's family, except for a few mishaps which will not be mentioned here.
Our first morning, my friend and marathon enthusiast, Todd Lehman wanted to go on a short run. We did. 9+ miles of running and a mile or two of walking. Yeah, you know how it goes, you're not planning to go running and then you do. and well, it's only 3 miles to the covered bridge via rough trails. Then, it would be boring to return the same way, so you take another trail, and it's 2.3 miles to the fire tower. Then, our memory fails on where the "shorter" route back to camp starts, vs the 5.3 miles return trip. after a couple loops and returning to the fire tower we do finally find the trail and get back to camp. Surprisingly, I am only a "little" stiff.
The next day, we take all kids and adults (except for two) under 41 on the same trail hike to the covered bridge. 6 miles round trip. The kids did awesome.
A little swimming, mountain biking, and floating down the river on tubes rounds out the weekend.
We are tired, back at my parents, and repacking for Pittsburgh beginning... tomorrow.

Time takes longer

That has been another revelation in our short stay so far. We had to get used to the long distances to larger towns and services in Shickley, NE. But notice I said long distances, not longer drives. It just takes longer here in Ohio, due to traffic, curves, hills, stop signs, etc.
Shopping - I like going into a store in Nebraska, finding what I want and going to the register to check out. In Ohio, we wait in line to find what we want, and wait in line to get to the register.
Parade - We went to Orrville to a parade last night. It took 30 minutes from the start of the parade till it finally got to us. Then, the parade was nearly 90 minutes long. Lots of candy. It was fun.
Camping - We are going camping about 36 miles away. It will take over an hour to get there. Does that make sense?! I like Nebraska. 36 miles = 36 minutes.
Ohio is not so bad, I really not complaining. But we'll take Nebraska's time. It doesn't take as long. :)

Where did Monday go?

Well, we are here, in Ohio, and it is Tuesday. I remember leaving on Sunday. But where is Monday? It seems to have passed.
Wonderful trip. Everything went smoothly. A few extra stops with Gloria along. So, 5+ hours on Sunday, and @ 15 on Monday. Aha! That's where Monday went. We were on the road. Arrived at Suzanne's parents around 11pm Monday night. The girls traveled angelicly! Either that or I was in a fog:)
A couple things stuck out to me while driving. There are woods in Ohio! And big trees together. I saw few to no pivots during our whole trip. The fields have character; terraces, winding loops, gentle hills, etc. The corn is about a foot high. Nebraska was waist high or better. Chicago traffic sits still, for a long time. And this was on I-80. So we got off on an exit and drove through town. It was beautiful to see the artwork on bridges and buildings, and to see some of the old buildings.
Blessings

Happy first day of summer

Courtney had a ballgame this evening, and it was 65 degrees, cloudy, and windy! I had my winter coat on, zipped up, and spent most of the game in the van! It has been 80-90 up until today. Weather...

New secret to making it financially

http://lifehacker.com/5809285/the-most-basic-personal-finance-truth

Really that's it. Spend less than you make invest and give away the rest:) One thing that Suzanne and I decided even before we got married was to spend much less than we made, so that we could give consistently and not worry about money. We are tempted often to spend what we make, but continue to remind ourselves and each other of our goals. So we give up some things so we can enjoy other things. And we write it down. That's a budget or spending plan. Without it how do we know when we are overspending? How do we know if we are putting enough aside to cover a new used car, or a trip, or those bills that come due yearly?
An early great example: During our first year of marriage, we lived on my meager teaching salary, and saved half her income and paid off her college debt with the other half. When Alyssa was born, we were debt free, we had 10% saved for a down payment on a house, and Suzanne quit her job to stay at home.
An early bad example: A couple years later we bought a house that extended us very tightly (stressful), then did 12 months same as cash to waterproof the basement (more stressful). We learned from both of these mistakes. We plan to have 20%+ down payment for our next (whenever) house, while we contentedly enjoy renting. Wait to spend money till it is in the bank. Continue to live without "necessities" like cable tv. Become content with less and teach our children the power of enough. And trust God (not our savings and wise money usage). It could be all gone tomorrow, or God could tell us to give it all away. What's left then? God!

Quality vs Quantity

How about quality and quantity? Can we separate the two? Sometimes we can't do both, but I have found that the goal must be both. I took off Monday and spent the day with the girls. We went shopping in Hastings, swimsuit shopping! Does a man enjoy shopping for swimsuits with 5 females? Not really, but it was quantity time. But that isn't enough. I needed to be more than present. I needed to be a participant.
So, I gave my opinion. I complemented their choices. We held hands, we hugged, we gave high fives, we ate Subway, and we enjoyed time (quality and quantity) together.
This is a picture of the church. We, the local body of Christ, need to spend quality and quantity time together. Sometimes we will be doing things we wouldn't have chosen, and we grow in love, faith, patience, deference, and the body of Christ is built up to a unity of faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ, until we arrive at maturity, attaining the full measure of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12-13)

Great Mr. Rytych

How about longevity and commitment!
http://www.1011now.com/home/headlines/Monday_Golden_Apple_Award_Winner_121963219.html
(Bonus: You can find Courtney and Alyssa in a couple of the clips!)

51 years teaching at the same school! Find what you enjoy doing and do it. And if you don't know what you enjoy, then enjoy doing what you find.
Click on the links below to hear what Solomon and Paul had to say about our work.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Colossians 3:23-24

New post

This is a new post. It wasn't here before. Now it is. However, when the next post arrives it won't be a new post anymore. At that time, you can disregard the title, because it won't be true. This process happens at a high rate on blogs, technology, children growing up, reproduction, decay, time passing, well... generally everywhere. What is new is suddenly old, and what is old may be new again, but in a different (location, package, time, etc.). But you all were smart enough to already know this, because you have experienced this countless times before this specific new-oldness. Thanks for reading

Book review: The Pastor as Spiritual Guide

The Pastor as Spiritual Guide written by Howard Rice. This review is going to be high points; what hit me. Not a comprehensive review.

"The leadership provided by ordained pastors is for the purpose of guiding the congregation in fulfilling its own mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ." (pg 20) Shepherd the flock and a healthy flock reproduces itself.

"But the principal tool of pastors is not a particular skill or technique; it is our very being. The principal tool for the work of pastoral ministry is on's own faith." (pg 35) How's my faith? Will the faith of our people rise above our own faith> glass ceiling!

"Whether born into faith or recently arrived converts, Christians cannot take their faith journey for granted without danger to the soul. If we are not growing in our faith, we may discover that faith has grown dim, that God has become distant and unreal." (pg 45) Faith is alive; or dead. And if alive, then it must be fed and cared for. And if dead... well, no good.

"Openness to God necessitates distancing ourselves from a culture that expresses its desperate need for control through compulsive activity. Much of life's frantic pace arises from the unceasing effort to keep up the pretense of control." (pg 50) Yow! That is a good explanation of our busyness. If we don't make space for God, then we miss God. The answer isn't more control, because that means more busyness.

Keys to create space for God: (pg 50-56) Prayer, reading scripture, meditation, feasting and fasting, serving others, worship, holy reading, sabbath rest. Get acquainted with these spiritual disciplines, and put them into practice.

How can worship encourage spiritual growth? (pg 96-99) We accept God, We open our lives to God, We worship in order to be transformed. Is that why we show up for worship? Is that why we setup worship the way we do? For me, it starts with personal worship that prepares me for corporate worship, which feeds and encourages personal worship... It's a vicious cycle!

Chapter 9 connected with me the most. I won't quote the entire chapter here, maybe somewhere else:) "The Pastor as person: Keeping our souls alive". In short, Pastors need to practice what they preach, and preach what they practice. Integrity - doing what we tell others to do. Authenticity - telling others to do what we know we should do, then we have to do it to stay Integrated!

Friday of Holy Week

John 18-19:42
Good Friday? What is good about Good Friday? Jesus was arrested, betrayed, deserted, denied, roughed up, publicly disgraced, slapped in the face, bound, kept awake all night, rights violated, due process violated, repeatedly questioned, lied about, misrepresented, misunderstood, sentenced to die, flogged nearly to his death, crown of thorns pressed into his head, mocked, belittled, forced to stand for hours, handed over to be crucified, forced to carry his cross through the streets, crucified, nails driven through hands and feet, mourned by his mother and closest friends, had a spear thrust through his side after he died, wrapped in grave clothes and placed in a tomb...
Good? Good for me, and you, and all humanity. But still, not good, unless you know about resurrection!!!!! Which hardly anybody expected. It seems even his disciples weren't expecting him to rise again. Scripture shows us that they were trying to figure out what just happened, even 3 days later (or more). When receiving the news that Jesus was alive, many couldn't quite bring themselves to believe! Grace!!!

Thursday of Holy Week

John 13:1-35
Maundy Thursday - Commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.
Jesus was eating a Jewish passover meal. A celebration of remembrance of what God had done in redeeming the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. And I believe it was also a fervent call for God to act again on their behalf, and redeem the people to freedom from the Romans.
And Jesus surprises them all by washing their feet! Everybody present is thrown off by this. They don't know what to do! It is recorded that Peter objects, but everybody else is silent.
How do we wash each others feet today? Some are uncomfortable with feet. Is hospitality equivalent to washing feet? And what is hospitality? It can be:
-talking to your neighbor
-borrowing things, and lending things out
-hosting a block party, or attending a barbecue
-sitting on the porch (yours or theirs)
-having a meal together
-giving or receiving a ride
This stuff can be messy, like feet...

Wednesday of Holy Week

John 13:21-32
Denial, rejection, betrayal. These are the worst that we do in friendship. And when it is done to us, we are devastated, most times we are blindsided. We don't see it coming. Truthfully, if we saw it coming, we would separate ourselves from the friendship first. Or if they mean the world to us, we would confront them to try to salvage the relationship.
Here we find Jesus knowing that Judas (the one who keeps the money, pays the bills, and even leans up against Jesus sharing a meal, one of the closest 12 friends and followers) will betray him to death! Yet, Jesus keeps him in close fellowship. Jesus shares food, conversation, friendship, and his life with this Judas.
And I believe that it truly hurt Jesus to know this! And yet he stayed engaged. This is love!

Tuesday of Holy Week

John 12:20-36
Jesus is in Jerusalem at a feast, and he knows his time here on earth with his disciples is about to end. Some Greeks (non-Jews?) came requesting to see Jesus. I am wondering if Jesus is in hiding. The request is given to Jesus, and Jesus begins to talk about being glorified. Well that to me involves Jesus being seen. But Jesus instead seems to be portraying the idea that he is going to die. Instead of doing something great and wonderful in the full view of all, to be seen, Jesus instead is going to "just die". And this is for his glory, and for his Father's glory?!
My mind says, "Who will get the glory if Jesus dies? The one who kills him?" Jesus seems to be saying that the glory will go to Jesus, God, those who die with him. Now, I wouldn't have come up with that... and neither did the disciples. And just for good measure, so that Jesus will be glorified, Jesus goes and hides himself from them...
One time somebody told me that following Jesus is just about common sense. I didn't buy it. It's about a Spiritual sense, only revealed by God through the Spirit.

Monday of Holy Week

John 12:1-11
Ominous, six days before the passover. Having just raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus' enemies want to kill him. Well actually, both "hims". They want to kill Jesus to remove the threat to their political/religious compromise with the Romans. They also want to kill Lazarus, for being raised back to life! It's not Lazarus' fault, but he is the evidence that Jesus can conquer death, and he is the reason that many Jews were believing in Jesus.
Then, there is Judas. Isn't there always a Judas? Am I not often Judas? "Look at the waste! We could have used the money for the poor!" Some times I'm the thief; the one who is dipping into the bag; the one who wants to steal from Jesus' glory, something for myself. I deserve it, don't I? Time marches on. Only a couple more days with Jesus, then he will be gone...

Wanted: Dead or Alive

Imagine finding this picture on a telephone pole in your town. You catch your breath, your heart skips a beat; especially if it's true!
What do you do know? Disappear? Get outta Dodge!

What if it's not true? How do you clear your name? Would people believe you? Would they put their reputations on the line to clear your name?

The truth is that guy is wanted! God wants him! The only other question is: Would God prefer him dead or alive? Romans 6:11 or Galatians 2:20

Pie

What else can I say? Ahhhhh:)

Wow! One of us is wrapped around the others finger...

1, 2, 3, 4

Someone who has 4 girls got us 4 shirts for our 4 girls and here are 4 pictures to prove it. 4 sure they are the cutest, great 4tune!

So, we've been having fun...

While Suzanne's parents were here, we put Grandpa to hard labor, and he produced this! With some little helpers:) And it works great (there is much sleeping). Thanks for visiting!

Visitors are coming...

Reminds me of a song that goes something like this:
The animals visitors are coming two by two...

We'll have some maternal parents, followed by some spiritual parents, concluding with some paternal parents:)
In case that is still too confusing, there are three pairs of mixed gender parties, coming on different days...

Suffice it to say, we all are looking forward to the visits and the fun times of reconnecting in the next several weeks. Blessings to you and your parents (of all varieties).

I love this picture!

I laugh, and literally cry, every time I look at this picture. Seriously, I am laughing out loud and wiping tears from my eyes right now, as I type this! There I go, laughing again, and again...

Enough Said

Everybody is home now

Suzanne and Gloria came home on Sunday afternoon. They are both doing great, and I love having them here at home!
Some of you desire more details, so I wanted to share some Doctor fun. Those who prefer less detail, well you know how to go somewhere else. So, having a vbac meant we were Doctoring about an hour away. Here is the run down of how we met all 4 doctors at the clinic and the mid-wife:
Dr. 1 - our chosen doctor revealed to us that she is expecting a couple days after us. She delivered a week earlier than we do, so she is no longer available.
Dr. 2 - we met him 2 days before birth, however he was gone for the weekend starting on Friday.
Dr. 3 - never met him (Suzanne did a day after birth) was on call for the weekend, but evidently the weekend doesn't start till Saturday, unless your gone for the weekend.
Dr. 4 - doesn't do vbacs, and he's the only doctor available as we drive to delivery.
Midwife 1 - met her at the clinic just before going to the hospital, she worked with us expecting Gloria to come in an hour or so. Well, lots of work Suzanne's part but no progress on Gloria's part, and it became clear that Gloria wasn't coming out the expected way.
Back to Dr. 4 - we met him in the O.R. just before we met Gloria.
Nice to know them all now:) But really nice to know Gloria!

It's a girl!

Gloria Rose Nolt was born March 4th at 12:37pm.
She is 9# 12oz and 22in. There is much rejoicing!

Any day now...

Waiting. By Monday we should be celebrating a beautiful little bundle of energy. As one of the childrens songs says, "first they had to wait..."
And so we wait. Patiently.

Membership video

I realize that it's been a while since I've posted, so here are two posts in one day!!  For family and friends who were miles away when we became members of Salem Mennonite Church, I offer you this 10 minute video.

Membership has it's privileges

What do you think? Free Coffee? Everlasting Life? How about everything in between? What makes it worthwhile to become a member?

A number of years ago, American Express used the slogan, "Membership has it's privileges". And many other companies and individuals have used this phrase. So, what are the privileges of membership in a church?

You may list things like:

Free rental of the church facilities

Free or preferred rates for burial in the cemetery

Permission to take communion at some churches

Permission to serve on committees, hold positions, or teach Sunday School at some churches

(Sounds like fun, yeah! Some of you might prefer not to be members, because then you have an excuse to not to have to serve.)

 Of course, being a member doesn't save you or give you a higher standing in heaven or more jewels in your heavenly crown. But, I would like to suggest that maybe, just maybe, being a member can assist in saving you. When you commit your life, time, talents, gifts, to a group of people and their benefit, you are changed due to the influence of your associations. Did I say "commit"?  Really?!  Yes, membership isn't something frivolous, it is a commitment of mutual benefit. I place myself in your care for accountability, encouragement, and support. And I commit to hold you in love for accountability, encouragement, and support. 

For God's glory and to bring the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven!

Not so much in trouble

I see the last time I posted, I might have been in trouble.  We are good again:)
Do you ever feel inadequate?
Do you ever feel unqualified?
Well, that is good.  Welcome to my world.  You, and I, have lots of company.  Walk on in faith and the adequacy and qualification that only comes through Christ.

I'm in trouble...

We got our snow last week, yeah!  Nobody likes me for that:)  I shouldn't have said anything more:(

On Sunday at church, I told a couple people how much fun the girls and I had snowboarding in the ditch beside our house.  Then I said, "the grass is showing through, it would be nice to have a couple inches to cover it up."  People went from smiling and saying, "ah so cute to snowboard into your ditch", to frowns and saying, "hey, watch what you're saying."  It seems Pastors have a direct pipeline to God.  We can get what we want.
Actually, the truth is, we all have the same access to God, because of Jesus.  Pastor, saint, and sinner can all talk to God and be changed.
Well, today it's snowing again.  I'm in trouble.  It's my fault.  I better get out of town for the next several days, if the snow doesn't stop me:)

Snow is finally here

For those of you familiar with Nebraska weather, here are some numbers.
Average winter precipitation: @10inches
Last winter precipitation: @30 inches
This winter (prior to last Saturday): @1.5inches
Well we've got it now!  Over the weekend we were pleased (some of us) to receive about 6-8 inches of snow.  Light, white, fluffy stuff.  Then, of course it began to blow and now we have drifts in the yard, drifts on the roads, drifts in the church parking lot.  And cold... the last two mornings it has been at least 5 below zero.
We are thankful (truly thankful) for a warm house.  The girls and I have been out playing in it; off and on as we can stand it.  May you be warm and safe and loved.

Happy New Year

As I lamented last year, the ball only drops in Eastern time zone; not Central.  So, to ring in the new year with health, fellowship, and a negative calorie deficit we went for a two mile run at 11:15pm.  This is my fourth annual (Hesston ks, Kidron oh, Shickley ne, Shickley ne) and second annual in Shickley.  We doubled our numbers from 2 to 4:)  Below you see the before and after temperatures (although the town sign said 4), and to the left and right... you'll see the crew striking a pose.  Thanks to Wes, Don, and Jeremy!  And may you all have health, time, and the presence of God in 2011!