It's all about what God did

What a wonderful little phone call.




You can go here to see more details.

ht Jeff H.

The Ice Storm of 2007 - again

Back in Feb of this year we were hit with the first ice storm (I blogged about it here). Now we are digging out of another one. The picture is the same lap post that I've been taking pictures of (you can see other shots here and here). The last ice storm we didn't lose power (we were one of only a few areas that didn't lose power) but this time we were w/out power for almost 12 hours (temp in the house got down to 54 degrees - cold).

You can click on the picture to see a few more pics from around New Covenant Bible Church. Also, check out my friends blogs (Tye and Jill) for more pics and thoughts from the ice storm.

Simple Thoughts

I'm waiting to go help with communion in big church for the 5pm service and a couple simple thoughts came to me:

1) I've been asked by the IRS to explain how I "entered into a combat zone during 2004." I was working with middle school kids then I wonder if that is what they are talking about....
2) Hitting 40 means I had my first "real" check-up in years. Numbers are all ok but need to lose weight and exercises more.
3) Can't wait for the first ever IMPACT mission trip we will have with groupworkcamps this summer.
4) Got things lined up for winter retreat 2008.
5) I'm looking forward to this next week. Lot to do and a lot of time to do it.

I've been Elfed

My wonderful Admin found this fun web site. Check it out.

I've been ELFED:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1209272390

First 8th grade night 2007-08

Lesson Topic: 8th grade night - Dating
Attendance: average
'Fun Factor': above average
Volunteer Involvement: average
Music: above average
Lesson Quality: above average
Length of Lesson: 20 mins
Student Response: above average
Favorite statement of the night: "You've got to treat each other with royalty."

We give the 8th graders certain wed. nights to run IMPACT. Last night was our first of many 8th grade nights for the 07-08 school year. The night went extremely well. A couple of our boys put together a dodge-ball game where almost the whole group played (which was a surprise to me), then a group of 8th graders lead us in a great worship time, and then two of our 8th graders did a wonderful job sharing God's truth about dating. Over all a great start of the 8th grade nights.

(note: I got this idea of reviewing the night from Kurt Johnston's blog)

Book Report – Without a Doubt

Wow, it has been a whole month since I’ve done a book report and it has taken me a month to read this wonderfully difficult book (for me) "Without a Doubt." It is a theology book and the very first one that I’ve read from cover to cover. The last theology book I tried to read was one I read with our NCBC staff called “Bible Doctrine” by Wayne Grudem and I have admit I didn’t read even half of it. Kenneth Samples made “Without a Doubt” a book digestible and useable for me and I pulled a lot of great ideas for me to ponder. Two of those ideas were key to me and I’ll share them here.

A key idea came to me as I read the chapter called, “Why Should I Gamble on Faith?” Samples uses Blaise Pascal’s work almost completely in this chapter to help people think through faith. Pascal is known for many incredible scientific theories but one of his most famous works is called “the Wager.” Samples shares the wager in a way that even today’s modern thinkers have to wonder if “the Wager” is worth it. But the interesting and what really stood out to me is when Samples writes, “The Wager is simply an apologetic tool, not an end in itself.” There are so many great apologetics out there that if they would understand this idea people like me wouldn’t have so much trouble reading their theology books.

The other key idea that jumped out at me was when Samples explains the importance of “Getting the Gospel Right.” “Historic Christianity is first and foremost what Jesus Christ has done, not about what his followers have or have not done morally…” We have to be focused on what Jesus has done more than anything else. This coming from a theology book is incredible to me. I so often have read books like these and put them down because it was so much about how each word and sentence is put together instead of what God was doing for man through Jesus.

Those are my ideas and there is a lot more in this book. I hope (as I have in many of the books I’ve read) I’ll have a chance to go back and use it again. I hope it will be another tool to make me just that much better as a husband, father, and/or middle school guy.

Prayers this last month - Nov 07

This last month a lot of my personal study has been on me being humble and focused on God and Him alone. It's interesting when one reads the Bible as an email from God what is reviled of God.

Lord, how can I stay focused on you when I have such distraction in my life.

Lord, thank you for reminding me about being humble before you as I do all I can to bring you glory at NCBC.

Lord, open my eyes to see how best to Sheppard the middle school kids, families, and sponsors you have given me.

Lord, my I see you in each person I look at, not that they are God but that you are working in their lives to bring you Glory.

Lord, work on me like the molder of clay works on his clay. May I be molded into your image.

Lord, may I be all about You - the One and True God.

Lord, may I never be a priest that despises you.

Lord, open my eyes to see how to honor you with the life You have given me. May I never dishonor you and cause my blessings to become curses.

Lord, my you find me honoring you ever day for the rest of this life you have given me. May I be doing it quietly and humbly.

Lord, my I have energy bursting from me to share your good news so that it will rise like a sunrise for all to see.

Lord I want to be your message in all areas not for me to be seen but for you to be seen.

Lord, may kids see you through me, but only you not me.

Lord, open my eyes to see how our kids are keeping on, may the actions of the kids keep "us going."

Lord, I want to be pure and holy like you but I can't do it on my own, help me pls!

Lord, open my eyes to see you even more so that I might be holy as you are holy.

Lord, help me pls!

Lord, open my eyes to anything that I'm doing that would not honor you - I don't want to be a freeloader.

This is my prayer for myself, my family, and this wonderful ministry to middle school kids. "All because of Jesus." My I be focused on this and this alone, Lord! – I Tim 1:14