"The Picture On The Fridge Became Human"...

I've always loved "Ragamuffin Soul", the blog of Carlos Whittaker. He's an amazingly creative person, a great musician, and a soulful writer. (Yes, I am officially jealous.) He and his family sponsor a young girl from El Salvador through Compassion International, and his wife was able to make a trip there to meet their "little girl", and to share it with the family back home via Skype. Carlos edited the footage into a little video, and watching it made me cry. (Not a big stretch, I know....) I love how the whole family is invested in the life of this little girl halfway around the world, and I'm excited that our family has begun a similar journey ourselves.

Click here to read "The Picture on the Fridge Became Human", and be sure to watch the video...it'll touch your heart.

"The Journey"...

I was turned on to a great blog yesterday by my friend Todd Owens. It's called "The Journey" and it's written by a young lady named Katie Davis. She is a twenty-one year old who has chosen to give her life to serve others abroad. She is part of a group called Amazima that serves the underpriviledged and orphaned in Uganda. Katie not only provide medical care to many families and children, but she is a "house mother" to 14 young girls without a home.

Katie's blog is a good read not only for understanding how blessed we are here in America, but how much of a need there is all around us. She is providing for the physical needs of the people of Uganda, but deeper still she is being His hands and feet, showing His love through her actions to a people half a world away.

She doesn't blog that often, but when she does, it's worth your time. Click here to read "The Journey" and you can find a link permanently in the links section on the right side of my blog.

Using Our Falls To Lift Others Up...

“I admit that I didn’t always hold to this position. For a time I thought it was my duty to oppose this Jesus of Nazareth with all my might. Backed with the full authority of the high priests, I threw these believers—I had no idea they were God’s people!—into the Jerusalem jail right and left, and whenever it came to a vote, I voted for their execution. I stormed through their meeting places, bullying them into cursing Jesus, a one-man terror obsessed with obliterating these people. And then I started on the towns outside Jerusalem. “One day on my way to Damascus, armed as always with papers from the high priests authorizing my action, right in the middle of the day a blaze of light, light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions. Oh, King, it was so bright! We fell flat on our faces. Then I heard a voice in Hebrew: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me? Why do you insist on going against the grain?’

“I said, ‘Who are you, Master?’

“The voice answered, ‘I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down like an animal. But now, up on your feet—I have a job for you. I’ve handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what’s happened today, and to what I am going to show you. “‘I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’

(Acts 26:9-18, MSG)

This is a portion of Paul's speech defending himself to Festus and King Agrippa in the highest court in the land. The king asked Paul to tell his story, sharing his background with them so they could really get a feel for who he was. Paul had a choice to make: to tell the honest truth, no matter what light it painted him in, or to cover up his past and just let everyone think he's perfect. The easy choice is to cover it up, to not share things that may paint us in a less than flattering light...but Paul didn't do that. He was brutally honest about his past and his mistakes to show that God can use anyone, even someone that put Christians to death. Paul's testimony showed that God can forgive and redeem anyone and use them for His glory.

I think the same holds true for us today. It's so easy to varnish over those times in our lives when we've made bad choices and have fallen from the path we started on. In doing so, we can seal those bad memories away for good, and never have to deal with them again. Problem is, those times we are so embarrassed of can be what reaches and touches someone's heart, letting them know that the person they see as being "perfect" is no better than they are. When we are vulnerable to let people into our "story", there is a chance we will get hurt...but there is a great chance for something amazing to happen.

Here's hoping we can be honest about our failures today.

A New Addition To Our Family...

I teased this post a week or two ago, and I got a bunch of comments about it, so before I go any further, I need to clear two things up:

1. We aren't expecting a child. (Just the thought of one makes me shudder....)
2. We didn't get a new pet. (I didn't want the one we have already...)

Kris and I had been talking about sponsoring a child for a while, and a few weeks ago we went to the Casting Crowns concert. Right before intermission, Mark Hall shared about sponsorships through World Vision. This was one of the groups I had done research on, noting that over 90% of the funds brought in go directly to help children in need. For those of you unfamiliar with this concept, here's a short synopsis:

A HopeChild is a child living in a community affected by AIDS. As a HopeChild sponsor, you are connected with one special child who will know your name, write to you, and feel your tender love and prayers. Your monthly sponsorship gift can help turn the tide of the HIV and AIDS pandemic! You can provide things such as:

Clean water
Nutritious food
Health care, including AIDS prevention
Educational opportunities
Spiritual nurturing
Care for sick or dying parent
HIV and AIDS counseling

When Mark was finished, he and the band passed out cards with children on them. Kris got one, and here's our new addition:

His name is Bernardo. He's six years old, just about six months younger than our daughter. He is from Mozambique, and he enjoys playing soccer and going to school. He likes to help out at home by sweeping the floors. (I didn't include his picture, as World Vision wants to respect the privacy of the children and asks that we not post it here.) We just entered into the process so we don't know too much more about him yet, but should be receiving a full informational packet very soon. Once we receive this, we will be able to write to Bernardo and he can write back. I was excited about this opportunity to help...but what really blew me away was the response from our kids.

When we told the kids what we were doing, they were very excited. They can't wait to be able to write him and send pictures of them. As we talked with the kids about Bernardo, we were able to share some about how things are different for him there in Africa, and how blessed we are to be healthy, have food, and be able to go to school. The kids really got into it, and have committed a weekly portion of the money they earn doing chores around the house to be sent to Bernardo. What really touches my heart is to hear them pray for this young boy they've never met every night in their prayers. They pray that he is healthy. They pray that he is safe. They pray that he isn't hungry any more. As a dad, seeing the compassion my kids had for Bernardo and that they wanted to be a part of it just made my heart swell, and I also look forward to being a small part of Bernardo's life.

If this is something you may be interested in, I've found two organizations I fully support and believe in: World Vision and Compassion. Prayerfully consider taking a tiny bit of what you're blessed with and use it to change a child's life forever.

Welcome to the family, Bernardo!

"Torn To Pieces.."

"Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.

Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”

(Hosea 6:1,3 NIV)

This passage seemed pretty harsh the first time I read through it. "He has torn us to pieces....He has has injured us"? Sounds like a vengeful God, ready to smite us at a moment's notice, right? Well, if you think about it from Hosea's perspective, everything changes. Remember that God told him to marry a prostitute as an example to the people of Israel...and remember how badly that went for Hosea. Not only was she unfaithful, but she went back to her old way of business, forcing him to essentially "buy" her from her handlers.

Let's not mince words here....that had to hurt. Hosea had to have felt that he was "torn to pieces" and "injured" by just obeying God. He could have walked away from his wife and threw in the towel and no one would have blamed him. Instead, Hosea chose to persevere and keep fighting the good fight and finally won her, and many converts to the cause of Christ, in the end.

Sometimes, when life beats us up and leaves us bleeding, we feel like Hosea and want to just give up and walk away from it all....but as the second verse reminds us, pressing on and working through that pain, anger, or guilt will be worth it in the end. Grace, patience, and strength will be there at the end, just as He promised.

Here's hoping when you're "torn to pieces" that you'll allow Him to put you back together.

Casting Crowns: Concert & Meeting The Band...

A week ago Saturday night, my wife and I got to go to see Casting Crowns in concert at the Morris Center in South Bend. We had wanted to go, but didn't think that it was the best time to buy tickets. A few days before the show, I was reading the tweets of people I follow while at dialysis. I came upon Mark Hall's feed and saw that he was giving out tickets and a chance to meet the band if you tweet him back. I did so as soon as I saw it, and he sent me two tickets for the show and passes to go back and meet them. Needless to say, I was pretty stoked!

They brought us and the others that won into a ballroom next to the stage and we waited for the band to come out. I was expecting them just to come in and wave, then go on their way, but I was surprised to see each of them greet us individually and took the time to make real conversation with us. They couldn't have been more pleasant and friendly. When I met Mark, the lead singer and guy with the goatee in the middle of the picture above, I was able to tell him how much his book "Your Own Jesus" impacted me, and he was very gracious in sharing why he wrote it. This was my first meet & greet, but I was very impressed with them just as people...but then it was time for the concert!

We walked down to our seats and Mark had put us in the 3rd row. It was an incredible show. Matt Redman opened up for the Crowns, and he got the crowd into it. It really was like a three hour worship service, and I mean that as a compliment. Casting Crowns was amazing to watch, and I sang along with each song, and learned some new ones off the album due in just a few weeks. Musically, they were lights out...but Mark also took some time to share a little. I didn't know that the entire band all work with youth groups, and three of them are youth pastors, including Mark. They tour Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but are home for church on Sunday and youth on Wednesday. That's pretty cool. My favorites were "East To West" and "Praise You In This Storm", which struck me in a whole new way hearing it in concert, given my condition.

In all, it was a great night and I had a blast. Thanks so much to Mark Hall and Casting Crowns for making it an amazing night full of memories I'll never forget.

Thanks, guys....I needed that.

Set Apart...

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

(Acts 13:2-3, NIV)

Set apart...I like that phrase. While praying, God sent down word that Barnabas & Saul (or Paul) were to be "set apart" to go and tell the good news to Cyprus and beyond. God specifically called them to move away from the comfort zone of their friends, family, and church. He took them from the safety of home and placed them, essentially, into a war zone. Paul and Barnabas were willing to follow, and through their obedience, God used them in a mighty way to bring many to His glory.

I think each of us that are Christ-Follwers have been "set apart", too. I think there is a place for each of us to be serving Him. It may be something that you like and are already passionate about, but for many of us, being "set apart" involves stepping out of our comfort zone and familiarity to touch others with His love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Here's hoping we answer the call to be "set apart" as Paul did.

I've Got A Lot Of Stuff To Talk About...

Just noticed I hadn't written anything here in a week. It's been kinda crazy...and this has just slipped down on my priority list. That doesn't mean that I don't have anything to say....just haven't had time to say it. So, as I get back in the swing of things, here's some stuff I'm going to talk about...

Going to the Casting Crowns concert and meeting Mark Hall and the band...

A new addition to our family...

My amazing time at the "Story" conference...

How cool Youth Sunday was at my church...

How much I hate the Yankees...

...and that's for starters. Thanks for hanging with this random mess during the recent dry spell...I promise I'll do better.

Rescue Society vs. Yacht Club...

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews.

Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

(Acts 11:19-24, NIV)

The church of Acts got it.

They weren't concerned about music.
They didn't argue about what to wear.
They didn't watch the clock hoping for the pastor to finish.
They didn't focus on programming, hoping to make the presentation as "shiny" as possible.

They just did it. They told people about God's love, acceptance, and forgiveness. They encouraged each other. They took care of those less fortunate then they were.

Seems simple...but we are so bad at putting this into practice. I think too often we look at church as something for us...an hour to enjoy and be encouraged. That's not terrible, but it's so missing the point. Ed Young talked about the church at "Story", and he made a great analogy. The church in Acts was a "rescue society", a group who's sole focus was to reach the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ. Over time, we've lost that direction and have become a "yacht club", a group just content to stay on shore and enjoy themselves while the whole world is drowning around them.

Understand when I say this, I'm guilty, too. It's too easy to focus on myself and turn a blind eye to those close to me going down under the crashing waves for the last time. Here's hoping I drop my membership in the "yacht club" and get back into the "rescue society".