Poland Day 1

We landed in Poland on Aug 1 at 1:30 in the afternoon Poland time. Of course the sun is just coming up in the States. I came along with 10 others from the church I serve, one of which is my son, Max. We are looking forward to working alongside internationals in a city called Lodz. More to come...gotta catch some sights of this country.

I'm Allergic to That

We recently went to dinner at the home of some new friends at church. Watching kids play and interact is always one of my favorite things to do. I have special fun watching the 3-5 year old playtime. They have a unique way of communicating the things they don't yet understand. Kind of like that person who tries to sing along with just about any Led Zeppelin song without the album lyrics on hand. They just kind of make words up. That makes me laugh.

Anyhow, the kids are playing together nicely when all of a sudden our 4 year old daughter comes into the room. She sighs deeply, sheepishly looks at the assembled parental units and states, "(boy's name withheld) told me that he wants to marry me...and I'm allergic to that!" Then she prances away as we sat in half disbelief and half hysterics over what we just heard. We know the odds of that coming true are very slim (especially since there are 2 other girls for whom this youngling has affections). But it was just plain funny to hear. It's making me smile now.

I think maybe God has that same kind of fun listening to us as we try to articulate the things happening to us in life we don't understand in language we can best come up with. Sometimes we're talking to him about work or our marriage or our lack of marriage or our need for a new something or other...you get the picture. We are just talking and talking and talking trying to put words to our experiences and needs. "God, the boss just said I need to move to Nebraska...I'm allergic to that!" "God, my laundry needs done...I'm allergic to that!" (this would be my personal issue).

No wonder the Bible says that, "...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." God has this perfect way of knowing what we mean when we gibber jabber our way around life and the Spirit knows just how to take what we need and converse with the Father over what's best for the plans created for us. Maybe the "groans" are laughter pains. Who knows. It's simply good to know that God is concerned and conversing about the life of his children whom he loves and enjoys.

Freedom Prayer

Our family was recently invited to a friend’s home for dinner. That doesn’t happen too much. Most people are very afraid of our numbers. When we are invited over, its fun to see the amount of food made in preparation for our arrival. However, this family had it down. Not too little, not too much.

While there visiting, I did what I normally do…I check out the photos on the walls. There were pictures of family from both sides of the family, kids, and animals. Then one picture caught my attention that was sobering. It was a picture of a tombstone of a young man who had died in 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Behind the tombstone was a little boy whom I found out was the son of our friends. Interestingly enough, the boy was born slightly before the young soldier (his cousin) died in war. It was a moving memorial to me.

After a time of reflection, I found myself focused on what that picture represented. It represented to me a sacrifice…and a future. One who had all of life ahead of him giving up his life in thoughts of someone yet born. It makes me more grateful. It drives me to make decisions that help create a future for the generations behind us should Jesus tarry. It helps me remember our national family members who stand in my stead to protect what I often abuse…freedom.

Mostly, it makes me more driven to pray. To pray for those who are fighting for freedom. For their safety. To pray for our enemies that they might be ever changed by love. To pray for those who are caught between. To pray for freedom fighters in the Kingdom of God. For the ones who are in need of freedom from addiction, frustration, guilt, shame, sin, brokenness and loneliness. What a time to be called to prayer.

Father, I thank you for where you have placed me in the scheme of eternity to be a blessing to the world. In some places I just cannot physically go without your calling so I pray in your name to bless the world. Thank you for my freedom...for my responsibility to join you in fighting for all kinds of freedom. Show me my way that I may bring you glory on this earth and in your Kingdom. Amen!

New Office

I have a problem. I know, I know...you already knew that fact. This problem has to do with my new office. It's not just that I have a new office, it's that this is my 4th office in 2 1/2 years on staff at First Christian Church. Sad part is that I have not fully unpacked in any office. I just don't know what to do with the stuff to make it look good. I'd just assume show up to Starbucks and let their decor become mine. I actually painted 1 of those offices 3 times because I didn't know how to choose the right colors to go together. Thankfully I had an assistant with some abilities (thank you Reena).

Well, here I am at my new office (for 2 months) and it still looks pathetic. Oh well...I'll look at it from the bright side...maybe I make this office look good. In my mind, problem solved.

If You've Got it All Figured Out

An ode to the ones who have it all figured out...by Scott A. Rosen

Good luck with that.

The end.

Some Things You Just Can't Make Up

There's a true story I just have to tell.

Last week my wife went on a 5 day trip to be refreshed before this next baby comes. I was so excited to give her time she needed. The first two days she was gone, I had to split my time with the kids at home and at the office in some meetings.

Here's where the story get's interesting. My meetings on day one took more time than I anticipated and my 5 year old was missing me :). He decided to get the phone and call my cell phone which he was sure would be the same number as our address. The first two numbers are 9-1. He dialed the 9 and the 1 and proceeded to hit the #1 again. When he did not get the response on the other side he anticipated he left the phone on and dropped it on the couch while he and the others kids played and screamed. You think you know where this is going don't you.

Shortly after, a knock came at the door. And, yes it was a man dressed in fine official gear asking if someone called 911. When my oldest found the phone and showed it to the officer he politely saw it was an innocent situation and asked a simple question. "Where are your parents?" Quick with her wits, she told him that "Mom is not here and my dad is on his way home from work." This reply satisfied the officer and he left. I quickly got a phone call and thankfully was on my way home.

I decided that this was a story that just had to be shared in my sermon on Sunday morning. I told the story and people just howled in laughter. If this was the end of the story it would have been great...but it's not! After the 3rd service ended and the kids were herded, we proceeded out to the parking lot with the other 3 families left in the building. The 5 year old decided to try and outdo himself and go #1 in an outside drain. I was able to stop him and take him inside to finish business while the others got settled in the van.

When I returned with the boy, I found my kids laughing with a family I did not know (always makes me suspicious) and since I wasn't in a hurry, I decided to be friendly and join the conversation. Once everyone got settled down from the laughing my oldest gave me a sheepish look with a smile and proclaimed, "Daddy, this is the officer that showed up at our door!"

Seriously, you cannot make this stuff up! The officer and his family only come to church as often as he does not work on Sundays and this was one of them. Funny thing is that he was taking a phone call in the lobby while I was telling the story and didn't know what had happened until his wife shared the story and he saw my oldest at the car. Amazing. Simply amazing!

Humilty Matters

I spent time today (well spent time I might add) at a friend's house. The circumstances were a birthday party with 4 girls, the dad and myself. Dad and myself hung out in another room. We would have ruined the whole thing anyhow.

We talked about normal guy stuff until he mentioned his side business he does with stock trading. Now, you have to understand of whom I speak. He is a theology chair of a local university, a Princeton grad, Oxford graduate and doctorate acheiver, and has spent time all over the world. His dad was even led to Christ by Bill Bright of Campus Crusade. This guy has all kinds of credentials by this culture's standards. But you would never know it from spending time with him. He is a kind and quiet person that is genuinely interested in your life.

Anyhow, after digging a little bit about the side business he goes to his office and comes back with a book. A book written by him. A book written by him published by a not so obscure publisher. I was shocked. This guy never ceases to amaze me...mostly because he doesn't try.

It's made me think again about the role of humility in a follower of Jesus Christ. What way to live. No wonder Jesus was so liked. Humility shapes you to love others for their sake and not your own. I'd like a drink of that cup please. Right now, it really matters.