2009 Reading List

I enjoy reading and usually read a fair share of books on a yearly basis. The one thing I have never done is plan out my reading. A guy (great encourager) at church challenged me to do just that. So, this is the first year that I put together a reading schedule with definite timelines of when the books need to be started and when they will have to be finished. Well, so far so good. I finished my first book this morning and will start book two tomorrow.

The first book was called Freedom's Frame by Rick Green (www.rickgreen.com). It was a great book on how the freedom we have in this country is framed by four key principles. I would highly encourage you to pick it up.

In February I am going to read a book called MacArthur's Millenial Manifesto by Sam Waldron and I am also a huge John Grisham fan and his new book The Associate is out and I will try and read that as well. To top that off a dear friend of mine (Allan Taylor - Minister of Education FBC Woodstock, GA) wrote a book Sunday School in HD. It has not gone to print yet, so I am reading the transcript. He wants me to write a recommendation that will be included on the book cover, so I have to finish that book next month.

So why am I sitting here writing this, I need to get to reading...

I am finally back

It feels good to finally be posting again. The reason for the long delay is that our home computer crashed and we did not replace it for a while. I do not post while I am at work so I had to wait to get a new computer. Of course by the time we got one, I was out of the habit. Here are some really important events that have occurred since my last post.

• Meagan (my oldest daughter) GRADUATED from high school and is registered for her first semester at Crafton Community College
• Marissa (my middle daughter) GRADUATED from middle school
• Malory (my youngest daughter) GRADUATED from elementary school
• The church voted to bring on two new ministerial staff members (Jason Barker as Minister of Education and Jonathan Jones as Minister to Middle School)
• We went on a family vacation to Montana (Montana is quickly becoming one of my most favorite places)
• I am now the Executive Pastor of Immanuel

I would say however that the single greatest thing that has happened continues to be the faithfulness of God. His faithfulness ALWAYS amazes me. As I write this there are some significant things coming my way that I will expand on as they come.

• I am leaving for Russia next week for a mission project in which I get the privilege to minister to our M families (looking back this means I have had the privilege to visit The Netherlands twice, Poland, Cambodia and Mexico - only God could have orchestrated all of that).
• Meagan will begin College, Marissa will begin High School and Malory will begin Middle School.
• Our two new ministerial staff members will be arriving
• Gretchen and I will celebrate 21 years of marriage
• Marissa will turn 14

I know that through all of this the Lord will continue to show His faithfulness. Stay tuned...

I am already tired....

The 2008 election is not even here yet and I am already tired of politics. With all that is at stake this year, I am sure we will see an unprecedented political media blitz or should I blitzkrieg. I saw yesterday that the amount of money already spent on this election is twice as much as 2004. Needless to say, I am anxious for November to be here and gone. However, I do ask myself the question in the midst of all this junk, what am I to do? To me the answer to that is very simple. TRUST GOD! I will pray, study and vote my convictions but at the end of it all, I will just have to trust God. The people who get elected will be put there by God so I just have to know that He is in control of things. So, hold on to your seats it is going to be bumpy ride for the next 10 1/2 months.

Year of Intention

I am always amazed at the amount of New Years resolutions that are made and just as quickly broken. How do I know this happens? Because I am one of the millions (possibly billions) of people who have done that very thing. The beginning of a new year rolls around, resolutions are made and then.... I am sure you can get the picture. It is a very vicious cycle. I was reading an article the other day that I believe sheds some light on how to overcome this. The article was discussing the importance of being intentional. It really caused me to do some thinking. I believe that nothing really great comes by accident. If it is truly great it was the result of someone being very intentional to ensure its greatness. I believe that God is an intentional God in everything He does and if we are to emulate Him we need to be intentional. So my resolution for 2008 is to be intentional. There are certain things that I believe need to be accomplished this year and if I am not intentional, well.... Hopefull this intentionality will show up in the accomplishment of tasks for the glory of God and His Kingdom.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

The official start of College football 2007 started yesterday. I love college football. It is by far my favorite sport. I enjoy watching any game at any time. Of course my favorite team is the Colorado Buffaloes. I grew up in Boulder watching the games. We had season tickets and every home game during the fall I got to go to several games each season. I remember one game in particular when after the game I was able to go into the locker room and meet the players. I was all of about 10 years old. I will never forget that - it made me a lifetime (not a fairweather) fan. I cheer for them when they are good and when they are bad. Last year they did not give me too much to cheer about. I hope this season is different. Regardless of the outcome I will pull for them all season long. I am anxious to see what this season has in store. MY SATURDAY'S ARE FULL UNTILL JANUARY!!!!

Early morning appointment with the green family

I am up early this morning because of an appointment with the Green Family. The appointment is at 6:52 in Yucaipa and I am going with my great friend David. The appointment hopefully will take no more than 4 hours. At the end of the appointment we will either be happy or very sad. I have been on several of these appointments with David and he usually comes away feeling very good. I, on the other hand, come back feeling not quite as good. The factors that determine how good we will feel are too many to mention. I am hoping that it is not too rough for me today. Either way I have never wanted to stop my appointments with the Green Family. They always leave me with the feeling that I want to go back for more.