on with the adventure
So we officially have lived through '
snowpocalype 2010' here on the east coast. Many of our plans were rearranged during the last week, but we will continue on, as planned, to the lovely state of
Connecticut today.
We move on to New Jersey Monday,
and Pennsylvania Thursday,
teach at Lititz's youth retreat at Camp Joyell this weekend,
and head back to Indiana next Sunday.
Can you believe it? It's already day 22 of the the 30 day adventure!
Thanks for praying!
Labels: 30 day adventure
BUENA VISTA!
Stacie and I are in
BUENA VISTA, Virginia, hanging out with one of the sweetest youth groups in the country (don't be jealous). They're watching me write this right now...
12 of the 30 day adventure continues.
Labels: 30 day adventure
day 12
So here we are, day
12 of the
30 day adventure.
The stats:
10 states
3800 miles (roughly)
11 host homes
We've had countless meetings and have moved around so much we can't remember where we are, where we've been, or where we're going.
I've been reading lots (leadership books and biblical prophecy) and listening to sermons. I'm full of thoughts and ideas... but we're busy hanging out with the famous Bill & Patti Willhite, so meaningful posts are going to have to wait a day or 2.
Just wanted you to know that we're still alive, currently in Virginia, and working on avoiding the forecast several feet of snow (yeah. that's no exaggeration.)
Labels: 30 day adventure
bye bye florida
Just finished up at Grace Church of Sebring this morning.
Grabbing a quick lunch with Chris Ogden,
then off to Tampa for a meeting with Mike Richards,
and then we head to South Carolina.
About 600 miles to drive today. That will take our total to over 3000 miles in the last 9 days.
Pray for us today, please.
Labels: 30 day adventure
God's good gifts
The last 24 hours have been awesome.
'...which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!'
Matthew 7.9-11
Last night we were in Alabama, and Leah and I talked for a while about what we were learning about prayer. The idea that the Lord wants to give us good gifts is so hard for us to grasp. I know it's true. But I am so arrogant that I want to feel like I have earned the things I'm given--that I'm good enough to receive good things. (That is obviously not the case: Psalm 14.3, Ephesians 1.3-14) Every good gift comes from above (James 1.17). It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God (Ezekiel 36.22, 32).
Today the Lord overwhelmed me with this truth in so many ways:
- Morgan and I have been praying that God would give her real, deep spiritual relationships since September. Today Morgan told about a number of incredible conversations and friends that the Lord has brought into her life this week.
What a gift. - While gassing up the car (on our 700 mile drive from Alabama to Florida), I noticed that one of our tires was leaking air. A guy at the gas station said there was a repair shop down the road. We went there, a man immediately checked the both front tires, found some wear, and replaced them both within 10 minutes. The way the Lord orchestrated us stopping and hearing the leak at the very place where someone could fix it so quickly...
What a gift. - Andrew wasn't going to be able to go on Barnabas this summer. Yet instead of being frustrated or blaming people (or the Lord), he's continued to pursue the Lord - serving, learning, growing. Just today he found out that he is able to go. I can't even tell you how excited he is. (and me too--I'm so pumped this kid is going) And he acknowledged this for what it is ...
A gift.
Oh gosh I could go on and on. The Lord is blowing me away with how he answers prayer. And every time, it's a gift.
Day 4 of the 30 day adventure.
Stats so far: 9 states, 1951 miles, 2 new tires.
Labels: 30 day adventure, Leah, Morgan, Operation Barnabas, prayer
different state, different church, same struggles
Today we met with a couple of pastors at a large (non Grace Brethren) church. It was so fun to talk with them, to hear about their vision for their youth ministry and their church at large, to talk about their creative ideas, to gain some new perspective.
But let me tell you what was really solidified for me today:
churches are facing the same issue across the nation.
I know, it's not all the same. Struggles vary based on culture and context and demographics and staff and... whatever.
But we meet with pastors and church staff all.the.time. The thing we hear over and over?
how do we better cultivate real, deep, life changing, spiritually based relationships.
I certainly don't have all the answers. I know some things that are working in a variety of places. I'll work on posting some of those. But I write this really just to encourage you -- if your church is struggling to really cultivate good community, you are not alone.
Let's fight this good fight of faith together.
(day 3 of the 30 day adventure. finishing up in tennessee, and on to alabama for the night. florida tomorrow!)
Labels: 30 day adventure, church
volunteer state
Stacie and I are spending the night in the Volunteer state (who knows where we are)?
And going to Fountain of Life Bible Church tomorrow morning, and then out to lunch with Josh Banks (the youth pastor) and his wife.
Then it's off to the Palmetto state (who knows?)
It's day 1 of our 30 day adventure. Stay tuned.
Labels: 30 day adventure
