Storms and Forts

I am looking out the window, the sky is cloudy with some scattered raindrops. I have not seen the forecast, however already this morning several different people have mentioned the HUGE STORM coming in.

Since I grew up in Minnesota, I have a deep appreciation for a good snow storm. There is something absolutely wonderful about several inches of snow changing the way we look at life for the next 24-48 hours. I break the snowstorm down into three distinct events:

Event 1: Preparation for snow – This is when everyone begins to talk about the coming snow storm. People are buzzing around and the stores are busy selling shovels, salt, sleds and soup. The first words to roll off of peoples tongues have to do with the approaching snow storm. The kiddos have rising expectations of canceled school, late nights drinking hot chocolate and eating popcorn.

Event 2: The snow – It usually starts with the weather turning colder and the snowflakes picking up momentum. The roads fill up, get slippery and people start to complain. The whining starts with a focus on every other inept driver except us, then it transitions to the city and the poor conditions of the roads. I can usually gauge the turning point of the storm when someone asks where all our tax money is going if our street is not plowed. Finally, the storm would not be complete without us wishing for spring to come.

Event: 3 The post-snow activities – If you are neighborly, you will clear your sidewalks and driveway. This is usually fun for a few minutes until the back starts hurting. If you have kids it is only a matter of time until they break you down and convince you to take them out sledding. I actually love sledding and building snow forts.

One time when I was in college my brothers and several friends built a snow fort with seven rooms. We spent hours digging out a humongous snow pile in the parking lot of a nursing home. Although it took several days we absolutely loved the process of digging and planning and dreaming of our big fort. We even had a hearth room with a bonfire. When we finished we didn’t know what to do with a seven room snow fort, the excitement had come from the process of building.

Often, I have reflected on this experience. I remember the empty feeling when we were finished with the process of building and how quickly we became bored when we tried to “hang out” at the fort.

In my estimation, this illustrates what happens in life when we attempt to stop and enjoy this life. As Christians, the Bible makes it clear that we are citizens of another Kingdom. It is for this reason that we will become frustrated with life when we try to enjoy something that was never meant to be enjoyed.

I recently read a chapter in a book entitled, “Your best life later.” This is in opposition to some popular teaching today, however in my estimation it is right.

Here’s the point: Whether our life is full of sunshine, rain or snow, we should remember that we were made for the journey, our time for rest is coming in another Kingdom. The Kingdom of God made possible by the resurrection of Jesus. This Sunday, we get to look at 1 Corinthians 15 which is the classic chapter on the Resurrection as we prepare for Easter. I hope you will be able to join in the worship. If you are unable to come, you can always listen online.

Loving the Journey-even in the snow!

Resurrection Power

Presently, I am at a coffee shop looking out a window at three police vehicles with lights flashing. Fifteen minutes ago a professional from the law firm upstairs came down and asked someone to lock the doors and call 911. I honestly was deep in thought and it never really sunk in until I saw the police. Leigh-Ann can attest to the fact that I am very accomplished at being able to tune out my peripheral surroundings. I assume most of you reading this believe that all men have this ability, especially when a baby is crying or something is needed or the proverbial hint is being dropped.

So anyway, back to my story, two attorneys were interviewing a client and he held them up for 30 minutes. They were fortunate enough to be able to bribe him with a credit card and whatever other valuables they could think of. I was sitting here all the while this was happening only a floor away and had no idea.

As a result of seeing the police, I walked over to a regular at the coffee shop that I had only seen, but had never met and asked him if he knew what was going on. He shared what he knew and then introduced himself. This sparked an hour long conversation. We immediately found ourselves talking about meaning, interpretation and purpose of life.

He lives downtown and has been very active in the arts community for a long time. He was very chatty and quickly began to tell me all about his life which is much different from mine. Though, towards the end of our conversation he shared that he had not had this deep of a conversation in at least 6 years.

Here is my point: There was a tragic situation right above me and I didn't even know it…there was a person I had seen several times that was longing for a meaningful conversation and I never even considered it.

So my questions: How many people within a few steps of you throughout the day are in need? What will it take for you build a relationship? How could the power of the Resurrection make a difference in their lives?

This Sunday, I begin a four week series about the most important event in the history of mankind: THE RESURRECTION. This week we will study from Acts 2:22-41 about the effect of the Resurrection on the first century church. We also will be privileged to hear a life story from a guest that you will not want to miss. I hope to see you there!

Lookin for good managers

I have a few minutes this morning before everyone wakes up so I thought I would make an attempt to unscramble some thoughts from the past few days. It seems like only yesterday we were planning our honeymoon and now we are middle-aged with four kids.

A lot of people have commented that Dallas looks just like me…I'm not so sure. I told Leigh-Ann that he kind of looks like an old man…on second thought, maybe he does look like me. No matter what he looks like, it is certainly intimidating to have a child, especially a boy.

A child has so much potential wound up into such a little body. As infants they seem so fragile and helpless—maybe the difference is that as adults we just don't seem so fragile and helpless.

As a parent I am overwhelmed by the responsibility that I have been given to care, teach and lead. In fact for the past two days, I have been in a little bit of a funk trying to make sense of everything that needs to be planned and managed. This morning is the first time I have actually felt at peace with where we are in life since the birth of Dallas. Hopefully this feeling will not leave too quickly.
We understand that we do not own Dallas or any of our children - we are merely entrusted with them temporarily.

Leigh-Ann and I have roughly 18 years to make an impact in his life so there are several prayers we have for him:

• We pray he will experience an authentic relationship with Jesus
• We pray he will be healthy
• We pray he will have character, discipline and a strong work ethic
• We pray he will be kind to everyone
• We pray he will not discriminate or look at different people with condescension
• We pray he will be discerning
• We pray he will be a lifelong learner
• We pray he will be a good athlete (this is my prayer :))
• We pray he will use all his God-given qualities to advance the Kingdom
• We pray he will seek God first

This Sunday, I have been planning to share some thoughts on stewardship. This is an old-fashioned word that describes the responsibility all people have to manage the sum of everything that we have been given in this life wisely. I am pretty sure there will be quite a few "new dad" anecdotes sprinkled in along the way. I really hope to see you on Sunday!

Daylight Savings Time

Time Flies!

Spring is here!

Don't forget to spring your clocks ahead-early Sunday morning-it seems like it was just a few weeks ago that we "fell back."

Time never stops - even if we do - or we want to!

When it comes to chronology - everyone is equal!

Whether you are worth $1 million or you owe $1million--whether you are 7 feet tall or 5 feet short--whether you are a genius or mentally challenged--whether you are a CEO or a ZERO--whether you are loved or hated--whether you are powerful or powerless--whether you have a quick wit or are always the last to get the joke--whether you are fast or slow--

EVERYONE has been given the EXACT SAME AMOUNT OF TIME IN A DAY - 24 Hours!

How did you spend your last 24 hours?

How will you spend your next 24 hours?

Early Sunday morning everyone will lose 1 hour--where will you take it from?
Some people will take it from church--some from sleep--some from family--some from themselves. Since you have time to decide in advance, what would be the best option for you?

Every day when I see my girls, I am reminded that time continues to expire--and it seems to be speeding up! As much as I would like for them to quit growing--they don't! One of our favorite things to do together as a family is to watch "The Biggest Loser." The girls are nuts about the show-just ask them.

The episode this past week was inspirational for all of us. The challenge for the week was to fill 150 food kits and load them on the truck for the LA Regional Food Bank. These kits contained enough food to feed 1,200 people for one day. The winning team was promised letters from home, a feature in a General Mills advertising campaign and free food for one year. It seemed that everyone was working harder than normal. In my opinion, it was because they were not only working for their own rewards, they were also helping a lot of needy people.

As always, when it was over everyone was crying (which is a little bothersome for me - oh well). The "heart-wrenching" story was Aubrey who is a mother of five children. She was really hoping to win the food because she had a huge need. She lost! After the dust settled and the celebrating was over, one of the contestants from the winning team named Mike decided to offer his winnings to Aubrey.

THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!

I guess Jesus knew what He was talking about when He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

Mike from the biggest loser has a lot to teach us all about the value of giving.

This Sunday we are in the 3rd week of a 4 week series on "Things Jesus said about wealth." If you haven't been able to come, we have had several surprises:

Week 1 - We passed out $10 to everyone and asked them to spend it on building a relationship with someone outside of New Life.

Week 2 - Every chair had $1,000 bill on it (we can print money too :)) and on the back we asked everyone to dream about how they would spend $1,000 for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Week 3 - You have to come to find out--

I hope to see you on Sunday - Don't be late!