Sensational Christmas

We love this time of year. Spending time together, all the homemade goodies & great food, seeing extended family, etc. Of course, the kids can't wait for the presents!

Years ago, when I gave my heart to Jesus, Christmas began to take on a deeper meaning. And it's that Spirit that always seems to be present during our recent "Carols, Candles, and Communion" service.

As we celebrated Christ's birth as a church family, the entire experience was especially meaningful as we pulled up to the table of the Lord and remembered His birth, life and death for us. The message leading into communion was from 1 John 1:1-9.

The passage starts by addressing the senses, "which we have heard...seen...and our hands have touched." And that's exactly what Christmas does for me and so many others. It touches our senses. The lights, food, carols and family time all bring our senses to alert and draw us into the holiday. But the most moving expression isn't from festivities or family; but from the "life that appeared" on that first Christmas day in the form of a baby.

And the Apostle John reminds us that this is to make our "joy complete." Even the angel heralded the same message to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Lk. 2:10)."

How about you? Do you have the joy of Christmas this season? Or have the distractions of Christmas kept you from experiencing the real joy, Emmanuel- God with Us. I pray that you have a sensational Christmas by being able to sense the presence and experience the joy of Jesus.

A Friend Loves at All Times

This week while I was praying, a familiar passage of Scripture came to mind found in Proverbs 17:17 which says, "A friend loves at all times." It caused me to take a moment to reflect about God's love for me, and His friendship.

First, the simple fact that God would call me friend still blows me away. Words cannot express how unbelievable it is to have the unchanging, sovereign God say, "I'm your friend."

Secondly, He even shows us what true friendship is all about: unselfish love. A love that doesn't think about self first, but rather makes the other person the object of friendship and love.

And lastly, His love is constant. It doesn't fluctuate. We don't find it only when we are doing well and are lovable. No, His love is there even when we are unlovable.

And isn't this the litmus test for our all of our relationships? Do we love selflessly at all times? Or do we allow the down times to pull us away from our friends? I believe the true test of one's character is found in their ability to love people at all times. Even when people are unlovable or have done something that causes us to lose trust in them. For a "friend loves at all times."

Christmas Toy Giveaway

Sunday was a fantastic day for Englewood. It was our annual Christmas outreach where we invite families from the community to join with our church family to experience the Christmas message and a toy giveaway. Both services were packed and I couldn't be more proud of the staff pastors and tons of volunteers who made this day possible. You continue to amaze me with your love and devotion for our community and the Lord. I pray God will reward you for your service to Him and the Kingdom.

The children's program, "Angel Alert" was great, as usual. The kids looked so cute and they did a wonderful job ministering through song, scripture and drama. I love watching them smile after they "nail" their line or song. But the absolute best part were the numerous people who raised their hands to accept Christ after both presentations. Our children, ministering to the families of the community--Awesome!

After the invitation for salvation, we passed out gifts to every child in the building. It was so much fun sensing the anticipation in their faces and seeing them reach out to receive their gift. What joy comes in giving. This marks the ninth year in a row that we have blessed the community and our children with gifts on Christmas. Ministry can be so much fun when you are serving others!

4 Principles of Pearl Harbor

This past Sunday (Dec. 7, 2008) my message was entitled, "A Date Which Will Live in Infamy." The title, of course, comes from the well known speech given by Franklin D. Roosevelt the day after Japanese aircraft bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

In 2007, our family was able to take our first trip to Hawaii (hopefully not our last!). Without a doubt, one of the major highlights was touring the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. Very humbling to experience a place where so much pain and suffering happened. It is an important and interesting part of American history, and simply fascinating to go there.

On the USS Arizona Memorial and checking out the ship below with Braeden

On that day in American history, 2,280 military personnel lost their lives, 1,109 were wounded and 68 civilians also died. The sad thing about that day is that it didn't have to happen. Or at the very least, the results of the attacks could have been less damaging.

Consider this...

• Intelligence department intercepted messages about the coming attack, but didn't forward the entirety of the messages to the commanding officers in Oahu, Hawaii.
• There were warnings of Japanese spies in Hawaii, but they weren't found or captured.
• The morning of Dec. 7, military personnel manning the sonar saw a massive amount of aircraft coming toward them, but it was considered U. S. B-17's coming from the mainland.
• And finally, a sub periscope was seen in the harbor before the attack. Despite this, there was no alert given.

Here are 4 Principles of Pearl Harbor that we can learn from...

1. Pearl Harbor's Pride- They thought they were untouchable. Nothing could happen. Read Pro. 16:18; Ps. 10:4; Lk 18:11-16; and James 4:6.

2. Pearl Harbor's Warning- listed above were all the warning signs that were given. Because God loves us, He gives us many warning signs as well to make us change course. Many times we don't see and hear them because we aren't paying attention.

3. Pearl Harbor's Price- The price that was paid for having too much pride and not listening to the warning signs were great. On top of the men and women who lost their lives, nearly every aircraft was destroyed or damaged, 8 battleships were sunk or destroyed, 2 destroyers were sunk and several other warships. The price is great if we don't examine ourselves for weaknesses (see 2 Cor. 13:5; Mt. 7:22,23; Mt. 7:13,14).

4. Pearl Harbor's Power- There was an incredible display of Japanese power that day. But there was also a tremendous display of U.S. power and resolve. As believers, we have power that is beyond our strength (see 1 Jn. 4:4; 2 Cor. 10:3-6; Ps. 91:11; Ps. 68:1).

Are you listening to the warning signs God is placing in your life? Are they quiet, gentle warnings or have they become obvious and loud? Swallow your pride, heed the warning signs, count the cost, and lean on God's power. He cares for you, loves you, and wants what's best for you.

Snow Day & Spiritual Endorphins

Two of the greatest words in the English language: "No School"!

We actually got our kids back out of bed last night to come and hear it on the news. No school in Independence today. SNOW DAY! There was fist pumping, jumping, high-fiving, lots of "Wooo baby!", etc.

Wonder if anybody has ever done a study on the amount of endorphins released in children upon hearing the phrase "No School"? I still kinda get pumped up myself! It's a definite euphoria trigger.

I'm very thankful that I can be at home with my boys. We slept in, I made a big breakfast, and we're going to chill out today; maybe catch a movie and wait for church tonight.

You know, I've just had a stirring in my spirit and an excitement about the service tonight. I don't know why; for all intents and purposes it's a normal Wed. night. But God has been saying to me, "Are you excited to enter my presence? I have something for you and I'll meet you there."

Does being in God's presence to wait upon Him, worship Him, and hear His Word excite you? Does it release some spiritual endorphins in you? Does it trigger a joy and a hunger for God in you? It can and it will. Read Psalm 16:11

Bull Riding Video

Below is a short video used as support for the Live Like You Were Dying message series. Okay, Brian did a little indoor rock climbing instead of "Rocky mountain climbing", but that's a real 600+ lb. Brahma bull he rides for 2.1 seconds. The guy said 2.1 is actually very good for a first timer. Trust me when I say it has been 3 weeks since that ride, and Brian's backside is still very bruised and sore!

Overall, we received a lot of great testimonies about the series and we hope people were challenged. Here's the video:

I almost forgot-- one of the coolest things that we were able to do for the series was to hand out these LLYWD bracelets. God put it on the heart of a guy in our church, so he had them made and donated them to us. It reminds us all that God gives us just one life. We must love deeper, speak sweeter, forgive others, and live with a sense of eternity- Psalm 90:12.

Elements of a Close Friendship

We are currently going through the Beth Moore DVD bible study series, "A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place" during our women's Connect Class on Sunday mornings. FYI- Connect Class is our attempt at a trendy name for Sunday School! Hey, there's a "cool" name for everything now.

The study has been truly awesome. I look forward to watching Beth teach every week. This week's lesson was out of Exodus 33 and examines the presence of God. As Beth taught, she compared God's presence to a close friendship. I really liked what she had to say, so I'm sharing it here as well.

Elements of a Close Friendship:

1. Secrets- When you have a close friendship, you know personal things that aren't publicly known about that person. On the contrary, when you have to say to someone, "It's none of your business!", what you are saying is 'you and I are not that close'. Our heavenly Father will never say that to us. Read John 15:13-15

2. Small Talk- Close friends are able to talk about the ridiculous stuff. The trivial. (For me, Jennifer, the Twitter-able). There are no awkward moments of silence. We are experiencing the close presence of God when everything we say to Him does not have to be so profound. Just talking to Him. Like the old song says, 'He's as close as the mention of His name'.

There are friendships and then there are close friendships. There is God and then there is the presence of God. We all need friends, but we are sharpened and changed by close friendships. And we surely must try to learn as much as possible about our loving God, but NOTHING is as important as experiencing His presence continually in our lives.

Thanksgiving Outreach '08

This past Saturday was another great Englewood night. Pastor Brad Oyler and Pastor Amy Bales headed up two different teams that went out and placed door hangers on local homes inviting them to our 12th annual Thanksgiving outreach. They passed out approximately 2,500 door hangers, and we prayed and waited for the community to come.

The service and give-a-ways were scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m., but people began to arrive a little before 4:oo p.m. At one point, the line went up and around the corner. We had 643 people register with many others coming to the service unregistered. All in all, we had over 700 people show up. But that's not the best part.

The service started with the band and media departments doing an awesome job, and then I followed with a simple illustrated message. After the message was over, nearly 70 people came forward to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. And that's why we do it!

Afterwards, we gave away approximately 150 turkeys and 200 boxes of food. This allowed us to minister not just in word, but also in deed. This year was the smoothest in moving the people from registration to service to food lines. A BIG THANK YOU to all who gave, assisted and ministered to our community. I am very proud of you and of what God is doing through our church.

Happy Thanksgiving

It is believed that the first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth Colony, in present-day Massachusetts, in 1621. More than 200 years later, President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday in 1941. You see, families have been gathering to give thanks for hundreds of years!

But whether you celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a few close friends or family members, watching football or the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, eating a little or a lot; we have many things to be thankful for. Even in the middle of an "economic downturn," we are blessed.

For instance, we have our families that are with us through good times and bad. They encourage us when we are down, and pull us back to reality when we get a little full of ourselves. Family is the foundation of our lives.

We should also be thankful for our church family. The church isn't simply a place to meet with God, worship Him and hear His Word. It is also where we find our place in a much larger family, the Family of God. It's a place to share our gifts and strengths, and a place to find acceptance and grace. I am glad Englewood is a place like that.

There are many other things to be thankful for, such as: our wonderful country, freedom, friends, and our health; however, the most important reason we should be thankful is that we know a God who loves us. That one simple truth still stirs my heart and causes me to grow, be more adventurous, but mostly trust Him.

My Thanksgiving prayer for you is that you will continue to trust God with all your heart, grow closer to Him and allow Him to take you to new heights. From our family to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

The Life of a Pastor

From Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning, I have had the time of my life! Pastors deal with a lot of things that we don't enjoy or are difficult. But everyone once in a while, we get to participate in things that are really fun and rewarding.

In my son's kindergarten class the letters of the alphabet are reinforced with cute rhymes and songs. When two words start with the same letter such as "Taco Tuesday," it's called a double whammy, emphasizing the letter and its sound quality. So Monday I dressed up in the church's Toby the Tiger outfit and made an appearance to four different classes. It was great, but the kids did not have as much fun as I did. It is really liberating have a mask on and no one know who you are! I think there's a sermon in there??? I would like to thank Mrs. Bailey and the school for allowing me to participate.

Then on Tuesday we went to a rodeo for a video shoot for the "Live Like You Were Dying" series. You know the song, "...I went 2.7 seconds, on a bull named Fu Man Chu." Well, I rode a 600+ lb. Brahma bull. You'll have to wait for the video to find out how long I actually went, but it was awesome. The ride is great; the hard part is getting off!

A special thanks goes out to Benjamin Ranch for allowing us to come and use their facilities; to Roger and Sha'rrell Haws for setting it up--are you trying to kill me?; and to Pastor Ryan for running the camera. It should be a pretty funny video.

These are the times that make being a pastor fun, causing me to reflect on why I enjoy it so much. I love being involved with kids and the community, as well as using creative ways to promote the Lord. The tougher times are what cause me to reflect on the fact that I know God has called me to do what I do. It's both the joy and the pain that brings growth, maturity, fulfillment, and blessing.

Week 3 "Love Deeper"

As of Sunday, we were almost to the halfway mark in our 30 day spiritual journey called, "Live Like You Were Dying." It has been amazing to dive into Scripture and learn about some very important issues in our lives. Sunday was no different. The topic was "love deeper." Two important and powerful words, especially when used together.

What could be more important than this topic? God revealed His great love to us through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). And Christ demonstrated that love by dying in our place (Romans 5:8). We must take God's love and reflect it to those who are hurting and dying without hope. That's our mandate!

There are three action steps we are trying to keep before us this entire week...

1. Do the unexpected- When you do, you will never be forgotten.
2. Do the unaffordable- Christ paid a very high price for you and me.
3. Do it now- You aren't promised tomorrow, so don't wait.

LLYWD Wk 2 "Speak Sweeter"

We started week two in our Live Like You Were Dying Campaign yesterday with the emphasis from the song being, "Speak Sweeter." The key verse for you to meditate on or memorize is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." And the greatest way to encourage someone is through your words.

Words are incredibly powerful and creative. Proverbs 18:21 says the "tongue has the power of life and death." Words can inspire and motivate or wound and destroy. How you use your words and the attitude behind them can alter someone's destiny forever.

Yesterday we looked at three ways to speak sweeter:
1. Appreciate People- Col. 2:7
We do that by...
* saying Thanks to the people who serve us.
* saying Thanks to the people who shape us.

2. Encourage People- 1 Thes. 5:11; Prov. 16:24

3. Pray for People- Eph. 6:18; Mt. 7:7-11

In the message, I challenged everyone to let their words be life giving this week. Because I believe if you had less than 30 days to live, you would speak sweeter. Don't forget to pick up your LLYWD wrist band at the information table to remind you all week long to live according to these principles we are learning.

Now, "May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace" (Num. 6:24-26).

Live Like You Were Dying Intro Video

Live Like You Were Dying Series

This week, we began a new message series "Live Like You Were Dying". For the next 30 days, we will focus on spiritual transformation as we are challenged to:

1. Live with a sense of urgency (1 Peter 4:7-8)
2. Live with a sense of eternity (Psalm 90:12)
3. Live with a sense of priority (Ephesians 5:15-17)
4. Give up the frantic pursuit of the “good life” (Matthew 16:25-26)
5. Make more time for relationships (Hebrews 10:24-25)
6. Offer forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32)
7. Celebrate being released from God’s judgment (Romans 8:33-34)
8. Liberate others from your judgment (Romans 14:13)
9. Do the unexpected in love (Matthew 5:39-42)

Daily devotional readings will be posted in the side bar each week. I truly believe you will grow spiritually during this series if you are faithful reading and meditating on God's Word. By the way, our band sounded awesome on the title song this morning !

For a greater glimpse into the series, here's the promo video:

Pumpkin Time

Earlier this week, Brian took charge of the pumpkin carving at our house. The boys really enjoyed it, especially the baked pumpkin seeds. Braeden went the traditional route and Joe did a KC Royals carving. I love these simple family times. Kids grow up too fast, don't they?

How Would Jesus Vote?

Book Summary: The 2008 election is shaping up to be one of the most important political contests in American history. In fact, Dr. D. James Kennedy believes it will be a watershed moment that could impact our very survival as a nation under God.

Values voters—people whose political views and votes are based on their faith in God—are being targeted as never before. As the campaign season moves forward, the significant players will debate terrorism, radical Islam, nuclear threats, global warming, social issues, gay marriage, immigration, education, health care, and many other essential issues that can create sharp ideological divisions.

Into this overwhelmingly complex political situation, Dr. Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe bring a clear, compelling, and nonpartisan exploration of what God’s Word has to say on these critical matters. How Would Jesus Vote? isn’t intended to tell readers which candidates to support; rather it offers a Christ-centered understanding of the world to help readers draw their own political conclusions.

Get this book on Amazon

Think On These Things

A few weeks ago, I was traveling home in my car late at night. I had the stereo tuned to my favorite talk radio station. And as I drove, my mind wondered between the events of the day and the political debate on the radio. I came to a complete stop at a red light (I know it's hard to believe), then proceeded to drive through the intersection with the light still red by accident, treating it as a stop sign.

Almost all of you have done that, don't lie! But it bothered me that I could be so distracted. Two weeks ago I heard a former drivers ed. instructor ask if anyone had done exactly what I explained. He said he knew why, so I listened in. He explained that since we were sixteen years old, the traffic light has been referred to as a stop light. And when it's red, we sometimes stop, look both ways, and proceed.

He said that if we thought about the light as a traffic light we would never run it. Because the trigger would be stop, WAIT FOR A GREEN LIGHT, then proceed. He suggested that simple adjustment in thinking would cause us to stop and wait for the green.

Proverbs tells us that "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Pro. 23:7 NKJV). It's amazing how our patterns of thinking effect our lives, even in the small situations such as traffic lights. This passage is saying we can control, to a certain extent, our lives by learning to direct our thoughts.

That's why Scripture admonishes us to direct our thoughts to "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Phil. 4:8 NIV). So, what have you been thinking about today?

Late Night In The Phog

Our family spent last Friday night in Lawrence, Kansas at Late Night In The Phog. Free admission + the unveling of the National Championship banner was enough to persuade us to spend a family night with the Jayhawks at KU. Even if you're not a big KU fan, being inside a filled-to-capacity Phog Allen Fieldhouse is an exciting experience.

Brian and Joe have been to a couple of basketball games in recent years, but I had not been inside "The Phog" in a very long time. About 10 years ago, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls played an exhibition game there and a bunch of us went. I'll never forget the lightning storm of flashes that went off every time MJ touched the ball. It was amazing!

During Late Night In The Phog, Coach Bill Self addressed the crowd, the team scrimmaged, etc. and of course they unveiled the new banners (NCAA Champs, Final Four, Big 12 Champs). Someone in our family even caught a cool t-shirt :)

Great time as a family and good memories. Here's some pics:

Kids Fest '08

Our 14th annual Kids Fest will be held on Friday, Oct. 31 from 5-9pm at Paradise Park in Lee's Summit. Kids will receive a bag of candy, while supplies last. **NEW THIS YEAR: Kids will have the option of going on a special treasure hunt for their candy with a treasure map included!

Kids Fest at Paradise Park includes use of the Foam Factory, Rock Wall, Bumper Cars, Mini-golf, Hayride, Sand Volleyball, Edutainment Center, Batting Cages, and Pedal Go-karts. Video games and Cafe available for additional charges.

Kids are welcome to dress up! (no scary costumes, please) This is a great night of fun for the entire family. Feel free to invite other friends or families.

Kids Fest admission to Paradise Park on this night is $5 per person in advance (wristbands available for sale on Sundays or from the church office) or $7 per person at the door.

Shape of Mercy

Summary: Lauren Durough is a college student longing to break free of family expectations when she stumbles into a project for eighty year old Abigail Boyles—transcribing the journals of Mercy Hayworth, a seventeenth-century victim of the Massachusetts witch trials. Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with the mysterious Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to discovering the candid truth, Lauren must earnestly ask if she is playing the role of helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and recognize who she really is?

In our high-pressure, success-oriented culture, readers will identify with Lauren’s struggle to forge her own identity separate from the plan her family designed for her. Offering intrigue, romance, and heartbreaking drama, this contemporary novel with a historical twist conveys the intense beauty that emerges when we see how our stories affect the lives of others.

Author: Susan Meissner

Review: "Very enlightening for someone who knows very little about the Salem witch trials. Also, thought-provoking as to how we so often pre-judge people (sometimes without realizing it), and that we should extend mercy to other as Christ has extended undeserved mercy to us. Captivating story beginning to end. I read it in two days." - Glenda Goldsmith

Leadership Development

Each Monday morning I meet with someone for a time of mentoring on the subject of leadership. Recently we have been going through John Maxwell's, "Developing the Leader within You." I have probably read the book or watched the curriculum at least a half a dozen times. And every time I do, I learn something new.

This is most likely because each time I'm at a different place in my life and ministry. Today I was struck with one simple thought, "in leadership you must love people." I know that not everyone who loves people is naturally a good leader. However, I also don't any good leaders who don't sincerely love people.

I'm definitely not saying that I'm a good leader, but I do love being around people. When things aren't going so well, the natural tendency for many people is to run away and hide. I call for a party, the more the better. I draw strength from people and love the interaction .

People are what makes leading fun... and sometimes frustrating. But without people, you aren't really leading. So the more you value and love people, the greater your leadership will be.

Book Review: For Young Men Only

Book: For Young Men Only
Authors: Jeff Feldhahn & Eric Rice with Shaunti Feldhahn
Buy it here: Amazon

Reviewed by Jake Ganote, age 20:

Do you wonder what girls are really thinking? Have you ever thought that a girl really liked you until you found out she just considered you really good friends? Is the search for the perfect girl leading you to believe that you are destined to be alone?

The answers to these questions and many more can be found in FYMO. This book was designed to take you behind the scenes of The World of Girl; to place you in her shoes; to see things from her perspective. After all, who knows girls better than girls? In fact, this book polled over 1,000 girls nationwide, seeking answers to many of the questions otherwise left unanswered. Here is your chance to get the inside scoop on girls from girls themselves.

Never has a book this interesting been written for young men. This was a book I looked forward to reading. A book that made me reflect on things past. This should be one book that young men are required to read before entering into any form of a dating relationship. Not only has it given me a new found respect for girls, but it also helps me become the prince charming all men want to be.

Often times we forget that men and women are wired differently and that makes the lines of communication that much more difficult. When you begin to understand the way a woman thinks, you are able to dive deeper into a relationship that satisfies the needs of you and your partner. I found that many of the ways I tried to gain respect were the ways I would want to be respected but not necessarily the way a woman feels
respected.

Chances are that if you are reading this review you already have an interest in developing a long lasting relationship with a girl. There would be no better way than to study God’s Word to see how he intended relationships and use this book to supplement the Word.

Two Roads

Have you noticed that sometimes life is complicated? We want answers to such questions as: "Who should I marry?," "Where should I go to school?", "What house or car should I buy?", "What career path should I take?" And these are important questions that require serious thought and prayerful reflection. However, life really only offers two roads.

The first road is where you get to make all the decisions. And many people are talented, skilled and educated enough to make good decisions that lead to a fruitful and productive life. This isn't always the case for those on this road. Many find they simply can't make quality choices and never experience God's best.

The second road is traveled by those who understand that God is in control of their lives. They allow Him to make the decisions because He knows best. They have learned to trust Him and even when things don't seem to make sense, they follow Him anyway. This path is filled with excitement and joy. This journey is fulfilling, because God is working and doing great things through obedience. It's challenging to keep pace with what God is doing--but very rewarding. That's why Paul reminds us in Galatians to "keep in step with the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25).

Which road are you currently walking? If you are making most of the decisions in your life, why not take some time today to ask God to help you surrender your life to His plan. And if you have been trusting God for awhile now, ask Him to help you be more sensitive to His voice in your daily life.

Hold Firm

I was recently reading in 2 Samuel 23 about David's three mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth, Shammah, and Eleazar, and was struck by some great truths in Eleazar's life.

Eleazar was with David and 300 other troops as they battled the Philistines. The troops retreated in fear, but Eleazar "stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword". Every leader, like David, needs great men around them that will hold firm in a battle and continue to fight with them when everyone else seemingly abandons them.

Eleazar also fought with passion and determination. So much so that "his hand grew tired and froze to the sword." I would love for a doctor to explain what happens in an individual's body that causes such a reaction. They literally had to pry the sword from his hand. Throughout Scripture, the sword is often times a metaphor for the Word of God. And this passage challenged me to ask myself, "How long has it been since you have held onto the Word of God in the face of adversity until God brought the victory?" I mean the enemy can't even get the sword out of your hand.

Regardless of what doctors, accountants, family or friends say, you hold firm to God's word and His promises. When everyone around retreats, you stay in the fight.

In 2 Samuel 23: 10(b) it says, "The Lord brought about a great victory that day." I believe that if you will hold firmly to God's Word, store it in your heart, meditate on it, and profess it; God will bring about a great victory for you too.

Wedding on the Beach

This past weekend I was in beautiful San Diego, CA for Shawn Cooper and Bethany Bushnell's wedding. It was truly an honor to be present as the two of them became one in the Lord. Shawn and Bethany met while attending Master's Commission. Shawn has attended Englewood most of his life and I have watched him grow up into a great young man.

It was evident to see God's hand in bringing them together. I always think it's awesome to see two different individuals living for God and following His plan, then finding one another. So many circumstances, so many opportunities, and so many things have to align themselves for such a union to come about. It's truly a "God Thing."

The wedding took place at sunset Saturday night on La Jolla Beach with about thirty close friends and family members. Some came as far as Iowa to show their support. On the trip I was able to meet many new friends and thoroughly enjoyed it. I even made my wife jealous by eating at Jack-In-the-Box.

And since I couldn't get back in time for services on Sunday, I caught up with my sister, who also lives in California, for her birthday. All in all, great weather, great time with great people.

Marginal Living: Re-Prioritizing Your Life

Yesterday, we continued our series Marginal Living, with our student ministries pastor, Brad Baker, teaching on Re-Prioritizing Your Life. Here are some key points from the message:

• Margin is the space between your current performance and your limits
• As margins decrease, stress increases
• Your time is limited; your time will be spent; someone will determine how your time gets spent
• Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Allowing God to Help Create Margin:

1. Realize your days are numbered by God - Job 14:5 "Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed."

2. Prioritize accordingly- "Your priorities determine your capacity"

3. Make your time alone with God a priority- Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

(This series is adapted from a message series originally created by Andy Stanley).

Back To School Prayer: Unusual Favor

Braeden with his Kindergarten teacher

Well, Moms & Dads....I'm sure you've settled into your school routine by now: Early to bed, early to rise; homework; packing lunches; lots of papers in your kitchen; after school activities, etc.

If your children are in a new school, like ours are, then "back to school" for this year took on a whole new meaning. New routines, new friends, new teachers & administrators, new parents, new everything. I admit, it was a little overwhelming at first, just getting used to things, but it has gone very smoothly and we are very pleased with our schools. More importantly, our kids are happy, content, and at ease.

You know, when the boys were in our church's private Christian school, they were right in the same building with their Dad all day long. I never really prayed a "back to school prayer". I had an underlying confidence in our school, the staff, and the environment. Call it a comfort zone.

But for the first few weeks of school this year, it was a call to prayer over our kids. I prayed for a good start, for them to receive the right teachers, for them to make the right friends, for them to feel at home and comfortable. My most frequent prayer was, and still is, for them to have Unusual Favor. The kind that only comes from God. The kind that puts you in the right place at the right time. The kind that goes before you. The kind that surrounds you.

Ask God for Unusual Favor in your life and your family's lives today!

Timing Is Everything

This past Sunday, as the Chiefs were preparing to play their home opener at Arrowhead Stadium, the boys heard a loud sound outside our house. They ran out to the back deck and saw four A-10 fighter jets flying overhead. They passed over our house several times for about 10 minutes before flying on over to Arrowhead. I later read that they timed their flyover just as David Cook concluded the national anthem. Too cool.

Joe ran inside and grabbed our digital camera to try to get a photo. Knowing the delay on our camera, I wasn't very hopeful that he would be successful. But he did it! He actually got all four A-10's right through a small opening in the trees. Some might say luck ...some might say GREAT TIMING.

You know, as Christians, we always want to be in God's timing. We should believe that "our steps are ordered". It's understanding that timing that causes us to struggle. When should we change jobs? When and how should we invest our money? When do we take a faith-risk? When do we have a tough conversation with someone? When, When, When?

In these situations and many more, timing is everything. In Acts chapter 1, Jesus appeared to the disciples and talked to them about timing. He said, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."

Following God's lead is critical. Following our own thoughts and desires leaves the door open to major frustration. We must pray for God's timing in every area of our life so that we may see the bigger picture. With God's timing comes power, strength, and wisdom to do God's will.

Worship Changes

We are excited to announce slight changes to our Sunday services. Beginning October 5th, the first service will begin at 8:45 am and will include a worship set that captures the heart of God through a mix of hymns and contemporary songs. You will hear the same practical and relevant messages you’ve come to expect, but now preceded by a slightly different worship set.

The 10:45 am service will be designed to reach both a younger audience and the unchurched. We will use all of the audio/video/& lighting tools we currently have available to create an environment that appeals more to today’s culture.

Both services will be prayerfully planned and implemented as God directs. My heart is to create environments that increase your worship experience. Scripture says, “God inhabits the praises of His people.” So when you enter into deeper worship, you multiply God’s manifest presence in your life.

Just as a missionary feels called to a specific type of people or region, there are some churches who God calls to focus on a select group of people or a certain demographic group. There is definitely nothing wrong with this. It's just not us, right now. The ultimate is doing what God tells you to do in reaching your community. The DNA of every church and pastor is different. Thank God for diversity!

I hope you will try both services and then choose the service that God directs you to.

Where Were You On 9/11?

7 years ago today, Brian was in the shower preparing to go to work when I turned on the TV in our bedroom. The news anchors seemed a little confused as to the "breaking news" they were handed. The World Trade Center was on fire. No- wait- it was a plane crash. No one really knew for sure, but it was an unbelievable sight.

Just three years earlier, we had taken a group of young people to New York on a missions trip, and, as part of our sightseeing day, had gone to the top of the World Trade Center. Our oldest son, Joseph, was even with us. He was only 2 at the time. We have a great picture of the three of us on the observation deck (I was a nervous wreck--very windy).

The elevator ride to the top of WTC seemed supersonic--crazy fast. The view of NYC and the Statue of Liberty was amazing. It was a beautiful day. Brian and I are both glad we decided to take the group up.

As the rest of the morning of 9/11 unfolded, I was at home, glued to the news, mesmerized by the chain of events-- like everyone else.

In the years that followed, we were privileged to meet and have as a guest speaker to our church 9/11 survivor, Stanley Praimnath. I have never seen our church so still and quiet, as when Stanley told his story. It was incredible.

You can link to Stanley's story, order his book (which mentions Englewood!), or watch a video of his testimony from this previous post.

Stanley Praimnath

Stanley Praimnath is a 9/11 World Trade Center survivor. He is a Christian and has been a guest speaker at our church twice. He has an unbeliebable testimony.

Watch a video of Stanley's testimony

Go to StanleyPraimnath.com

Order his book:

Marginal Living Intro Video

Here's a short video that was shown to introduce the Marginal Living series:

Marginal Living- Week 1

We got off to a great start this past weekend with the new series "Marginal Living." For those who may have missed it, we are talking about not living life so pushed to the limit and so close to the edge that we set ourselves up for failure. I believe Jesus wants us to live an "edgy" life, but not live "on the edge". He said, "I want you to have life, and life to the full."

The full life is found in creating margins in key areas of our lives: i.e. finances, morality, schedules and relationships. The first time I heard this concept was from an Andy Stanley message series entitled, "Take it to the Limit." He defined margin as "the extra, the reserve, the amount beyond what is needed." Just like books have margins, and highways have margins, we need margins in our lives to experience God's best.

These margins, or safety barriers, keep us from getting too far off course. I shared 3 consequences of decreased margins:

1. Stress increases

2. Our focus becomes "I" centered

3. Relationships suffer

This week, focus on what areas you need to create some margins in so you can stay on course.

Marginal Living

This Sunday I can't wait to begin our new series entitled "Marginal Living." The picture above illustrates the way many live their lives, without margins. They don't have extra space on their left or on their right. So any small mistake, or any misstep and they find themselves swept away by the storms of life.

Granted, it's sometimes fun and exciting to live life on the edge. To push ourselves to the limit. To see how far we can expand our own personal boundaries. But it is impossible to live there. Some have tried and the result is always the same: the waves of life eventually overtake them.

I believe God has a better way to live. A place of abundance, blessing and increase await those who are willing to live as God directs, a life of margin. Let's explore "Marginal Living" together this Sunday.

Top 10 Ice Cream Places in KC: Stop #10- Poppy's

We made the final stop on our summer ice cream tour with a trip to Poppy's in Lee's Summit. Poppy's used to be called Doc's, which used to be located off Blue Ridge Blvd. in Raytown.

We all had concretes that tasted great. It was just 3 of us this time, as Joe went to the Truman v. Ray-Pec football game with a friend. He's only 12 and already wanting to ditch Mom & Dad on Friday night. Sigh. Next he will want to move his room to the basement.

Talked to a couple of retired teachers as we ate outside. Everywhere we go the people that we (Brian) meet want to talk about the Indep. School District and the new schools. Jim Hinson is the rock star of Jackson County.

We had a great summer visiting all these cool spots. I'll rank them for you soon. Someone has already suggested a tour of the Top 10 mexican restaurants in KC. I'm all over that!

Communication

Last week I shared some thoughts on communication in our weekly staff meeting. It doesn't matter if your a pastor, spouse, employee or friend; you will need to continue to work on your communication skills to be successful. Relationships of any kind are either enhanced or strained by communication.

All communication can be immediately improved by being a good listener. This is undoubtedly the most important component in communication. This skill can be augmented by making simple eye contact. This helps you focus and tells the other person speaking that their words are important.

Another often overlooked component in communication is being sensitive to how we talk to one another. Verbal and non-verbal communication is critical. How we present ourselves, our tone of voice, and our timing are all important things to consider when sharing information.

Some questions that you could ask yourself every time you desire to share information are: "How should the information be conveyed? Should it be done in person? Will a text message or email be appropriate? Is a letter or phone call required for proper communication to occur? Maybe, the information is too weighty or sensitive; so should it be done in person?"

It's possible that you have the right information, and share it at the right time with the right attitude, but use the wrong method, thereby creating unnecessary frustration.

Communication is an area we all need to work on. Evaluate your effectiveness in your relationships by examining your communication.

5 Things Kids Love About Camp

Yes, school has started for most people, but just about 2 weeks ago, our church kids returned from another summer camp at Dry Gulch USA in Oklahoma. This camp is so popular, we start applying in January & early February just to get the week we want. And sometimes we still don't get it! I asked our Children's Pastor, Amy Bales, to list 5 things the kids love about camp. So here they are:

5. The gift shop....they have everything you could ever imagine!!

4. The AWESOME food... and we can eat as much as we want!!!!!

3. General Roy's laugh... you will totally understand if you have heard it!

2. The 30+ activities that you do ALL day long!!!

1. Learning more about Jesus and how to take Him on your "Journey- called life"!!!

Truly, camp is an awesome place for kids to develop self esteem and confidence in Christ, learn personal responsibility & how to function without Mom & Dad, grow in their relationship with the Lord, and gain lifetime friendships. All in a wonderful Christian environment while having amazing fun. Do your kids a favor and send them to camp next year. They deserve it!

Top 10 Ice Cream Places in KC: Stop #9- The Sweet Guy

Stop #9 on our summer ice cream places tour took us to The Sweet Guy, in Parkville, Mo. One of the side benefits of taking this tour was just getting to some places in KC that we've never been to before. I have never been to downtown Parkville. It's a interesting place, with lots of cute shops and restaurants. I'd like to go back and try dinner at Frank's. Looked good!

The gelato was expensive, but good. I think I'm starting to like gelato better than regular ice cream (not good for the budget). It was a nice evening, so we ate our gelato right on Main St. in a little courtyard. Afterwards, we drove up around Park University. Brian stopped at the old gym and took the boys in to see where he used to come up from Springfield with the CBC basketball team and play against Park.

And that's when it happened. Brian realized he didn't have his cell phone. The precious Blackberry. His world. His everything. His life. His e-god. The object that I have threatened (in my own mind) to throw out of our moving vehicle many, many times. :-)

Now it was Go Time. Go back and retrace our steps through downtown Parkville. Go to the gelato place (nope). Go to the courtyard (nope). Go to where we parked (nope). Go call the restaurant where we ate. Nope. Nothing.

So I called his number.......and someone actually answered! Unbelievable. His phone had "journeyed" about a 1/2 mile or so, but we tracked it down and got it back (bummer). Brian had left it in the courtyard and some girl picked it up. Our boys sure had a good laugh out of all this adventure.

If you're ever in Parkville, leave your cell phone in the car and enjoy some quiet time and gelato from The Sweet Guy.

Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson

Mark Batterson is at it again. He has written another inspiring, motivating, and challenging book. If you liked In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, then you will love Wild Goose Chase. It's a quick and easy read, full of quotes and concepts just waiting to be underscored. But most of all, Wild Goose Chase shows us the incredible adventure that is our past, present, and future with God. The chapter on Sometimes It Takes A Shipwreck really resonated with me. I read it twice!

Learn more about Wild Goose Chase and read a sample chapter at www.chasethegoose.com.

Purchase Wild Goose Chase here.

Here is a summary of the book from the introduction:

"Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect. Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.”

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

Top 10 Ice Cream Places in KC: Stop #8- Clinton's

We stuck close to home for our Top 10 #8 visit: Clinton's Soda Fountain on the Independence Square. Harry T. used to hang out there so it has some historical significance (as historical as ice cream places can get, I guess).

The boys sat at the counter and ordered....cream sodas. They both said it was the best soda they've ever had. I had to taste it, and they were right. Next time you're on the square, stop in at Clinton's, sit down at the counter, and order a cream soda. It's not out of a can or bottle but fresh out of the fountain. I'll guarantee you'll totally love it.

New York, New York- part 2

This summer, my son and I took a trip to New York. Read part 1 here.


The National Baseball Hall of Fame was unforgettable if you are a baseball fan. Much too much to write about here, but one quick story. God gave us wonderful favor with one of the curators of the "Hall". We had heard that the new Buck O'Neil statue was being unveiled sometime that week, and then learned we would miss it by one day. Well, since we were from KC they had pity on us and took us downstairs into the basement of the museum (artifacts and stuff everywhere--incredible!). There we got to see the statue before it was displayed. What a special moment.

Drove to Poughkeepsie, NY that night so we could tour West Point Military Academy on Friday. For a history buff like me, West Point was beyond words. The campus is beautiful and we were blessed to see a graduating class ceremony.

Friday night we were at Shea Stadium in Queens, NY to see our Cardinals lose to the Mets. If you're keeping score at home, I've attended 3 Cardinal games this year and they have lost all 3. Maybe I should just stay away. The next day we headed back to Philadelphia, flew to St. Louis, and drove to KC. Whew. Good thing we had a guest speaker the next morning!

I share these moments with you not to boast or brag. But to allow you to see that God is at the center of our family, and He can be the center of yours too. We work hard at being a Christ-centered family and are far from perfect. But I hope you are blessed by these little glimpses into our family life. Here are some more pictures:











Yankee Hall of Famer Yogi Berra signing autographs in Cooperstown














Buck O'Neil statue in storage, waiting to be revealed












Joe & I playing catch in Cooperstown. A great father/son moment.













West Point cadets












Shea Stadium with the new stadium in background

Top 10 Ice Cream Places in KC: Stop #7- Waldo Pizza

Okay, first let's address the obvious: Why is a pizza place on our Top 10 Ice Cream list??

Because Waldo Pizza carries Ted Drewes' Frozen Custard from St. Louis!!

You have to understand that this is the most awesome custard ever. Made even more awesome if eaten late on a warm summer night after attending a Cardinals game.

Ted Drewes is a tradition for me. Growing up in St. Louis, I can remember going to Ted Drewes for the first time. My Dad said, "Get in the car everybody. I've got a surprise." It seemed like we drove forever. I don't know what I ordered that first time, but I was amazed as they handed me the custard upside down. I've been hooked on Ted Drewes ever since and now I've got Brian and the boys hooked. TD's is a must stop when we are in St. Louis any time of the year.

So...if you want to taste some TD's right here in KC, head to Waldo Pizza. Call ahead to make sure they have a current shipment in stock. They only carry a few basic flavors, but you'll love it! (Ex.- today they had vanilla, choc., rasp., & Oreo)