Friday, October 31, 2008

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

Monday, October 27, 2008

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?

Monday, October 20, 2008

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:

































































Friday, October 17, 2008

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

Monday, October 13, 2008

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.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

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.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

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.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

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.