I'll leave you guessing why I titled this post Sunflowers while I fill you in on other stuff. Where to start???
How about a non-ministry related topic, the Eastern Idaho State Fair! Last Friday we braved it and went to the fair and I remembered why it's good that things that that only come once a year. I'm not sure I could handle the crowds and I definitely couldn't afford going more often than that. It was a pretty cool to show the kids around and try out some of the Fair fare (ha ha). I'd have to say the highlight of the fair was watching my kids big smiles as they got to experience a couple of carnival rides. Daniel rode his first roller coaster and Jolee and Claire had a great time on the Carousel. I'm attaching a few pics from the Fair for your enjoyment:
1. Awana began last night. It was a great time by all, I know my kids loved it, and we had an abundance of volunteers as well. Nice problem to have. Currently we have 53 kids registered and 45 kids showed up last night. We know that more will come and we're excited for that. Games went mostly well (that's my job). We had a little communications issue and not all groups got to do the games, but it was still a lot of fun. Pray that God will bring more kids and families and that we'll place the right volunteers int he right places. There is also one significant volunteer issue that I was made aware of this morning and i will unfortunately have to fire a volunteer, so if you'd pray for me on that I'd appreciate it.
2. Yesterday I spent some time with a young lady who is taking online classes from Liberty University, where Eric got his Master's Degree, to talk about a paper she is writing for class on Signs and Miracles. This led to a deeper discussion about her past growing up in Blackfoot and then leaving to live and work in California where she work in a large youth ministry. Unfortunately something didn't work out and she left California to come home to "heal," and discern God's call on her life. In the time that she has been back nothing good has happened at the church that she grew up in (this church). There was at least one split and many other issues which led her to be angry, bitter, and jealous for others opportunities. As I listened to her story I was saddened by how common her story is. The church will chew people up and spit them out when the focus isn't on the gospel and reaching people for Jesus. Churches that put something other than "Making disciples/followers of Jesus" as their primary purpose end up making more people frustrated and disillusioned with Christianity. At one point she said I'm against organized religion but I love Jesus to which I said, "people can't love Jesus and hate his Bride the Church." Maybe it's semantics, but she said "religion," not Christianity. I personally think this is one of those idealistic young people arguments as they are trying to work out real life and relationships. As I thought more about it last night, what came to my mind was that the church is and has to be organized whether you like it or not. If you look at the Bible, you'll see that God brings order from chaos, the Church is organized like a body, and we know that when body parts in the wrong place (I know you can work out what I mean) things don't work too well. At the end of our time, we prayed for healing and a season of rest and renewal for the Holy Spirit to show when, how, and where to serve. FYI, we were in my office with both doors open and lots of people around.
3. Last week (Thursday) I met a guy named Robert in the ICU because he was very sick. He was told it was some sort of cancer that was making him ill, but they weren't sure what kind or how far advanced. On Tuesday the doctors came in to tell him that he has about a month left, he has stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. I've visited with him each day since and will be going by again today; He has taken the news remarkably well. Robert is 44 and he looks like he's 90+ years old. He's a good and simple guy who has lived a pretty simple life. He got married two years ago and has no kids, but he has a lot of family around including a bunch of nephews and nieces. Yesterday he went home on hospice care and is now in his parents breakfast nook. We've had a few good talks including about what he'd like at his funeral service. He has trusted in Christ, so he'll be okay. I was hoping to do some baptisms and dedications before a funeral, but it looks like that won't be the case. Would you pray for Robert's family, his mom & dad, and especially his wife Laura (I'm sure she's in denial). FYI, we did and still will pray for a miraculous healing from God.
4. For those of you who have asked, we've almost got the online giving set up. The website is coming along and will hopefully be up next week. I'll let you know when it's ready.
5. Sunflowers. Kate and I went for a morning jog a couple of days ago with Jolee in the stroller and our dog Hunter (the big kids stayed at home with Papa and Gram, Kate's parents). While out on our run, which is on a nice paved trail (think Tommy Thompson) that runs along the Snake River, there were lots of Sunflowers growing. Jolee asked for a Sunflower, so of course I stopped and picked one for her. She was so cute sitting there waving it like a flag and singing her sunflower song. At one point she sniffed it and turned to tell me it smelled like chocolate. I personally didn't smell the chocolate smell, but Jolee had Sunflower pollen all over her nose, I had to take a mental picture because I couldn't take an actual picture at the time; she looked so cute!
Finally, things are progressing with the possible merger. The SBC church will vote this week on whether to join us or not. All indications are that they will. I had one couple tell me last week that no matter what the vote is they are on board with our mission and vision for Blackfoot. Please pray that the Spirit would give us divine appointments and opportunities to connect with people and in turn for us to connect them to the gospel. I look forward to the day when we celebrate how God is transforming hearts and minds and making his family bigger. As always, thanks for reading, for all your prayers and support. We miss y'all and pray for God's continued blessing on Anacortes FBC!
1. Awana began last night. It was a great time by all, I know my kids loved it, and we had an abundance of volunteers as well. Nice problem to have. Currently we have 53 kids registered and 45 kids showed up last night. We know that more will come and we're excited for that. Games went mostly well (that's my job). We had a little communications issue and not all groups got to do the games, but it was still a lot of fun. Pray that God will bring more kids and families and that we'll place the right volunteers int he right places. There is also one significant volunteer issue that I was made aware of this morning and i will unfortunately have to fire a volunteer, so if you'd pray for me on that I'd appreciate it.
2. Yesterday I spent some time with a young lady who is taking online classes from Liberty University, where Eric got his Master's Degree, to talk about a paper she is writing for class on Signs and Miracles. This led to a deeper discussion about her past growing up in Blackfoot and then leaving to live and work in California where she work in a large youth ministry. Unfortunately something didn't work out and she left California to come home to "heal," and discern God's call on her life. In the time that she has been back nothing good has happened at the church that she grew up in (this church). There was at least one split and many other issues which led her to be angry, bitter, and jealous for others opportunities. As I listened to her story I was saddened by how common her story is. The church will chew people up and spit them out when the focus isn't on the gospel and reaching people for Jesus. Churches that put something other than "Making disciples/followers of Jesus" as their primary purpose end up making more people frustrated and disillusioned with Christianity. At one point she said I'm against organized religion but I love Jesus to which I said, "people can't love Jesus and hate his Bride the Church." Maybe it's semantics, but she said "religion," not Christianity. I personally think this is one of those idealistic young people arguments as they are trying to work out real life and relationships. As I thought more about it last night, what came to my mind was that the church is and has to be organized whether you like it or not. If you look at the Bible, you'll see that God brings order from chaos, the Church is organized like a body, and we know that when body parts in the wrong place (I know you can work out what I mean) things don't work too well. At the end of our time, we prayed for healing and a season of rest and renewal for the Holy Spirit to show when, how, and where to serve. FYI, we were in my office with both doors open and lots of people around.
3. Last week (Thursday) I met a guy named Robert in the ICU because he was very sick. He was told it was some sort of cancer that was making him ill, but they weren't sure what kind or how far advanced. On Tuesday the doctors came in to tell him that he has about a month left, he has stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. I've visited with him each day since and will be going by again today; He has taken the news remarkably well. Robert is 44 and he looks like he's 90+ years old. He's a good and simple guy who has lived a pretty simple life. He got married two years ago and has no kids, but he has a lot of family around including a bunch of nephews and nieces. Yesterday he went home on hospice care and is now in his parents breakfast nook. We've had a few good talks including about what he'd like at his funeral service. He has trusted in Christ, so he'll be okay. I was hoping to do some baptisms and dedications before a funeral, but it looks like that won't be the case. Would you pray for Robert's family, his mom & dad, and especially his wife Laura (I'm sure she's in denial). FYI, we did and still will pray for a miraculous healing from God.
4. For those of you who have asked, we've almost got the online giving set up. The website is coming along and will hopefully be up next week. I'll let you know when it's ready.
5. Sunflowers. Kate and I went for a morning jog a couple of days ago with Jolee in the stroller and our dog Hunter (the big kids stayed at home with Papa and Gram, Kate's parents). While out on our run, which is on a nice paved trail (think Tommy Thompson) that runs along the Snake River, there were lots of Sunflowers growing. Jolee asked for a Sunflower, so of course I stopped and picked one for her. She was so cute sitting there waving it like a flag and singing her sunflower song. At one point she sniffed it and turned to tell me it smelled like chocolate. I personally didn't smell the chocolate smell, but Jolee had Sunflower pollen all over her nose, I had to take a mental picture because I couldn't take an actual picture at the time; she looked so cute!
Finally, things are progressing with the possible merger. The SBC church will vote this week on whether to join us or not. All indications are that they will. I had one couple tell me last week that no matter what the vote is they are on board with our mission and vision for Blackfoot. Please pray that the Spirit would give us divine appointments and opportunities to connect with people and in turn for us to connect them to the gospel. I look forward to the day when we celebrate how God is transforming hearts and minds and making his family bigger. As always, thanks for reading, for all your prayers and support. We miss y'all and pray for God's continued blessing on Anacortes FBC!
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