Sunday, September 30, 2007

diveIN


"That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!
That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus."
- Romans 6:3-4

Tonight, 16 young people publicly expressed their faith in Jesus Christ through the waters of baptism. We celebrate with their families in this important step of identity with Christ and obedience to His Word.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

hut! hut! yikes!

There's something really American about football on a Fall afternoon. Maybe it's the cool autumn breeze and the bright warm sun to make it just the right temperature to run and throw and catch. Football is a great game. The strategy. The competition. The anxious moments before the hike of the ball. The exhilaration of calling the right play. The frustration of a bad bounce. Touchdown! Fumble! Interception! Run! D-fence! Don't get beat! Watch the reverse! Say on your man! Good play! Alright, get it next time! Oh, so close! Okay, huddle up. Here's the play.

Our Saturday touch football team record is now 2-2 after a tough loss today... something like 35-21. Not enough of the good bounces, I guess. I did have a touchdown catch which always feels good. We'll have to bring some game next Saturday to stay above .500 and work toward playoffs.

Football... there's nothing like it on a Fall day...

Friday, September 28, 2007

tgif

It’s the end of another busy crazy week. Did you every notice how days have a feel? Garfield the cat hates Mondays (who doesn't). Wednesdays are hump day. Then we all have those days that have a scheduled meeting… it's meeting day, ugh! Friday. TGIF. Thank God It's Friday. I'm not sure where that expression came from (I'll have to google it sometime) But, Fridays have a feel. Probably because it’s the end of the work week and beginning of the weekend. I wonder what God was thinking about during creation week.

In Genesis 1 the 6th day was probably a Friday (remember the Jewish sabbath is Saturday). That means on Friday, God created man & woman. And He said it was very good. Is that why we thank God? The next day, the 7th day, God created a day of rest. Why didn't He rest on day 4 after creating the sun, moon and stars (that's a lot of work) No, He rested after creating us. Not because He was tired, but because in His omniscience (all knowingness) He knew we'd need a time to stop, reflect and rest. Since Christ has risen, Sundays have become that day of rest. It's the one day that God set aside (a sabbath) for us to worship and rest. Rest!? There's too much to do to rest!

If you work in ministry, especially kids ministry, the weekend and Sunday mornings is the busiest time of the week. Sunday mornings are filled with preparation, presentation, perspiration. I love Sunday mornings, the best time of the week! After a crazy Sunday morning (aren't they all crazy in kings world, a good crazy) there's the lazy Sunday afternoon… a nap after a good big meal, some football (go Bills! please, just go!) maybe a family game, another meal, another nap. If Sunday is rest day, then Saturday is "Man Day" (grunt) and those weekend warrior home improvement projects, cutting the lawn and college football (go Buckeyes!).

So Friday. TGIF. Thank God It's Friday. Hmmm, is Friday the only day we should thank God for? Maybe we should thank Him for each and every day. Fridays are cool. But maybe sometimes it's that stressful Tuesday morning or that crazy busy Thursday evening when we need to thank God. We have much to thank Him for, not just for the weekend, but for the whole week, every week.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

on the road

Alright, I am now offically a blogger. After much anticipation, encouragement and the hope that I may have something that someone somewhere wants to read about me, here it is... a blog. In preparing the content, I wanted a memorable title, just in case I became famous or infamous or news worthy (it could happen). Now, I understand there are literally a billion blogs of all shapes, varieties, colors and creeds. So, I perused the options, tested a few names, read alot of really awesome and really awful blogs to finally launch my "seven mile journal".

My inspiration for the greater part of my adult life has been God's Word, the incredible story of His redemption, grace and love. Luke 24:13-35 tells the humbling, somewhat humorous at moments and hopeful story on the road to Emmaus. I relate to those two traveling companions, so caught up in the happenings of the day, too busy with stuff, so worried about the whatever, that they missed Jesus walking along side them all the way. We all travel a similar road, 70+ years, several mile markers, seven miles from the place we've been, seven miles to where we're going. On my seven mile journey, I want to journal about the things which have happened... something serious, something silly, something special, something simple, something along the road, a thought, a picture, a poem, a prayer along the way.

I hope you, my traveling companions, enjoy reading about me, make a comment once in while and vote early and often. That reminds me, it's September 27th, 60 degrees and raining, I need to go put a sweater on!