Mark Beeson

Bible Study With The Culps

 

Think you know the Bible?

I just shot this picture and during the rehearsal of their song, "The Culps" gave me a whole new understanding of things.  You gotta see this.  No kidding, Dan and Lisa Vukmirovich are bringing a new level of fun to our study of the scriptures this weekend. They are amazing.

Philippians 1:22  - We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other. 

This Weekend - GCC Gets A Visit From "The Culps"

I love the Culps, and this weekend they'll be participating in all of our services. Tell a friend. It's going to be an tremendous service: on-line, in Elkhart and at Granger. 

Our topic?  Simon Peter, a man who walked on water and lived to tell about it. Bring your Bible. I'll see you there.

Colossians 1:27-29  -  The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.

Lydia Is Up To 3 Pounds and 11 Ounces!

 

I thought I'd share some good news. Amber was able to drive down to visit her sister and niece and I grabbed this photo of my girls at Lydia's side.  The wonderful team at Memorial's NICU gave this encouraging report; Lydia is making progress. Thank you for your love and prayers. I'm heading into the weekend with a lot of hope...

Luke 11:3  -  The sisters sent word to Jesus, "Master, the one you love so very much is sick."

More Musings On Ministry Success

 

I'm starting a new leadership camp for High School students this summer.  I was strategizing - and looking through a batch of my photos from previous summer camps - when this picture of DC Curry and Stephanie Rorie (losing a battle with the small kitten) got me thinking.  Summer Camp is innovative, fun, productive and successful. DC recruits new leaders every year, to help new campers every year, and every year gets better and better. But that ministry growth is more and more unusual these days. The "Methodist" movement isn't moving like it once did.

By the mid-1700’s John Wesley (Anglican Priest and son-of-an-Anglican Priest) had launched the “Methodist” movement. That spiritual awakening swept around the world and changed history. By 1968 the United Methodist movement numbered 11,000,000 members. By 1975 membership dropped below 10,000,000. Today there are fewer than 8 million members in the movement. (Can you say, "Shrinking market share?")

What’s happened?  Do size, success and age now threaten the future of mature, once great, hierarchical ministries? I don't know if every mature mainline ministry needs renewal, but I do know this. The bigger organizations get, the more layers of management are introduced. The older they get, their routines become entrenched and established as traditions. The more success they enjoy, the more laziness, complacency and arrogance can blind the managers of the ministry.

The managers of most mature organizations may believe they already make the most of their potential. Managers often believe they are doing the right things and they turn a deaf ear when their fundamental beliefs are questioned. Even if they realize they need to change, they struggle to make “change” happen because the desperately needed transformation is different from everything they know.  Maybe they could improve the way they do things, but their problem won’t be fixed with new and improved ways of doing what’s always been done. What’s needed is the ability to question whether to do those things at all.  What’s needed is visionary leaders who inspire their peers and their people to break the rules of convention, jump an innovation curve, and assume a new orbit of growth.

What do you think?
        Are you part of the problem?
             Am I?

I’m convinced. Top-down governmental (read "hierarchical") decrees won’t transform stagnating organizations the way well-led, knowledge-based, networked partnerships can invigorate the long untapped potential of mature bureaucratic ministries. (I think that’s true in both public and private sector work.)  So, the question every visionary person must ask is quite simple: "Where does that leave me? What am I going to do?"

Luke 16:8-9  -  I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by…

 

 

Is Success The Mortal Enemy Of Future Success?

 

I was up early this morning.

Today I'm meeting with an old friend of mine to discuss the revitalization of the rapidly declining United Methodist Church in America. Neither of us wants to see the current trend continue. (The UMC is getting older: of more than 46,000 UMC clergy in America, fewer than 850 are under the age of 35.  The UMC is getting smaller: two years ago attendance declined by 55,000; last year it declined by another 73,323.  The UMC is becoming less evangelistic: from 2001 to 2007 the number of professions-of-faith dropped by 18% and the number of confirmands declined by 21%.) 

In preparation for a solution-oriented and positive discussion, I was thinking about the challenges faced in dealing with an entrenched bureaucracy. I started wondering if that old line, "Success is the enemy of future success," was true. Why do bureaucrats so often behave as if they're deaf to innovations on their business model?  (And how inclined am I to do the same?)

Maybe past successes challenge future success, but isn't it also true that past successes give you a foundation of experience and skills often demanded by future success?  Isn't it also true that past success often positions you for future success? And isn't it true past victories often inform future strategies? 

I'm aware that success tends to make people hard of hearing, and the more success you've known in the past, the worse your hearing can become in the present. However, I'm also convinced visionary leaders can inspire innovation and growth that capitalizes on past successes, and in so doing, they can revitalize a very mature bureaucratic organization so it becomes relevant, valuable and vital again.

Here's to the notion of hope....

Hebrews 6:18-19  -  We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us...

I'm Missing My Son

 

I was thinking about Aaron today. He's a good man. He is wise. I miss him a lot.

He and Tracy came home to share Christmas with us last month. (That's when I saw them outside in the snow. I grabbed my camera, ran out, and snapped this picture.) Since their visit they've been a thousand miles away, busily doing what great young married couples do: serving Jesus, working at their jobs, helping their church, enjoying great friends and generally building their marriage. Aaron and Tracy are wonderful. I love 'em. I'm proud of 'em. I miss 'em.

That's all I have to say about that.

Proverbs 10:1a  -  The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father.

Eight Reasons Good People Volunteer

 

Dustin is a volunteer. He runs a very successful business, enjoys a great marriage and inspires a lot of people.  He's uber-talented. He’s a great man.  Why do people like Dustin – great people with full and busy lives – volunteer?

Let me offer a few reasons why good people volunteer. It’s not an exhaustive list but it summarizes a few key points for team-building and might be worth considering.

Eight Reasons Good People Volunteer to Help You

1. They want to see done the thing you’re trying to get done.  What you're doing is clear to them, and clearly important to them.  Because they value what you value, what you’re doing is clearly worth their sacrificial effort.
   
2. They see the need and want to help meet the need.  Whether they jump in to help for a moment (helping with one step of the process), or stay with you for the entire mission (laying down their life for ultimate mission success), they see how they can assist you and they do.
   
3. They want to be involved. After considering their other options (how they could otherwise be using their time, energy, knowledge and skills), they prioritize your mission above other competing values. The success of your work – for one reason, or another – is important to them.  They believe the work is worthy.
   
4. They’re invited. They feel welcomed and valued. They recognize you’ve made it possible for them to join the effort. There is a place for them on the team. Affirmation and appreciation are hand-in-glove with a mission strategy that organizes all available human resources.
   
5. They understand how their personal involvement improves the work. Once they understand your mission, most people know themselves well enough to realize whether their skills, training, education, strength, possessions and experiences can be leveraged against your need. They see how they can add value and advance the mission.
   
6. They want you to succeed. Your ultimate success in life matters and they believe your mission success in the particulars of the moment will serve as a step toward the ultimate fulfillment of your life. For reasons you may not even understand, they want you to succeed. Since they care about you, and want you to fulfill your destiny, they volunteer to help you all along the way.
   
7. They love working with you. You are inspiring, encouraging, positive, expectant, trustworthy, successful and fun.
   
8. They love working with the other volunteers. They want to be with the other volunteers on your team. They love the way they’re treated and valued. It’s fun, fulfilling and rewarding to do what you’re doing with you and your team.
   

Conversely, good people will quit, and leave your team, if they no longer feel welcomed, don’t feel valued, lose their vision for mission success, can’t make a contribution worthy of their effort, don’t like you or find the rest of the volunteers unkind, unreasonable and impossible.

1 Samuel 26:5-7  -  David slipped over to Saul’s camp one night to look around. Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army, were sleeping inside a ring formed by the slumbering warriors.  “Who will volunteer to go in there with me?” David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother. “I’ll go with you,” Abishai replied.  So David and Abishai went right into Saul’s camp

Lydia Is A Big 3 Pounder!

 

Sheila and I have just returned from Memorial's tremendous NICU. We'll be heading back later this evening, but I wanted you to know we've got great news. Lydia weighed-in today at 3 pounds 4 ounces! We are all very encouraged by Lydia's healthy responses to your prayers and the fantastic work of  Memorial's medical staff. My family is better because of your hard work and continuous prayer. Thank you.

Isaiah 40:9  -  You're the preacher of good news. Speak loud and clear. Don't be timid!

Holding Things Together

 

The bass and the drums establish rhythm, but the bass is also a melodic instrument, so I sometimes think about the music of my life when I hear one of our guys cut loose on a bass rift. A great bass line gives musicians a foundation and holds their compositions together.

If you're looking for a good rhythm for your life, join me on-line for a weekend worship service that'll help you hold it all together. Log in here on Sunday night. It's an awesome service and you'll be glad you took part.

Ephesians 4:8  -  He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.

Sage Advice

Knowing DC to be a great leader, in touch with important nuances of cultural sensitivity and contemporary contextualization, I listen to his advice, watch his example and read his blog. It was there, on DC's blog, that I came across an astounding bit of wisdom - repeated again and again so the most obstinate listeners would finally understand and comply with this sage advice. 

Play it. Turn it up so you don't miss a word. I did. I played it several times. And once I grasped the essence of the hidden message veiled within the lyrics, I went out and purchased a sturdy leather belt.

Mark 1:6  -  John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist...

Head On / Thryothorus ludovicianus

 

We had a great launch to Journey Bible Classes last night. I talked about God's assignment for every "doulos" of Christ and our mission in 2010. By the time I got home, and finished prep for the Executive Pastors' Coaching I'm helping Tim with today, I was about spent.  As I was shutting down my laptop I noticed this picture I'd taken of a little Carolina Wren perched on a branch at my house. I thought, "What a cute little guy. I'm putting this on my blog."  

How's this for a rambling post?  Enjoy.

2 Peter 1:1  -  Simon Peter, a slave ("doulos") and apostle of Jesus Christ...

A Quick Lydia Update

 

 We've received good news of our granddaughter's progress. Lydia's NICU medical team has performed brilliantly, with love and compassion. John and Angela are impressive; they continue caring gently for their newborn daughter - day after day, trip after trip, visit by visit. Lydia is now 2 pounds 15 2/3 ounces.  As she grows, Sheila and I will keep praying. Entrusted with our children's lives, and our grandchildren's lives, we consider ours to be a sacred trust. 

Thanks for standing with us.

Luke 12:48b  -  From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

David's Story Told With Legos

Jeff Petersen, along with Cody and Kristin Baker, bumped last week's service up a notch with their creative and fun "Lego" version of David's life. They did a great job with the communication task they were given. I love it. Check it out. 

Galatians 6:4-5  -  Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

My Morning

 

In his book Sacred Pathways, Gary Thomas lays out an interesting notion. Thomas identifies nine "sacred pathways" that are present in differing degrees in Christians. 

• Naturalists love God in nature. 
• Sensates worship God through their five senses. 
• Traditionalists walk with God through ritual and symbolism. 
• Ascetics draw strength from solitude with God and from simplicity. 
• Activists energize themselves spiritually through confrontation. 
• Caregivers best worship God by caring for the physical needs of others. 
• Enthusiasts love God with mystery and celebration. 
• Contemplatives interact with God via adoration. 
• Intellects love to serve God with their minds.

I’m renewed in the wilderness. God restores my soul in nature. So after the last few weeks of challenge and trial I figured I’d rest before I hit it again this afternoon. Needless to say, it was a good morning - for me, not so much for the coyote. 

Psalm 23: 1-3  -  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

Why Can't We Help Like We Want To?

 

I’ve been asked why so many of us feel like we’re unable to help others – even when we want to. It’s like we’ve got good intentions but lack the ability to live them out.

Here’s my first-blush effort to explain why we struggle to get to a place where we can assist others - whether they're Haitian, our neighbors, our family or our own children.

 1.  We don’t know where we’re going.  I don’t mean this minute; I mean this year. It’s easy to say, “What do you mean? I know exactly where I’m going. I’m going to the hardware store.” The challenge comes in explaining where you’re going in 2010.

 2.  We’ve ignored those who’ve already gone there. I don’t mean we’ve failed to notice others have done what we’re trying to do. The problem is we’ve refused to listen to them when they talk about how they did it. We didn’t watch them when we could have. Now we can’t follow in their footsteps because we don’t know where they are. It’s tough to follow guides you ignore.

 3.  We’re trying to go too fast too soon. I don’t mean we shouldn’t swim across the English Channel or win the Daytona 500. We probably should go big or go home, but our training regimen in recent months hasn’t prepared us to do great things. Right now, we’re better prepared for the local hot-dog-eating contest than the race of our lives. It’s difficult to go fast if you haven’t practiced going at all.

 4.  We haven’t packed for the trip. I don’t mean our suitcases have any room left in them. I’m just saying the size of a carry-on bag is limited and we’ve loaded ours with snack food and questionable reading material. What we need is the stuff that makes us stronger, but we’ve loaded up with Twinkies and The Enquirer. How can you make the journey of your life without good nourishment along the way?

 5.  We’re not willing to leave where we are. Everyone understands when we say, “I like my life the way it is.” Problem is, everyone is afraid to tell us, “'life, like it is’ is impossible.” Things are changing. Even if our loftiest goal is to stay where we are, we’d need to swim against the sweeping currents of our faith and our culture to realize such ill-defined and self-serving success. Jesus said, “Go make disciples.” You can’t go if you don’t leave, and I’m not just talking geography.

 6.  We’re afraid. We fear losing our friends. We fear wasting our time. We fear losing our status. I’m not suggesting those things don’t matter. I’m saying you save your life by losing it and you find your life when you purposefully give it away. The things we fear losing are saved when we live on mission. A focused life attracts friends, redeems time and clarifies who we really are.

 7.  We’ve got no margin in our lives.  I don’t mean we’re busy and tired. I mean we’re living without a plan and facing exhaustion because we’ve over-reached our ability. When it comes to our money, time and energy, we’ve spent more than we have. We’re in debt, so we can’t give. Whether it’s money, time or energy – we’re spent.  Careless and reckless living ruins your ability to help others because you’ve got nothing left to give – no matter how much you wish you could.  (Of course, this apparently doesn’t apply to our country because, no matter how many trillions of dollars we’re in debt, we can just go borrow more money from China.  Hmmm. I wonder who’s gonna pay all that money back?  Tag. You’re it.)

 So…

• Get a life. Make a plan worthy of your existence. (The Bible can help you with this.)
• Pay attention. Start listening to those doing what you’d like to do.
• Practice. Want to do something great? Start building your talent, strength and stamina - one step at a time.
• Cut the crap. Read a good book, listen to a helpful podcast, memorize 2 Peter 1:2-12 and fuel up.
• Get in gear.  Gravity hates you. Intercept your entropy and start moving.
• You’re going to die. There. Now that we’ve got that settled, what’s to fear? Go ahead and live. (Jesus can help you with this.)
• Say, “No.”  Stop spending more than you have, or you’ll have nothing to offer. Manage your money, time and energy so you have something to give others. Get yourself in position to help.

Proverbs 15:22  -  Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.

Life Is Not A Photograph

 

Life is not a photograph. Life is video and it's lived one frame at a time.

Eleven days ago my daughter almost died. Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome almost killed her and her unborn daughter. But that was eleven days ago. The story of her life was not to be told in just one day. Her story continued. Day-by-day she adds to the story of her life. Frame-by-frame I'm watching her story give God glory. 

Sheila and I were privileged to take Angela to Memorial's NICU today. We're inspired by her courageous devotion. She's exhausted and she's fighting hard to care for Lydia as she continues her own recovery. She's a remarkable woman, married to a remarkable man.

Day-by-day we write the stories of our lives. Forget that and you might despair. Remember it and you'll be delivered from the tyranny of the moment and liberated for a life of joyful expectation. Remembering - in terrible times - "this too shall pass," brings perspective to your problems. Sure, life is hard, then you die, but that doesn't mean life doesn't have purpose or your life lacks significance. The weight of these momentary trials is unable to crush those who know the hope of God's coming Kingdom. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; struck down, but not destroyed. 

God said, "Let light shine out of darkness." Whether hardship comes to us one at a time, or the earth quakes under millions, we know the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will one day wipe every tear from our eyes and make all things new. 

Don't despair. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18  -  So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

What We're Doing To Help Haiti...

I’m asking you to help the people of Haiti through people we trust.

Rather than dumping money into a Black Hole of vast need in the world, GCC’s long-term strategy aligns with a development approach. We encourage, train and partner with local churches so they can transform their communities with healthy, full-spectrum care.  (We get no credit for that; it was God’s idea.)

Since 1986, faithful individuals at Granger Community Church have given over $64 million to impact our community, region and world with tangible examples of the love of Christ.  

Our laser-focused development-approach doesn’t mean we don’t offer relief in a crisis. Our long-term commitments in India don’t preclude our efforts when there’s an emergency elsewhere.  When you see someone in the ditch, you help.  It’s not a shifting focus; it’s a Godly response to immediate need.  I’m not asking you to help because right now it’s in vogue to do something for Haiti. I’m asking you to give because God calls on us – in times like this – to step up.

Here’s the plan. Participate, and you’ll add value in these specific ways:

• Blankets
• Emergency Medical Care
• Food
• Water

We’re delivering money. The money purchases relief. The relief is contextualized through Haitian churches by World Relief.

It's like when the Good Samaritan gave money to the Inn Keeper and the Inn Keeper gave relief to the suffering man entrusted to his care. You (Good Samaritans) give money to the Inn Keeper (World Relief/Haitian Churches) and they bring relief to the suffering (those devastated by the earth quake).

Go here, and the money you give will get where you intend it to go - to relieve suffering in Haiti. 

Luke 10:33-35  -  A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, "Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back."

What's Next?

 

Every church is following Jesus into a future of God's design. We are His people and we are responsible to read His Word, seek His face and discern His will for our next steps in the journey. This is the Senior Management Team at GCC. They're with me in prayer, study, reflection and faith. Left to right, these folks are pulling us forward: Mark Waltz, Kem Meyer, DC Curry, Jason Miller, Tim Stevens, Rob Wegner and me.

Hebrews 13:7  -  Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Update on Lydia / January 12, 2010

 

For all who've been praying for Lydia (my grand-daughter) and Angela (my daughter) and John (my son-in-law), I've got good news.  Angela is stronger each day. She's making trips to the hospital NICU to care of Lydia. John continues to be an amazing support to his daughter and wife. 

Sheila and I are almost overwhelmed by the difference your love is making in all our lives.

Every day Lydia is increasing her food intake. She is now breathing on her own! (The breathing tubes you see in this picture have been removed.) Angela spends a lot of time holding her daughter. She's in a battle and we're watching her win the fight. She's facing several weeks of challenge, but the best medical staff is caring for Lydia and God has her life in His hands. 

I believe Lydia's story is going to give God glory. I've set my hope that God will continue to deliver us and I join my whole family - thanking you for your prayers and kindness. 

2 Corinthians 1:10  -  God has delivered us from a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Wise Men

 

Proverbs 4:3-5  -  When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother, he would sit me down and drill me: "Take this to heart. Do what I tell you - live!  Sell everything and buy wisdom!"

When you read the Bible a bit you discover that wisdom is not the the sole possession of old men. Old men dream dreams and young men see visions, but that doesn't mean young men can't dream dreams or old men can't see visions.  Much of what God offers God offers us all: forgiveness, peace, purpose, true friends - even wisdom to know the Way.  You don't have to be old in years to be wise, but what a tragedy to be unwise when you are old!

Today I don't want to forget wisdom's Source. I don't want to become older without becoming wiser. So, I'm joining the Psalmist who cried, "Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living!" I don't want to fail my family, my friends or my church during these days of trial and challenge.

Help me O God. I need your wisdom today.

Acts 2:17  -  "In the last days," God says, "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."

Just Over The Next Hill

 

This afternoon I was greeted with this picture. Maybe it helps explain why I'm curious about what's ahead. I find myself wanting to look around the next corner, and over the next hill, because I'm never sure when I'll see something like this.

2 Corinthians 5:2-3  -  Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it!  We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies!  The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.

Food Drop Trucks Enable Success

 

Curious about the great folks who provided the big trucks we loaded ... and then unloaded ... during the Food Drop? Without them we would've never been able to get 5,280 food boxes from the 6 semis to the 24 delivery sites.  Here's the list.

I'm so grateful for their generosity!

• ABF Air Freight
• Towne Air Freight
• Feed the Children
• Linton's Landscaping
• Mark Reed
• Brad Miller 
• Brian Young
• Al Troyer
• Dorian Patten
• Tom LeFevre
• Loren Sloat
• Justin Moyer
• Anthony Marr

2 Corinthians 9:6-7  -  Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Good Job!

 

Well done.

Today we delivered 158,400 pounds of food and personal care items to to 24 sites around Michiana. A couple thousand volunteers unloaded trucks (It was 10 degrees outside) and gave food to more than 2,600 families. Our Plymouth team was awesome. Our Elkhart campus rocked it.  Our Granger campus did too.

Good job everyone.  Good job.

Luke 12:43  -  If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.

Dark Eyed Junco / Junco hyemalis

 

I was looking out my window, feeling pretty small and insignificant. I was beginning to worry. "So much is beyond me. So much is out of my control." I felt small and helpless.

Then I saw these tiny birds hopping around in the snow and I was reminded of God's provision. I remembered Jesus saying my worry would do no good. He said God cares for the least, the small and the helpless. He said God provides. So I put the brakes on my worry, started to pray, and realized in that moment no one is helpless. 

Matthew 6:26  -  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  

Lydia's Great-Grandparents

 

Thank you for praying with us. Everything was "touch-and-go" thirty hours ago, but Angela is improving and Lydia is receiving the best care possible.  Sheila's parents spent some time with Lydia and John snapped this photo. If you had praying Grandparents, you know the power of this sacred moment. 

2 Corinthians 1:8-10  -  It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it. We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—

Good Things In Small Packages

 

Lydia Dawn Keim was born yesterday afternoon at 4:33 PM. She weighed in at 2 lbs 11 oz and greeted this world with a good strong cry (a good sign, I'm told - indicating surprising lung capacity for a "premie" born at 30 weeks and 4 days). She wasn't really expected for a couple of months, so she may be in the neonatal intensive care unit for the next ten weeks, getting stronger so she can go home with Angela and John. 

Angela will be in the hospital for a while. She is courageous and I couldn't be more proud of her. We're still praying for Angela and Lydia. They're going through a lot but John is a tower of strength and God is a great, so we have every confidence all three will be make this difficult journey and prevail together.  

If you're inclined to pray for people at times like this Sheila and I would be grateful. We're praying too. 

Now...I'll be spending some time at the hospital - where I can go visit but you can't. (Hospital rooms are only so big...and I ate lots of cookies during the Christmas holiday.) 

Luke 18:15  -  People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them.

The Notion of Giving Advice

  - Photo by Aaron Beeson - 

Let’s consider the notion of “giving advice.” It’s long been the practice of old people (and by “old people” I mean anyone older than young people). Since I’m older than everyone younger than me, I’m taking advantage of the New Year to give advice.  So, if the shoe fits, wear it. (Though, by saying that, I don’t want you to think my advice is limited to footwear consultations.) 

 1.  Figure out who your four or five best friends are. You know what I’m talking about.  These are the people who listen to you, who know whether your spiritual and emotional trajectory is up or down and who care about how you’re “feeling” as much as they care about what you’re “doing.” I suggest you value those friends, nurture those relationships and “be a friend” worthy of such remarkable devotion. (By the way, if your spouse's list doesn't have you identified as such a caring "friend" you better step up your game at home. What are you thinking?)

 2.  Work hard on your marriage because the one you have, when you have no one else, is the one who promised God they’d love and cherish you “for better for worse, for richer for poorer,” until you are ultimately separated by death.  How about putting down your cell phone, turning off the TV and listening to them for a while? How about scheduling a date-night every single week this year? How about sitting together in church and worshiping God side-by-side in 2010?  Oh yeah, one more thing: since you are the only person in the whole world your spouse can have sex with, how about brushing your teeth and taking a shower more often?  Just sayin' ...

 3.  Join everyone at GCC and memorize 2 Peter 1:2-12 (NIV) by Easter. In that text you’ll learn what to do so you will never fall.

 4.  Stop being so easily irritated. It makes you an ugly person and it shrinks your spirit. The world's a mess. Stop cussing it and start fixing it. God will help you. Rather than being so easily offended, why not consciously resist your temptation to criticize so quickly? Don’t make assumptions about other’s motives (You’re not a mind-reader so stop pretending you know what others are thinking.) Stop being angry others are not more “mature.” Face it; they are as mature as they are. If you don’t like their current ability to cope, help them. If you're frustrated about their current understanding of the situation, stop and T.H.I.N.K. before you speak. Ask yourself if there is anything you can do to help them gain wisdom. Before you speak, make sure you’re about to say something, “True, Helpful, Important, Necessary and Kind."

 5.  Study the Bible. Read it. Meditate on it. Learn it. (You can get help at GCC so start bringing it with you.)

 6.  Finally, I think everyone would do well to set specific measurable goals in four areas of life: (1) family, (2) physical fitness, (3) friendships and (4) spiritual fitness. Do it like this. For each of the four areas finish this sentence, “Because I’m following Jesus, by Easter I will … .

There you go – old guy advice to young people. 

Proverbs 4:7  -  Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom, thought is cost all you have, get understanding.

Carolina Wren / Thryothorus ludovicianus

 

It's New Year's Day 2010. My kids have gone home and it's snowing like crazy. 

So how cool is this?  While cleaning up after the holidays Sheila and I looked out the window and discovered we have a Carolina Wren at our house.  These little birds sing all year long. They vocalize 40 different song types, repeatedly doing one song before switching to the next. 

I love these little guys.

Genesis 1:20b  -  And God said, "...Let the birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."