Thoughts from the Birdnest

Dave Hunt sharing about sheiks & imams coming to know Jesus as Messiah & starting church movements

2012-01-23T11:11:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Now THIS is how to watch a football game

2012-01-22T19:44:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Here is @n8tronic praying for @newcitymatt @newcitychris and New City Church:

2012-01-08T09:54:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

New Year's Day at Restore Community Church

2012-01-05T10:50:00.001-06:00

Restore Community Church's Liberty campus decided to go all out for New Year's Day. We held one service, served an awesome brunch, interviewed some people about the changes they are making for 2012, encouraged discussion at the tables, and simply had a fun time together as we launched our "This Could Be The Year" series. I meant to capture a lot more photos than I did, but I got caught up in the morning and realized I didn't capture the memorable moments. So here are the few photos I took before things got going.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Enjoying Christmas Story Time w/ @joshjackaway at Restore's Christmas Eve Service.

2011-12-24T17:25:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

I had no idea Mary & Joseph had Aflac...

2011-12-17T17:56:00.001-06:00

via patternsrus.com

...or perhaps the goose is their supper. That would make a nice Christmas dinner!

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Merry Christmas from my Non-Angry Family...

2011-12-13T15:16:00.001-06:00

Sunday night I uploaded our family Christmas newsletter. This year's theme: Angry Birds (and overcoming challenges).

If you haven't had a chance to see it, just go over to TheBirdnest.net.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Super excited for Restore's Big Give launching today

2011-12-11T09:50:00.001-06:00

If you are a part of Restore's church family (or even if you aren't), feel free to make this your smartphone's background.

Because this year's Big Give is gonna truly be BIG!

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Just call me John... Papa John

2011-12-09T18:40:00.001-06:00

Tonight, I made our Friday night pizza (LeAnn is out of commission with a bad back). I must say, it was quite tasty.

But that's probably because I made it with love (as you can clearly see in the photo!).

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

This is a creative way to honor your leaders & families

2011-12-03T10:33:00.001-06:00

Every year in December, rather than do a normal Leadership Community, Restore honors their leaders in a creative way. This year: Bowling!

Enough said. :-)

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

You Can Do That!

2011-11-30T21:20:00.001-06:00

Late this morning, the staff of the Liberty campus of Restore started a discussion group about the book Exponential by Dave & Jon Ferguson. One of the things we discussed from Chapter 1 was how empowering it is when someone hears your dream and says to you "You can do that!"

Just a few hours later after a great discussion, I was blessed to watch the video above. Now, the video is a TED talk - and most TED talks are 18 minutes. To many people (including you), 18 minutes is a lot of time to give. But while you might give up 18 minutes of your life to watch it, you might also gain a year's worth of inspiration as you hear the story of how an 8-foot hooded woman empowered a 14-year-old poet and got her to believe "You can do this."

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Another great morning of baptisms @Libertyrestore

2011-11-20T08:41:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Hey @patrickoconnell I found you a new bike helmet

2011-11-14T18:56:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Reproduction - A Blog Series

2011-11-14T10:43:00.001-06:00

Over on The RiverTree Project blog, I am beginning a 12-part series on the topic of Reproduction. Six of the posts will be about the difficulties I am seeing with Reproduction. And six of the posts will be about the "positives" of Reproduction I am observing through my Leadership Residency at Restore.

I will only be posting about 3 times each week, so the series will end up going through the first week of December. But hopefully the short posts will serve me well in the future when I go back to read what I have been learning and observing during this time in my life.

So feel free to head over, learn with me, and leave a comment if you so desire.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Church Planting, Swimming, & Comparing

2011-10-29T22:23:00.001-05:00

I swim 3 days each week for exercise. I'm not saying this to brag - but I am almost always the fastest person in the pool. I like it when there is someone about my tempo in the pool to push me - but it rarely ever happens.

But just when a guy starts to get a big head...

The other day I happened upon the website of a college swim team. Their "latest news" shared results from the team's most recent meet. Now, keep in mind, this is a Division II school, so it isn't exactly spitting out Olympians. But in a recent meet, one guy set a school record in the 100 Free. His time was under 50 seconds. I saw this and groaned - I can't even get under a minute! Right now, in an all out sprint, I might get under 1:05. (I don't even want to go see what times Olympic swimmers can post...)

Comparison Swimming

If I compare myself to others, I am bound to "lose." Those guys swim 3000 to 5000 yards each day, 6 to 7 times a week, with good coaching. I am coach-less, swim only three times each week, and MIGHT do 3000 yards in a workout.

But if I compare myself to myself, things look differently.

When I started swimming for exercise about 5 years ago, I was happy if I could do a 100 Free in 1:30. Usually, my pace was 1:40. But slowly that time kept dropping. By the time I moved to Kansas City, my pace was 1:20. And now I am approaching 1:15's.

When I look at it that way, suddenly I feel a little bit better.

Comparison Church Planting

Last week I had the joy of spending three days with New City Church. Matt Miller, the lead planting pastor, did a Leadership Residency at Restore like I am. He is about a year ahead of where I am in this journey, so I wanted to learn from him.

Matt and his team are in a really sweet spot. Three churches have come together to help fund this new work. They are in an area that not only has obvious gospel needs, but there is no other church plant in the area. They are going to be launching in an abandoned theater that is being remodeled just for them. They already have 80 adults and 40+ kids part of their "launch" team. It was really inspiring to see all that is taking place and feel the momentum they have.

But if I begin the comparison game, I could end up quite discouraged. I don't have 3 churches banding together to plant a new church. I don't have a theater owner remodeling his property so I can move in. I don't have the cash and the staff and the team and the...

Heck, I don't even have a city yet!

But if I compare myself to myself, things look differently.

Three years ago, I was afraid to say "yes" to church planting. Two years ago, I was saying yes with many doubts and questions. A year ago, I finally stepped out in faith. Now I am half-way through my Residency, living by faith that God will provide much in the coming months.

My prayer is not that God will repeat Matt's story in my life. My prayer from the very beginning has been that God would plant this church in such a way that He will get all the glory.

And by faith, I know He will. And when I look at it that way, suddenly I feel a little bit better.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

More is NOT Always Better (for Clouds or Churches)

2011-10-15T07:50:00.001-05:00

I learned yesterday that Box.net is giving away 50 Gb (that's right - gigabytes!) to users of iOS 5. I have a free 2 Gb Dropbox account that I use a little bit, but the allure of 50 Gb was too much. I downloaded the app (to my "old" iPhone 3GS - the budget can't support my 4S phone-lust right now), preparing to move my cloud-based items to Box.

However, after downloading the app and beginning to set things up, I learned that Box.net does not offer free syncing to those who only have Personal accounts. I know they are a business, so I don't blame them one bit for this - they need to make money. And, they owe me nothing, so I am not entitled to free syncing for my 50 Gb account (I'm not even entitled to 50 Gb!)

But I know what this means: I will revert back to Dropbox as my default "cloud-based" account.

Yes, I only have 2 Gb with Dropbox vs. 50 with Box. But the syncing efficiency of Dropbox, even though it has less, will tilt the scale in their favor. #more

I'm a pastor, so you knew the spiritual twist was coming...

I think many American churches and Christians make the mistake mentally that I did with Box. They think:

More programs = better
More Bible studies & classes = better
More opportunities = better
more money, more people, more "success" = better

But sometimes, the "more" we have, the less effective and efficient we are. All those wonderful programs and studies and classes can be good things, but they often fill our schedules, thoughts, and lives so much that we miss the better task of making disciples.

The allure of "more" is real - as I experienced when I clicked the download button for the Box app. But sometimes, getting more isn't the better option. Sometimes, more isn't really more. Sometimes, "less" is more.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Restore Community Church at Liberty Fall Festival

2011-09-27T09:47:00.001-05:00

This past Sunday, Restore Community Church was asked to hold their Sunday morning service outside at the annual Liberty Fall Festival. It was a GREAT morning. Here are a few photos I snapped with my phone:

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Awkward Relationships (video)

2011-09-26T13:32:00.001-05:00

As part of our teaching series "Love At Last Sight," my friends Miguel and Lucas shot a video of them lip-syncing the song "Jenny" by Flight of the Conchords. The song fit perfectly with the topic for the day: "The Art of Risking Awkwardness."

Is there a relationship that is broken or hurting in your life? Perhaps you need to risk a little bit of awkwardness to begin reestablishing the relationship. Hopefully your conversation won't be as awkward as the one in the video. But that awkward conversation might just lead to the best relationship you've ever had.

Enjoy the video and the laugh!

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

At a KC Royals game. The Royals are celebrating St. Patrick's half-birthday:

2011-09-17T17:46:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

A Little Coaching Goes a Long Way

2011-09-14T15:15:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday, I had the chance to hit some tennis balls around with my 14-year-old daughter. She is a freshman on her high school tennis team, but we never seem to find the time to go play together. So instead of going to a homecoming dance, she chose to hang with her dad.

We got to the courts, and she asked if I would help coach her on her serve. I'm not an expert, by any means, but after 4 years of high school tennis and occasional games as an adult, I knew enough to recognize some fundamentals she was lacking in her game. I asked her if her coach had ever given her help, and she said, "Dad, our team is so large. The coach never has time to give me any tips."

So we spent some time working on her serve. She was erratic at first, but eventually she started getting some serves in. Then not only were some balls landing in, but that had more zip than she's ever had before! I could tell she was feeling really good about this. We left the courts as the sunset, but confidence rising within my daughter. But that confidence was going to be put to the test.

Tuesday afternoon this week, I had the chance of watching my oldest play a doubles match. She is toward the bottom of the "ladder", so she didn't play until late into the afternoon. But her tennis game that afternoon was the best I've ever seen from her! Even though she still had some double faults and mis-hits, she played the best she's ever played - especially in her service game. She and her partner won 6-3, but even if they had lost, I could tell her game had gone to a new level - all because she received a little bit of coaching.

The Kansas City Connection

So what does my daughter's tennis game have to do with anything? Well, allow me to tell you...

As part of my Leadership Residency at Restore, I am primarily interested in learning about reproduction. In order for reproduction to occur, leaders have to be willing to find someone else that can do what they do. But I'm learning that some leaders aren't "reproducing." One ministry leader hadn't reproduced for one simple reason: When she was supposedly "apprenticed," she had a total of one meeting with her leader. She didn't know what it looked like to coach someone to become a leader simply because she had never truly been coached herself. A few simple conversations along with some encouragement could be all the difference for this one leader to take her "game" to the next level, so that she can in turn coach and empower others to do the ministry God has called them to.

Is there anyone around you that could use some coaching? What do you know that could spur someone else on? Because a few encouraging words could really make all the difference in someone's life to help them take their "game" to the next level.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Church Planting Movements (book review)

2011-09-10T14:22:00.001-05:00

In September of 2008, I heard God call me to plant a church that would help plant other churches (I tell the story a little bit here). For two years, my wife and I prayed, read books, listened to podcasts, followed blogs, and absorbed as much as we could about church planting to help us sort out this crazy idea. Church planting was not new to us as we had helped with a church plant in the Denver, CO area for three years. But because I felt deeply inadequate to this calling of leading a new church, I wanted to know as much about church planting to help me sort through what I heard God say to me.

But what I read and learned during those two years has been completely unsettled by David Garrison's book Church Planting Movements.

I first heard about this book in Exponential by Dave and Jon Ferguson. I read Exponential in preparation for my year-long Leadership Residency at Restore Community Church. Dave raved about Garrison's report, so when I had an opportunity to get Church Planting Movements for free through Mission Frontiers in exchange for this book review, I jumped at the chance.

But I did not expect what I read. Garrison reveals amazing movements of God that are happening all over the world. As I read page after page of viral movements of people coming to know Christ and churches being planted as a result, I felt like I was reading a modern day sequel to the Book of Acts. I was utterly dumbfounded, overwhelmed, and awed at what I was learning.

Now, I should admit something. By nature, I'm a fairly accepting guy, liking most everybody I meet. However, when it comes to religious and spiritual teachings, reports, books, etc., I can get a bit skeptical. Perhaps it is discernment. Perhaps it is just skepticism. But what made me buy into Garrison's report is that he's a Southern Baptist boy raised on traditional Baptist church values (building, paid staff, Sunday School, seminary, etc.). He has no ax to grind with his denomination (he still works for them). He didn't have an agenda to dismantle the current North American church model. He simply was reporting what at one-time was secretly happening all over the world and had begun to be discovered in the mid-1990s. And much of what is happening around the world in these movements looks nothing like the church models found in North America.

Definitions and World Tours

After David opens the book sharing how he stumbled onto the news of these church planting movements, he gives a definition of church planting movements (CPMs) in Chapter 2:

A Church Planting Movement is a rapid multiplication of indigenous churches planting churches that sweeps through a people group or population segment. (pg. 21)

Much to my surprise, Garrison doesn't launch into a biblical defense of these movements in the next chapter. Instead, he takes his reader chapter by chapter all around the world, sharing amazing movements of God happening in urban areas of one country, remote areas of another country, among oppressed peoples on one continent, among the poor of another continent, and more. These CPMs each have their own cultural distinctives, and yet there are some unifying features in each of these movements, which helped Garrison and others realize that there was something taking place that most North American based churches and missionary agencies weren't seeing.

For example, a typical fully-devoted Christ-follower in an American city would be amazed at a church that grew by 1000 people in one year, (500 of those being new converts), and then planted another church of 200 people. ( I know I'd be THRILLED with that!) Twitterpastors would call it a revival on their blogs, the Lead Pastor would probably be invited to speak at some conferences, and his first book about the "secret" to their "success" would be on shelves within the year.

But contrast this with the story in Chapter 16 of a Chinese city of 20 million people with only 200 known Christ-followers among three churches. One of those churches allowed "training" class of 30 people (some of whom were elderly) to help start new churches throughout the city. Within one year, this "class" saw over 12,000 people come to Christ and 908 house churches planted. (I'm telling you - this is Book-of-Acts type stuff! And that wasn't the end - according to this document, 3 years later the movement was up to 15,000 churches and 160,000 believers!)

CPMs Exposed

So what is the secret to the incredible success of these CPMs? Garrison reports there are 10 features in every church planting movement, without exception. These ten are:

Extraordinary Prayer
Abundant Evangelism
Intentional Planting of Reproducing Churches
The Authority of God's Word
Local Leadership
Lay Leadership
House Churches
Churches Planting Churches
Rapid Reproduction
Healthy Churches

Many things on this list were of no surprise to me (like Authority of God's Word) or inspiringly challenging (Extraordinary Prayer). But I was deeply unsettled by the fact that ALL these movements are house church movements. All my life, all I've really known is the "attractional model" church (build it and they will come). While I am not anti-house church by any stretch of the means, it was surprising and unsettling to think that all of these CPMs were house church movements. I've heard of rapidly growing attractional churches in South Korea, across Africa and South America, and even kept tabs on the growth of megachurches in America, but the growth in these types of churches is small and slow compared to these CPMs. And that has shaken me to my church planting core.

The Rest of the Book

Chapter 13 shares ten more elements that are in most CPMs, but don't seem to be universal. They include things like:

A Climate of Uncertainty in Society
Insulation from Outsiders
A High Cost for Following Christ
and seven more.

Garrison does eventually share a biblical defense of CPMs. He also dedicates a chapter to "The Seven Deadly Sins" that keep CPMs from starting or continuing. And he also gives a helpful FAQ chapter (which appears to be aimed at North American Christians, and probably "discerning" pastors and theologians like me). But to learn more of those, you'll have to pick up the book yourself.

The Ending

Before the Epilogue and Appendices, Garrison has a "Call to Action" chapter. In it he challenges his reader to join in with these CPMs. He lays out 5 stages that it takes to become part of a CPM. If I were writing this book, I will admit I probably would have written a chapter like this. With that said, I didn't like the chapter.

What I didn't like was that Garrison teeters on the edge of guilting his reader into being part of CPMs. Because of all he has seen and learned, I can't blame him one bit for being passionate about CPMs and wanting to see people support and even get involved in these movements. But anytime I sense someone pushing me into something, I find myself hesitating inside (perhaps its the GenXer in me ;-). I was already being challenged by what I had read prior to this final chapter, deeply considering the impact this could have on my future church planting endeavors. I didn't need a salesman's tactic of guilting me into jumping on the CPM band wagon.

A Personal Response

Despite the last chapter, I am disturbed in good ways. I am inspired by what hearing about the move of God's Spirit all around the world. I'm in awe of His work. I'm encouraged that God is starting these movements through ordinary people (like me!). I'm challenged to think even more deeply about the future work ahead of me. I long to see these types of things happen through my own life.

But I am also asking questions:

To see a movement like this happen in Iowa and America, does it have to happen exactly like these other movements?
What would be the cultural distinctives if I did see a CPM happen here?
Is America too evangelized for a CPM to take place?
Or is America too "post-Christian" for a CPM to take place?
Are "Christians" too apathetic to risk it all for something like this?
Some of what the book exposes almost reveals a "formula" to these movements. Is that because God is in this, or does a "formula" reveal too much of man's involvement?

So I am disturbed. I'm wrestling. I have no idea how this will affect the church or churches I end up helping start. And I don't want to be made to feel guilty if I decide that God's Spirit is leading me differently. But I am VERY glad I read this book. I have a feeling I may be dipping into it every now and then to re-read portions and be challenged again. And I truly do long to see a massive wave of God change thousands and thousands of people's lives - and would be honored to be a part of it. I am doing what Garrison writes on pg. 17, asking myself

"In light of what you've shown us, O Lord, what should we now do?"

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 house churches

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Your attention please - (37signals)

2011-09-08T11:27:00.001-05:00

Your attention please Jason F. Sep 07

I used to think time was the most limited resource. It’s so limited that you can’t even save it for later. Every day you spend more time, and tomorrow you have less than you had yesterday. You can’t make more, and you can’t really buy more, so it’s limited and fleeting and those are the rules.

But there’s something even more limited than time. It’s your attention. Attention is a subset of time, therefore it’s more limited. How you spend your attention is more important than how you spend your time.

Attention is about focus and careful, thoughtful consideration. Unlike time – which can be broken into convenient chunks of 15 minutes – attention doesn’t divide quite so neatly or easily.

You hear a lot about “quality time” being valuable, but I think quality attention is invaluable. Giving someone your attention is giving more than just giving your time.

The greatest things you make and do are the ones that get your full attention. It’s helpful to take an inventory of what you’re doing and then ask yourself where you’re spending your best attention. You can fill your time, but you have to spend your attention. How you spend it is probably a better measure of priority than anything else.

Next time you say yes to something, ask yourself if yes means “yes, I can do that” or “yes, I can spend my attention on that.” If you’re not willing to spend your attention on it, is it worth doing? Maybe, maybe not, but it’s a good thing to think about the next time you take something on.

via 37signals.com

This is an excellent post from 37Signals about the importance of attention.

As I read it, I thought of the story from Luke 8:40-48. Jesus is on his way to heal the daughter of Jairus, a synagogue leader. On the way, a woman who has been bleeding internally for 12 years touches the fringe of Jesus' robe, believing that it will finally heal her of her hemorrhaging.

In the middle of the crowd's traveling with him, Jesus stops. No one saw the woman touch the Savior's robe. Peter tells Jesus that everyone is pressing in on Jesus - they are all touching him! Yet Jesus knows one person touched him with faith and purpose, not selfishness and rock-star awe.

In that moment, Jesus gives the woman his attention. He gives her his ears as he listens to her explain her past predicament. He gives her his eyes as he looks upon this precious and desperate woman. He gives her his blessing because of her well-placed faith. In the middle of the busyness, in the middle of traveling with purpose, in the middle of the crowd, Jesus gives the gift of his full attention.

I'm teaching at Restore on September 18th about "The Art of Acting Intentionally" as part of the series on relationships entitled "Love at Last Sight." Despite how the title sounds, this is not a "marriage series." You can learn the art of acting intentionally to help ALL of your relationships. Learning how to give your full attention will help you live life with relational excellence - and live like Jesus.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The History of Redemption (more than a sermon)

2011-09-06T15:55:00.001-05:00

The_History_of_Redemption_[The_History_of_Redemption].mp3 Listen on Posterous

This is one of the most powerful, moving, and beautiful sermons I have ever heard. The reason? It is ALL the words of Scripture. Ronnie Smith does a masterful job weaving the totality of the Christian Scriptures together to help his listener capture the grand epic story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.

So give up a TV show for one night, set down the newspaper, and quit playing on your iPhone so you can give 30 minutes of your attention to sit and listen to Scripture being recited, allowing your heart to get caught up in the true story of God's plan to redeem His creation back to Himself. If you prefer video, I encourage you to go to this page, find the sermon entitled "The History of Redemption" from November 28, 2010, and click the "related video" link.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

College Students: Will you give up two years to take Jesus to the world's unreached? (A video interview)

2011-09-06T14:19:00.001-05:00

My friend Andy hits a home run in this video. If you are a college student or single young adult with a heart for Jesus, I HIGHLY recommend you listen to this in it's entirety. And if you are a parent of a college student or single young adult - you should listen to this as well.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Are you resting?

2011-08-31T12:40:00.001-05:00

I just read a really cool story about a 61-year-old farmer, named Cliff Young, who won the Australian ultramarathon in 1983. (That's 573.7 miles!) Before the race, everyone laughed at him because he wore goulashes-covered boots and overalls. But after the race, he became a hero. Not only did he win a race most people can't even complete, he crushed the opposition, strolling in almost 10 hours ahead of the 2nd place finisher. Of course everyone wanted to know his secret. And the simple answer was this...

No sleep.

As I learn from the church planting world and even the Christian subculture as a whole, we admire people who seem to get tons done. They publish books, they lead large ministries, they are flying around the country speaking at conferences, they are interviewed by magazines and websites, they read tons of books (because I see their endorsements on the back covers of the latest bestsellers), and on and on goes the list of their accomplishments. As I ponder these sorts of individuals, I have wondered "How do they get it all done?"

But I haven't just wondered that about the celebrity pastors. I've wondered it even about staff I have worked with. I have had the privilege to be on staff at two very different churches, both running on several cylinders. I see their busyness and wonder "How do they get it all done?"

The funny thing is, I've had people tell me they look at me and wonder the same thing about myself. And sadly, my "secret" in the past was the same as Cliff's.

Saying "No"

Any time you say "yes" to one thing, you end up saying "no" to hundreds of other things. And too often in my life, one of the things I have said "no" to is sleep. There have been times in my life where I have run and run and run, getting only 3 hours here, 5 hours there, no sleep this night, and then move about in a mental fog for the next day or two. I erroneously think that if I operate at such a level, others will admire me, just like people admired the humble 61-year-old farmer who sacrificed sleep to shame the ultra-atheletes he competed against.

However...

I have heard of pastors who operated at these levels... and blew out their adrenal glands. I've heard of other pastors and leaders who ran at this sort of pace for years, saying "yes" to almost everything... and in the process said "no" to their family or "no" to their relationship with Christ.

Cliff Young may have inspired others by not sleeping. But the race ended. He could not have kept that pace for weeks and months on end. It would have lead to his death. And no one would have been inspired by that.

And neither will anyone be inspired if you lose your reputation, your health, your family, or something else because you said "no" to sleep.

When we sleep, we are showing we trust God to take care of the world. When we sleep, we allow our bodies and minds to regenerate. When we sleep, we improve our chances of thinking more clearly. When we sleep, we are living in the manner in which God intended. (I can't prove this, but I don't think sleep is a product of the fall. I think it was present in the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve took their fateful bites. Who knows, perhaps lack of sleep is what lead to Adam's sin!).

Yes, there are times in life when you have to run an "ultramarathon." (I have a feeling I'll be running a few as we do the hard work of planting a church). But you can't run back-to-back-to-back ultramarathons. So don't. Get some sleep.

The press may not be inspired by your sleeping patterns like they were inspired by Cliff Young's endurance. But your family, your friends, your endeavors, and even yourself will thank you for it.

So yes, you can go take a nap now. I give you permission.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Who do you allow around your Bends?

2011-08-29T22:40:00.003-05:00

I swim 3x/week at a really nice indoor pool. But despite how well maintained everything is, there is one thing that unsettles me.

In the locker room, the entrance to the showers is just five or six steps away from the entrance to the pool deck. And there are always a couple of female life guards sitting watch just a few feet outside the door. As I make the birthday-suit walk to the showers with my towel and shampoo, I am all-too aware of the door just steps away and the people just outside that door.

But what keeps them from seeing me and being scarred for life is... a bend.

You see, the door to the pool deck is a 90˚ turn from the hallway. I am VERY thankful for that ninety-degree bend (as are those on the pool deck!). But this physical bend got me thinking about the personal bends humans have inside.

Internal Bends

We ALL have bends. We have things inside that we don't want others to see. We think it will scare them or scar them or repel them away from us. So we bend. We lie. We "adjust" the truth. We keep hidden certain areas from those around us.

Now sometimes these bends are actually good. For example, confessing every sin you've committed since 7th grade on a first date isn't exactly going to help you get a second date.

But more time than not, a person has built so may bends in his or her private life, that he or she no longer knows the way out. They no longer know who they truly are. We get lost in our own mazes.

What we usually need to help us emerge out of these internal labyrinths is the hand of another human - the RIGHT human. At the pool, the door marked "Men" helps filter who should walk around the bend and who should remain on the pool deck. We all need similar "signs" to let the right people in our lives, to walk around our bends, and to know the real us.

My Bend Guides

For me, the right kind of people are my wife and a few trusted guys. I know I can open up to them and not be judged or condemned. Instead of shaming me for my mistakes, they love me, take me by the hand, and walk me to Jesus. They remind me of the power of the gospel, and that Jesus can make my paths straight again. I don't have to hide behind lies, deception, or other bends. I can be free to be me before Jesus, who takes away all the shame-filled unloveliness.

Your Bends and Guides

How about you?

Do you have too many "bends" in your life?
Does anyone know the real you?
Do YOU even know the real you?
Who do you need to let in to your private locker room?
Who is safe enough to expose your sins to?
Who do you allow around your Bends?
Who and what will lead you to Christ?

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:16)

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/669882

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Who do you allow around your Bends?

2011-08-29T22:40:00.001-05:00

I swim 3x/week at a really nice indoor pool. But despite how well maintained everything is, there is one thing that unsettles me.

But what keeps them from seeing me and being scarred for life is... a bend.

Internal Bends

Now sometimes these bends are actually good. For example, confessing every sin you've committed since 7th grade on a first date isn't exactly going to help you get a second date.

But more time than not, a person has built so may bends in his or her private life, that he or she no longer knows the way out. They no longer know who they truly are. We get lost in our own mazes.

My Bend Guides

Your Bends and Guides

How about you?

Do you have too many "bends" in your life?
Does anyone know the real you?
Do YOU even know the real you?
Who do you need to let in to your private locker room?
Who is safe enough to expose your sins to?
Who do you allow around your Bends?
Who and what will lead you to Christ?

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:16)

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/669882

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

So glad to have my boys home from four days at Grandma & Grandpa's.

2011-08-11T16:49:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Here is my wife's amazing cake art

2011-08-05T19:32:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Playing Life-sized Monopoly

2011-08-01T14:13:00.001-05:00

This version was created by my 14-year-old for her over active almost-5-year-old who loves Monopoly but can't sit still. ;-)

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Spending my Father's Day evening w/ a big Daddy penguin.

2011-06-19T18:10:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Not quite sure why they call these "warm-ups." That water is freezing!

2011-06-18T06:37:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Ready to worship & pray w/1000s of believers for "What If The Church" & Global Day of Prayer @ Livestrong Stadium. #WITC

2011-06-12T15:54:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Weeding, Sand, & Pride

2011-06-11T13:15:00.001-05:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

I have a good kind of pride at the moment. My family, as part of the Kansas City "What If The Church" Serve Day, helped weed a sand volleyball court, and then lay new sand on top in an effort to bless the Gillis Center. The Gillis Center houses 36 boys in need of a home, plus has an emergency shelter for 10 boys who find themselves in desperate need. (We learned that in Kansas City, roughly a hundred kids need emergency shelter every month. Gillis is one place helping meet that need.) Gillis also runs a school for 120 kids who have been booted from other schools for behavioral issues. We got to hear a couple of stories of transformation that has taken place through the efforts of Gillis. So it was an honor roger to help clean the place up a little bit alongside Christ-followers from all over the KC metro area.

Here's the before and after photos of the sand volleyball court. To see some photos of my awesome kiddos at work, head over to our family website at thebirdnest.net.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Changed lives change lives

2011-06-07T16:07:00.001-05:00

My good friends, Zac and Erin Harlan, are featured in an article and I just want to take a moment to point the spotlight on them and on Christ.

I have been honored to watch Zac's life be transformed by the gospel, grow in his relationship with Christ, and marry Erin (which I had the privilege to officiate!). Then I've watched them together welcome Addie into their lives. Zac and Erin were a bit taken aback when they learned their daughter had Down Syndrome, but I have been so touched watching the amazing way they have loved her and learned from God through her.

And now their lives, having been changed by Christ and by their precious girl, are about to radically change the life of another precious little girl. But to learn about that, you have to read the article!

To me, this is proof once again that when Christ has truly changed a life, that life will inevitably change the lives of others. I'm praying that the future church we get the honor of starting will have more Zac & Erin stories in it, so the changed lives we get to see will change even more lives around Iowa and the globe.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The most beautiful "Groom's" cake I have ever seen!

2011-06-04T19:02:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Now THIS is how a newly married couple should travel!

2011-06-04T16:23:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The @restorecc / @Libertyrestore offices just got furniture.

2011-05-25T14:01:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

It was Hillybilly Hymn day @Libertyrestore. Nothing like worshipping to bluegrass!

2011-05-22T11:59:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The End? (My weekend thoughts and plans in light of tomorrow's "Judgment Day")

2011-05-20T11:33:00.001-05:00

The Twittersphere (at least the people I follow) has been a buzz of mockery about Harold Camping's prediction that true followers of Christ will be raptured tomorrow, May 21, and that the universe will be completely destroyed on October 21. I know it doesn't really matter what I ultimately think, but I've had several thoughts. So I decided to write a quick post just to get them off my brain so I can get some RiverTree work done.

I hope Camping is right because:

I'd love to go be with my Jesus!

But I'm certain Camping is wrong because:

He's been wrong before in his end times prophecies, which means he is a false prophet.
The Scriptures are quite clear we can't know the exact date of the end. (Acts 1:7, see also Matthew 24:36)

I'm grateful Camping is wrong, because:

There are too many people I care about and am praying for that I want to be with Jesus.
I really, really want to see the vision God has given me for a church planting movement in Iowa to become a reality.

So here is what I am going to do this weekend:

Have a Half-Birthday Daddy Date tonight with my now-seven-and-a-half-year-old son
Take my 13-year-old daughter out for breakfast tomorrow morning.
Take my 11-year-old daughter out for ice cream tomorrow afternoon.
Go to church Sunday morning to help set-up, greet people, and worship Jesus.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

King's Cross by Timothy Keller (Book Review)

2011-05-20T10:38:00.001-05:00

I have noticed that I tend to write book reviews (and reviews for other products) for works that I have thoroughly enjoyed. This one is no exception.

However, unlike my other book reviews, I am going to keep this one short and to the point. I am not going to "review" the book, per se. Instead, all I need to say about Keller's latest book is this:

King's Cross is a simple walk-through of the highlights of the Book of Mark from the Bible.
Like his sermons, Dr. Keller's insights into Mark and first century culture weaved with his expansive understanding of today's culture will delight your heart and mind.
However, I found myself not falling in love with Keller's words as I read. Rather, Keller's words helped me fall in love with Jesus even more.

I am recommending this book to just about everyone I interact with: those in full-time ministry, long-time Christians, spiritual seekers, and more. This book really hits people no matter where they are in their spiritual journey, and truly will help multitudes of people go deeper with Jesus in their spiritual journeys, regardless of where they are in that journey.

Rating: 5 Crowns of out 5

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

How God Mows Me

2011-05-19T20:59:00.001-05:00

I'm told you should change the mowing pattern of your lawn regularly. Doing the same pattern too much stresses the lawn, affecting the strength and quality of the grass. Perhaps this is an "old lawn's tale," but I faithfully switch between north/south one week, east/west the next, and diagonals the third and fourth weeks. I never repeat a pattern.

As I was mowing my lawn yesterday afternoon before the rains came, I got to thinking how God handles me like I do my lawn. I have found He rarely ever repeats a test in my life. While I learn through each trial, gaining wisdom that helps in future difficulties, each trial is different. God is mowing a different pattern in my character so that I can grow stronger into the image of Christ.

If God allowed the testing of my heart to happen identically each time, I'm prone to think I'd stop seeking and trusting Him by faith. Instead, I'd probably start relying merely upon the wisdom I have gained, leaning on my own wisdom.

But by allowing different trials into my life, God keeps building, growing, stretching, molding, and mowing me into the image He already sees me to be. Like Michaelangelo merely let the famous image of David come out of the rock by chiseling away the parts that didn't belong, so God is bringing out the image of Christ through the various trials life brings.

This is why James 1:2 tells us to "Consider it pure joy when you encounter trials of various kinds." Being cut by the mower blades hurts, but there is something far greater that awaits, so we can actually have joy in the midst of the blades whirling through our life.

Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

No Scripture "Buts"

2011-05-18T11:44:00.001-05:00

I was working on re-memorizing Romans 8:28-30 the other day when the thought hit me: We read verses like these, but respond with "Yeah, but..."

For example:

---

"God works out all things for the good of those who love Him..."

Yeah, but...

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter trials of many kinds..."

Yeah, but...

"We rejoice in sufferings because we know that suffering produces endurance..."

Yeah, but...

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..."

Yeah, but...

---

I am trying to eliminate the "buts" in my Scripture reading and just simply say "Yeah!"

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The @Libertyrestore church family has "Brought It Home"

2011-05-15T11:06:00.003-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The @Libertyrestore church family has "Brought It Home"

2011-05-15T11:06:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Big day @Libertyrestore. First I got to do trailers (at 6:00 am!). Now I get to watch 3 baptisms!

2011-05-15T08:42:00.001-05:00

movie.mov Watch on Posterous

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

LOVE having an upright bass @Libertyrestore this morning.

2011-05-08T10:27:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

@andreacooley Recognize these? Amazing what you find when you unpack!

2011-05-02T18:16:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

How cool! A baptism at #Exponential! A Volunteer comes to Christ, & @RickWarren gets to lead it.

2011-04-29T09:39:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Nothing like worshipping w/ 4000 church planters w/ "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord"

2011-04-28T15:24:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Our view during the second part of Session 1 of #Exponential w/ Francis Chan:

2011-04-27T12:58:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Listening to Hugh Halter share about the tangible kingdom:

2011-04-26T19:21:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Singing the Blues w/ @billshazzar

2011-04-26T19:14:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Our weekly Monday night Family Night is shifting to Sunday nights. And Easter seems like the perfect time to switch.

2011-04-24T18:19:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

"Good" Friday was a Beautiful Scandalous Night

2011-04-22T08:32:00.001-05:00

"Beautiful Scandalous Night" as performed by The Robbie Seay Band

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Eating outside on our deck in KC, wondering how many of our friends in Iowa are doing the same. #sarcasm #fb

2011-04-17T18:31:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Backwards Christianity (Keep Back Nothing)

2011-04-06T11:23:00.001-05:00

Give up yourself,

and you will find your real self.

Lose your life

and you will save it.

Submit to death,

death of your ambitions

and favourite wishes every day

and death of your whole body in the end:

Submit with every fibre of your being,

and you will find eternal life.

Keep back nothing.

Nothing that you have not given away will be really yours.

Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead.

Look for yourself,

and you will find in the long run only

hatred,

loneliness,

despair,

rage,

ruin,

and decay.

But look for Christ

and you will find Him,

and with Him everything else thrown in.

(from Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, pg. 225 (Harper Collins). Poetical arrangement added.)

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

My youngest son has a new girlfriend. Apparently his mom approves.

2011-04-01T19:57:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Well, @jasonpoling really knows how to pick pizza joints...

2011-03-31T18:18:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The #ElephantRoom Studio. Never been to a conference setting like this.

2011-03-31T08:43:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Here's how Restore Liberty is celebrating their ONE year anniversary: Light-up tambourines!

2011-03-27T11:02:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Second Chances (An original POTSC Video)

2011-03-16T16:38:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Celebrating #PiDay correctly (my daughter who has pi memorized to the 50th digit says we should be eating this @ 1:59)

2011-03-14T21:26:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

How to properly use the platform God has given you...

2011-02-24T10:06:00.001-06:00

I am far from a NASCAR fan, but I have to admit I was impressed when I heard the news that a 20-year-old driver (in only his second Sprint Cup race) took the crown of the famous Daytona 500. Think about it: he can't legally drink, most of his peers are in college racking up debt, and he just pulled in a winning purse of more than a million dollars.

But what is more impressive to me than Trevor Bayne's win is what he said about his sudden income after the win.

“I don’t know if I will splurge. I am definitely not putting it up for retirement yet, I am going to stay around for awhile," Bayne said.
"Hopefully this money will help us get some more races, and there are a lot of foundations and ministries that need support. Back2Back ministries in Mexico is one, and there are a lot of good organizations that need some help, and we will help them out as much as we can."

Back2Back is a ministry several friends from New Covenant went to help serve during this past Thanksgiving holiday. They came back sharing about the powerful ministry Back2Back has to orphans and the community. Back2Back really is a "least of these" Christ-centered ministry.

But rather than talk about going to Disney World, or buying the types of things most 20-year-olds would splurge on, Trevor thinks of the ministries he can now support financially.

And THAT'S how to use the platform God has given you. You give it away.

(Wonder if Trevor would want to help church planting efforts in Iowa... ;o)

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

A hurting world in need of a healing place...

2011-02-10T23:34:00.001-06:00

I ran in to an acquaintance today. He knows about my family's church planting adventure, so when he approached me, I figured he wanted to get an update on our life. But the words that tumbled out of his mouth weren't followed with a question mark. They were followed with an unspoken plea for prayer.

"My wife left me."

As soon as his heart-ached words hit my ears, my heart ached for him. He said she left him... the kids... the house... everything. And as she pursues her selfishness, she leaves a hurting family in her wake.

Now, I've been in ministry too long to not realize I was only hearing one-side of the story. (And because of where our conversation was talking place, it was forced to be an extremely short conversation.) There's most definitely more to this story than just the abandonment of a spouse. But my friend's words did something in me.

His confession made me want to plant a church all the more.

You see, Ezekiel 47:12 (which, by the way, is the key verse for our 47:12 Campaign) is a prophetic verse about the people of God. This verse describes God's people as trees along the bank of a river. Because their life-source is the river (which is Jesus Christ), they will always have fruit and leaves. It says, "their fruit will be for food," (which gives nutrition, sustenance, and life) and "their leaves will be for healing" (which restores, refreshes, and renews).

With this imagery in mind, I want to help create a place filled with these "trees" who will use their resources (time, ears, money, homes, etc.) to bring healing to these weary souls. I want to continue the expansion of God's forest that can be used by God's Holy Spirit to restore, refresh, and renew these hurting people.

I want to be part of a team that creates an environment...

...where the abandoned spouse can cry out to the ever-present God.
...where the running spouse can run into the arms of Jesus.
...where the addicted twentysomething can find freedom in Christ.
...where the type-A executive can find rest.
...where the woman with a past can find a forgiven future.
...where the adolescent man would mature into a servant leader.
...where the messed up, sin-beaten, weary, dry, lifeless souls who look to earthly eyes to have it all (but are nothing but ashes in the depths) can find true life in Christ, healing among His people, and nourishment for their journey ahead.

So that's part of this crazy dream I believe God has given me: To start a church that He can use to draw people to Himself, even in the middle of their hurts. Because unfortunately, my friend's story is all too common in Iowa.

If you live in Iowa and find yourself in a tough marriage, may I recommend you contact Marriage Matters of Iowa. And may I also recommend you get connected up with a gospel-centered local church if you aren't already.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

At the FX (Family Experience) of @ncbconline. Tonight's topic = Love!

2011-02-09T18:51:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The kids' worship team ministry @ncbconline is honoring my 10-yr-old tonight w/ a surprise party.

2011-02-09T18:09:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Rend Collective Experiment (Album Review)

2011-01-30T17:23:00.001-06:00

Enough is enough. I have thought countless times "I should blog about Rend Collective Experiment's Organic Family Hymnal" but if you skim my past posts, you will see I have failed to accomplish it (until now).

Organic Family Hymnal came out of nowhere for me. I've never heard of Rend Collective Experiment until I saw their physical CD in my hands. And based on how they describe themselves, I won't hold my breath that they will still be around to accomplish a second album. But even if they don't give us more music, Rend has given me a soundtrack to this "out-of-ministry/pre-church-planting-training" season I find myself in. And for that I am grateful.

It's Kind of Quirky, But I Like It

The word that came to mind when upon my first listen of Organic was "quirky." Some songs employ bells. Others have horned instruments. My current favorite even uses a slightly out of tune piano (which would normally drive me nuts, but for some reason I don't mind.) The lyrics are slightly different than the standard Christian/worship fare. I felt like I was listening to a Sufjan Stevens album (if he were to ever put out an all-out worship album), but slightly more "mainstreamed" for the masses. I enjoyed the music, but it was just... different.

But then an amazing and rare thing happened. Me, the former music major, who only can remember chord progressions and forgets the words to even songs I have written, found myself singing these songs at random times throughout the day. And I didn't mind these songs being earworms. I found my heart caught up in spontaneous worship, drawn to the heart of God through the very-original lyrics.

The songs are deeply Christ-centered, but don't rely on the tried-and-true statements found on most every worship album (First time I've heard someone sing about when their "emotions squirm"). On different days, different songs have really impacted me. "Movements", "You Bled" (which is the video at the end of this post), and "Faithful" are some of the strongest songs on the album and have meant a lot to me, along with others. Currently, "Broken Bread" is the song helping draw my heart most to the Father. Here's the chorus of "Broken Bread", which has helped me during this time of waiting to move ahead in the ministry God has planned for me:

I will not fight You,

Take me past the line that my heart draws

I will not fight You,

Take me beyond the laziness of my thoughts,

I will not fight,

Lead me further than I've gone before,

I will not fight You,

I'm abandoned to Your call

Not Perfect, Which Makes It Perfect

The album isn't perfect to my ears. For instance, I grate at the flat-intonation of the lead singer at the end of "Broken Bread." But these imperfections make the album all the more real, human, and raw, sort of what our worship is when it is authentic. It is giving God everything, even our imperfections and bad intonations and rawness, and choosing to exalt Him for who HE is as the Perfect One.

On the same day I first heard Organic, I also heard the first worship album of an up-and-coming worship band. Like Rend's music, the songs were also very Christ-centered. The presentation was very polished and professional. But after one listen, I felt like I'd heard the album a hundred times. There wasn't much original about it. I have only listened to that album maybe 3 times, but according to iTunes, I have already listened to Rend's musical offering over 20 times, which doesn't include the times I've listened to the physical CD in other portions of the house.

Recommendation

While I would selfishly prefer that you give your $10 to The RiverTree Project, I guess I can let you spend it on The Rend Collective Experiment's Organic Family Hymnal knowing it will help you keep your thoughts on following God and worshipping Him no matter what life is bringing you right now. And perhaps if enough people buy their album, they'll stick around long enough to give us another original, quirky album.

Rating: 5 out 5 trees

To get an idea of Rend Collective Experiment's original-yet-quirky-yet-deeply-worshipful music, here's "You Bled"

<p>"You Bled" by Rend Collective Experiment from resource on Vimeo.</p>

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

My 13-yr-old wrote this note today. Not sure why, but I know I needed the reminder...

2011-01-24T12:20:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

My home projects today have been up & down: A friend helped me hang a ceiling, & now I'm laying a floor! #fb

2011-01-15T19:58:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

My home projects today have been up & down: A friend helped me hang a ceiling, & now I'm laying a floor! #fb

2011-01-15T19:55:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

101 Ways to get a Baby to Sleep

2011-01-06T16:33:00.001-06:00

A highly-creative college friend has written a book designed to help new parents get some sleep by helping them get their newborns to sleep. While I have only seen an excerpt, Baby Codes is easy to read, and Kevin keeps it fun for the desperate-for-shut-eye parents.

But here's the even cooler part (than the fact that I know a published author): a portion of the books' sales go to help ministries and churches. Kevin has even chosen The RiverTree Project as one of the ministries that will be blessed by the sales of Baby Codes. (I told you Kevin was creative...)

So if you, a friend, a pregnant sister, an expecting neighbor, or whomever you think of needs some help with their newborn's sleep patterns, pick up a copy of Baby Codes. And help out our church planting efforts at the same time!

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The Church Planting Dance

2011-01-05T14:53:00.001-06:00

You know those airport walkways... the ones like moving sidewalks? So far in this faith walk into church planting, I feel like I'm walking the wrong direction on one of those.

- On good days it's two steps forward, one step back.

- But other days it's one step forward, two steps back.

I'll admit, it gets frustrating. I wish we could just take three steps forward, then four steps forward, then two steps forward, and just keep going.

But that hasn't been the case. I know it isn't for a lack of trying - I'm working as hard as I probably ever have. But whether it is with The RiverTree Project, or house projects, or fundraising, I feel like God has me walking against the flow.

Some people will see this as a "sign" that I'm not called into church planting, or that I'm really working against God and am not following His will.

But I know I'm not going against God. In fact, I feel like this is exactly where He wants me and my family. I am having to trust that He really is orchestrating the timing of all this, and there is a purpose in the slow go.

So I am hoping that these forward and backward steps aren't just movement for movement's sake. Rather, I'm believing this is a dance the Lord has us in that will reveal itself one day to be a very beautiful thing.

Alright, enough complaining - I need to get back to attempting another dance step forward...

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

My daughters are receiving their first ever education on the 2nd Amendment.

2010-12-28T14:07:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

God can...

2010-12-28T10:15:00.001-06:00

God can strengthen,
and God can weaken.
God can build up,
and God can tear down.
God can protect,
and God can expose.
God can infuse life,
and God can bring death.
God can provide,
and God can withhold.
God can do as He pleases,
but He always does what is right
and best
and perfect
for His children.
So if you need it
whether you realize it or not,
whether you want it or not,
God can...

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

My friend's dog tried to eat a book in his office. Then we saw which book she took a bite of:

2010-12-21T19:47:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

A Hallelujah Chorus Flash Mob

2010-12-17T13:04:00.001-06:00

</object>

I think any church with a half-way decent choir (or able to put together a half-way decent choir) should find someway to do something like this. It's a surprise, it's creative, it touches people, it proclaim's Christ's name outside church-building walls, and it gets people's attention onto something other than themselves during this crazy, materialistic-leaning season.

And a mall food court probably has great "echo-y" acoustics like the old cathedrals do - perfect for choirs!

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Announcing The RiverTree Project (our church planting organization)

2010-12-15T20:58:00.001-06:00

It's finally here! I'd like to introduce you to The RiverTree Project!

And to do just that, I'm going to invite you to peruse the new website and read the first blog post. While at the site, feel free to sign-up for our quarterly newsletters and/or "semi-weekly" prayer emails. And join us in celebrating the next step in this church planting journey!

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Announcing The RiverTree Project (our church planting organization)

2010-12-15T16:29:00.001-06:00

It's finally here! I'd like to introduce you to The RiverTree Project!

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Eric's Last Wished - The Story of Eric and Heather Jacobs

2010-12-14T09:45:00.001-06:00

</object>

The Des Moines Register has a beautiful piece about Eric Jacobs, his family, a providential dream, and the video that resulted. A "retweet" on Twitter led me to this touching story about God's sovereignty, being a godly husband and father, and living life to the fullest everyday. And I hope this blog post brings this story to someone else as well, especially a dad who needs the reminder to love his family and Jesus well.

Oh, and for the record: yes, the story makes a grown man cry.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The Butterfly Circus: A powerful short film about grace, redemption, & design.

2010-12-06T15:03:00.001-06:00

I encourage you to find 20 minutes to watch the touching short film above. Absolutely amazing! I'm a sucker for movies about grace, redemption, second chances, and learning that the image of God in us means we've been designed for a purpose.

May you be inspired as you watch it.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

My family is enjoying T-Rex Cafe for the first time ever.

2010-12-04T20:13:00.001-06:00

Download now or watch on posterous

IMG_0422.mov (26912 KB)

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

A Snail Race in January (Faithless Waiting)

2010-12-02T23:27:00.001-06:00

I am amazed at how faith-less I am at times. My family has taken a HUGE step of faith to leave New Covenant to go learn about planting a church. God has generously affirmed and confirmed this calling several times in the past weeks and months. Yet I still find myself lacking faith.

Case in point: Yesterday morning, I overheard LeAnn telling Tsion that it was Dec. 1. As I heard the words "today" and "December" combined in a sentence, my heart sunk.

In that moment:

"December" meant I have been "unemployed" for 6 weeks.
"December" reminded me that we still didn't have our nonprofit organization set-up, which we had naively assumed would be done 6 weeks ago.
"December" teased that we still have a ton of work to do on the house to get it ready for sale.
"December" reminded me we still have some big financial decisions to make concerning the promotion of our nonprofit.
"December" taunted that we haven't raised a dime of salary, and my New Covenant salary ends Dec. 31.
But most of all, "December" mocked the prospect of us moving to Kansas City in January.

I took my tea, breakfast, and pity party upstairs to my "office" to begin my day in God's Word. As I sat down with the Scriptures to read Nahum & Habakkuk, God's words through these Old Testament prophets began to spank my faith-less spirit. Habakkuk 2:3 particularly stuck out:

For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay. (ESV)

This ministry move feels like a snail-race in January. We are working so hard to move ahead and obey God. Yet despite all of our activity, we have been feeling like we are stuck on a treadmill.

But as Hab. 2:3 jumped off the page at me, I sensed God say "wait for it". Just as the prophet Habakkuk and his listeners wondered when the Babylonians would attack (many thought "never"), we have had our moments wondering when this "vision" from God to go to Kansas City will happen. But God says to us, just as He said to the Jews of Habakkuk's time, "it will surely come; it will not delay."

So I proceeded into my work day with that on my mind. Then during the course of the day:

we got our logo for our nonprofit!
I made tremendous progress on a website for our nonprofit as well as knocked out several long-awaiting to-dos!
and best of all: we finally got the articles of incorporation establishing our nonprofit! (Which we'll roll out to you really, really soon!)

A few months ago, as we knew we were going to be raising funds in the "near" future to follow God into this vision to start a new church to lead people deeper in their spiritual journey with Jesus, we started praying that God would raise the funds in such a way that He would get all the glory. Perhaps this time of waiting is actually part of the answer to that prayer.

Then when the funds actually come in, the move actually happens, and a new church is actually birthed, it will be evident to all that I didn't do this in my own power. Instead, God picked me up and moved me to the finish line. Because I'm just a snail, working as hard as I can, and He knows I can't finish this race on my own.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

I got a new Christmas Tree ornament...

2010-11-27T19:54:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Thankful for food, family, & so much more!

2010-11-25T13:36:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

My family is serving at the annual Community Thanksgiving Meal at my brother's church. LeAnn & I are table hosts.

2010-11-24T19:46:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

My family is serving at the annual Community Thanksgiving Meal at my brother's church. LeAnn & I are table hosts.

2010-11-24T19:40:00.001-06:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

An "Out of this World" Birthday Party

2010-11-20T22:09:00.001-06:00

My "S-man" turned 7-years-old today. And to celebrate, we had a fun "friend" party with a space theme. The boys got to wear "uniforms", eat "moon cake", and visit another planet (the basement redone in blacklight!) while undergoing "space cadet training." It was a wonderful day celebrating our son. We are so thankful God has put him in our lives. He has such a positive attitude, he's extremely bright, he is incredibly kind, and he is a wonderful part of our family! Happy Birthday, S!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Why I love the Mac community

2010-11-18T12:35:00.001-06:00

It's not a secret - I'm an Apple fan. But sometimes (okay, many times) Apple makes decisions that I don't necessarily agree with.

But the Mac community takes Apple's former slogan and "thinks different" to finds ways to overcome Apple's "closed" system, allowing me to have the experience I want.

So instead of:

- Being stuck with gray, color-less icons in iTunes 10, I was able to restore the color thanks to Shaun R.

- Being stuck with Mail's "top/bottom" look, I get the 3-column "widescreen" look I prefer with Letterbox.

And as part of the Mac community, I hope that by posting these links, one of these two improvements will improve your Mac experience as well.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

This is not my story, yet it is...

2010-11-09T15:53:00.001-06:00

The video above is not my story. It is not about the church I hope the Lord allows me to start in Iowa.

Yet so much of it feels like my story.

I had the chance to meet the Plant Ventura team at a conference in June. What a great team! I can just tell the Lord is going to write a great story through them.

And I pray He also writes a great story through me, my family, and a yet-to-be-seen team as we also seek to start a new church.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Inheritance

2010-11-09T09:21:00.001-06:00

Today I read chapters 43-46 in Ezekiel. Verse 28 in chapter 44 really stuck out to me:

"This will be [the priests'] inheritance: I am their inheritance, and you must give them no property in Israel; I am their property." (Ezekiel 44:28 (NET), emphasis mine)

At first thought, it seems like the priests get the short end. All the other tribes of Israel get land and possessions for themselves, but the priests get nothing. Yeah, the verses following verse 28 indicate that God will provide everything the priests need (grain, meat, breads, clothing, etc.), but verse 28 makes it clear that their inheritance, their portion, their possession, wasn't things of this earth - it was the Lord Himself.

But that's just it. When you have God, you have everything. But when you don't have God, you have nothing.

As I pondered this thought, it struck me:

"[Y]ou are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9 (NET), emphasis mine)

I've heard some people share the gospel with additives:

- "Come to Jesus, and He'll fix your financial problems!"

- "If you have Jesus, He'll repair your broken relationships!"

- "When you have enough faith in Christ, all your health problems will be gone!"

- "Give your life totally to Jesus, and He'll give you a new job!"

But if the combination of Ezekiel 44:28 and 1 Peter 2:9 is true, then if you are a follower of Christ, you are part of a priesthood of believers, which means that when you come to Jesus, you get Jesus! He is your inheritance. And He is more than enough.

Is there anything in your life that needs to change to reflect this truth?

- Are you living for an earthly inheritance, trying to gain more earthly wealth, possessions, and position through your job, relationships, and pursuits?

- Or is Christ enough for you, and you are simply trusting Him, just as the priests had to trust, that He will provide everything you need on this earth?

As my family prepares to move into life without an "earned income" and relying solely upon the generosity and contributions of others, I needed this reminder that if I have Christ, I have everything I need.

I'm a priest - and He is my inheritance.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Church Planter by Darrin Patrick (Book Review) (tag: Book Review, Church Planting))

2010-11-08T12:10:00.001-06:00

I just finished Darrin Patrick's first book Church Planter moments ago. And the one-word that comes to my mind after reading it is "affirmed." Which is exactly what I needed after internal lingering doubts have plagued me from time to time in recent weeks.

But I'm not here to review me... Let me review Darrin's book:

Just as the subtitle indicates, Church Planter is broken up into three sections: The Man, the Message, and the Mission. The chapters are more brief than I would have expected (which is a good thing), and Darrin handles deep concepts quickly, yet thoroughly. I wish I had his gift of brevity while not feeling like I skimped on something. So let me attempt to be brief about each section...

The Man

Section 1 is about the church planter. Darrin explains in his introduction that he holds to a complementation view of the role of men and women in church (egalitarians hold that women can be pastors, complementarians hold that only men can serve as elders/shepherds/overseers/pastors). But even if you are egalitarian, this book is worth reading. "The Man" is about the character qualifications that are needed to lead a church.

In all honesty, I think this book should just be entitled "Pastor." While I, as a future church planter, needed to read Darrin's exhortations, many times I found myself thinking that all pastors need to read this book. Darrin works through the Scriptures of what it means to shepherd God's people, and whether you pastor a 1-year-old church or a 100-year-old church, all pastors need to understand their role and calling.

The Message

The middle section of Church Planter is all about the gospel message. I found this wonderfully refreshing and invigorating theologically and intellectually. Something I've been learning over the past several years is that the good news of the gospel isn't just for our salvation, but for our sanctification as well. This idea has changed the way I counsel people, the way I preach, and the way I pray. So it was encouraging to see Darrin encouraging church planters and pastors to apply the gospel to all areas of life. But before you can apply it, you have to understand it, which is what Darrin aims to help his readers do.

The Mission

The final section is about the mission of the church. It was so refreshing to read from someone so committed to the teaching of the Word, yet wanting to see the church tack from the Word and live it out in their communities with compassion. Having tired of seeing churches that get caught up in social justice that they lose sight of Jesus, as well as seeing churches get so wrapped up in their knowledge of Scripture they lose sight of a lost and dying world around them, I was thrilled to see someone striking a Christ-like balance of pursuing God wholeheartedly while seeking the benefit of the city.

The Conclusion

If you are a church planter, whether in the pre-launch stages or years 1-5, you will definitely want to pick up or borrow a copy of Darrin's first book. It will encourage you, challenge you, and remind you of your calling.

If you are a pastor, I recommend you also find a way to grab a chance to read Church Planter. Darrin's style is easy enough to read it won't take you too terribly long to work through the book, and you'll be glad you gave it a few hours.

I made a New Year's resolution to not buy any books in 2010 (I had decided I should read more of the books I already had than keep collecting books I may never read). I have managed to hold to that resolution all year long (except once when the Marion Library was selling off some books really, really cheap!), which means passing on some books I am eager to read. I figured Church Planter would end up on the "some day" list. I am grateful my friend, Jason Poling, purchased me a copy as a gift to encourage me as my family embarks on this church planting adventure.

I foresee myself being like Jason and giving this book to church planters and pastors I interact with. And as someone who rarely ever re-reads a book, I expect I'll be opening the cover (which by the way, I absolutely hate! Looks like the poster for a movie about a serial killer...) once again to be reminded of what God has called me to.

Rating: 4.5 sickles out of 5

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

I Want To Be a Spiritual Photographer (A Church-Planting Desire)

2010-11-07T16:41:00.001-06:00

Talented photographers capture a moment that draws the viewer into the picture. The image burns into the memory of the admirer, while the thought of the photographer fades. While the photographer might temporarily get in the way to get the perfect photo, the photo remains, outlasting the photographer.

Through this yet-to-be-started new church, I hope to capture images and stories of God's work in the lives of people. I want to photograph moments of Christ's work that get burned into memories. In our culture, I know some people's attention will be on me as the pastor, but what I truly want is for all people to see the image of God, knowing I will fade with time. I want my life to be like the New Testament prophet John the Baptizer, who said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30 (ESV)

In other words, I want to be a spiritual photographer.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

3 Degrees of Iowa Separation (Tapping into Relational Networks)

2010-11-04T21:19:00.001-05:00

For the past couple weeks, I've been traveling to various places in Iowa to talk with church planters or pastors of churches that are planting. In each of the four appointments I've had so far, I've really enjoyed meeting such great guys. I'm learning lots about church planting in Iowa, I've been inspired by the visions and experiences of these gentlemen, and am having a bunch of internal thoughts affirmed through these conversations.

Today's journey took me to Ottumwa to meet Marty Schmidt, lead/planting pastor of thebridge. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing his church planting story over some delicious barbecue. Then he showed me the homeless shelter thebridge helped build/renovate, the offices their church staff uses, and even the incredible Bridge View Center they get to use each Sunday.

While in their offices, I met their Community Pastor, Cy McMahon. In typical American-fashion, Cy asked me where I was from. I gave my standard reply to this standard question: "Southwest Iowa." When he said, "Really?!?" his tone revealed he was from the same area. Turns out, he was from Farragut, Iowa, which is only about a 15-minute country drive from my hometown of Shenandoah. My mom taught in the Farragut district for almost 20 years alongside Cy's mother. In addition, a few years ago Cy lived in Pella, where my parents now live, and he ran into "Mrs. Bird" there and remembered her from her Farragut days.

In each of my church-planting appointments, I have had similar "Iowa" moments like I had with Cy. But that's not the only time; I also have these Iowa connections at weddings, at social gatherings, and at random times. If Kevin Bacon believes there are six degrees of separation in the world, I would estimate there are about 3˚ in Iowa. (To make non-Iowans reading this feel more at ease - Iowans aren't all related, just relationally connected. There's no in-breeding here, so let's just keeping moving along...)

What this means to me is that when one person in Iowa has their life changed by Christ, they have a built in network of family and friends that probably spreads all across this state. And if those people were to see the change of Christ in that individual's life, it might draw them to a relationship with Jesus as well. This means that when one person believes upon the cross of Christ, the ripples of that belief don't just change their one life, but could potentially affect lives all across a state.

While Iowa is made fun of by the rest of the nation as "flyover country", I instead see wonderfully connected people in need of the beautiful news of Jesus. That's why I want to start a church that will help start other churches all around this state to help Iowans find the one connection that really matters.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Trick or Treat? (Reactions to New Churches)

2010-10-31T22:19:00.001-05:00

Tonight we held our "2nd annual 5-minute Trick or Treat Party" in our garage. Instead of just handing costumed-kids candy at the door, we made them earn their sugar. Games included a bean bag toss, a "fishing" pond, and a duck pond where kids could receive gum, candy, or toys. And parents could warm up with hot apple cider, apple cake, and popcorn.

Because a "5-minute party" is rather unusual and not normal for the culture, it is kind of fun watching the reactions of "customers" (as my 6-year-old son called them!). Reactions varied widely, from the middle school boys who "didn't have time" to play games, to the middle school girls who wanted to stand around chatting while munching on their "winnings." But my favorite reactions were of some parents.

One father walked up to the garage entrance tonight and peered skeptically in while 4 late elementary/early middle school girls stood behind them. Even with my reassurance, he still wasn't sure if he should step in our not. After the girls with him played a couple of games, I could see him visibly soften toward the idea of being in a stranger's garage while his kids had fun. Five minutes later as they prepared to exit to go pilfer other homes of candy, this father turned to me with a slight smile and said "thanks."

Contrast this to the couple who walked in with 3 little ones about half-way through the evening. As their children buzzed from game to game, the mom could not stop smiling. She thanked me approximately 3.23 times, and the dad echoed her almost each instance. They even said to themselves "this is such a wonderful idea!"

As the happy family made their way out, leaving our garage empty for a short time before the next set of "customers" descended upon us, I turned to my oldest daughter and said, "that's how it is going to be with our new church - reactions will be all over the place."

Like the dad with 4 girls, some people will be extremely skeptical of a new church. They'll think we are a cult. They'll think we won't make it past the first year. They'll think we are weird or not legitimate. For a variety of reasons, they'll be wary about joining us to worship God.

Others will be like the couple with three young ones. They'll be overjoyed at the idea of this new church. They'll eagerly jump in. They'll comment to themselves how much they like this new church. It won't bug them one bit that they are part of a church family that uses rented facilities and has to set-up and tear-down each Sunday.

And yet others will be like the middle school boys and be too busy for this new church, while some will be like the middle school girls and just enjoy what the church has to offer without ever really becoming part of it.

Yep, I can't guarantee much of anything about this yet-to-be-seen church, but I can guarantee this: reactions will be all over the place.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

You're Invited to our 5-Minute Trick or Treat Party!

2010-10-31T14:36:00.001-05:00

Like last year, we are hosting a Trick or Treat Party for those who are going around the neighborhood trick-or-treating. Instead of just getting candy at the door, we are inviting people into our cleaned out garage to play a few games, enjoy some apple cake, and have some hot apple cider.

So if you are in Cedar Rapids, feel free to stop by for a few minutes, enjoy the festivities, meet someone new, and then carry on pillaging the neighborhood of sugary treats.

And for those who need directions, click here.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Color Outside the Lines

2010-10-27T15:05:00.001-05:00

Below is the first every "guest post" on my blog. My friend, Nate Collins, wrote this as a short devotional that he included with the weekly prayer requests for one of the Adult Bible Fellowships at New Covenant. I hope it encourages you as much as it encouraged me.

----

If I was to hand you a box of crayons and a coloring book would you second-guess yourself on your choice of colors? Would you decide to stay within “the lines”?

Now think back as a kid when you did have the crayons in your hand and you didn’t care what anyone thought. You simply experimented, and whatever you wanted that picture to look like, that’s what it would look like. You also did not care whether you were inside the lines or not.

How about if I were to hand you a blank sheet of paper? How long would you have to think before your crayon hits the paper? Put the same crayons in the hands of a little kid and almost immediately the crayon makes contact with the paper.

As we got older, all of a sudden, staying “within the lines” was the rule. Grass is supposed to be green, the sky is supposed to be blue. Yes, there is nothing wrong to perceive the world as it really is, and staying within the lines can make a “good looking” picture.

But how many times have we seen masterpieces of art from the greats and kids who let their imagination free?

God gave us a mind that is capable of extraordinary things.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see”

Dictionary: the faculty of imagining, or of forming mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses.

Faith and imagination. Think about it. And don’t be afraid to color outside the lines.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Playing football w/ my boys

2010-10-25T17:28:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

A Tale of Two Weddings (aka The Need for Different Churches)

2010-10-23T23:10:00.001-05:00

Today, I officiated two weddings. (That's right TWO in ONE day! Second time I've done it, too.) Both ceremonies were VERY beautiful, and I was so honored to get to be part of both of them. God is definitely at work in both couples' lives, and it was so cool to be there at the moment they were created as Mr. & Mrs.

But these weddings were so different!

- Wedding #1 lasted an hour and a half (one of the longest I've ever officiated).

- Wedding #2 only went 35 minutes.

- Wedding #1 had LOTS of creative moments: three worship songs, four Scripture readings, a video testimony, a family prayer time, a Salt Ceremony (not a Unity Candle or Sand), and more.

- Wedding #2 had no special music other than during the pouring of colored sand, no elaborate decorations, no major elements, just a simple, off-the-cuff heartfelt message from me, the exchange of vows and rings, and a recessional.

- Wedding #1's rehearsal on Friday night was more formal in attire, and took two hours.

- Wedding #2's rehearsal attire was jeans and Hawkeye shirts, and took just over an hour.

Without a doubt, these weddings were very different - and yet the same thing happened at both; a couple got married! Even though these ceremonies were opposite in many ways, they both glorified God, both had the gospel shared, both were incredibly beautiful in their own right, and they both had a married couple walk out the back doors of the sanctuary.

And of course, this got me thinking about church planting.

I have had a few people ask me why I feel the call to plant a new church. Don't we already have enough churches?

Just as today's weddings were different, yet accomplished the same thing, I think there need to be different churches to do the same thing: glorify God by making disciples. But that goal can be accomplished through a variety of ways:

- One church has a liturgical rhythm.

- Another is more unscripted.

- One church has traditional music with organs and choir.

- One has a blended style of hymns and modern songs.

- And yet another has mood lights and crunching guitars.

- One church has the kids in the service with the adults.

- Another has children's programs on Sunday mornings.

- And another has a hybrid of the two.

- One church the members feel comfortable in suits and dresses.

- Another church's members feel more comfortable in business casual.

- And yet another church just down the street might have more denim than slack in the pews.

- One church builds community through small groups

- One builds community through mid-sized groups

- One builds community through serving groups

- And yet another builds community through all of the above!

And on and on I could go. The differences between churches are as wide as the differences in people. Yet each local body should be striving for the same biblical mandate.

It doesn't matter how you get the job done, as long as you are accomplish the goal in a manner that glorifies God. Because at the end of the day, all followers of Jesus comprise the Bride of Christ. And THAT is going to be the most beautiful wedding any of us have ever witnessed!

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

The Most Amazing Wife in the World

2010-10-23T12:10:00.001-05:00

As I am preparing to lead two weddings today (yes, you read that right - TWO!), I find myself being reflective upon my own marriage. And I am convinced I am married to the most amazing woman on the planet. Why do I say that?

Let the evidence speak for itself...

When I told her two years ago I felt God was calling us to leave the church we love to go plant a church, she said "okay, let's do it!" Her support of me and this church planting dream is unrivaled.

She is the most faithful person I have ever known.

She sacrifices so much to serve our family. For instance...

She graduated valedictorian in her high school class of 400+ seniors with a 4.0+ GPA, had a full-ride scholarship to college, was routinely told by math students in Venezuela she was the best teacher they had ever had, and yet she gladly gave up the accomplishments and accolades she could have had in the marketplace or education for the promotion of being a full-time at-home mom.

She is a whiz at managing numbers and finances. Her attention to details is beyond compare.

The grace she extends to ALL people is inspiring! She likes everyone she meets and treats all people equally with kindness.

When I am my biggest critic, feeling insecure, and incapable of planting, leading, and pastoring a church, she is my biggest supporter, speaking truth into my life.

She doesn't play head games.

She is incredibly forgiving. She forgives me so quickly and deeply, it truly humbles me, making me desire to have the same trait.

She truly appreciates each of our children for who they are as unique individuals, and she parents them as is best for each of them.

Her love language is quality time – and she gives it generously to whoever needs it... whether that is me, or one of the children, or a female friend in need of conversation and prayer.

She has a heart and passion for Christ that is awe-inspiring. She truly embraces faith.

She is modest in so many areas - perception of self, fashion, the future, abilities, and more.

She is consistent. It is so comforting to know I can truly rely on my wife.

She doesn't waste money - I never have to worry when she goes shopping.

She operates our household with aplomb. She is without a doubt a Proverbs 31 woman.

And on and on I could go...

As our home is in a bit of disarray and chaos because of boxes, transition, an unknown future, a busy schedule, and more, I realize that in the middle of all this is a woman who shines forth. I am so grateful for her, and decided I needed to publicly declare what an amazing woman I am connected to. God must really love me to make me one flesh with such an incredible woman!

(Just in case you, my reader, are wondering - I am not in the doghouse as I type this! :o)

LeAnn, I love you. And I would exchange vows with you all over again.

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest