Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
Friday, December 04, 2009
'Tis the Weekend to be Jolly (Two Christmas Open Houses)
I'm REALLY looking forward to our TWO Open Houses this weekend:
The first one is our annual Christmas Open House for the young adults of our church (and those who help me in ministering to them). Every year our house is stuffed with singles, young married couples, young parents, kids, and friends who enjoy catching up with one another, or meeting a new friend, or enjoying the fire, or having a deep conversation by the Christmas tree, or enjoying a game of ping-pong in the basement, or tasting some of the amazing food my wife makes. Always a good time, and I'm looking forward to seeing people tonight. Come anytime between 6:00 pm and midnight tonight.
The second open house is a neighborhood event. Last year, my wife said, "We already have the house decorated and food made for the young adult open house, why don't we invite neighbors over for an evening and do the same thing?" So this year we are opening our home up for a couple of hours to catch up with neighbors. We've been hosting a summer neighborhood BBQ for several years, but we rarely get to see our neighbors once the weather turns cold. Hopefully a few will venture out in the freezing temps tomorrow night, and we'll all have fun hanging out for a little while (as long as they don't mind me sneaking peeks at the Big 12 Championship game - Go Huskers!).
Thursday, December 03, 2009
So Am I (My family's conspiracy plan this Christmas)
This year, my wife and I decided to handle the myrrh (practical) gift differently. Rather than giving them socks, or winter gloves, or tooth brushes, or whatever else we think they need for daily practical use, we decided to allow our kids to choose their own myrrh gift to be given to a child who truly doesn't have the basic practical necessities in life. We used the Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog, allowing them to choose any of the gifts under $15. They had fun choosing balls, meals, and mosquito nets!
As my wife was filling out the Samaritan's Purse catalog order form at the kitchen table, my 9-year-old daughter looked at my wife and said "I am SO glad we are doing this!" With my throat in a knot as I type this because of the wonderful, sensitive, giving nature God has given my children, I say in response to my daughter, "So am I..."
"...so am I."
(It just so happens that our church family is doing something similar through Advent Conspiracy by taking an offering on December 20, and giving the money to clean water initiatives in East India. I love being part of such a generous church!)
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
I'm published! (Sort of) A ministry article on the death and birth of an ABF
If you find articles about the life cycles of mid-sized groups exhilarating reading, then you can see a piece I wrote for abfresources.com about the "death" of the 12:30@Eleven ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) and the "birth" of the current BE[cause] ABF here at New Covenant Bible Church.
However, if you find such articles sleep-inducing, then follow the link right before your bedtime to receive a blissful night of Zzz's.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
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