Monday, February 21, 2011
Looking Forward
I am looking forward to spending some time with this blog in the near future. Check back soon as changes are coming!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Ode to Lydia
As we welcomed Lydia Johannine into the world last Friday we didn't exactly know how Marley would react; well all is good. Check out this video that big sister Annika captured for us!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Asher Playing Some Defense!
Check out this video of Asher playing defense for the Colts. He is #6.
It was a great season; we had lots of fun and it was cool to see the progress the boys made.
It was a great season; we had lots of fun and it was cool to see the progress the boys made.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Are You Feeling Bogged Down?
"David tried to walk but he could hardly budge. ¶ David told Saul, “I can’t even move with all this stuff on me. I’m not used to this.” And he took it all off" (1 Samuel 17:39).
At Trinity United Methodist Church we have been looking at putting our Faith in Action, and over the last couple weeks we have been discovering what keeps us from doing just that. This week's message addressed being bogged down by life. When we are bogged down with work, worry, pain, to do lists, business, stuff, money or lack of, bureaucracy, and stress, then we can become stuck. We then get in a rut which keeps us from acting out our faith in Jesus Christ. We look to David in 1 Samuel 17 and discover that he recognized the potential for being bogged down by armor and weapons and decided to have them all removed. He told King Saul that he could not fight with all of that weighing him down. Once the armor was removed, he could move again and take on the job at hand. David was then able to defeat Goliath. Can we do the same? Do we have the courage to release all that burdens us? Can we put off the to do list? Can we evaluate in a better way what is important for today, and what are the not so pressing matters that bog us down. Let us commit with God's help to take those things off and get moving again. Let us set our faith free and follow Christ without being bogged down.
At Trinity United Methodist Church we have been looking at putting our Faith in Action, and over the last couple weeks we have been discovering what keeps us from doing just that. This week's message addressed being bogged down by life. When we are bogged down with work, worry, pain, to do lists, business, stuff, money or lack of, bureaucracy, and stress, then we can become stuck. We then get in a rut which keeps us from acting out our faith in Jesus Christ. We look to David in 1 Samuel 17 and discover that he recognized the potential for being bogged down by armor and weapons and decided to have them all removed. He told King Saul that he could not fight with all of that weighing him down. Once the armor was removed, he could move again and take on the job at hand. David was then able to defeat Goliath. Can we do the same? Do we have the courage to release all that burdens us? Can we put off the to do list? Can we evaluate in a better way what is important for today, and what are the not so pressing matters that bog us down. Let us commit with God's help to take those things off and get moving again. Let us set our faith free and follow Christ without being bogged down.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
40 in 40
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!” Isaiah 6:8
Each morning we awake to the call of God. We respond with thanksgiving for another opportunity to live and breathe. As the new day unfolds we are constantly presented with opportunities to respond to God's goodness by serving others. I am reminded of the man at the pool in the Gospel of John. He had been in need for 38 years and laid by the pool waiting to be healed. When questioned by Jesus, he answered that nobody would help him. In fact, each time the water was stirred others would cut in front of him and leave him behind. At that moment, he was healed by Jesus. Jesus was there to lift him up. How many times a day do we step around, over or on people in need? We make great excuses. We convince ourselves that someone else will come along to help, or we think we can't solve their problem. Maybe we believe that the person needs to help themselves. These are inadequate responses to God's call; we need to answer, "here I am, send me!" I challenge all of you to 40 minutes of service in 40 days. For most of you, 40 minutes will seem like just a warm-up, for you are already engaged in regular Christian service. For others, it may just mean taking the time to reflect on the days work and actually keeping track; however, for some, it will be a challenge to slow down, and make time to listen for God's voice calling you to action. Wherever you may find yourself, answer the challenge to serve in the name of Christ. If you worship with us at Trinity, we look forward to having fun with this challenge. If you don't, I would love to hear comments from you too. The challenge ends July 16. God Bless.
Each morning we awake to the call of God. We respond with thanksgiving for another opportunity to live and breathe. As the new day unfolds we are constantly presented with opportunities to respond to God's goodness by serving others. I am reminded of the man at the pool in the Gospel of John. He had been in need for 38 years and laid by the pool waiting to be healed. When questioned by Jesus, he answered that nobody would help him. In fact, each time the water was stirred others would cut in front of him and leave him behind. At that moment, he was healed by Jesus. Jesus was there to lift him up. How many times a day do we step around, over or on people in need? We make great excuses. We convince ourselves that someone else will come along to help, or we think we can't solve their problem. Maybe we believe that the person needs to help themselves. These are inadequate responses to God's call; we need to answer, "here I am, send me!" I challenge all of you to 40 minutes of service in 40 days. For most of you, 40 minutes will seem like just a warm-up, for you are already engaged in regular Christian service. For others, it may just mean taking the time to reflect on the days work and actually keeping track; however, for some, it will be a challenge to slow down, and make time to listen for God's voice calling you to action. Wherever you may find yourself, answer the challenge to serve in the name of Christ. If you worship with us at Trinity, we look forward to having fun with this challenge. If you don't, I would love to hear comments from you too. The challenge ends July 16. God Bless.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Lessons From Mom
"Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise" (Deut. 6:6-7).
My mother taught me many things growing up. She taught me how to cook, how to clean, and how to do dishes. She encouraged me to always put forth my best effort in school, activities and athletics. My mother led with words and by example to show me how to be a good neighbor and friend. It was also evident that my mom enlisted the help of others; many of the women of our village at times acted as a mother figure to me; therefore, I had many mothers caring, instructing and watching over me. Of all the teachings my mom bestowed upon me, the most important lesson was the commandment to love God. My mother made loving God a way of life. Every minute of the day was a testimony from her for loving God and her neighbor. She recited this love to me at home and when we were out, in the morning and when she put me to bed at night. "You shall love your God with all your heart, and mind and strength" is known as The "Shema" (Deut 6:5) to the Jewish people. When Shema is translated from Hebrew to English it is "Hear!" On this Mother's Day, I say to my mom "I 'heard' you loud and clear. I love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind and strength" and for that I say, "thank you."
My mother taught me many things growing up. She taught me how to cook, how to clean, and how to do dishes. She encouraged me to always put forth my best effort in school, activities and athletics. My mother led with words and by example to show me how to be a good neighbor and friend. It was also evident that my mom enlisted the help of others; many of the women of our village at times acted as a mother figure to me; therefore, I had many mothers caring, instructing and watching over me. Of all the teachings my mom bestowed upon me, the most important lesson was the commandment to love God. My mother made loving God a way of life. Every minute of the day was a testimony from her for loving God and her neighbor. She recited this love to me at home and when we were out, in the morning and when she put me to bed at night. "You shall love your God with all your heart, and mind and strength" is known as The "Shema" (Deut 6:5) to the Jewish people. When Shema is translated from Hebrew to English it is "Hear!" On this Mother's Day, I say to my mom "I 'heard' you loud and clear. I love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind and strength" and for that I say, "thank you."
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