Want to invest your time into something that matters for eternity? Want to be a part of the excitement of the new ministry opportunities New Covenant will experience when we move to our new building?
If so, then take advantage of New Covenant's VolunTours to help you discover your place of service. VolunTours are scheduled for Saturday, July 9, 16, and 23 from 9:00-11:00 AM at our Robins Campus.
Ministry leaders will be on hand to answer questions and to explain ministry areas. Learn more about parking, reception, childrens, cafe, kitchen and youth ministries.
When you step inside our new facility, you can’t help but get excited about the new ministry opportunities we will have. It’s an awesome place. But more importantly, we have an incredible God that is giving us an unprecedented opportunity to impact our community for Christ.
Great article by Gordon MacDonald over at Leadership Journal, titled Going Deep. Some great thoughts on spiritual depth and how it's created. Spending time with Jesus and a spiritual mentor is a great combination. It takes time, but it's worth it. There are no short cuts in life.
Tonight I spent time with Jon over coffee (he drank chai), talking about marriage, life and calling. He had a long list of great questions and we talked honestly about our failings, grace and God's design. Wednesday mornings I meet with two young dads. We eat breakfast and talk about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, a father of boys and husbands who is a servant leaders. Thursday Sharon and I will meet with a couple we were assigned to us through Marriage Mentors. We hope they can see Christ and the hope of the gospel as we share honestly about our marriage and what we are learning about grace.
Spiritual depth and mentoring takes time. But the results are well worth the work! I want to help people fall more in love with Jesus and to care about the things He cares about. To be His disciple. People who organize their lives around Jesus!
Recently I have been drawn to the word deep as a descriptor when I speak of mature Christians. My earliest appreciation for the term came when I read a comment by Richard Foster: "The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people."
What does it mean to be a deep Christ-follower today when unlimited options, noisy distractions, and a million versions of truth swamp the soul? How is it possible to be a deep person while being swept up in a 50-60 hour work week (if you're working), community and school events, shopping, networking, laundering, family-building … oh, and staying on top of things at church too? Is deep even thinkable for anyone living outside of a monastery? I'm just asking.
Of course we can't even attempt to answer these questions until we explore what deep means. Here's my working definition: Deep people are those whose lives are organized around Jesus, his character, his call to a serving life, and his death on the cross for their sins. The abilities (or giftedness) of deep people may be quite diverse, but each has the power to influence others to follow Jesus, grow in Christ-likeness, and live a life of faithful service. They love the world, mix well with people, but are wary of spiritual entrapments. They are known for their wisdom, their compassion for others, and their perseverance in hard times.
How important is depth? Now, consider this statement: A church's greatest treasure is its deep people. I know recent church emphasis has valued seekers, young people, and people that reflect diversity—all important elements of a healthy church. But absent a core of deep people, a church is in trouble. Deep people do not just happen; they are cultivated. Let's take this thought one step further. Deep people are a treasure greater than a church's preacher; greater than its hottest program; even greater than its worship band.
Norma "Duffy" Lyon died of a stroke on Sunday. Duffy raised nine children on the family dairy farm near Toledo. She is best know for being the Butter Cow Lady. Duffy Lyon first sculpted a cow from butter for the Iowa State Fair in 1960. She crafted 46 of the butter cow sculptures the fair has displayed over the past 100 years.
We will miss Duffy's creative talent and the art she sculpted out of butter. But she didn't leave without mentoring her successor.
Duffy Lyon retired in 2006 and Sarah Pratt of West Des Moines took over, becoming just the 5th butter cow sculptor in the history of the fair. Pratt, a friend of the Lyon's family growing up, began working with Duffy at the fair when she was 13 years old, but only doing small chores and not actually sculpting. Their relationship grew, and soon Duffy Lyon was telling everyone Pratt would be the one to replace her when she retired, well before Pratt ever considered herself qualified.
"She always had so much confidence in me," Pratt said. "She always had something new to teach me, whether we were talking about sculpting, about life or about cows. I'll miss that opportunity to learn from her. She was very generous with her time and she gave me so much. She is the only art training I had. So, everything I know and have learned is from her. She was very patient with me and taught me so much about art and about life,”
Lyon and Pratt had accepted an invitation to be grand marshals for the State Fair Parade in August in honor of the 100-year anniversary of the Iowa State Fair butter cow sculpture. Rather than have her long-time mentor and friend at her side, Sarah will be riding in the parade alone.
Sarah may be alone, but she isn't unprepared. Her mentor has passed on, but not before passing down the craft of sculpting in butter and the art of creating a life worth living. You see, anyone can live a life, but only a mentor can shape one!
Anyone who has lived in Iowa for long has heard of the Butter Cow at the Iowa State Fair. Norma "Duffy" Lyon, the "butter cow lady" died of a stroke today.
Norma and her family were from Toledo, Iowa, the same place where I grew up.She and her husband Joe had nine children. I graduated from South Tama High School with Emily, one of their daughters. Madelyn, my mother, and Norma were good friends. My mom was a frustrated artist and sculptor. She appreciated Norma's creativity and artistic ability.
Duffy Lyon first sculpted a cow from butter for the fair in 1960. She crafted 46 of the butter cow sculptures the fair has displayed over the past 100 years.
When I was in Poland to teach English classes, a student once brought a text book they used in school to study United States history and culture. I glanced through it and was surprised to see a photo of Duffy and one of her State Fair butter cows! Her fame had proceeded her all the way to Europe.
Today, Iowa lost an iconic figure. My sympathies go out to the Lyon family as they grieve the loss of their mother, grandmother and friend.
I'm praying for Jason and Erin who are fighting the good fight. Our God can make anything new!
Sanctus Real - The Redeemer
Sometimes I just want to start over, 'cause everything looks like a wreck
And I need the courage to carry on, 'cause I can't see what's ahead
And there are places I've wished I could be, battles I've wanted to win
Dreams that have slipped through my hands
I may never get back again
But I'm still a dreamer, a believer
Oh, I've lost my faith in so many things, but I still believe in You
'Cause You can make anything new
Sometimes I just wish we could say all the things that are easy to hear
Ignore the injustice we see and explain every unanswered prayer
But I'd rather speak honestly and wear a tattered heart on my sleeve
'Cause in the middle of my broken dreams, redemption is here
And I'm still a dreamer, a believer
Oh, I've lost my faith in so many things, but I still believe in You
'Cause You are the answer, the redeemer
Oh, I've given up on too many things, but I'm not giving up on You
'Cause You can make anything new
I don't have every answer in life
But I'm trusting You one day at a time
'Cause You can make a weak heart stay alive forever
this is where Heaven and Earth collide
I lift my hands and give my life
This is how my weary heart stays alive
Oh, I'm still a dreamer (This is where heaven and earth collide)
(I lift my hands and give my life)
Still a believer (This is how my weary heart stays alive)
Oh, You are the answer (Oh, this is where Heaven and Earth collide)
(I lift my voice and give my life)
The redeemer (This is how my weary heart stays alive, oh)
'Cause You can make anything new
Yeah, You can make anything new
New air filter/spark plug and my old air filter/spark plug!
Last week several of us took our new Young Adult Pastor, Seth Watson, out for lunch at the Flying Weenie. It's a right of passage for all new interns and pastors!
Over the course of our lunch conversation the topic of lawn mowing came up. So I told Seth, "Watch this Seth, I'm going to get Tye really excited. He's going to come right out of his chair!"
People began to guess what I would say next. The set up was complete. So I announced, "I've had my lawn mower for 11 years and I've never sharpened the blade!"
Now you need to know something about Tye Male. He's passionate about his grass and lawn mowing. He double fertilizes his lawn, and mows on Mondays and Thursdays. He double cuts his grass and has immaculately straight lines. He has a spare blade so that he can keep a sharpened one on his mower at all times. His lawn is a thing of beauty, admired by the entire neighborhood!
I'm not sure if Tye was shocked or amused by my shameful admission. Perhaps he felt compassion for a "backslidden" brother. I really don't know. All I do know is that several days later Tye showed up in my garage, removed the dull blade off my mower and took it in to be sharpened.
And today, he returned the blade, bolted it back on my mower, changed the spark plug and installed a new air filter. Neither the spark plug or air filter had been changed in 11 years either!
I can't wait to try out my "new mower!" What started out as a funny story has turned into an act of service. Tye is using an area of his passion to serve me in an area that I just "get by." Thanks Tye for your friendship and servant heart!
Which brings me to the idea of the importance of and need for regular tune ups. Neglect and even abuse of a lawn mower is one thing. Ignoring or failing to maintain things that are valuable to us can have catastrophic consequences.
I've learned a lot about this the hard way. Take these examples.
My marriage needs regular tune ups. Sharon and I are reading and discussing Love and War, a book on marriage. We've learned over the years that if we aren't intentionally moving toward one another, we are drafting apart. Ask Sharon to tell you the story about her engagement ring some time.
My physical body needs regular tune ups. I go in for dental check-ups every six months. I just had an appointment this past Monday. I ignored doing this when we were first married which resulted in years of dental work to correct the problems it created. Sharon and I go in for regular chiropractic, physical and eye exams.
Our finances need regular tune ups. I've balanced our check book monthly for our entire married life. But during the past five years we have worked harder at intentionally managing our finances with a spending plan that we monitor several times a week.
My spiritual life needs regular tune ups. I set aside 45-60 minutes 4-5 times a week for Bible reading, prayer, and time along with God. Weekly times of corporate worship feed my soul. Our small group and times of prayer help me connect with God and others for healthy spiritual growth.
Regular tune ups are important. Neglect them at your own peril! We care for the things we value.
This week I have enjoyed celebrating the 60th birthday of a friend, coffee with one of my sons, dinner and conversation with a missionary friend, conversation with Sharon about our marriage, breakfast with two friends, and coffee with several other friends.
This week, take time out of your busy schedule to spend with the people and projects that you really care about. Don't let the urgent squeeze out the important. Have that long-needed conversation. Begin that neglected project. Hug a family member. Check in with an old friend. Even mow the lawn! It's time for that long over due tune up!
The Global Leadership Summit is being held on August 11-12. Orchard Hill Church in Cedar Falls is a satellite site for the event. New Covenant is a partner church which means that we can offer registration for $99 for our members and attenders which is a $50 discount.
Check out the line up of speakers. I learn something new and come away refreshed and challenged every time I attend. We already have over 25 people registered. Email Brenda Gadd by this Thursday if you are interested in attending.
Water changes everything! And when offered along with Living Water, it can make an eternal impact! Sharon and I are excited about a water project that we are working on this summer.
Why drill one well when you can help purchase a drilling rig? We are praying about doing just that so that villages in Zimbabwe can have clean water, so that women and children can go to school, and that communities can grow gardens for food.
Sharon and I can't do this alone. But we can use our finances, influence, skills and time to get the ball rolling. Or should I say, to prime the pump!
Life is circling back around on Sharon and myself. We met at Iowa State University in 1971. It was my junior year and Sharon's freshman year. I knew Mark, Sharon's brother, who lived on my dorm floor in the Towers. Through Mark's encouragement, we both got involved with Bible studies and weekly meetings with The Navigators.
Which led to .... nothing at first. Ah but later (several years later), I began to notice this cute girl who had an awesome walk with God. And I decided I wanted to know her better. And the rest is history. I like to tell people that I liked Mark (her brother) so well that I married his sister!
The Navigator ministry connected us with a group of students who loved Jesus and who believed they could change the world. Scripture memory, Bible study, summer training programs, conferences and weekly gatherings helped lay a solid spiritual foundation in our lives that we are still building on today.
I'm thankful for Mark and the many Navigator staff who prayed with, cared for and invested in us during a very important time in our lives.
And now, 40 years later, one of my sons is sensing God calling him to the same ministry, to invest in the lives of students with The Navigators. Jon and his fiance, Trista, will be married October 22 of this year. It's their prayer that they will be fully funded by that time so they can be on campus, ministering with Kyle Nelson and the rest of the staff and student leaders at UNI.
It's my prayer that Jon and Trista will be used of God at UNI. That they would build relational connections with those far from God and equip those who are followers of Christ. That they would seek out freshmen students and others who are at a crossroads regarding who they are, what they believe and who they want to follow. That they would befriend students and help them grow into young adults.
And I hope they will be on the lookout for a quiet girl from a northeast Iowa farm and I shy guy from a small central Iowa town. They're a little overwhelmed right now. They hope they can make friends. They aren't sure what they want to do with the rest of their lives, but they hope the next year will be good. They're not real comfortable talking about spiritual things, but they would be interested in meeting people who have a vibrant, genuine faith. Something real, something that makes a difference in life. Keep a look out for these two. They are in need of a friend.
"From the wild Irish slums of the 19th century eastern seaboard, to the riot-torn suburbs of Los Angeles, there is one unmistakable lesson in American history: A community that allows a large number of young men to grow up in broken families, dominated by women, never acquiring any stable relationship to male authority, never acquiring any rational expectations about the future - that community asks for and gets chaos. Crime, violence, unrest, disorder - most particularly the furious, unrestrained lashing out at the whole social structure - that is not only to be expected; it is very near to inevitable. And it is richly deserved."
The Pew Research Center just released a new study titled, A Tale of Two Fathers. In 1960, only 11% of children in the U.S. lived apart from their fathers. By 2010, that number had risen to 27%.
Fathers’ living arrangements are strongly correlated with race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status as measured by educational attainment. Black fathers are more than twice as likely as white fathers to live apart from their children (44% vs. 21%).
69% of Americans believe having a father in the home is essential for a child to grow up happily. Yet one out of four children in the US are growing up without a father in their home.
Fatherlessness is a growing crisis in America, one that under girds many of the challenges that families are facing. When dads aren't around, young people are more likely to drop out of school, use drugs, be involved in the criminal justice system, and become young parents themselves.
President Obama grew up without his dad, and has said that being a father is the most important job he has. That's why the President is joining dads from across the nation in a fatherhood pledge – a pledge that we'll do everything we can to be there for our children and for young people whose fathers are not around.
I'm thankful for a dad who was there for me as a child. A dad who loved me, provided for our family, taught me valuable life lessons, loved my mother and sacrificed so that I could have opportunities that he didn't have.
Growing up, my dad was my hero. And 60 years later I still admire and respect him. I've been given a rich heritage. And I've also had the privilege of passing the Pagel name and family reputation on to my four sons.
Me and Deshawn, my Lunch Buddy
Our families long for and deserve our best. Men, let's step up to our responsibilities in our families and in our community. Let's be the men that our sons and daughters aspire to become like.
Let's mentor boys and young men in our community into manhood. Become a Lunch Buddy at Polk School, coach a sports team, become a Boy Scout leader. Our children and our community are counting on us.
Defend the cause of the poor and the fatherless! Vindicate the oppressed and suffering! Psalm 82:3
