Heart Cry of the Broken Hearted

New Covenant once again hosted the Children's Candle Light Memorial Service. You can read about last years service here. The service is a very sacred time as the families come forward to light a candle in remembrance of their loved ones.

A special thanks to Dennis Sharp who organizes this special service. A Gazette reporter attended this years event. You can read the Gazette article online here.

I'm thankful that we have a God who entered into our pain and suffering. He knows what it's like to loose a beloved son. He knows the heart cry of the broken hearted.

Prepare For Launch

The days of prayer, planning and anticipation are just about over! Tomorrow morning we do our first "soft launch" at our Washington High School site. We are doing soft launches on December 2, 9 and 16. Then on Sunday, January 6 we are having an "open house" for our New Covenant church family in preparation for our Grand Opening service on January 13. On Sunday, January 13 we will officially become "one church at two locations!"

This morning the Launch Team met to discuss details, go over the schedule for tomorrow morning, to pray and then pack the trailer. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the morning. Launching in the winter presents some special challenges and we had to deal with the sleet and ice this morning. Hopefully this nasty weather mix will move through tonight so we can unload and load in better conditions tomorrow.

There will be a lot of details to work out over the next three weeks. The purpose of our "soft launch" Sundays is to give us practice and experience with the equipment and set up/tear down process so that we are ready for guests on January 13. Our goal is to create space for those who are not yet here, who need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

We are still looking for people who would like to serve at our Wash Campus. Stop by the table in the lobby on Sundays to sign up. Or you can email Lisa Harrington to let her know you would like to help.

Tomorrow is a big day! We are stepping out in faith and launching a second campus. We are trusting God for big things. Prepare for launch!

Christmas Variety Show

We traveled to the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls last evening to attend the UNI Men's Glee Club Christmas Variety Show. The performance was 2 1/2 hours of inspiration, entertainment and laughter. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the evening.

Believe, In The Sanctuary, Lux Aurumque, and Gloria were vocal favorites. And A Glee Club Christmas Carol and Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairies were show stoppers! Sharon and I especially enjoyed the show as Josh, David Hoobler and Ben Wohlers all sing in the Glee Club.

It was a great evening of entertainment. It was a great way to begin the Christmas season. Kudos to Dr. Barrett and all those who performed!

Animator vs Animation

You gotta see this! Click on the stick figure above and it will take you to the flash site of the animation. Click play, sit back and enjoy! This is raw creativity at its best!

An Attitude of Gratitude

I'm finishing up The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz. Schwartz makes the point that as the number of choices keeps growing, negative consequences begin to appear, leading to overload, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. I've already commented on this in the blog article titled Less Is More.

The solution to this crisis of having too many choices? Schwartz suggest that we "practice an attitude of gratitude." Listen to what he has to say.

"Our evaluation of our choices is profoundly affected by what we compare them with, including comparisons with alternatives that exist only in our imaginations. The same experience can have both delightful and disappointing aspects. Which of these we focus on may determine whether we judge the experience to be satisfactory or not. We can vastly improve our subjective experience by consciously striving to be grateful more often for what is good about a choice or an experience, and to be disappointed less by what is bad about it."

And how do we do this in a practical way? Schwartz suggests the following discipline:

• Keep a notepad at your bedside.
• Every morning, when you wake up, or every night, when you go to bed, use the notepad to list five things that happened the day before that you're grateful for.
• Keep the discipline up. You will find that it gets easier and easier, more and more natural. You may find yourself feeling better and better about your life as it is, and less and less driven to find the "new and improved" products and activities that will enhance it.

Not a bad practice. Pretty good advice coming out of a business book! Which reminds me of the timelessness and relevance of God's Word. God knows that having a grateful and thankful heart is the key to happiness. Not much has changed through the years. This Thanksgiving, may you and your family discover the secret of an attitude of gratitude.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Imagine That

OK all you engineers, you're going to love this! The above video is from TED which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. TED is an invitation-only event where the world's leading thinkers and doers gather to find inspiration. They then put their presentations online for the general public to watch. Most of the video presentations are 20 minutes or shorter in length. It's good stuff!

The TED video that I have selected is by Dutch artist Theo Jansen. Jansen has been working for 16 years to create sculptures, called Strandbeests, that move on their own in lifelike ways. His newest creatures walk without assistance on the beaches of Holland, powered by wind, captured by wings that flap and pump air into old lemonade bottles that in turn power the creatures' many plastic spindly legs. The walking sculptures look alive as they move, each leg articulating in such a way that the body is steady and level. They even incorporate primitive logic gates that are used to reverse the machine’s direction if it senses dangerous water or loose sand where it might get stuck.

Enjoy the short video! I find this kind of thing inspirational. The inquisitiveness, curiosity and power of the human mind to create. Now, I know some of you more sensible types are saying, "But why!" "What's the point?" "What can these Strandbeests do?"

Maybe nothing yet. Maybe nothing ever! Innovation comes as we push the limits of possibility and what has been done before. Just because something has no obvious immediate use, doesn't mean it's not worth exploring.

And why do I say that? Because I believe that being creative is part of what it means to be made in the image of God. To imagine, to dream, to explore, to think, to create - this is part of what it means to be human. This is part of what it means to be created in the image of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Good Old Days

So you're not quite sure of what to make of the Kindle and the whole idea of digital books? I thought you might enjoy reading what Michael Hyatt, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers has to say. I encourage you to read his blog article titled, Why Traditional Books Will Eventually Die. It's a good read and will give you an idea of where digital book content is going.

Michael Hyatt's analysis - "The book, as we know it today, will eventually die. It won’t happen all at once. And it won’t happen immediately. But, in my opinion, it is inevitable. Why? One word: efficiency."

We may or may not like it, but the world is going digital. Think of the candle. It once was the means of lighting a room. Not any more. Candles are still around as decorative accessories, but they are no longer used as a source of light. Unless your electricity goes out, like last winter!

Books will always be around, they will just be religated to the category of collectibles or relics. Sort of like the vinyl record album. You remember those don't you! So hold on to those books of yours. One day you will tell your grandchildren about the "good old days" when you used to curl up in a chair and read a book! My oh my, the times, they are a chang'n!

Book 2.0

The world is going digital and fast. First it was video, then music, then photography, then short-form reading material. Until now, books have been one of the last bastions of analog. And now, Jeff Bezos of Amazon is taking on books, seeking to bring them into the digital world.

This week Bezos is releasing the Amazon Kindle, an electronic device that he hopes will become the turning point in a transformation toward Book 2.0. There have been previous attempts at introducing digital readers but none of them have been successful. The Kindle hopes to change that.

The Newsweek cover story this week features Bezos and the Amazon Kindle. The Kindle will be able to store up to 200 books and will connect to the web. It will be able to receive automatic downloads from major newspapers, magazines and other publications, and will offer owners more than 88,000 digital titles at launch time.

I don't know about this whole thing. I love reading, but there's something about holding and marking up an analog book. But how about being able to purchase books for $5 each, or to be able to do instantaneous content searches. You can't remember where you read that great quote? No problem? A quick search brings it up in an instant. And you would be able to move seamlessly between your favorite books, newspapers and magazines. It just may work. Maybe not this year or next year. But within the next ten years the way we receive and interact with our reading materials is about to be transformed. Mark my word.

This is a subject that I'm passionate about. During the past eleven months I've read 22 books and countless blogs and online articles. The opportunities to learn and grow are endless. We're only limited by our imagination and time. And of course, being an empty-nester now affords me more time in the evenings to read. In this day and age of information explosion, there's no excuse for not being a reader and a learner.

Yet, increasingly, people are reading less. A 2004 National Endowment for the Arts study reported that only 57 percent of adults read a book—any book—in a year. That was down from 61 percent a decade ago. The study also documented an overall decline of 10 percentage points in literary readers from 1982 to 2002. The rate of decline is increasing and, according to the survey, has nearly tripled in the last decade. And of greatest concern, the rate of decline for those aged 18 to 24, was 55 percent greater than that of the total adult population.

Jeff Bezos believes the Kindle "is the most important thing we've ever done. It's so ambitious to take something as highly evolved as the book and improve on it. And maybe even change the way people read."

The Kindle may in fact change the way we read, but will it increase the number of people who read? I doubt it. That will only happen if we turn off the TV, power-down the computer, unplug the video games and pick up a book. Or should I say, turn on your Kindle!

Lets Say Thanks

During this time of year, when you sit around the dinner table with family, don't forget to say "thank you" to our troops. Men and women are serving around the world to ensure that we can continue to enjoy freedom.

Xerox has teamed together with other sponsors to help people express our thanks in a practical way. You can go to http://www.letssaythanks.com/, select a postcard design, write a message and they will deliver it to one of our military personnel stationed overseas.

So, what are you waiting for! Go to the web site, compose a message and send a postcard. It's time to let our troops know that we appreciate their sacrifice and service. Let's say thanks!

Not In Vain

With yesterday being Veterans Day, I thought you might enjoy reading about this "human Statue of Liberty" photograph.

According to the Iowa National Guard web site, the photo was taken in July 1918 at Camp Dodge. 18,000 officers and soldiers posed for this photo which was to help promote the sale of war bonds, but was never used. The photo was taken by Arthur Mole and John Thomas, who planned and photographed other large patriotic symbols using American soldiers.

Some interesting facts about this photograph:

• The distance from the top of the torch to the man closest to the camera is 1235 feet or almost a quarter of a mile!
• There are twice the number of men in the flame of the torch as in the whole remaining design, while there are eight times as many men in the arm, torch and flame as in all the rest of the figure.
• The base to shoulder is only 150 feet while the right arm is 340 feet long.
• The widest part of arm holding torch is 12 1/2 feet.
• The right thumb is 35 feet long while the thickest part of body is only 29 feet.
• The flame on the torch is 600 feet long.
• There are 12,000 men in the flame of torch and only 2,000 men in the body, head and balance of figure combined.

What an incredible feat. And to think that after all that work, the photograph was never used!

A special "thank you" to all the service men and women who have or are proudly serving our country. Your sacrifice was not, is not, and will not be in vain!

Free Rice

Do you want to feed the hungry and improve your vocabulary at the same time? Then FreeRice is for you! This food-linked word game put on the Internet a month ago has proved a runaway success and has already generated enough rice to feed 50,000 people.

Give it a try and see how you do? I just donated 500 grains of rice and my vocab level was in the 37-40 range. It's a lot of fun!

The FreeRice site is a viral marketing success story with more than one billion grains of rice donated in just one month to help tackle hunger worldwide. The day it was launched on October 7 just 830 grains of rice were donated. But the Internet community quickly caught on, and on November 8 alone 77 million grains were donated, equivalent to more than seven million correct clicks.

So go ahead and click away. Together we can raise our vocabulary while raising awareness of world hunger.

Facebook - A Marketing Network

Its official, Facebook announced today that it is now an advertising network. You can read all about the advertising changes that Facebook is now implementing here and here.

You can run but you can't hide. Sooner or later marketers and ad writers will track you down with spam, intrusive banner ads and unwanted advertisements.

Here is what Facebook rolled out today. Social Ads (ads targeted based on member profile data and spread virally), Beacon (a way for Facebook members to declare themselves fans of a brand on other sites and send those endorsements to their feeds), and Insight (marketing data that goes deep into social demographics and pyschographics which Facebook will provide to advertisers in an aggregated, anonymous way). These three things together make up Facebook Ads.

So, be careful what you post in your profile. You are giving Facebook marketing demographics.

Here is what Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO had to say about this marketing effort.

“We look at the people your ads are reaching and break it down by age, gender, interests, and a whole lot more we are adding soon.” Says none of this will be personally identifiable. “We will be able to track how much people are talking about your brand in public forums across Facebook. As you run ads on Facebook you will be able to see the exact mind share you are getting.”

“Social Actions + Content = Social Ads.” They spread your message virally through the social graph. These ads will appear both in people’s feeds and as a personalized banner ad.
“Let’s talk about targeting. With Facebook you will be able to select exactly the audience you want to reach, and we will only show your ads to them. We know exactly what gender someone is, what activities they are interested in. their location, country, city or town, interests, gender, work history, political views."

“Social distribution, now here is where it gets interesting. When somebody engages with your page, that is spread virally through the network. When someone says they are a fan of your brand, that becomes a trusted referral. It goes right to their Mini Feed. A strong trusted referral for your brand. You will be able to craft the types of social actions you want to spread across the social graph.”

“The next hundred years will be different for advertising, and it starts today. As marketers pushing our information out is no longer enough. We are announcing a new advertising system, not about broadcasting messages, about getting into the conversations between people."

"Messages spread virally. All you need to do is get your friends to engage with it and add it to their profiles. Gives example of how causes are spread across Facebook. Support Breast Cancer, more than 2 million members."

“Once every hundred years media changes. the last hundred years have been defined by the mass media. The way to advertise was to get into the mass media and push out your content. That was the last hundred years. In the next hundred years information won’t be just pushed out to people, it will be shared among the millions of connections people have. Advertising will change. You will need to get into these connections. "

“People influence people. Nothing influences people more than a recommendation from a trusted friend. A trusted referral influences people more than the best broadcast message. A trusted referral is the Holy Grail of advertising."

“We have already passed 50 million users, doubling once every 6 months. More than 25 million people are using Facebook every single day. Each person is viewing more than 40 pages a day, more than 65 billion page views a month.”

Facebook may seem like a great tool for social networking. And it is! But beware. You're every move is being tracked, analyzed and targeted. Today Facebook decided that they wanted to become an advertising network.

Give An Account

Maybe you've already heard the news. Senator Charles Grassley has said enough is enough. Senator Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he's investigating the finances of six well-known TV evangelists. Thank you, thank you, thank you Senator Grassley!

In a statement, Grassley said he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations. "The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces," Grassley said. "I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code."

Senator Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen TV evangelists earlier this week requesting answers by December 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets. This culminates a two year investigation into the financial impropriety of independent ministries who lack accountability and adequate oversight.

None of the ministries being investigated by Senator Grassley belongs to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. If they did, ECFA President Ken Behr says they'd be asked some of the same questions — about the independence of their governing boards and whether tax-exempt donations are properly spent on evangelists' lavish lifestyles.

I will wait until all the evidence is in before forming a final opinion. But I applaud Senator Grassley for asking these high-profile ministries to comply with existing tax law. No one is above the law. And in this case, the reputation of the cause of Christ is on the line.

In a culture that is progressively becoming more secular and unchurched, followers of Jesus Christ need to walk the talk. We are the body of Christ. We need to model Christ to a world that is skeptical and calloused to spiritual things. And it starts with leaders who understand how to serve.

Take the time to write Senator Grassley to thank him for taking a stand. It's time for accountability and integrity. It's time to give an account.

Less Is More

I'm finishing up the book, The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz. It's an incredible book that talks about the negative consequences of choice-overload in modern society. You can hear a presentation by Barry Schwartz at a Google TechTalk on this topic.

Barry Schwartz argues that choice and freedom are good. But he warns that even choice and freedom have dark-sides that are rarely acknowledged. Excess choice causes paralysis, causes people to make worse decisions, and causes people to feel worse about their decisions.

We have been led to believe that more freedom means more welfare, and that more choice means more freedom. But in fact, more choice and more freedom leads to increased difficulty in making decisions and less satisfaction.

The strategy that Barry Schwartz recommends as a way to deal with choice-overload and regret, may surprise you.

But individuals who regularly experience and express gratitude are physically healthier, more optimistic about the future, and feel better about their lives than those who do not. Individuals who experience gratitude are more alert, enthusiastic, and energetic than those who do not, and they are more likely to achieve personal goals.

The Paradox of Choice reminds us again that life does not consist merely in what we possess or what we consume. God is the only thing worthy of our affections and passions. No "thing" can take His place. Even the secular world is beginning to understand, that when it comes to happiness, less is more.

We're Into Life

Yesterday was an incredible day! No two Sundays are ever alike. God is a God of infinite variety and creativity. And I love it that New Covenant is always seeking how to creatively communicate the timeless truth of God's Word.

Here are some of hi-lights from the day.

• There were over 220 people at the 8:00 AM service! This is the largest non-holiday attendance we've ever had at 8:00. Of course, I met several people who thought they were coming to the 9:20 service! You gotta remember to set those clocks back one hour!
• Erin had the honor of doing baby dedications for the Chesmore, Rediger, Tennyson, Fentress, Ovel, Aldoph, and Lear families.
• The brass line and choir were incredible.
• Pastor Bob gave a clear explanation of the gospel and the need for Christ.
• We had two first-time guests in Starting Point. One woman wants to bring her 7th grade daughter to Impact next time she comes.
• We had a pizza lunch and gathering with our Impact small group hosts and their families. It was fun connecting with other small group leaders, hearing about what God is doing in peoples lives!
• I met a first-time guest in the lobby after the 5:00 service. He was taking a walk in the neighborhood, saw all the cars and thought he would stop in to see what's going on. He enjoyed the message. He took early retirement from Rockwell and is trying to figure out what to do next. I invited him to Men's Fraternity. He said he would come! As we concluded our conversation, he commented, "The people in this church are really into life." Wow! Great observation.
• I got to talk to a young adult after the 5:00 service. He has been coming to New Covenant for the past five weeks. He indicated that during the Why series he "crossed the line of faith!" I also got to talk to the young man's mom. We have known the family for about 10 years. She has noticed her son reading the Bible and some changes taking place in his life. She came to New Covenant for the first time to check things out. We had a great conversation and I invited her to come to our small group!

Wow! What a great day. At New Covenant we're not into religion or ritual. We're into Jesus and the mission He calls us to join Him on. We're into life!

The Verdict Is In

New Covenant is in the news. You can click here to read the story.

Rene Pinkston worked with the Horizons Survivor Program in Cedar Rapids to provide meals for the Marin, Edmondson and Hill families during the Kyle Marin murder trial. A jury found Marin guilty Thursday of killing 18 year old cousins Molly Edmondson and Katrina Hill of Cedar Rapids in 2006.

The Horizons Survivor Program helps families affected by homicide get through the court system.

A special "thank you" to each person from our New Covenant church family who assisted with meals during this trial. The verdict is in - you demonstrated the love of Christ in a very tangible way. Please pray for these families as they seek to put their lives back together.

For The Love of the Game

There's just something about kids and baseball. I love watching kids play the game. I love their innocence, their enthusiasm, and their passion. Watching children hit the ball and run the bases reminds me all over again why I love the game of baseball.

I love the game of baseball, it's just those who turn it into a business that I don't like. The "professionalism" of baseball has created an ugly caricature that only dimly approximates the game I love. Professional baseball has exchanged teams for markets, players for agents, fans for media outlets, and hand shakes for contracts.

Professional baseball has created stars like Alex Rodriguez who recently opted out of his $252 million contract, demanding that the Yankees put $350 million on the table before he would even talk to them. Professional baseball has created managers like Joe Torre, who turned down $5 million a year from the Yankees with incentives that would guarantee $8 million if he took the team to the World Series. Torre turned down the offer that would have made him the best paid manager in baseball because he didn't feel respected.

Events like these remind me that the game I see played on television is entertainment. It's a business that's dominated by stars, controlled by money and managed to maximize profit. It's entertainment that resembles the game of baseball. It's an imitation of the real game that I played as a child.

The real game of baseball that I have come to love is played by people who compete for the love of the game. It's played by children, teens and adults who gather in neighborhood parks to play catch. The spirit of the game of baseball is alive and well. It's untarnished by large egos, spiraling salaries, steroid and human growth hormone scandals, escalating ticket prices and labor disputes.

The game of baseball that I've come to love is played by children who know nothing of contracts, agents or naming rights. It's played by people whose only negotiation is what time they have to come home for dinner. It's played by those who compete for the love of the game.

Decide For Yourself

If you read my blog much, you know that I don't recommend many movies. I'm a strange kind of guy. I'm not very big on movies that entertain or have lots of action/adventure. Don't get me wrong, they're OK. You're just not going to find me writing about them. What I really like is a movie that makes me think or that touches my heart. That's why I write about movies like We Are Marshall and Amazing Grace.

And that's why I'm encouraging you to see Bella. Bella was released on October 26 but hasn't yet come to Cedar Rapids. You can watch the trailer above or read what Roger Ebert has to say. Bella won the Peoples Choice Award at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival. I haven't yet seen the movie but I plan to as soon as I can. Bella is a movie that tells a compelling story from a Christian worldview. It's a movie that will touch your heart.

Read the reviews, talk to your friends and then form your own opinion.

While I'm on movies, let me tell you about one movie that I won't be viewing. I won't be casting my vote at the ticket counter for The Golden Compass. You won't hear me calling for a boycott or a ban. I just won't be supporting it. Here's why.

The Golden Compass is based on the first book of Philip Pullman's trilogy titled, His Dark Materials. In 2003 Pullman set off a controversy when he called The Chronicles of Narnia “one of the most ugly and poisonous things I have ever read.”

This is how Chuck Colson describes Pullman and his worldview.

Pullman’s chief problem with Narnia is the Christian faith that informs and inspires Lewis’s work—he calls it “propaganda.” But as Lewis himself said, the faults we see, or think we see, in others are often a reflection of our own faults. The truth is that Pullman writes more blatant propaganda than Lewis ever dreamed of writing.

Pullman deliberately takes Christian themes and turns them upside-down—for example, maneuvering his characters into a retelling of the Garden of Eden story in which eating the fruit and losing innocence is portrayed as the right thing to do. And the fact that the series culminates in the death of “God”—a weak, pathetic figure—drives home the point with a sledgehammer. Pullman is one “angry atheist” who is not interested in cooperating, even tacitly, with the religious preconceptions of his readers.

On the other hand, I may view The Golden Compass just so I can be more conversant with a worldview that seeks to eliminate God. Read the reviews of Bella and The Golden Compass. Talk to your friends who have seen the two movies. Learn how both stories end. Which world would you rather live in? Which worldview presents the best answers for a world in pain? Decide your yourself.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:7

The Debate Is Not Yet Over

The debate over global warming is just beginning to heat up! Watch the video and see what you think.

Creating Space

We had a great Membership Class last weekend. 40 people attended the Friday evening and Saturday morning sessions. Our church family is growing. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the weekend.

What a joy it is to see the Spirit of God at work in the lives of people. Some are new believers, some recently moved to Cedar Rapids, and some have been attending New Covenant for some time. As Pastor Bob says, "I don't care about where you've come from, just what direction you're headed!"

One of the most exciting things for me is to see how many in this class are already connected to community. Almost every person in the Membership Class is either presently involved in an adult community or small group! And over half of the class has, or is presently attending Starting Point.

My heart was touched on Sunday as the class met to share their testimonies. I always ask these new members to introduce themselves to someone they don't know on Sunday morning, and then come prepared to share the results during our last session on Sunday afternoon. One person described how he introduced himself to a first-time guest. He helped him get some information at the Information Center and then invited him to sit with him during the worship service!

Stories like this keep me going. A healthy family is always willing to create space for one more person!

Stewards

I just got back from our fall Elder, Deacon and Staff Retreat. Our fall retreat always focuses on sharing our five year ministry plans and vision. It's an awesome experience, listening as each ministry shares their plans, their hopes and their dreams for the next five years. Wow! I always leave these sessions charged up and ready to trust God for big things!

During the past year we have begun to recognize our staff on their 5th, 10th and 15th employment anniversary dates. Last night we recognized Mark Forstrom for 15 years, Colette Rieck for 9 years, Pat Rieck for 5 years, and Mick Schultz for 5 years. Mick was unable to attend the retreat so I don't have a picture of him. This is a new tradition, so we are playing "catch-up" with some of our staff who have been here awhile.

There were several bonus surprises thrown in during the weekend. We used the 9'x17' screen and projector that we plan to use at our multi-site location. It was pretty awesome seeing Pastor Bob projected "larger than life!" A special "thank you" to Pastor Gary and Dan and Karen Kalen for setting up the equipment. We also showed version 2 of the "fly through" of our new facility. It's pretty exciting stuff!

You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of our retreat. If you look carefully, you will see a clue regarding what card game some of the staff played last night!

This morning Pastor Bob shared about several of the important challenges that face us this coming year:

• Our Embracing Faith capital stewardship campaign next February and March with a goal of raising $10 million
• The Serve the City Share Event next July
• Our multi-site initiative

Pastor Bob challenged us to be stewards of the message and people God has given us to care for. We are His servants, caring out His mission. We want to hear the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

It will be an exciting next six months! We want to be faithful to do our part, and to trust Him to do what only He can do. We are His servants; His stewards.

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness–the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:25-29

Can You See It?

This being Clergy Appreciation Month, I want to share some thoughts regarding the great staff team I have the privilege of working with on a regular basis. This morning I was reading 2 Thessalonians 3 and came across these verses:

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. vs 7-9

I'm thankful to work with men and women who seek to model what they teach. Who don't expect others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves. Who practice what they preach. "Real deal," servant-leaders who I love to follow because of the strength of their character.

Our staff aren't perfect by any means. But as we come together in unity, to share in our common mission, a beautiful pattern emerges out of our brokenness. As Pastor Bob mentioned last Sunday, "Can you see it?" Can you see the heart of Christ?

Let me tell you what I see.

• In Erin Bird I see faithfulness and thoroughness modeled. With Erin, every small detail and every person is attended to with care and thought.
• In Mark Eades I see a tender heart for God and middle school students modeled. With Mark, every student is important and every contribution appreciated.
• In Mark Forstrom I see creativity and humility modeled. With Mark, every generation and every student needs to discover a relationship with God in new and fresh ways.
• In Gary Hoobler I see a heart of worship modeled. With Gary, worship impacts the way he lives his life 24/7.
• In Tye Male I see a passion for God and people modeled. With Tye, life is an adventure to be experienced, not just talked about.
• In Colette Rieck I see a tender heart for children and the "least of these" modeled. With Colette, children are a treasured gift to be loved and valued.
• In Pat Rieck I see a love for adventure, action and big challenges modeled. With Pat, women are constantly challenged to push beyond their comfort zones as they ask the question, "So what?"
• In Mick Schultz I see the unrestrained joy and enthusiasm of a child modeled. With Mick, families are the place where faith in Christ is best explained and lived out.
• In James Wartian I see a passion for helping people understand the Word of God and a Christian worldview modeled. With James, everyone has a place in the mission, regardless of their age or occupation.
• In Bob Westfall I see the heart of a disciplemaking pastor who leads with authenticity and integrity modeled. With Bob, what you see is what you get, Flying Wienie and all!
• In Thomas Burris I see a young man who desires to see God use his life to make a difference for the kingdom. With Thomas, God's Word is valued and students are loved.

Can you see it? I think I see a pattern emerging. One that reflects the heart of God.

If you see it too, take time this week to jot our staff a note of appreciation. You will be blessed, the cause of Christ will be advanced and our staff will be encouraged!

No Coincidence

Tell me that I've been dreaming. Tell me that I didn't see what I think I just saw two nights ago. Tell me that the National League Championship Series is still going on. And that the Colorado Rockies were eliminated after a nice run during the month of October.

Tell me this is true because I heard an unbelievable story two days ago. I heard that the Rockies won the National League pennant. I know, I know, that's impossible.

It's impossible because the Rockies were just four games over .500 on September 15. It's impossible because the Rockies were nine games under .500 (18-27) in May. It impossible because the Rockies were six games out in the wild-card race in September and 4½ games back in that wild-card race with only nine games to play. It's impossible because the Rockies were two games behind with two games to play.

It must be possible because the Colorado Rockies just accomplished this improbable feat. The Rockies were almost eliminated during the regular season, having to watch that Padres team they were trying to catch get within one strike of clinching. The Rockies came from two runs behind in the 13th inning of the 163rd game of the year, a game they never should have had a chance to play in the first place. The Rockies have won 21 out of 22 games during this stretch to become one of the hottest teams to ever play the game. Only five teams during the past 70 years have had as good a record, and no team has ever done it during a stretch run.

During this streak the Rockies became just the second team in history (along with the 1976 Big Red Machine) to sweep its first two postseason series in any given October. Tell me I didn't just see all this! Jayson Stark from ESPN calls the story of the Rockies "one of the most historic, most astonishing, most compelling stories in baseball history."

What can all this be attributed to? Has God all of a sudden become a Rockies fan? Doubtful! Dumb luck? I don't think so. Perhaps the June 1, 2006 USA Today story about the Rockies will give us some insight. I encourage you to take the time to read the story in it's entirety. Here are some quotes from the article

"We had to go to hell and back to know where the Holy Grail is. We went through a tough time and took a lot of arrows," says Rockies chairman and CEO Charlie Monfort, one of the original owners. Monfort did, too. He says that after years of partying, including 18 months' probation for driving while impaired, he became a Christian three years ago. It influenced how he wanted to run the club, he says. "We started to go after character six or seven years ago, but we didn't follow that like we should have," he says. "I don't want to offend anyone, but I think character-wise we're stronger than anyone in baseball. Christians, and what they've endured, are some of the strongest people in baseball. I believe God sends signs, and we're seeing those."

Hurdle (the Rockies Manager), 48, who says he became a Christian three years ago, says of the team's devotion: "We're not going to hide it. We're not going to deny it. This is who we are." While praising their players, Rockies executives make clear they believe God has had a hand in the team's improvement. "You look at things that have happened to us this year," O'Dowd (Rockies General Manager) says. "You look at some of the moves we made and didn't make. You look at some of the games we're winning. Those aren't just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this."

This article was written in 2006. The Rockies averaged 91 losses a year through the 2005 season. Top management makes an emphasis on recruiting character and honoring God off and on the field. And the Rockies are going to the World Series one year later in one of the most incredible runs in baseball history. Perhaps this isn't a coincidence after all!

Father of Mine

Last week at Men's Fraternity Robert Lewis talked about the Five Wounds men deal with:

• The absent father wound
• The overly bonded with mother
• The all alone wound
• The lack of a manhood vision wound
• The heart wound

When Robert Lewis was talking about the "absent father" wound, he mentioned the band Everclear and their song, Father Of Mine. You can click on the picture above to watch the music video.

Here are the lyrics to the song, Father of Mine.

Father of mine
Tell me where have you been
You know I just closed my eyes
My whole world disappeared
Father of mine
Take me back to the day
When I was still your golden boy
Back before you went away

I remember blue skies
Walking the block
I loved it when you held me high
I loved to hear you talk
You would take me to the movie
You would take me to the beach
You would take me to a place inside
That is so hard to reach

Father of mine
Tell me where did you go
You had the world inside your hand
But you did not seem to know
Father of mine
Tell me what do you see
When you look back at your wasted life
And you don't see me

I was ten years old
Doing all that I could
It wasn't easy for me
To be a scared white boy
In a black neighborhood
Sometimes you would send me a birthday card
With a five dollar bill
I never understood you then
And I guess I never will

Daddy gave me a name
My dad he gave me a name
Then he walked away
Daddy gave me a name
Then he walked away
My daddy gave me a name

Daddy gave me a name
Daddy gave me a name
Then he walked away
Daddy gave me a name
Then he walked away
My daddy gave me a name

Father of mine
Tell me where have you been
I just closed my eyes
And the world disappeared
Father of mine
Tell me how do you sleep
With the children you abandoned
And the wife I saw you beat

I will never be safe
I will never be sane
I will always be weird inside
I will always be lame
Now I'm a grown man
With a child of my own
And I swear I'm not going to let her know
All the pain I have known

Then he walked away
Daddy gave me a name
Then he walked away
My dad gave me a name
Then he walked away

My daddy gave me a name
Then he walked away
My daddy gave me a name
Then he walked away
Then he walked away
Then he walked away

I'm thankful for my earthly father and my Heavenly Father. They gave me name and they didn't walk away.

But for those men who have an absent father wound in their heart, there is hope and healing. And as Robert Lewis says, you can't change what you don't understand. And understanding begins with unpacking. And unpacking happens at Men's Fraternity. Men's Fraternity provides a safe environment for men to talk to other men about their manhood journey. See you there!

An Unforgetable Evening

I love spending time in Chicago. I wouldn't want to live there, but it's a great place to visit. I love getting around on public transportation, Chicago-style pizza, and the variety of things to do.

Take Saturday night for instance. The city was preparing for the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, and the Cubs were playing the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field in the first round of the National League playoffs. City officials were warning people on Saturday that if the playoffs went into Sunday that everyone should plan on using public transportation as the streets around Wrigley Field would be blocked off for the Chicago Marathon. The planning was to no avail as the Cubs lost on Friday night, loosing the series 0-3.

Jason, Jon and Matt wanted pasta for dinner so we went to Buca di Beppo. It's within walking distance of Moody so we hit the streets. We got there before 5:00 PM so we were seated right away. Our host even gave us a tour of the kitchen on the way to our seats! When's the last time you had a restaurant tour! Buca di Beppo serves the food family style which makes the eating experience more fun. Everyone had plenty to eat.

Since we finished dinner so early, we decided to take the Red Line to Wrigley Field on the north side to experience the atmosphere of a playoff game. The game started at 5:30 so we were able to experience Cub-fever at its finest.

We got off the train at Addison Street and walked around the stadium on Sheffield Street, Waveland Avenue and Clark Street. The atmosphere was electric. The roar of the crowd in Wrigley Field spilled over into the surrounding neighborhood. People were playing catch in the street, gathered around TVs that were perched on window ledges, crowded into bars, and peering through the right-field "knot hole" in order to catch some of the action. Even the firemen at Wrigleyville Engine 78 were standing in the street. You can click on the above picture to see a slideshow of our evening.

It was a great evening on the town! We grabbed a train around 7:30 in order to beat the rush. Although the game wasn't yet over, I'm almost certain I heard several Cubs fan say, "What til next year!" It's now 99 years and counting since the Cubs last won the World Series!

It was a great evening. Seldom have I had so much fun and spent so little money! Great people and a great environment help build great memories. Saturday was an evening I will not soon forget.

26.2

The 30th running of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is now in the books. Sharon and I drove to Chicago to cheer on Jason and Jonathan. Matt McDowell rode with us and also ran in the marathon. Little did we know how memorable this marathon would become!

The marathon was run on Sunday morning. A heat-wave settled in several days earlier on the mid-west, sending the temperatures into the 90's. Running a marathon in summer-like conditions is very difficult and most runners are not trained in how to run in the heat. Last year the temperature for the Chicago Marathon was in the 30's, with runners wearing gloves and long-sleeved shirts. What a difference a year makes.

The Chicago Marathon is one of the largest in the world, with 45,000 runners registered to take part. The high temps chased away almost a quarter of the field with only 35,000 runners starting the race at 8:00 AM. Sharon, Erin and myself where able catch the action at Moody Bible Institute as the race went north on LaSalle and then came back down on Wells. We then grabbed the brown line train and red line subway to Chinatown where we were able to see Jason and Jon pass by around the 21 mile mark. We jogged about five blocks east and were able to catch them again as they passed by on Michigan Avenue with just one mile left! You can click on the picture above to see a slideshow of the day.

The high heat and humidity made it difficult for even the experienced marathon runners. Morning temperatures got into the 80's and one temperature gauge atop a bank near mile 23 read 96-degrees around 12:15 PM. The temperature gauge on our van still read 81 degrees at 7:00 PM on our drive back to Cedar Rapids.

At 11:30 AM marathon officials made the decision to cancel the race. Over 300 people were treated at area hospitals and first aid stations. A 35 year-old police officer from Michigan collapsed on the course and died. Ambulances were called in from 30 out-lying communities to assist. Runners who were still on the course at 11:45 were instructed to stop running and take a bus or walk back to Grant Park.

As we walked the course earlier in the day, we say countless runners, most who looked very athletic and fit, walking off the course in exhaustion. Only 4000 runners completed the race by the time it was called at 11:30 AM. In spite of the heat, 25,000 runners still managed to complete the race.

All this to say that we were so proud of Jason, Jon and Matt. Jason ran a 3.33.59, an incredible time in any kind of weather! Jon was running in his first marathon and was hoping to come in under four hours - he ran a 3.52.28! He began to cramp up and had to stop to stretch on the second half of the course. And Matt got heat sickness and couldn't hold any fluids or food down after mile 15. In spite of dehydration, Matt crossed the finish line at 5.25.24. He walked most of the last 10 miles! Matt, you're the man!

It was an inspirational day as we watched men and women, young and old, take on the 26.2 mile challenge. Each person who ran was a winner. You're all champions!

My Dad

Every once-in-awhile I read something that speaks to my heart. Things that impact me the most casue me to reflect on my own life and journey. And they often come from the most unlikely sources.

That happened to me yesterday when I read Tom Stern's blog article titled, Wikipedia/Life Balance. Tom writes a regular comic strip and blog titled CEO Dad that explores work/life balance.

A little background to this article is in order. You may have read in the news that some prominent politicians and civic leaders have been accused of altering their own Wikipedia entries. For those who are unfamiliar, Wikipedia is a collaborative, online encyclopedia that covers millions of topics. Wikipedia prides itself on seeking to be fair and balanced in its coverage of a topic. To rewrite your Wikipedia entry is equivalent of trying to rewrite history.

So Tom Stern began to reflect on why we are so concerned about what others say about us. And more importantly, what do those close to use think about us. And what would they write about us if invited to do so. I will let Tom explain it from here.

This got me thinking: how might a dispassionate third party (in this case, I suppose, a “Wiki”), describe me this Internet depository of facts? And, as the royal couple discovered, it is bad form to tweak your own Wikipedia entry. Then I came up with an interesting idea, one that might be instructive for all of us as a work/life balance exercise, and one that directly involves a loved one.

Ask your children (or a young person close to you if you have not yet been blessed with progeny) to compose your Wikipedia bio. When I ran this project by my 11-year-old daughter, here is what I got in my in box:

THANKS TO MOMMY FOR SOME BIG WORDS SHE HELPED ME WITH AND SOME SPELLING.

Tom Stern is an American businessman and my daddy. He does a lot of stuff I don’t really understand. He has this cartoon character named CEO DAD that is kind of like him, except not. In one of the cartoons, the dad tells his youngest child that if she does well at school, he will promote her to first born. I do not get why this is funny, but the grown ups laugh about it. Also, in one cartoon the dad makes nametags for his kids so he can remember who the heck they are. My dad actually did that once, but he promised me it was a joke.

TOM’S EARLY LIFE
Dad grew up in New York, and so my grandparents talk like they are from somewhere else. I love my grandparents, but sometimes I hear Dad talking to Mommy about how they brought him up with unreasonable expectations. I don’t know what that means, and it is one of the things I needed Mommy to help me spell.

HIS MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Dad talks on the phone all day, and he gets all crazy sometimes telling people about deals and money, but if I talk to my friends for even, like, a second, he says I shouldn’t talk so long on the phone! Nice one, Dad! So, I don’t really know what my Dad does, but he keeps telling me it paid for my braces. I wish I saw my daddy more because when I see him we laugh and play a lot. But that is his own fault if he wants to be such a grown-up dopey-head and miss out on playing and fun stuff.

HIS LEGACY
One time we were driving in the car, and Dad heard a song come on the radio from when he was little. He said it was by someone named Harry Chapin, and it was called “The Cat’s In The Cradle.” He pulled the car over to listen to it and sing along, and then I had to give him a Kleenex to blow his nose. He said it always happens when he hears that song, it makes him feel congested.

Oh, well. He is my dad, and I love him even if he gets a stuffy nose when he hears dumb songs on the car radio.

THE END.

Kouzes and Posner write in A Leader's Legacy that each of us, whether we intend to or not, will become at some point a character in someone's story. We all talk about people when they're not around, and others will talk about us when we're not around. The obvious question is, What will they say?

A Rich Legacy

As you may have heard, Leona Helmsley passed away last week at 87. You may remember her as the billionaire hotel baron who was nick-named The Queen of Mean during the 80's.

Leona was pompous in life and she has proved to be pompous in death as well. Her 14 page will was filed yesterday in Surrogate Court and it contained some surprises! It's estimated that the Helmsley estate is worth over $4 billion. And where will the money go?

$12 million is to be put in a trust for the care of her beloved 8-year-old white Maltese dog, Trouble. How much can it possibly cost to take care of a dog! Leona instructed that Trouble's remains be buried next to her remains in the Helmsley mausoleum.

And the mausoleum? Leona ordered that the mausoleum must be "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year." She left behind $3 million for the upkeep of her final resting place in Westchester County. The ornate granite mausoleum boasts 1,300 square feet, with a dozen Doric columns and stained glass windows recreating the Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building, once the crown jewel of the Helmsley properties. It's reported that the mausoleum was built for $1.4 million!

The construction of the mausoleum is a story unto itself. Harry Helmsley, Leona's husband came to Sleepy Hollow last year after Leona engaged in an ugly battle with Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, where the real estate magnate was originally buried in 1997. The expansive family mausoleum there was memorably described as a "tomb with a view."

But the vista disappeared when a public mausoleum went up nearby three years ago. An irate Leona called the new construction "a disgrace," and resolved to relocate the remains of her husband. She purchased a piece of land in Sleepy Hollow to construct a new mausoleum and quickly alienated her husband's new, living neighbors. In typical take-no-prisoners style, a wooded section of the cemetery was stripped clean of trees in summer 2005.

The new construction lacked permits, and village officials quickly shut down the project."We tried to be amenable," Mr. Zegarelli said. "There are still procedures to go through, whether you're dead or alive - no offense, but it still has to be done."

The two sides worked out their differences - fines were paid, donations were made by the Helmsley group to repair some of the damage. And then last August, the mausoleum was approved for the reinterment. All this fuss over the remains of the dead.

And the living? The will left millions of dollars to two of her grandchildren. And the remaining two grandchildren received nothing, for "reasons that are known to them," she wrote.

It's been said that your legacy consists of the stories people tell about you once you are gone. Make no mistake about it, Leona Helmsley left a lot of stories and an unforgetable legacy. Unfortunately, the stories people tell will be stories shaped by ambition, ego and power.

It's good to remember that we all leave stories behind. Our legacy is being formed by the choices we make each day. What stories will people recall about my life? It's my desire to leave a legacy that will inspire those around me. I want to leave a legacy that is rich toward God and the people I love. I want to leave a legacy rich in good works.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:17-18

Men's Steak Out

We had a beautiful evening for the Men's Steak Out and Tail Gate Party. The two grills were filled with red meat! And Ken Owens did a great job preparing the side dishes of potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, and grilled onions.

Emergency Landing provided the music. And Matt Thede wrapped up the evening by sharing about the impact Men's Fraternity has had on his life. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the evening.

I got to meet several men who came as guests. And four guys from Starting Point attended. It was a great evening of good food and good conversation.

New Beginnings

We moved Josh and Jon into their dorm rooms at the University of Northern Iowa on Friday. The car was pretty full of the important "stuff" they need for college living. Josh is rooming with David Hoobler and Jon with Ben Wohlers. You can click on the picture above to see a short slide show.

Both Josh and Jon are ready for this important step toward independence. It's hard to believe how quickly the past two years have gone by. It seems like only yesterday that I wrote this blog post called Seasons of Life.

And as I wrote two years ago, rather than grieve the loss of what I cannot hold on to forever, I choose to look forward to the future and to enjoy today. Its time. We're ready for this new season of life to begin.

Happiness Is

So you're between the ages of 13-24. What makes you happy? The Associated Press and MTV hired Knowledge Network Inc. to conduct a survey to find out the answer to that question. More than 100 questions were asked of 1,280 people ages 13-24 on the nature of happiness among America's young people. And the results just might surprise you.

The most common response wasn't listening to music, spending time online, or shopping. Turns out the real answer is quite different. Spending time with family was the top answer. And even better for parents, nearly three-quarters of young people say their relationship with their parents makes them happy.

There were other surprises in the survey.

• Almost no one said "money" when asked what makes them happy.
• Being sexually active leads to less happiness among 13-17 year olds, according to the survey.
• Close to half say religion and spirituality are very important. And more than half say they believe there is a higher power that has an influence over things that make them happy. Beyond religion, simply belonging to an organized religious group makes people happier.
• Finally, when asked to name their heroes, nearly half of respondents mentioned one or both of their parents!

Once again, research confirms the ancient truth of the Scriptures. That true happiness is derived from a relationship with God and family. That the material world can't provide lasting satisfaction. And that parents are the primary shapers of their children's lives.

It may sound old fashioned and out of date, but once again we find that happiness is spending time with family. Dad and mom, have you spent quality time with your children today?

How happy are those who fear the Lord - all who follow his ways! Psalm 128:1

Our Times Are In His Hands

Jason, Josh, Jon and I just got back from a quick two-day trip to Minneapolis. We'd been planning to go to a Twins game this week before the I35W bridge collapsed. We spent Monday afternoon before the game walking along the bank of the Mississippi River.

We walked over the river on the Stone Arch Bridge that was built in 1883 and got a view of what is left of the I35W bridge. You can see part of the bridge jutting up into the air to the left of Josh's shoulder. It was quite an erie feeling looking at the rubble and remains, realizing that just days earlier at that very spot an eight-lane bridge spanned the Mississippi.

We enjoyed exploring downtown Minneapolis and along with coffee at Carabou Coffee. The Twins game was somewhat of a disappointment, getting shut-out by Paul Byrd and the Indians 4-0. We enjoyed talking to our Ramada Inn van driver. He had delivered someone to the northside of Minneapolis last Thursday afternoon. He was on his way back downtown at 5:45 PM on I35W and decided to take another route because the traffic was backed up. His spur-of-the-moment decision may have saved his life!

And of course, no trip would be complete without a game of miniature golf. We found a nice course in Bloomington. You can click on the picture above to see a slide-show of our trip.

I enjoyed getting an update from Sharon on our trip back to Cedar Rapids. She is in good spirits after completing what she says, was "the most difficult thing I have ever done in my entire life." Way to go Sharon! We are proud of you!

A Grand Hike

Sharon along with five other friends is now in Arizona preparing for their round-trip hike of the Grand Canyon tomorrow! They plan to go down on the South Kaibab Trail and return on the Bright Angel Trail. The inner gorge reaches temperatures over 100 degrees making the hike more difficult.

They plan to get started at 5:00 AM in order to beat the heat and to watch the sun rise over the canyon. They hope to make the 16 mile hike in eight hours.

I'm sure that Sharon and her fellow travelers will return with many photos and stories of adventure. But more importantly, their journey to Arizona has forged new friendships and demonstrated the power of a shared dream. Tomorrow is the day - the day of the Grand Hike!

Iowa Games Ultimate Champions

Josh and Jon and some of their friends competed in the Iowa Games Ultimate Frisbee tournament today. The Cobra Kai team got off to a tough start after they thought they beat the UNI team 7-5 because of the time cap. After the two teams shook hands and began to leave, the tournament official arrived and told them that they needed to continue to play out the game. Cobra Kai let the game slip out of their hands and lost a heart-breaker, 8-9! It was a tough way to begin the tournament.

They lost their next two games to two teams that went on to qualify for the medal round. Cobra Kai finished their pool play strong with two wins and qualified for the "We Almost Made It Consolation" bracket! They won the next two games, finishing 4-3 for the day and won the Consolation medal!

It was great day, in spite of the sun burn that I got. Got to remember to bring the sun block next year. You can see a slide show of the day by clicking on the picture above. Congratulation Cobra Kai. You are Iowa Games Ultimate Champions!

Winners

We had the season-ending Linn-Mar Baseball Banquet tonight at the high school. The dish-to-pass didn't disappoint and there was plenty of food to feed the 8th grade through varsity baseball teams!

At the end of the evening they handed out the awards. The season was a little disappointing regarding wins and losses. But we are proud of Jon and how he persevered through the difficulties, never complaining. He finished hitting .333 and led the team in stolen bases.

And this evening, Jon was rewarded for his hard work and positive attitude. He was voted to the Mississippi Valley Conference All-Academic team. And he was voted by his teammates as the Most Valuable Role Player. Coach Lechner said that "Jon is the nicest player he has ever coached."

Way to go Jon! You have been an inspiration to all who watched you play this year. Thanks for giving your best, working hard, and doing it all with a positive attitude. In the score that matters most, you are a winner in every way!

Birthday Boys

Today is Josh and Jon's 19th birthday. It's their last year as teenagers! That doesn't seem possible.

We celebrated by going to Olive Garden for dinner, one of their favorite restaurants. As is our custom, we put the birthday person on the "hot seat" and shared what appreciated about them.

And of course, the evening wouldn't be complete without a birthday dessert! A dessert for the birthday boys! Happy birthday Josh and Jon.

Looking Backward, Moving Forward

The extended Flage family gathered today in Waukon in northeast Iowa to help celebrate Gladys' 90th birthday. Family members traveled from Georgia, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa to be together for this special event. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the day.

God has been good to give Gladys 90 full years. It was an awesome time reconnecting and interacting with family.

The day was especially meaningful for myself and the entire Flage family as the party was held at Zalomona Presbyterian Church in Ludow, Iowa. This is the church that all six children attended growing up on the farm. It's the church that Sharon and I were married in, in 1977. It's the church where Sharon's father's funeral was held, and the place of his burial in the adjoining cemetery. And it's the place of rest for Frederick Flege, Sharon's great grandfather.

Our families are growing, expanding and changing. During this past year there have been two weddings, several graduations and some important birthdays! By God's grace, our lives continue to move forward. Life always moves forward, it never pauses or stops.

It's good to be reminded of our past and of God's faithfulness to us over the years. But the past is valuable only to the extent that helps us move into the future. Our lives are not meant to be a monument or memorial to the past, but a movement that inspires others to step into the future. Life is meant to be lived looking forward, not backward.

There are new opportunities to explore, new challenges to undertake and new promises to claim. There is a new generation watching and waiting for their turn to lead. What encouragement and gift will we give them for their journey?

On the way home in the car this evening I was talking to Josh and Jon about the day and some of my thoughts. Sharon stayed behind in Waukon to spend time with her family. I told the boys that if Sharon lives to be 90 and if I have passed away, to make sure that they throw her a great 90th birthday party. I explained that daughters are often the ones who take the lead in caring for their parents. And with four boys, they would need to step up and take initiative.

What they shared with me next floored me. Jon said, "Don't worry dad. Jason, Josh and I have made a pact to make sure that our families stay close. We will take care of mom." I was speechless as the tears streamed down my face. My boys have become men. They are ready to move into the future with faith and confidence. They are ready to take what they've been given and make their mark on the world.

Welcome to the Family

We had our 7th Annual Picnic and Baptism at Pleasant Creek State Park this past Wednesday evening. The weather was spectacular, it couldn't have been more perfect. We enjoyed an incredible spread of food, a time of worship lead by our Senior High, and then testimonies and baptisms. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the evening.

The picnic and baptism is a great picture of the church in its purest form. Families come together around the person of Christ to enjoy a time of food, fellowship, worship and public declaration of our faith. It's a wonderful image of what it means to be part of the family of God.

33 people made public declarations of their faith in Christ through baptism. It was so awesome to see dads baptising their children. But the most special thing for me Wednesday night was the privilege I had of baptising Josh and Jon. It doesn't get better than this.

I'm so proud of both of you and your desire to follow Christ. There's no greater joy than to know that your children are walking in the truth. Josh and Jon, welcome to the family!