Dynamic Inventory

Josh and Diana were planning on moving from Cedar Falls to Forest City tomorrow. A week earlier, Josh had gone to his local UHaul dealer and signed a contract for a 14 foot truck to be picked up on Sunday at 9:00 AM. They planed to make the move on July 31 as they have to be out of their apartment by August 1. So far, so good.

This evening at 4:45 PM UHaul called Josh to tell him that they don't have a truck available to rent to him. They called Josh and then end of the day and he had no opportunity to call others companies or make other plans. And to compensate him for the inconvenience they offered him $50.

Why does something like this happen when you have a signed contract? It happens because according to UHaul they have a "dynamic inventory!" Dynamic inventory? In essence, they lead people to believe that they have a truck secured when in fact, UHaul has no idea if they will have one available for you to use.

When you go to reserve a truck, they might as well say to you, "Call back on the day you want to rent and we will see what we have available." Or, "We have no idea what we will have on the lot. Your guess is as good as ours. It changes every day. We specialize in dynamic inventory." But when you have a signed contract you are led to believe you have a truck. But in fact, you don't.

And this isn't an isolated incident. I've learned this is common practice with UHaul. You can read about it here.

Thanks to friends we were able to secure a trailor and 15 passenger van to help make the move. God provides and Josh and Diana will get moved. It made for an interesting evening as we scrambled to make alternate arrangements.

So, next time you need to make a move, find a hauling company you can count on. One that keeps it's word. One that delivers on its promise. And one that doesn't have a dynamic inventory.

A God Thing

I experienced a God-thing today. An angry man stopped in at our Robins Campus to vent. He wanted to talk to a pastor. Steve Jenkins and I patiently listened and tried to make a few comments. It was pretty intense.

We asked if we could pray for him and all of a sudden the entire conversation changed. He apologized for his behavior and thanked us for listening. We accepted his apology and granted him forgiveness.

We prayed for him and he gave us a hug! He showed us some photos of his son and grandson. It was a touching exchange.

I'm thankful for grace that changes a human heart. I'm thankful for friends like Steve who are willing to stand with and for me. I'm thankful for the cross that has power to reconcile enemies. I'm thankful that Steve and I were there this afternoon to help a struggling brother.

I'm still not sure what all happened there in main street this afternoon. But I'm sure I witnessed a God-thing!

Something New

Jean is second from the left, seated in the golf cart

My friend, Jean Bauer said goodbye to the house that she called home for the past 61 years. The large "white house" on Blairsferry Road was a recognizable and familiar landmark. But on Tuesday, July 19, it was leveled to the ground to make way for progress.

A lifetime of memories were wrapped up in that house. Jean, now 90, and her loving husband Leo, raised their family in this house. I get teary-eyed just looking at the photos. Here is what Jean has to say.

"I lived there 61 years. We bought it April 15, 1950 and I sold it April 22, 2011. We had no water (used an out house) windmill  and heated water in a boiler out in the pump house to do the washing. It was a great place to raise three young boys. We had a lot of family gatherings, dinners and picnics for family and friends. It took a lot of work to fix it up and that is where the boys learned to do so many things. They helped Leo rebuild it to a show place. Then it deteriorated because we knew that it would some day be torn down for something new." 

When I talked to Jean on Sunday and asked if it was hard seeing her home being razed, she replied, "Goodness no! It was time, it needed to go." Today Jean is enjoying her new condo!

I love Jean's attitude! Jean never complains and never feels sorry for herself. She is fully engaged in a life that is moving forward, serving others. Jean reflects on the past, anticipates the future while fully embracing the present. When I grow up and turn 90 years old I want to be like Jean!

As I looked at the photos of the old white house being torn down, I immediately thought about Carl Fredricksen from the movie Up! I wrote about Up! on this post called The Great Adventure.

Carl and Ellie wed and grow old together in the old house where they first met. Unable to have children, they also try to save up for the trip to Paradise Falls but other financial obligations arise. Just as they seem to finally be able to take their trip, Ellie dies of old age, leaving Carl living alone in their home as a sour recluse with nothing to live for and missing his wife terribly. As the years pass, the city grows around Carl’s house with construction as Carl refuses to move.

Desperate and alone, the 78 year old Carl Fredricksen concocts an ingenuous way to save his property. He ties thousands of balloons to his home with the hope of traveling to Paradise Falls to fulfill the dream of his late wife.

There is only one problem, Carl can't escape the person he has become. Carl is stuck in the past, unable to embrace the new adventure that is in front of him. It takes a Junior Wildnerness Explorer scout named Russell to help him move beyond his painful past and regrets. Enough said. Go watch the movie!

Carl lived with regret. Jean lives with gratitude. Carl was hostile to change. Jean embraces new challenges. Carl lived in the past. Jean lives for the future. Carl held on to the familiar. Jean longs for something new!

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1

Best Men

I'm the richest man in the world! Four sons and a wife who love me for who I am. I can't even begin to express my satisfaction and gratefulness. By grace, God has made me a participant in His story.

Part of my story is the two guys you see above. 23 years ago our lives changed for ever. We went from a family of four to a family of six overnight. Being the father of four boys has brought the best and worst out of me. And it's made me acutely aware that I'm in need of God's grace.

Josh and Jon have brought, and continue to bring, joy to our lives. Our prayer when they were small is that they would grow up to be friends. One of the first words they learned was "cooperate!" And over the years their commitment to pursuing Christ and His mission has only brought them closer.

Josh and Jon are becoming awesome young men. You make me proud. I'm honored to be called your pops!

And just as 23 years ago when our family changed for ever, our family is changing again. In October of this year, Sharon and I will officially become "empty nesters."All four of our sons will be married and on their own!

And so our life comes full circle. It's Sharon and me, four awesome daughters in law, a heart full of hopes and dreams, and new opportunities to trust God. We are leaving one season of life behind in order to press into this new one.

And our boys? Ryan and Natalie are pursuing what God has for them in Oklahoma. Jason and Erin are trusting God for their future direction in Colorado. I'm proud of each of you and the journey of faith you have chosen to pursue.

And Josh and Jon? This summer Josh asked Jon to be his best man as he and Diana shared their vows in Hornick, Iowa. And this fall, Josh will exchange the favor and will be the best man in Jon and Trista's wedding in Johnston, Iowa. Two brothers standing shoulder to shoulder. Much has transpired the last 23 years. But one thing remains the same - Josh and Jon, you're still best men!

Send Me!

I really enjoy Ed Stetzer, pastor, missiologist, and President of LifeWay Research. I recommend that you follow his blog and twitter feed.

Today Ed further develops his series on Developing Missional Churches for the Great Commission titled, Part Five: God Sends. This is a great read. If you time time read the entire series.

Here are a few quotes:

However, in repeating the truth that "God is a sender," we have failed to say, "Here I am. Send me" (Isaiah 6:8). It is a disconnect between believing that God calls and sends, and being willing to be sent.

Perhaps we have stopped contemplating that it is the personal Creator of the universe who has a glorious pursuit for His creation this is calling and sending us. Perhaps we simply have missed that we were created to advance the name of God throughout the whole earth, and God redeemed us to fulfill that purpose through us. Perhaps we have forgotten that Jesus told His disciples to wait until the Spirit comes before they start the mission, and the Spirit came and the disciples went.

We have the same Spirit in us today, and we have the same mission. Perhaps we have overlooked that when Jesus commissioned His disciples there were some there who were full of faith and some who doubted (Matt. 28:17). Because we believe that God only sends those with risk-taking faith, we conclude that God cannot send us.

Perhaps we have not heard that when He sends us, He sends us with His peace (John 20:21) and the assurance that He has overcome the world (Matthew 28:18, John 16:33).

Let me add a few thoughts. In fact, let me personalize this discussion a bit.

Perhaps I'm too comfortable? Perhaps my time spent with Christ is so infrequent that I no longer even recognize His voice. Perhaps my heart is hardened to the extent that I no longer even care about lost people and what's on the heart of God. Perhaps I'm too preoccupied with my selfish concerns.

Perhaps, I need to come to Jesus with the heart of a child, to look into His eyes, to hear His voice. Perhaps I need to decide if I want to really live as a disciple of Jesus or just go through the motions of playing church.

Ed writes:

Ultimately, churches and individuals make the choice to hear the sending voice of God and obey it. Obedience begins with embracing that God has a glorious purpose for His mission and He initiates the mission by sending His Son and His people. The truth is either we are sent or we have missed our orders.

I don't want to miss anything God has for me or our church. I want to live my remaining years on mission, helping bring the good works of the kingdom and the good news of the gospel to those for whom my Savior died. I want to obediently trust God with the heart of a child, ready to answer the call with the words. "Send me!"

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 22:17

A New Definition of Greatness

I recently came across Martin Luther King's "The Drum Major Instinct" speech. The above video is a short excerpt taken from this speech that he delivered on February 4, 1968 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Here is a link to the entire message.

The "drum major instinct" is the urge we all have to promote ourselves, to seek greatness, to promote our own agenda, or to edge God out. It's the common state of all mankind.

But Jesus says to His followers, "It shall not be so among you!" Jesus has given us a new heart, a new nature, and a new model of leadership. Jesus has given us a new definition of greatness.

You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. You can be that servant!

Mark 10:35-45

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”  

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”  

“We can,” they answered. 

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”  

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.  

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

VolunTour

We had an awesome VolunTour today at our Robins Campus. Hundreds of new volunteers have signed up to help with our new or expanded children's, youth, facility, landscaping, parking, welcome center, weekday reception, cafe, greeter, and kitchen ministries.

On the tour today a met a family for the first time. They have attended four Sundays. They saw our new building and thought they would check us out! I'm thankful to be part of a family of growing disciples who are committed to Christ, community and cause.

I was excited to see Galyn Peterson come for a tour. Galyn is 94 and is looking for new ways to serve! I want to be like Galyn when I turn 90, excited about the future and fully invested in the present.

Our first service at our Robins Campus will be Sunday, August 28. Service times will be 8:00, 9:25 and 11:05 AM.

Achiever

This past week our good friend, Richard Kramer, celebrated his 75th birthday. And so our small group gathered together for a summer cook out and get together. And as our custom, we enjoyed a great evening of food, laughter, friendship, celebration and prayer. You can see a slide show here.

In his earlier life, Richard was a sculptor. His birthday cake had a photo of one of his pieces titled, Achiever. Richard wrote this poem to accompany the metal sculpture.

The crucible of life
Destroys us utterly.
But some are purified
And rise above
This common pool of pain
By vision, faith and discipline
To show the way for others.
Let it be me to show
Yet let me also humbly follow.

Richard is an achiever. He grew up in Cologne, Germany during World War 2. Some of his family members were killed during the relentless bombings. Ricard lived on his own as a teen and then moved to Canada when he was in his early 20s. He was alone in a foreign culture, not knowing the language or any people who could help him.

Richard knows the pain of loosing loved ones through death, even suicide. He also knows of a sovereign God who reveals His ways but sometimes keeps the "whys" of life veiled. Richard knows pain, but he also knows grace.

Richard is a unique, one of a kind servant, beautifully forged from the crucible of life. His faith, his vision and his discipline are an inspiration to all who know him! In Christ, Richard is an achiever.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 
Isaiah 55:10-11

Biggest Fan

Saturday morning Sharon and I made a trip to the landfill to get rid of some "stuff." It's amazing how quickly things begin to accumulate that no longer have a useful purpose. Pleasant memories alone aren't reason enough to continue to hold on to something.

Of all the things we pitched Saturday morning, the item that was the hardest to throw out was our Eureka four-man tent. It was a gift to us from our small group some 30 plus years ago. We have many pleasant memories of camping in the Adirondacks as a family and with our small group. The tent had surpassed it's useful life expectancy, but I was still holding on to it because of it's sentimental value.

But on this Saturday morning, into the landfill it went! We have decided to hold onto the memories but pitch the stuff of life that is no longer useful.

I share this as background to help you understand what came next. From the landfill we traveled south to the College Community campus to watch Prairie take on Wash in a high school baseball game. Matt Thede is the head coach of the Prairie Hawks.

As we sat in the shade on Saturday afternoon watching the game, memories of similar summer days came flooding back. All four of our sons played baseball and we spent many hours on ball fields around the state. Many Mother's Days were celebrated in the stands watching our boys play a game they loved.

But today we traveled to the south side of Cedar Rapids for another reason. We were there to support Matt, not one of our sons. We understand the important role that a coach can play in the life of a young man. We pray for Matt, asking God to use him to shape young boys into men. Today we came to Prairie to support Matt and to cheer on his team.

And as we sat watching the game played by teenage boys that we don't personally know, Sharon sent off the following email to all four of our sons:

It's a perfect summer day for watching a baseball game and dad and I are at the Prairie/Wash game (in support of Matt Thede, Prairie's head coach). I can't help but reflect how much fun (well, not ALWAYS fun) and the sweet memories of coming to/watching all you boys throughout your years in baseball! In the midst of the craziness of the seasons I always wanted to be one of you biggest fans.Those days are long gone (not the memories), however I still seek to be one of your greatest fans in life, encouraging you to live for the Glory of God, trusting Him as you live out His purposes in your life!! I love you - Ryan, Jason, Josh & Jon.

"Play ball!"

Our children have grown from boys into men. Three of our sons are now married and the other is engaged. We are learning to treasure the past, live fully in the present, and to move forward with expectation into the future.

We are still our boys biggest fans! We still cheer for them and root for their success. And we're still trusting God with them and praying for their future.

The past, like our boys baseball playing days, are long gone. The future, full of hope and expectation, is yet to come. But today, someone is waiting for you to just show up, to cheer them on, to be their biggest fan!

VolunTour

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.

Deep Calls To Deep

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.

Shaped By A Mentor

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!

An Iconic Figure

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.

You Can Make Anything New

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

Tune Up

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!

Global Leadership Summit

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.

Prime The Pump

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!

Stay tuned. More to come this summer!

In Need Of A Friend

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.

Raising Young Men

"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 late Senator, Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Calling All Men

My Dad

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