Freely Give

Twenty years ago today I began serving at New Covenant Bible Church as Pastor of Discipling Ministries. That was a long time ago! I had just turned 40. Ryan was entering 4th grade, Jason 2nd grade and Josh and Jon were three years old! I won't tell you how old Sharon was. She was young!

A lot of things have changed over the past 20 years. New Covenant is relocating to a new facility. All four of my boys have graduated from college. Three are married and Jon and Trista have a wedding date set for October 22.

To celebrate my 20 Anniversary, I want to help finance a drilling rig for Zimbabwe. You can read more about it here. $165,000 would purchase the rig and fund the drilling of 20 wells. We are partnering with the Mushayamunda Christian Development Foundation. This is a ministry sponsored by Dennis Matangira and his family. Dennis is from Zimbabwe and attends New Covenant.

MCDF works with 20 schools that represents over 10,000 children! Only five of these schools have a well and clean drinking water! The first priority will be to drill wells for the 15 schools that don't have accessibility to clean water.

In addition, over 100 villages and other schools have contacted MCDF to help them drill wells so that they can have access to fresh water. Each well will be drilled and given in Jesus name. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate the good works and the good news of the gospel.

God has been good to me and my family over the past 20 years. I'm thankful for His faithfulness and provision. During the next 20 years, if I'm fortunate enough to live that long, I want to give back to others who have less. I want to leverage all that God has given to me for the kingdom. I want to invest my finances, influence, skills and time into things that will have eternal value.

This fall, I want to provide clean drinking water for villages and schools in Zimbabwe. On Sunday, October 30 I will be hosting a party and gathering at New Covenant from 3:00-5:00 PM for those who would like to join me in making a financial contribution to this Well Drilling Project. Save the date! More information will be coming.

I hope you will join me in giving thanks to God for His many blessings. And I hope too that you will give generously so that others can have clean water in Jesus name. Freely we have received, let's freely give.

What If

Sharon and I met with Doug Forret, Don Purdy and Dennis Matangira this morning to talk about the dream we have of purchasing a drilling rig for Mushayamunda Christian Development Foundation.

This is rough draft/sneak peak of what we are thinking and praying about. It's pretty crazy but we're asking God for $165,00 to fund this project so we can drill 20 wells a year and provide clean drinking water for villages and schools that go without.

This month I celebrate 20 years of service at New Covenant. I'm making plans to invite my friends to join me in helping make this dream a reality!

What if we could share what we have to give to those who go without? What if we could help empower villages in Zimbabwe to better care for their own? What if we could provide water for drinking, sanitation, gardening and hygiene? What if we could offer hope and help to entire schools and villages? What if we could do all this in the name of Jesus so that His kingdom and purposes are advanced? What if ....

Big Gulp

Watch the video above and then watch the one below that tells how it was made. Quite amazing! It's the world's largest stop-motion animation ever shot. All shot with a Nokia N8 phone.

The Call: Seekers Sought

I'm blogging some of my favorite quotes from The Call by Os Guinness. These come from chapter 2, Seekers Sought.

"Love seeks out the seeker - not because the seeker is worthy of love but simply because love's nature is to love regardless of the worthiness or merit of the one loved.""

"First, the way of agape says, 'By all means desire, but think carefully about what you love and what you desire.' Those who follow eros are not wrong to desire happiness but wrong to think that happiness is to be found where they seek it. Incomplete in ourselves, we desire what we think is beckoning to complete us."

"Second, the way of agape parts company with the way of eros over the means of the search. We cannot find God without God. Our seeking will always fall short unless God's grace initiates the search and unless God's call draws us to him and completes the search."

"If we are to desire the highest good, the highest good must come down and draw us so that it may become a reality we desire. From this perspective, there is no merit in seeking or finding. All is grace. The secret of seeking is not in our human ascent to God, but in God's descent to us."

"We start out searching, but we end up being discovered. We think we are looking for something; we realize we are found by Someone.What brings us home is not our discovery of the way home but the call of the Father who has been waiting there for us all along, whose presence there makes home home."

Rachel's Dream

Everyone has a dream. A hope or desire that provides motivation and energy. A reason to get up in the morning. Something to live for.

Rachel Beckwith dreamed about providing clean drinking water to those who don't have access to this basic necessity. She set a goal of raising $300 through her own charity:water web page, encouraging people to give to this cause instead of gifts for her 9th birthday.

Then on June 9th Rachel and her family were in a tragic auto accident. Rachel died but her dream has lived on. To date, over $750,000 has been given in Rachel's name through her charity:water web page. You can watch the CBS news story and read about it here.

Several months ago I blogged about Scott Harrison, the founder of charity:water and his dream of providing clean, safe drinking water to the one billion people on the planet who lack access.

Rachel learned about charity:water through her church, Eastlake Community Church. She dreamed about leveraging her birthday for the benefit of others. Her modest $300 goal has been multiplied several thousand times over!

Os Guinness in his book, The Call, talks about living life with purpose and intention. 

"Count the cost, consider the risks, and set out each day on a venture to multiply your gifts and opportunities and bring glory to God and add value to our world. Answering the call is the road to purpose and fulfillment in your life."

I'm dreaming about purchasing a drilling rig to help provide clean drinking water in the name of Jesus in the country of Zimbabwe. Lives and entire villages can be changed through the simple gift of a well. The good works and the good news of the gospel demonstrated and declared!

So, what are you dreaming about? Is it big enough? Does it inspire others to action? Does it add value to our world? Will it bring glory to God?

The Call: The Ultimate Why

I'm blogging some of my favorite quotes from The Call by Os Guinness. These come from chapter 1, The Ultimate Why.

"Out of more than a score of great civilizations in human history, modern Western civilization is the very first to have no agreed-on answer to the question of the purpose of life. Thus more ignorance, confusion - and longing - surround this topic now than at almost any time in history. The trouble is that, as modern people, we have too much to live with and too little to live for. Some feel that they have time but not enough money; others feel that they have money but not enough time. But for most of us, in the midst of material plenty, we have spiritual poverty."

"Answering the call of our Creator is 'the ultimate why' for living, the highest source of purpose in human existence."

"Calling begins and ends such ages, and lives, of faith by placing the final aim of life beyond the world where it was meant to be. Answering the call is the way to find and fulfill the central purpose of your life."

The Call

The Call by Os Guinness is an incredible book. I read it about seven years ago and have recommended it to many people. I have said that The Call should be must reading for every young adult.

This summer Jon is living at home while he works on partner development in preparation for going on staff with The Navigators. We have decided to read the book and discuss it together. Sharon even ordered her own copy so as to not miss out on any of the fun!

I plan to blog some of the content from each chapter as we move through the book. The Call has 26 chapters so it will take a while.

Here is a quote from the Introduction:

"From this perspective, the final reality is neither chance nor an impersonal ground of being but an infinite personal God who has created us in his image and calls you into relationship with himself. Our life-purpose therefore comes from two sources at once - who we are created to be and who we are called to be.

Count the cost, consider the risks, and set out each day on a venture to multiply your gifts and opportunities and bring glory to God and add value to our world. Answering the call is the road to purpose and fulfillment in your life."

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.