Launching New Journey!

Please celebrate with me the launch of a new church in Indiana North District! New Journey Community Church of Wabash, IN, had its first public service on February 7, 2010. Pastor Tom and Sarah Cochran are the dedicated church planters. They are assisted by Matt Cox. There were 123 people at their first service! Two people came to know Christ for the first time, and another person rededicated his life to Christ! Pastor Tom, Sarah, and Matt, thanks for your faithfulness and hard work. This is why we do what we do!

Introducing Micah

This is Micah James Burmeister - the most handsome grandson on the planet! We are so proud of Adam and Sarah. Congratulations to the Burmeisters!

Papa Dave

Exciting news! Our daughter Sarah and her husband Adam are the proud parents of Micah James Burmeister, born January 31, 2010. Micah weighs in at 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and he is 21 1/4 inches long. We are absolutely thrilled for the Burmeister's of Jamul, California! Of course, we are thrilled to be first-time grandparents! It looks like I'm going to be Papa Dave, but Stevie isn't too excited about the term "grandma." She's adopted the Spanish term for grandmother - abuela (I think I've spelled it right), but she prefers abuelita (which means young grandmother). And Rebekah and Jonathan are now aunt & uncle respectively!

Giving Thanks

I am grateful to report that my knee surgery on Monday (1/25) was a success! The torn cartilage was removed and they scraped out some arthritis that managed to accumulate under the knee cap (of course, it didn't show in the MRI). I have had a great recovery and am walking, occasionally using a cane. I abandoned the crutches by Wednesday morning. Painkillers went by the wayside Tuesday morning. Of course, Stevie was the nurse-in-charge, worked hard, and now is off the clock! I just have to get in shape for the Easter weekend basketball marathon!

Great News!

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in September. I've been working on my diet, taking Metformin once a day, and testing my blood twice a day. My original A1C test score was 10.3 (it's supposed to be between 4 and 7). The GREAT news I received yesterday is that my new score is 5.5! That means my daily average blood sugar level has dropped from 200-220 to 100-110. The doctor says I'm "normal" - I know, don't say a word! I've also lost 26 pounds since September! I am to continue on my diet and lose another 15-20 pounds. That will happen once I can exercise again - after my knee surgery this coming Monday. You might wonder how I celebrated. I ate another salad...

What's Right With the Church?

Ok, I'm going to go on a bit of a rant right now. As a pastor and church leader, I've often been confronted by individuals who desire to tell me everything that is wrong with the church. They don't always limit their comments to a particular local church. They attack all churches, alleging that all churches have the same shortcomings and therefore are to be shunned. As a former church planter and current church planting director, I am a bit alarmed by some of the tactics used by planters to attract the unchurched to their new work - a "we aren't like everyone else" approach that again insinuates that every other church is faulty. And the books - good Christian books - often attack the church's shortcomings, leaving many with a sense that church is of little or no value.

My problem is this: the Church is Jesus' creation (see Matthew 16:13-20). Unfortunately, the Scriptures really don't tell us how to "run" the church, so we organize and facilitate ministry based upon our desire (or lack thereof) to connect with our culture. Our finite efforts often fail to mirror the ultimate image of what the Church of our infinite God and Savior intended, but even so, Jesus said "the gates of hell will not prevail against it (the Church).

So what's right with the Church? I can think of a ton of things, but I'd like for you to tell me what you think. Let me get you started. I think one thing the church gets right is drawing people together in unity of purpose and spirit. Another positive is how many churches are really great at "being" Christ in the community by meeting needs in tangible ways. Of course, the Church is awesome when it points people to Jesus. How's that for starters? What can you add?

The Battle of Self-Discipline

Self-discipline. It's not something I like, nor am I always good at it. I'm probably like many of you. If there is something I like or enjoy, I am quick to get after it. But if it interferes with my agenda, well...

My latest battle with self-discipline is health-related. I was diagnosed in September with type 2 diabetes - my A1C test was off-the charts! I'm taking a little magic pill every morning, and then I eat three meals a day and test my blood sugar twice a day. I have to record every item I eat and report to the doctor regularly. My doctor wants me to get my A1C numbers in the "normal" range by mid-January.

The problem is - I LOVE FOOD! And, of course, I love the wrong foods! I've had to significantly change my eating habits. I have to discipline myself to reject the temptation to eat those things I know are bad for me. I have to do it now because I haven't done it all my life. And if I don't want to have serious health problems down the road, I have to make these changes. That means no cheating!

Self-discipline is something many of us struggle with, in all areas of life. Are you struggling with anything in this area? Are there changes you have to make now in order to be where you are supposed to be in your life? We need to pray for each other in this area. In doing so, we will be carrying each other's burdens, and in doing so, we will fulfill the law of Christ.