Happy New Year!

It's time to hang up that new calendar! My wife works hard on the kitchen calendar every year. She writes in every birthday (and age of the person), anniversary (and years of marriage), and any other special day that needs to be remembered. She's always reminding me that it's someone's anniversary or birthday. It's a good thing!

Many people are given to resolutions as the new year dawns. I would guess that a high percentage of those go unkept. Perhaps we are unrealistic in our self-appraisals. Maybe we have great intentions but no inner drive to accomplish that to which we commit.

I'm not going to make any resolutions this year. Oh, I have goals. There are some things I want to accomplish. There are changes I need to and want to make. I'm just going to dig down deep and go after those things, with the help of an accountability partner or two. Most importantly I am going to trust the Lord to help me, for apart from Him, I can do nothing (John 15:5).

Happy New Year!

Christmas Thoughts

As I reflect on Christmas, I must share the following thoughts of gratitude:

I am thankful for my wife, Stevie, who works so hard at the hospital as well as at home.

I'm proud of Sarah, who along with her husband Adam and their son Micah, is making a great start in family life as well as her teaching career.

I'm proud of Jonathan, who has not only developed into a hard worker, but into an even better young man who has many interests.

And I'm proud of Bekah, who brings joy and laughter into any situation, and who strives to be the best she can be in life.

I'm blessed this Christmas!

Being Challenged

I'm privileged to be in a cluster group of pastors in my district. We have been reading and studying some great research information in the areas of church leadership and congregational development. Our group happens to be facilitated by our district superintendent, who does a great job managing all of our personalities!

I share this with you because I find the experience to be uplifting and challenging. I love the synergy that comes from being in a room of like-minded leaders. The ideas flow and the atmosphere is very positive. But I also find myself being stretched and challenged. Most recently, our discussion led me to make several personal commitments in a key area of my ministry. I had become a bit lazy about a couple of things. The iron sharpened the iron. I'm regaining some focus. I am thankful for the challenge.

Who is challenging you? What iron-sharpening things are you purposefully involved in? Who is holding you accountable? Think it through. If you have that in your life, please share how it is working. If not, will you consider finding that group of like-minded people and stretch in your faith walk? Be encouraged. It really does help.

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Flu Shots and the Flu

I know. You can't get the flu from a flu shot. If you get the flu, it's from a different strain than what you were inoculated for, or you get a milder version of what you would have if you hadn't gotten the shot. I received a flu shot from my doctor a week and a half ago. I had a pretty good case of the flu this weekend, even missing church. Ok, I probably didn't get the flu from the shot - the flu bug was going through our day care all week. Kids and staff alike were sick. I guess I was not exempt. I am grateful to my wife for her excellent care and my daughter Bekah who called out "quarantine" if I even tried to walk out of the bedroom!

Over the years I've known Christians who believe that once they receive Jesus (their spiritual flu shot) they are supposed to be immune from the problems of life. Of course, seasoned spiritual veterans know this isn't the case. Life happens. Problems come. Jesus even said we would have trouble in this life (John 16:33). But in that same verse He told us to take heart because He has overcome the world! That means we have One who speaks to the Father on our behalf (1 John 2:1) and we have the presence of the Holy Spirit to empower and guide us through life (Read the Olivet Discourse found in John 14-16). How we respond to the troubles of life is indicative of our trust factor.

I'm no longer under quarantine. I'm once again "exposed" to the bugs of life. It sure beats hiding under the covers! And who knows - I might even get a flu shot again next year!

Exciting Days at EWC

These are exciting days at Edgerton Wesleyan Church. Our worship attendance has grown to the point where we are pushing up against the 80% capacity barrier of our sanctuary. Sunday School is near capacity. There are some Sundays when people have to park in the yard because the parking lot is full. Exciting!

Today I shared with the church the option of going to two worship services. We are currently exploring two different Sunday morning formats as well as a Saturday night service. The congregation received the information very well today. The church board and I have been working on this for a few months, and a focus group we brought in has endorsed the overall concept. Now we have to get a feel for which format would best serve this congregation / community.

Good days!

Strays

My oldest daughter recently took in a "temporary" dog with the intention of trying to find a home for it. Unfortunately for her, the dog is making himself at home and endearing himself to my grandson, my son-in-law, and the family dog. I think I know how this is going to end...

Some of the "strays" that enter our lives (good or bad):
- thoughts that lead us away from God's will in our lives
- people in need who are really divine appointments
- challenges to our thinking about orthodox faith
- challenging people who say they want our help but really don't
- opportunities to grow

Some strays are good. Some, not so much. What are some strays that come to your mind?