Ski Trip Memories

Last week we went on my final ski trip as Youth Pastor here at Countryside. That's six I led along with a 7th I went on as a youth leader. For fun, I thought I would list my 5 favorite things about our ski trips. Some are specific while others are just broad. Hope you enjoy!

5. Dinner-I don't know how other groups do dinner on these sorts of trips, but it was essential to me that we do dinner all together as a big group. I don't like the idea of clicks within a youth group and felt that we needed to be together to avoid falling into those small clicks that are so easy to do. With a group of 25 that sometimes meant we were nearly sitting on top of each other in one condo. That was okay because it meant we developed unity and camaraderie. I think it was always enjoyable as a group cooked and served their friends and contemporaries. The next night another group did the same so that every student had the opportunity to serve everyone else. It was a time when I think we truly experienced fellowship.

4. Skiing with my wife-Its been three years since she was able to ski with me (pregnancy and kids did that to her), but it was one of my favorite things to do with her. She was an excellent skier and better yet she liked to go on blues and to go fast!

3. The Stories- Every year students return home with a host of stories to share with their parents, friends, and teachers. They talk about jumps they went on and landed, how out of control they were, or how they wiped out before hitting a tree. I could share stories about a student tackling a person because the student couldn't stop and the person skied out in front of them, stories about being "cheese-slapped", or a beginner thinking he could land a jump who ended up losing skis and poles. I always enjoy reflecting on those stories with students years later, thankful that the Lord allowed me to experience that trip with them.

2. Skiing with Hudson- I don't know when I'll go on a ski trip again, but next time I'm taking my family and we all four will ski together. Last year Hudson came out and I taught him to ski the final day. Skiing with students is fun, but skiing with your son is by far the best!

1. Fresh Perspective- It wouldn't matter how often I went on a ski trip, I think I would always come away with a fresh perspective about who I am, and about who God is. I can't help but feel small as I stand before these large mounts that God merely spoke into existence. I'm humbled and feel pretty insignificant. I also come away in awe that God spoke and these large mountains were formed. Back home I have a tendency to think I'm pretty special, to think I'm something or that I'm really important. When I spend time in the mountains I am reminded just how small I am before the Lord. I find comfort knowing that my problems are really pretty small in comparison with the God I worship. From that stand point, I love these trips because I need this reminder, especially during this time in our lives.

Oh and by the way I skied with Matt Anson, so cross that off the New Year's Resolution List!

Living is Teaching

Perhaps one of the funniest things Hudson does is scrunch his nose up when he prays. It's as if he thinks if he opens his eyes his fate will be like those Nazis on Raiders of the Lost Ark!

Jen recently started something where each week at dinner we take time to talk about a missionary we are supporting and take time to pray for them. It's crucial to begin to pray together as a family while he is young. As parents that is our responsibility to begin to instruct him in the home, long before he enters a youth group or even children's ministry (Deut. 6:5-7).

As I reflect upon my own upbringing, I can't help but be grateful for the way my Mom taught me to pray. I can remember taking time before bed to spend praising the Lord with both of my brothers and my mom. How she was able to do that on a nightly basis with my poor attitude towards the activity I'll never know, but I'll also never be able to express my gratitude for her perseverance. My mom taught me a method to pray. It begins with praise, looking at God's nature and character, then thanksgiving based on what God has done, followed by confession of my own sin, and finally intercession for others and myself. It's not just that Mom taught me a method, but she also taught me that any occasion was a reason to pray. We prayed for close parking spots at the grocery store, we prayed for health on the football field and B's in Spanish 2, and we prayed for the firemen on the fire truck and those they were going to help (this weekend she prayed with Hudson that the Cars DVD would work!). At the time I may have thought this was odd or not important enough to mention to the Lord. What I've come to realize is that she was living out Philippians 4:6-7, but she was also acting upon God's character that as our Good Father no problem or care is too small for Him, or too little for Him to answer.

Not to long ago an ambulance whizzed by my car as Hudson and I were going somewhere. I found myself explaining where they were going and telling Hudson that we needed to take a moment to pray for the ambulance workers and the people they were going to help. Thank you Mom for the method of prayer, but more than that thanks for the example.

Hymn of the Month of March-How Great Thou Art

It was Jen's pick this month and she decided to go with another all time classic, "How Great Thou Art."

For those of you wondering if Hudson is picking them up, he absolutely loves to sing! We sing on the way home from church, around the house, and before he goes to bed. It took some time for him to get into "It is Well," but literally on one car ride I taught him the words and he grew to really enjoy it. We even heard him singing it while he was laying in bed falling asleep that same evening. Like praying, listening to your child sing these historic and Christ-centered songs can make a parent's heart melt. I pray regularly that the boys would grow to love worship, I'm so thankful for those who work with him at church like Heather Gosz, Abby Cantrell, Lisa Cummings (whom he loves to sing with), and countless others. They are planting seeds in his heart for the Lord and I am indebted to them for their investment.

Brotherly Love

The big change around our house of late is the sleeping arrangements. About 2 weeks ago Jen called upset with Athan's nap and said she was ready to move him into Hudson's room. This has been the plan for awhile and she was ready for the move, believing that since neither was sleeping well there was no harm in moving them now. We expected some rough nights to say the least. Hudson can easily lay in his bed till 10:00 p.m. singing and talking, while Athan is still waking up atleast 2 times in the middle of the night. The expectation was that both of them would wake each other up and we would never sleep. To our surprise they have done absolutely terrific with each other!

Last night, as I was going to bed I snuck in there and took these pictures of the boys.
Through this transition I've had plenty of time to reflect on my own childhood and the great fun I had sharing a room with my brother David. We shared more than a room, we shared a childhood. My memories with him center around GI Joe's, Nintendo, sports, and a whole host of other boyhood experiences. We became close friends and that friendship continues even to this day. Most nights as I pray for the boys I ask the Lord that He would grant them conviction to believe in His Son, but I pray for a host of other things for example that they would be lifelong friends united not by blood alone but also in Spirit.

I've often thought there could be no better life than the one Peter and Andrew, or James and John got to lead. They were each called to follow the Son of God on a life changing mission and they got to do so with their brother! What's amazing is that in John 1 when Andrew finds Jesus the first person he goes to find is his brother. That has to say something about the value he puts in that relationship! That's my prayer as well, that when Hudson learns something exciting about the Word, he would go to Athan to share that truth and visa-versa. Nothing could make their father more pleased!

Unity's Message

A little over a month ago the President presented his State of the Union address. This annual speech was presented to a unique crowd. Unlike most addresses where the members of Congress find their seat next to their buddies of their own political party, the members were intermingled as a display of unity and solidarity over the tragic events in Arizona. It was fun to listen to the experts after the speech who seemed at a loss for words over the display. This speech will standout in history not so much for what was said, or how well they come together to enact what the president presented, but because of the unity that was displayed between the two parties.

Unity stands out in our world. Its different, its unnatural for us as fallen human beings. Why? Because it requires humility. In Mark 10:45 we find Jesus acknowledging that His purpose in coming to Earth was to serve and die. But examine the context and you see His reasoning for making this claim is that among his disciples a disagreement had broken out with James and John making a request for prime seats in the kingdom. His statement not only rebukes them, but it provides the key to restoring unity among the group as a whole. Ironically, the disciples argued about this again at the Last Supper (Luke 22:24), likely before Jesus washed their feet to show them once again the example of humility they were to follow (John 13:1-15).

The state of the union this year was different because they were united. People will likely remember it and talk about it for years because Congress didn't sit by their friends, but were mixed up. We as the church should display unity as people who are one in Christ (Ephesians 4:3-6) so that when people walk in our doors they see people enjoying community and relationships with others despite our differences. The message of unity is that something unique and different is taking place, and certainly the church has a Savior and God that is different and unique, who unites rather than divides, and restores even those who have broken. This is a message that we live out when we humbly serve those within our church as Christ commands.

Rather than looking at this from a large scale view of the church, I prefer to take individual churches and ask are we united? In my case, do I display the humility with my brothers and sisters in Christ at Countryside that is necessary for us to be succeeding in proclaiming the message of unity in Christ?

Origin of Green Bay Packer Fandom and Super Bowl Pick

I'm often asked about my love for the Green Bay Packers and I'll admit it is strange that someone whose only once been north of Missouri has such an obsession with a team from Wisconsin. I've done some reflecting and here's the story;

As a kid on the playground I was always a receiver when we played football. I enjoyed catching the ball, particularly after I ran passed someone and was able to score a touchdown. Sterling Sharpe (pictured on the right) was the receiver I loved. He was big, fast, and had terrific hands. It just so happened that he played for the Green Bay Packers. As I watched them I found myself not just cheering for Sharpe, but cheering for the team. Guys like Reggie White, who was an ordained minister and a hall of famer with Green Bay, Robert Brooks, who I met in person at an SEC legends dinner for my Dad, and of course Brett Favre won me over to the "Cheeseheads" permanently. In 6th Grade I got the Green Bay starter jacket which sealed the deal, I was a Packers' fan for life. In my seventeen years of rooting for the Packers I have bought more Packers gear than I'd care to admit, seen them play twice in person, and will now see them play in the Super Bowl for the third time (which seems like a lot when you consider that teams with great history like the Vikings haven't played in one since the seventies or the Lions ever).

The Packers give me no reason not to like them. They have no pre-madonna owner, but instead are publicly owned. They don't spend frivolously, but are good with money almost to the point of being frugal. They are located in a town around the size of Tulsa, rather than a Metropolis like New York or L.A. For all intents and purposes they would make more since in the Arena League than in the NFL. Even the way they handled the Favre situation left me, a boy who idolized Favre, siding with the team rather than the hero.

So much in our lives change. Our taste in music, vehicle we drive, even fashion sense change over the course of time. Its fun to have things that continue from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. That's the thing that makes me even more passionate about my love for the Packers now as an adult, because it reminds me of my childhood. It reminds me of those Junior High mornings waiting outside the school with my jacket and stocking cap, it reminds me of that high school night when they won the Super Bowl. Its also something I have loved sharing with others. That starter jacket wasn't tossed in the dump, but was given to my favorite AWANA kid who was also a Packers fan. He and I bonded over memorizing Scripture and cheering for the Packers. When given two tickets to a Cowboys-Packers game a few years ago I chose to take one of our students, a die hard Packers fan too. Now as a father its fun to watch the Packers with Hudson. I think I could even get Jen to wear Packers gear if I caught her on a good day!

Now for my Super Bowl Pick;

Keep in mind this is obviously biased. I think we are going to see a great game, not just because the teams are evenly matched, played a close game last year, and have solid defenses, but because both have a tendency to play to their competition. Both should have won their Championship games going away but instead made them much closer than they should have been.

As a Packers fan, I have felt that all playoffs long the defense has not gotten the publicity they deserve. Everyone wants to talk about Rogers, but the D has carried the team all year. I can't help but feel positive that their beat up o-line will struggle to run the ball or protect the passer and as a result Big Ben will seek to make too many plays against an experienced and aggressive Packers secondary. That should create turnovers.

On the other side of the ball the Steelers defense is scary good. They rush the passer, stop the run, and create turnovers like crazy. Two things make me feel better about this matchup; first, its in a dome on turf and the Packers offense is very quick. Green Bay will play with 3-4 receivers and pick on that 3rd and 4th corner. Second, the Patriots spread the Steelers out earlier in the year and torched them. Now Rodgers is no Brady, but neither are the Patriots receivers in the same category as the Packers receivers. If the offense can score some points early I'll feel very good.

I'm nervous because of the Steelers experience in big games and ability to create turnovers. But, if the Packers don't turn the ball over and can pressure Big Ben I think they win.

Final Score: 24-13 Go Pack Go

Hymn of the Month of February-It is Well with My Soul

1. Going back to my 26 goals for 2011, Jen and I said we would teach the boys 1 hymn every month with us alternating who got to pick the hymn. I got to choose the hymn for February and I chose...
2. 
   
3. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
4. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
5. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
6. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
7. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
8. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

Considering this will be for a 3 year old, we will probably only teach him the first and last verse. The hymn was written by Horatio Spafford, a close friend of D.L. Moody. The story of the hymn is inspiring and moving. In periods of great loss its incredible to see people whose faith stands firm and whose response echoes that of Job who said, "The Lord giveth and the the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

I'll give my Super Bowl synopsis later in the week!