I'm Excited About...

Easter @ Harvest Community Church

well... not exactly. I'm excited that Easter won't be @ Harvest Community Church in the generic sense of the word.

Yes. That's right.

Not.

@.

Harvest.

This year we are trying something completely outside the box. And if you've been to Harvest - ever - you know what I mean.

This year we will be celebrating together. In one service. How can this be? You ask.

We'll be celebrating the resurrection at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) @ South Milwaukee High School.

This will be an awesome time of celebration and a chance for us to see who Harvest really is. Make your plans. Invite your friends.

Easter.

Outside the Box.

I am a Kansan

I live in Wisconsin. But I am, and will always be, a Kansan

People often ask me why I like Kansas so much.

There are so many reasons. And I suppose that most people like the place where they grew up - assuming that they enjoyed the process. I loved growing up in Kansas. I love the values of the people, the history of the place, the fruitfulness of the land, the beauty of the sunsets.

I love the openness of the skies, and the power of the storms that move across the plains.

I love that you can see for hundreds of miles in any direction. Especially in the Flint Hills.

I love that my parents and my sisters are there. As well as some cousins and my Grandmother.

I love that it still feels a little bit undiscovered.

I miss the wheat fields and the beautiful sunsets. So, to my friends and family in Gods Country - enjoy it for me.

New Reading List

Yeah, I know. It's been a long time since my last post.

So sue me... I've been busy.

And by the looks of my desktop reading list, it's not likely to ease up any time soon. I will be diving back into "Worship Matters" and then digging into "Leading from the Second Chair."

I'll let you know how it goes.

Bring it!

Dons preaching on Luke 13:22-30 this weekend.

There's only one way, folks.

Cuteness defined

Dang! She's a pain sometimes. But could she be any cuter?

-4

That's the thermometer on our van as I pulled into the garage.

-4

What else is there to say?

Singing and Everyman

I promised myself that I wouldn't be watching American Idol this season. My horse won last time. And I was pretty well sick of the whole thing.

Then last night happened. Regina and I sit down after getting Amelia to bed. We're talking and flipping channels. There is NOTHING on. Then I see American Idol...

I click and there's Seacrest in his perfectly coiffed wonder. We proceed at our own risk. And it turns out to be an amusing show. But then I ask the question.

"Why does everybody think they can sing?"  

I am amazed each season at the number of people who try out, who clearly thing they can sing better than anyone else, but couldn't carry a tune in a Samsonite suitcase. I am amazed that they cannot hear what they sound like to the rest of the world. And I am amazed that they are amazed when Simon shoots down their hopes and dreams of making the big time.

So, I posted to Twitter, which updated my Facebook: well no Heroes tonight. Strangely we're watching American Idol. Why does everyone think they can sing? about 17 hours ago from vlingo

I need to explain. In my heart I truly believe that every person has the capacity to sing. For some it comes much more easily. For others it takes lots and lots of practice. I also believe that everyone has the right to express themselves in song. Further, I believe that when it comes to personal expression, we are all called to lift our voices in praise to God. To sing.

So please, when you come to church, sing. Sing loudly. Sing boldly. Sing to God from your heart.

But, when it comes to standing on a stage. By yourself. Karaoke. Music Theatre. Whatever. Give it a little critical thought.

And please, please, please, if there is even the slightest chance that you might be on TV - singing, do me this one favor. Find someone and sing for them. Not just anyone. Someone who will give you an honest opinion. A renowned vocal coach at a school would be good. Or the guy in the office down the hall who isn't afraid to hurt anybody's feelings. Or even a perfect stranger.

And above all things, if you are singing somewhere and you are told you are bad by four professionals...

listen.

Strong words

What impact do words really have?
Can they truly change your mind? Your life?

Words?

Think about it. How many times has your mind been changed strictly by
words? Just words?

Strong words, inspired, and well presented can, I believe, change a
persons life. But they must be presented well. It is in the
presentation that pasion becomes an amplifier of truth.

Strong words.
Passion.
Truth.

Change.

Consistency is king

YouVersion iPhone Bible App from YouVersion on Vimeo.

I really dig my new iPhone. For lots of reasons. And if you have one, you already know.

One major plus for me is the Bible app that I use. It's from the wonderful folks at Lifechurch. They've got a free online bible tool called Youversion. It rocks! And they have a Bible app for iPhone that covers a lot of the same functionality as the full site.

I think my favorite part of the app is the built-in Bible-in-a-year readings. I started fresh on Jan 1. Nothing unusual about it.

But, I've got it with me everywhere. So, I've got no excuse not to keep up with my readings.

And so far, I'm 8 for 8.

KC airport

Of course I got coffee at the airport.

My girls are looking out the windows at the airplanes while I sip
caramelly goodness...

Good day

Packing

Yeah. That's how we do it in Kansas.

A Fish Out of Water

My mom is reading one of my childhood favs to my daughter. That's just
plain cool.

One more Missouri pic

Pics from Missouri

Here's a couple pics from the deck here in Missouri. Except for the
hollering of a 2 year old, it is very peaceful.

New year

I started reading the Bible in a year today. Lifechurch's Bible app is
awesome and has the year readings built in with whatever version you
like. I like the NLT myself.
If you have an iPhone, you should get this app. It's the first one
that comes up of you search "bible" in the app store.

I'm also trying to get the pounds off. 3 lbs so far. About 20 to go.

I gotta get my sorry butt back in the gym when we get home.

What are your goals for 2009?

Sent from my iPhone

Airport