Well, it has been an interesting few weeks in my life. First I was on vacation, where I traveled to see my parents. Then I was in the office and trying to grind things out. Finally I enjoyed some extra time with the family over the holiday weekend. As a result of all of these things my mind is filled with lots of thoughts to share.

1. Thanks to Adrian Christian Church for the gift for my 1 year anniversary at your Church. Thanks for the flowers for my wife. Your kindness is appreciated!!

2. Yesterday my parents celebrated 56 years of marriage. Congratulations to them

3. Many of you have asked about my dad. He is doing well and improving daily. He still has a long way to go in his recovery but is doing well. Thanks for your prayers!

4. I enjoy the fourth of July celebrations and fireworks, but think that when you have seen one firework you have seen them all.

5. I have strong feelings about patriotic Church programs – THIS ARTICLE – captures some of my feelings.

6. A HUGE Thank You to everyone who helped set up for VBS yesterday. Thank you for giving up 3 hours or more to help!! It is greatly appreciated. I especially thank the Whitaker family for their planning, design work, and creativity.

7. Say a prayer for our VBS this week. Pray for the leaders and teachers and every person that interacts with a child.

8. Thanks to everyone who has shared produce from your garden. It is a great blessing, especially since my first year with a garden has gone very wrong:-)

9. I am still working on the ministry sign up sheets. If you have not been contacted yet, do not be discouraged. My vacation and VBS have slowed progress with some ministries and volunteers, but I am still making progress and will cover it all by August. Please be patient with me.

10. More rain in the weather forecast for here in Adrian. Is anyone else getting tired of this?

11. A new concrete slab has been poured at the Church building. We have made a plan to purchase a very nice basketball goal which we hope to have up very soon. The leadership hopes this will be a place where our young people can play anytime and invite their friends. It will also be a space for any Church activity that needs a flat place with solid dry ground. I am excited to see it used and my boys are excited for it to be ready.

12. I really enjoyed these two pictures. People happened to be in the right place at the right time and caught something special.

Thanks for a great first year and I look forward to many more in the future. May God bless you all today.

I really enjoyed this post by Kaley Thompson over at People of the Second Chance

This is the week for sparklers and the star spangled banner. We’re coming together to grill out, hang out and celebrate the independence of our nation. As you pull out your lawn chairs and blankets to prepare for the July 4th evening, here are few life lessons you can learn from a firework.

Be ignited.
For a firework to be lit, someone has to use a lighter to catch the wick on fire. In the same way, for us to reach our fullest potential, we need to be lit. Let someone else’s passion, faith in us, and belief that we have something exciting to offer the world ignite us to live life fully.

Brighter is better.
Sparklers are a child favorite. They glitter for a while and can be used to twirl into designs in the night air. Like a sparkler, let your light shine. Your unique talents, interests, and gifts are meant to be enjoyed. When life gets dark, it’s these things about you that causes others to find joy and happiness. We want to see you.

Burst at the right time.
Have you ever been watching a firework show and you notice that one that comes up a little short? It flies through the air and is missed because it doesn’t burst high in the sky or fizzles out before it pops. Rushing through life can also cause us to try to force our fire. You are not a failure if you don’t make a booming impact right away. This ride of your life has a great purpose in getting you where you need to be.

Be bold.
What makes a firework show excellent is the variety of shapes and colors that streak across the sky. We all have something that shines about us. Embrace those distinct qualities because who you are is a vital part of something much bigger. Your strength is what complements the weakness of someone beside you. Your design is intentional and you are placed where you are for a reason. So be bold and burn bright. Your story plays a great part in a grand design.

Macy’s had a slogan for a 4th of July celebration that said “It begins with a spark.” The disciple Matthew wrote, “let your light so shine before men… (Matthew 5:16).” Let this holiday mark the point where you began to find your fire, ignite your passions and share what makes you shine.

Family –

10 Texts to Send Your Husband in the Next 10 Days

Christian Life –

4 Questions Everyone Should Ask Themselves

Did You Win?

5 Reasons Pastors Fail Morally (And What To Watch For in Your Own Life)

Church –

First Impressions Matter: 5 Areas to Spruce-up At Your Church

9 Things That Will Still Be True for Your Church in 10 Years

Same Sex Marriage –

Don’t Expect a Flood of Gay Marriages

Some Advice on Same-Sex Marriage for US Church Leaders From a Canadian

40 Questions for Christians Now Waving Rainbow Flags

These are great insights from Thom Rainer –

The ten things you SHOULD NOT say to guests are:

“You are sitting in my pew/seat.”
“Is your husband/wife with you?”
“Are those your children?”
“The service has already begun.”
“There is not enough room for your family to sit together.”
“You will need to step over these people to get to your seat.”
“That’s not the way we do it here.”
“You don’t look like you are a member here.”
“Have you considered attending the church down the street?”
“The nursery is real full.”

(My addition – “I never thought I would see you here”)

The seven things you SHOULD say to guests are:

“Thank you for being here.”
“Let me help you with that.”
“Please take my seat.”
“Here is my email address. Please let me know if I can help in any way.”
“Can I show you where you need to go?”
“Let me introduce you to ___________.”
“Would you join us for lunch?”

Like many of you I have been following the Supreme Courts decision and I have been reading numerous articles in its wake. While I am not an expert in all facets of this issue, I do have a few thoughts that I want to share. My main influence is the Bible on this topic (READ THIS To Help) Much of my thinking is about how the recent decision will affect the Church and Christians here in Adrian Missouri and maybe rural Churches everywhere.

1. Homosexuality is not a huge issue. I have been reading numerous polls and surveys. One of them suggested that most Americans believe 25% of the population is homosexual. Yet, on the flip side, less than 6% of the population actually claim to be homosexual. We have been led to believe that a huge number of people are struggling with this issue when the number is much smaller than we imagined. Think of everyone you know and then calculate how many are openly homosexual. I am guessing that in a rural community the numbers are very, very small. It is a real issue, but not as big as the newspapers make us believe.

2. Pornography is a huge issue. It is currently estimated that 90% of males under 30 years of age have viewed it. Many are viewing it as early as 12. Addiction is very high and access is easy. As a result it is ruining marriages, men and Churches. I can think of at least 10 men right now who are struggling. It is important to every Church to keep its eye on the ball. The Church has always had to deal with sexual issues on numerous levels. Be careful not to neglect one area while focusing on another. Satan is crafty.

3. Our Church has been making changes to help with gay marriage issues that might come up. Early this year our leadership decided to no longer have our building as a “public use” facility. We will no longer rent our facilities for functions of the general Adrian community. Our facility will be for the use of our members. The end result is that no one can call the Church and use our facility for gay marriage. We are constantly talking about this issue and praying for God’s direction in our decisions.

4. Same sex marriage numbers will quickly drop. Worldwide numerous homosexual couples have decided to never marry (READ THIS). My prediction is that the issue of same sex marriage will quickly reduce. Part of the reason is because homosexual people have a hole that marriage alone cannot fill. Their need is deeply spiritual and marriage alone will not solve the identity crisis so in time the idea of marriage will hold less joy and hope. [Hasn’t that already happened to many heterosexual couples??] People need a Savior not a partner.

5. Don’t be surprised when non-Believers act like non-Believers. Believers and non-Believers will have enormously different views on these issues. That is expected. People who do not claim Jesus as their savior will do all kinds of ungodly behavior. Our job is not to stand and condemn them, but to offer them the grace of Jesus. Hear me, “I want homosexuals to come to our Church.” Why? Because I want them to hear the message of a Savior. I am not the judge of mankind, I am a messenger of grace.

There is a lot more that could be said, but I wanted to share what I am learning through all that I read, hear and observe. This issue has been going on in several other countries for the last few years and wisdom is coming from their communities for all of us. (LIKE THIS) My final suggestion is that we read our Bibles, listen to God, pray and seek his will in every part of this issue. Be informed and be wise.

I don’t know if you have seen this video yet, but it is worth a watch. Humanity never ceases to amaze me. Enjoy.

This poem best describes my past year of life since moving to Missouri.

Drinking From The Saucer
by John Paul Moore

I’ve never made a fortune,
And I’ll never make one now
But it really doesn’t matter
‘Cause I’m happy anyhow

As I go along my journey
I’m reaping better than I’ve sowed
I’m drinking from the saucer
‘Cause my cup has overflowed

I don’t have a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going’s tough
But with kin and friends to love me
I think I’m rich enough

I thank God for the blessings
That His mercy has bestowed
I’m drinking from the saucer
‘Cause my cup has overflowed

He gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough
I’ll not ask for other blessings for
I’m already blessed enough

May we never be too busy
To help bear another’s load
Then we’ll all be drinking from the saucer
When our cups have overflowed

It has been one year exactly since my family crossed the Alaska state line into Canada. Our journey eventually landed us in Adrian Missouri. Adrian is only 30 minutes from my Student Ministry in Urich Missouri and only 45 minutes to my first “fill-time” ministry in Bronaugh Missouri. All of these place are only an hour and a half from Joplin Missouri where I went to college. So in a way, it was a homecoming to me. I came back to my college roots and my fledgling years of ministry. But upon returning to Missouri I had to relearn about life and ministry in the area. Here are a couple of things I had to relearn (In no particular order)

1. Churches are close but most ministries are separate. In Alaska I had a local ministers meeting with all denominations every week. Also, we had a statewide men’s meeting once a year for our brotherhood of Churches. Personally, every minister in our Brotherhood contacted me when I moved to Alaska and I knew every similar Church in a 6 hour radius. Here, I work with 3 other local Churches on 3 or 4 projects each year and we meet sporadically. I have little to no contact with any Churches in our Brotherhood at all. I know there are numerous ones close but they have not contacted me (and I have not contacted them). Ministry feels more individualistic to Churches than to towns or regions. Working together as Churches is a lot harder than Alaska, even with more Churches.

2. Youth Sports dominate people’s lives. I have 4 teenage sons and I know about youth sports from numerous angles. Here in Missouri there is an opportunity to participate in youth sports 7 days a week 365 days a year. I often think that the biggest tool of Satan to lure kids away from Church and from Christ is not drugs or sex, but sports. It is more dangerous because it slowly pulls you away from a supporting faith community into isolation and eventually it leads to apathy. The even more troubling part is that none of the kids around here (including my own) will ever play pro sports (Read THIS). The chances of them getting a college scholarship is pretty small too. (and how much money are you spending in their youth sports to get that scholarship?) The Church must compete with well-intentioned parents to develop the faith of the next generation.

3. Ministry in the summer is hard. In Alaska things get going in the summer. People stay home and enjoy the most beautiful season of the year. They have company come and stay for a week or two that they bring to Church. New people are moving into town and visitors fill the city by the dozens. Summer is exciting for both your personal life but also for the Church. In Missouri it gets hot (real hot) and that makes life miserable in many ways (at least for me). People travel away from town, Church attendance is down and very few people visit. It is a tough time to do ministry.

Those are the biggest things I have been relearning since my return to Missouri. Most of life here is good and ministry is enjoyable but it is a big change to my last several years as a pastor.

The past year has been full of life lessons but I wanted to share the three biggest concepts that have been reinforced in this year.

1. Following Christ Brings People Together. No matter where I have gone in the world I have a common bond with anyone who follows Jesus. I traveled 4,000 miles to lead a group of people I had barely met with our only connection coming through Christ. Over this last year they have accepted me, welcomed my family and showed all of us love. I think it is easy to forget that being in Jesus Christ makes us a part of a connected group all over the world.

2. People Everywhere Have the Same Struggles. It doesn’t matter whether you live in Alaska or Adrian you still have some of the same basic problems. People everywhere struggle with sin and its effects. Marriages and families are under attack. Pornography destroys relationships. Forgiveness is hard. Sin is ugly, evil is real, and all of us struggle at some point.

3. All People Need Grace. No matter where in the world you live you need love, forgiveness and grace. Once sin creeps into your life you need some way to deal with the destruction it leaves. The alternative is to hold onto your shame, guilt and regret. Grace is the key to freedom. That message is needed in Alaska, Missouri and also in South America and Russia and Kansas City. Our common bond should be used to defeat the sin that seeks to destroy us all as we serve as the messengers of His Grace.

Like I said, I have learned and relearned a lot of things over the past year. These are the big ones that have impacted me again. Hopefully they will bless your life no matter where you live.

One year ago my family spent today loading up everything we could fit into a Uhaul in Homer Alaska. The next morning we set out on a 4,000 mile journey to Adrian Missouri.

It is hard for me to believe it had been a year already. Time has flown by with the activities at the Church, with sports and all of the usual life events.

God has been good to us the past year as we have been blessed in numerous ways.

Thanks be to God for this past year and I look forward to the next year and all that God has in store for us. Thanks for joining me on this adventure together.