Kidzone Playground Rehab

It is always amazing to see the volume of work that volunteers can do in such a short amount of time. This morning was no exception. In just three hours, we were able to rehab our church playground. Here are a few pictures from our morning together.

Out with the old ! 

In with the new !

A handsome young man

Kathi is going to kill me !

Many hands make for lite work!

I

Volunteer Staff Meeting - May 15th, 2016

Great Soup and Song with the Joyagers

Great Turnout!

Great Chef Donovan

Great Friends

Great Times

United In Christ Weekend

Some Pictures to capture the impact!!

The Contribution Challenge

Are you up for a challenge? Taking the contribution challenge for one week could revolutionize your thinking, attitudes and actions!

So what will your contribution be? When most people are asked that question, they immediately think of a financial contribution, but most of the time we  give much more than money. Contributions happen every day in marriages, families, businesses. Every good relationship has to be filled with many selfless contributions.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die." I am reading a book entitled The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Ben Zander. There is a chapter in the book entitled, "Being a Contribution." The authors do a wonderful job explaining how a person, who is acting as a contribution, thinks.

When you become a contribution, you move away from self-concern and self-focus. You will engage in relationships with others in a way that produces results way beyond your imagination.

The authors give two steps in practicing being a contribution:

1. Declare yourself to be a contribution.
2. Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference, accepting that you may not understand how or who your contribution will impact.

Here is the challenge for one week of your life;

Describe yourself in light of contribution for one week. Then cast yourself as a contribution into the week ahead. Imagine how that will create a ripple effect beyond your sphere of influence.

This applies to you marriage, family, friendships, work, church, neighborhood, community, nation and world. Who are you contributing to and how?

Ole Fashion Hymn Sing... Columbus Road Style

Experiences vs. Things

St. Louis Blues Hockey

Creating memories through experiences is a great idea. My wife, Lisa, and I have been creating experiences for our family from the very beginning. We have made many memories, and this Christmas was no exception!

Spending money on stuff is appropriate and acceptable, but creating experiences provides countless valuable opportunities to discover, interact, and share with family members.

Local Coffee Shop Games

I read an article this week entitled, "People Who Spend Money on Experiences Instead of Things are Much Happier." The article provided research which indicated that people devalue many of their purchases after having made them. It also revealed that people get caught in the trap of following buying trends and ultimately make purchases that they later regret.

Sky Zone 

Lisa and I have found that using our resources to create and provide new experiences with our family is invaluable. We have no regrets in foregoing expensive purchases in order to make memories. We look for activities, events, and experiences that we all can enjoy. Our family has sat many times at the kitchen table planning and preparing the next experience.

If you start the practice when your children are young, it will carry through adulthood. I know this because I learned from the best, my father-in-law. He created experiences for his family by way of work opportunities and family vacations that brought them all closer. These experiences were so impacting and beneficial that I wanted to continue on in a way that uniquely fit within my own family.

Socks for Jumping 

Every family is different. Some people like to travel; others like games. Are you making memories, or merely buying stuff? Are your gifts and purchases for all to enjoy, or are they individual and can only be used by one person?

Joyager Thanksgiving Luncheon

Thanksgiving Meal

Joyagers from Columbus Road

Bill, Matt and Liz

Jan and Hannah

Are you going to church...or serving the body?

Why do you attend church? Do your words indicate that you play the role of a church consumer?

"I like the music." 

"The preaching is good." 

"They have good programs." 

"I can get in and get out and still have a free day on the weekend."

There is a most alarming trend in western culture that approaches church body life from a self-centered perspective. The Bible makes it very clear that members of the body of Christ are to serve one another. This has become a foreign concept in churches today.

Time and time again I speak to people who attend churches in which they are not involved, they do not serve, and they practically know no one. People can be surrounded by many and yet feel very alone. Some would admit that this is exactly what they are looking for, even in church....to be unknown...to remain anonymous. This desire to be anonymous comes from the evil one, whose lies lead people to defeat and doubt. Satan cannot steal a person's position in Christ, but he can certainly discourage the believer.

Ministry Fair Sign-Ups: These people know the importance of serving!

The Bible makes it very clear that we all have gifts given to us by God for the benefit of the body. First Peter 4:10 states,

God has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. This will show God’s loving-favor.

Could it be that many miss the point of what we are to be doing as a church? To take care of your physical body requires attention, work, and time. This mirrors key elements of body life in the church. It is impossible to show God's loving favor to others without giving time, attention, and service to your church family. We find meaning and purpose in our lives when we are useful to our Lord. Those who serve experience what it's like to be part of something bigger than themselves.

God created the church for us to live out our new life in Christ. This new life of a servant demands that we become selfless.

Align with the scriptures. Find a church body where you can use your gifts and abilities for His glory..and then begin to serve.

New Seasons

Recently my son, Matt, was married and my daughter, Madison, moved into her dorm as a freshman at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. These milestones happened in our family on the same weekend!

Many people have asked me, "How are you feeling?" "Are you sad?" "Are you nervous?" "Are you depressed?" But, my viewpoint is that new seasons provide new opportunities.

Matt Making Pancakes for the Wedding Party

The word that truly describes how I feel is "excited!" I am excited for Matt and Hannah. They are so in love. The thought of them experiencing their dreams together makes me smile. Madison, entering an environment that she has anticipated for her lifetime, makes me want to be a fly on her wall. Oh, how I would love to be there to watch her interact with these new experiences!

New seasons provide new opportunities.

Good-bye Kisses

This new season also includes new opportunities for me. Many more hours and experiences with Michaela and Meredith have begun. I even executed an NCAA x-box tutorial recently for Meredith. Our home is much different already, which provides opportunity for our "smaller" family to draw closer and work together.

Just since Matt's wedding, Michaela has taken on her first job at a golf pro shop, and Meredith has taken the AP class mantle from her older sister, Madison. She (and her homework) have taken ownership of the kitchen table for three hours a day! We now have one less car, and the chore chart even has my name on it! Lisa has a new first grade class and our church has a new staff member.

In all of this, I am learning to embrace the season I'm in! With the changes, I have discovered that many new opportunities surround me! My advice to you is to do the same: Embrace your season! Opportunity is waiting!

Columbus Road Student Missionary Internship