Morning

the radiant colors of the autumn leaves stood out in stark contrast against the gray misty morning background as I fought the lazy man inside and got out for a morning run. It was an incredible experience to mix morning worship with a morning run as Mercyme accompanied my journey down Sisson Street, around the block down Main Street, and ultimately back up Sisson. I'm not sure what the casual observer might have thought about me as I ran by with a smile and occassionally extending my hands (psycho, maybe?)

I haven't contributed much to the ol' blog lately, but I've been thinking and writing often. I'll do my best to add more frequently to this medium that I enjoy using so much. Blessings...

In Position...

I've been working my way through the Book of Acts this week... I'm blown away by the work of the Holy Spirit through the early church. What has jumped off the pages at me is that in every passage that the Holy Spirit works through someone, they had previously "positioned" themselves to hear, receive, and respond. It's been pretty convicting to me as I've often asked why doesn't the Holy Spirit work through me and my ministry in this way - only to realize that I haven't positioned myself to receive what He is saying to me.

On Wednesday I listened almost all day to "the nines." The nines was an online conference where Church leaders from all over had 9 minutes each to speak...One of the most refreshing things about "the nines" presentations was that in so many cases these guys and girls were using their "9 minutes to say anything to Church leaders" to challenge us to as Scott Hodge put it: "Stay close to Jesus son." Time and time again their challenge came down to the question - how's your relationship with Jesus? How do you order your life to make time to really listen to God's voice? How much time do you devote to getting away from everything to be with Him?

obviously so much has changed in Church leadership over the 2000+ years from the days of Acts. As much as things have changed, these clearly remain: Living the kind of life that allows the Holy Spirit to lead... Listening for God's voice and direction and obeying courageously... Stay close to Jesus son...

Sad News Today

Growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana my dad taught me well - I learned to love the Detroit Tigers from the beginning. I remember staying with Grandma and Grandpa during the 1984 World Series...Watching Frank Tanana spin a masterpiece against the Jays in 87...the awful teams in the late 90s culminating in the 2003 disaster...and of course the magic of 2006. I'll never forget the last game in the old park on Michigan and Trumbull - it seemed as every grown man had tears in his eyes as Legends from Tiger's lore came running in from centerfield. The Bird, Willie Horton, Al Kaline and so many others. What a day - the memories re-run in my mind like a movie in HD.

The news this morning that legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell had incurable cancer hit hard. Even in Fort Wayne the massive signal sent out from 760 WJR could reach my house. I used to look forward to the Tiger's heading west... It meant I could fall asleep listening to Ernie. So many great memories of listening to beautiful pictures painted with words - "long gone" ... "he stood there like a house by the side of the road and watched it go by" ... and "two for the price of one" stand out as I think back.

Today Ernie was quoted about the challenge of facing terminal cancer...
"We don't know how long this lasts. It could be a year, it could be much less than a year, much less than a half a year. Who knows? Whatever's in store, I'm ready for a new adventure. That's the way I look at it. And also, I think that when I heard the news, that I had this cancer, that I had a feeling of security and serenity ... but I had a feeling of acceptance because of my belief in Jesus."

That's peace. That's hope. God Bless you Ernie...

So this is 30

30 years old... Still coming to terms with that

A few changes made on the blog to celebrate my exit from the 20's and my entrance into the great unknown. Now that the craziest summer of my life is coming to an end there will be blogging! I hope to blog a couple of times a week from here on out on these topics and more:

I'm taking the youth group through the Spiritual Disciplines right now and realizing they have no idea what they are or where they come from. Actual Quote: "Solitude, isn't that some kind of punishment in prison"

the fall brings House Church, an exciting new series at the Orchards, and so much more

In the mean time I'm enjoying the Tiger's run at the AL Central immensely... Baseball is a beautiful game

what a ride...

It's been a month since I've had the time to sit and write... and what a month it has been. Our time in Queretaro was incredibly stretching, fulfilling, and exhausting. It's hard to remember a time of feeling so physically depleted, and so spiritually charged. There is something that goes right to your core when you give food to a family that admittedly had no idea where food was coming from that week. Our team did justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly with God (Micah 6:8). We are all believing that this is just chapter one of a beautiful partnership with Saul and Soraya and the entire Mexico Vive dream.

When we returned, I have to confess - I crashed hard. The adrenaline that I fed off of for the entire mission was gone, and my body reaped what it sowed. I thank God for the health and "just enough" energy to take the youth camping the week we returned. It was a worthwhile venture, and we had a blast. I regret not being more prepared for the students. I wish I had more for them - but it was definitely a great relationship-building time for the 20 kids that came. Lake Michigan was absolutely frigid - but we had a great trip, no doubt.

After the camping trip it was off to General Conference located this summer at Bethel College. It was refreshing time and a recharge time. Great moments of worship, unforgettable challenges - especially from Jim Cymbala - whose books I have really enjoyed - is even more impacting in person. God used him to really speak into my life, and my understanding of ministry. We got some work done as a denomination and I'm excited for the days ahead. As I hung out with some of the younger guys, I have high hopes for where God will take us as a denomination in the days ahead.

And now, this week... I've been moonlighting as "Wade Winalot" the goofball gameshow host of STUDIO GO VBS at Orchards Community - with quite possibly the greatest hairstlye of all time. It has been fun - It has been an amazing week so far - seeing so many kids, so many families, impacted through the ministry of an army of fearless volunteers. It gives me huge hope and big dreams for the kind of influence and impact Orchards Community can have on its neighborhood in the coming days.

Next week - Vacation comes - the ocean is calling, and I can already feel the sand between my toes. What a ride...

Mission

23 people...a shared heart...a dream for Queretaro...
let the adventure begin