Saturday, April 30, 2005
Remembering a friend...
Today marked the one year anniversary of the death of a good friend's father. Mark, just wanted you to know that I love you and am praying for you today, may God bless you with his peace and comfort.
NICU Reunion
Today was the reunion party for the NICU where my son was for about 11 days. It is hard to believe that he was once about 6 lbs and fighting for his little life when you see him today, 26 lbs and full of life and smiles! It's awesome to see how God works in amazing ways, He is so faithful.
I was reminded of this especially as we got to see one of the nurses who cared for Gabe while in the hospital. I can remember how scared Kaley and I were and how blessed we were to have a woman named Geannie to take care of Gabe. She was one of the first nurses Kaley got a chance to talk with, and she was so loving and tender with Gabe, and patiently answered every single question Kaley and I had, and believe me, there were plenty. What a blessing it was to have someone who could comfort us and help us understand all that was happening, she really held our hands and walked with us down a long dark road.
Just another reminder of how God works all the time, even when we can't see him, He is there comforting and loving us through the arms of His people. I am so thankful for the men and women who serve so faithfully and patiently in the NICU.
I was reminded of this especially as we got to see one of the nurses who cared for Gabe while in the hospital. I can remember how scared Kaley and I were and how blessed we were to have a woman named Geannie to take care of Gabe. She was one of the first nurses Kaley got a chance to talk with, and she was so loving and tender with Gabe, and patiently answered every single question Kaley and I had, and believe me, there were plenty. What a blessing it was to have someone who could comfort us and help us understand all that was happening, she really held our hands and walked with us down a long dark road.
Just another reminder of how God works all the time, even when we can't see him, He is there comforting and loving us through the arms of His people. I am so thankful for the men and women who serve so faithfully and patiently in the NICU.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Happy Birthday Gary
Today is my brother's birthday. Hard to believe that a year has gone by so fast, a lot has happened. I hope you've had a great day and looking forward to seeing you soon. Gabe says Hello! Love you man, have a very Happy Birthday!
A New Beginning
Well, something new for me today. I have seen many of my friends give this a try and have really enjoyed reading their thoughts, comments, and questions about life, so I figured I would give it a try. I have been thinking about a lot of things lately, how God has been working in my life through experiences and conversations I've had lately, and I think this will be a great way to try to process them. So, here goes.
I have been reading a book lately entitled This Present Future by a guy named Reggie McNeal. He talks about the shift from a comsumer church to a missional church. He challenges much of what the institutional church has prescribed to, a "if you build it they will come" mentality, which he argues pulls us further away not closer towards God's kingdom work. In fact he states that this model of church will die over the course of the next 20 years or so, and so to will the institutional church, if we don't make some serious changes.
Lately I have been feeling God working on my heart when it comes to some of these issues. A part of my faith has long been tied to the "do church really well and folks will come" ideology. Perhaps not so much consciously, but when I read McNeal's words I am reminded by the tweaks and twinges of pain/guilt I feel inside. A part of me wants to be that dynamic speaker/teacher/leader who is looked at and seen as influential and important, who draws folks in and inspires them, I guess the pride in me runs pretty deep. The reality is that the more I try to become this great "leader", the less influence I seem to have on the folks around me. It's only as I enter into relationships, only when I walk beside, that I get a chance to have meaningful conversations about real things with real people, only then do I feel God working through me. Not sure if I fully understand this or even believe it all the time, again, the pride in me still calls out for more. But maybe as I continue to read, as I seek the Lord, as I talk with people, God will continue to show me.
I have been reading a book lately entitled This Present Future by a guy named Reggie McNeal. He talks about the shift from a comsumer church to a missional church. He challenges much of what the institutional church has prescribed to, a "if you build it they will come" mentality, which he argues pulls us further away not closer towards God's kingdom work. In fact he states that this model of church will die over the course of the next 20 years or so, and so to will the institutional church, if we don't make some serious changes.
Lately I have been feeling God working on my heart when it comes to some of these issues. A part of my faith has long been tied to the "do church really well and folks will come" ideology. Perhaps not so much consciously, but when I read McNeal's words I am reminded by the tweaks and twinges of pain/guilt I feel inside. A part of me wants to be that dynamic speaker/teacher/leader who is looked at and seen as influential and important, who draws folks in and inspires them, I guess the pride in me runs pretty deep. The reality is that the more I try to become this great "leader", the less influence I seem to have on the folks around me. It's only as I enter into relationships, only when I walk beside, that I get a chance to have meaningful conversations about real things with real people, only then do I feel God working through me. Not sure if I fully understand this or even believe it all the time, again, the pride in me still calls out for more. But maybe as I continue to read, as I seek the Lord, as I talk with people, God will continue to show me.
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